The Nation Aug 07, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

JTF, Boko Haram in gun battle

NNPC rejects Shell’s $700m loss claim BUSINESS

NEWS

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•Presidency hails emergency

•‘Cash lost in their overseas operations’ www.thenationonlineng.net

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VOL. 8, NO. 2569 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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Rivers crisis: House Leader Lloyd arraigned

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RIVERS State High Court in Port Harcourt yesterday ordered detained House Leader Chidi Lloyd remanded in prison custody for allegedly attempting to murder his colleague, Michael Chinda.

Lloyd faced a six-count charge of murder, attempted murder, inflicting of

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

grievous harm on Chinda, unlawful assault, using the mace to inflict injuries on him and malicious damage (of government property), following the July 9 fracas in the House of Assembly.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was ordered

to be remanded in prison custody.

Mr. Justice Latan Nyordee adjourned till today ruling on Lloyd’s bail application.

“In view of the application for bail, this case is adjourned till August 7, for ruling. Meanwhile the accused person is remanded in prison custody till the adjourned date,” he said.

Also yesterday, Mr. Justice Esor Teetito rejected Lloyd’s interlocutory application, urging him to restrain the police from further inviting and arresting him over the Assembly fracas.

Mr. Justice Teetito ruled that he could not stop the police from inviting and investigating a person in a Continued on page 4

•From left: Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Sport Minister Bolaji Abdullahi and Governor Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) at the funeral of Fashola’s father in Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Dignitaries wave final farewell to Fashola’s dad in Lagos

STORY ON PAGE 8

APC ready for PDP, other defectors, says Akande Buhari: I’ll run if APC approves Masari heads committee

P •Chief Akande...yesterday

ROGRESSIVES took a major step yesterday in strengthening their new baby.

They set up a committee, headed by former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Masari, to build a structure for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The National Chairman of the party’s Interim National Executive Committee, Chief Bisi Akande, broke the

‘

And we don’t even close our door to PDP. If Jonathan is tired of the crisis in the PDP, he is welcome in the APC From Yusuf Alli and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

news.

But he disappointed those eager to know the party’s presidential and

’

governorship candidates for the 2015 polls.

He said the party was ready to draw members from all groups, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said if President Goodluck Jonathan was fed up with the crisis in PDP, he is free to join the APC. Akande, who spoke at a briefing after the maiden meeting of the APC Interim NEC in Abuja, admitted that Nigeria was politically drifting towards a two-party system.

He said: “We listened to some people talking about presidency, talking Continued on page 4

•EDO TEACHERS’ KIDNAPPERS WANT N60M P58 •TWO DIE IN IJEBU-ODE CRASH P59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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NEWS •Chief Medical Director, Benue State University Teaching Hospital Prof. Orkurga Malu greeting the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation Ms Nonny Ugoma during the foundation’s workshop for stakeholders on medical support in Lagos...yesterday.

With them are Chief Medical Director, Specialist Hospital, Sokoto Dr. Attahiru Isa. PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Many problems As at June last year, the Federal Government said it had spent about N16.6 billion on textbooks and library resource materials to boost basic education.

But, many things seem to have gone wrong with the project, writes JOKE KUJENYA

T •Mayor of Maryland and President of US Mayors' Conference Dr James Walls (left) presenting an award to the DirectorGeneral of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhii in Maryland, USA. With them is the Coordinator of Nigerians in Diaspora Chief Temitope Ajayi.

• Director, Child Development, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Mrs. Alaba Fadairo presenting a plaque to the President, Women Arise Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin during the Colostrum International National Summit on Breasfeeding/Awards in Lagos...yesterday. With them are Project Coordinator, Colostrum International Dr. Bunmi Ogundimu (left) and Ms Fatima Murtala Mohammed.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•From left: Director-General, Center for Democratic Governance in Africa Dr Dafe Akpocha, Chairman, Memmcol Nigeria Limited Kola Balogun and Ms. Esther Gbonkumor during the centre’s investiture for Balogun in Ibafo, Ogun State... yesterday .

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

HE school children were on lunch break. Some of them were playing football on the pitch of the junior secondary school in Area 10, Abuja. This reporter approached the pupils and asked them if they were beneficiaries of the Federal Government free textbooks’ project. Their answer was that they had not received the textbooks. A teacher in the school would not comment on the matter.

“Sorry, you have to go to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) please,” she said.

The pupils in this school are not the only ones who have not seen the books. Several others in schools across the country do not know about the project, let alone benefitting from it.

In schools where the pupils have the books, there are issues about the relevance of some of the books.

At Our Lady of Apostles Junior Secondary School 1, Mary Way, OdoOna, in Ibadan Southwest Local Government Area of Oyo State, the head teacher, Mrs Oni Modupeola, told The Nation that inadequate copies were supplied. Similar problem was encountered by Oba Akinbiyi Junior Secondary School, Mokola, Ibadan.

In a primary school in Area 1, Abuja, a teacher said the school only received Primaries 4 and 6 textbooks in 2011.

He said: “We have no library; we did not get any library resource materials. However, the books we received for our Primaries 4 and 6 pupils are not relevant to our school curriculum at all.”

A consultant on Education with the Ministry of Education, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Nation that: “The issue we should be looking at is sincerely not about purchasing or distributing books. That is not what is needed now. The core issue we should be looking at is what are the types of books we are giving out?

Are they helpful for the ages of the children we are addressing, that is, primary to JSS students? I am saying this because with my years of knowledge in the educational sector, I honestly want to see things corrected.

There is no way the FG can just distribute books and think it would meet the educational needs of the students concerned. As such, it is a process that must involve Heads of Education of respective states, education boards, such as SUBEBs and others. But the correction must begin where we are actually addressing the exact educational needs of our children across the country, if not, we will only be scratching the surface while the real problem

•Ahmed

gets deeply rotten. And it might take us more years of pains and funds to redress our wrongs. I only hope that by then, things won’t be too late to reverse.”

A female teacher, who confided in the reporter, said: “I am sorry to say that those books are not helpful to our own students. The challenge is that they do not tally with our curriculum in any way. Again, those who shared the books only brought for the Primaries 4 and 6 students. And they are not enough for our students. In fact, there is nothing we can do with the books, especially as they are not even relevant for our pupils at all.”

Yet, the project was launched with fanfare. Education Minister Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai was upbeat during the launch. As far as she was concerned, the free textbooks and library resource project would help rescue education at the basic education level.

The government, according to her, had spent N16.6 billion between 2010 and 2011 on textbooks and other library resource materials.

Prof. Rufai gave the breakdown of the N16.6billion. She said 24.5 million textbooks worth N10 billion were bought in 2010, 15 million textbooks, which cost N5.1 billion, and 4.1 million library resource materials worth N1.5 billion were acquired and distributed to the schools in 2011. She then added that in 2012, 14 million textbooks had been distributed and 4.6 million library materials released to junior secondary schools.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the launch, lauded the initiative. He said it was part of the administration’s efforts to encourage stakeholders to improve the quality of education. He said the procurement of the textbooks and the instructional materials was a critical feature of the country’s basic education delivery system.

Sambo said: “Our goals have always been to strengthen complementary interventions in the provision of quality programmes that will pave the way for acceptable standards of basic education output. The FG-UBE textbooks and instructional materials

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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NEWS

of the Fed Govt’s textbook project dents. A situation where the FG is brining to us books just as we are giving to our students is just not understandable. Let the FG harmonise with us in charting one course in terms of education as it relates to the initiatives of the respective states of the federation.”

E said the way the UBEC books are distributed to the states do not help matters, adding: “UBEC books come without timetable. But we need to plan. When you know that certain number of books are going to be sent to your state, you make due preparations so that within one hour, they all get to the right places they are meant for. So, my major concern is that Nigeria needs to move forward because this country has come a long way and we cannot continue to do things like this for too long. We must look at our conscience and ask: are we doing what is right the right way? Are we really solving the problem or just doing things to offer benefits that are taking the country to nowhere?”

Executive chairman, Lagos SUBEB Mrs Kadijat Gbolahan Daodu said the state opted out of the project.

She said: “We are not collecting the books because I met with the UBEC executive secretary during one of our zonal meetings and I was able to persuade him that Lagos could be excused from the duplication of books’ distribution. And he honoured my pleas. But then, it did not come easy.

The UBEC initially sent their officials to come to Lagos to verify our claims.

It was when they were satisfied that we were able to win their confidence.

So, while it is on record that Lagos is not collecting the books. We are among the three states slated for monetary compensation.”

H

•Wike

intervention has so far achieved these goals... The programme conforms with the globally established notion that the availability and effective use of textbooks and other instructional materials contribute significantly to the attainment of higher level of quality learning ... education constitutes an important component of the present administration’s transformation agenda, while other key frameworks, including National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) and the Vision 20:2020, play complimentary roles.”

Speaking at a ceremony to kickstart the distribution of the items for the Northwest in Katsina State, Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike identified the core subject areas in which the textbooks were provided to include English language, Mathematics, Social Studies, Basic Science and Technology.

Wike, who admitted that the textbooks and resource materials were not enough to go round, pleaded with those in charge to ensure the books get to those they were meant for.

He said the Federal Government was committed to the “policy of achieving a pupil per textbook ratio of 1:1 in all taught subjects across all levels of the basic education system”.

He said government would continue to “intervene in basic education through its agencies, especially in the provision and upgrading of critical infrastructure, the training and retraining of teachers, as well as the provision of free textbooks and library resource materials”.

HE then Executive Secretary, UBEC, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo, said the objective of “a book to pupil ratio of 1:1 in the core subjects” was already being achieved at the lower primary schools.

He said three states had already achieved the 1:1 book to pupil ratio in all the primary school, with call on other states to step up their efforts in this direction.

Wike said the funding of the book project came from the 15 per cent of the 2 per cent Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), an intervention fund approved by Council in 2008.

The printing of the books was

T

•Modibbo

awarded to Messrs Macmillan Publishers, HBN Publishers and Universal Press (UP), among others.

UBEC and SUBEBS Lagos, Ogun and Bauchi asked to be exempted from the project because they were already providing educational materials for their own pupils.

So instead, each of the states was given N250 million.

A source said some states sabotaged the UBEC’s efforts in the books’ distribution project. He said: “Some of the states are protesting the fact that they were not given the privilege to award the contracts for the books.

As such, some of them just pile up the books in their stores and refused to distribute them to the relevant schools.”

Rivers State Commissioner for Education Mrs. Alice LawrenceNemi, in an interview with The Nation alst year, said: “While I cannot answer you precisely on how many copies or cartons of the Federal Government books were given to Rivers State, I would still like to thank the Federal Government for the initiative.

However, I am not in a position to know the exact quantity brought to my state. As the Commissioner for Education, I am aware of the books being given to our state by the FG. The Chairman of Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) will always pass such things through my office. So yes, we received books from the FG, including the ones from the recent flag-off. The issue here is that, yes, while the Rivers State got the books, in September of every year, every child receives books from the government. This is bearing in mind that since the advent of this administration, one of our key focus areas has been ‘free education’.

“So, as I speak to you, books for the next academic session are almost ready for movement to the warehouse for easy distribution so that by the time the students get back to school, they are just handed their books. However, while we still thank the FG for the fact that states, and even those that may not be able to afford a free education scheme get these books, the only caution I would

like to offer is in the area the books getting into wrong hands who may end up merchandising them. Some women, during a conference I attended recently in Cross River State hinted that the FG books are already seen in the markets being sold. Later, we investigated and realised that it was some of the books the FG gave to states UBEBs. I give this example to let us know the importance of knowing the number of our respective students and their actual book needs, which will greatly help the distribution processes. I recall that the Minister of State for Education, Wike recently noted that they have set up a committee on distribution and I seriously hope that those books will get into the hands of every child it was meant for.”

SKED if the books con formed with the Rivers State academic curriculum, Mrs. Lawrence-Nemi said: “In Rivers State, we domesticate our books so that they can conform with our syllabus for the educational needs of our students. But in answering your question, all I was told was that the books were coming. And we have a quality assurance agency where we send whatever comes into the states to look at and let us know if they are in line with our expectations. I think this will be a good question for Professor Obioma who is a guru in school curriculum. And I want to believe that before the books were purchased, they must have asked him if they were in line with the educations programme of our pupils and to know if they would be suitable for every state or not. And we buy our books from the National Research Centre which is why we are able to easily domestic them for our own students.”

Permanent Board Member, Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), Worluh Lucky, said: “When we got the books, we forwarded them to the Education Secretaries who are the heads of the Local Education Authorities (LEAs). We in turn directed them to final consumers which are the schools. And we make sure that from time-to-time we do what is called routine supervision

A

to confirm if they actually got to the students.

“But we have a peculiar case in our state. Our government is already applying total free education. Our governor provides school uniforms, books for all the school children, paying the primary school teachers’ salaries, which by law is a responsibility of the local government councils. So our point in Rivers State is that instead of the FG spending from our Federation Account duplicating the efforts that has been on ground since inception of this administration; the money should be sent directly to our government to cushion the effects of the books being procured for school children in this state so that we can curb wasting funds for one similar intent. So, we think there should be a holistic approach to the procurement and distribution of books across the federation. Since we have a system that is already working effectively in the area of our education in this state, we expect that the FG should buy into the idea and convert that into funds for us to do other better things for the state. I pray that at the end of the day, we won’t just be bringing books for bringing sake.”

On if the books brought to Rivers State are helpful to the academic scheme, Lucky said: “I don’t have authority to speak on that. Sadly, that brings us back to a salient point that education is not an issue someone sits somewhere and begins to run the educational needs of the thirty-six states of the federation without having a thorough understanding of the people’s exact needs. And these thirty-six states have their governor, commissioners and boards operating in the educational areas and so on.

That is why there is so much hitch about the so-called books distribution all over. Now, this is aside from the fact that we all have different culture and publishers. So, the situation where one publisher is publishing a book that would be sent to the thirtysix states is somehow. We are saying that we are not comfortable with those books from UBEC. They should liaise with our state government and see how we can come out with one uniformed book for specific set of stu-

Sanction for erring publishers

For their failure to deliver the textbooks within the specified contract dates, the Federal Government last year blacklisted nine leading publishing firms.

Among those blacklisted were Evans Publisher, University Press Limited, Spectrum, McmilLan Publishers, Learn African Plc and Africana First Publishers.

The publishers were given up till November 30 last year to print and supply all the books.

Wike, who announced the sanction at a meeting with the representatives of the publishing outfits, said the Federal Government had committed N7.5 billion to the printing of the text books.

That is different from the N16.6 billion spent on the project between 2010 and 2011.

The minister lamented what he described as the lukewarm attitude of the publishers to the delivery of the project, adding that many people take government for a ride with the belief that government cannot take decision and abide by it.

He said: “This is exactly what has been happening and sanctions must be applied when necessary. We must invoke the law to address some of these lapses on the part of contractors.

You are begging us to extend the grace period but Nigerians cannot get their books just because of your inefficiency.”

The publishers attributed their inability to meet up with the contract deadline to bureaucratic bottlenecks at the seaport. They lamented the absence of storage facilities at the designated states for the books.

Certainly, there are challenges the Federal Government must address if the project is to have the desired effect. For now, it is not.

Additional reports from Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt, Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan and Osagie Otabor, Benin

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

NEWS

Rivers crisis: Lloyd arraigned Continued from page 1

criminal matter, especially when a prima facie report had been made against him.

He described the suit as baseless. He dismissed it.

Lloyd went to the court to enforce his fundamental human rights and to stop the police from further inviting and arresting him over the fracas.

This was after InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar invited him for further interrogation on the fracas and Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu had placed him on the wanted list.

Lloyd was arrested before the court could hear the application. He has been in detention ever since.

Moving the motion, shortly after the plea and the Attorney-General of the State, Worgu Boms, had taken over the prosecution, the lead counsel for Lloyd, Beluoilisa Nwofor (SAN), prayed the court to grant him bail on self-recognition, being the leader of the House of Assembly and also a lawyer.

He told the court that all the

six counts preferred against him were bailable felonies and the Constitution presumes the accused person innocent until otherwise proven.

He assured the Judge that Lloyd has sureties who would take him on bail, and maintained that he would not abscond from his trial.

“The counter affidavit deposed to and filed for the police by ASP Eniyepere Sikpi did not in any of their paragraph disapprove the bail of the accused person, neither did they say that his release on bail would in any way affect their investigation of the matter. Rather, they challenged him on the issues of his health,” Nwofor averred.

The prosecution applied for the withdrawal of the counter affidavit filed, noting that he was interested in trying the case to conclusion.

He said: “I am very grateful to God that Micheal Chinda did not die in this encounter. That is why I have the strength to stand in this matter.

“I apply for the withdrawal of the counter affidavit filed by the Police and signed

by Sikpi (ASP). I also urge the court to strike out the same counter affidavit. I am interested in the trial of this matter.”

The court granted his application and struck out the police counter affidavit.

The court ruled on the pending arguments on whether or not Donald DENwigwe(SAN), a private legal practitioner, could appear in a case instituted by the Police without a fiat from the office of the AttorneyGeneral, and whether or not the A-GS should take over and continue with the prosecution in a criminal proceeding when the accused person had not been arraigned.

It held that a private legal practitioner could appear in a case instituted by the police without a letter of authority from the Attorney-General, and also the A-GS could not take over a criminal proceeding until plea is taken.

Nwofor (SAN) had on July 31 raised objection on the appearance of DENwigwe, a private lawyer, in a matter by the police without a fiat from the A-GS. He urged the court to disqualify him and other

JTF, Boko Haram in gun battle

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•Lloyd...yesterday

lawyers are not policemen.

DENwigwe insisted that he could appear without a fiat so far as the case was not instituted by the A-GS and he has the copy of the personal letter with which the police engaged him to act on their behalf.

Justice Nyordee agreed with DENwigwe that it was improper for the A-GS to indicate interest to take over the prosecution in a criminal charge when the accused person has not made a plea.

He dismissed the arguContinued on page 60

UNFIRE and explosions shook a Borno town between Monday night and yesterday as the military battled Boko Haram insurgents.

The fight in Gamboru Ngala, raged till last night according to military sources and residents as reported by French News Agency (AFP).

In weekend’s attacks by the sect members on security outposts in two places in the state, two soldiers, a policeman and 33 others including sects members died.

Because of fear of attack, the Joint Task Force in neighbouring Yobe State slapped a roundthe-clock curfew on the state’s commercial city Potiskum.

But the Presidency said the declaration of the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states is effective and has succeeded in reducing drastically the level of insurgency.

Also last night, President Goodluck Jonathan said the tactics adopted by the sect, took the government and security agencies by suprise.

He spoke while breaking the fast with Muslim members of the Diplomatic community at the Villa.

Clashes broke out in Gamboru Ngala on the border with Cameroon on Monday night

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and Duku JOEL, Damaturu

and continued on Tuesday, a resident said. The military had not commented on the situation there and details remained unclear.

In Gamboru Ngala, one resident said the fighting began after someone who runs errands for immigration officers was shot and wounded.

“We have been bombarded with explosions and sounds of gunfire since yesterday evening,” the resident said.

Residents over the border in Cameroon also reported hearing gunshots.

The Presidency said yesterday that the state of emergency declared in three states Borno, Yobe and Adamawa – is effective and has curbed the Boko Haram insurgency.

Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, who spoke on an FRCN network programme, said normalcy was returning to the areas. The terrorists are being uprooted and dislocated from their enclaves, he said.

This position is contrary to that of Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, who declared last week that the state of emergency has not Continued on page 60

Anambra: Tension in APGA over ‘anointed’ candidate From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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•Chief Akande speaking...yesterday. Listening are (from left) Deputy National Chairman South, Senator Annie Okonkwo, National Secretary Tijani Tumsa and Masari PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

APC ready for PDP, other defectors, says Akande Continued from page 1

about governors; we have not reached that stage at all. Our major preoccupation is to set up the structure of our party the All Progressives Congress.

“It is after that, maybe in November or December when we hold our national convention where our national executives will be elected; there is no idea about who becomes president or who becomes a governor.

“But the only exemption is Anambra State where the committee is already working on that.

“We are going to register our members in Anambra State, we are going to conduct congresses and we are going to elect a candidate that will contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. I think these are the very few things I have to tell you that we did at today’s meeting.”

Akande said several committees were set up to advise the party on how to go about the elections in some states, such as Anambra and Delta as well as some local government elections in Kwara, Anambra, Cross River, Enugu and other places.

F

HERE is tension in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) over alleged plot to impose a governorship candidate for the party in Anambra State.

Fourteen aspirants, including a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo, a former Minister of Transport, Prince John Emeka and 12 others have paid N2million each to obtain Expression of Intent forms.

The others are a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief, Paul Odenigbo, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Ekwunife; Dr. Chike Obidigbo; a member of the House of RepContinued on page 60

Buhari: I’ll run if APC approves

ORMER Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari spoke yesterday on his political future, saying he would run for president in 2015 - if fielded by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gen. Buhari, who spoke personally for the first time since the party’s registration last Wednesday, praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its impartiality.

The APC will give Nigerians a new lease of life, the former Head of State said, while receiving members of the Democratic Emancipation Movement, who visited him in his office in Kaduna.

Gen. Buhari, who contested the presidential election three times in the past, said the main focus of the APC now is to mobilise Nigerians to push the PDP out of power in 2015.

He did not state the timeline for the committees, but said they would soon report back.

“If you know the INEC timetable you will appreciate that we are going to work within that frame work and we are going to be ready. Before INEC closes their door to nomination in Anambra State, we would almost have finished,” Akande

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

On whether he will run in 2015, he said: “My decision will be tied to the Constitution of the APC; if the party chooses me as its candidate, I will contest; if they do not consider, I will not contest but I will still support the party. My decision to run in 2015 will solely be the party’s decision.”

Gen. Buhari recalled the journey leading to the merger, saying: “I thought about this merger since 2007.

This is because I found out that none of the opposition parties can challenge the PDP successfully. But if we come together with those that have representation at the National Assembly and the Houses of the Assembly and go back to sensitise our constituencies, even if the PDP wants to rig, they would find it impossible to rig.

said.

He said the party has banned those arrogating to themselves some political offices or positions when the APC structure is yet to be erected.

He added: “You know, political parties are in contest to win elections and the APC has come to demonstrate that to the good people of Nigeria.

“I discovered that by been so divisive, we made ourselves very vulnerable. So, the best way to survive and for this country to stabilise, we had to come together and I believe along the line, we made necessary sacrifices,” he said.

Gen. Buhari praised INEC for registering the APC. He said: “To be honest, we have to thank INEC, because when we thought we had applied according to the 2010 Electoral Act, INEC drew our attention to the section that said there must be the headquarters at the federal capital that is good enough to be called a headquarters of a national party, then our Constitution, our manifesto, the harmonisation of the three main parties.

“We thought that the initial nine signatories were enough to manage the

“And in doing so the only thing that we think is creating some misunderstanding is that people are anxious to be part of APC. “But because the party has not been given the directive, some people are just talking on behalf of the party. We are putting a stop to that. Any statement about the party

Continued on page 60

should emanate from the Publicity Secretary of APC and that is Alhaji Lai Mohammed. And whatever he tells you, you should know it is the mind and decision of the All Progressives Congress.

“We are warning people that are arrogating to themselves chairmanship of APC in the state or in the local govern-

•Gen. Buhari

ment, they are all unauthorised. All those who are printing papers, printing forms, calling rallies in the states in Continued on page 60

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7 , 2013

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NEWS

Leadership reporters appeal court’s ruling From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

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WO reporters with Leadership newspapers being tried for alleged forgery have appealed the refusal by an Abuja High Court to stay proceedings in their case.

The duo-Tony Amokeodo (Group News Editor), Chibuzor Ukaibe (Political Reporter) are facing trial for ‘publishing false information and forging’ a bromide containing a purported presidential directive on some opposition figures.

They had, in an application, prayed the court to stay proceedings in the case pending when President Goodluck Jonathan could be summoned to testify as defence witness.

Their lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) had argued that by virtue of the constitutional provision in Section 308, the President was immune from court cases and could not be invited by the defence, who had planned to make him its witness.

Justice Usman Musale of the Kubwa division on July 29, refused the defendants’ prayer for an indefinite adjournment pending when President Jonathan would serve out his term.

In their notice of appeal, the defendants argued that the judge erred in law when he held that the charge/case has no direct attachment to President Jonathan to warrant the adjournment of the case indefinitely, to await the end of the President’s tenure.

They argued that it was wrong for the trial judge to hold that Section 308 of the Constitution, is subordinate to Section 36 (6)(d) of the same Constitution and thereby reached a perverse decision.

The appellant claimedthat the judge erred in law when he held that the term “notwithstanding anything to the country in this constitution” employed in Section 308 of the Constitution, as amended is meant to exclude other provisions of the same constitution.

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Court Martial convicts officer for defrauding Bayelsa of N150m A General Court Martial (GCM) yesterday sentenced an army officer, Lt-Col. R. A. Ahangba, to seven years in prison for defrauding the Bayelsa State Government of N150 million.

Ahangba reportedly committed the offence under the guise of helping a former governor to secure a re-election.

The convict, whose service number was given as N9827, faced four counts of obtaining fraudulently; commit-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

ting a conduct that was prejudicial to service discipline; disobedience to standing order and a conduct that was prejudicial to duty.

The court was presided over by Gen. Edward Nze and Judge Advocate, Capt Chukwudi Okonkwo.

Ahangba was accused of obtaining the money in 2011

from former Governor Timipre Sylva, to help facilitate his re-election during the 2011 governorship elections.

The convict was arrested in 2012, following a petition from late Gen. Andrew Azazi, former National Security Adviser (NSA), to the army headquarters.

Azazi had complained that the convict imperson-

ated him and collected money from Bayelsa State Government.

It was learnt that the convict had contacted some officials of the state falsely on behalf of Azazi and had asked for N150million to execute community projects in some of the communities in Ekeremo Local Government and in turn would secure some electoral votes for their

•Mrs Emmanuel flanked by Dr. Ogunbiyi (right) and Chief Executive Officer of Lumina Foundation, Dr Promise PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI Ogochukwu...yesterday

Entries for Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature open

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HAIRMAN, Tanus Communications and founding Chairman of Lumina Foundation, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, has called on corporate Nigerians and individuals to give moral and financial support to the sustenance of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature.

He said the biennial award organised by Lumina Foundation is getting bigger each year and its standard must be sustained.

The winner of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature goes home with $20,000.

Ogunbiyi spoke in Lagos yesterday while commiserating with families and media houses on last week’s death of some executive members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in a motor accident.

The Chairman of the foundation, Mrs. Francesca Yetunde Emanuel, announced the call for entries for the fifth edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature holding on July 5, next year. She said the genre for the 2014 prize is drama, adding that any published play or collection of

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

plays by an author of African descent published within the two years preceding the year of the prize (2012 and 2013) is eligible.

She said based on the judges’ recommendation, the Board of Trustees of the foundation chose drama for the fifth edition which coincides with Soyinka’s birthday and that he is well known for. She hinted that plans are underway to increase the cash prize from $20,000 in next edition.

Mrs. Emanuel explained that each year, starting from next year, the prize will rotate through the following genres, published play or collection of plays by a single author, published collection of poetry by a single author and published novels by a single author.

The Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature is a biennial award for the best literary work produced by an African, and has been serving as an African equivalent of the Nobel prize, particularly in recognising and encouraging professional and personal excellence.

principal officer.

According to the evidence of bank documents of the convict, which was tendered as exhibit in the court, the state government had actually transferred the said amount into his account, which he diverted into obtaining shares from First Bank and UBA registrars.

He was said to have given the sums of N5million and N8million respectively, to one Lieutenant Agaku and another unidentified lady in the bank.

Investigations revealed that although the money was intended to facilitate some community projects, the convict had no intention of executing it as he speedily moved the money to his private account.

Delivering judgment, Nze said: “The court has no doubt in mind that the accused person suggested the projects to officials of the Bayelsa State Government from the evidence before it.

“Again, the evidence before this court showed that he collected the said money from the state government as shown by bank documents tendered as exhibit P7 to P10 and the money was never used by the NSA. “Thus he never assisted the Bayelsa State Government in winning or canvassing for votes in his state as alleged by the convict.”

After sentencing him to seven years, Nze noted that the court’s decision was subject to superior authority from the army headquarters.

He said: “The officer by the sentence, is automatically dismissed from the army unless the judgment was overturned.

“As a rule, ex-convicts do not serve in the armed forces and so if the superior authorities enforce the decision of the court, it automatically means that the officer has been dismissed.”

Commenting on the judgment, counsel to the defendant, Ifeanyi Mmaduabuchi, admitted that the decision was binding but insisted they will appeal the judgment.

Ex-FCT minister to Ango Abdullahi: you can’t speak for North on 2015

HE division in the North over the power shift has come to the fore, with the former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Alhaji Abba Gana, declaring that the region’s opposition to President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid is false.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elder said that the party, and not the North’s elders, will decide the fate of the President at the primaries.

He denied the insinuation that the North’s Elders’ Forum, led by the former university don, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, was pursuing the agenda of power shift on behalf of the region, stressing that he lacked the mandate of the entire region.

Gana supported the suggestion by the PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, that the incumbent President and governors should be given automatic tickets in 2015. He said the crisis in the party is temporary, adding that certain

By Emmanuel Oladesu,

chieftains are only grandstanding and jostling to protect their interests.

Also, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba North) dispelled the rumour that the North is opposed to the President’s re-election bid, clarifying that he (president) has the constitutional right to seek re-election. Bwacha said: “The President has the right to aspire to continue in the office beyond 2015. Prof.

Ango Abdullahi is not speaking for all of us. I advise the majority group in the North to back the President because the minority groups have been backing the northern candidates. They should now reciprocate by backing the minority”.

Gana, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), and Senator Bwacha spoke separately with reporters in Lagos on the Jonathan Administration, the PDP crises and controversial rotational principle in the ruling party.

‘The President has the right to aspire to continue in the office beyond 2015. Prof. Ango Abdullahi is not speaking for all of us.’

The former minister described the forum led by Abdullahi as an interest group existing outside the ruling party, which lacked the opportunity to unduly influence the party.

He said: “The group cannot choose delegates. It cannot nominate candidates and cannot hold the primaries for the PDP. On the power shift to the North, there is division in the north. Some people want it to come to the north. Some want President Jonathan to finish his two terms. Despite the fact that the North has produced many

Heads of State, crisis and poverty remain in the North”.

Gana emphasised that the PDP was formed to protect the national unity and integration, warning the chieftains fanning the embers of disunity in the party ahead of 2015 to desist.

Dismissing the opposition by the key PDP members to Dr. Jonathan’s second term bid as a rumour, he said: “PDP cannot say no to President Jonathan’s second term.

He is the sitting President.

So, most of us in the North will support him. It is wrong to bring someone to contest when Jonathan is still sitting in the Aso Rock. How can Jonathan support that person? How can the person benefit from the power of incumbency?”

Gana urged the north’s leaders to ponder on the advice offered by the former Defence Minister, Gen. Yakubu Danjuma, to the region. He said: “Gen. Danjuma said that the North should learn, plan, relate better, work harder and talk less. The north needs

another four years to plan, relate well, work hard and talk less. We need to groom a leader in the North to do that.

It cannot be done in a crash manner. That leader should unite the North”.

The former minister accused some PDP chieftains of inordinate ambition, urging them to learn from the lessons of history.

He said: “They should look back and realise that greater Nigerians have tried to rule this country, but did not make it a do or die affair. They should emulate the likes of Olu Falae, Adamu Ciroma, Lateef jakande, and Bamanga Tukur, who wanted to be President, but did not achieve it and never caused trouble. It is a question of destiny”.

Gana said that the media report that the Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, would defect from the PDP was untrue, pointing out that he is a loyal, consistent and committed party leader.

He described the Nigerian Governors’ Forum as a non-

governmental body, which derailed, owing to the politicisation of the forum by some members.

Gana lamented the collapse of party supremacy and discipline in the ruling party, recalling that no governor would take on the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) national chairman, the late Chief Adisa Akinloye, in the Second Republic.

The politician said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not dislodge the PDP from power at the centre. He added: “APC is a hurricane warning to the PDP. We will take care of it before it comes”.

Senator Bwacha said that President Jonathan is qualified to re-contest in 2015, adding that efforts to use the security challenge in the Northeast to discredit his administration will fail. He added: “Satability is coming back to the Northeast. Boko Haram was orchestrated by certain individuals to discredit President Jonathan.

Nigeria should give a second term opportunity to him”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7, 2013

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NEWS ASUU strike: Jonathan meets Suswam, others

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam and some ministers at the Presidential Villa on the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Suswam is chairing the Universities’ Needs’ Implementation Committee, whose mandate is to resolve the present crisis between the union and the Federal Government as well as ensure adequate provision for the universities.

But there was no official statement at the end of the closed-door meeting.

None of those at the meeting, including Suswam, Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Labour and Productivity Minister, Mr Emeka Wogu, addressed reporters at the end of the meeting.

But Education Minister, Prof. Ruqqayat Rufa’I, told reporters that the government was still negotiating with ASUU. She urged the union to call off the strike.

“I have not been mandated to speak to journalists on the matter, but I can tell you that we are on course. I will only appeal to ASUU to call off the strike in the interest of the nation,” she said.

Nigeria for U.S. $7b power project

By Daniel Essiet

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IGERIA will benefit from the $7 billion American President Barack Obama’s programme to bring electricity to 20 million households in Africa, the United States Consul General, Jeffrey Hawkins, has said.

The envoy addressed reporters during a reception he hosted for Lagos business leaders.

The Obama Power Africa Initiative, Hawkins said, was aimed at making electricity accessible to 20 million households and businesses and increasing electricity generation by 10,000 megawatts in the next five years.

Hawkins said Power Africa includes $9 billion in commitments from the private sector, including General Electric, Heirs Holdings, Symbion Power, Aldwych International, Harith General Partners, and Husk Power Systems.

Journalists urged to embrace life insurance scheme From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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HE Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged journalists to embrace the NUJ Life Insurance Scheme.

It said this would come in handy in case of an eventualities.

In a statement by the union’s Chairman, Mr Ndoma Akpet, and Secretary Nsa Gill, the NUJ condoled with the families of the three journalists who died in a motor accident last Friday in Osun State.

It prayed for quick recovery of those who injured in the accident.

The union advised its members to observe the seven days of mourning, which ends on August 9, and wear black ribbons to mourn their departed colleagues.

Nasarawa killings: Fulani accuse govt of bias

•Panel adjourns till next week

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HE Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association yesterday accused Nasarawa State Governor Tanko al-Makura and some officials in his administration of bias.

The Secretary of the state branch of the association, Mohammed Hussaini, told the Judicial Commission of Enquiry probing the killing of security agents and other incessant conflicts in the state that the government did not visit and commiserate with the Fulani communities as it did to the Eggon neighbours.

The association is the umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen across the country.

Hussaini, who presented the association’s memorandum to the panel, said: “We are dissatisfied with the handling of the crisis by officials of the state government. It is a fact that till date, neither the governor nor officials of the state government has visited our community to commiserate with our people.

“This is making our people not to be happy with the state government. The governor and some envoys had visited Eggon towns and villages to commiserate with them. Why are we treated differently?”

The union leader blamed the various conflicts in the state involving the Fulani on “rumours, wild allegations, mutual suspicion and feeling of injustice”.

He added: “Communities

Lawyer tackles NBA chair over apology

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HE Legal Adviser to Ombatse Group, Mr Zachary Zamani Alumaga, yesterday accused the Lafia branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Eric Irehovbude, of allegedly collaborating with the state government to “annihilate” the Eggon ethnic group.

Alumaga told The Nation that he was “disappointed” that Irehovbude apologised on behalf of lawyers who boycotted the commission’s sitting without first consulting them.

He said the lawyers who withdrew their appearance from the panel were not Ombatse lawyers but lawyers representing Eggon communities at the commission.

Irehovbude, on Monday, apologised to the commission following the withdrawal of the lawyers from the panel’s sittings, saying they were “a bit unruly”.

But Alumaga likened the development to “shaving a woman’s head in the absence of her husband”.

He said: “First of all, I wish to say that the lawyers who withdrew from the commission are not Ombatse lawyers. They are lawyers representing Eggon communities. We can now appreciate the From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

should be educated that these cattle are the wealth of Fulani.

Any attempt to dispossess him of these animals or attack him can be fatal. If any Fulani commits an offence, he should be reported to the authorities instead of people resorting to self-help.

“Farmers should stop poisoning waters and farming on grazing routes. The government should order for the expansion of grazing route to ease movement and passage.

“We are trusting that the National Grazing Reserve Law

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

conspiracy in this matter, beginning from when the Attorney-General said the lawyers had shot themselves in the leg.

“Now, the NBA chairman has jumped into the matter by going personally to the commission to claim that he was apologising for the lawyers who withdrew from the commission, without first consulting with the lawyers. It’s a typical case of shaving the woman in the absence of her husband.

“Putting these two incidents together, you can imagine the range at which the government is going to ensure not only Ombatse militia, if they exist, but now accusing to implicate the Eggon man of whatever standing or Eggon lawyers into their dragnet.

“I do not see how the NBA comes into this matter. I am disappointed that a chairman, for whatever reason, has joined the government in its attempt to annihilate the Eggon man.

“I advise that in the interest of peace and harmonious living, these people should check their facts and act or make utterances carefully.”

will come in place and a clear conflict resolution mechanism will also be put in place. Existing grazing reserves in the state should be rehabilitated to encourage more Fulani to move in (dams, schools, social amenities be provided).

“We are educating Fulani to stop sending children to graze cattle; this is the source of crop damage and conflict. Adults must supervise these young persons to avert the various clashes that have occurred so far. We hope the Government of Nasarawa State will help patronise the Fulani to embrace modern grazing meth-

ods and reduce grazing activities to the minimum as practised in Cameroon and other countries of the world, to end the perennial clashes between the herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria.”

Hussaini stressed that “all identified perpetrators of conflicts in the state should be prosecuted” in accordance with the law.

He urged the Nasarawa State Government to create the Ministry of Animal Husbandry to “deal with cattle and other matters related to it in view of the perennial farmers/Fulani conflict”.

The Fulani leader advised the government to establish joint community peace committees to resolve conflicts, restore peace and put in place other peace-building initiatives in various communities.

He called for a detailed assessment of the victims of the conflicts and the payment of compensation to them to cushion the effect of the conflicts.

Hussaini noted that a poor assessment of the damage done to farmers’ crops by Fulani cattle has been the main cause of the crises between the two groups in the state.

For a long time, he said, farmers in the state were shortchanging members of Miyetti Allah in assessing the damage cows did to crops.

The damage which should not be more than N2,000, he explained, was usually inflated to N100,000 or more.

The Fulani spokesman said such exorbitant assessments usually infuriated his nomadic compatriots, resulting in clashes.

Hussaini said: “There is usually injustice in the process. Our people are being shortchanged in terms of assessment of damage. Sometimes, if there is damage on 10 tubers of cassava, which should not cost more than N2,000, our people are told to pay N100,000. This situation usually angers them and, as a result, fight erupts.

This has been the major cause of the crises between our members and farmers, especially in Nasarawa State here.”

The union leader maintained that for the situation to be resolved, the government should start a mechanism to determine the extent of damage cows do to the farmers’ crops.

He noted that during crises, the farmers often reported any security breach to the police and the State Security Service (SSS).

According to him, while some arrests were made, the police failed to visit the scenes of the crises because they were afraid, in some cases.

Hussaini said: “We have never invited or hired anybody to come and assist us. Our people come here from different states: Bauchi, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Plateau, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and others, to graze.

‘Over 200 pilots jobless’

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

•Pastor Oritsejafor (middle) with Pastor, Jos Mainland District, Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, Rev. Yakubu Pam (left); and Special Adviser to Plateau State Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Gyang Choji, at the event in Jos...yesterday

Nigerians lack fear of God, says Oritsejafor

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RESIDENT of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Orisejafor, has said Nigerians’ major problem is that they do not have the fear of God. To the CAN president, this manifests daily in the leadership as well as in the followership.

Pastor Oritsejafor spoke during an inter-denominational prayer meeting for the North Central Zone of the association at the Assemblies of God District headquarters in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

He said: “I have taken a critical look at the entire problems facing Nigeria as a nation in this 21st century and I have discovered that the major problem of the country is that we

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

don’t fear God. “We do all sorts of things deliberately and carelessly because we don’t fear God. We say one thing and do the opposite. We tell lies; we deceive people and do all kinds of things because we don’t fear God. “Those in positions of authority steal public funds and we try to justify stealing because there is no fear of God in our hearts. We kill at the slightest provocation and we try to justify the killing of human beings, because we fear not Almighty God. “How can a man who fears God sit down comfortably to

watch pensioners slump and die of hunger when you are sitting on billions of the funds meant for the upkeep of these pensioners? Yet, we try to justify our actions.

“People in positions of authority go abroad to treat common headache with public funds while citizens of the same country have no access to primary health facilities.

Meanwhile, you are supposed to be holding these funds in trust for the citizens.

“It is this lack of fear of God that makes a man of 50 years and above to marry a girl of 13 years. Yet, we bring all sorts of reasons to justify our actions.

All these are signs that we lack fear of God in our hearts.”

Pastor Orisejafor delivered

his sermon on the theme: Oh God, Remember me, I Pray Thee.

He said: “The problem facing the country is not beyond God to solve but the citizens should learn to fear God. “God is capable of changing our individual lives, just as He can change the life of a nation.

We should not judge God’s ability to perform based on our present circumstances. Don’t mind the bombings and the killings here and there; God can change the course of things for this country and its citizens.

“Nigeria may be going through her moment of wilderness, but that is temporal.

God will end the current situations, if leaders and followers will have the fear of God.”

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HE President of Nigerian Professional Pilots, Capt Noggie Megison, has said there are over 200 jobless pilots in the aviation sector.

The union leader described the trend as alarming.

Megison addressed reporters when he visited the DirectorGeneral of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Foleyele Akinkuotu, at the Aviation House in Lagos.

He described as horrible the state of unemployment among indigenous pilots.

The union leader urged the NCAA to halt the trend.

Megison said: “We have private and government-sponsored individuals coming from around the world. We are quite a number. Among us are those who have been out of school for two to three years and have not been working.”

He explained that pilots were faced with numerous challenges, which he said his visit was highlighting to the NCAA.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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NEWS

NNPC disputes Shell’s $700m loss claim

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IL giant Shell Petroleum De velopment Company (SPDC) did not lose $700million to oil theft and other disruptions between April and June, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said yesterday.

In a statement NNPC’s Acting Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Tumini Green, said Shell was not immuned to the global challenges confronting the industry.

“Shell acquisition of Shale Oil and Gas Assets in North America has also proven not to be good investments and as such programmed for divestment to minimise risk.

“In order to further buttress the global challenges, Shell’s current tight oil output is 50,000barrel per day (bpd) as against an estimated 250,000bopd in the United States.

Furthermore, ExxonMobil’s Q2 2013 earnings were down substantially by 57 per cent year-on-year primarily due to prior year gains, Japanese restructuring and divestments,” Green said.

Tracing the success in curbing oil theft and vandalism to the industry

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

committee on security strategy Against Crude oil Product Theft raised by the Minister, Green said: NNPC said the Federal Government’s effort to stem oil theft and pipeline vandalism was yielding results.

The combined efforts of the Minister of Petroleum, NNPC and international oil companies (IOCs) to stem oil theft led to, it said, a corresponding increase in daily crude oil production.

“Some vandalised pipelines and flow stations have been repaired and re-opened such that average current national daily production stands at 2.4million barrels per day (mbpd) compared to the average year to date figure of 2.13mbpd as at June 2013,” Green said.

Tracing the success in curbing oil theft and vandalism to the industrywide Committee on Security Strategy Against Crude Oil Product Theft raised by the Minister, Green said: “In a fortnight, repairs

on the Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) which has a capacity of 150,000bpd is expected to be fully completed. On completion, average crude oil production is expected to increase to 2.50mbpd which will exceed the national target of 2.48mbpd.”

She added: “Our expectation is to increase production from the 2.48 to 2.55mbpd (both crude and condensate) for the rest of the year. We have the capacity and potential to maintain production above 2.55mbpd in the country. All that is required is to continue the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft to achieve this target. This will increase our 2013 average production to about 2.34mbpd if the current fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft is sustained.”

On the claim that the divestment by some multinational oil firms operating in the Niger Delta is due to the harsh operating environment and the absence of leadership in the industry, NNPC described the argument as defective and weak.

•From left: First Vice President Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD) Rev Tunde Salawu; Ms Ifueko Bello-Fadaka and member Annual Training Conference, Mr. Rufus Adetoye during the institute’s briefing in Lagos.

Govt pays PHCN workers N34.5b severance benefits N O fewer than 3,983 work ers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) will collect N34.5billion as severance benefits under the first batch of payment by the Federal Government.

The Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation is said to have started the payment of the workers, who cut across the Generation Companies (GENCO) and the PHCN Headquarters in Abuja.

According to an official of the Implementation Committee on the Settlement of PHCN Staff Terminal Benefits, the workers’

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

names have been forwarded to the accountant-general for payment.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “As at August 5, another 16,366 staff of the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) have been cleared by the auditors and are ready for onward transmission to the accountantgeneral for payment and the

amount is N84.5 billion.”

He added that “so far 20,304 staff have been cleared.” saying: “Hopefully, more staff will be cleared by the auditors before the end of this week as it is a continuous process.”

Recently, Minister of Power Prof Chinedu Nebo said the “resolution of labour issues had been completed and the severance pay to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) workers will commence soon.”

GE to increase investment in Nigeria

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ENERAL Electric (GE) has restated its commitment to strenghtening its presence in the country.

It added that it is in accord with its strategic objective of of increasing its investment in the country.

