The Nation April 16, 2014 by The Nation

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MORE ON •Fayemi assures pupils of free meals •AND PAGES 9 & 45 •Governor promises teachers overseas training •‘It’s about the future’ •I’m not afraid, says Fayose

Boko Haram kidnaps 100 girls in attack on hostel Troops launch rescue mission

DAY OF HORROR IN ABUJA

Some of the dead

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

IGERIANS, who were struggling to free themselves from the horrific hangover of Monday’s suicide bombing, yesterday got another piece of bad news – the abduction of 100 girls at the Girls Senior Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. Eye witnesses recalled that the attack was like a scene from an action movie. The gunmen stormed the town in the night, shooting and burning. There was commotion. They then invaded the school where they killed a soldier and a policeman who were on guard. The girls were preparing for their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) when they were forcibly taken away by the gunmen around 3 a.m., The Nation learnt. Chibok is a town close to the boundary between Borno and Adamawa states. It is on the edge of the Sambisa forest – the insurgent Boko Haram’s hideout. The military has ordered troops to rescue the girls, who are believed to have been snatched by Boko Haram fighters. The sect detests Western education. Its name translates to “Western education is a sin”. A resident, Joseph Walama, said the attackers were about 50, who stormed the town in a convoy of Toyota Hilux vehicles before unleashing terror on residents. “They started arriving the town from about 10 p.m. in a convoy of seven Hilux vehicles and took control of the town. They set fire on residential and public buildings,’’ Walama said. Continued on page 4

By Our Reporter

•SEE ALSO PAGES 2,3,5&7 •House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (right) commiserating with a victim at the National Hospital, Abuja... PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE yesterday.

By Our Reporter

The Nation yesterday. Some detectives were said to have been sent to Lagos to track down the owner, who did not provide enough data, according to sources. The identification of the num-

Goodness... ‘she’s stable’

“G

OODNESS”, many may have exclaimed on seeing the baby girl among the victims of Monday’s Abuja motor park suicide bombing in which about 150 people died. The government said 72 people died. For baby Goodness, the trauma seems to be over. Her eye swollen, she was – in her innocence- playing yesterday with a package of Chloramphenicol —an

ber plate came from the old registration data system which the FRSC is trying to replace because of some deficiencies. While the search for the number plate owner continues, President Goodluck Jonathan has orContinued on page 4

Continued on page 4

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

Detectives in Lagos to trace bomb car owner

HO owns the Golf car used by the Nyanya suicide bombers? Security agents seem to have got a clue. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has seen the documents, a source told

O official list of victims of Monday’s bomb blast in Nyanya on the outskirts of Abuja is available. But the identities of some of the victims were revealed yesterday. One of them is Aggie Comelius Abba, 32, an employee of the Golden Gate Hotel in Abuja. He was at the park to board an early bus to his office when the explosion occurred. Abba, a graduate of the University of Maiduguri, lives in Maranba. His brother, Mathias, spoke about him at the Asokoro Hospital yesterday. A police constable, Friday John Effiong, also died in the blast. He was on his way to work when he was caught up in the

•Baby Goodness and her aunty, Mary...yesterday

Continued on page 4

•NIGERIA ‘TO LOSE BILLIONS TO NEW IMPORT DUTY, TAX WAIVERS’ P5

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS

Abuja bomb b S • Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (second right), Registrar, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria,(ICAN), Mr. Rotimi Omotosho (left), immediate past president, ICAN, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi (second left), and President, ICAN, Alhaji Kabir Alkali Mohammed at the 9th Northern Zonal Districts' Conference of ICAN in Ilorin...yesterday.

•Innitiator, Director, Project Smile,Dr. Amy Traore Shumbusho speaking the mediaMinistry launch of Project Smile inBosah, Lagos Country ... at the •Managing Unicem, Olivier Lenoir (left),Director, FederalatHighway, of Works, Charles weekend. WithNigeria her are Brand Communiocation Manager Oral B,Tomiwa Ajewole Secretary (left) and Brand Operations CEO, Lafarge and Republic of Benin, Guillaume Roux, and Permanent Ministry of Tradeand andIntegraInvesttions Manager Oral Musa,during B,Ojo Folarin.the 2nd Lafarge National Dialogue Serie in Abuja ...yesterday. PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU ments, Abdu Kadir PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Emeritus Prof. Ayo Banjo, Chairman, Advisory Board for Literature handing over the entries received for the 2014 edition of The Nigeria Prize forAir Literature to Prof. Charity Angya, panel of judges flanked to the left by Prof. Jerry Agada, •From left: Director, Transport Regulation, NigeriaChairman, Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Justus Wariya , Managing member Board to the right byTunji Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, General Manager, External Prof. Director Advisory Bytol Travel andand Tours, Mrs. Biyi Olugbodi and Commercial Manager GambiaRelations, Bird WestNLNG Africa,and Sodieri Ben Elugbe, member, Advisory Board for Literature at the handover of entries for the 2014 edition of the prize in Lagos... Osei - Bonsu at the unveiling of GAMBIA BIRD Airline in Lagos. yesterday.

•Toyota (Nigeria) Limited Executive Director, Mr Kunle Ade-Ojo, addressing reporters in Lagos on the recall of over six million Toyota vehicles in some countries...yesterday. With him are Head, Service and Technical,Victor Connaway (left) and Assistant General Manager, Dealer, Development/Special Project, Henry Ojuoko…yesterday. PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

OME of the Abuja bomb blast victims reounted their ordeal yesterday. The incident that almost paralysised activities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday. Friends, families and neighbours of survivors also shared their feelings. At the Asokoro General Hospital, one of the victims, Odey Samson, who said he was responding to treatment, was caught in the blast alongside his two other brothers while trying to board a bus at the Nyanya Park. John Atanniel, another victim at the hospital, said: “I was at Nyanya that yesterday (Monday) at about 7:10am. I just heard the loud bang and I am one of the victims. I just met myself at the clinic here; I don’t know how it happened again. I was about boarding the board. It was the El-Rufai (high-capacity) bus. But, I thank God I am alive.” Another victim, Blessing Age, a ticket supervisor with the Abuja Urban Mass Company, one of the operators of the high-capacity buses at the park, said: “I didn’t know what happened. I just saw myself on the ground. I was struggling to come out and someone else that was not affected came to help me out. I really thank God for my life.” Age, who holds a National Diploma, is from Imo State. A fruit seller, who was affected by the blast, Mrs. Ebere Ibezim, said she was on her way from Nyanya to Zuba to purchase fruits. She said it happened like a movie to her. Her husband, Mr Ibezim, said: “When I heard the incident yesterday, I was very sad because this Nigeria we are now, despite the fact that I am a citizen, I am not getting anything from this country. See how they put me in problem now. See how this country puts me in this problem. We don’t have any job; we are just a humble family suffering. Yet, see now what they have done to me. All her money with which she was going to buy goods from Zuba for sale at the market had been lost, including her phone. “She told me that when she boarded the bus going to Zuba, as God would have it, she was hungry. She went out of the bus to buy something to eat. Before she came back, the thing exploded and all the people she left in the bus perished. “I call on government to stop this thing because we are not safe now; wherever we are now, we are not safe. Let them come and do something. We had been hearing this thing from outside; now, it has reached us here now. Where are going now? My children are here crying.” For another victim, Charles Oguike, on admission at the Asokoro General Hospital, Abuja, he was a second time lucky. He told reporters he narrowly escaped the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment stampede which killed about 10 people in Abuja last month. Oguike, who graduated from the university in 2010, has been searching for job since leaving school. He said: “I stay in Nyanya, the thing happened yesterday when I was going to Wuse Market. I used to leave house 7 o’clock, 7.30; in the process when I got there to Nyanya bus, where we used to enter El-Rufai bus, I bought my ticket and queued and in the process, there was an explosion. “The explosion happened in such a way that I couldn’t recognised myself; I was seeing so many dead bodies. Then, I know that apart from breath, life is nothing. In fact, in my own case, this is the second time; I escaped the Immigration stampede. Now I have escaped death from bomb blast.” Also at the Asokoro General Hospital, neighbours of the dead came to

•Cleaning of the scene of Nyanyan bomb blast... yesterday.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Sani Onogu, Gbenga Omokhunu, Faith Yahaya and Grace Obike

identify them. One of them was a police constable, Friday Efiong who just returned to Nigeria after nine months peace keeping mission in Sudan. The late Effiong was on his way to work when he died in the blast. He left home early to report at duty post at the Wuse Zone 3 Police Station but unfortunately, fate played a fast one on him. A neighbour said the late Efiong was married with a child. He hailed from Edo State. The late Effiong’s landlord, Musa Suleiman, said he was a good man. He said: “He is the kind of neighbour that I will always wish for even for a hundred times and that is why I am touched by what happened to him. He left home after six on Monday morning. Usually, he always called his wife anytime he arrived work to reassure her that he was safe and when he did not call her on Monday after the blast, she became worried and notified us; so, we began the search. The head doctor in charge of the mortuary informed us that we would have to fill out a form of the victims data and and eventually the police would allow us take him away.

My eyes, ears were blocked At the National Hospital, Abuja, a bricklayer and father of two, Chidozie Iyoke from Enugu State, said: “I was going from Keffi to Area 11 because that is where I do my building work. I live in Keffi. On my way, I stopped at Nyanya Park to enter bus. So, when I entered the park with my working tools, one mind told me to shift. So, I moved to the back of El-Rufai bus, and before I knew it, I heard loud blast and my eyes and ears were blocked and all glasses and many other things began to fall on me. “When I regained consciousness, I felt pain in my hands and legs. I discovered my hands and some parts of my body got burnt and I managed to come out of the people. I thank God, and from there, I trekked to this hospital. “Now, I am feeling better than that of yesterday, because, after entering hospital I could not move my body again. But now, I can go out to even buy something for myself. All kudos go to God and the medical team.” Also, a driver, Osaretin John, from Edo State, said: “I am a driver and I ply the Lagos-to-Abuja route every

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

mb blast victims recount ordeal

•A crowd at the scene of teh blast...yesterday. PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

anyan bomb

It’s time for a bi-partisan approach to end insurgency, says Senator

F Nigeria must survive the current onslaught unleashed on her by insurgents, all her leaders will have to selflessly drop their partisanship and come together to chart a path out of the present bleakness engulfing the whole nation. This was the position canvassed by the senator representing Ekiti Central, Babafemi Ojudu, while reacting to Monday’s bomb explosion in Abuja. In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, Ojudu painted a gory picture of the Boko Haram onslaught, adding, that hope is not lost if leaders across all party divides quickly realise that “this is not about politics, but about the lives of fellow human beings and the future of our country and that of our children. He said: “ We need a bipartisan approach to this problem now, and it is very urgent. The president should be state manly and call political leaders across the divide to discuss this issue and others issues threatening our collective existence before it is too late with the aim of finding lasting solutions to them. “The ruling party cannot do it alone and if this is not done urgently, we all may be heading to Golgotha. “The clips and the pictures of these dastardly acts, the mangled bodies, this tragic pall covering our nation that the rest of the world are seeing do not portray us as human beings. We must urgently put on our thinking caps by seeing this beyond politics. Nigeria belongs to us all. History will never judge us right if this country crumbles on us.” Ojudu said if President Goodluck Jonathan truly loves Nigeria and wants the nation to remain one, he should, as a matter of urgency, summon leaders across political parties and other fields of endeavours to a roundtable where solutions can be offered to the monstrous insurgency, which has eaten the

entrails of the nation so deep that it is just a shadow of itself and could collapse any moment from now. “It is saddening and highly repugnant that foreigners are even more concerned about us than us. Leaders of APC and PDP and those of the religions must quickly meet to proffer solutions to this. This is not the time for namecalling or blame game. If the solution to this onslaught on our collective sanity does not rest with us, let us seek it elsewhere. And the time is now!” Ojudu added that it would be highly unpatriotic of any Nigerian to see the ongoing annihilation as solely a PDP problem and neither should the PDP see it as an opportunity to throw jibes at the opposition to make cheap political capital . The president, he said , should call his party’s spokesperson, Olisah Metuh, to order on this issue as he was not helping matters.

two days. When I woke up yesterday morning (Monday), I brushed my mouth and I moved to the back of vehicle within the park and on my way coming back, I heard a blast. I fell down and every where turned dark. When I rose, I saw people running up and down, and I too ran out of the park and I talked to one man, who directed me to this hospital.” Many others told their stories. Bello Alihu, 30, and cigarette merchant at the park said: “I was selling at the park when I heard the bomb blast and what I noticed was that I was on the ground and I was conscious till I got to the hospital. I was first taken to Maitama hospital before I was moved to the National Hospital because there was no space. I am married with two children. They are in Sokoto.” Johanna Ibrahim, a driver with a private firm, said: “I dropped at the Nyanya Park to buy my ticket. What saved me was that I left the bus to buy water before the blast. I would have been dead. But after the sound I did not know what happened. Every where was dark. It was later that I realised that my face and body had been burnt. I was shouting and crawling for help. I was going to work when it happened. I work with a private firm at Wuse 2. I got married in December

brother was consumed by fire. Mr. Hamza Umar, a staff of Alpha plus, got to the scene while the fire raged. He told reporters at the Wuse General Hospital, Abuja that even though they met their brother before he was rushed to the hospital alongside other victims, they had not been able to locate him. “When this incident happened, my brother who knew that he left the house rushed to the place immediately. He met him on the ground, one leg had already been burnt at that time. “He met fire on the ground, he tried to quench the fire. But at that time he tried to remove him but the security did not allow him to continue to remove him from the fire. “But when they later came back, he was nowhere to be found. I don’t know where they carried him to, whether he is dead or he is still alive. “According to my brother, the time he was trying to rescue him, he was already not very much alive. But you know somebody can be unconscious for three days. We don’t know whether he is alive or not. “He was 20 years old, still single, just finished secondary school from Kogi State but he lives in Nyanya. He lives with his brothers.” Umar said they had searched fruit-

and my wife is two months pregnant. I am going through pains now. I pray that God should see me through. My wife was here but because of my condition I told them not to allow her see me because she will be crying.” Another victim at Maitama General Hospital, Samuel Fila told reporters he was still encountering ear problems. Fila said: “They have treating me fine, but I have been having problems; I can still hear the sound of the bomb blast echoing in my brain even though I don’t hear clearly.”

Still searching for colleague Staff of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) are still searching for a colleague, Jonathan John, who was also involved in the bomb explosion. According his colleagues from BOA, John was rescued but died in the early hours of yesterday from injurious. On receiving the sad news, Mrs Hilda Ishaka, who shared the same desk with the late John, collapsed; she is being resuscitated at the Wuse General Hospital at the time of filing this report. The late John was the secretary to a top official of the bank before the bomb explosion in Nyanya. For some relatives, it was so bad that they watched haplessly as their

•Senator Ojudu

lessly for their brother who was a recharge card seller at the Nyanya motor park. Umar said: “We have a brother, Isa Nuhu. He worked at that particular place this thing happened. We have been looking for the boy from hospital to hospital. We started from Asokoro yesterday, went back to Maitama and later to National Hospital. “Even that yesterday, we were at this hospital but up till now, we have not seen him, either dead or alive. We have not been able to identify him. “Right now, the Wuse General Hospital is referring us to go back to the National Hospital so we are going back to National Hospital now, up till now we don’t know what to do. “My brother sells recharge cards and repairs handsets. He left the house early yesterday about 6am that is the time he used to leave the house to sell cards to people going to work in the morning. “We are still going up and down searching, for us to even see whether he is dead or alive; even if he is dead, for us to even see his corpse before we know what we can do further.”

Govt must act Umar urged the Federal Government to stop the rising insurgency in the country.

He said: “In view of this development, I advise government; these things that are happening are uncalled for and they are not even helping our country. I advise the Federal Government to curtail this problem and encourage the security.” A man, whose two children were involved in the blast, was praising God for the survival of his two children, Joseph and Babaginda. A staff of Karu Local Government Council, Chief Waziri Yamida, said: ”Two of my children were involved yesterday. I thank God. I feel unhappy over it but at long last I really thank God because none of them died. “The only one that is in the hospital has an injury on his legs and he needs only the stitches to be removed and he is here with the Doctors at the Wuse General hospital. “I thank God he is able to talk and he is responding very well. So, even to talk he has no problem and the doctors are really trying their best to attend to all of them and even yesterday when the Senator came around and the Minister, they were trying to make sure that everybody is okay. “Joseph works with a construction company. Their vehicle got burnt. I didn’t know how they managed to come out. Joseph was riding his motorcycle, immediately he just passed the area, the blast happened. “I thank God because they are all alive. I commend the nurses attending to them. I have not been asked to pay anything. The government is taking charge of drugs and everything.” Abba Sule Panda, a civil servant, came to claim one of the dead victims, identified as Alhaji Abba. He was 38 and had two wives and eight children. Panda said Abba was a commercial driver who came to Abuja from Kano around 10 oclock the night before with the hope of loading his passengers to Kano on Monday morning. He said the victim was the first born in his family with several younger ones and children of his own. He called on the government to tackle Boko Haram. Another relative of a dead victim, Paul Ojiku, a businessman, said he had come to identify his 24year old nephew who worked under him at the neighbourhood market in Wuse Zone 3. He said the victim left the house around 7 o’clock to the shop. Ojiku said: “It is so painful. We have gone to all the hospitals that they took the victims to but we have not been able to find my nephew.” Mr Mathais Aggie also lost his 32- year old younger brother, Aggie Cornelius Abba, in the blast. He said Cornelius was a graduate of the University of Maiduguri and was working in Golden Gate Hotel, Abuja, he said that Cornelius had been with him the night before till 10’ oclock where they discussed family issues before leaving to go and rest in his own house in Mararaba. The family was disturbed when they learnt of the blast on the day of the incident and began calling his number since they were aware that he usually went to work early and always boarded bus at the park. “Eventually one of the attendants picked the phone that had been ringing for so long and informed us that the owner of the phone was dead and that we should come to Asokoro general hospital and that was how we came and identified him.” He said. He also added that the issue of security in the country is very sensitive and the government needs to put more efforts by creating more awareness because the people that were killed yesterday were not part of decision making in the country but this are the people dying like chicken or ordinary fowl.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS Detectives in Lagos Continued from page 1

dered Service Chiefs to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act in which scores of people most of them artisans and junior government workers, died. He set the target after receiving a preliminary report on the bomb explosion. The military has been directed to strengthen security within the perimeter of the Federal Capital Territory to prevent a reoccurrence of the explosion. The FRSC is believed to have revealed the identity of the

owner of XQ 229LSD number plate to the investigative team. A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have got the first clue through the FRSC, which has given us the name of the owner of the number plate purportedly found on the Golf car which was used for the blast. “The plate is the old number which the FRSC was trying to phase out. But some vital data (like the telephone number of the person) were not in the old system. It is left to investigaContinued on page 59

Goodness... ‘she’s stable’ Continued from page 1

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola leading officials on inspection before the inauguration of 15 Ilesa township roads…yesterday. Inset: Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from his supporters…yesterday.

Abuja blast death toll hits 75, says minister

ORE deaths – two – have been recoreded in the Abuja explosion, bringing the death toll so far to 75. Over 100, including a 10month-old baby, were injured in the Nyanya bus terminus suicide bombing. The deaths were recorded at the Wuse General Hospital, and at the National Hospital. The Federal Government has said that there will be no mass burial for the victims. Besides, it will pick the hospital bills of the injured. Ministers were jostling yesterday to visit victims at hospitals. Ministers of Labour and Productivity Emeka Wogu, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Mohammed Bala and Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu were at the hospitals to encourage the victims. The bodies of the victims, according to the Health Minister, will soon be released to the families for burial. Onyebuchi said efforts were being made to ensure proper documentation of victims before releasing them to their family members, adding that the list of victims is still being collated.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Gbenga Omokhunu, Faith Yahaya and Grace Obike, Abuja

The minister, who addressed reporters shortly after his visit to four hospitals, said: “When we released the figures yesterday, we made it clear that that it was provisional. It took us quite a long time, as you aware, for us to even release provisional figures, but finally late last evening when we released those figures, we still issued a caveat that they are provisional because sometimes there may be double counting and sometimes there might be people who were not counted.” Chukwu went on: “Currently, having taken every body into consideration, including the movement of people, some new deaths since then, what we have now is that those who have been able to be evacuated and captured in hospitals because if someone just have a spinal injury and walked away, it is possible we did not capture that. We have a total of 215 victims, but that has been reviewed downward because as at yesterday we were talking of 236,

but now it is 215 because there might have been some double counting but now we know better. But what has increased is the casualty figure because we talked of 72 yesterday. At this moment we have 75 as those who are dead. So you have 215 at total but out of the 215, 75 are dead. So that is the current figure. “The pathologists are working hard on that. When you have pieces of flesh … here and there, they need to be properly sorted out. Sometimes it is not as easy as people may think. So as at this time, I may not be able to give this information. By the time pathologists are through, obviously, we may have to revise the mortality figure. It will come. So I plead for you to be patient and let’s do it properly. “We have been doing things as government to also increase the capacity for trauma. As you are aware, the addition trauma facility at the hospital is ready and we even used a bit of it yesterday but it will be properly commissioned in the next few days.” The FCT minister announced that government would pick the hospital bills

of the injured victims. He also said there would be no mass burial for the victims. Mohammed, who spoke at the Asokoro General Hospital said: ”All medical bills in our hospitals will be taken care of by the FCT administration. FCT administration will foot all the bills, except for good Samaritans who decide to do it too. I have directed the Permanent Secretary of Health, irrespective of where the patients are, to pick the bills, no matter the cost, including those on referral. I was told there are some private hospitals, which have voluntarily on humanitarian grounds agreed to foot the bills or treat patients. The minister spoke of plans to release bodies to families who are asking for them. He said: “And they will be given befitting burial but certainly, there won’t be any mass burial. We will do all we can to make sure that people are identified and picked. “FCT hospitals, we have 54 confirmed dead bodies and 82 receiving treatment and out of the 82, 10 have been treated properly and discharged. We lost one in Wuse District Continued on page 59

Boko Haram kidnaps 100 girls in attack on hostel Continued from page 1

He said the attackers engaged in mass looting of food items and harassed residents at will. “Then they suddenly headed for the Senior Secondary School, Chibok, which is a WAEC examination centre. “Some of the teachers and students took to their heels on sighting them, but they eventually abducted those who remained in the hostel. “They packed food items and the students into an abandoned lorry before heading for the Sambisa forest,’’ he said. “Many girls were abducted by the rampaging gunmen who stormed the school in a convoy of vehicles,” Emmanuel Sam, an education official, told the French News Agency AFP Borno Commissioner of Police Lawal Tanko confirmed the attack but said he did not have details of the incident. A local government official said he did not know how many of the girls have escaped but that “many” have walked through the bushes and back to Chibok. The girls were piled into the

back of an open truck and, as it was traveling, some grabbed at low-hanging branches to swing off while others jumped off the slow-moving vehicle, he said. All schools in Borno state were closed three weeks ago because of an increasing number of attacks by militants who have killed hundreds of pupils in the past year. But the young women — aged between 16 and 18 — were recalled to take their final exams, the local government official explained. Abducting girls as sex slaves has become the stock in trade of the Boko Haram insurgents. When they attacked the school in Buni Yadi, Yobe State, some of the girls were also taken away. The Defence Headquarters yesterday ordered troops to liberate the girls. Some of the girls who jumped out of the Hilux vehicles used to abduct them are also being protected by troops, it was learnt yesterday. The Defence Headquarters denied that up to 200 girls were abducted. It said there were 129 girls in the school at the time the

insurgents arrived. DHQ spokesman Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade said: “When the incident was reported, troops were swiftly mobilised to liberate the girls. The fact is that when they were being taken away, some of the girls jumped out of the vehicles and ran to the troops. “These girls provided information on the route taken by their abductors. The route is being trailed as I am talking to you.” He added: “The total number of girls in the school at that time was about 129. Not all the girls were abducted and some of those held by the insurgents escaped. “So, the number was not up to 200. But our concern is that even if one school girl is abducted, we are determined to set such a person free from hostage by the insurgents. Troops have been ordered to liberate these girls; we are tracking them. “All the girls who escaped from the insurgents are now being protected by troops.” A top security source said:

“From the courageous girls who escaped, we learnt that some of the insurgents are locals; they are known to them. It is something we are also investigating, to find out if there were issues in the area before the abduction.” A girl, who managed to escape and wished not to be named, told the BBC she and fellow students were sleeping when armed men burst into their hostel. “Three men came into our room and told us not to panic. We later found out later that they were among the attackers,” she said. The girls said she and her schoolmates were taken away in a convoy, which had to slow down after some of the vehicles developed a fault. Around 10 to 15 girls seized the opportunity to escape. “We ran into the bush and waited until daybreak before we went back home,” she said.

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eye infection ointment — which she put on her ear, mimicking a person making a call on a mobile. Doctors at the Asokoro District Hospital said Goodness “is okay”. The baby, whose right eye is swollen, is receiving treatment at the Paediatrics ward where a relative, simply identified as Aunty Mary, is looking after her. Her mother, whose name was not disclosed, is at the

Wuse General Hospital receiving treatment for a fracture. A doctor said: “She is in a stable condition. The swollen eye is getting better. Baby Goodness is responding well to treatment and she will be discharged when the hospital certifies that she is fine. ”Family photographs have been seen and that confirms that the man who came to claim her is truly her father.” Federal Capital Territory Continued on page 59

Some of the dead

Continued from page 1

blast. Effiong’s body was found at the Asokoro Hospital by his relatives. He was posted to the Wuse 3 Police Station. Monday was his first day at work on resumption from duty as he had just returned from a nine-month peace keeping mission in Sudan. But he never resumed. Effiong was married and had a kid.

Also among the dead is a 38-year-old driver, Alhaji Abba, who had eight children. Abba was a commercial driver plying Kano - Abuja route. He arrived in Abuja at 10pm on Sunday, with the intention of taking passengers to Kano on Monday morning. His brother Panda Sule Abba was making efforts yesterday to collect his body.

U.S. issues alert to citizens

HE United States Embassy in Abuja has asked American citizens to avoid crowded places and review their security plans. The embassy said in a statement: “The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria alerts U.S. citizens to a reported explosion in Abuja Nigerian authorities report that at least 71 people died in the blast and more than 150 were seriously injured. “No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion, which is believed to have been caused by a large vehicle, borne explosive device. No other details are yet available as Nigerian authorities continue to investigate the incident. “The U.S. Mission advises all U.S. citizens to be particularly vigilant around church-

es, mosques, and other places of worship; locations where large crowds may gather; hotels; markets; malls; and other areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. “ “Security measures in Nigeria remain heightened due to threats posed by extremist groups, and U.S. citizens may encounter additional police and military checkpoints, additional security, and possible road blocks throughout the country. “ “Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. “ “Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security and follow instructions of local authorities.”

OUR ERROR On page 47 of our yesterday’s edition, we erroneously used the photograph of Mr. Ifie Sekibo, the managing Director/Chief Executive of Heritage Bank, as that of Senator George Sekibo. The error is regretted. OUR ERROR This photohraph of Mr. Kayode Jegede was wrongly used yesterday on page 28 instead of that of the former Law School Director General, Chief John Kayode Jegede (SAN) who passed on. Mr. Jegede, the Special Adviser (Infrastructure and Public Utilities) to the Ekiti State Governor is hale and hearty. The error is regretted. •Mr. Jegede

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS

DAY OF HORROR IN ABUJA

JNI: Nigerians must unite against insecurity T HE umbrella body of Muslims in the North, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), rose on Monday from its Central Council meeting with a call to Nigerians, irrespective of religious or tribal affiliation, to cooperate with the government to tackle the nation’s security challenges. The body is headed by the Sultan of Sokoto. In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the body, the council regretted that Nigeria was gradually becoming a theatre of bloodbath.

It criticised the increase in street begging by young and vulnerable children in the name of Qur’anic education and promised to collaborate with the government to run almajiri schools in the North. The communiqué, which was signed by JNI’s Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, reads: “The country is being turned into a theatre of bloodshed, which requires putting heads together to end the menace of senseless vio-

North’s governors condemn blasts

HE Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) said yesterday there was no basis for the early Monday bombing of innocent Nigerians at a motor park in Nyanya, Abuja. The forum, through its Chairman and Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, condemned the blast in which over 70 people were killed and injured several others injured. The NSGF regretted “the

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

lence and killings. “The phenomenon of street begging by young and vulnerable children in the name of Qur’anic education still thrives and remains an eyesore and a menace that continues to tarnish the image of the Muslim ummah (community). “While education is one of the most important tools for national development, it has not received the desired attention and commitment. For any organisation to function effectively, especially in the modern world, it must have reliable and

sustainable sources of financing its activities. “The inclusive leadership style of His Eminence, the Sultan (of Sokoto) has gone far in uniting the Muslims in Nigeria and promoting among them the culture and spirit of mutual respect, tolerance and understanding.” The organisation urged governments at all levels to provide security to the citizens by working with traditional rulers and religious leaders. It advised Nigerians to avoid sentiments and confront the spreading insecurity pervading the land through concerted efforts.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

loss of innocent lives due to the explosion”. In a statement in Minna, the state capital, the forum sent its condolences to the families of the victims. It said no grievance could justify such a dastardly act against defenceless citizens. The statement, by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo,

called for vigilance among Nigerians. It emphasised that security matters should not be left to security agents alone. The statement added: “The issue of security should not be left to the government alone. All hands must be on deck to stop the activities of terrorists, which have left hundreds of innocent Nigerians either dead or wounded.” The statement urged securi-

ty agencies not to be discouraged by the activities of terrorists. It noted that the nation would remain grateful to the military and other security agencies for the successes they recorded in the fight against terrorism. The governors prayed God to grant the souls of the deceased eternal rest and members of their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

UN slams blast

HE 15-member United Nations (UN) Security Council has condemned the Monday bomb explosion at a bus station in Nyanya, Abuja. Over 71 persons were killed and 124 others were injured in the blast.

Members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations was criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation. In a statement yesterday in New York, the council said:

“Wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group.” The 15-member UN body reaffirmed the need to combat threats to international peace and

security caused by terrorist acts. “The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice,” the statement said.

IGP: we’ll bring perpetrators to justice From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

•IGP Abubakar

NSPECTOR-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar said yesterday security agencies will bring to justice perpetrators of Monday’s bomb blast at Nyanya motor park in Abuja. Abubakar, who visited the scene of the blast yesterday, urged the citizens and the international community to remain calm and vigilant. Over 70 persons were killed in the blast while over 100 were injured in the rush hour blast. In a statement by the Force

spokesman, Frank Mba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), the IGP said the police and other security agencies were stepping up measures to uncover and apprehend the perpetrators of the crime. The statement said: “The IGP further noted that security agents have relentlessly worked round the clock with significant success to stave off such attacks on the federal capital and other parts of the country. “He, therefore, reassured Nigerians and foreign nationals that security agencies will do anything possible to further strengthen the security within and beyond Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Canada, Spain condemn attack

ANADA and Spain have condemned the Monday morning bombing at Nyanya, Abuja. Over 70 people were killed and over 100 were seriously injured in the blast. Both countries advised the Nigeria government to bring those behind the dasterdly act to justice. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the act of terror should not be allowed to go unpunished. He reaffirmed his country’s support for Nigeria to combat terrorism.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

The statement reads: “Canada condemns in the strongest possible terms this cowardly terrorist attack during the rush hour at a busy bus station in Abuja. “On behalf of all Canadians, we extend our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the innocent victims of this attack. “Such a brutal act of terror cannot be allowed to go unpunished. Canada reaffirms its support for Nigeria as it combats terrorism.” Spain said it would always support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

Attack is national calamity, says ACF

•L-R: Managing Director Freshland Campina WAMCO Plc Mr Peter Eshikena, Super Eagle Chief Coach, Mr Stepehn Keshi; Operational Director Mr Vedavyas Vemun and Human Resources Director Mr Tomoniyi Oni at the Peak Unveiling Campaign in support of Super PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI. Eagles of Nigeria held in Lagos.

2014 budget: Fed Govt swears in procurement officers

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

HE Bureau of Public procurement (BPP) administered yesterday the oath of allegiance on procurement officers ahead of the implementation of this year’s budget. The ceremony was held at the new State House auditorium in Abuja. BPP’s Director-General, Emeka Ezeh, who also took the oath, said the bureau discovered some wrongdoings among procurement officers. This, he said had given the government a bad image. Eze said the oath was aimed at correcting the wrongdoings and to ensure prudent spending of the 2014 budget. According to him, the implementation of the budget will be challenging because of the fall in revenue. He said: “It is in the interest of this country that the budget is implemented. And the action or inaction will go a long way in ensuring the smooth implementation of the budget. In as much as we want the budget implemented 100 per cent - and the laws should be obeyed that is why we have invited procurement officers, who are key to the budget implementation. “We have made history today by administering oath of allegiance on procurement officers. This is the number one step to prick their conscience. Of course, you know procurement officers are constantly under monitoring by security agencies to be sure that people who really live above their income are interrogated.

HE Northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has said Monday morning explosion at the Nyanya motor park in Abuja was a national calamity and a disservice to humanity. In a statement by its National Publicity, Mohammed Ibrahim, the ACF said the security situation in the country had made the people to become hopeless and helpless. It has also crippled the socioeconomic activities of the region, ACF said. The statement reads: “The bomb blast in Nyanya town, on the outskirts of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday morning, which killed over

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

70 innocent people and injured many, was a national calamity, a disservice to humanity and a great shock to the nation. “In the last six years, Nigeria has experienced many cases of security challenges, such as bomb blasts, insurgencies and gun attacks, communal and religious clashes, which have culminated in huge loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of Naira. “The present insecurity in the country, especially in the North, has placed our people in a state of hopelessness and helplessness and crippled the socio-economic activities of the region.

‘Nigeria to lose billions to new import duty, tax waivers’

HE 19 members of the Nigerian Auto Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (NAMA) have urged the Federal Government to cancel a new wave of import duty waivers granted to an unnamed businessmen to import cars into the country. In three separate letters to President Jonathan Goodluck, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngizi Okonjo-Iweala and the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, by NAMA’s Executive Secretary Arthur Madueke, the car manufacturers complained that the import waiver would sabotage the new automotive policy launched by the government and cause a loss of billions of Naira in revenue. The new auto policy seeks to create employment for Nigerians through the local assembly and the manufacture of cars. One of the letters, titled: “Protest and Request for Cancellation of one-year Duty Waiver Concession to Import Vehicles into Nigeria,” reminded the government that barely six months ago, ”we rolled out the drums to congratulate the Federal Government on the monumental stride taken to advance industrialisation in this great country when the Federal Executive Council (FEC) announced the National Automotive Policy. Two months ago, the President Jonathan launched the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan and the National Enterprise Development Programme...” NAMA regretted that “sadly though, certain elements in our society, in pursuit of personal wealth, are prepared to stop at nothing to scuttle our aspirations to develop as a nation”.

The car manufacturers recalled that the association pleaded with the government to demonstrate its commitment to the National Automotive Policy, released six months ago, by patronising automotive assembly companies, which demonstrated faith in this economy, by investing in manufacturing facilities in Nigeria. They said: “Our members made a representation to the Nigeria Economic Summit team handling the preparation for the World Economic Forum, to be hosted in Nigeria in May 2014. We undertook to supply vehicles to the summit at our expense and indicated our preparedness to pay duty as may be agreed by government for the vehicles. We submitted the letters to the World Economic Summit Group in January 2014. There was no constructive engagement or response to the offer.” The auto manufacturers regretted that they learnt that the government had issued a letter of duty waiver, valid for one year - from February 2014 - to certain auto importers, to import 290 luxury vehicles for the World Economic Summit taking place in May 2014. “This decision is, to say the least, retrogressive and outrightly scandalous. Our members, who have taken a risk of investing in production in Nigeria, are facing the greatest fear that well placed vested interest in the auto import trade will work to undermine this policy. A duty waiver valid for one year for a one-week event taking place in May 2014, is open border to flood our markets with imported vehicles and destroy the domestic market for locally produced vehicles,” the association said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS We’ll eradicate polio this year, says Rotary

By Seun Akioye

ARRING any unforeseen circumstance, polio epidemic will be eradicated in Nigeria before the end of this year, the Chairman of Rotary Foundation Trustee and former President Rotary International, Dong Kurn Lee, has said. Lee addressed reporters yesterday in Lagos as the guest of Rotary club District 9110. The occasion was part of his four-day working visit to Nigeria. The Rotarian is expected to evaluate the progress made in the fight against the polio scourge in Nigeria and inaugurate some projects associated with the polio campaign. Lee said: “We have just finished the polio-free certification in India. Now, we have three countries remaining, namely Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. But I want to congratulate Nigeria and our hardworking Rotarians. This year, there has been just one reported case of polio. This time last year, we had recorded 19 cases. So, progress is being made and, before the end of this year, we will eradicate polio in Nigeria.” The Rotary Foundation chairman listed the global progress in the eradication of polio. According to him, 99 per cent of polio cases globally have been eradicated. Lee recalled that when Rotary began the campaign in 1985, about 1,000 polio cases were being recorded everyday and 350,000 cases every year. “Last year (2013), we recorded only 400 cases globally and, this year, the situation is getting better,” he said. The Rotary chief hailed Nigerians for contributing to the global polio fund. He said Nigerians were the biggest contributors in Africa, adding: “Nigeria is a great Rotary country; it has the largest contribution towards the eradication of polio in Africa. I must thank Nigerians and our development partners, like the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) and the Nigerian government. Their concerted efforts have made this progress possible in Nigeria,” he said. Lee said Rotary Foundation had spent $11 billion (about N1.8 trillion) since the beginning of its polio intervention. The Rotary chief said the organisation needed $5.5 billion to certify the world polio-free. He said: “We will eradicate polio globally in 2015 and then we’ll give three years’ interval to certify polio free. So, we have till 2018 to declare the world polio-free and we still need a lot of money. I will encourage Nigerians to increase their donations towards the polio campaign because until the world is free, no country is totally free from polio.” Also, the Chairman of the Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee Dr Tunji Funsho said the country was the first country to use the kill-virus vaccine after the virus had eradicated. Despite the challenges in administering the polio vaccine in crisis-prone areas, Funsho said the committee had covered 80 per cent of Borno State.

Conference delegates seek closure of Cameroon border

ELEGATES to the National conference have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to close the Nigerian border with Cameroon. The delegates also considered yesterday sending a team, led by the leadership of the conference, to Dr Jonathan on the need for his administration to tackle the deteriorating security situation in the country. Reacting to the abduction of over 100 female students in Borno State on Monday night, most of the delegates said the time had come for the creation of state and community policing. After several delegates had expressed sadness over the Monday morning Nyanya, Abuja bomb blast, which they said sent cold shivers down their spines, formerOgun State Governor Olusegun Osoba said the insurgencies had shown that Nigeria was in a state of war. He said the nation’s economy had been affected by the insurgencies, adding that the security breakdown had extended to education.

•Call for state police mounts From Dele Anofi, Abuja

Osoba said: “How do we invite investors? Our education is affected and, by extension, our future. “I suggest we call on President Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, close the Nigerian borders with Cameroon, Niger and others on that axis and ask our security agencies to secure the borders and protect Nigerians there. “Those who were affected by the killings and kidnappings are Nigerians and we should send a delegation, led by the leadership (of the conference) to the President, to express our views and for him to know the import of our concerns.” Gen Tanko Ayuba said the incessant security breaches across the land meant there was a system failure in the security system. According to him, the system failure in the Intelligence sector and the Armed Forces is glaring. The retired soldier said

there was no information sharing between security agencies. Ayuba noted that if a country lacks credible and dependable intelligence gathering community, it thus has nothing. The retired General stressed the need for an overhaul of Nigeria’s security system. He said: “There is need to put the Armed Forces to question. Are they professionally incompetent? Are they illmotivated? Are they infiltrated? What happened to the border security initiative of years ago? I am in support of border closure against Cameroon. This is the time to walk the talk. “We need to deploy technology, surveillance system to do this, while our ground force would stop them on their tracks, if they want to come through the land.” A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women Leader, Josephine Anenih, also supported the call for

state police. She noted that if every Nigerian takes security as a personal responsibility, things would improve. A former University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) vice chancellor Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said people should be cautious in their utterances and exercise patience on the outcome of investigations before they draw conclusions. He asked rhetorically if the people in authority were certain that the country was really dealing with Boko Haram. Oloyede said: “We should not play politics with security. We have to investigate and interrogate all issues concerned, instead of jumping to conclusions. “Jumping to conclusions before an investigation would give room for criminals, who were responsible for the acts to escape justice. There might also be some fifth columnists who are making efforts to undermine this country. “We have to stop the categorisation and ask those who know and should know to in-

vestigate.” Pastor Tunde Bakare said the government must be informed that the Conference was serious and concerned about the situation. He said beyond condemnations and condolences to the security agencies, which he noted seemed not to be of any effect, the conference ought to take a stand because “a death to one, is a death to all”. An activist Annkio Briggs said no one was sure if the insurgencies could be contained by the nation’s security agencies any longer. She noted that the attacks might have been orchestrated from outside the shores of the country. The activist said those who were responsible for taking security decisions should advise the President apprriately. “It is not a one man job,” she added. Another delegate member, Felicia Sani said Western nations should be held responsible for Nigeria’s woes. According to her, the West was working towards the prediction that Nigeria would cease by 2015.

NLNG gets 124 entries for 2014 literature prize

•From left: Mr Tunde Akanni; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Media Support Centre (MSC), Ms Ojobo Atuluku and Director, MSC, Mr Wale Fatade, at a media briefing, tagged: They Work for You campaign on Reform Constituency Projects in Nigeria in Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: DAVID ADEJO

CAN urges Confab to jettison presidential system

HE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged members of the National Conference to discard the present presidential system of government and replace it with parliamentary system. In a communiqué issued at the weekend in Ikeja, Lagos, at the end of a meeting between its National President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and Southwest leaders, led by Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade, CAN said it deliberated on issues affecting Nigerian Christians. The communiqué by Archbishop Atilade, said the presidential system was too expensive for Nigeria to shoulder. CAN noted that the chunk of the nation’s resources was wasted on recurrent expenditure, which was not beneficial to majority of Nigerians. The nation’s umbrella Christian body said the church in Nigeria was under attack from “the forces of evil with Christians being martyred daily in the Northern parts of Nigeria”. The association added: “Christian schools are being closed down and churches are

not being given approval or certificate of occupancy for the development of churches.” CAN urged the Federal Government to address the problems because they could lead to religious uprising in the country. It said the government should support the military’s effective intelligence gathering to expose those behind Boko Haram and their financiers in the interest of Nigerians. The association said the National Conference should return Nigeria to parliamentary system, because the cost of running the presidential system was too high and outra-

geous. CAN stressed that the presidential system gives no room for adequate capital development because a larger chunk of revenue goes for recurrent expenditure from which only few people benefitted. The association said its members were showing apathy to political activities and governance to the detriment of their people. It accused the church in Nigeria of showing lukewarm attitude to its helplessness while the Northern church needed prayers and support. CAN regretted that there was a preponderance of arms and ammunitions in the

hands of a particular ethnic group, who were neither authorised nor sanctioned by the government to bear such arms. The association said the ethnic group was using its grip on such illegal arms to attack innocent Nigerians. The government at all levels, it said, needed to protect the citizens. CAN added that political awareness and participation should be increased among Christians by controlling “the seven mountains of influence that govern the human society”. The association stressed that the nation’s secularity should be maintained.

Lagos, Abuja airports for US agency’s assessment

HE American Transportation Safety Administration’s (TSA’s) Attaché for Central and West Africa, Ms Mcneir Loretta, has arrived in the country for a three-day working visit. The visit is a follow-up assessment of the agency’s Aviation Security Audit which was carried out on the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, (NAIA), Abuja in December 2013. Ms Mcneir, who is based in Dakar, Senegal, on Monday began her programme with a vis-

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

it to the Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Benedict Adeyileka. She inspected facilities at the MMIA, Ikeja, in company of NCAA Aviation Security officials. Ms Mcneir is scheduled to meet with the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma, before going to Abuja for a visit to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Dr Jamilla Shu’ara.

HE Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has received 124 entries for this year’s edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature. The prize is the company’s flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative and Africa’s most prestigious literary prize. Five entries were also received for the award for literary criticism, introduced in 2012. The entries were handed over through the Advisory Board for Literature to the panel of judges chaired by Charity Angya, a professor of Theatre and Drama at the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, Benue State. Other members of the panel are: Prof. Ahmed Yerima, a playwright and past winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, 2006 edition and Prof; Nasiru Akanji, a well respected scholar and professor of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). Also on the panel is Prof. Sirayi, a playwright and Dean, Faculty of the Arts, at Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa. He will serve as an international consultant. The Nigeria Prize for Literature is awarded yearly and alternates amongst four literary genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature. This year is for drama. For the award for literary criticism, which has not been awarded since it was introduced, special consideration will be given to critical essays on the works of the new generation of Nigerian writers. Entries for the award must have been published in a reputable international literary journal. The Nigeria Prize for Literature, now in its 11th year, is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited to reward excellence and celebrate works of outstanding merit in literature.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS

Tension as police arrest Onitsha arms dealer

DAY OF HORROR IN ABUJA

Tambuwal visits victims

OUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal visited yesterday the National Hospital in Abuja to sympathise with the victims of Monday morning bomb blast at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja. The Speaker was conducted round the emergency ward by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. Tambuwal, who condemned the attack, said the issue was not about any political party but an attack on Nigerians. The Speaker urged the nation’s leaders to stop playing politics with insecurity. He advised them to work together for the good of the country. Tambuwal said: “As leaders in this country, we must all come together and support the government in addressing this challenge. “We should stop playing politics with issue of insecurity. From what I have seen among the victims, I doubt if they are members of any political party. “We should stop playing politics, we should address the issue and it is not about any religion. “It is unfortunate. We must come together. We must rise to the challenge and address this challenge. We must all work together as a nation to address the issue of security, we should stop playing politics with security.” The Speaker said he had indicated interest to go the National Blood Transfusion Centre to donate blood to the victims.

•Seize guns

HERE was tension at the Onitsha Main Market yesterday when the Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) invaded the market to arrest a notorious arms dealer, Alphonsus Ngwu. Ngwu’s men tried to prevent his arrest. But he was shot while trying to escape during a commotion. The shots created tension, as traders scampered for safety. The SARS team recovered over 8,000 rounds of live ammunition from his shop. Others are: six pump action, one revolver, 6,390 live cartridges, 62 rounds of 5.65mm live ammunition, 74 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, 100 rounds of air rifle ammunition, 12 magazines for AK 47, 2 magazines for k-2 rifle, dismantled parts of AK-47, GPMG ammunition and one smoke cartridge. Commissioner of Police Gwary Usman described Ngwu as special arms dealer and smuggler. He hailed the SARS team, led by James Nwafor. Ngwu, from Ugwuoba in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, told the reporters the items were recovered from his shop and promised to lead Nwafor to his warehouse. But he said he was not involved in robbery or kidnapping. He said he had been in the business for 15 years, adding that he gets his arms from abroad. The suspect alleged that a man from the North was

Abuja’ll still host World Economic Forum

HE World Economic Forum said yesterday its Africa summit will be held in Nigeria’s capital next month, despite a bomb attack on the outskirts of the city where over 71 people were killed. The bombing blamed on Boko Haram Islamists targeted morning commuters at the Nyanya bus terminal south of the city-centre and was the deadliest attack ever in Abuja.”These tragic events will not stop us from delivering on our promise to host a worldclass meeting next month,” the forum said it a statement. Abuja has hosted a number a high-profile international events, including west African and African Union summits, but the World Economic Forum conference has been described as the most prestigious meet to come to Nigeria’s capital. The forum said it was putting in place unprecedented security measures to protect delegates in Abuja.”Our security planning for the World Economic Forum on Africa is already well under way and will be the largest security operation ever mounted in this country for an international summit,” the body said it a statement. “In total, over six thousand security personnel, consisting of police and army will be deployed, covering a secure area the size of 250 square kilometres.” Nigerian police have beefed up security across the capital following Monday’s attack and have pledged to intensify surveillance at all “vulnerable targets.” •Ngwu...yesterday From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

his contact man. The police alleged that he was behind communal

Police to strengthen security in Lagos clashes in the country, as he supplies arms to warring communities and dealers, who sell to robbers. From a record of his sales, it was learnt that he

sells two pieces of AK 47 for N620,000. From the addresses in the log book, the police alleged that he sponsored the Ezza/ Ezilo war, among others.

Abuja blast is national calamity, says ACF

HE Northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has said Monday morning explosion at the Nyanya motor park in Abuja was a national calamity and a disservice to humanity. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, the ACF said the security situation in the country had made the people to become hopeless and helpless. It has also crippled the socioeconomic activities of the region, ACF said. The statement reads: “The bomb blast in Nyanya town, on the outskirts of Abuja, the Fed-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

eral Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday morning, which killed over 70 innocent people and injured many, was a national calamity, a disservice to humanity and a great shock to the nation. “In the last six years, Nigeria has experienced many cases of security challenges, such as bomb blasts, insurgencies and gun attacks, communal and religious clashes, which have culminated in huge loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of Naira. “The present insecurity in the country, especially in the North,

has placed our people in a state of hopelessness and helplessness and crippled the socio-economic activities of the region. “The measures put in place by various levels of government, including a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to combat the activities of insurgents and terrorists, have not yielded the desired result. This is grave and worrisome, considering the frequency of the attacks which have become a daily affair with colossal loss of lives and property. “ACF hereby condemns in strong term the senseless and inhuman act of terrorism being perpetrated by insurgents and

forms as chairman of the party, with Alhaji Abdulahi Shinkafi as national secretary. Umeh was cross examined by counsel to Obidigbo, Maduabuchi Oba, in the suit by Obidigbo challenging the nomination of Obiano. He told the tribunal that INEC monitired the primary conducted by APGA , adding that any other leadership not recognised by INEC, which produced a candidate, was not valid. “I was the validly elected national chairman of APGA and recognised by INEC at

the time the nomination took place.” “I was not a party in the suit that said Chief Maxi Okwu was the validly elected chairman of APGA. Prior to that judgment, there was one from theAppeal Court, which stayed execution of an Enugu High Court judgment removing me and my executive.” “We filed a stay of execution, and on April 8, 2013, the Court of Appeal at Enugu granted a stay of execution and that was the day Maxi Okwu was purported to

their collaborators against the Nigerian people, especially the bomb blast at Nyanya (FCT) where innocent people in pursuit of their legitimate means of livelihood were killed and injured. “ACF calls on the Federal Government to decisively use all legitimate means and security apparatus at its disposal to tackle the insecurity situation that is gradually destroying our corporate existence as a nation. The need for synergy between the security agencies and the community - for intelligence gathering and utilisation - is necessary in combating this menace.”

APGA nominated Obiano, Umeh tells tribunal

NAMBRA State Elections Petitions Tribunal in Awka, yesterday, was told that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) nominated Governor Willie Obiano and not Dr Chike Obidigbo for the November 16 election. Chief Victor Umeh, national chairman of the party testified yesterday that Obiano’s name and his deputy’s, Dr Nkem Okeke, were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) . He said he signed the

have emerged as the national chairman.” Umeh has threatened to write a petition against Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to the National judicial council (NJC). He said yesterday that judicial impertinence was the problem in Nigeria, adding that his members would petition NJC about Kafarati. The national chairman said his stay of execution was neither dismissed nor thrown out.

O strengthen security in Lagos State, the Police will henceforth monitor vehicles and individuals coming into the state. Police operatives will also be positioned at strategic points and areas considered blackspots. Stop and search will also be carried out, the police said. This was contained in a statement yesterday by the Police Spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP). The statement read: “ In view of the forthcoming Easter Festival and Lagos State Black Heritage Carnival, the Police Command has put in place adequate security mea-

By Jude Isiguzo

sures to forestall hoodlums from perpetuating any sinister act during the period. “A contingent of strike forces and specialised units of the force which includes Police Mobile Force (PMF) Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Explosive Ordinance Division (EOD) and conventional men have been positioned in all points to monitor vehicles and individuals coming into the state and conduct stop and search. The State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) Operatives have also been deployed to all nooks and crannies for covert operation”.

Jonathan pays tributes to Olubadan

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has described the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, as a man of impeccable character whose reign has been peaceful. The president spoke yesterday at the monarch’s palace in Ibadan when he paid him a visit on his centenary birthday celebration. ”Oba Odulana is a man of impeccable character whose reign has witnessed peace and tranquility. “ To reach 100 years in life is a blessing,” the president said. Jonathan, who congratulated the monarch, wished him many more years of peaceful reign. NAN reports that the presidential jet 5N-FGT that conveyed the president landed at the airport in Ibadan at 3.12 p.m.

while the jet that conveyed Senate President David Mark and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, landed at 2.55 p.m. Also on the president’s entourage were People Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu, the and presidential spokesman Dr Reuben Abati. The president was received at the Ibadan Airport by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Chief Jumoke Akinjide, the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as members of the Oyo State Executive Council. Others were a former governor of the state, Adebayo AlaoAkala, former Senate Leader, Chief Teslim Folarin, and other leading politicians. NAN also reports that the president was given a colourful reception at the airport.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS

N11.5b ‘fraud’: ‘Alao-Akala has a case to answer’

ORMER Oyo State Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala has a case to answer on the N11.5 billion “fraud” suit preferred against him and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Appeal Court ruled yesterday. The court dismissed the

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

former governor’s application that the suit be quashed. Alao-Akala, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola and a contractor, Femi Babalola, appealed a December 12, 2012 ruling by Justice Akintunde Boade of the Oyo

State High Court, which held that they had a case to answer. EFCC arraigned the appellants on an 11-count charge of “conspiracy, contract awards without budgetary provisions and obtaining by false pretence”. The crimes were allegedly committed during

Alao-Akala’s tenure as governor. The accused pleaded “not guilty”. Yesterday, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem held that Alao-Akala’s preliminary objection was premature. She said Alao-Akala should have waited for the

trial to go mid-way at the High Court before appealing. The judge held that AlaoAkala did not provide enough evidence to warrant the quashing of the lower court’s ruling and ordered him to return to the High Court for his trial.

