The Nation April 29, 2014

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Protesters to Jonathan: we want abducted girls back Scores march on Fashola’s office Chibok elders: Fed Govt has failed us Presidency may opt for dialogue

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From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

CORES of indigenes of Kibaku, a community in Chibok, the troubled Borno State town where 234 school girls were abducted by Boko Haram, marched yesterday on Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola’s office.

The protesters, including women and children, under the aegis of the Lagos State chapter of Chibok Youth Association, pleaded with Fashola to pass on their grievances to President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State. They should ensure the safe return of the abducted girls, the angry crowd said.

The leader of the group, Mr. Yahaya Chiwar, said the decision to take their grievances to the governor was due to his outstanding track record in securing lives and property of residents of the state.

Chiwar said the group was worried that 13 days after the girls were abducted, there had been no news from the government concerning their safety or any chance of their being rescued.

He added that what was more alarming was Continued on page 2

•Kibaku Youth Association of Nigeria Lagos State Chapter protesting to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola’s office in Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday.

‘

Our parents had no choice than to come back home to inform the security authorities where the girls were being kept, but ... there is no information whatsoever that these girls have been rescued...

Court rejects bid to stop probe of N10b jet expenses

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INISTER of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed yesterday to prevent their investigation on the allegation that they shelled out about N10billion on hiring aircraft.

A Federal High Court in Abuja did not grant their exparte application, seeking, among others, to restrain the House of Reps and its committees from investigating the al-

•‘Put respondents on notice’ From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

legation. The court ordered them to put the respondents on notice.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling on April 14, directed the respondents (the National Assembly and the House) to appear before the court on the next adjourned date and show cause why the orders of interim Continued on page 2

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•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola’s wife, Dame Abimbola Emanuella, presenting the Grand Commander of Business award to Globacom Chairman Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr (GCON), represented by Mr. Niyi Adewunmi (right) at the 17th City People Awards for Excellence 2014 in Lagos…at the weekend.

•AMNESTY KICKS AS EGYPT COURT SENTENCES 683 BROTHERHOOD MEN TO DEATH P60

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

NEWS Okonjo-Iweala: Govt has special development plan for Northeast •Says Nigeria ‘not at war’ •IG: we’re at war

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•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola acknowledging cheers from the crowd during the commissioning of 21 roads (26.40km) in Osogbo…yesterday. Above: One of the roads...yesterday STORY ON PAGE 8

Osun spends N10b on roads

Court rejects bid to stop probe of N10b jet expenses Continued from page 1

injunction being sought by the applicants’ motion on notice dated and filed on April 11 should not be granted.

The judge also “directed that the respondents be served with the motion exparte dated and filed April 11 for interim orders of injunction.

“The respondents shall also be served with the originating summons, motion on notice for orders of interlocutory injunction and all other court process-

es along with this order.

“Hearing notice to also be issued on the respondents.

“These orders are made pursuant to the provisions of Order 26 Rules 10 and 13 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedures) Rules 2009,” the judge held.

The minister and the NNPC, through their lawyer, Etigwe Uwa (SAN), filed the exparte application with which they sought an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, their agents or committee from summoning or directing the applicants to appear before any committees, particularly the House of Reps Public Accounts Commit-

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Reps suspend probe over court case

AWMAKERS have pulled the brakes on the probe of Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison- Madueke’s N10 billion chartered flights bill.

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts said yesterday the suspension was courtesy of an Abuja Federal High Court suit.

The investigation was scheduled to begin yesterday.

The chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, said the House had been served with a court notice and would have to get a legal opinion on the issue.

According to him, continuing with the investigation at this point without allowing the court process run its course would be sub judice.

Zakari said: “We expected that she should be here today ( yesterday), but we have been served with court papers, notifying us that they have gone to court.

“The import of this is that as legislators, we are supposed to fight corruption, but of course, this is tee, and requesting the applicants to produce any documents, notes or papers or directing any relevant officers of the applicants to give evidence in respect of the issue before any committees of the respondents as contained in a letter by the House of Reps, dated 26 March 2014, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

another demonstration of the frustration we face from government.

“However, as a law abiding arm of government, we would tarry awhile and take a legal advice about this issue. May be that was why she did not show up today. This is to tell you the kind of frustration we experience everyday.

“This is a clear case of a matter, which is under investigation, or supposedly will go into investigation, but is being frustrated. We are studying the papers and taking position.

“Our responsibility is to expose corruption.

The House of Representatives, in its wisdom, took decision to investigate this matter. They chose to wait until the day we said we would start this investigation for them to serve us on this matter.

“So, it tells a lot about what they intend to achieve. We don’t need to go into details. But Continued on page 60

They also sought an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from issuing a warrant to compel the attendance of the applicants before the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Reps “with regard to the investigative public hearing on the leased of aircraft pending the determination of the motion

on notice”.

Alternatively, they sought “a status quo order directing parties to maintain the current position as at the date of the filing of this action with regard to the proposed public hearing in respect of the 3rd plaintiff’s (NNPC’s) Continued on page 60

IGERIA is preparing a special development plan for its poor, violence-hit northeast and increasing spending to counter revolt there that could dent the growth in Africa’s No. one oil producer if it worsens, the finance minister said.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters that although the impact of the five-year Boko Haram insurgency had cut half a percentage point off Nigeria’s GDP last year, she believed it could be contained and insisted the country was not facing a wider conflict as it heads for elections next year.

“There is no war ... there is an insurgency,” Okonjo-Iweala said in an interview conducted on Sunday in her car in Abuja as she headed to the airport to fly to New York, United States “We are not in a Colombia situation,” she added, rejecting comparisons with the Latin American energy producer which has battled for decades with a major left-wing insurgency that often affected large swathes of its national territory.

Okonjo-Iweala said Boko Haram insurgents, who have raided schools, churches, government offices and security posts in their fight to carve out an Islamist enclave, mostly affected around 5 per cent of the nation’s territory, the northeast states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

But she acknowledged Boko Haram had shown it could strike further south. A bombing at a bus station this month killed at least 75 people on the outskirts of the capital Abuja, which is hosting a World Economic Forum on Africa next week.

“The WEF is still going on,” Okonjo-Iweala said. To host the “African Davos”, which has previously been held in cities such as Cape Town and Addis Ababa, Nigeria was mounting the largest security operation it had ever staged for an international summit, deploying 6,000 soldiers and police.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had increased spending to tackle the Boko Haram threat, including more army recruitment, the minister said, without giving specific figures.

Okonjo-Iweala said it included a programme for the northeast aimed at lifting the area out

Protesters in Lagos demand release of 234 abducted girls Continued from page 1

that after the parents of the ab-

ducted girls searched the Sambisa forest, they located the camp where the insurgents were holding the girls and immediately reported to the appropriate authorities, but were dismayed when no action was taken.

“Our parents had no choice than to come back home to inform the security authorities where the girls were been kept, but Your Excellency, their parents communicated with us yesterday (Sunday) and there is no information whatsoever that these girls have been rescued or at the process of being rescued.

“Therefore, we as their brothers and we have sisters in Diaspora, we have resolved that we cannot remain silent; we are here because of your commitment to security of lives and properties in the state. We believe the nearest authority to us is you, who is not only the Chief Executive of the State, we believe we can express our grievances to you and you can forward our grievances to the relevant authorities, particularly to President Jonathan.”

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By Jude Isiguzo

of poverty and underdevelopment.

“We recognise that this is an inclusion problem ... the fact that the human development indicators in that part of the country are among the lowest,” she said.

The government was working to obtain backing from donors for the programme.

Boko Haram’s attacks have stopped farmers from growing crops. Several thousand people were killed in the insurgency last year and at that rate it could hurt Nigeria’s GDP in 2014, which is estimated to grow by nearly seven per cent.

“We think we can absorb it, but of course, if like last year, it continues, then we have to make an estimate of the impact,” Okonjo-Iweala said.

She added that investors looking more closely at Nigeria since a GDP rebasing last month made it the continent’s largest economy ahead of South Africa did not appear to be turned off by the security challenges.

“Nobody who is making an investment has so far said they will not make one, that we know of,” she said.

A mass abduction of teenage schoolgirls from a northeastern school by suspected Boko Haram gunmen on April 15 has outraged Nigerians and raised fears that the insurrection, coupled with persistent inter-communal violence in the Middle Belt, could strain Nigeria’s unity.

Okonjo-Iweala said Boko Haram was receiving “crossborder” backing from supporters in Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

“We need to look at the source of this financing,” she said, adding Jonathan was working to obtain regional cooperation to remove Boko Haram’s support from jihadi groups in the Sahel.

Okonjo-Iweala could not rule out that domestic political forces were also stoking the Boko Haram insurgency ahead of elections in February “We tend to notice when the electoral cycle comes in, all these things heat up,” Okonjo-Iweala said.

But she said Nigeria had halted insurgencies before, such attacks against oil facilities by Niger Delta militants in the past decade, and that Boko Haram Continued on page 60

Chibok elders: Fed Govt has failed us

LDERS of Chibok community in Borno State, where 234 girls were abducted by Boko Haram gunmen, yesterday alleged that the Federal Government had failed in its responsibility of rescuing the girls, two weeks after they were taken hostages.

Leader of the Chibok Elders Forum (CHEF) Dr. Pogu Bitrus, said 43 girls escaped from their captors; others are still being held in the forest by suspected insurgents.

He said: “As the Federal Government has failed to rescue these abducted girls, we as elders; have now handed our case over to the Almighty God; because government has already dashed our hopes on releasing the girls immediately and unconditionally to join their parents, who are still grieving with “hopelessness and fear”.

Bitrus said last week’s expanded security meeting hosted by President Goodluck Presenting a letter to Fashola for onward transmission to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chiwar said: “We believe that you will help us to ensure that our voice will be heard.”

Fashola, in an emotional voice, praised members of the Chibok Youth Association for their cour-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Jonathan yielded no result even after expressed commitment to securing the release of the girls.

Bitrus said: “We are not also aware of any serious effort to secure the release of the girls. We heard that the military moved troops to the forests days back but we don’t know what they are doing.”

The Chibok elders said rumours that the insurgents were marrying off the girls to themselves may be true because of the report they got from those who escaped and joined their parents last week.

“All we know is that 234 of our daughters are in captivity. We are waiting on government, which is supposed to provide security and welfare for its citizens, to get them released and return them to their parents,” he said.

He added: “Government has not provided succour to the parents and to the girls themselves by getting them released. It is

age and selflessness to stand for their daughters and sisters who were unfortunate victims of the nation’s porous security system.

He condemned the abduction of the girls, describing it as a clear act of hostage-taking, which is unthinkable and dehumanising.

very disappointing when I read in the newspapers that America is trying to assist. What is wrong with Nigeria? We have a lot of unanswered questions and, as parents, we are still waiting for what the government will do to its citizens... these poor girls in their schools who were kidnapped.

It worries us and this is now getting to two weeks.”

Speaking on parents’ mood, Bitrus said: “All parents are traumatised and since the parents went into the forest in search of their daughters before they were warned not to jeopardise the lives of their children and themselves, they retreated.

“We started having hope when the President hosted the expanded Security Council meeting where they said they were all committed to seeing that the girls were released, but up till today, nothing has happened, because we have not heard anything relating to the release of any of the girls .

“One can only imagine the kind of horror and grief the parents of these girls must be feeling, I am a parent myself and I understand it. If my children are ill, I know the kind of frustration, fear and anxiety that I go through when they are ill, not to mention indescribable emotion

Continued on page 60

that the parents of these girls are going through to know whether they are alive and where they are and what conditions they might be in. even the girls themselves, the kind of fear, it must be a traumatic experience for everyone involved”.

Fashola, however, cautioned

•Fashola

the protesters against nursing the thought that nothing was being done to rescue the girls, saying that it is likely that the authorities might be careful not to take steps that would harm the girls in the process of trying to rescue them.

He encouraged the parents not to lose hope on the safe return of their children.

Fashola promised to deliver the letter to President Goodluck Continued on page 60

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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NEWS

Set back for S

•Managing Director, CEO, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Abiodun Ajifowobaje speaking when the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Privatisation, Khadijat Bukar Ibrahim (second left) visited IKEDC in Lagos. With them are General Manager, KEPCO, Alex Kim (right) and Mr Rotimi Onanuga.

• From left: Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) , Saleh Dunoma (left), Director -General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA), Mr Benedict Adeliyenka, and Supervising Minister of Aviation Dr Samuel Ortom, Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Managament Authirity (NAMA), Mr Ibrahim Abdulsalam, during the inspection tour to the Kaduna Airport after the fire accident at the Control Tower...yesterday.

TATE police could not scale through committee level at the National Conference yesterday.

Its advocates failed to convince others in the Committee on Power Devolution to transfer it to the Concurrent List that would enable States to share power and responsibilities on it with the Federal government.

Delegates were divided as they argued along geo-political lines with Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Gbade Adedeji, Senator Tony Adefuye, Chief Okey Ikedife and Chief Adeniyi Akintola in favour of a decentralised police.

Alhaji Dambatta Magaji and Col Usman Farouk led the northern delegates' agitation against a decentralised police structure.

For the protagonists of state police, state governments have been funding the Police as a result of the inability of the Federal Government to adequately cater for the institution.

Chief Adebanjo, who noted that a decentralised police force was a key factor in a federal system of government, pointed out that note should be taken on the need to reduce the burden of governance in the Federal Government.

"If the country wanted federalism, it should not run away from the things that make a federation. For instance, the problem of Boko Haram could have been better handled if the country had a police structure that could keep track on the local people and identify deviants before they get out of hand.

Besides, he noted that the unitary structure of the Police was largely responsible for the growing insecurity in Nigeria as men and officers of the Police were largely strangers in their places of assignment.

Antagonists of the state police, led by former Governor of the defunct North Western State, Col. Usman Farouk, said criminals could commit crimes in one state and take refuge in another.

Defence chief defends Armed Forces

•From left: Product Manager, Fertility Franchise, Eleojo Abutu, Country Manager, Merch Pharmaceutical, Mr. Charles Ajibo, Project Manager, Global Pharma Health Fund, Mr. Richard Jahnke and Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control ( NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhil, during a workshop by Global Pharma Health Fund on falsfield medicines detection in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•Jubilee Diagboya, one of the winners of Legend Extra Stout's ticket to Dubai receiving his prize from music star Terry G at the 1st raffle draw to pick winners of the 2014 edition of Legend Extra Stout's National Consumer promotion in Lagos. With them is rapper Naeto C.

The Chief of Defence Statff (CDS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh, yesterday said the Armed Forces should not be discredited.

The CDS said there was no truth in the insinuation of friction between the Minister of Defence Gen. Aliyu Gasau and the service chiefs.

Badeh stated this in response to the memorandum on alleged mal-administration in the Armed Forces submitted to the sub-committee on defence infrastructure of the National Conference by retired Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali. On counter terrorism measures, he said the insinuation in the Dan-Ali's memorandum that the counter-terrorism measures adopted by the Armed Forces have failed, casts aspersion on the Armed Forces and the political leadership of the nation.

"This is regrettable, especially coming from a source that is in a better position to appreciate the complexity of asymmetric warfare. It is hoped that highly placed individuals would refrain from making inflammatory statements that are likely to undermine morale in the Armed Forces of Nigeria and jeopardize military operations," he warned.

The CDS, who was represented by Assistant Director (Legal Services) Defence Headquarters, Col. G.O. Anyalemechi, responded blow-byblow to allegations of mal-administration made by Dan-Ali in his memo to the National Conference.

He noted that although the subcommittee called for memorandum from the general public, it was not clear whether it was appropriate for

• Dr Ngari Nwagha Georgina(left), Udenwa and Osoba at the meeting... yesterday.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

a conference delegate to submit a memorandum on a subject which he may ultimately preside over.

He insisted that the perceived failure as alluded to in the memorandum by Dan-Ali was capable of undermining the corporate existence of the country.

Conference delegate, he said, should not allow it to happen.

On the command and control of the Armed Forces, he said: "This Headquarters disassociates itself from any imagined friction between the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs."

He said the Armed Forces Act has clearly defined functions and assigned responsibilities with respect to the general administration of the Armed Forces.

The Act, he said, also established Councils and Boards chaired by the Minister of Defence.

"Indeed, the total subordination of the military to civil authority is not an issue that should be belaboured.

The Honourable Minister of Defence superintends over the Defence Ministry which encompasses the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

"Undoubtedly, the minister does not take part in actual military operations, and may not, in those circumstances, exercise operational command and control of troops. That does not in any way dilute the democratic imperative of civilian control of the Military," he said.

On alleged illegal detentions and extra judicial trials, he noted that the Armed Forces Act makes copious provisions on arrest, detention and trials.

The Act, he added, also makes provision for appeals by aggrieved personnel just as it made provision for prolonged detention of Service personnel in the interest of public order and Service discipline.

The CDS said the absence of specific example by Dan-Ali in his memo makes a comprehensive response to his allegation impossible.

He said the discriminatory legal reviews as alleged in the memo do not exist in Armed Forces of Nigeria because legal reviews are carried out by legal experts in the respective Directorates of Legal Services, which are manned by qualified lawyers.

The Directorates, he said, review Court-Martial cases and advise the Army Council, Navy Board or Air Council, as the case may be.

He added that as an institution manned by human beings, they cannot claim infallibility in all respects.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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r state police at Conference

enwa

•Dr Segun Aina(left) ,Dr Patricia Wudhiga Ogbonnaya and Hajia Aisha Ismail at committee meeting in Abuja... yesterday .

"It is, therefore, pertinent to note that, shortcomings attributable to human factor cannot be elevated to discrimination, as insinuated in the memorandum. Above all, the provision on review of Court-Martial sentences in Sections 154 and155 of the Armed Forces Act are discretionary in nature, each case being treated on its merit."

On corruption, he said the memorandum also failed to provide verifiable data upon which the allegation was based.

"Nevertheless, it has been posited that corruption is the bane of the third world countries of which Nigeria is one. It is hoped that the current Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, which includes the Armed Forces of Nigeria, would bring about the desired change in the polity.

"There is, therefore, no basis for the misgiving expressed by the author over perceived corruption in the Armed Forces," he said.

He said promotions in the Armed Forces are guided by clear provisions of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service, as amplified by individual regulations applicable to the Services.

He noted that generally, promotion in the Armed Forces is a privilege and not a right.

He added that for a senior officer to be eligible for promotion, he must satisfy certain conditions.

The conditions, he said, include deployability, good confidential report, specific academic and professional qualifications as well as establishment vacancy, amongst others.

He said the conditions are adhered to as much as they are humanly possible.

On the issue of Federal Character, he noted that it is pertinent to state that Federal Character is also adhered to, especially at the point of entry into the Military.

"However, as commissioned officers grow in rank, they are required to scale various hurdles in order to be eligible for promotion," he said.

Barde said the allegation of maladministration in the Armed Forces as contained in the memo have farreaching implications on the general administration of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and by extension, national security.

"This is particularly worrisome as no specific examples were given in the memorandum to substantiate the allegations and claims by the author.

"It is instructive to observe that the Armed Forces Act, the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service as well as other internal regulations of respective Services, contain adequate provisions and guidelines on general

•Prof Kimse Okoko(left) Gen . Alani Akinrinade and Remi Olatubora (right) at the committee meeting... yesterday. PHOTOS: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Sidi Ali from Northwest said SEIC should be re-energised but that the powers of the President and governors should be removed as sole appointees of Chairmen of INEC and SEIC. Senator Mohammed Jibril said it was INEC that should rather be strengthened and that 'mushroom commissions' like SEIC should not be allowed to exist.

He was supported by Musa Salihu,who regretted that governors have too much influence on the SIEC. He said: "Scrap SEIC, there is no need to strengthen them, they are too corrupt," he added.

Anayo Nnebe also advocated for the scrapping of SEIC, saying: "INEC has never delayed national elections for a month, but SIEC always does.

It should be scraped from the constitution. They do governors biddings only."

NULGE: let local govts be

•Member of Committee on Religion, Alhaji Nurudeen Lemu at the session... yesterday. photo: Abayomi Fayese

administration and discipline of the Armed Forces.

"The Nigerian Armed Forces have over the years endeavoured to adhere strictly to these provisions. This accounts for the cohesion and unity of purpose that define the corporate existence of the Armed Forces of Nigeria," he said.

Committee backs SIEC The Conference's Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters yesterday endorsed the continued existence of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SEIC) for the prosecution of elections at the Local government level.

The Committee, co-chaired by former Senate Presidents, Ken Nnamani and Prof. Iyorchia Ayu, also invited the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Prof. Atahiru Jega to appear before it today for interactions on electoral matters.

The Committee is set to consider placing the SEIC on first line charge and well as authority it regulates its own procedures.

According to Ayu, who said the tenure of Prof. Maurice Iwu as Chairman of INEC was the worst in the history of the country, said Nigerians are agitating for the independence of SEIC because conditions have improved under the present

electoral body.

The Committee was of the opinion that INEC should not be burdened with Council elections going by the lapses witnessed in previous general elections executed by INEC. The delegates have also advocated for the strengthening of the SEIC to make it effective, efficiently as well as empower it against being turned to pawns in the hands of State executives.

Olusola Ebiseni from Ondo State said there were contradictions inherent in calls for true federalism and the removal of SEIC. Besides, he noted that the existence of SEIC was a constitutional matter as mentioned in Section 197 while the State, as a federating unit is expected to handle the affairs of the Local government as part of its residual functions.

According to him, if democratic structures were allowed to endure, good governance would be encouraged that would result in less corruption and by extension, less agitations from Nigerians.

Ebiseni, who was a member of a sub-committee set up on how to strengthen SEIC, said the Committee would explore means of placing SEIC on forts line charge.

Secondly, he said the Committee would seek how the SEIC would be empowered to regulate its own procedures without seeking approval of

the governor.

Former Governor Achike Udenwa said rather than ask for the scrapping of the SEIC, it should rather be strengthened through the appointment of its members.

He suggested that political parties with members in the State House of Assembly, religious bodies, trade unions as well as members of he Civil Society Organisations (CSO) should be members of the commission.

He also said the SEIC should be backed by strong laws while asking the legislature to wake up to its responsibility of calling the executive to order when it is going out of its bounds.

In his submission, former Governor Olusegun Osoba, who supported Udenwa on the need to strengthen the SEIC, said issue of finance is critical to the Local government, which was responsible for its manipulation by the governors.

According to him, it was the federal allocation for local council that the governors are using to control the local government.

He said the manner local government are run by governors was not fair, adding that if the issue of finance can be resolved in favour of the local council, governors would have less over bearing influence in the affairs of local government, including local elections.

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Nigeria Youth for Positive Change (NYPC) have urged the National Conference not to sanction the removal oflocal government system from the constitution.

NULGE’s President Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel and NYPC President Nasiru Kabir, in statements, said any move to expunge the system from the structure of government would be resisted through popular protest.

The NULGE president said: “The attention of NULGE has been drawn to the position of the Committee of the National Conference on Power Devolution and Structure of Government at the on-going National Conference. The committee was reported to have resolved that local government system in Nigeria should be put under the control of the state government and should also be expunged from the constitution.

“With due respect to eminent Nigerians who constitute this committee, this position is arbitrary and without taken into consideration the feelings of Nigerians and recommendations of panels and committees; government white papers and National Assembly resolutions on the desirability of local government autonomy. The union posits that this position is inimical to the good interest of our dear country.

“The union knows that the issue of local government is an almost settled matter through various past efforts. The National Conference can only build on this and adopt it for a ground norm in Nigeria and not to sabotage or put the country in a reverse gear through its positions.”

THE NATION TUESDAY APRIL 29, 2014

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NEWS

Electricity workers protest in Ondo

NLC, ex-PHCN workers protest unlawful sack in Ibadan

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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CTIVITIES were disrupted yesterday at the headquarters of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) as members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR) barricaded the entrance of the office.

The workers, who stormed the place around 7:15am, prevented many of the company’s staff from entering the premises. They said they were protesting sundry issues that started from the privatisation of PHCN. Their grievances included the “unlawful” sack of their members from the defunct PHCN by the new owners, nonpayment of severance packages to workers who had worked up to 10 years as casual workers and the issuance of exorbitant electricity bills.

The protesters, in full glare of soldiers who had been guarding the office, mobile policemen and Department of State Security (DSS) operatives, sang solidarity songs for hours.

They carried placards reading: “Recall sacked workers now”; “Labour says no to casualisation of workers”; “We worked for 10 years in electricity industry without engagement. What is our fate”; “No to the anti-union stance of the in-

•The protesters ...yesterday.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

vestors” and “No progress can come with Darlington in charge”, among others.

Oyo NLC Chairman Comrade Bashir Olanrewaju said the NLC was joining “victimised” NUEE members to fight against labour slavery, victimisation, and public extortion by the government and power investors.

Olanrewaju said: “The government and those they sold PHCN to have not fulfilled many of the agreements reached with workers before and after the privatisation. We have come

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

here today as the second phase.

We have come here before. We have had several meetings but they have never fulfilled many of their promises. We are here today to inform the public that workers are being exploited by their nation.

“They sacked workers without paying them a kobo, saying they were casuals, whereas casualisation is illegal in Nigeria.

The government said those who were retrenched would get their salaries on time but uptil now many of them have not been paid anything.

“Also, they have prevented

Nigerians from unionising. The investors have banned unions.

This is against the right to freedom of association in the 1999 Constitution. They said after they have finished sharing our commonwealth among themselves, that it would bring an end to crazy bills in Nigeria. Uptil now, they are still bringing crazy bills and many areas in are without electricity.”

After a brief argument with security agencies who attempted to dislodge the protesters, Olanrewaju warned that any attempt by the security men to apply force would lead to the un-

Mark, governors, others condole with Sambo over brother’s death S OME prominent Nigerians yesterday have condoled with Vice-President Namadi Sambo over the death of his younger brother, Yusuf.

The deceased, who was 58year-old pilot, died on Sunday in a ghastly motor accident on the Abuja Airport Road.

Among those who visited Sambo at his Akinola Aguda House official residence in the Presidential Villa on Monday include the Senate President, David Mark, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio and his Delta State counterpart, Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Sambo received the male sympathisers inside one of the

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From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

big halls while his wife, Hajia Amina attended to the female mourners in another hall.

Others who visited Sambo yesterday included other members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, and leadership of the ongoing National Conference.

Governors who visited the Vice President also included Idris Wada (Kogi), Tanko AlMakura (Nasarawa), Ibrahim

Dankwambo (Gombe), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna) and James Ngilari (Deputy governor, Adamawa).

Speaking with State House correspondents, Akpabio described Yusuf’s death as a sad development for the country.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary David Iyofor, said: “It is most painful to lose someone close and dear to you. I on behalf of my family and the people and government of Rivers state sympathise with you

(Vice President Sambo).”

“We share in your loss and grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”

Former Governor of Ekiti State Segun Oni also commiserated with Sambo over the death of his younger brother.

He described the death as shocking and painful.

Oni, who reacted to Captain Sambo’s death in a statement, said he was still finding it difficult to believe that such a jolly good fellow and seasoned pilot could pass on very soon.

Fabian Okonkwo emerges Abia APC chair

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has elected its first chairman. He is Fabia Okonkwo, a lawyer.

He was elected at a state congress held at the auditorium and ground of the popular National War Museum in Umuahia. The delegates unanimously elected Okonkwo.

The Congress Committee Chairman and Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Sunday Akere, thanked all APC members for a hugely successful congress, which began with the ward congress across the state on April 8 and local government congress on April 16.

The congress was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Security and the police .Others elected with Okonkwo are Elder Smart Ebere (Sec-

Apart from the initial skirmishes by some hired thugs and hoodlums who were easily overwhelmed by the teeming APC supporters, the congress was largely adjudged by many as a huge success retary), Chief Princewill Agwu (Treasurer), Chief (Mrs) Franca Osuwa (Women Leader) and Chief Johnson Ekekwe (Deputy Secretary). Others in this new excecutive council include: Sir Mike Ozoemena ( Organising Secretary), Comrade Benedict Godson (Publicity Secretary), Sir Joshua Akomas (Financial Secretary), Kalu Kalu (Youth Leader), Chief Nnamdi Uchendu (Legal Adviser), Chief George Nwancha (Welfare Secretary), Mrs Joyce Adiele (Auditor),

Chief Ejiofor Okeudo (Vice chairman, Abia North), Grant Nwogu (Vice-chairman, Abia South), Chief Okey Nwagbara (Vice-chairman, Abia Central); Mrs Abel Adaku (Zonal Women Leader) , Smart Nzeadibe (Asst Youth Leader), Ambrose N. Alex (Zonal Youth Leader, Abia South), Okorie Ugochukwu (Zonal Youth Leader, Abia North), Chief Uzoma Nwamuo (Asst Organising Secretary), Mrs Nna Rose (Assistant Women Leader), Chief Ugochukwu

Onyenwenwa (Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prof Mba Uzoukwu (State ex officio), Dame Lady Comfort Iheme (State ex officio), Chris Okpechi (State ex officio), Dr Emmanuel Ndukwe (State ex officio), Larry Obonna (Assistant Legal Adviser) and Dr Chris Ugochukwu (Assistant Welfare Secretary).

The party said: “Apart from the initial skirmishes by some hired thugs and hoodlums who were easily overwhelmed by the teeming APC supporters, the congress was largely adjudged by many as a huge success.”

Okonkwo thanked all delegates, Akere and congress committee members who refused to be blackmailed. He promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him and his team and assured party faithful that ‘’ APC will form the next government in Abia come 2015’’.

ion extending the protest.

Reacting to IBEDC workers, who were watching the protesters from their office windows, NUEE Southwest Vice-President Comrade Niyi Akinola said: “Those of you looking at us are selfish. You think of yourselves alone. You forget that the same may happen to you. Anyway, we would be here to fight for you when they eventually sack you.”

NLC warned that if nothing positive is heard from the government after the protest, the union would organise the May Day rally at the same place.

HE Nigeria Electricity Workers Union (NEWU) in Ondo State began yesterday a seven-day protest over fixed electricity charges.

NEWU Chairman Samson Adeladun described the fixed charges by electricity distribution companies as “exploitative”.

Adeladun said fixed was an attempt to rob the masses, adding: “The fixed charges levied on the people by the various electricity distribution companies are ways to rob the people, whether they supply them power or not. Such fees should be abolished.”

Adeladun decried the nonpayment of terminal dues to workers laid off by the defunct PHCN as earlier agreed.

The workers sang war songs and carried placards reading: “No more fixed charges”; “Pay us our entitlements”; “Funke Osibodu must go” and “no to tyranny”.

The protesters barricaded the road leading to the state secretariat, despite the heavy presence of security men.

Many observers complained about epileptic power supply and outrageous bills.

The Akure office of the Benin Electricity Development Company (BEDC) was locked during the protest.

None of the officers responded to phone calls put through to them.

Agbakoba to NBA: Don’t deny Southwest its right

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By Joseph Jibueze and Precious Igbonwelundu

ORMER Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has urged the association not to jettison the zoning of its next president to the Southwest.

The lawyer said there could be dire consequences, if the Yoruba do not produce the next NBA President.

He said the previous one was elected on the basis of zoning.

The Midwest fielded a candidate for the July election and he is said to enjoy the support of some NBA bigwigs.

In a letter yesterday to NBA President Okey Wali (SAN), Agbakoba said: “I recognise and empathise with the exclusion of the Midwest, but it is in our overall interest to maintain the zoning arrangement.

“I suggest we do not depart from the zoning arrangement but immediately take steps to address the grievances of the Midwest.”

He said NBA election should not be a “do-or-die affair,” adding that lawyers are not politicians.

Agbakoba said: “Based on current arrangements, it is the turn of the Southwest and we must all support candidates from the zone.

“Although not a binding convention, all past presidents have been elected based on zoning.

“I regret that the 2014 NBA presidential election is getting out of hand and I fear there will be dire consequences.

“We must not allow the election to become a do-or-die matter. We are not politicians.”

The Southwest has three major candidates after the regional forum, Egbe Amofin, could not agree on a consensus candidate.

Oyo govt, club partner on micro-credit scheme

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From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

ERICHO Business Club (JBC) and the Oyo State government will evolve a micro-credit scheme to better the lot of the people, the club’s president, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi disclosed yesterday at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The club said 30 people would benefit from the scheme. A scholarship scheme for indigent students, said the club, has been instituted.

Olugbemi and other members of the executive council executives were sworn-in for 2014 bussiness year at the Development Support Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday.

He said: “We are to serve not only the social end of our people but the economy of our people wether memeber and nonmemeber but of ibadan origin.

“The agenda of this new exco is to provide a platform under which our members can network so also to put together a center where bussiness can be performed.”

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NEWS Court declines to vacate bench warrant against oil marketer

Fashola blames Nigeria’s woes on dearth of professionals

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has said Nigeria is battling with sundry developmental challenges because professionals in various sectors of the economy have failed to do the right thing at the right time.

The governor, who spoke at a summit organised by Young Professionals Forum in Lagos, also blamed the situation on ethnic and religious sentiments.

He was represented by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

Fashola said professionals should share the blame on Nigeria’s dwindling fortunes because of their failure to build on the gains of the past.

The governor noted that rather than place value and merit first, the nation has become engrossed in religious and ethnic sentiments as the deciding factors for taking key decisions that shape the future.

He said: “Our past leaders, like the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, built institutions, not people. That’s why we never forgot their names. But we have allowed those institutions to die. These are the challenges.

“The problem we created for the country is that the professionals have left gaps that are not filled.

“Today, we have collapsed buildings, but those buildings were signed up by some engineers. So, what is the professional engineering institution doing about that? Are the erring engineers sanctioned? Everybody now says it is the government. No, I am sorry; it is everyone of us.”

Citing Singapore, Fashola noted that the country leveraged on its people to rebuild its processes.

The governor said Nigerian professionals should rise up to the challenge of rebuilding the national processes.

Fashola said: “Singapore does not have any natural resources. The only thing it has is the people. They import water from Malaysia; they import sand from Indonesia.

But they were able to rebuild their country because it was not about emotions. We have everything but the professionals in our country need to raise their game to make sure we don’t lose this country totally.”

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•From left: Justice Mukhtar Oladipo Abimbola; Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Bolajoko Adeniji and Controller of Agodi Prison, Ibadan, Mr. Lawrence Sowunmi, during the visit of the Chief Judge to the prison in Ibadan...yesterday PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

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Gaidam: insecurity will end with APC at the centre

OBE STATE Governor Ibrahim Gaidam has said insecurity will become history when the All Progressives Congress (APC) takes over the central government next year.

The governor said the nation was better off before 1999, when the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took over the reins of leadership.

He said: "Nigeria would be in trouble if we allow the PDP to continue in power beyond 2015.

We were better off before 1999.

From all indices of development, things are getting worse since the PDP government took over the affairs of this country. The economy is very bad. Look at the se-

expose the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect, which has killed thousands and abducted hundreds, including the Chibok, Borno State schoolgirls.

"The insurgency is coming to an end and God will get hold of the sponsors. God will not allow them to succeed again," Gaidam said.

The governor called for special prayers for the 234 secondary school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram members in Chibok,

Borno State.

He urged the new party executives to show their political strength in the next election by ensuring that their constituencies vote for the APC. Gaidam described the APC as the only party that can take Nigeria out of the woods.

He added: "We decided to be part of this merger to join other progressives to save Nigeria from PDP's misrule."

The party's new chairman, Mai Mala Buni, promised that the executives would give 100 per cent loyalty to APC. He acknowledged the enormous responsibility placed on their shoulders.

sons on the progress being made in their areas.

“This same intensive monitoring should also be demanded of local government areas’ chairpersons within their area of jurisdiction.”

The President said in the last few months, he had held series of meetings with the governors of least performing local government areas, to personally discuss their challenges and proffer solutions.

Jonathan said his administration had given “recognition to state and traditional institutions that have done well in ensuring that our children are adequately immunised”.

He stressed that reports indicated that Nigeria would soon win the war against polio.

He said: “It is evident and comforting, from the various activities in the last one year, that we are on the right track.”

Dr Jonathan said he was en-

couraged by the steady progress recorded, which had led to “the significant reduction” in the number of reported cases.

“On the number of polio cases, we have also cottoned on to improve our surveillance. As at the first quarters of 2014, only two cases of polio were reported, compared to 26 cases recorded in the first quarter of 2013,” the President said.

He hailed the quality of campaigns on the disease since 2013, adding that in January, 81 per cent of local government areas in the 11 polio-endemic states achieved greater than 80 per cent coverage.

The feat was surpassed in March with 86 per cent of the local government areas achieving over 80 per cent coverage.

Dr Jonathan noted that the recent success “is a testimony to the continuous improvement in the quality of the eradication programme in Nigeria”.

•'God 'll expose terror sponsors'

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

curity situation in the country: there's no light, no roads. Nothing is moving.

"With an APC government at the centre, it is my view that the insecurity in the country will be over and everything will be improved upon. Nigeria will be better again."

Gaidam, who spoke yesterday at the inauguration of newly elected state executives of the party, also said God would soon

Jonathan urges governors to lead polio eradication

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has urged governors to lead their states in the eradication of polio from the country.

The President assured Nigerians that his administration would continue to fund polio eradication programme.

Jonathan spoke at the opening of the Nigeria Polio Summit 2014 in Abuja. It was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with Rotary International District 9125.

The summit with the theme: Sustaining the End Game Strategy Tempo: Polio End Game ...Let’s End It Now, reviewed the efforts at eradicating the disease from the country this year.

Jonathan, who was represented by Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said governors should continue to provide the leadership for the programme by requesting and reviewing monthly reports from the local govern-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ment chairpersons on their progress.

The President acknowledged the successes the nation had made so far, but warned that governments at various levels could not afford to rest on their oars until the scourge is eradicated.

Nigeria, in the last five months, recorded two cases of polio, compared to 2013, when it recorded 26 cases within the same period.

Nigeria and Pakistan are the only two countries still grappling with polio; the other country – India - exited the list last month.

Jonathan said: “Let me again call on our governors to continue to provide personal leadership, in your states for the programme by requesting and reviewing monthly reports from the local government chairper-

APC, North’s governors, Kalu condole with Sambo tude to bear the irreparable loss over brother’s death and to grant eternal rest to the

HE All Progressives Congress (APC), the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu have commiserated with Vice-President Namadi Sambo on the death of his younger brother, Capt Yusuf Sabo Sambo, in a road accident in Abuja.

In a statement yesterday in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed shock and sadness at the death of such a vibrant personality in such a tragic circumstance.

“Death is never easy to accept, and when it is so unexpected, it adds to the grief. But the sweet memories and good deeds of the departed will always be a balm

By Olamilekan Andu

to soothe the indescribable pain of death.

“We sincerely sympathise with the vice-president, the immediate family of the departed as well as his extended family. We pray that God will strengthen and comfort them all in this difficult time,” APC said.

The NSGF urged Sambo to take heart and be strong.

The forum’s chairman and Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu said the vice-president should not be discouraged by his younger brother’s death.

The NSGF’s condolence was contained in a statement yesterday in Minna, the state capital,

by Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo.

It said the best tribute Sambo could pay to the memory of the departed was for him to touch more lives positively.

The forum noted that though the pilot’s death was untimely, life is not about how long people live but how people impact positively on the environment around them.

The forum stressed that although the late Capt Sambo lived a relatively short life, he ensured positive change to his family and the Aviation sector, where he worked for many years.

The governors prayed God to give the vice-president and members of his family the forti-

soul of the departed.

Kalu, in a condolence message to the Sambo family, described the death of Capt Yusuf Sambo as shocking.

The late captain worked with Kalu in various capacities, including being the captain of his fleet at Slok Airlines.

Kalu said: “Nigeria has lost one of its good pilots.

“The Air Force officer died at a time his intellectual capacity would have been most appreciated in the aviation industry.

“The late Sambo was a source of inspiration to younger pilots.”

The former governor urged the vice-president to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a life dedicated to God and humanity.

•Vice-President Sambo

Kalu commiserated with the people of Kaduna State and prayed God Almighty to grant the deceased eternal rest.

By Adebisi Onanuga

USTICE Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court in Ikeja declined yesterday to vacate a bench warrant issued against an oil marketer, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo.

Justice Onigbanjo held that Ogunbambo's application, in which he prayed the court to vacate the bench warrant against him, was misconceived and ought to be dismissed.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ogunbambo alongside another oil marketer, Habila Theck and their company, Fargo Energy Limited, over alleged N979.6 million fuel subsidy fraud.

Justice Onigbanjo, on February 10, issued a bench warrant against Ogunbambo for failing to appear before the court for the continuation of his trial.

Ogunbambo's counsel, Mr Raphael Oluyede, in the application, urged the court to stay execution of the bench warrant pending the hearing and determination of an appeal filed by the defence against the court's order.

