The Nation Aug 28, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Akeredolu, Oke seek fresh poll in Ondo NEWS

Page 5

•Supreme Court’s verdict tomorrow

Protest in Benin over Ozekhome

NEWS Page 12

•Police: no ransom demand yet

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VOL. 8, NO. 2589 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Panic as Jonathan invites ministers

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HERE was panic among ministers yesterday following the invitation of some of their colleagues by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It was learnt that some ministers, who were out of Abuja, were recalled for “consultations” on Monday.

Besides, the Presidency

•Govt queries Odimegwu From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

queried yesterday the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Festus Odimegwu.

The sacked Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Inuwa Abdul-Kadir, bade

the ministry’s staff an emotional farewell.

He said he learnt a lot within his short stay in office.

According to sources, the President has kept all the Ministers on their toes after a mid-term assessment of

their performance.

It was gathered that the President is now paying attention to the performance benchmark set for all the ministers.

A source said: “There is pressure on Ministers to perform or leave. The President is not ready to grant permission for any local or Continued on page 4

•EX-HEAD OF SERVICE DECLARED WANTED AS EFCC ARRESTS 17 IN OYO •P8

Suntai’s ‘return to work’ sparks crisis in Taraba Speaker, Majority Leader clash

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From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

HE stage seemed set yesterday for a major crisis in Taraba State.

House of Assembly Speaker Haruna Tsokwa said Alhaji Garba Umar remains the acting governor, until the House deliberates on Governor Danbaba Suntai’s letter.

The speaker briefed reporters in his office after the House Majority Leader, Hon. Joseph Albasu, declared that Suntai had taken charge.

Tsokwa said: “Governor Danbaba Suntai has transmitted a letter to the House, but his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, will continue to act, until this Assembly deliberates on the letter.”

He said he was unaware of the House Majority Leader’s statement.

The speaker said Suntai must appear on the floor of the House and speak to lawmakers, or some principal officers of the House must go and talk to him in the Government House.

Tsokwa said Suntai’s wife, Hajiya Hauwa, blocked some officials from seeing the govContinued on page 4

Governor Danbaba Suntai has transmitted a letter to the House, but his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar, will continue to act, until this Assembly deliberates on the letter —Speaker

Danbaba Suntai has transmitted a letter to this very House, indicating his intention to resume work ...Suntai has complied with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution —Maj. Leader

•Daniel •The scene of a tanker fire in Ibadan...yesterday

PHOTO: OSHEYE OKWUOFU

Three feared dead in Ibadan tanker fire

ST OR Y ON STOR ORY PAGE 9

•POWER: GOVT SIGNS $500M MOU P7 •RIVERS COMMISSIONER SHOT P4

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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NEWS

‘How govt

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (holding microphone) presenting vehicles to traditional rulers in Ado-Ekiti... yesterday. With him are (from left) Special Adviser, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Aderemi Ajayi; Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Chairman, State Council of Obas, Oba Idowu Adamo Babalola (Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti); Speaker, State House of Assembly Dr. Adewale Omirin; and the immediate past Chairman, Council of Obas, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji (Owa Oye of Okemesi).

•President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria Mr Segun Aina( right), presenting a certificate of membership to the General Manager, Zenith Bank, Ms Bukky Latunji, during the investiture of members/fellows of the institute in Lagos... at the weekend.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

• From left: Chairman, Unimer Group SA Morocco Bishop Ema Okonkwo, Global Managing Director Mr Mohammed Edderkaoui and CEO, Chief Odun Fadoju during the unveiling of new marketing communication strategies for Titus Sardine in Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

• Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (left) greeting the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi after the signing of the Memorandum of Understating (MoU) on the promotion of maritime safety and security at the Airforce Headquarters in Abuja... on Monday. With them is NIMASA's Director of Legal, Mrs. Rita Uruakpa (right).

Foluseke Abidemi Somolu, an engineer and former topshot at the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), was Senior Special Assistant (Power Sector Reform) to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umar Yar' Adua. Somolu, in this piece, sheds light on why the country sometimes experiences power blackout, among others.

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YSTEM collapses in the Nigerian power supply system have been reported in the newspapers. Up to thirteen have been reported this year alone, as at 1st of August. But what is a system collapse, what are the consequences, etc.?

'System collapse' is the term used to describe the situation when all the power generating stations connected to the grid shut down at the same time or immediately one after the other, leaving the entire area supplied by the grid (the whole country, in the case of the Nigerian grid) in blackout. Generating plants may shut down as a result of human deliberate control action as part of normal operational scheduling, or automatically as a result of self-protective action.

Self-protective shutdown of generators may be initiated by protective relays installed on the generating plant reacting to any one or combination of potentially harmful operational development within the power station or individual generator. It may, on the other hand be as a result of happenings on the grid, external to the generating plant, but which have the potential to impose operational duties on the generator beyond its capability. One of such is when the system operating frequency falls outside the allowable deviation from the nominal level stipulated for the generating plant.

The system nominal frequency applicable to all generating plant and electrical appliances in Nigeria and many other countries is 50Hz (50 cycles per second). (The exceptions are in the Americas, north and south, where it is 60Hz). Thermal stations (i.e. those burning some form of fuel, especially the steam stations), due to their many pumps and motors controlling critical functions, are more sensitive to low frequency than hydro stations. But all of them, whether hydro or thermal, will eventually shut down when the frequency falls low enough, and then a system collapse results.

We may ask what causes the system frequency to fall. A load demand imposed on the grid greater than the combined capacity of all the connected generating stations will cause the system frequency to fall.

With our low generating capacity (4000MW) in comparison to our country's actual demand, it is obvious we will always be operating in the vicinity of low system frequency.

When the increase in load demand is due to consumers, the rate of fall in the system frequency is gradual

•Dr. Jonathan

and the speed governors of each generator can take some corrective action automatically by boosting the fuel input to the generator to increase its speed, and hence the frequency, provided the generator had not been fully loaded up to that point. This is similar to when, upon approaching a hill, the driver of a truck changes gear and presses down harder on the accelerator pedal of the truck. Good system operating practice requires that one or more generators in the grid are deliberately only partially loaded so there is ample and readily available spare capacity, called "spinning reserve", to absorb unplanned sudden load demand placed on the grid such as when a huge industrial consumer comes on line, or a generating plant is shut down by its own self-protective action thereby placing a heavy load demand on the remaining generating stations. When these automatic actions, i.e. the combination of the speed governors and the spinning reserve, fail to arrest the frequency drop, the system operators at the National Control Centre who are monitoring the state of the power system and noticing the dropping system frequency, can intervene 'manually' and instruct one or more power stations to start and bring up additional generating plant. They can in addition instruct a substation to disconnect some consumers to reduce the system load demand. Nowadays the system operators are not able to establish communication with stations quickly enough to arrest the impending collapse. This is because the SCADA (i.e. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) that enables the system operator monitor happenings at all grid stations, as well as the special "no fail" communications facilities built for instant linkup between the control centre and all stations when the grid was being developed in 1960s -1980s and which were still functioning up to the mid 1990s, are all now virtually broken down or not even there anymore. The voice communications have been largely replaced with GSM phones but their 'network problems' and 'subscriber not available' messages, and other interruptions obviously make the use of GSM completely unsuitable for this function.

Another scenario in which the system frequency falls is when the system overload is caused by a fault (i.e. a short-circuit) on any one of the

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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NEWS

can reduce power blackout’

‘

The major problem encountered during restoration following a system collapse is the time required to restart the generating plants. The thermal stations pose the biggest challenge. They cannot remain spinning when they have no load connected to them and usually shut down when system collapses occur. And when they shut down, they eject their steam they have built up and depend upon to operate. This is in order to avoid dangerous steam pressure buildup.

It takes about six to ten hours to raise new steam and start operation again

‘

•Somolu

many transmission lines that make up the grid. Since many thousands of kilometers of our transmission lines pass through heavy forests, the possibility of vegetation fouling the lines and causing faults is ever present, except the line trace is cleared of all vegetation up to 15metres on either side of the line for the whole length of the line, which is easier said than done, especially because of the heavy costs and logistics involved. These line faults represent very heavy load demands that require every generating plant on the grid to contribute multiples of its capacity, which of course, is impossible. Here we have a "double jeopardy" situation.

Apart from the overload placed on each generator, which is harmful on its own, the system frequency also

drops very sharply and beyond allowable thresholds. The system protective relays should normally remove the faulted line from service promptly before the generators' selfprotection relays react. But they can only do so, if they act in a coordinated manner, i.e. if they are properly calibrated and their settings coordinated with each other, and also provided the communications links between them are functioning.

Again it is doubtful if this is still so nowadays. Protection engineers, specialists in their own right, whose function it is to calibrate and ensure proper coordination of these relays are an endangered species in the power industry nowadays. Also, as has been mentioned earlier, most tele-protection communication channels in the power system are no

more functioning as they used to.

Line faults are therefore usually removed too slowly. The ‘last ditch’ provision to save the system from collapse in this situation then is the under-frequency emergency loadshedding arrangement. But it is not always very effective because the consumers on the feeders it removes from service may not have their total load anywhere close to the demand imposed on the system by the fault, and a system collapse still occurs.

Now why do blackouts due to system collapses last so long? The major problem encountered during restoration following a system collapse is the time required to restart the generating plants. The thermal stations pose the biggest challenge.

They cannot remain spinning when

NBA: we won’t submit to CBN’s, EFCC’s control

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HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday rejected a bid by the Federal Government to control its members’ transactions through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It has filed a suit challenging the new provision that lawyers must report transactions beyond $1,000 to the government as a way of fighting terrorism and money laundering.

“We are willing to join the fight against terrorism and money laundering, but not at the expense of the independence of the bar,” NBA President Okey Wali (SAN) said.

He spoke at a plenary session at the association’s 53rd Annual General Conference in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

Wali said NBA went to court because while it did not support money laundering, adding that lawyers would not be blackmailed into submitting to external control.

“We will not succumb to being regulated from the outside,” he said.

Every lawyer is expected to report transactions above $1,000 to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) at the EFCC -- in line with the Money

EFCC arrests satellite broadcast scammer in Kano

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From Joseph Jibueze, Calabar

Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011.

Section 5 of the law says if a lawyer defaults in reporting, the CBN Governor can withdraw his licence.

“The law says what we as lawyers cannot accept. We couldn’t understand how the CBN governor will withdraw my licence from me from outside the bar. It is also in conflict with our laws on solicitorclient relationship,” Wali said.

The NBA President said the association had strong internal mechanisms for self-regulation.

Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch, Mr Alex Muoka, said banks were already mandated to report certain transactions beyond particular amounts to security agencies; “therefore, asking lawyers to make such reports amounts to duplication of duties.”

The CBN, he said, should rather monitor more closely banks’ reporting of transactions that go through them.

The association said one way to checkmate crime among lawyers was through the introduction of the stamp and seal project, with which all legitimate lawyers in the country could be identified.

they have no load connected to them and usually shut down when system collapses occur. And when they shut down, they eject their steam they have built up and depend upon to operate. This is in order to avoid dangerous steam pressure buildup. It takes about six to ten hours to raise new steam and start operation again. And when they are restarted, they have to be loaded in small increments, allowing them to stabilise at each load level before taking on additional consumers. Sometimes the anxiety to load the generators quickly and shorten the system blackout may lead to taking on too much load at a time and cause a generator to shut down again and return the operators to the beginning all over again.

All this while, the national control

centre (NCC) is abuzz with activities, talking to and passing instructions to all the power stations and gridconnected substations across the country, coordinating the restoration efforts.

Even as simply as one has tried to describe it, the foregoing should have shown that maintaining the integrity of the grid consists of a series of many and painstaking activities, many of them highly specialised. It also requires the continuous availability of many facilities for the operators of the grid, as has been mentioned earlier, over and above simply building of power stations and substations in various parts of the country, and transmission lines to link them to each other.

These facilities include but are not limited to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and no-fail voice communications that must work even in the face of national power blackout.

And having made this point, one should also add that while it may not be possible to totally avoid system collapses, their frequency can definitely be drastically reduced. In fact, in 1992 the country recorded zero system collapses. In the few years preceding that year (1992), through the determined efforts of the staff and the cooperation of Management (through the provision of funds), the coordination of the protective schemes in the grid was highly improved, most of the inconsistencies in the relay settings having been 'debugged'; the SCADA having just been commissioned and put to use in the country's power system for the first time, and the power system communications facilities being maintained in correct working order. Staff at that time were also very well trained to have been able to do the operation and maintenance work required at the highest standards.

So, if we really want to reduce or eliminate system collapses, government needs to look into all these.

•Wali

The Chairman of NBA Stamp and Seal Committee, Hassan Liman (SAN), said the situation had become so bad that some processes filed in court were signed by fake lawyers, who did not pass through the Nigerian Law School.

Lawyers, however, rejected the announcement that the stamp would be renewed annually at a cost.

A chorus of “no!” filled the hall as lawyers said they could not be made to buy the stamps every year.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday confirmed the arrest of a suspected digital satellite broadcast scammer, Tope Ajayi, in Kano.

The commission said Ajayi was picked up last Friday by the operatives of the EFCC from his apartment at 26, Link Bawo Road, in Hausawa, Kano, following intelligence report.

A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said over 100 decoders and other computer gadgets were recovered from his server room during a search on his apartment.

The statement said: “Ajayi, who claimed to have worked with Skye Bank Plc, is said to be a major digital satellite broadcast scammer.

“He is alleged to have a server that links up with a server in China and an unknown Internet Service Provider (ISP) somewhere in Europe or the United States of America.”

The EFCC said the suspect was also alleged to be “engaged in illegal importation, selling and distribution of pirated devices popularly known as Dungle which enables subscribers to have free access to Multichoice satellite signals across West and Central Africa.”

The statement added: “According to Mr. Frikkie Jonker, Senior Anti-Piracy Manager, Multichoice, Ajayi’s server is considered strong as it controls its counterpart server in China and distributes satellite signals to a host of West African and Central African countries, including Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya Uganda and Benin Republic .

“It was also revealed that the suspect had been extracting control words from Multichoice cards in Nigeria and sending same to a server in China which is connected to an ISP server placed somewhere in Europe or America.

“Jonker, who expressed his gratitude to the EFCC for the arrest, described the scam as one of the biggest in recent times.

“Ajayi will be arraigned in court when investigation is concluded.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

NEWS Gunmen shoot Rivers commissioner From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

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HE Rivers State Commissioner for Sports Fred Igwe was at the weekend shot near Port Harcourt.

He was taken to an undisclosed hospital where he was receiving treatment last night.

Igwe, who was with two other persons in the Toyota Corolla saloon car, marked: GCG 11, was shot by the gunmen on Sunday evening at Akpajo-Eleme (near Port Harcourt) in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers state.

It was learnt yesterday in Port Harcourt that the commissioner’s vehicle was riddled with bullets. The attack took place around 8:15 pm.

Rivers police Spokesperson Angela Agabe, who confirmed the shooting, said Igwe sustained “minor” injuries.

•From left: Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha; former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim; Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Agabe assured that the police would Champion publisher Chief Emmanuel Iwanyanwu; author of the book, Dr Amanze Obi and Senator Ben Obi during the Public Presentation of the Book’ Delicate soon apprehend the criminals and prosPHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE Distress in Abuja...yesterday ecute them.

Panic as Jonathan invites ministers Continued from page 1

foreign trip, unless it is necessary.

“As a matter of fact, there is panic among Ministers because some of their colleagues were summoned on Monday by the President alongside the sacked Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Inuwa Abdul-Kadir.”

Some ministers, who were recalled, made it to the Presidential Villa. Abdul-Kadir was held up at the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

It was not immediately clear yesterday what the President discussed with the ministers.

A source said he asked every cabinet member to increase his “project delivery pace without compromising quality”.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the change of administrative style by President Goodluck Jonathan in the last few days has also made the ministers to be jittery.

It was learnt that instead

of announcing changes from the Presidential Villa, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, is now in charge of such announcements.

Odimegwu is said to have been queried for comments capable of causing disaffection.

It was gathered that the government was uncomfortable with the interview he granted some newspapers.

He had alleged in a report that the census figures during the era of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo were cooked up.

A source in the Presidency said: “Odimegwu has been queried. The SGF was mandated to issue him a query to ascertain whether he said what was ascribed to him or not.”

Abdul-Kadir said he had learnt a lot during his short tenure in office.

He is believed to have been fired for being close to House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Sokoto Governor Aliyu Wamakko.

According to a statement

by the Assistant Director (Press), Olusola Abiola, the ex-minister spoke while handing over to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tunji Olaopa.

The statement said: “Abdul-Kadir has expressed his deep appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan for the opportunity to serve the nation affording him the privilege to contribute his own quota to the development of about 60 million youths across the federation.

“He disclosed that his short stint in the ministry has enabled him appreciate greatly the numerous challenges facing the Nigerian youth.

“He said he has learnt a lot from the seasoned administrators and technocrats in the course of the discharge of his duties.

“He used the opportunity to advise the officials of the ministry to continue to discharge their responsibilities in a manner that will continue to advance the policies of the Federal Government for the sector.

“He told the gathering,

EU seeks end to corruption, impunity in Nigeria

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•Odimegwu

which includes the Directors-General of the National Youth Service Corps and the Citizens & Leadership Training Centre, to always be steadfast as public servants in their service to the nation.

“However, in separate remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, the Directors-General of NYSC and C&LTC extolled the virtues of the former Minister and thanked him for his contributions to the development of the Ministry.”

HE European Union is concerned about the level of corruption in Nigeria. It called for adequate measures to halt the impunity.

The outgoing Ambassador/ Head of European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr David MacRea, stated the position of the EU yesterday in Abuja. He spoke to reporters in a valedictory session.

MacRae said: “Nigeria has to deal seriously with what is known as the immunity clause.

It seems just few offenders are being punished while the real people who commit the offences get away.

“It is regrettable that corruption in Nigeria is not going down and it is affecting the entire country. I am not saying that Nigeria is the worst country; you still find so many good things in Nigeria.

“I am also happy that the government is taking very serious steps to deal with the issue of corruption”.

The outgoing envoy said he expected better funding for states and local governments “Simply because I want to see that money should be better spent. To make it to be better, it requires other things to be in place and I think we need to

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

make a special effort to ensure that the judiciary is functioning correctly so that court cases can be done speedily and effectively.”

He said too much time is spent on appeals in the courts adding.

MacRea said it would be wrong for anyone to think that all will be perfect with democracy within the short period of 14 years when civil rule returned.

“If we expect to find in Nigeria, everything in a good state as far as governance is concerned, we are not obviously facing the reality.”

He spoke about the diversity and beauty of Nigeria as some of the memories he would be taking away with him.

“I am saying that because there are diversities of people; they say 250 different ethnic groups, languages are quite different, customs are different. You get off the plane in Anambra and you see one situation, it is nothing like when you go to Kano or Jigawa and when you go to Lagos you will see this incredible city.

And if you look at the construction taking place around Abuja, it is such an incredible range in Continued on page 57

Suntai’s ‘return to work’ sparks crisis in Taraba Continued from page 1

ernor yesterday.

Tsokwa became the speaker when Istifanus Haruna Gbana, an ally of Suntai, was removed while the governors was still in the hospital. Suntai arrived in Jalingo on Sunday after a 10month stay in German and American hospitals.

He was injured when a plane he piloted crashed near Yola, Adamawa State, on October 25, last year.

On Monday, he transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly, informing lawmakers of his readiness to begin work.

Albasu told reporters at the Assembly Complex, Jalingo, that the House received the governor’s letter and gave him the go-ahead to take charge, having fulfilled the provision of the Constitution.

Albasu is representing Lau Constituency. Tsokwa was not present, but Albasu said he was speaking for all the House members. With him were: Hon. Charles Maijankai (Karim-Lamido Constituency), Ishaya Gani (Wukari) and another member.

The lawmakers proclaimed Suntai as physically and mentally fit to govern.

But a section of the House is alleging that the signature on the governor’s letter is not Sun-

Falana, rights groups cry out over Suntai’s resumption

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HERE is public outcry over the purported resumption of Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai, who returned to the country on Sunday after 10 months of hospitalisation abroad.

Civil society groups are disputing his fitness to hold the reins of office considering his fragile state of health on arrival from the United States. Suntai was helped out of the aircraft.

The Taraba State House of Assembly has confirmed the receipt of a letter from the governor informing it of his resumption of duty.

But Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday wrote Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar to investigate to confirm the authenticity of the letter.

Falana gave the IG a three-day ultimatum to investigate whether the letter was authentic “because there are several allegations within and outside Taraba State that the letter of intention may have been forged by the governor’s handlers.”

Falana added: “please take notice that in the event that our demand is not acceded to

tai’s.

The members,who are believed to be pro-Umar also said they were stopped from seeing Suntai - “an indication that he is not fit”.

But Albasu refuted the allegation, citing mischief.

“We saw Governor Suntai in New York and now that he has

John Ofikhenua, Abuja

within three days inclusive of the day of the receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to approach the law court to mandate your office to carry out its constitutional duty” In Jalingo, a group, the Coalition of Taraba Youth Movement, urged the House of Assembly to summon Suntai to speak to the people of the state.

The President of the coalition, Malam Abubakar Waziri, who spoke at a news conference yesterday in Jalingo, noted that the people had been praying for the ailing governor for the past 10 months and now that he had returned, the uncertainty surrounding his health should be put to rest.

“We want Governor Suntai to speak to the people, either through the media or at the House of Assembly.

He said Taraba is in a state of confusion now “because the people do not know what to believe.”

Civil Society groups, ‘Say No Campaign’ and ‘United Action for Democracy’ yesterday urged the Taraba Assembly to make

returned, and judging from the conversation we had with him, the governor is sound to resume work,” Albasu said.

Displaying the letter, the Majority Leader said the House had verified that the signature is Suntai’s. Whoever that is denying is only bringing confusion.

way for Deputy Governor Garba Umar to act as governor because Suntai is no longer fit to lead.

The groups criticised the handling of the governor’s return They spoke jointly at a news conference in Abuja yesterday. Convener of the Say No Campaign, Ezenwa Nwagwu and a Director of United Action for Democracy Jaye Gaskia, decribed the hasty transmission of letter to the Taraba House as the “handiwork of political jobbers bent on satisfying selfish interest at the detriment of the state.”

“While we sympathise with the Suntais and the people of Taraba state, we however condemn unequivocally the attempt by some political vultures within and outside the state who are bent on holding the whole state to ransom and make effective governance once again unrealistic,” said Nwagwu.

Gaskia likened what was happening to a repeat of the late President Umaru Yar’adua saga when he was brought in by his associates to keep running the country even though he was incapable.”

“The governor could have thump printed the letter, if he wished, provided forensic test

shows he is the one.”

The Majority Leader said: “Pharm. Danbaba Suntai, who

CORRECTION In yesterday’s story titled “Three injured in Iyin-Ekiti violence”, there was an inadvertent reference to APC state chairman Chief Jide Awe.It should have been Major Tajudeen Awe, caretaker Chairman of Irepodun/ Ifelodun local government, Ekiti State.

•Suntai

is the Executive Governor of Taraba State, has transmitted a letter to this very House, indicating his intention to resume work and take over the functions of the state as the executive governor.

“The letter was caused and Continued on page 57

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28, 2013

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NEWS

2015: Only constitution can stop Jonathan, says Clark From Vincent Ikuomola and Nike Adebowale, Abuja

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JAW leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has said it is only the constitution that can stop President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2015 presidential election.

The one-time Federal Commissioner noted that the purported agreement between the President and some governors of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not hold water.

He said since the constitution provides for two terms, every other agreement on the number of terms for the President is illegal.

Clark blamed the controversy on the President’s second term bid on some politicians who he accused of overheating the polity for their personal ambitions.

The Ijaw leader spoke yesterday when he received a delegation of Second Republic’s federal legislature in his Asokoro, Abuja home.

He said: “Nigeria is great.

Only a few people want to confuse this country, because of their personal ambitions.

“Today, it is Mr. President’s turn; tomorrow, it will be another man’s turn.

That is why we have the constitution.

“The constitution says that before you can be qualified to be a President of this country, you must have contested an election and, after the first term of four years, you can contest again for a second term of another four years. Thereafter, you will not be eligible again, that is the law...”

Nasarawa Assembly shut as youths attack lawmakers

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HE Nasarawa State House of Assembly has been shut down indefinitely following yesterday’s attack on the lawmakers by irate youths.

Speaker Musa Mohammed anoounced the shut-down in Lafia,the state capital.

He spoke in company of Police Commissioner Shehu Umar.

The Speaker said the Assembly had alerted security agencies on the impending attack but the youths still found their way into the Assembly complex.

Mohammed said the Assembly would not sit until the security of the members is guaranteed.

Umar said the police would bring the attackers to book.

Hundreds of youths threw stones at the lawmakers after Governor Tanko Al-Makura, appeared before them to honour an invitation.

The youths reportedly protested the manner of the invitation of the governor to explain the executive’s non-implementation of the lawmakers’ resolutions.

When the governor tried to pacify them he was rebuffed. Security officials had to fire teargas to disperse them.

S

Fashola, others disagree on election petitions

ECTION 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution was a bone of contention between Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) yesterday.

They debated the need to delete or retain the sub-section in the constitution.

The question of whether or not it violates fair hearing and denies petitioners justice became the subject of a passionate debate at a programme organised by the Section on Legal Practice (SLP) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at its ongoing 53rd Annual General Conference in Calabar, the Cross River State.

The session had the

From Joseph Jibueze, Calabar

theme: Rethinking the Provisions of Section 285 (6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended on Election Petitions for a Stable Constitutional Democracy.

Fashola urged the National Assembly to remove the section from the constitution because not only does it unjustly limit the time for adjudicating cases but also creates the rush to their conclusion, often without the benefit of a full trial.

He relied on the experiences shared by former Lagos Attorney-General, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN;, former Edo State Attorney-

General, Charles Edosomwan (SAN) and Mr Ebun Sofunde (SAN). They all held the view that Section 285 (6) violated the principles of fair hearing enshrined in the same constitution.

But other SANs, including Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, Chief Emeka Ngige, Dr Alex Iziyon, Dr Onyekachi Ikpeazu, Ndukwu Nnawushi and Lanke Odogiyon said the section should be retained with further modifications to it.

Section 265 (6) provides that election petitions must be heard and determined within 180 days (six months), including appeals arising from it.

Fashola said the provision has made election riggers to believe that they can steal mandates, get into office and frustrate trial from being started and concluded within 180 days.

“What message are we sending out about peace and security when people are driven from justice?”

Fashola asked.

According to him, while the delays in the determination of election petitions were inordinate and increased cost of judicial time, the question is whether the section is the right remedy.

He wondered whether it could have been that the party in the majority simply “bulldozed” its way through

parliament in order to preserve further ‘losses’, or might have sought to prevent a retrieval of mandates that it had stolen at the polls.

Fashola said more fundamental questions should have been asked, such as what roles parties, lawyers and judges played in the delays, and whether the professionals involved in the trial were sufficiently prepared by training and experience for the tasks assigned them.

“Was there any assessment process within the institution of the Nigerian Bar and the judiciary to examine performances of lawyers and judges involved in the undertaking of this national project of monumental and life-changing impact?”

DHQ, 34 navies hold maritime conference

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Lagos State governor and guest speaker, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (second left); Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice C. C. Nweze (left); Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN) (second right) and Mr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) at the 53rd NBA annual general conference in Calabar...yesterday

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Akeredolu, Oke call for fresh election

HE Supreme Court will tomorrow deliver judgement in the appeals filed on last year’s governorship election in Ondo State.

Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate; Mr. Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their parties are contesting the outcome of the election.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who was declared winner, and his party, the Labour Party (LP) as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) filed cross-appeals, urging the court to, among others, uphold the election.

The apex court, yesterday, chose tomorrow for judgment after entertaining argu-

• Supreme Court’s verdict tomorrow in Ondo

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

ments from the parties.

Akeredolu’s lawyer Wole Aina contended that the election was invalid because it was plagued with irregularities and gross violation of the due process.

He also argued that the conduct of the election was not in compliance with the Electoral Act. The lawyer prayed the court to order a fresh election.

Aina argued that the court was right in its decision to hear the case during its vacation because it is a constitutional provision that the case must be heard within 60 days.

He argued that the constitution takes precedence over the rule of any court and that

the court has the power to hear the case during vacation to beat the 60 days’ deadline.

Also, the counsel to Oke, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), argued that the election was invalid because the INEC allegedly injected over 100,000 voters into the process without displaying the names before the election, as required by the electoral law.

The lawyer submitted that the INEC failed to publish and display the voters’ register, as required by the electoral law, before a valid election could be conducted.

He also argued that the INEC could not be said to have conducted a valid election because it failed to display the voters’ register, as required by law.

Fagbemi averred that the

condition precedent for election was not observed because the parties, including INEC agreed that over 100,000 names were inserted into the voters’ register without following due process.

He urged the court to order a fresh election in Ondo state.

Counsel to Mimiko and the LP, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Yusuf Ali (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the appeal because the case was baseless and could no longer be heard on jurisdiction.

Olanipekun argued that the case has become a mere academic exercise with the absence of the Action Congress ofNigeria(ACN), the platform on which Akeredolu stood for the election.

Turaki urges North’s leaders to join war on insecurity

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HE Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the Morth, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, yesterday urged northern leaders to join the efforts to end the security challenges in the region occasioned by Boko Haram sect’s activities.

Turaki spoke in Kaduna when he led other members of the committee to the national secretariat of the

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

He criticised some northerners who declined to serve in the committee but still cast aspersion on its assignment.

The committee chief said such people might have been benefiting from activities of the insurgents.

Turaki told ACF leaders that as the highest political leadership in the North, they

should show more concern about the security challenges in the region and work for a resolution.

He said: “We must appreciate that even though this is a Nigerian problem, except we northerners take a very proactive position, except we northerners come out and tell the world that we are responsible stakeholders, that as the highest political leadership in the North, that enough is enough and then lend our

voices collectively, we will not be seen as northerners who should show more concern. We must show more concern than other concerned citizens in this country.”

Turaki, who is also the Minister for Special Duties, admitted that the committee had to grapple with series of challenges.

He, however, assured Nigerians that the comiittee’s dialogue was going on smoothly.

THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) as well as the navies from 34 countries yesterday converged on Lagos for the maiden International Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Africa Conference.

It was aimed at stopping piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

Participants at the conference said there was need for a joint regional maritime force to address increasing sea crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.

They noted that the area has become one of the most dangerous maritime domains with piracy and sea robbery threats.

The participants said regional navies need to work together to achieve success, adding that criminal gangs were taking advantage of their inability to collaborate at the operational and strategic levels to cause trouble in the region.

The participants noted that the nature of most regional navies to information sharing was also contributing to the challenges in curbing sea crimes.

According tothem, criminals easily commit offences in one domain and enter another country without trace.

At the event, which was organised by the Nigerian Navy, in conjunction with International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC), were the Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Obada; Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ola Ibrahim; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba and the Chief of Air Staff (CAF) Air Marshall Alex Badeh.

Obada said the conference protrayed the feasibility of a potent strategy and civilmilitary synergy,whic is needed to mitigate increasing vulnerabilities in African waters.

“The economic opportunities that abound in African waters have progressively witnessed increasing interests across a broad spectrum of profitable commercial activities,” she said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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NEWS Four suspected pirates feared dead

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OUR suspected sea pirates were yesterday feared dead after a shootout with men of the NNS Victory of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

One of the naval officers, Seaman, Barau Ibrahim, suffered a gunshot wound on his hip.

The navy succeeded in capturing one of the suspected sea pirates, who gave his name as Bassey Bassey, and brought him to the NNS Victory base.

The leader of the navy team, Lt. Linus Osuman, said about 8:30am yesterday, as they were escorting a Cameroonian vessel, the BRENDA CORLETT, in their gunboat, they came across a couple of speed boats around Parrot Island near the Oron Bar. He said immediately the occupants of the boats, who they suspected wanted to rob the vessel, saw the naval team, they took off.

Lt. Osuman said they pursued the suspected pirates and

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From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

one of the boats disappeared into the creeks, adding that the other one developed engine problem and broke down.

He said when they were approaching the boat that had broken down, seven men rose from the boat and shot them with AK47 rifles.

Lt. Osuman said they fired back and in the process, four of the robbers were hit and they fell into the river, adding that others escaped by jumping into the river.

He said they, however, apprehended one of them.

"The captured robber had charms tied all over him," he said.

Lt. Osuman said their boats would return to the scene to see if they would recover anything.

The Commander of the NNS Victory, Commodore James Oluwole, said they patrolled the waterway everyday.

US to partner Nigeria in intelligence sharing

HE United States Consul-General in Lagos, Mr. Jeffery Hawkins, has described Nigeria as a great partner of the United States of America in drug control.

The US envoy, who spoke when presenting technical equipment to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos, said the equipment would be used in the establishment of a Centre for Intelligence Sharing between the two countries.

“NDLEA is a great partner for the United States in drug control. The United States embarks on a serious war against narcotics and we are proud to contribute in developing the capacity of the NDLEA

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

through the establishment of a Centre for Intelligence Sharing,” Hawkins said.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, who received the items, said the country’s partnership with the United States has been very fruitful.

“The relationship between the United States Government and the Government of Nigeria has been characterised by similar gestures in the area of technical support. “It is important to acknowledge your sustained determination to support Nigeria in winning the fight against notorious drug trafficking syndicates. This assistance to the agency is highly treasured,” Giade said.

Sanction awaits safety operators

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HE Federal Government said yesterday that it would sanction any airline operator that causes any infraction to safety and security around the airports by not adhering to the prescribed standard operating procedures.

The airport authority, it was learnt yesterday, is reviewing

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its safety and security system at airports nationwide to track any firm of infraction.

The review, a source said, would manifest in the form of tracking of aircraft at the airside as well as patrol of the operational areas by specialised personnel.

Police arrest man for ‘defiling’ neighbour’s daughter

HE police in Ogun State have arrested Mr. Sanmi Oyewole of Ayedi Street, Isale-Ake, Abeokuta for allegedly defiling a six-yearold girl.

Oyewole, who has confessed to committing the crime, reportedly gave the girl N50, took her to his room in the same house and defiled

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By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

her when her mother was not at home.

A medical report carried out on the girl confirmed that she had been defiled.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed the incident.

Govt urged to fight crime

EDERAL Government has been urged to intensify efforts to fight crime and salvage the country’s battered image.

The Managing Director/ CEO of Fagbadex Global Services Ltd, Lagos, Mr. Friday Agbabule, said this yesterday in Ikeja, Lagos at a news conference to herald the company’s 10th year anniversary, which will hold on September 3rd.

He said Fagbadex Global Services Ltd was complementing government’s efforts to curb crime.

Said he: “Recently, our company won the franchise to represent and act as a partner of an Australian world leading

credit rating, due diligence, verification and business information services experts, GlobalCIS Credit Information Services. It is also a foundation member of the Worldwide Reporting Network.

“With the presence of our company in the country, investors do not need to travel abroad to verify the claims of foreign and local clients in business transactions. All you need do is to send the particulars of your would-be clients and expect result in 24 hours. We have what it takes to beam the searchlight as far as verification and credit reporting is concerned. We are determined to eradicate crimes in the country.”

•From left: Standards Officer II, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mrs. Ifelayo Adediran; General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCS), Mrs. Abimbola Animashaun; Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom and Director-General /Chief Executive, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Ikemfuna Odumodu, during the one-day Sensitisation Workshop on Sandcrete Blocks Manufacturing and Allied Products by SON in Lagos.

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

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Jonathan urges ASUU to end strike

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) should call off its strike, as the Federal Government has released N30 billion for earned allowances.

He spoke at the inauguration of the Federal Government- sponsored transformation projects at the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqayat Rufai, said N30 billion has been released for the payment of earned allowances in public universities.

He said the inaugurated

•Fed Govt releases N30b for allowances From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

projects were in line with the Federal Government's commitment to provide quality education in the country, adding that the projects were based on the need assessment exercise conducted by the Federal Government in the universities.

Jonathan urged the universities to engage in research for national development, stressing the need for proper maintenance of completed projects.

The Vice- Chancellor, Prof.

Chidozie Asiabaka, expressed joy at the completion of the structures.

He said the projects have

gone a long way in tackling the dearth of basic infrastructure in the institution.

"The dearth of classrooms, lecture theatres, power supply, hostels, office accommodation, library space and facilities was the major challenge my administration faced when I assumed office two years ago," he said.

The VC noted that with the intervention of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the university has got 1,000 sitting capacity lecture theatre, Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies building, Department of Physics building and the School of Engineering build-

ing.

He also listed the Engineering Technology new complex, School of Environmental Technology Building complex, Centre for Nuclear Energy Studies and Training complex and the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology building.

Others are the School of Environmental Technology building, landscaping of the campus and the provision of solar energy lights on the campus.

"The university is relieved at the prompt intervention of some agencies," he said.

He confirmed the release of

Fed Govt pledges to protect local manufacturers

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HE Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to guarantee an environment to encourage job and wealth creation through industrialisation.

Speaking during his visit to MOMAS Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company (MEMMCOL) in Ogun State, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, said its establishment comes at a time the President Goodluck Jonathan administration is making efforts to ensure that the power sector is revitalised.

He said Nigeria is blessed with human and natural resources and solicited the support of stakeholders to build

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an economy driven by industries.

Dr. Aganga said no country has become rich by relying on the exportation of raw materials.

“This is why the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has been working hard to ensure that our industries are positioned to drive the much-needed growth,” he said.

According to him, the ministry’s mandate is to create an enabling environment to stimulate domestic investment and attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to all sectors of the economy, facilitate trade and accelerate the growth of the industrial sector to enhance

Bill to regulate child delivery underway

KWA Ibom State Government yesterday said it would soon send a bill to the House of Assembly to stop baby delivery in churches.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emem Bassey, said this during the Seventh Akwa Ibom State Council on Health meeting, organised by the Ministry of Health and nongovernment organisations (NGOs).

The theme of the programme is: “Improved maternal and child health care approach.”

Bassey urged pastors to encourage women to deliver in hospitals, instead of risking their lives by delivering un-

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

der unskilled personnel.

He said government was determined to ensure adequate use of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) spread across the 31 local governments.

The commissioner said there are over 360 PHCs in the state, yet people are not utilising them.

He explained that if every woman is delivered of her baby by a qualified health personnel, maternal death will reduce.

Bassey, who decried the attitude of Primary Health Service (PHS) workers towards work, warned that councils soon would start monitoring them.

productivity.

The minister said while a lot of work had gone into actualising the mandate, the fact remained that government alone could not create the desirable number of jobs.

“Nonetheless, it can create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and create employment opportunities. “This is why this event is important to my ministry.

I am also glad that what we’re doing here is in tandem with the focus of the present administration, which has shown commitment to the private sector-led growth,” Aganga added.

He hailed the Bank of Industry (BOI) for supporting industrialisation through empowering local manufactur-

ers.

The Chairman of the company, Mr. Kola Balogun, enjoined the Federal Government to introduce Nigerian content policy in the power sector to encourage local production of electricity meters.

He said the current situation where most of the meter components, such as plastic valves, were still being imported was worrisome and urged the government to take steps to discourage it.

Mr. Balogun also advised the government to create a local content department in the ministries and parastatals, like in the oil sector, to enhance capacity building and job creation for youths.

The Managing Director of MEMMCOL, Mr. Lucas Scaraffiotti, said the company, which

Court orders murder suspect remanded in prison

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MAGISTRATE, Mrs. Abimbola Komolafe of an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, yesterday ordered a 28year-old man, Michael Terhumba, facing charges of murder and robbery, to be remanded in prison custody, pending legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution(DPP).

Another suspect, Mustapha Rabiu, 37, was arraigned for receiving stolen property, one Mack Truck Tipper, from the murder suspect, Terhumba.

Terhumba was arraigned before Mrs. Komolafe on a threecount charge of conspiracy, robbery and murder, and the

By Adebisi Onanuga

receiver of the stolen truck, Rabiu, was arraigned on a twocount charge of conspiracy and receiving a stolen good.

The police prosecutor, ASP Iranus Nnamonu, told the court that the defendant allegedly conspired with others at large and with intent to rob, unlawfully killed Mr. George Aboagry.

He also alleged that Terhumba conspired with others at large to steal one Mack Truck Tipper, with registration number XX 293 FST, valued at N6 million, belonging to Mrs. Omowunmi Omotuwase.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

NEWS

Fed Govt signs $500m MoU for 20,000MW transmission grid projects

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HE Ministry of Power yesterday signed a $500million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese firm Xian Electric for the strengthening of the components of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) projects.

Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Godknows Igali, said the deal was struck when the

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

President visited China.

He said: “When the President visited China recently, the power sector was one of those that featured very prominently,” adding that it was on that occasion that the MoU was signed with the Chinese group for the development of 20,000MegaWatts of electricity.

“Today, we are signing this

MoU as a direct fallout from that visit for possible investments in the transmission grid of the country. “ The MoU, which has taken effect, is for a two-year period.

The Minister of Power, Prof Chinede Nebo, said the Chinese Exim Bank gave the Federal Government a concessionary loan at a very negligible interst for the implementation of the projects,

adding that beside providing the fund, the Chinese firm is also billed to bring its technical experience to bear on the project.

He said the government’s expectation was that the projects would have been concluded in two years.

Nebo said the Minitoba Hydro International, the management contractor of the TCN, is designing the project, adding that details

about the project would be provided to the Chinese firm.

General Manager Xian Electric Engineering Company Limited Mr Ji Jun hua said the company would liaise with the agencies of the Federal Government to conduct feasibility studies required for successful execution of the projects.

He said the firm is expected to execute the projects accord-

ing to specifications and timelines.

Hua said the contributions of the Ministry to the projects should include facilitation and acquisition of relevant data and reports towards the conduct of required technical and economic studies for the projects by TCN. He said the Ministry would be required to land and other things for the execution of the projects.

Fed Govt unveils TCN’s plan today

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•From left: Director,Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Akeem Oyewole; Company Secretary, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Mr Chidi Okezie; and Chairman, Mrs. Sola David Borha at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos ... yesterday.

HE Ministry of Power will today unveil the expansion plans of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Power Minister Prof.

Chinedu Nebo who made this known in Abuja, noted that the inaugural meeting with the newly constituted board of the TCN scheduled for yesterday, was deferred because of the Chairman Hamman Tukur’s absence.

He added that due to the critical nature of the launch, all TCN stakeholders who were at the yesterday’s aborted meeting were expected to witness the expansion plans today.

Nebo, however, disclosed that the members were billed to meet the Permanent Secretary Ambassador Godknows

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

SURE-P to spend N230b on projects, says Kolade

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HE Subsidy Reinvest ment and Empower ment Programme (SURE-P) is to spend about N230 billion on some projects before the end of the year, the Chairman, Dr Christopher Kolade, has said.

Kolade, who spoke in Abuja, said the body spent less than its N180 billion last year.

He said: “So, the new fund for this year was still N180 billion and because of what we did not spend last year, our budget for this year was

N273 billion.”

He said going by the pace of the body, it was likely that by the end of the year, it would have spent between N220 and N230 billion the projects.

He said the body is charged with managing and reinvesting the Federal Government’s share of savings from the partial removal of the subsidy on fuel in projects and initiatives, adding that the focus of the committee is to improve the living condition of ordinary Nigerians by monitoring

the spending from the savings.

“We are glad to say that the pace of work within the country is something we are satisfied with,” he added.

He said the Federal Government’s share from the savings is 41 per cent, while 54 per cent is shared by the states and local governments and the remainder goes to the Ecological Fund.

Kolade said the committee was giving priority to what the fund would be applied to, such as infrastructure development, safety net

projects, building of railways and roads around the country.

He said the committee could not do much last year because of its slow take-off, but that this year, people had started to notice the difference.

“For us that is the way people should be experiencing improvement because the funds were derived from individual Nigerians, so it is important we deliver through them some relief as promised by the President,” he added.

Nigeria loses N20b in call drops, says NASRDA chief

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HE nation lost N20 bil lion to call drops last year, the Director-General, National Air Space and Research Development Agency (NASRDA) Prof Seidu Mohammed has said.

He stated this in Abuja at a lecture by the agency to commemorate the launch of the first communication satellite (Syncom2 ) on July 26, 1963 in the United States.

He said the loss could have been avoided through the use of modern communication satellites, adding that the

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

agency was intensifying efforts to ensure that Nigeria enjoys greater benefits of modern communication satellites.

“The Economic Intelligence Unit in the United States published that in 2012 alone, Nigeria lost N20 billion in call drops that could have been avoided and remedied by modern communication satellites,”he added.

Stressing that the agency would continue to develop communication satellites to

promote the economic development of the country, Mohammed said the communication satellite is a “multi-billion dollars” industry that gives high returns on investments.

He also said revenue for services from communications satellite in 2011 alone, was $90 billion, comprising satellite TV, satellite radio and broadband.

“In addition, $16billion revenue accrued to the industry in the same year from transborder agreement and managed services. The West

Africa region with a projected population of 392 million in 2013 is a major market yet to be explored,” he said.

Mohammed called on the private sector to cash-in and invest in the industry, particularly in West African.

He said the emphasis to the private sector is for them to demonstrate and show clear commitment at this time since international telecommunications are increasingly competitive in global markets and there are rapid changes to technological capabilities.

Reps to question Okonjo-Iweala over allocations HE Minister of Finance, “A similar situation applies in to tertiary institutions FCE (T). We have seen allocaand Coordinator of the

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National Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala may be quizzed by the National Assembly following discrepancies between her records of capital allocations to Federal Government tertiary institutions and the realities.

Chairman of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Education John Dyeh, during the Committee’s oversight trip to the Federal University, Kashere and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe, said the Minister

By Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

would be summoned soon.

“When we go back, we’ll certainly engage the Minister of Finance. We’ll tell her what we have seen as against the records she has presented to us.

“There is definitely a conflict.

I mean a misconception from what she has told us and what we have seen on ground. So, we’ll engage her certainly,” Dyeh, stresed This development is conse-

quent upon the delay in the release of capital allocations to the institutions which he described as “epileptic and grossly inadequate”.

On the federal university, he said: “For last year, all they received for capital was less than 50 per cent of what they required.

“For this year, the capital released to them with cash backing is less than 30 per cent which is also inadequate. It is supposed to be about 50 per cent.

tion for last year. Although it over N200million for capital expenditure, only N74million was released to them.

“And for this year, the two quarters, they have received just about 30%. That is what we have seen and it is also grossly inadequate.”

He commended both institutions for their ability to prioritise their projects and complete a few of them, even though a lot have been abandoned due to financial constraints.

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Agali in a brief close door meeting. As we rise, the members of the board will remain for a very brief meeting by the Permanent Secretary to explain a few things,” he said.

On the deferred meeting, he said: “The meeting is not going to be held because the chairman of the board is not here; because of that, the meeting has been deferred to tomorrow (today ) by four o’clock.

“I would like to appeal for the understanding of all these distinguished members of the Governing Board of Transmission Company of Nigeria for the inconvenience that this would definitely cause you.

“Kindly bear with us.”

Medview Airlines gets six international routes

EDVIEW Airlines saidyesterday it had been designated by the Federal Government to fly into six regional and international routes to actualise the principle of reciprocity in the bilateral air services agreement the government signed with other countries.

The routes, according to the Managing Director of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, include 14 frequencies on the Lagos /Accra route; Lagos / Dakar; Lagos / Libreville; Lagos/ Abuja / Jeddah; Kano / Jeddah, which are four frequencies.

Others are Lagos/Dubai and Enugu /Singapore.

He said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) has granted Medview Airlines the international air permit to carry out out international operations.

He said Medview Airlines is the first carrier to be awarded the new international permit by the new Director-General of the authority, Captain Folaleye Akinkuotu.

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From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

Bankole assured that before the end of the year, Medview Airlines would begin direct flights into Dubai.

Plans are in place to consolidate on other routes, in which the airline has been designated, he added.

He said since Medview Airlines began operations on the domestic routes a year ago, it has flown over 250,000 passengers.

He said the carrier airlifts a monthly average of about 30,000 monthly.

Bankole said: ”It has been for pride of this company and for Nigeria to see a domestic airline within a short space of time growing as you have seen.”

We are proud to tell you that, we spoke with you in January and we promised you that in another six to eight months we will give you two more aircraft, this one of them acquired by MedView, it is an aircraft that we purchase, we call it lease purchase and we have 737-800 coming in very soon.

Nnewi Chamber hosts economic summit Friday

HE Nnewi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA) will this Friday hold its Fourth Economic Summit and Exhibitions to sustain business and industrial activities in Nnewi and its environs.

The President of the chamber, Mr Humphrey A. Ngonadi, announced this yesterday at a presummit briefing at the group’s headquarters in Nnewi.

Ngonadi said the summit with theme, “The Entrepreneurs in the 21st Century’’, was conceived as a veritable platform to promote business in

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Nnewi and its environs by enlightening entrepreneurs of new business developments, factors that lead to business success and their need to have succession plans in business.

He said the event is targeted at youths, business start-ups, as well as chief executives of companies.

The Chamber President also said already established entrepreneurs would be discussing with the resource persons how best to re-organise their businesses for the businesses to outlive them.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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NEWS OAUTHC, Osun negotiate unpaid taxes From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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HE management of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, has started negotiating with the Osun State Internal Revenue Service on how to settle the hospital’s N3.1 billion tax arrears.

As a result of this, the administrative block of the hospital, which was earlier seal by the revenue service, has been re-opened.

It was gathered that the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the institution, Prof. Sanya Adejuyigbe, yesterday led the hospital’s negotiation team.

