The Nation August 01, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Panic in Ibadan over Boko Haram

Govt, Labour wage talks to continue

NEWS

Page 5

NEWS

Page 7

•Fed Govt will pay, says NLC

•Residents abandon church services

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VOL. 7, NO. 1839 MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

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Lawyers to sue NJC over new panel From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

R

ATHER than subside, the row in the Judiciary seems to be growing.

Some lawyers are preparing to challenge in court the fresh panel raised by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to review the report of the Justice Umaru Abdullahi panel, which probed the feud between Chief Justice •Justice Katsina-Alu

Continued on page 2

MATTERS ARISING, ACCORDING TO LAWYERS •Of the 18 members of the NJC Panel, the CJN nominated 14.

•How fair is this, considering the fact that he is party in the matter?

•Can Justice Musdapher, who gave evidence before the NJC Panel, be a member of the panel?

•Justice Ayoola, who was a member of the Abdullahi Panel, served on the Babalakin Panel, which indicted the CJN over the Sokoto governorship petition verdict •Justice Auta’s Panel is unconventional in that a High Court Judge cannot be asked to review the verdict of a panel of Supreme Court Justices.

Justice Abdullahi is former President, Court of Appeal.

•Can a junior Judge cannot recommend disciplinary measures against the Chief Justice or the President, Court of Appeal as the Auta Panel is being asked to do?

•The Abdullahi Panel called witnesses; Auta’s will not. Besides, its terms of reference are not known.

•The NBA Panel is independent, comprising tested lawyers. Its report is considered to be more thorough. Why another panel?

•NJC, NBA PANELS REPORTS ON PAGES 17 & 18

JONATHAN’S SINGLE TENURE PROPOSAL

IBB, Ciroma, Atiku plan anti-single tenure battle Braithwaite, Agbakoba, Fasehun, others to meet in Lagos

T

HE cloud is gathering over the single term proposal for president and governors.

Eminent Nigerians are meeting to take decisions on President Goodluck Jonathan’s planned Bill to limit the tenure of executive office holders to a single term.

The Northern Political

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

Leaders Forum (NPLF), which unsuccessfully championed the zoning of the presidential seat to the North in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the party primaries, has been revved into life by the proposal.

The NPLF, led by ex-Finance Minister Alhaji Adam

Knocks for RECs nomination

By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor, Joseph Jibueze and Gbenga Omokhunu

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s nominees for Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) may face a tough screening at the Senate, going by reactions at the week-

end.

Many senators said they resented the lack of transparency in the nomination. According to them, this could lead to appointment of partisan politicians.

One senator from the Southsouth, who pleaded not to be named, said: “It is good that the Constitution has now got the Senate involved in the appointment. I can assure you that there can be no ‘bow and go’ this time. We shall ask all the necessary questions.”

The senator said he was saddened by the renomination of Dr. Gabriel Ada, which “I do not understand”.

“Dr Ada is one of the 13 RECs who have ended their ten-

Ciroma, is billed to meet this week.

Ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida and exVice President Atiku Abubakar, are expected to attend.

In Lagos, a group of eminent Nigerians will meet tomorrow on the platform of the National Consensus Group (NCG).

Besides the single term issue, the NCG meeting, billed to be hosted by Lagos lawyer and politician Dr Tunji Braithwaite, will take a stand on insecurity and the heightening tension in the country, according to a statement by Olubori Obafemi on behalf of Citizens Advocacy Group (CAG).

Expected at the meeting

are, among others: Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Olisa Agbakoba, who hosted the inaugural parley, former Minister of Finance Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs Dr Lateef Adegbite, human rights lawyer Dr Tunji Abayomi, former West African Bar As-

sociation President Femi Falana, foremost political scientist Dr Jibo Ibrahim, President of the Trade Union Congress Comrade Peter Esele, activist Shehu Sani, Arewa Youths leader Shetimah Yerima, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader Dr Frederick Continued on page 2

•Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga (middle) discussing with Chairman of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN) Joseph Makoju (left) and Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote during the Minister’s tour of Dangote Ibese Cement Plant ... at the weekend

Continued on page 2

•SPORTS P23 •CITYBEATS P25 •MOTORING P47 •PERSONAL FINANCE P48

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

NEWS IBB, Ciroma, others plan anti-single tenure battle Continued from page 1

•Nigeria Labour Congress President Abdulwaheed Omar speaking during the Management Retreat of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). With him are FMBN chairman Alhaji Deda Atta and Managing Director Mr. Gimba Ya’u Kumo in Kaduna.

Fasehun and the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi son, Mohammed.

Others are; Dr Olapade Agoro, Niger Delta activist, Ms Ankio Briggs, Lagos lawyer Mike Ozekhome, constitutional lawyer Prof Itse Sagay, Alhaji Mujaheed Asari Dokubo, Uche Onyeagocha, Senator Sulaimon Salawu, Mr Osita Okechukwu, National President of Persons Living With Disability in Nigeria Danlami Bashar, Mr Innocent Chukwuma and Chief Sam Onimisi.

The NPLF leaders, who have been consulting, have identified five points on why the single tenure option can-

not be accepted.

Besides, most of the members of the Inter-Party Committee, which allegedly recommended the proposal, may meet in Abuja today.

The NPLF leaders’ meeting may hold between tomorrow and Thursday, depending on the time a key member of the NPLF, ex-Vice-President Abubakar returns from vacation overseas.

He may return today.

A leader of the NPLF, who spoke in confidence, said: “From our consultations so far, we have identified five reasons why the proposal cannot stand.

Continued on page 3

Lawyers to sue NJC over Auta panel Continued from page 1

Aloysius Katsina-Alu and Court of Appeal President Isa Ayo Salami.

To the lawyers, the new panel, headed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, is “awkward”. They are to file a suit “any moment from now”.

A senior lawyer who is privy to the plan, told The Nation yesterday that “it is unheard of in the judiciary where a junior judge will be determining the fate of his superiors”.

The source said: “It is absurd and cannot be allowed to stand. How will Justice Auta preside over a panel which will determine the fate of people in the calibre of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami?”

Many senior lawyers declined comments on the issue.

They would rather watch the event as it unfolds.

To Chief Chuks Muoma (SAN), however, “nothing will come out of the fresh

panel”.

He said what is needed to address the crises in the judiciary is “honesty and sincerity of purpose”.

Besides, he spoke in defence of Justice Salami, saying: “They are dancing round the whole thing. I believe Justice Salami has a clean record with untarnished integrity.”

Justice Abdullahi’s panel cleared Justice Katsina-Alu and Justice Salami in its report submitted to the council last Wednesday over allegations and counter-allegations on Sokoto, Osun and Ondo states governorship election petitions.

It was learnt that some members of the council opposed the constitution of the Auta panel.

They feared that it might jeopardise the reconciliatory efforts of the fact-finding panel.

Besides, they wondered why a junior judicial officer will review the report submitted by eminent personalities, such as Justice Abdullahi, former President of the Court of Appeal, a rank equal to a Justice of the Supreme Court, and former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Of-

fences Commission (ICPC) Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court.

Other members are: Hon. Justice D. O. Edozie, CON, Justice M. E. Akpiroroh and Hajiya Rakiya S. Ibrahim, MON. A five-man Reconciliation Committee earlier set up by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to broker peace between the duo had Supreme Court retired Justices B.O. Babalakin, A.B. Wali, Anthony Iguh and Ayoola as well as a former Appeal Court President Mustapha Akanbi as members. It cleared Justice Salami of the allegations levelled against him.

The Reconciliation Committee concluded that the CJN has no power to interfere with any proceedings in any court as was done in the Sokoto State Governorship Election Petition Appeal.

A copy of the conclusions of the Babalakin-chaired committee reads: “There is no case of misconduct made against the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal in the petitions.

“The Committee finds that the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council, has no

power to interfere with any proceedings in any Court as was done in this case.

“That the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal put many matters in his reply to the petitions and since such matters are not complaints falling under the petitions, we do not see the need to deal with them.

“In regard to the petition dated 22/2/2009, which should read 22/2/2010, against the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria by Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), the Committee finds that on the face of it there is no misconduct established against his Lordship.”

The Nation gathered that the lawyers are aggrieved about the alleged role played by Justice Dahiru Musdapher in the saga.

They believe he should not have sat on the council that considered the report of Justice Abdullahi’s panel and later constituted this new panel chaired

by Justice Auta.

Justice Musdapher presided over the Supreme Court’s panel that sat on the Sokoto governorship legal tussle. He delivered the interlocutory ruling that arrested the judgment before its eventual dismissal by another panel.

He also gave evidence during the probe carried out by Justice Abdullahi’s panel.

According to reports, when the report of Justice Abdullahi was to be presented, some members of the NJC, including NBA representatives, challenged the propriety of Justice Musdapher presiding over the council’s meeting when he also appeared before Justice Abdullahi’s panel.

The CJN had through a letter stopped the Sokoto Appeal Court from delivering its judgement in an appeal filed by Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi of the Democratic People Party [DPP] against the 2007 election victory of Governor Aliyu Magatarkarda Wamakko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His action followed petitions he received from two lawyers alleging leakage of judgment.

This led to the face-off between the CJN and the PCA. The feud blew into the open, with the plan to elevate Justice Salami to the Supreme Court.

The NBA committee set up to investigate the rift, which was chaired by a former NBA President, Thompson Okpoko (SAN), concluded that there

•Justice Salami

was no evidence that the Sokoto Governorship Election Petition Appeal verdict leaked, as alleged by two lawyers - Alfred Agu and Mahmood Yahaya.

Other members of the committee, which has Mr. Ebenezer Obeya as its secretary are a former NBA President, Mr. O.C.J. Okocha (SAN), a former General Secretary, Mr. Idowu Sofola (SAN), Chief Bamidele Aiku (SAN), Dr. S.S. Ameh (SAN), Mr. E.J. Toro (SAN), Chief Assam Assam (SAN), Prof. G.O. Olawoyin (SAN), Mr. Marcus Yarkasuwa Saleh (SAN) and Mr. Obi Ulasi (SAN).

Tough screening awaits Jonathan’s REC nominees at Senate Continued from page 1

ure. Why was he singled out for reappointment? What are the criteria? How much of these nominees do Nigerians know?

“This is a time that calls for transparency. We need to deepen our democracy. President Jonathan pledged to take things up. But Ada supervised the election in Benue State in 2007 and we are all conversant with the controversy that attended it.”

The January 6 rerun governorship poll and the April elections in Delta State are still being challenged in court, with many accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of taking sides. The man who handled the disputed elections is Ada. Ada was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State and was elected Speaker of the House of Assembly in 2000. He was removed as presiding officer in cloudy circumstances as members alleged that Governor Donald Duke paid the presiding of-

Falana: withdraw party loyalists from ICPC, REC

L

AGOS lawyer Femi Falana has no action has been taken to reorganise kicked against the nomination of them for effective performance.

Resident Electoral CommissionHowever the list of nominees sent to the Senate last week for confirmation as ers.

In a statement entitled: “Withdraw party ICPC Board members has clearly shown loyalists from ICPC and REC!”, Falana said: that the Jonathan Administration is not “In his inaugural address on May 29, committed to the anti-corruption cru2011, President Goodluck Jonathan un- sade. As corruption cannot be fought by dertook to reinvigorate the fight against party loyalists, the Presidency should corruption. But, apart from the indict- withdraw the list and replace the nomiment of the anti-graft agencies for in- nees with Nigerians of proven integrity.

“In the same vein, the President has also competence by the Federal Government, ficer and his deputy monthly security votes that were not disclosed to the House. Ada contested the charge, but stayed removed.

Austin Okojie is one of the 13 RECs. Although he is from Edo State, he served in Imo State as REC in 2007. The elections were hotly disputed, especially the circumstances that surrounded the cancellation of the first governorship poll. It is widely believed that the cancellation of that election paved the way for the emergence of Chief Ikedi Ohakim as governor on the platform of Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA).

Okogie was then seconded to Imo State to conduct the supplementary governorship election in May, but protests forced INEC to change the plan. There are suggestions that Okogie’s name may feature in the next list of REC nominees.

There are also fears that the Presidency is tinkering with a proposal that may return some of the other 13 RECs, despite the general outcry over the conduct of the 2007 general elections that they conducted with Prof. Maurice Iwu as INEC chairman.

The REC, by law, is the chief electoral officer of the state.

nominated PDP loyalists as Resident Electoral Commissioners. In fact, one of them was Speaker of the PDP -dominated Cross River State House of Assembly. In view of paragraph F of the Third Schedule to the amended Constitution, which stipulates that no member of a political party shall be qualified to be a resident electoral commissioner, the Presidency should advertise the 13 vacancies in INEC, in line with the recommendations of the Mohammed Uwais Panel.”

He appoints returning officers for elections held in the state and supervises INEC activities. He is responsible to the National Commission but can only be appointed or removed by the President.

Senior lawyers and human rights activists are clamouring for a revisit of the recommendations of the Uwais Electoral Reform Committee. The 22-member body set up by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, headed by former Chief Justice Muhammadu Uwais, suggested that the task of appointing key electoral officers including the INEC

chairman, national commissioners and RECs, should be transferred to a neutral body, such as the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The Council, too, is mandated to throw the process open to all Nigerians by publishing the requisite qualifications and calling for applications. Three names are consequently shortlisted and submitted to the Council of State that comprises the President as chairman, the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Attorney General of the Federation, former Presidents, Heads of State

and Heads of Government and governors.

Uwais Panel recommended that the Council of State shall forward one of the three names to the Senate for confirmation. The government rejected the suggestions on the grounds that INEC is an executive body and the NJC serves in the judicial branch of the government.

Following the pledge by the 7th National Assembly to further amend the Constitution, there are now suggestions that the electoral system should be strengthened.

Prince Tony Momoh, the National Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), said the party was closely watching the process. He urged the Senate to screen the nominees properly in the interest of the country.

“We cannot just continue to do things wrong in this country. The electoral process must be strengthened. We at the opposition, especially the CPC are watching and will not hesitate to tell the PDP government where things are goContinued on page 3

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

NEWS

‘One of the victims had her foot snapped into two’ The end came suddenly for business executive Mrs Josephine Kuteyi; her personal assistant Adedoyin Ogunbanjo and Filipino pilot Catameo Arnold when the helicopter in which they were travelling in crashed in Osun State at the weekend.

JOSEPH JIBUEZE and ADEKUNLE JIMOH report.

T

HE cries of women tore through many hearts. Children wept and tears welled in the eyes of men. What a fatal crash, they wailed. They were mourning the tragic loss of top Ondo State business executive, Mrs Josephine Kuteyi (57).

She died in a helicopter crash at the weekend. Two others – her Personal Assistant, Mrs Adedoyin Ogunbanjo and Filipino pilot Catameo Arnold – also died in the Friday crash.

Kuteyi, was until her death the Chief Executive Officer of Josepdam Group of Companies.

The firm deals in real estate, logistics, agro-allied services sugar manufacturing, refining, packaging and distribution through Josepdam Sugar Company Limited, based in Bacita, Kwara State.

The chartered flight left Lagos for Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. The late Kuteyi was on her way for an official appointment with a high ranking officer of the Kwara State government.

Workers at the Ilorin International Airport expressed surprise over Kuteyi’s death, saying she was a regular face at the airport as she flew either in chartered airplane or helicopter.

Officials of her company were at the airport to receive her on Friday when they learnt of the crash.

Eyewitnesses said they saw the pilot’s body hanging on a tree at the site. The bodies had swollen by the time they were discovered on Saturday.

Some accounts said the aircraft crashed on Oba rock located between Ikonifin in Olaoluwa Local Government and Ife-Odan, in Ejigbo Local Government, Osun State.

Another report said the helicopter flew into a tall tree on the OkeObanla hill inside the Osun State

Saraki condoles with family of crash victims

F

ORMER Kwara State Governor,Senator Bukola Saraki has expressed shock over the death of the Managing Director of Bacita Sugar Company, Mrs Damilola Kuteyi and two others in an helicopter crash last Friday.

In a condolence message to the families of the deceased, Saraki described the death of Mrs Kuteyi as a rude shock and a monumental loss. Recalling how he worked together with the deceased while in office, in his bid to revive, Bacita Sugar Company in line with his electoral promise to create jobs and transform the state economy.

He described the deceased as a seasoned, hardworking and dedicated manager of human and finacial resources.

Saraki said Mrs Kuteyi’s death came at a time the nation needed her services most. “With her death,the nation’s private sector has lost a gem,” he noted.

The former governor urged the husband and children the deceased left behind to take solace and regard her death as an act of God,believing that Almighty Allah gives and takes lives at the appointed time.”

Death,he said,is the ultimate end of every living soul on earth,which will come at God’s designated time.

He prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the tragic loss.

Government Reserve in Ikonifin.

Head of Operations, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Olaniyi Babalola was quoted as saying: “The helicopter might have run into a very tall tree on the hill. Owing to the fogginess, the pilot might not have envisaged that such a tall tree would be on the hill.

“The impact of the helicopter on the tree is visible in the branches that were yanked off. Maybe the pilot flew the aircraft a notch higher and felt the altitude he had attained was alright. One of the women victims had her foot snapped into two. It is most unfortunate.”

South West Zonal Co-ordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ishaya Isah Choloko, said the rock is over 2,500ft above sea level.

He attributed the crash to poor visibility. The rock is said to be located in an obscure area and it took the rescue team about six hours to locate the site.

The rescue team spent about two hours from the ground, climbing the rock in the midnight, Mr. Sunday Babawale of the Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA) said. He added that the remains of the pilot hung on a tree.

NEMA, OSEMA, the NSCDC, the Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), the Police and the Osun State Fire Service were said to have played active roles in the rescue operation. They had to cut the chartered Helicopter open to recov-

Josepdam Group: A profile •Josepdam & Sons •Josepdam Sugar Company •Josepdam Port Service •Josepdam Agro-Allied Industries •Josepdam Properties Its activities included: Trading- Sugar & Chemicals Sugar – Manufacturing & Refining, Packing & Distribution Port Services Logistics – Haulage Real Estate Agro-Allied Services JOSEPDAM Foundation Its contact addresses: JOSEPDAM Sugar Company – Bacita, Kwara State JOSEPDAM Agro-Allied Company – Bacita, Kwara State JOSEPDAM Port Service Limited – Terminal A. Tincan Island Port, Apapa, Lagos JOSEPDAM & Sons (Nig) Limited – 19 Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos JOSEPDAM Prosperities Limited – 19 Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos JOSEPDAM Logistics Limited – 19 Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos JOSEPDAM Foundation – 19 Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos

er the bodies, it was learnt.

The blue-stripped ash-coloured helicopter, took off from the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos en route Ilorin and crashed on the rock at about 9.55am.

Managing Director of OSEMA, Segun Ajayi, an engineer said the search party got to the scene about 1.00 am and recovered the bodies at about 5.00 a.m an Saturday.

A member of the rescue team, a Fulani herdsman, Mallam Abubakar Adamu, said the wreckage was found in the valley beside the Oke-Obanla hill.

A team of investigators from the Accident Investigation Bureau, which investigates air crashes, was at the crash site in Oke Oba Hill, Ikofin which is between Ife Odan and Ogbomoso.

Aviation Minister Mrs Stella Oduah-Ogienwonyi, has commiserated with the victims’ families.

She said: “My heart goes out to the families of the three persons whose deaths occurred as a result of the helicopter crash.

“My ministry condoles with the families of the deceased, we want to reassure Nigerians that we are doing everything possible to forestall future occurrences of such tragic crashes”.

Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed also condoled with the families of the deceased, describing the crash as tragic. He prayed God to give the families of the deceased persons the fortitude to bear the

•The late Mrs. Kuteyi

loss.

Mrs Kuteyi, a senior pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was said to be flamboyant and loved flying in private helicopters. She was also a philanthropist.

Said to have sound business acumen, she bought over the moribund sugar company from the Kwara state government in 2006 at a cost of about $40 million and turned it around.

Tough screening awaits Jonathan’s REC nominees at Senate Continued from page 2

Eminent lawyers spoke on the development.

Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), said only the adoption of the Uwais Panel’s recommendation on mode of RECs appointment would suffice.

His words: “I’ve said it before that

by Uwais Panel recommendations I stand, and that has been the stand of the NBA of which I am a member. One would have thought that with the electoral reform being spoken about by the President, he would have done wide-range consultation. As we can see now, he has appointed members of his party and

Nigerians are keeping quiet.

“One would have expected him to consolidate on the gains made with electoral reforms and appointment of Jega and do away with anybody with affiliations to political parties. It all shows that the PDP wants to go back to the old inglorious days. One would have thought that he would do wide-range consultations at least at the level of National Council of State (NCS).

“It’s like taking one step forward and several steps backward. I want the modalities to be changed. I want us to adopt what Uwais recommended, and if the President is not comfortable with that, at least he

could go to the NCS where all the governors and even the opposition will make input.

“There are several Nigerians of impeccable character who have nothing to do with any political party. He should take a cue from Jega. When he was appointing Returning Officers, he went to the universities and brought out people of impeccable character who would not compromise their reputation and names.”

Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) said: “The Civil Service Commission should publicly advertise the existence of vacancies in INEC management and thereafter the shortlisted candidates should be referred to the

Senate for confirmation.

“The candidates must be shown to be fully detached from any political party and/or governor. Indeed, if I have my way, all RECs should be appointed from the Bar, as lawyers are better equipped for the job.”

Constitutional lawyer and activist Mr. Fred Agbaje said the Constitution should be amended and the power taken away from the President.

“That provision of the Constitution that the President should make the appointment needs to be expunged, not just amended. The appointment of Nigerians to such a sensitive office should not be vested in the President.

Ondo workers suspend strike LABOUR unions in Ondo State yesterday called-off the strike embarked upon by workers last Friday.

Speaking yesterday in Akure, Comrade Solomon Adelegan, Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council (NJC), said the suspension followed an agreement between Labour and the government on all outstanding issues.

He directed all workers to resume at their duty posts today.

Government and the unions (JNC, Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress) met yesterday to resolve areas of disagreement.

Speaking at the event, Governor Olusegun Mimiko thanked all stakeholders for their involvement in the resolution of the dispute, promising that government will implement the agreed terms to the letter.

IBB, Ciroma, others plan anti-single tenure battle Continued from page 2

“One, the proposal is not a priority of Nigerians now. Secondly, we believe the President should rise up to the security challenge and unemployment in the country.

“Thirdly, this single tenure option has been subject of discussion since 1990s and it is considered settled that Nigeria is not ready for that.

“Even at the 2005 Political Reform Conference organised by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, it was shot down.

“Fourthly, bringing back the option through the backdoor is suspicious and it is ill-motivated. It will also amount to deliberate distraction.

“Lastly, it is another plot against power returning to the North in 2015.

So, the option cannot solve electoral challenges being faced by the country. It is certainly distracting.”

The source added: “At individual level, our leaders have started mobilising Northern lawmakers in the National Assembly to resist the proposal.

“We are happy that the proposal is coming at a critical period that the North is trying to reunite itself and prepare ahead for 2015. Let the President go ahead with it and see how the North will take it.”

Some of the 29 members of the Inter-Party Committee that allegedly recommended the single term system will meet today in Abuja.

It was gathered that some of the members felt embarrassed that their names were released to the public “to embarrass them as the proponents of the idea”.

One of the members said: “We have summoned a meeting of some members of the Inter-Party Committee for Abuja and after the session we will address the press to put the records straight.”

But a member of the Committee, Baba Adi (a former PPA chieftain), who spoke with our correspondent said: “Actually, we recommended the proposal and we even voted on every issue before it was ratified.

“The truth is that when this issue came up, President Goodluck Jonathan (who was then the Vice-President) did not make any contribution.

“He left Inter-Party Committee members to debate proposals and vote accordingly. We felt the governors spent their first term of four years in office to prepare for re-election.

So, we said a single tenure of six years would be better.”

The NCG said the parley is the seventh national dialogue series facilitated by the Secretariat of the CAG. The group’s secretariat on Sunday in Lagos said that it has received strong backing from eminent Nigerians and top political activists, who are keen on actualising a peoples’ driven and process-led constitutional restructuring for the country.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

NEWS MINIMUM WAGE CRISIS

States sing discordant tunes over minimum wage S

TATE Governments yesterday engaged representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in their domains in talks to stave off a looming industrial action called by the national body of the workers’ union.

The subject of discussion was the implementation of the New Minimum Wage Act, signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Act recommends N18,000 as monthly salary for the least paid worker in the country.

But many of the states complained that they lack the financial muscle to implement the minimum wage, saying they would be left with nothing to develop their states, if workers are paid N18,000.

The state chapters of the NLC were mandated by the labour leadership to wrap up talks on the implementation of the new wage regime with the state governments, ahead of a nation-wide strike scheduled to begin today.

Lagos workers may join Despite the implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wage by the Lagos State government, the failure of the Federal Government to reach an agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) would compel workers to join if the strike eventually takes place, the union has said.

The Lagos State Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, had before the suspended three day warning strike by NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC), warned its workers not to join the job boycott.

But Secretary of the NLC, Ismail Bello, who spoke to our correspondent on telephone yesterday, said Lagos is not having an independent position.

Bello, who expressed optimism that both parties will reach an agreement as the dialogue is still ongoing, however explained that whatever decision taken at the Federal level of the union is binding on the state workforce.

He asked on the Federal Government to honour its agreement with Labour considering the impact the strike would have on the nation..

He urged its workers to use the period to rededicate themselves and contribute meaningfully to the actualisation of the mission and vision of the Governor Babatunde Fasholaled administration.

Nyako to pay N20,000 Civil Servants in Adamawa State yesterday received cheering news from the Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, who jacked up the minimum wage to N20,000. Nyako told a delegation of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress ((NLC) Joint Negotiating Council that the N18.000 was too small to maintain a family of four people.

The governor said even the N20.000 he was paying was barely enough to cater for the daily needs of an average civil servant going by the prevailing hash economic condition. He said the N18.000 minimum wage when translated into the daily needs and income of a civil servant is N600 a day which he said is too meager.

Nyako called on his fellow governors to pay the minimum wage or a better minimum wage they can afford so that life can be better for the common man.

Replying on behalf of all organised labour, the NLC Chairman, Comrade Dauda Maina thanked Nyako for agreeing to implement the minimum wage and for even increasing it to N20.000. He pledged the support and understanding of workers at all times with the Nyako government.

•Minister of Information, Labaran Maku(left); his Labour and National Productivity counterpart Emeka Wogu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim(sitting); NLC Acting Secretary General Owei Lakemfa; Secretary General TUC, John Kolawole; Head of Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi and Richard Ebule of National Income Wages and Salary Commission at the Federal Governmentt-Labour meeting on minimum wage in Abuja...at the weekend PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

By Our Reporters

Bayelsa gets green light on negotiation The Bayelsa State chapter of the NLC has said it has got green light from the government on the payment of the new minimum wage.

To actualise the implementation, a committee has been set up to work out modalities and look into the cost implications of the process.

Chairman of the NLC, Mrs. Ebi Koku-Obiyai, who dropped the hint in an interview yesterday in Yenagoa, however, said that the Committee has not been inaugurated.

Her words: “A committee has been put in place for implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wages for workers in the state. The committee is to also look into the financial implications of the process”. Our names were announced on radio but it committee has not been inaugurated”.

According to her, Governor Timipre Sylva has always expressed his willingness to pay and Labour is taking him by his words.

Kano NLC waiting In Kano, the state chapter of the NLC is waiting to engage the Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso-led government over the N18,000 minimum wage.

The Nation gathered that the labour leaders are waiting for the Federal Government to begin the implementation of the new wage regime before marshalling out their line of action.

In a telephone chat, the state Chairman of the Congress, Isa Yunusa Dangoguwa said the organised labour would decide on what to do once the Federal Government begins the payment of the minimum wage to federal workers.

His words: “We are keeping our fingers crossed. We are patiently waiting to see what will eventually happen at the national level, because whatever happens in Abuja would determine how we are going to engage the state government.”

No agreement yet between Kwara, NLC The Kwara State Government and the chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are yet to reach an agreement on the N18,000 minimum wage.

The workers’ union yesterday said it was studying the modalities and table of payment chairman of the NLC in the state, Umar Akanbi said yesterday.

“We have studied the table and we are meeting with state government delegation led by the Head of Service (HOS), Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed Monday today. We are going to meet and deliberate on what government can offer and What we are ready to take. “By Tuesday or Wednesday this week, we should have a clearer picture of what will happen. Whatever we agree upon will be in the collective interest of Kwara workers. The state government has always been expressing its optimism to pay the minimum wage.”

“Those who are saying we’ve signed an agreement, there’s nothing like that. I want to assure all workers to that effect. When politicians are appropriating their money, we do not have this kind of problem, confrontation or kind of issues arising from minimum wage. On our part, we will do the best we can to get what is due to us.”

Suswam invites Labour for negotiation Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has invited members of the union to a round-table to find the best way out of the dispute on the minimum wage.

Yesterday, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Simon Achaver said he received a letter from the government for a meeting today.

He said the issue of minimum wage is now a law and they are going to the meeting with government not to negotiate below N18,000 but how the five months arrears would be paid.

Osun meets NLC today The negotiation between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Osun State government has been stalemated.

The NLC Chairman, Alhaji Saka Adesiyan, said several meetings with the government in the past have not been fruitful.

However, a meeting has been scheduled for 10 o’clock today at the Executive Council chamber in the Office of the Governor with the leadership of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress.

‘Akwa Ibom will pay N18, 000’ The Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Uyime Usoro, yesterday assured workers of government’s readiness to implement the national minimum wage.

Usoro, who spoke with The Nation on telephone, said the government is set to implement the new minimum wage to the benefit of the workers.

He explained that the union only disagreed with the government over the marginal increase as it favoured the junior workers at the expense of senior workers from grade level 14 to 17.

Edo, NLC talks deadlocked on teachers’ strike Primary and secondary school pupils in Edo State public schools will have to remain at home as a meeting between the Edo State Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) ended in a deadlock at the weekend.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had two weeks ago embarked on an indefinite strike over its non-inclusion in the new minimum wage package signed by the government and labour leaders.

NLC and TUC last Tuesday issued a seven-day ultimatum, urging the government to include teachers in the new minimum wage or they will mobilise workers to join in solidarity strike with the teachers.

The government threatened to sack any teacher that failed to report for work last Friday but the teachers, following a directive of NUT refused to report for work as many schools visited were shut.

Chairman of NLC, Emma Ademokun told The Nation that labour leaders walked out of the meeting when the government asked teachers to resume work before negotiation.

Negotiation continues in Bauchi The Bauchi State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has set up a negotiation committee to fine-tune modalities for the payment of the N18,000 minimum wage with the government.

It’s Chairman Camrade Hassimu Gital told The Nation yesterday that’’ negotiations are on going with the government on the payment of the

minimum salary wage from Grade levels 1 to 17'’.

Abia awaits directives The Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will bank on the directive from its parent body for the next action as regards the impasse over the new minimum wage except the state government agrees to pay the N18,000 minimum wage, it was learnt yesterday.