Oluyede had asked the court to restrain the EFCC from arresting his client.

But EFCC counsel, Mr Emmanuel Jackson, urged the court to dismiss the application of the defence.

He described it as an abuse of court process.

In his ruling, Justice Onigbanjo said there was no exceptional circumstance to could warrant the court vacating the bench warrant.

He said: "This is a part-heard criminal proceeding in which trials have been adjourned several times because of the absence of the first defendant and to the detriment of the second defendant (Theck)."

The judge said the warrant was to ensure that Ogunbambo was brought to court for speedy conclusion of the trial.

Justice Onigbanjo dismissed the application of the defence and advised the EFCC to arrest Ogunbambo.

Forum seeks better animal welfare From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

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ARTICIPANTS at a workshop on this year’s World Veterinary Day have called for a new legislation to improve animal welfare.

They also called for the education and enlightenment of the public on the importance of animals.

The stakeholders noted that good animal welfare reduces disease transmission to humans and improves food safety.

A United States of America (U.S) expert from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Dr Lora Davis said compassion should be extended to animals because of their bond with human beings.

She said a cordial animalhuman relationship has therapeutic effects.

According to her, a responsible animal management affects land use, climate change, pollution, water supplies and habitual conversation.

Dr Davis urged veterinarians to be involved wherever animals are at risk or are about to be placed at risk.

THE NATION TUESDAY APRIL 29, 2014

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NEWS

No economy can grow with bad roads, says Aregbesola

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SOGBO, the Osun State capital, went agog yesterday as Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s motorcade went round the city to open 21 roads.

Shouts of “Aregbe” rented the air as the governor’s convoy moved through Station to Ebenezer Hotel Road; Boorepo to Elelede Junction Road; Elelede to Gbemu Road; Gbodofon to Gbemu Junction Road; and Ilobu Road to GRA Road, among others.

At Oroki Estate, the venue of the ceremony, Aregbesola said his administration had spent N10 billion on roads.

He said he was not disturbed by the huge amount because the roads would give unquantifiable benefits to the people.

The governor said at the inception of his administration, it had a vision of progress for Osun,

•Governor opens 21 roads in Osogbo of which road development was a vital component.

He said: “When we started these roads, our traducers scoffed and mocked the project, claiming that we would never have the funds or the presence of mind to see them through.

But to the glory of God and their eternal shame, we have delivered on our promise.

“We are not resting on our oars. Our greater vision is to tar every road in the state, since we cannot conceive of a beautiful environment without good roads.

“We will, therefore, continue to convert our visionary road map for Osun into concrete and enduring legacy of asphaltic surfaces for the socio-economic development and prosperity of

our people.”

Aregbesola said the development of Osogbo township roads was part of a visionary road map to make the city a befitting state capital.

The governor said the 26.31km roads will ease traffic.

They include Station Road to Ebenezer Hotel Road; Boorepo to Elelede Junction Road; Elelede to Gbemu Road; Gbodofon to Gbemu Junction Road; and Ilobu Road to GRA Road.

Others are: Oja Oba Road to Plantain Area; Balogun Biiro to Oke Baale Road; Alafia Street to Church Street, Awolowo Way; Coca-Cola to Capital Hotel Road; Oke Onitea Road to Anaye Market Junction; Okefia to Ita Olokan Road; the road opposite Capital Hotel to Oroki Road;

Oroki Estate to Ilobu Road; Odetoyinbo to Heritage Hotel Road with Spur; and Kola Balogun Road Junction to Fiwasaye Olohunosebi Junction.

The rest are Osunbukola to Ede Road; John Mackay Road to Oke Baale; the road from Tanisi to Keji Adigun Street; Adams Street to Mercy Land and Road Spur; Steel Rolling Camp to Kabelo Filling Station and Ifeloju Omo-West Road.

At the event were Aregbesola’s wife, Sherifat; his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salam; Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Moshood Adeoti; top government officials; traditional rulers and trade groups, among others.

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s target in the August 9 governorship election is not only to win, but also to defeat Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his ward, it was learnt yesterday.

Omisore was, in 2011, defeated by Senator Jide Omoworare of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the senatorial poll.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research, Planning and Policy Implementation (Federal Matters) Prince Olusegun Bada said in Abuja that the only place Omisore won in the senatorial election was in his ward, adding: “We are not only looking forward to defeating him in the governorship election.

That is an understatement; we are also looking forward to beating him in his constituency and ward.”

In Bada’s view, Aregbesola has performed excellently. He is confident that the governor will be re-elected.

Bada said: “Even people

‘Omisore’ll be defeated in his ward’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

within the PDP know that their candidate cannot win.

You cannot win when you are against the people. Winning an election is based on track record and the records of both candidates are there.

“Aregbesola has tarred 10km roads in each local government area. He has not spent four years in office and has tarred over 600km of roads. And we are targeting 1,000km.

“He has done backward and forward linkage with access to agricultural products. He has created an enabling environment for hospitality, and for small scale and manufacturing businesses to thrive. He has made Osun State peaceful for coexistence among various ethnic and religious groups.”

•Ambode (third right) with the plaque. With him are Dame Fashola (fifth right); Sulaiman (second right); CONFERENCE 57 Secretary-General Hakeem Bamgbola (eighth right); Publicity Secretary Adewale Ayodele (left) and other council chairmen.

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Ex-Lagos Accountant-General Ambode, Fashola’s wife honoured

ORMER Lagos State Accountant-General Mr Akinwunmi Ambode was the cynosure of all eyes at the 17th City People Awards as he was honoured for his contribution towards the development of Lagos State in the past

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27 years. Also honoured was the Lagos State governor’s wife, Dame Abimbola Fashola.

Ambode was all smiles as the award was presented to him by Dame Fashola.

He was accompanied to the ceremony by 30 local gov-

ernment chairmen, led by Bariga Local government Chairman Akeem Sulaiman, who is the state chairman of the Conference of Local Government chairmen.

Ambode, who retired from the State Civil Service two

years ago, thanked the management of City People for recognising his modest contribution towards the development of modern Lagos.

He dedicated the award to the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress

Good riddance to Lanlehin, says Oyo APC

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has described Senator Femi Lanlehin’s exit from the party as “good riddance to bad rubbish”.

In a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Dauda

Kolawole, APC said the exit was worth celebrating.

At the weekend, Lanlehin, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District, said he was never an APC member and would soon announce his next political destination.

The APC said Lanlehin was only displaying “his wellknown political pedigree of party flirtation”, stating that if the Senator had not abandoned the APC, he would have made news as acting against what the world knew him to be.

It said: “No one who knew Lanlehin’s political odyssey would be shocked at his most recent flirtation and betrayal of the hands that fed him. He has travelled a political road that is landmarked by political treachery, abandonment and lack of basic ideology.

That it took him this long to show his most recent political destination is a testimony to the fact that the APC is a good manager of political deviants.”

Recounting Lanlehin’s political journey, the APC said his father was a well-known Action Group stalwart and his romance with conservatives came as a surprise to many at the early part of his political journey.

It said: “Lanlehin had a shortlived stint with the Alliance for Democracy (AD), where he was Special Adviser to the then Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He stabbed the former governor in the back and walked out of the government and the AD. He thereafter hobnobbed with General Olusegun Obaasanjo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were then Tinubu’s political adversaries. Not satisfied with the PDP, he took his mantle again and came to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), where he was made a senator.

His political history has always been that of a rolling stone that gathers no moss.”

The APC said Lanlehin had always been a political liability, noting that throughout his stay in the party, he refused to be a team player in his senatorial district, choosing to sulk over the party’s failure to nominate him as its governorship candidate in the 2011 elections.

(APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who he described as the pathfinder of modern Lagos, and Governor Babatunde Fashola, who he called the actualiser of modern Lagos.

Ambode described Dame Abimbola as “the virtuous woman behind the governor’s success”.

He thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve Lagos State in various capacities and hone

his skills and talents.

Ambode said the award would propel him to offer more selfless services to the people, if given the opportunity.

He urged the people to continue to support Fashola.

In attendance were Commissioner for Transportation Kayode Opeifa and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lagos State Property Development Corporation, Mr. Biodun Oki, among others.

‘Kekemeke best for Ondo APC ’

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N All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ondo State, Prince Boye Ologbese, has lauded the emergence of a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, as the party’s chairman.

He described the development as a new dawn for greater transformation.

Ologbese said: “We strongly believe that the emergence of

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Kekemeke and his team will reposition the party. We are confident of Kekemeke’s leadership qualities, going by his antecedents. He is capable of leading APC to victory in 2015.”

Another APC chieftain, Ambassador Bayo Yusufu, said: “I have worked with Kekemeke in the past and I know what he is capable of doing. He will harmonise the party and fortify it to win elections.”

Ekiti Varsity to establish institute

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HE Ekiti State University (EKSU) is set to establish an Institute of Medical Technology on its Ifaki-Ekiti campus.

Medical Technology is a paramedical field where certified technologists can build careers as ultrasound technicians, radiologists, health informatics and cardiovascular technicians.

The programme is globally relevant with jobs available in clinical laboratory, academic research, public health, teaching and the pharmaceutical industry.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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THE NATION TUESDAY APRIL 29, 2014

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NEWS EKITI 2014

Why Fayose should not be governor, by APC T

HE Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the electorate not to vote the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the June 21 governorship election, former governor Ayodele Fayose.

The party said: “Fayose represents a plague which God would not allow to befall Ekiti again.”

In a statement yesterday by the spokesperson of the APC , Mr. Segun Dipe, the party added: “Neither the nearly eight years he has stayed out of power nor his advanced (over fifty years) age could change the gangster spirit which will live in him for as long as he lives.”

According to Dipe, Fayose lacks the barest inkling about governance, which was why within the space of three and a half years he reversed the achievements of his predecessor in office, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

Dipe explained that Fayose had been engaging in politics of lies and falsity by twisting facts about his achievements in Education and the improvement in the lives of teachers and civil servants generally.

Fayose, said Dipe, has shown lack of understanding of simple economic principle of inflation for claiming that Fayemi has awarded a kilometre of road for N1.150bn as against N33m when he was governor.

The APC said the fact remains that the cost of contracts could not have remained the same for eight

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PDP candidate tackles Fayemi

HE Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO) has accused the All Progressives Congress’s (APC’s) candidate for the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, of denying opposition parties the freedom to campaign in Isan-Ekiti. He alleged that the APC planned to twist votes.

Its Director-General, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, spoke at a news conference yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of the state.

He added that the statement of APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu that the coming election would “be rig and roast” only indicated the party’s frustration .

It urged Commissioner of Police Felix Uyanna to ensure that those who were caught fomenting trouble are duly prosecuted.

But the Director of Media, Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Dimeji Daniels, opposed the allegation that the party had plans to twist the voters’ registers.

He said: “We are tired of all this scare-mongering by the PDP candidate. Let him be a man of honour for once. We challenge him to come out with the so-called incontrovertible evidence that he has.

“We are tired of all this scare-mongering by the PDP candiFrom Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

years after Fayose vacated office.

Said he: “The records of governor Kayode Fayemi’s achievements are there in our Ministry of Education or the internet and such could be accessed by anyone genuinely desirous of truth and facts not concocts of a depraved seeker after an office he never qualified for either morally or educationally.

“Let me recall that Fayose in many of his encounters has promised to change his ways. This in

itself is an admission that he had faulted and failed the people in his earlier coming. But we know that the however long the rain beats down on the leopard, it would not wash away its dark spots.

“He executed projects only half heartedly and abandoned several others. Before the grand plot of the State Assembly unseated him in October 2006, he had become a big mess and a threat to peaceful living. Inspite his lies today about his performance in education and infrastructure, the records showed that Fayose

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

date. Let him be a man of honour for once. We challenge him to come out with the so-called incontrovertible evidence that he has.

“Fayose is fond of screaming blue murder when he is the one guilty of same offence. We have incontrovertible evidence of how in 2011 he approached INEC and offered one of the officials N10 million. When the man declined and Senator Babafemi Ojudu walloped him in the election, he turned around to say it was ACN “.

Anisulowo, who was represented at the conference by his Deputy, Barr Owoseeni Ajayi, said “We make bold to say that Ekiti people have rejected him and his stooge. We only advise him to wait till June 21 before venting his anger and frustrations.

“We are not unaware of the clandestine moves of the APC leaders to infiltrate the independence Electoral Commission .

We have incontrovertible evidence being made by the APC to manipulate the voter registers and we are also aware of frustration and stiff resistance they met while trying to buy up the leadership of INEC”. hardly added to what Adebayo left.

“All Fayose could be remembered for today were fanciful feats of doling out money to Okada riders on the streets of Ekiti and make belief shows of love and affection for street side yam and Akara (bean cake) sellers.

“APC shall not relent in warning the electorate not to be hoodwinked by his latter day saintly attitude. He (Fayose) also recalls his time in governance with joy but history don’t lie. His reign was marked by one week one trouble.

“Fayose is congenitally incapa-

ble of appreciating certain human values which was why he milked rather than made Ekiti and never left a legacy which could today complement his aspirations to rule the state again. While Fayose could lie and his massive propaganda set up could go about twisting the facts, history of how he lived his time as governor of Ekiti would not lie. His atrocities will live for as long as Ekiti lives.”

Fayose yesterday said the APC must not be allowed to return to power.

He spoke during a rally in Ijurin-Ekiti, Ijero Local Govern-

ment.

Fayose insisted that allowing the return to power of APC would amount to sentencing the state to “permanent slavery, permanent poverty, permanent hunger for workers and permanent kingdom for thugs, killers and treasury looters”.

The former governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Idowu Adelusi, said the Fayemi administation did not construct any new road but only repaired the roads he constructed, spending huge amount.

Fayose promised that he would not borrow to execute any project, adding that he left N10.4bn in the state treasury.

He said during Niyi Adebayo Administration which is an offshot of Fayemi Administration, Ekiti State came 35th position in secondary schoool’s public exams, but the status changed during his tenure because by 2005, Ekiti rose to 1st position in the South West.

“However, the result of WAEC exams just released by the WAEC confirmed that Ekiti State has gone back to 34th position notwithstanding having a Phd holder and professor as governor and deputy governor of the state.”

Fayose said contractors who are Ekiti indigenes were relegated to the background as contractors were brought from Lagos, “ even at that these Lagos contractors have left the sites because Fayemi refused to pay them”.

Egba monach Tejuoso leads prayer for Ekiti polls •Clerics pray against bloodshed

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N array of Christian clerics yesterday converged on the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House grounds, Ado-Ekiti to pray for the peaceful conduct of the June 21 governorship election.

They included the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, who led a team of Christian leaders to intercede for the Land of Honour, Prophet Kayode Abiara and others.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by his deputy, Prof Modupe Adelabu, led high-ranking political office holders and civil servants.

Explaining the motive behind the gathering, Oba Tejuoso told the congregation that it was God who directed him through a revelation while praying at Ikoyi Prayer Mountain to visit and pray for Ekiti and Osun states to avert bloodshed before, during and after the forthcoming governorship polls.

According to him, the government responded to a request to organise the prayer by asking the Senior Special Assistant on Religious Matters, Evangelist Ade Alofe to invite him.

The monarch, who had earlier visited the deputy governor, later prayed for peace to reign in the state during the election, even as he admonished the people not to entertain any fear.

The monarch said God

had answered the prayer because the government and people of the state believe God and obey him by offering the prayer without any delay.

His words: “Whoever plans bloodshed in the coming election in Ekiti State will fall victim of his evil plan because God hates bloodshed and detests those who shed innocent blood for whatever reasons.”

He warned those planning to cause mayhem to repent and toe the path of peace or meet their waterloo.

In closing remarks given by his deputy, Fayemi thanked the Osile of Oke Ona Egba and other clerics for heeding God’s directive to intercede for Ekiti.

He said God’s directive to the monarch and the men of God to pray for the state was evidence of God’s love for the peace, progress and development of the state because “Ekiti is God’s own land and therefore will not allow any evil to overcome it”.

Lacing the governor’s remark with Psalms 46, verse 10, the deputy governor urged the people not to despair as God who gave the directive for the prayer has answered all the prayers offered on behalf of the state.

Other clerics at the session were: Bishops Kayode Willaims and Ayo Faith Sonibare, Dr. Kunle Salami, Pastor Olu Eyebiokin, Ven Deji Alabi and Pastor E.S Olatunji among others.

•Fayemi addressing the crowd at Ogotu Ekiti rally.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

•Fayemi (right) speaking at a campaign in IpotiEkiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the ttate... on Sunday.

Applauding his speech is former Minister of Police Affairs Caleb Olubolade (left).

BUSINESS

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

CPC orders Aero to pay N1.599m to passengers A ERO Contractor Air lines has been or dered to pay about N1.599million to 39 passengers on its November 8, 2013 Abuja-Lagos bound flight – AJ132.

The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) which gave the order, said the airline should pay N41,000 each to the passengers , having been found culpable of gross abuse of the rights of passengers on the flight. It said the compensation must be effected within 30 days.

CPC’s Director-General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, who made this known in Lagos yesterday, said in addition to the fine, the airline must refund 25 per cent of the passengers’ ticket value for abandoning them at the airport overnight.

She explained that the compensation is in lieu of the reliefs that should have been provided during the period of delay, in line with the Passengers’ Bill of Rights (PBR), a regulation enacted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which is binding on all airlines operating in Nigeria.

“Each of the passengers of the flight should be paid N5,000 for snacks and drinks due to them after one hour, as well as meals and drinks due after two hours of delay,” she said, adding, “the passengers are also entitled

By Simeon Ebulu

to N1,000 for two-free telephone calls, SMS or email, N10,000 for return transportation to and from the airport, N25,000 for hotel accommodation and 25 per cent of their ticket value for the cancellation of the flight without notice.”

When contacted, a spokesman for Aero Contractor, Simon Tunba, said the airline has not been officially notified and so could not react to the development.

The Council also directed the airline to review and submit to it within 90 days, its Disruption/Crises Management Manual in line with the PBR; establish a customer service platform in each airport in Nigeria and its other locations to facilitate on-thespot resolution of consumer complaints and report to the Council within 180 days.

Mrs. Atoki also directed that the airline should develop and submit to the Council within 30 days, a prototype statement which will be presented to passengers at check-in, in respect of payment of the relevant refund/compensation when flights are cancelled without notice, and in the event of class downgrade, adding that Aero Airlines is required to present to the Council within 30 days written assurances in line with Section

• From left: Head, Consumer Protection Council, Lagos Office, Mr. Tam Tamunokonbia, Mrs. Atoki; and Director, Legal, Emmanuel Ataguba...yesterday.

10 of the Consumer Protection Council Act, that it would refrain from a continuation of any conduct which is detrimental to the interests of consumers.

Explaining the rationale for the order, the CPC boss pointed out that, in line with its mandate to protect and promote the interest of consumers, the Council carried out an investigation on the airline’s reported action of November 8, 2013, which left 39 passengers of its Flight AJ132 stranded overnight at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, in Abuja.

She said the Panel of Investigation, which considered

Govt orders contractors, others to register on e-platform, BPP

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HE Federal Govern ment has warned that contractors, suppliers and consultants that fail to registration on the database of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) would be excluded from government contracts and may be jailed.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, made this

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

• Adoke From Nduka Chiejina

(Asst. Editor) and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

known at the 2014 annual contractors/consultants and service providers forum in Abuja, yesterday.

Represented by a Director in the Office of the SolicitorGeneral of the Federation, Mrs. Olusola Moore, the Minister said: “The essence of the provisions of the law is to stress the need for relevant stakeholders to get registered under the e-platform in order to guarantee the continued participation of their companies in federal procurement.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, who was also represented by the Permanent Secretary, Economic Matters, Abubarkar Magaji, said the Independent Corrupt Practices and other

related Offence Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are currently investigating cases of infractions which include, collusion amongst bidders, use of fake documents, false claims by contractors and suppliers, and manipulation of the procurement process.

He therefore urged contractors, consultants and suppliers to prevail on all their “staff involved in the public procurement process to conduct themselves with the highest sense of responsibility, accountability, ethics and integrity.”

Violators of the new policy, he said, “shall have their names listed in the list of firms and persons that have been barred from participating in Public procurement activities.”

Earlier in his address, the Director General of the BPP Engr. Emeka Ezeh stated that the forum is designed by the Bureau of Public Procurement to sanitize the process of bidding for Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies which has received the endorsement of the Federal Government.

BPP is currently registering contractors, consultants and service providers doing, or intending to do, business with Federal Government agencies with a view to classifying them according to their sizes and competencies.

responses from the affected passengers and the airline, “substantiated the allegation of violation of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Act, the Passenger Bill of Rights (PBR) in the Consumer Protection Regulations Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR) and other extant consumer protection enactments.”

She disclosed that the Panel’s key findings included the fact that the flight was delayed for 15 hours without due care for the affected passengers, contrary to the provisions of the PBR and that the crisis management processes and procedure of Aero Contractors fell short of in-

ternational best practices and certainly did not ameliorate the traumatic experiences of the affected passengers.

Other findings, she said, are “that the mechanism or structure to inform consumers of their rights be put in place by Aero Contractors is inadequate as it presupposes that passengers must first ask for their rights before they are informed; that apart from the offer of complimentary tickets to affected passengers to any destination of their choice, which does not replace their entitlement under PBR, no apology was tendered.”

Mrs. Atoki, also noted that there was inconclusive evidence on prevention of future

occurrences and that Aero Contractors did not take adequate measures to provide redress for its passengers whose rights had been infringed upon, thereby contravening the CPC Act, the PBR and international best practice.

The CPC DG observed that the aviation industry was global in nature, noting that operators were obliged to synchronise their operations with the global best practices of strict adherence to rules and regulations and respect for consumer rights.

“The Council is empowered to implement and ensure compliance with all consumer protection regulations howsoever enacted.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

12

BUSINESS NEWS

Fashola restates case for non-central wage policy

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CENTRAL wage policy is not sustain able in the country, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has said.

Fashola who spoke in Lagos when he received members of the Senior Executive Course 36 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in Kuru, Jos, including some Permanent Secretaries in the State who have also undergone the course, said each state should be allowed to pay what it considers appropriate and sustainable.

He explained that the cost of living differs from state to state, just as states do not get the same amount of revenue from the Federation Account.

He said it is impracticable to prescribe “a one- size- fitsall” for all the federating states as it concerns salary payment because even if such is forced down the throat of some states, such compulsion

would not be sustainable, as states may not be able to cope.

Fashola recalled that the idea of discriminatory wage originated from the defunct Western Region of Nigeria, noting that when it was being paid then, the other regions were paying less to their workers.

He explained that each time the state tends to disagree with the clamour for a unified minimum wage, it is not because government is unconcerned about the welfare of its workers, because often times, it has always led from the front in terms of improved welfare packages for the work force.

Noting that strikes should be the last, rather than the first option, Fashola said part of what he finds very worrisome is the fact that even when the state has no industrial issues with its workforce, the workers often join the national body on solidarity strikes thus crip-

pling the system.

Every strike, the Governor explained, injures the workers more because the mindset of every employer is resource optimization and profitability and that when it is reduced the impact would also be felt by the workers.

The Governor informed that according to the law that regulates strikes, there are several conditions such as the holding of a congress by the workers who intend to embark on the strike and the approval of same through the sponsoring of a motion that must be seconded before such a strike can commence.

He said at such congress there must be a record of those who voted to support the strike and those who were against it, adding that on the contrary in some instances, strikes are commenced by union leaders without informing the members of the reasons for such

From Vincent Ikuomola,

hardship of coming in into Abuja.

“And let me tell you, it is either we stand the hardship, or we leave everybody coming to wherever they want to, but I think it is better we go through the hardship so that we can attend our conferences and go to our offices than for us to allow everybocdy coming.”

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimma who gave the operational details, said the armed forces are committed to the protection of the country’s sovereignty, lives and property of individuals. “ I know we are all aware

Etisalat gets 3.15b euro loan to buy Vivendi Maroc’s stake

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• Fashola

industrial actions.

The Governor believed that most of the strikes that are embarked upon will not pass the tests prescribed for regulating such actions by the law but that, as a law abiding government, the state is always expecting that the rules would be applied in terms of strike actions.

He added that although the state is always ready to negotiate with its workers on improved packages, as their welfare remains uppermost, government is also answerable to the larger public in terms of the totality of resources and cannot use all its resources in paying salaries of workers alone.

WEF: Govt assures international community of safety

T

HE Federal Govern ment has again assured the international community about the country’s preparedness to host the World Economic Forum, saying the Federal Capital Territory, venue of the forum is safe.

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh told foreign diplomats yesterday in Abuja as part of moves to reassure the international community of the safety of the country ahead of the forum.

Already, the government has started the process by extending invitation to 25 African leaders and three other

Abuja

lead states, Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey, The forum which will hold in Abuja is slated for 7th to 9th of May, 2004.

Badeh said: “What we want here is for us to tell you how safe Abuja is. As Chief of Defence Staff, I won’t have the detail, my colleague will give you the detail, but I can guarantee you that Abuja is safe. The only thing is that there is this hardship of coming in into Abuja, but untill we are able to get technology to assist us, we will continue to grapple with this

of our security challenges in the North-eastern part of our country and our effort to curtailing that insecurity as soon as the insurgents ... As an armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are committed to the protection of our sovereignty, lives and property of individual as well as the infrasture of state. And then I want to reassure you that aside the economic forum, that will be coming up in some weeks time, the security of Nigeria is guaranteed, all nationals, the international citizens as well as the investoprs and for the whole capital and venue of the economic forum.

MIRATES Telecommu nications Corporation, ETISALAT, known to be the most valuable listed company in the United Arab Emirates, signed a 3.15 billion-euro, about ($4.36 billion) deal with 17 banks to fund its acquisition of Vivendi SA (VIV)’s stake in Maroc Telecom.

The funding includes a 12month bridge loan of 2.1 billion euros priced at 45 basis points above the Euro interbank offered rate, rising to 60 basis points above Euribor after six months, the company said yesterday in a statement.

Etisalat, which has a market value of 90 billion

dirhams, also signed a threeyear 1.05 billion euros loan priced at 87 basis points above Euribor.

Telecommunications companies in the Middle East are expanding abroad as domestic growth slows.

Etisalat agreed in November to buy Vivendi’s 53 per cent stake in Maroc Telecom, Morocco’s biggest wireless carrier, for about 4.2 billion euros.

The deal, which will be completed at the end of May, according to Serkan Okandan, Etisalat’s chief financial officer, will increase the company’s presence in Africa beyond its Egypt and Nigeria’s units.

ECCIMA lauds efforts to develop national quality policy

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NUGU Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ECCIMA) has commended the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for midwifing the National Quality Policy Committee.

It said in a statement that it was timely and necessary in order to enable the country achieve its economic goals.

Speaking through its Chairman, Dr. Ifeanyi Eric Okoye, it assured the committee of its support to initiatives and decisions reached by it, in line with the formulation of a National Quality Policy in Nigeria.

Dr. Okoye, who is the Managing Director, Juhel Ni-

By Chikodi Okereocha

geria Limited, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, said with the blue print for quality expected from the committee, technical barriers to global trade will be removed for indigenous goods.

He saif the establishment of National Quality Infrastructure, which include a national accreditation body, a national metrology institute, internationally recognised test laboratories, standardisation of goods and services offered in all sectors of the economy and quality assurance would be catalysed thereby, ushering the economy into a new phase of growth and development.

Vodacom bags ICT awards

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ODACOM Business Nigeria’s outstand ing contribution to connecting and enabling enterprise businesses in Nigeria was recognised at the Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Awards in Lagos.

Vodacom emerged winners in Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year and the Cloud Service Provider of the Year categories.

Vodacom Business’ core infrastructure connects over 580 million people across more than 40 African countries and includes over 50 satellite transponders, 24 dedicated teleports and access to multiple sub-sea cable landing ports. By utilising on-the-ground support, Vodacom Business provides system integration and maintenance, Broadband Internet,

Dedicated Hosted services, Cloud Services, International and Pan-African data networks, Enterprise Voice and a host of other Value Added Services to its customers.

Managing Director of Vodacom Business Nigeria, Guy Clarke, said: “We are honoured to receive this award, as a customer centric organisation; we are passionate about our customers’ business and we will continue to support them with enterprise-class communications solutions to help them grow their businesses.

“What makes this award special to us is that we are receiving recognition not only from the telecoms industry but from businesses that have come to realise the benefits of using our solutions.”

PZ Wilmar supports food festival

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Z WIlmar vegetable cooking oil brand, Mamador said it has supported the inaugural edition of the Nigerian Food Fiesta that held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

A brand mangement staff of PZ Wilmar, Ndidi Ezeudeuyi, said in a statement that food festivals are a key part of the cultural life of vibrant, successful economies, saying they are a very colourful and important addition to a country’s attraction for tourists. Countries like America!,Germany, Britain, Austria have hundreds of food festivals, he added.

Food festivals allow a city, region, or country to showcase its food culture and allows leading food brands to

share their offerings and interact with consumers in fun and friendly atmosphere.

As leader of the cooking oil brand in Nigeria, Mamador is very delighted to be supporting organisers of the food fiesta.

PZ Wilmar is sponsored a table at the food fiestas, organised by Aresveepee limited, a specialised events company.

Mamador has emerged the leading cooking brand after 15 months of entering the market as several consumers have tasted and believed that Mamador is 100 per cent pure. PZ has partnered with the largest cooking oil makers in the world, Wilmar to bring the high quality cooking oil Mamador to Nigerian consumers.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com 08062722507

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•Jakande Estate, one of those managed by LBIC.

One year after their case went public, duped subscribers to some housing Olokola schemes of the Lagos Building Investment Company are still waiting for justice. They have resolved to go to court because of the way ‘’government is communities pledge handling our case’’, ERIC IKHILAE reports.

cooperation

House scam victims threaten litigation R

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NE year after their plight went public, hundreds of subscribers allegedly duped by officials of the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC) are still waiting for justice.

They said they have lost hope in the government coming to their aid having waited this long after their story was published by this paper last year. The publication led to an investigation by the House of Assembly, which indicted the LBIC officials for collecting money from subscribers without providing them houses.

The subscribers are wondering why the government is keeping quiet over their plight despite being vindicated by the lawmakers.

The subscribers said they had briefed their lawyers to take up their case, since the government appears reluctant to ensure justice is done. They also said they have disengaged their former lawyers, who they felt were now friendly with the government.

After a three-month investigation, The Nation on March 12, last year carried a story on the alleged rip-off of subscribers by officials of the LBIC and their agents, who are mostly non-staff of the company. The report established that the LBIC caused subscribers to lose their money through a con-

trived scheme, where people were encouraged to subscribe to non-existent houses. In the process, many subscribers’millions of naira, were either tied down for years or lost. The report featured the cases of Johnson Olawale Atoyebi, Adeniyi Olanrewaju, Alhaji Ajani Adedibu and Alhaji Jimoh Akewusure.

Jolted by the accounts of victims, the state House of Assembly mandated a three-man committee headed by Adefunmilayo Tejuoso to investigate the case.

Members were O. Ogundimu and Remi Olowo. The panel invited some of the victims and members of LBIC’s management, including its Managing Director, Tunde Jinadu, during its investigation. Its report was adopted by the House on November 18, last year. The report contained details of fraud, extortions and sharp practices by LBIC officials.

The committee found that LBIC’s officials and agents conspired to defraud subscribers of millions of naira, including disabled women, who parted with up to N3.5 million each. It also found that the officials allegedly unlawfully withheld LBIC’s funds, deprived or withdrew apartments from applicants to whom allocations had been made.

Aparently, shocked by thesr

findings, the House Committee on Finance was said to have recommended that the company’s management team be sacked and its board disbanded. It also recommended improved supervision of LBIC’s activities by the Ministry of Finance and related departments. The committee ordered that the company should refund to the victims. The lawmakers, it was learnt, elected to defer to the Executive, on whether or not to prosecute the officials found wanting.

Also, the Executive, through the Attorney-General (AG), probed the company. The Directorate of Advisory Services and Judiciary Liaison (DASJL) of the Justice Ministry was assigned to investigate the case. DASJL has since submitted its report to the AG. A staff member of DASJL said: “We have since completed our investigation. The management and officials of LBIC were very uncooperative. But that confirmed the allegations against them. I can hardly imagine that such things are happening in this state and nobody seems to be willing to take drastic actions against state officials involved in such unethical and criminal conduct.”

The state is yet to move against the management and officials of LBIC found to have

acted unethically. Many of the officials indicted in the House’s report are still in office. The state is also yet to implement the recommendations of the House.

But the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, has promised that the government would resolve the issue.

Ipaye told The Nation: “The government is looking into the matter.” He said the matter involved quite a number of people, hence, the government cannot just take an individual’s case and address it.

“We are working to change the old practice we inherited, where people are asked to make payment and no allocation is made to them. We are working on these cases. There are similar cases that we are addressing together. I cannot tell you when exactly we will do this. But we are certainly interested in resolving these issues. It is just that I will not be able to say whether it is this week or next,” the AG said.

He said the perceived delay was informed by the government’s determination to ensure that the right thing was done.

Ogun housing estates to get internet, constant power, others

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LL the housing schemes of the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) to be provided with facilities, its Managing Director, Babajide Odusolu, has said.

The facilities include good road networks, drainage system, uninterrupted power supply, recreational and internet facilities.

Odusolu said the schemes, including the Orange Valley Estate, opposite the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta and others in Agbara, Isheri and Sagamu, were testimonies of the government’s desire to make affordable housing available to the people.

Giving a breakdown of hous-

ing units at the various estates, he said 50 and 100 units of twoand three-bedroom flats were built at Agbara and the new Makun scheme, assuring that materials used for the houses were of high quality standards and could stand the test of time.

He said apart from OPIC, the state Ministry of Housing and

Housing Corporation are involved in the efforts to make affordable houses available to the people.

He said the ministry was working on a 170-hectare K o b a pe H o u si n g S c h e m e while the Housing Corporation is handling the Plainfield Estate.

ESIDENTS of communities in Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ) have expressed readiness to cooperate with officials of the Ogun State government handling boundary adjustment.

They are Araromi, Ilaje, Atijere, Obimileyin and Agbalaobi communities that share boundaries with Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.

They spoke when the DirectorGeneral, Bureau of Lands and Survey in Ogun State, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, met them.

He appealed for the cooperation of the communities, adding that the exercise was not meant to cause boundary crisis, but to ensure that the pillars are wellestablished to have a successful FTZ project that would be of mutual benefit to the two states.

He said: “This visit is to ensure that all pillars used to demarcate allotted land for the project are in place and also to have a good geographic information on the pillars whereby with a click on our system, we can determine the status of the pillars which would prevent encroachment from neghbouring states.”

The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on the Olokola FTZ, Mr. Lekan Onamusi, also said it was a project which required mutual cooperation of the communities of the two owner states.

He noted that the pillar re-establishment was a deal between the two states.

The Alara 1 of Araromi Sea side, Oba Adesuyi Adekunle Obed, who spoke on behalf of the communities, lauded both Ogun and Ondo states for their efforts to keep the Free Trade Zone project alive, expressing optimism that it would enhance their socio-economic life when it eventually takes off.

He assured that the communities would cooperate with state officials to carry out the exercise.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

TRANSPORTATION

‘Trans-African roads ’ll boost economy’

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O boost its economy, Nigeria should champion the realisation of the trans-African highways, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa has said.

He said as the strongest economy on the continent, Nigeria would gain from access to the West African, East African and the Mediterranean Sea markets if the Dakar-Ndjamena and the Dakar-Lagos highways are done.

The Dakar-Ndjamena-DakarLagos are three of the nine transAfrican highways proposed by the African Union (AU) to better link African nations by road.

Stories by Adeyinka Aderibigbe

Speaking in his office recently, Opeifa said: “We stand to gain from this move, just as Germany is gaining from the European Union (EU) liberalisation. We remain the manufacturing giant in this axis, while South Africa controls the Southern part of Africa.”

He said the opening of regional highways would increase the nation’s economic potential, create better linkage and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.

For him, with increasing trade regionalisation, Nigeria should champion policy reforms aimed

at making transport infrastructure a core component of its regional trade.

Opeifa, however, observed that investment decisions in the last 30 years on transportation infrastructure, especially at the federal level, had not had desired effect because policy makers have been choosing development projects based on political consideration rather than on the needs, growth and socio-economic importance.

The commissioner, who called for more growth-focused investment in road infrastructure, listed Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the East-West Road, dredging of the Niger River, to allow

for inland water transportation, privatisation of the railway from Kano to Lagos and rehabilitation of the rail network from Lagos seaports to all the industrial estates some of the infrastructure that could boost economic growth.

He said, investments in the sector should focus more on growth, wondering how many new inter-state roads have been built in the last 20 years.

Opeifa said when transport systems are efficient, they provide economic and social opportunities that result in wealth redistribution, better accessibility to markets and for additional investments.

•Opeifa

we are encouraging more operators to come in and bring new vessels. We have reached a stage where we have been able to move about 1.8 million people per month and of you look at our figures, they are rising,” Marinho said.

He said the waterways provide shorter alternatives to commuters who are eager to get to their destination in good time.

“The movement from Lagos Island to Ikorodu takes about 25 minutes and it takes the same time to get to Ojo. This is an attraction that many commuters are just getting to know. People are getting to know that they can get to their destination safely and quicker by water and this is what we are selling,” he added.

Govt to light up waterways

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AVE you ever been caught on a ferry at night making your way home, with only the navigating lights on? Stop worrying, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has concluded plans to lighten up the waterways to ease night travel, its Managing Director, Mr Adeyinka Marinho, has said Describing the move as part of initiatives to deepen the integration of the inter-modal transport system promoted by the government, Marinho said when this is done, it would boost water transportation.

Quoting a ship rider’s survey compiled last year, Marinho said no fewer than 1.8 million commuters use the waterways monthly. This, he said, translated to a marginal increase, from 1.5 million recorded monthly in 2012, adding that it is still short of the government’s projection.

The government, he said, projected five million commuter traffic monthly, adding that the accidents recorded in the past and low investments in the sector may have contributed to the drop in patronage.

Marinho said 47 operators operate on the Lagos waterways, with 117 vessels plying the vari-

•Commuters disembarking from a ferry

ous routes.

Appealing to commuters not to stop patronising the waterways, Marinho promised that the agency would expand the facilities on the waterways to ensure safer transportation for commuters.

He said massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of some major jetties is going on across the state,

urging commuters and boat operators to strictly comply with every rules and regulations governing the use of the waterways.

Marinho warned that the government would deal with any operator who breaches its regulations.

“LASWA has been working hard and is collaborating with a lot of its operators. We have increased awareness on the waterways and

Vehicles to undergo emission test

UN road safety week focuses on crash reduction

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HE Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Adegoke Adetunji, said the command has worked out strategies to reduce crashes and fatalities across the country.

Adetunji stated this at a press conference by his command to kick off the Third United Nations Global Road Safety Week.

The UN programme, which theme is “Keeping children safe on the roads,”started on Wednesday last week.

As requested by the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety, the week’s activities would focus attention on the protection of pedestrians worldwide and generate action on the measures needed to do so, and contribute to achieving the goal of the Decade of Action for Road Safety on reduction of accidents on the roads from 2011-2020 to save five million lives.

He said the Commision would not relent in its efforts to achieve the objectives on reducing road crashes.

“Road crash is one of the leading

I

By Olalekan Ayeni

causes of death and it creates a financial burden across the country.”

The FRSC boss said: “World Health Organisation estimated that out of 3000 deaths, which occur daily from road crashes, one third involve school children, while 96 per cent occurs in low and middle income countries. Hence the UN in declaring the Decade of Action calls for concerted efforts to reduce road crashes by 50 per cent by 2020.

To achieve the UN reduction target, the Sector Commander said the reduction of incidences among children has to be confronted headlong. He said about 42 per cent of deaths recorded among these groups in Nigeria affect public school children from the low income parents and that private/public schools children in Nigeria constitute the class of road users classified by the FRSC as the most ‘exposed’ on our roads. “We have come to this reality that these children must be protected and guarded against all kind of road crashes,” he said.

•Adegoke

Adegoke said the command has introduced Children Accidents Preventive Initiative (CAPI) aimed at inculcating road safety culture through public enlightenment and education that will impact positively on children.

He said the command would also organise public awareness campaigns and undertake advocacy visits to the garages, churches, mosques and ensure compliance among the motorists.

He appealed to motorists to always observe traffic rules and regulations while driving, and to place children on the safer side of their vehicles.

S your vehicle smoking? You have up till next year to fix the problem or risk contravening the law.

From next year, emission test will form part of road worthiness requirements for all vehicles in Lagos State, the Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, has said.

He spoke at a stakeholders’ forum with trucks/articulated vehicles owners in his Alausa, Ikeja, office.

