Aug 19, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

APC set to unveil agenda NEWS

Page 4

•Party’s eight-point plan coming

News Ajimobi, Lanlehin close to truce P7 Sports Emenike ready for Arsenal P23 Business 82 firms in race for power plants P4 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2581 MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Minister blows N2b on chartered jets

A

MINISTER may have been spending so much time in the air that she has wracked up a N2b bill in two years.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is being urged to probe how she blew the cash on chartered jets.

The Minister was reported to the Chairman of

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, by a whistle-blowing group, Crusaders for Good Governance (CGG), on August 13.

In the petition, signed by its representative, Okechukwu Obiorah Nnamdi, the group said its alarm against the Minister, who could not be reached for comments last night, was borne out of inves-

tigation.

The group said its allegations against the Minister could be verified through the records of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN); the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency(NAMA) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA).

The petition said: “We are

calling your attention to a monumental act of corruption, abuse of office and reckless application of public funds by a minister.

“Our investigation has revealed that the minister has not only become a liability Nigeria cannot bear at this time, she has also become a huge source through which Continued on page 4

2015: Arewa asks Jonathan to honour agreements ACF hails registration of APC Govt, ASUU should resolve crisis

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan got yesterday a piece of advice – he should respect agreements he entered into with stakeholders.

This, to the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), is a way of addressing the problems within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which conveys the impression that the party is at war.

ACF spokesman, Anthony Sani, told The Nation ex-

‘

Our understanding of the G-5 governors is that they want governors to be carried along in the management of their party, they want internal democracy and they want an end to divisions as well as internal democracy within the party, and for President Jonathan to respect agreements From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

clusively that President Jonathan has enough time between now and 2015 to address the problem, adding that the events in the party are not

Boko Haram: Army takes over operations

healthy for the growth of democracy.

The ACF is a pan-Northern socio-political organisation.

Sani, who was reacting to the visit of Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and

others to some past leaders, said the Forum believed that the governors want to be carried along in the management of the party.

He said: “Our understanding of the G-5 governors is that

’

they want governors to be carried along in the management of their party, they want internal democracy and they want an end to divisions as well as internal democracy within the party, and for President

Jonathan to respect agreements he entered into voluntarily with stakeholders.

Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, has said that President Jonathan entered into an agreement with Northern leaders to spend only one term in office.

The Niger governor urged the President to honour the agreement by not seeking reelection.

But Presidency official Continued on page 4

NIGERIA PRAYS...IN OSUN

•JTF scrapped

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From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

HE army has taken over operations in the battle against Boko Haram in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The states have been under a state of emergency since May 14, following the lingering insurgency by the fundamentalist sect, which seeks to islamise Nigeria.

The sect has been responsible for the deaths of almost 3,000 people, the maiming of others and dislocation of hundreds of thousands.

The sect members have also claimed responsibility for killing of students and burning of schools. In Borno, no fewer than 800 classrooms have been burnt, according to Governor Kashim Shetima. The attacks on schools and killing of pupils are in furtherance of the meaning of the sect’s name – “Western education is a sin”.

A new division of the Army purposely set up for counter insurgency will today take over the control of the three states. The Joint Task Force (JTF), which has operated in each of the states, will be scrapped. The JTF was composed by troops drawn from the three Continued on page 4

•Former Head of State /Chairman Nigeria Prays, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (second left) with Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle) and (from left), Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Nigeria Prays Vice Chairman Captain Paul Thahaboon (rtd) and Commissioner of Police Mrs Dorothy Jimba, during Gen. Gowon and his Nigeria Prays team’s visit to the Governor, at the Government House, Osogbo, the State of Osun…yesterday

•CITYBEATS P8 •SPORTS P23 •CEO P28 •JOBS P37 •LABOUR P29 •POLITICS P45

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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NEWS

Good times •From left: General Manager, Consumer Market, Glo Mobile Ashutosh Tiwary,President, Student Union Government, Dorben Polytechnic, Abuja Mike Anebere, President, Student Union Government, College of Education, Zuba FCT Adamu Osanutu, President, Business Adminstration Department, University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) Bello Adewale and head, Youth Segment,Glo Mobile Adesola Arowogbadamu during the launch of Glo Bounce in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

With nearly 12,000 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), 131,000 point-of-sales machines, several internet payment portals, 25 million bank cards in circulation and the number of people with bank accounts growing from 18.3 million in 2008 to 28.6 million in 2012, Nigeria appears to be embracing cashless economy, writes Financial Times

I •From left: Resident Consultant, Media Event of Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Mr. Folu Olamiti, Group Administration Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc Mr. Theo Ola Ayeni and Incoming President of Rotary Club of Ibadan Jericho Metro Rotarian Ademola Idowu at the investiture of Idowu as the second president of Rotary Club, Jericho Ibadan...yesterday.

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

•From left: Brand Building Director, Unilever Nig. Plc Mr David Okeme, Category Manager, Unilever Ms Nnena Osi-Anugwa, and Vice President, Operations Mr Anil Gopalan, during the re-launch of new Omo MultiActive detergent in Lagos... at the weekend.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

•Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc Mr. Nico Vervelde (right) presenting certificate of participation to Kelechi Njokwu (middle) during the Literary Evening organised by Nigerian Breweries Plc in Lagos... at the weekend. With them is Creative Director, Farafina Trust Chimamanda Adiche.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE.

N 2002, when Mitchell Elegbe was starting his technology business, there were few proper bank cards in Nigeria, ATMs were rare and there was no inter-connectivity between banks.

Drawing money meant walking into your branch, collecting a token indicating a number in the queue, and returning several hours later in the hope of being near the teller.

“People used to keep a lot of money at home,” said Mr Elegbe.

“We thought: why can’t people have cash just-in-time.”

So his fledgling company built a “switching” infrastructure to connect the different banks.

Interswitch also provided the technology for ATM cards, in the hope of becoming the Nigerian equivalent of Visa or MasterCard.

A decade on, and the two American payment giants are scrambling to play catch-up in Africa’s secondbiggest economy. Today, Nigeria has nearly 12,000 ATMs, 131,000 point-of-sales machines and several internet payment portals. Of the 25m bank cards in circulation, more than 18m carry Interswitch’s “Verve” brand, Mr Elegbe says.

Its success is a clear example of the first-mover advantage is Nigeria, where for years the difficult operating conditions caused many multinationals to sit on the sidelines.

With the economy expanding steadily at between 6 and 7 per cent a year since 2007, ever more foreign companies are looking for a way in, from supermarket chains such as Carrefour, which recently announced a deal to expand into West Africa, to Ermenegildo Zegna, the luxury men’s brand. And, as data from the banking sector show, later is better than never, for there is still huge room for growth.

As in many other African countries, access to financial services has traditionally been limited to the wealthier class in Nigeria. In recent years, however, banks have courted lower-income customers.

The number of people with bank accounts grew from 18.3m in 2008 to 28.6m in 2012, according to Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access, (EFInA), an organisation that promotes financial inclusion in the country.

Even so, that represents just one in three Nigerian adults, compared with the two in three who formally bank in South Africa, the continent’s largest economy.

Nearly 60m Nigerian adults – out

•CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

of a fast-growing population of 160m people – do not use traditional banking services.

“We have this massive market, and that gives us a natural advantage over other countries,” said Mr Elegbe, the MD of Interswitch, whose shareholders now include four local banks, the private equity firm Helios and the International Finance Corporation. “There’s still a huge opportunity to bring more people into the banking system.”

Nigeria presents its own unique challenges too, from the chronic power outages that require standalone ATM’s to run on generators much of the day, to its reputation for fraud. In its early years, Interswitch used magnetic stripe cards that were susceptible to being cloned. Mr Elegbe said that fighting swindlers became “my full-time job”. Then Visa and MasterCard, whose presence in sub-Saharan Africa had mainly been limited to countries that drew foreign tourists, such as Kenya and South Africa, entered the market with chip-and-pin cards.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mandated that this become the new standard, and Interswitch adopted the technology for its Verve cards. Scamming has now been greatly reduced – by 90 per cent, the CBN says – and is today a much smaller issue than people might imagine, said Ade Ashaye, country manager for Visa. “[By coming in later] we have not repeated the mistakes made in other markets,” he said. “Fraud on our cards issued in Nigeria is significantly lower than global averages.”

At the same time, spending on plastic is rising fast. According to the CBN, the volume of card purchases and ATM withdrawals nearly tripled between 2009 and 2011. The vast majority of transactions are made using savings account or debit cards; since Nigeria’s banking crash in 2008, when reckless lending was common, the percentage of bank customers holding credit cards has fallen from 12 per cent to 5 per cent, according to EFInA. One reason for the surge in epurchases is the CBN’s efforts to promote cashless transactions, which has seen handheld point-ofsales terminals installed everywhere from church donation booths to hairdressers. Another is the rise of internet shopping and sites, such as Paga and Interswitch’s Quickteller that facilitate money transfers, bill payments and airtime purchases.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

3

NEWS

for merchants of plastic money ‘

We have this massive market, and that gives us a natural advantage over other countries... There’s still a huge opportunity to bring more people into the banking system

•Mrs Ojomuyide

•Ashaye

MasterCard, which formally moved into the market in 2010, has seen a strong growth in revenues, according to Omokehinde Ojomuyide, its business head for

West Africa, as people have become more comfortable using their cards.

The company has an agreement with the government to rollout 13 million MasterCard-branded na-

•Elegbe

tional identity cards that will enable people to load money and make electronic payments.

Along with Visa and Interswitch, MasterCard is also working with

overseas vendors to improve acceptance of cards issued in Nigeria, which are sometimes still rejected because of a fear of fraud.

“Like it or not, Nigerians spent a

‘

lot of money abroad,” said Mrs Ojomuyide. “There’s no reason that they should not get the same services as anywhere else in the world.”

Aviation sector’s quest for rebirth

At a time over N335 million worth of cargo is passing through the country’s international airports and work is set to begin on four new airport terminals funded by the Chinese government, Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu is joining the league of international airports, making this interesting times for the aviation sector, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

A

BUJA, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt are special as far as the aviation industry is concerned. From these cities, international flights regularly depart and arrive. In the first quarter of this year, an unprecedented cargo worth over N335 million passed through the country’s international airports.

From the next quarter, figures from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu will also be added to earnings from international flight operations. On August 24, this airport, whose dream was that of former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme when he was only 26, will begin international flight operations.

Ethiopian Airlines has got the Presidency’s nod to finally make this airport not only international in name but also in practice.

The Federal Government has gazette the airport as the only international airport in the Southeast and included it in the aviation master plan.

The historical flight will arrive the Enugu airport by 12.30 pm and depart by 1:30 pm. It will operate four times weekly.

For many years, the Southeast clamoured for an international airport for the zone.

Businessmen and other travellers from Enugu, Aba, Abakaliki, Onitsha, Owerri, Umuahia, Asaba and Benin will be saved the stress of travelling for hours to Lagos or Abuja to catch international flights.

With this development, the General Manager, Corporate Communication, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Yakubu Dati, said the Goodluck Jonathan administration has fulfilled its promise of giving every part of the country equal opportunity to realise its dreams.

Dati said: “This Minister of Aviation has shown her determination to actualise the goals of the aviation master plan which the Jonathan ad-

Jonathan approves international flights for Akanu Ibiam

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VIATION Minister Ms Stella Oduah yesterday confirmed President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval for the commencement of direct flights between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital and Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu State.

The flights will start from August 24.

The minister, who spoke in an interview in Lagos, said the inaugural flight would be the first flight by an African carrier into Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the only airport designated in the Southeast by the

Federal Government.

The General Manager, Corporate Communication, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Yakubu Dati, said the Jonathan administration has fulfilled its promise of giving every part of the country equal opportunity to develop and realise its dreams, adding that a few months ago, the President unveiled the domestic terminal at the airport and also laid foundation for the building of an international terminal.

•Stella Oduah

ministration has pegged its transformation agenda which objectives include giving every part of the country and every citizen the opportunity to grow to his full potential.

With the international flight operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, a novel opportunity has been given to the people of the South East zone to expand their business horizon without stress and the inconveniences of having to travel far to catch international flights.”

A travel expert, Ikech Uko, said the development would up a business hub in the zone. He predicted that other airlines from the Middle East and Africa would soon start operation from Enugu.

These are indeed interesting times for the aviation sector. The country has 22 airports operated by FAAN. The country has signed a $500 million loan in China to build four new international airport terminals.

They are expected to be ready for use in May 2015. They will be constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation

(CCECC).

The terminals are to be built in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt. The facility for the project will be paid back in 30 years after a 10-year grace period, with three percent interest rate, amounting to $15 million, meaning the cost of the four terminals will be $515 million (about N82 billion).

The terms and conditions of the loan suggest that CCECC will draw the fund directly from the Chinese EXIM Bank. The Federal Government will not have access to the $500 million. This, said sources, will eliminate the avenues for fraud.

This, said another source, also guarantees that the projects will not be abandoned and the facility diverted.

Coordinating Minister for Economy/Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, while signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the facility, said the Federal Government was elated at the conclusion of the deal for the financing of the construction of the terminals because “developing airport and aviation infrastructure is

a major priority to the Federal Government. The simultaneous construction of four international airports will create employment and other value chains that will help to grow and expand the frontiers of the Nigerian economy”.

Aviation Minister Ms Stella Adaeze Oduah said work would start soon. According to her, the projects would go on simultaneously.

President of CCECC Yuan Li said the delivery period of 20 months was sacrosanct and the quality of the work would be comparable to similar projects in other parts of the world.

Dati said: “The four airports are key and important. We are saying Nigeria should take its pride of place in the aviation industry. With a population approaching 170 million, we are not a population to be toyed with. Airports have gone beyond avenues for transportation but centre of activities. With these airports, we can leverage on the trickle down economic effect.

“For instance, a lot of money can

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

be made from Cargo exports. In 2011, about $245 million was made from the export of perishable products from Africa. Nigeria had zero share from these huge exports yet, we are talking of countries like Ghana, Cote Devoir, South Africa etc. So with these new facilities, Nigeria can also benefit from these huge exports.

“So rather than have a terminal where people just fly, we will have a recreational centre of some sort where people can relax and enjoy themselves. At the end of the day, the aviation industry will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP. “Let’s consider Dubai. What has made Dubai thick are the airports.

You can shop, eat, sleep and even live at their airports without even going into the city if you don’t want to. This is the type of concept we are looking at. Looking at the aerotropolis concept, we want a business hub around the airport where people can say, fly into Lagos, hold meetings, conferences at the airport and go back without necessary going into the town. This saves you time and cost.”

Founder/Executive Director, the Centre for Aviation Safety and Research (CAS-R) Sheri A. Kyari said the terminals would be economically viable.

He said: “When you look at all these prospects, there is need for some kind of expansion. And looking at the four airports - Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt they are the hubs in Nigeria. With increased influx of foreign airlines too and with the opportunity of landing in one or two airports, there could be an upsurge of passengers.”

President, Concerned Aviation Professionals Captain Tito Omaghoni said: “The new terminals will engender the aerotropolis project. The project will see huge businesses - hotels, shopping malls, rail tracks and other services sprig up around the airports.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

NEWS Minister blows N2b on chartered jets Continued from page 1

our nation is gradually bleeding to a slow and painful death.

“Unlike other cabinet ministers, who travel on commercial( and presidential where applicable) jets for official assignments, the minister has taken it upon herself to travel by private jets to all assignments.

“When the President visited China, she was on the trip but travelled in a private jet at the cost of$300,000.

“The same thing happened during Mr. President’s trip to South Africa; she also travelled in a private jet at the cost of $300,000.

“Details of her other activities and unwholesome spending are listed below: •During Easter break, she flew a private jet to Dubai with •Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle), Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Tunji Shelle (left), Acting National Secretary, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Remi Akitoye (2nd left), State Secretary of the party, Wahab Owokoniran (2nd right) and the Deputy State Chairman, Chief S. Ola Apena (right) during the condolence visit of members of the PDP National Working Committee to the governor over the death of his father, Alhaji Ademola Fashola at the Government House, Marina, Lagos…yesterday

2015: Arewa asks Jonathan to honour agreements Continued from page 1

have denied the existence of such an agreement, insisting, however that the President is yet to declare interest in running for a second term.

“The five governors may not be totally wrong, considering the happenings in the ruling party, which convey an impression that PDP is at war with itself, which is unhealthy. More frustrating is the inability of 35 governors to elect their leaders, which some people believe is pointing to what will happen in 2015. But I hope Mr President has enough time to bring the sit-

uation under control before 2015.”

Sani said the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would open up the democratic space and offer Nigerians alternatives during elections.

Said Sani: “The registration of APC gladdened our heart because it could bring about a viable alternative platform to the ruling party, since democracy without a viable opposition is a sham.

“More so that ACF has recommended a two-party system for the country, with clear choices

on how to assume responsibility for real issues of real concern to real Nigerians. Before now, Nigeria claimed to operate a multiparty democracy, yet all the parties have been mere clones of one another.

“As a result, the choice for the voters has been reduced from which party could deliver on the promise of democracy to which party had the capacity to win elections. We hope the registration of APC will arrest such a trend by enriching the polity with democratic tenets for public good”.

Sani also said that the ACF believed that “President

82 firms in race for power plants

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HE National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and the Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC), have approved the pre-qualification of 82 consortia for power plants.

Among them are Dangote Industries Limited/Sewa West Africa Limited, Dangote Industries Limited/ESSAR Power, Dangote Industries Limited/Sogenal Limited and 78 other consortia for the purchase of 80% equity in the 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP).

According to a statement by the Head, Public Communications, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe, the appoval was from the 386 expressions of interest (EOIs) submitted by 82 of the 110 consortia that earlier expressed inter-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

est in the acquisition of 80% equity in the power plants.

The NIPPs are jointly owned by the Federal, State and Local Governments.

The council, according to the statement, approved the prequalification at its meeting last Monday.

The 82 consortia have been prequalified to move to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage of the transaction.

Some of the consotia are: Omotosho Electric Energy Company, SEPCO-Pacific Energy Partners Limited, PPN Power Generating Company Ltd, AFC and Globeleq Consortium, AFC, Globeleq & Vigeo Consortium,

Spark Generation Power Company and Calls Power Consortium and Transcorp – GE Consortium.

Also on the list are: Neon Electric Power Consortium, CET Power Consortium Azura Benin Generation Consortium, Azura Calabar Generation Consortium WorleyParsons/DeltaAfrik, Arrow Capital/WorleyParsons Consortium Power Ventures Consortium, Paragon Consortium, OPG Power Ventures (with GE International), OPG Power Ventures (with Sogex), OPG Power Ventures (with Thomassen Holding Limited and Marine Power Limited) and others.

Meanwhile, BPE noted that the number of expressions of interest for each of the 10 generation

Obasanjo may not be totally wrong to submit that the feckless performance of leaders in our climes is at its worst with the younger generation, since the younger generations have been in the driver’s seat for quite some time now without sign posts to improvement.

“All we hear are security challenges posed by insurgents, by armed robbers, kidnappers, baby factory, militant activism, piracy, unemployment and corruption, that have combined to steal Nigerians’ empowerment, their opportunities and their future.

Continued on page 55

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Education, Devolution of Power, Accelerated Economic Growth and Affordable Health Care. ‘’Our Guiding Philosophy will derive its impetus from these seven principles: Belief in, and the fear of God; upholding the rule of law; preserving national unity; pursuit of a just and egalitarian society; building of strong institutions; commitment to social justice and economic progress; and promoting representative and functional participatory democracy.

The party faulted “the jejune matters that are at the core of the PDP misrule”, saying it had decided to focus on “serious issues of relevance that will benefit our people under an APC federal government.’’

The party challenged the PDP and the Presidency, image makers to tell Nigerians why the ruling party failed to lift the country in the 14 years that it has been in the saddle.

It cautioned government officials against “peddling concocted tales about the opposition”, adding that the presidency should tell Nigerians “why it has defied INEC rules by continuing to campaign for the 2015 elections. ‘’Issues, issues and issues: These are what Nigerians are interested in, not continuous muck-raking about opposition leaders like Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“For example, Nigerians want to know why the country can still not feed itself after 14 years of endless promises by the PDP; Nigerians want to know why they cannot be protected by their government when the security of lives and property is the rason d’etre of any government. ‘’Nigerians want to know why over 40 million youths cannot get jobs under a government that gleefully touts a six per cent GDP growth; Nigeri-

Continued on page 55

Army takes over operations Continued from page 1

services of the Armed Forces as well as other security agencies that conducted the operation.

Director of Defence Information Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said the Army Headquarters will assume command of the troops with immediate effect.

He said the change of baton was in line with the plans laid out for the conduct of the operations to execute the mandate spelt out in the May 14 declaration of State of Emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The operation is now codenamed Operation BOYONA, an acronym derived from the names of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

“The effort was meant to constitute the first phase of the counter-terrorists operation.

The Nigerian Army will now be solely in charge of the opera-

tions, but still under the routine guidance of the Defence Headquarters.

“A General Officer Commanding (GOC), in the rank of Major General, is being proposed to command the new Division which will have its Headquarters in Maiduguri. He is due to take over Command and the assets of the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force”, Brig. Gen. Olukolade’s statement added.

In spite of the appeal for peace and ceasefire by government through the amnesty committee, the sect has refused to bulge.

It remains divided, with some of its leaders opting for the olive branch while its leader Abubakar Shekau insists there is no deal.

In another video posted on the You Tube last week, Shekau even boasted that he could not Continued on page 55

First Lady snubs Rivers deputy governor

F

•Dangote

plants include: Gbarain Generation Company – 46, Benin Generation Company – Continued on page 55

APC to unveil eight cardinal programmes

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to unveil its plan for Nigeria through an eight-cardinal programme, the party said yesterday.

It will also issue its guiding philosophy, as the party begins to engage with Nigerians on crucial national issues, its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said yesterday.

The party urged the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to engage the opposition on issues rather than name calling.

Mohammed, in a statement, said: ‘’Our eight cardinal programmes, which we shall be articulating in the days ahead, represent a summary of how we intend to rescue the longsuffering citizens and rescue our nation.

“These are War Against Corruption, Food security, Accelerated Power Supply, Integrated Transport Network, Free

members of her family at the cost of $300,000.

•A parastatal maintains a private jet, Challenger 850 Visa Jet, at $500,000 monthly for the minister.

•She has never attended any meeting outside the country in commercial or presidential jets in the last two years and she has spent over N2billion on maintaining aircraft in the last two years.

•She is the only minister, who attends events when the President is travelling, in private jets.

Unlike other ministers, she flies private jets even when the President is travelling to the same location.

•She does official jobs in her house; she hardly goes to office.

•Information from FAAN,

ans want to know how 400,000 barrels of oil are being stolen daily and who the thieves are; Nigerians want to know why the country is more divided than ever under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan, and why corruption has become a bigger monster in the years under the PDP. ‘’The 2015 elections will be fought on the platform of issues, not meaningless attacks on personalities and attentiondiverting tales like how Gen. Buhari wants to stage a comeback or how Asiwaju Tinubu wants to expand his imaginary empire,’’ it said.

The party said its leaders have put national interests above personal considerations “to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of the PDP and a mediocre presidency, both of which have failed the citizenry and dimmed their hopes, because of power-for-power sake, which is the mantra of the Continued on page 55

IRST Lady Patience Jonathan yesterday arrived in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on a three-day visit.

Mrs Jonathan is believed to be in her home state to prepare for the funeral of her mother, Madam Charity Oba, who died in a car crash last month.

Her visit to Port Harcourt in June generated some row. Streets were blocked, causing traffic chaos in the Garden City during her seven –day stay, which was generally believed to be political be-

cause of the feud between the Federal Government and the Rivers State government. She, however, denied that her trip had any political undertone Ahead of her arrival, there was heavy police presence on some major roads in Port Harcourt.

Security operatives mounted surveillance on her residence on Bauchi Road, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.

Police spokeswoman Angela Agabe said on arrival, the First Lady flew to Okrika, her home Continued on page 55

PDP governors split over Tukur’s fate

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EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governors are still divided over National Chairman Bamanga Tukur’s fate, it was learnt yesterday.

Some are seeking Tukur’s removal, but most members of the PDP Governors Forum are pushing for his retention.

Those who are pro-Tukur favour reconciliation more than outright removal.

It was learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan may eventually determine Tukur’s fate.

Jonathan met with Tukur last night on the various reports of reconciliation committees raised by the party.

The PDP is expected to hold its Special Convention on August 31 amidst anxiety that some party leaders and governors may seek Tukur’s exit.

A governor said: “I think we have not reached a consensus on Tukur’s exit, in view of the multi-faceted nature of the crises rocking

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

the party.

“There is a split among the governors of the party and some leaders. Removing Tukur might lead to another wrong, which may not help the ongoing reconciliation.

“For instance, if Tukur is removed, the ‘rebellious’ five governors will claim some victory. Others, who are proTukur would feel bad.

“Some leaders are pushing for a midstream approach which could assuage all interest groups.”

“It is this midstream option that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is working on.”

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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NEWS

Why ASUU strike is lingering, by union leader

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HE Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Dr. Beke Sese, has said the strike by university teachers was continuing because of the Federal Government’s failure to renegotiate the 2009 agreement.

He said ASUU rejected the Federal Government’s position, since there was an existing agreement, which ought to be implemented first, to show sincerity on the part of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Sese, who spoke with our

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

reporter yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, stressed that there is no going back on the ongoing strike.

According to him, the 2009 agreement has to be fully implemented first before the union could address other issues with the government.

The union leader urged students and their parents to show understanding on the matter.

He said: “The 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU is the basis for refurbishing Nigerian

universities, particularly if the Jonathan administration implements the funding component of the agreement as it relates to the provision of infrastructure.

“The Federal Government should fully implement the 2009 agreement. We agreed on something, which may not solve all the problems in Nigerian universities in one day, but it will be an indication that we are treading the path of giving the universities a facelift.

“The Federal Government, rather than fully implementing the 2009 agreement, seems to be interested in renegotiating it, which is unacceptable.

Traditionalists promise to end Boko Haram’s violence

“The lack of infrastructure in Nigerian universities, or a situation where the available ones have become obsolete, has reduced the universities to glorified secondary schools, while hampering teaching, learning and research.

“The dwindling fortunes of Nigerian universities over the years, because of lip service being paid to education, particularly university education by the government, have left the system vulnerable. They make it difficult to attract highcalibre teachers and students from other countries.

“The situation is worsened by the massive exodus of qual-

ified manpower from the country’s universities to other countries in search of greener pastures, known as brain drain.

“The embarrassing decay of Nigerian universities compels ASUU to stick to its gun that the Federal Government must do something meaningful now to bail out the university system and save it from total collapse.”

The don explained that to call off the strike, the Federal Government should deposit the N100 billion it promised the universities into a dedicated account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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•From left: Prof Herbert Onitiri; President, London School of Economics, Mr Joe Falter; Director of Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr Ubadigbo Okonkwo and Mallam Mohammed Alkali, at the pre-departure West for new intake of School of Economics held at Victorial PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA Island, Lagos.

‘Workers ‘ll resist planned minimum wage removal from Exclusive List’

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IGERIAN workers have threatened to resist the removal of minimum wage from the Exclusive List to Concurrent List in the new constitution by the National Assembly.

Dr Ayuba Wabba, President of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), spoke yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

He said the Senate had tinkered with the provision in the constitution amendment in contravention of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO’s) convention in dealing with minimum wage, freedom of association and collective bargaining.

According to him, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress

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(NLC) have petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan on the issue.

The union leader said MHWUN had also informed the Senate and the House of Representatives that the organised labour would mobilise Nigerian workers to resist such exploitative tendencies.

“You are aware that before now, the 1979, 1999 constitutions and all previous constitutions have captured minimum wage under the Exclusive List.

He said: “This was taking into cognisance that there is an ILO convention dealing with it.”

Wabba hailed the House of Representatives for not considering the amendment, as well as seeing reasons that it was a direct contravention of ILO convention, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

He noted that it was only the senate that had tinkered with the provision, taking the powers and giving it to the State Houses of Assembly to make laws on general wage.

The union leader described the proposal as “a call for chaos”.

Wabba added: “The organised labour, in its entirety, will resist any attempt to remove minimum wage from the exclusive list. Any constitutional amendment on it must take into cognisance the yearnings and aspirations of the workers. We went to the collation from local governments to the constituency levels, those issues were never canvassed.

“In all the states we have visited, there was no voting for the removal of minimum wage from the Exclusive List.

The report is there at the National Assembly.”

Niger threatens contempt proceedings over alleged $20m scam

HE Niger State Government yesterday threatened to institute contempt charges against an online publication, following an alleged misappropriation of $20 million by officials of the government.

A report published by an online medium, Universal Reporters, had alleged the mismanagement of the N6 billion bond obtained from a new generation bank and a N10 billion hanging funds the administration reportedly re-

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HE National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved a subsidised exchange rate of N146, instead of the current N160 to a dollar, as the Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) for intending pilgrims for this year’s pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

In a statement by the Executive Secretary to the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Alhaji Sefiu Rasheed, the commission said it approved N109,500 for $750 as minimum; N146,000 for $1,000 as medium and N224,000 for $1,500 as maximum BTA. The statement explained that though the BAT could be sourced independently, the intending pilgrims should use the opportunity provided by the government’s gesture.

‘Hunger is 80% of Nigeria’s problems’

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OME traditionalists have promised to end terrorist activities of the Boko Haram sect through their local approach.

They urged the Federal Government to employ their services to fight terrorism.

The traditionalists in Osun State, under the aegis of Traditional Religion Worshipers Association, said they have immediate solution to the insecurity caused by Boko Haram.

Two leaders of the association, Chiefs Ifayemi Elebuibon and Idowu Awopetu, at a media briefing at the weekend in Osogbo, the state capital, stressed that only traditional means can enable the nation to overcome terrorism.

Hajj commission subsidises forex

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

covered from the Paris Club through Bizplus Consulting Services Limited.

But a caveat, written by Halal Chambers on behalf of the state government, said the issues raised in the online publication are a subject of ongoing litigation before the High Court No. 1 in Minna, the state capital.

The law chambers warned that any further publication or

attempt to publish facts in relation to the matter would be viewed as contempt of court proceedings.

The caveat, by the firm’s principal partner, Mohammed Garba, reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous online publication intended to mislead and give the world a wrong impression of the issues involved in the above captioned matter that is pending before High Court No. 1 Minna, Niger State.

Tanker drivers yet to move from Lagos Airport despite ultimatum

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

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ETROLEUM tanker drivers yesterday refused to relocate from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja (MMIA), Lagos, despite the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum given to them by the Federal Government.

As at yesterday evening, scores of trucks were still on the busy airport road in defiance of the Federal Government’s directive that the presence of such trucks constituted a grave threat to safety and security.

From the NAHCO Hajj Camp axis to the access way to the international terminal, truck drivers went about their normal activities.

It was learnt that the Federal Airport Authority Of Nigeria (FAAN) has engaged the services of the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) to tow the recalcitrant trucks from the operations area.

FAAN yesterday began the construction of six toilets and a rest room at the designated space for the trucks to be relocated.

The Federal Government, last Friday, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the FAAN to relocate fuel tankers from the MMIA. It cited anxiety for safety and security concerns occasioned by Boko Haram threats.

To ensure compliance, security agencies attached to the MMIA, including the State Security Services (SSS), the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and others have been mobilised to ensure that the fuel tankers moved out of the airport before Wednesday.

FAAN’s Director of Aviation Safety, Mr Wendel Ogunedo, said there was no going back on the relocation of the fuel tankers, many of which have broken down and could be vulnerable targets by people with sinister motives.

He said FAAN, acting on the orders of the Presidency, would not like to see the fuel tankers on the road to the international terminal.

According to him, any spill of inflammable liquid, including aviation fuel, could do a lot of damage to installations and houses around the airport.

Ogunedo said FAAN has provided a new place for the tanker drivers to operate from to eliminate the eyesore the trucks constitute on the airport road.

He said the reluctance of the tankers drivers would force the government to push them out of the place.

FAAN’s Regional Manager, Southwest, Mr Edward Olarerin said since 2005, the authority had been meeting with the affected parties on how to find a lasting solution to the problem.

He noted that efforts to relocate the tanker drivers had not yielded positive results.

Olarerin said FAAN would not tolerate a situation where trucks that are no more useful should be dumped on the access way to the airport.

F Nigeria can stamp out hunger, 80 per cent of the nation’s problems would have been solved, the Federal Government has said.

The encouragement of mechanised farming is preparatory to banning rice importation, according to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Mrs. Ibukun Odusote.

Mrs. Odusote spoke at the weekend at the graduation of “training youth in welding and fabrication and maintenance of agricultural equipment” in Idofian, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The six-week training took place at the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) with 86 youths from 16 states.

Glo crashes per second billing

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ELEC2OMMUNICATION service provider, Glo Nigeria, has reduced its voice and data tariff to five kobo per second.

The new product, coming 10 years after it introduced the per second billing in the country, is targeted at the youths, with special package for students.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the launch of the new product, called Glo Bounce, the company’s General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Ashutosh Tiwary, explained that the product would build the largest youths’ community in the country.

Tiwary said the telecommunication company changed the dynamics of the industry, adding that it has brought great benefits to subscribers by launching the per second billing platform.

According to him, the move crashed the cost of a Subscribers’ Identity Module (SIM) card from N20,000 to as low as N1 and a call from N50 per minute to N10.

Tiwary said the product would enable youths to reach the peak of their potentials, adding: “Our various competitive tariffs will make telephony more affordable and we will continue to give unlimited opportunity to our subscribers, especially the youths, to reach the pinnacle of their potentials.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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NEWS Ex-ICPC chair to politicians: don’t tarnish my reputation

Gana: Education not well funded From: Frank Ikpefan and Frances Ajewole, Abuja

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ORMER Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, at the weekend decried the poor education standard in the country.

He said education is poorly funded by the government.

Prof. Gana stressed that poor funding has affected education, resulting in a lack of adequate infrastructure in the universities.

He spoke in Abuja at an event to mark this year’s Teenz Nigeria Conference.

Its theme is: “Promoting Education, Character and Culture among Nigerian teenz.”

‘Oil, gas operators must comply with regulations’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Minister of Petroleum Resources and chairperson of the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has urged operators and service providers in the oil and gas industry to comply with the nuclear regulations.

She also enjoined them to cooperate with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in its effort to ensure the monitoring of nuclear application.

Speaking in Abuja at the weekend during a keynote address at a technical meeting on “Regulating Nuclear Application in the Oil and Gas Sector-Challenges and Stakeholders Expectations”, organised by the NNRA, the minister noted that as the biggest importer of radioactive materials in the country, petroleum industry operators must conform to the basic safety and security standards.

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•From left: National Treasurer, Afenifere, Mr. Jimi Agbaje; President, Fifthgear Plus, Mr. Niyi Adesanya; President, Campaign For Democracy (CD), Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; and President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina, at an award organised

by Fifthgear Plus...at the weekend.

NSCIA decries massacre in Egypt •Demands unconditional release of Mursi T HE Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) yesterday condemned the massacre of innocent citizens in Egypt.

It also faulted the alleged lukewarm attitude of a section of the international community to the killings.

It demanded the unconditional release of the elected President of Egypt, Mohammed Mursi.

The council, which made its position known in a statement by its Secretary-General, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, urged the United Nations to intervene and find a solution to the crisis.

NSCIA’s statement reads: “The NSCIA is saddened by the massive waste of human lives and reckless maiming of protesting citizens of Egypt. The brutal murder of hundreds of harmless civilians in the course of their legitimate right to protest is despicable and indefensible.

“The violation of the sanctity of the mosque in which some of the persons were mauled is a

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

very dangerous precedent, the consequence of which is too grievous to imagine.

“The tacit support of the serial murder and the incoherent condemnation of the callous massacre in Egypt by a section of the international community are not only heartless and inhuman, but are also sacrilegious and demonic. Humanity stands to progress if brutality and impunity are totally eschewed.

“The wanton destruction of lives portrays the assailants and their collaborators as wicked and lawless. Creed, race and nationality of the victims are irrelevant in the condemnation of the abomination.”

The NSCIA hails Nigeria and other “right-thinking nations” for their principled positions on the crises and urges concerted efforts towards the

actualisation of justice and the rule of law in Egypt.

“Similarly, NSCIA enjoins nations of conscience to prevail on the United Nations to intervene and find an instant, amicable, just and sustainable solution to the unfolding unfortunate episode in Egypt.

“It is unfortunate that the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) have lost an independent voice to be positively helpful to Egypt at this point when truth, impartiality and frankness are required of the international community.”

The council demanded the unconditional release of President Mursi.

The statement added: “The NSCIA calls for cessation of hostilities; unconditional release of the elected President Mursi and other political detainees; constitution of an independent electoral agency under the supervision of the United

Nations; and a truly representative national dialogue. An allinclusive electoral process devoid of Mob ‘democracy’ and anarchy should also be instituted as an alternative to despotism and poor governance in certain parts of the world.

“The NSCIA sends its heartfelt condolences to the relations, families and friends of the victims of the unwarranted genocide and requests constructive dialogue towards the quick resolution of the logjam in Egypt. The ICC needs no invitation to initiate the process of investigating and bringing to justice the culprits of this impunity.

“While wishing the injured a quick recovery, NSCIA reiterates its call on the authorities in Egypt to halt the assault and explore reasonable dialogue to avert a civil war and its devastating consequences on Egypt in particular and the Arab world in general.”

‘No imposition of candidates in APC’

HE interim National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire, has said there will be no imposition of candidates for elective offices.

He said the idea of imposition has gone with the defunct political parties.

Banire said APC is a credible alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “and we have to demonstrate to the world that we are superior to them in all ramifications.”

He went on: “APC’s candidates for elective offices, whether presidential, governorship or legislative, will emerge through due process. We will create a level-playing field for aspirants to test their popularity. Those who win the prima-

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From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

By Leke Salaudeen (Assistant Editor)

ries automatically become the party’s standard- bearers.

“In picking our candidates, we will follow due process. It will be open and transparent.

There will be no preferential treatment. The scenario under the old parties has gone with them. It is a thing of the past. It is the responsibility of the members to decide who should be the party’s standard bearers.

Ours is to supervise the process. It is my responsibility as the interim National Legal Adviser to ensure that the party abides by its rules and regulations.”

Dr. Banire, who spoke to our correspondent in Lagos, said APC would use its designed

method to pick candidates in Anambra State where the governorship poll would hold in November.

Asked whether the new party has zoned its presidential candidate to the North, he paused and said: “Technically, it would appear so. It tilts towards the North. But for now, there is no decision that the presidential candidate should come from a particular geo-political zone. Anybody can contest for any position until the party leaders decide otherwise.”

The APC interim National Legal Adviser said: “Nobody can tell you who will be the party’s presidential candidate in 2015. People are free to express interest. We don’t have a choice.

That will be decided by the par-

ty members at the appropriate time. But I can assure you that change has come.

“We will be more transparent than other political parties.

We will carry everyone along in decision-making. APC has ushered in a new breath of life.”

Asked if he would contest the Lagos governorship election in 2015, Banire said his preoccupation now is how to reach the peak of his profession and become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

To attain the position, he says, requires a lot of hard work and commitment, adding that for now he has devoted his time to law.

His words: “I don’t have money to contest the governorship election. A lot of people

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

holds in Abuja from tomorrow.

Ali lamented that the implementation of the policies connected to engineering is very poor.

He said: “The government’s policies are fair, but implementation is always very poor. It

was agreed that N500 million jobs downward should be given to foreigners and anything above that be given to Nigerians, but it has never happened. Instead, Nigerian engineers are treated as secondclass citizens.

“We appeal to the government for concrete policies. Most times they are good in speech,

but implementation is the problem.

“We have contacted the Ministry of Works to give a list of the consultants handling projects. That way we can monitor what is going on.

“On building collapse, there has not been a case of building collapse involving any engineer. The reported

COEASU gives Fed Govt 14-day ultimatum From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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•Banire

have asked me to contest, but I told them to raise funds. After that I will give it a thought.

“You see, I’m a believer of the school of thought that says God empowers whatever you want to become. I don’t dictate to God. I believe in God with total submission to His will.”

‘Fed Govt’s policies not favourable to engineers’

HE President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Mr. Kasim Abdul Ali, said at the weekend that Federal Government’s policies over the years have not been favourable to engineers.

He spoke at a news briefing on the forthcoming Engineering Assembly, which

HE pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi, at the weekend warned politicians in Kwara State not to tarnish his “hard-earned reputation.”

He denied involvement in a gang-up by the opposition to wrest power from the political dynasty of the strongman of Kwara politics, the late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

Mr. Justice Akanbi was reacting to a publication in a national newspaper where he was said to have chaired an occasion where opposition politicians were regrouping to wrest power from Saraki’s dynasty.

The 80-year-old retired jurist said he accepted to chair the occasion where a non-government organisation (NGO), the Kwara Citizenship Development Initiative, was launched.

He added that he was assured by the organisers that the forum did not have a political undertone.

Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the retired jurist restated that he attended the gathering not to lead opposition against Saraki’s dynasty, adding that he should not be dragged into politics because he is not a politician and would never be.

Justice Akanbi said: “Having reached the pinnacle of my career to become the President of the Court of Appeal, if that’s what I’ve been able to achieve, Alhamdulillahi (Thanks be to Allah). I see myself as one of the fathers of the nation. What I want for Nigeria is a peaceful and stable society.”

projects were handled by quacks.

“They deserve a death sentence, knowing that they have caused the deaths of many people.

“It is the duty of COREN to ensure that engineers are certified through the registration process of the council before they are licensed to practise.”

HE Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, (COEASU) at the weekend served a 14-day strike notice on the Federal Government.

In a letter to the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, the union issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to meet its demands.

In the letter by its President, Asagha Nkoro and GeneralSecretary, Nuhu Ogirima, COEASU decried the attitude of the government to the crisis, which has hit the education sector, caused by poor working conditions.

It reads: “Given the apparent unwillingness of the Federal Government to address the issues of grave concern to the survival of the College of Education system within 21 days, as enunciated in the letter, the union hereby states that should the Federal Government maintain its lackadaisical posture by the next two weeks, the union would be compelled to embark on a nationwide strike.

“In other words, the academic staff of the nation’s colleges of education would cease all responsibilities and functions dischargeable under the law and statute if by August 29 the Federal Government refuses to take meaningful steps towards addressing the union’s demands.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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NEWS Ajimobi, Lanlehin reconcile

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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IFFERENCES between Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Senator Femi Lanlehin (Oyo South District) ended at the weekend, it was learnt.

An impeccable source in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state told The Nation that Lanlehin visited Ajimobi as a sign of his willingness to end the rift.

He was said to have discussed his grievances with the governor.

“In fact, the two of them exchanged banters”, the source said.

It was learnt that an influential figure in the state brokered peace between them.

Lanlehin and leaders of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Oyo had criticised Ajimobi’s handling of the merger that gave birth to the APC. They complained in a jointly signed newspaper advertorial that they were not carried along in the planning of the APC’s inauguration.

The Nation gathered that Ajimobi and Lanlehin have met twice since Thursday.

PDP condoles with Fashola

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

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HE National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday visited Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to commiserate with him on his father’s death.

The 14-man delegation was led by the Acting National Secretary, Dr. Remi Akintoye.

It was received by the governor and the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole, at the Lagos House, Marina.

Akintoye said PDP Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who was the late Pa Ademola Fashola’s friend, sent the delegation to condole with Fashola and the family.

He said: “Our chairman sent this delegation to convey his deepest condolences to your family, as your late father was his bosom friend and former co-worker.”

