The Nation, April 30, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

News ACN: Jonathan, Azazi have brought shame to Nigeria P9 Sports Barcelona coach Guardiola’s exit upsets Messi P42 Business States to open subsidy savings account with CBN P25 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2109 MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Prof, 15 others die in varsity church attack 16 hospitalised as gunmen strike in BUK It’s horrible, says Vatican From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

I

T was like a scene from hell. All was solemn. The church service was on.

Time was about 8.30a.m.

Suddenly, a huge explosion, preceded by gun shots, deafened the worshippers.

The atmosphere became cloudy. There was pandemonium.

Minutes later, all was calm, no fewer than 16 people lay dead – victims of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) thrown into the hall and gunshots by yet unknown assailants.

The attack bore the marks of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram (Western education is a sin).

The scene of horror was a lecture theatre at the old campus of the Bayero University in Kano used as a Christian worship centre.

In the congregation were students, lecturers and other categories of employees of the university and outsiders.

One of the 16 dead was Prof. Andrew Leo Ogbonyomi of the Department of Library Science.

About 16 others were believed to be inContinued on page 4

•Oluwataiwo Oni, one of the injured in the hospital ... yesterday

‘

Initially, it was mistaken by some of us for a burst tyre, until it became sporadic. It then dawned on us that it was a gun attack. At that point, there was stampede; everybody scampered for safety

’

Convoy crash is attempt ‘to kill Oshiomhole’

STORY ON PAGE 4

•Oshiomhole

Governor relives ordeal Official’s home attacked

•CITYBEATS P6 •SPORTS P23 •CEO P32 •JOBS P37 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

2

NEWS

Concern over As the nation’s debt profile continues its upward swing, the rank of observers calling for a cautious approach to domestic and external borrowings swells, reports Assistant Editor (News) OLUKOREDE YISHAU

O •Access Bank’s Deputy Group Managing Director Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director/CEO Aigboje AigImoukhuede and the bank’s chairman, Gbenga Oyebode at its 23rd Annual General Meeting in Lagos...at the weekend

•UBA FACTS BEHIND THE FIGURES: Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema and GMD/CEO, UBA Plc Mr. Phillips Oduoza during the ringing of closing bell at the NSE, in Lagos...at the weekend

•From right: Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assemble Tunde Olaniyan, Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Alake Adeyemo, Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, Oyo State Commissioner for Education Mrs. Tokunbo Fayokun and Mr. Tayo Koleoso during the Annual Wema Bank Plc Walk for Health and Life in Ibadan...yesterday PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

•From left: Mr. Vincent Oyo, Associate Parish Priest Joachim and Anne Catholic Church, Ijegun, Lagos, Rev. Anthony Okeke, Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dame Oluremi Oyo and parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Jasper Olanrewaju at Mrs. Oyo's thanksgiving service for her ordination as Dame by his holiness, Pope Benedict XVI...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

N April 16, Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala literally increased the blood pressure of many a Nigerian. That day, Okonjo-Iweala put the nation’s domestic debt stock at N5.96 trillion. The minister, who spoke at a briefing on the 2012 Budget in Abuja, put the nation’s total debt stock at $44 billion. The breakdown: $5.9 billion external and N5.96 trillion domestic.

This is a significant leap from the 2010 figures of $32.5 billion total debt.

Then, external borrowings stood at $4.5 billion and domestic debt was $28 billion.

Economy watchers are of the opinion that the country needs to carry out an immediate appraisal of the debt status.

However, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala sees nothing wrong in the external debt profile of $5.9 billion. She believes it is the rising domestic debt portfolio that calls for concern.

She said: “Over the medium term, we aim to bring our recurrent down to about 65 per cent of the budget while increasing capital expenditure.

Based on the above, the deficit is now N1.1 trillion or 2.85 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is within the three per cent GDP threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Accordingly, the provision for domestic borrowing has now come down to N744 billion compared to N852 billion in the 2011 Budget. This is quite a big achievement.

“This underscores the necessity to control the rising domestic debt profile, which has been a source of concern and I want to use this as an occasion to also say a word on the debt.

We have provisioned N559.6 billion for domestic and foreign debt service.

At present, our external debt stands at $5.9 trillion, while our domestic debt is N5.96 trillion. In naira terms, both domestic and external debt stand at N6.8 trillion or in dollar terms, $44 billion. In looking at this, we have to note that the various ratios which we monitor are in reasonable shape.

“Our debt to GDP is 17.8 per cent, which is far below the 30 per cent target that we have set for this economy and much below the 60 per cent of the target that is the international norm. Our debt service to revenue is 19 per cent as against the general norm of 30 per cent.

“When we look at our debt ratios, I want to say that we are reasonably in good shape. But we do want to emphasise that we continue to be concerned about the domestic debt and it is because of this that we are determined, in this budget exercise, in the medium term, to bring domestic borrowing down, particularly in the light of the high interest rates that we are now experiencing.”

The concern over the nation’s debt profile began to mount when Okonjo-Iweala confirmed what many saw as alarming rates at which states and the Federal Government are accumulating debts.

Lack of adequate funds from both the Federation Account and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has made government approach the bond market for long term financing for infrastructural development. States such as Imo, Lagos, Kwara, Niger and Kebbi have benefitted from the bond market. Other states are plan-

ning to raise funds from the market to finance one project or the other. In mid February, President Goodluck Jonathan sought for National Assembly’s approval for a loan of $7.9 billion from a motley of international development banks. The funds, said Jonathan, would be dedicated to the completion of various pipeline projects. The Federal Government is reportedly in talks with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to secure a $600 million loan for infrastructure work. It recently received $370 million from the same bank for education, health and agriculture sectors.

This is aside the largest single commercial loan- the $500 million Eurobond- being floated by the country.

The total funds the country intends to raise from external sources this year is put at $2.63 billion. In the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) contained in a Debet Management Office (DMO) advertorial, the programmed external borrowing for the period 20122014 is put at $7.9 billion-implying an average of about $2.63 billion for each of the years.

But there are claims in some quarters that not all the states have utilised the money for the purpose it was obtained. At the moment, the Imo bond is a subject of investigation. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Dr. Obinna Duruji, told reporters that “the N18 billion bond was not conceptualised, initiated or implemented by the current administration. We inherited the innuendo associated with it.

“There was no structure on the ground to justify the loan. And whatever record we have within government coffers, we hand over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation as to what actually happened to the fund.

“But the innovative idea of actually transforming Oguta Lake into a tourist goldmine is the commitment of this administration. Nothing has actually been done with whatever are the remnants of the bond because of the ongoing investigation on it.”

To the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the rising appetite for borrowing is unhealthy. Its President, Mr. Goodie Ibru, last Monday, advised the Federal Government to take steps to reduce the growth of domestic debts.

Ibru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that “there is urgent need to moderate the growth of domestic debts and free resources for investors.”

He said the debt profile was not sustainable as the current debt service was 20 per cent of the total revenue. Ibru said the use of the global benchmark of debt to GDP might not be applicable to the country.

He advised the government to comply fully with the provisions of Fiscal Responsibility Act on debt management, adding that the loans should also have long repayment periods to ensure that the level of public debt in proportion to the national income “is held at sustainable level”.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has also decried the country’s rising external debt, saying it negates everything the Federal Government told Nigerians when it paid $12 billion to get a debt relief of $18 billion in 2005.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

3

NEWS

govts’ rising appetite for borrowing

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala: ‘Rising domestic debt calls for concern’

•Sanusi: ‘We’ re heading towards sovereign debt crisis’

THE FIGURES

DEBT PROFILE OF SOME STATES

$44b •Total of the country’s external and domestic debts N5.96t •The total domestic debt of the country $5.9b •The country’s total external debt portfolio $2.63b •The amount of external debt proposed for 2012 $12b •Amount paid to get debt relief of $18b in 2005 $370m •The amount FG recently got from IDB $600m •The amount FG may still take from IDB $500m •The Eurobond being floated by the country The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said: “It is time to ask questions about the gains of the debt relief that Nigeria got in 2005. Where is the better life that the PDP-led Federal Government promised Nigerians after the debt relief?

Where are the massive foreign investments promised? Where are the jobs that Nigerians were told will be created since the country would no longer need to spend billions of naira to service its debt? What did Nigeria gain from paying $12 billion that could have been used for, if nothing else, massive infrastructural development?

“We are bound to ask these questions because all we have heard is that Nigeria’s debt profile is rising alarmingly again, that huge funds are still being spent to service the debt, and that the debt could rise by another $7.9 billion as President Goodluck Jonathan has forwarded a request to the National Assembly to approve a plan to borrow that amount.”

The party added: “We are also urging the Federal Government to stop violating the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007, by pegging its borrowing at an approved limit. Let no one assault our sensibilities further by saying that the current total external debt sum is still within the so-called threshold of what is acceptable internationally. That cannot provide any succour for a people who have been laid prostrate by poor and irresponsible governance since the country’s return to democracy in 1999!”

Chairman of the Revenue

Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) , Elias Mbam, believes the status quo with debt accumulation should not be maintained.

Mbam, who spoke when he appeared before the Senate Joint Committee on National Planning, Finance, Appropriation and States and Local Government, said records available to the commission from the Debt Management Office (DMO) show that as at December, 2011 the total external debts profile of all the states stood at $2.165 billion while that of the Federal Government stood at $3.501 billion.

He said: “The Commission has observed with concern the huge domestic debt profile of the states as most of them are highly indebted to various local banks in short term borrowing and are substantially exposed to the Capital Market.

“Most of these loans are tied to Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders (ISPOs), issued to the AccountantGeneral of the Federation to deduct directly from the monthly allocations due to the states, thereby preventing them from meeting their minimum basic obligations to the citizens.”

From the figure submitted to the joint committee, Lagos State has the highest external debt profile of $491.847 million; Kaduna( $182.261 million); Cross River ($107.532 million); Ogun, ($94.573 million); Oyo ($78.085 million) and Katsina ($74.138 million).

Also, Borno State had the least external debt of $12.957 million; Delta, $15.404 million; Taraba, $20.396 million; and Akwa Ibom, $62.648 mil-

•Marie-Nelly: ‘Use loans for productive sector’

• Lagos State - $491.847 million • Kaduna- $182.261 million • Cross River- $107.532 million • Ogun- $94.573 million • Oyo- $78.085 million • Katsina- $74.138 million • Borno State - $12.957 million • Delta State- $15.404 million • Taraba State- $20.396 million • Akwa Ibom State- $62.648 million

Projects to be funded with planned loans • Abuja Light Rail project • Zungeru Hrydro Electric Power project • 200 ultra-modern bed hospital for Yobe State • Erosion Watershed Management Project • Zaria Regional Water Supply project

lion.

The RMAFC Chair said though “deficit budgeting is tolerable within an acceptable limit, its endless application has endangered and forced the state governments to resort to excessive borrowing to meet their basic expenditure demands even where they have no capacity to pay back.

“The regular sharing of Excess Crude Account is an indication of the desperate financial position of the state governments to get funds to meet costs of governance. For instance, $1.5 billion was shared in three equal instalments from the Excess Crude Account in 2011 alone of which the states received $400.800 million.

“The National/State Assemblies should consider appropriate legislations limiting the total exposure of states to external and domestic borrowing to not more than 20 per cent of their monthly allocations from the Federation account. In addition, such borrowing should be for economic projects. Furthermore, there should be strict compliance to the relevant provisions of the Borrowing by Public Bodies Act (CAP.B10, LFN, 2004).”

Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has argued that most of the states and local governments in the country are unviable.

Speaking at a book presentation in Kaduna during the celebration of the 80th birthday of Prof. Adamu Baike, the CBN chief said the time has come for the nation to take the difficult step of overhauling political structures which have ensured that states spend about 96 percent of their resources

paying salaries and allowance.

Sanusi’s position alligns with the worry of Okonjo-Iweala that states always want to share every fund in the kitty. In her view, governors’ insistence on sharing every revenue is unhealthy for the country. OkonjoIweala warned that if the price of oil drops, the country has no cushion.

“The $3.6 billion in the excess crude account is not enough to sustain Nigeria for any period of time,” she said.

Also of concern to economy watcher is the rate at which government borrows. The rate is 14 per cent.

Analysts said this has encouraged banks to invest their money in bonds, thus crowding out source of fund for the private sector. Ibru said the cost of borrowing, which is between 14 and 15 per cent, is high and creating distortions in the credit system.

Things just have to change, said a former director in the CBN, Mr Titus Okunronmu, who feels the continuous rise in the debt profile was due to high level of corruption in the country. He said government must tackle the lapses in the areas of contract awards, with specific focus on overinvoicing.

General Manager, Regency Assets Management Ltd, Mr Adeniyi Adewale, said the increase in government expenditure had contributed to the rising debt profile. He told NAN that many of the sectors that were boosting government’s revenue in the past had dried up.

Adewale said: “It is obvious that Nigeria has vast potentials; what is required is a policy framework that

can jump-start it.’’

He suggested that the government should stimulate the manufacturing sector to produce more goods and services as well as create more employment.

A former president of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. Samuel Nzekwe, said the rising debt profile would make the naira to depreciate. He identified misplacement of priorities as a factor for the rising debt profile, adding that most of the funds borrowed were diverted to unproductive ventures, saying the continuous rise of the debts could retard economic growth.

ORLD Bank Country Di rector in Nigeria, Ms Marie Francoise MarieNelly, said efforts must be geared towards ensuring that money borrowed is used for productive investments.

She said: “There is nothing wrong with borrowing money. I have read about people who say; why do we borrow money? There is nothing wrong in it. But what you should be concerned about is, we borrow to do what? You can borrow so long as the money is used for productive investments and that you comply with certain ratios. Nigeria needs $4 billion per year for infrastructure, to connect roads, increase power capacity from 4000 megawatts to 40,000 megawatts.

The point is to do a proper selection of investment, due diligence in terms of implementation to ensure that the project will generate the resources necessary for repayment. Take for instance, if the government should invest properly in power and the power becomes steady, the cost of most products will reduce. Then you will have more growth, you will have employment, then the economy will generate the resources needed to allow for repayment.”

To Sanusi, there is fire on the mountain. He said: “If we can see the warning signal in the horizon…we have seen Greece, Italy, Spain, and Ireland.

We have seen what sovereign debt can do to a country. We have seen the Asian and Latin American financial crisis; and we are clearly heading towards that in the next few years.

“We can continue doing that for the next two years, but what would happen is that we would saddle the next government with a huge sovereign debt crisis. We have seen Ireland; we have seen the Latin American and Asian financial crisis; and that happened because usually, people do not want to be in the difficult position, and then it gets too late.”

For it not to be too late for the country, analysts say decorum and decency should be the guiding principle. Are the authorities listening?

W

4

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

NEWS

Governor, senator, students, others condemn attack

K

ANO State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has described the attack on Christian worshippers as an “unfortunate” and “sad” incident.

The governor, who cut short an official trip to Abuja to visit the scene of the incident, lamented the attacks at a time peace was gradually returning to the state capital following sporadic attacks by suspected militia men.

Kwankwaso promised that the state and Federal governments would continue to work hard to ensure that peace and harmony prevail among residents.

He said the state government had made arrangements with public and private hospitals to ensure that victims are treated satisfactorily. The government will foot the medical bills.

Kwankwaso, who lamented the loss of lives and property, commiserated with the university authorities and its community.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Yahuza Bello, who conducted the governor round the affected areas, explained that some of the worshippers were attacked in an indoor sports hall at the old campus of the university, which is used temporarily as a place of worship.

Yahuza added that the second group of worshippers was attacked while conducting the Sunday service in an open space outside the Dandatti Abdulkadir Theatre, which they hitherto used, but which is undergoing renovation. He said those injured were receiving treatment in hospitals in Kano city.

The Coordinator, Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria (PAN), Chief Maxi Okwu, advised the Federal Government not to negotiate with the Boko Haram sect but deal decisively with the group.

Okwu spoke in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reacting to yesterday’s bomb attack in Kano.

“Globally, nations no longer negotiate with terrorists. The hammer must fall heavily on the sect and especially their political sponsors whose sole aim is to destabilise the nation.

“These bomb attacks have gone out of hand and the sect has continued to thrive because of their sponsors,” Okwu said.

Mr Tony Uranta, the Executive Secretary of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), said that the Federal Government should abandon any planned negotiations with the sect.

“There is no justification for the existence of the Boko Haram sect. Enough is enough as Nigeria belongs to all,” he said.

The President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shetima, said “the perpetrators and their sponsors must be traced and brought to book”.

University of Jos (UNIJOS) students decried the attack, calling on the government and other stakeholders to stop “lip service” to incessant killings of youths.

Prof, 15 others die in attack on varsity church Continued from page 1

jured, some of them critically.

But Kano police spokesman Magaji Majiya said seven people died and that the injured were taken to the Aminu Kano Teaching hospital (AKTH).

University spokesman Mustapha Zahradeen also gave the figure of the dead as seven.

AKTH spokesman Aminu Inuwa said 16 injured people were admitted at the hospital’s Emergency Ward.

But he declined to speak on the death toll.

Andronicus Adeyemo, an official with the Nigerian Red Cross, said a canvas of local hospitals and morgues showed the attack killed at least 16 people.

Some people were injured, though the aid agency did not immediately have an exact figure, Adeyemo said.

After the attack, police and soldiers cordoned off the campus as gunfire echoed in the surrounding streets.

Abubakar Jibril, a spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said security forces refused to allow rescuers into the campus. Soldiers also turned away reporters from the university.

It was gathered that the attack was

carried out by gunmen, numbering about 15, who stormed the campus on motorbikes. The gunmen had earlier laid a siege to the area before the arrival of worshipers for the service.

Sources said the service was barely 10 minutes old when sporadic gun shots were heard.

The witness said the gunmen threw some Improvised Explosives Devices in the lecture theatre and opened fire on those who attempted to run away from the scene.

The witness said members of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) later arrived at the scene and engaged the attackers in a gun battle.

JTF spokesman Lt. Ikedichi Iweha said military operatives had been deployed in the area to restore order.

Iweha refused to give further details.

A victim, Faith Onche, a 400-level Accounting student who was hit by a bullet in her arm, narrated how the attack was carried out. She said the congregation had assembled for the day’s service at the open air theatre for interdenominational service. “Just a few minutes later, we heard gun shot sounds a few metres from the arena.

“Initially, it was mistaken by some of us for a burst tyre, until it became sporadic. It then dawned on us that it

was a gun attack. At that point, there was stampede everybody scampered for safety,” she said.

She dismissed as false the impression that it was a bomb attack, insisting that she saw the gunmen, who opened fire on the worshipers.

The Indoor Sports complex accommodating Catholic worshippers was splattered with blood.

Many vehicles abandoned by fleeing panic-stricken worshippers, including motorbikes, were at the complex.

Men of the JTF intercepted a Mercedes Benz V Boot suspected to have been primed with explosives when they cordoned off the area. The anti-bomb unit of the police was immediately invited to the scene.

University sources told our reporter that the only time explosions were heard was when the attackers were escaping from the university after the operation, as they intermittently dropped Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to scare people, while they escaped.

Kano was the scene of the deadliest Boko Haram attack so far when almost 200 people were killed in coordinated bombings and shootings on the North’s commercial city in January.

From Kolade Adeyemi (Kano), Marie-Therese Nanlong (Jos) and Sulaiman Salawudeen (Ado-Ekiti)

One of the students, Esther Adebayo, a part-three Pharmacy student, who was in tears, said she felt really bad when she heard the news as she just returned from a fellowship.

She said: “It could be any one of us. We went to fellowship today and I am wondering what our leaders are doing to protect the lives of the innocent, especially the youths who are just in school to make something good of their lives in the future.”

Another student, who did not want his name mentioned, said: “It is as if these people just want to put fear in the lives of Christians so that they would not worship God in the churches.

“Our government should take a decisive step to end this thing before it becomes a full blown religious war.

What will happen if Christian youths start attacking people in the mosque, then everyone will see the perpetrators of this evil as the victims, not the aggressors.”

Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, who works with students, said: “The religious undertone of today’s attacks cannot be denied and it stands condemned by peace loving Nigerians. Targeting innocent Christian worshippers consisting of university workers, teachers and students in the Catholic and Protestant places of worship on campus is unacceptable.

“Condoning and allowing ourselves to be intimidated by the present violence is mortgaging our future. The students of today are the future leaders of the nation tomorrow. I appeal to all conscionable Nigerians to rise and act to safeguard the future: our students.”

The latest dimension to the Boko Haram bombings is a dangerous trend that should be nipped in the bud immediately, Senator Babafemi Ojudu said yesterday.

The Senator said: “A situation where the sect has to take

•Faith Onche, one of the injured in the hospital ... yesterday

their grievances to schools is unacceptable and capable of turning educational institutions into places of fear.”

Ojudu said although Boko Haram claims to be against western education, it is against the tenets of free conscience to scare those who believe in western education away from their schools.

He commiserated with the families of the victims of the bombing.

He added that Nigerians desire definitive action and not profuse condolences that have over time outlived their

meaning.

The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Service and Establishment said this was not a time for President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Azazi, to be second-guessing each other but to pool their resources together and stop Boko Haram, which roots they have always claimed to know.

Ojudu said he believed that Jonathan should do everything within his power, while drawing suggestions from all stakeholders, to ensure that his

reign is not remembered for needless loss of Nigerian lives.

The Senator also condoled with the management of “This Day” newspaper on the bombing of its offices in Kaduna and Abuja, urging them never to allow anything silence their pen. He advised security agencies to ensure that media houses are wellprotected from the onslaught of Boko Haram.

He added that in a country like Nigeria where journalists are not well-treated, Boko Haram should not be allowed to add to their misery.

Vatican condemns attacks in Kenya, Nigeria

T

HE Vatican condemned what it called “terrorist” attacks on Christians in Kenya and Nigeria yesterday which claimed around 20 lives and called for restraint against a cycle of violence.

“The new terrorist attacks in Kenya and Nigeria at Christian celebrations are horrible and despicable acts,” Vatican spokesman Federico

Lombardi said.

“We must be close to victims and communities that suffer just as they are peacefully celebrating a faith that wants love and peace for all,” he said.

“We must encourage the whole population…. not to give in to the temptation to fall into the vicious circle of homicidal hatred,” he added.

•Oshiomhole

Convoy crash is attempt ‘to kill Oshiomhole’ From Osagie Otabor, Benin

W

EEKEND’s road crash involving the convoy of Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was an assassination attempt, Commissioner for Information and Orientation Louis Odion alleged yesterday.

He also accussed the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of being the mastermind of the plot to eliminate the governor.

Also yesterday, Mr. Odion’s private residence was reportedly attacked by a team of gunmen.

The governor’s convoy was at the weekend involved in a fatal crash along the Warrake–Auchi road. Three journalists in the travelling party were killed. Many others including security men were injured.

The governor was returning from a rally in Afuze, headquarters of Owan East Local Government Area (LGA), when a tipper lorry suddenly veered off its track, facing the Governor’s staff car which it missed by the whiskers but rammed into the vehicle conveying the security detail and the bus conveying Government House Press crew.

Odion, who called for a full investigation of the crash insisted that the sequence of events leading to the crash and its aftermath pointed to foul play.

He said while the driver of the truck was said to have been nabbed as he was trying to escape after initially hiding in the bush, his partner was reportedly arrested on the spot by security agents attached to the governor.

“Under interrogation much later, the driver’s partner could not offer a coherent explanation on their destination and mission. He said he was asked by the driver to join him in the vehicle to go somewhere shortly before the accident and that the purpose and destination was not explained to him.

“Again, we are left wondering why a truck will veer off its lane and directly target the vehicle in which the governor was travelling.

Even if the driver were in distress, the logical thing to do was to veer the vehicle Continued on page 5

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THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

5

NEWS

•Governor Aregbesola (middle); Oba Aromolaran (ninth left) and others during their solidarity visit...yesterday.

Osun monarchs condemn plots to cause chaos with religion, security reports

O

SUN State royal fathers have condemned attempts by some opposition politicians to plunge the state into crisis.

The monarchs, who were on a solidarity visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Government House, Osogbo, yesterday, expressed disappointment over the rumoured tension in a section of the media about two weeks ago, which they blamed on those they called enemies of the state.

They described as falsehood the allegation that the governor wanted to Islamise the state, accusing those behind the rumour and the phantom security reports of crying wolf where there was none.

In an address read by the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, the mon-

archs expressed their approval of the governor’s leadership style, saying since he took the saddle, he has given it a new lease of life.

Oba Aromolaran said: “We view with disgust rumours by some people. It is a lie. We are the custodians of the grassroots. All the allegations are false. We say without equivocation that the generality of the people are with you. Since a year and half ago, the state has been peaceful.

“All religious groups have also denied the rumour of Islamisation of the people of the state. The welfare of the state is paramount in our mind. We pray that you will steer the ship of the state to happy isle.”

Replying, Aregbesola said the state would have been engulfed in crisis of immense proportion but

•Aregbesola (second right), his deputy Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori (right), Bishop of St. Andrews Anglican Church, Ada, Rev. James Afolabi Popoola and his wife during the first session of the Ninth Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Osun, at the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ada, State of Osun...at the Weekend

for the intervention of God. He thanked the monarchs for their unflinching support, not only during these trying times but always.

The governor also praised the people for their steadfastness and

belief in his administration, saying; “but for God’s intervention, those who did what they did, demonstrated that they did not mean well for the state.”

Other monarchs on the entourage included: the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba

Rauf Adedeji; Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Laroye; Orangun of Ila Orangun, Oba Wahab Oyedotun; Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye; Olufon of IfonOsun, Oba Moruf Magbagbeola among others.

Convoy crash is attempt ‘to kill Oshiomhole’ Continued from page 4

to the roadside. Why target the car in which Oshiomhole was riding?

Again, when did driving against a convoy become a matter of leisure?

“As if that was not puzzling enough, we also observed even while the governor and other Good Samaritans were still busy trying to retrieve the wounded from the two accidented vehicles and comfort the traumatised, a statement signed by the PDP had already landed on television and radio stations in Benin expressing sympathy and condolence to Oshiomhole and the victims. Given the speed, it was as if PDP already prepared the statement before the accident. We are aware that they offered money to the television and radio stations for the statement to be used as ‘special announcement’.

“When we take these together and the litany of open threats earlier made by our political opponents to deal ruthlessly with top officials of the Oshiomhole administration, we are persuaded to strongly believe that there is more to the Saturday incident than readily meets the eye”.

“That is why we are calling on the Commissioner of Police and the State Security Service to carry out a thorough investigation”.

“Again, as if that is not enough, at about 3a.m Sunday, my private residence in Benin City came under attack by a gang of four gunmen. It happened that the governor and a few commissioners including myself had a meeting which lasted till 1.30a.m”.

“After departing the Governor’s Lodge, a fellow Commissioner who lives within the GRA kindly suggested that it was too late for me to drive to Ugbowo that hour and asked me to come and stay at his place till the morning.

“By 3A.M. I received distressed calls from my relations at home that some shadowy figures with automatic weapons had managed to force their way into my compound. They were shouting ‘Where is the Commissioner?! Where is the Commissioner?!!’ The alarm my relations raised alerted the neighbours and the neighbourhood vigilance groups who in turn engaged the gunmen in gun battle. Apparently sensing trouble, the gunmen later fled in the SUV. “You will recall that pre-

cisely on February 19, 2012, I had raised the alarm that Chief Tony Anenih openly threatened at the palace of the Oba of Benin to deal with me. I am persuaded to believe that the threat is now being carried out.’

Also yesterday, Oshiomhole paid condolence visits to the bereaved families. Accompanied by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr Simon Imuekemhe; Odion, Commissioners Mr Clem Agba (Environment); Odion Chief Lucky James (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Special Adviser (Media) Mr Tony Iyare and the Secretary of Edo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Osaro Idah.

Oshiomhole visited the homes of Mr George Okosun and Mr Olatunji Jacobs of the Independent Television (ITV) and Mr Fidelis Okhani of the African Independent Television (AIT).

Condoling with the widows, Mrs Isokhen Okosun, Mrs Blessing Olatunji and Mrs Rita Okhani and relatives at their homes in Benin City, Oshiomhole said: “we have come to condole with you on the untimely death of our brother and comrade. It is hard to find the appropriate words to

console you at this trying moment”.

Speaking glowingly the ITV camera man Okosun, the governor said: “We have many reporters in Government House but he was one man that I found very creative, his sense of news judgment was superb.

Yesterday, I saw him recording the events at the rally without knowing that that would be his last. He gave his job his all. I have never been so touched as I was yesterday (Saturday), I cried almost like a baby.”

The governor said on Olatunji: “he was faithful and passionate about his job”. For Fidelis who had covered the governor since 2006, Oshiomhole wrote on the condolence register.

“You gave your all to the people of Edo State whom you served with uncommon passion. You were my true comrade in all my struggle for the governorship of Edo State” he promised to take care of the wives and children of the deceased. “I will do whatever I can to support you (wives), I will support the children. God as their father will stand by you”.

Oshiomhole yesterday relived the accident in which a lorry ran into his convoy, killing three reporters and

injuring several others.

Oshiomhole who spoke to reporters yesterday described it as a ‘very horrible sight’.

The governor said it took more than 40 minutes to rescue the victims trapped inside the vehicles.

He said: “I wept. I have not cried for a very long time but I did so because these guys were people I see everyday.

“The lorry squeezed the bus so much that axe was used to cut through the bus to get the victims out. You would see people bleeding. Even when we got to them, their legs were trapped.”

Oshiomhole, however, said the incident will not weaken his fighting spirit and vowed that ‘the blood of those guys will not go in vain.’

The governor said if he was not in another car, he would have been hit as according to him, ‘the lorry just hit the car he was supposed to be driving in and it was a straight road.’

Oshiomhole said the driver was caught after hiding in a nearby bush for several hours and has not been able to state his mission in the area.

He vowed to get to the root of the matter.

ANPP: Oyegun not a founding member From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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HROUGH its National Working Committee (NWC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has corrected the impression that it’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief John Odigie Oyegun, was a founding member of ANPP. The NWC has also set up a three-member committee led by its National Secretary, Alhaji Tijjani Musa Tumsah, to examine the circumstances surrounding the suspension and subsequent resignation of Oyegun.

The Committee has one month to submit its report.

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja quoted the ANPP National Publicity Secretary, Emma Eneukwu as saying: “The National Working Committee of our great political Party at a meeting held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at the Party’s National Secretariat, Abuja, resolved, among other issues, to set up a three-member committee led by our National Secretary, Alhaji Tijjani Musa Tumsah, to examine the circumstances surrounding the suspension and subsequent resignation of our Deputy National Chairman (South), His Excellency, Chief John Odigie Oyegun. The committee has one month to submit its report.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

6

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Two remanded for murder of baby

Lagos partners German agency

By Miriam Ndikanwu

THE Lagos State Government in collaboration with AT Association, a consultant to the Federal Republic of Germany hasmapped strategies aimed at strengthening the state’s effectivenessin waste management.

Commissioner for the Environment, Mr.Tunji Bello at a workshop held to fashion out the new strategies said the aim improve how wastes are being stored, collected, disposed or handled according to the regulations, the minimisation or reuse of certain waste materials and whether disposal or constructive use options can reduce cost and liability.

Bello who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs TitiAnibaba, said efforts have been made so far in the area of rehabilitation of existing dump sites, transfer loading stations and development of two sanitary landfill sites at Epe and Badagry to address the challenge of waste treatment and disposal.

The Commissioner said the decision to adopt the Theory of Constraints (TOC) comes with its analytical approach that any manageable system is limited in achieving more of its goals by a very small number of constrains and that there is always at least one.

Commending the German government for partly sponsoring the workshop through the AT Association, he urged participants to see the workshop as a rare privilege for ideas sharing so as to move the waste management programme forward towards achieving a sustainable development.

“Let me inform you that the success and outcome of this workshop is a sure gateway to many collaborative efforts between Lagos State Government and the Federal Republic of Germany through the institution of a bilateral relationship that will definitely improve the service delivery of allour service provider in the waste management sector.”

On his part, Managing Director of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr. Ola Oresanyasaidthe state started its waste management initiative about 30 years ago, while a framework for private sector involvement was designed in 2003, which he said has helped them safeguard their investment.

“Our standard was that we must have specialised trucks and very few people could afford the risk.

The focal point was in developing the institution that will drive the process and that was where LAWMA came in”, Oresanya said.

Earlier, President of the Waste Management Association, Mr AdegboyegaAdepitan, said the achievement of the state government in the area of waste management has set a benchmark for Africa on how to turn waste to investment in the continent.

Representatives of German AT Association Mr Barry Urban said Germany has been collaborating with Lagos State in some areas over the past 10 years.

“Germany has been partnering with Lagos State in the area of exchange programmes on capacity building over the past decade and is ready to further strengthen that partnership in the area of waste management,” Urban said.

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LAGOS Magistrate’s Court, Ebute-Meta, has remanded two men at the Ikoyi Prison for alleged murder of a three-week-old baby.

Peter Iliya, 29 and Ahmadu Bello, 21, were arraigned on a twocount charge of conspiracy and murder. They were accused of kill-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

ing Princess Moses on February 2.

According to the prosecutor, Emmanuel Ajayi, “the defendants and others at large threw the baby into the lagoon at Liverpool Bridge, Apapa, Lagos.”

Ajayi, who alleged that the men

were thugs,said they were hired by the father of the deceased who did not want the baby.

“The defendants had no permanent residence and committed the offence which contravenes Section 221 and 231 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011, at about 3am at No. 8, Odofin,

Kidnapped bank manager regains freedom

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HE police in Lagos yesterday said theRegional General Manager of Access Bank, Mr.YemiOdunsanya, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen near his church last Sunday, has regained his freedom.

Police spokesman Jaiyeoba Joseph said no ransom was demanded by the kidnappers and

By Jude Isiguzo

that Odunsanya was released unhurt.

He said: “On Thursday, around 5am, the kidnappers dropped off the victim at the Victoria Garden City unharmed.

“No arrest has been made but investigations are ongoing.”

But a family source said con-

trary to police claims,a ransom was paid to secure Odunsanya’s release.

Odusanya, who was kidnapped in front of New Life Baptist Church, Langbasa, was freed by the kidnappers who dropped him off in front of Victoria Garden City.

The victim was said to have been accosted by the hoodlums

while driving his black Kia Sorento car with registration number FW 164 SMK He was reportedly pushed to the back seat of the vehicle by the kidnappers and then transferred into another vehicle and his vehicle abandoned.

Odusanya was released unharmed after four days with the kidnappers.

• From right: Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing, Jimoh Ajao (second right), PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Taiwo Adedeji and General Manager LSDPC, Biodun Oki at the event...on Friday

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HE Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing affordable houses for prospective home owners before the expiration of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s tenure.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Housing, Hon. Jimoh Ajao, who gave the assurance at the weekend, said Fashola has approved the construction of more low cost housing estates to solve the challenges of accommodation.

Ajao explained that the state government has decided to partner with the private sector in housing delivery to increase the number of houses being constructed for the teeming prospective home owners.

To drive the process, the government, according to Ajao, has provided land for housing projects and the required titles to the land to developers.

He said home ownership has been made easy through the Lagos Home Ownership and Mort-

‘Affordable housing is our target’

By Miriam Ndikanwu

gage Schemes, adding that the initiative of the present administration on mortgage finance and assisted home equity is designed to make affordable housing an attainable goal.

“The scheme was initially planned to commence with existing stock of houses provided by the Ministry of Housing, but to ensure that it is sustainable and homogenous, a prototype building was designed to be replicated all over the state. This

will ensure provision of more houses to sustain it,” he said.

The Special Adviser and the government provided the land for the project, the developer injected funds to build the houses and the profit from this partnership will be invested in the Lagos Homes project to fund the construction of a social housing scheme.

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, according to Ajao, is geared towards removing bottlenecks and strengthen-

S

TUDENTS running full time courses in tertiary institutions have been awarded N361, 302, 030, 80 by the Lagos State government, the Commissioner for Education,, Mrs OlayinkaOladunjoye has said.

Mrs Oladunjoye who gave the

STATE AGENCIES 4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 3. LASTMA Emergency Numbers: 01-4703325; 01-7743026 080-75005411; 080-60152462 5. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) 080-23111742; 080-29728371 Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 080-23909364; 080-77551000 070-35068242 01-7904983 080-79279349; 080-63299264

1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 080-33235890; 080-23321770; 080-56374036.

ing private sector participation in housing delivery.

He said the new housing estate has a functional planned human settlement with facilities to sustain a healthy living environment for residents.

The Special Adviser also hinted that the ministry has developed a template for appraising interested private developers as well as facilitating necessary sign-off from relevant ministries and government agencies on behalf of these developers.

Lagos disburses N361million bursary to students

By Miriam Ndikanwu

figure while rendering her account of stewardship as part of activities marking the first year second term anniversary of Governor BabatundeFashola said the present administration has re-

LAGOS EMERGENCY LINES 2. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Zonal Command Phone No:080-33706639; 01-7742771 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-34346168; 01-2881304

AlayabiagbaClose, Ajegunle, Lagos,”Ajayi said.

Their plea was not taken as presiding Magistrate Kemi Doja-Ojo remanded them in prison custody, pending the legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).The case was adjourned till May 25.

070-55462708; 080-65154338 767 or email: rapidresponsesquad@yahoo.com 6. Health Services – LASAMBUS Ambulance Services Phone Nos: 01-4979844; 01-4979866; 01-4979899; 01-4979888; 01-2637853-4; 080-33057916; 080-33051918-9; 080-29000003-5.

mained committed to bursary payment in the state.

Giving the breakdown of the disbursement of the bursary award, Oladunjoye said that 5,211 students of the Lagos State University got N172, 415,000 for their tuition fees while 4,516 students in other universities spread across the country.

She also revealed that Governor BabatundeFashola has approved the increase in payment of bursary for Law School and Maritime Academy students who are indigenes of the state to the tune of N200, 000 per awardee/year as against N50, 000 previously in existence, saying that the move was to ease the financial burden borne by the students.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

7

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Bank driver’s plan to sell official car foiled

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PERATIVES of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Panti, Yaba, have foiled plans by a new generation bank driver to sell the bank’s car.

The driver, Mathias Itodo, according to the police, pretended the car was snatched at gun point.

Itodo hid the blue Toyota Corolla, with registration number DK 859 FST in Ajah and went back to his office in Victoria Island, to report that the car was snatched by hoodlums.

His employer reported the matter at the Police Radio House on Oduduwa Street, Ikeja GRA. The bank also informed the Commissioner of Police Umar Manko.

The squad’s intelligence network cracked the case on April 4, when they were able to track down the fice-man gang at Ajah, bargaining with buyers to dispose the car.

Itodo, having sensed that SARS had cordoned off the place, sneaked out without informing other members of the gang, including an accomplice who rode in the same car with him.

SARS eventually swooped on the gang and arrested one Ode Ogede, aka Baba Sunny, with the car.

The confessions of Baba Sunny led to the arrest of Emiloju Obasan, Chinonso Nwaobasi and Clement Abbah. Itodo is still at large.

The first suspect, Baba Sun-

Book presentation

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

By Boniface Ebele

ny aged 42 who hails from Benue State said: “I am a widower. I lost my wife four months ago, and I live at Ikota, Ajah.

One man named Clement Abbah called me on phone and told me his brother Mathias Itodo, brought a Toyota Corolla to sell at a give away price because he had a financial problem. He told me the car was 98 model and the papers were in order. I then consulted Chinonso Nwoaobosi to help get a buyer. After four days, Clement called me again that Mathias was around. I went back home to change and went to meet them at Mobil heaquarters area along Ajah road. They told me they had secured a buyer.

“The next day, Clement and Chinonso brought Amiloju Obasan and one Segun as buyers, we were all at Berger junction Ajah, where I told them we should meet. Mathias later brought the car, but took his leave immdiately saying he had to take his boss out.

“Shortly thereafter, Segun and Emiloju crossed to the other side of the road and began to discuss, I made to go and buy cigarette. I felt a hand grip my trouser from the back, Emiloju who was also trying to escape was equally held down. Others who were on the other side of the road bolted away.

“I am the second-in-command of the gang and my major role is to look for buyers to

• The car

dispose goods.”