The global leader in energy, healthcare and railway transportation, made this known yesterday when it hosted a supplier fair in Calabar, the Cross River

State capital.

Speaking at the event, President and Chief Executive Officer of GE, Nigeria, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, reaffirmed GE’s commitment to being a long-term strategic partner for Nigeria’s economic development and transformation.

He said: “We are committed to strengthening our local presence in Nigeria through this investment in Calabar. The facility will significantly increase the local

content of our operations in Nigeria by supporting the burgeoning power sector and providing manufacturing capabilities for the oil and gas industry.”

Speaking about GE’s local content strategy, Global Supply Chain Leader, Mr Phil Griffith, said: “GE firmly believes in the capability and capacity of our Nigerian supplier partners in engineering and other sectors to work with us to deliver on this investment commitment.

NAHCO, unions disagree over casual workers’ sack

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HE management of Nige rian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO Aviance) Plc and two unions are quarelling over the status of casual workers engaged by the ground handling firm.

The Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE) yesterday met with the firm’s management on the conditions of service, casualisation and the promotion.

The management said casual workers were only asked to stay away until business improves at the cargo unit, but the unions accused the management of firing

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over 30 casual workers.

Speaking after a meeting with the unions, NAHCO’s General Manager,Human Resources and Organisational Development, NAHCO, Mr Umar Birmah, said the issues raised by the unions were being looked into.

He debunked claims of ethnic cleansing in recruitment and promotion.

He said the management has designed a programme that would address issues concerning the gratuity of workers, affirming that the rumour that 30 casual workers were sacked is a gross misrepresentation of the situation on the ground.

‘Only few retail outlets sell kerosene for N50’

ESPITE getting kerosene from the government at N40.90, only a few filling stations sell the commodity at the approved price of N50 per litre, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said yesterday.

NNPC said only retail outlets and a few sell at N50.

In a statement, it said: “Our findings are that only the NNPC retail outlets and a few others sell Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) at the government approved price of N50 per litre while the other marketers who purchase the product from Piplelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) at government’s regulated price of N40.90 sell above the recommended price.”

According to the corporation, it is the responsibility of other regulatory agencies to fix the price of kerosene and enforce compliance with the government approved prices.

It is also the responsibility of those regulatory agencies to ensure that the allocated petroleum

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By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

products including DPK get to the consumer at the approved prices as intended by the government, NNPC added.

NNPC said there was adequate kerosene supply even beyond the daily national demand contrary to reports of alleged scarcity of the product in the media.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NNPC, through the PPMC supplies between 10 and 11 million litres of kerosene daily, which is distributed through allocations to licensed marketers, such as Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA), Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and NNPC Retail Limited that sell to the public through their retail outlets.

“It is, therefore, a surprise to receive reports of scarcity in spite of the fact that NNPC/PPMC supply above the eight million litres national daily consump-

Tariff increase not caused by inflation, says NERC

HE Nigeria Electricity Regu latory Commission (NERC) yesterday said the increase in tariff was not caused by inflation.

In a statement, the commission said: “The inflation rate in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) has not changed because inflation in Nigeria has remained at single digit. NERC could not have increased tariff due to rate of inflation which has remained stable.”

It noted that last year, NERC published the MYTO – a tariff plan that sets both wholesale and retail tariff for the industry over a five-year period. This meant that tariff has been set for every year starting from last year to 2016.

It added that every June 1, it will usher in a new tariff structure for consumers.

This, NERC said, would continue till the five-year period of the MYTO has lapsed, after which there will be a major review.

“NERC has not changed or increased tariff since 2012. Rather, it is the tariff as published in the 2012 MYTO that has come into effect on June 1, 2013, “ the regulator noted.

NERC said in between the major reviews were bi-yearly minor reviews that look out for significant changes in macro-economic indicators, such as interest rate, inflation and exchange rates. These minor reviews do not automatically translate to an increase in tariff.

In fact, if the conditions are right, minor reviews could lead to a decrease in tariff, if not maintaining the status quo.

NITD conference holds August 20

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HE Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITD) plans to hold its 21st Trainers Conference from August 20 – 22 at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja.

Speaking at a briefing in Lagos, the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee of the 22-yearold institute, Ms Ifueko O. BelloFadaka, said the event titled: Training and development: A tool for developing future workforce is aimed at training Nigerians to be global workers.

She said: “The pressure of

globalisation keeps the rule of engagement changing very quickly and skills obsolescence is a regular phenomenon. How can we exonerate ourselves from blame if the Nigerian workforce continues to be completely incapable of competing with their contemporaries globally?” adding: “The theme was selected to leverage on the benefits drawn from previous years’ conference’ themes to build a gradual progression to adding critical issues of manpower development in our country.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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NEWS

PA IBRAHIM ADEMOLA FASHOLA (1933 - 2013) ‘His death a glorious transition’

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My dad, by Fashola

T was an exciting final farewell that spoke so much about the stature of the man who had passed on.

Many dignitaries converged on Lagos to see off the late Alhaji Ademola Ibrahim Fashola, father of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The late Alhaji Fashola died on Monday. He was 80.

His final journey began at his 31, Ladipo Labinjo Street, Surulere, Lagos home where personalities gathered for the lying-in-state.

The body arrived from the mortuary in a black Mercedes Benz Sport Utility Vehicle about 11:55am. The lying-instate was held at the Surulere Senior Secondary School, opposite the late Fashola’s home.

At the ceremony were Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Chief Rasak Okoya, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Surulere Council boss, Tajudeen Ajide, Kayode Opeifa, Joe Igbokwe, Onigbongbo LCDA boss, Babatunde Oke, representatives of Arewa and Ndigbo, Service Chiefs and members of the State Executive Council, among others.

Members of the Eko Club described the late Fashola as a jolly good fellow and prayed that Almighty Allah grant him aljannat firdaus.

The entourage then moved to the Central Mosque in Obalende where prayers were offered.

A Mercedez Benz M350 4matic car belonging to MIC Funerals with the inscription, “Alhaji Demola Fashola”, conveyed the body to the mosque.

Governor Fashola was accompanied by his siblings

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•Dignitaries bid governors dad farewell •We lost our best friend, says governor •Amosun, Fayemi, Amaechi, others attend funeral

By Miriam Ekene- Okoro

and relations.

At the Vaults and Garden, Ikoyi, the body was interred in a newly-built marblecarved tomb, near where the late Iyaloja General and mother of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Abibat Mogaji, was buried.

Members of the Fashola family wore white lace and orange stripped caps.

Imams from the Lagos Central Mosque, led by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Akinola Garuba, prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed.

Speaking to reporters after the interment, Governor Fashola thanked Lagosians for the love shown his family.

He said: “I thank everybody, who has rallied round the family from yesterday morning before I returned from Saudi Arabia. The heartpouring of love from all Nigerians; from Mr. President, who called persistently until he got through to me. He sent his representative today, the Honourable Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, and my brother governors, the imams, the ordinary men and women and everybody.

Thank you very much.

“This was a painful way for us and for you to show how much you love us, but we really appreciate you. Our gratitude is deep and immense and we can never fully express it.”

Recalling the virtues of his late father, the governor said

he was an all encompassing gentleman who lived a simple life and loved his children.

He said: “I think that for all of us his children, he was first and foremost our friend, he was our best friend. So, this is what we will really miss. Our father was a very loving friend, who allowed us to be the best that we could; he allowed us to be what we want to be, guiding and nudging, but never discriminated and that’s why he had children that were Christians, Muslims, children who are Europeans, children who are married across all Nigeria.

“I think these have fully captured his life. I doubt if there was any person who did not have enemies, it must be my father because he just got on with life. He didn’t discriminate in any position he found himself; good, comfortable, painful, he just got on. I learnt so many things from him and most of these things is who I am today and who I try to be and I hope that I can be as rounded in integrity, humble in his attitude to life and fully committed in all situations as he was.”

To the governor, his father death was significant as “he died in the month of Ramadan”.

“He died on the night of majesty. We had just finished Lailatu Quadri prayers in Mecca and, for me, God is great because if God gave him the opportunity to choose how he would go, and when, he

•The late Pa Fashola

couldn’t have chosen the day he went. It was such a great time. We thank God.” With the governor were his counterparts from Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ekiti, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Rivers, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi.

Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Hon Bolaji Abdullahi, represented President Goodluck Jonathan. Former Governor of Cross River, Donald Duke, former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Chief Ayo Akande were there.

Also in attendance were Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, Otunba Alabi Mc-Coy, Alhaji Lateef Salako, Alhaji Moshood Ojikutu, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Molade OkoyaThomas, Senators Gbenga Ashafa and Femi Ojodu, Chairman of Eleganza Group, Chief Rasak Okoya and renowned lawyer, Alhaji Femi Okunnu. Ogun State Deputy Governor Mr. Segun Adesegun, members of the State Executive Council, members of the House of Assembly, members of the House of Representatives, Nollywood stars, clerics and members of the Diplomatic Corps, among others, were also there.

•From left: Governor Fashola, Mrs. Titilola Ayinde, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa and Rev. Samuel Ogedengbe, at the lying-in-state of Pa Fashola in Lagos... yesterday.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has commiserated with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and his family on the loss of their patriarch, Pa Ademola Fashola.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, the party said although the death of a loved one, especially a worthy father like Pa Fashola, is painful even at a ripe age, his exit is nothing but a

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F

ORMER Vice- President Atiku Abubakar has commiserated with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on the death of his father.

In a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday, he said although the death of Pa Ademola Fashola was a sad development, his demise in the holy month of Ramadan was a grace from God. Atiku urged the Fashola family to accept the death of its patriarch in good faith.

He said: “While it is understandable that the death of a

•Ex-VP wishes Tinubu quick recovery From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

parent is always a painful experience, I enjoin members of the Fashola family to take the death of their patriarch in the holy month of Ramadan in good faith.

“The deceased, no doubt, has left an indelible mark as a man of honour, judging by the quality of children that survived him, and secondly, by his sterling administrative qualities in his days as the advertisement manager of the

Daily Times of Nigeria Ltd.” Atiku noted that Governor Fashola is a shining example of how a good home can make a positive influence in the life of an individual, and by extension, in the life of a country.

He said the dream of having a good country must start with the dream of building good homes.

Atiku also sent wishes of quick recovery to the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the surgery for sports injury

to his knees.

He said having been a victim of such domestic accident in the past, he would urge Tinubu to brace for the surgery and, upon recuperation, apply caution in his body fitness workouts.

“It is a painful experience to bear an injury on one’s knees or on the ankle. It is even more painful to enter into the theatre as one advances in age. But I will urge the Asiwaju to brace for the surgery, while we wish him quick recovery,” the statement added.

Oshiomhole mourns

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commiserated with Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Fashola.

In a condolence letter to him, Comrade Oshiomhole said: “I received with great shock the news of the passing on of your beloved father and mentor, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola. I offer the heartfelt condolences of the government and people of Edo State as well as my personal commiseration on the sad loss.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you, my dear brother, at this difficult moment.

From accounts of your father’s life, we learnt he was a man of character and valour, a man with a keen sense of fairness, equity and justice to all that crossed his path. It, therefore, needs no guessing the extent to which Pa Fashola helped shape the successful man, professional and administrator that you are today. It then becomes easier to appreciate the bond that existed between your good self and the significant imprint he represented in your inspiring story.

Afenifere commiserates with Fashola

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FENIFERE Renewal Group (ARG) has said it was shocked to receive the news of the passing away of Pa Ademola Fashola, the father of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Its Media/Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kunle Famoriyo, said: “We commiserate with our governor and his family on the

transition of their patriarch. We urge them to seek solace in the comfort that the Holy Month of Ramadan brings. We pray Almighty Allah to grant him eternal rest.

“Pa Fashola’s legacies could be seen in the diligent and productive approach his son has brought to governance in the state. We in ARG celebrate his noble character.”

North’s governors: continue good work as tribute to your father

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ORTHERN States Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday commiserated with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola on the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola.

The forum said the best tribute the governor could pay to his father was to touch the lives of Lagosians positively as he had been doing since he took the mantle of leadership six years ago.

The Chairman of the forum and Niger State Governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu described the death of Alhaji Fas-

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Atiku commiserates with Lagos governor

glorious transition.

“A father, who gave the people of Lagos State a firstrated governor and a man of integrity and rare vision like His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, must be appreciated and celebrated in life and death.

“This is why we believe that the death of Pa Fashola, despite being painful, should be used as an opportunity to celebrate his life, not just by his family but by all of us,” it said.

hola as a big loss, especially as it occurred at a time his advice and guidance were needed to address the country’s problems.

In a condolence message issued in Minna and signed by the NSGF’s spokesman, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the forum urged Governor Fashola to be consoled that his late father lived a life of service to God and humanity.

It advised him not to be discouraged by his father’s death, but should forge ahead with the task of repositioning Lagos State.

Imoke mourns Fashola

OVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has expressed shock and sadness on the death of Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola, father of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola.

He lamented that the octogenarian passed away at such a critical period when his wise and invaluable counsel was needed.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian

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From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Ita, Imoke described the late Fashola as a worthy community leader, who lived a fulfilled life serving his people, Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general.

The governor, who said the demise of Pa Fashola has left a vacuum that would be difficult to fill, prayed Allah to grant Governor Fashola, his family and the people of Lagos State the fortitude to bear the loss.

PDP consoles

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commiserated with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola on the death of his father, Pa Ibrahim Ademola Fashola.

A statement yesterday by the Acting Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Tony Okeke, said Pa Fashola’s death has created a big vacuum not only in the Fashola family but also in Lagos State and the nation.

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

“A devout Muslim, community leader and philanthropist, Pa Fashola until his passage remained a shinning example of humility and a source of inspiration for the younger generation.

“He was known for his forthrightness and candour in handling issues, which earned him the love and respect of all.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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NEWS

Ogun contains gastroenteritis

College not illegal, says Provost

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HE Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM) in Isheri-Olofin, Lagos is not an illegal school.

Therefore, the Medicine and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has no reason to close it down.

This was contained in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by the National Association of Physicians and Complementary Alternative Medicine (NACAPAM) and signed by the Provost of the college, Dr. Idowu Ogunkoya.

The college was reportedly closed down at the weekend by the HOD Inspectorate of MDCN, Dr. Henry Okwuokenye, alleging that Dr. Ogunkoya had no practice licence to act as the provost and that there was no accreditation of the faculty and curriculum of training for the school.

Dr. Okwuokenye stressed that before anybody could practise in Nigeria, he or she must register with the Medicine and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

But reacting to the closure, FEDCAM said Dr. Okwuokenye was informed about the school’s operations, activities and purpose.

NACAPAM said: “The Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (FEDCAM) was set up for the purpose of training people for traditional and natural medicine and not to award degrees or doctoral degrees. “Originally, the college started as the National College for Natural Medicine, teaching mostly herbal medicine. Thereafter, the Federal Ministry of Health took it over, renamed it Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Lagos and appointed a registrar.

“The Federal Ministry of Health also later established another one in Abuja. At no time did the Medicine and Dental Council or the Federal Ministry of Health queried the existence of the college. Therefore, the assertion that the school was a fake medical school was wrong and unfounded.”

‘Why Ekiti is investing in education’

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KITI State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu has explained the reason for the huge investment in education development by the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration.

Education is number four on the Eight-Point Agenda chart of the government.

According to the Deputy Governor, the investment is to ensure that children, including those in the remotest parts of the state, have access to qualitative and quantitative education.

Prof. Adelabu made the clarification in her capacity as the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) at a meeting with representatives of the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), stakeholders on the Coordination of Early Childhood Education (ECD) and Community-Based Child Care (CBCC).

She said the present administration established Model Early Child Care Centres (ECCC) in public schools as a demonstration of its commitment to early child education.

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

•Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello (third right); Prof. David Okoli (left); Mrs. Olajumoke Ogunrayi (representing Ondo Commissioner for the Environment) (second left); former Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Adeniyi Osuntogun (third left); Prince Lekan Fadina, Chief Executive Officer, CISME and Consultant to the Federal Ministry of the Environment (second right); and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Research, University of Lagos (UNILAG), at the beginning of a three-day workshop to validate Draft Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIIN MOSES

PDP reconciliation committee visits Ekiti

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HE reconciliation committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), set up by the national leadership of the party, yesterday visited Ekiti State.

Its mission was to reconcile the two factions- that of former Governor Ayodele Fayose and that of the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe.

Led by Umar Damagum,

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From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

the committee met the 14member State Working Committee (SWC) at Olujoda Hotel in Ado Ekiti.

Both groups have been at war over whether the party should hold primaries or go for a consensus candidate to get its standard-bearer for the 2014 governorship election.

At the meeting yesterday were representatives of the factions, including Chief Ogundipe and his deputy, Mr. Femi Bamisile. Dr. Tope Aluko, Pastor Kola Oluwawole and Busola Oyebode represented the Fayose faction.

Damagum, who addressed reporters after the closeddoor meeting, hailed the factions for accepting the conditions and for being ready to

embrace peace.

He, however, refused to clarify the contentious issue of either a primary election or a consensus candidate, saying: “When the time comes, the leadership of our party will do what is right.”

Damagun added: “I am happy and confident that we are more than resolved after this meeting in Ekiti PDP to take what belongs to us in 2014.”

Mayhem in Oyo town over 2015 poll

HERE was mayhem yesterday at Isale-Oyo community in Oyo town as people engaged in a free for all over the call for the removal of Mr. Kamil Akinlabi, who represents Oyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

About 7:30am, several people were seen at Isale-Oyo. Their mission was initially unknown until their number increased. The people, who were mostly youths, carried placards, protesting against the call for the removal of Akinlabi.

•Scores injured From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Later, another group in support of the removal of the lawmaker emerged with dangerous weapons, such cutlasses, charms, clubs and bottles. They attacked the protesters.

Blood stains, shoes, pieces of placards and clothes were seen on the spot of the mayhem.

There was confusion and

residents fled to avoid being attacked. Commercial activities were paralysed.

Unspecified number of people were said to have sustained injuries.

Oyo Federal Constituency comprises Oyo- East, OyoWest, Afijio and Atiba.

A few days ago, there was a similar protest by another group.

Members of the group demanded the removal of Akinlabi for allegedly neglecting his constituents. They called

on Akeem Adeyemi, son of Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, to replace him.

Spokesman for the proAkinlabi group, Mr. Waheed Ajagbe, said his achievement from 2011 to date was commendable and that was why they protested against move to remove him.

It took the intervention of mobile policemen from Durbar Division, who stormed the area with Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), before peace could be restored.

Osun APC, govt caution Anambra on evacuation of destitute

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HE Osun State Government and the state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) have cautioned the Anambra State Government not to politicise the Lagos State Government policy on the evacuation of destitute from the state.

Addressing a joint news conference yesterday in Osogbo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Special Needs, Biyi Odunlade and the APC acting Chairman, Mr. Adebiyi Adelowo, said Osun was among the states affected by the Lagos State evacuation order.

They said Anambra State Government should not turn an issue meant to protect the indigenes of Lagos State and make governments of states to be alive to their responsibilities, to a political matter because of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

According to Odunlade, about 135 indigenes of the state, who are destitute, have been moved from Lagos to the state between April 27, 2010 and now.

He said: “Similarly, government received two persons

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

each, who are indigenes of the state, from Ogun and Ondo states on April 16, last year.

Four persons were also sent from Oyo State to the state in June.”

Mr. Adelowo said: “There is no bitterness or any sensation about this. It is routine administrative process that when you

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have a destitute on your hand, without home or family, and after doing your best for them, you send them to their people.

“In Osun, we have a similar programme of clearing the streets of beggars and the destitute. Those that can be empowered are assisted to be on their own. We are also going to resettle them one way or the other.”

He described the condemnation of the Lagos State Government policy on the relocation of the destitute by the Anambra State Government as unfortunate, saying a simple administrative process was being subjected to undue politicisation in a way that was capable of putting the Igbo against Lagos State and their Yoruba hosts.

OGUN State Government has said it has contained an outbreak of gastroenteritis.

It said it traced the source of the disease to poor level of environmental hygiene in two communities.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, said some communities in Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South local governments were identified as being the source of the disease.

He said: “There was an upsurge in gastroenteritis in some communities in Abeokuta. It was first noticed on July 5. Some severe cases were brought to the State Hospital, Ijaye, and workers were informed of a patient, who died in the community.

State and local government officials reacted by tracing the source of the outbreak.

They also treated the patients.

Court remands NURTW member in prison

By Adebisi Onanuga

AN Ikeja Magistrate’s Court yesterday ordered a 25-yearold worker with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Monday Ikudenyibo, be remanded in prison custody for the alleged murder of five people during the Ajah crisis two months ago.

Ikudenyibo, who lives at 2, Baale Street, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, would remain in prison custody pending the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecution(DPP).

The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Miss Abiodun Akinde on a 10-count charge of conspiracy, murder and attempted murder, preferred against him by the police.

Magistrate Akinde adjourned the case till August 26.

Camp for Baptist girls THE Girls’ Auxiliary in the Lagos East Baptist Conference of the Nigerian Baptist Convention will organise a camp for the intermediate GAs from August 8th to August 10th.

The GA Director, Rev. Ruth Wright, said the programme is organised to spirituallyenrich the girls and discourage them from engaging in vices during the holidays. She added that the camp pastor is Rev. Dorcas Ayanlere from First Baptist Church, Ijeshatedo, Lagos.

Students protest ‘defilement’ of colleagues

TUDENTS of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA) in Ondo State yesterday marched on the streets to protest the alleged defilement of three female students by hoodlums.

They started the protest in the morning and resisted moves by the police to maintain peace, demanding the arrest of the hoodlums and the Chief Security Officer of the institution.

Some reporters were molested by the students for attempting to enter the college premises to perform their duties.

During the incident, the ever-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

busy Fiwasaye/Owo Road was blocked by the students, causing traffic jam that lasted many hours.

The Students’ Union leader, Oladapo Akindamini, alleged that five hoodlums, led by a part time student of the school, invaded the campus around midnight and headed for the female hostel.

He said the students were alerted by the alarm raised from the female hostel, only to discover that two of the female students had been allegedly defiled and the third assaulted.

Akindamini said: “Before we could rush to the female dor-

LAGOS & ABUJA ONLY

mitory to restore normalcy, two of our colleagues had been defiled and one was molested.

Two other students were also assaulted when the rapists were trying to overpower them. We took them to the General Hospital.”

He said the students, who were preparing for their examinations, trooped out of their hostels and apprehended one of the hoodlums, who was handed over to the security officer.

He alleged that the security man, however, kept him in an open room instead of handing him over to the police and the hoodlum escaped.

The students said security on the campus could no longer be guaranteed.

The Provost, Dr. Mary Ogunkoya, said the police were handling the case, adding that those found culpable would be prosecuted in line with the law.

Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said: “We have put the situation under control”, adding that the victims have reported the incident at the Divisional Police Station in Ijapo, Akure.

He said the victims were on admission at an undisclosed hospital and investigation is ongoing to arrest the culprits.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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C ITYBEATS Policeman kills one, injures three

By Jude Isiguzo A Corporal attached to Police Mobile Force (PMF) 17, Akure, Ondo State, has allegedly killed a man. He was also said to have injured three others, over a minor argument in the FESTAC area of Lagos.

The suspect, Mohammed Abubakar, who was attached to a company, was said to have gone to a restaurant to eat on Monday night when the incident occurred.

Sources said while he was eating, an argument ensued between him and some others, following which he opened fire on them, killing one.

Abubakar was said to have fled the scene after the shooting and has since remained at large.

The three injured were rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) where they are currently receiving treatment at its Emergency Section.

Police Commissioner Umar Manko, who confirmed the incident, said he did not know the mission of the policeman in Lagos and would say whether he was legally attached to the company where he was traced to.

He said he had directed the Area Commander in charge of Area 'E' Command, FESTAC, Mr Dan Okoro, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP), to investigate the incident.

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

Gunmen shoot YABATECH students T WO students of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, have been shot by suspected armed robbers. It was during a robbery at their Bariga home.

Residents, who said the incident occurred on July 27 around 1am, said the gunmen, numbering 14, wore masks.

It was learnt that they stormed Awofodu and Ajiun streets in the Ladi Lak, Bariga, robbing and raping residents.

The robbers reportedly shot Seun Sanusi, a YABATECH student, in the leg. The the pellets of the cartridge hit another student, Olanrewanju Ikotun, and injured him.

It was gathered that as the robbers made to escape, they collected the key of the apartment and locked the door. Other occupants of the house alerted the police. Sanusi was rushed to the hospital by police

Digital water advertising for launch LAGOS State is set to experience international outdoor advertising display on its water ways with the planned launch of the first water projection advertising in Africa at the Falomo Ikoyi Bridge, Lagos.

Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has pledged to deploy facilities and other infrastructure to support the launch The Managing Director of the agency, Mr George Kayode Noah, said: "This is another format for outdoor advertising which provides a unique canvas for a variety of projected media like digital video projection, laser graphics, large format slide projection and may also be used to produce vast and seemingly holographic imagery."

Noah noted that digital water advertising offers a good blend of art and technology with a natural canvas, adding: "It is a technique used more frequently and, in the right situations, it can truly make the public step back and admire the brand's creativity."

He said with the launch, Lagos would join the league of cities like New York, where digital water advertising is delivering remarkable value to brands.

operatives from Pedro Police Station.

He was treated and discharged and moved to a traditional healing centre where the bullets were extracted.

Sanusi told The Nation: "About 1am, the robbers barged into the room and started slapping everybody as they asked for gold chains, phones, and laptops. They woke me from deep sleep with slaps and ordered me to lay faced down. Then, a guy shot me. I became unconscious and I learnt the police came and took me to the hospital. The hoodlums went away with my Blackberry Bold 5 phone, my laptop and money."

It was gathered that the police at the Pedro Police Station arrested a suspect, Azeez for being in possession of Sanusi' stolen phone.

The suspect reportedly confessed to the police that he bought the phone from his boss at Mowe, an Ogun State community.

It was gathered that the police arrested the said boss and two others, but released them after interrogations.

•Sanusi on hospital bed ... after the attack

Suspected cultists kill two in Lagos

By Jude Isiguzo

Policy on climate change

A draft policy to provide an integerated, harmonised and multi sectoral framework for responding to climate change is being formulated in Lagos State This was disclosed by the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, at the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop organised by the ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He emphasised that the state government approach to climate was guided by two considerations - the need to be pragmatic and sustainable, bearing in mind the costs and the trade-offs involved so as to adopt policies that balance both economic growth and environmental sustainability. The second was the imperative of collective action at the local and global levels.

Bello pointed said universities and research institutes are indispensable partners as they are at the forefront of sprouting technical solutions to combat the scourge of climate change.

The workshop which started Tuesday will end tomorrow.

By Jude Isiguzo

•Lagos Police chief Umar Manko

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WO persons were killed in the early hours of yesterday during a renewed clash between rival cult groups in the Bariga area of Lagos.

Reports said it happened at about

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3.30 am. Some suspected cultists identified as "EFCC boys," stormed 16, Onile Iyan Street, Sungas area of the community, killing two men; two others were wounded.

The "EFCC boys" are said to be having a running battle with suspected Eiye and Aiye cult groups in the area.

Residents, who have now called on Commissioner of Police Umar Manko to step into the crisis, said the suspected cultists were in search of two persons - Tijani and Oshodi who are alleged members of Aiye group.

The cultists, it was said, erroneously attacked Michael, an auto mechanic and Jimoh, a generator engineer, with three others, in their sleep.

Jimoh and Michael were attacked with cutlasses, after which they were shot at close range. Two others were critically injured.

While Jimoh and Michael died instantly, the injured were taken to the hospital. Policemen who visited the scene reportedly removed the corpses of the dead to a mortuary.

A resident, Rose Emmanuel, said "It was a gory sight; the boys were killed like dogs. They were hardworking young men; unfortunately, they were mistaken for cultists and murdered by the rampaging cultists. This is sad and we fear for our lives too."

Another source added: "The Eiye boys were on revenge mission. But for the timely intervention of the Divisional Police Officer of Somolu Police Station who sent his men to dislodge them, we would have had

more tragic tales to tell. The Eiye boys are from Shomolu area and Johnson Street in the Ladilak area.

The police must comb the areas."

Raimi Adewale, another resident, urged the state government to deal decisively with the cultists, saying: "We have made series of appeals to the state government and other security agencies about the notorious activities of these bad boys, but nothing concrete has been done."

A 70-year-old landlady on Ore Ofero Street, who hid her identity for fear of reprisals, said: "We are all tired of these bad boys. They operate here is as if they are their own government. The police commissioner and Governor Fashola must move against them."

A police source said efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspects and make them to face the law.

However, the residents are still angry over what they called the curious manner Ajuwon was left out by the state Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) in its delineation exercise - creation of new wards out of the Ifako/Ijaye Local Govt Area.

Omomowo said that the community had, after satisfying all requirements, requested from LASIEC, a separate ward out of the existing Ward F in the area, following which the community was invited for an interview in September 2008.

He said that on July 26, 2010, during the commission's meeting with stakeholders, Ajuwon was the first community to present its demanding for a separate ward, having satisfied all criteria.

Omomowo said that the community was disturbed when on June 18, at the stakeholders' meeting at the Council's Auditorium, the commission, in its reports, failed to mention Ajuwon or give any reason why it was not mentioned. "Is it that the community does not exist or a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise or rubbish us?" He asked.

The community leader added: "We have never defaulted in the payment of rates and taxes, while we have been supporting government with our bloc votes since the 1999 elections."

The community, he said, had written to Governor Fashola to intervene to prevent the commission from disenfranchising the community in future polls.

Praises for Fashola as community wants more

ESIDENTS of Ajuwon community in Ifako/Ijaye Local Government Area of Lagos State are celebrating a new dawn.

They are full of praise for the Babatunde Fashola-led administration of the state for extending its development strides to their domain.

Yesterday, some of the residents stood in groups, expressing their satisfaction over the road construction and school renovation projects going on in the community.

"We thank God that Governor Fashola has finally remembered our community with the projects. For long, we had yearned for good roads and improved schools for our children. We are happy that we can now sing a new song," said Joseph

•The Lagos State Independent Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola (2nd left), speaking at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)/stakeholders’ forum on delineation of constituencies at the INEC Office, Festac Town.

With him are: Comrade Ayodele Adewale, Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Council (1st left); Admin Sec., Lagos State INEC, Isaac Itegboje, and member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Sultan AdenijiAdele.

By Uyoatta Eshiet Adewole, one of the residents.

His view was affirmed by a community leader in the area, Elder Festus Omomowo, who told The Nation that the ongoing projects are signals of the state government's people-oriented disposition to governance.

"We have begun to see the dividends of our long-standing support for the various past administrations.

Residents of our community of over 100,000 people can now enjoy some good roads and send their children to decent school. Though we still need more of these developmental projects, we thank the state government for its gesture so far," said Omomowo.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

‘Oil thieves’ held in Port Harcourt

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HREE suspected oil pipeline vandals arrested by a Joint Taskforce (JTF) in the Boro area of Rivers State were yesterday paraded at Brigade 2 Headquarters, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of Nigeria Army, Maj-Gen. Olaniyi Adebayo, vowed that "there is no mercy in the fight against oil theft."

The GOC, who gave the

CITYBEATS

• The suspects ... yesterday From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt names of the suspects as Godsgift Paul, (Iron man), Ometi Peace Solomon (2020) and Sotoye Fine face, said he was on a working visit to the state when JTF, on patrol, arrested them.

Warning the JTF officers after a tour of all the JTF facili-

ties, the GOC said it was time the officers woke up from their slumber.

Maj-Gen. Olaniyi said: "Sector 2 Brigade in Rivers State is doing everything possible to ensure that the rate of oil theft in the area reduces to the barest minimum. The three persons arrested have confessed that they vandalised the pipelines.

Training for 19 intending retirees

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S part of its commitment to the welfare of its workforce after retirement, the Lagos State Government has begun an intensive entrepreneurial training for those who are nearing their terminal years in service.

Addressing 19 of such participants at a training session, the Director General of the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Mrs Olubunmi Fabanwo, said the training was geared towards making the beneficiaries responsible citizens after retirement.

"We intend to assist retirees with appropriate skills, competencies and knowledge required before getting engaged in any business in retirement," Fabanwo said,

By Yinka Aderibigbe adding: "Many worked tirelessly and seldom prepare for their disengagement. For many, it is when the Pensions Office writes to remind them about their disengagement date that they start running from pillar to post on what to do in their post-service life."

This attitude, she said, accounted for the premature death of workers in the past, adding that the centre packaged the training to address the plight of such workers.

Fabanwo said the centre is exposing participants to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) moderated Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) tips that would always come handy for

those who intend to start small-scale businesses and ensure profitability of their endeavour.

In a communiqué issued after the training, the participants thanked the state governor for considering it worthy to arm intending retirees with the right skills needed to survive in retirement.

They recommended among others, the continuation of the training so that others could benefit, and urged an extension of its duration for at least two weeks.

Speaking on behalf of other participants Mrs Bamidele Akinyemi, said the training had expanded their horizon in the business world and what it takes to succeed in business and live a glorious life after retirement.

Family seeks halt in land compensation

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HE family of Adeshiba Ayeloja Adedewe in Lagos has urged Governor Babatunde Fashola to stop payment of any compensation in respect of land around Badia East, in Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area of the state.

In a July 15 letter by their lawyer Chief Olusegun Raji, the family said a stakeholders' meeting was held at the State Secretariat, Alausa on July 4 to deliberate on how the compensation would be paid.

The letter alleged that those parading themselves as owners of the land did not have any legal right to such claim.

While the family said it would support the government's bid to develop the state, it said it would not stand by and watch their inherited family property taken

By Joseph Jibueze away from them.

"In event that your authority fail to stop further dealings with the alleged people for whatever consideration, we would not hesitate to go to court to challenge the Lagos State Government and its agencies," the family said.

The family reminded the state of a pending suit, numbered LD\913\13, at the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, in which they are urging the court to stop the demolition of houses on a vast area of land measuring approximately 1, 324 hectres situated in Awori, in Badagry area of Lagos State.

In the suit, the family is seeking for a declaration that their family is entitled to customary/statutory right of oc-

cupancy of the family land.

The family urged the court to declare that the first and second defendants (Ojora of Ojora and Odofin of Ojora land) are not entitled to the land in dispute hence all the transaction and dealings of the defendants on the disputed land are unconstitutional, null and void.

Specifically, the family wants the court to set aside the judgment granted the first and second defendants in suit No- LD/ 562/72 alleging that the judgment was obtained by fraud.

The family stated that the land in dispute had exclusively belonged to their great grandfather, Adeshiba Ayeloja Adedewe over 500 years ago.

They further added that their great grandfather had been in possession of the land before the Logos Colony was divided into three.

NURTW member remanded for alleged murder

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N Ikeja Magistrate Court on yesterday ordered that a 25year-old employee of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Monday Ikudenyibo, be remanded in prison custody for the alleged murder of five persons during a crisis that rocked Ajah community two months ago.

Ikudenyibo, who resides at 2, Baale Street, Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos, will remain in prison custody pending the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Miss

By Adebisi Onanuga Abiodun Akinde on a ten-count charge of conspiracy, murder, attempted murder and others, preferred against him by the police.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emuerhi, said the accused and others at large, committed the alleged crime, on May 25, at about 8am at the Ajah Roundabout.

He alleged that Ikudenyibo unlawfully murdered Isiaka Promise and Shola Hausa, with his gun. He also allegedly murdered three others - Idowu Olumegbon, Bola Akeju and

Hammed Alex. He further told the court that the defendant, on June 26, at about 9.30pm, at Lakowe, Ibeju Lekki, attempted to kill Lateef Aluko by shooting him in the chest. He also shot Ibrahim in his left leg He said the crime is punishable under Sections 231,221,228,228,244 (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty, but Magistrate Akinde ordered him remanded in prison custody.

Magistrate Akinde adjourned the case to August 26, 2013, for mention.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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NEWS RAMADAN KAREEM

SOLAT TIME (Lagos) Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– 5:23 – 12:53 – 4:12 – 7:04 – 8:14

am pm pm pm pm

(Enugu)

(Abuja) Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– 5:02 – 12:36 – 3:53 – 6:51 – 8:02

am pm pm pm pm

Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– 5:06 – 12:36 – 3:55 – 6:47 – 7:58

Ramadan 29th, 1434AH am pm pm pm pm (Source: Islamicfinder.org)

PRICES OF COMMODITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S ZAKATUL FITR

•Wife of Chairman, Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area Mrs Oyedoyin Mafe flanked by wife of Agege Local Government Chairman, Alhaja Sherifah AbdulKareem (right) and Alhaja Awanatu Elegbede during Ramadan lecture and Quran Competition organised by AbdulRasheed Mafe Quranic Foundation in Lagos

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After Ramadan good deeds continues, says scholar

HE good deeds exhibited during the month of Ramadan should not be discontinued, an Islamic scholar Sheikh Dhikrullahi Shafi’I has said.

Sheikh Shafi’I enjoined Muslims not to reduce the acts

•Condoles with Fashola

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

of worship and goodness after Ramadan, saying the Holy Month is like a training institute.

“If one graduated from an institution, the expectation of

RAMADAN GUIDE WITH FEMI ABBAS

e-mail: femabbas@yahoo.com Tel: 08122697498

F

•Culled from Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF)

Eldul Fitr

OR everything in the life of man, there is a climax as well as an anti-climax. The climax of Ramadan is Laylatul Qadr (the night of power). That is the night in which the very first revelation of the Qur’an came to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is also the night in which the contents of that Holy Book are divinely reconfirmed through Arch-Angel Jubril every year.

Laylatul Qadr is the meeting point between the earth and the heaven. It is the rare opportunity, which the Almighty Allah offers the Muslim Ummah to reshape their destiny and rekindle their spiritual fortune.

The anti-climax of Ramadan begins with the disbursement of Zakatul Fitr and ends with Eidul Fitr. The former (Zakatul Fitr) is a part and parcel of Ramadan. It is made compulsory

by Prophetic tradition. The latter is the festivity with which the Muslim Ummah expresses gratitude to the Almighty Allah for taking them successfully through another month of blessing, forgiveness and liberation.

Eidul Fitr is essentially a Nafilah (supererogatory prayer) consisting of two Rakats and a sermon. The Rakats are observed congregationally a couple of hours after Salatul Subh.

They are followed by the sermon.

To observe Eidul Fitr Rakats, a Muslim is expected to wear a festive and not a mourning mood. He should be gay in appearance without necessarily being extravagant. He should take normal bath, perform ablution and wear a neat but not necessarily a new dress.

On his way to the praying ground, he should put his Lord in mind by chanting alone or in congregation any of the following: •Allah Akbar (3ce) La ilaha illa LlaH, Allah Akbar (2ce) Wa Lillahil Hamdu or • Subhana Llah, wal Hamdu lillah, wa la ilah illa Llah, Allah Akbar (3ce) wa la hawla wa la kuwwata illah billahil Aliyyil Alim.

And, on getting to the praying ground, everybody should just sit down chanting any of the above. There is no observance of any Nafilat on individual basis because Eidul Fitr itself is Nafilat. The Imam leads the congregation in observing the two Rakats.

He then follows that up with a relevant sermon preferably in a language understandable to the congregation. No private Nafilat should be observed before the commencement of Eidul Fitr prayer.

It is advisable to wait after the SALAT and listen to the sermon which is more important than the supererogatory SALAT itself. Those who missed the two rakats do not need to observe it thereafter. Listening to the sermon is enough for them. After leaving the prayer ground, they should remember that they are not supposed to go back into the world of iniquities having been liberated from it. And fasting on the day of ‘Idul Fitr is forbidden. Festivities are better extended to relatives and neighbours irrespective of their religions. Eidul Mubarak.

the people is for such a graduate to put into use the knowledge acquired and lessons learnt for the benefit of the community. All sinful acts we abandoned during Ramadan should be jettisoned to make the society a better place for humanity,” he said.

The cleric, who spoke yesterday from Makkah, Saudi Arabia where he is performing Umrah (Lesser hajj) condoled with Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola over the demised of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola.

While praying Allah to

forgive him, Sheikh Shafi’I advised Governor Fashola to improve on his knowledge of Islam and move closer to Allah.

“Our affluence and influence do not count when the time is up; this should always be at the back of the mind of our leaders when piloting the affairs of the state. You must not make laws that are anti-God to please mankind. We should fear the day we would stand before Allah to give accounts of our sojourn on earth,” he said.

The cleric called on world leaders, United Nations in particular to be just in their deal-

ings.

“The crisis in Tunisia, Libya, Iraq, Egypt, Afghanistan and other parts of Middle East is worrisome; UN as world police and peacemaker should live up to expectation; the atrocities the military is perpetrating in Egypt are condemnable likewise Israeli aggression against Palestinians. How can you say you are on the negotiation table and at the same time expanding your occupation of the Palestinians’ land? What manner of negotiation is that?” he queried.

Sheikh Shafi’I urged Muslims world to be united and fellow clerics to play their role as expected.

Atiku urges leaders to fear God

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ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged elected leaders and other public office holders to let the fear of God to guide their conduct.

In a Sallah message to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting period, the former Vice President noted that the increasing greed and selfishness by leaders is compounding poverty, unemployment and other social crises, caused by bad leadership.

According to him, democracy is not meant for overnight personal enrichment at the expense of the voters. Instead, he said democracy is meant to offer honest, patriotic and selfless service to Nigerians.

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

The former Vice President observed that there is a difference between being religious outwardly and what leaders do in practice.

He explained that if religion had any influence on the conduct of leaders, most of the problems confronting the ordinary people would have been solved.

Atiku regretted that oathtaking had been reduced to a mere empty ritual, thereby desecrating the sanctity of the exercise.

He recalled that in other societies, politicians seek power out of the passion to offer hon-

A

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

amicably without any third party," he said.

The senior lecturer enjoined them to inculcate the spirit of godliness in their children. "If you train your children in the way of Allah, you will be rewarded abundantly and you will have peace of mind," he said.

Timehin commended Muniru for organising the lecture, saying more of such events are needed to inculcate spiritualism.

In a similar event held at Ansar-ud-Deen Nursery and

THE Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on Muslims to look out for the new Moon tonight.

If sighted, the moon would terminate Ramadan and ushers in Shawwal, first of which is Eid-il-Fitr celebration.

A statement signed by NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof.

Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, yesterday said: “Wednesday, August 7, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Ramadan, 1434 AH, shall be the day to look out for the new Moon of Shawwal.

“Muslims are therefore requested to look out for the new moon and report its sighting to the sighting district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan.’’

5,000 receive free medical service Risikat Ramoni

•Atiku

est and patriotic service to fellow country men and women.

“In our own case, however, leaders see politics as a gravy train, and with this culture, democracy cannot make any real positive impact on the lives of the ordinary people” Atiku added.

Don seek understanding among couples LECTURER at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Dr Saheed Timehin has advised married couples to exhibit love and understanding to ensure a lasting relationship.

Timehin spoke at the Third Ramadan Lecture, organised by a member of the House of Representatives, Hakeem Muniru, at Ansarud-Deen College, Isolo.

"Married couples should develop genuine love and understanding. They should understand one another, respect one another and ensure that they settle their differences

Search for new moon tonight, says NSCIA

Primary School, Isolo, Muniru distributed gifts tagged: “special Ramadan package” for the people of his constituency.

About 1,000 benefited from the gesture.

The gifts, he said, was to give the people of his constituency a sense of belonging during the period.

"We are doing this to provide succour for our constituents during this period and we assure you that we will continue to do this and even with improvement," Muniru, who represents Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency II, said.

THE Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Lagos State branch has offered free medical attention with drugs for no fewer than 5,000 people during Ramadan.

IMAN also de-wormed 4,000 children.

The five-weeks intensive free Ramadan Health Project featured screening for hypertension, diabetes, HIV, health talk and special consultations on dental, orthopedic, gynecology and optical areas.

In his remarks on the success of the programme, IMAN state chairman, Dr AbdulGaniy Labinjo said consultants, doctors, nurses, medical students, laboratory scientists and other health workers, attended to people at five different locations namely - Abule Ijesha, IdiAraba, Abesan Estate, Ikoyi prison and Oshodi communities.

Labinjo said dentists at the mini-dental clinic in each of the outing rendered counselling/consultation, examination, treatment and extractions, where necessary.

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Meaningless meeting •Given his role in the NGF election, the President has no business meeting with the governors now

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s intention to meet with Nigeria’s 36 governors in an attempt to resolve the lingering crisis in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is a profoundly misplaced attempt to win a battle that has already been lost.

While there can be no denying that the convocation of peace meetings is a legitimate deployment of presidential authority, it is clear that the NGF imbroglio is the natural outcome of underhand attempts to impose a preferred candidate upon the governors’ body by individuals working with the knowledge of the President, if not at his behest. When a player seeks to become the referee as President Jonathan is attempting to do, it is only natural to doubt the honesty of his intentions and the purity of his motives.

The basic facts of the NGF issue are well-known. On May 24, 2013, the NGF held elections to choose a chairman to pilot its affairs for the next two years. There were two contestants: the incumbent chairman, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, of Rivers State, and Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State. When the votes were counted, it was announced that 19 governors had voted for Amaechi, while 16 had voted for Jang, only for Jang to later claim that he won the election, and to begin to parade himself as NGF chairman with the backing of those who had voted for him.

An election was held; there was an outright winner and a clear loser. How can a roundtable meeting with the governors whose votes produced this outcome resolve anything? When gubernatorial elec-

tions took place in Edo and Ondo states, President Jonathan magnanimously congratulated the winners in spite of objections from some members of his own political party. It is surprising that he now finds himself unable to do the same thing in an election of much less significance.

The irony in all this is that there are far more pressing issues that could constitute the agenda of meetings between the president and the governors. There is the pressing need to reconfigure the nation’s failing federalism, especially as it pertains to the rights of the states. There is the growing sense of insecurity that confronts all who reside within the borders of the Nigerian nation. There is the spreading cancer of corruption which has continued to manifest itself in almost all aspects of social, political and economic life.