CAC President urges ritualists to repent From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has warned ritualists to stop the “horrendous act” or face God’s wrath. President of CAC Worldwide Pastor Abraham Akinosun was reacting to the discovery of the Soka “forest of horror” in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. He spoke yesterday at the celebration of the 130th anniversary of the Yoruba Bible, a programme organised by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary anniversary at the CAC General Secretariat in Bashorun, Ibadan. Pastor Akinosun condemned kidnapping and ritual killing, saying: “Kidnappers have their patrons. Among them are evil clerics, politicians and businessmen. Everybody must repent. All patrons of evil priests, herbalists and witch doctors, evil cults and all forms of confraternities should repent. Let Christians rise up to deliver Nigeria from the forces of darkness through the power in the word of God. We need more Bibles to be printed and circulated in interior parts of Nigeria.” The cleric hailed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi on steps taken on the kidnappers’ den and urged the federal and state governments to do more to curb the menace. He said: “The government should stop encouraging pagan worship, cultism and occultism. The agents of the devil have nothing good to offer us. The Bible says the devil can do nothing else other than evil. Many of them are the devil’s foot soldiers. People in secret cults should be fished out and given the option to quit such evil cults.”

Ekiti contractors get ultimatum

HE Ekiti State government has given contractors handling Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) projects one week to move to site. Their contracts will be revoked, if they fail to do so. Special Adviser to the Governor on MDGs and Development Relations Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami gave the ultimatum in her office in Ado-Ekiti at a meeting with the contractors.

Senate seeks Ogun’s support on power reform

HE Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation has solicited the support and cooperation of the Ogun State government to stop revenue leakages at the Federal Governmentowned Olorunsogo Power plant located in the state. Chairman of the Committee Senator Gbenga Obadara made the appeal when the committee members visited Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Obadara, who represents Ogun Central, said revenue leakages and corruption were the major factors responsible for the failure in the power sector, adding that it would take the commitment of all stakeholders to reverse the trend. He said the committee was visiting federal parastatals across the country to block revenue leakages and ensure maximum productivity and efficiency.

Foundation chief supports Aregbesola’s campaign •Executive Director of Heritage Bank Mary Akpobome; wife of the Obi of Onitsha Ngozi Achebe; Founder of Awesome Treasures Mrs Olajumoke Adenowo; wife of the Lagos State Governor Dame Abimbola Fashola; Mrs Onari Duke and the wife of Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mrs. Olayide Bakare, at the Fifth National Women’s Prayer Summit, tagged Generations, at the Muson Centre in Lagos.

Stop blackmailing Osun REC, APC tells PDP

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of blackmailing the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Rufus Akeju. APC described the PDP’s statement that it would not consider the result of the August 9 governorship election credible unless Akeju is replaced as “blackmail”. In a statement by its Publicity Director, Kunle Oyatomi, APC said: “This stance is an attempt by the PDP to corrupt the electoral process by arm-twisting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to

Osogbo

replace a man the PDP has found impossible to manipulate with one that will do its bidding during the poll.” The party alleged that the PDP stalled the suit to determine the truth or otherwise of its allegation against the REC. APC said: “The truth is that during the general elections in April, 2011, the PDP approached the Federal High Court, sitting in Osogbo, by way of originating summons, seeking the determination of five issues, all relating to the competence/legality or otherwise

of the REC (Akeju) to conduct the April 2011 general elections in Osun State. “An order preventing the REC from conducting the elections was granted on March 28, 2011, and INEC appealed against it at the Court of Appeal, Akure. “It is important to emphasise again that the interlocutory orders granted by the Federal High Court, Osogbo, has been properly appealed against and thence puts enforcement and further proceedings in the case in abeyance pending the outcome of the appeal. “Curiously, it was the counsel to the Plaintiff/now Respondent (PDP), against

all known practices in law, that approached the lower court for stay of proceedings. The practice, which the court described as ‘curious and bizarre’, albeit, was granted and the proceedings stayed. “Besides, INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega has challenged the PDP to produce proof that Akeju is compromised. Until the PDP does so, Akerju remains innocent. “So for the PDP to keep repeating a false allegation against an innocent person is pure blackmail and an attempt to corrupt and manipulate the process to rig itself to power. This nonsense must stop.”

Gunmen kill driver, motorcyclist in Ogun

WO people, a commercial motorcyclist and driver, were killed by gunmen yesterday on the Abeokuta/ Igbora Road and Abeokuta/ Aiyetoro. Others were injured. The driver, who was driving a vehicle marked FKJ 348 AU, was killed by a five-man robbery gang on

From Adesoji Adeniyi,

By Sina Fadare

HE Secretary of the Oranmiyan Foundation, Republic of Ireland chapter, Dr. Gbenga Salawu, has donated public address systems to all wards in Iwo, Ayedire and Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency of Osun State to support Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s re-election campaign. Handing over the items to the chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 10 wards in Ayedire Local Government, Ayedire urged them to put his donation to good use. The dentist turned politician said the Oranmiyan Foundation was determined to sustain the peace, economic growth and social rebirth in the state. He said alleged rigging by the PDP, “which ousted former Governor Bisi Akande from power in 2003, must not be allowed this time”.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

his way to supply Yoghurt in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State. The motorcyclist was killed at Orile-Aje on the Abeokuta-Ayetoro road. The incidents occurred around 1pm and 1:20pm. A motorist told The Nation that many road users were robbed at gun-point.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said a commercial driver identified as David Olaseyinde and a passenger were on their way from to supply Yoghurt in Igbo Ora when they were attacked at Ijale Orile. Adejobi said a five-man robbery gang shot Olaseyinde. Olaseyinde

died on the way to the hospital a. Adejobi said: “The other guy abandoned the body and rushed to a nearby police station to report the case. The police were drafted to the scene. The body has been deposited at Ijaiye Hospital’s mortuary. “We have taken over the case and the Commissioner

of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, has deployed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and Highway Patrol teams in the area. “The CP will get in touch with the Oyo Command to secure their side of the road. He has directed the team leaders from Ogun State to work hand-in-hand with the Oyo team.”

Stakeholders fail to agree on Ondo supplementary poll’s date

ONTENDING parties in the April 5 by-election in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in Ondo State disagreed yesterday on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) decision to conduct a supplementary election in places where voting did not hold. The by-election was declared inconclusive by INEC. The commission met with stakeholders yesterday at its headquarters in Akure, the

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

state capital, to decide on a date for the supplementary poll. The meeting, which was presided over by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, was attended by Commissioner of Police Isaac Eke, the state chairmen and members of the political parties that participated in the election and top INEC officials. There was no conclusion on the date for the supple-

mentary election as only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Advance Congress of Democrats (ACD) that supported the conduct of a supplementary poll. Other parties disagreed on the ground that the electoral laws do not stipulate that. PDP Chairman in Ese-Odo Local Government Solomon Duniyan attributed the problem that occurred in Arogbo Ward Two, where election was not held, to security lapses.

Duniyan said policemen manning the polling centers were not armed and could not curb the hoodlums that disrupted the election. He said the naval officers that came with a gunboat could not do anything other than plead with the hoodlums. Duniyan and a former member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Kunle Odidi, said the people of Arogbo Ward Two should not be disenfranchised. Mr. Sola Ebiseni, who rep-

resented the Labour Party (LP), said his party has challenged INEC’s decision at the Federal High Court, so the commission should wait for the court’s verdict. Ebiseni said INEC should have declared the LP candidate, Mr. Kolade Akinjo, winner of the election, adding that there was nothing like “inconclusive election” in the Electoral Laws. Orebiyi explained thats supplementary election was not in the Electoral Law but was in INEC’s Guidelines.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS

EKITI 2014

Fayemi assures pupils of free meals

EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said public school pupils will get free meals at the commencement of the new academic year in September, if he is re-elected on June 21. He spoke yesterday at Okemesi in Ekiti West Local Government Area while campaigning for his re-election. The governor said plans had been concluded to send teachers in public schools on training overseas to build their capacity for better performance. He said: “From September when the new school session commences, we shall begin free feeding in schools. We shall also send our teachers overseas because that is what we have been doing to core civil servants. “Our teachers too attended universities like core civil servants and they deserve the best of training in any part of the world to build their capacity to perform better.” Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) defected to the All

•Overseas training for teachers From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Progressives Congress (APC) at Okemesi and pledged to work for Fayemi’s victory in the election. The PDP defectors were led by Mr. Adesegun Adetunji. Those from the LP were led by Mr. Temitope Olusegun. According to them, they are joining APC for the progress and development being witnessed since Fayemi came to power. Fayemi, who welcomed the defectors, described APC as a party of peace and progress, which has the interest of the masses at heart. He said the PDP mismanaged resources during its stint in power and the state was politically unstable. The governor said the PDP produced seven governors in seven years and urged the electorate not to return Ekiti to such era. He reminded the people that former Governor Ayo Fayose had three deputies before his impeachment,

‘From September when the new school session commences, we shall begin free feeding in schools. We shall also send our teachers overseas because that is what we have been doing to core civil servants. adding that there were also three House of Assembly speakers and three chief judges during the former governor’s tenure. Teachers, students, youths and the aged thanked the governor for giving them better lives and developing their community. The governor’s campaign train was also at Ido-Ile, Erio and Aramoko. Fayemi said the legacies of his administration could be seen in the renovation of schools and hospitals, construction of palaces and the

Social Security Scheme for the Elderly. He said work was ongoing on the Okemesi/Ido-Ile road and the Okemesi/Esa-Oke road, adding that the projects would be completed soon. Fayemi urged the people to be wary of “the party of riggers”, adding that “the electoral robbers” were still around and should not be underestimated. Teachers in Okemesi, led by Mr. S.A. Adedigba, hailed Fayemi for paying allowances to teachers who teach core subjects and those in rural areas. Adedigba noted that head teachers now rise to Grade Level 17 and teachers are promoted as at when due. Kasali Oluwafemi, who spoke for students in the community, said the Fayemi administration spends N1.2 billion annually on stipends to old people, N2.4 billion on youth volunteers and N10 billion on laptops for teachers and pupils. He urged the electorate to “keep faith with a government that cares for the people” and not vote for parties that have failed them.

Four arraigned for ‘attack’ on Fayose’s office •Police summon stakeholders meeting

OUR persons were arraigned yesterday at a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, for alleged involvement in the attack on the campaign office of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate in the June 21 election, former Governor Ayo Fayose. Richard Apolola, Ayodele Owoju, Adeniyi Adedipe and Ayodeji Adesokan pleaded “not guilty” to the four-count charge, which included attempted murder of Olumide Gabriel and shooting at the office. Police Prosecutor Sunday Ojobu applied for adjournment and pleaded that the accused be remanded in prison custody. Counsel to the accused Luke Ogundele urged the court to grant his clients bail, noting that the charges against them were bailable. The Magistrate, Idowu Ayenimo, granted the suspects N250,000 bail and two sureties each. The sureties must be public servants, who must show evidence of residence within the magisterial area. The case was adjourned till May. Earlier, while parading the suspects at the Police Headquartres, Police Commissioner Felix Uyanna restated the command’s determination to check political violence. He said about 13 incidentes of violent attacks

E •From left: Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe; Fayose and Omoyeni...yesterday.

I’m not afraid of intimidation, says Fayose

KITI State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate in the June 21 governorship poll former Governor Ayodele Fayose has said no amount of “intimidation” by the All Progressives Congress (APC) will make him dump his ambition. Fayose said the ongoing reconciliation with 13 aggrieved PDP aspirants was yielding fruits, adding that the party was prepared to unseat the APC government on the election day. Speaking with reporters at a rally organised by his former deputy governor, who was a PDP aspirant, Mr. Bisi Omoyeni, in IkereEkiti, he said: “I will not be distracted by whatever APC members say about me. I am committed to this cause. It

is like running a race, so I will not look sideways, but where I am going.” Commending the 13 aggrieved aspirants for their “rare show of understanding and sportsmanship”, Fayose said their support for him was in the state’s interest. The former governor pledged to offer leadership

to all party members, irrespective of their initial affiliations. He said: “With my age and experience, I have grown more in wisdom and knowledge. So, rather than fight anybody, I will befriend you so that I can surpass the records I left behind in terms of infrastructure and human capital when we

get to government.” Describing Fayose as “a promise keeper and one with a large heart”, Omoyeni said: “He (Fayose) is a friend of the poor and the less privileged. I believe he can make Ekiti better than what we are witnessing today. All the aspirants have agreed to work with him.”

Omoyeni, others hailed on PDP’s reconciliation

FENIFERE chieftain and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has hailed Chief Bisi Omoyeni, Ambassador Dare Bejide and other aspirants who have agreed to work for the success of the party in the June 21 election. He said: “As loyal party

men, we must look beyond personal ambitions in whatever we do.” Adeyeye described Omoyeni’s open declaration of support for the party’s candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, as a justification of the position that he (Adeyeye) took two weeks ago. He said: “I am happy that other aspirants are now see-

ing what I saw two weeks ago. They have now seen reasons we should support our party and I commend them.” In a statement yesterday, Adeyeye said: “I appeal to those who are yet to join the PDP/Fayose train to come in quickly, so that we can collectively rescue Ekiti people from mis-governance.”

‘Political stakeholders and politically exposed persons are hereby reminded of the need to play by the rules as contained in the Electoral Act. The public are urged to go about their lawful...’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

had been recorded since campaigns began on March 23, adding that eight of the cases had been charged to court. Uyanna said: “Political stakeholders and politically exposed persons are hereby reminded of the need to play by the rules as contained in the Electoral Act. The public are urged to go about their lawful businesses and we assure them of adequate security.” Also yesterday, a political stakeholders meeting was held at the police headquarters. It was attended by the CP and representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and parties. Pledging to ensure a violence-free election, Uyanna said criminals would be dealt with.

‘Ekiti has improved on healthcare delivery’

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has scored his administration high in the provision of qualitative and affordable healthcare. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti at the kick off of the April 2014 National Immunization plus Days (NIPDs), Dr. Fayemi noted that vital health statistics have been upward looking since the advent of his administration in October, 2010. Speaking through his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, the governor said his administration’s health agenda was focused on the vulnerable, comprising expectant mothers, children aged 0 to five years, the elderly and the physically-challenged. He explained that offering health protection to expectant mothers and children was aimed at securing the future while catering for the elderly would protect the heroes that contributed to the society’s development. Reiterating his commitment to the sustenance of maternal and child health programmes, Fayemi solicited the continued support of stakeholders to achieve the desired goals. He said his administration’s programmes are designed to facilitate community ownership of health in-

stitutions, adding that Community Health Committees had been set up to drive the process and sustain the feedback mechanism. Fayemi urged parents and guardians to take immunisation seriously to protect their children against deadly diseases. He listed diseases targeted by the current round of immunisation as polio, tuberculosis, measles, yellow fever and pneumonia. Commissioner for Health Prof. Olusola Fasubaa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Primary HealthCare Agency, Mrs. Folake Falore, said in spite of the huge success recorded in the last exercise, the government would not relax until the safety of children is guaranteed.

•Dr Fayemi

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

CITYBEATS

Ahmadiyya youths for convention

YOUTHS of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Nigeria (Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya), will meet tomorrow at the St. Peters Unity Secondary School, Oba Adesida Road, Akure, Ondo State capital, to reflect on the state of the nation, especially as it concerns the youth. The annual convention, with the theme: “100 years of Nigeria: Concerns on youth development,” will end on Sunday. In a statement, the body’s national president, AbdulUadri Abdul-Rafi, said discussions would underscore the role of youths as crucial agents in national development. A lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Dr Saheed Olurotimi Timehin, will deliver the lead paper. Mr Raji Ashmowiyy, a lawyer, he said, would also speak on “The role of Nigerian youths in making 2015 elections free and fair.”

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Cancer threatens pastor’s life •Family: we thought he was getting fat

motivational speaker, Pastor Mobolaji Adeyemi, 35, would stop at nothing to see youths around him develop to actualise their Godgiven potentials. Thus, he has devoted his time to preaching at campuses and gatherings of youths. Sadly, that exemplary passion suffered a setback late 2012 when he noticed an outgrowth on his left cheek. His vision for youths has since remained stunted as he battles to live his normal life. “It was in 2012 that somebody called our attention to the outgrowth and I thought he was getting fatter. But then, it began to grow and the outgrowth was unusual. Later, we noticed blood coming out of his hard palette,” his wife Titilola, a primary school teacher, said. The strange discovery in-

PUBLIC NOTICE

The general public is hereby informed that the underlisted Title documents belonging to the Estate of Arc.TUNJI OLUGBESAN (deceased) are missing: a. Original Deed of Conveyance dated 20/10/77 registered as No. 41 on page 41 in Volume 1660 of the Lands Registry Office at Lagos. b. Original Certificate of Occupancy dated 5/11/1990 AN registered as No. 48 on page 48 in Volume 1990 AN of the Lands Registry Office at Lagos. Any person who deals with the said Title documents in a manner adverse to the interest of the Estate does so at his or her own risk. Any one who has information that may lead to the recovery of the said Title documents should contact the undersigned. Signed: StrongTower & Barfields Barristers, Solicitors & Arbitrators (Solicitors to the Estate of Arc. Tunji Olugbesan (deceased) Reward Plaza, 4th Floor, 11, Abibu Oki Street, Marina Lagos Tel: +234-1-8158339, +234-1-017362473, +234-1-8168358055 E-mail:info@strongtowerbarfields.com Website:www.strongtowerbarfields.com

By Seun Akioye

stantly turned Mobolaji’s life upside-down. He began to pray in the belief that the problem would leave him. However, but he was visiting hospitals for medical tests. A series of tests at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) revealed that he had an unusual cancer of the hard palette known in medical parlance as mucoepidermoid Ca (intermediate grade). The cancer spread rapidly and soon affected the whole of the palette as it threatened to affect his eyes. Since a surgery was required, his family coughed up about N1 million to carry it out in 2013. “Doctors had to remove his upper palette completely to halt the spread of the disease. After the operation, he could only feed using a tube and up till now, he is still on a special diet and all these cost money,” Titilola said. Now, the immediate concern of the pastor and his family is how to raise the funds required for a reconstructive surgery in India. And painfully, Mobolaji depends on

• Mobolaji ... before the ailment

• Mobolaji ... now

‘The cancer spread rapidly and soon affected the whole of the palette as it threatened to affect his eyes. Since a surgery was required, his family coughed up about N1 million to carry it out in 2013 ... After the operation, he could only feed using a tube’ his embattled wife to speak as he could barely whisper. “We need to go to India for the reconstructive surgery. We have done the estimates and the doctors have examined him. We need a total of N4.1million, but we have been able to raise N1.5 million. So, we need N2.6 million. That is why we are appealing to kind hearted Ni-

gerians to help us because we have nowhere else to go,” Titilola said. Despite the pastor’s condition, which has condemned him to the bed, he still ministers to young people through the social media. “I believe God will heal me; my operation will be successful. I cannot wait to go back to the field to affect lives posi-

tively,” he said in pains. The wife, who now daily runs from pillar to post for a way out of the situation, told The Nation yesterday: “We are not giving up. I strongly believe that my husband will be well again. That is why we appeal to Nigerians to help us. We have done all that we could do. Now, we can only pleade with kind-hearted Nigerians and God-sent organisations to come to our aid so that my husband can be well again.” Those willing to help Mobolaji, Titilola said, could send their donations into: Adeyemi Mobolaji Adam, GT Bank account: 0139375111. Now, the cleric remains in acute pains as he waits on good Samaritans.

Pakistani student held with 25.4kg heroin

TTEMPT by a suspected Pakistani drug cartel to smuggle 25.4 kilogrammes of high-grade heroin into Nigeria has been aborted with the arrest of a Pakistani student, Iftikihar Muhammed Arslan. He was caught at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The drug, which was uncovered in the suspect’s luggage during inward screening of passengers on board Qatar airline flight, according to the

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

agency, has an estimated street value of N228 million. The suspect reportedly left Lahore, Pakistan, with the drug to Abu Dhabi (then Doha) from where he connected Lagos. He is believed to be working for a Pakistani drug cartel and it is said to be the largest single seizure of heroin at the Lagos airport since January. NDLEA Commander at the Lagos airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, said the 19-year-old

Pakistani was found with 25 parcels of brownish substances that tested positive for heroin weighing 25.4 kilogrammes at the arrival hall of the airport. Iftikihar, who speaks English fluently, confessed to the crime, saying: “I am a student of Punjab College and I am in Nigeria as a tourist because my friend told me that Victoria Island and Ikoyi are beautiful tourist centres. Unfortunately, when I arrived at the Lagos airport, the heroin was found in my luggage.

This is my first time of coming to Nigeria and I had intended to spend a week or two.” The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, said the arrest and seizure would send warning signals to drug trafficking cartels that Nigeria is winning the fight against narcotics. He added: “We are working very hard to also identify other members of the criminal group. All suspects linked to the crime will be charged to court after investigations.”

Boat mishap survivor protests in Lagos

NE of the survivors of the April 2 boat mishap at the Majidun River in Ikorodu on the outskirt of Lagos, Mobolaji Raimi, yesterday protested to the state House of Assembly. Joined by members of a group, “Safety of Ferry Passengers on the Waterways,” in the peaceful march, Raimi described the incident as traumatic. “The boat left Ebute Ero around 5.30am, hit something in the water and capsized. Fortunately for us, our captain was able to call the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and some of us jumped inside the water before I was rescued by the fisherman,” he recalled.

PUBLIC NOTICE AJIBOLA

I formerly known and address as Miss Ajibola Omotayo Sharon Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ndakson Omotayo Sharon. All former documents remains valid, general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE NDAKO

I formerly known and address as Ndako Godwin Sunday Now wish to be known and addressed as Ndakson Godwin Sunday. All former documents remains valid, general public should please take note.

•‘Two million passengers ply waterways monthly’ By Oziegbe Okoeki

Raimi debunked reports that the boat was overloaded. He said all of them wore life jackets, adding: “I was the last person rescued, while bell marine came to save others,” he added. In the paper presented to the House, the association, led by Akeem Adeyoola, said commuters always face numerous challenges including engine failure in the boats. The group urged the state government to show interest in the sector and ensure strict regulation of waterways. Meanwhile, Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, has told the House that about two million passengers board ferries on the Lagos waterways monthly. Opeifa appeared before the House alongside the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Tunde Marinho and his counterpart at the Lagos State Ferry Services (LASFERRY), Tunde Williams, on the tragedy. The commissioner said the

mishap was caused by a loose log which the boat hit in motion, adding: “Against some claims, the boat was not overloaded, it had a capacity for 22 passengers but had 21 passengers on board.” Opeifa said every passenger on a boat is supposed to use life jacket according to the laws of the state. He also said the government was in process of distributing about 6,000 life jackets to operators of ferries. “Research has shown that even if all ferries in the state operate at the same time they can’t take more than 4,500 passengers at a time”, Opeifa said. The lawmakers stressed the need for the ministry to give more publicity to water transportation and also monitor the waterways to ensure that all laws regulating water transportation are complied with. Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1) said owners of loose logs should be identified and prosecuted and that laws regulating waterway transportation should be more publicised and enforced.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Censors Board to review distribution framework

HE National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCD) is set to review the New Distribution and Exhibition Framework (NDEF), in order to reposition the film industry to meet the best international standards. This was disclosed by Ms. Patricia Bala, the DirectorGeneral of the Board, during her first stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos last Wednesday. Bala, who acknowledged the complaints of the stakeholders concerning the NDEF, further stated that the Board had finally agreed to review

By Babatunde Sulaiman

it, with inputs from the stakeholders. The review, according to her, would address the systematic failure in adherence to classification and censorship decisions that the Board wants to change. She also stated that it would minimize the proliferation of pirated works, which had affected the operation of the licensed distributors. Bala noted that she took over the management of the Board in an acting capacity at the outset; therefore, she could not meet

with the stakeholders. The NFVCD boss, who stated that her priority then was to steer the Board to safety, said the meeting would also examine some of her concerns about what she described as the “noticeable gap imparting negatively on our collective desire to attain a structured and enviable movie sector in the Nigerian economy.” Bala, who stated that the stakeholders meetings would subsequently hold in all the other geopolitical zones in Nigeria, identified some of her achievements while she was in acting

capacity. According to her, this includes a visit by the Board and some stakeholders to Ghana to discuss with the Ghanaian government the seeming influx of pornographic films into the Nigerian film market. She also noted that the Board organized a consumers’ forum in Abuja to interact with the consumers with a view to knowing why Nigerian movies are no longer selling as before as well as evaluating the acceptability of Nigerian films. She regretted that efforts by the Board to encourage the production of children’s films had

Naeto C, Timaya’s revelations at Star Music Trek

OR residents of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, memories of the third stage of the Star Music Trek, which held last Saturday at Ibom Hall Ground, Uyo, will remain fresh for a long time. The event, which had generated a lot of buzz, afforded them the opportunity to meet with some of the notable Nigerian music sensations who

•Naeto C

wowed them with their electrifying performances. Apart from this, some of the artistes dropped some hints about their lives to the disbelief of their enthusiastic fans. It all began when Naeto C revealed, shortly before the show began, that he was open to suggestions on the title for his forthcoming album. Though the arrangement of the songs

•Timaya

on the album is ongoing, the artiste assured fans that the album would meet their expectations. Also, in what may be described as a season of revelations, Timaya, alias Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa, told fans that he scored 17 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), while advising Nigerian youths to be focused in life.

“Education is important, but it is not for me. I scored 17 in the UTME, so I gave up. I am not academic, but those who are should take their education seriously,” he said. However, majority of the fans were disappointed that sensational act, Kingsley Okonkwo, alias Kcee, failed to turn up at the event. Consequently, Kcee has reportedly apologized to his fans, explaining that his flight, which had already left Lagos for Uyo, had to be re-routed to Lagos because of bad weather, thereby making it impossible for him to attend the show. However, as the Star Music Trek concert moves across the country, there is a possibility that his fans will still get a chance to see the hit maker in Umuahia, Ekwulobia, Onitsha and Benin soon.

not yet yielded any positive result. According to her, only seven films were approved last year with ‘G’ category. On efforts to enhance the quick release of censorship certificates, she stated that the Board had commenced the deployment of the computer Magpie, an internet-based censorship classification platform in the zone. The device, which previously existed only in Abuja, is expected to drastically reduce the time between censorship and obtaining of release certificates. Bala expressed the Board’s concern over the contents of films, especially those that are not in conformity with the Board’s guidelines and, therefore, admonished the guilds to check their members who deal in unwholesome films and video works. The president of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Zik Zulu Okafor, observed that

•Ayefele

it was a bold step on the part of the Board to visit Ghana and broker a cordial relationship between Nigerian and Ghanaian filmmakers. Notable stakeholders present at the interactive forum include Mahmud Ali Balogun, Teco Benson, Alex Eyengho, Nobert Ajaegbu, Gab Okoye, Victor Ashaolu, Alh. Toyin Uthman, Peddy Okao, Chris Ekejimbe, Kene Mkparu and Iyen Agbonifo-Obaseki, among others.

Why I can’t be faithful to one woman-Femi Kuti

EMI KUTI, a Nigerian musician and son of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has revealed that he planned to marry more than one wife, while growing up. The Grammy-award nominee, in a recent interview with E 24/7, a weekly entertainment magazine, was quoted as saying that his early exposure to polygamy also made it impossible for him to be faithful to one woman.

Ayefele survives fire incident

OSPEL artiste and creator of Tungba music, Yinka Ayefele, on Tuesday, survived an early morning inferno at his Ibadan, Oyo State home. The fire, which started about 6.00am at his sprawling residential building, was averted by men of the Oyo State Fire Service. Confirming the incident, David Ajiboye, publicist to the musician, said the fire incident start-

•Bala

By Ovwe Medeme

ed from one of the air conditioners at the pent house. It was, however, put out by the timely intervention of firefighters before it spread to other parts of the building. In a release, the popular singer said: “It could have been worse than this. I thank God almighty for His grace over my life, children and other members of the family. I particularly thank my staff, friends, neighbours and well wishers for their concern. I see this as a test of my faith. I know I serve a living God who will not leave me at any point in my life.” The gospel artiste also enjoined his fans not to blame the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company for the power surge that triggered the inferno, adding that the house was being powered by a generating set as at the time of the incident.

By Mercy Michael

”I grew up in a polygamous home, wanting to be like my father. I wanted to have many women. That is my training, and I cannot tell you if it’s right or wrong. Because of the way I was brought up, I know that there’s no way I can be faithful. I love my independence because I was brought up in the real house of Kalakuta, where there were many women around,” he said. When asked if he would encourage his children to be polygamists, the leader of the Positive Force band, said he would never dictate to them how they should live their lives. “They must have the liberty to choose for themselves. This is because if they fail or succeed, they have to realise that it’s their lives. However, Made, my son, believes in monogamy. He has a girlfriend whom he has been dating for so many years and they want to even get married in a church. I won’t tell him not to follow just one woman. I can only pray and support him. Even if he breaks up with the girl, he might still believe in monogamy and find another person,” he added.

•Kuti

Fayrouz L’Original: Organisers hunt for best style team on campuses

OLLOWING the launch of the Fayrouz L’Original Expression themed “Party for the Originals” in 2013, the organisers have announced the search for the best fashion and lifestyle team in Nigeria. In a statement, Nigerian Breweries Plc., organisers of the event, stated that the Fayrouz L’Original Expression show had been put together to discover and promote young and talented fashionconscious undergraduates in universities across Nigeria. The competition involves

By Tonia ‘Diyan

four different teams comprising fashion designers, makeup artistes, photographers and models coming together to create original ensembles. They will battle for the prize money of $20,000 and fashion opportunities. The contest, which began last week, features various prominent individuals who have carved a niche for themselves in the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industry. The judges include Mai Atafo of Mai Atafo Inspired, Kunbi

Oyelese of April By Kunbi, Warebi Martha of Catwalk Productions and Nobel Afrik. The art direction, however, will be done by Omoyemi Akerele of Style House Files. Online judges, who will also select the final 10 contending teams, include the Orange Culture, Gozel Green and Kate Williams, among others. A regional show for the final 10 teams will be held in Enugu, while the grand finale will take place in July in Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

Life

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

Fearless, detribalised Acholonu – Page 49

‘There is racism everywhere’

– Page 50

Nsukka shrine tops lots at Arthouse auction – Page 18

‘ I had fears about future of Nigerian novel’ •Prof Ike

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘I had fears about future of Nigerian novel’ Renowned scholar, author of Toads for Supper and Sunset At Dawn and the Ikelionwu XI, Eze Ndikelionwu, Prof Chukwuemeka Ike, reflects on the work condition of the writer and his fears about authorship in Nigeria among other issues, at this year’s Anambra Book and Creativity Festival in Awka.

HE literary scholar, Robert M, Wren, writing about the making of Nigerian literature in his book published in 1991, described the years 19481966 as ‘Those magical years’. In the late 1940sduring the colonial period – when I was a student at Government College, Umuahia, we could not believe our eyes when Mr A.J. Carpenter, whose book we used for our General Science classes, stood in front of us and addressed us in flesh and blood. We had not before then seen the author of any book we studied, and had come to assume that you could not be an author and still be alive! We could not imagine that we, ourselves, would one day become locally and internationally acknowledged authors and still be alive and kicking. I thank God for the privilege of being a living witness to the magical transformation. In the early years of book development in Nigeria, some organisations and individuals combined the key components of book development. The Church Missionary Society(CMS) produced the authors among its clergies and adherents, established the CMS Press to print the books and CMS Bookshop to market them. Some enterprising Nigerian individuals – often school teachers – followed suit. In the East, the inimitable F.C. Ogbalu authored books, set up Varsity Bookshop to market them. Today, it is generally acceptable that the book sector has three distinct components: the author, who writes the book, the publisher who transforms the author’s manuscript into a book for public consumption and the bookseller, who distributes or sells the book to the reading public. National book development depends on the healthy development of each component unit. Lets us now examine the status of each component in post – Colonial Nigeria, limiting my observations primarily to creative writing. There has been a steady growth in the number of published authors in post–colonial Nigeria, particularly in the number of new poets. At one time I had fears about the future of the Nigeria novel. However, the emergence of new novelists, resident abroad such as Chimamanda Adichie and Chioma Okereke, have erased my fears that the Nigerian novel had become an endangered specie. There are genuine fears about authorship in Nigeria. The first is in the quality of Nigerian authorship. The authors responsible for the magical years referred to above were products of prestigious Government Colleges or Grammar Schools, which offered quality education and a conducive environment for creative writing. University College Ibadan, took over the baton, with its academic standards, Magazine Club, ‘University Herald’ and later ‘University Voice’. Such conducive environments hardly exist today. My participation in the 1987 University of Iowa International Writing Programme introduced me to the opportunities built into the school system for the nurture of young American children in creative writing. An American child, who has participated in creative writing workshops in high school and as an undergraduate, stands head and shoulders above his Nigerian counterpart. Even when out of the school system, he has the opportunity to benefit from writers’ villages here and there. Nigeria needs to introduce writing workshops in all secondary schools. Some Nigerian Universities should offer courses in creative writing, following the examples of the University of Jos and Lagos State University (LASU) in the 1980s. During the late (poet) Major – General Mamman Vatsa’s tenure as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the Federal Government allocated land at Abuja to the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) to build a writers’ Village intended to provide a conducive environment for authors working on creative writing projects. General Vatsa’s execution terminated the idea. The idea of establishing the positions of writers – in – Residence in the universities has been mooted to help to raise the quality of Nigerian creative writing. I owe the completion of my novel, Conspiracy of Silence, to my one month’s residency at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Study & Conference Centre near Milan, Italy. The late Hon. Justice Akintola Aguda listed other major problems standing in the way of Nigerian authors, including

•Prof Ike

FESTIVAL piracy and other forms copyright infringement, the author’s publishers some of whom declare for royalty payments far fewer than the number of copies they actually sent into the market, and in extreme cases constitute themselves into primary pirates of their author’s works. He also mentioned the lending libraries, which aid and abet the public to use authors’ works without paying for them. The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has a key role to play in improving the lot of the Nigerian author. As of today, the main function of ANA at national level appears to be to organise an annual convention or get-together of Nigerian authors. ANA should see itself as a responsible trade union to fight for the welfare of authors in their relationship with publishers, with booksellers, and with government. It was the dogged fight over several years by the (British) Society of Authors that forced the British Parliament to pass the public lending law, which compels the user of a book in a public library to pay a stipulated fee to go to the author of the book. At the time I began work on my first novel, the only avenue for publishing creative writing in Nigeria was through foreign publishers in the United Kingdom. To be accepted for publication was like an elephant going through the eye of a needle. It proved immensely helpful when I was introduced to a literary agent in London, who found me reputable publishers. Being published in the United Kingdom immediately propelled you into the international market place, with obvious advantages. You were inducted

into the best traditions of the British publishing industry, including payment of standard royalties. My historical novel on the Nigeria/Biafra war – Sunset At Dawn – received 14 reviews in the United Kingdom on publication. Post–colonial Nigeria saw the end of foreign publishing for the Nigerian author resident in Nigeria. The death of Fontana Books, London, in the early 1980s automatically orphaned my first six novels published by them and I was compelled to find Nigerian publishers for them. Foreign publishers, which had subsidiaries or branches in Nigeria were compelled by degree to their established new companies with at least 60 per cent Nigerian ownership or to leave the country. Those of them, which remained have been more or less the major operators in the publishing sector, maintaining some of the traditions of their erstwhile principals. However, the foreign market previously enjoyed by the author has more or less disappeared. An Oxford (UK) –based organisation known as African books collective has been set up by African publishers, acting jointly, to market books published by them in Europe and America. Outside the former subsidiaries or local branches of foreign publishers who have indigenised, many wholly Nigerian publishers of varying sizes have sprung up. Many Nigerians unable to find publishers of their choice have opted to publish their works themselves. A few observations about self–publishing. In Colonial Nigeria, we were advised to avoid self – publishing as you would avoid the plague, and it was referred to as vanity publishing. My interaction with writers from Latin American and Southeast Asian countries at the University of Iowa International Writing Programme in 1987 revealed to me that self – publishing was the order of the day in their countries. In a chapter on self – publishing in my book: How to Become a Published Writer, I advanced four justifiable grounds on which a writer could decide to be his own publisher. I pointed out that Daniel Defoe, Zane Grey, Theodore Dreisser, Upton Sinclair and Edward Fitzgerald succeeded as writers because they financed the publication of their manuscripts previously rejected by publishers. I, however, pointed out some problems of self –publishing and suggested how to overcome them. My assessment of the bookselling sector in post – colonial Nigeria is not a happy one. You can count the number of international standard bookshops or bookstores in Nigeria today on the fingers of the hand. I mean the kind of bookshop in which a customer could spend hours browsing through exciting blurbs. The Nigeria bookshop has become little more than a market for prescribed text books. I have seen bookstores in the US, which organise autograph sessions involving authors whose books they sell. In addition to good bookshops, Nigeria needs one or more virile book distribution networks, to ensure that all books published in Nigeria, by the established publishers as well as by author/publishers are effectively distributed to all Nigerian towns and villages, thereby maximising the impact of books nationwide and at the same time maximising the earning of authors, publishers and booksellers. On balance, the book has reasonably well in post – colonial Nigeria. Nigeria has produced giants in the international book world. At one time there was a genuine fear that these giants, who were products of the magical years might die without successors. The emergence of young international stars in recent years gives hope for the future. The only snag is that all the greats – old and young – rose to greatness on books published in Europe or America. This poses a challenge to Nigerian authors, publishers and booksellers, to come out with locally published books that will not only serve national needs, but will also make the mark in the international market place. •Prof Ike is Ikelionwu XI, Eze Ndikelionwu

Nsukka shrine tops lots at Arthouse auction

OUNDER, Arthouse Contemporary Limited, a leading art auction house, Mrs Kavita Chellaram has described the debut of The Space in The Art 14, London fair as a timely and strategic opportunity to launch modern Nigerian art to the globe. She said the fair, which was held at The Olympia Grand attracted lots of interests from UK art collectors and enthusiasts. The Space, the exhibiting arm of the auction house featured five Nigerian artists at the fair. They include George Osodi, Victor Ekpu, Sokari Douglas-Camp, Kainebi Osahenye, and Victoria Udondian. Mrs Chellaram spoke at a briefing on the May edition of Arthouse auction in Lagos. She disclosed that the 12th art auction, which will hold on May 5 at The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos will feature 110 lots by Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, Benin, and Togolese artworks spanning painting, sculpture, mixed media and photography. She said the star works are by Prof El Anatsui (Nsukka shrine, a 1979 terra cotta piece), Ben Enwonwu, Okpu Eze, Akinola Lasekan, Ben Osawe and Bruce Onobrakpeya. Other artists whose works will be auctioned include Jerry Buhari, Gani Odotokun, George Osodi and Adolphus Opara. The auction is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank. Works will however be on display for viewing at the hotel on Saturday, May 3 from 10am till 4pm, and Sunday May 4 between 12 noon and 6pm. Last auction made a total sale including the buyer’s premium, of 112,769,000 naira with a total of 80 lots sold. She said that five shows lined up as part of The Space activities for the year are meant to showcase Nigerian art to the world as well as to open up the market noting that it is a necessary step to showcase another dimension of the art. According to her, a similar exhibition would hold at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja to

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

AUCTION coincide with the World Economic Forum from May 7 till 9. Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya will lead the pack of selected artists for the exhibition. Among artists selected for the exhibition include George Osodi and Victor Ehikhamenor.

•Prof Anatsui

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

S/N

1. Otaru Ayodele Ogedengbe (Otherwise known as Mr Ayodele Ogedengbe Otaru) late of No. 2, Chief Abiodun Otarus Close Magodo, GRA, Ora Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of August, 2000 at Lagos. 2. Onabajo Samson Adegboyega late of Oke -Gbodo Village, Via Araromi Off Itokun Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of August, 2013 at Lasuth 3. Okedusi Samson Gbenga late of 113, Sam Tayo Street, Magbon, Badagry, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of May, 2011 at Lasuth 4. Ezim Chukwuma Joel late of 2nd Avenue 201 Road, C. Close, Block 1, Flat 11, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of February, 2010 at Lasuth 5. Osuala James Okorie late of 6, Adejiyan Street, Amukoko, Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of March, 2004 at Lagos. 6. Saibu Muhammed late of 10, Oke-Arin Street, Ilupeju, Palm Groove , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of June, 2008 at Lasuth 7. Omashola Samuel Oritsegbubemi late of 7, Ucheme Street, Igbo-Elerin Okokomaiko, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of February, 2013 at Delta State. 8. Unuigbe Felix late of Zunve Whesumeri Via Oko-Afo Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of November, 2012 at Lagos. 9. Ogunwale Olufemi late of 10, Church Street, Odo-Nla Close, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of September, 2009 at Lagos. 10. Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Olatunji (Otherwise known as Mrs Elizabeth O. Olatunji ) late of 1, Olayinka Olatunji Crescent, Ayobo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of April, 2011 at Lagos. 11. Oyegoke Veronica Ghariokwu (Otherwise known as Oyegoke Veronica) late of 1, Kalejaiye Street, Igbobi Fadeyi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of March, 2013 at Luth 12. Mrs Christiana Folashade Banire (Otherwise known as Mrs C.O.Banire) late of 1, Oladipo Oluyelu Close Abule-Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of March, 1990 at Kano 13. Alh (Engr.) Adebowale Kelani late of Block 8, Flat 2, LSDPC Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of March, 2013 at Ogun State 14. Orjiakor Mary Ekeoma (Otherwise known as Mrs Orjiako Mary Ekeoma) late of House 2, B008 AITT Quarters Satellite Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of May, 2011 at Anambra 15. Okorisa Nehemiah Odunjo (Otherwise known as Nelson and Pastor Nelson Okorisa) late of 15 & 17 Muyanrin Estate, Obeda Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of June, 2010 at Badagry General Hospital. 16. Emeka Victoria (Otherwise known as Uzumma Omma) late of 1, Street, Industrial Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of February, 2012 at Araromi General Hospital , Ajegunle. 17. Akinbosede Akinwunmi Oladapo Emmanuel (Otherwise known as Akinbosede Akinwunmi Oladapo) late of 21, Hamony Cresent, Obawole, Iju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of August, 2011 at University College Hospital Ibadan. 18. Akpan Adam Inyang late of 8, Adebola Street, Off Adeniran Ogunsanya Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of May, 1999 at Lagos. 19. Ejionye Emmanuel Chidinma late of 56, Adeshiyan Street, Palmgroove, Ilupeju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of April, 2011 at Gwagwalada, Abuja 20. Bolaji Musiliu Azeez (Otherwise known as Azeez Musilim Abolaji) late of 1, Ipatun Street, Okunfolu, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of December, 2009. 21. Steve Omar Agbomofuegbe (Otherwise known as Agbomofuegbe Stephen) late of 11B, Oladipupo Fafore Street, Dopemu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of December, 1991 at Lagos. 22. Isiaka Ayinde Mobolaji Ajumobi (Otherwise known as Isiaka Mobolaji A. Ajumobi) late of 5, Fehintola Street, Saw Mill, Ifako Gbagada, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of June, 1988 at Ikeja General Hospital. 23. Mary Uko Nwokwe (Otherwise known as Uko Mary Nwokwe ) late of 67, Osho Drive Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of March, 2010 at General Hospital Lagos. 24. Mr Okosmat Odih (Otherwise known as Okosmay Odih ) late of No. 13, Olatunbosun Street, Egbeda, Alimosho, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of October, 2013 at Lagos. 25. Alhaji Jaji Rufai Oladimeji (Otherwise known as Jaji Rufai) late of Block 39, Room 58, Oluwole Ogba, LSDPC, Housing Estate , Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of July, 2011 at General Hospital Ijaiye Lagos. 26. Chief Joshua Daramola (Otherwise known as Joshua Bamidele Daramola) late of 4, Akinwunmi Street, mende Maryland, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of January, 2013 at Lagos. 27. Temitan Sunday (Otherwise known as Mr Sunday Temitan and Temetan Sunday) late of No. 47, Salubi Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of January, 2013 at Lagos. 28. Mrs Salu Caroline Adenike (Otherwise known as Mrs Salu C.A.) late of 5th Avenue, I Close, Block 1, Flat 5, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of November, 2008 at Lagos. 29. Christopher Ubanyi (Otherwise known as Ubanyi Christopher Imum) late of 17, Chideson Street, Iba New Site Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of November, 2012 at Cross River State. 30. Emmanuel Oladapo Adeyi late of 11, Oduwobi Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of March, 1990 at Lagos. 31. Jelili Adeyemi Balogun (Otherwise known as Balogun Adeyemi Jelili) late of 124, Ipaja Road, Sofunde Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of March, 2012 at Lagos. 32. Moses Stephen Helen late of No. 8, Aluko Close, Shogunle, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of February, 2012 at Ogun State 33. Olayide Johnson (Otherwise known as Mrs Olayide Johnson) late of 5, Princess Dolo Oyekan Street, Lekki I , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of July, 2013 at Baitimore Maryland United State. 34. Sir Vincent Igezunya late of House 5, Sunday Oyawoye Street, Off Isuji Road, Igando, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of February, 2010 at Lasuth. 35. Mrs Sidikat Adelolu late of No. 7, Olukayode Adegboyega Street, New Oko Oba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of December, 2007 at Lasuth. 36. Mrs Sevee Catherine Adeleke Nee Sawyer (Otherwise known as Adeleke Catherine Sevee) late of 20, Tokunbo Magodo Street, Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of April, 2012 at Lagos. 37. Lucky Oketie (Otherwise known as Joseph ) late of 1, Hemboye Street, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of November, 2012 at Nig. Army Ref. Hospital Yaba. 38. Ugwueke Augustine (Otherwise known as Mr Ugwueke Augustine) late of 21, Railway Line Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of November, 2013 at Luth 39. Jenrola Adetoun Olomi (Mrs) (Otherwise known as Mrs Olomi Jenrola Adetoun) late of 6, Ayodele Fanoiki Street, Magodo, Isheri Phase I, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of September, 2013 at Lagos. 40. Kadejo Muibat Moteleola Amope late of 12, Olonode Street, Off Raji Oba Street, Alimosho, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of August, 2011 at Luth 41. Engr. Ekechukwu Betran late of Block 9, Flat 14, 401 Road, Festac Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of February, 2011 at Umuachia, Abia State 42. Chief Saturday Ekperikpe (Otherwise known as Ekperikpe Saturday) late of 1, Oduduwa Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of April, 2013 at Umuachia, Abia State. 43. Mr Hassan Tajudeen Adeniyi (Otherwise known as Pa Hassan Tajudeen Adeniyi late of 74, Iga-Gbaji Compound, Iworo Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of September, 2010 at Lagos. 44. Akinwunmi Yetunde Oluwakemi (Otherwise known as Akinwunmi Yetunde) late of 1, Ayo Oluyemi Crescent, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of September, 2013 at Lasuth 45. Mbrey-Bassey Ba (Otherwise known as Bassey Mbrey-Bassey) late of 58, Ibunkun Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 1981 at Lagos. 46. Mr Christopher Okafor (Otherwise known as Mr Christopher Okafor Uzoma) late of 22, Nnaemeka Close, Bajulaiye ,Shomolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of May, 2013 at 68, Nig. Army Ref. Hospital, Yaba, Lagos. 47. George Adekoya Rosanwo late of 2, Bailey Close, Somolu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of May, 2010 at General Hospital Lagos. 48. Idris Adeniji (Otherwise known as Adeniji Idris) late of 6, Surulere Street, Ikola Odunsi, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of October, 2012 at Luth 49. Ojo Simeon Adeleye (Otherwise known as Adeleye Ojo) late of 7, Hassan Abiodun Street, Ojodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of September, 2009 at Gbagada General Hospital. 50. Mrs Ajoko Angela late of 16, Alhaji Jimoh Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of May, 2011 at Isolo General Hospital. 51. Muibi Sule Alabi late of Savi Compound Ikogazebbe Badagry, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of September, 2011 at General Hospital Badagry. 52. Ojakovo Godwin Ajokpaognene (Otherwise known as Ojakovo Godwin) late of 7, Babsalam Close, Iju-Ajuwon, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of February, 2013 at Lasuth 53. Ajayi Christianah Oluwafunmilayo (Otherwise known as Ajayi Christianah Olufunmilayo) late of 38, Soetan Street, Ifako Ijaye Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of September, 2008 at Lasuth. 54. Ikeri Duruojiaku Scholarstica late of 14, Fasanya Street, Igbobi Fadeyi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of August, 2011 at Orlu, Imo State. 55. Suberu Lamidi John late of 11, Aiyetoro Street, Onilekere, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of April, l2012 at Lagos. 56. Amos David Akaii (Otherwise known as Amos David Akai) late of 6, Akinola Street, Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of September, 2013 at Lagos. 57. Ogweibor Opia late of Flat 3, Block 2, U Close, 23 Road, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of December, 1994 at Lagos. 58. Ajileye Mopelola Felicia (Otherwise known as Ajileye Mopelola) late of 6B Osho Street, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of June, 2012 at General Hospital Lagos. 59. Adedotun Ademola (Otherwise known as Ademola Dotun) late of 11, Ogundairo Street, Agbele-Kale, Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of Octoebr, 2012 at General Hospital Orile Agege. 60. Amosun Musiliu Adeolu (Otherwise known as Mr Amosun Adeolu) late of 32, Ogunjobi Street, Igbogila Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of July, 2012 at Lagos. 61. Mrs Eneberi Christiana (Otherwise known as Nkiruka) late of 6, Onitiri Close, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of October, 2013 at Owerri. 62. Igweonu Uche late of 18, Ademulegun Street, Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of June 2013 at Luth. 63. Awogbemi Ojo Joshua (Otherwise known as Joshua and Awogbemi Ojo) late of 23, Ogo-Oluwa Street, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of October, 2013 at Lagoon Hospital. 64. Waheed Yusuff (Otherwise known as Waheed Owolabi Yusuf) late of 1/3 Holiness Avenue, Idimu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of June, 2012 at Lagos. 65. Mr Kolawole Alasi late of 15, Taiwo Street, Ahmadiya Ijaiye , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of June, 2013 at Ayodele Medical Centre, Iju. 66. Omotoye Elizaebth Aderinola (Otherwise known as Mama Elizabeth Aderinola Omotoye) late of 7, Adeshile Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of April, 2008 at Hillstar Hospital, Mushin. 67. Kelvin Madueke (Otherwise known as Madueke Kelvin) late lof 34, Hassan Street, Ira Quarters, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of March, 2013 at Lagos. 68. Mr Michael Adegboyege Babalola (Otherwise known as Mr Michael Adegboyega Adedeji Babalola and Gboyega Babalola) late of Block 10, House 12, Friends Colony Agungi Lekki, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of September, 2011 at Lagos. 69. Amos Oladunni Jacobs (Otherwise known as F/N2 226172 CPL Jacob Amos) late of 1, Oduduwa Street, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of April, 2010 at Kogi State. 70. Mrs Atoki Abidemi Evans (Otherwise known as Mrs Atoki Akudo Evans) late of 174, Battalion, Odogunyan Barracks, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 2013 at Lasuth 71. Raymond Ndume Eke (Otherwise known as Eke Ndume Raymond) late of 7, Adetayo Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of December, 2011 at Lagos. 72. Okesiji Oluwakemi (Otherwise known as Oluwakemi Okesiji) late of 1, Tope Oluwaseyi Street, Atan Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of January, 2010 at Luth. 73. Idowu Olajide Areago (Otherwise known as Areago Idowu) late of 1, Odogbolu Street, Palmgrove, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of July, 2012 at Luth. 74. Otubogunwa Abiodun Michael (Otherwise known as Mr Otubogunwa Michael) late of 10, Ogunji Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of November, 2013 at Abuja. 75. Ilesanmi Adisa Mathew (Otherwise known as Engr. Mathew Adisa Ilesanmi) late of 6/8 Unity Close, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of November, 2012 at Lagos.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Olusegun Isumede, Abiodun Otaru , Rotimi Otaru and Kanmi Otaru all of 2, Chief Abiodun Otaru's Close, Magodo GRA Ketu, Lagos, four children of the said deceased. Rachael Onabajo of No. 6, Odubegun Street, Odonla Ikorodu, Lagos, and Sekinat Onabajo of No. 2, Adeyolu Street, Stadium Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Paulina Omolayo Okedusi ,Abigael Okedusi and Dr Michael Olorunsola Okedusi, all of 1/3 Sam Tayo Street, Magbon Badagry, Lagos, widow, one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased. Ezim Chinwe and Ezim Onyinye both of 2nd Avenue 201 Road, C. Close Block 1 Flat 11, Festac Town, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Columbus Chizoba Chukwuemeka James Osuala and Paul Collincl Osuala both of 26, Udemba Street, Ije Ododo Ijegun, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mr Wasiu Muhammed and Mr Raimi Muhammed both of 10, Oke-Arin Street, Ilupeju, Palm Groove, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Arowole Jennifer Ofororaine and pastor Omashola Godstime both of 7, Uchemec Street, Igbo-Elerin Okokomaiko, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Unuigbe Victory and Unuigbe Oyekhire Ben both of Zunve Whesumen Amosu Compound Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Ogunwale Mary Alabanee Alake and Ogunwole Aanuoluwapo both of 26, Azeez Ajao Street, Odo-Nla ,Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Yemi Olatunji , Olawale Olatunji and Olanrewaju Olatunji all of 1, Olayinka Olatunji Cresent, Ayobo, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased. Folakemi Ogunjobi Pikuda and Oluremi Zeal Oyegoke both of 1, Kalejaiye Street, Off Ikorodu Road, Igbobi Fadeyi, Lagos, two children of the said deceased. Olabisi Banire and Mojisola Banire both of Block 8, Flat 1, M.K.O. Abiola Garden Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mr Adebowale Halim Adeyemi of No. MOQ 2/112 Jonh- chukwu Street, NAF Base Ikeja, and Mr Adebowale Abdurahman of No. 6 Adetunji Crescent, Oko Oba GRA Scheme 1, two of the children of the said deceased. Orjiakor Clement and Orjiakor Adaeze both of House 2B 008 AITT Quarters Satelite Town, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Bosede Basirat Okorisa and Oluwasegun D. Okorisa both of 15 & 17 Muyanrin Estate Obada Ibiye Badagry Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Lekwauwa Divine Emeka and Mr Chinonso Emeka Kalu both of 1, Street, Industrial Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased. Olabisi O. Akinbosede and Oluwaseyi B. Akinbosede both of 21, Hamony Cresent, Obawole, Iju , Lagos ,widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Inyang Akpan Inyang of No. 8, Adebola Street, Surulere, Lagos, Elizabeth Baradegu and Imo Akpan Iyang both of 22, Airways Road, Ijeshatedo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Ejionye Onyekachi Chris of No. 56, Adeshiyan Street, Palmgroove, Ilupeju, Lagos brother of the said deceased. Sarata Azeez and Nurudeen Azeez both of 1, Ipatun Road,Okunfolu Ibeju Lekki , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Steve Egheghe Agbomofuegbe and Jennifer Uwa Agbomofuegbe both of 27, Salami Saibu Street, Pedro, Lagos, two children of the said deceased. Olufeyisan Iyabode, Olufunmilayo Idowu and Adekunle Ajumobi all of No. 5 Fehintola Street, Sawmill, Gbagada, Lagos, three of the children respectively of the said deceased. Uka David Chinedu and Uka Chidinma both of 81, Osho Drive Olodi Apapa, Lagos, two children of the said deceased. Mrs Regina Azuka Odih and Miss Rebecca Ifechukwude Odih both of 13, Olatunbosun Street, Egbeda Alimosho, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Jaji Afeez and Jaji Tajudeen Olawale both of Block 39, Room 58, LSDPC Housing Estate, Ogba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mr Oladele A. Daramola, Mrs Taiwo Ojo, Mr Olatunde A. Daramola and Miss Folakemi Daramola all of No. 4 Akinwunmi Street, mende Maryland, Lagos four of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Angelina Temetan, Ayoleyi Temetan and Olatunji Temetan all of 47, Salubi Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, widow and three children respectively of the said deceased. Adeyinka Adegbuyi and Adewunmi Salu both of No. 5th Avenue 1 Close, Block 1, Flat 5, Festac Town, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Ubanyi Anna I. of No. 17, Chideson Street, Iba New Site Ojo, Lagos and Mrs Monica Ukpone of No. 20, Barracks Line A, Flat 1, Ikeja, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased. Babatunde Adeyi and Olalekan Adeyi both of 11, Oduwobi Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, two of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Kafayat M. Balogun and Mrs Folashade Ojebowale both of 124, Ipaja Road, Sofunde Agege, Lagos, widow and aunt respectively of the said deceased. Mr Collins Oyibu and Mr Moses Daniel both of No. 2 Sulaiman Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased. Olabode Quadri Johnson and Olajide Kareem Johnson both of No. 5 Princess Doco Oyekan Street, Lekki, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Lady Constance Igezunya, Mr Christian O. Igezunya and Miss J.E.A. Igbezunya all of No. 5, Sunday Oyawoye Street, Igando, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Kudirat Popoola, Mr Adelolu Tajudeen, Mr Rasak Adelolu and Mrs Fatimoh Iyapo all of No. 7, Olukayode Adegboyega Street, new Oko Oba, Lagos, four children respectively of the said deceased. Florence Davies and Matthew Davies both of 5, Shontan Street, Onipanu, Lagos, sister and nephew respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Mary Oketie and Obafemi Joshua both of No. 1, Hemboye Street, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Ugwueke Christian of 14, Folami Street, Idi-Oro Mushin, Lagos, brother of the said deceased. Mr Olutola Olomi and Mr Ayomide Olomi both of No. 6, Ayodele Fanoiki Street, Magodo, Isheri Phase I, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Azeezat Yetunde Shelle (Nee Kadejo) and Mr Adedoja Basit Kadejo both of No. 12 Olonode Street, Off Raji Oba Street, Alimosho, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Susan Ekechukwu and Osita Egieruo both of Block 9, Flat 14, 401 Road, Festac Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Clara Ekperikpe and Michael Ekperikpe both of 1, Oduduwa Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Rasheed Hassan, Saliu Hassan and Waheed Hassan all of 74, Iga-Gbaji Compound Iworo, Badagry, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased. Olufemi Ayodeji and Idowu Oluwatosin both of 1, Ayo-Oluyemi Crescent , Egbeda, Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased. Brenda Chidi Agbarakwe of 58, Ibukun Street, Surulere, Lagos, the only child of the said deceased. Okafor Agatha and Emeka Emenike both of 22, Nnaemeka Close, Bajulaiye Shomolu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Adetola Adetayo Rosanwo and Babatunde Ademola Rosanwo both of 9, Adeniyi Street, Off Kayode Onipanu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Muyinat Titilade Adeniji of 6, Surulere, Ikola Odunsi Ipaja, Lagos and Mrs Kudirat Adeniji of No. 18, Ogunkoya Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, widow and mother respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Agnes Yinka Ojo, Mrs Bose Oguniran and Mrs Shola Adesomoju all of 7, Hassan Abiodun Street, Ojodu, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. Keen Lazarus Ajoko , Uloma Ajoko both of 17, Hassan Street, Ilasa ,Lagos, and Uloma Azubike of No. 5, Ganiyu Balogun Street, Ishaga, Lagos, widower, one of the children and sister respectively of the said deceased. Ganiu Muibi Sulaiman, Faidat Muibi Sulaiman and Rashidat Muibi Sulaiman all of Savi Compound Ikogazebbe Badagry, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased. Egberipou Esther Elo Ojakovo and Ojakovo Charies Edoka both of 7, Ciralar Road, Rert-Harcount River State ,two of the children of the said deceased. Onikoro Babatunde Abiodun and Ajayi Adebisi Ezekiel both of 38, Soetan Stree, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos only child and brother respectively of the said deceased. Ikeri Basil and Ikeri Jonathan both of 14, Fasanya Street, Igbobi Fadeyi, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased. Suberu Christiana Kehinde of 11, Aiyetoro Street, Onilekere Ikeja, Lagos, and Lucky Igbinidu of 3, Shegun Street, Onibukun Otta Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Akai Onoitem of 57, Folarin Street, Alimosho, Lagos and Inemeka Amos of 6, Akinola Street, Ogba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Solomon Opia and Alfred Opia both of 44, Ojeva Street, Tedi Town, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased. Fatai Yussuf and Akande Jislord Adesola both of Iju Police Station Redhouse , Ifako Ijaiye , Lagos, two of the children o fthe said deceased Mrs Mercy Ademola of 3, Abeke Itiolu Close, Off Adempoko Street, Ahmadiya Bus Stop, Lagos, and Mr Ayodele D. Abiodun of 17, Dayo Shittu Street, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Amosun Fatimo Abiodun and Amosun Kafilat Olaide both of 32, Ogunjobi Street, Ipaja, lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Felicia Ogini and Mr Ijoma Eneberi both of 6, Onitiri Close, Aguda Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mr Fedinard U.N. Igweonu of 18, Ademulegun Street, Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos, and Mrs Ethel Uche Obed Okeke of 3, Ogunfowokan Street, Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased. Oluremi Awogbemi and Awogbemi Jide both of 23, Ogo-Oluwa Street, Ajasa Command, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Yusuff M. Olajumoke of 1/3 Holiness Avenue Idimu, Lagos, and Mr Yusuff R. Oyewale of 2, Bale Elega's Compound , Erin Osun State , widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Adebolaji Alasi and Ademola Alasi boith of 15, Taiwo Street, Beckly Estate, Ahmadiya Agbado, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Omotoye Babatunde Adesoye and Omotoye Olusegun Bamidele both of 7, Adeshile Street, Mushin, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Lois Madueke and Orji Oluchukwu both of 34, Hassan Street, Ira Quarters , Ojo, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Ngozi Jenifer Babalola and Mr Friday Buzugbe both of Block 10, House 12, Friends Coloury Agungi Lekki, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Oladunni Zacheus and Adeniran John both of 1, Oduduwa Street, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos, two cousins of the said deceased. Atoki Anthony Tolu of 174, Battalion Odogunyan Barracks, Ikorodu, and Ola Chinenye Francisca of 13, Peace Avenue, Agbede, Ikorodu, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Esther Ndume of No. 7, Adetayo Street, Oshodi, Lagos, and Mr Chime Okereafor of 26, Ile Ogbo Street, Ajegunle Ilo, Alagbado, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Okesiji Stephen Olujimi and Ojo Solomon Babalola both of 1, Tope Oluwaseyi Street, Atan Ipaja, Lagos, widower and brother-in-law respectively of the said deceased Olakunle Areago and Olaolu Areago both of 1, Odogbolu Street, Palmgrove, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Florecne Taiye Otubogunwa and Mrs Dorcas Oluwakemi Quadri (Nee Otubogunwa) both of 10, Ogunji Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased. Mr Idowu Ilesanmi, Mrs Olusola Ajilore, Mr Olumide Ilesanmi and mr Olufemi Ilesanmi all of 6/8 Unity Close, Ipaja, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased.