Emiloju Obasan, 31, from Igbokoda Eseodo in Ondo State said: “I am a borehole and water treatment enginner but I am yet to secure my freedom from my master. Chinonso asked me to look for a buyer for a car, I gave Segun the GSM no of Epe, the brother to the dealer who wanted to buy the car, Segun called Baba Sunny.”

The third suspect, Chinonso Nwaobosi aged, 30 from Mbaise, Imo State, said: “I am not a criminal. I have been been looking for buyers for people for all manners of goods legally. One Baba Odeh told me to look for a buyer for

his car. I did not see anything wrong in looking for buyers if the goods are genuine. I was shocked when Baba Sunny brought the SARS guys to my house at No 11, Mobil Road, Ajah, to arrest me.”

Abbah; 33, from Benue State, said: “I am a driver. I used to look for buyers but the cars we usually sells were genuine cars.

I have never been involved in this kind of business before.

“Mathias came to my office along Adeola Hopewell Street on Victoria Island and told me he had a car to sell. I called Baba Sunny on his GSM line and told him to look for a buyer.

Lagos builds 100 housing units for farmers HE Lagos State Government said it has completed 100 units of two bedroom flats for the first batch of youth farmers under its AGRICYES initiative in Araga Farm Settlement,which was fashioned after the Israeli Kibbutz.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince GbolahanLawal, said the state would utilise the 50 hectares the Federal Government donated to the state in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for farming.

He said the AGRIC-YES initiative has trained 200 within the last two years.

He said: “They were also empowered with N454 million loans for the establishment of their farms payable within five years.

Participants for Courses II and III of the programme are ready for graduation and empowerment estimated at about N1 billion in the next few months. Course IV made up of another 100 participants will resume within the next three weeks.

“Products from the scheme which include over 1,500 crates of egg per day, 2,000 broilers per month, 18 tonnes of fresh fish per cycle and about 160 tonnes of cabbage, water melon, cucumber, pepper and assorted leafy vegetable per month are already being marketed in the state.”

He said the state government aligned with the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government that seeks to ensure food security and improve internal agricultural production towards reduction of food importation and its attendant bills.

Lawal said there was urgent

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•50 hectares of Fed Govt land for farming

By Miriam Ndikanwu

need to give priority attention to solving problem of food insecurity in the country to curb the rising crime rate.

He said the country spends over N106 billion on importations of fish annually, stressing that this must be stopped as it was not sustainable. He urged the importers of frozen fish and trawler operators to integrate into the scheme.

The commissioner said the state has intensified productive farming activities in the areas

where it has comparative ecological and socio-economic advantages.

Lawal who listed the areas to include fisheries, livestock and vegetable production as well as agro-processing said emphasis had been on rice and cassava.

Lawal said: “The state bearing in mind its limitation for agricultural land has commenced the acquisition of land outside the state for dedicated food production in line with the global practices in advanced nations. The pioneer farm is located at

Oshogbo and its products will hit Lagos before the end of the year. Further acquisition will be carried out through River Basin Development Authority where production infrastructure already exists “The government has initiated a Strategic Food Reserve programme aimed at getting supplies from other parts of the state and processing same for distribution as part of the food stabilisation Scheme in view of the increasing food consumption and demand in the state.”

Singer, Mr 2kay, in auto crash

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ORT Harcourt-based singer, Mr.2Kay; and his music band in the early hours of Saturday were involved in a car accident on their way back from the “Iyanya VS Mr. 2kay and friends” show.

It was said that the bus conveying the singer and his band summersaulted six times.

Confirming the report, spokesperson for Grafton Records revealed that no one died in the accident. He said they sustained severe injuries. Mr. 2Kay sustained a deep cut on his left arm and lost a lot of blood but is stable and receiving treatment at an undisclosed Hospital in Port Harcourt.

•Mr.2Kay after the accident

By Mercy Michael

Mr. 2Kay released his debut album in March 2012 and his music is getting massive airplay in the South. His

PHOTO: MERCY MICHAEL

hit song, Waterside Boy and Run This Town, which featured Duncan Mighty, is also the people’s favourite in Port Harcourt.

A NEW book, Contemporary Nigerian Art in Lagos Private Collections will be presented to the public at the Metropolitan Club, KofoAbayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos tomorrow. The book, which was published by Bookcraft Limited, is sponsored by chairman of the Visual Arts Society of Nigeria, Mr Sammy Olagbaju and edited by the director of the Virtual Art Museum, Mr Jess Castellote.

Expected at the event as special guests of honour are HRH, IgweNnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi) the Obi of Onitsha and HRH, Oba AdedotunAremuGbadebo III The Alake of Egbaland.

This effort is in fulfillment of Sammy Olagbaju and Jess Castellote’s shared desires to open the doors to homes of collectors in Lagos State and reveal 259 works by 100 Nigerian artists cutting across several generations.

The book also contains contributions from collectors, critics, scholars and enthusiasts, including Sammy Olagbaju, Jess Castellote, Dele Jegede and TobennaOkwuosa, have been put together to highlight issues relating to art collecting, art management and practice.

Speaking in Lagos at the weekend, the editor of the book, Castellote said there were parameters within which the works in the book were considered. He noted that 25 years was set as the boundary within which works produced in Nigeria are classified as contemporary. Other boundaries, he said, are Nigerian artist living in Lagos, painting and sculpture, and Lagos as location of production of such work.

Council reopens market, another shut

By Kunle Akinrinade and Adejo David

THE Chairman of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, Hon Shuaib Ajidagba, has approved the reopening of Olaniyonu Market, shut for its dirty environment.

The leadership of the market under the aegis of United Marble and Allied Products Association have promised to comply with the council’s regulations on sanitation.

Ajidagba said the council would no longer tolerate indifferent posture of traders to dirty environment adding that sanitary officials of the council area have been mandated to carry out constant monitoring of markets to ensure adherence to sanitation laws.

Meanwhile, the Irepodun market, Ikotun, was last Friday shut by the Ikotun-Igando LCDA, on ground of poor environmental sanitation.

A source said several meetings with the market women and their association to redeem the situation had proved abortive.

The environmental teams had effected the enforcement but were attacked by the traders. They beat up the council officials, wounding many.

The DPO Ikotun CSP Austin Akika said the command acted to keeping peace and order in the area. Effort to reach the council chief, Mrs. Morenike Adesina-Williams, proved abortive.

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THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

NEWS ‘Face financial allegation against your govt’ From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

THE youth wing of the Ondo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at the weekend raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the ruling Labour Party (LP) to foment trouble at their party’s events.

They urged the LP administration to face the allegation of financial recklessness levelled against it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) instead of causing crisis in the state.

The youths spoke through their leader, Enas Mohammed, and Ondo East Local Government Youths leader, Wale Akinbinu, at a rally to enlighten the residents on why they should support the ACN. They noted that the LP is jittery because of the steady growth of ACN. The youths condemned the disruption of the memorial lecture held in Akure for the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati, saying the residents know the enemy of the masses.

They vowed to response to any future attack, if security operatives refuse to check the activities of LP thugs.

“We won’t wait until they kill us all. We are now ready to respond to their attacks. The state belongs to all of us. The security agencies must call the LP hoodlums to order. We cannot continue to witness the brutalisation of our members and leaders,” the spokemen said.

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FORMER Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Chief Adewale Omojuwa, and more than 10,000 of his supporters yesterday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Among the defectors was a former PDP Chairman in Ondo Central Senatorial District, Chief Olu Ilori, Others include: former PDP State Women’s Leader, Mrs. Folake Omojuwa; former Women’s Leader in Akure North Local Government, Mrs. Taiwo Olayiwola; the State Coordinator of National Democratic Reformation (NDR), Mr. Remi Malumi and more than 2,000 members of the group.

They were received in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area, by the ACN chairman in Ondo South Senatorial District, Chief Wale Akintimehin. Others at the event were governorship aspirants including, Dr. Olu Agunloye, Prof Ajayi Boroffice and Olusegun Abraham.

Omojuwa said: “PDP is a dead party in Ondo State. The only party that has peopleoriented programmes is the ACN.” He assured the ACN of his supporters’ readiness to assist the party to win the October 20 governorship election.

Dr. Agunloye assured the new comers of comfortable accommodation in the party.

Ex-OSOPADEC chair Omojuwa, others dump, PDP for ACN ‘Ilaje ACN hasn’t adopted any candidate’

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday denied a report that its members have endorsed some governorship aspirants for the October 20 election.

A chieftain of the party, Mr. Ade Odusola (also known as Odiye), described the report as baseless.

He said the ACN in area could not unilaterally adopt anybody from among several aspirants jostling to unseat Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Odusola said: “All our aspirants are qualified to lead the party, but there are

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor and Damisi Ojo, Akure

According to him, the time has come for the state to experience the wind of change blowing across the Southwest.

Economic activities were temporarily put on hold as youth groups danced round the town to show their support for the ACN. Omojuwa said he and his supporters joined the ACN to liberate the state from the economic woes the present administration has plunged it into.

He described as unfortunate the government, which is a product of the rule of law and justice, could deprive the people of the dividends of democracy and good gov-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

guidelines on party nomination. Anyone who meets them will be chosen as the leader of the party and such a person will be accepted by all.

“Let it be known that Ilaje ACN cannot and will not adopt anyone ahead of the national leadership of the party.”

The party chieftain said the era of stealing and maladministration has gone, adding that anyone sponsoring such report is his or her own.

The ACN chieftain said the party remains one and that the so-called “authentic group” is unacceptable.

ernance.

The former OSOPADEC chief was optimistic that the ACN would win the forthcoming election.

He cautioned party members against sycophancy.

Omojuwa said: “We are the economic pillar of Ondo State. We are the food basket of Ondo State. We are the breadwinners of Ondo State.

But it is a pity that the present government has been denying our people dividends of democracy and good governance.

“When I was the chairman of OSOPADEC, during the last administration in the state, I brought development to my people. They were empowered physically, mentally and economically. It was during my

regime that OSOPADEC constructed roads linking Igbokoda with many towns and villages in the coastal areas. This local government has not moved beyond what it was about four years ago.

“I believe it was my kind gesture that brought thousands of PDP and LP members in Ilaje Local Government Area to the ACN today. If you vote for ACN in the coming election, there will be lots of achievements than you even witnessed during my days in OSOPADEC.” The State Chairman, Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the ACN, Ade Adetimehin and Akintimehin assured the new members of equal rights with old members.

Ondo police ban campaigns, rallies From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ONDO State Police Command at the weekend placed a ban on political campaigns and rallies in the state. The ban will be in force until three months to the governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the poll for October 20.

Addressing reporters in Akure, the state capital, after a meeting with party chairmen and secretaries, Police Commissioner Edgar Nanakumo said the clarification became necessary because of the recent violence among parties.

He said: “Individual aspirants may for now canvass and mobilise for support within their parties.

They and their parties are forbidden from campaigning publicly until 90 days before election day.”

Nanakumo noted that under Section 94 of the Electoral Act 2010, as mandated, every police commissioner is to provide security during processions at political rallies.

“No candidate, person or group of persons shall directly or indirectly threaten any person with the use of force or violence during any political campaign to force that person to support

From left: Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba; Dr Abraham; Prof Boroffice and Chief Omojuwa at the event in Igbokoda, Ondo State...at the weekend PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Prove your denial, cousin tells Omisore From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

•Omisore

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FORMER Executive Secretary of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State

and a cousin to the former chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Iyiola Omisore, Mr Abayomi Omisore, has the former seantor to apologise to the people of Osun State over his purpoted threat to attack the convoy of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The former senator has denied the report.

Addressing reporters at the weekend at the secretariat of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Iwo Road, Osogbo, the state capital, the

former council scribe advised his cousin to respect the office of the governor.

Abayomi, who insisted that the former senator’s denial was not enough, urged him to show proofs that he never vowed to attack the governor’s convoy.

According to him, the ideal thing for senator to do is to prove the denial beyond doubt in the interest of the Omisore family.

He said: “I cannot deny the fact that we are cousins, but I am distancing myself from that reckless statement. The Omisore family is noble, peaceful and dependable. So, the reckless utterance cannot

be seen as the voice of our family. Our father was a great educationist, who built the Oranmiyan Grammar School in Ile-Ife in 1958 and another great school in Jos in 1967. I am sure if he does prove his denial now the Omisore family will soon come out with a position on the matter.”

The former council secretary said Aregbesola made himself a mentor to many young politicians in and outside Lagos, because of his visionary leadership and selfless service.

Abayomi said the governor’s safety is important because of his contributions to the polity.

Fayemi urges residents to pay tax From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said the development of the state is a task that is not limited to only political office holders and members of the State Executive Committee but for all residents.

He urged the people to participate in any initiative that would enhance the development of the state.

The governor spoke at the weekend on: Actualising Ekiti State Development Objectives Through a Robust and Inclusive Tax Base. It was at the closing ceremony of a two-day revenue summit held at Lady Jibowu Hall, Ado-Ekiti.

Fayemi urged income earners to pay their taxes so that they can hold the government accountable on the judicious use of revenue.

According to him, the participants are expected to understand the government’s renewed drive to the best practices in proper revenue mobilisation for development.

He said: “As we all know, taxation is not just about those who pay but about those who benefit. It is also not just about how much is raised but also about how many people contribute.

“It is, therefore, a matter of delight that we have had the presence of many stakeholders in these two days cutting across those who are expected to contribute, those who collect and those who are given the privilege and responsibility to expend what is collected on behalf of the people.”

The governor noted that the N617 million monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was from the formal sector.

Fayemi urged individuals and business organisations in the informal sector to pay their taxes to enable the government accelerate the development of the state.

He said: “We can build more roads for Ekiti, more schools and hospitals and take good care of the elderly. However, these schemes and projects will be sustained only if everyone has a stake in the implementation and success through direct contributions, by paying their taxes and rates. If our sweats are in it, we will not let it fail.

Ekiti thus will become a stronger entity and a shining example for others to see.”

Restating his administration’s vision to generate at least N1billion monthly IGR by June, when all loopholes would have been plugged, Fayemi noted that there is a link between increased IGR and the monthly allocation from the Federation Account.

Fayemi added: “As the IGR grows through these new efforts, Ekiti people will become less reliant on grants from outside the state and thus engineer a renewed focus of its government in wards and not outwards.

“Therefore, an increase in the IGR will further entrench the democratic principles of true federalism, which has been the political trademark of this region and remains a key principle of this government.”

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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NEWS Mortgage bank shops for N3.8b From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

FIRST Generation Mortgage Bank Limited is shopping for N3.8billion to meet the N5billion recapitalisation ceiling set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Speaking with reporters in Abuja at the fifth yearly General Meeting of the bank, its Managing Director Mr. Felix Ndubuisi Daniel said the bank has a record of N1.2billion deposit of shareholders fund.

He said the shareholders have assigned 500 houses to the bank to meet the April 30 deadline.

According to Daniel, the bank has communicated this compliance plan to the apex bank.

He said: “What we have planned is that presently we have houses that we are selling. And already, the shareholders are the owners of these houses. Presently, shareholders have assigned 500 houses to us and said we should try and recapitalise.

So, right now we have some deposit in our system. As we sell we pay into the deposit and that is the deposit for shares. So, this is our plan.

And that is what we have also communicated to CBN as our compliance plans to the deadline. As at today, our shareholders fund is N1.2billion. So, for national we just have net N3.8billion to go.”

In his statement, the board Chairman, Chief Fabian Nwaorah noted that the total assets of the bank grew by 21 per cent to N5.62billion from N4.66billion recorded in 2010.

New revenue formula: RMAFC begins verification of indices in 36 states, FCT today T HE Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) will today begin a nationwide verification of indices that will guide it on the new revenue allocation formula.

But the commission has banned its officials from receiving bribes or talking to reporters during the research.

The commission has deployed more than 200 officials to the field in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to verify the indices, it was learnt.

The present revenue formula reads: Federal Government (52 per cent ); States (26.72per cent); and 770 Local Government Areas (20.60 per cent).

The governors want this new formula: FG (35 per cent); States (42 per cent); and LGAs (23 per cent).

It was learnt that the outcome of the collection of data will determine the shape of the new revenue formula.

As the staff were leaving yesterday, RMAFC handed over them a Code of Conduct for the exercise.

The code reads in part: “It is hereby notified for general information that the commission in furtherance of its functions pursuant to Sections 162(2), 148( c) and paragraph

•Bans officials from taking bribe, talking to reporters

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

21(b) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for the maintenance of the highest standards of civil and professional conduct, etiquette and discipline in terms of its mandate, had made this Code of Conduct as set out hereunder: “No staff of the commission should solicit, demand, or appear to solicit for gratification, before, during and or after the Nationwide Verification Exercise, as such conduct offends the image of the commission and it is considered reprehensible.

“No staff of the commission should talk to the press, civil society organisations, NGOs or any member of the public on any subject matter pertaining to the commission’s function without permission from the chairman of the commission.

“Nevertheless, it is only the chairman of the commission

that has right to grant press interview in respect of the verification exercise 2012.

“It is the duty of team leaders and group leaders for this exercise appointed by the commission to render to the host state or Local Government Council necessary information concerning the verification exercise.

“Every staff must be committed to the ideal of justice, equity and fairness in dealing with the public in respect of the nationwide exercise.

“All staff on the exercise should submit to security checks on demand by security personnel as the occasion demands.”

Since the beginning of democracy in 1999, there has not been any constitutionally backed revenue allocation formula. The last constitutionally backed allocation review was in 1992.

The formula in place is only through Executive Order, not by the instrument of the National Assembly.

Section 162(2) empowers

RMAFC to determine the nation’s revenue allocation formula.

The section reads: “The President upon the receipt of advice from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission shall table before the National Assembly proposals for revenue allocation from the Federation Account and in determining the formula, the National Assembly shall take into account, the allocation principles especially those of population, equality of states, internal revenue generation, land mass, terrain as well as population density.

“Provided that the principle of derivation shall be constantly reflected in any approved formula as being not less than 13 per cent of the revenue accruing to the Federation Account directly from any natural resources.”

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo had in 2002 invoked an Executive Order to allocate the revenue as follows: FG (54.68 per cent), States (24.72 per cent) and LGs (20.60 per cent).

Sambo’s wife urges women to be modest in dressing From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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Fayose advises Oni FORMER Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has urged ousted National Vice-Chairman (Southwest) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Segun Oni, not to be deterred by a court ruling nullifying his position.

Fayose, in a statement yesterday, urged Oni to see the development as a temporary set back.

He urged Oni to pursue the matter through legal means, even if it means going to the Supreme Court.

He said: “I want him to know it is a struggle for us in Ekiti. This is the first time an indigene is National ViceChairman of PDP. I am assuring him of our unwavering support. We want him to follow the rule of law, even if it means going to Appeal and Supreme courts.”

Fayose urged PDP in Ekiti and Southwest to unite for the future of the party.

He said: “I call on the PDP in Southwest to unite. I also call on the Oni group in Ekiti led by Akin Omole to accept the olive branch offered by the Ogundipe group in the interest of peace.”

In March 2004, the then Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala issued a letter modifying the Executive Order that increased state allocation to 26.72 per cent and reduced FG’s share to 52.68 per cent.

The commission had in September 2004 submitted a new formula to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who later forwarded it to the National Assembly for consideration in line with Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The proposal with the National Assembly makes the following recommendations: Federal Government (53.69 per cent); States (31.10 per cent); and Local government Areas (15.21 per cent.).

Out of the FG’s allocation, 6.5 per cent is reserved for Special Funds, leaving the FG with 47.19 per cent.

The breakdown of the 6.5 per cent includes Ecological Fund (1.50 per cent); Solid Mineral Fund (1.75 per cent), National Reserve Fund (1.50 per cent) and Agricultural Development Fund (1.75 per cent).Leader, Alhaji Abdul Ningi) organized public hearings in all the six geopolitical zones between August 28 and 30, 2006, the consideration of the bill had been stalled by politics.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle) receiving the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) Award of Excellence from its 47th President, Prof Francis Ojaide at the 2012 Annual Dinner and Awards in Lagos...at the weekend. With them is the governor’s wife Olufunso

N9.7b loan Saraki to face detectives today

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HE Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday said he will today honour the invitation of the police Special Fraud Unit to assist its investigation of a transaction between Intercontinental Bank and a company, Joy Petroleum.

The controversial transaction is said to be worth N9.7billion.

He also said that he did not go to court to scuttle the investigation but to exercise his constitutional rights.

Saraki, who made the clarifications in a statement by his

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Akintoba Fatiregun, said he has not done anything wrong.

“Senator Saraki received the report that despite the court proceeding that was adjourned by Honorable Justice Gladys Olotu on Thursday 26th of April 2012 officers of Special Fraud Unit have declared him wanted.

“Senator Saraki had earlier established dialogue with the SFU of the Nigeria Police Force in response to their request to assist them in their ongoing investigations into a transaction between Intercon-

tinental Bank and a company, Joy Petroleum.

“While he has no connection with the aforementioned company, Senator Saraki has consistently assured of his willingness to avail the investigative agency of any information it feels will assist its task, provided the agency furnishes him with the basis on which they want to keep inviting him as because he has gone through the same procedures on numerous occasions.

“Senator Saraki will like to remind the public he has not done anything wrong and was only exercising his con-

stitutional rights by asking the court to intervene in defining whether the force was following the regular police procedure in line with the manner with which they are handling the investigation.

“Senator Saraki assures Nigerians that he maintains that he has not contravened the laws of Nigeria, and while awaiting the decision of the Abuja High Court on May 22nd 2012, he will nonetheless be making himself available to assist the SFU at the appropriate office 9am Monday morning on 30th April 2012.”

IFE of the Vice President, Hajiya Amina Sambo yesterday urged Muslim women to be modest in their dressing.

Hajiya Sambo, who spoke as the guest of honour at a Muslim fashion show in Abuja tagged: “Faith meets fashion”, said simple dressing by women is both an injunction from Allah and Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

She said: “You can be a model and start sewing these things so that our youths will start wearing them, not only the youths but our mothers.

“Unfortunately, some of our youths are more into wearing the hijab than our mothers.

“I have a few friends that you see their children well and modestly covered but the mothers do otherwise.

“I hope this is a medium that would provide us the opportunity to be modestly dressed.

You can be simple and yet so beautiful. You can be elegantly dressed and yet so prudent.

You can be modestly dressed and yet look elegant.”

She added: “I want to use this opportunity to commend the organisers of this occasion. It is an occasion that we need in our society at this time.

“Modesty is very important. You know what it does if it is carried out well and when we do it the wrong way we will certainly have negative effects in our society.”

Our report on fuel subsidy probe ‘ll be factual, says Senate Committee chair

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HE report of the Senate Committee on the management of fuel subsidy will not only be factual but thorough, its Chairman Senator Magnus Abe has said.

Abe’s explanation may not be unconnected with the anxiety being expressed in some quarters that the fuel subsidy

From: Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

probe has been unduly delayed.

The worry became even more intense with the report of a similar probe in the House of Representatives submitted and debated by its members.

Some analysts felt that since the Senate Committee started

its investigation before the House Committee, its report should have been submitted.

But Abe said that his committee received “bags and bags of documents” from oil marketers that appeared before it and members needed to go through the documents dispassionately to ensure the findings of the committee are cor-

rectly reflected.

“The Senate committee received bags and bags of documents from each of these subsidy participants and we needed to take our time to peruse these papers as dispassionately as possible,” he said.

He added that members of the committee were also taking their time to present a fac-

tual report based exactly on the findings of the committee.

He said: “But the assurance I would like to give is that we are taking our time because we want the Senate report to be as factual as possible and based exactly on what we see out of what our considerations have been and also, as much as possible look at a lot of the critical

issues that made this challenge possible in the first place.

“So, in trying to be as thorough as we can, we are bound to take quite a bit of time and you must also remember that after the House of Representatives started its investigation, we had to put ours on hold and we didn’t resume until the House finished everything they were doing.”

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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NEWS Traditional title for governor

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RADITIONAL rulers from Edo Central yesterday conferred the Adolo of Esanland title on Governor Adams Oshiomhole and reaffirmed their support for his re-election.

A 23-man delegation visited the governor at the Government House to confer the title on him.

They described the purported endorsement of

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate as a ruse.

Their spokesman Onojie of Opoji, Eidenojie Ehidiame said: “The title of Adolo is bestowed on persons who bring development, progress and peace to the people.

“On June 13, during my silver jubilee, we will formally celebrate, but today we have come to decorate you with the beads. “

Edo CPC names candidate From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HE Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Edo State has picked Roland Izevbuwa as its governorship candidate for the July 14 election.

Izevbuwa was elected at a special congress at the weekend at the party’s secretariat in Benin.

The election ended speculations that there was a split in the coalition of progressive parties that earlier picked Solomon Edebiri as its consensus candidate.

Also, splinter factions within the CPC were appeased after its candidate apologised to the state party chairman, Godwin Erhahon for the hostilities that existed within the party.

Group defends amnesty programme

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GROUP, the Niger Delta Nationalities Forum, has warned that the amnesty programme should not be used to score political points between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

It said the scheme is aimed at youth development in the region.

A statement by the Forum chairman, Manager Seigha,

First City Monument Bank cuts 550 jobs

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RIGHT-sizing exercise embarked upon

by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc has claimed 550 jobs in Finbank Plc. This translates to 30 per cent of the staff strength.

About 43 branches of Finbank, which was acquired by FCMB last year, have also been closed to allow for smooth integration of the two institutions.

Managing Director, FCMB, Mr Ladi Balogun, who disclosed these at the weekend, said 70 per cent of the workforce of Finbank were retained.

He said a robust welfare package has been put in place for the affected employees.

“We have provided a very healthy severance package for them. We retained their medical; they will also be allowed to keep the bank’s as-

By Ayodele Aminu, Group Business Editor

sets; gratuity is also retained; we will provide proper counseling and training to manage the disappointment that they were not retained by the bank. In fact, the rationalisation exercise was painstaking,” he said.

After the exercise, FCMB, which initially had 139 branches is expected to have 278 and a 3,000 workforce.

Noting that 320 staff of FCMB were laid off last year, Balogun confirmed it was the final stage in the bank’s rationalisation exercise.

He said the merger billed to be concluded in June, would create more jobs in the next two years and catapult the retail banking niche of the enlarged FCMB to a mass market.

The FCMB chief said the customers in the closed

‘The affected staff are those that poorly performed.

Others had overlapping and duplication of roles. We gave them opportunity to resign or have their appointments terminated’ branches have been briefed, adding that while some of the affected branches were not profitable, others were overlapping (located near FCMB branches).

According to him, FCMB is about receiving $20 million from the United States (U.S.) Government for onlending to the Small and Me-

dium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

Last year the bank got $70 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the SMEs. Throwing more light on the criteria used for the exercise, Divisional Head, Human Resources and Change Management, Felicia Obozuwa, said it was based on merit and performance.

“The affected staff are those that poorly performed.

Others had overlapping and duplication of roles. We gave them opportunity to resign or have their appointments terminated,” she explained.

Chief Financial Officer and Integration Director, Finbank, Patrick Iyamabo, said the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of the two institutions have been integrated.

By Emmanuel Oladesu

flayed opponents of the programme, insisting it remains a successful initiative by the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration.

“Critics should approach the Amnesty Office, if they need any clarification. We say the programme has succeeded because over 26,000 ex-militants have been rehabilitated,” he said.

FRSC commander resumes in Rivers

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HE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has named Kayode Olagunju as its new Sector Commander in Rivers State.

He replaces Mary Wakawa, who has been redeployed to Ondo State as Sector Commander.

Olagunju, until his redeployment, was the Corps Transport Standardisation Officer at the National Headquarters and also a member of the FRSC management.

He holds a PhD in Transportation Geography from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Master of Science degree in Transport Studies from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye and a first degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile- Ife.

Uduaghan, Ojudu condole with Oshiomhole ELTA State Governor

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E m m a n u e l Uduaghan has condoled with the Edo State Government over the accident involving Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and the death of three members of the press corps.

He said: “I am saddened by this accident and grieved that it led to the death of young men in their prime.

“These are really trying times for reporters, particularly coming barely two days after the bombing of some media houses,” he stated.

Also, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday described the deaths as a great loss to journalism.

In a condolence message to the families and employers , Niger State Governor and Chairman of the forum Babangida Aliyu said the governors were pained by the deaths.

The forum supported Oshiomhole’s call for an inquiry into the incident.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, representing Ekiti Central, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti also expressed sadness over the death of the reporters

•House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (left), Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi( right) and leader of the Rivers State Causus in the House Asita Honourable when Tambuwal inspected the games village and stadium in Port Harcourt

Police, masqueraders clash in Akwa Ibom •Patrol van burnt

T •Oshiomhole From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

and prayed God to grant their families strength to bear the loss.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Edo State has urged its members to treat the victims.

Chairman of the NMA in the state Phillip Ugbodaga in a condolence message to the chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Friday Obanor, said the association was ready to offer any needed assistance to the victims.

HERE was pandemonium yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, following a bloody clash between policemen and a group of youths, who paraded themselves as masqueraders.

According to a source, the incident occurred at Ifa Ikot Okpon junction on Uyo-Oron highway.

An eyewitness said a clash broke out between the two groups when a police patrol vehicle rammed into some masqueraders, who were celebrating their yearly festival.

The police described the masqueraders as a set of disgruntled youths, who blocked the Oron highway and other major streets in Uyo, while embarking on reckless and ruthless molestation of unsuspecting residents.

According to the source, the masqueraders moved into the highway to display their magical powers and to collect money from motorists when one of them was knocked down by a police vehicle.

Angered over the develop-

One killed in Delta From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

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NE person was allegedly killed and several houses burnt in Okpokunou, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State at the weekend, following a disagreement over oil revenue sharing formula.

Sources said the victim, identified as Birideba Tubokiri, was shot during clash between Okpokunou community and the Ogboware family.

The parties have been at loggerheads since the discovery of oil in a disputed piece of land.

According to a source, the family turned down a 35 per cent of the proceeds from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), offered to it by the community.

The source said: “After that, there was a community project which all families were to contribute to but the Ogboware family refused to contribute.

“Thereafter, they were ex-communicated. When the issue deteriorated, the Joint Task Force (JTF) was drafted to restore law and order in the community.

“But they were attacked by irate youths in the process, a youth, Birideba Tubokiri, was shot while houses were razed.

“The youths went on a rampage and burnt houses belonging to members of the Ogboware family.”

The member, representing Burutu I in the House of Assembly,Dan Yingi, has called on the community to explore dialogue.

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

ment, the youths of the village came out in large num-

bers, blocking the highway with tyres and chased away passersby, including security

officers.

Several people were injured. A police patrol van belonging to the state joint security task force codenamed: “Rapid Response’’ stationed at the junction, was set ablaze.

A statement by police spokesman Onyeka Orji said leaders of the cultural groups would be held liable for excesses of their members.

Orji said it was the police’s prompt intervention that averted what could have been a total break down of law and order.

His words: “In this regard, any person or group of persons who hide under the guise of a cultural, political or religious association to foment trouble will be made to face the full weight of the law.

“Parents/guardians are advised to monitor the activities of their children/wards to prevent them from being used as cannon fodders by desperadoes. We shall on our part continue our aggressive campaign against all criminal elements.”

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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NEWS Shake-up in FRSC

Tinubu: let’s halt the drift

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ORMER Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said the success of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda depends on curbing corruption and insecurity.

Tinubu spoke when he received the outgoing United States ConsulGeneral in Lagos, Joseph Stafford, who paid him a farewell visit.

He said: “The twin problems of corruption and insecurity undermine any attempt at transformation as touted by the government.

A lot of things are going wrong.

Our ship is drifting and the people in power are not paying enough attention.

“What is the genesis of Boko Haram? We are now confronted with two Boko Harams – the original Boko Haram and the political Boko Haram. We must ask if a section of the country is now being stigmatised so that the government can get some sympathy or if we are confronted with a serious security problem that the government has no answer to?”

Tinubu condemned the attempt

to use the civil service reforms as an excuse to scrap the anti-corruption agencies.

Tinubu said Nigerians voted for Jonathan with the hope that he would stabilise the polity, grow the economy and be a true leader.

“It is unfortunate that the president does not seem to realise that the image of this country and stability are crucial for any economic growth and attracting investments.

We have a country that is drifting.

We hope that drift will be halted; and Nigeria can see a better day.”

Tinubu said the second coming of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Minister of Finance has not yielded any positive result.

He said:“We had hoped that her return would inject some stability and prudence into the financial structure of Nigeria and create opportunities but this, unfortunately, has not been the case. Other than paying lip service to reforms, there are no concrete actions to re-invent governance. The present government is not seeking the low hanging fruits.”

• Tinubu and Stafford

Stafford said his country would continue to closely monitor events in Nigeria and would continue to support key areas.

He said:“The US will continue with its robust engagement with Nigeria and pursue cordial foreign relations with the country.”

Jonathan, Azazi have brought shame to Nigeria, says ACN

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as a national embarrassment the public face-off between the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the real cause of the Boko Haram crisis.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the development confirms its belief that PDP lacks what it takes to lead teh country aright.

The statement reads: ‘’We have said it several times that the PDP and the government it controls at the centre are clueless, confused and totally incapable of piloting the affairs of this nation. Is there any better evidence of this cluelessness than what Nigerians are witnessing now? ‘’It does not matter how much the President tries to engage in damage control over the statement credited to his NSA, or the ever-so kneejerk and poorly-thought-out reaction of the sinking behemoth called the PDP, the reality is that the NSA’s shocking comments reflect the thinking in the highest echelon of the Jonathan administration, that the crooked politics of the PDP is behind the Boko Haram crisis, and that it has escalated because a son of the South-South is sitting in Aso Rock. ‘’With this pedestrian analysis of the crisis that predates the Jonathan

CNPP salutes NSA’s courage

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ONFERENCE of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has commended what it called the” uncommon courage” of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd) for blaming the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) over the Boko Haram menace.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, CNPP advised President Goodluck Jonathan and his party to “honourably accept the responsibility that the fierce struggle for power is the root cause of the fault lines dislocating our democracy.”

The statement reads: “PDP had manipulated its primary elections and indeed general elections, alienated its members and a critical segment of the polity; contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“These undemocratic and unconstitutional acts without doubt breed acrimony and simulate insecurity; this is the General’s message.

“In this context, we caution the PDP to neither dump the message nor the messenger; rather PDP should carefully dissect, analyze and reflect on the message placed on marble by Gen. Azazi. It is a message we had in

administration (Boko Haram leader was killed extra-judicially during the Yar’Adua years, triggering a wave of revenge attacks that have now escalated), is it any wonder that the PDP federal government has been shooting the breeze, so to say, in trying to tackle the crisis? Can a disease that can’t be correctly diagnosed be managed or cured?

From Chris Oji, Enugu

league with other Nigerian patriots been dishing out, which fell on deaf ears as PDP is consumed by Food is Ready philosophy, where the motto is share the money.

“The unfortunate outcome of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s stranglehold on the party is that since his election as president in 1999, neither PDP nor the nation has had free, fair and transparent election. We recall with nostalgia how Do-or-Die tactics was deployed to rig in Senator Barnabas Gemade against favourite late Chief Sunday Awoniyi as chairman in Nov/Dec 1999 convention of PDP, same garrison dosage was administed to hoist Chiefs Audu Ogbe, Vincent Ogbulafor, Okwesilieze Nwodo and Bamanga Tukur.

“It is our candid view that the zoning arrangement of the PDP might be well intentioned, but as Gen Azazi posited was ill managed from the onset; for in the first instance Chief Obasanjo was a mismatch to compensate the South West for the annulment of Chief MKO Abiola’s victory. The South West demonstrated this in private with the then Head of State, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) and publicly by their voting pattern in 1999.Let the best rule country.”

‘’The only area the PDP and the government see face-to-face is in the sharing of the spoils of office and looting of the commonwealth.

After gorging itself, the party with the tattered umbrella as a symbol then engages in chest-beating as the only truly democratic party in the world. ‘’Pray, of what use is a party that

extols itself always in the superlative but has brought nothing but shame and disgrace on a nation and inflicted pain, hunger and biblical suffering on a people? Now that it is clear to all that the PDP and its federal government have no clue to the Boko Haram crisis, can we honestly expect a resolution of the crisis soon?

May God help Nigeria.”

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), at the weekend redeployed two Zonal Commanding Officers, 13 Sector Commanders and 84 Unit Commanders.

The 13 Sector Commanders, eighth were appointed newly while five were redeployed. Of the eight sector commanders, six were appointed directly from the Commission’s Management.

Jonas Agwu, a Corps Commander in charge of Lagos Sector Command, has been appointed new Corps Public Education Officer at the National Headquarters, Abuja.

Jonas is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). His appointment was part of a general redeployment of senior officers of the Corps to various formations of the FRSC. According to Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, Deputy Nseobong Akpabio, a Corps Commander who held fort as Corps Public Education Officer, has swapped position with Agwu, taking over as Lagos Sector Commander.

Also, former Corps Transport Standardisation Officer, Kayode Olagunju, a Corps Commander, has been posted to Rivers State as Sector Commander. His predecessor, Mary Wakawa, a Corps Commander, is now Sector Commander of Ondo State.

An Assistant Corps Marshal, who was Zonal Commanding Officer in Bauchi, Dennis Terrang, is now in charge of Special Duties at the National Headquarters, Abuja. An Assistant Corps Marshal of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command Headquarters, Chike Nwaka, has been reappointed Enugu Zonal Commanding Officer.

A Corps Commander, Kayode Fanola, who was Corps Secretary, is now the Sector Commander, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Kenneth Nwaegbe, a Corps Commander, has been posted to Edo as the Corps Planning Officer.

Former Corps Medical and Rescue Officer, Olu-Mike Olagunju, a Corps Commander, is now Sector Commander for Kaduna State. Shehu Zaki, former Corps Intelligence Officer, a Corps Commander, is Kano State Sector Commander.

Other affected officers include: Udoma Francis, posted from Kaduna to Nassarawa; Henry Olatunji, from Abia to Bauchi; A. Adeboye, from Ondo to Osun, and Sunday Maku, from Osun to Plateau. E.N Obot, a former Head, Operations, in Delta State is now Acting Sector Commander, Abia State; E.E. Ekekwe of the headquarters’ Administration is now Acting Sector Commander, Ebonyi State.

All the 18 Unit Commanders in Lagos and some other Unit Commanders of major corridors have also been re-deployed.

Nigeria, Japan sign MoU for promotion of Mathematics, Sciences

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HE Federal Ministry of Education and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen Mathematics and Science (SMASE) in the country.

Minister of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, according to a statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, signed on behalf of the ministry.

JICA Mid-Term Review Mission Leader, Satoru Takahashi, signed on behalf of the Japanese government.

Wike said the Federal Government is determined to enhance the quality of science and Mathematics education.

He said the government was cooperating with the Japanese government to train Nigerian Science and Mathematics teachers, saying sciences and Mathematics form the bedrock of technological develop-

ment of any nation.

Wike said: “I am personally involved in this National Steering Committee because of the importance that the Federal Government attaches to the improvement of Science and Mathematics education.

We have prevailed on the Japanese government not to wind down the programme by 2013, so that the overall objectives of initiating the programme will not be defeated.

“The report of the Mid Term Review Mission just signed this afternoon is a confirmation of our dedication and that of JICA to make positive progress as regards science and Mathematics education. We believe from the position of JICA that the date of the winding down of the programme would be extended beyond 2013, whilst the states of implementation will go beyond the first three pilot states to six states.”

Takahashi expressed satisfaction with the commitment shown by the

•Wike and Takahashi...at the weekend

minister to revive the SMASE programme to benefit Nigerian students.

He said JICA is considering reviewing its winding up date be-

cause of the renewed interest shown by the Ministry of Education, States and other agencies of the Federal Government implementing the programme.

He said the Japanese government is encouraged by the actions of the Minister of State for Education to ensure the success of the programme.

PACT

CAMPAIGN

SUCCOUR

Communities partner police on crimefighting

Wanted: Legislation for the physicallychallenged

Obi’s wife celebrates with senior citizens

Lagos

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Osun

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Anambra

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Oshiomhole gives jobs to challenged persons

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•Oshiomhole TUDENTS of public secondary schools in Ekiti State now have laptop computers, and they have Governor Kayode Fayemi to thank for that.