The president’s desire to convene a meeting about relatively trivial issues when far more serious ones abound is yet another demonstration of a worrying lack of presidential gravitas that has become a distinguishing feature of his administration. Ever since he assumed the office of president in an acting capacity in 2010, President Jonathan has continually shown an embarrassing inability to grow into the requirements of his position. He has lamented the presence of Boko Haram moles in government; he absolved the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) of involvement in the Independence Day bombings in Abuja minutes after they occurred; he infamously ”didn’t give a damn” about publicising his declaration of assets.

A president, by definition, seeks to be

presidential rather than petty. That implies continuous efforts to ensure that neither the office of president nor the person who occupies it is brought into contempt or ridicule. A self-respecting president is therefore one who is very careful to weigh the import of statements before they are uttered, and one who is extremely conscious about besmirching the dignity of his office by getting involved in trivial or morally-improper matters. Rather than disingenuous attempts to destabilise perceived opponents, President Jonathan should focus on the serious business of governing.

‘The president’s desire to convene a meeting about relatively trivial issues when far more serious ones abound is yet another demonstration of a worrying lack of presidential gravitas that has become a distinguishing feature of his administration.

Ever since he assumed the office of president in an acting capacity in 2010, President Jonathan has continually shown an embarrassing inability to grow into the requirements of his position’

Let INEC be

•The provision that only active political parties be allowed to exist should be preserved

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HE Justice Gabriel Kolawole decision that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lacks the power to deregister political parties that fail to make the minimum mark stipulated in section 78 (7) (ii) of the Electoral Act has legitimately raised the eyebrows of lovers of democracy in Nigeria. All those conversant with the Nigerian political history would acknowledge that mushroom parties, especially since the inception of the current dispensation, have done the country no good.

Many trooped to the scene to have a bite of the grant that the law empowers and enjoins INEC to give all registered political parties. Others rose to be counted among political parties owing to the recognition it accords them and, when they come up with candidates at elections, such candidates are accorded the same privileges as those genuinely in contention for high offices. This is one reason why

‘In recent times, politicians have been adept at willfully and flagrantly violating the letters and spirit of the law. While sections 221-229 of the 1999 Constitution might have been very liberal, as interpreted by the Supreme Court decision in the suit filed by the National Conscience Party in 2002, the powers of INEC to regulate the system are evidently preserved’

there are many founders/chairmen/ presidential candidates. Such parties that exist merely in names field presidential candidates and a few others to contest governorship election in the states, but hardly have people to bid for seats in state and federal legislative houses. In the last general elections, some fielded no candidates at all for any of about 1,500 legislative and executive positions in the country. This is obviously contrary to the intendment of the relevant sections of the constitution, the INEC Act and the Electoral Act. It is in this context that we call for restraint in the way INEC is being constrained in the exercise of its powers to monitor political parties and sanitising the landscape. In recent times, politicians have been adept at willfully and flagrantly violating the letters and spirit of the law.

While sections 221-229 of the 1999 Constitution might have been very liberal, as interpreted by the Supreme Court decision in the suit filed by the National Conscience Party in 2002, the powers of INEC to regulate the system are evidently preserved.

Section 228 expressly empowers the National Assembly to confer on the commission “other powers as may appear to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the commission more effectively to ensure that political parties observe the provisions of this Part of this Chapter”.

It is therefore strange that Justice Kolawole of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court employed very strong language in deprecating the powers exercised by INEC and the National Assembly in pursuant of the relevant

sections of the constitution and the Electoral Act. The judge obviously erred in describing the inclusion of section 78 in the Electoral Act as “a product of legislative despotism” and an “arbitrary rule of the tongue”. One major feature of the presidential system that we practice is Separation of Powers and mutual respect of the arms of government for each other.

We find it difficult to agree with Justice Kolawole who declared section 78 (7) (ii) of the Electoral Act as “unconstitutional, invalid, null and void” on the ground that the said provision is “inconsistent with the provision of sections 40 and 221-229 of the Constitution.”

It is the more intriguing that the said verdict is directly contrary to the position adopted by another Justice of the Federal High Court that sat in Lagos on March 6.

Justice Okon Abang’s ruling on a motion presented to it by the NCP requiring an injunction restraining INEC from deregistering it said: “The National Assembly has the powers to enact laws, which includes for the regulation of political parties in the country. In my view, there is nothing unconstitutional with the provisions of section 78 (7) (ii) of the Electoral Act.” It is good that the INEC chairman has indicated that the Justice Kolawole verdict would be challenged on appeal.

This is welcome. However, we hope that the judiciary would ensure that all matters regarding this are finally resolved in good time before the 2015 general elections in order to avoid the sad impact that a similar scenario on INEC’s power to disqualify candidates had on the outcome of the 2007 general elections.

A muddled Egypt policy – Inconsistent U.S. messages have enraged both sides. It’s time for a more disciplined approach.

HEN both the Egyptian military and supporters of the country’s ousted president are accusing the United States of betrayal, it’s tempting to think that the Obama administration must be doing something right. But in fact, the breadth of the discontent may simply be a reflection of the administration’s inconsistent and sometimes incoherent policy, both before and after the military deposed Mohamed Morsi last month Last week U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry said on Pakistani TV that the Egyptian armed forces were “restoring democracy” when they overthrew Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood leader who was elected president only last year. That gratuitous comment added insult to the injury of the administration’s refusal to describe Morsi’s ouster as a military coup — a description that would have triggered a suspension of U.S. aid.

(Obama has delayed delivery to Egypt of four F-16 fighter jets, a token expression of disapproval.)

That the U.S. would continue its annual infusion of $1.5 billion in mostly military assistance to Egypt was never in serious doubt, given the role the aid plays in bolstering the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. Even so, Kerry’s comment was unjustified and offensive; previously the U.S. had treated Morsi’s removal as a fait accompli but had stopped short of accepting its legitimacy.

Ironically, in an interview in the Washington Post, Gen. Abdel Fattah Sisi, the head of the armed forces, denounced the U.S. for not embracing what he described as a popular uprising against Morsi. He also suggested that the Obama administration had been remiss in not pressuring Morsi to reach out to his political opponents. “You turned your back on the Egyptians and they won’t forget that,” he said.

The administration understandably feels whipsawed between these two complaints.

But both have some validity. The U.S. should have been more vocal in criticizing Morsi’s highhandedness, not only because he was violating democratic norms but also because it was obvious that his actions were tempting intervention by the armed services. Once Morsi was removed, the response of the U.S. — that it was “deeply concerned” by his overthrow — was short on the appropriate indignation. The administration further undermined its credibility when it reacted with muted criticism to attacks on protesters in which scores of people were killed.

In recent days, the U.S has redoubled its efforts to promote compromise in Egypt.

This country can’t micromanage political developments in Egypt, but with a more disciplined message the U.S. will have a better chance of nudging all parties in Egypt toward what Kerry called an “inclusive” political evolution.

– Los Angeles Times

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TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Manager, Corporate •Group Business Editor Marketing Ayodele Aminu Hameed Odejayi •Sport Editor • Manager (Admin) Ade Ojeikere Folake Adeoye •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Not too long ago, Citizen Yushau Shuaib, a public affairs commentator dared to draw global attention to coordinated attempts to ‘Biafranize’ appointments into key offices in the economic sub-sector of the Nigerian economy. In the said piece, Malam Shuaib backed up his claims with verifiable facts and figures and further stressed the need for such an agenda to be halted forthwith in the interest of the nation and its entire citizenry.

Even though the very brilliantly and flawlessly written piece was far from being termed an intellectual error, some maliciously tagged it one. It is laced with incontestable facts and time-bound advice for all, especially Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the dire consequences of her action at a time Nigeria is desperately in search of peace and unity.

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EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 1000 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.com

Still on the’Biafranization’ of Public Service The piece drew the ire of many, especially those benefiting from the awkward development and those who felt it was a calculated attack on the Igbo nation by the monolithic north. As always, those who kicked against the piece made no effort to deeply reflect on the salient message contained in it, but so poured venoms on the writer simply because he bore Arabic names (Yushau Shuaib) and branded him an Hausa man!

Why can’t we always see ourselves first as Nigerians before

identifying with our respective ethnic groupings or heritage? We often fly the ethnic kite and advance parochial views during debates and deliberations thereby relegating our dear country to the background. We must have a change of heart and retune our mindsets with particular reference to putting Nigeria first in thoughts and actions.

As argued by Malam Yushau, recent appointments into some key federal establishments seem to have favoured one part of the coun-

try at the expense of other regions.

For instance, Nigeria’s Economic sub-sector has become the exclusive preserve of the Igbo nation.

Check out this lopsided arrangement: Dr Mrs Okonjo-Iweala not only heads the Finance Ministry, she equally presides over the Economic Management Team. Emeka Eze (Igbo) is Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Onyeama Oscar (Igbo), Director General, Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Ms Aruma Oteh (Igbo), Director General, Securities and Ex-

gone from bad to worse. Having reposed so much trust in a single party all these while with nothing to show for it, discerning Nigerians wonder if perhaps another party should not be given a chance to run the affairs of the country. For such Nigerians, the coming together of three major political parties is a very welcome development.

The APC is like a newborn whose birth was not only greatly anticipated but who is also expected to positively touch the lives of people. Great are the expectations on the shoulder of this newborn baby.

Many Nigerians see the APC as saviour; they hope and expect so much from it. Some people, however, hope, and even pray that the party fail. Now, will the party disappoint its supporters or detractors?

I have no doubt about the personal integrity and capability of

much of the party’s leadership. The question is: can they bring it to effectively bear on the party? I sincerely hope they do. Many years of deceit and disappointment have engendered cynicism among the Nigerian populace. Some have already concluded that the APC will be no different from the ruling party. Will the party prove the cynics right or wrong? I sincerely hope they are proven wrong.

The country is at a historic crossroad and the APC seem to have been born for a historic mission. To fulfill this all important mission, however, it must make a break from the old ways things have often been done. It must prove itself to be different. The APC must steer clear of those unhealthy tendencies that have hindered the ruling party from delivering democracy dividends to Nigerians.

First, APC must strive to have a huge membership base. It can achieve this by throwing its door open and making itself easily accessible to Nigerians. The party’s manifesto should not just be a piece of paper bearing lofty ideas but a set of sacred ideals to be adhered to. The party must also endeavour to encourage democratic ideals within its ranks.

Great indeed are the expectations of Nigerians from APC but I have this belief that the party will not disappoint. With the many leading lights from across the country in the party, including Senators Chris Ngige and Annie Okonkwo, I don’t see why the party should not succeed. The hurdle of registration has just been crossed; now, let the work begin.

• Nnoli Chidiebere Aba, Abia State.

Now that APC is registered

IR: History was made on July 31 when the All Progressives Congress, APC, after much hassle was finally registered by INEC. This marked the first successful merger of political parties in the country’s political history. Kudos must go to the merging parties, the ACN, CPC and ANPP, and especially to General Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for the exemplary maturity in subordinating personal interests to a higher cause.

The birth of a baby is usually accompanied by jubilation and great expectations. This is even more so when the arrival of the baby had been foretold and it is seen as one to bring about positive change.

There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigerians have not fared any better since the return of democracy 14 years ago. In fact things seem to have

change Commission (SEC), Uche Orji (Igbo), Nigeria Investment Sovereign Authority (NISA), Mustapha Chike Obi (Igbo), Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Bright Okogu (Igbo), Director General, Budget Office, and Abraham Nwankwo (Igbo), Director General, Debt Management Office (DMO).

Unfortunately for the Igbo nation, one of the key government owned financial agencies in the economic sub-sector not presently headed by another Igbo-Nigerian is the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Strangely, months after the exit of its former result-oriented and award-winning chairperson, Mrs Ifueko OmoguiOkauru, a northerner, Malam Kabir Mashi has been heading the establishment, though in an acting capacity! Many have indeed wondered what is really holding back the Minister from ensuring his confirmation as substantive chairman of the FIRS. We are not unaware of the politics, intrigues and strange considerations that usually define appointments into certain positions.

The question that has been begging for an immediate answer is, what probably might be the reason why Malam Kabir Mashi is yet to be made the substantive head of the FIRS? That Malam Mashi is the most senior person in the FIRS is not in doubt. Then, why the delay in confirming his appointment?

We cannot realize the Nigeria of our collective dreams and aspirations when we don’t give a hoot on issues of injustice, cheating and denial of rights and privileges. It is morally wrong for some individuals to deny their fellow brothers access to what is rightly theirs.

• Abdullahi Yunusa, Minna, Niger State.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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COMMENTS

No ‘Resit’ for politicians who failed electric power exam; Berger: Emergency Repairs now pls!

W

E sit in the national disgrace of darkness from a 30 years power grid failure, victims of PHCN’s TOS, ‘Temporarily Out of Tony Service’ with the power Marinho switch in PHCN offices nationwide. We are deafened and stifled by the noxious, noisy generator polluting the atmosphere and draining our pockets. Many families and offices could easily afford a new car monthly; forget Tokunbo, with the money wasted on ‘power substitution. But let us not be too hasty to celebrate this or any government for any slight improvement. Government is making a poor showing at doing what it should have done throughout its tenure- provide power, emergency and long term and not just long term.

During the last 30 years successive governments should have added 1,000Mw/year to the grid or gotten that needed emergency power from generator ships etcetera like the Fujiyama nuclear plant was substituted within three months. All our governments have done over the 30 years is to use and abuse government taxes and budgets, to selfishly substitute the government-induced power failure in their offices and homes. They have abandoned the 99.5% of the population which is non-government who have to substitute on their own.

In fact do you know that governments and political leaders have subjects and examinations just like secondary school students? This power is a subject they tackle for four years. Electricity is a combined physics and commercial subject exam and all governments have failed. Of course they also failed almost all other subjects from environment, sanitation, health, agriculture et cetera. The one subject they think they passed is ‘Politics and Social Studies’ but they failed that too.

So all past leaders failed woefully their leadership practical exams. Unfortunately some political parties are recruiting an army of failed political octogenarians, and

some politicians of odoriferous history in an ‘Exam Resit’. Anenih@80, Bamanga Tukur and Umaru Dikko of the ‘crate’ infamy spring to mind. Imagine the national horror when our new governors are trying to offer old military political leaders like Babangida and Abdulsalami a ‘Resit Exam’ to launder their tattered image. Some images cannot be washed clean and some exams will always be failed by certain students. We shouted about the Benin-Ore road while the Lagos-Ibadan road decayed and collapsed under the weight of our trucks and poor maintenance while our trains were killed ‘on’ their tracks - all by government neglect too busy carting money from contractors for their multi-billion naira election war chests.

We are on a slow coach to nowhere. It is a month of heavy suffering since the multi-billion dollar contracts for Lagos-Ibadan road were signed and there is still no Julius Berger, JB or RCC ‘Emergency Pothole and Road Edges Teams’ working on the worst potholes and stretches. Where is the love and the ‘Best Practices? The most atrocious sections of the road at Ibafo and Redeem cause 4-5 hour delays and 25-50km traffic jams. But who cares? FRSC cannot even save lives by controlling the speed of commercial vehicles or the side on which trailers drive. Giant contractors, Julius Berger and RCC, have new contracts with and for human beings –Nigerians- in need of saving from government neglect. Government signs on behalf of the citizens but the contracts save lives.

JB, urgently fill these potholes! RCC, urgently make smooth our path, now, not in four years’ time! Government has failed, you must pass the exam!

But who is government? People, not buildings, people not institutions. I am insulted when those seeking solutions to Nigeria’s myriad infrastructural and political problems have the naivety, short-sightedness and effrontery to visit Babangida and Abdulsalami, the midwives of our problems who helped deliver a nearly stillborn baby called ‘Nigeria’ bereft of any civilised infrastructural amenity for ‘miracle cure’. It is time to put these people in their place, in the retirement home, on the sidelines. It is too late for them to ‘Resit’. We have not heard them la-

R

An ominous sign

ECENTLY, a new report titled Nigerian Unity in the Balance, which was authored for the United States Army War College, warned Nigerian leaders to beware of another civil war or an outright break-up following what it called on-going divisive trends in the country. The report was written by two former American servicemen Gerald McLaughlin and Clarence J. Bouchat and released by the Strategic Studies Institute of War College.

The report observed that divisive forces were becoming far stronger than uniting forces in Nigeria. It then warned that unless this debilitating trend was reversed, Nigeria’s existence could be jeopardised. According to the report, “Parochial interests created by religious, cultural, ethnic, economic, regional, and political secessionist tendencies are endemic in Nigeria.” The report warned that, “under such stresses, Nigerian unity may fail.” The report stressed further: “Should Nigeria’s leaders mismanage the political economy and reinforce centrifugal forces in Nigeria, the breaks to create autonomous regions or independent countries would likely occur along its previously identified fault lines.” The report observed that, “having already experienced one brutal civil war, Nigeria is at risk for a recurrence of conflict or dissolution, especially since some of the underpinning motivations of the war remain unresolved.”

While detailing many fault lines speeding up disintegrative tendencies in the country, the report said: “Indeed, East Timor, Eritrea, Croatia and Somaliland indicate that the weakest point of failing states is along colonial borders. Of more interest for Nigerian unity is that this may also occur between regions separately administered by a common colonial power, as occurred between Malaysia and Singapore, and North and South Sudan, where

differences proved irreconcilable after the departure of British administration”. The report projected that “at least, some of the resulting regions and states of a possible Nigerian devolution may divide along such internal lines.”

While conceding that Nigeria’s fate is primarily in the hands of Nigerians, the report noted that such could be positively affected by actions of the US, adding that “Nigeria’s future is hanging precariously on the balance and the United States should help tip the scales.” Furthermore, the report particularly warned that religious differences were taking the centre stage in the emerging conflict situation in the country, disputing repeated reports that economic reasons were to blame for the insurgency and other conflicts in the country.

There is every reason why Nigeria cannot afford to dump this report in the trashcan. SSI is part of USAWC and is the strategic-level study agent for issues related to national security and military strategy with emphasis on geo-strategic analysis. It would be recalled that a former US ambassador to Nigeria had, last year, warned of a possible break-up of the country, if the growing trend of disaffection is not curtailed. The government’s reaction to this advice was in the least shocking and disappointing. Rather than view the opinion with the seriousness it deserved, the government merely threw unprintable expletives at the ambassador.

Since then, everything has been done to disparage the report.

However, going through the SSI report, one could perceive its genuineness in view of recent happenings and events. Our so-called politicians, whose patriotism is ever in doubt

‘As it stands, the issue of Rivers State is largely unresolved because certain egos have refused to be massaged’

because they look more like fortune seekers, have largely been toying with the security and stability of the country. It is as if they have zoned the entire country to themselves as things are done within them at their whims. To them, the people are secondary whenever issues bordering on the unity and stability of the country come up for discussion.

The country was almost stripped bare at the demise of former President Umaru Yar’Adua. Throughout his sick period, various pranks, I mean, ‘official pranks’, came to play.

At a time, a cleverly conceived dummy was sold to the public; at another time, the greatest hoax was foisted on the people. That was the time many of us really sat back to think whether the country belonged to Nigerians or only the politicians who were ever so meticulous with their lies and fairy tales.

When eventually the former President gave up the ghost, attempts were made from many quarters to ‘rewrite’ the Constitution. We all know what it took the nation to arrive at the “doctrine of necessity” before an acting President emerged.

We can also remember, too, the various schemes and shenanigans brought to the fore to make sure that the new President, when he inevitably emerged, could not function.

By and large, like some Nigerians are wont to say “we are individually successful but collectively a failure”. What this means is that Nigerians, as a people, are very dynamic, industrious, except that selfishness rules them most, if not, all the time.

While we all crave for individual, family, tribe and clannish excellence, we are the least patriotic when it comes to the issue of national question. Take for instance, the build-up to the 2015 elections, which has started in earnest. Everybody, every section of the country, is angling for the coveted number one seat: the Presidency. It is no longer what the Constitution says but the unwritten

menting any action of theirs. Only the people lament their rule. Could their business empires, built during the time of Nigeria’s maximum corruption, destabilise Nigeria?

Can they reverse what they did and failed to do for Nigeria? No, and would they undo their bad deeds if they could rewind the clock? I doubt it. Power supply is not nuclear physics; the countries with power have good governance, not criminal politicians with two heads.

Check the web for the Wikipedia list of countries by electricity consumption. You should know where Nigeria stands or stoops. Top countries with 500-1,700 watts per person include all G-8 countries, most EU and Middle and Far East countries. Top African countries include Libya 460, South Africa 457, India 90, Namibia 213, Egypt 147, Ghana 29, Cameroon 29, , Kenya 25, Senegal 16, Republic of Congo 14, Sudan 14, the Gambia 13, , Lesotho 13, Nigeria has 12 watts /person boastfully above Malawi 11, Guinea 10, Democratic Republic of Congo 9, Burma 9, Mali 9, Benin 8 East Timor 7, Comoros 7, Uganda 6, Equatorial Guinea 6, Guinea –Bissau 5, Madagascar 5, Burkina Faso 5, Ethiopia 4, Niger 4, Haiti 4, Burundi 4, Eritrea 4, Central African Republic 4, Somalia 3, Rwanda 2, Afghanistan 1, Chad 1.

It is a criminally culpable admission of government that 10,000Mw will have to wait till Dec 2014 to be achieved.

Enough of power supply corruption. Emergency power substitution for the 100,000MW needed is the only way forward.

‘It is a criminally culpable admission of government that 10,000Mw will have to wait till Dec 2014 to be achieved. Enough of power supply corruption. Emergency power substitution for the 100,000MW needed is the only way forward’

doctrine of “turn-by-turn”. In this new craze, brothers have become enemies overnight in the mad race to undo one another.

Now, let us take the issue of Rivers State. Today, that once peaceful state is in turmoil. And many people believe the problem with Rivers has many things to do with 2015. The sitting governor, Rotimi Amaechi is believed to have incurred the wrath of Abuja because he is suspected to be nursing an ambition to become the Vice-President of the country under the rulership of a candidate presented by the North. Many permutations have come up to the effect that Amaechi might pair up with Sule Lamido, his counterpart in the north-west state of Jigawa, to wrestle power from President Goodluck Jonathan.

At a point, the posters of a LamidoAmaechi presidential ticket flooded Abuja, the nation’s capital. It is strongly believed it was the handiwork of fifth columnists bent on wrecking that ticket if at all it exists.

The next thing was that the war was taken to the Nigeria Governor’s Forum whose election was truncated after the votes were counted.

Amaechi is believed to have emerged as the winner of that keenly contested election, but the powers that be are not favourably disposed to that. The belief is that the number one spot at the forum for Amaechi will give him an undue advantage over the incumbent president.

To stop this, the Presidency threw up a puppet in the name of Jonah Jang, the confused governor of Plateau State. Since then, logic has been made to stand on its head. Or what do you call a situation where 16 could be adjudged to be greater than 19? Amaechi scored 19 votes out of 35, while Jang scored 16 votes. Today, Jang enjoys the undue privilege of getting the President’s ears as he has been officially recognised as the chairman of the Governors’ Forum to the chagrin of the Amaechi camp

Dele Agekameh and many right-thinking Nigerians.

And where do we go from here?

The other day, the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly became a battle zone when elected parliamentarians and leaders of the various communities in the state, who were elected to serve the people, turned the whole place upside down.

Again, there was a mathematical infraction in which five was adjudged to be greater than 23. In a melodramatic move, five members of the House met and purportedly impeached the Speaker. The bedlam that followed speaks volumes of how much we cherish the unity and stability of the country.

As it stands, the issue of Rivers State is largely unresolved because certain egos have refused to be massaged.

And from what several commentators have said, this protracted issue that has been allowed to fester for too long might as well be the beginning of the end for the country’s fledgling democracy or even the country itself. The ominous signs are there for all to see!

Last week, there was a mix-up on this column in the story titled ‘Harry, the Soldier prince’. The error is regretted.

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 , 2013

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COMMENTS ‘Dear sir, your article on Soyinka vs Clark is thought provoking. It is quite unfortunate that Clark and others see Jonathan as an Ijaw President rather than the President of the country. A Yoruba saying says: gbogbo nkan lo njo ara-oko loju meaning that a villager is always carried away by anything new. Jonathan unfortunately is a novice in the art of politics when you look into his antecedent before becoming the president.

There is a limit to goodluck which is now his albatross’

•Alade Odunewu

For Olatunji Dare Pa Alade Allah De lived a life that is worth emulating. He was a very hard working man and a detribalised Nigerian. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Papa, as we remember you, may the mercy of God be upon you. Sleep well. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos Re:”Allah De: A model, and a monument.”

For a non-corrupt, diligent, fearless and honest Nigerian; our prayer is paradise - AlJannah Firdaus. May his gentle soul rest in peace. From Lanre Oseni Re:”Allah De: A model, and a monument” personified. Surely, there is no greater tribute. From Alhaj Hon ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos For Segun Gbadegesin The PDP said the presidency is not jittery over the new born baby APC but they are murmuring. With the birth of APC, the funeral rite of the PDP is being conducted everyday by its members. It is obvious that the ruling party sponsored another party with the same acronym to scuttle the merger.

But yet, the presidency said it is not threatened. Though the presidency might not be jittery now but when the new born baby grows up and becomes a landlord, the PDP will know the meaning of jittery. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos I read your article titled “A big deal”. It is educative. I pray that the birth of the new child APC will bring an end to authoritarian rule and purposeless leadership. From Rotimi Felix, Kabba, Kogi state This is a big deal and it is heart-warming.

The birth of this new baby - APC – has brought a lot of fresh air and hope to our people. It will also bring about the rise and fall of many. I agree with you completely that internal democracy should be the key word that will make the difference. I salute the irrepressable courage and doggedness of the founding fathers, particularly, our own visionary leader and political masterstrategist, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is the dawn of a new era in Nigeria’s democratic voyage. Congratulations to all true progressives. From Dr. Abiola Ajijola, Lagos There are many forces against a newly born baby; there are evil spirits, evil illnesses, wicked/envious persons and baby thieves, waiting to cause one harm or the other to the new baby. So, it may be, today, with APC. Therefore, it is wrong to ascribe to one individual the successful registration of APC. It is too early to do that. Besides, doing that would be unfair to other APC leaders. That we do not become the forces against our newly born baby – APC – please, let every person, commentator or writer check his/her tongue. From Ekere, Lagos The birth of APC has put the ruling party in disarray. All the antics of the PDP were futile. It is now clear to the party and its members that there is no champion forever.

From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos Registration of APC as a political party is a welcome development. 20l5 general election will be interesting because APC is on ground.

Two-party system is knocking on our door.

It is a good thing. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State Re: “A big deal”. The struggle and registration of APC is the begining of democracy in Nigeria. Now, it is strength for

strength, power for power, Naira-Dollar for Naira-Dollar and tactics for tactics. Credit goes to all those who persevered. Expecting good elections in 2014 through 2015. From Lanre Oseni Congrats on the registration of APC. But sir, with due respect, you seem to be onesided in your article. I expected you to give credit to others’ efforts. Please, do not let us take off with this error. Thank you. From Dr. Maxwell Ugwanyi, Enugu Sir , may the good Lord give you strength, good health and long life. “A big deal”’ is history for mature politians. Thanks, for keeping hope alive. From Igboko S. C. (A Librarian) Interesting, it is a nice development. I strongly believe that APC will give us the best. From Ebiowei Orufa, Bayelsa state Sir, good talk for Nigerians, hope they will listen. From Ola Balogun, Lagos Thank you for the beautiful piece. APC needs our prayers. The nation desperately deserves the options that this platform can provide. From Oriakhi K. O. Benin Sir, do not let us harp much on Asiwaju’s contribution to the success of the merger. The enemies of progress will always want to make a meal out of it. Even if we do not sing it, Jagaban deserves all the praises. But we just need to be cautious so that reactionaries will not start their antics by potraying APC as a one-man show. From Olu Asiwaju Tinubu is the kind of leader we need in this country. He is somebody who believes in progressivism and welfare of the people. In Nigeria today, the birth of APC has brought so much hope. APC can give our lower class a relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity. From Benjamin Bem Akaa, Benue State.

Sir, there is nothing to rejoice about in the emergence of APC. Nigerian politics is bestrode with visionless leaders. The beautiful ones are yet to be born. All we pray for is divine revolution and a benevolent leader who will do the right things. We do not need a democracy that slows down progress. Nigeria is not ripe for democracy.

We need good leaders with iron hands to rule us and not charlatans that call themselves democrats. From Napoleon Congratulation! But it is necessary for APC to check new member, especially the those from the PDP who feel APC is the alternative platform to express their grievances with PDP. I assure you that they will bring down APC. From Opeoluwa Leji, Abuja For Olakunle Abimbola Your write-up “Of leaders and dealers: Soyinka vs Clark” was thought provoking.

Honestly, people like Clark are no longer useful to Nigeria. He may be useful to the Ijaws but at the national level he is an irritant.

If only our society were like that of the Greeks, he would have long been a candidate of hemlock administration and would not be missed at all. From Kwaghfan Tarnongo, Makurdi Let the Muslim far North take over the goverment come 2015 and let me see if our Yoruba people will be well represented in that goverment, do you think a leopard can change its colour? Let me tell you if you do not know, the Muslim far North remains the Yoruba no one enemy politicaly. Think with your brain. From Mudashiru Adeleye Olakunle, is it not better the northern governors face their Boko Haram problem?

Is the suspension of Obioakpor Local Government Chiarman democratic? Please, leave Jonathan alone. Anonymous It is good to call a spade by its name. There are politicians reaping from where they did not son. I keep wondering at their line of reasoning. Can Ijaw votes alone give Jonathan 2015? They have forgotten the role

played by illustrious Yoruba sons, when Jonathan was treated like a second class citizen when Yar’Adua was sick and even after his death. Well, we are watching the melodrama going on. From Monday Peter Iyara Absolutely, I guess you are living in a different country and not Nigeria. Is the Rivers’ crisis more threatening to democracy than the Boko Haram genocide in the North?

What have you and your so-called four governors done to stop the madness?

Anonymous Oh my God! Please repeat your Republican Ripples of 30/07/13 two times more and remind the ‘agbaiyas’ that the Yoruba contributed more than 80% to win the war for democracy and even fought to make sure their godson was rescued from the strangulation of the Yar’Adua cabal. From Wole I loved your comments. Tell those ‘dealer elders’ what they should know. In fact, it is a shame that ethnic and tribal sentiments have completely eroded their sense of good judgment, thereby metamorphosing them into sycophants who defend and uphold impunity by the executive. What a shame!

From John O.N. Port Harcourt Your article on Soyinka vs Clark was thought provoking. It is quite unfortunate that Clark and others see Jonathan as an Ijaw President rather than the President of the country. A Yoruba saying says: gbogbo nkan lo njo ara-oko loju (A villager is always carried away by anything new. Jonathan, unfortunately, is a novice in the art of politics, given his antecedents. There is a limit to goodluck which is now his albatross. Soyinka has advised, and rightly too. It is left to those who have ears to hear. As for Clark, I pity him because he is getting old and probably suffering from amnesia which has beclouded his sense of judgment because of pecuniary obligation. He is not sure of the next meal after the exit of Jonathan. From Chief Arise Oyediran, Ilesha Kunle, thanks for bringing us back to memory lane. The case of Edwin Clark and Jonathan can be likened to Six and Half a dozen. The problem is either they do not read newspapers or they are mischievous or both.

But thank God Soyinka is not like the duo.

From Babatope Odugbemi, State Of Osun Re: “Of leaders and dealers, Soyinka vs Clark.” Edwin Clark came to limelight only with the presidency of his protege and he will remain there for as long as Jonathan is the landlord of Aso Rock. The man is a political contractor, a dealer fighting for his own survival and not even for the Ijaws, let alone the Southsouth. Soyinka’s pedigree is a testimony to the trials of truth under agressive focus. He is a leader. The presidency and some renegades are probably mistaking ‘Kongi’ for some ‘local champion’.

They do not know that Soyinka’s voice is equal to that of NTA, FRCN, VON, and others. Any doubts? Ask Abacha. By the time ‘Kongi’ is through with these people, they will be sorry. Soyinka has already informed us of the ‘She-ppo’ and the ‘He-ppo’ in the Delta. May God help the restive ‘Obokun’, ‘Catfish’ and innocent ‘fingerlings’ in the troubled Delta. From Kayode A., Abeokuta For Tunji Adegboyega Thank you, Tunji, for your article, ‘From ‘The Dikko affair to Dikko committee’. You don’t expect a snake to give birth to a short and dwarfish child. PDP is the grandson of the NPN. From the governors’ forum election result, you don’t need to forecast what the result of 2015 will be. Where is Ayo Salami, the appeal court judge? The impeachment crisis in Rivers State is the colour of the PDP methodology. Anything that has a beginning must have an end. From Ichipi Sam. I agree that many bad people are running

•Umaru Dikko

the country because the social order rejects the good ones. Unless the social system is changed, the imperialists will continue to rule Nigeria. The Dikkos and Obasanjos represent the brutal social system. Thanks. From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna.

I agree with you on PDP and Dikko. A man who is not disciplined is now a disciplinarian; anything is welcomed in PDP. Anonymous.

Tunji, what is the rationale behind the PDP making Alhaji Umaru Dikko head a disciplinary committee, considering his role in the Second Republic? What has Alhaji Dikko to offer that made the PDP appoint him to such important position? When are we going to stop recycling never-do-wells in government?

Is this how to move Nigeria forward? So, there is no other person in the party that can do the job assigned to Alhaji Dikko? When are we going to learn from our past record? It is enough evidence that PDP is not serious about fighting corruption. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

Tunji, you wrote well, particularly in telling the younger generation about what took place in the Second Republic. But are you saying that Buhari is better than Umaru Dikko?

You may be wrong … Take Obasanjo back to 1976 when he was running away from becoming the head of state after the assassination of Gen. Murtala Muhammed. And capture this same Obasanjo who wanted an unprecedented third term in office that was not entrenched in our constitution . Tunji, if it is stealing of public funds, then look to the Hill Tops of Niger and you will find them. Sometimes people change. Leave Umaru Dikko alone. From M. Agbede of Bayelsa State.

I read your comment on the Umaru Dikko committee. Quite interesting and I appreciate the write-up on the stupidity and poor administration of the ruling party. In the next few months, Nigerians will start moving towards the right path in an attempt to have a good government. From Alhaji Y. Abubakar, Kogi State.

A pity you did not give Dikko his full compliment by adding that he was the NPN’s boy wonder as his choice words were unique and the president may find them handy now. Or, have you forgotten that he expressed his disappointment that he had not seen us eat from dustbins then. Alhaji, over to you jare, and don’t mind my ‘ngbati’ brother. Anonymous.

Re: ‘From the ‘Dikko affair’ to the Dikko committee’. Papa Umaru Dikko of rice and people were yet to eat from the dustbins?

Then, that committee and the party, PDP are taking existing jokes too far against 2015! A serious committee such as disciplinary committee is not to see Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as a member not to talk of Dr Umaru Dikko as its chairman. Hearing names of the two may seriously dissuade voters for their party in 2015. Who is misadvising Mr. President? The gentle president should redirect whoever constituted that committee to reconstitute it to avoid party dent. From Lanre Oseni.

I enjoyed your tonic on ‘The’ Dikko affair’ to the Dikko committee’ One thing you left out was that Dikko insinuated that Nigerians have not started to eat from dustbins, when he was asked about the state of our economy in the Second Republic. But on a serious note, is Dikko still alive or are you referring to his son or junior brother? If he is still alive, then the PDP must be very sick and confused. From Chief Iorte Johnson Gboko, Benue State.

Life

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

Text only: 08023058761

‘Making people happy gives me joy’ – Page 27

Creating your style with crystals – Page 37

• Hajiya Bala

109 Ife bronze for Swedish museum – Page 39

‘Let’s treat boys, girls equally’ – SEE STORY ON PAGE 26

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

26

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Hajiya Maimuna Bala is a woman of many parts. She is a writer, an activist, educationist and public servant. She was a three-time commissioner in Kebbi State. The Special Adviser to the Kebbi State Government and Chairperson of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kebbi Branch is a strong advocate for change. A seasoned educationist and administrator, she brings her experience to bear on her writing. In this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, she speaks on her writings, activism, governance, girl-child marriage and more.

‘Let’s treat boys, girls equally’ My writing

I

DID not know at the start of my career that I would be a writer. I was selected to attend the Teacher College, so naturally I was expecting that I would become a teacher. When I graduated I was employed as a teacher in 1970, rose to become a Principal and Assistant Director, Director in the Ministry of Education. I read English in NCE and English and Education in the University.

But my interest in creative writing was kindled in 1975. I wrote a play as a student in Kano that gave me an 'A' and my HOD was very impressed by it. It made me determined that I would go into writing. Incidentally, that was the only play I ever wrote. Later on in life when I was made a Principal, there was a break and I did not have much to do. So, I decided to utilise the time to go into writing. Since then, whenever I was posted to a place where I had little to do, I wrote.

From that time on I continued to write in Hausa and English languages. I write novels, poetry and biographies. I write for children and adults and have written six books in English and three in Hausa which are being read in schools in the North. Some of my books in English have been recommended by the National Education Research and Development Commission (NERDC) and that is why some schools and ministries in the North and South are using them.

Lucrative venture into writing Becoming a writer has been a very lucrative venture! I thank God that I have achieved a lot through my writings.

As an educationist and a civil servant that has served for over 30 years before retiring in 2010 and served as Commissioner for the ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development; and Water Resources and Rural Development in Kebbi State at different times, I do not depend on writing alone as my livelihood. But as a civil servant, if you are doing your job and you are still able to get a million or two from your handiwork, is that not a very good thing.

I have done a lot with the proceeds from my writing. For example, I borrowed money from the bank to publish my first two books in 1991 but was able to pay back from the proceeds I got and construct a house with the balance. Eight years later, I was able to buy another house from the proceeds I got from writing the biography of one great general (name withheld). I also get proceeds from my books that are being read in some states. The only thing is that I have a lot of dependants. Even though I may not have all the money in the world, I find it hard to turn people back without reaching out in any small way. I would love to touch more lives not only in Kebbi State but across Nigeria. I hate to see people, especially women suffering. I don't want to see women coming to tell me that they and their children have not eaten or their children are not going to school.

Target writing, success move But as far as writing is concerned it has been profitable.

Yet again, I think it is luck. I would say I was lucky to have been able get good proceeds from my books to do many things but not everyone is lucky. I borrowed; I was able to pay back. Some others may not have been able to offset what they spent.

And it could also be because my writings are targeted. I target some of them to be used in schools such as Verses for Children. Targeted writing is good. If you are writing generally (say for example you are writing on love) then you would have to compete with the many books on love and have very few patronisers. Whereas writing for children or something that is in the syllabus, would get your work full patronage.

Again, let's not forget that writing is an inspiration. If you are inspired to write, you would write on what you are inspired on. For instance, I have a book which was not targeted. I was inspired to write and I wrote the novels: A Joy in the Cradle and Dami: The Rural Boy. Still you can target your writing. They were not targeted but are still for the secondary schools and are being bought by some ministries of education.

• Dr Bala Mohammad and Hajiya Bala

INTERVIEW though I write for all ages, I write more for children. I believe they should be guided and guarded, in terms of their thoughts. My works are tailored towards what would help transform the society, more especially morally. Morality is a scarce commodity these days among some of our children/adolescents. Some are not interested in going to school and if they pretend to, they don't take their studies seriously. Sometimes it may not also be the fault of parents.

As a social critic, you are helping to move the society forward. As a writer, I look at the society, see what is wrong in it and then advocate for change through my writing. But this would depend on how you put it: don't criticise blindly, state the reasons for your criticisms and write what you want improved upon. The government or people complain when they are not convinced about your sincerity. The last Northern Writers Forum in the state which had the participation of some northern governors was evident that even though we have been criticising, our criticisms were taken in good faith.

The lawfulness of girl-child marriage That is very controversial and has some religious connotations which I don't want to go into. But in the past, men used to marry girls who are may be 10, 11, 12 and even nine but they would not touch them. They would stay in the man's house and be playing with his children until when they come of age and they are usually given Islamic education. But now there is the problem of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) because the men are not allowing the girls to grow up. Today the situation is different: you cannot take a girl of that age and keep her in your house. The world is progressing; there is development and the urge for a girl to be educated.

The woman needs to be educated as the man.

Islam, girl-child education Islam respects women. But it frowns at women who are a disgrace to womanhood or the society just as every religion frowns at such. Islam has directed every man and woman to seek education. And the directive is: "Go and look for learning even as far as the east (China) which was the farthest place at that time. This means girls should have access to education as well as boys.

And as far as educating the girl-child is concerned, she is not the only one affected. There is a certain part of the country where boys are not allowed to go to school but to learn

‘Today the situation is different: you cannot take a girl of that age and keep her in your house. Now, there is development and the urge for a girl to be educated. The world Combining being a writer, social critic and is progressing and the woman needs to be educated as the man in government ...Islam respects women. But it Writers owe an obligation to the society in ensuring that what they are sending out is something that would promote frowns at women who are a positive change, peace, and co-existence and improve on the moral lives of our children and not wrong knowledge. Aldisgrace to womanhood or society ‘

‘The ratio of those below poverty line is higher in the North than in the South. But if you look at it closely, we have the same problems in the North and South; hence, the government should ensure that every part of Nigeria is taken care of. As the government seeks to solve the crises in the country, they should alleviate poverty level and literacy level concurrently’ a trade. In some places, girls are more affected than boys in other places and vice versa.The emphasis that is given to the improvement of primary education should also be extended to the secondary school. The government should make education, most especially in the primary and secondary levels, free and compulsory for every child. And parents not sending their children to school should be punished because they are not only destroying the life of the child but the society.

It would be easy for the child to further his education having received the basic training.

Northern literacy status quo You cannot compare the North and South in terms of literacy level. If we are to assist in building the nation with our brothers in the South then we must educate our people so that we can move together. Else there would be conflict if one party is far ahead and the other far behind. If people are educated and enlightened, they would know their rights, better their lives and become better parents, students and citizens. And the conflict in the country would be reduced.

Ignorance gives rise to negative vices; and ignorance is a proponent of poverty. The ratio of those below the poverty line is higher in the North than the South. But if you look at it closely, we have the same problems all over; hence, the government should ensure that every part of Nigeria is taken care of. As the government seeks to solve the crises in the country, they should alleviate the poverty level and literacy level concurrently.

Government has the resources to do that. They can set up factories or large farms where they can employ those that are on the streets. Mind you not all of them are illiterate; some are graduates who have spent years without gainful employment.

In Kebbi, the society is helping to engage the youth. When young boys are assisted with something that would enable them eke out a living and advised against violence, you don't find them on the streets. Some are employed in the farms, government and private organisations and that is why you don't see them on the streets of Birnin Kebbi. This has helped to keep the peace and many beggars or even almajiris off the streets. If I do my part, no matter how small, to touch the lives of those around me and you do yours to those around, you would be shocked at the lives that would be touched and taken off the streets.

Continued on page 27

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

27

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘Making people happy gives me joy’ The Commercial director of Promasidor Limited, Mr Kachi Onubogu, has marked his 40th birthday at Muson Centre in Onikan, Lagos, with a fundraiser to procure equipment for the cardio unit of a missionary hospital at Ogidi in Anambra State, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME

T

HAT evening at the Muson Centre, Lagos was unusual. Amidst the wining and dinning was a bigger agenda by the host. Instead of collecting gifts from friends and well wishers, he urged the guests to support him in equipping Iyi-Enu Hospital, a missionary hospital in his home town, Ogidi in Anambra State.

His concern for the hospital followed the report that Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims about 17.3 million lives annually. More worrisome for him is also the latest report released on World Hypertension Day that about 30 million Nigerians (or 20 per cent) of the adult population suffer from hypertension and other heart-related diseases. Only about 30 per cent of this number (9 to 12 million Nigerians) are said to be aware they suffer from it.

Onubogu plans to raise fund for the hospital in order to make a difference in the lives of many in his community and environs. According to him, he is raising N15

•Onubogu

CELEBRATION million to buy some equipment to support the cardio unit of the hospital.

He noted that the 40 years of his life has been a roller coaster, adding that together with God’s grace and favour, he can still make greater impact in society.

“What inspires me is the ability to touch the lives of other people. I derive joy in making people happy which was the reason why I chose my profession, I want to render services that people could look back in future and say look this man has improved their position in life, either for the wealthy or those who don’t have enough.

“In my life, I like to give back to the society, I want to leave a foot print on the sands of time by the time I pass through this earth so that those who will come even 300 years after I have passed on will look back and say there once lived a man called Kachi Onubogu.

‘Let’s treat boys, girls equally’

T

Writing to change status quo

D

• Hajiya Bala

Blending writing, motherhood, career and more In the past, I used to mix being a wife, mother, career woman, writer and so forth together. But I retired. I was able to do them all then by placing my priorities right. Firstly, the most important was my family. I take my family very seriously but I also take my job very seriously. As a woman, if you are heading a place, you have to work extra hard because the men under you will only respect and cooporate with you if they know you are capable.

New act Owen Hero debuts Emujo

UBAI based Nigerian afrobeat/raggaeton act, Owen Hero has released his debut single EMUJO under the stable of WDC CAMP. Influenced by God, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Dolly Parton, Sade Adu and others, Owen Hero can be described as being lyrically eccentric,and plays around versatile music genres.

He has touched many works that are set for release soon.