It was learnt that at a meeting, which lasted for several hours, the hospital asked for 14 days to verify the claim that it owes N3.1 billion taxes.

Adejuyigbe was said to have pledged to pay the arrears before leaving office in November.

The Osun State government has threatened to publish the names of tax defaulters.

LUTH doctors urge end to strike

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RESIDENT, Association of Resident Doctors, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) chapter, Dr. Emeka Ugwu, yesterday urged health workers to call off their ongoing strike in the interest of the people.

The Joint Health Sectors Unions (JOHESU) began a nationwide strike on August 20.

This followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government on August 1 by the association.

Ugwu said doctors were working, despite the strike.

He said: “We urge them in the interest of Nigerians to come back to work while negotiations are ongoing with the Federal Government.

“The issues raised by these people are not going to protect the interest of Nigerians, should not be made to suffer because of the workers’ personal issues.

“We have been attending to patients, including outpatients, and have been doing the work of the health workers. Doctors are working. They are doing more and it is a little bit more difficult to attend to patients on time.”

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Aregbesola inaugurates garment factory

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•3000 jobs in Osun

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said his administration will continue to provide infrastructure and security for businesses to thrive.

Aregbesola spoke on Monday in Osogbo, the state capital, while inaugurating the Omoluabi Garment Factory.

He said the factory is a testimony of his administration’s investment drive, adding that the state has the required market as well as the human and material resources.

Aregbesola said Osun pupils were given uniforms to give them a common identity and purpose, as well as a sense of unity and pride, which “had been lost to the decay in public schools” before the inception of his administration.

He said: “Through this alone, we provided job opportunities for our market women, who supplied the materials for the uniforms, and about 3,000 tailors.

“This factory will, henceforth, produce the school uni-

forms. It will employ our people, buy its input here and the batik it will produce will be sewn by our tailors.

“All of these, among other gains, will have numerous spin offs that will rebound to the advantage of the people. The uniform material will be sold and sewn at controlled prices to make it affordable for our people. You are not only assured of quality; you will get it at good prices.”

The governor said the factory is one of those established through the revitalisation of the education sector.

He said another factory will soon begin the production of the e-learning tablet, Opon-Imo, and other electronic gadgets in Ilesha.

Aregbesola urged the managers of the factory to be innovative and “uncompromisingly committed” to quality, saying: “This might appear to be a small beginning, but what I am seeing is the onset of a giant clothing industry that will take the nation and West Africa by storm

•Aregbesola inaugurating the factory...on Monday. With him are his deputy, Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori; the factory’s Chairman, Mr. Adeniyi Oyemade, and the Timi of Ede, Oba Muniru Lawal (right).

in the future.”

He said his administration was focused on the implementation of policies that “would improve the lives of the people”.

The General Manager, Operations, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Joseph Babatunde, hailed Aregbesola’s “visionary leadership”.

He said his bank provides financial support for the train-

EFCC arrests 17 suspects for N1.7b Oyo pension ‘fraud’ T HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 17 suspects for an alleged N1.7 billion pension fraud in Oyo State.

The embezzled funds were meant for primary school pensioners.

In a statement, EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said the pension offices in the 33 local governments in Oyo State were affected by the scam.

He listed the suspects as former Executive Secretary of the State Local Government Pension Board Muili Aderemi; former Treasurer of the board Mrs. Iyabo Giwa; former Cashier Adeshina Ayoade; former Internal Auditor Oguntayo Banji and former Administrative Officer Adebiyi Olasunbo Musendiq.

The rest are Muili Adedamola; Salewa Adedeji; Kareem Rasheed; Johnson Bosede; Adeduntan Johnson; Olomide Olaide; Oyebamiji Akinlolu; Adewale Kehinde; Saka Ikeola; Oluokun Funmilayo; Oyetunji Taiwo and Olujimi Philip Adebayo.

The statement reads: “The Pension Board reportedly received N4,140,020,501.72 billion from both the Federation Account and the Oyo State Government between September 2010 and February 2011.

•Ex-HoS wanted

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation and Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

“Of this amount, N1.711,894,667.05 cash withdrawal was fraudulently made by the suspects. Items recovered from the suspects include buildings, poultry farms, power generating sets and undeveloped plots of land. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”

Chairman of the Oyo Local Government Pension Board, who is also the Head of the Local Government Service Commission, Chief Lasisi Ayanjoko, said a probe of the board’s account between September 2010 and March 2011 revealed the fraud.

He said: “The board discovered this fraud after complaints by local government workers and retirees, who claimed that the government had not paid their pension.

“When we received the complaints, we set up a committee to look into it and found out that some money was collected by some civil servant intermediaries in the commission

and was never remitted to the pensioners.”

The Nation learnt that a former Head of Service (HoS) in the state is wanted by the EFCC in connection with the fraud.

The former HoS served in the administration of Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala.

EFCC operatives were at her home last week but she was not around.

They pasted a sticker on her fence with the inscription: “Under Investigation”.

EFCC Head of Public Affairs Mr. Wilson Uwujare said he was yet to be briefed on the case.

On how the fraud was allegedly perpetrated, Ayankojo said cheques were issued in the suspects’ names, rather than through e-payment into the accounts of pensioners.

He said between September and November 2010, the then Executive Secretary and Director, Finance and Administration, of the board withdrew N680,430,646.69 from the Local Government Staff Account meant for pensioners and N1,353,868,062.60 from the

Lagos to acquire Lekki Concession Company

HE Lagos State House of Assembly has given its nod to the Executive to acquire the concession rights and toll revenue benefits held by the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), the concessionaire for the Eti-Osa-LekkiEpe expressway.

The House gave its approval at an emergency plenary session yesterday.

It also approved Governor Babatunde Fashola’s request for a 2013 supplementary budget.

ing of fashion designers, whose products would be consumed locally and abroad.

Babatunde called for a review of the agreement between the government and the bank to accommodate more trainees.

The factory’s Managing Director, Mrs. Folake Oyemade, said by the end of the year, over 3,000 tailors would have been trained.

•Assembly approves supplementary budget

By Oziegbe Okoeki

The supplementary budget proposal was read on the floor by the Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru.

After questioning the Commissioners for Budget and Economic Planning Ben Akabueze; Finance Ayo Gbeleyi and Works and Infrastructure Obafemi Hamzat, the House approved the amendment of the budget.

With the revision, the

budget has increased from N499.605 billion to N507.105 billion. The Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was reduced by N22.5 billion and External Loans to N30 billion. Both have been added to the Bond Issue Requirement, which now totals N87.5 billion.

Internal Loans was increased from N44.419 billion to N51.919 billion and Recurrent Expenditure re-

duced from N229.729 billion to N214.729 billion.

Capital Expenditure was supplemented from N269.876 billion to N292.376 billion.

The governor said the amendment will accelerate the transfer of ownership of the Lekki-Epe expressway to the state.

The Assembly commiserated with the family of the first Speaker of the House, Mr. Oladosu Osinowo, who died on August 12 at 72.

Teachers Account.

Ayankojo said the two officers, who are at large, and seven other top officials of the board also collected N173,800,000 from the pensioners’ accounts.

He alleged that another staff in the Accounts Department (names withheld), at various times within the period, withdrew N401,300,000 from pensioners’ account.

Ayankojo said the suspects claimed they collected the cheques from the Executive Secretary and gave the money to him after cashing it.

He said the government had no option but to invite the police to get to the root of the matter, adding that the fraud was responsible for the slow payment of teachers and local government pensioners’.

Ayankojo said: “We urge pensioners to be patient with us. What we are doing now is to protect their interests. That is why we are telling the whole world what is responsible for the delay in pension payment.”

She said: “Today’s ceremony is a demonstration of one of the governor’s campaign promises. He promised to make Osun an industrial haven, where youths, as leaders of tomorrow, would be catered for through skill acquisition, job creation, poverty alleviation and wealth creation. This is just the beginning of better things to come.”

Falana condemns Iyin-Ekiti violence

A

CTIVIST lawyer Femi Falana yesterday condemned the violence in Iyin-Ekiti.

In a statement, Falana said: “In preparation for next year’s governorship election in Ekiti, politically-motivated violence has been unleashed on innocent people by some desperate political forces. In the reckless attacks that have occurred, lives have been lost and many peopled injured. “Surprisingly, the well known criminally-minded people involved in the violent attacks have not been brought to justice as we operate in an atmosphere of impunity.

“If the state government and the police cannot muster the political will to stop the imminent descent to anarchy, we shall mobilise the people to defend themselves without further delay.”

Police urged to probe demolition of Mokola flyover barrier

A

CHIEFTAIN of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, Alhaji Abass Oloko, has urged the police to probe the demolition of a barrier on the Mokola flyover in Ibadan, the state capital.

He urged the police to interrogate the driver of the truck that demolished the barrier to know if he was sponsored.

In a statement yesterday, Oloko said about three weeks ago, the government alerted the public of a threat by the opposition to demolish the barrier. He said: “How can a former governor describe the

•Oloko From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

bridge as unnecessary in the first place, instead of hailing Governor Abiola Ajimobi for doing what he (the ex-governor) was unable to do in his tenure.

“If urgent investigation is not conducted by the police, their next target may cause crisis or loss of life, so I urge them to take the necessary steps to arrest the situation.

“The flyover is for the general use of the masses and has eased traffic since it was inaugurated a few months ago.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

9

NEWS

•Senator Oluremi Tinubu (fourth left) with beneficiaries of the Post-Secondary Scholarship Scheme in Lagos Central Senatorial District at the Constituency Office in Yaba, Lagos.

Oyo Assembly summons SUBEB boss

Three feared dead in Ibadan T A tanker fire

PETROL tanker exploded yesterday on the Iwo/Ojoo road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Three persons were feared dead. Five people sustained serious burns.

Eight shops and two Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were razed.

The incident occurred at Orogun Junction between 11am and 1pm.

•Five hospitalised

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

An eyewitness, Dr. Ayo Osisanwo, said the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) tanker exploded while trying

to offload fuel from another tanker that fell.

Those injured were rushed to the hospital by the State Ambulance Service.

Fire Service men, who

Govt cars for Ekiti monarchs

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has

urged monarchs to resolve communal and chieftaincy disputes through alternative methods.

Fayemi spoke yesterday at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the presentation of 123 cars to monarchs in the state.

The vehicles included 101 Ford cars, 21 Ford Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV), one Toyota Land Cruiser and a Toyota Hilux van for the Office of the Chairman of the Council of Obas.

The event was attended

by Deputy Governor Prof.

Modupe Adelabu; House of Assembly Speaker Dr. Adewale Omirin; Secretary to the State Government Ganiyu Owolabi; Chief of Staff to the Governor Yemi Adaramodu and top government officials.

All traditional rulers in

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

the state were present.

The governor said it was honourable for monarchs to resolve disputes through dialogue before parties resort to litigation.

He said litigation should only be explored when other means have failed.

Fayemi said the car gifts were to show respect for the traditional institution.

He said the introduction of a special health care programme for monarchs, tagged: “Ilera Laafin”, was an affirmation of his administration’s concern about their welfare.

The governor said the newly reconstituted State Council of Traditional Rulers comprises 56 members and is chaired by the Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti, Oba Idowu Babalola.

He said the council has the power to “advise the

government on chieftaincy matters and issues of public interest”.

Fayemi said: “The tenure of the new council, which began on August 1, and which is being inaugurated today, is for two years. I emphasise that membership of the council is based on institutions and not the individuals holding the titles.”

Pledging his loyalty to the governor, Oba Babalola urged the people to cooperate with Fayemi to improve Ekiti.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs Chief Aderemi Ajayi said: “I thank God for the crop of talented royal fathers we have in this state, who have excelled in their various fields of endeavour. This has manifested in their approach to issues, robust debates and the quality of advice they give to government.”

‘Aregbesola’s achievements unparalleled’

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HAIRMAN of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State Elder Adelowo Adebiyi has said residents should be grateful to God as they celebrate the state’s 22nd anniversary. Osun was created in 1991.

In a statement signed by APC Publicity Director Kunle Oyatomi yesterday, Elder Adelowo said: “Osun has witnessed unprecedented reformation and socio-economic re-engineering in the last 33 months, thanks to the execution of the APC’s Six-

Point Integrated Plan by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

“There is hardly any family in Osun that has not been directly affected by the administration’s projects, such as O’YES, O’REAP, O’CLEAN, O’SCHOOL and attempts to turn the state into the economic hub of the Southwest.

“The achievements of the administration are unprecedented. At no time in the days of the locust, between 2003 and 2010, did we enjoy the peace we have to-

day. In those days, the people lived in constant fear for their lives, due to the activities of the criminals and political thugs in power.”

The APC chairman urged the people to pray for those in government and the party that made the current development possible, saying: “It is the least they can do in appreciation of God’s gift to them in the person of Aregbesola.”

He urged the people to continue to support the government to achieve greater successes.

were called to the scene, ran out of water and waited for hours for supply.

Victims wailed uncontrollably as the fire spread to surrounding buildings.

There was a traffic gridlock and motorists were directed to a single lane.

Men of the Nigeria Civil Service Defence Corps (NCSDC) and the police were on the scene.

•Approves new council chief

HE Oyo State House of Assembly has summoned the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Busari Adebisi, to appear at its next sitting to explain why he has been absent from the house.

The motion was yesterday moved by Mr. Farintan Fakorede, who said it was embarrassing that Adebisi failed to honour the House’s invitations.

The Speaker, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, told the clerk to send

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

a reminder to the SUBEB boss.

The Assembly passed the Oyo State Bonds, Notes and other Securities Issuance Bill into law.

The law will ensure prudent management of bonds and give the Assembly the right to receive quarterly reports from the commissioner of Finance.

The Assembly approved the appointment of Mr. Olatunbosun Wasiu as the caretaker chairman of Olorunsogo Local Government.

10

CITYBEATS US boosts NDLEA's ‘Offensive’ video lands drug war man in police net ‘We are yet F to ascertain

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013 CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

By Jude Isiguzo

THE anti-drug war of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has got a boost the as United States of America (USA) Consul-General, Mr Jeffery Hawkins, presented technical equipment to the agency in Lagos.

Hawkins said the equipment would be used for the establishment of a centre for intelligence sharing between the US and Nigeria.

"NDLEA is a great partner with the United States in drug control. The United States embarks on serious war against narcotics and we are proud to contribute in developing the capacity of the NDLEA through the establishment of a centre for intelligence sharing," Hawkins said.

The agency’s chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, who received the items, said that the country's partnership with the United States had been very fruitful, adding: "It is important to acknowledge your sustained determination to support Nigeria in winning the fight against notorious drug trafficking syndicates. This assistance to the agency is highly treasured."

The NDLEA boss further stated: "Our collaboration in the area of intelligence gathering and joint operations has undisputedly led to high-profile seizures and arrests. Training remains vital to the success of any intelligence-driven task like drug control. Your training programmes for operatives as well as high-level seminars and workshops have helped greatly to enhance the capacity of our personnel. We are appreciative of your support and continued determination to extend our frontiers of success in the drug war."

While appreciating the removal of Nigeria from the Drug Majors' List by the US, he urged the envoy to assist the agency in advocacy campaign for effective battle against illicit drugs.

Insecurity worries cleric

THE General Overseer, Divine Holy Ghost Fire and Ministries, Dr Paul Richard, has said prayer is the only weapon against the sociopolitical ills bedeviling the nation.

He gave the advice yesterday at Ado, the Ekiti State capital, while kicking off of the church's 11th year convention and 16th Anniversary.

The cleric disclosed that the six-day event titled, "My time of breakthrough" would afford guests the opportunity to move closer to God. He said the political crises in the country had reached a point where all must move closer to God to rescue the country from satanic bondage.

He said: "Any policy that has no spiritual backing will fail. Nigerians have no alternative now than to move closer to God and this convention will offer an opportunity in this regard.

"No one is happy that in the last few years, thousands of Nigerians have been killed in the name of politics and religion. We must pray against this. And I still hold the belief that Nigeria can remain one indivisible entity with the power of prayers."

OR making a video recording of policemen at Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, while allegedly manhandling a motorcyclist on Monday, a man, Gregory Muonyililo, has been arrested and detained by the state Police Command.

Muonyililo, who is being held by the X-Squad of the police, was arrested by men of the Area ‘E’ Command, led

by Dan Okoro, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP).

Sources said he was severely beaten up while his mobile phone set was seized by the policemen, who whisked him away. He was accused of recording policemen who were enforcing the new traffic law of the state.

Muonyililo's younger brother, Onyeka, who cried out yesterday, said: "I got back home and did not find my elder brother. I went out to ask people. I got to the pharmacy where he works as medical representative and I was told he was arrested by the police for recording officers who were harassing a motorcyclist at a checkpoint they mounted

M

AGISTRATE Mrs A b i m b o l a Komolafe of an Ikeja Magistrate Court yesterday ordered that a 28-year-old man, Michael Terhumba, be remanded in prison custody, pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Terhumba is facing charges of alleged murder and robbery, Another man, Mustapha Rabiu (37), was docked before the court, for allegedly receiving a stolen property - Mack Truck Tipper - from Terhumba.

Terhumba with others at large, was arraigned before Magistrate Komolafe on a three-count charge of conspiracy, robbery and murder, while Rabiu was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and receipt of stolen good.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

in front of his office on Monday.

"Unfortunately, sources said he was not discreet about it and they saw him. The officers, I was told, collected his phone set from him after an exchange of words. My brother went back to work.

When the policemen later came back to look for him around 4pm, he thought they came to return his phone set, but to his surprise, they asked him to follow them to their station. From Amuwo Odofin, they took him to the X-Squad, Ikeja, where he was detained. I went there today (yesterday) and I was told he would be charged to court.

When I asked them his offence, the policemen did not tell me.

I just pray my brother is not framed up."

Some aggrieved motorcyclists alleged that Muonyililo was manhandled, claiming that the policemen were demanding bribe from them, adding: "They (police) collect as much as N200 per trip from us. Governor Babatunde

his motive of videoing policemen carrying out their legitimate duty. It is wrong for someone to just get up and start recording officers’

Fashola only asked us to leave some routes, but policemen have turned it to something else. If we refuse to comply, they will seize our bikes and that is the end of the story."

Police Commissioner Umar

• Muonyililo Manko confirmed incident.

He said: "We are yet to ascertain his motive of videoing policemen carrying out their legitimate duty. It is wrong for someone to just get up and start recording officers.

When asked if it was an offence for one to make a video recording of policemen, Manko did not respond but said: "Muonyililo may be charged to court at the end of investigations."

Court remands murder suspect in Kirikiri

By Adebisi Onanuga

Police prosecutor Iranus Nnamonu, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), told the court that Terhumba allegedly conspired with others at large and with intent to rob, unlawfully killed George Aboagry.

He alleged further that Terhumba also conspired with others at large, to steal the Mack Truck Tipper, marked XX 293 FST, valued at N6million, which belongs to Mrs Omowunmi Omotuwase.

Nnamonu said Terhumba allegedly committed the offence on June 3 at about 2 am in the premises of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), on Odaaliki Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos Mainland.

• 'Receiver of stolen property' gets bail

He said the offence is punishable under Sections 409, 295 (1) (2) (b) 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

Rabiu, according to the prosecutor, allegedly received the tipper from Terhumba and his gangs, knowing that it was a stolen property of Mrs Omotuwase.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable under Sections 409, 326(1)(2)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011. The defendants pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Komolafe ordered that Terhumba be remanded at Kirikiri Prisons, pending legal advice. She granted Rabiu bail in the sum

of N1million with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned Terhumba's

case till October 15 for DPP's advice and adjourned Rabiu's till September 24 for mention.

Police, monarchs for security talk

L

AGOS State Police Commissioner, Umar Manko and traditional rulers, led by Oba Rilwan Akiolu, will be key speakers at the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) seminar holding on Thursday at the National Art Theatre, Iganmu.

The seminar, "Addressing Nigeria's Security Challenges through Community Policing," will attract community leaders, para-military operatives, religious leaders, transport operators, traders, vigilance groups and other stake-

By Paul Oluwakoya

holders.

Manko will address issues of community policing with particular reference to the state at the event that will be attended by Oba Momodu Afolabi, the Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom, among others.

The Secretary, Organising Committee of the event, Pastor Solomon Otuya, said all security operatives would be represented, and resource persons with track record on security-related issues.

• The Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Lagos State, Comrade Ayodele Adewale (4th right), with his award plague at the 7th Media Nite-Out Award, held at 10 Degrees, Ikeja. With him from right are: Alhaja Adelani Adesanya; former Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Abayomi Kiyomi; Alhaja Ojodu, Alhaji Nurudeen Eyinfunjowo; President, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Amuwo Odofin Chapter, Mr Oluwafemi Ilesanmi, and Chairman, Community Development Committee in the area, Prince Afolabi Dosumu PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013 CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

C

RISIS erupted in the Egbeda/Idimu area of Lagos State yesterday as about 300 suspected members of the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) clashed with some policemen.

The state Police Command said yesterday that five suspects were already in its custody undergoing interrogation. They are: Paul Adeola, Kemi Ajayi, Sunday Ogunbiyi, Kazeem Oloyede and Augustine Ekufeze.

The suspected OPC members, who were said to be members of the Dr Fredrick Fasehun-led faction, were alleged to have assaulted the policemen on duty, injuring some of them.

Police sources said guns, cutlasses, daggers and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them.

However, the faction's National Secretary, Mr Dare Adesope, said: "There was no clash between our men and the police. The Nigerian

Five arrested, guns recovered

By Jude Isiguzo

Constitution permits us a lawful and peaceful assembly. We were going for a meeting when our men were arrested, but we already speaking with the police. We are law-abiding citizens of Nigeria. On the allegation that they attacked and injured policemen, it was not true. And as to the allegation that guns were recovered from them, I'm yet to be informed about that."

Eyewitnesses told The Nation that the suspected OPC members were in several vehicles, heading towards Agege area for a meeting around 11am, adding that when they got to the Car Wash area of Egbeda/Idimu, ran into traffic jam. The suspects were alleged to have taken over traffic control.

It was gathered that when

Man arraigned for alleged N10m theft

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HE manager of a petrol service station, Oluwagbenga Ajobi (22), was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing N10million.

The suspect, who manages the Al-Moruff Service Station at Orelope, Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs Eniola Fabamwo on a four-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, alteration and forgery by the police.

The police prosecutor, Barth Nwaokoye, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), said that the defendant conspired with others at large with intent to defraud and altered the company's vouchers to steal N10milliom from

By Adebisi Onanuga

the station.

Nwaokoye told the court that the defendant forged the company's director's signature to steal the alleged sum.

He said the defendant committed the alleged offence between January and June, this year, at the service station.

The offence, he said, is punishable under Sections 409, 333, (2) (a) and 361 (1) (a), 363 (3) (1) and 285 (8) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011. The defendant pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Fabamwo granted him bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case till September 30 for mention.

'Customs must tackle fake drugs'

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HE Chairman, Governing Board of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Ambassador Dare Bejide, has urged officials of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to rise up to the challenges posed by importation of fake drugs into the country.

Bejide, a former High Commissioner to Canada and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State, who spoke with reporters at Ado, Ekiti State capital, praised the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for its efforts at tackling the menace of fake drugs and counterfeit products.

He, however, regretted that despite the agency's laudable efforts, such outlawed products still found their ways into the country.

Saying that many deaths in the country are traceable to fake drugs, he expressed the hope that the war against counterfeit drugs would be won with the support of Nigerians.

He hailed medical personnel in the country as being among the best in the world, but noted that the neglect of the health sector was respon-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ekiti

sible for the exodus of Nigerians to overseas for medical treatments.

Bejide said: "Clearly, we have qualified medical personnel in the country despite that some of them have traveled outside the country to practise. But we need to procure modern equipment and maintain them; tackle the problem of fake drugs and you will see that Nigerians will find it unnecessary to travel out for medical treatments.

"The quality of drugs is also an important factor. The good services rendered by doctors are nullified after they have done their best and fake drugs are administered. While the NAFDAC is doing so much, fake drugs still get into the country because of the level of corruption. That is a big challenge to the Customs. The land, sea, and air should be well manned to check importation of fake drugs."

The ex-envoy added that punishments for importers and local manufacturers of fake drugs should be more severe, noting that this would also deter many from engaging in the illegal business.

CITYBEATS

•As 300 suspected OPC men clash with police

‘We were going for a meeting when our men were arrested, ... We are law-abiding citizens of Nigeria. On the allegation that they attacked and injured policemen, it was not true’ policemen attempted to stop them, they refused, threatening to deal with them.

The policemen reportedly attempted to forcefully stop them, thus incurring the anger of the suspected OPC members, who allegedly swooped on them.

The policemen, it was

learnt, quickly alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Idimu Police Station for reinforcement.

The combined team of policemen stormed the scene and arrested the five suspects.

Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the

alleged assault on the policemen, saying: "It happened at about 11.30am; 300 people, masquerading as OPC members, launched an attack on our men in the Car Wash bus stop area, inwards Egbeda. The DPO led a team of policemen to the scene, dislodged them and arrested five. One double-barrel gun, one pump action • Fasheun rifle, one locally made pistol, two cutlasses, an unregistered Toyota one dagger, OPC banners, Camry Saloon car, were retwo Volkswagen buses covered from them. Investimarked X731GGE, and gation is still ongoing to XT29FKJ; one Nissan Saloon find out why they took laws car marked, DU721GGE and into their hands."

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

12

NEWS Police to ensure lawyer’s release From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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HE Edo Police Command has vowed to ensure that Chief Mike Ozekhome and his driver are released unhurt.

Police Commissioner Folunso Adebanjo, who spoke with reporters in Benin, however, did not disclose the measures being taken to secure their release.

“This is a security matter.

We will ensure that they are freed unhurt,” he said.

Ozekhome, a human rights activist, and his driver were abducted last Friday by suspected kidnappers in Ehor Local Government on the BeninAuchi Expressway.

Adebanjo said an assistant superintendent of police, an inspector and two other officers were killed in a gun duel with the abductors when the slain police officers were trying to rescue Ozekhome.

Bayelsa Assembly passes 133 bills From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Ozekhome: Kinsmen protest in Edo

T

HE kinsmen of Chief Mike Ozekhome from Iviukwe community in Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday protested in Benin City, demanding his unconditional release.

They carried placards with the inscriptions: “Release Ozekhome now”, “Kidnappers, give us Ozekhome”, “Police, sorry for your loss, give us our son” and “Release the defender of the defenceless.”

The protesters marched on the streets and the Government House.

Their spokesman, James Isa, said the N150 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers was “too much to secure Ozekhome’s freedom.”

He said they would continue the protest until their “leader” is released.

The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has warned the abductors to release him unconditionally and renounce ungodly and evil acts.

Police: no demand for ransom yet ABDUCTORS of activist lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome may have contacted his family and demanded N150 million ransom for his release.

But Ozekhome’s elder brother, Pius, told a confidant that the kidnappers had not made any contact with the family.

Ozekhome was kidnapped last weekend with his driver and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Athanasious Ugbomhe.

According to reports in the social media yesterday, Ozekhome’s abductors made contact with his relations and demanded a ransom of N150 million. They were said to have given the family three days to pay up.

However, a close friend of Ugbomhe confided in The Nation yesterday that his abductors had demanded N100 million for his release.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia and Osagie Otabor, Benin

The source said they opened contact on Sunday, adding that “since then they have not called again.”

His words: “This man requires constant medical attention. He is a good person and not a moneybags. They should release him unconditionally.”

Edo State police spokesman Moses Eguavoen said: “We are monitoring the situation and we are still searching.”

On the issue of ransom, he said: “We are not aware of that yet.

“The families have not told us anything of such, but you know in such cases, the families always want to be careful. They, most times, don’t tell us about ransom. We have not heard that but we are still searching.”

•Kukah warns kidnappers From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Kukah, in a statement to reporters yesterday, told the kidnappers that the ‘blood money’ made from kidnapping “can only erect a house of cards for now.”

He said: “In the name of God

and all that is noble, I call on his captors to release him unconditionally and immediately. I urge our youths to renounce this violent, ungodly and evil act. They must embrace the future with hope, believing that tomorrow is

theirs to build.

“They should renounce this criminality and turn to pursuing legacies they can proudly hand over to their children. I pray for the repose of the souls of those gallant police officers, who lost their lives.”

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HE Bayelsa State House of Assembly has within two years of legislation passed 133 bills into law.

The Majority Leader of the House, Dr. Peter Akpe, said this yesterday when he delivered a lecture on a one-day participatory budget hearing for Civil Society Organisations (CLO) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

He said despite pressures from the executive arm of government, the legislature had been able to make laws for public interests.

He, however, acknowledged that most of the bills passed by the Assembly originated from the executive.

Akpe listed some of the laws as the Niger Delta University Law, Motorcycle Operators Prohibition Law, Local Government Administration Law, Anti-kidnapping Law and AntiCultism Laws.

But he said some of the bills passed originated from the Assembly.

For instance, he said, the Assembly sponsored and passed the Motorcycle Operators’ Prohibition Bill into law.

PUBLIC NOTICE NDUNERI I formerly known and addressed as MISS BLESSING ONYINYE NDUNERI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BLESSING ONYINYE OHADIRO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

AFOLAYAN I formerly known and addressed as MISS AFOLAYAN BUKOLA FUNMILAYO now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SHOKUNBI BUKOLA FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

‘Stop campaigns of calumny against Akpabio’ From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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KWA Ibom State indigenes have been warned to stop campaigns of calumny against Governor Godswill Akpabio.

The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Mr. Enobong Uwah, gave the warning yesterday in Uyo. He said there was no need for the uproar following the recent political decisions of the governor, which are routine.

Uwah decried a situation where some people felt they could hold the state to ransom and overheat the polity because their interests were not being served.

He said having worked closely with the governor, first as his special assistant on Protocol Matters, Abuja Liaison Office and now as a commissioner, he could vouch for his patriotism and unequalled love for the state and its people.

His words: “We all know those behind the orchestrated negative campaign against Governor Akpabio, which is sustained by a section of the partisan media.

We warn them to desist from the act.”

Lawmaker decries expulsion in Rivers

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•The protesters...yesterday

Civil Defence arrests 15 suspected oil thieves

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IFTEEN suspected oil thieves were arrested in the last six months by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Bayelsa State.

The corps also prosecuted seven suspects for pipeline vandalism and oil bunkering within the period.

The Commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Desmond Agu, said yesterday that the suspects were arrested for oil-related offences between January and June.

He said operatives of the command impounded six trucks loaded with crude oil

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THE TRUSTEES ARE:1. Pastor Osedayo Oluwasola Abraham -Chairman 2. Pastor (Mrs.) Osedayo Ebunoluwa Susan -Vice-Chairman 3. Deacon Tofowomo Olafusi - Secretary 4. Mrs. Akinfolatimi Tolani Evelyn -Treasurer/Financial Sec. 5. Dnss Bamigbola Margret Funmbi -Sunday School Superintendent 6. Sis. Osedayo Itunuoluwa Sarah -Children/Youth Superintendent 7. Bro. Abiola Seun -Music Superintendent THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVE 1. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ 2. Spiritual reproduction through Church planting.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar- General, Corporate Affairs Commission, plot 420, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28days of this Publication.

REV. (BARR.)YOMI OSHODI Legal Adviser/Solicitor.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

•Prosecutes seven

and illegally- refined petroleum products.

Agu said the command also burnt three speedboats containing adulterated and illegally-refined fuel.

He said operatives of the command, on surveillance of the Shell Petroleum Development Company’s (SPDC’s) pipelines in June, impounded and burnt three big wooden boats.

According to him, the boats were impounded with stolen crude oil at Akalamini.

He said the command received and mediated on 20 civil cases involving communities.

Mr. Agu said the corps, as part of the state’s security outfit, “Operation Doo Akpo”, had contributed to the peace being enjoyed by the indigenes by tackling criminal activities.

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He said a suspect that operated an illegal private guard company was apprehended by the corps.

Said he: “The corps participated in the last local government elections. Officers and men of the NSCDC were mobilised and posted to locations to ensure a hitch-free election.

“The corps has not also been left out in the area of crowd control. We are determined to stamp out vandalism, oil bunkering and other vices.”

Five abducted workers freed

HE five kidnapped workers of indigenous dredging firms, Beks Kimse Nig Ltd and M. Sidom, on Monday evening regained freedom.

Their captors were said to have set them free at Nembe in Bayelsa State.

They were abducted by gunmen along the creek of Opuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government by the kidnappers, who operated on a speedboat.

The victims were working for the companies engaged by the Niger Delta Develop-

From Mike Odiegwu Yenagoa

ment Commission (NDDC) to carry out shore protection and reclamation work at the erosion-ravaged riverside of Opuama.

Three of them were identified as Inoku Godwin, Sam Ede and Jackson Ibani.

The bandits later demanded N6 million ransom for each of the victims, amounting to N30 million.

A source close to one of the firms said the workers were rescued after a series of negotiations.

He said they have returned to Port Harcourt.

It was learnt that some former militant leaders were involved in the negotiations.

The suspects were alleged to be youths from Lorbia and Azuzuama in the state.

Police spokesman Alex Akhigbe confirmed the development.

But he claimed no ransom was paid to the kidnappers.

He said: “They were released about 7pm on Monday and taken to Nembe community where the police anti-kidnapping team rescued them.”

LAWMAKER, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro in Rivers State at the House of Representatives, has described the purported expulsion of over 20 Rivers State government functionaries and party leaders as a bad omen for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He spoke yesterday in Abuja shortly after the expulsion by the Felix Obuah-led faction of the party.

Said he: “This objectionable rascality must stop.

Obuah has turned a great embarrassment to the PDP and he must be called to order before he succeeds in presenting the party in Rivers State to the world as a bunch of irresponsible rascals.”

Peterside, who is also the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), said: “Rivers people are peace-loving, decorous and law- abiding. Therefore, Obuah and his co-travellers are a disgrace to the state.”

The lawmaker, who wondered why a respected party leader like Dr. Sam Sam Jaja should even be considered for such despicable action, described the purported expulsion as one of the absurdities of modern-day politics.

“This action of suspending Dr. Sam Jaja and over 20 other leaders of the party in Rivers State is symptomatic of how morally deep we have degenerated. But as every responsible party member, I know this action is of no consequence as they do not have the power to do what they claimed to have done. Dr. Jaja will contest the PDP elections for the office of the deputy national chairman,” Peterside said.

, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

ISSUE

Corruption is hurting the people Lagos

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CARE

EDUCATION

Free medicare for 8000

Establish al-majiri schools for women

Kogi

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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•ACM Akpabio

Kebbi

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Page 17

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

‘Kids are helping to prevent accidents’

REVENTING deaths and injuries on Lagos State roads is not the job of uniformed personnel alone. Children have been co-opted to step up the effort, said the state sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Assistant Corps Marshal Nseobong Akpabio. The strategy exploits the simple but effective psychological power which children exercise over their parents.

Akpabio has since detailed all the 15 unit commands in the sector to move into primary and secondary schools in the state and get pupils to understand why they must monitor their parents’ driving habits. The kids are orientated to help their parents stay alive because in the event of, say, their breadwinning fathers’ death, their education will be in jeopardy.

By Ogochukwu Ikeje

Akpabio who initiated and developed the strategy, called it ‘Who will pay my school fees?’

At schools, FRSC personnel have been asking their young charges to observe certain crucial indulgences of their fathers behind the wheels. Do they overspeed or drink while driving? Do

they use their phones while in motion? Do they drive even when tired or without their seat belts on? Or do they overtake dangerously, say, when there is an oncoming vehicle or at a sharp bend?

If a driver does any or some of these things, a simple question from his seven-year-old, say, may go a long way in saving him and

Daddy, if you die, who will pay my school fees? Akpabio inquired: If your child asked you this question, how would you feel? This strategy helps us to reach out to parents

others.

“Daddy, if you die, who will pay my school fees?”

Akpabio inquired: “If your child asked you this question, how would you feel? This strategy helps us to reach out to parents.”

The Lagos sector commander said the strategy has caught the interest of a pastor who has elected to sponsor it in churches and elsewhere.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the FRSC in keeping down road crashes in the state since last year, Akpabio said the sector command has significantly reduced road traffic accidents.

He said in mid 2012 when he assumed office, there were 574 road crashes in the state, but •Continued on Page 48

•Yero (fourth left) inspects a road under construction in Sabo Gari Local Government Area

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OES he have the passion to keep the pace of his predecessor? Can he finish what Yakowa started?

What will he do with the raft of road contracts awarded by the last administration?

Those have been some questions from critics of Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero since he came into office.

The governor has been doing his best to allay fears that his administration is not primed to deliver.

In addition to existing road deals across the state, Yero

Yero revives road projects

Kaduna Governor rallies contractors From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

awarded about 32 of his own, and paid 25 per cent of the total contract sum to each of the contractors.

He has also been going round to inspect the work done, finding in some places that many of the contractors actually started work and that some parts of the job were completed early in the

year.

But in some other places he discovered that contractors were not up to scratch.

At the Hanyin Dogo-SamaruBomo Road project in Sabon Gari Local Government Area, one of the contracts awarded last November and scheduled for completion this December, he found that the contractors received full payment for the

job, although not much was done.

An angry Yero told the contractors in plain words that they was not serious about completing the job, expressing displeasure with the slow pace of work and the fact that the culverts were not properly done.

At the Tudun Jukun Road project, also in Zaria, he was even angrier at the fact that the contractor was absent from site.

He directed the commissioner of works to immediately submit the records of all the road

contracts in the state to his office.

The disparity in records between the Ministry of Works and the contractors handling the Hanwa Road project also infuriated the governor. While the commissioner claimed that the road was about four kilometres long, the contractors told the governor that the stretch was actually 3.628 kilometres.

The commissioner said only 47 per cent of the project has been done while the contractor has collected a total payment of •Continued from Page 48

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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•From left:Chief Imam Abdul LateefArogundade; Alhaji Shamsideen Labinjo and Chief Imam Abdul Rafeehi Afolabi Adaranijo at the event PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Cleric urges insurgents on peace

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HE Baba Adini of Somolu, in Lagos State, Alahji Samsondeen Labinjo, has described the killings in the northern part of the country as political and called on the members of the Boko Haram to embrace peace.

Speaking at a post Ramadan prayer held at Somolu, he said the issue of Boko Haram came up because they believe that power should be held by Muslims.

According to him, if power is given to Muslim brother from the Southeast, there would be peace in the country because they deserve to rule the country.

He said: “I have addressed Boko Haram issue in the past, Boko Haram is a political thing. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the head of state for eight years and left. A northern and a Muslim took over but did not last due to death, I mean the late Umaru Yar’Adua.

“The administration was taken over by a Chris-

By Musa Odoshimokhe

tian who completed the remaining two years and contested again and won the election. At the moment, he is planning to come back again. The Muslim community will not be happy at this development.

“But I want to use this medium to call for the support of an Igbo man for the next president and should be a Muslim. If you think the Southeast don’t have Muslims, go on pilgrimage to Mecca, you will find different tents with six different states from the Southeast, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyin and Enugu states at Mecca, well expressed there.”

Explaining further, he said: “This shows clearly that you can find good and competent Muslims in the Southeast who can provide leadership at the Presidency. If this is done I can assure you Boko Haram will vanish”.

HE Kogi Commissioner for Health, Dr Idris Omede, said that no fewer than 8,000 people had so far benefited from ongoing free rural medical treatment in the state.

Omede, who said this when he briefed newsmen in Lokoja, added that the ministry was targeting 40,000 people this quarter.

He said the initiative of the free rural medical treatment was one of Governor Idris Wada’s programmes aimed at making healthcare accessible to those living in rural areas.

The exercise, according to him, is for attainment of a healthy population and workforce that will drive and actualise the transformation agenda of the state government in all sectors of the state’s economy.

Omede said that 24 designated treatment sites centrally located in the 21 local governments were carefully chosen to allow free access to the services.

The commissioner added that ophthal-

Church holds music concert

THE second Festival of Voices Music Concert of Divine Salvation Bible Church will take place on Friday,August 30. It is tagged Joy of the Lord .The time is from 8.00pm to 6.00am and venue, 5,Adewusi Street,Fadeyi,Off Ikorodu Road in Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

In a statement, the General Overseer, Prophetess Addulsalami, urged everyone to come and have a pleasant time with the Lord.

She said the programme is set apart to bring all children of God together to raise praise, exhibit and discover talents and proclaim the gospel through music.

Kogi

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N a bid to improve the efficiency and productivity of the staff of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) the management has organized a three-day leadership training for its workers.

The training conducted by Ken Nnamani Center for Leadership and Development (KNCLD) was held at the prestigious Best Western Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos last week.300 workers of the organisation benefited from the training.

At the end of the programme, the beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the quality of knowledge they acquired and praised the management for organising the training which they said would go a long way in improving not only their official assignments but also their personal lives.

By Jeremiah Oke

value right from our ACN days. This you can see in the states we control because we give our best to it, knowing that it is a key path to development.”

He stated that the beneficiaries of the GCE forms who were selected from the wards in the council must justify the opportunity offered them by reading harder to excel in the examination.

“About 100 students from the council were selected though we may extend this gesture to students outside our council in due course but for now we want to take care of those within the council in view of the resources at our disposal.”

He urged them to shun vices that could smear their reputation and drag the name of their families in the mud. “Ensure you shun cult activities, do not join bad peer group and always study hard at every opportunity open to you because this is the road to success,” he said.

•Hon. Adeniji giving out a form to one of the beneficiaries

•Governor Idris Wada

Centre trains NPA staff

Council tells students to be serious

HE Chairman of Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Hon. Adewale Adeniji, has urged students seeking admission into higher institutions to take advantage of the free GCE forms distributed to them to realise their dream.

He said the council would not fold its arms when potential future leaders suffer for lack of knowledge. He advised them to take their studies serious because this would be the only way they could become what they wanted to be.

He said: “We cannot keep quiet and watch you drifting backward because it has been our priority to assist students who show determination at academics. We have you in our heart and want to ensure that you make progress academically.

“This GCE forms will prepare you for the SSCE, so those of you who still have this other examination must utilise the advantage to excel in order to seek admission to higher institutions.”

Adeniji added that council was not happy with what was going on in the country due to falling standard of education and urged stakeholders to address this development as a matter of urgency.

“As for the APC, education has been a core

‘Establish al-majiri schools for women’ T

8000 get free medicare mologists had been deployed to centres in each of the three senatorial districts - Ankpa, Okene and Kabba.

“They are to carry out eye surgeries for people identified with cataracts and other eye defects.’’

He said that some health facilities in the state were being renovated and that drugs had been procured and made available at the general hospitals at affordable prices.

“We are trying to see a functional health policy and NHIS that would cater for everybody in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.

47

By Innocent Duru

Speaking at the end of the training, Prof EbereOnwudiwe, the Executive Director of the centre said the exercise would go a long way in improving the efficiency of the workers and business activities at the ports.

He said:“At the end of the three-day programme the staff of NPA have gained a lot in terms of transformational leadership skills.

They have had some additional capacity that would help them move the work forward. The training is necessary because the NPA has become a very big economic institution which is striving to become the hub of marine activity in Central and West Africa. The current leadership has done a lot to make the move towards the achievement of this kind of goal possible.

“Institutions need once in a while to renew their training in order to achieve their stated objectives. In the course of the training, the workers were made to have a better understanding of the essence of civil service reform, new change management and supportive skills to adapt to the reform. They were equipped with knowledge about new tools for managing and motivating public servants, new attitudes, work ethos, and values and personal success skills that will improve NPA output.

HE Federal Government has been urged to establish al-majiri schools for women in Kebbi State following high rate of women beggars in the state.

The appeal was made by Mallam Awal Mayhama,a Chief Imam in Badariya Area of Birnin Kebbi while speaking with Newsextra over the incident.The Islamic scholar praised the efforts of the government in reducing high rate street beggars in the north and therefore urged Federal government to extend same gesture to the state in form of a women almajiri school.

He said further: ‘’If you go to Bank streets along Government House and also in front of Government House Gate, even in ministries, you would find them their waiting for you to give them money. If you withdraw from the bank, and also if you are driving and stop while receiving a telephone call, you will see them asking you to give them money ’’ he said.

N

IGERIA Ball Point Pen Industries PLC (NIPEN), the producer of BIC shaving stick and other BIC products, has rewarded its customers across country with over N60 million worth of gifts through clean shave and win promo.

The prices won by its customers include; a Chevrolet car (2012 model), two motor bikes, five Hp laptops, 15 flat screen Television sets, 18 pieces of black berry smart phones,34 pieces of refrigerators, three power generating sets and two standing fans.

According to the commercial manager of the company, Mr. Ran Pagis, the company considered such gesture as its duty to reward its final consumers across the country, saying the rationale behind the gesture is to meet them and appreciate them for their patronage.

Pagis maintained that it is very important for the organisation to show appreciation to its customers and get other potential customers familiar with the organisation and its products, adding that the organisation knows not only its dealers but also needs to meet some of its end users and appreciate them. He said the organisation has set to engage in such relationship.

In her own remark, the Product Manager in

Kebbi

From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi

The cleric, who explained that Islam did not teach that, lamented that “women who are supposed to be in their matrimonial homes, are going round the town begging for money. You see women from the ages of 30-50 and above were commonly seen as beggars. There should be proper coordination from government and security agencies. Besides, banks should find way of evacuating them from their premises”. ‘’They are disgracing the Hausa and the northerners as a whole by engaging in this mess, please I’m appealing to the givers not to give to those that are fit and capable of

Enugu

•Governor Dakingari

working, they should assist only those that are seriously deformed and cannot do things on their own.

Firm rewards customers

charge of Promo and Sales Promotion, Mrs Yinka Adedayo, said the organisation has it in it plans to make its customers happy and that is why it embarked on several promos which include retailer and dealer promo in the past, adding that this is the first end users promotion the organisation had done for the BIC shaver. She added that the amount spent on the promo is worth N60 million.

Also speaking the National Sales Manager of the organisation, Mr. Fatai Olasore, said the move was to compensate and appreciate their final consumers in the country. He said the company is trying to consider such gesture as a yearly event which will make its

respective end users to know that the company cares about them.

Olasore said the company wants its customers as much as possible to benefit from the promo and propagate the benefits of its products such as hygienic and sharpness of its shaving stick and other uniqueness of it to the public so that they can also adopt it.

Some of the beneficiaries of the promo who spoke with our correspondent, disclosed that the means at which they were informed about the promo vary from one to another, saying they won several items with buying of a N40 worth of shaving stick.

Community marks Ilun ndun Day

I •The Diocesan Bishop, Anglican Communion Diocese of Bauchi, Rt. Rev Musa Mwin Tula, presenting a 'Voice of the Church Award' to Pastor Ladi Thompson at its 2013 Synod

Church holds leadership conference

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OICE of Integrity International, an arm of Grace Prevailing Ministries, is holding a three-day international conference on integrity in leadership from today to August 30. The conference is to emphasise the importance of integrity in leadership. The theme is: Achieving Result.

Speaking on the upcoming event at a briefing at its venue, 23 Kosoko Road, Ojodu Berger, in Lagos, the General Overseer of the Church ,Dr Godwin S.C. Nwachukwu, said the purpose of this third edition of the conference is to expand the scope of the initiative, recognise and appreciate leaders beyond religious confines.It is to let people know that leadership is synonymous with discipline and building of legacies.

He said: “We started with the clergy initially irrespective of the circle they were from but we discovered that many of them were businessmen clergy and some political clergy and if they are, your guess is as good as mine in terms of what they will manifest. So he is not only a Pastor in the church, he is also in government. He is equally in business. The problem here is that the problem he has in government or business rubs on the people in the church. So, we decided to expand the scope to let people know that the people leading them must have integrity, they must know what it takes to be a leader or what do you think of a leader that is doing business and duping his members?.

The General Overseer said that the bane of

By Bode Monogbe

leadership in the country is that “we lack leaders who find it difficult to accept that they have gotten it wrong .You see the old leaders accusing the young ones of wrong doing and the latter firing back. The issue is that corruption is corruption”.

Nwachukwu added that the decision to honour some Nigerians carries no financial consideration. He said the group had chosen people whose leadership style had impacted positively on Nigerians. “In one way or the other, they have influenced the people and made them ask for more. The honour carries no financial criteria ,it is to encourage them to do more”.They cut across all human endeavours including religion ,industry ,arts, police force a n d engineering.Notable figures expected are Dr S a m s o n Ayorinde,DSP N g o z i Braide,James Dugo,Mr E.O.Ibru and Dr Joe Odumakin •Dr. Nwachukwu

T was another memorable day for the indigenes of Ado -Odo town in Ogun State, as they marked this year’s Ilun ndun Day in style.

Residents and guests moved about in their blue attire to savour the joy of the moment organised by the youth, at Oja Ale Ground.

It was to bring together Ado-Odo people from their four indigenous quarters and those in Diaspora. The celebration coincided with the annual El-del fitri festival.

The programme started at 12noon as the chief Imam of Ado-odo Alhaji Saliu Ibrahim Abanigbe said the opening prayers and praised turn-out describing it as impressive.

Mrs Akoye Osolo, the women leader and Iya Osha of Ado-odo in her remarks said: “as a women leader Iam able to pull the women together thanks to our ancestors for returning peace and love to our land”. Young and old men and women from different communities such as Ido–Agba, Abe Igi Oro, Safejo Base, Iso Garri, Ado-Odo Isale, Agolo, Giant of Abiyo, Iloro, Lion base, Apa Ina, Abe Igi Keybo and many others with their

By Adegunle Olugbamila

banners to show their presence at the venue.