The move, he said, is meant to keep non-road worthy vehicles off the roads.

He said the government has engaged emission control experts to carry out the test.

The decision to begin the test, he said, was taken during the National Council on Transportation meeting in Lagos in November, last year.

Opeifa, who chided truck drivers for the high rate of accidents caused by articulated vehicles, said the government would adopt measures to reduce crashes.

He said: “We have noticed some accidents involving articulated vehicles in the state and we are speaking with the operators, owners and the regulators of these vehicles.”

Part of the commitment to reduce accidents, he said, informed the introduction of the road worthiness certificates, adding that it was behind the new parking policy, taxi policy, truck routing planning and weigh bridge, construction among others.

Opeifa, said the ongoing documentation of commercial vehicles was aimed at ensuring that the government has a data base of such vehicles to aid planning.

He said: “The government wants to have a database of all commercial vehicles operating in the state and this we would achieve latest September 2014.”

Opeifa said driver’s education, enlightenment and enforcement were key to preventing accidents. He urged fleet owners and managers to be alive to their responsibilities by ensuring that vehicles that were not road worthy are kept away from the roads.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Vacuous politics

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•PDP’s accusation of APC over Nyanya bombing is puerile and insensate

T must be symptomatic of the fallen standard of education in Nigeria today that the quality of political discourse has dropped to an unbelievably pedestrian level. Public comments are devoid of neither rigour nor intelligence, while criticisms are stark and devoid of such nobility of purpose that serve the overall interest of a nation. The atmosphere is therefore suffused with kneejerk remarks and unintelligible utterances made only for the sake of their noise and nuisance values. In the end, not the parties or the society is enriched.

All the political parties have in some degrees not been up to par in their information management and dissemination strategies. However, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) comment in the wake of the bomb blast in Nyanya, Abuja, midmonth must be the lowest limits. As acrid smoke still billowed from what may probably be the worst terror attack on the nation, the PDP spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, released what will pass for the most unconscionable political statements in recent times off-handedly blaming the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) for the attack.

The PDP’s statement reads in part: “We stand by our earlier statements that these attacks on our people are politically motivated by unpatriotic persons, especially those in the All Progressives Congress (APC) who have been making utterances and comments, promoting violence and blood-letting as a means of achieving political control. Nigerians are also aware of the utterances by certain APC gover-

nors which have been aimed at undermining our security forces and emboldening insurgents against the people.

“Those who have been promoting violence through their utterances can now see the monster they have created. They can now see the end product of their comments; a country flowing daily with the blood of the innocent. The question is how do they feel when they see the mangled and blood-soaked bodies of their victims? How do they feel when they hear the voices of the dying and injured? Of course they feel nothing. Their hearts have been hardened and they are embittered by the fact that they have been rejected by the people. They are bitter because the people have chosen to rally round the government they love and voted for; but must they choose the path of violence and blood-letting as a response to the wishes and aspirations of the people?”

There must be a limit to party propaganda and political bombast. The charred and mangled bodies of nearly 100 innocent citizens cannot be the platform for scoring cheap political points or engaging in childish blame game. Have we descended to the level of playing politics with death and destruction; with our collective national calamities? Metuh made his vacuous statement even as the nation wept and compatriots were still in the vast motor garage sorting pieces of flesh from personal effects. The ruling party would make wild accusations against fellow countrymen while condolence messages were streaming in to Ni-

geria from across the world.

Metuh had made such weighty allegations based merely on specious, circumstantial grounds with nary a strand of evidence. Politicking while the nation is in deep sorrow may well be an attempt to cover up PDP’s failure in the past three years to curb this incipient terror that has brought the country to her knees. But this cancerous insurgency may well have its roots in the PDP as was noted by the late former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi.

While we admonish all parties to endeavour to raise the level of public political engagement in the interest of the nation, the ruling PDP has a higher, bounden duty to show better example.

‘Metuh had made such weighty allegations based merely on specious, circumstantial grounds with nary a strand of evidence. Politicking while the nation is in deep sorrow may well be an attempt to cover up PDP’s failure in the past three years to curb this incipient terror that has brought the country to her knees. But this cancerous insurgency may well have its roots in the PDP as was noted by the late former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi’

Presidential indiscretion •President Jonathan’s statement about inducement for election contradicts a professed fighter of corruption

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is gradually becoming embarrassingly audacious. From his ab initio taciturn posture upon assumption of office, he is exceedingly assuming a belated confidence, through mostly unguarded utterances quite unbecoming of a man holding such venerated position.

His latest imprudence was his reported inflammatory political statement in Kano.

The president was bubbling with unrestrained political fervour at the event designed to formally receive Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano State governor back into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). There he launched tirades against incumbent Gov-

‘We can objectively conclude that his confession in that ancient city portrays him as an avowed promoter of this ugly corruption trend in the nation’s degenerating body polity. Otherwise, he should have realised that such disparaging statement is capable of proliferating corrupt practices and also serve as impediment to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s resolve to ensure internal democracy within political parties’ process of candidates’ selections’

ernor Rabiu Kwankwaso, accusing him of misappropriation of the money handed over to him to curry the favour of Kano delegates at the Abuja PDP presidential primary convention that produced him as candidate of the ruling party in 2011. The president declared: “The allowances sent by my party campaign office for election purposes were taken away by Kwankwaso without giving anybody a Kobo. How can he say he voted for me?”

Kwankwaso was earlier said to have reportedly regretted “voting for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 presidential election, as he has done nothing to move the nation forward.” Sadly, the president’s political showmanship came at the Polo Ground in Kano State at this period of national mourning consequent upon the Nyanya Park, Abuja, bomb blast that killed hundreds of people and: the kidnap of about 234 school girls in Chibok, Borno State, that were yet to be fully resolved. This is regrettably bad and unnecessary!

Our main concern is not about the political tantrums thrown by these two big wigs but the fact that the president moved beyond the limit of decorum by flaunting his inducement of Kano delegates at the primary convention. He spoke as if it was an act of generosity on his part to give out such questionable and unaccountable funds in a country in the abyss of escalating immorality. We recognise the reality that party primaries are usually expensive, which is why it has become an unwritten code and practice for aspirants across the political party divide to spend heavily on the primaries. But we see this trend as also antithetical to the

spirit of guaranteeing internal democracy in political parties’ attempts to present to Nigerians the best candidates to choose from during elections. No wonder aspirants with deep pockets routinely emerge during parties’ primaries, which could partly be responsible for the urge to see public office as one for recouping money spent than as service to the country.

We call on the president to publicly tell Nigerians how much he spent on his 2011 PDP presidential primary and how he came about the money that could best be described as bribe, not only to Kano delegates but other delegates from other states across the federation. Since the president has confessed to being a political bribe giver, we demand of him to tell us how he will be able to call any of his ambitious ministers or aides to order when caught in the act in future? No wonder, his administration is fast notching up the notoriety of oil funds disappearance, over-invoicing, oil theft escalation, among other corrupt practices.

President Jonathan’s Kano statement of bribe giving is abominable and condemnable. We can objectively conclude that his confession in that ancient city portrays him as an avowed promoter of this ugly corruption trend in the nation’s degenerating body polity. Otherwise, he should have realised that such disparaging statement is capable of proliferating corrupt practices and also serve as impediment to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s resolve to ensure internal democracy within political parties’ process of candidates’ selections.

Delivering for the born-free generation •South Africa’s politicians must create a more just society

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HIS weekend was the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s first free elections and the final dismantling of white rule. As such, it is a moment for mixed reflections.

While the passage of time has not dimmed the miracle of that peaceful transition, it cannot be denied that multiracial South Africa has failed to fulfil the hopes of those neophyte voters who queued outside polling stations in 1994, braving the threats of bombs and civil strife.

While South Africans may have gained the franchise, many have yet to secure their dignity.

The country faces huge challenges. Its education system is failing, poverty and unemployment are rife and mining – the traditional bedrock of the economy – has been hobbled by industrial unrest.

More than 6m are infected with HIV. Next month South Africans return to the polls for the first time since Nelson Mandela’s death in December. This will be the first election in which the so-called “born-free” generation – those whose lives began after the end of apartheid – is eligible to vote.

The polls suggest that the African National Congress will again win a thumping victory.

Despite challenges from established parties such as the Democratic Alliance and the radical fringe in the shape of the recently formed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the ruling party is expected again to win more than 60 per cent of the vote. Hopes of a wake-up call from the electorate, while not impossible, look slim.

This is a pity. For if Mandela’s gift to South Africa was to give the country’s divided society a sense of pride, purpose and unity, the ANC is the biggest reason the legacy is increasingly insecure.

While any analysis of South Africa’s post-apartheid story must recognise the scale of the problems its leaders faced, the responsibility for many of the missed opportunities and failings since 1994 lie at the party’s door. Over the past 20 years it has been frozen halfway between the liberation movement it once was and the functioning political party it needs to become.

The ANC has become a byword for weak leadership and cronyism. This is not just a question of Jacob Zuma’s presidency or the scandal surrounding the $23m allegedly lavished on his personal compound at Nkandla, embarrassing though that is. It is a systemic problem.

The ANC is now a coalition held together by little more than jobbery. Including newly enriched tycoons, liberals, racial nationalists, populists and union bosses, it struggles to present itself as a national movement. Its capacity for decisive action is diminished.

The party has not taken forward Mandela’s message and healed the injustices left by minority rule. The commanding heights of the economy remain overwhelmingly in the hands of the white elite. The policy of blac k empowerment has been cosmetic, gifting riches to a few insiders. Astonishingly, in terms of income distribution South Africa is now a more unequal society than it was under apartheid.

The racial harmony that Mandela bequeathed South Africa is accordingly ever more at risk.

Intolerance seeps into public discourse. The antiwhite rantings of Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, are just one example.

The question now is whether a still-dominant ANC has the energy or the gumption to tackle these problems. The to-do list is long. It must restructure the economy, overhaul education, reform land ownership and enforce a policy of redistribution that pays greater attention to the poor and dispossessed. The signs are not good.

If the ANC cannot deliver, the hope must be that a new political force can emerge that will hold the government to account and ensure that politicians represent the interests of ordinary citizens.

South Africans have waited 20 years for this.

Another five may be too long.

- Financial Times

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

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: I can’t imagine how life would have been for the abducted teenage girls. Everyday, countless thoughts skip through my heart. Sometimes I feel pain inside me. Why do we have to be citizens in a country where poor ones are helpless?

This is a country where not much value is attached to human lives.

Sometimes, tears roll down my cheeks in fears and hopelessness.

Sometimes I ask rhetorically – had it been these girls are my biological sisters, surely, I know that my house would have been flooded with tears now; tears of grieve, pain and sorrow. I am worried day and night because of the fact that no one knows the conditions in which these girls are right now. These heartless terrorists might have turned them to sex objects or subjected them to hard labour. No one can

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Tears for the abducted girls vividly confirm if they are even alive.

The most painful thing is the lackadaisical attitude of the federal government in handling the situation. It is not an ideal to continue to exchange words with the governors of these affected states as the federal government has been doing. The governors might have been frustrated too with way and manner innocent lives are being lost in their states. This is a critical issue that ought to have been

handled with all seriousness. I am always amazed at how successful these terrorists have been able to carry out the attacks in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states without serious challenge from the security agencies.

Isn’t this a testimony that some of our leaders have a hand in these acts? We must wake to reality that we need a change in the style of governance in this country. We must not continue to live like this.

I always wonder how heavy

the hearts of the mothers of these girls might be. But despite all these delays, I still hope that the Nigerian Army would be able to bring these girls back to their families alive. The most unfortunate thing which I don’t pray to happen to them is the loss of their innocence in the hands of these lions in human skins. I pray for the safety and release of these sisters as soon as possible.

• Safiya Abdulganiyu, IBB University, Lapai-Niger State

Open Letter to President Jonathan

IR: Early 2006, I wrote President Olusegun Obasanjo, pleading he starts work on the dream Great Nigeria. Past Nigerian leaders dreamed of Great Nigeria too but unless a dream is interpreted and implemented, it remains a dream or mere illusion.

The Great Nigeria dream has not been interpreted or implemented.

But it is no fantasy. It happens that no Joseph has stepped out to give clues.

Sir, I am not a preacher or the son of a prophet but I know for sure that Nigeria’s greatness is of God. Nigeria has everything she needs to be great. If she fails to answer her calling, just too bad! Any man or nation that heaven blesses highly must not toy with it. Nigeria’s greatest assets are human, not oil. If the core assets are not well managed, they will turn disasters; walking bombs... just beginning to show.

Greatness is never accidental.

Great nations give the world something great and none became great with imitating others.

Nigeria’s greatness was given.

The black race has not given the world one great nation. It lies with Nigeria. One great man does not make a nation great.

Nelson Mandela was a great man as also Alexander the Great, but they did not make their countries great.

Mr. President, it is impossible to fix Nigeria without knowing her. Nigeria’s past leaders failed because they did not know Nigeria. Did they sense the significance of the Rivers Niger and Benue, they would have joined hands and success would have smiled on them and the nation.

Sir, mass poverty, corruption are avoidable; curable diseases that Nigeria can fix in 15 years.

If she cannot wipe mosquitoes in six years, then what hope with armed gangs? Surely Nigeria will do a dozen great things over the next 10 years.

Apartheid, greed, corruption, deceit, conceit, mass unemployment, disunity, poverty, wickedness, diseases, indolence, insecurity and impunity have joined forces to scorn Nigeria. Mr. Presi-

dent and all Nigerians are dared to fight or submit. Sir, will Nigeria fight or submit?

Apartheid rules Nigeria. Democracy cannot hand three percent of a nation 75 percent of her wealth. Let’s face it: Neither the National Assembly nor the National Conference is the problem or solution to Nigeria’s woes. The Presidency– leadership – is!

Recall Sir; the fanfare with which the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) was launched in 2003. States had their version (SEEDS) as also the local governments.

The Presidency, the National Economic Council, the Economic Management Team, National Council on Development Planning, the Joint Planning Board, the Council of Elders, Ministers, past Secretaries to the Government, Permanent Secretaries, the Economic Summit Group, NECA, MAN, Labour, Civil Society and a 35-member Drafting Committee joined hands. The government promised NEEDS

would reorient national values, reduce poverty, create wealth and generate jobs. Ten years later, NEEDS is history. No one takes responsibility; no remorse!

Every great nation gave the world something great. Greece gave democracy, the Olympiads.

Egypt gave the pyramids, astrology. China, India, Israel, Italy, Great Britain, Russia, Germany each gave something great.

France reinvented democracy to overtake Greece. America did same and overtook Europe. Nigeria must reinvent democracy to enter the road to her destiny. And the time is NOW. Mr. President, I beseech you in the name of God Almighty: Please start work now on the dream Great Nigeria. We have wasted years at high costs: despair, avoidable pains and deaths. Nigeria is at the crossroads. More delays, one false step and the costs would be one too much.

• Anokwuru Richard Anyamele.

Lagos

More action needed to tackle insurgency

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IR: The year 2014 is set to be the bloodiest ever since the end of Nigerian civil war. The country faces daunting security challenges amidst enormous economic problems. From Borno to Yobe, Adamawa to Bauchi and Kano to the Federal Capital Territory, it has been a harvest of deaths by Boko Haram insurgents. Also from Benue to Taraba, Plateau to Nasarawa, Kaduna to Zamfara, Fulani herdsmen have continued to cut down many innocent lives particularly farmers most of whom have now abandoned their farms for safety.

These are no easy times for the government and people of Nigeria.

Even though the government and the security agencies have not been keeping quiet, yet the twin agents of death continue their repulsive style of audacious attack on defenceless Nigerians.

The federal government needs to do more than it is presently doing in its management of the security situation in the country. In as much as it is true that terrorism is becoming a global challenge, there is need for the government to demonstrate more decisiveness in its handling of the Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen’s insurgency.

This is the time for the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to suspend all its campaign activities and rise up to the occasion by taking proactive measures that would outsmart the agents of death. We have had enough of bloodletting in the country. The porous borders in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa among others must be tackled to stem the influx of terrorist into the country.

It should, however be emphasised that an effective public security cannot be obtained without the active involvement, participation and support of every segments of the society because security is the responsibility of all individuals, groups, communities, organizations and other units that constitute the society.

• John Akevi, Gboko, Benue State.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

COMMENTS

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21

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S Lakunle Ojo, he was among sounded curt but I didn’t inthe iconic cast of Village Headtend to be rude. Some elite master, weekly tele-drama of deliberately cause trouble and the masses, who were never the 1970s and 1980s, that featured the part of it, get killed. I’m just likes of Oloja of Oja (Dejumo Lewis), angry!”

Chief Eleyinmi (later Oba Funso On “Scrapping a toxic presiAdeolu, of blessed memory), Bassey dency” (March 4), Pa Ashadele Okon (JAB Adu), Sisi Clara (the late was game as always: Elsie Olusola) and Councillor Balogun “Abimbola, a first reader of (later Oba Wole Amele, also of blessed Olakunle your piece would have been memory). lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola hoodwinked that it was some Those were the days! Even in Lagos, masterpiece. But it soon colyou could count the number of televilapsed into vilification of set sion antennae on roof tops; and colour political characters, in tune television was unheard of. with the veiled modus of inLagos Island of the early 70s was a close-knit community. So, from the famous Channel 10, VilAfrican dictatorship of the elderly, if only to have his way. tention of The Nation columnists, in favour of their political lage Headmaster was something of communal celebration, The result is always fearsome exchanges, with both sides masters in APC. It went awry at eventually dehumanising with its talking drum signature tune sending everyone scuttaking no prisoners. chosen targets, to please the author’s bosses. Kudos to faithtling to the nearest television set.

But beyond all that is mutual admiration and respect, even fulness and dependability! Toxic leadership is not limited Pa Lai Ashadele, as Lakunle Ojo, was among those stars if the exchanges are often combustible stuff! to the presidency. A simple responsibility of managing a neighbourhood children in Lafiaji, Lagos, whose parents Pa Ashadele did not like “Poisoned chalice” (April 22) one newspaper column, with all the powers to churn out anydid not have the rare fortune of owning TV sets, huddled bit and he came blazing. thing at the columnist’s whims, could fall foul of “toxic prints” together to watch.

“Abimbola,” he opened as he usually does, “are unity ral— still “TP”. Going to equity?” he concluded with a flourAs we all “giraffed” through the window, stretching our lies campaign stunts to breach the electoral law? Should ish, “watch out!” necks as long as possible to catch the action, the hosts regovernment close shop because sponsored beasts wreaked To which Ripples fired right back: “You know sir, you’re garded the kids as some pests. But since Village Headmaster senseless havoc at Nyanya? So, what is the big deal in right: toxic leadership also includes toxic readership, which was sheer communal pride, they tolerated the weekly pestiJonathan attending to official assignments after a mishap? comes with toxic fixations about paymasters, hack writers lence for the 30 minutes or so the drama ran.

Your insinuation that Jonathan bribed delegates at 2011 PDP and preferred partisan tempers, borne out of toxic imaginaRipples remembers, quite clearly, as he and other kids presidential primary is libellous and unfortunate. Your use tions! With all due respect sir, your hatred for certain tengawked at these larger-than-life stars. You could then imagof words like “unthinking at best, callous at worst” on the dencies is bordering on the bigoted. Please let yourself go! ine his wonder when Pa Ashadele bobbed up on Republican first citizen is an abuse of the moral and cultural values of Otherwise, all you will bring to the table are imaginary Ripples and declared himself an avid reader! Pa Ashadele the Yoruba. Sad! You were not suggesting Olubadan’s cendemons which, believe me sir, are toxic!” for real? tenary birthday should have been cancelled? Would But Pa Ashadele was not done: “Abimbola, if my hatred But mutual creative tension, between writer and reader, Jonathan’s absence have brought to life victims of Nyanya’s for certain tendencies are bigoted, yours are ‘trigoted’ — has since cooled that initial excitement. The weekly impasbombing? Why place the mayhem now on PDP zoning inand by that all you bring are true demons that call for toxic sioned argument is on how best to fix our country. stead of a presidential aspirant who promised to make Nireactions to their masters’ ploys. ‘With due respect’, no one Now, Pa Ashadele may be an avid reader. But he is no geria ungovernable under Jonathan’s presidency? Your call has absolute control over reasons. It takes maturity to acone’s favourite reader — if “favourite” means uncritical acfor truce is sensible.” commodate others’ views. Imagination precedes actualisaceptance and blanket endorsement of a point of view. On Ripples charged right back. tion. Have a swell day and greet your wife o!” his views, he takes no prisoners.

“Thanks for your response sir,” he retorted, “but I regret “Hear! Hear! Hear!” Ripples snapped back. “But of course, Many a Nation columnist (Sanya Oni, for one; Waheed to say, to use judicial imagery, I found you no witness of tolerance or intolerance of others’ opinions is mutual! Nice Odushile, for another) has complained of Pa Ashadele’s ringtruth. So, if those who perished in Nyanya were relations, day, sir.” ing condemnation (if he disagrees); and fulsome celebrawould you be so sanguine about Jonathan’s scandalous misTo which Pa Ashadele simply screamed in his text: tion (if he agrees). conduct? As for ‘bribing’ nomination delegates, I didn’t in“Abimbola o o!”

With Ripples, the relationship is bitter-sweet. He regards sinuate anything. The president said it with his own mouth.

And so, it is, week in, week out — for there is no RepubliRipples as a gifted but partisan writer, always at the beck and Pray sir: when did self-indictment become libellous? As for can Ripples piece that Pa Ashadele does not painstakingly call of some “paymasters”. a truce, how do you do that when you don’t even admit read and react to in long texts. And as he does for this colRipples regards him as a closet conservative, maybe a tad Jonathan’s crass opportunism, with Obj’s conspiracy, brought umn, he does for other columnists of The Nation. reactionary, who thinks little of pressing into service, the us to this mess?”

To Pa Ashadele, kudos. Though he is no ideological friend To which Pa Ashadele fired back, all sarcasm: “Thanks for of Ripples, his passion and his engagement are gripping, ‘Pa Ashadele may be an avid reader. But calling me an apostle of untruth, in coined legal parlance. If when he could have retired to his comfort zone, in his winconsider your position altruistic, who am I to take it ter years, keeping mute. Wish him many more years of verhe is no one’s favourite reader — if ‘fa- you otherwise? Pardon my failure to realise that some are usubal jousting and cross-shellacking!

See how citizens, victims all, tear themselves apart bevourite’ means uncritical acceptance and ally wiser than all others; on all issues.”

Though Ripples recognised the appeal to pity in the sarcause of the nasty choices of our bad rulers? Still, it’s mornblanket endorsement of a point of view’ casm, he struck a conciliatory tone: “Baba, I’m sorry if I ing yet on Misrule Day!

I

epublican ipples

N the aftermath of last week’s resignation of South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won following the unfortunate Sewol ferry tragedy, I found myself compelled to join the debate earlier stoked by my colleague Segun Ayobolu on the cultural/ethical dimensions of the Nigerian dilemma. Of particular interest to me in the context of the current frenetic pace to rework the country’s political architecture, is what I consider as the exaggerated expectations from the possible restructuring of the polity in the absence of fundamental attitudinal re-orientation by the leaders and the led.

The story of how the South Korean ferry with 476 people aboard - most of them students and teachers sank on 16 April is by now familiar. Despite the scores of questions still unanswered as to how and why the ferry could have gone down, the gaps in the management of the rescue operations which hint at systemic failures, many of them as outrageous as they are inexcusable perhaps made the resignation inevitable. Not when the slip-shod manner with which officials handled the operations had warranted a stinging rebuke from the opposition which described government as “thoroughly irresponsible” and a “cowardly evasion” of responsibility.

The big news is that the Prime Minister Chung Hongwon had by the weekend thrown in of the towel. Not for him the resort to the blame-game. Hardly time to go fishing for a fall-guy either. As leader of government, the minister obviously knew that the buck stopped on his desk for which no thousand rationalisations, no matter how plausible, could ever assuage. He simply did what had to be done, first by apologising to the people, before quitting his post.

His brief televised statement said it all: “The right thing for me to do is to take responsibility and resign as a person who is in charge of the cabinet. On behalf of the government, I apologise for many problems from the prevention of the accident to the early handling of the disaster”.

He would equally note that – “There have been so many varieties of irregularities that have continued in every corner of our society and practices that have gone wrong. I hope these deep-rooted evils get corrected this time and this kind of accident never happens again.”

But then, top of it was his unmistakeable sense of personal responsibility when he averred that the “cries of the families of those missing still keep me up at

Ode to Lai Ashadele

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

Lessons from South Korea night”.

By the way, he will remain on the post to clear the mess with the rescue job still largely undone.

It is just as well that we celebrate the exemplary act by the leader of government business admitting the culpability of the government which he led in the making of tragedy. Not only would such acts seem utterly inconceivable here, to contemplate what the South Korean leader did in these parts would be akin to a grave act of folly. Not when there are ethnic and religious factors to be thrown into the mix; countless enemies that could be held for blame; innumerable reasons why the lone official couldn’t be expected to carry the burden of a sick nation; or even when other officials, known to be guilty of more atrocious dereliction of duties, are still in holding on in public office!

I have argued elsewhere that there can be no understating the need to restructure the current dysfunctional political structure as basis for the elixir of a stable, prosperous future that we badly crave, and also as a necessary step to guarantee its very survival. Today, I would add that without a complete reordering of our values as a nation, that future which we badly crave stands imperilled. The point has been well made by my colleague Segun Ayobolu in his back page column of penultimate Saturday, where he posits that “When the prevalent values in a society promote impunity, corruption, inefficiency, lawlessness and nepotism, these vices will be subversive of any structure no matter how expertly constructed”.

Clearly, while the quest to farm out a new political architecture would be desirable, the part that has not received equal and commensurate attention is how to erect our notion of ideal society on the wobbly substructure of poor citizenship culture.

Part of the tragedies of modern times is that nothing is held as sacrosanct – good and bad have since become relative. From the school pupils who cheat in public examinations to the public official caught stealing public funds, there are no longer abiding standards in public morality. A public official abuses his office but rather than hide his head in shame, he or she goes to make a plea of self-justification.

Once upon a time, public service used to be exactly that – public office; today, it is neither defined as public in the real sense of it, or service in any shape or form. It is today a veritable mission in self-help, an institution where occupants not only live large but would also insist on blurring the dividing line between what is private and what is public. The situation explains why a serving minister would cause the parastatals under her to buy armoured cars for her exclusive use; another would allegedly gobble N10 billion of taxpayers money to hire private jets; it is at the heart of the immigration tragedy in which 19 Nigerians would perish simply because one minister could not organise a recruitment test after collecting money from the applicants to defray the cost of recruitment.

I ask, what difference would a restructured polity make to all of these? I stand to be educated.

‘Clearly, while the quest to farm out a new political architecture would be desirable, the part that has not received equal and commensurate attention is how to erect our notion of ideal society on the wobbly substructure of poor citizenship culture’

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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COMMENTS

Jonathan’s burden

“Woe to you, O land, when your King is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!Ecclesiastes 10:16 (ESV).

“Y

OU can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips” says Oliver Goldsmith.

“No matter what claims a leader may make, his behavior as actually observed by the followers will be the most persuasive communication says Robert M. Fulmer. Machiavelli in The Prince also asserted that the prince is judged by the calibre of people he appoints into his cabinet. The pertinent question is: How can an erring leader change course when patronage hunting pack of sycophants keep on drumming into his ears how great he is, what a heaven-sent messiah he is. Because President Jonathan won 2011 presidential election without much difficulty and oblivious of the fact that he had squandered his goodwill, he thought he is also going to have an easy ride in 2015.

As Aristotle rightly puts it, “The good of man must be the objective of the science of politics”. It is however unfortunate that in Nigeria today, especially at the centre and PDP-controlled states, in

‘These are not ordinary times... It is our collective duty to prevent our country from sliding into an era of “deceptive” silence or stolen voices. We cannot afford to be indifferent to what goes on around us, because our indifference more than anything else, may mark the final death of democracy and our dreams for societal self-improvement’

I

By Lanre Aminu the last 15 years of the locust, political leadership is hardly associated with nobility of purpose and public spiritedness.

It is a well-known fact that poor governance is at the heart of Nigeria’s problem.

If the current situation of things in our beloved country, Nigeria is any thing to go by, many will readily agree that at the moment, there is no government in Nigeria. A government, I believe can only lay claim to that name when it touches the lives of the people, ensure the security of their lives and property. A government like that of President Goodluck Jonathan, which has failed to make any meaningful impact on the lives of the people is not fit to bear that name. Good governance is possible only where there is political commitment at the highest level of government. It is also possible where governance is put ahead of politics, unlike what obtains in our country today under President Jonathan’s watch, for Max de Waal rightly observed, “governance is government minus politics”.

These are not ordinary times; as such, they require extraordinary solutions. It is our collective duty to prevent our country from sliding into an era of “deceptive” silence or stolen voices. We cannot afford to be indifferent to what goes on around us, because our indifference more than anything else, may mark the final death of democracy and our dreams for societal self-improvement. For the sake of Nigeria’s democracy and the country herself, I make bold to say everything must be done to review the kind of system that threw up unwanted leaders that have afflicted Nigeria in recent time.

Machiavelli, in one of his treatises said “the best fortress that exists is to avoid being hated by the people, if you have fortresses yet the people hate you, they (fortresses) can not save you. The case of the self-acclaimed largest party in Africa, PDP can not be an exception. In the last 15 years, because of its penchant for subverting the democratic will of the peo-

N an interview in The Nation on Sunday on April 13, Barrister Benson Enikuomehin, a key figure in the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State, made scathing remarks about the government of Ondo State.

In that interview, he attacked the leader of his party and the governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; and decried the lack of development in his Local Government area. It was all in the aftermath of the bye-election in his Ilaje/EseOdo Federal Constituency.

The bye-election was announced as inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the nation’s electoral body.

Enikuomehin said concerned indigenes of the state, and indeed Nigerians desirous of development, do not need any more smoking gun to prove that development has since been shot down by Governor Mimiko, otherwise known as Iroko.

The LP chieftain lent further credence, in the interview, to the fact that the good people of the state had either inadvertently duped themselves, having voted for Dr. Mimiko in the first instance; or were brainwashed into believing that the governor was the best thing that ever happened since the invention of plywood from the Iroko tree.

Either way, the mistake they now believed they made, which ushered Mimiko into the Government House, that have now resulted into this monumental maladministration and reckless financial profligacy, will take no less than a generation to emerge from.

Enikuomehin’s first vitriolic salvo was his description of the five years that the governor has been in charge “as a huge failure, given the total absence of meaningful development in most parts of the southern senatorial district of the state.”

Enikuomehin, an immediate past commissioner of the state on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) — another federal government-created cesspool of corruption with a yearly budget mostly for capital development to trigger development in the oil producing states — went further in his indictment of the Mimiko administration that “in spite of about N800million that should accrue to the [Ilaje/Ese Odo Local Government] council monthly as an oil producing area, there is nothing to show to the people as the dividends of the same democracy they have diligently supported…”

He went further that “Billions of naira comes to the state as derivation on a monthly basis [of which] 40 percent of this should come to Ilaje/Ese Odo….If you calculate that in five years, that is a lot of money. The question the people are asking is: where is this money? They are asking because

ple, that is, not making people’s vote to count, the party has continued to display a shallow understanding of public opinion. In the words of former American president, Abraham Lincoln, “With public opinion on its side, nothing can fail; with public opinion against it, nothing can succeed”.

The foregoing explains why the tide of public opinion is against PDP today. It is no news that the self-acclaimed “largest party in Africa”, the Peoples Democratic Party has since acquired for itself a disdainful stature of being a notorious congregation of gangsters. Poignantly, not only has the party leadership remained unperturbed about its inglorious stature, it has continually taken it upon itself , even against wise counsel, to ensure that Nigeria remains perpetually backward and a laughing stock in the comity of nations. It must be said that whether or not the political philosophy cum ideology of the PDP is one aimed at attaining the unprecedented height of ridicule, the PDP, in its continued mess has brought wanton shame and agony to the country, and this makes the people a party in the matter. It is doubtful if anyone will argue the position that Nigerians of all walks of life are sick and tired of the foisted agonizing reign of the PDP, which has brought to the country nothing but pain and misery. It is on record that the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo single-handedly imposed late President Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan on his party and Nigeria at a makeshift PDP convention, under the guise of consensus candidates, despite stiff opposition from all strata of the Nigerian state. Obasanjo was privy to the deteriorating health of Yar’Adua, but chose to play the all-knowing ruler whose will must supersede the people’s desire. The result is where we are today: A culture of imposition which led to lack of internal democracy within the ruling party, PDP, which also, consequently, led

to the emergence of an ill-prepared, illequipped and grossly under-performing President Goodluck Jonathan.

It is obvious that Jonathan is neither in charge, nor in control. It is confounding that the ruling party, PDP finds it so difficult to evolve a political culture that attracts the best material to public office.

This explains why it prefers the current electoral system that has become a pastime of men and women who are prepared to engage in the vilest of activities to capture public office and the key to public treasury. Since PDP captured power 15 years ago, the quality of leadership, especially at the centre has continued to nosedive and the impact of governance is almost non-existent at the three tiers of government controlled by it. The major emphasis is on acquiring and retaining power with little or no responsibility to the citizenry. In spite of the fact that we complain about the poor quality of leadership, PDP has continued to boast that a man that ought to throw in the towel, or be forced to resign, must not only be re-elected, his party, PDP, must win all the well-governed states control by the major opposition, the only credible alternative to PDP, the APC. The example of Osun and a neighbouring state, Ekiti is a major evidence of PDP maladministration at the state level before it lost the two states to the APC. The long-suffering people of the two states can now compare two eras: The better forgotten PDP era when they were pauperized as compared to the present populist era of the APC governments when they are being empowered on a daily basis. Is it therefore not in our own interest to heed the advice of a public commentator, Bobson Gbinije, by working for the “de-PDPfication” of Nigeria?

To say that PDP has become a gangrene that must be exorcised from Nigerian polity, if this democracy is to survive, is merely stating the obvious. Unless we seize the bull by the horn, that is, take our political destiny in our own hands, PDP will completely ruin our future, the future of our children and the country herself!

• Aminu is National Coordinator, Oodua Youth for Good Governance

Mimiko, Enikuomehin and Ondo bye-election

By Femi Odere there is nothing on ground in terms of development to show that such huge amount was spent anywhere near our locality.”

One would have thought that the aforesaid would be enough for Enikuomehin to rest his case in the excoriation of his boss and his administration. But not yet, as the Labour Party chieftain dragged Governor Mimiko further to the butcher, when he said that “No single footbridge has been constructed in my place in five years by this administration….I know what I am saying although I am also aware of what this can cost me. But I cannot help saying these because I am used to saying the truth.”

He added with a capper that “the LP in Ondo State today is a government of one man, for one man, [and] by one man.”

He said emphatically that “Apart from the market in Igbokoda, the OSOPADEC House at Igbokoda and the Mega School at Igbokoda, let somebody come and show me any other project anywhere else from Araromi to Odoebihan and the likes….”

But Enikuomehin seemed at pains in trying to separate the messenger from the message. He said his criticism was not being directed to the governor but his administration. He hardly realized how damning was his accusation that the government of Ondo State is a government “of one man, for one man, by one man.” A government cannot get any more pathetic than that. Although he said he respects “the person and office of the governor” almost in the same breadth he declared that “with what has happened to my people in Ilaje in the last five years, I say this administration is a wash out.”

One may never know if Enikuomehin came out swinging very ferociously against Governor Mimiko to force some concessions from his party leader for his own advantage or if the scales had just fallen off his eyes. Either way, it was a welcome outing against the most morally bankrupt and financially reckless administration the state ever saw since its creation.

Although Enikuomehin may have said a mouthful, much still lies in what he did not say in the interview. He may not

have realized this, but his lamentation and conclusion that the government of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is a complete failure and a “wash out” is by implication, that the inconclusive bye-election may have been far from being transparent, free and fair.

If in his second term the people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo are bitterly disappointed that they are yet to experience “the dividends of the same democracy they have diligently supported with their votes and efforts in the last five years;” how did Kolade Akinjo, the governor’s candidate, manage to have scored the leading votes of 23, 926?

Were they hypnotized to cast their ballot to the candidate of a government under which bondage they had been for five years? Was it not an insinuation that the bye-election may have been rigged by the Labour Party when Enikuomehin said that “the young man [Akinjo] contesting on the platform of our party is very close to me…but I wouldn’t rig the election for him?”

Could the people whom Enikuomehin said are “determined to have their votes count” and that “the only thing that will prevent the area from witnessing crises over the election is if the wishes of the people [are] allowed to prevail” have been so gullible to have voted for the Labour Party?

What role did the INEC and Orebiyi, its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), play in the election despite his declaration that the bye-election was inconclusive? Why is Governor Mimiko not worried, if he’s a true democrat, that more than 28,000 voters were deliberately disenfranchised in that election according to INEC? Why did he run to Abuja almost immediately after INEC announced that the bye-election was inconclusive — to persuade President Jonathan to prevail on the electoral body to declare his candidate as the winner?

These are the more than twenty-eight thousand ballot questions begging for answers in yet another glaring INEC incompetence in conducting a mere bye-election.

The signs from this electoral body are not very good for Ekiti in June 21st, Osun in August 9th, and for 2015.

• Odere is a media practitioner. He can be reached at femiodere@gmail.com.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

25

’

So, after 100 years, it’s good for us to come together and say that we the people of Nigeria gave ourselves this constitution.

’

See page 38

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa is the first woman President of the Court of Appeal. She mounted the saddle at a time the court was in crisis. All eyes are on her to bring a breath of fresh air into the system. ERIC IKHILAE reports

Will she make a difference?

• Bulkachuwa makes history as the first woman president of the Court of Appeal

J

INSIDE:

USTICE Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa made history on April 17 when she became the first woman President of the Court of Appeal (PCA). She succeeds Justice Isa Ayo Salami, who retired last year after a 26month suspension.

Justice Salami’s exit had political connotation. He was involved in a long drawn battle with former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Aloysius Katsina-Alu and the Federal Government before his retirement.

Shortly after Justice Salami’s suspension in August 18, 2011, Justice Dalhatu Adamu was appointed acting PCA. In defiance of the Constitution, his acting appointment was renewed after it lapsed. He was appointed in August 22, 2011 and he acted until November 21, 2012 when Justice Bulkachuwa was named acting PCA. The renewal of Justice Adamu’s appointment thrice before Justice Bulkachuwa took over from him also on acting capacity in November 2012 negates Section 238 of the 1999 Constitution.

Section 238(5) states: “Except on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, an appointment pursuant to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section shall cease to have effect after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the President shall not re-appoint a person whose appointment has lapsed.”

Justice Bulkachuwa, a mother of six, from Gombe State, became the sixth PCA in the heat of the succession crisis in the court.

With her appointment, the court’s tradition of picking its most senior justice as president was jettisoned.

According to Section 238(4): If the office of President of the Court of Appeal is vacant, or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the President shall appoint the most senior Justice of the Court of Appeal to perform those functions...” Will Justice Bulkachuwa bring a breathe of fresh air to the court considering the circumstance of her appointment? This is the question many are asking as she mounts the saddle.

Justice Bulkachuwa has a rich history of handling famous political cases.

She presided over the panel that handled the petition challenging the first election of Sokoto State governor, Aliyu Wamakko. The panel held that Wamakko was not qualified to contest the election on the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It ordered a rerun and allowed Wamakko to contest.

Many faulted the logic in holding that a person, who was not qualified to contest a voided election, could now contest the rerun. They argued that, in law, Wamakko and his then party, PDP, should be sanctioned for violating electoral laws and precluded from the rerun.

But the Bulkachuwa-led panel decided the other way and Wamakko won the rerun. The petition challenging Wamakko’s victory eventually pitched. Justce KatsinaAlu and Justice Salami.

Justice Katsina-Alu retired in the midst of the crisis; Justice Salami was suspended for defending his integrity and was not allowed to return until he retired. He was handed, as former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mouhammadu Uwais described it, the longest suspension in the history of the judiciary. His tenure lapsed

Lawyers kick as NBA releases electoral guidelines -Page 27

•Justice Bulkachuwa

during the suspension.

Justice Bulkachuwa was also on the panel that voided the election tribunal judgment nullifying Senate President David Mark’s election.

The lower tribunal annulled the election because of irregularity, but her appeal panel held that the Electoral Officer had no powers to cancel election results for whatever reasons once they have been announced.

The panel declared that it was the court alone that has such powers.

‘I’ve no hands in Rivers judiciary crisis’ -Page 28

This decision, some argued, varied with the provision of the Electoral Act, which empowers an Electoral Officer to cancel election results where cases of rigging and fraud are established.