Emujo is an Afrocentric club monster laced off with a touch of perfection and an A-List rhythm with unique lyrical comics

12 finalists for art contest

By Chinasa Ekekwe

Continued from page 26

It is not encouraging but efforts are being made to improve it. For instance, our organisation, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), have some advocacy projects like its reading campaign running in over 20 states targeted at improving the literacy level across the country. Our branch is also working to see that we change the status quo here in Kebbi State. We are organising debating and essay competitions and open literary clubs in schools across the state. Even though our aim is to get everybody to be able to read and ignite their interest in reading, we also want to take our campaigns to those who do not understand and appreciate the benefits of education to ensure they become literate. And I must note that the government is also doing much in promoting literacy in the state, particularly through the Ministry of Education. We are collaborating with the government in our campaigns. Aside the support in hosting the last writers forum, it is actively involved in our activities as writers.

It takes the literacy and reading campaigns to the rural communities. There are mass literacy classes that are in some palaces and homes of district heads; but people are not utilising them. We, ANA, are advocating that their massive ultilisation be reactivated or revived where it is dead. The government also sends intellectuals and former Principals to educate the people on the importance of education and reading. And they use that means to educate people on health and hygiene by showing them diagrams and charts in Hausa and in English. This method is used to teach in the literacy classes and the students are given modules and charts to learn at home; radios are bought for them to use to learn through programmes that teach Hausa and English on air.

“I want to be remembered for one thing, that I was able to bring a change in my environment; I was able to make a difference in my environment. It is a sterling memorial that I would like to ascribe to my tombstone that I was able to make change,” he said.

Onubogu, a thoroughbred professional, is like a goldfish that cannot hide. His goodness, gentility and candour were most admired by his friends. His professional touch to marketing has helped change the landscape for Promasidor and positioned it as one of Nigeria’s niche beverage companies with high level respectability and corporate identity.

In January, he was elevated to the position of Commercial Director. Prior to this, he had been the Marketing Director of the company since February 2012. Onubogu is an experienced marketing and business development manager with cross functional and multi-national living and working experience across Africa.

Before he came to the scene, the hospital had made several unsuccessful appeals to well meaning Nigerians for financial assistance towards equipping the cardio unit of the hospital.

Iyi-Enu Hospital had its early beginning in the Church Missionary Society’s (CMS) Niger Medical Mission at Ozalla, Onitsha, where the mission carried out ministry of healing through tending the sick, the suffering and the dying.

The hospital has grown in leaps and bounds since it was established in 1907. In spite of the proliferation of hospitals and doctors in and around Ogidi, Nkpor and Onitsha, Iyi-Enu Hospital is still putting more smiles on the faces of patients and people living in some parts of the former Anambra State (now Enugu and Anambra states).

The hospital has maintained a class of medical excellence specialising in managing health care holistic challenges. For instance, the hospital has put in place various ultra-modern equipment and services which could compete favourably with any specialist hospitals in Nigeria.

These include the following: Ultra Sound Machines, Dental, Intensive Care Units, X-Ray facilities, Cold Chain Refrigerator (from Pathfinder), Specially equipped ambulances donated by an NGO Max and Syl Foundation, California US in 2005, run by Mr Tobby Onwunyi through their friends, Bob Ambulance Services of US, Computerised Pharmacy, Internet and Electronic Library, Chain Project a bid to stem the rising profile of HIV/ AIDS infection in Nigeria, Modern mortuary facilities with trained morticians (1999), among others.

By Chinasa Ekekwe

produced by Mr. Chidoo (Davido's Ekuro Hit-maker).

Born Adeosun Bolanle, Dorn Khorleonay as he is fondly called, is the second of four children and had found music at age 15.

The 25 year old graduate of psychology from the University of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state had his first studio recording was in 2005.

Owen Hero is definitely an act to watch out for as he announces his entrance to the music industry as "overdue" and set to disturb every vicinity.

WELVE finalists have emerged for this year's Nigerian Breweries (NP) Plc and African Artists Foundation (AAF) organised National Art Competition. They are Karimah Ashadu, Alayande Ayanwale, Chidinma Nnorom Chinke, Mary Edoga Chioma, Brigitte Sésu TilleyGyado and Taiye Idahor. Others are Erasmus Onyishi, Olanrewaju Tejuoso, Felicia Okpara Tochukwu, Victoria Udondian, the duo of Chuka Ejorh and Olamide Udo-Udoma, as well as the duo of Halima Abubakar and Zemaye Okediji.

According to the Curator of African Artists Foundation, Joseph Gergel over 100 entries were received from the six geo-political zones from which 26 names were shortlisted.

He said of these, emerged the final twelve after screening from Prof El Anatsui led selection committee.

"For us, the criteria were how the artist was able to interprete the theme, IDENTITY: Who Do You Think You Are in a very original way. We encourge the artist to think intellectually about what their message content is," he said.

The finalists were engaged in a retreat, which commenced on July 29 till last Friday at Nimbus Art Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, where they had the opportunity to exchange ideas with each other and participate in workshops facilitated by leading artists, scholars, and practitioners in their fields.

After the retreat, finalists are expected to spend four months to execute their final project.

Workshop facilitators and artist mentors at the retreat included Olu Amoda, Uche Okpa-Iroha, Jelili Atiku, Delphine Fawundu, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Robin Hammond, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Joseph Gergel, Orlando Reade, Nick Hagen, Roger Woodbridge and Richard Eko. This year's competition experienced unprecedented number of strong and conceptually impressive entries, which proposed a variety of artistic practices in response to the theme IDENTITY: Who Do You Think You Are? The theme explores how artists view the relationship between individual and collective identity in Nigeria today and examines the role of art as a vehicle for social change.

The ongoing debate in Nigeria about the value and function of our national identity is persistent: do we identify ourselves with our state of origin, or do we accept the communities in which we reside, embracing them as our home?

What are our anxieties about our perceived status in society and how has globalisation and social media boosted or influenced this status? These and other ideas addressing personal identity will be explored in the National Art Competition 2013 through the development of the 12 finalists' projects.

The competition aims to promote the development of contemporary African art and raise awareness on social issues through the use of creative artistic expression.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

28

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Eighteen men and women braved the sun, rain, muddy and potholeinfested roads to seek empowerment in Ogun State. They came with a notion of what an ‘Art Teacher’ should be and got more than they bargained for at the GreenHouse Art Empowerment Centre (GHAEC) reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

Dilemma of art teachers

T

HEY came from Lagos and Ogun states to live their passion. Their passion is teaching and they can do anything to keep their jobs. But that dream of being an art teacher is turning to something else because of certain challenges.

What does it take to survive as an art teacher, considering the challenges such as lack of recognition, frustration and limited materials to work with?

Art experts and teachers are condemning the discrimination against them by school owners, heads and the society.

In an attempt to change things, some art teachers set out to up their game at the GreenHouse Art Empowerment Centre (GHAEC) Art Teachers Conference and Workshop.

Faced with the low recognition, inadequate support that the subject and its teachers receive from employers and parents alike and an unfavourable government policy, these art teachers have continued to keep their dreams alive against the odds.

Creative and Cultural Art teacher Miss Olubunmi Akindele and her collagues were full of lamentations on the challenges that abound in teaching art in primary and secondary schools.

Hear them: “Art is allotted one period in a week in school Curriculum. There are no encouragement, no welfare benefits, no materials (schools do not provide materials for teachers and pupils and very few parents can afford the materials so much so that teachers sometimes have to provide pupils with materials). There are no art studio in schools, no equity.”

The list was endless as Olubunmi and her colleagues from Ojodu, Lagos; Matogun, Ishaga, Akute, Alagbole, Ogun State etc, relived their dilemma at the event.

Olubunmi, who teaches Creative and Cultural Art at Olambe Community Comprehensive High School, Ogun State, and her colleagues, said they had taught art for years without realising the immense potentials of their callings. However, in becoming the toast of their profession, the tips that they got from top professionals like former Central Bank Nigeria Deputy Governor and Chairman of GHAEC, Mr Victor Odozi and his wife, Princess Iyase, GHAEC Chief Executive Officer and founder of MOREMI Art Foundation, Dr Mabel Oluremi Awogbade have changed their perception.

Olubunmi said: “I did not know that art holds a lot of potentials for me. Coming to the centre have opened my eyes to the potentials teaching art. They gave us more experience about the world of arts. I now know where art can take me which I didn’t know before. I learnt about ceramic and using clay to create beautiful things. I made a clay work which is part of the exhibition.”

The five-day event also offered participants a chance at exhibiting in GHAEC first Art Teacher Exhibition that opened penultimate Friday with the foremost Nigerian Potter, Mr Ato Arinze, whose paper was entitled: Pottery for Children: A guide to the Teaching of Ceramic/Pottery in Schools as facilitator alongside Music by Senior Musicologist from the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr Albert Oikelome.

The exhibition, which will run till the end of the month, features works depicting the participants’ cultural and ideological essences on clay. According to the organiser, the clay works would be left to dry and then be fired up to become ceramic, adding that they would be part of the next edition to be held towards the end of the year.

Owing to some of their displays and background, it was discovered that Olubunmi and some of the participants had some form of connection to the ancient city of Osogbo, Osun State. Her work, entitled Fruitfulness, is a fish which usually used as part of the symbolic emblem of the famous Osun Osogbo Festival. “The fish is part of the festival which celebrated by Osun worshippers yearly; and symbolises blessing,” Ayobami observed.

Visual Art Teacher Mrs Amosa Opeoluwa Jumoke is another artist inspired by the ancient town and its art. Mrs Amosa, who teaches at Breakthrough Academy Primary and Secondary School, Ajuwon, had worked under some Osogbo artists like Nike Okundaye-Davies before now. Still, she noted that GHAEC’s training has enlightened her more on the role of an art teacher in the society. “It was an interesting programme that informed me on qualities that guide the teaching of art in schools.”

Art is a melting pot of the society; hence, the empowerment of art teachers is the responsibility of stakeholders which include government, schools and parents, according to Dr Awogbade, whose paper was entitled the Roles and Qualities of

•From left: GreenHouse CEO, Princess Iyase-Odozi, Chief Topy Iyase (third left), Mrs Okin and others at the exhibition

•From left: Mr Uwaezuoke, Mrs Amosa and other teachers at the workshop

WORKSHOP A Good Art Teacher. She observed that teachers be adequately remunerated and provided a conducive environment to work in, saying this would impact on their output.

However, she noted that the teachers’ greatest challenge lie within them, condemning the lackadaisical attitude of many towards their job delivery. While urging them to take the profession seriously, she urged them to be creative and seek excellence in their delivery, noting that these would help in reorientating the stakeholders and the society at large on the importance and relevance of the subject.

She said: “An art teacher is a role model and as such must be resourceful and versatile: he/she is both a specialist and a generalist. Organise exhibition of your pupils’ works; more attention should be given to entrepreneurship: have a business sense; seek professional training such as this even when your proprietors do not realise the value.”

Principal of Oke-Ira Grammar School, Revd (Mrs) Anthonia

‘I did not know that art holds a lot of potentials for me. Coming to the centre have opened my eyes to the potentials teaching art. They gave us more experience about the world of arts. I now know where art can take me which I didn’t know before’

Okin, urged the teachers to give themselves to learning, saying: “I cannot say I want to be an artist now; it is already too late but for you, art teachers, it is not.” “Art teachers can make a lot of money if they can endure and do not relent in their efforts improving themselves by attending programmes like this.”

GHAEC founder Princess Iyase-Odozi condemned discrimination against and cheapening of Art teachers, observing that: “art teachers are not empowered as a result of unfavourable government policy”. She called on government to revamp the school’s curriculum with the purpose of giving the subject its rightful place in the education of the Nigerian child.

She said: “Art is relevant to every ramification of life. It is a shame, therefore, that the art teachers are not adequately equipped. The attitude of some schools towards art is unthinkable: art teachers are seen as part-time teachers only and so they are not provided with adequate tools, welfare benefits and equity. And government has not helped matters with its policy. It is high time they do something about the school’s curriculum.”

Putting the event together was no easy task, according to her, largely because schools’ owners were not willing to have their teachers as participants and some teachers preferred to seek after material gains rather than intellectual empowerment. “And unfortunate still, many who were truly interested could not afford it. We almost cancelled it but for the support of my husband who also provided scholarship for those who could not afford it but were interested to attend. But there were some like Mrs Amosa’s proprietress who was quite elated about the training and sponsored her staff,” she said.

Aside the teachers, the event also had as participants Thisday Deputy Editor, Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, performer and singer, Mrs Funke Adetunji (Onibata Jesu), art consultants and students.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

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

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Foreign investors stake F N583b on equities OREIGN investors staked about N583 bil lion on Nigerian equities in the first half of the year, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has said.

A latest report on foreign portfolio investment flow at the NSE during the first half showed that transactions-including buy and sell deals, by foreign investors totalled N582.64 billion, accounting for 49.24 per cent of total turnover at the NSE during the period.

The report indicated that in most instances, foreign investors flowed in more funds than they took out, leaving the stock market with a positive net foreign investment of about N73 billion within the period.

Foreign portfolio inflow stood at N327.66 billion as against outflow of N254.98 billion.

Total turnover value at the NSE during the first half was N1.18 trillion with both foreign investors and domestic investors dominating transactions in three months each.

But while foreign investors maintained gradual and

By Taofik Salako

steady increase and decline in portfolio adjustments, Nigerian investors showed large fluctuations.

Nigerian investors dominated the market in the first two months and were supplanted by foreign investors in March and April. They regained dominance in May and were displaced by foreign investors in June.

Foreign investors accounted for 36.89 per cent, 39.65 per cent, 52.78 per cent, 64.48 per cent, 48.68 per cent and 51.13 per cent in January, February, March, April, May and June.

Portfolio transactions by foreign investors totalled N61.46 billion, N75.97 billion, N80.14 billion, N122.97 billion, N91.86 billion and N150.24 billion in January, February, March, April, May and June.

The report underlined the structural outline of Nigerian

investors, which was skewed in favour of institutional investors. For instance, institutional Nigerian investors accounted for 66.7 per cent or N95.78 billion of domestic investors’ turnover in June 2013 while retail investors contributed 33.3 per cent or N47.81 billion.

The latest report showed stronger momentum in foreign portfolio investments in the stock market as the 2013 first half report was substantially above six-month average over the past five years.

Foreign investors staked about N4.08 trillion on quoted shares on the NSE between 2007 and last year. Foreign investors had gradually and consecutively increased their investments in Nigerian equities from about 15 per cent of total market turnover in 2007 all through till a high of about 67 per cent in 2011.

Foreign portfolios were,

particularly, the main drivers of transactions on the NSE in the past two years, with foreign investors accounting for average of two-thirds of equity transactions between 2011 and last year.

Nigerian investors have, however, made strong rebound this year, displacing foreign portfolios as the main drivers of stock market’s transactions. Compared with the situation in 2011 and 2012 when foreign investors accounted for 67 per cent and 61 per cent of total turnover on the NSE, Nigerian institutional and individual investors had stepped up their transactions from a recent low of 33 per cent in 2011 to 39 per cent in 2012 The report underlined the early positioning of the foreign investors, who had saw through the prospects of Nigerian equities amidst the downtrend and the rampant herd instinct of the domestic

•Finance Minister, Mrs NgoziOkonjo Iweala

investors, who mostly usually look at recovering market.

Foreign portfolio transactions increased from N615.6 billion in 2007 to N787.4 billion in 2008. These trimmed down to N424.6 billion in 2009 before rising consecutively to N577.3 billion and N847.9 billion in 2010 and 2011. Foreign portfolio trades stood at N808.4 billion in 2012.

The two-way flow of foreign portfolio investments showed that while foreign investors flowed in about N2.01 trillion during the period, they equally took away about N2.17 trillion.

‘e-waste management evolving ‘

By Lucas Ajanaku

D

•From left: Director-General, Nigerian Civil Avation Authority (NCAA), Capt Fola Akinkuotu; Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi; Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Avation, Dr George Oti, during the minister’s inspection of expansion work at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

D

Delay in reforms’execution hampers finance firms’ funding

ELAY by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Board of Governors in approving reforms in the finance houses’ subsector is creating an obstacle for investors from going into the sector, Executive Secretary, Finance Houses Association of Nigeria (FHAN), Ben Nwokike, has said.

He told The Nation last weekend that local and foreign investors willing to recapitalise and invest in some of the ailing finance houses are adopting a ‘wait and see’ attitude pending when reforms in the subsector

By Collins Nweze

are concluded. The capital base of finance houses stands at N20 million.

The execution of reforms in the subsector, Nwokike said, is being hindered by government’s bureaucracies.

He said there are several investors who have carried out due diligence on the strengths and weaknesses of some of the finance houses but cannot move in funds because the regulation in the sub-sector

remains unclear.

He said the new capital base for the subsector remains a critical factor that investors want to be acquainted with before staking their funds.

This, he said, would ensure that only seriously minded operators were allowed to carry on the businesses of finance houses in the country.

He explained that unlike banks, finance firms are not allowed to accept deposits.

This limitation means they

CBN plans special vehicles to drive AMCON takes over as Wema Bank seeks N20b mortgage firms, MfBs

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can only source funds from shareholders, private equity firms, development finance institutions (DFIs) and other institutional investors.

Nwokike said the subssector offers various services including funds management, equipment leasing, project financing, local purchase order financing, debts factoring, financial consultancy, among others.

It also provides financial services for consumers’ industrial, commercial, or agricultural enterprises.

IRECTOR, Consumer Electronics, B2B & IT, Sunil Kumar, has said the management of electronic wastes (e-waste) is evolving in the country, lamenting that when consumers are encouraged to bring their old electronic products in exchange for new ones, they hardly do so.

Kumar, who spoke with The Nation in Lagos, said: “In ewaste management, Nigeria is still evolving. But, sepcifically, on Samsung (part), what we are doing is that when we launch a new product, we offer a form of exchange policies for the older product and some of the old products that still exist in the market within Nigeria and outside Nigeria too,” adding that what the firm does is to dismantle the old products in a manner that it will not constitute threats to health, safety and environment.

“Most of the time, what we do (with old disused products) is that we dismantle those products and try and knock them down into bits, destroy them in a manner that it does not do any harm to the environment.

“That is essentially what we do.”

He said the take-back initiative of the firm has also not taken firm root as its customers are so relunctant to part with their old electronic product.

A soap maker’s story

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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MONEY

CBN plans special vehicles to drive mortgage firms, MfBs W

HY is the property market not well funded? It is because of the dearth of long-term funds, says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Acording to a Financial Stability Report released by the CBN, the dominance of short-term funds has led to a mismatch between the long-term mortgage assets and short-term-oriented liabilities of primary mortgage banks (PMBs).

To address this problem, the CBN is promoting the establishment of a mortgage re-finance company (MRC) in collaboration with other stakeholders.

According to the report, the realestate sector contributed 1.73 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) last year. Credit to the real-estate sector declined to N376.6 billion in December last year, from N380.7 billion at the end of June

Stories by Collins Nweze

that year. The quality of the exposures measured by the ratio of the sector’s non-performing loans (NPLs) to total credit, however, improved to 3.1 per cent as against 4.2 per cent during the same periods.

As part of efforts to address the disparity between long and shortterm funds, the CBN is collaborating with other stakeholders. The PMBs are also being repositioned to serve as veritable channels for mortgage/housing finance and home ownership. The MRC will provide short-term liquidity and long-term funding or guarantees to mortgage originators and housing finance lenders. It will also serve as a catalyst for the development

of the secondary mortgage market and a precursor to mortgagebacked securitisation.

To minimise the risks associated with the operation of MRC and ensure it remains mission-focused, the Regulatory and Supervisory Framework for the operation of MRC has been drafted, in collaboration with the World Bank, the report said.

The CBN is also planning to launch a Microfinance Development Fund (MDF) for microfinance banks (MfBs) the sector’s capability to grant loans.

CBN Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD), Olufemi Fabamwo, at a confab for the MfBs in Lagos said the MDF was a pool of funds cre-

ated for MfBs to enhance their lending.

He said part of the criteria to access the loan include show of trackrecord of good performance and low loan default by operators.

This, he said, would show that beneficiaries have the capability to lend to MfBs. The CBN, he said, would provide guidelines on how the fund will be accessed by beneficiaries, adding that the delay in not releasing the fund is to ensure that appropriate frameworks are in place. The CBN reiterated its commitment to deepening the financial system by providing loan and introducing new products and appropriate control structures.

The MDF, when established, would assist in addressing the challenges of underfunding for microfinance institutions. It will further complement past and cur-

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•From left: President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Muritala Ariyo Olushekun; Chairman, Annual National Workshop, CIS, Mr Albert Okumagba; Managing Director, Heritage Bank Limited, Mr Ifie Sekibo and Executive Director, Mary Akpobome, during the courtesy visit of the council members of CIS to Heritage Bank Head office in Lagos.

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Banks’ profit to drop over ratio hike, AMCON levy

ANKS’ profits are expected to drop over policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that raised cash reserve ratio (CRR) to 50 per cent from 12 per cent and the levy paid to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), to 0.5 per cent from 0.3 per cent, analysts have said.

The CRR is a portion of banks’ deposits kept with the CBN. At the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting last month, raised

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the CRR from 12 per cent to 50 per cent. The AMCON policy is expected to add about four per cent to banks’ total operating costs, thereby hampering profits.

Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa Plc expressed concerns over both policies, saying there will be ‘unavoidable impact’ of the new 50 per cent CRR on majority of the banks.

The CRR policy, they said, implied significant increase in the banks’ cost of funds, a tensed pres-

sure on the Net Income Margin (NIM) as a larger proportion of the deposits will be held in CBN’s coffers as reserves.

Afrinvest said the affected banks might have to sell their investment securities to call back the 38 per cent and might also re-navigate their deposits mobilisation strategies, re-price risk assets in line with their “cautious” lending strategy and adjust business model.

Depositors warned on dud cheques

ROM the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has come a warning to issuers of dud cheques: stop or face the consequences of your actions.

To ensure that their customers do not fall victims, banks have started sensitising them on the CBN directive.

They have been sending text messages, emails and letters to their customers, drawing attention to the CBN circular on the issue.

According to the CBN, the volume of dishonoured cheques in the financial system is rising and has shown no signs of declining. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), in an emailed statement low confidence in the acceptance of cheques, adding that it also

adversely affected the cash-less policy aimed at reducing the volume of cash based transactions.

“As part of efforts to address the issuance of dud cheques, CBN has directed all banks to identify customers who have issued dud cheques on three instances with effect from July 5, this year. Banks have also been directed to send details of customers together with copies of dud cheques to CBN. “The apex bank will, in turn, forward such details to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

“Our esteemed customers are therefore advised to make sure that their accounts are funded before issuing a cheque to a third party and

to also confirm all cheques via our internet banking platform or relationship managers, as this will ensure the cheque is honoured,” the bank said.

The CBN said bank customers issued dud/dishoured cheques worth N166 billion last year. It said over 167,507 dud cheques issued were processed by banks from January to December last year.

The CBN said over-indulgence of cash in the economy increases the cost of banking services, raises the incidence of crime and facilitates money laundering, adding that it is collaborating with the financial institutions and law enforcement agencies to check the prevalence of dud cheques.

rent efforts aimed at strengthening the microfinance sub-sector; improve financial inclusion and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

World Bank votes $14.7b for Africa

HE World Bank Group has committed $14.7 billion in the fiscal year to support economic growth and better development prospects in Africa.

In a statement it said the support came despite uncertain economic conditions in the rest of the global economy.

“The region has shown remarkable resilience in the face of a global recession and continues to grow strongly. Africa is at the center of the World Bank Group 2030 goals of ending extreme poverty and pro-

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•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

moting shared prosperity, in an environmentally, socially, and fiscally sustainable manner,” Makhtar Diop, World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region said.

He said the global lender continued its strong commitment to Africa approving $8.25 billion in new lending for nearly 100 projects this fiscal year. These commitments include a record $8.2 billion in zerointerest credits and grants from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest countries.

Private sector leads in pension contributions

HE private sector has surpassed the public sector in pension contributions, FBN Capital report has shown.

It indicated that the private sector contributes about 60 per cent of the N3.4 trillion pension assets under the management of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

The research firm said data released by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) showed that as at end of March, this year (when pension assets were N3 trillion), the private sector contributed N1.8 trillion to the scheme. Also, the public sector’s contribution from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the federal and some state governments, was N1.2 trillion. This, it said, was a

marked change from its composition in 2004 when the Act kicked off.

FBN Capital said the increase to N3.4 trillion as at the end of May was largely due to the filing in of 12 states into the contributory pension scheme, although only six states had collected and remitted contributions in compliance with the provisions of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004.

It said the number of registered contributors has grown to 5.5 million with an average monthly contribution of N30 billion.

“Given that only seven per cent of the nation’s 80 million workforce has joined the scheme, there exists a huge potential for growth in the coming years,” it said.

Western Union, eTranzact partner

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HE Western Union Company and eTranzact International Plc, an electronic payment processing firm, have announced the launch of a new mobile money transfer service.

In a statement it said consumers in Nigeria who use the eTranzact Mobile Money platform now have the option of receiving a Western Union Money Transfer transaction on their mobile phones.

The facility allows consumers to receive funds from money transfer transactions initiated at Western Union transactional websites in 23 countries, or Western Union Agent

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locations around the world.

“Western Union continues to introduce new service offerings to complement our multi-product, multi-channel strategy,” said Aida Diarra, Western Union Regional Vice President for North, Central and West Africa.

She said the firm is excited to partner with eTranzact to increase the number of access points for consumers to use its services worldwide, facilitate financial inclusion, and provide convenient mobile solutions for those who want new methods for money transfer transactions.

Skye Bank to train customers

KYE Bank Plc has said it will train its international trade customers.

It in a statement, it said the training on how they could conduct their businesses and ensure proper documentation of trade requirements.

Head of International Operations of the bank, Mr Ade Busari, said in addition to organising workshops for the businessmen, the bank would continue to train account officers in the various branch locations on

trends in foreign trade requirements for onward transmission to the exporters and importers.

He said the bank would continue to ensure that its customers’ ‘Forms M’ are not rejected by inspection agents which has the implication of delaying transactions.

“We will continue to ensure that our customers know what they need at every stage and what they are supposed to do to make their business easy, convenient and fast,” the statement added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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AVIATION

Why young Nigerian pilots F are unemployed, by experts

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VIATION experts have identifed the absence of a national carrier, low flight hours after graduation, low insurance cover and lack of implementation of expatriate quota policy as reasons for unemployment of fresh pilots.

The experts are Gbolahan Abatan, an aircraft engineer, Sheri Kyari, Executive Director of Centre for Aviation Safety and Research (CASR), and Isaac Balami, president, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).

They spoke to The Nation in Lagos.

Other experts who also spoke include Captain Ore, retired airline and Captain Ibrahim Mshelia, chief executive officer, West Link Airlines.

Abatan claimed fresh graduate pilots were not being employed because their flight hours at graduation were insufficient.

Abatan, who is the Chief Executive of Air First, said the experience of a pilot is required before he can get a job.

He added that many fresh pilots only have 230 hours instead of between 500 and 700 flight hours required to fly certain categories of aircraft.

The AirFirst boss pointed out that pilots, including those who fly jumbo aircraft, such as Airbus 380 and Boeing 787, started with smaller airplanes.

“Every pilot started flying from General Aviation. Nobody jumps into a Boeing 747 to become a pilot of Boeing 747,” he said.

Abatan said further that in the

Stories by Kelvin Osabor United States, pilots from the flying schools do not look for jobs in bigger airlines, such as Delta and United because they will not be employed since they do not have the required flying hours.

To solve the problem, Abatan advocated an improved capacity for general aviation. He added that Nigeria has this problem because it had not trained pilots for a long time.

He also added that while pilots were not being trained, some airlines were employing foreign pilots to work for them because it was cheaper to do so.

To correct this, he said aviation should have a functional general aviation.

“One of the first steps is the general aviation. In most countries they have general aviation functioning.

General aviation is the beginning.”

But Kyari has a different solution.

He said the establishment of a national carrier would assist to resolve the problem of young pilot unemployment.

He said: ”The national carrier will provide employment, especially for the teeming young pilots that are seeking jobs in the industry.

“It would also serve as a training ground for such pilots to grow.Training will also be enhanced and many other benefits will accrue to the nation.”

Balami bemoaned compliance with expatriate quota by the government, which allows for the

employment of foreign pilots to the detriment of young Nigeria pilots.

Balami said: “I think the government should look at it very well to see how to reverse the trend and put a policy in place to encourage Nigerian pilots to get jobs.The local content policy is not working the way it should. “ Captain Ore, who is the President of Aviation Round Table (ART), called for provision of more aviation training facilities, such as flying schools and Aviation Training Organisations (ATO) to provide jobs for young pilots.

He added that the foremost aviation training school in Nigeria, the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, should be upgraded.

“The influx of expatriate pilots has become so worrisome that expatriate quota has become a big issue in the aviation industry,” he said.

Mshelia, a pilot, called on the government to assist young Nigerian pilots get jobs.

He said: ”The unemployment rate among Nigerian pilots trained within and outside Nigeria, which in the last count from the website of the Unemployed Pilots Union in Nigeria is over 150 in number.”

He also said the new Civil Aviation Policy should address employment of qualified Nigerians before extending similar opportunities to foreigners.

“What we need to consider is getting the pilot licence is one thing and getting the experience to be considered for employment is another, which can only be achieved by flying.”

FirstNation gets two aircraft

IRSTNation Airways has taken delivery of two Airbus 319 aircraft with registration number 5N-FND and 5N-FNE, as part of its plan to re-launch its operations this month.

According to an official of the airline, Luke Terver-Uzer, told reporters in Lagos, that the A319s are new and part of a nine-aircraft programme.

He said the delivery was historic, because of the first sets of A319 to come on Nigerian register, adding that the A319 has the same optimised cabin cross section as the A320, which is the widest single aisle fuselage in the market and set the standard for passenger cabin comfort.

He said: “The A319 continue to prove its versatility to enable airline around the world like British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Air France, South African Airways, American Airways, Delta Airlines, Virgin American Airways etc, benefits from range option and versatility. ‘’The airline will re-launch service in August, this year initially serving domestic Nigeria between Lagos.”

The aircraft, he said, were installed with Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) 220 iridium satellite global communication equipment, one of the very few aircrafts with this state of the art Satellite Navigation (SATNAV) equipment operating in West Africa.

Terver-Uzer added that SATNAV provide crew reliable voice and simultaneously connect to aircraft systems analysing performance in-flight and that this allows the airline to track aircraft system performance in-flight from the ground.

“This is one of the most advanced SATNAV systems that support the airline flight operations quality assurance oversight. Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is actively encouraging airlines to upgrade their fleet with this equipment,” he added.

On the classes in the aircraft, he said the FirstNation Airbus A319’s cabin layout is in two class of 12 business class legroom pitch of 42 inches and the rear cabin in comfort class with legroom pitch of 32 inches, adding that the aircraft offer the widest seat pitch for regional operation within West Africa today.

He said the Airbus A319 registration 5N-FND is named “Faith” while 5NFNE is “Endurance”.

Nigerian for AFCAC presidency

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HE African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) is preparing for the upcoming Assembly of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The commission will present its candidate, Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, who is also Nigeria’s representative on the Council of the ICAO, to be elected president at its assembly from September 24 to October 4, 2013 in Montreal, Canada.

Chairman of the commission, Air Commodore Mamphey, who is also the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said AFCAC had met with representations of other regions such as South America, Europe and Asia to lobby for the election of Dr Aliu and had, so far, had favourable reactions.

“There have been progress in the African aviation industry in terms of attempts to achieve improved safety and security and his appointment would impact favourably on the industry,” he noted, explaining that Dr Aliu had vast experience within ICAO, having worked there for several years, which would help him move the industry in Africa and elsewhere forward, when elected.

NCAA insists on high safety standard

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•A FirstNation Airways aircraft on the runway at the airport.

NAMA to deploy multi-lateral surveillance system in Niger Delta

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HE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) plans to deploy multilateration surveillance system for helicopter operations in the Niger Delta, the Managing Director of the agency, Nnamdi Udoh, has said.

He disclosed this in Lagos at a stakeholders’meeting to address the improved safety plan for low level flying traffic in the Delta region.

He told the forum made up of aviation operators in the oil and gas sector that the deployment of the new surveillance system by the Federal Government would improve security and air safety in the area.

Udoh said the Federal Government provided the capital for the execution of the project, adding

that commitment has made it possible for the agency to fast-track its implementation for the benefit of the stakeholders .

In his presentation, David Brocklebank of Saab Sensis, United Kingdom, said airspace capacity utilisation would require an appropriate technology, pointing out that deployment of multi-lateration surveillance in the Niger Delta area would capture the activities of the low flying aircraft.

He recalled the effective deployment of the system in the North Sea in 2010, saying the new technology would deliver a safe, high integrity, scalable solution and transfer technology of engineering and project management skills to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Director, General

Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Technology (NCAA) Dele Sasegbon has expressed delight on this development.

He appreciated the contributions of the stakeholders at the meeting, saying: ‘’The impression we are having here now is to have the system deployed immediately.”

Last March, NAMA received a preliminary survey report on the multilateration surveillance system for helicopter operations in the region.

The survey became necessary to discover the weather, volume of traffic and type of intervention to be provided by the agency, especially given the strategic nature of the area and the large scale exploration activities in that area.

HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has insisted on strict adherance to high safety standard in the sector.

The authority also laid to rest the ongoing condemnation of some controversial Air Operators’Certificates (AOCs) issued by regulatory body to some new airlines before a substantive director-general for the NCAA was appointed.

According to its Director, Airworthiness and Standard, Mr Benedict Adeyileka, the AOCs issued during the period met the required safety standards and regulations as set by the authority.

He insisted that the regulatory body would not compromise safety, describing the allegation as serious.

The President of Aviation Round Table (ART), Captain Dele Ore, and the Assistant Secretary, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Alhaji Mohammed Tukur and some key players in the sector, had about a fortnightly ago alleged that the AOCs issued by the then Acting Director-General of the regulatory body, Mr Joyce Nkemakolam, did not meet the safety standards.

Ore and the others claimed that the new AOCs did not meet the required safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and NCAA, warning the flying public against patronising such airlines.

They tasked the Ministry of Aviation to direct the new Director-General, Captain Folayele Akinkuotu, to recertify those certificates, maintaining that any attempt to ignore this call might jeopardise safety of the traveling public.

Adeyikeka had, in the defense of the issued AOCs, further insisted: “The different offices in NCAA will continue to function even in the absence of their directors. For instance, if the Director of Licensing is on holiday, does it mean we should shut down the office and no license would be issued until he comes back? Is that what we are asking for?

Etihad Airways to acquire 14 aircraft

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TIHAD Airways will take delivery of 14 new aircraft this year, four A320 passenger aircraft, one A321 passenger aircraft, and one A330 freighter from Airbus; two B777 freighters, and six B777-300ER passenger aircraft from Boeing.

The airline has announced it will start flights to at least three new destinations in 2013, Washington DC in March, Sao Paulo in June, and Ho Chi Minh City in October.

Etihad Airways surpassed its target of carrying 10 million passengers in 2012 and is set to achieve a 22 per cent increase on the total of 8.41 million passengers for 2011.

The increase in passenger numbers - up to a total of 10.29 million - represents an extra 1.88 million passengers travelling on the carrier’s global network that now covers 87 of its own passenger and cargo destinations, and 245 codeshare destinations.

The passenger growth for Etihad Airways is mirrored by its equity partners.

By the end of 2012, airberlin is expected to have carried 33.4 million passengers, Virgin Australia 19.5 million passengers*, Aer Lingus nearly 11 million passengers, and Air Seychelles 241,000 passengers.

The airline and its equity partners will have carried more than 74 million passengers in 2012, with cooperation between the five airlines greatly contributing to passenger growth.

An example of the success of this cooperation is the 300,000 passengers airberlin and Etihad Airways have delivered onto each other’s networks during the last one year.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

THE NATION INVESTORS

AMCON takes over as Wema Bank seeks N20b

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EMA Bank Plc is seek ing fresh equity funds of more than N20 billion from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), a move that may turn the bad-loan resolution company into the majority controlling investor in the bank.

Regulatory filing obtained

by The Nation indicated that Wema Bank will be issuing 14 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to AMCON- a government’s bad loans refinancing company, at N1.43 per share. The special placement to AMCON will inject N20.02 billion equity funds into the bank.

The application for the special placement has been approved by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), according to the filing.

The special placement will however make AMCON the majority core investor in the bank with a post-placement equity stake of 52.2 per cent.

Wema Bank currently has 12.821 billion outstanding ordinary shares, which will increase to 26.821 billion shares after the issuance to AMCON. The special placement will

Stories by Taofik Salako

displace the two current major investors in the bank-SW8 Investment Company Limited and Odua Investment Company Limited.

While AMCON’s new issue will more than halve SW8’s current majority stake of 24.29 per cent to 11.6 per cent, Odua’s current equity stake of 9.98 per cent will become unsubstantial at 4.77 per cent after the AMCON placement.

Latest update indicated that Wema Bank, an old generation bank, has about 255,000 shareholders.

A reliable market source said the new issue to AMCON was not a debt for cash or shares but a regular capital issue, underlining the equity injection into the struggling bank.

The management of Wema Bank has said its low capital base has been major drag in the reengineering of the bank.

Wema Bank posted a loss after tax of N5.04 billion in 2012. Its capital base stood at N1.76 billion by the period ended June 30, 2013.

“As the banking industry continued to adapt to the changing regulatory and eco-

nomic policies and reforms, your bank remained focused on its core areas of expertise such as retail banking and commercial banking by further leveraging on existing business relationships in different industries of the economy. However, as a result of capital constraints; we were unable to fully exploit the enormous business opportunities in the economy,” management of the bank stated in the latest audited operational review.

According to the bank, growth in the loan book was restricted in 2012 due to regulatory constraints on lending as a result of the low capital adequacy ratios as it was only able to undertake certain renewals for existing loans and undrawn commitments.

It noted the importance of the capital raising exercise to the future performance outlook pointing out that the successful completion of the capital raising exercise will undoubtedly release the potential within the bank and thus make the 2013 financial year a successful year.

The bank has not responded to media enquiry on the placement.

•From left: Pattison Boleigha; Chief Compliance Officer (CCO); Access Bank; in a warm handshake with Anogwi Anyanwu; Executive Director; Operations & IT; Mainstreet Bank; as Oluyemisi Olukoya; Chief Compliance Officer (CCO); Ecobank; looks on during the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria (CCCOBIN) meeting hosted by Mainstreet Bank in Lagos.

Promasidor to float IPO in 2014

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ROMASIDOR Nigeria Limited and its financial advisers are considering floating the food company’s initial public offering (IPO) in 2014.

A source said the parties were considering 2014 as the possible timeline for the offer given the market enough period to further deepen investors’ confidence and restore favourable investors’ mood for such large issue.

The source said the company has continued to work on details of the IPO, which had been delayed by the recession at the stock market and continuing dormancy at the primary market.

The source said the parties were watching the market situation and were reasonably sure the time will be ripe for the IPO by 2014 as the overall market situation at the stock market continues to improve.

Market analysts had estimated that Promasidor’s IPO might be as much as N200 bil-

lion.

Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Keith Richards, had said the company was committed to going public and listing its shares on the stock market in line with its corporate philosophy of sustainable value creation for all stakeholders.

He noted that part of the preparations for the IPO was the focus on brand enhancement for the corporate name of the company-Promasidor, to align it with its popular products such as Cowbell.

Promasidor Nigeria plans to use the net proceeds of its IPO to make new investments in Nigeria to consolidate its market share in Nigeria and open new product line based on soya beans.

The new investments would further enhance Nigeria’s position as the hub of Promasidor’s pan-African fast consumer goods business.

Promasidor, which has launched several leading

products including Cowbell milk, Cowbell chocolate, Cowbell flavoured milk drink, Loya full cream milk, Miksi, Onga food seasoning, Top Tea and Amila instant fruit flavoured powdered drink to emerge as the most diversified fast moving consumer good company and one of the top three companies in its business category, said it believed Nigerian market has stronger prospects and headroom for growth.

Market analysts said they expected the launch of the multi-billion naira IPOs to reactivate the primary market, which has been largely inactive in recent years.

They said the launch of such IPOs would signify the return of investors’ confidence and stable recovery of the market given that professional parties to such offers would have gauged the market mood before signing off the offer documents.

•From left: Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh; Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama and Country Manager, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Mr Solomon Adebgie- Quaynor, at the Infrastructure Roundtable organised

by SEC in Lagos .... on Monday.

May & Baker grows half-year profit by 29%

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AY & Baker Nigeria Plc recorded considerable growths in sales and profit in the first half of the year as the healthcare company continued to optimise internal efficiency and productivity.

Interim first half report for the period ended June 30, 2013 of May & Baker Nigeria made available by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that the six-month profit has already surpassed the full-year profit for 2012, raising prospects for better shareholders’ returns in the current business year.

The report indicated improvement in the underlying profitmaking capacity of the company with increases in both operating profit and profit before tax margins.

While higher cost of sales depressed gross profit margin from 42 per cent in first half of last year to about 33 per cent in first half of thew year, increased internal efficiency impacted positively on the operating profit margin and pre-tax profit margin, which rose from 10.7 per cent and 1.65 per cent in first half 2012 to 11.5 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively in 2013.

Turnover rose by 18 per cent from N2.43 billion to N2.86 billion. Operating profit grew by 27 per cent to N328.3 million in first half 2013 as against N259.3 million in comparable period of 2012. Profit before tax rose by 29 per cent from N40.4 million to N52.1 million. Profit after tax stood at N35.42 million com-

pared with N27.48 million in corresponding period last year.

With improvement in the bottom-line, basic earnings per share increased by 29 per cent from 2.80 kobo in first half 2012 to 3.61 kobo in first half 2013.

Total assets also rose to N8.29 billion, 11.4 per cent above N7.44 billion recorded in comparable period of last year.

Managing Director, May & Baker Nigeria, Mr Nnamdi Okafor, said the performance of the company in the first half showed resilience in spite of some current internal circumstances adversely impacting on results.

He noted that while operating profit was N232.9 million and profit before tax was N44.5 million for the full-year ended December 31, 2012, the first half results of the year have surpassed the full-year results of last year.

According to him, while the company still faces headwinds from huge depreciation due to its ultra-modern factory in Ota, Ogun State and high financing costs, Management has undertaken key initiatives to further expand sales and ensure improved profitability.

May & Baker Nigeria Plc is considering raising additional capital to support its business expansion and steady the healthcare company against competition, the board of the company has said.

At the recent annual general meeting of the company, chairman, May & Baker Nigeria Plc,

Lt. Gen Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), had said the company’s huge investments in the factory at Ota, the company’s vaccine manufacturing joint venture with the Federal Government, new products and other initiatives will provide a stable base for the company’s growth in the years ahead.

He said the company has rolled out a new five-year strategic plan that would seek to harness all opportunities to increase the group’s earnings and returns to shareholders.

He added that profit is also expected to increase this year as the company continues to optimise production and cost efficiencies.

“Our company is well-positioned for the future with a lot of potentials from the strategic investment we have made in Ota and other attractive business prospects in our sight.

As we vigorously pursue our new five-year strategic plan with all the opportunities it presents, we can only hope for better performance and stronger earnings capacity going forward,” Danjuma said.

He said the company has reached advanced stage in perfecting the renewal of the joint venture agreement with the Federal Government on the local manufacturing of vaccines noting that the company will shortly after the agreement commence local production of vaccines.

Seven-Up declares N1.4b dividend THE Board of Directors of Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc has recommended distribution of N1.41 billion as cash dividends to shareholders for the business year ended March 31, 2013. This implies a dividend per share of N2.20.

The results showed that Seven-Up recorded revenue of N64.1 billion in 2013 as against N59.9 billion in 2012. Profit before tax rose by 28 per cent from N2.56 billion to N3.26 billion in 2013. Profit after tax rose by 70 per cent from N1.678 billion to N2.856 billion.

ICSAN member gets appointment

•Mrs Max-Uba

AN ASSOCIATE member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN), Mrs Elizabeth Max-Uba, has been appointed as the Secretary/ Director of Administration of the Council of Legal Education.

According to Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer of ICSAN, Dele Togunde, the appointment of Mrs. Uba,

who had occupied some other senior positions in the same establishment, was seen as a round peg in a round hole by stakeholders. ‘’It is believed that Mrs. Max- Uba will bring her wealth of experience as a multi-skilled professional to bear on the operations of the Council and improve its fortunes,” he added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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THE NATION INVESTORS

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Oando to raise N31b from special placement

ANDO Plc is continuing its capital raising exercise as the integrated energy company has concluded arrangements to raise about N31 billion through a special placement.

Oando will be issuing 2.05 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to designated investors at N15 per share. The company expects to raise N30.75 billion from the placement.

The special placement, which is being handled by three joint issuing houses- Vetiva Capital Management Limited; FBN Capital Limited and FCMB Capital Markets Limited, has been approved by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

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The special placement comes on the heels of Oando’s recent rights issue, which raised about N55.2 billion, slightly above the initial target of N54.6 billion.

The company had issued 4.548 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to existing shareholders at N12 per share between December 2012 and February 2013 with the intention of raising N54.6 billion.

Allotment approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed that Oando succeeded in raising N55.2 billion, which indicated the high level of investors’ confidence in the company.

Details of the allotment showed that a total of 11,714 acceptances for

4,596,055,622 ordinary shares, valued at N55.153 billion were received in connection with the rights issue.

All 11,714 acceptances were found to be valid under the terms of the rights issue and were all processed, leading to a subscription of 101 levels.

Market analysts said the success of the rights issue did not come as a surprise noting that shareholders were responding to a positive outlook based on strong market fundamentals.

Analysts said there had been last minute rush for the shares few days to the closure of the offer following the attractive price and positive assessments of the company’s

business fundamental and future outlook.

They noted that the company has made huge investments over the years that would begin to yield fruits very soon and analysts had said that the prospect of having a stake in the very lucrative upstream sector would increase investors’ appetite for Oando shares in the rights issue.