Chiefs and eminent personalties, aged and middle age were present at the year’s celebration. Engr Prince Saheed Alagbe,one of the dignitaries said: “This is my community, where I was born and brought up , we were known for peace and friendly attitude , but of recent there had been some misunderstanding but we thank God that peace and love had returned; that is why our people choose to wear blue attire to show love.” Princess Temitope Akapo had this to say: ”We thank God for making this gathering a joyful one as you can see dancing here and ther”.

Also speaking, Hon. Lamidi Olayiwola said “ this is the celebration of the return of peace in Ado-odo. This shall continue and the love that existed is the only key to the success of today ‘s event”. Alhaji Ismaila Kolawole, the Are Fiwajoye of Awori land also had this to say, “peace is back in Ado-Odo” with Mrs Suwebatu Shonibare commenting that “this event is really exciting because everything went peacefully.”

•Alhaji Yisa(middle), Council Manager Mrs Sanyaolu L.A (tenth left), Secretary, Eng. Opeyemi

•From left: Director, Finance and Administration, Lagos State Ministry of Environment,Alhaja Dawuda Hussainat and Acting Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Abimbola Jijho-Ogun, during the LAWMA Children initiative programme, tagged: “Waste to Food” initiative, at Agege Stadium, Lagos. PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON

Council chief makes case for traffic flow

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HE chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area, Hon. Owolabi Yisa has urge residents and stakeholders in the council to ensure free flow of traffic at Ajah and Badore roads. The council chief said this at a meeting he held with them at the council secretariat.

He said some of the causes at the traffic snarl include: wrong parking of cars along the roads, attitude of commercial motorcyclists as well as that of riders of tricycles. Also causing obstruction is the behaviour of those selling suya at Ajah round about.

Yisa said he called the meeting to listen to suggestions on possible ways of avoiding traffic logjam along Ajah-Badore road. According to him,the issue has become a challenge to the community and government which if not checked will negatively affect the economy of the council .

Mr. Babatunde Jeje,a participant at the meeting, said that the on-going road construction at Ajah is a major cause of the traffic, just as little potholes at the roundabout and Abraham Adesanya junction also contribute.

The representative of Co-operative Villa pointed out the need for parking space, which was supported by the chairman, saying shop owners are supposed to provide parking space for customers. Examples of these are Ajah market, Sangotedo market and Shoprite at Lekki. He said the Addo Langbasa Market is

not approved by government as proper measures were not taken before building the market.

Many brilliant ideas came from participants,one of them was that schools and business organisations should provide a parking space for their customers to avoid wrong parking of cars along the road. NO PARKING signal should be placed on some part of the roads and alternative routes should be created and efforts should be made to appeal to construction workers to hasten up their work.

The chairman said creation of alternative routes may depend on availability of funds.

He revealed the challenges he faced before Langbasa-Addo road was constructed and how he got the approval for the proposed secretariat some days back.

He concluded that some road construction and some alternative routes have been approved and work will soon begin on them.

He mentioned that committees should be set up amongst business units to create the best places to put ‘NO PARKING’ sign posts Dignitaries present include traditional rulers of Ajah, Badore and Addo, representatives of Education Unit, FRSC, LASTMA, Police officers, Ajah CDA, Addo CDA, Badore CDA members, Co-operative Villa, Thomas Estate, tricycles andcommercial motorcyclists, some officials of the council and many others.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Teenage stowaway

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•Aviation authorities should accept responsibility for the shame that attended the security breach at Benin Airport

HE gripping and pathetic story of how a 13-year-old Junior Secondary School Student beat the security system at the Benin Airport to hide in the tyre compartment of an Arik Flight to Lagos last Saturday has once again exposed the inefficiency of the security personnel in the country. Daniel Ohikhena, who, it turned out, had nursed the dream of one day travelling by air to the United States of America, believed that the flight was US-bound and saw it as a dream come true. He hid in a bush near the airport, waited patiently until the aircraft was about to depart Benin, and then moved stealthily to fly free of charge.

It is unfortunate that Nigeria is once again in the news for the wrong reason. As a gateway to countries and major cities, the news of the teenage stowaway has travelled very wide, thus contradicting the image being painted that much has been accomplished in the trumpeted reform package of the aviation sector. Since 2011 when the Jonathan administration was inaugurated, billions of Naira has been committed to remodelling of the airports.

Last Saturday’s incident has shown that we are still many steps away from attaining the desired level of safety in a country confronted with such serious security challenges as the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North, the communal and religious clashes in the North Central, armed robbery in the South West and the incessant kidnap raids in the South East and the South West.

The Ohikhena venture was not the first time the attention of the authorities and the general public would be called to the porous security outlay at our airports. In

July 2005, stray cows found their way to the Port Harcourt International Airport runway. One actually hit an Air France aircraft without claiming the life of any of the 200 passengers on board. However, the aircraft was damaged. The news made headlines throughout the aviation world and the Obasanjo government pledged to prevent a recurrence.

But, in March 2011, a Hawker 850 aircraft that had taken the vice presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Fola Adeola, to the Bauchi Airport was confronted by a similar scenario. Goats and sheep found their way to the tarmac, ran across the runway and threatened the safe landing of the plane. Again, as usual, government promised it would never happen again.

We find it difficult to share the confidence exuded by the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Yakubu Datti, who said, “as a result of the incident in Benin, we have further tightened our risk amelioration procedure to ensure that a similar incident does not occur.” Should the authorities wait for such incidents before adopting and applying rules and procedures in operation in other countries?

The Federal Government should go beyond propaganda in ensuring the safety and security of the millions of Nigerians and foreigners who use our airports. We find the blame game by FAAN and the management of Arik Air, following the incident unacceptable, and urge the aviation authorities to accept full responsibility.

It is incredible that the movement of the

boy was noticed, yet the security personnel and the control tower failed to act according to best practices that could have averted the situation. The aviation ministry should ensure, as a matter of priority, that the perimeter fencing of the four major international airports commenced in 2011 is completed in no time and that all others should not be left out. The fund accessed from the World Bank to upgrade infrastructure in our airports must be deployed for the purpose if Nigeria is to be saved the embarrassment of cattle, goats, sheep and stowaways straying into restricted areas of the airports.

The orientation of our young ones should be made a priority by relevant government and non-governmental organisations. Many of them regard USA and Europe, through dreary eyes, as El Dorado. They thus become desperate to leave for those countries. It is high time government reversed the trend.

‘It is unfortunate that Nigeria is once again in the news for the wrong reason. As a gateway to countries and major cities, the news of the teenage stowaway has travelled very wide, thus contradicting the image being painted that much has been accomplished in the trumpeted reform package of the aviation sector’

Electoral offenders

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•INEC has a duty to prosecute those caught in Anambra before the November 16 governorship election

IGHTY-one days to the Anambra State governorship election, worries stalk the standard of preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although the commission’s chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, has promised best practices during the November 16 governorship election in the state, and admitted that the compilation of a credible voter register is the bedrock of free and fair polls, stakeholders are still concerned that a lot could still go wrong in the state.

The fears were based on the experiences during the 2011 general elections and the more recent governorship elections in Ondo and Edo states where the registers were still regarded as accommodating fake names, thus leading to apprehensions that threatened the conduct of the polls. In a bid to arrest the trend, the INEC chairman

‘The Anambra State political field is one of the most difficult in the country. The 2011 registration is to be repeated in 53 polling units.

The continuous voter registration and voter verification exercises have just ended. How INEC collates the results and transparently handles whatever complaints that may arise therefrom would show whether to expect a credible poll. Each of the major political parties is rocked by internal crisis over who should be presented as candidate’

told stakeholders last week that people who engaged in multiple registration, would, for the first time, be prosecuted as a deterrent to others who may be planning to toe the line.

Reeling off relevant statistics, Professor Jega said the latest technology deployed

by INEC had detected 93,526 offenders of the 2,011,746 registered during the last registration exercise in the state. He vowed that 72 of the offenders would soon be taken to court. Bemoaning the commission’s lack of capacity to punish all involved, the chairman, who also disclosed that about 870,000 of the 70 million names on the electoral roll nationwide were fake, said the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had promised to assist.

The road to conducting credible polls in Nigeria is still windy and rough. While many stakeholders, including the electorate, the mass media, political parties, candidates, non-governmental organisations and credible monitors, must be fully engaged in the process of sanitising the system, the responsibility devolves mainly on the electoral body.

The Anambra State election is a foretaste of what to expect during the Ekiti, Osun and ultimately, the 2015 general elections.

It is time to put a stop to the contention that a lot might have gone wrong with the conduct of general elections, but the result approximated the will of the people. In 2007, the Nigerian election was dubbed the worst in the annals of the country, failing global, regional and national standards.

Yet, it received the official endorsement of the Supreme Court that agreed it failed basic constitutional tests. The apex court however held that the infractions could not have given victory to the petitioners.

We note the pledge by Professor Jega that the biometric features component of the direct data capture at the 2010 registration has been fully deployed to weed out fake names. No more, he said, would there be the Mike Tysons and Nelson Mandelas on the electoral rolls.

However, we can only welcome the promise with caution. Similar assurances in the past failed the test. Logistics remains a nightmare in the conduct of elections in the country. Transportation of officials and materials to polling units and nonpayment of due allowances and inadequate security still pose challenges to the conduct of free and fair polls.

The Anambra State political field is one of the most difficult in the country. The 2011 registration is to be repeated in 53 polling units. The continuous voter registration and voter verification exercises have just ended. How INEC collates the results and transparently handles whatever complaints that may arise therefrom would show whether to expect a credible poll. Each of the major political parties is rocked by internal crisis over who should be presented as candidate.

The INEC chairman has said the commission has the names, addresses and photographs of all those who infringed the law during the 2010 registration. He should prove this by getting a speedy prosecution of all the offenders. While the law, unfortunately, forbids the introduction of full-scale electronic voting, INEC has a duty to prove that the money spent to procure the Direct Data Capture machines in 2010 was not wasted.

Anambra State provides opportunity for a litmus test.

Reading Tweets from Iran

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OCIAL media are an unorthodox, but useful, way to start to get a sense of Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani. In a flurry of English-language posts on Twitter since his election in June, Mr. Rouhani has given reason to hope that he is serious about resolving disputes with the United States and other major powers, most urgently about Iran’s nuclear program.

“We don’t want further tension. Both nations need 2 think more abt future & try 2 sit down & find solutions to past issues & rectify things,” he, or somebody writing in his name, said on June 17. On the nuclear program, he commented: “Our program is transparent, but we can take more steps to make it clear to world that our nuclear program is within intl regulations.”

This seemingly reasonable outlook — refreshing after the ugly, confrontational approach of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — has been reinforced by other recent moves. The most significant is Mr. Rouhani’s appointment of Mohammad Javad Zarif as foreign minister. In addition to being educated in the United States and serving many years as Iran’s ambassador at the United Nations, Mr. Zarif has been at the center of several rounds of secret negotiations over the years to try to overcome decades of enmity between the two countries.

Mr. Zarif is also being considered to lead a new round of nuclear negotiations with the major powers, replacing the conservative Saeed Jalili, who made things worse when he was in that job. At his first news conference, President Rouhani parried questions about possible direct talks with Washington — which will be essential at some point for any deal to be concluded — but said he was ready to “seriously engage and interact with other parties.”

It would be naïve to assume that the path to ending Iran’s isolation is now clear. Hostilities between America and Iran have hardened since the 1979 Islamic revolution. For some time after the covert nuclear program was discovered in 2002, Iranian officials shrewdly played a weak hand to divide the international community and avoid sanctions. It seems likely that Mr. Rouhani, with his benign demeanor, seductive tone and more “moderate” message, will be more focused, serious and skillful in negotiations than Mr. Ahmadinejad, but still unyielding in Iran’s core demand to retain significant nuclear capability.

Even so, there are strong forces propelling both sides toward a deal.

Harsh sanctions imposed by the United States, Europe and the United Nations since 2009 have devastated Iran’s economy, which Mr. Rouhani is desperate to revive. Although there is no evidence that Iran has produced a nuclear weapon, its program has steadily advanced, prompting both President Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to warn of possible military action. At a time when the Middle East and South Asia are in turmoil, there are also many regional issues that could benefit from American-Iranian cooperation, including Afghanistan and Syria.

President Rouhani is sending strong signals that he will dispatch a pragmatic, experienced team to the table when negotiations resume, possibly next month. That’s when we should begin to see answers to key questions: How much time and creative thinking are he and President Obama willing to invest in a negotiated solution, the only rational outcome? How much political risk are they willing to take, which for Mr. Obama must include managing the enmity that Israel and many members of Congress feel toward Iran?

And finally: Do the two sides have the courage to resolve a conflict that has been decades in the making?

– New York Times

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: It is now obvious that the Jonathan administration has nothing to offer after more than two years in the saddle. The president had promised that his doubters were going to be surprised in 2013 and here we are still waiting for the president’s container of positive changes.

Sincerely, President Jonathan continues to surprise Nigerians with the way he is running his government. Presently, there is marked increase in pipeline vandalism, unprecedented oil-theft, bomb blasts, economic instability and lots more. Yet, the president has not realised that Nigeria is drowning.

My problem with Jonathan and his cabinet is that they have not for

S

IR: The World Health Organization recommends that all countries have a minimum of one doctor to 600 people. Presently Nigeria has a ratio of 1 to 35,000, outlining the huge strain on Nigeria’s medical workforce, amongst whom a lot continue to travel abroad in search of greener pastures. Our medical schools graduate an average of 3000 - 4000 medical doctors annually which is evidently not enough. For us to tip the scale, Nigeria needs over 10 times the amount it graduates.

Nigeria presently has over 240 sound and unused medical doctors and dentists produced by Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, doing house jobs in their parents’ houses for more than two months now.

These doctors that could ease our health burden have unfortunately been wasting away since ASUU strike commenced; they have not been able to get their licenses which would have been issued at their induction.

The circumstance in this case is peculiar; over five schools have inducted medical doctors and dentists since the onset of the strike but OAU has been unable to follow suit, the autonomy of other medical schools

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GEJ: Performance, not empty promises once admitted their failures. A government that is not criticised will never get things right. Whether the criticisms are constructive or not, what the government ought to do is to prove its critics wrong by doing it right rather than engage in meaningless counter-criticism.

Nigerians were in jubilation galore when Jonathan emerged in 2011.

Many people who gave birth then

named their child after him thinking that his emergence would change things for better.

A lot of promises have been made but none of them has been fulfilled and the president and his aides are already talking about re-election.

My belief is that, if the president and his aides feel that they are moving Nigeria forward and that the populace are happy with the

government, then, he should let Nigerians judge his performance by providing the avenue for free and fair election and not like Jega claimed free and fair election when he could not provide the ballot papers at the election petitions tribunal for cross examination.

Education which is the bedrock of democracy of every nation is what our own government is

from their mother universities permits them to do things at their own pace as most of them were created

by Acts of Parliament. OAU medical school did not come about that way so it does not enjoy sufficient autonomy from the university which explains the inability of the senate to sit hence hindering the crop of doctors from joining the medical work force.

The college authorities have tried all within their power to solve this impasse without any progress. The school is incapacitated by the strike and still the FG/ASUU battle rages

on as the grasses continue to suffer. The grasses in this case include not just the students but thousands of lives that will have experienced mortality and morbidity due to the absence of or inadequacy of qualified medical personnel. Nigeria still ranks high on maternal mortality index and infant mortality index. We are in the same bracket with Chad on health indices far behind Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

OAU products are in high demand in every sector of the economy; medicine and dentistry

are courses in which OAU has great pedigree in. The impact these graduates will have on healthcare in this country cannot be overemphasized. The sooner they are inducted and allowed to join the medical workforce and play their role in saving lives, the better it is for the nation, at this juncture Nigeria needs all the hands it can get.

Let these doctors induct, Let our people live longer, Nigeria needs them.

riageway. However, to borrow words from our own Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, words soon ’turned to ashes in our mouth’ when we learnt that the additional lanes to be added on both sides were actually to extend the Bus Rapid Transit system to Ikorodu.

The plan, no doubt is desirable but can we be so sure that the four lanes would still be enough for other traffic after taking two lanes for the BRT? Government needs to think through it very well.

Point number two is the issue of the construction methodology. The contractor handling the project sometimes becomes insensate to the plight of users of that road during construction period. Traffic would sometimes snarl five or more kilometres. Some of the construction being done in the daytime could indeed be done at night to minimise traffic issues encountered on the road particularly during peak hours of going and returning from work.

All said, I think one should give

Let these doctors induct

S

• Omotoye Joseph, Surulere Lagos.

toying with. The amazing thing about this government is that it can afford to pay huge amount of money to our lawmakers who are doing nothing to move the country forward; pay erstwhile bandits billions of naira to secure our pipeline when we have military men who can do this for less; the same government claims it cannot pay varsity lecturers who spend day and night teaching and researching to enable the universities produce students who would contribute their quota to moving Nigeria forward.

For how long does the president want Nigerians to continue to wait?

Nigerians are increasingly losing hope. The country cannot change until its leaders change. The backwardness of this country is nothing but the problem of leadership; we need leaders who are bold and quick at decisionmaking, leaders who will put the interest of the masses before theirs and build Nigeria of our collective dreams; not leaders who would grant amnesty to people who steal from the country’s treasury.

If the president really wants to get it right, he should dissolve his cabinet and bring in people who have vision, people who will tell him the truth; not praise-singers.

• Waziri Mohammed Mokola, Ibadan.

On Lagos-Ikorodu road expansion

IR: Government exists everywhere to take care of the needs of its people. This accounts for the reason why the Lagos State Government acceded to the request of the people for the expansion of the Mile 12 to Ikorodu Road. I have lived abroad for several years before deciding to relocate back home to contribute to the development of my fatherland. I was very happy when I heard that the road would be expanded from a two-lane dual carriageway to a three-lane dual car-

kudos to the Lagos State government under Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for embarking on this gigantic project. It will sure change the face of Ikorodu when it is completed.

Today, the experience might be harrowing but at the end of the day, road users will have cause to smile.

There is therefore the need for everyone to support the government to achieve a prompt delivery of the project.

• Lola Magnus, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Lagos

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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COMMENTS

I

Anti-solar conspiracy; ‘Solar Generation’ must replace ‘Generator Generation’

S there a conspiracy against solar energy – another energy conspiracy like the generator conspiracy?

How else do we Tony explain that Nigeria Marinho with 85-100% sun days has no solar farms while the UK with 20% pathetic sun days per annum has 157 solar farms and 229 awaiting approval not including roof-top millions of mini-solar plants? The UK expects solar enterprise to deliver 20GigaWatts of power by 2020. Africa has no such plans.

A small physics lesson: 1,000watts =1Kilowatt; 1,000 kilowatts or 1,000,000 watts=1Megawatt; 1,000Mw=1Gigawatt=1,000,000,000watts or 1billion watts. Nigeria@52+ makes 3- 4,200Mw. Africa needs visionary ‘Mr. Solar President’ Leadership.

Has any African engineer, politician or professor visited a solar farm in Spain, Israel, UAE, UK or USA? Why is this failure to commit to new technologies allowed when our electricity powerless Africa has a mega-sun stroking our land and Nigeria has epileptic 3-4,000Mw after billions of dollars? Why are Africa and Nigeria still holding ‘talkshop’ conferences on ‘solar energy as a way forward’ but giving mega-contracts for imported turbines for 50 yearold power plants using non-renewable energy, instead of creating the long overdue ‘New African/Nigerian Solar Generation’ to replace us- the ‘Generator Generation’?

Is our leadership blinded by the government-allocated perks of office – the 24-hour generator and vehicles with anti-sun tinted windows? The leadership should recognise the technological and moral value of taking Africa and Nigeria solar before God relocates the sun to those who value it more? ‘God gives and takes away’. God can take away the sun if we misuse it as much as we have misused that other energy gift from God, petroleum.

Imagine solar energy being provided to Africa by underground cable from the UK, Spain, Israel, UAE or

A

PALL of confusion may have descended on security circles in Abuja following the reported killing of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the rampaging Boko Haram sect, by the operatives of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in Borno State.

Last Monday, Sagir Musa, a lieutenant-colonel and spokesman of JTF, dropped the bombshell in a statement which alluded to the fact that Shekau might have died of wounds he allegedly sustained in a gun battle with operatives of the JTF at the Sambisa Forest in Maiduguri.

Sambisa had all along been the fortified headquarters of the sect. Musa said that the Boko Haram leader was seriously wounded on June 30, by the Special Forces and was taken to Amitchide, a border community in the nation’s border with Cameroun, for treatment. He said Shekau did not recover from the gunshot wounds.

The statement said, “Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide – a border community in Cameroun for treatment.” Musa added that a video released purportedly by the Boko Haram leader on August 13, was a deceit by a member of the sect to convince members to continue with the insurgency. He added that the video was “dramatised by an impostor to hoodwink the sect members to continue with terrorism and to deceive undiscerning minds”.

Ordinarily, one would have thought that the killing or the eventual death of such a most wanted and notorious terrorist would have been a matter to be celebrated with photographs and banters in security circles, but this has not been the case.

Instead, we are witnessing a preponderance of silence from official and security circles, a situation that

USA. The sun shines on everyone. Why cannot we grasp the future? Nigeria gives citizens 12 watts of average power per person. South Africa gives 457, Zimbabwe 113, Zambia 61 and Ghana 29. Will Nigeria ever become ‘solar wise’? Since Africa is technologically challenged, why do we not turn to the gloriously powerful sun? Tell the AU, ECOWAS, governments and the private sector to get power from the sun, everyone!

Solar energy is to electricity what the cell phone was to communications –a great leap forward, cutting out the PHCN men. It will not get better with the new power companies who will overcharge. The sun is being underutilised by Nigerians, individual, government and the private sector, who are victims of a conspiracy against the spread of solar energy. Are the conspirators forcing government to use high tariffs and taxes on solar imports?

Are oil marketers afraid of losses from reducing patronage and generator companies for the same reason?

Nigerian authorities are afraid of committing ‘big’ to the new technology which is not new at all and has been around since the dawn of time and has been largely ignored, to our loss, except for sun drying clothes and food items. Nigeria started with the sun and then went underground to coal and petroleum. Now we must come up to the surface again and harness the sun. It has already been done so there is no point Nigeria’s NUC giving ABU N10m to research solar energy as was done some years ago. It is on international record that the prices of solar panels and rechargeable batteries have fallen by over 80% making solar energy affordable. Why is cheap solar equipment not available in Africa? Conspiracy! Entire cities are run by solar abroad. Africa, wake up before they steal the sun and sell it back to your children in a bottle!

The UK offers government subsidies to families and companies to purchase solar equipment. Such subsidies are not available in Nigeria and denied to Nigerian ‘Sun Energy Seekers’. CBN gives N10b to ABU and billions in rescue money to banks while the federal government gives $200m to Nollywood and billions to textile manufacturers.

Few economists have calculated that a large chunk of

this financial support will be spent on generators and fuel. Every Nigerian and every economist knows that the mantra for survival in family, and business is ‘Get Electric Power Right And All Will Be Added’.

It is not too late for government to target solar power by increasing grants, solar loan portfolios, reducing interest rates on loans, longer term loans to increase solar power use and reduce pressure on the new power grid roadmap.

We do not want another talk shop, no actionless ‘Solar Energy Conference’.

If the current government fails to take solar seriously will the new party? Will the APC, vaguely promising 40,000Mw in four or eight years, rethink and embrace a serious manifesto ‘Solar Power Roadmap’? The powerful people, rich with money obtained from the murky waters of Nigerian commerce and politics, want dependent citizens. Solar energy in the home frees the owner from the grid and solar farms can also supply the grid. Solar is a generator without pollution.

There are a few African solar projects. Solar energy empowers and reduces poverty –not the goal of Africa’s powerful governments. It is the goal of the poor and their NGOs, seemingly powerless to change government ‘secret plans’. The world must get the poor vote to matter in politics. The voice of the people is the voice of God. We want solar energy today or will make it a 2015 election issue! Fight the ‘Anti-Solar Conspiracy’. Who is afraid of solar powering Africa and Nigeria?

‘Nigerian authorities are afraid of committing ‘big’ to the new technology which is not new at all and has been around since the dawn of time and has been largely ignored, to our loss, except for sun drying clothes and food items’

Abubakar Shekau’s fate seems to have confused almost everybody, except those who are in the know of the true situation of things as regards the fate of this high-priced criminal.

It would be recalled that at the height of his madness, a $7m bounty was placed on Shekau’s head, which makes him the most priced criminal in this part of the world till date.

Nobody has seen any recent photograph of Shekau, even if taken in death, like it happened some years ago in Angola, when Jonas Savimbi, leader of the UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), a group that had destabilised the country for decades, was put forward for public view when he met his violent death. That singular event put paid to all the speculations about Savimbi’s possessions of a senseless, invincible ‘magic’ that had made him to appear and disappear at will for several years before he was eventually cut down by hot pellets.

The same thing happened to the two sons of Saddam Hussein – Uday and Qusay – who were both killed after the US-led invasion forces cornered them at a luxury apartment which served as their hideout in the northern Iraqi town of Mosul on July 22, 2003. The death of the duo represented the biggest coup for the coalition forces after the fall of Baghdad, more than three months before then. That singular opportunity offered Washington a genuine hope of a turning point in the bloody guerrilla war and laid the grounds for the eventual capture of Saddam Hussein. While briefing the public at a late night press conference on

‘If this sort of man like Shekau has been killed or he is dead, either by gunshot wounds or rat poison, he deserves an inglorious end’

the day of the incident, an elated General Ricardo Sanchez, the Commander of the ground forces in Iraq, said, “We are certain that Uday and Qusay were killed today. We have used multiple sources to identify the individuals.” Photos of the faces of the two fallen brothers were then taken and sent to Baghdad, where they were identified by Saddam’s private secretary, among others.

All these were proofs of what the invasion army was able to accomplish in their campaign in Iraq, even before Saddam was himself captured in a hole some months after, specifically, on December 13, 2003.

So, it is quite unfortunate that rather than provide proofs of Shekau’s death, the public is being treated to mere propaganda, half-truths and, perhaps, a tinge of fallacy. Otherwise, why should the JTF spokesman say something and nobody, not even at the Army headquarters or the government itself, has come out to corroborate, confirm or put speculations to rest by telling the people the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

However, it was gathered that the military High Command in the country was jittery about the release of the statement on Shekau’s purported death because of the growing lack of evidence around it. Top security goons in Abuja are said to be wallowing in a pool of disbelief, especially with the assumption that the statement could have been a product of sabotage and an unnecessary contest for glory by the JTF, which is prosecuting the war against terrorism. Furthermore, the release of the news of the killing of Shekau to coincide with the date a new division of the Nigerian Army was taking over from the JTF, was also being viewed with suspicion. The army recently established a counter-terrorism division in Borno State. The division, which is expected to come under the command

of a major-general, was established to deal with terrorists and terrorism that have gained currency in that part of the country.

From all indications, the death of Shekau need not have thrown up any controversy, except that some people may be fighting for attention and glory. In the first instance, Shekau is a fugitive, who is wanted dead or alive. Therefore, if the JTF says he has been killed in an encounter with security forces, the onus is on the JTF, the military High Command or the federal government who declared a state of emergency on some parts of the North and ordered military action, to come forward with convincing evidence. This, they should do as quickly as possible to erase the doubts the news may have left in people’s minds.

After all, we are all witnesses to the recent killing of Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda terrorist group at Abbottabad, in Pakistan, after about 10 years of being hunted by American forces. As a guide against public outrage, particularly in order to avoid turning his corpse or burial place into a Mecca of sort, where his sympathizers will now pay annual pilgrimage to, the Americans simply claimed to have lowered his body into the deep sea never to be seen again. This generated a lot of confusion until video clips and actual photographs of the bloody encounter started flying all over the place.

As they say, seeing is believing the videos and photographs were used largely to convince the doubting Thomases that, indeed, Osama Bin Laden will never walk on the streets of the planet earth anymore.

Personally, I am not too sure that Osama’s body was buried in the deep sea. What my intuition tells me is that his body was ferried to the US to be used for forensic analysis in a laboratory. Perhaps, it could

Dele Agekameh be to decode his senses and get to the inner workings of the brain of a mass murderer, a suicide bomber, an assassin, or maybe, a religious fanatic on the precipice of mental malady. As for Shekau, we all know he is a drug addict, a rapist, a terrorpersonified and a merciless man hunter, whose greatest interest is to cause the suffering of his fellow men. So, if this sort of man like Shekau has been killed or he is dead, either by gunshot wounds or rat poison, he deserves an inglorious end.

The only thing now is that, if need be, his body should be exhumed, videoed and photographed for all to see that nemesis has finally caught up with the serial killer. In that case, this regime of denial, halftruths, conspiracy of silence and all that will give room for wild jubilation among the people and banters among the security forces. With Shekau and his deputy, Momodu Bama, conveniently out of the way, the war on terrorism is half won, except that there may be other lesser evils lurking around, waiting to inflict pains on innocent people. Time will certainly take care of those ones!

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28 , 2013

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COMMENTS You had a very pure and honest mind in the write-up. What about our politicians old, ioung, Conservatives and the acclaimed Progressives? They are all guilty in this Unity-In-Diversity! How many of them had directly moved the motion of true federalism and thoroughly debated it for a bill since 1979 to date? Yet, they all want decentralisation. This had been and remained the deceit and lip-service they make and cocoon we are put into by the acclaimed Progressives. Most especially, who actually wants decentralisation of everything. From Lanre Oseni

•Babatunde Fashola

For Olatunji Dare The First Lady is the most honest person I have ever known. Under her, Aso Rock Villa has now become a house of excesses; each latest experience must out do the one before. All her qualities, good and bad, are subordinated to one presiding motive, ambition. To her, this world is the only one; it’s prizes seem to her the only objects worth having. Mercifully, her days in the villa are numbered. From O. O. Adegoke, Ikhin, Edo State On “Only in Nigeria”, I would only say ‘God dey!’ Anonymous “Only in Nigeria” shows or tells us that the Alawada Travelling Theatre has finally berthed at “Aso Rock.” Remember Bola Ige’s ‘Alawada Senate.’ Mariam Babangida will be green with envy in her grave. Aluta Continua! From Siji Adelugba, Osogbo Thanks very much for your precise writeup. Yes, you are faultless on your assertion that the power show can only happen in Nigeria. It is a pity that Jonathan cannot check his wife’s excesses. My dislike of the man is not unconnected with the power craziness of the wife. The wife, Okupe, Abati and others are Jonathan’s registered enemies. Our consolation is whatever goes up must certainly come down. But, thereafter, Jonathan should not blame his advisers. From F. T. Odugbemi, State Of Osun When we voted in the President of Nigeria, we thought that we voted for Goodluck Jonathan. But, of recent, I discovered that we actually voted for Patience.

Anonymous Re: “Only in Nigeria”. As far as I am concerned, there was nothing new in the attitude of the First Lady while hosting the Women Empowerment in Abuja, a week ago. Others, both at the federal and state levels, had always displayed same. No one wrote against the paraphenaliasm. None of the progressives moved a motion against it at the national and state levels! Let us always discuss reality and realities rather than blind criticism of opponents. From Lanre Oseni Leave Patience and Jonathan alone! Wait for APC to produce the next president (that is, if at all it will happen). Focus more on constructive criticism, please. Anonymous It is “Only in Nigeria” that we have the wife of the President as the deputy president while the post of vice president is official. In the states, there are constitutional deputy governors whlle the governors’ wives are the vice governors. Surely, it is only in Nigeria that a commissioner of police will confront a governor; where five members of a house could claim to have overthrown 27 members; where 16 is

greater than 19 and where the motion of parliament to IGP does not have effect. From Alhaji Hon. ADEYCorsim, Oshodi, Lagos A nice piece of analytically correct and courageous work. It is high time we opened up and stopped pretending every thing is okay. The conquest mentality of the Eastern brothers will lead to suspicion by their host states! The stage is gradually being set by people like Akubueze with support from those that should have cautioned such nonsensical outpouring of abuse of hospitality of Lagosians. How many people aside from the Igbo can boast of support to attain any meaningful progress in the East from a host state in economic, and political endeavours as it is available in Lagos?

What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. The tolerance and civilised attitude of other parts of the country should not be mistaken for stupidity. From Ajibola Onigbanjo, Lagos Nigeria For Segun Gbadegesin An utmost cerebral and thorough thesis.

A sane, altruistic and purposeful leader would subject the tenets of the stated set of considered opinions to further research to solve the hitherto intractable ‘Nigerian question’. Welldone, sir! From Omoba Bode Odimayo Re:”From plurality to what?”

True federalism is really the best for our nation, but it is important that within our federated republic, a citizen of this nation must see him/herself as a Nigerian, first of all, before viewing him/herself from the ethnic/tribal perspective. This is the only way genuine nationlistic zeal and national unity/development can be achieved. From Olumide Soyemi, Bariga “From Plurality to what?” is spot-on.

Fresh arguments for a well-worn proposition. But the problem is: who is this meant for? Who takes action? No one! Anonymous For the first time we walk the same path.

Let us now try to drum it into the ears of our tribal leaders that the path to take is that of inclusion and recognition that God created all humans equal. All must be given equal opportunity. No victor no vanguished. From AEO, Uyo Re: “From plurality to what?”

You had a very pure and honest mind in the write-up. What about our politicians old, ioung, Conservatives and the acclaimed Progressives? They are all guilty in this Unity-In-Diversity! How many of them had directly moved the motion of true federalism and thoroughly debated it for a bill since 1979 to date? Yet, they all want decentralisation. This had been and remained the deceit and lip-service they make and cocoon we are put into by the acclaimed Progressives. Most especially, who actually wants decentralisation of everything. From Lanre Oseni “From plurality to what?” was very interesting and thought-provoking; a mustread for all literate Nigerians. The Nigerian state as presently constituted is a forced/false relationship. An average Nigerian is a tribalist and our politicians are chronic hypocrites. I am a strong advocate for the practice of true federalism in Nigeria. It will solve so many problems. From Ini-Ubong Udosen

Your piece “From plurality to what?” was challenging and thought provoking Please keep it up. From Marshall, Abuja For Olakunle Abimbola Thank you for your write-up “Beware, Eastern brother!”. The genesis of this essay is the deportation of 14 Anambra indigenes. For me, the issue will not strain relationship between the Ibo and the Yoruba rather it will strenghten it. The deportation of fellow Nigerians, whether Ibos, Hausas or Ijaws, is against the Consitution of the land. The fact that deportation has been going on before now does not in any way justify the action of the Lagos State Government. Fashola made a constutional mistake to have aceeded to the deportation of those people. We should do things that encourage the unity of this country. From A. I. Olisadebe Fantastic piece. Even in Ilorin, some Igbo guys want everyone to note that they are doing the community some unprecedented good with their investments. Yes, I agree, but should they not also consider that it takes deep-rooted tolerance, goodwill and godliness to give ‘strangers’ such accommodation and latitude? This is in the psyche of the average Igbo man. No one can exorcise it, but it can be prudently managed, if they so desire or if they can see reasons in admonition such as yours. You have told the most candid and golden truth. I just hope they listen. From Lanre Tunwon I read “Beware, Eastern Brothers” and feel disppointed with you over your worrisome streak with your incendiary views about the Igbos. If you disagree that Igbos constitute 46 per cent of the population, let us prove you to taste with your analysis and statistics to back your argument. A prolific writer like you can verify issues before writing. This your article insults the sensiblity of Igbos who have immensely contributed to the Socio-Economic Status of Lagos. From Comrade Nnanna Nwafor, Secretary This will be a lesson to the Yoruba. How many Yorubas have shop in Onitsa market? Now the north understands. They stop giving them chance. Now Lagos is no man’s land, shameless Igbos leave their village developing another man’s village.

Yoruba should stop giving them indigenous certificate. Anonymous Utuk Motors died as a result of bad management while Inyang Ete faded as a result of the demise of the proprietor and should not be attributed to the Igbos. Where is Abiola’s Concord Airlines and Abiola Babes Football Club? Are their extinction attributed to Igbo dominance? What will you say of the popular Chidiebere Transport Limited? You were very objective at the onset of your write-up but changed at the end. From Victor Ntah Bitter truth my brother. From Aiyanyo S.E.O, Abeokuta Olakunle do not mind the Igbo. Come to Benue State and see them acquiring vast land and developing them. The only plot our son Atom Kpera had as governor of Anambra State has been revoked. In Benue, if an Igbo builds a house no person is qualified to rent it except the Igbos. But have we

•Peter Obi

cried foul? From Makurdi.

I have just read your article: “Beware, Eastern Brother!” It seems you know why it is mostly the Igbo that witness tension with their host communities. Using Lagos as an example, could you share with me those things the Igbos do that attract hostilities from their host communities? From Matthew, Abuja Dear sir. Your column in today’s ‘Nation’ is worth reading thrice by those who think.

Anonymous Even in this 21st century people are still tribalised. Whether you like it or not, Igbo’s hard work and success bring enmity to them, especially from a Yoruba man like you. From Odiraa Ezenwam, Kano Your comment would have brilliantly laid this raging Yoruba-Igbo storm to rest, were it not for the unseen but diabolic agendas of the many anti-Nigeria fifth columnists in our midst. From Akintayo Akin-Deko, Idanre Abimbola, thanks for your timely advice to our Igbo brothers. They should not exhaust the patience of their Yoruba hosts.

They are treading dangerously. A word is enough for the wise. Baiting ones host is a dangerous game. Anonymous Hi Kunle, I have read your piece in Today’s Nation newspaper, “Beware, Eastern Brother”. You were come across as a fine writer who knows how to articulate his thoughts and delivers it with a punch. But beyond that, you cut the picture of an unsafe tribal protagonist clearly mindful of the achievements of an unsuspecting rival. Igbos and Yorubas are not in contests about who is better. We all know the stock that has excelled better; both in commerce and academics. Anonymous You can write whatever you like, but the fact remains that Igbos are hated and envied for their successes above others, hypocrisy apart. Anonymous You are very articulative. But you missed a point: like the treatment of non Igbos in Igboland is unfounded. Make an extensive research about that. Like in Imo State, Ohakim’s Commisioner for Urban Planning was an Edolite. Igbos care so much for non Igbos in their domain. And they do not make noise over that. Obi and his cotravelers misplaced the issue unnecessarily. From Ike NwaoforThe answer to your hate-filled write-up today is Femi Aribisala’s today’s column in the Vanguard. We are together in this no victor no vanquished Nigeria, no separation. Any attempt to that effect will be stoutly resisted.

From P. L. Osuagwu Re: Beware, Eastern Brother! My Dear Mr. Abimbola, your column is often a delight for me at all times. This piece is a bitter truth for our Igbo brothers. Thank you and keep the ink flowing. From Lanre Bakare

, 2013

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Life

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Text only: 08023058761

Osun Osogbo: Beyond feasting One dream, one sentence... in 30 seconds – Page 26

‘Why black kids arevulnerable to radicalisation’

•Osun devotees praying to the goddess

– Page 27

Fed Govt extols Sango’s heroic attributes – Page 39

•Crowd of security operatives and tourists at the festival.

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 28

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One dream, one sentence in ... 30 seconds •US Consulate-General unveils youth essay contest 50 years ago, young African Americans led by the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. marched against injustice and racial prejudices in the United States. Today, their action has become a motivation for 1000 Nigerian youths, who gathered at the City Mall, Lagos, to mark the golden anniversary of the event. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

•From left: Onotu, Omeogu and some Corps members at the event

“P

ICK up your pen and paper,” began Gordon Barrett President, Ms Taizir Ajala. “In one sentence, write your dream for Nigeria in 30 seconds ...

In 30 seconds, in one sentence, write your dream for yourself ...”

Her statement triggered an unprecedented pandemonium across the Magnolia Hall, City Mall, Lagos.

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, numbering about 1000, reached into their bags and pockets for their papers and rushed to write down their dreams for themselves and their country, in 60 seconds.

The feeling was that of a classroom examination condition, and it came with a certain excitement. Even the adults at the venue were drawn in as they also wrote down their dreams. It was more like a test of life. “More like real life experience where one has just one minute to make a life-changing decision that would alter one’s destiny and future for life,” some said.

Ms Ajala was one of the dignitaries that motivated youths at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and the “I Have a Dream” speech delivered by Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. The event, which was organised by the United States Consul-General in Lagos, was part of activities commemorating the march that took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, August 28, 1963. The march for Jobs and Freedom, according to the US Consulate-General, was one of the largest political rallies for human rights in United States history. It called for civil and economic rights for African Americans.

Clips of Dr King delivering his historic I Have a Dream speech during the march in front of the Lincoln Memorial was screened at the event.

The youths were urged to draw inspiration from the example of the famous Dr King by living their dreams in addition to taking their realities seriously. The dignitaries enjoined them to join their voices to the fight against violence and corruption.

And at the end of Ajala’s one-minute exercise, she said: “You have just given life to your dream and what you stand for and what you stand for is your life’s philosophy that would urge you into a better future. Life will throw you several challenges and keep you there if you don’t fight back. It doesn’t matter where you grew up. When King, Jr. made that speech, he did not imagine he was addressing the world. Begin to live your purpose. Focus on what unite us. We do not need magic to change Nigeria; the magic is within us. And the time is now.”

Mohammed Onotu, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ilorin,

•Onwenu and some youths

•C

•Eweje writing his dream.

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

‘Young people are at the heart of today’s great strategic challenges, from rebuilding the global economy to combating violent extremism to building sustainable democracies. You should explore abundant resources and great opportunities in your nation; take up responsibility and make your voices heard for peace and progress. Nigerian youths need to be at the forefront of the movement to ensure that merit and substance are the deciding factors in electoral politics and that good governance becomes the clarion call of accountability’ Kwara State serving in Lagos and his colleague, Adeoluwa Eweje, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Oyo State, were part of the exercise. Their clear sense of vision and their drive, however, stood them out.

Onotu dreams of a Nigeria where people will be liberated from intellectual poverty.

This, according to him, would help curb youth restiveness. His personal dream is “to be able to mobilise youth towards achieving knowledge that would set them free from all forms mental slavery.” And by all indications Onotu is living his dream. Aside participating alongside Eweje at a debate on empowerment while he was in camp, he is an author of The Future

Starts Today, a motivational book for the young.

After a short brainteaser by Mr Ugochukwu Omeogu of Joseph Consulting in which he and Eweje and a female corp member slogged it out, Onotu emerged winner of a one-year mentorship programme worth N5 million. It was another one-minute contest of defining the word “vision” that drew from his reserve, according to Onotu, but this time, he now has N5 million opportunities to live his dream.

What motivated him, how did it feel… the questions were so many for him to answer.

He told The Nation his secrets.

“I feel very privilege. I am very happy my definition of “vision”, which is that ‘the future starts today and by having a clear sense of direction, you would be able to define what what the future would be’, won the contest.

On how I came about my definition (laughs), I drew inspiration from my book titled: The Future Starts Today,” he said.

On his part, Eweje, who lost out in whiskers, said he is undaunted. As one already involved in diverse community projects, he said, daring to succeed a major step of success which he does not intend to take lightly.

Like the case of Joseph the dreamer, the US Consulate-General is set to raise dreamers from among Nigerian youth in addition to giving their dreams a boost, with its Dream or Prophesy Essay contest. And Eweje determined to make the winner. According to him, “I will surely put for the essay. You never know, I just might win. Although I did not win today event, I have gained a lot. When I was coming for this event, I did not imagine I would be sitting in the same hall with great people; and that I would be leaving more determined than ever to live my dream. I now have a clear vision of what I must do.”

The contest, according to Public Diplomacy Officer, will offer its winners the opportunity of living their dream. “We want to give you the chance to dream dreams and put them into writing and submit them to us for essay contest. Winners will then be invited to participate in a speech contest will culminate in the celebration of Dr King’s birthday in January 2014. But whether you participate or not, we want you to set yourself free ... free from the chains of mental enslavement ... Develop a strong sense of self-esteem ... Don’t do anything that will bring ill repute to yourself or family.”

The United States Consul-General, Hawkins urged youth to follow the example of American activist the Dr King, Jr. known for peacefully protesting against social ills by taking up the responsibility and making their voices heard for peace and progress. “I encourage you all to fully exploit your creative abilities and to dream big and forge ahead with these dreams for better and brighter future.”

According to Hawkins, who was represented by the Public Affairs Officer, Dehab Ghebreab, the march was an important manifestation of people power to shape public policy and to make government work for ordinary citizens, noting that youth should take responsibility of their future by holds their leaders accountable whenever the need arises.

He said youths should be in the forefront of the global movement suing for developmental change, adding that they rise up to the challenges of the time. Along with the cause of building a great nation, he also urged that they join in their counterparts across the world to rebuild the global economy.

He said: “Young people are at the heart of today’s great strategic challenges, from rebuilding the global economy to combating violent extremism to building sustainable democracies. You should explore abundant resources and great opportunities in your nation; take up responsibility and make your voices heard for peace and progress. Nigerian youth need to be at the forefront of the movement to ensure that merit and substance are the deciding factors in electoral politics and that good governance becomes the clarion call of accountability.”

Other dignitaries included NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi; iconic music diva, Onyeka Onwenu, who gave pep talk and performed her hit song One Love; and young photographer and philanthropist, Bayo Omoboriowo, who shared his story of using his art to touch lives, among others.

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Mr Gboyega Omooba is a social worker with many community projects in the United Kingdom (UK). Popular and influential, he consults with the British Parliament on policy matters, with social and community relevance.

He has lived in the UK for the past 26 years. Omooba’s projects paved the way for him to meet with the last three Prime Ministers and Prince Charles of Wales. He spoke with SUNDAY OGUNTOLA on terrorism and why many black kids in the UK and other Western nations have become easy targets for insurgents.

‘Why black kids are vulnerable to radicalisation’

I

SLAMIC extremism has become an issue in the UK lately.

How did this get to happen?

One of the things we have told people is that no one has the right to impose their views and religious beliefs on others. You can do what you want to do as long as you don’t compromise someone’s right. The problem is when you want to marginalise a section of the society because they have contrary views. I travelled here (Nigeria) some years ago with members of the House of Lords and a few of my friends to look into the case of some nurses in Bauchi, who were sent away from wards because they were not complying with Sharia laws.

It looked like it was just marginalisation at that time but we said it was not marginalisation but the beginning of persecution.

You see Islamic extremism is almost like a cancer. It is not just a growth. Oncologists do not treat cancers as mere growths.

They kill it quickly because once it spreads; you may not be able to stop it again.In the UK, we have similar challenges. We have Sharia courts. They have always been there. Extremism has become a real problem for us over there. The two British citizens of Nigerian descent slaughtered the soldier the same way I have seen Christians slaughtered in Northern Nigeria. It becomes so hard when you try to identify someone who has no care for their lives and steps out every day ready to kill others. How do you detect that? That is the problem we are facing in the UK. For the indoctrinated people, they feel if they cannot bomb and throw grenades because of the technologies in place, they can always resort to guerilla warfare. That is what is playing out. A man who survived Afghanistan may not survive walking on the streets of the UK and that is a sound reality check and wake up call. I have been saying that radical Islam and terrorism is a global problem. It is not just a Nigerian problem or a UK problem. Until we see it as a virus and treat it as one, we really haven’t started.

How do we get started then?

Every virus has breeding grounds, something like silos. When it gets airborne, God helps us. That is why if you want to diffuse it, you look for where the breeding grounds are. Once you are able to identify the breeding grounds, you destroy it there.

Terrorism is an ideology. Once it gets into the minds of people, it spreads. That was what happened to the two boys in the UK. They were indoctrinated. They were Christians. The moment they got their minds, no one could stop them. You saw how they slaughtered the soldier. They did it non-challant. They were ready to die and did not attempt to escape. It shows exactly what I mean that it is a virus. The young men had their minds infected by the virus. Because we did not know where their breeding grounds were, it was late in the day to try and stop them. I must say this though that to destroy terrorism

•Omooba

requires a well-oiled machinery of collaborations.

How do you mean?

This is what I mean. Nigeria cannot fight it alone. The UK also cannot tackle it alone. If we break ranks now, the terrorists will outrun us. If you look at what happened with the killing of the soldier, you find this trend: The killers are young, black and British-born of Nigerian descents with radical Islamic viewpoints.The soldier was white, male, British, soldier.

Just looking at all of this shows that we all fall into each of these categories.Whether you are black or white, a person of faith or otherwise, we are all involved. We are all needed to stem the tide. We must all find the breeding grounds and destabilise them. Since what we are dealing with is a virus, once it has a free flow, we are in troubles. Anyone can be infected. The young kids in the West can easily be indoctrinated through the internet. We have hate preachers in UK. They attend their lectures. One of the Michaels was once found behind one of the hate preachers. The world is now a global stage without much of boundaries again.

Are you saying many more of Michaels might be out there in the UK? You see most of the black kids and young people in the UK are victims of cultural clashes. Most of them were either born there or taken to the UK. If they are Africans or

Bank auctions works for charity

S

TERLING Bank Nigeria Plc last Sunday auctioned artworks by 43 young talented artists aged between five and 15 to raise funds for the less privileged in the society. The auction was held at the bank’s head office in Lagos. The auctioned works were selected from a painting competition organised earlier this year for the children of the bank’s staff, with the theme: Creating a beautiful world.

According to the organisers, the money raised from the auction would be donated to a non-governmental organisation, Lots Charity Foundation that caters for physiological, social, educational, psychological, medical and emotional needs for vulnerable street children in Dustbin Estate in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ajegunle area of Lagos State.