The gesture is also across the board: the physically challenged also got theirs. The beneficiaries have praised the governor for the free solar-powered computers.

But it is only one of several things the Fayemi administration has done to renew the state and its infrastructure. The governor and his team have domesticated the Freedom of Information Law in the state. Fayemi also supported the Gender-Based Violence Prohibition (GBV) Law sponsored by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi in concert with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment and other women groups in the state. Senior citizens in the state now receive a monthly stipend of N5000. There is a free health programme for expectant mothers, people above 65 years old, underfives as well as the needy in different categories.

The distribution of the free solar-powered laptop computers kicked off at a programme held at the African Church Comprehensive High School, Ikere-Ekiti.

The 11,000 units of laptops distributed to students and teachers marked the first phase of distribution of a total 33,000 units already booked for delivery to the state by Samsung under the administration’s e-School Project.

Eighteen thousand teachers were expected to benefit from the programme.

The computer for all students and teachers project was being driven through a partnership between the state government, Samsung West Africa Limited and software giant Microsoft.

Besides the laptops, Governor Fayemi also flagged off the distribution of 100,000 units of school bags to public school students in the state, noting that state governments should be concerned when students now carry their books in ragged school bags.

NEW dawn has broken for four physically challenged persons in Edo State: they have been given jobs by the Adams Oshiomhole administration.

Rather than hold out their begging bowls for alms, the four young men are now helping to manage traffic in the state. It is a huge leap for the quartet.

The four whose names are Akhere Ekelekhomen, Osagie Henry, Ibrahim Musa and Ali Aminu have one thing in common. They have one arm each and two of them are partially impaired.

Without adequate education, they

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

could easily have resorted to a life of pity and begging for survival.

Instead, they are now staff of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDTSMA).

They were seen at major streets within Benin City metropolis controlling traffic especially where there is a build-up.

As early as 6.30am, Henry Osagie recalled, they would go to junctions where there is heavy traffic or is prone to it, before the arrival of traffic wardens and help to

ease vehicular movement.

He said he was introduced to the job by Akhere and that it was the appreciation from motorists that encouraged them to keep doing the work.

He explained how he lost his arm in 1991 at a sawmill and how a new life began for them.

He said: “I went to get sawdust (at the sawmill) for somebody. I was in the Edo State sports council but because I could not win any medal in three festivals, I was not employed. I know there was nothing I could do with one arm so I joined Akhere in traffic control.

“Whenever the police left, we would go back between 2.30pm and 6pm to continue. Most times I made between N1500 and N2000 depending on who passed through the road.”

However, mother luck smiled on them one Sunday when the Edo State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Victor Enoghama stopped at a junction where they were operating and after watching them for some minutes, he asked them to see him in his office the following week.

•Continued on Page 49

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•Governor Fayemi displays one of the solar-powered laptop computers distributed to the pupils

Ekiti renewal excites residents Free computers for pupils

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

At the flag-off of the first phase of the distribution, students and teachers lined up and took delivery of their laptops. So did the physically challenged such as Maryan Egiomwele (blind) and Pereao

Ayotomiwa (deaf).

Speaking at the event, Governor Kayode Fayemi said any academic engagement which failed to accommodate sound computer education is unworthy of being called “education”.

The Governor said Information and Communication Technology

Beneficiaries hail Fayemi

(ICT) has permeated the entire facets of human life today so much that the only option is to make the teaching and learning of computer a deliberate and focused state policy.

He explained that the gesture was in fulfilment of his campaign promise to make laptop computers available on the desk of each student of

public secondary schools in the state before year 2014.

He urged the students to take advantage of the various instructional materials and the convenient learning environment the government has provided to aid •Continued on Page 49

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Lawmaker trains 500 in ICT

MEMBER of the House of Representatives representing Alimosho Federal Constituency of Lagos State under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria , Adeola Olamilekan Solomon, has revealed plans to train five hundred graduates from his constituency on Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Speaking with reporters recently in Abuja, the lawmaker who is also the House

Lagos From: Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

Committee Chair on Public Accounts, said the professional computer training programme is meant to equip the youths with the latest ICT developments.

Solomon said NIIT, a professional ICT institute will train the beneficiaries, adding that the candidates will however have to pass

an aptitude test to qualify for the programme.

He said that the three-month intensive programme which will begin on May 15, will cost over N6 million.

The lawmaker said laptop computers will be given to youths with outstanding performance to ensure they do not “lose touch with the ICT experiences after the programme.”

Speaking on the ICT programme, he said: “The programme is another way of giving back to my constituency in terms of educational development. The programme will among other things assist those graduates in the area of computer literacy.

“Also at the end of the training those that have distinguished themselves within the duration of the training will be adequately rewarded by building their capacity through distribution of free laptops.”

This is a project that is very dear to me and it is going to be a yearly affair”, he stated.

The lawmaker disclosed that other welfare packages including a health programme meant to address plight of widows and the needy within the constituency, were also in the pipeline.

Federal fire service partners FCI on fire and safety

By Uyoatta Eshiet

` • From left: Dr O.A.Agbato;President, Animal Care and Chief Patron,Mrs Florence Omodunke;Chief Patroness,Sir Sunny Nwosu State President of Boys Brigadeand the new chairman of Agege Engr Oladipo Williams at the inauguration of new executive council

Council chair lauded on workers’ welfare T HE Chairman of Local Government Service Commission in Lagos State , Alhaji Oluwole Ojikutu, has praised the Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon. Olatunde Adepitan, for providing improved welfare for council workers.

Ojikutu made the commendation during the commission’s working visit to Mushin Local Government Area.

According to Alhaji Ojikutu, the commission which is saddled with the responsibilities of promoting and transferring discipline and other related matters for council workers, is also much more interested in providing adequate welfare for the workers in order to get the best from them.

Ojikutu charged the council chairman to ensure that the operations of the local government are connected to modern facilities.

He also charged local government managers to provide adequate filing, computers, illumination, tables, chairs and trainings that can improve productivity.

“It is very important and necessary for infrastructural facilities to be provided for the mass majority of the populace who contracted immensely to the victory of the chairman, in terms of roads, schools, drainage facilities, healthcare delivery system, poverty alleviation, marker development and so on.

The working condition of the civil servants must also be addressed, so that the populace can accord them the necessary respect.

Every civil servant must be a chair and table to work with. The commissioners were of the opinion that Mushin had improved tremendously, as against their observations some moths ago.

Replying, Hon. Adepitan commended the commission’s team led by the chairman for finding time for an assessment tour meant to improve the welfare of council workers.

He promised a befitting secretariat for the workers before the end of his tenure. He also promised to ensure that in the secretariat, all the modern facilities needed to enhance productivity would be provided.

He appealed to council workers to appear neat and corporate always. He charged them to come to work regularly and promptly too.

Others present at the occasion are Commissioners Dr Wale Ipaye, Otunba Owolabi Osibodu, Prince Adebayo Adebusayo and Alhaji A.O. Sunmonu, Acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs Grace Olabisi Bello, Director Finance and Administratiorn,Alhaji Samiat Mumumi, Director Secretariat, Mrs Oyedele, Assistant Director, Mr. Akinsayo, the Public Relations Oficer, Mrs Salihu Badejo, the Council Manager, Mr Sunday Oduwole, supervisors, councillors and management staff.

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OLLOWING the Federal Government’s drive to empower the nation’s fire services with the capacity to ensure adequate fire cover in all jurisdictions, it has mandated the Federal Fire Service to embark on regulation and enforcement of standard procedures for fire and rescue service delivery nationwide.

In line with this, the Federal Fire Service is embarking on regulatory training for all Fire Services, which is offered by international trainers from the British Fire service working with FCI International, the Nigerian coordinating company for the programme. Its major focus is on bringing all Fire Services in the country to understand the new role of the fire safety regulation, administration and enforcement.

In a press release issued by the coordinating company, FCI international, the company’s public affairs executive, Mr Olumide Garuba explained that this is the beginning of a series of trainings to be delivered by the Federal fire services on regulatory function for the fire services including the federal and state to allow a harmonious delivery of the best practice in the sector and regulate the operation and business of fire safety and rescue management. He also said that the programme will begin with a workshop to assess the position of regulating fire operation and compliance to inspection procedures in the country before relevant training is administer to address the gaps.

•Mrs Adefulire

20,000 jobs coming for Ekiti youths BOUT 20,000 youths across the 16 Local Government Areas in Ekiti State are to benefit from the Youth Commercial Agriculture Development (Y-CAD) programme of the state government.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye stated this while briefing reporters on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.

The programme, according to the government spokesman, is to encourage youths into sustainable commercial agriculture and to directly generate employment opportunity to young entrepreneurs.

The Executive Council also approved the clearing of 700 Ha of land to the tune of N136,500,000 to facilitate cultivation of land by tractors in the state.

Also speaking on Y-CAD, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Babajide

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KITI State government has appealed to residents to redouble efforts in prompt payment of taxes and settling other financial obligations towards the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders forum in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka described tax payment as a way of supporting government in “the drive towards bringing about a regime of infrastructural renewal in the state.”

Olayinka equally noted that it is a clear demonstration of their readiness to assist the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi achieve its goal of sustainable development and improved standard of living.

Addressing participants at a 2-day ‘Summit on Revenue Mobilisation’ held at Jibowu Hall, Government House Ground, Ado-Ekiti, she said the “quest for rebranding and developing the state should be a collective effort of stakeholders who must be ready to contribute meaningfully to the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.

According to her, “the Dr. Kayode

Ekiti Arowosafe, noted that the programme will further keep the various farm settlements across the state functional round the year as the Y-CAD programme will take place on the farm settlements.

The commissioner urged youths to utilise the privilege, saying the pilot stage of the programme will see the government focusing on areas with concentration of different farm produce in different communities.

He noted that foreign experts will be on ground to provide technical and capacity building support towards the programme, saying production, processing and marketing of farm produce will be the focus of the programme.

Agency rallies council chiefs for growth

Fadipe observed the new development paradigm as being promoted in the state is to put the communities “at the drivers seat” Fadipe said: “The communities are at the driver’s seat. They initiate, identify, develop, implement, monitor and maintain their own projects.

The commissioner, who represented Governor Kayode Fayemi at the event, urged collaboration between the agency and the communities, adding that aside the local governments being the closest to the communities, the process of executing community projects involves review of projects by Local Government Review Committees (LGRC) which were already existing.

He recalled the Town Hall meetings of the state government last year through which the communities were requested to collate and submit their specific need areas which were made to form essential part of current year’s budget.

He said: “One of the major tasks of the LG Chairmen is to make LGRC functional in their various localities.

“To make them functional is to set aside some amount of money quarterly for this committee to be able to review

Ekiti From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Fayemi-led administration is determined to take Ekiti forward in an environment of collective effort towards ensuring that our aspirations and visions as a people are fully realised for a noble and desirable future.

“It is on this basis that we have convened this summit to further actualise an efficient and effective sourcing, utilisation and accounting method for resources accruing to our people.” she said.

Earlier, in her welcome address, Special Adviser, Revenue Matters and Taxation, Mrs. Olubunmi Adelugba, noted that the title of the summit which is “Revenue Mobilisation for Sustainable Development in Ekiti State, Nigeria: Our Collective Responsibility” has explained the purpose of the summit.

She explained that the summit was intended to discuss direct and indirect taxes and their payments alongside the participatory efforts in generation and payment of taxes generally, including the legalisation of all government efforts.

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HE first Nigeria Food Industry Award, (NFIA) is set to hold on May 28 at Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos.

The awards coordinator, Mr Omoniyi Olulade, said the purpose of the award is to recognise, celebrate and reward innovative individuals and organisations that have demonstrated excellence in the Nigeria food industry in the past few years.

During a press briefing in Lagos last week, he said the award is meant to create a healthy competition amongst Nigerian food companies, adding that it will encourage the improvement of food quality, safety, hygiene and services that will ultimately safeguard the health of Nigerians and reduce hunger.

In addition, he said, “It is the only award to appreciate food and all industries that are affiliated with food as well as the banks and governments that have supported all agricultural projects.

“Winners that would emerge from the nominations would be voted by the judges and the consumers based on their service.”

In addition, the Public Relations Coordinator, Mr Olalekan Braimah, said ratings will be done based on 13 categories which includes; best fast food outlet,

Ekiti From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

the proposals, supervise and monitor the Community Development Plans”.

In his remarks at the seminar, chairman of the agency, Chief Ibidapo Awojolu, noted that the decision to rally the support of the council chairmen was a result of an acute awareness of Ekiti State being

predominantly rural in setting.

Chief Awojolu noted that it is a cardinal aspect of state government’s 8Point Agenda to reverse the trend by focusing on grassroots development being the level where most people still live.

He said: “it is our target that as government functionaries to secure the support of LG chairs to reverse this gross rural outlook of the state.

“Most of us are from the so-called rural communities and in order to justify our presence in government and drive down the reality of new age, direction and pattern of administration in the state, we have got to change the face of our rural settings, Awojolu said.

Council House leader impeached

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

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EMBERS of the legislative council at Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area in Lagos State, have impeached their leader, Oluwaseyi Sarumi.

Oluwaseyi is the son of former Minister of Communication and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart Chief Dapo Sarumi He was accused of incompetence, high-handedness and financial misconduct.

Moving the motion for his removal, Kolawole Badmus said the former leader’s inexperience is causing delay to the house work.

“We do not want him to draw us back in our legislative assignment. That is why we decided to remove him,” Badmus said.

The house that consists of six members was not unanimous in the decision to remove him. It resulted into voting and three members voted in support of the motion while two others voted in support of the embattled leader.

A new leader - Rasheed Adaranijo has been asked to take over the •Chairman, Agege Local Government Area ,Alhaji Jubreel Abdulkareem presenting gift to one leadership of the legislative house of the graduands of the vocational training centre at the council secretariat. pending the time Sarumi clears himself of the allegations.

Ekiti urges residents on taxes

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• Crystals, winners of Star Quest 2012 pose with their prize money

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KITI State Community and Social Development Agency. (EKSCSDA) has convoked a summit of Local Government Caretaker Chairmen and other functionaries to drive development of local communities.

Speaking at a recent two-day training for local government functionaries and state desk officers in Ado-Ekiti, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Dayo Fadipe, noted the currency of grassroots focused development.

He said Ekiti State Community Development Programme (ESCDP) “is a shift from the old order of development to a demand-driven, well participatory and bottom-up instead of the old topdown approach.

Noting the primacy of the communities in driving genuine development, Chief

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` • Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Hon. Benjamin Adeyemi Olabinjo(right) with the Leader of the house, Hon Sunday Ajayi during budget presentation.

Council presents budget

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HE Chairman of Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, in Lagos State, Dr.Augustine Arogundade, has presented this year’s budget to the council’s legislative arm.

The council chief explained that the council would spend N1.7billion on road construction, rehabilitation of office complex, provision of transformers and poverty alleviation items to residents among others.

He stated that the bill tagged: budget of fulfillment, was “painstakingly packaged based on the needs and peculiarity of our council area as suggested by the people themselves. It is therefore, a budget of the people, by the people and for the people.”

“The policy thrust of this budget is to achieve enhancement of internally generated revenue, maximum control of expenditure and eradication of wastages, provision of sustainable service and enabling environment,

By Kunle Akinrinade

equitable distribution of dividends of democracy and better welfare packages of workers.”

Giving a breakdown of the budget, Hon.Arogundade, said: “This is 22 percent above last year’s estimated budget; out of this year’s total budget ,staff salaries would gulp N340.3million,N165.6million is for deduction of teachers’ salaries from source,N530.5 million is set aside for overhead cost and N10million is earmarked as stabilisation fund.”

The occasion also witnessed the presentation of transformer to community development associations as part of the rural electrification agenda of the council.

Present on the occasion were traditional rulers, party stalwarts, youth groups, community and market leaders.

Nigeria food industry award next month Lagos

By Risikat Ramoni

beverage drink, milk, malt drink, food seasoning, beef sausage roll, among others.

Braimah noted that NFIA, the first of its kind will be hosting eminent Nigerians who would be part of ‘The Hunger Fair’, a charity fair which would be used to celebrate the 2012 Hunger day with the rest of the world.

“Proceeds from this fair would be used for the rehabilitation of hungry and less privileged Nigerians. It will also increase the sensitization of other citizens within the environment of the dangers of poor hygiene, diet and other food related matters,” he said.

Voting can be done on www.nfiawards.com.

•Hon. Arogundade (middle) presenting the budget to the Leader of the legislative Arm, Hon. Ajose Ganiu while the council manager Mr. Zachaeus Ojikutu looks on.

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EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Warlords beware

Glad tidings

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•’Ehingbeti 2012’ raises hope of cooperation for development between FG and Lagos State

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ROM ‘Ehingbeti 2012’, this year’s and the 6th version of the economic summit of Lagos State, it is glad tidings of economic cooperation between the Federal Government and the state.

That is how it should be. The Federal Government should be commended for this laudable step; and more of such is recommended if we are not to pay just lip service to rapid economic development.

President Goodluck Jonathan, represented at the summit by Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment, pledged that to strengthen the state’s hands and support its investment drive, the Federal Government would back, with sovereign guarantees, loans Lagos State accesses from the international financial system. That was good.

But even better was the pledge on transportation infrastructure, particularly the state’s programme of inter-modal trans-

‘Still, the Federal Government’s laudable offers are a good start. If Nigeria must jump-start its economy and trigger development to join the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, BRICS (from BRICS to BRINCS, as ‘Ehingbeti 2012’s’ theme suggests), it must give Lagos special and accelerated attention’

portation systems of well-integrated road, water and rail. The minister said the Federal Government was on the verge of signing agreements to grant concession to Lagos State to develop railway corridors. Lagos State, as part of its ambitious urban transport upgrade to meet the challenges of mass transit in a megacity, is currently developing, in phases, a light rail project. But according to the laws, the Federal Government has exclusive rights on rail.

The Federal Government also hinted of goodies in the most daunting challenge to the Nigerian economy today: power.

Noting that Lagos accounts for no less than 20 per cent of the gross domestic products (GDP) and almost 60 per cent of non-oil contribution to the GDP, the president said his government was working on two emergency power plants, fully dedicated to boosting power for industrial, commercial and household use in Lagos, aside from working on some road projects to complement Lagos State’s efforts at freeing traffic gridlock.

To underscore the centrality of Lagos to the Nigerian economy, Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, weighed in with his own impressive stats: Lagos accounts for more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activities, 70 per cent of national cargo freight, more than 80 per cent of international aviation traffic and over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s energy consumption, aside from being home to some 2,000 industrial complexes, 10, 000 commercial businesses and 22 industrial estates. No doubt about it: Lagos is the hub of the Nigerian economy.

Which leads to the next line of reasoning: while the president’s promises are good and should be highly commended,

efforts must be made to give teeth to them as swiftly as possible. Flowery words are good. But concrete actions are better.

The Federal Government must also be commended on its rail concession to Lagos to boost its light rail programme.

But the question of rail, as part of an integrated inter-modal transportation network, must go beyond concession, to mutual rights of states and the Federal Government, to invest in rail for the economic benefits of the people.

Concession, as good-intentioned and reasoned as it appears, still leaves too much to the federal mood: if you are friendly with the local government, concede to it the right to invest in rail; but if you are not, block it. That is still too much of the stick-and-carrot economic politicking that led to too many missed opportunities in the past. Let the Federal Government rapidly push the ongoing efforts to amend the Railway Act, so that both states and the Federal Government have mutual legal rights to invest in that allimportant sector.

Still, the Federal Government’s laudable offers are a good start. If Nigeria must jump-start its economy and trigger development to join the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, BRICS (from BRICS to BRINCS, as ‘Ehingbeti 2012’s’ theme suggests), it must give Lagos special and accelerated attention.

That won’t be something novel. It would only be fulfilling the pledge of the Murtala Muhammed government that, after creating the new capital of Abuja, said Lagos would continue to enjoy a special status, as both the former political capital as well as the abiding economic capital.

Warmongering •Omisore’s condemnable utterances ENATOR Iyiola Omisore, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State needlessly heated up the political temperature of the state when, last week, he reportedly threatened to stop, search and disarm the convoy of the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aegbesola. Apparently embarrassed at the very strong reactions his virtual declaration of war on the governor elicited, Senator Omisore last Tuesday denied ever issuing such a threat, insisting that he has nothing against the governor. We, however, strongly believe that it is highly unlikely that Senator Omisore was misquoted as he now claims.

His words were quite emphatic and could not have been manufactured by journalists. In the words from which Omisore now seeks to distance himself: “We will stop his convoy, search and remove all the arms his thugs are using. It is unethical to use thugs as security.

Aregbesola should explain why he goes about with thugs. During the last elections, he rigged with the aid of thugs, but this time ..., we are ready for him…If Aregbesola does not trust the SSS, let him resign. We are going to stop his convoy and search him.”

Such unguarded utterances from a supposed political leader are irresponsible and an affront against constituted authority. They demonstrate a total lack of respect by Omisore for both the person and the office of the governor. This attitude negates the spirit and culture of civility and tolerance that enable liberal democracy to thrive and nurture development.

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It is no secret that Omisore nurses the ambition to occupy the office of Governor of Osun State. This is quite legitimate in a democracy. But does it make sense to desecrate and denigrate the office simply because he is not the incumbent? If perchance his ambition is fulfilled, will he now expect the office to be conferred the requisite respect?

Omisore was without doubt emboldened to make these outrageous assertions because of the farcical security report accusing Governor Aregbesola of plotting the Islamisation and ultimate secession of Osun State from the country. That there is obviously a meeting of minds between supposedly independent and non-partisan state security agencies and politicians of Omisore’s ilk to, from all indications, destabilise the Aregbesola administration is quite disturbing. This kind of situation indeed creates credible grounds for Ogbeni Aregbesola to doubt his safety in the hands of operatives of apparently compromised state security agencies. This is why such security agencies must as much as possible maintain their relative autonomy from parties in power and distance themselves from partisanship so as to enjoy the confidence of all.

We cannot understand how it is Omisore’s business that Governor Aregbesola allegedly does not make use of State Security Service (SSS) operatives.

Has the SSS complained to him? Again, in what capacity has he threatened “to crush any O-YES member found in any voting centre in the next election”? Is this

not a direct threat on the lives of those youths salvaged from idleness by Aregbesola’s widely applauded Youth Employment Scheme? Of course, we believe in the sanctity of free and fair polls and the right of citizens to defend their votes. But this must be done lawfully and not through Omisore’s kind of incendiary rhetoric.

Omisore and the PDP’s sabre-rattling in Osun State is obviously a calculated strategy to distract the Aregbesola Administration. The latter will be committing a grievous error if it dances to the PDP’s disruptive tunes. Its best option is to intensify on positive service delivery to the people. We urge opposition parties at all levels to seek to come to power through constructive criticism of incumbent governments and the presentation of better policy alternatives to the electorate.

‘Such unguarded utterances from a supposed political leader are irresponsible and an affront against constituted authority. They demonstrate a total lack of respect by Omisore for both the person and the office of the governor. This attitude negates the spirit and culture of civility and tolerance that enable liberal democracy to thrive and nurture development’

T took a decade, but an international court on Thursday convicted the former Liberian president, Charles Taylor, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone’s horrifying civil war. This is a historic victory for justice and accountability: the first time a former head of state has been convicted by an international court since the Nuremberg trials after World War II. Mr. Taylor, who will be sentenced in coming weeks, richly deserves this distinction.

There are other leaders who deserve the same fate. Proceedings at the International Criminal Court have already begun against the Ivory Coast’s brutal former president, Laurent Gbagbo. And Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan alBashir, is the subject of an international arrest warrant.

This verdict against Mr. Taylor only involved Sierra Leone, the neighboring country where the civil war he fueled in the 1990s left 50,000 dead and tens of thousands more deliberately mutilated.

Now he must also be held accountable for his role in Liberia’s 14-year civil war.

Liberia needs to enact the legislation to bring him, and the other murderous warlords from that era, to trial either in Liberian or international courts.

This verdict successfully concludes the work of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which previously sentenced eight others for atrocities during the civil war. Created in 2002 as a partnership between Sierra Leone and the United Nations, with strong support from the United States and Britain, this court has been a notable success. It conducted its proceedings scrupulously. Because the atrocities in Sierra Leone were carried out by rebels loyal to Mr. Taylor, not Liberia’s formal military forces, the judges found him guilty of criminal involvement, not command responsibility.

Mr. Taylor was tried in the Hague for security reasons, but most of the court’s other work has been carried out in Sierra Leone, strengthening that country’s legal institutions and making justice more visible to civil war survivors and the families of its victims. It can now serve as a model for similar efforts elsewhere. Most important, it has sent a clear message to other would-be Taylors that there is no impunity. Their day of reckoning will come.

– New York Times

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

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THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

20

9EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: The 4th Ekiti State House of Assembly will be a year old on June 6, 2012, having been inaugurated by Governor Kayode Fayemi on June 6, 2011.

It is one of the most productive Houses of Assembly in the country having passed 28 bills into law in the last 11 months. The law-makers’ harmonious working relationship with Dr Fayemi is a reference in the country. It is instructive that the law-makers unanimously agreed to allow the executive arm to execute projects, thereby abrogating the issue of constituency projects. Each of the members of the immediate past assembly got a staggering sum of N25 million to execute projects in their respective constituencies annually. What would have been the level of development in the state, if the over N650 million that were earmarked for constituency projects was well appropriated by the immediate past assembly members.

Ekiti will never forget in a hurry the social security scheme law that has made less privileged Ekiti elders above age 65 to be put on N 5, 000 monthly

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Ekiti Assembly: bastion of democracy S

allowance. It has been able to give the people some respite in so many ways. The gender based violence prohibition law, domestication of the Freedom of Information law (FOI law) among other laws that have removed bottlenecks in governance and ensure continuity of programmes.

The ethics on good governance bill, which is currently being debated at the assembly, is monumental to behold and is fashioned in a manner that would instil stringent adherence to ethical practices in government at all levels The bill, which is a replica of ethical revolution policy proposed in the second republic during the Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s regime. Although, the

intention of the well thought out programme could not be achieved due to ineptitude of government at that time, but with Fayemi in the saddle in Ekiti State, the ethnical law would be propelled to a profitable point.

The South African parliament is presently in partnership with Ekiti assembly courtesy of the productivity the lawmakers have displayed. It is a measure of the international respect Ekiti assembly has earned..

The immediate past chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bola Oluojo once alluded to the present assembly as mere rubber –stamp of the executive.

Oluojo was miffed by the speed at which the assembly passed some of the bills presented before it. He frowned that they were not

well debated before passage.

The current Ekiti assembly having 24 ACN and 2 PDP members have done Ekiti proud. They have set the pace that the executive and legislature could cohabit symbiotically without discordant tunes. This will continue to linger in the minds of Ekiti people and politicians coming behind.

The few dissenting voices had shown that no human institution is perfect. As the assembly is moving forward to its second year, I want to appeal that it should not relent. It should also devise means of straightening all the rough edges for better output in the years ahead.

• Dalimore Aluko Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

When Omisore ate his words IR: I was amused to read the recant of ex-Senator Iyiola Omisore’s widely reported threat to stop and search the convoy of a sitting governor of his home state, Osun.

As expected, the man blamed the usual scapegoat, the press, for misquoting him.

His words: ‘’It is unfortunate that I could be misquoted to the extent of issuing a threat of attacking Aregbesola’s convoy.

Why should I make such a threat

S

Re: Aba’s triumphant return

for God’s sake? I have no problem with Aregbesola or any politician whatsoever. Why should I attack his convoy. In fact , is that possible ? In what capacity will I be doing so?”

Since the threat was reported by almost all the national newspapers, could all of them conspire to quote Omisore out of context?

Not likely! The likely scenario is that the ex-senator must have been forced to eat the humble pie by the avalanche of condemna-

tions that crashed on him for that infamous rant. The peace-loving people of Osun State and well meaning Nigerians deserve kudos for whipping Omisore into line and thwarting his plot to turn the state into a killing field.

My advice for Governor Rauf Aregbesola is to take the alleged recantation with a pinch of salt.

Apart from the fact that Omisore may make another U-turn tomorrow to accuse the press of misquoting him again, I have a suspicious

feeling that he may be feigning peace while hatching up war. No one should be deceived. Omisore’s notorious past speaks for itself.

Where do you place a man who ignored the dignifying presence of Ooni of Ife in his palace and blew off the cap of his former governor and mentor, the late Chief Bola Ige? Well, my prayer is that no evil planned against our state will work in Jesus name (Amen).

• Bolanle Ajenifuja, Dagbolu,Osun State.

IR: I have read with utter disbelief the near blasphemous article written by one Bonnie Iwuoha published in The Nation newspaper Tuesday, April 24.

Most worrisome is the blackmail of our depended hero Dr. Sam Mbakwe.

Full of fallacious fabrications and inventions, Iwuoha attempted futilely to make Nigerians believe that the people of Aba, nay Abians are happy with Governor Theodore Orji. Iwuoha must be living in the moon to make such presentations. The three roads allegedly built by the governor are not up to a kilometre.

The most celebrated Ukwu Mango road, for instance is an unprofessional and un-completed road that has left the entire Ariaria area flooded. One has been wondering the hurry in commissioning a poorly made uncompleted road?

What becomes of the non-asphalted portion of the road where the entire water was left to peculate? The other road, a two pole Danfodio road we learnt was not constructed by the state government, but by the owner of a hotel in the street.

To say that the late Sam Mbakwe was booed in Aba is not only sacrilegious but a sin waiting for atonement.

So we ask where did the governor spend the N 5 billion in Aba? N5 billion in Aba where flooding is busy swallowing houses and cars on a daily basis?

May God save us from this government and her wicked propaganda.

• Ndubuisi Christopher Nnakwu Festac Town,Lagos.

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THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

L

EO Frobenius, the famous German archeologist, upon his first encounter with Yoruba society in the 18th century was awe-struck at the level of sophistication of the race. He described in painstaking details the architecture, fashion, technology and other issues of a thriving society. A visit to the Ife museum where his photo exhibition is still running will provide further revelations about this German’s discovery.

Located in the southwestern part of Nigeria, and from the Atlantic to the River Niger, the Yoruba are the only homogeneous group contiguously situated, that can exist as an independent entity in the geographical space called Nigeria should the need arise. The Yoruba are highly urbanized as 80% of the people live in cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants.

It is a great testimony to this equally great people that despite the effects of a savage slave trade, the fiercely fought Yoruba civil wars that ravaged the land for over 100 years and political persecution in post-independence Nigeria, the pillars of Yoruba civilization remain formidable.

It is common knowledge that the trajectory of this civilization was rudely and savagely disrupted by slave trade and colonial rule. However with the advent of

‘Nigeria in reality is an amalgamation of distinct nationalities and it is dishonest to believe otherwise. The strength of the union can only find expression when each of these nationalities is able to freely demonstrate its uniqueness’

A call for introspection

By Adegboyega Aderemi self government in Nigeria in 1952, the Yoruba West re-grouped under the legendary leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo to demonstrate once again the resourceful and indomitable spirit of this great people. The legacies of this epochal era abound throughout Yoruba land bearing testimony to the ability of the black man to create modern societies. Yet again, a meticulously charted course was disrupted by orchestrated political crises which gave birth to military adventurism, the hangover of which still dominates the polity.

The West like the other federating units is now trapped in a dysfunctional political arrangement that is structured to suffocate the Nigerian Union. Nigeria in reality is an amalgamation of distinct nationalities and it is dishonest to believe otherwise. The strength of the union can only find expression when each of these nationalities is able to freely demonstrate its uniqueness.

The warped federalism that we practice is unwieldy; breeding gross ineptitude, malignant corruption and power mongering of mind boggling proportions, all of which signal the imminent collapse of a fundamentally flawed structure. The journey to nationhood in a multi-national society such as ours should begin with calculated strides of its constituent parts, at each part’s comfortable pace, within available resources.

Centralization of power is both dangerous and disingenuous. In the hands of a leadership that lacks vision and is bereft of ideas, the burden of stewardship becomes overwhelming and in moments of desperation, the underperforming leadership often resorts to despotism as a defense

W

HEN on Tuesday, April 17, a columnist with The Nation newspapers with the rather ecclesiastical name of Gabriel Amalu took umbrage with the Governor of Ebonyi State Chief Martin Elechi for the recent thanksgiving and state rededication programme, the decision to ignore the said writer was a very easy one. But when, two days later, in its editorial of Thursday April 19, The Nation took up the same thematic strand which Amalu unsuccessfully grappled with, this intervention became imperative.

In the case of Amalu, part of the reasons why we chose to ignore him was the uncertainty as to whether he was actually talking about the current governor of Ebonyi State Chief Elechi or whether there was a mix-up between the proverbial news and the new maker! A few examples will suffice. Repeatedly in his piece, the columnist addressed the Governor as Dr. Martin Elechi. But the governor is not, and has never been, a “Doctor”- whether medical, academic or honorary! If the issue of title is rather trivial, then wait for more.

The columnist further stated that Governor Elechi “rose fast in the Civil Service of the old Anambra and Enugu states”.

But what is the fact? Elechi was never in the Civil Service of the old Anambra State nor was he ever in the Civil Service of Enugu State nor of any other state, not to talk of rising fast in same. Not done with his serial misrepresentation, the columnist stated that Governor Elechi was a former Permanent Secretary but nothing can be further from the truth. The cold fact is that Elechi was never a Permanent Secretary in Nigeria or elsewhere!

As though to complete the build up to a lie, the erudite columnist proceeded to declare that Elechi was “a former Secretary to the State Government before his current job as governor”. Again, Elechi was never, ever Secretary to any State Government whether in Ebonyi State or elsewhere. With this avalanche of factual inaccuracies, we were uncertain that the columnist was actually talking about the governor of Ebonyi State.

Regarding the substantive issue of the staging of a state thanksgiving and rededication service which informed Amalu’s tirade and name-calling, it is only fair to note that the columnist is entitled to his opinion, informed or not! It is, however, regrettable indeed that in Nigeria, being a columnist seems to be enough license to launch acerbic attacks on Elder Statesmen in total disregard for sacred facts. Ensconced in his Olympian height as a columnist, Amalu would not be aware nor would he enquire into the socio-political turmoil

‘In spite of his deliberate media low profile, Elechi’s giant strides in Ebonyi State constitute an open book for anyone who cares to know’

mechanism. It is disingenuous simply because it is ineffective. The bulk of development strategies should be targeted at the grassroots, where real people live and require service delivery.

In the interim, we simply cannot talk our way out of the imperative of regional integration as it is being championed by the progressive people of Western Nigeria. Without fear of contradiction, this offers the only vehicle configured to ultimately provide locomotion for the transformation of our nation.

The pseudo-federalism in operation effectively stifles the spirit of enterprise that is otherwise required for accelerated development. Expecting handouts from the centre promotes indolence and an embarrassing lack of creativity in governance.

Rather than clamour for increased revenue from Abuja, the unshackled regions in control of their resources, will be better equipped to pursue development strategies consistent with their peculiarities. It will always be a win-win situation.

At this juncture, it is now pertinent for us in the West to gird our loins and turn this present integration momentum into a movement of tidal wave proportions, capable of inflicting permanent damage on a dubious political culture called “mainstreaming”, which in essence is disguised one-party dictatorship and also alien to any civilized political culture. Originally introduced as a result of the ruling party’s obsession to destroy progressive opposition in the first republic, it has morphed into a bogus political tool in the hands of military politicians trained to dominate their environment. It is an aberration in politics where the pro-

motion of alternative ideas, being the hallmark of democracy, ultimately serves the greater interests of the citizenry. This strange concept must be rejected and resisted by all lovers of freedom.

Once upon a time in our land, men without honour were regarded as outcasts but today they are rewarded with phony titles and awards. We must return to rebuking villainy while also ostracizing questionable characters amongst us. Celebrating such people is a reproach to Omoluabi.

The electoral heist that recently happened in the West must not be allowed to re-occur and this can only be guaranteed by the delivery of good governance. The new generation of progressive leaders shepherding the Western region into its destiny and working to midwife the birth of a truly modern society, deserve our total support.

A rebuilding project has commenced in earnest and like in the Biblical days of Nehemiah, opposition will spring up in the form of a Samballat and a Tobiah.

However as long as we are vigilant while the work is in progress, a successful completion is the expected conclusion. Yoruba civilization which pre-dates colonial incursions, and is considered to have been superior to that of the colonialists in more ways than one, is in need of urgent rebirth.

• Prince Aderemi writes from Osogbo, Osun State

‘The electoral heist that recently happened in the West must not be allowed to re-occur and this can only be guaranteed by the delivery of good governance’

Much ado about Elechi’s thanksgiving

By Onyekachi Eni that characterized the run-up to the 2011 general elections in Ebonyi State.

If Amalu knew that desperate politicians instigated social unrest, wasted innocent lives and maimed others as well as destroyed properties in a bid to attain political power, perhaps he would think differently about the state thanksgiving service. If Amalu knew that the Ezza-Ezillo blood spillage which he glibly talked about has its roots in injustice and politics, perhaps he would understand why Ebonyi people needed a new beginning after the last elections. He would probably appreciate that more than ever before, Ebonyi people needed to convoke a collective thanksgiving, to reflect on the challenges of its “statehood” and rededicate the State to God. It speaks volumes about Amalu’s appreciation of Nigeria’s skewed federalism and constitutional disequilibrium when he stated that Elechi had no power to declare a public holiday in Ebonyi State for the reason that the matter is on the second schedule to the constitution which falls within the exclusive legislative list. Apart from the fact that in a federation, the federating units have a right to decide their internal public holidays apart from the national ones, it is unnecessary to inform the erudite columnist that just about every state in Nigeria has had various occasions to declare public holidays to mark some important dates in their existence.

The last time I checked, many states (including the ones which Amalu greatly admires) recently declared days of public holiday to mark the passage of the corpse of a great man through their states. If Amalu would examine the second schedule to the constitution more closely, he would find that even such local and communal matters as agriculture, maintenance of roads, fishing and fisheries, taxations of incomes and formation and dissolution of marriages etc are also listed as matters for the federal legislature! If there was any trace of fact in Amalu’s piece, it was his declaration that Elechi is “one of the best educated men… in Wawa land”. The evidence of Elechi’s high mind is not only because he made a first class in Economics, it is also because he has the courage and the vision to correctly set his development priorities based on the people’s needs without the usual media fanfare.

Given that Amalu’s piece was greatly laden with fallacy and fiction, it was most surprising and no less disappointing that The Nation adopted the same subject matter (inaccuracy and all) for its editorial commentary, two days later! The editorial claimed that Elechi declared a public holiday “to ensure the participation of civil servants, market women and others …,” in the thanksgiving service. The cold fact is that the event was a day of thanksgiving, individual introspection and rededication of Ebonyi State to God, and both the participation and mode of reflection were by choice.

Apart from bandying fictional figures ascribed to an oppo-

sition party in Ebonyi State as the speculated cost of staging the thanksgiving service, The Nation also decried both the event and the public holiday that attended it, for the loss of man hours with its economic consequences. It is unfortunate indeed that Nigeria has come to such a sorry pass where every issue, event or occurrence is viewed from a material prism. True indeed, in a climate of poverty and deprivation such as pervades the entire national landscape, nobody can wish away the economics of human existence.

However, it is a profound irony that important public platforms such as The Nation would not apprehend the nexus between spiritual values, economic growth and social progress. If The Nation cares to know, it should be informed that in spite of the pretences to the contrary, the contemporary socio-economic challenges confronting Nigeria are partly implicated in a national loss of values and the vacuity of our moral and spiritual essence. Regrettably, these are the outgrowths of a materialistic psyche.

Thankfully, Governor Martin Elechi and the people of Ebonyi state are persuaded that progress is partly a product of reflection and that given the events of the last general elections and the recent blood spillage from communal crises in the state, the citizens can do with a good dose of spiritual reawakening and collective rededication to the Ebonyi project.

While it is unnecessary to inform The Nation that its recourse to social stereotypes in its damning verdict on the poverty index of the state is actually a metaphor of our national regress, its editorialists would be surprised to learn that the situation in Ebonyi State in much better than many other parts of the country.