According to analysts, Oando is entering a new frontier in its integrated energy business model which will see the company increase investments in the upstream segment of the Oil & Gas space.

Analysts pointed out that Oando is a low cost route into Nigeria’s attractive energy sector citing the

company’s investments in the high margin upstream division that will transform the business significantly and increase value creation for the shareholders.

Analysts said the acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ entire oil and gas assets in Nigeria put the company on the stead to increase its oil production to almost 50,000 barrels of oil per day while it also extends its footprint into the liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as power generation.

Oando had paid an initial $435 million deposit and the balance of $1.3 billion will be paid from the net proceeds of the rights issue. A syndicate of international banks has lined up to finance the $800 million debt portion of the transaction.

equity-to shareholders who provided the equity funds, also improved from 9.6 per cent to 50 per cent. This indicates average return on equity of about 30 per cent.

Okomu Oil Palm’s returns generally fell below average in 2012 with average returns of 14 per cent and 14.1 per cent on total assets and equity funds respectively. Returns on total assets and equity funds had stood at 20 per cent and 21 per cent respectively in 2011. Average returns on assets and equity thus stood at about 17 per cent and 17.4 per cent respectively.

Over the years, agriculture has shown considerable resilience and it has increasingly become a major catalyst for Nigeria’s growing Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Government’s fiscal policy measures aimed at encouraging domestic agricultural companies also appeared to be impacting positively on the sector. The Federal Government has granted several incentives to agriculture sector including a zero duty on agricultural machinery and equipment with effect from January 31, 2012. Besides, many agricultural companies had benefitted from financial incentives from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which helped to reduce financial leverage and pressure on the bottomline. More than before, there is a strong linkage between the central government and the private agric operators, which enabled Nigerian farmers to make inputs and directly benefit from government’s policies.

The performance of Presco and Okomu Oil reflected the differing potential of each operator, although the macroeconomic environment generally remains positive. The difference appears to lie in the growth and investment plans of the companies. Presco has maintained a meticulous investment programme which included planting and replanting of new and existing plantations and expansion of processing capacity.

Okomu Oil vs Presco: Kernels from the farms

KOMU Oil Palm Plc and Presco Plc are the two domi nant stocks in the agriculture sector. With market capitalisation of about N84.3 billion, the two stocks account for some 88.5 per cent of total market capitalisation of the five stocks listed under the agriculture sector. With hectares of palm oil plantations, they represented the vast agriculture potential of Nigeria. Both Okomu Oil Palm and Presco are integrated agricultural companies with oil palm plantations, palm oil mills, crushing plants and oil refining plants. They engage in cultivation of oil palm and extraction and refining of palm oil into finished products. They are major suppliers of specialty fats and oils to several large and medium companies. Besides similarity of business operations, the two companies shared several similarities including the location of their farms in Edo State and substantial foreign shareholdings.

They are also companies of nearly the same size and run the same business year.

Okomu Oil Palm, the older and the larger of the two companies, was incorporated in 1979 and listed its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 1991, the same year Presco was incorporated. Okomu Oil Palm opened yesterday with a market capitalisation of N44.8 billion while Presco opened at N38.5 billion. Besides, Okomu Oil Palm has a larger balance sheet; including total assets and net assets.

Presco became a public limited liability company and listed its shares on the NSE in 2002. With total assets of N28 billion and net assets of N17.1 billion, Presco still boasts of substantial capacity in the largely smallsized operations that dominate the agriculture sector.

As much as they share several similarities, latest fundamentals of Presco and Okomu Oil also appear to be illustrating the same trend. The interim reports for the first half ended June 30, 2013 showed general declines in sales and profitability of the two companies.

Okomu Oil Palm’s turnover dropped to N4.83 billion in 2013 as against N6.10 billion in comparable period of 2012. Gross profit dropped from N4.84 billion to N2.43 billion while profit before tax halved from N2.95 billion to N1.43 billion.

On the same note, Presco recorded total sales of N3.92 billion in first half of 2013 as against N4.65 billion in comparable period of 2012. Gross profit declined from N2.02 billion to N1.37 billion. Profit before tax stood at N791.68 million in 2013 as against N1.94 billion in 2012 while

profit after tax dropped from N1.63 billion in first half of 2012 to N591.83 million in first half of 2013.

The two reports underlined decline not only in sales but also the profit-making capacity of the companies. Presco’s profit before tax margin halved from 41.7 per cent in first half of 2012 to 20.2 per cent in 2013. Okomu Oil’s followed the downtrend with a pre-tax profit margin of 29.6 per cent in 2013 compared with 48.4 per cent in comparable period of 2012.

The audited reports and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2012 had shown striking fundamental dissimilarities. From turnover to profit and returns, Presco had extracted itself as the better of the two companies, and with sustained growths, assumed the leadership of the industry in terms of turnover and profitability. Both actual and underlying profit and loss measures placed Presco ahead with its real operational profit twice that of Okomu Oil. Okomu Oil failed to sustain its growth momentum as decline in sales coloured the bottom-line negative. With the bumper harvest in 2012, Presco now outpaces competition in all key averages, setting long stride that will require equally jumpy growth by the competing stocks to catch up.

Sales Generation

Okomu Oil Palm could not sustain its previous jumpy sales growth as sales revenue dropped by 8.8 per cent in 2012 as against impressive growth of 82.7 per cent. Average sales growth in the past two years thus stood at 36.95 per cent. The topline performance in 2012 was the poorest in recent years. It had increased sales by 52 per cent in 2010.

Presco grew its turnover by nearly a third, sustaining year-on-year impressive growth in sales that had seen the top-line expanding annually by an average of 45 per cent in recent years. Presco’s gross incomes rose by 32 per cent in 2012 compared with increase of 58.5 per cent and 35 per cent in 2011 and 2010.

Profitability

Both actual and underlying profitability indices of the companies showed the same colouration as the top-line. Presco consolidated its profitability and leveraged on higher sales and increasingly efficient cost management to displace Okomu Oil Palm as the highest-profitable agric stock. Okomu Oil Palm’s actual pre and post tax profits dropped marginally, although the underlying profit-making capacity remained steadied.

Presco was clearly in better grip of cost management and profitability.

Gross profit doubled by 107 per cent in 2012 as against increase of 84 per cent in 2011. Profit before tax leapt by 229.8 per cent in 2012, consolidating 93 per cent recorded in 2011. After taxes, net profit jumped by 378 per cent in 2012 as against 55 per cent in 2011.

On the other hand, Okomu Oil Palm recorded a decline of 6.7 per cent in profit before tax, a reversal from impressive growth of 136 per cent recorded in 2011. Net profit after tax also reversed with a negative of 8.5 per cent in 2012 as against growth of 141 per cent in 2011.

On the average, Presco significantly outperformed its competitor with average pre-tax profit growth of 162 per cent as against Okomu Oil Palm’s 65 per cent. Presco’s average net profit growth in recent years stood at 216 per cent compared with 66 per cent recorded by Okomu Oil Palm.

Besides, there was significant improvement in the profit-making capacity of Presco compared with almost flat position of its peer. Presco’s gross profit margin improved from 47.5 per cent in 2011 to 74.3 per cent in 2012, indicating average margin of about 61 per cent. Pre-tax profit margin also more than doubled from 32 per cent to about 80 per cent, representing average pre-tax profit margin of about 56 per cent. Okomu Oil Palm’s average profit margin has steadied at 42.35 per cent in recent years, hovering between 41.9 per cent in 2011 and 42.8 per cent in 2012.

Actual Returns

Returns to shareholders and other stakeholders also showed similar patterns to profit and sale trends.

While Presco improved underlying returns considerably, Okomu Oil Palm’s returns dwindled to their recent lows. Presco returned 32 per cent on average assets in 2012 as against 10.9 per cent in 2011, indicating average return on total assets of 21.5 per cent over the years. Return on Facts to Facts

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

The Bottom-line

There is no doubt about the immediate, medium and future prospects of the agriculture sector. In spite of the pervasive influence of crude oil on national income, agriculture remains the dominant sector of the Nigerian economy. With estimated land area of 910,768 square kilometres out of a total area of 923,768 square kilometres, Nigeria is largely an agrarian economy with agriculture the largest sector and biggest employer. Nigeria’s arable land use stands at more than 33 per cent. From the North to the South, from West to East, Nigeria’s climate and terrain are suitable to cultivation and breeding. Notable agriculture produce across the regions include Cocoa, Peanuts, Palm oil, Corn, Rice, Millet, Cassava, Sorghum, Yams, Rubber, Cattle Sheep, Goats, Timber, Fish among others.

Okomu Oil

Presco

2012

2011

Average

% -8.8

% 82.7 79 136.3 61.6 41.9 140.8 19.9 20.6

% 36.95 39.5 64.8 30.8 42.35 66.15 16.95 17.35

-6.7 42.8 -8.5 14 14.1

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2012

2011 Average

% 31.8 106.5 229.8 74.3 79.8 377.9 32 50.2

% 58.5 84.1 93.4 47.5 31.9 54.5 10.9 9.6

% 45.15 95.3 161.6 60.9 55.85 216.2 21.45 29.9

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP Three years ago, Alhaja Mulikat Owoeye started the production of liquid soap with a small capital. Now she has turned it into a source of income. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

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A soap maker’s story

ANY today earn a living from soap making. The business can be started with a small capital.

Alhaja Mulikat Owoeye developed special interest in soap making and devoted time to acquire the art of making her products irresistible. She developed cleaning products that are affordable and safe to use.

She started business with N10,000, by making liquid soap; now her assets are worth N200,000 and with opportunities for growth.

Getting a factory for business remains a challenge for many entrepreneurs.

And Alhaja

Owoeye’s case is not different. In the early years, one of her biggest challenges faced by her firm was insufficient awareness for the products. But as the business grew, it faced another challenge: competition from local and imported brands. She survived with the business acumen garnered over the years.

She gained deep knowledge of soap making skills through apprenticeship and has grown her customer base.

How does she make her products? She explains the process.

Raw materials, such as tallow, lard, coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil are available. With her

equipment, she blend these materials and use them to produce her products. The stabilisers, she added, helps to ensure the uniformity and stability of the finished product.

Dry and liquid ingredients are added and blended to get a uniform mixture.

It is estimated that the demand for laundry soap is 8,000 million tablets per year. With increase in population, the demand bound to rise.

Besides, there is a large market for them in the West African sub-region. As in any business start-up, she had to work hard to establish its name, and to

build trust and confidence among clients.

She was sharing the products with friends and family and they kept encouraging her to start a business.

How did she finance thebusiness? Initially with savings, she said. Today, success and acceptance of her products have boosted production and increased her turnover.

Moving ahead, she intends to continue to build on the business’success and grow a strong team. She has learnt a lot about business and money. Her dream is to be a big player.

For her, a product is driven as much by distribution as by demand. She advised women to

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•Students making bags and clothes at St. Charles Vocational School, Olodi, Apapa, Lagos.

HE government can contribute significantly to the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) if it supports them, the President, Association of Micro Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN), Prince Saviour Iche said.

Speaking at a meeting of the association in Lagos, Iche said AMEN was determined to reinvigorate entrepreneurs and push its activities, and that it would work with the government to restore SMEs’ confidence.

One area SMEs require assistance, he said, is in the promotion of local products and this can be addressed by the government and its relevant agencies through the capitalising on the various channels.

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abilities.

They have continued to stand on their own. One of them is Mrs Sandra Elom, the Chief Executive, Sanchris Nigeria Enterprises, who believes entrepreneurship is necessary to tackle unemployment and poverty.

For her, a woman should prove herself in making her products well known.

Some years ago, Mrs Elom started a small cosmetics business with N5,000. She had no factory. Banks weren’t willing to give her a loan.

Today, it has blossomed.

When she started she had a brush with the police. They seized her products and kept them in the custody of ed the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration

Her dream is to make the products safer and better packaged.

She has realised that the business takes more time and money than she ever thought. Her consolation is that her customers are warm.

Her major challenge is cash. Accessing loan for her business has not been easy. The firm is seeking funding to acquire facilities and get the product to every nook and cranny of the country.

She looks forward to employing more hands when she sets up a factory. She believes women ought to find something doing to support their husbands. She prides her business on cleanliness, professionalism, and using the best cosmetics in the industry. She is excited to meet with people who are looking forward to enhancing their beauty. She has achieved her ultimate satisfaction by affording the

He said small businesses need support to grow.

According to him, recognition of entrepreneurs as creators of jobs and prosperity should be spread into governance.

He called for progress in the areas such as more simpler regulatory requirements and access to finance, support of new businesses, adding that this will reinvigorate entrepreneurship.

He said the association was working to facilitate entrepreneurship among Nigerians by establishing branches across the country.

He said the association would collaborate with government’s agencies to remove obstacles to genuine entrepreneurs establish a business.

Economic summit coming

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Persistence, tenacity and courage fuelled her desire to achieve financial freedom. Now she wants others to learn from her experience. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Control (NAFDAC). She never got them back. She had to start all over again with borrowed funds.

She makes the products using plastic drums and a huge mixing stick and heating oils, delivering her products by hawking. In time her products, became popular with street side local hairdressers because of their availability and cheapness.

As her petroleum jelly becomes popular, she tries to ploughed back her profits into increasing her production capacity. She intends to set up better operational strategies, emphasising quality and packaging.

The emphasis on healthy lifestyle and clean environment has assisted the trade. Her staff include mainly family members who are also using the opportunity to learn the trade.

seek knowledge on what they do not know and go for training so that they will enhance their skills.

Support entrepreneurship growth, govt told

Surviving against all odds

OMEN are playing a major role in exhibiting their entrepreneurial

• Alhaja Owoeye

• Mrs Elom

opportunity of economic empowerment in her own backyard and community. She hopes to evolve to become one of the leading local manufacturers of cosmetics products.

As the business grows, so will the business model and the production unit expanded to produce a range of products that is sold under the company’s brand names.

To acquire skills in production, Ms. Florence enrolled in many numerous training programmes.

She advised other SMEs and potential entrepreneurs to produce quality products.

HE President , Odu’a Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ODU’ACCIMMA), Mrs Alaba Lawson, said the Chambers would host an economic summit before the end of the year.

Speaking at this at the Third Annual General Meeting of the group in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said: “We are organising an economic summit before the end of the year that will focus on agriculture where the stakeholders will brainstorm.”.

Mrs Lawson said the aim of the chamber was to actualise the vision of its forefathers in regaining the region’s lost economic glory.

She said the event would help in returning the region to economic buoyancy through agriculture.

The industrialist said the event would engender strategies aimed at repositioning the Southwest.

Mrs Lawson recalled how the region recorded unparalleled achievements in commerce and agriculture when the Southwest was the food basket of the nation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

IMF urges Japan to stick to two-stage sales tax hike

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HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it was essential that Japan go ahead with a scheduled two-stage doubling of its sales tax from next year amid signs the government is reconsidering the plan out of concern it could derail a nascent economic recovery.

The IMF also called for the Bank of Japan to be ready to expand its asset-buying scheme or shift the mix of assets being purchased if inflation does not pick up as envisaged, or if government bond markets became volatile again.

With Japan's huge public debt

leaving the country little room to offer additional fiscal stimulus, monetary policy should be the first line of defense against risks to growth such as weakening exports to China, the IMF said in a detailed report on its yearly consultations with policymakers released on Monday.

Japan is due to raise its sales tax in April to eight per cent from five percent, and to 10 per cent in October 2015. The IMF said the hike was an "essential first step" to fix Japan's fiscal problems, and should not be delayed.

"The absence of credible fiscal and structural reforms could weigh on

confidence and undermine the success of the started reforms. This would not only be detrimental to Japan, but also for the rest of the world," the IMF said.

"As Japan's debt would remain unsustainable, a global tail risk of a spike in yields and volatile capital flows would remain on the table."

The central bank has unleashed an intense burst of stimulus to end 15 years of deflation, promising to double the supply of money to achieve its two per cent inflation target in two years.

Its strategy rests on buying about 7.5 trillion yen ($76 billion) of long-

term government bonds per month, as well as risky assets like corporate bonds and trust funds investing in stocks and property.

The IMF said expectations of inflation are rising, a sign the government's efforts are working so far. But the test will be whether markets will eventually expect inflation to reach the government's two per cent target, Jerry Schiff, the IMF's mission chief to Japan, said in an interview.

"Two per cent inflation expectations would signal that the Bank of Japan's efforts are now fully credible," he said. "So we're not there. But

we have moved in that direction."

The BOJ should stand ready to boost asset purchases, or shift the composition of purchases to buy more risky assets than government bonds, if risks to Japan's recovery heightened and prevented inflation from picking up, the IMF said in the report.

Japan's public debt is the largest among major industrialised nations at more than twice the size of its 500 trillion yen economy, and the sales tax hike is considered a test of the government's commitment to reform.

Wall Street extends drop on taper talk from Fed's Fisher

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TOCKS have fallen, retreating from last week's record highs and mostly extending their declines after a top Federal Reserve official said the central bank is closer to curbing its bond purchases.

The losses steepened in early afternoon trading after Richard Fisher, the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, said the Fed should cut its massive bond-buying programme next month, unless economic data takes a decided turn for the worse.

"It's a minor move in the market because we knew that this was Fisher. If Bullard came out and said this, then that would've created a huge move," said Joe Saluzzi, comanager of trading at Themis Trading in Chatham, New Jersey.

"It's a guessing game every day because different speakers have different opinions."

While Fisher has held reservations about the Fed's bond- buying program, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard has said he is not prepared to start reducing the stimulus program, adding that there needs to be more economic data before moving to taper.

Blue chips were the day's top decliners, with the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI down 0.4 percent and underperforming the broader market. Shares of The Trav-

elers Companies Inc (TRV.N) and United Technologies Corp (UTX.N) were the Dow's top decliners.

Travellers shares fell 1.1 per cent to $83.07. United Technologies shares slid 1.1 percent to $106.63.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 55.04 points, or 0.35 percent, at 15,603.32. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was down 3.53 points, or 0.21 percent, at 1,706.14. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was down 1.02 points, or 0.03 percent, at 3,688.57.

The S&P 500 has risen for five of the past six weeks, gaining more than seven per cent over that period.

The index closed at an all-time high on Friday despite a disappointing read on the labor market, which showed that hiring slowed in July.

Given that advance, further gains may be hard to come by at these levels, especially with the earnings season almost over.

"After last week with several big market-moving events, this week is probably all about trading sideways.

But the market does seem to be in a bullish mood and in the absence of bad news, it will hold these levels and move slowly higher," said Randy Frederick, managing director of active trading and derivatives at the Schwab Center for Financial Research in Austin, Texas.

‘Libya’s oil production will increase’

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EST Texas Intermediate crude fluctuated on speculation that Libyan production will increase while a report showed that United States’ service industries expanded at the fastest pace in five months in July.

Crude swung between losses and gains as Libyan Oil Minister Abdulbari Al-Arusi said at a press conference in Tripoli that the country, holder of Africa’s largest crude reserves, should pump 800,000 barrels a day next month from a current 700,000. The Institute for Supply Management’s U.S. non-manufacturing index increased to 56 in July from 52.2 the prior month, a report from the Tempe, Arizona-based group showed today.

“The Libyan oil minister’s statements about the rise in oil production promptly sent the market about $1 lower,” said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC, a New York hedge fund that focuses on energy.

“The market rebounded after the better-than-expected ISM number. Anything that points to a stronger U.S. economy is good for oil demand.”

WTI crude for September delivery declined 10 cents to $106.84 a barrel at 12:40 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices earlier climbed as much as 0.7 per cent and dropped 1.2 per cent. The volume of all futures traded was 36 per cent below the 100-day average.

Brent oil for September settlement decreased 17 cents to $108.78 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures

Europe exchange. Volume was 19 per cent below the 100-day average.

The European benchmark traded at a $1.94 premium to WTI, down from $2.01 on August 2.

Libyan crude output tumbled 330,000 barrels to 800,000 barrels a day in July, a Bloomberg survey showed. It was the fourth straight decline and sent production to the lowest level since December 2011.

“The fact that some Libyan production is coming back is reducing upward pressure on the market,” said Tom Finlon, director of Energy Analytics Group LLC in Jupiter, Florida.

The North African country reopened an oil port closed by protests last week. All but one of Libya’s oil export harbors was shut last week because of a labor dispute. The Marsa el Hrega and Zawiya ports are operating while Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Marsa Brega and Zueitina remain closed, Naji Mokhtar, head of the parliamentary energy committee, said August 3 in a telephone interview from Tripoli.

“Some Libyan barrels are back on board and it looks like there is more to come,” said Bob Yawger, director of the futures division at Mizuho Securities USA Inc. in New York.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member has lost an estimated 4.5 million barrels of crude and 190,000 barrels of condensate shipments, Goldman Sachs analysts including Jeffrey Currie said in a research note dated August 2.

•World Bank Group President Paul Wolfowitz (middle) and Philippines Secretary of Finance/Chairman, G-24 Margarito Teves, left, and Philippine Under Secretary of Finance and Chairman of Deputies Roberto Tan at a meeting.

Zimbabwe stock market plunges after Mugabe victory Z IMBABWE'S stock market plunged on Monday, the first trading day since President Robert Mugabe was re-elected, reflecting investor concerns he might target foreign-owned businesses or stop using the U.S. dollar.

The bourse's Industrial Index fell 11 per cent, a dubious market reaction to the landslide win by Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party whose economic policy centres on the "indigenisation" of foreign firms forcing them to cede majority control to local blacks.

Nine of the top 10 companies on the $5 billion bourse fell, and the biggest, Delta Corporation, the local unit of global brewer SAB Miller, lost 20 percent to trade at $1.20 a share.

Before the July 31 election, the in-

dex hit a series of highs on hopes Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai might unseat the 89-year-old Mugabe at his third time of trying.

Instead, Mugabe, Africa's oldest head of state, won a crushing 61 percent in the presidential vote and a huge majority in parliament that allows ZANU-PF to change the constitution at will.

Tsvangirai has dismissed the poll as a "farce" and his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party is preparing a legal challenge to what it says was massive vote-rigging, although analysts say a court bid is unlikely to succeed.

There has been no sign yet of the

violence that followed the last election in 2008 when 200 MDC supporters were killed.

Even without unrest, investors fear an emboldened ZANU-PF could accelerate its indigenisation programme by targeting foreign banks that it says are refusing to lend money to black farmers and small businesses.

"These are initial shocks in reaction to the election results. It was going to happen - maybe until there is some certainty on the policy front from the new government," a trader with a local stockbroker said.

In an interview with Reuters, U.S. Ambassador Bruce Wharton said the eyes of the world would be on Mugabe's cabinet choices for clues as to his overall policy direction.

Dollar drops against yen

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HE dollar fell for a second session against the yen on Monday after Friday's U.S. jobs figures lowered expectations that the Federal Reserve would start to buy fewer bonds in the near term.

But losses were limited after data showing an acceleration in the pace of growth in the U.S. services sector in July, which added to views that economic growth will pick up in the latter half of the year.

The dollar has lost three per cent versus major currencies since its high on July 9 as expectations faded the U.S. central bank may start scaling back its stimulus as early as September. The Fed offered no indication of a near-term move after a policy meeting last week.

"Ongoing uncertainty about whether the Federal Reserve will be able to taper its monthly bond buying as part of its quantitative easing program continues to weigh on the greenback," said Samarjit Shankar,

director of market strategy at BNY Mellon in Boston.

Less stimulus could provoke a rise in bond yields, making the dollar more attractive for investors.

The dollar fell 0.4 per cent to 98.58 yen, trading in a narrow range between 98.27 and 99.15 yen.

The ISM services reading followed data on Friday showing U.S. job growth of 162,000 last month, the smallest gain in four months and below analysts' expectations.

The euro slipped 0.2 per cent to $1.3257, stuck below chart resistance and session high at $1.3300 and last week's peak of $1.3344.

Retail sales in the euro zone fell across the board for the first time in three months in June, data showed on Monday, highlighting the drag of depressed household spending on the bloc's fragile recovery. But euro zone business expanded for the first time in 18 months in July, albeit very slightly.

The New Zealand dollar tumbled to a one-year low against the U.S. dollar after New Zealand's major dairy exporter, Fonterra, said it had found bacteria in some of its products that could cause botulism.

China halted the import of some dairy products from New Zealand and Australia in response.

The New Zealand dollar was last down 0.5 per cent at $0.7793. The next key chart support was at the June 1, 2012, low of $0.7456.

Dairy produce accounts for about a quarter of New Zealand's export earnings and any development that could hurt its exports typically causes the currency to fall.

"If this scandal worsens and if more countries put a ban on New Zealand's dairy imports ... then I would imagine the New Zealand dollar would weaken," said Jane Foley, senior currency strategist at Rabobank, adding that it could drop toward $0.70.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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BUSINESS NEWS Barclays joins UBS in pursuit of African millionaires

•From left: Information Technology Developers Enterpreneurship Accelerator (iDEA) Project Coordinator, Helen Anatogu; former Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof Cleopas Angaye; Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson; Chairman, iDEA Governing Board, Adedotun Suleiman and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication Technology, Dr Henry Apkan at an event in Lagos.

Shale explorers outperforming international oil titans

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OG Resources Inc. (EOG), Pio neer Natural Resources Co. (PXD) and Continental Resources Inc. are poised to reap bigger returns for investors than energy titans 15 times their market values as they devote almost all their drilling capital to higher-margin, domestic crude wells, said Gianna Bern, founder of Brookshire Advisory and Research Inc. in Chicago. Houston-based EOG is estimated to more than triple profit this year to $1.92 billion.

Exxon and Shell are lagging behind some of the dominant domestic shale explorers in delivering returns to investors. Exxon and Shell already are lagging behind some of the dominant domestic shale explorers in delivering returns to investors.

The domestic price rally “is bullish for U.S. shale development and benefits producers with a high U.S. production profile,” Bern, a former BP Plc (BP/) crude trader, said in a telephone interview. U.S. shale “is where the growth is.”

West Texas Intermediate, the benchmark crude for onshore U.S. oil, has risen 16 per cent this year as new pipelines and rail links eroded a supply glut in the Great Plains. Londontraded Brent, the basis for two-thirds of international prices, fell 2.2 percent, undermining major international producers and contributing to second-quarter earnings from Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) and Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) that disappointed

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investors last week.

Exxon and Shell already are lagging behind some of the dominant domestic shale explorers in delivering returns to investors. Pioneer has risen 68.8 percent this year, while Oklahoma City-based Continental has increased 32 percent. EOG, the biggest owner of drilling rights in the Eagle Ford Shale in southwest Texas, has risen 28 percent.

While Shell and Exxon’s profits were also diminished by shrinking margins from refining crude into transportation fuels, shale will be the driver for performance in energy-company earnings reports scheduled this week. Unit Corp. (UNT), a Tulsa-based owner of drilling rights in the Bakken shale, is expected to post its highest secondquarter profit in two years this week, according to analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

That compares to a 57 percent plunge disclosed by Exxon and a 20 percent decline by Shell last week. Pioneer, which shed deepwater Gulf of Mexico and African discoveries in recent years to focus on U.S. onshore drilling, boosted production by 17 per cent and posted the biggest second-quarter profit in company history last week.

The stock surged 13 percent on Aug. 1, the most since November 2011, after the Irving, Texas-based producer reported a pair of drilling successes in Texas’s Wolfcamp formation.

Halcon Resources Corp., the oil and gas producer run by former

Petrohawk Energy Chairman Floyd C. Wilson, posted record quarterly profit on August 1 after a five-fold increase in output from wells, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

EOG and Unit are scheduled to announce second-quarter results on August 6. Continental follows the next day. The world’s biggest energy producers, including Exxon and Shell, have had mixed results while playing catch-up to smaller U.S. explorers that helped pioneer shale exploration.

Shell, Europe’s largest energy producer by market value, wrote down the value of its U.S. shale assets last week for the second time in less than a year, while saying its liquids-rich properties in Texas’ Permian Basin are “developing very well.” Natural Gas, the worst-performing commodity of the past half-decade in U.S. markets, accounts for more than 80 percent of the output from The Hague-based company’s shale wells.

Exxon spent $52 billion in the past three years to create a shale portfolio, though most of it has involved gas that tumbled to a 10-year low in 2012 and commands less than one-fifth the price of oil, on an energy-equivalent basis. During a conference call with analysts last week, Exxon touted its progress in ramping up output 74 percent from a year earlier to 60,000 barrels a day in the Bakken formation that sprawls beneath North Dakota and Montana.

BARCLAYS Plc (BARC) is joining Citigroup Inc. (C) and UBS AG (UBSN) in targeting millionaire clients in Africa as the continent’s fastest-growing economies swell a rich list topped by billionaires Aliko Dangote and Johann Rupert.

Barclays Africa Group Ltd., in which the London-based bank will hold a 62.3 percent stake, is seeking to build on experience managing wealth in South Africa after acquiring eight African operations previously run by its parent. That expansion depends on regulators in countries including Kenya, Ghana and Mauritius, said Chief Executive Officer Maria Ramos.

Employees pass signage for Barclays Plc outside the headquarters of Absa Group Ltd. in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is benefiting from the continent’s economic growth, adding $6.7 billion to his wealth this year, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

“It’s potentially a very exciting opportunity,” Ramos said in an interview in Johannesburg on July 30.

The number of Africans with at least $1 million of investable assets climbed 9.9 percent to 140,000 in 2012, according to a report published on June 18 by Cap Gemini SA (CAP) and Royal Bank of Canada. That was the fastest rate of increase outside North America as the economies of countries such as Nigeria and Ghana grew at more than 5 percent last year.

“It’s a great time for private banking, wealth management and asset management in Africa,” Mark Mobius, who oversees $53 billion as executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, said in an interview on June 28.

About 42 percent of the millionaires in Africa and the Middle East are prioritizing wealth accumulation, a higher proportion than in North America, Europe or Asia, the Cap Gemini report showed.

UBS, the world’s biggest wealth manager, said in May it will expand its operations in Africa as economic growth rates boost demand. The industries contributing most to wealth creation on the continent include the resources, telecommunications and consumer industries, according to the Zurich-based bank. Africa’s increasing wealth presents an opportunity, said Donna Oosthuyse, the head of Citigroup in South Africa.

“In our private bank we have officers who are dedicated to Africa and in our international personal bank,” she said on July 25.

“Just as we see international glo-

bal companies needing international capabilities, so do individuals.”

Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is benefiting from the continent’s economic growth, adding $6.7 billion to his wealth this year, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. That lifted the Nigerian, who owns the continent’s biggest cement producer, to 31st on a global rich list with an estimated net worth of $21.3 billion, eclipsing the $18 billion of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.

Economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to accelerate to 5.9 percent in 2014 from 5.1 percent this year, the Washington-based International Monetary Fund said on July 9.

“The growth means pools of savings are being created across the continent in counties like Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana,” said Thabo Khojane, managing director of Investec Asset Management in Cape Town. “I don’t think Africa’s problems are solved, but the trend is undoubtedly in the right direction. I’m an African bull.”

Local and international wealth managers are catching on to that potential as they seek to bolster earnings that are being squeezed by tougher regulatory requirements, said Patrice Rassou, head of research at Sanlam Investment Management in Cape Town.

“South African banks and global banks have been bad in general in the wealth management market,” Rassou said in an interview. “The one who could be a game changer is Barclays Africa — it has the product set. The demand is there.”

Continental Reach The merger of Barclays’s assets with what was Absa Group Ltd. (ASA) in South Africa gives Barclays Africa 1,200 branches across the continent, 45,000 staff, more than 10,000 ATMs and increased access to the continent’s estimated 128 million consumer households, Ramos said in a presentation in Johannesburg today.

Using Barclays’s technology instead of developing new systems means products, including those for wealth management, can be rolled out “at low cost,” she said.

Barclays Africa will look at developing a presence in Nigeria, the region’s second-biggest economy, Chief Financial Officer David Hodnett said in an interview on July 30. The IMF is forecasting economic growth of 7.2 percent in Nigeria this year.

Barclays Africa, on its first day of trading under its new name in Johannesburg, closed 1 percent higher at 142.45 rand. In London, Barclays dropped 2 percent to 285.25 pence by 4:18 p.m., paring this year’s gain to 8.7 percent.

JPMorgan accused of energy-market manipulation by U.S. agency

PMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) manipulated power markets in California and the Midwest from September 2010 to June 2011, obtaining tens of millions of dollars in overpayments from grid operators, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission alleged today.

The agency said in a Notice of Alleged Violations that it had preliminarily determined a JPMorgan trading unit had engaged in eight manipulative bidding strategies.

The New York-based bank has agreed to sanctions including a fine of about $400 million in a settlement that may be announced as early as tomorrow, according to a person familiar with the case who asked not to be identified because the terms aren’t yet public. Other sanctions may include forfeiting profits, this person said.

Brian Marchiony, a JPMorgan

spokesman, declined to comment on the FERC action.

The case marks another setback for the biggest U.S.-based bank, which sailed through the 2008 financial crisis without a single quarterly loss. Last year JPMorgan lost more than $6.2 billion from wrong-way derivatives bets placed by traders in London. The incident prompted a U.S. Senate investigation, the departure of two senior executives and a debate over whether Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon should keep his chairman role. In May shareholders re-elected him as chairman.

JPMorgan said on July 26 it may sell or spin off its physical commodities business including energy trading, three days after a congressional hearing examined whether banks are using their ownership of raw materials to manipulate markets.

Commodities chief Blythe Masters oversees the unit, J.P. Morgan Ventures Energy Corp. The wholly owned subsidiary trades and holds physical commodities, including agricultural products, metals and energy, as well as derivatives.

The FERC in November revoked a JPMorgan energy-trading unit’s right to trade power for six months after accusing the firm of providing misleading information to regulators. The suspension, which took effect in April, marked the first such sanction for an active market participant.

The FERC staff said in today’s allegations, announced by e-mail, that the bank’s energy-trading unit was involved in five market-gaming strategies in California from September 2010 to June 2011. The company engaged in three gaming strategies in the Midwest from October 2010 to May 2011, the staff

said.

Investigators have suspected that bidding practices by JPMorgan traders improperly got grid operators to overpay for electricity from power plants the bank controls, Thomas Olson, a FERC attorney in the agency’s enforcement office, said in a July 2012 filing with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

In wholesale electricity markets, buyers and sellers negotiate prices based on supply and demand. There are costs associated with making a bid to provide power, including fuel and starting up the generator, according to Steven Greenlee, a spokesman for the California Independent System Operator, the state’s grid operator. If a sale of electricity doesn’t yield enough revenue for the generator to recover its startup costs, the grid operator will issue the company a “make whole” pay-

ment, he said in an e-mail.

After examining JPMorgan’s bidding practices, FERC staff told JPMorgan in March that it appeared the company’s traders may have violated agency and grid-operator rules, the company said in a May regulatory filing. It also said the regulator’s staff intended to bring an enforcement case against the trading unit and that its personnel and two subsidiaries may face claims stemming from a probe into bidding practices.

Since 2011, the FERC has revealed at least 13 probes of energy-market gaming, including investigations of trading units at Deutsche Bank AG, Barclays Plc (BARC) and JPMorgan.

“There are big profits that are made in these markets,” Susan Court, a former director of the agency’s enforcement office, said in a July 18 phone interview. “FERC’s mandate is to make sure those markets are not defrauded.”

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

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MAGINE the spectacle of tattooing your body with crystals.

Crystals on the corner of the eyelids, on the ears, nose, mouth, hands, wrists, ankles and those sensitive spots...

Swarovski has got them all, says Crafties Hobby Craft Limited, its African/Nigerian partner.

At the unveiling of Swarovski’s products in Lagos, Crafties stretched ‘crystal’ imagination of fashionistas and gave life to its endless possibilities with all sorts of gemstone works on display. Interestingly, the unveiling also featured bead and fashion designers with a knack for crystals and the Swarovski brand like the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Roxanne A Beads, Mrs Nwaise Akhidenor whose attire added colour to the exquisite displays.

Clad in a navy blue dress, Mrs Akhidenor was lavishly embellished with all sorts of crystals from top to bottom. “I am crazy about Swarovski”, she said.

She wore earrings, necklace, sunglasses and shoes made of Swarovski stones; and on her wrists and ankles she had the Swarovski crystal hotfix tattoos.

The gems, according to Roxanne A CEO and bead and jewellery making tutor, ignite her creative essence.

She said: “I love the brand and my customers love them too because it is the peak in gemstones. I mean as a bead and jewellery maker, if I can’t buy or find diamond, I’d work with Swarovski. The beads give me the inspiration to create as you can see in what I am putting on. This is but a few things you could do with the crystals.”

The Bead Jewellery Designers Association of Nigeria (BJDAN) President, Mrs Betty Adepoju also has soft spot for the brand. “I am drawn by the brand’s quality. I discovered the brand through Crafties and since then my love for it has not wavered. The first piece I made from its crystals was for my daughter – a pair of necklace and earrings. It is for the elite people that understand what quality stands for.

Getting it was always very difficult because you had to wait a long period before it is delivered from abroad, since it is now here courtesy Crafties, it is now in our grasp. No more long wait,” she said.

Like Mrs Akhidenor and Mrs Adepoju, “You too can create your style, anyhow you want it – in whatever shape or size you want,” said Swarovski representative in charge of Africa and the Middle East, Mr Micheal Renzler, who was at the unveiling.

“You do not need sophisticated machines to work with our products, anybody can do it.

Create Your Style with Swarovski Element, a brand of Swarovski, connects people who share a passion for personal design. The initiative is devoted to maintaining an inspiring and interactive offline and online platform where crystal aficionados from all over the world can exchange creative ideas and obtain advice from experts while getting design and style tips as well as information on interna-

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•From left: Mrs Olulade, Mrs Abdullahi and Mr Renzler posing with a mannequin cloth in Elect Aso-Oke’s wear adorned with crystals

Fashionistas are in for a treat as the prestigious gemstone production brand, Swarovski Elements brings its crystal of all shapes and sizes closer to them. EVELYN OSAGIE, who was at the products’ unveiling in Lagos, reports.

Creating your style with crystals tional competitions and whatever else their creative heart desires.”

Founded in 1885 by Daniel Swarovski (1862 to 1956) in Tyrol, Wattens (Austria), he said: “Swarovski’s core business is Crystal with over 100,000 products. While offering a short peep into the company’s products, Mr Renzler urged designers to be wary of imitation, saying: “There are misuses out there which you should avoid. There are different brands of crystals; the different is the quality and the prize. It is a recognised brand and appreciated brand. Differentiate your product with a seal of highest quality.”

He praised the efforts of Crafties CEO, Mrs Oluseyi Abdullahi in inspiring creative in the industry, particularly in Nigeria. “Mrs Abdullahi has been a major impact carrying the product into the market. She has become a Swarovski’s”Create Your Style” Ambassador for Nigeria, an elite group of people who have established themselves in their countries, using and promoting our wide range of products to Africa.”

The brand’s creative options and the huge business potential were shown to guests con-

Drama as world’s language

UPILS of King’s College, Lagos and participants from other schools displayed their creative talents at the inauguration of the school’s royal troupe at Tafewa Balewa Square, Lagos.

They did various displays in dance drama to underscore the need to develop drama and theatre practice.

The Oloni of Eti-Oni in Osun State, Oba Dokun Thompson, observed that the dance drama, was creative. He praised the principal for adopting the study of drama and theatre into the curriculum, noting that it would develop the talent and also preserve the cultural history.

“Our history shows what we are to the outside world, because it defines us to the foreigners. With the cultural talents displayed by the students, our history can never die, but grow to be known across the world,” he said.

Principal of King’s College, Otunba Dele Olapeju, who is also the King’s Royal Troupe artistic director, boasted of the school’s record of artistic outings. He said the troupe is passionate about the Nigerian youths and would act as a creative and cultural ambassador of and for the school.

He urged other schools to add drama

FASHION sisting of fashionistas, gemstone lovers, and notable institutions in the fashion industry, including the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) and the Bead Jewellery Designers Association of Nigeria (BJDAN) and others.

Aside the array of assorted Swarovski stones, Swarovski Element Africa and Nigeria’s partner, Crafties also had on display a dazzling array of necklaces all made with its element (a crystal necklace by Subzy Elesho was particularly stunning), a delectable pendant and earring set by Roxanne A, a crystal encrusted AsoOke by the Elect Aso-Oke by Mrs Mosunsola Olulade and a striking black Kaftan with its array of hot fix crystals.

As part of efforts at ensuring that design enhancing products which are used by accomplished fashion and beaded jeweller designers on the international fashion scene are readily available to Nigerian Designers, Mrs Abdullahi said it is partnering with bigger and reputable international companies operating in all the fashion capitals of the world such as

Niger establishes book hawker scheme

By Olushola Orebajo

By Evelyn Osagie

DRAMA and theatre practice to their educational curriculum, noting that drama and theatre practice will improve the thinking and development of young students which will shape them to the right path for future. He listed entrepreneurial and skills development programmes, monthly seminars and theatre workshop as some of the latter programmes earmarked for the school troupe.

“Talent is an ability that can be improved when learning towards it but can be destroyed when hidden” he added.

The event was aimed at inspiring and turning on the creativity of the young people; identifying the special needs to preserve cultural activities and develop individual talent. Other schools that participated includes Keystone College, Obalende, Lagos City College; Obalende, Queens College, Yaba, Footprints of David Dance Academy.

The event was sponsored by King’s College,King’s College Parents Teachers Association (KCPTA), King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOB) and DNL Construction (London).

Swarovski.

According to her, Crafties also enjoys strategic partnership with BEADALON for necklace stringing materials and tools; PONY for assorted pins and needles, MADEIRA for top quality sewing and embroidery threads and iLOVETOCREATE for ‘Scribbles’ fabric paints, dyes, glues and glitter to mention a few. Their products were also on from on display.

Inspired by Crafties slogan “encouraging creativity in everyone”, Mrs Abdullahi gave application tips and techniques. With consolidating Nigeria’s fast rising local and international profile in the fashion and beaded jewellery industry as its goals, she said her company is not only providing the industry with tools and raw materials but also runs training and workshops that covers a wide range of techniques.

The event also featured the formal presentation of the Crafties self-teaching DVDs that come with a well-illustrated and colourful booklet guaranteed for beginners seeking to learn the basics of necklace stringing, crochet and chain maille at their own pace and in the comfort of their homes.

LITERATURE

•Dzukogi

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O make good reading texts easily accessible to its citizens, the Niger State government has established the BookReach-The-Neighbourhood programme titled: MBA Book Hawker Scheme.

The scheme, which was developed by the Niger State Book Development Agency, is meant to check the dwindling reading culture in addition to galvanising the strong literary tradition that exist in the state, according to the agency Director-General, Mallam Baba Muhammad Dzukogi.

The scheme would be launched before this month ends and would involve the inauguration of the mobile bookshop tagged: MBA Book Hawker in which books would be

sold through branded tricycles).

According to Dzukogi, the project would reach out to several towns and semi-urban areas in the state, adding that it is part of the move to keep alive the literary tradition and improve the literacy rate across the state.

Parents/guardians would not need to travel far to get books for their wards as the MBA Book Hawker would be taking books to their neighborhood, it was learnt. They can now buy for their children without the burden of deciding to go to bookshops. The method of taking the books to the neighborhood for sale would be through branded tricycles bearing MBA Book Hawker Scheme.

Dzukogi said: “It is not a conventional bookshop where people travel long to buy. It will be a bookshop where there are books for people to buy. And it will be running through the MBA Book Hawker Scheme meaning we would have tricycles branded as Book Hawker, which would be going to the corners of Minna, and we are starting with children books.”

He added that along with the scheme Niger State government would also holding a national book fair which is its maiden edition

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

38

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

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S we noted last week, there are so many enriching, stimulating, ennobling and enlightening thoughts on diverse aspects of life – human rights, education, friendship, freedom, morality, politics, science etc. – in Albert Einstein’s collection of essays simply titled ‘Ideas and Opinions’. We have, however, chosen to focus today on the great scientist’s views as regards religion, morality, God and the relationship of these phenomena to the scientific vocation and imagination. Einstein’s essays which will inform the reflections in this piece are: ‘Religion and Science’; ‘The religious Spirit of Science’ and ‘Religion and Science Irreconcilable?’

Some of the keenest intellects and most outstanding personalities of our time – scientific and non-scientific – have dismissed religion as utterly pre-scientific and mythical. In the same vein, they have derided the idea of God as a veritable illusion. Here in Nigeria, for instance, the late engineering genius, Professor Ayodele Awojobi, was a professed agnostic. He said he had no evidence to prove the existence or otherwise of God. The late Dr. Tai Solarin and Beko Ransome Kuti were also lifelong atheists who denied belief in the existence of the supernatural. Yet, the trio were veritable moral exemplars and fighters for truth and justice whose lives showed that there is no necessarily ineluctable nexus between religious belief and a moral outlook on life.

The British mathematician, philosopher and winner of the Nobel Prize in literature in 1950, Professor Bertrand Russell was also a professed atheist throughout his long life.

I remember poring for hours over his treatise titled ‘One hundred reasons why I am not a Christian’ at the central library of the University of Ibadan as a student. A contemporary scientist who is a passionate advocate of atheism is Professor Richard Dawkins, the English ethnologist and evolutionary biologist, whose explosive book, ‘The God Delusion’, published in 2006, has sold millions of copies around the world.

He contends in the highly controversial and

Segun Ayobolu

sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

The mind of Albert Einstein (2) polemical book that the whole idea of God’s existence is a delusion and that religious belief is difficult to distinguish from some form of insanity. On a personal note, I find it difficult to believe that such a complex, intricate and well-ordered world like ours could have come into existence simply by chance or that creation can exist without a creator. Would it not be ridiculous if somebody claimed that Professor Dawkin’s book simply sprang to life by chance without an author that conceived, designed and wrote it? But then, mine is no scientific mind and my seeming ignorance may thus be permitted.