Akintoye said he personally benefited from the discipline exhibited by the late Pa Fashola when he was a youth.

Presenting a condolence letter to the governor, he said: “When we were growing up, we never knew what discipline was. It was one true character your father exhibited.”

Fashola thanked the delegation and described its visit as a great honour to his family.

He urged it to preserve his late father’s ideals, saying: “I implore those who knew him to continue to propagate the ideals that his life history represented - a deep love for humanity and strong moral values. There were things that were never worth the trouble for him, if they would divide humanity or devalue honour.

I hope those are ideals we can all connect with in our state and nation.

“I urge us all to put honour and value ahead of our actions. Everything we strive to build would stand or fall in the presence or absence of those virtues.”

•Ekiti Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu presenting the staff of office to the Olupoti of Ipoti-Ekiti, Oba James Oladipupo Kolade, in Ipoti-Ekiti...yesterday.

With them is Oba Kolade's wife, Olori Funmilayo.

Fresh mandate for Ekiti council chiefs

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HE 16 caretaker committees in Ekiti State at the weekend got a new mandate to manage the affairs of their councils.

Inaugurating them at the Jibowu Hall, Government House, Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu urged them to justify their re-appointment by consolidating on the achievements recorded at the local level.

She urged the council chairmen to give priority to the Eight-Point Agenda of the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration in the discharge of their du-

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•Deputy governor advocates probity From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

ties.

Mrs. Adelabu hailed their performance in the past six months and urged them to be accountable.

She said the government would continue to implement people-oriented programmes and develop the state.

Efon Local Government Caretaker Chairman Mr. Adio Folayan, who spoke for his colleagues, thanked

Man shoots friend while hunting

MAN, Musibau Mustapha (30), has killed his friend, Sunday Ijasa, in IgbaraOdo, Ekiti State.

Mustapha allegedly committed the crime on August 5 while hunting with the deceased.

He is being interrogated at the Police Headquartres in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Police spokesman Victor Olu-Babayemi said Mustapha said “he mistook his friend for an antelope”.

Olu-Babayemi said: “While interrogating him, there were inconsistencies in his admissions. These make him a suspect.”

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the governor for their reappointment.

He described it as an opportunity to consolidate on the “good work” they started.

The council chiefs promised to work more assiduously in line with the administration’s Eight-Point Agenda and ensure the delivery of more dividends of democracy at the local level.

The council chiefs are: Mr. Tope Olanipekun (Ado-Eki-

ti); Pastor Ropo Famubode (Ekiti West); Major Tajudeen Awe (Irepodun/Ifelodun); Mr. Adio Folayan (Efon ); Mr. Bode Agbeleye (Ijero); Mr. Michael Bamidele (Ikere); Mr. Oluwadare Fasonyin (Ise/Orun) and Mr. Febisola Adewale (Emure).

Others are: Mr. Ademola Atobaje (Ekiti East); Mr. Femi Awe (Gbonyin); Mr. Yemi Alatise (Ekiti Southwest); Mr. Michael Adeyeye (Moba); Chief Dele Olatuyi (Ikole); Prince Adegoroye Bamigboye (Ilejemeje); Mr. Kehinde Ogunlade (Ido/Osi) and Mr. Akindele Ogungbuyi (Oye).

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

He said an autopsy had been done on the deceased and Mustapha would be arraigned soon.

Olu-Babayemi said a car-snatching gang, allegedly led by Ajayi Gbenga and Fatoki Olabode, was arrested on June 28 by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

He said a Toyota Sienna space bus, marked TY 575 KJA, and a Toyota Camry salon car, numbered BZ 567 AGL, were recovered from the suspects.

•Mustapha

Youths deny attack on Lagos Rep Ogunnusi

OUTHS in Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency of Lagos State have dissociated themselves from the attack on the lawmaker representing the constituency, Otunba Michael Ogunnusi.

Some papers reported that Ogunnusi was attacked by youths during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his constituency.

Speaking with reporters, a member of the Lagos APC’s Youth Executive Council, Mr. Sesan Sobande, said: “From our investigations, youths of our party were not involved in the attack and we wonder how they got their stories. It was mischievous and aimed at smearing the good and honest leadership exhibited by our representative in Abuja.

“Ogunnusi has done what

most of our past representatives in the National Assembly failed to do in the last 12 years. He has a record of achievements and we (youths) still give him our unalloyed support.”

Sobande blamed the attack on miscreants, who invaded the party’s meeting, asking for a tip.

He said APC does not breed thugs, but has responsible and disciplined youths, who would not do anything contrary to the party’s constitution.

Sobande, who is from Ifako-Ijaye Constituency, debunked rumours that the attack was caused by Ogunnusi’s donation of N200,000 to party members.

He said: “The reports by these papers are false. They are far from the truth. That was not Ogunnusi’s first time of giving out money

to party members, so we were shocked by the reports in the papers.”

Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Ahmed Kabiru-Abdullahi, who visited Ogunnusi, also blamed the attack on miscreants, adding that the party has a system of addressing members’ grievances.

APC youths from Ojokoro and Ifako-Ijaye councils, who were present during the visit, include Olufisayo Faleke, Joseph Oto, Ebenezer Akintunde, Olabanji Ibrahim, Lawrence Olagundoye and Ahmed Amoo.

Others are Adeolu Ogundele, Akeem Balogun, Rasaki Shittu, Omoluwa Jeffrey, Akande Richard, Adenekan Kabiru, Bili Olugbaye, Rasak Olaotu, Abiodun Odutayo and Sesan Sobande.

APC National Youth President Mr. Abdullahi Enilolobo was also present.

Ogunnusi, accompanied by former Ifako Ijaiye Council Chairman Demola Doherty, visited Ifako monarch Oba Taofik Fatusi; the Ezeudo of Ifako-Ijaye (Head of Igbo in the community), Chief Cyprian Akpaka and APC’s leader in the constituency, Chief Ayo Akande.

At the Ezeudo’s palace, the lawmaker employed an Igbo man to work in his constituency office.

Describing himself as a detribalised Nigerian, Ogunnusi said he was a chief in Igboland and married outside his tribe. He thanked the Igbo for their support and urged them to remain peaceful and law abiding.

The Ezeudo pledged the Igbo’s unalloyed support for the lawmaker.

Group urges court to revoke Ladoja’s bail

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HE Oyo Patriotic Front (OPF), a socio-cultural

group in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at the weekend urged the Federal High Court handling the case of alleged money laundering and stealing preferred against former Governor Rashidi Ladoja to revoke the bail granted him (Ladoja) and expedite his trial.

In a statement by its Chairman, Chief Jare Adepoju, OPF said the trial was taking too long and could result in miscarriage of justice.

It said: “We urge the court and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite Ladoja’s trial for alleged money-laundering and stealing Oyo’s almost N6 billion through the sale of our shares. Our people are waiting for justice to be done in this matter. As things stand now, as usual with big men in Nigeria, that case may be swept under the carpet.

“We cannot be swayed by cheap politicking and propaganda. Details of the sales of our shares during the Ladoja administration are known to the public. We have details of how some people used their handwriting to apportion our collective heritage to their children, wives and concubines. We should not allow the matter to lie low. We seek quick judicial resolution of this matter and our patience is running out.

“The Yoruba proverb, which says that when the suspected thief is not caught on time, he becomes the accuser, is playing itself out in Oyo State. Failure to rule on this matter has made Ladoja see himself as the Ombudsman of the people, whereas the people are following the case of their shares, which were sold and the proceeds paid into personal pockets, with keen interest.”

OPF said Ladoja’s “quest” to return to the Government House, despite the pending case, reflects the “low morals” of Nigerian leaders.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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'Will I die in this pain?'

•Kidney patient, family, in frantic search for his survival

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E cut a pitiable picture as he lay prostrate on his sickbed. Intermitently, he looked skywards as if expecting help from there.

Bisi Babajide is today in pain, looking for N6.5million to remedy his situation. He is suffering from renal failure "God, will I die in this pain?" He asked, as tears rolled down his cheeks, yesterday.

He was diagnosed with the ailment four months ago when, doctors treating him for High Blood Pressure told him that his two kidneys were malfunctioning. Then, began his battle with what they diagnosed as "Renal Failure."

Before then, Babajide, 37, flourished in his job as Head, Mechanic Department of a Lagos-based transportation firm, which ran a large fleet of tankers and trailers at Apapa. He supervised the workshop with a team of auto technicians and their efforts contributed substantially to the firm's corporate growth and profit. However, one fateful day in 2010, the most unexpected happened. He received a sack letter. Dazed beyond words, he found his world collapsing like a pack of cards. He least expected dismissal from a company he had served diligently for two years.

Quickly, life became pure hell at his 7, Reverend Ogundele Street, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos, where he lives with his wife of six years, Toyin, and their two beautiful children, Tobi, a five-year-old boy, and two-

‘... my parents are alive, although elderly; it won’t

bring any glory to them if I die before them.

Moreover, my children are so young.

What will their future become if I should die and leave them fatherless?’

By Emmanuel Oladesu

year-old Fikayo, a girl. They were served a quit notice by their landlord a fortnight ago.

However, the 2010 job loss turned out to be the beginning of troubles. Three weeks after losing the job, Babajide's health crumbled. First his blood pressure shot up. It finally landed him on admission at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, for six weeks May to June - this year. Doctors at the hospital diagnosed Acute Hypertension. He was undergoing treatment for it, when suddenly, it metamorphosed into Renal Fail-

ure. At that point, LASUTH discharged him, advising that he needed haemodialysis equipment, which the hospital lacked.

Babajide returned home and his life subsequently hanged on the haemodialysis machine, containing mechanical filters that would eliminate toxins from his body.

"Doctors at the Ikeja General Hospital said I suffered from protracted hyperten- • Babajide ... at the hospital sion, dating back to six years, and this finally affected my kidserious catarrh. But once I unneys, leading to kidney failure. I dergo dialysis, I feel alright, alnever knew that High Blood Presthough I won't get myself for sure could lead to kidney failure," about 48 hours, after the dialysaid Babajide, who hails from the sis." ancient town of Oyan in Odo-Otin Four months on the session - diLocal Government Area of Osun alysis - the family has begun to State. count the cost of Kidney Failure.

His elder brother, Segun Babjide, Keeping him alive has been a who works with a tax consultancy capital venture. With two dialyfirm in Ikeja, told The Nation: "As a sis sessions per week, and each Kidney Failure patient, the more costing N41,000, Babajide needs you go for dialysis, the better you N82,000 weekly. It means that feel. And my brother needs two since May, the haemodialysis sessessions weekly. But when we sions have cost over N1million. don't have money, he delays goNow, he needs N91,000 per week ing for dialysis, which means he to keep alive. suffers all the negative symptoms Without a steady job, he has on a terrible scale." found funding his treatment an Confirming it, Babajide said: "If uphill task. He and his extended I fail to do dialysis in a week, I go family have spent virtually all through a lot of agony. I suffer their savings and have had to turn excruciating pains, so much that I to well-wishers. can't rise from the bed. I can't "We go soliciting for funds from walk. I can't breathe well. I feel family and friends. And they have weak. I can't eat and I develop been very kind. Some give

• Mr Dayo Isreal, a motivational speaker, delivering his speech in commemoration of the International Youth Day, 2013, organised by Amuwo Odofin LG in conjunction with the National Youth Council, Amuwo Odofin Chapter, held at the Golden Tulips Hotels, Amuwo Odofin. With him from right are: Comrade Ayodele Adewale, another guest and Mohammed Fawehinmi at the event. PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

• ... before the ailment began N1,000, some N2,000, N5,000 and so on. But if we go to someone this week, we leave him out the next time we need money for dialysis," he explained.

Now, the permanent solution lies in a kidney transplant in India, for which the family would need between N5 million and N6.5 million.

"My brother is a shadow of himself. And we hope that goodhearted people in this country will rally round to help save him," said his brother.

For a family that has already sacrificed over N1 million on this deadly ailment, the prospect of sourcing N6.5 million looks very dim.

Donors, according to the family, can reach out to him through this Ecobank account, 0058083751, under the name Babajide Bisi.

Babajide pleaded yesterday: "I want Nigerians to assist me - my parents are both alive, although elderly; and it would not bring any glory to them if I should die before them. Moreover, my children are so young, what will their future become if I should die and leave them fatherless?"

Five-year-old battles heart disease, ulcer

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HE wore a sullen mien yesterday. Every day, she wakes up, hoping that one day, help would come her way to actualise her dream of becoming a lawyer. But that dream appears to be dying because of her condition.

At five, Fatimat Usman's life hangs in the balance and if urgent help does not come her way, she may bid the world an untimely final bye, no thanks to a heart disease and a life-threatening ulcer that are making life hellish for her.

Sadly, the sore on her badly affected right arm festers by the day. All her poor parents and relations can do is to cry and pray for help from no one in particular.

Her problem began two years ago, when she started having unusual temperature, said her mother, Mrs Wunmi Usman. She could not conceal her hopelessness when he spoke with The Nation at her 6, Olanipekun Street in Ayetoro, Ogun State.

"In 2011, we noticed she was always getting sick and running temperature. We mistook it for malaria and gave her some drugs. The temperature stopped for few days but later came back. We took her to a nearby hospital, where she was treated for malaria again," she told The Nation.

‘I have sold all I needed to sell to rescue my daughter. The only thing remaining for me is to find a buyer for my person’

By Jude Isiguzo

According to her, the ailment refused to go and the little girl got emaciated by the day. The situation, she said, prompted her to take Fatima to a General Hospital where doctors recommended that she be taken to India for solution.

"We were still thinking about how to run around to raise the money, when, on a particular day in 2011, she was sent on errand. On her way back home, she fell and knocked her right hand elbow on the ground. We applied an ointment on the elbow to reduce the pain, thinking

the pain would soon go away," Wunmi said.

"Before we knew what was happening" she further recalled, "the hand began to swell few days later. We started to apply treatment to it but it refused to heal. We took her to the hospital for treatment, but we were surprised that pores began to come out of the elbow some days after. By the time we took her back to the hospital, the injury had festered. It was at later diagnosed as ulcer. Right now, the hospital said we would need N2.5 million for the treatment of both her heart and the hand."

Mrs Usman said all efforts by her cashstrapped family to raise the money failed. She, therefore, called on Nigerians to come to the girl's aid, financially, to save her life.

"I want Nigerians to help my daughter. I have no means of raising the money. I want them to help us for Fatima not to die," she pleaded.

A First Bank account, domiciled under the name, Usman Fatimat, with number, 3074405328, she said, had been opened for her, for the attention of Good Samaritans among the public.

"I have sold all I needed to sell to rescue my daughter. The only thing remaining for me is to find a buyer for my person," she said, as she broke down in tears.

• Fatimat

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NEWS

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Fed Govt should leave councils alone, says Fasuan

RENOWNED commentator and critic, Chief Oladeji Fasuan, has said local government councils should be abolished.

He said they have failed to support Nigeria’s development and compromised its federal structure.

The octogenarian, who retired as a permanent secretary in the old Ondo State, spoke at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

He urged the National Assembly to annul local governments “with immediate effect”.

Fasuan argued that if councils would exist at all, it “must be at the discretion of the state government”.

He said: “The Federal Government should hands off

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

councils entirely. This is the very spirit of ‘federal’ in our federation. Local governments have been a drain on the nation’s resources. Go to the councils today and the only things you will see are state government projects.

“I am from Afao-Ekiti. In that town, you cannot see a single project executed by any local government administration. Every amenity was undertaken and completed by the state government.

“The local governments are doing nothing. As far as I know, councils are a very expensive and needless tier.

What we have and recognise as local governments today are sufficiently grassroots enough to be administered

directly by the state governments.

“There is this unconfirmed and disturbing story about local government treasurers in the state contributing N1 million monthly. It means each council treasurer would go home with N16 million within that period.”

On the African Development Bank’s (AfDB’s) report on the economy, Fasuan said: “Its statistical growth did not translate into job creation or poverty alleviation. Nigeria is just not working. They cannot lie about the hard facts available to global bodies. In this country, policies are not producing positive effects because they are half-hearted, biased and sectionalised in their initiation and, more often, in their implementation.

They are policies destined to fail from day one.

“We revel on slangs and terminologies. The government continuously tells us that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate is the highest in Africa but it has failed to relate this to poverty reduction and employment.”

To address the country’s challenges, Fasuan said Nigeria needs a focused leader “like General Murtala Muhammed, who was the military head of state between July 1975 and February 1976 and was assassinated in a bloody but failed military coup, led by Col. Bukar Dimka”.

He said: “Nigeria has remained mired in the multiple challenges of under-development and insecurity because the leaders have always

Osun artisans, traders to get loans soon

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said his administration will soon give soft loans to artisans and traders.

He spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, at the inauguration of the Federation of Informal Workers’ Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON), Osun chapter.

Aregbesola said if artisans and traders are assisted by the government, the economy would be stable and the country would be better for it.

He regretted that many governments, especially at the centre, do not recognise the role of artisans and traders to the economy’s growth.

The governor said: “The success informal workers make in your businesses will determine the level of development in the economy. Our economy has not developed and poverty is prevalent because governments do not pay attention to your role in the economy.

“The government can assist you (artisans and traders) by ensuring that there is electricity, good roads and other necessary amenities you need for

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

your business. These things are lacking because the government at the centre is not concerned about the people.

“Our government cannot do it all once, but gradually. We will continue to introduce pro-

grammes that will eradicate poverty among our people.”

FIWON President, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Angela Akande, thanked the Aregbesola administration for creating a conducive environment for informal workers to succeed.

FIWON State Coordinator Comrade Olayinka Ibraheem said statistics showed that the informal sector employs over 80 per cent of the working force and contributes 65 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but remained neglected by the government.

lacked commitment and focus, two factors that contributed to the success of the memorable but short lived tenure of Gen. Muhammed’s administration.”

Fasuan said commitment and focus remain the essential ideals of governance, adding that tribalism and nepotism have lately complemented other problems to worsen the country’s situation.

He said: “Basically, Nigeria needs a change of leadership.

There is no question about that. We need a civilian Murtala Muhammed. With total commitment and unadulterated focus, Nigeria can reverse its present problems.

“We cannot lie to the world. They know how we fare, despite the fake statistics we reel out.”

Alleging that the Federal Government seemed to “favour” a particular ethnic group, he said: “I feel we should have risen above such pettiness. The Minister of Finance, in tandem with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is working for a group of Nigerians only. Look at the list of appointments to statutory bodies and commissions.

“Most of them are from one ethnic group. Such people ought not to lead a nation.

Many of the candidates are not qualified for the positions.

“You cannot be working for a tribe and the nation simultaneously when there are over 31 ethnic groups in the country. There is a synergy

L • Mohammed Fawehinmi (left) and Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area Comrade Ayodele Adewale at a forum to mark the International Youth Day at Golden Tulips Hotels, Amuwo Odofin.

between the Minister of Finance and the SGF, which is inimical to the country’s interest.”

On insecurity, Fasuan said: “All problems would be addressed when you go back to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s position. All Nigerians know this. In this context, I quote President Nixon, who said: ‘Don’t fight at all if it can be avoided, but if you want to fight, fight in totality; fight to the end and fight to win.’”

The critic said Nigeria’s economy would improve when electricity supply becomes stable.

He said: “What are the ingredients of a good and working economy in a developing country? The first is a powerdriven economy, which has all the energy it needs to power small, medium and big-term businesses.

“Nigeria, as at today, has 2,600 megawatts as against Ghana’s 40,000, while Ghana’s population is 18 million against Nigeria’s 160 million. Just five days ago, electricity generation fell from 4,000 to 2,600.

“We are jokers. How can we move forward economically with this stark statistics? Give power to industries and businesses and Nigeria will produce wonders. Many industries in Ikeja and Ilupeju relocated to neighbouring countries due to lack of power supply. Is it not scandalous for Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana to be beneficiaries of our inefficiency?”

Fashola, Olanipekun for law talk

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Uriel Palti will speak at the 33rd Annual Conference of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) slated for Au-

gust 21-25 in Lagos.

The theme of the conference is: ‘Arise and Build’.

The opening ceremony will hold on Thursday at the Agip Hall of the MUSON Centre by 10am.

Palti, who is the guest speaker, will speak on “Security Components for Sustainable National Growth and Development: Enhancing the Macro and Micro Quotients”.

Olanipekun will chair the ceremony. Other speakers/ guests include former NBA 1st Vice-President Mr. Ikeazor Akaraiwe; the Senior General Overseer of Guiding Light Assembly, Pastor Wale Adefarasin; Dr. Wole Olufon and Prof. Bankole Sodipo, among others.

Highlights of the conference include the presentation of the Award of Excellence for Good Governance to Fashola; the Award of Excellence for Prison Reforms to Justice Ayorinde Philip and the Award of Excellence for Good Security in Lagos to Police Commissioner Umar A. Manko.

Topics to be discussed at the conference include: Growing the Nuclear Family by Legal Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology in Africa; Private Transfer of Oil and Gas Proprietary Rights in Nigeria; The Vice of Corruption: The Expanding Global Money Laundering Enforcement Regime and Legal Issues in Structural Development and Social Economic Transformation in Rural Nigeria.

After the opening ceremony, the conference will shift to Orchard Hotels and Events Centre in Ajah, IbejuLekki, Lagos.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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NEWS

AMCON takes over Aero Airlines

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HE Assets Management Company of Nigeria ( AMCON) has taken over the oldest carrier in Nigeria - Aero Airlines.

AMCON’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chike Obi yesterday confirmed the take over of the airline.

Obi said AMCON took over the management of the airline because of its huge debts.

AMCON now has 60 per cent equity in the airline.

He said the take over of the airline would not affect its operations.

It was learnt that AMCON has appointed a new CEO and Chief Financial Officer for the airline. The Nation could not get the names of these officials at press time.

Aero’s indebtedness to com-

T

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

mercial banks is estimated at about N32 billion, which AMCON bought during the banking sector reforms.

The debt has been converted to equity for the corporation.

Aero in 2012 said AMCON held controlling stake in it but did not give the specific shareholding of the corporation in the company.

A source close to AMCON said : “AMCON owns 60 per cent stake in Aero. If somebody wants to buy our 60 per cent stake in Aero tomorrow at a profit, absolutely, we will consider it. We are not emotional about it.

“I told you we want to make sure that we get our money back and also make sure that whoever runs Aero runs it in a

profitable and well-regulated manner. So, once those things are satisfied, we are happy to sell it.”

Prior to the development, Aero was 100 per cent owned by the Ibru family, which acquired full stake in the airline about three years ago after its Canadian partner, CHC, pulled out.

The carrier founded in 1959 and based at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos operates both charter and scheduled domestic and regional flights.

It flies into Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri, Kano , Sokoto and Calabar.

On the West African Coast, it flies into Accra, Abidjan, Lome, Sao Tome and Banjul. in Gambia.

Lagos to residents: beware of Tuberculosis-infected cattle

HE LAGOS State government has alerted residents of the existence of tuberculosis-infected cattle in the state.

It said the cattle were imported through porous borders.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture Dr. Funsho Nuraini spoke with reporters yesterday at a news conference he addressed with the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, Mr. Bayo Suleiman .

He said three operators of illegal slaughter slabs have been arrested.

He traced the sources to 17 countries, which border the northern states.

He warned residents to desist from patronising any unauthorised slaughter slabs.

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Displayiong the carcass of one of the cattle, he said: “Once you kill an animal, you will see if it is not normal. If it is a normal animal, it will not be coloured like this. This is a typical tuberculosis-infected animal and it is not good for consumption of the public.”

Nuraini said the head of one of the cows butchered was infected with tuberculosis and could be deadly.

He said: “We tracked down three illegal slabs namely Ajegunle, Alapere and Ajelogo.

We are doing our best to track down the others .We know it is not easy. The markets keep evolving daily. Over three thousand animals are slaughtered daily; so, we have to go after them right, left and centre.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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NEWS Minister hails govt over land

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HE Federal Government has hailed Rivers State government for donating over 10 hectares of land for its housing programmes.

The Minister of Housing, Ms Ama Pepple, praised the government when she inspected the land in Iriebe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area at the weekend.

She said: “We are very happy to have this collaborative effort because I am not happy that I have not really done anything in Rivers State.”

Pepple, who was accompa-

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

nied by the Commissioner for Housing, Marshal Uwom, said: “This is the stamp of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration on housing in Rivers because it is his government and we are all working and ensuring that whatever he wants to do, we do them.”

The minister described the land, which overlooks the Aba Express road, as “a very choice property because it is on the road and in a developed area.”

Edo to partner Fed Govt

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DO STATE Governor Adams Oshiomhole has pledged his administration’s commitment to partner the Federal Government’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), aimed at tackling environmental problems in the country.

Oshiomhole spoke when the NESREA Chairman, Dr Ngeri Gbenebo, visited him at the weekend.

He said: “We need an inter-ministerial approach sometimes. Some of the flooding we are experiencing in Edo State was as a result of the negligence of some engineers.

“The monster we are contending with at Queen Ede is a result of the design error arising from the construction of the Benin-Asaba road dualisation.

“Now that the road has been dualised, some people have been driven from the community as a result of flooding.

“We must ensure that environmental laws are enforced strictly and steps taken to ensure that violation will attract sanction.”

TINAPA gets N100m facelift

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HE management of the TINAPA Business and Leisure Resort has thanked the Cross River State Government for spending N100million to replace the air-conditioning in the resort.

The Managing Director, Bassey Ndem, said with this development the resort was ready to host the 10,000 guests expected at the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) conference.

In a statement by the Head of Public Affairs, Paul Eko,

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Ndem said the governor’s gesture was a commitment towards ensuring that the resort was well positioned strategically.

Ndem said: “TINAPA management views this healthy synergy of consistent intervention by the governor as an indication of his absolute commitment towards ensuring that the resort is positioned strategically within the Southsouth to achieve its corporate dream.”

‘Leboku festival not politicised’

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HE Cross River State government has said the annual Leboku New Yam festival has not been politicised. It said it would ensure that its original cultural contents are retained.

The ruler of Yakurr, where Leboku is celebrated, Obol Ubi Ojong Inah warned the government against politicising the festival and tampering with its originality.

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

In a statement on activities for the festival, Special Assistant to the Governor on Events Management Totsman Etot said government will do all it can to promote the festival and the culture of the people.

He said: “We won’t allow anybody politicise the festival because it is also meant to foster unity.”

Ministry generates N1.1b

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From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

HE Cross River State Ministry of Lands and Housing has recorded an improvement in its revenue profile from N200.6 million generated in 2011 to N1.1 billion last year.

Its Commissioner, Raphael Uche, told reporters in Calabar that this was as a result of the increasing demand for land in the state.

He said no allocation of state land was made within the year due to unavailability of government layouts.

He said the state government had commissioned urban/ regional consultants to prepare a master-plan for Calabar and four other towns-Ugep, Ikom, Ogoja, and Obudu.

You’re wrong, PDP tells Amaechi

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From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

FACTION of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has accused Governor Rotimi Amaechi of insincerity on the security situation in the state.

The Special Adviser (Media) to factional Chairman Felix Obuah, Jerry Needam, in a statement said the governor was contradictory in his recent appraisal on the security situation in Rivers State.

Needam said: “The notion of insecurity in the state is the creation of Amaechi to discredit efforts of the police and other security operatives in furtherance of his insistence on getting the Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, transferred.

“The governor’s claim contradicts his continued assurances to prospective foreign investors of the prevailing peace and conducive atmosphere for investment.”

•Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio addressing a Town Hall meeting of Akwa Ibom indigenes in Washington D.C., United States of America, as part of Akwa Ibom Day celebration...at the weekend.

Delta councillorship aspirant killed

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COUNCILLORSHIP aspirant, Emmanuel Chimekwene, was at the weekend killed by assailants in his Asaba, Delta State, home.

The politician was vying for a seat in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

Chimekwene, a former councillor who represented Idumuje-Ugboko community, was said to have made his political intention known, following the constitution of the State Inde-

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

pendent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

It was gathered that the assailants shot the victim at close range and did not take anything.

His family, a source said, travelled the previous day.

Police spokesman Lucky Uyabeme confirmed the incident, saying the command was investigating the

crime.

He confirmed that the police have not made any arrest in last Thursday’s bank robbery at Issele-Uku, the administrative headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area.

Uyabeme said: “We have not made any arrest but we are suspecting insider connection because the robbers got the information that the bank was expecting a huge amount of money.

“But the money has not arrived when they struck.

We are investigating the incident and very soon, the command will unearth all those involved.”

Hoodlums invaded a bank in the community and disrupted, operations for some minutes as they used dynamites to blow up the strong room and the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and emptied the contents.

Bayelsa to fly injured corps member abroad, says NYSC

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HE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said the Bayelsa State government is set to fly the injured corps member, Folakemi Akinbode, out of the country for further treatment.

Akinbode was attacked on her way home by two assailants.

A statement by the NYSC Director-General, Brig-Gen Nnamdi Okore Affia, denied reports that one of the victim’s hands was chopped off.

The statement said the report was embarrassing, considering the fact that both hands of the corps member were intact after the attack.

•’Her hand not chopped off’ From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

“To set the records straight, it is worthy of note that Miss Folakemi Akinbode, a corps member serving with the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobi, was attacked by hoodlums believed to be robbers.

“Miss Folakemi Akinbode’s hand was not chopped off. Her two hands are intact but for the injuries sustained in her right hand during the attack. “The ex-

tent of the injuries inflicted on her was exaggerated by the various media organisations that published the story,” Gen Affia said.

The NYSC added that the corps member was receiving treatment at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobi, adding that the Bayelsa State Government is set to fly her abroad for further treatment.

“We therefore urge the media to always cross-check their source of information to avoid publishing stories

•Akinbode before the attack

capable of misleading the public.

“The public should therefore disregard the exaggeration of some of the publications,” the statement said.

Okupe is Jonathan’s worst enemy, says Amaechi

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IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday hit back at the Presidential Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, on his comments against him that he is a tyrant.

He said Okupe’s comments were infantile vituperations that will not help President Goodluck Jonathan’s reelection bid in 2015.

The governor said the earlier the President purged the Presidency of characters like Okupe, the better for us all.

Amaechi, who fired back at Okupe in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, said it was regretful that “small minds like Okupe in a democracy, still see holding a different opinion from the Presidency on any issue as anti-Jonathan and fighting the President.”

The statement said: “Again on August 18, Presidential Assistant on Public Affairs Dr. Doyin Okupe on a radio programme, continued his irresponsible and contemptuous mission of denigrating and disparaging the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum(NGF), Rotimi Amaechi.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“As most Nigerians, we believe that Okupe is an inanity in the political equation that no serious-minded person should really take him seriously. “Over time, his comments and statements are akin to some sort of notice-me dance in front of his boss and his band of cheerleaders,” Amaechi’s spokesman said.

The statement added: “President Jonathan certainly does not need any enemies. Indeed, Okupe is more than a handful. Pray, what kind of advice will an aide like Okupe give to Mr President?

“The earlier Mr President purged the Presidency of characters like Okupe, the better for us all.

“Okupe sank to a new low when he falsely and indecorously claimed that Governor Amaechi used the police to harass, intimidate and punish people unjustly and could not provide one instance or a single shred of evidence to back up his claims.

“He bragged about some phantom text messages from “ordinary people”, whose families have suffered grave injustice in the hands of Amaechi and yet again, did not tell us the content and send-

ers of the text messages. What does this Okupe take Nigerians for? The so-called text messages are phantom and exist only in the devious mind of Doyin Okupe.”

"Let us remind Okupe and his co-travellers that it took a lot of efforts, resources and the strong political will and determination of Governor Amaechi to restore peace, security and order to Rivers State from the dark days of pre- October 2007.

"To destroy all that in the name of playing politics portends grave danger for our polity and will do no one, more especially, the Presidency no good. No responsible government plays politics with the lives of its people "It is certainly rude, uncharitable, illmannered and hypocritical for Okupe to falsely and superciliously allege that Amaechi is a 'willing tool' to any person or group against President Jonathan.

"Where was Doyin Okupe when Governor Amaechi led Rivers electorates to overwhelming give President Jonathan over two million votes, the highest by any State in the last presidential election?

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NEWS

Fed Govt votes $450m for gas to power

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INISTER of Power Prof Chinedu Nebo has said the Federal Government has earmarked $450m to improve gas infrastructure for power supply in the country.

He spoke at the weekend when he received members of the the Independent Power Producers Association of Nigeria (IPPAN) .

Nebo said the Federal Government would release the fund from the $1billion Euro bond secured to improve the power sector.

He said: “Of the $1 billon Euro bond, there is about 450 million dollar allocated to improvement of gas infrastructure. Nigeria has enough gas, much more than enough, but there are things that have

•Power producers seek guarantee for supply of 10,000mw From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

to be put in place and part of this include right pricing for domestic gas. The price of domestic gas does not encourage producers.

“Government has actually taken a step by addressing this, in creating a new tariff. I believe that this tariff will enable right price for domestic gas supply. Government is also trying to address gas infrastructure challenges. The first segment is the East-West axis, government is putting in billions of naira to address that. The next is the SouthNorth, Southsouth to North axis.

“We understand that will take over four billion, about 450 million US dollars to be drawn from the Euro bond.

So there is a gas master-plan and soon, the issue of gas would be settled.”

Commenting on the waiver on import duties for heavy equipment as requested by the association, Nebo pledged that the relevant ministries would process the waiver certificates.

IPPAN’s and former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana urged the Federal Government to guarantee a target for the supply of 5,000 to 10,000mega watts.

He said: “IPPAN wants a

guarantee with the bulk traders; in the likely event they are not ready to pay, the government support fund will then be used to clear such payment. The guarantee fund can target between 5000 to 10000 megawatts power generation.”

The association urged the Federal Government to tackle the challenges of pipeline vandalism affecting supply in the private power projects.

On Distribution Companies (DISCOS), the power producers sought for an interim intervention from the Federal Government to facilitate the supply of pre-paid

meters.

Gana said: “This is because starting the metering system in bulk may be much for the new DISCO investors, government should intervene in funding the prepaid meters for now.”

The association urged the minister to improve power transmission from the Transmission Company of Nigerian (TCN).

Gana said Geometric Nigeria Limited would soon inaugurate its power plant in Aba. He said: “So viable transmission lines are needed to enable us generate power and it will alleviate the system problems we had in recent times.

“We have been having problem with waiver clearance for importation of gas related machinery and equipment as it takes time to approve an application by our members to obtain waivers on import duties for heavy gas related machinery and equipment even though Federal Government has said it will grant waivers on such importations. We are soliciting that the Ministry liaise with other ministries to facilitate this.”

On equity participation, Gana said : “We are craving the support of government by way of equity participation. We are open to government coming to take 5 –10 per cent equity in our companies as it is doing for the newly acquired Discos.”

Oyo trains pupils From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

THE Oyo State government has begun a two-week skill acquisition and leadership training for pupils in Senior Secondary Schools (SSS).

Commissioner for Education Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun opened the vacation training in Ibadan yesterday.

She said the training was to equip the pupils with various skills to face future challenges and generate wealth.

Mrs. Fayokun urged the pupils to be disciplined and focused to get the best of the training, adding that the training would run simultaneously in all the eight educational zones of the state, which include: Ibadan City, Ibadan less City, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa, Okeho, Saki and Irepo.

Permanent Secretary of the ministry Dr. Bashir Bello said the training was aimed at instilling a sense of self-fulfillment, innovation and motivation in the pupils.

Students will be trained in various skills, such as hair cut, cookery, bead making, hair makeup, video/TV production and ICT .

Cleric urges Muslims to sustain Ramadan lessons From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

AN Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muyideen Gidado, has urged Muslims to maintain the cleanliness of the Ramadan season.

Gidado, who was a guest lecturer at an event organised by Yusurullah Association of Nigeria, Ghandi Mosque, IyanaChurch Ibadan, yesterday urged Muslims to turn away from the things forbidden by Allah.

The cleric, who spoke on the ‘Impact of Asalatu on the life of a Muslim’, said: “Living our days on earth with the fear of Allah will guarantee Al-janat and eternal bliss. I am very surprised that Muslims have the highest population in Nigeria and are the most corrupt too.

During Ramadan, all the beer parlour and prostitutes joint were all closed down but immediately after, they go back to their vomit.We only have religion without the fear of God. Muslims are using the name of Allah to steal and repercussion awaits them here.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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THE NATION MONDAY AUGUST 19, 2013

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MOTORING Alhaji Gambo Abdulkadir Rimi is the Chief Operating Officer of the Katsina State Transport Authority. In this interview, he explains the challenges and achievements of the authority.

‘We have transformed transportation in Katsina’

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OW has it been managing the Katsina State Transport Authority?

When we took over the management of the authority in 2009, there were fewer than 25 operational vehicles which were even vehicles inherited from Kaduna State in 1987 when the state was created. Most of the vehicles were in terrible state when we took over. We could not even pay salaries shortly after we came in.

We could only manage to pay junior staff and much later pay senior staff. The first few things we did with the support of our governor, was to get brand new vehicles, 20 of them. Also, the governor was giving the authority minimum of N100million capital every year in order to increase the quality of service we were rendering the public. And so as soon as we stabilised, we started buying one vehicle every month from revenue generated, till now we have not deviated from buying.

We are having more than 124 vehicles in our fleet. It has become a policy in the company that a vehicle must be bought every month. Now there is virtually no part of the north, including Abuja that does not benefit from our services. We go on international routes, which is Maradi in Chad.

Before now, we do not operate to more than Abuja, Sokoto, Kaduna and Kano. What we first did as soon as the board was inaugurated by the governor was to say that all the 19 northern states must have a feel of Katsina transport which we have successfully done. We have also

introduced town service bus. Until now, the only means of transportation within the city was Achada which you called Okada. You can imagine an old man or woman, pregnant women on bike. We decided to introduce those buses because, beyond the services we are now rendering, the action has also eliminated that aspect of accident which we all know is most associated with Okada. Now these buses cover the main towns in the state. All you need do now is walk to your bus stop and you are sure of going with any one that comes around. We started with about five vehicles, now we have about 40 designated for this purpose. We have also opened sub stations in seven local government areas in the state. Before now, all the commuters, irrespective of where they are, must come to Katsina town, the state capital, before they can board any of the vehicles. So, from the sub stations, you can now

board vehicles going outside the state. You do not need to come to Katsina before you can get to Kaduna, Sokoto or Abuja. Be it in Daura, Funtua, you will always get vehicles going outside the state.

There are also the student buses.

The Marcopollo brand bus is dedicated to the students, from secondary to tertiary institution students, with just N20 as fare. We also introduced car hire services. We discovered that some prominent sons and daughters of the state, having flown from wherever to Katsina, the issue of getting to their village became a problem. We decided to buy brand new Kia Salon cars for that purpose. They have numbers of that section of the service such that you can call from any part of the country and they will be right there for you. There is also the bus hire service which is for mass activities. You may be doing wedding, holiday,

‘Everybody is insured, including the vehicles. There is no vehicle of Katsina transport you see on the road or the passengers in it that are not insured. The least any member of deceased can get here is N250, 000. You can do your findings and see which other transport company does as much as that. This is just the beginning of better things to come from this management’

Coscharis Motors gets Rolls-Royce franchise

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OSCHARIS Motors has been appointed as dealer of Rolls-Royce in Nigeria.

The franchise agreement was signed by Coscharis Group management and that of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Germany, which was represented by its Managing Director, Mr Geoff Briscoe and the Regional Dealer Development Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, Mr Mohamed Fawzi in Lagos.

Coscharis team was led by its President/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cosmas Maduka and the Group Managing Director, Mr Josiah Samuel.

Maduka expressed joy over the achievement attained by the firm in signing on a high premium brand, such as Rolls-Royce,

which celebrated its 10 years of production at the Home of RollsRoyce in Goodwood, England early this year.

He said the choice of RollsRoyce was borne out of its continued stance in identifying with world-class brands in keeping with the firm’s vision to build an institution that will be timeless in its relevance.

According to him, a well-defined concept was initiated beforehand in which the market was analysed.

Samuel expressed optimism that with the support of the brand, the company would grow the clientele base of the RollsRoyce brand in Nigeria , assuring its customers of after sales service.

Briscoe said in 10 years, Rolls-

Royce has established a reputation as the benchmark of craftsmanship excellence, pointing out that the cars will celebrate the first of many decades in the British manufacturing success story.

He stated that a commitment to perfection underlines RollsRoyce’s position at the pinnacle of super-luxury manufacturing and was glad that Coscharis has joined the brand’s family, assuring it of its support in growing the market in Nigeria.

He said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was thrilled to get deal.

According to him, the purchase of a Rolls-Royce car is a unique and personalised process, adding that the motor firm has tailored its service to every customer’s needs.

condolences, any event for that matter, and you will need to convey people from one point to the other, this is where these busses, some air-conditioned, some ordinary, come handy. The difference in these busses is that unlike other vehicles, these ones are painted in white. The idea is that you know there are some areas where painted vehicles are not allowed to come in, or some do not even like it painted as they would not want to arose any suspicion that it is commercial. All you need do is give them a call and their services will be made available.

How is patronage with those innovations?

This has been exceptionally good. Eighty per cent of passengers in Katsina patronise Katsina transport because it is the cheapest. And that is why some of the passengers come as early as 5.30am because if you don’t come early, there is every possibility that you may leave late. Our fares are 40 per cent cheaper than any other one, both within the state and outside. We are a pride to the North.

Any plan for insurance for both the drivers and passengers?

That is one of the reasons our patronage is very high.

Everybody is insured, including the vehicles. There is no vehicle of Katsina Transport you see on the road or the passengers in it that are not insured. The least any member of deceased can get here is N250, 000. You can do your findings and see which other transport company does as much as that. This is just the beginning of better things to come from this management. When you have a supportive governor who monitors your activities daily, coupled with dedicated staff, you don’t have any reason to fail. Tell

•Rimi

me which state government controlled transport authority has as many as functioning vehicles we have? Tell me how many of them insure their staff, customers and even the vehicles? We are pacesetters in this area throughout the country. There are still more innovations that you shall be experiencing in the coming months.

What was the staff strength before the inauguration and what is it now?

At the inception, we employed more than 80 drivers. There used to be drivers without vehicles, yet they were being at the end of the month. That meant that they were just collecting salaries for nothing.

Again, to increase our efficiency, unlike before where all you need to do to get a job was a piece of paper from somebody, we stopped all that. We engaged a retired Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) as consultant to recruit these drivers such that we even divided them into two - the commercial and the executive. The executives are those driving the car hired service while the commercial handle the general service. Now, all our drivers go on every six month’retraining to be in tune with driving etiquettes and things like that.

It is compulsory, every six months, you must be available for the retraining.

Lagos hails police boss on erring officer

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HE Lagos State Government has commended the Nigerian Police High Command for the prompt disciplinary measure taken on the sergeant caught receiving bribe from a motorist.

Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said by this action, the police authorities in the state under the Commissioner of Police Umar Manko have demonstrated commitment to upholding the integrity of the force

and showed that any act of indiscipline would not be condoned.

Opeifa said the action should embolden the public to lodge complaints against any uniformed personnel knowing that it would receive the attention.

He enjoined uniformed personnel, especially those employed by the state government to carry out their duties with diligence, integrity and compassion, warning that indiscipline would be sanctioned.

SAFE DRIVING

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ITHOUT doubt, the rate of road crashes and fatalities is still high in Nigeria despite the laws and activities of the various governments and their agencies. There is, therefore, an urgent need to unbiasely look into the reasons and take proactive actions to arrest the growing monster. I hereby proffer the following as workable approaches to stem the devastating tide.