I.O.AKINKUGBE (MRS) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Questioning Diezani •It is bad enough that she has touched off a scandal; it is even more outrageous that she should defy a probe

SEPARATION of powers, a timehonoured principle in decent political systems, may count for little or nothing among major players in the country’s central administration, and the evidence is increasingly evident. The chartered jets’ scandal involving the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, and the related defiance of the legislature by specific officials connected with the affair, must rank among contemptuous violations of this rational political arrangement that is ultimately intended as a check on absolutism. News that Alison-Madueke and others are apparently frustrating investigation of the controversial issue by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts is a sad commentary on the understanding of members of the executive arm of government in respect of their limits in the context of political checks and balances. The decision of the lawmakers to probe the allegation that AlisonMadueke blew N10billion in the last three years flying in a chartered Challenger 850 in her official capacity was decidedly proper; and subsequent findings that she allegedly chartered other jets, including a Global Express XRS, validated putting the spotlight on insensitive wastefulness in the country’s oil and gas sector. It is lamentable that the committee, which has three weeks to conclude its investigation and submit a report to the House, is bogged down by alleged intransigence, particularly by Alison-Madueke and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu, who have been requested, without success, to provide information on the funding of the

minister’s mode of air transport as well as possible enabling regulation. Not a word has been received from these individuals in response to the committee’s enquiries, which represents an unacceptable negative statement on their perception and perspective. Even worse and equally condemnable is the report that the committee has had to deal with external pressure aimed at getting it to soft-pedal the scandal. Indeed, it is disturbing that what appears to be accommodation by the Presidency, which has refrained from a serious examination of the damning allegations, may send wrong signals to government functionaries, if not society in general, about the elasticity of the administration on official misconduct. Interestingly, it is noteworthy that this jet scandal is reminiscent of the longdrawn-out controversy over the involvement of Princess Stella Oduah, a former Minister of Aviation, in the outrageous purchase of two bulletproof cars for N255 million, which eventually led to her facesaving exit from office. It should not become a trend for the government to act belatedly and inadequately to address wrongful conduct by public servants. The worrying report of efforts by the proAlison-Madueke camp to botch the committee’s work by questioning the powers of the legislature under Section (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution and seeking judicial interpretation of the law demonstrates puzzling desperation. However, if her supporters in the end pursue that course of action, it may unintentionally prove helpful in the long term; for it is high time the courts resolved the contentious issue of the extent of the National Assembly’s oversight functions.

Nevertheless, it is impressive that the committee has remained on course, and has summoned relevant agencies to a public inquiry concerning the jet scandal scheduled to begin on April 29. It is hoped that these agencies, NNPC, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will cooperate with the lawmakers in the larger interest of the country. However, it must be emphasised that no individual or body should be encouraged to have the illusion of being above the law. Alison-Madueke and Yakubu in particular should be compelled by lawful means to supply the requested information; and to appear before the committee, if necessary. It goes without saying that when those who should otherwise be accountable to the people project an unreal sense of unquestionability, society should exercise its fundamental sovereignty.

‘However, it must be emphasised that no individual or body should be encouraged to have the illusion of being above the law. AlisonMadueke and Yakubu in particular should be compelled by lawful means to supply the requested information; and to appear before the committee’

NHRC on ‘Apo eight’

•Security forces should pay fine or appeal verdict

ATIONAL Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) indictment of the security agents who carried out an operation that led to the death of eight squatters in the Apo district of Abuja in 2013, is a serious matter; it should not be swept under the carpet. We have had too many cases of extra-judicial killings in the country and it is high time we started punishing the culprits. The eight persons were killed in an uncompleted building in the Apo district on September 20, last year, when security agents, comprising operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) and the army stormed the place, ostensibly to arrest an alleged Boko Haram leader, Suleiman RKelly, said to have buried arms in the Apo Cemetery. The SSS was later to say that the eight were killed when suspected Boko Haram members in the building opened fire on the troops, who had no

‘The point must be made that no one, including our military, has the right to kill extra-judicially or be trigger-happy. As things stand, the security agencies should appeal the decision or pay the fines and release the culprits for necessary trials in our law courts’

choice than to retaliate in self-defence. The NHRC however decided to conduct a public hearing into the matter when members of the National Association of Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NATOMORAS) said the slain men were its members and that the attack was unprovoked. A panel of the NHRC, including the chairman of its governing council, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, and the executive secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, took submissions from parties involved in the matter, including the SSS, the army and NATOMORAS members. The panel rejected the submission of the security agents that the eight men were killed in self-defence., “They were, therefore, protected, civilian noncombatants, the NHRC said.” It added that “Taking account of all the circumstances in this case, the application of lethal force was disproportionate and the killings of the eight deceased as well as injuries to the eleven survivors were unlawful.” It is gratifying that the commission was able to see the case to a logical conclusion. There have been too many cases of summary executions by almost all segments of our military personnel as well as the police that never went beyond being reported in the media and we moved on as if such was the norm rather than the exception. Many of such incidents involving especially the police had been attributed to accidental discharge. We cannot continue to condone such wanton

killings of innocent Nigerians, especially by those paid to protect them. For sure, the era of the ‘unknown soldier’ is gone; those who released the shots that killed the Apo eight’ must be fished out. The killings fell short of our expectations from our military, especially in a democratic dispensation. It is therefore not enough to order the Federal Government to pay N135m as compensation to the victims – including N10m for each of the deceased persons, as well as N5m to each of 11 injured survivors; as the commission recommended; the individuals involved must be identified and stripped of their institutional garb. They must be made to account for their actions. We commend the NHRC for rising to the occasion by conducting a public hearing into the matter in line with its constitutional mandate. We also commend it for making it known that the security agents did not have the right to banish the other squatters who were arrested during the operation, and ‘banished’ from the Federal Capital Territory. “There is no basis in law for confining detainees freed by the respondents to internal banishment,” the commission said. The point must be made that no one, including our military, has the right to kill extra-judicially or be trigger-happy. As things stand, the security agencies should appeal the decision or pay the fines and release the culprits for necessary trials in our law courts.

It’s probably too late to prevent war in Ukraine

WEEK ago militants seized government buildings in three eastern Ukrainian cities in what Secretary of State John F. Kerry charged was “an illegal and illegitimate effort” by Russia to “create a contrived crisis with paid operatives.” Mr. Kerry threatened that the United States would respond with sanctions against Russia’s mining, energy and banking sectors. But in the following days the Obama administration failed to act, other than against a few minor figures in occupied Crimea. Group of Seven finance ministers meeting in Washington on Thursday also could not agree on any measures. Consequently, none of those governments should have been surprised by the broader and more audacious offensive launched in eastern Ukraine on Saturday. According to independent observers, bus loads of men in camouflage uniforms carrying Russian weapons attacked government buildings in at least four more towns. On Sunday fighting broke out as Ukrainian forces tried to retake a building in the town of Slovyansk and casualties were reported on both sides. Once again senior U.S. and European officials charged that Russia was behind the attacks. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said the actions were “professional,” “coordinated,” and bore “tell-tale signs of Moscow’s involvement.” But again, there was no tangible U.S. response. Ms. Power said only that there would be a “ramping up” of sanctions “if actions we’ve seen over the last few days continue.” How much more action must Russia take to provoke a response? For weeks President Obama has been saying that a military intervention in eastern Ukraine would prompt U.S. sanctions far more consequential than the measures taken against a handful of Vladi-mir Putin’s cronies and one bank on March 20. By the U.S. account, that military intervention is now underway. Officials say it closely resembles the quasi-covert Russian military operation that led to the annexation of Crimea. A tough Western reaction might have stopped the Russian offensive after last weekend. Now it is far more dangerous. The bloodshed reported Sunday may be taken by the Kremlin as an excuse to order a more overt invasion by the tens of thousands of troops it has massed near the border. The Ukrainian government, for its part, has rightly taken the position that it cannot allow Russia to take over its cities by force of arms without fighting back. The Obama administration elected not to adopt significant measures last week in part because it was awaiting what it described as a diplomatic opening — a four-way meeting this week of foreign ministers from the United States, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union. Yet there is almost no chance this gathering, if it takes place at all, can lead to an acceptable solution for Ukraine. Moscow is demanding that the country be chopped up into pieces and that areas under its influence be given a veto over Ukraine’s foreign policy. Given the weak response to its aggression, Moscow has no incentive to drop that scheme. It may be too late to prevent war in eastern Ukraine. But the United States must quickly take the measures promised by Mr. Obama and Mr. Kerry, or lose what little credibility it retains on Ukraine. If Sunday’s combat continues, it should also reconsider Kiev’s request for non-lethal supplies and small arms for its forces. If Ukrainians are forced to fight for their country, they should be helped. - Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: In recent times, Nigeria has had a terrible share of violence and conflicts that have plagued humankind throughout history. The latest twist is the terrorist attack in a busy location at an Abuja motor park, the capital of Nigeria. That was not the first or second time bomb blast would occur in Abuja. It took years of deceit for Nigeria to grudgingly designate Boko Haram as terrorist group- though not still official. For Nigeria to defeat this indigenous Islamic insurgency, we must win the people’s hearts and minds and get into action. Those l refer to people here are the youths who are indiscriminately used by the Boko Haram leadership. Such youths have become criminal tools in the

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Boko Haram insurgency and FG’s ineptitude hands of the sect simply because government at all levels have abdicated their social responsibilities. An idle hand is devil’s workshop. It appears Nigerian armed forces have exhaustedly tried to quell Boko Haram insurgency and violence through a dynamic approach which include weaponry and military personnel but it seems they

cannot eliminate Boko Haram. From the way the sect operates, new threats constantly emerge, and the number of casualty continues to grow. It appears that even with more fully equipped police and paramilitary forces, the military will not be able to completely contain them. It is in place to predict that Boko Haram will soon start using portable, easily concealed

weapons of mass destruction to launch their attacks around the nation. This must not happen! That Boko Haram is still waxing stronger simply shows that the administration of President Jonathan is incompetent, and cannot win the war over Boko Haram. In a decent society where the leadership possess conscience, the most honourable thing is for the president to

Jonathan administration to dust up such files and find out if the recommendations of such conferences could be beneficial to our present condition. But this government infamous for wastage and corruption would have none of that and would prefer to bring out its own conference. And that is the circus Nigerians are being fed with. The exercise is borne out of the vaulting ambition of a man who is enamoured with power and its retention, and that what matters is how to gain more political mileage from the National Conference. This conference will not solve corruption in the country as some of the people attending the conference were part of the people that brought us to this ugly past. Corruption will continue to be the national symbol and the likes of Robert Mugabe shall make us butt of dirty international jokes. And if the conference cannot solve the problem of corruption, it means that this nation despite the abundant crude oil and gas wealth will

continue to wear the sackcloth of poverty, with progress and development perched in the realm of imagination. The conference will never solve the problem of lack of unity buffeting the nation. The reason is that our political elites believe in a game of delusion and dissembling. This nation is not united and the concept of a ‘Nigerian‘ is just fictional. That is why people are not sincere about the implementation of fiscal federalism despite the fact that ours is called the Federal Republic. That is why one traditional ruler could boast of moving to Cameroun and leaving the country. That is the more reason the struggle to control the presidency is very fierce. This skewed federal system needs thorough overhaul but the indications from the National Conference are that most delegates are not patriotic enough to speak the truth about fiscal federalism and resource control. The National Conference will not be able to solve the issues of doctored and flawed elections be-

cause as it stands today, the delegates see Jonathan as doing them great favour by inviting them to Abuja. And when you add the boast of the president in Enugu recently that PDP will capture the whole of South-east, it will be delusional to contemplate for a split second that next year polls shall be free and fair. In the governance of a nation, any nation for that matter, the key ingredients are sincerity and transparency. These are unfortunately in short supply in the Jonathan‘s administration. The circuses of political leaders around the man weave tortoiselike stories to him and goad him to believe that his transformational agenda is having the desired effects. It is the same set of people that schooled him into believing that by convoking a national conference, he will enter the history books as one of nature’s gifts to Nigeria. It is a lie that the looming failure of the National Conference shall expose. • Akpoyibo Unutemeta, Asaba.

What the confab will not achieve

IR: With more than three weeks out of the three months slated for the National Conference, any hope that the conference shall point the way forward for a new Nigeria is fast disappearing . If the delegates could allocate two weeks to discuss the speech of the president of the nation, it staggers the imagination of how many weeks would be devoted to the burning problems plaguing all of us. Is it the picture of sleeping delegates or that of security personnel fighting among themselves with the journalists being made the scapegoat? If the delegates succeed in preventing journalists from covering some of the sensitive discussions, it boils down to one thing and a very sad one at that: the very people who are supposed to benefit from the deliberations of these few select Nigerians are deprived of the benefit of the type of country they want. The reports of previous conferences are gathering dust in federal government official cabinet. The better and wise choice was for the

step down or aside. There could never be a better time for the President to do the needful. The regular mantra that ‘we shall defeat Boko Haram’, ‘the issue of Boko Haram is temporary’ etc have become repetitive, boring and insulting. Let us see action. Let this sect be crushed. This unnecessary war can be prevented because they are human problems. Thus, they require a human solution. I understand that the government once set up a committee to liaise with the leadership of Boko Haram. However, it is disturbing that over a year since the committee submitted its report, nothing has been heard from, or done by the presidency. This nonchalant attitude of the executive leaves us to guess what the grouse of the sect could be. Social injustice and unfavorable economic conditions thrive in the northern part of Nigeria and contribute to chaotic environments. Unresolved religious, territorial, political, and cultural differences in the country further add to the unrest. Thus, a dissatisfied and frustrated population contributes to its own instability. The build-up of this sort of tension becomes dangerous to any nation’s sovereignty, producing an unfocused government that is more prone to distraction. However, if the collective social stress driving these problems could be prevented, such negative problems would cease. Therefore, it is pertinent that the continued unity of this country be robustly discussed at the on-going conference. There is nothing wrong for a couple to reappraise their relationship after many years of marriage. Such an exercise allows the couple to truly rebase, re-strategize and come up with workable plans to strengthen their bond. I therefore call on the president to allow the delegates discuss freely the entity called Nigeria with a view to determining how best to move ahead from where we are now. • Tola Osunnuga Dublin, Ireland.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

COMMENTS

The Lagos siege? NSNC: ‘Honest Census’; Solar Revolution; Protest NASS N45m

HO authorised that soldiers be unleashed on Lagos State to enforce an exclusively politically orchestrated difference of opinion about land use in several areas? Tony Even in a demented deMarinho mocracy as unforgiving, bizarre, viciously violent, ritualistic and murderous as our own in Nigeria, is this ‘Siege of Lagos’ display of soldiers not a flagrant abuse of ‘all we are trying to hold dear’ and also the National Security Act? It reminds Lagosians of the negative milito-ethnic federal might in 1983/4 under Buhari and Babangida that stopped the Jakande Monorail in Lagos at a penalty for contract cancellation of $184,000,000 rather than allow Lagosians modern transport. Shame on them and still no apology yet from them. Instead, only, new political federal capital wahala. Was national security ever threatened by Lagos State? Is national security the preserve of ‘federal Lagosians’, hirelings of power in Abuja? Is this misuse of soldiers approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the National Security Adviser (NSA) or the Minister of Defence? Neither police nor the armed forces should be used to enforce obviously partisan political decisions. What is most painful is that the developments being shut down are for the benefit of all Lagosians, including the Lagos-living relations of the federal Lagosians. Why have these federal Lagosians shed their ‘state-ship’ for a ‘mess of federal party pottage’? Is it the price to be paid to get a CV that will allow one to be chosen as the state governorship candidate of the federal party? The price is too high! Lagosians will retaliate at the polls. Nigeria’s soldiers have enough to do facing and dying in the Boko Haram insurgency and guarding schools from Fulani herdsmen and do not require to be brought into disrepute or have their intelligence insulted and their persons disrespected by federal Lagosians misusing their specialised training just to inflict political pain on a political enemy without weapons. At last government provides figures for Nigerians power deficit. For years we have reported that Nigeria has a

RECENTLY stumbled on a story in one of the national dailies. It was captioned “Journalist wins contract breach case against INEC”. The story reads: “For breaching the payment of N7.5 million to Godson & Godman Ventures Limited, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pay the firm the sum and a 10 per cent interest, running from the day of the judgment until the debt is liquidated. Justice U.P. Kekemeke gave the order in the case brought against INEC by Ken Ugbechie, a former editor of Daily Times, for the media consultancy and publishing firm. INEC was not represented in court. “Ugbechie had dragged INEC before an Abuja High Court over the agency’s alleged refusal to pay him for contract executed… In his statement of claim, Ugbechie said his company was, on January 19, 2010, awarded contract to inspire and generate expository articles, commentaries, news analysis, editorial and comments, among others, to sufficiently enlighten the electorate on all that the commission was doing to ensure a hitch-free 2011 general elections. He averred in an affidavit in support of the suit that the said contract was thoroughly verified by INEC officers after completion. According to him, despite repeated demands, the defendant has refused to pay the said N7.5 million due his company since the execution of the contract. “He added that after the receipt of the plaintiff’s solicitors’ demand letter, the defendant referred the matter to its Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, Department, add-

100,000Mw deficit when government was working on providing a still unattainable 10,000Mw. We have a disgraceful 4,000Mw. Now at last government admits to a 170,000Mw need at 1,000Mw per one million if you believe we are 170 million. I think we have 20-25% inflation of census figures for dishonest financial interstate ethno-religious and political reasons, cutting the projected population to 136m. Interestingly this will improve further the reworked GDP figures as the same $510b is divided by a lower population pushing Nigeria to number 23 or so in the world. So the Non Sovereign National Conference (NSNC) should clearly address the importance of getting our next census right. The NSNC must stand against the sack of honest whistle-blowers like Festus Odimegwu of the National Population Commission. The NSNC must discover how to defuse the ‘politically explosive sensitive and probably corrupt census scam. NIGERIA MUST BE ACCURATELY COUNTED. The NSNC must get a commitment from all delegates and stakeholders for ‘A HONEST CENSUS’ as one of the most important and indispensable keys to the future political and financial prosperity. Well, now it is official everywhere except in Nigeria’s political circle. United Nations scientists recommend a dramatic increase in renewable energy and especially solar energy to fight climate change. It is one of the irresponsible marvels of our time that giant solar farms are found in the cold low sun UK and power entire solar cities in Spain while here in Nigeria and Africa, with our burning God-given sun, we have only a few token solar projects. What Africa and Nigeria need is a ‘Continental and Country by Country Solar Power Plan’ to provide 10 or 50% of all energy ASAP. For this, massive funding as grants and loans by the World Bank, IMF and Bank of Industry and all central banks will quickly provide access to the newest solar technology at discounted 0-5% interest rates with long repayment schedules. Nigeria needs all political parties and politicians in the National Assembly (NASS) and state assemblies to be educated on and commit to delivering a 2014-2019 Nigerian Solar Revolution before God gives our sun to some country more deserving. Indeed the urgent need for Solar Power should be on the agenda of the NSNC, all Economic Summits especially ‘State Summits’ as solar will set states free

from the politics and failures and workers of the national grid. We hope that the NSNC delegates ‘North/South Exchange Visits’ take place to enlighten each other about floods, erosion, gas flares and pollution, petroleum and mining hazards. Some have suggested that the tours include the dams in the North and crossing the First Niger Bridge. Having done this each member should choose any three days to have a wheelchair day, a blind day and a deaf day in the National Conference, just to feel what the physically challenged have needlessly suffered. Delegates should face reality and not be spoilt by Abuja’s glamour. NSNC must represent Nigerians and protest the N45,000,000/quarter NASS Salaries and Perks, SAP, which are ‘SAPing’ Nigeria dry and unsustainable! The political system must be changed to part-time with sitting allowances and cancellation of most perks. The delegates should choose a ‘Nigeria week’ to work without electric power, water in the toilets and positive leadership. Finally, if at the end of the NSNC Nigerians feel genuinely aggrieved or cheated as most Nigerians have felt these 50 years, then the NSNC would have failed and Nigeria would be closer to the ‘disunity’ not to be discussed. Work to stay together!

‘Nigeria’s soldiers have enough to do facing and dying in the Boko Haram insurgency and guarding schools from Fulani herdsmen and do not require to be brought into disrepute or have their intelligence insulted and their persons disrespected by federal Lagosians misusing their specialised training just to inflict political pain on a political enemy without weapons’

Ogbechie Vs INEC

ing that his lawyer also had a meeting with the director of ADR, wherein it was decided that the matter be referred to the Public Affairs Department for confirmation. According to him, the department had since confirmed that the contract was creditably executed by the plaintiff, but despite this, the defendant would not pay the said contract sum”. This is a landmark judgement delivered against a recalcitrant federal agency which had elected to trample on the rights of an individual who had no other option than to approach the court for protection. Many journalists have, in the past, fallen victims to this type of crooked treatment in the hands of highly placed individuals and government officials who take delight in “using and dumping” these professionals at their whims and caprices. Now, let us analyse this judgement. The “undefended list procedure” is a procedure within the Abuja legal jurisdiction and contained in the Abuja High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules. It is similar to the summary judgment procedure in the rules of the Lagos High court. The procedure is adopted in both jurisdictions to provide an easier and faster avenue to determine cases which are straightforward and not likely to go to trial as the defendant, in most cases, is expected to admit the claims brought against him. Basically, the plaintiff, that is, the party instituting the suit, believes that the defendant has no defence – hence the resort to this time-saving

‘Individual citizens can be unruly and uncivil, but governments in Nigeria and their agencies, including the federal government, are at the forefront of uncivilised practices that include reckless disregard of the law and its machinery through incessant breach of contracts and trampling on the rights of private citizens’

procedure. The plaintiff will state this in his affidavit in support and attach all relevant documents, which must naturally point unmistakably to the defendant’s liability for the claims against him. The matter should be so straightforward that an independent observer examining the documents can reach the conclusion that there is an obligation left to be performed by the defendant. The procedure is usually employed for cases of debt arising from simple contracts and monetary claims generally. However, the monetary claim must be liquidated or ascertainable by simple means, but in practice, plaintiffs will include the total figure for which they claim so as to save the court from making any arduous calculations. The snag here is that the suit cannot be initiated until the judge has read through the processes and is satisfied that it merits inclusion in the “undefended list”. Otherwise, it is sent to the general cause list, which is naturally for contentious matters where issues will be joined. In this case, Ogbechie must have had all his documents intact, which on the surface shows that there is some money to be paid and the judge must have been satisfied that it is a straightforward debt recovery case and that the documents were sufficient to support his claim. According to the story, INEC did not make any appearance at the suit, even after it was served with notice of the suit. This is not unusual in this kind of cases. Ordinarily, the plaintiff must serve the defendant with the processes after the judge must have given leave to include it in the undefended list. The defendant in turn is expected to file his notice of intention to defend, together with an affidavit disclosing a defence within five days to the date on which the case is set for hearing. The judge will consider the affidavit and if it discloses a valid defence, the defendant will be granted leave to defend the suit and the case

will be transferred to the general cause list. If the judge cannot find a valid defence in the filed affidavit, or the defendant fails to file anything before the date for hearing, the judge’s only duty is to grant judgment against the defendant on the said date, and no more. That is the situation in this case as INEC did not make any appearance at all; talk less of filing an affidavit disclosing a defence. The law is clear on this point. The judgment given will be valid and can be enforced just as any other judgment. It is not uncommon for the court to make an order for post-judgment interest when it gives a monetary judgment. This is done to dissuade judgment debtors from sitting pretty and dragging their feet over payment of a sum granted against them. However, for the order to be made, the plaintiff or judgment creditor must have included it in its reliefs. The court does not award benefits that are not sought. It was a good thing that the lawyers to Ogbechie included this in their reliefs and the interest continues to read for as long as INEC refuses or fails to pay the sum. ADR is a substitute to litigation which should be explored by disputing parties more regularly. It will help to clear the courts of many cases, especially frivolous suits that only require patience and understanding between the parties to resolve. People include this clause in their agreements but still run to the law courts at the first sign of trouble. Others do not honour the clause, or if other forms of ADR are adopted, they do not abide by the resolutions or decisions reached, leading them, eventually, to litigation. The case here is a classic example of a government agency which, according to the story, even has a dedicated ADR Department. Unfortunately, the department has little effect on the operations or the enforce-

Dele Agekameh ability of any resolutions reached. The courts still had to be visited in this straight-forward matter of “A” provides certain services at agreed rate that “B” refuses to pay. Where government agencies rubbish the ADR process, how will private individuals be encouraged to adopt it? The ADR that is systematically being introduced by the courts themselves has not been received as well as expected by the same populace that decries the snail’s pace of justice. Government agencies should be at the forefront of the efforts to increase the acceptability of ADR procedures by their responsible adoption of it. As INEC has shown, that is not the case. One need not go into the list of cases against government agencies in courts. It will not be surprising if it is found that such cases constitute 30 percent of the case load in most jurisdictions. Individual citizens can be unruly and uncivil, but governments in Nigeria and their agencies, including the federal government, are at the forefront of uncivilised practices that include reckless disregard of the law and its machinery through incessant breach of contracts and trampling on the rights of private citizens. Certainly, there are lessons to be learnt from this judgement! Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

COMMENTS I am delighted at your Tuesday’s back page treatise in The Nation about Hon Obahiagbon. We were colleagues at the House of Reps between 2003 and 2007. He was as interesting as being colourful. Looking forward to a possible reply from him to your piece which hopefully you will cause to be published. Yours too makes the heart ‘light’. From Hon Leo Awoyemi

•Obahiagbon

For Dare Olatunji I am delighted at your Tuesday’s back page treatise in The Nation about Hon Obahiagbon. We were colleagues at the House of Reps between 2003 and 2007. He was as interesting as being colourful. Looking forward to a possible reply from him to your piece which hopefully you will cause to be published. Yours too makes the heart ‘light’. From Hon Leo Awoyemi I am a regular reader of your column every Tuesday. I can claim that I am so fanatical and addicted to it, I don’t take my breakfast not until I have finished reading your articles every Tuesday but I nearly regretted reading today’s column entitled “To Patrick Obahiagbon From a Kindred Soul”, Apart from serious headache that I encountered when reading, I couldn’t comprehend even a line in the whole episode. Please next time try to come to our own level. From Pastor Esan Ajibola JP, the Obalowa of Ona-owa, OkeAyedun Ekiti, Your piece on Obahiagbon shows regrettably the loss of people’s voice in the National Assembly. We will definitely want him back as a senator to represent Edo South while Samson Osagie should hold his seat in the House. The two of them are vibrant and passionate on national issues. Dare you are also not lacking in high sounding words like Obahiagbon. Kudos! From Pastor Sam from Benin City I read your article last Tuesday’s The Nation with a mind of dexterity. This is annaximaness kind of English. Even Shakespeare would have loved to sit in your class. Thank God that the honourable member did not use the drum of his lexis to pull down the House of Reps complex. My humble appeal is that he should make his handout ready as soon as he finishes his talk each time, to enable us queue in his school of thought. From Sly Upoh, Calabar. Olatunji Dare has made my day by awakening my grammatical and oratory sensibility. Indeed, he has woken me from the neocolonial economic and esoteric depression forced on us by the uncanny, unwitty and blatantly callous regime at Abuja. For Obahiagbon, his early political transition from the hallowed chambers has denied the assemblage of oratory glamour, verbal acuity and intellectual competitiveness. From Baba Ejiga, Kaduna Sir I am won’t to believe that this piece “To Patrick Obahiagbon, from a kindred soul comes

N May 2013 when a US state under the control of the Republican Party was hit by deadly tornado, politics of division and exclusiveness was shoved aside by the stakeholders to bring succour to the people who had been bereaved, injured and rendered homeless. Democratic Party President Barack Obama who was far away from the scene promptly ordered massive federal support. A president who is often embroiled in a struggle with the Republicans over their disdain for expansive federal agencies, Obama nevertheless went to Oklahoma State under the Republican Governor Mary Fallin, who only the year before described the Obama administration as pursuing “failed policies”. She declared: “In Oklahoma, we could teach Washington a lesson or two about fiscal policy and the size and the proper role of government,” adding that the Democrats were having a record of “dysfunction and outrageous spending”. But that was all politics, unfit for realistic governance in the face of a situation that required the two politicians to govern and not to play politics at the expense of the welfare of the people. To be sure, they did eventually come together as two statesmen elected not to massage their egos but to submit themselves to service to the people. That I think was the point the ex-governor

from you. Because I cannot make any meaning out of this write up. This is not your style. Do I have to consult the dictionary in order to understand it? Sir do come to our level, I have my respect for you sir. From Ojo A Ayodele, Emure Ekiti Please tell Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon to return to the house because I personally miss his big grammar. Let him please return, I love his sense of humor. From Noble, Port Harcourt. Sir, don’t you think we should install you as the new Igodomigodo. This write up is so well packaged and I believe you can hold forth while we await the grand master to finish his assignment in Edo State. Nice write up, kudos. From Austin Dear Prof, while the Entertainment lasted in the House, NEPA or whatever name it now bears, hardly allowed me to enjoy Igodomigodo. Like you, however, I equally miss the man the Comrade Governor put into incommunicado. From Temitope Vincent, Akure Dear Tunji, you made my day with your piece on the man I choose to describe as the grand commander of noble speech, whom we have really missed for too long. But I read Obahiagbon in almost every line of your work. We need more of such pieces. From Peter Betiang, Obudu, Cross River. Sir, what a way of identifying with Pat Obahiagbon. I was going to put the paper aside after the first paragraph until something told me that you were simply ‘impersonating’ Pat. From, Eyitayo Ogbonyomi, Kaduna. Sir, I was attracted to House of Reps for four years because of him. I bought a diary because of his uncontested verbalisation. He is my global grammar teacher. Those that went to grammar school are millions of miles behind him; did he attend the same school with K.O.Mbadiwe? Edo people should release him for national assignment. He is not for state consumption. From Hyrak Nlerum, Port Harcourt Your head and hair splitting but tintiltating write up in today’s The Nation newspaper is nothing short of a grammatical lexicon-poison!! Talk of dizzying heights!!! Even the addressee of that article would have a hard time digesting it let alone throwing up some of it in file at the Comrade Governor. I definitely don’t envy His Excellency in this situation. Permit me to plead that you rest your case on this lexicon poison on this one adventure and find other avenues to fraternize with your kindred spirit. This appeal is to ensure that your readers who do not wish to be lost in this lexicon wilderness continue to enjoy your lucid articles as of old. From Fayemi Olayinka. Dare, thank you for the resuscitative grammatical re- exposition of virulent lingual

Obahiagbonism in your condemnation of Jonathanistic thrust in governance. Your position on that is the perceptive nature of your cranial digest and its experimental diagnostic competence or disgenuity; all falling within personalised configuration of the subject under diagnostic spectrum which is subjective under accepted international practices. Such a lens could be clouded by surrogatism or personally induced sky bound vicious hatred for the diagnosed human instrument in contentious aggravation of belied facts against the reviewed object to support reviewer’s agrarianly fertilized misrepresentation of his target-object. So much for that. And on Obahiagbon’s new job, how are his workers going to cope with his grammar; to make things work right? Oshiomhole and his sense of humor can be thrilling sometimes. From Lai Ashadele. For Segun Gbadegesin Thank you for your comment in the last page of The Nation dated 11/04/13 refers. Since the Nigeria Constitution will become due and lapse by 2015, I think our leaders’ focus should be working toward creating a new one rather than amending or attaching memorandum to it. By 2015, the present constitution becomes invalid, null and void. Thanks. From Anonymous Segun! Blame it on Richards Constitution of 1946 which put the entire North under one Caliphate but divided South into three with Lagos kept as British colony. Remember South was then one third of North to correct this we must insist on six or 12 zones each with veto power to remove any law that is inimical to it. best regards .From Prof A.E.Obot Sir, all I can appeal is that you please maintain your stand and tempo of this write-up. Ninety percent of the southerners at the conference are timid. They prefer to settle for the crumb. Imagine how the northerners speak! From Akinlayo. A. State of Osun. Anybody who wants the present political structure which tends to arrest development among progressive Nigerians for the conservatives to meet up, is an enemy of the nation. Every nation of the Nigerian state should be given the constitutional right to develop at her own pace without being remotely controlled from Abuja. That is the beauty of a federal democracy. From Dr. A. E. Iheke, Aba, Abia State. Sir, we await your thesis. I will like you to look at the problem called Nigeria from Awolowo’s view that Nigeria is a mere geographical expression, because of mistake of 1914 and that of the visionary realist Major Gideon Orkar. From Fabian, Enugu.

For Tunji Adegboyega Just read your satire on rebasing. The fact is that some of you in The Nation Newspaper, until death will never see anything good in your country, because a good number of you have become sadists because of what you will eat . God will surely judge. From Omot, Jnr. Why do we like propaganda in this country? Unemployment, kidnapping, all sorts of unpalatable stories are thriving in the country and the president is telling us that our economy is now the strongest in Africa. How did they arrive at that? I do not think a reasonable person will believe this government because when they see white they call it red. How do we even believe somebody who said 16 is greater than 19? The whole world is laughing at us but our leaders seem not to be bothered. Rebasing my foot! From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos. The day a man decides to deceive himself is the day he heads in the opposite direction of progress and accomplishments. We are being ruled by people who take pleasure in believing what they know is not true. That someone can allow his name to be mentioned in connection with that statistical nonsense is a pointer to the reality that these people have all lost a sense of value. God save Nigeria from these people who celebrate failure. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso. You have said it all. There is no hope of survival for a child who fails in an examination but goes ahead to forge a result that he came first in the class. Someone said that failure properly perceived is an opportunity in disguise. Rather than letting the world know how helpless we are, our leaders keep hiding behind one finger by hawking the impression that an economy that is on life support like ours is doing pretty well. Self-deceit is the worst form of deceit. From Favour Ifeanyichukwu Jnr, Abuja. Re:’Okonjo-Iweala’s hour’ No matter how large or big a GDP is, it meant production and population only. And further, what type of production? Primary, secondary or tertiary? Ours that is large is primary, raw economic production of oil, agriculture and consumers of telecom. Then our poverty level? Abnormally high. Again, infrastructure? Exceptionally unbefitting. We should not be carried away with rebasing as our living standard remains poor. Corruption uncontrolled and manufacturing 15 percent! Where is that largest economy? Perhaps Madam Okonjo-Iweala has a magic that would turn our economy into growth! But where must she have kept such magic in her four-year economic coordination? From Lanre Oseni. Tunji, I sincerely want to know if you are not linked with Dare Olatunji, the satirist. Why do you want ‘Satellite Dish’ and not the common one? I misunderstood Dr Dare. You will be, too. Anonymous. ‘Diezani here, Diezani there, wetin dis Diezani do?’ (your column of March 30).The woman sef dey chop money o(Laughs). God bless you my brother. From Valentine Ojo, Abuja. Great satire on Diezani Alison-Madueke. With her and others in government having a frolicking time serving us, any wonder crude oil price is increasing, we are producing more barrels but less and less money is accounted for. That is government magic. All the billions approved each week for projects disappear into thin air. From H. Dee.

How not to play politics By Abraham Olaopa of Abia State Dr Orji Uzor Kalu was making the other day when he called on Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State in Ibadan. Noticing the monumental progress that Oyo State has witnessed under the administration of Ajimobi since his advent in 2011, Kalu warned the politicians in the area not to allow divisive politics to rubbish these great advances. He commended Governor Ajimobi’s administration for its developmental strides across the state adding, “I am convinced that you (Ajimobi) have done very well and I give a very high mark. I have been in Ibadan before and I can see the development that has taken place. We have seen a lot of change… If Governor Ajimobi wins (again) in future election, he should be supported.” It is clear that what the ex-governor of Abia is preaching has to do with doctrine of how not to play barren politics with governance. But for politics not to be barren and make nonsense of the mandate of the electorate, the interest of the society must be reckoned with. So, if there is a performing government in place as it is with the Ajimobi administration

in Kalu’s well considered verdict, all of society in Oyo State should rally around the governor in support and loyalty, regardless of party affiliation. Right-thinking Nigerians would find it easy to align with Kalu’s position, since he pins it on the need to “ensure the enthronement of an egalitarian society and ensure development” as he put it when he spoke with Governor Ajimobi. In other words if the citizens of Oyo state truly want a progressive and stable environment the ball is in their court to cooperate with their governor and his administration. They should seek to constitutionally perpetuate a system that is fostering peace, progress and development and refuse to be swayed by ethnicity and divisive politics. Truly, Oyo State has seen breathless changes lately. This development is assuming a spirit that is taking the citizens where they ought to be rather than where the poverty and visionless path of the past was herding them. There is no partisanship in the delivery of the good things of life to the people. It would patently be unpatriotic for politicians to confuse the people about politicking and governance. The former is manipulative, blinding the masses

with the idea of government as exclusive political machinery aloof from the people. But the latter is the collective administration of society that seeks the welfare of the people who put the representative government in power. We must draw the line and let the people know that real test for a public office holder lies in performance not in his ability to play politics. In Oyo State, the people are recognizing for the first time in more that decade that if you have a disciplined and a forwardlooking administration, it can be trusted with the taxpayers money to initiate projects that benefit the larger society and not a few. Today the citizens of the state are wondering where the funds came from for the construction of new roads, the rehabilitation of long abandoned water works, the provision of brand new buses for free transportation of workers and student, the cleanup of Ibadan, the prompt payment of workers and retired civil servants’ entitlements etc. The money was always there; it was only waiting for a good husbandman with a disciplined profile. • Olaopa is a retired civil servant in Saki, Oyo State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

Forecasts Niger Insurance Gross Premium - N2.73b Profit after tax - N212.95m Mutual Benefits Gross Premium - N2b Profit - N885.633m Regency Alliance Gross Premium – N812.596m Profit after tax – N256.437m Learn Africa Turnover - N1.06b Profit after tax - N58.336m Total Nigeria Turnover - N46.676 b Profit after tax - N942.1m MRS Oil Nigeria Turnover - N51.20b Profit after tax - N712 m Eterna Turnover - N27.64b Profit after tax - N563.834m Okomu Oil Palm Turnover - N2.667b Profit after tax - N1.044b Stanbic/IBTC Bank Net operating income N16.805b Profit after tax - N2.737b ASL Turnover - N1.084b Profit after tax - N101.355m GT Assurance Gross Premium - N3.892b Profit after tax - N710.62m Cornerstone Insurance Gross Premium - N1.223b Profit after tax - N80.01m Oasis Insurance Gross Premium N562.500m Profit after tax - N79.868m African Alliance INS Gross Premium - N1.215b Profit after tax - N107.213m Berger Paints Turnover - N976.303m Profit after tax - N88.258m SCOA Nigeria Turnover - N835.0m Profit after tax - N18.200m Dangote Sugar Refinery Turnover - N38.251b Profit after tax - N3.49b Studio Press Nig. Turnover - N3.375b Profit after tax - N20.422m Julius Berger Nig. Turnover - N80.125b Profit after tax - N2.55b Intercontinental Wapic Ins Gross Premium - N1.41b Profit after tax - N250.450m Equity Assurance Gross Premium - N2.45b Profit after tax - N287.283m Standard Alliance Insurance Gross Premium - N2.142b Profit after tax - N475.964m Continental Reinsurance Gross Premium - N6.917b Profit after tax - N805m PRESCO Turnover - N2.60b Profit after tax - N800.9m RT Briscoe Turnover - N4.553b

25 NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government. -Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Eko DISCO seeks 400MW from T embedded generation

HE Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) is searching for alternative power supply of about 400 megawatts (MW) to meet the demand of its customers as the supply from thwe national grid has fallen, a development which necessitated cutting the firm’s daily power need of 700MW to 250MW, thereby leading to massive load-shedding and rationing. EKEDC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Oladele Amoda, told The Nation that the initiative had become imperative as the company cannot continue to rely on the power supply from the grid. He said with the embedded generation, a chunk of the power would be under the company’s control, which would enable EKEDC to offer its customers some stable supply and plan proper maintenance schedules when nec-

•Partners Flour Mills, Honeywell on ‘captive’ power By Emeka Ugwuanyi

essary. He said the company has advertised for submission of bids by the companies that are interested to be part of the embedded generation (generation outside the national grid) deal, adding that on expiration of the bids’submission, the management will select the successful or preferred bidders, sign Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with them, meter their generation, send it to the company’s system and to the customers. Amoda said the management of EKEDC is also discussing with companies that generate more than they need, such as Honeywell and Flour Mills, to

buy the excess power, adding that the company has concluded such arrangement with Island Power to be buying 1.5MW from its generation at off-peak periods between 10pm and 6am, which will commence before end of the month. Amoda said: “We have advertised to invite the people that are willing to partner with us in the embedded generation deal. Several of them have applied. The successful bidders will put up their plants of various capacities depending on what they want to do. They will put up the plant and we will sign PPA agreement with them. We will meter their generation at the intake and send the power to our customers. “The main purpose of this

initiative is that we will not continue to rely on the power that we get from the grid because it is not constant, it fluctuates and besides, in the past five months, we have not been able to get more than 260 MW and even sometimes less than 100MW and we have the capability of taking 700MW, which is the demand. You can see the difference between an average of 200MW and 700MW daily.’’ He continued: “The consequence of this huge supply gap is rationing of available power and massive loadshedding, which are ongoing. They attributed the power supply gap to inadequate gas to run the power stations, arising from vandalism and sabotage, so that

is where we are. Going forward, we are looking at about 400MW from embedded that will be under our control and will not be subject to grid supply. This will enable us to offer our customers a measure of stable supply. The initiative will us enable us plan maintenance of our facilities when necessary by having a regulated load-shedding programme that everybody will know, but we cannot do any reasonable load-shedding programme because of the limited supply. ‘’We are starting on gradually and will ramp up 400MW by mid-next year because many people are showing interest to partner with us. At the expiration of submission of applications, we will go through the bids and inform those that are successful and when we will draw the PPA we will go to NERC because it has a role to play in it.’’

$50m dry port for Ogun By Oluwakemi Dauda

A • From left: Group Executive Director, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Knut Ulvmoen; Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr Oba Otudeko and Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu, at the Oyo State Economic Summit in Ibadan ... on Monday.

Cement producers petition Presidency over hike in price

ORRIED by the hike in the price of cement, Cement Producers Association of Nigeria (CPAN) has sent a petition to the Federal Government, arguing that at the product’s current price, it is about 300 per cent above its price in countries, such as Egypt, China, Taiwan, India, Japan, Norway, Turkey, Indonesian, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq. In a letter to the Presidency, a copy of which was exclusively obtained by The Nation at the weekend, its President, Mr David Iweta, said the price of cement in countries that have attained sufficiency in its production, such as Nigeria is N500 per 50kg bag, while it is selling at about N2,200, about 300 per cent above that price. Iweta, a member of the Nigeria Chambers of Com-

CBN’s support to banks drops by 30% - P 26

• Say investors earn 150 per cent RoI By Toba Agboola

merce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said the international best practice for cement manufacturing is for investors to earn internal rate of return (IRR) of 25 per cent, adding that experience has revealed that Nigerian cement investors are earning over 150 per cent IRR in cement investment, such that investors recoup their investment in two years. He said local manufacturers of cement declared Annual profit After Tax (PAT) of between N120billion and N130 billion over the last three years. Part of the letter read: “By this token, all such local manufacturers claiming large in-

vestment have since recovered their investments. It is regrettable that the price of the product is hovering within N1,800 – N2,000 per bag. We strongly recommend that Mr. President should revisit this strategy by allowing unexhausted licenses to be fully utilised and consider granting more licences and abolish the introduced levy of 20 per cent with 15 per cent duty but retain the five per cent duty and five per cent vat on imported cement. “This will force the local cement manufacturers that are hiding under the high cost of imported cement which attracts 45 per cent extra cost comprising duty, levy, NPA (Nigerian Ports Authority),

GDP rebasing: A step forward or backward?