Now, there are important points of convergence as well as fundamental divergences between Richard Dawkins and Albert Einstein’s conceptions of God, religion and morality. Like Dawkins, Einstein does not believe in what the former describes as an “interventionist, miracle-working, thoughtreading, sin-punishing, prayer-answering God of the Bible”. Both men denounce the idea that there is a supernatural and personal God who interferes with the affairs of men and the universe. Another point on which both men are agreed in my view is their belief that there is no logically necessary relationship between religion and morality; that man does not need religion in order to be good. As Einstein puts it “A man’s ethical behaviour should be based effectually on

sympathy, education and social ties and needs, no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death”. This observation reminds us of the Sufi Muslim poet who wrote: “O Lord, if I worship thee in fear of hell, burn me in hell; If I worship thee in hope of heaven, deny me of heaven; But if I worship thee for thy own sake, withhold not thy beauty everlasting”.

However, unlike Dawkins who mercilessly deprecates religion and launches a most vicious and virulent attack on the notion of God, Einstein demonstrates a greater respect and understanding of the role of religion in promoting the good and welfare of humanity. According to him, “For the moral attitudes of a people that is supported by religion need always aim at preserving and promoting the sanity and vitality of the community and its individuals, since otherwise this community is bound to perish. A people that were to honour falsehood, defamation, fraud, and murder would be unable, indeed, to subsist for very long”.

Yet, he also laments the wide gulf between the lofty claims and ideals of religion and the actual lived experience of humanity. In his words “For while religion prescribes brotherly love in the relations among the individuals and groups, the actual spectacle more resembles a battlefield than an or-

chestra. Everywhere, in economic as well as in political life, the guiding principle is one of ruthless striving for success at the expense of one’s fellow men”. Does the Boko Haram menace and other forms of religious intolerance and violence not come to mind here?

Einstein traces the evolution of religion from beliefs based on fear of the supernatural that characterized primitive human society to the social and moral conception of religion and a God who, protects rewards and punishes a human species that he loves and cherishes. The latter he says is found in Judeo-Christian religion as well as the religions of the peoples of the Orient. For him, however, the highest conception of religion is what he describes as the Cosmic Religious feeling – which he obviously favours personally.

This Cosmic religion, he claims, is borne of “the sublimity and marvellous order which reveal themselves both in nature and in the world of thought”. Continuing, he avers that “In view of such harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human mind, am able to recognise, there are yet people who say there is no God. But what really makes me angry is that they quote me for the support of such views”. In other words, my understanding is that despite his lack of belief in a personal God who intervenes in human affairs, Einstein cannot believe that such a well ordered world as ours could exist without a designer.

For Einstein, then, science is not necessarily a substitute for religion. He believes that both phenomena serve qualitatively different ends. Science provides man with the knowledge of what is; how various parts of an observable physical universe relate to each other but it cannot dictate “what should be the goal of human aspirations”. He argues that our fundamental ends, aspirations and purposes as human beings cannot be determined by scientific demonstrations, “but through revelation, through the medium of powerful personalities. One must not attempt to justify them but rather to sense their nature simply and clearly”.

A scene form the play

Crystal Slipper: Theatre unusual at Muson

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OR two consecutive weekends in July, hundreds of Lagos theatre enthusiasts had a full dose of classical performances when the Thespian Family Theatre and Productions presented Crystal Slipper at the Agip Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, recently.

The audience described the package as a 'waoo show' but the organisers call it 'theatre unusual.' It was organaised as a fund-raiser in support of Asthma advocacy, especially by Oluwakemi Memorial Foundation for children living with asthma in Africa.

Crystal Slipper, which is a stage play from the producers of 5 Maids of Fadaka and The Mad King of Ijudiya, is a total theatre presentation enmeshed with a rich pot-pouri of songs, dance, folklore, comedy and concert. With eight accompanying songs and a powerful musical concert, there was no dull moment for the audience. It was directed by Abiola Segun-Williams.

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

DRAMA Starring artistes such as Gideon Okeke, Iyke Okechukwu, Florence Okechukwu, Shifi BelloAkinrimisi, Chinedu Emmanuel, Kyptic Kids, Adesua Etomi and Kemi Lala, the presentation takes the audience's feelings through a personal experience of suspense, humour and delight.

Apart from the thrilling performances by individual artiste, the choreography and costumes of the cast were more than adequate for such a package. The cast managed the stage to its optimum benefits such that there was no missing link.

Crystal Slipper is written by playwright, Ayo Jaiyesimi, who was particularly excited about the production. "I have been able to get multi-media, concert and choreography woven into this very simple play and this makes it particularly exciting," she said.

The play, described as tales from yesteryears production, is a popular story projected in a contemporary Nigerian setting with an intriguing twist.

It reminds the audience of some common family issues in most contemporary Nigerian homes.

These include high-handedness and over domineering tendencies of a wife who comes into the home after the husband lost the first wife. This manifests in what the central character, Adesewa who lost her mother, faces all through the play. The only world she knows is one of beauty, love and the joy of being the centre of her father's attention. But her father decides to re-marry and for Sewa, that should be the crown of her joy. Her world would be once again complete… A loving father, a happy home, and now, a mother that she had always longed for…

However, Sewa gets much more than she bargained for. She gets total maltreatment and oppression for her father's new wife, Atolani and her two children, Adeola and Adelani.

Crystal Slipper runs for 90 minutes and is greatly

enriched with drama, choreography and song that usually characterised Thespian plays. Notwithstanding its entertainment attractions, every act and antics of Atolani and her children was becoming predictable by the audience. But for the seeming counters from Malik, Ojemba and Mary (the domestic staff of Atolani's husband), the play would have become a mono.

The THESPIAN Family Theatre and Productions, an organ of SPIIN (Societal Positive Impact Initiative), was created by Ayo Jaiyesimi, a Human Resources Practitioner and Chartered Accountant together with other professional colleagues, who are passionate about Nigerian community and the arts.

"We see theatre as a great tool for reformation and community work. As Nigeria moves towards closing the chapter on the first 100 years of its existence as a country, we believe that it is time for the Theatre Arts to take its place in providing wholesome entertainment and also support a cause," the group said.

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E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

After a successful outing at the Royal Academy in London last August, some of Nigeria's priceless bronze objects from the ancient city of Ife in Osun State will next month return to Sweden for an eight-month exhibition, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

Reviving reading culture After 16 years of publishing Melodies of a Dashed Dream, Florence Abenemi has launched her second book, A Bouquet of Regrets, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, report OLUSHOLA OREBAJO and SALAMI ROFIAT

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109 Ife bronze for Swedish museum

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O fewer than 109 priceless bronze objects will soon leave the shores of Nigeria for an international exhibition opening on September 6 at the Swedish Museums for World Culture, Stockholm, Sweden.

Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister, Chief Edem Duke said in Lagos that the collection is an assemblage of several extraordinary works of art largely from Ile-Ife, which started as a small cluster of settlements and today has turned into a centre of trade and technological development.

The exhibition titled: Dynasty and Divinity: Ife art in ancient Nigeria, he said would be educating to the global audience adding that it would further strengthen Nigeria's partnership and collaboration with other cultural institutions and countries in 'our efforts to promote our rich cultural heritage.'

"The successes recorded during past exhibitions in Spain, Great Britain, and the United States are evidences of how much the world appreciate our high level of development in the world of art. It is this appreciation that has now further led Dynasty and Divinity: Ife art in ancient Nigeria to travel to the Swedish Museum for World Culture," the minister said.

Duke disclosed that Nigeria has been elected into the subsidiary committee of the meeting of State Parties to the 1970 Convention on the means of prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property at the first session of the committee held at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France between July 2 and 3.

He, therefore, urged the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to see Nigeria's election to this body as an opportunity to elevate the nation's culture and art to the zenith. "In addition, I charge them to use the medium of the subsidiary committee to identify and repatriate our cultural properties that have left the shores of this country through illegal means, as this act threatens our socio-cultural developmental initiative. As a society that possesses artifacts of great import and rich culture, some of these countries will be counting on your support in achieving the goals of this committee. On this note, I assure you of my support in actualising their proposed objectives," he noted.

MUSEUM Director-General of the commission, Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman described the travelling exhibition as the first outing that focuses largely on the Ife art. He said the relevance of the exhibition is to build a workable bilateral partnership with these institutions in areas of exchange of ideas, artifacts and capacity building for our museum professionals.

He assured that the objects would be returned at the expiration of the exhibition, adding that the condition reports of the objects have been carried out and that adequate security measures put in place to ensure their safety. He said the works would be accompanied by two professionals from the commission who would be in Sweden for the duration of the exhibition.

The chief registrar and director of exhibition, Museum for African Art, New York, US, said these objects are beyond doubt national treasure and prove Nigeria to be one of the world's greatest art centres of all time. She noted that Museum for African Art works towards the opening of its new facility in New York City, 'we look forward to many more rich collaborations with the commission.'

The exhibition is supported by the Museum of African Art, New York, Fundacion Marcellino Botin, Spain and Swedish

Garden City Literary Festival now Port Harcourt Book Festival

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HE Rainbow Book Club founder, Mrs. Koko Kalango, has expressed her anxiety over the annual festival holding in October. She disclosed the renaming of the Garden City Literary Festival as Port Harcourt Book and that plans are underway to institutionalise and re-brand the festival. She spoke at Port Harcourt on the several activities lined up for the festival. The Garden City Literary Festival began as an idea of Gov. Rotimi Amaechi to organise a programme that would draw writers to the city of Port Harcourt, annually.

The birth of the Garden City Literary Festival in 2008 brought with it an influx of writers, literary connoisseurs, publishers and other players in the book chain to Port Harcourt. Now in its sixth year, the festival has been described as ‘arguably the biggest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa’.

Kalango said the renaming of the festival is in line with international best practice as done in similar events such as The Cape Town Book Fair, the Edinburgh Book Festival and the Ghana International Book Fair which are named after their host cities or countries. Port Harcourt’s nomination as UNESCO World Book Capital has also generated increased interest in the city. The new name will help consolidate the

From Uche Udoh

LITERATURE city’s reputation as a haven for literary activities.

She observed that since several other ‘Garden Cities’ exist around the world, there was much ambiguity around the identity of the festival, noting that using the name ‘Port Harcourt’ makes the festival easily and quickly recognisable.

“Replacing the wording ‘Literary Festival’ with ‘Book Festival’ widens the content and scope and thus the festival’s appeal.

Instead of solely literature-type books, the focus would move to books in general e.g. motivational, business books, memoirs, etc.” she added.

This year, the Port Harcourt Book Festival will hold from October 21 to 26 with the theme: Literature and the Creative Economy. For six days, attendees will be able to participate in activities such as a book fair/exhibition, a symposium, children events, meet-the-author sessions, book signings, to name a few.

•Udoh is of Rainbow Book Club, Port Harcourt.

Muson symphony orchestra mounts stage

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HE MUSON symphony Orchestra, Nigeria’s only professional symphony orchestra, renowned for its high standard performance of various repertoires has staged a concert at the Agip Recital Hall of the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

It was a concert of two parts with a wide range of musical selections from the popular classical era through the romantic and the nationalistic 20th century. Eine kleine Nachtmusik and Exsultate Jubilate by the virtuoso, W. A. Mozart were the first works and they were performed with so much spirit. Other featured works were the Concerto for Cello and Orchestra by Luigi Boccherini. The second part of the concert started off with a wind orchestra playing Lift Thine Eyes, a trio by F. Mendelssohn-

Bartholdy, Romance for Cello and Orchestra by Johann Strauss Jr., the highly applauded Habanera from the Opera ‘Carmen’ by George Bizet and finally a medley of six short piano pieces composed by Bela Bartok titled the Romanian Folk Dances.

The two-hour concert was conducted by Thomas Kanitz, the MUSON artistic director and orchestra conductor. He also featured on the cello. The guest vocalists who highlighted the event were Ranti Ihimoyan, a soprano and Fatima Anyekema, a mezzo soprano. The MUSON Symphony Orchestra performed brilliantly with the last piece being a climax point and a very clever way to end the show. The internationally acclaimed MUSON Diploma School Choir also gave much light to the well organised show.

HE gathering at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce (LCCI), Alausa, Lagos during the launch of a book, entitled Bouquet of Regrets by Florence Abenemi, attracted many authors and academia. Columnist at the Daily Independent newspapers and Media Consultant to the Bells University, Otta, Ogun State, Mr Oyose Baje said reading culture among Nigerians is declining and must be revived.

Oyose described Abenemi’s book as a true life story, saying A Bouquet of Regrets is a must read for all and a fantastic book produced from creative thinking. He said the book tells about the freedom individuals have in higher institutions, which makes them commit heinous crimes. According to him, the social media has its advantages and disadvantages, but it is a major factor responsible for the decline in reading culture among Nigerians. “All we have now is materialism; there are different web sites that attract most people nowadays.

Everybody wants to get rich quick,” he added.

He advised Nigerians to encourage reading among the younger generations. “I was happy when President Goodluck Jonathan initiated Bring Back The Book. This was done to emphasise the need for reading books. The younger ones should be brought up with the desire to read because reading brings knowledge from various places, and when there is knowledge, there is a brighter future,” he said.

Continuing, he added: “The quality of teaching should be improved in various schools. Books may be produced as films to enable better understanding and encourage reading among Nigerians as this will help save the declining rate of reading.” There should be the desire for knowledge, because Knowledge is power”.

Former broadcaster at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and owner of Reading For Development Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) described the book as one of a kind, and urged parents to guide their children towards reading culture. “Reading should be an enjoyable interaction between parents and children. It is a time for parents to sharpen their kid’s communication and writing skills,” she added.

The book was reviewed by Folu Agoi, an award winning author and a lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), Anthony campus. “To cut a long story short, considering its style reflected in its title, theme, plot, characterisation, setting and point of view, Florence Abenemi’s A Bouquet of Regrets is indeed, a great novel – a psychoanalytical work of narrative fiction crafted to aid our understanding of ourselves, our neighbours and our society.

“The text A Bouquet of Regrets is a robust work of prose manifesting visible ingredients of drama and prose. Its aesthetic value reflects the linguistic fluidity and stylistic simplicity, which are all the trademark of a good writer,” he said.

Folu added that ‘apart from the poetic title of the novel, other notable ingredients that account for the strength and beauty of the 128-page work include flashback, foreshadowing and suspense. Besides the work’s linguistic and onomastic features, it portrays campus life in the late 20th-century in Nigeria.” He, however, noted that writing should serve as a social purpose and not just for writing sake.

Lecture, book presentation for Sekoni

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LECTURE in commemoration of the 70th birthday of Prof. Ropo Sekoni, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) will hold today at the Agip Recital hall of the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos by 10 am.

Dr Babafemi Folorunso, the keynote speaker will speak on the theme: Make or Break: The Imperative of Cultural Democracy in Nigeria.

The event, which will be chaired by Lt Gen Alani Akinrinade (rtd), will feature presentation of a book Federalism and the Yoruba Character, authored by the celebrator, and the launch of the “Yoruba Insight and Innovation Initiatives (YIII)” Among guests expected at the event are Prof. Femi Osofisan, critic, poet, novelist, and playwright, Prof.

Abioseh Michael Porter, Prof. of English and Department Head at Drexel University, United States, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Lagos State Governor, Prof Molara Ogundipe, foremost writer on African feminism, Prof Sola Adeyeye - Senator for Osun Central, Dapo Olorunyomi, Founder WSCIJ and Mr Kunle Ajibade, Editor, The News Magazine.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

40

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

• Mrs Folake Soyinka(second left), Alhaja Adeola Kareem, wife of Ogun governor, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, and the student participants in the essay competition marking Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 79th birthday in London, recently.

From Sweden with Matter redirected

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ROM the onset, Adeola Balogun, a sculptor, artist, and senior lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos was resolute on his mission to Sweden. He secured a twomonth art residency funded by Quintessence Gallery in Lagos, Astley Gallery, Uttersberg, Sweden and the Nigerian Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.

But few days into the residency, he was drafted into featuring in the production of an adaptation of a Swedish book, One hundred year-old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared by Jonas Jonasson into English movie.

Yet, he was not distracted. Within two months of stay in Sweden, he produced no fewer than 52 metal sculptures and drawings, which he exhibited in two galleries at Trollhatan and Utterberg in Sweden. The residency also provided opportunities for Balogun to visit galleries and artists’ homes where he discovered new methods of using some art materials.

He recalled that the residency opened his mind to several possibilities in the art, especially from across the globe. “From the trip, I have been able to discover many opportunities. Already, I have been invited to the US for a show in Miami in December, which is fallout of the residency,” he noted.

For the sponsors, the exposure has become necessary to open up the prolific artist to research and new techniques in his field of study.

Balogun, who bagged his MFA from the University of Benin, started exhibiting works since 1991, an experience he brings to bear in the project.

While there, he got the support of Gunnar Ternstedt, an engineer who offered his farm house and tools for the first one month.

He exhibition of his works opened first in Trollhattan, on 1st of June and then at Astley Gallery in Uttersberg on 29th June at

•Deola (centre) with other guests at the exhibition in Sweden

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

VISUAL ART the end of his programme.

The exhibition he titled MATTER REDIRECTED showcased 20 sculptural pieces and drawings using horse shoes and farm implements. Horse shoe is a fabricate product used to protect a horse hoof from tear and they are made available in a variety of styles and materials. It is interesting to know that horseshoe is kept as a talisman in some parts of the world because it is said to bring good luck depending on how you hang it. If the

ends are facing upwards then you got it right.

It will collect and keep all the luck you desire. The farm implements include the planter, seed drill, fertilizer spread, spike, cultivator and cult packer, weight sorter and other implements. He is redirecting all these matters that are no long in use into witty, compositions and visible arts pieces.

On what inspired him, Balogun said, before an artist would attempt to represent perceived objects or scenes either on a flat surface or on a three dimensional format, he or she must first be moved by it. This assertion was aptly stated by Harold Speed thus: “It is not enough in artistic drawing to portray accurately and in cold blood the appearance of objects. To express form one must first be

moved by it.”

The art teacher intends to use his works as moving testament of the creative skill of the Nigerian artist and to promote our culture and capabilities. While there his works generated a lot of discourses.

Until now, he has participated in workshops organised by Anders Nyhlen the curator of Astley Gallery in Uttersberg. Anders also gave Kunle Adeyemi, a renowned artist known for his paintograph and paintocast technique, a similar experience during his residency three years ago. Present at the exhibitions were Nigerian Ambassador to the Scandinavian countries in Stockholm, Ambassador Benedict Onochie Amobi who was special guest at the opening.

OTHER SPORT...OTHER SPORT...

POLITICS

43

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

• Dickson

• Dr Jonathan

• Ngige

• Tukur

• Sani

Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the failure of the previous reconciliation committees set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and why the Governor Seriake Dickson Committee may not make the difference.

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PDP ‘s elusive search for peace

ROM its inception, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been grappling with crises. The crises are largely due to its size, lack of internal democracy and poor management by the party’s leadership. The party has lost some of its foundation members because of the intractable crisis, often fuelled by the selfish ambition of the party leaders, who consider themselves as tin gods whose decisions must not be challenged.

The leaders set up reconciliation committees to save the party from total disintegration. The party had in last 14 years set up various panels to resolve crises among members. Rather than achieve genuine reconciliation and cohesion, the crises have often escalated.

The panels have failed to achieve enduring peace in the party.

Failed reconciliation attempts On assumption of office in 2007, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua constituted an 11-member National Reconciliation Committee headed by the Second Republic Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, to bring back the aggrieved members, who dumped the party over the imposition of party’s presidential candidate for the general elections.

The panel was made up of the neutral and respected elders. The aggrieved members had no cause to doubt their integrity. The members of the panel include Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Professor Jerry Gana, Ambassador Aminu Wali, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Dr Bello Mohammed, Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun, Chief Bode George, Lady Ime Udom and Dr Stephen Oru, who served as secretary.

The panel reached out to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who left the party on the ground that the emergence of Yar ‘Adua as the presidential candidate was an imposition by the party leadership. Chief Audu Ogbe and Chief Solomon Lar, who were former national chairmen and the late Chief Stephen Awoniyi. The panel which submitted its report to the Dr Ahmadu Ali-led PDP National Working Committee recommended that the 2006 membership revalidation should be re-

visited, if genuine reconciliation was to be achieved.

However, the Prince Vincent Ogbulafor-led executive set up an 18-man committee in 2008 to review the report of the Ekwueme Committee, in line with its resolve to reorganise and enhance internal democracy in the party.

The party said the decision to set up the committee was in line with the philosophy and policy thrust of the new executive committee, and in fulfilment of the promise by the National Chairman, Prince Ogbulafor, to move the party forward.

The committee headed by the former National Deputy Chairman, Dr Bello Muhammed, was mandated to study the report critically, work out the aspects of the report that can be immediately implemented and the modalities for the implementation, and recommend a feasible implementation time frame. The partial implementation of the review panel report led to the return of Atiku and few others. But Ogbeh and Akume refused to return to the party.

The PDP chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on assumption of office in March 2012, also promised to bring back the aggrieved members. To actualise his mission, he inaugurated an eight-member committee headed by Chief Graham Douglas to reconcile, the feuding members in Kano State. The committee was asked to identify the causes of the crises, with a view to resolving them and bringing the warring factions together. In spite of the committee’s effort the PDP is still a divided party in Kano state.

Similarly, Tukur appointed a committee-led by the former PDP National Vice Chairman, SouthWest Zone, Alhaji Oyedokun, to settle the rift among the members in Benue state. The Oyedokun Committee has submitted its report, but the crisis in Benue still persists.

Tukur embarked on a reconcilia-

tion tour early this year to appease the governors who shunned the zonal reconciliation meetings.

The failure of the zonal reconciliation tours by Tukur led to another tour of the by the chairman Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih.

The tour took him to Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Rivers, Kogi states.

Anenih’s tour failed tos restore peace.

Other peace panels were the Sule Lamido Committee set up to reconcile Governor Murtala Nyako group and Tukur faction in Adamawa State and the Ishola Filani panel to reconcile the aggrieved members in the Southwest.

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State panel was set up by the PDP Governors Forum, after the sudden exit of the loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the National Executive Committee (NEC). In April, the Southwest Zonal Caretaker Committee also inaugurated a sixmember committee for each state in the zone, with the mandate to investigate the cause of the internal wrangling.

In spite of all these panels, the party is yet to know peace. Internal squabbles fuelled by personal ambition towards 2015 and the insincerity of the party leadership appear to be compounding problem of the party.

Dickson neutrality of committee The PDP has constituted a 30member committee saddled with the onerous task of harmonising all the interests and achieving genuine reconciliation. The appointment of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State had drawn the flaks from some party big wigs, including the governors.

Analysts say the reconciliation seems doomed from the start was because it would be impossible for Dickson to discharge his responsi-

bilities without bias. He is a supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan whose second term ambition is believed to be fuelling the crises in the PDP. Beside, Dickson, like Jonathan, is from Bayelsa.

The President of Civil Rights Commission, Shehu Sani, said the appointment of Dickson showed that the panel cannot be neutral.

Sani told The Nation that Dickson is not neutral in PDP crises. The fact that he has taken sides will make it impossible for the estranged governors to embrace his overtures.

He said: “Reconciliation demands an impartial, and neutral arbiter that would provide confidence and truce to the two contending sides. That will make it possible for both sides to sit down on the table and address their differences. The reconciliation will not work, until the morality issue of the arbiter is addressed.

Dickson is a wrong person to be a member of that committee, let alone being the chairman”.

Former Special Assistant to exGovernor Timpriye Sylva, and Mr Tonye Okio, said Dickson is an interested party, a hatchet man of the President, who cannot lead a serious effort to calm the frayed nerves in PDP. Okio said: “The reconciliation committee headed by Seriake Dickson will lead the party nowhere. It will rather nail the corpse of the PDP. His appointment as chairman of the committee is the worst decision taken by the party leadership.

“Dickson is one of the problems of PDP. He was imposed by Jonathan. How can he operate with free mind? The committee headed by Dickson has a script to act out. If truly the PDP wants to make peace, it should try as much as possible to isolate interested parties. Seriake Dickson is one of the hatchet men of the President”.

Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) noted that the appointment of Dickson

‘Reconciliation demands an impartial, and neutral arbiter that would provide confidence and truce to the two contending sides. That will make it possible for both sides to sit down on the table and address their differences. The reconciliation will not work until the morality issue of the arbiter is addressed. Dickson is a wrong person to be a member of that committee let alone being the chairman’

is a party matter but the question is what kind of reconciliation does the party want to make: true reconciliation or paper reconciliation?

Ngige said that the party is interested in paper reconciliation. If not what qualifies Dickson to head the reconciliation panel? He has personal issues with Sylva and Amaehi. Do you expect these people to appear before the panel being presided over by Dickson?” he asked.

Dickson is a principal element in the presidential offensive against Amaechi, whose relationship with Jonathan is raptured.

President of Arewa Youth Forum, Shettima Yerima, Dickson was purposely planted in the committee to protect Jonathan’s interest. “I don’t see how the committee will find the President guilty of fuelling the crisis or ask Jonathan to forget his second term ambition in the interest of the party and the nation at large if it becomes necessary to make suh recommendation,” he said.

Hypocritical commitment Yerima asked the PDP leadership to stop creating the impression that it was committed to peace.

Social critic Prof. Tam David-West said that nothing will come out of Dickson Committee. Given its composition, the panel has lost public confidence, he said.

“It is unbelievable that the party that pride itself as the largest in Africa can’t find any other person to head a committee that is crucial to the party’s existence other than Dickson seen by many as Jonathan errand boy”, David-West added.

A PDP governorship aspirant in Adamawa State at the last general elections, Umaru Ardo, also disapproved of Dickson’s headship of the reconciliation.

Ardo said Dickson is unqualified to handle the assignment. According to him, Dickson lacks the national exposure and experience that such a task requires.

He said that Dickson is a subject of conflict in the party. He recalled the how he was brought in as the governor and controversy it generated.

These have reduced his moral standing to undertake a reconciliatory mission, Ardo said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

44

POLITICS

Suitai will return soon, says Senator Stories by Emmanuel Oladesu

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ARABA State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Senator Emmanuel Bwacha is sure that Governor Dambaba Suntai will return to the country soon.

The senator, who represents the South District, said that those calling for the swearing in of the acting governor as the substantive governor are oblivious of the provision of the 1999 Constitution.

Bwacha, who claimed to have visited the ailing governor in New York, United States, said that he is on the fast lane to recovery. He said the rumour that his health has worsened was unfounded, adding that there is no cause for alarm.

The legislator, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, urged those calling for the swearing in of the acting governor to study the constitution before intensifying their agitation. Bwacha said: “The constitution does not specify the time frame for an acting governor. He can be there as the acting governor till the end of the tenure. But the governor will soon return to the state to continue his work. He is on the way to recovery”.

The senator also defended President Goodluck Jonathan against the critics of his administration, saying that he is performing. He said: “People point to what he has not done. They do not point to what he is doing, especially in the areas of light rail in Abuja, agricultural revolution and road construction. He is qualified to re-contest in 2015 and those of us in the north will support him”

PDP should pack and go, says APC chief

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AGOS State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Otunba Oladele Ajomale has declared that the days of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in power are numbered.

He said that the party will find it difficult in 2015 to win the votes of Nigerians because of its poor performance in the last 14 years. “PDP should pack and go,” he added.

Ajomale spoke in Lagos at the ceremony marking the lowering of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) flag and the hoisting of the APC flag by Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN). He also directed that the party should be inaugurated in the 57 councils in the state this week.

He said: “I thank the merger committee and the governors who backed them. They were the driving force behind the merger. Immediately we announced the APC, it was like an electric shock to the PDP, but it was joy to Nigerians.”

The new party held its first meeting, which was presided over by Ajomale, the chairman of the defunct ACN. At the meeting, which took off shortly after the hoisting of the APC’s flag, were party elders, the ACN chairmen from the 57 local councils and 20 local government chairmen.

Fashola described the party as “an alternative vehicle of expression of an aspiration for a better life”, urging the members to gird their loins for the future electoral battle.

The governor said: “This is more than a merger. It is history.”

Fashola, who reflected on the merger struggles, thanked the APC leaders and members of the merger committee for their commitment and sacrifice.

Noting that they jettisoned personal interest, he said the merger drivers showed that “they were masters of their ego and not slaves of their ego”.

Looking into the future, the governor said APC leaders were still expected to make more sacrifices. He added: “People sacrificed their positions. I salute their sense of sacrifice and there are still more sacrifices to make. I urge the people to learn from the sacrifices made. I hope that we are ready. It is not about individuals. it is about the nation. Individuals will go, but the nation will remain”.

Fashola praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for standing up for the rule of law, constitutionalism and history.

At the ceremony were the deputy governor, Hon. Joke Orelope-Adefulire, the former deputy governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun, Pa Abiodun Adeseye, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, Ademola Sodiq, Rev. Tunji Adebiyi, Comrade Ayo Adewale, Hon. Adekunle Israel, Hon. Shamusedeen Olaleye, Chief Funso Ologunde, Hon. Hakeen Oris, and Mrs. Toun Adediran.

• Ajomale

Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Dr Abayomi Finnih spoke with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN on the protracted crisis in the troubled chapter.

‘George is Lagos PDP headache’

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HAT are the PDP leaders in Lagos State doing to recon cile the factions in the state

chapter?

Well, the party leadership is doing everything possible to ensure the unity of the party is in the state. We have issues, which the former reconciliatory committee has not been able to solve. We are trying to bring every member on board to work together and guarantee electoral successes. We don’t have statutory meeting time, but we have all come to realise that dialogue is the way to move the party forward and to avoid any form of acrimony within the party. We believe that, if the party must remain solid, peace has to prevail and we have to ensure equity and fair play.

Is it true that the party has succeeded in reconciling Chief Bode George and Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe?

I am not in a position to confirm or deny their reconciliation. If they have, it’s good for the party. We all have to come together to make a success story. We have invested our time, energy and resources towards building a virile party in the state, but the personal ego of few individuals is pulling us back. I think this time around, we should put the party interest above personal interest, so that the party can win elections in the state.

Some members of the party have gone to court to seek the removal of Chief Bode George from the PDP Board of Trustee because he is an exconvict. Is it a collective decision?

I read the court action on the pages of newspapers. I was upset by the action of the members. I found it uncomfortable that the members are taking themselves to court on party matters. This is an issue that could have been dealt with at the party level. In any case, we are in democracy and people have freedom of decision making on any issue. The court is there as an arbiter.

Lagos PDP has disowned the Minister of Trade and Commerce, Dr Olusegun Aganga, as state representative in the Federal Executive Council. When are you getting a replacement?

Yes, the clamour for a true Lagosian as a member of the federal cabinet has been on for a while. It is a legitimate demand we are making. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says that each state should have a minister. Dr Olusegun Aganga is not from Lagos State. I have not been able to discuss with him to find out where he comes from. We have discussed the matter at the party hierarchy, we have made representation to the Presidency, we have writ-

• Dr Finnih

ten letters calling on the President to give Lagos State its slot by appointing a true indigene of Lagos State into the Federal Executive Council. I am not sure, if Dr Aganga himself is claiming to be an indigene, but all we know is that he is not from Lagos State.

Before the present cabinet was reconstituted, we made efforts to get Mr President to correct this anomaly.

But what we heard was that, because Aganga is doing very well in his position, the President prefers to retain him. It is not clear to us how that should be a justification for Lagos that is being short changed, in view of the constitutional provision. What the President should have done is to appoint another minister from Lagos State. Anyway, we are still hoping that an indigene of Lagos State will be given a ministerial appointment, in fulfilment of the constitutional requirement.

Is Aganga a registered PDP member in Lagos State or does he attend party meetings?

When we were planning for the election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, he attended some of the strategic meetings. He is not a politician.

He is a technocrat. He is not expected to perform like a politician appointed as a minister.

Your group is critical of the congress that produced the current state executive of the party. What went wrong?

That is the bone of contention. Few people hijacked the process. The court halted the congress from holding, but the Olabode George faction called “the Establishment” defied the court order and went ahead with the con-

gress. So, a faction is in control of the party executive. The other two factions namely: the Union, which I lead, and the Non- Align Group are left in the cold. This action has further brought the party down. A serious party should open its doors for every member to be part of decision making.

There were several reconciliatory moves made from outside, such as Southwest zone, the Presidency and PDP Governors Forum, all to no avail.

The panels recommended a harmonised executive that would embrace all the factions, but the George Group is adamant. Even, the INEC wrote the party’s national chairman that the Lagos congress contravened the party guidelines and the constitution and that the commission does not recognise the congress. That was over a year now. Nothing has changed.

Some of us have bent backward by reaching out to George and his group to find solutions, but their incalcitrant attitude does not allow to reason with us. Politicians don’t behave that way. There must be compromise. My concern is that the situation on ground will jeopardise our chances in 2015.

The Southwest Zone met in Ibadan recently and picked Professor Ladipo as a replacement for Oyinlola, the erstwhile national secretary. Is Lagos a party to that decision?

There is no issue on this because there is a subsisting order on choosing a replacement for Oyinlola. I was at the congress that produced Oyinlola. Everything was fairly and transparently done. The party’s constitution does not allow anyone to hold position in acting capacity. We (my group) stand with what the law stipulates. The appeal on the removal of Oyinlola is still pending in court.

Will the party use the zoning formula or adopt consensus in picking its governorship candidate for 2015?

Consensus should be the right thing because going to the primaries has always led to disenchantment and acrimony. At the end of the day, the party is broken into different factions such that you spent most of the time settling crises and having little or no time for field work. I hope, this time, we should look for a consensus candidate that would boost our chances at the poll.

Is it true that the PDP is wooing Mr Jimi Agbaje to be its governorship candidate in 2015?

Jimi Agbaje hasn’t joined the party.

He has to join first before any other thing. Once he joins and shows interest he will be given equal opportunity like other members who have shown interest for the office.

‘Ondo has embraced APC’

O

NDO State All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Dr. Akerele Adu has said that the people of the state have embraced the party as a credible alternative platform.

He congratulated the members for their commitment and loyalty to the progressive bloc, urging them not to waiver in their support.

Adu, an associate of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, advised the party members to disregard any publications or invitation from anybody or group of persons, except the directive from the national secretariat of the APC comes through him.

The 84 years old politician told party members in Ijare, Ondo State, that the progressives have made history, with the registration of the APC. He added: “We should expect unprecedented challenges, crisis, problems, and “buckle - up” to resolve all these with sincerity as they come.”

•From left: Senator,Babajide Omoworare (Osun East), the Adimula of Ifewara, Oba Hezekiah Owolola; ACN Chairmen, Ife Central, Ife East and Atakunmosa West council, Mr Gabirisiyu Olaobaju, Mr. Sunday Omowaye and Mr. Mudashiru Bello, during the senator’s courtesy visit to the monarch in his palace at Ifewara, Osun State, recently.

APPEAL

ADMONITION

RECOGNITION

Cleric urges leaders on nation’s challenges

Lagos urges residents to plant trees

Honour for NAFDAC

Ondo

48

Sokoto

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

•Participants at the event

W

IDOWHOOD gloom may be about to lift in the Southeast and Southsouth. But that is because the wives of the state governors are pooling resources together to put women who lost their spouses out of despair.

The wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs Margaret Obi, her counterparts in Cross River, Mrs Obioma Liyel-Imoke, and Akwa Ibom, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio are collaborating to end widowhood misery.

They met at a summit initiated

by Mrs Liyel-Imoke who is also founder and board chair of Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realization (POWER).

The summit was in commemoration of the International Widows’ Day. In 2011, the United Nations designated June 23 every year as the

R

ESIDENTS of Osun State have expressed their satisfaction with Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s infrastructure upgrade efforts.

Quite a number of projects are being undertaken by the state government, but clearly, the conversion of the 45-km OsogboIkirun Road to a dual-carriageway is its flagship project.

Since the state government signed a N17.8 billion contract agreement with SAMMYA Construction Company Limited for the dualisation of the road, the project segmented into three phases- Osogbo-Dagbolu (International Market) to Alamisi Market in Ikirun (9.52 kilometers); Osogbo (Old-garage) to Ikirun junction Road (20.5 kilometers) and Ikirun-Ila Odo- Kwara State

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Anambra

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Page 45

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Governors’ wives team up for widows Summit addresses plight of bereaved women

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

official date for the celebration.

Mrs Akpabio hosted the event whose theme was “Louder Please, A call for Increased Advocacy Action and Interventions on Widows Rights in Nigeria”.

The women drew attention to the indignities and injustices millions of widows’ experience in the country.

The summit also advocated prac-

tical steps to curb obnoxious traditional practices widows are subjected to due to the death of their spouses.

The roll call at the event was impressive as every segment of society was represented. The occasion was chaired by the House Committee Chairman on Women Affairs, Senator Helen Esuene, while the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Zainab Maina delivered a keynote address.

The Minister made it clear that improvement of the situation of Nigerian widows would largely depend on how Nigerians respond to their plight.

Other distinguished personalities at the event included Speakers of state Houses of Assembly, Chief Judges of the representative states, Commissioners for Women Affairs and traditional rulers as well as representatives of widows associations from various states in the

Southeast and Southsouth. Some delivered papers.

The summit also provided opportunities for the governors’ wives to account for their stewardship in their widowhood interventionist activities in their states.

Papers presented at the event, amongst many others included; “An Overview of Widowhood Issues in Nigeria” by the guest speaker, Mr. Hauwa Shekarau, National Vice President, FIDA, and “The Role of Traditional Institution in Upholding the Rights of Widows”, delivered by Dr Etim Okon Edet, paramount ruler of Bakassi and Chairman, Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council.

Other papers included: ”The Role of the Church in Protection of Widows Rights”, “The Role of the Legislature in Advancing •Continued on Page 46

Osun residents hail infrastructure renewal

By Taiwo Abiodun

Boundary Road (16.55 km), the state government has been receiving a lot of commendation from residents of the state especially road users.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Mr Oladepo Amuda, an engineer, had assured that the project would be completed within 24 months.

SAMMYA Construction Company Limited took that directive seriously.

A development financial institution, the Infrastructure Bank Plc (TIB) which is the transaction advi-

sor and financier of the project, is also working in conjunction with the construction company and other stakeholders to fund the project.

The Chairman, SAMMYA Construction Company Limited, Mr Sammy Adigun assured that a lot of hands were employed to ensure the deadline was not missed.

He also revealed that the company signed a local content undertaking, such that the labour and materials would be sourced locally up to 60 per cent, stressing that the actual target was 90 per cent to provide jobs for the people of the state.

Adigun added that for executing the project, the administration of

Aregbesola has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to fully implementing its aggressive road development plan for the state, which, he said would facilitate the rapid development of the state.

Several months down the line since work commenced on the multi-billion naira project, opinions of people of the state about the performance of the contractor on the job habe been nearly the same.

People are praising the rare technical know-how at work on the project.

A trader at Igbona Market in •Continued on Page 46

•Governor Aregbesola

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

46

• A caterpillar at work on the road •Continued from Page 45 Osogbo, Alhaja Sarafatu Aina, said the contractor SAMMAYA has proved that it is capable of handling the job with the deployment of brand new machines for road construction, adding that the workers handling the project have also been clearly dedicated to the project.

A shop owner at Ayeitoro area of Osogbo, the state capital, James Obiora noted that despite the increasing rain, the uncompromising spirit of SAMMYA has ensured work progressed steadily on the project.

Similarly, answering questions on how the construction work has improved youth empowerment, a driver recruited by SAMMYA, Yunus Adegboyega said: “I got a hint that SAMMYA was employing drivers and I approached its office. That was how I got the job.

The salary is very attractive and there was training for all the workers. Besides empowering us finan-

•A nearly finished road

Osun residents hail infrastructure renewal cially, SAMMYA is also exposing us to skills in our various areas that are very new to many of us. The number of youths from Osun State that have been employed in various departments and sections of the company since the work began on the road is well over 500.”

He said further that the state government has demonstrated its readiness to place the state in the league of developed states, while the governor has demonstrated his desire to permanently etch his name in the minds of people in terms of infrastructural development.

A traditional ruler, Oba Rauf Adedeji, the Akinrun of Ikirun, one of the towns through which the road passes, commended both the state government and SAMMYA Construction Limited for making the project a good reference point in the country.

For the monarch, the dream to transform the state’s infrastructural facilities as conceived by the governor is actually being given a life by the contractor handling the project.

The royal father urged everyone involved in the project to ensure that the drive and determination shown when the work statrted would be sustained throughout the duration of the project.

The founder of Sword of Spirit Ministry, Eweta, Pastor Israel Wemimo said the major gain the state is recording through the ongoing Osogbo-Kwara Boundary project is in the area of empowerment.

He declared that youths in Ikirun and adjoining communities, who could not be absorbed by the contracting firm handling the work at the moment, eagerly await when the contractor will shift full atten-

tion to the part of the project that traverses the community.

Chief Tadese Esuleke of Oloba Compound, Osogbo, held similar views.

He said: “Many youths in the state who could not get opportunity in OYES are beginning to turn their attention to SAMMYA, the contractor working on OsogboKwara Boundary Road. Honestly, this work is assisting in mopping our streets of these hitherto idle young men. You can call it an indirect way by government and its partner, the contractor, to empower young ones”.

Speaking on behalf of students’ movement in the state, a former Osun State chairman of Joint Campus Committee (JCC) of National Association Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Bosede Safety said: “People are saying the youths empowerment is one of the gains

Aspirant advised on security

A

•Mrs Obioma Liyel-Imoke (left), Mrs Margaret Obi (middle) and Mrs Ekaette Akpabio at a press conference

Governors’ wives team up for widows

•Continued from Page 45 Widows Rights”, “The Role of The Judiciary in Ensuring Justice for Widows’ Rights Violation”.

President of the widows’ association, Cross River Chapter, hoped the summit would restore the dignity of widows and thanked Mrs Liyel-Imoke for her Giving Life Options to Widows (GLOW) initiative.

An 18-point communiqué was issued at the end of the two-day summit at which observations

were made and palliatives recommended to ameliorate widows’ plight in the society.

One of the highlights of the communique was that men should write wills that state clearly how their property should be shared in the event of death and also make effort to update their employment, insurance and other relevant records to reflect their spouse as their next-of-kin.

They also urged the legislative arm of government to review the current laws protecting widows and make them more biting

against offenders.

Traditional rulers who are the custodians of our culture were also urged to review all traditional practices that subject widows to indignity.

The called on all relevant stakeholders to join forces in addressing the issues of widowhood by putting in place a development intervention for widows, opportunities.

The summit emphasised, among others, the need for the establishment of transit shelter for widows in crisis and other among others.

recorded by the state through the project of Osogbo-Kwara Boundary road but beyond that fact, I think the preservation of lives and properties of the people that will use that road. The rate of accident on that road before this construction work is relatively high. Lives and properties have been lost and that will have to stop now with the expansion and reconstruction work going on.

“I want to express the gratitude of the people of Osun state, most especially the youths, who apart from benefitting as road users, also have gainful employment opportunity through SAMMYA . With this kind of infrastructure, automobiles being used in the state will have longer life span, thereby reducing spending on vehicle maintenance which further relaxes the strain on peoples’ income”.

RENOWNED pharmacist, Mr. Ugochukwu Okwuosa has enjoined a governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Ugochukwu Okeke-Enyioha, to address the issue of insecurity in order to reduce violent crimes and other heinous vices in the state.

Okwuosa, who is also the Managing Director of KP Pharmaceuticals Limited, gave the advice when Mr. Okeke-Enyioha and members of his Enyioha Campaign Organisation paid him a visit in Ogidi, in Idemmili Local Government Area of the state.

Okwuosa told Okeke-Enyioha: “It is a good thing that you have taken up the challenge to contest for the governorship position in the state.

If and when you become the governor of Anambra State, please endeavour to look critically into the issues of security of lives and property and the nagging problem of kidnapping for ransom and armed robbery. I must say it is gladdening that youths have shown interest in solving the myriad problems facing our state.”

Earlier, Okeke-Enyioha said he decided to contest after realising that in the Igbo traditional setting, it is the youth who are usually sent on errands, stressing that since it is popularly said that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, “today is that tomorrow we have been waiting for.”

Assuring his hosts that “change has come to Anambra State,” Okeke

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

said he had already started meeting with experts on the best strategies to stamp out kidnapping, even as he regretted that community policing has not been exhaustively experimented upon by the authorities.

He further said that his wide consultation has continued to take him to every Anambra citizen irrespective of political divide, pointing out that the task of developing the state requires collective action, which he said, does not respect such narrow sentiments of religion, gender and party affiliation.

In an interview with newsmen, Okwuosa noted that though Governor Peter Obi could be adjudged to have performed creditably well in office as governor, security of lives and property remains a nagging issue in the state. He pointed out that while former governor Chris Ngige evolved his own methodology of battling crimes, Obi decided that he must depend on government agencies to ensure security.

Okwuosa, whose elder brother was once a victim of kidnapping, explained that Governor Obi’s style of direct release of funds to communities and organisations has made it impossible for his administration to record any abandoned project, the governor’s promise that he would leave behind about N27 billion, is evidence that he was a good governor.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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Community decries environmental degradation

F

OR residents of Ilupeju-Titun in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, death comes by installment.

The old, young, male and female are up against one enemy- thick black smoke emanating from illicit activities of hoodlums who daily burn used tyres at the Gotan Kowa dumpsite in its neighbourhood.

The activity of these hoodlums had left many residents with various degrees of tract infections, ranging from asthma, bronchitis, and throat and lung cancer. Both young and old have become out patient at the nearby General Hospitals at OrileAgege and Ikeja, while several private hospitals have their hands full dealing with cases of residents who suffer from respiratory infections.