•That Driver Safety Training should be more intensive than it used to be in Nigeria. This has become expedient because most of the drivers did not go through the conventional driving schools.

•Re-training of drivers, including the drivers of own-vehicles, should be compulsory even if it is not as regular as expected.

•The Federal and state governments and their traffic Agencies should not be involved in the training and re-training of drivers.

How to prevent road accidents Rather, they should concentrate on traffic law enforcement. I am not saying this out of any selfish motive events in Nigeria is justifying this approach every passing day. For example, I witnessed the training programme of a government agency for drivers. We were about 50 in the class. At the end of the training programme, the instructors (officers of the agency) gave all the trainees (drivers) their telephone numbers to call for help whenever we're arrested for any traffic offense by their fellow officers. This is the common practice among the officers of government traffic agency as an appreciation for participation in their training programmes. In actual fact, they have only succeeded in making the trainees become fearless, ready to break traffic laws and ready to be disobedient to traffic officers because they al-

ready have the numbers of those that can prevent them from facing the full wrath of the law. I personally tried it and it worked. No wonder, the training programmes by the government agencies have not been yielding the desired reduction in the rate of road accidents significantly.

•Rather than taking up the retraining of drivers because of the monetary gains, they should focus mainly on the training and empowerment of driving school instructors that will be charged with the responsibility of training and re-training the drivers, enact and strictly enforce the traffic laws and regulations as well as properly handle traffic management for free flow of traffic and compliance. Let's face the facts. How easy is it for any government agency to arrest, prosecute or fine drivers of companies that are paying them

heavily on regular basis for the retraining of the same drivers?, The best practice which is even in operation in the United Kingdom, which is renown for Safety Standard is the empowerment of driving Schools by the Government's Road Safety Agency (DSA), to handle the foundational training and re-training of all categories of drivers of public and private sector organisations.

It is the duty of the Government Road Safety and Traffic Management Agencies to set and enforce Standards for the Driving Schools as well as set and enforce traffic laws and regulations for Drivers. This promotes fairness and effectiveness in their operations.

This particular suggestion may not go down well the concerned Government Agencies in charge of Road Safety and Traffic Management at the

Jide Owatunmise Registrar / Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety Academy

Federal and State Government levels because they don't want to forfeit the income being generated from this business of re-training Drivers.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Consultancy for railways

• What should bother Nigerians is not just the high fees but whether there will be value for money

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REPORT on the huge consultancy fees on on-going railway rehabilitation projects has merely highlighted another scourge of public procurement, which although less spoken of, is no less a source of undelivered value for ill-served citizens. We refer to the humongous fees charged by local and foreign consultants, either for no discernable services at all, or, for services whose utility are at best dubious.

It is not for nothing that citizens’ expectations from the on-going modernisation of the railway sector have heightened in recent years. Since 1999, allocation of funds to the sector has grown significantly, with much of this coming by way of loans from the Chinese government.

The sector comes second only to the power sector on the government’s oftstated priority; it stems from what the government has long acknowledged as its promise, not only as a vehicle for transforming the economy, but also the critical wheel without which the economy cannot turn optimally.

Considered against the amount poured into the sector in the last 14 years under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration, the government’s claims of progress would obviously come across as a sham, entirely disappointing.

And the reasons for this are as many as they are varied. These include paucity of funds – it explains why vital investment decisions are put on hold, leading to cost overruns; the dearth of technical capacity which also serves to explain the absence of a discernable roadmap, hence

the flip-flop policies by successive administrations; not least is the pervasive factor of corruption by officials who have come to see railway development as avenue to corner their own gravy.

This is the context in which we view the slew of contracts for feasibility studies, all of which run into billions of naira, being awarded by the Federal Government for rail development. At the last count, these projects, spread across the six geopolitical zones, number nearly a score. Just as some of the proposed rail lines appear futuristic – and we see nothing wrong with that – the truth however is that most of the projects are as impracticable or outlandish even by Nigeria’s interminable standards of long term.

It ought to bother every Nigerian that a Federal Government whose record at socalled modernisation of the old narrow gauge is at best a sham (and which went to China barely two months ago to shop for loans to complete the Abuja-Kaduna rail line) has since turned hyperactive in commissioning feasibility studies for new projects.

With all due respect, it seems to us a case of misplaced priority. We would have thought that a better way to go is to concentrate on developing those lines long accepted as being of utmost priority, as against fishing for new avenues to dissipate scarce national resources. We must also add that some of the contracts look more to us like schemes to fleece the treasury – or better still, job for the boys.

As for the foreign consultancies, the

nation has just enough of unpleasant tales to tell from its experiences of the heady days of jumbo loans of the ‘80s when corrupt officials, acting in concert with their foreign collaborators, creamed off a significant portion of the loans meant for specific projects via the mechanism of “consultancy services”.

It is bad enough that the nation is slipping determinedly back into debts; it would be most tragic to add the open licence of another cycle of free-for-all consultancy services of dubious value to the ails afflicting the economy. Seems about time the appropriate committees of the National Assembly stepped in, first, to determine whether or not Nigerians have the benefit of value for the contracts already awarded, and second, to halt further bleeding of the national till through schemes that are self-serving, as they are needless.

‘It ought to bother every Nigerian that a Federal Government whose record at socalled modernisation of the old narrow gauge is at best a sham (and which went to China barely two months ago to shop for loans to complete the Abuja-Kaduna rail line) has since turned hyperactive in commissioning feasibility studies for new projects’

Time bomb

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•Govts must act fast to arrest youth unemployment

HE menace of chronic youth unemployment in Nigeria has at various times been described as a ticking time bomb. This implies that when the problem assumes an uncontrollable dimension, it will explode, with deleterious effects on the society. We are afraid that the challenge has become more urgent and dangerous than this ‘ticking time bomb’ imagery suggests. For, the explosives generated by unemployment are already sounding all around us, and we cannot pretend that the evil days are not here already.

It stands to reason, for instance, that there is a clear correlation between the youth unemployment in the land and the reserve army of idle and ignorant hands that a sect like Boko Haram is able to recruit for its nefarious purposes. In the same vein, the ever increasing wave of armed robberies, kidnappings, mindless assassinations and other crimes perpetrated mostly by youths across the land,

‘The ever increasing wave of armed robberies, kidnappings, mindless assassinations and other crimes perpetrated mostly by youths across the land, cannot be delinked from the spectre of mass joblessness. Again, the effects of such social vices like drug addiction, excessive alcoholism and prostitution, which breed diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are already manifest in our country on a large scale’

cannot be delinked from the spectre of mass joblessness. Again, the effects of such social vices like drug addiction, excessive alcoholism and prostitution, which breed diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS are already manifest in our country on a large scale.

The magnitude of the unemployment menace was, once again, brought to the front burner by no less a person than Chief Christopher Kolade, Chairman of the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) at a sensitisation forum for firms in Ilorin, Kwara State. Noting that 40 million Nigerians, i.e. 23.9 percent of the population, are unemployed, Kolade lamented the “inability of the system to absorb the approximately 300,000 graduates churned out of our tertiary institutions annually”.

While we admire Kolade’s forthrightness in making public the dismal statistics of unemployment in the country, we believe that his figures may indeed, inadvertently, disguise the seriousness of the problem. In other words, the 40 percent unemployment rate he cites may not necessarily include the chronically underemployed such as casual workers, or those who are only employed seasonally due to the vagaries of the weather.

We commend the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) through which the government aims to generate employment for about 50,000 unemployed graduates in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in one year. The objective of the scheme is to improve the skills of unemployed graduates through work placement in registered firms. Yet, this scheme too is not without its difficulties because, as Kolade observed, “only 35 percent of

2,000 registered firms had met minimum requirement for participation while over 96,000 unemployed graduates had applied”.

This, of course, raises a number of critical questions. Was there proper coordination between the SURE-P and the organised private sector before this scheme was introduced? Again, what is the relationship between the GIS scheme and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) since the latter also entails graduates serving one year internship with various firms, with the government paying them a monthly stipend of N25,000 while participating firms will provide adequate opportunity for work, mentoring and personal accident insurance?

Kwara State offers a graphic picture of the challenges confronting this initiative. Out of 46 organisations registered for the exercise, five have been approved to take interns. And out of 3,290 graduates registered, 21 have been matched to firms but only three have been hired. We can thus understand why Mr. Kolade passionately appealed to firms to partner with government in addressing graduate unemployment.

But then, business firms are not philanthropic outfits. There is still no alternative for the provision by government of basic infrastructure such as motorable roads, an efficient rail network, efficient transportation and communication systems, adequate security and uninterrupted power supply that will expand opportunities for business, enhance their margins for profitability and enable them to hire more staff.

Egypt’s democracy dies a violent death

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HE illusion that Egypt’s militarybacked interim government was willing and able to take the country to inclusive elections after last month’s anti-Islamist coup vanished amid the carnage on Cairo’s streets on Wednesday. With chaos spreading across the country, the military has declared a state of emergency. As the army tightens its grip and the death toll mounts, so too does the threat of civil war.

Violence was inevitable once the security forces moved in on the Islamist protesters who have occupied public squares in Cairo to call for the release of former President Mohamed Morsi. All sides share the blame. Islamists have refused every offer of negotiation, demanding as a precondition the release and reinstatement of the deeply unpopular Mr Morsi. Worse, at the height of the violence, they called for more protesters to join the pitched battles instead of appealing for calm.

The military, which brought down a democratically elected government last month and now pulls the strings of a nominally civilian executive, has ignited Islamist fury further by trying to crush the Muslim Brotherhood. Hundreds of leaders have been rounded up and jailed, while Mr Morsi is being held on trumped-up charges. Until the resignation on Wednesday evening of Mohamed ElBaradei, secularists in the government have stood by as state forces were deployed against civilians in weeks of clashes that have left hundreds dead.

International efforts to bring the warring camps to the bargaining table have failed. Diplomatic missions by the US and EU could not prevent the bloodshed on Wednesday. Yet more than diplomacy is needed to overcome the intransigence of those who believe the only path to victory is the destruction of the other. Washington has so far refused to suspend the $1.3bn in aid to Egypt’s military. This should now be done until the violence is halted and all parties agree to talks. The release of Mr Morsi has to be on the table.

But pressure also has to be exerted on the Muslim Brotherhood. Turkey or Qatar are best placed to intervene with Egypt’s Islamists. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, condemned the earlier military coup, but this should not rule out him acting as an intermediary in concert with other parties. Qatar could also play a useful role. The new emir may be wary of foreign entanglements but he and the rest of the world should be even more wary of the consequences for the region of a descent into sectarian anarchy in Egypt.

– Financial Times

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

• Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: It is not uncommon to see ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo mount the soapbox and make a gaffe. Many Nigerians are also very aware that the former president is narcissistic and has a method to demonizing his opponents, or better put, the opposition.

Following his recent inglorious outing in Ibadan where he referred to some political personalities as being leadership failures on account of lack of probity and integrity, it is bewildering if the former president would rather see himself as a model for leadership. Nothing more defines Obasanjo as a leadership disaster other than the fact that in both 1979 and 2007 when he exited power, he delibrately left Nigeria with less suitable replacements to the presidency.

The principal character deficit of Obasanjo is that in his own mind, no other Nigerian has the capacity

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Obasanjo deserves pity to direct the affairs of the country better than him; and so, he wastes no time to demonize anyone who attempts to beat him to that claim.

Be it Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu or Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the dexterity and the audacity with which these two politicians challenged the Obasanjo’s sense of invincibility is the reason why they are not fit for leadership.

In the case of Tinubu, it can be well understood that the mere title of Asiwaju that goes before

Tinubu’s name is a myth that cannot escape Obasanjo’s envy, and of course, his venom too.

But the truth of the matter is that Tinubu is more a leadership success than Obasanjo as governor of Lagos State, the same time Obasanjo was the president of Nigeria.

Tinubu not only created the template for the development and rebranding of Lagos as a model state in Nigeria, he also powered his dream for Lagos State by encouraging a suitable successor to take

over from him as governor of the state.

Tinubu’s integrity dwells in his spirit of forgiveness and his probity lies in the fact that no probe after he left office as governor of Lagos ever indicted him of improbity. The same can’t be said of Obasanjo, who is legendary for his vindictiveness and whose record of probity is tainted by his indictments in both probes of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the power project by the National Assembly.

I watched and listened to Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl was shot in the head by the Taliban speak on her 16th birthday anniversary on You-tube. She said: ‘Let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons.

One child, one teacher, one school, one book and one pen can change the world. Education is the best.”

Education first’.

It is very surprising that the 16 year old Malala knows the power and the importance of education, advising the world to use pens and books as powerful weapons to fight evil. But our leaders who are all

beyond 30 years don’t understand the power and the importance of education. If they knew, they would not allow our teachers and lecturers to go on strike. However, if the government is spending money on things that are not relevant, such as funding of Hajj and Pilgrimage, paying too-much salary to elected leaders and so on, then, there should be no complaint about ASUU’s demands.

Our leaders do not appear to be fazed by what is going on with our education system; perhaps it is due to the fact that the majority of their children go to school abroad. I

wonder what the education system is going to be like in the near future. It is a pity that we have illiterates who have benefited from adequate education running our country. The earlier we fish them out, the better for Nigeria. I apologize if my comment comes off as offensive or rude, but the fact is, if you beat a child, you won’t stop him or her from crying. The problems of this country are beating us, the citizens, most especially the one that necessitated this writing (ASUU strike).

• Nane-Awunah Pius Terwase, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna

ecutive, he has displayed a complete lack of tact in his speeches and actions. It is public knowledge that he is ruthless in dealing with his opponents, real and imagined. This is a man who does not tolerate critics and opposition in what is supposed to be a democracy. He runs a miniature tyranny where oppo-

nents and critics have been hounded into exile out of fear for their lives. His victims are endless.

They include Amb. Edem, Prof.

Wilson, Nsima Ekere, Chief Ononokpono and lately, Senator Etok. His serial denial only smacks of hysteria and hypersensitivity

ASUU: Was Okonjo-Iweala quoted correctly?

IR: I was deeply disappointed with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala after her comment regarding the on-going ASUU strike in the country. The media on August 14 quoted the minister saying that the Federal Government has no money to meet ASUU demands.

So, the Federal Government has money to squander for elected leaders but has no money to meet the ASUU demands?

For goodness sake, no amount of demands should be considered toomuch in-respect to education. I listened to US President Barack Obama, in one of his inaugural speeches promise education for Americans and that is exactly what he is doing. Obama makes it a point to emphasize the importance of having a strong educational system, for you to know how important education is. I wonder why the Nigerian government has refused to adopt the same mindset and policy to that of the US in making the education sector vibrant.

S

In the case of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, there is a sort of sarcasm in why Obasanjo had to speak negative of him in Ibadan. It will be recalled that Obasanjo was an observer to the presidential election in Zimbabwe and seeing Robert Mugabe sworn in for his 5th term as president of that country, Obasanjo cannot but ask himself questions on how Mugabe has been succeeding where he failed. And, there is only one answer. Atiku.

How has Atiku fared in probity and integrity? Well, no single probe has indicted Atiku of any wrongdoing while in government. In fact, it is on record the Senate probe on the BPE apologized to the former vice-president for wrongful investigations. It is also on record that unlike Obasanjo whose daughter was fingered in a corruption case, no one knows who Atiku’s children are, and none of his associates has ever been fingered in any probe, including the fuel subsidy scandals.

Unlike Obasanjo also, Atiku has been responsive to every investigations where he was accused of any wrongdoing and that is why he is legendary as the most prosecuted public servant in Nigeria, and he has come out unscathed, even when he has not been a friend of any government in power.

It is therefore high time Obasanjo knew his limits while he makes his usual gaffes and never to cast aspersions on people whose records of public service is without blemish.

• Babajide Balogun Ibafo, Ogun State

The Nation is right on Akpabio

IR: The truth is very bitter.

That is why Governor Godswill Akpabio is furious about the editorial carried by The Nation newspaper. The majority of Akwa Ibom people would agree that the editorial aptly captured the disposition of Mr. Akpabio. Ever since he became the state chief ex-

typical of tyrants. No sympathy for Mr. Umana though. For six years he rode on the tiger’s back, now he has ended up in the tiger’s belly.

He is complicit in the atrocities of the Akpabio administration.

• Ubong Essien, Uyo

21

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

I

COMMENTS

N technical terms, a university is an institution of higher education which grants undergraduate and postgraduate degrees for research and studies. Yet, we need to dig deeper for the insight that brought the university into existence in the first place. It has become common wisdom that the university derives its first sense from the word “universe”. This implies two thoughts. First, there is a concern about the oneness of the universe which constitutes the focus of a university. Second, there is a reference to a community of intellectuals and students dedicated to unraveling what the universe implies for human existence. Hence, the Latin: Universitas magistrorum etscholarium, or “a community of teachers and scholars.” The idea of the university evolved around the gathering of men who are united around the critical processes of sharing and challenging ideas and thoughts about the universe and its various dynamics.

The African university, on the other hand, is caught in a different intellectual dynamics that goes beyond the mere joy of following the scent of wonder. On the contrary, it is caught in the crisis of social change and development. In other words, the university in this postcolonial context is required as the critical and progressive engine of transformation in all its ramifications. By its global research framework, it was to take the frontline in the search for national development in all the newly independent states. It is within this postcolonial birth pang of social transformation that the University of Ibadan (first known as the University College, Ibadan) came into existence in 1948. At its founding, the University of Ibadan was conceived as a centre of academic learning and research that is geared towards providing the human resources required to jumpstart Nigeria’s socio-economic and physical growth. It was to do this by producing graduates who are worthy in learning and character, and hence fit to take their place on the field of national unity and development.

In spite of this clarion call of recte sapere fons, UI has not been spared from the accelerating crisis that had attended most universities today: at the local level, a numbing legacy of statism and military encroachment that has infused its valuelessness on the university; at the external level, a global onslaught of market and rationality that undermine the essential functions of the university and reduces everything to the worth of its cash value. The result is a pedagogical underperformance that undermines the essence of the

‘No one can possibly doubt that the University of Ibadan is a leading school which has, against all odds, withstood several forces bent on undermining the significance of higher education in Nigeria

F

RIDAY, August 2, Biola Sodeinde (not real name), was in her office in Abuja, when she heard a beep on her telephone. It was actually a bank alert, welcoming her into the club of millionaires. Although she confirmed that the account where the alert came in was actually hers, she was still not convinced about the reality of the figures before her eyes. Not with the numerous scam messages informing GSM users of billions of dollars they had “won” in strange promos they had no idea about.

Fidgeting, she went to contemplate, then came back and picked her bag, went into her boss’ office to ask for permission to attend to an urgent business and immediately rushed to a branch of her bank a few streets away, barely pausing to acknowledge any form of greetings. She had to double-check her information directly from the source. Of course, she did a few minutes later. Since then, she has not only become a new person, but the real import of one of the popular verses in the holy book “old things have passed away, behold, everything is new,” has come into a sharp focus.

Sodeinde’s story underscores the new gale sweeping across the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), since real cash started dropping into the accounts of some of its workers a few days ago. It is a phenomenon that is not only swelling their accounts but their confidence as well because a new window where opportunities meet realities has since opened.

For those still at sea, the implication of this landmark development, signposts the beginning of the end of a journey, which started exactly 13 years ago, when the axiomatic first step of a thousand miles was taken to meet the power needs of Nigerians.

Though it has been a journey through a thorny, winding and crooked road, strewn with landmines, broken bottles and other sharp objects that inflicted deep and enduring wounds and pains on many stakeholders that walked through it, some of which they are still nursing till date, the promises of its ending appear to be worth the wait.

That is the underpinning outcome of the privatisation initiative, conceived as the panacea to steady power supply for Nigeria, an idea that was began to take effect with the development in the year 2000 of the National Electric Power Policy (NEPP), approved by then Federal Executive Council (FEC) under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The development, which was hinged on making fundamental changes in the structure of ownership, control and regulation of the power sector, provided the framework for the eventual promulgation of the Electric Power Reform Act (EPRA), in 2005 that gave way to the transmutation of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), to PHCN. By this metamorphosis, the new entity assumed the legal teeth to warehouse the assets and liabilities of the decadesold NEPA, including the staff.

However the concerns of workers as to their fate in the new formation, which began to manifest at this point added to other factors in stalling the process. The attempt by their leaders to cut out the fairest deal and the insistence of

University of Ibadan at 65

By Tunji Olaopa university vis-à-vis the objective of national development.

Yet, UI has weathered the storms. In close to 65 years of its existence, the University of Ibadan has remained the torchbearer in higher education in Nigeria. There are several indicators of this preeminence beyond the obvious politics of the university webometrics. First, UI is not just the premier university, it long ago became the spring that has fed almost every facet of the Nigerian socio-economic, cultural, political and professional life. Second, the University of Ibadan possesses a unique intellectual tradition that connects a globally rich and differentiated array of research, innovation and enterprise with a local and contextual necessity situated within Nigeria’s postcolonial and post-independence needs. I should know what I’m saying since the University fed my first wondering impulse to probe not only the world through the many scholars I have come into contact with—Plato, Aristotle, Laski, Kenneth Dike, Soyinka, Dudley, Aboyade; Mabogunje, Omolayole, Bolanle Awe, Claude Ake, Emeka Anyaoku, Onosode, Jibril Aminu, Peter Ekeh, but also forced on me the necessity of confronting the legacies of colonialism especially in my chosen sphere of intervention—public administration, institutional analysis and their complex reform dynamics.

Let me further illustrate this link between global relevance and local/national exigency with the interesting contributions of the Institute of African Studies at Ibadan. The significance of African studies becomes all the more acute against the background of the relegation of History in the curricula of the various educational institutions in Nigeria. This is because it stands at a critical intellectual juncture that enables a nation to interrogate its past in order to be better able to withstand the dynamics of the present and thus prepare for the glories of tomorrow. The African studies programme provides students with an access to an inter- and multi-disciplinary framework of the African experience across the social sciences and humanities with a unique advantage and sharpened knowledge about African issues within historical and contemporary contexts. This makes it possible, for instance, that certain methodological approaches in the natural sciences are currently being applied to traditional areas of studies in ethno-medicine or belief system. This particularly underscores the urgency the Institute of African Studies is placing on scientific growth as a dimension of a nation’s quest for sustainable growth and development.

African Studies at UI commenced in 1962 under its first Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kenneth Dike. This commencement was significant because Dike was at the forefront of an indigenous pan-African and pan-Nigerian historical scholarship reform

that would ensure that the methodologies for revisiting historical knowledge would ensure its relevance for national development. This came to pass under the auspices of the famous Ibadan School of History. It was the same original endogenous paradigm for research that came to define the curricula of African studies. The institute went on to become the hotspot for tested scholars and professionals/Fellows who understand what it means to subordinate learning to the socioeconomic development of a nation: J. P. Clark, Wande Abimbola, Saburi Biobaku, Duro Ladipo, Tekena Tamuno, Mabel Segun, and many others. These scholars put the University of Ibadan on the global scene, especially in relation to seminal ideas on the nature of socio-political processes in Nigeria, as well as the culture and history of Africans, whether past or present.

African Studies at UI has thereby insinuated itself into the dynamic interface of the Nigerian national project not only through its core programmes—Peace and Conflict Studies, Gender Studies, and so on—but also significantly through the many strategic partnership which it has forged with critical sectors of the Nigerian state like security, policy and administration. Many administrators and policy-makers in many of the country’s security agencies, who are alumni of the Institute of African Studies, collaborate with the Institute in the training of their security personnel. With the Peace and Conflict Studies Programme of the institute, more security operatives in Nigeria are being trained for effectiveness and for more efficiency in the protection of lives and property.There are also ongoing researches into the operational and cultural dynamics of conflicts which is imperative within the plural context of Nigeria.

For Evelyn Waugh, British novelist, there are four grades of universities; schools which by their founding principles and performances records have the capacity for transformation.

These are the “Leading School, First-rate School, Good School, and School.” No one can possibly doubt that the University of Ibadan is a leading school which has, against all odds, withstood several forces bent on undermining the significance of higher education in Nigeria. For many years since its founding, the University has been at the frontier of relevant research and a critical scholarship that a nation can tap into, in constructive collaboration, for the task of making Nigeria work. With its Institute of African Studies, and other such critical programmes, the university becomes a crucial fulcrum in Nigeria’s search for a human capital paradigm that would catalyse Nigeria’s national development profile through the dogged determination of those forged in the pedagogical cauldron of learning and sound judgment.

• Dr. Olaopa is Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Abuja.

Power: And the sky brightens

By Sunny Igboanugo government stakeholders to grant only what was practical, realistic and legal, drove a wedge into what ordinarily was considered in certain quarters as a done-deal. The effect was a monstrous set of crises that burgeoned over time.

Recall the situation in the power sector by this time a year ago. Surely, nobody would have forgotten that era of long knives when the devil himself practically took over and held the entire sector and Nigeria at large by the jugular, threatening to snuff out life from the vortex of the privatisation engine, cause a crack in it and bring it to an abrupt and unedifying death. Recall the lockouts, the confrontation between workers and the security force; the vigils and prayer sessions and deafening din; the gradual push towards the edge of the precipice; the apparent fear of that final push to tip the entire process and bring the dream cascading down to the bottom of jagged rocks and eventually crashing to an inevitable death.

Compare the sharp difference of that era of despondency among the PHCN staff and now with the experiences of the likes of Biola. That is when the import of the new reality becomes evident.

At the centre of it all is the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Ositadinma Nebo. A few days ago, the minister gave the nod for the commencement of actual payment of the severance benefits of the PHCN workers. This was hinged on the completion of the paper works, including forensic assessment and documentation of the records of beneficiaries.

According to media reports quoting the Chairman of the Implementation Committee, for the exercise and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, N118billion has been approved for the first tranche of the payment of about 20,304 staff who have been cleared for the Generation (GENCOs) and Distribution (DISCOs) companies whose names were sent to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), the outcome of which has already registered in the accounts of the beneficiaries.

What could be more demonstrable evidence of his ability and potency for exorcising the demons and witches in the power sector, which Nebo had promised the nation even before assuming his seat than this feat of taming this particular devil in the labour conflict? Of course other demons had fallen before now, one which also gave way for the enthusiastic payment of 25 per cent of the cost of the GENCOs and DISCOs by their new owners in April.

With the apparent demise of the “labour devil” and the expected burial by the time each of the PHCN workers smiles home with his pay cheques, the coast would have been clear for the handover of the facilities to private hands, signalling

the safe berth of the privatisation ship.

That is when another phase will begin. Nebo enthusiastically calls it “Awakening the Nigerian Giant.” This is an era which he envisages will become a child’s play to the transformation experienced in the country’s telecommunications industry; where Nigerians, enjoying uninterrupted power supply will go back to work again, unleashing in the process, in their own country the full potentials and resilience through which they not only became indispensable elsewhere in the globe but practically squeezed water out of stones to eke out a living at home; where industrialists will no longer suffer huge costs of production as a result of generating their own power, the wielders, hairdressers, cold room operators and other artisans, who are actually seen by economists as the real engine of economic growth will be fully engaged and earn an honest living; where by so doing, few would have little time for the devil to use them as a workshop by leading them into unimaginable vices including crimes; where the gory stories of deaths by carbon monoxide from generators would be told in the past tense and where the revving engine of growth will continuously propel the nation to achieving its fullest potentials as one of God’s most endowed nations of the world.

That’s what is in the offing at the moment. Already, Anambra State, especially Awka, the state capital and environs now report almost a 24-hour power supply. In a few months time Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of government would start experiencing 24-hour power supply while strategic industrial cities like Lagos would get a minimum of 22 hours.

It may yet be early to roll out the drums and call the party right now. But who would blame Nebo if he takes a drink now as the nation awaits this great end?

• Igboanugo, a journalist wrote from Abuja.

‘That’s what is in the offing at the moment. Already, Anambra State, especially Awka, the state capital and environs now report almost a 24-hour power supply. In a few months time Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of government would start experiencing 24-hour power supply while strategic industrial cities like Lagos would get a minimum of 22 hours’

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19 , 2013

22

COMMENTS

I

T would appear our political actors are currently in a season of reconciliation.

Both the opposition and the ruling party have one way or the other been enmeshed in activities to reconcile differences either within the party or among seemingly ideologically different and independent parties.

The latter crystallized into the merger of three political parties that have now been registered as the All Progressives Congress, APC. No doubt, it required enormous efforts at balancing and reconciliation for seemingly ideologically different parties to fuse into one political party.

Whereas the promoters of the APC were concerned with the political engineering of the system towards a strong and an alternative political platform by bringing registered parties into a common fold, the ruling party the PDP, is having a hectic time pacifying aggrieved members. Not only is the party highly factionalized by the ambitions of its key leaders, there are also issues with its leadership.

In its latest move to reconcile estranged members, the PDP seems to be drawing strength from religious injunctions that strongly recommend forgiveness and reconciliation as a way of bringing harmony, peace and order in our society. If the latest peace moves initiated by the PDP amounts to a genuine restitution for its sins, then it is a good omen for our politically volatile society. But, all restitutions go with the proviso that the offender will sin no more. Is it possible for the PDP to part with its ruinous past as the flurry of moves at reconciliation would seem to suggest?

If its past is anything to go by, it will be a grave risk to nurse the feeling that the PDP has serious interest in changing its ways. Before the latest effort, we have had several

‘My reading of the situation is that the PDP is neither serious in its latest reconciliation moves nor is it capable of resolving some of the fundamental issues that currently confront the party’

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Reconciling the irreconcilable attempts by that party to patch its torn umbrella especially as elections approached. But as soon as the objective of the patch work is achieved, the party relapses into its old and decadent ways.

It has again instituted a national reconciliation committee and a national disciplinary committee which in the words of its chairman, Bamanga Tukur represents a carrot and stick approach to the matter. At another level, former President Olusegun Obasanjo is busy brokering peace for the party’s governors who have been torn to shreds by the crisis generated by the speculated second term ambition of President Jonathan. The schism in the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, which Obasanjo has set out to resolve is a reflection of the sharp divide in opinions on the matter. Even as these peace moves have swung into action, indications are that some of the issues in contention are still being played up by those parroting reconciliation among aggrieved members. This has raised fears regarding the sincerity and commitment of the parties to reconciliation efforts.

One of such gross acts of indiscretion was the ill-advised hosting of a meeting of the NGF by factional chairman, Jonah Jang of Plateau State who lost out to Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers state at the last election of the forum’s chairman .The boycott of that meeting resulting in poor attendance is enough evidence that rather than abate, the ill-feelings among members have further been reinforced. And the party is deceiving itself parroting reconciliation.

It is not surprising that Obasanjo’s efforts to resolve the leadership crisis among the

two groups has hit the rocks. Reports from the reconciliation venue speak of the two groups rigidly sticking to their positions without compromise. This should be expected. But how on earth did Obasanjo expect he could resolve the NGF crisis which is just a symptom of the endemic crisis within the party?

There is more to the NGF crisis than the issue of leadership. He may have dabbled into the matter out of pressure and perhaps just to be seen to have made some effort.

Obasanjo knows that the leadership crisis in the NGF is just a manifestation of the larger disagreement in the party regarding Jonathan’s ambition. The northern governors opposed to the president are his well known loyalists. It is therefore curious that he set out on that mission without taking along its root cause. It is not surprising that effort came to naught.

My reading of the situation is that the PDP is neither serious in its latest reconciliation moves nor is it capable of resolving some of the fundamental issues that currently confront the party. Before the latest move, we have seen committee qua committee reports that are rusting in the party’s shelves without addressing the issues. That is why key founders of the PDP have since left for other parties. So when spokesmen of the presidency recently chided the APC for parading former PDP members, they were only drawing attention to the contradiction that has become the PDP. Rather than constitute a minus for the APC or any other party where such members have now taken refuge, it is a sufficient indictment on the

PDP. It shows there are endemic contradictions within the party that must at some point, shunt out its keys members.

Ironically, these contradictions are again at play. That party acquired this notoriety during the regime of Obasanjo. His intolerance and overbearing influence were such that key founders who refused his bidding were shown the way out. We cannot forget in a hurry how some of the party’s chairmen were unceremoniously sent packing and how he manipulated the system to achieve his desires. His anti democratic tendencies were as scandalous as they were infectious. Jonathan is taking a cue from these. Obasanjo is the least qualified person to redress issues arising from the bad example he set. The truth of the matter is that there is only one issue that is at the root of the problem in the ruling party.

And at the centre of it all also, is only one man. It has nothing to do either with the tepidity of the Jonathan administration or the manifest crisis in the NGF leadership. It has little to do with the style of leadership or even alleged incompetence of Tukur.

There is only one man in that party who can resolve the crisis. And only one issue is generating the bad blood.

That man is Jonathan and the issue is his ambition come 2015. The direction of the socalled efforts at reconciliation will depend on what Jonathan makes of his ambition. This is not in doubt. Those who are fighting him know this. Obasanjo knows this after all, he had similar opposition when the toyed with his ill-fated third term gambit.

If Jonathan insists on running and there is every indication to that effect, the crisis will fester and even become more complex. That is the foreboding scenario we must inevitably face.

Perhaps, the reconciliation the PDP should concern itself more with is that which engages Jonathan on his desire to run for a second term which has drawn very strong opposition from the North. That ambition has also pitted the North against the South-south with each threatening dire repercussions should the matter be resolved against them. The battle line is already drawn with only two legitimate options to its resolution. One is for the North to allow Jonathan go for another term. The other is for Jonathan to drop his ambition. These are the issues to reconcile. In their absence, any talk of a truce will amount to an exercise in wishful thinking.

OPINION FROM OTHER LANDS

I

N a previous life when I was a National Immunisation Programme Manager in Ghana, I saw firsthand the challenges that many African states face in delivering healthcare. Last week, while attending the Ministerial Forum on China-Africa Health Development, representing the GAVI Alliance, I was struck by the common legacy that China and countries across Africa share in overcoming such obstacles, and the important gains that have been made.

China and African countries also share a vision for the future: one where all citizens have a chance to lead healthy and productive lives. Our governments understand the African proverb that if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.

To forge the path ahead, dozens of health ministers from across Africa and high-level Chinese government officials met at the Ministerial Forum on China-Africa Health Development in Beijing, China last week. Along with representatives of international organisations including the United Nations, they explored ways to strengthen their partnership towards greater health gains across the continent.

Ministers at the Forum also signed the Beijing Declaration of the Ministerial Forum on China-Africa Health Development, which sets a vision for a continued partnership to address a number of pressing health issues that affect Nigeria and other African countries disproportionately.

Among these are HIV, malaria, schistosomiasis, reproductive health, immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases. The declaration also highlights efforts to address the shortage of healthcare workers and increase joint research efforts. Moving forward, China-African cooperation will aim to align with African countries’ priorities as well as national and regional development plans.

These new actions at the forum build on the long-standing health partnership between China and African countries, which began when China first sent medical teams to the continent 50 years ago. Since then, China has worked with countries to establish hospitals, clinics and malaria control centers in many African countries as well as sharing technical expertise to help address health issues.

Recognising these past efforts, officials at the forum emphasised that they are entering a “new era” of Sino-African health cooperation that will meet the health needs and priorities of African countries more effectively, including Nigeria.

Africa and China: Walking together towards a healthy future

By Dr. Mercy Ahun

By working together as partners from the Global South, China and African countries can help develop sustainable, local solutions to health challenges. Addressing shortages of doctors, nurses and health technicians and improving health facilities are just some of the ways that the partnership can drive greater health impacts across the continent. Additionally, China and African countries are exploring ways to increase access to high-quality, low-cost health technologies produced in China that can make a public health impact.

China’s partnership with Africa draws on the lessons it has learned from improving the health of its own citizens, and is generating solutions to many health issues, issues which continue to affect millions of Africans.

Although many countries on the continent have made progress in increasing access to vaccines, many children still remain unimmunised. Through advances in disease surveillance, service delivery and research and development, China has reduced childhood deaths and illness from diseases such as polio, which was once widespread.

Another example is China’s partnership with the GAVI Alliance to increase access to immunisation against hepatitis B, a disease that can cause chronic liver infection and cancer. Just a decade ago hepatitis B infected one in 10 Chinese children. Today, less than one percent of children under five are chronic carriers. Such an improvement shows the dramatic gains that can be achieved by expanding access to immunisation. Through sharing best practices, technical expertise and innovations, China and Africa’s partnership can work towards addressing other health priorities across the continent.

Chinese and African leaders at the forum further pledged to develop a strategy that is responsive to the needs and priorities of African countries, and which invests in country-led development. The Nigerian government, like many of its counterparts across Africa, aims to create a health agenda that is led by African leaders and health professionals and which puts the country on a path toward sus-

tainable progress. In May, when I joined African and Chinese officials at the International Roundtable on ChinaAfrica Health Collaboration in Botswana, we engaged in similar consultations to help inform policies and initiatives for the partnership moving forward.

Chinese and African partners will work closely with multilateral and international organisations to help strengthen and scale-up joint efforts. The GAVI Alliance is committed to supporting China-Africa health cooperation to drive even greater impact.

Health plays a key role in reducing poverty and helping the world’s poorest communities build self-sufficiency and accelerate their own development. When people are healthy, they can reach their fullest potential. Through collaboration on health, China, Nigeria and other African countries will help advance the well-being and prosperity of all of their citizens. China and African countries have built a strong partnership over the past 50 years and, together, they can achieve even more in the decades to come.

•Dr. Ahun, Special Representative for GAVI eligible countries was formerly the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) manager of Ghana.

‘By working together as partners from the Global South, China and African countries can help develop sustainable, local solutions to health challenges. Addressing shortages of doctors, nurses and health technicians and improving health facilities are just some of the ways that the partnership can drive greater health impacts across the continent.’

BUSINESS

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

THE CEO

JOBS

‘Oil firms are paying for govt’s failure’ -P. 28 News Briefing Govt votes $5b for gas infrastructure THE Federal Government will spend between $4 billion and $5billion to develop the gas infrastructure blueprint expected to ensure sufficient supply of natural gas both for domestic use and export, The Nation has learnt.

- Page 26

CBN okays use of movable collaterals THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the use of movable collaterals for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to secure credits from financial institutions from next year.

- Page 26

JAF, ERC call for protest THE Joint Action Front (JAF) in collaboration with the Education Rights Congress (ERC) has called on the organised labour, under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to support a mass protest against the rot in the education sector by calling out workers on a two-day strike

COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa-$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N12.1 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8.4% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $46.9b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

Jobs: SMEs to the rescue - Pg 37

Modality for disbursing $1b Eurobond coming, says DMO T HE Federal Govern ment will soon put in place a framework for the disbursement of the $1 billion (about N156billion) raised from the international capital market in July, the Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, has said.

Nwankwo who spoke in Lagos at the weekend, said the government was at the final stage of coming up with the portal for the disbursement of the net proceeds of the bond to some power projects in a way that would ensure evaluation of the funding and project development.

By Taofeek Salako & Collins Nweze

The government had early last month issued the Eurobond in two tranches of $500 million five-year bond with coupon of 5.125 per cent and $500 million 10-year bond with coupon of 6.375 per cent to finance gas-to-power projects.

Nwankwo said the framework will specify allocations, timelines for disbursement, reporting formats, reporting lines and stakeholders, reporting timelines and monitoring

CRR fallout: Banks raise interest rates by 2%

By Simeon Ebulu

- Page 29 DATA STREAM

We want a SONCAP programme that would serve its purpose; a programme that would be dynamic, where all the identified loopholes would be effectively plugged thereby making it difficult for the plaque of substandard products to continue to dominate the Nigerian business space.

-Dr Joseph Odumodu, DG, SON

• Sanusi

B

USINESSES and the real sector are in for hard times. This is because of the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of public sector funds.

Experts said this would lead to increase in rates charged by Money Deposit Banks (MDBs) for lending.

Investigations revealed that last week, banks adjusted their interest rates upwards by about two per cent, implying that the cost of money to businesses and the real sector has moved up by the same margin.

A source, who asked not to be named, said the bank intimated its customers of the increase. The official said the agreement banks had with their customers made allowance for such adjustments, “depending on the prevailing interest rates’’.

He said though he could not speak for other financial institutions, he was “certain that all banks have adjusted their rates,” adding, however, that the margin might differ from one bank to another.

On the likely consequence of the action on banks’ operations and profits, he said, bank’s profits would be affected, adding that he could say how the industry would respond to the workforce.

“There’s no doubt that the sector’s turnover and profit will be affected in the third quarter, but as to how this will impact on the workforce, I can only hazard a guess,” he said.

However, the chief executive officer (CEO) of one of the banks, who asked not to be identified, hinted that banks would prefer a raise of the interest rates rather than resort to sacking. The CEO said the new 50 per cent CRR for public sector funds has increased the cost of operations in the banks, adding that the issue would form part of their presentation to the apex bank at the next Bankers Committee meeting.

“We will definitely complain to the CBN on the CRR when next we meet,” he added.

At its last MPC meeting, the CBN introduced a variance to the CRR. While it retained the CRR for private sector funds at 12 per cent, it raised the one for public sector deposits to 50 per cent.

Thus 50 per cent of public sector deposits, which form a large chunk of banks’ loans, are outside the reach of the banks.

Until the adjustment, banks’ lending rates to businesses and the real sector hovers around 25 per cent.

But with the new development, the fear that the lending rate may hit 30 per cent is in the air.

and evaluation processes for the identified projects.

He said the framework would allow stakeholders to monitor the funding and development of the projects to build public confidence in government’s debt issuance programme.

He said the government plans to consolidate its growing profile in the international capital market by issuing other variety of debt instruments, pointing out that the issuance of the N80 billion Global Depository Notes (GDN) approved by the National Assembly would be concluded before the end of the year.

He added that the government plans to also raise $100 million from Nigeri-

ans in Diaspora through the issuance of a $100 million Diaspora Bond.

He conceded that there had been a public resentment of debt issue, challenging Nigerians to look beyond debt issues to the benefits of the issuance programmes and utilisation of the funds.

“The opening of access and establishment of the Nigerian sovereign bond in the international capital market have helped to provide foreign investors with requisite market information for investment decisions, create market benchmarks for future borrowings by the sovereign, subnationals and corporate and provide reliable prospectus and credible country story supportive of

foreign direct investments,” Nwankwo noted.

He pointed out that by addressing some of the challenges of public debt management, the DMO had created opportunities for the private sector to raise long-term capital for the development of the real sector and infrastructure.

According to him, the DMO through its sustained issuance programme, has created a market for long term debt instrument that the private sector could build upon to raise fund.

He noted that 20 firms raised over N200 billion from the domestic debt market between 2005 and last year, adding that there are opportunities for growth in terms of number and diversity of debt issuers, ranges of instruments, size and investor base.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY

LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 7. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 9. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Aero 12.20 13.30 15. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 16. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 17. Arik 13.45 14.45 18. IRS 14.00 15.20 19. Aero 14.10 15.30 20. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 21. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 22. Arik 15.50 16.50 23. Aero 16.00 17.20 24. IRS 16.30 17.50 25. Arik 16.50 17.50 26. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 27. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 29. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 20. Arik 18.45 19.45 31. Aero 19.20 20.40

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LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

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LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

gas from the region to the Mediterranean and to Europe, he said.

Ige told The Nation that on completion, the country would be delivering about five billion cubic feet of gas daily as against the less than two billion cubic at the moment.

He said: “We are delivering the gas infrastructure blueprint which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2008 and that includes the expansion of the Escravos-Lagos pipeline system, the link between the east and the west, which is the Obiobi/Oben pipeline and the QIT/Obigbo, Obi 3, Ajaokuta, Kano pipeline. That is the backbone pipeline we are trying to put together.