- P26

NIMASA (Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration), in addition to cost of freighting of about $50 per metric ton. The total extra cost paid on imported cement is in about N900 per bag. Imported cement will sell for N1,000 per 50kg bag if the Federal Government retains duty and VAT (Value Added Tax) at five per cent each on imported cement. “The local manufacturers are still at a better position to make N500 profit per bag owing to the fact that they make use of free local limestone and could sell cement for N500 per 50kg bag.” Iweta added that the housing deficit in Nigeria is estimated at 17million, adding that housing, like agriculture, is a major provider of labour in many economies.

SHIPPING and cargo services company, Hull Blyth Nigeria, is planing to build a $50million dry port in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. The site is about five kilometres from Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria. Speaking in Abeokuta, its Managing Director, Christian Holm, said the dry port would be completed within one year and could create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians. Holm said the dry port was planned to serve as an extension of seaports in Lagos State. He said the port would be constructed by Hull Blyth Nigeria, a century-old shipping and cargo services firm. “We want to take advantage of the state’s nearness to Lagos as well as its conducive business environment,” Holm said. Sources close to the company said the state government was ready to fast-track the project, promising acquisition and allocation of land to prospective investors in addition to the required infrastructure and security. The influx of industries and investments into the state, the source said, was an indication that the state government has taken the right steps in its industrialisation drive.

The making of young entrepreneurs

- P39

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

CBN’s support to banks drops by 36% T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monthly financial support for banks and discount houses has dropped from N869.98 billion to N550.12 billion. This is contained in the CBN Economic Report for December and January. The financial leverage, known as Standing Lending Facility (SLF) reflected a daily average of N28.95 billion in January, compared with a daily average of N43.40 billion the preceding month. The report showed that the total amount granted indicated a decline of 36.8 per cent, which also reflected the liquidity condition in the market during the review period. There are 21 commercial banks and five discount houses in operation. The fund, the CBN said, was

Stories by Collins Nweze

given at 14 per cent. The SLF is an overnight CBN credit available on banking days between 2 pm and 3.30 pm, with settlement done on same day value. The CBN report showed that money market indicators were relatively stable during the month under review while monetary policy remained largely restrictive in line with the monetary tightening stance of the apex bank. Accordingly, the monetary policy rate (MPR) was maintained at 12.0 per cent; public sector Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) was raised from 50 per cent to 75. CRR is a portion of banks’ deposits kept as reserves with the CBN with the aim of stabilising money supply and local currency. According to the report, in spite

of the liquidity surge which arose from maturing treasury bills, and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) bonds redemption and fiscal inflows, financial market indicators were relatively stable, the report said. The report reads: “The CBN discount window remained open to authorised dealers for the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) and SLF. Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds and treasury bills were issued at the primary market on behalf of the Debt Management Office (DMO).” Data from the CBN also showed that banks’ total assets and liabilities amounted to N24.4 trillion, showing an increase of 0.3 per cent over that of the preceding month. Funds were sourced mainly from increased mobilisation of time, savings and foreign currency deposits; accretion to capi-

tal; and unclassified liabilities. The funds were used, largely, for the acquisition of foreign assets, unclassified assets and Federal Government securities. Also, at N12 trillion, banks’ credit to the domestic economy fell by 1.2 per cent below that of the preceding month. The development was attributed to the 1.2 per cent fall in claims on the Federal Government and the private sector during the review month. Banks’ total specified liquid assets stood at N6.7 trillion, representing 40.1 per cent of their total current liabilities. At that level, liquidity ratio rose by 0.5 percentage point above that of the preceding month and was 10.1 percentage points above the stipulated minimum ratio of 30 per cent. The loans-to-deposit ratio, which stood at 37.5 per cent, was 0.1 and 42.5 percentage points below the levels at the end of the preceding month and the prescribed maximum ratio of 80 per cent, respectively. According to the CBN, total assets and liabilities of the discount houses stood at N119.6 billion at the end of January, showing a decline of 10.6 per cent below that of December. The development,

•Acting CBN Governor Sarah Alade

it added, was accounted for, largely, by the 11.3 and 35.7 per cent fall in claims on the Federal Government and others. Correspondingly, the decline in total liabilities was attributed, largely, to the 25.3 per cent fall in money-at-call. “Discount houses’ investment in Federal Government securities of less than 91-day maturity rose to N36.83 billion and accounted for 42.1 per cent of their total deposit liabilities. Hence, investment in Federal Government Securities was 17.9 percentage points below the prescribed minimum level of 60.0 per cent,” it said.

Mobile money revenue to hit $3b soon

HE revenue of mobile money operators will rise to $3 billion next year, a study by Pyramid Research has shown. Although Safaricom’s MPesa in Kenya has long been the lone success story in the mobile money universe, successes are being recorded in, Uganda and Tanzania with similar mobile money offerings. MTN Uganda’s mobile money service accounts for three per cent of all airtime sold on its networ-k, and Vodacom’s M-Pesa service in

Tanzania has six million subscribers with exponential growth of 600 per cent experienced in the past year alone. Currently, mobile money offerings remain limited and are concentrated in just 22 of the more than 50 African countries. Analysts said the African mobile money market has the potential to grow to a moneymaking market, but operators, banks and regulators need to work toward developing an enabling environment for business models that meet service providers’ revenue demands.

Embrace power reform, SMEs told •From left: Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Segun Agbaje; Chairman Egbert Imomoh and Executive Director/ Company Secretary Olutola Omolola at the bank’s 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

MPC promises to strengthen naira

HEAD of the resumption of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governordesignate, Mr Godwin Emefiele, in June, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet next month, with the falling naira topping its agenda. The meeting is in line with Emefiele’s and the acting CBN Governor Dr Sarah Alade’s pledge to protect the naira. Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Bismarck Rewane said their pledge and drive to defend the currency may be feasible given the relatively stable inflationary environment. “This is because the current monetary policy stance has achieved the price stability objective with the inflation rate within the target of six and nine. 2014

provides the CBN enough leeway to tinker with other monetary policy tools. “Global inflationary pressures remain tilted towards deflation in developed economies and muted in emerging and developing countries. Nonetheless, risks to capital flight due to the United States tapering on developing economies such as Nigeria will have profound implications on the currency,” he said. This, he explained, implies that the tightening cycle of the CBN may not be over yet. Rewane said the naira continued to experience volatility at the interbank due to increased demand pressures but remained relatively firm at the official and parallel markets.

The naira depreciated by 16kobo to N164.89/dollar in March from N164.73/dollar in February at the interbank market, but remained unchanged at N172/dollar at the parallel market. At the official market, however, the naira appreciated slightly to N155.74/dollar from N155.75/ dollar in February. In addition, the spread between the official and interbank rates increased by N9.15 from N8.98 in the previous month. Despite the improvement at the official and parallel markets, the MPC expressed fears of increased pressure in the forex market in response to the unwinding of the assets purchase program by the US Federal reserve.

HIEF Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Mrs Sola David-Borha, has called on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) to tap into the power sector reforms for business growth. She made the call at the seventh Lagos State Economic Summit where she was a panelist at one of the sessions on power sector funding. She said: “The power sector reforms have presented a huge opportunity for start-ups and SMEs to explore for growth. There is a supply and infrastructure gap in the power sector that small business owners can plug to their benefit. “For instance, the distribution and generation companies would need metres, cables, electricity poles, payment cards, among others, which can be readily handled by small businesses.” She said the government’s determination to ensure the success of its privatisation process and the local content policy, which ensures that local businesses are not overlooked, are positive pointers to encourage investment in the sector. Mrs David-Borha said the reforms and the enormous growth

opportunity in the sector make it easier for financial institutions to finance SMEs involved in the power sector. “I am hopeful that even when there are challenges in the power sector, the government will step in to address whatever needs to be done because there is so much at stake to allow the sector to fail,” she said. Mrs David-Borha said smart pricing is critical to the power sector transformation. “There have been calls for right pricing, but I would add that with smart pricing, everything will fall into place,” she said. She said the bank will continue to leverage on the rich heritage and know-how of the Standard Bank Group to support the reforms and the sector by providing both debt and equity in the right balance and by attracting foreign investors into the country. She said post-acquisition financing is always less risky than acquisition financing because then the cash flow situation is known and the financier can perform accurate valuation and due diligence. “Many promoters, the new owners of the power assets, raised debt and call it equity, but what we are doing is both debt and equity,” she said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

MONEY Despite the rebasing of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which made it Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s economic potential is still troubled by weak institutions, security challenges and infrastructural deficit. The rebasing, analysts say, made Nigeria’s economy bigger but not better than South Africa’s, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

GDP rebasing: A step forward or backward? I

T took months for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to complete the exercise because of its enormity. A few days ago, it completed the exercise and released the result. To the government, it was a good result because the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) places Nigeria’s economy ahead that of South Africa on the continent. Does that paint a picture of a rosy economy? No, say economic experts, who argue that the reverse is the case. Nigeria‘s GDP has not been rebased since 1990 contrary to global best practice of rebenchmarking every five years. This implies that the country has had to rely on out-dated figures over the last 24 years. According to NBS, because the GDP rebasing, the economy’s size has grown by 89 per cent to N80.3 trillion ($509.9 billion). This makes Nigeria the world’s 26th largest economy and the largest in Africa. It is bigger than Angola, Egypt and Vietnam put together and 12 times the Ghanaian economy. But analysts say South Africa’s economy is more sophisticated with better infrastructural base and higher living standards, which means the country could remain Africa’s business destination, especially for companies seeking a hub on the continent. Following the rebasing, Nigeria’s GDP was put at $509.9billion in 2013 compared with South Africa’s GDP of $370.3 billion. A South African economic analyst, Zeenat Patel, explained in BusinessDay, South Africa report that, following the rebasing, investors interest will gradually shift away from South Africa to Nigeria. He averred that though Nigeria may now be regarded as the biggest economy in Africa in terms of GDP, the country still has a long way to go to catch up with South Africa. He said South Africa is a leader on the continent in terms of financial market development, wealth levels, the quality of infrastructure and governance. He cited the World Economic Forum’s 2013-14 global competitiveness report, which ranked Nigeria at 120 whereas South Africa stood at 53 out of 148 countries. This ranking is based on key pillars such as the quality of institutions, infrastructural development, macro-economic environment, education, training, health, labour market efficiency, financial market development and business sophistication. Agusto & Co said Nigeria would need to work hard on its governance standards both in business and politics if the country is to achieve its true economic potentials. It said: “In our view, building strong institutions and safeguarding their independence will be germane to achieving the long term economic growth potentials for Nigeria. The ability to translate the revised GDP numbers into a proper planning tool would help defray criticisms that the rebasing exercise is just another vanity project.” At $509.9 billion, the sheer size of Nigeria’s economy brings to the fore the need for a more inclusive growth approach similar to the Chinese styled double digit growth model which incorporates job creation with economic growth. Nigeria’s gini-coefficient of 0.49 even amid other flattering economic indicators such as double digit inflation rates and impressive economic growth should be at the forefront of the country’s economic debate. In a country where an estimated 60 per cent of the population lives under the poverty line, this will require replicating the successful macro story at the micro level. Economic and political reforms that will focus on improving the education and health care sectors, job creation and ensuring better living standards would be required to increase the nexus between the country’s macro-economic aggregates and the realities at the micro level. The ability to translate these revised GDP

Monetary Fund (IMF). Gordhan said the Treasury maintained its forecast for the economy to grow 2.7 per cent this year despite the IMF last week significantly lowering the country’s economic growth outlook to 2.3per cent from an earlier 2.8 per cent projection.

Some interesting numbers

• Dr Okonjo-Iweala

• Gordhan

numbers into a proper planning tool would help defray criticisms that it is just another effort in futility. Managing Director, CRC Credit Bureau, Tunde Popoola, said the rebasing has finally laid to rest, the controversy over the actual size and ranking of our economy. He explained that from the rebased GDP, it makes sense to set out the fundamental implications of the new reality. “Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa with a GDP of $510 billion. Our per capita income has moved up to $2,688, which still places us on 121st position. The per capita income position is an indication of an economy with low productivity. The components of our national output and production, which had always put agriculture at over 30 per cent, showed that agric is now 24 per cent, oil and gas at 14 per cent, telecommunications at eight per cent, services at 50 per cent and manufacturing at seven per cent. This new statistics depicted us as an economy moving away from a factordriven to knowledge or service-driven economy,” he said. He said the rebasing has also provided Nigeria with the impetus and the stimulant to see itself as a big economy. “Hopefully, it also should be able to further improve the attraction of foreign directive investment provided it is able to put together the other important factors especially appropriate policy and conducive investment climate,” he said. According to him, this is an affirmation that Nigeria is the place to be, adding that the favourable, positive factors are there to achieve far much more than has recorded-huge population, youthful demographics, and large market. “With an estimated population of about 174.5 million and growing at an average of 2.379 per cent per annum, Nigeria population, which makes it the most populous country in Africa and 47 per cent of West Africa population, would exceed 300 million by 2050 and placing it as the fourth most populous nation on earth,” he said. Popoola said Nigeria demographic characteristics are as interesting as it is scary due to its dominantly youthful population. About 43.8 per cent or 76 million people of the 174.5 million Nigerians are below

15 years while about 19.3 per cent are between ages 15 and 24. He said: The implication is that over 63 per cent or 110 million Nigerians are under 25 years. To confirm the youthfulness nature of the population, Nigeria’s median age is 17.9 years. This feature of our population would likely continue for a long time.”

Modest debt-to-GDP

The Agusto report said the rebasing of the GDP clearly demonstrates the weakness of the country’s tax framework. Prior to the rebasing, Nigeria had a tax revenueto-GDP of approximately 20 per cent, which is within the range of other emergi n g e c o n o m i e s . How ev er , w i t h t he rebasing, this ratio dropped to 12 per cent - and even could even drop further to four per cent if taxes and royalties from the oil and gas sector are excluded. At four per cent (ex-oil and gas sector), Nigeria’s tax revenue to GDP is abysmally low even in comparison to other African economies like Ghana (14.9 per cent), Kenya (19.9 per cent) and South Africa (26.1 per cent). On the other hand, Nigeria’s debt to GDP of 11 per cent (19 per cent pre-GDP rebasing) seems quite conservative in contrast to other emerging market peers. However, reveling in the benign debt to GDP numbers without the underlying institutional framework to adequately generate tax revenues would compare to a company on a borrowing binge (because of its low debt to sales) without sufficient cash flows to repay its debts. The Coordinating Minister of Economy (CME), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said Nigeria would not change its debt policy and borrow more. South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan told iafrica, a South African publication, that he is optimistic about South Africa’s economic outlook for this year despite disappointing economic data pointing to slower growth in the first quarter. He said there have also been a string of downward revisions to economic growth forecasts for the country by several institutions, the latest being the International

‘South Africa is a leader on the continent in terms of financial market development, wealth levels, the quality of infrastructure and governance’

For Nigeria, the GDP rebasing does produce some interesting numbers such as the contrast between cement manufacturing and the textile, apparel and footwear segment. Cement manufacturing has become the champion and poster card of Nigeria’s relatively successful backward integration model which has forced many trading companies into manufacturing. The backward integration model creates protectionist guarantees and fiscal sweeteners for manufacturers of selected commodities. On the other hand, textile manufacturing which was once the second largest employer, only after agriculture has become the crucible of the failings of the liberal import regime. Yet, the NBS estimates the size of the Textile, Apparel & Footwear segment at N380.8 billion (0.47 per cent of aggregate GDP), while cement manufacturing is estimated N350.7 billion (0.44 per cent of aggregate GDP). This clearly suggests the significant underlying potentials of the textile industry even amid current challenges. At the heart of the government’s quest to diversify the economy and increase investments in sectors with potential for significant job creation are some major reforms like the new National Automotive Policy and the establishment of the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company. The new automotive policy is expected to lead to a spurt in the local assembly and manufacturing of automobiles, with big announcements by global auto giants Nissan and Peugeot to set up manufacturing plants in Nigeria. The mortgage refinancing scheme should put an end to the exploitative double digit interest rates of mortgages and possibly unlock pent up demand for residential homes. Motor vehicles and assembly is a meagre 0.04 per cent of the revised GDP while real estate is the fifth biggest economic activity, representing 8.02 per cent of GDP. The success of these reforms could lead to a new wave of reforms reminiscent of the 2004 – 2007 era and possibly strengthen economic growth.

Unemployment figures

An economist with Rockview Services, Daniel Obinna, noted the revised GDP figures and overall data output would greatly help analysts and investors in their Nigeria macroeconomic studies. The NBS has provided greater depth and detail by highlighting the size of 19 sectors and other sub sectors. The NBS has also announced that the bureau will rebalance the consumer price index (CPI) by the end of the year to reflect current realities, especially with the growing middle class that is believed to have a lower expenditure budget on food. But more importantly, policy making in Nigeria is in dire need of more up-to-date unemployment numbers. He said the 2011 unemployment numbers of 23.9 per cent needed to be urgently revised. “In my view, this will help reduce the unhealthy spread between the robust economic growth and the jobless rate and possibly help concentrate planning on job creating initiatives. Nigeria is in dire need of more up to date unemployment numbers,” he said. Analysts said Nigeria remains a paradox. The critical issues relating to quality of life is at variance with the optimistic statistics of an N80 trillion economy and the impressive annual growth of GDP. They say there seems to be a serious disconnect between growth, poverty reduction and human development.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Banks to raise new capital to boost capacity M ANY banks may consider raising new capital to complement their balance sheet to place them in better position to increase lending and further their expansion. Investment banking sources said although the average capital adequacy ratio in the Nigerian banking industry remains considerably high and most banks are above regulatory benchmark, banks have indicated they might seek new capital. The banks were said to be considering raising new capital mostly through debt and quasi-equity instruments.

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

Sources said banks were being proactive to ensure adequate longterm capital plan for their expansion plans. Recent analysts report indicated that Nigerian banks were adequately capitalised with several banks. According to analysts, most of the banks are adequately capitalised to absorb losses without requiring emergency capital injections in case of any further write-offs. Analysts however noted that the rebasing of the Nigerian economy

has created lending space that banks will require more capital to fill. Group Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde DurosinmiEtti, has already confirmed plans by the bank to raise new capital to deepen its market penetration. “We are confident about the successful implementation of our Tier 1 and Tier 2 Capital Raising Project within the year as planned, which would enable us deepen our penetration in existing markets, while also providing the avenue for exploring uncharted segments and other opportunities,” DurosinmiEtti said.

Nigerian banks, under the auspices of the Bankers Committee, had jointly decided to increase lending to the power sector. The strategic funding plan focused on aligning the Nigerian banking system to provide adequate financing to meet the peculiarities of the power sector. The development of the industrywide funding strategy was part of the outcomes of the discussions at a retreat by banks’ chief executives, Governor and top officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria and several experts. The funding strategy would enable banks to provide well-struc-

tured finances to support investments in gas transmission pipelines, upstream gas developments, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) plants, gas processing facilities, key infrastructure, port, real estate, pipe milling and fabrication yards and gas supply and gas transportation infrastructure among other. Besides, banks are required to reinforce their energy desk to build capacity for power project financing while the Bankers’ Committee would continuously provide supports for advocacy and programmes that centre on the power sector transformation.

•From left: Member, 10th Edition, May & Baker Professional Service Award Committee, Victor Okwuosa; National Secretary, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Florence Uwaeme; member,Tunji Doherty; Chairman of the Committee, Emeka Duru, another member and Head, Corporate Communication, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Eugene Olewuenyi, after a meeting.

Brokers, stakeholders brainstorm on economic APITAL market operators key arms and agencies of governand other stakeholders from ment, including the Presidency, Nagrowth the private and public sectors tional Assembly, Federal Ministry

will meet later this month to deliberate on strategic policy initiatives that would further unlock the potential of the key sectors of the Nigerian economy and deepen the capital market. President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, said the year national workshop of the institute would create a forum for key players in both the public and private sectors to brainstorm and generate ideas which will serve as inputs to national planning and development. The workshop with the theme: Update on the transformation agenda and expectation from the public and private sectors, is scheduled to take place in Abuja from April 23 to 25. According to him, experts will consider ways in which the capital market can support key sectors such as power and agriculture sectors in order to further encourage economic growth. “It goes without saying that these

critical sectors hold strategic importance to the realisation of the vast potentials of the Nigerian economy, and reinvigoration of the capital market,” Olushekun said. He noted that the public-private discourse at the workshop would assist government agencies to track their performances and provide opportunities to stakeholders to influence government policies. “The workshop could not have come at a better time, as it holds great promise to contribute immensely to the transformation, not only of the capital market, but the national economy as a whole,” Olushekun said. According to him, the engagements between stakeholders had benefited the country in many way with more benefits to come in the area of providing useful input to the national budget and enhancing the quality of the policy making process. He noted that through the annual workshop, capital market operators have been able to collaborate with

of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange among others. Chairman, National Workshop Committee, Mr. Albert Okumagba, noted that the continued emphasis on agriculture in the workshop, was due to its importance to Nigeria’s economic growth and development. According to him, the critical factors that will bring about tremendous improvement in trade, investment, energy and agriculture would dominate discussion at the workshop. Those that are expected at the event include President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; the Senate President, David Mark; and the Speaker House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal. Others are: the Ministers of Finance; Industry, Trade and Investment; Petroleum Resources; Agriculture and Power.

•From left: 2nd Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe; 1st Vice President, Mr. Emmanuel Ohanwusi; Olushekun and Okumagba, during a press conference on the forthcoming workshop in Lagos.

Transcorp grows net profit by 278% in Q1

RANSNATIONAL Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc grew its top-line and bottom-line significantly in the first quarter with net profit after tax rising by 278 per cent to N3.15 billion. Key extracts of the three-month report of the conglomerate for the period ended March 31, 2014 showed that profit after tax rose from N833.7 million in first quarter of 2013 to N3.15 billion in first quarter of 2014. Profit before tax increased from N1.31 billion to N3.77 billion. The report indicated that turnover rose to N10.54 billion in 2014 as against N3.55 billion recorded in comparable period of 2013. Gross profit stood at N7.69 billion compared with N2.76 billion while operating profit increased from N1.43 billion to N4.67 billion. The company has distributed N1.9 billion as its first ever cash dividends to shareholders following a double in profit to N9 billion during the year ended December 31, 2013. Extracts of the audited reports showed that turnover rose to N18.8 billion in 2013 as against N13.2 billion recorded in 2012. Profits before tax rose from N3.9 billion in 2012 to N9.0 billion in 2013. President and Group Chief Executive officer, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Mr. Obinna Ufudo, has said the company will be targeting group profit of about N25 billion this year. According to him, this business year promises to be another very bright year as the conglomerate is on the track to deliver on all its objectives. “Our key target is to grow group profits to over N25 billion during the year. We intend to achieve this by the continued diversification and deepening of our existing businesses. In our power business, we

will focus on concluding the rehabilitation of a number of identified turbines in order to improve generating output at the Ughelli plant to 700 megawatts,” Ufudo said. He said the full year audited accounts reflect the conglomerate’s commitment to its long term strategic plan, which should translate into strong and sustainable growth. “We are excited about the achievements we recorded across our businesses within the past year. Our entry into the power sector has been a significant driver and we are already running ahead of our 2014 estimates. We expect significantly better results this year, as our diversification and growth strategies continue to gain momentum,” Ufudo said. At the Annual General Meeting of the company, chairman, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), Mr. Tony Elumelu, assured shareholders that the conglomerate used the 2013 business year to solidify its transformation noting that the very strong financial and operating results in the year were evidences of the success of the transformation. According to him, the company’s results have begun to show the benefits of the discipline execution of strategy while shareholders have begun to see their rewards. Elumelu noted that the principal cause of asset growth for the group and company was its acquisition of the Ughelli Power Plant, Nigeria’s largest generating facility and where its influence has already seen a doubling of capacity. “I believe that we will build on the solid foundation laid over the last couple of years to begin an era of steady and increasing dividend payment to our shareholders,” Elumelu said.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

PAGE 29

‘ Madam Tinubu: Inside the political and business empire of a 19th century heroine

In the words of historian, Oladipo Yemitan, Tinubu was “an able politician, tactician, business woman, king-maker, philanthropist, a good manager of men and materials, arms and ammunition supplier, a slave dealer, war leader and a nationalist

‘

She was the wealthiest woman in Yorubaland in the 19th century, controlling 360 slaves and trade routes with European merchants. She was a Queen who helped to instal kings. She fought against European domination of her people. And centuries after her death, Madam Efunporoye Tinubu remains a heroine as Correspondent, SEUN AKIOYE discovers •Continued from Page 30

INSIDE

•Alhaji Adio Kassim (left) and Shafiu Kassim at Madam Tinubu statue in Ita-Iyalode

A trip to Ogun baby factories •PAGE 32

In Ibadan, life is pleasurable at night •PAGE 34

Blackout imminent in Akure, Ado-Ekiti •PAGE 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

HERE are many variations of what happened that afternoon sometime in 1805 in Gbagura, when Efunporoye Osuntinubu Lumosa was born on the bank of Ogun River, then known as Odo ose. But historians agree that Nijede (her mother) gave birth to a baby girl around the river and on the eighth day, she was named Osun-ti-inu-ibuwa (the child was given by Osun, goddess of the river). Olumosa, the father of the new baby, was Nijeede’s second husband; the first Degolu had died early, leaving Nijede with a child named Sobowale. Olumosa, a wealthy Gbagura man from Ido, homestead had two other wives. So, Osuntinubu had two half-brothers, Okukan and Akinwumi and a brother, Sobowale. Osuntinubu’s grandmother, Osunsola, an Owu woman was an affluent trader in her days. She traded in herbs, roots and animal skins; she did not however, pass the mantle of trade to her daughter Nijeede, that distinction went to her granddaughter Osuntinubu, otherwise known as Tinubu. Tinubu grew up in the vast Lumosa compound in Ijokodo area of Gbagura in the midst of affluence and prosperity. At the age of 20, she married an Owu man and had two children for him. According to history, Tinubu was a woman of radiant beauty. She had an oval-shaped face - as depicted in her statues in Lagos and Abeokuta - she grew up a very fashionable woman. Her charming existence came crashing during the war of dispersals in Yorubaland. By 1830, she was forced to move along with her young family from Gbagura to Ake (both in present day Abeokuta) under the leadership of Sodeke, thousands of Egba speaking people found refuge under the Olumo rock, which still stands in the city today. Tinubu’s husband died at this time just few months after the death of her mother Nijede. Now, a widow with two sons, she immersed herself in the trade of her grandmother, Osunsola. She was supported financially by her father, Olumosa, who was a man of considerable means and she was making profit. In 1833, a member of the royal family in Lagos, Prince Adele, who had recently lost out in the fight over the Obaship of Lagos came to Abeokuta on a goodwill visit to thank the people for their support and got attracted to Tinubu, proposing to make her his wife. The young widow accepted and moved to Agbadarigi (original name for Badagry), with her new husband, where she lost her two sons to malaria. In Badagry, Tinubu expanded her business activities to include arms and ammunition and slaves. That same year, Prince Adele won the right to the throne and returned to Lagos with his new queen, Efunroye Tinubu. Her marriage to the Prince did not bear any children however, but the stage was set for one of the greatest amazons to grace Western Nigeria to flourish. Tinubu’s extra-ordinary life had begun.

Love for nation or lust for gold? Was Tinubu a nationalist, who propelled by love for her country, fought against European domination of trade in Lagos and the hinterland? Or a self motivated individual driven by her lust for gold and land or merely an aggressive money maker? European accounts of Madam Tinubu’s political and commercial influence in the 19th century, Nigeria had painted a horrid picture, describing her as an unrepentant slave trader who practiced extreme cruelty towards her slaves and domestic servants. The European sentiments may be justified when considered in the light of Tinubu’s opposition to foreign domination of trade and politics in Lagos. When she returned with Prince Adele to Lagos, she continued her trade in arms, slaves and began to exert her influence as the queen.

•From left: Waliu Bakare, Sulaiman Sanni, Chief Shafiu Kassim and another in front of the grave house

•Tinubu's grave

Inside the political and business empire of a 19th century heroine

Adele died early in 1837 and Tinubu married a war captain named Yesufu Bada. Fortune smiled on them and Tinubu began to expand her trading activities and her political profile began to rise during the reign of Oba Oluwole, who succeeded her husband, Adele. This continued during the reign of Akintoye, who succeeded Oluwole and when war broke out between the Oba and his nephew, Kosoko, Tinubu and her husband had to go into exile in Badagry. That was 1845. Merchants didn’t come bigger than Tinubu. She bought slaves from the hinterland and sold to the Europeans at the coast at exorbitant prices, using her shrewd business acumen, she managed to monopolise the trade, preventing Europeans from dealing directly with the hinterland. Her slaves also ran her trade in palmoil, cotton, elephant tusk, alcoholic drinks etc. When Oba Akintoye sought refuge in Badagry, he became the personal responsibility of Tinubu and her husband. This hospitality paid off in 1852, when the couple returned with Akintoye to Lagos where Tinubu’s influence took on a new pedestal. She began to dabble into politics exerting tremendous influence over the affairs of Lagos, especially concerning trade with the British and the West Indians. She also began to buy up properties in Lagos, apart from the land given to her in the heart of Lagos by Adele, she also used her wealth and position to buy up a considerable real estate all over Lagos. These properties became subject of bitter litigation after her death by her slaves and domestic servants.

“Give me more land” In the middle of 19th century, Madam Tinubu’s trading empire extended beyond Lagos to other parts of Yorubaland. Aside her trading activities, she was reputed to have 360 slaves - a sizeable number in those days - who carried out her businesses on her behalf. But one of her favourite acquisitions was land. In 1834, she bought a large expanse of land in Lagos mainland, some of which she used as her farm and warehouse. According to historical accounts, in 1834, Tinubu purchased a large expanse of land from

the Oloto family. According to history, Oloto Pawu, who died in 1627, was the first and original settler on a piece of land which included Ewe Agbigbo and Iwaya farmlands around 1592. It was the 6th Oloto, Baalo Oriagbaya, who reigned between 1816 to 1859, who ceded to Madam Tinubu with the aid of Prince Akintoye, Ewe Agbigbo and Iwaya farmland, on behalf of the Oloto Chieftaincy family under Native Law and Customs. Tinubu paid 200 bags of cowries, 200 pieces of kola nuts, ten slaves and a ram to the Oloto family. The land from Oto, all the way to present day, Maryland once belonged to the Oloto Chieftaincy Family and these were granted to Madam Tinubu. According to documents made available to The Nation, the land so ceded measured about four and half miles radius from Abule Tinubu. In modern landmarks, the land extended from Otto/Iddo to include the areas of Ikorodu road, Ilupeju, Iwaya, Yaba, Maryland, Magodo, Ojodu Berger. It also includes Gbagada, Apapa, Ijesha, Ketu, Isolo (originally Aso-Olo), etc. Many areas had Madam Tinubu’s impact, for instance, Odi-Olowo was said to have come into existence after the abolition of slave trade. It means fence of the rich person, literarily referring to the fence around Madam Tinubu’s property. Olowogbowo quarters in Lagos Island also reportedly came into exist-

ence through the trade exploits of the Amazon. Mushin was said to have been coined by Tinubu herself. On the Lagos Island, she occupied the best land inside the town. Reported to have been granted her by Oba Akintoye. The area was known as Tinubu square and it extended to areas of Iga Kakawa, Tinubu Street, Tinubu Methodist Church and all the adjoining areas. After securing for herself vast estates in Lagos to cater for her numerous business activities, Tinubu devoted her time to politics. In 1855, she led a revolt against powerful Brazilians and Sierra-Leoneans immigrant traders. She paid heavily for this insurgency by banishment from Lagos to Abeokuta, her homeland. From that time, her business interests in Lagos became the responsibility of the head of her domestic servants called Eyisha. She granted her servants the authority to collect rents on her landed properties and look after her other business interest. She, however, gave orders that none of her properties must be sold without her express approval. In Abeokuta, her trading and political influence continued and she used her vast resources to help prosecute several wars the Egbas were engaged in. She was honoured as the first Iyalode of Egbaland and was a strong pillar behind the enthronement of Alake of Egbaland. On December 1, 1887, Tinubu fell ill and on the afternoon of the following day she died. She was buried at her ma-

‘

At the centre of this epic battle, however, is the fight for the control of Madam Tinubu’s estates. Litigation became the order of the day as one injunction was being vacated, another was restored. There are also bitter disputes as who are the real family members of Madam Tinubu and those who are descendants of domestics integrated in to the family

‘

ternal compound in Ojokodo, Gbagura, according to her orders. But she remained childless throughout her lifetime. After her death, relatives, friends, slaves and domestics scrambled for a share of her considerable properties, both in Abeokuta and Lagos. But the locations of her choice estates were known only to her domestic servants, who had been collecting rents on the land. By 1912, Tinubu’s estate had become a matter of legal disputation between sections of the Eyisha family, who were her servants mandated to collect rents on her properties. The first and the most significant of these suits was Suit 124 of 1912, between Fafunmi and Osu Apena, Brima Misa, Sunmonu Ladejo (alias Oridedi), joined by order before Judge A. Willoughby Osborne. The plaintiff, Fafunmi was a great grandson of Eyisha. In a Certified True Copy of the judgment seen by The Nation, Fafunmi confirmed that the land of Ewe Agbigbo cannot be sold without the consent of Tinubu or the Eyisha family. The judgment affirmed Tinubu’s ownership of the Ewe Agbigbo/ Iwaya farmlands. Another significant evidence thrown up by the Fafunmi vs. Osu Apena Suit was the emergence of a Plan Survey of the land prepared by Surveyor Herbert Macaulay in 1910 and admitted in evidence in the suit. This fact has also been affirmed by various court judgments including: Suit No. IKJ/1999/65 between Fagoyimbo’s family and Kolawole James and Suit LD/183/66 between C. O. Dosunmu and Umo-Epe and others.

In search of Tinubu’s descendants It was Friday and the Gbagura Central Mosque was filled to capacity. Located on Iddo hill, in Ojokodo, in Abeokuta North Local Government, it was a vintage location to view the rest of Gbagura homestead. Soon the service was over and thousands of faithful trooped into the narrow streets. Among them was Alhaji Adio Kassim, the head of the Lumosa family. His living room at the Lumosa quarters, was sparsely furnished. A three-storey building which in the past had been a symbol of affluent

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

PHOTOS: SEUN AKIOYE

•Osun well: Tinubu was said to have worshipped at this well and wealth. Prominent on the wall was a large picture of late business mogul, Chief Moshood M. K. O. Abiola. Strewn all over the room were documents relating to Madam Tinubu. “Yes, Abiola was part of the Lumosa family. This is our father’s compound and Madam Tinubu was our daughter, she was born here and grew up here,” Kassim said. Around the building were several mud houses in different stages of collapse. The remnant of the building showed that Lumosa was a wealthy man, though that wealth has since passed into proverbs. “If Madam Tinubu had any surviving children, what is happening to her properties now would not have happened. After her death, her estate was bastardised with many people claiming to be her family, that is why we have all these protracted litigation everywhere,” he said. Apart from the Lumosa family members, descendants of Olumosa, the father of Madam Tinubu, the other family members of the icon are descendants of her half brother Sobowale. Many of them can be found in Tinubu compound (which originally belonged to Nijede), in

Ojokodo, a few miles from her father’s compound, all in Gbagura. Unlike Lumosa compound, Sobowale’s compound had fewer buildings still standing even though the foundations of the wrecks were well preserved. It was here that Tinubu’s mother Nijede was buried; it was here also that Madam Tinubu has her eternal resting place. The main building in the compound is an uncompleted storey house, in front of it is a well which contains the water from Osun goddess. In the days of Tinubu, the water was said to be very powerful with healing powers. Today, most of the members of the family are Muslims but there are still those who are adherents of the Osun goddess. Every December 3, (the anniversary of Tinubu’s death), they gather to worship at the tomb of Tinubu and invoke the spirits of the well. Nijede and Tinubu’s tomb were built besides the main building. Recently, the state government refurbished the building, housing the tomb. Inside the tomb itself, a magnificent temple has been built to the Osun goddess, a white clothe covered the deity while articles of sacrifice

lay in front of it. In the extreme corner of the room was the tomb, separated by a small fence. It was a humble resting place for such a magnificent woman, without the building it would have passed unnoticed. “We are very proud to be descendants of Madam Tinubu, she was a great woman who deserve national honours for what she did for this country,” Waliu Bakare, a member of the Sobowale family said. Sulaiman Sanni echoed this sentiment. He mentioned the fact that the tomb should be a tourist attraction where people can come and pay their respects. But, this may be a farfetched idea until the government rightly declared the tomb a national monument. Presently, there are no motorable roads to the tomb making access difficult for tourists.

Family feud Since 1965, the descendants of Madam Tinubu had tried to form a common front in order to reposes her vast estates in Lagos and Abeokuta. This was no mean task as most of the properties then were considered lost, others being sold by the Eyisha family. That year, a High Court in Lagos mandated a Trustee of 20 members,

comprising members of Sobowale and Lumosa families to superintend over the estate. Over the years, the family affairs were conducted by the Trustee headed by the eldest family member. That Trustee, however, soon ran into troubled waters and in 1999, the family approached the High Court of Lagos State, in Ikeja, before Justice S. A. Adebajo in Suit ID/920M/2000 and a new Trustee, this time reduced to four members was constituted. The new members are: Alhaji Adio Kassim, Chief Shafiu Kassim, Chief G. O. Fasetire and Chief Adams Bilade Lahan. But hardly was this Trustee constituted that another ‘member of the family’ began a series of litigations challenging the legitimacy of the new Trustee. The new challengers came from Sobowale side of the family, but Sulaiman Sanni said they are not real members of the family but domestics who have been integrated into the family over the years. At the centre of this epic battle, however, is the fight for the control of Madam Tinubu’s estates. Litigation became the order of the day as one injunction was being vacated, another was restored. There are also bitter disputes as who are the real family members of Madam Tinubu and those who are descendants of domestics integrated in to the family. The Nation was able to trace the key members of both families and all the current members of Trustee in charge of the Tinubu family affairs. Many of them looked pained at the turn of events in the family and said they would rather have peace than war. Some other family members who spoke in confidence to The Nation blamed the situation on Madam Tinubu’s childlessness. “A lot of people are saying they are also members of her family but if they are really members they should show us their family compound in Ojokodo. Even, if the house has been destroyed, we can still see the foundation (Alapa), as we have seen the others. These people are not from our family, they were integrated into our family,” one member said. But Chief Shafiu Kassim said there are no debates about who represents the Tinubu family. “We will not be deterred by any trouble maker. We have the legal backings of the court as a Trustee and our job is to steer the affairs of this family and that is what we are doing,” he said. Currently, the family has engaged the services of consultants to help manage the vast estates left by Tinubu. A spokesperson of the consulting firm, Adamakin Investments and Works Limited told The Nation in Lagos that its mandate is to create awareness about the Tinubu estate. Understandably, he chose to remain anonymous.

Tinubu’s personality In the heart of Lagos Island, Tinubu square lay prominent with its newly renovated park and water fountain. It was a befitting memorial to the industry of the woman, who gave her all to the cause of Lagos. In ItaIyalode, Abeokuta, her homeland, a similar park has been constructed to her memorial. Donated by the Rotary Club in 1989, it was less glamorous than the square in Lagos. The statue too was remarkably different, whereas the Lagos statue had given Tinubu a formidable look, in the one in Abeokuta, she had a faraway look in those deep seated eyes and looked much younger. The Iyalode staff in her hand had a gold colour in contrast to the soot black statue. Apart from the Europeans whom she fought for the control of trade in Lagos and Abeokuta, many Nigerians viewed Madam Tinubu as a strong and courageous woman, kind and accommodating. This was evident in the fanfare that accompanied her burial in Ojokodo, on Saturday December 3, 1887. Markets were shut and a mass rally was held to celebrate the woman, her burial ceremony lasted seven days. Only the Alake of

Egbaland had that distinguished burial. Tinubu was kind. This was evident around 1832, during the war of dispersal; she offered her child’s food to an old herbalist, who begged for food. The herbalist later gave her a portion that propelled her wealth, she was also very industrious. Despite being the wife of Prince Adele, she began to trade in the articles of the day in Badagry. Yes, she traded in slaves and kept many for her use, but in her days, slavery was regarded as a legitimate business which had no impact on the moral consciousness of the practitioners. Her approach to treating slaves was different, unlike some of her contemporaries – Efunsetan Aniwura (Iyalode of Ibadan) - she treated her slaves well. They were in charge of many of her businesses; this is why her estate was despoiled after her death because her slaves were the only ones who knew the details of it. She was the first Iyalode of Egba and occupied the position for 23 years and after her death no other woman of equal status was found to fill the post. Her successor, Madam Miniya Jojolola, was appointed only in the next century. She also championed the cause of the oppressed, irrespective of the status of the victim. To her, justice must be served. When Oba Akintoye was in exile, she supported him with all her material wealth until he was finally restored to the throne in Lagos. She was also the pillar behind Oba Dosunmu, guarding the Oba against the imposition of the British traders at the time. But her greatest genius was in her political and commercial activities. She dealt shrewdly with the European and Jamaican merchants cutting off supply when necessary and blocking political support from the king. Her opposition to European interference in the affairs of Yorubaland set her on a collision course with them and it eventually led to her expulsion from Lagos. In one of his dispatches to London, Benjamin Campbell, one of the representatives of the British government said of Madam Tinubu: “There is another mischievous person in Lagos, whose removal is very desirable but I fear difficult to effect. The woman (is) Tinaboo (Tinubu), the late Akintoye’s niece. She is heavily indebted to some merchants here and she will not pay them. Application by the King (Akintoye), on behalf of the merchants she treats with contempt, setting his authority at defiance; yet this woman is a protégé of Mr. Gollmer, because she is an Egba woman.” Her opposition to the Westerners also had its effect. Because they were the only ones in possession of cameras, she refused to pose for many pictures, therefore, Madam Tinubu’s pictures are very rare. The only one that has been found and which The Nation possessed showed a remarkable feature of the Amazon. She was rather sad looking, black as soot; she appeared to be a tall and big woman. She had a large shawl on her head, which went all the way to her back, she had enormous wrapper up to her chest and a single necklace hung on her neck. In her right hand she held a white handkerchief and had a sullen and sad look on her face. It is incontrovertible that Madam Tinubu played an active role in the affairs of Yorubaland in 19th century and her place may not have been properly accorded in the historical annals of Western Nigeria. But her legacy stands and in the words of historian, Oladipo Yemitan, Tinubu was “an able politician, tactician, business woman, king-maker, philanthropist, a good manager of men and materials, arms and ammunition supplier, a slave dealer, war leader and a nationalist.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Rescued girls at Akute baby factory

A trip to Ogun baby factories

HE imposing one-storey building within what appeared to be an emerging elite setting of Akinremi Estate in Adigbe, Abeokuta area of Ogun State, may pass for residential apartment in the estimation of not a few residents around that serene neighbourhood. Residents who spoke amid fear of being witch-hunted, said until now, they knew nothing about the existence of a ‘baby factory’ in their midst and how long it has been in operation. For years, they have lived with the notion that probably the landlord and tenants occupied it, solely as home and nothing gave them an inkling that something much more goes on there. The ignorance of neighbours and others around the vicinity was not helped by its seemingly elite look, the non-descript or open access way to the estate - a shallow stream separated the estate from others making it to have a blind alley or close, coupled with the high rise perimeter fence and gate which ensured that outsiders or unwanted visitors rarely know what happens there. When The Nation visited the place, the area look forlorn and deserted while the building is a shadow of its former beauty. Wreckages of burnt vehicles and other household items gave an impression of a home devastated as in war situation but bricklayers had since began re-erecting the perimeter fence brought down by surging irate youths, who stormed the building. One of the bricklayers, who declined to disclose his name said, the landlord lives in London and that he was contacted to carry out the repair work on the fence by someone who has link with the landlord. The veil of secrecy over the home broke on April 3, as a detachment of policemen from Adigbe Divisional Police Headquarters, burst it and rescued five

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

children and three pregnant women holed up there as it, allegedly, served as baby factory to the operator. The Police also arrested the wife of the suspected operator. Curious residents who were scandalised by the discovery torched the building. Also torched were two vehicles; a Toyota Camry salon car marked (Lagos) EKY 942 AJ, and a Mitsubushi salon car marked (Lagos) AGL 971 BH, parked within the premise. It was the intervention of officials of the Ogun State Fire Service, who arrived the scene in two vehicles marked OG 124 A 09 and OG 122 A 09 to put out the fire that prevented the building from being razed. Same ignorance of residents was observed about a baby factory in Akute area of the state, where a detachment of the anticrime team attached to the Ajuwon Division of Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force had following intelligence gathering, stormed a baby making factory there and found pregnant women being kept and nurtured to produce babies for sale. The Police during the raid, arrested the owner, Mrs Chigozie Angela, 39, and also rescued one Blessing and eight other pregnant girls aged between 16 and 22 years within the facility. As was the case at Adigbe, The Nation gathered the building is owned by someone residing abroad and that it is also the subject of litigation in court between the man and his wife. For Adigbe baby factory, the lid was blown open when one of the victims escaped from the facility and took refuge in a building located around the estate and pleaded with the occupants to save her from her captors.

The pregnant girl, it was gathered, confided in those shielding her from further abuse, telling them that her elder sister sold her and her unborn baby to the operator of the facility for N100,000. Upon hearing the reprehensible occurrence, the people were said to have informed the police, who eventually carried out a raid on the home. But a twist also crept in and soon a ritual dimension was added as the irate youths who set the building ablaze were said to be looking for a cooler and a can believed to contain fresh human blood suspected to be in use for ritual purposes. The youths, who were believed to be students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, after a thorough search of the building were said to have found ritual items such as ivory plate containing fresh blood, coffin, effigy, dried scorpions and assorted charms. Also said to have been discovered are international e-passport, identity cards of Junior and Senior Secondary School students of Sacred Heart Catholic College, Oke-Ilewo. Many are wondering why people are into making baby for commercial purpose, with some also saying if there are no end users for what comes out of the ‘baby factories’, the business would not be booming, albeit underground as it takes two tango. Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki said, the phenomenon is a response to infertility challenges by women who have tried many times to conceive without success, such women he added, elected to follow shortcuts to have children that are not really theirs. Alayaki, who is with the State General Hospital, Ilaro, said such women either do not explore fully the medical solutions to infertility such as InVitro Fertilisation (IVF) or were put off by the high cost of obtaining IVF and also the

low success rate, hence the recourse to buying children they can see and can afford. According to the family physician, it cost between N850,000 and N2.5m to have IVF whether in Nigeria or abroad which some couples looking for children can’t afford. Alayaki, however, doubted whether the booming business was all about women looking for children to purchase, saying it is not common for people who were not seen to be pregnant to suddenly emerge with new born babies as theirs. According to him, the baby factory could be the work of ritual syndicates who operate such underground facility for purpose of getting steady and reliably supplies when they have needs to make sacrifices or renew devilish oaths with blood of innocent babies. Also, Rev. Olusola Ladega of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) gave a religious dimension to the nefarious and il-

licit business. Ladega, who is in charge of St. James Anglican Church, Federal Housing Estate, Elega, Abeokuta, said those making babies for commercial purposes are ungodly. They lack the fear of God and have concluded within themselves that there is no more hope of making it in life by legitimate means hence their recourse to the sinful practice. He also said those who buy babies from ‘baby factory,’ are as “guilty” as the operator and the girls that procreate for sale, noting that it is their destiny they are hurting. According to him, the driving force is man’s lack of faith in God to fulfill His promise regarding blessings of wealth and children, hence the recourse to self-help and unethical practices. He recalled an experience of someone close to him, who was desperate to have a child saying when it delayed in coming, the woman began to consider the sinful option of going to buy a

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Those making babies for commercial purposes are ungodly. They lack the fear of God and have concluded within themselves that there is no more hope of making it in life by legitimate means hence their recourse to the sinful practice ....the driving force is man’s lack of faith in God to fulfill His promise regarding blessings of wealth and children, hence the recourse to self-help and unethical practices

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•The building after being burnt by youths

baby but was counseled against such action and with prayer she was also encouraged to keep waiting for God’s time. The clergy explained further that few years later, the woman became pregnant and delivered twins after nine months, and wondered what would have been the fate of the woman today coupled with the likely burden of inner guilt and insecurity that could be haunting her, if she had yielded to the craving to patronise baby selling syndicate. A Sociologist, Dr Sola Arowolo, sees the prevalence of baby factories as a multi-faceted issue and ascribed it to the nation’s cultural practice which sees women or a couple without children as failure and accursed ones. Arowolo, who is the Department of Sociology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, said because of celebration of wrong values, the society does accord anything to a childless woman, if she is married and the husband passes on, she gets nothing out of the marriage, in some cases, she is driven away from her matrimonial home. According to the don, women who face infertility problem could out of desperation resort to getting babies through surrogate mothers who are being paid for that purpose. He also identified the general economic malaise, the get rich quick syndrome, the political environment where some of the players in a bid to acquire power and office at all cost, engage in human sacrifices, as factors fuelling baby factory phenomenon. Meanwhile, the Ogun State government has said that the affected building, if it was proven that suspects are also the owners, would be “sealed up”, though

the position of the court would be awaited because of the criminal nature of the matter. Speaking with The Nation, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Elizabeth Sonubi, said: “unfortunately, I understand that the owner of the building is not even in Nigeria. So, I’m not sure the landlord or landlady, is aware because the suspected operators of the building are not the owner of the house. If they are the owner, definitely the government will seal it. “The owner of the house, I’m sure he is not aware of the kind of business the tenants were doing and anyway, the government can’t just take over the building, the criminal is in the police net, they (Police) are going to charge her and of course, they have been looking for the husband and if charged to Court, we will definitely wait for the court judgment. I pray that the judiciary will do its best. And now that it is in public domain, the judiciary will do justice to the case.” On the rescued the victims, two of which have delivered a boy and girl, respectively, she said: “the child development department actually is saddled with the responsibility of seeing to the protection, survival and development of children in general, we have the capacity and the facilities to take care of them and the political will is there, we have the support of our Governor. “So, immediately when we got to the police station, we requested that we are ready to take care of this children and so we brought them into this home, because we believe that they are pregnant and they are already victims and where they are coming from, from the story they told us, is like they are in darkness because they were locked up, they don’t even see sunlight.

“The first thing we did was to see to their welfare, to ensure that medically and physically they are okay, including the fruit in their wombs and they can attest to that and that is why they are not even ready to go back to their state.” “We thank God that we have the political will, the support of our Governor and we have capable hands here in the home as mothers and they have been taking good care of them. We had to change their wears, so that they will be physically okay. Psychologically we have been counseling them to know that though they are victims, they can still live a better life. “Many of them are ready to go back to school to continue with their education and we have taken them to the hospital, you can hear them say that this is the first time they will know that pregnant woman needs to go to the hospital and they have done a lot of tests, did scan. “Like the 17year-old that gave birth to the baby we have christened, the baby initially was in breach, the doctors rallied round, initially they wanted to do operation for her but to the glory of God she was able to deliver by herself so that means it is not only the Ministry of Women Affairs that are taking care of this children, the ministry of health too are also involved, it is a team work and we thank God they have delivered safely. “We have interfaced with their state, I spoke with the Commissioner of Women Affairs in Abia, we send them correspondence to let them know that their indigenes are here and they need to come and take them, so they are making preparation to come for their repatriation.”