At Justice Bulkachuwa’s innauguration on April 10, CJN Aloma Mukhtar reminded her of the need to reposition the court and restore public confidence in it.

The CJN urged her to shun political pressures and dis•Continued on page 26

The emergency that Nigeria needs -Page 39

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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LAW COVER CONT’D

•Fagbohungbe

•Adesina

•Hon

• Magaji

Will she make a difference?

•Continued from page 25 charge her responsibilities in accordance with her oath of office.

She urged Justice Bulkachuwa to provide purposeful leadership; be dedicated to duty, shun all external pressures and lead by example.

“The office of the President of the Court of Appeal is very tasking and arduous. By this, you are charged to demonstrate purposeful leadership and ensure proper coordination of all the justices and activities of the court in order to foster greater efficiency in the dispensation of justice. I emphasise here: leadership by example.

“Judicial service is a noble calling. A judicial officer’s nobility is exemplified in the personality of the judge, for in reality, the idea of citizens submitting their failings, vulnerability and frailties for determination before a human arbiter underlies the need for the exercise of the highest standard of professionalism.

“In fulfilment of this noble role, I therefore enjoin you, as a custodian of this sacred position, to shun all forms of political pressures and discharge your responsibilities in consonance with the oath of office you have just subscribed to.

“Once again, I congratulate you for your historic achievement, just as it is equally imperative for me to let you know that the task ahead is enormous and demanding. The Judiciary do doubt, has come a long way and we cannot afford to fail at this critical point in our nascent democracy,” Justice Mukhtar said.

Responding, Justice Bulkachowa promised to key in into the reforms in the Judiciary, particularly the fight against corruption. She pledged to sustain modernisation of the court process by sustaining the continuous introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the court’s operations. She called for an enhanced judiciary-media collaboration for a better reportage of court activities for the people’s benefit.

“Our amiable CJN did not mince words when she sounded a word of warning to judicial officers to eschew corruption and uphold best practices. I stand on this honour in the crusade against corruption because our energies, faith and devotion, which we bring to this endeavour, will rekindle and build back the trust. And the glow from that fire can truly light, not only the judiciary, but our great Nigeria in general.

“Let’s not ask how we can tackle corruption, but our main focus should be on what we can do to address corruption as an individual or collectively, as a body. By so doing, we can rid the Judiciary of corrupt practices,” Justice Bulkachuwa said.

Born on March 6, 1950, Justice Bulkachuwa graduated in 1975 from the Ahmadu Bello University. She was called to Bar the following year and was engaged in 1977 at the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice.

She was Pupil State Counsel and later State Counsel Grade 1 between 1977 and 1980. She joined the Kaduna State Judiciary in 1980 where she worked till 1985, rising through the rank to become a chief magistrate.

She was Deputy Chief Registrar and Chief Registrar in Bauchi State between 1986 and 1987. Also in 1987. She became a judge in 1987 and at the creation of Gombe State in 1996 she became the maiden Chief Judge.

She joined the Court of Appeal in 1998.

Her predecessors include Justices D.O.M Ibekwe (1976-1978); Mamman Nasir (19781992); Mustahpa Akanbi (1992-1999); Umaru Abdullahi (1999-2009) and Isah Ayo Salami (2009-12013) Lawyers are delighted over her emergence PCA , the first woman to occupy the position since the court was creted in 1976.

They urge her to allow integrity, justice and fairness be her watch words.

These, they said, will help her avoid the mistakes of her predecessors.

Sebastine Hon (SAN), Mahmud Magaji (SAN), Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN), Dr. Nicholas Ikechukwu and Steven Adejumo urged her to support the reforms being carried by the CJN and shun external interference.

Magaji said: “We pray for her and wish her a successful tenure. We urge her to bring forth her wealth of experience, acquired over the years. I have appeared before her on several occasions. She is a fantastic judge.

And I am sure we will feel the impact of her leadership in no too distant future.

“We have seen some revolutionary changes taking place at the Supreme Court.

We expect her to work with the CJN in her quest to sanitise the judiciary, so that litigants and other court users can feel the impact of the various changes being put in place,” Magaji said.

Hon noted that, even in her acting capacity, she started very well by setting up a body to review the Court of Appeal Rules.

“We expect her to continue in that area.

Her tenure will fall into the all-decisive and all-important 2015 general elections. And the Court of Appeal, as it were, occupies a very central position in the litigation process.

“I will suggest that she appoints only credible members of the Bench to man the tribu-

‘

It is really difficult to predict how she will handle all the pressures.

You know we are close to the election year. I just hope she learns from the example of her immediate predecessor. Even if she wants to be upright, what about her corrupt brother justices. I wish her good luck all the same

‘

nals, because the power to appoint lies solely with her. And also, if there is going to be a presidential election petition, which is likely, she should constitute an impeccable and impartial panel so that we will have it well this time around,” Hon said.

Ikechukwu urged the new PCA to shun all pressure and do justice according to her conscience.

“It is really difficult to predict how she will handle all the pressures. You know we are close to the election year. I just hope she learns from the example of her immediate predecessor. Even if she wants to be upright, what about her corrupt brother justices. I wish her good luck all the same.”

Adejumo said although he did not know much about the new PCA, he believes those who settled for her, even when she is not the most senior Justice of the Court of Appeal, have reasons why they prefer her.

He advised her to always think of the interest of the nation in taking decision on cases that will have effect on the generality of the people.

“I say this because I know what these judges do at the various election tribunals.

God will help us. I wish her well,” Adejumo said.

Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) noted that the work load in many of the divisions are so much that it requires more judges to be appointed to quicken the dispensation of justice. Even when you have three divisions in Lagos, hardly can they still cope with the volume of work there. He counseled Justice Bulkachuwa that the work load in Lagos is more than in any other division. He, therefore, suggested that the new PCA should create another division of the Court of Appeal in Ikeja.

“She should also increase the number of justices in the Court of Appeal so that they can quicken the administration of justice. I am sure Ibadan, too, is very busy. Likewise Abuja,” he said.

Fagbohungbe pointed out that quite a number of the divisions are very busy because a lot is happening now in the country and that most of the judges are over stretching themselves. “So if that is the case, it is either we increase the number of the justices in the Court of Appeal so that there would be no delay in the number of cases that are pending in the several divisions of the court because the essence is that justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.

Another area he said deserves the attention of the PCA is the remuneration and retirement benefits of the justices which he said needed to be improved upon “because they need to be properly taken care of in view of the sensitive nature of the job they are handling. So their welfare package needs to be improve upon,” he stressed.

For Dele Adesina (SAN), “Justice is a life and death issue. There is no alternative to justice in any nation. There is no resemblance to it either. You either have it or you don’t have it. The characteristics of justice is that it must be fair; it must be delivered without any favour or fear; without any affection or ill will; it must be expeditious; there must be no unnecessary or undue delay. These are the characteristics of a functional justice system.”

‘

“We expect her to continue in that area. Her tenure will fall into the all-decisive and all-important 2015 general elections. And the Court of Appeal, as it were, occupies a very central position in the litigation process

‘

Against this backdrop, Adesina counseled Justice Bulkachuwa to make a solid impresion, by fashioning out a judicial policy on transfer of justices of the Court of Appeal. He noted that transfer of justices from one division to another is presently effected in a manner that does not befit justice itself. He argued that the manner of transfer must involve some form of stability in the system. “You find a situation whereby a judge spends about six months or one year in a division and is transferred to another division. That is a form of instability. I don’t think it would be too much if a judge is in a division for about three years before he is moved to another division. By the time you transfer a judge every year, he is new at every station; he keeps packing, loading and off-laoding virtually every year. That does not augur well,” he said, advising the PCA to consider effecting the transfer of judges during the vacation period.

He also wants the new PCA to look into situations where proceedings are unjustly disrupted. He recounted getting to a court very recently, “the matter was slated down for argument of the substantive appeal. All parties and counsels were present, but the court did not sit. They said they have received notices of a confab. So, the businesses of the day had to be adjourned for no fault of the litigants, counsels and the judges themselves. That is a form of disruption. If transfers were effected during vacation, we would avoid this type of sudden interruptions in proceedings.”

He said it may also be necessary for the PCA to look at the comfort of justices of the Court of Appeal. “In the cause of my discussions with some justices of the court, I found out that there is a lot to be done to make their life better. I was particularly taken aback when one of the judges said he was more comfortable as a judge of the High Court than as a justice of the Court of Appeal. So, the immediate area her lordship has to look into is her justices’ comfort. She must put in place necessary incentives that would make them feel fulfilled on the job; that is very important,” he added.

27

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

NATIONAL BAR

•Amechi

• Nwaugo

•Nwadioke

Lawyers kick as NBA releases electoral guidelines

T

HE NIGERIAN Bar Association (NBA) has released guide lines for its July election. Prepared by the Electoral Com mittee headed by Okey Amechi (SAN) (chairman) and Safiya Balarabe (secretary), aspirants are expected to play by those rules.

Among others, the guidelines state that candidates shall be adjudged not qualified where there is evidence that they were sponsored or has received any financial assistance or inducement from anyone.

According to the guidelines, nomination shall open from May 1 and close on May 31. The nomination papers shall be enclosed in sealed envelopes and addressed to the Electoral Committee, on or before May 31. Where there is no nomination for any office, the National Executive Committee may fill the vacancy.

The guidelines also provides that there is no pasting of posters, billboard, handbills or any form of campaign materials, while no souvenirs or gift of any sort is allowed. Distribution of gift items and souvenirs traceable to any candidate will attract instant disqualification.

According to the rules, derogatory and offensive text messages shall not be allowed, and no candidate shall entice, induce or treat any member of the association with a view to influencing their choice in the election.

Voting during the 2014 election shall by secret ballot, and there will be a manifesto presentation by cleared candidates on the eve of the election. A candidate shall be allowed two agents.

Lawyers have frowned at some provisions of the guidelines.

They said if such issues are not addressed, they could raise doubts as to the election’s credibility.

They queried the validity of the guidelines because it was not approved by the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC).

Other issues include the guidelines’ silence on the date and venue of the election, non publication of co-opted NEC members by the current NBA leadership till date, among others.

Mr John Aikpokpo said: “I humbly believe that it is not in the best interest of the Bar to ban candidates from visiting branches to solicit for votes. The fact that the campaign period is limited is good enough.

“How will candidates (particularly for the lesser offices) introduce themselves to the voting delegates? How will the branches get to know who to vote for in real time?

“How do we know how articulate, well groomed etc they are? The voters are being asked to vote blind and will end up getting officers that are totally unknown to us.

“I forsee this system entrenching the powers (and abuse of same) of elders endorsement of unsuitable candidates and control of branches/fora.

“The elders will simply trade off and instruct their branches/ fora on who to vote for and the branches not having better

By John Austin Unachukwu

information about the person of the candidates will simply oblige and that ends it.

“I strongly believe that the present General Secretary won his election by the force of his personality, his ability and the opportunity he had in selling same.

“We might end up with some officers who would be an ‘embarrassment’ to the Bar, for example, a publicity secretary that will clamp up in a public function.

“Again, for the purpose of the rule of law, who formulated the guidelines and approved it? I’m not aware that the NEC did so. I pray that NEC should reject the ban on travels and tours, it is a necessary evil.”

Former Legal Adviser of the NBA and one of the leaders of NBA Aba branch, Mr. Victor Nwaugo, said: “Granted that Section 21(c) of the Second Schedule to the NBA Constitution gives power to the Electoral Committee to control, conduct and manage NBA elections.

“It should be assumed that in accordance with the common principles of interpretation of statute and the Constitution, whatever rules and regulations or guidelines that would be issued by the committee must be geared towards ensuring a credible electoral process, adequate education of the electorates, quality debate and presentation of issues during campaigns; all in a bid to helping the electorates have a quality decision as to who to vote for or not, and to achieve a free and fair election.

“The electoral committee has issued several ‘decrees’ under the caption: ‘Campaign regulations’, including but not limited to ‘no campaign tours or visit by candidates and their agents and representatives and ‘no pasting of posters, handbills or any form of campaign materials whatsoever.’

“How then will the electorate know their candidates? Can there be an election without campaign in a democratic process?

“The question is how would the candidates sell themselves to the NBA electorate? Are the voters coming to vote by dictation?

Has this ever happened in the history of NBA elections?

“Can the guidelines ‘militarily’ abrogate the fundamental rights of the candidates to freedom of movement, freedom of speech (expression) and of association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) under Sections 41, 39 and 40 respectively?

“How would the voters exercise their choice if and when they don’t have the opportunity to assess the candidate or even discuss or ask questions on issues and how they intend to implement their agenda? How would the candidate know the feelings of the branches? What manner of blind democracy?

“Perhaps, the authors of ‘don’t travel’, ‘don’t visit’, ‘don’t campaign’ are thinking of the attendant risk and security of candidates.

“Every human endeavour attracts one risk or the other, even when people sit in their homes or when they eat; accidents do happen.

“NBA has always demonstrated what democracy is in practice and this election must not be an exception. Perhaps the NEC whose duty in any event is to approve the guidelines, would reconsider this position in order to ensure that this forthcoming election is free from unecessary interferences, avoidable influences, and unecessary manipulations.”

Lagos lawyer Emeka Nwadioke praised the Electoral Committee on its position on sponsorship, inducement of delegates and offensive text messages.

“But the real task lies in policing these rules, given that they had been observed more in breach previously, with the electoral committee looking the other way.

“However, it is highly worrisome that the Election Guidelines are virtually silent on the delegates’ register to be used for the elections. They are the heartbeat of the entire exercise.

“It is also the source of all manner of shenanigans and controversies bedeviling elections even in the larger society. Let it be said that the integrity of the NBA secretariat is not in issue here. What is however apparent is that the Electoral Committee is still tied - administratively - to the apron strings of the Secretariat whereby an Administrative Officer in the NBA Secretariat is the lynchpin of the Delegates’ Register compilation exercise. This does not promote the arms length relationship expected between the NBA Secretariat and the Electoral Committee.

“Indeed, democratic norms and international best practice demand that the Electoral Committee must not only be independent but must be seen to be so,” Nwadioke said.

He the Electoral Committee to seize the moment and ensure the compilation of a credible Delegates’ Register.

“It is even more disturbing that the guidelines are totally quiet on the publication of the Delegates’ Register for possible complaints or otherwise.

“The Delegates’ Register should not only be published weeks ahead of the election but should also be posted on NBA’s electronic platforms.

“While the delegates are to vote, the elections are a common patrimony of both the delegates and other NBA members who are keenly interested in the outcomes. They should henceforth not be sidelined from the exercise.”

Nwadioke said the current guidelines are also silent on adoption of candidates by regional fora, as against the 2012 guidelines which made it a basis for disqualification of candidates.

He said the committee must assuage the growing concern among stakeholders that the guidelines are deliberately tailored to foist a fait accompli or the pick-and-choose model.

• From left: Chair, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) Committee on Capital Market Olubunmi Fayokun; SBL Treasurer, Olajumoke Bakare; Chairman Gbenga Oyebode; Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Seni Adio and Section Admininstrator, Endurance Uhumuavbi at a press briefing on the forthcoming SBL’s Eight Annual Business Law Conference slated for next month in Lagos.

28

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

LAW PERSONALITY

Onueze Chijinka Joe Okocha (SAN), a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has been fingered in the crisis rocking the Rivers State judiciary. In this interview with Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, he speaks on the crisis, the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the national conference, among others.

‘I’ve no hands in Rivers judiciary crisis’

•Okocha

T

HERE are calls for the privatisation of the Nigerian Law School to allow reputable law firms train lawyers while the school plays a regulatory and oversight function, what is your reaction to this?

The Nigerian Law School is a public institution, established pursuant to the provisions of the Legal Education Act. The Act also created the Council of Legal Education. In my humble understanding of the topical issue you have raised, the clamour has been to review what is presently the sole responsibility of the Law School in the matter of training persons to be admitted into the legal profession in Nigeria. Yes, some of the suggestions include allowing private institutions, not law firms, to train such persons; Law Firms provide facilities for Law Office Attachment. Anyhow, the Council of Legal Education is looking at the various suggestions and will in due course make its position on the matter known.

The Nigerian Law School recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. What were the highlights of the occasion and in which areas do you think the institution needs improvement?

“The highlights of the occasion included the conferment of Honorary Fellowships of the Nigerian Law School on some distinguished Nigerians, including Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Chief Richard Akinjide, (SAN) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar (CJN). Other highlights of the occasion were the commissioning of some projects at the Bwari Campus; the launching of an Endowment Fund by various Call-Sets of the Law School, for the development of structures at various campuses of the Law School; and then there was the 50th Anniversary Dinner. Areas of improvement are still with regard to infrastructure, teaching staff and teaching methods.

The appointment of a substantive Chief Judge for Rivers State has been generating dusts for some time now, what is really the problem?

I am baffled by that matter, just as you are. It may interest your readers to know that on the same day when a judge was recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for appointment as Chief Judge of Rivers State, four other judges were also recommended for appointment as Chief Judges of some other states and the Federal Capital Territory. All the other four have been duly appointed, confirmed and sworn-in as Chief Judges. Why that of Rivers State has become rather intractable, and is now the subject-matter of some pending litigations and appeals, baffles me. I honestly believe that politics has found its way into an ordinarily simple and straight forward matter.

You have been fingered as one of the causes of the crises in Rivers Judiciary because you want to make your sister the Chief Judge of that state, what is your reaction to this?

That is totally false and untrue. As an individual, I have absolutely no power to make my sister the Chief Judge of Rivers State. For the record, however, it is necessary to state that it was the Judicial Service Commission of Rivers State that forwarded the name of Justice Daisy W. Okocha to the NJC for recommendation, not me.

It was also argued that you used your position as a member of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to influence the body to suspend the former Acting Chief Judge of the state, what really happened?

Lawyers hail seminar

M

which is lack of political will to enforce our own laws. Electoral crimes and electoral disputes are just a small percentage of the problems of administration of justice and maintenance and enforcement of law and order. As I have always maintained, give Nigeria a credible, effective and efficient machinery for the administration of justice and we will have a peaceful and prosperous country that we all and our succeeding generations will enjoy, to the glory of God.” What minimum penalty do you recommend for those found guilty of electoral offences?

The question I ask is whether we have categorised electoral offences? Electoral offences, just like other criminal offences, need to be properly codified and the appropriate penalties imposed accordingly.

There cannot be one penalty for all electoral offences. Fines and terms of imprisonment should be analysed and imposed accordingly.

For some years now, judicial budget has consistently been on the decline. How do you think it will affect the performance of the judiciary in the pre and post 2015 general elections?

That is a totally deplorable situation and I condemn it without any reservation whatsoever. Law and order, as a principle of governance, is priceless and invaluable. No price is too much to pay to secure law and order, and the due administration of justice. Unless we get it right, we will still continue to have difficulties and the performance of the judiciary will continue to be unsatisfactory. May I therefore, most humbly urge the legislators, throughout Nigeria, to always have that principle in focus when they are in the process of allocating funds to the judicial arm of government.

There has been a persistent call for specialisation in law practice. How do you react to this?

Specialisation in the practice of law is in evolution in Nigeria and as the nation’s economy grows, and new areas of law practice evolve, specialisation will ultimately follow. Presently, it is a matter of choice, depending on how much legal business exists in any legal practitioner’s place of practice. I am a litigator in Port Harcourt and I believe that there will always be courtroom business for those of us who like the thrill of courtroom advocacy.

Akingbola: Court to rule on jurisdiction Friday

By John Austin Unachukwu

ARITIME lawyers, Mike Igbokwe (SAN) and Chidi Ilogu (SAN) have endorsed the annual maritime seminar for judges, saying it would build judges’ capacity to handle maritime cases.

This year’s seminar has the theme: “Sustainable Development in the Maritime sector in Nigeria” Igbokwe said: “It has been very useful to our nation, courts, lawyers, students and academics in very many ways.

“Through incisive papers and comments on different areas of maritime law and the maritime industry that had been delivered by erudite judges and maritime experts from home and abroad, the seminar has led to continuous maritime legal education, the growth and awareness of maritime legal knowledge and understanding and of maritime litigation and judgments.”

To Ilogu, the seminar has assisted in determining admiralty matters.

“I can only hazard a guess that the seminars have in some measure assisted in the expeditious determination of admiralty matters in the Federal High Courts and other superior courts.

“It has not only had local, but international dimensions and impacts worthy of emulation by other countries,” he said.

That is another false and untrue allegation. I am just one member of the NJC, which has a membership of 24, namely the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is the Chairman; the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, who is the Deputy Chairman; the President of the Court of Appeal; five retired Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal; the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court; five Chief Judges of states; the President of the National Industrial Court; one President of the Customary Court of Appeal of a state; one Grand Kadi of a state; five legal practitioners nominated by the Nigerian Bar Association and two lay persons. How my position could have been used to influence the NJC to suspend a judicial officer also baffles me.

You should perhaps, ask the person or persons who made that baseless allegation to say how it really happened. It may also interest your readers to know that the person you refer to as the former Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State is also my brother and kinsman and that I will not gain anything by his suspension as a judicial officer.

What are your expectations from the ongoing national confab? Which problems of Nigeria would you like them to find solutions to?

“The National Conference appears to be motivated by the perceived desire of Nigerians to chart a viable way forward for our country. It seems to me that most Nigerians, including myself, would like the conferees to focus on issues such as the structure of the Federation; the structure and system of government; the rights and duties of the federating units; resource control and revenue allocation; citizenship; indigeneship and the rights of individual citizens; the security of the country and the maintenance of law and order and the economic prosperity of the country and that of its citizens. All these and the resolutions that are likely to emerge there from, should also be geared towards the making of a truly peoples’ constitution for our beloved country.

Electoral crimes and resolution of electoral disputes have remained some of the greatest challenges facing our electoral system, what is your take on this?

The problem with our electoral system is the same problem we have with Nigeria,

•Akingbola

A

Lagos High Court will onFri day decide whether it has jurisdiction to adjudicate on the theft charge preferred against former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola.

The court presided over by Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo reserved ruling after arguments from counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) and Akingbola’s lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

Obla had argued that the court has jurisdiction to hear and determine the theft charges against the accused, adding that the counts contained in the information did not challenge Akingbola’s conduct as the chief executive of Intercontinental Bank or his functions as a director of the bank.

He urged the court to strike out the two applications brought by Akingbola and the coaccused, Mr. Bayo Dada, saying they amount to an abuse of court process.

Olanipekun, however, urged the court to decline jurisdiction in the matter, arguing that Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) vests exclusive jurisdiction for shares, stocks and related matters on the Federal High Court.

“It is submitted that only the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to entertain matters that are within the Exclusive Legislative List in Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution which by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution only the National Assembly can legislate on,” Olanipekun said.

He contended that the Court of Appeal decision on former Managing Director of Finbank Plc, Mr. Okey Nwosu and the Supreme Court decision on Olabode George vs FRN were binding on the Lagos High Court by the Doctrine of Stare Decisis, and urged

the court not to depart from those decisions.

This is the third time jurisdiction of the Lagos High Court on Akingbola’s case will be queried.

Similar theft charges brought by the EFCC against Nwosu were thrown out by the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal held that the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, adding: “Why will the prosecution then resort to another charge of stealing at the High Court of Lagos, when the existence of the thing said to have been stolen is turned under the control of capital issue?”

Following the ruling, erstwhile Managing Director of Bank PHB, Mr. Francis Atuche urged the Lagos High Court to decline jurisdiction on the theft charges brought against him.

The Supreme Court had validated the principle of stare decisis when it said: “The doctrine of stare decisis is fully entrenched in our jurisprudence to ensure certainty of the law.

“Had the learned trial judge in this case cared to read that case and the various dicta of their Lordships of this Court he would not have exhibited such crass ignorance that ran through his judgment.

“I think enough said on this the better.”

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

PAGE 29

Foundation’s N10m lifts 108 in Kwara

•PAGE 30

Combating cow thieves in Plateau •PAGE 32

•The trainees in a knitting class

New skills, new life Y for the needy OU can call it a haven for the needy. It is tucked inside the calm setting of Kakuri in Kaduna metropolis. It looks somewhat ungainly, and you could walk past it several times without taking notice. Yet, that is where young people with disability find peace and a new life.

At the Kaduna State Rehabilitation Centre, physically challenged youths are acquiring skills to enhance their lives by maximising their potentials rather than resorting to begging for alms. Various vocations ranging from tailoring to knitting, typewriting and craftmaking, among others, are taught at the centre. The programme aims to help depopulate the large army of disabled persons on the streets.

Investigations revealed that the Kaduna State government is working in collaboration with some development partners to empower the trainees with skills and formal education as well as funds to help them set up their own business after the training.

But the efforts may not yield the desired result unless the govermment ensures that the items produced by the trainees are bought by government agencies and other organisations. For example, it was gathered that visually impaired trainees at the cen-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

tre produce high-quality garden chairs which could be used in recreation centres and government offices as visitors’ chairs.

An official of the centre who would rather not be named “because we don’t have permission from the government to speak to the press”, said the slogan of the centre is “there is ability in disabil-

ity”.

The government’s journal produced by the state Ministry of Information, Newscope, quoted the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Rehabilitation Board, managers of the centre, Mrs. Murna Bawa, as saying that skills like knitting, welding, hairdressing, shoemaking, pomade making, animal husbandry and many more are taught at the centre, pointing out that the board

‘The government provides the trainees with funds to set up their own business after the programme at the centre. But the efforts may not yield the desired result unless the government ensures that the items produced by the trainees are bought by government agencies and other organisations’

is working towards enhancing the living standard of the trainees in order to make them self-reliant and contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.

She said further that the board is helping to integrate the physically challenged into the society through the various programmes of the centre.

The Kakuri centre is not the only place where the physically challenged are being integrated into the society along with other able-bodied persons. There is another centre.

It was also gathered that through their association, the physically challenged are working with the centre to correct the notion by society that they are redundant and can only beg for alms and should therefore be isolated. Their determination has reduced drastically the number of physically challenged persons on the street, begging for alms, especially the younger ones.

Susan Istifanus, one of the trainees, was effusive with praises for the •Continued on page 30

Guida: A community stuck to its •PAGE 34 beliefs

‘Awaiting Trial inmates our major problem’ •PAGE 34

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

30

THE NORTH REPORT

Gombe builds hospital to fight snakebite

By Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe •Dankwambo

S

NAKES have been a big worry in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State. So many people have been bitten there that the state may have the highest rate of bites in the Northeast.

Though it lies within the rocky highlands of the Benue Valley which has lots of rock crevices and debris of disintegrated rock that somewhat serve as hideouts for snakes, Kaltungo does not have the exclusive reserve of such environment in the country. This probably indicates that there is more to it than environmental factors.

This, therefore, tends to give credence to the myth surrounding the origin and excessive presence of the deadly reptiles in the area.

Dangerous species of cobras and carpet vipers are the most common snakes the people have had to deal with over the years. Children, farmers, herdsmen and hunters are the most vulnerable group of victims.

Before Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo’s decision to deal with the matter decisively, the best intervention on the situation had been the designation of Kaltungo General Hospital as a National Snakebite Research and Treatment Centre.

Since then, though it has continued to offer treatment to snakebite victims from the Northeast and beyond, there is a lack of political will on the part of government towards making the research aspect of the centre work. This has been a major concern.

Worried by the trend, Governor Dankwambo, for the first time in the history of Gombe State, government gave a standing order for quarterly release of N8 million for the purchase of potent anti-snake venom to ensure continuous and effective treatment of victims of snakebite. From August to date, it has spent N89.83 million.

The Federal Government supported with just N27.75 million. The state has already appealed to the Federal Government to increase its intervention because the drugs are administered free on victims. This is because the cost of treating a snakebite victim is beyond the reach of most of the victims who are mainly peasants.

Consequently, treatment at the centre has become more effective of late; justifying the commitment of the state government in tackling the problem.

However, the number of victims that throng to the centre for treatment rapidly increased from 2,698 in 2010 to 3,116 in 2011, 3,280 in 2012 and 3,823 in 2013.

As in the previous years, statistics shows that for 2013, only 48 per cent of victims of snakebite who came for treatment at the centre are from Gombe State.

Statistics also shows that 52 per cent of those who approached the centre for treatment are from Adamawa, Bauchi has 15.7 per cent and Taraba 15.6 per cent. The remaining 9.1 per cent are from other states.

Obviously, the 16-bed space Snakebite Ward of the centre is grossly inadequate, despite the additional 25bed space Ward donated by Kaltungo Women. This is because patients on admission still spill over to the verandas.

Disturbed by the situation at the centre, Governor Dankwambo thought it necessary to construct a 200-

bed space hospital to decongest the existing Snakebite Wards and expand the scope of services rendered at the centre.

When completed, the project which is estimated to cost N519, 265,329:83 with a completion date of October 2014, will promote research in the treatment and management of snakebite victims in Nigeria in particular and West Africa in general.

The governor announced during the foundation-laying ceremony that “the Minister of Health has directed the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe to recruit a consultant physician and two other specialists for the Kaltungo Snakebite Hospital.

“On our part, we will provide befitting accommodation for the specialists to enable them to discharge their duties effectively when they are recruited,” he said.

The Federal Government’s directive is as a result of the push by the state government to ensure that the centre is more effective. Already, the Federal Government has erected a gigantic structure at the centre which is supposed to house the Snake Treatment and Research/Training Centre.

The building is seemingly of no use as there are no students’ and lecturers’ quarters which, according to the Mai Kaltungo, Muhammad Saleh, was supposed to be constructed by the immediate past government about six years ago.

“I doubted if it would work during the lifespan of that administration. But people found it difficult to believe because they felt it had been signed. Now the administration has come and gone and a building of millions of Naira with complete furniture is wasting away.

“Besides, one more thing we are now waiting for is the transfer of the Federal Government’s snakebite manufacturing plant in Whales. President Obasanjo already signed a contract for its transfer to Kaltungo years ago.

“I am happy that this administration, through its expertise, has started •Continued on page 33

•Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu climbing a caterpillar at the flag-off of Bakeko-Katcha Road project in Badeggi

•Dr. Omotsho with som

•Dr. Omotosho (middle) with some Obas

Foundation’s N10m li N

O fewer than 108 people in Kwara State have acquired various skills to help them lead better lives. They were trained at Government Secondary School, Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area.

Soap-making was one the vocations in which the beneficiaries were tutored.

The beneficiaries cut across four local government areas, namely Irepodun, Oke-Ero, Ekiti and Isin in Kwara South Senatorial District.

The programme, which was organised by the Mike Omotosho Foundation, was attended by traditional rulers from the four local government areas.

The Chairman of the foundation, Dr. Mike Omotosho who hails from Obbo Aiyegun, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, said the foundation expended over N10 million on the project.

He said: “Real fulfilment comes from giving. The truth of the matter is that you don’t need to be extremely rich to give back to the society.

“Starting from the beneficiaries, we do have 108 people including 22 officials that are either encouraging them to know what to do or train them on specific skill. We actually got about 1,000 applicants. We shortlisted 116 but 108 showed up.

“It is a programme that we intend

‘The difference now is that our youths seem not to take the programme seriously as they are looking for short-cuts to success because of the way we are living in Nigeria…Nobody wants to work. We have not been able to encourage our youths to believe in their potential; to live within their means without necessarily having to look for short-cuts’ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

to continue to do, if possible on quarterly basis. But for now, it will be a biennial event. This means there would be another programme before the end of the year. Over time we will be able to get people that have benefited from the programme to be facilitators in subsequent programmes.

“In terms of monetary value, it is difficult say what the value is. Do we start from the feeding arrangement, or the transport subsidy of the micro-finance? There is going to be an empowerment programme of micro-finance loans for those that excelled among this group.

“The number of those that excelled is between 25 and 30. In monetary terms, I am sure close to N10 million has been spent, but I can tell you the time value of the volunteers cannot be quantified. To a large extent, that was why I was reluctant in mentioning figures.

People have left the comfort of their homes even during this Easter period to empower train those who will become useful to themselves, their communities and the country.

“It is a pilot programme in which four local government areas have benefited from.”

He blamed the current security challenges in some parts of the country on joblessness, adding that

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

31

THE NORTH REPORT

Plateau entrenches e-governance

P

Dr. Omotsho with some of the beneficiaries

0m lifts 108 in Kwara ‘Real fulfilment comes from giving.

The truth of the matter is that you don’t need to be extremely rich to give back to the society. Starting from the beneficiaries, we do have 108 people including 22 officials that are either encouraging them to know what to do or training them on specific skills’ “once people are gainfully employed either working for themselves or for others, it becomes a lot easier for them to begin to think of how to touch lives.

By extension, when people realise that security is part of their responsibilities, everybody will be his brother’s keeper. Security is everybody’s business.

“Therefore, I urge the participants and youths outside there to exemplify leadership and appreciate the fact that they should impact on the lives of others.”

In a remark, the Owalobo of Obbo Aiyegunle, Oba Samuel Adelodun said the programme is the first of its kind in the history of the state.

The monarch said: “What we are

witnessing today is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria, given the growing incident of youth unemployment in the country. This is different because the week-long skills acquisition has focused on the youth.

It is also different because God is using a Nigerian to empower our young unemployed graduates.

“Politicians might have been doing that but they are not using their personal funds to finance this type of empowerment. This gesture smacks of humanitarianism for the less-privileged and the jobless in the society.”

Oba Adelodun, a retired DirectorGeneral of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) likened skills acquisition programme to that of

the NDE. Continuing, he said: “The programme of the NDE is a genuine attempt by the Federal Government of Nigeria to assist the youth to be self-reliant through skills acquisition.

“When I was there, it was possible for NDE to identify 81 different fields for Nigerians to move and learn. Throughout my stint there, all the states of the federation benefited from this programme.

“The difference now is that our youths seem not to take the programme seriously as they are looking for short-cuts to success because of the way we are living in Nigeria.

“Nobody wants to work. We have not been able to encourage our youths to believe in their potential; to live within their means without necessarily having to look for shortcuts. As a result of the political environment in which we find ourselves, it has been possible for politicians to assist them temporarily for them to enjoy this short-cut approach to success.

“After the tenure, the youth will go back to their old ways. What is important is that the NDE not only gives you money to start up something, but it also teaches you how to live a good life.”

LATEAU State Governor Jonah David Jang has said that e-governance has been entrenched in the state civil service system, noting that some of the state’s ministries, agencies and commissions have fully become Information Communication Technology (ICT) compliant. He said the state has become one of the ICTcompliant states in the country.

Governor Jang spoke at the opening ceremony of a five-day computer appreciation capacity building training programme organised for commissioners and heads of commissions on Information Communication Technology (ICT).

The training was organised by the state Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the ICT Directorate of the University of Jos. Jang said: “The growing interest in e-governance activities by governments the world over has made it imperative for the deployment of ICT to drive efficiency and transparency in government and further improve quality of public service delivery.”

Continuing, he said: “It is indeed a fact that, the world over, ICT has made significant impact on every aspect of our lives, thus the attainment of knowledge-based economy and information society both of which are ICT-propelled.

“This has continued to attract global discourse with due recognition of the increasing role of knowledge in engendering economic growth and social transformation.

“Without doubt, information technology has become very much a core of modern civilisation. In view of this, this administration is convinced that, through effective utilisation of these tools, we can bridge, not only the digital divide between the government and the governed, but also keep pace with modern trends in public service delivery.”

Speaking further, Jang maintained: “I have made it clear in the past that all members of the state executive council, key decision-makers and those involved in policy implementation must be ICT compliant. It is on that premise that I directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to urgently organise training programmes that will achieve the desired result.

“The first phase of this training was conducted from January 13 to 17, this year for all Special Advisers and Permanent Secretaries. The second phase which commences today is tailored to meet the needs of members of the State Executive Council, Heads of Commissions and Aides to the Governor.

“Having realised that information

•Jang

‘Without doubt, information technology has become very much a core of modern civilisation. In view of this, this administration is convinced that, through effective utilisation of these tools, we can bridge, not only the digital divide between the government and the governed, but also keep pace with modern trends in public service delivery’ From Yusufu Aminu Idegu

technology was going to be one of the key components to be deployed in propelling the transformation agenda, I immediately created the ICT Committee. I am glad to note that its recommendations assisted in the automation of the following sub-sectors which are yielding positive results. These include integration of civil servants biometric in the Office of the Head of Service with the integrated salary unit of the Ministry of Finance, automation of the operations of the Ministry of Finance as well as automation of the operations of the Plateau State Board of Internal Revenue Service.

“It may be of interest to you that these projects have yielded great dividends to the state. For instance, the state’s internally-generated revenue •Continued on page 32

Insecurity: Youths urge closure of borders From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

•President Jonathan

V

IOLENCE has moved a youth group into action. A non-governmental organisation, Youth Network for Peace and Good Governance has urged the Federal Government to close all borders between Nigeria and neighbouring countries in order to prevent non-nationals with criminal intent from entering the country.

This, the group said, should be one of the measures to tackle the escalating insecurity in the country.

The group, in collaboration with Youths, Adolescent Reflection and Action Centre (YARAC), gave the advice at a briefing in Jos on the prevailing security situation in the country.

The programme Co-ordinator of the youth, Aondona Tor, said: “The sequence of the various coordinated terror attacks on innocent citizens is a reflection of porous nature of the country’s borders.

“We are not surprised when the Nigeria Immigration Service announced the arrest of over 107 illegal immigrants within and along the Nigerian borders in Borno State few days ago.

“However, we are very concerned that with the poor handling of intelligence by security operatives in the country, the arrested illegal immigrants still found their ways into the country.”

As youths and major victims of insecurity and insurgencies in Nigeria, we feel that total closure of the nation’s borders by the Federal Government will make internal security more effective...We therefore call on the Federal Government to restrategise its approach towards tackling the security problems. This will ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians Continuing, the group said: “As youths and major victims of insecurity and insurgencies in Nigeria, we feel that total closure of the nation’s borders by the Federal Government will make internal security more effective.

“We therefore call on the Federal Government to restrategise its approach towards tackling the secu-

rity problems. This will ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerians as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“The Federal Government must pool all resources within its powers to ensure the safe release of the abducted school girls in Chibok, Borno State.”

The youth also called for immediate resignation of Chief of Defence Staff and Director-General State Security Services (SSS) for their failure to nip in the bud recent terror attacks that led to the death of over 70 innocent citizens in Nyanya, Abuja.

“The unleashing of terror on innocent Nigerians is a clear indication that the country’s security chiefs have ran out of ideas on how to handle security challenges.

“Nigerian youths are no longer interested in compensation by the Federal Government to victims of terrorist attacks; we prefer to be protected as citizens of the country, a right guaranteed by the Nigeria Constitution.”

While asking the federal and state governments to create jobs for the teeming youths in the country, he urged the Federal Government to close the country’s borders without delay.

32

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT Plateau entrenches e-governance

New skills, new life for the needy

•Continued from page 31 (IGR) profile has significantly improved after the automation process.

I will want to use this opportunity to commend the ICT Committee for their remarkable strides.

“It may also interest you to know that the Plateau State Geographic Information System Project has commenced in the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning. Automation of some key sectors of the state government will also take place within the year.”

Governor Jang also noted: “This training is, therefore, timely as it will offer all participants the opportunity to be ICT compliant as well as enhance their productivity. While I congratulate you all, I must urge you to avail yourselves of this rare opportunity by taking this exercise seriously for the overall interest of Plateau State.”

Praising the ICT Directorate of the University of Jos, Governor Jang said: “May I also commend the ICT Directorate of the University of Jos for accepting to carry out these trainings. I hope that this strategic partnership with the University of Jos will be sustained to enable other categories of staff of the state public service to benefit in similar trainings. Our job is not finished until we have fully taken all our public servants to the cyberspace where necessary information and knowledge truly reside.

“I have no doubt in my mind, therefore, that this Redemption Government will continue to be a most worthy partner as all is being done to explore ways and means of making government machinery and the entire workforce more ICT-oriented and efficient,” he said.

While welcoming participants to the training, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mrs Comfort Piwuna urged them to avail themselves of the opportunity in order to become computer literate. This, she said, will enable the state to run the e-governance effectively.

C

•Tailoring trainees at the centre

management and trainers at the center. She was hopeful that her training will help her earn a decent living.

“Before I came to the centre for training, I thought all hope was lost,” she said. “Everyday, I see people like me on the street daily begging for alms. But here I am learning a trade and I have been told that when we graduate from here, the government will assist us in setting up a small business of our own.

I am very happy because very soon, I will graduate and have a business of my own and then, I can help my family. It is really a good thing that we are here. The only problem is that there are a lot of things that we need here that are not available and the centre needs a lot of money to achieve what it is established to do.”

Though founded and primarily by the state government, the centre has

‘Before I came to the centre for training, I thought all hope was lost.