When The Nation charged that not much has happened in terms of “lifting Ebonyi State from its economic and infrastructural quagmire”, it betrayed an unfortunate disconnect from reality. Though Ebonyi people and posterity will be the ultimate judge of Governor Elechi’s achievements, it may interest The Nation to know that as early as August 2009, based on its nation-wide appraisal of the verifiable achievements of all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Ministry of Transport adjudged Governor Elechi as the outstanding Governor in the development of roads infrastructure. And this is official! And the situation has got better with every passing day.

In spite of his deliberate media low profile, Elechi’s giant strides in Ebonyi State constitute an open book for anyone who cares to know. When the chips are down, Nigeria will be much better if important public platforms like The Nation would encourage our political leaders to reduce their media razzmatazz and get down to the business of making a difference in the lives of the people. Elechi is an obvious national model in this regard.

• Dr. Eni is Chief Press Secretary to Ebonyi Governor.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

T

HE on-going investigations by the House of Representatives, sack of two auditing firms by the federal government and the submission of the interim report of the board of Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) have once again brought to the fore the controversy surrounding the much touted fuel subsidy regime. The ad hoc committee of the House had last week indicted scores of oil companies for their roles in the fuel subsidy scam and asked them to refund huge sums of money to the federal government. Within the same time frame, the government terminated the services of two accounting and auditing firms: Akintola Williams and Company and Adekanola and Company. The two leading accounting firms which were responsible for certifying the documents and claims of marketers before subsidy claims are paid were sanctioned following concerns about the management of the subsidy regime.

In the same week also, the board of SURE-P submitted what it termed its preliminary report to President Goodluck Jonathan. In the report, its Chairman Dr. Christopher Kolade disclosed that despite reduction in expected fund as a result of the partial implementation of subsidy removal, the government plans to use the programme to execute programs meant to deliver some benefits to the people.

Two issues are evident from Kolade’s submissions. The first is that the work of the committee is still at its preliminary stages. While the second is that Nigerians should not expect much from the subsidy re-investment programme. This second point can be deduced from references by the panel on shortfall in revenue on account of the partial implementation of the subsidy removal. Though we are yet to be told the magnitude of such shortfall, there is everything to indicate that the federal government may have tinkered with its original plan on subsidy re-investment.

Even at that, we are yet to see any concrete action to address the myriad of problems that were accentuated by the so-called subsidy removal. The much we have been told by Kolade is that the board has concluded its preliminary work and now ready to move into action. We hope the new phase will come on stream soonest. We expect that soon Nigerians will begin to feel the impact of those safety nets on which basis President Jonathan rationalized the removal of fuel subsidy despite huge opposition to it. We hope so.

T

HE salient contents of the inaugural speech of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson as fourth civilian Governor of Bayelsa State with the sole objective of achieving rapid transformation have kept the hope of building a new Bayelsa alive.

The governor, who took the oath of office on February 14 this year made it clear that there would be a paradigm shift in the culture of governance with the promise to make the people benefit from the developmental agenda of the new government.

He also told the mammoth gathering at the swearing-in ceremony that the new administration was poised to entrench a regime of transparency where no one conducts government business in the dark. Governor Dickson had given the assurance that his administration will restore the confidence of the people in government and hence use the state resources to fund such critical projects as the construction of good roads, education, health facilities, promote tourism, generate wealth and develop agriculture than funding corruption and greed.

It may be too early to assess the government but considering all the actions taken since inauguration, it is reassuring that the governor is a focused leader who has a clear vision and determination to change the face of development in Bayelsa State. Interestingly, the support-base of the ‘Contriman’ Governor has continued to swell by the day because he is matching words with action towards realizing a truly united, virile and prosperous state.

‘This rare step has made it very clear and more convincing to the generality of Bayelsans that truly, the culture of governance has changed with the display of transparency and accountability by Governor Dickson’

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Subsidy removal: matters arising The signals we get from constant references to shortfall in revenue on account of the partial implementation of the subsidy removal is that of reluctance on the part of the government to proceed with the programme. That reluctance was evident in the tardiness in setting up the Kolade panel even with all the promises made before the removal. But for criticisms from the public, SURE-P may have died prematurely. The impression is that the government is not yet done with the subsidy removal game. That is the leitmotif for constantly keeping in public focus the fact that subsidy removal did not run full stream. Thus whatever defects that arise from the implementation of the programme can be rationalized on that basis. Its corollary is that for us to have the full benefits of the programme, subsidy removal has to run its full course.

This is so even with the disconcerting signals of monumental fraud in fuel subsidy payments. The sacking of the two auditing and accounting firms illustrates very vividly that all is not well with fuel subsidy disbursements. So also is the unveiling of the monumental fraud in that sector by the ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives. It is not enough to sack these accounting and auditing firms without full scale investigations into their activities. It is also not enough to set up a committee to examine claims of payment arrears for 2011 and another to propose a ‘good’ way forward.

What should be of interest to discerning members of the public is the investigation of the two firms to find out how much the fed-

eral government lost on account of their compromising conduct. Such a probe will not only further expose the gargantuan shape of the scam but provide a lead into the recovery of whatever was stolen. The story of the subsidy regime is becoming messier by the day. It has once again reinforced the argument of the Occupy Nigeria Group that if the government kills corruption in the oil sector, there will be no need to subject Nigerians to untold hardship on account of the socalled subsidy removal. That point has been underscored most poignantly by unfolding events in the oil sector.

It may well be that what we call subsidy could be another name for corruption in the oil sector. There is the possibility that when we wage a decisive war against corruption in that sector, we may discover that what is actually paid out as subsidy is fictitious. The constant verifications, setting up of verification panels and discovery of sharp practices do not leave us in comfort that the last has been heard on the matter.

In the face of this, Nigerians have been exposed to excruciating hardship on account of the removal of fuel subsidy last January.

Even those palliative promised by Jonathan are not forthcoming. The effect of the mass transit buses that were distributed with media hype is yet to be felt in the transport sector. Power supply has taken an embarrassing dimension leading to students’ unrest in many universities including the premier University of Ibadan. Our roads are yet to

Building a united and prosperous Bayelsa

By Daniel Iworiso-Markson The declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector and announcement of free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary school levels is one policy that has raised the consciousness of the people that a new order of hope and possibilities is emerging in the state. The government is very interested in building the capacity of the people which is expected to rub off on the development agenda in diverse ways because government appreciates education as a critical tool for development.

Another major decision of the governor was the bold step to announce that he would on a monthly basis make public the allocation from the federation account and a breakdown of income and expenditures. Pronto, two separate strategic bank accounts were created with one for monthly savings and another for projects. This rare step has made it very clear and more convincing to the generality of Bayelsans that truly, the culture of governance has changed with the display of transparency and accountability by Governor Dickson.

And when the governor hosted the first transparency briefing, key stakeholders including top government functionaries, politicians, permanent secretaries, directors in the civil service, senior citizens of the state and the media, the message was clear that indeed it is a new beginning.

Amidst the good news, however, is the government’s worry about the huge wage bill of the state civil service described as unsustainable and unrealistic. Curiously, Bayelsa State with a population of barely over one million people remains the second highest salary paying civil service after Lagos State. And one begins to wonder how this came about; necessitating a closer look at the authenticity of such wage bill to en-

sure the incidence of ghost workers is effectively checked.

Consequently, new measures had been put in place to reduce the over- bloated salary structure with the permanent secretaries and heads of other agencies directly involved in staff verification and preparation of the monthly salary vouchers.

Efforts are also being intensified to rebuild, re-organise and re-train the civil service for top performance and efficiency, so that it will become a trusted and reliable instrument for service delivery.

The governor whose agenda covers all the key areas of development including the three senatorial roads, new general hospitals in each of the eight local government headquarters, model schools and key infrastructure is emphasizing the need to cut costs and eliminate wastages in the system so as to save enough money for projects.

In this direction, salaries and allowances of all appointees beginning with the Governor himself had been cut by 15 per cent to show example.

It is also important to highlight that the governor had set up several committees to draw up blue prints for the development of some key sectors as well as new policies to fast track development in the state, with most of the reports already turned in.

With all of these background work done, the governor no doubt requires a competent State Executive Council in place to drive the restoration agenda. The people of the state had waited eagerly for the names of those to serve as commissioners in the cabinet until the 26 names forwarded to the State House of Assembly were screened and confirmed.

Then came the swearing-in of the new commissioners, whom the governor prided

get any face lift while the universities are still waiting patiently for the implementation of agreements reached with the government. Soon they may resume another strike having suspended the last one hoping for the right things to be done. Unemployment is assuming a dangerous dimension with the recommendations of the Oronsaye panel for the scrapping as much as 38 agencies, merging of 52 and reversion of 14 to their parent ministries.

The way things stand, social discontent in the country leading to the current high level of insecurity is such that can harbinger the revolution which Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo alluded to in the period leading to fuel subsidy removal.

During that period, the duo had predicted a revolution if unemployment, hardship and other social discontent that provoked the Arab spring were not addressed. Jonathan had then defended the removal arguing that it would open up vast opportunities for employment. He had also spoken of the possibility of policy failure arguing that “if we deregulate and I am shamed posterity will be there to judge that we took the right decision”.

The argument could be raised that there is still ample time for these to be realized. That could well be. But from the emerging signals and body language of the regime, it does not appear that respite may soon come in the matter of employment generation. We are yet to see any positive step to generate employment for the teaming unemployed youths. Rather what we smell are policies that will further lay off workers.

Even after the subsidy removal, we are still living with those conditions which Jonathan and Obasanjo predicted could lead to a revolution. And there is no indication they will abate. These may soon catalyze that revolution and shame Jonathan. Even then, fuel is selling for more than N130 per liter in many areas including the oil producing states.

‘It may well be that what we call subsidy could be another name for corruption in the oil sector.

There is the possibility that when we wage a decisive war against corruption in that sector, we may discover that what is actually paid out as subsidy is fictitious’ were carefully selected for the daunting task ahead of his administration. In his charge, the governor said the event marked the commencement of the Restoration Agenda as contracts for key projects can now be awarded in weeks to come. He used the occasion to remind the new commissioners to see their appointments as a call to service and not to enrich themselves to the detriment of the people.

The governor, who had repeatedly said the time for politics was over and that it is now time for work challenged the State House of Assembly to rise to the occasion of carrying out its over- sight functions on the executive arm by providing necessary checks and balances. He also charged the new commissioners to replicate the monthly transparency briefing in their respective ministries to buoy the confidence of the people by allowing them have access to relevant information on their activities.

Just as the new members of the State Executive Council were settling down to work with the rescheduled and continuation of the first executive council meeting presided over by the governor on Friday April 20 ,the Supreme Court in Abuja delivered yet another landmark judgment which authenticated the gubernatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, won by Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson for the February governorship election.

Though the Restoration team was never shaken by the lingering case filed by the former Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva over the PDP ticket, the verdict of the learned Justices of the Supreme court that the screening of who should participate in the primary election of any political party is an internal affairs of the party ended the unnecessary distractions within the polity over the last few months.

The new administration is clearly the government of the people with the vision of restoration to transform the fortunes of the state for the better, building a united and prosperous Bayelsa State through sound policies and accountable leadership.

• Iworiso-Markson is Senior Special Assistant on Media & Public Affairs to Bayelsa Governor

Pg 41

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

25

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

ISSUES

T HE CEO ‘How to stabilise Nigeria’s

Customs benchmark suspension: A stitch in time - P. 27 News Briefing

CBN may extend deadline for banks’ sale of subsidiaries THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may extend the June deadline for banks that have chosen to concentrate on their core banking functions to complete divestment from their non-bank subsidiaries.

This is to give them more time to scout for new investors that would take over their non-bank subsidiaries.

- Page 26

Liquidity control: CBN, DMO mop N231b from circulation

For now, what we want to communicate here is that we are going to rigorously pursue any hindrance to power supply. And to ensure that we clean up the system, we have to make sure that we deliver more reliable power to the country.

- Prof Barth Nnaji, Minister of Power

economy’

- P. 32

Fed Govt directs states to open subsidy savings account with CBN T HE Federal Government has directed state governments to open dedicated subsidy savings account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and appoint people to administer it.

The Nation gathered from a member of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) that states’commissioners of finance, led by the Edo State Commissioner of Finance, John Inegbedion, stressed the need to have subsidy savings in a separate account and not lump it with the statutory allocations as it is now.

The Chairman, Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, said: “The

By Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor, Abuja

Federal Government would operate a dedicated account to be domiciled with CBN for the subsidy savings and advised all states to do same and have people to administer.” He said the Federal Government’s spending its share of the subsidy savings on Mass Transit; Security Measures and Roads/ Railways/Bridges for feasible and meaningful benefits to Nigerians.

The Anambra State’s Commissioner for Finance, Eze Echesi, wanted to know if the Federal Government Subsidy Re-investment and Empower-

ment Programme (SURE P) document would be reviewed, to which Ngama, was said to have responded, “the SURE document would not be reviewed and that the projects still remains same, but the projects would be prioritised because the quantum of the subsidy savings had reduced.”

The source revealed that the states in their desire to access more funds from the Federation Account had sought clarification from the Federal Government on accruals into the Federation Account with the apex bank from solid minerals exploitation across the country.

The clarification from the Federal Government was demanded by the Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. S.A. Olorunfemi. Responding, Ngama was said to have told the state governments that mining was done by private/ foreign companies and that the government only charges taxes and royalties. However, he directed the Post-Mortem Committee to investigate and report back.

The amount required for subsidy financing this year was estimated using 2008 as baseline year. That year was because it appeared that subsidy payments and other as-

SMEs to get more loans

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Debt Management Office (DMO) last week mopped N231 billion from circulation using treasury bills and bonds.

- Page 31

By Akinola Ajibade

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Insurers in merger talks SOME insurers are discussing how to boost their performance through merging, the Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, has said.

- Page 39

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.5% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

sociated factors were fairly stable. The total projected expenditure on subsidy is N888.1 billion, as subsidy is a first line charge, this cost is shared across the three tiers of government.

Out of the additional N733.1 billion (total projected expenditure N888.1billion minus the N155 billion already provided in the 2012 budget) needed for subsidy payments, the Federal Government’s share is N309.33 billion. This implies that the projected Federal Government’s revenue would be reduced by the same amount.

The Federal Government is to inject N100 billion in the 2012 budget as subsidy to cushion the effect of electricity tariff on low income earners.

•From left: Lere Odusote, Head Business Development, Oando Gas and Power; Taofiq Tijani, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State and Sam Amadi, Executive Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, during a discussion on ‘Power Sufficiency for Lagos’, at the Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti 2102) in Lagos.

T

Fed Govt to recapitalise BoI

HE Federal Government is set to recapitalise the Bank of Industry (BoI), the Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, has said.

In an interview with The Nation the minister said there is evidence that the bank has disbursed more than 95 per cent of the N200 billion Central Bank Nigeria/BoI intervention fund for manufacturers, hence the need to increase its capital base.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the recapitalisation BoI and directed that its equity be opened up to attract genuine investors.

Aganga stressed the need to open up the bank’s equity to enable it to link up with institutional investors who would

By Toba Agboola

buy into its programmes to increase its capital base.

He said this became necessary because many manufacturers are still clamouring for it, adding that this is one of the ministry’s strategy for growing the industrial sector.

He said the ministry would concentrate its efforts on areas where the country has comparative and competitive advantage, adding that the Federal Government is committed to partnering the Organised Private Sector to increase the productivity of local industries.

He said: “Our aim is to build our industries where we have comparative and competitive advantage. Also, we want to proactively link industries to our research institutes across

the country because we strongly believe that innovation is a key part of industrial development. Countries that have successfully achieved rapid industrial development were able to do so because of the strong link between the industrial sector and research institutions. We have begun talks with the Ministry of Science and Technology on how we can make this work.”

He pointed out that there is the urgent need to review and harmonise the country’s trade policies to enable it to maximise its abundant human natural resources for rapid economic transformation.

The Minister said the government has ordered ministries and parastatals to ensure and adopt made-in-Nigeria

products, adding that government is putting finishing touches to a bill that will enforce compliance and give credence to the patronage of home made goods.

“There is assurance that domestic trade promotion would form the core of a new trade strategy being put together by the ministry.

“With the new development, there is hope that Nigeria’s goods will receive more patronage, adding that the proposed bill on domestic products will focus on patronage of goods that Nigeria has the capacity to produce which would boost efforts at promoting the revitalisation of the automobile, textile and plastics’ industries when passed into law,” Aganga added.

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) would get more loan exposures, once it achieves the goals of reducing banking services by 30 per cent.

Speaking to The Nation, the Head, Shared Services, CBN, Chidi Umeano, said efforts are in top gear to ensure that banks achieve 30 per cent cost reduction, and further lend to SMEs, among other sectors in the economy.

He said CBN has identified cost drivers in the industry, and the possibility of reducing them to aid lending. He said banks are incurring huge expenses in cash handling, adding that banks have in the process transferred the cost to loan seekers.

He said the apex bank introduced the cashless policy to reduce the cost of banking services and further increase accessibility to loans, stating that there would be more lending opportunities for SMEs, as the cashless policy becomes fully operational.

He said CBN met SMEs operators in Lagos recently to fashion out ways of using cashless programme to their advantage.

He said: “The SMEs owners have been accommodated well in the cashless net.

They are part of our plans.

We have explained the value chain in the cashless initiative to them, the use of Point of Sale (POS) providers, and what they need to do to access facilities from the banks. “ We believe that there will be increased access to facility and service levels across the industry, once banks have reduced their operational cost by 30 per cent.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

26

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

NPA spends over N36b on projects

MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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7.

8.

1.

2.

3.

4.

LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00 Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30 1.

2.

3.

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5.

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

1.

2.

3.

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Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1.

2.

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6.

LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15

08.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

By Oluwakemi Dauda

T

•Group Head, Corporate Communications, Dana Group, Tony Usidamen (right), receiving an award from Head, Public Relations, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB),Tunji Oketunbi, at the 18 th Annual Seminar and Awards by the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos ... last week.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

CBN may extend deadline for banks’ sale of subsidiaries T HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may extend the June deadline for banks that have chosen to concentrate on their core banking functions to complete divestment from their non-bank subsidiaries. This is to give them more time to scout for new investors that would take over their non-bank subsidiaries.

Sources close to the divestment said most of the banks would not have completed the sale of their subsidiaries in the next two months, especially given the number of subsidiaries involved.

Reliable sources close to the processes said banks have stepped up their search for local and international investors but several talks were yet to be inconcluded.

However, the sources said the economic crisis in several advanced and emerging economies and the slowdown in the capital market, were hampering the sales bids.

Under the new banking regulatory regime introduced by the apex bank, as part of the on-going banking reform, banks are required to

By Taofik Salako

concentrate on their core banking functions. The new model requires banks to either sell all non-core banking businesses, or form a holding company for such non-core banking businesses, including activities such as insurance, asset management and capital market operations.

Five banks, including First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc, have opted to keep their subsidiaries, while other banks, including Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Zenith Bank and Wema Bank, among others, are pursuing divestments from non-banking subsidiaries.

Only few banks have been able to complete sales of few subsidiaries.

GTBank had completed sale of its 67.68 per cent majority equity stake in Guaranty Trust Assurance

(GTAssur) Plc, to Assur Africa Holding (AAH). The shares were sold at a price of N1.76 per share for a total of N11.910 billion ( about $76 million). Diamond Bank had earlier sold its insurance subsidiary-ADIC Insurance Limited - to new core investors. A capital market operator confirmed that it was about to close a deal for the fund management business of Fidelity Bank.

Some 77 subsidiaries of banks including three quoted companies are up for sale in what promises to be the largest divestment in the same time frame. These include Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI), Law Union and Rock Insurance and Intercontinental Wapic Insurance, which are all quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

At the last count, GTBank still has four subsidiaries to sell including its share registration company- GTB Registrars Limited. Diamond Bank also still has six subsidiaries to sell while Wema Bank and Skye Bank will sell seven subsidiaries each. Wema Bank owns GNI while Skye Bank owns Law Union and Rock Insurance.

‘Why private sector investment in airlines is unattractive’

HE pall in private sector interest in investing in the airlines business is because of the inherent difficulties in recouping their investments, experts have said. The other reason, they added, is government’s inconsistent policies.

In separate interviews with The Nation, they said the investor apathy is also heightened by the inability of existing domestic airlines to make profit, as well as government’s failure to assist private sector carriers over the years.

In the past 10 years, carriers including Afrijet Airlines, Spaceworld International Airlines, Slok Air, Albarka Air Services, Fresh Air, ADC Airlines, Bellview Airlines, NICON Airways, Sosoliso Airlines, Okada Air, Oriental Airlines, Capital Airlines, Skyline Airlines,Trans Sahara Airlines and Freedom Air Services have closed shops owing primarily to insufficient capital.

Chief Executive Officer of Air Nigeria, Kinfe Kahssaye, who spoke to The Nation on the issue, explained that the experience of private sector carriers, in the past, could send the wrong signals to investors, as the millions of dollars invested in the past by private equity players have not been recouped.

He said it would be counter pro-

T

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor ductive for any player to consider setting up a new carrier, when businessmen who invested in Virgin Nigeria Airways, which was set up to replace the liquidated national carrier, Nigeria Airways Limited, were

yet to recover their investments.

He said the huge investments sunk into Virgin Nigeria Airways by its technical and financial partner, Virgin Atlantic Airways and its Nigerian private sector investors, have not yielded the desired dividends.

As a result, he said no serious investor may be ready to commit huge sums into the industry.

Lagos to develop Innovation Fund

L

AGOS State Government is planning to float a two-fold Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Innovation Fund for the economic development of the state.

This Fund, which would cater for the populace and post-secondary institutions in the state, would be supported and administered by the Lagos State Government to nurture an environment that would aid research and development, enterprise promotion and innovation in the state.

At a briefing in Lagos, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Adebiyi Mabadeje, said the the Fund will stimulate and encourage creativity and innovation in the populace in addressing critical areas of development in the

ByAdline Atili

state, in addition to poverty reduction and job creation.

He said the Fund, which would be ready for access towards the end of the year, will be given to individuals to support emerging technologies and creative initiatives that leverage talents and capabilities towards growth and development of the state and the country in general.

He said: “An Innovation Council was inaugurated last year by the State Government, in collaboration with a team from the Harvard Business School to develop an Innovation Fund. We are providing two funds here. One is for the general populace; while the other is to challenge and support post-secondary institutions in Lagos State.”

HE Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has spent over N36 billion to promote business in the ports in the last few months.

Investigation conducted by The Nation revealed that the amount was spent on core facilities that can put the ports in a better shape and make them compete favourably with the ports of neighbouring countries by increasing efficiency in port operations and reducing the cost of port services to stakeholders.

A document obtained by The Nation from the Ministry of Transport, revealed that N20 billion was spent by the authority on the rehabilitation of Lagos East West and Training Harbour moles.

The money, the source said, was expended to protect the Lagos harbour and ensure a safe approach to the channel for vessels berthing at the Lagos ports.

The rehabilitation of the AMS Terminal in the old Warri port, the sources said, also cost NPA over N7 billion to provide and enhance quay apon facilities at the port.

It also learnt that NPA spent almost N9.5 billion on the rehabilitation of

‘Kano IGR drive remains stable’ From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

D

ESPITE security challenges in Kano State, the government’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive is on course, the Commissioner of Finance, Abdullahi Mahmoud Gaya, has said.

Gaya, who spoke to reporters, in Kano during a courtesy visit by management of KUDITECHS Investment Limited, said the monthly N1 billion IGR target was not threatened by the prevailing security challenges in the state.

He said if not for the current situation, the IGR drive would have increased by 100 per cent. He noted that the government was doing everything possible to ensure that enough revenue is generated for the execution of numerous projects embarked upon by Rabiu Kwankwaso’s administration.

PTML records N6b shortfall in Q1

By Uyoatta Eshiet

T

HE Port and Terminal Multi-ser vices Limited (PTML) Area Com mand of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a shortfall of N6.1 billion at the end of the first quarter operations in 2012.

This is despite that its revenue for the period actually grew by as much as 57 per cent when compared with the figures recorded in the same period in 2011, according to the command’s first quarter report.

The report, which was signed by the Area Comptroller, Mr T. O. Aremu and Mr. O. E. Adeyemo, the Area Accountant, shows that command recorded various increases in the first three months of the year, but these increases did not translate to meeting their new monthly revenue target for the year.

In January, the Command recorded N4.9 billion revenue as against N3.7 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2011, giving an increase of 31 per cent having recorded N1.16 billion in actual increase. In February the command recorded 114 per cent increase over what it made in February 2011.

A total of N5.609 billion was collected as against N2.616 billion in 2011, thereby giving an actual increase of N2.9 billion.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

27

ISSUES

•Apapa Sea Port

Customs benchmark suspension: A stitch in time The decision of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to suspend the benchmark it introduced to increase its revenue, is the saving grace to an otherwise revenue plunge that the measure would have created for the government.

UYOATTA ESHIET reports.

• Continued on page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

28

ISSUES

•Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

•Dikko

• Amiwero

• Osuala

Customs benchmark suspension: A stitch in time • Continued from page 27

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HE leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) introduced a benchmark on all imports, in a move many said was designed to increase its revenue, to match a new target given by the government. It gave the NCS room to fix duties payable on some imported items irrespective of port of origin and quality.

It was “a fictitious and arbitrary static value imposed on some imported commodities,” said the National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero.

While introducing the benchmark, NCS Comptroller-General, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, said it is to discourage importers and freight forwarders from under-declaration or concealment, a practice which many importers employ in their bid to evade payment of duties. It was gathered that with the benchmark, importers would have been compelled to pay uniform duty on certain categories of goods despite the quantity declared by them.

NCS, through the suspended scheme, aimed to realise N1 trillion in revenue this year, going by what Dikko said during the first revenue strategy meeting for the year held with Area Controllers in Abuja.

Stakeholders, comprising importers, clearing agents and maritime lawyers, said increased revenue generation was the major reason the benchmarking of certain goods was introduced, without necessarily weighing the long term implication it would have on the economy.

A maritime and commercial lawyer and Deputy National Co-coordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers and Exporters Coalition, Osuala Nwagbara said: “It was the inordinate ambition of the Customs leadership to generate N1 trillion for the year that pushed them into taking such damaging decisions against all norms and practice.”

On who is responsible to fix the target, Osuala said.“Every government expects its revenue generating units should increase their target every year. Although it is not sacrosanct, government expects its agencies to generate more revenue every accounting period. What we generally find, is that revenue will continue to improve year-in yearout, where there is efficiency, and depending on the stability of the economy. In the instance of this benchmark, the NCS had an inordinate ambition, to impress the government that they can do what Napoleon could not do, to put N1 trillion into government’s coffers.That was the beginning of the dilemma we are now facing.”

The Group said Customs violated to national and international laws on valuation of goods, arguing that if the imperative of meeting the target should undermine our national laws on valuation, then the Federal Government should declare a state of emergency on our national revenue which will effectively suspend all laws on rates, taxes and levies.

Inherent dangers

Against expectations of increased revenue from the botched policy, the reverse was the case, as about 50 per cent of ships laden with goods were diverted by importers to neighbouring countries, and with that the loss of collectable revenue from duty payable.

The alarm on the loss of revenue from diverted cargoes was sounded by the Managing Director/CEO, Wealthy Honey Investment Limited and Chairman, ANCLA, Tin-Can Ports chapter, Kayode Farinto and Amiwero.

In a letter dated April 12 to President Goodluck Jonathan, copies of which were sent to the Senate President and the Minister of Finance, among others, Amiwero drew the attention of government to the fact that the actual revenue that would have accrued to the nation from the maritime industry had declined by about 30 per cent, due to the number of vessels diverted in the weeks the benchmark valuation lasted. He warned that if no urgent step was taken to address the trend, there would be further decline, which will adversely affect the maritime sector and security of jobs He said the diversion of cargo to neighbouring West African ports would have taken years to reclaim if the decision was not reversed.

Realising the target To realise the revenue, Customs selected 26 import items and fixed static CIF value on them as well as duty payable on each container of these items irrespective of the quantity contained therein. New monthly revenue targets were set for all the commands.

Accordingly, Apapa Port led the pack with N27 billion projected monthly revenue.

Revenue target for other commands were, Tin-Can Island Port - N22 billion, Onne Port - N10 billion, PTML (Tin Can II) - N7.5 billion, Lilypond - N5 billion, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal - N 5 billion, Edo/Delta - N4.5 billion and Port Harcourt I - N4 billion.

Suspension of benchmark implementation The major maritime stakeholders’ groups rose in opposition to what they termed ‘an illegality’ from the Customs. As a result, the Customs’ High Command, suspended the use of benchmark for the evaluation of cargo imported barely a month after commence-

ment of its implementation.

The leadership of NCMDLCA , ANLCA, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers and Exporters Coalition(SNFFIEC), insisted that the policy was in bad taste.

Amiwero said it is the protest letter he sent to the President that caused the sudden suspension of the benchmark. The Senate President had on receipt of the protest letter, mandated the Senate Committee on Finance to look into the issues raised, according to letters made available to The Nation.

In one of such outings, tagged ‘Town Hall Meeting with Importers’ at the Lagos International Fair Complex, Badagry, Abdullahi, said the new regime was not meant to undermine importers, freighters or other port users.

The enlightenment campaign did not, however, yield the desired result as the stakeholders continued to disparage the benchmark regime. Apparently bowing to pressure, NCS in Abuja, announced the suspension of the benchmark. The service said it has reverted to the old order Reacting to the development, the National President of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Olayiwola Shittu, praised the NCS for the cancellation of the benchmark, saying Customs officers were already hiding under the guise of benchmark and trade facilitation to extort money from members of the association.

With its cancellation, Shittu assured the Federal Government and NCS that they would continue to do their business as patriotic citizens.

Osuala said Save Nigeria Coalition, agents and importers will not accept the suspension, saying they want wholesale cancellation of the benchmark regime. Suspension, he said, does not satisfy the requirement of the law. “What was started in the first instance was started illegally, we are saying there should be a complete cancellation of the illegality, that is what the stakeholders in the maritime industry are saying,” he said, adding that the effect is bad for the country.

He said Nigerian ports are dry, while the ports of neighbouring countries are bursting with activities.

Nigerian importers now transport their goods from these West African countries, pay duties to these countries and bring the goods in by road and pay tokens at the borders because the goods are now coming

‘Every government expects its revenue generating units should increase their target every year. Although it is not sacrosanct, government expects its agencies to generate more revenue every accounting period. What we generally find, is that revenue will continue to improve year-in year-out, where there is efficiency, and depending on the stability of the economy’

from ECOWAS countries. The goods are imported into these other countries, cleared and transported Amiwero said there is nothing called benchmark. He insisted it is an illegal exercise adopted by the Customs in Nigeria.

It is not done anywhere in the world.

“You don’t impose value on any article but you treat it. Value principles are based on Customs and Excise Management (Amendment) Act 20 of 2003 which is a component of GATT article 7,” he argued, saying, this article actually incorporates the convention of transaction value into our valuation treatment procedure. “ So there is nowhere in the world you impose value on anything, value is not based on benchmark, it is based on criteria which has various forms,” he stated.

He said: “When in doubt about the true value of goods, there are six sequential steps laid down in the law that guides the determination of the price of such article in contention. They include transaction value of goods, transaction value of identical goods and transaction value of similar goods. Others are sale value method, computed value method and reasonable value method.”

On transactional value method, he explained that the Act stipulates that Customs valuation shall be based on the actual price of goods to be valued, bought or imported for use in Nigeria based on price actually paid or payable with adjustment in accordance with the provision of paragraph 7(1), which provides for a fair and uniform neutral system conforming to commercial realities.

He said: “ If in doubt about the true value of an imported good, all the NCS needs to do is place a call to the agent or manufacturing company of the product in the exporting country, and in minutes, it is sorted out. Where there is no agreement, you move to the next stage which deals with the transaction value of a similar good, till the sixth level if there is such a need. There is enough provision in the CEMA if Customs wants to do what is right.”

Where there is no agreement between the importer and the Customs, the Minister of Finance is the next level, then in a national setting like ours, the last level in trying to resolve the dispute is the court.

Customs, Amiwero insisted, does not have the right to seize anybody’s goods. “I don’t know under which law they are operating. They don’t seem to understand what they are doing.”

He disagreed with Customs’ claim that the reason they impose benchmark was that importers under-declare.

“For those who may under-declare, that is why Customs officials are at the ports with methods to check such. That is why you have the four lanes in the ASYCUDA++ system,” he said, arguing that goods from Europe, the United States, China and other places do not attract the same duty because of some reasons. One being that of quality, “but with benchmark, you are forced to pay the same. This is wrong and unacceptable,” Amiwero, said.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

29

PERSONAL FINANCE

Dematerialisation and electronic allotment

Investor’s Worth

Building lasting values

T

D

R. Mohammed Koguna holds about 33 per Hassan Koguna is cent equity stake in Red Star Express, an integrated loone of the icons of the Nige- gistics company with currian business community. rent market value of about An accomplished business N2 billion. entrepreneur, he has either He is also known to hold chaired or served on the substantial shares in the boards of not less than three companies within the seven quoted companies UAC of Nigeria Group inand has been credited with cluding UACN, CAP and many turnarounds in sev- UACN Property Developeral companies. ment Company. A highly Wherever Koguna offers revered specialist in insurhis boardroom acumen, he ance brokerage, Koguna also stakes his money in also holds appreciable such a way that as the for- stakes in many insurance tune of the company im- companies. proves, his returns also imKoguna started his profesproves. sional career at the United A shareholder-friendly African Company (UAC) in corporate manager, Koguna 1955. He rose to the posihas also benefitted from the tion of General Manager in good dividend payment UNIC, a subsidiary of UAC, policies of the companies. before retiring into private These have ensured that practice. even in retirement, he had Beside the successes of his voluntarily stepped down private insurance brokerage from many board appoint- firm - Koguna Babura Insurments on becoming a Sep- ance Brokers Limited, and tuagenarian; his portfolio his private investment comhas continued to deliver pany - Koguna Babura & Co mouth-watering dividends. Limited, he had chaired the For instance, his investment boards of CAP Plc, Costain in Red Star Express, where West Africa and UNIC Inhe still serves as the board surance. chairman, has turned in an He also served for several average of N58.3 million years on the boards of yearly in the past two years. UACN and Continental Re-

•Koguna

insurance.

Noted for his commitment to best practices and corporate governance, Koguna was a council member and vice president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) as well as president of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB). He is a director at Citibank Nigeria Limited, a member of Citigroup.

With more than N100 million in passive incomes from a single investment in a period of economic recession, Dr. Mohammed Koguna has surely built a formidable portfolio that spins money irrespective of the secondary market situation.

Ask a Broker

What is renunciation?

R

IGHTS issue statutorily entitles every shareholder to benefit from the supplementary offer. As such, rights, or shares being offered under rights issue, are pre-allotted to shareholders on the basis of their shareholdings.

But with the understanding that not all shareholders may be interested or be in position to take up their

allotted shares, the company making the issue provides shareholders with a window to reject their allocations. This is technically called renunciation, simply meaning that the shareholder renounces his entitlement for another to take up.

A letter of renunciation is usually attached to rights document for partial or full

renunciation.

Partial renunciation occurs where the shareholder picks up a part of his allotment while full renunciation gives up the entire allotment. With the window of opportunity provided by trading in rights on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), shareholders can trade their rights, which are usually priced at discount, at premium on the secondary market.

Ways and Means

Keeping your money on your phone

M

OBILE telephony has greatly permeated the lifestyles of Nigerians. The benefits of the telecommunication revolution are evident in the processes of current financial transactions.

From instant transaction alert to statement of account and updates, mobile telephony has improved customer-bank relationship. As the culture of mobile telephony becomes more entrenched and Nigerians become increasingly reliant on their mobile phones, banks are scaling up their phone-based product offerings.

The recent launch of UMo by United Bank for Africa (UBA) marked another turn in the competitive phone-based banking products and services.

U-Mo, a sort of mobile money- a phone-only financial service without formal banking account, provides opportunity for

customers and non-customers of UBA to do a whole lot of financial transactions on their phones without entering the banking hall. Typical of the low customer registration requirements of mobile money, U-Mo only requires names, mobile number, address, occupation and signature of the customer to be activated.

With U-Mo, a subscriber can deposit or withdraw money, move money from a bank account to U-Mo,

‘Typical of the low customer registration requirements of mobile money, U-Mo only requires names, mobile number, address, occupation and signature of the customer to be activated’

transfer money, pay utility bills such as electricity and cable channels bills, buy recharge cards, pay for goods and services among many other possibilities.

Besides, customers on U-Mo would need not maintain any minimum balance or pay maintenance and transaction fees. Other benefits include free short message notification for every transaction, free online access to account and higher interest rates on account balance compared to other savings.

U-Mo also holds prospects of solving the problem of rural banking as customers can use any of the three Nigerian languagesYoruba, Hausa and Igbo, in addition to English to conduct their transactions.

There is no doubt that UMo perfectly fits into the lifestyle of most Nigerians who are mobile phone users and will further enable them to optimise the use of their phones.

HE Nigerian capital market is gearing up to c o m p l e t e dematerialisation of share certificates and fully launch into a new era of electronic allotments by January 1, 2013. Dematerialisation is the process of elimination of physical share certificates or documents of title representing ownership of securities.

Although shareholders and allotees that insist collecting share certificates as evidenced of ownership would be granted the right as enshrined in sections 146 and 147 (1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), electronic holdings and allotments will become the official practice in the market.

Electronic-allotment (e-allotment) is the direct transfer of subscriber’s share allotment to his investor’s accounts with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS).

The process of capital issue is a long-drawn process with many steps but allotment is a major stage during which shares are allocated to subscribers according to their applications, the volume of shares on offer and the subscription level.

After the verification and clearance of the allotment by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), then come several steps including printing of share certificates, signing and sealing of certificates and packaging and posting, all which are subject to many extraneous manipulations.

Besides, complaints of missing-in-transit, incorrect names and addresses and the often-excruciating process and cost of dematerialisation are major disincentives in the share certificate system.

To the issuer, the cost element in the share certificate system is usually high given costs of printing several thousands of share certificates, some with units that barely worth the cost of the paper, packaging, posting and duplicate share certificates among others.

But under the e-allotment, the Registrar will simply send a soft (electronic) copy of the final allotment, cleared by SEC, to the CSCS, which will automatically credit the account of all shareholders, cutting off all

By Taofik Salako

other cumbersome steps, especially dematerialisation.

The Registrar however will still notify shareholders and send share certificates, in the mean time, to shareholders without CSCS account. However, the stock market is working towards cancellation of share certificate by 2009, making it mandatory for all shareholders in quoted companies to have account with CSCS. The obvious immediate gain from the introduction of the e-allotment is the enshrinement of the principles of equality and access in the capital market.

All shareholders, high networth, medium and small; highly connected and less influential, insiders and outsiders, will be on the same pedestal with regard to access to their shares and can take investment decision as they wish.

This is an immeasurable gain to the general investing public. The share certificate system has recently came under intense criticism over allegations of preferential release of share certificates to select influential investors, who quickly take advantage of high capital appreciation before the masses of investors get their share certificates and follow through the windy dematerialisation process.

Besides, equal access to listed shares, will enhance the efficiency of the market and minimise extraneous influences that unduly distort the price discovery process in the stock market. With other systems such as e-bonus, the electronic transfer of bonus shares to shareholders account, and e-dividend, the Registrar-to-bank direct lodgement of shareholders’ dividends in their bank accounts, the e-allotment will overall enhance good corporate governance and best practices in the Nigerian capital market, the muchneeded tonic for sustainable long-term growth.

But for effective implementation, all stakeholders have crucial roles to play.

The first role is for all stakeholders-shareholders, registrars, issuers, issuing companies and other professional parties and the regulatory authorities, to put their collective will behind the e-allotment to ensure its

Company RT Briscoe

AGM Date AGM Venue 28-06-12 Eko Hotel, Lagos

AG Leventis

05-07-12

Poly Products

30-04-12

Paints & Coatings Nigerian Brew Beta Glass

15-05-12 16-05-12 030-05-12

Cadbury Nig. Dangote Cement

09-05-12 24-05-12

success.