•The suspect, Mrs Chigozie Angela

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

In Ibadan, life is pleasurable at night I

BADAN, the city of commerce and politics, is a unique place. This city of many hills, which used to be the largest in West Africa, is unique for its rich history, colourful political life and uniquely different residents. Interestingly, the city also has an exciting night life. From Oje, Ayeye and Inalende to Challenge, Alalubosa, Bodija and Akobo, residents bask in the ever changing but interesting night life. Before Governor Abiola Ajimobi started his urban renewal project in 2012, night life was poor due to security concern. Shop owners and residents closed early and withdrew to their homes to avoid falling victim of violence, rape, robbery and associated attacks. Even in the circumstance, densely populated remote communities still managed to enjoy a good night life. At major bus stops and popular locations, petty traders selling cooked food and liquour kept the areas bubbling till about midnight. Places such as Beere, Oje, Ojoo, Oke-Padre, Molete, Agodi/Gate, Sango, Ekotedo, Eleyele and Iwo Road interchange are still alive with such traders. They are hugely patronised by commercial drivers, commuters and local residents till about midnight daily, keeping the city aglow. Mokola, Ekotedo and Yemetu are three distinct areas which also enjoy this bubbling night life till date. With preponderance of such traders whose activities are strengthened by canteens, liquour shops (popularly called beer palours), barbing salons and video club operators playing music in loud volume to passersby and nearby revelers, such areas are pleasure haven for their customers. Hausa men keeping make-shift barbecue (Suya) shops with sex workers milling around close-by local brothels and liquour shops also add spices to the pleasure

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

and the night’s hustle and bustle. For this reason, shop owners stay longer, commercial buses and motorcycles work for longer hours to meet the needs of night crawlers. The combination of these keeps the city alive till around midnight. So were the elite who patronised night clubs, modern restaurants and top hotels. In elitist areas, the elite croon in posh cars to these places as they enjoy traffic-free roads with delectable ladies beside them. For the elite, the University of Ibadan, The Polytechnic Ibadan and research institutions scattered across the nooks and crannies of the city are places for satisfying recreation activities till late in the night. They relish services and congregation of like minds at their staff clubs. However, Ajimobi’s urban renewal project has improved the quality of night life in the city. With dualisation of some roads within the city, demolition of shanties which used to become criminals’ habour after traders’ departure, increase in the number of street lights and beautification of the city, Ibadan presents bigger opportunities for night crawlers, in both local and elitist areas such as Ring Road, Bodija, Alalubosa, Akobo, Ikolaba and Felele. Many feeder roads are tarred within remote communities, even more than in elitist areas, bringing more life to such areas. This city is getting more sophisticated leading to influx of more investors establishing new night clubs, supermarkets and hotels. Today, new night clubs and hotels are sprouting in those areas and they are all enjoying good patronage! In the high brow Bodija area, tha array of night clubs include G-Lounge along Awolowo Road, while Bubbles, Bevande and 23/ 24 night clubs have sprang up at

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This city is getting more sophisticated leading to influx of more investors establishing new night clubs, supermarkets and hotels. Today, new night clubs and hotels are sprouting in those areas - and they are all enjoying good patronage

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the Ring Road areas of the city. Driving on dualised, cleaner roads with street lights adds more pleasure to night crawling. Of importance is the sanitised Iwo Road interchange, Mokola flyover, dualised Challenge/Toll Gate Road, Challenge/New Garrage Road, dualised Onireke Road and the dualised Eleyele Road, among others. Beautified roundabouts in all parts of the city create real beauty and glamour at night. Such roundabouts flood Ring Road, Total Garden, Beere and Ojoo. The Officers’ Mess of the 2nd Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army and the police also add to the number of elitist recreational centres in the city. While the Army Officers’ Mess is located in Ikolaba, that of the police is located near the headquarters of the state police command at Eleyele. By establishing a joint security outfit code named “Operation Burst” Ajimobi practically takes care of security concerns of night revelers and other residents in the city. Operation Burst men comprising soldiers, police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), patrol the city throughout the night as they do in the day, puncturing robberies and other forms of attack. Being a city centrally located, motorists/travellers pass through Ibadan for the entire night, increasing confidence in residents to move freely along such routes at night. Luckily, inter-city routes navigate through Ibadan from several directions. For instance, while travellers from Lagos navigate through Iwo Road to Oyo or Ile-Ife Road, those coming from the Ilorin navigate through Oyo Road via Ojoo to the direction they choose to ply. The directions could be University of Ibadan (UI), Sango, Iwo Road, Bodija or Eleyele routes. Those traveling into the city from Abeokuta navigate through Apata to either Ring Road or Dugbe or Eleyele depending on their destinations. For travellers coming through Ile-Ife, Osogbo and Iwo, Iwo Road interchange is their first port of habour. From there, they can veer to any direction of their choice which may mean going into the city through Idi-Ape or Ojoo or Lagos Road. So are travelers coming into the city through IjebuOde Road. After bursting out at New Garrage, they face several route options that take them through the city. All these keep major roads within Ibadan plied all night, helping the city to be alive in a way. For all these travelers, they relish beautiful sceneries of an alluring city that is made modern by the Governor Ajimobi administration. And, for residents, Ibadan city is not just orderly and beautiful during the day, night crawlers enjoy a glittering, safe and interesting city at night.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Council boss’ gesture for area boys

The menace of area boys in Ibadan could be about to end as the chairman, Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, in the Oyo State capital, Alhaji Abass Bolaji Nojimdeen has initiated a rehabilitation and empowerment programme to take them off the streets. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

BADAN South-East Local Government has within its territorial boundaries notable local areas including Mapo, Idi-Arare, Kudeti, Oja-Oba, Bere, Oje and other indigenous places located deep inside the heart of the city thickly populated by core indigenes of Ibadan And here lies a large number of miscreant or area boys as they are called, the highest in all the local governments in the state. Visitors were usually welcome to the area by the intimidating presence of these boys who run after private vehicles especially posh cars. Even the locals who could afford a good car were not spared their harassment. They mill around the vehicles, even prostrating in front of moving ones, and soliciting for alms from the occupants. Looking unkempt, they are often dressed in shreds, dirty clothes, shouting after their targets “Baba re re baba ke , e sanu wa o...” (Please have mercy on us the good and wealthy one) as they pretend to serve as unsolicited body guards. In addition to begging, some do engage in acts of thuggery and other violent conducts which make them a danger not just to themselves but also the rest of the society. And this, has led to frequent embarrassment and intimidation of the unsuspecting visitors who were left to face the security challenges on their own. In Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, it was obvious from the bad image the miscreants are creating for the council and the state government that something urgent needed to be done to get them off the streets by engaging them in gainful employment that would help them become more useful to themselves and to the society. This, the council chairman, Alhaji Abass Bolaji Nojimdeen has recognised

and has moved to achieve. “We cannot drive them away. They are our blood, our sons and we have to share their feelings too. It is not something strange, we are only lucky to have the largest number of area boys in the state because the local government falls within the heart of the city where we have a higher percentage of indigenes here. “And we started well, by inviting all of them to a meeting. And through their expressions from our interactions, we understand their plight and that has given us an insight into where and how to come in to assist them. We want to engage them meaningfully. And they have shown that they are ready to work with their hands and earn a living,” Alhaji Nojimdeen said. The council boss, in particular, initiated a programme to empower the boys with a view to making them useful to their immediate environment. Many of them really embraced the programme, an indication that they don’t enjoy what they are doing, but they find themselves in it in order to keep the body and soul together. Fatai Yusuf, one of the area boys at Oja-Oba area of the city had described the programme as “an act of God to help us fulfill his purpose in life. “We love our chairman for the programme and we will continue to pray for him so that God should give him the strength to accomplish the rest of his promises for us. It is not that we don’t want to work, we have financial constraints. “Some have shops before, but due to one problem or the order the whole investment went down. Others are mechanics, barbers, and so on but there is no money to buy equipment and open shop. Most of us have a family and we will like to take care of our children and wives at home. So, we really thank our chairman for

•Alhaji Nojimdeen (right) with one of the beneficiaries

this laudable programme to assist us to get our own business.” In all the trades enlisted for the area boys by the local government, sale of handsets and recharge cards proved to be the general choice according to investigation by The Nation. The council chairman had expressed the commitment of the council to give cash and other equipment to those who are yet to receive the grants. Quite a number of the boys have received needed training and grant to set up a business of their own. For Mr Akeem Laoye, 38, he was offered a grant to establish a small scale business of selling bean cake (Akara), fried yam, (Dundu) and meat-pie. The council boss bought frying pans, bags of beans, gallons of vegetable oil and other equipment needed for his business as well as cash donation to assist him. All these were presented to Laoye at the local government headquarters along with other beneficiaries who also get similar seed money and equipment to start off. Laoye has since started enjoying the fruit of the business, which now puts food on the table for him and members of his family. When asked about his former trade as area boy, Laoye replied, “I hardly have time for such and besides, I don’t enjoy been called area boy. Now, I fry akara, buns, yam and sell. Every day I know how much I make as profit. “I feel proud doing this. I also pray that other area boys like me before should benefit from the programme so that they could have meaning in life. I thank the government of All Progressives Congress for their genuine love for us. They did not play us like the previous government who prefer to keep us a weapon for use during election.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•The burnt 4T1 150MVA transformer

•Board members on an inspection tour

Blackout imminent in Akure, Ado-Ekiti

•Transmission Company of Nigeria cries out for help

LECTRICITY consumers in Akure, Ondo State and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State could face total blackout from the Osogbo region of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), following a fire that engulfed a major transformer that supplies the two cities and two other major cities in Osun State. The 4TI 150MVA transformer which got burnt on March 7, this year is yet to be repaired or replaced, a development that had adversely affected power supply to not just the two cities, but also Ilesa and Ile-Ife in Osun state. And to avert a major blackout in most of the Southwest states under its jurisdiction, the Osogbo TCN, which is also strategic to transmitting power to some other parts of the country, including some neighbouring countries has called for increased funding and overhauling of its ageing equipment, some of which had been in use since 1968. Speaking recently during a facility tour of the company’s operation by the governing board, the General Manager (Technical), Vincent Aligwara said, adequate funding had become nec-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

essary to avoid system collapse According to him, the Osogbo transmission region like other regions is facing a myriad of challenges, including paucity of fund, aging 132KV lines, lack of operational vehicles and most recently, replacement of the 4T1 150MVA transformer that got burnt at Osogbo. The transformer is yet to be replaced, a development he lamented had adversely affected power supply to areas like AdoEkiti, Akure, Ondo, Ife and Ilesa. The General Manager said that the company’s corporate headquarters was making arrangement to use another transformer earlier earmarked for reinforcement to replace the burnt one to make the station return to the status quo before the March 7 incident. Reeling out some of the other problems confronting the region, Aligwara said: “Some of our 132KV lines were constructed long time ago. In this regards, Osogbo-Akure and AyedeSagamu are mostly affected. These lines are not loaded opti-

mally and as result can snap. The Osogbo-Akure line is more critical because it supplies two state capital cities – Akure (Ondo State) and Ado-Ekiti (Ekiti State). Work centres and sub-regions under Osogbo region lack healthy vehicles to effectively meet up with the increasing challenges of maintaining the sub-station equipment and transmission line patrol. We have been on minimal funding for a very long time. Our funding is not based on the present economic realities and no business can thrive when economic indices are ignored. A typi-

cal example is the unstable fuel crisis. Within Osogbo region, a litre of PMS sells for between N110 and N140”. The chairman of TCN Osogbo region’s Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, Comrade Samuel Alade, and secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees in Osogbo region, Comrade Mudasiru Adeniyi, implored the board to intervene and address some of the challenges facing the company. Responding, the leader of the visiting team, Prof. Peter Akpe,

who is the chairman of the TCN board, assured that their complaints would receive urgent attention. He said that the board recently met and discussed the challenges of the company with the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, assuring that in the next two weeks they would be able to access fund to effect a positive change in the power sector. The Osogbo region has two subregions – Ayede (Oyo State) and Osogbo (Osun State), as well as two work centres – Omotoso (Ondo State) and Ganmo (Kwara State). The region, which falls within the grid triangle of Benin, Osogbo and Lagos, no doubt, is critical to the national grid. The stability of the grid, to a large extent, depends on the security of this axis and Osogbo region sits at its centre.

Apostolic Faith holds Easter retreat

HE Apostolic Faith is holding an Easter Concert, as part of series of activities to mark its annual Easter Retreat. The church Easter Retreat with the theme: ‘The Victory and Blessings of Calvary’ begins tomorrow through to Easter Monday. A statement signed by Kayode Adeleye, the church Information Officer, said the event holding at the Apostolic Faith Camp Ground,

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Anthony Village, Lagos, will also hold simultaneously in the five zonal headquarters of the church located at Oke-Aro, Agbado, Sango, Ota and Igbesa, all in Ogun State, as well as Abesan-Ipaja and Ikorodu in Lagos State respectively. The statement stated further: “The high point of the programme would feature full orchestra on Sun-

day. Other activities of the retreat will include Bible study sessions, plays, and film show. “There will also be intercessions on behalf of our dear country Nigeria and enjoyment of the blessings which the blood of Jesus brought to mankind.” “We are expecting high profile individuals in private and public sectors as well as some foreign diplomats.”

‘Making Alaafin’s dress brought me fame’ By Musa Odoshimokhe and Basirat Braimah

•Rafiu Adekunle

LHAJI Rafiu Adekunle has gained reputation for turning African fabrics into designs that put Yoruba, rich cultural heritage on the world map. The volume of native attires he designs for notable Nigerians traditional rulers, politicians, top

public officers reflect his ingenuity. Yet, Adekunle is not lettered. Among the notable Nigerians he designs for, is the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III. He has been in charge of the Alaafin’s wardrobe, designing the paramount ruler’s regalia, to meet the finesse of the stool, since 1974. But, designing the Alaafin’s clothes for forty years has not been easy because of the custom, he said. Adekunle’s journey to the palace started when the Alaafin saw one of his designs for Elder Yakubu Jos, in 1973. The Alaafin, who fell in love with the design, summoned the 60-yearold designer to the palace. Recalling when he met the Alaafin, Adekunle said: “On that day, I took my tape to measure the Oba but it was not possible because you cannot take the Oba’s measurement. So, they brought his clothes which I took the measurement

from and since then I don’t have to repeat it.” When he presented his first design to Oba at the palace, the Alaafin was impressed and since then it has been his lot to ensure that Kabiyesi’s wardrobe is equipped from time to time. The fame he attained from designing Alaafin’s clothes exposed him to other Nigerians. “I have come in contact with other notable

Nigerians and other traditional rulers, who I have equally been designing clothes for.” Adekunle has founded Adekunle School of Fashion Designing to teach the young ones how to do the job. He said: “Though I have not travelled outside the country, I have my various designs in different parts of the world because Nigerians in the Diaspora patronise me to sew

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Though I have not travelled outside the country, I have my various designs in different parts of the world because Nigerians in the Diaspora patronise me to sew their clothes

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their clothes.” He said tailoring job has opened opportunity for him to earn a decent living and coming in contact with people he could not have met ordinarily. “Through what I am doing, I have been able to give my children education, take care of my family needs and also employ many people who would have been out of job.” Adekunle explained that his design schools in Nnewi, Onitsha, have been embraced by the Igbo, who now wear his clothes. According to him, his designs have stood out because they cannot be imitated. “We have gone for various designers’ competitions within Yorubaland and have emerged the best in many instances because our designs are unique at all times.” He said tailoring would contribute to arresting the social dislocation in the country if government assists those who are interested in the vocation. He advised the youths to look in the direction instead of searching for non available jobs.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Stock market looks inward as pension assets hit N4.1tr

ORE institutional investors are investing their funds in the Nigerian stock market as the latest count showed that pension funds assets have crossed the N4 trillion mark. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), National Pension Commission (Pencom) and independent market operators indicated symbolic increase in pension assets and capital market participation. Data obtained by the NSE from about 90 per cent of active stockbrokers at the stock market showed marked increase in the participation of institutional domestic investors. According to the latest update on retail and institutional investors participation in the stock market, institutional composition of the domestic market, which was about 46.80 per cent at the end of January, this year increased to 50.58 per cent at the end of February. The latest update came just as acting Director-General, National Pension Commission (Pencom) Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said pension funds assets had risen to N4.1 trillion by January. She spoke at UBA Capital’s domestic institutional investor forum which primarily focused on the pensions industry. According to her, pension fund assets have experienced a steady growth from N2.9 trillion in December, 2012 to N4.1 trillion as at January 2014 due to steadfast implementation of the investment regulations which has continued to ensure the safety of pension funds. Mrs Anohu-Amazu noted that since her assumption of duties in December, 2012, she has successfully completed the process of a major review of the Pension

HE Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (Nahco aviance) management says it has spent over $50 million on ground handling equipment. It controls 85 per cent of the market. Its Managing Director, Kayode Oluwasegun-Ojo, said part of the amount was also spent on mordernisation of the company’s ultra-modern custom bonded warehouse which had in recent times impacted on its operations. The Nahcoaviance boss, who made this known,said the organisation after 35 years of operations, now controls 85 per cent of the market. He also said the company between 2011 and 2013, spent N600 million on training and other regulatory matters. “The training has enabled us to retain international knowledge, we take training and retraining seriously because it has a lot of impact on the company and staff, we are also planning to diversify into related business and expand into African, especially, West-African countries, he said. Mrs Oluwasegun-Ojo, who said Nahco aviance retained its leadership position in the market through ‘competence and integrity’, noted that ‘it had always follow high standards of corporate governance’ in doing business. “As par our shareholders, they have a reason to repose confidence in us because we have never declared loss”, he added. He, however, said power and infrastructure had been a major challenge confronting the company, adding, however, that if the Federal Government could continue with infrastructural renewal going at many airports, ‘it would significantly help the industry to grow’. “With the progress of

•UBA Capital harps on corporate governance By Taofik Salako

Capital Market Editor

Reform Act 2004 which culminated in an Executive Bill, the Pension Reform Bill 2013, currently at the final stages of consideration by the National Assembly. She added that she has also continued to promote closer collaboration with other domestic regulatory agencies as well as multilateral development finance institutions in order to encourage secure outlets for pension fund investments. She noted that the success story of the pension reforms in Nigeria has attracted some positive responses from peer countries, which have come to scrutinise the model for adoption in their own markets. Group Chief Executive Officer, UBA Capital, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sanni, urged institutional investors to remain very conscious of their rights and responsibilities in effecting the much-needed change in governance standards in the Nigerian financial markets. According to her, despite the goals of optimising returns, the effectiveness and credibility of the entire corporate governance system will, to a large extent, depend on institutional investors who make informed use of their shareholder rights and effectively exercise their ownership functions in companies in which they invest. “Let us demonstrate good corporate citizenship through best global corporate governance practices, ethical conduct, and environmental awareness,” Sanni

said. Also, chairman, Pension Fund Operators (PENOP), Mr. Misbahu Umar Yola, called on key institutional investors such as pension funds, asset managers, investment banks, high networth companies insurance companies, and endowment funds to take up some responsibility and accountability in the pursuit of corporate governance. He noted that as globalisation pushes the boundaries of businesses across different geographic regions and markets, there is an increased demand for the boards of companies to be more transparent, accountable and responsible to various stakeholders.

According to him, the increasing levels of public and regulatory scrutiny of corporate governance, in the wake of recent corporate financial scandals, growing dissatisfaction with financial statements, growing dissatisfaction with Boards, changing profile of the shareholder, birth of knowledge society, the increasing expectations of governments, regulators, accrediting bodies, academic and industry groups; and the demand for more disclosure and transparency are some of the major imperatives of good corporate governance. He outlined that institutional investors can influence corporate behaviour by taking control of significant stakes in companies and

exercising significant influence on promoters and management to prevent abuses. He added that institutional investors can help to ensure that company funds are not diverted to non-core activities or for benefit of related parties while also leading shareholders in demanding corrective action where necessary. He pointed out that good corporate governance has been shown to help underpin companies’ long term profitability as investors, particularly institutional investors, have, come to look beyond the figures and focus on intrinsic long term value brought to the organisation by such factors as the composition and structure of the investee company; duties and responsibilities of the board and the influence the chairman exerts on the board, among others.

•From left: Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusengu Agaga; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Chairman, Seplat Development Company Plc, Mr. ABC Orjiako; and Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Development Company Plc, Mr. Austin Avuru at the Facts Behind the Listings of Seplat Development Company Plc, at the Exchange in Lagos.

Nahco invests $50m on equipment By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

infrastructural renewal being made, we have experienced significant improvements at Kano and Enugu international airports and that has helped our business but sometimes when work is in progress, the conveyor belt for instance, can stop because of power outage, government could consider the option of Independent Power Supply to airports to aid organisations’ businesses,’’ he added. Meanwhile, the Grand Patron of Nigerian Professional Pilots (NPP), Captain Nogie Meggison, has called on the Federal Government to put in a place a proactive policy that will address the projected 500 Niger i a n l i c e n s ed p i l o t s t h at ar e unemployed. He said the number of unemployed pilots is increasing from 200 to an astronomical number when the over 100 student pilots’ sent to Jordan by the Kano State government would graduate later this year. This is in addition to the 52 youths trained under the Federal G o ver n m en t Amnesty programme as well as the fresh batches 100 graduating from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT), and the 40 from International Aviation College ( IAC), in Ilorin, Kwara State. Meggison said unless something fast is done, such development constitutes a disincentive to the growth and development of the Nigerian aviation industry. He said well over 400 Nigeria

licensed aircraft engineers are also out of job, urging the Federal Government to put in place an employment policy that would ensure these professionals are engaged by both indigenous and foreign carriers operating in the country . Meggison said though, some domestic carriers have done well and are engaging some of the pilots but there still room for improvement . He said an enabling policy that would check the influx of foreign pilots and engineers by foreign carriers. He said there are over 1,000 foreign pilots engaged by both local and foreign registered airlines in Nigeria. He lso said apart from the 1,000 foreign pilots, there are over 500 foreign aircraft engineers in the country. He said: “The government should compel foreign carriers to set up a line station for aircraft maintenance in the country and employ local engineers to assist in turning around the growth of the sector . ‘’They should look into other avenues also, if policies are not put in place, the challenge of unemployment of pilots and engineers may not be soon resolved.” He continued: “It is shameful that Nigerian licensed youth pilots are now driving “ Kabu “ “ Kabu “ to make ends meet . ‘’This is unacceptable .! Not that there’re no jobs but jobs at taken by foreigners. ‘’Over the years, the aviation industry has grown . About six years ago , the number of private

jets has increased from 20 to 150.” He added: “Even commercial airplanes have grown from 20 to 100, but it has not reflected to the employment of our youths, who are trained as pilots.” He said it was time the Federal Government implemented the local content policies in the sector to create room for the employment of indigenous professionals, as it the practice in most parts of the world. Meggison cited India, Cameroon, Russia and Egypt, where policies that prescribes that on every airplane cockpit there must be a national passport holder inside exist. “For any aircraft that is flying in such countries,whether local or foreign registered, once the airplane has stayed in the country for more 30days, it must comply with cockpit laws,” he said. He also said apart from the implementation of the policy, another way to generate jobs for professionals is in the establishment of aircraft maintenance centres. Meggison said:”The government needs a policy to create avenues for qualified youths to get employment in the aviation sector . “About 2000 skilled professional jobs can be created in first year, while 5000 skill jobs could be created by the next three years easily. One way to achieve is to compel foreign airlines to open aircraft maintenance line station in Nigeria, where aircraft engineers could be employed. “We need policies to drive employment of both indigenous pilots and aircraft engineers. “This is the prawctice in other countries of the world,

government creates a conducive policy to drive employment of key professionals. “In countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt, their governments have perfected plans on how to use their aviation sector to create jobs for their youths.” He added: “This explains why these countries export skilled professionals including pilots, aircraft engineers, cabin crew quality assurance mangers and technicians to other parts of the world. “There is no reason Nigeria with her over estimated 170 million population should be exporting skilled aviator to other parts of year world. “If one of every five black man is a Nigerian why can’t we produce one aviation professional out of every five African aviator.” The government needs to address this problem. Even, the last batch of 30 aircraft engineers that graduated from NCAT, not even one is yet to get jobs. “There are over 500 foreign aircraft engineers working in Nigeria. Most of the foreign carriers are putting flying spanners (engineers ) on board in the business class to fly to Nigeria instead of setting up a line station. “There is need for the government policies to make them open line maintenance stations to provide hands on job training for Nigerians youths. “So that they can gradually start transferring skill to our Nigerian youths. “On board any Emirates or Qatar Airways flight, there is always other nationals from other countries who are are aviation professionals exported to other countries. Whereas Nigerian with her vast population is no where to be found,on the international scene.’’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS PENSION

New pension bill will protect assets, says PenCom E

XPECTATION is high in the pension industry following the passage of the new pension bill by the Senate. Acting Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo AnohuAmazu said when the bill is signed into law, it will enhance the protection of pension fund assets as well as unlock the opportunities for deploying the assets for national development. She said it will also review the sanction regime to reflect current realities and provide for the participation of the informal sector, adding that it will provide the framework for adoption of the Contributory Pension Scheme by states and local

Stories by OmobolaTolu-Kusimo

governments. Mrs. Anohu-Amazu who spoke with The Nation in Lagos also said in line with the joint resolution of the National Assembly to put a stop to corruption in various pension departments, the new bill will enhance the regulatory authority and efficiency of the Commission. This will also give the Commission opportunity to give greater oversight on, and reposition the Pension Transition Arrangement Departments (PTAD) for accountability in the administration and payment of pension under the Defined Benefit Scheme (Pay As You Go). With the passage of the bill by the Senate, she said the Commission is

Lagos to pay 426 retirees N1.62b

AGOS State is set to pay another batch of 426 retirees their Retirement Bond Certificate worth N1.62 billion being their accrued rights for past services to the state prior to the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme in April, 2007, Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Rotimi Hussain, has said. According to him, the retirees are those who retired from the state public service under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). He said the retirees would receive their retirement bond tomorrow at the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) Hall, Ikeja. The LASPEC chief said the ceremony, which is the first tranche of the 11th Retirement Bond Certificate presentation ceremony is a means of appreciating the retirees for showing great commitment and re-

sourcefulness to the state government during their service years. He said majority of the beneficiaries of this first tranche were drawn from local government areas and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). He said: “The ceremony is another confirmation of the commitment of the administration of Governor BabatundeRajiFashola (SAN) to make life worthy and remarkable for all its employees in retirement. “The achievement so far made by LASPEC in the administration of the CPS is also a result of the commitment the state government placed on the scheme. “The state has so far paid a total accrued rights of N22.7billion to 4,199 retirees who retired from the public service from the inception of the scheme till date, thus making it the only state in Nigeria to have attained this status.”

Detroit proposes deeper pension, bond cuts in debt plan

ETROIT, the biggest city in the United States is seeking bankruptcy protection, proposed deeper cuts for police and firefighter pensions, as well as for some bondholders, as it pursues approval of a plan to reduce its $18 billion in debt. The city yesterday filed a description of its debt-adjustment plan that differs in some details from what it submitted in February in US Bankruptcy Court in Detroit. The disclosure statement, if approved by US Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes, will be consulted by creditors in deciding whether to back the plan. Detroit filed for bankruptcy in July, saying it couldn’t meet its financial obligations and still provide necessary services. The city has since been in negotiations over cuts with unions, retired workers and bond insurers. General obligation bondholders, who had been set to receive 20 cents on the dollar under February’s plan, are now projected to get 15 cents. Pensions for police and firefighters would be cut about six percent if they vote for the plan, 14 percent if they don’t. In February, those proposed cuts were four percent and 10 percent respectively. The office of Kevyn Orr, the city’s emergency financial manager, said in a statement yesterday that the new numbers were included to of-

fer “greater clarification for retirees on how much pension benefit reductions would be.” The statement didn’t say why the numbers had changed.

Previous Proposals

The new disclosure statement also incorporates proposals the city previously announced, including a plan to spend $1.5 billion to improve services and a proposal for foundations and the state to put more than $800 million into pension funds in exchange for a promise that art owned by the city wouldn’t be sold. Absent a deal with creditors, the city may have to battle unions, retired municipal workers, bondholders and bond insurers to win approval of the plan in court. The unions have asked an appellate court to dismiss the bankruptcy, while insurers have sued over proposed cuts to general-obligation bonds and retirees have said the pension cuts may push many of them into poverty. Detroit, meanwhile, has sued to void $1.44 billion in pension-related debt. Also, Orr is attempting to lease the city’s water and sewer department to a new regional public authority, a plan suburban leaders have resisted. A hearing on the disclosure statement is set for April 14. A trial on plan approval has been scheduled for July.

is awaiting the House of Representatives to also pass the bill. Last week, the Senate passed the “Pension Reform Act Cap P4 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2011 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2014 (SB.288), sponsored by Sen. Aloysius Etok. The Senate, after an exhaustive debate on the bill at its Committee of the whole house voted for its passage into law and urged President Goodluck Jonathan to sign it into law as soon as possible. Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Senator Aloysius Etok, spoke on the penalties for defaulters under the Contributory Pension Scheme. Etok said the Head of Service and heads of different departments have directed all the accounting depart-

ments to make sure that whatever pension deduction made should be treated as a sacred and immediately transmitted to the receiving authority. The problem which PenCom has continuously encountered, according to him, is that people fail to provide genuine and credible data on themselves including their PFAs. He noted that there were some who have not even appointed PFAs and therefore kept deducted funds in their accounts pending when they have the data to transfer them. He said: “We have like buffer stock funds pending in different places. But with the enactment and passage of this bill and (when it) is assented to by the president, all the penalties and all the prescriptions contained in this Act would be followed

strictly by the various agencies. “We have penalties ranging from 10 years imprisonment. For even failing to give proper information, you have to pay N500,000. And if you embezzle pension funds now, you will pay not less than three times the amount of funds you embezzled. That is how serious this bill has treated pension funds. “If you embezzle N10,000 you are bound to pay a minimum of N30,000 and in some circumstances the presiding judge has the right to make you refund and even go to prison.” He added that the previous pension law had some clauses and those who had embezzled pension fund before the passage of the new bill would be tried with respect to the old law.

•From left: Mr. Ndagi ; Alhaji Ahmed; and Mr. Ideva during the signing of the fund management agreement in Abuja.

Premium Pension, Niger sign fund’s management agreement T HE Niger State government has signed a portfolio management agreement with Premium Pension Limited, a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA). In a statement signed by Head, Corporate Communication, Premium Pension, Paddy Ezeala, the agreement confers on the PFA, the authority and responsibility of managing the state’s benefits fund named, “Retirement Redemption Bond Fund”. He said while the Managing Director, Premium Pension Mr. Wilson Ideva, and Executive Director, Business Development and Investment, Mr. Adamu Mele signed on behalf of the company, the Director-General of the Niger State Pension Board, Alhaji BenuYahaya Ahmed signed on behalf of the government. He said the fund was established by

the government through the Niger State Pension Board and has been endorsed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). The fund emphasises, among others, that the funds and assets held in them must be managed in accordance with the guidelines issued pursuant to the Pension Reform Act 2004 and also accords Premium Pension the responsibility of the lead PFA in the state. Speaking on the development, Ideva said: “This is a practical demonstration of mutual trust and highly productive partnership required to drive the contributory pension scheme in the country. “We must continue to justify the

confidence reposed in us by the Niger State government through rendering quality service marked by high level of professionalism. “The agreement states clearly that the appointment of the PFA shall be of a fiduciary nature consistent with the requirements of the law and that it shall exercise utmost duty of care and good faith in all their undertakings under the terms of this agreement.” Other officials of the Niger State Pension Board present at the event include permanent member, Finance, Investment and Inspectorate, Alhaji Mohammed Ndagi, and Mr. Mohammed B. Abdullahi, the board secretary and legal adviser respectively.

From left: Deputy President, Nigerian Council of Registered Broker (NCRIB), Mr Kayode Okunoren; Chief Executive Officer, National Insurance Brokers, Australia (NIBA), Mr Dallas Booth; NCRIB President, Mr Ayodapo Shoderu and Mrs Bimbo Onakomaiya, during the business visit of NCRIB delegation to Australia.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The making of young entrepreneurs Over 1,000 contestants participated in the ’’Meet The Executive’’ project of Sterling Bank Plc. The three with ‘’outstanding’’ plans emerged winners. The first prize winner, Gbemisola Eso got a N2 million cheque to start her business. The two runners up received N1.5 million and N1 million cheques, reports AMIDU ARIJE.

HE presentation of business plans by the top 18 contestants in the ‘’Meet the Executive’’ project, an initiative of Sterling Bank Plc to the executive management, marked the turning point for the top three participants. For the trio, the journey was long and challenging, but rewarding. The first among them, Gbemisola Esho won a N2 million grant to pursue her business; the second, Rufai Oluyemi; N1.5 million and Daniel Momma N1 million for coming third. They collected their prizes at the “Get Ready for Work”concert in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The presentation of cheques to the winners by the Group Head, Strategy & Communication, Mr. Shina Atilola on behalf of the Managing Director, Mr. Yemi Adeola, signified the end of phase one of the project and gave hope to other aspiring entrepreneurs. The second phase includes the allocation of mentors, investor engagement and visible business development. The bank shall ensure that disbursed funds are utilised effectively and for the stated purpose. Specifically, Sterling Bank came up with the initiative based on the fact that national economic development prospects in any country are hinged

on the entrepreneurial energy of vibrant small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) as most big business concerns started small. Many economies, developed and developing, have come to realise the value of small businesses. They are seen to be characterised by dynamism, witty innovations and efficiency; as their small size allows for faster decision making. Small businesses are believed to be the engine for the development of any economy because they form the bulk of business activities in a growing economy like Nigeria. The dearth of vibrant SMEs in the country has become a source of worry to concerned individuals and institutions. The fear is that the most expected economic recovery may not be realised unless action is taken to address the issues urgently. Although it was the maiden edition of the project, it has in many ways encouraged entrepreneurship, employment

•From left: Managing Director, Frontiers International Services Muyiwa Afolabi; popular artist, Shey Shay and Eso, receiving her prize at the event.

an d e c o n o m i c i n d e p e n d e n c e among the populace. The project is also in line with the bank’s concept of empowering young entrepreneurs. Over 1000 entries were received by the bank from those with different business plans across the country. To ensure that only the best business plans were selected, a team of consultants was hired to scrutinise

proposals. The 50 best entries were sel ec t ed ba sed on originality of the plans, their viabilityand provision of detailed information such as the required capital, cash flow and revenue projections. The sponsors of the plans selected were invited for a training at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) to further enrich their knowledge in the

‘Many economies, developed and developing, have come to realise the value of small businesses’

An entrepreneur’s love for honey is paying off. His popular brand of honey may soon be available at a store in your neighbourhood, reports DANIEL ESSIET.

Tapping into the goldmine in beehives

Women seek sustained GDP

N the honey business,D&B Daniels Farms Limited is a force to reckon with. Its Chief Executive, Daniel Oluwatayo went into the business by chance. About four years ago, he lost his job with a bank. With nothing to fall back upon, he took up teaching.Then the idea of honey selling struck him. But his salary was not enough for him to start business. After attending a seminar on honey production,he started looking for his starting capital. He collected 25 per cent of his pension which was N100, 000 and used N70, 000 out of it to register a limited liability company. The balance went into buying his first stock of honey. As fate would have it, Shoprite, which was planning to open an outlet in Ikeja, was sourcing for suppliers of quality honey. Oluwatayo made his first products, which he submitted to the firm. But, his products were rejected because of poor packaging. Dejected, he went back to the classroom. Relying on his savings, he returned to the business. This time, he concentrated on packaging of the products as, according to him, he could not establish bee hives. He visits farms during harvest, and packages the honey himself.This means his company owns the products. Today, Oluwatayo is as busy

management of small businesses and writing of business plans. Upon completion of the training, participants were allowed to finetune their plans and present them to the bank. Of these, the best 18 plans were selected for presentation by their owners to the bank’s executive management. Atilola said: “The decision to invest in new business initiatives and nurture them to become viable SMEs was borne out of the need to facilitate real growth in the economy as small businesses remain the catalyst for real economic development anywhere in the world.”

•A bee farm

as a bee. Business is booming. According to him, African honey has a unique flavour which makes it comparable to some of the premium honey in the market. Besides, the demand for honey is high. With an accessible local market that offers good prices, he is smiling to the bank. As an entrepreneur, he has a motto - start small and think big. His goal is to have a strong distribution network nationwide. He is looking forward to building a leading firm. In future, he plans to secure commercial bee keeping plots where he will extract honey. For now, getting funds to achieve his dream is difficult. “It has not been easy. It has been a rollercoaster that has tested my capability and strength,” he said. According to him, the benefits of honey goes beyond its taste.

Honey’s many qualities are untapped. He is promoting honey for its wellness, beauty and health properties. Oluwatayo said unemployed could go into honeybee farming and marketing, adding that this, ultimately, would help reduce poverty, apart from boosting export. According to him, attention and technological support could make honey production a money spinner for the country. He said honey farmers require technological support, financial assistance and sound marketing. “It’s possible to make honey farming a big business that can create jobs for the army of the unemployed,” he said. He urged the government to assist the sector. The sector,Oluwatayo said,

‘As an entrepreneur, he has a motto start small and think big. His goal is to have a strong distribution network nationwide’

•Oluwatayo

is beset by the same challenges that agriculture faces, including climate change, poor infrastructure inhibiting access to markets and declining interest in farming, among the younger generation. Beekeepers, he added, lack the technical knowhow to produce at full capacity and sell in the market.

OME women entrepreneurs have urged the Federal Government to roll out economic policies that will sustain the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The women spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on the economy estimated at N80.3 trillion for last year. The Country Director, Centre for International Private Enterprises, Mrs Omowumi Gbadamosi, urged the officials who formulate economic policies to listen to ideas and issues raised by people. She said: “Listening to entrepreneurs will enable the government to improve the business climate and also grow the rebased GDP. “Our GDP is a result of entrepreneurial activity, but it is only in a healthy market an economy can bring an increased GDP. “This is because, a rise in the estimated size of the economy is the only way to a good livelihood for the people.’’ The centre’s chief said despite the gloomy economy, the GDP showed a great hope for the economy and its people. President, NECA’s Network of Women Entrepreneur (NNEW), Mrs Fayo Williams, called on the government to ensure that the new GDP impacted positively on the citizens. Mrs Williams said poor business climate, which had led to the closure of many organisations, had affected the quality of life of many people. “Although we have a good rebased GDP, the challenges are still there. There is the need to get land for manufacturers to do their businesses. “There is the need to improve our infrastructure, create more access roads for business operations and create adequate credit facility for entrepreneurs,’’ she added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC with

Emphasising your major strength

GOKE ILESANMI

OMETIMES , self-perpetuated decline occurs more slowly, through taking core strengths for granted while chasing the greener grass, says Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of “Confidence and SuperCorp”. It is noteworthy that life is basically about competition. Whether you are a businessman, student, job-seeker or worker, you are daily confronted with peer competition. To stay ahead of competition, you need to identify and effectively emphasise your major strength(s) technically referred to as Unique Selling Point or Unique Selling Proposition.

Strategic articulation

In the course of preparing your curriculum vitae (CV) or cover letter as a job-seeker for instance, it is necessary for you

to think about your unique selling point, that is, what stands you out. Many job-seekers fail to get a job for a long period of time because they do not emphasise the right strengths in their curriculum vitae, which can easily attract the attention of prospective employers that can quickly invite them for an interview. As a business organisation, for instance, identifying and articulating your unique selling points will make you become a respectable brand and greatly boost your chances of survival and profitability. The benefits you derive from effectively stressing your strengths are embedded in the three words making up the phrase “Unique Selling Proposition”. In other words, through structural decomposition or segmentation of the phrase into constituent parts, you can clearly understand the benefits.

Structural segmentation

Let us start with the first (adjectival) word “Unique”. Being unique implies that you will clearly stand out in a crowd of your competitors. But this can only be achieved through extraordinary hard work. The second constituent word is “Selling”. Being able to stand out will help you persuade prospects and customers alike to exchange money for your product or service. The third constituent word “Proposition”, a distinct proposal from a special person

WORKPLACE MATTERS

or organisation that you have been, will easily help you get business or sales, especially that you have stood out in a crowd. You can see the interconnectedness in the constituent concepts of the phrase Unique Selling Proposition.

Hard work

It requires investment of a lot of efforts to build your unique selling proposition or unique selling point. But it is a worthwhile venture due to the added advantage derivable from it in terms of edge over competitors. The task of composing a Unique Selling Proposition can sometimes be extremely challenging. Yet, every business needs to identify and emphasise its own, to be able to stay ahead of competition. Many businesses market their Unique Selling Proposition by stressing the advantages of their products or services. In your Unique Selling Proposition, place emphasis on the positive differences between you and others in the marketplace, especially in a customer-benefits-focused way if possible. However, if you cannot differentiate your business in terms of what you sell, why not capitalise on the way you sell or your accessibility or good location? Most often, the Unique Selling Proposition is articulated through a slogan or credo.

Ineffective articulation

strength

The ease with which your competitors can copy your Unique Selling Proposition is worthy of note when you are trying to package what to emphasise as your major strength. Many people and organisations mistakenly use pricing as their Unique Selling Proposition. But this is ineffective and weak except you are capable of selling a large quantity on a consistent level. As Andrew Griffiths says in his book, “101 Survival Tips for Your Business”, you need to charge the price your product or service is worth irrespective of the pressure of competition, especially when you focus on quality.

Extension

It is risky to rely on price competition. It is true that you need to know what your competitors offer. In short, you cannot compete effectively if you lack knowledge of what you have to contend with in terms of competitors’ activities. So take some time and conduct research into what they have. Even though there are many possibilities of composing a Unique Selling Proposition, the best thing to do, however, is to adopt a Unique Selling Proposition that creatively offers an answer to a clear vacuum in the market that you can actually fill.

Deploying SWOT strategy

It is easy to discover the vacuum by accurately deploying Strengths, Weaknesses, Op-

portunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis strategy to assess the operations of competitors in your industry and building your strength in the areas of your competitors’ weaknesses. Then you can communicate this strength through your Unique Selling Proposition. It is also noteworthy that communicating a Unique Selling Proposition that a person or an organisation lacks competence for can erode the overall credibility and cost such an organisation its reputation with attendant massive loss of business. For instance, imagine a community newspaper that prints 1,000 copies using a Unique Selling Proposition such as, “We are the most circulated and most read newspaper in Nigeria”! What happens if prospective readers start looking for it to buy but cannot get it easily? So using an empty slogan as your Unique Selling Proposition may cause more harm than not having a Unique Selling Proposition at all.

Final note

To have an effective Unique Selling Proposition, you need to be specific not vague. For example, say “Our sealing machine seals 10 cartons in one hour” not “Our sealing machine has great sealing capacity”. Identify and articulate your Unique Selling Proposition today and you will be able to stay ahead of competition with ease.

Building the right type of teams for productivity

EAMWORK is fast becoming the preferred practice in many organisations as traditional corporate hierarchies give way to flat, multiskilled methods of working. There is no limit to the potential of a good team. If given a seemingly impossible task, team members will reinforce each other’s confidence as they seek to turn the task into reality. Michael Harrison, an author, publisher and business consultant, says the collective ability to innovate is stronger in a good team than that of individuals because the combined brainpower of a team, however small in number, exceeds that of any one person. By harnessing this power, a team can go beyond simple, useful improvements to achieve real breakthrough.

Vague usage

One word that is vaguely used in Nigeria, especially in the corporate environment is “Teamwork”. Having teams in place or engaging in teamwork without actually defining the type does not automatically guarantee organisational success. Effective teamwork is the foundation of all successful management and a true and effective team is a living, constantly changing, dynamic force in which a number of people come together to work. Team members discuss their objectives, assess ideas, make decisions and work towards their targets together under strong and effective leadership.

Realising corporate goals

By Goke Ilesanmi

Carole Sue Jones, a training and instructional design professional with a strong focus on management development says managers need to be able to build effective teams and relationships in order to accomplish business priorities and goals. In Jones’ words, “They define success in terms of the whole team’s performance and will allow people to be responsible for the work they do.” Such managers must balance that with the ability to provide the information their team members need to do to complete their tasks while helping them to feel good about the work that they do. Informing is a critical task in productivity and team-building.

Ineffective teams

Ineffective teams are either metaphorically not seen as teams or they are literally seen as purposeless teams just as a cowardly man can either be metaphorically referred to as a woman or literally called a fearful man. That is why Jim Clemmer, the bestselling author of “Pathways to Performance and The Leader’s Digest” says, “For all the big talk, matching Tshirts..., calling a group of people a team does not make it one. These groups are usually just a collection of individuals from the same department who meet periodically. Few of us have been lucky enough to participate in a strong, united team.” Clemmer adds that giving everyone a T-shirt may produce short-term warm and fuzzy feel-

ings but it rarely leads to a powerful, united team unless root issues are addressed. An example of a root issue is chronic animosity between managers working with the team.

Success factors and types of teams

Preparing the ground rules and setting goals are just a few of the guidelines that can help your teams reach their goals such as improvement in productivity, process management, innovation, cost-effectiveness, etc. According to Kevin Eikenberry, a leadership expert, everyone thinks teams are a good thing. Leaders like to form teams. People, for the most part believe in the value and purpose of teams. Two types of teams have been identified. These are football/ basketball teams; and track and field teams. Your organisation’s success depends on your choice out of these two types and how effective you are able to manage the right choice you have luckily made.

First type and 2013 FIFA Under-17

Football/basketball teams are teams that naturally require that everyone should play as a unit. Such teams naturally compel people to cooperate and remain committed in organisations because it is not possible to be successful alone as individuals. Despite parading really very young Under-17 team during the 2013 Fifa Under-17 World Cup at the United Arab Emirate last year, we were able to win

the tournament because our players played cohesively as a team with a common goal.

Second type

Track-and-field teams constitute the second type of teams in organisations. Organisations need to avoid putting this type of teams in place because people will target individual success instead of being committed to effective teamwork. For instance, we lost in the final of the 2009 edition of Fifa Under-17 World Cup that we hosted because some players were pursuing individual agenda, trying to impress the football scouts and/or winning golden boots, etc. Track and field teams are unconsciously created in organisations when individual efforts are predominantly rewarded instead of team efforts. Then rivalry will start among staff instead of healthy competition among different teams in an organisation.

Addition

For example, we normally have Team Nigeria whenever we are going to the Olympics. The team will naturally be made up of sprinters, high jumpers, shot putters, distance runners, footballers, etc. Even though members or sub-teams are collectively known as Team Nigeria, they are not interdependent in their engagements when they get there as they target individual or sub-team success. This is because the shot putters can succeed without the high jumpers, sprinters or football-

ers. In track and field events, except in relay events, athletes are not interdependent. Though members of the football subteam at the Olympics need each other to succeed, the football sub-team does not need other sub-teams to succeed because their set skills are different, even though all the sub-teams are Team Nigeria.

Last words

Success of any organisation depends greatly on effective teamwork. So organisations need to set priorities right and review them frequently; balance teams for strengths; give team members proper orientation as regards overall corporate goals, etc. To achieve results, encourage team performance in your firm and discourage personal reward. When there is a promise to reward players that score in a football match, we know they will no longer pass to each other very well, not even to a player that has clear chances to score. •GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Certified Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant. Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof. S/N 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75.

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

S/N

Kalu Emmanuel late of 19, Tabutabu Street, Agric Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of October, 2011 at Lagos. Mr Babatunde Adeboye late of 27, Bashorun Street, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of October, 2012 at Lasuth, Ikeja, Lagos. John Afelumo Ilori (Otherwise known as Mr Afelumo John) late lof 8, Uzomadike Street, Meiran, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of November, 2012 at Lagos. Mr Paul Reeves Gaba (Otherwise known as Paul Gaba) late of 9, Bayode Oluwole Street, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of June, 2013 at Lasuth, Ikeja, Lagos. Dr (Mrs) Anne Ibidunni Fabiyi (Otherwise known as Mrs Anne Ibidunni Folake Fabiyi, Dr Mrs Anne I.F. Fabiyi and Mrs Ann Fabiyi) late of A Close, 423 Road, 6th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of October, 2012 at Lagos. Hunzamen Jimoh late of 9, Ibrahim Compound, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2011 at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Izuagba Augustine Uchechukwu (Otherwise known as Izuagba Uchechukwu and Mr Augustine Uchechukwu Izuagba) late of Hohenzollerndamm, 191, Berlin Germany deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of August, 2013 at Rhine Germany. Francis Adenuga Odusanwo (Otherwise known as Odusanwo Francis) late of Flat 6, Block 298, Mile 2, Estate Amuwo odofin Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of September, 2012 at Lagos. Mr Joel Ayoola Olufemi (Otherwise known as Mr Olufemi Ayoola Joel) late of 26, Akin Obi Street, Egbe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of June, 2012 at General Hospital. Mr Peter Gbolahan Akintunde , (Otherwise known as Akintunde Peter Gbolahan) late of 25, Igbaja Street, Off Adeshiyan , Ilupeju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of July, 2013 at Ilupeju. Mrs Helen Adenike Akinkoye late of Ogunsola Street, Jooro, Ilorin, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of November, 2010 at Jooro, Ilorin. Olabisi Olajumoke Oroja (Otherwise known as Oroja Olabisi Olajumoke) late of 29, Oyinlola Street, Adealu Bus Stop, Dopemu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of June, 2009 at Lasuth, Lagos. Anyamele Jerome Iheanacho (Otherwise known as Mr Jerome Iheanacho Anyamele) late of Block 702, Flat 5, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of February, 2013 at NCS Medical Centre , Kano. Adeyemi Tajudeen late of 5, Anuoluwapo Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 2012 at Lagos. Dominic Dedekuma (Otherwise known as Water Abiola and CPL Dedekuma Dominic) late of 7, Abiola Fagbola Close, Fagba, Iju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of September, 2012 at Port Harcourt. Awo Sunday Ogbodo (Otherwise known as Mr Ogbodo Sunday) late of 14, Akinola Street, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of September, 2010 at Lagos. Miss Isabella Kadiri, late of 8, Akinwande Street, Iju Ishaga, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of October, 2013 at Edo State (Benin) Mr Ismail Mutiaru Adeolu, late of 1, Adeoyo Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of January, 2011 at Lagos. Odunmbaku Abiodun late of 9, Oyemekun Street, Ifako, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of October, 2008 at Lasuth, Lagos. Sodamola Sonola (Otherwise known as Sodamola Somola) late of 3, Adesanya Close, Joint Estate, Amadiya Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of October, 2011 at Benin, Edo State. Mrs Nora Amanjide Okogwu (Otherwise known as Mrs Nora Amanjide Okogwu) late of Plot 4, Flat 2, Oyadiran Estate, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2011 at Lagos. Mr Okungbowa Bonus Uche (Otherwise known as Mr Okungbowa Bonus) late of 20, Alafia Street, Ile-Iwe, Baba Egbe Bus Stop, Meiran, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of February, 2011 at Nig. Ref. Hospital Yaba, Lagos. Bello Ajisegiri (Otherwise known as Alhaji Ajisegiri Bello) late of 28, Makinde Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of July, 2010 at Lagos. Abimbola Olumuyiwa Adebambo (Otherwise known as Adebambo Abimbola Muyiwa ) late of 165, Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of November, 2013 at Abule Egba, Lagos. Akpu Daniel Ogorime late of 7, Ogunnukan Street, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of October, 2010 at Lagos. Uadiale Lucky late of 34, Rasaki Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of April, 2012 at Lasuth, Ikeja, Lagos. Mr Agbale Sunday (Otherwise known as Agbale Sunday) late of 9, Ayodele Shitta Street, Ikotun, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of August, 2013 at General Hospital Ikeja. Richard Ukpenbo (Otherwise known as Ukpenbo Richard ) late of 5, Olaide Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of July, 2012 at Lasuth, Lagos. Nwamuoh Cletus late of 6, Odebiyi Street, Ifako, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of October, 2012 at Imo State. Olaniyi Rasheed Akolade late of 5, Ariwoola Street, Oke Abiye , Off Raypower Road, Alagbado, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of March, 2013 at Lagos. Oyinnua Ebikebina-Otolo, late of 11, Ajakaye Street, Akesan Igando, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of October, 2013 at Lagos. Ajani Saka Musiliu late of 2, Orepopoola Street, Aguda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of December, 2012 at Lasuth, Lagos. Uzoma Micheal Ihukwuemeka (Otherwise known as Uzoma Mike Ihukwuemeka and Micheal Uzoma) late of 12, Sadiku street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of August, 2012 at Imo State. Okoye Matha Ogechukwu late of 12, Moses Ike Street, Ojo Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of August, 2013 at Lagos. Eyisi Chinyere Louisa (Mrs) late of 38, Palace Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of July, 2013 at Lagos. Onwuachi Paul Obuwike (Otherwise known as Onwuachu Paul Obunike) late of 20, Salawu Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of August, 2011 at Lagos. Oguji Chukwunonso Darlinton, late of Block 01/2 , Ojo Barracks, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of September, 2012 at Paragon Hospital and Maternity Onitsha, Anambra State. Onah Ejike Solomon (Otherwise known as Onah Ejike) late of 30, Moshalasi Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of October, 2012 at Lagos. Oboh Augustine Edoh (Otherwise known as Augustine Edoh Oboh) late lof 9, Oba Ladegbuwu Street, Iba New Site, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of August, 2012 at General Hospital Lagos. Pa Phillip Ikisa (Otherwise known as Mr Ikisa Philips Opokuma) late of 35, Church Avenue Off Jejelaiye Street, Sabo Ajangbadi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of July, 2012 at Lagos. Nwakoh Celestine (Otherwise known as Chukwuedu) late of Plot 8, Block II, Labak Estate, Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of January, 2014 at Lasuth Lagos. Mrs J. Olubunmi Hassan (Otherwise known as Mrs Hassan Olubunmi) late of 11, Gbajobi Street, Off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of June, 2011 at Motayo Hospital Ikeja, Lagos. Nzepoume Christiana U. (Otherwise known as Umebuche Nwabueke) late of 40B, 2ndCorpel Road, Railway Compound, Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of July, 1995 at Abia State. Mrs Nnenna Joymay Ngamdi late of Road A, Plot 23, Iroko Estate, Isheri Idimu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of July, 2009 at Lagos. Mr Adeyemi Muritala Adepoju,(Otherwise known as Mr Muritala Adepoju Adeyemi) late of 27, Onasanya Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of March, 2012 at Surulere, Lagos. Olajide Daniel Bamigboye (Otherwise known as Mr Bamigboye Olajide Daniel) late of 30, Prince Adeyemi Way, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of April, 2003 at Lagos. Feyijimi Michael Olufemi (Otherwise known as Feyijimi Olufemi Michael) late of 62, Obayan Street, Akoka, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of March, 2013 at Lagos. Herbert Olatunde G. Williams (Otherwise known as Herbert Olatunde Williams and Herbert Olatunde Gbolahan Williams) late of 23 Road, J Close, House 5, Festac Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of April, 2009 at 79, Chesterton Avenue Harpenden. Taylor Adeoye Fasanya (Otherwise known as Adeoye Fasanya Taylor and Mr Taylor Adeoye Fasanya) late of Block 46, Flat 2, L.C.H.E. Oke Afa, Isolo, Lagos. Adeyanju Adeniyi Rasheed late of 23, Adeniyi Street, Meiran, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of March, 2012 at Lagos. Oladeji Omolara Tawakalitu (Otherwise known as Mrs Oladeji Omolara and Mrs Omolara Tawakalitu Oladeji) late of 5, Oladele Adeniji Street, Opp. Oando Asolo Road, Owutu, Agric Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of August, 2012 at Ogun State. Oyekanmi Albert Folorunso, late of 3, Suenu Court, Akoka Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of July, 1997 at Lagos. Adewale Mayowa Eribake (Otherwise known as Eribake Adewale Mayowa) late of 4, Oladipo Soyebo Close, Off Muyiwa Oyefusi Cresent, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of June, 2012 at Lasuth Ikeja . Mr Kolawole Adedayo Femi (Otherwise known as Adedayo Samuel Kolawole and Adedayo Femi Kolawole) late of 10, Bazil-Wusu Street, Adaloko, Afromedia, Okokomaiko, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of August, 2012 at Lagos. Mrs Dada Ibironke Janet (Otherwise known as Ronke Dada) late of 3, Aiyetutu Street, Epe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of November, 2012 at General Hospital, Epe. Iginla Toyin Bashirat late of 118C, Ago Hausa Street, Apapa , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of April, 2009 at General Hospital, Lagos. Sumola Timothy Taiwo Idowu (Otherwise known as Mr Sumonu Idowu) late of 19, Akinsola Street, Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of October, 2013 at Lagos. Mrs Gladys Omobumhe Enaholo (Otherwise known as Glady Enaholo and Enaholo Gladys Omobumhe) late of 5, Adeyemi Street, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of March, 2013 at Lasuth, Lagos. Mrs Grace James (Otherwise known as Grace James and Mrs James Grace Ihukwuemeka) late of 11, Ayedade Street, Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of January, 2008 at Lagos. Okoronkwo Nkemhurunanya (Otherwise known as Felicia Nkemhurunanya Okoronkwo) late of 28, Awoyokun Street, Onipanu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of December, 2012 at Gbagada General Hospital Miss Yemisi Gbaffo (Otherwise known as Miss Gbaffo Yemisi) late of BT 94, Flat 8, Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of April, 2013 at Police College Hospital, Ikeja. Mrs Elizabeth Dupe Kuye Nee Akinlawon (Otherwise kknwon as Kuye Dupe) late of 4, Waheed Akanni Street, Ago Palace, Okota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of October, 1994 at Lagos. Mrs Aderonke Fagbemi late of 10, Gbajabiamila Street, Ayobo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of October, 2010 at Lagos. Grace Arinola Akala (Otherwise known as Akala Grace Arinola) late of 2, Kogberegbe Street, Ojota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of January, 2013 at Lagos. Olalekan Bamidele (Otherwise known as Olalekan Bamidele Adebiyi) late of 1, Alhaji Kajola Street, Ayobo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of June, 2011 at Otta, Ogun State. Oluwasegun Godwin Atere, late of 29, Sade Street, Ijanikin , Oto Awori, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of October, 2012 at Lagos. Salako Jelili Adeyinka late of DA 37, Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of January, 1991 at Lagos. Ohuka Chikodi Longinus (Otherwise known as Luck Ohuka and Chikodi Longinus Ohuka) late of 9, Andrew Cresent, Oke Aro, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of August, 2012 at Grace of God Hospital, Lagos. Adeyemo Rasheed Adegbite (Otherwise known as Adegbite Rasheed Adeyemo) late of 14, Afuwape Street, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of August, 2013 at Ijede Health Centre, Ijede. Mr Fade Mathew Kehinde (Otherwise known as Mr Fade Mathew) late of 1, Ilase Street, Agbara, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 2013 at General Hospital Badagry, Lagos. Olufemi Bajomo (Otherwise known as Bajomo Femi), late of 77, Iwaya Road, Onike Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of January, 2011 at Lagos. Salaam Veronica Abosede (Otherwise known as Salam Veronica Abosede) late of 52, Oguntolu Street, Onipanu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of June, 2010 at General Hospital ,Lagos. Augustine Osaremhen Aigbonan,(Otherwise known as Augustine O. Aigbona) late of 75, Akodu Street, Off Luth Road, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of May, 2013 at Holy Trinity Hospital ,110 ,Obafemi Awolowo way, Ikeja, Lagos. Abilogun Oluwakemi late of 17, Abeokuta Street, Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of July , 2013 at Lagos. Mr Onuche Simon Jacob late of 33, Frank Street, Agboju, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of January, 2013 at Benin.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