One of the officials of the union who pleaded anonymity in Umuahia, said they were waiting the outcome of the meeting, which was on at the time of this report yesterday and once the decision is reached to go on strike that they will not hesitate to ask workers to stay at home.

Ekiti NLC berates Fed Govt The Ekiti State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have berated the Federal Government over what they called its orchestrated plot to divide the ranks of labour.

Speaking with reporters at the weekend, the labour leaders vowed to press home their demands with every available means, noting that the Federal Government’s plan to pay N18,000 to workers on Grade levels 01-06 would not work as, according to them, "our agitation is for a national minimum wage and not a selective wage.

The chair of the NLC, Comrade Aluko Ayodele, said the Ekiti State government has acted commendably by meting with labour leadrers, adding that no consensus has been reached.

He said: "I want to thank Governor Kayode Fayemi for his exceptional maturity on the issue. Although the Federal Government has decided to put a diversionary clause in the demand by saying it would pay only grade levels 01-06, the state government has kept the spirit of unity which has coloured negotiations so far.

The President of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Kolawole Olaiya, a lawyer equally expressed optimism in the state government, which he described as 'labour friedly government' Olaiya disclosed that there was a meeting between labour and the state government, which was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishments last Thursday which was fruitful but not conclusive, adding that the labour body has great hope in the negotiations so far.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

5

NEWS IBB to court: Expedite al-Mustapha's trial From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

F

ORMER military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at the weekend joined those calling for the release of detained Major Hamza al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Speaking at the 30th anniversary of Mustapha Comprehensive School, in Kontagora, a private school owned by the former military governor of old Kano State, Col Sani Bello, Babangida said the release of al-Mustapha was long overdue.

Advancing reasons for the release of the embattled Major, Babangida said that the 13-year detention of al-Mustapha without conviction ran contrary to rule of law, fairness and justice.

His words: “If the authority could not release him, it would be fair that they hasten his trial to enable him know his fate, instead of the prolonged trial which did not prove whether he is guilty or not. This is contrary to the tenets of justice.”

Commending the untiring effort of Bello for sustaining the school for three decades, Babangida noted that funding of education should not be left only to government, adding that individuals and corporate bodies should contribute to its development, so as to help in preparing future leaders and strengthening the manpower required for development.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Bello berated local government areas for the rot in the education sector, especially at the primary schools level.

He recalled that in the days of Native Authorities which were transformed to local government areas, departments of education were run efficiently without subvention from the regional governments. He wondered why the councils could not improve education with huge allocation from the federation account.

Bello said: “From my rough estimate, Kontagora Local Government Area must have received about N10 billion from the state and federal government in the last 10 years. There is no single project of N5 million implemented, despite these huge subventions and revenue generated internally from markets and motor parks.”

Mutilated bodies found in Ogun community shrine, suspect arrested

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RITUALISTS’ den, reminiscent of the then Okija Shrine in Anambra State, has been uncovered in Labiade - Akaso, a community in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State. Decomposing bodies, including that of a baby were found in the shrine.

The arrestof a suspect, believed to be one of the promoters of the den, by the community’s vigilance group , led to the surprise and gory discoveries on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off, the vigilance group, had stormed the base of the suspected ritualists near Onipepeye community, off the Siun–Owode dual carriage way. But the suspects, on sighting the advancing vigilance team, reportedly opened fire on them in a bid to escape.

The Nation gathered that the suspects ran out of luck as the courageous neighbourhood watchers engaged them in a gun duel, leading

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

to the arrest of the suspect before he could escape in a get-away Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). The suspect was later handed over to the Police.

Head of the village, Mr Musiliu Osho, described the strange discovery as worrisome and horrifying, adding it is affecting the psyche of the villagers, particularly children who have had to abandon going to schools.

He said: “Our children can no longer go to schools on their own, except we take them there and return to pick them. But we have to stop them for the fear of these ritualists. We are passionately appealing to the state government to come to our aid.”

The Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed the discovery and arrest of a suspect, said an investigation had begun into the alleged crime.

THISDAY News Editor joins Visafone

T

HE THISDAY Group News Editor, Mr. Joseph Ushigiale has joined Visafone as Head, Corporate Communications.

A statement signed by Justice Ilevbare from Visafone’s office said: “Ushigiale is expected to bring onboard his wealth of experience and strong backgrounds in the media, government and private sector to drive the new vision of the company.”

“The new corporate communications head holds a Masters of Arts (MA) degree in Media Arts, Philosophy and Practice (MAPP), from the University of Greenwich (UoG), South East, London. He started his journalism career in 1996 as a reporter with The Nigeria Chronicle and later joined THISDAY in 1998 as Ebonyi State correspondent.”

According to the statement “after his tour of service in Ebonyi State , he was redeployed to Lagos in 2002 as a reporter on the Sunday desk.

“Ushigiale was later deployed to Politics desk in 2003 and promoted Assistant Editor in 2005. That same year, he was appointed Chief Press Secretary (CPS) by former Cross River State governor Mr. Donald Duke.

“At the expiration of Duke’s tenure in 2007, Ushigiale returned to THISDAY and took up the position of Associate Editor, Saturday. He was later promoted Online Editor in 2009 and Group News Editor in September 2010 and has been on the job till his current appointment. He is also a fellow of the Institute of Convergence Arts and Science (ICAS) of the University of Greenwich .”

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (left), his Osun State counterpart Rauf Aregbesola (second right), Osun State Deputy Governor Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori( second left), Aregbesola’s wife Sherifat and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)’s Acting Chairman Elder Adelowo Adebiyi when Fayemi visited Aregbesola at the State House, Oke-fia, Osogbo... yesterday

Panic in Ibadan over Boko Haram

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LLEGED attacks planned on churches by members of the dreaded sect-Boko Haram, scarred many Ibadan residents away from places of worship in the Oyo State capital yesterday.

News of the planned attacks filtered into the ancient city in the early hours.

There was panic among residents of Mokola, Omitowoju,Inalende, OkeTunu, Sango and other areas of Ibadan when a group of people were said to have arrested a suspected member of Boko Haram, while perfecting plans on how to bomb some churches.

The suspected agent (name withheld) was arrested at Omitowoju area of the city at the weekend by some members of the public and taken to Mokola Police Station

•Residents stay away from churches •Police chief: No sect presence in our domain From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

where he was said to have been subjected to interrogation .

Before his arrested, those who raised the alarm were said to have picked his telephone conversation on which he allegedly discussed how some churches would be attacked in Hausa language.

Following his suspicious movement and strange telephone calls, the suspect was said to have been trailed and monitored by some people before he was eventually apprehended.

The suspect, who was waiting for some of his collaborators at the time of his arrest,

allegedly pretended as a beggar.

A high-quality mobile phone , with a credit of over N13,000 balance was found on him, thus raising the curiosity of those around.

They wondered why a supposed beggar would be holding such an expensive mobile set .

An eyewitness claimed the suspect’s arrest was possible because “one of those around at the time understands Hausa, a language used by the suspect in his conversation before he alerted others.

“It was during the conversation that he was alleged to have said that he was still looking for big churches in

the city of Ibadan for possible attacks by the fundamentalist group”, the account said.

After his arrest, he was taken to the police station on a motorcycle (popularly called Okada).

When contacted, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Moses Onireti, said it was not true that there was Boko Haram presence in the state, adding that “what happened was that somebody was arrested for conduct likely to cause breach of the peace and that is all. “ It is not true at all, I think they just want to cause unnecessary panic in the state .

There is no Boko Haram here in Oyo state please.”

Uwais insists on electoral violence commission

F

ORMER Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and chair of the defunct Electoral Reform Committee (ERC), Justice Mohammed Uwais has recommended electoral violence commission as the most effective tool against electoral violence in the country.

Though, the former CJN noted that the 2011 general elections were largely free and fair, he, however, emphasised that there were shortcomings that must be addressed before the next polls, if the gain of the last one must be sustained.

Uwais spoke in Abuja over

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

the weekend shortly after formally presenting the voter registration report by Alliance For Credible Elections (ACE-Nigeria) in conjunction with Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and other groups.

While expressing reservations over the none implementation of some recommendations of the ERC by the Federal Government, Uwais said: “I am of the opinion that the elections were free and fair. But all the same, there were some short-comings that we need to look into.

“There were quite a number of important recommendations in the report which have not received the required attention as noted by other commentators.

These include our recommendation on the setting up of electoral offences commission.

“We did that with the knowledge that all our past elections were accompanied by violence, whether before or after the election.

“That belief was reinforced by what happened this year, which I considered serious, going by one report that said over 800 people

lost their lives to election violence. This only goes to show that it is a good reason to set up the commission, if we meant to deepen our democracy.”

The former CJN noted that though the commission would not be established primarily to stop violence, but to punish those who perpetrate it saying; “through that, the message would have been sent that punishment awaits anyone that perpetrate violence before, during or after the elections.

By extension, the process of stopping it would have been set in motion”.

NJC panel report: ACN rejects attempt to paint party in bad light

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has rejected attempts by a section of the media to paint it in bad light in the reportage of the fact-finding panel raised by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on the dispute between the Chief Justice of Federation, (CJN) Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

Through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the healines used in some newspapers were at variance with the report submitted by the NJC panel.

The ACN insisted that there

By Nneka Nwaneri

was no link between its stalwarts and any of the two actors in the dispute investigated by the panel.

The statement reads: “The party had gone through the entire report of the panel, which has been published by at least one newspaper, and that nowhere did it link the chieftains of the party with any of the two main protagonists in the case, as some newspapers insinuated in their headlines.

“Even the call logs, which could have been the only link, were dismissed by the panel as having a dubious origin.

“We are concerned at the unprofessional and unethical

portrayal of the panel’s report by some newspapers.

We wonder who their paymasters are and what they hope to achieve by doctoring the outcome of a report that is now in the public domain.

“It has been clear from the coverage of the panel’s proceedings by this obviouslyinterested section of the media where its interest lies, hence it needed to write into the report what it had envisaged to be the outcome.

“We challenge this fiction writers to show which section of the panel’s report links our party with any of the main players.

“We know the loss of Osun

and Ekiti states is behind this campaign of lies against our party. But we are happy that the panel has said the rulings in both cases cannot be revisited.”

The party warned that it would resist any attempt to damage its credibility, reminding whoever cared to listen that “it had always sought to deepen democracy and the rule of law through constitutional means, even when that could be tasking and long drawn, instead of resorting to self help.”

It urged the media practitioners, whwho have always stood on the side of the truth, to beware of those seeking to use them for their selfish ends.

6

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

NEWS Kwara to ban street begging From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

THE Kwara State Government has said it would soon implement the law to eradicate street begging.

The law was enacted in 2006 to rid the state of destitute and beggars.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Poverty Alleviation, Alhaja Sarat Adebayo, said majority of the destitute were migrants from neighbouring northern states.

She spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at a thanksgiving session.

Mrs Adebayo, who is also the chairperson of the state chapter of the National Council of Women’s Society (NCWS), said the government would discourage begging and provide skill acquisition for the destitute to make them productive and selfreliant.

Explosions in Jos near Islamic leader’s home

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WO explosions have occurred in parts of Jos, the Plateau State capi-

tal.

They went off at Angwa Rimi at 9.30pm on Saturday and at Sariki Mangu Street, a Hausa Muslim community in Jos North Local Government, at 6.30am yesterday.

The loud sound of the explosion jolted the people to rush to its direction.

Some of the residents said they saw someone running away but could not catch him.

There has been a bomb scare at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Bukuru, Jos South Local government.

There was another bomb scare at the Administrative block of the University of Jos

•Police: no deaths recorded From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

(UNIJOS).

Few days ago, the Special Task Force (STF)on Jos crises denied the presence of Boko Haram sect in Jos, urging the residents to go about their businesses without fear.

But the explosion at Angwua Rogo caused panic among the residents.

The STF has intensified its patrol of the streets, assuring residents of safety.

Police Commissioner Dipo Emmanuel Ayeni said: “The report I got from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Angwuan-Rogo,

Jos North Local Government, showed that a minor blast from a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed in an empty groundnut oil can occurred at Angwa Rimi at about 9.30pm (on Saturday).

A statement by the police chief reads: “The blast caused no death or injury, but a taxi cab parked in from of the Islamic leader’s residence, where the Saturday night explosion went off, had its window glasses shattered and the car badly damaged.

“One of the blasts happened near the house of a prominent Islamic scholar,

Sheikh Saidu Hassan Jengri, the Deputy National Chairman of Izala, a Jos-based Islamic sect.”

Efforts to reach Jengri for his reaction were unsuccessful. But the Publicity Secretary of Izala, Ahmed Muhammed, confirmed the blast near Jengri’s home.

He said: “I am aware of the blast but the house of the Sheikh was not affected. We don’t even want it to be a media thing.”

He said the Islamic sect was collaborating with security agencies to investigate the blast.

Unconfirmed reports said Jingri was preaching against Boko Haram activities.

In a statement yesterday by

the Director of Press and Public Affairs, James Mannock, said the government condemned the blasts.

The statement reads: “Security agencies have been directed to mount surveillance around the flash points and haunt for those behind the blasts.”

Security agents have begun stop-and-search and increased patrol in Jos, with tight security at government buildings and business premises.

The police said: “No positive identification of suspect and no arrests have been made over the blasts. The areas remained calm and men of the police are on ground to ensure residents’ safety.”

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Businessman 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 petitions IG 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 From Kolade Adeyemi, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Kano 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 KANO businessman, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Chief Bonaventure 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Onyewuchi Kalu, has 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 petitioned the Inspector12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Tinted glass: 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 General of Police (IGP) Hafiz over an alleged Niger bars officials 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Ringim assault by the Etsu Nupe, Brig12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Yahaya Abubakar (rtd.)

From Jide Orintunsin, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Gen. private palace guards.

Minna 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 andInhis the petition through his 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 counsel, Okechukwu Nweze, THE Niger State Govern12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Kalu said Abubakar and his ment has stopped its 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 palace guards “dehumanised official from using vehi12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 and inflicted bodily injury” cles with tinted glasses.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 on him at a checkpoint The directive was con12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 manned by armed soldiers on tained in a statement in 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Minna, the state capital, by 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Abuja–Kaduna highway.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 He accused the traditional the Chief Press Secretary 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 ruler of violating his to the governor, Malam 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 fundamental human right.

Danladi Ndayebo.

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 In the petition, copies of It said the measure was 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 which were made available to in conformity with Gover12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 reporters in Kano, Kalu said nor Babangida Aliyu’s 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 the Etsu Nupe and his private commitment to openness, due diligence and transparency.

The statement said the ban affects all government officials, adding: “No government official, either elected or appointed, is exempted from the ban on the use of vehicles with tinted glasses.”

The statement said the measure would tackle crimes, such as bombings, movement of arms and explosives.

It reads: “The Aliyu-led government will ensure that public officers and the public comply with traffic regulations.”

Mark condoles with CPS From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

SENATE President David Mark has condoled with his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Paul Mumeh, and members of his family, over the death of his father, Pa Donatus Osomojie Mumeh.

The late Mumeh died at Abavo-Agbor, Ika South Local Government, Delta State. He was 75.

In a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, the Senate President described the late Pa Mumeh as an accomplished community leader, who contributed to the peace, stability and development of his area.

Mark prayed for the late Pa Mumeh and his family to bear the loss.

A

•Mr Agbo Emmanuel Agbo and his wife, former Miss Ngozi Nwozor of The Nation with Rev. Humphrey Erumakah (right) and Pastor Iphy Okonkwo at the couple’s wedding at Word Base Assembly, Yaba, Lagos...at the weekend.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Retired army colonel, wife murdered in Kaduna

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RETIRED Army Colonel, now into private law practice, Francis Ogbeyi, and his younger wife, Stella, were yesterday murdered at their Kaduna home by persons suspected to be assassins.

The officer, who retired into the law practice, was reportedly shot on the nose and his wife reportedly cut with a machete.

His other two wives were said to have returned from the church at about 10am to

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

find them dead.

Family sources said although the wives live in separate apartments, the other family members wanted to know what was wrong when they perceived burning food.

On getting to the apartment and finfing the doors locked, one of the children was said to have climbed into the two-bedroom flat, which the colonel shared

with his younger wife.

The boy reportedly raised the alarm when he found that his father and wife were dead.

The bodies were later evacuated and deposited at the mortuary of the St. Gerald Hospital by men of the Sabon-Tasha Divisional Police Station.

The assailants reportedly took away the key to the house, a laptop and three mobile phones, belonging to the victims.

Spokesman of the Police Command, Aminu Lawan, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), could not be reached to confirm the report.

But a police source at the Sabon-Tasha Divisional Police Station confirmed the incident.

The source, however, said that it was too early to say whether it was a case of armed robbery or an assassination until investigations have been concluded.

ACN criticises appointment of Kogi SIEC chair

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N Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) senatorial candidate in Kogi State, Chief Adewale Abel, has said the appointment of Mr Ayo Abraham, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, as the chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (KSIEC) is selfish.

Abel told The Nation that the appointment would jeopar-

From Mohammed Bashir, lokoja

dise the conduct of free, fair, and credible local government elections.

Abel said Abraham contested alongside Taiwo Nathaniel, Pastor Femi Obalemo, and Barry Kay the state House of Assembly election, to represent Kabba/Bunu Constituency in the PDP pri-

maries.

He said: “The PDP-led government is poised to rig the forth-coming local government election. How can a cardcarry member of a political party not favour his party in an election under his supervision?”

The ACN chieftain expressed misgivings over the screening of Abraham by the House of Assembly, which

asked to take a bow and go without asking him questions, even though he has never a legislator.

Abel noted that the legislators, who should be the true representatives of the people, compromised their position the altar of party loyalty.

He warned that if the anomaly was not corrected, the ACN would challenge the appointment in court.

guards misinformed the security personnel over an earlier encounter with him on the Tafa end of the road over the right of way.

The petitioner said he was travelling on the AbujaKaduna road when he heard the sound of siren from the convoy of the Etsu Nupe.

He said his attempts to give the right of way to Abubakar’s convoy were compounded by the way other road users were driving.

Kalu said he was, therefore, compelled to accelerate.

The businessman said though he took the action in good faith, it was misinterpreted by the Etsu Nupe, who asked the soldiers at the check point to order him out of his car.

1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 1234567890123456 •Kalu

Tax certificate forgery: Group seeks new judge

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RIGHTS group, Campaign for Democracy (CD), has called for the transfer of tax certificate forgery case involving Senator Musa Ibrahim from Chief Magistrate Zainab Tahir Gani.

It alleged bias and expressed the fear that she might not serve the course of justice.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Rising from its state executive meeting in Minna, the Niger State capital, the prodemocracy group frowned at the role thye Magistrate allegedly played in the detention of the lawmaker.

In a statement by its Secretary-General, Comrade Ab-

dullahi Mohammed, CD said Musa, a member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) representing Niger North Senatorial District, was ordered to be remanded in prison custody at 5.30pm, after the official working hours, on the orders of Gani.

It noted that the chief magistrate’s action was a return to

the dark ages, saying the detention of the lawmaker was unlawful and an infringement on his human rights.

CD said: “We view the action of Chief Magistrate Gani as a return of the dark ages in modern politics, where opposition parties are oppressed.”

Calling for the transfer of

the case, CD said: “We, therefore, advise that the Judiciary should not be used to perpetrate evil in the society by serving individual’s or group’s interest. We call for the immediate withdrawal of Chief Magistrate Gani from the case, as she cannot serve the course of justice in the circumstances.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

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NEWS 14 suspected cultists held in Osun

Ekiti inaugurates boards today

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HE Ekiti State Government will today inaugurate newly constituted boards of parastatals and agencies.

The event is scheduled for 2pm at Adetiloye Hall, Fountain Hotel, Iyin Road in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

According to a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, boards to be inaugurated include those of the State Hospital Management; Urban Renewal Agency; Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti; College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti and Public Works Corporation.

Others are the University Teaching Hospital; Ekiti State Pension Commission; Fiscal Responsibility Commission; Ekiti Traffic Management Agency and Broadcasting Corporation of Ekiti State.

Group criticises ruling against monarch

By Adegunle Olugbamila

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UESDAY’S ruling by a High Court in Ondo State, restraining the monarch of Zaki in Arigidi Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, from parading himself as such has been criticised by the Arigidi Unity Club (AUC).

In a statement by its Chairman Raheem Balogun and Secretary Edward Francis, AUC questioned the rationale behind the ruling while the substantive matter has not commenced trial.

It alleged that the ruling was premeditated because Oba Olaonipekun was installed by the administration of former Governor Olusegun Agagu.

Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, who delivered the ruling, said the court issued an injunction on November 3, 2008, ordering the Ondo State Government not to install Olanipekun, but the government went ahead with the action two days later.

The group insisted that the suit and injunction filed in November 2008 by the plaintiff, Mr. Tunde Olanipekun, challenging Oba Olanipekun’s installation had earlier been contested in the court by the monarch’s counsel, who argued that the said injunction had no place in law since an injunction is meant to restrain an anticipated action and not one that has already been carried out.

•From left: Rev. Fr. Chioma Nwosu; Chief Omolade Okoya; His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie and Monsignor Jerowe Oduntan during the dedication of the Catholic Chapel of the Diuene Physician and St Luke in Idi-Araba, Lagos...at the weekend PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Fed Govt, Labour shift talks on minimum wage D

ISCUSSIONS between government and labour over the implementation of the national minimum wage was inconclusive last night.

After three hours, the meeting was adjourned till tomorrow.

Yesterday’s meeting was a continuation of Saturday’s meeting which was equally called off after a seeming disagreement between the Federal Government representatives and those of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Minister of Labour and Productivity Chief Emeka Wogu, after the meeting at the Shehu Shagari House, Abuja, said: “The Federal Government and Labour met today (yesterday) in continuation of issues concerning the National Minimum Wage. We adjourned till tomorow for further negotiation.”

NLC Acting Secretary General Owei Lakemfa said there were no contending issues since government had agreed to implement the new mini-

•Govt agrees to pay across board From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

mum wage across the board.

He said: “What the government said on Saturday was that the minimum wage will be implemented across board. “There will be no discrimination. There are no contending issues; it is simply about implementation.”

He said labour leaders did not betray the confidence reposed in them by the workforce.

“The people know we are representing them. The Nigerian workers know we will never sell them. It is not about dictatorship. We will agree on some parts and see what we can do.”

It was gathered that the meeting was adjourned to calculate the quantum spread for grade level 01 to 16 by Tuesday.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Wogu; Minister of Information Labaran Maku; Head of Service of the Federation Prof.

Afolabi Oladapo and the Chairman, National Salaries and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Ebgune, were at the meeting.

The workers’ representatives were NLC Deputy President Comrade Mohammed Kiri; NLC Chief Economist Dr. Peter Ozon-Eso; NLC Acting Secretary General Comrade Owei Lakemfa; NLC Head of Human Resources Emma Ugwaja and the Trade Union Congress Secretary General, Comrade John Kolawole.

The labour leaders had on Saturday walked out on the Federal Government representatives , which culminat-

Olubadan sacks monarch, installs new Onido HE controversy surrounding the elevation of Baales (village chiefs) to beaded crown wearing Obas by the former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala came to a head at the weekend, when the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade I, removed the Onido of Ido, Oba Benjamin Ishola.

The Olubadan, who is the Chairman of the Oyo Council of Obas and Chiefs, confirmed Tajudeen Akinola as the new Baale of Ido. The move, which is a confir-

T

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

mation of a court judgment issued a few years ago, it was learnt, was also to assert the Olubadan's authority over recalcitrant Baales in his domain.

Alao-Akala and the Olubadan were locked in a faceoff over the elevation of some Baales in Ibadan without the latter's consent.

Prior to Akinola's confirmation, the ousted Ishola had held sway as the head of the community against a court ruling which nullified his ascen-

sion to the throne and confirmed Akinola as the rightful Onido.

Ishola did not only oppose the Olubadan-in-Council's subsequent affirmation of Akinola as the valid Onido, he also led three other Baales to oppose his stand on the beaded crown wearing status.

Akinola had been fighting in court to regain his stolen mandate for 13 years before judgment was given in his favour two years ago.

Since his installation by the Olubadan two years ago, he

Sacked commissioners set to dump Ondo LP X-commissioners in Ondo State and their supporters are set to dump the Labour Party (LP), it was learnt.

It was gathered that the excommissioners, who were sacked by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, have been meeting with leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Some prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are also about to join the ACN, it was learnt.

They include: ex-Commissioner for Finance Chief Tayo Alasoadura, former Secretary to the State Government Isaac

E

ed in the joint negotiating team holding different press briefings.

But Maku, who briefed reporters on behalf of the Government said the labour leaders left the meeting because they had not reached an agreement with government on the issue.

He said: “Labour believes we should not address a joint press conference until all the issues are reconciled.”

In a joint press conference at the Labour House, the NLC. TUC said :”The Federal Government team declined to discuss scenarios worked out by the Joint Government-Labour team. Rather, it made an offer which was completely unacceptable to the Labour team.”

The statement, signed by Lakemfa and Kolawole said the labour team, toavoid a deadlock, urged the Government to rethink its position and make a concrete offer.

On this basis, both sides decided to meet ayesterday.

The workers hoped that both parties woud reach a consensus tomorrow.

•LP: It’s mere conjecture

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Kekemeke, Hons. Otitoju Atikase and Kunle Odidi.

Sources said members of the PDP would officially join the ACN this month at a colourful event in Akure, the state capital.

Though no date has been fixed for the event, former Lagos State Governor and ACN National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the new members.

Also expected at the event are ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande and Southwest governors.

An ACN leader in the state, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, said no fewer than 30,000 former LP members have joined the ACN in the last few weeks.

He said: “ACN is the new bride in Ondo State politics.

Politicians from all parties are defecting to the ACN on a daily basis. It is a welcome development; it shows that our party is going to take over the state.

“The present government has lost focus, hence, the massive movement to the ACN.” The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kolawole

Olabisi, denied the defections.

He said: "This cannot be true, it is a mere conjecture. LP is a mass movement. The party is growing by the day because of its people-oriented programmes."

It was also learnt that Local Government Caretaker Committees may be dissolved this week.

The local government executives have spent over two years in office, instead of the constitutional six months.

The ACN, it was learnt, has started mobilising ahead of next year’s governorship election in the state.

had been unable to take proper charge of the community, due to Alao-Akala's support for Ishola.

At the confirmation ceremony attended by two senior members of the Olubadan-inCouncil, Eddy Oyewole and Lekan Balogun, representing the Olubadan, the Onido was urged to rise up to the challenges of the moment and make his impact felt as the recognised traditional ruler of the town.

Balogun advised Akinola to learn from the mistakes of his predecessors. He warned that the days of wayward Baale's are numbered, adding that others like Ishola would be dealt with in line with the rule of law and traditionally laid down procedures.

Akinola thanked the Olubadan for upholding the truth as established by the court and pledged his support for the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

He declared free land for Fulani, Igede and Gara people who are farming on his family land especially at Igbosan, starting from Gbagbe Village River to Elerin and Ogun rivers.

He promised to provide portable water for the people and sacked existing market leaders in the community.

FOURTEEN suspected members of the Black Axe Men Confraternity (Ayee) were on Friday arrested in Iree, Osun State.

According to a statement by the Media Relations Officer of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Mr. Tope Abiola, the suspects converged in the town from various institutions in the country for an undisclosed operation.

It stated that they were rounded up at Oke-Padre by members of the institution's Man O' War, vigilance groups and the police.

Abiola said the suspects, who were initially handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of Boripe Local Government Area, Iragbiji, have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo, the state capital.

Police spokesman Olumide Olugbemileke confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Lagos warns against extortion

By Miriam Ndikanwu

LAGOS State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development Prince Adesegun Oniru has warned persons in the habit of extorting money from motorists before parking at Bar Beach and Kuramo Beach to refrain from the act or risk sanctions.

Oniru told reporters at the weekend that parking along the beach is free, stressing that the government did not permit anyone to issue parking tickets there.

He warned that the government would arrest illegal ticket issuers and street traders on Modupe Osikoya Way (former Ahmadu Bello Way), which stretches from the Bar Beach to Kuramo Beach.

He reiterated the ministry’s resolve to clear shanties along the waterfront, particularly Osborne, Ogudu and Bariga.

Fidau for businessman THE eighth day Fidau for the late Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Iyasuna Power Engineers Group Limited, Lagos, Chief Olatunji Adebanjo, will hold tommorrow at his home in Ogba, Lagos.

He died last Monday and was buried immediately at his Asiwaju Lodge in Itako, Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State.

The late Chief Adebanjo was the Baba Adini of Ogba Central Mosque, Lagos. He was also a member of the Lagos Country Club and Ikeja Country Club. He is survived by Alhaja Rasheedat Adebanjo; Chief Mrs. Florence Adebanjo, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police; Mrs. Adedolapo Adebanjo; children, grandchildren and other relations.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

NEWS Okogie urges Nigerians to shun evil

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HE Catholic ArchBishop, Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has urged Nigerians to see the house of God as a place of prayer which should not be desecrated.

Cardinal Okogie spoke at the Dedication of the Catholic chapel of the Divine Physician of St Luke and the launching of the N250 million chaplaincy centre hall project.

He enjoined Nigerians to shun evil, saying “the

By Wale Adepoju

church should help those who are troubled rather than bring them down.”

Cardinal Okojie, reading from the book of I Kings 8: 22 -23; 27 -30, said God would destroy anyone who destroys his temple, which is man’s body.

He said the Catholic Chaplaincy Centre of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) / College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL) should be used to provide pastoral care to staff, students and patients.

Edo NAWOJ Chair impeached From Osagie Otabor, Benin

E

DO State Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Mrs. Ijeoma Umeh has been impeached.

She was impeached at NAWOJ congress held last weekend.

The Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Amina Ebor of the Edo State Broadcasting Service, was elected Chairman.

Miss Celestine Osayande of Nigeria Television Authority was elected as Vice Chairman.

Mrs. Umeh had earlier been suspended for alleged misappropriation of funds realised during the National Executive Meeting of NAWOJ held in Benin.

A statement signed by the Secretary, Mrs. Osariemen Idiaghe, said all other positions remain.

OAU female students flee hostels over alleged rape S CORES of pre-degree students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, have fled their hostels at Moro village, on the outskirts of the ancient town, following alleged cases of gang rape.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the students live in private hostels in the village, owing to the university’s nonresidential policy on the pre-degree programme.

It was gathered that a gang had on Wednesday raped and robbed some students.

Most of the students abandoned their hostels.

A source said some parents had decried the nondescript nature of the hostels, with no good security arrangements.

The parents were said to have complained that the students were paired up in rooms not fit for humans, in spite of the high fees the university authorities charge for the nine-month programme.

The university’s Public

Relations Officer, Biodun Olanrewaju, said the number of affected students was yet to be ascertained.

He said as soon as the incident occurred, a detachment of security men from the main campus was deployed to the area.

Olanrewaju said the Moro hostels were not owned by the university, but were rented through private arrangements.