The bank’s Group Marketing Manager, Mr Segun Anako, said the essence of the auction was to give life and health and create a beautiful world for the less-privileged.

The Regional Business Executive, Mr Tunde Adeola, said in some climes, the children’s artworks would easily have been hung up in a boardroom – forgotten and soon to be discarded, noting that what a disservice this would have been.

“We didn’t want this to happen; hence we decided to transfer these paintings to fans and lovers of art who have the expertise to

Caribbean, they are trained in the African or Carribean way at home. But when they get to the schools and societies, it is a different culture they encounter. The experience is I find these young people struggling to fit in. They wonder who they really are and get frustrated. No one seems to understand them and they are forced to express themselves violently because identity is really important.When it is lost, you don’t really know who you are. They are young people crying out for understanding and identity. I will give you an instance. I was held at gunpoint in London in broad daylight at South East London. Three kids, two blacks and one Asian, opened the door of my car and I thought they were one of the kids we have done projects with. I was trying to embrace them when I felt a gun on my side. I said to them “do you know I am like a father’s figure to you? You are like my sons. Have we failed you so much that you have to do this?” They were just looking at me. I just gave them the $250 I had on me and told them “I am not upset with you. Go and share it.” They said they wanted more and I said there was nothing like that. I gave them my card and said, “You can call me anytime because I am upset with myself that we have failed you so much.”

They went away and came back to return the money to me.

These kids have consciences and they can turn around. When we do not realise that our young black ones in the UK are victims of cultural clashes, we lose them to extremism and gangsters. We all suffer for it. They can kill anyone and it could have been anybody. Once they are indoctrinated, it becomes so late. And the reason they are easily indoctrinated is because we isolate them. We are merely helping them to be educated by unathorised educators.

Doesn’t that say a lot about parenting values out there in the West?

It takes the community to train a child in Africa. But in the UK, that role is being taken over by government, society and teachers. You can have your 13-year-old daughter gets pregnant in the UK and she could have it aborted by going to the social services without your consent and it would be legal. You could even have your children taken away. And when the children begin to misbehave again, who do they behave? We blame the same parents.

Even in the schools, it has become a battle of rights. It is that of the teachers, the students and even the parents. Moral discipline is lost in the process. You don’t even have to spank them but when they don’t feel they should display respect, it becomes a challenge. Also, we don’t allow our children to be children anymore. We allow them to grow at a fast pace. It is called fast-tracked growth. When the children are allowed to operate as adults, there will be crisis. That is why our kids are so vulnerable to this extremism and terrorism. If we can’t help to stop the trend, then we have lost the plot.

What kind of collaborations were you talking about the other time?

In Nigeria, our greatest bond is with Britain. Whether we like it or not, we were colonised by the UK. A lot of our legislations, structures and institutions were patterned after UK. A lot of our students study more in the UK than any other nation. We emigrate more to the UK than anywhere else. There is a strong bond that we must harness to fight terrorism.

We can start with intelligence-gathering and sharing. We must not allow sentiments and pettiness to throw us apart. Britain has seen that this terror is right at the heart of its society as it is here.

By Udemma Chukwuma

AUCTION appreciate the talents express in these paintings. The seed of idea behind today’s exhibition and auction was sown. To give some flesh and human touch, we thought to give these stars of the future an early opportunity to make a difference by contributing to the larger society through the proceeds of their talent and skills”.

Renowned artist and founder of Niger Delta Cultural Centre Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya praised the efforts of Sterling Bank for putting up such a competition for children.

“What they are doing is very good; in other countries, geniuses are identified when they are still young and what they have done is one of the ways of catching the genius young. Once you notice the young ones are putting energy into such development they must be encouraged. By the time they become grown up, they will become masters and people who can be trusted in the art”, he said.

Onobrakpeya urged parents to encourage their wards to draw, to go out and see exhibitions, participate in art competition and enroll them in art workshops because, ‘some of us never had an opportunity like this’. He noted that it would inspire to them

•From left: Sterling Bank, Chief Operations and Technology Officer, Yemi Odubiyi; Onobrakpeya and Mr Tunde Adeola

take art as a profession.

The children whose paintings were auctioned included Oduwa Osheku, Eshu Osheku, Oyin Osgbola, Afolabi Lifting,, Inioluwa Adebayo, Seyi Adeniyi, Princess Okebugwu, Chizuruoke Amukan, Egwuenu Quincy, Tamisin Balogun, Cajawua Ikechukwu, Ester Aina, Imade Noel, Onyebuchi Francis, abdurahman Ibrahim and Afolabi Laughter.

Others were Oyebuchi Florence, Johnson Rachel, Olalekan Adekambi, Adeite

Oluwadamilila, Oluwafolahan Toki-Pillips, Oluwafolajimi Toki-Pillips, Azuru Whitney, Khairia Muhammed,Princess Nworah, David Edoho, Deborah Edoho, Smuel Edoho, Ibukunoluwa Fashogbon, Chidiebere Offiah,Chinonso Mark, Ugochi Nnachi, Olasubomi Olaleru, Kehinde Olatunji, Taiwo Olatunji, Chiamaka Onyemaechi, Unoma Aghadinumo, Sheu Arowowon, Samuel Agboola, Elizabeth Agboola, Olalade Alabi, Oladipupo Aino and Chimamanda Okechikwu-Melifonwu.

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OSUN OSOGBO FESTIVAL 2013

•Tourists at the festival

•Jubilant crowd at the event

•Market women paying obiesance to the Ataoja of Osogbo

•Some Osun devotees.

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

This year’s Osun Osogbo festival may have ended but the commerce that comes with the cultural and tourism event is still on-going, reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

F

OUNDED on an ancient covenant about 1370 years ago, the Osun Osogbo Festival has grown to become a monumental event that has gone from being another religious activity to becoming a mega-commercial one.

Over 1,000 years after, the ancient city of Osogbo, like an unseen hand of its goddess, has continued to draw many from within and outside the country. And it was that time of the year when the state witnessed a large influx of Osun devotees and tourists.

For two weeks, the Osun State capital was their choice-destination.

They came for its water, its art and most especially its goddess. It was two weeks of carnival of festivities that began with the cleansing of the town called Iwopopo followed by the lighting of the 641-year-old lamp called Olojumerindilogun. This was followed by Iboriade four days later, which is the assemblage of all the crowns of past kings (known as Ataoja) for blessing. Highlight of the festival was by the procession, featuring the votary maid, Arugba bearing the sacred calabash allegedly containing the people’s prayers to the grove where it is dropped in the river.

For the people of Osogbo and their king, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun (Larooye II) it is not just period of reunion and rededication but also one of hospitality which has become a money-spinning sector.

And with the grove, which bears the handiwork of the late Susanne Wenger, being enlisted as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site since July 15, 2005, this has added life to its tourism activities.

So, the festival has grown from religious to an economic activity earning the state and its people revenue.

As Osun devotees and culture lovers celebrate and tourists felicitate, the town’s purse swells. While dancing and chanting, Oore yeye, their purses resonate with rich patronage.

Tourists’ participation at this year’s edition, according to the Special Adviser to the

Osun Osogbo: Beyond feasting •Tourists will fly into Osogbo next year, says Aregbesola Governor on Tourism and Culture, Mr Oladipo Soyode, doubled that of last year by 100 per cent, adding that hotels within the capital were fully booked so much so that many had to settle for hotels in the adjoining towns. It also affected the smooth flow of traffic in the face of ongoing roads construction. But that did not stop beehive of cultural and commercial activities.

With local and international brands on hand to entertain, the increase in tourists also spelt an increase in patronage and commerce. Even the local artisans were not left out in the business aspect. As the visitors moved from town to town , theartisans went out to outdo oneanother to catch these potential clients’ eyes.

Determined to tap the potentials that the festival, and by extension, the sector holds, the governor added a musical concert, that held in Lagos penultimate Sunday, to the fiesta “to boost participation of youth”. “To be able to carry everybody along, we have to have programmes that they would be able to connect with. To win the youths, we have to go to them. And we thought the best way to take it is to take the festival to them in the way they would understand which through the concert we held in Lagos,” he said.

According to Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the government has resolved to ensure that “the yearly celebration of the Osun Osogbo Festival records progressive increase in the number of participants”. “We will continue to creatively package the festival so as to enrich its tourist charm,” he said.

The state plans to raise tourists to state

from 5,000 to 20,000 with a target revenue of N7.5 billion by 2015. In addition to what his administration is doing in Osogbo, the state capital, Aregbesola said he is determined to promote tourism across the state.

He said: “The state government is unreservedly committed to heightening the economic aspects of these social affairs.”

The runway of the old airstrip at Ido Osun, he said, would be widened to 2.4 kilometres as part of his administration’s plans to turn the state into a mega-commercial destination and improve revenue generated through tourism to boost its economy and employment rate.

Foreign tourists, he said, would be flown into the ancient town for celebration, adding that by then the airport that is under construction would have been completed.

“With tenacity of purpose and unflagging resolve, we are investing in the development of tourism infrastructure. By next year’s edition, tourists will fly into Osogbo. Aside from promoting our culture, it would also help to boost the commercial life and development of the state. In this year’s budget, we earmarked N300 million for the upgrade of the various tourist sites across the state.

“With development in tourism, we want to massively boost private and public revenue generations in arts and craft, tours guide, transportation services, hospitality services, and entertainment venues like amusement parks and theatres. We will not rest on our oars in ensuring that the ancient cities in the state are made suitable for habitation and investment. This development will result in increase in revenue generation, which will in turn significantly improve the stand-

ard of living of our people,” he said.

To show that it means business, the government organised a Trade Investment and Cultural Conference that featured over 60 investors, and culture proponents worldwide during the festival. The summit, according to the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Empowerment, Mr Ismaila Jayeoba-Alagbada, is geared towards tapping into the huge commercial potentials that the tourism sector holds, “thereby promoting commerce and industry on a large-scale”. Even though the festival and the conference have ended, investors are still around scouting for potential partners and prospective business opportunities in the state, according to Alagbada.

The week-long event, according to Alagbada, featured investment conference, business-for-business summit, cultural conference and site visitation, among other activities. It was organised by the State’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Corporative and Empowerment with Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture.

He said: “Over 60 investors from America, France and Netherland participated at the Trade Investment and Cultural Conference that began last Monday and ended last Sunday with departure. A lot of them are still around doing site visitation. The Osun State government organised the summit to boost commerce and industry in the state; and to connect small businesses with bigger brands. No doubt, our people are industrious and highly talented, hence, the government want to harness their potential by giving them the boost them need to become world players in the global market.

“There were lots of partnership and collaborations with the foreign investors. And they opportunity of knowing what is required of them in the international market.

“It is first of its kind; others we have had involved African in Disapora but this is the first time that we would be having foreign investors and brands interacting with those of people here in the state.”

Oba Olanipekun called on the Federal Government to complement the state’s efforts in tourism “to avert the negative social impacts at the maturation of the industry.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

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

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

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

Mutual funds net N30.2b gain in 12 months

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HE net value of all registered mutual funds in Nigeria added N30.22 billion over a 12-month period to hit N117.5 billion, underlining the improvement in returns of collective investment schemes.

Latest statistical report on net asset values (NAV) of mutual funds by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) obtained by The Nation showed that mutual funds’ net assets grew by 34.63 per cent or N30.22 billion between July 27, 2012 and July 26, this year.

Mutual funds, otherwise known as collective investment schemes, are joint investment vehicles through which investors can pool funds and invest in chosen basket of securities with a view to opti-

By Taofik Salako

mize returns and reduce risks.

Net asset value is determined by subtracting total liabilities of a fund from its total assets. The net asset value can further be divided by the total number of units of the fund to determine the unit price.

A mutual fund is usually categorised by the class of assets that forms the primary focus of its investments. Thus, there are equity funds, money market funds, bond funds, real estate funds, ethical funds and balanced funds among others.

The report indicated that net assets value of all 49 mutual funds in Nigeria rose from N87.27 billion on July 27, 2012 to N117.49 billion by July 26, 2013, the latest available up-

date from SEC. According to the report, equity-based funds remain the largest and most populous investment schemes with 18 funds that accounted for N45.95 billion, about 39.1 per cent of the total net asset value of mutual funds.

Money market funds, which invest mainly in money market instruments such as treasury bills, have the second largest segmental net value at N18.85 billion, 16.04 per cent of total net assets. Bonds funds, with nine mutual funds, has the third segmental value with net value of N16.34 billion while real estate funds, with two funds, accounted for N16.07 billion.

Further breakdown showed that investors’ values in balanced funds- mutual funds that

seek to invest in a balanced mixture of equity and debt instruments; totaled N10.45 billion while the four ethical funds accounted for N6.91 billion. Umbrella funds, which are run entirely by Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, pooled N2.61 billion while the only Exchange Traded Fund (ETC) accounted for N311 million.

The report indicated that Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund was both the largest money market fund and largest mutual fund with net asset value of N15.78 billion. Two other funds under management of Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund and Stanbic Ethical Fund, were the leaders in the equity and ethical segments with N14.64 billion and

N3.67 billion.

Kakawa Guaranteed Income Fund (KGIF), a mutual fund under Kakawa Asset Management Limited, which was recently acquired by Investment One Financial Services Limited, was the leader in the bond segment with net assets of N4.47 billion. Union Homes ‘s Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit) was the leader in the real estate market with N13.76 billion while FBN Heritage Fund, being managed by FBN Capital Markets, was the largest balanced fund with N5.17 billion.

About five per cent of investors in the capital market engage in mutual funds, a paltry fraction that underlines the tendency of most retail investors to invest in the market directly.

•Orya (fourth left), Alade, Ngama, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala and others at the inauguration of the newly reconstituted board of NEXIM in Abuja.

Govt tasks new NEXIM board on regional economic devt

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HE reconstituted Board of the Nigeria ExportImport Bank (NEXIM) has been inaugurated by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy (CME) and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja, Dr. OkonjoIweala urged the Bank to further boost regional trade in West Africa, adding that the Jonathan Administration remained committed to the task of transforming the Nigerian economy and expanding regional trade through the incorporation of the West African economic zone.

She said: “NEXIM Bank is a very important part of our finance complex. This a Bank that was set up to support import and export trade within the country. We are happy to say that the bank proven its worth; been performing its functions,” adding that much is still expected from this bank. She said the bank is working in tandem with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s

NDIC report: Experts score regulators low

- P 30

•Sarah Alade becomes first woman to chair NEXIM goal of transforming the economy and has been working with the private sector to expand the regional trade. “We can only encourage and support them to keep up their good work,” she added.

She said Nigeria’s economy is 55 per cent of the regional economy, implying that the country’s economic structures have to be well primed and poised to take charge of affairs and pull commensurate weight in the sub region, adding that NEXIM Bank is critical to Nigeria’s bid to become the powerhouse within the West Africa sub-region and Africa.

She particularly lauded the initiative of the Roberts Oryaled management, stating that she “…is proud of the Bank because it’s going in to some very innovative areas, like shipping along the coast, entering into partnerships with many institutions, like the African Development Bank, Islamic Bank, etc.

Closing her remarks the

CME charged members to stand up to the new challenge as the Federal Government expects them to bring their diverse experience to bear in transforming the bank into an instrument of trade facilitation.

The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawan Ngama, who upon the dissolution of the Board in 2011, assumed direct supervision of its affairs, used the occasion to give an account of his stewardship to the new Board and members of the Nigerian public. He categorically declared that NEXIM Bank has done very well to meet the expectations of its major Shareholders, the Federal Government and the general public. He attributed this to the professionalism of the Bank’s staff. He assured the new Board that they are coming in to work with a clean balance sheet and that it is time that the Bank was rated, and encouraged the new management to invite Agusto & Co to come and give the Bank a local

Stoway’s action stirs fresh security debate - P33

rating as that will go a long way in as a way to raising funds.

The Minister of State went further to declare his satisfaction and pride that the Bank has been taken closer to Nigerians.

“Hitherto, it had remained a city Bank. We have it in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Calabar. But, by and large only those who stay in the city know the existence and do business with the Bank. Congratulating the Roberts Orya-led management, he said: ”I am proud to say that we have about seven agencies in Yenogoa, Akure, Ishiagu, Damaturu, Yola, Gusau and Makurdi. These are the agencies that would ensure that every nook and cranny of Nigeria have customers that do business with the bank ...”

Dr. Yerima affirmed that NEXIM now has relationships with international credit institutions which have assisted greatly to broaden the scope of the

credit offering; to guarantee credit for both export and import as well as credit insurance.

In line with President Jonathan affirmative action on 35 per cent on women representation in governance, Dr. Sarah Alade, is the first woman to serve as Chairman, NEXIM Board since the inception of the Bank in 1991.

Other members are Mr. Musa Batari,Director,TradeandExchange, CBN; Mr. Kalli Zaji, Director, Home Finance, Federal Ministry of Finance; and Mallam Ajiya Mahia, Director, Trade Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Also on the Board are Alhaji Mohammed Babangida, representing private sector interest; Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, also representing private sector interest; Mr. Roberts Orya, Managing Director, NEXIM; Bashir Wali, Executive Director, Corporate Services, NEXIM; and Folake Oke, Executive Director, Business Development, NEXIM.

Life as a cassava merchant

- P35

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

30

MONEY Mixed reactions have greeted the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) last year’s Annual Report & Statement of Accounts, which ranked 10 banks sound, nine satisfactory and one marginal. While some analysts see it as an indication of a poor performance despite the huge funds committed to the reforms in the sector, others see it as a clarion call on regulators to be alive to their responsibilites, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

NDIC report: Experts score regulators low T

HE disclosure by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in its last year’s Annual Report & Statement of Accounts, that only 10 out of 20 Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the country are sound shows that regulators of the financial system have failed, analysts have said.

They said given the amount of money sunk into the reforms by the Federal Government and the ongoing contributions from banks to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), having only sound 10 banks, is a poor outing. The result represents a 50 per cent score. The regulators were adjudged as having performed poorly considering the volume of money committed to the reforms. The report, however, gave nine banks satisfactory rating while one lender was rated as marginal.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in 2009 injected N620 billion into eight banks to keep them afloat. In August 2011, AMCON spent N679 billion to acquire the bridged banks- former Afribank (Mainstreet Bank), Bank PHB (Keystone Bank) and Springbank (Enterprise Bank).

The capital provided by AMCON through shares subscription was meant to strengthen the banks’ liquidity to enable them to carry on business and meet all their obligations.

The fund was to enable them to meet the minimum capital base of N25 billion and the minimum capital adequacy ratio of 15 per cent.

Former Executive Director, Bank PHB, Richard Obire, said the fact that only 50 per cent of the banks are sound means that Nigerians have not got value for their money.

He said any performance that is below 80 per cent is unacceptable, and should be improved on by both the CBN and NDIC. “Nigerians should demand 80 per cent result because of the huge sums of money spent on the reforms. Tax payers’ money went into the funding of the AMCON and banks are still funding the corporation,” he said.

He further said many thought that AMCON would be a quick resolution mechanism, but has been foot dragging with banks contributing 0.5 per cent of their total assets into its operation, which is also indirectly passed to banks’customers as fees. “Remember that whatever the banks are contributing to AMCON is also passed to their customers as fees. So, in all, the banking public are not getting value for their money,” he said.

Banking assets Vs loans

According to the NDIC report, the total industry’s assets of N24.58 trillion, out of which total loans and advances of N8.15 trillion, represent over 33 per cent (or onethird).

The report further noted that of the industry’s total loans, N4.48 trillion or 54.97 per cent was extended to the real sector of the economy in 2012 compared to N3.88 trillion or 53.37 per cent and N3.51 trillion or 48.95 per cent in 2011 and 2010.

Obire said 33 per cent loan advances is poor.

Noting that the primary responsibility of a bank is to offer loans to the real sector of the economy, the banks should strive to achieve between 60 and 70 per cent of their assets as loans. He advised banks to strengthen their risk management to enable them to lend more to customers. “Banks should be able to deploy loans to those who need them at the right time,” he said.

But the NDIC said the report gave it a pat in the discharge of its mandate in payment guarantee, supervision, failure resolution and liquidation. “The achievements attained in 2012 were due to many factors, which include the deployment of a robust performance management system, enhancement of the enterprise risk management system as well as enhanced capacity building in riskbased supervision (RBS) and other areas of operations, among others,” it said.

Also, the Managing Director, Financial Nigeria International Jide Akintunde said the reforms have not performed badly, given that the 10 sound banks may hold 70 per cent of the sector’s assets.

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

This does not suggest that the banking reforms have not worked, urging the regulators to be alert to ensure that any anomaly on the part of banks is corrected.

He said the 33 per cent loans by banks is not a bad for the lenders, adding that majority of them are being more careful in advancing credits. “The 33 per cent loan position is not a bad outing. But many of them are looking at environmental factors and are also being more careful to avoid repeat of past mistakes when they created bad loans,” he said.

Akintunde also said banks are still conservative; in some cases, they lack the expertise to handle some specialised loans.

Microfinance banks

Last year, the NDIC conducted routine examination of 246 microfinance banks (MfBs); six were found to have closed shop. It also conducted risk-based exam of 40 primary mortgage banks (PMBs); three were found to have voluntarily closed shop.

A total of 302 MfBs had capital adequacy ratio of more than 10 per cent. The remaining 555 did not render returns and this has continued to be a source of concern to NDIC as it was impossible to assess their financial condition and performance on continuously during review.

An operator in the MfB sector, who asked not to be named, said though the CBN is planning to launch the Microfinance Development Fund (MDF) next month, it is even coming too late. He said the fund would have been provided four years ago, to enable operators to use it in enhancing their operations. The MDF is expected to provide funding for the sector.

The source said many of the MfBs lack working capital, adding that there is no way such operators could lend to the economy. He added that it is only MfBs with foreign financial bulwark that are doing well.

Also, Managing Director, CRC Credit Bureau Limited, Tunde Popoola said the MfB subsector, is agging behind and that less than 10 per cent of them has access to credit bureau services. He said many of the MfBs lack

•AMCON CEO, Mustafa Chike-Obi

• NDIC MD, Umaru Ibrahim

the infrastructure to key into some services.

Popoola said many of the MfBs do not have software that can take information like date of birth and sex of the customer, making it difficult for them to make progress.

According to Afrinvest West Africa, DMB’s last year’s profitability report showed that all Tier-1 banks recorded gross earnings in excess of N200 billion compared to Tier-2 banks’ N102 billion average. The Tier-1 banks are First Bank of Nigeria Limited, GT Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa and Access Bank.

It said last year, banks’ management tried to beat high earnings expectations, causing them to focus on fixed income securities like treasury bills because of their high yield capabilities. The report projected that the “treasury focused” investment strategy would moderate in the year as outlook on yields and fee income decline.

The report listed key pillars of the reforms to include enhancing the quality of banks, establishing financial stability, enabling healthy financial sector evolution and ensuring the financial sector contributes to the real economy.

The Afrinvest report said the future of the banking space will rest on ancillary banking services such as merchant banking and primary mortgage institutions. There are also renewed hopes in retail banking and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) banking. The industry, it claimed, is confronted with the reality of declining fee incomes, mobile money and dollar denominated capital sourcing.

It predicted that in the next five years, outlook on yields and fee income will remain downwards, necessitating the need for banks to focus on lending to the real sector. Also, banks are expected to develop and grow the depth of their core retail banking businesses to retain and amplify cheap deposits.

year as against N6.68 billion paid to 527,942 insured depositors the previous year. That feat was achieved in spite of the long closure of the banks and the unwillingness of many depositors to file for their claims.

Banks-in-liquidation

The NDIC continued to pay depositors of banks-in-liquidation during the review. It paid N6.82 billion to 528,212 insured depositors of closed banks by December 31, last

‘Nigerians should demand 80 per cent result because of the huge sums of money spent on the reforms. Tax payers’ money went into the funding of the AMCON and banks are still funding the corporation’

Risk-based-examination

The report said NDIC, in collaboration with the CBN, conducted Risk-Based Examination of 16 deposit money banks (DMBs) during the year. The NDIC led the examination of six of the banks while the CBN led in 10.

Beside, the two institutions conducted a maiden examination of Keystone Bank, Mainstreet Bank and Enterprise Bank during the year.

While the CBN led the examination of Mainstreet Bank and Enterprise Bank, NDIC led the examination of Keystone Bank. The corporation in collaboration with the CBN also conducted the maiden examination of Jaiz Bank Plc and the Stanbic-IBTC Non-Interest window during the year under review.

Capital adequacy ratio

Furthermore, the banking industry was adequately capitalised in the year with capital adequacy ratio of 18.07 per cent compared to 17.71 per cent recorded in 2011. All the DMBs also met the minimum liquidity threshold of 30 per cent.

The asset quality improved during the year as the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans decreased from 4.95 per cent in 2011 to 3.51 per cent last year. The improvement in the industry’s asset quality was because of the purchase of the non-performing loans of DMBs by AMCON and the enhanced credit risk management by DMBs.

Fraud

The DMBs reported 3,380 fraud cases involving N17.97 billion with expected/contingent loss of about N4.52 billion. The expected/contingent loss had increased by N455 million about 10.9 per cent, as against N4.072 billion reported in 2011.

Notwithstanding the 43.7 per cent increase in the number of reported fraud cases from 2,352 in 2011 to 3,380 last year, it decreased by 36.4 per cent from N28.40 billion in 2011 to N18.04 billion in 2012.

PMBs

The licences of 24 PMBs, which closed shop and were unable to meet obligations to their depositors and creditors were revoked by the CBN and NDIC was subsequently appointed as liquidator.

As at December last year, 310 out of the 323 MFBs that rendered returns had met the minimum paid-up capital of N20 million.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

31

MONEY

Institute to conduct common exam for bankers T

HE Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) is to introduce a common entry examination and certification for bankers, its President, Segun Aina, has said.

Aina said the measure would address the dearth skilled manpower in the sector.

The policy, he said, would ensure that for a graduate to secure a job, he/she would have taken and passed the entry exams, adding that it would reduce the cost on banks’ conduct of tests.

“While allowing banks to concentrate on their core functions, standardisation will also be ensured. This service will be in line with the responsibility of the Institute to determine the standards of knowledge and skills to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the banking profession,” he said.

He lamented the poor quality of workforce, saying it is a major challenge in the industry.

T h e de si re t o a d d r e s s t h i s anomaly, he said, prompted the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to design a Competency Framework for the industry that is meant to ensure that priority is given to the continuous enhancement of human capital and lifelong learning in the industry.

Stories by Collins Nweze

He said the institute had established the Centre for Financial Studies (CFS) to upgrade the competencies of practitioners.

The institute, he said, had also been appointed the sole accreditation and certification agency under the Competency Framework project, adding that it is working on attracting top talents to Nigeria’s financial services industry and develop qualified professionals to meet the Financial Sector Strategy (FSS) 2020 defined standards.

CIBN Registrar Dr Uju Ogubunka said the objective of the Banking and Finance Industry Competency Framework (BFICF) established in 2007 is to ensure that there is clarity and standards in the understanding and use of competency to build world class talents to support the banking industry.

He said one of the primary objectives towards building and implementing the industry’s competency framework was to support the variety of career

pathways for banking professionals.

“A strong and vibrant pathway is important towards the development of a strong talent management which is an essential part of the banking supply chain.

This is necessary to ensure that right skills are put in place and also to ensure public trust – a key success factor towards building business confidence,” he said.

He said in today’s fast changing world, driven by rapid change in business models, consumer demands, and increased regulation, the industry is not spared from the need to change and align to business realities.

Individuals seeking to succeed in the world of banking and finance, he said, must be reskilled to remain relevant to clients and consistently deliver their value propositions successfully.

“The industry is one that is diverse and requires different skill sets, aptitudes and competencies.

It is also important that bank professionals leverage on their core competencies and clearly define

• From left: Deputy Director, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Abdulkadir Mustapha; Director, State Services Academy (SSA), Douglas J. W. Dogo and Director, CBN Security Services Department, Ibitayo Amu, at a training for new security operatives of the CBN in Lagos.

the service lines across a variety of core competencies they feel they will do best in, be it in credit, operations, sales, risk, compliance, internal audit, or support services,” he said.

He said the the BFICF WAs now being used as a tool and resource to provide guidance for those seeking to pursue a career in public practice as well as help bank professionals already in this business arena to keep pace with the developments.

“The development of a flourishing banking sector must also be underpinned by a robust professional qualification and training and this guide demonstrates how the banking qualification provides a sound framework that ensures our members are not only fit for business but are also fit for the future,” he said.

AfDB, others advocate coordination on global devt

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HE African Development Bank (AfDB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank Group, have pledged collaboration for growth in the sector.

In a statement, the institutions said there is need for efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, aimed at ending poverty and hunger, increase access to education and health care, improve gender equality, and ensure environmental sustainability.

They said nothing could be more important than ensuring that young people got the right start in life.

The lenders pledged support for and collaboration with the United Nations-led process of defining the Post-2015 Development Framework. They supported an approach that integrates concepts of economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Noting that gains in social indicators are at risk in the absence of a long term financing plan, leaders pledged to work together to develop options for long term investment to strengthen the foundations of growth.

They called for a renewed focus

on financing for development with greater leveraging of official development assistance and private sector investment and better domestic resource mobilisation and management and stronger institutions.

They pledged cooperation to build the capacity of governments, to enable its policies, to be deployed in monitoring poverty and inequality, and factoring natural wealth accounting into decision making.

“We are at a critical time where working together, we can bend the arc of history - eliminating absolute poverty, boosting shared prosperity, and defining a pattern of growth that demonstrates that we care for our planet and all its people,” Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group said.

“In these tough economic times, we’ll only reach our goals by pulling together. We will work with a wide variety of partners to reach our goals, thoughtfully and creatively. Civil society, business, and government need to think and work together. Our institutions aim to create an atmosphere for open dialogue and imaginative solutions to emerge” Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the InterAmerican Development Bank added.

CBN seeks adherence to environmental, social issues in lending

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• From left: Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Bisi Onasanya; Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane and Chairman, CIBN, Lagos State Branch, Mr. Bolade Agbola at the Lagos Bankers’ Nite in Lagos.

• Aina

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged banks to consider environmental and social policies in their decisionmaking and lending processes.

This is in line with the Sustainable Banking Practice being promoted by the apex bank.

The policy, the CBN said, is aimed at minimising or mitigating the negative impacts of financial institutions’ operations on the environment and local communities in which they operate.

It captures the principles in the agricultural, power and the oil and gas sectors.

According to the regulator, for the implementation of these principles, the institutions would be required to develop a management approach that balances the environments and social (E&S) risks identified with the opportunities to be exploited through their businesses.

“The adoption of the principles will not only help banks in mitigating the E & S risks associated with their business operation and those of their clients, but also help them to achieve greater efficiencies and better position them to take

advantage of opportunities in the global market place where environmental and social issues are becoming increasingly important,” it said.

“They will also enjoy higher productivity, higher staff morale, lower turnover and absenteeism due to strong employee relations and workplace practices. The CBN would need to provide the structural mechanism to encourage consistent and widespread implementation of the principles and develop its institutional capacity to support the banks in their implementation of the principles,” it added.

Noting that the development of the guidelines has so far been driven by the banks, the apex bank assured that it will create the enabling environment for them to succeed in their implementation.

The CBN has also recently set new rules for lending to the agricultural sector of the economy. This resolution stemmed from the reports from banks and discount house, which indicated that lending to the subsector remains a highrisk, which should be followed with caution.

32

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

THE NATION INVESTORS

WAMCO is worth N244b as NASD’s companies rise

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RIESLandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, one of Nigeria’s largest unquoted public limited liability companies, has a potential market value of more than N244 billion, making it Nigeria’s 11th most capitalised company if the dairy product company were to be quoted.

WAMCO, the manufacturer of popular milk brand-Peak, is the flagship trading stock on the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) market. NASD Plc is a registered OTC trading platform for unquoted securities including equities and bonds. NASD is owned by several investment and financial institutions as well as strategic investors. It is registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an organized trading platform for unlisted securities.

Trading data on the NASD OTC obtained by The Nation showed that investors have over the past six weeks sustained a price of N500 per share for WAMCO, valuing the company at N244.1 billion.

According to its annual report made available by the OTC,

Stories by Taofik Salako

WAMCO has total outstanding shares of 488.168 million ordinary shares of N1 each. Nigerian investing public holds 32.18 per cent equity stake with 160.15 million shares. Bank of Industry (BOI) holds 12.61 per cent equity stake with 61.57 million shares while the foreign majority shareholderFriesland International Beheer BV holds 54.58 per cent equity stake with 266.45 million shares.

With OTC value of N244.1 billion, WAMCO’s stand-alone value is higher than the entire stocks listed under several sectors at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) including conglomerate, insurance, agriculture, construction and healthcare.

The valuation implies that if WAMCO were to be listed, it would be one of the decisive stocks that form NSE 30 Index and NSE Consumer Goods Index as well as hold significant influence on the common value-based index, the All Share Index (ASI). WAMCO’s N244.1 billion represents about 2.11 per cent of total market capitalisation of the NSE.

WAMCO’s N244.1 billion capitalisation trails United Bank for Africa (UBA), which opened this week as the 10th most capitalised stock on the NSE with market capitalisation of N248.68 billion.

Other top-10 most capitalised companies included Dangote Cement, N3.20 trillion; Nigerian Breweries, N1.27 trillion; Guaranty Trust Bank, N743.14 trillion; Nestle Nigeria, N741.13 trillion; Zenith Bank, N632.33 billion; FBN Holdings, N538.43 billion; Guinness Nigeria, N382.56 trillion; Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria, N285.15 trillion and Access Bank, which ranked 9th with market capitalisation of N250.57 billion.

Over the weeks, investors had struck four deals for 32,180 shares of WAMCO valued at N16.09 million at a price of N500. WAMCO, which has about 1780 shareholders, has been the only stock trading on the NASD OTC. WAMCO was incorporated as a private limited liability company in April 1973 and commenced operations in September 1975. It converted to a public limited liability company in 1978 but it has since

not listed its shares on the NSE unlike several other multinationals.

Meanwhile, the number of companies on the NASD has increased to five with the admission of Consolidated Breweries for trading on the OTC. Other companies on the OTC included Niger Delta Exploration & Production Plc (NDEP), Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc and Food Concepts Plc have also been admitted and registered for trading on the OTC. Fourty four stockbroking firms and 16 issuing houses have also signed on to the OTC trading.

These included GTI Securities, Anchoria Investment Securities Limited, APT Securities and Fund Limited, BGL Securities limited, Capital Bancorp, Afrinvest West Africa and FCSL Assets and Management Company Limited among others.

Trading on the NASD OTC is expected to gather momentum as the trading platform steps up efforts to source private placements and unlisted public offerings.

Besides, the NASD would also offer trading platform for shares of companies who voluntarily delisted their shares or were compulsorily delisted by the NSE if they meet the requirements of the OTC. A source in the know of the operations of the OTC had said it would create a liquid and transparent secondary market for shares in private limited liability companies and public limited liabilities companies which had balked at listing on the NSE after initial promises of listing.

During the 2005-2008 market boom, several private limited liability companies had converted to public limited liability companies and floated IPOs to raise funds

M •From left: Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Chairman Presidential Task Force on Power, Beks Dagogo-Jack and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power Godknows Ngali after their meeting with the President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

PHOTO :AKIN OLADOKUN

GSK acquisition: Investors anticipate higher offer price

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INVESTORS appeared to be taking positions in GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc in anticipation of higher offer price from the healthcare company’s foreign parent company, GlaxoSmithKline UK (GSK UK), which plans to acquire additional shares from Nigerian shareholders.

GSK Nigeria opened this week at a high of N68, trading above most other fast moving consumer goods multinationals including Cadbury Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria and Unilever Nigeria. Cadbury Nigeria, which had traded this year at a high of N64.54, opened this week at N52.95. PZ Cussons opened at N35 as against its high of N56 while Unilever Nigeria started with a value-on-board of N62 as against its high of N76.

GSK UK had last month withdrawn its offer to acquire 273.46 million ordinary shares out of the Nigerian shareholders’ holdings to add 28.58 per cent to push its postacquisition holding to 75 per cent.

It had proposed an offer price of N48. The withdrawal was largely due to wide protest by shareholders over the below-the-market offer price and the compulsory prorata clause in the transaction.

Market pundits said the new high of N68 attained by GSK was due to speculative and anticipatory transactions by investors with high-risk horizons.

A market operator said recent transactions on GSK might not be unconnected with early positioning by some investors who already have inkling of probable offer price.

The operator noted that while GSK has put most average investors in suspense, some investors might have privileged information that encourage them to take further position in the stock.

Upon the withdrawal, GSK had indicated it would consider increasing the offer price while it renegotiate the key details of the transaction.

Chairman, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria)

Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, said that GSK decided to step down the acquisition bid to consider appropriate amendments that will make the offer more acceptable to shareholders.

According to him, GSK UK and GSK Nigeria were ready to renegotiate everything including appropriate price, means, proportion and other knotty details and come up with a win-win transaction that would be beneficial to all stakeholders.

He said the company would go back to the drawing board to work out a fair and persuasive deal that offers better price and remove element of compulsory purchase of shareholders’ holdings.

“We withdrew in order to further consultations, we believe further consultations and arrangements are necessary before we come back,” Osunkeye said.

He however noted that while the company would be anxious to return with a new proposal, it would not put a timeline for the new deal.

•Continued on page 33

from the capital market with assurances that they would list their shares after the conclusion of the offer. While some have listed, many companies that floated IPOs have backed down from listing their shares.

Retail investors have said the non-listing of the shares of the companies which had undertaken IPOs during the stock market boom have locked down their funds without any verifiable means of accessing such funds.

Investors also have some N300 billion stuck in several delisted companies. The NSE had delisted not less than 44 companies since 2009 largely due to failure to meet listing requirements for the main board. Many companies had however opted for voluntary delisting including Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC).

The NSE had in several batches invoked compulsory delisting to clear what it considered as irredeemably inactive companies.

Some of the delisted companies included Okitipupa Oil Palm, Grommac Industries, Incar Nigeria, Intra Motor, Rietzcot Nigeria, Albarka Air, Aviation Development Company, Ceramic Manufacturers Nigeria, Wiggins Teape Nigeria, Onwuka Hi-Tek, Beverages West Africa, Ferdinand Oil, Foremost Diaries, Tate Industries, Footwear and Accessories Manufacturers, Aboseldehyde Laboratories, BCN, Christlieb and Maureen Laboratories.

Others included Epic Dynamics, Liz-Olofin and Company, Nigerian Lamps Industries, Niyamco, Oluwa Glass Company, West Africa Glass Industtry, Aba Textile Mills, Asaba Textile Mill, Enpee Industries, Flexible packaging, Krabo, NewPak, Nigercem and Tropical Petroleum.

Operator hails NSE’s new trading engine

ANAGING Director, GTI Securities Mr Tunde Oyekunle who participated in the real live demonstrative trading on the new trading engine being introduced by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), has described the new engine as a game changer that will enhance market efficiency and depth.

The trading engine known as XGen is a version of NASDAQ XStream developed by NASDAQ OMX System, a global financial services powerhouse. The X-Gen is scheduled to be launch for real trading next month.

He said the demonstrative trading confirmed the enormous potential and capacity of the new trading engine as brokers were able to trade in more seamless and efficient manner.

According to him, although the new system appeared to be somehow complicated, brokers will become more deft and further unlock the potential of the system as they become more familiar with the features.

“It’s a game changer, although people will have to broaden their skills to master the new system.

It will enhance market efficiency and services to clients,” Oyekunle said.

He said the new system will enable brokers to undertake seamless trading on bonds, derivatives and other complex products from a single trading point in addition to existing equities, which dominate market transactions.

Earlier introducing the new trading system at an interactive workshop on X-Gen, chief executive officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema,

the new trading engine, which is described as the fastest trading engine in Africa, was part of efforts by the NSE to enable the Nigerian emerging market structure with 21st century technology and give it the foundation to join leading exchanges in building scale, scope and efficiency.

According to him, X-Gen symbolises NSE’s untiring commitment to delivering a first rate technology platform that will enable dealing members build and grow their businesses while the investing public will experience a more efficient market when they buy or sell securities.

“It will, therefore, enable investors to realise their investment objectives by using the three products currently offered at the Exchange in more meaningful ways. The migration to the new trading platform, which is targeted for the end of third quarter of the year, will support the development of the nation’s capital market and the Exchange’s vision to become the Gateway to African markets,” Onyema said.

He explained that the NSE will roll out the new trading platform in two phases with the first phase designed to support equities, fully functional bond market and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and the second phase designed to support more complex products such as derivatives in futures and options.

He added that the new engine will also enable the NSE to host other Exchanges across the region expressing confidence that X-Gen will usher new solutions, new securities business models, and new market participants into the African capital market space.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

33

AVIATION

FAAN, NAMA excited over Enugu Airport

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•Immigration officials checking a Ethiopian Airlines passenger at the Enugu Airport ... at the weekend.

How did he get into the wheel of the Lagos-bound Arik Air plane undetected at the Benin Airport in Edo State last Saturday? Some say thay saw him going under the plane, yet nothing was done to fish him out until the plane took off and landed in Lagos. Did he do it alone or was he aided? KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR reports.

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Stowaway’s action stirs fresh security debate

OMETHING must have wrong.

What went wrong remains the question. If nothing had not gone wrong, tenager Daniel Ihekina, would not have accessed the wheel well of an Arik Air plane to stow away.

Since that incident, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Arik Air have been bickering over what went wrong. None wants to accept blame.

While FAAN is blaming the airline for the lapse, Arik is pointing fingers at the authority. It challenged the authority to explain how the teenager beat security checks at the Benin Airport in Edo State to hide in the wheel well of a plane.

Arik said: ”We are worried by the incessant security lapses at our airports. We are appealing to the management of FAAN to immediately address the problem.”

FAAN Managing Director George Uriesi said the authority has taken steps to ensure that all airports are secured through the phased airport perimeter fencing that started a few years.

He said the government’s assessment tests have been carried out to block leakages, adding that FAAN is training its personnel on how to secure the airports.

FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Communication (FAAN), Mr Yakubu Dati, said perimeter fencing remains one of the cardinal areas in the airport infrastructure project, saying since 2011, the authority has worked out a schedule for the fencing.

He cited airports where the operational and non-operational areas have been completed, to include Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Margeret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, and the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Dati said the authority had acquired some operational vehicles for its security personnel to carry out surveillance on the airside, to prevent interference.

The personnel were being trained, adding there is huge investment in technology.

A security expert Babatunde Olu said FAAN should de-emphasise physical security and focus on intelligence gathering and use of technol-

HE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), have said the opening of the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu for international flights will open a window to earn more foreign revenue.

FAAN’s Managing Director, George Uriesi and his NAMA counterpart Nnamdi Udoh spoke on the sidelines during the inaugural flight of Ethiopian Airlines into Enugu Airport.

Uriesi said FAAN was excited over the development, noting that is a money spinner for his agency.

He said the authority would put facilities in place to attract more foreign airlines, describing Enugu Airport as one strategically located to serve the Southeast.

Many agencies, including Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and others, he said, had opened offices at the Enugu Airport to serve the anticipated passengers and cargoes into the airport.

Uriesi said: ”The first thing we have done to make Enugu Airport attractive for airlines is to build the infrastructure to bring the airport to an international standard. The first flight out of here was fully booked. Now the airport is attracting more traffic, and once the airline puts its acts together, that would make it easy for FAAN to earn more money.

“We have expanded the runway from 2.6 to 3.1 kilometres and we are providing the same level of security as you have in other airports.

“We are building the infrastructure to accommodate daily international flights out if this airport. We have started collecting passenger service charge, that is a lot more revenue for FAAN. It is going on very well,” he said, adding that the international terminal would be completed in 2015.

Udoh noted that the airport’s open-

ing was a blessing, saying: ”This is a good opportunity for NAMA to earn additional revenue from the ticket sales charge that we share with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This would give us more revenue in navigation service charge and provide more funds.”

On the safety, Udoh said: ”The airport and airspace are safe. We are going ahead after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) endorsement to do our own calibration. Many airlines would come to Enugu and that would give more revenue to the aviation agencies.“ He said the automation of the aeronautical information system was about over 70 per cent completed.

At least 96 of its Aeronautical Information Service (AIS), personnel, he said, were on training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).

This, he added, was part of the efforts to beef up capacity and manpower preparatory to the imminent take-off of AIS automation in November.

ICAO has set November 15, this year as deadline for the implementation of AIS automation worldwide while the project in Nigeria has reached an advanced stage of completion.

AIS automation when in operation, he said, would enhance air safety with pilots sending their aeronautical messages online and this would reduce excessive telephone conversation between pilots and air traffic controllers.

The airports to benefit from the project include Lagos Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Jos, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Owerri and Yola. Others are Zaria, Calabar, Osubi, Minna, Kadunna, Enugu, Katsina, Ibadan, Benin, Akure, Bebi, Bonny, Eket, and Escravos.

NCAA pledges fairness in procurement bid

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•Daniel (right) after his arrest at the L:agos Airport.

ogy.

“The security protocols implemented at any airports are not only those things you can see with your eyes, or hear; a lot evolve from a wellarticulated and approved national security programme, which is a resultant document based on a painstakingly documented security risk assessment and safety management system.”

He said the training of security staff and other security operatives was also required.

Last year, security agencies devised ways of securing the airports. The personnel from FAAN, security unit, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, State Security Service, National Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Air Force promised to redouble their ef-

forts at improving security.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mr Haliru Gwandu, said the synergy among the agencies must be strengthened to keep potential unauthorised persons at bay from the airport.

Gwandu called for more logistics for the Police to do their job, especially in perimeter patrol, arrest of miscreants and other unlawful interferences on the land and airside.

He appealed to the authorities to put the right pegs in the right holes to avoid compromise among security agencies, adding that security is everyone’s duty.

Other participants called for the deployment of the latest security technologies to assist airport security agencies achieve success in protecting the airports and its teeming passengers.

HE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will be fair in considering the bids for the 2013 Procurement Project, its Director of Administration Aba Ajembi, has said.

Ajembi, who is chairman of the Bid Opening, said the process would open in line with the Public Procurement Act of 2007.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, he said he was overwhelmed by the large number of people who expressed interest in the process.

The bids, he said, were divided into several categories including Information communication technology, building and renovation projects as well as and supply of vehicle spares and other items.

“By expressing your interest and coming to witness the bidding process, you have demonstrated your confidence in NCAA’s ability to deliver and fol-

low due process,” he added.

The bids opening, he said, had reached a stage after many months of preparation by the agency.

What the bidders had done, he said, was part of participation in national development, adding that by submitting their bids, the bidders are exercising their democratic right.

“On the part of NCAA, whatever we do, people must have confidence in us. People must trust us. People must also know that when we ground aircraft for example it is for safety and for the sake of the flying public. If you are doing business with us, is rest assured that fairness will be our watch word and due process and transparency will be the other of the day in line with Public Procurement Act of 2007,” he added.

Airline launches Dreamliner AN expert has decried the dearth of books for training to enhance the development of the industry.

Chief Aeronautical Telecommunication Engineering Instructor, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Emmanuel Onwuka, spoke in Lagos at the weekend.

He told reporters that this has become worrisome not only to the institution but also to others.

He said it was becoming difficult to get materials for training and research, adding that only

the continuous publishing of materials for students and personnel will remedy the situation.

Onwuka added that even when these books are available, they are not comprehensive, adding that with more books on the shelves, the stress on students will be reduced.

It was in realisation of this inadequacy, he said, that he is writing a book to bridge the gap.

The book titled: “Introduction to Air Navigation System Maintenance in Nigeria”, he added, boost learning.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

34

MARITIME

Ports reform: Govt cedes 60% equity to investors T HE Federal Government has ceded 60 per cent equity to investors interested in developing new ports in partnership with it.

The General Manager, Public Affairs of the Nigerian Ports authority (NPA), Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, said the arrangement would boost investors’morale and confidence in the sector.

Ebubeogu, who spoke on the ongoing reforms at the seaports, said in building new ports through Public-Private Partnership, the Authority has developed a structure that would ensure commitment to the project.

He said: “We have a structure where the prospective investors come up with 60 per cent of the cost of building the ports and the state where the port is domiciled takes 20 per cent and the Nigerian Ports

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi, Asst Editor

Authority on behalf of the government, takes the remaining 20 per cent.

“The importance of making the investor come with 60 per cent, is that he must be sure that his outline business case is genuine and not going to turn the project into a white elephant. In most cases, if we leave the government to bring all the money, we may have problem of deciding where it should be located and its location becomes political and that will mean putting down money down the drain.

Ebubeogu learnt over time that a businessman who is profit-oriented must put down his 60 per cent if he is sure that his outline business case should be viable, then we shall join him.

‘’That is one of the advantages of that structure. The second one is that we will have the business component and attitude on how the port will be run we will get efficiency and everything that is expected of the port.”

On infrastructure, Iheanacho said though the NPA was not yet there, it is focused on addressing two key issues. He said the youngest of the ports that the Authority have was built 30 years ago, adding: “We have just celebrated the centenary of Port Harcourt Port.”

He continued: “There is what is called assumed design of the port and that is in response to the size of ships years back, but today ship owners are responding to the economies of scale by bringing bigger ships. So, what we are doing is modernising what we have to cope with the limit of the as-

sumed design of the ports and venturing into building new ports, deep seaports with deeper drafts for vessels.

“It has two advantages, one is we will achieve making Nigeria the hub for West and Central Africa because the type of ships that will come there are those that will carry about 14,000 TEU (20-foot Equivalent Unit), a term used to measure a ship’s cargo-carrying capacity. ‘’Secondly, the cost of maintaining those ports will be reduced because the distance of the channels will be shorter and therefore, dredging cost, marking cost and all other encumbrances that make up the overhead will be drastically reduced.”