Everyday, I see people like me on the street daily begging for alms.

But here I am learning a trade and I have been told that when we graduate from here, the government will assist us in setting up a small business of our own’ received assistance from international partners and many others like Sight Savers International, wives of local government chairmen, wives of legislators and Rotary Club. Donations to the centre by these organisations, according to officials of the centre, are what have kept

the centre going.

Items made by the students are often on display either at the centre or at the board headquarters located about five kilometres from the centre.

Established in 1980 by the Balarabe Musa administration, the

nation gathered that the centre has graduated several skilled physically challenged persons and empowered them with both capital and material resources and are monitored by a committee to ensure that they comply with the conditions given to them in establishing their businesses. This responsibility is assigned to the social welfare department of the various local government councils. Interestingly, many others are reabsorbed to work with community based workshops to train others in the various community based rehabilitation centres established in 11 of the 23 local government councils across the state.

Although government officials and officials of the rehabilitation Board would not speak to The Nation on the activities of the centre, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry for Women Affairs, Hauwa Umar was quoted as saying that the government has shown so much concern about the students of the centre and work to integrate them into the larger society. She was also quoted as saying that despite limited resources, the centre has made serious efforts at training the students who have been producing high quality garden chairs, shoes, tricycles, cardigans and other items which are often displayed at the annual Kaduna International Trade Fair in other to expose them to the international market.

Officials of the centre believe that rather than give contract for schools chairs and table to contractors, the government can encourage the students and graduates of the centre to do better by ensuring that the Ministry of Education, the state Universal Basic Education Board and local government councils patronise the chairs and tables produced by the students and other graduates of the centre. This, they believe will go a long way in encouraging the gradu•Continued on page 35

Combating cow thieves in Plateau

OW theft is fast becoming a growing industry in the Northcentral, and Plateau State seems to be the hub. It is said that the state now has the highest rate of cattle theft.

The problem of cow stealing in Northcentral especially Plateau State, appears peculiar judging from the sophistication and strategies deployed by the cattle robbers.

Cow stealing involves a gang of about 50 criminals who specialise in stealing as many as 300 cows and an uncountable number of sheep and goats in a single operation.

The most recent case in Plateau North involved over 500 cows seized and taken away in one night.

The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis code-named Operation Safe Haven, said the issue of cow stealing has become a very serious problem in Plateau State.

During the peace meeting which was sponsored by the European Union (EU) through Search for Common Ground (SFCG), a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), held at the Cabinet Office Jos, the STF said they recorded 42 cases of cattle stealing in six months.

According to its presentation at the peace meeting, the STF said: "There were 160 attacks associated with cattle rustling in the state within six months."

Col. Usman Bello, who made the presentation on behalf of the Commander Maj-Gen. David Enetie said: "In the 160 attacks, over 260 people were killed, 2,501 cows were stolen. About 1,312 cows were

•Memebrs of a special task force fighting cow theft From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

recovered, over 88 arms were recovered as well as 2,734 ammunition were also recovered."

Continuing, the task force said: "The attacks were fuelled by activities of cow rustlers. This is the major security challenge confronting the task force in the state. The problems of cattle rustling is concentrated mostly in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Shendam, Jos South and Riyom in Langtang North and Langtang South local government areas respectively.

"Apart from the casualties, the task force has recorded some successes in its efforts to address the problems of cow rustling with the

‘Cow stealing involves a gang of about 50 criminals who specialise in stealing as many as 300 cows and an uncountable number of sheep and goats in a single operation. The most recent case in Plateau North involved over 500 cows seized and taken away in one night’ arrest of 15 armed dealers who provide arms to the thieves to nake cattle rustling easier."

Continuing, the STF said: "The successes recorded in the fight against cattle rustlers in the state is attributed to the Operation Restore Peace launched by the STF so as to combat the new form of criminality in the state."

Organisers of the meeting, an European Union (EU)-sponsored NGO, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Management revealed that the early warning system established by the NGO is associated with cattle rustling has been on the increase since the beginning of this year.

The NGO, however, said: "With the collaborative efforts of civil society organisations and security agencies, the rate of attacks and killings has significantly reduced.

Country Director of Search For Common Ground, Mr. Chom Bagu, said: "The peace-building and dialogue process are not restricted to government and security agencies alone. All stakeholders are required to join hands to reduce conflicts in Plateau State.

In his remarks, Special Adviser to Governor Jang on Peace-building and Conflict Management, Mr Timothy Parlong announced that the Fulani, who withdrew from the dialogue last month on protest have agreed to return to the dialogue table for peace to reign in the state.

However, the special task force (STF) has outlined some of the handicaps militating against their efforts to effectively tackle cattle rustling in the state.

He said: "We have our challenges which has limited our capacity to effectively tackle the issue of cattle rustling in Plateau State. Though we have made tremendous successes in the fight against cattle stealing, we have discovered that the suspects we arrested often escape justice because of the existing weak laws which do not prescribe severe punishment for offenders.

Col. Bello said: "Cattle rustling currently has advanced from what it used to be in the past. Cattle rustling is now being carried out in large-scale and the criminals use •Continued on page 33

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

33

THE NORTH REPORT

Combating cow thieves in Plateau ‘This is a victory to all stakeholders in the peace-building efforts. The state government is particularly happy for this because it considered every ethnic group in the state as critical stakeholder in this peace-building project...Plateau is a miniature Nigeria where all citizens of Nigeria reside.

The state government is ready to carry all citizens along because the peace-building project can only succeed with collective input of all stakeholders’

•Continued from page 32 sophisticated arms.

"But the existing laws prescribed an alternative of a fine of about N10,000 for cattle rustlers. This has offered an escape route to the criminals and we discovered that most of them escaped through the courts and return to rustle more cattle.

"Apart from that, cattle market is the most unorganised in the country. There is no receipt for a cow that cost over N100, 000, whereas, in other markets, there is a receipt for a good whic costs as low as N500.

This makes it difficult to identify stolen cows in the markets."

The STF also decried the issue of proliferation of military uniforms as one of the major challenges in the fight against cattle rustling.

Negative perceptions of the locals about men of the STF as well as the giving of religious and ethnic colouration to the crime.

Col. Bello, however said: "But, in spite of the challenges, we have recorded major successes in the battle against cattle rustlers. We were able to recover 1,312 out of the 2,501 cattle rustled in the last six months.

We have arrested 15 armed dealers who are currently being investigated.

"Eventually, the rate of cattle rustling has reduced drastically. Rate of attacks on locals has been curtailed significantly and there is relative peace in the state at the moment. We are doing our best, but we cannot effectively stop cattle rustling considering the obvious challenges mentioned above. We need more encouragements."

Mr. Parlong and the NGO commended mrmbers of the STF for their efforts in combatting cattle rustling in the state.

Mr Bagu appealed to communities across the state not to pursue personnel of the STF from their areas, saying it is only the STF that has the capacity to confront the armed rustlers and restore the needed peace in the state.

It is cheery that the Fulani Community in Plateau State have suspended their one- month-old protest,

•Arms recovered from cow thieves

even as they have resumed participation at the peace meetings with their Berom neighbours.

Mr. Parlong revealed this while declaring open the 6th Plateau Peace Architecture (PAD) meeting at the Cabinet Office Jos. The Fulani community had boycotted the 5th peace meeting last month in protest, vowing not to be part of the peace talk with the Berom people. The Fulani said they were compelled to suspend their participation in all peace talks in the state following the rustling of over 500 cattle allegedly by Berom youths.

Mr Parlong said: "I am so glad to inform you that the Fulani community that boycotted the meeting last month in protest has resolved to resume participation in the ongoing peace talks.

"This is a victory to all stakeholders in the peace-building efforts. The state government is particularly happy for this because it considered every ethnic group in the state as critical stakeholder in this peacebuilding project.

"Plateau is a miniature Nigeria where all citizens of Nigeria reside.

The state government is ready to

carry all citizens along because the peace-building project can only succeed with collective input of all stakeholders," Parlong said.

Confirming the return of the Fulani to the peace talks, Special Adviser to Gov Jang on Fulani Affairs, Alhaji Salim Bello said: "The Fulani Community has suspended our protest and we have already resumed all the peace talks we used to participate in.

"We had to boycott the peace talks because of the continuous rustling of Fulani cattle by Berom youths. Some of the stolen cattle have been recovered and efforts are being made by

government and security agencies to recover the rest."

Country Director of Search For Common Ground (SFCG), commended the Fulani for listening to its appeal to return to dialogue, saying there is no other better platform to resolve conflict except dialogue.

The Plateau Peace Architecture Dialogue series is an 18-month peacebuilding project sponsored by European Union (EU) and implemented

by Search For Common Ground (SFCG) in collaboration with Directorate of Peace Building and Conflict Management.

New skills, new life for the needy •Continued from page 32

ates and many other physically challenged persons still roaming the streets to go to the centre for training. They officials of the centre believe that with such a directive, the centre is capable of generating enough revenue to run the place and improve on the training offered by the centre.

Sources at the centre, however, said that the medical needs of the trainees are not adequately attended to as only one chief nursing officer is available to attend to their needs.

There is however the need to have a medical doctor and possibly a physiotherapist to attend to the special need of the trainees and other students of the centre. They believe that due to their disability, many of them are sometimes does not want to relate with others, but when a therapist is employed to attend to them, it will bring them out of their shell to exhibit their talent.

Aside from that, they claimed that inadequate staffing is another problem confronting the institution.

A senior official of the Rehabilitation Board appeal to the government to consider the centre and its students for inclusion in the empowerment programme of the government through the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme. While lamenting that the first batch of 7600 beneficiaries of the SURE-P programme did not include the physically challenged being trained at the centre, the official said “these people need this encouragement. You can imagine how many of them will be taken off the street if the government decided to include them in the programme. But the first one was done without them. We think that the government should strongly consider them for the second phase. Also, this centre has the capacity to train able bodied people. So, the government should also include the centre among the consultants carrying out the training. We have better equipped workshops, even better than some of those already involved in the training. When this is done, we can generate revenue for the running of this centre. You can see that we have a very big space here which is currently under utilised. So, if we are given such a responsibility, we can adequately utilise this place. I think the government should give it a serious though”.

•Sprinters at the Golden League competition in Ilorin, Kwara State

Gombe builds hospital to fight snakebite •Continued from page 30 with the construction of a hospital. We hope that in no distant time, the plant would be relocated here,” the monarch said.

In the circumstances, he requested the state government to follow up in order to ensure that the building becomes functional so that it can train personnel for the state to relieve Dr. Habu who is the only competent caregiver of victims of snakebite and trainer of those that work with him at the centre.

He further called for the construction of more roads in the area to facilitate unhindered access to the Snakebite Hospital.

He said: “Huge number of snakes in the area is akin to swarm of flies and many victims cannot even make it to the hospital due to the difficult terrain.”

He said Kaltungo youths were already breaking through the rocks with diggers and shovels to create access roads, adding that government’s intervention would be very helpful.

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

•Guida

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Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Page 34

Guida: A community stuck to its beliefs

UIDA village is a tiny community off Kubwa Expressway. It hosts such a mix of other tribes that it is difficult to differentiate between a typical villager and a settler.

But that is not what stands the communtiy out. It is its traditions and beliefs, some of which outsiders like to term superstitious.

The Guidna are very traditional people who although with the infiltration of foreigners in their midst which seems to have changed a lot in the aspect of dressing.

Originally, the Gbagi women dressed in black blouses and headscarves and carried their articles, including food items and firewood, in calabashes on their neck instead of the head.

To ensure continuity in terms of intermarriage, the Guida community ensures that any woman from another tribe who marries a Gbagi man is schooled in their traditions and culture. The new bride, on her wedding day, must be dressed in the Gbagi traditional attire and educated in the Gbagi tradition because she automatically becomes Gbagi, is ac-

From Grace Obike

cepted into the Gbagi family and the children she bears will be Gbagi.

Although the community is generally known as Guida which is a Hausa pronunciation, the typical Guida villager will tell you that the original pronunciation is Guidna. Edna means stream, several of which surround the village. Gui means mahogany, a tree that was in abundance in the area when the first settlers arrived. The combination of both names produced Guidna.

The little community has few social amenities although it is only a N50 motorbike-ride from the village to Arab Road in Kubwa. The village cannot boast of a primary health centre or a junior secondary school. There is no pipe-borne water. The villagers’ only source of clean water is the five boreholes located in strategic positions and donated by the Area council and Rotary Club.

The Chief of Guida, Umar Danladi, said Guida village has existed for more than 200 years.

Their communtiy, he added, used to be merged with Kagini when they all lived on top of the mountains, until his forefathers

‘Pounding in the night in our community is prohibited totally because we believe that pounding at night creates problems for the spirits, of the dead; we believe that the spirit of the dead enjoy their peace and quiet and become restless when disturbed’ pulled out and established their own village just behind the original inhabitants.

Guida is extremely superstitious, according to the chief.

Most of the cutoms of the land are strictly adhered to by the citizens because they are aware of the repercussion of disobedience.

“We have some traditional attitudes that we avoid in this village.

Pounding in the night in our community is prohibited totally because we believe that pounding at night creates problems for the spirits of the dead; we believe that the spirit of the dead enjoys their

peace and quiet and become restless when disturbed.

“If you pound in the night especially knowing that you’re not supposed to, the person may become mad, blind or other things but as for strangers who are not aware of the tradition and culture it is different because an ignorant person cannot be harmed by what he does not know.”

“We also have specific masquerades Amumo, Aguayi, Aguribe, which are the three most dangerous masquerades that only come out at night,

women are not permitted to set eyes on them , any woman that does is asked to make sacrifices of goats or chickens to the forefathers of the land, any woman that mistakenly sees it will have to talk immediately and our forefathers will know the next thing to do but if she doesn’t, she will definitely die.” He added.

He also said that, although it is an olden days tradition, the people of Guida still strongly believe in their cultures and traditions.

To keep their tradition alive, the Guida community organises, cultural festivals like most tribes in Nigeria where their full tradition is displayed to include masquerades and semi nude dancers.

Although Guida, which falls under the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) is very aware of how much the environment has changed from the time of old with the infiltration of strangers and foreigners into Guida, their women dress in other clothing’s including trousers as well and the traditional attires have been relegated to cultural festivals and special occasions alone.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

I

‘Awaiting Trial inmates our major problem’

T was moment of excitement for inmates of the Kuje Maximum Prison when they were re-assured that their current situation was temporary. They were encouraged to be hopeful that they could still achieve greatness when they regain their freedom.

Those were messages of hope on Easter Monday which will remain indelible in the minds of the inmates who danced to the rhythm of soul-lifting music, even as they participated in other fun-filled activities to commemorate the season.

The event was organised by Wazobia FM, a popular radio station in Abuja.

Tagged ‘Prison Break’, the event aimed at encouraging the inmates to remain focused while their matters are on in the various law courts.

Expressing his worry over the prevailing criminal justice system in the country, the Controller of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Command, Mr. Kasali Yusuf said out of over 640 inmates, about 500 are on the Awaiting Trial list in Kuje Prison, adding that the facility has 16 Condemned Criminals (CC).

Yusuf revealed that the high number of inmates on the Awaiting Trial list has been a major concern for the prison management; even as he said efforts are on to ensure their trials are not unnecessar-

‘Our major challenge here is the number of inmates who are on Awaiting Trial list and who have stayed too long in this prison. The fact that they are in prison does not mean that all hope is lost. Quite a number of them who are in prison are for the benefit of all. And most of them are Awaiting Trial and by the Nigerian law the Awaiting Trial inmates are still innocent until proven guilty by a competent law court’ From Gbenga Omokhunu

ily delayed.

He said: “The Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Bukar Ibrahim has given a matching order to the judges under him to ensure that the issue of awaiting trial is resolved. “Our major challenge here is the number of inmates who are on Awaiting Trial list and who have stayed too long in this prison. The fact that they are in prison does not mean that all hope is lost. Quite a number of them

who are in prison are for the benefit of all. And most of them are Awaiting Trial and by the Nigerian law the Awaiting Trial inmates are still innocent until proven guilty by a competent law court.

“Being in prison does not indicate that all hope is lost.. Some of the inmates are here as a result of youthful exuberant, association with bad gangs, which consequence they do not know.

“Some inmates have spent up to 10 years and above on the Awaiting

Trail list. But since the Chief Judge assumed duty, the Criminal Administration Committee meeting has become effective. We have been talking. Two weeks ago, we had a meeting in which we discussed how to improve the criminal justice system in the FCT in such a manner that people who commit criminal offences would not stay unnecessarily too long in prison as Awaiting Trial, especially staying longer than the period they would have stayed if they had been convicted.

“The National Human Right Commission was also here to access the Awaiting Trial situation in the prison and they left with some facts which they would work on. As at today, we have over 500 inmates on the Awaiting Trial list out of over 641 inmates. Among this figure are 16 condemned inmates.”

A human rights lawyer, Kelvin Nwosu assured the Awaiting Trial inmates that he would work with the FCT to quicken the justice system to guarantee their speedy trial.

“Where you are today is temporary and it has expiry date. You can also contribute by quickening the date to expire. Those of you that are on the Awaiting Trial list should keep on praying and working with your lawyers. Tell your lawyer to push your case because some lawyers are also not helping matters.

They, sometimes, abandon your

case.

“By the grace of God the law is changing to enable speedy trial of Awaiting Trial inmates.”

Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro also gave hope to those inmates who have lost confidence in the judicial system.

Moro, who was represented by one of his Special Assistants said: “The fact that they are locked up here does not mean all hope is lost.

There is still something good that can come out of them. We need to show them love in this Easter period, for it is a season of love. We cannot give up on anybody. My advice to the inmates is to change their ways, turn away from evil and embrace Christ. Once they have Christ with them, they will not go into crisis.”

The Head Presenter Wazobia FM, Nwokedi Moses popularly known as ‘Big Moor’ said: “What brought about this is the congestion in the Nigerian prisons and how to help in decongesting them. We discovered that when the inmates are released and they do not have any means of livelihood, they will go back into crime and that indirectly takes them back into the prison. Such situation is not good for the society. We decided to start up a campaign tagged ‘Prison Break’ to educate and motivate them to know that they can be champions of freedom.”

Commission decries increasing piracy

T

HE Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has decried the increasing rate of piracy despite every effort towards curbing it.

At this year’s World Book Day celebration, stakeholders identified piracy and the advent of new technology as major issues hampering creative works from blooming, even as they described piracy as a crime worse than robbery.

The commission, saddled with the responsibility of protecting the rights of authors and other creative artists also noted that piracy is among the factors that destroy creative abilities of authors and artistes as well as a country’s economy.

According to the NCC, the presence of new technology makes it difficult for authors to have control over their works.

It, however, promised to review the Copyright Act with a view to bringing it up to international standard.

Speaking in Abuja during the celebration, the Director-General of NCC, Mr. Afam Ezekude who was represented by a Director in the Commission, Mr. Jacob Fagbemi urged those involved in the act to desist from it.

The Commission urged authors to extend their licensing right to digital platform so as to disseminate their work to more readers as well as to discourage people from purchasing pirated materials.

“We are asking people to desist from indulging in piracy because it destroys the country’s economy and the creative ability of any author.

“People who have laboured to use their brains to put something down should not be robbed by some fraudulent individuals that just go and reproduce the works of other authors without authorisation. Piracy is worse than robbery,” he said.

On the trend of piracy in the country, he said: “The realisation of the basic aim of the statutory protection of authors has become more challenging given the influence of new technologies.

“Prior to now, literary authors were confronted with the pervasive syndrome of piracy as well as wanton reproduction of materials through photocopying. “Currently, there are more intense challenges. The evolution of digital technology and electronic net-

Prior to now, literary authors were confronted with the pervasive syndrome of piracy as well as wanton reproduction of materials through photocopying.

Currently, there are more intense challenges. The evolution of digital technology and electronic networks like the internet has made possible instantaneous transmission of creative content globally with limited control by the author From Faith Yahaya

works like the internet has made possible instantaneous transmission of creative content globally with limited control by the author.”

The Commission, however, revealed that it has initiated a comprehensive review of the Copyright Act to address some of the issues.

Mr. Ezekude said: “The review will, among other things, bring the Act in line with international standard of copyright protection in various international treaties to which Nigeria is signatory and ensure that challenges of contemporary technologies are well taken care of.

“We encourage right owners to explore new business models that can ensure easy access to legitimate creative content. Authors and publishers of literary works should explore the possibility of extending their licensing activities to the new digital platform of accessing creative content in order to encourage wider dissemination of their works and as a means of discouraging the reading public from patronising pirated materials.

“Our dwindling reading culture can be revitalised if teachers, parents and stakeholders make books look interesting and attractive.”

Some of the schools represented at the event held at the International Community School, Abuja are Nurul Bayan School, Premier Academy Lugbe, Greater Heights Academy, Cherryfield Academy, Adeola International School and Kingsville Academy.

•People buying pineapples at a fruits market in Bauchi State

•A vehicle fitted with an industrial tank on Warri-Efunrun Road in Delta State

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

36

ABUJA REVIEW

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HE Easter Sunday service at the Presidential Villa last week provided the Aso Villa Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba another opportunity to preach to Nigerians on the essence of keeping hope alive despite the various calamities being witnessed almost on a daily basis across the globe.

He, however, did not hesitate during the sermon entitled 'Let's Celebrate', to hit at some foreign and Nigerian media houses he felt were opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.

According to him, the reports of the media houses, which he said he always monitored, do not always see anything good in the Jonathan administration.

Stressing that there is every reason to celebrate, he said: "When you listen to CNN, AIT, Daily Trust, Leadership, Nation, Sun, they turn everything into a problem. They never see anything good.

All you read in the papers never give you hope."

"Life no longer gives meaning to some Nigerians and some of them feel like committing suicide.

There are many Nigerians who are N.F.A, No Future Ambition (NFA).

But the only person that gives hope is Jesus Christ."

"This world does not offer us any hope. It is only Jesus Christ that brought hope to the world. We are here to celebrate a living hope.

There is a reason to celebrate." He said Some journalists covering the church service were surprised by the Pastor's classification of the media houses as opposition to the government for what most of them viewed as constructive criticism of the administration towards a better Nigeria.

They were confused whether the remark was mainly to impress the number one citizen, who attended the service, or was by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit indicating the global calamities and bad reports as part of signs of the end time.

The Pastor during the service also advised that only God can make anybody a president of any nation and that no Nigerian on the street should just wake up and desire to be one.

D

Villa Chaplain hits the media ‘This world does From not offer us any hope. It is only the Jesus Christ that brought hope to Villa the world. We are here to celebrate a living hope.

There is a reason to celebrate’

"It takes a lot to become a president. It is not easy. It is not something you desire; it is what God gives," he stated Another dramatic scenario happened during the time for the Holy Communion at the end of the ser-

By Augustine Ehikioya

mon.

From the way all the dignitaries surrounding the President came out to partake in the Holy Communion along with the President, it is only God who can say whether they came out on their own will for the spiritual blessing or to only impress the President.

Before the wafers, which signi-

fied the body of Jesus Christ and wine, which signified His blood, were served in His remembrance, Ven. Onwuzurumba warned the congregation that only those who are ready in spirit should take part in the Holy Communion.

He also warned that there are adverse implications for those whose hands are not clean to partake in

the Holy Communion.

Declaring that no one can successfully serve two masters at the same time, he specifically warned those eating with the devil through 'Ogboni' and other secret cults not to dare take the Holy Communion.

But when the Holy Communion started in earnest, nobody from the President's first row of seats to the fifth row behind him remained on their seat. They all filed out to take the Holy Communion.

Some of the dignitaries, who came late for the service after it started and were seated on the back rows, either for their different spiritual beliefs or they were not ready, sneaked out of the chapel before their turn came to file out for the Holy Communion under the pretence of receiving phone calls.

They sneaked back to their seats as soon as the queue of the congregation filing out for the Holy Communion has passed their seat rows.

NGO donates to kids, widows

ISTURBED by the growing rate of poverty in some families in Lokogoma, a suburb of Abuja, the Sure Smiles Women and Children Advocacy Initiative (SSWCAI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has provided some gift items for no fewer than 200 children and widows who gathered at the St. Benedict Catholic Church, Lokogoma to benefit from the NGO’s benevolence.

The Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr Thomas Asen who received the items on behalf of the church urged people not to leave the progress of the country and the well-being of the people for government alone.

While noting that giving is a tradition sanctioned by God, Fr Asen said “givers never lack.”

Continuing, the Priest said: “They have brought so many things to enable us to reach out to the needy. This is the kind of gesture we need in the country. That is what we should do because people are in difficult situation. We should not leave everything in the hands of government. ”We are experiencing difficult situation here. The bomb blast is a wakeup call for us to reach out to those who need help. The leaders should be assisted because leaving everything to them will be too much for

From Faith Yahaya

them. Let us identify those who are in need of help and share what we have with them.”

The widows and pregnant women among the beneficiaries said the goodwill will go a long way in cushioning the effects of poverty in their families.

The Coordinator of the initiative, Mrs. Chioma Uzo-Udegbunam said: “We are aware that there are some in the society who don’t have. We decided to come and share with them so that they can be in good spirit despite the challenges confronting us as a country.”

She called on Nigerians to form the habit of giving to others who are lessprivileged.

“I feel Nigerians should learn to share with others. We should not make the less-privileged ones among us to feel forsaken or feel that God has forgotten them.

“When others are celebrating and rejoicing, you should not be left out. I believe that there is joy in sharing and the hand of the giver is always on top.

“We have brought this to Lokogoma for you to share to these children and widows so that they can be happy amidst the difficulties and

violence going on in the country.”

One of the beneficiaries, Blessing Monday said: “I feel good. The gesture by the group will impact my life in more positive way. My prayer is that God should add more power to

their elbow. I also pray that God should lift us too so that we can help other people.

Kaka Ismaila, another beneficiary said: “They gave me two shoes and a gown. I am very grateful to them.”

Some of the gift items distributed to the beneficiaries were rice, biscuits, tomato paste, salt, onions, clothes, foot wears, indomie noodles, cheese balls, tissue, bobo milk drink and carpri-sonne.

•Business in full swing at Zuba fruits market in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

37

FROM THE COURT CJN seeks new laws on food, drug administration

T

HE Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar has stressed the need for adequate legislations in the administration of food and drug in Nigeria to stem quackry in the industry.

She also suggested stiff penalties to culprits of counterfeited food and drugs.

Justice Mukhtar said adequate legislation will help to effectively combat the menace of product counterfeiting in the country.

The Chief Justice stated this in Lagos last week while declaring open a two-day international conference for judges organised by the National Agency of Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) titled: “Legal Protection for Consumers of Food and Drugs: Issues Arising Within a Regulatory Freamework”.

The conference was organised in collaboration with National Judicial Institute (NJI).

Justice Mukhtar said the Judiciary would partner with NAFDAC in its mandate to deal with the incidence of counterfeiting and protection of public health.

“NAFDAC, you are not alone.

Counterfeiters are dangerous and mean, but we expect all persons involved in enforcement, to adhere strictly to the rule.

“The laws may not be adequate, NAFDAC can engage with appropriate bodies to review its laws, while judges will explore all options within the ambit of the law to ensure the protection of consumers,” she said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr.

Female inheritance: More communities react to Supreme Court verdict From Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

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By Adebisi Onanuga

Paul Orhii urged the judiciary to see his agency’s fight as theirs and give matters involving counterfeiting of drugs, misbranding of regulated products and wholesome processed food the priority it deserved.

Orhii said weakness of the law breeds lawlessness giving rise to impunity, oppression, exploitation and violation of human rights, as in the case with drug counterfeiters.

The NAFDAC DG said in recognition of its mandate to provide adequate legislations to regulate the industry, as well as public health protection, the agency has set out to amend some of its laws to provide for stiffer penalties and protection of whistle blowers.

According to him, one of the provisions in the proposed laws seeks life jail and confiscation of assets upon conviction, compensation for victims where counterfeit product is found to be the proximate cause of injury.

Orhii said while NAFDAC, under his leadership, is committed to obeying court orders and conduct its activities in accordance with the law, it looks up to the bench for support in the protection of the health of the nation by bringing to book drug counterfeiters and other violators of NAFDAC regulations by imposing maximum penalties available in the statutes “My Lords, the profit margins in the nefarious business of drug counterfeiting leave the merchants of death with enormous and filthy wealth to

•Mukhtar

‘NAFDAC, you are not alone.

Counterfeiters are dangerous and mean, but we expect all persons involved in enforcement, to adhere strictly to the rule’ hire the services of expensive attorneys that have mastered the art of delay tactics.

“Our experience in NAFDAC has shown that the longer a criminal proceeding takes, the more complicated it becomes,” he said.

•From left: Former NBA Chairman Abuja branch, Mazi Afam Osigwe; First Asst. Secretary NBA, Paul Ebiala; Chairman NBA Calabar branch, Nkoyo Ama; Mba Ukwenny; former Asst. Financial Secretary NBA, Chinwe Nwadike and former Chairman NBA Ikeja branch, Comrade Richard Ogbeche at the meeting of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

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LAGOS High Court in Ikeja, has ordered families involved in a legal dispute over a parcel of land measuring 16.740 hectares situated at Oko-Olomi in Ibeju Local Government Area of Lagos State to maintain peace pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The claimants, Chief Tajudeen Eleku, Chief Segun Eleku, Madam Toyin Eleku and Mr. Kola Eleku had in suit No-LD/ 1946/2012 filed against Chief Tajudeen Afolabi Elemoro, Lagos State governor and two others, prayed the court for a declaration that they are the owners of the disputed land.

But in an application dated

RADITIONAL rulers and community leaders in Anambra State are divided over the Supreme Court judgment, which held that wives and daughters can share in the inheritance of their spouses or fathers.

The court nullified the age long tradition in some parts of Igbo land, which excluded women from such inheritance.

The traditional rulers of Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government Area, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo and his counterpart from Umueje, in Ayamelum Council Area, Igwe Elias Nneli faulted the judgment.

They claimed that it was a way of rubbishing the Igbo culture and tradition, arguing that customary courts were supposed to deal with such cases.

Nwankwo, told The Nation that it was one of the major issues that should be discussed by those who had gone for the national conference, adding that the Igbo tradition and custom had been balkanised.

He said the problem in Igboland was that there was nobody to portray the Igbo tradition in good light, adding that Ndigbo would not keep quiet over the issue.

According to Nwankwo, the Supreme Court was the final arbiter, but added that Ndigbo could still challenge it after sometime, adding that the judgment was done in bad fate.

“If this law is enforced, what they have enforced is against the Igbo Culture and Tradition, which have been there for ages, this issue should be brought up by the delegates at the confab from Igboland,” he said.

Nneli, who was a former president of the customary court in 1986, described the judgment by the Supreme Court as a wrong one.

However, he was of the view that women could be given a property of the husband or the father, but not an empty land which he said was a sacred one to the men folk.

He said: “Even the developed property, it is a subject for discussion but the man should get the larger chunks of the entire property. So, the so-called judgment is not good at all.”

A community leader, Comrade Osita Obi from Umuawulu in Awka South Local Government Area, hailed the Supreme Court Judges for the decision.

“It is a welcome development, because today we have women in leadership positions everywhere in the world as Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers, I have been against that discrimination in the land,” Obi said.

The Anambra North Senatorial Zone Chairman of Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Rowland Odegbo applauded the Supreme Court judgment, saying it is in line with international practices.

Odegbo, who is the traditional ruler of Nteje in Oyi Local

Government Area, wondered why men should be enjoying everything about women but once their husband is dead they became pariahs. ‘’My opinion is that our female children and women are part of our community and part of us. It is inhuman to deny them inheritance.

Why can’t they inherit their fathers’ property. ‘’We must encourage women growth and development in Igbo land. We love these women and sleep with them yet, they won’t inherit our property when we die? I don’t see any meaning in that?”

On his part, the traditional ruler of Akpo in Aguata, Igwe J.O Okpalaezecha, Nnamoshimiri said: ‘’ I have lived in America for over 30 years and a liberal person, but as custodians of our custom and tradition we are bound to do what our ancestors handed over to us unless otherwise stated as you have referred me to the Judgment of the Supreme Court. ‘’I am not conversant with the judgment but it is not done in my community Akpo but if the law says that and it is optional some communities may still have their way in deciding female and women partaking in inheritance depending on their culture. Our duty is to keep the rules, customs and traditions of the community but we will not disobey court judgment, if that is the new rule although we have to table it in our cabinet for decision tom be taking. So my answer is let’s wait and see the outcome of the judgment before I will react.’’

Also commenting, National Secretary, Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) and President-General of Onitsha Community, Peter Nwagu applauded the Supreme Court saying women and female children have been marginalised for centuries.

Nwagu said: ‘’I am of the opinion that our women and their female children should participate in their husbands’ or fathers’ inheritance because they are human beings like us.”

The President-General of Obeledu Community, Dr Philip Ilozumba, said the Supreme Court judgment is commendable as it has set aright many years of deprivation and marginalisation of women and female children from partaking in sharing of their father’s or their husband’s property in Igbo Land.

Ilozumba said: ‘’I think it is okay and the right thing to do because some of the cultures and traditions are meant to protect certain interests. Women and female children should not be disinherited in their husbands’ and fathers’ property that is my stand please. The Supreme Court is right in its decision for it would enhance the recognition and rights of women in the society.’’

Court orders families to maintain peace March 7, 2013, the 1st defendant, Chief Tajudeen Afolabi Elemoro prayed the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the claimants and their agents from constructing any structure on the disputed land.

Ruling on the application, Justice Atinuke Ipaye gave an order of accelerated hearing of the suit.

She ordered that parties should maintain the status quo (current positions) pending the resolution of the dispute.

She said after a careful consid-

eration of the application, there was no clear averment before the court that the parcels of land in dispute were virgin lands. ‘’I am of the considered opinion that in the best interest of all concerned, an order for accelerated hearing of the dispute be made in lieu of the grant of injunctive relief. It is trite that a court of law should treat both parties equally. ‘’The court is fully persuaded that early determination of the claims on the merits best fit the justice of the case and I so hold,’’ she held.

The applicants had informed

the court that the land in dispute was subject of acquisition by Lagos State government.

The applicants stated that the land was excised from the acquisition and transferred to the first defendant (Elemoro family) by the state.

But the Eleku family in their pleadings said they have been in possession of the land from time immemorial, adding that their progenitor migrated from Ile Ife over 200 years ago to settle at the place now known as OkoOlomi Village.

The family added that

sometimes in 1993, the Lagos State government purportedly acquired the family land without due process.

They maintained that the family was never served with any notice of acquisition and was not paid compensation.

The Eleku family further stated that the state government allegedly excised 16.740 hectares of their family land to the 1st defendant (Elemoro family), annexed 18.113 hectares and allocated same to 2nd defendant (Panpa family) without due regards to the provisions of the Land Use Act.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

38

LAW NEWS The outcome of the deliberations of the national conference should form the basis of a new Constitution. This is the opinion of Elder Paul Chibuike Ananaba (SAN), who is Electoral Committee Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch. He speaks on standard of judgments delivered in recent times, the branch’s forthcoming election, and other issues. JOSEPH JIBUEZE met him.

‘INEC’ll learn from our election’

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HE Chairman, Electoral Com mittee of the Nigerian Bar As sociation (NBA), Ikeja Branch, Elder Paul Chibuike Ananaba (SAN) has vowed to ensure a rancour free election for the branch, which comes up next Monday.

The last election, which produced the incumbent, Onyekachi Ubani, was marred by controversies that led to court action. The matter was later resolved through a consent judgment entered on June 27, 2012.

Ananaba, who is a law lecturer and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK (Nigerian Branch), said his committee would conduct an election that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would learn something from.

“The last election created a lot of concern and anxiety at the Tiger Branch. That did not give a good signal, because the society expects that as one of the most vibrant branches of the Bar, where you had the likes of the late Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), and today the likes of Femi Falana (SAN), Lai Babatunde (SAN), the Williams family, Dele Adesina (SAN), among others as members, the branch will be the best and will have hitch-free elections.

“So, the branch has decided to shop for people they believe have the requisite integrity and capacity to supervise the election. So, a lot is expected of this committee.

The branch will not want to go into further issues. We want to show the world that the branch remains a beacon of hope for the common man,” he said.

Ananaba, who holds an LL.M in Legislative Drafting and is a final year Ph.D student of the Babcock University, Ogun State, where he serves as legal adviser, spoke on the pre-election plans of his committee.

“It is expected that we’ll run an election that even the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may have to learn something from. We have met as a committee and we’re articulating the

best procedures we think will ensure that our integrity is intact, that the election is as credible and fair as it can be. The election will be on May 5, and ahead of it, we are going to add vibrancy and credibility to it.

“Unlike what has been done before, we are articulating a kind of debate among the candidates. We expect that before the end of the month, the candidates will come up to tell the branch and the Bar what they have in store, so that in future, people can weigh themselves and articulate their positions,” he said.

The author of two legal books expects the contestants to play by the rules. He said: “The branch rules and the consent judgment are the guides. Everybody should keep to the rules. There will be no favoritism, and there will be zero-tolerance for non-compliance with the rules. We expect that every legal practitioner is a learned person, and that should be brought to bear. You’re expected to act in that honourable capacity. Everything will be done to ensure a hitch-free election Ananaba said the ongoing national conference in Abuja should produce a new Constitution. “If a new Constitution does not come out of it, then it does not worth the expense and the time.

“In Nigerian constitutional law, it’s been much canvassed, in fact, Prof Ewelukwa is known to have made the point about autochthonous (people’s or ‘homegrown’) constitution. He goes to say that from the Clifford Constitution of 1922 down, there had been rarely a time Nigerians came together to say: ‘We the people of Nigeria.’

“So, after 100 years, it’s good for us to come together and say that we the people of Nigeria gave ourselves this constitution. So, a new Constitution should come up, because this will be the Constitution based on what Nigerians have agreed will govern them.”

On the government’s fight

against terrorism, Ananaba said: “The government is trying, but more needs to be done. This is a guerilla warfare. The dynamism of terrorism is that you don’t know who a terrorist is. It’s a difficult war to win. America has not won it completely. In history, no terrorist group has been defeated by military might. They can be subdued to some extent, but the philosophy continues.

“So, it should be a carrot and stick approach. Indoctrination is at the root of terrorism. The government should also work on providing a counter-doctrine that will take into account people’s sensibilities, religion, culture, and a hope that going to die is not the right thing; that going to kill is not right; and that it is better to be alive and be useful to yourself, to society and family. That is what is costeffective in fighting terrorism.”

On the standard of judgments delivered in recent times, the SAN said so many factors are responsible for their seeming low quality.

“If you study Nigerian legal system, you will see that styles of writing judgments differ. Some adopt one style or the other.

However, the truth is that in the time of the Chukwudifu Oputas, Kayode Eshos, Karibi Whytes, the Obasekis, the Niki Tobis, you could say that cases were a bit fewer, they had more time, and they did so much. They could spend a lot of time writing and expounding the law in their judgments.

“Today most judges write on long hand, the court system is not conducive, the number of cases keep increasing, most of the time there is no light, all manner of impediments. All these affect the judgments.”

Asked what motivated him to study law, he said: “We had family friends who were lawyers, and I began to think of being a lawyer.

As we went to the University, there were interactions, review of pro-

•Ananaba

fessions and all that. I recall that even though I was in the science class, I realised that I needed to be a lawyer. My friends also confirmed that I had no business being a scientist. Right from then, I chose to study law.”

He urged young lawyers not to be in a hurry to practice on their own after graduation. “It is not advisable for you to leave the law school and set up practice. You may know too much of theories, but you won’t have practical experience that is sufficient enough for you to go solo. I counsel that people spend a few years to get to see precedents, see how the seniors do it, some form of tutelage, and get stabilised. What you’re running to do alone – you will have a lot of years to do it well if you have a good foundation. Once the foundation goes bad in the beginning, it is difficult to repair.

“I went through tutelage in law firm in Bauchi town and continued it from 1992 to 1995. I was involved in active legal practice under tutelage before I set up my private practice in 1995. Those things I learnt,

those exposures were what I had to improve upon from 1995 till now.”

Ananaba said if he had not read law, he would have been in intelligence service, maybe with the State Security Service (SSS). “I enjoy investigation, interrogation and all that. Those are things I also do in slightly different sphere. I would have actually opted for the work of a detective.”

He remembered his first day in court. “My first day in court was filled with emotion. You have become a lawyer and want to do it. But many times you don’t know how to do it. It was not particularly unusual. I only thought: ‘O, I have become a lawyer and I can wear wig and gown.’ I was led. I didn’t have to say anything because my senior spoke, but I came back happy.