He said: “It is true that we operate a pre-degree programme at Moro, but it is non-residential.

“Parents made private arrangements for the accommodation of their children.

“We are touched by the unfortunate incident, and we identify with the students.

“The onus is, however, on the police to secure lives and property in the area.

“The university authorities provide security at the study centre. However,

‘We are touched by the unfortunate incident, and we identify with the students. The onus is, however, on the police to secure lives and property in the area’ this does not go beyond the centre, as there is no way of taking care of the students at Moro.’’

Olanrewaju urged landlords to be more security conscious.

But a landlady said what actually happened was not a case of rape, but robbery.

“A group of robbers came to the area on Wednesday night to rob the students , but the local security men raised the alarm and they fled,’’ she said.

She said the robbers nei-

ther hurt nor raped the students, adding that the hoodlums even dropped some stolen items while fleeing the scene.

“Items recovered from the robbers include 11 GSM handsets and some cash.

“All the items have since been released to the owners,’’ she added.

Some residents said the female occupants of the buildings, where the incident occurred, had abandoned their rooms.

The affected students were not available for comments, while the buildings have been locked by its owner.

The Area Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Ipetumodu, who declined to mention his name, said although no case of rape was reported, investigation would be carried out to ascertain what actually happened.

Police spokesman Olumide Taiwo said the command was still expecting an official report from the men in the area.

40 ex-militants get jobs

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HE post-amnesty programme at the weekend received a

boost.

This is as the first batch of ex- militants sent to South Africa for vocational training have been employed as seafarers.

The Federal Government signed an agreement with Century Group to employ 1,000 seafarers, who have acquired vocation skills in marine related fields including Deep Ocean welding, diving, boat making, marine mechanics and

By Kelvin Osa- Okunbor

other related endeavours.

Speaking at the signing in Lagos, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta matters, Kingsley Kuku, described the job placement as one of the best things to happen to the programme.

Kuku said Nigeria needs over 50,000 seafarers , a development he said has prompted government to encourage youths to pursue vocational training in such areas.

Award for Sylva

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HE Conference of all Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) is to honour Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva with a prime minister of peace award for his peace initiative in the Niger Delta.

CNPP leader Einstein Oribo said the governor deserved the award because he was the brain behind the amnesty implemented by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua-led administration.

The Commissioner for Finance, Stephen Ogullah, said Sylva plans to develop the capital, Yenagoa, into a mini Abuja.

He said: “We can all see

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

the development that is taking place in the state, including human development.

“Bayelsa is adjudged to be growing faster than states created at the same time with it.

“People should take note of the hospitals, health centres, upgrading of boarding schools, construction of roads and other developmental activities the governor is embarking upon.

“Criticisms should be constructive because the Sylvaled administration welcomes constructive criticisms.”

Church honours Oshiomhole’s wife

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HE Catholic Church yesterday honoured the wife of Edo State Governor, the late Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole.

In a special thanksgiving mass celebrated by the Arch-Bishop of Benin Diocese, the Most Rev. Anthony Akubueze, the late Mrs Oshiomhole was described as a quintessential Catholic who was devoted to Christ.

In a citation, Rev Father Andrew Obinyan said: “Apart from her simplicity and loving devotion to her husband and children, her greater strength was her abiding faith in the power

of prayers.

“She took her Christian commitment with utmost seriousness, becoming in the process the quintessential Catholic woman who was devoted to Christ and faithful to the church and duty to the family.

“While on her sick bed, she endured her health challenges with unrelenting faith in the will of God..”

Mrs. Jane Adukwu, who received the award on behalf of her mother, said: "We are proud of my mother's sacrifices and contributions to the Church."

•From left: Ifeanyi Konwea, Head, Brand Building & Business Development, Integrated Troops; Creative Director, Lowe LINAS Lagos, Akin Adesola and Publisher, M2 Magazine, Akin Adeoya, at the July edition of M2 BrandWagon Roundtable, held in Lagos

Gunmen kidnap Akwa Ibom council boss

F

IVE unknown gunmen have abducted the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Ekpo.

They shot dead his police orderly whose name could not be ascertained.

Ekpo, until his abduction, resided in Ikot Ekpene Local Government.

Sources said during the kidnap, the gunmen disrupted a soccer tourna-

•Police orderly killed From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

ment, which Ekpo was watching, shot into the air and escaped with him.

They said the gunmen were armed with AK 47 rifles and other weapons.

A source added that Ekpo’s police orderly, who tried to resist the hoodlums, was shot dead.

His words: “The council boss went to attend a soc-

cer tournament in Ikot Ekpene area when the hoodlums struck.

“There were five of them and they came with weapons to the venue of the competition.

“His police orderly, who tried to prevent them from taking his boss away, was shot dead instantly.”

A family source, who pleaded for anonymity, said the kidnappers were

yet to contact the family members.

He urged them to release Ekpo.

Police spokesman Onyeka Orji confirmed the incident.

He said: “I can confirm that the chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government was kidnapped at a soccer tournament in Ikot Ekpene.”

When asked if Ekpo’s orderly was murdered by the kidnappers, Orji said he was yet to be briefed.

Father of slain Edo artiste cries for justice

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HE father of slain Benin-based artist Erhauyi Ogbeide popularly known as ‘Prophet Ukeke’, Dr. UyiEkpen Ogbeide, has called on Governor Adams Oshiomhole to prevail on security agencies to unmask those behind the killing of his son.

Ogbeide and another artiste, Eghosa Idehen, were murdered last year by un-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

known gunmen at the home of his would-be father inlaw, Chief Osarumwense Olaye.

Olaye’s two sons, who are still on the run, were declared wanted by the police while Chief Olaye and his wife, Dorcas, were arrested.

But Dr Ogbeide at a briefing at the weekend accused

the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Osagie Obayuwan, of unlawfully releasing the key suspects in the murder of the artistes.

Dr. Ogbeide pleaded with the governor to direct Dr. Obayuwana to return the suspects to prison custody and start their trial in the court.

He said Obayuwana slammed a N25million suit

against him because he petitioned the governor that investigation had been stopped on the case.

But Obayuwana said he did not stop the investigation.

The commissioner said Dr. Ogbeide attempted to smear his name by writing a letter to the governor that he collected money from the suspects.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

NEWS 29 political appointees take oath in Katsina From Isah Idris, Katsina

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ATSINA State Governor Ibrahim Shema has sworn in 16 commissioners and 13 special assistants. They were also assigned portfolios.

The governor urged the appointees to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

Shema advised them to see their appointments as timebound and, therefore should be in a hurry to deliver good governance to the people.

Four commissioners were appointed from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

They are: Jamilu Mohammed Dan Musa, (Water Resources); Aliyu Abdulmumini Abdullahi, (Commerce); Hussainin Yammama, (Land and Survey); and Tijani Auwalu Zango, (Culture and Tourism.

Those of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are: Prof. Aminu Kadoi Kurfi, (Education); Gide Batagarawa, (Information); Sani Hamisu Makana, (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs); Nasidi Moh’d Danladi, (Health); Mustapha Maikudi, (Works); and Adamu Ibrahim Babangida, (Finance).

Others are: Musa Adamu, (Agriculture); Bishir Yusuf, (Justice); Abdullahi Ibrahim Talba, (Youth and Sports); Dr. Asmau Yakubu, (Women Affairs); Musa Nasuni, (Resource Development); and Ibrahim Safana, (Environment).

The special advisers include Sani Shaibu M/shi, (Media); Dr. Garba Matazu, (Higher Education); Nafiu Kurgafa, (Employment and Productivity); Shefiu Madawaki, (Poultry and Fishing Faming); and Hajiya Bilkin Kaikai, (Girl Child Education).

Some of the special advisers are from the CPC.

Jonathan urged to renew poly Rector’s appointment

A

PRESSURE group, Mubi Community Development Association (MCDA), has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to renew the appointment of Dr. Mustapha Barua, the Provost of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, Adamawa State, for a second term.

The group noted that the President’s transformation agenda would make the right impact when credible and tested individuals are not denied the opportunity to handle their areas of competence.

Addressing reporters in Mubi, Chairman of the group Dr. A.B. Kwacham said Barau deserved to be reappointed because he had transformed the school from its comatose state to a vibrant higher institution within four years.

He said the polytechnic was established in 1981 but brought to its knee by previ-

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

ous leaders, noting that this led to a proposed plan to merge it with the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Yobe State, by the Federal Ministry of Education, before Barau took over.

Kwacham alleged that Barau had been at loggerheads with some cartels that had been diverting the resources for the development of the school into personal uses.

He accused of misleading the Minister of Education to ignore the recommendations of the school’s Governance Council for selfish interest.

Kwacham said: “We have watched with keen interest the activities of some selfish people, who have written a series of petitions against Barau to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

(EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on corruption charges. But after investigation by the agencies, Barau was given a clean bill of health for his honesty and transparency in the administration and financial handling of the institution.”

Kwacham noted that those blackmailing the rector were using their connection with the minister to ensure that Barau does not get a second term, adding that the blackmailers wanted to get rid of the rector to have access to the school’s treasury.

He said his group would resist such people to ensure that the polytechnic does not lapse into decay again.

According to him, the school had 714 workers before Barau came on board but now has 5,554 workers with about N54million spent on

Kwara denies report on cholera outbreak

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HE Kwara State Government yesterday denied reports of an outbreak of cholera in the state.

It said what happened “were isolated but contained cases of gastroenteritis, a stomach condition, in Okelele and Adabata” areas of Ilorin, the state capital.

Commissioner for Health Alhaji Kayode Issa said the

only confirmed case of cholera has been treated, adding that cholera and gastroenteritis have similar symptoms.

Issa said a one confirmed case of cholera could not be described as an outbreak.

He said cholera is an endemic condition that could be controlled through good hygiene.

In a statement by the Senior

Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Communications, Muideen Akorede, the commissioner said 11 cases of gastroenteritis were reported last week, adding that the patients had been treated at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and discharged.

Issa said the ministry’s emergency response teams

visited the affected areas and identified the patients as well as their and their families.

He said the ministry complied with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) protocol on infection control.

The commissioner said additional stocks of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) kits and other medical sup-

plies had been distributed to state-owned health institutions, adding that the ministry was on the alert to prevent new cases.

Issa said the ministry had begun advocacy and sensitisation campaigns on food handling, water purification, proper disposal of human waste and refuse to prevent the spread of disease.

•Jonathan

salaries.

Kwacham noted the Barau employed 75 per cent Mubi indigenes as workers, adding that those persecuting him on the basis of his nonindigene status were selfish.

He said 60 per cent of the workers’ salaries was spent in the state, noting that this had direct implication on the businesses in Mubi.

Kwacham said: “When our children were in the position of the leadership of this institution, there were clear records of underdevelopment and corruption everywhere. None of us wrote a petition against them. Now that we have a messiah, who has transformed the institution, some people decided to pull him down in the name of non-indigene.”

He noted that it was because of Barau’s achievements at the school that the Emir of Mubi honoured him with the title of The Transformer of Mubi.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Interbank rates drop on budgetary inflows

I

NTERBANK rates eased to seven per cent on aver age last week from 7.75 per cent a fortnight ago following the disbursal of a large portion of June budgetary allocations to government agencies, traders said.

Africa’s top crude exporter distributes revenues from oil sales and taxes among its three levels of government each month, part of which comes to the banking system and helps lenders fund their operations.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday hiked its benchmark interest rate by a bigger-than-expected 75 basis points to 8.75 per cent, hoping it would help curb rapid monetary growth and rein in inflation in the sub-Saharan Africa’s second biggest economy.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) however, closed at 6.50 per cent, 225 basis points lower than the CBN’s benchmark rate and 25 percentage points short of the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement dropped to seven per cent from 7.75 per cent, while call money fell to 7.5 per cent from 8.50 per cent last week.

Traders said the market responded to the hike in the banking watchdog’s interest rate in the week until the huge budgetary inflows hit the market on Thursday when the rate fell.

“The market opened with a cash balance of about N622 billion ($4.06 billion) on Friday.

This is an indication that the system is highly liquid,” one dealer said.

“We are not expecting rates to change next week with the level of liquidity in the system, unless there is a major cash outflows to treasury bills, bonds and foreign exchange,” another dealer said.

The indicative rates for the Nigeria interbank offered rate (NIBOR) fell in tandem with the short-term instruments, with seven-day funds easing to 8.08 per cent from 8.50 per cent last week

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$119.8/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.82 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.2% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -8% Foreign Reserve -$34.4bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 210 £ 241.00 $ 150.00 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 241.5 RIYAL 39.3

Despite the gains that have been recorded in the past decade in government procurement processes to kick out corruption, much work still lay ahead given the huge challenge posed by corrupt politicians, who came to power through dubious means and private interest who try to influence contracts in their favour without merit.

-Emeka Ezeh, DG of Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)

Dangote Cement floats $400m plant in Zambia

Mining, dredging threaten $1b W’Africa Gas Pipeline D S

AND miners and dredgers in Lagos are threatening the pipelines of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAPCo), it was learnt.

The company said their activities make the pipelines prone to damage and should be discouraged by the Lagos State Government.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr Charles Adeniji, said these while making a presentation on the activities of WAPCo to the media in Lagos.

Adeniyi said the company and the World Bank are discussing the problem with the Lagos State Government and are looking on how to halt the sand miners and

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

dredgers.

He noted that the discussion was on, but appealed to the Federal and Lagos State Ministry of Environment to declare mining and dredging around the WAPCo right of way (RoW) illegal.

He said the company would be glad if the state government would instruct the miners and dredgers to stop and also put control measures that would stop further activities there.

On the security of the 678kilometre pipeline, which passed through Cotonou in Benin, Lome in Togo via Tema and Takoradi in Ghana,

Adeniyi said through the governments of these countries, the company was able to secure the subregional navy to provide offshore patrol of the pipeline.

According to the WAPCo chief, except for where the pipeline connects the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS), which supplies the gas, the rest of the pipeline is offshore. The onshore part of the gas pipeline system is only 56 kilometres and 30 inches in diameter.The onshore connects the offshore at Itoki export terminal in Badagry area of Lagos.

Gas supply to WAPCo is done 50-50 by the Chevron/

NNPC joint venture and Shell/NNPC joint venture.

Adeniji said the JVC project has been successfully completed. However, less than one-third of the capacity of the pipeline is being utilised.

The WAPCo system has a capacity to transport 474 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) of gas, but the initial agreement, according to N-Gas, the company that has purchase and supply agreements with WAPCo and gas producing companies, is scheduled to transport 134MMscf/d.

Adeniji urged the stakeholders in the project to come forth and explore ways to ensure the facility operates optimally.

ANGOTE Industries Limited has extended the frontier of its businesses in Africa with the launch of a new multi-million dollar Dangote Cement Manufacturing Plant in Zambia.

The ground breaking ceremony in Masaiti near Ndola, Zambia’s manufacturing hub, witnessed by top government officials, ministers, and business leaders, according to a statement, was performed

by Zambian President Rupiah Bwezani Banda, who called on other African entrepreneurs to direct their investment to African countries.

Banda disclosed that the new plant with an investment outlay of $400 million, is the largest in Zambia and would to a great extent help his government in the task of job creation and poverty alleviation.

The plant when completed, according to the statement, is expected to produce 1.5 tons of cement annually, and will provide direct jobs for over 1000 unemployed Zambians, with addition 6,000 indirect jobs for the locals.

President Banda, who led a delegation of Zambian top government officials, private sector operators as well as traditional rulers to the ceremony, lauded the doggedness of Dangote for believing in the economy of African countries with the establishment of his businesses across the continent.

Visafone engages 2000 for SIM registration • Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti ( middle) addressing the monthly meeting of the Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Lagos. He is flanked by the Chairperson of the committee, Mrs Mojisola Aderinto and Group Head of Compliance and Control, of the bank, Mr Wumi Adeniyi.

Oceanic signs merger pact with Ecobank

O

CEANIC Interna tional Bank PLC has moved a step further in its recapitalisation with the signing of a Transaction Implementation Agreement (TIA) with its preferred bidder, Ecobank Transnational Incorporation (ETI).

The deal has also been endorsed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

A TIA is an irrevocable legal document specifying that the transactions between the two institutions have advanced and are binding.

Thereafter, the duo’s agreements are expected to be submitted to the regulators and shareholders for their approval Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Oceanic International Bank, John Aboh, explained to the media yesterday that ETI was selected as a strategic investor because of its pedigree and proven track record of success.

He said the emerging entity would create the second or third biggest bank in the country, with estimated 620 branch

By Collins Nweze

network.

The Oceanic boss said the bank started by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and, thereafter, began negotiating terms of the agreement before it got to the TIA stage last Thursday. He said there was no money exchange involved, but there would be a share exchange between ETI shareholders and Oceanic Bank shareholders.

“Shareholders of Oceanic will receive ETI shares as no cash was involved. It’s a great deal for the shareholders,” Aboh said.

He advised shareholders of Oceanic Bank to exercise caution when dealing in the bank’s shares until full transactions details are disclosed.

Aboh said the next stage of the recapitalisation plan is to get regulator’s approval, which both parties are confident of securing. He said the Board of Directors of the bank remains confident that a transaction will be completed within the required time line

to comply with the CBN’s deadline of September 30, 2011.

He said he was not aware of any pending litigation against the bank’s recapitalisation except that of the bank’s former managing director, Mrs. Cicelia Ibru.

“Oceanic Bank International is pleased to announce that following the completion of an extensive selection process and negotiations, it has entered in to a Transaction Implementation Agreement (TIA) in respect of the recapitalisation of the bank with its preferred bidder, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI). In addition, the Central Bank of Nigeria has conveyed its no objection for the bank to enter into the TIA with ETI,” he said.

Ecobank and ETI are expected to begin the process of seeking shareholders and regulatory approvals in accordance with the relevant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including the provision of full transaction details to shareholders at the appropri-

ate time.

ETI is the parent company of Ecobank Group with banking operations in 31 African countries and France, as well as representative offices in South Africa, London, Angola and Duabai. Oceanic International bank is one of the eight banks rescued by the CBN with N620 billion lifelines in 2009.

It has thus become the fourth bank out of the eight rescued banks to find a partner in their bid to recapitalise. Intercontinental Bank Plc has already signed a TIA with Access bank to operate as a single financial institution. African Capital Alliance, which would be investing $750 billion in Union Bank has also signed a TIA with the bank while FinBank and First City Monument Bank has sealed theirs too. The recapitalisation plans of the remaining four banks: Afribank, Bank PHB, Equitorial Trust Bank and Spring Bank are said to be at different stages of completion.

V

ISAFONE Communica tion has engaged 2,000 young graduates for its SIMcard registration nationwide.

A statement released by Visafone yesterday and signed

by Head, Corporate Communications, Mr Joseph Ushigiale, said: “The engagement of over 2,000 unemployed graduates is in line with the Federal Government’s latest collaboration with the private sector to narrow the growing unemployment gap and breathe some life into the economy.”

He added: “The graduates were engaged two months ago and are carrying out the SIM registration nationwide throughout the period.”

Visafone expressed surprise that out of the 2,000 positions advertised for, over 10,000 applications were received. The telecoms firm noted that the huge turnout clearly underscores the high level of unemployment in the country, which requires urgent intervention, concerted efforts and collective action from the private sector.”

Visafone said: “We would continue to play our part responsibly in this direction as well as strive to utilise our job creation opportunities to build skill-set, transfer skills as well as encourage entrepreneurial growth that would lay a solid foundation for economic growth.”

12

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY

• Mr Victor Osadalor, Managing Director, UBA Capital Holdings; Mr Yoshino Shigehiro, Chief Representative for Europe, Middle East & Africa Region, Nippon Export & Investment Insurance; Mr Phillips Oduoza, GMD/CEO, UBA Plc; Mr Toshiyuki Kosugi, Resident Executive Officer for Europe, Middle East & Africa, Japan Bank for International Co-operation; Mr Adekunle AbdulRazaq Oyinloye, Managing Director, Urban Development Bank of Nigeria Plc and Dan Okeke, Group Director, North Bank, during a Japanese Business Delegation’s visit to UBA.

Airport Customs Command targets N42b

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

T

HE Murtala Muhammed In ternational Airport Com mand of Nigeria Custom Service (MMAC), Ikeja Lagos is targeting revenue of N42billion this year, the Customs Area Controller Michael Adedeji Adewole, has said He disclosed this while giving an overview of this year’s half-year review of the operatives of the (MMAC).

He said in the first six months of the year, the command had collected N16,032,273,876, which represents 89.1 per cent of its projections.

Adewole explained that the monthly revenue target translates to about N3.5billion, when cargo and related operators at the MMAC is at its full swing with expected boost in flight operations.

He gave the breakdown of monthly revenue collection as N2,035,721,956.51 for January 2011 while the figures for February stands at N2,949,371,196.07. Figures for March 2011 were N2, 518,289,989.86.

Diamond Bank H1 pre-tax drops 67%

D

IAMOND Bank Plc said last Friday its pre-tax profit for the first half of the year dropped by 67 per cent to N2 billion ($13.06 million) compared with N6.2 billion in the previous year.

The bank’s gross earnings also declined to N44.1 billion from N46.1 billion last year.

“The bank’s operational focus in the second half of 2011 will be directed towards its areas of core competence, ensuring that the bank continues its endeavours in the retail banking sector, prioritising customer experience and operational efficiency,” the bank Chief Executive Alex Otti said.

Recapitalisation: Lagos Chamber seeks extension for banks

T

HE Lagos Chamber of Com merce and Industry (LCCI) has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the deadline for the recapitalisation of the rescued banks.

He also appealed to the apex bank to extend the inter-bank guarantee for the rescued banks that have not progressed in their recapitalisation to May, 2012.

But the banking watchdog has insisted that the September recapitalisation deadline for the eight rescued banks remains. It also said the December inter-bank guarantee extension granted to the three banks that have progressed in their recapitalisation would be given to others when they reach the Transaction Implementation Agreement (TIA) stage.

Speaking with The Nation, the President of the chamber, Otunba Femi Deru, said CBN should involve the shareholders in the recapitalisation process in the spirit

By Toba Agboola

of inclusiveness, fairness and the law.

“We are concerned at the recent turn of events on the recapitalisation of the rescued banks. We appreciate the position of the CBN, especially with regard to the many encumbrances that have slowed the process. The Chamber has consulted stakeholders on this matter and would accordingly advise that the CBN should refrain from public pronouncements that could undermine the confidence of investors and depositors in the affected banks. We want CBN to also extend the recapitilisation of the rescued banks till May 2012,” Deru said.

On the recent introduction of noninterest banking and the controversy it has generated, he said what was important is the due recognition of the peculiarities of the Nigerian environment and the inherent sensibilities. “ The focus should be on the fi-

nancial concepts, principles and the values it will give to those who choose to patronise it (Islamic banking) as a banking product,” Deru said.

He said Nigeria has the highest cost of funds compared with other countries.

“The reality of the Nigerian situation is that the cost of fund is one of the highest in the world. One of the major challenges in the Nigerian business environment is high lending rate. Therefore, a banking product that will relieve borrowers the burden of interest payment will not be out place. Therefore, the non-interest banking should be stripped of all its religious characterisations and offered as purely a financial product. This, we believe, would improve its appeal to a wider segment of the society.

These issues should be managed with utmost care so that it does not degenerate to another major religious controversy, which could spin out of control.”

Lawmaker canvasses consolidation in ICT sector A

SENATOR representing Ogun Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Olugbenga Obadara, has said consolidation in the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is the only way it can effectively contribute to the economic development of the nation, in the face of the harsh operating environment.

Speaking yesterday in Lagos at the Broadband Investment summit organised by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and BusinessWorld, Obadara said ‘Mergers and Acquisition’ of ailing operators would ensure that resources are optimally utilised for cost-effectiveness and national

By Adline Atili

growth.

He said: “A lot of operators in the ICT sector can’t stand on their own.

How many ISPs are working today?

If we have only five strong companies that are bringing billions of Naira in return, that is better than having 100 operators that are worth nothing. One hundred per cent of nothing is nothing. Operators should start thinking of ‘Mergers and Acquisition.’ It will help the individual, the industry and the nation.”

He assured of the National Assembly’s commitment to facili-

tate investments in the sector to spur growth.

At a recent ICT forum in Lagos, ICT operators had lamented serious disconnect from government.

Both the presidents of ATCON, Titi Omo-Ettu and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and Gbenga Adebayo had called for concerted efforts towards helping the telecoms sector. They said some operators, mostly local ones, were undergoing serious threats to their survival and needed bailout to remain in business.

According to Omo-Ettu, about 45 per cent of indigenous ICT businesses have folded up over the past few years due to the harsh operating environment in the country.

Why Rivers is issuing N250b bond, by Amaechi

R

IVERS State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has again explained why his administration plans to issue bonds at the capital market for funding major developmental projects.

A statement by the spokesman to the Rivers State Governor, Mr David Iyofor, stated that the bond would be tied to funding specific developmental projects.

The projects, he said, include the Greater Port Harcourt City, the Port Harcourt Monorail project, the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology Phase 1, Monte@Rivers (an entertainment

complex), the Port Harcourt Ring Road (that would connect the old city and Greater Port Harcourt) and a new M-10 Highway (a beltway that would link the Port Harcourt International Airport to the Onne Sea port).

Iyofor explained that such audacious gigantic projects would need immediate and massive funds injection to complete them. Hence Rivers State plans to approach the capital market in October this year to raise these funds.

He added that already the State House of Assembly has given the nod for the governor to go ahead

and obtain the bond as such projects cannot be accomplished by sheer reliance on Federal Allocation and Internally Generated Revenue that comes in trickles.

Explaining further the details of the bond, Rivers State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, said: “These long-term capital projects that are capable of catalysing the industrialisation and transformation of Rivers State require massive financial investment that can only be obtained from the capital market.”

“The proposed size of the first tranche of the bond will be about N100 billion with five years tenor,

whereas the total bond programme of N250 billion is envisaged over the next several months,” Peterside said.

He noted that Rivers State remains very buoyant financially with sizeable revenue accruing from both the Federation Account and IGR. The State has set a target of earning at least half of its total revenue from IGR over the next one to two years.

Peterside, however, noted that the state has moved further to institutionalise its efforts, giving no room for future administrations to violate loan covenants of bonds.

LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 5. Dana 07.02 08.22 6. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 8. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 9. Dana 08.10 09.20 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Dana 12.06 12.26 15. Aero 12.20 13.30 16. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 17. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 18. Arik 13.45 14.45 19. IRS 14.00 15.20 20. Aero 14.10 15.30 21. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 22. Dana 15.30 16.50 23. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 24. Arik 15.50 16.50 25. Aero 16.00 17.20 26. IRS 16.30 17.50 27. Arik 16.50 17.50 28. Dana 17.10 18.30 29. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 30. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 31. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 32. Arik 18.45 19.45 33. Aero 19.20 20.40 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

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

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Dana 09.27 10.40 5. Aero 10.50 12.30 6. Arik 11.40 13.00 7. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 8. IRS 13.30 15.00 9. Arik 14.00 15.20 10. Dana 15.03 16.20 11. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 12. Arik 16.10 17.30 13. Aero 16.15 17.30 14. Arik 17.10 18.30 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1.

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3.

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6.

LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana 1. IRS 2. Arik

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 11.15 13.15 15.50 18.00

LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

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

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

13

ISSUES

•Trading Floor at the Nigeria Stock Exchange

Investors can earn relatively safer and more regular returns in bonds.

TONIA OSUNDOLIRE writes on the benefits of bonds as alternative instruments

T

Bonds as alternative investment window HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange

(NSE) are making new plans to attract investors back to the market by promoting non-equity instruments.

State of bond market The bond market was inactive for many years before the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 1999.

However, with the coming of his administration, the market was re-

activated through the Federal Government’s bond. This had opened the flood gate for the floatation of more bonds by Federal and state governments and corporate institutions.

A bond is a debt instrument that entitles the investor to his principal investment and a fixed return upon the maturity of the investment. This bond could be Federal, state or corporate.

This instrument is referred to as fixed securities because the expected income is fixed and is not eroded like the equities market.

Before the re-emergence of the bond market in 2003, capital projects by the

government have been executed with the support of short-term funds from banks. The reliance on short-term funds for financing long-term projects has been described as a mismatch as it could put borrowers in an unstable financial and operational situation.

The government through the Federation Account, coupled with an ineffective internal revenue collection mechanism have led State Governments (Sub-national) to depend on alternative financing arrangements to fund their year-on-year budget deficit. For years, bank loans at high

interest rates have played a significant role in funding the said deficit.

Narrowing this down to the Subnational bond, there have been speculations that before 2003, some states that have accessed the market for fund did not really specify what the funds will be used for and have at the end of the day deny their citizens the right to comfort with dilapidated infrastructure while some did not even venture into providing any at all.

However, with the return of the bond market eight years ago, the issuance of it by state government has offered them a viable option to re-

ducing the said deficit and investing in numerous long-term capital projects at comparatively lower cost.

According to statistics obtained from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), since 1999 to date, 14 states have successfully issue bonds. They include Edo (Series I- N1billion; Series II- N25billion) Delta N3.5billion, Yobe N2.5billion, Ekiti N4billion (in 2 tranches of N2.5billion and N1.5billion); Lagos (Series I-N15billio , Series IIN57.5billion), Cross River

•Continued on page 14

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

14

ISSUES

Bonds as alternative investment window •Continued from page 13 N4billion, Akwa Ibom N6billion, Kebbi N3.5billion and Imo N18.5billion. Others are Kwara N17billion, Niger N6billion, Bayelsa N50billion, Kaduna N8.5billion and Ebonyi N16.5billion. The Lagos State Series II Bond issued in 2010 was oversubscribed by 249 per cent.

How bonds are issued Once a state shows interest in raising fund through the fixed securities bond, the Debt Management Office (DMO) will do a debt sustainability analysis based on what the state owes. This is done to evaluate if the state can accommodate another loan.

However, the power of state governments to issue registered bonds (and promissory notes) is enshrined in Section 223 of the Investment and Securities Act 2007 (“ISA”). Before a state government can issue bonds to the investing public, it must obtain the approval of SEC being apex regulatory body for the capital market, according to the Section 13 of the ISA. In issuing a state government bond, the requirements for obtaining the SEC’s approval are provided for in Section 224 of the ISA and Rule 307 of the SEC’s Rules and Regulations (SEC Rules) made pursuant to the ISA. Section 224(3)(a) of the ISA provides that an application to the SEC by a State Government to raise funds from the capital market shall be accompanied by such documents as may be prescribed by the SEC, from time to time, and shall include: a Law authorising the bond issuance exercise and creating a sinking fund to be fully funded from the consolidated revenue fund account of the issuer; a Rating Report by an accredited Rating Agency registered with the SEC; and an Irrevocable Letter of Authority (ILoA) from the Accountant- General of the state, authorising the Accountant General of the Federation to deduct payment obligations due on the bond from the issuer’s statutory allocations in the event of a default by the Subnational.