“With that network, we will be in a position to ensure that gas from everywhere can get to the major markets because with that, we will have full connectivity from ExxonMobil to Lagos and to the north and vice-versa, and the cumulative production we are looking at the end of this is about five bil-

lion cubic feet per day. Now we are getting close to two billion cubic feet per day, and that shows how rapidly we are moving.

“For us to move to the next level for big time production, we need this entire infrastructure to come together. When we complete the east west, that will open another volume of production. Our target is to be in a position where we can support at least about four to five billion cubic feet per day and this infrastructure will make that happen. “ He said the infrastructure would open up access to supply and to the markets. Once we have this backbone in place, we can start expanding to other parts of the country, he added.

On the cost of the project, he said: “The cost is difficult to determine because it is a combination of infrastructure, but it should be about $5 billion. By the time we have spent that amount, we would have been done with our backbone infrastructure. The delivery of the projects will be between 2015 and 2017. Obiobi/Oben project is expected to be delivered by 2015 and from there, subsequent segments will be delivered.”

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LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

• Project delivery begins 2015

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HE Federal Government will spend between $4 billion and $5billion to develop the gas infrastructure blueprint expected to ensure sufficient supply of natural gas both for domestic use and export, The Nation has learnt.

The project’s blueprint, which includes major gas pipelines referred to as backbone pipeline network, some of which are ongoing, will also form the foundation and primary source of gas supply for the planned Trans-Saharan gas pipeline spearheaded by Nigeria, Niger and Algeria.

The Group Executive Director, Gas and Power, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. David Ige, said the network is a major part of the government’s gas infrastructure initiative, adding that completion and delivery of projects would begin from 2015.

The network, he explained, includes Escravos-Lagos pipeline system, Obiobi/Oben pipeline and the QIT/Obigbo, Obi 3, Ajaokuta, Kano pipeline. It would not only serve as the country’s gateway to efficient and sustainable domestic gas supply, but will also form the primary foundation of the planned Trans-Saharan gas pipeline project, which Nigeria, Niger and Algeria are major stakeholders.

The project is planned to ferry

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LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Aero 10.50 12.30 5. Arik 11.40 13.00 6. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 7. IRS 13.30 15.00 8. Arik 14.00 15.20 9. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 10 Arik 16.10 17.30 11. Aero 16.15 17.30 12. Arik 17.10 18.30 1.

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Fed Govt votes $5b for gas infrastructure devt

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LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

• From left: Head, Business to Business Division, Samsung Electronics, West Africa, Mr. Ayo Adegboye; Managing Director, Samsung Electronics, West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim; Group Managing Director, Union Bank of Nigeria PLC., Mr Emeka Emuwa; a customer of the Bank, Dr. Charles Nwakoby, at the unveiling of Bank of the Future prototype in Lagos ... at the weekend.

CBN okays use of movable collaterals for MSMEs T HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved the use of movable collaterals for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to secure credits from financial institutions from next year.

Addressing reporters at the end of the MSME’s financing conference and D-8 workshop in Abuja over the weekend, CBN’s Director, Development Finance, Paul Eluhaiwe, said the apex bank wants a situation where MSMEs would use movable collateral, adding that the regulator was working with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on modalities for its implementation.

He said: “If this is done, operators will be able to operate because there would be funds and capacities that would be built to create sustainability in the sector. The entrepreneurs themselves who are supposed to benefit with movable collateral will have access to more financial services,” adding that most banks were not ready to support SMEs with facilities because they feel they do not have the collaterals and banks depend only on fixed collaterals in the country.

He said by next year, the apex bank would start the disbursement of the N220 billion MSME development fund.

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor), Abuja

“We know that before December, we would have worked out all the issues to make it work for us as a country because we know that it is required for us to move forward,” he said.

Eluhaiwe said the CBN believes that by “building capacity, providing resources, things will work in that sector in addition to the regulatory framework”.

Also speaking, the CBN ‘s Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Mrs Sarah Alade, said collateral for entrepreneurs to access Microfinance (mfbs) services, particularly loans was debated at the conference and that the bank has put some guide-

lines in place to guide the operation of the N220billion MSMEs fund.

She said the CBN has done some interventions in agriculture sector in the past, saying that once the disbursement starts, it will be monitored to make sure that they are given to the right people.

The components of the fund include grants for Microfiance banks, credit, guarantee and the refinancing.

On rating of mfbs, she said the CBN has expressed the desire to see that “institutions that are rated in Nigeria would have increased substantially.

That’s very important to us”.

The Rural Finance Institution Building Programme (RUFIN) an organisation of IFAD and CBN has been rating for mfbs,she said, and that about 32 of them had been rated through them.

Fed Govt, group to empower youths

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O reduce youth unemploy ment, the Federal Govern ment is set to empower young entrepreneurs through its Integrated Youth Empowerment Programme (IYEEP) in collaboration with Mara foundation.

The deal is expected to develop capacity of six million youths in one year.

In a statement, the Special Ad-

viser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youth Empowerment, Ambassador Obinna Adim, said the initiative was part of efforts to commemorate this year’s international youth day and to recognise the efforts of youths in enhancing society.

He said the partnership would also proffer solutions to youth leadership and development.

NLNG set to increase cooking gas supply

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By Akinola Ajibade

HE Nigerian Liquifield and Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has assured consumers that it will supply enough Liquifield Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, to the market.

To do this, it has increased the supply of the product from 150,000 to 250,000 metric tonnes per year.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, NLNG, Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke said this was informed by the need to forestall a glut and make consumers access the product.

He said the organisation is committed to deepening the local market, and provide consumers with alternative and cheaper source of cooking materials.

He denied that gas plants had not been getting constant supply of the products.

He said: Our goal is to increase the use of LPG in the country. This made us to increase metric tonnes of cooking gas from 150, 000 to 250, 000, after realising that consumers are showing more interest in the product.”

Meanwhile, the President, Petroleum and Technology Association of Nigeria(PETAN) Mr Emeka Ene said the domestic consumption of the product is relatively lower compared to some West Africa countries.

He said the scarcity created by the NIMASA/NLNG face off was yet to abate, adding that consumers had not been accessing the product.

He said NLNG's decision to increase the supply of cooking gas was good but that this should be monitored.

“We still need to step up the processing and production of gas locally to acheive meaningful growth in the country. When enough gas is processed for domestic users, the development would galvanise economic activities and the country grow.

“I think we can generate a lot of revenue from domestic use of LPG, if enough commitment is showing to its production and marketing,” he added.

He said efforts should be geared towards supplying gas plants’operators with the product, adding that it would serve as a better alternative to kerosene.

NECA chief canvasses policies’overhaul

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By Toba Agboola

HE Nigeria Employer’s Con sultative Association (NECA) has urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to embark on policy overhaul to revamping the nation’s ailing economy.

The Director-General, NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo, lamented that lack of implementation of good economic reforms had remained the bane of economic development.

Specifically, he attributed the challenge facing the manufacturing sector to lack of basic infrastructure, such as power and absence of enabling environment, adding that there was need for the adoption of a holistic approach to addressing the lingering power sector problems.

The reforms, he said, should aim at engendering economic development that would target the living conditions of people and create a conductive environment for doing business in Nigeria.

“It is about empowering people to participate and contribute constructively to the desired socio-economic objectives in a community or in a society,” he added.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

THE CEO

‘Oil firms are paying for govt’s failure’

• Tolani

It is hell for companies operating in the oil-producing areas because they have a lot of demands to contend with from their host communities. Why is this so? A law teacher at Afe Babalola University in Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Patrick Tolani , blames it on the failure of government. Tolani, the Executive Director, Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Law (OGEES) of ABUAD’s College of Law, also tells ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, in this interview, that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is not in the country’s best interest.

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HAT is wrong with the existing oil and gas laws? Will the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) address the shortcomings in the sector?

First, I think I should talk about the PIB. In terms of framework, it’s amazing. For the first time, the government is bringing together every law in the petroleum industry into one. Whatever you are, you can actually pick a particular legislation that addresses all the issues in the industry. It is sad that the bill has taken nearly 10 years since it was drafted. We started in 2008. The bill has stayed too long. When it becomes law, there are areas it will address.

One of such is that it gives room for more local oil companies to be involved in acreages on the fields that are unused for now.

The international oil companies have some oil fields they are not exploring, or producing oil from, and that is not good for the country. So, the government thinks it’s good to take some of those fields and give them to local companies.

Profile Institutions attended

Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife; University of Lagos; Cambridge University, London.

Qualification

LL.B; LL.M; Master in Industrial and Labour Relations; Master in Public Policy and Administration; Postgraduate programme on Cross-Sector Partnerships.

Previous positions

Chief Executive, Redeemers Relief Agency International UK; Chief Executive, Oxfordshire Equality and Human Rights Council.

Present position

Senior Lecturer, Department of Business and Private Law at the College of Law, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.

Experience

Over 20 years.

Another good thing about it is the 10 per cent profit of every oil company that is supposed to go into the development of local communities.

What is the perception of foreign firms about the PIB?

They feel the new bill is unrealistic and punitive. Their view is that the new regime under the PIB would be more punitive.

When you ask for excessive tax, you create an opportunity for people to evade tax. My opinion is to allow the National Assembly,

government and oil companies to sit down and find the way forward because, at the end of the day, Nigeria will be the loser for it. More of the companies may continue to reduce their portfolio. Now, most of them are doing head cut and divesting and selling their fields daily. While the PIB is good for local oil companies, the truth is, it’s not in the best interest of the country.

Kidnappings and pipeline vandalism seem to be rearing their ugly heads again in the oil-producing communities, despite the amnesty programme. What is the cause?

The communities, unfortunately, don’t know government. As far as they are concerned, the government is in Abuja. But since they cannot lay hands on the government, they vent their grievances on the facilities of oil companies in their areas; and that is why they expect oil companies to build schools, provide roads, pay them, •Continued on page 28

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

THE CEO

‘Oil firms are paying for govt’s failure’ •Continued from page 27

build houses and do other things for them. But the reality is that oil companies cannot replace the government.

The failure of the government is visited on oil facilities almost daily and this is not good for the economy and business.

Government must sit up and face its responsibilities. It must become more transparent and reduce, if it cannot eliminate, corruption. Above all, it must do tangible things for the oil communities. It is inequitable for the communities not to enjoy the good things of life.

But the impression in many quarters is that the multinationals are not doing enough of corporate social responsibility.

There is a misconception here! Corporate social responsibility is not a legal obligation. It is an act of charity. But what the communities are saying is that the oil companies should take over the role of the government.

What would you proffer as the permanent solution to this?

OGEES has designed two initiatives to tackle this problem. The first is the Niger Delta Participatory Development Framework (PDF), which should build on the success of the GMoU concept of Shell and the Multi-Agency Monitoring Consorting (MOMC), conceived to be an independent information hotline.

OGEES is also planning to convene the first edition of its Sustainable Development Discussion Forum (SDDF), where topical issues affecting the oil industry will be discussed and solutions to the seemingly intractable problems facing the industry proffered. Oil theft will have to be addressed at the parley, which will hold next quarter of this year.

With the happenings in the region, you’ll realise that things have fallen apart. The communities must talk to oil companies, oil companies must talk to the government. Other stakeholders must sit down and look for solutions to the problems.

Dictating solution and different programmes from Abuja will not help anybody. From OMPADEC, to Niger Delta Development Commission to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, people are not interested in those offices; they are interested in changes to their lives.

To evolve changes, there must be solution that comes from the bottom to the top. If that does not happen, I hope we don’t close the chapter by saying: “There was oil in the country.” We are losing a minimum of 200,000 to 300,000 barrels of oil to illegal bunkering daily. Whenever there is force majeure, we lose a minimum of 150,000 oil barrels a day. The truth is that our leaders probably don’t understand the implication of this. I hope the country does not go bankrupt.

How would you appraise the level of oil spillage in the creeks by vandals?

Crude theft and vandalism of our pipelines have forced oil companies, notably, Shell Petroleum Production Company to declare force majeure at least three times this year alone. On each occasion, about 150,000 barrels of oil was shut-in to prevent further spill and save the environment from the devastating effect of such occurrences.

What this means is that the companies would have to spend millions of naira on investigation, deploy money and men to mend the vandalised pipelines and also carry out remediation operations which are not by any means cheap. Furthermore, as a nation, we send wrong signals to our trading partners about our capability to meet our supply obligations. That is not in the best interest of the country and the economy, at a time when we should be seeking loyal trading partners who would stick to us in the face of competing sources of supply. Furthermore, the regular shutin of crude oil by major oil companies, is really hurting the economy.

Our findings have confirmed that the oil theft is no longer being carried out by pockets of hungry hoodlums in the communities; but has actually been taken over by powerful cartels who operate with all the sophistication of well-organised outfits. Unfortunately, still, our oil is in high demand by countries that are taking advantage of the porosity of our security arrangement to benefit from our oil re-

• Tolani

‘The failure of government is visited on oil facilities almost daily and this is not good for the economy and business. Government must sit up and face its responsibilities. It must become more transparent and reduce, if it cannot eliminate, corruption’

• Tolani

sources illegally. This is a national shame that must be addressed.

Worst still, the oil producing communities are faced with the dilemma regard-

ing who to support in the face of poverty and employment. On the one hand, they show no sympathy to the government and to the oil companies whom they accuse of

many years of pillaging their land and resources without any demonstrable benefit to them. On the other hand, their health and livelihoods are endangered due to the high level of pollution taking place on their land.

Efforts aimed at addressing the power problem appear to be unsuccessful, as more industries relocate into neighbouring countries where power is relatively more stable. What’s the way out?

In my own opinion, we do not have a sustainable strategy that can make us get things right. All the billions spent in the power sector were not based on proper strategy that can deliver results. And when all you do is fire brigade approach, you can get pockets of success here and there, but you cannot be really successful. Anytime we have a government that can develop a proper strategy with proper funding, I can assure you, we will achieve results. But for now, I’ve not seen any in place, and that is why we keep spending money and not getting results. If we have a strategy that every President will be committed to, I believe we will be getting somewhere.

Sometimes I wonder how companies make profit with the amount of money spent on power? You go to hotels where they run the generator from 6pm-6am, and if power doesn’t come, they continue with the generator for the whole day even if there is only one guest in the entire hotel. So, I’m not surprised that industries move to other countries, but that is the reality.

But it seems this lack of strategy you talk about cuts across all sectors.

You are right. It is also the same in the area of security. Now tell me, which area have we fared better? Health, education, industry just name it? The fact is that we talk, but we don’t put our money where our mouth is. We need to ask ourselves, do we need a strategy on renewable energy? Yes, we may have, but ask those people that the government has put in the council the level of government’s funding, and it’s nil. Do we want to promote solar energy? We have sun in this country. We can do windmill, but we are not focused and we are losing so much in this country.

How does OGEES intend to contribute its share towards the fight against corruption?

At OGEES, we will use our four mandate areas - research, training, consultancy and publication, to enlighten people on how corruption can be reduced. Though fighting corruption is not why we are set up, as an academic body, OGEES cannot afford to shy away from this national tragedy.

The truth is: we are not asking questions from our leaders. I feel so sad when I hear some people say, ‘you disrespect the President,’ there’s nothing about the President of Nigeria that cannot deliver anything to the people of Nigeria. As a leader, you earn respect of Nigerians when you can deliver the dividends. Interestingly, the Nigerias are not asking for too much.

They are only saying give us roads, good schools for our children, water, and accommodation, and the rest will fall into place.

Nigerians appear to be poor managers of electricity. How can your institute shape their attitude to ensure efficient energy management?

There is a lot of systemic problems starting from the ways we are billed, and until we are able to face that challenge, there will continue to be wastage. From NEPA to PHCN, these companies just allocate figures, except for the few people that use prepaid cards. And then the light hardly ever comes. I’ve heard people say: “Whether I switch off my electricity or not, PHCN will still bring the same electricity bill anyway.”

Aside, we as Nigerians have this ‘itdoes-not-belong-to-me’ attitude. We tend to be reckless in our use of light because of this mindset that it belongs to the government. This poor management of power

by Nigerians is not only hurting them, but also the environment. What we need is a wholesale national orientation because these are habits and they die very hard.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

LABOUR ‘Productivity critical to transformation agenda’

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•Comrade Akele leading the protest.

Education: JAF, ERC urge Labour to call for protest

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HE Joint Action Front (JAF) in collaboration with the Education Rights Congress (ERC) has called on the organised labour, under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to support a mass protest against the rot in the education sector by calling out workers on a twoday strike JAF’s Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, who led the rally in Lagos, said his group would collaborate with other civil society groups in Nigeria to shut down the nation if concerned authorities fail to give urgent attention to its yearning.

He said: ’’Top civil servants and those close to the corridors

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Stories by Toba Agboola

of power were the beneficiaries of public education, even as some of them established private universities and private schools in Nigeria and abroad with looted funds.” ‘’That explains why they are not bothered when Public primary, secondary and tertiary institutions are shut, and pupils and students have to remain at home for a long as the unions are frustrated to resume without government acceding to their legitimate demands’’ Aremu, who lamented that Nigeria is funding education with less than eight per cent,in contravention international standard of 26 per cent for same,

said: “The unions in the education sector are on strike because the Federal and state governments in the country refused to implement agreements reached with them.”

According to him, teachers and non-teaching staff are the poorest paid in the world, while the nation’s politicians received the fattest pay among their contemporaries.

The rally, which kicked off at the NLC’s office, Yaba, Lagos and ended at Maryland , had personalities, such as Treasurer of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Comrade Ademola Aremu, President of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUUP), Comrade Chibuzor, former Governorship

aspirant in Lagos, Comrade Ayodele Akele and union heads in College of Educations.

The National Coordinator of the Education Rights Congress (ERC), Comrade Hassan Taiwao-Soweto, while commending the stakeholders in the education sector for their doggedness to uphold the struggle to free education sector from poor funding by the state, noting that the ongoing strike is a Nigerian concern and not that of ASUU alone.

He, however, appealed to the leadership of the NLC and the TUC to also lend a voice to the agitation by calling out workers on a 48 national strike in solidarity with students, lecturers and the public.

TUC Housing Estates coming

HE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) is set to end its members housing problems by providing them with affordable houses.

To actualise the objective, its President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, said the Congress is collaborating with national and international partners to get resources to develop the proposed TUC Housing Estates across the country.

He said: “We have international development partners who intend to bring resources for the development of this vital sector. We have signed Memorandum of Understanding to this effect and very soon, you will begin to see the result.

“But there is this other option which, after fighting for a very long time, we have been able to resolve. Our members have just been contributing to the National Housing Fund without any form of representation on the board of Federal Mortgage Bank. After meeting with the government, we have come to understand ourselves. Now NLC and TUC are on

the board of the bank,” he stated.

Kaigama said the transport policy of his predecessor, Comrade Peter Esele would be sustained, as his leadership plans to extend the Lagos- based mass transit business to other parts of the country.

“We intend to provide housing for our teeming members, particularly those in the urban centres and state capitals. We are collaborating with national and international development partners to ensure that within the next one year, we’ll start delivering on our promises.”

He stressed the need to fulfill all electoral promises to union members.

He said: “We promised fellow delegates that first and foremost, we will strengthen the national secretariat and embark on the training of staff to make them better workers who can meet international standards. We also want to make very strong presence in Abuja. By God’s grace, within the next few months, we should have a very strong secretariat in Abuja.”

He called for adjustment of the national minimum wage to conform with inflationary trends.

He said workers earlier agitated for N50,000 national minimum wage, but got N18,000. That leaves an unsettled wage balance of N32,000.

He also said: “One aspect of confidence rebuilding is to ensure that issues that come to the front burner are treated with dispatch.

For now, what we have to do is to protect the welfare of our members and the general public. We are going to ensure that Nigerian workers who are the wealth creators are not shortchanged in the scheme of things. We must have a fair deal.”

On the challenge of combining unionism with work, he said: “I am a state government worker and because of my activism I had issues with my governor in Taraba State. ‘’Apart from Nasarawa, there is no state in the north paying up to what my state is paying. That was because TUC was under my leadership. We will always protect our members’ interest. But that is not to say that when government has superior point, we will not bow to such. This is not an era of table

•Kaigama

banging. We will always put our cards on the table and open our minds to other’s views,” he said.

“Remember that I have been the chairman of Association of Senior Civil Servants in Taraba State, Chairman of Trade Union Congress in Taraba State before I moved on to become the vice president of the association and the president of the association. Now, I am the President of TUC.

HE Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Wogu, has said productivity is critical to the actualisation of the Vision 20:20-20 and the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He stated this at a symposium to mark the observance of the 13th National Productivity Day/ Conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit Award.

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Clement Illoh, said the theme of the symposium, ‘’Productivity and competiveness: Determinants for Achieving National Transformation”, was not only relevant, but also apt.

He said the observance of productivity day was a sign that the present administration was poised to harness all ideas and actions that would meet the aspirations of Nigerians.

“As you are aware, this government is committed to ensuring that Nigeria becomes one of the largest economies in the year 20:20. Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the importance of productivity and efficiency in all our undertakings. In every country, the main source of economic growth is increased productivity. Productivity can be considered as the comprehensive measure of how effectively resources are used to generate useful output,” he said.

Wogu said government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the development of productive mindset that would engender development of the country.

The Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, said the National Productivity Day was instituted to ensure productivity consciousness and excellence in public and private service.

Group seeks responsible reporting

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O drive sustainable industrial growth and job creation , there is need for proper reporting, the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has said.

Its Country Director, CIPE Nigeria, Mrs. Omowumi Gbadamosi, said at a workshop that the role of the media cannot be undermined in economic development and job creation, adding that it must carry out in-depth analysis on issues affecting businesses and the economy.

She tasked journalists to use the media to attract the Federal Government’s attention to create jobs and enabling business environment towards business groups and associations.

According to her, the business sector is the only sector to achieve economic growth and development, noting that that the private sector has a crucial role to achieve this feat.

“The sector to provide economic development and business sustainability is the private sector, because the nexus between the economy and sustainability is vital to achieve any meaningful growth for this country and only the business sector can provide this through trade and professional association,” she said.

She continued: “The workshop will highlight the strategic role of the Media in Business Advocacy and the need for effective coverage of business advocacy programs. This will further enhance the capacity of the associations to conduct business advocacy effectively.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-08-13

Govt, stakeholders work on roadmap for listing telecoms

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HE Federal Government and other stakeholders have started discussions on a roadmap that would lead to listing of the telecoms companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as part of efforts to support the development of the stock market.

Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, spoke on efforts by government to ensure major companies in key sectors of the economy list their shares on the NSE during a visit to the stock exchange at the weekend.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said government has intensified efforts to get more companies, especially those in the telecoms and oil and gas sectors to be listed on the NSE. According to her, the government shares the vision of making Nigerian stock market the premier stock exchange for Africa.

She said stock market must develop in tandem with national economic growth noting that as Nigerian economy overtakes other economies, the stock market should also become the main market for the continent.

Mrs Johnson outlined that discussions were ongoing on the roadmap for the listing of telecoms companies noting that

is the fastest growing sector of the economy and we need to most telecoms appreciate the ensure that companies in the need to list their shares on the sector are listed on the stock NSE. exchange,” Omobola said.

“We have had very good disOkonjo-Iweala said that alcussions with the telecoms comthough market operators and panies; they understand why regulators still have a lot to do they should list. What we are to bring the market to its pride doing now is to prepare the plan of place, government would for them to list because there are remain key supporter of efforts a number of things that need to to develop the market. be sorted out; these are very “You have been and you are large companies. I think the difa key pillar of the Nigerian ference here is that we have a Economy. Different studies plan and we would work that have shown that the way and plan to ensure that we get the the direction the stock market telecoms companies to list,” mrs goes is very predictive for the Johnson said. rest of the economy and that is She restated the support of her why this administration is Ministry for the Securities and very supportive of what you Exchange Commission (SEC) have done,” Okonjo-Iweala and the NSE in their quest to said. bring the Nigeria capital marShe said the government ket to where it was meant to be. had demonstrated its resolve She assured that efforts had by standing by the market gone beyond just calls for more during the recent recession companies to be listed as onnoting that government gave going plan is being driven forbearance to margin traders through collaboration of many and also took measures to stakeholders. eliminate capital gains and “We have spoken a lot about VAT taxes, which are currently the technology and I am so imbeing put into the gazette pressed with the amount of prior to implementation. technology I see here today. It President, Nigerian Stock Exhas been a tremendous imchange (NSE), Alhaji Aliko provement. The other reason Dangote, said stakeholders that I am here is to bring more were anticipating the listing of companies unto the stock exthe firms in the ICT industry change. The information and because of the sector’s contricommunication industry conbution to the national tributes 8.5 per cent to GDP, it economy.

He said the visit by the Ministers was a proof that the government was fully in support of the stock exchange.

Responding on behalf of the DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-08-13stockbrokers, Doyen of the brokers and chief executive officer, Trust Yield Securities Limited, Mr. Ola Yussuf, commended the Ministers for their supports.

By Taofik Salako

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

31

MONEY LINK

CBN, Bankers’ Committee plans biometric database for customers T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is collaborating with the Bankers’ Committee to set up a biometric database for bank customers.

In a statement the banking watchdog said the platform, when completed, would help operators and regulators of the financial system address issues of Know Your Customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML), and access to credit.

This will help fast-track use of channels, such as biometric Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, among others.

The CBN said it is also planning a Consumer Complaints Management System that will make it possible for it to monitor banks’

E

Stories by Collins Nweze

breaches in customers’ accounts.

When completed, the platform will enable the regulator see which customer complaints are being treated, and which are not being considered. The CBN is expected to with the platform, see the complaints by bank customers and track the turnaround time of their resolution.

It said the role of consumer protection is not limited to the CBN alone, but remains a collective responsibility of everyone. It said the Consumer Protection Unit of the CBN is mandated to educate consumers and defend their interest, detect money laundering and com-

bat financial terrorism as well as enhance awareness on these issues.

The apex bank is also reviewing the framework on consumer protection to ensure that all complaints by customers are promptly addressed.

Also, where any of the cases is proved, the affected bank will be required to make necessary amends and where financial obligations are involved, will be required to refund the money. The measures are aimed at encouraging good banking habits and promoting efficiency in the delivery of financial services as well as boosting public confidence in the system.

The Consumer Protection unit of

Ecobank rewards customers COBANK Nigeria has started a promo tagged, Giant prize give away to reward its custom-

ers.

In a statement, the bank said the promo, which started this month, will end in November this year and that participating customers have opportunity to win Honda CRV Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and other prizes.

The monthly draws will give each customer a chance to win LED TVs, deep freezers, generators, washing machines, home theatre systems and Blackberry smart phones.

However, the customer is required to deposit at least N30,000 into his/ her current or savings account and maintaining such deposit for at least three months qualifies the customer for the grand draw.

Announcing the promo in Lagos,

Ecobank Deputy Managing Director, Anthony Okpanachi said the bank is committed to rewarding its loyal customers while offering them best of banking services. She said the bank will continue to contribute significantly to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

He encouraged non customers to walk into any of the bank’s branches and open accounts. He said for a customer to qualify for the monthly draws there is need to make new deposits of N30, 000 into their current or savings accounts each month. Depositing multiples of N30, 000 gives the customer more chances of winning.

He said maintaining a minimum of N30, 000 throughout the promo period qualifies the customer for the grand draw.

He emphasised that the bank will

continue to expand its product portfolio, which includes current account, savings account, cards, regional and local remittances, con-

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

sumer finance, loans and advances, investment banking and asset management, regional and international trade.

low-value account that does not require any supporting documents apart from the account opening form and passport photograph to be opened.

She explained that a customer only needed to fill an account opening form and submit two passport Photographs. The account has as its features zero opening balance, access to mobile banking products in addition to attractive interest rate.

She described Skye Ease account as a medium-value account which requires the account opening form and passport photograph, along with

proof of information submitted. Features of the account are zero opening balance, access to mobile banking products and attractive interest rate.

She advised members of the public to key into the bank’s Skye Dreams programme which is a customer loyalty programme that rewards customers on the basis of points accumulated through banking with it.

She said rewards range from air tickets, household items, among others, and urged members of the public to avail themselves of those benefits.

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi the CBN is meant to ensure that banks’ customers enjoy not only quality services but also protection

S

KYE Bank Plc has introduced two new products into the market namely, Skye Flex and Skye Ease. Both products are savings accounts, with relaxed Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for account opening to make it easier for the majority of the unbanked populace to be catered for.

In a statement, the bank said it introduced the products to support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) drive for financial inclusion.

The General Manager, Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Arinola Kola-Daisi, said the Skye Flex is a

DATA BANK WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

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 26-07-13

SYMBOL AGLEVENT JOSBREW TRANSEXPR NEM NASCON WAPIC UNITYBNK CADBURY COURTVILLE NPFMCRFBK

O/PRICE 1.40 1.06 0.96 0.66 10.42 0.75 0.52 48.31 0.66 0.80

C/PRICE 1.54 1.16 1.05 0.72 11.20 0.80 0.55 50.90 0.69 0.83

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

CHANGE 0.14 0.10 0.09 0.06 0.78 0.05 0.03 2.59 0.03 0.03

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

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

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%

LIVESTOCK CUTIX PAINTCOM RTBRISCOE CUSTODYINS TRANSCORP OANDO ASHAKACEM WEMABANK ABCTRANS

O/PRICE 4.58 1.99 1.87 1.55 1.58 1.37 12.80 23.07 1.09 0.93

C/PRICE 4.13 1.80 1.70 1.42 1.48 1.30 12.20 22.00 1.05 0.90

CHANGE 0.45 0.19 0.17 0.13 0.10 0.07 0.60 1.07 0.04 0.03

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

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%

0.14 0.10

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 12-07-13

SYMBOL

T

HE foreign reserves increased by $200 million in eight day data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) website has shown.

The reserve, which were at $46.9 billion on August 8 rose to $47.1 billion on August 14. It was $47 billion on August 1, dropped to $46.9 billion on August 8, before the current rise.

The CBN had consistently maintained that inflow into the reserves was not consistent with the oil prices and, this underscore the need for tighter fiscal controls around oil revenues.

Bonny Light crude (Bonny Light oil is a high grade of Nigerian crude oil) closed the week at $113.9 per barrel.

Nigeria earns over 90 per cent of its revenues from crude oil export from where savings are made as foreign reserves.

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.

Skye Bank introduces two products

FGN BONDS Tenor

Foreign reserve adds $200m

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 161.08 159.36 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.16 1.16 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.18 1.16 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,799.14 1,797.09 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

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

32

ISSUES The Central Bank of Nigeria, at its last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, introduced a new variant to the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR). It retained the ratio for private deposits at 12 per cent and raised that for the public sector. This, inadvertently, reduced the money available for lending, reports, COLLINS NWEZE.

• CBN headquarters, Abuja

Banks’moment of truth I

•Race for deposits over CRR hike begins

T is common knowledge that government, whether at the centre, or states, is the biggest spender in the economy. That is why banks depend most on public sector deposits, which are often sourced cheaply from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and other revenue generating bodies fall in this category. The funds which are lodged with the banks are advanced as loans to customers, whether corporate or individuals at given or negotiated interest rates.

This practice, which has seen some banks holding over 75 per cent of their balance sheet in government deposits, is being threatened by the recent decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at its last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. CBN is getting increasingly worried over the rise in liquidity from banks purchasing short-term government securities using public sector deposits. The CBN fears that strong liquidity growth could trigger a rise in inflation.

The MPC’s decision to hold the interest rate steady at 12 per cent at its July 22 and 23 meeting while raising the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on public sector deposits to

50 per cent is being interpreted as an indirect tightening of loanable funds to banks.

The CRR is the portion expressed as a percentage of bank’s deposit balances, which lenders must have as reserve in cash with the CBN. It is usually determined by the apex bank. The reserve ratio is one of the instruments used to influence the money supply in a country, and drain out excess liquidity in circulation from the system. By increasing the ratio, CBN has reduced the percentage of funds available to banks to lend and do business with.

Currency Analyst at Ecobank Nigeria Olakunle Ezun said the CRR move is significant given that public sector deposits which stood at N2.5 trillion at the end of

‘

March, account for around 20 per cent of total deposits in the banking system. He said aside the existing CRR funds being forfeited to the CBN, an additional N955 billion would be removed from the economy, suggesting the tightening effect will be immediate.

He said the effect of the decision was expected to be significant, with the yield curve likely to shift up, particularly at the short end, and a likely supportive effect on the exchange rate.

Before August 7, when the policy took effect, many lenders had sold liquid assets and dollars to replenish their cash balances in preparation for the withdrawal which went on as planned.

Ezun said the immediate result of the MPC’s

The CRR move is significant given that public sector deposits which stood at N2.5 trillion at the end of March, account for about 20 per cent of total deposits in the banking system

’

decision would be a rise in interbank money market rates, which will increase pressure on investors to divest from longer maturity fixed income securities and to shorter dated securities.

“Not only will there be the attraction of higher yields at the shorter end of the curve, but, for foreign investors, there will be the benefit of reducing currency risk exposure by moving down the curve,” he said.

Effects on exchange rate

He said the move to indirectly tighten monetary policy was partly aimed at restoring some level of stability to the exchange rate. The naira remains volatile and has been on a depreciating trend since the start of the year. With a year-to-date loss of 2.9 per cent, the naira weakness reflects a robust import demand that has increased demand for dollar at the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) and on the interbank market, thus, weakening oil prices.

Impact on banks

Analysts have said the new policy would have a negative effect on banks. An analyst with Renaissance Capital, an investment bank, Adesoji Solanke, said though it signals the desire to tighten monetary policy, the measure has added to the challenges facing the Nigerian banking sector this year, and on the balance, the effect is negative for the sector.

“We view the impact of this as negative for the banks. This is a new measure in addition to the 12 per cent CRR on all deContinued on page 33

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

33

ISSUES

Banks’ moment of truth Continued from page 32

posits, which we believe signals tightening of monetary policy, most likely to protect the naira,” he said.

The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, had estimated that the introduction of a 50 per cent CRR on public sector funds equaled N650 billion quarantined, or interest free.

“The quarantined amount is equivalent to one month and two to three weeks of Federal allocations. Imagine a situation where the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations are delayed, interest rates will rise sharply due to the cash shortage,” he said.

He noted that the hike of the CRR on public sector funds by 38 per cent is expected to tighten liquidity, creating a funding gap.

His words: “The commercial banks’ initial reaction will be to scramble for funds to cover their positions. To do this, banks will repurchase their Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria bonds, sell down on their Net Open positions (NOPs), or seek for more deposits from the government or private sector. The liquidity gap created at the market is expected to result in a three to four per cent spike in interest rates, which are currently at an average of 11.2 per cent per annum.”

The thinking among banks is that the policy, aside tightening liquidity, would slow down credits, increase interest rates and the delinquency of loan defaults. But the CBN Deputy Governor (Operations) Mr Tunde Lemo said issues on the CRR would be addressed accordingly via dialogue.

“Don’t forget that as banks get government deposits, the CBN mops it up at Open Market Operation (OMO). CBN cannot just move the CRR from 12 per cent to 50 per cent. It should have been a gradual process because the CBN is not paying any interest on these deposits, one bank CEO, who does not want to be named said, adding that “the equities market will be impacted. This is already happening. People will be compelled to divest from the capital market and this would cause equity bubble.”

Lemo insisted that the arguments do not hold water because 50 per cent CRR is applicable to only government’s deposits.

He said: “Liquidity cannot be tight because the stipulated liquidity ratio is 30 per cent and the average in the industry is 68 per cent.

So, the excess liquidity should have gone into credits by now. Most of the banks are seating on excess liquidity.

“In fact, they collect these monies from the government and purchase treasury bills with it, and lend back to the government. The implication is that the government is spending undue percentage of their revenue to pay for their deposits with bank.”

Impact on the naira

A day after the CRR hike, the naira firmed to a four-week high against the dollar. The local currency closed at N159.9 to the dollar, its strongest since June 19.

Ezun added that as the indirect tightening takes effect, the holding capacity of banks to speculate against the naira is likely to lessen.

This is because there will be a rise in money market rates, which should help underpin the naira.

A further level of support is also likely to come from banks selling dollars in order to fund short-term naira liquidity requirements.

“The initial rise in yields would also help generate an attractive entry point for foreign investors, thereby boosting capital inflows, which in turn would be naira-positive,” he said.

“The fundamental problems that the CBN faces are how to balance competing pressures on the naira that stem from the forces that drive purchasing power parity (mainly through the current account) and uncovered interest parity (via the capital account). Managing these opposing forces remains a struggle that has not been helped by high levels of liquidity that the CBN has struggled to manage effectively,” he said.

Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa

• Sanusi

• Mali

Plc, Ike Chioke, expressed concerns over both policies, saying there would be ‘unavoidable impact’ of the new 50 per cent CRR on majority of the banks going forward.

In a report, he explained that the CRR policy implied a significant increase in the banks’ cost of funds, a tensed pressure on the Net Income Margin (NIM) as a larger proportion of the deposits will be held in CBN’s coffers as reserves.

He predicted that banks may have to sell down on investment securities to call back the 38 per cent, and may re-navigate their deposits mobilisation strategies, re-price risk assets in line with their “cautious” lending strategy and adjust business model.

Consolidated Discount House Limited, however, raised strong fears on the naira’s stability, adding that CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi will ensure the defence of the local currency till his departure from the bank.

Beyond these, it said the depletion of the naira would have strong domino effects on the system. It would lead to negative carry trade and higher import costs for local businesses. It said the single digit inflationary outlook for the second half of the year is largely anchored on stable exchange rates.

Banks’ strategic responses

Aware that the CBN is committed to imple-

• Kola-Daisi

• Rewane

menting the policy, many banks, last week, held emergency meetings during which they reviewed the percentage of their public sector funds and how to address the likely impact of the policy on their operations.

Group Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank, Mrs Arinola Kola-Daisi, said the only option for the banks was deposit mobilisation.

She said:” The government is the biggest spender but there is also the need to focus on retail business because of immense opportunities there, too. Banks are now mobilising deposits because that’s the only way out.”

She said banks needed to expand their retail banking bases, and improve customer services.

“The truth about the CRR hike is that there is nothing to do other than to mobilise deposits. We have a significant deposit of public sector funds. It is a tough time for everyone. Everyone is looking for institutional investors that will give them money. The banks are also building their retail banking businesses. As I said earlier, retail banking is a game of numbers,” she said.

Mrs. Kola-Daisi said banks have to focus their attention on getting deposits from other areas, stating that people must go wherever the money is to ensure that they get the needed deposits. That, she said, will make everybody sit up. It will also make people put in their best because there is no magic except to bring in more deposits. Now, all the banks are looking for one thing, it is tough, but we will get on with it.

“There is nothing we are going to do and they are not going to change the policy. We have to work with what is good for now, and make sure that we go out and get more deposits and get more customers too. You also make sure that we work aggressively on the inside to improve your services. It is one thing to bring deposit, and another thing to retain that deposit in the system”.

“Retail business is also difficult because you need to know what people want. People are not looking for complicated products, they are looking for simple, cheap and easy to access products that can add value to their businesses and lives,” she said.

Stanbic IBTC Regional Head, Nigeria, Lincoln Mali said he would be adopting the Standard Bank in South Africa approach to retail lending in Nigeria. He said that the bank is not yet strong in retail business in Nigeria but that is going to change going forward.

“In Nigeria, we are not all that known for the retail part of the business and that is what my team and I are bringing into the country. In South Africa, we are strong in retail lending. We will be strong in Nigeria as

well. We have started to lend in the retail part of the business,” he said.

Mali, however, said to succeed in retail lending, there should be more people bringing in deposits than the loans that are given out. Also, there is need to understand the transaction history and balance turnover with demand for loans. He said the bank will also be focusing on lending through credit cards and will ensure that its products and services are visible in every commercial part of Nigeria.

“We can’t be in the business of risk avoiding. We have to be in the business of risk management. To avoid risk, then you should not be in banking. You need to understand the risk, price the risk and manage the risk,” he said concerning the bank’s commitment to lending.

Mali said the bank is also committed to getting more of the unbanked into the financial system. “We have been thinking of how to get the unbanked into the banking system. We want to make easier for the unbanked to get into the banking system through our products and services. We have some plans here to do more of agent banking, mobile money and so on. For now, our priority is to get the retail part of our business structured in the quickest possible time. We are also looking at high net-worth individuals,” he said.

Unity Bank has also emphasised its commitment to deepening retail banking services in the country through branch expansion. The bank’s Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Usman Abaji,s said the plan is not only in line with its strategic direction, but also a natural progression from its history and antecedents of being close to the people.

Heritage Bank is also eyeing the retail sector of the business with promises of giving out loans to support grassroots businesses.

The bank unveiled plans to provide funding for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sub- sector of the economy.

Speaking at the bank’s MSME Clinic held in Lagos, the bank’s Managing Director, Ifie Sekibo, expressed the lender’s commitment to assisting MSMEs to become large corporate organisations that can be quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in the next three years.

Sekibo said the bank was looking beyond deposit mobilisation to assisting subsector to realising their goals, by identifying and solving challenges that challenge their businesses with a view to providing the necessary solution to make them function better.

‘

The naira had a day after the CRR hike, it firmed to a four-week high against the dollar. The local currency closed at N159.9 to the dollar, its strongest since June 19, this year

’

Interest rate

Interest rates in Nigeria have been broadly stable since ending of 2011, hovering 200 basis points around the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) that has been held at 12 per cent since October 2011. The MPR increased steadily from September 2010, from a then low of six per cent to 9.25 per cent in early October 2011 before it was raised sharply to the current 12 per cent.

This helped to reduce liquidity and strengthen the short end of the curve, along with earlier changes to indirect monetary policy instruments on 24 July 2012 the CRR was raised to 12 per cent from eight per cent and the Net Open Position of Shareholders’ funds was cut to one per cent from three per cent.

34

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19 , 2013

EQUITIES WATCH

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Returns within the conglomerates sector are equally split-positive and negative. Even within the positive side only UAC of Nigeria (UACN) outperforms stock market’s average return. Taofik Salako locates the returns and pricing trends of the conglomerates within the fundamentals of the companies

What makes difference in conglomerates?

W

HEN an investor buys into a con glomerate, he buys into a large bas ket of businesses. That is where the advantage lies for conglomerates but paradoxically, that’s also the disadvantage too.

Conglomerates are, particularly, named because of the several distinct businesses they combine under a single business name. A conglomerate may be involved in nearly every sector of the economy as well as each chain of production.

For the six quoted conglomerates, their interests span the whole gamut of the economy from manufacturing to automobile, real estate, hotel, general trade and merchandise, power, agriculture and services among other sectors.

Either within a conglomerate or the large sectoral group, an investor will find any sector he wishes to invest in. AG Leventis (Nigeria) Plc, John Holt Plc, Scoa Nigeria Plc, Chellarams Plc, UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc; all have nothing less than eight business lines that run through the entire gamut of the economy.

Investors look to above-average returns from conglomerates and somewhat steady fundamental performances that defy the difficulties in the operating environment. The assumption of diversity reinforces this optimism- the deficiencies in one sector are evened out and moderated by opportunities in another sector. But the challenges of managing intricacies of several business interests, especially the potential risks of overlapping costs, transfer of value-chain inefficiencies and group cover for segmental weaknesses among others can set up a conglomerate for failure, in spite of the large size. These underline the continuing structural changes and realignments within the sectors. All the surviving conglomerates have undergone several large business reengineering and restructuring exercises and many, such as UACN and Transcorp, are still pruning and refocusing their businesses into what they considered as high-margin segments.