“The first time I addressed the court, I wasn’t jittery because my principal was good. I began on time to prepare for the case. I was a corps member; I had all the time. I prepared for the matter, and the judges then were not scary. They were accommodating knowing that I was a corps member.

They were helpful at that point.”

Court nullifies acquisition of land by govt

By Joseph Jibueze

•Chief Judge of Lagos, Ayotunde Phillips

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LAGOS High Court sitting in Igbosere, Lagos has nullified the acquisition of a parcel of land in Abule-Parapo in Awoyaya, Ibeju Lekki Area of the state by the military government.

According to the claimants, their land that was supposedly acquired by the Buba Marwa administration for the Aquaculture Scheme was in fact, meant for development as a private estate, and did not qualify to be in the overriding public interest.

Some of the land, they said, had been acquired for various schemes, but were not done in consonance

with the appropriate laws.

Besides, they said the Marwa government set aside N2.5million as compensation, which was never disbursed, even as 50 hectares promised to be excised to the claimants were not handed over.

Delivering judgment in the suit filed on November 15, 2004, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji held that the land was not acquired in line with the law.

“The claimants’ claims, therefore, succeed. The purported acquisition of land in dispute by the first to fourth defendants is hereby declared null and void, the defendants having failed to comply with the provisions of Section 28 (6) of the Land Use Act of 1978,” the judge held.

The claimants – Alhaji Mutiu Musa, Chief Tunde Xaidi, Mr Mufutau Sokoto, Mr Tolani Bakare, Alhaji Sikiru Towolawi and Chief Muritala Tijani – sued for themselves and on behalf of 10 villages collectively known as AbuleParapo in Awoyaya, Ibeju Lekki.

The Lagos State Governor, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee and the General Manager New Towns Development Authority are the respondents.

Justice Oyebanji held that the government did not give the claimants adequate notice before acquiring the land.

“A careful perusal of the evidence of the sole witness for the defendants shows that the defendants led no evidence whatsoever on notice purportedly given to the claimants, neither was any document or material tendered before this court to prove that the land in dispute was acquired for public purpose.

“The court has therefore, come to the inevitable conclusion that the requirements of the law relating to acquisition of land in Lagos State particularly Sections 28 (6) and (7) of the Land Use Act 1978 was not complied with by the first to fourth defendants.

“There is no scintilla of evidence before this court to prove that a valid notice or any notice at all, of the purported acquisition of subject land was given to the claimants. This issue is resolved to the claimants,” the judge said.

The judge also held that the doctrine of waiver and estoppel cannot avail the defendants, adding that the defendants did not give the claimants any land.

“Interestingly, though the defendants averred and led evidence that a parcel of land was excised for the claimants, the defendants failed to

substantiate their assertion that the excision was made.

“The dimensions of the land purportedly excised ware also not disclosed. Based on the processes before the court, I do not believe that any excision was made in favour of the claimants,” Justice Oyebanji held.

The claimants, through their lawyer, Mr J. D Oloyede had sought a declaration that the defendants cannot take possession of their land measuring 386.02 hectares (909.38 acres) without following strictly the requirements of law relating to acquisition of land in Lagos State.

They urged the court to hold that the purported acquisition of their land for an aquaculture project by the defendants is null and void and of no effect as it was not done in compliance with the law.

They further prayed the court to hold that the granting of statutory right of occupancy over the land to EIB Trustees Limited for private estate development, which form part of the claimants’ original land holding, is unlawful, null and void.

The claimants sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further attempting to gain access to the land or to alienate any other land belonging to them except in compliance with the law.

EIB was initially joined in the suit as fifth defendant, but following an out-of-court resolution, their terms of settlement was entered as judgment of court on December 11, 2006, two years after the suit was filed.

The claimants thereafter, went to trial against the first to fourth defendants. They claimed that their community comprises 30 families, with a common ancestry, and that their farming, fishing and hunting were their main occupation on the land in dispute.

According to them, successive administrations continuously encroached on the farmlands, “thereby effectively curtailing if not outrightly extinguishing the rights of the claimants to ownership of the land from which they derive their livelihood.”

But the defendants said the land in question was acquired by government in 1993 for private developers’ scheme in line with government policy.

The government said the claimants did not apply for any compensation, adding: “The defendants have documents, letters and other relevant material to show that the land in dispute was acquired for public purpose.”

Urging the court to dismiss the suit with substantial cost, the defendants said the action is baseless, vexatious and premature.

39

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

LEGAL OPINION

Subsidy protest: Lagos set to enforce judgment against police

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HE Lagos State government is set to enforce the judgment of an Ikeja High Court against the police which awarded N4million compensation to victims of the January 2012 fuel subsidy protest.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye told reporters at a press briefing to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration the government would take steps to enforce the verdict.

Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile awarded N4 million damages against the police andformer Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Pen Cinema Police Station, Segun Fabunmi for “recklessly shooting and inflicting bodily injury” on the protesters.

The court was delivering judgment on a fundamental human rights enforcement suit instituted on behalf of the four applicants by the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender (OPD).

The applicants: Egbuzor Samuel (24), Alimi Abubakar (41), Joy Monday (21) and Chibuzo Udo (28), sustained gunshot wounds on January 9, 2012 at Yaya-Abatan Junction, Agege, Lagos suburb, during the subsidy removal.

One protester, Adedamola Daramola, died.

Ipaye said the OPD had petitioned the Commissioner of Police to effect payment.

“If they don’t pay, we would approach the court and commence proceedings for an order of garnishee against the Police.

“So, OPD is still on the matter and is not backing out at all,” he said.

Ipaye said the state has not abandoned its appeal against the acquittal of Major Hamza AlMustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha over the death of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, the wife of the late Bashorun M.K.O Abiola acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections.

A Lagos High Court on January 30, 2012 sentenced AlMustapha to death by hanging for the murder.

By Adebisi Onanuga and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

On July 12, last year, AlMustapha was acquitted of the crime by the appeal court, Lagos division.

The appellate court held that there was not enough evidence to incriminate Al-Mustapha in the murder of the Late Kudirat Abiola.

Ipaye said the state filed an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal presided over by Justice Rita Pemu, adding that the appeal has time limitation.

He said the appeal filed by the government is now before the Supreme Court of Nigeria and that they were only awaiting the date for the hearing of the application.

The Commissioner for Justice stated further that the state is currently prosecuting 950 criminal cases in various courts across the state and in the nation.

He said the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), is prosecuting 708 cases in various Superior Courts of record, saying this figure included the 42 and four cases which were currently being prosecuted at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court respectively.

“In addition to these, we are prosecuting 242 cases at the Magistrate Courts. All together, the DPP is engaged in the prosecution of 950 criminal cases. In the past one year, judgments were delivered in 76 cases in various matters the ministry was prosecuting both at the High Court and the Court of Appeal,” he said.

Ipaye added that the DPP, which was created as part of government’s reform of the criminal justice system, had been able to hasten considerably the speed of criminal prosecutions by reducing the time spent on issuing legal advice.

He revealed that in the last one year, out of the 1,440 police investigation files sent to the DPP’s office for legal advice, the unit had already completed work on 1,369 while the rest were still being processed.

“With regard to criminal prosecution, we want to assure the

good people of Lagos that our Directorate of Public Prosecutions is committed to ensuring that all offenders are brought to book, thereby discouraging impunity in our society. The Directorate is also committed to speedy trials, especially so that suspects are not detained too long awaiting trial.

“The truism ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ is one of our guiding principles, especially in criminal justice administration.

Both the victims of a crime and the alleged offender deserve to have the prosecution completed at the earliest possible time,” he said.

The commissioner also disclosed that the Directorate of Civil Litigation of the Ministry of Justice is currently handling 1,197 cases in various on behalf of Government, ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs. “The Directorate of Civil Litigation is responsible for instituting and defending civil actions involving the state government, its Ministries, Department and Agencies.

The Directorate is currently handling 1,197 in various courts from the Magistrate Court through the High Courts, Appellate Court and the Supreme Court.

“Out of this number, 256 are new cases. In the period under review, judgments were delivered in 40 of the matters being handled by the Directorate and 14 matters were struck out for various reasons.

The judgments included the decision of the Census Tribunal, which returned favourable judgments in respect of 13 out of 14 local governments which figures were challenged; as well as the Supreme Court decision on control of tourism and hotel regulation,” he said.

Also, Ipaye revealed that between April 2013 and March 2014, a total of 2,595 offenders were sentenced to various terms of community service across the 12 Magisterial Districts of Lagos State.

Ipaye remarked that one factor responsible for the milestones achieved by his ministry within the period under review was the cordial relationship that exists between them and other stakeholders in the criminal justice sector.

•Left to right: Solicitor General, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN); Attorney General, Ade Ipaye and Special Adviser to the governor on information, Abdul-Lateef Raji PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com 08033054939 (sms only)

The emergency that Nigeria needs

W

HENEVER the President, the Senate President, the Speaker House of Representatives, the state Governors and the Speakers of the state Houses of Assembly and other top political office holders smile into the camera at public functions, I am tempted to believe that they are not aware of the grave security challenges, that Nigeria under their care faces. Consider that those of them from what is called the core north can not freely take a walk in their constituencies for fear of the cruelties of the Boko Haram; neither can those from the south-east and south-south do same for fear of kidnappers and attacks by armed groups.

Compare these calamities with the emerging kidnap scare in the southwest and the religious/cattle hustlers’ induced mayhem in the middlebelt, to appreciate how violence and insecurity is gradually running a ring around Nigerians.

Add the degeneration into armed robbery and gangsters by our unemployed and unemployable youths to the mix, and you will appreciate that unless our leaders wake-up from their sleep-walking, the Nigerian state is heading to hell. The problems are well beyound the current efforts of President Jonathan and other political actors, considering their partisan interests. What is urgently needed is for the presidency, the national economic council, the national assembly and the state assemblies to patriotically declare a state of national economic emergency, to stem Nigeria from self-destruction.

To lead the charge, the political leadership across board must first exorcise itself from the cruel and criminal self-aggrandizement and appropriation of our common resources, just because they can get away with it. It must then gather a crop of competent non-political actors to draw an action plan to galvanize a national political-economic revival.

One quick way forward is to create massive employment opportunities, by using direct labour for infrastructural and agricultural development, at every level of government. Our country must then force temporal exemption from World Trade Organization, created to exploit the tenuous economies of third world countries; to boost our agriculture and local production. I have little doubt that unless there is a massive increase in economic opportunities for our youths; forced restraint on corrupt enrichment and practices by our political and economic elites and a fair and equitable spread of political and economic opportunities for all ethnic nationalities in the country; similar patches of emergency situations as we are witnessing in the north-west will keep reoccurring in other parts until the whole country is engulfed in crisis.

In the meantime, President Jonathan acted well within his powers to declare emergency in Bornu, Yobe and Adamawa, under the provisions of section 305 of the 1999 constitution as amended. Unfortunately it is also the only immediate option open to the country, even when the current insurgency is substantially the consequences of years of mismanagement at all levels of governance. While the enabling factors for the crisis in Nigeria were not created by the current political actors, it has been exacerbated by the criminal impudence of some of them. I can bet that if you call the local government administrations in the states now under emergency to account for just 25% of their receipts from the federation account in the past ten years, they will not be able to. Reports show that the local authorities merely gather at the end of every month to share the receipts.

As many commentators have rightly argued, the constitution did not expressly authorize the President to remove elected state officials after declaring a state of emergency, as former President Obasanjo did in Plateau and Ekiti states. Indeed under section 305(4), the Governor of a state may with the sanction of the two-third members of the House of Assembly request the President to issue a proclamation of a state of emergency, in a state. But it can also be rightly argued that where the elected officials are prima facie the cause of the actual or potential breakdown of public order and safety, their powers can be swept away by the emergency declaration. Of course the constitution provides the circumstances under which the President can declare an emergency, and gives authority to the National Assembly to approve such declaration.

While the President has exercised his constitutional prerogatives, it must be presumptuous for him to think that he has solved the problem of insurgency in the north-east, by what the Americans would call militarysurge in that area. The simple reason is because the objective circumstances that gave rise to the crisis cannot be solved militarily. One reason is because the protagonists of the crisis as in other climes have craftily engraved its foundation on a shifty ground - religion. Second is that the crisis has grown beyound Nigeria’s boundaries, and also that the warriors having been schooled on self-immolation can not easily be overwhelmed as in modern warfare. The greatest tragedy is that many ordinary folks in the north-east pummeled by poverty and state neglect may have out of frustration joined the insurgency.

To any discerning observer the Nigerian project is a huge tragedy so far. The northern power elites which held power longer than all the other regions combined, left the north the most underdeveloped part of the country. The south-south which has political control for the first time under President Jonathan, is hell bent on taking an overdose of the lollypop. The south-east which has been crying against political marginalization, despite being one of the big three groups in the country, has seen their mantra appropriated by other zones and is now acting frustrated. The tepid attempt to carve a politically independent northcentral is under serious religious/ethnic conflagration. The south-west seethes in angst, as their early lead after Independence has been wasted.

The result is a divided country run on templates of blackmail. *This piece was first published on May 21 last year.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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LAW & SOCIETY The Nigerian Institute of Avanced Legal Studies (NIALS) has held its first African Scholars Lecture, with the guest speaker, Akua Kuenyehia, calling for stronger institutions. She also explains the workings of the International Criminal Court (ICC). JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU reports.

F

‘Weak institutions breed criminality’

OR Africa to successfully fight criminality, strong institutions are needed, a judge of the Appeals Division, International Criminal Court (ICC) Akua Kuenyehia has said.

She said international criminal law must be institutionalised to tackle the civil conflicts that have ravaged the continent.

Kuenyehia spoke at the maiden Distinguished African Scholars’ Lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in Abuja.

She said impunity has been a problem in Africa for quite a while.

According to her, massive crimes that have resulted in pain and suffering for large numbers of victims have been committed without anyone being held accountable for them.

The good news, she said, is that in recent times the international community has signalled its intolerance for impunity, which has been embraced by the majority.

“This has led, not only to the establishment of international criminal tribunals, but also to various other institutions all aimed at fighting impunity,” Kuenyehia said.

She said advent of the ICC has heralded a new era in the fight against impunity, with provision for the protection of witnesses, who can give testimony by electronic or other means including alteration of pictures or voice distortions, use of audio-video technology like video-conferencing, use of pseudonym and proceedings conducted in camera.

The ICC has the authority to determine the extent of the victims’ prejudice and damages as well as the power to give reparations directly to the victims, Kuenyehia said.

In cases of sexual violence, the court provides a victim and witnesses unit staffed by professionals with expertise in trauma. Its Investigation Division has a Gender and Child Unit, staffed by advisors with legal expertise on special issues including sexual and gender’ violence.

“The court takes factors such as gender and the nature of the crime into account when granting protective measures,” Kuenyehia said.

However, the court, she said, still faces challenges relating to the documentation of the reality of sexual violence.

“As already mentioned, it is particularly

O

N April 15, the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, through a panel of five justices ruled unanimously in six petitions to redraw the map of the four petitions currently at the trial stage in Anambra State Gubernatorial and Election Petitions Tribunal in Awka.

There were two petitions that failed. One was brought by Dr Chike Obidigbo seeking to reverse the decision of the tribunal, which refused its application to be joined in the other three petitions before the Tribunal.

There are four petitions before the Tribunal.

The first was by Dr Obidigbo on December 19, last year. Identified with the Suit No : EPT/ AN/GOV/01/2013, it seeks that Obidigbo be declared the candidate of All progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the elections. The petitioner claims that Obiano is not qualified to be a candidate, having failed to satisfy the APGA constitution, and being guilty of multiple registrations in the INEC voter register.

This petition is standing on its own at trial.

The second petition with Suit Number ;EPT/ AN/GOV/02/2013) was brought jointly by Senator Chris Ngige, candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) and his party seeking on December 20, last year, seeking total cancellation of the elections on four grounds.

The grounds are that the election was conducted with substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and the INEC manual and therefore, Mr Obiano was not validly elected.

Secondly, Ngige and the APC aver that the election was marred with corrupt practice. The remaining (third and fourth) grounds are that Mr.Obiano was not elected by the majority of lawful votes, and he was not qualified to contest the election.

So far, one commonality has been identified

difficult to document and assess the scale of sexual violence in a specific conflict.

“Survivors are generally extremely reluctant to talk about their suffering, due in particular to stigmatisation, traditions, cultural, social and religious pressures,” she said.

On the principle of complementarity, she said it is to encourage state’ parties to implement the provisions of the Rome Statute thereby strengthening their respective national jurisdiction over crimes prohibited’ under the Statute.

“In fact, strengthening domestic prosecutions so that the ICC does not have to intervene should be the ultimate goal of every state,” she said.

The judge said there is a need for practical schemes that inform the public and educate relevant professionals on the impact of crimes on a nation’s development.

According to her, there is a need for sensitisation aimed at creating awareness within the society, of the devastating effects of rape and other gender violence on victims and their communities and the fact that these always affect the whole community and not just the victims.

Kuenyehia said capacity building at the national level by way of training of judges, prosecutors and defence counsels is also needed.

“The introduction of courses in International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law, and Gender Justice in Universities so that ramifications for the general society become more widely known, is also needed,” she said.

NIALS’ Director-General Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), who reviewed the lecture, explained why it was organised. ”The Distinguished African Scholars’ Lecture is the first in its series. It is a platform to not only bring contemporary and burdensome issues to the fore, but to celebrate African scholars who have made exceptional contributions in their fields of study.

“The Institute is indeed, fortunate to have Judge Kuenyehia, a Judge of the Appeals Division of the International Criminal Court at The Hague to share her many years of experience at the ICC as well as her thoughts on crimes against humanity, especially rape.

Azinge called for the prosecution of those behind unpunished crimes against women.

•From left: Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Prof. Ikechi Mgboji, Col. Bello Fadile (rtd) and Prof.

Azinge (SAN)

•From left: Prof. Yinka Omoregbe, Prof. Charles Iloegbune (SAN), Prof. Ngozichukwuka Ugo and Judge Kuenyehia.

•From left: Prof. Adebambo Adewopo, Institute Busar Augustin Odukoma and Deputy Institute Secretary, Danjums Tangni

Anambra tribunal: Matters arising

By Okelo Madukaife

in the four petitions. All seek to establish that Obiano was not qualified to contest the November 2013 elections. Before going further on the issue of qualification, lets us first understand the basis for Obidigbo’s refused appeal.

Having filed his own petition at the tribunal seeking to be declared the authentic candidate of APGA in petition 01, Obidigbo approached the tribunal with an application for an order of the tribunal seeking to joining him as a party in each of the three other petitions at the tribunal (02,03 and 04).

The tribunal agreed with the petitioners in the latter that the application be refused.

Obidigbo appealed. As one of the six latest judgments under focus, the appeal court described the appeal as ‘unmeritorious’ in the shortened ruling of all read by Justice Ignatius Agube and endorsed by four other judges.

The second appeal that was refused was filed

by Ngige against the decision of the tribunal not to uphold the provisions of paragraph 12 (5) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act which seeks to cure the mischief of time wasting at petition tribunal hearing arising from objections, applications and interlocutory appeals.

Ngige had through his lawyers applied on January 20 that all preliminary objections on pints of law should be documented and reserved till the final address and the final judgment. The Tribunal refused this application on February 28, 2014. Thereafter, the tribunal went ahead to consider and grant the application by

all respondents to strike out the said paragraphs.

Ngige’s lawyers read bias into this and applied to the appeal court to overrule the lower court’s decision and set up a new panel to hear the petition. This appeal failed because the appeal court held that 12 (5) ought to be read in conjunction with Section 47 (1) and 18 (9) of the same schedule, which allows the court a discretion and allow the respondents some options.

All the other four appeals succeeded? This brings us back to the issue of qualifications.

Defence lawyers had at the tribunal pleaded that the issue of qualification is a pre-election matter. The petitioners argued vigorously against that on the authority of decided cases.

The tribunal agreed with the respondents and struck out all paragraphs relating to issues of qualification at various times ranging from February 25 to March 5. This affected all four petitions. All of them appealed.

Last week’s judgment of the appeal court restored all issues of qualifications as election matters which can be decided by the tribunal.

With this pronouncement, Obiano has to prepare a defence in four petitions in determining the issue of whether he is qualified to contest the elections or not. Most prominent is the issues of and arising from the alleged multiple registrations in the INEC voter register.

Beyond that Obidigbo is also challenging the constitutional qualification of Obiano, contending that he emerged from an improperly constituted panel, having not been properly constituted and not coming from the right APGA

leadership.

But beyond these issues of qualifications, the tribunal illustrating with Ngige’s petion also struck out schedules attached to his pleading as an ‘innovation’. Petitioners’ insisted in the course of argument that the method was adopted to make the analysis and tables clearer and less beclouding. The tribunal was not persuaded. The appeal court was convinced by this argument.

But perhaps what is arguably the most salient aspect of the appeal court ruling is the conclusive establishment of the Otuocha Hgh Court decision, which the respondents dangled as a judgment is realm and therefore, an estoppel against further adjudication of the matter as incompetent’ It is inconceivable that a judgment in a case that has been activated by a ‘busy body’, not being a member of the 25th respondent (APGA) should now constitute an obstacle for those with genuine interest from pursuing the justice of the matter’ Hon Justice Bolaji Yusuf firmly ruled in the appeal by PDP, effectively breaking the barrier presented before now by the cited High Court judgment.

Conclusively, the issues in the Anambra gubernatorial litigation have been redefined substantially, what with Ngige having closed his case on the prompting of the tribunal before the statutory 14 days.

New horizons are definitely open, and for Obiano, the swivel chair, may no longer be as smooth, calm and cool, as the next 58 days (when the 180-day lifespan of the petition would be spent), are pregnant with judicial discoveries.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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POLITICS

TUESDAY APRIL 29, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

EKITI POLITICS Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on the preparations for the June 21 governorship election, Vice President Namadi Sambo’s description of Ekiti as a war front, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) threat to ‘capture’ the Southwest and other issues. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

‘Ekiti will resist rigging’

V

ICE President Namadi Sambo has said that Ekiti State will become a war front during the governorship election? What is your view?

Quite frankly, my immediate reaction when I saw the statement from the Vice President was disbelief, until I eventually read it in about five newspapers and saw that the language was consistent and that the reports are similar in all the papers. The Vice President is someone I relate with very well.

He and I are on the board of the NDPHC (Niger Delta Power Holding Company) and the Nigeria Integrated Power Project (NIPP). He chairs the company and I represent the Southwest in the company. And through that, we meet fairly regularly. The Vice President has every right to push for his party in any election. That is his legitimate right. But, to have said what the media reported was quite unfortunate because we are not at war in Ekiti.

We have enjoyed three and a half years of peace and we are one of the most peaceful states in this country today.

So, for someone, who occupies one of the highest offices in the land as our Vice President to reduce the importance of his office and promote insecurity, either directly or by subterfuge, is quite unbecoming of the person who occupies the number two position in our country. There is a part of me that still wants to treat it with scepticism and I still would like to take it up with the Vice President whenever I get the opportunity. I hope he would deny the report. But, I do think the underlying implication of the purported statement should worry any decent Nigerian who is interested in credible elections, especially in the light of what recently happened at Ilaje/Ese Odo and the role played by a minister of government, which has now been confirmed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State. In any decent polity, the minister would have been asked to leave by now. If you do anything that flies flagrantly in the face of the law, then, the maximum weight of the law ought to be applied by INEC. The law is very clear on these matters and even the military is empowered to disobey manifestly unlawful orders. What happened in Ilaje/Ese Odo appears to many people as a precursor of the grand plan to steal elections in Ekiti and Osun States. And the INEC ought to be sending a very strong signal that the institution would not take kindly to unlawful interference in the electoral process.

I can tell you that there is a lot of intelligence available to me about people sewing fake soldiers and policemen uniforms in preparation for Ekiti election and I hope INEC would be reassuring not just Ekiti people but Nigerians because the Ekiti election is even far more important than the 2015 election because if confidence is lost in INEC’s preparation and eventual implementation of the Ekiti election, that will rub off terribly on the 2015 election. I mean the INEC is already under watch, given what happened in Anambra. To then see Ekiti election going in the wrong direction would

• Dr Fayemi

• Dr Fayemi

totally put paid to any hope on the part of Nigerians that anything good can come out of the 2015 elections and I don’t think President Jonathan needs that. I think he has conveyed an image of himself as a decent politician, who is not going to manipulate or resort to extralegal or illegal ways in election management in Nigeria. So, I think the INEC, together with Inter Agency Committee on Election Security, would need to give Nigerians a lot of reassurance following the Vice President’s careless statement. But perhaps, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. I think it is very unfortunate. I think it is unbecoming of his office. And I think the Vice President really ought to withdraw the statement and reassure Nigerians that the agenda for Ekiti election is not going to be determined in Aso Rock but

by Ekiti people because it is a referendum on the performance of the government in Ekiti; it is not a national election. It should not be expanded to a national election. But, let me also say that whatever evil machinations are in place from Abuja, Ekiti people are fully ready.

But, the Vic President made that statement at a time the PDP is also saying that it will ‘capture’ the Southwest. Are you not nursing any fear for this election?

This is Ekiti and people who are familiar with the history here would know that this is not a very good place to rig election. You can afford to manipulate elections in Anambra because Anambra has a lot of rich people who are even richer than the governor and do not care too much about who governs the state.

In Ekiti, you will discover that everybody is interested in what happens here because we have 2.5million potential governors in this state. Every single indigene believes he has what it takes; that he understands government and that he knows how to govern. So, you can’t say such a person should not have an opinion on who governs. And every time

• Dr Fayemi

election was manipulated in Ekiti, the result has not been palatable. Whether you refer to 1964/65 wetie crisis, which eventually culminated in the 1966 coup, Ekiti was even a stronger zone of resistance than Ikenne where Chief Awolowo hailed from and of course, when you talk of the 1983 election rigging in Ondo State, we all can remember what happened here. And of course, my own recent experience has also demonstrated that our people are far too sensitive to allow external interference in their affairs. People will make all sorts of claims; that they would do this, they would do that; but, the truth of the matter is that, even the PDP admits that this governor has done well, but it is about gaining an in-road to the Southwest by hook or crook. Unfortunately for them, the PDP had been in government here for seven and a half years and Ekiti people cannot forget in a hurry what they went through in those years. It was murder, mayhem and crises for the bulk of the period. And don’t forget that, for those seven and a half years, there were six governors. So, it was instability galore. That is what would have to be placed side-by-side what happened in our time in office.

Federal might is always going to be a factor in any election, but I can assure you that the peoples’ might is bigger than federal might. So, we have nothing to fear. We are ready for the worse.

But, light will overcome darkness. The election will be a referendum on the performance of our administration and those competitors in Ekiti.

What do you mean by the election being a referendum on your performance?

First, what do I mean by that statement? An election is necessarily a referendum of what an incumbent has done or failed to do in the judgment of the electorate. Somebody running for the first time can only make promises and hope that the people will believe

his promises. As an incumbent, I am running on the record of the public goods that I’ve delivered in every community and constituency. I have been on the campaign trail for over three weeks now and in every place I get to, the people are the ones who reel out what we have done in their communities. It is a much taller order for me in the sense that I must present tangible, palpable, verifiable evidence of what I have done. That is what I have to sell.

And in addition to that, with the record that you know that I have, I now want to do one, two, three and four when I come back. So, it is a referendum on my performance. It may not be a referendum of the performance of my competitors. But, even in the case of one of my competitors, the election is a referendum on who he was when he was in office in the state and what he did. Even, if he chooses not to talk about that, others would talk about his record in office. The record will be set straight.

Why do you think that you deserves a second term?

I ran in 2007 on a platform popularly known as the ‘Roadmap to Ekiti Recovery – My Eight-Point Agenda. At the time, I was very specific about what I was going to do in office as far back as 2006. When you talk about social security – if you read my inaugural speech you will find social security benefit to the elderly there. If you read my inaugural speech, you will see laptop per child there. There is nothing that we have done in this state that we have not picked up from the eight-point agenda.

And everyone who is objective can attest to the fulfilment of what we promised Ekiti State people. And in the various communities that we are going to meet people, they speak to that. So, I think the answer to your question is yes.

My performance has earned me a reason to believe that I would be re-elected.

A dimension to this, today, the result of one of the polls that we conducted at the various communities came to me. One woman they spoke to basically just said: “We like Fayemi. He has done very well. He has fulfilled all his promises.

He has not done anything that we don’t like, but the issue is that, since he has already done everything he promised, he should allow another person come in”. I found that very interesting. But, the thing is that we have not actually done everything. There are areas where I would score myself 70 per cent or even 60 per cent. There are still some things to be done.

Seriously speaking, I think we have done reasonably well. Don’t forget that this state is number 35 on the revenue ladder of the country. People often forget that. And this is a state that gets N3billion a month against N23billion in Bayelsa with a smaller population.

So, I think it is important to put this in proper perspective. We run a social democratic agenda and it is a progressive government. You will see that in many of the policies that we put in place.

We concentrate on how to assist the weak and the vulnerable in our State. Additionally, we have run a reasonably clean government. So, I think we have done enough to earn a second term. But, we are also not unaware that performance itself is not the only factor in an election. But, it is the most critical success factor for an incumbent.

There are some things you said about the disparity in the money you get from the Federation Account. Are you comfortable with the federal system being practised in Nigeria?

We don’t operate a federal system in Nigeria. At best, we operate a distorted, pseudo-federal system, which does not operate coordinate powers among the

federating units, but a hierarchical, subordinate powers inherited from our military past. If we operate a federal system, then, you will not have things like UBEC and TETFUND, which give people the impression that states are beholden to the Federal Government, whereas it is the funds jointly owned in the Federation Account that is being shared. If we run a proper federal structure, you will not have us here spending our meagre resources in sustaining the police while we have no authority over its activities in the state, unless our views coincide with or reinforce the instructions from Abuja. It’s simply a distortion of the federal system.

As for the disparities in earnings between Bayelsa, or Rivers and Ekiti, I do not have any problem with it. I’m an advocate of fiscal federalism. So, I do not necessarily have a problem with Rivers State, for instance, earning what comes from its soil. However, in order for us not to undermine the nation, for any federal system to work well, we often need equilibrating mechanisms so that one side is not overwhelmingly rich and other parts of the federation so despicably poor.

We have to find a mechanism to balance this and, if you look at the Australian and Canadian constitutions – even in the American constitution, you have these mechanisms there. We have them in ours as well, but they are exercised in breach rather than in consistency with the law. So, I hope those who are working on this at the National Conference will be able to come up with a federalism that is more cooperative than combative because states are being forced into a combative model.

One of your programmes that the opposition has not criticised is the digitalisation of your income. Could you to shed light on it?

You are talking about the Integrated Payroll Biometric System. I don’t know if the opposition has not criticised it.

When we started it, they called us all manners of names – that the agenda was to get rid of the civil servants.

But, eventually, you are right, they couldn’t criticise it because the civil servants and the teachers became champions of the electronic payment system and it has saved us from a lot of money spent on ghost workers. We are now even trying to use the same system for our ‘Citizen Identity Management System’ and our social security payment, which is still manual payment and there is still a level of inefficiency and waste that we have detected in the social security payment. But, clearly, biometrics is the way to go. If you want to run an efficient government, technology has to play a major role. And that is how we have been able to reduce fraud in the system. We now save an average of N200 million.

The scholar and princess of Ado-Ekiti, Professor Modupe Adelabu, is likely to be your running mate. Why are you retaining the deputy governor as your running mate?

You know what they say – if it is not broken, why fix it? The deputy governor has done very well. She did exceedingly well managing the state Universal Basic Education Board. My party has a position that the deputy must come from Ado – Ekiti and I cannot go against the position of the party on that. My late deputy was also from Ado– Ekiti as you know. So, we just replaced her with another Ado – Ekiti person who happens to be a direct descendant of the monarch here. But, that is not what qualifies her for the job. She is, more importantly, a professor and expert in educational administration.

HEALTH

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Malaria is preventable and curable, yet many people die from it. Why? Because they do not pay attention to the disease until it is too late. The World Malaria Day was celebrated last Friday. OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA and WALE ADEPOJU examine the simple ways of eliminating the disease.

Keeping malaria at bay

C

OMPARED to other ailments, the public tends to treat malaria lightly. People do not take the disease serious until it appears to be getting out of hand. That is when they start to run helter-skelter in search of treatment. Malaria kills faster than diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis (TB).

Malaria is a life-threatening ailment caused by anopheles mosquito.

The parents of a child suffering from malaria may not take it seriously until the child is almost dead.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 627,000 deaths mostly among African children, occurred in 2012. They were caused by malaria. In Africa most deaths among children are caused by malaria with a child dying every minute.

However, malaria mortality rates since 2000 among children in Africa have been reduced by an estimated 54 per cent .

Drawing attention to the importance of eliminating the disease, WHO from 2013 to 2015 has chosen “Invest in the future, defeat malaria,” as the theme for its campaign against malaria. April 25 of every year is set aside to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment to malaria control and elimination.

According to WHO DirectorGeneral Dr Margaret Chan increased political commitment and the expansion of global malaria investments have saved some 3.3 million lives since 2000. And she has certified four countries malaria-free.

They are the United Arab Emirates (2007), Morocco (2010), Turkmenistan (2010) and Armenia (2011). She wished more countries would obtain such certification.

WHO said: “It has been discovered that increased malaria prevention and control measures can dramatically reduce the malaria burden in the countries with malaria, such as Nigeria. And with increased political commitment, advances in diagnostic testing and treatment and financial support from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Nigeria can win the war against malaria and move from the seven countries described by WHO as having reduced transmission to

zero and are in the “prevention of re-introduction phase”.

To put the epidemic behind as a nation, Lagos State Health Commissioner, Dr Jide Idris, said attitudinal change on preventive measures, including use of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLITNs), keeping the environment clean and presumptive treatment of fever cases as malaria should be adopted by all.

“Accurate diagnosis of malaria will significantly improve the quality of patient care, ensure that antimalarial medicines are used rationally and correctly and serve as basis for more accurate surveillance data. For example in Lagos, transmission of malaria is stable and all year round.

“About 570, 000 cases were reported last year compared to 566, 215 cases in 2012 on the disease surveillance and notification report.

This could be attributed to the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, the abundant distribution of coastal areas, and the behavior of many of its inhabitants, which encourage the availability of stagnant water resulting in breeding sites for the anopheles mosquito.”

Dr Jide Idris said Lagos was able to record such stability because the presumptive treatment of all fever cases as malaria has been phased out, “as all our health facilities have been equipped with Rapid Diagnosic Test (RDT) kits and or microscopes for diagnosis, while Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs) antimalarials are provided free for treatment. “Pregnant women are also given Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (SP) for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during antenatal clinics,” he said.

According to a Senior Medical Officer /Malaria Programme Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Omoera, the simple understanding of mode of transmission, control and elimination are important in defeating the disease.

Dr Omoera said: “Malaria is transmitted exclusively through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes. The intensity of transmission depends on factors related to the parasite, the vector, the human host and the environment. About 20 anopheles species are locally important around the world. All of the important vector

species bite at night. Anopheles mosquitoes breed in water and each species has its own breeding preference; for example some prefer shallow collections of fresh water, such as puddles, rice fields, and hoof prints.”

She continued: “Transmission is more intense in places where the mosquito lifespan is longer (so that the parasite has time to complete its development inside the mosquito) and where it prefers to bite humans rather than other animals. For example, the long lifespan and strong human-biting habit of the African vector species is the main reason why about 90 per cent of the world’s malaria deaths are in Africa.

“Transmission also depends on climatic conditions that may affect the number and survival of mosquitoes, such as rainfall patterns, temperature and humidity. In many places, transmission is seasonal, with the peak during and just after the rainy season. Malaria epidemics can occur when climate and other conditions suddenly favour transmission in areas where people have little or no immunity to malaria.

They can also occur when people with low immunity move into areas with intense malaria transmission, for instance to find work, or as refugees.”

“Human immunity”, Dr Omoera said, “is another important factor, especially among adults in areas of moderate or intense transmission conditions”.

She said: “Partial immunity is developed over years of exposure, and while it never provides complete protection, it does reduce the risk that malaria infection will cause severe disease. For this reason, most malaria deaths in Nigeria occur in young children, whereas in areas with less transmission and low immunity, all age groups are at risk.”

Though experts are researching into ways of treating malaria, especially developing a vaccine, but according to the Medical and Regulatory Affairs Director, Sanofi, a pharmaceutical firm, Dr. Fifen Inoussa, “there are currently no licensed vaccines against malaria or any other human parasite”.

A research vaccine, RTS S/AS01, against P. falciparum, the parasite responsible for malaria, is the most advanced. This vaccine is being

•Use of moisquito net is important in preventing malaria

evaluated in a large clinical trial in seven countries in Africa.

A WHO recommendation for its use will depend on the final results from the large clinical trial. The final results are expected later in the year, and a recommendation whether or not it should be added to the existing malaria control tools is expected late next year.

“At the moment, there are pharmaceutical products that conform to WHO recommendations of combination therapy. For several years, Sanofi has had strong ambition for Africa’s generics market. Through its subsidiary Zentiva, Sanofi is developing a portfolio of affordable quality generics,” said Dr Inoussa.

Deputy Director, Health Education, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Omowunmi George said keeping the environment clean; cutting grasses low; keeping the drains free of materials that can block same and desisting from lining walls with objects that can retain water for mosquitoes to breed are some of the proactive measures in eliminating malaria.

She said: “For individuals, personal protection against mosquito bites represents the first line of defense for malaria prevention. Two

forms of vector control are effective in a wide range of circumstances.

They are insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS).”

She continued: “Lagos has tried these and they worked. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the preferred form of ITNs for public health distribution programmes.

WHO recommends coverage for all at-risk persons; and in most settings. The most cost effective way to achieve this is through provision of free LLINs, so that everyone sleeps under a LLIN every night.

“Indoor residual spraying (IRS) with insecticides is a powerful way of rapidly reducing malaria transmission. Its full potential is realised when at least 80 per cent of houses in targeted areas are sprayed. Indoor spraying is effective for three to six months, depending on the insecticide used and the type of surface on which it is sprayed. DDT can be effective for nine to 12 months in some cases. Longer-lasting forms of existing IRS insecticides, as well as new classes of insecticides for use in IRS programmes, are being developed.

Antimalarial medicines can also be used to prevent malaria.”

•Idirs flanked on by Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina (right) and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Minis- •Product Manager, Malaria Portfolio, Sanofi, Estelle Dogbo; Mrs Omowunmi; Dr. Omoera; Dr. Inoussa, try of Health, Dr Modele Osunkiyesi, at a press briefing on this year’s World Ma- and Key Account Manager, Sanofi, Aderinsola Taiwo, during the commemoration of the World Malaria laria Day. Day in Lagos.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

47

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

NPA relocates 2,279 overtime ‘Foreigners dominate oil trade’ cargoes to decongest port O • Customs may auction goods soon

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O decongest Apapa Port, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has moved 2,279 20foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) overtime containers from there to the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal.

The containers had been clogging the port, hindering the clearing of incoming cargoes.

NPA Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs Musa Illiya said the containers were moved between February and last month.

Illiya said they were moved to avoid congestion at the ports.

Overtime containers are those that have stayed for months at the ports.

“Normally, the port is supposed to be a transit point. It is not supposed to be a storage facility. There should be room for new cargoes to come in,” Illiya said.

The movement of the containers was done with the Customs, which had gazetted them, he said, adding that the owners could visit the Customs to claim the containers.

The containers may be auctioned, unless the importers clear them within two weeks.

In November 13, 2009, the Customs Comptroller-General issued a circular on overtime cargo clearance.

The document signed by M. Mohammed, Assistant ComptrollerGeneral, Headquarters, was addressed to all Deputy Comptrollers-General (DCGs), all Assistant Comptrollers-General (ACGs)/ Zonal Coordinators, Customs Area

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda Maritime Correspondent

Controllers (CACs), all Comptrollers (Federal Operation Units – FOUs) and all Head of Units.

To avoid congestion, Customs has directed that the ageold procedure for clearance or auctioning of overtime cargo which is in accordance with the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 84 LFN (Laws of Federation of Nigeria) 2004, and Customs and Excise Notice No.11 (6) of 1st April, 1959, would be applied.

Findings revealed that all gazetted goods not cleared by importers within 30 day after the containers have been gazetted would be forfeited to the Federal Government and the Controller General of Customs will, in line with extant laws, for the disposal of the cargoes.

Sources said the length of days it takes an importer to clear and take delivery of consignments in Nigerian ports has put businesses and multi-million dollar investments in the ports at risk of being crippled by the looming port congestion before the containers were moved to Ikorodu.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA), the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and other stakeholders have expressed concern over the continuous gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa and Ijora-

Apapa Express roads, urging that the government should find a solution to the problem that is crippling their businesses.