Approval for bond issue Interest and indication to raise bonds from the capital market is not enough for the subnational to get approval from SEC. These states are meant to meet up some standard requirements. Officially, it is only one state that has applied and was turned down due to some reasons, because it is below the set standard.

During the tenure of immediate past governor of Ogun State government, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the N100 billion his government issued could not scale through the House of Assembly because the law makers felt they were not convinced that it would be for the development of their state.

Besides, the resolutions of the state government’s Executive Council and Legislative Assembly authorising the issuance of the bonds and published in the Official Gazette of the state and the feasibility reports on the projects to be funded by the proceeds of the bond issue are part of the documents that are sine qua non for the SEC’s approval to be obtained.

Moreover, the funding from the bond issuance and utilisation of same should be captured in the provisions of the state’s yearly budget during the bond’s tenor.

There is a cap on the amount of debt a subnational can raise via bonds or any other means; the total loan portfolio of a state at any particular time must not exceed 50 per cent of the revenue generated in the previous year proviso to Section 223(1) of the ISA. Loans in this context include bank loans, external debts arrangements, bonds, etc. By way, of example, if a sub-national’s current outstanding loan portfolio is N20 billion and the preceding year’s income was N100 billion. The amount

•DG, DMO, Abraham Nwankwo

• Ms Oteh

that can be raised via bonds must not exceed N30billion, as a N30 billion bond issuance exercise will bring the total loan portfolio to N50 billion, which is 50 per cent of the previous year’s revenue.

such as the SEC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have amended and or issued several guidelines to shore up investors’ confidence, encourage domestic and foreign investments and deepen the capital market . A robust, efficient and credible market is the target as the impact of same on Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) cannot be overemphasised.

The role of the NSE in relation to Sub-national bonds, borders mainly on the listing of these bonds on the Floor of the NSE. Currently, only seven State Government bonds are listed on the bourse with their tenor ranging from five to seven years, although they are not actively traded on the secondary market when compared to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Bonds.

With the face value of bonds outstanding in the domestic market put at N3.26 trillion and the FGN Bonds accounting for 89 per cent or N2.901 trillion, Sub-nationals, N251 billion and Corporate bodies, N111.75 billion, it is of little surprise that the sub-national bonds market is illiquid.

The CBN in September 2010 issued the “Guidelines for Granting Liquid Asset Status to State Government Bonds”. The aforesaid guidelines were issued, inter alia, with a view to boost investors’ confidence (both domestic and foreign) in the Nigerian capital market. In tandem with the provisions of the ISA on sinking funds, the guidelines require a Law authorising the bond issuance exercise and also creating the sinking fund. Other requirements before granting liquid asset status to a state government bond include; the establishment of a debt management office/department; a cap of seven years on the tenor of the bonds; provision of an ILoA by the Accountant-General of the State to the Accountant-General of the Federation or a SEC waiver of the ILoA; the bond being rated as investment grade by a Rating Agency accredited by the SEC at the inception and during the tenor of the bond, etc. On the tenor of the bonds, no state government bond currently outstanding exceeds the aforesaid tenor. Banks and discount houses, in computing their capital adequacy ratio, shall assign a risk-weight of 20 per cent to state government bonds that qualify as liquid assets while sub-national bonds that do not qualify as liquid assets shall be assigned a risk-weight of 50 per cent. Furthermore, Sub-national bonds that qualify as liquid assets are eligible for “repo” transactions. By implication, most Sub-nationals would endeavour to meet the aforesaid liquid status requirements. As such, would make the bonds more attractive to prospective investors. For the Sub-national bonds that have been issued in Nigeria in the recent past, a large portion of the subscription for these bonds can be attributed to Qualified Institutional Investors (“QIIs”), such as Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), Fund Managers, Insurance Companies, Staff Schemes, etc- See Rule 78© of the SEC Rules for the definition of QIIs. In view of the aforesaid, since these entities are deemed to be financially sophisticated investors, only a properly structured instrument (with regards to, inter alia, pricing, security and status) will garner their consideration for investment.

Monitoring state govt’s bond The SEC as part of its developmental roles has said there will be an extra effort put in place to monitor the fund taken by various state governments to finance their capital projects.

The Director- General of the commission Ms Arunma Oteh, said in other parts of the world, the SEC does not monitor the use of proceeds.

But when she joined SEC, she was made to understand the importance from this side of the world.

“We actually have people physically on ground that go and do inspection. There is nowhere else I know and I covered market in Asia, Europe, Latin America and in the US. And there is nowhere I have heard that the uses of proceeds are monitored by the regulator,” she said.

Furthermore, she said this move stretches the Commission’s resources because the commission is asked to do so many things such as being an engineer. “You cannot keep trying to catch them, people need to stop doing the wrong thing and, we, as Nigerians, if we feel that a state is not using the money, we are in the democracy, and we can be advocates.

“It is burdensome for the regulator to do everything from the beginning to the end.

We citizens of this country need to take our own roles and play it well. I accept it for the time being because they say the environment is unique but why should it be. If as citizens, we are insisting that people do the right thing, it will not be a burden on the regulators to chase people around.” she said.

How investors are paid The government as part of the requirements made available for the bond to be approved

by SEC put aside a sinking fund where deductions are made from the statutory money allocation. Sinking Fund simply refers to a fund into which an issuer sets aside money to liquidate its debt instruments. The Sinking Fund can be funded through the Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) or any other source of repayment as discussed in the offer documents (in this case, the Bond Prospectus and the Trust Deed). The ISPO established by reason of the ILoA is a credit enhancement tool as it is backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government of Nigeria. In other words, it improves the credit rating of the instrument and enhances the attractiveness of the instrument to prospective investors.

For most sub-national bonds (if not all) that have hit the capital market in the recent past, deductions from the statutory allocation of the state kick-off immediately the offer hits the market and in some cases, even before the offer hits the market.

Regulators’ roles and impact The Federal Government and regulators

Structuring State Govt bond For a typical Sub-national bond issuance several professional parties are involved. Piv-

otal of these parties are the Financial Advisers/Issuing Houses/Book Runners (if the bond is issued via a book building process- a process of price discovery by which an issuing house/book runner, attempts to determine at what price a public offer should be made, based on demand and bid prices from qualified institutional and high net worth investors). The Issuing Houses, led by the Lead Issuing House, co-ordinate the entire bond issuance from start to finish. Other professional parties include; the Underwriters (if applicable), Trustees, Solicitors to the Bond/ Offer, Solicitors to the Trustees, Reporting Accountants, Stockbrokers, Registrars, Rating Agencies and Receiving Banks/Paying Agents. The aforementioned professional parties must be registered with the SEC and their Fidelity Bond should be valid. It is also important to note that the members of the Executive Council, Attorney General, Accountant General and Auditor General of the State perform important roles to the successful closing of a Sub-national bond issuance exercise.

The Financial Advisers/Issuing Houses structure the instrument and prepare the bond prospectus, with input from other professional parties. The bond prospectus is the document that offers the securities (bonds) to the public. The prospectus and the securities that it offers must be approved and registered by the SEC. In structuring a subnational bond, a typical term sheet will address issues such as the bond size; method of issue; coupon rate; coupon payment dates; tenor of the bonds; issuer and bond rating; security for the bonds; sinking fund; use of proceeds; quotation (admission of the bonds on the Daily Official List of the NSE); tax qualification (grossing-up); status of the bonds (whether or not they qualify as liquid assets or securities in which PFAs may invest under the Pension Reform Act, Cap P4, LFN 2004 or securities in which Trustees may invest under Trustees Investments Act Cap T22 LFN 2004, etc.

If the bonds are to be issued via a book building the initial term sheet will not include a definite bond size and coupon rate but only an indicative bond size and a coupon band within which investors are to bid for the bonds.

The Trustees to the bond are key to a sub-national bond issuance exercise. Section 224(5) of the ISA provides that the sinking fund in a sub-national bond issuance exercise shall be managed by a corporate trustee registered with the SEC. The Trustees act as the representatives of the bondholders until the redemption of the bonds and also hold on their behalf, the security for the repayment of the principal and coupon in relation to the bond. The Trustees are appointed under the Trust Deed prepared by the Solicitors to the Trustees. The Trust Deed will contain clauses bordering on the powers, rights, duties and reliefs of the trustees, creation and funding of the sinking fund, terms of the bonds, redemption of the bonds, investment of monies in the sinking fund, obligations of the issuer, events of default, etc.

Since the ISA permits registered bonds as the only type of the bonds that can be issued by a Sub-national, the importance of a Registrar cannot be over emphasised. The Registrar will, inter alia, maintain the register of bondholders until the redemption of the bonds- Section 227 of the ISA. The Solicitors to the Bond/Offer act as Transaction Counsel and thus, protect the interest of the public. They are expected to conduct a sort of due-diligence on the issuer (State) and issue a detailed report bordering on issues such as the claims and litigation and the material contracts entered into by the State. Furthermore, they draft the Vending Agreement, Joint Issuing Houses Agreement (if applicable), Underwriting Agreement (if applicable) and also review other transaction documents such as the Bond Prospectus, Trust Deed, etc.

The Rating Agency as the name suggests, rates the issuer and the bond; the Reporting Accountants report on the historical financial statements and financial projections of the issuer; the stockbrokers are in charge of the process of applying to the NSE for admission of the bonds to the Daily Official List of the NSE and the subsequent listing of same and the Receiving Banks/Paying Agents receive the proceeds of the issue and upon the instruction of the Trustees, remit the requisite coupons and principal payments to the bondholders. However, the Receiving Banks and the Paying Agents may also be separate entities depending on the structure adopted by the Financial Advisers.

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OLITICS NPEWS

Report of NBA Committee on crisis in the Judiciary utes of the Committee’s said meeting is attached to this report as Annexure 8.

Presented to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN) on July 8, 2011 at the NBA National Secretariat, Abuja

General background

Introduction Establishment of the Committee

P

URSUANT to the resolution of the Na tional Executive Committee of the Ni gerian Bar Association at its meeting held in Awka, Anambra State on 17th February 2011, the President of the NBA set up a thirteen-member Committee in his letter of 21st February, 2011 sent to individual members of the Committee.

Membership of the Committee

The members of the Committee are as follows: Chief T.J.O. Okpoko, SAN - Chairman, Chief Idowu Sofola, SAN - Member, Chief Bandele Aiku, SAN - Member, Dr. S.S. Ameh, SAN - Member, Professor G.A. Olawoyin, SAN -Member, Mr. O. C.J. Okocha, SAN - (Declined), Mr. E.J.J. Toro, SAN - Member, Chief Assam Assam, SAN - Member, Mr. Marcus Yarkasuwa Saleh, SAN- Member, Mr. Obi Ulasi, SAN - Member, Mrs. Stella Ugboma Member, Alhaji M.U. Ibrahim (Jam-Jam) Member, Mr. Ebenezer Obeya - (Secretary).

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference of Committee are as follows.

To investigate the following: (i) CJN/PCA face-off. (ii) Debilitating corruption eating into and corroding the entire judicial system. (iii) Legal Practitioners who promote corruption in a variety of ways in the system.

To liaise with other relevant committees working on the same issues in order to harmonize their efforts with a view to coming up with a uniform solution.

To do other things that are necessarily incidental to the work of the committee.

To submit its report to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA on or before Monday, the 30th of April, 2011.

Inauguration of the Committee

The Committee was formally inaugurated on Friday, 25th February 2011, by Mr. Joseph Bodunrin Daudu, SAN, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association who was represented by the 2nd Vice President, Mr. Osas J. Erhabor.

In his prepared address, the NBA President succinctly captured the reasons for the establishment of the Committee and urged its members to deal with the terms of reference with “liberty to deal with any matter ancillary or incidental” to the said terms of reference. A copy of the NBA President’s address is attached to this Report for ease of reference as Annexure 1.

Meetings of the committee

The Inaugural Meeting The inaugural meeting of the Committee took place immediately after its inauguration on Friday, 25th February, 2011.

The Chairman reported that O. C. J. Okocha, Esq., SAN contacted him to say that in view of his current membership of the NJC, he will be unable to serve in the Committee and that he had advised the NBA President accordingly.

The meeting considered the Committee’s Terms of Reference, a Proposed Press release, its work programme and broad modalities for the attainment of its objectives including working visits to some stakeholders.

Consequent upon the approval of the Press release at the meeting, the same was published on page 16 of This-day and page 39 of Daily Trust newspapers of 2nd March, 2011.

Photocopies of the said press release are attached to this Report as Annexure 2A & B, while a copy of the minutes of the inaugural meeting is also attached hereto as Annexure 3.

Meetings of 14th and 15th March, 2011.

The meeting of Monday, 14th March, 2011,

•Justice Katsina-Alu

•Justice Salami

commenced at about 3p.m. after the Committee’s meeting with the President of the Court of Appeal at the Court’s Headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting noted the lack of response from most of the agencies and individuals to which letters were sent with requests for meetings between the Committee and the respective agencies and individuals, including the EFCC, ICPC, IGP, Chief Judges of the FHC and FCT High Court. Letters were also said to have been sent to NBA branches.

Members noted the Committee’s visit to the President of the Court of Appeal and the discussions with him earlier in the day. A copy of the record of the meeting of the Committee with the President of the Court of Appeal is attached to this Report as Annexure 4.

The Committee’s Chairman informed the members of his meeting with the Chief Justice of Nigeria who promised to revert to the Committee for a meeting with him after due consultations with his friends.

The meeting proceeded to the consideration of memoranda/petitions sent to the Committee but had to suspend further deliberations following the confirmation of an appointment with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN. The Committee met with the Hon. AGF who was briefed about the assignment of the Committee. On his part, the Hon. AGF pledged his co-operation and promised to make available to the Committee any materials he may consider useful to the Committee in the discharge of its assignment. Members left the Federal Ministry of Justice after 6p.m. when the Committee adjourned its meeting to Tuesday, 15th March, 2011 at 9a.m.

The adjourned meeting continued with the consideration of memoranda/petitions as a result of which specific assignments were given to various members who were requested to submit their reports at the next meeting of the Committee. A copy of the minutes of the Committee’s meeting held on 14th and 15th March, 2011 is attached to this Report as Annexure 5.

this Report as Annexure 6.

Following the return of the members of the Committee to the NBA Secretariat after the ICPC meeting, the Committee dealt with matters arising from the minutes of its last meeting and itemized the issues to be considered at its adjourned meeting on Wednesday, 23rd March, 2011.

The adjourned meeting considered the papers prepared by members and revisited one of the petitions considered at an earlier meeting. This was followed by a review of some of the burning issues engaging the attention of the Committee before the meeting adjourned till 6th and 7th April, 2011.

Meetings of 22nd and 23rd March, 2011

The meeting was preceded by the Committee’s visit to the office of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) where the Committee met with a team of the ICPC led by its Secretary who stood in for the Acting Chairman of ICPC. The record of the meeting at ICPC is incorporated in the minutes of the Committee’s meeting attached to

Meetings of 6th and 7th April, 2011

The meeting began with the consideration and review of various documents including a petition, letters and certain newspaper clippings. The meeting noted with dismay the rather poor response by both members of the NBA and members of the public to its press release. It was also informed that there had been no response from the CJN whereupon the Chairman and two other members of the Committee (Chief Bandele Aiku, SAN and Mr. Idowu Sofola, SAN) were mandated to see the CJN the following morning with a view to getting an appointment for the Committee to meet with him. Members were again given specific assignments to assist the Committee in its deliberations.

The meeting continued on Thursday, 7th April, 2011 with discussions of the petition of the Minna Branch of the NBA. This was followed by the report of the team which went to see the CJN. The Committee also deliberated on a few other issues before the meeting was adjourned to 19th and 20th April, 2011. A copy of the minutes of the Committee’s meeting is attached to this Report as Annexure 7.

Meetings of 11th and 12th May, 2011

The earlier scheduled meeting of 19th and 20th April, 2011 could not hold because of the general elections that took place in the country during the period. Consequently, the meeting had to be re-scheduled for Wednesday, 11th and Thursday, 12th May, 2011.

The meeting commenced on 11th May, 2011 and the various papers prepared by members were exhaustively discussed and Committee took positions on many issues raised in so far as they are amongst those mandated by the NBA President’s instructions.

On the next day, 12th May, 2011 the meeting concluded and adjourned sine die for preparation of the final draft report for consideration of members. A copy of the min-

‘The Committee met with the Hon. AGF who was briefed about the assignment of the Committee. On his part, the Hon. AGF pledged his co-operation and promised to make available to the Committee any materials he may consider useful to the Committee in the discharge of its assignment’

The crisis between the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) The much publicized open crisis between the CJN and PCA has called into question, the reliability and integrity of the entire Nigerian Judicial system and the legal profession and raised grave doubts as to how much Nigerians can rely on the courts of law as the last hope of the common man.

To the extent that the crisis resulted in the President of the Court of Appeal – Hon. Justice Salami suing the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Katsina-Alu at the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/157/2011, a permanent record has now been created showing that all is not well within the Nigerian Judiciary.

The facts before the Committee show clearly that the crisis had its foundation in the election petition arising out of INEC’s conduct of election into the office of the Governor, Sokoto State held on 14th April, 2007.

A thorough appreciation of the course of litigations resulting from that election is therefore necessary for a correct and proper understanding of the background and the setting which blew open and exposed the shortcomings of the highest judicial authorities in the nation.

The Election Tribunal and Court Cases

In the election to the office of the Governor of Sokoto State in the election held on 14th April, 2007, the Peoples Democratic Party won and its candidate, Gov. Wamakko was returned Governor of Sokoto State by INEC and its staff who conducted the said election.

The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and its candidates Alh. Dingyadi who lost in the election, not being satisfied with the result of the election, filed an election petition at the Governorship and National Assembly Election Tribunal in Sokoto, questioning the election and the said return of Governor Wamakko on the grounds pleaded in paragraph 9 of the petition as follows: Your Petitioner states that 1st Respondent.

Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, was not validly returned as the person duly elected on the following grounds: (i) The 1st Respondent was at the time of the election not qualified to contest the election, is (sic) nomination to contest the election being (sic) was void, having been sponsored for the election by All Nigeria Peoples Party, to which he belonged as against Peoples Democratic Party, on whose platform he was placed on the ballot at the election. (ii) The election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and/or non-compliance with the provision of Electoral Act, 2006; and (iii) The 1st Respondent was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election. (iv) The 4th Respondent as the returning officer at the election wrongfully failed to return 1st petitioner as duly elected as governor of Sokoto State in breach of section 70 of the Electoral Act.” The Sokoto Gubernatorial Election Tribunal heard the petition on the merit and dismissed it. Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Election Tribunal in Sokoto, the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and its candidate appealed to the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/K/EP/GOV/60/07. The appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna, there being no Court of Appeal in Sokoto at the time.

In a unanimous decision of the Court delivered on 11/4/2008 and read by Belgore, JCA, the appeal was allowed. The judgment of the Election Tribunal, Sokoto, was set aside and the election and return of Governor Wamakko was nullified. The result is that Governor Wamakko was removed from office with effect from the date of judgment of the Court of Appeal.

This Committee was not set up to question and or review the judgment either of the Tribunal or the Court of Appeal. The references made to the judgment of the Court of Appeal in this report are to demonstrate clearly what the facts are and what part the decision itself may have played in the ensuing litigation which may have contributed to the problem which the Committee has been mandated to look into.

•Continued on page 18

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Report of NBA Committee on crisis in the Judiciary •Continued from page 17

In allowing the appeal, the Court of Appeal, Kaduna, annulled the said election for substantial irregularities in the conduct of the election and on the ground that the 1st respondent was not qualified to contest the election as at the 14th day of April, 2007.

The Court ordered, inter alia, that: (a) The Independent National Electoral Commission shall conduct fresh Governorship Election for Sokoto State within 90 days of the date hereof. (b) The fresh election herein ordered shall be between the same parties and candidates as appear on Exhibits R8.”

The order that fresh election shall be between the same parties who contested the annulled election, appears to form the basis for the scheming of the parties to hear or not to hear the appeal resulting from the fresh election as will be seen in this report.

The Fresh Election The fresh election ordered by the Court of Appeal, Kaduna was held on 24th May, 2008.

The Peoples Democratic Party and Governor Wamakko won the fresh election and again, the DPP and its candidate who lost, headed once more for the Election Tribunal in Sokoto. In paragraph 10 of the petition, the petitioner pleaded that Governor Magatakarda Wamakko, was not validly returned as the person duly elected, on the grounds, inter alia that: “(i) The 1st Respondent was at the time of the election, not qualified to contest the election.”

The Petitioners’ pleaded particulars of non qualification of Governor Wamakko in paragraph 12 of the petition predicating their complaint on the finding by the Court of Appeal in Kaduna that Gov. Wamakko was not qualified to contest the April, 2007 elections in Sokoto.

In the petitioners view, the consequential order that the fresh election it ordered should be between the same parties that contested the April, 2007 election contradicted the main order annulling the said election on the ground that the candidate returned was not qualified to contest the 2007 election in the first place.

In other words, if the Governor was disqualified or not qualified to contest the first election which the court annulled, the court could not validly order in the same judgment, that the unqualified candidate should participate in the fresh election. For this reason, petitioners felt that Gov. Wamakko was not therefore qualified to contest.

They then sought to use the finding of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna to prove that Gen. Wamakko is not and was not qualified to contest in the fresh election. This was what petitioners wanted the Election Tribunal in Sokoto to decide and as the petition indicates, the only proof of non-qualification is the Kaduna judgment.

From the various petitions of his Counsel, Governor Wamakko did not want the Kaduna finding to be used against him in the fresh election and election petition flowing therefrom.

The Governorship Election Tribunal, Sokoto again dismissed the petition. The Tribunal did not appear to have decided the issue of the disqualification of Governor Wamakko, hence Petitioners appealed to the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division which was recently established after the decision of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna in respect of the Sokoto Governorship election held in April, 2007.

Suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja and Appeal thereon After the announcement of the date for the fresh election, Alhaji Dingyadi had on 25/4/08 filed an originating summons at the Federal High Court in Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/260/08 in which he sought certain declaratory reliefs arising from the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna in respect of the Sokoto Governorship election of 14th April, 2007.

It appears that the claimant in the Federal High Court wanted a shortcut to the office of the Governor of Sokoto State. He wanted the Federal High Court to consider the judgment and order of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna and determine whether Gov. Wamakko is qualified to contest the fresh

election in Sokoto as ordered by the Court of Appeal.

The Federal High Court dismissed the originating summons and an appeal was filed by Alh. Dingyadi against the dismissal of the originating summons. It is this appeal that came to be Appeal No. CA/ABJ/ 276/08.

The ground of dismissal of the Summons is immaterial to the Committee. What is important is that at the time the originating summons was commenced at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the fresh election had not been conducted. Consequently, the election petition in respect of the fresh election and the Sokoto appeal therefrom, were events which occurred after Alh. Dingyadi had filed his Originating Summons.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja did not at anytime deliver any judgment in the substantive appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/276/ 08. All it did was its ruling delivered by Bada, JCA on the 6th of December, 2010 which came about this way.

In the Court of Appeal, Abuja, appellant applied to raise fresh issues which were not raised in the Court below. The application was refused and applicant appealed against the interlocutory ruling refusing his application to raise fresh issue(s). After the fresh election and while the fresh election appeal was pending at the Court of Appeal, Sokoto, the appellant’s Counsel filed a notice of discontinuance dated 12/2/2010 of his appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja against all the Respondents.

Due to the events which took place in the Supreme Court in the matter on 12/2/2010, appellant’s Counsel made oral application to withdraw the notice of discontinuance filed earlier on 12/2/2010.

The ruling delivered by the Court of Appeal, Abuja on 6/12/2010 is the result of Counsel’s oral application to revive his discontinued appeal.

Court of Appeal, Sokoto and the Application for Stay of Proceeding The record of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto of the 24/2/10, confirms that the appeal by Alh. Dingyadi against Governor Wamakko in respect of the fresh election, was in fact, heard on 18th January, 2010 and judgment was adjourned to a date to be communicated to parties. Up to this stage, nothing on the surface appears to have gone wrong between the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal.

Application by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN Before the Court of Appeal, Sokoto could hear the appeal on the fresh election on 18/ 1/10, Governor Wamakko had sought for stay or suspension of the hearing of the appeal arising from the fresh election which he won. He did so through his Senior Counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun who wrote his letter ref. No. WOC/ABJ/VOL.2/026/09 of the 22nd of April, 2009, to Honourable Justice Umaru Abdullahi, the then President of the Court of Appeal asking for stay of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto on the fresh election in Appeal No. CA/S/EP/GOV/10/ 99 pending determination of the Abuja appeal No. CA/ABJ/276/08 which is an appeal from the judgment of the Federal High Court in the originating summons filed by Alhaji Dingyadi.

In his words, Senior Counsel stated in his letter thus: “The point being made is that in view of the pendency of the appeal at the Abuja Judicial Division [which was first in time] decorum, logic and the practice of the Court demand that the appeal at the Sokoto Judicial Division be stayed until the determination of the one at Abuja, whether by the Court of Appeal itself or the Supreme Court.

May we further draw your Lordship’s attention to the fact that whatever judgment the Sokoto Judicial Division delivers before the Abuja Judicial Division might be unenforceable because of the pendency of the Abuja appeal, which will eventually terminate at the Supreme Court.

Arising from the foregoing, we most humbly, soberly and with utmost sense of responsibility call for your Lordship’s urgent intervention, particularly by directing a stay or suspension of proceedings of the

•Justice Katsina-Alu

•Justice Salami

‘The point being made is that in view of the pendency of the appeal at the Abuja Judicial Division [which was first in time] decorum, logic and the practice of the Court demand that the appeal at the Sokoto Judicial Division be stayed until the determination of the one at Abuja, whether by the Court of Appeal itself or the Supreme Court’ appeal at the Court of Appeal, Sokoto, because the contemporaneous pursuit of the two appeals might eventually lead not only to the two divisions conflicting themselves, but also open the Court to further and unnecessary biting criticism by the public.

This is apart from the abusive nature of the processes employed.

In addition to the foregoing and considering the decision of the Supreme Court in AMAECHI vs. INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (PT. 1080) 227 at 314 Para H where the Supreme Court declared Amaechi as the Governor of Rivers State despite the fact that he did not personally contest an election, it stands to reason that all other proceedings in this matter should be stayed till and/or abide the eventual decision, either by the Court of Appeal, Abuja or the Supreme Court in appeal No. CA/ABJ/276/08. This is moreso and/or compelling in view of the fact that if either the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court accedes to the prayer of the Appellants to declare Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as Governor (after excluding our client from participation in the election or annulling his participation and victory), it becomes unreasonable to still pursue the same relief before another Judicial Division of the same Court. The Appellants will lose nothing if the Sokoto appeal is stayed, since they are also the appellants in the Abuja appeal.”

The propriety of this application by Senior Counsel is not for the Committee to determine. What is important to note, is that the addressee of the letter appears to have acceded to Senior Counsel’s application.

The Hon. President did not constitute the panel to hear the Sokoto fresh election appeal before or after counsel’s letter. He did not do so at all until his Lordship’s retirement from office.

The Committee did not ask the Honourable former PCA for explanation as to why he did not constitute an Appeal panel to hear the appeal as the law and the Constitution required. However, the Petition of Counsel to INEC – Yahaya Mahmood, Esq. of Arewa Chambers dated 15/2/2010 stated in paragraphs 9 and 10 of the petition thus: To avoid conflicting decisions which will cause JUDICIAL CONFUSION AND ANARCHY, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN wrote a letter dated 22nd April, 2009, drawing the attention of the President of the Court of Appeal (Umaru Abdullahi, as he then was).

We were to await the outcome of the Supreme Court decision to settle the matters once and for all.

On his assumption of office, ISA AYO SALAMI, PCA, the new President constituted

a panel for the Sokoto Appeal. Senator Umar Dahiru and myself met him to find out if he was aware of why the decision to await the Supreme Court judgment was taken by his predecessor to wit, TO AVOID JUDUCIAL ANARCHY. He told us he was aware.”

At the time Yahaya Mahmood wrote this petition, neither the Court of Appeal, Abuja on the originating summons appeal nor the Court of Appeal Sokoto on the fresh Election Petition had delivered any judgment.

In fact, none of the two appeals ended in a judgment of the Courts on the merit.

Also, there is no record of any decision by the retired President of the Court of Appeal to the effect that no panel of the Court of Appeal be constituted to hear the appeal in respect of the fresh election held on 24/5/2008.

The Court of Appeal ruling delivered by Bada, JCA, on 6/12/10 in the Abuja appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/276/08, show that appellant had on 12/2/10 filed a notice withdrawing the whole of the Abuja appeal against all the Defendants. The ruling in question followed an oral application by the appellant’s senior Counsel, Ricky Tarfa, SAN to withdraw the notice of withdrawal of the appeal he had filed on 12/2/2010. The oral application was refused by the Court of Appeal, Abuja which held thus: “It has been held in Edozien vs. Edozien (Supra) that a notice of withdrawal of an appeal by an Appellant cannot be withdrawn by subsequent notice of an intention to do so.

The learned Senior Counsel for the Appellant also contended that it is no more the law that once a notice of withdrawal of an appeal is filed and served that the appeal is deemed to have been dismissed.

He relied on the case of – Alhaji Muhammadu M. Dingyadi & 1 Other vs. Independent National Electoral Commission and 2 Others SC/32/2010 delivered on 4th day of June, 2010".

It is my humble view that the position of the law is as stated in Edozien vs.

Edozien (Supra). And for the avoidance of any doubt, an appeal ceases to exist as soon as a notice of withdrawal is filed at the Registry of this Court and it is served on the Respondents.”

As at the time the Court of Appeal delivered its ruling on 6/12/10, the Supreme Court had on 4th June, 2010 already dismissed the Sokoto Governorship appeal which was pending then at the Court of Appeal in Sokoto.

• To be continued

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EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Covering contraception makes sense

Data disaster •Running a country without data is like winking in the dark

O

UR data and record-keeping crisis has always been with us, but because we are never serious about anything, we always live with the discomfort of foreigners telling us what to do.

This is what may have happened to our education minister, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i when a delegation from UNESCO’s Institute of Statistics(UIS) informed her that Nigeria is one of the very few countries where his agency could not find reliable records and data.

The UIS delegation, led by a FrenchCanadian, Olivier Labe, intimated the education minister with the frustration of his team in accessing up-to-date and quality data, especially in areas of education and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Labe told Rufa’i that his team had been battling with 2008/2009

‘And the irony really is that data and records are like diseases that we must treat or get consumed by them.

Every aspect of our national life runs on data and if you don’t build capacity to keep data and retrieve them with utmost fidelity, it will haunt you till the end of time.

There is no running away from this fact. Data is the soul of the modern world’

education records in Nigeria; trying to reconcile and make meaning out of them.

A visit to the website of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) corroborates the frustration of the UIS team. Data and statistical reports posted there reveal that most of the major indices required in various sectors for the purposes of planning and development are about five years old.

So should you need quality information in Nigeria about say, epidemic prone diseases, neglected tropical diseases, health-related MDGs, tobacco control, non-communicable diseases, the WHO global health data repository is your best bet.