Facts of the businesses

Both technical and fundamental reports of conglomerates also appear to show the diversity and degree of returns within the sector. The All Share Index (ASI), the main index that tracks prices of all quoted equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), opens today with average yearto-date return of 30.05 per cent. This theoretically implies that an average investor, whose portfolio mirrors the entire market, would have made about 30 per cent return on investment as at the market opening today. While it may be practically difficult to build a perfect mirror of the market, the common index serves the purpose of peer review and benchmark. The ASI highlights the pervading downtrend in the conglomerate sector. With three conglomerates with negative year-to-date returns, only one of the three other conglomerates is trading above the market average. John Holts opens today with the sector’s worst year-to-date return of -65.9 per cent. Chellarams follows with -22.8 per cent while Scoa Nigeria dithers with -1.85 per cent. On the upside, AG Leventis opens with a modest return of 14.1 per cent. Transcorp performs better with 23.8 per cent. UACN stands out as the only stock with above average return at 47.4 per cent.

Market price, it’s generally agreed, relates the fundamentals of a stock. Although market pundits may differ about timeline for price correction, market sensitivity to information, disclo-

By Taofik Salako

sures and other variables that make for immediate pricing efficiency, there is a consensus that the market will always adjust the stock price to reflect the fundamental value. The fundamentals of most conglomerates belie the longstanding maxim of diversity in strength, and for most of the stocks, the stock market pricing efficiency hypothesis holds true.

Latest audited and interim earnings reports of the conglomerates showed striking similarities of downtrend, with the exception of UACN, which appears to have found a winning formula for steady growth. Audited report and accounts of Transcorp for the year ended December 31, 2012 showed that it suffered a major reversal as sluggish sales compounded high costs to shave off more than N3.3 billion from the net profit of the conglomerate. Net profit after tax slumped by 56.8 per cent from N5.86 billion in 2011 to N2.53 billion in 2012. The decline depressed earnings per share from 7.74 kobo to 4.38 kobo. The report showed a top-down negative performance as marginal decline in sales was magnified down the line by external and internal costs. Turnover dropped slightly from N13.90 billion to N13.24 billion. Gross profit slipped from N10.44 billion to N9.77 billion while operating profit dropped from N4.59 billion to N3.76 billion. Substantial increase in interest income moderated equally significant increase in interest expense, mitigating the adverse impact of the conglomerate’s huge debt exposure. Finance income jumped from N276.67 million to N1.04 billion while finance cost rose from N261.32 million to N860.25 million. With these, profit before tax dropped from N4.61 billion in 2011 to N3.95 billion in 2012. Transcorp has not paid any dividend since it was incorporated.

AG Leventis showed similar performance, although it sustained its unbroken dividend payment record. Turnover dropped by 10 per cent from N18.10 billion in 2011 to N16.30 billion in 2012. Profit before tax declined by 21 per cent to N652.85 million as against N823.53 million while profit after tax dropped by 14 per cent from N328.64 million in 2011 to N284.17 million in 2012. It however retained dividend per share of 14 kobo, the same rate distributed in previous year.

Chellarams’ audited report for the year ended March 31, 2013 indicated that net profit slumped by 54.6 per cent from N251.16 million to N113.93 million. Profit before tax had dropped from N378.89 million in 2012 to N241.32 million in 2013. The top-line was sluggish with decline in total sales from N25 billion to N23.31 billion.

John Holt has continued to writhe in losses with a loss before tax of N1.8 billion for the year ended September 30, 2012. It had posted a pretax loss of N1.94 billion in 2011. Turnover dropped by 53.5 per cent from N5.93 billion in 2011 to N2.76 billion in 2012. After exceptional items, it however made a profit after tax of N424 million in 2012 as against net loss of N1.57 billion in 2011.

Both full-year audited and interim reports of Scoa Nigeria showed the conglomerate’s continuing struggle with costs. Audited report for the full-year ended December 31, 2012 showed that sales rose from N3.84 billion in 2011 to N6.19 billion in 2012. Profit before tax also increased from N148.28 million to N164.31 million. Profit after tax however dropped from N101.27 million to N73.41 million, a drop of 27.5 per cent.

The depressing bottom-line was more evident in the first half of this year. While turnover rose modestly from N3.17 billion in first half 2012 to zN3.21 billion in 2013, profit before tax halved from N127.72 million in 2012 to N59.67 million in 2013. Profit after tax dropped by 53.3 per cent from N89.40 million to N41.77 million in 2013.

Exceptional performance

In line with its exceptional above-average stock market return, UACN Group has shown equally exceptional performance within the conglomerate sector. Audited and interim reports of the five quoted companies that formed the nucleus of the UACN Group-UACN, UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) Plc, CAP Plc, Portland Paints and Products Plc and Livestock Feeds Plc have shown consistent growths in turnover and profit period-on-period. Emerging results for the first half ended June 30, 2013 showed that UACN grew sales by about 24 per cent and further optimized costs to deliver higher growths of 50.5 per cent and 33.9 per cent in profits before and after tax respectively. UPDC followed the same pattern, turning 22 per cent growth in turnover into 138 per cent and 137 per cent increase in profit before tax and profit after tax respectively.

UACN’s turnover rose to N37.71 billion in first half of 2013 as against N30.50 recorded in comparable period of 2012. Profit before tax jumped from N3.47 billion to N5.22 billion. Profit after tax also increased from N2.14 billion in 2012 to N3.44 billion in 2013. With these, earnings per share increased to N1.69 in first half 2013 compared with N1.24 recorded in corresponding period of 2012.

UPDC grew earnings per share by 137 per cent from 44.5 kobo in first half of 2012 to N1.07 in first half 2013. Turnover rose from N5.19 billion to N6.32 billion. Profit before tax more than doubled to N1.62 billion as against N683 million in comparable period of previous year. Profit after tax also rose from N616.88 million to N1.46 billion.

CAP showed modest but steady performance with turnover of the paints and allied company increasing by 14 per cent from N2.53 billion to N2.88 billion. Profit before tax inched up by 7.0 per cent to N909.6 million compared with N849.3 million. Profit after tax followed the same trend at N618.5 million in 2013 compared with N577.5 million in 2012. Livestock Feeds was also upbeat with profit before tax of N95.21 million in first half 2013, 20 per cent above N79.39 million recorded in comparable period of 2012. Profit after tax also improved from N57 million to N64.75 million. Turnover had risen by 10 per cent from N2.47 billion in 2012 to N2.70 billion in 2013.

Portland Paints, which UACN completed acquisition of 51 per cent of its equities in June 2013, is the only struggling member of the group.

Portland Paints’ first quarter report ended March 31, 2013 showed that sales dropped to N624.85 million as against N832.22 million recorded in comparable period of 2012. Profit before tax slumped from N110.33 million to N29.55 million while profit after tax declined from N75.02 million to N20.1 million. UACN paid and completed acquisition of Portland Paints on June 28, 2013.

The first-half reports showed continuing improvements in the market share and profitability of the conglomerate. Audited report and accounts of UACN for the year ended December

31, 2012 had shown that sales rose by about 17 per cent, but increasingly efficient top-down cost management leapfrogged net profit by 108 per cent. The improvement in profitability reflected on actual dividends to shareholders with cash dividend of N1.60 per share in addition to a scrip issue of 20 per cent. UACN’s total sales increased by 16.8 per cent from N59.64 billion in 2011 to N69.63 billion in 2012. Gross profit thus increased by 20 per cent from N15.86 billion to N19.05 billion. Profit before tax leapt by 54 per cent from N6.99 billion to N10.75 billion. After taxes, net profit for the year doubled from N3.41 billion to N7.10 billion. Group’s earnings analysis indicated earnings per share of N4.44 in 2012, more than double of N2.13 recorded in 2011. Net assets per share also improved from N35.64 to N37.85.

Audited report and accounts of UPDC for the year ended December 31, 2012 had also shown that turnover rose by 78 per cent to N12.04 billion as against N6.78 billion in 2011. Profit before tax stood at N2.45 billion as against N2.40 billion in previous year. Profit after tax rose by 30.5 per cent from N1.67 billion to N2.18 billion. Shareholders of the company received dividend of N962.5 million, representing a dividend per share of 70 kobo.

Similarly, audited report and accounts of CAP for the year ended December 31, 2012 had shown turnover of N5.23 billion in 2012 as against N4.31 billion in 2011. Profit before tax rose from N1.36 billion to N1.66 billion while profit after tax increased to N1.12 billion as against N1.05 billion in previous year. Earnings per share closed 2012 at N1.99 compared with N1.87 in 2011. CAP paid final dividend of N392 million, representing 70 kobo per share. The company had paid interim dividend of 125 kobo per share earlier in November 2012, bringing total dividend for 2012 business year to N1.092 billion or N1.95 per share. In addition, it distributed bonus issue of one ordinary share of 50k each for every four ordinary shares of 50k each.

Sustaining the performance Group Managing Director, UAC of Nigeria Mr Larry Ettah has outlined a six-point agenda for the second half of the year to consolidate the performance of the conglomerate and opening up new growth opportunities.

According to him, the conglomerate will focus on tackling margin challenges across key categories as well as integration of the new acquisitions to leverage on the synergies and benefits of the group. He said the group would also complete capacity expansion of its grand cereals plant. In furtherance of its refocusing strategy, UACN will also consolidate on existing partnerships which have seen foreign equity investments in two of its unquoted subsidiaries.

“We have announced a series of transactions that advance our strategic agenda. We are on course to conclude the remaining transactions for the year, pursue our integration plan for the new acquisitions and work with our strategic partners to strengthen our brands and sustain leading positions in our markets. We aim to translate those leading positions to leading performance and generate competitive returns for our shareholders,” Ettah said in a strategic preview of the second half.

While most other conglomerates have kept their turnaround and growth strategies to their chests, it appears that definitive focus on growth areas and the additional corporate governance discipline of its quoted subsidiaries make the difference for UACN.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

35

MONEY MARKET REPORT

T

Interbank rate rises, liquidity drops

HE interbank rate has risen. But liquidity declined over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN's) 38 per cent hike on Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) for public sector deposits.

The rate rose by 196 points to 18 per cent from about 12 per cent which was applicable before August 7, when the policy took off.

Liquidity is the ability of banks to meet obligations when they come due without incurring unacceptable losses. It requires maintaining a balance between short-term assets and short-term liabilities.

Equally, the call/overnight and sevenday money market rates were at 18 per cent while three-month Nigeria Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) traded on 18.8 per cent, though fewer activities were done on the tenor.

The interbank secured lending (Open Buy Back) rose by 200 points to 17.6 per cent for Deposit Money Banks and 17.8 per cent for discount houses. Analysts said despite the liquidity status, the rate might fall to 14 per cent this week, and moderate around the Standing Lending Facility (SLF) of about 15 per cent.

Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates, Ayo Teriba, told The Nation that the impact of the CRR hike on the naira and interest rate will not be immediate.

He said whatever effect the policy is having on key economic indicators and currency may be temporary until the policy implementation gets far underway.

But Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited Bismarck Rewane said the impact was being felt in the rise of interbank rate. He said a less than four per cent withdrawal of money supply led to an eight per cent increase in interest rates or an 80 per cent increase in the range of money market rates.

"The CBN's new policy initiative targets high-powered money such as bank reserves plus vault cash. It is a policy tool to curb inflationary threats that emanate from fiscal excesses, and possible currency weakness," he said.

The policy, however failed to lift the naira from its fall. The naira weakened 0.1 per cent against the dollar in the Inter-bank and has lost 2.97 per cent of its value this year. Weakening continued to reflect sustained strong demand to pay for imports and other sundries expenses. It closed at N161 to a dollar. For now, the naira remains under pressure due to structural imbalance between dollar supply and demand which reflects strong import demand and declining United States of America oil demand.

Agent banking The CBN last week, reviewed agent banking guidelines it issued in February this year. The new guidelines stipulate that deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Microfinance Banks (MfBs) and Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) that want to deploy agent banking services should apply for a one-off approval from the apex bank.

CBN Director, Banking & Payments System Department Dipo Fatokun said licensed mobile money operators need not seek any such approval as the regulatory framework under which they are licensed already permits them to appoint agents in line with the existing provisions.

However, they only need to include the details of such appointed agents in their regular reports to the CBN. He said that DMBs, MfBs and PMBs with regional, state or unit authorisations are only permitted to establish agency relationships within the geographical scope of their licences.

However, he said these groups of financial institutions are not authorised to appoint entities to carry out agent banking activities outside Nigeria.

For DMBs, every applicant seeking to engage in agent banking business shall, on one-off, apply to the CBN. He said

the business. He said enacting the enabling laws will also enable multilateral agencies like the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), African Development Bank (AfDB), among others to grant loans to leasing firms.

He said leasing is one of the most vibrant and dynamic industries facilitating the finance of equipment that enhance productive capacity, creating employment and fostering economic growth.

According to him, leasing encompasses all range of assets from automobiles, computers, telecoms equipment, and medical equipment to power plants and explorative machinery.

He said the contribution of leasing to economic development takes place through access to finance particularly to the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), increase in domestic capital base, financial product innovation and development of secondary market.

Bank to bank report •Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

‘The interbank secured lending (Open Buy Back) rose by 200 points to 17.6 per cent for Deposit Money Banks and 17.8 per cent for discount houses. Analysts said despite the liquidity status, the rate might fall to 14 per cent this week, and moderate around the Standing Lending Facility (SLF) of about 15 per cent’

By Collins Nweze

the application is a signal of intent to engage in agent banking business and will contain the DMB's strategy for agent banking, including proposed number and structure of agents per state, over a three year period, description of the agent management structure to be used by the institution, Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures among others.

Sinking fund The CBN signed the resolution trust deed with the 24 banks for them to contribute 0.5 per cent of their total assets to the sinking fund. This will amount to about N105 billion from the banks to help cover the cost of the banking crisis of two or three years ago.

CBN Director, Banking Supervision Mrs Agnes Tokunbo Martins said at the end of the Bankers Committee meeting in Abuja that banks had accepted the 0.5 per cent contribution, an increase from previous 0.3 contributed.

She said the committee agreed with the CBN Governor on the rational for the policy and agreed to help meliorate the difficulties. Mrs Martins said that with this development, the banking system is safe, and tax payers' money will not be used in resolving banking crises.

She said the 24 banks hold about N21 trillion in assets in various proportions and the percentages they hold these assets differ from bank to bank. As a result "each bank, will contribute 0.5 per cent of their total assets and we will calculate 33 per cent of their off balance sheets items and then take another 0.5 per cent of that," she said.

GDP rebasing National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) dis-

closed plans to release new figures for gross domestic product (GDP) in December. Nigeria is updating its GDP base year to 2010 to give a better indication of the size and composition of its economy. The country's GDP is currently based on production patterns in 1990.

The data are slated for publication on December 10, the NBS disclosed last week. Yemi Kale, the head of the agency, confirmed that 2010 will be the new base year.

He had earlier disclosed that the agency was also considering last year as a possible base year, after consulting experts from inside and outside government.

The schedule for release of the new GDP data has been changed several times.

While the statistics bureau's website still mentions a target of October 24, Kale said in May that it may not happen until next year.

Nigeria's economy, the second-largest in sub-Saharan Africa, was estimated at $268.7 billion last year and is forecast to expand 7.2 per cent this year by the International Monetary Fund. The true size and composition of the economy hasn't been properly reflected in the yearly calculations, which don't capture the activities of companies created since 1990.

Leasing Firms in leasing should consider raising funds from the capital market to finance their enterprises, Chairman, Equipment Leasing Association of Nigeria (ELAN), Keinde Lawanson has said. He spoke at the Vendors/Lessors Business forum organised by ELAN in Lagos.

He said for such fundraiser to be successful, operators should prevail on the National Assembly to pass bills to guide

‘The CBN's new policy initiative targets highpowered money such as bank reserves plus vault cash. It is a tool to curb inflationary threats that emanate from fiscal excesses, and possible currency weakness’

Standard & Poor's (S&P) assigned 'B/ B' counterparty credit and 'ngBBB/ngA2' national scale ratings to Skye Bank Plc. The agency said the stable outlook reflects the lender's business and financial profile which would remain broadly unchanged over the next 12 months.

It also forecasts that the positive economic prospects in the country will further support the bank's earnings growth. "Our ratings on Skye Bank reflect its anchor of 'bb-', as well as our view of its "moderate" business position, "moderate" capital and earnings, "moderate" risk position, "average" funding, and "adequate" liquidity," it said.

S&P said Skye Bank has a modest, but profitable franchise, which accounts for about five per cent of the Nigerian market, with a little over N1 trillion in assets.

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc is a top bank, according to African Business' Annual Rankings Magazine.

The bank said it achieved the feat even as it continues to consolidate its position as a foremost African brand through adherence to high corporate governance principles, strong financial performance and the introduction of innovative products and services. These, it said, ensured its stakeholders are well-satisfied each time they encounter the brand.

Heritage Bank pledged to work with stakeholders in the entertainment industry to develop a funding model for the sector. Managing Director/Chief Executive, Ifie Sekibo, spoke while responding to enquiries about the bank's plan for the entertainment industry.

He said the lender is committed to developing a strategy on how to fund the sector. He said the bank will also need to understand the industry first before committing funds to it.

"We have quite a number of people in the entertainment industry. The last time we met with the President of Nollywood, we wanted to find out, how to bank the sector. Do we deal with each person, or take the industry as a whole? This, and many other issues, need to be addressed in funding the sector, he said.

Jaiz Bank Plc said last week that it had grown its capital base from N5 billion to about N10 billion.

The lender also said it would apply to the CBN for a national banking licence to enable it to expand its operations to other states of federation.

Head, Corporate Communications Department, Jaiz Bank, Idris Salihu, said the lender has also joined commercial banks in processing foreign exchange (forex).

Thus, it can process transactions for Bureaux de Change (BDCs).

It said the bank would start bidding for its BDC customers from all branches by first week of September.

It also added that the bank has also commenced over- the- counter transactions of Personal Travel Allowance and Business Travel Allowance sales at all its branches.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19 , 2013

36

DUE DILIGENCE

Japaul: Dwindling profit

R

ising incomes, steeply declining profit; Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc’s fundamental paradox appears to be worsening with every earnings report.

Audited report and accounts of Japaul for the year ended December 31, last year showed a similar pattern of performance that had seen average profit before tax margin dropped consistently from a high of about 26 per cent in 2008 to a low of 4.2 per cent in 2012. First quarter report for the this business year has also indicated the same performance outlook for the current business year with average pre-tax profit margin dropping by 63 per cent within comparable three months o f operations.

The unimpressive bottom-line has correspondingly affected returns, especially dividends to shareholders.

While it had paid a paltry 2.0 kobo in previous year, Japaul could not declare any dividend for the 2012 business year as it struggled with rising financial leverage.

Audited report of the oil and gas services company showed that while sales rose by about 20 per cent in 2012, declining cost efficiency undermined the top-down impact of the larger topline. With 32 per cent increase in cost of sales, 29 per cent rise in total operating expenses and 560 per cent jump in interest expenses, pre and post tax profits contracted by 62 per cent and 70 per cent respectively. Besides, adjustments made in line with provisions of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) shaved 24 per cent off the intrinsic net assets value of the company.

The balance sheet of the company underlined emerging concerns for performance outlook with the combination of negative working capital, declining liquidity, worsening indebtedness and generally weak financing structure.

Financing structure

Japaul’s shareholders’ funds dropped by 24.3 per cent from N22.56 billion in 2011 to N17.08 billion in 2012. While the paid up share capital had remained unchanged at N3.13 billion or 6.26 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each, re-examination of previously retained earnings left the company with negative reserves of N2.49 billion, which adversely affected the net assets base of the company.

Total assets rose by 20 per cent from N27.27 billion to N32.66 billion.

Current assets had declined by 24 per cent from N5.01 billion to N3.79 billion but it was counterbalanced by 30 per cent growth in long-term assets from N22.26 billion to N28.87 billion.

Total liabilities however jumped by 230 per cent from N4.72 billion to

By Taofik Salako

N15.58 billion. Current liabilities had risen by 42 per cent from N3.41 billion to N4.83 billion while long-term liabilities leapt by 723 per cent from N1.31 billion to N10.75 billion.

The financing structure of the company was generally weak. Debtto-equity ratio stood at 17.4 per cent in 2012 as against 5.4 per cent in 2011. The proportion of equity funds to total assets dropped considerably from 83 per cent in 2011 to 52 per cent in 2012.

Efficiency

There were evident declines in underlying productivity and cost efficiency during the period under review. While the large top-line appeared to expand the frontier, the company struggled with less-efficient cost structure, which significantly eroded the underlying margins.

The company undertook staff rightsizing, reducing average number of employees from 577 persons to 566 persons. Total staff costs thus dropped from N751.6 million to N588.6 million, representing average staff cost per employee of N1.04 million in 2012 as against N1.30 million in 2011.

However, average contribution of each employee to pre-tax profit dwindled from N2.38 million to N0.92 million. Total cost of business, excluding finance charges, spiralled to about 95 per cent of total sales in 2012 compared with 87 per cent in 2011.

Japaul saw a major contraction in profitability in 2012, further underlining the inability of management to halt sustained and considerable year-on-year decline in average profit-making capacity.

Average pre-tax profit margin hit a low of 4.2 per cent in 2012 as against 13.4 per cent in 2011. It had dropped from 25.5 per cent in 2008 to 22.02 per cent in 2009 and closed 2010 at 15.02 per cent. Gross profit margin had set the downtrend in 2012 with loss of five percentage points from 46 per cent in 2011 to 40.7 per cent in 2012. With depressed bottom-line, both actual and underlying returns reduced considerably. Return on total assets slumped to 1.6 per cent in 2012 as against 5.0 per cent in 2011. Return on equity also dropped from 4.0 per cent to 1.6 per cent, underlining the doubleend losses of shareholders who were not paid any dividend for the year.

Earnings per share had slumped to 4.5 kobo in 2012 as against 15.7 kobo

Fiscal Year Ended December 31 Nmillion Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend (Nm) Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

Profitability

2012 12 months

% change

7,244 12,282 7,283 4,999 4,346 77 210 521 272 4.5 0 0 273

28.0 19.8 31.8 5.9 28.7 24.8 559.7 -62.1 -70.1 -71.1 -100.0 -100.0 -24.2

in 2011. The company had distributed N125 million to shareholders, on the basis of 2.0 kobo per share, as dividends for the 2011 business year.

Net assets per share also dropped by 24 per cent from N3.60 in 2011 to N2.73 in 2012. Notwithstanding, the company’s net assets suggested a significant undervaluation at the stock market, where its shares have stuck around its nominal value of 50 kobo.

Japaul witnessed appreciable growth in the top-line in 2012. Group turnover rose from N10.25 billion to N12.28 billion. Overall top-line performance was driven by impressive growth of 28 per cent in its largest business segment, offshore services, which recorded turnover of N7.24 billion in 2012 as against N5.66 billion in 2011. Besides, top-line performance was driven mainly by growth within the Nigerian market.

Foreign incomes from the company’s operations in the United Arab Emirates dropped from N1.62 billion in 2011 to N1.25 billion in 2012 . Nigeria contributed N11.03 billion to group turnover in 2012 as against N8.63 billion in 2011.

However, cost of sales outpaced turnover growth with 32 per cent increase in 2012 to N7.28 billion as against N5.53 billion in 2011. Group gross profit thus inched up by 5.9 per cent from N4.72 billion to N5.0 billion. General and administrative costs ballooned to N3.66 billion in 2012 as against N2.93 billion in 2011.

Sales and distribution expenses rose from N451.4 million to N680.6 million. Total group operating expenses thus stood at N4.35 billion in 2012 compared with N3.38 billion in 2011. While interest and other noncore incomes rose by 25 per cent from N62 million to N77 million, interest expenses jumped by 560 per cent from N32 million to N210 million. With these, profit before tax dropped from N1.38 billion to N521 million while profit after tax followed the downtrend with a drop of 70 per cent to N272 million in 2012 as against N908 million in 2011.

of the measures of solvency and going concern status. Also, the proportion of working capital to total turnover worsened in 2012 at -8.5 per cent as against positive working capital at 15.7 per cent in 2011. Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 400 per cent as against 475 per cent.

Governance and structures

Japaul was incorporated as a private limited liability company in 1994 and commenced operations in 1997. It converted to public limited liability status and became the first maritime company to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 2005. Japaul provides services to the upstream operators in the oil and gas industry including dredging, provision of offshore oilfield vessels, maritime logistics, pipeline construction and oil flow lines among others.

There were no major changes in the ownership, board and management of the company. Mr. Jegede Paul, the main promoter of the company, who holds the largest single individual equity stake of 6.0 per cent, remains the managing director. Major General Joseph Omosebi (rtd) also still chairs the board of directors. Japaul is owned by some 229,000 shareholders with largest spread of ownership within the range of one to 100,000 shareholdings.

The company’s corporate governance structure complies with extant code of corporate governance, although it sometimes fails to meet up its scheduled reporting and disclosure requirements.

Analyst’s opinion

The management of Japaul needs to demonstrate it has the capacity to halt the dwindling fortunes of the company and make commensurate returns to shareholders. Contrary to the key-man scenario that dominates the psychology of the company, Japaul is a retail stock owned largely by sundry shareholders whose concerns border not only on growth and investment but also sustained returns.

While the company has made commendable investments in

•MD Japaul, Mr Jegede Paul

operations, it has failed to align the management structure, dividend policy and governance with the large retail ownership structure. This is the crux of the nominal valuation of its shares.

Besides, with five executive directors-including the founding managing director and four general managers, Japaul appears to run a topheavy management that looms larger than its actual size as a relatively small company. This also applies to its 11man board of directors and its 6.26 billion outstanding ordinary shares.

It needs to undertake considerable cost reduction strategy, starting from its corporate structure down to the operations. Financial mismatch or high gearing will also further complicate the outlook of the company.

All these are underscored by early operational results for this year. First quarter report ended March 31, 2013 showed that while turnover rose modestly to N3.47 billion in 2013 as against N2.99 billion in first quarter 2012, general and administrative costs jumped from N784.64 million to N1.16 billion. Interest expenses leapt to N168.54 million as against N38.35 million. These depressed profit before tax from N892.99 million to N380.08 million while profit after tax dropped from N803.69 million to N334.47 million. Average profit before tax margin dwindled to 10.96 per cent as against 29.9 per cent in comparable period of 2012. Unless it tackles key fundamental changes, Japaul appears set for the downbeat again.

Liquidity

The liquidity position of the company weakened considerably during the period with negative working capital and significant decline in financial coverage and immediate response to financing obligations. Current ratio, which denotes the financial agility of a company by relating current assets to current liabilities, dropped below reassuring 2011 benchmark to 12 months 0.78 times in 2012 as against 1.47 times in 2011. Current 5,659 ratio is 10,248 accepted as one 5,525 4,722 3,377 Fiscal Year Ended December 31 62 32 1,375 Financing structure 908 Equity funds/Total assets 15.7 Long-term liabilities/Total assets 125 Current liabilities/Total assets 2 Debt/Equity ratio 360

Profitability

20,090 28,868 2,968 3,793 32,661

-9.7 29.7 -14.2 -24.3 19.8

22,245 22,261 3,458 5,013 27,274

742 2,976 4,832 10,745 15,577

1.9 145.5 41.7 722.7 230.4

728 1,212 3,409 1,306 4,715

3,131 17,083

0.0 -24.3

3,131 22,560

Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

Efficiency

Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

Liquidity

Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

2012 %

2011 %

52.3 32.9 14.8 17.4

82.7 4.8 12.5 5.4

40.7 4.2 1.6 1.6

46.1 13.4 5.0 4.0 7.85

0.920 1.04 94.7

2.38 1.30 86.9

0.78 -8.5 400.0

1.47 15.7 475.0

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

37

• A cross section of Corps members

With a projected five million jobs in 2015 under the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the Federal Government is set to tackle graduate unemployment.

TOBA AGBOOLA reports.

Jobs: SMEs to the rescue F

OR the many graduates leaving school every year, there is good news from the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

They may not all have to pound the streets in search of jobs as five million jobs will be created under the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) before 2015.

Aganga said to create jobs for youths, particularly graduates, the Federal Gov-

ernment has adopted some measures through the SMEs, with no fewer than 4000 Corps members trained in SMEs. The measure, he said, is meant to make the NYSC members self-reliant and become employers through entrepreneurial engagements after completing their one year compulsory service.

Records showed the impressive impacts of SMEs on the economic performance index.

For instance, the SME sector is said to have employed more than 31 million people,

thereby significantly contributing 46.54 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to information from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the population of youths is put at about 67 million.

Of this number, about 30 million, representing 46 per cent, is said to be unemployed.

The report showed that of the number seeking paid jobs, the number of those with certificates outweighs the number of those who have no certificates.

There are two variants of the National

Youth Service Corpos (NYSC)/SMEs concept. One involves the government taking the entrepreneurial campaign to the universities nationwide by establishing ‘’Enterprise Centres’’.

The idea, Aganga explained, is to make the students entrepreneurs instead of job seekers when they graduate. The other is a SMEDAN programme called ‘’One Local Government, One Product (OLOP)’’, which •Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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JOBS

Jobs: SMEs to the rescue •Continued from page 37

entails taking the programme to the rural communities. Some local governments have been selected for the pilot scheme.

Aganga told The Nation that the government is set to crash the cost of accessing funds for the intending entrepreneurs.

“With the Presidential directive that the Bank of Industry (BoI), which lends at single digit interest rate, be recapitalised, many more SMEs will be able to access cheap funds at minimal costs when the cost-reduction process is completed,” he said.

He said all over the world, SMEs empowerment has become the main economic growth strategy, considering the high employment generation capacity of SMEs, adding that with about 17 million SMEs in Nigeria, the creation of five million jobs was very possible.

“Recent data provided by SMEDAN and the National Bureau of Statistics, put the number of MSMEs in Nigeria at 17,284,671, with total employment put at 32,414,884. If each of these SMEs is empowered to create one job each, that makes about 17 million jobs.

If 50 per cent of this figure create one job each, that means 8.5 million jobs will be created.

He said if a quarter of the total is empowered, and they create one job each, over four million jobs will be created.

Aganga said the figure could go up, adding that he has directed the parastatals to work out a job creation profile around the model, so it can serve as a key performance index for the country. “Our job is to put structures in place to make it happen,” he said.

While encouraging more entrepreneurs to come up with ideas that could create quality jobs and enhance inclusive economic growth, he said the Federal Government is committed to providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

He stressed that all the factors needed for profitable and sustainable business were abundant in Nigeria, citing market and raw materials as critical success factors of business/investment.

SMEDAN’s Alhaji Bature Masari says the agency is set to create five million jobs through SMEs before 2015, adding that the agency had mapped out strategies to achieve

the goal.

Masari said the strategies include the implementation of the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) and OLOP scheme across the federation.

He added that NEDEP was developed with the objective of harnessing the opportunities in the MSME sector to drive inclusive economic growth through skills training and development, job creation and wealth generation.

“Our objective is that within the few years of implementing NEDEP and other programmes to be initiated, we will generate an estimated five million direct and indirect jobs,’’ he said.

Masari said the agency would work with BoI and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) on MSMEs development, skills training and acquisition as well as business services development.

“Part of our strategy is to create new clusters of businesses based on competitive and comparative advantages already identified through the OLOP initiative and raw materials mapping in the 774 Local Governments,” he added.

He said the government would set up an SME Council, comprising the federal, state and local governments to streamline and harmonise all SMEs development activities across the country to achieve maximum impact. ”If we are going to develop our economy and turn our quantity advantage into productive advantage, one of the most important sectors that we have to focus on is the MSME sector.”

Masari said the development of the sector would help in job and wealth creation, and address the problem of unemployment and youth restiveness in the country.

• Masari

• Aganga

He said the government was restructuring the organisation to achieve its mandate and added that SMEDAN had just opened new offices in 11 states.

Also, with the introduction of the over-the-counter (OTC) market by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), two weeks ago, SMEs seeking long-term funds no longer have to fear.

OTC is a decentralised market of securities not listed on an exchange,

where operators trade over the telephone or electronic network, instead of a physical trading floor, or central exchange. The OTC is designed to provide a platform for the companies to access funds from the market.

The Managing Director, NASD, Bola Ajomale, said the initiative means a lot to the SMEs. “Though the market is meant for any firm with signs of growth and good corporate governance,

‘Though the market is meant for any firm with signs of growth and good corporate governance, prominence is given to SMEs because they are the bedrock of any economy and not the blue chips. It will go a long way in providing funds for them to grow their business and enhance their potential’

prominence is given to SMEs because they are the bedrock of any economy and not the blue chips. It will go a long way in providing funds for them to grow their business and enhance their potential,” he said.

According to Ajomale, all that an interested company needs to do is to apply to raise funds through an initial public offer (IPO), before it is admitted as a security for trading on the platform through any of the 40 stockbrokers that have been registered

by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the apex regulator of the market and NASD. But it does not end there. SEC and NASD will conduct a thorough check on the security to verify the growth and corporate governance status of the company to determine whether it is good for the consumption of the public.

“We are encouraging small companies that want to get bigger, and by having this market in place, it means we are giving them a place to grow,” he stated.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

T

HE following is an imaginary commencement address to graduates about to work by the Chief Executive Officer of Accretive Solutions, Richard A. Moran, a social scientist and bestselling author. He’s an expert at organisation effectiveness (and recognised as a top LinkedIn Influencer!) He offers 20 pieces of amazing advice targeted specifically for new grads: 1. Avoid “Reply All”. It is the most dangerous button on your screen.

It looks innocent enough, a little envelope with an arrow. Hitting that innocuous looking icon can change the course of a career even at a tender age. Too often, the “Reply All” sends information to the people you least want to see it.

2. Remember that there is no “Never Mind” icon. I suspect this technology tip comes while many of you are laden with guilt that you don’t know how to code in Ruby on Rails or the latest language. You will always feel guilty about what you are unable to do technically.

Get over it and enjoy the wonders of the technology that you do

18 pieces of advice for new grads

By Olu Oyeniran

know even if it is only the on/off button.

3. Enjoy everything you know how to do right now because in a minute the technology will change and you won’t know how to do anything. And make sure you figure out how to save those photos you’ve been taking on your phone.

You will never look this good again.

4. Carry extra power cords. You can never have too many and don’t let others borrow them. You will not get them back.

5. Use the talk/voice function on your cell phone occasionally. The phone has a microphone that can come in handy when talking to Mom and Dad. They may want more details than a text can provide.

6. Don’t participate in a conference call from a public bathroom

stall. Everybody will know- it echoes!

7. Facebook Friends may or may not be real friends. Know the difference and pay attention to real friends. And remember we are all stalked on Facebook. Social media is probably less friendly than you think. It may be very so for you, if not for most people.

8. Be gentle with those who work around you. They are not “it”, even if they are so distant from you.

Reheat burritos at work sparingly, they smell up the whole place.

9. Never talk about pay or dwell on what early employees at Google or Facebook make. There will always be those who make more and those who make less. An African proverb says that you think your father’s farm is the biggest, until you visit somebody’s father’s farm. Pay is not everything. If you love what you do and you get paid for it, consider it a

bonus.

10. Assume that all things you do on your computer at work will be monitored and reviewed. Never let your guard down.

11. Co-workers should never see you naked – either digitally or literally.

12. Know what goes into a performance review and keep track of what you do during the year. No one else will keep track, not even your boss until appraisal time, except he is planning ‘evil’ against you.

13. The world is a difficult one now. Be security conscious: mind the friends you keep, what you say, especially in public places, maintain good relations with your neighbors, juniors, domestic employees and others.

14. Never go to more than two meetings a day.

15. Play hooky. When your team wins, when your spouse is available for a special day, when things are slow, when you really need a day to regroup, call in sick. Check your email while you are out.

16. Create a “Personal Board of Directors.” Since mentors are so difficult to find, make up your own board and imagine what advice they would give. My board is composed of three people who are no longer walking the earth.

17. Treat every job as if you will be there for a long time, even if you know you won’t be. If you are seen as a short-timer, no one will invest in making friends with you.

18. Where you work is like selecting a college. It’s not the best place that accepts you; it’s about the best match.

•Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

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International Business

Maersk shares jump by 7% on W S container profits

US new home construction rises

HARES in Maersk Group rose by nearly seven per cent after it reported a big rise in profits at its container shipping unit.

Maersk Line, the world’s biggest container shipper, reported a $439million (£281million) profit for the second quarter of the year, up from $227million a year earlier.

It accounts for about 15 per cent of the world’s container shipping capacity.

But the group as a whole, which includes oil drilling and other transport businesses, saw profits fall.

They were down 11 per cent to $856million, smaller than expected.

“We deliver a good operational result for the quarter thanks to improved performance in most of our businesses,” said Group chief executive Nils Andersen.

“Maersk Line has made strong and consistent progress and is now an industry leader in terms of profitability.”

There is always a striving for bigger, better and faster in terms of container ships” Analysts say the volumes of goods being shipped around the world is continuing to rise following the recessions that affected many of the world’s big importers.

But speaking to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Radio 4’s Today programme, Mark Williams, research director for Braemar Seasope, a ship broking company, said companies like Maersk and its competitors had spent too much money on big new container ships.

F

•Maersk Vessel

“There is an oversupply in container shipping capacity,” he said.

“Trade in containerised goods made mostly in Asia - that trade is actually growing and continues to grow out of the 2008-09 recession.

“Trade has been growing at a

fairly healthy lick as globalisation continues, but there has been an overinvestment in the ships themselves, which means there is too much competition.”

Maersk operates the world’s biggest container ship, the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller, which was

launched in February this year.

“There is always a striving for bigger, better and faster in terms of container ships,” Mr Williams said.

“Ship owners are always looking for economy of scale and efficiency of movement.”

how we can help our app partners provide a simpler commerce experience,” Facebook’s spokeswoman Tera Randall said in a statement.

She added that the firm has a “great relationship” with PayPal, one of the biggest processors of online payments.

This feature will help them demonstrate to the advertisers the effectiveness of its platform in driving revenue” Facebook has more than a billion members and half log in daily. Its popularity has seen it attract advertisers keen to tap into the potential consumer pool.

According to the its latest earn-

ings report, it generated advertising revenue of $1.6billion (£1billion) in the April to June quarter, this year.

Analysts said that if the site does eventually launch the payment feature it will help it track how many of its users actually purchased items from partner applications.

“Facebook does not want to remain just a platform for brand promotion and lead generation, but it wants to become the place where ecommerce deals actually happen,” Manoj Menon, managing director of consulting firm Frost & Sullivan told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

“This feature will help them demonstrate to the advertisers the effectiveness of its platform in driving revenue. It is a fantastic move by Facebook,” he added.

However, some analysts were sceptical if users would trust a social networking site with their financial information.

“Consumers want safe, seamless and convenient mobile payments and there are a growing number of competitors that consumers trust more, such as PayPal, Visa (V.me) and others,’ said Denee Carrington, an analyst with Forrester Research.

Facebook to test mobile payment feature

ACEBOOK, the world’s largest social networking company, is planning to test a new mobile payment feature.

It will use payment details added by users to their Facebook account to automatically fill in forms when they make purchases on mobile applications.

Various companies have been looking to tap into mobile payments markets.

However, Facebook said the feature would not involve moving the payment processing away from an app’s current service provider.

“This product is simply to test

Bank account switching service for launch in September

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ONEY account holders are being advised to contact their new bank, who will do all the switching for them The United Kingdom’s 46 million current account holders will be able to switch banks in seven days from next month.

After two years of preparation, the Payments Council has confirmed a new switching service will start on September 16.

Until now, transferring an account to a new provider has taken up to 30 days.

In anticipation of the new scheme, two banks are already offering customers an incentive of up to £125 to switch their current accounts to them.

The service is being launched following a recommendation from the Independent Commission on Banking two years ago, which said that people only changed bank accounts once every 26 years on average.

As a result 17 banks, involving 33 different brands, are promising that switching accounts will now be much quicker and hassle-free.

Wayne Audsley, an independent financial adviser from Hull, con-

tacted the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to say he plans to switch accounts as soon as possible.

“I have wanted to switch my account, but had put it off as I have no confidence in the system in its current format,” he said.

“Hopefully this new process will make it easier and I, for one, will be looking to switch as the deadline

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draws near.”

Last year, some two million people switched their account, roughly 2.5 per cent of the total.

As a result, the so-called “Big Four” High Street banks - Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC - retain control over the market.

Between them, they have a near 75 per cent share of current accounts,

according to figures from the Office of Fair Trading.

As a result, the government would like to see more people switching, although there is no official target.

But one measure by which the government might judge the success of the project is to see more people moving away from the biggest banks to stimulate competition.

Rupee falls to record low against dollar

URRENCY dealer, Mumbai Overseas Investors, have been pulling money out of Indian shares and debt on concerns over the economy.

The Indian rupee has hit a record low against the dollar despite recent efforts to prop-up the currency.

Last week, India’s central bank put further restrictions on the amount of money that companies and individuals can send out of the country.

That had little impact and the rupee fell to 62.03 to the dollar, below its previous low of 61.80 hit on August 6.

Overseas investors have been pulling money out of Indian shares and debt on concerns over the economy.

According to official data, international investors have withdrawn $11.58billion in shares and debt from India’s markets since the beginning of June.

India’s economy had been growing at a fast clip, reaching annual growth of nine per cent.

In recent months, it has seen a sharp decline largely because of a slowdown in its manufacturing and services sectors.

“There is a complete lack of faith in the markets. There are fears that

the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) measures may not help improve the rupee,” said Param Sarma, chief executive with NSP Forex.

Indian authorities are concerned that the weak rupee is stoking inflation.

The nation relies on imports of crude oil, chemicals and some foodstuffs, which are priced in dollars.

The weak rupee makes those more expensive, a cost that is eventually handed on to the consumer.

In July, India’s main gauge of inflation, the Wholesale Price Index, was 5.79 per cent high per cent in June.

ORKERS and wooden beams single-family homes have an outsize economic impact - for every singlefamily home built, at least three jobs lasting for a year are created.

The rate of new United States’ home-building rose in July, spurred on by a rise in the construction of new apartments.

The Commerce Department said new-home construction climbed by 5.9 per c ent from the prior month.

The yearly rate was 896,000 new homes, below a recent peak of just over one million in March.

The rate of new single-family houses being built dropped by 2.2 per cent- a sign that builders could be worried about rising mortgage rates.

Permits to build new homes rose 2.7 per cent but missed analysts’ expectations.

The rate for a 30-year mortgage was 4.4 per cent in July - a full percentage point higher than it had been in May, before the US Federal Reserve started hinting that it might begin to slow down its extraordinary efforts to prop up the US economy.

A spate of mixed economic data since then - including news that the US economy grew by 1.7 per cent in the second quarter - has tempered fears of an end to stimulus.

In a separate report, US workers continue to grow more productive although the rate of productivity growth has slowed since 2009.

Productivity grew by 0.9 per cent in the second quarter from the same period last year. Labour costs rose by 1.4 per cent, reversing a drop of 4.2 per cent in the prior quarter.

If productivity slows significantly, US companies might be forced to bring on more workers to make up for the slack.

Productivity growth has averaged two per cent a year since 1947, although it has slowed in recent years.

Swiss bank repays bailout loan

S

WITZERLAND’s central bank has said a loan it granted to bail out troubled bank UBS five years ago has been repaid.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports that the development means the bank can now buy back the once-toxic assets taken out of the bank at the height of the financial crisis.