On corruption at the ports, he said it cuts across all agencies at the ports. “If you look at the port, it assumes two responsibilities. It has the supply chain component where the ports terminals and shipping companies belong. The port is also an international border post-led Customs and what everybody is doing is to ensure that we make the port to be electronically operated, to be ICT operated. With that we try to reduce to the barest minimum person-to-person contact that

gives rise to corruption. If there is no person-to-person contact, corruption is drastically reduced. The NPA also has an anti-corruption committee and Servicom headed by a general manager and I’m sure other agencies such as Customs are doing the same. We try to ensure that we don’t compromise enforcement on the border posts.”

Chairman of Ports Consultative Council, Mr Kunle Folarin, said the government would provide an enabling environment to ensure productivity and reduce the cost of doing business.

“Besides, maritime security is also an arm of government and I think all these are being achieved.

What we need to do more is to see that efforts are coordinated and all agencies of government are working to ensure that we arrive at the preferred destination,” he said adding that before the concession, infrastructure, productivity, security and modernisation of the ports are the issues that the NPA had to address.

“But you can see that every aspect of these issues have been tackled. Certainly, the issue of infrastructure is being attacked,” he added.

Abdullahi seeks participation in Kano fair

T • From left: Special Assistant to NPA Managing Director, Buhari Abdullahi; Rabiu; Abdullahi and National Vice President Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Ahmad Rabiu at the presentation of award of excellence to Abdullahi during the visit.

Agric products, others top half year containerised export

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GRICULTURAL produce, such as cocoa, sesame, cashew nuts, cotton and charcoal took a chunk of containerised commodities exported from Nigeria in the first half of this year.

According to a trade report by Maersk Nigeria Limited, the volume of charcoal export rose by 76 per cent as of May, this year compared to the same period last year because of the longer winter in Europe.

The report said finished produce export in May recorded 39 per cent year-on-year growth because of the streamlining of production activities by major manufacturing firms that made Nigeria their main production hub for the region.

However, the finished produce export share still remains low from Nigeria, said the Managing Direc-

tor of Maersk Nigeria Limited and Head, Central West Africa Cluster, Mr. Jan Thorhauge.

He said as of May, this year, the containerised import market to Nigeria was estimated to have ended 159,000 FFE (40-foot equivalent units) compared with the same period last year, which produced an estimated volume of 155,000 FFE representing a relatively marginal year on year growth of about two percent.

Thorhauge noted that the East Nigerian market maintained its superior performance over the West in terms of growth in volume ratio with a yearly growth ratio of 10 per cent on import and one percent on export.

He said: “Not much has changed as the containerised market in Nigeria continues to be strongly

dominated by imports, and for the last six years, the import/export ratio has remained at around 92 per cent import as against eight percent export.”

Thorhauge said most of the country’s containerised cargoe came from the Far East, mostly China, while most of its export commodities went to Europe.

He said: “The sourcing patterns have not changed fundamentally in the last six years, though imports from Europe and Middle East have experienced significant increase in the last two years.

“Major products coming from the Middle East are industrial raw materials, chemicals, electronics, iron and steel and tyres while from Europe, major products include industrial raw materials, frozen fish and cars.”

17 years after, NRC resumes haulage to North

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EVENTEEN years after it suspended container haulage from Lagos to the north, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has returned to the tracks.

The event launched in Lagos by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idria Umar represented by NRC Board Chairman, Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

The first train left APM Terminal Apapa and Inland Container Nigeria Limited for Kaduna and Kano.

Baraje said this is a landmark by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

He said with development, there would not be congestion on the

roads, especially the port access road.

Also, the corporation is partnering with the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) to leverage on the activities of the rail sector to create jobs for youths.

SURE-P Railway Convener, Mr Chike Okogu, said the agency started partnering with the NRC when its rehabilitation of the Westnorth railway corridor was 75 percent completed.

He said: “We are definitely not where we were yesterday. We are moving forward.”

Bareje said President Jonathan’s vision in making transport affordable for Nigerians is working, say-

ing he is confident that the NRC would grow and regain its pre-eminent position as a catalyst in development.

Managing Director of NRC, Mr Adeseyi Suuwade said the acquisition of the equipment was part of the Federal Government’s continued and sustained drive in transforming socio-economic landscape through a strong rail system.

“We are demonstrating our ability in expanding our haulage and service level with the flag-off of this train-load of 20 forty foot container wagons from Apapa Wharf to Kaduna/Kano for the Inland Container Nigeria Limited (ICNL),” he added.

HE Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority Mallam Habib Abdullahi has urged Northern states to support the Kano Chamber of Commerce by participating in its forthcoming trade fair.

He said the event would be an avenue for them to showcase their potentials and attract investors to their states.

Abdullahi, who spoke in Lagos when he received the executives of the chamber in his office, urged the organisers to impress it on participants to change their apathy to-

wards the event by displaying their potentials.

He said the Authority would not only ensure full participation in the 34th edition of the fair, but also support it to ensure its success. He urged the organisers to maintain standards, to achieve results.

President of the chamber, Alhaji Farouk Rabiu, praised NPA for taking part in previous fairs, adding that the chamber has introduced new business opportunities through training, seminars and workshops on commerce and investments in the new editions.

NIMASA charges ports operators on ISPS Code compliance

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ORT facilities are being as sessed to ensure they are in tandem with the International Ships and Ports Facility (ISPS) Code, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Patrick Akpobolekemi has said.

The step, he said, was being taken to avert sanctions from the United States’ Government on non-compliance with the code, adding that the verification would form the basis for the recertification of the port facilities.

“Port facilities deemed non-compliant will not be recertified, and extreme cases will attract added punitive action,” he said.

He refuted reports that the Special Assistant to the President on Maritime Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Leke, said black flags would be hoisted on non-compliant port facilities.

Also, the Executive Director Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Captain Bala Agaba, disputed the report.

The United States had issued a 90-

day ultimatum, which will expire this week to Nigeria to ensure that its port facilities are not vulnerable to terrorist attacks, warning that America would bar her vessels from Nigeria.

Akpobolokemi said NIMASA had since approved the constitution of an ISPS Code Implementation Committee to oversee the implementation mandate and that the committee had since resumed sitting.

He disclosed that while NIMASA is focusing on the port facilities mentioned in the US Coast Guards’report, the organisation is addressing other facilities.

“The action plan has been given a nod by the US Coast Guard which has pledged to support the efforts of the Designated Authority in ensuring that the issues raised are corrected. ‘’The Designated Authority has outlined its implementation framework the in form of a handbook to enable the public understand its agenda with respect to this new implementation stage,” he added.

Curb fake drugs importation, Customs urged

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HE Chairman, Governing Board, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Birnin Kebbi, Ambassador Dare Bejide, has urged the Customs to assist in curbing importation of fake drugs.

Bejide, a former High Commissioner to Canada, who spoke with reporters in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, said many deaths were traced to the use of fake drugs.

Bejide said: “Clearly, we have qualified medical personnel despite the fact that some of them have travelled outside the country

to practice. However, we need to procure modern equipment and maintain them to tackle the problem of fake drugs in the country.

“The good services rendered by doctors become a nullity once there is the administration of fake drugs to patients. While the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control is doing much to check substandard drugs, the fake ones still get into the country because of the level of corruption.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

35

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP

Life of a cassava merchant Cassava is one of the most popular and widely consumed food crops. Akeem Salami, a Lagos-based entrepreneur has taken advantage of it to package garri flakes. His efforts will help cassava farmers to grow, writes. DANIEL ESSIET

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R Akeem Salami, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Balkeem Nigeria Limited, an advertising practitioner, has defied the common thinking of most Nigerians about agriculture. He left his cosy job to seek fortune in food production. Today, he is a proud owner of a packaged garri product.

He started off with a career in advertising, but realised that what he really wanted was start his own business and be his own boss.

He has no regrets. Today, he has 25 employees and his product Jebulawa garri is doing well in the market.

Because of this, Salami has become a force to reckon with in the food processing segment of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector.

Yet, his journey to success did not start in a day. He has seen some rough times but perseverance and tenacity of purpose saw him through.

For example, the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) rejected his business premises, saying it did not meet their specification for food production. The structure was pulled down. He had to look for money to build a new one.

He returned to the market when he received the nod of NAFDAC to ‘’go and sin no more’’. Since then, there was no looking back.

To him, feeding the local population with this basic foodstuff

was his priority.

For a large proportion of the population, garri will continue to be the preferred food product for some years to come.

Salami practises agriculture with a difference.

“Our desire to venture into the production of refined packaged garri in commercial dimension is borne out of our genuine passion to tap into the on-going campaign by the government to grow the economy through locally made-in-Nigeria products benchmarked with international standards, while also creating employment opportunity for the abundant skilled manpower in the country,” he said.

Ijebulawa garri is a final product of a market research, which resulted into the production of a uniquely designed product pack that is water resistant, beautiful, inviting shelf-appeal, and cartooned for easy mobility, available in most super markets across Lagos and elsewhere at affordable price.

Vocational centres train 75

T

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration vocational centres at Lugbe and Bwari have graduated 75 commercial sex workers and 109 physically challenged persons who have acquired various skills.

Secretary, Social Development Secretariat (SDS) Mrs Blessing Onuh said at the ceremony that the training received by the graduands would enable them to better their lives and contribute meaningfully to the society.

She recalled that the FCT had engaged the services of an NGO, Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria (SAP-CLN) to evacuate commercial sex workers and beggars from the streets.

Onuh said the establishment of the centres was borne out of genuine desire to address the menace of commercial sex workers and street begging in the Territory.

“The establishment of these centres was borne out of genuine desire to

E

•Physically challenged persons at a skill building workshop in Abuja

Young women graduate from IT camp

T

HE Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEd), has empowered young girls with Information technology (IT) skills that can make them self-employed, its Executive Director Ms Oreluwa Somolu has said.

Speaking at the sixth graduation of W-TEC Girls Technology Camp, she said the programme was geared towards equipping girls and women to enhance their life with IT. A feature of the campaign is the belief that one of the best ways to learn is by making something, whether that’s an app or website.

She said the programme will further the ongoing bid to bolster the technology industry.

Participants were delighted to be part of the programme as many of them were on scholarship.

The skills, according to them have deepened their awareness of technology and will be a useful tool to their future career.

An SS2 science pupil, Hope Phillip, who exhibited her web design said: “Before I used to see website and I was like I can’t do this, how will I import pictures but when I came here, I found out that it was

By Temitayo Ayetoto

something I could do. My challenges were importing pictures from Google or other websites so I met my teacher and he explained everything to me.”

Ighodalo Omoze, an art pupil, who aspires to be an advertiser believes her skill in application design will help her ambition.

Ms. Somolu said W-TEC is established to check the under-representation of women and girls in science and technology examine issues concerning how women use technology as well as see to the barriers limiting the use o f technology and strategies for more proficient and effective utilisation of ICT. W-TEC is set to begin a technology club which would enable the girls improve proficiently on the skills acquired.

“We realised that it is very important to start engaging people at a very young age so for us that is why we started the camp. In September we are launching our technology club to improve on the technology of the girls who come to us. We also realise that introducing technology among girls is not enough; we need to have a continuous and sustained efforts so that is what we are

•Ms Somolu

hoping to achieve with this technology club.’ She said.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations and Marketing Manager Intel, Mr Adim Isiakjzona, said Intel has keyed into the idea because it believes technology is the bedrock of development and should be made accessible. ‘’We strongly believe that young people are the future of tomorrow and technology is a key to achieving it. We’ve heard some of them say that they want to become an engineer, doctor, lawyer, fashion designer and it is interesting to know that whatever they want to become in the next 15 years, technology, and access to internet will enable them to achieve their goals.”

•Salami

adopt a new approach with emphasis on skill acquisition to address street begging and menace of sex workers,” she said.

She said since their inauguration in 2011 they had trained about 3000 participants in various skills such as hair dressing, tailoring, carpentry, computer appreciation, shoe making, beads making and catering among others.

“I make bold to say that this initiative is beginning to yield desired results as witnessed in the drastic reduction in the illicit activities.

“It has equipped beneficiaries with useful skills that will help to their enhance social and economic wellbeing,” Onuh said.

She called on the graduands to make good use of the money given to them and appealed to girls still in the illicit trade to quit it and acquire skills.

“I will advise other girls in the street to come and acquire skills for free because it is better than being on the street,” she said.

Building exercise books plant

XERCISE books are used in schools, offices and homes. It is most popular among students for recording their lessons, lectures and home works. The number of primary and secondary schools, vocational centres, college of education, polytechnic and universities in the country, coupled with other tertiary institutions owned by the government and private corporate bodies/individuals are quite enormous.

The high demand and inadequacy of the product, especially at the beginning of every school year or school term is very obvious, and a clear indication of opportunities for interested investors.

The major raw materials are the sixty-gram papers purchased pre-cut in sheets of about 900 x 620 mm. Others include pins, inks, and printed cardboards for cover. All the raw materials are locally sourced and in abundance.

Machines for exercise book making are a plant that could be imported or procured from local fabricators. The machinery for this plant includes an automatic feed, covers insertion type, double side disc ruling machine, an automatic wire stitches, a notebook folding machine and a cutting machine. The power consumption for this machinery is quite minimal and may only require a generator set of 10KVA capacity.

Production process is simple. Pre-cut sheets are fed into the automatic ruling machine capable of ruling both side of a sheet in a single, double up to four colours. This machine has a ruling capacity of about 120 sheets per minute and can handle sheets of even wider dimensions. Feeding speed is free and adjustable and paper carriers are replaceable in such a way as to maintain continuous flow of production. Pneumatic sanction achieved by the inclusion of a 1hp infrared dryer for quick drying. For 80 leaves notebooks, the covers are automati-

cally inserted before stitching takes place. After stitching, the flat products are folded into a book form before trimming. It is however of note that the covers are pre-printed and packed into the machine.

This project can be located in any part of the country. A location close to educational institution will be very ideal for maximum success. Adequate supply of electricity for production, good access roads to and from factory sites for acquisition of raw materials and disposal of finished goods are factors to be considered in locating factory site. A small open warehouse or two-bedroom flat will be adequate for a start. This project can provide employment for at least seven persons.

The estimated cost for a small scale exercise book making plant may cost between N450,000 and N1.5 million.

This amount can be scaled down or increased depending on the financial strength of the promoter.

The plant capacity under consideration is for about 12 exercise books per minute. This gives a total of about 1,440,000 units of exercise books in a year of 250 days, working on a single shift of eight hours daily. Giving a conservative selling price of N20 per unit, the gross sales per year will be N28.8 million. Assuming a total expenditure of about 79 per cent, the after tax profit will be N6.048 million. This project has a quick pay-back period, and the viability is not in doubt. It is highly recommended for investors.

Target market remains the educational institutions where the product is highly consumed. Arrangement can be made specifically for some schools.

Various bookshops and departmental stores can also be used as wholesale outlets for the product. Distributors and sales agents could be appointed on commission basis for quick turnover.

For details, please contact krisedbrilliant@yahoo.com or call 08023381900.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

36

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC with

For financial prudence

BOOK REVIEW

Author: Robert Kiyosaki BOOK REVIEW Publisher: Business Plus Reviewer: Goke Ilesanmi

GOKE ILESANMI

F

FINANCIAL intelligence is one of the fundamentals of financial success. Indeed, many people cannot achieve financial success because they lack this intelligence. It is, therefore, laudable that Robert Kiyosaki has decided to come to the aid of such people with his book titled: Increase Your Financial IQ. Kiyosaki is an investor, entrepreneur and educator whose perspectives on money and investing align with conventional wisdom.

On the question of whether money makes one rich, this author says it is not so. He explains that money alone does not make one rich, adding that we all know people who go to work every day, work for money, make more money, but fail to become richer.

Kiyosaki says many of us know of individuals who have lost money investing in the stock market. He educates that even investing in gold, the world’s only real money, can cost investors money. According to him, this text is not a getrich one or a text about some financial magic formula. Rather, he says it is about increasing your financial intelligence, your financial IQ. It is about getting richer by getting smarter and the five basic forms of financial intelligence required to grow richer, reveals this author Structurally, this text is segmented into ten chapters. Chapter one is interrogatively entitled “What is financial intelligence?” In this author’s words here, “Money alone does not solve your money problems. That is why giving poor people money does not solve their money problems. In many cases, it only prolongs the problem and creates more poor people.”

Kiyosaki educates that hardwork also does not

solve money problems, stressing that the world is filled with hardworking people who earn money, yet grow deeper in debt, needing to work even harder for more money. He says education does not solve money problems, adding that the world is filled with highly educated poor people.

According to Kiyosaki, it is only financial intelligence that solves all money problems. In his words, “In simple words, financial intelligence is that part of our total intelligence we use to solve financial problems... Financial intelligence solves these and other money problems. Unfortunately, if our financial intelligence is not developed enough to solve our problems, the problems persist... Many times they get worse, causing even more money problems ...” This author reiterates that whether or not you like it, money does not affect lifestyle and quality of life, adding that the freedom of choice that money offers can mean the difference between hitchhiking or taking bus or travelling by a private jet.

Chapter Two is based on the subject matter of the five financial intelligence quotients (IQs).

Kiyosaki educates that the five basic financial IQs are: Making more money (Financial IQ No 1); protecting your money (Financial IQ No2); budgeting your money (Financial IQ No3); leveraging your money (Financial IQ No4) and improving your financial information (Financial IQ No5).

On the difference between financial intelligence and financial IQ, he said: “Most of us know that a person with a mental IQ of 130 is supposedly smarter than a person with an IQ of 95. The same parallels can be drawn with financial IQ. You can be the equivalent of a moron when it comes to financial intelligence...

Financial intelligence is that part of our mental intelligence we use to solve our financial problems. Financial IQ is the measurement of that intelligence. It is how we quantify our financial intelligence. For example, if I earn $100,000 and pay 20 per cent in taxes, I have a higher financial IQ than someone who earns $100,000 and pays 50 per cent.”

Kiyosaki explains that in this example, the person who earns a net of $80,000 after taxes has a higher financial IQ than the person who earns a net of $50,000 after taxes. Both have financial intelligence, but the one that keeps more money has a higher financial IQ, educates this expert.

In chapters three to seven, the five financial IQs already discussed in chapter two, are elaborately examined respectively.

Chapter eight is christened “The integrity of money”. According to Kiyosaki here, “‘Integrity’ is an interesting word. I have heard it used in many different ways and in different contexts. I believe it is one of the more misused, confused, and abused words in the English language. Many times I have heard someone say, ‘He has no integrity’, or ‘If they had any integrity, they would be more successful’.

Someone else might say, ‘That house has integrity of design’.” This author says before discussing the integrity of money, it is necessary to define Integrity. Kiyosaki says “Integrity”, according to Webster, can be defined as “Soundness” (an unimpaired condition); “Incorruptibility” (firm adherence to a code of

especially moral or artistic values) and “Completeness” (the quality or state of being complete or undivided).

This expert educates that just as health can break down from a literal lack of integrity, so can wealth be compromised by lack of integrity.

“Instead of disease or death, which comes from a breakdown in the body’s integrity, symptoms of a lack of financial integrity are low income, crippling taxes, high expenses, excessive debt, bankruptcy, foreclosure, increased crime, violence, sadness, and despair,” expatiates this author.

He says the integrity of all the five financial IQs is needed to grow rich, stay rich and pass wealth on to generations after you.

In this author’s words, “When a person is struggling financially, one or more of these financial intelligences is out of whack, financial integrity is not sound, and the person is not complete. For example, I have a friend who earns a lot of money as a manager of a small business. Her problem is she has no protection against taxes, plus she does not budget wells, spends impulsively to buy clothes and goes up in price.

She gets her financial advice from her husband and his (the husband’s) financial planner.”

In chapters nine and ten, this author beams his intellectual searchlight on the concepts of developing your financial genius and developing your financial IQ. On its style, this text is a prototype for stylistic excellence. For instance, most of the illustrations are based on the financial experiences of the author himself, thus lending credibility and conviction to the text. The language is simple and the presentation very didactic. Kiyosaki generously employs graphical embroidery to achieve visual reinforcement of readers’ understanding and make the layout of the text eye-friendly.

However, conceptual repetition is noticed in chapters three to seven where the five financial IQs already discussed in chapter two are further examined. One would have expected him to have harmonised chapters two to seven. Probably, Kiyosaki wants to create emphasis through deliberate repetition.

Also, the word “Intelligence” whose grammatical behaviour in the dictionary shows that it is an uncountable noun as reflected by the symbol “U” against it, is still used in this text in a countable way on pages 150 and 151 where we have “Intelligences”.

In spite of the few errors, this text is fantastic.

It is a must-read for those who want to accomplish financial freedom and abundance through concrete financial education.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

L

AST week, we said you need competence, likeability and luck to sell yourself in life and reach the peak of success. We added that one potent instrument that is very critical to your ability to advertise your competence and become likeable and “lucky” is the power of effective communication, especially excellent public speaking and presentation skills. We stressed the need to discard your fear and become courageous so as to become a great speaker.

Causes of public speaking fears What frightens people when it comes to public speaking? Research shows that some of the causes of public speaking fears are: Forgetting what you are talking about, that is, your mind going blank; having someone in the audience who knows more than you do; possibility of being asked difficult questions by the audience, etc.

The way out Novice and expert presenters alike have had the experience of feeling a little (or may be a lot) nervous before giving a talk. In the course of helping people to improve their presentation skills through effective practical training, I have discovered that getting started is the major hurdle to cross.

Once people get started and things go relatively well, they begin to relax and become more natural. They become less selfconscious and more effective. Since the opening of any presentation is critical to the message and the presenter’s credibility and since this is often when presenters are most nervous and cautious, it is necessary to make your opening attention-grabbing. The following are some of the strategies to employ.

Tips for presentation opening The following are some ways through which you achieve a successful opening in public speaking.

Strong opening and practice Ensure your opening is clear, focused, attention-grabbing and full of audience ben-

Mastering essentials of public speaking (2)

By Goke Ilesanm

efits. There is no disputing the fact that you want the people listening to become truly interested in what you have to say. Once you have a great opening planned, your excitement and confidence will rise and you become less apprehensive.

You need to practise the great opening you have developed. Practise the first few minutes of your talk thinking about everything: the words, voice modulation, gestures, movement, etc. Know the flow of your words and find the best places to pause for emphasis. Your goal is to have the first few minutes so well prepared in your mind that your nerves about getting started are greatly reduced.

Think success and rehearsal Spend some time thinking about how successful the opening will be. How engaged and interested your audience will be. How confident and relaxed you will be.

Visualising those things is a big step towards making them happen. The rehearsal is the final mental run-through that incorporates both the practice and the visualisation. The rehearsal might be done anywhere you find yourself.

Kevin Eikenberry, an expert in converting organisational, team and individual potential into desired results and the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, says all this talk about practice and rehearsal may lead you to think, “I just need to memorise my opening.” Nothing could be more wrong. When we memorise, we focus on the words. If we mess up the words we have lost it. Forget the memorisation.

Remember the audience. Focus on the message, your approach and your desired out-

come.

Level of anxiety good for public speaking When presenting you need a little anxiety as this will improve recall, raise energy levels and make for a more focused, dynamic speech. A laid-back speaker can easily bore the audience. Too much anxiety or too much relaxation is also not good. We need enough tension to give us energy, and enough calmness for clear thinking and recall. We need the right balance.

Practical session for success You can find a quiet place where you can ensure that you will not be disturbed for some minutes. Close your eyes and direct the focus of attention to your hands, imagining what they feel like when they relax. As the relaxation spreads, allow your mind to drift to a time when you felt really comfortable, maybe a time you had a good time and were laughing and having fun with friends. Begin to get a feel for the reality of this time. Notice what it is like to bring back something of the feeling of that time and let those feelings begin to build up almost as if you were back there.

More on fears According to Lenny Laskowski, a professional speaker and president of LJL Seminars, “Do your knees feel like Gumby’s when you have to get up and speak in front of a group? Do you feel like the next words out of your mouth are going to be the dumbest words ever uttered by a human being?”

If you respond in the affirmative to either of the questions above, in short, you have a full-blown case of stage fright. More than 41 per cent of people have some fear or anxiety dealing with speaking in front of groups.

People who have this fear can experience all kinds of symptoms, e.g. sweaty palms, accelerated heart beat, memory loss and even difficulty in breathing. As already said, some of the world’s most famous presenters have freely admitted to nervousness and stage fright. Everyone, even experienced speakers, has some anxiety when speaking in front of a group of people. This is perfectly normal. The best way to deal with this anxiety is to first acknowledge that this fear is perfectly normal and you are not alone. To reduce your fear, you need to make sure you properly and thoroughly prepare yourself before you speak.

Proper preparation and rehearsal can help to reduce this fear by about 75 per cent; proper breathing techniques can further reduce this fear by another 15 per cent; and your mental state accounts for the remaining 10 per cent.

PS: For those making inquiries about public speaking and business presentation training programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details.

We are here to satisfy you.

Till we meet on Monday.

To be continued GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Certified Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach.

He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant.

Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

37

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

OSUN OSOGBO 2013

Osun woos US investors for tourism growth The Osun State attracted 20 US-based investors to its trade, investment and culuture conference last week, reports Assistant Editor Arts OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

‘I knew my father through his books’

•From left: Art Director, Moka Art Gallery and House of Culture, US, Mrs Charlotte KA; Governor Aregbesola; Vice-President, National Centre for Arts and Technology, Maria Anderson; President, Iyaloja of the State, Mrs Awawu Asindemade and Twins Brothers Cultural Experts at the summit

I

T was a rare gathering of experts and investors from the United States (US) who converged on Osogbo, the Osun State capital last week for bilateral talks on the promotion of trade, investment and culture in the state.

The one-week conference held at the Centre For Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo attracted experts from the African and Caribbean Business Council (ACBC) of Philadelphia, the Christian Evangelical Economic Development, Inc. (CEED) of Pittsburgh, and the WURA Arts Services & Productions, LLC (WURA) of New York City.

The conference was aimed at creating opportunities for stakeholders to interact in or-

South-West Nigeria. Ile-Ife, which is here in the State and just about 30 minutes’ drive from this podium, is the cradle of Yoruba culture and civilisation. It is also the spiritual capital of the Yoruba race.

Osun occupies a central place in Nigeria’s cultural tourism map. Besides Ife, there are numerous other centres of cultural and tourism significance across the state. There are more than 60 of such in the state. The Osun Grove is already globally renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” he said.

Besides culture and tourism, the governor said agriculture is a core concern of economic development agenda of the state. He noted that the state is especially endowed with fertile land and favourable weather and that the goal is to provide food for the South West and especially capture a sizable chunk of the N3 billion daily food market in Lagos.

“Our desire for development is not just a word of mouth. We are working stridently to match it with action. In the two and half years we have been in office, we have committed huge human and material resources to providing the enabling environment for business.

We have reformed the transportation sector with huge commitment to the railways. We have practically revived the railways as the preferred mode of transporting goods. We have equally committed a lot of resources to improving the road networks in the state,” Governor Aregbesola added.

According to him, the state is working towards making this interactive platform a continuous exercise to ‘demonstrate the seriousness of our commitment to the path we have taken.”

Osun State Commissioner for Commerce, Co-operatives and Empowerment, Ismaila Jayeola-Alagbada, said the forum would provide exposure to local business men as foreign investors’ inputs and ideas would improve productivity as well as open up export opportunities.

“This will expand foreign exchange earning of the state. Only through organised private sector that employment can be generated.

Government cannot employ may people. And

der to create sustainable partnerships that will enrich the lives of the people. The conference peaked at the weekend with the hosting of the yearly Osun Osogbo festiva.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who described the forum as a business to business interaction, said it would also be business to government where the government would have to come in on matters beyond private organisations.

“In our development drive, we have focussed mainly on four key areas. These are culture and tourism, agriculture, information technology, and solid minerals. The State of Osun is indisputably a custodian of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people, who are mainly domiciled in and originated from

the best mechanism is to link the investors directly to the parties. We only provide guide and enabling environment. Some foreign investors have good sources of funds and the meeting of the two will be sustained,” he said.

According to Alagbada, who identified the small and medium scale enterprise and the agro-based firms as primary target of the forum, said the state is sourcing for partners that will operate its free trade zone.

Director General of Office of Economic Development and Partnerships, Dr. Charles Diji Akinola, said the decision to hold the round table format of business conferencing is to avoid unproductive nature of big investment forum that is fad nowadays. “We focus on roundtables with 20 investors from US. We also narrow their interest to the ministry, departments and agencies. And we have a programme to keep the conversation going on. We also monitor the progress made,” Akinola said.

He noted that Governor Aregbesola has promised to globalised the tourism, and sustain the interface of culture, tourism and economy. “Visitors to the Osun Osogbo festival will spend money that will impact on the people’s economy. We hope to expand the art exhibition next year with more exhibitors coming to the show,” he added.

Chairman of the State Tourism Board, Mr. Abimbola Daniyan, said the board recognises that fact that tourism is the main economy of Osun, adding that with information technology, marketing of tourism products and services has become much easier and shorter to achieve. He stressed that the state would mechanise the processing, provide quality template and assurance standard for the growth of the sector.

The conference featured interactive sessions with cultural icons such as Nike Okundaye, Jimoh Buraimoh, Muraino Oyelami, Kasali Akande-Ogun, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, Peter Badejo and Dr. Adeola Faleye. It also featured art exhibition coordinated by Oladele Olaopa and papers presented by Mrs Femi Olayebi, Dr. Sheriden Booker, Ojoma Ochia, Aremo Tope Babayemi.

It was a festival within a festival when Odia Ofeimun’s travelling theatre mounted the stage during the Osun Osogbo festival. Tourists got a dose of Nigeria’s cultural diversity, reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

Nigeria The Beautiful at Osun Osogbo festival

M

EMBERS of the audience were enthralled. There were music, dance and poetry. Indeed, there was Nigeria The Beautiful at the recently concluded Osun Osogbo Festival.

It was a unique blend of creativity, business and festival. It was a night before the festival’s grand finale with all the trappings of festivity in addition to the finest stage performances that Nigeria could offer the world.

The night gave credence to its rich cultural heritage that springs from its unique ethnic diversities. And what better way to celebrate that richness than showcasing The dance-piece drama featured Nigeria’s political history from pre-colonial era to the present. From Sir Ahmadu Bello to President Goodluck Jonathan, it calls attention to the pitfalls and lessons in each.

Before Ofeimun’s travelling came on stage, the enchanting voice Jemiriye Adeniyi took guests through the English and Yoruba version of the national anthem.

Then, the folk-music sensation, all-female group, Adunni and Nefretiti, prepared them for the night of performances.

They sang to the health of the Yoruba race, visitors and to the goddess of Osun. Their songs took the audience into the richness of African traditional songs and a pream-

ble of a sort to the night’s highlight – a performance by Odia Ofeimun’s travelling theatre.

And the calibre of guests from within and outside the country added spice to the event. In attendance were the Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and some members of his cabinet, Consul General of France in Lagos, Francois Sastourne; Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Bert J. Rowhaar; delegates from Oyo Tunji, a Yoruba town in the United States, Brazil and the Caribbean, Prof Christopher, Point Park University; Prof Richard Wukich (retired), Potters Water action Group and Victoria Scott Santafe, USA, among others.

The event was meant to appreciate the diplomats, expatriates, investors, scholars, cultural promoters and tourists from across the world that participating at the Trade Investment and Cultural Conference and Osun Osogbo Festival.

Guests had the pleasure of meeting with popular Nigeria’s creative celebrities like the founder of Nike Gallery, Chief Nike Okundaye; bead painting exponent, Chief Buraimoh; the queen of the stage popularly called Moremi, Chief Abiodun DuroLadipo and her son Adewale.

It also had screen faces like Brainard, Faithia Balogun, Saheed Balogun, among

•Aregbesola with the cast of the play

others. Adunni and Nefretiti traditional tunes ignited the audience appetite for the night’s highlight that featured with energetic displays from across the country and eloquent poetic lines. Laced with lots of paradox and satire, for about two hours, guests were taken through Nigeria’s political struggles (from pre-colonial era to the present), ethnic diversities and the lessons thereof. The paradox is seen in scene that features Fela with soldiers singing his praises, which is a historical oxymoron of a sort and a anti-climax.

According to the poet, the title “is a deliberate reversal of received opinion”, adding that the piece is meant to pinpoint the need for “a grand accommodation of differences and an inexorable recognition of a needful coalescence of wills towards a share future.”

But for the poor delivery of lines by one

PHOTO: EVELYN OSAGIE

or two of the casts made obvious by an uncooperative sound system, it was evident that the play succeeded in selling its playwright’s thoughts to its audience as seen in their response.

In fact, unless one had witnessed the performance more than once, one would not even notice the flaws. Not minding that the play which was supposed to start at twilight started way into the night and dovetailed into the wee hours, the very expressive audience sat through it all, showing they were indeed captivated.

But is Nigeria The Beautiful? The play and its theme, Governor Aregbesola said, are apt for the season, adding that it behoves on all the responsibility to make the country truly beautiful. However, he added: “How I wish we can realise and agree that Nigeria is truly beautiful, which is the function of our dream and expectation.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

38

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Journalists charged on commitment

By Yinka Aderibigbe

J

•From left: Shuaib Abdullahi and Ma’aruf (right) presenting a set of computer to beneficiaries

No fewer than 47 people went home with various gifts as a faith-based charity organisation, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), presented them with cheques and materials worth N30 million. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports

A

Foundation lifts 47

S early as 8am, the Suite 10, Corporate Head Office of a faith-based charity organisation, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF), at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, Lagos was a beehive of activities.

Men and women from various parts of Lagos flocked to the place. The 47 lucky ones among them were shortlisted to benefit from Zakat proceed.

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam after Imam (faith) and Salat (five daily prayers). It is aimed at banishing poverty and purifies the wealth of the rich.

That day, the first set of beneficiaries of the Zakat proceeds moved to tears as they received cheques and other materials worth N5.2 million for accommodation, empowerment and medical aid.

The second set, mainly for medical assistance, would receive the remaining N25.7 million in few weeks time.

The beneficiaries include two Christians.

While many battled to control their emotion, it was not so for Mrs Risikatu Lasisi and a Christian, Mrs Toyin Oluwatosin, both trader as they received deep freezer, generator, stabilizer and cheque.

The duo betrayed their emotion and thanked the foundation for giving them new lease of life.

Earlier before the presentation, ZSF Executive Director Imam Abdullahi Shuaib while briefing the press, said the day marks a red-letter day in the life of some of the beneficiaries of the Zakat fund to be disbursed.

The assertion, Imam Shuaib said, was informed by the avalanche of distress calls and requests tabled by the beneficiaries whose lives hitherto were at the verge of total disintegration but saved by the Zakah fund realised during the just concluded Ramadan fast courtesy of Nigerian Muslims that paid their Zakah.

“Just as we feel the pain of the less-privileged in our midst, he said, our hearts are gladdened with joy with the event taking place. Indeed, we are greatly indebted to the Zakah payers who lived up to their expectations by fulfilling their socio-economic and religious obligations by coming to the rescue of the 46 people, men and women that are benefitting from the N5,211,000 Zakah been given out today.”

“It may interest you to know that six people will immediately benefit from the medical/health support scheme of the Founda-

tion to tackle ailments such as multiple leg fracture, V.V.F operation, skin grafting, breast cancer treatment and Autism (i.e. retardiness) among others. Also, the Foundation is deeply concern about the capacity building of 27 people among these beneficiaries; hence, we are empowering them with the needed equipment of their choice such as deep freezers, 2.5KVA generators, tricycles, stabilizers and grinding machine.”

As a humanitarian organisation inspired by Islamic faith, Imam Shuaib, said Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation does not discriminate against Muslims and non-Muslims on account of their religion or faith.

“We are concern about the humanity and welfare of Nigerians. Our activities are driven by Islamic principles based on the sayings of Prophet Muhammad that “Whoever alleviates a suffering from one, Allah will alleviate his lot in this world and the next ...,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Toyin Oluwatosin, 60-year-old mother of two from St. Michael Church, Oke-Igbala, Ketu, who collected N70,000 cheque was full of praise to the foundation.

“I’m very grateful to this Foundation. It has proven that it is out to alleviate poverty of the generality of the people without bias. This money will go a long way in assisting me in the development and growth of my business,” she said.

Mrs Lasisi, a trader who told reporters that her business has been liquidated three years ago thanked the foundation for giving her a new lease of life.

She got a deep freezer, generating set and stabilizer.

“I thank God and the foundation for this gesture. May God continue to bless the donors to this foundation and the management of the foundation for their transparency and accountability,” she said.

AbdulHakeem Muhammad Awwal, Head teacher, Al-Mubarak Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, Lagos who got a set of computer on behalf of his school said the system would their technology programme in the school.

“No one can dispute the benefits of having an information technology section in schools nowadays because of the jet age.

We are in a glabal villiage and the earlier our kids are computer literate the better for not the immediate society alone but the country at large,” Awwal said.

CELEBRATION OF MARITAL BLISS

•The couple, Mr and Mrs Ohimame Uhakheme, flanked by Mr and Mrs Ozolua Uhakheme at their wedding in Afuze, Edo State.

OURNALISTS were on Monday implored to embrace competition in order to be on top of their trade.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Promasidor Nigeria Limited Mr Keith Richard, while unveiling the opening of entries for the 2014 Quill Awards, said society had a lot to gain from informed journalists.

Richards, who admitted that journalists in the country were practising under a difficult terrain, said to be the best, practitioners must look beyond the present and continue to improve themselves.

The company chief who said his company statrted the awards as its own way of appreciating the impact of journalists in the society, commended the quality of entries at the maiden edition of the awards last year.

He said the feedback from the maiden awards informed the addition of two other categories adding that he looked forward to fresh incisive clear, simple and creative entries for the next round of awards. He said this is necessary as the company intends to attract international recognition for the awards.

The five categories listed for the maiden awards were: Education, Reporter of the Year Award, Best Report on Nutrition, Best Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, and sustainability Report of the Year, Brand Advocate of the Year and Photo Story of the Year.

To this, Richards said promasidor has added Best Report on Children to reflect the brand idea and the catchment focus of the company and the Future Reporter of the Year Award which is targeted at students of communications departments in all monotechnics, polytechnics, and universities offering mass communication or students who have passion and flair for journalism.

Speaking also on the awards, the Head of Public Relations of the company Mr Anthony Enahoro, said the company’s focus on journalists is “part of its desire to give back to a section of the society that has been challenged, single out the best from the sector and reward such people.

He said like before, winners would be rewarded with top of the range tools of the trade as well as top grade training at the Lagos Business School to improve their competence and deepen their knowledge. He said the awards would be opened on September 9, when the official website www.quillawards.promasidor-ng.com would go live, and qualifying entries are from April 1, this year to April 30, 2014.

He said: “We would like to encourage our journalists to come out and send in their entries, to stay fresh and sincere in their career and seek to execute their work within professional ethical standards in the industry. We would continue to improve on the Promasidor Quill Awards and its rewards for winners to ensure it would become the very best Media Awards in the country.”

Enahoro added that entries into the future reporter award category could also come from websites, blogs and other such online sites as these have become acceptable environment for the youths.

MUSON hosts gospel musicians

By Olatunde Odebiyi

G

UESTS waited patiently for the event to begin at the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos. They were welcomed by some ushers, awaiting the musical performance by the gospel musician - Ruach Levites.

The musicians mounted the stage dressed in corporate outfits. Their musical performances was obviously beyond the expectation of the guests. For about Three hours, they held the guests spell bound with their excellent voices, unique gestures, quality instruments and sound.

They thrilled the guests who were fully entertained.

Those who graced the event were majorly youths. Adults and Children were also there. They stood and clapped in admiration of the musical performance by the choir. Shouts, dance and all kinds of gestures followed.

During their performances, most of the guests danced out their hearts amid stylish steps leashed out by both the choir and the guests.

The 12-man choir was led by the host Pastor, Samson Jedafe. Akinwumi Odutola was the music Director, while Franklin Chude was the vocal coach.

The choir was composed of three saprano singers, two altos and one tenor singer. It also had two drummers, one lead guitarist, one bass player, one talking drummer and one keyboardist. They sang various inspirational songs.

Praise and worship songs were also sang. Among them were ‘Alive’ and ‘No Limits’, by Isreal Houghton, ‘Deeper’

by Marvin Sapp and ‘Son of Man’ by Tye Tirbett.

Ruach Levites brought excitement to guests when they played the instrumentals of ‘Osondi Owendi’ by Osita Osadebe. It was led by the lead guitarist, Adeyemi Adetoye.

There was also a jam session where only the instrumentalists played for about 20 minutes holding the guests in suspense.

The highpoint of the concert threw most guests out of their seats when an all female band - Topsticks band took to the stage. It was led by the drummer, Temitope Odebiyi.

They had a session of instrumentals on some popular African songs like “Jesus is a mighty God”.

They held the guests entertained for about 20 minutes with each lady soloing on her instrument; the drum set, keyboard, lead guitar, talking drum and bass guitar.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Celebrating Oshiomhole’s aide at 44 Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Edo State governor, Prince Kassim Afegbua, turned 44 on August 23. In this piece, his younger brother, HASSAN AFEGBUE, pays tribute to him.

•Afegbua

P

RINCE Kassim Afegbua, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State was born on August 23, 1969 to the famous and distinguished Late Suleiman Afegbua of Okpella, Edo State. In his early days, Afegbua had his primary and secondary education in Edo State. He proceeded to study English Language at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, IIe-Ife. Thereafter, he ventured into Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and studied Public Relations where passed out with distinction. The curiosity to acquire more knowledge and his yearning for a corrupt free society led Afegbua to the United States to study postgraduate programme in anti-corruption studies and good governance.

Ever since, Afegbua has always intended to crave a niche for himself in whatever he does.

Having worked in various magazines such as The Source, Glamour and Conscience International, he delved into politics in 1996 and be-

came a protocol officer to M.D. Yusufu.

Afegbua later worked at the PDP headquarters for two years. Having successfully acquired knowledge and experience in politics, Afegbua with people of like minds left the PDP to form the National Frontier with Edwin Ume-Ezeoke as chairman. The National Frontiers was later transformed to National Democratic Party (NDP) having Afegbua as the foundation Director of Publicity. Afegbua rose to become the Director-General of NDP before he was appointed as spokesman to IBB in 2005.

While as IBB spokesman, Afegbua was seen by many as an orator, intelligent and knowledgeable young man due to his profound contributions on matters of national importance on behalf of his master. Others see him as a controversial politician and public affairs analyst perhaps, because of his blunt nature and his critical stance on issues related to IBB. But this negative idea did not deter the sturdy and courageous Afegbua from discharging his duty because he believed he had a mission to accomplish. His mission I believe was an attempt to lead others to the real insights about IBB’s life style and conducts so that proper and valid records would be set for public understanding and assimilation.

And he did accomplish his mission before he was appointed as the Special Adviser to Oshiomhole.

As the Special Adviser on media to the gov-

ernor, Afegbua’s contributions so far in managing the image of the Comrade Governor and the people of Edo state at large is legendary. He is simply doing what he knows how to do best; to suppress the critics of Oshiomhole and his administration. His vehement press release on national dailies attests to this claim. Afegbua is not one of those who talks illogically on issues. Whenever he writes or talks, he would bring out the logical foundation of the discourse under reference. This is one of the interesting aspects of Prince Kassim Afegbua. That is why any government in power both at federal and state levels will like to appoint him as either a media spokesman, special adviser or a media consultant. But Afegbua does not see that as a requisite for accepting to work with any individual except according to him if such an individual has the capabilities, abilities and skills to lead others for positive results which justify his reason for the admiration of IBB and Adams Oshiomhole. Afegbua is, undoubtedly, a brilliant and an unassuming politician.

Prince Kassim Afegbua is an intellectual, a sage and a prolific writer to the core. His sophistication as a writer was evident in his former Saturday’s column, Stomach Democracy with Vanguard newspaper where he writes to educate, inform and question the moral status of those in government. In his column, there was never a time that

‘Whenever he writes or talks, he would bring out the logical foundation of the discourse under reference. This is one of the interesting aspects of Prince Kassim Afegbua ... But Afegbua does not see that as a requisite for accepting to work with any individual except according to him if such an individual has the capabilities, abilities and skills to lead others for positive results which justify his reason for the admiration of IBB and Adams Oshiomhole’

Afegbua would not talk about corruption and the acquisitive and extravagant mentality of our leaders. He would always wonder aloud why there is corruption in the country and in one of his writings, he asked philosophically; “why is everything we do in Nigeria has a corruptive undertone; fiscal responsibility, appointments and general lifestyle”? He would further enquire; “who is that man that will fight corruption”?

Afegbua is not one of those Nigerians who will either indulge or encourage you to partake in an illicit or corruptive act. Never!

Despite his connection as it has always been with politicians, he would always encourage me and others around him that we should always do the right thing by following due process in whatever we wish to engage ourselves because he would not see himself influencing anything to our own advantage when others are showcasing their skills and talents. This is part of Afegbua’s moral position over the years which many Nigerians should emulate. He does not believe in deceptive practices which have become for most people, the common ways of surviving which in turn breeds corruption.

Another significant aspect of Afegbua’s life is that he is a benevolent man and as well, a generous giver. He believes in law of Almighty God that we should give out to others what they do not have. With his little resource, Afegbua has helped many people educationally and financially within his family circle and outsiders and I do believe that he shall continue to help because that is part of his magnanimous nature. Again, the gesture and goodwill he demonstrates to people around him is rare.

He is a wonderful brother and a man to reckon with and I am proud to have Prince Kassim Afegbua as a brother.

As he marks his 44th birthday, it is my prayers that God Almighty will continue to protect, enhance, prolong and promote him to a higher level in life, (Amen). Happy Birthday Sir!

Fed Govt extols Sango’s heroic attributes

T

HE ancient city of Oyo town was in festive mood as sons and daughters of Oduduwa converged on the city to mark this year’s Sango Festival hosted by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi (111).

The week-long celebration of the rich Yoruba culture and tradition began last Thursday will end on Saturday.

Minister of Tourism, Culture, and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, who was represented by Professor Akin Alao of the Obafemi Awolowo University, [OAU], Ile-Ife, Osun State, said the celebration of Sango, one of the founding fathers of the ancient Oyo Kingdom, has left behind ‘an enduring legacy of constitutional government, a model of which is yet to be surpassed by any modern contraption.’

“Pre-colonial system of government in Oyo was constructed on an elaborate system of checks and balances, which made adequate provisions for and accommodated the culture and sensibilities of the people that produced it. In essence, it was a people’s original design to meet the wishes and aspirations of the people and their definition of development,’’ he said.

According to the Minister, ‘we are at a momentous and critical stage in the historical development of our country, when we are looking back, trying to re-define the system of government in order to establish a responsible and responsive government. I have no doubt that a thorough study of the knowledge system and society that produced the archetypal African system here in Oyo will [provide that direction we missed in the past.’

The celebration of Sango, Duke added, provides everyone with a rare opportunity to define his or her attitude to culture by identifying with the virtues of Sango, and in so doing equip ourselves with an understanding of these virtues that transformed Sango from being just the fourth ruler of the kingdom of Oyo to global brand that he has become today..

“In this era of African cultural re-0awakening, the life, leadership, administration and government under Sango as Alaafin here in Oyo should be explored in the strictest academic tradition and the ennobling values intellectualized.

The life of Alaafin Sango would definitely be an excellent example in leadership, considering the fact that his rule of Oyo was for less than a decade.”

He submitted that the festival gives another opportunity to examine and conceptualize the entire building qualities of Sango and use that as a possibly template for efforts in nation-building.

Said he: ’’Yoruba cultural studies should go beyond a study

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

TOURISM of the performing traditions, but should now begin to emphasise scholarship in the intellectual foundation of this universal culture. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation under my watch and leadership will support your genuine efforts to promote the study of Sango, the celebration of the festival in his honour and the appropriation of the virtues of leadership demonstrated by Sango. The Yoruba Diaspora is an ever-expanding world, next only to the J in terms of relevance and number. Sango indeed is at the heart of this expanding world of the Yoruba and competing favourably with other religions to explain spiritual and physical mysteries.’’

The Ministry, Minister also disclosed will provide substantial support for efforts to expand the celebration of Sango Festival as part of a grand agenda in cultural tourism and the study of Sango’s leadership and heroic attributes as basis for national orientation.

While describing the Alaafin as one of Africa’s most celebrated and cerebral traditional rulers, Duke pointed out that the ancient city of Oyo, remains the home of tradition and the spot at which the most celebrated African political system was designed, implemented and perfected to excellence. The Minister however enjoined Yoruba in Diaspora to immerse themselves in their religious and traditions for spiritual strengthening, personal fulfillment in life, global understanding and harmony.

“You should look beyond the challenges of nation-building we are currently facing in Nigeria and concentrate attention on the spiritual significance of your home coming to rebuild your cultural identity and spiritual self-rediscovery.’’

Explaining the essence of the festival, the Alaafin noted that considering the happenings around the world in contemporary times, there is the need for Yoruba as a people to retain our traditional and cultural identity in the face of the global village, which the world has become as a result of fast-improving technology.

The paramount ruler stressed that while great countries celebrate their glorious past, Africans do not give much reverence to theirs due to super-imposition of the two main religions of Islam and Christianity.

“Unfortunately, preachers of these two religions are known for etching their sermons and creed into the consciousness

•Alaafin of Oyo

of Africans’ psyche, which have conditioned our sense of appreciation and thinking.