Yet, where there are no data, there is no economy and where there are no records and archives, there is no nation.

The case of the MDGs programme which has been a front-burner national project and which has been under the Presidency in the last one decade is particularly shocking. For an on- going scheme which has enjoyed the special attention of the United Nations (UN), one expected a lot more seriousness in the management of data and records. How can we accurately count our milestones and measure our achievements over the 15 years’ target period if we do not have quality data?

Our attitude to our most fundamental matters may well explain our stunted growth and development. Often, we rely on data from foreign countries, the World

Bank and UN agencies about us which are, at best, projections and extrapolations. Just recently, the attorney general and minister of justice was unashamed to announce to Nigerians that the report of the 1993 Gulf War oil windfall was not to be found anywhere. Not even in the national archives.

It is common knowledge that researchers on any aspect of our history, economy, politics and even traditions and cultures are better off going to the Library of Congress in Washington, USA,or the London School of Asian and African Studies.

There are a few things that are basic to development, growth and the very being of a nation - quality data gathering, storage and retrieval is one. Proper record keeping and archiving is another.

These are the soul, body and spirit of a nation. At 50, we have never had an accurate census, people die daily in Nigeria and they are literally cast into the earth unrecorded. Thousands are born daily without records. No one in Nigeria can tell with certainty, how many policemen, soldiers or civil servants there are today in service.

And the irony really is that data and records are like diseases that we must treat or get consumed by them. Every aspect of our national life runs on data and if you don’t build capacity to keep data and retrieve them with utmost fidelity, it will haunt you till the end of time. There is no running away from this fact. Data is the soul of the modern world.

NBC too going?

•If it does, it will be another sad reminder of Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit SK the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); it’s no longer news that companies (big and small) do fold up. Indeed, the frightening rapidity at which these business concerns liquidate and close shops, especially, in the last two decades or thereabout, should send the Federal Government thinking. But whenever the big ones fold up, it is news of a different genre; the blood-pressure raiser type, which sends an undertaker notice to an average investor, and gets the employees scampering for an alternative means of livelihood.

Media reports detailing the Nigeria Bottling Company’s (NBC) approval to delist its shareholders, pay them off, probably as part of plans to wind down the business in Nigeria is particularly unnerving, This is the way some of the companies that had earlier left also began the process. They rarely come straight.

NBC might be winding down in Nigeria after waiting helplessly for more than a decade, for a positive turn-around in policy, and favourable business environment, to no avail. Yet, if the company leaves, it will further compound the unemployment situation in the country because it will have to lay off its workers.

There are other negative implications; the fact that NBC could fold up (if it eventually does) after many years of successful business activities in Nigeria, and relocate (possibly) within the West African sub-region where the cost of doing business is reasonable and policy stability is

A

guaranteed speaks volume. Perhaps, other companies of note are only waiting in the wing to send in their closure notice! This assertion may appear harsh, but which sector of the economy is performing optimally?

All of these boil down to policy failure and inept leadership. For example, when it became clear to the Federal Government that more than 100 textile factories had closed shop across Nigeria, including the United Nigeria Textile Ltd. (UNTL), the Federal Government promptly announced a N70 billion bailout plan for the textile industry. This was later raised to N100 billion.

Yet, none of the textile industries can meet the domestic textile needs of Nigerians, or be able to compete at the international market. But this is typical; the Federal Government is well known for its penchant to throw money at problems.

The conditions which Dunlop, Michelin and others stated for leaving the country are not markedly different from those of the NBC. The point is; cost of production in Nigeria is too high; companies will therefore probably relocate, or consumers will be forced to go for foreign goods, which in the final analysis are cheaper. Successive governments have only paid lip service to the provision of functional infrastructure. Implementation of wrongheaded and sometimes contradictory policies has not only weakened the institutional capabilities of public institutions,

it has also rubbished their relevance.

That is why we have ministries of commerce and industry that cannot provide relevant data or workable policy for the advancement of industries in the country; water ministries that have failed woefully to provide portable water in spite of 12 years of democracy, and ministries of education that preside over an educational system that is out of tune with today’s reality and the industrial needs of the country, etc. These can hardly claim to be relevant to the people or the society.

These are some of the issues.

Government must play its part, and must be seen to be proactive. The irreducible condition needed to stem the tide of multiple business closures is an enabling environment.

‘The fact that NBC could fold up (if it eventually does) after many years of successful business activities in Nigeria, and relocate (possibly) within the West African sub-region where the cost of doing business is reasonable and policy stability is guaranteed speaks volume. Perhaps, other companies of note are only waiting in the wing to send in their closure notice! This assertion may appear harsh, but which sector of the economy is performing optimally?’

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ENERIC drug ruling leaves out consumersBan the circumcision banGlen Campbell and Alzheimer’s diseaseThe death penalty for food crimes?Chocolate milk vs. OJMyPlate and your plateBan caffeine or risk ‘White Christmas’ syndromeThe Lap-Band and teenagersCircumcision decisionsTim Rutten: S.F. circumcision proposition doesn’t belong on the ballotAIDS: After 30 years, battle is far from overSex in the time of AIDSTobacco regulation: Kneecapping the FDAHuman memory: What did you do last Sunday?Curbing our junk-food appetiteTaking aim at diabetesDoes Jamie Oliver’s ‘Food Revolution’ concept infringe on personal freedom? July 24, 2011 When the federal government considers which preventive medical goods and services should be fully covered by insurance under the healthcare reform law, the prevailing issues should be reducing costs and providing maximum choice to the patient. The Institutes of Medicine adhered to that principle with its recommendation last week that insured women should be able to get contraceptives without a co-payment or deductible.

Close to half of all pregnancies in this country are unplanned, and about 40% of those result in abortions. In addition, according to a University of Michigan study, a third of all births in the country are unintended. In many cases, those births are nonetheless welcomed, but studies have found that pregnant women are more likely to smoke and drink during an unplanned pregnancy, two activities that are dangerous to the fetus, and that they tend to be less attentive to the babies born of such pregnancies.

Abortions and unwanted pregnancies are not only more expensive than contraception, they are sad events in a family’s life. Removing the financial barriers that keep many women from using contraceptives is both smart preventive medicine and a social good.

The Obama administration has wisely indicated that it will adopt the recommendation.

The Roman Catholic Church and conservative religious groups predictably object, seeing this as a government endorsement of contraception. Pregnancy is not a disease, they note, and most preventive care is aimed at warding off medical problems.

But once a medication or medical device is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it should not be treated differently by the government, or by insurers, based on religious beliefs. The person who should make the decision on whether to use contraception is the patient. Fully covering the cost of contraception — along with fully covering prenatal care for women who want to have a baby — is the best way to respect differing beliefs and reduce medical expenses while giving women the right to make a personal medical choice.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: Nigerians were sad when the revelation came up that the administration of the former president of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo “spent” about $16.00 billion on energy and power with no appreciable impact on Nigeria’s energy and power sector. It was recalled that at the inception of the civilian dispensation in 1999, the former President raised the hopes of an average Nigerian when he said: “On my honour, by the end of 2001, they (Nigerians) would begin to enjoy regular, uninterrupted power supply”.

On the heels of that solemn promise came the creation of the then Liyel Imoke Technical Committee on Energy and Power. However, years after, the problem of endemic power outages still pervades as the nation remains in darkness. The Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005 was promulgated on March 5, 2005, to liberalise the energy sec-

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Nigeria’s power problem tor and break the monopoly in the industry. The Act also established the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The legislation was passed in a bid to resuscitate the power sector. In spite of all these Committees and legislations and the advent of current administration, the sector remains epileptic. Previous investigations by the legislature highlight an unfortunate scenario of buck passing on the part of government officials.

To date, there is no agreement on the actual figure expended in the energy sector between 1999-2010.

This in itself is very worrisome.

Equally, past revelations that due process through public tender of energy contracts was never followed is regrettable when such contracts were solely awarded between the minister and the former General Olusegun Obasanjo’s (rtd) presidency. We have equally taken note of the award of electricity contracts to blacklisted companies by the former President which amounts to a betrayal of the trust of the Nigerian people still saddled with the torture of continued epileptic power supply and broken

promises.

Energy is the engine that drives industrialization, which improves communication, helps innovation in science and Technology, provides sound healthcare delivery system and improves citizens’ standard of living. Since energy is the engine that drives industrialization, a sound energy policy would indirectly create jobs even in unexpected sectors. Considering the central and pivotal role electricity plays in an economy, we fully endorse the late President Musa Yar’Adua’s position that,

Is Islamic Banking fiscal Jihad?

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IR: As always, members of the House of Representatives last week missed an opportunity to demonstrate to Nigerians that they are truly representatives of the people. They allowed the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to get away with his sophistry for a voodoo banking formula. Sanusi came to the House to explain why he is pushing with uncommon fervour the introduction of Islamic Banking in Nigeria at a time the country is seething with the consuming fury of a needless Jihad.

Sanusi, a banker and Muslim, tried to be clever by a half on many counts. He said Islamic Banking was not his idea but that of his predecessor, Chukwuma Soludo, a professor of economics and a Christian. He said Islamic Banking is nothing but a mere banking product introduced over 35 years ago and thriving in over 75 countries. He also explained that over 435 institutions across the world including institutions in the United States, Malaysia, United Kingdom, South Africa among others now offer the product in their banking bill of fare.

He educated the House further.

For instance, he told the lawmakers that Islamic banking has become so popular that it is now indexed on DOW Jones, NASDAQ,

Hang Seng and other bourses across the globe. It was the first time I saw Sanusi look like a teacher before a class of ignoramuses. Oh, yes, that was the scene enacted in the House. Sanusi gesticulated with the flair of a village tutor before a classroom chock-full of pupils who are at best a pack of dunderheads.

At some point, he deservedly earned applause. But like most selfconceited school teachers, Sanusi, himself, failed to recognise he was no better than his pupils. He failed to realise he, too, was manifesting the same inane traits as his pupils.

More pointedly, he failed to notice the grimace of disapproval from some members of the House who refused to be sucked in by Sanusi’s flash-and-dash explanations.

He said Islamic banking is not

faith-based; meaning it has nothing to do with Islam, Christianity or any other faith. This is the most ridiculous thesis from any public office holder in a nation where both the ridiculous and the ludicrous are regulars on the behavioural menu. The CBN governor tried in vain to distort history to suit his fiscal Jihad.

He did not tell them that Wikipedia, the Internet encyclopaedia described Islamic banking (or participant banking) as “banking or banking activity that is consistent with the principle of Islamic law (Sharia) and its practical application through the development of Islamic economics.

Sharia prohibits the payment or acceptance of specific interests or fees (known as Riba or usury) for

loans of money. Investing in businesses that provide goods or services considered contrary to Islamic principles is also Haraam (forbidden). While these principles were used as the basis for a flourishing economy in earlier times, it’s only in the late 20th Century that a number of Islamic banks were formed to apply these principles to private or semi-private commercial institutions within the Muslim community”.

Do you still need any proof to convince you that Islamic banking is nothing but a Sharia-compliant bank? Islamic banking can wait and it should wait.

• Ken Ugbechie wrote in from Abuja

“we must solve this problem because until we do that, we cannot address the fundamental problems of our economy like poverty and unemployment. Even while the circumstances may be different, we may need to follow the telecommunication formula in order to solve the nation’s power and energy problems. Our ultimate goal is to achieve what we did with the GSM or I declare a state of emergency in the sector...Power is a key priority of this administration and we all agreed that our efforts at developing the nation cannot succeed unless we solve the power problem.”

There has to be a timeline for Electricity Development Plans backed by statutes. President Goodluck Jonathan should encourage the Nigerian Society of Engineers to be directly involved at all levels.

I believe that a sound Energy Policy is not and should not be limited solely to electricity production from fossil fuel - Oil & Gas and/or Nuclear Energy Sources.

President Jonathan has a chance for a new beginning and a renaissance in building a proud and industrial nation. He must tap into the entrepreneurial spirit and bring on board “the can do attitude”.

In the meantime, we urge the National Assembly to step up its oversight functions so as to find answers to the whereabouts of the $16 billion that the last administration claimed to have invested in the power sector and move the nation forward by ensuring that recent promises by the current administration remain a marked difference from previously failed promises.

• Quadry Wasiu, is a public affairs analyst.

Congrats, Asiwaju Tinubu

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IR: I felicitate with you for the award of African Servant Leadership Award(ASLA) by the Institute of Governance and Leadership, Accra, Ghana to you, the Governor Emeritus Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ‘the last man standing’, a veteran fighter, the true indisputable leader of the progressives and a thorn in the flesh of the oppressors and manipulators. This attests to your

passion for alleviating the suffering of the people and recognition of your ever-abiding belief in providing a qualitative, responsive and responsible leadership through a vibrant democratic mechanism in spite of the criticism of your traducers and detractors.

As you continue to lead the ever resourceful, creative and innovative section of the political

class to recover and redeem the Nigerian state from the state of dysfunction that these political buccaneers, economic predators, social delinquents and bureaucratic bandits who accidentally found themselves at the various levels and centres of power in our beleaguered nation, may the good Lord in His infinite mercy and kindness grant you good health, sound intellect and

long life to render more qualitative service to humanity.

More sustained relevance to our great leader, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the emancipator and the Rock of Gilbratar in contemporary Nigerian politics. Once again sir, l say a big congratulation to you.

• Babatunde Omonitan Akinrolabu, lkeji-lle ljesa, Osun State.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Single term hullabaloo

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s intention to send an executive bill to the National Assembly for a single tenure of six years for the president and governors of the 36 states seized the public debate domain last week. It leaped to the front burner ahead of the dragging terrorist Boko Haram murdering with reckless abandon, inexcusable fiasco over a paltry minimum wage and misconceived Islamic banking debacle. It indeed brought out the frustrating reality of Nigerians: many hasty in judgment, others objective in conclusion and many more in inane insults.

Let’s first admit the gratuitous diversion the issue is causing.

This might not be the best season for such matter as tenureship or term elongation. Notwithstanding the President’s assurance that he will quit office come 2015, politicians are not ready to give him any chance since they understand their own scheming.

At the 56th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, the President attempted to technically distance himself from the controversial agenda when he said the proposal “is not my idea.” According to him, the single term initiative emanated from the recommendations of the inter-party committee, excluding the Action Congress of Nigeria, made to the Justice Mohammed Uwias Electoral Reforms Panel. His intention might be sincere, for sure, the timing of public sensitisation on such affair is wrong, especially in the face of clearly profound socio- political and economic problems.

Let’s even agree that it is true that the information on the proposal leaked to the press during consultation (although the president’s spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati’s statement was quoted), there are critical matters touching on the lives of the masses that ought to be the take-off priorities of a nation intent on new era governance.

The broad expectation is that the President Jonathan administration with its newly constituted cabinet ought to build on the gains of the last election by prioritising the crucial needs of the people.

The raging poverty in the land would have benefitted more if the foundations to lasting solutions to the immense unemployment, insecurity and pitiable infrastructures in the country are now being laid. Concrete measures to grow the moribund and waning economy are what could guarantee that millions of jobless Nigerians are gainfully employed. One of the administration’s prime focuses ought to be more sensitivity to the cry for

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EW months ago, there was a raging debate on what should be the fate of the NYSC scheme consequent on the Bauchi mayhem in which ten corps members were slain and myriads injured. Many prospective corps members understandably called for the immediate scrapping of the scheme to avert further waste of our intellectual resources. As an intending corps member then, I tried hard to avoid being bitter but my apprehension was visible. However, after the first three weeks which was the orientation session, I am beginning to have a better perspective on the initiative.

Only three weeks with corps members from other states of the federation and I have seen and learnt a lot. The regimented nature of the camp mirrored my unchecked excesses. For instance, we were expected to be up from bed as early as 4:00am. Prior to the camp, I was waking up at 9am since I had nothing to do. But the camp pruned this flabbiness. Again, the instruction was to obey the last command. This means no room for complaining or excuse making which is good for discipline and productivity.

Aside this is relating with people from other parts of the country. During a particular session, we were asked to sit in threes and interact. When the young man sitting next to me introduced himself as hailing from Bauchi state, my heart-beat increased. I was literally disturbed and fear seized me. But I later discovered he was a fine gentleman and my fright and suspicion gave way to mutual affection.

But most importantly, in the course of group interaction, I discovered that certificates and institutions are not true measure of academic ingenuity. University graduates are

‘On another interesting side, I think the NYSC is achieving its purpose. I see here some inter-tribal romantic relationships burgeoning subtly but swiftly. The under the shade discussions, selective isolations, platonic associations are all strong indicators of something being in the offing despite the tainting of our soldier friends that ‘if corpers marry corpers den go born mumu’’

uninterrupted power supply. Beyond this, the ghost of minimum wage needs to be buried, good health care facilities in hospitals must be provided, adequate security machinery emplaced and the menace of insecurity and terrorism curbed.

This is not demeaning the essence of the issue of single-term for the nation’s elected president and governors. But governance would only have meaning if there is still a nation with the citizens alive and well. It is non-performance and failure to fulfil soap-box pledges that frustrate and demoralise people about government. It’s so unseemly that Nigerians hardly trust their own neighbours as soon as they mount leadership saddle. If only the president could keep to his word that his proposal is not intended for his own tenure elongation and then the impact of his administration is significantly felt in critical areas, then he would carry the nation along in truly rewarding democratic governance.

It hardly matters who is flying the kite, what are the minuses of the present two-term tenureship? And what is the sense in singleterm office occupancy?

The argument has been that politicians spend most of their first term accumulating resources to secure a second term that often results in non-performance. So, instead of governing, it’s been more of cases of self-preservation. It is also argued that the cost of conducting elections in Nigeria could be outrageous; and this is done at the expense of development. Every election has been bringing forth acrimony, tension and non-concentration on fulfilment of mandate.

On the other hand, there is also the argument that the demand for a one term rule will deprive the nation of the optimal performance of a diligent and committed leader who has discharged his constitutional mandate and governed in accordance with his oath of office but yet to complete his programme. Should such a dedicated governor not be entitled to re-election? An example is Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola who excelled in his first term and actually needed a second term to do more for the people.

But in the converse, should a non-performer be allowed to exceed four years? For instance, a second term for an Adebayo Alao-Akala would have signified a permanent blackout for the hitherto pacesetting Oyo State.

It makes good sense that the decision on whether to reward or reject a serving politician with re-election should be the exclusive preserve of the people. Once an election is allowed to be free and fair, the people are becoming more enlightened to vote for competence and not necessarily for a supposedly ‘winning party’ that has failed to perform. That was what gave PDP’s President Jonathan and the Action Congress of Nigeria’s candidates the leeway to victory in the South West in last April general elections.

Rather than criticising the president for muting the idea of a single term, I believe this is another opportunity to renew the call for a national sovereign constitutional conference which has

NYSC: The re-orientation of a patriot

By Folarin Samson no better than their counterparts in the polytechnics and colleges of education. In fact, institutions don’t make students, but students make institutions. This became much evident in the weight, thoughtfulness and articulation of contributions during various fora. Hence, the discrepancies and baseless preference of degree holders over HND certificate holders are not only unjust but detrimental to the health of our nation.

And we had memorable moments with the no-nonsense soldiers. The early morning jugging, drillings, field exercises, the citizenship and leadership fitness stunts of walking on ropes, climbing trees and mounting tall structures all made the camp fun. And yes, we had our unique refrains with which the soldiers talk to us: ‘If you are walking, you’re wrong; do you doubt me?’ Then we’ll all erupt in laughter as we scuttle to escape arrest.

On another interesting side, I think the NYSC is achieving its purpose. I see here some inter-tribal romantic relationships burgeoning subtly but swiftly. The under the shade discussions, selective isolations, platonic associations are all strong indicators of something being in the offing despite the tainting of our soldier friends that ‘if corpers marry corpers den go born mumu’ The highpoint of the camp came when it was announced that Mr. President has officially approved the upward review of our allowance from 9,500 to 19,700. The corps members were overwhelmed with excitement. Some banged tables; others carried chairs as the frenzy matured.

Dust swirled around, the walls echoed back the din. It was celebration time.

I wish to say to fellow Nigerian students who are fearful of the NYSC scheme that the one year of service to fatherland is something to look forward to. It offers a golden opportunity to explore the diversity of the country and meet with fellow countrymen distanced by

the potential of comprehensively addressing the restructure of the polity. It might just be that going back to parliamentary democracy may be the people’s choice simply because it is less expensive and more accountable. Under the system a president would have to debate every of his visions and move in a parliament where he is a member. Our costly and lavish presidential system was instated by those benefitting from the unitary policy of the then military and dictatorial head of state.

There is need for a national discourse for the restructuring of a dilapidating Nigeria. Until we agree the terms, a true federal structure would remain mere slogan that won’t move the nation forward. Perhaps, President Jonathan would be on the path of leaving a lasting historical legacy if instead of sending the single tenure bill to the National Assembly hearkens to the voice of reason and send the one for a sovereign national conference that true patriots has been longing for.

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Obasanjo again!

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo is back in the news.

He said it would be better for the PDP to formally jettison zoning rather than keep quiet over Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s deliberate disregard for the party’s zoning arrangement. He wants the elected Speaker and his deputy to vacate their offices halfway into their tenure; the other half would then be taken over by his candidate – or at least someone else from his zone. Ah, Baba!

Baba can never stop to amuse us. The question is: who killed PDP’s zoning arrangement in the first instance? Obj of course did in desperation of installing the candidate of his choice. Now he desires to have the cake he has already eaten. This is the same man that once said that zoning is not in the PDP constitution.

Let Baba be reminded again that there is a difference between military dictatorship and civilian democracy. Despite the presidency and PDP’s inner caucus scheming, Tambuwal was voted in as Speaker by a resounding majority in the House. Zoning remains a strictly party affair; whereas the House is composed of members beyond PDP. The same party that jettisoned its own policy on exigency has no right to force its wavering will on others who have principles and are expressive of the mandate of those who voted for them.

What has federal character got to do with elective post? The people are repeatedly saying that they are now more interested in a person that will move the nation forward irrespective of where he comes from.

It’s time Obj stop talking from both sides of the mouth and allow the nation to find her way forward and upward from the miry clay it was dumped. Nigeria has been good to him by offering him opportunities beyond the benefits to even the greater nationalists who laid their lives for the nation.

geographical delineation. It should be embraced, enjoyed and encouraged. The presence of overage corps members who create laughable scenes as they try hard to roll back the hand of time, mouth parade chants, jug with tired feet is a study in patriotism to lazy youths.

In the spirit of discipline, diligence, passion that have been infused into our blood stream in these twenty one days full-course rigorous mental, physical and emotional training, we charge into our places of primary assignment.

Ready to beam our illuminating candles of knowledge where there is ignorance, give hope to the unknown and forgotten, put smiles on some sick and shrinking faces that have been torn by dejection and rejection. We will not be intimidated by the thick and threatening forests of impossibilities. We will not die in our pursuit of a better Nigeria devoid of ethnic consideration, religious collision and myopic concessions.

Last week, we stand before our governor, doffing our caps to signal our readiness to take on the enormous challenges of the state and pledging to faithfully serve with patriotic dispatch. We will persist, insist, resist until Nigeria consist all we listed. No backing out! I can hear the resonating chorus of our anthem on the vibrating lips of fellow corps members as we obey the clarion call to lift our nation high. Under the sun or in the rain, with dedication and selflessness because Nigeria is ours, it is Nigeria we serve.

• Samson is a UNILAG graduate of Mass Communication and a serving Batch B corps member in Ebonyi State.

‘During a particular session, we were asked to sit in threes and interact. When the young man sitting next to me introduced himself as hailing from Bauchi state, my heartbeat increased. I was literally disturbed and fear seized me. But I later discovered he was a fine gentleman and my fright and suspicion gave way to mutual affection’

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

ORWAY the land of Steinar Nja, Oystein Berg and Ellinor Melbye often comes as mythical as its numerous trolls; sometimes aloof, always suffused in intrinsic beauty. You would think John Milton had penned his famous ode to Paradise here from one of the mountains jutting over a calm fjord.

The Paradise Milton thought had been lost forever could actually be lurking in the Norway, somewhere in the undulating hills of verdant firs, on a calm fjord or in the bucolic plenitude of Hardanger. It could even be lurking in the medieval ambience of Bergen.

It often appears that nothing has changed in this Nordic landscape since creation. If Edvard Grieg, Norwegian virtuoso that lived in the 19th Century rose from dead he might still recognise the narrow alleys of Bergen and the aroma of Oslo. Grieg, a lover of the environment might not be too impressed with the effects of oil on the ozone layer but would still be proud of verdant Norway. He would be proud of how his country has remained unaffected by the curse of oil; how it used the hydrocarbon resources from the North Sea to found an egalitarian society and one of the richest spots on earth.

Nothing in that past could have prepared the country for the twin tragedies in Utoeya and Oslo.

Norwegians had often thought that their country would never be America, where wholesale homicide is commonplace as

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‘The country has not posed a credible military challenge to any European nation since 1066, when its monarch, Harald Hardrada, tried to install himself king over England and was killed in the process at Yorkshire, in the battle of Stamford Bridge’

Norway and the Challenge of Terror

By Wole Akinyosoye

August rains in Stavanger. Although they proudly recall how their country gave Adolf Hitler and his racist Reich a bloody nose in the Second World War you know the Norway’s military muscles are not as tough as most of their southern neighbours in Europe. The country has not posed a credible military challenge to any European nation since 1066, when its monarch, Harald Hardrada, tried to install himself king over England and was killed in the process at Yorkshire, in the battle of Stamford Bridge.

Now Norway is more adept at thinking with its head than wielding the sword and the strategy of passivity has won significant progress and global respects for the country. The nation of five million people even held its heads above waters in the Barents Sea against the Soviets, and now the Russians, in the quibbles over boundaries in the resource-rich sea, without having to fire a shot.

Norwegians implicitly trust Norwegians to a level Nigerians may confuse with tribalism. They also do trust their politicians. Here political leaders are not robed in peacock feathers and they do not stick their noses in the skies. They ordinarily live out the tenet on leadership as servants of the people and Norwegians are therefore often at loss on the meaning of VIP and the reason for VIP protection.

It is no rare sight to see a minister riding in taxis to official functions or catch the Prime Minister going about official motions without escorts. The monarch, King Harald V surprised first-timers in Norway recently, when he walked in unannounced at the opening of an international conference, escorted only by the mayor of Stavanger. Aristotle averred that fear is pain arising from anticipation of evil; meaning that an idyllic liberty of

Norwegian type would flourish only in an atmosphere devoid of evil or where people could trust man enough that he is capable of rising above evil intentions.

Norwegians are smart to know you cannot fully create an environment devoid of evil after all, the Bible also documented that the devil makes periodic trips to heaven. But Norwegians have thought that comprehensive evil such as the type they just witnessed could not possibly be made in Norway, that well secured borders are suffice to keep away potential terrorists. You wouldn’t blame a country for believing the ideal that has long defined its life. Why would you need a barricade if you have reasonable grounds to think you live in a safe neighbourhood or that all your neighbours walk with a moral compass?

The question has changed for Norway since the Black Friday. What do you do when the unexpected happens and one man wreaked such a great havoc? Do you throw principles overboard and reconfigure your worldview? Do you move on and hope it would never recur?

The world is watching to see how Oslo would answer the questions and confront its demons. It is also curious on knowing how much of the famed Nordic innocence would end up in the fjords as results.

For now, the message from Norway is that it would not bury its ideals in the ashes of the terror. “No one would bomb us to silence”, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg promised his country in the early hours of the tragedies, when Norway had yet ascertained the hue of the assailant. The surreal metaphor of a defiant politician is still hanging over the grieving nation. Foreign Minister, Jonas Stoere had also since re-echoed the rote that the attacks “will not change our

politics, values and the way we engage internationally”.

May be not, after all, nations do not change their values as casually as a man would change his shirt. But it would be odd if things were to remain the same in Norway after those horrific events. The reasons are simple. If decisive measures are not taken to check re-occurrence, another man with a loose head and firepower may be tempted to recreate Anders Breivik and the daylight horrors.

Even if Breivik is a chance occurrence, how would Norway guarantee that an excised leprous thumb had not infected the forefinger? How would it ensure Breivik and his evil treatise do not fester and do so without intruding on the cherished liberty of its people? In the circumstance, the great challenge to Norway is how to move on from here and still keep on the road of open society without erecting barricades around public institutions and political leaders?

Except Norway finds ingenious ways to sustain its culture on open society, the age of blissful innocence may well be over for the land of trolls. But trust hard thinking Norwegians, it may just not be over yet for paradise in Norway.

For now, it is condolence time to a great people.

• Mr. Akinyosoye contributed this piece from Bamikemo, Ileoluji

‘But Norwegians have thought that comprehensive evil such as the type they just witnessed could not possibly be made in Norway, that well secured borders are suffice to keep away potential terrorists.

You wouldn’t blame a country for believing the ideal that has long defined its life’

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

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Y quarrel with the leadership of the NYSC is that it does not take my counsel. In a previous article, I suggested suspending enrolling youths above 25 years. I also suggested that the scheme takes a break this year. The clamour for a reverse of these drastic measures from the same quarters now calling for scrapping the NYSC would have helped the scheme to expose the hypocrisy in the call for the abrogation of the scheme. None of these suggestions, tendered with the best of intentions, was taken from me. Anyway, soon enough, I would

‘I was surprised when I learnt of the release of the posting of the 2011Batch “B” corps members last two weeks. That corps members were actually posted – even to the northern parts of the country and Rivers state! This is despite the gruesome murder of corps members in the North following the post-elections violence and the recent kidnap of five corps members in Rivers state, and the subsequent innuendoes these unfortunate events generated and the calls for the outright proscription of the scheme in the country’

Yes! the NYSC must not die Shehu Bello Harris stop writing on issues that border on the scheme.

I was surprised when I learnt of the release of the posting of the 2011Batch “B” corps members last two weeks. That corps members were actually posted – even to the northern parts of the country and Rivers state! This is despite the gruesome murder of corps members in the North following the post-elections violence and the recent kidnap of five corps members in Rivers state, and the subsequent innuendoes these unfortunate events generated and the calls for the outright proscription of the scheme in the country.

Curiously enough, these corps members received their call up letters and in fact, reported. I would have thought they would not, considering the threats from some quarters that if their children are posted to some parts of the country, they will refuse to report. It is not unlikely that these prospective corps members did not allow sentiment to becloud their judgement on the continued existence of the country because, if you remove NYSC and soccer, you are simply threatening the corporate existence of the country. The NYSC is the single largest national youth network and has occupied a pride of place in the country.

Undoubtedly, the acceptance of these corps members to report to their places of posting despite the “noise” that followed their mobilization has won credibility to the debate that NYSC is still cherished by the teeming youth of the country – and very dearly too. This has also gone to show the continued relevance of the scheme.