The assets, worth $38.7billion (£24.7billion) at the time of the bailout, have since become profitable.

UBS, Switzerland’s biggest bank, has already said it plans to buy them back.

It described the buy-back as an “important step which will close this chapter in the firm’s history with a positive outcome”.

It would mark a significant milestone in the recovery of the bank, and Switzerland’s wider banking sector, following the banking crisis during which UBS came close to collapse.

In later 2008, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) was forced to set up a stabilisation fund into which illiquid assets could be transferred.

The SNB said the price UBS will pay for the assets will be determined by a valuation from independent agents.

The fund’s equity amounted to $5.5billion at the end of last year.

Banks in Europe and the US are still recovering from the financial crisis, with bailout money still to be repaid and many governments still heavily invested in their banking sectors.

The European Central Bank said on Friday that banks would return a further 654million euro (£558million) in crisis loans issued in 2011 and last year.

More than one trillion euro was lent out by the bank, and more than a quarter has so far been repaid.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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EMPOWERMENT CLINIC with

Treading the rough path to success whether you are going to just park there beside the road or turn on your indicator and move ahead.

Tendency to blame others

GOKE ILESANMI

T

HE road to success is very rough, thorny and hilly. In short, it is worse than any other very bad road. That is why it is not plied by many people. It requires a lot of bulldozing to make it passable. It is only those who are determined and can endure that are prepared to do the travelling along it. Many people prefer to take a smooth, wide and straight road that leads nowhere.

Comparison Success is about getting up one more time than one has fallen. Every ambitious person travels on the road of life, with optimism for some measure of success. Very often, one is one’s own worst enemy as one ignorantly builds stumbling blocks on the road leading to the destination of the target success and happiness. You may have encountered challenges that have blown you off track, but you alone have the unique ability to choose

There are basic causes of living an unsuccessful life. If you know them, you can avoid them. One of the major impediments along the road to success is the tendency to always blame others. We are masters at pinning the blame on others when things are not going our way. Dr. Bill Newman, a distinguished Australian speaker says in some countries when the government is appalling, those in business with a will to win will still be successful irrespective of the political party that is in power. This implies that the real battle is not with the others but with yourself.

Bad nostalgia Another impediment to success is the tendency to blame yourself.

This impediment can prove to be a disaster unless something is done about it. Though you may have physical problems or a tough start in life, it is time to stop your pityparty. You need to stop blaming your poor education. If you lack formal education, there is still the brain to use.

Do not allow your yesterday to cloud your today. It is time to get out of the slow lane and move fast.

Remember that past failures are

guideposts for future success.

Newman says it is easier to lie on a couch digging into the past than to sit on a chair facing the future.

Remember that some people are like teabags that will not unleash their latent potential until they go through some hot water.

Positive exploitation of your problems You need to turn your problems into a success catalyst to easily travel your road of accomplishment. It is said the only place where people do not have problems is the cemetery. This is untrue because some heartless people still go round cemeteries to disinter dead bodies for the purpose of selling the body parts to those indulging in rituals and other fetish engagements. So, the dead too have problems, especially in this part of the world. We do not want to be confronted with changes or problems. When God wants us to achieve success through challenges, we want to avoid them.

As John Maxwell, a renowned leadership expert and motivational speaker puts it, “We want deliverance without disturbance. We want the benefits without the bills. We want success without sacrifice. But it just doesn’t happen that way.”

Lack of goals Success has become more prob-

lematic since we became a highly mobilised, technologically advanced society. Anybody that wants to achieve success in life must decide what success means to him or her, set some goals in this direction and make every action he or she takes on a daily basis successful. He or she must decide how he or she wants to travel along the success path to his or her destination of accomplishment. If many of your goals are based on moneymaking, you will have to earn this money by providing a quality product or service to other people.

Jim Davidson, a popular humanresource-management consultant and professional speaker says the vehicle or means you will use to earn this money will be either a career or a job.

Since there is a vast difference between a career and a job in terms of potential benefits, you need to see clearly what each involves. A job is that which you do just because you want to earn your living. But a career is that which you are passionate about and ready to do for long or forever for the purpose of building a reputation.

Reinforcement A person without goals turns off the success highway too soon. Such people wait for something to turn up even when they turn everything down. As a way of motivating such people into action, they need to be educated on some of the accompanying benefits of goal-setting.

‘You need to turn your problems into a success catalyst to easily travel your road of accomplishment’

Harrison Salisbury says there is no short cut to life. Those who prefer taking short cuts are those that do not like to get out of their comfort zone. It is so easy to go into a comfort zone rather than go on with the fight and achieve great things.

Avoiding time-wasting Just like taking the wrong path or short cuts, you also need to be very careful not to fall prey to the temptation of taking the unnecessarily long route to success, thereby wasting your time. Time is the most precious thing that you have. You therefore need not waste it. As you begin each new day of your life, one thing you have in common with every other living person is the same amount of time.

If you want to use your time wisely as you seek success, you must understand that time is money. The actual value of your time is determined by the size of your goals and your commitment to them.

Final words Most times, it is impossible to develop a plan to get to where you want to go unless you first determine where you are now. By taking time for a check-up in your life now, you will have a better understanding of the talents and resources you have available as you plan for your future. Imagine yourself standing on top of a hill, ready to go down the other side. You know that going downhill is a lot easier than going uphill. But your cherished success is uphill.Go for success NOW. Till we meet on Wednesday.

WORKPLACE MATTERS

I

MTN vs Etisalat: Is business really war?

MMEDIATELY MTN released the popular portability advert recently, it (the advert) attracted commendation as well as condemnation from experts.

Though it is creative and logically communicative, it allegedly elicited expected protest from Etisalat, especially that Hafiz Oyetoro, a.k.a Saka who was formerly the face of the firm is used in the advert.

My major concern here is not about commending or condemning the action or reaction of any of the two telecoms operators.

Rather, it was inspired by the comments of some commentators justifying the advert on the grounds that “Business is war”.

The question is: Is business really a war (again)?

Genesis The theory of “business is war” was propounded by the likes of Gore Vidal who promoted the gospel of “it is not enough to succeed; others must fail”. As I said once, one word that is very critical and often misconstrued in business circles is “competition”.

“Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English” (2005 edition) defines “competition” as “a situation in which people or organisations try to be more successful than other people or organisations”. Probably as a result of rigid and negative interpretation of this definition by people and organisations, competition is taken to mean enmity.

Experts’ submission Professors Barry Nalebuff and

By Goke Ilesanmi

Adam Brandenburger, co-authors of “Co-opetition”, a book with a blended title realised from the structural fusion of the words “cooperation” and “competition”, affirm that the way people talk about business today, you cannot successfully apply the traditional language of “business is war” and “It is not enough to succeed; others must fail”. Why? The simple reason is that you have to listen to customers, work with suppliers, create teams, establish strategic partnerships, etc. Also, there are few victors when business is conducted as a war.

The typical result of a price war is surrendered profits all around the industry. For instance, the United States’ aviation industry lost more money in the price wars of 1990 to 1993 than it had previously made in all the time since Orville and Wilbur Wright. This is shocking and disheartening, isn’t it?

Reality, local and global examples Those who are in the same business with you are rivals not enemies. Through cooperating and competing with them, you may be able to cut unnecessary costs. In the telecoms business for example, nothing stops operators from cooperating when it comes to collectively using a single mast in a particular location to avoid unnecessary duplication of masts and competing when it comes to offering services to subscribers.

In short, based on this reality, the Nigerian Communications Commission has reportedly come up with the idea of infrastructure sharing among telecommunications operators in Nigeria to boost efficiency and reduce cost of operations. It was reported that about N253 billion has been saved by telecommunications operators through this initiative that borders on cooperation in terms of infrastructure and competition in terms of service.

Competition or business is no longer a war. Therefore, cooperate and compete. It is already happening across the world.

Findings show that Fiat and General Motors (GM), the world’s largest automobile makers, are exploring the possibility of setting up a power train-cum-engine plant at the Italian major’s facility in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra while Suzuki, a partner in Maruti is also a partner in the GM-Fiat global alliance, and could use the diesel engines produced in India.

Another advice by expert Kirti Desai, author of “101 Great Ideas to Boost Your Business”, the book which I reviewed last week, advises against direct confrontation with competitors.

Desai educates that you need to look for other mature and strategic ways of attracting more customers. He says if your competitors are heavy on advertising then go for promotional schemes like free gifts, discounts, lucky coupons, etc. Study your competitors minutely, including their products, business strategy, distribu-

tion network, price structure, promotional offers, future planning, etc. Now make comparison segment-to-segment with yours and see where you stand.

Other experts’perspectives In having a strategy, basically, there is a natural progression of perspectives from rigid competition through a combination of competition and co-operation to a very co-operative point of view.

When there are many companies operating in an industry, with all having competitive advantages, definitely opportunities to exploit mutual benefits become a necessary strategy issue.

As Bruce Greenwald and Judd Kahn, co-authors of the text entitled “Competition Simplified” say regarding the above scenario, elements of competition are still present, certainly, but now there is the possibility of doing better by taking the actions and reactions of others into account. “We explored these situations through the lens of traditional game theory, examining effective methods of balancing competition with the competitive situations most likely to occur.... We turn now to another perspective, looking at these inherently complicated situations purely as opportunities for cooperation,” Greenwald and Kahn expatiate.

Advertising guidelines In advertising, for instance, the use of comparatives (“better”, “brighter”, “faster”, etc.) and superlatives (“best”, “brightest”, “fastest”, etc.) is normally

marked by linguistic diplomacy.

That is, they are used without ignorantly including the correlative conjunction “than” and/or mentioning the names of the other competing brands. By keeping to the rule of advertising, we have for example, “Our public speaking programme is a better one” or “Our public speaking programme is the best”. Also to make great marketing impact, you need to market your strength instead of emphasising the weakness of competitors, which is de-marketing.

Last note Organisations that subscribe to the concept of “business is war” dissipate productive energy on de-marketing of competitors and end up destroying their industry and causing avoidable job losses. They spend the larger part of their precious time on how to drag competitors down instead of concentrating on how to inject innovation into their products or services so as to attract more customers and professionally increase their market share.

•GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Certified Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant.

Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

POLITICS

MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

45

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

•President Jonathan (second right), Vice President Namadi Sambo (second left), House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal (third left), Alhaji Tukur (right), Chief Anenih (left) and Secretary to the Government the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim (behind Tambuwal) after attending the meeting of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja.

Since 1999, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been grappling with crises under its successive national leadership, fuelled by the stiff competition for party power and government appointments, breach of party constitution and rule of law, politics of exclusion and ego war. However, in the last two years, it has got to a climax. Many state chapters are in chaos, owing to the absence of a strong crisis resolution mechanism. Can the acclaimed largest party put its house in order, ahead of the 2015 polls? EMMANUEL OLADESU, LEKE SALAUDEEN and AUGUSTINE AVWODE examine the fate of a big party facing a perilous future.

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PDP: Wobbling in crises

N the last 14 years, chieftains of the acclaimed largest party in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have often fuelled the tension in the polity through internal wrangling, which the party leadership has always failed to resolve, owing to the absence of a strategic crisis resolution mechanism and cumulative defective reconciliation.

In the last one year, the crises in the ruling party have soared geometrically. The acrimony, intrigues, backstabbing and civil war are proportional to the size of the platform, which the opposition has perceived as a bully at the periodic elections. Although the party has been in power at the centre since the restoration of civil rule in 1999, the successive Presidents it has produced have never truly emerged as the symbols of party unity and cohesion. Not only has the party incurred the wrath of the electorate for poor performance, the Presidents, who double as the National Party Leader, has always been divisive and destabilising factor in the party.

The PDP national leadership battles with protracted crises; the 36 state chapters are not insulated from the war of attrition. The troubled chapters are factionalised, with their caucuses working at cross purposes. As the PDP prepares for its special mini-convention this month, the atmosphere may again be charged. That the convention is holding underscores the deep-seated hostility, conflicts, personality clashes and ego war rocking the troubled family. The awful picture is the same across the six geo-political zones. Unless these multiple crises are resolved, observers contend that perilous times are around the corner for the party.

The Southwest chapter is at a crossroads. The reconciliation embarked upon by the Caretaker Committee led by Chief Ishola Filani has not restored peace and trust. The presence of a caretaker committee, instead of a democratically elected zonal leadership, shows that the zonal chapter is in a crisis. In the Northeast, local crises in Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Bauchi states, triggered by the competition for the control of the branches by the big chieftains, have led to confusion.

Also, in the Northwest, there is a crisis between the zonal leaders and the national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The camps loyal to some PDP governors from the populous zone have literarily passed a vote of no confidence on the national secretariat. In the Northcentral, top party leaders have been visiting havoc on the platform through the pursuit of inordinate ambition, ahead of 2015. In some of the state chapters there, the party is divided along the governorship interests of chieftains.

In Sokoto State, for example, Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his deputy, Muktar Shagari, are divided over the succession plan. Shagari stepped down for Wamakko in 2011. Since the governor is not supporting him for the slot in 2015, cracks have appeared on the wall.

The bitter struggle for the control of the party organs is also fierce among the party chieftains in the Southsouth and the Southeast. In the Southsouth, the President’s second term ambition is polarising the fold, despite being from the area. Unresolved party matters, including the politics of exclusion, winners take all and emasculation of opponents in intraparty squabbles, have bothered the founding fathers in the zone. Many party elders blame the scenario on the weakness of the national party leadership and the inability of the President to restore order into a state of pandemonium.

Lagos The foundation of the Lagos PDP was laid by notable progressives and influential Lagosians. But since the pioneer chairman, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, was shoved aside, the hawks have hijacked the leadership. The chapter has recorded the highest turnover of chairmen-Basorun, Alhaji Muritala Asorobi, Ajiroba Alaba Williams, Bayo Adebayo, Hon. Setonji Koshoedo and Capt.

Tunji Shelle. Amid the persistent crises, many founding members have defected to the ruling party in the state.

Many party chieftains believe that, since

Commodore Olabode George (rtd) became the arrowhead, peace has deserted the chapter. Today, key party leaders are up in arms against the Board of Trustees (BoT) member. Recently, a leading chieftain, Dr. Yomi Finnih, reflected on the crisis in the chapter. He complained that George has aborted the efforts to unite the polarised chapter by taking unilateral steps considered infuriating to other party leaders. Others have accused him of imposition of governorship candidate in the last election and preventing a proper congress from holding at the ward, local government and state levels. In fact, Finnih called for the dissolution of the State Executive Committee, saying that the congress that produced the state leaders was flawed.

Also, while the zone has endorsed the candidature of Prof. Olu Oladipo for the position of the Acting National Secretary, members alleged that George decided to back Dr. Remi Ibitoye for the same position. Today, the relationship between George’s supporters and other caucuses led by Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Chief Rafiu Jafojo is frosty.

Ogun

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GUN PDP is another house of war. The State Executive Committee led by Adebayo Dayo, an engineer, does not have the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his supporters. The former President had supported Senator Dipo Odujirin for hte chairmenship. Indeed, Obasanjo’s group has repeatedly shunned the activities of the party, since the court pronounced Dayo as the authentic chairman. The peace initiative by the chairman has been rebuffed. Recently, the supporters of former Governor Gbenga Daniel defected from the party to Labour Party (LP), from where they have been firing salvo to their former party. Efforts to reconcile Obasanjo camp and the state leadership not have yielded any positive result, despite President Jonathan’s peace moves and BoT Chairman Chief Tony Anenih’s reconciliation visit to the former President’s residence at Abeokuta. Reflecting

on the crisis in the chapter, Dayo said that certain party elders in the state have refused to embrace reality, wondering why they should constitute themselves into local warlords at a time they should be playing the role of father figures and conscience of the party.

Osun Since the ouster of Gen. Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the National Secretary, he has been bitter.

He believed that certain PDP stalwarts were behind his ordeal. The crippled relationship between him and Senator Iyiola Omisore is also obvious. In the view of the former governor, the decision to field Prof. Oladipo as the new secretary was made in bad faith at a time he is still in the court to reclaim the seat. Also, the preparation for the 2015 elections has created division in the party. Apart from Omisore, other governorship contenders include Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, Hon. Wole Oke, Chief Fatai Akinbade and Niyi Owolade. Since the allegation that Omisore may be imposed on the party, based on the consensus option, is rife, peace has left the chapter. A party elder, Senator Olu Alabi however, said in Lagos during the zonal meeting that the chapter is peaceful.

Ekiti There are four camps in the Ekiti PDP revolving around the Police Affairs Minister Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, former Governors Ayo Fayose and Segun Oni, and Maganjuola Ogundipe, who is the chairman.

The crisis escalated last year during the preparation for congresses. Fayose succeeded in installing the majority of the state executive committee members. A parallel executive supported by the camps opposed to him challenged Ogundipe to a duel. But when he fully gained control, crisis broke out between Ogundipe and his benefactor, Fayose.

Also, since he was shoved aside from the National Executive Committee as the National •Continued on page 46

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POLITICS

• Dr Jonathan

• Obasanjo

• Tukur

• Ekweme

• Anenih

PDP: Walking in the valley of crises

•Continued from page 45

Vice Chairman and Southwest leader, Oni and his supporters have been bitter against some party leaders from the state, who raised eyebrow that the zonal congress that produced him as the national secretary in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, violated the laid down rules.

However, the bone of contention in the Ekiti PDP now is the preparation for the next year governorship election. A section of the party has embraced the proposed consensus option, but other members have insisted on party primaries. The opposing groups have clashed at the party secretariat. Many sustained injuries.

The matter has not been resolved.

Ondo

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HE Ondo State chapter is like a wounded lion. Since the chapter lost power to the LP, the chieftains claimed that they have been left in the cold. To survive, some PDP members have gravitated towards the LP governor. Thus, during the last governorship election, they worked against the candidate, Chief Olusola Oke. The decision to disown Oke, a former National Legal Adviser, led to the factionalisation of the party during the electioneering. The candidate complained to the national secretariat, but no concrete step was taken to whip the pro-LP supporters in the PDP to line. Defending their action, they claimed that they were plotting the return of the governor to the PDP.

Adamawa The internal feud in the Adamawa State PDP has polarised the party into two factions. At a time, there were two state executives. The Umaru Kugama group is loyal to Governor Murtala Nyako. But Chief Joel Hammanjoda Madaki executive was put in place by Bamanga Tukur who hails from Adamawa State.

The fight over the control of the party, according to analysts is largely due to 2015. Who succeeds Nyako as the governor? Tukur’s son, is believed to be preparing ground for his son who is eyeing the seat. Governor Nyako has his own preferred candidate.

Kugama executive was sacked by the court on the ground that the executive committee was constituted in breach of the paty’s constitution. However, Nyako loyalists insist that Kugama was duly elected to serve for a period. Their argument was premised on the fact that Kugama should not suffer for a wrong he had no hands in.

Kugama has described the internal wrangling within the party as a fight over political bounties. He said Governor Nyako was just grappling with an age-long tradition of sharing state resources among the upper echelon after the political victory. “What the governor met on ground was ‘come let us chop’ kind of situation, but he said no, it must not continue,” he said.

Amid of the controversy, the Tukur-led National Working Committee (NWC) suspended Kugama and a caretaker chairman, Damagun, was appointed after a controversial state congress, was conducted, leaving out the Nyakoled PDP in the cold. It was that congress that produced Madaki. The Tukur-led PDP NWC recognises Madaki-led executive in Adamawa State.

The relationship between the two factions has become so irreconcilable that those loyal to Governor Nyako are already seeking alternative plans to join a vibrant opposition party

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Tragedy of an octopus

ATTERS are now complicated in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its vast members unleash anger at its various levels of leadership. The crises tearing apart the warring chieftains are multi-dimensional. But, they have nothing to do with ideological revival because the party lack an ideological orientation.

There is no evidence to prove that the various forces struggling for the soul of the party are not influenced by any commitment to the national interest. The goal, analysts argue, is personal survival.

It is a tragedy that the supposedly successful party has failed to manage its controversial electoral achievements in five of the six geo-political zones. There is no place for gerontocratic monitoring. The founding fathers now take the back seat as the successors that they had installed through undemocratic method have shoved them aside from the sphere of influence.

In the PDP, the doctrine of party supremacy is projected and party discipline is demanded by a party leadership that has failed to inspire trust and confidence among the members. Now, the motivation is 2015, or the secahead of 2015.

Kano

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HE leadership crisis is rocking the Kano State chapter of the PDP with the emergence of two factions, each challenging the legitimacy of the other. One of the factions is headed by Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Sumaila .

The second called Garkuwa group, headed by a former Senator, Alhaji Aminu Inuwa is claiming to be authentic.

Sumaila, who prides himself as the legitimate chairman of the party and leader of Kwankwasiyya PDP, said the activities of those parading themselves as factional leaders of the party was illegal as he warned them to recant their position and toe the ;line of the legitimate leadership of the party under his stewardship. He insisted that his council was legitimate stating “that a congress was held which heralded our emergence as leaders of our great party in Kano State”.

But the spokesman of Garkuwa group Alhaji Sule Chamber described the congress as a Kangaroo gathering, saying that his group is challenging the state leadership because it lacks legitimacy.

Sumaila responded that “all the Gakuwa group are doing is peddling lies and creating confusion in the state. He said those insinuating that they are recognised leaders of PDP in Kano state were the people that connived with the opposition parties in 2011 to frustrate the PDP. They hoped to see PDP downfall but they were disgraced. We can no longer trust them because they are sabotaging our efforts.

He added that now that they and their copartners have lost in the last election, they are fabricating all sorts of lies with a view to diverting the attention of real PDP supporters in the state.

However, it was learnt that the national secretariat of PDP recognises the Garkuwa group.

All federal appointments meant for Kano state

By Emmanuel Oladesu

ond term ambition of the President. Governance, or the implementation of the transformation agenda, is secondary. Sometimes, the President is somehow above the party. It is because the platform has always paled into the personal property of the national leader, who shares the positions to loyalists in the fiefdom.

The incessant national leadership crises, the breach of party rules and deviation from the vision of its founding fathers are at the root of the PDP’s slide. It is thus a big, yet unhealthy party, sustained, as the opposition has alleged, by monumental malpractices by its clever leaders who can fix victory at gunpoint.

The foundation of any organisation is important. It may determine its future existence and survival. PDP may have derailed the day it gave a waiver to an outsider, who never won his ward and local government, as demanded by its rules, to become its presidential flag bearer. Henceforth, the activities of President continue to shape the trend of events in the party. At that point too, the journey to this difficult time begun. are routed through the group. The Kwankwasiyya group loyal to Governor Musa Kwankwaso too is also claiming supremacy saying: “We are the real leaders recognised by the national secretariat and we are in control of the party in the state.”

A reconciliation committee set up by the national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur to investigate the root cause(s) of the crisis and unite the warring factions had submitted its report.

The report is yet to be made public let alone being implemented.

Sokoto There is cold war between Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his deputy, Moukhtar Shagari, over the 2015 election. Shagari wants to step in as governor, having served as Wammakko’s deputy for eight years. But Wammakko is shopping for a candidate of his own. The disagreement over who will be the party flag bearer has polarised the PDP in Sokoto State.

The Wamakko/Shagari face-off has brought to the front burner why governors do not want their deputies to succeed them. Are the deputies incompetent to govern or are the governors afraid that their deputies will expose them of certain ‘deals’ which the deputies were not part of? Unless this issue is resolved amicably before 2015, the crisis in the Sokoto PDP may likely affect the party and its electoral fortune in the state.

Benue All is not well with the Benue chapter of the PDP. In Benue State, Governor Gabriel Suswan and Senator Bernabas Gamade are at war over their senatorial ambitions. The party has broken into factions at the local government level, ahead of 2015. The local governments congresses held recently were marred with violence instigated by different political groups within the party. For instance two persons were

killed while the residence of the Chairman, Gwer local government was razed in a crisis that engulfed Aliade following a clash of rival political thugs at the PDP local government congress held in the area.

The crisis broke out in the political volatile town when the result of the local government ward congress indicated that the camp of a serving commissioner in the state had taken the lead. The outcome of the process was however rejected by another faction led led by a federal legislator who alleged that the local government council chairman skewed the process to favour his political godfather.

HE PDP is not at peace with some of its governors in the north. At the centre of the crisis is the alleged desire of President Goodluck Jonathan to seek a second term on the one hand and the attempts by some people within the party to ensure that the presidency goes to other parts of the country in 2015.

It is an open secret that the relationship between Jonathan and the five governors have been anything but cordial, especially since last May after the Nigerian Governors’ Forum election where the five governors allegedly backed the chairman of the NGF, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State. The northern governors confronting the president are Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa).

Governor Aliyu had earlier disclosed that President Jonathan signed an agreement with the PDP northern governors that he would spend one term as a condition for endorsing him as party candidate in 2011. Jonathan denied signing such agreement. But Aliyu promised to make the agreement public at the appropriate time.

Perhaps what really compounded the crisis was Jonathan’s continued recognition of David Jang as the NGF’s chairman thus rubbishing the claims by his aides that President had no hand in the NGF crisis.

The aggrieved governors had held meetings with past military and civilian presidents asking them to intervene and prevail on Jonathan not to avoid taking stance that could truncate the nation’s democracy.

At the meeting held with President Jonathan recently the five governors listed out three conditions for peace to reign in the country and within the PDP. They are asking the President to: Withdraw support to Governor Jonah Jang as the chairman of the NGF and confer recognition on the elected chairman and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; Sack the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, through the instrumentality of the coming special convention of the party and intervene in the crises in the Rivers’ chapter of the PDPand the House of Assembly, for a return of peace to the state.

Weeks after the governors bared their minds at a secret meeting with the President in Aso Rock Villa, the President is yet to respond to the three demands put before him by the northern governors.

Analysts told our correspondent that President would not address those issues because doing so would amount to victory for the five governors and the interest they represent.

An indication that President Jonathan would not budge came when his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, lashed out at the five governors for visiting

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POLITICS

Can PDP overcome its crises?

•Continued from page 46

Generals Babangida and Abubakar in Minna, accusing them of crying wolf and raising false alarm, where none existed.

Making reference to the crisis in Rivers State, Okupe described it as a “local affair”, which does not have any repercussions on the nation’s polity as being feared by most watchers of the polity. He said: “These political moves, which are clearly intended to create fear, despair and apprehension among Nigerians are grossly unfounded, misplaced and a deliberate over sensationalisation of the situation.

Rivers State

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N Rivers State, struggle for the soul of the party is between Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike.

On April 15, an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice Ishaq Bello sacked the pro- Governor Amaechi state executive of the party led by Chief Godspower Ake. Justice Bello, in his ruling, approved the election of the pro- Wike faction led by Felix Obuah. In reaching the decision, the court, after assuming jurisdiction to entertain the suit, upheld the deposition of the chairman of Edo State PDP, Mr. Dan Orbih, who had averred that the result, which Chief Akeh was parading, never came from the Congress, which he conducted in Rivers State.

The congress, which was conducted in February 2011, was disputed by Obuah, who claimed that he was the validly elected chairman and not Ake. In a swift move to put a nail on the coffin of the ousted Ake executive, the national leadership of the PDP responded to a court verdict, sacking the state executive committee and speedily inaugurating the new executive committee. The National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwom, who conducted the swearing-in ceremony in Abuja, said the PDP leadership decided to constitute the new state executive, having been served with a court order to that effect.

It was learnt that the urgency in constituting the new executive was apparently to whittle down the influence of Governor Amaechi over the party structure in the state.

Since then, the crisis in the state chapter has snowballed into a national issue, with five governors of the party from the North insisting that it has the potential of derailing the present democracy. Besides, loyalists in both camps have queued behind their warring ‘leaders’ in a no retreat, no surrender stance.

Abia State In Abia State, the party is sitting on a keg of gun power. As it is now, discontent in the chapter is obvious.

Going by the development in the party a volcano may erupt anytime.

The return of the former Governor Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, to the party he left to form the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in 2007 caused an uproar in the state. Governor Theodore Orji led the three senators and House of Representatives members from the state to kick against Kalu’s return.

The governor, the federal lawmakers and other party stakeholders warned the PDP leadership against the consequences of readmitting Kalu into the party. A protest letter by the group, under the banner of Abia PDP Stakeholders, was submitted to the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The group explained that readmitting Kalu into the PDP would return the party to the battlefield.

The group further warned that “if Chief Kalu is allowed to return, he would do so with his loyalists in

• Nyako

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• Amaechi

• Wamakko

Endless crises, futile reconciliation

ECONCILIATION has never worked in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Following reconciliation, the party lords often sheathe their swords temporarily only to return to the battle field later with more aggression.

ADP elder, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, said that reconciliation in the party has not achieved positive results because of hypocritical commitment. He acknowledged that the crisis in the party are self-inflicted.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Prince Tony Momoh, said that peace has always eluded the party because of the inordinate ambition of leading members, who have turned the party into a personal property after edging out its founding fathers.

He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party has many well meaning, mature, committed politicians that came together to form the party. I mean the likes of Chief Alex Ekweme, Solomon Lar, the late Abubakar Rimi and they meant well for Nigeria. They wanted to grow Nigeria; they had a programme of achieving this. The group that I am talking about included Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, but unfortunately, after 2003, those who inherited the structure distanced themselves from the programme.”

He said they also invaded the electoral body, compromised the integrity of the courts and exercised unearned powers.

Momoh added:“The previous arrangement or previous path of the People Democratic Movement (PDM) which was Yar’Adua’s party that Atiku inherited, was changed when Obasanjo had it deregistered. The PDM was the most organised group within the PDP. After Obasanjo return in 2003 when he had to kneel down to beg Atiku in the course of seeking re-election and how he later wage a war of attrition against Atiku and his loyalists. You can now see that between 1999 when we went back to civil rule, that journey was truncated through greed and corruption. PDP which has been the umbrella of such evil has been caught by the law of diminishing return. It is facing the problem which it cannot recover from”

the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). Where and how will they be accommodated? If they attempt to dislodge the existing structures, which are a product of a harmonised agreement among major interest groups and prominent individuals in the state, a violent struggle for power will ensue.It was a similar struggle which caused the rift in Enugu State and eventually set the stage for the un-ceremonial exit of Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo as national chairman.”

The situation on ground now is that Kalu is claiming to be a PDP member while the governor is disputing that claim. But while it may be correct to say that the party is not factionalised in the state for now, the question of Kalu’s status in the party has all the capacity to provoke an internal crisis in the state.

By Musa Odoshimokhe

A political analyst, Mallam Moyo Jaji, corroborated the position of Momoh, he said: “The problem with the PDP has to do with the fact that it derailed from the objectives of the founding fathers of the party.

Moreover, most of those who formed the party in one way or the other have been sent out of the party.

There has not been internal democracy in the party.

A good example is the Southwest, where Olusegun Obasanjo made the party his personal property and imposed people on the party.

“The bad experience was not limited to the Southwest alone, it was replicated in the Southeast. We could see what happened to Chris Nigige in the hands of the Uba brothers, where he was kidnapped by the Deputy Inspector General of Police. There must be respect for equity, fairness and fair play for peace to reign this is now uncommon in the PDP”.

Former National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Secretary-General, Chief Frank Kokori said the PDP chieftains were scrambling for the national cake.

“What is happening today is having a honey pot.

When there is honey pot there is this crazy to grab and consume it. The PDP for now is very attractive and lucrative; it is the biggest business in the country now. It is the party everybody wants to be and because it is the ruling party, it is like a big business for those who want to get from the honey pot.

“The 2015 is equally connected to the unfortunate development in the country. People want to grab power at all cost. So, 2015 is the main thing that has caused the country so much trouble and pain. That is why they are all struggling to reposition themselves.

The whole country is looking toward PDP who are not thinking of the people themselves. The party is facing people largely because it is power drunk without thinking of the people who they should serve.

They are not bothered with happenings in the country rather it is the amount of wealth they can accumulate to themselves is what that really matters”.

Anambra State

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N Anambra State, the crisis rock ing the party may eventually consume it in the November 16 governorship election, except, the party bows to the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Both INEC and the PDP are in disagreement over who is the authentic chairman of the party in the state. While the commission has insisted that it will only work with Ejike Ogbubego and his committee, the party on the other hand, recognises Ken Emeakayi.

The electoral umpire has no intention of bending backwards to accepting the wish of the party that it should recognise Emeakayi. In a letter dated August 11 and signed

by U. F. Usman on behalf of its Secretary, INEC said it did not moni-

tor the congress that threw up Emeakayi as the Chairman of PDP in the state; neither was it aware of any court judgment, which replaced Mr Ogbuebego with Emeakayi as being claimed, particularly, when the commission was not a party in the case.

The letter was addressed to the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Chibudom Nwuche because the National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur was said to be away in Saudi Arabia performing the lesser hajj.

The party, perhaps to be sure of its status, had written a letter to the commission on July 31, asking it to relate with Mr Emeakayi as the chairman.

The commission explained that it monitored the state congress of the PDP in Anambra State in 2010, which produced Emma Nweze as the chairman. INEC said that he later re-

‘The Peoples Democratic Party has many well meaning, mature, committed politicians that came together to form the party. I mean the likes of Chief Alex Ekweme, Solomon Lar, the late Abubakar Rimi and they meant well for Nigeria. They wanted to grow Nigeria; they had a programme of achieving this. The group that I am talking about included Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, but unfortunately, after 2003, those who inherited the structure distanced themselves from the programme’

signed the position, adding that it did not have any record of Mr Emeakayi’s emergence chairman.

The commission also said that in March 2012, the PDP conducted another congress in Anambra.

Ogbuebego was elected the chairman.

The umpire said: “Both PDP and the Commission continued to accord recognition to Ejike Ogbuebego as the chairman of the party in Anambra State, until the Commission received the letter of the National Chairman on 31st July, 2013. The Commission notes with abhorrence, the deliberate concealment of the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court delivered on 5th of July, 2012 in the suit between Emma Mbamalu and the Peoples Democratic Party by which the court declared the Ward, Local Government and State Congress held in March 2012 in Anambra State at which Ejike Ogbuebego emerged as State Chairman of PDP, Anambra State as null and void and ordered the PDP to conduct another congresses in Anambra State, though the Commission was not a party in the suit. “The revelation of the existence of the judgment by the PDP on July 31, 2013 has imposed serious constraints on both the commission and the party.

This has pushed the PDP in the state back to the brink. It is left for it to find a way round this problem.

Enugu

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HE source of tension here is which zone should produce the next occupant of the Lion Building, as the Government House, Enugu is called, in 2015. Governor Sullivan Chime is insisting that, for equity and fairness, his successor should come from the Nsukka Zone.

Enugu North Senatorial District, dominated by the people of Nsukka Cultural Zone, produced the first civilian governor Nwodo, in 1992. He did not however, serve out his fouryear term as a result of the return of the military in 1993. Enugu-East Zone, dominated by Nkanu people, produced the second elected governor in 1999, in the person of Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, when the country returned to the civil rule. In 2007, the position moved to Enugu-West Zone, with Chime emerging as the governor in what appeared like a rotational arrangement.

Apart from the fact that Enugu North is the only zone that is yet to hold the governorship position for at least four years, the zone also possess over 40 per cent of the voting population, according to the last national census figures. Nsukka Zone is the only area among the three zones that has remained intact since the old Anambra State. The other two, which used to accommodate parts of Ebonyi State, have been split into four zones, with two of the zones located in the Enugu and Ebonyi states.

At a town hall meeting in May, Governor Chime declared that PDP has already zoned the governorship to Enugu North. He advised politicians with governorship ambition from other zones to bury their aspirations.

But soon after the campaign posters of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu appeared in Enugu, the state capital, and parts of the Nsukka zone. The sight of the posters raised concern among the people. The posters have since raised tension in the in political circles in the state. The tension is not because Ekweremadu is not qualified to contest the governorship position, it is because having him in the race could, in view of his elevated position, alter what is emerging as the zoning arrangement. Ekweremadu hails from Enugu West, the same zone with Chime. But his area, Aninri local government, has also complained that they are marginalised in the scheme of things in the state. How this will be resolved, especially as 2015 draws dangerously near, is left to be seen.

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50 USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the following useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. The general public may easily contact KAROTA for breakdown of Vehicle(s), traffic congestion, accidents, and illegal/wrong parking on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

110TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

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ommitment to the necessity to fulfill Campaign and Inauguration promises drives the incumbent administration in Kano State, under the second tenure of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, to persistently convene Executive Council Meetings on Wednesday of every week to deliberate upon policy issues and programs so as to positively deliver for the needs and aspirations of the citizenry.

The Governor is optimistic and has faith in the State in particular and the nation in general. This reality made him to undertake policies aimed at solving the State’s multiple of problems.

Kano State is not only working but is witnessing an unprecedented era of massive socioeconomic development, which has transformed the lives of the citizenry. This Government recognizes the importance of education, healthcare, agriculture and the provision of infrastructure leading to the formulation of progressive policies by the administration. Education is now being made accessible to all with the construction of more schools, classrooms and laboratories. The Government is expanding educational infrastructure in order to cope with the demand of the teeming population. More than 2000 qualified teachers were employed to man these schools. In the process of improving the quality of teaching staff hundreds are sponsored for higher education. Of recent, agreement was reached for the sponsorship of teachers under the Science Technical School Board to attend training in Britain. This is besides the establishment of a new university, the Northwest University, which has already admitted 1000 students.

On agriculture, the administration is determined in its transformation through the provision of inputs, such as fertilizer, mechanization, and training. Agricultural institutions, such as the Livestock Institute, Poultry Institute, Farm Mechanization Institute, Irrigation Institute and Fisheries Institute were established to train the teeming youths in modern methods of agriculture. Fertilizers worth over N4 billion were procured and distributed to farmers for rain and dry seasons farming periods.

The aim is to ensure that farmers are engaged in agriculture all year round. Efforts are being made to transform the State farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

Because of the importance attached to infrastructural development, the State is changing as roads construction within and outside the metropolitan Kano is consuming over N100 billion, while over N7 billion is being expended on housing projects at Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo cities. The administration is aware of the need for the provision of good shelter leading to this gigantic housing progress never seen in the history of the State. These cities are being established to be serviced by adequate drainage systems, roads and other infrastructure.

Transformation requires a mindset aimed at improving governance in government. This Administration is a purposeful one, aims at bringing befitting and benefiting development in the State. It is not a government of promises meant not to be delivered or fulfilled. It is a government of realities and of fulfilling promises. Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso provided the purposeful leadership required by the State and this is becoming clearer by the minutes. The Governor is ensuring security and safety of the people, providing basic economic and social needs, creating an enabling environment for the people to develop and progress. Thousands of youths are trained self-reliance skills and are now self-employed.

As usual, Today Wednesday 7th August, 2013 (1th Shawwal, 1434 AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and tenth (110th) sitting under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE during which seven (7) MDAs submitted thirty-nine (39) memoranda for deliberation for the development of the State. Thirteen (13) of them were approved for execution with an expenditure of Three Hundred and Four Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand and Nine Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira and Eighty-Five Kobo (N304,583,955.85). Thus: 1. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT Twenty-Two (22) of the thirty-nine (39) memoranda were submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for deliberation by Council on behalf of other MDAs. Out of the Twenty-Two submitted nine (9) were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for Funds to Enable the Procurement and Allocation of Vehicles in Respect of the State Censorship Board:The Kano State Censorship Board submitted a request for the kind consideration of Council for the procurement and allocation of five (5) official vehicles to facilitate the conduct of its official responsibilities of monitoring the activities of film production, direction and distribution in the State, which entails constant movement from one point to another.

Considering the significance of the request, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government recommended to Council to consider and approve the release of the sum of N11,250,705.00 to enable the purchase and allocation of One New KIA Saloon Car (at the sum of N3,750,705.00) and One New Hiace 18 – Seater Bus (at the cost of N7,500,000.00).

Council noted, considered and approved the release of N3,750,705.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to process the purchase of one (1) brand new KIA Rio– and the allocation of one fairly used Toyota Hiace bus in respect of the State Censorship Board to facilitate conduct of its responsibilities. b. Presentation of Request for Funds for the Procurement of Fifteen (15) User Licenses of Computer Diagnostic Tools and PC Scope Kits:The State Ministry of Science and Technology, as the custodian

of ICT Education in Kano State, submitted a request for the release of the sum of N5,078,850.00, through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. This was in order to enable the procurement of Computer diagnostic tools and PC Scope kits to augment the available facilities for the full take – off of the proposed Computer Library in the State.

Importantly, the Library is designed to perfect the art of diagnosing problems that impede Computer Systems from functioning correctly and render effective maintenance service in tune with the best practices using State of the art equipment thereby saving public Computers from guesswork in the course of repairs by technicians.

Significance of the request prompted Council to approve the release of the sum of N5,078,850.00 to the Ministry of Science and Technology to facilitate the purpose stated above. c. Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of the 2013 State Schools Sports Festival Tagged “Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso Cup” for Boys and Girls Secondary Schools in Kano State:-

Scouting for talents to represent Kano State in various annually organized Championships by the Nigerian Schools Sports Federation (NSSP), the Ministry of Education requested for release of funds by Council to conduct the 2013 State Sports Festival tagged “Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso Cup” for Boys and Girls Secondary Schools in Kano State at GSS Karaye and GSS Kura respectively in the 3rd and 4th weeks of August, 2013.

As such, Office of the Secretary to the State Government endorsed the request and recommended to Council to approve the release of the trimmed down sum of N4,000,000.00 to enable the conduct of the 2013 Schools Sports Festival.

The request was considered relevant as Council approved the release of the recommended trimmed down sum of N4,000,000.00 to the State Ministry of Education to enable the conduct of the 2013 Schools Sports Festival. d. Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Severance Gratuity in Respect of Two (2) Permanent Secretaries:Office of the Head of Civil Service submitted the request cited above for consideration by Council. The two (2) severed Permanent Secretaries are entitled to a statutorily benefit of the aggregate sum of N7,500,660.00 respectively disaggregated to N3,750,330.00.

Council approved the release of the sum of N7,500,660.00 to the Office of the Head of Civil Service to enable compliance with the Statutory Obligation stated above. e. Request for Funds to Sponsor Fifty-Six (56) Judiciary Officers to Attend the 2013 Nigerian Bar Association Annual Conference Scheduled (25th – 30th August, 2013) in Calabar, Cross Rivers States:Contents of this memorandum presented a submission from the Kano State Judiciary requesting for funds to sponsor fifty-six (56) Officers to attend the 2013 Nigerian Bar Association Conference scheduled (25th – 30th August, 2013) in Calabar, Cross Rivers States.

Though significant, Office of the Secretary to the State Government alerted Council of the fact that, the Office of the Attorney General professionally observed that the request is only relevant for Magistrates and therefore recommended thirty (30) such Officers along with the Chief Registrar to attend the Conference. Details of the financial implications to sponsor the thirty-one (31) Officers for the six (6) days (25th – 30th August, 2013) event cited above were presented for consideration by Council. The request total up to the aggregate sum of N5,158,000.00 to cater for the Officers ranging from Salary Grade Level 12 – 17 and the Secretary JSC as well as the Chief Registrar to attend the conference.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N5,158,000.00 to the State Judiciary to facilitate the purpose cited above. f. Presentation of report on the Appointment of Muhammad Bilyaminu Ado as Deputy Director, Kano Entrepreneurship Development Institute:Office of the Secretary to the State Government informed Council through the contents of this memorandum that Muhammad Bilyaminu Ado has submitted his formal letter of acceptance of his appointment as Deputy Director, Kano Entrepreneurship Development Institute with effect from 12th July, 2013.