They lamented that some of their members have been forced to close shop due to the traffic challenge in and out of the Lagos ports.

The Chairman, Export Group of NACCIMA, Mr Oluyenuwo Olabisi, said the congestion and long queue of vehicles are creating problems for the export group because their containers are sometimes turned back, while most of the time they miss their ships, leading to huge losses for their members.

Olabisi also called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to address the perennial delays suffered by exporters, saying priority should be given to exporters, as against the return of empty containers that go into the ports.

Shittu also said the bad state of ports’ access roads is affecting businesses, adding that the bad roads are the cause of major challenges experienced by stakeholders.

He called for the revitalisation of the rail tracks within the ports to surmount the challenges of haulage businesses and ensure prompt movement of cargoes in and out of the ports.

The ANCLA chief lamented that some of the concessionaires do not have enough capacity for containers, saying the situation is impacting negatively on containers movement.

NLY 60 of the 600 vessels in the upstream oil sector are owned by indigenous operators, the General Secretary of the Indigenous Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA), Captain Niyi Labinjo, has said.

He said a vessel on offshore operations makes about $5,000 daily, which is the least amount made by a foreign vessel doing business in Nigeria, he added.

He said because of the lack of indigenous ships, the country losses about N2 trillion yearly.

“We have plenty of hydrocarbons. As at today, it is 37 billion barrels, but our government is working towards making it 40 billion barrels. That is our proven reserves. We are said to be the 10th world’s producer of oil. The world uses 84 million barrels per day of oil and Nigeria produces 2.5 mil-

lion barrels every day. For gas, we have 24 trillion reserves.

“We have the best shrimps in the world, called tiger shrimps. That is why you have many Indian fishing companies in Nigeria. All the tiger shrimps are exported. We import into Nigeria every five million metric tonnes of cargo and 100 million metric tonnes of goods. We also import 65 million litres of petroleum products every year.”

Labinjo urged the government to assist his members to participate in the oil business.

“In the oil and gas industry, Nigeria has about 500 oil wells. For each well, there is a rig, which is supported by a minimum of five ships, and they are called oil support vessels.”

He said a foreign ship earns $5,000 while others earn N150,000 per day.

Customs records N2.1b at Seme

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HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme, generated N2.13 billion revenue in the first quarter of the year, the spokesman of the Command, Ernest Olottah, has said.

He said the N2.1 billion was an improvement on the N1.8 billion realised within the same period last year, adding that most of the amount was generated from duty on imported motor vehicles.

He said the Command made 252 seizures valued at N140 million during the period. “The seizures include motor vehicles, rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, bales of second-hand clothing, narcotics, and cartons of soap, among others.”

He said the seized narcotics were handed over to operatives

of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for investigation and possible prosecution of suspects, vowing that the Command would continue to fight smuggling and facilitate legitimate trade.

He said within the same period, the Command handed over seized artefacts worth $16,870 to the National Council for Museums and Monuments.

According to the spokesman, the Area Comptroller of Seme Command did not grant leave to any of the officers during the last Easter holidays.

He said the action was to forestall attempts by smugglers who would like to take advantage of the holiday for their illicit trade.

Govt urged to implement maritime report

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• from left: Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mallam Habib Abdulahi and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council Alhaji Hassan Bello at the event.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

‘Channelise waters to curb mishaps’

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AGOS State government has been urged to channelise lagoons to curtail accidents on waterways.

The Operrations Manager of Metro Ferry Servies, Mr Zakari Dekina, gave the advice in Lagos during a chat with reporters Dekina said the channelisation of waterways would guarantee security and safety.

“There is the need for proper c h a n n e l i sa t i o n o f o u r wa t er ways and markings as it isdone on the roads.

“We expect that this would help guide our boat captains to identify bad spots and tell them where to navigate. They should give us a channel where the commercial boat operators would be operating. If the regulatory authorities do this, it would go a long way to ensuring that accidents are reduced,” he said.

Dekina added that a situation where various categories of users plied the same route was unhealthy for water transportation.

“At the moment, boat operators, fishermen, loggers and even dredgers travel the same route on our waterways. This is not safe.

“On many occasions, when loggers lose logs on the water, they are left to float aimlessly on the lagoon. These pose serious dangers to our boats,” he noted.

The manager said, however, that apart from being beneficial to boat operators, having dedicated routes could douse tensions between fishermen and loggers.

HE Federal Government has been urged to stem the cycle of criminality on the nation’s territorial waters by implementing the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on the Maritime Sector Retreat to secure the shipping sector.

The government was also urged to tackle poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and environmental degradation as the prevalence of the vices, among others, contributes to the rising wave of piracy and sea robberies.

Participants at the just-concluded fourth edition of the Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX 2014) made the appeal.

They said it was important that the Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund (CVFF) is disbursed to create funding support mechanisms and channels to hasten the development of equipment and tonnage at the ports.

The former President of the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association (NITOA), Mrs Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, said they were happy that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy are combating the threat posed to the economy by pirates.

Mrs. Onyema-Orakwusi called for a synergy between the relevant security agencies, saying they should work together and share information for the common goal of ensuring security in the maritime environment.

She said the synergy must be structured in a way to ensure that

security organs, such as the Navy, Air Force, and NIMASA, Customs, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and others work as a team, rather than merely assisting one another.

In the 22–point communiqué issued at the end of the expo, the participants said inadequate equipment and technology; lack of political will and the failure to bring criminals to book are among factors responsible for the unending criminal activities in the sector.

Others included gangsterism and private security organisations that threaten ship captains to use their services.

They said banks that receive ransoms on behalf of kidnappers should be identified and duly sanctioned while the government should institute stricter deterrent measures against piracy, as it is done in neighbouring countries.

“The government needs to fasttrack the development of the maritime/shipping sector by promptly granting it the leave to begin to enjoy subsidy and duty exemptions, as applicable to the aviation sector,” Mrs OnyemaOrakwusi said.

Its secretary, Bolaji Akiola, also urged the government to demonstrate the needed political will to develop the shipping industry by harnessing the maritime potential and improving indigenous participation in shipping, engender competive-ness, earn foreign exchange, create employment and accelerate development of the nation’s defence and security system.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

48

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION

Minister: Aviation will contribute N1tr Y yearly to economy by 2020 •’500,000 jobs coming’ S

Slok Air to return

UPERVISING Minister of Aviation Dr Samuel Ortom has promised to increase the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from N200 billion to N500 billion next year.

In an interview in Lagos, he said the sector could increase its yearly contribution to the GDP from N500 billion in 2015 to over N1 trillion in 2020.

Aviation, Ortom said, could also generate over 500,000 direct and indirect jobs.

He said: “The aviation sector currently contributes about N200 billion annually to the GDP, but the industry can contribute over N500 billion to the GDP annually if developed further by 2015.

“This is our target in 2015, perhaps by 2020, the aviation sector should be contributing N1 trillion annually to the nation’s economy annually and support well over 500,000 direct and indirect jobs.

“The aviation road map as you are aware, is a comprehensive blue print on how to transform the Nigerian aviation industry

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

into a modern, viable, profitable and sustainable one.”

Ortom said: “The roadmap gave birth to the upgrade of all 22 federal airports, building of five brand new modern international terminals to be located in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu.

“Work on the terminals has started and would be completed by 2015. The roadmap also defined the future of perishable cargo terminals in Nigeria.

“Already, 14 of those terminals are under construction and most of them, if not all, should be inaugurated by 2015.

“The roadmap also talked about the concept of aerotropolis - a concept that would turn airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt into business hubs, offering world-class services in travel/tourism, entertainment, commerce/industry and lots more.”

”We are hoping they would all be ready by 2015, all things being equal. Besides, the five international terminals, just about 15, out of the 22 are still being done. In fact, out of these 15, five are almost ready for commissioning and the remaining 10 maybe ready before December or thereabouts.

“Work is in progress on the airports and the 14 cargo terminals. I have started inspecting the progress of work done and the facilities across the airports to ensure the airports are delivered on time and to specification.

“So far, I have visited Enugu and Owerri. I also visited Kaduna and Abuja. I will also be visiting Lagos and some other states where we have projects ongoing in the coming weeks. We are not leaving anything to chance.”

Ortom said efforts were on to attract investors, adding that an investment strategy through stakeholders engagement had been put in place to attract private sector players.

• Ortom

Ortom said: “During those intensive engagements, discussion lines on investments areas were opened and we are continuing engagements on that. I maintain, and you can take this to the bank, we are investor-friendly and no rational mind can discredit our sincerity of purpose.

He said the merger of aviation agencies would reduce overhead costs and financial waste.

The Federal Government has considered the proposal for the merger as recommended in the White Paper issued after the Steven Oronsaye report as one of the ways to move the industry forward.

The government, Ortom said, would not embark on the implementation of any policy with adverse effects on the industry.

EARS after its suspension, Slok Air is set to return, if it makes a headway in its discussions with Emirates Airlines.

Its Chairman, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, told reporters in Lagos that discussions were on between the Middle East carrier and Slok Air on how to deliver a world-class airline.

Kalu said Slok Air was negotiating with Emirates on how to secure the maintenance of its aircraft, before it returns.

He said: “Aviation business is the most difficult thing to do.

When the plane goes up, you are in trouble; when the plane is on ground, you are in trouble. I can only do this if Emirates agrees on the partnership that we are discussing.

“Emirates is one of the best airlines in the world and Sheik Ahmed is one of the best managers and the chairman of Emirates is the best chairman that I know and the CEO of Emirates Tim Clark is one of the best chief executive officer you can think about so they are going to go to Kano and Abuja by August so if they agree to maintain my aircraft locally and become our partner Slok Air will come back.”

He added: “Slok Air has advanced discussions to that effect.

The discussions have been on going. President Jonathan is a friendly president that likes more business in Nigeria not like the other president that kill business.

“So, we are discussing, it is the logistics that we are working out for Slok Air to return.”

Arik explores flights to India

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RIK Air has begun exploring the possibility of introducing a direct service to India, following a recent visit from the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria Ajjampur Rangalah Ghanashyam to the airline’s headquarters in Lagos.

The High Commissioner was at the Arik Air Aviation Centre to explore opportunities on how to facilitate direct flights between Nigeria and India. Presently, there are no direct flights between the two countries, with travelers currently forced to board

connecting flights through Addis Ababa, South Africa or Dubai.

According to the High Commissioner, direct flights between Nigeria and India would boost business, tourism, save passengers flight time and reduce the stress of the journey.

He said: “Direct flights are also important during medical emergencies, because direct movement of patients during emergencies would save a lot of lives.”

Expert advocates scrapping of ministry

•Chairman, Arik Air, Sir Joseph Arumemi-IKhide (left) receiving the Indian High Commissioner, Ajjampor Ghanashyam, who visited the firm’s facility in Lagos.

Don’t approve post-shipment inspection of aircraft, govt advised F ORMER Managing Director of the defunct Capital Airlines, Mr. Amos Akpan, has advised the Federal Government against granting airline operators approval to import aircraft before the equipment is inspected by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Akpan said in Lagos that importation before inspection would compromise safety which he described as “key in the global aviation industry”.

Akpan argued that if such requests were granted, it would create room for operators to bring aircraft that do not meet the required standards as provided in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) 2006 and 2009.

“There are pressures from some factions of the aviation community

proposing that operators be granted permit to import aircraft and NCAA inspects it on ground Nigeria. Their reason: to save the money our NCAA inspectors spend on tickets and per diem on overseas inspection trips. We should not push for the passage of this bill. Nigerians will bring aircraft that do not satisfy NCARs 2006/2009 requirements. They will then use political connections to influence NCAA to permit them to operate such aircraft. Ordering them to return such aircraft will be difficult. They will cook the books and bring arguments to pressure regulatory authorities to bend the rules,” he said.

On the zero tariffs on the importation of aircraft and parts,

Akpan praised the government for the waiver, lamenting that, despite the gesture, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) was yet to take full advantage of the opportunity it had been clamouring for.

He said the association had been unable to submit a comprehensive list that would give them access to benefit from the waiver.

“The most frequently used items were not covered by the exemption. These are aircraft tyres and lubricants. Records from the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (nacho aviance) and Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) import warehouses in Lagos reveal all lubricants and tyres are dutiable,” said Akpan.

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O cut administration costs, the Federation Government has been urged to scrap the Ministry of Aviation.

The Director of Research at Zenith Travels, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, who gave the advice, also urged the government to cut the number of directorates and management staff at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He contended that instead of implementing the Steven Oronsaye report, which recommended the merger of the NCAA, NAMA and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the government should borrow a leaf from developed countries that merged their ministry of aviation with transport.

He said: “If the government is sincere about driving the cost of governance down, it should scrap the ministry of aviation with immediate effect. We can effectively operate without a standalone ministry. What we get from the ministry is signing of unfavorable bilat-

eral air services agreements (BASA) that are detrimental to our carriers, impulsive interference in the day-to-day administration of the agencies, insatiable appetite for spending BASA funds and coercing agencies to pay for chartered flights and other services.

“NAMA is a provider of air navigation services, which is done at a fee to local and international airlines. Government should reduce the number of directorates and top management staff, which grew astronomically under the last chief executive officer without commensurate level of service and revenue generation. The organisation should make efforts to recoup funds owed by local carriers.

“NCAA is the regulator and backbone of the industry.We must put our best foot forward and be bold enough to engage foreign technical assistance, if need be. It is advisable to advertise openings and recruitments for able and competent hands, rather than politicise employment. The organisation’s organogram is skewed and inappropriately placed due to the political employment witnessed in the last two years,” he said.

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

49

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Shell’s, others’ divestment: Contractors seek bidding review

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N anticipation of the sale of Shell’s and other international companies’ marginal oil fields, drilling contractors are seeking a review of contract bidding to get more jobs.

Speaking on the sideline at the second technical session of a conference by the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), Nigerian chapter, in La-

Stories Akinola Ajibade

gos, its Chairman, Sola Falodun, said this became necessary to enable the contractors operate better as opportunities arise.

He said the decisions of Shell, Chevron and others to sell their stakes had opened up opportunities for drilling firms, adding that a review of the bidding for con-

tracts was necessary. In Falodun’s view, the period between the bidding and winning of a contract is long.

He said: “The process of awarding contracts is long. Right now, it takes an average of about two and half years for a contract to be awarded from the bidding stage.

This is not sustainable because firms have to wait for long before

From left: Nwapa presenting an award to Oliver at the event. With them is Oguike.

getting new jobs. It does not make the system effective and robust.

“Another problem is that the contract is short-lived. It is a two-year plus one contract. The contract should be five-year term to enable the companies re-coup their investments, and to also provide them a window through which they would be able to meet their financial obligations without being choked up.’’

The industry, Falodun said, has entered an era where drilling contractors, among other operators, would perform better, following the divestments of the multinational oil firms.

“Though the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has directed that certain percentage of oil and gas business should be given to local operators to boost their participation in the industry, there is the need for drillers to take advantage of the opportunities unfolding in the sector. We have been able to handle some of the drilling projects undertaken by the foreign-owned companies. In areas where we are constrained, we synergise our operations by partnering with companies abroad,’’ he added.

He said problems, such as funding and weaker commercial structure, were hindering the operations of drilling contractors, stressing that the development has prevented them from acquiring assets.

Falodun said drilling contractors pay huge interest rates on facilities obtained from banks, noting that the issue has impacted nega-

‘How local content is aiding foreign, direct investment’

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HE Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa, has said the country is creating a new set of indigenous operators who will soon attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth billions of dollars.

Speaking at the launch of Future Concerns Safety Office in Lagos, Nwapa said the industry was experiencing a shift from small to bigger ticket transactions, going by the projects executed by indigenous operators.

He said were operators forging alliances with bigger firms abroad to finance big ticket transactions adding that the partnership between MSA, a United States–based manufacturer and distributor of safety equipment and Future Concerns Safety Limited, would impact on the local content policy.

He said: “Without doubt, the local content policy of the government is yielding fruits. Gone are the days when Nigerians celebrated the award of fat contracts in the industry as the only dividend of local content.

“We have gone beyond that.

Nigerian entrepreneurs are now taking on bigger roles by attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and forging alliances with global brands with the purpose of technology transfer and capacity development that could aid the progress of the local content policy.

“I congratulate Future Concerns on this milestone and urge you to move to the next level which is the sustenance phase. Maintain the standards that swayed the decision of MSA by delivering consistently quality service to your clients.”

Nwapa said the oil and gas industry is recording appreciable

progress due to the improved participation of indigenous operators like Future Concerns, who have taken the bulls by the horns through their substantial investment in the industry.

Nwapa said local operators have taking advantage of the enabling law to improve their investments, adding that their efforts have validated the position of the Federal Government to improve local participation in oil and gas industry.

The company’s the Chief Executive officer, Tony Oguike, said a climate that would allow local companies to operate well is emerging, adding that a lot of synergies is taking place in the industry.

Oguike said local firms that want to play well must have enduring business propositions, arguing that foreign-owned companies are

looking for those that can compliment their efforts.

This company came out with what he describes as ‘’ 3&T business propositions, noting the idea culminated in the partnership forged with MSA to provide a centre that would help in providing safety services in the petroleum and allied sectors.

Oguike said: “The 3 S&T propositions include sales of MSA equipment; spares locally available; service and maintenance made locally, and training with global certification locally. That is what MSA indentified and nurtured a few years ago, and for the first time gave us the rights to build an independent service and maintenance centre in West Africa.”

Mr. Colin Oliver, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa,

MSA, hailed the enterprising spirit of Oguike and the professionalism and integrity of Future Concerns.

He noted that the relationship between the two companies has been further strengthened by the core values of quality service, integrity and responsiveness that Future Concerns has displayed all through the years of the relationship.

He said: “MSA is no doubt the biggest brand globally in safety equipment manufacturing and maintenance. We have provided solutions to various clients across the world. The African market, particularly Nigeria, is very huge and we are excited to be a major player in the industry. Our partnership with Future Concerns so far has enabled us to provide better tailor-made solutions and services to our clients.”

tired of the situation.

He said there is no cheering news from the sector, despite of the billions of naira realised from the sale of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). He said fixed charges had been increased from N500 in 2012 to N700 last year, arguing that any increase would compound the woes of consumers.

He said: “It is not an over-statement to say the sector is in a sorry state. In fact, all indices point to the fact that the sector is sick. Of what benefit is the huge bills paid by consumers every month without getting the right value. In my company, we use generators 24 hours, which means we spend a lot on diesels. When you factor the cost of obtaining alternative energy into the production cost,

you realise all your profits have gone.’’

Also, the Chief Executive Officer,New Horizon Computer Limited, Tim Akano, said NERC should be talking of how to cut down all charges and not increasing them in view of the problems facing the consumers and the sector in particular.

“Already consumers are paying huge bills. Any attempt to upwardly review fixed charges, as stipulated in the MYTO guidelines would worsen the conditions of consumers. In the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) where I work, a lot of money is required to power computers and other devices for the training of people on various skills.

This implies that a lot of money goes into generators, aside huge bills paid companies,’’ he said

Consumers decry increase in fixed charges

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HERE is concern among consumers over possible increase in fixed charges by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC) in June.

The development is coming on the heels of the commision’s decision to review the yearly fixed charges for residential and corporate consumers in June.

Consumers, who spoke with The Nation, said any upward review of the charges would further compound their woes.

A partner at Paul Usoro &Co ( A law firm), Laidi Munirudeen, said the country is in a terrible situation, following the inability of the government to find a lasting solution to the power problem.

Munirudeen said consumers were paying for electricity they cannot access, adding that they are

tively on their operations.

“The interest we pay on facilities is higher than what obtains in other climes, as well as putting us in a disadvantage position. Based on this, the association is seeking a review of bidding processes to encourage growth. A lot of companies have rigs, but could not put them to productive use due to failure to get contracts. Political patronage has favoured some oil companies, while it has affected others,‘’ he said On oil rigs, he said the process of awarding contracts in the industry is discriminatory, noting that wrong people get most of the contracts, thus resulting in low utilisation of oil rigs and its attendant production hitches. The problem is going to have a cumulative effect on the entire production process, he warned.

He said rigs oil rigs are multibillion assets, noting that many of the 42 rigs in Nigeria are idle because there is no job for them.

Also, the Chairman of Afren Plc, Mr Egbert Imomoh, emphasised the need to train workers in the oil drilling business well.

Imomoh, who was guest speaker at the event, said the association has done well by inaugurating a study to look into the training gap in the industry.

Nigeria, others to depend more on fuel imports

N

IGERIA, Ghana, Algeria and other African countries’ dependence on fuel imports is likely to grow as their refining projects struggle to get off the ground, a Director, Origination and Investment, Vitol Energy International, Chris Bake, has said Vitol, the world’s top oil trader with over $300 billion in annual revenues, seeks to meet African demand in competition with other traders such as Glencore and Trafigura and with large Asian refiners.

Speaking to Reuters in Lagos, Bake said dozens of new refining projects have been announced in Nigeria and other countries, but they are unlikely to be built unless they are either gigantic or with guaranteed crude supply in a landlocked location.

“Micro refineries in waterborne locations are not a viable way to get a return on capital. You have to go big, and today big means a 300,000 to 500,000 barrel per day complex refinery and $5-$15 billion of capital,” Chris Bake, director of origination and investments, told Reuters in a telephone interview.”To deploy that is challenging,” he added.

Bake added that he expected one large refinery to be built in West Africa but that it could take five to seven years, while new plants in east Africa were less certain given strong competition from the Middle East.

Vitol estimates that Africa’s fuel demand amounts to 3.71 million barrels per day in 2014, worth about $440 million a day, based on ICE gasoil futures prices. That is close to a 3 percent increase from the 2013 estimate.

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53

MONEYLINK

Africa’s fiscal deficit widens, says IMF

F

ISCAL deficits in sub-Saharan Africa are rising with Ghana and Zambia the most at risk if there’s a sudden reversal of foreign inflows, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned.

Bloomberg quoted the global lender as saying budget shortfalls in the region “are elevated considering the prevailing high growth and still high commodity prices.”

Director, Africa Department of the global lender, Antoinette Sayeh, said Ghana and Zambia, spending has been growing at “unsustainable levels”.

Credit-rating companies have downgraded the debt of both nations in the past four months as they struggle to curb fiscal and current-account deficits. Ghana’s cedi and Zambia’s kwacha are the worst-performing currencies against the dollar in Africa in the past six months.

The IMF said in countries where fiscal policy has weakened, the risk of debt distress has increased, the IMF said. Debt as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) in Ghana climbed eight percentage points between 2012 and 2013, while it rose 15 points in Malawi, the IMF said.

“Countries with large fiscal deficits or increasing debt levels, for example, Ghana and Zambia, should intensify their efforts to bring their public finances back to a sustainable footing, including by containing expenditure,” the IMF said.

The governments can make better choices on priority spending, Sayeh said in an interview yester-

day in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.

Investors have reduced their appetite for riskier, emerging-market debt since last year after the US Federal Reserve began scaling back its $85 billion-a-month asset purchase program that’s helped to prop up global growth. That’s contributed to weaker currencies in developing nations, adding to pressure on inflation.

The IMF projected consumerprice growth in sub-Saharan Africa will probably average 6.2 per cent this year, compared with 5.9 percent it did last year.

She said the rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP, which increased the assessment of the size of its

Stanbic IBTC reiterates support for economy

A •MD, IMF, Christine Lagarde economy to larger than South Africa’s, will impact the overall GDP calculation for sub-Saharan Africa.

The IMF will reflect the changes in its next economic update in October, she promised.

U

NITY Bank Plc said it has successfully completed the mandatory annual re-certification of its Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards Certification (PCI DSS) and has received its Report on Compliance (ROC) from the external Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), NetHost Legislation Limited.

The PCI is a security standard for organisations that handle information about credit and debit card holders to reduce card-related fraud.

With this development, Unity Bank stated that it’s “customers can carry out its card-enabled transactions with confidence that all necessary security measures are in place to protect their data.”

This is in line with the directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that all banks must achieve

Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

its earlier issued deadline of December 2012 to November 2014 to enable banks that had not attained the Certification to complete the process.

The bank also said it recorded a 26 per cent profit before tax in its 2014 first quarter financial statement compared to the same period last year.

This is contained in the bank’s unaudited financial report of the quarter ended March 31, 2014 which was recently submitted to the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE).

While its earnings per share increased from N6.08Kobo to N6.95Kobo, gross earnings and total operating income also appreciated during the period. However, operating expenses fell by about 8.5 per cent which the bank said indicates “more effective cost management.”

•Grows profit

By Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor) certification to the PCI standards.

The lender had successfully attained its Certification las year ahead of almost three-quarters of its peers in the country and is also among the first to complete its annual recertification.

It also disclosed that to ensure that it continues to maintain its high security standards for the protection of card holder data and card production environments, it is putting resources in place to train its own team of Internal Security Assessors (ISAs) to lead future recertification exercises and work with external Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) to obtain RoC. The CBN had recently extended

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

OBB Rate

Price Loss 2754.67

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

EVANSMED RTBRISCOE COSTAIN CONTINSURE NEIMETH OASISINS IKEJAHOTEL VITAFOAM MANSARD DANGSUGAR

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

2.20 1.25 1.31 0.95 1.19 0.53 0.58 4.00 2.39 9.35

2.31 1.31 1.37 0.99 1.24 0.55 0.60 4.10 2.43 9.50

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 28-4-14

SYMBOL

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

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

CHANGE 0.11 0.06 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.02 0.02 0.10 0.04 0.15

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

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 28-4-14

SYMBOL GUINNESS SKYEBANK NPFMCRFBK AGLEVENT ABCTRANS STERLNBANK WAPIC TRANSCORP HONYFLOUR AIRSERVICE

O/PRICE 190.00 3.70 0.88 1.56 0.91 2.35 0.72 3.64 4.00 2.31

C/PRICE 180.51 3.52 0.84 1.49 0.87 2.25 0.69 3.51 3.88 2.25

organisations and businesses thrive.

Its Executive Director for Corporate and Investment Banking, Victor Williams said the lender has been instrumental in funding and supporting critical projects across the continent.

He said: “Stanbic IBTC is committed to supporting infrastructure development, particularly those that have the potential to advance economic prosperity. Standard Bank Group’s long-standing experience in funding strategic infrastructure projects across Africa will be instrumental in contributing to Nigeria’s development. In so doing, we will help to drive economic growth by enhancing market access, technology acquisition, improving efficiency levels and creating employment opportunities.”

Williams highlighted the bank’s role in providing financial support to individuals, businesses and governments to help unlock economic opportunities.

He identified Stanbic IBTC’s partnership with Standard Bank London and Afrinvest as lead arrangers of the $350 million Eurobond issue for Guaranty Trust Bank; arranging the largest telecommunications deal ever in Africa - a $2 billion syndicated loan for MTN Nigeria among others.

He said the bank’s support in financing investments in critical infrastructure has a definite correlation to economic growth and development. This, he said, is based on the understanding that investment in infrastructure is central to enhancing economic productivity, empowering people and overall advancement of the society.

Unity Bank gets PCI DSS recertification

FGN BONDS

NIDF

By Collins Nweze

HEAD of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa holding in Abuja, Stanbic IBTC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has reiterated its commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

Speaking yesterday at the pre-WEF press conference in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Sola David-Borha, said the bank’s investment and support for infrastructure and economic development in the country has been substantial.

She said the forum’s theme, ‘Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs,’ finds synergy with the lender’s strategic objective of building a franchise that will help individuals,

CHANGE -9.49 -0.18 -0.04 -0.07 -0.04 -0.10 -0.03 -0.13 -0.12 -0.06

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

1.2719 1.3210 0.9270 1.1677

Movement

1.2834 1.3210 0.9446 1.1677

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

8.5000

Movement

54

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-4-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-4-14

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

EQUITIES

Skye Bank reaps on improved core banking operations

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•Grows net interest income by 13% in Q1

KYE Bank Plc rode on the back of improvement in its core banking operations to increase net interest income by 13.4 per cent as the bank continued to diversify its deposit base.

Interim report and accounts of Skye Bank for the first quarter ended March 31, 2014 released yesterday showed a net interest income of N13.6 billion as against the N12.1 billion during the corresponding period in 2013. Also, the bank’s operating income grew to N20.9 billion during the review period from N19.5 billion the previous year, an increase of 7 per cent.

The bank attributed the growth in its net interest income to a rise in income from commission and fees, investments and other activities.

However, the bank said its profit before tax declined from N4.6 billion during the first quarter in 2013 to N3.4 billion during the corresponding period in 2014.

Profit after tax also decreased to N2.8 billion as against N3.7 billion the previous year.

Explaining the reasons for the decline in its profit, the bank attributed the development to increase in its operating expense of N17.5 billion compared to N14.9

G

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

billion in 2013.

According to the bank, provisioning for regulatory payments and other operating expenses accounted for the increase.

Banks generally have suffered under various regulatory headwinds on the backdrop of monetary policy tightening with attendant impact on liquidity, cost, fees, and overall earnings.

Skye Bank’s operating expense increased during the review period by 17 per cent, from N14.9 billion the previous year to N17.4 billion as a result of increased statutory payments and other operating costs.

“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”, the bank stated.

The bank expressed optimism that the growth pattern would be improved upon in the remaining period of the financial year.

Guinness Nigeria grosses N78b in nine months

UINNESS Nigeria Plc recorded a turnover of N78 billion in the third quarter as the brewer expressed confidence on the prospects for the year.

The report for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2014 showed that the company recorded profit before tax of N7.82 billion and profit after tax of N5.94 billion during the period. This translated into earnings per share of N3.95.

Commenting on the results, managing director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu, said overall market trends are improving.

According to him, market conditions for the period under review became slightly more favourable although the company

was coming from a cumulative weaker year to date performance, which moderated its performance.

“High finance costs in an increasing interest rate environment negatively impacted our overall profitability but in spite of this, we continue to invest in our brand portfolio and optimization of our market logistics. We expect that these and other initiatives will lead to improved revenues and overall performance,” Adetu stated.

In the corresponding period ended March 31, 2013, Guinness Nigeria had recorded turnover of N11.23 billion and pre and post tax profits N7.76 billion and N5.07 billion. Earnings per share was N5.07.

Global stocks decline as investors dump tech stocks

A

SLIDE in United States (US)’s growth stocks led global equity markets to a retreat on Monday just as crude oil prices fell on increased US sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

Nasdaq stocks shed nearly one per cent in afternoon trading as investors dumped technology shares regardless of whether their first-quarter results were seen as good or not.

Facebook Inc fell 3.82 per cent to $55.50, the biggest drag on the Nasdaq composite index. Amazon.com Inc fell 4.1 per cent to $291.5, while Google Inc fell 2.1 per cent to $505.44.

“The rest of the market caught up with what’s going on in the Nasdaq,” said Michael James, managing director of equity trading at Wedbush Securities in Los Angeles. “What’s causing it? I think it’s just momentum feeding on itself. Downward price action is feeding on itself and it’s bringing out more sellers.”

MSCI’s measure of global equity markets, the all-country world index.MIWD00000PUS, fell 0.3 percent. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index closed up 0.26 percent at 1,336.30, before Wall Street began to drift lower.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 4.91 points, or 0.03 percent, at 16,356.55.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index .SPX was down 6.19 points, or 0.33 percent, at 1,857.21.

The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was down 38.23 points, or 0.94 percent, at 4,037.33.

Earlier, shares of Britain’s AstraZeneca Plc had surged after US drugmaker Pfizer Inc said it made a $98.9 billion bid for it, after having two bids rejected.

AstraZeneca rallied 14.4 percent in London, while Pfizer rose 2.92 percent on Wall

Street, the biggest gainer in the Dow Industrials and second-biggest by percentage in the benchmark S&P 500 index.

In Germany, shares of Bayer rose 4 per cent, lifted by a wave of pharmaceuticals sector merger speculation.

Brent crude oil slipped below $110 a barrel. US announced a third round of sanctions against Russian individuals and companies aimed at stopping President Vladimir Putin from fomenting rebellion in eastern Ukraine. June Brent eased $1.56 at $108.02 a barrel. U.S. crude for June delivery slips 3 cents to $100.57 a barrel.

The euro hit a two-week high against the US dollar, helped by both safe-haven flows due to the Ukraine crisis and expectations euro zone inflation will show an increase this week, lessening the need for looser monetary policy.

“Since the onset of the Ukraine crisis the euro has benefited. We expect that pattern to continue,” said Michael Woolfolk, global markets strategist at BNY Mellon in New York.

The euro reached a session high $1.3905 before slipping to $1.3849, up 0.13 per cent.

Euro support also came from a spike in overnight euro zone rates as surplus cash in the banking system decreased, with banks repaying cheaper loans taken earlier from the central bank. The dollar rose 0.20 percent to 102.35 yen.

US Treasury prices fell as investors embraced riskier assets after upbeat housing numbers that strengthened the view that the world’s largest economy was steadily recovering. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury note fell 4/32 in price to yield 2.6804 per cent.

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56

C ITYBEATS Absence of witnesses stalls Ajudua’s trial

Mothers warn Fed Govt on abducted pupils

A

T

HE trial of Lagos socialite and alleged fraudster, Fred Ajudua, again failed to hold yesterday owing to the absence of prosecution witnesses in court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Ajudua to court for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen of $1.69 million.

The EFCC had arraigned him with Charles Okorie before Justice Joseph Oyewole in July 24, 2003 for “defrauding” Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen between July 30, 1999 and February 9, 2000.

Ajudua and Okorie were rearraigned by the commission last month before Justice Kudirat Jose on the same charges.

The EFCC had alleged that the defendants conspired with three men, Abiola Fawehinmi, Steven Joiner and Rasheed Adekunle, who are now at large, to commit the offences between July 30, 1999 and February 9, 2000.

The commission also said the defendants deceived the victims that the money was for sundry payments to various government officials.

The EFCC further alleged that the defendants claimed that the payments would help them to facilitate a contract worth $18 million on behalf of the complainants.

The offences, the agency said, contravene Sections 1(a) and (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 1995 as amended by Decree No. 62 of 1999.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, EFCC’s law-

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

•Ajudua

By Adebisi Onanuga

yer, Chief Wemimo Ogunde (SAN) told the court that some of the prosecution witnesses who reside abroad were not in the country because the commission was unsure of how the matter would proceed.

He recalled that the defence counsel led by Olalekan Ojo had last Friday served the commission with a process for stay of proceedings, adding that Ojo called later to say that the process was served in error. That, he said, was why the commission could not extend an invitation to the witnesses to travel down to Nigeria.

Ogunde subsequently asked for a 21-day period to enable the EFCC get the witnesses to attend the trial.

Ojo, who opposed the request for adjournment, said it would be wrong for the court to grant such a long adjournment when his client had been refused bail.

He also contended that the fact that his chamber mistakenly served the EFCC with a wrong process was not enough reason for the commission not to bring its witnesses to the court.

The trial judge, Justice Jose overruled Ojo’s argument and adjourned the matter till May 23.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL body of mothers, Al-Mu’minaat Social Advocacy Project (SAP), has expressed shock that over a week after more than 234 girls were abducted in Chibok town, Borno State, the Federal Government, the military and intelligence agencies are unable to uncover their whereabouts.

A statement by its chairperson, Hajia Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade, said the fact that some of the girls escaped from their abductors and found their ways home is an indication that they are being held close to, if not inside Borno State.

“It is surprising that the mil-

F

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

itary is powerless against a small group of outlaws and terrorists. It is appalling that the president has not visited the state. It is sad that instead of declaring days or weeks of national mourning and deploring all the security means in search of the girls, Nigerian leaders were confident enough to partake in political rallies and assemblies,” the group said.

The organisation sympathises with the girls’ families, urging government to declare at least a one-day mourning in honour of the girls who are going through physical abuse and unbearable psychological

trauma.

Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade warned government and security agencies to stop playing politics with the lives of the pupils, saying: “It is unfortunate that Boko Haram is justifying its grievous atrocities with Islam. Islam is a religion of knowledge, peace and justice. It is not against seeking knowledge.

“The continuous targeting of school girls is a way of intimidating and discouraging girls from getting educated. The nation must not allow this as the third Millennium Development Goal - elimination of gender disparity in education will not be achieved. How can they lay claim to Islam as the

philosophy behind their distorted ideology when the Prophet himself abolished the killing of female infants, encouraged girl-child education by stating that training a woman is equal to training a nation and promised God’s paradise to any man who trains his female children responsibly?”

She added: “The perpetrators of these heinous crimes and their sponsors cannot be Muslims. They are people with ulterior motives, interested in dividing the country and making it ungovernable. Nigerians must come together to face this serious challenge rather than using it as a political tool to further parochial interests.”

48 inmates awaiting trial excel at GCE

ORTY-EIGHT inmates of Ikoyi Prisons in Lagos who are awaiting trial passed the last November/December 2013 General Certificate of Examination (GCE) convincingly, it has been revealed.

The Deputy Controller of Prisons, Mr. Emmanuel Bamidele disclosed it yesterday when members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, visited the prisons to present gifts to the inmates as part of the activities of their 2014 Law Week.

Bamidele, who said the 48 inmates were among the 102 others that wrote the examination, added that each of the lucky inmates secured enough credits for admission into universities.

He said: “When they finally regain their freedom, they can seek admission into any univer-

By Adebisi Onanuga

sity of their choice since they are awaiting trial.”

The Deputy Controller of Prisons explained that one key objective of the Rehabilitation, Restoration and Reintegration (3Rs) programme of the prisons is to provide educational opportunities for the inmates so that they can be useful to themselves and the society after regaining freedom.

He disclosed that out of 1,761 inmates in the prison, 186 are convicted while 1,575 are awaiting trial between five and 13 years.

Ikeja NBA Branch chairman Monday Ubani raised the hope of the inmates when he disclosed that the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, would visit the prisons soon to release awaiting-trial in-

mates.

Ubani, who said his branch was in contact with Justice Phillips and the Ministry of Justice, disclosed that the names of those to be released were already being compiled. “Believe me, it would soon be over for some of you when the Chief Judge vis-

its in May,” he said.

The Chairman, Law Week 2014 Committee, Dr. Muiz Banire, urged the inmates to take advantage of the vocational training offered them by the prison authorities so that they can become better citizens when they get back to the society.

Rotary lifts the less-privileged

T

HE Rotary Club of Ogba in Lagos has presented food items to the Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children as well as Modupe Cole Memorial Child and Treatment Home School, Akoka, Lagos.

The presentation was made in conjunction with Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, makers of Golden Penny pastas.

Its President, Samson Omo-

By Nneka Nwaneri

dara, said the club was committed to lifting the needy.

The Pacelli School’s Protocol Officer, Rev Sis MariamTherese Inegbu, lauded the gesture.

She added: “The ‘Daily Miracle’ makes them feel loved as some of them are orphans. We equip them with morals and daily living skills.”

NEWS (SHOWBIZ) I don’t use Whitenicious, says Cynthia Morgan

S

OME Nigerian women celebrities, especially those who are naturally dark-complexioned, have been criticised for bleaching their skins.

Majority of their fans have always maintained that the celebrities use the popular ‘Whitenicious’ product’ to appear light-skinned in the assumption that it makes them more attractive.

One of the Celebes, who are under attack, is Cynthia Morgan, a singer signed to P- Square’s elder brother, Jude Okoye’s North Side Entertainment.

She, however, said: “It’s not true. It’s one of the craziest things I have heard about myself. No, I am not using Whitenicious.”

C

Dr. Sid announces wedding plans

T

HE Nigerian entertainment industry was abuzz at the weekend with the star-studded wedding of Nigerian music diva, Tiwa Savage and her husband, Tunji ‘Tee Billz’ Balogun.

For most artistes, it was a time to felicitate with the bride and groom. As the ceremony got underway, guests were given room to make speeches.

But interestingly, Tiwa’s coMavin artiste, Dr Sid, dropped a bombshell.

In a few words, the Surulere crooner announced that his wedding would come up in July. Though he didn’t disclose the details, the artiste set the entertainment world in an anticipatory mood. This is even more so as the introduction ceremony of the Mavin artiste and his fashion consultant fiancée, Simi Osomo, had taken place in Lagos on Sunday, December 8,

By Babatunde Sulaiman

When asked about her photos that were seen online before her debut in music, she was quoted as saying: “What I will love to say about that is that people grow and change with time. For example, I was born with a talent and over the years, I improved on the talent. For me, I grew up.

Then, I was very young and was even a tomboy, and I don’t even think I used cream.

I grew up and I am lighter.

People don’t look the way they looked five-six years ago.

If you still look like that way, then, you have a problem and that could mean you are not growing. It’s either you are fatter, slimmer, lighter or darker or have a pot belly.”

•Morgan

•Dr. Sid

2013.

Only recently, the artiste made a career move when he delved into the movie world.