Cynthia Emmanuel Kalu of 19, Tabutabu Street, Agric Ojo, Lagos and Ruben Idika Onwuka of 20, Prophet Adeoye Street, Ijesha, Lagos, widow and uncle respectively of the said deceased. Adeboye Adewale Sunday and Adeboye Abiodun Sunday both of 27, Bashorun Street, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Omotayo Afelumo and Adeniyi Afelumo both of 8, Uzomadike Street, Meiran, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Oluwafunmilayo Gaba and Mr Emmanuel Gaba both of 9, Bayode Oluwole Street, Ikeja, Lagos, widow and father respectively of the said deceased. Cmdr. Lawrence M.O.Fabiyi and Mrs Oluranti Fabiyi -Faleke both of A Close, 423 Road, 6th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Abigail Jimoh and Samson Jimoh both of 9, Ibrahim Compound, Ojo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Paul Izuagba of 52, Carsodo Street, Ajegunle, Lagos, and Justin Chukwudi Izuagba of Plot 4, F.O. Ojo Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, father and brother respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Adedoyin Odusanwo and Mrs Modupe Adesanya both of 27, Itire Street, Ilogbo, Ojo, Lagos, widow and daughter respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Titilayo -Oluwa Esther Olajide and Mr Olujimi Isaac Olufemi both of 26, Akin Obi Street, Egbe, Lagos, two of the children of the said decased. Mrs Eniola Akintunde and Mrs Mowa Akintunde both of 25, Igbaja Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, widow and mother respectively of the said deceased. Mojisola Adetoye of Ogunsola Street, Jooro Ilorin, daughter of the said deceased. Mr Isiaka Abayomi Sanni, Miss Idowu Omobolanle Oroja and Mr Ayoola Oluwaseun Oroja all of 29, Oyinlola Street, Ade-Alu Bus stop, Dopemu, Agege, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Angela Anyamele and Miss Valary Anyamele both of Block 702, Flat 5, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Gloria Nma Adeyemi and Adegoke Adeyemi both of 5, Anuoluwapo Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Dedekuma Sarah and Dedekuma Lucy Dafe both of 7, Abiola Fagbola Close, Fagba Iju, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased. James Ogbodo and Daniel Ogbodo both of 14, Akinola Street, Ipaja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Kadiri Stephen Osi and Kadiri Julian Ulelu both of 8, Akinwande Street, Iju Ishaga, Agege, Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased. Mr Hakeem Ismail , Mr Kamal Ismail and Miss Fatimo Ismail all of 1, Adeoyo Street, Mushin, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased. Odunmbaku Olufemi of 13, Olanipekun Street, Oke Odo, Abule Egba, Lagos and Odunmbaku Akintunde of Plot 8, Gasline Itoki, widow and one of the children respectively o fthe said deceased. Mrs Esther A.Sodamola, Oladipo Temitope and Oladipo Oladimeji all of 3, Adesanya Close, Joint Estate, Amadiya, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Judith Okogwu-Obanya and Rosemary Okogwu both fo Plot 4, Flat 2, Oyadiran Estate, Yaba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Celina Okungbowa and Mrs Doris Oghumu both of 10, Alafia Street, Off Baba Egbe Close, Meiran, Ile Iwe Meiran , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Yisa Kazeem Bello and Nurudeen Bello both of 38, Makinde Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Olawoyin Yemisi Foluso and Adebambo Adebola Olugbenga both of 2A, Opic Estate, Along Lagos/Ibadan Express Way Warewa Bus Stop, Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Juliana Okoku and Jeffrey Okoku both of 7, Ogunnukan Street, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Uadiale Christiana and Miss Aimufua Becky both of 34, Rasaki Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, widow and sister respectively of the said deceased. Miss Faith Agbale and Miss Maria Agbale both of 9, Ayodele Shitta Street, Ikotun, Lagos, sister and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Irene Ukpenbo and Alex Ukpenbo , both of 5, Olaide Street, Bariga, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Kenneth Anyamele and Kingsley Anyamele both of 6, Odebiyi Street, Ifako Agege, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Olaniyi Bintu and Sikiru Olaniyi both of 5, Ariwoola Street, Oke Abiye, Off Raypower Road, Alagbado, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Enebimoere Otolo of 11, Ajakaye Street, Akesan, Lagos, and Napoleon Otasi of 5, Alhaji Adan , Ajagbadi, Lagos, widow and brother-inlaw respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Isiwat Saka and Monsuru Saka both of 2, Orepopoola Street, Ogba, Aguda, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Florence Ajuga (Nee Uzoma) and Uzoma Anochie Martins both of 12, Sadiku Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mr Boniface Okoye and Okoye C. Chukwuma both of 12, Moses Ike Street, Ojo, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Nkameme Blessing Obiageli of 27, Alh. Kareem Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos and Ekene Eyisi of 38, Palace Road, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Azuka Peace Ilonzo and Peter Nnamdi Onwuachu both of 20, Salawu Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased. Oguji Ugochukwu Robinson and Oguji Adachukwu Faith both of 23C, Nwangene Street, H/E Fegge, Onitsha Brother and sister respectively of the said deceased. Onah Nkeiruka and Onah Ikechukwu both of 30, Mashalasi Street, Mushin, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. Maria Oboh and Isreal Oboh both of 9, Oba Ladegbuwa Street, Iba New Site, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Depreye Phillip and Weni Phillip both of 22, Church Avenue, Ajangbadi, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Opere Oluwadamisi Abiodun and Francis Nwakoh both of 7, Dada Arojogbo Street, Iju, Lagos , mother and brother respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Yetunde Shakirat Opanuga and Miss Opeyemi Kuburat Hassan both of 11, Gbajobi Street, Off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Chinoye C. Nzepoume of 40B, 2nd Corpel Road, Railway Compound, Ebute Meta, Yaba, Lagos, the only child of the said deceased. Christian Ngamdi and Bright U. Ngamdi both of Iroko Estate, Lasu Road, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Alhaja Zaenab Bolanle Olatunde Adeyemi, Mrs Monsurat Aderonke Adekoya, Mr Islam Adewale Adeyemi and Mr Malik Adefemi Adeyemi all of 27, Onasanya Street, Surulere, Lagos, widow and four of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Folashade Alamu and Miss Omotolani Alamu both of 30, Prince Adeyemi Way, Ikotun, Lagos, two children of the said deceased. Iraboh Josephine Bunmi (Mrs) , Feyijimi Joseph Ige (Mr) Onaghiese Folabomi Abike and Feyijimi Emmanuel Olubiyi , all of 38, Fola Agoro Street, Shomolu, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Cosmas T. Williams , Mrs Francesca K. Williams and Mr C.T. Williams all of 23 Road, J Close, House 5, Festac Town, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. Adegboyega Taylor and Mrs Toyin Adekoya both of Block 46, Flat 2, L.C.H.E. Isolo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Folake Adeyanju and Hassan Adeyanju both of 23, Adeniyi Street, Meiran, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Kehinde Bukola Oladeji and Omodolapo Maizat Oladeji both of 5, Oladele Adeniji Street, Opp. Oando Asolo Road, Owutu, Agric Ikorodu, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Oyekanmi Adewumi and Oyekanmi Roselyn both of 3, Suenu Court, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Adeola Olukemi Eribake and Oluwatoyin Adeboye Eribake both of 4, Oladapo Soyebo Close, Off Muyiwa Oyefusi Cresent, Omole Phase 1, Ikeja, Lagos, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased. Temitope Kolawole, Gbemisola Kolawole , Adedayo Paul Kolawole and Abisola Kolawole all of 10, Bazil Wuse Street, Adaloko, Afromedia, Okokomaiko, Lagos, four children of the said deceased. Mr Isaac Oyediran Dada and Mr Jide Fatokun both of 3, Aiyetutu Street, Epe , Lasgos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased. Adagbada Tosin Dorcas and Adagbada Tobi Esther both of 118C, Ago Hausa Street, Apapa, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased Mrs Taye Deborah Sumola Idowu , Mr Ayodele Joseph Sumola Idowu and Miss Oluwatoyin Funke Sumola Idowu all of 19, Akinsola Street, Mushin, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. Ehiarekhan Godwin Enaholo of 5, Adeyemi Street, Agege, Lagos, and Grace Ikpesimhe Ikebuiro of 15, Olufemi Ajaye Street, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased. Olawale Akinmonehin and Omoniyi Kolawole Akinmonehin both of 38, Araromi Street, Bariga, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Okoronkwo Chibugo and Okoronkwo Chinonyerem both of 28, Awoyokun Street, Onipanu , Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Margaret Gbaffo and Labake Gbaffo both of BT 94, Flat 8, Gowon Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, mother and sister respectively o fthe said deceased. Kuye Musubau and Kuye Abimbola both of 4, Waheed Akanni Street, Ago Palace, Okota, Lagos, widower and the only child respectively of the said deceased. Mr Fagbemi Ojo James and Mr Temitope Fagbemi both of 10, Gbajabiamila Street, Ayobo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Emmanuel Olusegun Akala and Jayeola Samson O. both of 2, Kogberegbe Street, Ojota, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Iyabode Adebiyi and Samuel O. Adebiyi both of 1, Alh. Kajola Street, Ayobo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. Godwin Nose Atere and Michael Atere both of 29, Sade Street, Ijanikin, Oto Awori, Lagos, brother and father respectively of the said deceased. Alhaja Serifat Salako, Alhaja Yemisi Salako, Moshood Salako and Sheu Salako all of DA 37, Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, two widows and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. Ohuka Francisca of 18, Ore Ofe Close, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, and Stella Shobogun of 1, Lamboye Street, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos, widow and mother-in-law respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Bilikisu Adegbite, Ismail Adegbite Ishaq Adegbite and Islamiyat Adegbite all of 14, Afuwape Street, Ikorodu , Lagos, widow and three of the children respectively of the said deceased. Mr Abiodun Fade and Mr Anthony Ademolu Fade both of 1, Ilase Street, Agbara, Lagos, the only surviving child and uncle respectively of the said deceased. Chief Felix Kolawole Bajomo of 5, Tola Oyewunmi Close, Maryland, Lasgos, Chief Christopher Borha of 14, Joseph Harrison Street, Onike, Iwaya, Lagos, Folasade Bajomo and Mr Oladipo Bajomo both of 77, Iwaya Road, Onike , Yaba, Lagos, two brothers and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. Salaam Olamiju Bashirat and Salaam Olajide Mudasiru both of 14, Alhaji Amoo Street, Ojota, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. Mrs Esther Aigbonan and Mr Peter Aghedo Aigbonan both of 75, Akodu Street, Off Luth Road, Mushin, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased Abilogun Busola and Abilogun Sesan both of 5, Awolumate Street, Iju , Ishaga, Lagos, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased. Mrs Inikpi Blessing Jacob and Samuel Onuche both of 33, Frank Street, Agboju, Amuwo Odofin, Lasgos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

I.O.AKINKUGBE (MRS) PROBATE REGISTRAR

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, IKEJA DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof. NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75.

S/N

Kuyoro Adesanya late of 18, Kajola Street, Iganke Agbowa Lagos State, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of May, 2011 at Lagos. Adeniji Adeolu Talabi (Otherwise known as Adeniji Adeolu) late of 6/7 , Church Street, Ajegunle, Tollgate, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of April, 2012 at General Hospital Lagos. Mrs Bukayo Esther Ogunleye (Otherwise known as Bukayo Ogunleye) late of 1, Adekoroye Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of April, 2013 at FMC, Abeokuta. Shabi Hadijat Kuburat (Otherwise known as Hadijat Kuburat Shabi) late of 5, Oredola Close, off Olorunkemi, Shomolu, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of May, 2013 at Lagos. Ojelade Monsuru Adebodun (Otherwise known as Mr Monsuru Adebodun Ojelade) late of 21, Popoola Street, Abule Odu, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of May, 2009 at General Hospital, Lagos. Dr Enabulele Solomon Eminwhare (Otherwise known as Enabulele Solomon Emwinghare and Solomon Emwinghare Enabulele) late of 24, Shasha Road, Shasha, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of February, 2013 at London. Chief Christopher Imhongirie, late of 119, Tolu Road, Olodi Apapa, Ajegunle, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of February, 2008 at Lagos. Mr Benson Abiodun Famuyide late of Block 11, Flat 3, Alapere Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of July, 2013 at Lagos. Emmanuel Onyekwere Otuka (Otherwise known as Mr Immanuel Otuka) late of 14, Dare Oseni Crescent, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of July, 2011 at Lagos. Ayeh Maria late of 3, Ikele Street, Papa Ajao, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of November, 2009 at Sapele. Ekenedirichukwu Leo Odinde (Otherwise known as Ekele-dilichukwu Leo Odinde and Ekeledilichukwu) late of 65, Dr Fasheun Avenue, Okota, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of October, 2008 at Lagos. Akinseye Olusola Festus late of 190, Agbaroh Street, Idi Iroko, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of June, 2010 at Ejigbo Medical Health Centre Okunola Folorunsho (Otherwise known as Okunola Folorunsho David) late of 35, Victoria Street, Iwaya, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of May, 2012 at State Hospital ,Ado Ekiti. Hilary Uche Stella late of Plot 903, Block 37, Aboru Estate, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of August, 2013 at Lasuth. Mr Odigwe Wilson late of 16A, Ashade Street, Torikoh Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of October, 2012 at Ikeja, Lagos. Mr Hakeem Gbeminiyi Owoyele (Otherwise known as Owoyele Hakeem Gbeminiyi) late of 10, Itundesan Street, Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of May, 2013 at Agbowa General Hospital, Lagos. Mr Oduguwa Ambali Oloruntobi (Otherwise known as Baale Oloruntobi Ambali and Oduguwa Ambali Oloruntobi) late of 11, Itunmoja Road, Imota, Via Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of March, 2013 at General Hospital Epe, Lagos. Samuel Adejimi Adesunbo (Otherwise known as Mr Adejimi Samuel) late of Atiporomeh Ikoga, Via Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of August, 2013 at Lagos. Ajayi Sherifat Omolola late of 13, Omoyemi Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of October, 2013 at Lasuth Owolala Temitope (Otherwise known as Owolala Temitope Rodah) late of LSDPC Phase 4, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of April, 2010 at Ikotun, Lagos. Omobolanle Marinho (Otherwise known as Marinho Omobolanle) late of 6, Falomo Close, Ikoyi , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of March, 2010 at Lagos. Mrs Falilat Motunrayo Abdulazeez,(Otherwise known as Madam Falilat Abdulazeez) late of 12, Yemisi Olatunji Crescent, Owutu Agric Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of September, 2007 at Lagos. Taofeek Adisa late of 14, Anuoluwapo Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of March, 2010 at Lagos. Mrs Abibat Adewunmi (Otherwise known as Mrs Abibat Aduke Adewunmi) late of 280, Agege Motor Road, Olohunsogo, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of March, 2011 at Lagos. Chief (Mrs) Madam Ibidun Aduke Ayodeji -Johnson (Otherwise known as Mrs Johnson Victoria ) late of DH1, Shagari Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of March, 2008 at Lagos. Mrs Adigun Folake Ajoke (Otherwise known as Adigun Folake) late of 17, Suru Street, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of June, 2011 at Orile Agege General Hospital. Ajao Muslimot Iyabo (Otherwise known as Ajao Musilimotu Iyabo) late of 23, Isale Agoro Street, Epe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of August, 2012 at Lagos. Haroun Falilat Bisoye late of 100/2, Ahmadu Bello Way, Ebute Metta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of March, 2013 at Lasuth, Ikeja. Komolafe Abayomi Olusegun late of 9, Popoola Banwo Street, Igbala, Sango, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of August, 2005 at Ota. Osele Godwin (Otherwise known as Amamchukwu) late of 12, Igbore Street, Onike Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of April, 2013 at Lagos. Mr Okusanya Babasola Olugbenga (Otherwise known as Okusanya Babasola O.) late of 143, Old Ipaja Road, Agbotikuyo , Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate ;on the 17th day of June, 2013 at Orile Agege General Hospital. Bosede Ayinke Adetoro (Otherwise known as Mama Yinka and Mrs Christiana Abosede Adetoro) late of 13, Oshogbo Street, Ijeshatedo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of January, 2011 at Gerion Clinic , Ijesha-tedo, Lagos. Agnes Atawodi (Otherwise known as Atawodi Agnes), late of 22, Daddy Adediran Street, Ire-Akari , Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of March, 2012 at Abuja. Kareem Ganiyu Taiwo (Otherwise known as Karimu Ganiyu Taiwo and Karnio Ventures) late of 28, Mogaji Araromi Street, Abaranje, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of December, 2012 at Lasuth, Ikeja, Lagos. Oruonyehu David Boyi (Otherwise known as Oruonyehu David ) late of 23, Market Road, Ayobo-Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of January, 2013 at Lasuth Ikeja. CPL Roluga Abayomi (Otherwise known as 79NA/28062 CPL Roluga Abayomi) late of Block 1, Room 4, Camp 1, Nigeria Army Cantonment, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of November, 2011 at Nig. Army Ref. Hospital Yaba, Lagos. Ayoola Olaojo , late of 10, Samuel Alli Street, Agbado, Agbado-Oke Odo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of January 2013 at Lasuth, Ikeja, Lagos. Rahman Taiye Taofeek (Otherwise known as Alhaji Rahman Taiye Taofeek) late of 32, Alade Street, Elebiju, Ketu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of February, 2013 at Lagos. LCPL Monday Nwabunwanne, late of CBQ II, Room 17, Ikeja Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of August, 2013 at UMTH Maiduguri.. Sebastine Onyebi (Otherwise known as Sebastine Onyekaozuru Onyebi) late of 3, Adebayo Street, Orile Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of November, 2013 at General Hospital, Isolo Ezike Uchechi Basilia (Otherwise known as Miss Ezike Uchechi ) late of 11, Ladipo Avenue, Iju Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of July, 2013 at Ibadan. Awagbe Peter Kehinde (Otherwise known as Awagbe Kehinde Peter) late of 5, Oteda Street, Imude, Shibiri, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of June, 2013 at Lagos. Uzzi Anselem late of Nigerian Port Authority Quarters, Block 5, Room 5, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of June, 2009 at Anambra State. Nwobodo Chinwe Evelyn late of 9, Oluwasogo Street, Onilekere Estate, Cement, Ikeja, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of December, 2012 at Lagos. Chief Anthony Esiobu , late of 13, Obinna Uzoh Crescent, Okota Canal Estate, Lagos,deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of July, 2010 at Imo State Oputa Obiosa Peter , late of 20, Segun Akinola Street, Abule-Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of March, 2011 at Lagos. Alhaji Hashimiu Adisa Hussain,(Otherwise known as Hasimu Adisa Hussain) late of 62, Ajose Street, Lawanson , Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of July, 1997 at Island General Hospital, Lagos. Mrs Omotunde Eniola Omotosho,(Otherwise known as Mrs Omotunde E. Omotosho) late of 38, Community Road, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of February, 2013 at 68, Narh, Yaba, Lagos. Muhammed Sikiru Ayinla (Otherwise known as Mr Sikiru Ayinla Muhammed) late of 43, Musili Street, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of September, 2012 at Otta. Patrick Opha Ehizojie (Otherwise known as Ehizojie Patrick and Ehizojie Patrick Opha) late of 22, Wunmi Oshikoya Street, Agbede, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of January, 2013 at Luth. Ogunnaike Stella Oladunni (Nee Oshoboke) late of 52, Alaja Road, Megida Bus Stop, Ayobo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of April, 2013 at Akanbi Memorial Hospital, Lagos. Victoria Agbeke Macarthy (Otherwise known as Mrs V.A. Macarthy), late of 83, Awolowo Road, Railway Compound, Ebute Meta, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of January ,2008 at Ebute Metta, Lagos. Ajagbe Ramoni , (Otherwise known as Oyeniran Ramoni Ajagbe) late of 19, Fadeyi Street, Ayobo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of April, 2012 at Lagos. Mr Mathew Chikodi Duru (Otherwise known as Mathew Duru) late of 5, Oladeinde Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of April, 2012 at Lagos. Mr Emmanuel Amuzie (Otherwise known as Mr Emmanuel Madu Amuzie and Amuzie Emmanuel) late of Close 62, House II, Satelite Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of March, 2012 at Lagos. Rita Oseni (Otherwise known as Oseni Rita) late of 15, Ado Close, Surulere, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of December, 2011 at Lagos. Mrs Juliana Ogungbesan (Otherwise known as Ogungbesan Juliana) late of 30, Rotimi Sikiru Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of November, 2011 at Lagos. Mr Inusa Issah Alidu late of 5, Murtala Street, Agboju, Amuwo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of September, 2010 at Lagos. Mr Innocent Madu (Otherwise known as Orjiwuru Innocent Madu) late of 11, Olatunji Ige Street, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of September, 2013 at Ketu, Lagos. Emmanuel Olaleye (Otherwise known as Emmanuel Abiodun Olaleye) late of Igbo-rosu, Lagos Badgry Express Way, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of April, 2012 at Badagry General Hospital, Lagos. Onyeka Christian Agbadugo late of 57, Alimosho Road, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of January, 2013 at Anambra Ekeh Kinika Kelvin (Engr.) (Otherwise known as Kinika Kelvin Ekeh) late of Engr. K.K. Ekeli's Compound, Rumuche Emohua, River State deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of February, 2013 at UPTH Ogunbanwo Adenike Olufunmilola,(Otherwise known as Ogunbanwo Adenike Olufunlola) late of 1, Agbabiaka Crescent, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 5th day of March, 2011 at Lagos. Balogun Sulaimon Taiwo late of 1, Enitan Street, Ojokoro, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of September, 2012 at UCH, Ibadan. Mr Emmanuel Abiodun Adeola (Otherwise known as ACP Emmanuel Adeola and ACP Emmanuel Abiodun Adeola ) late of 11, Odofin Close, Ilasamaja, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of January, 2013 at Esut Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Mrs Elizabeth Etanireri Onohwosafe (Otherwise known as Mrs Onohwosafe Elizabeth E. Mrs) late of 18, Ipokia Street, Egan, Lagos State deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of August, 2010 at Lagos. Mr Aminu Idowu Ibrahim Asubiojo (Otherwise known as Ibrahim Idowu Aminu Asubiojo) late of 7, Afolarin Close, Ijede Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of November, 2009 at Lagos. F. S. Azeez Tajudeen (Otherwise known as NAF91/16631 FS Azeez T. and Tajudeen Azeez) late of Block Q19, Flat 7, Sam Ethnam Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of September, 2013 at 445, NAF Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. Oluwole David Akinnubi, late of 326, Block 4, Abesan Estate, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of April, 2011 at Lagos. Mr Korukwe Shadrack late of 26, Brown Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of January, 2012 at Lasuth. Mr Oladipupo Victor Oluwatoyin Johnson (Otherwise known as Mr O.V.O. Johnson) late of 14, Oguntuga Street, Abule Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of September, 2007 at Lagos. Mr Patrick Ukanah late of 5, Opakunle Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of November, 2013 at Lagos. Ernest Onyeka Odibeli (Otherwise known as Odibeli Ernest) late of Block 5, Flat 5, Games Village, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of February, 2012 at Luth Mrs Akindele Abiodun S. Titilayo (Otherwise known as Abiodun Titilayo Akindele)late of Block 4, Flat 423, Otedola Estate, Omole, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of January, 2009 at Lasuth Ikeja. Mr Olabode Micheal Olalekan late of 9, Ketu Ilogbo Erelu,Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of January, 2013 at Osun State.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. Kuyoro Adeola and Kuyoro Peter both of 18, Kajola Street, Iganke Agbowa, Lagos , two of the children of the said deceased. 2. Adeniji Abiola Ajoke of 44, Rufus Awe Street, Ijako, Lagos, and Adeniji Micheal of 5, Godwin Enabuje Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 3. Akintayo Olaoluwa Ogunleye of 1, Adekoroye Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, and Mr Abraham Adelowo of 16, Adewunmi Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, widower and uncle respectively of the said deceased. 4. Shabi Adebola Haleem and Alli Saheed Abiodun both of 5, Oredola Close, off Olorunkemi, Shomolu, Bariga, Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased. 5. Ojelade T. Funmilola, Ojelade F. Adesiji Ojelade F. Adebola and Ojelade K. Adetoro all of 21, Popoola Street, Idimu Road, Abule Odu, Egbeda, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased. 6. Mrs Roseline Tosan Enabulele and Mr Nosakhare Enabulele both of 24, Shasha Road, Ajako Bus Stop, Shasha, Lagos, widow and only child respectively of the said deceased. 7. Samson Imhongirie and Edward Imhongirie both of 119, Tolu Road, Olodi Apapa, Ajegunle, Lagos, two children of the said deceased. 8. Miss Itunnu Remilekun Famuyide of Block 11, Flat 3, Alapere Ketu, Lagos, one of the children of the the said deceased. 9. Mrs Margaret Emmanuel Otuka and Mr Joshua Emmanuel Otuka both of 14, Dare Oseni Crescent, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 10. Ayeh Cyril of 3, Ikele Street, Papa Ajao, Mushin, Lagos and Andrew Umuolo of Block 19, Flat 6, Jakande Estate, Oke Afa, Isolo, Lagos, brother and cousin respectively of the said deceased. 11. Chukwura Odinde and Uchenna Odinde both of 65, Dr Fasheun Avenue, Okota, Isolo, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased. 12. Akinseye Funke Cecilia and Akinseye Olasunkanmi both of 19, Agbaroh Street, Idi iroko, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 13. Okunola Veronica of 35, Victoria Street, Iwaya, Yaba, Lagos, and Okunola Olaniyi of 17, Association Avenue, Magodo , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 14. Hilary Uche of Plot 903, Block 37, Aboru Estate, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, widower of the said deceased. 15. Mrs Rebecca Odigwe and Odigwe Nkem Odili both of 16A, Ashade Street, Torikoh Badagry, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 16. Owoyele Silifat F. and Owoyele Zainab G. both of 10, Itundesan Street, Ijede Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and only child respectively of the said deceased. 17. Abudu Oduguwa Ambali , Ramoni Oduguwa Ambali and Hadijat Oduguwa Ambali all of 11, Itunmoja Road, Imota , Via Ikorodu, Lagos, three children of the said deceased. 18. Mrs Adebisi Ayoola and Mojisola Adejimi both of Atiporomeh Ikoga , Via Badagry, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased 19. Ajayi Babatunde of 13, Omoyemi Street, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, and Akingbo Damilola of 3, Adeoye Street, Ijaiye, Ojokoro, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased. 20. Owolala Adeniyi and Tokunbo Oshisade both of LSDPC Phase 4, Oko Oba , Agege, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased. 21. Mrs Olarewaju Emanuel , Mr Akinola Marinho and Ms Justina Omowunmi Emanuel, 6, Falomo Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, aunt , brother and cousin respectively of the said deceased. 22. Ismail Adeyemi Abdulazeez of 5, Dada Oni Street, Ikorodu, Lagos, Abdulrasheed Adetunji Abdulazeez of 12, Yemisi Olatunji Crescent, Agric, Ikorodu, Lagos, and Bukola Ladi-Awodun (Mrs) of 12, Alimson Street, Owutu Agric, Ikorodu, lagos three of the children of the said deceased. 23. Mrs Rukayat Adisa, Mrs Ayisat Adisa, Mr Banji Odunbaku and Lateef Adisa all of 14, Anuoluwapo Street, Ilasamaja, Lagos, widow, two of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased. 24. Mr Adewunmi Sulaimon Adebayo of 32, Akorohunfayo Street, Fadeyi , Lagos, Mr Adewunmi Quadri Babatunde and Mr Adewunmi Abduljelili Adegoke both of 40, Alaramimo Street, Oko Oba Agege, Lagos, and Mrs Adewunmi Bilikisu Adesola of 6, Alayaki Street, Mushin, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased. 25. Chief (Mrs) Folakemi Yetunde Ogunlewe and Mr Taiwo Omotayo Johnson both of 11, Ajoke Ogunlewe Street, Ogudu GRA, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 26. Mr Adigun Ajibola Samson and Miss Adigun Folashade Itunu both of 17, Suru Street, Agege, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 27. Ajao Waliu and Ajao Salam both of 23, Isale Agoro Street, Epe, Lagos, two children of the said deceased. 28. Gafar Abidemi Haroun, Aminat Abimbola Haroun and Rafiat Temitope Haroun all of 100/2 Ahmadu Bello Way, Ebute Metta, Lagos, the three children of the said deceased. 29. Mrs Komolafe Ibilola Aina and Mrs Tolulope Wole-Owoeye both of 3, Adebowale Tade Street, Maryland , Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 30. Mrs Nneka Osele and Chukwuebuka Osele both of 12, Igbore Street, Onike Yaba, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 31. Mrs Okusanya Ibironke M. and Mr Okusanya Olusola A. both of 143, Old Ipaja Road, Agbotikuyo Agege, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 32. Alex Yinka Adetoro of Plot 388, Oloko Crescent, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, Olukemi Adebimpe Bello of 16, Adegbite Street, Iju, Ajuwon, Ogun State, two children of the said deceased. 33. David Atawodi of 22, Daddy Adediran Street, Ire-Akari, Isolo, Lagos, the only surviving child of the said deceased. 34. Alhaja Folashade A. Taiwo and Rasak Abiola Taiwo, both of 28, Mogaji Araromi Street, Abaranje, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 35. Oruoyehu Godwin of FLCHE A30, Ikorodu , Iyamu Gloria of 49, Femi Alpha Street, Command Ipaja, Lagos and Oruonyehu Peter Obi of 23, Market Road, Ayobo, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased. 36. Mrs Elizabeth Roluga and Miss Abosede Oyebambo Roluga both of Block 1, Room 4, Camp 1, Nigeria Army Cantonment, Ojo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 37. Victoria Folashade Ayoola Olaojo and Caroline Olajumoke Ayoola Olaojo both of 10, Samuel Alli Street, Agbado, AgbadoOke-Odo, Lagos, widow and only child respectively of the said deceased. 38. Mrs Taofeek Sakirat and Alhaji Fatai Akande Rahman both of 25, Kadejo Street, Ibafo , Ogun State widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 39. Mrs Juliet Monday of CBQ 11, Room 17, Ikeja Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos and LCPL Augustine Anozie of CBQ 35, Flat 18, Ikeja Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 40. Mrs Ann C. Onyebi and Onyekaozuru Uchenna D. both of 3, Adebayo Street, Orile Oshodi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 41. Ezike Geraldine and Ezike Afanna both of 11, Ladipo Avenue, Iju Road, Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased. 42. Mrs Awagbe Hannah Favour and Peter Damilola Samuel Awagbe both of 5, Oteda Street, Imude ,Shibiri, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 43. Uzzi Anna and Uzzi Peter Ejike both of Nigerian Port Authority Quarters, Block 1, Room 5, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 44. Favour odera Nwobodo and Uchenna Nwobodo both of 9, Oluwasogo Street, Onilekere Estate, Cement Ikeja, Lagos, the only child and brother respectively of the said deceased. 45. Udoka Esiobu, Augustina Esiobu and Ejike Esiobu all of 13, Obinna Uzoh Crescent, Okota Canal Estate, Lagos, widow and two children respectively of the said decased. 46. Justina Adaobi Oputa, Esther Adobi Amadi (Nee Oputa) Obie Mary Ojumah (Nee Oputa) and Ngozi Joy Oputa all of 20, Segun Akinola Street, Abule Egba, Lagos, widow and three children respectively of the said deceased. 47. Alhaja F. Agbeke Deen of 62, Ajose Street, Lawanson, Lagos and Adetokunbo Hakeem Hussain of 92, Abeokuta Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 48. Lt. CDR A.A. Omotosho of 38, Community Road, Akoka, Lagos, Mrs Afoluke O. Olufuwa of 4, Majaro Street, Onike, Lagos, and Mr Adebayo A. Omotosho of 38, Community Road, Akoka, Lagos, widower and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 49. Muhammed Ibrahim and Muhammed Kazeem both of 43, Musili Street, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 50. Mrs Ehizojie Janet Bejomodan of 22, Wunmi Oshikoya Street, Agbede , Ikorodu, Lagos, widow of the said deceased. 51. Ogunnaike Solomon Olatunji, Babatunde Temitope Mary and Olasore Oluwaseun Debora all of 52, Alaja Road, Ayobo, Lagos, widower and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 52. Modupe Macarthy (Miss) of 83, Awolowo Road, Ebute Metta, Lagos, grand daughter of the said deceased. 53. Mrs Oyeniran Adedoja and Mr Oyeniran Sheriff both of 19, Idowu Fadeyi Street, Ayobo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 54. Mrs Joy Oluchi Duru of 5, Oladeinde Street, Mafoluku , Oshodi, Lagos, and Mr Edwin Egunochi Duru of 38, Olatoye Street, Agbado, Ogun State, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 55. Ifeyinwa Jessica Amuzie, Chukwuebuka Amuzie and Ijeaku Amuzie all of Close 62, House II, Satelite Town, Lagos, widow and two children respectively of the said deceased. 56. Mr Izomah Amos and Mr Izomah Oworiode both of 11, Abata George Avenue, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos, father and brother respectively of the said deceased. 57. Mrs Olusola Okpo and Mr Oluseyi Ogungbesan both of 30, Rotimi Sikiru Street, Ejigbo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 58. Mrs Hadizatu Inusa Alidu and Mr Ahmed Inusa Alidu both of 5, Murtala Street, Agboju, Amuwo, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 59. Mrs Lovelyn Chimuanya Madu and Ifechukwu Joan Madu both of 11, Olatunji Ige Street, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 60. Mrs Suliat Olaleye of Igbo Rosu, Lagos Badagry Expressway, Lagos and Miss Mariam Oluwole of Oke-Oyimbo Ado-Odo, Ota, Lagos State, widow and sister --in-law respectively of the said deceased. 61. Okwudili Agbadugo of 57, Alimosho Road, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos and Clement Agbadugo of 157, Abeokuta Express Road, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased. 62. Mrs Vera Chikweri Ekeh and Mr Godwin Kelvin Ekeh both of Eng. K.K. Ekelis Compound, Rumuche Emohua , River State , widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 63. Adeniyi Oluwagbenga Ogunbanwo, Adejumoke Ogunbanwo and Adebowale Ogunbanwo all of 1, Agbabiaka Crescent, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Lagos, widower and two children respectively of the said deceased. 64. Aminat Bolaji Balogun of 1, Enitan Street, Ojokoro, Lagos and Ibrahim Balogun of 35, Ogunmuyiwa Street, Itire, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 65. Mr Olufemi Oluwaseun Adeola and Ms Oluyemisi Adeola both of 11, Odofin Close, Ilasamaja, Mushin , Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased. 66. MR Richard Onohwosafe and Mrs Mary Manson both of 18, Ipokia Street, Egan, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 67. Aminu Zainab Oluwasola and Aminu Toheeb both of 7, Afolarin Close, Ijede Ikorodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 68. Mrs Omotayo Oluwakemi Azeez of Block Q19, Flat 7, Sam Ethnam Air Force Base, Ikeja, Lagos, and Alhaji Sulaimon M. Azeez of 1, Oyinlola Street, Dopemu, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 69. Olanireti Akinnubi and Taiwo Olobele both of 326, Block 4, Abesan Estate, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 70. Mrs Korukwe Ogechi and Mr Chris Kurukwe both of 2, Shokumbi Street, Egbeda, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 71. Mrs Oluwafunmilayo Johnson , Mrs Olabisi Ajayi and Mr Oladimeji Johnson all of 14, Oguntuga Street, Abule-Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 72. Samuel Patrick and Daniel Patrick both of 5, Opakunle Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 73. Mrs Loretta O. Odibeli of Block 5, Flat 5, Games Village ,Surulere, Lagos, and Mr Ofovebu Odibeli of 12, Omotola Street, Okoko, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 74. Otunba Aremu A. Akindele and Jamiu Akindele both of Plot 1, Womiloju Akindele Close, U-Turn, Abule Egba, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 75. Mr Titilope Toyin Olabode and Mr Olabode Samuel Ogunseitan both of 9, Ketu Erelu Ilogbo, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased.

I.O.AKINKUGBE (MRS) PROBATE REGISTRAR

POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

• Fayemi (second right), his deputy, Prof. Adelabu (left), Chief Awe and Senator Ojudu at the APC campaign in Aramoko Ekiti.

The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) has sealed the endorsement of Governor Kayode Fayemi as its candidate for the June 21election in the Fountain of Knowledge at its primaries in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Correspondent SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN reports.

Fayemi: This election is about Ekiti’s future T

HE delegates to the primaries came from 132 towns and villages across the far-flung state. They converged on the Trade Fair Complex, Ado Ekiti, the state capital with one accord. They had a mission. At exactly 11 am, the voting started. In the afternon, the result of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries was ready. Exuding happiness at the orderly conduct of the delegates, the Chairman of the six-member APC Primaries Panel, Senator Osita Izunaso, declared Governor Kayode Fayemi the winner and governorship candidate. On that note, his battle for re-election gathered momentum. Fayemi had no rival at the shadow poll. Thus, as the lone aspirant, the primaries paled into the ratification of his endorsement as the flag bearer by the party. The governor was conscious of the significance of the endorsement and its implication for the party. Thanking the delegates, Fayemi promised never to let them down. He said that the contest is not a personal battle, but the continuation of his rescue mission in Ekitiland. Few weeks ago, the war scholar and pro-democracy activist had collected his nomination form, in compliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines. However, before the governor signified his intention to seek a fresh mandate, many groups and associations have endorsed him for a second term. Also, party chieftains across the three senatorial districts, APC governors and other national leaders have endorsed him in Ado-Ekiti. For Fayemi, the intra-party contest was a walk over. Declaring him the winner, Izunaso, who is the APC Interim Organising Secretary, said that the governor polled 192, 767 votes. Other panel members-Alhaji Abubakar Suleja, Isah Maduto, Capt. Bala Jubril (rtd), Alhaji Yemi Sanusi, and Steve Asimoke-applauded the governor’s performance in the last three and half years, stressing that the bloc vote underscored his popularity. Fayemi was accompanied by his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi. Also, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, Ekiti APC Interim Chairman Chief Jide Awe and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu. witnessed the primaries. Fayemi expressed gratitude to the party for its unflinching support, love and solidarity. He noted that there was no case of unruly behaviour among delegates. He hailed the validity of internal democracy, saying that the APC has become a model for consolidating democracy. Fayemi said that the process was as important as the real election, adding that it signified the APC’s commitment to transparency. The historic exercise trailed the governor’s endorsement for a second term in December 2012 by stakeholders at Iyin-Ekiti. The endorsement was tagged: “Iyin Accord.” The “Iyin Accord,” according to party chieftains, was a watershed. The accord, in their view, was designed by party leaders to give the signal that Fayemi’s mandate would be renewed by the progressive family in Ekiti.

‘Fayemi has become the toast of the party because he has lived up to expectation. The ‘Iyin Accord’ was not by accident, but a deliberate attempt to show appreciation for what the governor has done in the transformation of the state. The feats include infrastructural development, financial empowerment, job creation and social security scheme for elderly citizens’

The meeting where the ‘Accord’ was reached was actually held at the instance of the former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo, who is the Southwest APC leader. At the meeting were party elders, top government officials, women and youth leaders from 16 councils. They said that Fayemi deserved a second term because he has performed as governor. At the meeting, party leaders also reflected on the future of the state. After reviewing the activities of Fayemi Administration, they resolved to vote for continuity in 2014. Speakers included Adebayo, Senator Tony Adeniyi (Ekiti South), Dr. Omirin, Hon. Ife Arowosoge, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi, and Chief Ronke Okusanya. According to them, the developmental efforts of the administration must continue beyond this year. Adebayo hailed the stakeholders for endorsing Fayemi for another term, noting that the governor has impacted positively on the lives of the people. “I think he deserves a second term, just as our people are clamouring,” Adebayo said. Awe, who was the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Chairman, also aligned with the position of the party elders. He said that Fayemi has become the toast of the party because he has lived up to expectation. He said that the ‘Iyin Accord’ was not “by accident, but a deliberate attempt to show appreciation for what the governor has done in the transformation of the state.”Awe said the feats included infrastructural development, financial empowerment, job creation and social security scheme for elderly citizens. Also, in July last year, the ACN National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, visited the Ekiti progressive family at Ado-Ekiti. At the meeting, Tinubu put another seal on the gale of endorsements. It was witnessed by former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Dele Alake, the party’s National Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Senator James Kolawole. Also present were Deputy Governor Adelabu, Adebayo, Omirin and Adaramodu, Senators Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central), Adeniyi (Ekiti South) and Olubunmi Adetumbi (Ekiti North),

and Arowosoge. Commissioners, special advisers and assistants, local government chairmen and party officials were also there. Tinubu, who spoke for about one and a half hours, said the visit was to settle the misunderstanding within the party, ahead of the poll. He said: “We have not come to impose somebody on you. We have come just to settle a quarrel. Americans would normally say, if the bicycle is not faulty, you don’t take it to the repairer. Fayemi has passed; will you promote him or not?” The question drew a deafening ‘yes’ from the audience. Tinubu said that Ekiti was witnessing a “kukulaja”, which translates to “the fiery creature at the rooftop”. It was a vague reference to the personality clashes between Fayemi and the House of Representatives member, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, who also had the intention of running for ther governorship. The National Leader added: “When we got there (the political headship of the state), why would we not know how to manage our success? If anyone here knows Opeyemi, tell him that Jagaban has sent you to him to drop his ambition. Invite him and appeal to him. We will return later to do official endorsement”. Tinubu urged Fayemi and the party leadership to work for reconciliation. He said: “There is no shame in politics; everyone’s turn would come sooner than later.” Akande also called for a truce. He observed that the party would confront three challenges: how to merge with other parties without experiencing cultural hiccups, how to position the party for the elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states and how to unseat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from national leadership. He stressed: “We are going to merge with another party, but is our culture going to change? Three elections are on the way, but how do we prepare for them? The last task is how do we remove the PDP from Abuja? Our mission today is to set in motion processes to settle our in-house misunderstanding. If any exists, we must settle it to move ahead.” However, the endorsement of Fayemi by the party leadership did not go down well with some members. Bamidele objected to the endorsement, saying that it was not a collective decision. He said: “The endorsement of the governor by a section of our party is a step that is allowed in politics. But I want to say that other party members who are interested in the position can still show interest. ACN is not a lawless party. It is a party that believes in the rule of law and democratic tenets, so I am confident that the rules will be followed strictly under this circumstance”. But, sources disclosed that Bamidele never disclosed his plans to contest the governorship to the party leadership. Before the last weekend primaries, Fayemi has kicked off his campaign in Ado-Ekiti. The campaign train has not stopped since then. It has rolled into some local governments with a mammoth crowd coming to affirm his endorsement as the flag bearer.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

POLITICS Mr. Efiye Bribena is the Secretary-General of the Ijaw Professionals Association. In this interview with SINA FADARE, he argues that the National Conference, if properly managed, will resolve the national question and move the country forward.

‘Resource control should be addressed at conference’

HAT’S your view on the National Conference? At one time or the other, different ethnic groups or regions have argued for the national conference to resolve those areas of conflict and settle once and for all our sectional interests without necessarily threatening the corporate existence of the country. I think in that light, everybody should support the conference. It is a welcome idea. If handled properly, it is going to help in resolving most of the issues that are troubling us in this country like the agitation for resource control, true federalism, rotational presidency and power devolution. It will give all groups the opportunity to air their own opinions and negotiate. You mean the conference can resolve the issue of resource control? The issue of resource control, especially for us professionals, goes beyond the matter of dividing the national cake. It has to do with optimal use of our resources. The major problem we have in this country is that we focus only on oil revenue. But, there is no state or region in this country that is not endowed with enough natural and human resources. So, there should be a proper fiscal federalism in this country where each region will be able to harness its resources and put them to optimal use. When everybody is focused on getting his share from oil, it makes the country lose focus. Even in the Niger Delta, we have problems. Instead of focusing on development, using available resources, the leaders we have is focusing on getting its shares of the national cake. So, the system, as it were, doesn’t benefit the Niger Delta people. But, if we have a situation where every group is controlling its resources and paying tax to the centre, all the leaders will be held accountable. For us as Ijaw Professional Association, the issue of resource control is something that must be addressed in its proper perspective. It goes beyond sharing the national cake. We feel that the focus should be on development of the potentials of each region. If we want to develop as a nation, we need to remove attention from oil. Sovereign ownership clause should be removed from our laws because it

affects everything. When you say the land and everything belongs to the Federal Government, it is a lie. Today, it might look as if it is affecting the Niger Delta. Tomorrow, it can affect the North. And that is why we have the issue of illegal mining in the North. These are issues that should be addressed at the National Conference. There is a need for us to practice true federalism so that we can manage our resources effectively. Let attention be paid to all natural resources we have in this country. We should remove attention from oil because it is not doing anyone one any good as it is today. Some people have argued that there should be no-go-area in this discussion. Do you share the same view? Why should there be no-go-area? Everything should be discussed, including the unity of the country. Even, if we say that the unity of this country is not negotiable, there is no reason why we shouldn’t discuss it. Yoruba and Igbo have it in their agenda for debate at the conference the right of the federating units to recede. Is that not threatening the unity of the country already? For me, that is not a terrible thing to look at. We are there to negotiate the basis of our existence as a nation. So, we should put all the cards on the table, discuss and come to agreement. To a large extent, it is not the provision on the no-go-area that is the issue, it is the people that are going there to discuss. Do you see the conference coming at a right time, bearing in mind that this is the eve of election year? There cannot be a better time than now. According to the schedule that has already been set, it is going to take three months. I don’t understand the relationship

• Bribena

between the National Conference and the elections. The opposition believes that President Goodluck Jonathan wants to use it to score cheap political goal. Do you share this line of thought? How? Well, if the National Conference comes out successful, it is going to be to the credit of the President. Are you going to fault him for that? You can’t hold that against him; they are all politicians. If the opposition parties see anything they could do to win election, they will do it. So, if he is doing something in the best interest of the country and it is going to help him to win election, all well and good. If he bungles and manipulates it and comes out wrong, it will be to his discredit. If on the other hand, he ensures that the right things are done, it will be to his credit. If that will help him in 2015 to win an election, all well and good. I don’t think anybody should hold that

against him. What is Ijaw Professional all about? Ijaw Professional Association is an organisation that is set up to promote professional excellence among the people of Ijaw extraction. In achieving that, we try to ensure that we put programmes in place to make people understand the need for professionalism in whatever they do. We believe that, if we are able to promote profession excellence among our people, we will be able to impact positively on the whole nation. Despite the agitations for local content policy, the oil industry is still dominated by the foreigners. What is your association doing to increase involvement of the local people in the industry? The first seminar we organised in 2012 was based on growth opportunity in the Niger Delta and it afforded every one of us to look at the opportunities available in the oil industry. It was more of an educative programme because we believe knowledge is power, information is power. If we are able to get requisite information concerning oil industry, we will be able to participate better. There is a lot of human capital that is lying dormant in the oil industry. So, we are trying to partner with some institutions to ensure that people are properly trained so that they can participate more effectively in the industry. The local content policy, unfortunately, has faced lot difficulties in implementation. The oil industry is being run by foreigners and they are like a cartel. If the Chinese are coming to run an oil firm, they want to ensure that it is the Chinese people that will be doing everything in that organization. If it is the American, you will discover that it is American that will be doing all the jobs. We

‘There is a need for us to practice true federalism so that we can manage our resources effectively. Let attention be paid to all natural resources we have in this country. We should remove attention from oil because it is not doing anyone one any good as it is today’

have so many professionals in this country that are not being properly used. So, it is a policy that exists only on paper. Now that your man is in the saddle, do you see the need for you to press for proper implementation of the policy? When you hear people accuse President Goodluck Jonathan of being tribalistic, those of us from Bayelsa and Ijaw laugh. We laugh because Jonathan is one President that sees himself as President of Nigeria. He is not always willing to listen to anything that is tending towards propagating the interest of his people. So, if we have an opportunity to discuss this issue with him, then we must discuss it in the best interest of Nigeria not in the interest of Ijaw people. How do you see the role of amnesty programme, in terms of human capital development in the Niger Delta region? Amnesty programme is one issue that is largely misunderstood by the people. A lot of people believe that the programme is geared towards solving all the problems in the Niger Delta region. But this is not so. Amnesty programme is targeted at removing some ruffians from the creeks, training them and making them more useful to themselves and the society. To that extent, the programme has been very successful because it has removed a lot of rough boys (militants) from the creeks. So, in terms of human capital development, it has helped to resolve issues of participation in the oil industry. But amnesty programme does not address the issue of environmental degradation; it does not address the issue of exploitation of our people; it does not address the issue of infrastructure. It is largely targeted at neustralising the nuisance value of the militants in the creeks. And to that extent, it has succeeded. But all the other issues that led to militancy are still very much there. The exploitation is still going on, the environmental degradation is still going on and lack of infrastructure is still there.

‘Age has not affected Elechi’s performance’ Hon. Eni Uduma Chima represents Afikpo Southwest Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. In this interview with OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE, he reflects on the Elechi Administration, National Conference and other partisan issues.