Nevertheless, the Officer forwarded a copy of his May, 2013 pay slip while serving at Kano State College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies and solicited for the approval of Council to maintain his monthly salary including other entitlements attached to his current Office.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested since the services currently rendered by the Deputy Director are similar (i.e. academic/at a Tertiary Institution). g. Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Furniture Allowances to the Six (6) Recently Appointed Permanent Secretaries:The Statutory relevance of this request from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government prompted Council to approve the release of the sum of N22,461,660.00 for disbursement at the presented equal rate to the six (6) recently appointed Permanent Secretaries in Kano State. h. Presentation of report on the Merger Between Dala Building Society Plc (DBS) and SunTrust Saving and Loan Limited:The Dala Building Society Plc jubilantly intimated Council of its fulfilment of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) requirements for merger with the SunTrust Saving and Loan Limited as approved by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). Details were presented for consideration by Council. However, the DBS is making efforts towards conclusion of the transaction Council was further informed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. Council appreciatively acknowledged the

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso presentation. i. Request for Funds as Assistance to Kano Pillars Football Club and Kurna Samba Football Club to Represent Kano State at the Federation Cup Competition:The Federation Cup Competition is the most prestigious football competition organized by the Nigerian Football Federation. Kano Pillars Football Club and Kurna Samba Football Club qualified to participate in the competition for the year 2013.

As such, the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture requested Council to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N2,000,000.00 as assistance to the two clubs as Kano State representatives at the competition. The request was presented and endorsed for consideration by Council through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to which approval was granted for the release of the requested sum of N2,000,000.00 for onward payment to the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture for disbursement at the rate of N1,000,000.00 to each of the two Clubs.

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The Ministry of Science and Technology tabled one memorandum, which was approved by Council.

Presentation of report on Re–Negotiating of Sub–Franchise of Kano Informatics Institute and Request for Funds to Facilitate Subsequent Change to Internationally Approved Training Center with a Master Franchise:The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Science and Technology informed Council of the compliance of his Ministry to the Executive directives issued via Council Extract NO SSCA/ CA/EX/4/I/357 dated 5th June, 2013, in respect of re– negotiation of the sub– franchise mandate with Jigawa State Institute of Information Technology (JSIIT) for the next one (1) year with effect from September, 2013. Sourcing of direct franchise with recognized Institutions in Singapore, Malaysia, etc was also discussed. The assignment was diligently pursued but yet to be concluded. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Science and Technology requested Council to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N44,481,225.00 as the training cost for two hundred (200) Students in three (3) programmes of the next batch of intakes into the Kano Informatics Institute.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N44,481,225.00 to the Ministry of Science and Technology as the training cost for two hundred (200) Students in three (3) programmes of the next batch of intakes into the Kano Informatics Institute.

2. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Seven (7) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning. Three (3) of them were approved for execution as follows: a. Presentation of Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Compensation for Some Omitted Structures at Kwankwaso Township Road Projects:Contents of this memorandum amply notified Council of the ongoing project at Kwankwaso Town for the construction of township roads and Juma’at Mosque expansion. Approval was granted for the payment of compensation on the affected structures, which were valued at N105,395,747.00 via Council Extract NO SSCA/CA/EX/4/I/12 of 11th February, 2013.

Nevertheless, complaints were received from some residents affected by the projects, which indicated omission of some structures in the compensation paid earlier. As such, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning undertook an inspection visit and confirmed/identified four (4) structures omitted belonging to different individuals, which comprised three (3) mud – type semi-permanent buildings and one (1) cement – type permanent building with perimeter wall fence. These structures were assessed and valued at the aggregate cost of N654,040.00, which was requested for release by Council to be paid as compensation to the affected owners.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N654,040.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the payment of compensation for the omitted structures cited above. b. Presentation of the Revised Cost of Mandawari to Aminu Kano Way Road Construction Project and Request for Funds to Settle Outstanding Payment to the Contractor:The Mandawari to Aminu Kano Way Road construction project has been identified as an abandoned project that requires revival and the Contractor (Messrs. Borini Prono) has mobilized back to site since December, 2012 for the completion of the project awarded at the initial cost of N396,608,774.63.

However, the Contractor, Management Consultants and KNUPDA conducted a joint inspection of the project based on which analysis was made, which presented a new scope of work that made the initial contract sum to increase with the sum of N119,498,815.85 to a new cost of (N396,608,774.63 + N119,498,815.85) = N516,107,590.50 for the Contractor to complete completion the project.

Additionally, the Contractor has an outstanding payment of two (2) Certificates to the tune of N54,167,110.17, which was requested for release by Council. Details were presented for

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013 consideration.

Approval was granted for the review of the construction and subsequent payments on the presentation of Certificate of work.

Likewise, the State Ministry of Finance was directed to release the outstanding payments of Certificates number 2 and 3 totalling the sum of N54,167,110.17 to the Contractor (Messrs.

Borini Prono). c. Request for Funds for the Routine Maintenance Works of Metropolitan Roads by KNUPDA:Provision of infrastructure within and outside the metropolis is a principal preoccupation of the present administration under the capable leadership of the second incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. In fact, over N300 million was expended on road maintenance and the provision of infrastructure within the metropolis. The significance attached to this program led to the establishment of a new parastatal, Kano Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA) by the present administration.

Notably, approval was recently granted in May, 2013 for release of sum of N90,000,000.00 for the continuation of routine road maintenance of Metropolitan Roads by KNUPDA. The money was judiciously expended to the level of incurring outstanding liability. Details were presented for consideration by Council in which the sum of N150,000,000.00 was requested for release by Council to offset the liability and continue with the routine maintenance works of the Metropolitan roads.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N90,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable KNUPDA continue with the routine maintenance works on metropolitan roads.

111TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING At the one hundred and tenth (110th) sitting of the Council the sum of Three Hundred and Four Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand and Nine Hundred and Fifty-Five Naira and Eighty-Five Kobo (N304,583,955.85) was approved for the execution of numerous projects submitted by MDAs for development purposes. There is widespread recognition that the State is now experiencing profound technological, social, economic and political change. There is now certainty about the nature and meaning of these changes. It is becoming glaringly clear that this administration’s transforming process is bringing rapid infrastructural development, improved healthcare delivery, educational and agricultural system. Today, Wednesday 14th August, 2013 (7st Shawwal, 1434 AH) the Kano State Executive Council held its one hundred and eleven (111th) meeting under the Chairmanship of the State Governor, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso during which seven (7) MDAs submitted twentyfive (25) memoranda for deliberation. Sixteen (16) of them were approved for execution with an expenditure of the sum of One billion, Four Hundred and Eighty-Two million, Eight Hundred and Eleven Thousand, One hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira and Ninety Kobo (N1,482,811,188.90).

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT Out of the twenty-five (25) memoranda deliberated by Council, fourteen (14) of them were submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government on behalf of MDAs. Out of the fourteen (14), five (5) were approved by Council for execution. a) Presentation of Proposal Towards Organizing Kwankwasiyya Kano Horse Racing Festival to Kick – Off After the 2013 Rainy Season:In commemoration of the revival of Horse Racing in Kano State, courtesy of the present administration under the leadership of the second incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, the Standing Committee on the Revival of Horse Racing proposed the conduct of Kwankwasiyya Kano Horse Racing Festival. Details, as endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, were presented for consideration by Council. Council appreciated the presentation and the efforts of the Committee. Council advised the Committee to shoulder the festivities without recourse to Government or Private Organizations’ financial support. However, the sum of N600,000.00 was approved as sitting allowance to the Committee. b) Presentation of Plea for Permission to Cultivate the Land Proposed for the Establishment of a Medical University in Bichi Town:Office of the Secretary to the State Government forwarded the plea, through the contents of this memorandum, by the previous occupants of the site proposed for the establishment of a Medical University in Bichi town, for Government’s permission to cultivate the land this rainy season pending commencement of the execution of the project.

Recommendation was proffered to Council based on professional advice obtained from the State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning on the issue. Details were presented for the consideration of the Council.

Council noted, considered and granted permission to the previous occupants (farmers) to cultivate the land beginning from the current rainy season (2013) up to the take – off of the proposed project. c) Presentation of Registration of Dala Building Society Plc (DBS) Shares by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC):The contents of this memorandum forwarded an Information Memorandum (IM) from Dala Building Society Plc intimating Government on registration of its shares and its merging partner, SunTrust and Loan Limited by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). Details were presented for the consideration of the Council as the DBS reiterates its commitment towards engaging professional parties for a successful merger. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. d) Request for Funds to Enable Payment for the 2013 Medical Check – Up Allowances to High Court Judges and Khadis of Shari’ah Court of Appeal in the State:The State High Court Judges and Khadis of Shari’ah Court of Appeal are statutorily qualified to undergo Medical Check – Up annually, which allows them a vacation period from 20th July to 10th September, 2013. Thirty-three (33) beneficiaries were approved for the Medical Check – Up at the aggregate cost of N69,343,218.00, which was requested for release by Council to the State Ministry of Justice to facilitate the purpose cited above.

Significance of the request prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N69,343,218.00 to the State Ministry of Justice for disbursement to the thirty-three (33) Judiciary Officers according to the details presented.

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY The only memorandum submitted by this Ministry was approved for execution:

51 Sponsorship of 44 Advanced Diploma Graduates to undergo a One year degree program in Singapore The Kano Informatics Institute was amongst the 22 Institutions established by the present administration for the training of youths relevant skills and professions, which will lead to the award of Diploma and Advanced Diploma Certificates. The Institute has since inception trained hundreds of students computer skills. This is the basis for the submission of this memorandum. The contents of this memorandum intimated Council on the need to sponsor 44 indigenous students who have successfully completed and passed the required examination for the award of Advanced Diploma by the Kano Informatics Institute. In recognition of this, the Ministry considered it desirable to recommend the sponsorship of those qualified to undergo one year final training in Singapore, which will lead to the award of a Degree in Computer Science. Council deliberated the proposition and approved the submission of the list of the affected students.

MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Only One (1) memorandum was submitted by this Ministry, which was approved for execution by Council: Request for Funds to Enable Payment of Compensation for Structures Affected by the Proposed Extension of Nuhu Bamalli Hospital Kofar Nassarawa, Municipal LGCA, Kano:Extension of the Nuhu Bamalli Hospital, at the instance of the Kano State Ministry of Health becomes imperative considering the laudable policy of the present administration to provide qualitatively for the transformation and improvement of healthcare/service delivery in the State. Extension of the Nuhu Bamalli Hospital will certainly augment/complement the healthcare services provided by the Hospitals in the vicinity, which include Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital.

Specifically, the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning undertook valuation of three (3) landed properties behind the Nuhu Bamalli Hospital for the purpose of compensating and relocating them to alternative sites so as to allow for the proposed extension of the Hospital. The properties were assessed and valued to the tune of N34,370,000.00, which was requested for release by Council to enable the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning pay for the compensation of the properties stated.

Approval was granted by Council for the release of the sum of N34,370,000.00 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to pay for the compensation of the three (3) properties behind Nuhu Bamalli Hospital to allow for its proposed extension.

MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT Three (3) of the eight (8) memoranda submitted for deliberation

by Council from this Ministry were approved for execution. Thus: a. Request for Funds for the Construction of Post Midwifery Institute Gezawa, Gezawa LGCA:The Post Midwifery Institute, Gezawa is among the twenty-one (21) tertiary institutions established by the present administration.

The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport prepared drawings and Bill of Quantities for the construction of the permanent site of the Institute to the tune of N971,361,194.60, which was requested for release to enable the execution of the construction project of the permanent site of the already established Post Midwifery Institute, Gezawa presently at a temporary site.

Relevance of the request prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N971,361,194.60 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the execution of the construction project at the permanent site of the Post Midwifery Institute Gezawa. b. Request for Funds to Enable the Purchase of Library Equipment, Materials and Books for the Road Traffic Department (VIOs’) Library:The contents of this memorandum emphasized the importance of research in the present world of technology and innovations. This made the Department of Road Traffic to establish a professional modern mini – library for the use of Officers and other interested persons in the conduct of operations and management of roads in Kano State.

The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport presented details on ten (10) items required to be purchased for the library at the aggregate cost of N3,602,700.00, which was requested for release

by Council. The request was considered relevant as approval was granted for the release of the requested sum of N3,602,700.00 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to purchase and place the ten (10) items highlighted in the professional mini – library at the Department of Road Traffic. c. Request for Funds for the Construction of Security Plaza (With HD Scanners) along Dawanau – Bichi Road and Danbatta RoadDaura Road:The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested Council to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N242,488,227.20 to enable the execution of the projects cited above at the respective disaggregated cost of N121,244,113.60. Details were presented on the credibility of the two (2) projects as related to the provision of security, which Council considered and granted approval for the release of the requested sum of money to enable the execution of the projects.

3. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/HON. COMMISSIONER MINISTRY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS This Office submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Only one (1) of them was approved for execution as follows: Presentation on Organogram/Organizational Structure of State Security Trust Fund:The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its directives issued to the Office of the Deputy Governor/Hon. Commissioner Ministry for Local Governments during its sitting of Wednesday 17th July, 2013 to appraise and submit the organizational structure of the proposed units to be established under the funding structure of Kano State Security Trust Fund (KSSTF).

Accordingly, the earlier presented organizational structure for the Kano State Trust Fund (KSSTF) was appraised in comparison with the Lagos State Security Trust Fund model and in concert with the Law establishing Kano State Security Trust Fund (KSSTF) and the stark reality for sustainable arrangement. Details on the organogram were presented for consideration by Council with three (3) main organs including: i. The Board of Trustees ii. Office of the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Trust Fund iii. Security Outfits under the Trust Fund Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation and approved the adoption of the organogram to be the structural foundation upon which the Kano State Security Trust Fund (KSSTF) and all other organs should take course.

4. MINISTRY OF HEALTH The four (4) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Health were approved for execution as follows:

a. Presentation of Request for Funds for the General Renovation Works at the Accident and Emergency Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano (Phase III):The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Health recounted through the contents of this memorandum, the efforts of the present administration since its inception towards positive transformation of the Health Sector/Healthcare Delivery System in the State. Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital benefitted series of renovation works as other hospitals in the State. Of recent, approvals were granted for the general renovation of the Accident and Emergency (A and E) Unit of this premier Hospital under Phase (I) and (II) of the project.

As such, the Ministry of Health inspected and proposed for the renovation of the remaining structures at the A and E Unit of the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital as the Phase III of the entire project. Details of the cost implications to the tune of N65,443,406.40 were presented for consideration of Council.

Significance and congruence of the request to the laudable policy of the present administration to provide qualitatively for the transformation of the Healthcare Delivery in the State prompted approval for the release of the sum of N65,443,406.40 to the Ministry of Health to enable the execution of the Phase III of the general renovation works at the A and E Unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. b. Request for Funds for the Supply and Installation of Syrup/ Suspension Manufacturing Factory Machines/Equipment at the New Kano State Drug and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (KSDMCSA):The KSDMCSA has been relocated from its former site on Ibrahim Taiwo Road opposite Gidan Ado Bayero to a site in Madobi Local Government Council Area to pave way for the establishment of the new Governor’s College, courtesy of the present administration. Nevertheless, the movement of the KSDMCSA complex is being executed in phases of which the first and second phases have been successfully carried out. The Ministry of Health proposed the execution of the third phase of the relocation project, which involves the supply and installation of Syrup/Suspension Manufacturing Factory machines/ equipment at the cost of N31,875,126.66.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum to facilitate the successful completion of the relocation project of the KSDMCSA complex. c. Request for Funds for the Construction of Manufacturing/ Factory Complex at the New Site of Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (KSDMCSA):KSDMCSA was established purposely to manufacture drugs and other hospital related consumables for public health institutions. Improving and sustaining the schedules of this organization is in line with the present administration’s desire of ensuring massive production and supply of essential hospitals and health products/drugs at subsidized rate thereby improving healthcare in the State. For effective performance of the parastatal, Council recalled the relocation of the organization to a permanent site at Kwanar Madobi. Already, construction of Administration block, Conference Hall, Wall Fence, Ware House, etc. are executed at the sum of over N200 million under Phase I of the project.

This explains the basis behind the submission of this memorandum by the Ministry of Health for the execution of the Phase II of the project comprising the construction of Manufacturing/Factory Complex to facilitate the take-off of the organization. Council approved the release of the sum of N59,069,131.21 to the Ministry of Health to enable the execution of the Phase II of the project to make the KSDMCSA occupy its rightful place in the manufacture of high quality drugs and the training of students on Industrial Attachment. d. Presentation of Request for Funds for the General Renovation Works at Sir Sunusi Specialist Hospital:Sir Sunusi Specialist Hospital is the only Kano State owned Orthopedic Referral Specialist Hospital, which provides services to numerous patients from within and outside the State to patients from Jigawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Katsina, etc. This important Hospital suffered neglect in the past years of the immediate past administration. Reminiscently, the last renovation works executed at the Hospital was executed over ten (10) years ago during the first tenure of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE in the year 2001.

As such, the Ministry of Health inspected and assessed the extent of works required and prepared a Bill of Quantities to the tune of N126,999,750.64, which was requested for release by Council to execute the general renovation works at the Sir Sunusi Specialist Hospital.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the sum of N126,999,750.64 to the Ministry of health to enable the execution of general renovation works required at the Sir Sunusi Specialist Hospital.

5. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION One (1) of the two memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Higher Education was approved for execution. Thus: Presentation of Report on the Affiliation of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano with Bayero University, Kano to Run Degree Programmes:Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso has come of age and the management at the College is committed and has the initiative to commence Degree programmes in some specialized courses with affiliation to Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

The contents of this memorandum substantiated to Council that the College has already reached advanced stages toward actualizing this objective as approval was granted for the College to commence Degree Programmes by the Senate Committee on Affiliation of Bayero University, Kano (BUK). Six (6) programmes were approved, which include three (3) each from two (2) disciplines. Thus: i. Bachelor of Arts Education • B. A. Ed English • B. A. Ed Arabic • B. A. Ed Islamic Studies ii.

• • •

Bachelor B. Sc Ed B. Sc Ed B. Sc Ed

of Science Education Biology Chemistry Geography

Certainly, this development will provide an opportunity to accommodate more youths who are qualified but unable to gain admission in other Universities. Details on the arrangements were presented for consideration by Council. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture, Kano State

52

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

THE NATION MONDAY AUGUST 19, 2013

53

NEWS

MTN, Abia to treat eye patients From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

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•Orji (third right) with from left representative of the eye foundation Dr. Fatai Oluyade; Secretary to the Secretary Government Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa; Director MTN Foundation Denis Okoro; member representing Ikwuano/ Umuahia Federal constituency Udo Ibenji; Dr. Okechukwu Ogah and Prof. Agustus Mbanaso after the event.

Why I support APC, by PDP BoT member From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

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MEMBER of the Board of Trustee (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Benjamin Apugo, has insisted that his support for the newly registered All Progressive Congress (APC) was based on the conviction that it will provide the desired platform to keep the nation’s democracy on track.

The frontline politician condemned a newspaper report which addressed him as a former member of the BoT. He said: “I am still a member of the PDP BoT. My position on APC is based on my assessment of its leaders and the hope it holds for the nation’s democracy.”

“I was surprised when I saw the newspaper report where I was referred to as a former BOT member of the PDP and chieftain of APC. This is misleading as I am still in the PDP.” He said although he welcomed the emergence of the APC as a vibrant and credible opposition, he was yet to declare for the party.

Apugo maintained that APC leaders are respected Nigerians who would give the people a true taste of democracy with purposeful and people-oriented leadership.

“I am impressed with the calibre of people I have seen in APC, they are men of integrity.

I know them and I believe that they have what it takes to change things for the better and make a difference in the lives of Nigerians,” he stated.

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Obi: don’t blame me for Soludo’s disqualification A NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday said he should not be blamed for the disqualification of former Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor Prof Charles Soludo by the screening committee of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Obi said the exSecretary to the State Government, Osaeloka Obaze, was also disqualified.

The governor lamented that Obaze, who was recalled from his plum job in the United Nations (UN), was screened out on mere technicalities but he

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

could not do anything as he pledged to abide by the decision of the party’s screening committee.

He cautioned rumour mongers to stop creating issues where none existed.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Joe Martins Uzodike, Obi described as unfounded the stories on why some people were disqualified.

The commissioner said

APGA set up a committee to screen prospective candidates with clear guidelines and wondered why Governor Peter Obi should be blamed for a job done by a committee in which he was not a member.

“Do you think the governor is happy about the screening? How can he, when the former SSG was also disqualified?”

The commissioner said there was a rumour that Obi brought Soludo into APGA to replace him.

His words: “It was also

rumoured that Obi was the one who brought Soludo in to replace him. The fact is that whatever happens in Nigeria is often interpreted not according to facts, but according to the people’s fancies, without even an iota of truth in most of them.”

On Obi’s insistence that the governorship would move to Anambra North, Uzodike said people should understand that the governor would only support a candidate from the North, as he, according to him, does not have the powers to stick to it, if the people decide otherwise.

Conduct council polls, NULGE urges Imo, Abia, Anambra

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HE National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Southeast Zone, has called on the governments of Imo, Anambra and Abia states to conduct local government elections.

The association condemned the use of caretaker committees in local governments.

NULGE made its position known in a communique at the end of its Southeast Zonal meeting in Enugu.

The communique, which

From Chris Oji, Enugu

was signed by the National Vice President, Orji Akaji, the Enugu State President, Mrs. Lotachukwu Aneke and other officials, said after a review of happenings in the local government system” as regards democratically elected governments, the zone praised Enugu and Ebonyi governments for operating with democratically elected local government officials.”

Akaji, who read the com-

munique to reporters, said the constitution guarantees “democratically-elected chairmen and councillors at the local government level”.

“The zone condemned in its entirety, the use of caretaker committees in the operation of local governments and urges the governments of Abia, Anambra and Imo states to emulate the aforementioned states in the zone.”

The zone praised Anambra State Governor Peter Obi for paying the arrears

•Obi

of pension and gratuity to local government retirees and teachers.

Ohanaeze warns branches against misrepresentation

HE apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has warned its affiliates which make statements on its behalf without clearance.

The group spoke during an Ime Obi meeting in which members brainstormed on issues affecting Ndigbo.

The President-General, Gair Igariwey, deplored the situation whereby branches issue inciting statements, which they credit to the national body.

He said: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo branches in Kano and Lagos states are particularly guilty of this.

“We have resolved that a circular should be issued that all national issues regarding Ndigbo must come from the national secretariat.

•Kano, Lagos worst offenders From Chris Oji, Enugu and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

“There was misrepresentation of facts by the leadership of Ohanaeze Kano branch on the recent bombings in Kano that killed some Igbo.

“Members were amazed at the exaggeration of the number of Ndigbo killed as claimed by the Ohanaeze leadership in Kano.

“Contrary to what was being dished out by the Ohanaeze leadership in Kano, many other ethnic groups were killed in the bombings.

“The Yoruba, he said, were the next that suffered heavily in the bombings as well as

Edo and Kano indigenes.”

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi yesterday presented a cheque of N2 million to the Anambra State Chairman, Chris Eluemunor, for accommodation and other logistics.

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Obi thanked the group for the sacrifice in promoting the Igbo cause but appealed to it not to relent even in the face of great odds.

He called on all Igbo sons and daughters of taxable age to contribute to the running of the organisation.

“I suggest that everybody

pays the annual levy of N100, while the rich ones should contribute according to their riches,” the governor said.

He added that the time was ripe for Ohanaeze to chart a new course for the people by evolving a plan that will include getting a permanent secretariat.

N200m for six hospitals

HE Ebonyi State government at the weekend disbursed about N200million grant to six private hospitals.

The beneficiaries are: Mater Misericordia Hospital, Afikpo; Sudan United Mission, Izzi; Rural Improvement Mission Hospital, Ikwo; Presbyterian Joint Hospital, Uburu; St Vincent Hospital Ndubia and Mile Four Hospital, Abakaliki.

The Commissioner for Health, Sunday Nwangele, who spoke at the disbursement of the 15th tranche of grant for the Rural Health

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

Programme (RHP) said the disbursement, which started on September 3, 2008, had improved healthcare delivery in the 13 local governments.

He said: “The RHP was designed to provide adequate healthcare delivery to rural communities, revamp infrastructural facilities of the benefiting hospitals, and provide modern hospitals and diagnostic equipment.

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has said the State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre will begin to carryout surgery and treatment on persons with cases of visual impairment and disabilities in October.

Orji said there is need for an eye specialist hospital in the state, stressing that the services in the hospital would be the same as is obtainable abroad.

He said the project on completion, would enable visually-impaired persons access quality and affordable eye treatment.

The governor spoke at the launch of the MTN Foundation Eyesight Restoration Intervention Scheme (MTN EyeRIS Project) in Umuahia, the state capital.

Orji said besides the existing 250 health centres in all the local government areas, contracts have been awarded for a 100-bed hospital in Arochukwu, Ohafia, Ikwuano, Umuahia South, Aba North, Ugwunagbo, Obingwa and Ukwa East local governments.

Two arrested with fake notes From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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HE police in Ebonyi State at the weekend said it arrested two women, Amechi Okoro and Ngozi Okike, for alleged possession of fake notes at Iboko Market Square, Izzi Local Government Area.

The suspects, who are indigenes of Enugu State but live in Abakaliki, were arrested as they tried to use the notes to purchase materials at Iboko market.

Police spokesman Sylvester Igbo said the suspects were helping the police in their investigation.

He said: “At 15:45 pm, two women- Amechi Okoro and Ngozi Okike- both from Enugu State were found at Iboko market square in Izzi Local Government Area with N35, 500 counterfeit notes, which they were using to buy materials from the market.

“When they paid for the items they had bought, the seller suspected that the currency was fake. Remember, we had already made a public announcement that there was an influx of fake naira notes in Ebonyi.”

N317m goods impounded From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

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HE Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, Owerri of the Nigerian Customs Service, made a breakthrough in its fight against smuggling with the seizure of contraband with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N317 million.

The seized items, which include fairly used cars, tyres and fabrics, were intercepted at various points within the zone, which comprises Edo, Delta, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

Displaying the seized items , the Area Controller, Zone C, David Dimka, assured that the ongoing clampdown on smugglers will be sustained, until smuggling is reduced.

54

THE NATION MONDAY AUGUST 19, 2013

NEWS Audu: APC ‘ll take over Kogi From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

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ORMER Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will unseat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections.

Audu, in an exclusive phone chat with our reporter, said the APC is the only political party with the clout to salvage the country and the state from what he described as developmental quagmire.

The former governor said the APC, even before its registration, had become the Noah’s Ark by accommodating Nigerians from all parts of the country into its fold.

He noted that some major political players in the ruling PDP have been liaising to join the new party.

The defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate explained that with the merger of three strong political parties in the APC, there are indications that change has come to Nigeria.

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Pastor’s wife, three kids, others die in Niger road crash

IGHT passengers were burnt to death on Saturday night in a road crash on the Bida-Minna Road in Niger State.

The accident involved a trailer and a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to the State Transport Company (NSTA).

Four of the victims were family members of the Pastor of the Potter Porch Church, Minna. They were his wife, Mrs. Hellen Samuel, and three children - Saviour, Insight and Purity.

The accident occurred at 8pm at Kakanpegi village, about 55 kilometres from Minna, the state capital.

An eyewitness, Alhaji

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Hamisu Ndajiwo, told our reporter that the NSTA bus was trying to avoid a bad portion of the Bida – Minna Road when it ran into a trailer. It crashed into a nearby push.

The eyewitness said the vehicles burst into flames, adding that all the passengers, except one, were burnt to death.

Another eyewitness, who is a worker of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA), Malam Ibrahim Hussaini, said the fire,

which followed the crash, made it impossible for the villagers and other motorists to rescue the victims.

He said: “I was at the scene of the accident a few moments after it happened. Oh my God! We saw people burning but we could not do anything about it.

“Only one passenger, a young boy who was badly injured, escaped the inferno. He was crying and asking us to help to save his mother from the burning vehicle. But we were helpless, as the blaze was too much for anyone to enter.”

Hussaini said the number of the victims would have been higher but for some passengers who got off the vehicle at Bida.

He added that the accident occurred because the bus ran into the trailer whose head lamps were turned off, not because of the bad road.

The NSTA bus left Lagos for Minna on Saturday morning.

The Special Adviser to the Niger State Governor on Emergency and Disaster Management, Mohammed Shaba, said the eight bodies recovered from the scene of the accident

•Former military leader, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (left), receiving a birthday card from the Niger State Deputy Governor Ahmed Musa Ibeto on his 72nd birthday anniversary at his Hilltop home in Minna... at the weekend

From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

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Yero blames contractors From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

K

ADUNA State Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero has blamed the slow pace of work and poor handling of some roads on contractors.

The governor said his administration has met its obligations to the contractors.

Yero spoke when he inspected the Samaru-Hayin Bomo Road in Zaria.

The governor decried the level of work on the project, which is scheduled to be completed in December.

He expressed concern that despite collecting 43 per cent of the project’s total cost, the contractor had not done up to 40 per cent work.

Sultan advises Nigerians against misusing religion

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Gombe issues ultimatum HE Gombe State Command of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has told unregistered private security outfits operating in the state to get registered or be closed down.

NSCDC State Commandant Joel Khestossen issued the ultimatum at the passing-out parade of 165 guards the corps trained.

He said nine illegal private security agencies had been identified, adding that action would soon be taken against them.

“We have the rights and power to seal off such companies and we can prosecute them if they continue operating illegally,” Khestossen warned.

He said 24 private security firms have been registered in the state and added that the training of guards would be a continuous exercise.

Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo hailed the NSCDC for taking proactive steps to rid the state of fake private security outfits.

He said: “The NSCDC is doing very well as a regulatory agency for private security companies. We are calling on all companies operating illegally to comply with the provisions of the law.”

had been deposited at the Minna General Hospital.

The bus was believed to have carried 18 passengers from Lagos.

Shaba also said the bodies of the victims had been deposited at the Minna General Hospital.

Though Sunday service held at the Potter Porch Church in Minna, the members were in grief for the pastor’s wife and children. The widower, Pastor Ibrahim Samuel, was in a pensive mood yesterday while the service lasted.

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Assembly probes whereabouts of HE Plateau State House N5b SURE-P fund of Assembly has begun

the probe of over N5 billion suspected to be missing from the state government’s account.

The money is the state’s share of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P), which the Jonah Jang administration reportedly received from last January till date.

The probe, the lawmakers said, became necessary following public outcry that the funds might have been misappropriated by the government.

It was learnt that the SURE-P has not taken off in Plateau State, despite the monthly disbursement of the funds to the state.

Speaker John Clark Dabwan set up an Ad Hoc committee to investigate the state’s SURE-P funds.

The eight-man committee, chaired by Dalyop Mancha,

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From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

submitted its report to the Assembly last week.

The committee decried the refusal of the government officials, who appeared before it, to give details of the bank accounts of the SURE-P funds.

But it hailed the Commissioner for Finance, Davo Mang, for admitting before the committee that the state had been receiving N218 million monthly, since last January as its share of the SURE-P funds from the Federal Government.

The accumulated funds the state has received is believed to be over N3 billion.

The Ad Hoc committee also reportedly discovered that the state government has been re-

ceiving N146 million monthly on behalf of its 17 local governments from last January year. The funds have accumulated to over N2 billion.

The state and local governments’ shares of the SURE-P funds, according to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Paul Wai, as well as the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) State Chairman Emmanuel Loman, have been channelled to the state government through the Federation Account Committee (FAC) on a monthly basis.

The state’s and local governments’ shares have been put at over N5 billion.

Mancha noted that despite several requests by the com-

•Jang

mittee, Mang and the Accountant-General, Mr. Boyi sauka, failed to speak on the details of the account.

He said: “The government officials, who appeared before us, claimed that the funds have not been misappropriated by the state government and that the funds are intact.

But they failed to provide us with the bank’s statement and details of bank transactions to substantiate their claims.

North should wait till 2019, says Onoja

ORMER Plateau State Governor Lawrence Onoja has objected to the clamour for power shift to the North in 2015. He said President Goodluck Jonathan deserves a second term in office.

The General and chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) explained that the Middle Belt does not subscribe to the agenda of the core North and their projections for the next general elections.

Onoja said, if President Jonathan cannot serve for two terms, as prescribed by the law, the hope of the minority tribes to aspire to the highest office in the future would be dashed.

He addressed reporters in Lagos on the Jonathan administration, power shift

By Emmanuel Oladesu Group Political Editor

and the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Onoja, who is a chieftain of the Congress for Equality and Change, said the agitation for power shift to the North would be counter-productive.

This, he explained, is because it is devoid of logic.

He added: “I want to let you know categorically that it is not yet time for power to shift to the North. The President has not done his second term. All the other Presidents were given opportunities to do so.

The President is from a minority tribe like me. It will be unfair and unjust to stop him from his second term.

“If he finishes his second term in 2019, then other areas

or blocs can now begin to agitate for power shift. I think it is only fair to allow the President to do his second term”.

The former governor dismissed the insinuation that the call for power shift to the region is popular, saying only the elders from the core North were the agitators.

He drew a line of demarcation from the wish of the core North and preference of the Midle Belt, reminding the Prof.Ango Abdullahi led Northern Elders Forum (NEF) that the zone had monopolized the Presidency in the past.

Onoja submitted that the single, monolithic North of the late Sadauna Ahmadu Bello period had elapsed, maintaining that the Middle Belt has emerged as a distinct bloc and geographical reality. He said

the era when the core North always dictated to the Middle Belt was over. He urged the pro-power shift agitators to embrace the reality.

The former governor defended the Jonathan Administration, saying it has performed.

However, he noted that the APC has good prospects, if it puts its house in order.

Onoja advised the APC leaders to advertise their manifestos to the people, instead of heaping blames on the President.

He said: “The APC should tell Nigerians what they want to do; their plans for the economy and security.

They should concentrate their efforts on this, instead of attacking the President.”

HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Nigerians to desist from using religion and ethnicity to cause violence.

He said: “We should never use our religious, cultural or ethnic affiliations to perpetrate or encourage violence, insecurity or sow the seeds of discord and disunity. Such obnoxious factors should also never be used by any selfish and unpatriotic Nigerian in whatever guise to overheat the nation’s polity.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abubakar spoke at the weekend at a special Sallah lunch with the leaders and members of the resident communities in Sokoto.

According to him, violence breeds violence and underdevelopment and causing mayhem for whatever reason does nobody any good.

He said: “There will not be any meaningful socio-economic development in a society where violence and chaos prevail. God has created us with diverse religious and ethnic background to co-exist harmoniously as a united force.

These differences amongst Nigerians were allowed by God to unite us not to separate and disunite us.”

‘Fulani, Berom peace deal fruitful’

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HE senator representing Plateau North, Gyang Pwajok, said yesterday that the May peace deal between the Fulani and Berom ethnic groups in Plateau North was “very fruitful”.

Pwajok told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos, the state capital, that “the peace agreement has been successful”.

He added: “It has yielded the desired fruits because there has been no gory incident since the two groups agreed to embrace and protect each other four months ago.”

NAN reports that the communities had engaged in guerrilla attacks for over a decade.

Efforts by the Special Task Force (STF) had yielded no results as the bloodbath persisted with hundreds of the residents and livestock killed in cold blood. Several others were injured and many farms were destroyed.

Pwajok initiated the peace meetings between April and May, when the warring groups agreed to bury the hatchet and live in peace.

The senator told NAN that he was impressed with the resolve by leaders and the youth of both communities to respect and accept each other as one.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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NEWS Minister blows N2b on chartered jets Continued from page 4

•The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike waving at his supporters and other chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the inauguration of the Ahoada East Local Government Area and Ward Executives of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) at the playground of St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State…yesterday.

PHOTO: BISI OLANIYI

APC to unveil eight cardinal programmes Continued from page 4

do-nothing PDP”.

The APC added: ‘’While one of the PDP gong-bearers, (Dr Doyin) Okupe, was telling Nigerians that President Jonathan has not informed anyone that he will contest in 2015, his wife was coercing hundreds of hapless women, including those in uniform, into a show of shame tagged ‘’Peace Rally’’, but in essence a campaign for President Jonathan ahead of 2015.

‘’Defying INEC, this brazen campaign featured women clad in specially-made ‘ankara’ that bore the picture of President Jonathan and reminds one of the disgraceful days of the late despot Mobutu Sese Seko of former Zaire, and the late clownish leader of Uganda, Idi Amin. What a company to keep in the 21st century! ‘’In what must rank as the first of its kind in Nigeria, women drawn from various security agencies - the same

that will be expected to provide security for the 2015 elections - were coerced into a march of shame, as organisers of the campaign masquerading as a peace rally blocked traffic and prevented citizens from earning their daily bread.

Yet, Okupe said his boss has not told anyone he will run, and had the temerity to insult the media by saying they have been taken over by a few people. The good news is that Nigerians are far smarter than

their present rulers and therefore cannot be fooled,’’ the APC said.

The APC “urged INEC to mete out appropriate sanctions to anyone who has violated its ban on early campaigns for the 2015 elections, in view of the First Lady-driven phantom peace rally that is actually a facade for electioneering campaign, if the electoral umpire’s ban on such campaigns is to be taken seriously.”

nobody expected the task of subduing the sect would be a tea party.”

“You recall when America overran terrorists in Iraq and deposed President Saddam Hussein, President George Bush boasted that it was, “Mission accomplished with precision”, without knowing that would be the beginning of more than 10 years campaigns that would cost America 4,400 soldiers and over $800 billion.Terrorism is still in Iraq after America has left.

“We believe the government knows that the use of force that goes with declaration of state of emergency was meant to reclaim those local government areas seized by the sect, and not that the use of force could contain their activities to some satisfactory level.

“And that is why there are still consciously directed efforts by

the government to bring the sect into the negotiation table. And that is why ACF encourages the Federal Government to pursue the option of dialogue with those members of the sect who are agreeable to it in the hope that the extreme reluctant members may join as the process progresses.

“We also call on members of the sect to stop the killings of innocent people and embrace dialogue as the only viable option that can address their perceived grievances. Force does not bring about peace because peace is not absence of conflicts but ability to resolve conflict peacefully.

“ACF was among the groups which pressurised ASUU to dialogue with the government that brought about the agreement being bandied about. As a mark of good faith, one would

expect the government to respect and implement the agreements with stakeholders.

“But if the prevailing circumstance makes it almost impossible for government to implement the agreement, one expects ASUU to know and understand. It is against this backdrop that the ACF calls on both parties to come to terms with reality and make ASUU call off the strike in the interest of the students .

The ACF recommended “the scrapping of the Joint Account, which has been abused by state governments at the expense of socio economic development of the people who are closest to local governments, provided some provisions are made on how state governments can make laws to help in effective and efficient management of local governments”.

Arewa to Jonathan: respect agreements you signed Continued from page 4

“That is why Nigeria carts home gold medals in Misery Indices and brings up the rear in Human Development Index.

And this is made possible because the youths who are more in number and can bring about good leadership in a democracy have failed to make judicious use of their democratic rights and ensure that votes count so that the leaders who emerge would be accountable to the people. Once votes do not count, the leaders would not account to the people.”

To Sani, the renewed killings by the Boko Haram Islamic sect, are “not surprising because terrorism is driven by the highest commitment of those who believe they have nothing to gain anymore in living on earth, but more to gain in death. “And so,

Wike is next Rivers governor, says Obuah

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IVERS State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, yesterday said Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, will be the next governor of Rivers State.

Wike, who is the grand patron of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), also vowed not to return the Rivers State PDP structure to Governor Rotimi Amaechi. He said change had come to the state.

The minister also said President Goodluck Jonathan would seek re-election in 2015, although the President has said he would not declare his 2015 plan until next year.

Wike and Obuah who are leading the anti-Amaechi group in Rivers State, spoke at the inauguration of the Ahoada East Local Government and Ward (13) Executives of the GDI. The event was held at the playground of St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Ahoada.

The inauguration was preceded by a thanksgiving service/dedication of the Ahoada

•Amaechi won’t be distracted From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

East Local Government chapter of the GDI at the St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral.

But Amaechi said he would remain focused and committed to his administration’s transformation agenda and would not be distracted by the enemies of progress.

Obuah said: “I want to appreciate the members of the GDI, for the wonderful work you are doing, especially with the crowd of this magnitude. If GDI, a socio-political organisation, can pull this crowd, what will happen when the PDP is campaigning in Ahoada East LG? “It is on this note I am calling on the would-be governor of this great state, who I believe, by God’s grace, is here in our midst (Wike), that we need a 50,000 capacity stadium in Ahoada. If PDP is coming for campaign, this arena (St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Ahoada) will be too small.

“That is why I am calling that the ancient city of Ahoada, the headquarters of Orashi region, to have at least a 50,000 capacity stadium. I want to thank the GDI members for tremendously mobilising support for President Jonathan.”

The Rivers PDP chairman, an indigene of Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGA of the state and a former Chairman of the council also called on PDP members who would be at the party’s convention on August 31, to vote a former National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Uche Secondus, as the Deputy National Chairman of the party.

Wike said: “I am very happy.

I thank all of you who made today to be possible. God Almighty will bless you. GDI is for the emancipation of Rivers people. Change has come to Rivers state. Wherever you are, make a mark.

“If we had allowed Chibu-

•Amaechi

dom Nwuche (former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives) to represent you (Rivers West Senatorial District), we would not have had a deaf and dumb representative (Senator Wilson Ake). What have they done? We have made a mistake. We shall correct that mistake.

“They will not face reality. He (Wilson Ake) wants his elder brother (Chief Godspower Ake) to continue to be the Rivers chairman of the PDP, in order to continue in the Senate. God says it is not possible again and it will not happen again. I am not afraid of Wilson Ake. The truth must be told. “

NCAA, and NAMA confirmed that she has never flown commercial aircraft in the last two years.

•When the President went to China but she did not go on the presidential jet, she went in a private jet, further bleeding the national purse.

The group said its allegations could be verified through the records of aviation agencies, such as FAAN, NAMA and NCAA. The petition added: “We are of the view that Mr. President is not aware of all these atrocious and reckless spending of the minister. Usually, we understand that smaller presidential jets are usually assigned to ministers on official assignments abroad whenever there is need for such trips.

“Mr. Chairman, we make bold to ask in good conscience whether Nigeria’s fragile economy can afford to carry this financial burden any longer and that is why

we are calling on you to act and provide the new lease of life for the Nigerian economy.

“We demand that you carry out thorough investigation of all the above which are easily verifiable through the aviation agencies, FAAN, NAMA and NCAA. “We want to count on you to save the national purse of the excessive bleeding, which we believe is the main reason for the establishment of your agency.

“We want to however state that our commitment to this cause will not waiver. We are still compiling and investigating further details of her financial dealings and at the right time, we will organise a world press conference to express these and other details we are working on.”

When contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “I cannot confirm the receipt of the petition until Monday because petitions do not come directly to my desk.”

82 firms in race for power plants Continued from page 4

44, Omotosho Generation Company – 42, Egbema Generation Company – 41, Omoku Generation Company – 41, Geregu Generation Company – 39, Calabar Generation Company – 37, Ogorode Generation Company – 36, Alaoji Generation Company – 30 and Olorunsogo Generation Company – 30.

The statement recalled that at the close of the deadline for the submission of expressions of interest (EOIs) by prospective investors on 19 July, 110 consortia submitted expressions of interest.

BPE said: “Two evaluation teams were thereafter constituted to evaluate the submissions based on the approved guidelines. The guidelines provided that to be technically qualified, bidders must show evidence of experience in operating at least 300 MW of thermal generation plant for at least three years and to be deemed financially qualified, meet a tangible net worth threshold of $100-$200 million depending, on the size of plant they wish to be prequalified for,

among other requirements.