Although, the calls for the proscription of the scheme may have some validity, my

own view then, and I am yet to think otherwise, is that people should have been more circumspect in their contributions to the debate as they tend to be carried away by emotion as all the faults are attributed to either the scheme or as usual, to a section of the country. In fact, in some cases the verisimilitude of the NYSC’s culpability in the deaths of these corps members has overshadowed its unrelenting efforts in improving their security and welfare over the years.

The unfortunate calamity that befell the NYSC has overshadowed the role of the youths as the true heroes of democracy following their superlative performance during the 2011 General Elections. Not much has been said about the success of the elections which, but for their involvement, would have been something else considering the many lapses encountered. To buttress this position, the American Ambassador Terrence P. McCauley argued during a visit to the headquarters of the scheme that “as tragic as the killings of the corps members were, the NYSC members distinguished themselves throughout the elections period and as true heroes of democracy”. He added that the elections wouldn’t have been successful without the presence of the NYSC. Other contributions made by the corps members in different areas such as education, health and rural development through their community development programs are also not considered worthy of commendation by those calling for the scrap of the scheme. Many states and industries will suffer without the contribution of NYSC members.

All these are however, by the way. I have

always imagined what Nigeria will be like without the NYSC. Let’s scrap it so that Nigeria will live in peace again, so that nobody will die again, so that there won’t be crises in any part of the country, so that the southerners will have no reason coming to the north, not to talk of dying here, so that nobody will be kidnapped again.

This is because, the sentiment that the NYSC is the villain responsible for all the ills in the country makes me feel that Nigeria will be better off without it.

If Power, Education, Rural Development have received the pressure the NYSC is receiving, I think we would have resolved the problems inhibiting delivery in their services. At the last count, the NYSC attracted the highest number of write – ups on the pages of Newspapers than any other organization. This cuts across all shades of opinion from the mundane to the downright hypocritical. A colleague of mine once told me that only the important attract attention. So from the attention the scheme is getting the NYSC is the most vibrant and popular government agency in recent times.

On the strength of this, and now that the scheme has become the beautiful bride especially to the International Agencies who troop to its headquarters to seek partnership with it, I believe the recent posting of the corps members and their acceptance to report to where they are posted to, will lay to rest, the question of whether the NYSC should be maintained or not. After all, the President has rightly mentioned that he will not subscribe to the idea of scrapping the NYSC scheme just because certain calamities befell it. At most, he said, he will strengthen it. And lest we forget, the involvement of the NYSC in administration of elections was not the original purpose of its existence.

• Harris can be reached through: harrisforpenn@yahoo.co.uk

SEPT BANGLADESH SHOWDOWN

Malawi FA boss Eagles arrive Dhaka Sept 4 warns Super Eagles Pg. 24

Pg. 24

Nation Monday, August 1, 2011

PAGE 23

•The Nigerian Football Suppoerters' Club

REFORM COMMITTEE ON FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION

Sports minister stops inauguration

Pg. 24

Event billed for Media Centre, Package ‘A’ National Stadium, Abuja at 2pm put on hold Nigerians hail decision, describing it as another parallel body that would attract FIFA ban

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

24

NATION SPORT Samsung signs for NFF

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eading electronics company in Nigeria, Samsung has concluded plans to establish a formal relationship with the Nigerian national football teams in the capacity of official electronics. A release jointly signed over the weekend by the Managing Director of Samsung Nigeria, Mr idorenyen Enang and the Chairman of Pamodzi Nigeria, marketing consultants to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Mike Itemuagbor says the deal, a product of several months of negotiations, will be formally announced on Wednesday at a media ceremony in Lagos.

Itemuagbor thanked Samsung for supporting the national teams and assured the electronics giants of a regime of excellent sponsorship servicing worthy of their investment, adding that the partnership between the company and Nigeria football promises to be a rewarding one. "We formally welcome Samsung into Nigeria football. This is a valueadding relationship that is bound to yield ample dividends to the company and further entrench their position as a leading light in electronics business in Nigeria. And by the calibre of companies associating with Nigerian football at the moment, Samsung are surely in the right mix", he said.

On his part, Enang is happy to get things started. "We are enthusiastic to activate this sponsorship in support of Nigerian football. We know and understand the place of football in our lives as Nigerians and Samsung, by this new relationship will hope to enrich our collective experience enjoying the game we all love so much. Our investment in this deal falls in line with our tradition of sports sponsorship both in the African continent and also on the world stage.

Samsung is an Olympic partner and are fully involved with International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the Confederation of African football (CAF). In addition, we have a long standing shirt sponsorship deal with Chelsea Football Club of England, a club with a huge fan base in Nigeria."

NATION SPORT

Malawi FA boss warns Super Eagles T

HE president of the Football Association of Malawi has warned Nigeria not to take the Flames lightly in 2014 World Cup qualifying round.

The Super Eagles are overwhelming favourites to win Group F which also features Seychelles or Kenya and Djibouti or Namibia.

But Walter Nyamilandu feels Malawi are not short on experience and have the wherewithal to give the Nigerians a run for their money.

"Nigeria are the favourites in this group but we're a team that cannot be underrated and taken for granted," Nyamilandu said.

Nyamilandu added that the Flames made a statement a year ago when they qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Angola.

Continue reading the main story The first thing that we need to have is the belief and we have a lot of selfbelief.

"There's a football revolution in Malawi; we're in a very good position now to qualify for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next year."

Although he spoke highly of the pedigree of the Super Eagles, Nyamilandu told BBC Sport that Samson Siasia's team has a major weakness.

"It's a very tricky group; we're saying we have a very good chance of flexing our muscles if we plan everything very well."

"Although Nigeria are favourites, their away record is very bad so we're hoping they'll flip along the way and

B

OB LASHLEY, Sis Vicious and Shelton Benjamin are among the 15 United States of America-based wrestlers, who have indicated their interest in the August 14 to 20 World Wrestling Championships, tagged Gathering of Champions, slated for the velodrome of the Abuja National

•Will skip one-day training session •Full-strengh Argentine team, Nigeria expected

•Nsofor

•Event billed for Media Centre, Package ‘A’ National Stadium, Abuja at 2pm put on hold •Nigerians hail decision, describing it as another parallel body that would attract FIFA ban

S

PORTS MINISTER Yusuf Sulieman has stopped the inauguration of a nine-member Ministerial Reform Committee on Football Administration in Nigeria hitherto scheduled for today at 2pm at the Media centre, Package ‘A’, National Stadium, Abuja.

NationSport scooped that the minister directed those who should know that what was put on paper did not represent what he was discussed. In fact, most Nigerians on two radio stations monitored in Lagos hailed the minister’s decision describing it as another parallel body to NFF which could incur the wrath of FIFA with sanctions.

In a document which NationSport latched onto which was signed by the SA/DG for the Honourable Minister/ Chairman, Abba A. Yola stated that: “In line with the decision taken at the meeting between the Honourable Minister, NFF Executive and some stakeholders on football, the Honourable minister has approved the constitution of the Ministerial Reforms Committee on Football Administration in Nigeria. Below is

By Ade Ojeikere the list of members: “LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE MINISTERIAL REFORM COMMITTEE ON FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA 1. Brg. General Dominic Oneya (RTD) — Chairman 2. Mallam Danladi Bako (Kogunan Sokoto —— Vice chairman 3. Barrister Chris Green 4. Mr. Harrison Jalla 5. Mr. T. Goji 6. Mr. Ejike Ekwenze

7. Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye 8. Mrs. Grace Yaro 9. Barrister C. Uwendu The letter disclosed further that the reforms committee has four consultants comprising hon. Sani Ahmed Toro (Yariman toro), Mr. Mitchel Obi, Dr. Saleh Ibrahim and Mrs. Nkechi Obi. It remains to be seen if this committee will be inaugurated since the letter signed by Abba Yola had no terms of reference nor did it state that the date when the body’s deliberations will start.

IGERIAN International goalkeeper, Bassey Akpan, will know his fate at South Africa's Premier League side, Platimun Stars this weekend.

Akpan, who represented Nigeria at the 2001 Fifa U-17 World Cup, is one of the trialists that Platinum Stars gaffer, Owen da Gama, is observing.

SuperSport.com learnt that Platinum Stars need new goalkeepers after allowing the experienced Zimbabwean international goalkeeper, Tapuwa Kapini, who was at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 and 2006 move to PSL rivals Amazulu.

Young South African goalkeeper, Dino Visser, a product of the Platinum Stars development set-up was released due to limited first team appearances.

Da Gama told the club’s website that his final decision will be based on the performance of the trialists during the 5-1 victory over Democratic Republic of Congo Premier League side, Racing Club De Kinshasa.

If Akpan makes the grade, he will have to contend with Siyabonga Mpotshane and the newly acquired young goalkeeper, Kagisho Mlambo, who joined the club from Soweto

Bob Lashley, Sid Vicious, 15 other wrestlers coming

Eagles arrive Dhaka Sept. 4

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•Samson Siasia

Sports minister stops inauguration

Akpan waits on Platinum Stars’ decision N

‘GATHERING OF CHAMPIONS’

SEPT. 5 BANGLADESH SHOWNDOWN

IGERIA's senior team Super Eagles are expected to arrive in Dhaka, bangladesh on September 4 and would missing one training session due to the nature of the players movemnet from

help us top the group."

Nyamilandu made it clear that the task of reaching Brazil in 2014 is not going to be easy but backed his Flames to create history.

"We're also very ambitious and have set our sights on trying to go to the World Cup for the first time in the history of Malawi football.

"The first thing that we need to have is the belief and we have a lot of selfbelief.

"We've played some tough teams in the past, and should be able to face Nigeria and take them head on."

REFORM COMMITTEE ON FOOTBALL ADMINISTRATION

Antananarivo aboard a chartered flight.

Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman for the second encounter between Nigeria and Argentina Anwarul Haque Hela revealed in Dhaka on Saturday that:“However, Nigeria will be arriving on September 4, a day after Argentina due to their Nations' Cup commitments and they will skip one training session and will only take part in the official training session. But Nigeria too are expected to come with a full strength side ahead of World Cup qualifiers.”

Argentina and Nigeria are expected to arrive with their full-strength sides for the friendly match to be held in Dhaka on September 6, said Anwarul Haque Hela, chairman of the organising committee after his return from India yesterday where he had a meeting with the Celebrity Management Group.

“Argentina will only be playing this match and the match in Kolkata on September 2 before their World Cup qualifying campaign starts. So they will be making sure they make most of the opportunity, especially under a new coach.

Meanwhile an inspection team combining Argentine and Nigerian representatives will arrive on August 15 to inspect the ground, logistics, accommodation and other requirements.

Stadium, Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos and Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The wrestlers, who confirmed their participation for the championships on receipt of their appearance fees from the organisers, say they will storm the country four days to the event.

Three titles, including the Universal Promotional Heavyweight Wrestling belt held by Nigeria’s Osita Offor also known as Ultimate Commander, the World Cruiserweight title belt and the World Tag Team belt, are among the laurels he wrestlers will fight for.

According to the organisers of the championship, The Ultimate Wrestling and Charity Organisation (TUWCO), the payment of financial obligations to he wrestlers is one of the requirements by the world body to ensure the actualisation of the event in Nigeria.

They added that the championships have the blessing of Lagos State Governor, Raji Babatunde Fashola.

According to a member of the

organising committee, Tee Mac, the championship will flag off in Abuja on August 14 and berth at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos on August 19, while Teslim Balogun Stadium will take it’s turn on August 20.

Aside the 15 Wrestlers coming from America, the best Nigerian wrestlers including Jimmy Palm, The Executioner, Black Heritage, Solid Rock and Merciless Mercy will also feature on the occasion.

Tee Mac disclosed that the even would be spiced up by music and dance presented by such popular musicians as J Martins, Timaya, Nigga Raw, and KC Presh, among others, just as popular actors like Nkem Owoh, Aki and Paw Paw, Francis Duru and Mamuzee will provide side attractions on the nights.

Also billed to grace the champions, he said, are Governor Raji Fashola (the chief host), Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, who will be the Father of the event, as well as officials of EFCC and other government agencies.

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Axed Mohammed gets Spanish work permit

D

ROPPED Nigeria youth international Aliyu Mohammed is now in Spain after he was granted a work permit.

Leftback Mohammed, 18, has a contract with Spanish side Villareal.

Mohammed was one of three Flying Eagles players whose work permit applications delayed them from joining the team in Portugal for residential training prior to the U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

The applications of Ramon Azeez and Stanley Okoro were refused and this delayed them from teaming up with the Flying Eagles abroad.

Azeez was eventually named in the final World Cup squad for Colombia based on past performance.

Both Azeez and Okoro are on the books of relegated Spanish La Liga outfit Almeria, who have revealed they will appeal from Madrid against the work permit refusal.

The Spanish embassy in Nigeria rejected the applications on the ground that the players did not show sufficient evidence that they have a contract with the Spanish club.

Babangida, Ugbade, caution Eagles From Tunde Liadi, Owerri ORMER Super Eagles quartet of Tijani Babangida, Emeka Ifejiagwa, Uduka Ugbade and Thompson Oliha have all hailed the 2014 World Cup Qualifier that pitched the country’s senior national team alongside Malawi, and the winners of the ties involving Seycheles/Kenya and Djibouti versus Namibia as a balanced one though they all reckoned a halt must be put to the country’s fire-brigade approach to major competitions if Nigeria’s dream is to feature in Brazil 2014 mundial.

The foursome in separate chats with NationSport opined in a consensus that for Nigeria not to struggle just like it was in previous competitions those factors that served as hindrances last term should be sorted out while a positive attitude to national assignment should be imbibed by the Super Eagles’ player if they want the country’s flag to be hoisted in Brazil in three years.

Reacting to the draw, Babangida who got Nigeria’s only goal in the 1-4 defeat

by Denmark at France 98 World Cup, disclosed that anything short of a ticket to the next round and the eventual qualification for the World soccer fiesta would be a disappointment even much more than the harrowing experience of Germany,2006 where Nigeria was beaten to the ticket by then minnows, Palancas Negras of Angola on the away goal rule.

He argued that Nigeria has not been lacking in players but the fire brigade and dilly dally approach of the football administrators and lukewarm attitude of players to national call ups have been the bane and cog in the wheel of the country’s progress.

F

Chukwumerije vows to defend Taekwondo gold

By Innocent Amomoh All African Games in Mozambique. It is not about competing, but it is the country that gets the glory," he said.

Ranked number 61 in the world, Chukwumerije expressed happiness at the effort of the Sports Ministry to ensure that the athletes are well attended to at the national ccamp in Abuja.

"I think all the same it is about educating the athletes on what to eat and how to get themselves ready for the task ahead. For an athletes, 70% carbonhydrate, 20% protein, and 10% fat and oil is required and that is what they are getting at the national camp. I am really happy about this," he declared.

Though he is recorporating from the injury at the moment, Chukwumerije is optimistic that he will be fit for the cmpetition which commences in September.

amateur team, Seaoane Gunners.

Stars are building towards the new 2011/12 Absa Premiership season when they will entertain last year’s runners-up Ajax Cape Town, in the opening game of the campaign at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on August 13.

Based in Phokeng near Rustenburg, Platinum Stars are fully owned by the Royal Bafokeng Nation and are nicknamed Dikwena, the Tswana name for Crocodiles.

2014 WORLD CUP DRAWS

AHEAD OF ALL AFRICAN GAMES

EDALIST All African Games gold medalist in the Taekwondo event, Chika Chukwumerije has confirmed that the successful defence of the gold he won in Algeria four years ago, is very crucial to him.

Speaking to Journalists in Lagos at the weekend, the 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medalist said it will disappointing if he will not be participating in the games, adding that after the London 2012 qualifier decided in Buka, Azerbaijan, where he bowed to injury in the quater final, the AAG provides for him the needed platform to be part of the Olympics next year.

"Lets just hope for the best. There is no short cuts to to it so to speak, my plans has been laid from the unset and i am going to follow them. I feel no pressure at all, but it will be disappointing if i do not attend the

41

•Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo leading his teammates out for a match recently

•Intercontinental Heavy Weight Wrestling Champion, Power Uti posses with secretary to the Federal government Pius Ayim

Power Uti to defend double crown August 26

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IGERIA’s Power Uti is set to defend his two world titles, the World Heavyweight Championship belt and the Continental Wrestling Alliance (CWA) of USA heavyweight belt later this month.

He will defend the world heavyweight championship belt against Big Daddy V on August 26, 2011 in Lagos before defending the CWA title belt against Super Festus in Abuja on August 29, 2011.

Uti said the title defence against Festus was as a result of his failure to defend the title in Abuja last April due to circumstances beyond the control of the organisers.

"I have to prepare for the fight against Bid Daddy V because he is seven feet tall. I don't understand why I have to fight him because he was not one of the title contenders. But since he has be chosen to fight for the title I have no option but to prepare very well," he said at the weekend.

He promised that all the hiccups

experienced during his title fight against Super Festus last April in Lagos will not repeat itself as all logistics have been put in place to ensure a hitch free fight.

"We will construct the stage, the lightening. We won't depend on Power Holding Company of Nigeria as we will have generators in case of power outage. Ticket arrangement will be handled professionally," he promised.

According to hin, not less than N100 million will be needed in hosting the two title fights, hinting that the promoter has paid $250,000 fees to the organisers.

"If not these wrestlers won't come if their fees have not been paid," he said.

He revealed that ARIK Air will fly the wrestlers and an official as part of its sponsorship, adding that arrangement are on to provide accommodation for the wrestlers at the Federal Palace Hotel and the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

NTTF endorses First Mini-Table Tennis board •As MFM training programme enters 3rd week

F

OLLOWING the endorsement of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) of the MiniTable Tennis board, an initiative of Value Sport One (VSO), a sports development outfit based in Lagos, the Mountain of Fire and Ministries training camp on the project enters its third week.

In a release made available to NationSport at the weekend, the MFM Table Tennis Academy, being the first to embrace the laudable initiative, has promised to discover and develop young talents at the programme that commenced since July 17.

It said with the encouragement from the General Oversea of MFM, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, and support from the coordinator of the academy, and Director of Programmes VSO, Laja Ijaodola, the children have enjoyed the best of table tennis training.

It said: "Over 100,000 cadet players will be discovered nationwide within three months, and 200, 000 children will be introduced to the rudiments of the sport in the shortest time with this initiative."

NTTF President, Kayode Omotose and other board members like the Secretary General, Segun Oguntade, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Anderson Bankole, have all thrown their weight behind the initiative by propossing a table tennis league with the mini board.

But if the promise made by Olufemi Olugbile, Patron of VSO and member of the International Table Tennis

By Innocent Amomoh Federation (ITTF), and Folorunsho Omitiran, at the Mini-Table Tennis Seminar held at the last National Sports Festival (NSF) in Port-Harcourt is anything to go by, then every state in the federation should be at the verge of benefiting from the initiative.

Resource persons at the seminar includes, Engr. Dotun George Segun, former Chairman of the NTTF, Dr. Folorunsho Omitiran, ITTF member, Laja Ijaodola of the VSO, Exinternational Bose Kaffo, and ITTF certified umpire, John Peters.

Others are, an international umpire, Adedeji Olugbenga Saidi, National and African Table Tennis champion, Segun Toriola and many others.

Meanwhile, Ogun State is set to receive the donation of the mini -table tennis board for the commencement of the programme, after which it will be extended to other states, through their governors.

Initially, top administrators of the sport in Nigeria, representing the NTTF Board have expressed their support for the initiative. The board has proposed to put a functional league in place to further enhance the implementation of the project.

According to the release, VOS in its magnanimity is also making plans to extend the gesture to other African countries through their West Africa Regional Manager, Emmanuel Akin Oyetunji, starting with the Republic of Benin.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

CITYBEATS THE NATION

E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

25

‘No place like home’ •Flood victims leave relief camp

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ISPLACED persons staying at the Agbowa Relief Camp in Ikosi Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, have been discharged, 10 months after they were sacked by flood.

The over 1,000 victims, who were residents of Kio-kio, Agilti, Ajegunle, Owode-Elede, Owode-Onirin, Agboyi, Odogun and Maidan communities were rendered homeless when excess water was released from Oyan Dam by the Ogun Osun River Basin Development Authority in October, last year.

They have been living in the camp since it was opened on October 11, by the Lagos State Government. The camp is managed by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The entrance to the camp was a beehive as the victims sat beside their luggage waiting for buses to convey them out of the village.

Some of them who shared their experiences with CityBeats appreciated the Lagos State government for coming to their aid.

One of them is Mrs Ibikunle Ayorinde, who gave birth in the camp. She said:“The flood was so heavy that all my properties were swept off. My husband was not around and I was pregnant. I gave birth to Elizabeth in this camp. If there was no provision for us, I don’t know what would have happened to me. I am glad to leave now after 10 months.”

Despite the camp’s 60 rooms with bunk beds, mattresses and pillows, 12 toilets and baths, two boreholes with one overhead back-up water tank, fully air-conditioned 600-capacity hall, kitchen with cookers, freezers, fridges, laundry room with washers and dryer, play ground, football pitch as well as an automatic generator, the victims said they were tired of living there.

Prior to this, there was a four-week skill acquisition workshop organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation to equip the victims. It featured training on soap and pomade making, hat making, hair weaving and braiding, baking of snacks and cakes, cloth dyeing and bead making.

Mr Idowu Onilari, a 61-year-old caterer, who enlisted in snacks production, described his stay in the camp as traumatic. Onilari, who lived in the camp with his three children, said he was a food seller in Ajegunle before the flood made him homeless.

“I have been here for 10 months with my three children. Although I get three square meals daily, I want to live on my own. Life here is different because you are under the custody of someone. So, there is a limit to your freedom. I opted for cake and doughnut production because I want to add more to my culinary skills. Before the flood, I sold rice, beans and noodles. As I leave here, I want to go back and sell food as usual.”

• Some of the victims waiting for buses to convey them out of the camp

•Participants listening to a lecture on pomade making

By Toluwani Eniola

Joseph Ademola, 40, said he was yet to recover from the shock of the flood. Ademola, who was a trader at Idumota, Lagos, described the flood as a blessing in disguise as he had learnt another trade - soap and pomade production.

He said: “The flood submerged my room and swept my properties away. My wife and two children have been here since last year. There is no place like your home. There is no conven-

NOA sensitises Lagosians on flood abatement THE National Orientation Agency(NOA) has started a campaign against indiscriminate dumping of refuse by commercial cart pushers and residents during the rains.

Packaged water nylons, bottles of table water, leaves, tall weeds, faeces and some other items make up the content of the blocked drainage.

Lagos State Director of NOA Mr Waheed Ishola said: "To avert the disaster of flooding which claimed lives and properties, we deemed it fit that we should go out and sensitise people on the need to regularly clear their drains."

He called on the community development associations, CDAs in Lagos to be vigilant in their area and to dissuade people from throwing dirt in the drains, whether it is raining or not.

He said the government cannot do it alone.

PHOTOS: TOLUWANI ENIOLA

ience here. Before the flood, my wife and I used to sleep together, but it was not possible here.

We eat together, but it is not possible here.

Besides, when you want to get food, you need to queue up.”

Unlike other men at the training, Francis Ogonna, 27, who hails from Ebonyi State, enlisted for hair dressing. Asked why he opted for a skill considered to be reserved for women, Ogonna said hair dressing is lucrative.

“I want to leave here to start a saloon, but this can’t be achieved without money,” he said.

'Introduce fire safety training in schools' THE Lagos State government has been urged to introduce fire safety training in schools and work places to reduce the devastating aftermath of fire accidents.

Principal of Wellspring College, Lagos, Mrs Oluwayemisi Oloriade, made the call during a fire safety training to equip the staff and pupils of the school.

The college hosted fire fighters from the Lagos State Fire Service,Alausa, Lagos, who anchored practical demonstration on the use of fire extinguishers and how to avert and react to fire accidents.

Mrs Oloriade said many people lack sufficient fire safety knowledge which can expose them to avoidable risks.

Lawrence Ekundayo, 32, an artiste, stole the show at the camp. Ekundayo displayed his artwork entitled: ‘Noah’s Ark’, at the entrance of the camp. Ekundayo, who appreciated the Lagos State government for its support, likened the camp to Noah’s Ark in the Bible, but said he wished the flood was a dream.

“I studied General Arts and Printing at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH). I am

•SEE PAGE 26

YABA LCDA empowers residents YABA Local Council Development Area (LCDA) donated some working tools to 150 artisans in the council.

Chairman of the council Mr Jide Jimoh said the artisans were empowered to boost their trade.

Beneficiaries include barbers, fishermen, food vendors and mechanics.

Jimoh said the council gave out equipment such as sewing machines, hair dryers, mechanical tool boxes, fishing tools and canoes because they are expensive.

Jimoh, who advised the beneficiaries to make good use of it, said rising crime could be traced directly to unemployment.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

26

CITY BEATS

•Ekundayo

‘ • The trainees during a session on soup making

Displaced persons seek to return home •Continued from page 25

gifted and when I sleep, I get revelations of what to create. The flood destroyed my art studio and I am just trying to get along. I am begging the government to help me and my people so I can go back to my normal life.

I believe I can do more than the white men. Just like any other person here, I am tired of living here. Right now, if I

am given something to start with, I will be happy. You can see I have grown lean. I wasn’t like this before the flood.”

A Director at the Lagos State Ministry of Women Empowerment and Poverty Eradication, Mrs Folasade Ogunnaike, said the training was organised to empower them and to give them a measure of freedom as they leave the camp.

The General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Oke Osanyintolu, said the victims would be given N50, 000 each and food stuff. Osanyintolu described their stay in camp as violence free, adding that they were allowed to take away mattresses and other household items.

Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties Dr Wale Ahmed, urged

• Ademola

I believe I can do more than the white men. Just like any other person here, I am tired of living here. Right now, if I am given something to start with, I am ready to leave

them to make good use of the stipend and encourage themselves as they start life afresh.

Ahmed said the victims were not supposed to stay up to 10 months in the camp, but that their plight compelled the government to do so.

He explained that the victims were released because of the forecast that there would be heavier rainstorm in Lagos this month.

“The Lagos State government is

’

doing its best to prepare ahead of emergency. This is why we had to let those staying here to leave because they have been crying to get out of here. Besides, the government cannot continue to keep them here. We gave them notice of this and I visited last week to prepare them psychologically. We cannot meet all their needs because human wants are insatiable. Many of the facilities they enjoyed here came with huge cost.”

Lawmakers seek special status for Lagos

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•From left: Dr. Gbenga Otun, Ms. Damasus, Mrs. Anosike and Traore-Shumbusho, at the event

Woman wins N2.5m in smile competition

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T was all smiles for Mrs Chichi Anosike, who emerged the winner of the maiden edition of Project Smile competition organised by Smile 360 Dental Specialists in Lagos.

Mrs Anosike will receive a smile make-over worth N2.5 million between 12 and 20 months.

The competition attracted 20 participants, who were assessed on the emotional impact of their teeth, nature and complexity of treatment.

Other criteria were the ability to communicate well and engage an audience while on camera and their creativity.

Mrs Anosike was overwhelmed with happiness. She thanked the health centre for providing such opportunity.

1. Fire and Safety Services Control Room Phone Nos: 01-7944929; 080-33235892; 080-33235890; 08023321770; 080-56374036.

"I want to send a short message (SMS) to my husband to come for me. He dropped me here before he went away, she said as she received her prize”.

Celebrity panelist of the competition and Nollywood star Stella Damasus said a simple smile could go a long way to do something great in somebody's life. According to her, a lot of people have low self-esteem because of bad or deformed set of teeth, a problem which makes it impossible for them to smile.

Medical Director, Smile 360, Lagos, Dr Amy Traore-Shumbusho, said she had been built-up smiles only for those who can afford it for over 12 years but decided to

2. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Lagos Zonal Command Phone No: 080-77690200; 01-7742771 Sector Commander Phone No: 080-776909201; 01-2881304 FRSC Emergency No: 070-022553772

extend it for free to 'those who cannot afford it', but whose lives have been hampered just by a simple smile.

She added: "For Mrs. Anosike and others, the ability to smile can be very important because it is something that has been affecting them.

For me, I smile, naturally, without realising it, but some people desire to smile but they cannot. Now she would have her teeth reconstructed to enhance her confidence so that she could have the kind of laughter that she had not been able to have.”

The Nollywood star said she enjoyed laughing, but never realised that some people did not have the same opportunity.

EMBERS of the Lagos State House of Assembly have asked the Federal Government to recognise the state and accord it a special status as a former capital city as it is done in other parts of the world.

According to them, since Lagos was the capital city of the country and as a result, it became the nerve of the country, special attention should be given to it by the Federal Government.

This was part of the members resolution at plenary.

The motion was moved by Mudashiru Obasa representing Agege Constituency 1 .

According to the lawmakers, the state government has struggled over the years to do the job of the Federal Government since the latter seems to have forgotten the state.

The Chief Whip of the House, Razak Balogun, explained that Lagos has not been considered as a result of the fact that it is seen as a state controlled by the opposition.

Balogun stressed that he did not expect the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government to do much as the party has never engaged in activities that would favour the ordinary people in the society.

"Most of the policies put in place by the PDP government are not meant for the ordinary people.

They are elitist policies," he said while expressing support for the State move.

Balogun also always suggested that the first House should collaborate with choice

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4. KAI Brigade Phone Nos: 080-23036632; 0805-5284914 Head office Phone Nos: 01-4703325; 01-7743026 5. Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Phone Nos: 070-55350249; 070-35068242 080-79279349; 080-63299264 070-55462708; 080-65154338

By Oziegbe Okoeki

members of the National Assembly to push for the attention of the Federal Government.

Sainai Agunbiade representing Ikorodu Constituency 1, said the call is long overdue. He said it was time for members of the House to pay a courtesy call on the leadership of the National Assembly since through such a call, the conscience of the National Assembly members could be bought.

Bisi Yusuf Ayinla representing Alimosho Constituency 2 also stressed that apart from the fact that the state is a former capital, the number of people who visit the state either for business, official duties or in search of jobs, is enough for the recognition.

Funmilayo Tejuosho, a representative of Mushin 1 , while suggesting that the people of the state and the civil society should be used to force the Federal Government into action, described the situation as disheartening.

According to her, it is lamentable that those in position of authority at the federal level have decided to pull Lagos out of the political thinking, yet the state is always their first choice when it comes to having personal properties and businesses.

Some other lawmakers, who spoke, cited the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Britain, David Cameron, adding that he chose the state as a result of the effort put by Governor Babatunde Fashola to ensure that the state is habitable.

They said the special status issue is a matter of urgent importance.

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

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

27

CITY BEATS FROM THE GRASSROOTS

Council boss hails LASIEC

I’m committed to grassroots growth, says council chief

•Abdulkareem

T

HE Chairman, Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Jubreel Abdulkareem has assured residents of his commitment to grassroots development.

Abdulkareem spoke during a meeting with reporters in Lagos to mark his 1,000 days in office.

Abdulkareem, who thanked the residents for their support, noted that he has been able to give priority to pressing needs in the council.

"The council under my administration carefully priotised the need of our people and judiciously channelled the resources to their plights," he said.