A collaborative must-succeed spirit will enable the market to smoothen the process of implementation and surmount immediate and future challenges.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is already using soft power to persuade investors to dematerialise. According to the commission, all share certificates dematerialised on or before January 1, 2013 shall be at no cost to the shareholder, but certificates dematerialised after this date shall be at a cost. Besides, allotment of shares following public offerings will henceforth be by electronic processes that will domicile shareholding directly with the CSCS. However, the tripartite of SEC, NSE and CSCS should collectively work to create amenable legal and operational environments for the success of e-allotment, and other electronic systems. The regulatory framework should enforce compliance and deter flimsy excuses that could detract from the success of the e-allotment. Capital market regulators should seek for a review of the CAMA to update it with current globally acceptable practices.

But individually, shareholders, arguably the greatest beneficiary of the e-allotment, should support the success of this scheme by complying with basic requirements for the e-allotment.

These include opening a CSCS account, filling the account details correctly into the application form and lodging a complaint with the SEC in the event of indication of preference for e-allotment, by filling the e-allotment information in the application form, but were rather issue share certificate.

Registrars have onerous responsibilities in the implementation of the e-allotment. The main task is that of adequate technological and human capacity to back up the system.

Registrars need to build up adequate resources including e-allotment compliant software to support the e-allotment.

Issuers, issuing houses and other professional parties should ensure allotment through e-allotment to subscribers who indicated their CSCS account.

Time Div ( kobo) 11.00am 10 /1 for 5

Closure 16-05-12

Mainland Hotel Oyingbo Ilupeju Recreational Hall, Lagos To be Advised Muson Centre, Mainland Hotel Oyingbo Muson Centre, Civic Centre, UI

11.00am

14 kobo

13-04-12

11.00am 11am

1 for 24 8 300

16-04-12 29-03-12 21-03-12

11.00am 11am 11am

40 kobo 27-04-12 125/1for10 11-05-12

Feedback/Comments: Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk; SMS only: 080-2833-0861

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

30

MONEY LINK

CBN: Cheque truncation’ll be fully implemented in July

WAMCO records N104.9b turnover

will bring about the best clearing system in the country. Cheque truncation means that the paper cheques will be cleared electronically and will no longer be moved physically.

He said there is already a roadmap on cheque truncation being implemented by banks.

RIESLANDCAMPINA WAMCO Nigeria Plc has recorded net sales of N104.9 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2011. This result is a 16 per cent increase over the N90.3 billion declared in 2010.

The result was released at its 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos last week.

“Despite business interruption due to the devastating flood and the harsh economic environment, the commercial and financial performance of the company remained satisfactory. The firm’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) stood at N13.9 billion, while Profit After Taxation (PAT) closed at N9.9 billion,” the Corporate Affairs Manager, Ore Famurewa, said.

The Board of Directors proposed a dividend of N20.31 per N1.00 share, which is equivalent to 100 per cent of the company’s PAT for the year under review. An interim dividend of N3.02 was paid in November 2011 while a final dividend of N17.29 per N1.00 share was approved by the Shareholders during the Annual Meeting.

Although the Company faced a number of challenges arising from a combination of higher raw material prices and a weaker Naira, the Company successfully improved its position by growing its market share (value) from 45 per cent to 46 per cent.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO, as the leading manufacturer in the Nigerian dairy market, is fully committed to the development of local milk production capacity in Nigeria. The Company buys fresh milk from Shonga dairies in Kwara State and Fulani farmers in various communities in Oyo State for part of its production.

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set a July 2012 timetable for the full implementation of its cheque truncation policy.

CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, Dipo Fatokun, disclosed this in a chat with reporters during a stakeholders’ forum on cheque truncation organised by the apex bank in Lagos at the weekend.

He explained that part of the benefits of the policy would be less clearing days. Instead of T+2 before one gets value for transactions, the value is received on T+1, thereby reducing the clearing cycle by one day. “You know when you talk of money, time is very important. So, that one-day reduction in the clearing cycle makes a lot of difference,” he said.

He explained that there are alternative payment channels which the CBN is encouraging instead of using cash, which the cheque truncation policy is going to facilitate. “So instead of you carrying cheque around, you pay in cheque into your account. And if you want to make payment, you use cheque, but based on the limit which is N10 million.

So, cheque truncation is an integral part of the cash-less policy,” he said.

Fatokun said that the cheque truncation plan will require hard ware and also called for enlightenment on the part of those that are to participate in the exercise. According to him, these challenges have been identified and are being addressed by the CBN. He said the regulator would be visiting the banks with the Working Group and Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) to ensure that everything is in place and to mitigate the risks that could arise

Stories by Collins Nweze

from the implementation of the policy.

The policy is also aimed at articulating the rights and responsibilities of presenting and paying banks in the cheque truncation system;

providing for minimum technical and operational standards for cheque truncation as well as to facilitate the implementation of an effective and efficient payment system in the banking sector.

The Acting CEO NIBSS, Niyi Ajao explained that cheque truncation

Fuel subsidy scam: We did our job creditably, says firm

T

HE management of Olusola Adekanola & Co has defended its role in the fuel subsidy audit, saying it did not breach the transaction agreement entered into with the Budget Office of the Federation.

Addressing the press , Group Executive Chairman, Olusola Adekanola, said the firm identified with the government’s efforts in bringing sanity to the oil and gas sector, but insisted that his firm is being unjustly punished for an offence it did not commit.

He said the firm was engaged for an initial term of 12 months, in April 2011 by the Budget Office of the Federation under the Federal Ministry of Finance, to carry out physical verification of quantity of petrol brought into the country by Independent Oil Market-

ing Companies and discharged into tank farms. The agreement also required that the firm reviews subsidy claims referred to it for correctness and accuracy, among others.

He said while the firm commenced the physical verification aspect of the assignment in June, 2011, following the signing of a valid agreement, subsidy claims’ documents from Petroleum Products Price Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) were not forwarded to it for review until October 2011.

He said payments were not cleared by the auditors before they were made to oil marketers. “Whereas we were allocated 258 vessels for inspection between June and December 2011, we verified subsidy payment documents for just three months out of a total of 36

months, from January, 2009 to 31st December, 2011, investigated by the House Committee on oil subsidy probe,” he said.

He said the total value of claims and post payment verified by the firm covering 86 vessels, was N121.9 billion which represents only four per cent of the N2.7 trillion in 2011 subsidy payments under investigation by the Ad hoc Committee.

He said other agencies such as the Navy, Department of Petroleum Resources, Customs, Nigeria Ports Authority, PPPRA, Nigerian Ports Authority (its surveyors), Marketer’s Surveyors, Vessel Crew members were also witnesses to the deliveries of petroleum products.

Access Bank CEO to quit before tenure ends HE Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, has disclosed that he would quit his job before December 31, 2013.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)) of the bank in Lagos, he said his absence will not create any vacuum and would not affect the bank negatively, as it is endowed with competent hands that will keep it on continuous growth path.

He said the succession and

T

before tax stood at N20.3 billion, rising by 25.3 per cent from N16.2 billion in 2010, while profit after tax rose by 50.5 per cent from N11.1 billion in 2010 to N16.7 billion in the year under review.

Its shareholders’ funds grew by 12.3 per cent to N197 billion from N175.4 billion in 2010; customer deposits grew by 126.4 per cent from N486.9 billion in 2010 to N1.1 trillion; loan and advances appreciated by 28.5 per cent to N552.4 billion from N429.8 billion in 2010, while total assets rose by 103.1 per cent to N1.635 trillion from N804.8 billion in 2010.

leadership of the bank is not an issue, adding that at the appropriated time, the most qualified individual will take over. He maintained that the bank will continually focus on strengthening its operations and ensuring a sustainable future in the years ahead.

During the meeting, shareholders lauded the bank’s financial performance and approved its 30 kobo dividend declaration for the 2011 financial year.

The bank, in its 2011 financial statement, announced gross earnings of N138.9 billion, rising by 52.5 per cent from N91.1 per cent recorded in 2010; profit

FGN BONDS

DATA BANK

Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 150m 150m 138m 138m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

NIDF NESF

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 27-4-12 SYMBOL

UBA NCR CONOIL CADBURY SHAKACEM PRESCO RTBRISCOE NEIMETH CUSTODYINS WAPIC

O/PRICE

3.40 17.41 24.25 13.72 9.73 10.99 1.32 0.72 1.49 0.52

C/PRICE

3.57 18.28 25.46 14.40 10.51 11.50 1.38 0.75 1.55 0.54

113m

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

Current Before

O/PRICE 1.60 0.80 3.46 5.50 1.02 3.59 4.20 1.77 5.99 10.51

C/PRICE 1.52 0.76 3.29 5.23 0.97 3.42 4.05 1.72 5.83 10.28

CHANGE 0.08 0.04 0.17 0.27 0.05 0.17 0.15 0.05 0.16 0.23

29-2-12 27-2-12

113m

155.7

22-2-12

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

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Date

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 27-4-12

SYMBOL CUTIX CONTINSURE CHAMPION FCMB LIVESTOCK ETERNAOIL UBN BAGCO ACCESS UAC-PROP

Exchange Rate (N) 155.8 155.8

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

CHANGE

0.17 0.87 1.21 0.68 0.48 0.51 0.06 0.03 0.06 0.02

113m

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

F

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 122.59 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 102.03 THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.74 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.89 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,701.51 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 8.13 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 7,259.48 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 122.48 101.48 0.72 1.08 0.88 1,695.51 7.74 1.33 1.80 7,071.36 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30 , 2012

31

MONEY MARKET REPORT FGN domestic debt by holder, Dec 2011 (% share)

Marginal rates at FGN bonds auctions (%)

•Sources: Debt Management Office (DMO), FBN Capital Research

Liquidity control: CBN, DMO mop N231b T from circulation HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Debt Management Office (DMO) last week mopped N231 billion from circulation using treasury bills and bonds. Treasury bills, bonds and other money market instruments are issued regularly to reduce money supply, curb inflation and help lenders manage liquidity.

The instruments issued in the last one week consisted of N140.61 billion in treasury bills issued by the CBN and N90 billion in bonds issued by the DMO. The treasury bills ranged from three months to one year, with yields across board after a heavy subscription by local and offshore investors.

It consisted of N34.88 billion worth of the three-month bond at a return of 13.84 per cent, lower than the 14.0 per cent same tenor paper issued at the previous auction, while the CBN sold N45 billion of the six-month bills at 14.59 per cent, compared with 14.94 per cent sold previously. Also issued was N60.73 billion worth of oneyear paper at a yield of 14.64 per cent, below the 15.07 per cent at an auction early in the month.

“The yields were generally lower than market expectation because of the projection of higher inflation figure for the month of March,” one dealer said. However, demand rose significantly to N540.68 billion, its highest in years, compared with N474.51 billion demanded by investors the previous week.

Besides, DMO had sold N90 billion worth of debt paper maturing in 2014, 2017 and 2022 at its regular auction last Wednesday, with mixed returns on the bonds.

The debt office said it sold N20 billion in the bond due to mature in March 2014 and N35 billion each in paper due to mature in April 2017 and 2022. The 2017 bond, which was a fresh issue, has a coupon of 15.10 per cent, while the 2017 and 2022 paper pays a rate of 14.94 and 15.47 per cent.

Naira/Interbank rates The interbank lending rates eased sharply last week to an average of 11.83 per cent, from 14.50 per cent after market liquidity was buoyed by the disbursement of a portion of the March budgetary allocation to government agencies.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) dropped to 11.50 per cent from 14 per cent last week, on the impact of liquidity surge. Also, OBB was 50 basis points below the central bank’s 12 percent benchmark rate, and 1.50 percentage points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

On Wednesday, the naira firmed

fice operations and alignment of information technology standards across the industry.

By Collins Nweze

against the dollar on interbank, and foreign exchange auction after International Oil Companies sold $120 million, boosting dollar liquidity. The naira closed at 157.20 to the dollar at the interbank market, its highest level in a week and firmer than the 157.35 per dollar it had closed on Tuesday.

On Monday, the naira weakened against the dollar on the interbank market in a thin trade, as market dollar liquidity was sufficient to counter dollar demand from importers, traders said. The naira closed at 157.30 to the dollar on the interbank market, compared with 157.25 to the dollar the previous Friday, losing five kobo. Traders said the market remained liquid enough due to the dollar sales by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), easing pressure on the local currency. “We see the naira remaining fairly stable for the rest of the week as we approach the month-end cycle and a possible increase in dollar flows from oil companies,” another dealer said.

Inflation rises The March inflation figure on Thursday hit 12.1 per cent yearly from 11.9 per cent previously recorded. This runs contrary to concerns that it might have been far worse. Razia Khan, an Economist at the Standard Chartered Bank, said the inflation figure would decide the future monetary policy decisions. Also, the pressure from food prices went up 11.8 per cent from 9.7 per cent in February. This was attributed largely to the planting season, although this was offset somewhat by tight liquidity with the delays to the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocation.

According to Khan, on a 12month basis, the measure, we be-

lieve, is important to the CBN in determining the appropriateness or not of the monetary policy stance. Consumer Price Index inflation actually fell to 10.9 per cent, from 11 per cent in February.

Loan Penetration Survey conducted by the Strategy Management Advisory Research Training (SMART), a financial sector research firm, said the banking sector is witnessing a low penetration of retail loan products. Its Managing Partner, Ademola Adeyinka, said the penetration stands at 16 per cent, with personal loan accounting for 10 per cent of the retail loan products.

The report follows last year’s survey conducted on all the deposit money banks in the country, where it found that First City Monument Bank led other banks with 23 per cent, Enterprise Bank 20 per cent while Access Bank and Stanbic IBTC Bank had 17 per cent penetration level each. Ecobank Nigeria was rated high on mortgage and lease financing compared to other banks.

Cashless Telecoms companies operating in the country are gathering signal strengths of their networks to ensure that the needed infrastructural support are given to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cash-less banking policy.

The Managing Director, Unified Payments System, Agada Apochi , who spoke on the cashless project works, said the apex bank and the telecoms firms are in partnership to ensure that the project works.

He said telecoms firms have been supportive of the policy. Also, a statement from the Bankers’ Committee said other elements of the policy include centralised back of-

Economy

The economy is projected to double within a decade from $239 billion in 2011 to over $500 billion by 2021. The economy is also expected to shift from sixth place with 7.2 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to second place in 2012 to 2013 with around seven per cent growth.

Renaissance Capital, an investment and research firm, said current statistics is sufficient to boost the country’s economic growth and position it among biggest economies in the world. “We believe much faster growth is possible given the current reformminded government. Nigeria would be second only to China in 2012 if it was in the emerging market group of countries, with 7.1 per cent growth beating India’s 6.9 per cent and Indonesia’s 6.1 per cent,” it said.

AkintolaWilliams Deloitte The management of Akintola Williams Deloitte last week defended its role in the fuel subsidy, saying it acted professionally and in line with mandate given to it

by Budget Office of the Federation. Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte West Africa & Central Africa, Adeniyi Obe, explained that the firm’s responsibility was mainly to verify volumes of petroleum products imported and delivered into the country by Independent Oil Marketing Companies.

Ther firm also verified imported petroleum products based on specific vessels allocated to it. He absolved its representatives of any wrongdoing, adding that they witnessed all the deliveries that were certified by the firm; on which subsidies were subsequently calculated and paid to importers.

The instruments issued in the last one week consisted of N140.61 billion in treasury bills issued by the CBN and N90 billion in bonds issued by the DMO. The treasury bills ranged from three months to one year, with yields across board after a heavy subscription by local and offshore investors

‘

’

“We carried out our work within the mandate of our agreement with the Budget Office of the Federation and with the highest professional standards expected of any responsible professional services provider,” he said.

Bank to bank report Skye Bank has raised $100 million in debt from a multilateral institution at a floating coupon rate of 6.3 per cent for seven years.

Managing Director of the bank, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said the fund is to boost the lender’s capital. “It will add about two per cent to our capital adequacy ratio,” he said.

The bank’s capital adequacy level is now at 17.5 per cent. First Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Diamond Bank have indicated interest to raise bonds from the international market this year.

The Management of Mainstreet Bank Limited said it would build and maintain an institution that will remain competitive in the banking Industry. The bank’s board of directors also decided to embark on reorganisation exercise. In a statement, it said the decision to re-organise its human and capital resources came after a careful review of the bank’s budget, and thorough discussion with relevant stakeholders.

The Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank has retired two of its long-serving executive directors and appointed four new executive directors. The outgoing directors are Willie Obiano, Executive Director, Business Banking and Abdul-Rahman Esene, Executive Director, Public Sector & Investment Banking. Both directors reached the bank’s retirement age of 55 and left last month.

The newly appointed executive directors are John Obi, Executive Director, Corporate Banking; Mrs. Chijioke Ugochukwu, Executive Director, Shared Services; Balarabe Mohammed, Executive Director, Commercial and Consumer Banking, North Directorate and Nnamdi Okonkwo, Executive Director, Commercial and Consumer Banking, South Directorate.

Enterprise Bank Limited (EBL) promoted a total of 333 staff across board. The promotions came as a direct result of the newly introduced performance based compensation system, which makes it possible for hardworking and outstanding staff to earn all kinds of rewards including regular promotion.

32

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

THE CEO

Nigeria has enough manufacturing capacity, raw materials and resources. To grow investments, however, the government must assure investors that it would not change policies overnight, says Group Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Devakumar Edwin. He spoke with DUPE OLAOYEOSINKOLU.

• Edwin

PHOTO: DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKOLU

‘How to stabilise Nigeria’s economy’ I

N an economy, where entrepreneurs complain of poor access to funds, how has Dangote Group been able to stay afloat?

The primary philosophy of the Group, to begin with, is that we should not borrow.

When we started moving into manufacturing, we applied our philosophy that we should use our funds. Then, we realised that we have very ambitious plans. We want to grow fast and we want to grow very large.

And all companies grow by borrowing from banks.You leverage your equity by borrowing from the bank which helps you grow fast. Although we borrowed some funds from banks, our underlying philosophy is, we would borrow from the bank. We will minimise our exposure. We were to, a large extent, justified when the global economy went through a crisis in 2008. Most of the companies experienced serious trouble. Because of heavy borrowing, they couldn’t stay afloat.

Has it paid off?

Even today, all the cement majors have not come out of the problem. Everybody leveraged heavily on their borrowings and

after the financial crisis, with the higher interest rates, they are in financial chaos which has put some companies in trouble.

We did not experience such crisis. So, the philosophy of the Group, initially, was zero borrowing. Now, it is to minimise the borrowing as much as possible.

How are you financing your operations?

Our companies are making profit.The profit is taken out by the promoters for other purposes, and re-invested, that is the philosophy of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is the primary universal representative of his companies. Every single kobo he makes, he ploughs back. That is essentially the major difference between most entrepreneurs in the country and Dangote. This helps us to grow with minimum borrowing.

Government believes the private sector is the engine for economic development.

Is the private sector playing that role?

About 30 years back, one of my bosses told me: ‘Government has no business doing business.’ The philosophy has not been applicable in many countries; for example, China. It is a public-sector driven economy.

It is not applicable in all countries. But in a

democratic country like Nigeria, obviously, if the government tries to run business, it will not be successful. We have seen it very clearly in the case of the power sector. The government should really take a quick decision on issues.

For example, the privatisation of the power sector has been on for a long time.

There was a bidding process to privatise the power sector. Many companies, including Dangote Group, bid, but no decision has been taken. Probably, the government has its own reasons for hesitating over how the privatisation will be viewed by the public.

Another example is the privatisation of the refineries. There was due process. Our company bid for it. We won the bid. Fortunately or unfortunatly, there was a change in government, from Obasanjo to President Yar’Adua. We won, we paid the fixed price.

We went to the new President and said: how do you view the proposals? He said there was a lot of pressure, that probably we had been done some favours. And we said okay, return our money, we want to get out of all these. We collected our money back. At that

time, the government said it was going to see to it that all the refineries were performing at optimum capacity. Now, eight years down the line, the refineries are in the same situation, just like the NITEL privatisation which drew a lot of controversy. Privatisation may not be an easy way for a democratic government to take a decision, but, at least, the government opens up the economy, and brings in very good policies. Nigeria has all along, since independence, been either number two or number one importer of cement worldwide.

Today, we have enough manufacturing capacity within Nigeria, all because the government put adequate policies in place.

The primary requirement for cement is limestone. It is available in the country. We have enough gas, we have enough oil, we have the energy, we have the basic raw material, and yet, we are importing cement.

All the cement factories have closed down.

Nkalagu has closed down, Calabar Cement, Okpella has closed down, Gboko Benue Cement Company has closed down. Sokoto was actually limping. Ashaka was not do• Continued on page 33

33

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

THE CEO •Continued from page 32

ing well. Every company tried to expand.

At one time, Elephant House advertised; they wanted to sell, because the bank loan was very high, they were sinking. That was the status of the cement sector, 10 years back.

Then, a new policy was put in place. Many firms were bought by investors. We invested in Ibeshe and Obajana.

How has government’s policy affected cement manufacturing?

A single policy of the government can change the state of business. Nigeria from being number one/two importer of cement, is becoming self-sufficient; and by God’s grace, before the end of the year, we will start to export. If not this year, definitely, next year, we are going to export. So, a good policy of the government can change an industry, create employment, conserve foreign exchange. Imagine importing 20 million tons of cement, the foreign exchange involved, with a weaker Naira. It is not just employment, foreign exchange conservation and exploitation of local materials, there are many benefits derivable from one single policy.

On export trade in cement, has Dangote expansion plans outside Nigeria?

Of course. We have cement terminal in Ghana. Our cement plant in Senegal is nearing completion. It is being test-run. It will start producing soon. Our cement plant in Zambia has also started. Our cement plant in South Africa has also started. In Tanzania, the contractor is about to mobilise; we have done the preliminary studies. In Ethiopia, work has started and we are siting a plant in Gabon. The site investigation is going on. In Cameroon, civil work has started and in Sierra Leone. In Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Benin and Togo we are doing preliminary works. We are looking at the opportunity of doing yearly studies in Kenya. Apart from the 14 countries where we have signed contracts to put up a plant, we are also looking at other countries.

Being a Nigerian brand, what is the perception of Dangote Cement in other African countries?

Surprisingly, the brand is very well received. I received a letter from someone in Angola. The boy was looking for a job. I said we are not employing people yet from the country, I will be getting in touch with you. He sent a letter back, saying: “Thank you very much for your kind response, but why are you not bringing your products into Angola? Your brand is well recognised; people know about your name. Please, try to export your products here.” The same thing in Senegal, people are looking for our product. We are the ones trying to see how we can export our products. And we almost signed a contract in Zambia for export.

You said your firm can surpass local demand and would soon start exporting. Can we get some facts that Dangote Cement can actually meet the local demand and ensure reduction, not in quality, but in the price of cement?

You can check the last five or 10 years cement consumption, we have a data on it.

And you can check from the Nigeria Ports Authority, about the cement coming in.

They have the data. You can check from the Customs, because when you import, you pay duties. You can check from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, because you have to pay VAT. There are several sources to check, people are just trying to confuse the issues, saying demand is this much and it cannot be met. If you look at it, the importation by local manufacturers, last year was 17 and 17½ metric tons. The annual gross trade has been 10 per cent. If you look at it except in the early 2008, just before the economic crisis when the whole economy heated up, there was only a year when we had higher consumption. This year’s consumption should be about 20 million tons, we are also on 20 million capacity. La Farge has eight million-ton capacity. UNICEM has about two-and-a-half million tons capacity, Sokoto Cement, another two-and-a half tons capacity. Even if everybody is on much less capacity, still we will be able to surpass the requirement.These are statistics available, anybody can check it out.

Unfortunately, Nigeria has been an open economy all along, favouring importers. I come from India which is a very closed economy. But till industrialisation really stabilised, from the year of independence

‘How to stabilise Nigeria’s economy’

• Edwin

to 1995 or so, importation was not allowed in my country. If you want to import a car, the duty is 350 per cent. We had only two car manufacturers in the country, with a billion population. Nobody was allowed to import soaps, nobody was allowed to import biscuits. When I came to this country 20 years ago, if you enter a supermarket, you would see biscuits, soaps, shampoo from every part of the world. It is unimaginable. The technology that is not available in the country, is allowed to be brought in.

In India, as I said, in 1995, they said, ‘okay, the local industries have stabilised, let’s gradually open the door, if competition comes in, quality will improve, varieties will improve.’ The economy has been opened, every single car manufacturer is in India, and they are producing and exporting out of India. Now, as the economy opened, competition came in, the quality and varieties of products improved.

In China today, they claim to be the number one economy in the world, still it is a closed economy. They open the door only to the extent that people can come, invest in the country, and supply there and re-export. But you can’t bring in a finished product. Even the United States, which speaks so much about an open economy, they are trying to put pressure on China. When the industries were threatened during the time of George Bush, he was a Republican, and

PHOTO: DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKOLU

so much in favour of an open economy, still he fought for a drop in duties. The same thing with Europe, you can’t take in any food product, their agricultural sector is heavily subsidised. So, those who talk about free economy, talk according to their convenience. When they want to dump their finished products in Asia and Africa, they talk about free economy.

But when it comes to their own home, why are they subsidising agriculture? Why are they protecting their industries so much?

Unfortunately, Nigeria has a trading economy which is strictly open. And now, when they try to change into a manufacturing economy, those who have been enjoying the easy money are not ready for the change. Dangote was not easily converted to manufacturing. He came from a background of international trade. He thought about his first manufacturing business in 1991. He invested for the Group Vice President to manage. He has been a trader all the while, he puts in money today, and sees the return tomorrow. Manufacturing is not so. You would sink in a lot of money, and for the money to come back, you need a strong heart, and a strong mind. He was very hesitant. In fact, though he started the business in 1991, it was sometime in 1997 that he got fully integrated after a trip to Brazil, when he saw what was happening there.

‘A good policy of the government can change an industry, create employment, conserve foreign exchange.

Imagine importing 20 million tons of cement, the foreign exchange involved, with a weaker Naira. It is not just employment, foreign exchange conservation and exploitation of local materials, there are many benefits derivable from one single policy’

Would you say Dangote Cement is complying with factory safety laws, ensuring hazard/ accident-free work environment?

Talking about hazard; there are different types of hazard. One is the noise pollution, another is the environment pollution in terms of sewage emission. There is gas pollution which is very common in the chemical industry and the number four is accident from plants.

There are different hazards. So, I will take it one by one. In terms of sewage emission, the cement industry is supposed to be one of the biggest contributors to sewage emission, which is affecting the green house.

While people look at the cement industry as a big threat to environment. we have adopted a manufacturing technology which reduces our emission are very low. All our plants are designed to comply with European noise standard.

The third is dust emission which is a critical factor in the cement industry, because emissions from cement plants are very high, and affect the health of the people.

We have invested in modern equipment that are environment-friendly. Nigerian standard for dust emission was 250 mg/Nm, but we have a plant that guarantees 30 mg/ Nm even when European standard is 50mg/ Nm. In fact, our actual emission is about 15mg/Nm, far lower than the European standard. Today, Europe has moved from 50 to 30, but we are still far below that.

Nobody bothers about sewage emission standard in Nigeria, there is no standard.

But we should also be environment and people-friendly.One should be able to make a massive investment on additional pollution control equipment and safety issues.

Let’s invest today, because, ultimately, what is the essence of employing people to impair their health. Employees, who after 15 to 20 years, will say, ‘I have been inhaling dust; my health is failing.’ In such a case, you have really not given employment to people, you are indirectly injuring their health. So, the philosophy is, let’s take care of people. Let them be part of the investment, not just employment. You have to ensure that you don’t pollute the environment, you don’t injure them. We have adopted and even designed the safety standards required by European plants.

Accidents do occur, but we try to keep our plants accident-free. In case of any accident, we immediately do our investigation as to the cause to prevent a recurrence.

You have said so much about the tonnage per year and capacity of Dangote Cement Group to meet local demand. You are yet to give us a time frame in terms of when to reduce the price of cement. Nigerians are waiting for a downward review of cement price. What is your take on this?

In the last two years, we have not increased price. The government has increased the minimum wage and salary of workers. Salary and wages have gone up. It is not just the government; in the industry, the agreement is complied with. Two, all spare parts for our equipment are imported. For two years, apart from the increase in price of spare parts in the countries of exports we have not increased price, despite that the weak Naira has increased cost. So, my cost of production has gone up in terms of spare parts.Look at fuel, government has increased fuel price and prices have gone up.

My gas price has gone up, my oil price has gone up, prices of all the items we bring into the country, have gone up. The transportation price has gone up because of the increase in the price of diesel; my wages and salaries have gone up. All my cost input has gone up to the roof, yet we have not increased the price for two years. That shows how much costs we have been able to absorb. Under normal circumstance, all these prices would have been passed on to customers. When petroleum products prices went up, the transporters didn’t absorb the cost, they just passed it to the end users.

As these new capacities are flooding the markets, before the end of the year, I am sure there is going to be a little drop in the price of cement. That goes to show that we are not only going to be absorbing the cost but we are also going to subsidise the cost of transport to the depots. The price of transportation from the factories to the depots is being subsidised. So, we are absorbing the cost increase by holding back the factory price, we are again reducing the prices at the depots.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

34

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-4-12

UBA to list property division on NSE

G

ROUP Managing Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr Philip Oduoza, said the bank would soon list its property division on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) following approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to this effect.

Speaking at a presentation of the bank’s facts and figures to the investing community at the NSE at the weekend, Oduoza estimated that the bank could record net profit of N26.62 billion by the end of first half of 2012 while gross earnings could be N113.37 billion.

He noted that the first quarter results that were recently released to the market were indicative of the potential of the bank, pointing out that gross revenue grew by 32.9 per cent to N40.5 billion.

“Revenue generated from our African operations, excluding Nigeria, remains strong with 19 per cent contribution. African operations have continued to increase in asset base which now accounts for 19 per cent of total assets. Return on assets is now positive and solid at 2.4 per cent,” he said.

He explained that the bank has emerged one of the healthiest banks in

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

terms of its loan portfolio after cleaning up its books in the previous year, adding that the management is being conscious of loan growth given downturn in the global market.

According to him, the bank’s loan book has grown steadily to N701 billion with oil and gas, retail, telecommunication and general commerce accounting for the bulk of its loan portfolio.

He said the total non-performing loans of N20 billion typifies the clean state of the bank’s balance sheet even as loan to deposit ratio remain below 50 per cent due to cautious lending strategy and pursuance of cheap deposits by all means.

“We have very strong deposit base. These are basically savings from current account. Low cost deposits still dominate our deposit book for up to 78 per cent,” he stressed.

He observed that the N100 billion non performing loans removed from its balance sheet affected only its commodity trading and has no effect on its equity trading, adding that the bank had to remove that sum to

stop impaired earnings arising from its foreign counterpart.

On the bank’s African investments, Oduoza explained, “We believe that Africa is our next frontier of growth. We are confident that by the end of the year, we are confident that African business will begin to turn around. We are hoping that by the end of the quarter, Africa will begin to contribute 30 - 40 per cent to revenue growth.”

Meanwhile, on the floor for the week, UBA was a favourite in the banking sector with a 27.1 per cent gain at the close of the week.

Market sources said healthy demand is likely to propel it further this week. Profit taking trimmed Union Bank’s gains to eight per cent, while appetite for GTBank and Zenith Bank during the week led to cumulative gains of 1.6 per cent and 3.4 per cent.

In the building materials sector, Ashaka Cement bagged 21.4 per cent last week a combination of robust daily demand and a dearth of offers, the rally could however spur profit taking in early sessions this week. Lafarge Wapco, Dangote Cement and CCNN also recorded marginal gains of 2.3 per cent, 1.7 per cent and one per cent.

UACN was divergent to the bearish sentiment in the conglomerate sector this week, inching up 1.9 per cent at the close of the week.

Unilever, PZ Cussons and Transcorp however lost 1.4 per cent, 1.5 per cent and 1.9 per cent apiece last week.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-4-12

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30 , 2012

35

EQUITIES WATCH

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Cadbury Nigeria has returned three times more than the average return at the stock market. Trading now at its highest price, emerging fundamentals appear to be showing a similar outlook. TAOFIK SALAKO looks at the variables driving the uptrend.

C

ADBURY Nigeria opens today at its highest value per share this year. With consistent capital appreciation, the company has week-on-week set a new high for itself and riding on positive overall market outlook, the intrinsic value in the food and beverages company boosted its potential among the advancers.

While the benchmark index for the Nigerian stock market, which automatically doubles as Nigeria's country index- the All Share Index (ASI), indicates a year-to-date return of 6.65 per cent, Cadbury Nigeria opens today with year-to-date return of 26.3 per cent. It’s market consideration has particularly witnessed steeped increase in the days after the release of its audited report and accounts for the year ended December 2011. This month alone, its share price has risen by 13.9 per cent, ranking within the highest gains bracket. Against its lowest market consideration of N8.33, the performance of the stock becomes even more spectacular with a return of about 73 per cent.

On the average, the pricing curve suggests a range of 40 to 60 per cent gains for more discerning mid-level investors.

The price trend so far this year underlined a major recovery for the food and beverages stock, which had slumped by 55.5 per cent in 2011. Cadbury Nigeria's share price has been volatile in recent years. From a low of N9.97 in 2010, the stock peaked at a high of N34.84 and later closed the year at N25.62.

It, however, dropped from a high of N29.20 to a low of N10.17 and eventually closed 2011 at N11.40 per share. The rather turbulent pricing trend of Cadbury Nigeria in previous years, compared with the impressive stability and appreciation of its peerNestle Nigeria, was indicative of the hopes and concerns of investors over the recovery of the company. With the 2006 account overstatement scandal, Cadbury Nigeria had struggled to regain its feet and reckoning as a blue chip stock.

Putting the past behind Audited report and accounts of the confectionery company for the year ended December 31, 2006, which detailed the spillovers of the adjustments for several years of overstatements, indicated net current liabilities of N8.9 billion and accumulated losses of N11.2 billion. With 10 adjustments running into about N15 billion, the company had entered the red with a net loss of N4.7 billion while turnover dropped by 35 per cent. Cadbury Nigeria's group shareholders' funds also dwindled by 80 per cent from N10.87 billion in 2005 to N2.2 billion in 2006. Between 2006 and 2009, the company wallowed in losses. Net loss after tax rose from N721.3 million in 2007 to N2.7 billion in 2008 and reduced to N1.24 billion in 2009. But after a highly excruciating restructuring and successful fund raising in 2009, Cadbury Nigeria showed a glimpse of rebirth in 2010. With generally positive underlying profitability ratios, key actual profit and loss figures finally returned to green in 2010. Gross profit margin increased from 25 per cent in 2009 to about 32 per cent in 2010. Pre-tax profit margin re-

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Is the waiting period over for Cadbury Nigeria? versed from -9.3 per cent in 2009 to 6.7 per cent in 2010, indicating that the company made an average profit of N6.70 per every N100 unit of sales in 2010 compared with average loss of N9.30 made on similar sales in 2009. Return on total assets stood at 6.9 per cent in 2010 as against -9.4 per cent in 2009. Actual return to shareholders turned positive with a return on equity of 9.0 per cent in 2010 in contrast with -9.8 per cent in 2009. Strong underlying profitability ratios also underpinned actual growths. Total sales rose by 14 per cent from N25.6 billion in 2009 to N29.2 billion in 2010. Cadbury Nigeria posted its first pre-tax profit in five years in 2010 with a pre-tax profit of N1.95 billion. Net profit closed 2010 at N1.2 billion as against net loss of N1.24 billion in 2009.

Decisive fundamentals?

Latest audited report and accounts of Cadbury Nigeria, for the year ended December 31, 2011, showed a stronger and more resilient performance. Turnover rose by 17 per cent to N34.11 billion in 2011. Gross profit also rose by 20.7 per cent from N9.25 billion to N11.16 billion. Profits before and after tax leapt by 160.3 per cent and 216.8 per cent to N5.08 billion and N3.70 billion respectively in 2011. Shareholders' funds also improved by 18 per cent from N28.5 billion in 2010 to N33.71 billion in 2011.

The latest audited report generally showed strong underlying fundamentals with gross profit margin rising from 32

per cent to 33 per cent. Pre-tax profit margin doubled to 14.9 per cent. Although Cadbury Nigeria has not declared any dividend, the latest earnings represent significant improvement and strong prospect for future earnings. With earnings per share rising from 37 kobo in 2010 to N1.18 in 2011, current earnings yield stands at 8.2 per cent. Net assets per share closed 2011 at N10.77 as against N9.10 in 2010.

Interim report and accounts of the company for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012, released at the weekend, showed impressive growth in profit in spite of marginal decline in sales. Turnover had declined from N7.59 billion in first quarter 2011 to N7.20 billion in 2012.

Gross profit dropped marginally from N2.42 billion in 2011 to N2.27 billion in 2012. With better mid-line cost management, profit before tax grew by 86 per cent to N587.1 million in 2012 as against N314.7 million in 2011. Profit after tax also grew by 95 per cent from N205.6 million to N400.66 million.

With pre-tax profit margin of 8.15 per cent in first quarter 2012 as against 4.15 per cent in comparable period of 2011, the latest interim report represents a significant improvement. However, given the full-year performance for 2011, the 2012 first quarter performance appears to be a slow start. Will Cadbury Nigeria step up the momentum in the period ahead? Management of the company said various strategic initiatives would continue to consolidate the performance of

•MD, Cadbury Nig., Mr Alan Palmer

the company in the years ahead. With Cadbury Nigeria's new focus on growth brands serving as impetus for growth, its membership of the Kraft Foods also opens immense opportunities, which could be catalytic to significant growths in the years ahead. Cadbury Nigeria is already working on leveraging on the affiliation to introduce many global super brands from Kraft Foods into the Nigerian market. These business prospect and emerging fundamentals are the key variables behind expectant investors' aggressive positioning, which underlines the company’s current share price trend. But Cadbury Nigeria will need more than the 2011 and 2012 first quarter reports to sustain investors' growing appetite. It needs to finally break the cash dividend drought to bring home to investors the full sense of recovery.

Net Earnings-Dividend Relationship 450 400 350 300 250

EPS

200

DPS

150 100 50 0 1

2

3

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30 , 2012

36

DUE DILIGENCE

MRS Oil Nigeria: Falling all through M

RS Oil Nigeria Plc witnessed considerable declines in profitability and balance sheet strength in 2011 as sluggish sales and huge loans orchestrated a major reversal that shaved about 44 per cent off net earnings and returns to shareholders. Audited report and accounts of MRS Oil Nigeria for the year ended December 31, 2011 showed a highly leveraged company struggling with declining margins amidst rising costs.

With 44 per cent decline in profit after tax, a gearing ratio of about 112 per cent further placed the oil-marketing company on a precarious financial position, which ties substantial financial ability to the willingness of its lenders. Returns on assets and to shareholders halved while the company also reduced cash payouts in tandem with the net earnings position.

While the profitability underlines the slim margin and topsy-turvy operating environment in the petroleum-marketing sector, MRS Oil's weakening balance sheet makes it more vulnerable. With other costs, excluding finance costs, trending upward to more than 97 per cent, jumping finance costs- which rose by 197 per cent in 2011; makes the company's performance more precarious and this is evident in the marginal decline in equity funds.

However, the company's earnings remain substantially high and the prudent decision to retain substantial earnings reassures on the sustainability of cash payouts.

•Chairman, MRS Oil Alhaji Sayyu Dantata

2007

2008

2009

profit margin held constant at 9.9 per cent, underlining the fact that midloans had ballooned by 3,962 per cent line costs and inefficiency exacerfrom N517 million to N21 billion. bated the negative bottom-line.

The financing position of the comTotal sales dropped from N74.78 pany weakened considerably in 2011 billion to N70.95 billion. Cost of sales with debt-to-equity ratio skyrocketappreciably followed the same trend ing to 117 per cent as against a negliat N63.91 billion in 2011 as against gible 2.8 per cent in 2010. The proN67.39 billion in 2010. Gross profit portion of equity funds to total asalso slipped from N7.39 billion to sets halved from 45 per cent to 27 N7.04 billion. Operating expenses per cent while current liabilities however rose by 12 per cent from amounted to 68 per cent of total asN4.48 billion to N5.03 billion. While sets in 2011 compared with about 49 other non-core business incomes per cent in 2010. This raises the specdropped from N317 million to N287 tre of a possible financial mismatch. million, interest expenses tripled to N270 million as against N91 million in the previous year.