HAT do you think should be the focus of the National Conference? The focus should be on the unity of the country. Delegates should concentrate on issues that would restore the faith of citizens in the country. This has been eroded over the years. What’s your assessment of Ebonyi delegates to the conference? The selection was superb; they are the best brains and leaders of thought from this part of the country. Besides, the delegates are a mixture of intellectuals, technocrats and business men in their own right. They are sufficiently experienced to discuss issues affecting the country as a whole and those that concern Ebonyi State, particularly its relationship with the rest of the country. There are those who say the recommendations of the conference should be sent to the National Assembly as a bill. There are also those want it be subjected a referendum. What is your take on this? My take on it is that it could go either

way. The most important thing is that it should be credible. If you do a referendum that is accurate, then, you would also have allayed the fears of those who think it should go to the National Assembly because the National Assembly is just a smaller version of the general public that would participate in the referendum. So, if you want it at the micro level, it should go to the National Assembly. But on the other hand, if you want it at the macro level, it should be subjected to a referendum. My own position is that, whichever way we choose, transparency is the watch word. It should be properly done to reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people without undue influence. Many still believe the President is not sincere in his bid to convoke the conference. What could have informed his sudden u-turn on the matter? Without prejudice, I want to say that there is no way of reading the mind of anybody. But, one must also not overlook the fact that he might have changed his mind in the light of some

experiences he might have had. Knowledge comes from experience; knowledge is dynamic. Thus, experience develops ideas. So, maybe, he has come into contact with certain experiences that made him feel that it is expedient that the conference be held at this point in time. He had opposed the conference on the grounds that there should be no Sovereign National conference. Since we have a National Assembly with the power of the people, since sovereignty belongs to the people, the ultimate power to make laws and enforce them and to bring about change in government through voting belongs to the people and so, since they have done so by electing people into the National Assembly and state legislatures that they should be trusted to bring about whatever development people want. Instead of doing what the proponents of the conference want in its totality, he has taken what he thinks is the right thing; instead of taking extreme position. The elections are coming up early next year. What do you expect from

the next governor of Ebonyi State? I expect the next governor of Ebonyi State to be a patriot; somebody who would have the interest of Ebonyi people at heart in all sincerity. He should be somebody who would have development as his core value and in that regard he should be able to keep up with the pace of development going on in the various sectors in the state at the moment. Many persons in Ebonyi are gearing up to replace Governor Elechi. Has age affected him adversely in the discharge of his duties? No. One cannot discountenance the wisdom of elders because what an elder may see sitting down, a youth may not see even, if he climbs on top of a tree. So, we are relying on the experience of an elder in the leadership of this state, in the person of the present governor. Do you think power would go to Ebonyi South Senatorial District in 2015 in line with the zoning principle? Yes definitely, the governor is an upright man and very sincere. He is serious about power going to the

• Chima

South since the other two senatorial zones have had their turn. So I am confident that he has the political will to deliver on his promise. One of the criticisms against the PDP in the state is the lack of internal democracy. How confident are you that this time around it would be different? All things being equal, under the guidance of Governor Martin Elechi, we are confident that the proper thing would be done. Having been in party politics for a long time, he knows and understands the dynamics of party politics. He knows that when parties impose candidates that are not popular on the electorates, they would resist it by voting for the opposition party.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Fearless, detribalised Acholonu HILARY OGBECHIE recalls his fond memories and virtures of the former Senior Special Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof Catherine Acholonu, who was buried last Friday in Orlu, Imo State

HE great and fearless Prof Catherine Acholonu is no more. She is gone the road every mortal is destined to go. The last encounter I had with Madam, as I fondly called her before she departed mother earth, was in the third quarter of last year at the Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja, where she was invited as a special guest to an event. I was equally a guest at the event. On seeing me, she called out to me and we exchanged pleasantries, she went further to inquire about my boys and wife, finally she said to me, “I learnt that you are now a Director”, I smiled and answered in the affirmative. At that meeting, she was full of life and in a few minutes manifested all the positive qualities of a caring woman and mother. Little did I know that that was going to be my last encounter with her. Incidentally, when she passed on to great beyond on March 18, 2014, I was in Seoul, South Korea representing Nigeria as one of the eminent and distinguished persons in culture on the invitation of the Korean government alongside other delegates from 12 countries. I was hoping that some day, I will tell Madam about this, but it was never to be. Madam loved success and progress achieved through the dint of hard work. She was a great achiever and inspired persons around her to make an impact in life. Prof Acholonu was a great detribalised Nigerian and a passionate contributor to and lover of the art. She was an alarmingly brilliant woman; an emancipator of women and the down trodden; an exceptionally gifted mobiliser; an erudite scholar; political strategist; an author of international repute; a courageous and dogged fighter; a woman who never tried to shy away from controversy and one with a large heart and broad shoulders for all to lean on in time of trials. I can indeed, safely say that a great and hardworking woman with exceptional qualities passed through planet earth and will surely be missed by all. Prof Acholonu was a detribalised Nigerian and loved Nigeria passionately. I can attest to this having served with her for well over three and half years when she was appointed as the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Arts and Culture in the last quarter of 1999 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. All the programmes and projects she pursued while in office were geared towards adding value to life and living. She formed a Think – Tank for policy formulation and implementation, out of which emanated in the Nigerian Arts and Culture Directory Project (NACD), which has remained a reference source on inquiries in Nigerian arts and culture. Today, organisations and bodies such as the World Crafts Council (WCC), the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and other related international and local agencies make use of the Nigerian Arts and Culture Directory (NACD) website because of its very rich resource base. Prof Acholonu was indeed, a detribalised Nigerian of repute. I had worked with her in the Presidency for over a year before she knew that I hail from Delta State and my ethnic affiliation. That was Madam for you and the stuff she was made of. How many of our leaders can boast of their close aids not being from their tribe and state? I join her in the Presidency without any type of lobbying whatsoever. This, to date I found very instructive and inspiring. Madam was an internationally acclaimed achiever who loved impacting on society. I well known author, who launched seven of her books in one day. Has any other Nigeria or person in the world done such? That was the type of greatness was endowed with. Madam never looked away from controversial issues. A case in point was the quarrel or

•The lateAcholonu

TRIBUTE squabble between Professors Wole Soyinka and Ali Mazauri, both highly respected scholars and writers. Madam at a point called on them to bury their hatchets and requested that they set worthy examples for younger writers to emulate and iron out their differences amicably. A reverred and fearless political strategist who challenged the feared Senator Arthur Nzeribe and contested for the Senate. At a stage, she even declared that she would love to be the President of Nigeria. This, I equally found to be bold in a male dominated society and highly inspiring to the young women of this country. Madam was a fearless, bold and compelling personality. Beneath the warrior, tough and fearless stand and disposition, which most people associated with her, was the very kind, warm and loving Catherine Acholonu. She was extremely kind and caring and touched the lives of many. This great daughter of Imo State and Nigeria is gone. We all take solace in the fact that you affected many lives when you were around. Madam, you brought joy and gave meaning to the lives of many. The world and I will miss you. As you return to mother earth on Friday, the 11th of April, 2014 in your country home, may the good Lord receive you and grant you eternal rest. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace until we meet to part no more. Amen. •Ogbechie is Director – Extension Services, National Council for Arts and Culture, Abuja

Reinvigorating creative enterprise

OME like minds in the creative industry converged on Awka, Anambra State capital recently not only to discuss creativity, but to brainstorm on issues affecting nation building. It was at the instances of organisers of 2nd Anambra Book and Creativity Festival (ANBUKRAFT) held in Awka. The event, which has as theme: Reinvigorating the Literary, Creative and Cultural Enterprise in the Realities of the Millennium Turn featured various activities and presentations from seasoned and young artists; educationists; writers; publishers; literary and art critics; art lovers; film makers; craft makers; actors; poets and musicians from different parts of the country. The five-day event also witnessed roundtable discussions, book fair and crafts show. Featuring paintings on the Nigeria-Biafra war, Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and crafts with Uli influences. Speakers such as Prof. Ben Obumselum; Rev. Fr. Ositadinma Amakaeze; Prof. Damian U. Opata; Prof. Ayo Oloidi and Mr Lasse Lau engaged the participants in series of discussions. The event was attended by renowned poet and literary critique Prof. Chimalum Nwankwo, the Chief Judge of Anambra state Justice Peter Umeadi and the Vice Chancellor of Madonna University Prof. C.E Ezedum. An

From Victor Ikeji

award ceremony saw some artists being rewarded for their contributions to the creative industry. The programme was almost marred by low participation, but resilience and dedication by the organisers ensured the event ended on a happy and promising note. Literary events such as ANBUKRAFT will not only boost tourism in Anambra State, but will export the people’s culture to other parts of the country and the world. It will also serve as an avenue for young artists, art lovers, writers, academics and craftsmen to interact. With that in mind, the government, institutions, agencies, corporate bodies and individuals have both participatory and sponsorship role to play in order to ensure the continuity of ANBUKRAFT and other events of the same nature. There is need for more events and workshops of this nature in the state so as to awaken the creative spirit in the younger generation, mould budding talents as well as provide them with skills that will help them earn income, contribute to nation building and hence, make Anambra the true light of the nation.

BRIEF

Book, Arts Festival holds in Ikenne

HE International Restoration Book & Arts Festival holds in Ikenne, Ogun State from April 29 to May 7 featuring exhibition and discussion sessions on the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo’s books and photographs. The festival, which will attract dignitaries such as Mama H.I.D Awolowo; wife of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Mrs. Funsho Amosu; Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi; Prof Olu Sofowora; Idowu Sofola (SAN); Sam Omatseye; the co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and academicians will run on two sessions. The first session will run from April 29 to May 1, and will feature review and discussions on the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s books focusing on A people welfare within an emerging national economy: Implementing The Nexus. Books for discussion include In Touch by Sam Omatseye (the Demand for accountability in Nigeria’s leadership space); The words of Psalm 23 by Prof. Micheal Omolewa, a former Nigeria’s Ambassador to UNESCO (the Reflection on a Psalm of David) and History of Remo Thirty-Three Traditional Towns by Chief Olusegun Ayodele on New challenges and aspiration from a rich historical past. Also, the first session will feature vocational workshops, book reading and the staging of the play: Women Of Owu written by Prof Femi Osofisan by the Department of Theatre and Film Studies of the Redeemers’ University, Mowe, Ogun State. The National Troupe of Nigeria and its Artistic Director, Martin Adaji have been invited to give technical assistance to the staging of the play. Convener of the festival, Pastor Tosin Onayiga of the Ransomed Christian Centre and Herald Ventures said the event is to use books and arts to develop the society and to glorify the only living God. The second session, which runs from May 5 to 7 will feature seminar for schools followed by a national literary quiz competition, Bible quiz, fashion parade and poetry jamz to be performed by students. The award winning actress of Fuji House of Commotion, Sola Onayiga will be on tour of schools in Ogun State for book reading campaign as part of the international restoration of book and arts festival. Explaining the choice of Ikenne as venue for the event, Pastor Onayiga said it is a divine assignment. “God instructed me to come to Ikenne in 2010 to wait on him for 120 days for the new direction.

NGOR for presentation April 20

By Chikodi Okereocha

GBO Heritage Publishers Incorporated, Owerri, will release a new book NGOR: A Historical, Cultural, Political, and Socio-Economic Analyses by Dr. Jossy Nkwocha on April 20. The 120-page book will be presented at Ngor Centre, in Ngor-Okpala local government area of Imo State. The book is a well-researched documentation of the hidden history and sociological perspectives of NGOR, an ancient kingdom and ancestral headquarters of Ngor-Okplala people of Imo State, Nigeria, whose people are proud and self-esteemed; and usually introduce themselves as “Nwa Ngor eze-Ogboro,” meaning “prince or princess of the Ngor royal dynasty! Jossy Nkwocha, former General Editor of Newswatch magazine and author of the book says the Ngor book unveils the 500-year history of the community, the land-related wars, the coming of christianity and western education in the area, the unique culture and traditions of the community, and why Ngor was held in awe in the olden days to warrant the saying “Onye je Ngor nga chi jiri” meaning “who will go to Ngor at night to commit crime!” A major highlight of the book is its 13-point blueprint for political and economic rejuvenation and development of the community, which in recent times has lost its verve and prime position in the scheme of things. Chief Ray Fintan who wrote the Foreword described the book as “a serious wake-up call by Sir Jossy Nkwocha for all sons and daughters of the community to stand up and regain the strength and vision of our forefathers.” The book indeed contains an Ngor community anthem to galvanize or stir the people to action! Some very important persnalities (VIPs) expected at the book presentation include His Royal Highness, Eze F. C. Nwachukwu, Eze-Ogboro 1 of Ngor autonomous community and Chairman of Ngor-Okpala Council of Traditional Rulers; Okenze Sylvester Obinna, the Okenze of Ngor-Okpala; Okenze Emii Nkwota, former president of Ngor Town Union; Chief Ray Fintan, a top company executive in Port Harcourt; Sir Innocent Nwordu and many other eminent personalities and professionals from the community.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

’Dele Owolowo is a British born Nigerian writer. For 20 years, he was globetrotting, visiting different countries. ‘Accident’ brought him to Nigeria and he was shocked with what he met. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, he talks about his book, The Trilogy (‘Nigeria’s Odyssey: Visions, Illusions, Delusions or Transformations, Religion: What if We had Won? , Nigeria: The Giant’ Leading the Race to Extinction), he talks about socio-economic challenges in the country and the way out, his travel experiences, racism among others.

OU are about to release your book, The Trilogy to the public, what is it all about? There are actually three books here. But for publication reasons, I put them into one. The first one focuses on the nation from a socio-economic perspective point of view. The second one looks at Nigerians as a people, it is more of spiritually-oriented, it focuses more on our thought process, especially from the religious angle. The third one looks at us as the most populous black nation. We are supposed to lead the black race, but because of our disappointing achievements so far, it sort of look into the future. The title, Trilogy, is just a way to cover the three. Originally, I was thinking of calling it 2013 Trilogy, but somebody said I shouldn’t do that, after 2017, will you still make reference to this book because the issue dealt with are more or less timeless. My dream is to separate the three books later. Are the three books going to come out as one? Individually, only for publication purposes did I put them together as a book. Though I would have an option if somebody says they want all three together then I would get the publication for that one, but eventually I’m going to move them into individual books that was the original plan because the topics dealt with are all different. You have travelled to many countries of the world; I want you to talk about your experiences. My experience, I will look at it from two perspectives. One as a black man, I said from the black man because I travelled mostly with a British passport. I’m British born of Nigerian parentage. Most of my travels abroad have been as a British, but my experiences are from black perspectives. It is only through immigration that you know that I’m a British, but once I’m in the country, I’m representing any black race. People always know that I’m of Nigerian heritage, but any respect I get within professional circle is more because of my British background. But more as Nigerian you get varieties of experiences in different countries and people ask: “Is there racism here or there? Yes, racism is everywhere in the world, it is just the degree that is different. Have you had any personal expereince with racism? You get racism in any country. I’ve spent some time in Turkey, Azerbaijan, and I‘ve lived in Libya twice on different projects. I’ve stayed in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Indonesia, South Korea. So quite an experience I’ve gone through, but the experiences are more positive than negative. I’ve gained a lot, opened my eyes, especially when travelling. It broadens your mind, you see things from different angles, especially religion. I saw things from different angles totally. Nigeria is divided into Islam, Christianity and traditional worshippers, but when you go to what I call non middle eastern countries, a place like India for example, they are majorly Hindus. Indonesia for example, are majority Muslims, but they have some Buddhist communities and you see things from a different perspective totally. What you might find offensive in your religion, or your culture is totally opposite there, the thought process is totally different, by the time you now come to your society, you see things differently. A classic example was in India and they had to show a film on Ten Commandments, which I had seen before, but I then told an India friend of mine that I was going to watch Ten Commandments and it featured Moses and the guy looked at me blankly and said ‘who is Moses? I had no idea?’ I almost said ‘how can you not know Moses?’. What I’m I saying is that I’m in a majorly Hindu country, do I know any of the Hindu prophets? Of course, I don’t know. People don’t have any idea of religion we are familiar with, there and then, I explained to him that Moses was a wellknown prophet from the Middle East, who is well-known by Christians and Muslims as one of the prophets, It just meant nothing to him at all. I just thought over, what if Hindu had conquered Africa, we will now be Hindu. Because we had been conquered by one way or the other by Islam and Christianity, that is why we are majorly Muslims and Christians. That is what my second book is all about. What if we had conquered the rest of the world, most of the world would be worshipping whatever we are worshipping , that is why I titled it: ‘What if We Had Won’. If we had gone round the world and conquered them, Daura and co, would be the pilgrimage sites, the other way happened. We now take pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, Rome and

LITERATURE •Owolowo

‘There is racism everywhere’ INTERVIEW

Jerusalem. I think God is everywhere. This is where I respect the late Fela a lot, he saw all these. I didn’t understand it when he said: ‘Them go dey follow Pope follow Imam, go for London go for Rome, go to Mecca,” he saw it. We are happy to do that I’m of the view that if we don’t get our national orientation right, if we focus more on the religious side of things; we are in trouble in this country. Thinking that going to church, going to mosque and think that is where economic salvation is, our salvation lies in having visionary leaders. This is in my first book because I tackled a lot of things people say are holding us back. People talk about corruption, I have an issue with corruption, it is lack of visionary leaders that is holding us back. When you say corruption I’ve not seen any country on this planet that is crippled because of corruption. People say corruption here, corruption there, assuming we cancelled corruption today and everybody is clean, does that make us visionary? Does that make the country to move, does that diversify the economy? I always quote Lagos State, is there no corruption in Lagos State? The state is practically the best in Nigeria. The state is moving. What is your attitude to religion? I’m not a religious man. I’m very irreligious. In my view that is one of the things that is holding this country back, if you take 20,000 Nigerians and put them here and 20,000 Europeans and you say okay we want to donate for cancer research and we

want to donate for church and mosque where will Nigerians donate and where will the Europeans donate? Nigerians will donate for church. And you want to find solution to cancer, diabetes? Who is going to do that for us? I understand that we are a malaria country, but most of the drugs we use are coming from Europe. Are there mosquitoes in America or Europe? But they are doing drugs for us. This is what I discovered in my travels, we are spending money in the wrong way, thinking salvation lies in our resources, few countries have our resources, we are still shouting to God I don’t know any country in this world that worships the devil. We all call God one way or the other. Are you working with your own or waiting for God? In your book you talked about Nigeria going into extinction… Not the country, that is why I said the third book focuses on Nigeria, that if we don’t get our economy right, if we focus on God coming to solve our problems, we are slowly on the road to extinction as a race. I’m talking of the black race now led by Nigeria. The black race is supposed to be led by Nigeria, we are the most populous black nation, they say one in seven or one in eight black man is a Nigerian. So, if we don’t get our acts right as a nation, we are basically going to lead the black race into extinction. Why did you return to Nigeria despite the fact that life is better over there? I’m a Nigerian, my mind is still in Nigeria. I have things to do in Nigeria, my family members are still here. I’m still relatively in middle age, but I still have strength to make things happen here. I can’t be doing that in my 60 and 70. What is the point of growing old abroad, why I’m still young? Nigeria is a place where things can be done, I know a lot of my mates who are doing well in Nigeria as difficult as it is. But it is not easy coming back. I have been away for two decades, it took me a while to get back here, I tell people that I was lucky because I didn’t spend all my years abroad in the UK, I went to other developing nations, I guess if I had spent all my life in the UK, I would have suffered. You came back to Nigeria after spending 20 years abroad. Why did you return to the country after many years? I came back exactly 20 years after. But it wasn’t intentional, the thing just came like that. When I left, it was that time they said Andrew was checking out, in the late 80s when the economy was just going southward. We never thought of going to the UK when things were rosy. But after the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), and the economy started facing challenges especially, graduate unemployment, that was when I went back to the UK. It was while in the UK I started travelling to lots of countries. It was when I came back that I started looking at the differences between when I left and when I came back because there was a generation gap between when I left and when I came back from my travel. It was then I started reflecting on my travels, I started comparing the places I’ve been to with Nigeria, were they moving? What were the challenges they faced and what we face? Was there anything unique about Nigeria? Then I started bringing my travel experience into it. I mentioned in the first book that one of Nigeria’s obstacles to development is corruption. Every country ‘I’ve been to, there is no one that is not corrupt to advanced to under- developing to religious and to non religious, name it, they are all corrupt, but they are moving. We are making it as an excuse that we are not moving. That is my issue with corruption. Much as I agree that corrupt people should be punished and the focus should be more on visionary goals, people who can implement things on ground, whether it is for agricultural purposes, whether it is for industrialisation purposes, how do we key into educational sector to target these two areas? People say we should be educated, my argument is it is not the education, it is the type of education. One of the major points I focused on in the first book is the education system. What we have is knowledge based. We produce people with knowledge-journalists; political scientists; doctors; lawyers; architects and bankers. None of them makes money, they only service wealth, they don’t create wealth. So, I call them the civilised professions. It is when a nation has achieved civilisation, that they have a key role to play.

Heirs of the covenant holds April 26

HE choir of C & S Movement Church, (Ayo Nio) Surulere, Lagos will hold its annual choir day celebration on April 26 at the church premises. Theme of the anniversary, which will be chaired by Mr. Femi Oladehin is Heirs of the covenant. The presentation is a mix of drama, music, poetry and a dazzling display of contemporary visual effects that follows three heirs of the covenant as they stave off the challenge of the enemy who is resolute in his determination to make them forget their faith. It is partly told in the style of famous Broadway musicals, but customised with indigenous songs. Church choirmaster, Prophet Sunday Funso Korode said only a great God could have granted the church the divine grace and mercies that keep the people in the ‘land of living to witness another glorious celebration of His love, His power and His presence in our lives.’ He said the church places sacrifice of praise at His eternal altar and say that ‘we are indeed blessed to have him as our Father and our God.’

According to him “Only a great God can speak an entire universe into existence. Only an awesome God can craft the mountains from ancient rocks and make a path for the flowing rivers as they find their way towards the endless oceans,” he added. Korode prayed that this year’s celebration would herald a season of prosperity, peace and unbridled joy. “We are Heirs of the Covenant blessed with a divine heritage, called by the one who made everything and rules over everything in majesty. We carry a power so enormous because we carry the almighty within us. In our songs, in our musicals, in our drama, the message is simple and direct, “Know the child of whom you are.” Citing Deuteronomy 7: 6, he said “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen

•The Church choir

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

S/N

1. Mrs Olarewaju Aduke Margaret (Otherwise known as Margret Aduke Olarewaju) late of 26, Oyegunwa Street, Ladipo Estate, Shogunle, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of December, 2008 at Lasuth, Ikeja. 2. Simeon Oladipo Tubo (Otherwise known as Mr Tubo S.O. and Tubo Simeon Oladipo) late of 6, Oguntokun Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of March, 1999 at Festac. 3. Odunola Iyabode Jacob (Otherwise known as Jacob Odunola) late of 22, Ogo-Oluwa Street, Bariga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of June, 2013 at Jolad Hospital. 4. Joseph Okoye late of Block A5, Flat 1, FAAN Staff Quarters, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of March, 2010 at FAAN Staff Clinic. 5. Mr Adesanya Olarewaju late of 1, Akintunde Alabi Street, Ojodu Berger, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of February, 2012 at Lasuth, Ikeja. 6. Mrs Chinyere grace Egbom Chime (Otherwise known as Chime Chinyere) late of 2, PMF, Keffi Street, S.W. Ikoyi Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of October, 2013 at Lagos. 7. Pa F.O. Porbeni (Otherwise known as Freeman Ogbobu Porbeni) late of 95, Itire Road, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of March, 2007 at Toki Medical Centre. 8. Omosolabomi Omolade Adeyemi (Otherwise known as Adeyemi Solabomi) late of Flat 1, Cmul Quarters, Luth, idi-Araba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of July, 2011 at Luth. 9. Chief Alfred Tennyson Umegbolu Nnoli late of Agbadani ,Agukwu-Nri, Anaocha L.G. A. deceased who died intestate on the 14th day of August, 1997 at Onitsha, Anambra State. 10. Mr Godday Joseph late of Ibereko Badagry, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of December, 2011 at General Hospital, Badagry. 11. Uwaefu Chioma late of No. 1Mushibau Street, Ago Okota Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of June, 2013 at Lagos. 12. Peter Okoli Odinde (Otherwise known as Peter Okolie Odinde) late of 65, Dr Fasheun Avenue ,Okota, Isolo, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of January, 2011 at Lagos. 13. Mrs Aroboto Margret Omowumi late of Savi Compound Ikoga Badagry, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2012 at Lagos. 14. Mrs Justina N. Nwokolo (Otherwise known as Mrs Justina Nonye Nwokolo) late of 33, Tesilimi Street, Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos , deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of July, 2013 at Lagos 15. Mr Tajudeen Lamidi late of 44, Ishaga Road, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of March, 2012 at Lasuth. 16. Mr Akinyemi Jimoh late of 18, Sule Abore Street, Ojodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of March, 2008 at General Hospital Orile Agege. 17. Mmajieke Blessing Ifeoma (Otherwise known as Mrs Mmjieke Blessing Ifeoma) late of 5, Grace Baptist Street, Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 17th day of April, 2013 at Isolo Estate Clinic , Lagos. 18. Ganiyu Adeniyi Mustapha (Otherwise known as Ganiyu Adeniyi Aridegbe & Company) late of 45, Adekunle banjo Avenue, Magodo, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of January, 2012 at Lagos. 19. Nduka Wilson (Otherwise known as Nduka Wilson Asata) late of 10, Anisere Street, Moshalashi Bus Stop, Igando Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of April, 2013 at Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos. 20. Epebinu Belema late ;of 1, Epebinu Close, Agbado Oke-Aro, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of September, 2013 at Uniport General Hospital, Port-Harcourt. 21. Miss Ojeka Ceceili Inori late of 440, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 11th day of May, 2012 at Lagos. 22. Alhaji Ahmadu Shafi (Otherwise known as Alh. Ahmadu Shafii) late of 17, Doracha Street, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of March, 2012 at NAF Hospital, Ikeja Base 23. Oluwafemi Johnson Ogunruku (Otherwise known as Ogunruku Oluwafemi Johnson & Olufemi Ogunruku) late of House 2, A Close, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of January, 2010 at Ilorin. 24. Atanda Rauf Omileye (Otherwise known as Omileye Rarufu) late of 27, Osemo Street, Lawanson ,Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of August, 2011 at General Hospital Isolo 25. Mrs Arit Igbo (Otherwise known as Mrs Igbo Arit) late of 4th Avenue 40th Road, "C" Close, Block 2, Flat 11, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of September, 2011 at Lagos. 26. Aramogho Benjamin (Otherwise known as Aramogho Ben) late of 33/35, Akinsulire Street, Off Adetola, Aguda, Surulere, Luth 27. Oladimeji Victoria, late of House 1, Road 2, Aduba Estate, Alagbole, Ojodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of August, 2012 at Lagos. 28. Mr Elias Edache, late of 15, Olowookere Street, Orile Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of September, 2010 at Lagos. 29. Mrs Florence O. Nwasi (Otherwise known as Nwasi Florence ) late of 1, Adeniyi Street, Off Ajose, Maryland, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of May, 2012 at Lagos. 30. Christiana Oluremi Egunjobi (Otherwise known as C.O.Egunjobi) late of 4A, Wura Esan Cresent, off Ashogbon, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of January, 2013 at London. 31. Mr Nneji Emmanuel , late of 2B, Romiluyi Close, Badore Road, Ajah- Lekki, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 8th day of November, 2012 at Lagos. 32. Emina Felicia late of Block 334, Flat 1, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of November, 2009 at Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba Abeokuta. 33. Olukwu Ali (Otherwise known as Ali Olukwu) late of 11, Popoola Street, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 12th day of March 2012 at Obagaji, Benue State. 34. Alhaji Yisa Yusuf (Otherwise known as Titilope) late of 24, Temidire Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of April, 2012 at Lagos. 35. CPL David Onehi (Otherwise known as Onehi David CPL and CPL David Oneh) late of 15, Oduloye Street, Oke-Odo, Alimosho, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of October, 2009 at Ebonyi State. 36. Oloyede Emmanuel Abiodun, late of 33, Oshundeyi Street, Mafoluku Oja, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 19th day of September, 2013 at Mafoluku Oja, Oshodi, Lagos. 37. Alao Olaitan Sulaiman Munirat late of 24, Taju Bello Street, Ishaga, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 31st day of January, 2010 at Lagos. 38. Ikechukwu Ugwu-Collins (Otherwise known as I.K. Ugwu) late of 3, Doc Tedi Viilage, Ojo Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of November, 2013 at Salvation Hospital, Ikorodu. 39. Mr Edmond Onyekwelu Okafor (Otherwise known as Onyekwolu Edmond Okafor) late of 28, Karim Giwa Street, Ojo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of January, 2012 at Isolo General Hospital, Isolo, Lagos. 40. Gbadamosi Sulaimon Ishola (Otherwise known as Sulaimon Gbadamosi) late of 13, Irepodun Street, Alakuko, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 18th day of August, 2013 at Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba , Abeokuta. 41. Shittu Afusat Adetoun late of 7, Otun Street, Papa Epe, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of April, 2011 at General Hospital Epe. 42. Adebayo Adesina Edward (Otherwise known as Mr Shuno Adebayo) late of 6, Olorunosebi Street, Ketu, Lagos deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of August, 2013 at Yola, Adamawa State. 43. Christopher Ahuaza late of 40, Irepodun Street, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 13th day of March, 2012 at Lasuth 44. Mr Rufus Oyewole (Otherwise known as Adetunji Oyewole and Oyewole Rufus) late of 8, Cashman Street, Ojodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of June, 2011 at Lasuth, Ikeja, Lagos. 45. Mrs Bola Olude,(Otherwise known as Olude Bola) late of Block 111, Flat 3, Ojokoro Housing Estate, Meiran, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of November, 2011 at Orile Agege General Hospital, Lagos. 46. Mrs Grace Bosede Kawonise, late of 7, Jeminatu Braimoh Street, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 10th day of February, 2002 at England. 47. Mr Celestine Orie Vincent,(Otherwise known as Orie Celestine Vincent) late of 32, Ishola Daniel Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of April, 2012 at Ota, Ogun State. 48. Esther Ebiye Didekemiemo,(Otherwise known as Dideke Esther) late of 2, Abayomi Street, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 22nd day of November, 2013 at General Hospital Lagos. 49. Augustine Onyebuchi Madueke (Otherwise known as Mr Madueke Augustine), late of 6A, Jobore Street, Ekoro , Abule Egba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of December, 2012 at Lagos. 50. Idowu Olatunjoye Oluwatosin, late of 9, Tunde Gabbey Street, Aguda-Ogba, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 3rd day of January, 2012 at Lagos. 51. Mustapha Adetoun Kuburat,(Otherwise known as Adetoun Mustapha Kubirat) late of 9, Mustapha Close, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 29th day of December, 2009 at Orile Agege General Hospital. 52. Mr Audu Abdulahi (Otherwise known as Mr Audu Abdulahi Ochefije) late of 2, Alhaji Wasiu Onifade Street, Igando, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 2nd day of October, 2010 at Lagos. 53. Ezekiel Oluwafemi (Otherwise known as Dairo) late of 27, Abdul Rasaq Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of September, 2010 at Isolo General Hospital. 54. Mrs Ogundijo Oluwafunmilayo Adedoyin (Otherwise known as Nee Adejumo and Ogundijo Olufunmilayo) late of Block 1, Flat 6, Palm View, Oko Oba, Agege, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 27th day of February, 2011 at G.H. Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos. 55. Bello Banji Taofeek,(Otherwise known as Bello Taofeek) late of 26, Lamona Street, Ijegun, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 6th day of April, 2013 at Alimosho General Hospital, Lagos. 56. Mr Alalade Moses Ola Sunday (Otherwise known as Mr Moses Ola Sunday Alalade and Mr Alalade Moses Olatimihan Sunday) late of 82, Owonikoko Sreet, Agbado Ijaiye, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 23rd day of May, 2008 at Lagos. 57. Ighalo Williams Askuaya,(Otherwise known as Ighalo William Askuaya) late of 17, Akin ogunlewe Street, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 16th day of September, 2013 at Lagos. 58. Laniya David Oladele , late of 152, Akowonjo Road, Egbeda, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of April, 2009 at Sango Ota. 59. Oyewale Michael, late of 15, Mosaku Street, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of June, 2013 at Lasuth. 60. Lukmon Dosunmu (Otherwise known as Lukman Dosunmu) late of 30, Oliyide Street, Mushin, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of October, 2012 at Nasarawa State. 61. Gbadamosi Raji late of 43,Era Road, Abule Era, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 24th day of September, 2012 at Lagos. 62. Ugwoke Francis (Otherwise known as Ugwuoke Francis) late of 2, Joel Durumade Close, Itire, Surulere, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of June, 2013 at Enugu State. 63. Joshua Adenike, late of 28, Pipeline Road, Isheri, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 7th day of May, 2013 at Alimosho General Hospital. 64. Adeyemi Bosede (Otherwise known as Adeyemi Bosede Abimbola) late fo PH3 , Block 133, Isheri Olofin Housing Estate, Idimu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 9th day of December, 2012 at Idimu-Lagos. 65. Mrs Theresa Enonlonje Akota,(Otherwise known as Akota Theresa Enonlonje) late of 30, Funsho Kinoshi Street, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 4th day of February, 2013 at Lagos. 66. Eke Omorere John Ife (Otherwise known as Omorere John Ife) late of 50, Ladipo Kasumu Street, Off Adeleke Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of March, 2011 at New Benin City. 67. Idowu Sunday Folorunsho (Otherwise known as Idowu Folorunsho Sunday) late of 8, Jegede brown Street, Alagbada, Ikotun, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of July, 2010 at Ikotun, Lagos. 68. Osagie Moses (Otherwise known as Osagie Moses Ndidi) late lof 35, Oladunjoye Street, Off Igando Road, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 15th day of December, 2013 at Lasuth, Ikeja, Lagos. 69. Opere Memunat Titilayo, late of 4, Nimota Agbaje Street, Aga Ikorodu, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 30th day of September, 2012 at Lasuth, Lagos. 70. Akanbi Kamilu Adeyemi late of Block 30, Flat 12, Festac Ext. Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 21st day of February, 2011 at Abuja. 71. Alhaji Lateef Ajibade Salami (Otherwise known as Lateef Ajani Salami ) late of No. 15, Alao Street, Off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 1st day of February, 2000 at Lagos. 72. Mr Ogunmuyiwa Alabi (Otherwise known as Mr Augustus Alabi Ogunmuyiwa) late of 15, Kunle Akinusi Street, Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 25th day of October, 2008 at Ogun State. 73. Olukosi Victor Abimbola (Otherwise known as Olukosi Bimbo) late of 186, Railway Line, Ilupeju, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 20th day of February, 2010 at Ondo State. 74. Lt. Cdr. John Odion Omokhuale (Otherwise known as Lt. Cdr. John Odion Omokhuale NN/Osia) late of Close CI, House 3, Officers Quarters, Navy Town, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 26th day of Setpember, 1992 at Lagos. 75. Akhakon Joseph Eigbokhan (Otherwise known as Akhakon Joseph and Akhakon Egbokhan Joseph) late of 27, Akinwunmi Street, Ire Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos, deceased who died intestate on the 28th day of September, 1985 at Luth.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. Olarewaju Oluwatoyin Sunday of 3, Ogundele Ogunshina Close, Anthony Village, Lagos and Miss Olarewaju Abosede Oluwakemi of 15, Eleshinmogun Street, Fatade Bus Stop, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 2. Mary Olapeju Otsemobor of 12, Bankole Street, Somolu, Lagos and Monisola Mopelola Ogunnowo of 72, Road House 31, Festac Town, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 3. Pastor Romanus S. Jacob , Mrs Olabode Ifedayo Rosemary (Nee Jacob) and Mr Bamidele Paul Jacob all of 22, Ogo-Oluwa Street, Bariga, Lagos, widower and two children respectively of the said deceased. 4. Mrs Loretta Nkolika Okoye and Engineer Vincent Chukwuemeka Okoye both of Block A5, Flat 1, Faan Staff Quarters, Ikeja, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 5. Mrs Adenike O. Adesanya, Mr Segun Adesanya both of 16, Fola Model Road, Ogijo, Ogun State and Mr Oluwaseun Adesanya of 1, Akintunde Alabi Street, Ojodu Berger , Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 6. Mr Augustine Chime and Mr Nelson Egbom both of 2 PMF, Keffi Street, S.W. Ikoyi, Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased. 7. Mr Enebrayei Porbeni, Mrs Franebi Okoko, Mr Tarafegha Porbeni and Igwe Augustine Uchisi all of 95, Itire Road, Surulere, Lagos, four children of the said deceased. 8. Mr Babawale Akin Adeyemi of 1, Olabomowo Street, Ibitayo Estate, Oka, Ondo Town, Ondo State and Mrs Opeyemi Ademipeju Kings (Nee Adeyemi) of Plot 648, Babatunde Okusanya Close, Omole, Phase 2, Ikeja, Lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased. 9. Alfred Onyemaenu Nnoli and Dr Marcellinus Chukwunwike Mcnnoli both of 34, Silas Works Road, Fegge, Onitsha, two sons of the said deceased. 10. Mrs Victoria Ehi Augustine of 1, Okutoro Street, Ijegun, Lagos, only surviving sister of the said deceased. 11. Stephen Uwaefu and Gloria Uwaefu both of No. 1, Mushibau Street, Okota Isolo, lagos, brother and sister respectively of the said deceased. 12. Chukwura Odinde and Uchenna Peter Odinde both of 65, Dr Fasheun Avenue, Okota, Isolo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 13. Mrs Tolulope Ogunjide and Temitayo Olaitan Aroboto both of Plot 80, Allan Avenue, Kubuwa Abuja two of the children of the said deceased. 14. Mr Peter Nwokolo and Miss Celestina Oguejiofor both of 33, Tesilimi Street, Ajangbadi, Ojo, Lagos, widower and sister respectively of the said deceased. 15. Moruf Dele Adebayo and Miss Sakirat Adebayo both of 19, Oluseyi Street, Agbado, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 16. Mrs Fatimoh Akinyemi , Morufu Akinyemi and Kuburat Akinyemi all of 18, Sule Abore Street, Ojodu, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 17. Mmajieke Emeka Ezike and Prayer Maduabuchukwu Mmajieke, both 5, Grace Baptist Street, Oke Afa, Isolo, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 18. Rashidat Oluwaremilekun Mustapha and Miss Bilqees Mustapha both of 45, Adekunle Banjo Avenue, Magodo and Mr Amidu Gborigi of 15, Aledowu Street, Agbowa Ikosi, Lagos, widow, one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased. 19. Mrs Susan Nduka and Miss rita Nduka both of 10, Anisere Street, Moshalashi, Igando Road, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deeceased 20. Daniel Olushola Epebinu and Alaibo Ngiangia both of 1, Epebimu Close, Agbado, Oke Aro, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased. 21. Maryam Abdullahi, Abigail Ajah and Daniel Ajah all of 440, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Lagos, two sisters and brother respectively of the said deceased. 22. Alhaji Bashiru Shafii and Alhaji Kabiru Shafii both of 17, Doracha Street, Agege, Lagos, two children of the said deceased. 23. Temitayo Ogunruku and Olamide Ogunruku both of House 2 , A Close, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 24. Akeem Omileye, Moshood Omileye and Mustapha Omileye all of 27, Osemo Street, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased. 25. Mrs Magdalene Akakatang and Miss Jennifer Akakatang both of 4th Avenue, 40th Road, "C" Close, Block 2, Flat 11, Lagos, mother and sister respectively of the said deceased. 26. Mrs Mary Oritsegbubemi Aramogho and Onome Ofeoritse Aramogho both of 33/35, Akinsulire Street, Off Adetola Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 27. Messrs Ayodele Sunday Oladimeji and Ayowande Timilehin Oladimeji both of House 1, Road 2, Aduba Estate, Alagbole, Ojodu, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 28. Mrs Maria Elias , Miss Joy Elias and Mr Sunday Elias all of 15, Olowookere Street, Orile Agege, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 29. Mr Levi Nwasi, Mr Emmanuel Nwachukwu Nwasi and Miss Elizabeth Nkiru Nwasi all of 1, Adeniyi Street, Off Ajose, Maryland, Lagos, widower and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 30. Navy Capt. Andrew Egunjobi and Catherine Adedoyin Akanbi both of 4A, Wura Esan Cresent, Off Ashogbon Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 31. Mrs Ngozi Blessing Nneji and Mr Henry Chinedu Nneji both of 2B, Romiluyi Close, Badore Road, Ajah Lekki, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 32. Mrs Jinadu Esther Nkechi and Miss Jinadu Oluwakemi Mary both of Block M2, Flat 3, Abesan Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, sister and niece respectively of the said deceased. 33. Mrs Teni Ali and Olukwu John Ali both of 11, Popoola Street, Iyana Ipaja , Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 34. Tawakalitu Abisola, Nurudeen A. Isaa and Lateef Issa all of 24, Temidire Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, three of the children of the said deceased. 35. Samuel Ngbede Onehi and Onehi Sule both of 15, Oduloye Street, Oke Odo, Alimosho, Lagos, one of the children and brother respectively of the said deceased. 36. Mrs Florence Aduke Oloyede and Mr Daniel Olabisi Oloyede both of 33, Oshundeyi Street, Mafoluku Oja, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 37. Agbeye Abimbola Grace of Liberty Junction, Agodo, Alara Ikorodu, Lagos, and Rennaiye Olayemi Tawakalitu of 24, Taju Bello Street, Ishaga, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 38. Gloria Ugwu and Daniel Chinameren both of 3, Doc. Tedi Village, Ojo Road, lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 39. Mrs Anuli J. Okafor of 28, Karim Giwa Street, Ojo, Lagos, and Barr. Anselem Onyebueke of 80, Old Ojo Road, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 40. Abdullahi Gbadamosi, Kafayat Gbadamosi , Fatimo Gbadamosi and Rasheed Gbadamosi all of 13, Irepodun Street, Alakuko, Lagos, four children of the said deceased. 41. Shittu Lateef Olakunle and Shittu Monsurat Olasunkanmi both of 7, Otun Street, Papa, Epe, Lagos, two children of the said deceased. 42. Adebayo Adetayo Adeniyi of 2, Shonaike Street, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos and Miss Adebayo Adebukola Temitope of 46, Remi Fani Kayode GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 43. Mrs Edna Ahuaza and Loveday Ahuaza both of 40, Irepodun Street , Agege, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 44. Samuel Oluwafemi Oyewole and John Adetayo Oyewole both of 8, Cashman Street, Ojodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 45. Mr Michael Olude and Mr Seyi Olude both of Block 111, Flat 3, Ojokoro Housing Estate, Meiran, Lagos, widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 46. Mrs Temitayo Ayodele Jinadu, Mrs Tolulope Orimisan Aboaba, Mrs Elizabeth Atinuke Omoyele and Mr Abiodun Oluseun Kawonise all of 7, Jeminatu Braimoh Street, Surulere, Lagos, four of the children of the said deceased. 47. Mrs Grace Nnenna Orie and Emeka Orie both of 32, Ishola Daniel Street, Oshodi, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 48. Beatrics Didekemiemo, Oyinmiebi Regina Agbo and Tariliya Isaac Didekemiemo, all of 2, Abayomi Street, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, mother, sister and brother respectively of the said deceased. 49. Ogechi Madueke and Chukwudi Okorie both of 6A, Jobore Street, Ekoro Abule Egba, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 50. Bosede Idowu and Idowu Olatunjoye both of 9, Tunde Gabbey Street, Aguda Ogba, Lagos, widow and brother respectively of the said deceased. 51. Mustafa Shueab Oluremi nd Adetola Ademola both of 9, Mustapha Close, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos, one of the children and cousin respectively of the said deceased. 52. Mr Audu Precious and Patience Ogwuche both of 2, Alhaji Wasiu Onifade Street, off Celestial Road, Igando, Lagos, widow and sister respectively as the said deceased. 53. Esther Mosaku and Aina Oluwafemi both of 9, Olatunbosun Street, Oshodi, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 54. Ogundijo Amidu Kolapo, Ogundijo Olakunle Sulaimon and Ogundijo Ayoola Mudashir all of Block 1, Flat 6, Palm View, Oko Oba Agege, Lagos, widower and two children respectively of the said deceased. 55. Bello Yetunde, Bello Sodiq and Bello Ayodeji all of 26, Lamona Street, Ijegun, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 56. Alalade Olayemi Mary of 82, Owonikoko Street, Agbado Ijaiye, Lagos and Olawuyi Rufus-Oladiran of 63, Olugbede Street, Unity Estate, Egbeda, Lagos, widow and cousin respectively of the said deceased. 57. Mrs Ighalo Funke and Afolasade Ogunyemi both of 17, Akin Ogunlewe Street, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos, widow and sister inlaw respectively of the said deceased. 58. Oluwatoyin Laniya and Oluwadamilola Laniya both of 152, Akowonjo Road, Shobowale Bus Stop. Egbeda, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 59. Mrs Oyewale Felicia Odunayo, Mr Oyewale Segun and Miss Oyewale Florence all of 15, Mosaku Street, Oshodi, Lagos, widow and two children respectively of the said deceased. 60. Mrs Titilayo Adeyanju Bankole of 1, Stephen Osibote Close, Ire-Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos and Mr Oladimeji Dosunmu of 30, Oliyide Street, Mushin, Lagos, two children of the said deceased. 61. Raji Rasheedat, Raji Dupe and Raji Olalekan Lateef all of 43, Era Road, Abule Era, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 62. Daniel Ugwoke and Daniel Idike both of 2, Joel Durumade Close, Itire, Surulere, Lagos, two brothers of the said deceased. 63. Mr Abraham Oyatayo Joshua and Mr Taiwo Gbemgbola both of 28, Pipe Line Road, Isheri, Lagos, widower and brother respectively of the said deceased. 64. Adeyemi Julius Sunday and Adeyemi Bolaji both of PH 3, Block 133, Isheri-Olofin Housing Estate, Idimu, Lagos widower and one of the children respectively of the said deceased 65. Samuel Ogbeide Akota and Sarah Oye Akota both of 45, Jebba Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 66. Eke Funmilayo Christie of 50, Ladipo Kasumu Street, Off Adeleke Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, widow of the said deceased. 67. Madam Christiana Idowu and Isaac Olufemi Idowu both of 8, Jegede Brown Street, Ikotun, Lagos, mother and brother respectively of the said deceased. 68. Mrs Felicia Ewere osagie, Blessing Abayemotu Ehima and Patrick Odion Osagie all of 35, Oladunjoye Street, off Igando Road, Ikotun, Lagos, widow and two of the children respectively of the said deceased. 69. Opere Jumoke and Opere Babajide both of 4, Nimota Agbaje Street, Aga Ikorodu, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 70. Akanbi Oluwaseyi A. and Akanbi Idris both of Block 30, Flat 12, Festac Ext. Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 71. Mrs Awawu Funmilayo Oyetunji of Plot 2, Block 105, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos and Mrs Abiola Rashidat Baruwa of 16, Keffi Street, Off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi , Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 72. Mr Yemi Ogunmuyiwa and Mrs Iyabode Omoniyi Ogunmuyiwa both of 21, Agosi Street, Kola Alagbado, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased. 73. Mrs Olukosi Adejoke Adetola and Mr Olukosi Samuel Idowu both of 9, Alayaki Street, Off Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos, widow and father respectively of the said deceased. 74. Mrs Esther I. Omokhuale and Mr Irabor Omokhuale both of 1, Joe Woye Street, Ijanikin, Lagos, widow and one of the children respectively of the said deceased. 75. Pastricia Omozele Sukore (Nee Akhakon ) and Samuel Eromosele Akhakon both of 24, Okeho Street, Ire-Akari Estate, Isolo, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

I.O.AKINKUGBE (MRS) PROBATE REGISTRAR

NEWS

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

•New Lagos State Permanent Secretaries; Dr. Osunkiyesi Omodele (left), Mr. Ariyibioke Ajibola (middle) and Mr. Sowedo Olusoji Whenu taking their Oath of Office conducted by Director, Legislative Drafting, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Tola Akinsanya (right) at the Executive Council Chamber, Lagos House, Ikeja...on Monday

•Executive Secretary/CEO, National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas (left); Sales & Distribution Executive, MTN, Omatsola Barrow and Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman, Salt and Einstein MTS Limited at a media parley to announce the partnership between NHIS, MTN and Salt & Einstein to launch a mobile based universal health insurance service to be known as Y'ello Health Cover in Lagos

•President, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Kabir Alikali Mohammed (left) presenting a souvenir to Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed when he visited the Governor at the Government House, Ilorin…on Monday

•President, Campaign for Democracy, Women Arise and Guest of Honour Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin (left) and Zonta Shade Bembatoum Young, President, Zonta International Club of Lagos 1 at a meeting in Lagos

•From left: Representative of Senator 'Gbenga Ashafa; Alhaji Akeusure Bareehu, Secretary to Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Olusola Odubiro, a beneficiary of an industrial Wheeping Machine, Mrs Seun Balogun and Secretary to Shomolu Local Government, Dr Owolabi Salu, during the weekly empowerment programme of the senator at his constituency office, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos

•From left: Former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mr Nsima Ekere; former Secretary to the State Government, Mr Umana Umana; Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Mr Ahmed Gulak and other officials, at the inauguration of South-South Zonal Office of Goodluck Support PHOTO: NAN Group in Uyo...on Monday.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (right) and Chief Executive Officer Astroturf 2000, Prince Aderoju Ademoroti when he visited the governor in Osogbo

•Lagos State Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire administering the polio vaccine on a child at the kick-off ceremony of the second round of Year 2014 National Immunization Plus Days at Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Ibeju, Lagos. With them are Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health Dr. Yewande Adeshina, (first left, sitting) and Chairman of the local government, Hon.Semiu Surakat (third right, standing)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

BUSINESS EXTRA

Fed Govt has not sold PHCN’s non-assets, says NELCOM

HE Federal Govern ment has not sold the non-assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the Managing Director, Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELCOM), Mr. Sam Agbogun, has said. He told reporters in Abuja that the company would comply with due process to dispose of the assets when the time comes. He said: “As I speak to you and with particular reference to non-core assets, NELMCO has not commenced any disposal of them. When the non-core assets are to be disposed, NELMCO will have to follow due process through the board that assures accountability and transpar-

•’PHCN still stands legally’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

ency of the process with the proceeds applied to the settlement of the liabilities.” Agbogun maintained that PHCN still stands as a company, insisting that the organisation has not been liquidated. He said: “NELMCO is faced with serious challenges. The first one is psychological which is the delayed liquidation of PHCN. As you all know today, PHCN still stands legally as a company. But PHCN has got its assets transferred to NELMCO and the other 18 successor compa-

nies, which have been privatised. But because PHCN is still having some skeletal staff, it is still casting a shadow on the activities on NELMCO.” Agbogun added that what NELMCO has done is to sell scrap its obsolete items comprising discussed and decommissioned abandoned old power stations which PHCN has valued, sought and obtained the approval for sale as scrap. According to him, this is contrary to the misleading and mischievous reports being circulated. Agbogun expressed concern over the influx of litigation against the company, stressing that over 3,500 cases have been transferred to NELCOM.

FAAC okays removal of petrol subsidy

HE Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) said yesterday that subsidy on petrol must go. It approved the recommendation of its committee on the contentious issue. Chairman of Commissioners of Finance Forum Timothy Odaah, told reporters after its monthly meeting in Abuja that the approval would be sent to the President for ratification. He said the existing fuel subsidy had not solved the problem for which it was intended, adding that only a few privileged individuals were benefiting from it. FAAC is made up of commissioners for Finance, the accountant-general of the federation and chaired by the minister of state for Finance. Last month, FAAC set up

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

a committee to look into the removal of fuel subsidy. The committee was made up of a member from the Commissioners' Forum, Customs, states’ accountants-general and the minister of state, among others. Revenue for March declined by N52.387 billion, with the gross revenue standing at N614,368 billion against N666,745 billion the previous month. Accountant-General of the Federation Jonah Otunla attributed the decline to pipeline vandalism, oil theft, Qua Ibo Terminal and Fracados shut in as well as repair works on pipeline leaks at Bonny and Brass. The three tiers of government shared N641.380 billion, with N7.617 billion refunded by the Nigeria Na-

tional Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and N36.549 billion from the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (Sure-P). Of the N530.095 billion statutory allocation for March, the Federal Government was issued a cheque for N249.084 billion (52.68 per cent), the 36 states and Abuja got N126.339 billion (26.72 per cent) while the 774 local governments shared N97.402 billion (20.60 per cent). The three tiers of government also shared N80.775 billion from the Value Added Tax (VAT). The Federal Government received 15 per cent or N9.116 billion, states 50 per cent or N30.388 billion and councils N21.271billion. The oil producing states got N57.270 billion as 13 per cent derivation fund.

Seven Energy secures $255m finance from HE International Fi 1.4 trillion cubic feet IFC, others over nance Corporation of gas, a 10- year contract

(IFC), the IFC African, Latin American, and Caribbean Fund (IFC ALAC Fund) and a Singaporean investment company, Temasek, have invested $255 million in Seven Energy International Limited, an indigenous oil firm, to secure 26 per cent capital equity of the company. Temasek, according to a statement, committed $150 million, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, committed $75 million, and the IFC African, Latin American, and Caribbean Fund (IFC ALAC Fund) spent $30 million. The investments would be in two tranches, the timing of which is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the investment agreements. The statement explained that the institutions are investing in Seven Energy’s irredeemable convertible loan notes, which bear no coupon and are akin to equity capital. On a converted and fully diluted basis, on full satisfaction of the investment agreements, the new investors would account for 26 per cent of the equity capital of

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

the Seven Energy Group, the company said. “This new equity capital will assist Seven Energy in the development of its growing portfolio of assets in Nigeria, where it is focusing on the development of upstream reserves and resources and gas infrastructure to provide gas to the domestic market for power generation and industrial consumption. “Through its gas processing, distribution and marketing subsidiary, Accugas Limited, and its recent acquisition of the East Horizon pipeline, the Group has to date invested approximately $1 billion in Southeastern Nigeria. This reinforces its position as a leading integrated gas company in Nigeria. The Group aims to capture the growing demand for gas and power as Nigeria’s industrial base grows and the liberalisation of the power sector spurs further investment in generating capacity. “The Group has longterm take-or-pay gas sales agreements in place to sell

to supply 43.5 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMcf/d) to Ibom Power; a 20-year contract to supply 131 MMcf/d to Calabar NIPP; a 20-year contract to supply 25 MMcf/d to a cement plant in the Calabar area, increasing to 50 MMcf/d upon the anticipated expansion of the plant. The two power stations, which will have a combined installed capacity of approximately 750 Mw when fully commissioned, would add 20 per cent capacity to power generation. Seven Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Phillip Ihenacho, said: “Seven Energy has developed a strong and strategically important position in the rapidly developing gas market in Nigeria. I am very pleased that the Group has gained the support of Temasek, IFC and the IFC ALAC Fund, all highly-respected global investors. “These investments are a vote of confidence in Nigeria and in Seven Energy’s vision to be the leading supplier of gas in the country.”