Abdulkareem, who listed his achievements such as infrastructure development, road construction and rehabilitation, primary health care delivery, security and local intervention to natural disasters, etc said he had lived up to his campaign promises.

He said the projects constructed under his administration were done in line with the Lagos State

‘

Despite the space of time and limited resources, I believe I have laid a solid foundation for infrastructural development in Agege. So far, we have constructed 23 drains (seven with culvert), one canal and seven box culverts, among others

’

Agric agency monitors project

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ARMERS in Lagos State have been urged to take advantage of the incentives offered by the Lagos State FADAMA 111 Project Co-ordinating Office.

Speaking during a tour of fish farms and equipment at Itun -Agan, a riverine community in AmuwoOdofin Local Government Area, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the agency, Mr Ade Obayemi, said: “It's imperative to let you know that the efforts of the agency which are strengthened by support from the Lagos State Government are geared toward poverty alleviation of farmers. Therefore, farmers should tap into the benefits of the programme to better their lives rather than waste the opportunity.”

The Chairman of Ifesowapo Fadama Group, Rev Mathias Esanmore, thanked the team for finding time to inspect their assets and to know their progress.

He said: “We want to thank Fadama and the Lagos State Gov-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

AGEGE Government's standard.

"In the choice of site for our projects, we considered the interest of our beneficiaries. Our attitude and business unusual approach guided us to achieve many things.

“Despite the space of time and limited resources, I believe I have laid a solid foundation for infrastructural development in Agege. So far, we have constructed 23 drains (seven with culvert), one canal and seven box culverts among others.We built 14 roads and rehabilitated five others," he said.

Abdulkareem urged the flood victims to take heart, promising that the council would be more proactive in the future.

“The council responded swiftly to the victims of the floods.We will do everything to prevent such occurrence in the future. I wish to appeal to the residents to desist from habits that compound flooding.They should desist from dumping refuse in the drainages," he said.

• Bamgbola

F

OR prompt release of election guidelines, Council Chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Developemnt Area, Hon Hakeem Bamgbola, has commended the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission’s (LASIEC) determination to avoid delay in conducting the local governments’ elections in the state.

Bamgbola said the state electoral body has once again re-affirmed its commitment to uphold rule of law in their activities.

“I think LASIEC’s action is in accordance with the state law that mandated the body to conduct an election before the expiration of that tenure and for them to discharge the constitutional roles that guided them

By Kunle Akinrinade

AMUWO-ODOFIN ernment for their gesture toward poverty reduction, especially in the lives of fish farmers in this community. So far, we have received six earthy ponds, outboard engines, freezers and fishing nets from the agency and this has rubbed off on her income as farmers.

“But we want the government to save us from the activities of fishing trawlers, who destroys our nets on the sea and policemen who harass our members unnecessarily.”

The Baale of the community, Chief Lot Ikuesan, said the community urgently requires government’s intervention in health care and education.

“Since we are far from the city, I want to appeal to the government to come to our aid by providing good health care facility and school for our children.”

• Obayemi, Ikuesan, Esanmore, Dapo and Mrs. Ola Olajumoke-White, at a fish farm.

Lagos plants trees for 'greener' environment

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HE Lagos State Government has planted trees in its 57 councils as it marks the third anniversary of tree planting.

This year’s tree planting theme is 'A Tree for Life’. The government said

• Participants at the event

they must inform the public that the local government election will be coming up in 90 days time. It was a step in the right direction,” he said.

The council boss, who is recontesting for the chairmanship position, boasted that opposition parties have no chance in the forthcoming elections.

Bamgbola said the sterling performance of council chiefs in state has endeared the heart of the Lagosians to them.

“I can beat my chest that the local government in Lagos State has performed creditably well. We have different organisations coming in to inspect and look at what we said we have done. They were all impressed.

This accounted for various awards received by the council chairmen,” he said.

“Today, if we have any election at the local council level, ACN will definitely sweep the polls,” he said.

He chided criticisms from the opposition parties, who scored the council chiefs low in performance, noting that they are being economical with the truth.

By Amidu Arije

OSHODI-ISOLO it believed that tree planting helps in the prevention of erosion and other health hazards related disas-

ters.

Governor, Babatunde Fashola, who was represented at the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Secretariat by Tunde Adeyemi, said the benefits of tree planting cannot be quantified.

“When we started this advocacy for greening and tree planting, many who did not understand the great challenge that nature had in store for us, questioned the value of spending money on tree planting and preservation.

Apart from the economic activities and the jobs they have helped us to generate, they also constitute an important plank of our public health and preventive health care strategy in helping to de-pollute the air because more trees mean more oxygen," he said.

He said the trees planted in the state helped to some extent to prevent more disaster from the heavy rain that flooded some parts of the state. ”While we may not be able to determine precisely the role played by the trees we planted in limiting the damage and impact of the flood, the truth is that trees help to mitigate flooding and the combination of the strategies for mitigation and adaptation that we have employed clearly ensured prompt drainage of the flood immediately the rains stopped," he said.

He said tree planting helps to prevent erosion in the state and make it safe. Trees will help erosion-prone areas react better and I, therefore, recommend them to us and urge everyone to go out from today and plant a tree for life," he said.

Council kicks off enlightenment on flooding

By Emmanuel Oladesu

MUSHIN

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USHIN Local Government has flagged off an enlightenment campaign to sensitise the people to the danger of poor sanitation capable of compounding flooding.

The Vice Chairmen, Emmanuel Bamigboye, said the door-to-door exercise would take place at the ward levels, where council officials and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftains would educate people on the danger of blocking drains.

Bamigboye lamented that flooding, which is avoidable, had sacked several households, owing to the blockade of the drains by indiscriminate refuse dumping.

He said the council would make it mandatory that every household should have, at least, big refuse can, which must be taken away by refuse collectors approved by the government.

Said Bamigboye: “If the drains are cleared regularly during the weekly and monthly sanitation, there would be no panic during the rainy season.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

28

CITY BEATS T

Body seeks sanction against fake HE Cable cables’ dealers "Our fear is that these dangerous items could find Manufacturers'

Association of Nigeria (CAMAN) has called for stronger sanction against both importers and marketers of sub-standard cables in the country.

The Secretary of the body, Mr. Gerald Duruemeruos, who stated this while briefing journalists on the dangers of such action on Tuesday in Lagos, described the activities of dealers in fake cables as wicked and inimical to the growth and development of local industries.

He said: "We are talking about Vision 20: 2020, some individuals are busy sabotaging the efforts of government in that regard.”

He also stressed the need for government's urgent intervention by enacting a stiffer penalty against both importers and marketers of counterfeit cables in Nigeria.

According to him, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and CAMAN had conducted raid at identified fake cable markets in Nigeria and several tons of counterfeit cables of various brands

By Jude Isiguzo

were seized.

"But we are still wondering what may have happened to the fake cables, as we had expected that they would be destroyed," he said.

He further stated that the CPC Southsouth zonal director in Port Harcourt had witnessed one of such raids in Rivers State where over 200 coils of Nigerchin and Kabelmetal counterfeit products were confisticated from the suspected fraudsters.

He added that there were similar raids at Gudu Market, Abuja where large quantities of fake NOCACO cables were impounded early this year.

"This month, another raid was carried out at the same market and fake version of Nigerchin products were seized and handed over to the CPC officials who also participated in the raid exercise," he said.

The CAMAN scribe said his group is worried about what had become of the seized counterfeit cables.

their way back to the market. If that happens, we should be ready for unpleasant happenings in the building industry."

He recalled that at a meeting with the CPC officials in Abuja shortly after the raids, a close monitoring of the spots where counterfeit cables are marketed in by the enforcement unit of CPC was recommended.

"A follow-up raid and monitoring of Abuja market has become paramount for the safety of innocent consumers," the CAMAN scribe said.

Continuing, he said: "It is rather sad that after the successful raid, nothing was done to check the resurgence of the offensive products. The raid was able to checkmate the production of fake cables in the market through the collaboration of the market unions, but nothing was done to check their supply chains from the notorious Alaba Market in Ojo area of Lagos State."

FROM THE COURT

Man sues wife to court over child’s paternity A LAGOS trader Alhaji Ismaila Odupelu has dragged his wife, Mrs Tawakalitu Odupelu, before the Grade 'A' Customary Court Mushin, over the paternityof their one year-old baby.

He prayed the court to dissolve the marriage which is already blessed with three children, adding that his wife has not been faithful.

Ismaila told the court that he could not continue to live with a woman whom he does not trust.

It was gathered that the matter was first brought before the court last month and that the Magistrate ordered that a DNA test should be carried out to to determine the true paternity of the disputed child.

The result of the DNA was presented in court when hearing resumed on last week.

According to the DNA result, Ismaila was not the biological father of the disputed child.

But Tawakalitu disagreed with the result, insisting that she would carry out another

Stories by Uchechi Nze

test because she was sure that Ismaila was the father of her child.

She told the court that she was still not satisfied with the DNA test result conducted at the government hospital and was ready do another test in a different hospital.

However, Ismaila told the court that he was not going to spend money on another test as the government hospital test result had vindicated him.

When the court asked the defendant how she was going to go about conducting another test, since her husband said he was not ready for another test.

She said: "I don't have enough money to run the test alone because I have been taking care of the family alone."

One of the Magistrate offered to lend her the money to do the test, but she

refused to accept it saying: "I think I will leave everything to God to intervene. It is God who made it possible for this child to come to the world.

I will make sure I take care of him and also won't give up in praying to God for his wonders on this baby."

Ismaila also alleged that his wife wanted to fight him the last time he visited her to pick some documents from their house.

The defendant denied the allegation, saying: “Iwas only obeying the order of the court that he must not come to the house and take anything away from there. I did not fight him."

The court confirmed the defendant's statement and instructed Ismaila to list all the items that belongs to him for the defendant's verification.

Judgment, which was supposed to be passed on July 12, was further reserved.

NURTW boss denies removal ‘My sister died as a result of slap from Kunle Akinrinade

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HAIRMAN of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos State Council, Comrade Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa, has denied a report which indicated that he has been suspended from office.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Ola Mohammed, the NURTW boss said:”I want to ask the general public to disregard the story being circulated by some misguided elements that I have been suspended from office as chairman of the Lagos

State Council of NURTW. “For the avoidance of doubt, I remain the chairman of the union till 2013 when my tenure lapses.”

Olohunwa, also commended the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for the peaceful resolution of the minimum wage crisis.

He said: ”I commend both the NLC and the TUC for employing dialogue with the Federal Government to stay off the pro-

posed industrial action.

They have been able to exhibit maturity to resolve the problem the country could have witnessed during the aborted 3 days strike.”

He explained that the conduct of labour leaders is a signal to the government to embrace dialogue to avert industrial crisis.

Olohunwa urged the Federal Government to honour the agreement it reached with NLC/TUC on the implementation of the new minimum wage next month.

Police key into Jonathan’s transformation agenda

D

ESPITE what seems like a black tag on the Nigeria Police Force, it is still being respected by the international community, which describes its performances in peacekeeping operations as outstanding.

Therefore, the police must leverage on this perception and work hard to consolidate this complimentary perception.

This was the view of the Deputy Director Training Ministry of Police Affairs Dr Bello Umar.

The training, which was the fifth of its kind under the ministry, had the theme: “Financial Intelligence and Fraud Management Techniques.”

Addressing a group of police officers within the ranks of Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent who were drawn from across the states of the federation, Umar charged them to take their duties diligently and learn to be more disciplined, adding that the Nigeria Police Force now constitutes one of the major components that will drive the reform agenda of President Goodluck

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Jonathan.

At the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Topo, Badagry venue of the event, Umar said the Federal Government, through the police reform, is determined to engage them in consistent training for higher productivity.

He said the Police Public Sector Reform, which the Federal Government instituted, was to give the force a new dimension and reform the police.

He said: "The [Federal] government set up the Police Public Sector Reform to deal with inadequacies of the Nigeria police structure, systems and problems and reform the Nigeria police from what it used to be. There have been all sorts of things that have been said about the Nigerian police. Despite these, we are adjudged one among the best in peacekeeping,” he said.

He said the ministry just trained over 4,000 officers in Sokoto State recently, noting that some of the participants, who, according to him, had not undertaken one training for years, lauded the exercise.

“The essence of this

training is to ensure the infrastructural and capacity building of Nigeria police to progressively moved to become the police force of the 21st Century; the global police so that anywhere you are found in the world, you will be accorded integrity.

my husband’

A

FRUIT seller at Mushin, Mrs J o s e p h i n e Ehiawaguan, has urged the Grade 'A' Customary Court Mushin to dissolve her marriage of 15 years with Mr Christopher Ehiawaguan, a guard.

Josephine alleged that her husband abandoned his responsibilities as the head of the family and that she has turned the breadwinner.

She also alleged that her husband slapped her younger sister who was living with them; she went blind and later died.

According to her, she no longer loves her husband because of his irresponsibility and cannot live with him again.

She said: "My husband abandoned the children and me in the past 10 years, there is no love between us again; so, I want the court to order the dissolution of this marriage with immediate effect."

When the court asked the respondent for his position

• Cross section of participants at the flag off

on the matter, he said: "I still have so much interest in my marriage because I love my wife and children."

The court asked him what step he had taken so far since he received the summon letter from the court. Or did he feel it was not necessary for him to see his wife’s family for reconciliation?

He said no step had been taken by him, but promised to do so, as soon as possible.

The court President, Dr Abayomi Ipaye, asked the estranged couple, who left the house for the other.

He said his wife left her matrimonial home with the children for 10 years and because she did so, he relocated to Sango Ota a community outer surface Ogun State.

Narrating how her sister was allegedly killed by a slap by her husband, the petitioner alleged: "In 1999, when my father was given a chieftaincy title in our village (Edo State), as the first daughter of the family, I was asked to come with my

husband.

“I told him about it, but he refused to go with me. ‘’After the ceremony one of the elders came to me and warned that “I should be very careful when I got back to Lagos. ‘’He said there was going to be a serious fight between my husband and myself, but that I should not retaliate because it might be the end of the world for me. I was shocked.

“On the day we returned from the event, we watched a video. My husband came back from work and knocked. I pretended as if I was asleep. I heard him calling on Antonia (my sister) to open the door for him. Immediately she opened the door, my husband slapped her twice.

"Four days later, she became blind. I took her to the hospital, but the doctor who carried out a test on her told me that he couldn't find the cause of the problem. I was advised to take her to the church.”

CLAMOUR

ALLEVIATION Amaechi seeks poverty alleviation policy Lagos

DEMAND ‘We need ecological funds against floods’

Communities seek council

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Ondo

MONDAY AUGUST 1, 2011

30

Ekiti

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Page 29

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

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T is in one breath a celebration of life; in another a war festivity. You will find Christians and Muslims thanking God in churches and mosques for the survival of the over 500-year-old Ipele community. They are happy about the unity and strength of the town which holds the distinction of having never been defeated in any battle. And then you will also see able-bodied young men, clad, as if for war, displaying their battle prowess and the community’s combat history. It is the Ero festival, respected by many in Ipele, an ancient town in Ondo State.

Men and women between the age of 40 and 50 were in attendance. The men turned out in their immaculate traditional gear, some wielding whips. Some bared their upper bodies, revealing muscular chests and beefy biceps, and bearing their traditional shields in a procession through the town. The women were not left out, sporting their own sparkling iro and buba.

Ero comes up every seven years. The younger men celebrate their promotion to a higher age grade called Oketa Ugbama or Ogwo. At this stage, they are mature enough to contribute at a higher level to the development of Ipele, an Owo community.

They sang: Ma wewu ma wewu ene ne bewu re. Ma wewu ma wewu ene ne bewu re, which literally means ‘Don’t put on your clothes’.

About 12 men who led the crowd held shields woven with palm fronds. It is called Asa and decorated with feathers.

They marched three times round the town displaying their bodies.

Rahman Abubakar, a senior lecturer at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, described the occasion as one of the greatest in the state.

He said: “We treat this occasion like an exhibition, to show our bodies, protruding stomachs, who is strong and who is weak, and who healthy.”

Suddenly, a strange man of average height called Eku Erinmi appeared, halfclad and painted in black and white native chalk. He came armed with a spear, a leather bag hanging under his under-arms and a leopard-skin cap. The metals on his legs jangled as walked briskly along the road.

The youths followed him everywhere he went in spite of his war-like

•Ipele men display their war prowess

Community keeps date with tradition Ondo town celebrates age grade Prayers offered for survival

By Taiwo Abiodun

appearance. The Eku Erinmi, Newsextra gathered, prays for the town and for the unity and long life of the people living in the community. He goes into people’s houses and prays for them. If he carries any sick child in his hand and prays, “the baby becomes sound and well,” said Alabi Ojo, one of the participants.

His Royal Majesty, the Olupele of Ipele,

Oba Abel Olaleye Alade described the festival as an occasion when the natives, home and abroad, come home to celebrate and cut a birthday cake.

“It is another way of thanking God for protecting our lives,” he said. “Many even go to church and mosque to offer prayers.

It shows how we love ourselves and each person will also prove how they are loved.

It is like Christmas when all will come home to spend good time with their

kinsmen.”

In the age grade tradition, those who belonged to Ogwo will, in seven years’ time, graduate to Omindami stage and from there to Ugbama, and then to the last stage which is Olori Ugbama. Here, when one attains the Olori Ugbama he stops serving the town and the royal father, for it a resting stage. The person becomes an elder of the town.

•Continued on Page 30

Cocoa farmers appeal for subsidy OCOA farmers in Ekiti State have bemoaned what they called the gradual destruction of their crops due to lack of chemicals to treat pests and diseases.

They have therefore urged the state government to provide them with “agrochemical subsidy”.

They made the appeal through the state branch of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN).

At a meeting in Ado-Ekiti, the farmers urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to intervene in order to remedy the situation.

Deputy National President of CFAN, Mr. Joseph Ayodele, and the state chairman of the organisation, Mr. Samuel Oguntoyinbo,

C

•Governor Fayemi

Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

stressed the need for subsidy.

The duo noted that the needed agrochemicals are not only very expensive, but also “not readily accessible in the market,” a development which, Ayodele said, has led to loss of proceeds from cocoa and may affect the state’s internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The CFAN Deputy President said, “All the farmers are appealing to our amiable governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi to assist us by subsidising the agro-chemicals needed for cocoa production because the prices of the chemicals are too high for us to afford.

“The chemicals are also not available in

the market and sellers in the neighbouring states are not ready to sell their chemicals to us. So, we need them for our survival.

All we request from our governor is subsidy on the chemicals which would reduce their prices by half, consequently making them affordable.”

As a way of further aiding development of agriculture and food production in the state, they equally asked that the state government extend loan facilities to cocoa and other farmers.

The CFAN leaders again urged farmers and everyone in the state to continue to support the governor, saying they believe that he will turn things around in the state.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

30

Communities seek council

O

VER 20 communities in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State have urged the state government to give them a local council of their own. If given, they would also want it named Ikale North Local Government.

Some of the communities include OdeAye, Agbabu, Agbaje, Moboro, Batedo, Lafe, Likaju, Oke-Ola, Eguwe-Luwoye, OrokinOko. Submitting their memoranda at the State Ministry of local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Mike Adenuga, leader of the delegation, said the areas are long overdue for local government of their own.

He said the communities have all it takes to make a local council, including economic viability, population, among others.

Adenuga stressed that it would take government closer to the people.

His words: “Ode-Aye was the only port linked by railway in the whole of Western Nigeria before the railway linking Lagos to Kano was created. The AT&P people who first traded along the coast built a 45km railway from Oluwa Forest Reserve to Agbaje Port which is Ode-Aye.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

“So, most of the activities of the white people were concentrated round Ode-Aye. And this had always been determined in Ode-Aye and it had been in focus all the time within Ikale land each time there was a clamour for creation of local government.

“The population of Aye is probably even the largest presently among the communities in Ikale land and even in Ilaje land. Since the reduction of wards from six to two in the area, development has stagnated. We have always felt cheated since the reduction,” he explained.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Diran Iyantan who also hails from Ode-Aye said the idea of using towns as names of local governments is “absurd and unacceptable,” pointing out that tribes are better.

“If they want to dissect the local government, they are supposed to use that preface, hence we want to go back to the roots so that we can have a sense of belonging to our race again. Ikale is the name that brought all of us together.”

• Dr. Adenuga (right) presenting the memorandum to the Secretary, Local Government Creation Committee, Mr Akin Olasuyi

Varsities urged to fight crime with science

N

IGERIAN Universities have been advised to assist the Nigeria Police in the utilisation of forensic science to reduce crime and criminality in the country.

Instrumentation or the use of scientific methods to enhance physical evidence is a significant portion of crime detection and prosecution. Since universities are adept in scientific analysis, they should assist the police in bringing criminals to justice, it was further argued.

Speaking at the second International DNA/Fingerprinting Workshop organised by the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), the

•Police I-G, Hafiz Ringim

By Jude Isiguzo

President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu said forensic infrastructure should be developed in the Nigerian criminal justice system.

He said forensic science is slowly creeping into Nigeria through private companies which may not have the requisite bona fides and professionalism to put its benefits to general use, adding that the police agency should develop its crime laboratory to enable it solve serious crimes.

He urged the Nigeria Police to abandon its confession-led standard of policing

Since forensic science is only creeping into Nigeria through private companies which may not have the requisite bona fides and professionalism to put its benefits to general use, the police should develop its crime laboratory to enable it solve serious crimes

Community keeps date with tradition •Continued from Page 29

Bayo Ogundowole, one of the members of the Ogwo grade, said “after this we would graduate in seven years’ time to Omindami, then in another seven to Ugbama and in another seven we will be elevated to Olori Ugbama. Here, we will

• Ipele men on festival day

retire from active service of the king and the town.

Balogun Olupitan and Gabriel Ola Orisadipe, who are High Chiefs in the town, described Ipele as a historical town founded over 500 years ago. The town is also said not to have been conquered by any other.

This was corroborated by chiefs. In fact, they said, that is part of the role of the dreaded Eku Erinmi in the festival.

In the days of war, he “would take his spear and, with some of the youths holding shields following him, terrify the enemies.”

Akintunde Imolehin, an architect, who is the Ipele Development Summit chairman and coordinator, praised the youths for turning up in large numbers and from all over the world.

“Today is a history-making day in Ipele,” he said, “We began a concrete journey into self-discovery, reawakening of our body and soul to face challenges threatening our heritage. Today, we choose to break the yoke of self-imposed solitude, selfdestruct, denial, depression, mediocrity and failure. This day, we declare, never again will our cherished town play second fiddle; we are free born, and we are indeed first among equals.”

and migrate to evidence-led methods.

Ekhomu also said that Nigeria had an extremely high rate of unsolved murder, assassination, kidnapping and bombing cases because there was inadequate forensic science capability to detect and prosecute the perpetrators of the heinous crimes.

The AISSON chief called on universities to partner with the police in DNA and fingerprint analysis, forensic pathology, forensic serology, forensic toxicology, forensic odontology, among others.

He regretted that high profile cases such as the killing of Chief Bola Ige and Engr.

Funsho Williams, among others, remained unsolved because the crime scenes were heavily contaminated. He urged police detectives to race to crime scenes and then meticulously process them for physical evidence. According to the international security expert, the forensic scientist will then use science including Chemistry, Physics, Biology, etc, to enhance the probative value of the evidence.

He argued further that the concept of chain of custody must be maintained once physical evidence has been collected from a crime scene. Said he: “Chain of Custody is the continuity of possession of items of physical evidence to avoid accusation or suspicion of tampering with the evidence or exhibit”. He urged the Nigeria Police to establish standards of chain of custody as exhibits in police custody sometimes disappeared or were altered before court adjudication.

In his address, UNAAB Vice Chancellor Prof. Oluwafemi O. Balogun stressed the use of DNA and fingerprinting in solving critical security-related problems.

“DNA isolated from blood, hair, skin cells or other genetic evidence at the scene of a crime can be compared with the DNA of a suspected criminal to determine guilt or innocence,” he said. “DNA analysis is also useful in establishing the identity of a homicide victim”.

The workshop was jointly organised by UNAAB’s Genomic Group, the Third World Academy of Science, Italy, Department of Biotechnology, India and Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnosis, Hyderabad, India. Renowned scientists at the Workshop included Dr. Anupuma Raina of the All Indians Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Prof. Elizabeth Balogun of UNAAB, and Prof. E.U. Essien of University of Calabar.

THE NATION

31

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

‘We need ecological funds to fight floods’

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ICE Chairman, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Princess Taiwo Adesola-Omoruan has made a case for the extension of ecological funds to Ogun state in view of the recent environmental disasters in the council area.

Stressing the expediency of the funds, Princess Adesola-Omoruan said that places like Afobaje Estate and other parts of the local government have suffered natural disasters for over 10 years.

The council Vice Chairman said persistent appeals for the funds have fallen on deaf ears.

She made the appeal at the council headquarters, Ota, where leaders of Afobaje Estate Community Development Association led by its chairman, Alhaji Surajudeen Akanbi Raufu, pleaded for the government’s intervention to resolve the recurring flood disasters in the community.

Alhaji Raufu had intimated the council deputy chief, who stood in for the chairman, with the extensive damage wreaked by the downpour on two separate days which reportedly affected some 60 houses. About 1000 residents were temporarily left without shelter as a result of the floods. Also, two sections of the community were affected.

The Afobaje CDA chairman gave the two sections as the area bordering the Obasanjo Farms, Tempo Packaging Limited and the area behind De-United Foods Limited. He said the issue has gone beyond palliative measures and that it required the concerted efforts of the Federal and Ogun State governments to find immediate and lasting solutions to the problem.

•A flooded part of the estate HE battle against malaria is gathering pace in Bayelsa State, as the government has distributed insecticide-treated nets (ITN) to health centres in its local councils.

The distribution of the 350,000 nets was part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which the Office of the Secretary to the state Government is determined to achieve. There are efforts to rid the country of the scourge of malaria, and enhance the people’s health and well-being.

At the distribution venue in Yenagoa, the state capital, Mr. Godson Torukuru, Focal Person of the MDGs in the Office of the Secretary to the state Government urged the Heads of Departments in the various

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• From left: Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon. Babalola Olaleye and Princess Taiwo Adesola-Omoruan during the CDA’s visit to AdoOdo/ Ota Local Government Secretariat, Ogun State From Akin Owolabi

Alhaji Raufu said the permanent solution would involve channeling out storm waters in the affected areas through constructed channels. He expressed the fear of epidemic outbreak in the entire community, saying pitlatrines and septic tanks were flooded, spilling their contents into the environment.

He also said wells and boreholes suffered the same fate, thus rendering water from such sources unsafe for human consumption.

Alhaji Raufu expressed appreciation for the prompt response of the council boss and his team to the distress call. He said the council authorities visited the area twice in one week and pleaded that the problem be brought to the knowledge of the state government for urgent attention.

Princess Adesola-Omoruan, accompanied by the council Supervisor for Agriculture, Hon Saliu Babalola Olaleye, the council engineer and other principal officers, toured the disaster areas a second time to assess the extent of damage and seek collaboration towards amelioration.

She saw the disaster in its full effect. The council and CDA teams visited Indomie noodles makers where it was gathered that only a good drainage can save the

situation. The project, according to a conservative estimate about three years ago, was put at about N300 million.

She also visited the area bordering Obasanjo Farms/Tempo Packaging Limited where more than 53 homes were still being ravaged promising to contact the management of the two companies owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his son, to work out lasting solution to the problem.

Princess Adesola-Omoruan said the council was always in contact with state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, assuring that appropriate steps would be taken to effectively tackle the ecological problem.

Meanwhile, a Christain religious organisation in the area, which asked not to be named, has set up a relief committee to cater for the needs of the 32 families displaced by the floods in Afobaje Estate.

It called on all its members to contribute money, clothing, and disinfectants to the committee for onward transmission to the families rendered homeless by the twoweeks flood disaster.

It observed that the area could be prone to an outbreak of epidemic going by the extensive and damaging nature of the floods noting that human wastes tucked in latrines and sock-aways had been released into the environment and that some animals being kept on pens had died and their remains decomposed in the floods.

The organisation mentioned the plight of a

member whose collection of cherished Biblebased literature over some decades perished in the flood when his home was submerged.

It said most of the affected members could not savage even clothing materials adding that members’ donations would be judiciously distributed according to the needs of the victims.

• Owolabi, a veteran journalist, sent this report from Ogun State

The downpour on two separate days reportedly affected some 60 houses.

About 1000 residents were temporarily left without shelter as a result of the floods, while two sections of the community were also affected

Councils get treated nets From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

health centres to ensure that the nets get to the appropriate persons for whom they were meant. Those persons include pregnant women and children below five years of age.

Torukuru explained that the nets are part of the 2009 MDGs conditional grant scheme (CGS) programme that will last for a period of four years.

The distribution of the 350,000 nets was part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which the Office of the Secretary to the state Government is determined to achieve. There are efforts to rid the country of the scourge of malaria, and enhance the people’s health and well-being

Besides the nets, other 2009 MDGs project that had been implemented in the state included the construction and upgrading of primary Health Centres, the equipping of 20 of such health Centres with medical equipment as well as the procurement of drugs for use in the health centres, disclosed the Focal Person who added that the training of Community health workers was also carried out.

Other projects carried out, according to him included the construction of the health and Vocational Centre at Otueke in Ogbia LGA, the multiplication of fingerlings, Supply of Plantain and Banana Suckers to farmers, renovation and rehabilitation of farm training Centre and of farmers as well as agricultural extension workers.

He added that the 2008 MDG/CGS projects in the state included the building of local Content Capacity Development Institute in Asoama Community in

Kolokuma LGA of the state; provision of Solar powered Boreholes in 80 communities, ten each in the eight LGAs of the state.

Responding to the Focal Person’s speech, Dr. Henry Semini, the Director Planning Research and Statistics in the ministry, who commended the MDGs office for implementing the various projects in the scheme, advise beneficiaries of the nets and other projects to make good use of them.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

32

33

Union demands payment of debt

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•Mimiko

group, under the aegies of Old Contractors’ Association in Ondo State has urged the state government to pay them over N250m being the outstanding for projects which were executed by its members.

The group said its members were awarded contracts for the construction of boreholes in rural areas by the Water Corporation in 2008 during the administration of Olusegun Agagu.

It noted that the past government paid some of its members N1.5m which was 30 per cent mobilisation fees while others were not given any amount of money even though they executed the projects.

The group added that the projects have been completed and already are in use by various communities.

The association, which said it had earlier written a letter to the state governor,

Imo to tackle infrastructural decay in schools

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HE deputy governor of Imo State, Chief Jude Agbaso has assured the people of the state of the determination of the present administration to tackle all infrastructural decay in both primary and secondary schools.

Agbaso gave the assurance when he visited Emekuku High School in Owerri North Local Government Area.

He regretted that educational infrastructure in schools are dilapidated; adding that nothing has been done in the time past to remedy the situation.

He stated that Emekuku High School is so decayed so much so that one cannot recognise the school that used to have facilities conducive enough for effective teaching and learning in the past.