Efficiency With these, profit before tax contracted to N2.03 billion compared The company saw declines in cost with N2.89 billion. After taxes, net management and productivity. Alprofit also dwindled from N1.85 bilthough available details were not lion to N1.04 billion. Consequently, sufficient to determine the level of net earnings per share fell from productivity and overall efficiency Financing structure N7.27 to N4.08, which obviously on per head basis, overall outlook underscored similar decline in cash showed marginal decline.

Total costs MRS Oil's paid up share capital repayout to shareholders from N1.25 mained unchanged at N127 million. of business-excluding finance for 2010 to 70 kobo for 2011. Gross Shareholders' funds however charges, trended upward to 97.2 per dividend had dropped by 44 per cent dropped marginally by 3.0 per cent cent in 2011 compared with 96.1 per from N318 million to N178 million. cent in 2010. from N18.53 billion to N17.97 bilWith equity funds on the downside, lion. Total assets rose by 64 per cent net assets per share slipped from Profitability from N41.08 billion to N67.48 bilN72.94 to N70.76. However, the net lion, with current assets the primary assets position shows that the comMRS Oil's profitability fell driver rising by 118 per cent to pany is grossly undervalued at the N49.81 billion in 2011 as against through in 2011 with both actual figsecondary market, at less than half N22.87 billion in 2010. Fixed assets ures and more critical underlying of its book value. This might indihad slipped from N18.21 billion to profitability measures showing a cate opportunity as well as concerns N17.68 billion. Total liabilities generally negative outlook. While and cautions about the company. meanwhile doubled from N22.55 sales, profit before tax and profit afBesides, returns were generally billion to N49.51 billion, also driven ter tax dropped by 5.1 per cent, 30 down in 2011. Return on total assets by current liabilities, which rose by per cent and 44 per cent respectively, more than halved to 3.0 per cent in 131 per cent from N20 billion to N46 pre-tax profit margin shrank from 2011 as against 7.0 per cent. Return billion. The company's short-term 3.9 per cent to 2.9 per cent. The gross on equity also shrank from 10 per cent in 2010 to 5.8 per cent in 2011. The diviFiscal Year Ended December 31 2011 2010 dend cover, howNmillion 12 months % change 12 months ever, remained apProfit and Loss Statement preciably high and Main Business Segment 70,952 -5.1 74,781 steady at 5.83 times Total turnover 70,952 -5.1 74,781 in 2011 as against

Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend (Nm) Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

By Taofik Salako

63,914 7,038 5,027 287 270 2,028 1,036 408 178 70 7,076

-5.2 -4.8 12.1 -9.5 197.0 -29.8 -43.9 -43.9 -44.0 -44.0 -3.0

67,390 7,391 4,485 317 91 2,887 1,847 727 318 125 7,294

17,676 17,676 2,930 49,806 67,482

-2.9 -2.9 17.0 117.8 64.3

18,209 18,209 2,504 22,869 41,078

5,199 21,003 46,154 3,355 49,509

-46.6 3962.0 130.7 32.0 119.6

9,732 517 20,009 2,541 22,550

127 17,973

0.0 -3.0

127 18,528

2010

2011

5.82 times in 2010.

Liquidity

The liquidity position of the company also slowed during the year.

Current ratio, which fundamentally indicates the ability of the company to meet emerging financing obligations, slipped from 1.14 times to 1.08 times. However, it should be noted that a ratio of 1.0 and above is still considered substantially high and sufficient. The proportion of working capital to total turnover dropped from 3.8 per cent to 5.1 per cent. Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 56 per cent in 2011 as against 26 per cent in 2010.

Governance and structures One of the earliest petroleum companies, MRS Oil Nigeria has metamorphosed from a foreign-owned and controlled oil firm to a wholly owned indigenous company. Formerly known as Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc, MRS Oil Nigeria remains one of the major downstream oil companies. MRS Africa Holdings Limited holds 60 per cent majority equity stake while ZSL holds 7.71 per cent equity stake. Sundry Nigerian individuals and institutions hold the remaining 32.3 per cent equities. The board and management of the company remain stable. Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for MRS Oil Group, chairs the board of MRS Oil Nigeria while Mallam Musa Yahaya leads the executive management team as the Managing Director. The company broadly complies with code of corporate governance and best practices.

Analyst's opinion MRS Oil Nigeria's performance

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

Nigeria,

underlines the need for a thorough review of not only marketing and financing strategies but also the long-term business growth strategy.

While the MRS Group targets some N800 billion turnover from its West African operations by 2014, the weakening of its Nigerian operations- the base of the business, raises concerns.

Undoubtedly, petroleum-marketing companies face serious challenges from the instability in the Nigerian oil industry and global variables, but MRS Oil appears to be more susceptible.

The company needs to develop a sustainable sales growth and cost management strategies to stabilize earnings and break the chequered trend that has marked the performance curve over the years. There is also the looming danger of financial mismatch, which could further erode shareholders' value and make the company more vulnerable in a thin-margin unpredictable industry.

Overall, MRS Oil Nigeria has the intrinsic competitive advantages to positively redirect its performance.

With more than 416 retail outlets, 2.0 million-litre-per-day fuels terminal at Apapa and 15 million litreper-day capacity terminal with a jetty at Tin Can Island, Lagos, and the company's extensive storage and distributive channels provide huge competitive scale. This economy of scale will have more profound impact as the deregulation of the sector takes full shape.

The company also benefits from regional strength and scale, which allows cross-selling across several countries including Cameroun, Togo, Benin and Cote D'Ivoire. MRS operates over 130 retail outlets in Cameroun, 32 in Togo, five in Benin and 60 in Cote D'Ivoire, base stations that give it opportunity to cushion local challenges with group advantages. These, coupled with legacy institutional strengths, form reasonable basis to assume that the company can regain the momentum.

2011 %

2010 %

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

26.6 5.0 68.4 116.9

45.1 6.2 48.7 2.8

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

9.9 2.9 3.0 5.8 5.83

9.9 3.9 7.0 10.0 5.82

Efficiency Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

NA NA 97.2

NA NA 96.1

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

1.08 5.1 56.4

1.14 3.8 25.7

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Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

37

• A chart showing attributes of a good workplace

The face of a good firm What makes a company a Great Place To work? Credibility, respect, pride, fairness and camaraderie, according to experts, are qualities such a company must have.

These qualities, they added, revolve on a “Trust Wheel”. They spoke at the 2012 Great Place To Work Awards in Lagos. AKINOLA AJIBADE was there.

F

OR many, a chauffeur-driven car, good salary, hefty medical allowance, life insurance, tastefully furnished office/apartment, among others, are what qualify a company as the ideal place to work. These considerations weigh strongly in the choice of a job by many applicants worldwide. They are the pulls that make people go for certain jobs.

Findings show that many took up highflying jobs, only to regret later that money is not everything.

According to experts, a good working environment is not measured in financial terms only. A good work place, they said, is measured by certain attributes that must be sustained to foster growth.

According to experts at Great Place To Work (GPTW), Nigeria, making a company a good place to work must be backed with actions. They said managers are in the best position to make their companies a good place to work for the employees. The company is an affiliate of US-based Great Place To Work, San Fransisco. The firm specialises in analysing, understanding, selecting and publishing Best Work Place List in the country.

Last Thursday, in Lagos, the firm organised its 2012 Great Place to Work Awards, where it honoured 20 firms for providing a moreconducive environment for their workers.

The firm said an organisation must have what it described as a “Trust Wheel” before

it can be regarded as a good place to work.

“Trust Wheel,” it said, is based on five attributes — credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

In explaining the attributes, GPTW, Nigeria Managing Director Kunle Malomo, said managements can make their companies a good place to work by “walking the talk.”

He said a company must be reliable and deliver on its promises to enjoy the confidence of workers.Managers must trust people without looking over their shoulders, and articulate a clear vision for their companies or departments to ensure growth, he added.

Malomo said a company can be a good place to work when managers are approachable,

easy to talk to, answer hard questions and make their expectations clear to subordinates.

He said a company that aspires to be one of the best places to work must ensure that all employees have opportunities for rewards and recognition, avoid favouritism, especially when promoting people, ensure that employees are paid well and treated fairly, irrespective of age, race or sex.

Malomo said a company must show appreciation for employees’ efforts and contributions to enable them have a • Continued on page 38

38

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

JOBS

The face of a good firm • Continued from page 37

sense of belonging.

His words: “For a company to become a good place to work for its staff, the management must ensure that people have the equipment they need to do their jobs, seek employees’opinions and involve them in important decisions, in addition to caring for employees as people with lives outside of work.”

On pride, he said management must ensure that employees take pride in their work to boost the company’s growth.

“Managements must help employees feel they personally make a difference in their work. They must inspire employees to take pride in their accomplishments.

They must make employees feel proud of the company, and its contributions to the community where it operates. This will make a company a best place to work for people,” he said.

He said camaraderie is a tool for growth in a company, arguing that it makes workers feel that they are not in a wrong place. Explaining the role of camaraderie in an organisation, Malomo said it helps in creating an atmosphere of love among the workers.

“A company must create a workplace atmosphere where employ-

ees can be themselves and care about one another before it can become a good place to work. An organisation must welcome new employees to a friendly environment, as well as celebrate special events for their workers. All these would make people like to work in a company,” he added.

He said a company must create a co-operative working environment, and further show that all workers are in the boat together to make things happen. This, he said, is one of the attributes that attract people to work in an organisation.

Managing Director, Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Mrs. Lucy Newman, said transparency must be the watchword for a company that wants to become a great place to work for its staff.

Mrs. Newman said FITC exhibits a high level of transparency among its workers, adding that the development has made the staff to be more committed.

She said: “The management is transparent and caring, and interested in the development of the workers. Adequate resources and facilities are provided for staff.”

The conducive environment, she said, has helped in promoting service delivery in the organisation.

She said the development has translated to team spirit, quality

• Chairman, Great Place to Work, Ghandi Olaoye

service, huge outputs and the overall success of the institute.

According to her, an institution that aspires to become a good place to work must show enough professionalism, arguing that it is one of the virtues that has kept the firm going.

She said FITC was adjudged one of the great places to work recently because of certain attributes. This, she said, include attractive conditions of service, and an opportunity for workers to showcase their skills.

The Director, Corporate Commu-

• Malomo

nications, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Sesan Sobowale, said an organisation can only be classified as a great place to work after adopting policies that would promote team spirit, professionalism and improved remunerations, among others.

Sobowale said the Great Place to Work Award given to the company was a testimony to its decision to provide a healthy and friendly environment for its workers.

He said Guinness Nigeria has a tradition of ensuring that its workers develop themselves, and work

for the overall objectives of the company. The 4,500 workforce of the company, he said, has contributed immensely to the firm’s growth, arguing that the award was not a surprise.

An official of FirstBank Plc, Mrs. Ayo Jaiyesimi, said the bank has provided a favourable working atmosphere to stimulate growth.

While receiving a Great Place to Work Award on behalf of the bank, Mrs. Jaiyesimi said it was honoured because of its culture of team spirit, quality service and good welfare package for workers.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Fishing out your dream job: Techniques and strategies (II)

N

ETWORKING in a nutshell, is nothing more than asking the people you already know to help you find out about the job market and meet the people who are actually doing the hiring.

That was the issue that we were discussing last week before we had to take a break.

Following are the don’ts of Networking: Don’t: • be too pushy or abrasive by insisting on meeting with someone who just isn’t interested or able to speak with you.

• ask personal questions or questions about their salary.

• ask for a job.

• overstep your time limits, • come unprepared, either about the company, the career path, or yourself.

• interrupt the speaker.

• focus entirely on your own needs. You’re there to learn.

• ask the person to circulate your resume for you (unless he or she offers).

• forget to say “thank you.

• become a pest, continually calling the contact for advice and referral after your initial meeting.

Ask the “right” questions Ask the type of questions that will assist you in your networking efforts. In networking, you are trying to identify certain individuals who can assist you in finding your next job. With that thought in mind, you will need to prepare questions that call help you do just that.

Everyone has one favorite subject: himself or herself! We all like to talk about what we do and who we are.

Knowing this, as you begin to talk to people ask them about their line of work or industry. If what they say

By Olu Oyeniran

has relevance to your job search, inquire further about their organization. At some point, express an interest in their industry and ask them whom they would recommend you talk to regarding a possible employment opportunity. This is known as getting a referral in your networking efforts, you should always try to get a referral. You may want to ask the person you are speaking with, how they feel about using their name when contacting the individual they suggested.

The overall objective of networking is to build relationships. When speaking with someone, be sure to give him or her undivided attention.

Politely ask for a business card. Write down any pertinent information on the back of the card after you have concluded your conversation. It may be helpful to also send a letter or handwritten note after that conversation thanking the person for his/her time.

Networking resources Identifying whom to network with is a challenge for most job seekers. However, the average person knows at least 250 people.

When you really begin to consider all the people you have encountered, you will probably come up with a number very close to 250.

Networking means connecting, and there are a number of ways to connect, including in person, by telephone, email or through a card or letter. Let’s look at where you can find your network so you can get started on your search!

The first one we will identify is our Personal Network. The personal network would be those individuals such as family, friends, acquaintances, work peers. vendors, customers, teachers or professors, our children’s friends, par-

ents, our parent’s friends, our child’s baseball, soccer, or basketball coach; in other words, people we see or have seen oil a regular basis. Check your address book, holiday card list, old business cards, and business listings as sources for personal contacts. If you haven’t had recent contact with these individuals, don’t let that deter you from networking with them. After all, they will probably be very happy to be in contact with you. Make a list of 25 people from your personal network that you can contact within the next seven to 10 days.

Another networking resource would be your Service Providers.

These are individuals that you have developed a rapport with that may have provided a business service, or you may have come in contact with among the local population.

Consider your community leaders, small business people, local chamber of commerce, social/religious groups and associations. Below you will find a listing of potential professional contacts from your service providers.

• Financial Planners, Dentists, Hairdressers; • Attorneys, Community Leaders, Barbers; • Accountants, Clergy College, Professors; • Business Owners, Realtors, Bankers; • Insurance Salespeople, School Personnel, Physicians; • Senior Executives, Salespeople, Store Clerks, • Business Consultants, Executive Recruiters, Veterinarians; • Restaurant Owners, Caterers, Bartenders.

Now make a list of 15 people to contact from your service provider list.

Professional organisations you

are involved with provide a great way to network while staying updated on your industry or occupation’s latest trends. If you currently don’t belong to any professional organisations you may want to consider joining an appropriate one for you. Professional organisations post job opportunities from other members on their web sites. Besides the networking opportunity, professional associations offer professional growth and development through their many educational programs and services.

Networking situations can occur when you least expected. Networking opportunities can occur in any social situation: at a party, standing in line, sitting next to someone. Many times, we find ourselves in an unplanned or opportunity networking situation. The conversation can begin as “small talk”, and move to a more personal topic such as our line of work. This is a tremendous opportunity to network by applying what you learned about listening and asking the right questions earlier in this c-book.

To assist you in your networking efforts, we’ve provided a Networking Contact format below. This will help you to stay organised as you build your contacts.

Networking list Contact Name:_____________ ___________________________________________________ Network Event & Date:_________ ___________________________________ Comments:___________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

Cold calling potential employers/ businesses You’ve read all about it: Internet recruitment, networking, referrals, and more! But often, these methods take up too much time and waiting.

Now, my next suggestion is possibly the most powerful, yet difficult strategy to get your foot in the career door of your choice - cold calling, the art of uninvited job-hunting.

Before you dismiss this as “simply beneath me”, consider the odds that four-fifths of the job market is “closed”, meaning you won’t find out about available openings until they comes up for advertisement. The hiring cycle is a long and arduous one. It begins with the internal identification of a position opening by a manager or supervisor. The lead-time to process this vacancy up until its appearance in an advertisement can often take from six to nine months. Hiring is expensive.

By cold calling, you’re saving the company time, money and resources by placing yourself on a platter for them to consider even before any advertisement has been launched. And even if there are no immediate vacancies available, you gain by getting a vital contact name and inside company information, such as particular application periods or how exactly the company recruits. In the long run, should you have made an impression, your name and Resume may be stored for future openings -fore they even go “open”.

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30 , 2012

39

INSURANCE

Insurers in merger talks S

OME insurers are discussing how to boost their performance through merging, the Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel, has said.

He told The Nation that the underwriters’decision to merge was informed by the need to boost their performance in local and global businesses.

Daniel, said the policy on the cancellation of universal banking by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also moved operators affiliated to banks to seek alternatives.

The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr Wole Adetimehin, who confirmed the development, noted that the move is to build mega companies.

Stories by Chuks Udo Okonta

He said the companies have realised that they cannot harness more of the opportunities in the industry with solo efforts, adding that reforms initiated by the government and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) opened up more businesses for the industry.

He said: “At present, there are some silent moves where some people are planning to merge to become mega companies. Now many insurers are underwriting oil and gas. In the short run, the portfolio of most operators may not be large, but over time as they build reserves, they would increase their stakes.”

The Director-General, Nigerian

Insurers Association (NIA), Sunday Thomas, said insurers have embarked on how to shore-up their capital through merging and others in line with NAICOM’s risk base recapitalisation.

He said NAICOM has put in place structures to enable insurance firms to have the capital that can underwrite the type of risks they cover, adding that some companies have begun consultations on how to raise their capital to enable them to key into the opportunities provided by the Local Content Act, especially in the oil and gas insurance business.

He said: “The capital base may not be adequate, but I am aware that companies that want to operate within the Local Content are making efforts to shore-up their

capital. Also, NAICOM is working very hard to put in place riskbased supervision. And one of the fundamentals of risk-based supervision is risk-based recapitalisation.

“Risk-based recapitalisation measures the type of business in relation to the capital to back-up the business. Some companies may not be there now, but they would not be allowed to operate beyond their capacity. I think NAICOM is doing a good job in that direction.”

He said efforts are being made to shore-up capital. ‘’If they are big, they will be able to increase their capacity to retain more businesses and that will impact the economy through job creation,” he added.

He said the industry will not tow the line of banks in operating in regional, national or interna-

tional, adding that insurance operations is quite different from the banks. He said risk will be the bases for determination of capital for insurers while scope is used by the banks.

“Insurance is quite different from the banks.What happened in the banks cannot happen in insurance. What will happen is what NAICOM is doing which is riskbased recapitalisation. The parameter for judging insurance and banks differs. While the risk is the fundament for insurance, the scope is what the banks are using.

For insurance, if you want to write a low level line of business, you have to get the capital base and no body would trouble you, but the moment you want to go to high level risk area, you will have to acquire more capital and that is what is exactly what NAICOM is doing,” he said.

Shareholders reject e-reports

S

From left: Agency Manager, Ghana Life Insurance Company Limited, Mr Harrison Bekoe; Group Managing Director, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Mr Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi and Senior Manager,Ghana Life Insurance Company Limited, Mr Senakoby Nyame, during a visit to Lasaco in Lagos.

‘Some govt pension offices not well-automated’ M

ANY government pension offices are not adequately automated, thereby paving the way for fraud, the Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mohammad Ahmad, has said.

In a statement, he said the pension offices do not have sufficient personal computers with adequate hardware and networks. He said they do not also have the capability to maintain a robust pensioner database with biometrics or detect duplicate pensioners’ records and generate reports analysing the database.

He noted that except for the Military Pensions Board, none of the pension offices has a reliable off-site back up and disaster recovery plan, adding that it is pertinent to emphasise that an effective pension administration is driven by efficient data management, which can only be achieved through automation.

He said pension departments and offices ought to have a standardised information communication technology platform to facilitate pooling of the records of Federal Government’s pensioners.

He noted that a Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) that would co-ordinate the pension departments should be established in accordance with Section 30(1) of the PRA 2004, adding that the department would be supervised

by PenCom and would be required to operate under the rules issued by the commission.

He said the things that were achieved contributed to the pension scheme and they were driven by information communication technol-

ogy, adding that the Commission would leverage on the state-of-theart information and communication technology to enhance its surveillance and supervision on the industry.

He said: “There is no doubt that the deployment of the Risk Management and Analysis System (RMAS) would enable PenCom to obtain direct information on different activities of the Pension Fund Operators to ensure a safe and sound pension industry. Similarly, the Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) would assist the Commission to identify multiple registrations using biometrics of the retirement saving account holders. Finally, the Oracle Ebusiness suite application would also enhance the efficiency of the operations of the commission.”

He said the pension industry has a promising future with the government’s support in creating the enabling environment for the industry to grow as well as give support to stakeholders.

He noted that PenCom would maintain its risk-based philosophy to promote transparency, provide early warning signals and encourage pension operators to evaluate their activities, particularly their investment decisions.

He said the investment monitoring process would continue to be pursued in line with changes in the environment, adding that the commission would continue to be proactive in its activities as well as leverage on the reforms in the banking and non-banking financial sector

to promote growth of pension fund assets and ensure fair returns on pension fund investments.

HAREHOLDERS have kicked against the decision of some insurance firms to put their annual reports in Compact Disc (CD).

President, Nigerian Shareholders’ Renaissance Association (NSRA) Mr Olufemi Timothy, who stated this, said this contravenes the laws. He said shareholders would go to court to challenge the companies, adding that many of them took the step to conceal their misdeeds.

He said many shareholders do not have computers, wondering how they would access the information that is provided by the firms. He said it is absurd for companies’directors to take laws into their hands. He called on regulatory organisations to check them.

He said: “Basically, they are going against the law which states the number of days companies should send their financial reports to shareholders before annual general meetings.

The law did not state that companies should send compact discs to shareholders. These are some new ways some companies have adopted to cover up some things. We would not accept it and we are going to fight it out with them in annual general meetings and even challenge it in courts.

“How many of the shareholders have computers to access information on compact discs? For the past months,

I have been depending on generator just because there is no electricity from Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). How many hours would I have to spend on generator to effectively read through information to be provided on compact discs?

I think we are not ripe for that now as there is not infrastructure to support it. We want to call on the regulators to rise and stop these vices been perpetuated by companies for it is not in the interest of shareholders.”

Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc in its quest to send its 2011 report to shareholders on compact disc said: “We have decided to increase efficiency and enhance our business operation and strategy by publishing the 2011 annual report in a user friendly compact disc format that can be accessed on your computer. With this, the company would embrace and contribute to the sustainability of the environment while also increasing profitability by reducing production cost and promote the use of technology for enhanced business flexibility.”

The company said the compact discs would be posted to its shareholders through their registered addresses and it will contain the annual report and account. It noted that for the benefits of shareholders who may require hard copies, they would be made available at the venue of the annual general meeting.

Practitioners seek more govt’s support

I

NSURANCE practitioners are rallying members of the National Assembly to get the attention of government in repositioning their operations, the Director-General, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Adegboyega Adepegba, has said.

He told The Nation that the practitioners have realised that there are benefits in working with the government.

He said: “Whether we are getting the right quantum of attention from government is a function of how close we are to it and how we endeavour to move very close to it. I am saying this because there are moves by the CIIN to ensure that insurance is involved in all aspects of governance.

For example, we just made a case for the inclusion of our members in the National Economic Summit (NES) that holds regularly in Abuja. It is our desire that the insurance industry should be carried along in some of the government projects.

“We are also making a strong

move. In fact, very shortly. We are going to let the whole world know what we want to do. We are rallying all insurance practitioners who are in the National Assembly to enable us to come close to government. Our belief is that if you want government to draw you close, then you must be ready to move very close to it, who is the father of all. It is only that child that moved very close that government would draw to itself. So, we are making all the efforts to ensure that we are at the right place at the right time with the government and there is no way the government would ignore us in the scheme of thing.”

He said the operators made significant input into this year’s budget, adding that insurers are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they remain relevant in the scheme of things in the economy.

He said the operators are also working on how to unify themselves to enable to them purse single goal that would always yield positive results.

Industry observers have

urged insurers to stop complaining of the ill in their industry and develop close relationship with the government. They believe the industry can only develop when the operators intimate the government of their activities.

Former Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institution, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, said: “In as much as I would have loved the pension business to remain with insurers, there is still so much to be done by insurers. You need to be a lot more proactive.”When the National Pension Commission (PenCom) was being established, what effort did you make to educate the law makers, how much lobbying did you do?”Lobbying does not necessarily involve spending so much money. If you do not do anything, you do not get anything.”

She called on insurers to be proactive, develop themselves and evolve good products that would make the government and public appreciate them the more.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

40

LABOUR

NLC, employers praise food union

T

HE leadership of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) has been praised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for its developmental stride.

Impressed by the completion of NUFBTE’s hotel in Lagos, the out-going executive officers of the union were praised for several landmark initiatives undertaken within the past two years including the construction of another three-storey block of multi- purpose halls and establishment of a flourishing wholsesale drinks and beverage business named Solidarity Infinity Venture Limited.

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Comrade Abdul Waheed Omar said the NUFBTE President deserves commendation, especially as his team achieved all these feats from members’ dues, without borrowing any money.

It was at the pre-delegates conference National Executive Council meeting held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Stories by Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

Omar called on other labour unions to emulate NUFBTE. He said the union’s achievement was not hearsay because he witnessed the construction of the structures and was also aware of the business.

“Any union that generates revenue other than check off dues will be stronger and independent. It will also get full support of members as they realise that with or without check-off dues, such union can stand on its feet,” Omar said.

Executive Secretary, Association of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), Mr Remi Adegboyega while praising the union said the union should endeavour to document its achievements.

“We need documentation of our history.

There seems to be a disconnect between our past and present. We need to have a very good record of what we have today and docu-

ment it for people yet unborn,” Adegboyega said.

NUFBTE President, Comrade Lateef Oyelekan, said the NUFBTE Hotel and Suites will provide 100 direct and indirect jobs on completion. He also informed the NEC members that the two properties beside the newly constructed hotel have been acquired by the union for the second phase of the hotel.

Besides achieving 30 per cent increase twice on the salaries of workers in the food and beverage sector, Oyelekan’s team also reviewed the union’s retirees monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.

Addressing reporters after the opening of the NEC, Omar urged the Federal Government to use the opportunity of this year’s May Day to address all issues being agitated for by Labour.

This includes implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage, jobs creation among others.

‘Implement new retirement age for lecturers’

T

HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has appealed to the Federal Government to implement the 70 years retirement age for university lecturers.

The extension of the retirement age of professors from 65 to 70 years was part of the agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU in 2009.

Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, National President, ASUU, made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Awuzie said there was need for the government to hasten the implementation of the agreement in order to encourage the younger lecturers and strengthen the sector.

“The union will soon meet with members of the National Assembly on the implementation process and to find out if it has been taken to the presidency for final approval,” he said.

He praised the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Rep. Farouk Lawan, for the passion the committee had shown in ensuring that the issue was resolved and the sector repositioned.

Awuzie stressed the need for government to step up efforts in ensuring that enough fund was allocated to the sector, to enable it take care of critical issues such as research and development.

“The issue of research and development in any university cannot be over emphasised as this is a major platform by which major universities across the world are given the recognition with which they rank universities.

“It is also a major way through which universities can contribute their own quota in the development of their countries, by also being able to translate ideas to problem solving realism,” he added.

Health workers call off strike at FMC Abeokuta

N •Comrade Osidipe(left) congratulating Oyelekan after his victory at the union elections in Abeokuta.With them is Comrade S. K Oyebanjo.

PHOTO: DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKOLU

Union seeks review of cashless policy

T

HE chemical and non metallic sector has called for the review of the cashless policy, saying it is unfavourable to the private sector.

Urging the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to review the policy, National President, National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather And Non-Metallic Products Employees, Comrade Boniface Isok, said private businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to deposit the daily sales accruing from their sales men as they have to pay excess charges on deposits.

He, therefore, suggested that the charges on excess deposit be withdrawn, if not on excess withdrawal, and that the proceeds from charges on excess withdrawal should be for investment purposes and be controlled by the CBN. Isok said the policy has to be reviewed by the CBN and the stakeholders from private and public sectors.

Citing an example of how he withdrew N700, 000 from his savings account for his children’s school fees and the bank charged him N6,300, he called for a prompt review of the policy.

He said the cashless policy is a welcome development going by the reasons adduced to it

by the proponents but there are clogs in it which if not reviewed before full implementation, may further worsen the challenges of the private sector business organisations.

“The modes of operation of manufacturing organisations were not taken into consideration and neither the opinions of private business enterprises were sought before the cashless policy became gazetted.

“In a company that has so many marketers who are making piece-meal sales on a daily basis through van distribution, such that at the end of the daily sales, the total sales from these marketers is more than the maximum daily deposit as stipulated by the policy. How can such company grow if it has to pay charges on the excess daily deposit.”

Isok also noted that small and medium scale organisations are prominent more than large and multinational companies that can easily adapt to the cashless policy as it is. And that they depend on loan to keep afloat in business, any extra charges therefore on the excess deposit ceiling of the cashless policy may mean additional burden on them in addition to the loan servicing which attracts interest.

• Isok

He said that the charges on excess deposit will have a multiplier effect on operational costs which is already high due to costs of independent power generation, wages and salaries etc.

The resultant effect, according to him, would be job loss as these companies fold up or relocate to neighbouring countries.

Subsidy probe committee did not do a thorough job, says NUPENG

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HE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has faulted the ongoing probe of petrol subsidy saying it was not thoroughly done.

General Secretary,NUPENG,Comrade Elijah Okougbo, said the House of Representatives ad-Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy probe did not do its work thoroughly.

He said they did not involve the forces in the oil industry and the forces in government.

And that the Committee ought to have worked with chartered accountants, chartered auditors and visited the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other banks including the refineries to make their findings.

“They did not do a thorough investigation, otherwise they would have involved the forces in the industry and government in their

investigation. They are not chartered accountants, they are not chartered auditors, they did not look thoroughly into the books. They did not visit the Central Bank of Nigeria, they did not visit other banks, they did not visit refineries in Nigeria and refineries from which people imported petroleum products, before they arrive at their finding of N1.7trillion subsidy fraud.”

Okougbo said some of the budgeted allocation said to have been imported were indeed imported. He explained that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) gave allocation to briefcase businessmen who had no facilities for oil importation, and who sold the allocation papers to marketers who imported the allocations. He added that NUPENG kicked against the practice, hence

government’s intervention and promise to bring an end to it.

He said the government later changed the Executive Secretary and ensured an end to briefcase marketers’ era.

Okougbo said if oil marketers had not imported the budgeted allocation, up to the tune of N1.7 trillion, there would have been acute scarcity of petroleum products which would have had a ripple effect of protests and strikes.

“The amount of fuel that would be consumed in a season, is budgeted for, and the PPPRA knows. The PPPRA will give out allocation based on that budget. I am not saying the PPPRA did well, because some briefcase businessmen were given allocation. But most of these depots, all those who had allocation imported their allocation, and sold,” he said.

URSES and other health workers at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, have called off their 10day-old strike following the intervention of the institution’s management.

The nurses at the hospital embarked on the strike over an altercation between a young doctor and an elderly nurse.

The matter was said to have been reported to the institution’s management while a query was served on the doctor.

The refusal of the doctor to answer the query, however, prompted the nurses to embark on strike to register their grievances.

The strike, however, took a new dimension as other staff of the hospital also joined the strike in solidarity with the nurses.

But a statement issued by the institution’s spokesman, Mr Segun Orisajo, said the strike was suspended following a reconciliatory meeting held last week.

The meeting, according to the statement, was attended by members of the management and the aggrieved unions in the hospital.

It said the Chief Medical Director, Dr Dapo Sotiloye, expressed delight at the high sense of maturity displayed by the parties involved.

Kwara begins registration of unemployed youths

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HE Kwara State government has commenced the registration of unemployed youths across the 16 local government areas under a new employment initiative.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, Alhaji Saka Babatunde announced this recently in Ilorin.

He said the youths, to be employed under a public works scheme, would be engaged in sanitation, tree planting, road clearing and traffic control in line with Federal Government’s Subsidy Re-Investment Programme (SURE-P).

The special assistant called on interested youths to register with the coordinators in their respective local government areas, adding that religious leaders and other stakeholders would also be involved in the recruitment exercise.

Babatunde further said that 50 corps members under the Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES) were laid off for absenteeism.

He also said the state government was partnering with relevant federal agencies to engage unemployed youths in the state.

Babatunde urged government agencies in the state to declare vacancies where it existed with a view to employing more youths under KWABES

- Silva

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MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Most local governments in the country are being run by caretakers. Why? Some states are citing court cases, inability to constitute State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and emergency rule for not holding council elections.

MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the implication for grassroots politics.

When will council caretakers go?

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S the third tier of government, the local government is the nearest to the people but in many states today, the councils are being managed by caretakers.

Apart from Lagos, Niger, Rivers and a few other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that have conducted council elections many of the states have been constrained by political expediency to constitute caretaker committees.

In some, sole administrators, are in charge as almost all democratic organs have been suspended following the imposition of state of emergency.

Former National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Secretary General Chief Frank Kokori said what now obtains at the councils does not reflect constitutional provisions. “The system has created a conduit pipe for the state governments to corner the common wealth of the people. The local government is supposed to be grassroots governance with elected represenatives but we now have civil servants managing the affairs of council.”

Some of the state governments have cited court cases as preventing them from holding elections. Indeed, in some cases, these litigations have led to tussles between those who want elections and those who benefit from the current arrangement.

Faced with the inability to constitute their State Independent National Electoral Commission (SIEC) and the challenges of organising credible polls, many states have shifted elections severally.

This on it own has stalled development, buttressing this point, Kokori said: “This is not a good development for the country, it is not right to have caretaker in place. Some of them have been there for more than one or two years. A •Jonathan •Mark caretaker cannot act more than six months but the reverse has been the case.”

Also, the frosty relationship between the ruling parties and healthy development for rural dwellers. the oppositions in some states has not helped matters. Amid Voters’ apathy at the grassroots poor may be informed by sand counter accusation over who is preventing the holding the perceived poor performance of leaders at that level. Other of elections council governance appears to him jeopardy. factors may be its alienating nature, poor knowledge of its Many of the councils cannot perform their basic responsiactivities by the local populace and the absence of democracy bility such as refuse disposal, provision of basic health faciliin the choice of leaders. ties and primary school supervision. Outside late payment of It is expected that the local government should aggregate salaries, which is done in arrears, many of the councils cannot grievances, preferences and aspirations. These preferences boast of meaningful projects executed allocations. ought to be defined by the populace against the backdrop of Stressing the importance of an elected council, Senator their knowledge of the challenges and aspirations of the local Olugbenga Obadara of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). domain.

He said it is proof that democracy is working. He said: The The council should be the domain of political participation people reserved the choice to elect those who govern them. and engagement of the local political elite with a view to You can see that despite the fact that the governor of my state, ensuring transparent, responsible and accountable leadership, Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosu is new in office, he is analysts argued. desirous of conducting election into the councils. This has Kokori urged the National Assembly to look into what is been fixed for July, Osun and other Southwest states are also happening at the council. “Apart from Lagos State most local ready for election. ACN is fully committed to democratic government in Nigeria are not working , the National and principle becuase interim is not allowed in democracy.”

Post-elections case, have revealed the under belly of SIEC. The cases showed that many of the electoral commissions are ‘Many of the councils cannot perform anything but independent.

Hon. Afam Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the their basic responsibility such as refuse former Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Asdisposal, provision of basic health fasembly. He said: The local government issue cannot be discussed narrowly; it has to be looked into holistically if meancilities and primary school supervision. ingful definition must be attribute to what the local government stand for. I must say there is nothing like third tier of Outside late payment of salaries, government and by the same token I don’t want to scratch the issue on the surface, it has to be looked at from the broader which is done in arrears, many of the perspective.”

All the stakeholders particularly the National Assembly councils cannot boast of meaningful need to step into local government administration because projects executed allocations’ what is happening in the country presently cannot guarantee

•Tambuwal

State Assemblies should look into this as a matter of urgency.”

The elective principle in local government is hinged on the assumption of a democratic third tier, which is amenable to local public interests but the local government in Nigeria, is enmeshed in legitimacy crisis.

In Plateau State where there is state of emergency has affected some council, it is argused that no election can take place in those places except the emergency rule is lifted.

Some of those who have been jostling to contest election are almost losing hope in the committees constituted to transit the council into popular democracy because of the undue delay in conducting the poll.

In Delta State, the Social-Economic Rights Action (SERAC), a non-governmental organisation has sued the Delta State House of Assembly for not ensuring the conduct of local government election.

In Anambra State, local governmnet election was last held in 1999 caretakers have been coming and going in the administration of the council.

In Kogi State, Directors of Local Government who are civil servants hold sway. As civil servants, there is the limit to what they can do when it comes to execution of projects. Analysts believe that the government a running the councils warned those they put there not to embark on capital projects.

While waiting for the states to conduct council polls, an appeal has gone to the judiciary to expedite action on the cases stalling the composition of SIEC and other agencies that can facilitate the conduct of free and fair election at the grassroots. But the question remains when will elections be held in states like Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Imo, Delta, Nasarawa, Ondo, Osun, Anambra, Benue, Sokoto and Plateau where emergency rule subsist, in some councils ?

2012

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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POLITICS

‘Revenue formula should be fairly packaged’ Governor Ibrahim Shema administration in Katsina State has impacted in areas of infrastructural development, education and health. In this interview with ISAH IDRIS he explains the major focus of his goverment, youth development and revenue sharing formula.

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HICH areas are you going to focus on in your second term?

Coming to office in 2007 was a huge challenge in the sense that we met a lot of ongoing projects, that are critical to the lives of the people of Katsina State.

I thank God that by the time we spent two years in office almost 98 per cent of all the projects I inherited were completed. These ranged from Katsina International Airport expansion, development of Turai Yar’Adua Child and Maternity Hospital, development of the state university which was just awarded when I came. Other projects like roads, infrastructures, rural electrification, rural water supply, school construction and every other projects inherited.

Thereafter, we launched to our own programmes of development of infrastructures. However, we have three clear focuses and number one is education. In education we decided to embark on massive development of the sector. Number two is agriculture, which remained one of the most important sectors that we feel we must continued put in do our best. This is the mainstay of the people in Katsina State.

So, we cannot afford to ignore agriculture, so we have to pay attention to it. The third is solid mineral and human resources development. Side by side, we face other challenges like issue of health, transport and the rest of them.

Alhamdullilah, in this second term, our duty is to continue to do the best we can and render the best services possible to the people of Katsina State.

One of the areas that we will focus this time around is not to complete the projects that we initiated.

We have giant projects like the orthopedic hospital, 35,000 capacity stadium, government house, we have six lane roads going round the Katsina city.

We have so many other roads construction across the length and breath of state, electricity project, school expansion programmes and health facility expansion programme.

We also want to pay special attention to irrigation agriculture, livestock development, water supply and education.

With the type of projects you are looking at, how are you going to finance them?

We will cope with the little resources at our disposal. We will use essentially public funds available.

As a governor, I have never borrowed a Kobo since the start of my administration. We have not borrowed during our first term and we have not borrowed to date because we tried to manage the meager resources at our disposal. We didn’t

• Shema

borrow because we have no need for it.

We tried to meet up our contractual obligations as at when due.

And provided the contractual obligations met all the necessary certified regulations and laws of our land. When all obligations and contractual agreements are met and we are satisfied, we proceed to pay.

Where there are uncompleted projects or any other reason that will not make payment possible, otherwise we don’t owe contractors deliberately. We don’t owe civil servants, we tried to pay pension and gratuity as at when due.

Every month we have a salary bill of close to N1.5 billion and N1.6 billion and we have a workforce of 25, 000 people in the state. We have started implementation of minimum wage at state level. There are some hiccups we are trying to sort out for those in the local government areas.

Whatever our commitments are, we will meet them. What ever group of people it affects, whether in the public or private sector that is having anything to do with the government, we will meet our financial obligation.

Youth restivesness is a major challenge, how are you tackling this?

We have tremendous programmes for youth development and advancement. Apart from offering free education, there is an opportunity for youths to acquire education which has made primary and secondary education free. We pay for their examination likr WAEC, NECO and other form of examinations.