Most houses around the area are blackened with smoke arising from the burning activity at the dumpsite.

No resident could afford to put washed clothes and apparels out in the sun to dry. This is because such clothing material would be blackened by soot.

Opening up windows in the area for ventilation was a rarity, as such attempt is noted to be an invitation for one’s room to be invaded by smoke and open oneself to hazard.

About 10 streets that made up the Ilupeju Titun community have borne this dilemma for close to three years, but the case got worse over the last 16 months, as they alleged the hoodlums scaled up their trade and turned the dumpsite into a major depot for used tyres which were usually laid by and burnt for the purpose of extracting copper wire from them, a badly needed component in the electrical sector.

Among streets badly affected by this activity are: Soretire, Kabiawu, Oguntade, Olagoke and Ogundele.

Others are Irepodun, Egbatedo, Oyatogun, Adeniji Eleru and Alexander Estate.

Most of those who spoke with this

By Yinka Aderibigbe

Correspondent when he visited the area have the same wish list: ‘flush out these hoodlums before we all perish.”

Olawale Kazeem, 38, said he and members of his family have been battling with respiratory ailment since February. Kazeem, a mechanic, said his wife and three year-old-child Olawale Jr have been in and out of the hospital for more times than he can remember. He added that it was when a doctor asked whether his child was usually exposed to any dust or smoke that it crossed his mind that the fume that envelopes their house daily is a potential health hazard.

Another community leader Chief Jamiu A. Jimoh said the community is becoming more helpless as none of those they have appealed to for help to curb the excesses of these hoodlums have risen to their aid.

He said: “We have written series of petitions to the Chairman Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the Ministry of Environment and the state governor to help address the issue but the case seem to have defied any solution.

“We are left with the impression that these people are above the law and that we did not matter. The only thing close to any government’s interest was when a LASEPA official led an inspection team to the dumpsite. They came, saw the loads of used tyres ready to be burnt and took notes, but that is the end we ever got from them. They never got back to us and everybody has since gone back as if nothing was wrong.”

Jimoh continued: “The community has come short of resulting to physically confronting these hoodlums because of the need to preserve peace and security. But our youths are becoming restless and could re-

From left: Odubela, Ejalonibu and Jimoh all residents of Ilupeju-Titun sort to self help if government refuses 2011, it began to get worse and right now, has become unbearable. The to come to our aid soon. Everyone is coming down with respiratory sickfloor of my house are covered with thick black smoke, the paintings have ness and we are all dying by installment. We have a right to life been defaced by black smoke and I do not open my windows again beand we might take this right to the door steps of the dumpsite if we got cause of the smoke.

“Few months ago, one of my no succour from the government.”

Jimoh said members of the comneighbours had to travel out of the country to have throat surgery. munity have found out that the men Many of us are already carrying loads had been melting the tyres in order of carbon that are harmful in our to extract copper wires which were system, yet the government seems later sold. not to bother. We have written seAnother resident Otunba Adetola Odubela also expressed his frustraries of protest letters. We are getting tired of waiting for a response,” tion over the deadly fumes.

“When I moved into this neighOtunba Odebela said.

The Chairman of Ilupeju Titun bourhood, it was a quiet, peaceful and easily accessible place. We started Community Development Association Alhaji Yisa Ejalonibu said the experiencing this sad thing over three years ago. Then, it wasn’t this bad, community had invited the lawmaker representing the constituency but over the years, particularly since

in the Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Yinka Ogundimu to come and see things for himself.

“When he came here last year, he went round the place, took pictures which he promised to take to his colleagues at the Lagos House of Assembly. He promised that something would be done about this menace. Sadly, nothing has been done till date.

“The fact is that we don’t even know what is going on anymore.

Nobody seems to be interested in coming to our aid, which is why we decided to invite the media to help put our case again before the government. Our lives are being threatened by the activities of a few, whose economic activity is leaving a hail of health hazard on its immediate community.

Lagos urges residents to plant trees

T

HE Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, has advised residents to embrace the principle of tree planting; saying that it is essential for people’s well-being.

Speaking through the director of Laboratory Services Mrs Adetola Onisarotu during the state’s sixth annual tree planting exercise organized by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency

By Temitayo Ayetoto

(LASEPA) held at the Nigerian Breweries, Mr Bello noted that tree planting is a panacea for issues of climate change like global warming and other ecological challenges.

He said that “Green is Peace,” which is the theme for this year’s exercise, even as he added that the exercise has continued to expand

with over four million trees planted within six years.

He reeled of the benefits of afforestation; which are beautification of the environment, shield for rare and endangered animals, wind barriers, deflectors of sun rays as well as other adverse weather.

He said: “Trees serve as breeding ground for some animals and equally help to check erosion as well as supply food and materials

•President, Union of Liberians in Nigeria, Mr. Dube Samson (third left); Mr. Cliff Nzerum, CEO Hotel Ibis Royale and Protocol Officer representing Liberia (fourth left); Pastor Carlton Williams of Highlife Church, Lekki, Lagos (third right); Mr Babatunde Songonuga, Assistant Pastor (second left) with the group of Liberians assisted back home

for building houses. The more trees we plant, the more we reclaim our forests.”

In order to continue the treeplanting initiative, the state government has established the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK); which an institutional structure to integrate the initiative into the system and to improve the aesthetics of the environment.

Nursery, primary and secondary school pupils were not left out of the environmental re-engineering as tree planting and nurturing techniques have also been included in the school curriculum by LASPARK, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

The general manager of LASEPA Mr. Adebola Rasheed Shabi, an engineer who represented Governor Fashola at the event, noted that the existence of a green environment is germane for the well-being of individuals and the society.

He, however, advised individuals to inculcate the habit of planting trees, even as he added that “one can even name a tree after one’s child.

He said “I planted a tree in my house and named it Babatunde Fashola.”

Mr. Chukwuemeka Ezobu, a lecturer and consultant in the Department of Chemistry, University of Lagos shed light on the significance of trees to the ecosystem. He explained that trees act as agent for extracting pollution from the atmosphere. He therefore identified tree planting as a natural means of removing carbon-dioxide from the environment.

•Mr Bello He said: “I need to mention the key element of protecting human population because people’s wellbeing depends on the availability of sustainable resources and the ecosystem. In the past, trees have been used to preserve memorable dates, form an archive of the past and used to project cultural appreciation. Trees also serve as purifying agents as they ensure clean air and soil by removing dust from the atmosphere. They serve as natural biodiversity, form shade and increase property value. They produce oxygen for us to breathe in.

“So, I enjoin all participants here today to engage in this global fight.

Join this cause so that we would have peace in the environment.”

Mr Samson Aigbedo who represented the managing director of the Nigerian Breweries Aigbedo commended the efforts of the government on providing a sustainable environment for operation.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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NANTMP is an association of people who are genuinely interested and involved in healthcare delivery, education and scientific work as well as conservation and utilisation of medicinal plants

T

HE hall was filled to capacity with eminent personalities tapping to background music.

It was a fitting atmosphere for the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), honoured that day with an award.

It was organised by the National Association of Nigerian Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) in the state, led by John-Mary Ibeka in association with JMI, Home Ventures Limited.

The group did not only honour NAFDAC Southeast Head, Charles Nwachukwu; the President-General of Agulu Peoples Union (APU) Chief Paulinus Aniagbaso was equally recognised.

Ibeka said the awards were in recognition of what the recipients had done in the service of the people. The honour coincided with rendering account of his stewardship at NANTMP in the last one year.

Nwachukwu chaired the event which held at the prestigious SunCity Hotels in Awka. He described members of NANTMP as “healers of the society.”

The award, he said was special to NAFDAC because the drug agency had been partners of PMI whose drugs are said to be safe for consumption.

“I believe in the practice of herbal medicine; most of the raw materials we use in producing drugs emanated from plant sources; we are a tropical region and we are blessed because most of our plants have helped in curing some diseases “Most of the drugs from India and China are herbal; everybody is clamouring for their drugs because they are well-packaged and from good environment too. If we will do like them, I bet you, Nigerian drugs will be better than theirs,” he said The occasion equally attracted traditional rulers of Agulu, Igwe innocent Obodoako and his colleague from Inyi in Achi Local government area of Enugu State, Igwe Ambrose Osuigwe.

Also, the Vice President, International UN-POLAC, Rev. Dr. Chidi Ehiriedo, and former Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Sir Jeff Ogbalu, among others.

•Nwachukwu (right); Dr Ibeka and a guest at the event

Honour for NAFDAC in Anambra

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Speakers took turns to praise NANTMP members’ efforts in the state and indeed, Southeast, adding that some unscrupulous elements in the business had tried to ridicule the group with fakes.

Speaking with Newsextra, the state coordinator of NANTMP, Ibeka said that the group is focused on four major areas: vision, idealism, right values and inspiration.

However, the headache they are having, according to him, is for President Goodluck Jonathan to assent to the traditional medicine bill which has been passed by the National Assembly.

Ibeka said: “NANTMP is an association of people who are genuinely interested and involved in healthcare delivery, education and

scientific work as well as conservation and utilisation of medicinal plants.” ”Bearing this in mind, I have over the past one year, coordinated enlightenment and sensitisation programme with the result that these plant medicinal uses and curative effect on humans and other animals are becoming increasingly obvious as distinct from what was regarded as “Magic” or “fetish” claims of most traditional medicine practitioners’’ “It is important traditional medicine board was established in appreciation of the vision of NANTMP, with the sole aim of protecting the interest, as well as monitoring and humanising the activities of traditional medicine practitioners, so far, we have not fallen out of line’’ “What we share in NANTMP is

•Chairman, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan (right) presenting a GCE photocard to a beneficiary Abdul Rasheed Idris (left), during the presentation of free forms to 200 beneficiaries at Ejigbo Town Hall

all about qualitative delivery through Phyto-medicine, which is as old as man on earth.”

“Our forefathers used the various herbs for their medicine, cosmetics and as foods.”

“Through my personal NGO, John-Mary Ibeka foundation, I have rendered selfless services,

through health enlightenment programme in rural and urban areas, free computer laboratory tests and other medical services, scholarship to indigent youths, vocational empowerment progamme in the production of various herb as well as lectures on the importance of natural food and drugs,” he said.

Cleric urges leaders on nation’s challenges

N

IGERIAN leaders have been challenged to find a solution to the economic and security challenges facing the country.

A cleric, Venerable N. T. Akinfemisoye of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Idogun Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, saying the nation’s challenges are having a toll on the citizenry.

He made the appeal in his sermon at the Third Trinity Ordination of the Diocese of Ido-Ani (Anglican Communion).

At the service, held at the Cathedral Church of Holy Trinity, IdoAni and witnessed by eminent personalities within and outside the state, Rev. Oluseye Adedeji and Rev. Samuel Aina were ordained as priests in the Diocese.

Ven. Akinfemisoye lamented the incessant killings of innocent people by members of the Boko Haram sect, and urged governments at all levels to curb the menace in the interest of peace and stability in the country.

The cleric whose sermon was titled “The call to faithfulness”, urged the new priests to be good ambassadors of Christ.

Akinfemisoye also called on Christians to shun worldly materials that could cost them the kingdom of God. The new priests were presented to Bishop Ido-Ani Diocese, Rt. Rev. Ezekiel Dahunsi, who presided over the ordination service.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

While presenting Reverends Aina and Adedeji to the congregation, Bishop Dahunsi urged them to serve God and humanity diligently, stressing that they should remain good representatives in God’s vineyard.

The newly ordained priests and their families later went for thanksgiving to appreciate God for their new positions.

The first session of the second synod of Ido Ani Diocese with the theme “you are the light of the world” started at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Idogun on August 1 and will end on August 4.

•Bishop Dahunsi

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

NEWS

D. O. Fagunwa resurrects in Ondo!

T

HE news is good and heartwarming too. Tomorrow, a reincarnation will take place in the bowels of Akure, the capital of Ondo State. Fifty years after his tragic death, Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa (otherwise fondly known as D. O. Fagunwa), universally acclaimed fantasist and peerless literary genius, will be woken from the dead, thus freeing him from near oblivion into which he seems to be gradually slipping lately. As scores of lovers of arts, traditional rulers, members of the political class, accomplished movie icons, intellectual juggernauts from abroad and crème de la crème in the nation’s literary firmament converge on the ancient town, Fagunwa will not only be literally exhumed from his grave; the event will also prop him to emerge from the labyrinth of the forest of a thousand demons that have conspired to reduce him to a dwarf in the public memory, with a view to helping him reclaim the fame, honour and recognition befitting his literary stature.

The three-day event leaves a roaring message that can serve as a balm to heal the grief in the hearts of many who still begrudge the seemingly unfair treatment history has meted out to their quintessential writer and teacher over the years. But whatever feat recorded in the next three days is not about the resurrection of the author of Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole (1938), Ireke Onibudo (1949), Igbo Olodumare (1949), Irinkerindo Ninu Igbo Elegbeje (1954) and Adiitu Olodumare (1961).

Rather, it is actually about the renaissance of a dream that is married to promoting Africa’s stupendously rich culture and language, which the late literary genius devoted his hugely successful life and prodigious talent to espouse, flaunt and advance till he died in 1963 during a book promotion tour that turned awry in Bida, Niger State.

Who are the Akure ‘gang’ members?

Unexpectedly, one of the intellectual stars leading the gang of revelers is no other person than Prof Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel Prize winner in literature. Tomorrow, the late Fagunwa’s true worth will be revisited, even as the core essence of his imperishable works dominates the event, using the theme, “Fagunwa’s Forest Tapestry: Heroes and Heroics, Morals and Moralists.”

Besides attesting to Fagunwa’s creative genius, Soyinka will be regaling his audience with what motivated him to sneak into the frightening literary voyage into the forest of many demons and embark on another tedious task of translating into English a writer that is known for his “peculiarly flavorous style of narration,” which “demands much more than stringing words together in a new lingual surrounding.”

Having translated Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole, the late Fagunwa’s literary debut that catapulted him from the lowlands of anonymity into the highlands of instant limelight, Soyinka should know that the enormity of his self-imposed burden, a labour of love.

Fagunwa, who is generally seen as a writer that is not easy to translate, as attested to by Dapo Adeniyi, another cerebral writer who has translated Fagunwa’s Irinkerindo Ninu Igbo Elegbeje into Expedition in the Mountain of Thought. But by translating Igbo Olodumare, Soyinka has added another feather to his well festooned cap, having to contend with Fagunwa’s penchant for fictional engagement with “phonaesthetic, the drumming with words; a rendering which sounds quite apt in its own natural tonal settings” but “disobeys the aural pattern in a different linguistic universe.”

Besides Soyinka, also gracing the literary carnival are Prof. Ropo Sekoni, an emeritus professor of English and Communication at Lincoln University, USA; Prof Niyi Osundare, poet, essayist and professor of English at the University of New Orleans, USA; Prof

As a galaxy of literary and intellectual icons gathers tomorrow to celebrate the life, times and works of the late D. O. Fagunwa, it ushers in another season of nostalgic feelings and torrents of encomiums for the master fantasist and pioneer of fiction writing in Yoruba who died exactly fifty years ago, writes ADEKUNLE YUSUF

•Soyinka

Biodun Jeyifo, Professor of African and African Studies and of Comparative Literature at Harvard University, USA; Professor Tejumola Olaniyan, Louise Durham Mead Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA; Professor Olaoye Abioye, who translated all the five novels of Fagunwa into French and also translated into Yoruba French writings by famous authors such as Samuel Beckett and Sembene Ousmane; Prof Adeleke Adeeko, a distinguished humanity professor at the Ohio State University, USA; Professor Olufemi Taiwo, a professor of philosophy and the university core at the Seattle University, USA; Prof Femi Osofisan, a professor of dramatic arts who recently retired from the University of Ibadan; and Kole Omotoso, a famous writer and intellectual based in South Africa, among other scholars.

His life, works and times In the 1930s when he wrote his first novel in Yoruba, fiction writing was a novel art at the time. Perhaps, if not for the Bible that had been translated into Yoruba, there was no any major literary text that existed before his piece – making him a trailblazer in his art. In all his works of imagination, evidence abounds that the late Fagunwa was intensely philosophical, beautifully romantic, and daringly creative, using his fertile imagination to plait frightening imageries and weird characters that can dwell in either the terrestrial or extraterrestrial realms, or both. These attributes, though positive, have their flip sides. Contrary to reality, many readers of his breathtaking books assume that he was a mythic creature, or at best an extraterrestrial spirit who was garbed in the robe of mere mortals to accomplish a missionary obligation on earth before returning to the great beyond. Yet the eclectist was a successful family man who bore children and nurtured them into virile life. But readers who nurture this kind of weird assumption about the creative wizard can hardly be blamed. His penchant for liberal use of weird elements and supernatural characters, as well as unusual settings, mostly steeped in unfathomable forests or romantised worlds in his queer tales of adventure, often easily give vent to such erroneous conclusions that he was a human being that communed with the spirit world.

As a rural born, available biographical sketch of him showed that he had

•Osofisan

•Osundare

‘

The true Yoruba flavour of Fagunwa’s works lies not in the materials he used, but in the language and in the manner and tone of his storytelling. These are elements to which the average Yoruba reader responds with delight, for Fagunwa has the humour, the rhetoric, the wordplay and the bizarre imagery that the Yoruba like and appreciate in their language

‘

imbibed much of Yoruba traditional ways at home in Oke Igbo, now part of Ondo State, before he began formal schooling in 1916. At the time, Fagunwa was said to be already familiar with hunters, their peculiar lifestyles and activities. Besides, he was conversant with the geography of his hilly environment, especially the forest of Olodumare. And traditionally linked with hunters are experiences of meeting with various wild animals and forest spirits in the course of hunting. For Fagunwa, this was an experience that came into handy in later years. A creative soul, he found in his background a fertile soil where he can plant his seeds of imagination that later germinated into yarns that continue to please and tantalize humanity years after his demise. Apart from drawing copiously from his rural background, which he used in all his books to flaunt the beauty of his culture, he invested his plot with the fictional aura adopted from Yoruba folklore – folk tales, myths, legends and tradition. Using the traditional ways of hunters to create didactic narratives for the purpose of instilling morals, he also enriched his stories with materi-

als from English and Christian religious literature, making the worlds of his novels mesh in perfect order between fact and fiction.

Till today, many admirers of his works still derive immeasurable reading pleasure in how he weaved his episodic heroes and settings around strange coinages in Yoruba, using idyllically bucolic climes in his novels to depict the typical communal and agrarian Yoruba setting, with each traditional community having its own kingship system, dos and don’ts, and other appurtenances of statehood and office such as spacious palaces that are elaborately festooned, aides and other necessaries that man the day-to-day running of such palaces, among other things.

According Obafemi Ilesanmi, the late Fagunwa’s novels are often admired because they are steeped in the folklore of the Yoruba cultural mores, attitudes and norms. That is why his readers cannot but be mesmerised by the gripping tale of his constant allusions to village squares, marketplaces, and foods such as pounded yam, porridge, okro and palm oil – all attesting to the profundity of how Fagunwa was soaked in his rich culture. What won Fagunwa his pride of place among his colleagues, said the late Afolabi Olabimtan, author and politician, are his beautiful expressions and vivid description of events and places, and his ability to blend romance with realism nicely.

While it can be argued that the late Fagunwa’s stories will instantly lose condiments if the roles played by gnomes, trolls and other extraterrestrial spirits are expunged from his sweet tales of adventure, it is a known fact that the subsistence of such supernatural beings transcends mere imaginary realm. As can be easily attested to by anyone who is schooled in the Yoruba culture, the spirits, including the dead, are veritable parts of reincarnation belief that dwells in Yoruba nay African cosmology. That perhaps explained why the writer’s heroes in almost all his five classics are fond of conjuring a spiritual nexus with any Yoruba deity anytime the going gets tough and rough, constantly calling on gods such as Oya, Obatala and Sango to intervene and bail them out of trouble, which the gods often readily oblige in Yoruba religion.

The relevance of his messages More than any writer of his stature,

•Omotoso

the late Fagunwa used his creativity to glorify perseverance as a human virtue in all his works. At every stage in their episodic itineraries, almost all protagonists in his five classics faced multiple exterminatory threats during their expeditions, but only the valiant and the persevering survived and won the race, while the lily-livered fell by the wayside. In Igbo Olodumare, the pages are dripping with an implied recipe for readers to take in the virtue of patience so as to triumph over all worldly tribulations and afflictions, as illustrated by the victory Olowo-aiye recorded at the expense of Anjonu Iberu in the book.

The late Ulli Beier, also a professor, said: “The true Yoruba flavour of Fagunwa’s works lies not in the materials he used, but in the language and in the manner and tone of his storytelling. These are elements to which the average Yoruba reader responds with delight, for Fagunwa has the humour, the rhetoric, the wordplay and the bizarre imagery that the Yoruba like and appreciate in their language.”

By whatever measure, fifty years is a long time, long enough to wipe any ephemeral achievements of momentary heroes from the subconscious of the living. But, again, as he pioneered fiction writing in Yoruba with his magnum opus, Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole, Fagunwa seemed to have accomplished another trailblazing feat, especially in this clime where heroes and heroines are often in short supply. With his continued relevance five decades after his demise, there is no better proof that the immutable hand of time cannot obliterate the trajectory of citizens of substance; that even a million years cannot easily erase the imprints of true achievers from the minds of fans and benefactors. Even when their passage is initially greeted with an air of letdown and ingratitude, it is glaring that geniuses like Fagunwa can hardly be reduced to dwarfs in the public memory. Afterall, as philosophers are wont to say, great writers, which Fagunwa is through and through, don’t really die. Instead, their spirits merely vanish into the minds of readers where they often find a safe and eternal abode. So it is with the late William Shakespeare, the bard who still luxuriates in immortality hundreds of years after his physical death.

And so it shall be for D. O. Fagunwa!

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 6-08-13

SEC tightens noose on financial crimes

S

ECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday stepped up efforts aimed at combating financial crimes in the capital market with the inauguration of the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers in the Capital Market, which is mainly charged with prevention of money laundering and other forms of financial crimes in the market.

Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, who inaugurated the committee in Lagos, said it has the primary responsibility of preventing the injection of illegal funds or proceeds of criminal acts into the capital market with the intention of concealing or disguising its real origin.

According to her, the chief compliance officers would ensure that the operations of the capital market are undertaken in line with regulatory guidelines as the market’s regulators and operators continue to strengthen existing frameworks.

She noted that integrity of the financial system is the mainstay of the system and Nigeria must endeavour to develop adequate frameworks and processes that will support its aspiration of a world-class capital market.

In her remarks, Executive Commissioner, Securities and

•Equities loses N39b

By Taofik Salako

Exchange Commission (SEC), Mrs. Sa’adatu Bello, reiterated the commitment of the apex capital market regulator to forestall usage of the capital market as conduit for illegal financial activities.

“We will not relent in the effort to ensure compliance with all regulations, which include the anti-money laundering and financing of terrorism policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Bello said.

She noted that SEC had established an anti-money laundering unit and issued numerous regulations in compliance with the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, which have made Nigerian market difficult for fraudsters.

She added that SEC has always ensured the implementation of several recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force and its counterpart inter-governmental action group against money laundering in West Africa pointing out that it takes collective action to win the battle against financial crimes.

“This fight is not for any entity alone; it is our collective responsibility as stakeholders in this market to save Nigeria from such acts. The chief com-

pliance officers shoulder great responsibility in ensuring compliance with all rules and regulations governing the capital market. Therefore, the establishment of the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of the Capital Market Operators in Nigeria will provide a united front through which, together, we can fight money laundering and financing of terrorism in a more organised, coordinated and inclusive manner,” Bello said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian equity market remained on the downtrend as investors continued to take profits on several stocks. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped by N39 billion to N12.106 trillion as against its opening value of N12.145 trillion.

The main index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), slipped to 38,227.63 points as against its opening index of 38,350.96 points.

Julius Berger Nigeria led the decliners with a loss of N8 to close at N72. Total Nigeria followed with a drop of N4 to close at N155. Nigerian Breweries lost N3.33 to close at N176. International Breweries dropped by N2.03 to N22.62.

Mobil Oil Nigeria declined by N1.95 to N120 while PZ Cussons Nigeria dropped by N1 to close at N45.

Total turnover stood at 428.42 million shares valued at N3.66 billion in 6,253 deals.

Banking subsector contributed 239.88 million shares worth N2.14 billion in 2,513 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 6-08-13

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

55

MONEY LINK

Foreign reserves drop to $46.9b

N

IGERIA foreign reserves declined to $46.9 billion as at August 5, losing $1.65 billion in 39 days, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said. Data obtained from the CBN website showed that the reserves which were at $48.33 billion on June 24, declined to $48.15 billion on June 27 and closed the month at $48 billion.

The reserve was $47.7 billion on July 1, and dropped to $47 billion on July 15. The reserve also entered August 1 at $47 billion before its current status.

The foreign reserves fell 0.16 per

Stories by Collins Nweze

cent month-on-month to $48.33 billion by June 24, the lowest level in more than three months. The reserves, however, were up 30.86 per cent year-on-year, compared with $36.93 billion the same time last year.

The CBN data showed that the reserves were at $43.83 billion at the end of December, 2012.

The foreign currency reserves were up to $68 billion in August 2008 before the global financial crises impacted negatively on it. The CBN had consistently maintained

ETI reaffirms confidence in chairman

that inflow into the reserves was not consistent with the oil prices and, this underscored the need for tighter fiscal controls around oil revenues.

The apex bank also said there was urgent need to pursue policies that would foster macro-economic stability, economic diversification as well as encouraging foreign capital inflows. It said a higher rate of retention of oil revenues should facilitate the efforts at maintaining exchange rate stability as an antidote to imported inflation without excessive reliance on monetary tightening measures.

T

•Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

IFC to expand Nigeria investments to $2b by 2014

T

HE International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private-lending arm, is planning a 25 per cent boost in Nigeria investments to $2 billion by next year.

The IFC Country Manager, Solomon Adegbie-Quaynor told Bloomberg that IFC will raise the funds directly or mobilised from other sources like industries that offer competitive advantage to Nigeria.

Finance Minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala said in May that the country needs $10 billion of infrastructure investment a year to keep up with rising population and expanding economy.

“We are partnering with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority and also looking at institutions to work with for activities in banks, power, gas, transport and agriculture.

Power will be an important industry for IFC investment “as it is identified as largest constraint to private-sector growth” in Nigeria, he added. The

Nigerian Sovereign Investment authority manages the country’s sovereign-wealth fund,” he said.

The country’s sovereign-wealth fund, set up in October to invest savings made from the difference between budgeted oil prices and actual market prices, also has a brief to fund the country’s infrastructure needs.

The economy is forecast by the government to expand 6.5 percent this year. Nigeria needs annual eco-

D

generation and distribution and gasto-power projects, through equity participation and selling debt, according to Adegbie-Quaynor.

The IFC is also targeting investments in agriculture, Nigeria’s largest employer, according to AdegbieQuaynor. The lender is working with the government to identify ways to link producers to markets and boost output, he said.

nomic growth of 13 percent to bring down unemployment, which currently stands at over 25 per cent. The naira has declined 2.2 per cent this year against the dollar while the stock exchange index has advanced 37 per cent.

The IFC signed an agreement with the sovereign-wealth-fund authority last month to cooperate in developing financial plans to fund investments in target areas such as power

Diamond Bank projects N35b profit

IAMOND Bank has said it expects to make a pretax profit of N35 billion this year, up from N27.5 billion in 2012.

The bank’s Chief Executive Alex Otti told Reuters that the lender expects to make a 20 per cent return on equity in 2013. He added that the bank was planning to conclude a $550 million Eurobond, which has

been held up due to turbulence in debt markets, by the end of the year.

“We are targeting (operating profit) of N50 billion to N55 billion by year-end. We believe we should be ending the year with anywhere between N30 to N35 billion in pretax profit,” Otti said.

The mid-tier lender last week posted a pretax profit of N17.6 bil-

lion in the first six months of the year as against N15.37 billion in the same period a year ago.

Otti said the bank has grown its customer base to 2.8 million accounts in the first half of the year, up from 2.1 million as at December last year. He said the lender’s network will rise to 300 branches by year-end, from 265 now.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS 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 Offered ($) 350m 350m 350m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Quotation Price N8250.00 N1000.00

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Current Market 5495.33 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

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 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 6-08-13

SYMBOL NNFM CUTIX COURTVILLE NPFMCRFBK ABCTRANS LEARNAFRCA UPL HONYFLOUR UBA STERLNBANK

O/PRICE 27.00 2.01 0.77 0.82 0.87 1.62 4.40 3.12 8.60 2.73

C/PRICE 29.70 2.21 0.84 0.88 0.92 1.70 4.59 3.22 8.85 2.80

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

CHANGE 2.70 0.20 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.08 0.19 0.10 0.25 0.07

Year Start Offer

Current Before

Current After

CUV Start %

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

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

JBERGER TRANSEXPR WAPIC VONO REDSTAREX UNITYBNK INTBREW RTBRISCOE AIRSERVICE FIDSON

O/PRICE 80.00 0.90 0.82 0.84 4.89 0.57 24.65 1.55 4.32 2.20

C/PRICE 72.00 0.81 0.74 0.76 4.45 0.52 22.62 1.43 4.00 2.04

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

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% 11.8%

CHANGE 8.00 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.44 0.05 2.03 0.12 0.32 0.16

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Amount Demanded ($) 150m 138m 113m

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%

Movement

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 6-08-13

SYMBOL

HE Board of Directors of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has reviewed issues relating to two financial transactions involving ETI Chairman, Kolapo Lawson.

In a statement, the firm said the transactions comprise a personal agreement between him and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and an agreement with Ecobank Nigeria on the part of a company of which he is Chairman. “The Board concluded that there had been no financial impropriety and that Lawson had acted in good faith throughout. As a result, the Board unanimously reaffirmed its confidence in him,” the statement said.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Vice-Chairman, André Siaka said:”Kolapo Lawson has been a loyal servant of Ecobank for many years and has been a major contributor to its on-going success. We are happy unanimously to reiterate our full support for him and his leadership and look forward to renewing our focus on continuing the remarkable success of Ecobank.”

In response, Lawson said he was pleased that the lender has been able to draw a line under this matter. “The Board has made clear that it has no outstanding concerns and I now wish to concentrate once again on leading Ecobank to further success,” he said.

AMCON was set up in 2010 after a debt crisis threatened the collapse of Nigeria's banking industry.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 140.65 140.16 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 158.75 158.54 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.16 1.16 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.17 1.18 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,837.37 1,835.83 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 14.73 14.01 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11.386.29 11,045.54 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE • OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7, 2013

NEWS PA IBRAHIM ADEMOLA FASHOLA (1933- 2013)

• Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (fourth left); his Ogun State counterpart Ibikunle Amosun (third left); his deputy Prince Segun Adesegun (second left); Lagos House Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji (right); Sports Minister and President’s representative Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Tunde Folawiyo at the funeral of Governor Fashola’s dad in Lagos... yesterday.

•The widow ––Omolara (left) and Mrs. Bintu Tinubu

• Clerics praying on the deceased’s body.

•Some Lagos White cap chiefs

• Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi flanked by Mallam Abdullahi (right) and the governor’s wife Bisi

•Former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke (left); Lagos State Attorney General and Justice Commissioner Ade Ipaye and Captain Dapo Olumide

•Onetime Lagos State Commissioner Mr. Wale Edun (right) and Mr Segun Senbanjo

• Fashola’s wife Dame Abimbola (left) and Osun State Deputy Governor Mrs Grace LaoyeTomori

• Lagos Head of Service Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe (left); Bola Shodipo and Tunji Olowolafe

•Secretary to the Lagos State Government Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule

•Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas (right) and Justice Ibrahim Olorunnimbe.

PHOTOS: OMOSEHIN MOSES

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

NEWS

Group rejects Mark’s endorsement of candidate

By Joseph Jibueze

A

GROUP, the Coalition of Youths across Political Parties in Benue State, has rejected an alleged endorsement of a lawmaker, Hassan Saleh, by Senate President David Mark, to run for re-election to represent the Ado, Ogbadibo and Okpokwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

It said the manner the endorsement was carried out was not only undemocratic, but also anti-people.

The group noted that critical stakeholders, who have invested and nurtured the Idoma political space for decades, were not carried along.

A statement by the group’s President Thomas Oduh and Secretary Pascal Unogwu condemned and rejected the endorsement, if it ever happened.

“SenatorDavid Mark and Mr. Abba Morro’s endorsement of Hassan Saleh in Otukpo, which is outside our federal constituency, is not only a slap but also an insult on the good people of Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo.

“The purported endorsement does not have the blessing of our people, the constituency Hassan Saleh represents or intends to represent further in 2015.

“Democracy is not like military dictatorship, and our leaders must learn this fast by embarking on wide consultations before making any move that touches the politics of a people.

“Saleh should know by now that majority of the people of his federal constituency are courageous and honorable and will abide by the agreement reached in 2010... that beginning from 2011, the seat of House of Representatives would be rotational among the three local governments on a single term basis...”

Tiv/Fulani panel seeks to disarm insurgents

T

HE joint Tiv/Fulani Peace Committee constituted by the Benue State Government has called for the disarmament of insurgents in both communities to sustain peaceful coexistence.

In a communique yesterday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, by Chief Sule Abenga, the Chairman of the committee, it also urged the Tiv and Fulani traditional rulers to adopt proactive measures in tackling communal crises.

It advised the people on the boundary towns of Benue and Nasarawa states to be security-conscious.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee was formed by Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam as part of efforts to resolve the lingering communal conflicts between the two ethnic groups in the states.

24-year-old father beheads son in Adamawa T

HE Adamawa Police Command yesterday confirmed the arrest of a man at Ganji village in Gombi Local Government Area for allegedly beheading his five-year-old son.

Arrested with the suspect was a village head, who allegedly requested a human head for N1 million.

Parading the suspects before reporters in Yola, the state capital, police spokesman at Muhammed Ibrahim, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the boy was killed on July 24 at Ganji village.

He said Alti Alhaji, father of the first suspect, reported the incident to the Gombi Police

Divisional Headquarters. He said the suspect took his son (Alhaji’s grandson) to a bush but did not return with the boy.

The spokesman said when Alhaji asked the suspect where he left his grandson, he replied that the boy was on his way home.

Ibrahim said: “After a while, the grandfather and some members of the family went to the bush to find out what exactly happened.

“It was after searching the nearby bush that they discovered the body of the boy, which had been beheaded and dumped

in the bush.”

He said the suspect confessed that he committed the crime.

“When interrogated, he confessed and pointed at a village head as the one who directed him to bring a fresh human head at a cost of N1 million,” Ibrahim said.

The police spokesman said the two suspects were under police custody for further investigation.

Answering reporters’ questions, the first suspect alleged that the district head of a village directed him to

bring a fresh human skull.

He said the district head promised to give him N1 million, if he delivered.

Asked why he sacrificed his son, the suspect said when the village head gave him the order, he lost his mind.

But the village head, aged 63, denied the allegation.

The chief insisted that he had no business with the first suspect, whom he said was not his ‘age mate’.

“I didn’t direct him (first suspect) to commit such ugly act. In fact, I was shocked when he pointed at me, that I directed him to commit the crime,” the village head said.

Nigerian women in U.S. for exchange programme

By Adeola Oladele-Fayehun

TWO Nigerian women entrepreneurs are participating in this year’s women’s entrepreneurship exchange programme in the United States.

The programme is sponsored by the U.S. Government to grow small and medium businesses run by women in Africa.

This year, 30 women from 27 African countries are participating in The African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme (AWEP).

“This has been uplifting,” said Ora Atuguba, CEO of Weave and Co., a Lagosbased company focusing on interior decoration and the creation of handcrafted From left: multifunctional basket Directorworks.

General, The company creates a Nigerian range of products that reflect Institute of the variety and depth of Advanced Legal Studies African craftsmanship, style (NIALS), Prof. and art as well as wicker Epiphany furniture.

Azinge; Atuguba added: “As a Directorwoman, this has changed my General, views about the support Nigerian Law system women have, and we School, Dr Taliu Mamman cannot go back.” and Acting Her colleague, Femi Chief Judge of Olayebi, is the CEO of My Adamawa World of Bags, an IbadanState, Justice based company which Nathan Musa, specialises in designing and at this year’s NIALS State of manufacturing varieties of bags. These include hand the Legal bags, conference bags, laptop Profession lecture in bags and much more, using Abuja eye-catching colours, African ...yesterday beads, and swathes of animal-print fabrics.

Presidency denies report

NSCDC parades father of eight for alleged theft

T

HE Kwara State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) yesterday paraded a father of eight children, Segun Daudu, for alleged burglary in Ilorin, the state capital.

The 47-year-old suspect was said to have two wives and hails from Otun Egbe in Kogi State.

NSCDC State Commandant Yerima Gana said some buyers of the stolen goods, mainly household electronics

F

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

and generating sets, were also arrested.

The commandant listed the recovered items from the suspect as a 21-inch TV set, a DVD playing machine, a Tiger brand generator, a clipper and a Nokia handset.

Gana said: “At noon, on August 4, in Osin Aremu, Asa Dam Road in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Segun Daudu of Ile Daudu, Otun Egbe, Kogi State, forced the

door of Mr. Ibrahim Ali, who had gone out for his daily bread with his family. He opened and made away with some of the property belonging to Mr Ali.” The commandant explained that the suspect was apprehended with the assistance of members of the community.

He said Daudu allegedly confessed to the crime, adding that the suspect also named those who bought the stolen goods from him after robbery operations.

The NSCDC chief urged the public to always give security agencies relevant information.

Addressing reporters, Daudu said he was a machine operator at a sawmill, adding that he also has a commercial motorcycle business.

The suspect said the robbery was his third.

He blamed some unseen forces for his criminal activities, adding that he had left many lucrative jobs without serious reasons.

ment of the situation was to provide assistance to the victims.

He urged the victims to consider the flood as an act of God and prayed against fu-

ture recurrence.

NAN reports that in Kankia Local Government Area, the flood also caused the collapse of Kankia Dam and washed away several farmlands.

Flood ravages five Katsina local govts

LOOD has displaced scores of people and destroyed property worth millions of naira in five local government areas in Katsina State.

Alhaji Hassan Rawayau, the Executive Director of the state’s Rehabilitation and Emergency Relief Agency (RERA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina yesterday that the incident followed last week’s downpour in the affected areas.

The flood, he said, affected Kankia, Charanchi, Mashi, Daura and Zango local government areas, where homes, household items and farms were damaged.

But no life was lost, the Agency chief added.

According to him, officials

of RERA and NEMA Northwest zone have visited the affected areas to sympathise with the victims and assess the extent of the damage.

Rawayau said the assess-

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Oyo to revive technical colleges

HE five technical and vocational colleges owned by the Oyo State Government will soon be revived, the state government said yesterday.

The government also reiterated its commitment to funding the Education sector.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Adetokunbo Fayokun, spoke during the technical and vocational education stakeholders’ meeting at the state secretariat in

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Ibadan.

She blamed the sorry state of the colleges on the neglect by past administrations and dearth teachers to handle the vocational courses offered in the schools.

“You can be sure that conditions of our technical colleges will change for the better now, because Governor Abiola Ajimobi is interested in turning them around. He has asked us to do our needs assessment

and get back to him for approval,” Mrs Fayokun said.

The commissioner stressed that the Ajimobi administration was determined to address some of the challenges confronting technical education in the state.

She added: “There is need to set their priority right, considering the huge resources required in meeting most of our needs. The financial wherewithal to address all the needs at once is not available.”

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

THE Presidency yesterday denied a report that President Goodluck Jonathan was planning to visit former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, in Minna, the Niger State capital, to show “comradeship” during Ramadan.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the report was false and demeaned the Office of the President.

He noted that even though President Jonathan has been observing the Muslim fast during Ramadan, he has never visited the home of any individual to break his fast.

The statement reads: “The mischievous lead report in the Peoples Daily today (yesterday) that President Jonathan sought to visit former President Babangida in Minna to show him ‘the spirit of comradeship’ during Ramadan is completely untrue.

“Although President Jonathan participates in the Ramadan fast every year, in solidarity with Nigerians of the Islamic faith, he has never, as Vice President or President of the country, visited the home of any individual to break his fast.

“Rather, it has been the President’s custom to regularly invite Moslems from all strata of the society to break their fast with him at the Presidential Villa...”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

58

NEWS

Hoodlums chop off corps member’s hand in Bayelsa

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ISS Folakemi Akinbode’s commitment to serve her country under the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was yesterday rewarded with a bitter experience.

Unknown persons in her host community severed her right limb.

The 26-year old, who hails from Ondo State, is now a patient at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, her place of primary assignment.

She was rushed to the hospital after a gang of two suspected to be cultists attacked her on her way home.

The nursing graduate from

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Madonna University was attacked at about 8.30pm by the machete-wielding bandits.

The bandits were said to have waylaid her on a lonely path and aimed the cutlass at her head.

While trying to protect herself, the corps member was said to have used her right hand as a shield.

But in the process, the machete landed on her hand and chopped off her limb.

“The limb was dangling. It was only the flesh that held it together,” a source said.

A corps member, who gave his name as Fred, said the victim was assigned to the teach-

ing hospital.

“She was attacked by two persons. The machete blow landed on her right hand while she was trying to fend off her attackers,” he said.

He lamented that the Corpers Lodge was also attacked the same night by armed youths.

He added: “Five bandits attacked us at the lodge late at night from the nearby bushes. It was so sudden, and before we could realise what was happening, they attacked everyone in sight with machetes and knives. Many of us fled into the darkness.”

Panic-stricken corps members were seen in groups dis-

•The victim in the hospital

cussing the development.

The victim was still unconscious at the time of filing this report. The dangling limb has been sewn together by doctors.

The NYSC state secretariat failed to comment on the in-

•Akinbode before the attack

cident.

The Ibolou XI of Obunagha, Godsgive Apoh, condemned the incident.

He said he had summoned an emergency meeting of the Youth Vigilante Association to investigate and apprehend

the perpetrators.

Police spokesman Alex Akhigbe said the police were yet to arrest any suspect.

“The operatives of the command have been deployed to track down the attackers,” he said.

EFCC witch-hunting officials, says Rivers

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•PDP welcomes probe

HE Rivers State government yesterday said operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the state are witch-hunting government officials and abusing judicial process.

Chief of Staff, Government House, Tony Okocha said the Rotimi Amaechi administration is not afraid of the EFCC’s probe. He urged the operatives not to deliberately trample on judicial orders.

Okocha said the operatives ought to be aware of a subsisting court order, which restrained officials of the anti-graft agency to stay away from interrogating or investigating Rivers government officials on the state’s financial dealings.

The chief of staff said: “This is another phase in the Federal Government’s attempt at intimidating and witch-hunting the government and its officials.

“If the EFCC’s operatives want to probe the activities of the government, they should vacate the subsisting court order, which restrains them from probing the state government’s affairs.

“The court order is still subsisting and they (EFCC’s operatives) know that the proper thing to do is to vacate the order first, but they have left that undone, they rather came to unleash the operatives on Rivers state officials. This is improper and we consider it a violation of judicial process.

“Rivers State government is not stopping the EFCC’s officials from doing their duties. We have no reason to be afraid of probes or investigations. “The government and its officials have not done

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From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

anything unlawful. Our books are clean, but we must insist that things be done properly, “Nigeria is a democracy. We profess the rule of law and the supremacy of the constitution. So, the EFCC should not, because it is Rivers State now, try to disregard or disobey the law.

“It is obvious. This is just another phase of the witchhunting game. You know how they operate. They will just go after people, hoping to intimidate and harass them.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday hailed the incarceration of House Leader Chidi Lloyd.

The party urged operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to extend their investigations to state officials and local government helmsmen.

It condemned the taking over of Lloyd’s by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms.

The PDP, through the Special Adviser on Media to the Chairman, Felix Obuah, Jerry Needam, yesterday in Port Harcourt, said the representative of Obio/Akpor 2 Constituency, Michael Chinda, must get justice.

“We are shocked that since the July 9 incident in the House of Assembly, neither Governor Rotimi Amaechi nor Boms, had visited Chinda in London.

“All they are concerned about is how to secure Lloyd’s release.”

The PDP admonished the EFCC operatives not to allow themselves to be intimidated.

Varsity gets N500m

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has approved N500 million for the upgrading of facilities at the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

Speaking at the inauguration of the eight-member Governing Council, chaired

by Prof Greg Akenzua, Oshiomhole said the money would be paid in instalments.

He said the Council would decide how best to put the money to use, but that he expects value for every kobo spent.

“There are a lot of challenges in Ambrose Alli Universi-

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

ty (AAU) which is why I appreciate your acceptance of this appointment. There are issues of funding, issues of management, issues of transparency and issues of accurate record-keeping.

“I am aware that the Vice Chancellor had been dealing with these, but some of them are beyond the competence of a vice chancellor.”

Akenzua, on behalf of others, pledged that the Council would do its best to reposition the university.

•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (middle) presenting a N10 million cheque to Dr. Emeka Okeke, the leader of Rise Global Health Initiative, an international medical team, for the treatment of 160 Anambra people suffering from epilepsy. With them are other members of the team.

Edo invites 1,300 teachers to defend certificates

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HE Edo State government has invited 1,300 primary school teachers, who have irregularities in their education certificates and age records, to appear before a verification committee.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole said this at a meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), led

by Comrade Patrick Ikosimi.

The governor, who said the exercise was not to witchhunt anybody, however, insisted that it would not be business as usual and that those who have become too old to teach would have to go.

Oshiomhole said: “It is not my wish to preside over dismissals, first it is not cheap.

Secondly, I have a responsibility to keep Edo going and ensure that our children are in the hands of good teachers who are strong to stand and competent to teach.