“Following the evaluation, 82 of the 110 submissions were successful and have been approved to continue to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage The Joint Board equally approved the issuance of the request for proposals (RFP) to the prequalified bidders from the 19th of August.

“Joint Board further approved the recommendation of the Joint Technical Transaction Committee (JTTC) to allow Technical Services Providers (TSP), with no equity stake in the consortia, to participate in the privatisation process with as many bidders as it chooses.

“The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) are partners in the joint sale transaction process for the sale of the 10 power plants.

While NCP and the BPE are legally authorized to sell Federal Government’s 47% shares, NDPHC has the authorisation of the States and LGA’s to sell 53% of their shares. The joint meeting was chaired by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo.”

Army takes over operations Continued from page 4

be caught and dared United States President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to arrest him.

He vowed that insurgency would not stop.

There has been no let-up in the killings by the sect. No fewer than 18 people have been killed in recent clashes between government troops and the Boko Haram sect.

Eleven were killed on Thursday in a fresh attack perpetrated by suspected sect members in Damboa, Borno state according to sources said.

Earlier Friday, seven Boko Haram members were killed in an exchange of fire with police-

men in Gombe state,.

In Damboa, residents alleged that foreigners, who spoke Arabic and were mostly fair in complexion, were among the attackers.

Ayamu Lawan Gwasha, representing Damboa at Borno House of Assembly, told Chinese news agency Xinhua, that his people were still living in “perpetual fear.”

Damboa is located in the southern part of Borno. It is a major base of Boko Haram which launched its insurgency in since 2009.

A total of 50 people were killed last Sunday when suspected sect members launched an attack on Konduga Community, located not far from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital

First Lady snubs Rivers deputy governor Continued from page 4

town.

Dame Patience was shielded from top officials of the Rivers government, including the Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, who came to receive her at the airport.

It was gathered last night that the Rivers government team, led by Ikuru was at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa to receive the President’s wife, but was not allowed to move to the tarmac.

Ikuru was accompanied by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), George Feyii, some commissioners and other top Rivers government officials.

The impeccable source said the Presidency had earlier informed the Rivers government of the First Lady’s visit, with necessary arrangements made to make the visit memorable and hitch-free.

The source said: “A Lieutenant Colonel approached the members of the Rivers state government’s team at the Port Harcourt International Airport and told them that they had directives from the Presidency that they should not be allowed near the First Lady.

“Wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, Mrs. Rachael Dickson, was allowed to receive the First Lady at the airport. It was very embarrassing and annoying.”

THE NATION MONDAY AUGUST 19, 2013

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FOREIGN

Gibraltar: Spanish fishermen protest SPANISH fishermen have sailed into disputed waters off Gibraltar to protest about a reef put there by the British territory’s government.

The fishermen say the reef restricts their right to fish, but Gibraltar says they should not be fishing there.

Gibraltar police said the protest, which lasted an hour and passed off without incident, ended at 10:20 BST. The row over the artificial reef has led to tensions between the UK, Gibraltar and Spain in recent weeks.

Spanish fishing boats set off at about 09:00 BST to protest near the spot where 70 concrete blocks were dropped into the sea to create the artificial reef.

It had been suggested that they might try to remove the blocks, but the fishermen said before the protest that they would not attempt this.

The BBC’s Tom Burridge, on board a Spanish fishing boat, described the situation as “chaotic and tense” as Spanish fishermen, and the Gibraltarian and Spanish police, weaved among each other.

Chief Inspector Castle Yates, of the Royal Gibraltar Police, said “about 38 Spanish fishing boats and seven or eight pleasure craft” were involved.

He said they crossed into Gibraltarian waters where police and the Royal Navy set up a cordon and “corralled” them.

“They tried to breach the cordon several times but they were not successful,” he added.

Spanish fishermen gathered at the area where the reef was built using concrete blocks Protest off Gibraltar There was a heavy police presence as the protest got under way Spanish fishing boats take part in a protest off Gibraltar About 30 Spanish boats took part in the demonstration A Spanish Civil Guard boat collides with a Gibraltar police boat as a protest took place Reuters news agency said this image showed a Spanish Civil Guard boat colliding with a Gibraltar police boat while the protest took place A man fishes near the Gibraltar/Spain border as the Rock of Gibraltar In recent years the dispute over Gibraltar’s sovereignty has taken the form of a clash over fishing rights Continue reading the main story

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Egypt: New clashes won’t be tolerated, says army chief

GYPT’s military leader vowed yesterday that the army will not tolerate further political violence after nationwide clashes that left hundreds dead, as security forces detained Muslim Brotherhood members in raids aimed at disrupting planned rallies.

Defense Minister Gen. Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi, who led the July 3 coup that toppled President Mohammed Morsi, again said the army has no intention of seizing power in the Arab world’s most populous country. El-Sissi removed Morsi after four days of mass rallies by millions of Egyptians who demanded the president step down.

“We will not stand by silently watching the destruc-

tion of the country and the people or the torching the nation and terrorising the citizens,” he said in a speech aired on state television.

The general said that the military didn’t seek power but instead “have the honor to protect the people’s will — which is much dearer (than) ruling Egypt.”

El-Sissi also said Islamists must be included in the country’s politics moving forward. A military timetable calls for the nation’s constitution to be amended and for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in 2014.

“We have given many chances ... to end the crisis peacefully and call for the followers of the former regime to participate in re-

building the democratic track and integrate in the political process and the future map instead of confrontations and destroying the Egyptian state,” he told a gathering of top military commanders and police chiefs.

El-Sissi’s remarks come ahead of an anticipated harsher stance by the militarybacked government toward the Brotherhood. The Cabinet held an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss potentially banning the group, a long-outlawed organisation that swept to power in the country’s first democratic elections a year ago.

A possible ban — which authorities say would be implemented over the group’s use of violence — would be a repeat of the de-

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•el-Sissi have been killed nationwide since Wednesday’s dismantling of two encampments of Morsi supporters in Cairo — an act that sparked fierce clashes. Some 70 police officers were killed in clashes with protesters or retaliatory attacks during the same period, according to the Interior Ministry.

In an attempt to cripple the Brotherhood’s protest plans, authorities carried out raids early Sunday morning, detaining at least 300 midlevel officials and field operatives in several cities, according to security officials and group statements.

Prince Harry visits Angola

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•Thousands pour over Syria’s border into Iraqi Kurdistan, the UN says, in one of the biggest waves of refugees in the Syrian PHOTO:UNHCR conflict...yesterday

Syrian refugees pour into Iraqi Kurdistan in thousands

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HOUSANDS of refugees from Syria are pouring over the border into Iraqi Kurdistan, the UN refugee agency says.

Up to 10,000 crossed at Peshkhabour on Saturday, adding to an earlier influx of 7,000 on Thursday. The UN says the reasons are not fully clear.

The UN agencies, the Kurdish regional government and NGOs are struggling to cope, correspondents say.

It comes as UN chemical weapons inspectors arrived in Damascus on Sunday on a

much-delayed mission.

The team will visit three sites over two weeks, including the northern town of Khan al-Assal which is at the centre of allegations of chemical weapons use.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says this is one of the biggest single waves of refugees it has had to deal with since the uprising against the rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011.

While the reasons remain unclear, there has been a sharp rise in clashes between Syrian Kurds and anti-gov-

ernment Islamist militants.

The charity Save the Children has launched an emergency response to the mass arrival, distributing basic supplies to those waiting to be registered.

The UNHCR, the Kurdistan regional government and other NGOs have been working round the clock to cope with the sudden influx, organising fleets of buses to ferry the arrivals to nearby towns.

There are plans to set up an emergency camp to take in as many as possible, although some of the refugees are being

Mexico Gulf Cartel leader Ramirez Trevino captured

EXICAN troops have captured one of the country’s most wanted drug-gang leaders.

Mario Ramirez Trevino, known as X-20, is said to be the head of the cocaine and marijuana-smuggling Gulf Cartel.

It is the second high-profile arrest since President Enrique Pena Nieto came to power last December.

The US government was offering a reward of $5m (£3.2m) for information lead-

cades-long struggle between the state and the Brotherhood. It also would drain the group’s financial resources and allow for mass arrests of its members. That likely would diminish the chances of a negotiated solution to the crisis and push it again underground.

The Brotherhood, however, has shown no signs of backing down.

Under the banner of an anti-coup alliance, the group said it will hold a demonstration in front of the Supreme Constitutional Court in southern Cairo later Sunday.

Authorities already stationed armored vehicles and troops at the building, which could turn into another focal point of street violence.

More than 800 people

ing to the capture of Mr Ramirez, while Mexico offered about $3m.

Ramirez Trevino is thought to have taken over as leader of the Gulf Cartel after the arrest of Jorge Eduardo Costilla, known as The Coss, last September.

Mexican media reported that the drug lord was arrested by a joint Army and Marines operation in Rio Bravo, in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas.

The interior ministry confirmed the arrest on

Twitter.

“This morning, the Mexican Army has captured Mario Armando Ramirez Trevino,” it said.

The Mexican authorities are expected to make a formal announcement of the arrest on Sunday and have so far not provided much detail on the arrest.

The leader of the Gulf Cartel was wanted by US authorities since 2006.

He is considered “at least as violent” the leader of the notoriously brutal Zetas car-

tel, Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, who was also arrested last month.

Authorities believe he had enough influence to attempt unifying the Gulf and Zeta cartels, which used to be one organisation until its leadership split up in 2010, Mexican media reports.

The Zetas began as the enforcement arm of the Gulf Cartel.

Miguel Angel Trevino Morales - government photos Trevino Morales was detained in July.

taken in by friends or family.

One question is, why this sudden rush for the Iraqi border in this remote corner of Syria? In many areas, the Turkish border is much closer, but the Turkish authorities seem to be much less receptive to new arrivals than they were in the past.

The leadership in Iraqi Kurdistan seems to have decided to play a more prominent role in dealing with the fallout from the Syrian crisis.

“This is an unprecedented influx of refugees, and the main concern is that so many are stuck out in the open at the border or in emergency reception areas with limited, if any, access to basic services,” said Alan Paul, Save the Children’s emergency team leader.

RINCE Harry is “irritated” that some nations which provided landmines are not helping with the clearance effort, one of his charities has revealed.

The head of the Halo Trust was speaking after the prince travelled to Angola to see the charity’s mine clearance work.

Prince Harry visited Cuito Cuanavale and met those benefiting from the work.

The charity was championed by his late mother Princess Diana and is the oldest organisation of its kind. The prince is patron of its 25th Anniversary Appeal.

Shortly before her death in 1997, Princess Diana was filmed visiting minefields that were being cleared by the trust in Angola, drawing the world’s attention to the situation.

The town of Cuito Cuanavale in south-eastern Angola is believed to be the most densely mined town in Africa, following the country’s bloody and protracted civil war.

In a statement issued by Kensington Palace, Prince Harry said he was keen to support the charity in any way he could.

The trip took place earlier this month and Prince Harry’s spokesman announced at the time that he was in Angola.

PUBLIC NOTICE CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, GODSWILL EFIONG AYABIA and OKON EFIONG OKON refers to one and the same person, now wish to be known and addressed as GODSWILL EFIONG AYABIA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS

Nations pledge more commitment to sanitation W

ORLD leaders have made more commitments to address barriers to delivering sustainable water and sanitation services.

They reaffirmed the commitment at the 2013 Progress Update on the 2012 SWA High Level Meeting Commitments, launched last week by the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership, tracks achievements made against the commitments so far.

The move, according to the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, is a welcome one that would lead to significant gains on a majority of the SWA commitments,

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By Evelyn Osagie

adding that it would encourage steps forward reported in the 2013 Progress Update issued today by SWA partnership.

In as statement, Eliasson said: “I am especially encouraged by the increased budgets, strengthened national planning and reduced numbers of people practicing open defecation. I congratulate the leaders and all those responsible for these achievements, which are critical for the realization of universal access to sanitation and water.

“Our challenge now is to maintain momentum and eliminate barriers to deliv-

to address barriers to delivering sustainable water and sanitation services. Over 80 Ministers of development co-operation, finance, water and sanitation and representatives of the world’s leading water and sanitation agencies attended the 2012 Sanitation and Water for All High Level Meeting or were engaged in the preparatory process leading up to it. The meeting produced over 400 commitments made by 37 developing country governments and 11 donors/development banks.

At the meeting fifteen developing countries, including Ghana, made specific commitments to tackle open

Japanese minister commits suicide

APAN’s Agriculture Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka has died in hospital after apparently committing suicide.

The 62-year-old was found hanged in his Tokyo apartment hours before he was to face questions in parliament over his links to a political funding scandal.

Oposition MPs had been calling for his resignation over unexplained expenses.

PM Shinzo Abe expressed regret over the news saying he was conscious of his “responsibility as prime minister, and as the one who appointed him”.

“The effects on the cabinet will be great,” Mr Abe added as he went to attend a wake for the deceased minister late on Monday.

Mr Matsuoka was found unconscious in his flat

around lunchtime on Monday. Efforts to resuscitate him at hospital failed.

Police said he had hanged himself, but refused to comment on reports in the Japanese press that he had left a number of suicide notes in his apartment.

It is the first time a Japanese cabinet minister has killed himself since World War II, when the army minister committed suicide on news of Japan’s surrender.

Mr Matsuoka was em-

HE evolution of multipolarism, an off-shoot of bi-polarism which in itself was a creation of the cold war, has significantly changed the dynamics of international power relationships on the world stage.

As events unfold in Syria in the past two years and presently in Egypt, we wonder what happened to our world which effectively solved events like the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Marshall Plan, and created the Bretton Woods system.

Thus, one is tempted to conclude that, that era produced charismatic, powerful and effectual leaders for their generation for good or for ill.

These are times that try men’s soul. Sovereignty and suzerainty do definitely confer vestiges of independence of actions on all nations but lately, this is being regrettably eroded by statesmen who see themselves as tin-gods albeit with feet of clays, and lightest of hearts.

The Greaco-market square populism that eventually evolves into modern day democracy continues to confound our collective psyche as in the tinkering and abuses that the system is subjected to in some nations and at different climes.

From ancient times, na-

broiled in two political scandals, though he denied any wrong-doing.

He had allegedly claimed more than 28m yen ($236,600; £118,300) in utility fees at his parliamentary office, where utility costs are free.

It was also alleged that he had received electoral campaign donations from a businessman linked to a bid-rigging scandal.

Mr Abe had vigorously defended his minister, often

against the advice of some within his own party, saying he had fulfilled his legal responsibilities.

The BBC’s Chris Hogg in Tokyo says Mr Matsuoka’s death is another blow for Mr Abe’s government.

Even before news of Mr Matsuoka’s death emerged, opinion polls published on Monday suggested support for Mr Abe’s administration was already at the lowest point since he took office eight months ago.

UK, German embassies reopen in Yemen

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HE United Kingdom and Germany have reopened their embassies in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, after being closed for about two weeks due to a terrorism threat.

U.K. Ambassador Jane Marriott said in a statement yesterday that she and her team were “glad to be back and working in Yemen after this brief hiatus.” The German embassy

Egypt and the essence of democracy

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ering the remaining commitments. Strengthening financing systems, carrying out institutional reforms and addressing gaps in human resources will be critical. I encourage all development partners to support these efforts.”

In April 2014, the SWA partnership will hold its third High Level Meeting.

I look forward to a productive dialogue on how we can set a course to make sanitation and water for all a reality.

At the second Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) High Level Meeting in April 2012, developing countries, donors and development banks made commitments

tions as do individuals do primarily relate on account of self-regarding instincts and secondarily other –regarding considerations.

We go through this route today by way of digression.

The Syrian war within and the on-going Egyptian blood-letting are both symptomatic of the reality and limit of power by our latter day leaders. What has happened to regional, sub-regional and international alliances that now seem to render them toothless barking dogs. What quality of leaders parade and occupy their nation’s capital to the extent that they cannot earn the support of decency and common sense. What manner of men will descend so low as to turn their fellow citizens into veritable puns in the abattoir of malady. We have tried in the past weeks to try and understand how the Muslim Brotherhood turned democracy on its illogical head. We could not fathom how. Yet the military came in with its overkill and the world is left with a macabre conflagration in the wake.

Now both pro and anti-Morsi protesters are deeply entrenched and the international community is divided as to what should give. In the meantime the bloodletting, the destruction of sacrosanct places of worship; mosques

posted a statement on its website Sunday saying it had reopened.

The U.S. closed 19 of its diplomatic missions in the Middle East and Africa after it intercepted a message between al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahri and Yemen’s al-Qaida offshoot about plans for a major attack. The U.S. has reopened all the posts except its Sanaa embassy.

Global Focus DAYO FAKUADE, Foreign Editor sms 08134230367

daborgu@gmail.com and churches, police stations and government buildings continue unabated.

There is the need for both sides to hold their peace and do a rethink in the interest of the nation of 84 million. The military establishment in Egypt needs to restore the interim government into being the legitimate apparatus to restoring full democracy to Egypt, rather than conscripting the latter into its laptop..

On the international front, the super powers that have the moral conscience to do the right thing by virtue of their power and control need to do what is in the interest of global peace rather than this parochial pursuit of primordial interests.

In other words, their deliberations should be stripped of this mentality of being holier than thou.

In the last count, we learnt the pro-Morsi group is now leaving the mosque even in their discontent because of fear of the military reprisals.

This might be seen as tactical as events are still unfolding.The military on the other hand is labeling all pro-Morsi demonstrators as terrorists which it claimed

need to be deftly dealt with.

And the beat goes on.

In other lands: THE Koreas seems to be finding a middle ground in their battle of wit, psychology and chicanery with the North’s basket-loving eccentric leader now agreeing to open the closed North-based industrial complex which provides jobs and revenue to both nations.

More importantly it recently agreed to exchanges and visitations by refugees of the region’s more than sixty year war.

In Gibraltar, the problem is still brewing between the United Kingdom, Spain and the island over reefs and fishing rights control. The situation has been described as tense and chaotic. Hopefully common sense will somehow prevail among the gladiators very soon.

On a final note, a fan of the column and a Foreign Policy Analyst, Chief Babatunde Fadun, stopped by the desk during the week and we will be hearing from him as from all of you on pertinent foreign issues as they affect our globe.

defecation have made notable progress in scaling up community-based approaches to sanitation.

Nine countries reported significant budget increases for sanitation and water and many leaders have given the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector higher political visibility. Others report progress in creating stronger information systems from which important decisions can be made.

Improved planning and coordination processes are

also themes highlighted in the report.

“The monitoring report shows exceptional achievements and illustrates that that political will and strong leadership can drive action, even in the toughest environments,” says former Ghanaian President, John Agyekum Kufuor. “I am immensely impressed that countries were able to translate commitments into action on the ground. This report shows that SWA High Level Meetings add value.”

LOSS OF DOCUMENT MISSING CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

Benue state Certficate of occupancy (C of O) NO. BN6489 ,issued by Ministry of lands and surveys belonging to Chief David Dyako Atser, of Vandeikya local Government area,has been declared missing.

The matter was reported to Vandeikya Police Station,in Benue state on 15/ August / 2013 after which an affidavit to the loss was sworn at the High Court of Benue state,Vandeikya Division.

Ministry of lands and survey and the general public are to take note

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FOREIGN NEWS

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

Death toll hits 39 in Philippines’ ferry accident

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S the MV Thomas Aquinas cruised toward Cebu city in the central Philippines, navy marshal Richard Pestillos prepared for a brief stop while some passengers watched a band and others soaked in the night breeze on the deck.

Then the scene turned chaotic when the ferry, with 870 passengers and crew, and a cargo ship collided late Friday, ripping a hole in its hull, knocking out its power and causing it to list before rapidly sinking as people screamed, according to Pestillos and other witnesses.

“The sea was very calm and we could already see the lights at the pier,” Pestillos told The Associated Press on Sunday by telephone.

“Then very suddenly ... there was a loud bang then the grating sound of metal being peeled off,” he said.

Coast guard officials said at least 39 died and more than 80 were missing in the latest deadly sea accident in the

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Philippines, which happened 570 kilometers (350 miles) south of Manila.

Frequent storms, badly maintained vessels and weak enforcement of safety regulations have been blamed for many of the accidents, including in 1987 when the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker, killing more than 4,341 people in the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said 751 passengers and crew of the Thomas Aquinas were rescued. There were no signs of additional survivors late Sunday, although Davide told reporters that he had not given up hope.

Pestillos, one of several people praised for saving others in the accident, said he distributed life jackets and launched life rafts before creating his own flotation device by tying three life jackets to his navy service rifle.

As the ferry sank, Pestillos said he fell into water that reeked of oil and was hit by a falling life boat. He said he gave his homemade flotation device to a woman who needed it to stay afloat.

He said he lost sight of her when he went to help seven others, including two toddlers, toward an overturned life boat.

Pestillos said rescuers found his rifle still tied to the life jackets, but it was not clear what happened to the woman.

“I’m really praying that she also made it to the shore alive,” he said.

Cebu coast guard chief Commodore William Melad said there were 870 people on the ferry, including 754 passengers and 116 crew, after collating records of hospitals, rescuers and the ferry owner.

Coast guard deputy chief Rear Adm. Luis Tuason said some of the missing could still be trapped in the sunken ferry, which has been leak

Bahamas deports Cuban refugees

HE government of the Bahamas has deported back to Cuba 24 refugees who had applied for asylum in the United States and other countries.

Campaigners in the US have accused the Bahamas of putting the lives of the refugees in danger by sending them back to the communist-run island.

The Bahamas has become a transit point for economic and political refugees who arrive by boat from Cuba and Haiti.

The authorities say the archipelago cannot afford to house all refugees.

Dozens of refugees have been deported by Nassau to Cuba in past years.

‘Beaten, tortured, deported’ The overwhelmingly anti-communist Cuban community in Miami has campaigned against the refugees’ return to Havana.

Ramon Saul Sanchez, leader of the De-

mocracy Movement pressure group, said some 40 Cubans were being kept in squalid conditions in Bahamian detention centres.

“They treat them badly, they torture them and then they deport them,” Mr Sanchez told El Nuevo Herald in Florida.

The government in Nassau denied that the Cuban detainees had been subject to beatings or torture.

Mr Sanchez, 58, and Alexis Gomez, 45, went on hunger strike in central Miami to raise awareness of the deportation problem.

Campaigners were hopeful that the deportation would be halted after reports emerged that 19 of the 24 refugees had been offered “humanitarian asylum” in Panama.

But Bahamian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell said he had not received a formal communication from the Central American nation.

United Nations educate youths with sports

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HE United Nations is set to educate the young using sports.

Come Thursday, the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace’s Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) will touch down for the first time in Asia.

And Gwangju in Republic of Korea (ROK) is the host city. In partnership with Right to Play and the 2015 Gwangju Universiade Organising Committee, this Asian episode of the YLP will empower another 33 participants (17 female & 16 male) working in the field of sport for development and peace.

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By Evelyn Osagie

For 13 days, the participants and their facilitators will cover a series of themes, including leadership, education, inclusion of those with a disability, peace, conflict resolution and gender equality. The aim is to educate the participants with the skills required to promote positive social change in their communities and projects.

Highlighting the YLP’s uniqueness amongst other sport for development programmes, according to the UN, the Gwangju venue will host three participants from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, adding that “a clear signal to the rest of

the world that sporting events can be used to promote peaceful dialogue amongst conflicting nations”.

UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr Wilfried Lemke is delighted with the variety of nationalities that will attend the YLP in Gwangju.

“One of the features of the YLP is the ability to bring a vast selection of cultures and experiences together to the one location. The participants learn so much from each other and from the facilitators; they gain a certainness richness of information that may not be found anywhere else.

China top politician faces corruption trial

HINESE politician Bo Xilai will go on trial on Thursday, charged with bribery, corruption and abuse of power, according to state media.

Bo Xilai, formerly the Communist Party chief of Chongqing, was expelled from the party after a scandal surrounding the murder of a British businessman.

His wife Gu Kailai was jailed last August for the killing of Neil Heywood.

The Bo Xilai scandal rocked China with claims of corruption at the top of the Commu-

nist Party.

Mr Bo has been accused of taking advantage of his office to accept money and property, as well as embezzling public money.

The charges, the trial venue and the almost certainty of a guilty verdict were already known. All that was missing was the date, now confirmed by state media.

Bo Xilai, former party chief of the mega-city Chongqing, and, as a member of the politburo, once one of the 25 most powerful men in China, will go on

trial on Thursday morning in the eastern city of Jinan… chosen, perhaps, because of its distance from his old power base.

The trial will start on Thursday morning at the Intermediate People’s Court in the eastern city of Jinan, Shandong province, staterun news agency Xinhua said.

Correspondents say it is common for high-profile political trials to take place away from their home province to stop them getting beneficial treatment.

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THE NATION MONDAY 19, AUGUST , 2013

60

SPORT EXTRA AFTERMATH OF ROMANIA DEAL

AHEAD OF MALAWI CLASH

Onduku: I didn’t want to go for trials

No more experiments with F home Eagles—Keshi

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UPER EAGLES’ Chief Coach told NationSport exclusively yesterday

that the days of experimenting with players playing in the domestic league are over because he has confirmed what he wanted from the home front and now wants to concentrate on moulding the team.

Keshi on Wednesday led the Eagles to a heartwarming 20 victory against the Bafana

•Only in-form foreign players will be called •Team resumes camping August 25 in Abuja From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja Bafana of South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge football competition, held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban.

Keshi, however, told NationSport that only overseas

based players that have something special and unique quality to add something new to the team, will be the only players he wants to concentrate on for now since he had given enough time and opportunity for the home based players.

Soccer pundits have been wondering when the rebuilding process of the Super Eagles under Stephen Keshi would be over. But the Eagles‘ coach seems to be saying experimenting with the players in the Glo Professional Football League is over unless he discovers a high quality player that has the unique attributes to break into the main team from the domestic league here in Nigeria.

“We are still searching for good players. If we see one or two good players that can break into the line-up then we will bring such players into the main squad. But it is not

going to be a local player (from the Glo Nigeria Professional Football League). We don’t need that for now.

“We want only players that will contribute something better than what we have seen from the present squad of the Eagles. Honestly speaking that is the way things are for now”, the Eagles’ handler disclosed.

He also revealed the programme of the team for the all important 2014 World Cup qualifying match against the visiting Malawi national team slated for Calabar September 7, 2013.

“For the Malawi match, we expect the Europe based players to arrive camp at least a week (September 1st, 2013) to the match as being stipulated by FIFA while the home based players will be in camp two weeks to the match (August 25th, 2013).

Mourinho, Chelsea stars visit Omeruo •Wish him quick return

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•Keshi

NBBF still owing us —Dodan Warriors’ boss

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HE Chairman, Dodan Warriors Basketball Club, Col Sam Ahmedu (rtd) has insisted that the club and three others; Union Bank, Oluyole Warriors and Lagos Islanders, which played the Atlantic Conference Final Four in Lagos were entitled to the sum of N250,000 from the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

Speaking in Lagos on Saturday, Ahmedu reacted to the reports credited to the NBBF President, Tijjani Umar who said it was wrong for any club in the league to claim that they were owed after the federation had fulfilled their own part of the bargain with them for the regular season.

The Dodan Warriors boss said it is irrational for NBBF to have paid all the 16 teams in both Savannah and Atlantic Conferences the same ‘meagre’ amount, whereas the four teams which qualified from each conference expended more funds in preparation and additional competition.

According to Ahmedu the clubs complained of being short-changed by the federation adding that there was an agreement that each

By Akeem Lawal team was to get N250k before the commencement of the conference play-offs. He said that was the reason the teams insisted that they will boycott the games unless they were paid.

“Notwithstanding that the four clubs concerned voiced their displeasure with the manner the federation handled the matter and stated they may not play until they got clarification from the body, Umar chose the media to pour venom on imaginary enemies, instead of making efforts to explain the rationale for this ill-conceived decision”, he said.

He revealed that it took the pleas and re-assuring act from two officials of Supersport for the teams concerned to play the tournament, adding “that is not to say the clubs have given up the pursuit of our legitimate right”.

The 2013 DSTV Basketball League Final 4 now has Union Bank and Islanders that qualified from the Atlantic Conference while Kano Pillars and Mark Mentors of Abuja came out as the best two teams from the Savannah conference.

ANAGER Jose Mourinho, Petr Cech and Frank Lampard are some of the top Chelsea stars that have visited Super Eagles’ player, Kenneth Omeruo to wish him quick recovery from a keyhole surgery for a shoulder complaint he underwent last Wednesday.

Omeruo’s adviser, Conleth Chika Akujobi said in an interview that the youngster’s spirit has been lifted after getting words of encouragement from those that matter at Chelsea.

Akujobi hinted that Cech informed Omeruo that he was once involved in similar shoulder injury but later overcame it and now enjoying his game.

He revealed that the player had since been released from the hospital and has begun his rehabilitation towards recovery.

Akujobi noted that the healing process won’t sideline Omeruo completely as he could move about and involve in other light workouts stating that the former ADO Den Haag of Holland centre back was at the EPL FIXTURES Man City vs Newcastle RESULTS England Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Tottenham Chelsea 2 - 0 Hull City Spain Barcelona 7 - 0 Levante France Monaco 4 - 1 Montpellier Lorient 2 - 1 Nantes Germany Nürnberg 2 - 2 Hertha BSC Dortmund 2 - 1 Eintracht Brau Italy - Coppa Italia Internazionale 4 - 0 Cittadella Atalanta 3 - 0 Bari

From Tunde Liadi,Owerri Stamford Bridge Stadium on Friday to watch Chelsea U18 play a game.

The Holland based football expert confirmed that Omeruo would stay out of competitive football for about seven to eight weeks before he regains full recovery.

“I can tell you that some Chelsea players and coach Mourinho had visited Kenneth to wish him well in the surgery he just did. Frank Lampard and Petr Cech are the other notable men that visited him.

“He told me that Petr Cech told him that he had sustained similar injury before and later recovered to return to active football. Kenneth is calm about everything and very optimistic of coming back strongly as soon as he gets the green light of the medics,” Akujobi expressed in a chat.

The player’s shoulder pulled out during the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil and it relapsed during training at Chelsea recently.

He won’t be available for next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier at home to Malawi and could even miss the final qualifying fixtures should Nigeria advance to that stage.

The one-time Sunshine Stars of Akure defender returned to Chelsea after a loan spell at Dutch club ADO Den Haag and was expected to be given a look in by new Chelsea boss, Mourinho before the injury.

•Omeruo

ORMER home based Super Eagles’ winger, Gomo Onduku has said that his move to Romania was the best option for him as he didn’t want to go on trials to the club sides showing interest in him both in Europe and Africa.

The former Bayelsa United and Sharks Football Clubs player just completed a oneyear contract with the Romanian Liga I side, CS Concordia Chiajna.

“I had so many offers on my table, I studied them properly and accepted CS Concordia Chiajna’s offer,” said Onduku.

“A lot of questions have been raised over my move to Romania but it was just the best move that I had to make to really fulfill my dreams. I prefer playing here regularly and make a case for a bigger move than joining a club in second division in Germany where I will not be given enough playing time. This move is all about my career, its good I started from an unknown club but well known in Romania and propel my move to a bigger league in Europe,” he told NationSports.

“I choose Romania because

By Innocent Amomoh it’s a first division side. i turned down offers coming from the African countries because I think in Europe I will get better exposure despite the fact that the African clubs offered more money.

“I had offers to come on trials in lower clubs in Italy and Turkey but as a matter of fact, I think this is not the best time for me to go for trials in lower leagues.”

“When I went to Shaktar Donetsk, Arsenal, Juventus I had nasty experiences and I don’t want a repeat so I think I need were I will have a playing time in Europe.”

•Onduku

UEFA EUROPA CLASH

Haruna warns teammates against complacency

S

UPER EAGLES’ and Dynamo Kiev holding midfielder Lukman Haruna has warned his compatriot Brown Ideye and his other Dynamo teammates against complacency as they gear up for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League play-offs tie against Kazakhstani opposition FK Aktobe.

The Ukraine based club take on Aktobe on Thursday 22 August in Kazakhstan at the Ortalýq Stadion for the first leg encounter before

•Haruna

the return leg at the NSK Olimpijs’kyj in Kiev on Wednesday 28 August 2013.

Haruna who has been an integral part of Oleg Blokhin’s side has called on his team-mates to avoid underestimating their visitors as they know little or nothing about their host on Thursday.

“We know almost nothing about this team, so the game won’t be easy.

“We must take Aktobe seriously. Still I’m sure that we’ll qualify to Europa League group stage. Haruna told the Daily Times.

Meanwhile the club is yet to announce the travelling details for the squad but there are speculations suggesting that Dynamo may depart for Kazakhstan 72 hours before the game on Thursday.

The Nigerian stars will first of all have to overcome compatriot Mohammed Aliyu’s Tavriya in a domestic battle in the Ukraine Premier League Sunday 18 August 2013 as they aim to avoid another home defeat.

ETISALAT/ FC BARCELONA U-17 SCHOOLS CUP

Keke High School Ijaiye emerges champions

A

FTER an exciting route to the final, Keke high school emerged champions of the Etisalat FCB U-17 tourney, after they defeated Anthony Village High school by four goals to nothing, at the campos mini stadiun, Lagos highland on Saturday.

The first prize winner Keke high school won the sum of one N1million education grant and a trip to United Arab Emirates for the team, while Anthony village high school, the second placed team walked away with N750,000 and

By Aluko-Olokun Abolaji Akande Dahunsi High school in the third postion won N500,000 in form of grants.

Speaking at the event, Chairman Football association Lagos state Mr Seyi Akinwunmi said “When I look around and see kids play I can see the sense of pride in them(students in Lagos state), the FA is proud to associate with this and we share in Etisalat’s vision of wanting to improve talents from a very young age.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013

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WHO SAID WHAT

‘President Jonathan certainly does not need any enemies.

Indeed, Okupe is more than a handful. Pray, what kind of advice will an aide like Okupe give to Mr President?’

MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 8 NO 2,582

ROTIMI AMAECHI

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

T

HESE days, it sounds almost like a false irony to tether the word youth to peace in one sentence while referring to the North. Especially the Northeast, where youth conjures the images of the finality of blood and death, of daggers slitting throats, of AK47 brightening the nights with its staccato releases to helpless citizens, of whole families descending into sudden oblivion, and school children whose dawns are cut short in the midnight hour. In an ambience where massacre is routine, laughter only belongs to the tormentor like the predatory glee on the hyena’s face.

I refer to the Civilian JTF, a group of young men who have charted a new path against the rapine and slaughter of the Boko Haram. They represent perhaps the greatest news of youth activism in this country in a decade. They are Nigeria’s unsung heroes. Even the media, famished for celebration, has been coy about draping these boys in sonorous lines.

We have read in recent weeks, especially in the aftermath of the declaration of emergency rule in three northern states, of Boko Haram retreat. The extent of the Federal Government victory is still unclear, but, at least, in Yobe and the main city of Maiduguri, the activities of the group have suffered. The JTF has gone after the sectarian hoodlums with a measure of success. Because of the scanty media presence, we cannot ascertain JTF propaganda from fact.

We are, however, certain that much emergency has pruned the reach of BH. Even the JTF high command knows that its work has been relatively made light by a group of young men who decided to take peace in their hands.

They are volunteers for peace. They are saying that they want to live with peace, not the peace of guns and fear, but the peace that comes with civil coercion.

In the peak of violence that triggered the declaration of emergency, the JTF made little headway. Analysts, including this column, pointed out the deficiency of the security agency, and the failure of the security agencies to provide fruitful intelligence. Not even the zeal of international cooperation from the United States and the European Union has breathed a respite.

President Goodluck Jonathan fired the late Owoye Azazi and replaced him with the present national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki. The credentials of a former soldier and blueblood became the presidential explanation for the pick. I quickly responded on this page that it was a miscalculation to think that a blueblood could cow the insurgents when the emirs recoiled with fear at the sound of the BH. Palaces and top royals have fallen at the fatal hands of the group. It was, I argued, the case of the prince and the pauper, and it was futile to presume a prince could understand the working of the pauper community.

On many occasions, the locals had caviled at the JTF and charged that the soldiers killed too many innocents. The actual perpetrators survived, and the soldiers alienated the communities who should be their allies. The soldiers shot blindly and relied on guess work. Conse-

RIPPLES POLICEMAN CAUGHT DEMANDING N25,000 BLAMES THE DEVIL –News

..Devil again?... I bet the DEVIL must be RESIDENT in NIGERIA

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •NMMA Columnist of the Year

Our boy wonders up North

•Shettima

quently, many innocents fell.

The young who tried to run and who did not do anything horrendous saw themselves under siege on both ends. The Boko Haram harassed them and the protectors, the JTF, unleashed their firepower. So for the locals, even when they ran from death on one side they met it on another. It was like the words of the poet Emily Dickinson, “Because I could not stop for death, it kindly stopped for me.”

The young men decided to come together and volunteer their help for the efforts of the JTF. The initiatives began in a local community called Gonge, a suburb of Maiduguri. The body does not have the congratulatory vanity of many of our young groups, especially in the South, who band together for ostensibly humanitarian objectives. That is why some have recast the meaning of the acronym NGOs – non-government organisations – as ‘nothing going on.’ They brandish grandeur goals like democracy and human rights and AIDS activ-

ism, and draw juicy contributions from donor bodies in the western world, and either con or strike dubious partnerships with Nigerian governments.

What the civilian JTF boys do is provide intelligence for the JTF. They go about with sticks, machetes and knives. They don’t possess firearms. They are clever lads. They are not held together by faith, so they are not necessarily Muslims, or necessarily educated.

They are held together by love of land and protection of the innocents.

They are clearly putting their lives on the line. They do not operate under the shadows.

They mount roadblocks, and search the environment for infiltrations. They pass information to the authorities. A source said that the BH people frightened locals from snitching on BH partisans to the authorities because the BH often knew and came back to slaughter the informant. Now, the group goes to the authorities and report as a group and mask the identity of the real informant.

They also understand some of the strategies of the group. Sometimes when they want to know their “enemies,” they could storm, say, a market and allow one of the BH guys to be identified and those who say bad things about him are identified by the others who blend like chameleons with the crowd. The enemies are identified for subsequent onslaughts.

This is what the civilian BH boys are up against. We have had youth groups upset the tranquility of their regions. In the North, we are witnessing the ravages of BH. In the Niger Delta, we have had militancy. In the East, the swarm of kidnappers reined in the peace. In the Southwest, the OPC boys rumbled. Not in one of these regions did any youth group with the heroic sleight of hand and gallantry of the civilian JTF emerge. What we have had is op-

HARDBALL

I

T was a brilliant piece of enterprise journalism, the kind of scoop creative and thinking reporters would in a manner of speaking, manufacture. And mind you, there are dozens of such reports out there especially in an environment like ours where our public office has become an amusement park and office holders are sight-seers and revellers. We refer though belatedly, to the mid-term assessment report of the Senate as reported by Daily Trust of July 31, 2013. The paper showcased a front page lead story of 34 senators who did not table a single bill in two years. The newspaper also made a splash of the names and photographs of the bench-snuggling lawmakers.

Regardless of the defenses some of them may have put up, Hardball insists that being bill-blank after two years as a senator is a veritable testimony that such a fellow is not fit to occupy a seat in the hallowed chambers of Nigeria’s elite legislative conclave. The cases of the laggards become the more inexcusable when in the same number of years and under the same circumstance, some other senators have turned in as many as 24 bills. How could Senator Ndoma Egba have managed to table 24 bills during the same period, Senator Benedict Ayade, 18, Senator Ita Enang, 12 while three others

portunism.

Not many would have thought that, in guts and righteous glory, the North would show the light. We cannot overplay the work of the boys from the North. They know that “the glory of the young man is his strength,” according to the psalmist in the Bible. They are using their strengths for extraordinary exploits. Philosopher Plato said “youth is the time for any extraordinary toil,” in The Republic.

They made headlines when they identified women in purdah masquerading their involvement with the deadly group. They have not asked for funding, and no names have flaunted their activities to elicit filthy lucre. Governor Kashim Shettima expressed open support for them recently.

This is a fresh departure from activist youths who prefer to campaign and kill for politicians.

Some Boko Haram boys drew their firepower originally from working in campaign organisations in the North, ditto to Niger Delta militants. Bunu Sheriff Musa, a peddler of ignorance, once exulted over the illiteracy of his subjects as governor. He is an APC partisan, just like the pedophile Yerima. The new party should be careful not to sully their party with such subversions of role models.

The civilian JTFs are an example of how to be young and fruitful.

Kindergarten father

O

BJ blamed the younger generation for Nigeria’s woe. Pray, who is OBJ to speak up on who ruined Nigeria? No need to cherry pick names for why things have gone wrong. But focus on generations instead. Whose generation brought us the civil war, destroyed democracy with coups, plundered the Naira, sought third term, destroyed our preeminence in cocoa, groundnut and palm produce? Whose generation initiated the Andrews seeking pastures abroad? Who gave us grand armed robbers like Oyenusi, or do-or-die politics? Or graduate unemployment? Was OBJ not head of state when a newspaper cartooned his generous paunch with belt across when he introduced the first belt-tightening in the economy? Who lied about war heroics? Whose generation started opportunism, sowing when he did not sow, becoming a leader when they killed his boss Murtala Muhammed while he hid with his friend? Secondly when they killed his kinsman Abiola even when he opposed his mandate?

Why is he with Jonathan again after the man ignored him? Now the father is going to the son Jonathan with whom he was not pleased before who was described as kindergarten by Akande. Now, from OBJ’s words, he taught his son the kindergarten Joe. So he is the kindergarten father.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Behold, the bench-warming senators (Smart Adeyemi, Domingo Obenbe and Ifeanyi Okowa) tabled 11 bills each.

During the period under review, a total of 342 bills were introduced and out of a total of 109 senators, 74 sponsored at least one bill. Of the 342 bills, 191 emanated from senators from the South, 85 were sponsored by northern senators while 42 were executive bills. The remaining 23 were bills originating from the House of Representatives requiring concurrence. Though the senators from the North are more in number being 57 out of the 109, they could only muster less than half of the total bills compared to their southern counterparts.

Of particular note is the fact that most of the senators who were former state governors all had zero bills in two years. Consider their roll call: Ahmed Makarfi who held sway in Kaduna for eight years, Ahmed Sani Yerima governed Zamfara for eight years while George Akume also led Benue State for two terms of eight years before retiring to the senate. Others are Bukar Abba Ibrahim who was the overlord in Yobe State; Danjuma Goje was in Gombe State, Chris Ngige ruled Anambra State and Kabiru Gaya was in Kano. One would think

that with their experience in managing their various states and participating in national affairs at a very high level, they would understand some regional and national issues that would require legislation. But apparently, they either do not understand or they pay no mind to such issues. Indeed, the Senate may well have been a retirement home for these former governors who have not capitalised on the unctuous platform provided by the Senate to make some impact in national affairs.

The non-performance or dormancy, if you like becomes irksome if you know that these 34 senators would have taken home a total of about N1 billion in pay in the two years in review. While it may be argued that tabling bills is not the only duty of the lawmakers, it is a major plank and not being able to think through one bill in two years says something not too savoury about any senator. Beyond bills, most of the laggard senators have not proven to be active in various other ways like championing the causes of their constituencies or being upfront on national issues.

The Senate is the place where great politicians make their marks. But not so these bench-warmers.

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