“The colonial mentality has blindfolded us and made us to perceive erroneously our invaluable culture and tradition as fetish. This has also resulted in the way we picture our past heroes and great men of valour and virtues, who should be immortalised, venerated and celebrated. Not only that, their deeds, acts and wise sayings were worthy of compiled, documented, reserved and preserved for generation yet unborn,’’ he added.

Oba Adeyemi urged the Yorubas to give necessary supports to tradition and culture so that the race can stand out in the world.

He also advised parents to always teach their wards Yoruba language saying that ‘research had shown that children that learn Yoruba easily understand other languages’.

He however admonished parents to teach their children on how to dress well especially in the Yoruba attires, saying ‘you don’t need to dress naked before you are appreciated’.

40

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

What a way to carry a load

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Lagos splashes naira on winners

T

HE Lagos State Government has awarded cash prizes to the three winners of the first photo competition of the Lagos carnival, which took place in April.

Speaking at the award giving ceremony in Onikan, Lagos, Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations Mr. Disun Holloway, said the initiative was borne out of government’s desire to empower the youths, create employment and encourage creativity in the state.

According to him, Governor Babatunde Fashola conceived the idea of the competition when he noted with delight, the number of people taking photographs during the last Lagos carnival in April this year.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the ministry received numerous entries, stressing that it was very difficult to pick the best three due to the quality of works at the competition He added that the assessment of the entries was very transparent as the ministry was not involved in the selection process of the winners stressing that the three judges worked independently of each other Revealing that the Lagos State Government is the sole sponsor of this year’s event, Holloway called on the organised

By Yinka Aderibigbe

CARNIVAL private sector to be involved in subsequent editions so as to encourage creativity and to fulfil part of their corporate social responsibility to the state and its’ citizens.

Anineh Okude of Cool F.M. one of the judges, corroborated the Commissioner’s account on transparency, stressing that the judges found it difficult to arrive at the best three entries due to the quality of competition.

First prize winner Adeyemi Babatunde Adeoye, gave kudos to the present administration for coming up with the initiative, adding that it will go a long way in empowering the youths, while also promoting photography in the state.

Adeoye received N500,000, for his effort while the first runner up Sunday Alamba and second runner up Okulue Alex Azukaego went home with N300,000 and N200,000.

Earlier in the year, the government had given out cash prizes and awards to the best carnival groups, the queen and the king and winners of the Beauty Pageant of the year Black Heritage Week.

•First prize winner Adeoye, left receiving his award from Holloway

42

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

POLITICS

43

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Politics is in the air. Ahead of the 2015 general elections, politicians have returned to the drawing board. Many governors want to go to the Senate. Many Senators and House of Representatives members want to become governors. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU and Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN write on the ambitions of the governors and legislators and their implications for governance.

I

T is the season of endorsement of aspirants for the governorship and Senate. Party supporters, cronies, and loyalists are part of the game being hatched to intimidate political opponents and convey real or imagined impression of political superiority. In some cases, crowds are rented to sing praises of the contenders. Traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youth groups, and clerics are also motivated to lend support. Across the six geo-political zones, the story is almost the same.

Periodic elections are the primary gains of democratic political stability in this dispensation. The exercise creates opportunities for choice and change of leadership at the federal and state levels. Usually, the electoral process is a nightmare because of the struggle for few elective positions by many aspirants. The number of aspirants is inversely proportional to the number of the vacant slots. For governorship and federal parliamentary elections, the battle is fierce. Following the completion of a round of elections, the preparation for another round begins.

In the United States of America (USA), which has set the pace for the practice of the presidential system, the practice is that governors and senators would want to become the President. In terms of hierarchy, the senator is senior to the governor. The reverse is the case in Nigeria. Many factors are responsible. The political culture of zoning, which is not backed by the 1999 Constitution, often excludes many governors from the presidential race, if it is not the turn of their geo-political zones. Yet, as party leaders in their respective states, the governors control the party structures. They personalise power and use their enormous financial muscles to a maximum advantage by dictating who gets what, where and how during elections. Since 2003, except in few instances, no governor, federal and state parliamentarian, minister and council chairman has emerged without the input and endorsement of the governor.

Governors from the ruling parties are reluctant to serve under their colleague, the former governor-turned President, as ministers because a minister does not enjoy a permanent tenure. Since 2007, no former governor, who was appointed as a minister, stayed in the office for four years. The trend is that they ‘retire’ into the Senate as backbenchers. In 2007, the population of former governors in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly was four. They are Senator Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara State), Senator Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Senator Ken Nnamani (Enugu), and Senator Ahmed Adamu (Sasarawa) In 2011, it rose to 11 when former Governors Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Ali Modu Sherif (Bornu), George Akume (Benue), Bukar Abba Ibrahim 1(Yobe) and Joshua Dariye (Plateau) were elected senators.

However, in 2015, it may rise to 25.

In the Second Republic, two senators, Cornelius Adebayo (Kwara) and Don. Etiebet (Cross River), blazed the trail, when they became governors in 1983. In 1999, Senator Bola Tinubu became Lagos State governor.

In 2003, Senator Rashidi Ladoja became the governor of Oyo State. Now, Senators Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), and Liyel Imoke (Cross River) are governors.

Many senators acknowledged that some former governors-turned senators have endowed their senatorial seats with honour and visibility. They

•Akpabio

•Suswan

• Wamakko

was said to have been enraged. But party sources said that Etuk was not on the dark from the beginning. He knew that the governor would definitely edge him out in 2015. Today, Akpabio is the political leader of Akwa Ibom State. He is loved by many people because of his developmental programmes. He is hated by the opposition and rivals in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Since the beginning of this year, various groups have been holding endorsement rallies to support his aspiration. Traditional rulers are not left out. His political profile is soaring because he has continued to advertise the “uncommon transformation”, which has endeared him to the people. Recently, Senator Etuk alleged that Akpabio unleashed his “hit squad” on him. He also alleged that he had been receiving threat text messages advising him to renounce his ambition for another term. But the governor dismissed the allegation as “paranoid, deceitful, baseless and mere hallucinations that serve no purpose”.

Many also criticise Akpabio for opposing the decision of the former Secretary to Government, Okon Umana, to run for governor. They said that it is unfair, unjust and unkind for Akpabio to object to the ambition of Umana when he is working assiduosuly to realise his own ambition.

Nyako

G • Ngige

• Uba

• Ekweremadu

Governors for Senate, Senators for governor have spoken without fear and exhibited maturity. For example, Senator Saraki blew the whistle on the oil subsidy saga. The activities of some of them have also ensure stability in the Senate and contributed to the effective management of crisis between the Presidency and National Assembly.

Recycling leaders

P

OLITICAL scientists have explained why politics, which is a vocation, has become a career for the ‘professional’ politicians.

While some aspirants perceive their next political office as a call to service to the state, others perceive the corridor of power as an avenue for private accumulation. The former works hard to erect lasting legacies.

The latter merely strives for relevance and pecks of office.

A political scientist, Boniface Ayodele, reflected on the desire for upward political mobility by the senators and governors, stressing that the polity tended to permit a situation whereby leaders are recycled.

He explained that African leaders are usually reluctant to leave power, pointing out that the 1999 Constitu-

tion, which specifies a definite tenure, is the saving grace for democracy. Ayodele alluded to a “cult of leadership,” which has made the polity to become a fiefdom dominated by certain powerful figures, who are entrenched in the system.

“What is happening is elite circulation”, he said, adding that the entrenched powers have become the “gate keepers and gate closers” in the polity. “The governors are evolving political families created in their own image and it may be extremely difficult for anybody outside the circle to get into political office. As gate keepers, they prevent a lot from entering political offices; as gate closers, they shut the gate after admitting their men. The polity is dominated by power barons,” Ayodele stressed.

The University of Ado-Ekiti teacher said the governors in the Senate may enjoy the tenure for a long time, since the Senate has no terminal tenure, until the time they may not be in the good book of their successors or when they are toppled as the leader of the political establishment in their respective states. “It has advantages and disadvantages. The governors in the senate may act as agents of political stability and compendium of

knowledge of administration and governance. If the craving for wealth is not their goal, they can make impact as statesmen and fathers of the nation in the National Assembly. But some of them may also be firing salvos from the Senate to their governors and other competitors for power in their states, thereby creating tension”, Ayodele added.

He lamented that the governors are now pre-occupied with their future ambitions than governance. He said: “When politicians win elections in Nigeria, they start to prepare for another election. Performance in office should be the creteria for upward political mobility. But it is no so in Nigeria.”

Governors eyeing the Senate Akpabio The two-term governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Godswill Akpabio, declared his senatorial ambition last year. He was the first Chief Executive to have unfolded his plan for the Senate. It sparked off a controversy.

The incumbent Senator, Alloy Etuk,

OVERNOR Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State will complete his second term in two year’s time. Party chieftains confided that pressures may be put on him by his camp to contest for the Senate, so that he can remain relevant in the state. In 2007 when he became the governor, he did not nurse the ambition. But former President Olusegun Obasanjo advised him to declare his interest.

The former President was looking for a strong man, who could assist in checkmating his deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who hails from the state.

Nyako, who was leading a PDP reconciliation team in the Southwest, accepted the challenge. The former military governor and Chief of Naval Staff was assisted by gthe Presidency to win the election. In 2011, he was reelected. The combined forces of Atiku, Prof. Jubril Aminu and Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), have failed to checkmate the governor.

What is not certain is whether he will remain in the PDP to realise his senatorial ambition or contest on the platform of another political party.

Nyako and other four PDP governors are alalegedly floating a new party, the Voice of the People (VOP). But, if he chooses to stay in the ruling party, it may be difficult for him to win the party’s ticket because of the war of attrition between him and the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who is also from Adamawa State.

Shema Governor Ibrahim Shema is a proJonathan governor. But sources said that eyes are on him as the North intensifies its agitation for power shift.

He is loved by the Northern elders.

But he is also President Jonathan’s ally. If the North fails in its push for power shift, the only option for political career advancement for the Katsina governor is the Senate. The •Continued on page 44

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

POLITICS

• Imoke

• Kwakwanso

• Nyako

• Okonkwo

• Okowa

• Abe

Governors for Senate, Senators for governor

•Continued from page 43

governor of Katsina State is eyeing a senatorial seat in 2015.

Shema was initially endorsed by the Presidency for the chairmanship of the troubled Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). He is one of the few governors who have the ears of the President. Picking the PDP ticket for the senatorial election may not be a problem for him. The Katsina PDP is in his pocket. His greatest challenge is the growing popularity of the newly registered All Progressive Congress (APC). One of its leaders, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), is an indigene of Katsina State.

Wamakko

S

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko is among the five PDP governors pushing for reforms in the party. Fate had catapulted him to the number one seat from the position of the deputy governor in 2007. The PDP governorship candidate and former Water Resources Minister, Alhaji Mukthar Shagari, was persuaded by Obasanjo to step down for the ANPP defector.

Wamakko is a man of few words.

People who are close to him said that when he is annoyed, his anger is like that of the thunder. The governor is popular in the Northwest zone. When the PDP suspended him for ant-party activities few months ago, the entire zone rejected the punitive measure.

It was a sort of popularity test for the governor. Party chieftains, including the Northwest zonal leader, Alhaji Ibrahim Kazaure, and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, attended the solidarity rally held for him on his return from abroad. Tukur and President Jonathan saw the handwriting on the wall and retraced their steps. The suspension was lifted without delay. Wamakko and Senator Maccido will slug it out at the primaries, if the senator does not step down for the governor.

Aliyu Ebullient and folk-tongued Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu is a controversial figure. The retired federal permanent secretary from Niger East is the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum. He had earlier declared his presidential ambition in a radio programme. He disclosed that President Jonathan signed an agreement with the PDP governors from the North that he would serve one term as a condition for endorsing his candidacy for the 2011 presidential election. The governor has not released the agreement to the press. He has also failed to clarify whether it is a written or oral agreement. But the Presidency has denied the existence of any agreement. Since Aliyu let the cat out of the bag, peace has continued to elude the biggest party in Africa. Yet, the experienced technocratturned politician cannot underrate the power of the Presidency. Sources said that the unfolding events within the PDP may have influenced Aliyu to change his mind on his presidential ambition. He is now said to be eyeing the Senate.

Lamido Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State is an experienced politician from the Jigawa Central. In the Third Republic, he was the National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). In 1999, he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. His second term as the governor will elapse on 2015. Lamido is not a politician that will quit the stage soon. He has presidential ambition. Obasanjo has tactically threw his weight behind him.

The former President was in Dutse, the capital, to commission the projects completed by the governor at a time he was expected in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on ‘Democracy Day’ as the guest of President.

Lamido is among the five PDP governors fighting the party. But there is no evidence that he will defect from the party. He is perceived as a performing governor because of his people-oriented projects. Party sources said that Jigawa Central will not object to his senatorial ambition in 2015.

Suswam Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State is eyeing the Benue Northeast Senatorial District. His senatorial ambition has pitched him against Senator Barnabas Gemade, who is interested in a second term.

Suswam was in the House of Representatives when Gemade was the PDP national chairman. Now, the Benue Northeast PDP is polarised by the two gladiators. The last local government primaries was bloody. The supporters of the governor and senator clashed.

Gemade’s supporters have accused the governor of mischief and conspiracy against his constituents. They said that he has disrespected Gemade, a party elder. But Suswam’s supporters have objected to the claim, saying that the men of the old order should vacate the stage for the younger ones.

Suswam is one of the Jonathan “boys” in the Nigerian Governors Forum, Northern Governors Forum and PDP Governors’ Forum. Definitely, he has the backing of the President for his senatorial ambition. Analysts predict a tough senatorial shadow poll in the Benue Northeast District.

Jang The latest information from Plateau State is that Governor Jonah is interested in representing the Plateau North Senatorial District at the National Assembly in 2015. This cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand, judging by the fact that the governor

agreed to become the factional NGF chairman, in a bid to become more relevant. Party insiders confide that Jang had perfected a smooth entry into the Senate when he sponsored his former Chief of Staff, Mr Gyang Pwajok, for the position last year, following the death of Senator Gyang Dantong. Observers say Pwajok is holding the position in trust for Jang.

Jang’s tenure in the last six years has witnessed several ethno-religious crises, which led to the loss of many lives and property.

Jang is at the centre of the NGF crisis. He lost the chairmanship election with 16 votes to Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who polled19. Yet, Jank, who has the backing of the Presidency, claimed that he won.

Chime

G

OVERNOR Sullivan Chime is likely to take over the Enugu senatorial seat occupied by the Senate Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu. The incumbent senator is eyeing the Enugu Government House. It is a dicey situation. Both Chime and Ekweremadu are from the same district. The governor has maintained that the governorship should shift to Enugu North. If Chime and Ekweremadu decide to lock horns, it will be a messy race.

Imoke Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke had served as a senator and minister before he was elected as the governor in 2007. As he bows out in 2015, age will still be on his side. Party sources said that he is eyeing the Central District seat, which the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, had occupied since 2003. Many believe that Ndoma-Egba may not vie again, after spending 12 years in the Senate.

Imoke, who represented the district between 1992 and 1993, may return to the Senate without a serious opposition from his party.

Kwakwanso In the Third Republic, Musa Kwakwanso was the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. Between 1999 and 2003, he was the governor of Kano State. He lost to Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau of the ANPP in 2003. But former President Obasanjo made him the Minister of Defence.

He regained the lost seat in 2011. He has not given hints about his next move, but sources close to him said that he is nursing senatorial ambition.

Amaechi Contrary to speculations that Riv-

ers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi is nursing a vice presidential ambition, sources close to him said that the governor actually wants to go to the senate in 2015. That was before the PDP crisis engulfed his state.

Alao-Akala Former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala is scheming to get the PDP senatorial ticket in the Oyo North District.. He will struggle for the ticket with his political associate, Senator Hosea Agboola, who is currently occupying the seat. Agboola was Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the AlaoAkala Administration. Agboola, who hails from Okeogun area, is relying on the goodwill of his people and his philanthropy activities to retain the seat. But Alao-Akala believes his popularity as a former governor transcends Ogbomosho, his country home. The former governor is very active and he is the arrowhead of the polarised PDP chapter. President Jonathan has confidence in him. In fact, when it was impossible for former Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State to properly coordinate the President’s campaign in the Southwest in 2011, he asked Alao-Akala to take over the role.

Daniel Otunba Gbenga Daniel left power as the governor of Ogun State in 2011. When it was obvious that he would lose out in the power game with Obasanjo, President Jonathan advised him to conceed the governorship to Obasanjo camp, so that he could negotiate for the Ogun East senatorial ticket. The governor agreed.But when he tabled the matter before his associates, they kicked against it, saying that he had the power of incumbency to defeat Obasanjo and the ACN. It was a miscalculation. He lost out in the PDP. His PPN also failed at the polls. Today, Daniel is seeking refuge in the Labour Party (LP). He is said to be taking the previous advise given to him by the President seriously, but in a wrong manner. Will he achieve in the LP what he failed to achieve in the PDP? Time will tell.

Federal legislators eyeing governorship The senators and House of Representatives members eyeing the governorship are not expected to resign from the National Assembly, when they become governorship candidates.

‘The governors are evolving political families created in their own image and it may be extremely difficult for anybody outside the circle to get into political office. As gate keepers, they prevent a lot from entering political offices; as gate closers, they shut the gate after admitting their men. The polity is dominated by power barons’

Solomon

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ENATOR Ganiyu Solomon represents Lagos West District in the Senate. He declared his ambition to vie for the 2015 governorship election on the television, almost a year ago. He is the former Chairman of Mushin Council and member of House of Representatives. In 2007, former Lagos State Governor Tinubu opted out of the senatorial race and the ticket landed on Solomon’s palm. His ambition has caused a stir. Other aspirants who have not come out openly may have been relating to him as the number one rival. Solomon is not a baby politician in Lagos State. He has the network. He is also rooted in the grassroots. Many perceive him as a political mobiliser and a close associate of Asiwaju Tinubu. It is not the first time Solomon will be eyeing the governorship. In 2007, he was among the 14 Alliance for Democracy (AD) aspirants itching to succeed Tinubu.

His supporters have started canvassing for open primaries for the aspirants. In 2015, Solomon will slug it out with the House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Mr Abiru, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, if they join the race.

Bamidele House of Representatives member from Ekiti Central Constituency and former Lagos State Commissioner for Information Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele has declared his intention to rule Ekiti State. Observers attribute the development in the Ekiti progressive camp to the personality clash between him and his compatriot, Governor Kayode Fayemi. Party sources said that the APC may prevail on the federal legislator to jettison the ambition to erace the impression that there is a crack on the wall, ahead of the poll.

Akinlade Abiodun Akinlade, a member of the House of Representatives from Yewa (Ogun West), has declared his ambition for the governorship. The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain became a legislator in 2011 on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He is now a chieftain of the APC. Akinlade unfolded his plan to rule the Gateway State at a time Governor Amosun is seeking re-election. A chieftain of the APC in Ogun State, Otunba Deinde Banjo, said that Akinlade is joining the race without sparing a thought for the political developments in the state. He said that it will be difficult for him to defeat Amosun at the primaries because the governor has lived to expectation. The legislator has objected to this. He said he will perform better than the governor, if elected.

Akinlade maintained that power should shift to Yewaland, claiming that no indigene of the old Egbado Division has occupied the State •Continued on page 45

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2015 and clash of ambitions •Continued from page 44

House. Sources said that he may defect to the LP to realise his ambition.

However, analysts are of the opinion that, if he waits till 2019, he can succeed Amosun.

Ekwunife

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NOTHER House of Represen tatives member, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife of APGA, indicated her interest in the Anambra governorship early this year. She is a veteran governorship aspirant. Although the politician is popular in her constituency, some forces in the party have aborted her dream as they did in 2009. She lost her deposit at the recent APGA primaries.

Lanlehin The senator representing Oyo South, Olufemi Lanlehin, is a lawyer and seasoned politician. He inherited political skills from his illustrious father, the late Pa. S.O. Lanlehin, one of the pioneer members of the Western Regional House of Assembly from Ibadan and treasurer of the defunct Action Group (AG) led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In the Third Republic, he was a member of the House of Representatives. Between 1999 and 2002, he was Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Matters in Lagos State. Until last week, when the party leaders brokered peace between him and Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the senator was a serious contender for the governorship in the Oyo APC. In 2011, he was an aspirant. But he was prevailed upon by party leaders to step down for Ajimobi, who has been endorsed as the consensus candidate by the party. However, Lanlehin has not renounced his governorship ambition.

Okowa Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is from Delta North, a district that is mainly populated by Anioma people. The Aniomas have been agitating for power shift because they have not filled the slot before. Therefore, they are insisting that it is the turn of the district to produce the next governor. Power shift, Okowa explained, will give the people of Anioma a sense of pride and belonging. Besides, he said that power shift will foster equity and justice in the state. If this sentiment gains the sympathy of the other ethnic groups , then, Okowa has prospects as an aspirant. The senator is a former Secretary to the State Government. His constituents are impressed by his performance in the Upper Chamber, where he chairs the Senate Committee on Health.

No fewer than 15 aspirants are in the race for the Delta State Government House. Five of them are in public office. Leading the pack is the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, who hails from Delta South like Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

It has been speculated that Orubebe was anointed by the Presidency to succeed the governor in 2015. But the Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has kicked against the choice of Orubebe by President Jonathan. The rejection of Orubebe by Clark, who is perceived by many as the political godfather of the President, may make it difficult for Orubebe to achieve his governorship ambition.

The recent entry of the Special Adviser to the President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye, may have also affected Okonwa’s calculations. He is also from the Delta North. Sources said that prominent indigenes of Delta North are backing him. Among them

tinued to adorn Enugu and Nsukka.

The posters is a pointer to brewing feud between him and the governor.

Eze

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are the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and former Managing Director of United Bank of Africa, Mr Tony Elumelu. Others in the race are a member of House of Representatives, Hon. Festus Okunbor, also from Delta North, Victor Ochei, and former Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi, a former Minister and the Speaker Delta House of Assembly.

Gaya

• Gaya

• Lanlehin

• Sen Anyanwu

In Kano State Senator Kabiru Gaya, who was the governor of the state in the Third Republic, is staging a come back. He is a serving senator and a chieftain of the APC.

Kawu

Uzodinma

A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulrahaman Kawu Sumaila, has been nursing governorship ambition since 2011. He is also in the APC. He was endorsed by some groups in the defunct ANPP last year.

Okonkwo Senator Annie Okonkwo is one of the chieftains of the APC. He is interested in contesting for the Anambra governorship. But the endorsement of his rival, Dr. Chris Ngige, by the Southeast APC may be a setback to his aspiration.

Arise Senator Ayo Arise was in the Senate between 2007 and 2011. The politician from Oye-Ekiti is struggling for the Ekiti governorship ticket on the platform of the PDP.

Aluko Also, in Ekiti, Senator Gbenga Aluko, a PDP chieftain from Ode-Ekiti, who was in the lone PDP senator in the Southwest in 1999, is struggling for the governorship tickect in the state.

He is also agitating for power shift to Ekiti South, based on the controversial zoning principle.

Ningi Senator Abdul Ningi represents Bauchi Central in the Senate. Before his elevation into the Senate, he was a member of the House of Representatives for eight years. His brilliant contributions to House debate won him the respect of his fellow legislators.

He was the Majority Leader of the House during his tenure. As the Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Ningi is very close to the Presidency and maintains a good working relationship with the seat of power. The senator is also in the good book of Governor Isa Yuguda. However, zoning may affect his chance of becoming the governor.

The people of Bauchi North Senatorial District claim that it is their turn to produce the governor. They argued that, since 1999, the zone has produced the governor. The last time that Bauchi North produced the governor was in 1979 when the late Alhaji Tatari Ali was elected on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

Ngige Senator Chris Ngige is itching to return to Government House , Awka to continue his transformation agenda in Anambra State. He has been endorsed

ENATOR Ayogu Eze represents Enugu North in the Senate. Many believe he stands a better chance in the Enugu governorship race because he hails from Nsukka, which is favoured by the zoning. The last governor from the zone was Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, who ruled between 1992 and 1993. The zone accounts for 40 per cent of the voting population, according to the last national census.

Ayogu has never hidden his ambition to become the governor of Enugu State, especially among his fellow senators. Senate President, David Mark refers to him as the “Enugu Government House” whenever he wants to gain his attention. He is the Chairman of Senate Committee on Works.

However, the elite in the Nsukka axis perceive him as too ambitious. he has also not mended fences with the Nwodo brothers, who are his benefactors and mentors.

• Uzodinma

• Eze

• Ningi

rooting for Senator Magnus Abe as the likely successor to Amaechi. The senator is from Ogoniland, a zone that has not produced any governor. In fact, Amaechi is supporting power shift to this zone to correct the imbalance in the power sharing. However, it has been alleged that Mrs. Patience Jonathan, the wife of the President, preferred her fellow Okrika man, Nyesom Wike, Minster of State for Education, for the job.

Abe’s choice was premised on his loyalty to the governor. He remains an ally of the governor during this turbulent period. But his ambition may hit the rock because the governor does not have control over the state PDP executive committee that will conduct the primaries.

Prior to his election into the Senate, Abe was a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Commissioner for Information and Secretary to the Government. He is perceived as a man of integrity in public life. In the Senate, he is the Chairman of the Committee on Petroleum (Downstream). He was the Uba chairman of the Senate Joint CommitENATOR Andy Uba from tees that probed the fuel subsidy scam Anambra South has failed to . emerge as the PDP governorship Ekweremadu candidate for Anambra State. He had a brief stint as governor in 2007 for 14 Senator Ike Ekweremadu is the Senate days before he was deposed by the Deputy President. He is a governorship court. The role played by the Ubah ‘s aspirant in Enugu State. He was tipped family in the political drama that for the job in 2007, following the expieased out former Governor Ngige is ration of Governor Chimaroke still fresh in the memory. Andy and Nnamani’s second term. But the politihis brother, Chris, deployed their cal family, Ebano Group. opposed his huge financial resources to make a candidature. What makes observers to point. When he was elected as the sena- believe that Ekweremadu still nurses tor, reality dawned on his detractors the ambition is the array of projects he that he was still popular. Uba enjoys has commissioned in his constituency. the sympathy of the top party chief- Many people have benefitted from his tains who denied him the ticket in 2011 Ikeoha Foundation. he has the financial in favour of former Central Bank Gov- muscle required for the contest. He is ernor Charles Soludo. However, he also close to Aso Rock.

But the zoning arrangement has has missed the chance again. knocked him out of the race.

Ekweremadu is from Enugu West like Abe Governor Chime. But the governor is Before the crisis in the Rivers State has said that the slot would be zoned to PDP escalated, many members were the North. This has not deterred the senator, whose campaign posters have con-

Senator Hope Uzodinma is from Imo West Senatorial district. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was the head of the special panel set up to investigate the leadership crisis in the Taraba PDP. He’s also a member of the National Reconciliation Committee of the PDP mandated to unite warring factions in the states.

The law maker is also very close to the chairman of the PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih.

Anyanwu

by the Southeast APC for the position.

Ngige was elected as the governor in 2003, but his election was nullified by the tribunal. While in power, he embarked on massive road construction, thereby opening up the rural areas.

These projects endeared him to the common people. Ngige’s name is synonymous with road construction. He contested for the Senate on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), defeating Prof. Dora Akunyili of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), despite the fact that APGA is the ruling party. Ngige is the deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.

A grassroots politician, Ngige is from Anambra Central. He enjoys the goodwill of the people. He will rely on the same goodwill to prosecute his governorship project. He has touched many lives through his economic empowerment programme. His party, the APC, has not zoned the governorship ticket to any zone.

Senator Chris Anyanwu may not find it easy this time around in her bid to maintain her seat in 2015. This is because a different setting from the 2007 that worked in her favour is likely to emerge. She had wanted to contest the Imo East Senatorial seat on the platform of PDP, she was opposed by Mrs Kema Chikwe. she defected from the PDP to APGA, where she contested and won.

She owed victory at the poll largely to the support given her by the former Interior Minister, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho. Even though Iheanacho belongs to the PDP, he was said to have supported Anyanwu greatly in actualising her ambition of returning to the Senate, despite the serious opposition from Chikwe and the former governor, Ikedi Ohakim. But she cannot be intimidated by any politician.

S

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha is warming up for the governorship race in Imo State. Ihedioha and Anyanwu are from the same zone and the implication is that they will share the votes from their senatorial district at the primaries.

‘When politicians win elections in Nigeria, they start to prepare for another election. Performance in office should be the creteria for upward political mobility. But it is no so in Nigeria’

Ihedioha

Nwogu Senator Nkechi Nwogu is a woman with a heart of steel and stone. She wants to make history as the first woman to be elected governor.

Nwogu represents Abia Central in the Senate. She was a member of the House of Representatives. She was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking in the Sixth Senate. Now, she chairs the Senate Committee on Gas.

Abaribe Senator Anyinnaya abaribe represents Abia South in the Upper Chamber. He came into limelight in 1999, when he was elected deputy governor. During his trying period as the deputy governor, he enjoyed tremendous support and sympathy from the political elite. Abaribe is a grassroots politician, which makes him popular among the youths and women, who constitute the bulk of voters in the state. He is the Senate’s spokesman.

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‘Kids are helping to prevent accidents’ •Continued from Page 17 exactly one year after, the figure shrank to 230, much lower than their projected 459.

Saving lives in Lagos has pleased Akpabio immensely but he added that it was the result of several efforts and strategies. One of those strategies is building the capacity of the sector’s commanding officers, heads of operations, patrol team leaders and members, and FRSC drivers.

At such capacity-building forums, the road safety personnel were told not to see their job as business as usual. They identified which roads posted the highest crash incidents, and finding that it was the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, they moved more personnel and vehicles to the corridor to beef up the intervention patrol there.

It was also decided that if there was any crash, prompt rescue should be in place so that nobody would die. Akpabio also said the

sector command stepped up their presence on the Badagry axis, one other corridor with a high volume of traffic and therefore more crash risk.

There were other strategies, too, one being the involvement of such NGOs as Trauma Care International or TCI. The organisation helped to train for free every FRSC personnel in the state in emergency response.

Another approach was the free vehicle safety check, carried out every quarter. Under the plan, personnel check for driving aids such as spare tyres, wheel spanners, and fire extinguishers, among others. If any is missing, the officer indicates it on a form which is handed to the motorist who is then asked to rectify the fault and show proof of doing so.

Regular training exercises are also organised for drivers of politicians, industrialists, religious leaders, and commercial drivers including self-employed ones. Training these drivers, FRSC tells them to drive with caution, impressing it on those who drive wealthy and influential bosses that the high profile of their employers is no guarantee against crashes, injury or death.

What has helped the most is enforcement. Akpabio’s officers and men are constantly told to be fair, firm and polite but never to be mindful of personalities. One

•FRSC personnel at work day, a reckless driver was arrested, his car impounded and a ticket issued him, only for his rich and very powerful employer to show up breathing fire. On Akpabio’s intervention, it was found that the

Yero revives road projects •Continued from Page 17 N114m from the government with the completion date slated for December 2013. He however directed the project consultant, the contractor and the officials of the state ministry of works to meet and resolve the disparity, while warning the contractor to change his manner of doing business. However, it was not all disappointment for the governor as he had some encouraging words for some of the performing contractors.

For example, the governor was impressed with the level of work on the Garun Kurama-Kwandari-Bundu Kurama-Kahugu-Kinugu Kasuwar Road in Lere Local Government Area. The works commissioner told the governor that the road which was one of the 32 awarded in

A

FORMER presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim, has urged leaders to shun corruption and focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to the electorate.

She spoke to reporters in Lagos.

Ibrahim told Newsextra that corruption is killing the country and unless the leaders change their attitude towards governance, the people will continue to suffer.

She said: “Corruption will never stop until when our leaders start to change people from one position, ministry and portfolio to another.

“Let me give you example.

Since the creation of Aso Villa, there are some people who have been there and are still there.

“I travelled to a neighbouring country where I don’t need a passport to go. When they saw me, they said I am a Senegalese; may be because of my height.

When I told them that I am a Nigerian, they said Nigerians are so corrupt. They said in Nigeria there are a lot of corrupt people and that our government is not

November 2012 and scheduled for completion in May 2014, was already 37 per cent completed.

The governor who was impressed with the quality of work on the road, immediately approved the request of the contractors to suspend work for one month because of the rains.

Residents of the area expressed happiness with the quality of work done and commended the government for remembering them.

One of the villagers, Muhammadu Mansuru Maiburodi commended the state government for the ongoing construction work on the road, saying it has reduced the hardship they faced on the road.

Maiburodi, who distributes his bread with a motorcycle, said, “Before, I used to spend four hours from Kwandari to Garun Kurama but now, after the ongoing work on the road, I don’t

spend up to one hour. I used to fall into ditches wading through water as there is no bridge but now the road is okay and I go smoothly from village to village. May God bless the government for helping us on the road”? Similarly, Abdullahi Sanusi a farmer said, “I feel happy over the construction of this road. We use to suffer on this road because it was very bad that is why I am very happy about this ongoing construction project on the road. When completed it would stop our hardship and make life easy when we want to go to farm and other towns.”

Yero was also happy with the work on the 6 kilometre Kofar Gayan–Jos Road and commended the work done and urged the contractor to finish the work on schedule. Speaking with reporters after the

driver had crashed five cars, not one, as he initially claimed, and was driving with a licence not his.

Akpabio said his men were not intimidated. The vehicle was held at the command offices for two months while the errant driver

was made to take a free one-week lecture on proper road culture.

“I am in the business of reducing road crashes, not entertaining anybody,” Akpabio said. “If you clap for a drunk driver, he will do the same tomorrow and may even kill you or someone you know.”

inspection which he said will continue across the state, the governor said “I can say that I am not satisfied with the level of work on some of the projects I have inspected because it is obvious that the contractors are not serious about the work.

However, I am satisfied with the level of work on some of the projects especially the SobaKofar Gayan-Kofar Kuyambana.

That job is going on well and we would assist the contractor to finish the job in good time.

But the other road projects that we have visited which are not satisfied with, we are going back to the drawing board to see what is wrong and then address the challenges that we have because we intend to complete each of the projects on scheduled and the only way that we can do that is by pushing the consultants and contractors to do the right thing. Also, the ministry of works have to be up and doing and take the challenge of doing their job

properly”.

The governor said further “one of the projects that we visited in Lere, has been completed 100 percent and I am happy with the contractor. If there are outstanding payment, we are going to pay him immediately as he has finished his job. If we have another opportunity of giving out another contract, we would give to them because they injected their own money into the job and also try to see that they finish their jobs as promised.

The other one that we also visited in Lere, the contractor has gone very far and he officially wrote for one month break because of the rains and we have given go ahead they are going to resume work by the end of September and we would see how it goes they are going to finish the work before the end of the year and we are happy they are doing a good job and we know that they are going to finish the work before that time”.

‘Corruption hurting the people’

By Jude Isiguzo

doing anything about it.

“How can you be in government and be stealing? People who rob with biro are enjoying.

All they need to do is to add some zero so that where you have millions, it becomes billions. That is why you see people buying property here and there. Who are the people buying these properties? Where do they get the money from? Nobody cares to know.

“Nobody is policing one another in this country. We need checks and balances. I urge Mr.

President that charity begins at home, and that he should purge the Villa of some of its staff. These are the people selling appointment. “ Ibrahim, who spoke extensively on the happenings in her party, said she has had offers from groups from other parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) but that she wants to remain in her party and assist in the rebuilding process.

She said: “Like I said, I am a woman of principle. I can never be a political harlot. I supported President Goodluck Ebele

People who rob with biro are enjoying. All they need to do is to add some zero so that where you have millions, it becomes billions. That is why you see people buying property here and there

Jonathan with my vote and I cannot abandon him now.”

Speaking on the in-house crisis that has engulfed her party, she said: “As a matter of fact, in every home, there must be misunderstanding. There must be some challenges but that doesn’t stop it from being a home. The squabble in the party does not mean that the party has disintegrated.

“A party is made up of a group of people so there are bound to be problem but when the situation is under control, the party remains intact. I blame Ahaji Bamanga Tukur for all the problems in the party. He is like a father who cannot put his house together.

“The problem lies with our leaders. When a leader cannot control his house, he should be removed. Truly speaking, the man is too old for any leadership position. The party needs somebody who is reasonable; who is diplomatic. Diplomacy is what you need in a group like PDP to run it. Any group needs some-

•Hajia Ibrahim

body who can understand the minds of his group; not somebody who is temperamental; who gets annoyed easily.

“The day Mr. President will sit down and say look there must be change that’s when this country will move forward.”

, 2013

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE OF NIGERIA PROBATE REGISTRY, LAGOS DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose names are set-out in the first Column under died intestate on the date and place stated in the said Column. AND WHEREAS the person or persons whose names and addresses and relationship (if any) to the deceased are set out in the second Column here have applied to the High Court of Lagos State for a Grant of Letter of Administration of the Real and Personal Properties of the deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Letters of Administration will be granted to such persons unless a NOTICE TO PROHIBIT THE GRANT is filed in the registry within (14) days from the date hereof.

S/N

NAMES OF THE DECEASED PERSON:

S/N

1. Ogboji Sunday late of Okopo Olemaboro L.G.A. of Kogi State, who died intestate on the 25th day of February, 2012 at Kogi State.

2. Mr. Umukoro Pender Matthias late of No. 8, Amidu Tijani Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos who died intestate on the 9th day of October, 2011 at Lagos .

3. Mr. Omisore Ganiyu late of Fatai Olomowewe Ado Odo Ota, Ogun State, who died intestate on the 27th day of October, 2012 at Lagos.

4. Eruemegbe Dickson late of No. 107, Safejo Road Amukoko, Lagos who died intestate on the 2nd day of December, 2011 at Lagos.

5. Ayisatu Iyabo Tijani late of No. 74, Abule-Nla Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos who died intestate on the 30th day of May, 2010 at Lagos.

6. Mrs. Elizabeth Aboyade Cole late of No. 16, Simbiat Abiola Way, Ikeja Lagos, who died intestate on the 31st day of May, 2013 at Lagos.

7. Habila Nicodemus otherwise known as Nicodemus Habila late of Behind Deeper Life.

8. Mr. Innocent Okolie otherwise known as Mr. Enaele Okolie late of No. 33, Osundeinde Crescent, Isolo Lagos, who died intestate on the 17th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

9. Mrs. Rose Akpan late of No. 1, Omojuwa Street, Kosofe Ketu, Lagos who died intestate on the 21st day of January, 2011 at Lagos.

10. Mr. Peter Ojo Agunbiade late of No. 36, Agbamu Street, Mosafejo Agif L.G.A. Lagos who died intestate on the 5th day of August, 2012 at Lagos.

11. Emmanuel Nnaa Kpugitah late of Onosa Town Along Epe Express Way Ibeju Lekki Lagos State, who died on the 16th day of October, 2012 at Lagos.

12. Mr. Atebe Richard late of No.10, Cooper Road Ikoyi Lagos, who died intestate on the 13th day of January, 2013 at Lagos.

13. Mr. Nwokolo Sunday late of No. 82, Ojuelegba Road, Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate on the 15th day of February, 2005 at Lagos.

14. Mr. Oton Samuel Akpan late of No. 3, Adesina Street, Somolu Bariga, Lagos, who died intestate on the 5th day of March, 1996 at Lagos.

15. Oba John Adetoyese Laoye late of No. 210, Awogboro Crescent, Old Bodija Ibadan, Oyo State.

16. Mrs. Elizabeth Aliche otherwise known as Elizabeth Odochi Aliche late of No. 10, Makanjuola Street, Sari Iganmu, Lagos, who died intestate on the 30th day of March, 2013 at Lagos.

17. Miss Irene Adekunbi Adebiyi late of No. 24, Bashir Dalhatu Close, 2nd Avenue Extension Ikoyi, Lagos, who died intestate on the 3rd day of June, 2012 at Lagos.

18. Chief Celestine Obi Olisa late of No. 10, Salvation Road, Ikeja Lagos, who died intestate on 22nd day of February, 2013 at Lagos.

19. Mrs.Diana Abasi Solomon Ukana late of Akins Ajah Lagos who died intestate on the 23rd day of July, 2012 at Lagos.

20. Mr. Duru Chris Uche otherwise known as Chris Duru and Duru Christian Uche late of Block 08/7, Flat 5 Ojo Army Cantonment Lagos, who died intestate on the 26th day of October, 2011 at United State of America (U.S.A.) 21. Wasiu Ope otherwise known as Ope Abdul -Wasiu Yaya late of No. 7, Omolola Street, Ijesha Lagos, who died intestate on the 8th day of August, 1987 at Lagos.

22. Mr. Olusegun Adediran late of Leslie Road Ona-Ola Ilaro Ogun State, who died intestate on the 2nd day of May, 2013 at Ogun State.

23. Charles Mong late of No. 1, Adeyemi Lawson Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, who died intestate on the 4th day of April,2013 at Lagos.

24. Mrs. Oguntuyo Rebecca Fadebi late of No. 20, Ayinde Giwa Street, Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate on the 29th day of March, 2009 at Lagos.

25. Olufemi Sikiru Lawal late of No. 5, Itun - Egbe Street, Ado Langbasa Ajah, Lagos, who died intestate on the 8th day of February, 2013 at Lagos.

26. Debayo Doherty Olujimi late of No. 25, Odunlami Street, Lagos, who died intestate on the 6th day of January, 2004 at Lagos.

27. Mr. Samuel Alilonu late of No. 29, Olufowobi Street, Lawanson Lagos, who died intestate on the 29th day of June, 1992 at Lagos.

28. Chief Kayode Adesina Onimole late of No. 5, Onimole Palace, Iga - Idungaran Lagos, who died intestate on the 7th day of February, 2013 at Lagos.

29. Chief Olufemi Ogungbure otherwise known as Bartholomew Olufemi Ogungbure late of No. 24, Ogunyemi Street, Sabo Ilaje Ojo Lagos, who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2012 at Lagos.

30. Alhaja Ganiyat Abiola Amusa late of No. 20B, Oke - Olu Street, Iponri Lagos who died intestate on the 18th day of May,2012 at Lagos.

31. Mr. Olawale Adeyemo Isaac late of No. 12, Oshonigbehin Demoro Road Grammar School Ikorodu, Lagos, who died intestate on 1st day of December, 2012 at U.C.H. Ibadan.

32. Miss Ayoola Temitope Adeola late of No. 2/3, Bashorun Kehinde Avenue, Sangotedo, Lekki, Lagos, who died intestate on the 23rd day of December, 2011 at Oyo State.

33. Miss Ayoola Oyeronke Titilayo late of No. 2/3, Bashorun Kehinde Avenue, Sangotedo LEkki, Lagos, who died intestate on the 5th day of October, 2011 at Oyo State.

34. Mr. Olusegun Benedict Olonode late of No. 18, Cementary Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, who died intestate on the 26th day of December, 2012 at Lagos.

35. Mr, Ogunsanmi Adewale late of JAvie Road Ikoga Zebbe Badagry Lagos State, who died intestate on the 11th day of October, 2008 at Badagry Lagos.

36. Mr. Eyolade Mukaila otherwise known as Mr. Olasunkanmi Mukaila Eyolade late of Ibasa Imoore Road, Satellite Town, Ijegun Lagos, who died intestate on the 10th day of February, 2013 at Lagos.

37. Mr. Segun Ogundahunsi late of No. 8, Ibadan Street, Ilupeju Lagos, who died intestate on the 16th day of February, 2013 at Lagos.

38. Muyibi Lawal late of Block 12 Flat 6, Bank Olemoh Surulere Lagos, who died intstate on the 15th day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

39. Architect Olaide Gbadamosi Olaide Ismail late of No. 228A Eti - Osa Street, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, who died intestate on the 2nd day of January, 2013 at Lagos.

40. Shadrach Uzoma Ekwe late of No. 42, Vaughan Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, who died intestate on the 19th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

41. Alhaja Ganiat Shonibare late of No. 15, Shobodu Street, Sari Iganmu, Orile, Lagos, who died intestate on 27th day of October, 2012 at Lagos.

42. Mr. Oluwole Adetunji Akinsanya late of No. 1, Ayo Adekoya Close Shangisha Ketu, Lagos, who died intestate on the 13th day of May, 2013 at Lagos.

43. Mr. David Ehigiator late of No. 25, Shola Odewale Street, Ayobo Lagos, who died intestate on the 31st day of August, 2009 at Lagos.

44. Mr. Junaed Lukman late of No. 29, Ogundeyi Street, Mafoluku Oshodi Lagos, who died intestate on the 12th day of January, 2013 at Lagos.

45. Mr. Awesu Rufai late of No. 40, Olowe Street, Ajah, Lagos, who died intestate on the 3rd day of March, 1992 at Lagos.

46. Rosaline Yetunde Adeyemi otherwise known as Rosaline Yetunde Wilson late of No. 56, Evans Street Lagos, who died intestate on the 22nd day of July, 1984 at Lagos.

47. Mr. Kenneth Oguzie Igwe late of Opposite Jimrose Hotel Old Mutuntu Gwagwalada Abuja, who died intestate on the 27th day of June, 2012 at Abuja.

48. Edun Michael late of 4G Akerele Extension Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate on the 4th day of December, 2005 at Lagos.

49. Mr. Moses Nwokolo late of 15059 Gaseta Drive Apt 1219 Houston Harris Texas, who died intestate on the 8th day of December, 2011 at Houston Texas.

50. Alhaja Mohammed Alimot Tinuade late of No. 18,Oyenuga Street, Ijeshatedo Surulere Lagos, who died intestate on the 16th day of November, 2012 at Lagos.

51. John Faustino late of No. 15, Igbosere Road, Lagos, who died intestate on the 31st day of October, 1914 at Lagos.

52. Mr. Benedict Olusegun Banjo late of No. 7, Jimoh Oladehinde Street, Ifako Gbagada, Lagos who died intestate on the 19th day of June, 1988 at Ibadan.

53. Kadiri Rasaki Abiodun late of No. 17, Anuoluwapo Street, Bariga, Lagos who died intestate on the 19th day of July, 2010 at Lagos.

54. Alhaji Babatunde Balogun otherwise known as Alimi Balogun late of No. 33, Masafejo Road Amukoko Lagos, who died intestate on the 28th day of November, 2000 at Lagos.

55. Mr. Akingbuwa Collinious late of No. 18B, Moshalashi Street, Orile Iganmu Lagos, who died intestate on the 3rd day of October, 2010 at Lagos.

56. Mr. Akinlooye Babatunde Nurudeen late of No. 72, Parafa Estate Ikorodu, Lagos who died intestate on the 28th day of April, 2009 at Lagos.

57. Mr. Uzoma Henry Onyekuru late of No. 1 Alhaji Tokan Street, Alaka Estate Surulere Lagos, who died intestate on the 16th day of May, 2012 at Imo State.

58. Mr. Ganiyu Ishola Idowu late of No. 8, Adebisi Street, Alagomeji Yaba Lagos, who died intestate on the 24th day of July, 2012 at Lagos.

59. Mr. Emmanuel David late of No. 6, Areago Road Alagbado Crossing Lagos, who died intestate on the 27th day of January, 2012 at Lagos.

60. Mrs. Marcus Onwugio late of No. 17, Odumade Street, Amukoko Lagos, who died intestate on the 9th day of August, 2010 at Lagos.

61. Mr. Jacob Kolawole Ajibola late of No. 48, Memudu Aremu Ikate Surulere, Lagos, who died intestate on the 29th day of February, 2012 at Lagos.

62. Mr. Isaac Adebayo Imolore late of Maximum Security Prison Barracks Kirikiri Town, Lagos, who died intestate on the 9th day of June, 2006 at Lagos.

63. Chief Adeyefa Joshua Adeyemo late of No. 5, Akarabata Layout Line 2, Ile - Ife, who died intestate on the 6th day of February, 1977 at Ile - Ife. 64. Abdul Quadri Adenike Kudirat otherwise known as Abdul Kadiri late of No. 1, Agarawu Street Lagos, who died intestate on the 29th day of October, 2008 at Lagos.

65. Anna James otherwise known as Hannah James late of No. 70, Babani Street, Ajegunle Olodi Apapa Lagos, who died intestate on the 19th day of September, 2011 at Lagos.

66. Mr. Ekungomi Babajide late of No. 12, Ajose Street, Shomolu Bariga, Lagos, who died intestate on the 7th day of December, 2012 at Lagos.

67. Mr. Asuquo Emmanuel Jacob late of No. 16, Odenike Street, Abule Ijesha Yaba Lagos, who died intestate on the 30th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

68. Mr. Odofin Saka Musaliu otherwise known as Saka ,Saka Odofin and Saka- Odofin Saliu late of Idunmokun Compound Eti Osa Lagos, who died intestate on the 10th day of August, 2012 at Lagos.

69. Seun Senami late of No. 12, Ifewowapo Street, Aradagun Badagry Lagos State, who died intestate on the 29th day of March, 2011 at Lagos.

70. Engr. Timothy Ibukun Awosika late of No. 14C, University Road Akoka, Lagos who died intstate on the 24th day of March, 1979 at Lagos.

71. Mr. Okechukwu Nnaemeka Umezeka otherwise known as Okechukwu Umezeka late of No. 24, Beckley Street, Lagos, who died intestate on the 24th day of November, 2012 at Lagos.

72. Mr. Adebiyi Mose late of No. 3/5 His Glory Adamo Ikorodu Lagos, who died intestate on the 22nd day of September, 2012 at Lagos.