“If the facts reveal that there are teachers who do not have the requisite qualification, you cannot insist that they remain in the system. The good news is that those who are not too old, who are capable of training, if we find that they are deficient and it is possible for them to benefit from training, we will give them training, what is not acceptable is to say it is business as usual,” he noted.

The governor added: “We can mismanage everything in our country, if you mismanage education, you are killing our tomorrow, our collective future. The roads we are building, we won’t have

Kidnappers demand N20m per teacher

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•NUT blames Oshiomhole for abduction

HREE women primary school teachers who were abducted last week are to cough out N60million for their release.

The kidnappers have upped their ransom demand from N50million to N60million, which is N20 million per teacher.

Patience Osadolor, Momodu Aisha and Patience Oroghene were abducted at gunpoint at Orhogbua Primary School in Ekenwan village.

Academic activities have been grounded in 23 schools in Ovia North East Local Government as other teachers have stopped work.

Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers from the locality yesterday took to the streets of Benin City protesting the abduction.

They blamed Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the abduction, saying he made statements,

brains to look after them. In the absence of brains, we won’t have growth and development.

“I have asked the Ministry of Education to invite those 1,300 teachers, who, from the

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

which exposed them to criminals.

Oshiomhole, at an education summit, said teachers were better paid than civil servants.

NUT Chairman Nero Edema, who led the protesters, said it was inconceivable that primary school teachers could become targets for kidnappers.

He said: “Enough is enough. This is the fifth time that teachers were kidnapped within our local government. The governor said teachers are earning higher wages; this is the impression the kidnappers have by starting to kidnap our teachers.

“The Ekenwan zone, where we have 23 schools, will be closed, until the victims are released.”

records, appear to have started their primary school before they were born. Because we are not assuming that those documents are iron-cast.”

The governor said the teachers would be paid their sala-

ries which were withheld when they went on strike.

He said this was informed by the fact that the teachers are back in the classrooms and have agreed to cover the lost ground.

Ex-NUJ president, DAAR Communications AAR Communicamourn Journalists’ death tions Plc, former Ni-

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gerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) President Ndagene Akwu and the National Association of Judicial Correspondents (NAJUC), Lagos branch, have commiserated with the NUJ over the death of three journalists who were involved in an auto accident at the Osu axis of Ilesa, Osun State.

Daar, in a statement by its Group Managing Director Tony Akiotu, on behalf of the management, said the media can remember the late journalists by continuing to hold

By Joseph Jibueze

onto the principles and ideals that they laboured and died for, including honesty of purpose and professionalism.

The organisation also sympathised with those who sustained injuries in the accident, praying that Allah would heal them.

“The incident is rather regrettable indeed most shocking. It is a colossal loss to the Nigerian media in particular and the nation in general.

“May this ugly incident

never ever occur again in the annals of our most treasured profession and in the history of our dear nation,” Daar said.

Akwu described the loss as irreparable, praying that God should strengthen the family.

He said: “That they were returning from a mission of ensuring better conditions of service for Nigerian journalists, particularly the business of safety insurance to assuage the inherent hazards in our day to day jobs makes their death and suffering in this dimension most saddening.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

59

NEWS Ekweremadu hails Fed Govt

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EPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday described the planned commencement of international flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, as a milestone.

He spoke while commenting on the planned maiden international flight operations from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport by Ethiopian Airlines on August 24.

Ekweremadu said the development is a “major milestone in the infrastructural renewal of the Southeast and a monumental boost for both trade and direct foreign invest-

ment”.

He said it would alleviate the challenges faced by businessmen travelling in and out of the Southeast.

A statement by Ekweremadu’s Special Adviser (Media) Uche Anichukwu, quoted him as saying: “For many decades, the people of the Southeast, the local and international business community have waited endlessly for the commencement of international flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport; the people of Southeast will remain grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan for the breakthrough.”

Two dead, 16 injured in Ijebu-Ode auto crash WO persons were feared

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dead in a ghastly motor accident involving two vehicles in Ijebu-Ode in Ogun late yesterday.

The accident also left 16 others with various degrees of injuries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accident occurred at Aperin Road along the Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan Expressway.

The accident involved a Sienna vehicle with registration number SMK 760 AP and a Mercedes Benz lorry with registration number XV 353 MUS. It was learnt, however, that the Sienna vehicle which took off from Ijebu-Ode was heading to Ibadan before it had a burst tyre and had a head collision with the lorry.

The driver and a passenger in front of the vehicle were said to have died on the spot,

while 16 others from both vehicles sustained serious injuries.

The corpses of those who lost their lives had been deposited at the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital, while the injured were receiving treatment in the same hospital.

One of the survivors, Rebecca John, while narrating how the accident happened, told NAN that she was travelling with her family members.

“We were going to Ibadan to attend the on-going convention of the Gospel Faith Mission International, before the accident happened.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Wellington Ogunsanya, who confirmed the death of the two persons, said that their bodies had been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

Fake nuns in Anambra

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From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

ATHOLIC Bishop of Awka Diocese Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor yesterday raised the alarm on the increasing cases of fake nuns in the church.

Ezeokafor lamented that some women have resorted to impersonating nuns to defraud unsuspecting parishioners.

He warned the perpetrators to desist or face the full wrath of God. “How can you ordain yourself before asking the church to ordain you? We have procedures on how things are done in the Catholic Church; you cannot just wake up, move to the market and purchase garments meant purely for those who have undergone the process of being reverend sisters when you are not one of them.

“I am warning those of you who indulge in this unholy act to desist from it or face the dangling axe of the church.”

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‘Onu not Ebonyi APC leader’

BONYI State leaders of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) have said Ogbonna Onu, former Chairman of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) is not the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The leaders, in a statement yesterday by Alhaji Kabiru Onyeka, State Chairman of the CPC and Pastor Eze Nwachukwu, Secretary (ACN) urged the public to dis-

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From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

regard the reports credited to a former House of Reps member, Innocent Ugo Chima that Onu is the APC leader in Ebonyi.

They said in line with the Southeast caucus decision, Sunday Jacob Chukwu, is the leader of the state chapter, until the national body formulates a template for the formation of state leaders of APC.

PDP screens 17 aspirants

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised N186 million from 26 aspirants in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

Twenty six aspirants paid N1 million for the expression of interest form, raising N26 million for the party.

At the close of sale of nomination form on Monday, only 17 of the aspirants had paid the N10 million nomination form fee, totalling N170 million.

Prominent among the aspirants are Senator Andy Uba, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Akachukwu Nwankpo, Sylvester Okonkwo, Obinna Uzor, Charles Odunukwe, Jerry

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

Ugokwe, Senator Emmanuel Anosike and Mrs. Josephine Anenih, among others.

Nine of the aspirants failed the first hurdle as they could not pay the N10 million nomination fee. Consequently, they have been excluded from the screening.

Yesterday, the 17 aspirants were still undergoing screening at the party secretariat by a five- man committee, headed by Alhaji Aminu Wali.

Zoning and consensus options are the two contentious issues that have pitted the party leadership against the aspirants.

•From left: Chairman, Strike Monitoring Committee, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) branch, Prof. Anthony Onyehalu; Acting Chairman, ASUU ESUT Branch, Dr. Uche Omeje and Assistant Secretary Dr. Chinedu Aguba, at a briefing on ASUU strike in Enugu ...yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Hoodlums loot Onitsha hotelier’s plaza •Traders allege police connivance •Property worth millions destroyed

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100-SHOP plaza, Mokwe Park and Plaza, in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State, belonging to Bonaventure Mokwe was yesterday looted by hoodlums.

Mokwe is the owner of Upper Class Hotel, Onitsha, where two human heads, two AK47 rifles, three loaded cartridges and a military cap were discovered. The hotel was demolished on the orders of Governor Peter Obi. Buses and vehicles in the park were vandalised and looted.

Traders were chased away by the angry mob. When our reporter visited the scene yesterday, all the doors of the shops have been removed.

Some of the traders- Mrs. Nzube Onyima, Chinedu Ezeh and Chibuzor Nnamani- said the traders did nothing wrong as the plaza had nothing to do with the hotel, except that they are both owned by the same person.

They said the mob allegedly acted in connivance with the police, because “the police were just standing there doing nothing”.

Mrs. Onyima said: “There are 100 shops here and all of us were chased away. They destroyed the doors and looted our property.

“You can see everybody is crying but these people over

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Group condemns hotel demolition

HE Campaign for Democracy (CD) yesterday condemned the Anambra State government for its hurried demolition of Upper Class Hotel without conclusive investigation.

The three-storey building was demolished on the orders of Governor Peter Obi last Thursday and Friday, following the alleged discovery of two fresh human heads, two AK47 rifles, three loaded cartridges and a military cap in the hotel.

CD in a statement by Dede Uzor A. Uzor, Chairman, CD Southeast condemned the demolition, which it said was hasty.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

there (from another park, Ose Park) are happy and I suspect they masterminded our predicament because there has been an issue between us.

“My shop was worth over N15 million but they took away everything. Onitsha people came in here to loot our property just because our landlord had problems with them.

“When we made efforts to salvage some goods, the police arrested some of the traders. We watched hoodlums loot our hard-earned goods and cash while the police aided them.”

Nnamani said he lost N10 million to the hoodlums, who chased him and his colleagues away.

“I suspect this people are

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

“Governor Obi acted arbitrary and undemocratically. He ought to have allowed the police conclude their investigation before moving ahead to demolish the hotel.

“The owner of the hotel should have been given a fair hearing and benefit of doubt.

“What if tomorrow, there is strong established evidence that Bonaventure Mokwe was not culpable of the crime alleged against him?

“What if tomorrow, those who might have planned the tarnishing evidence come to confess and plead for forgiveness?” it said.

from the other park. They chased us away from our shops and collected my phones and cash worth N50,000 and even removed the door.

“I saw one man with a big stomach ordering people to go into our shops and they just rushed in.

“This is unbearable and you can see the plaza has become a shadow of itself. Imagine, we are idle and thieves are enjoying our sweat because we are doing business in Mokwe Park.

“I am married with children. I am calling on Governor Peter Obi and Commissioner of Police Bala Nasarawa to intervene before something tragic happens to us.”

Ezeh said he lost over N4.5 million to the looters. He said: “What they have against

Mokwe should not affect us because we are his tenants in this plaza and this plaza and the hotel are not the same.

“We are not happy that Governor Obi and CP Nassarawa watched us suffer this way unprovoked and I wonder what they tend to benefit from ruining the families of over 1,000 people doing business in this plaza daily.

“They should allow us go back to our shops and pay us for our goods and cash. The goods we bought on loan were all stolen and imagine the horrible situation- policemen arresting people trying to save their goods and cash.

“The police even arrested traders coming into the plaza.

That action was a plan against Mokwe because his park was chosen by traders and passengers than the other park.”

I’ll not step down for anybody, says Ekwunife

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WOMAN aspirant in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has said she will not step down for any aspirant.

Ekwunife, who is a member of the House of Representatives, denied insinuation that she would step down for another governorship aspirant, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.

The Chairman, House Committee on Environment, who spoke while picking her form at the headquarters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abuja yesterday, said she was not intimidated by the male-dominated political environment.

According to her, election into political office has to do with experience, pedigree and ability to deliver electioneering promises.

She said: “Politics is about rumour and gossip, as you can see, I have come to collect my

Grassroots connection‘ll work for me, says aspirant

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PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the November 16 election in Anambra State, Walter Ubaka Okeke, has declared that his grassroots connection places him in a vantage position to clinch the party’s ticket.

Answering questions on his chances in a race filled with big names, a member of Okeke’s campaign organisation, Mrs. Ngozi Nwanmuo, said while others were struggling to get the mandatory endorsement before the closure of the return of nomination forms on Monday, Okeke got his with relative ease.

She attributed it to the grassroots connection of the aspirant whom she described as “the darling of the people”.

“Let nobody make any mistake, thinking From Dele Anofi, Abuja

nomination form and I have paid. On Monday, I will submit it before people will start to say she has collected she has not submitted.

“It is just rumours and that is how it goes with politics. I

By Augustine Avwode

that the election in Anambra State is meant for only the big names. You have to be here to see how the so- called big names are labouring to convince people to endorse their forms.

But by the grace of God, we got ours with much ease.

“You may ask why and how? The truth of the matter is that Okeke is a grassroots man who is loved by all, he is their darling. All the party chairmen in the 21 local government areas and stakeholders were among those who endorsed him.”

She added: “Okeke had established a bond of friendship over the years in the state through his multi-faceted humanitarian programmes.

am contesting this election to win. More importantly, I am not running based on what somebody will offer me to step down.

“Why would I step down, step down for what? I’m not running to step down for any-

body. Soludo is qualified to govern Anambra State and I am also qualified to rule Anambra State but I am running to win.

“So the issue of stepping down is just a political rumour, and that is what it is, a rumour.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

NEWS Buhari: I’ll run if APC approves Continued from page 4

•From left: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais (left), congratulating the guest lecturer, Chief Joe-kyari Gadzama, at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies 2013 State of the Legal Profession lecture in Abuja…yesterday With them is another former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore.

PHOTO: NAN

Anambra: Tension in APGA over ‘anointed’ candidate Continued from page 4

resentatives, Emeka Nwogbo; John Chuma Nwosu; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze; Patrick Obianwu; Nnamdi Ekweogwu; Emmanuel Nweke; Chinedu Francis Idigo; Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta; and an Executive Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Willy Obiano.

According to an APGA source in Abuja, six of the 14 aspirants as at 7pm on Tuesday had obtained the governorship nomination forms and paid N10million each.

The six aspirants are Odenigbo, Ekwunife, Obidigbo, Nwosu, Obianwu and Obiano.

Interrogations, however, revealed that the nomination

process has generated tension following the preference of Governor Peter Obi for a technocrat to succeed him to be able to consolidate on his achievements.

It was gathered that Obi is likely to back an Executive Director of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Willy Obiano, who was dragged into the race last Wednesday.

Most APGA members in the state however prefer a political candidate to a technocrat.

The aggrieved APGA members in Anambra have vowed to resist plot to impose Obiano.

It was also learnt that the governor’s choice is different from the recommendations made by a socio-cultural group, Olu Na Adagbe, and a Technical Committee, headed by Prof. Sylvester Anika.

A highly-placed source said: “APGA leaders are not happy that the governor is planning to impose Obiano, who is from Fidelity Bank, from where the governor came to lead the state.

“We have always known since last year that the governor might anoint his successor but he has been wasting our time by asking Olu Na Adagbe, and the Technical Committee to advise him.

“We have kept on pestering the governor on the direction to go but he said everybody should go to the field. Now, he has dragged Obiano from nowhere.”

Another source said: “If APGA leadership is arm-twisted and a governorship candidate is imposed by the gover-

nor, there will be mass defection from the party to either PDP or APC. “Obi might be the last APGA governor in Anambra State.

Does it mean that all those who have worked for him for eight years, including Secretaries to the State Government, are unqualified to govern the state?

In response to a question, the source added: “It is true that APGA has reached a consensus to pick its governorship candidate from Anambra North but no one is zeroing in on Obiano from Aguleri.”

Another source said: “In fact, if he is looking for a technocrat, why can’t he consider Soludo, who has a deep knowledge of politics and the economy?”

tablish a proper structure for the All Progressives Congress. And until that is done, we are having the party in the interim. I hope you will understand that.”

He said: “As for the second question, the ideological position. We have what you call a manifesto, which we have just written. But that manifesto needs a lot of fine-tuning. Not only that, it needs a lot of reduction into bullet points.

“By the time we reduce our manifesto into bullet points, it won’t be difficult for Nigerians to appreciate the ideology the APC represents. And that is the ideology of existing for the sake of the people and not for selfish aggrandisement of the resources of the nation to a few leadership. We are going to make that clear shortly. By the attitude of our 11 governors in their various states by what they are doing, you would have seen that there is a difference between the APC and the PDP.” Asked to be specific on the number of parties that merged to become APC, Akande added: “The parties that held conventions to merge are the Action Congress of Nigeria, the CPC and the ANPP. Those three

parties went to a convention to specify that they want to merge into APC. But a chunk of APGA has indicated their membership, that they are going to join APC. And almost the entire DPP have indicated that they are coming to join the APC. “And we are not closing our doors to PDP. If Jonathan is tired of the crisis in the PDP, he is welcome in the APC.” Responding to a question, Akande admitted that the nation is politically drifting towards a two-party system.

He said: “This is the first-ever merger in the history of Nigeria’s democracy. There should be a two-party system so that the country will have a choice between a bad government and a good one. It is going to deepen the democracy best.

“There are more than 40 parties in the register of parties in England but you have only two or three operating now. Ditto in America; you have only two (the Democratic Party and The Republican).

“It doesn’t mean that there are no other parties that are not showing their heads. But their democracy is very respectable because they have created a

choice between two alternatives.

“In our own, we didn’t even know which one was a better party before but from now on it is not difficult for Nigerians to know which party has been inflicting pains on them in the last 14 years and which party is poised to relieve them of these pains.”

On what APC would do if the court reverses the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission to register it and favour a rival African Peoples Congress, Akande said there is no cause for alarm.

He added: “The first question is hypothetical and I will not answer it. In Nigeria today, I don’t know any other APC besides this All Progressives Congress. And we don’t contemplate anything and nothing will happen to move this APC out of place. We remain a party and we shall remain a party forever to rule this country, Nigeria.

Regarding threats by APGA to sue APC, he said: “APGA never said it was going to sue my party for any amount.

APGA said it was going to sue Governor Fashola of Lagos State, so I can’t answer for him.”

the affected states was really bad, socio-economic activities had practically ceased. There was anxiety in the communities and beyond the affected parts to all parts of Nigeria. On a regular basis, there were either cases of detonation of bombs or harassment of people. There was a state of fear.

“But since the declaration of a state of emergency by Presi-

dent Jonathan, a lot has been achieved. It was a very good tactical and strategic move, as well as a very good demonstration of leadership, determination and focus by this administration.

“Three months down the line, when you look at the affected places where the state of emergency was declared, the first thing you will note is that

before then, the Boko Haram insurgents had carved out a part of Nigeria. They had created enclaves where they exercised authority but they have now since been flushed out by the security agencies.”

“I think the armed forces deserve commendation for being able to achieve this. Socio-economic activities have resumed in the affected states, Borno,

APC ready for PDP, other defectors, says Akande Continued from page 4

the name of APC; they are not yet authorised.

“The authority will soon begin to flow down from the national level to the state level, and to local government. And when it is going to be done, the National Publicity Secretary will keep you informed.”

Masari is heading the committee to advise the party on its structure.

He said the mobilisation of members into the new party will begin from the bottom to the top and the membership would be thrown open to all Nigerians, including President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “We have just finished the first meeting after the INEC registration of the merger of the five committees that came together. And we know our duty as the Interim Leadership of the APC is to mobilise people into APC. Our duty is to register members into the party.

“Our duty is to stage congresses, from ward level to local government level, at state level and at the national level.

It is to hold a convention to es-

party in the interim between registration and convention, but INEC advised us that we needed to get between 25 and 35 people to come out from the six geo-political zones to sign.”

“If the INEC wanted to be wicked, they could have kept mute and just sent us a letter that our application was not complete; they could have done that. But for them to send us an observation which was later corrected, I believe they were very impartial and we thank them for that,” Gen. Buhari said.

In his view, the APC’s emergence has lowered tension in the country. “The tension has already come and gone. People now think that they have a viable alternative. These feelings and belief is across the country, not only in the North or in the Southwest. There is a good feeling about the party in all the political zones of the country.

“Our next important step is the mobilisation of constituencies to make sure that elections are conducted according to law.

“In 2003, 2007, 2011, a lot of disgraceful things happened during those elections. We are trying now to put the structure of APC on the ground from the ward to the national levels with the hope to give Nigerians hope and to win power.

“Those that are going to be in charge of the party from

now till the convention are the people that are very committed to the party’s stabilisation and political strength.

We have started working hard to ensure that we avoid problems.”

He attributed the registration of the APC and other political parties to the efforts of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), the Lagos lawyer and right activist.

“It was the late Chief Fawehinmi, who took the letter I wrote and went to the Supreme Court to stop the ruling party from denying other parties registration.

We thank Gani Fawehinmi for his foresight to challenge the matter at the Supreme Court,” Gen. Buhari said.

Leader of the Democratic Emancipation Movement, Matamaki Tom Maiyashi, said Nigerians were aware of several efforts aimed at sabortaging the registration of the party.

He said: “The registration of APC marked a point in the political history of our country that will mark the beginning of a watershed in the political struggle of Nigeria.

“In fact, the PDP is very lucky that APC is registered, because the registration of APC has doused a lot of tension in the country.

“People now have hope that there is an alternative.

It was not an easy thing, but we have an alternative. The monster that is called the PDP will be driven out by 2015.”

Rivers crisis: Lloyd arraigned Continued from page 4

ment of the A-GS, but noted that if the plea had been taken, the police could step down and allow the takeover of the prosecution by the A-GS, before the proceeding could go on.

DENwigwe withdrew from the prosecution and the A-GS, Boms, stepped in.

On whether he has faith in the A-GS, DENwigwe said: “It is not a question of faith or no faith, but a question of what the A-GS wants to do, it is only a matter of the conscience of the A-GS. “The AG, whether of the state or the federation is the keeper of the conscience of state and time judges him in whatever he does.”

A lawyer to Lloyd, Emenike Ebetem, described his formal arraignment as a positive step.

He said: “The taking over of the matter by the A-GS is right, but that does not mean that all is well for us.

Lloyd has to go for trial. You heard the A-GS say that he was interested in the trial; the trial will go on. The prosecution will prove whether Lloyd attempted to murder his colleague, assaulted him, and we will also canvass our position.”

On the position of Justice

Charles Wali’s State High Court, Ahoada’s, bail granted Lloyd on Monday, and his being remanded by Justice Nyordee yesterday, Ebetem said: “The Ahoada case was filed and the order got the same day (Monday), for the police to scuttle yesterday’s proceedings, and in their smartness, they produced the accused person in court this morning (yesterday).

“It was the order that propelled them to produce him in court, because if that order wasn’t there, they would have come up with one excuse or the other. If they (police) had failed, that order would have propelled them to release him on bail.”

A High Court in Ahoada East Council on Monday granted bail to Lloyd in the sum of N5million, with one surety with a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

The court also ordered the police not to re-arrest the accused person when released.

Ebete said the need to approach the court (Ahoada court) was for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the accused person, having been detained by the police for about two weeks.

JTF, Boko Haram in gun battle in Borno town Gamboru Ngala Continued from page 4

achieved its desired objective.

Abubakar was addressing Assistant Inspectors-General at the Force Headquarters on the security situation in the country.

But yesterday, Abati said: “The first point to note is that before the declaration of a state of emergency, the situation in

Adamawa and Yobe, and people can now go about their normal businesses. The level of fear before the declaration of state of emergency in those affected states was really very high and even in the rest of the country, but that has gone down now.”

In Yobe, the fear of a possible attack by Boko Haram during the Sallah celebration has

created panic and fear among residents of major towns, such as Damaturu, Gaidam, Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru and Buni Yadi Such apprehension has even heightened, with the 24-hour curfew imposed on Potiskum town last night by the Joint Security Task Force(JTF), less than 48 hours to the Ed-el-Fitr celebration.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

61

FOREIGN NEWS

American drone kills four insurgents in Yemen

A

SUSPECTED U.S. drone killed four alleged al-Qaida members in Yemen yesterday, as the U.S. and British embassies evacuated staff amid reports of a threatened attack by al-Qaida that has triggered temporary shutdowns of 19 American diplomatic posts across the Muslim world.

Yemeni officials have suggested al-Qaida threats to multiple potential targets in the Arabian Peninsula country in recent days, including

•UK, U.S. evacuate embassy staff

foreign installations and government offices in the capital Sanaa as well as to the strategic Bab al-Mandeb straits at the entrance to the Red Sea to the south.

It is not clear if these reports are the same as the intelligence that led to the embassy shutdowns, reportedly instigated by an intercepted message between alQaida chief Ayman alZawahri and his deputy in Yemen about plans for a

Syria rebels ‘capture key Aleppo base’

major terror attack.

The State Department yesterday ordered non-essential personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen to leave the country. The department said in a travel warning that it had ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Yemen “due to the continued potential for terrorist attacks” and said U.S. citizens in Yemen should leave immediately because of an “extremely high” security threat level.

Britain’s Foreign Office

also said it has evacuated all staff from its embassy in Yemen due to increased security concerns. The Foreign Office said the British Embassy staff were “temporarily withdrawn to the U.K.” on Tuesday. It declined to comment further.

Meanwhile, there has been a spike in apparent U.S. drone strikes against al-Qaida leaders. The attack Tuesday was the fourth in two weeks.

Yemen officials say the drone fired a missile at a car carrying four men in the alArqeen district of Marib prov-

ince, setting it on fire and killing all of them. They believed that one of the dead is Saleh Jouti, a senior al-Qaida member.

To the west, in the capital Sanaa, residents awoke to the sound of an aircraft buzzing overhead. Officials said it was American, and photos posted on Instagram appeared to show a P-3 Orion, a manned aircraft used for surveillance.

All officials spoke anonymously as they were not authorised to brief the media.

The rare overflight of the capital came shortly before the announcements of the evacuations.

R

EBELS fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have captured a key airbase in Aleppo province, near the Turkish border, activists say.

The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said rebels took Menagh airport early yesterday.

The opposition has been trying to capture the base since last year.

Jim Muir, the BBC’s correspondent in Lebanon, says the base lies on a major rebel supply route from Turkey.

Rebels have also recently taken several villages in Latakia province, the heartland of President Assad’s minority Alawite sect.

They remain strong in the country’s north, despite recent gains by loyalist forces - in the cities of Damascus and Homs, and other areas of Aleppo.

As the battle at Menagh was raging, the government celebrated its own victory in the central city of Homs as the defence minister toured the Khalidiyeh neighbourhood which was recently retaken from rebel control.

Meanwhile, the SOHR said there were reports that army shelling of a market in Aleppo city on Monday night had resulted in the deaths of eight civilians, including three children.

•Heavy floods in Sudan leaves more than 30 dead and destroy many homes in Khartoun.

PHOTO: REUTERS

George Bush undergoes heart operation

F

ORMER President George W. Bush has been hospitalised and had a stent implanted after doctors found a blockage in his heart.

The clogged artery was discovered during his annual physical exam on Monday and he was implanted with the stent yesterday morning.

•Bush

T

His spokesman said that the procedure went well and Bush is expected to be released from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on Wednesday.

Spokesman Freddy Ford said the former president is ‘in high spirits’ and will resume his normal schedule on Thursday.

The blockage was discovered by doctors at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas on Monday, and then the stent was implanted by a different team of doctors at the nearby hospital.

The stent, a small wire mesh tube, was placed in the previously clogged artery with no reported complications.

Congo soldiers face trial for depot killings

WENTY-THREE soldiers have gone on trial in Congo-Brazzaville over a 2012 arms depot explosion which killed at least 240 people.

The soldiers have been

charged with arson and harming state security.

They appeared in a packed court room amid tight security, reports the AFP news agency.

The Congolese government was criticised for al-

Iran’s new leader Rouhani urges ‘serious’ nuclear talks

I

RAN’S President Hassan Rouhani has called for “serious and substantive” negotiations with the international community about its nuclear programme.

At the first news conference since his inauguration on Sunday, Mr Rouhani said he was confident both sides’ concerns could be resolved in a short time.

“Should this new government choose to engage substantively and seriously to meet its international obligations and find a peaceful solution to this issue, it will find a willing partner in the United

States,” it added.

President Rouhani’s message to the US government was that if it wished to engage directly with Iran, it needed to distance itself from “pressure groups” inside Congress who were “bewildering” it.

He repeatedly pushed the narrative that pro-Israeli lobby groups were pushing the White House into a corner with regards to its sanctions policy.

Western powers suspect Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but Tehran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful.

lowing a large number of munitions to be stored in the densely populated Mpila residential area.

More than 2,300 people are thought to have been injured in the blast, which also de-

stroyed hundreds of homes, leaving thousands needing shelter.

The wife of one of the defendants, Colonel Marcel Tsourou, says the charges against him are political, AFP reports.

I

militarised border in Kashmir, the cause of two of three wars between the nuclear rivals. It said it was committed to a decade-old ceasefire and wanted to restart talks.

India summoned Pakistan’s deputy envoy to New Delhi and lodged a protest over the killings in the Poonch region of Kashmir, officials said.

J

APAN marked the 68th anniversary yesterday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima with a somber ceremony to honor the dead and pledges to seek to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Some 50,000 people stood for a minute of silence in Hiroshima’s peace park near the epicenter of the early morning blast on Aug. 6, 1945, that killed up to 140,000 people. The bombing of Nagasaki three days later killed tens of thousands more, prompting Japan’s surrender to the World War II Allies.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, among many dignitaries attending the event, said that as the sole country to face nuclear attack, Japan has the duty to seek to wipe out nuclear weapons. He made no mention of the dilemma this resource-scarce country is facing over nuclear energy, nor of the tens of thousands of people displaced by risks from radioactivity from a nuclear disaster in Fukushima, in its northeast.

CHANGE OF NAME EMMANUEL I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. EMMANUEL OKUROBAKAM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OFAKA ENOKELA OKUROBAKAM. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT A Benue state Ministry of Land s and Survey Certificate of occupancy ( C of O Number BND1155 belonging to James Oyilokwu has be declared missing.

The land is located on Greater Makurdi layout.

Any one who found the said C of O should return it to the nearest police station or call James Onyilokwu on 08036804766

PUBLIC NOTICE JUST JESUS ASSEMBLY The above named association has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under “Part C” of the companies and allied matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. BISHOP NORMAN JONAH ---- President/General Overseer 2. REV. MRS VICTORIA NORMAN-JONAH --- Secretary 3. TAMMY NORMAN ---- Trustee AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To promote love and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ among man kind 3. To train, ordain and licence Christian leaders and workers of the gospel.

4. To hold seminars, workshops and crusades where the gospel is preached and souls saved.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission Headquarters, (CAC) Maitama Abuja within 28 days of this Publication Signed: Sylvia E. Uwadibie-Victor Esq 08033404769

PUBLIC NOTICE CANAN PETROLEUM TANKER DRIVERS ASSOCIATION

•Rouhani at the international press conference in Teheran PHOTO: AFP … yesterday

Militants kill five Indian soldiers in Pakistan border

NDIA said a group of militants from Pakistan killed five of its soldiers in an ambush along the disputed border in Kashmir yesterday, an accusation that threatens to derail efforts to resume peace talks.

Pakistan rejected the allegation, saying there had been no exchange of fire along the heavily

Japan marks 68th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing

“The ambush was carried out by approximately 20 heavily armed terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistan Army uniforms,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony told parliament.

Earlier his ministry in a statement had directly accused the Pakistani army of launching the attack alongside militants, but it subse-

quently withdrew the allegation, which could have escalated tensions between the rivals.

PUBLIC NOTICE I, formerly known and addressed as Anthony Onyetoenu Ogwudile wish to be known and addressed as Anthony Onyetoenu Chidile.

All documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

This is to inform the general public that the above named Association has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part "c" of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1 of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1. Comrade Umo Effiom Ekpenyong (Chairman) 2. Comrade Prince John Ukpong (Vice Chairman) 3. Comrade Effiofiom Etim Ita (Secretary) 4. Comrade Effiong Ekanem Ekanem (Treasurer) 5. Comrade Charles Adular Inzor (Financial Secretary) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To cater for the welfare of its members.

2. Unionization of all indigenous petroleum tanker drivers who operate within Cross River State.

3. To obtain and maintain a just and equitable general conditions of service for indigenous tanker drivers.

4. To regulate the relationship and settle dispute between members and their employers and between a member and another or other members of the larger society.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, 42 Tigris Crescent, off Aguyi Ironsi Street, P.M.B. 198 Maitama, Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

Signed Barr. Atim Egbe Atim (Legal Adviser) 07032503511

62

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013

63

SPORT EXTRA

I'm still a Celtic player—Ambrose N

I G E R I A international, Efe Ambrose, has told supersport.com that he remains a player of Scottish champions, Celtic despite reports linking him with offers from England.

Ambrose, 24, is "flattered" by such reports and believes it is as a result of a fine season for club and country.

The former Kaduna United man, who doubles as a centre-back and right-back, won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria's Super Eagles and then helped Celtic win the Scottish Premier League last season.

"I'm very flattered by the mention that I'm wanted by a number of clubs. But I am a Celtic player and I am committed to the club. It is always expected that after such a successful season, winning titles with your club

and country there will be reports saying you're being watched by this club or that club.

"But I'm focused on helping Celtic do well this season. I believe the team can do even better than last season," Ambrose, who joined Celtic from FC Ashdod on a threeyear deal, said to supersport.com in a telephone interview on Monday.

The 2008 Olympic silver medallist also has an eye set on another superb run with the Nigerian men's national team after their Afcon feat in South Africa earlier this year.

Ambrose is keen to run out for Nigeria this month when the African champions face South Africa in Durban in the Nelson Mandela Challenge.

He is also ready to help the Super Eagles down the Flames of Malawi in September's FIFA World Cup qualifying

match.

"It is always a joy for me to play for my country, and it will be even massive playing for Nigeria in a game in recognition of a great man like Nelson Mandela. I am looking forward to that game and also prepared for our World Cup qualifier against Malawi which is equally very important," said Ambrose.

The Celtic centre-back has made 28 appearances for Nigeria since his debut in 2011.

Ambrose then rounded off saying that he has parted ways with Israeli football agent, Dudu Dahan.

"He's no longer representing me as we've parted ways. I'll let you know who will be representing me in future," concluded the Nigerian defender.

•Ambrose

Four European clubs chasing Oboabona

A

S reports suggesting Sunshine Stars captain Godfrey Oboabona took a swipe at Arsenal FC for inviting him to the Emirates Stadium for trials continue to generate heated arguments, Mike Idoko, the Executive Director of Ondo State Football Agency, has opened up on what actually transpired.

The astute football administrator claims the Super Eagles’ new Kid on the block never for once used negative words on Arsene Wenger or the club in an exclusive with Goal.

“It’s so disheartening that some people went about

cooking up stories that Godfrey insulted Arsenal after they requested for him to come on trials. No he didn’t! I have discussed this with him and I think he was misquoted out of context. I want that impression to be corrected. Godfrey is humble and disciplined to have done that,” Idoko told Goal.

“All he frowned at was the club going for trials after his hectic time at the Nations Cup and Confederations Cup which he believes is not proper. Arsenal has been his childhood club and if any opportunity comes to play for them, he will grab it with both

hands,” he added.

Commenting on the likely destination of the attackerturned central defender, the ex-Warri Wolves general manager insists that their star player will only leave for the best club that has his interest at heart.

“We have gotten about three to four offers for him.

In fact, Godfrey and I are looking into it in conjunction with the management, we will look for the best one for him and I can assure you that before the end of the transfer window closes, he would have gotten a deal,” Idoko submitted.

Table Tennis championship makes its debut in Abuja

A

N information technology firm, Phase3 Telecom, has unveiled a table tennis championship it promised to sustain on an annual basis in the country.

Tagged Phase 3 Table Tennis Championship (P3TTC), its inaugural edition was held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Stanley Jegede, who declared the competition open with exhibition matches between the company’s top executives and partners, said the

By Paul Oluwakoya firm will continue to encourage sports development in the country.

Jegede said sports can be a veritable platform to sustain workplace wellness programmes and client/partner relationship. “P3TTC is to encourage and advocate active sports in Nigeria’s corporate environment as a tool to drive innovation and high performance in the workplace.

Sporting activity is one of the best activities an individual can engage in because it is

competitive, good for character build-up, rewarding and funfilled,” he said.

Phase3 Telecom’s Company Secretary, Adebayo Azeez, won the inaugural competition after defeating the Jegede and the Director of Engineering (DoE), Ajibade Momolosho.

Head of Corporate Administration, Mark Chiazor, said many of the workers enjoyed watching people engaged in omne sporting activities or the other, adding that the competition will promote wellness in the workplace.

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

I

N the last five years, Bida, my home town, has attracted bad press and public attention nationwide. The source of this attraction, it seems, has been the apparently well-intentioned but grossly misrepresented actions of its paramount ruler, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, on the emotive issues of sex and religion.

Five years ago, the story was about a randy 84-year-old man, Mohammed Bello Abubakar, alias Masaba, with his harem of 86 wives, some of them young enough to be his daughters and even granddaughters. The man’s lifestyle was a clear breach of the Penal Code of the old North and a violation of the norms and traditions of the Islamic society he lived in.

One fine morning, the Etsu, as descendant of Malam Dendo, the flag bearer of Shehu Usman Danfodiyo in Nupeland during his 19th century jihad, and therefore the modern day custodian of Islam in his territory, decided to put a stop to Masaba’s impunity.

Accordingly, the Etsu summoned the heretic to the palace to defend his conduct before the town’s clerics and community leaders. He couldn’t. So he was asked to choose between Islam, which he professed, and his 86 wives, since the religion forbade a man to have more than four. He accepted to choose his religion.

Or so it seemed; on the day he was to inform the palace of his choice of the four wives he was to live with, the man simply disappeared. Next thing, he sued the palace before the state high court for the violation of his fundamental right to live as he chose. And before you could say harem all manner of human rights organisations, with the press in tow, were falling over themselves to defend the man.

Since then the man has, for all practical purposes, become an (untouchable) media celebrity. This was five years ago.

Nearly five years on last month the big story has been about a beautiful 25 year-old student of Federal Polytechnic, Bida, who converted to Islam in February. Charity, the daughter of a pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) - one of the country’s leading Pentecostal churches – Raymond Uzoechina, sought and eventually got the audience of the Etsu to ask for his protection from her father who she claimed could harm her because of her conversion.

From all accounts, including that of her father, the palace did not readily oblige Aisha, her adopted Islamic name. First, the Etsu asked her if her father knew of her decision.

When she said no he asked for her father’s telephone number and called him to come to Bida. He sent for him twice, first on March 1 and then the following day. “Overwhelmed by the call on March 2,” Pastor Uzoechina told the press, “I had to travel to Bida to ascertain what was wrong.”

Predictably, the palace encounter was not a pleasant one for both parties. According to one account, the Etsu first asked the father if his daughter had ever suffered any mental problems and he said no. The Etsu then con-

‘As it stands, the issue of Rivers State is largely unresolved because certain egos have refused to be massaged’ VOL.8 NO.2,570

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

People and Politics

She has consistently said she converted of her own free will. Certainly, the Etsu Nupe’s invitation to Pastor Uzoechina to his palace to talk things over with his daughter is not the action of someone who is a kidnapper intent on forcing his belief on another.

Even more certainly scapegoating him for the predicament of Aisha’s father and, by extension, that of CAN, will not solve the problem for anyone who thinks he has one with her conversion, even if it were induced.

So far, the most sensible and sober thing anyone has said about this controversy is the eloquent piece written on it by Bitrus Gwadah, a Kaduna based senior lawyer, in last Saturday’s Weekly Trust. It is an article that anyone interested in stopping the episode from getting out of hand must go back and read.

embarrassment he had caused them following his father’s and another uncle’s intervention with the authorities.

Apart from refusing him his primary posting until he retracted his story, his camera and handset were seized. He was also threatened with a month’s extension without pay and, worst of all, he was interrogated by the State Security Service on allegation that he was Boko Haram.

After several weeks of stalemate the local NYSC relented and posted him to a remote village in the state in March. He had barely settled down when he was reposted to Delta State. The reposting letter said this was at his own request. When, however, he pointed out that he never made any such request, he was issued another letter which said this was punishment for his alleged offence.

At this point, I got a senior lawyer friend, Yahaya Mahmud, SAN, to intervene by sending a petition to the service Director General, and the Minister of Youth, Inuwa Abdulkadir, Esq. My friend did so gratis.

Not long after the petition the DG, I was made to understand, instructed Kaduna to rescind the Delta posting. For weeks, Kaduna did not carry out the instructions. However, it did so finally last week after our lawyer sent a reminder.

Penultimate Monday, Usman was called to the head office and given a letter, dated June 31, posting him to Katsina State. He has since reported there and has been posted to Government Technical College, Funtua, for his primary assignment.

Hopefully, this is the end of an episode that needed not to have occurred at all - never mind dragging on for months - but for the thin skin of your typical government official.

Abubakar Idris Usman: all’s well that ends well?

Re: Aregbesola’s real transformation

It’s now thirteen weeks since I first wrote on May 8 about the plight of my youth corper “son” Abubakar Idris Usman, on these pages in an open letter to the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier-General Okorie Affiah.

The reader will recall that he got into trouble with the NYSC authorities in Kaduna State over an article he had written in The Nation (November 22, 2012) which was critical of the facilities at the state’s orientation camp. The article, the authorities said, was sheer malice and breached the service rules against talking to the press.

As penalty for his alleged offense he was initially denied posting for his primary assignment until he retracted the story. When he and his real father, a childhood friend, brought his predicament to my attention I rebuked him, as an uncle should, for breaching his service regulations but told him to stand by his story so long as he was sure of his facts. He said he was even though he had apologised to the authorities for the

Sir, We have indeed known your mindset. No non-Muslim can ever go right, and no Muslim can ever go wrong even if he is secretly expletive deleted - your mother. Now, even if you’ve sworn never to see anything right about the president, because he is your sworn enemy, being a non-Muslim, what is the purpose of trying to drag him in the mud before commencing on praise singing on Aregbesola? Is it a gimmick to win the trust of the Yorubas? Mind you Haruna the Yorubas are very wise people. They are not fools like you and so you cannot fool them in order to win their support. +2347054795500

By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Charity’s conversion: The scapegoating of an emir

•Charity Aisha Uzoechina firmed to his invitee that his daughter had converted to Islam. The pastor was then given a room to talk things over privately with his daughter. The talk did not end happily.

Since then Pastor Uzoechina has accused the Etsu of kidnapping his daughter and forcibly converting her into Islam. Naturally the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rallied to his support. “The Emir of Bida(meaning, of course, the Etsu Nupe),” its president, the combative Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said last week, “ must understand that Christianity and Islam must stand side by side. So we are using this occasion to say: ‘Release our daughter to us.’”

Interestingly but even more worryingly, it seems President Goodluck Jonathan too has weighed in on the pastor’s side; on separate occasions he had asked first the Etsu and then the Niger State governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, in not so many words, to find a way of releasing Aisha Charity to her father.

Apparently the logic seems lost on the CAN leadership that Aisha Charity’s case is even more symbolic of fundamental human rights than that of the recent Senate’s so-called approval of marriage below 18 for girls over which it has threatened to ask its flock to take to the streets if the Senate does not reverse itself.

Aisha Charity is 25 and is therefore more than old enough to decide things for herself.

HARDBALL

H

IS visage looks eerily cadaverous on the front page of a national newspaper. He has won an election yet again but it seems elections have worn him. It must be deliberate that the editor had pasted that old, wizened mug on his cover so bold and large apparently exhibiting a vicarious, impotent rage on the 5th coming of Robert Mugabe to power in Zimbabwe. The 90-yearold overlord of the impoverished southern African country is declared to have won his country’s presidential election once again by a wide margin last Sunday. He has another 5-year term by which end he would have been 95 years old.

At an age when most men can hardly stand, how much more stand for an election, Mugabe’s political longevity must have a correlation to his physiological endowments.

Those who thought that age and indeed, senility would have mellowed the old fox were nonplussed and even chagrined at the ‘failure’ of Morgan Tsvangirai , his main oppo-

The god of Zimbabwe nent in the last few years, to send him into retirement. Mugabe who runs under ZanuPF has led Zimbabwe since independence from Britain since 1980 won by 61 per cent against 34 per cent by Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, (MDC). ZanuPF also secured 152 of the 210 seats in parliament availing Mugabe a two-thirds majority to re-write Zimbabwe’s constitution in his own persona and even flowery words.

By the time he is through, heavens know Mugabe would transmogrify into a deity and continue to rule Zimbabwe by proxy. A little tinkering of the constitution will make sure of that.

Having achieved life presidency by hook and crook, now with the instrumentality of the constitution, he would fashion out for his self the title of ETERNAL PRESIDENT. It would be enshrined in the book of course, so that it would be a sacrilege to pronounce

DELE AGEKAMEH

that Mugabe died; he will only transmute to a higher realm from whence he would continue to rule his beloved country. On bended knees and with heads perpetually bowed in worship, his people will continue to receive his divine guidance and direction from carefully taped voice-overs. Beware, Mugabe will not disappoint.

He never disappointed. The classic African big man; a post-colonial contraption in the mold of Idi Amin of Uganda, Hastings Banda of Malawi, Mobutu Sese Seko of Congo to name a few, he outfoxed all his opponents (like Joshua Nkomo) and outlived most of his contemporaries. Having played a key role in winning independence for Zimbabwe from errant British imperialists, power simply shifted from one coloniser to another.

He has held his country in thrall for 33 years using all sorts of tricks – from brute force and intimidation to divide and rule; hunger

Sir, Thanks for your article on “Aregbesola’s real Transformation’. Please advise Abia State Governor to learn from Aregbesola and stop his unpopular media campaign. +2348036735682 •For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above and poverty.

It is discomfiting that the African Union’s election observers considered Zimbabwe’s election free and fair but it is not in the least surprising if you remember that the leader of the observer team is a certain Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who is not known to be enamoured of free and fair election nor is he a man given naturally to procedural integrity or democratic principles. It is on record that domestic monitors said a large number were unable to vote; the US described the election as a “deeply flawed process”, Australia suggests a fresh poll and a commissioner in the electoral commission resigned in disgust. Of course, Tvangirai has refused to acknowledge defeat, insisting that he would not legitimise a “fraudulent” and “stolen” election.

Now that Mugabe has done his time, squandered his children’s and is now wasting his grand children’s era, may we all just say, all hail the god of Zimbabwe!

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