We equally felt there is need for local governments to participate in the youth development. I therefore directed in the last few years that each of the local government should have 500 youths in one month to proceed for environmental sanitation exercise. We also directed that the local government should have 500 youths each to carry out tree planting exercise in last August. We still have a program for 1,000 youths who are qualified with NCE certifi-

cate who are unemployed, to teach in our primary schools in the local government areas.

Will you say the state has been peaceful despite the breach of public peace in the north?

We give glory to Almighty God that it is in his favour and kindness that Katsina has remained peaceful.

We work hard to ensure people are united and every sector of the society is given an opportunity to live and earn a living according to the dictates of their ability.

Therefore, I am very happy that Katsina people are giving us maximum cooperation and the security agencies are doing their own best to ensure that there is protection of lives and property.

When will the orthopaedic hospital begin operation and how will you get the manpower?

Yes, the orthopedic hospital is a very important project for us in the state. We conceived and started it because there is only one orthopedic hospital in the whole of Northern Nigeria, the only one that is in Kano and is own by the federal government.

We felt we should complement the effort of the one in Kano. The one we are now building is 250 bed spaces. I don’t know but I think the one in Kano is about 160 bed spaces.

So, we are building 250 bed capacities and the work is about 90 percent completed.

We have brought in almost all our equipments, they are all in Katsina and we are working with different groups. I have receiving a delegation from Egypt, some medical institutions that are interested in partnering with us.

There is a raging debate between northern governors and their Southsouth counterparts on review of revenue formula...

My position will not be different being a lawyer who knows the constitution and the law. Revenue formula is a constitutional issue and in a democracy, everybody has a right to express his view. But the expression of that view should be made in such a manner that an understanding and appreciation of the concern of others should be taken into consideration in a way that our constitution is not fundamentally breached.

Therefore, I believe this is a healthy debate, it’s a healthy argument. So people should not blame one section or the other for expressing their opinion. Let us be fair enough to sit down and do what is right for the people.

The Revenue Formula in itself is packaged in such a manner that it ensures fairness and equity to all Nigerians. So, my take on this is that, what ever the outcome of this debate or discussions, fairness and equity to all Nigerians should be the parameter.

• Second left: Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Deputy Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori. Bishop of the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Rt. Rev. James Afolabi Popoola and his Mama BOT, during the first session of the Ninth Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Osun, Ada in Osun State.

ACN chieftain deplores Ondo violence

By Dada Aladelokun

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CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain in Ondo State Ayodele Omojuwa has condemdned the violence unleashed on some mem bers of the party recently.

The incident he said, was a sad reminder of the nation’s political history.

A chieftain of the party in the state, Ayodele Omojuwa of Akure South Local Government area, who decried the development, enjoined all parties’ leaders to vote for political tolerance to keep the nation on the track of steady progress.

“I know the colour of violence because I have been in politics for long. I was once the state financial secretary of the defunct Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) and a member of the exco of Alliance for Democracy (AD) then. In ACN, I was the national coordinator of Dr. Michael Akintade for Senate in Ondo Central before he was robbed in the last election.

“In all, I have never seen where violence paid off. It can only set back the hands of our clock of progress. So, let our people abhor violence even if provoked by the Labour Party (LP). ACN stands for progress and development in a peacfeful atmosphere.

Speaking on the prospect of his party in the next governorship election in the state, Omojuwa described it as a fait accompli that his party was already hatching plans to restore the lost glory of the state.

“Fair and square, the ACN will win the election and handle the collective destiny of the state the proper way. Our people are already hungry for our leadership,” he said.

The politician who promised economic multipliers among the youth if elected a the next chairman of his local government, added: “Both engaged and idle hands will be gainfully employed. It is going to be a marked departure from the curent cosmetic approach to employment generation. Besides, we are going to touch all other sectors from education to agriculture. I know the daunting challenges of the grassroots level. We are coming with the magic wand to make a difference in governance.”

When reminded that most politicians jostle for offices now to enrich themselves, he retorted: “I will declare my assets upon assumption of office. I was a cocoa merchant, I’m a business consultant and we have a bottling company in Lagos State.

My overriding aim and mission is to improve the lot of our people who, sadly, have not know development •Omojuwa since after the days of the AD.”

PDP candidates to emerge by consensus, says Aliyu From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) candidates for the 2015 general elections in Niger State will emerge through consensus to avoid post-primary crises, Governor Mu’azu Aliyu has said.

Speaking when he hosted the state executive council of the party at Government House, Minna the state capital.

Aliyu said that emergence of party candidates for the next general elections through consensus would help ensure that party discipline and supremacy are upheld.

He said a channel of communication would be opened for all aspirants and stakeholders to explore, so that the consensus candidates that would emerge would deliver Niger state to the PDP. ‘’We should not allow any other party to present better candidates than those of our party,’’ Aliyu charged the party leaders.

To ensure the success of the consensus project, the governor vowed not to impose any candidate on the party at any level of the electoral process, stressing that nobody should be deceived into accepting anybody that says he (Aliyu) has endorsed their candidacy.

He then advised the party leaders and members to pay attention to party discipline, reach out to the people and communicate activities of government and the party to the electorate to make the 2015 polls easier

to win for the party.

He also said that the fight against corruption would require collaboration between the government and the party, lamenting that the country’s negative image within and outside is traceable to the level of corruption.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the PDP Alhaji Abdulrahaman Enagi had expressed gratitude to the government for the moral and financial support given to the party in the state.

Enagi said with the support received by the party the state chapter of the PDP had been adjudged the best in terms of management and general administration especially with the smooth conduct of the party primaries at all levels.

•Aliyu

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MOTORING

Toyota partners bank to boost Fortuner’s sales

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UTO lovers in Nigeria interested in Toyota Fortuner Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) can now get it at ease, courtesy of Toyota (Nigeria) Limited (TNL) alliance with First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Disclosing this at the just concluded Lagos Motor Fair, First Bank of Nigeria Plc Relationship Manager Mrs Mary Nzekwue said the finance package has attracted interest in the Fortuner.

Under the arrangement, she said, interest rate on the Fortuner enjoys a reduction of about 50 per cent, that is, a slash from 22 per cent on other schemes to nine per cent.

Mrs Nzekwe urged customers who are interested in Fortuner to approach any accredited dealer of TNL to make a deposit of N3.9 million for a vehicle costing N7.4 million.

“The bank (First Bank) will finance

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

the balance with an interest rate of nine per cent for a period of 24 months. No hidden charges, beside the management fee which is necessary in virtually all finance schemes,” she said.

Fortified with up-to-date innovations, Fortuner was launched into the Nigerian market by TNL. Managing Director TNL Mr Chardra Thampy said the Fortuner was launched due to demands nationwide.

Thampy stated taht the launch was part of its ongoing strategies of giving the best to its Nigerian customers.

“We are happy to launch this new product for our customers who have continually asked for quality products from us. The Fortuner is specifically built for Nigerian roads and our terrain.

•Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa; Managing Director, BKG Exhibitions Mr Ifeanyichukwu Agwu and Mr Andrew Ajuyah of Toyota during the Lagos Motor Fair at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

‘Auto Reg detects stolen vehicles in Lagos’ AGOS State Government Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) has said auto registration has helped in detecting stolen vehicles in Lagos State.

Permanent Secretary to the agency, Mr Akin Hanson, made this known during a courtesy visit of the Committee on Transport of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) to the Agency.

Hanson emphasised the importance of the automation of vehicles, acne permit, auto insurance and auto alert in the vehicle.

“We have maintained a robust data base in the registration of vehicles which helps all the security interface like the Police, SSS and Federal Road Safety combating crime related to vehicles in the state’’, he said.

He said Liberia and Sierra Leone are good examples of the development in Africa while over 14 states in Nigeria have emulated the development.

The permanent secretary added that one of the benefits of the auto registration was the alert received in the process of dismantling the vehicle by the hoodlums for recycling.

Hanson noted that many stolen vehicles were been recovered through the automation as the security agents are no more running after stolen vehicles but only alert the agency to get the vehicles trapped.

He appealed to the State govern-

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Lagos State University (LASU) Governing Board Chairman Mr Akin Kekere-Ekun (right) and PAN Nigeria Head, Marketing, Strategy and Planning Mobolaji Olajide while test-driving the new ALSVIN unveiled by PAN Nigeria at the fair.

PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

Nigeria Auto Awards solicits public interest

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IGERIANS have been urged to pay serious attention to happenings in the country’s automobile industry so as to be able to contribute their quota to the development of the sector.

Publisher of On Wheels magazine and convener of The Nigerian Auto Awards (TNAA) Mr Jabez Aina-Scott said this while announcing the commencement of nominations for participants at this year’s seventh edition of the event.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

He said that the need for full participation of the public in the country’s automobile affairs is germane to influencing developments in the sector.

On the award, the Convener revealed that the Board of Awards Committee, have been saddled with the onerous task of picking eventual winners from the numerous nominations received from the public. He noted that the award is in three main categories: The

auto support services awards, Tyre awards and Auto awards.

“Like previous editions, the award will recognize astute managers of men who have distinguished themselves in all aspects of the industry. Their individual and collective roles towards resuscitation of manufacturing and job creation, ensuring product penetration, diversification and versatility, innovation and after-sales services, not forgetting brand building shall be considered” Aina-Scott declared.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

ment to urgently find solution to the menace of the touts who extort money from people with the aim of issuing vehicle licenses.

Hanson also the legislatures to make a law that would ban illegal sales of cars and unregistered Motor parts dealer in the State.

“This law will ban any unregistered person from operating as a dealer or motor parts dealer so as to curb the danger of car theft in Lagos State’’, he said.

He expressed that all this efforts was aimed at protecting the buyers and sellers from stolen vehicles.

He also urged the state government to provide adequate fund to the agency to enable it perform better.

Hanson said despite the fact that MVAA is one of the vibrant agency which generate much revenue to the state it is presently facing financial challenges because money was being borrowed to carry out various projects.

Reacting, Chairman of the committee Hon Bisi Yusuf, praised the effort of the agency.

Yusuf promised that the lawmakers would assist it to curb the menace of unregistered dealers who parade themselves as dealers.

An agency like MVAA, he said, needs to be properly financed in order to enable them perform better.

DRIVING TIPS

Driving safely during the rains ATA released by the Nigerian Metrological Centre and echoed by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment on the amount and duration of rainfall expected this year, particularly in Lagos and some other coastal areas of Nigeria, should be of concern to all road users because of its implications to safety on our roads and highways. Therefore, the aim of this piece is to further sensitise road users especially owners of fleet of vehicles and commercial vehicle operators that commute the length and breadth of Nigeria day and night.

It is on record that more road traffic crashes occur during the rainy period than any other period of the year due to reduced visibility, flash flooding, fallen trees at the sides of the highways occupied by uncontrolled vegetal growth, downed power lines in urban and suburban areas, ignorance on the parts of drivers on the need to be prepared and take adequate precautionary mea-

D

By Ayodeji Oyedokun

sures, poorly maintained vehicles and so on.

Driving under the rain is tasking requiring physical and mental preparation and good vehicle condition.

The rains come with reduced visibility, reduced friction between the tyres and the road surface which may lead to loss of control of the vehicle due to hydroplaning. The likelihood of flash floods in some parts of the country will introduce another dimension to hazards expected during this period. A flash flood is a rapid rise of water along a stream or low lying area. They can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges and carve out new channels. It is known widely in areas prone to this phenomenon that almost half of flash flood fatalities occur in vehicles.

Many Road Traffic crashes and fatalities will be avoided this rainy season if road users, particularly drivers,

observe safety regulations and are aware of the various challenges that will come with the heavy rains. Some of the facts are that ‘six inches of water on the road surface can cause tyres to loose traction and begin to slide; twelve inches of water can float many cars; two feet of rushing water will carry off pick up trucks, SUVs and other vehicles; water across a road may hide a missing segment of a road bed or a missing bridge; and the depth of pools of water on the roads may not be correctly estimated while driving’.

Night travels are especially more hazardous during the rains, fatigue is common, visibility becomes poorer and there is the tendency for drivers to overdrive their headlights thereby crashing into broken down vehicles, fallen trees, downed power lines, missing portions of the road that might have been washed away due to heavy rains resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. The condition at night becomes more precarious as most law

enforcement and rescue agencies will not be there, other people travelling may not be willing to stop to offer help for fear of their safety and many hospitals are sleeping during this period. This has led to increased fatalities of victims of night road crashes.

This rainy season is a period that requires the drivers to exhibit maximum responsibility to self, to the vehicle, to the passengers, to other road users and to the environment. Drivers must be physically and mentally fit, with good vision, avoiding the use of stimulants, alcohol or drugs, observing rest periods and should never drive under fatigue, understand and be able to interpret road signs and pavement markings correctly and also be ready to obey them. To the vehicle, it becomes imperative for drivers to ensure that vehicles are in very good condition, the windshields should be clean with functional and good wipers, good and well adjusted headlamps, functioning electrical systems and good tyres to ensure effective grip on the road surface.

Furthermore, the comfort and

safety of passengers rest squarely on the drivers and this is strictly tied to vehicle condition and the driving habits of drivers. A well maintained vehicle will ensure comfort of the passengers, while competence and defensive driving techniques will ensure their safety. Defensive driving is when the driver is aware that every other road users are potential dangers to him on the road, knowing full well that they feel so towards him too and as such, takes adequate precautionary measures always to prevent a crash. This involves yielding to other road users even when one has the right of way and refusing to blind the other road user with high beams when blinded. Maintaining adequate following distance and engaging the Search, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute (SIPDE) principles always, will also suffice here.

•Oyedokun, former Zonal Commanding Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, is the Managing Director/CEO of Lagos State Driving School.

•To be continued next week

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Oshiomhole gives jobs to the needy •Continued from Page 13 Osagie said when they got to the office of the commissioner, they were commended for doing a good job and were surprised when they were given kits and appointment letter.

Commissioner Enoghama told Newsextra that he had deliberately kept them under surveillance to gauge their consistency and efficiency. He said he was not disappointed at their level of commitment to the job.

He explained that he told the governor about the activities of the four and the state chief executive immediately approved their appointment in the Edo state Traffic Management Agency.

“The society is not doing enough to assist the physically challenged,” he said. “I feel that we should ensure that they are assisted. That was what informed our decision to engage these young men. We knew they were physically challenged but they were helping the society that refused to acknowledge them.”

“They were always there, in the middle of heavy traffic and under the most horrendous weather con•Continued from Page 13 their academic pursuit.

“The future is in your hands; I urge you to take it, be the best that you can be. On our part as government, we will continue to provide you with the necessary support to ensure you realise your dreams,” the governor stated.

The solar powered laptop computers, which will be distributed in all secondary schools in 16 local government areas of the state have features such as webcam, three USB ports, power pack, dual soft education software, Norton anti-virus, skype, adobe, Microsoft Access 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, Microsoft Info Path Designer 2010 and Microsoft

•The four traffic managers taking instructions ditions rendering service to their fatherland. These are great men and I consider them great. I must let you know that their performance profile is outstandingly inspiring.

Their commitment to duty despite their condition is marvelous even as their determination to prove that disability is not a barrier is awesome”.

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them now that they are in uniform and with authority.

“Moreover, I know I have a takehome pay now at the end of every month,” he said.

Ekiti renewal excites residents Powerpoint 2010, among others.

Governor Fayemi disclosed that Samsung West Africa Limited has agreed to establish a Computer Assembly Plant dedicated to sustainability of the scheme and ICT goals of his administration.

He said: “You would recall that about five months ago precisely on the 13th of October 2011 this administration signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung West Africa limited for the procurement of laptop computers for 18,000 teachers and 100,000 solar net-book laptop computers to all students in our pub-

lic secondary schools in Ekiti State.

“I made a pledge there to the good people of Ekiti State then. That this government is irrevocably committed to the promises already made to make laptop computers available on the desk of each student in the state public schools before the end of the year 2014.

“This promise was prominent in the 8-point agenda designed as a roadmap for recovery during my campaign for this office. To some sceptics at the time this was just a vote catching gimmick of a typical opportunistic and desperate politician.

Council to intensify infrastructure upgrade HE chairman, Lekki Local Council Development Area, Mukandas Olaitan Ogidan has presented a budget proposal to the legislative arm of the council. If adopted, the council chief hopes to intensify opening up the council’s infrastructure. Ogidan titled it “Our budget of hope”.

The chairman said in his speech: “The vision of this administration is to transform Lekki into a beautiful, people-friendly, international tourist attraction and industrial nerve centre of Lagos State, nay, Nigeria and the whole of the West African sub-region.

“The focus of the budget will remain the following key factors: education, health, environment, tourism development; rural development and agriculture. The year 2012 budget will be used to further job creation, poverty eradication and wealth creation by ensuring that at least twothirds of the total capital expenditure funds is directed to the government’s priority areas.

“The government remains concerned about youth unemployment and will continue to implement and pursue policies and programmes that will give these critical and important stakeholders of our society, the best opportunities to realise their potentials.

Ogidan said the education sector has the highest allocation of 23%, adding: “We shall also be engaging in some literacy development programmes which include bursary

Osagie who recalled how a motorist almost broke his leg for stopping him to allow others to go first, said drivers now respect them.

He said nobody dares disobey

By Duro Babayemi

award, purchase of school uniforms and sandals for all primary school pupils. Adult literacy shall also be established.”

He noted that contracts have been awarded for the construction of three new blocks of classrooms consisting of six classrooms, toilets, boreholes and offices in Lekki, Lepia and Igbodola communities. Teaching and learning materials are being procured and distributed to various schools to aid teaching and learning activities in various schools, he said.

He stressed the administration’s emphasis on the health and well being of people of the council, explaining that the council has already made provisions for health and environmental sectors. Maternities will be upgraded in various parts of the council.

“Beddings and other medical equipment have been procured by the council for Primary Health Centres to make them efficient and patient friendly,” Ogidan said.

“In order to strenghten the capacity of the Nigeria Police to enforce law and order, we proposed to establish two new police posts in Lekki LCDA to deepen the spread and operations efficiency of security apparatus and agencies in the area.

“We have proposed to embark on massive road stabilisation, construction of drainages, culverts and drains.

Four public toilets shall be constructed at Oriyorin, Osoroko, Idotun and Folu communities.

•Hon. Ogidan “Also, road stabilisation and construction of culverts shall be carried out on Ise-Folu Road, ShiriwonIgbekodo Road, Lekki-Ebute Road, Oshoroko, Olomowewe, Itoke, Oriyorin, Okunraye.

“In helping to engender a sustainable food security regime, to alleviate poverty and create jobs for our urban community N88,311,062 has been allocated to agriculture for capital expenditure. A total of 100 pen cages shall be procured to boost commercial activities in the community and help to generate massive employment for youth and women population.

“We shall carry out total rehabilitation of Olatunji Market, Ise, Olatunji Market Lekki and Okunraye Market and clear the land for the proposed ultra modern market at Otolu.”

“Even to my genuine admirers, the Eyiyato fans, the realisation of this dream was unfathomable, given the well known limited resources available to our state. The immediate realisation of this goal in time only requires careful planning, faithful budgeting and unquenchable optimism, and to God almighty must the glory be given.

“We are distributing today and in the course of the next few weeks 11,000 laptop computers for teachers and students. I want to singularly commend Samsung, Microsoft and Dualsoft for believing in our vision and travelling with us on this historic journey.

“Our government has gone this far to ensure that everything is done to make us stand shoulders higher than other states by recreating our feat in the areas of academic excellence that our land was in the time past identified with.

“My administration is also not leaving out the physically challenged students. They are in this scheme because as far as this government is concerned, disability is not inability and they would be given special comput-

ers configured with brail and other instructional materials.

“Our government has gone this far to ensure that everything is done to make us stand shoulders higher than other states our state stand shoulders higher than other states by imprinting our feet in the field of academic excellence.”

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, said the government has approved the sum of N100 million for the provision of laboratory facilities in all public secondary schools in the state while renovation of schools had commenced.

The Accounts Manager of Samsung West Africa Limited, Mr. Fauno Nadah, noted that in the company’s entire existence as a computer/electronics company, there has never been an experience as great as the one it was saddled with by Governor Fayemi with the computer-for-every-student project in which nearly 20,000 laptop computers would be shipped to the state. Nadah added that this feat was already making waves in South Korea.

The future is in your hands; I urge you to take it, be the best that you can be. On our part as government, we will continue to provide you with the necessary support to ensure you realise your dreams

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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OMMUNITIES in Apapa Iganmu/ Coker Aguda Local Council Development Area, Lagos State have pledged their continuous support in fighting crime in their areas.

The chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Orile Igammu Divison, Uba Amechi noted that relative peace has returned to Sari/Orile/Coker Aguda community, but added that it was because the police promptly moved against crime when they got information from the residents.

Speaking after a CDA’s joint security consultative meeting to foster police-community relationship, Amechi said that over N500,000 has been spent in the last two years to rehabilitate Orile Iganmmu Divisional Police Station and the officers’ patrol van.

“We built the male and female cell, the policemen’s lecture hall and their condemned patrol van was repaired,” he said Reiterating the communities’ commitment to ensuring efficient community policing, Pastor Solomon, Chairman, Security Committee for the 27 Community Development Areas in the LCDA, said the community will in due course add more vans for the police fleet. He also noted that the issue of blackout due to irregular power supply at the station and lack of fuel for the patrol van will soon be a thing of the past.

“The communities will be financing fuel challenges of the station

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OUTHS of Oron Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State have welcomed the appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan of Mr. Joshua Okpo as Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria situated in the area.

The youths said Okpo has helped the community in achieving peace by working harmoniously with traditional rulers in the host communities of Idua and Eyoabasi, and also giving jobs to the youths.

The youths spoke following the confirmation of Okpo’s appointment. Addressing newsmen in Oron, the president of the group Mr. Emmanuel Otong said with the confirmation of Okpo’s

•Some of the community leaders

Communities partner police on crime-fighting

By Paul Oluwakoya

with a reasonable amount of money on a quarterly basis from July,” he said

Also in July a public lecture will be held to enlighten the community residents on how best to relate with the police.

Solomon said: “We shall be having all classes of people in attend-

ance, ranging from the youth, elders, artisans, landlords, traders, transporters, among others. Top security experts will handle the seminar. If you recall, police swung into action to address the recent

Youths relish Rector’s appointment From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

appointment the Academy would witness a new dawn and significant improvement.

Otong noted that the new rector’s style of administration and his avowed resolve to sanitize the system and enhance cadets/staff welfare have contributed to his elevation.

He urged everyone to support the rector so that the Federal Government’s motive of upgrading the institution to a degree awarding institution could be

achieved.

The President said the youths were filled with joy after listening to Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, address during the passing-out-parade of cadets on the composition of a 17member committee to drive the process of upgrading the Academy to a degree awarding institution.

Otong maintained that since the rector assumed duty at the Academy he has built bridges among warring faction and entrenched peace not only on the institution’s campus but also within

the host communities of Idua and Eyoabasi.

His words: “The very fact that Joshua Okpo accorded recognition, respect and cordial relationship to the traditional rulers in the host communities has earned him accolades and support from all stakeholders and they are ready to give him their fullest support.”

He listed the rector’s achievements to include building of additional hostels for students and teachers, provision of uninterrupted power supply, construction of health centre and internal

Promo winners relive experience

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WO winners in the CocaCola promo, Dare Olaiya and Segun Akinlawon, have narrated how their journey to fame began.

Born to middle-income parents in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Dare had dreams of becoming a lawyer. His bold manner of speaking shows he is brainy and it will not surprise many if he eventually becomes a leading lawyer in future. However, when Dare won one million Naira in the Coca-Cola promo, he literally became a lawyer in the presence of his siblings.

Narrating his growing up experience, Dare said: “Growing up was fun. My siblings and I had a nice time with one another and our parents. Everyone supported my dreams to be a lawyer, but it has not been easy as I faced challenges here and there.”

In 2005, however, the Olaiya family was thrown into grief. This was a year after Dare finished secondary school education. His only brother died from a protracted illness.

“It was a sad time in my life,” Dare said cheerlessly, adding: “We had to put the incident behind us and moved on. During the time, I was applying to study law but only the Lagos State University gave me admission in Diploma. I did the programme for two years, yet they did not offer me a place. So, I have been at home up till now since 2008.”

threat to life and property in the community when some youths came to give some useful information. So we want more of this that is why we are coming up with this lecture.”

By Wale Ajetunmobi

Meanwhile, in the rustic town of Iberekodo, near Abeokuta, where the 26-year-old Segun lives, a life of poverty lay ahead of him. Born into a polygamous home of four wives and 14 children, Segun said life was tough for him.

To combat the hardship, Segun’s father took him to learn electrical work after he finished secondary school. During his apprenticeship days, Segun’s heart was somewhere else. He longed to be like his peers who gained admission into universities after secondary school. “I was dreaming about the day I would be admitted into the university and have formal education,” Segun disclosed.

Despite the distance between these two young men, it appears they share common trait - the will to succeed and their love for CocaCola. They both keep the faith.

When they found out about the ongoing Coca-Cola “Open & Win” promo, they saw it as a chance to achieve their goals and texted as many codes as they could to the number 33665.

As fate would have it, they were both contacted to come to the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) Plant in Ikeja, to receive their cheques of a million naira each. At the event, which took place on April 4, 2012, they sat close to each other, oblivious of how similar their sto-

•Dare (second left) receiving his cheque from Coca Cola officials ries were and what they both aimed to do with their prizes.

Dare said: “I feel blessed! I have become a millionaire just like that!

Now, I can do my schooling and invest in my business. I thank God first and I thank Coca-Cola.”

For Segun, he now also has the funds to actualise his dream of higher education. Overflowing with joy, he said: ‘I cannot remember the number of times I tried but I thank God that my resolve to participate did not end up in vain.

Thank you, Coca-Cola.”

roads in the Academy as well as empowering youths within the host communities, among others.

The youth leader also appealed to the federal and state governments, multinational companies, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to assist the Academy by providing more infrastructures.

He also urged those he called perpetual blackmailers and character assassins to have a rethink and support the developmental efforts of the new rector.

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The state government plans to construct recreational centres and parks for the elderly in parts of the state to appreciate their contributions to the society

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HINGS are looking up for those in their twilight in Anambra State. The gloom of neglect and loneliness is lifting as the state government has stepped up efforts to keep them happy. The wife of the governor Mrs Margaret Peter Obi has celebrated with them to mark the International Day of the Elderly.

It was a special occasion. Over 3000 of people aged 70 and above gathered at the Women Development Centre, Awka, the state capital, to participate in the event. But it was not just an affair of the aged; only the fit and agile turned up, as the government suggested, in order not to put undue pressure on the weak among them.

There were various competitions at the event.

The strong were seen in their best moving up and down the dais. The participants were give transport fare and gift packs courtesy of the government. Mrs. Obi presented the gifts.

Elder Joseph Anaekeokwu, 97, from Agulu, won the top prize for his agility, intelligence and recounting events of the past. Elder Augustine Onukogu aged 96 from Oraifite came second. The votes of all the other old people in the hall during a voice vote sealed him for the victory even though his runner up appeared older.

Madam Omasi Obiora from Mgbakwu was the oldest woman while Elder Raphael Sunday from Okpoko was the most interactive senior citizen.

The winners said the programme was the most memorable in their lives. They commended the state government, Governor Peter Obi and his wife as well as the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Ego Cordelia Uzoezie for making this year’s edition memorable.

Mrs. Margret Peter Obi reassured that the state government will continue to pursue programmes that promote the welfare of the elderly in the society. She said old age is a blessing and grace of God which should be celebrated and honoured, adding that the elderly in the state have made remarkable contributions in strengthening democracy. She enjoined them to take advantage of the General Hospitals and Health Centres in their areas to meet their health needs.

Mrs. Obi noted that the present

•Participants at the event

Obi’s wife celebrates with senior citizens From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

administration is the only government that has cleared accumulated pensions and gratuities.

Dr. Ego Uzoezie said the day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to remember and discuss issues relating to ageing as well as honour and celebrate people blessed to reach old age. She noted that since inception, the Obi administration has continued to place issues concerning the aged on the front burner and has tried in different ways to cushion the strains of ageing by promptly paying pensions and gratuity.

Mrs Obi further charged the

elderly to continue to lead and motivate their communities by telling the truth.

Dr. Uzozie disclosed that the state government plans to construct recreational centres and parks for the elderly in parts of the state to appreciate their contributions to the society. She further said necessary measures should be taken to promote the peace of mind of the elderly to enhance their health, happiness and longevity.

The Commissioner said more people participated in this year’s event. “In other years, less than 15 local governments were in attendance but this year, all the 177 communities in the 21 local government area council were fully represented,” she said.

•From left: Music Producer, Mr. Cobhams Asuquo; Director, Intellectual Property Institute of Nigeria, Mr. Folarin Aluko and Chief Executive Officer, XLR8 Limited, Mr Calixthus Okoruwa at a press briefing in Lagos to mark the World Intellectual Property Day

A Reverend Father Wenslecus Ofojebe citing Leviticus 19:32 said that the elderly deserve respect and honour which attracts God’s blessings. The Catholic priest explained that gray-headedness is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness.

A guest lecturer advised the aged to seek the attention of ophthalmologists for proper investigation of their eyes instead of resorting to quackery which can

harm their sight.

Elder Jopseph Anaekeokwu thanked the governor for the gesture and wished he would be invited in the next year’s celebration.

Governor Obi said his administration will sustain the policy of improving the welfare of the elderly in the state. He assured that the government will continue to interact regularly with them to give them the opportunity to make input in governance.

Climate change: Alternative energy sources to the rescue

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AGOS State government and Ymedia and Global Brand Communications have said Nigerians must urgently develop other energy sources in order to save the country from the devastating effect of climate change.

They spoke at a seminar organised by Ymedia as part of the activities to sensitise the public on the global earth month and the need to protect the environment.

Mr. Peter Okonji, an engineer from the Lagos State Ministry Energy and Mineral resources, said the government is working on a 10 mega-watts independent power project for the secretariat Alausa, adding that there is still a plan to establish more renewable power base stations in new towns development areas.

In his contribution, the collaborating partner with Ymedia and Global Communications, Emmanuel Essien lamented the devastating impact of climate.

“We have relied so much on crude oil that we have forgotten about our environment,” he stressed.

He said the global earth month is

By Miriam Ndikanwu

meant to sensitise the public on the impact human activities on the environment, adding that a line of programmes have been planned including the green concept which will hold at the Muritala Okunola Park to help drive home the message.

Olasupo Oluwakemi of Ymedia who spoke on the initiative said it was geared towards celebrating the e global earth month.

“We have a lot going on in our environment; we have the state Ministry of Environment, Energy and Mineral Resources here to address the challenges.

“Basically what we are trying to do is to enlighten the people on the Orange Green Initiative slated for this month and we have a lot of programmes outlined for it to talk about healthy living and alternative means of transportation to know what government is doing in this regard. We are looking at rail road and water ways and also why people are not using the alternative means of transportations.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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NEWS

Oyo ACN slams PDP over O attacks on Southwest governors A GROUP in the Oyo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Leadership Forum (ALF), has decried the media war against Southwest governors by ousted Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Segun Oni (Ekiti) and Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement by its Publicity Director, Sikiru Akinola Oranmiyan, the group accused the PDP of planning to cause mayhem in the state through the publication of false information during the first anniversary celebration of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration.

It urged security agents to on the alert, alleging that PDP has a plan to disrupt the celebration, using ACN souvenirs and T-shirts.

ALF said PDP is intimidated by the performance of the ACN, which “has relegated PDP to the dustbin of political history”.

It said: “We have uncovered plans by the PDP to cause mayhem in the region to pave the way for a state of emergency. One of their plans, which failed, was the connivance of the PDP leaders with some security agencies and the allegation that Governor Rauf Aregbesola is planning to secede and Islamise Osun.

“Though, there are Intellectuals in the PDP, most of them are educated illiterates. They are not better than garage boys. They do not read books and are not conversant with current affairs.

“We urge them to consult government textbooks to

know what it takes to secede and make a state a monoreligious entity.

“We believe in the manifesto of the ACN, as it has been bettering the lot of the masses since the party assumed leadership in the Southwest and Edo State.

“PDP’s ‘mainstreaming’, which we practiced for eight years, did not only bring pain and disaster, but the culture and essence of the region was repudiated.

“The most glorious days of the Yoruba were during the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s era, when we were practicing regionalism.

If those vagabonds had not sold the Southwest to the PDP, our region would have been well developed.

“Though, we are vindicated by Speaker Aminu Bello Tambuwal’s comment

when he visited the State of Osun, we urge President Goodluck Jonathan to investigate the uncouth behaviour of Omisore, because this was what happened before Chief Ajibola Ige was murdered.

“We will not fold our arms and allow some persons, who were rejected in their respective areas during the polls because they do not have electoral value, to denigrate the status of our revered ACN leaders.

“The silence of the President on the utterances of the PDP stalwarts portends danger for our nascent democracy. We are battle ready against people who ran their state into abject poverty.

“It is a surprise that those who misgoverned their states are seeking political relevance through untrue political statements.”

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has urged financial institutions to come up with ideas that would boost the state’s economy.

Ajimobi spoke while receiving the management of Ecobank, led by its Managing Director Mr. Jubril Aku, in Ibadan, the state capital.

He stressed the need for financial institutions to partner with his administration in transforming the state.

Ajimobi said banks should not limit their services to the search for depositors, but should come up with blueprints for development.

He said: “I believe your bank can do enviable things to propel the development of this state. So, I challenge your bank not to just focus on looking for depositors but to come up with your blueprint for development that is peculiar to our state.”

The governor urged the bank to assist his administration

Ajimobi urges banks on development ideas in developing agriculture and the exploration of several resources that abound in the state.

He said: “We have over 28 square kilometre of arable land in Oyo State. The state is also endowed with many mineral resources, particularly marble, which can be fully explored.”

Aku said the bank recently acquired Oceanic Bank, which he said has 15 branches in the state.

He said the bank is well-positioned to serve the interest of the people and the government.

Aku said the bank is ready to partner the government in agriculture and infrastructural development.

Agric minister launches project

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HE Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina will today launch the Youth Commercial Agriculture Programme in Ado -Ekiti, the state capital.

The programme, which is a landmark effort in getting the youths involved in Agriculture as a business engagement rather than development programme, will be hosted by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Mr. Matthew Haruna, Dr. Adesina said the programme is an indication of renewed synergy between the Federal and state governments.

Oyo workers, govt for talks

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IVIL servants in Oyo State and representatives of the state government will soon resume negotiation on the implementation of the minimum wage.

National Chairman of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council Kiri Mohammed dropped the hint at the weekend in Ibadan, the state capital, after a meeting with Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the matter.

He urged workers to be patient with the government.

Mohammed said each state has a choice to adopt a salary scale it can afford, adding his council would always protect the interest of workers. He urged them to shun violence.

Mohammed assured workers that the minimum wage issue would soon be resolved.

Man, 42, jailed for rape

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•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (third right); Tax Summit participant, Mrs. Olabisi Okunmolale (left); Moderator Jumai Umar-Ajijola (second left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue and Taxation Matters Mrs. Bunmi Adelugba (third left); Chairman, Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Isola Akingbade (second right) and Focus Group Leader Dr. Ipoade Omilaju, during the Ekiti State 2012 Revenue Summit in Ado-Ekiti...at the weekend.

Film village’ll boost IGR, says Fayemi’s wife

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HE Ekiti State Government has begun moves to establish a film village close to the Ikogosi Warm Spring.

The proposal is to promote tourism, entertainment, and boost the state’s InternallyGenerated Revenue (IGR).

Wife of the governor, Bisi Fayemi, made the disclosure while receiving the report of a committee set up to drive the project in her capacity as the chairperson of the state’s Technical Consultative Committee on Arts, Culture and Tourism

Development.

The committee is chaired by the Assistant Director, Abuja Film Village, Princess Badewa Adejugbe-Williams.

Its members include: Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu and the Director-General, Abuja National Carnival, Prof. Ojo Bakare.

Mrs. Fayemi said the proposed project would create jobs and eradicate poverty.

Although Ekiti is not an oil producing state with a fat income, she said it can generate

income from its natural endowments and beautiful scenery.

She said: “I have seen many beautiful places in the world, but they are not more beautiful than what we have here in Ekiti.

“Since the state is not blessed with oil, we are thankful to God that we have these beauties of nature, which we can harness to generate income.”

Mrs. Fayemi assured the committee that the government would make the proposed film village a reality.

She said the facilities being

developed at the Ikogosi Warm spring would complement the needs and expectations of the proposed film village.

Jinadu said the village would be sited in Ipole Iloro, a town near Ikogosi and Efon Alaaye, where a beautiful valley and waterfall are located.

He said the committee studied the film village models in The Gambian, Ghanaian, South African, Indian, as well as Abuja and Ososa, Ogun State, before arriving at its report.

Group faults secession allegation against Aregbesola

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NON-PARTISAN group, Southwest Youth Leaders’ Association (SWYLA), at the weekend, described those accusing Governor Rauf Aregbesola of a plot to secede and Islamise Osun state as “callous and unprogressive”.

In a statement by its General Secretary, Gbenga Awoyinfa, the group said the accusation was designed to ruin Aregbesola’s government.

It said Aregbesola has been an advocate of true fed-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

eralism and is familiar with the secular nature of Nigeria and Osun State in particular.

The group said the governor’s understanding of the nation is reflected in the manner he has been relating with Christians, Muslims and adherents of the traditional religion.

It said the formulation of Osun’s anthem, logo and emblem are aimed at rebranding the state and constitute no threat to nation’s

security.

The statement reads: “The re-branding efforts are intended to give the state an identity. We have more Christians in the State Executive Council than Muslims. The governor has never promoted one religion over the other and he has been governing Osun as a secular state in line with the constitution.

“Without embellishment, Aregbesola has leadership qualities, which stand

him out, and it is expected that his enemies, who cannot match his performance, must be jittery and jealous.

“All these accusations are designed to ensure that Aregbesola derails. They are designed to distract him from continuing with his transformation agenda.

“We urge the governor not to be distracted by the tricks of retrogressive elements, who are determined to reverse the present trend of development in the state.”

IXTEEN years after it was ctreated, Ekiti State has recorded the first conviction of a rapist.

The rapist - Mr. Ishola Dauda, (42), was jailed for 25 years by the State High Court, sitting in Ikere-Ekiti, for raping the late Madam Esther Ibukun in May 2006.

The victim was then 88 years.

It was gathered that Dauda, who came from Ilorin to settle in Ikere-Ekiti, was passing by Madam Ibukun’s house, when he saw her lying on her back in a room.

It was learnt that he went into the house and violated the woman.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

The victim’s shouts attracted her neighbours, who apprehended Dauda.

The woman, who was sick at the time of the incident, reportedly died not long afterwards.

In his judgment, Justice M.A. Agbelusi said: “This is a heinous crime. For the accused to have raped an 88-year-old woman shows the extent of his moral decrepitude. This is why I think the accused has no mercy. I therefore sentence him to 25 years imprisonment without an option of fine.”

UNIOSUN dons to shun exam From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Osun State University, Osogbo branch, is threatening not to participate in the forthcoming 2011/2012 Rain Semester examinations, if the school’s management unless the 33 months Hazard Allowance arrears are paid to its members.

The union, at its congress last week, resolved that it would no longer accept the explanation of the Vice Chancellor on his inability to pay the arrears.

In a statement by its Chairman, Oluseye Abiona, and Secretary Olaosebikan Wende, the union said the vice chancellor’s claim that he had made several efforts to get government’s approval for the arrears without any luck is unacceptable.

It reads: “Your claim that the non-constitution of a Governing Council by Governor Rauf Aregbesola is a major factor militating against the payment of the arrears is not convincing enough.

“The congress observed that you ought to have gotten approval of the immediate-past council before its dissolution, if you were favourably disposed to its payment, since the arrears predated the council’s dissolution.”

The union said it would not accept the management’s promise to pay as soon as a new council is inaugurated because the vice chancellor has reneged on earlier promises.

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NEWS Ladoja is confused, says Oyo ACN

Gunmen kill DPO in Enugu From Chris Oji, Enugu

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

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HE Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Oji River Police Division in Enugu State, Okey Ofoedu, was killed at the weekend by four gunmen.