• From left: Former President, Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN),Kole Ademulegun; Globacom officials, Bisi Koleosho, Titi Ebinisi and Jumoke Aduwo, during the presentation of the Outstanding Telecoms Brand of the Decade Award which the telco won at the Marketing Edge Legacy Awards in Lagos.

Oyo Summit: FirstBank shows path to a cumulative aneconomic devt witnessed nual growth rate of 19 per-

IRST Bank of Nigeria Plc has pointed the way to abundant economic development to the Oyo State government. Speaking during the closing ceremony of the state Economic Summit yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, its Executive Director (Public Sector), Mr U. K. Eke, advised the state to design skill acquisition in key areas, focus less on immediate gains, give preference to quality of products, offer trade protection for local industries and give tax incentives to deserving investors. In his presentation titled: “Towards an innovative, profitable and sustainable industrial growth in Oyo State,” Eke also pointed out that for the state to attract and retain industrial organisations, it would identify raw material endowment in the state, prioritise drive for in-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

dustrialisation in line with the state’s competitive advantage, explore Public Private Partnerships (PPP), remove multiple taxation and offer tax rebates, sustain security of lives and property and observe the rule of law. Eke, who rolled out impressive data on the economic potentials of the state, added that effective linkages with stakeholders across sectors and use of technology in all areas will transform the economic climate of the state. Eke insisted that if the government toes these paths, investors will not only seek to do business in the state but retain their businesses which will galvanise the economy of Oyo. He explained that Oyo has

cent in the last four years. He also pointed out that Gross State Product (GSP) was N228 billion in 2009, N275 billion in 2010, N321 billion in 2011 and N381 billion in 2012, making the state rank third in GSP in Southwest after Lagos and Ondo. Resources and opportunities in the state, according to the bank chief, include favourable weather conditions for farming and husbandry, dams for irrigation, large expanse of land, abundant human capital, good governance and availability of cheaper input for manufacturing. Two plenary sessions were held yesterday focusing on transforming the state’s economy and wealth creation through solid minerals and mining.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-4-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-4-14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

EQUITIES

Seplat enlivens Nigerian equities’ rally

EPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc yesterday brought a glimpse of the much-anticipated “crude oil” effect on the Nigerian stock market as the exploration and production company quickened investors’ appetite and rallied the stock market to nearly N13 trillion capitalisation. Seplat, an indigenous exploration and production company, recorded several milestones on Monday with its simultaneous dual listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE) after a hugely oversubscribed global initial public offering (IPO). Seplat on Monday listed about 543.3 million ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N576 per share. The listing immediately added N313 billion to market capitalisation of the NSE. Seplat’s share price yesterday rose by the highest gain of N30.24 to close at N635.04 per share. The bullish sentiment on Seplat counterbalanced an otherwise widespread bearishness and helped the overall market position to a gain of N64 billion. Investors staked about 270.06 million on 425,265 shares of Seplat in 70 deals. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities rose from its opening value of N12.846 trillion to N12.910 trillion. The main index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), rallied to 39,203.29 points as against its opening index of 39,020.67 points. With 17 gainers to 20 losers, gains by highly capitalised companies in the banking and oil and gas sectors moderated the market outlook. Other top gainers included Nigerian Breweries, which added 95 kobo to close at N148.99. Guaranty Trust Bank rose by 80 kobo to close at N27.80. Oando gathered 44 kobo to close at N15.74. Zenith Bank rose by 40 kobo to close at N22.10. University Press added 34 kobo to close at N4.05. Access Bank garnered 23 kobo to close at N7.83. UBA Capital and Ashaka Cement rose by 10 kobo each to close at N2.62 and N16.50 respectively. Aggregate market turnover was around average with the exchange of 277.69 million shares valued at N3.49 trillion in 4,796 deals. Financial services sector was the most active with 191.24 million shares worth N1.74 billion in 2,790 deals. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria was the most active stock with 49.47 million shares valued at N199.33 million in 290

•Standard Bank hails first upstream IPO Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

deals. Standard Bank yesterday gave insights into Seplat’s investors’ profile. Standard Bank, the largest African bank, acted as Joint Global Coordinator, Joint Book runner, and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited acted as Joint Issuing House in Nigeria. Standard Bank indicated that more than 300 investors participated in the IPO, which gen-

erated significant over subscription and led to the shares trading upward upon listing. According to Standard Bank, the order book consisted of high quality pension, asset management, insurance funds and high net worth individuals in Nigeria and blue chip institutional investors globally. “Approximately half of the investors originated in Nigeria, again showing the increasing depth of African capital markets,” Standard Bank stated.

Head of ECM, Standard Bank, Simon Matthews, noted that Seplat’s IPO was a first of its kind in Nigeria incorporating an international standard book-building and settlement process. “The significant investor interest in the IPO generated by our sales teams globally is a testament to the achievements of the Seplat management team and the growing investment opportunities in Nigeria. Seplat’s IPO has created a blueprint for future transactions in the region as the African equity capital markets enjoy a period of increasing investor attention, liquidity and capital inflow,” Matthews said.

Skye Bank names Oguntayo MD as Durosinmi-Etti retires

HE board of directors of Skye Bank Plc has appointed Mr Timothy Oguntayo as the new group managing director and chief executive of the bank. Oguntayo succeeds Mr.Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti who retires on July 31, 2014; at the end of his current tenure. Mr.Durosinmi-Etti had notified the board that he would not be seeking the renewal of his four-year tenure at the expiration of the current term. Durosinmi-Etti will be proceeding on his terminal leave. The board also appointed Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu as deputy managing director of the bank. Both appointments are however still subject to regulatory approvals. In a statement made available yesterday, directors of the bank commended DurosinmiEtti for his service to the institution from the period of consolidation, first as deputy managing director, and subsequently as group managing director and chief executive officer. The board pointed out that under DurosinmiEtti, the bank recorded very significant progress in both quantitative and qualitative terms while noting his professionalism, simplicity and humility - qualities which distinguish him as a worthy leader and consummate banker. The board stated that the appointment of Oguntayo is consistent with the bank’s tradition and succession strategy of grooming leaders from within. Oguntayo was part of the team that steered

the successful merger of Prudent Bank with EIB International Bank, Bond Bank, Reliance Bank and Cooperative Bank between 2005 and 2006 to form Skye Bank Plc. He has since been a core member of the executive team driving the growth of the bank. The bank noted that Oguntayo’s multi – disciplinary background adequately prepares him for the responsibilities of his new office noting that the new managing director is a known strategist with immense ability to innovate, and proffer solutions in sometimes complex situations. “He is well respected in the financial circles both at home and abroad as a thorough bred professional and technocrat, and as a builder of relationships,” the bank stated. An alumnus of the prestigious INSEAD, Fontainebleau in France and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, he is also an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He has over two decades of banking experience in corporate finance and investment banking, business development, credit and marketing, and operations. Timothy was appointed to the board of the bank and its subsidiary companies in 2009. He was the pioneer managing director of Skye Financial Services Limited, the investment banking arm of Skye Bank, before the bank’s divestment from it in 2012. He equally served on the board of Skye Stockbrokers

Limited and Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc. He is currently a director on the board of Kakawa Discount House Limited. Prior to this appointment, Timothy was the bank’s executive director responsible for the •Oguntayo supervision of corporate and investment banking group, commercial banking in the South-West region and all the international banking subsidiaries of the bank. He has vast experience in financial advisory services and structuring of project finance across several sectors. Onwughalu was appointed to the board on November 30, 2008 as an executive director. She has more than 25 years experience in commercial banking, retail banking, treasury management and banking operations. She rose to the position of acting managing director of Reliance Bank in April 2005, prior to its merger with Skye Bank in 2006.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

MONEYLINK

Diamond Bank bags cash handling award

CBN to rely on OMO in liquidity management

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it will continue to rely on Open Market Operations (OMO) auctions as the major tool for liquidity management. OMO is one of the instruments employed by the CBN to control the level of liquidity in the system. It entails buying and selling of government securities in the open market in order to expand or contract the amount of money in the banking system. In a circular to banks, the CBN said the conduct of OMO will be discretionary and will involve the sale or purchase of Treasury Bills and CBN Bills through appropriate market mechanisms that would include auctions and two-way quote trading. It said the securities will be of specified tenor and volume, linked to assessed liquidity conditions in the banking system. Participants at OMO auctions would be the authorised Money Market Dealers

Stories by Collins Nweze

(MMDs) comprised of commercial and merchant banks, noninterest financial institutions and discount houses. Also, based on market liquidity conditions and the subsisting Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), OMO will be complemented by repurchase agreements (repo/reverse repo), at the applicable rates. The CBN said that commercial and merchant banks will continue to maintain a minimum Liquidity Ratio (LR) of 30 and 20 per cent, respectively. Discount houses will continue to invest at least 60 per cent of their total borrowings in government securities while the ratio of individual bank loans to deposits, is retained at 80 per cent. It said the discount window at the CBN would remain available to give authorised dealers access to effective management of their tempo-

•CBN Acting Governor Sarah Alade

rary liquidity shortages or surpluses. Thus, standing facilities would continue to be open to them on overnight basis in line with subsisting guidelines. The facilities would be in the form of Standing Lending Facility (SLF) to address temporary shortfalls in liquidity, and Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) to aid effective management of short-term liquidity surpluses.

Banks, NIBSS urge e-payment platforms use

EPOSIT Money Banks (DMBs) and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) have urged Nigerians to embrace e-payment platforms as the best option for settlement of business transactions. In a statement, NIBSS said the epayment platforms – Point of Sale (POS) and Instant Payment Platforms have benefits of convenience safety and receipt of instant value to enable people make payments for their transactions. It said such transactions could be carried out using the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), mobile

phones, laptops, desktops, notebooks, I-Pads, among others. The banks and NIBSS have also commenced a communication awareness campaign to enlighten Nigerians on the benefits of these epayment platforms, encourage usage and adoption of these payment options.”Nigerians are enjoined to embrace the e-payment platforms due to their safety, reliability and efficiency. This is also coupled with the attendant security issues with making payments through cash transactions. These e-payment platforms have become globally acceptable means for financial transactions

IAMOND Bank Plc has received an award from industry regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for compliance in cash handling and punctuality at apex bank gatherings. The award was presented to the lender by the Kano CBN Branch Controller, Hajiya Ameena Abubakar at the awards dinner recently. At the well-attended event were representatives from the banking community in Kano, representative of the Kano State government, members of the Kano Emirate council as well as CBN officials from Abuja. According to the industry regulator, Diamond Bank has over the years met the set criteria for the award, one of which includes excellent cash handling procedures with

and encouraged Nigerians to adopt same for their transactions,” it said. They averred that the e-payment platforms are highly convenient, safe and efficient, and with improved infrastructure, transaction values can be received instantly. The improved efficiency of the e payment platforms enhances greater penetration and accessibility to financial services by the people. The on-going campaign on Radio and Press will be complemented by the use of Consumer engagement activities (road shows, one on one contact marketing), digital and online advertising.

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

Groups propose uniform accounting practices

DATA BANK WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

NIDF

OBB Rate

Price Loss 2754.67

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

Date 28-04-2012 “

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 15-4-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

UPL COURTVILLE SEPLAT PZ UBCAP AFRIPRUD ACCESS GUARANTY OANDO HONYFLOUR

3.71 0.67 604.80 32.00 2.52 2.91 7.60 27.00 15.30 3.71

4.05 0.71 635.04 33.45 2.62 3.00 7.83 27.80 15.74 3.78

0.34 0.04 30.24 1.45 0.10 0.09 0.23 0.80 0.44 0.07

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

LOSERS AS AT 15-4-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

CUTIX MAYBAKER FCMB NEIMETH NPFMCRFBK NEM WEMABANK STERLNBANK DANGSUGAR UAC-PROP

2.00 1.72 3.50 1.38 0.92 0.76 0.95 2.40 9.99 25.60

C/PRICE 1.90 1.64 3.34 1.32 0.88 0.73 0.92 2.34 9.75 25.00

CHANGE -0.10 -0.08 -0.16 -0.06 -0.04 -0.03 -0.03 -0.06 -0.24 -0.60

through Improved Performance’, is now out for consultation with feedback sought from businesses and institutions across the world – public and private, small and large. “Management accountants have the ability to make objective, ethical decisions that are in the public interest. Our principles enable organisations to leverage on financial and non-financial data,” he said. Chairman of the International Integrated Reporting Council, Professor Mervyn King said: “I am pleased to see a framework that provides disciplined management accounting practices and ensures that reporting is fit for the 21st century. In an era of a gradual return to economic growth, integrated thinking is essential for sustainable value creation.”

HE Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) have proposed a comprehensive framework to bring consistency to management accounting practices around the world. This, they have done through the launch of international consultation on new management accounting framework to be carried out in 177 countries. CIMA Regional Director for Africa, Samantha Louis, said the framework would help organisations make smarter, faster decisions for the longterm amidst growing complexity and change. He said the draft framework, titled ‘Global Management Accounting Principles: Driving Better Business

FGN BONDS Tenor

minimum shortages found in cash deposited with CBN Kano. Head Corporate Communications, Diamond Bank Plc, Ayona Trimnell expressed the company’s delight at receiving the award, stating that the award represents recognition of the company’s devotion to always work within the ambits of the law to delight its customers. Diamond, she said, is a company committed to delivering excellent customers experience and superior shareholder value. ‘We at Diamond are very pleased with this award. It is a further demonstration that our customers can be rest assured that their deposits are safe and secure with us. We will continue to do our best to support and ensure we comply with the procedures from CBN,’’ she said.

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96%

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

Date 2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name Offer Price AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 154.22 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.09 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.71 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,634.20 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,061.91 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,063.29 FBN HERITAGE FUND 114.62 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.39 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 1,087.30 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTE ED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 2.50 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,910.24 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND

Bid Price 153.47 9.08 1.07 1.17 0.72 1.33 1,631.63 1,061.01 1,063.01 115.44 114.59 1,087.00 1.62 1.03 142.62 0.76 2.44 1,903.64

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

1.2524 1.2952 0.9090 1.1574

Movement

1.2636 1.2952 0.9261 1.1574

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS

Bomb scare in Port Harcourt •Explosive-laden laptop bag recovered From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

ARELY 24 hours after suicide bombers killed 72 persons and injured 133 people in Abuja, there was a bomb scare in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. An explosive, placed in a laptop bag, was discovered near a two-storey building at the densely-populated Education bus stop, on Ikwerre Road, Mile One, Diobu. It was gathered that the suspect hid the explosive in a laptop bag, which he kept near a fast food joint. He left the bag in care of a bystander and promised to be back soon. The person keeping the bag became worried after waiting endlessly for the owner. An eyewitness said: “Something prompted that young man to open the bag, only to discover a bomb in it. He contacted the police immediately.” Policemen from the Anti-Bomb Unit detonated the bomb and took the bag to the police headquarters. Police spokesman Muhammad Ahmad could not be reached for comments.

Three killed in Edo community clash

HREE persons have been killed in a leadership tussle in Azagba, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State. Some houses were set ablaze in reprisal attacks. Osadolor (28), Amigolo Ighitu (45) and Ameosa Egbeobamwanye were reportedly shot at close range. It was learnt that the tussle between the Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman, Charles Egbe and the community’s spiritual leader has spanned three years. The victims’ relatives

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

yesterday took to the street, demanding police protection in their community. The protesters accused Egbe of bringing thugs to cause mayhem. Ighitu’s nephew Loveth Odigie said: “My uncle was pursued into our house and shot. His mother begged the killers but they pushed her away. I don’t know what they are fighting for. They killed him for nothing.” An eyewitness, Elvis Ero, said he saw the thugs chasing Ighitu with a pistol and

shot him twice. “Charles Egbe has ruled for nine years and when we asked him to account for his tenure, he refused. Instead, he brought thugs to our community. Several people have been injured since this fight started.” But Egbe said he went with four boys to clean his house, when his rival brought thugs, who dragged one of his boys away. His words: “My rival came with his boys but he told them not to touch me. They took one of my boys away and I was later told that he

was shot. “I called the police and it was around 7:30pm. I heard the boy died in the hospital. I don’t know what they are saying. I don’t know what happened in the bush. “My house at Azagba was set ablaze. They said I should not enter my house in the village but I went there and they came to fight me. How can I take four boys to go and fight? “I did not take any thugs there and I did not know how many people were killed. Police were in my house protecting me that day.”

THE Edo State government and some of its officials have been sued for alleged contempt of court. They were alleged to have disobeyed an interim order by the National Industrial Court (NIC). Justice B.A. Adejumo issued the order, restraining the government from conducting competency tests for teachers. The proceeding was filed by the counsel to secondary school teachers, Olayiwola Afolabi. Afolabi said the court issued and served Form 48 on the said officials. He said: “Form 48 is the first step in contempt proceeding, which must be filed and served before the contemnor will be committed to prison, if he or she refuses to purge himself or herself of the contempt.”

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

•Chairman of the occasion, Dr Ime Okopido (left); former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government Umana Okon Umana and Otuekong Sony Jackson Udoh at a Town Hall meeting organised by Akwa Ibom Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elders in Uyo... yesterday

Ogoni must produce governor, MOSOP insists

HE Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and some groups have insisted that Ogoni must produce Rivers governor in 2015. They said allowing somebody from any of the four Ogoni local governments of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme to emerge as Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s successor would ensure equity, justice and fairness. MOSOP’s President Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, insisted that the group had not endorsed any candidate. He said the area producing the By Olukorede Yishau

ing riverine after 16 years of being led by upland and eight years of Ikwerre. The statement reads: “The Pan Rivers Alliance insists that the ongoing debate about which ethnic group should produce the next governor is a testimony to the

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

next governor was non-negotiable. The groups backing an Ogoni governorship in 2015 include Ikwerre/Etche People’s Forum, Rivers Voice, Niger Delta Renaissance, Council of Orashi Ethnic Nationality, Kalabari Stakeholders Forum, Ijaw Justice Forum, Hausa Community Welfare Association and Opobo Democratic Movement. Others are the Rivers Youths Mandate, Obolo Consultative Forum, Kalabari People’s Assembly and Rivers Democratic Congress.

fact that most Rivers people accept the need for equitable rotation of political offices. “We want to say that quite a number of Rivers communities have adopted zoning. This has helped to maintain fairness and cordial co-existence. “The Pan Rivers Alliance

recalls in keeping with the spirit of zoning and fairness, Rivers people with the overwhelming support of the ‘Riverine’ voted for Dr Peter Odili from a minority ‘upland’ community of Ndoni in 1999 and 2003. The governorship shifted to Ikwerre ethnic group in 2007. A position the

Ikwerre has occupied till date.” On the alleged endorsement of Wike, the group said: “The Pan Rivers Alliance considers as an aberration the description of Nyesom Wike as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in River State. “It is worrisome that a junior minister should be addressed a party leader in a state where there are founding leaders, such as Dr Peter Odili, Dr Ombo Isokrari, Chief Victor Odili, Prince Uche Secondus and Dr. Tammy Danagogo. “It is even more disturbing that Wike is called leader of the PDP because according to the statement he ‘enjoys the followership of the people of Rivers State and that is why the First Lady is solidly behind Nyesom Wike’.

N500b NDDC funds: Niger Delta monarchs sue Fed Govt ONARCHS in the Niger Delta have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Federal Government to release the N500billion statutorily allocated for the development of the area. In a suit they filed for themselves and on behalf of the communities, the monarchs said the money was part of the statutory allocation to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2001 and 2009, which

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Six arraigned for Clark’s son’s kidnap

‘Next Rivers governor must be from riverine areas’

HE Pan Rivers Alliance, the umbrella body of socio-political organisations in Rivers State, has said the next governor must come from the riverside area. The group, in an advertorial, condemned a statement credited to First Lady Patience Jonathan, endorsing Supervising Minister of Education Nyesom Wike as the next governor. It said Wike is not qualified to lead the state since he is from the upland, which has been ruling since inception. The group added that for fairness the next governor must be from the riverine areas, such as Andoni, Opobo, Okrika, Nkoro and Kalabari. The group said Rivers people will resist any attempt to impose Wike on them. It added that it is insulting to say Rivers people are not think-

Edo, others sued for contempt

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

had been withheld by the Federal Government since the tenure of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo. The National Executive Chairman of the 21 traditional rulers, Eze Raphael Akuwueze, acting on the platform of the Traditional Rulers of the Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), said their suit was informed by the government’s refusal to release funds meant for the

infrastructural development of their communities. He said: “It has become public knowledge that since the establishment of the commission in 2001 till date, there have been violations of the funding provisions of the Act by the various contributors to the fund. “Not all the oil and gas producing and processing companies have complied with the provisions of the Act. Of great worry to us is the failure of the Federal Government to

comply with the funding provisions as stipulated in the Act. We cannot be under democratic rule and rule of law is jettisoned overboard. “Since 2011, we have been in court to compel compliance by the Federal Government with the funding provisions of the Act. “We appeal to our subjects to remain calm as we seek the only civilised option in this our collective quest for social, economic and environmental justice for the oil bearing

communities in Nigeria.” They want an order directing the AGF, Finance Minister and the Ministry of Finance to remit the amount being the difference between the statutorily generated 15 per cent total amount from the Federation Account, to NDDC. Defendants in the suit include the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Minister of Finance, the Finance Ministry and NDDC. The planned hearing of the case was stalled yesterday because the court did not sit.

SIX people have been arraigned for the kidnap of Ebikeme Clark, son of Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark. The magistrate, Steve Okebu, adjourned the matter till May 27. No plea was taken from the accused persons. Okebu said: “Since the court has no jurisdiction, the court ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.” Melsore Prince, Bosin Kevwe, Aravwarian Pius, David Emevor, Sylvester Dio and Oghofa Joshua were arraigned on a threecount charge of conspiracy, kidnap and unlawful imprisonment. The offence is punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code cap C21 Vol 1 laws of Delta State 2006. Clark was abducted on April 2 at Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State. He was released five days later.

‘Build Ibaka Seaport’ FORMER Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to build the Ibaka Deep Seaport. Ekere spoke after the inauguration of the Southsouth Zonal Office of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak, in Uyo. He hailed the collaboration between the federal and state governments on the development of the seaport but urged the President to direct the Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) to speed up the processes so that work can begin. The former deputy governor said the seaport has the capacity to create thousands of jobs, grow the economy and change the perception of Akwa Ibom as a civil service state.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY APRIL 16, 2014

NEWS

Jonathan blasts Kwankwaso at Kano rally

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan took a swipe at Kano State Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso yesterday, when he declared that Kwankwaso didn’t vote for him in 2011. Jonathan’s stance followed a statement by Kwankwaso that Kano people will not welcome the President. The governor said: “I regret voting for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. He has done nothing to move the nation forward. Only a few people are enjoying at the expense of other citizens.” At the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unity rally to receive former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau to the party, Jonathan said: “PDP must recapture Kano.” Jonathan also challenged Kwankwaso to account for the over N225 billion local government funds he received from the Federal Allocation within two years. “We read in some of the newspapers that Governor Kwankwaso said he regretted voting for me. Let me tell my good people of Kano that Kwankwaso did not vote for me or Vice President Namadi Sambo, whether in the primaries or in the main election. “We have accommodated a lot, but we talk less. Some of you know what happened when we entered the Eagle Square then. By the time the counting got half-way—when it was clear that I was to emerge the candidate –Kwankwaso left the venue.

Kwankwaso: Jonathan insensitive

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

ANO State Governor Rabi’u Kwanwao said yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan is insensitive to the yearnings of Nigerians. He said the President should be mourning victims of the Nyanya bomb explosion, instead of embarking on what he described as “merry-making trips”. The governor said: “At a time when several innocent lives have been lost, when many of the victims are in hospital seeking blood to survive, the President is gallivanting round the country in the name of PDP unity rally.” Kwankwaso spoke in Hausa during the second matriculation of students of Northwest University, Kano, at the Government House lawn. He wondered why the President should be travelling with taxpayers’ money, while the common man is being killed daily because of failure of the Federal Government to protect lives and property. The governor chided the President for justifying, promoting, and sustaining corruption, pointing out that despite the allegation of corruption against the Minister of Aviation and the missing $20 billion oil funds, he remained silent on such issues during his illegal campaign visit to Kano. “The man came to Kano to smear our image but thank God, the man gave me free publicity by mentioning my name over 50 times in a 15-minute address. “The President, Vice President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation are vultures. They want the PDP to die and feed on its carcass. “Supposing I decide to contest for the number one seat in this country, I will beg APC, APGA and Labour Party not cast their votes for me – I want to assure you that with the PDP vote that I will garner, definitely I will defeat the President hands down,” the governor said. He said the Federal Government has failed the people by not doing what is expected of a responsible government, adding that Jonathan is not the President Nigerians deserve.

•He didn’t vote for me, says President From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

“The little money my campaign office provided for refreshment and

transportation for Kano delegates, Kwankwaso refused to give them that money. He did that so that the delegates will be angry and not vote

for me. “Even in the main election, the little money my campaign office sent to Kano, Kwankwaso refused to release that money to anybody. How can Kwankwaso tell me that he voted for me?” The President also expressed surprise at the insinuations that the Federal Government abandoned Kano people. He said: “Some of you will ask that why is it that today, your President is not wearing the PDP attire; I decided to appear this way because there is somebody here in Kano who has been campaigning that the person wearing this bowler hat is a devil. “I am here to tell you briefly what the Federal Government has done for Kano people and I want you to ask yourself whether such a person who has been able to do all these things for you is a devil. “The Federal Government has taken Kano as a major focus of its agricultural transformation agenda. Kano farmers are benefiting from the Federal Government Growth Enhancement Scheme. “In the last two years, 760,000 farmers have benefited from the Federal Government’s subsidised fertiliser programme and free improved seeds for maize and rice.” Jonathan condoled with the families of the victims of Monday’s bomb blast in Abuja. He said: “Let me at this point express my deepest condolence again

•Kwankwaso, Deputy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and some members of the executive council sweeping thePolo Ground after the PDP rally ...yesterday

to the family members of those who lost their lives in the bomb blast in Abuja on Monday. “ I was at the scene of the incident, I visited the hospitals, I was so shocked that I couldn’t even talk. “Again, I express my condolence to the family members of the victims and, indeed, the whole country; and I want to re-emphasise that terror will not stop Nigeria from moving forward. “We will continue to move from strength to strength. We will also continue to encourage security agencies. We are looking at different options and we promise Nigerians that we will do our best and we will continue to work to make sure that we live peacefully in this country.” The President thanked Kano people for the warm reception, saying “let me thank the good people of Kano for the reception. From the airport to this venue, people lined up to welcome us.” Formally welcoming Shekarau, the President described him as a man of the people. “You all know Shekarau very well. He is the man of the people. When he was a governor, he was a member of the ANPP, I visited him two or three times as a Vice President of the PDP; but because Shekarau is a Nigerian, a well-learned man, an intelligent man, he received me on all the occasions I came here. “This is the kind of person that Kano needs to project and follow. We thank Shekarau for joining the PDP today. He is fully welcomed and integrated into the party.” Shekarau described the day as memorable and promised to protect and promote the interest of the Kano masses He said: “As long as I remain in politics, I will be dedicated and do all within my ability and capability to remain loyal to the party so as to show our solidarity and support to the party.” At the rally were Vice President Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Governors Godwill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Seidu Dakingari (Kebbi), PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu, Minister of Information Labaran Maku, among others.

Fulani herdsmen kill 10 in Taraba

From left: Jonathan, Shekarau and Mu’azu at the rally...yesterday

CAC holds Nights of Transformation

HRIST Apostolic Church, Lion of Judah, will begin its three Nights of Prophetic Transformation Prayer Meeting today. Tagged Operation CMS (Change My Story Oh Lord), the programme will end on Friday. A thanksgiving service will hold on Sunday at C.A.C Lion of Judah (a.k.a. Zion Transformation Ministry) 4, Adegbola Street, Opp. Ikeja Local Govt., Ikeja-Along, Lagos.

The host, Pastor Tayo Ayodele, said the progrmme will liberate participants, transform them and bring them out of financial obscurity. He said: “I urge everyone to attend this programme as we will also be praying for our country. Nigeria is going through uncertain times and we need God more than ever. There will be salvation, healing, deliverance and breakthrough.”

EN people were killed and 18 others injured in Nwokyo, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State yesterday, following another attack by Fulani herdsmen. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. Police spokesman Joseph Kwaji said the marauders came from neighbouring Plateau State. Kwaji, who gave the casualty figure as sevean, said 40 houses were burnt. He said: “There was an attack on Nwokyo village by Fulani herdsmen from neighbouring Plateau State. They crossed over through River Benue and killed seven persons in Taraba. They also burnt 40 houses during the attack.” An eye-witness said the invading herdsmen were dressed in military uniform and were over 300. The source said a woman was burnt as she was trapped when her home was set ablaze. “An MDG Hospital in the area was razed down as health workers were attending to patients,” another eyewitness said. A former senator, Joel Danlami Ikenya, said he was “dismayed” over the continuous attacks by Fulani herdsmen. The former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said he was sad that the government has not found

Eight killed in Benue

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

IGHT persons were killed yesterday in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. The House of Assembly member representing Agatu, Sule Audu, said some men were dredging sand in the river, when the gunmen attacked them. Audu said the bodies of the victims had been moved to the Obagaji, the council headquarters. The lawmaker said soldiers, who were drafted to Agatu, have continued to stay in Obagaji. He appealed to security officials not to restrict their movement to the council headquarters but to the nooks and crannies of all the communities in Agatu. The Agatu Elders Committee, in a statement by its chairman, Sule Ngbede and Secretary Abu Onum, lamented that the soldiers have not been patrolling flash points. Police spokesman Daniel Ezeala confirmed the incident, saying the remains of the victims have been taken to the mortuary.

• 40 houses burnt

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

time to visit any of the areas. Ikenya said: “In some states when there is crisis, government visits affected areas and gives relief materials to survivors. “But in Taraba, the government has not deemed it fit to visit these areas. “It is the responsibility of government to protect lives and property so that people can live with each other peacefully.” Ikenya added that the MDG Hospital and some worship centres were

torched by the herdsmen. “No house is standing there now,” he said. The senator said it is unfortunate that lives are no longer valued in Nigeria. He said: “Now, there is no difference between us (Nigeria) and Somalia. The government must take the issue of security very serious. “Members of the House of Assembly and National Assembly from Taraba must do something to end the attacks because the people they claim to be representing are being killed daily.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

Italy ex-PM Berlusconi to do community service

ORMER Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi must perform a year's community service in a home for the elderly, a Milan court has ruled. The sentence followed his conviction last year for tax fraud in connection with the purchase of TV rights by his firm, Mediaset, in the 1990s.

Berlusconi's lawyers said they were "satisfied" that the ruling would allow him to remain politically active. The 77-year-old billionaire has been embroiled in a string of court cases. He was spared prison in the Mediaset case because the Italian legal system is lenient to the over-70s.The alternative to the

community-service sentence would have been house arrest. Italian media reports say Berlusconi is likely to work one half-day a week at a home for elderly and disabled people near his estate outside Milan. The Ansa news agency identified the home as the Fondazione Sacra Famiglia, a churchrun centre with 2,000 patients.

Berlusconi will be subject to a curfew and banned from meeting people with criminal convictions - a measure which applies to at least one of his associates, AFP news agency reports. However, he will be free to travel to Rome from Tuesday to Thursday each week. He is still leader of Forza Ita-

lia, the main conservative opposition bloc, although he is barred from standing in next month's European elections. He has always denied the charges against him, accusing left-wing judges of a witchhunt aimed at neutralising him as a political leader.

LENTEN MESSAGE

HEN one approaches a place where two roads meet, that is a road junction, and where understanding of where one is going is unknown, confusion, frustration and delay become inevitable. After questions have been asked and clarifications duly established concerning the correct route that leads to where one is going, it is logical to follow that route even if it is not as smooth as the alternative. Anything to the contrary will lead to more waste of time, increasing loss of energy, paucity of resources and more frustration. One of the greatest problems confronting human beings is the issue of decision making concerning what to do, where to go, who to marry, and who to follow among many others. This is not a new development as it has always been since biblical times. God’s recommendation towards resolving this quagmire is clearly expressed in our text when Joshua expressed his determination to follow God and not any human being or spiritual god-head, no matter the connection he has, power he wields or the temporal position he occupies. Jesus Christ said, whosoever puts his hand on the plough and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God ( Luke 9:62). Such a person is like salt

NEWS

Theme: Choose who you will serve Text: “... choose you this day whom ye will serve.... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 By The Revd. Henry O. Adelegan

that has lost its savour and good for nothing but to be thrown out (Luke 14:34-35). There was a time when God spoke to a young prophet from Judah from whose hands God has wrought outstanding miracles at Bethel with a command from God not to eat, drink or return by the same way he came. The young prophet obeyed God in all and bluntly refused to yield to the entreaties of King Jeroboam to eat after he was healed by the prophet. Unfortunately for the young prophet, when an older prophet, who was apparently an enemy in disguise approached him, he surrendered to the counter-prophesy of the older prophet. He consequently lost not only his life but also the honour he would have received on accomplishing the task he had been given (1 Kings 13:7-24). Elijah too had that experience

when Naaman approached him with ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment for his healing. On approaching Elisha, he bluntly refused to be enticed by the gifts, he rejected them before his healing and stood his ground after he had been healed. (2 Kings 5:1-17). The covetous servant of Elisha by name Gehazi however, ran after Naaman to deceitfully collect the gift items, contrary to God’s leading and direction. He not only received the gift items from Naaman but also received the double portion of the leprosy of Naaman and lost his place in the biblical hall of fame (2 Kings 5:20-27). If he had acceded to the voice of God, he probably would have received double portion of the gift of Elisha, which was double portion of the gift of Elijah (2Kings 2:9-14). When a person or nation is about to experience a breakthrough in health, economy, promotion or advancement, it is not out of place

to find enemies that are clothed with the garb of friends surface to fulfil the devil’s ministry to “kill, steal and destroy” ( John 10:10a). They reared their ugly heads before Nehemiah through Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem but were unable to prevail against the work of God because Nehemiah was very vigilant (Nehemiah 2:10). To avoid a life of backwardness, delay and future regret, it is logical to seek for divine direction concerning whatever you desire to do, step to take and who to follow. You must also be sober, be at alert and also stand vigilant because the devil walks about looking for whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:7-8). Besides that, you must be prepared to follow whatever instruction He gives you, even if that route does not look smooth. Solomon said that, “there is a way that seems right unto a man, but it is a way of death” (Prov. 16:25). Even at this critical time in our national history when campaigns, by-elections and elections have commenced in some quarters, the need to follow God’s leading is important. At such a time, it is common knowledge that ‘whited-sepulchres’ will also spring forth to

Conference releases list of committees

HE list of Committees for the National conference was released yesterday with no youth delegate represented in the Committee for devolution of power. However, delegates could not comment on the list as a result of debate on the abdication of over a hundred female students in Borno State on Monday night. The Committee is made up of elder statesmen like Malam Tanko Yakasai, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, activist Annkio Briggs, former governor, Victor Attah and Prof. Jubrin Aminu. Others in the 28-member committee include Chief Ayo Banjo, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Dr. Ahmadu Ali, Muhammad Junaid, Prof. Rose Onah and Sen. Jack Tilley-Gyado, among others.

•Delegate slumps

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

Pastor Tunde Bakare and former Governor Peter Odili were drawn in the Commitree on Political restructuring and forms of government. Others in the Committee are Chief Olu Falae, Sen. Mohammed Dansadau, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), publisher Nduka Obaigbena and Amb. Philips Tapgun. In the 24-member Security Committee are Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader, Gani Adams, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gambo Jimeta, Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni and Gen Zamani Lekwot. Other committees include Environment, politics and governance; Law; judiciary, human rights and legal reform; Social

sector; Transportation: Science, Technology and Development; Agriculture; Covil society, Labour and Sports; Public service; Energy; and Religion. Others are Public Finance and Revenue; Immigration and related matters; Economy. Trade and Investment; Land Tenure and National boundaries; Foreign policy diaspora matters; and Political Parties and Electoral matters. Disaster was averted yesterday evening as a delegate Amb. Abudlmumin Abubakar slumped shortly after plenary was adjourned. The former Assistant Inspector General of Pilice (AIG) and Commissioner of Police in Borno State was grating interview to reporters when he sud-

denly collapsed. He was immediately attended to by medical personnel who tried to revive him. When it was discovered that his health was deteriorating, with the revival therapy seemingly unsuccessful, the retired AIG was taken away in a police ambulance for proper medical attention at an undisclosed hospital. A medical expert said the cause of the collapse might be as a result of exhaustion, “I don’t think it’s serious because, as you can see, he was just coming from the secretariat after the plenary. “He is an elderly man, its nothing serious,” he said. It will be recalled that a delegate on the platform of Retired Police Officers, former AIG Mamman Misau died a few weeks ago.

Abuja blast death toll hits 75, says minister Continued from page 4

Hospital this morning. For National Hospital, 47 casualties alive, and 15 dead. So, all together, making a total of 69 dead bodies and 129 receiving treatment.” The minister spoke also on the government efforts to protect lives and properties within the capital city, saying some kind of technology will brought in to address the issue. He, said, “CCTV; I think it is not true that the CCTVs are not working because a situation whereby a vehicle will just move into the park and detonate with the person carrying the bomb, it is something that CCTV will not help, but like I said, we are going to make sure we bring some technology in making sure that you

don’t even enter into our parks, markets and hospitals with explosives. It will be detected, even at the point of entry unless it is forced and it is not because it is public area, the manoeuvrabiltiy of the area should be ensured but certainly, we are going to bring some detectors, devices and some other gadgets to make sure we secure all our public areas.” The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, after visiting the victims, urged Nigerians to join hands with the security agencies to curb the menace. He stressed that the Nyanyan incident had shown that security is everyone’s business. He said: “This is a very sad situation; i can only say that it

is callous and barbaric. You can see the level of criminality committed against Nigerians against Nigerians. May God grant the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss. “For those who survived the ugly incident, particularly the Nigerian workers we wish •Wogu them a quick recovery. As you can see, the incident affected the core of Nigerians, irrespective of age and gender; it is just sad Continued from page 4 that it happened against de(FCT) Minister Bala Mohamfenceless Nigerians. “I urge Nigerians to stand up med, who described the blast to this occasion by joining as “cruel” and “inhuman”, hands with the security agen- attributed baby Goodness’ cies to find ways of curbing survival to an act of God He said: “The baby is here this security issue. We must be vigilant about events within and the mother is in Wuse our environment and give in- Hospital and we are taking formation to security agen- steps to reunite the baby with her mother, who is also stacies.”

•Revd Adelegan

deceive the spiritually undiscerning and derail the anticipated vehicle of progress. The lions in sheep’s clothing will attempt to lure with innocent looks, sudden smooth talks, emergency charity works and Greek gifts to deceive even the elect. What we need to do during as a body of believers, during this Lenten season, is to humble ourselves and call unto God to forgive our past decisions from the flesh, direct us and be determined to follow Him no matter how unpleasant His dictates may be now. May God continue us by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name. Prayer: Father, give me a discerning heart that I might be able to identify the adversary in whatever form it appears and grace to overcome temptations in Jesus’ name.

Ukraine begins ‘anti-terror’ action

KRAINE's acting President Olexander Turchynov has announced the start of an "anti-terrorist operation" against proRussian separatists. He told parliament it was being conducted "stage by stage, in a responsible... manner". Hours later, gunfire was heard at an airbase which officials said had been in the hands of militants. Mr Turchynov said the airbase at Kramatorsk had been "liberated" from "terrorists". Pro-Russian rebels have seized buildings in about 10 towns and cities across Ukraine's eastern provinces, which form the heartland of Ukraine's heavy industry.

South Sudan rebels 'seize' Bentiu

EBEL forces in South Sudan have recaptured the oil hub of Bentiu from the government, their spokesman says. Oil companies should halt operations immediately and evacuate their staff within a week, Brig Gen Lul Ruai said. An army spokesman denied Bentiu had fallen, saying fighting was continuing. The two sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating a ceasefire signed in January. More than one million people have been displaced in the conflict, which broke out about a month earlier after South Sudan's President Salva Kiir accused his sacked deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

Detectives in Lagos Continued from page 4

tors to work more on the lead to unravel the whereabouts of the owner. “Some investigators are going to Lagos to dig into this aspect of the blast.” A source in the FRSC said: “We have made the identity of the owner of the number-plate known to the appropriate authorities. “I think the challenge at hand is that since more than 35 vehicles were involved, many number plates were also retrieved at the scene of the blast in Nyanya. So, there is need to establish through forensic analysis that XQ 229LSD plate was from the ill-fated Golf car. “If Nigerians embrace the new registration system, we will have a comprehensive database for all vehicle owners.” A security source spoke of how the President told the Service Chiefs to fish out the blood syndicate behind the dastardly act “to prove a point to Nigerians that we can fight terrorism”. Said the source: “The Service Chiefs are determined to get to the roots of the blast. Already, a position has been harmonized

to allow the police and the State Security Service (SSS) to investigate the incident.” Responding to a question, the source added: “Security agencies had been proactive in the last two months, with the arrest of a sizeable number of suspects in the FCT. And what these agencies have been doing is to frisk these suspects and release them when nothing is found on them. “We did the profiling of these arrested suspects before releasing them.” The military has been directed to “strengthen security within the perimeter of the Federal Capital Territory. Troops will continue frisking at checkpoints. Besides, plain-cloth security men have been deployed in vulnerable points (including motorparks, boarding points, school premises, hospitals, recreational centres) in the FCT. More Nigerians yesterday trooped out to the National Blood Transfusion Centre in Abuja to donate blood. Leading the pack was Speaker of House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, who shelved overseas trip, to donate blood for the recuperating victims.

Goodness... ‘she’s stable’ ble and doing well. “Her aunty is taking care of her and you can see she is a charming baby. The baby epitomises the callousness of this dastardly act because if you lose such a charming baby, you will know what it feels like. This is a cruel and an inhuman act. “You can imagine what the baby is going through be-

cause she is separated from her mother, temporarily; talk more of being separated permanently. You can see how God does His things. “It is an act of God because both the mother and baby were separated by the blast but they are united in hospitals because God said they are going to live and by the grace of God, they will live.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

AST week when I reproduced my column of nine years ago on the composition by religion of delegates to President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 2005 National Conference as proof that President Goodluck Jonathan’s version, which opened last month, was merely a replication of Obasanjo’s strategy of political manipulation of religion, I promised that the controversial issue of the religious composition of this country will be a subject matter of this column another day. Against the background of the vehement protests and counter-protests, the huge gap in favour of Christians in the composition of the conference - 309 out of the 497 delegates as against 184 Muslims – had provoked from several religious organisations, notably the National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I thought today was as good a day as any to deal with the subject. Bar the president’s action itself, the Secretary-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr Khalid Abubakar, fired the first shot in this war at a press conference he addressed in Kaduna last month. “Christians, who by all acceptable records are not more than 40 per cent of the country’s population,” Khalid said, “...constitute 62 per cent of the total delegates.” In rapid response Dr. Musa Asake, the General Secretary of CAN, dismissed his JNI counterpart’s claim as an “unprovoked defamation of Nigerian Christians”. The JNI, he said, “should come out with the figures that make the Muslim population more than that of Christians as we in CAN will boycott future census in Nigeria beginning with the 2016 exercise if they do not include religion. Enough is enough!” It was like a replay all over again of Obasanjo’s national conference in 2005. Then, the NSCIA, in a petition to Obasanjo, claimed Muslims were over 60% of Nigeria’s population. Obasanjo cautioned the council against the reckless use of statistics but quickly countered with his own ratio of 50:50. On its part the Northern CAN, through its Secretary, Mr. Sa’idu Dogo, threatened to boycott the 2006 census unless religion and ethnicity featured in its questionnaire. “In view of these claims by the Muslim community,” Dogo said, “CAN insists that the National Population Commission should, without further delay, include ethnicity and religion in the forthcoming national headcount, so that Nigerians and the world over will know the true position of the adherents of different religions in Nigeria as it is done all over the world.” If this was not done, Dogo said, they would ask all Christians in Nigeria to boycott the census. As things turned out, Obasanjo did not include religion and ethnicity in his headcount, but no one boycotted it. Under Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, CAN’s more belligerent attitude these days suggests it would probably make good its threat this time. Headcounts in Nigeria started in the Lagos Colony in 1866 and were repeated in 1871, 1881 and 1901. The next one in 1911 covered the amalgamated Lagos colony and the Southern Protectorate as one entity. In the same year, there was a separate census in the Northern Protectorate. Following the amalgamation of the two protectorates in 1914, the colonial government passed the Census Ordinance in 1917 and thus paved the way for the first nationwide census

HAT title of ‘The Fixer’, used to be the patent right of Chief Tony Anenih, the indefatigable henchman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Time was when he could determine and declare the next occupant of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa about three years before the next election. And woebetide any governor or aspirant who was not in his good books; he or she would be as good as a non-starter. He was held in awe and beheld with trepidation by members of the PDP clan from all corners of the country. Such was his vice-like grip on the party especially in the Olusegun Obasanjo era. But not any more today; the pendulum of power may have shifted especially after he capitulated during the recent ‘new’ PDP crisis and showed weakness in reining the wantaway faction. Real political powers may well

VOL.9 NO.2,820

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘Individual citizens can be unruly and uncivil, but governments in Nigeria and their agencies, including the federal government, are at the forefront of uncivilised practices that include reckless disregard of the law and its machinery through incessant breach of contracts and trampling on the rights of private citizens’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Nigerian censuses and their discontents (I)

•Chief Obasanjo

in 1921. Thereafter, censuses became ten yearly affairs until Independence in 1960. However, there was none in 1941 because of the World War II fought between 1939 and 1945. The last census before independence in 1960 was held between 1951 and 1953. It put the North at 55.4% of Nigeria’s population and the South at 44.6. It was widely regarded as a watershed headcount because it became the basis for distributing parliamentary seats among the then three regions in the country, namely, North, East and West. The census put the Muslim population in the North at 73% and the Christian at 2.7. Christians in the East, it said, were 50.1, Muslims 0.3 and animists 49.6. In the West Muslims, it said, were 32.4%, Christians 36.2 and animists 31.4. For the putative Midwest, Muslims, it said, were 4.2%, Christians 22.8 and others 73. The headcount put the overall Muslim population of the country at 44% and that of Christians at 22. The first census after independence was conducted first in 1962. This was widely rejected and led to a recount in 1963. In his book, The 1963 Nigerian Census – A Critical Appraisal (1972, Ethiope Publishing Corporation, Benin City), I. I. Ekanem, compared the 1953 figures with those of 1963. The comparison showed that the overall Muslim population of the country increased from 44% in 1953 to 47.2 in 1963 while that of Christians increased even more during the period from 22% to 34.5, mostly at the expense of animists. The disaggregation of the 1963 figures by region showed that Muslims in the North suffered a marginal decrease from 73% to 71.7 whereas Christians more than trebled from 2.7% to 9.7. In the East the Muslim population remained at 0.3% whereas the Christian population increased from 50.1% to 77.2 and ani-

mists shrank from 49.6% to 22.5. In the West the Muslim population increased from 32.4% to 43.4 whereas Christians increased from 36.2% to 48.7 and animists shrank from 31.4% to 7.9. In the Midwest Muslims remained at 4.2%, Christians increased from 22.8% to 54.9 whereas animists decreased from 73.1% to 40.9. Mr. Mike Okpara, the Premier of the East, rejected the 1963 headcount as “worse than useless” and went to the courts to have it annulled. He lost because the courts said they had no jurisdiction to hear his case and the figures became official, flawed as probably they were. The next headcount in 1973 and the last to feature ethnicity and religion proved even worse. Members of the census board disagreed among themselves over its accuracy and its chairman, one time Chief Justice of Nigeria, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, along with Chief Obafemi Awolowo, urged its cancellation. General Yakubu Gowon who conducted the headcount dithered in publishing it, apparently because of the ensuing controversy. He was overthrown in July 1976 and General Murtala Mohammed who took over promptly cancelled it. The next census should have held in 1983 under President Shehu Shagari but even though he appointed the late Alhaji Abdulrahman Okene to chair the census board in 1981, Shagari did not pay much attention to it until he was overthrown in a coup in December 1983. The next headcount was conducted in 1991, eight years after Shagari’s overthrow. This was under former military president

General Ibrahim Babangida who appointed the late Alhaji Shehu Ahmadu Musa, one of the country’s most accomplished civil servants, to chair the census commission. The census gave the North a population of 47,369,237, roughly 53.23% of Nigeria’s population of 88,992,220, as against 46.77% for the South. This was more or less consistent with most headcounts before it. Not everyone was, of course, happy with the results. Individuals like the late Chief Bola Ige and institutions like The Guardian rejected it because they said it was rigged to favour the North, as usual. However, even among leading Southerners, there was widespread acceptance of the results. Such leaders from the South like the chairman of the failed 1973 census, Justice Ademola, Professor Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Literature laureate, Professor Sam Aluko, one-time economic adviser to Chief Awolowo as Western premier, and Chief Omololu Olunloyo, onetime governor of the old Oyo State, all of them praised the conduct of the exercise as the best since census started in Nigeria. Justice Ademola for example, said in The Guardian of March 2, 1992, that the 1991 results was a vindication of his rejection of the 1973 exercise. Similarly, Professor Aluko said in the Sunday Sketch of March 21, 1992 that the results tallied with what had always been his estimate of Nigeria’s population. The last census which should have held in 2001 under President Obasanjo was not conducted till 2006, with Chief Samuila Danko Makama, a former senior journalist and bureaucrat, as chair of the census commission. As with all previous ones not everyone was happy with its outcome, fairly thorough as the preparation for it was. Interestingly, one of its most severe critics was Makama’s successor, Chief Odumegwu. “No census,” he said shortly after assuming office last year, possibly to the consternation of even those who gave him the job, “has been credible in Nigeria since 1863. Even the one conducted in 2006 is not credible. I have the records and evidence produced by scholars and professors of repute. This is not my report. If the current laws are not amended, the planned 2016 census will not succeed.” The chief did not say how the extant laws on our headcounts were flawed but for many, especially in the South, this was their irrefutable proof that every census in this country had been rigged in favour of the predominantly Muslim North. But were they?

Someone please call Metuh to order

T’S hard to believe that at a time all Nigerians should sink their differences - political, religious or otherwise - and join the bereaved families of the victims of the devastating early Monday morning bombing in Nyanya, Abuja, in their grief and pray for the dead and injured, all anyone will be interested in is how to make political capital out of the terrible event. But this is precisely what Chief Olisa Metuh, the spokesman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has done by his reckless attempt at blaming the bombing on the opposition. “We,” he said yesterday, even as Nigerians remained in shock and confusion over the bombing, “stand by our earlier statements that these attacks on our people are politically motivated by unpatriotic persons, especially those in the APC, who have been making utterances and comments, promoting violence and blood-letting as a means of achieving political control.” What kind of a heart – and mind - does Metuh have that he cannot wait for the bereaved to collect and bury their dead and treat their wounded before he indulges himself all over again in a useless blame game? If his bosses truly have the safety and security of Nigerians in mind, they should, for God’s sake, call him to order. •For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

HARDBALL Dame Patience as the new PDP fixer have relocated to the office of Mama Peace, Dame Patience Jonathan, the First Lady and wife of the president. A power monger and a spiked bludgeon, she may well have assumed the position of author and finisher in PDP in all the states and at all the levels. The morbid drama that has brewed between the presidency and the Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State is of course not unlike her kind of scripting and casting. There is a story going round the political mill in one south east state that a group of PDP political elders had visited Aso Rock and after there long, syrupy introductions, Mama had reportedly asked after a House member from the state: “We do not see him, he does not come home and he does not mingle with the party in the state,” they had answered. It was said that Mama

DELE AGEKAMEH

shot back at the beefy, old leader of the team that, “if you people don’t know where Hon. Lagbaja (let’s call him that) is, me i know; if he doesn’t come home, go and look for him. He is my son and if not for him, all of us will not be seated here today; he was the one who helped us quench the fire in the House recently. You people better go look for him, he is my son.” With such undisguised endorsement, it is said that the House member has already set up a guber campaign office and all PDP members in the state are tumbling over themselves to be in his team. Not many were therefore surprised when news went abroad that the wife of the president had already endorsed the next governors

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above for three states in the coming election. Though the claim was refuted by her office but only to the effect that she has endorsed one aspirant only and not three. According to a release signed by her media aide, “In the case of Rivers State, the First Lady wishes to state categorically that the supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, is the leader of PDP in Rivers State and he enjoys the followership of the people of the state. The First Lady is solidly behind Wike.” Anyone familiar with the Jonathan trajectory would have noticed that Dame Patience is the power behind the throne and being strongwilled will always have her way. The affected incumbent governors and the PDP hierarchy would, therefore, either be mere window dressing or they would be up for a big fight in the months ahead.

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