73. Mr. Ademola Idowu late of NO. 88, Cementary Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, who died intestate on the 29th day of January, 2006 at Lagos.

74. Mr. Jagun Olukayode late of No. 17, Ogundipe Street, Ikeja Lagos, who died intestate on the 14th day of March, 2012 at Lagos.

75. Mr. Oreh Donald late of No. 71, Goriola Street, Ajegunle, Apapa Lagos, who died intestate on the 7th day of August, 2012 at Delta State.

76. Ipaye Salamotu Alake late of SW9 1637F State Hospital Road,Ring Road Ibadan Oyo State who died intestate on the 17th day of November, 1991 at Ibadan.

77. Pa. Adesoye Osinuga late of No. 20, Johnson Street, Ilupeju Lagos, who died intestate on the 14th day of July, 2011 at Lagos.

NAMES OF APPLICANT APPLYING FOR THE GRANT

1. Ogboji Monday and Mary Sunday both of Road 6, Block 46, Apt 12 Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

2. Umokoro Emmanuel E and Umokoro Godfrey Oghenemwode both of No. 8, Amidu Tijani Street, Olodi Apapa, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

3. Mrs. Bolanle Selimot Omisore of Fatai Olomowewe Street, Ado - Odo Ogun State and Mr. Kazeem Olabisi Omisore, of No. 7, Ogunleye Street, Aguda Surulere, Lagos, the widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

4. Alex Eruemegbe and Alex Amukoko both of No. 107, Safejo Road Lagos, the mother and brother of the said deceased.

5. Falilat Sulu and Ganiyu Ariori, both of No. 74, Abule - Nla Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, the two children of the said deceased.

6. Mr. Adewale Aboyade Cole, Mr. Adeniji Aboyade Cole and Miss Adenike Aboyade Cole, all of No. 16, Simbiat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

7. Mrs. Nicodemus Ijeoma Happiness of No. 8, Titilola Street by Sawmill Bus - Stop Gbagada Lagos and Danjuma Naomi of No. 4, Olusegun Close Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, the widow and sister of the said deceased.

8. Mrs. Bernadire Chimieze Okolie and Mrs. James Okolie both of No.33, Osudeinde Crescent Isolo, Lagos, the widow and brother of the said deceased.

9. Rev. (Engr) Victor Udo - Udo Akpan of No. 1, Omofuwa Street, Kosofe Ketu, Lagos and Mr. Nse Abasi Udo - Udo Akpan of No. 16, Ahorobi Street off Dada Street, Ogba, Lagos, the brothers of the said deceased.

10. Mrs. Alice Modupe Agunbiade both of No. 36, Agbamu Street, Mosafejo Ajif L.G.A. Lagos, the widow and son of the said deceased.

11. Alexander Kpugitah Road 24, Plot G - 4b V.G.C. Lekki Lagos and Mr. Anthony Nnaa Kpugitah of Onasa Town Ibeju - Lekki Lagos State, the siblings of the said deceased.

12. Mrs. Ruth Atebe Richard of No. 10, Cooper Road Lagos and Mr. Gregory Akemof No. 1, Chief Idowu Bale Street, Aja Lagos, the widow and brother of the said deceased.

13. Mr. Nwokolo Peter and Mr. Nwokolo John both of No. 41, Modele Road, Surulere, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

14. Mrs. Ekaete Mboh (Nee Oton), Mrs. Esther Samuel Anusa (Nee Oton) and Mrs. Comfort S. Oton, all of No. 3, Adesina Street, Shomolu Bariga, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

15. Mr. Jerobaal Olatunbosun Laoye, Mrs. Moji Agbaje (Nee Laoye) both of No. 10, Prince Awogboro Crescent, old Bodija Ibadan, Oyo State, the children of the said deceased.

16. Mr. Christian Chidozie Azubuike of No. 28 Ajewale Street, Coker, Lagos and Maxwell Azubuike of No. 10 Makanjuola Street, Sari Iganmu Lagos, the widower and child of the said deceased.

17. Mrs. Titilayo Adebiyi and Adetutu Adebiyi both of No. 24, Bashir Dalhatu Close, 2nd Avenue Extension Ikoyi, Lagos, the mother and sister of the said deceased.

18. Mrs. Amede Achingale (Nee Olisa) Mrs. Idu Chukwu (Nee Olisa), Mr. Enebili Olis, Mrs. Omu Obilor (Nee Olisa) all of No. 10, Salvation Road, Ikeja, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

19. Mr. Kokoette Bassey Udosen and Mrs. Rose Benson both of Flat 4, Ololade Estate, Ado Ajah Lagos, the widower and sister of the said deceased.

20. Chidi A. Duru, Enomform Duro both of Block 08/7 Flat 5, Ojo Army Cantoment Lagos, the brother and sister in - law of the said deceased.

21. Alhaji Waheed O. Ope of No. 8 Bank Olemoh Street, Surulere, Lagos and Mr. Musibau B. Ope of No. 7, Omolola Street, Ijesha Lagos, the nephew and son of the said deceased.

22. Mr. Oluseye Adediran and Abiodun Adediran both of No. 1, Oluwatobi Street, Gasline Ijoko Ogun State, two of the children of the said deceased.

23. Charle Mong (Jnr), Anger Mong and Cecil Mong all of 274A, Corporation Drive Dolphin Estate Ikoyi, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

24. Funmilayo Yewande Adegoroye and Dr. (Mrs) Olusimbo Aboaba both of No. 20. Ayinde Giwa Street, Surulere, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

25. Oluwadare Monsurat Lawal and Rasheed Idowu Lawal both of No. 5, Itun -Egbe Street, Ado Langbasa Ajah Lagos, the widow and son of the said deceased.

26. Mrs. Oredola Balogun (Nee Debayo Doherty) Oluwagbemisola Fakanbi (Nee Debayo Doherty both of No. 53, Lawson Street, Lafiaji Lagos, the sister and daughter of the said deceased.

27. Fidelis Alilonu and Ursular Udochukwu Alilonu both of No. 15, Uvi Odigie Crescent Agboroko Iba Ojo Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

28. Chief Mrs. Mathilda Kehinde Onimole of No. 5, Onimole Palace Iga - Idungaran Lagos , Mrs. Adedolapo Akinola (Nee Onimole) of No. 10, Church Street, off Ilo Awela, Mr. Okanlawon Oladimeji Onimole of No. 5, Onimole Palace Iga - Idungaran Lagos and Mrs. Abiola Mosaku (Nee Onimole) of Plot 28, Block 68, Federal Housing Estate, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

29. Pastor Ogungbure Godwin Olutoye Omolola Ogungbure, Pastor (Miss) Ogungbure Yomi and Benjamin Ogungbure all of No. 24, Ogunyemi Street, Sabo Ilaje Ojo Lagos, the brother and children of the said deceased.

30. Alhaji Jelili Tunde Amusa, Miss Aminat Omolola Amusa and Dr. Wsiu Olanrewaju Amusa all of No. 11, Oke - Olu Street, Iponri Lagos, the widower and children of the said deceased.

31. Mrs. Oluwakemi Adeyemo of No. 12, Oshonigbehin Demoro Road Grammar School, Ikorodu Lagos, the widow of the said deceased.

32. Mr. Mattew Olayiwola Ayoola,Mrs. Mojisola Fatimo Ayoola both of No. 2/3, Bashorun Kehinde Avenue, Sangotedo Lekki, Lagos, the father and mother of the said deceased.

33. Mr. Mattew Olayiwola Ayoola, Mrs. Mojisola Fatimo Ayoola both of No. 2/3, Bashorun Kehinde Avenue, Sangotedo Lekki, Lagos, the father and mother of the said deceased.

34. Mrs. Aderonke Olonade and Mr. Sunday Ileledewa both of No. 18.Cementary Street, Ebute - Metta, Lagos, the widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

35. Mrs. Olayemi Ogunsanmi and Miss Abimbola Ogunsanmi both of Javie Road, Ikoga Zebba Badagry Lagos State, the widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

36. Mrs. Mariam Eyolade and Miss Fatimoh Eyolade both of Ibasa Imoore Road Sattellite Town Ijegun Lagos, the widow and daughter of the said deceased.

37. Mrs. Esther Ogundahunsi and Bisola Ogundahunsi both of No. 8, Ibadan Street, Ilupeju Lagos, the widow and daughter of the said deceased.

38. Madam Kudirat Lawal and Mr. Ibrahim Lawal both of Block 12, Flat 6, Bank Olemoh Surulere, Lagos, two of the children of the said deceased.

39. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Gbadamosi, Mr. Kola Gbadamosi and Mr. Lanre Gbadamosi of No. 228A, Eti - Osa Street, Dolphin Estate Ikoyi, Lagos, Plot 259, Etim Inyang Crescent Victoria Island, Lagos, 228A, Eti - Osa Street, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, the widow ,brother and son of the said deceased.

40. Mrs. Bridget Uzoamaka Ekwe, Mr. Uche Gabriel Ekwe both of No. 42, Vaughan Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, the widow and son of the said deceased.

41. Babatunde S. Ibrahim and Mr. Nurudeen Ibrahim of Block 144, Flat 3, LSDPC Estate Iponri Surulere, Lagos and No. 15, Shobodu Street, Sari - Iganmu Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

42. Mrs. Oluyinka Akinsanya and Mr. Abiodun Akinsanya of No. 1, Ayo Adekoya Close Shangisha Ketu, Lagos, and No. 6, Betty Bonbay Street, Ori Okuta Lagos, the widow and brother of the said deceased.

43. Mr. Friday Ehigiator and Mrs. Eunice Ehigiator both of No. 25, Shola Odewale Street, Ayobo Lagos, the widow and son of the said deceased.

44. Mr. Oyelaran Oyewale and Mrs. Mutiat Junaed Akorede both of No. 29, Osundeyi Street, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, the siblings of the said deceased.

45. Mr. Alade Rasaki Olawale and Mr. Taiwo Kosoko both of No. 40, Olowe Street, Ajah Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

46. Mrs. Oluyinka Da -Silva, Mr. Oludotun Adeyemi and Mr. Olatokunbo Alabi Isama all.of No. 56, Evans Street, Lagos, the daughter, son and grand child of the said deceased.

47. Mrs. Salome Mmereole (Nee Igwe) and Mrs. Rosita Okekenwa Igwe both of 5th Avenue, I, Close House 37, Festac Town, Lagos, the sister and aunty of the said deceased.

48. Mr. Oscar Edun and Joy Edun both of 4G, Akerele Extension Surulere Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

49. Nwokolo Jonathan, Nwokolo Juliana,Nwokolo Emmanuel, Nwokolo Gideon of No. 3, Military Street, Onikan Lagos and No. 11, Ibironke Crescent Mende Maryland Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

50. Usman Mohammed and Ibrahim Mohammed both of No. 18 Oyenuga Street, Ijeshatedo Surulere Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

51. Mr. Solomon Akintola Bankole, Mr. Anthony Ope Domingo both of No. 31, Beecroft Street, Lagos, the great grand children of the said deceased.

52. Mrs. Theresa Banjo, Mr. Michael Banjo and Omotola Banjo all of No. 7, Jimoh Oladehinde Street, Ifako Gbagada Lagos.

53. Mrs. Kadiri Titilayo and Mr. Kadiri Rilwan both of No. 5, Omo Akin Street, Ifako Agege Lagos, the widow and children of the said deceased.

54. Mrs. Anota Titilola Ayokubi, Mr. Kazeem Balogun and Mr. Sheriff Balogun all of No. 33, Masafejo Road Amukoko Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

55. Mrs. Akingbua Bolanle and Mr. Akingbua Abiodun Oladele Temba both of No. 18B, Moshalashi Street, Orile Iganmu Lagos, the widow and son of the said deceased.

56. Kudirat OlabiyiAkinlooye and Mrs. Dumininu Lawal both of No. 3, Martins Close Somolu, Lagos, the widow and friend of the said deceased.

57. Mrs. Grace Onyekuru, Ikechukwu Chidebube Onyekuru and Uzoma Kelechukwu Onyekuru all of No. 1, Alhaji Tokan Street, Alaka Estate, Lagos, the widow and children of the said deceased.

58. Mrs. Bolanle Smith (Nee Idowu) and Engr. Bashiru Olusegun Idowu both of No. 8, Adebisi Street, Alagomeji Yaba, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

59. Mrs. Sikirat Emmanuel, Funmilayo Emmanuel and Samuel Emmanuel all of No. 6, Areago Road Alagbado Crossing Lagos, the widow and children of the said deceased.

60. Florence Onwujiogu and Samson Onwujiogu both of No. 17, Odumade Street, Amukoko Lagos, the widow and son of the said deceased.

61. Mrs. Janet Ajibola, Mr. Olayemi R. Ajibola and Mr. Oladapo Johnson Ajibola of No. 1, Ijeshatedo, Ijesha Lagos, 8/10 Abbey Ifako Gbagada, Lagos.

62. Mr. Henry Imolore, Jonathan Imolore and Ohiole Imolore all of No. 296, Crest Bend Lane Power Springs Georgia, 30127 (U.S.A.) the children of the said deceased.

63. Mr. Olugbenga Adeyefa and Adeleke Adeyefa both of Obafemi Awolowo University Quarters Ile Ife. 64. Mr. Baba Abdul Kadiri Oba and Mr. R.A.O. Adeniran of No. 1, Agarawu Street, Lagos and Plot 89A, Adebayo Mokulu Street, Anthony Village Lagos, the widower and brother of the said deceased.

65. Aniefiok James and Joy Utere of No. 17, Adenuga Street, Iliasu Road, Ikotun Lagos and No. 15, Oluwole Close Okota Lagos, the son and niece of the said deceased.

66. Ekungomi Idowu Oluwatosin, Ekungomi Temitope Elizabeth, Ekungomi Adebola Olajide and Ekungomi Kehinde Bamidele all of No. 12 Ajose Street, Shomolu Bariga Lagos, the widow, children and brother of the deceased.

67. Mr. Bassey Asuquo Emmanuel and Mr. Edikan Asuquo Samuel of No. 29, Sholanke Street, Akoka Yaba, Lagos and No. 16, Odenike Street, Abule Ijesha Yaba Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

68. Mr. Nurudeen Saka Odofin, Miss Sherifat Saka Odofin both of Idunmokun Compound Eti - Osa Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

69. Olusegun Olasude and Sesi Senu both of No. 12, Ifesowapo Street, Aradagun Badagry Lagos State, the children of the said deceased.

70. Mr. Akinlose J. Awosika, Mr. Oseola O. Awosika and Mr. Oluwole Oyewole Awosika all of 14C, University Road Akoka Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

71. Mrs. Anna Umezeka and Mr. Samuel Umezeka both of No. 24, Beckley Street, Lagos, the widow and son of the said deceased.

72. Mrs. Yemisi Adebiyi and Mr. Victor Olu - Adebiyi both of No. 3/5 His Glory Adamo Ikorodu, Lagos, the widow and one of the children of the said deceased.

73. Prince Dada Idowu and Chief Mrs. Osundare - Mensah (Nee Idowu) of block 1, Annex Games Villiage Surulere, Lagos and No. 88, Cementary Street, Ebute-Metta Lagos, first cousin and daughter of the said deceased.

74. Mrs. Olubanke Iretiola Jagun, Mr. Isaac Abiodun Jagun and Titilope Oyinlola Talabi Jagun all of No. 17, Ogundipe Street, Ikeja Lagos, the widow and children of the said deceased.

75. Mr. Louis Oreh and Mr. Mattew Oreh both of No. 71, Goriola Street, Ajegunle Apapa Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

76. Mr. Olanrewaju Ipaye of No. 87, Lagos Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, the only surviving child of the said deceased.

77. Mr. Tobi Osinuga, Mr. Olumide Osinuga, Mr. Adeolu Osinuga and Mr. Segun Osinuga, all of No. 20, Johnson Street, Ilupeju, Lagos, the children of the said deceased.

I.O.AKINKUGBE (MRS) PROBATE REGISTRAR

, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

53

NEWS

One dies in Anambra masqueraders’ bloody outing

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

•60 injured, 10 churches burnt

O

NE person was killed and over 60 people injured on Monday when some masqueraders and their youth guides attacked Christians in Oba-Ofemmili community, Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Eyewitnesses said 10 churches were burnt. More attacks may come today.

Some of the churches attacked are Assemblies of God Church, Grace of God, Deeper Life Bible Church, Winners Church, Christ Holy Church, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Odozi Obodo and the Vicarage of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Awba Ofemmili.

Police spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka said he was not aware of the incident and promised to get back to our reporter.

The priest of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Rev Pat Odinanwa, confirmed the threat of more attacks on Christians.

He accused the policemen at Ugbene community of not coming to the aid of the hapless Christians when the troubled started.

“The police were informed but they did not come. I think those boys are their regular customers.”

Odinanwa said all his efforts to calm the youths failed.

The priest said there were agreements between the church and the community, yet the community was seeking to stop Christians from worshipping.

P

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Odinanwa said: “There was a document signed between the traditional ruler and the Christians which states that the masqueraders should start by 9pm and no woman should be seen on the road at that time. And we all agreed.

“But a town crier announced another thing saying anybody going for a church programme should leave home by 5pm, which was contrary to the agreement.

“Most of the women who attended the programme were harassed and ordered to go back. Those who left by 6pm were able to get to the church before it was late.”

The priest said he cancelled the programme and told the congregation to sleep in the church.

“But the youths stormed the church and razed the vicarage, shooting people and inflicting machete pains on them.”

A victim, Sunday Aliuba, said they were in the church when the miscreants stormed the place.

Aliuba said: “The community and the Christians had an agreement that the night masqueraders will not start until 9pm and we were having our programmes according to the rules.

“But on Monday, there was a rumour that the pagans will be burning churches. Around 11pm, they started shooting.

“Around 1am, they

•Aliuba in the hospital...yesterday

•A victim

PHOTOS: ODOGWU EMEKA ODOGWU

‘It was agreed that masqueraders should start by 9pm but this incident started by 5pm. So it was premeditated’ stormed the church and razed the vicarage.

“We hid under the staircase and within the pews. In selfdefence, we pounced on one of them. But when it became intense, my colleagues ran away.

“I also ran but they pur-

sued me and shot me in the legs, shattering my ankles and bones.

“They also inflicted machete cuts on me. The blood that came out of my body can fill two buckets. It was God who saved me.”

A community leader and

former supervisory councillor for health in Awka North, Ignatius Okafor, condemned the incident.

Okafor said: “One person died from gunshot injuries.

These people committed arson and we have never seen such hatred between brothers.

He confirmed that there was an agreement that church activities would not be disrupted.

“It was agreed that masqueraders should start by 9pm but this incident started by 5pm. So it was premeditated.”

Anambra: PDP asks IGP to probe parallel primary

T

HE crisis rocking the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new twist.

The national leadership has called on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate persons behind the conduct of Saturday’s parallel primary in which Senator Andy Uba emerged as a governorship candidate.

Declaring the said primary as a breach of the PDP constitution, the party summoned Uba and a factional chairman, Ejike Oguebego.

They are to appear before the National Working Committee (NWC) at 10am today.

O

•Summons Andy Uba, factional chair, others From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

They are to explain their roles in the conduct of the parallel primary and to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.

A statement by the party’s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Okeke, yesterday said Uba and Oguebego were being summoned for participating in the exercise.

The statement said: “In view of their participation in the breach of our constitution referred to above, the following persons are

hereby invited to appear before the National Working Committee.

“The PDP leadership hereby condemns the organisation of a parallel primary to elect a candidate for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State other than the one conducted by the party on August 24.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the only primary recognised by the party was the one conducted by the Electoral Panel under the leadership of Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, which was appointed by the

party.

“The organisation of another primary other than the one referred to above is a clear breach of our party’s constitution and is therefore totally unacceptable and cannot be condoned.

“We call on the Inspector General of Police to forthwith begin investigations into the illegal procurement of sensitive party materials for the illegal primary by persons who paraded themselves as working for the PDP.” Others summoned are Chris Uba, Benji Udeozor and Mrs. Tonia Nwankwo.

Ubah set to pick Anambra LP ticket today

IL magnate Ifeanyi Ubah is set to pick the Labour Party (LP) ticket for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State.

The primaries will hold at the Emmaus House in Awka today with 1,137 delegates from the 21 local government areas.

The State Chairman, Sam Oraegbunam, said five delegates would vote from each of the local governments.

It was gathered that though there are two other contestants, Ubah was the only one, who fulfilled the party’s required guidelines.

•Foundation plans debate From Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu , Nnewi

Oraegbunam said the party was ready for the contest.

The Nation gathered that following the primaries held on Monday by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which produced William Obiano as its candidate, over 1,200 members of the party have joined LP. Though Oraegbunam did not confirm the report, he said there would be surprises during the election.

20 suspects arrested

Obiano’s emergence was allegedly spearheaded by Governor Peter Obi. An aspirant, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, said she would abide by the party’s decision.

Three civil society groups and the Ogilisi Igbo Foundation yesterday said they would organise debates for the candidates.

The groups are the Campaign for Democracy (CD); Civil Awareness and Economic Empowerment Initiative (CAEI) and Civil Liberation Initiative.

Founder of Ogirishi Igbo Foundation Rommy Ezeonwuka announced this in a pre-debate briefing held in Oba near Onitsha.

Ezeonwuka said the debate, fixed for next month and October, would be held at the Rojenny Tourists Village, Oba. He said the debates would be devoid of sentiment.

“This debate would be apolitical, devoid of sentiment and would only address the yearning and aspiration of Anambra people.

“It would bring out the level of knowledge the candidates have on the challenges facing the state.”

•Uba

OLICEMEN from Ariaria Division in Aba, Abia State, yesterday raided two Indian hemp camps within the Ariaria International Market.

The camps are: “Black Kingdom” at Sameck by Old Express Road and “Snow White” by Bakassi near the market.

It was gathered that “Black Kingdom” was one of the areas where drug addicts moved to after they were ousted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from their former location, “York”, on Park Road.

During the operation, the Divisional Police Officer, Steve Nigga, and other policemen arrested 20 suspects.

Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna described the raid as a proactive measure to ensure that the state is free from crimes.

Man dies in Ebonyi hotel From Ogochukwu Anioke,

A

Abakaliki

FORTY FIVE-year old banker, Boniface Ndukaku, has died in a hotel in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

A 21-year old undergraduate who is said to be his girlfriend, has been arrested.

Ndukaku lived at Nkwagu Army Cantonment Barracks, Abakaliki.

The 200 Level student of Micro-Biology department of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, is from Mgbowo in Agwu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Police spokesman Sylvester Igbo confirmed that the girl had been arrested.

He said: “ Last weekend, a man, Boniface Ndukaku (45), who lived at Nkwagu Army Cantonment Barracks, Abakaliki, took a lady to a hotel.

“When they were through, the lady discovered that the man was not well.

“She raised the alarm and the man’s wife was contacted.

“Ndukaku was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA), where he was confirmed dead.

“The man’s remains have been deposited at the FETHA mortuary; the lady is helping the police in their investigation.”

No oil spill in Funiwa field, says Chevron

C

HEVRON Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, has denied the report of a spill in its Funiwa field in Bayelsa State.

The General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Deji Haastrup, said: “Any report of spill in our CNL Funiwa field is false and we advise all enquiries about CNL operations to be directed to us instead of third parties.”

Haastrup said this clarification has become necessary because of reports

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

alleging that there was a spill in CNL’s Funiwa field.

He said CNL conducts its operations to ensure the safety of the people and the environment.

“CNL reiterates its commitment to effective environmental safety and management ,” he said.

The Funiwa 1A natural gas well had a blowout on January 16 last year, when a jack-up rig - KS Endeavor– caught fire.

The well burned for several weeks, until the rig sank and the fire was put out.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-08-13

FBN Holdings grosses N195b in first half F

BN Holdings Plc grew its top-line to about N195 billion in the first half of the year, posting the largest revenue by any financial services group.

Key extracts of the interim report and accounts of FBN Holdings, the holding company for First Bank of Nigeria and its subsidiaries for the period ended June 30, 2013, showed that gross earnings increased by 7.7 per cent from N180.9 billion in first half, 2012, to N194.9 billion in June, 2013.

The report showed improvements in all key indices. Although the growths were marginal, it nevertheless represented the pervasive industry trend that has characterised earnings reports of banks in recent period.

Profit before tax rose by 3.2 per cent from N53.5 billion to N55.1 billion, while Profit After Tax increased from N45.35 billion to N46.10 billion.

The company expanded its balance sheet size to N3.4 trillion, with total customer deposits of N2.6 trillion. Total customer loans and advances stood at N1.5 trillion.

The Chief Executive Officer, Bello Maccido, said the performance underscored the resilience of the group in spite of the evolving regulatory changes.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had during the period implemented new cost structure for banking services and recently increased the Cash Reserve Ratio for public deposits to 50 per cent.

According to him, the group has sustained efforts to refine its approach and responses to the evolving regulatory measures, focusing on the strong natural synergies and crossselling opportunities that exist between banking and the other financial services sectors

By Taofik Salako

in which it is active.

He said the group has intensified efforts to leverage on its unique offering to forge deeper relationships with customers as it navigates the evolving terrain, pointing out the impressive progress it has made in the launching of its Banc assurance business.

“FBN Holdings is uniquely positioned to benefit from existing and emerging opportunities across its core Nigerian market, as well as the other high growth markets it operates in,” he said, adding that the headwinds to cost of deposits following regulatory pressure and the competitive environment, the decline in funding costs during the first half was driven to a large extent by more efficient balance sheet management, even on reduced borrowings.

“Competition for deposits has continued to intensify, which coupled with regulatory interventions, suggest that funding costs across the industry will continue to rise. In this regard, First Bank’s diverse and extensive funding base, with retail deposits accounting for about 50 per cent of the deposit base, cuts across over nine million customer accounts, with a relatively high core portion, providing very stable funding. We will continue to strengthen our deposit gathering franchise, leveraging our extensive retail platform, and deep customer relationships,” Maccido stated.

He assured that the group will maintain a constant review of its risk appetite definitions and acceptance criteria with new credits only extended to suitable and well identified customers, in line

with board approved policy with the loan selection criteria remaining rigorous and appropriate pricing to reflect the risks being taken on such exposures.

In his remarks, the Group Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria, Bisi Onasanya, said the bank has started seeing tangible benefits of a modified operating model in Nigeria, with the development of segment and functional specialists.

He said the bank would focus its efforts in the periods ahead on acquiring new customers in the emerging corporate sectors and retail priority segments.

He said: “We have dimensioned the impact of the revised charges from the CBN, and commenced the implementation of initiatives to mitigate the impact and ensure sustainability of our income streams. As these initiatives gain traction, and we rollout an increasing number of measures to counter the pressure on revenues, and as benefits of the investments made in the prior period begin to come to fruition, we expect to see an improved run rate, relative to those observed in the immediate aftermath of the implementation of the new tariffs,” Onasanya explained.

He said the bank would in the near-to-medium term, raise its profile beyond its current borders, by establishing presence in select Sub-Saharan Africa countries, adding that the expansion is expected to result in greater earnings’ diversification and increased shareholder value through higher returns on equity among other benefits.

FBN Holdings Plc, operates products and services across commercial banking, investment banking, insurance and microfinance business in seven countries.

Other subsidiaries include FBN Capital, FBN Life Assurance, and FBN Microfinance Bank. It is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and has unlisted Global Depositary Receipt (GDR) programme.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 27-08-13

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

55

MONEY LINK

World Bank, WTO plan trade T database for Nigeria, others

W

ORLD Bank and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have agreed to jointly develop and maintain a database on trade services for Nigeria and over 100 other countries globally.

A statement from the global lender, said the joint database covers various sectors, such as financial, transportation, tourism, retail, telecommunications, and business

Stories by Collins Nweze

services, including law and accounting, adding that the database is an area that is becoming increasingly important, yet little information is publicly available.

It said the data will be presented in four modules, covering: members’ commitments under the WTO’s General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS); commit-

Ecobank deploys 3,000 managers to serve as branch tellers

E

COBANK Nigeria has commenced an excellent service campaign, necessitating the deployment of 3,000 top managers as branch tellers nationwide.

In a statement, the lender said the campaign will give the management firsthand knowledge of the customers and their perception, and also help them to have a better insight into the operations of the banking halls.

“The senior managers will work as paying and receiving tellers and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) custodians while at the branches.

They will have the golden opportunity to observe the challenges faced by staff and customers and address such immediately,” it said.

The campaign will take the participants to selected branches of the bank across the country, who will work as tellers and provide other services in the banking halls, giving them the opportunity to enhance staff relationship with bank customers, the bank said.

•Managing Director Ecobank Nigeria, Jibril Aku

Head of Customer Service Quality, Itai Muktar, said: “It’s an opportunity to get closer to our customers, to interact with them, to get them to have that kind of experience they always enjoy with the bank,” adding that the initiative is the bank’s quest is to improve customer relationship that will be a win-win for all.

ments on trade in services in regional trade agreements; members’ applied measures affecting trade in services; and services statistics.

The first version of the database has just been launched as part of the WTO’s Integrated Trade Intelligence Portal (I-TIP).

The statement explained that policy makers, researchers, trade negotiators, and the general public can access the database for free.

Policy transparency is a public good and a shared objective of both institutions. The World Bank makes trade data publicly available under the Open Data Initiative, as does the WTO with the I-TIP. It said transparency is particularly important in the dynamic area of trade in services because the regulatory framework is complex and little information is publicly available, adding taht cross-border trade in services makes up one-fifth of all world trade, even without considering international transactions through foreign affiliates and the temporary movement of people.

This WTO-World Bank arrangement exploits synergies between both institutions. “Among other things, the joint database combines WTO data, including those on legal commitments, trade policy reviews (TPRs) or trade monitoring reports with World Bank data on applied policies from the Services Trade Restrictions Database, which went public last year.

Both institutions will work hard to make sure the joint database stays up to date and expands to cover more sectors and countries,” it said.

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

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Current Market 5495.33 N552.20

O

LD Mutual Plc, the U.K.’s third-largest insurer by market value which also has a presence in Nigeria, is expected to sell more life-insurance products and begin offering general coverage in Kenya, where premium income may double by 2017.

Old Mutual already has operations in South Africa, where it was founded 168 years ago, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Malawi, Botswana and recently Ghana.

Bloomberg report said the company, based in London, will use the 31 branches and 100 service outlets it acquired last month when it bought Faulu Kenya Limited., a microlender, to increase sales of life-insurance policies, said Peter Muthoka, Chairman of Old Mutual Asset Managers (Kenya) Limited. Plans are being drafted to enter the general-insurance industry, he said.

“We are talking about bancassurance, that is what is going to

Amount Offered ($) 350m 350m 350m

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 27-08-13

SYMBOL JOSBREW VONO MULTITREX TRANSCORP UBCAP RTBRISCOE ABCTRANS MANSARD PZ JAPAULOIL

O/PRICE 2.01 0.81 0.61 1.30 1.22 1.50 0.81 2.15 35.00 0.50

C/PRICE 2.21 0.89 0.67 1.41 1.31 1.60 0.86 2.26 36.50 0.52

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS)

CHANGE 0.20 0.08 0.06 0.11 0.09 0.10 0.05 0.11 1.50 0.02

Year Start Offer

Current Before

Current After

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

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

239.4810 212.4997

244.0123 207.9023

245.6422 209.2910

-2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NCR CHAMPION UTC INTENEGINS ROYALEX SKYEBANK CADBURY OKOMUOIL NEM IKEJAHOTEL

O/PRICE 18.70 15.68 0.72 1.35 0.55 4.20 52.90 46.49 0.73 0.81

C/PRICE 16.83 14.12 0.65 1.22 0.52 4.00 51.00 45.00 0.71 0.79

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%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE 1.87 1.56 0.07 0.13 0.03 0.20 1.90 1.49 0.02 0.02

Amount Demanded ($) 150m 138m 113m

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

CUV Start %

LOSERS AS AT 27-08-13

SYMBOL

help in selling our products,” said Muthoka, 70, a former Chairman of Kenya Commercial Bank Limited.

“The growth in the economy coupled with financial awareness is expected to increase uptake of insurance products.”

Total premiums in Kenya’s insurance industry are forecast to grow to 227.5 billion shillings ($2.6 billion) by 2017 from 116.3 billion shillings last year, according to Business Monitor International, or BMI, the Londonbased research group. The economy, East Africa’s largest, is forecast to grow by 5.8 per cent this year from 4.6 percent in 2012, according to the government.

Life premiums per capita are expected to grow 75 per cent to 1,553 shillings in the next five years, BMI said in a report last month. Non-life premiums are forecast to expand 70 per cent to 3,109 shillings, bringing total income for that portion of the industry to 151.7 billion shillings by 2017, it said.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

nel strategy,” said Aida Diarra, Western Union Regional Vice President for North, Central and West Africa.

She said the firm is excited to partner with eTranzact to increase the number of access points for consumers to use our services worldwide, facilitate financial inclusion, and provide convenient mobile solutions for those who want new methods for money transfer transactions. “To date, we have 19 active mobile money transfer deployments in 17 countries, and remain committed to expanding our mobile service offerings in key regions,” she said.

Old Mutual to expand products

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Quotation Price N8250.00 N1000.00

Western Union promotes mobile money

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

HE Western Union Company has reiterated its commitment to mobile money services. The firm also has partnered eTranzact International Plc, a multi-application and multi-channel electronic payment processing company, have announced the launch of a new mobile money transfer service.

The firms said in a statement that consumers in Nigeria who use the eTranzact Mobile Money platform now have the option of receiving a Western Union Money Transfer transaction on their mobile phones.

The facility allows consumers can receive funds from money transfer transactions initiated at Western Union transactional websites in 23 countries, or Western Union Agent locations around the world.

“Western Union continues to introduce new service offerings to complement our multi-product, multi-chan-

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 140.55 140.05 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 156.04 155.62 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. 1,814.25 1,810.95 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 13.97 13.29 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11.053.39 10,725.71 • 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 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28, 2013

56

NEWS Kano spends N1b on bilingual students’ scholarship

A

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

HUNDRED and one students of Kano State origin yesterday departed for Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, for bilingual studies.

The Kano State government will spend N1 billion as scholarship for the students of the newly established Kano/Niger Bilingual College.

Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso spoke on the scholarship when he presented the admission letters to the students in Kano ahead of their flight.

The governor said his administration was collaborating with Niger Republic on the programme to strengthen the bilateral relations between them.

According to him, the state government has earmarked N1 billion for the establishment and construction of the first phase of the college, which has modern facilities for the students.

Kwankwaso explained that the college would also boost the unity between Nigeria and Niger and enable the students to understand French.

The governor said 100 of the students are from Kano and another 100 from Niger Republic.

According to him, in the next six years, over 1,400 students would have been admitted to the college.

He said the first batch of 100 students was departing for Niger Republic yesterday, adding that the state government would pay their full scholarship for the duration of their studies.

Kwankwaso said the state government was sponsoring the programme to improve the standard of education.

The governor expressed joy that the 501 Kano State students studying in various universities overseas were performing above average.

He described the development as encouraging.

The Niger Republic’s Minister of Education, Madame Maryam Iibrahim, noted that the educational tie between Kano and her country would further enhance unity, understanding and cordial relationship.

Police: there’s crisis in Benue communities •Assembly condemns killings

T

HE Benue State Police Command has confirmed an outbreak of hostilities in some villages in Ukum and Katsina Ala local government areas.

Police Commissioner Adams Audu addressed reporters on Monday in Makurdi, the state capital, on the development.

He said the police were still probing the cause of the hostilities, assuring that the investigation would be made public.

The police chief said the chairmen of the two local governments and the police were working together to resolve the recurring crises in both local governments.

Mr Terhemen Chior, a resident of Dyom in Ukum Local Government, said about seven people were killed in Agena and four others at Agbaaye, a village on the Benue/Taraba boundary.

Other unconfirmed accounts claimed that over 18 people had been killed in the crises which they attributed to armed robbery.

The Benue State House of Assembly yesterday condemned the killing of 18 people and the burning of homes by unknown gunmen in Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas.

The lawmakers condemned the killings yesterday in a resolution at plenary following a motion by Majority Leader Paul Biam.

The lawmaker told the Assembly that 18 people in his constituency were killed on Monday by gunmen, who attacked three villages - Agena, Angbaaye and Kusugh - all in Boikyo and Mbazum wards of Ukum Local Government Area.

Ianna Jato, the member representing Katsina-Ala East, confirmed Biam’s claims.

He said the crisis also affected Mbajir Ward in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

Deputy Speaker Stephen Onmeje, who read the resolution, urged the state government to intervene in the matter to restore peace in the affected areas.

He also directed the Police Commissioner to deploy patrol teams in the areas to avert a recurrence.

The lawmaker urged the police to ensure that the perpetrators of the act are brought to book.

Onmeje advised the local government chairmen of the affected areas to support security personnel to quell the crisis and restore peace.

Minority Whip Terkimbi Ikyange urged the government to engage youths in productive ventures that would take their minds off crimes.

He blamed the high rate of crime in the society on unemployment, adding that there is need to prevent more youths from getting involved in crime.

Family of three burnt to death in Benue

T

HREE persons were burnt to death yesterday when an early morning fire razed a home on Katsina Ala Street, High Level in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The victims are a 40-year old member of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Terhemen Makar; his wife and their twoyear-old son.

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

The only survivor of the fire was the seven-year-old son of the deceased, who was rescued by sympathisers who tore open a part of the building.

The boy was injured and rushed to St. Theresa’s Hospital in the area.

An eyewitness, Terna Iorza, told The Nation that the fire

F

huge blaze were too much for anyone to penetrate.

The bodies of the victims were pulled out of the house by fire fighters and policemen from the “B” Division Police Station. They conveyed the bodies to a mortuary.

Police spokesman Daniel Ezeala, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.

•From right: Iyaloja-General of Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo; Olori Ramotu Adedayo Adeyemi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; Olori Abibat Adeyemi and Olori Suliat Adeyemi, during Marketers’ (Aje Oloja) Day at the ongoing World Sango Festival at the Alaafin’s palace in Oyo town, Oyo State... on Monday

T

Nasarawa Assembly bars state media

HE Nasarawa State House of Assembly has banned state-owned media organisations from covering its activities.

The Assembly said it took the decision because the media organisations demanded payment for live coverage of its events.

The Assembly announced the decision after deliberating on a letter from the stateowned Broadcasting Service (NBS), which it said demanded N10 million monthly against N500,000 for the live coverage of its sittings.

Mr Godiya Akwashiki (PDP, Nasarawa Eggon West) raised the matter at a plenary when he was discussing the

letter sent to the Assembly by the NBS management.

Akwashiki, who is also the House Majority Leader, told his colleagues that the General Manager of NBS, Mr Yusuf Musa, said five commissioners and some advisers had directed that the Outside Broadcast Van (OB van) should not be brought to the Assembly for live coverage during proceedings.

He said: “It is uncalled for and unfortunate for the general manager to take that decision to deny the people of the state the live proceedings of the activities of the House.”

Mr Peter Mbucho (PDP, Akwanga North) urged his colleagues to ban the state

‘It is uncalled for and unfortunate for the general manager to take that decision to deny the people of the state the live proceedings of the activities of the House’ media organisations from covering the activities of the Assembly.

Mr Baba Ibaku (PDP, Udege/Loko) seconded the motion.

Ibaku, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Information, urged the legislature to seek alternatives to the state media organisations.

According to him, the Assembly has made arrangements for live coverage with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s (FRCN’s) Precious FM in Lafia, the state capital.

Ruling on the motion, Speaker Ahmed Musa directed workers of the state-owned media organisations to leave the Assembly immediately.

Musa (PDP, Nasarawa Central) also directed the House Committee on Information to investigate the matter and report back to the Assembly.

Man, 25, arrested for defiling three-year old girl

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HE police in Niger State have arrested a 25-year-old bricklayer, Saliu Lawal, for allegedly defiling a three-year-old girl.

The incident occurred at Angwan Daji Quarters in Minna, the state capital.

The police described the suspect as the girl’s neighbour.

Lawal allegedly committed the offence last Friday.

He ws said to have lured the child to a nearby primary school and defiled her.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

The girl’s agonising cry reportedly attracted some passersby to the scene, where Lawal was allegedly caught in the act.

The man attempted to run away but he was apprehended by people.

The suspect was handed over to the police at the Chanchaga Divisional Police Divisional Headquarters.

Lawal admitted commit-

2,200 sacked Kaduna textile workers to get N200m

INETEX Nigeria Limited, a Kaduna textile company, which was shut down in 2003, has begun the payment of over N200 million benefits to its disengaged workers, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The company’s General Manager, Alhaji M. T. Usman, told NAN yesterday in Kaduna that over 2,200 workers would be paid off.

According to him, the money is the final agreed benefit to be paid to the affected workers through their banks.

started when the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) restored electricity in the area after an outage.

It was learnt that there was a spark, which was followed by a fire. Thick smoke engulfed the building, which was heavily fortified with burglary proof.

Makar and his wife were said to have cried for help but the thick smoke and the

He said: “The payment of the benefits is the first step to an eventual return of the company.”

Usman said the company was forced to shut down due to uncontrolled inflow of cheap textile materials from China.

The company chief explained that the situation also affected most textile manufacturers across the country.

He said the management of the textile firm was working hard to resuscitate it to full production.

Usman said: “The Board of Trustees

(BoT), headed by Alhaji Aliyu Dantata, will soon meet to decide on when to reopen the firm.”

He assured that some of the disengaged workers who meet the new criteria for re-engagement would be employed.

One of the disengaged workers, Mr Abel Abraham, said some of his colleagues had started receiving their benefits.

He added that the company had collected the bank account numbers of others to pay the benefits into them.

ting the crime when he was paraded before reporters yesterday at the police command’s headquarters in Minna.

He blamed his action on the devil.

Lawal said: “I know the parents of the girl; they are my next-door neighbours. I lured her into a classroom at Nuru Islam Primary School at Angwan Daji, where I forced myself on her.

“It was her cry that at-

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tracted some passersby, who caught me unawares. I was shocked when I saw the people and I wanted to run away. But I was caught, beaten up mercilessly. They handed me over to the police.”

Police spokesman Richard Oguche, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), described the suspect as a serial rapist.

Oguche told reporters that Lawal would be charged to court.

Police warn vehicle owners

HE Ogun State Police Command has warned owners of accidented and abandoned vehicles parked at Ado-Odo and Agbado Divisions to remove them or lose them to the public through auctions after 14 days of this publication.

They are: Paragon bus, unregistered; Nissan Sunny, marked BE 585 UWN; BMW 318, EV 285 KRD, seven Bajaj motorcycles QN292LND; QY411KRD; QU372EKY; QT666AGL; EKY101QB and three unregistered; four Jincheng motorcycles QU712KTU; QV422MUS and two unregistered.

Also, in Apaja Division in Lagos State, an Accura Legend car, unregistered; Mercedez Benz car, EJ864KRD; Sery Toyota Corolla car, BD653GGE and Toyota Starlet car, EC468KJA. Others at the ‘X’ Squad of the Police Headquarters, Ikeja are: scrap Volvo STA car, unregistered; scrap Volvo car, LY399AAA; scrap Honda Civic Wagon (Earo Dick), unregistered; scrap Toyota Privia bus, KM09LSD and scrap Peugeot 607, CL921RBC.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

57

NEWS

Why our expulsion cannot stand, by Amaechi’s loyalists

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OYALISTS of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and functionaries of the state government have dismissed their expulsion from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Rivers PDP chairman Felix Obuah on Monday announced the expulsion of 18 members, most of them officials of the state government and a former Deputy national chairman of the party for failing to appear before a performance-assessment panel to defend their stewardship. Amaechi himself is currently on suspension by the party.

Those expelled include: Secretary to the State Government (SSG), George Feyii; the Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha; a former Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam-Jaja; and the Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), Mrs. Aleruchi Cookey-Gam. The expelled commissioners are Victor Giadom (Works), Augustine Wokocha (Power), Worgu Boms (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice), Joe Poroma (Social Welfare and Rehabilitation), Ezemonye Ezekiel Amadi (Lands and Survey), Fred Igwe (Sports), Emmanuel Chinda (Agriculture), Joeba West (Women Affairs), Patricia Simon Hart (Water Resources and Rural Development), Okey Amadi (Energy), Charles Okaye (Chieftaincy Affairs), Dr. Nnabuihe Imegwu (Culture and Tourism), Ibim Semenitari (Information and Communications) and Samuel Eyiba (Local Government).

Giadom, said only the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP could expel public officers.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Clarice Azuatalam and Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

He said Obuah and his associates did not understand the importance of party politics.

“They need to go back and understand that the calibre of people they claimed to have expelled from the PDP will enable PDP succeed in this state.

“The constitution is clear on public officers. It is only the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party that can decide my fate.

“I will not even believe what they have done. I will sleep well.

I will not even remember that they have done anything, because I know it will not see the light of the day.

“You do not expect something that is opposite the law to survive. Our expulsion will start and end at Aba Road (Rivers PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt).

A PDP chieftain, Adokiye Oruwari, who is a lawyer said the leadership of the ruling party had not been communicating with its members.

Oruwari noted that the expelled eminent persons could have either been reached by phone or in writing.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Lasbry Amadi, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to quickly intervene in the deepening crisis.

Amadi said: “I look at a lot of things happening in this party (PDP) as arrant nonsense. One can always say that this is an acculturation. Something that you borrow and begin to learn. A culture where things are said, actions are taken, without people thinking about the imminent result.

“It is a very big surprise. It is

something that is completely condemnable. The PDP had a serious issue bigger than this, especially when I was in the National Assembly. What I am seeing today is completely different.

“A situation where this Rivers state continues to give the highest vote to the PDP and today, the party is treating the state in this manner. I do not really know whose interest anybody is serving.

Counsel to Amaechi and the 27 members of the House of Assembly loyal to him (Amaechi) in the on-going political legal battles, Emenike Ebete, dismissed the expulsion as unconstitutional, null and void.

Ebete told our reporter in an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt that the case between Amaechi and the Evaluation and Performance committee is before a state High court in Port Harcourt presided over by Justice Silverlyn Iragunuma , prior to the announcement of the purported expulsion and suspension of the members.

He said the court had already granted Amaechi the leave sought to serve all processes of his ex parte application on the PDP national secretariat by registered post while that of the state PDP should be served by pasting.

Ebete explained that the suit before Justice Iragunuma, (a vacation court), was the same suit in which the governor, members of the National Assembly from the state, 27 members of the state Assembly, and Council chairmen are seeking an injunction to stop the Evaluation committee from assessing them.

Justice Godspower Aguma on August 21, dismissed the application based on the preliminary objection by the defendants that

the court lacks jurisdiction to interfere in the internal affairs of the party.

Aguma held that “once a public officer is elected and sworn the oath of office, he/she no longer represents the interests of the party or any platform in which he was elected but the people, and as a result it becomes the responsibility of the people to evaluate his/her performances and not the party.”

The PDP, the nation learnt, has appealed the decision of the court, while Amaechi refilled the suit before the vacation court.

He expressed the hope that when the suit is heard, the errors would be corrected and the expulsion and suspension would be set aside, and those affected reintegrated.

“Assuming that they people they purported to have expelled and suspended actually did contravene the party constitution, does the evaluation committee have the right to carry out any actions against these persons?

Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Leyii Kwanee called for the intervention of the party’s national secretariat in the expulsion of the 18 members. Kwanee said this became imperative owing to the manner the party is being destroyed in the state.

The deputy speaker said “what is happening in the state is a grand design by the opposition party, which has used its top notchers to infiltrate the PDP and incapacitate it.”

To buttress his point, he cited instances of Dr.Abiye Sekibo and Jerry Needam who hitherto were in Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and were strong critics of PDP but now deciding and speaking for the PDP.

EU: end corruption, impunity in Nigeria Continued from page 4

Nigeria and it is tremendous in rich culture and it is such dynamism in the business community and these are things that I treasure and will take away with me from Nigeria. I think it is a tremendous country and I know what it takes to be a Nigerian and I can understand why Nigerians are proud to be Nigerians because of all these things.

“The good thing about Nigeria is that despite all these things I have talked about earlier about how people can be very meanminded, there is also pride in being a Nigerian and that is a good thing and that is what we should build on.

“When I go round the country, some of the states are progressing very well and are very mindful of their responsibility for safe delivery at state level.”

MacRae criticised the early kick off of the 2015 campaign which he decribed as “regretta-

ble.”

“I think it is regrettable that already in 2012, we are talking about the next election which is to be done in 2015. I think may be in the last six or eight months we can start talking about who we want to run but to do it at this time is a little bit of distraction because now is the time when the effort should go into making things happen like delivery services, putting in place infrastructure. We are good people and are making good efforts.

He also decried the lack of internal democracy in the political parties in the country.

MacRae also expressed concern over delay in the execution of EU projects in the country. He said “many projects take too long to execute, because this does not go down well with some of these villagers whom these projects are being targeted for end up waiting for too long.

He described Nigeria’s population as a selling point.

Suntai’s ‘return to work’ sparks crisis Continued from page 4

addressed to the Taraba State House of Assembly, and I, as the Majority Leader, being the Chairman of the business of this Assembly, received the letter.

“The Clerk of the House acknowledged the letter and handed over to the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Haruna Tsokwa.

“Governor Suntai has complied with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Section 190(2).”

The other group wants Suntai to appear before the House.

But the House majority lead-

er yesterday maintained that the Constitution does not compel a governor to appear before the House on the matter in contention.

“The governor can even transmit a letter in soft copy via e-mail to the House. But Suntai went a step further to transmit a letter to us in hard copy; so, what are those mischief makers talking about?