He made his Nollywood debut in the movie, The Last 3 Digits. The movie, which also features actor Nonso Diobi, was directed by Moses Inwang.

Inwang was full of commendations for the Mavin artiste, as he said: “In 2008, Justus Esiri gave me a wonderful performance in the film, Chase. Six years after, his son, Dr Sid, stepped into his father’s shoes and blew me away with his amazing performance in The Last Three Digits, playing alongside talented actor, Nonso Diobi.”

Half of a Yellow Sun not banned, says NFVCB

ONTRARY to the rumour making the rounds that the multimillion dollar flick, Half of a Yellow Sun, has been banned, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has said there is no truth in the reports.

Shareman Media, the Nigerian producers and FilmOne Distribution, the Nigerian distributors of the feature film, had earlier announced Friday, April 25 as the release date of the movie.

However, the rumour mill, a few hours before the sched-

By Babatunde Sulaiman

uled release date, claimed the Board had banned the producers from releasing the movie for public consumption, a situation that generated mixed reactions from different quarters.

In a release, Caesar, O. Kagho, Acting Head, Corporate Affairs, NFVCB, said: “We wish to categorically state that there is no truth in the media reports that the Board has banned the film.

“The management of the Board, under Ms. Patricia Bala,

has stated that certain aspects of the film have some unresolved issues that have to be sorted out in accordance with the law and laid down regulations.

“The Board, therefore, wishes to re-affirm its determination to continue to execute its mandate.”

Meanwhile, both the Nigerian producers and distributors of the feature film have said that “ The highly anticipated release of Half of A Yellow Sun has been postponed due to delay in obtaining certification from the National Film and Video Cen-

sors Board for the public release of the film. Subject to obtaining the certification of the Board, the film is now re-scheduled for release on Friday, May 2.”

Half of a Yellow Sun is a 2013 Nigerian drama film directed

by Biyi Bandele. It is a love story, involving two sisters who are caught up in the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war.

It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Genevieve Nnaji, Onyeka Onwenu, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, OC Ukeji and John Boyega, among others.

•A scene from Half of a Yellow Sun

THE NATION TUESDAY APRIL 29, 2014

57

NEWS

Rainstorm ravages Calabar

‘We haven’t sacked teachers’

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From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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ESIDENTS of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, are counting their losses after a rainstorm ravaged the city on Sunday night.

The rain, which lasted over six hours, pulled down houses, blew off roofs and caused floods in many parts of the city.

A statement by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said 350 homes in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality were affected.

Most residents, including women and children, spent the night in the open as they watched their property being swept away.

When our reporter visited some places, there were household items scattered all over. Many were busy scooping water from their houses.

The flood was caused by blocked drainage and the narrow nature of some channels, which could not contain the high volume of water.

A widow, Mrs. Theresa Idum, lamented the loss of her house and property. She urged the government to help rebuild her home.

Mrs. Grace Minika, whose five buildings were ravaged, said water flowed to the compound though a broken wall.

SEMA’s Director General Vincent Aquah sympathised with the victims and promised that government agencies would tackle the problem.

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APC hails suspension of PDP rally

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the reported suspension of today’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Adamawa State.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party called the suspension “the right decision under the circumstances”.

It said the suspension has shown that President Goodluck Jonathan is listening to the voices of his compatriots on important national issues.

•Victims cleaning up their salvaged property.

‘’As we said in a statement on April 24, it smacks of insensitivity, inhumanity and indecency for our President and other leaders to engage in any celebratory venture when we do not know the fate of the girls, who were abducted from their school. ‘’We also said the President should not repeat the same mistake he made when he went to Kano to dance at a political rally after the Nyanya bus park bombing.

“We are delighted that good sense has prevailed this time,’’ APC said.

Kwara PDP factions reconcile From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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•A blocked major drainage channel at Webber

PHOTOS: NICHOLAS KALU

Obasanjo shielded oil thieves, says Alamieyesiegha

ORMER Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyesiegha has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of shielding oil thieves during his administration.

Alamieyesiegha made the allegation yesterday at an interaction session between the National Conference Committee on Public Finance and Revenue and officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The former governor, who said he was part of those who engineered the arrest of some oil thieves in Bayelsa State, regretted what he called the high level conspiracy, whichmade it impossible to stop the crime.

He said: “I had an experience. Tankers were loaded in Bayelsa. I got the information and laid ambush for them and arrested them. About 14 big tankers and they were handed over to the police.

“They were charged to court and the judge ordered that the product should be tested. NNPC was invited, they came, took the sample and after a week the result came out as agro chemical and they were all released.

“I went to President Obasanjo; I accused him of being the chief bunkerer.

“It became so hot that I was persuaded to follow him to his office. He held my hand and we entered. So there is actually enough intelligence that is open to the Presidency.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia , Benin

HE Edo State government denied yesterday the rumour that over 229 civil servants, including teachers, have been sacked.

The Chairman, Universal Basic Education Board, Stephen Alao, said after visiting some schools: “The Edo State government has not sacked any teacher. There was a group of teachers who had issues after the verification. We asked some of them to strengthen their records.

“They are about 926 teachers involved and we have gotten a lot of feedback from them. We have also asked them to upgrade their records. Many of them have complied. The board is handling it diligently. No teacher has been sacked in Edo State.”

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assitant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

“Obasanjo started mentioning names. I said, ‘oh, you are the chief bunkerer; I confirm, you know them.

Don’t call me again’” The former governor said conspiracy in high places resulted in kidnappings in the Niger Delta.

“In fact, expatriates are more involved in the crime than Nigerians. Some of them even offer themselves to be kidnapped so that when there is compensation they can share it.

“They are also involved in kidnapping. They allow themselves to be kidnapped.

Oil companies are invited, their home countries will shout and management of oil companies will pay ransom.

“When the ransom is paid,

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they are released and that money is shared among them. So, it is a high level conspiracy going on,” Alamieyesiegha said.

Retired naval officers were not absolved of crime.

Alamieyesiegha said local boys who were regularly arrested for oil theft were mere escorts with no international connections to sell stolen crude oil.

His words: “The so-called militants are only employed as escorts. If there is no buyer we will not find a seller.

The post-retirement job of a senior naval officer is bunkering.

“None of those boys you see in the Niger Delta has the necessary connections to bring ships to our economic zone to lift. Those who are making the connections are also part of us.

“In fact almost 50 per cent

of what we produce in this country is being siphoned outside to augment the international market. And where is it going? It is going to those countries and they know the type of oil that is coming out from Nigeria.

“It is different from others.

The sulphur content here is very low and they know this but everybody is gaining from it. Let the Federal Government send warning letter to all the embassies that are in this country and give them three months.”

Alamieyesiegha went on: “After three months if we see any ship that is not authorised in our economic zone, especially in the Niger Delta, it will be destroyed.

“Involve the navy, buy few assault helicopters, missiles and after the three months any ship you see, destroy; you will see that no country will allow its ship to enter and so there will be no buyer,” he added.

Navy impounds two barges

AVAL officials have impounded two wooden barges carrying 285 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil, worth N50 million. Eleven suspects were arrested.

The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Bonny Island in Rivers State, Capt. Hassan Dogara, yesterday informed reporters that the raid took place on April 23, during a routine patrol.

The two barges and 55 of the 285 tonnes of crude oil were set ablaze, with the troops only able to save 230 tonnes of the product.

Dogara said when the naval personnel

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

approached the scene, the perpetrators fled, with eleven of them arrested. Five speed boats and five patrol engines were impounded.

He said: “The barges, which were filled to the brim, had several leakages, and so, spilled its content into the creeks and in the surrounding environment.

“Troops quickly moved in and saved 230 tonnes; destroyed the barges with about 55 tonnes-leftover of the product.”

The commanding officer also stated that 230 tonnes of the product were still with the navy, awaiting further directives from the Eastern Naval Command.

HE two warring factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State have settled their differences.

The party had been polarised into Freedom and Unity groups before and after the state congress three weeks ago.

Federal Character Commission Chair Prof Abdulraheem Oba led the freedom group; Senator Gbemisola Saraki led the other group.

The freedom group protested the results of the congress, alleging irregularities.

A statement yesterday by the freedom group’s spokesperson, Tajudeen Kareem, said: “At a reconciliation meeting held in Abuja between the Chairman, Iyiola Oyedepo and the groups’ leaders, everyone resolved to bury their grievances and work together.

“The meeting examined the lapses in the conduct of the congress and reviewed the roles played by elders and officials. It was resolved that party members should support the new executive members to build a durable party structure.

“Oyedepo denied that he was sponsored by some vested interests. He said his candidature received the support of opinion leaders and political heavyweights in the state. He also promised to run a transparent, democratic and an inclusive administration.”

‘Leave Jonathan out of Akwa Ibom’

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MEMBER of the National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Senator Anietie Okon, has decried the attempt by Chief Don Etiebet, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, to involve President Goodluck Jonathan in Akwa Ibom State politics.

Reacting to a statement by Etiebet, Senator Okon said: “ It is an incontrovertible fact that the President has never interfered in the politics of Akwa Ibom State and does not deserve this diatribe.”

Describing Chief Etiebet’s

attempt to smear the president’s image as “disingenuous and invidious, the senator said the article lacks credibility and substance”.

He said Etiebet lacks the moral capacity to raise issues with Akwa Ibom PDP. Senator Okon said: ”The unguarded and uncouth outburst coming from an elder smacks of absolute mischief and disrespect for the office of the president and constitute an insult to the President.

“It has been roundly condemned by all the good people of Akwa Ibom State.”

Pilgrim board gets website

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From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) has opened a website for effective organisation of this year’s hajj.

The board’s chairman, Taofeek Akeugberu (Akewugbagold) said yesterday that the internet option was to curb irregularities associated with the exercise.

Akeugbagold, who gave the website as oyostatepwbhajj.com, said the board had over shoot its allocation from 600 to over 1,200.

According to him, over 1,200 forms had been sold to intending pilgrims, who are mainly non-indigenes.

He warned that as a result many of those who had purchased the forms might be disqualified to allow more indigenes to have the opportunity to participate.

Akeugbagold warned that council chairmen in the 33 council areas should not recommend more 20 intending pilgrims and they should not give agents any recommendation letter.

He said that intending pilgrims would have to purchase forms on line while successful named will placed on internet.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

59

NEWS

Corruptionhascrippledlocalgovtsystem,saysLamorde

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•Lists payment to political godfathers, four other factors

CONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)chair Ibrahim Lamorde, said yesterday that corruption has rendered the Local Government System redundant.

He listed five factors that have crippled the system including payment to political godfathers.

Lamorde spoke in an address at the EFCC Academy in Abuja at the opening of a training session on “AntiCorruption, Fiscal Responsibility and Effective Leadership for Principal Officers of all Local Government Councils (LGCS) in Nigeria.”

The session was a collaboration of both the EFCC and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

Lamorde said: “The problem of corruption and lack of fiscal transparency perhaps

remains one of the hydraheaded factors that accounts for the inefficiency and retarded growth the local governments continue to experience in Nigeria today.

“The system has virtually become superfluous and redundant. Based on evidence which the EFCC, through its numerous investigations has gathered, corruption in local governments in the country thrives in the following areas: (i.) Inflation of prices; (ii) Over-estimation of cost of projects; (iii) The ghost workers syndrome; (iv) Award of contracts and subsequent abandonment; and (v) Outright payment of huge sums of money to political godfathers, etc.

“Corrupt practices in the

Senator Solomon opens campaign office

Alleged oil theft: Navy hands over arrested vessel to EFCC

By Leke Salaudeen

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AGOS State governorship aspirant, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (Lagos West) yesterday opened his campaign headquarters at Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja.

Solomon described the opening of the office as an expression of his presence in the state capital even though he has not officially declared his ambition.

He said his aspiration to become governor of Lagos State was long-standing. “It is not new. I was in the race in 2006. Nobody prompted me to seek the governorship ticket of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC). I have passion for it”.

Asked what programmes he would implement if elected, he said: “We are here today to express our presence at the state capital. When the time comes, we shall unfold our programmes and how we intend to implement them”. We are prepared for the job, he remarked.

He told his supporters that APC is a party of democrats where internal democracy prevails. According to him, the position of the party is that candidates for elective offices shall emerge through primaries. He made reference to Anambra State where the party’s governorship candidate for the last year’s gubernatorial election was decided through direct primaries. Even in Ekiti and Osun where there are sole candidacy of Governors Kayode Fayemi and Rauf Aregbesola , they still went through primaries, he said.

The APC, he said, had done primaries in three states. There will be primaries in all states including Lagos State. What applies to governorship ticket will apply to other elective offices.

Party members would pick candidates of their choice.

“This time around, members would pick their candidates, they would exercise their rights, internal democracy would be at work. That is what APC stands for. This is our time. If we deny ourselves the opportunity, we shall have ourselves to be blamed.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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N keeping to its promise to rid the nation’s waterways of oil thieves and sea criminals, the Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday handed over a merchant vessel, MT Good Success loaded with 1,940 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The arrested vessel is one of 39 impounded this year alone by the Navy around the country’s maritime domain for various offences.

Licenced to load 350 metric tons of AGO, MT Good Success was arrested by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) ANDONI on February 19 on Lagos waters and instead of AGO, it was discovered that the vessel contained 1,940 metric tons of PMS. Handing over the suspected vessel to the EFCC, Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Ovenseri Uwadiae said after the navy’s preliminary investigation, a prima facie case was established against the vessel.

He said the NN headquarters in line with extant provisions, gave the base directives to handover the vessel to

local governments have over the years rendered the local governments inactive and devoid of concrete developmental activities. Evidence available to the Commission also shows that economic crimes such as embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, abound in the local governments.”

The EFCC chairman said although the 1999 Constitution allocates 20.6 per cent of the federal revenue to the local governments, the 774 local government have failed the nation.

He said local governments in Nigeria are “riddled with both institutional and systemic problems.”

He added: “As the closest tier of government to the grassroots, local governments are created all over the

world to bring development to the local communities.

They are therefore expected to develop the local economy so that jobs can be created and some form of small scale industries can also grow in the process.

“Developing the rural communities also implies forging and strengthening social ties and developing the non-profit sector.

“The functions of maintaining law and order, ensuring basic sanitation in the rural areas, constructing and maintaining local roads, supplying water, administering local schools, providing skill training and employment for residents amongst others also fall within the residuary powers and constitutional responsibilities of the local governments.

“Pursuant to this and in order to ensure that local governments have adequate funding for their programs, the 1999 Constitution allocates 20.6%. of the federal revenue to the local governments while 52.68% and 26.72% were allocated to the federal and state governments respectively.

“However, while Local Governments are said to be the best institutions that can facilitate the efficient and effective service delivery at the grassroots level, the fact remains that local governments in Nigeria are riddled with both institutional and systemic problems. He said the EFCC was happy to collaborate with ALGON to enlighten and train its officials on what you need to know to avoid corrupt practices so that they do not get into trouble with the law.

By Precious Igbonwelundu, Staff Correspondent

EFCC for investigation and prosecution.

“MT Good Success has clearance to carry 350 metric tons of AGO but upon arrest

by NNS ANDONI, it was discovered that instead of the AGO it was cleared to carry, the vessel had 1,940 metric tons of PMS. “The conditions for clearance for AGO and PMS are not the same because of the subsidy regime in PMS and so, the ship was impounded.

“We are using this opportunity to warn members of the public that the game is over. The years illegalities thrived in our maritime domain are over.

“People must follow due process and ensure they have documents to back their dealings because the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin has mandated us to ensure the law takes its full course on those found wanting.

“So, we advise all players in the maritime domain to follow the rules,” Uwadiae said.

Accepting EFCC’s plea for the vessel and its content to

be kept in navy’s custody on their behalf, Uwadiae said the commission should ensure that a letter be written to that effect so that it will be clearly stated that the navy was keeping the vessel for EFCC. Replying, EFCC’s Counter Terrorism and General Investigation boss, Aminu Aliyu praised the NN’s efforts at combating illegal bunkering.

When asked of the statis-

tics and situation of previous cases handed over to the commission by the Navy, Aliyu said he does not have the details.

EFCC intends to carryout speedy investigation and possible prosecution of MT Good Success Aliyu said: “I am not here for that. All I am here to do ito receive this vessel and beging investigation.”

Ngige said ‘whatever that was in the register as at April 24, 2011 when it was certified was the situation of the register now.’

Counsel to INEC Chief Adegboyega Awomolo asked Ngige if INEC confirmed that he tendered the certified extract, Exhibit 424, as the current state of the register.

Obiano’s counsel, led by Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, claimed that Obiano transferred his voter’s card from Lagos to his hometown in Anambra State.

Ngige also tendered the certified true copy (CTC) of Obiano’s Form EC 4B, which was an INEC form, capturing particulars of nomination, as submitted by his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The document was admitted as Exhibit P.415.

Also yesterday, the tribunal admitted Obiano’s INEC

Form CF 001 and candidates’ personal data.

Form CF 001 showed Obiano’s voter card, No. 332, obtained on September 3, 2013, the day he collected the forms.

It was found to be different from the voter’s card, No. 11, exhibited in the Lagos Register, and different from a third one allegedly obtained on August 21, 2013.

The tribunal rejected the application by Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who led Chief Emeka Ngige for APC and Ngige to tender 66 files containing extracts of missing pages.

The registers sought to be tendered were from the four local government areas of Anaocha, Anambra East, Anambra West and Ayamelum.

Osita Nnadi asked Ngige if he reported Obiano to the Police for prosecution.

But Ngige said the reason

his party went to the Federal High Court was to seek an order of Mandamus for his Obiano’s prosecution.

Before Ngige entered the witness box, Mr. Chibuzo Obiako tendered the certified true copies (CTC) of Obiano’s three cards.

Also recalled to the witness box was Mr. Emeka Nwachukwu, PW22, who conducted the Internet search establishing that Obiano had three registrations with INEC. He told the tribunal that the documents were sent to INEC with an application for certification.

Ngige and APC closed their case yesterday.

Tribunal Chairman Justice Ishaq Bello fixed Wednesday for INEC to present 26 witnesses.

Obiano and APGA are also expected to call their witnesses between Wednesday and Friday.

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By Our Reporter

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NIDENTIFIED thugs on Monday in Aba, Abia State, threatened to kill the Aba Correspondent of The Nation, Sunny Nwankwo, over a story that he was alleged to have written against the government.

Sources said about five thugs stormed No. 76 St. Michael’s road, Aba, The Sun’s office in search of the reporter.

It was gathered that the men beat the workers and vendors at the The Sun office.

Narrating the incident, an injured worker, said “about three hefty men came to our office some minutes to 9 a.m., asking about Sunny Nwankwo, a reporter in Aba. We told them that we don’t know him. Not convinced by our response, they went ahead to show us the number the said Sunny, we still told them that we don’t know the number.

Another person standing at the door made calls and after the call, walked in and started beating everybody. They hit me with the calculator I was using to check returns from vendors.

The vendors were also beaten up. They alleged that the Sunny has been writing negative reports about the government.”

He alleged that the thugs, who arrived at the office in a branded cab with the inscription, ‘Ochendo Youth Empowerment Scheme taxi’ made away with N27, 527, which was part of the money they collected from vendors.

The worker said the thugs promised to come back to burn down the office.

Activist faults closure of Court of Appeal in Lagos

By Joseph Jibueze

•Commodore Uwadiae (left) handing over the papers of the detained ship to Aliyu...yesterday PHOTO: PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

Ngige reopens Obiano’s alleged triple registration HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Chris Ngige, yesterday returned to the witness box at the Anambra State Election’s Petitions Tribunal, Awka.

This followed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which restored paragraphs of his joint petition with his party The tribunal granted Ngige’s application to reopen his case following the April 15 judgment.

Ngige tendered an extract of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) Voter’s register for Lagos State showing Chief Willie Obiano as having voted in the governorship and presidential elections of April 2011.

The extract was certified

by Lagos State Independent National Electoral Commission on April 23, 2011.

Thugs threaten The Nation man

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N activist, Mr Muyiwa Ajayi, has criticised the alleged closure of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division for renovation purposes.

He said its timing is wrong, as the work could have been done during the annual long vacation that begins in July and ends in September.

A notice was issued to the effect that the court would be closed for renovation.

Although the court still sits to deliver rulings and judgments, Ajayi said the vacation period would have been enough to renovate the court rather keeping pending cases in abeyance to the detriment of litigants and detained criminal suspects.

“No Institution has any authority and power to hold any Nigerian in custody longer than necessary. It’s a sheer abuse of office and authority. The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division is closed indefinitely.

“The resultant effect of this action is that all court hearings are closed till further notice and justice denied to some Nigerians who have their cases at the Court of Appeal.

“Can’t the National Judicial Council or Court of Appeal wait till they embark on another recess before any revamp or rehabilitation of the Court of Appeal takes place? Why now?

“Why couldn’t the institution revamp the Court, when they went on their last recession?

Will they still embark on annual recess after this indefinite closure?” Ajayi asked.

He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, to order the court’s reopening.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29 , 2014

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NEWS Borno elders: Fed Govt has failed us Continued from page 2

“We are still waiting and we have surrendered everything to God, but the government should know that it has the primary responsibility to its citizens to secure the girls and return them to their parents.”

The fate of the abducted school girls also yesterday attracted the attention of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Vice-President of the NLC, Comrade Lucy Offiong speaking in Abuja yesterday during a PreMay Day briefing described the security situation in the country as worrisome, saying groups willing to participate in the workers’ Day march past must undergo pre-accreditation.

On the abduction girls, she said: “The fate of these teenagers

represents the future of our dear country. If a country cannot account for the whereabouts of young school girls who were, as reported by the news media, taken by armed men dressed in military uniforms in a convoy of several vehicles, then the universal belief that our collective future is in the hope that children will grow to do better that what older people are doing is hollow and hopeless.

“Our government and its security agencies must work round the clock and exert more energy to locate and rescue these children in record time before any harm is done to them as such harm should be considered as collective harm and a blister to our collective

quest for progress and national greatness.”

She added: “The current siege on some parts of the country has had a lot of implications for both our economy and freedom to life and also the right to work. It has not only threatened lives and properties, it has also threatened productivity as workers now find it difficult to get to work and when they do, they conduct themselves under excruciating fearful circumstances,” she lamented.

On the May Day event, she said vehicles would park over 200meters away from the venue.

“Everyone coming to the venue must not carry bags because of the security situation.

Vehicles should be parked at least 200meters away from the

the Eagle square. We are also saying that as part of those measures, we are not going to allow just any group to come to the arena, and come and take part in the march pass.

“We have said that any group that wants to march that day at the arena should come and register with the protocol committee of this 2014 May Day so that they will be properly identified and accredited for security reasons.”

The theme of the 2014 May Day, according to her, is “Building enduring peace and unity: panacea for sustainable national development.”

She described the explosion at the Nyanya bus station as “the most devastating among several others, given the location and timing.”

Reps suspend probe over court case Continued from page 2

of course, we have come out formally and tell you about the stand of the House.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Solomon OlamilekanAdeola said the committee would have begun the investigation but for the court case.

His words: “Today is the 28th of April, which the committee has scheduled to receive the honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources and other agencies that have stakes in this investigation. But, as we speak, there is a court case, which has been served to the office of the speaker, even though the committee has not got a copy of that order.

“So far so good. For all the

Protesters in Lagos demand release of 234 abducted girls

Okonjo-Iweala: Govt has plan for Northeast Continued from page 2

did not pose the same threat as the Biafran War that split the country from 1967-1970.

“What we are going through now is democracy in raw form, because people are fighting for power and they will use anything to get there ... and to win the election,” she said.

She hoped politicians would heed the president’s appeal for unity made on Thursday when he met the governors.

“Everybody has now come together and said this is ridiculous, crazy, unacceptable, for our children to go to school and be sleeping in their bed at night and for some people to come and abduct them,” Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said, referring to the schoolgirls’ abduction in which dozens are still missing.

“Nigeria as a nation will overcome this,” she said Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar said yester-

day that Nigeria is at war.

Speaking at the police officers mess in Ikeja, Lagos yesterday at forum to discuss the country’s security situation, he said: “We are in a war situation and we need to mobilize. We want to urge all of you to be more security conscious,” he said.

The IG who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of ‘D’ Department (Investigations), Peter Gana, said Criminals including terrorists were spirits but human beings”You are our

eyes in the community and you should give the Police information because we are always there for you.

“Everyone is supposed to Police whereever he lives .It is better to raise a false alarm than allow the worse to happen. We are happy with the Lagos State government that has highly mobilised the Police, so whenever you suspect anything ,contact the Police immediately.

He advised the hospitality industries to educate their staff on security issues.

His words: “The hotel management can help us police the state by reporting any suspicious customer. Private security operators and National Union of Road Transport workers (NURTW) can help us Police the state by giving us information.”

The DIG who was with the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG)zone 2,Mr Mamam Tsafe and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Umar Manko, said the Police High Command was willing to take advise from the members of the Public.

Court rejects bid to stop probe of N10b jet expenses Continued from page 2

leased aircraft pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

When the case came up on April 17, the court could not consider any further application because of the absence of the respondents.

Uwa told the court that the respondents were only served the previous day and sought an adjournment.

The judge, before adjourning the matter till today, noted that the court could not proceed with the case since the respondents were only served the previous

day with the court’s order directing them to show cause why the interim orders sought exparte should not be granted.

The plaintiffs are challenging the powers of the National assembly to investigate their alleged spending of about N10b to hire aircraft for the minister.

memos we have written, we got responses. We have received documents from Vista gate in London, and responses from Executive Jet Hangers about the flight details and all that have also been served to the committee.

The Committee is also believed to have obtained other documents on the •600,000 allegedly spent monthly to maintain Global Express XRS plane.

“As we speak, the only correspondence we have not received, which we were expecting to get upon their appearance is that of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Minister of Petroleum.”

Continued from page 2

Jonathan before the close of work on Monday.

The presidency is weighing its options on how to rescue the abducted girls by Boko Haram gunmen, The Nation learnt yesterday.

On the cards is a non-violent option, which will require asking some clerics and Northerners respected by the sect to prevail on its leadership to release the girls.

There are fears that an outright military onslaught may lead to a high casualty.

But for the death of his brother, Vice-President Namadi Sambo would have started consultations with some would-be mediators. Sambo’s younger brother, Yusuf, a pilot, died on Sunday in a road accident in Abuja.

Some of those listed for intervention were said to be excited last night because of their “deep concerns” for the girls.

“Even within Chibok, intelligence report indicated that some of those who abducted the girls were known to the locals. Therefore, there is possibility that the sect has a network base in the area where the school is located,” a source said, adding: “What the government is thinking is how to engage every citizen capable of assisting to rescue the girls. This is one of the options.

“Some of those who can facilitate link with Boko Haram are already being consulted.”

Replying to a question, the source added: “The ongoing collaboration with some neighbouring countries and intelligence sharing with international organisations is also another option.”

Another source, who spoke in confidence, said: “I think the non-violent option might be explored because where the girls are kept is heavily fortified.

FOREIGN NEWS

Egypt court sentences 683 Brotherhood supporters to death

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JUDGE at a mass trial in Egypt has recommended the death penalty for 683 people - including Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie.

The defendants faced charges over an attack on a police station in Minya in 2013 in which a policeman was killed.

However, the judge also commuted to life terms 492 death sentences out of 529 passed in PUBLIC NOTICE ORIAKU I formerly known and addressed as MISS OKOH DOUGLAS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKOH NKONYEASUA DOUGLAS. All former documents remain valid. Abia State University Uturu & general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE OBI I, Formerly known and addressed as OBI JOY UGBOAKU now wish to be known and addressed as OSUJI JOY UGBOAKU. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

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March in a separate case.

Also yesterday, a court banned a youth group that helped ignite the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

The decision passed in Cairo to outlaw the April 6 pro-democracy movement was based on a complaint that accused the group of “tarnishing the image” of Egypt and colluding with foreign parties.

Ahmed Maher, the group’s leader, was sentenced to three years in prison in December for violating a law that bans all but police-sanctioned protests.

The cases and speed of the mass trial hearings have drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups and the UN. The trials took just hours each and the court prevented defence lawyers from presenting their case, according to Human Right Watch.

The sentences have been referred to the Grand Mufti Egypt’s top Islamic authority for approval or rejection, a step which correspondents say is usually considered a formality.

A final decision will be issued in

T

June.

The BBC’s Orla Guerin says relatives collapsed in grief after hearing the verdict. A large crowd chanted: “Where is the justice?”

The verdict was the first against Mr Badie in the several trials he faces on various charges along with Mr Morsi himself and other Brotherhood leaders.

Of the 683 sentenced yesterday, only about 50 are in detention but the others have a right to a retrial if they hand themselves in.

The group were accused of involvement in the murder and attempted murder of policemen in Minya province on 14 August, the day police killed hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood supporters in clashes in Cairo.

Defence lawyers boycotted the last session, branding it “farcical.”

The final judgement on the sentencing of the 529 Muslim Brotherhood supporters accused of attacking another police station in the same province on the same day means 37 will now face the death penalty.

New U.S. sanctions on Russian officials, companies

T •Morsi

Defence lawyer Khaled Elkomy said 60% of those defendants, including teachers and doctors, have evidence that “proves they were not present” when that station was attacked, a statement released by human rights group Avaaz said.

Amnesty International warned that Egypt’s judiciary “risks becoming just another part of the authorities’ repressive machinery”.

“The court has displayed a complete contempt for the most basic principles of a fair trial and has utterly destroyed its credibility,” Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, the group’s Middle East and North Africa deputy director, said in a statement.

Ukraine mayor shot in the back

HE mayor of Ukraine’s second-largest city was shot in the back and pro-Russia insurgents seized more government buildings yesterday as the United States hit Russia with more sanctions for allegedly fomenting the unrest in eastern Ukraine.

Last month, Russia annexed Crimea weeks after seizing control of the Black Sea peninsula.

The European Union is also planning more sanctions against Russia, with ambas-

sadors from the bloc’s 28 members meeting yesterday in Brussels.

Hennady Kernes, the mayor of Kharkiv, was shot in the back yesterday morning, underwent surgery and “doctors are fighting for his life,” city hall said.

Kharkiv city hall spokesman Yuri Sydorenko told the Interfax news agency Kernes was shot while cycling on the outskirts of the city. Officials have not commented on who could be behind the attack.

HE United States levied new sanctions yesterday on seven Russian government officials, as well as 17 companies with links to Vladimir Putin’s close associates, as the Obama administration seeks to pressure the Russian leader to deescalate the crisis in Ukraine.

The U.S. sanctions were implemented in coordination with the European Union, which moved to slap visa bans and asset freezes on 15 individuals alleged to be involved with stoking instability in eastern Ukraine.

President Barack Obama announced the U.S. sanctions while traveling in the Philippines, the last stop on a weeklong trip to Asia. He said that while his goal was not to target Putin personally, he was seeking to “change his calculus with respect to how the current actions that he’s engaging in could have an adverse impact on the Russian economy over the long haul.”

Among the targets of the new sanctions is Igor Sechin, the president of state oil company Rosneft, who has worked for Putin since the early 1990s.

Sechin was seen as the mastermind behind the 2003 legal assault on private oil company Yukos and its founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who at the time was Russia’s richest man.

The most lucrative parts of Yukos were taken over by Rosneft, making it Russia’s largest company. Rosneft has a major partnership deal with ExxonMobil.

In addition to the new sanc-

tions, the U.S. is adding new restrictions on high-tech materials used by Russia’s defense industry that could help bolster Moscow’s military.

Obama has been building a case for this round of penalties throughout his trip to Asia, both in his public comments and in private conversations with European leaders. The new sanctions are intended to build on earlier U.S. and European visa bans and asset freezes imposed on Russian officials, including many in Putin’s inner circle, after Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine last month.

But even with the new measures, Obama voiced pessimism about whether they would be enough to change Putin’s calculus.

Also on the list of those sanctioned by the U.S. Monday are Aleksei Pushkov, the Kremlinconnected head of Russian parliament’s lower house, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, and Sergei Chemezov, another longtime Putin ally. The White House said Putin has known Chemezov, CEO of the state-owned holding company Rostec, since the 1980s, when they both lived in the same apartment building in East Germany.

Most of the 17 companies on the list are controlled by three businessmen with close links to Putin: Gennady Timchenko, and brothers Boris and Arkady Rotenberg, all of whom were targeted by the first round of U.S. sanctions imposed in March.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

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TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9

NO. 2833

‘Pa Ashadele may be an avid reader. But he is no one’s favourite reader — if ‘favourite’ means uncritical acceptance and blanket endorsement of a point of view’ OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

W

HEN Vice President Namadi Sambo the other day declared Ekiti and Osun “war fronts” in which the PDP was set to do full battle to win back power in the looming gubernatorial elections, the attentive audience might well have dismissed the vow as delusional, and the metaphor as over-wrought.

This, after all is the silly season, the time for political hot air.

To react in that manner would be dangerous, however. For it fails to take into account the PDP’s morbid obsession with the two states, especially Ekiti, of which Sambo’s declaration was merely the latest expression.

Against all indications to the contrary, spokesperson after spokesperson in the PDP has claimed Ekiti not merely as a state in which it has a respectable following but as their stronghold, a “PDP state” in their phrasing.

Vincent Ogbulafor, the former PDP chairman now standing trial for criminal breach of trust, said so. His successor Okwesilieze Nwodo, who was dismissed from the post well before his tenure was up, said so. Bamanga Tukur, who succeeded him and ran the party like an overbearing school principal, said so before he was deposed and dispatched to use his management skills to whip the railways into the mid-20th century.

Ekiti was PDP territory until four years ago when the gubernatorial elections in that state and Osun were stolen from the PDP through judicial legerdemain, Namadi Sambo and company have been saying, and that recovering those offices in the forthcoming elections, come what may, was the PDP’s firm resolve.

Whatever it may be, Ekiti has never been a “PDP state.”

In the 1999 general elections that terminated military rule, Ekiti elected a State Assembly in which the Alliance for Democracy (AD) enjoyed a controlling majority, and a governor on that party’s platform. More tellingly, it rejected in overwhelming numbers the presidential candidate of the PDP. Four years later, a general election that local and international observers said was far and away the most fraudulent they had witnessed anywhere, literally buried the ACN in Southwestern Nigeria bar Lagos, where the canny Governor Bola Tinubu who honed his political skills in the toughest streets of Chicago had correctly anticipated and foiled the grand design of the fixers.

That monumental heist delivered the PDP to Ekiti, with a political nonentity, all flash and no substance as governor, and a razorthin majority in the State Assembly.

Ayo Fayose’s time in office is largely remembered as an encounter of the unprepared with the unforeseen. Ekiti lurched from one crisis to another as he amused him-

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Ekiti: The PDP’s morbid obsession ‘Ayo Fayose’s time in office is largely remembered as an encounter of the unprepared with the unforeseen. Ekiti lurched from one crisis to another as he amused himself flying over its compact territory in an executive helicopter. Not for him the cratered roads crying out for repairs.’

•Fayemi

self flying over its compact territory in an executive helicopter. Not for him the cratered roads crying out for repairs. He conceived no scheme more sophisticated than a socalled integrated poultry project that gulped billions of Naira without producing a single egg.

He became a liability even to the PDP that had steamrolled him into office and was impeached. The EFCC sandbagged him with a charge sheet so comprehensive that, if convicted, he would need several lifetimes to complete the cumulative sentence.

But the PDP was determined to hold on to its stolen trophy. It rigged its candidate Segun Oni into office at the election that followed.

Instead of voiding the entire poll, the courts ordered a re-run in those constituencies where it had been marred by violence and

RIPPLES NIGERIANS MUST TURN TO GOD TO SOLVE BOKO HARAM –Politician

we have disturbed god enough, now it’s time to turn to the GOVERNMENT.

irregularities. The PDP repeated the offence with brassiness on a scale almost beyond belief, leading the Returning Officer to declare that she could not in her Christian conscience announce the results handed to her.

Several days later, without formally renouncing her faith, she put aside her Christian conscience, dutifully read the confected returns, and urged those who felt aggrieved to go to court.

The ACN pursued the matter all the way to the Appeal Court, which declared that its candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, had been duly elected governor of Ekiti State.

In those towns where Fayose and Oni were not frankly despised, including the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, they were accorded only a tepid welcome. But even with Federal Might and “Africa’s biggest political party” behind them, they spent so much of their time and the state’s resources trying to shore up their insecure hold on power that they had little left to pur-

HARDBALL

I

F there is any royal father in Nigeria who does not play servile to any political office holder, be he a governor, senator or president, it is the Oba of Benin. He is a man who guards the integrity and honour of the office with ancient dexterity and pride.

So it was out of character of the Oba that his son, who is now regarded as the crown prince, to saunter into Aso Villa and scramble for a photo opportunity with the president. Sons sometimes devalue the high prestige of their fathers, and that is in the time-honored abuse of what psychologists call the oedipal complex.

In this case, Eheneden Erediauwa, who carries the prefix of ambassador, was not the ambassador of the great and proud Benin Kingdom when he appeared with a supine smile, all clad in white cap and white dress in photo op with President Jonathan.

The tongues of the Benin people have been restless with wonder, asking themselves why the son of the proud and doughty Oba of Benin could go to the corridor of power to dine and wine indiscriminately with power. What was he doing

sue meaningful development.

Since Dr Fayemi took office, Ekiti State has been a different place. He has reached out to the state’s legion of learned men and women whom Fayose and Oni alienated to generate ideas and programmes of development. He restored education to the centrality it has always enjoyed in the life of the people.

He has completed the roads Fayose and Oni abandoned, and constructed new ones. He inaugurated a social safety net that provides monthly stipend for older residents, the first in Ekiti and one of the first nationwide. For the first time since its establishment, the Ikogosi Warm Springs can now be called a resort, and a tourist destination.

Dr Fayemi has accomplished all this and much more quietly and almost unobtrusively, without the histrionics that marked Fayose’s era or the smug vindictiveness of Oni’s time.

Ekiti is thriving in ways it has never known.

There, “transformation” is not a slogan; it is a lived reality.

That is also the case in the state of Osun, where the scope and the frenetic pace of development cannot but astonish those who knew what the place was like under PDP Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and what it is now under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who was elected on the platform of the ACN. Now the PDP wants to put an end to all that. It has not phrased its quest as starkly as I have done here, but it cannot complain that I have misjudged its intent.

Only such an intent, plus overweening contempt for the Ekiti people, can explain why it drew Fayose out of his den and with scant regard for due process pressed him into service as its candidate in the gubernatorial election scheduled for June. That the process which produced the ticket was supervised by a hugely discredited former PDP governor the courts said the police must never arrest merely underscores the PDP’s desperation.

But that desperation is rooted in a morbid obsession, a consuming craving that knows no bounds and no restraints for what one cannot have.

It is a dangerous affliction. In the end, it drives its victim to destroy the object of his or her desire that refuses to be possessed. That is the psychology of morbid obsession.

Those who have been warning that the PDP will resort to blatant rigging to conscript Ekiti State into its fold, unmindful of the chaos that is sure to follow, cannot therefore be dismissed as idle alarmists.

Unless it is too far gone in its delusion, the PDP must know that it cannot win a free and fair election in Ekiti, much less with a candidate who has nothing to offer, and that if it turns Ekiti and Osun into “war fronts” for the forthcoming elections, it will have to do battle with their newly empowered residents.

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Owanbe prince in Aso villa there? Some have asked what kind of support was he seeking from the president?

His father is not in the habit of leaving the glorious shadow of his palace to do obeisance to anybody. The Benin Kingdom would rather be defeated than grovel, witness the story of the Benin Resistance against the English over a century ago.

That is the reason for the Ovonranwen Square in the city. It is a homage to the honour and pride of a race that plays no second fiddle to any potentate.

Not long ago, the story was told of the visit of the President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to the palace in the run up to the last governorship election. With the president’s usual cavalcade of several men, vain and glorious, was the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate. The president wanted the support of the Oba. The Oba did not want to see the candidate and, according to the reports, he sent word that he could only see the president from inside one of his chambers. And so the presi-

dent visited and he shunned the PDP flag bearer.

It was a matter of principle. He did not believe in anything other than honour and competence. He endorsed the performance of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and he was not one to be intimidated by the false colour and concourse of a presidential convoy. He sent a clear and unmistakable message. He was not one to be impressed by a president when such a president did not impress his people.

Was it not the same Oba who sent a minister out of his palace after lashing him for leaving fallow the Benin-Ore express way? So, having known the father, does the son who is called an ambassador appear like an ambassador of the man who now occupies the saddle? Nada!

The people of Benin are wondering whether they should be preparing for an antithesis of their present Oba, an Owambe prince preening in the vortex of power in self-prophesy of his own reign?

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