He was killed at Ojinator on Awka/Oji River Old Road, near Roi filling station at night.

It was gathered that Ofoedu was on his was to the office, when the gunmen, who were in a Passat car, shot him several times at close range.

He was confirmed dead by a doctor few minutes later.

Police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said the command is on the heels of the hoodlums.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Musa Daura, has urged policemen not to be demoralised by the incident.

Amaraizu said Ofoedu’s remains have been taken to a nearby hospital for post mortem examinations.

EKSU probes fake admission From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

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ANY of the 20 students running P a r t - T i m e programmes in the Ekiti State University (EKSU), who were identified as fake by the school and prevented from writing examination were aided by officials of the school, it was learnt yesterday.

The affected students were arrested last Friday.

They were allegedly issued fake Examination Permit Cards by some officials.

The Director of Part-Time Programmes, Prof. Edward Ogunleye, said the cards were discovered to be fake during screening.

The students were prevented from sitting for the examination and this led to a protest, after which they were arrested.

The university has indefinitely suspended the examination to prevent further break down of law and order.

This would also enable those who had not paid their fees to do so.

Ogunleye said the school’s council would meet today on the issue.

He said any official involved in the admission scam would face the consequences.

The institution’s spokesman, Mr. Olubunmi Ajibade, said the students who masterminded the protest were not students of the university.

He said the first semester examinations would continue after the authorities of the university have resolved the situation.

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•From left: Chime, Elechi, Orji andObi ...yesterday.

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

Southeast governors meet on security

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OUTHEAST governors met yesterday in Enugu to strategise on how to curb the rising insecurity in the country.

Although the governors met behind closed doors, it was learnt that they condemned the killings in the North by the Boko Haram sect and discussed the way forward for Ndigbo.

A source said: “Today’s meeting was crucial and that is why all the governors were present. They have their people’s interest at heart and do not want to be taken unaware. The security situation is important to every sane

From Chris Oji, Enugu

person. No normal person wants the country to break.”

Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Conference, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi said the meeting was centred on security and not meant for public consumption.

He said: “We met today in Enugu and discussed security in the Southeast, but the details is not for the public.”

The governors of Anmabra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Abia states were in attendance, while Chief Rochas Okorocha of Imo State was represented by his deputy.

Orji’s convoy involved in accident

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IX vehicles in the convoy of Abia State Governor Theodore Orji were involved in an accident at the weekend.

The accident occurred on the Ogoja-Abakaliki Expressway in Ebonyi State about 6pm on Friday.

It was learnt that Orji, his wife and aides had gone to Ezza Ophu in Izzi Local Government Area for the funeral of Governor Martin Elechi’s mother in-law, Madam Grace Nwagu Nwankwo (102), and were on their way to the Government House in Abakaliki when the accident occurred.

An eyewitness, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “On getting to Igbagu, where Setraco is reconstructing the Ogoja-Abakaliki Expressway, there was a lot of dust and potholes.

“I suspect the drivers could

O

•Jonathan, Anyim, others mourn Elechi’s mother in-law From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

not see well because of the dust and since they were not familiar with the road, six vehicles ran into themselves while trying to dodge the potholes. Though Orji and his wife escaped unhurt, some of his aides were injured.”

It was learnt that Orji’s Special Adviser on Security has a fractured wrist and the injured were taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki.

A senior doctor at the hospital, who pleaded for anonymity, said six persons where brought to the hospital. He said five had been discharged but one is still on admission.

He said: “Because of the level of fracture he sustained,

we had to operate him immediately to avoid further complication, but he is doing very well.”

President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the family of Senator Chris Nwankwo, representing Ebonyi North District, and Elechi’s wife, Josephine, on the demise of their mother.

The President was represented by a Federal Government delegation, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

Anyim said: “On behalf of my family, the Federal Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I express our deepest condolences to you and the entire Nwankwo family.

“You should find solace in

the fact that she lived a long and fulfilled life of service to God. She also lived long enough to see her children become people of status in the society. May God grant her soul eternal rest and give you the wisdom to cope with this loss.”

Members of the delegation included Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Prof. Viola Adaku Onwuliri; Governors Orji (Abia), Peter Obi (Anambra) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu); National Chairman of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; former Ebonyi State Governor Sam Egwu; Senators and members of the House of Representatives, among others.

Leave APGA, party chieftain tells Umeh

NE of the founding fathers of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Sylva Nwobu-Alor, has accused the party’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, of being the greatest problem to APGA’s growth.

In a statement at the weekend, Nwobu-Alor said instead of accounting for the N20 million he gets monthly to manage the party, Umeh is blaming Governor Peter Obi for APGA’s failings.

He said people like him, who do not like the way Umeh is running APGA and called for a restructuring, have become objects of daily at-

By our reporter

tacks from him. Nwobu-Alor said: “Today, Umeh is not in good terms with the governor because he wants Obi to conduct the local government elections the Nigerian way and get those he handpicked into positions for his selfish ends, even if it amounts to offending the law.

“He has gone ahead at public forums to castigate the governor and those in charge of the award of contracts, because of their insistence that merit must guide every process, rather than people bringing names of incompetent, rate-paying contractors.”

He debunked Umeh’s

“claim that he made Obi governor”, pointing out that the APGA chairman never wanted Obi to become governor.

Nwobu Alor alleged that Umeh was part of the failed plot to impeach Obi. He said: “Part of Nigeria’s problem today is the overwhelming presence of opportunists, like Umeh.”

Decrying Umeh’s “lack of respect for the governor”, Nwobu Alor said: “Obi is busy attracting investors to the state, but some greedy ingrates are after their pockets.”

On the clash between members of the Government Task Force on Parks and Markets at Nnewi and transport

operators, he said: “The government has no outfit known as Ndimpiawa Azu. The Task Force on Parks and Markets has helped the government immensely in the revenue generation effort and should be praised and not condemned. Above all, its members do not carry guns, machetes or weapons.

“Members of the task force, who were in Nnewi to recover government revenue, were shot by armed hoodlums, probably sponsored by interest groups.

“Sincerely it is the wish of 85 per cent of our party members that Umeh leaves the party now to allow APGA grow.

HAIRMAN of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State Chief Akin Oke has criticised former Governor Rashidi Ladoja’s moves to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after his “gentleman’s agreement with Governor Abiola Ajimobi”.

Oke spoke with The Nation in an exclusive interview in Ibadan, the state capital.

He described Ladoja as “an unrealistic politician who does not know what he wants”.

Oke was certain that the ongoing negotiation between Ladoja and the PDP would end in a disaster.

He said: “ACN is not worried, because we know Ladoja is going to burn his fingers.

Here, he has two of his men in the state executive council and some are on board appointments. Recently, about 14 or 16 Accord men were appointed board chairmen, members and special advisers.

“With all that, Ladoja still approached PDP saying he wanted to be its General Secretary. I laugh because I know he is going to regret it. I am happy because of what is happening now, because I have been vindicated.

“I know in the next few days or few weeks, things will start to unfold and people will know that ACN has come to stay in Oyo State.”

Oke said the gentlemen’s agreement between Ladoja and Ajimobi was borne out of the governor’s concern for peaceful co-existence.

He said: “It is not right to say that the ACN entered into an agreement with Ladoja before the election. It was after the election, because Ladoja contested against us and lost woefully.

“After the election, because of the situation we found our self in the House of Assembly, we felt we should try and ensure harmony through an all inclusive government.

Anambra gets teaching hospital

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HE Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has accredited Amaku General Hospital in Anambra State as a teaching hospital.

Commissioner for Health Amobi Linus Ilika announced this yesterday in Awka, the state capital, while speaking with reporters.

He said the people should be grateful to Governor Peter Obi, who he said worked hard to ensure that the teaching hospital was accredited.

Ilika said no health institution was accredited in the state before Obi assumed office.

He said: “When he assumed office, Obi promised to get three hospitals and existing health institutions accredited. Today, many health institutions are now accredited.

“Two hospitals, Onitsha General Hospital and Amaku Teaching Hospital, Awka, are accredited.

“The governor is working hard to see that Ekwulobia General Hospital is accredited.

Besides, through his support, some health institutions owned and managed by voluntary agencies have regained accreditation.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

NEWS Maitama Sule urges Nigerians to resist disintegration From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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ORMER Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Alhaji Maitama Sule, yesterday urged Nigerians to resist those promoting the nation’s disintegration.

He said it would not be in anyone’s interest if Nigeria is allowed to split, as some people play up the current insecurity as well as ethnic and religious differences.

The Northern leader spoke in Kano when leaders of Arewa Youth Stakeholders’ Peace Parley presented their resolution on security problem in the North to him.

According to him, Nigeria is in its trying period and will come out stronger.

The group, led by Alhaji Yerima Usman Shettima, traced insecurity in the North to the Boko Haram sect, especially after the extra judicial killings of its members and leaders by security agencies.

He noted that government’s refusal to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the killings was responsible for the escalation of the security crisis.

Jonathan to Nigerians: eat cassava bread, confectioneries

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend launched the commercialisation of cassava bread to boost the government’s policy of injecting 40 per cent cassava into bread and other confectionaries.

The President promised new tax incentives for cassava flour millers and processors.

Nigeria, he said, would save N250 billion foreign exchange from reduced import of wheat and wheat flour, while 1.3million jobs are expected to be created in the next four years under the cassava bread policy.

Last November, at one of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings, the President presented a sample of cassava bread with the Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina. He approved the

•New tax incentives for cassava flour millers From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

policy and pleaded with bakers to key into the policy.

Dr Jonathan yesterday assured those implementing the policy of a zero per cent duty on all agricultural equipment and processing equipment.

He said he has kept his promise of eating cassava since the presentation of the cassava bread, with 40 per cent high quality cassava flour and 60 per cent wheat flour. The bread was developed by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State.

The import of the cassava bread, the President noted, “is that our cassava farmers and processors, most of whom toil

endlessly and earn little for their efforts, now have cause to dream again as the government has begun the implementation of a cassava transformation action plan”.

Dr Jonathan added: “Our goal is to expand the market for cassava farmers and turn Nigeria into the largest processor of cassava in the world.

It is our earnest expectation that the action plan will create 1.3 million jobs in the next four years as we move into food manufacturing and industry uses of cassava.

“We believe that the prosperity of Nigeria must start with improving the lives and livelihood of Nigerian farmers and revitalising our rural economies across the nation.

In line with this goal, we are irrevocably committed to developing the market for alternative uses of cassava and reducing the dependence on food import.

“To promote rapid commercialisation of cassava flour with wheat flour for bread and confectioneries, we announced new fiscal policy measures as part of our 2012 budget. These include zero per cent duties on all agricultural equipment and processing equipment for cassava processing and new tax incentives for flour millers and processors who embrace the use of cassava flour.

“The Federal Government is already facilitating the manufacture and import of 18

large scale cassava processing plants. These will be located in areas of high cassava production. It is not going to be based on politics...”

The Managing Director of Food Concepts, Deji Akinyanju, noted that the growth of cassava products would assist the local consumption of cassava flour and create jobs for Nigerians.

Present at the event were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim; the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke (SAN); and the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd.).

FIRS collects N1.7t in Q1 From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said it collected N1.7 trillion in the first quarter of this year, it was learnt at the weekend.

This year, the revenue collection in the period under review represents 29 per cent increase over the targeted N909 bilion.

A statement by revenue service said the Acting Executive Chairman, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, quoted the figure at the inaugural Field Operations Group Regional Management Meeting (FOGRMM) held at the weekend in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Comparing the figure with that of the same period last year, Mashi said the FIRS collection drive has improved. He said the revenue service collected N955billion in the first quarter of last year.

Dismissed soldier sues Army From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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JUNIOR Army officer, Emmanuel Ojo-Giwa, has sued the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Azubuike Ihejerika, at the Federal High Court, sitting in Akure, for alleged illegal dismissal.

Through his counsel, Yemi Adetoyinbo, the plaintiff prayed the court to direct the Nigerian Army authority to reinstate him because his dismissal did not follow due process.

He prayed the court to order the Army-in-Council to pay him N4 million damages for the dismissal.

The dismissed soldier also prayed the court to pay all the salaries and allowances accrued to him from the time he was dismissed till date.

Joined as co-defendants are: the Army-in-Council and Nigeria Army’s Director in charge of Administration, Lagos, B. G. A. Mohammed.

•President Jonathan (second left) with Akinyanju (left); Minister of Agric and Natural Resources, Dr. Adesina (third left); Managing Director, UTC Plc, Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan and Minister of Finance, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala at the launch of cassava-based products at Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

Ogun returns Abeokuta Golf Club to trustees

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HE Ogun State Government has returned the Abeokuta Golf Club to its board of trustees, The Nation learnt yesterday.

This is coming as Ogun residents are yet to know what caused the death of the Egba chief, Apagun Oluwole Olumide, who was found dead inside the artificial lake at the golf course on March 17.

The 18-holes Abeokuta Golf Club was established by the military administration of Col. Oladayo Popoola in 1986.

It was learnt that the handover was carried out before Olumide’s death.

Through Gazette Vol. 37, Number 6, published in Abeokuta on February 9, the government had accepted the recommendations of the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the club.

The commission, headed by Justice Abiodun Akinyemi, reportedly summoned Olumide to give his account of the ownership of the facility. But it was said that the late Olumide failed

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta to use the opportunity.

In its recommendations, the commission noted that “the said parcel of land in issue was indeed originally allocated by the Ogun State Government to Abeokuta Golf Club and not to Abeokuta Golf International Limited”.

It submitted that the government was misled into issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) meant for Abeokuta Golf Club to Abeokuta Golf International Club Limited where Apagun Olumide was the promoter.

A government source, who spoke in confidence, noted that the step was to address the injustice and impunity of the past administration.

The source said: “What the state government did was simply to abide and implement the recommendations of the judicial panel set up on land matters in the state.

“It was done in good faith, to correct the wrongs of many years perpetuated by an indi-

vidual and his cohorts who think they could use machinery of government to corner government’s interest.”

A member of the golf club, Chief Adewunmi Adefolu, hailed the government’s decision.

Addressing reporters in Abeokuta, Adefolu said: “We made a presentation to the panel of inquiry and the commission found facts in our pe-

tition. As a result, the government accepted the recommendations of the panel and handed over the club, a government’s property, to us to run.

“We are happy for this development, because Governor Ibikunle Amosun, through the judicial panel, has addressed the injustice the past administration refused to address. We have taken over the course for

the good of the people of the state and lovers of golf.”

Members of the club are warming up for the maiden edition of the May Day Golf Kitty. The club will hold a general meeting today at the golf course in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Gbenga Otenuga, is expected to be the guest of honour.

Ikeja blast victims ask for compensation

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EN years after the Ikeja Military Cantonment explosions, the victims have urged governments at all levels to pay the compensation they promised.

The Coordinator of the families of the victims of the 2002 blast, Mr Majekodunmi Olaniran, addressed reporters in Lagos.

He said the governments have failed to assist the victims and ameliorate their plight.

According to him, the governments promised many things to the families of the victims but have not fulfilled any of them.

Olaniran said: “Since the unfortunate incident, our governments at all levels have failed to come to the aid of the victims. They promised but reneged. They said so many sweet things but have done so many bitter things.

By Jeremiah Oke

“After the explosion, the Federal Government promised to pay compensation to the families of the victims, put in place the Oke-Afa canal, care for the death zone of the affected people and assist the children of the victims. We have waited for the Federal Government to fulfil its promises but it has not done anything.

“We see the children of the victims on the streets without good education. That was not their parents’ plans for them. We still dream about those memorable moments with our love ones. We demand justice for the blood of the relations that was spilled at Oke-Afa and other places in Lagos. We ask all and sundry to help us remind those at the helm of affairs of their promises.”

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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NEWS 2015: Suswam bans campaigns From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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OVERNOR Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has banned electioneering campaigns by politicians aspiring for positions in 2015. Speaking in Katsina Ala during a reception in honour of lawmakers from Sankera area of the state in the national and state assemblies, he said governance should take precedence over politicking as elections are now over.

He said the next general election, which will hold in 2015, is still far away, adding that the tempo of electioneering campaign for the next poll is capable of distracting his administration from the set goals.

The governor called on those honoured to fulfil their campaign promises so that the electorate would have confidence in them.

Emmanuel Udende and Jika Dwem Tor, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers, assured the people of Sankera that they would work hard to bring democracy dividends to the area.

Those honoured included the federal lawmaker representing Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala constituency, Emmanuel Udende, Benue State House of Assembly member representing Logo Constituency, Godwin Akaan and Paul Biam of Ukum constituency.

Abuja villagers lament neglect

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ESIDENTS of the Abuja @30 Estate, Kpeyegi, in the Federal Capital Territory, have lamented that they have been neglected by the FCT Administration.

The 53 occupants of the estate said living in the new community, which they relocated to in December last year, has been difficult due to lack of water, electricity and other basic amenities.

The residents were unanimous in their cry for immediate positive response from the administration to alleviate their suffering.

Leader of the women, Naomi Tukura, a retired nurse, who welcomed the Minister of State for the FCT Oloye Olajumoke to the estate at the weekend, listed their challenges and asked the minister to as a matter of urgency direct her workers to open up the facilities in the area.

“We do not have water, there is no electricity, the worst is that we don’t have market to transact business,”

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

she said.

According to her, they pay high transport fares to Kuje market to buy food items.

“Honourable minister, I want to on behalf of the women thank you for giving us these cheap homes.

“We are grateful, but please, direct the officers of the FCT to open up the market so that we can dobusiness and live a better life,” she added.

Olajumoke assured the residents that the FCT Administration would ensure that basic amenities were provided in the estate.

Beneficiaries included widows, HIV victims, low income earners, among others.

The project was designed to produce 1,000 housing units, but only 530 units of houses have been completed, while the police station, banking facility, market and clinic have been built but yet to be opened.

‘Why Benue SUBEB chair was sacked’ From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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ORE facts have emerged on why the Benue State Government sacked the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. David Tsevende.

Tsevende was removed last Thursday in a controversial circumstance.

A one paragraph statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Salisu David, did not give reason for the removal of the SUBEB boss who has spent almost two years in office.

The Nation learnt that Dr. Tsevende was removed from office because of his alleged involvement in fraudulent activities.

He was also reportedly sacked because of the invitation extended to him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged falsification of contracts amounting to millions of naira.

Benue State Government was said to have viewed the invitation by the ICPC as an indictment on the Suswam administration.

It was also alleged that the former SUBEB boss collected millions of Naira from unsuspecting persons on the pretext that he would give them contracts, but he failed to honour the agreements, and these embarrassed the Suswam administration.

Funeral for prince

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HE remains of Prince Adewale Adebanjo, the patriarch of the Adebanjo Ogbagba Anikilaiya royal family of Ijebu land, who died on February 21, will be interred in IjebuOde, Ogun State, on May 5.

The funeral programme released by the family indicates that tomorrow, a service of songs holds at his Lagos home, 8, Rosanwo Street, Aguda, Surulere by 5pm. On Thursday, another service of songs will be held

at his country home, 6, 2nd Avenue, Igbeba Housing Estate, Ijebu-Ode from 5pm to 7pm. Christian wake will hold at the same venue on Friday, while funeral service takes place the following day at Christ Church, Porogun, Ijebu-Ode and interment follows immediately at his Ijebu-Ode home.

He is survived by his wife Olori Adedotun Adebanjo, children and grandchildren, among who is Prince Adetokunbo Adebanjo.

•Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Solid Minerals, Mr. Mathew Oyedokun (right), Mr. Collins Thomas of MM & E Consortium (second right), Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (second left) and Dr. Dapsy Olatona, facilitator of MM & E Consortium (left), after signing an MoU in Ibadan... at the weekend.

Boko Haram kills warder in Maiduguri

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HREE gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members yesterday killed Alhaji Mustapha, a warder, in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

A source said he was shot dead about 2pm at Bulabili ward, in the presence of his wife and children.

The late Mustapha was reportedly killed while having lunch with his family.

The source said the gunmen defied the appeal by his wife to spare his life.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) has embarked on a search in Maiduguri.

JTF spokesman Lt-Col Shamsudeen Musa said the operation was intended to arrest Boko Haram terrorists and mop up illegal arms, ammunition and Improvised Electronic Devices (IEDs).

The JTF spokesman said

•Fulani herdsmen injure two in Plateau ‘A source said the Fulani intensified their attack at the weekend following the arrest of their leaders for allegedly sabotaging the peace efforts of security agencies’ From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri and Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

any building suspected to be harbouring terrorists, arms, ammunition and IEDs would be raided.

He said troops have been deployed in areas around the River Ine Bridge to check-

mate the activities of terrorists.

Armed Fulani herdsmen at the weekend attacked the residents of Angwan Were village in Riyom District of Riyom Local Government, Plateau State, injuring two people.

In the last two weeks they have also attacked several villages in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos, killing many people.

A source said the Fulani intensified their attack at the weekend following the arrest of their leaders for allegedly sabotaging the peace efforts of security agencies.

Though the source confirmed that the Fulani community leaders (Ardos) have been charged and granted bail by a magistrate’s court

in Jos, they (the Fulani) have refused to sheathe their swords.

It was learnt that a group of armed Fulani numbering 50 invaded Angwan Were last Saturday about 3pm and shot sporadically.

Residents who had prior information about the attack reportedly fled on hearing gunshots.

At 4pm, there was nobody in the village as the residents had fled to nearby villages, while some ran to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Riyom.

Spokesman for the Special Task Force (STF), ‘Operation Safe Haven’, Capt Mdhayelyah Markus, who confirmed the incident yesterday, said normalcy has returned to the area.

He said no arrest has been made.

Bombing of media houses callous, says Belgore G

OVERNORSHIP candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kwara State at the 2011 poll, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), has described last week’s bombing of Abuja and Kaduna offices of ThisDay, Sun and The Moment newspapers as callous and indefensible.

In a statement, Belgore’s media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, said nothing justifies violent attacks on fellow human beings, especially on media houses.

He called on the government to muster the political will to address the insecurity in the country and urged the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book.

The statement reads: “I con-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

dole with the management and staff of the ThisDay, the Sun and The Moment newspapers on the unfortunate bombing attack on their offices in Abuja and Kaduna.

“I also commiserate with the families of the victims of what I deem to be a crime against our collective humanity. There can be no justifiable reasons for anybody to violently attack fellow human beings, much less media houses.

“I join all men of goodwill to condemn this attack on the Fourth Estate of the Realm. It is callous and indefensible, and I call on the security agencies to do their best to bring

the perpetrators to book because the attack is a direct assault on the freedom of the press which, if added to the many challenges confronting our country, seriously endanger our democracy and national cohesion.

“Once again, like other well-meaning Nigerians, I implore those behind these bombings to desist because violence brings no good. I urge our government to muster the necessary political will to address insecurity which many rightly believe to be symptomatic of the socio-economic and political challenges facing this country.”

According to Ajakaye, his boss led a delegation of ACN chieftains from Kwara on a

•Belgore

condolence visit to Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State in Ado-Ekiti on the death of his mother.

Other members of the delegation include Belgore’s running mate, Joshua Adeyinka and the state chairman of the party, Kayode Olawepo.

Fed Govt to spend N4b on Dadin Kowa Dam

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HE Federal Government is to spend N4 billion to upgrade the Dadin Kowa Dam in Gombe State for agriculture, VicePresident Namadi Sambo has said.

He spoke at the weekend at the flag-off of the N4.1 billion Gombe Regional Water Reticulation Project at Kwami village in Kwami Local Government.

Sambo said the government has reached an agreement with a German firm on the construction of a 350-mega-

From Vincent Ekhoragbon, Gombe

watt coal power plant under the private public partnership.

He said the Federal Government has approved the siting of a 132kva electricity sub-station in the state to improve power supply, adding that the Ministry of Petroleum and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) are making efforts to explore hydro-carbons in Gombe and Bauchi states.

He urged the indigenes of

the state to support Federal Government’s transformation agenda to ensure the development of the country.

The Vice-President hailed Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo for the water project and other numerous projects in education, agriculture and health care delivery aimed at developing the state.

“Your Excellency, I congratulate you. I can see the roads, I am aware of the improvement in education, healthcare delivery and agricultural technology.

“I assure you that we shall cooperate with you and support you in this water project,” he said.

The governor said the project would cover parts of Gombe township, Kwami, Gadam and Bojude villages in Kwami Local Government.

He said the project was an implementation of a committee’s finding which identified “inadequacy of urban, semi-urban and rural water supply facilities across the state and the underutilisation of the DadinKowa Water Treatment Plant.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS

Sudan declares border emergency

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UDAN has reportedly declared a state of emergency along its border with South Sudan after weeks of clashes.

The decree will apply in the border districts of the South Kordofan, White Nile and Sennar states, according to the state-run Suna news agency.

Meanwhile, South Sudan has said it is willing to pull its police forces out of the disputed Abyei border region.

The current clashes began earlier this month when South Sudan occupied the Heglig oilfield area for 10 days.

The state of emergency “gives the right to the president and anyone with his mandate” to establish special courts, in consultation with the chief justice, according to Suna.

There were fresh skirmishes between the two countries’

forces yesterday, reports the BBC’s Andrew Harding from the Sudan-South Sudan border.

South Sudanese forces fired at helicopter gunships, prompting Sudanese artillery to respond, our correspondent says.

South Sudanese authorities have meanwhile informed the United Nations that it is prepared to withdraw police forces from the disputed region of Abyei.

“The minister of interior will enhance the withdrawal of South Sudan’s police force from Abyei... as long as the UN and African Union will look after its citizens in the area”, a South Sudanese spokesman told AFP news agency.

Also yesterday, a South African de-mining company said two of its employees, who were among four foreigners

•Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir

detained by Sudanese forces on Saturday, were there for “humanitarian work”.

“We are doing... landmine clearance on a UN contract and our members have full UN immunity. The abduction took place well within South Sudan territory,” Ashley Williams, CEO of state-owned Mechem, told AFP. The four - from the UK, Norway, South Africa and South Sudan - have been flown to the Sudanese capital Khartoum for “further investigations”.

US Secret Service gets new rules

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HE US Secret Service has tightened staff guidelines in an attempt to stop any repeat of the Colombia sex scandal.

Agents travelling overseas will be banned from drinking on duty, visiting “disreputable establishments” and bringing foreigners into hotel rooms.

“Consider your conduct through the lens of the past several weeks,” Director Mark Sullivan reportedly told staff.

The agency will also hold ethics sessions for staff as it attempts to move on from the Cartagena episode.

Twelve Secret Service

agents and several US military officers were implicated in a night of sex and drink in the Colombian port city ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit for a regional summit earlier this month.

All 12 agency staff have now either resigned or are facing disciplinary action.

The Secret Service has also said it is investigating a report that members of another advance team visited strip clubs and paid for prostitutes in El Salvador in 2011.

A spokesman said on Thursday that no “credible” evidence had been found to back up the report.

The agency described the

changes as “common-sense enhancements” of existing rules - “refinements of existing rules” governing employee responsibilities and conduct.

Agents deployed on foreign assignments will in future receive briefings on arrival that include “off-limit zones and off-limit establishments”.

Drinking within 10 hours of being on duty will be banned, as will allowing foreigners into hotel rooms, with the exception of hotel staff and official counterparts. At other times only “moderate” alcohol consumption is permitted.

Syrian arms ship detained

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HE Lebanese navy is holding a Sierra Leone-registered ship and says it has confiscated a large consignment of arms and ammunition it was carrying.

The 11 crew members were detained after three shipping containers full of heavy and light weapons

were found on the Lutfallah II. The BBC’s Jim Muir in Beirut says it is believed the consignment was destined for the rebels in Syria.

Some of the arms were labelled as Libyan, says Reuters news agency.

The ship’s owner told Reuters it was due to unload

PUBLIC NOTICE I, Airatu Olaide adeyeye (Mrs) hereby notify the general public of loss of Certificate of Occupancy No.82/82/ 1990 dated January 30, 1990 issued to me by the Lagos State Government. Buy this notice, the title document is declared missing and anyone who is in possession of it, does so illegally and at his/her own risk or if found report to the nearest police station.

Signed: A. O. ADELEYE (08100281367)

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to notify the Public that a certificate of Incorporation No.CAC/IT/17902 of serial no.000589 issued in June 2004 in respect of Bonny Vocational Centre, Bonny, got lost sometime in the year 2011 at Bonny Island, Rivers State.

Every effort made to recover it, proved abortive. Police Extract CD/NO 235 of 23/04/2012. If found please return to Bonny Vocational Centre, Akiama-oguede Rd. Bonny Island, Rivers State or call 08139700652.

in Tripoli, northern Lebanon.

Milos Strugar, a spokesman for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) which assists Lebanon in preventing illegal arms entering the country, confirmed to the BBC that it was bound for a Lebanese port.

PUBLIC NOTICE A newly build apartment located in a descent environment with tard street in Okota for rent. 3 and 2 Bedroom with toilet in each room. Tenant are needed urgently. Please call 07038302663 or 08183868810.

NWANOSIKE I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. DELIGHT OGECHI NWANOSIKE , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. DELIGHT OGECHI ONUOHA. All former documents remain valid. Federal High Court of Nigeria, UNIPORT and General public please take note.

AT U G O I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ETIPOU QUEEN ATUGO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ETIPOU QUEEN KPOKPOWEI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IFEANYI I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ADANNE IFEANYI , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADANNE LENE. All former documents remain valid. The Nigeria Police and general public please take note.

EJIOFOR I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. NGOZI ANGELINA EJIOFOR, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AGUH NGOZI ANGELINA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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PUBLIC NOTICE TRUMPET OF SALVATION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY This is to notify the general public that the above-named church has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Joseph Olayemi Fatile - General Overseer 2. Chief Wasiu Abogunloko - Member 3. Mrs. Iyabo Esther Adetunji - Member 4. Mr. Ajibola Bankole Abe - Member 5. Evang. Ojo David Adeleke - Member 6. Mrs. Taiwo Oniyide - Secretary THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CHURCH ARE: 1. To preach, teach, to raise disciples and to propagate the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in Nigeria and all over the world.

2. To cater needs of Christ faithful less privileged in our society.

3. To establish and maintain churches and missions in and outside Nigeria.

4. To establish and maintain Bible and religion oriented institution.

5. To establish and maintain educational institution at all levels.

Any objection to the said registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 565, Ndola Square, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication.

Signed: Mrs. Taiwo Oniyide Secretary.

CAVEAT EMPTOR This is to notify the general public that the property formerly known as Plot R/10A and Plot R/10B Oromineke Layout, No. 65 Emekuku Street, D/Line, Port Harcourt contained in Plan No. PH 378; Tracing No. RS3297 originally registered as No. 17, page 17, vol. 28 but now known in the Rivers State Geographical information Systems Plan No. P.52 as Plot R/10 Oromineke Layout, No.65 Emekuku Street, D/Line, Port Harcourt and registered as No. 55, page No. 55 in vol. 231 and subsequently registered vide a deed of Mortgage as No. 15, page 15 in vol. 299 covering an area of 956.1 sq. metres belonging to our client is not for SALE.Any person who transacts or purports to transact in respect of the aforesaid property does so at his/her own peril. Be WARNED! Dated this 28 day of March, 2012. th

G.V. Obomanu, Esq. JP Glorious Chambers 12,Azikiwe Street Mile 2 Diobu ‘Port Harcourt.

THE NATION MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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www.thenationonlineng.net

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

‘The last time Omisore whooped so triumphantly

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

in the media, the nation’s attorney-general and minister of Justice got despatched – right in his bedroom! That was 2001.’

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

VOL 7 NO 2,111

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

A

S the histrionics of the subsidy probe picked up tempo, I could not resist comparing Nigeria with the tadpole.

It has a big head but a small, elegant and nimble tail. It is an architecture of inequality.

It is a structure hardly matched by any creature in its capacity to mock what German philosopher Hannah Arendt calls the human condition, a compulsive obsession with fullness cohabiting with emptiness, prosperity with poverty, leafy richness with aridity.

So, when many Nigerians could not pay their school fees nor their house rents nor hospital bills nor the nourishment of square meals, phantom companies led the lives of overfed cats, stashing billions of Naira overnight.

It was money enough to build whole towns and villages in prosperity. But whole villages and towns wallow in the rudimentary tragedy of want. In Nigeria, we have both lean and fat years in the same space and time, ditto palace and prison like Joseph who dreamt this prophesy.

In a contrast to the Bible story, the Nigerian fat years consume the lean years. In Egypt, the lean years with harrowing, ravenous east winds lapped up the robust years. We see all at once. It is a dark replay of Biblical curse and miracle occurring at once. We saw that in the oil subsidy scam. The rich get richer and the poor get children, in the words of American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald. So, the head is fat, full of a few rich men and flourishing in the extravagance of overnourished food. They ride sleek cars fantasised by the poor. They pass nights in homes exaggerated with exotic décor. They cruise in flashy boats and fly in private jets.

Their children attend the tony schools of the Western world. They undertake routine health checks in upscale hospitals in Europe and America. Their wives and children, who are besotted with the world’s premier brands, splurge the world’s top currencies – dollar, pound, Euro – in endless trips from mall to mall and buy meretricious “valuables”, thereby overburdening our balance of trade and endangering the Naira.

The revelations of the oil subsidy scam tell us the story. The tadpole country is unveiled before us, and we have the House of Representatives to thank for the leadership in telling the story of this rabid show of unblushing greed. Yet, as the story unfurls, we see resistance. Some of the companies have carted home not less than a trillion Naira, and they do not want to refund the money. What of the deduction of N999 million 128 times in 24 hours? The indicted companies have decided to use the Nigerian

Yes...as BRIGHT as our POWER SUPPLY

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

The debt Lagos doctors owe us

their oaths and the humane qualities of genuine physicians. If these physicians cannot heal others, it is because they have not healed themselves of an important impairment of service: greed. We have seen in recent years Nigerian doctors practising in North America and Europe abandon their work to volunteer to offer free services in important areas of health needs in this country year after year. If this sort of professional heroism of our doctors were thought to be a Nigerian thing, our foreignbased doctors have exploded the notion.

These doctors are on strike whereas many of them have jobs in the private sectors, most of which do not have the level and range of equipment that we see in Lagos State hospitals. While they are on strike, they are assured of their salaries in the private sectors and therefore capable of fending for themselves while many patients hurt and die.

They do not even have the devotion that our herbalists and so-called Babalawos, in their unscientific wisdom, show. We all know that they are the recourse of the poor and illiterate when the so-called doctors fail. We do not owe the doctors any debts but they have cost us enough deaths.

Doctors, return to your scalpel and get the dying back to life. That is the noble thing to do.

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009& 2010 (D.A.M.E)

Tadpole country

•Mrs Alison-Madueke typical game of legalistic stonewalling, hiring a lawyer to shield their seedy misdoings.

The Presidency, also playing moral ostrich, says it will not spare anyone. But we have the NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources still strutting. Our Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has become our sorceress of oil. Why is the President not courageous enough to fire the woman at the top of the scam? No one should be punished until she has had her comeuppance, either for incompetence or complicity, whatever the case.

While N250 billion was apportioned for subsidy last year, the princely sum of N2.56

RIPPLES NIGERIA’S FUTURE IS BRIGHT -Ex-Governor

trillion was expended. This column said it is not fuel subsidy but corruption subsidy. This is now clear to all. Fly-by-night companies erupted to such an extent that the number of companies in the racket rose from 49 in 2009 to 140 in 2011. This was the election year. They were paper companies. Nigeria now has introduced paper capitalism.

The next stage of the saga is to investigate the link between these companies and the political class. On what basis did the PPPRA approve money and what was the role of the Minister of Petroleum, as the oversight officer, while the rot festered?

The Goodluck Jonathan administration has been eerily quiet on the moral issues. This is a conspiracy in a grand scale by an oligarchic few to purloin a nation. It is the story of how the tadpole got its head so big, while the tail, the people, follow the head in its miserable leanness.

We are still smarting under the saga of pension scam but the subsidy tale is more telling because of its implication for politics and the way we run our elections. If all that money was stolen under the watchful eye of the Jonathan administration, we need to know what role his government played. If Jonathan did not know about this massive exodus of funds to private hands, shall we not question what kind of accounting officer we elected?

Should he not explain why he slept when the robbers came to steal and to destroy?

The same Jonathan government announced several billions of contracts ahead of the election, and up till today we have not seen them. Were they contracts or excuses to release money for elections? Where did the funds for the presidential campaigns come from?

President Jonathan was named one of the 100 influential people in the world, and Liberian

leader, who wrote it, praised him for his “fight against corruption” and for turning “Nigeria into an example of good governance.” This is poor and shameful journalism by the so-called premier magazine of the world.

Will it not be cynical of a leader to preside over the massive depletion of a nation’s purse for his election and later blame it on the vulnerable poor? Was that not what the so-called removal of subsidy was? We all know that if the subsidy was sincerely managed, there would be no need to increase fuel price, because over 70 per cent of the money did not affect the subsidy the poor enjoyed.

The issue of politics as the basis of corruption was reified last week by an unlikely source: National Security Adviser Owoye Azazi. He said the violence of Boko Haram arose out of the absence of a democratic tradition in his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also said if all the leaders of the sect were arrested, the eruptions would not abate.

As the first citizen of intelligence, what he said should not be played down. He was referring to Jonathan’s violation of the zoning formula. This is the sort of corruption that birthed the oil subsidy scam.

The pond was fouled from the beginning.

Azazi is a frustrated man, and he must speak from information garnered in the course of his work. We need details.

The root of all corruption in Nigeria is political. When the political leadership is corrupt, it takes money from wherever it can to bolster its quest for power. So, is there a relation between how Jonathan emerged and how the fuel subsidy scam festered?

Azazi drew a correlation between the rise of Boko Haram and the resolution of the 2011 election within the PDP. While the NSA thought he was only referring to the crisis within the security and political terrain, he unveiled the entire scam and subterfuge of the ruling political class.

Politics is the vehicle to articulate discontent. Whether it is religious, economic or cultural, if the politics fails, all else fail.

That is where we must locate the Boko Haram crisis. That is why what Azazi said should be taken seriously.

It is where the problem of subsidy scam is rooted. We cannot solve the problem of subsidy without looking at its political dimension. That is why Speaker Aminu Tambuwal is facing head-on the crisis and the PDP elite is uncomfortable with him.

Same to Emeka Ihedioha, his deputy. Both men have kept on course with admirable poise, and they deserve the support and enthusiasm of all well-meaning patriots.

L

AGOS State has turned out to be the state of example in Nigeria, especially for the right things. Other states, when inspired by noble emotions, not only openly confess to their impulses of emulation but actually show in deeds their thrall to the state of excellence.

But this cannot only be exploited but also abused. The Lagos State doctors are doing exactly that by the strikes they have embarked upon. The tragedy about this strike is that it has little to do with provision of the more lofty facilities and work environment to heal lives. It is all about their remunerations. In the days of the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, it was medicine for society and not medicine for self, as we see these days.

We can actually shudder that as this piece is being written and as the reader consumes these lines, lives are probably snuffing out in homes and hospital wards owing to the pursuit of self over the patients.

The last time they made some hoopla with strikes was when the elections loomed last year. It is clear that doctors, who should heal, are now acting like instruments of politics.

Is this the sort of Hippocratic Oath they swore to after passing their exams that qualified them to become doctors?

Ordinarily, some would think that the doctors did not get raises at all, and that they

were being maligned for serving the lowly and vulnerable among us. But between 2009 and now, the wages have been upped in some grades by as much as 83 per cent. The lawyers in government, engineers, teachers and other professionals have not gone up in arms for such ridiculous obsessions. They are not the only professionals on public payroll.

The excuse they gave is that this is a Federal Government recommendation. In a federal state, the government in the centre should not recommend a salary structure it cannot back with the requisite funds. In good faith, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) complied substantially with what is described as Consolidate Medical Salary Structure otherwise, called CONMESS, from the Federal Government. Now, they are asking that new consultants be paid salaries at Level 15, Step Four, an arbitrary call, among other demands of nuisance, not even supported by CONMESS. In an age where we have well-articulated and noble bodies like the Nobel-prize winning Doctors Without Borders, we wonder whether these doctors understand

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