He said it was even against the Constitution for the House to hold plenary on the matter.

“This issue is not a debative matter anywhere in the worid. Governor Suntai has done exactly what the Constitution requires him to do,” Albasu said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

58

FOREIGN NEWS

U.S. ready to launch strike, says Hagel

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MERICAN forces are “ready” to launch strikes on Syria if President Barack Obama chooses to order an attack, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel says.

“We have moved assets in place to be able to fulfil and comply with whatever option the president wishes to take,” Mr Hagel told the BBC. US Secretary of State John Kerry has said there is “undeniable” proof that Syria used chemical weapons.

The UK Parliament is to be recalled tomorrow to discuss possible responses.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the world could not stand idly by after seeing appalling scenes of death and suffering caused by suspected chemical weapons attacks.

A good number of Syrians, in particular those supporting the regime, believe the visit of the UN chemical weapons investigation team is nothing but a move to justify a military attack on Syria. The opposition, however, thinks that these visits will lead to some evidence being unearthed, proving that chemical weapons have been used against civilians by the Syrian regime.

Above all, fear and discomfort are palpable among those living in the capital.

People are haunted by the possibility of a Western military strike on Syria, discussion of which is dominating the headlines of satellite channels.

“I don’t want Syria to become another Iraq... Enough bloodshed,” cried one Syrian woman.

“We, and thousands like us across Syria, will face any country that tries to attack

us,” threatened a young man, pointing at his weapon, which he uses to protect his neighbourhood.

“These are Syria’s problems and it is up to us, Syrians, to solve them.”

The crisis follows last Wednesday’s suspected chemical attack near the Syrian capital, Damascus, which reportedly killed more than 300 people.

French President Francois Hollande said France was “ready to punish” whoever was behind the attack, and had decided to increase military support for Syria’s main opposition.

BBC diplomatic correspondent James Robbins says the US, UK and France will now have the larger task of building as wide a coalition as possible to support limited military action.

Meanwhile the Arab League said it held Syrian President Bashar al-Assad responsible for the attacks and called for UN action.

Syrian opposition sources have said they have been told to expect a Western intervention in the conflict imminently.

“There is no precise timing... but one can speak of an imminent international intervention against the regime. It’s a question of days and not weeks,” AFP news agency quoted Syrian National Coalition official Ahmad Ramadan as saying.

“There have been meetings between the Coalition, the [rebel] Free Syrian Army and allied countries during which possible targets have been discussed.”

Russia and China, allies of the Syrian government, have stepped up their warnings against military intervention, with Moscow saying any such action would

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•Hagel

have “catastrophic consequences” for the region.

On Monday, United Nations weapons inspectors were fired on while investigating one of the five alleged chemical weapons attack sites around Damascus.

Mr Hagel said the US Department of Defence had provided President Obama with “all options for all contingencies”.

“He has seen them, we are prepared,” he told the BBC’s Jon Sopel, adding: “We are ready to go.”

Darfur: Four peacekeepers missing

OUR peacekeepers are missing in Sudan’s Darfur region after being swept away by floods, a UN official has said.

The peacekeepers were escorting an aid convoy when a “powerful current” swept them away, Rania Abdulrahman told the BBC. Another two peacekeepers were found alive by a rescue team, she said.

More than 300,000 people across Sudan have been affected by floods that have killed nearly 50 people in August, the World Health Organization has said.

The region around the capital Khartoum had been particularly badly hit and was experiencing the worst floods in 25 years, it said.

A Sudanese man wades through floodwaters in Khartoum. Photo: 3 August 2013 Floods have killed nearly 50 people in Sudan this month The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Unamid, is one of the largest in the world, with about 20,000 soldiers and police.

The peacekeepers were en route to Misterei, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south-west of the regional capital Geneina, with a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy when a flash flood hit, Ms Abdulrahman said.

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“The incident occurred while the peacekeepers attempted to pull out their truck which was stuck in the mud of a river valley,” she said.

The seven WFP staff members who were in the convoy - five Sudanese and two foreigners - are all safe, WFP spokeswoman Amor Almagro told AFP news agency.

The UN has not released the nationality of the missing peacekeepers.

In August last year three peacekeepers from Tanzania drowned after their armoured vehicle became stranded while crossing a swollen river in Sudan, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reported to the Security Council last year.

He has also raised concerns about equipment shortfalls “which mainly pertain to the serviceability of armoured personnel carriers,” and adversely affect the mission’s operations, AFP reports.

The peacekeepers are deployed in Darfur to end a decade-long conflict between government and rebel forces.

The UN estimates that more than 300,000 people have died in Darfur, mostly from disease, since rebels took up arms in 2003.

India guru faces ‘sex assault’ charge

OLICE in India have summoned controversial spiritual guru Asaram Bapu after a 16-yearold girl accused him of sexual assault.

He has been given four days to appear for questioning, police said.

Asaram Bapu has denied

the charge and says he is innocent.

Earlier this year, he was criticised for saying that the victim of the Delhi gang rape would have been let off had she called her attackers brothers and pleaded for mercy.

His views had caused out-

rage among many Indians.

The 72-year-old guru whose main ashram (religious centre) is in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state - has millions of followers in India and he is hugely popular for his discourses on Hindu religion and religious practices.

ate, recently acknowledged that the education system was still “in a mess”, and much needed to be done to improve it.

Many schools lack basic education material and teachers are poorly qualified, reports the BBC’s Jonathan Paye-Layleh from the capital, Monrovia.

However, this is the first time that every single student who wrote the exam for a fee of $25 (£16) has failed, our reporter says.

It means that the overcrowded university will not have any new first-year students when it reopens next month for the academic year.

Students told him the result was unbelievable and their dreams had been shattered, our reporter adds.

Education Minister Etmonia David-Tarpeh told the BBC Focus on Africa programme that she intended to meet university officials to discuss the failure rate.

“I know there are a lot of weaknesses in the schools but for a whole group of people to take exams and every single one of them to fail, I have my doubts about that,” Ms David-Tarpeh said. “It’s like mass murder.”

Ms David-Tarpeh said she knew some of the students and the schools they at-

tended.

“These are not just schools that will give people grades.

I’d really like to see the results of the students,” she added.

University spokesman Momodu Getaweh told Focus on Africa that the university stood by its decision, and it would not be swayed by “emotion”.

“In English, the mechanics of the language, they didn’t know anything about it. So the government has to do something,” he said.

“The war has ended 10 years ago now. We have to put that behind us and become realistic.”

Liberia students all fail university admission exam

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IBERIA’s education minister says she finds it hard to believe that not a single candidate passed this year’s university admission exam.

Nearly 25,000 schoolleavers failed the test for admission to the University of Liberia, one of two state-run universities.

The students lacked enthusiasm and did not have a basic grasp of English, a university official told the BBC. Liberia is recovering from a brutal civil war that ended a decade ago.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel peace laure-

ANALYSIS

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Syria crisis: Where key countries stand

HE United States and its allies are said to be considering military action against sites in Syria. But what do countries in the region and beyond think about any possible action?

Syria’s neighbours Turkey The Turkish government has been one of the most strident critics of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since early on in the uprising. On Monday Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told Turkey’s Milliyet newspaper that the country was ready to join an international coalition for action against Syria even in the absence of agreement at the UN Security Council.

Saudi Arabia and the Gulf The monarchies of the Gulf are said to have been key in funding and supplying the rebel forces fighting against forces loyal to President Assad. Saudi Arabia has been a rival of the Syrian government for years and has been particularly active in pushing for action against Mr Assad, with former Saudi ambassador to Washington Prince Bandar bin Sultan reportedly trying in recent weeks to garner international support for further support for the rebels.

Israel Despite initially avoiding becoming involved in the conflict, Israel has carried out three strikes on targets in

Syria this year, reportedly to prevent weapons shipments reaching the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. Shelling and gunfire from Syria has also hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, drawing return Israeli fire.

In recent days, Israeli officials have condemned the alleged use of chemical weapons by Syrian forces and hinted at support for military action.

“Our finger must always be on the pulse. Ours is a responsible finger and if necessary, it will also be on the trigger,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.

However, Israeli officials will be aware that any Western action against Syria risks a repeat of events in the first Gulf War in 1991, when Iraq attacked Tel Aviv with Scud missiles in attempt to draw Israel into the conflict and prompt the withdrawal of Arab countries from the war. Reports say sales of gas masks in Israel have gone up in response to speculation over military action.

A burning car is seen at the entrance of a mosque which was attacked by a car bomb, in the northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon Lebanon is seeing increasing violence linked to the conflict in Syria Lebanon The Lebanese Foreign Minister Adana Mansour told Lebanese radio on Monday that he did not support the idea of strikes on Syria,

saying: “I don’t think this action would serve peace, stability and security in the region.”

Two bomb attacks which killed almost 60 people in Lebanon this month were linked to tensions over the Syrian conflict. The Lebanese Shia militant movement Hezbollah has openly taken part in combat in Syria on the side of the government, and there have been reports of some in the Sunni community fighting on the side of the rebels.

In addition, the country is already playing host to the largest number of Syrian refugees of any country.

Iran Iran has been Syria’s main backer in the region since well before the current conflict and has been highly critical of any prospect of intervention.

On Tuesday, Iran warned a top UN official visiting Tehran of “serious consequences” of any military action.

Foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi also repeated claims that it was in fact rebels who used chemical weapons, AFP reports.

Outside the region US Following a cautious reaction to the initial reports of a chemical weapons attack, American rhetoric has hardened in recent days. Secretary of State John Kerry said the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian gov-

ernment was “undeniable” and a “moral obscenity”.

Washington has recently bolstered its naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean, prompting speculation that preparation for an attack is underway.

Analysts believe the most likely US action would be sea-launched cruise missiles targeting Syrian military installations. boy, affected by what activists say is nerve gas, is treated at a hospital in the Duma US President Barack Obama had previously said the use of chemical weapons would be a “red line” UK The UK is drawing up contingency plans for military action, Prime Minster David Cameron’s office has said. Any action would be “proportionate”, lawful and follow agreement with international allies, a spokesman for Mr Cameron said.

On Monday Foreign Secretary William Hague told the BBC that diplomatic pressure on Syria had failed and that the UK, “the United States, [and] many other countries including France, are clear that we can’t allow the idea in the 21st Century that chemical weapons can be used with impunity”.

France The day after the reports of the attack near Damascus, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called for “a reaction of force” if the use of

chemical weapons was proven. He has also suggested that the UN Security Council could be bypassed “in certain circumstances”.

France has been amongst the most hawkish Western countries with regard to Syria, being the first Western power to recognise the main opposition coalition as the Syrian people’s legitimate representative.

In May France, along with the UK, successfully lobbied for the EU’s arms embargo to be lifted so as to allow further supplies to the rebels.

Russia Russia is one of Mr Assad’s most important international backers and has stressed the need for a political solution to be found to the crisis.

It has sharply criticised any possibility of Western strikes on Syria, saying action taken outside the security council threatened “catastrophic consequences for other countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa”.

China China has joined Russia in blocking resolutions critical of Syria at the UN Security Council. It has also criticised the prospect of strikes against Syria.

The official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, said Western powers were rushing to conclusions about who might have used chemical weapons in Syria before UN inspectors had completed their investigation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

59

FOREIGN DISCOURSE

House to vet all agreements with China Nnenna Ukeje is the chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.

In this interview with DELE ANOFI, of our Abuja Bureau, the lawmaker spoke on how the House intends to fully utilise, with legislation, the principle of reciprocity in international diplomacy to the advantage of Nigeria among other issues.

I

T seems Nigerians have been left to fend for themselves with the •3,000 United Kingdom visa bond As a Committee, our position at the time was that it was discriminatory, because it was targeted at non-white Commonwealth Staes. We also felt that with our long term relationships with Britain, we should not have been singled out for such treatment. Now the UK has decided to go on with the policy but the Ministry has not been officially Informed yet.

Our last discussion with the Ministry on this matter was to ask the Ministry to come up with a proactive measures in the event that it was actually activated, realizing that with a lot of things that have happened as discovered during our oversight, there is a need to inject new reactions, we should be ready.

Now that the British have decided to go ahead with the policy, but for me personally, I think the pertinent question to ask is, what lessons have we learnt from the British issue. In fairness, it was touted to be political and intended to strengthen their immigration law primarily because the last 10 years, as in Europe with the economic downturn, a lot of elections were immigration issue based.

The French, German, even the US elections were based on immigration issue and of course next elections, the Conservative Party is starting to see that it must take a tough stance on immigration issue in the hope that they preserve British jobs for British.

Of course we must realisethat the Eastern European countries are also part of the European Union (EU) and the British can not necessarily keep them out of Britain but there are certain counties that they can and these are the visa applying countries. Meanwhile they have said that by 2015, they want only a hundred thousand immigrants in their country and by last year, the British had 160,000 visa applications from Nigeria alone. For them Its way to protect British jobs.

So, it is time for us to take a critical look at our immigration laws as well as some bilateral agreements signed with these countries to ensure that. In doing that, that we are creating and protecting Nigerian jobs. Case in point is the Brazilian economy where they insisted that everybody on the oil rig must be Brazilian, that created 80,000 jobs It created and pro-

tect Brazilian jobs and Brazil now has a 5.6 percent unemployment rate as compared to Nigeria’s 23 percent. Lesson is that, aside the issue of reciprocity which is a part of international diplomacy, we must start to take a critical look at the agreements and the facts that Nigerian jobs are protected as well as tighten our immigration laws, so that we can protect Nigerian jobs for Nigerians.

Fraud in our embassies and the maltreatment of our nationals have been been of concern and it was learnt your Committee was making some interventions, has there been any discoveries so far?

With regards to the sale of our property in Washington, investigation is still ongoing. However, in New York, the Nigerian House and Tarrytown were of grave concern. Tarrytown, a great piece property, 42 acres of land, owned by the Rockefeller, a price of American history but it was ran down, and for us we felt it was a waste in every shape and form. It shocked us that a beautiful piece, which, If we try to acquire it now, we know what we will be looking at. So it is something we couldn’t understand why such a property is left to waste.

As for the Nigerian House, we were just wondering why it was left to waste too because the imposing building in the middle of Manhattan was used for commercial purposes before to generate revenue but in the last couple of years, the building was empty. So, the issue is to look at the tax regime of the US and whether it makes sense to use the building for commercial purposes. Our Committee has done a cost benefit analysis on the building to see how advantageous it to continue using it for commercial purposes and if the gains are commensurate with what our Government would be paying as tax on the building. We have to work on the cost benefit analysis because it is important for our next step on the building. We asked the Nigerian embassy to avail us with the tax returns for last couple of years, so that we could find out how much we were saving or otherwise by turning the Nigerian House into a commercial venture.

This is what brought the Committee into taking another look into the Sovereign Immunity clause that protects embassies from paying taxes on certain property in Nigeria if its a commercial venture. We don’t

•Ukeje, Chairperson House of Representative Committee on Foreign Affairs

have such clause in our laws.

Of course there was a judgement in Britain that once a sovereign State becomes a commercial venture, it must be treated as such and no more exempted from paying taxes, no more immunity.

So, we are trying to look at reciprocity, as regards other countries’ ventures and their property in the country. We don’t have the Sovereign Immunity Act as a law in Nigeria for now, so we are looking at bringing it on. The bill is about to be gazetted, once that is done, we go from there at full blast. We should have it.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to China has been widely acclaimed to be a success going by the number of agreements signed, don’t you think it is business as usual?

As it is now. China can not be ignored in the world economic stage. Yes, we went there and signed a number of agreements, if properly shepherded, will have enormous benefits for Nigeria.

Personally speaking, it is my hope that we have read all fine lines, my hope is that the local content component of the oil industry is protected in all these agreements, in addition to, the clauses that ensure that Nigerians are employed at all levels. My hope is that the agreements would create jobs given the Brazilian experience, and unlike the Angolan experience that Nigerians are left out. With all the agreements, it is hoped that unemployment would reduce significantly. Meanwhile, we have to be concerned that exit clauses were well defined in the agreements in the event that it doesn’t work for us in the long term. My hope is that having done this, our immigration authorities are charged with the responsibilities of protecting Nigerian jobs.

My hope is that capital flight for this country would not be in ascendancy. My hope is that it is a balanced set of agreements.

Though our job is to oversight and we are definitely going to do that on these set of agreements once we are back from the recess because this agreements appeared to be very fundamental to our

economy.

What has the Committee been up to since its inauguration two years ago In the last two years, the Committee has been very busy and active goung by our interventions in Libyan crisis that cams as early as we were inaugurated. Working win the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we worked hard to bring back Nigerians that were stranded and in harms way in Libya. After that, we had the deportation debacle with South Africa. We also intervened and have been able to open up a new vista of relationships between the two countries, so much so that we have signed a couple of agreements. There was one on those that carries diplomatic visas that would no longer require traveling documents but on-the-spot document.

Nigeria has expanded its bilateral and multilateral agreements with South Africa owing from a bad relationship that turned to a good relationship with everybody trying to work together.

We also intervened in the Muharam issue with the Saudi Arabian authorities and we were instrumental, without sounding self-appraising to sorting out that knotty issue. We were also involved with the invasion of our embassy in Senegal and we were able to arrive at a settlement with the assistance of the Committee and the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Deployment of our troops to Mali and what it portends for our country was another area of intervention where we worked closely with the Committee on Defence. Lastly, we were not sleeping over the •300 0visa bond for our travelers to the UK, On our legislative duties.

I presented a bill on the Proliferation of small arms and light weapon Commission which the Committee adopted, as well as the Committees’ work on the amendment of the Technical Aids Corp law for effective running of the agency. We have passed two appropriations for the Ministry and have also embarked on a number of oversight visits to several of our stations around the world.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

SPORT EXTRA

•Chelsea's Victor Moses celebrates scoring the winning goal with his team-mates

W

HEN Victor Moses first put pen to paper at Chelsea, it was largely understood that the Nigerian would play a bit-part role for the West London outfit.

However, Moses enjoyed a strong 2012/13 season with the Blues, appearing in 49 games and scoring an impressive 12 goals in a marathon debut season for the new-look Chelsea squad.

Some spectators may have assumed that the no.13 had made this many appearances in order to cope with the demands of playing a more than 60

Moses is Chelsea's secret weapon games in one season.

However, this does not seem to be the case. Rafael Benitez, rather controversially, opted to field Moses with Juan Mata and Eden Hazard, rather than Oscar - a decision that

did not go down well with fans of the trio.

Benitez felt that Moses gave the side more defensive assurance in a system made for soaking up pressure and counter-attacking with pace.

Moses has developed, matured and, most importantly, produced a better work-rate in regards to his defending when the team is on the back foot. The 22-year-old seems tailor maid for life under

•Victor Moses •Chelsea's Victor Moses celebrates scoring the winning goal with his team-mates

Mourinho, with the Portuguese favouring defensive solidarity rather than overall flair and ability, which may put the 2013 AFCON winner ahead of some of his teammates in the pecking order of one of those

3 coveted positions behind the striker in the Blues’ 4-2-31 formation.

In addition to the ex-Wigan man's work-rate, he also possesses an ability to hold the width in open play, preventing the Stamford Bridge outfit from playing too narrowly in games where the opposition are dropping deep. This is something which Chelsea lacked during last season, with Oscar usually deployed on the right and often drifting inside; and leaving his defender exposed and attacking space empty. If Moses stays fit, expect him to be one of Mourinho’s prized assets and key men for the big occasions.

•Victor Moses

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

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Ideye: I’ll shame my critics

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ROWN Ideye has told MTNFootball.com he will shame his critics who have vilified him for some below-par showings for Nigeria.

The Dynamo Kiev striker came under the hammer after he struggled in front of goal at the recent FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

"My passion to play and do well for my country is as strong as ever before, I don't

want to be bothered about the critics. I am a professional and I know the best way to answer the critics is to concentrate and do well.

I will definitely do that at the best time," Ideye told MTNFootball.com Ideye has been invited for a crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier against Malawi on September 7 in Calabar and he is confident of a good outing.

"I am ready as ever to

contribute my quota to see that we win the match. I am a team player, the success of the team comes first, but at times I get blamed for missing chances but I will get better," Ideye promised.

"I am not ready to defend myself on the pages of newspaper, but the coaches know my contribution to the team and I will keep giving my best till things get better.

I am always there to make Nigeria proud."

LAGOS INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS CLASSICS:

Knockout stage of junior events serves off

A

FTER the conclusion of the group matches in the junior events in the ongoing First Lagos International Table Tennis Classics, the knockout stage of the categories serves off today at Molade OkoyaThomas of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The Nigeria-dominated junior events have 16 boys competing in the knockout stage, while eight girls will compete for places in the semifinal stage of the tournament.

Also, the doubles events are expected to commence as well with players competing

in doubles and mixed doubles events.

The large turnout of fans at the venue has indeed added glamour to the competition and the Tournament Director, Ranti Olajide believes this would help to revive the fortune of the sport.

“We are indeed overwhelmed with the large turnout of fans and it has been a long time that we had something like this and we hope to sustain the tempo with more national competitions. We look forward to an exciting competition and we hope to

use this to get the attention of ITTF to consider Nigeria for major international tournaments.

Meanwhile, major upsets were recorded in the men and women singles, as Bose Odusanya defeated seeded, Rashidat Ogundele, while Sola Oyetayo also beat competition’s number two seed, Italy’s Mihai Bobocica in the group matches.

The group matches in the senior events were concluded yesterday (Tuesday) while players will begin hostilities in the knockout stage tomorrow (Thursday).

aggregate triumph.

Arsenal dominated possession in the first half and Ramsey was on hand to tap home from six yards in the 25th minute. Theo Walcott then hit the crossbar from a free kick before the Welshman's volley made it 2-0.

Boss Arsene Wenger made two changes to the side who beat Fulham 3-1 on Saturday, with Jack Wilshere and Nacho Monreal replacing Tomas Rosicky and Kieran Gibbs.

Fenerbahce, meanwhile, included former Liverpool players Raul Meireles and Dirk Kuyt.

Arsenal dominated the early possession but they almost conceded a goal in unusual circumstances. A scramble in the box led to Bacary Sagna clearing his effort straight against Meireles, with the ricochet drawing a smart save from Wojciech Szczesny.

The home side then fashioned their first chance with a swift counterattack. Santi Cazorla burst through two challenges and laid the ball to Wilshere, whose pass found Olivier Giroud, but the Frenchman curled his effort wide from 20 yards.

The Gunners continued to probe and their pressure finally yielded a breakthrough in the 25th minute. Gokhan Gonul tried to prevent Lukas Podolski's through-ball from finding Walcott but his sliding challenge went straight to Ramsey, who swept the ball home.

Giroud then came close to doubling the advantage seven minutes later when his shot from a narrow angle forced Volkan Demirel into a smart save with his legs.

Arsenal in CL for 16th year

A

RSENAL qualified for the Champions League group stages for the 16th straight year with a 2-0 win over Fenerbahce on Tuesday.

Aaron Ramsey stole the show at the Emirates Stadium by grabbing both goals, wrapping up a comfortable 5-0

•Arsenal's Bacary Sagna, left, competes with Fenerbahce's Emmanuel Emenike during their Champions League qualifying play-off sec

Be confident, Glo tells Eaglets

M

AJOR sponsor of Nigerian National teams, Globacom has charged the national U17 team, Golden Eaglets to be courageous and entertain no fear in their group at the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup holding in the United Arab Emirates. The team is grouped alongside

current champion Mexico, Iraq and Sweden in Group F in the championship.

“Be brave! Go there and fight gallantly. We believe that none of the countries in the championship can beat you; so be courageous as you file into the field in October to play for your fatherland,” Globacom encouraged the

boys in a statement released in Lagos on Tuesday.

The statement noted that Golden Eaglets can win the cup if the Manu Garba-led coaching crew can put out the right strategy for the games. “We have done it before and Globacom believe Nigeria can do it again,” the statement said.

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OTHER SPORTS

SPORT EXTRA

PROFILE Position: Center Born: 11 May 1981 (age 32) Ibadan, Nigeria Nationality Nigerian / British Listed height 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) Listed weight 255 lb (116 kg) NBA draft 2000 / Round: 2 / Pick: 13th overall Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics Pro playing career 1996–present Career history 1996–1997 Ebun Comets (Nigeria) 1997–1998 Dynamo Moscow (Russia) 1998–2000 DJK Würzburg (Germany) 2000–2002 Seattle SuperSonics 2002–2003 Orlando Magic 2003 Ilissiakos (Greece) 2003–2004 Union Olimpija (Slovenia) 2004–2005, 2007–2008 Beijing Ducks (China) 2004, 2007 Al-Kuwait SC (Kuwait) 2005, 2006 Cangrejeros (Puerto Rico) 2005–2006, 2006–2007 Seoul Thunders (Korea) 2008 Liaoning Hunters (China) 2008 Granada (Spain) 2008–2009 Shanxi Zhongyu (China) 2009 Vaqueros (Puerto Rico) 2009-2010 Liaoning Hunters (China) 2010 ASU Sports Club (Jordan) 2010 Juvecaserta Basket (Italy) 2011 Changwon LG Sakers (Korea) 2011-2012 Qingdao (China) 2013-present Link Tochigi Brex (Japan) Career highlights and awards Nigerian League MVP (1997) 2x German League Slam Dunk Contest Champion (1998, 1999) German League All-Star Game MVP (2000) Korean League All-Star Game MVP (2007) Competitor for Nigeria FIBA Africa Championship Bronze 2005 Algeria National Team Bronze 2011 Madagascar National Team NKNOWN to so many Nigerians, the current captain of the Nigeria’s men Basketball national team, Olumide Oyedeji started his sporting career with participation in football. As a growing kid in the City of Ibadan, in Oyo State, Southwest of Nigeria, he started off on the streets before graduating to play in different grassroot competitions, amongst which are the U-14 Murtala Cup, the Oba of Benin Cup, Husmong Cup, Under Thirteen Olanihun Football Tournament Ibadan. That was not all for the Link Tochigi Brex of Japan lanky player, as he also participated in handball, volleyball, Badminton, the 100 meters sprint for his college.

“I started in my school, Loyola College Ibadan. I actually was a soccer player. I played soccer when I was growing up, I played Robert Cup, Oba of Bennin Cup, Husmong Cup, Under Thirteen Olanihun Football Tournament Ibadan. While I was watching baskeball in the school, I just said to myself let me try this game for the fun of it because I do a every single sport. I played Vol-

U

•Nigerian players celebrate after defeating Dominican Republic during their 2012 FIBA Olympic qualifying basketball tournament in Caracas

OLUMIDE OYEDEJI DECLARES

I want to make history with D’ Tigers

By Innocent Amomoh leyball, Handball, Tennis, Badminton, I ran track and field, I do Short put and Discuss but I just had a flair for basketball because when I started seen myself getting taller than every other person in my age group I just said to myself let me give basketball a try”.

But his love basketball grew in no time causing him to explore all avenues to becoming a start:”I just loved the game with time so when I got to Ife, I saw a lot of national team players, I told them I want to play the game and they were like you are not good enough. Because they do not believe in me I cried and moved away from the court, telling everyone of them that “you know what, am going to make it” and I kept trying. Soon things worked out and I prayed to God to help me and everything started falling into place. I had a very great opportunity to play for the best team in Nigeria then.I was also lucky to have been coached by best hands available”.

Born 11 May 1981 in Ibadan, Nigeria, Oyedeji is professional basketball player, who became popular playing in the American National Basketball Association. Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics, in the 2nd round (42nd overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft, he played a total of 93 games during 3 seasons in the NBA, and had career averages of 1.4 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, 0.1 assists per game, and 0.2 steals per game.

He took his skill to the Spanish League with Granada, before moving to China where he featured for Shanxi Zhongyu in the Chinese Basketball Association and so many other leagues in the world.

For the 6 ft 10 graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, adding the Africa Nations Cup to his collection of laurels will be an honour for him and his enduring career. He feels the D’ Tigers has what it takes to win the coveted trophy, as the players are getting better on daily basis and expresses confidence that no country can stop Nigeria.

As much as he respects the other teams in the competition, Oyedeji is optimistic the Nigerian side has the pedigree and antecedents, coupled with cur-

rent form that will fetch the trophy that has been elusive in the past years. Campaigning in what he described as one of the toughest groups which has Mali, Cameroon and Congo in attendance, with the determination displayed by the players, the team will play its best basketball ever.

“We respect every team and will take them seriously. For them to be in the Afrobasket shows that they are all serious teams and we respect them all.

This is the most talented team Nigeria has ever produced. We are in good spirit, we want to win. I think we have started better from 2011, so far right now we took a long leap from being number 22 in the world to becoming number 17. How many African teams have upset teams that are rated number and number five in the world in recent times? As time goes on we will need more committed players and the future of our basket-

•Nigerian centre Olumide Oyedeji hangs from the hoop after dunking the ball during the Men's Preliminary Round Group A basketball match Nigeria vs Tunisia

ball is really bright. We just have to keep building and we keep getting better every year.

Cameroon will be very tough and will pose a threat in the group. They have good players.

Asked when he intends to call it quits with the game, Oyedeji said: “I can’t specifically when I will stop playing basketball. My inclusion in the national team has been greeted no doubt with lots of criticisms but I believe the coaches still find me useful to the team hence my continued invitation. I can’t place my finger on when I intend to retire but I will definitely not be playing till 2018.

Personally I am somebody that likes making history, probably so far the only African player that ever played in the world championship, the NBA, the Olympics, the Europe league, the all African games and so on. I will like to add this trophy to my collection it will be a great honour, most especially as the captain.

Now it is not about attending the world championship, but winning this tournament. I have been playing for this country for the past 17 years, for 16 years right now since I was young since 1997 so it is probably a great honour not just to go to world championship to win the tournament".

On Nigeria’s performance at the last Olympics in London Oyedeji said: “We lost, we won.

We won a game, we lost four and we were the first African country to win in any Olympic, we beat Tunisia probably it might sound funny but think about it we are the best twelve teams in the world and at the same time we qualified for the tournament called Olympic Empire which no African team has ever qualified for. In this history of this tournament no African team ever made it to a semi-final, no African team ever knocked down number 17 in the world. We've been in number 13 in the world. Playing at the Olympics was the height. Every athlete wants to be an Olympian.

Personally, I have done it all. I played in NBA, played in Euro best league, Asia best league, won many championships, played in the world championship in 1998 but I was not an Olympian. It’s a great feeling to be the first man to lead the national team to the Olympics. I am the only African player to play in the Olympics, world championships and NBA right now. So it’s a great achievement”.

Unlike other sports people, Oyedeji does not see his challenges in his long career as worst moments: “ I don’t think I have worst moments because God said in his holy book that we should learn to give thanks in all things. I thank God for my life, good health and injury-free career. Though I had knee surgeries, I thank God. I have a lot of happy moments, when I won the championship, my first game in the NBA, when we qualified for the Olympics etc. When I said I my dream was to play in the NBA, some of my friends in school at Ife laughed at me. In fact, one of my friends hated me so much for that. He said, “Who are you? Peter Aloma and Tunji Awojobi haven’t played in NBA, who are you to play there?” But I believed in God and I got there.

I never had a dull moment

though I got disappointed a few times.

Admitting that sports unlike some other careers is time bound and cannot be done for life, he is working hard to leave behind a legacy that will outlive him, hence the establishment of the Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation, organizers of the Basketball Camp with about 500 youths, from ages 7 to 17 years, featuring year in- year-out 14 years running and this years’ edition scheduled to hold from September 9 to 14 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex in Yaba, Lagos. He is with the Nigerian team currently campaigning for honours at the African Nations Cup ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire and hope to keep contributing his quota until his legs can no longer carry me.

“I have the Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation, which was established in Seattle in 2000.

Among the programmes the foundation has is Drop-OutDrop-In. It’s for kids who drop out of school. It enables them to drop back in. The other one is Bright Leadership Future programme. We make kids believe in themselves through career talks and motivational speeches that will help them develop psychologically and intellectually.

We also have the Read To Succeed plan, which is for kids from kindergarten to junior secondary school. The other one is Pick a Book, Not a Knife; Shoot a ball, Not a Gun. It’s for the kids who starve themselves and engage in shooting. We want to pick them off the streets. They can use basketball as an avenue to get involved in other things. I have a programme for the ones that can’t make it to the US. I sponsor them in Nigeria. Among them, I have seen bankers, engineers and a computer analyst. This year’s edition will feature some other activities like bringing successful in their chosen fields, including Nollywood stars to talk to the kids on the importance of combining education and sports”.

Oyedeji, who prides himself as an advocate of education and sports believes that every child have the right to get a good life, but admits that this can only be achieved when all hands are on deck to tailor the children in the right direction.

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N

IGERIA national basketball team, D’Tigers defeated Central African Republic 112 – 75 in one of the round of 16 matches at the ongoing 2013 Afro Basket Championship decided at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Abidjan last night.

With the victory, Nigeria will now face Senegal who defeated Rwanda 67-57 in the quarter final.

The coach Ayo Bakaretutored side was held back in the first quarter allowing the Central African Republic team to finish the quarter with four points lead at 24-28.

D’Tigers who had earlier been charged not to underrate their opponent, came out stronger in the 2nd quarter with impressive performance

2013 AFROBASKET CHAMPIONSHIP

Nigeria defeats CAR 112-75 from Stanley Okoye, who racked up 22 points Ike Diogu, Gani Lawal and the rest to turn the scores around ending the quarter with a 19 points lead at 58-39.

Nigeria, ranked second best in Africa behind Angola, maintained their superiority over their opponent ending the game with a 37 points gap to finish the tie at 112-75.

Meanwhile, defending champion of the Africa Cup

•To face Senegal in quarter final •Defending champion Tunisia crashes out

By Akeem Lawal

of Nations – Afrobasket, Tunisia bowed out of the 2013 AfroBasket with a 67 – 77 points loss to five-time champion Egypt. Tunisia, who finished top of group B, failed to find the tempo in the game with the mighty Egyptian side that had good command of the game.

Tunisia lost in all four quarters by 15-19, 13-16, 18-20 and 2122 to crash out of the 2013 AfroBasket.

Ibrahim El-Gammal led Egypt for the glorious victory with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assist and 2 steal, Wael Badr contributed 19 points, 3 assist, 2 rebounds and 2 steal while Heyman Khalifa added 10 points and 7 rebounds to

secure their quarter final ticket and to get one step closer of Spain 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. In the other Eight Finals of the day, Cote d’Ivoire thrashed Burkina Faso 100 – 60 to enter the last 8 of the championship. The Ivorians won in all four quarters (1915, 26-13, 29-15 and 26-17) to land a quarter-final ticket.

Center Mohamed Kone scired 20 points, 10 rebounds and 2 block-shots for Cote d’Ivoire.

Angola also secured its place in the last eight beating

Mali 82 – 36, while Cape Verde defeated Republic of Congo 67 – 60 to secure its spot in the last eight of the championship.

The 2013 edition of AfroBasket is being held in Cote d’Ivoire’s capital city of Abidjan from 20 to 31 August 2013 with the remaining eight African Nations fighting for the prestigious title of 2013 FIBA Africa Championship and, most importantly, for the three spots for the Spain 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup scheduled to be held at Spain next year.

•From Back row: President, Udinese FC, Mr. Giampaolo Pozzo (left) and Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun in a group photogragh with the Uplift Football Team currently on a two-week internship programme at Udinese FC in Italy

Udinese President praises Amosun's wife’s vision

P

RESIDENT of Udinese Football Club, Mr. Giampaolo Pozzo has commended the Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun for discovering football talents in youngsters and taking it upon herself to expose them to international opportunities.

Twenty-two talented players of Uplift Football Team discovered during UPLIFTing Under-15

Grassroot Football programme, organised by the wife of the governor in April 2013, are currently undergoing a two-week Summer football internship at Udinese FC in Italy.

Speaking shorty after meeting with Mrs. Amosun at Udinese Stadio Frivli located in Udine in Italy, Pozzo described the initiative of the wife of the governor to develop grassroot footballers as "giant vision"

which should be supported.

"You have taken giant steps and we are ready to make sure that the kids remember their stay in the camp for good. This is a very interesting programme. We are interested in developing these kids; we have done it before and we will surely partner with you to do it again even better," he said.

Responding, Mrs. Amosun appreciated president of Udinese

Football Club, expressing her determination to partner with the Italian Serie A club to take the Uplift Football Team to the next level.

Mrs. Amosun, who accompanied the players to Italy, described the internship as a "fantastic experience" for the Uplift Football Team, saying the programme would expose them to the arts of the round leather game and sharpen their skills.

UNDER-17 WORLD CUP:

Bet9ja to expand operational base

I

N a bid to ensure that it takes its products closer to the consumers, Bet9ja plans to open a new outlet at 15, Lagos road, Ikorodu Lagos, even as many others are being planned for other areas in the city.

According to the CEO of Bet9ja Ayo Ojuroye,”As part of our expansion plans, we have concluded plans to open another outlet in the Ikorodu axis in addition to the already existing ones. This is to provide our customers with an opportunity for a conducive betting environment. The shops will be opened daily from monday to

Friday with customers given the chance to take bets in football, horse racing and greyhound. We are happy to note that lot of interest has been generated as a result of the opening of this new outlet. We hope our customers will enjoy our world class state of the art facilities”.

He disclosed that unlike other betting outlets, bet9ja offers a unique 200% cash bonus on multiple bets, instant pay outs, and customer friendly services.

He assured that more new outlets will be opened in the next few months, even as they will be extended to cover other cities soon.

AGOS State Wrestling Association is poised to develop wrestling in the state as the 3-Day Inter-Club Wrestling Championship ends in Lagos today. The championship is targeted at scouting for wrestlers in the grassroots and the Association has expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the event.

The championship which began with the medical, laying of mat and weighing on Monday, climaxed on Tuesday with a number of bouts in both GrecoRoman and Free Style to the delight of the spectators that thronged the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos.

Speaking to hordes of

journalists on Tuesday, Chairman of the Lagos State Wrestling Federation, Prince FAB Adenekan disclosed that the state has decided to take wrestling seriously so as to compete well with other states at the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Calabar.

“Wrestling is a multi-medal event at the Sports Festival and we want to make impact at the next festival next year. Lagos has the potential to rival states like Bayelsa, Edo and Delta in Wrestling and we are working to maximise this. We are so happy that a number of wrestlers have shown that they are good for the national team through this grassroots championship,” Prince Adenekan said.

Wrestling Association Kanu positive Eaglets’ll qualify Lagos begins grassroots scouting E L RSTWHILE junior international, Nwankwo Kanu has enthused that the Golden Eaglets would qualify from their Preliminary Group F at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE everything being equal.

Kanu, a graduate of the FIFA under-17 World Cup, was one of the few players highlighted during Monday’s Draw Ceremony at Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr where the Golden Eaglets were drawn along Mexico; Iraq and Sweden in what has already being described as an ‘interesting

and exciting group’ by Coach Manu Garba.

“I’m happy that FIFA noted my previous achievement at the Under17 World Cup because we won it in 1993,” Kanu said.

“But I would be happier if the present squad go all the way to win the championship gain in the UAE.” The Golden Eaglets go into the championship as one of the favourites for being winners on three previous occasions; according to former General Secretary of CAF and FIFA’s Head of

Competition, Mr. Moustapha Fahmy who conducted the Draws. The Nigerian team would open its account with a top of the drawer fixture against defending champions, Mexico on October 19 with two other matches against Iraq and Sweden on October 22 and October 25 respectively.

“I have great confidence in this team and I want to implore the coaches to drum it to the ears of the players that winning the first game against Mexico is very important,” said the two-time African Footballer of the Year.

“Winning that first game against Mexico would boost their confidence and I believe that would set the tone for every other thing they would do at the competition.”

He further rallied the support of Nigerians towards the team’s success at the World cup.

“We have to belief that these boys can do it, I mean winning the World Cup in the UAE,” he noted.

“But we must support them positively with words of encouragement and prayers; and by the grace of God, I would be there to support the team.”

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.8 NO.2,584

‘Nigerian authorities are afraid of committing ‘big’ to the new technology which is not new at all and has been around since the dawn of time and has been largely ignored, to our loss, except for sun drying clothes and food items’ TONY MARINHO

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

F ever a man stands as indisputable evidence that the garb does not necessarily make the man, Eze Festus Odimegwu, Chairman of the Nigerian Population Commission (NPC), is such evidence.

Thirty four years ago or so, the man graduated from University of Nigeria, Nsukka on top of his class with a first class honours in Chemistry. He soon joined the Nigerian Breweries Plc and, as one would expect of a man of his brilliance, he rose through the lower rungs of the company to eventually become its managing director and chief executive officer in 1997. He left in 2006.

In the course of his brilliant career he attended leadership and management courses in some of the best universities in the world, including London Business School, Wharton Business School and Stanford University Business School.

It was this brilliant man that President Goodluck Jonathan saw fit to appoint as the Chairman of the NPC in June last year. A little over one year on, the man has done and said everything to prove the president could not have been more wrong in his choice.

If, as is possible, even probable, the president was taken in by the man’s academic brilliance and apparently successful career in appointing him to the very sensitive job of Nigeria’s head-count, the president should never have been, understandable though it is.

This is simply because in spite of the man’s brilliance and successful career he had exposed himself long before his appointment as chair of NPC as one of the most obsequious Nigerians when, in the twilight of his brewing career, he chose to become one of the arrowheads of former president, Olusegun Obasanjo’s infamous Third Term Agenda.

So obsequious was the man in his role as a leading promoter of President Obasanjo’s Third Term Agenda that it appears to have brought his otherwise brilliant career to an ignominious end when, rather than leave on his own, he seemed to have been gently shoved off for playing too much politics at the expense of his job as the boss of Nigeria’s top brewing company.

For a man who seemed so servile to President Obasanjo, it is truly shocking that he has since turned full circle to denigrate the man over one of the few successes he managed to chalk up in his eight years as president. For, Census 2006, probably save that of 1991 conducted by the late Makama Nupe, Alhaji Shehu Ahmadu Musa, is arguably the least controversial census ever carried out in this country since its first nationwide headcount in 1921.

At the heart of this controversy has always been the notion that the more sparsely populated North can never be more populous than the densely populated South, as all our headcounts have always shown. So strongly held is this notion in the South that even otherwise well educated Southerners like Senator Abraham Adesanya, the late leader of Afenifere, the umbrella Yoruba cultural group, would peddle the nonsense that Northerners counted their cattle, goats and

RIPPLES

NIGERIANS TO FEEL IMPACT OF POWER SECTOR SOON–Minister

Yes, sometimes SOON could be a DECADE

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Why Odimegwu should get the president’s boot

•Odimegwu sheep among their population!

As if to disprove the numerical superiority of the North, President Obasanjo, well ahead of the 2003 general elections, initially made the possession of a national identity card by any Nigerian 18 and above conditional for the exercise of their voting right, in clear contravention of the Constitution and contrary to the electoral law. In the end, he was forced to go back on his insistence when it became obvious that it was logistically impossible to provide every eligible Nigerian with the ID card before the elections.

All the same the project went ahead in November 2002 and when the results were released in May 2003, it suggested an even wider margin of population between the North and the South than was the case in all the previous censuses. For example, whereas the 1991 headcount showed a ratio of 53.23% for the North against 47.77% for the South, Obasanjo’s ID card project showed the North had 54.50% of the country’s adult population as against 45.50% for the South.

It was highly instructive that the ID card project was carried out at a time the president, his Minister of Internal Affairs, the late

Chief Sunday Afolabi, the supervising minister who was a staunch Afenifere and Awoist, and Mr Deji Omotade, the late head of the Department of National Civic Registration (DNCR), were all not only Southerners. They were indeed, South-Westerners, the arrowheads of the campaign against the North’s numerical superiority vis-a-vis the South.

In spite of this exercise many a Southerner still clung on to the apparently mistaken belief that the population of the North was fiction. One such Southerner was Chief Bode George, the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain who was jailed for corruption several years ago but who seems to have since returned to reckoning in the party. The population of the North was fiction, he told a rally organised by the Southern Leadership Forum in Enugu in December 2005, a rally which clearly had the imprimatur of Obasanjo’s presidency. They will make sure the 2006 headcount, he told the rally to a thunderous applause, exposed the fiction.

“We will fix it,” he said.

The 2006 census came and went and apparently all the Bode Georges of the world couldn’t “fix it.” The result the headcount which Mr. Samuila Danko Makama, Odimegwu’s predecessor, announced in October 2006 showed pretty much the same distribution the country had seen since before independence in 1960.

Odimegwu, it seems, has come to his job with an open agenda to do what many with even bigger political clout than he possesses have failed to carry out. As Mr. Makama pointed out in an interview in the Daily Trust of June 27, at his very first address of the NPC staff after his appointment, Odimegwu tried to discredit all the headcounts that have been conducted in the country since Adam.

HARDBALL

O

H what a veritable moment of history!

Once in every lifetime, providence transports a man to the crossroads where he is faced with the wide, beautifully paved road to perdition and the narrow, unbeaten track that leads to sunshine and eternity. The one is a well-worn road thronged by merry travellers and revellers while the other is less travelled, wearisome and lonely but it is the road to life, the path of honour, the quirky way of history.

This is the road that beckons to a certain Mr. Danbaba Fulani Suntai but the gentleman, apparently undiscerning and overwhelmed by the moment, is bent on joining the multitudinous throng down the merry beach of vacuousness. Suntai has been governor of Taraba State in the northeast of Nigeria for more than six years until he was involved in a freak air crash 10 months ago. It must be by a certain divine favour that he lives still. After a 10-month medical sojourn abroad, Suntai returned last Sunday and seeks to return to office to tick off (so to speak,) the remaining 20 months of his two-term, eight-year tenure. But Suntai can barely stand erect unaided, he seems not fully conscious, hardly speaks and it is doubtful whether he can write (who will sign off the cheques?).

How can Suntai deign to run a state under this condition? Particularly so, Taraba the

“The most shocking aspect,” said Makama, “was that he said all previous censuses in Nigeria, a section of the country has been cheating other sections, and that I failed to correct that, and that he had come to correct that.”

Since then the new census boss has been singing one variation or the other of this same theme of a fictitious Northern population. Like most of his regional compatriots he seems to have clung on to the ignorant, possibly merely mischievous, belief that the North is mostly a barren desert that cannot have the population it has been credited with all these decades. They simply refuse to educate themselves about the country’s geography which would have shown them that only the northern fringes of the region are semi-arid and that the vast portion of its 730,885 square kilometres, which is more than 2/3rd of Nigeria’s 923,768 square kilometres, is arable and produces most of the country’s food and livestock.

His most recent display of ignorance about his job was his widely publicised press conference of August 20, in which he repeated his ill-considered and arrant nonsense that the 2006 census was cooked up. His evidence? The say so of one census official, Inuwa Mohammed, who he said once told an NPC meeting to review the census figures that it was all cooked up.

Apparently it does not matter to the man that, all told, there has been no more than 370 or so petitions nation-wide against the NPC’s 2006 headcount and that more than 75% of these petitions have been thrown out by the census tribunal.

The president cannot do worse than retain someone who has displayed so much ignorance, insensitivity and mischief as Odimegwu has, as the country’s census boss.

Not only has he displayed so much ignorance, insensitivity and mischief, he goes down on record as the first census boss in the country’s history the vast majority of whose colleagues would carry out a full page newspaper advert announcing their vote of no confidence in his leadership.

If the president wants the country to have a census in three year’s time with any chance of being acceptable at all, he should sack Odimegwu today. If nothing else, any man, no matter how brilliant, who would praise a leader to high heavens today only to turn round and crucify him tomorrow as Odimegwu has done to Obasanjo, simply because the man is no longer in power, does not deserve any responsible job, not to talk of one as sensitive and important as the headcount of a country as big as Nigeria.

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Suntai: Between honour and mendacity vast land of so much unfulfilled promise; the country of the exotic Mambila Plateau and the rolling mountainous plains by the borders of Cameroun. Taraba is home to one of the world’s last virgin forests at Gashska Gumpti; Taraba would have been paradise if it had been blessed with leaders of vision. But it remains nature’s nubile damsel waiting to bloom. It is to this rural cocoon that Suntai seeks to creep back to mark time and serve out 20 months. Being used to the sedentary, unroused and unrousable life of a well appointed Government House in Jalingo, the state capital, he and his minders cannot imagine life outside this enclave.

Barely 24 hours upon his return, Suntai has allegedly transmitted a letter to the State House of Assembly seeking to reclaim his seat; a job he held for all of six years without many landmarks of note, how much difference would 20 months make when he would probably govern by proxy and subterfuge? If only men could see. Hardball thinks providence is bent on lifting Suntai from inconsequence and eventual obscurity unto the Olympian heights of statesmanship and the realms

of legends. If truly Suntai had written any, the path of honour, wisdom, statesmanship and history ought to have been a long letter to the House and the long-suffering people of Taraba State, acknowledging their patience and goodwill and electing to set Taraba free from the captivity of his obvious incapacity.

This is the dictate of Section 189 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If therefore, Suntai would not toe the path of honour, if he chooses to be mendacious and live a lie, the Speaker must act according to the dictates of the constitution. It is simply a call to duty and in the better interest of the people of the state. To do otherwise is to act on the basis of sentiment in a matter of utmost importance to the very lives of a people.

While the Taraba drama unfolds, Nigerians will wait still for that glorious dawn when great men will arise from these shores, men who have the courage of their convictions and who would ride on the tiger of honour to a glorious new dawn all for the edification of our great country, Nigeria. And on a last note, is Taraba all about Suntai; what would he lose if he doesn’t serve out his term?

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