He however described the present era as a new dawn, even as he said that the present government has the determination to enhance educational system to ensure that Imo children begin to go to school again.

While he promised the rebuilding of the school, he said that the introduction of free

Imo From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

and compulsory education by the present government would enable every Imo sons and daughters to go to school whether they like it or not.

He said that the governor has already directed the release of N100m to each of the council areas for the rehabilitation of school buildings and healthcare centres.

Chief Agbaso, who used his visit to present 16 cartons of text books, a desktop computer and six pieces of files as personal donation to the school, urged the students to work hard to succeed in future.

In her welcome address, the Principal of the school Mrs Juliet Okanu expressed great pleasure to the deputy governor for his personal visit to the school and donation of books and some learning materials.

Amaechi seeks poverty alleviation policy

Ondo From Leke Akeredolu

Olusegun Mimiko, explained that many of them borrowed money to execute the projects and their creditors are threatening to auction their properties.

They added that they have also visited necessary ministries for the payment without any result.

They said: “Our investigations revealed that the money had already be paid to the account of Water Corporation Board and at present we don’t know why the board is not ready to pay us.

“When we visited the Ministry of Finance, it was confirmed that the money had been sent to Water Corporation Board. We visited the chairman of the board, Engr. Pius Oguntimehin who also confirmed that the money was already in the coffers of the board, adding that he didn’t know the modality for the payment of the debts.

“The Chairman directed us to the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Niran Sule concerning the payment. When we got to his office, he said that he never heard about our issue; despite the fact that Chairman of the Corporation had earlier confirmed to us that he had informed him.”

They however appealed to the state governor to order the water corporation board to effect payment without further delay.

When Newsextra contacted Engr.

Oguntimehin and the General Manager of the board, both refused to comment on the matter.

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IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has charged participants at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to formulate workable policy options that would alleviate poverty in Nigeria.

Governor Amaechi gave the charge when participants of NIPSS course 33, led by the Director-General, Prof. Tijani Bande, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Amaechi said such policy options would chart a new course for Nigeria in the areas of poverty alleviation and crime reduction.

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•Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Ademorin Kuye flanked by Chairman, Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon Hakeem Bamgbola (right) and a market leader during the commissioner’s visit to the council

Ohanaeze Ndigbo advises Jonathan

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HE Ohanaeze Ndigbo South West has advised President Jonathan not to allow the activities of Boko Haram to distract his administration’s determination to transform the economy of the country. It also reasoned that the plan of the sponsors of the sect was to destabilise his government as well as to derail the determination of his administration to move the country forward.

Lagos

By Amidu Arije

at improving the financial conditions of caregivers.

“The aim of the project is to promote a deeper understanding of the impact of HIV/ AIDS on caregivers in Lagos and Kwara states, to enhance the capacity of caregivers to generate income, to build the capacity of caregivers on effective management of income generating activities, to create awareness on the fundamental human rights and civic responsibilities of caregivers and people living with HIV/ AIDS in Lagos and Kwara states, and to promote gender equality in the provision of care services to HIV positive persons,” she said.

According to Akinrimisi, the group had carried out researches on the problems faced by these caregivers, even as she said the group’s research showed that caregivers are not financially incapable.

• From left: Vice-Chairman Lagos Island Local Government, Hon Toyosi Olusi; Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye; Council Manager, Mrs Florence Peters and Secretary to the council, Mr Rasheed Giwa during a Tree Planting exercise

•Chairman, Agege Local Government Area, Alhaji Jubril AbdulKareem (2nd left); Agege ACN Party Chair, Alhaji Ayeni Shittu (left); Secretary to the local government, Mr temidayo Adeyemi (2nd right) and the Party Secretary, Mr Abiodun Ogundimu during the Chairman’s 1000 Days in office

Communities happy with LASEPA

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ESIDENTS of Ibeshe in Lagos State and the adjoining communities have praised the action of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and the police.

The residents, according to a statement signed by Mrs. M.O. Odedina-Eko, Head of Information Unit of the agency were happy that LASEPA was in their area to shut down the premises of Nichemtex Plc, otherwise known as United Nigeria Textile Company over alleged indiscriminate discharge of liquid waste, thus making the environment inhabitable.

The General Manager of LASEPA, Adebola Shabi explained that the receipt by the agency of several petitions on the matter, and the company’s failure to heed numerous warnings for abatement of the environmental nuisance, prompted the agency’s action.

He said: “The state resorted to sealing off the premises because the company failed to heed our advice that it should upgrade its treatment plant in order not to continue to discharge their waste water into the lagoon.”

LASEPA affirmed that the company will remain closed until all the conditions for a friendly industrial environment are satisfactorily complied with. Shabi also

•

“Since you constitute the intellectual class, you have the responsibility to ensure that you churn out those policies that would reduce poverty in the country,” he said.

He appealed to the institute to produce a blueprint that would make Nigeria move away from its current dependence on oil economy to an agriculture-based economy, even as he cited the example of Malaysia.

The Governor remarked that the Malaysian economy depended on oil palm, in spite of its huge crude oil deposit.

He stressed that the policy would provide opportunity for the rich and the poor to express their potential. “Agricultural economy would create employment and reduce violence,” Amaechi said.

Responding, Prof. Tijani lauded governor Amaechi for first keying into the strategy by embarking on projects across the state which

Councils demand true federalism

NGO empowers 50 caregivers BOUT 50 caregivers have been trained and empowered in Lagos State. They were trained by the Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN), in collaboration with Women Protection Organisation (WOPO). The training was also supported by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the Millennium Development Goals/Debt Relief Gains.

According to the Programmes Coordinator of the group, Adebanke Akinrimisi the initiative is aimed at improving quality of life of caregivers in Lagos and Kwara states.

She said: “The aim of the programme is to empower caregivers in Lagos and Kwara states. We train the women on soap-making, home making and production of confectionaries. We also give them grants to enable them to start their own businesses that will enable them to generate income.”

After a three-day training for the caregivers, the group gave out N 20, 000 to each of the participants for them to start their own businesses.

Akinrimisi also said the programme is aimed

Rivers

Lagos

By Dada Aladalokun

said that complaints had been coming from residents that their water had been contaminated with chemicals hence, those fishing in the community river could no longer do so. They therefore live in pains and fear of epidemics.

Shabi reiterated the determination of government to ensure clean and healthy environment for its citizens, as the state is poised to make sure that Lagosians spend less on healthcare by ensuring that the environment is healthy.

LASEPA was also at KGM Plastics, Isolo. The company was shut down for offences ranging from poor sanitary condition and house-keeping practices, to absence of evidence of appropriate permit from the agency.

Other firms shut down for similar environmental offences on the same day included Rebecca Fashion Iju Road Agege; Solpia Industrial Limited; and Venus Nina Ilupeju. Also sealed off were KEC Stores Ikeja; LADOUPH Entertainment Ikeja and Aleshinloye Bakery Ifako Agege.

At the companies’ premises, Shabi emphasised government’s zero-tolerance for any environmental nuisance, adding that the agency would not hesitate to mete out appropriate sanction to any defaulting firm.

Lagos The group made its views known at its meeting held on July 9, 2011 in Ogun State.

The meeting which produced a communiqué signed by Chief Iheonunaekwu George and Chief (Dr.) Obediah Alugo, secretary and P.R.O respectively urged the national body of the sociocultural group to be more concerned about the position of Ndigbo in Nigerian politics come 2015.

They also warned their national body not to politicise the organisation in order not to suffer disintegration and, in the process compromise Igbo dignity for money. It was their view that some credible Igbo sons and daughters in the Southwest should be appointed into Federal Government boards and parastatals.

The group also expressed its unhappiness over the deplorable condition of roads in the Southeast. To this end, they urged the Southeast governors to ensure that there are good network of roads in the region.

On the drastic reduction of crimes such as kidnapping and other vices in the Southeast, the group expressed its appreciation to the governors for working hard to reduce the rate of kidnapping in the zone significantly, even as it called on other Southeast governors to emulate the leadership style of Imo State Governor who declared free education in primary and secondary schools and his reduction of fees paid by students of Imo State University from N130,000 to N30,000.

Mindful of the insecurity situations in some parts of the country, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Southwest urged Southeast governors to start the evacuation of their subjects in such states. states.hat are prone to violence and insecurity.

W

ORRIED by lack of genuine commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Federal Government has been advised to entrench true federalism.

This was the view of Hon. Hakeem Bamgbola and Prince Abayomi Daramola, chairmen of Itire-Ikate and Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Areas respectively.

The duo opined that the nation’s leaders are not doing enough to meet the goals as they lamented the country’s poor state of development.

The duo who spoke at different forums urged President Goodluck Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, set up machinery that would engender true federalism.

Daramola noted that true federalism would aid simultaneous development at various states of the federation.

He described as unfair a situation where the Federal Government takes a large chunk of the revenue leaving a meagre portion for the states and local governments to share.

“If we want to practise federal system of government, it’s better we practise federalism in its totality. This is because in true federalism, the state will have enough to service its people, the local governments will have enough for grassroots projects,” he said.

He further said the present sharing formula is not in the interest of the nation.

Bamgbola canvassed more powers and functions for the local governments to enable them to respond to the needs of local people

Vehicle owners warned Ebute/Ero Division 1.

Toyota car Reg. AJ656 BDG 2.

Mazda Sloon car Reg. DU75APP 3.

Toyota Hiace Bus Reg. XG911KTU Tolu Division Vanagon bus Reg. XA658 GAR

Briefly

Union congratulates ‘Lead City’s Law monarch programme legal’

THE Okpe Union Worldwide congratulated His Royal Majesty, Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd) on the 5th anniversary of his accession to the throne as Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.

In a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its Secretary General, Mr. Henry Ebireri, the union said the anniversary represents an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of the monarch.

“We thank you for your reforms and your contributions towards the prosperity of the people. We commend your role in steering the Kingdom to greater progress. We thank you for strengthening the Kingdom’s security and ensuring stability through strategic planning.

We thank you for carrying out giant educational, social and economic projects,” the union said.

While wishing His Majesty and Okpe people good health and happiness as well as progress and prosperity, the union urged him to double his efforts for the development momentum to continue.

For Okpe Kingdom to benefit more from the prosperous era of His Majesty, the union appealed to him to join other stakeholders to pressurise the Delta State Government to address the issue of bad roads, Sapele Market, Sapele Polytechnic, uncompleted Sapele Stadium and other abandoned projects in the kingdom.

COURT validates legality of Lead City’s Law programme. Justice J.E. Shakarho of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, has upheld the legality of the Law programme of the Lead City University. He urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to release the university’s 2008 accreditation report.

In a pronouncement in Ibadan, Shakarho said the NUC does not have any power to declare the already approved and accredited Faculty of Law of the university illegal and unaccredited.

The judgment came in suit number FHC/ B/CS/ 50/2009, instituted by a First-Class graduate of Law of the Lead City University, Rev. Segun Alli. The judge described NUC’s action as illegal and unlawful.

Justice Shakarho also made the following declarations: “That the NUC does not have any power to declare the already approved and accredited Faculty of Law programme of Lead City University illegal and unaccredited.

“The NUC should immediately release the Faculty of Law accreditation report of 2008 which was rendered invalid because the Council of Legal Education was not part of the exercise.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

and foster development at the grassroots.

“We are the closest to the people. An average Nigerian will not go to Abuja and complain to President Jonathan that his area lacks potable water, good roads and functional primary health centre. It is the local government chairman that he will run to to lodge his complaints. We are expected to perform miracles with just 20 per cent allocation.

We are to pay the salaries of the primary school

•Amaechi have helped in reducing conflict and making life meaningful for the people. teachers, the civil servants; we must take care of the primary schools in terms of infrastructure and provision of equipment, maintain the roads, build drainage and other projects from the meagre fund that the council gets,” he said.

He noted that the power to govern a country evolved from the sovereignty owned by the people.

When there is improved funding for the states and councils, Bamgbola said, underdevelopment, youth restiveness and hunger would be in the trashcan of history,” he concluded.

Ogun partners bank on agriculture

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GUN State Government has announced its readiness to partner with Stanbic/ IBTC Bank to develop the agricultural sector.

It said agriculture is critical to income and employment generation, adding that this informed it being one of its cardinal programmes.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, disclosed this while receiving

Ogun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

members of management of the bank led by the Managing Director, Mrs Sola David-Bohra in his office.

“I will really want us to be partners in the area of agriculture. This is because agriculture is a big revenue earner and it has massive potential in creating employment,” he said.

Council chief dedicates award to workers

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HE Executive Chairman Badagry West Local Council Development Area Hon. Joseph Hontonyon Bamgbose has added another feather in his cap. Recently, he received the 2010 Best Performance Award. The award was given to him by the Concerned Human Rights Group Nigeria.

The group had undertaken an assessment tour of the entire local governments in Badagry division and adjudged Badagry West as the outstanding local council in terms of execution of developmental projects.

A letter to this effect was signed by Comrade Raji Rasheed of the Yoruba Citizens Action for Change; Comrade Declan Ihekaire of the Concerned Human Rights Nigeria and Comrade Nelson Ekujimi for the Committee for the Protection of People’s Mandate.

While congratulating Bamgbose, the human rights group urged him to see the award as a challenge for greater performance.

BamgbItire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Councilose expressed his happiness over the award, even as he said it will be dedicated to members of staff, legislature, executive and judiciary, his

Lagos Adegunle Olugbamila

lieutenants, councilors, politicians and the good people of Badagry West whose collective efforts, he said, earned him the award.

“It (award) was not personal. People surrounding me have made it possible for me to win this award. It’s a team work, not a one-man show,” he said.

Continuing, Bamgbose said the award was a surprise as he never expected it.

“I had no premonition about the award.

Yesterday they called to tell me that they were coming to Badagry West to give something in appreciation of what they had seen. They said they don’t want to make it too elaborate.

They are not sponsored by anybody before they came. They said they are human rights group,” he said.

He also reiterated his determination to transform the council in line with the Mega City dream of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

“This is a new local government. Therefore, it requires rapid development,” he said.

• Joseph Hontonyon (left) receives the award from Comrade Ihekaire, former chairman of the council Emmanuel Aina (second left) and Council Manager Mr Senu at the award presentation

THE NATION

34

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OKO Haram activities, youth militancy and restiveness, Fulani/farmers’ clash, sectarian aggression, even street gangs, were some of the security challenges to which Professor Isaac Albert of the University of Ibadan has sought answers.

Prof Albert, who works at the institution’s Peace and Studies Programme, Institute of African Studies, urged all Nigerians to work together for the peace of the country.

The university teacher was speaking as the guest lecturer at the inauguration of Kutashi Centre for Peace and Development (KUCPED), a non-governmental (NGO) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

He defined peace as “the absence of physical, psychological and structural violence and presence of justice.”

He also identified resources, values, psychological needs and communication as

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

Stakeholders seek solution to violence From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

some of the causes of conflicts and violence in the society.

“Basic peace concepts are peace-making, peace-building, peace-keeping, preventive diplomacy and early warning systems. In its broadest sense, peace-building refers to those initiatives which foster and support sustainable structures and processes which strengthen the prospects for peaceful coexistence and decrease the likelihood of the outbreak, reoccurrence or continuation of violent conflict.”

In a remark, pioneer chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice

The inauguration of KUCPED has come at a time when every Nigerian of good conscience is yearning for peace, love and good governance. Living and growing up in a society where poverty is vastly spread and the presence of government is not felt explains the reason behind the establishment of this centre

Mustapha Akanbi said Nigeria would be better off if all could emulate the founder of the NGO, Alhaji Abdullahi Kutashi.

The erstwhile president of the Court of Appeal said: “We don’t all have to go into politics where it is believed that when you are there you can make money by all means.

You can do something for the society so that it can be better than we met it. This is exactly what Kutashi has done.”

The Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC) in the state, Alhaji Saidu B. Ahmed said the originators of the NGO are in the right direction “considering the desire for peace, love, care and good governance at this point in time.

“These concepts are needed in the much sought national transformation,” he said. “I want to believe that peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic and religious groups in Nigeria can be achieved through love and care.

“The inauguration of KUCPED has come at a time when every Nigerian of good conscience is yearning for peace, love and good governance,” NPC commissioner noted.

Founder of the NGO, Kutashi said the organisation was borne out of the increasing

Basic peace concepts are peace-making, peace-building, peace-keeping, preventive diplomacy and early warning systems. In its broadest sense, peace-building refers to those initiatives which foster and support sustainable structures global insecurity and poverty ravaging parts of the world.

Living and growing up in a society where poverty is vastly spread and the presence of government is not felt explains the reason behind the establishment of this centre,” he said.

The challenges of globalisation and the emerging trends in ICT have taken the world a step further in man’s quest to dominate his environment from his palms or within his fingers. Today’s education relishes in the advancement in ICT education which has significantly altered the ways things are done in almost every sector

• From left: Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, Miss Awele Ofunjia of Read Manna Ventures, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Fausat Masha at the training

Lagos trains teachers in ICT

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O fewer than 600 teachers in the various public schools in Lagos State have commenced training in Information Communication Technology (ICT). The programme will enhance their skills and enable them teach their students

By Miriam Ndikanwu

better.

The training carried out at the state Digital Village, Alausa, is geared towards upgrading the skills and knowledge of the teachers and

also improving the performance of the students in internal and external examinations.

State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje, who addressed participants during the course,

•Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (in white), his wife Nkechi, to his left, and men and officers of 32 Artillery Brigade during the governor’s visit to the barracks

explained that the move is to provide a platform for the teachers to brainstorm and evolve better ways of imparting knowledge.

“ICT,” he said, “makes learning broader with easier accessibility. It is not limited to the science courses alone but to Commercial and Arts classes too. It is relevant to all subjects in schools and all spheres of life. If we are to measure the standard of any academic institution, we do that by assessing the level of exposure they have to ICT and how much infrastructure they have put in place.

“ICT has virtually canopied the level of development available. The role of ICT cannot in any wise be underrated and this s why government is intensely taking steps to encourage initiatives to ensure that adequate knowledge and exposure are given to teachers who are modelling our future leaders.

“The challenges of globalisation and the emerging trends in ICT have taken the world a step further in man’s quest to dominate his environment from his palms or within his fingers. Today’s education relishes in the advancement in ICT education which has significantly altered the ways things are done in almost every sector.”

Mabadeje noted that the ability of government to utilise the power of information technology to assemble and analyse relevant data would aid planning and policy implementation.

“It is a fact that no meaningful progress can be made by any nation or organisation in the absence of accurate and reliable data.

Being a dynamic state, we know that this progress is achievable because we have the people; we have the means and we can do it.”

Also, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engineer Fausat Masha, assured that the government will continue to ensure an enabling environment for the teachers.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

35

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

36

Over time, we have discovered that in Africa MDIs were not utilised as they were supposed to be. Consultants, universities, and even a number of roadside mechanics have taken over the jobs of MDIs. So MDIs are therefore degenerating

Civil servants in capacitybuilding workshop

T

HE Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo-Badary, Lagos was the setting; enhancing the capacity of civil servants the issue. For three days, trainers from several African countries tutored participants on how to improve their skills and professions.

Management cadre civil servants from Nigeria participated in the training, but the benefit will be far-reaching. Middle and low-level civil servants under the managers will gain from it.

Participants came from South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Republic of Benin, Tanzania, amongst other countries.

They exchanged ideas in ICTs, and how to leverage on management strategies through partnerships.

The theme of the forum was: ‘Repositioning Development Institutes (MDIs) to Meet the Challenges of Human Capital Development for Public Service’.

The Director-General, ASCON Mr Ajibade Peters lamented what he described as “the dwindling image of MDIs” in Africa and subsequent takeover of its role by some interlopers.

“Over time,” he said, “we have discovered that in Africa MDIs were not utilised as they were supposed to be.

Consultants, universities, and even a number of roadside mechanics have taken over the jobs of MDIs. So MDIs were therefore degenerating. We could not even retain very credible staff. The facilities depreciated because they were not utilised.

The governments that established them were not recognising them. MDIs then became second or third fiddle. In some cases, they were totally neglected. In fact some MDIs have now transformed into universities. We want to see what is wrong with us or why is our governments not using us?”

However, participants at the conference did not regret attending. This was because many of the challenges affecting MDIs, chief of which funding, were diagnosed and permanent solution proffered.

Some of them who spoke to our reporter expressed optimism that what they had gained at the conference would go a long way towards bringing the expected transformation to the MDIs in their respective countries.

• Some of the participants in a group photograph after the conference last Wedensday

By Adegunle Olugbamila

A participant, Juliet Donkon, who is Programme Coordinator, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), said funding was once the major challenge of the institute, forcing it to transform to a degree-awarding college.

Her words: “The major problem with MDIs generally is funding. At GIMPA, we were funded by the government, but at a point the government withdrew. We are now self-financed. Participants who now come in pay fees. We are all developing the public sector managers, so we are running courses to improve and sharpen the skills of public sector managers. At GIMPA, we are also awarding degrees which others (MDIs) are not. So others are learning from us by working towards that because of financial constraints from government.

Her counterpart Aliu Jaju Deputy DirectorGeneral, Management Development Institute, Gambia, described the conference as an eye-opener and avenue for MDIs in Africa to realise their potentials.

Hear him: “This conference has brought intellectuals from all over Africa to share our experiences; and immediately after the conference, we all go home and share with others who have not the opportunity to come here. We feel we have enough capacity in Africa and why can’t we come together and tap that one?

“The MDI in Gambia is basically established to address the training need of civil service and in research and consultancy.

But over the years, we experienced low turnout in terms of number of trainees we received from government and private institutions. So we feel that there must be some problems. So we are coming together to exchange ideas and look for solutions.”

Japhet Asunga, another participant, hopes presentations by various resource persons at the conference would strengthen the proposed strategic partnership and make them address their individual challenges.

Assunga who is the Deputy Principal (Training) Tanzanian Public Service College, spoke about the benefits for her country.

“What I will do when I get back (to Tanzania) is to go for strategic partnership with other MDIs particularly on other new innovations they are embarking on so that we can share and see how we can collaborate,” she said. “I have seen a lot of challenges and solutions in ASCON, GIMPA and other training institutions and also see how we can take them back and try to implement them for the Tanzanian civil service and for the overall benefit of the Tanzanian government.”

Similarly, Antonka Napoleon, a lecturer at the Pan Africa Institute of Development in Boya, Cameroon, also spoke of his experience: “I think the conference has been quite enriching because we always think training, for example, is sort of expensive for some organisations. But here, we have learnt that it is very necessary to develop the staff especially in the civil service for better productivity, as this will make

positive impact and mobilise the government for better productivity.”

Rounding it off, Ajibade, who lauded the participants for their in-depth deliberations contributions, noted that the conference afforded participants the opportunity to identify a few selfsustaining MDIs such as GIMPA. He asked: “What happens when government can no longer support (MDIs)?

And there are divergent issues on that one.

One is that it is true that African governments are pulling out of many things. Saying this or that is not government business. But we believe as MDIs that government cannot hands off the development of its human capital because it’s the way forward for economic growth.

If government says ‘MDI go your way’, that is to say that we don’t care how our human capital develops particularly in public service. It’s unfortunate we now have private sector coming to talk to MDIs on how to develop public service where the orientation and approach are completely different because private own is profitoriented.”

Ajibade said ASCON hopes to compile a database of all participants after the conference in order to give them updates on resolutions reached as well as subsequent activities of individual MDIs. After the conference, Ajibade said, ASCON plans to commence programmes on e-learning and internet training to ensure people are able to learn at their own pace.

•Panticipants at the event services on the road, improved road designs and furniture to improve safety and travel times.

“In LCC we believe that the most important rule of safety is how you drive and use the road.

As drivers of commercial buses you are in control of the lives of the passengers, safety is about what we do and what we do not do and this must be the consciousness that guide us always as we handle that steering on the road.”

He charged them to take the training serious stressing that the government hs invested in

quality facilities and training materials that would expose them to how best to use the road for the safety of others. “ we have brought you here because we have confidence in the services that the institute offer, as a company it is a standing rules for our drivers to go through training I this institute and I can assure you that ever since them my pull car suffers less accidents and that assures me that there is a great benefit in sending them through training here.”

Commercial drivers undergo training in Lagos

L

AGOS State Driver Institute in collaboration with the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) has commenced training for commercial drivers along the Lekki -Epe corridor.

Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Mr. Peter Oyedokun, while addressing participant

Lekki Concession Company has invested heavily in the infrastructure on LekkiEpe Road, and as the operators on that route, it is expedient that you have adequate knowledge of these road infrastructures so as to reduce accidents cases on our roads

By Miriam Ndikanwu

during the flag off of the training in the premises of the Institute at Epe, said the move was to help bring orderliness and safety of lives and properties along the Lekki axis of the state.

He urged the participants to make better use of the opportunity noting that the institute was established to correct the mistake of the past whereby drivers drive on the highway without adequate knowledge of the road infrastructures.

“LCC has invested heavily in the infrastructure on Lekki-Epe Road, and as the operators on that route it is expedient that you have adequate knowledge of these road infrastructures so as to reduce accidents cases on our roads.”

In his presentation, the Managing director of LCC Mr Opuiyo Oforiokuma said the company was sponsoring 200 drivers for the programme adding that this would be handled in batches of 50.

Oforiokuma described the development as part of the critical objectives that drive the company, adding that LCC is not just about tolling but providing convenience for safety of road users.

He said the company provides other useful services which include provision of ambulance

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

37

CITY BEATS

CRIME

F THE COURTS SROM ECURITY TIPS • • • • • • • • • • •

Be cautious when entering private vehicles that operate as taxis Avoid spending the night with free women In crowded bus stops, hold tight to your bags and pockets in order not to be robbed by pick pockets Do not leave your children with strangers, especially in religious places of worship.

Always secure your residence by locking up the place.

Do not allow a stranger to embrace you in the public as such person may be out to pick your wallet Mind how you leave your car with strangers as some may be robbers.

Be observant inside and outside bank premises in order not to be trailed by robbers.

Provide adequate security for cash in transit, including the use of police escort, also stop keeping money or valuables inside your car.

Help the police to help you. Let us join hands to rid our society of crime. It is our collective responsibility.

Report suspicious movement within your vicinity to the Police, never confront crimi nals as your life is very important, call the police on the following numbers: Police Control Room 1 emergency/distress call telephone numbers 07055350249, 07035068242, RRS Control 2 Alausa 08065154338, 07055462708, Control Room 3 SHQ: 08079279349, 08063299264 and 767 Toll free line.

MISSING PERSONS

•From left: DPO Ikotun, CSP Akika Austines; Kaoje; Mafe and DPO Gowon Estate, CSP Okoro Julius

1.

Lagos gets new police area command

One Oligbe Lasunkanmi ‘m’ aged 24yrs old about 5ft tall, fair in complexion, speaks English and Yoruba Languages fluently. If seen contact one Olaigbe Babatunde ‘m’ of Block 7, Flat 5 LSDPC Housing Estate Agege, Lagos or Pen Cinema Police Station.

2.

One Abayomi Idowu ‘m’ aged 15yrs old about 5ft tall, dark in complexion, speaks English and Yoruba Languages fluently. If seen contact One Idowu Saheed ‘m’ of Zuwe Wesome Village along Ilogbo Eremi or Morogbo Police Station.

3.

One Victor Abioye ‘m’ aged 35yrs old about 5ft tall, dark in complexion, speaks English and Yoruba Language fluently. If seen contact One Ayomikun Abioye ‘f’ of No. 85, Mafoluku Street, Oshodi Lagos or Isokoko Police Station.

4.

One Dupe Rofia ‘f’ aged 18yrs old, about 4ft tall, light in complexion, speaks English and Yoruba Language fluently. If seen contact One Ayeni Louis ‘m’ of No. 80, St Finbarrs College Road, Akoka Bariga Lagos or Bariga Police Station.

5.

One Nneoma Grace Ogba ‘f’ aged 14yrs old about 3ft tall, fair complexion, speaks English and Igbo language fluently. If seen, contact one Chima Obuma ‘m’ of No. 8, Abimbola Odunsi Street, Ifako Ijaiye Lagos or Ikeja Police Station.

6.

One Folake Godonu ‘f’ aged 27yrs old about 6ft tall dark in complexion, speaks Yoruba and Egun Languages fluently. If seen contact one Joseph Godwin ‘m’ of Ikoga Zebbe Badagry Lagos or Badagry Police Station.

7.

One Benjamin Onuikpu ‘m’ aged 30yrs about 4.8ft tall fair complexion, speaks English and Hausa Languages fluently. If seen contact one Monisola Adetola ‘f’ of Block 94 Flat, 1 Jakande Estate Isolo or Festac Police Station.

R

ESIDENTS of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos now have a police Area Command created for them by the Police authorities.

It is known as ‘Area M’.

The development followed a request by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Hafiz Ringim on the need for additional area commands in the state because of its rising security challenges.

Other new commands are: Areas 'J,' with headquarters at Elemoro; 'K' with headquarters at Morogbo; 'L' with headquarters at Ibeshe and 'N' with headquarters at Ijede.

To the inhabitants of Alimosho, the command is long overdue. The area, tagged 'bastion of progressive politics in Nigeria' by its leaders, revelled in joy when the force spokesman, Mr Sola Amore confirmed 'Area M' among the newly created

R

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

commands.

One of the council chairmen in Alimosho, Abiodun Mafe, is instrumental to the creation of a police station in Alimosho in 1982, long before his political sojourn.

"The drawing of this station was given to us by the force headquarters in 1982," said Mafe, chairman, MosanOkunola Local Council Development Area.

On assumption of office in 2008, he decided to upgrade the place from police post to Area Command.

"The structure is a replica of the one in 'Area G'. We have renovated the building, sunk a borehole and made it habitable for men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to carry out their activities.

It is equally central such that one can network various

police stations within Alimosho from this command," he said.

The command now has 11 police stations namely Gowon, Ipaja, Alakuko, Alagbado, Command, Afonka- Shasha, Ijegun, Idimu, Ayobo, Alimosho and Oke-Odo. Mafe thanked Fashola, Ringim and others who assisted in turning it into an area command.

Crime in the area, he said, would be reduced.

He pleaded for more aids in terms of operational vehicles and other equipment necessary for such a place.

The equipment, he noted, would make the police more effective and efficient to combat crime and minimise threat to lives and property.

Mafe urged the people to cooperate with the law enforcement agency.

“They should report suspicious moves to the command and divisional stations,” he said.

Residents worried over removal of APCs

ESIDENTS of Lagos are worried over the gradual removal of Armoured Personel Carriers (APCs) by the police in some areas considered to be black spots and troubled points in the metropolis.

Places, such as Apongbon, Mushin and Idioro, which

By Jude Isiguzo

used to be heavily fortified with APCs due to the activities of hoodlums and street urchins are now vulnerable because of their removal.

A resident in Apongbon, who spoke with CityBeats,

•Mrs Bunmi Aderemi, Head of Administration and Corporate Affairs Directorate, Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc with Mrs Emily Atebe, Mr Tunji Owonifari and Superintendent Patrick Ejedawe of Mobile Police Force Squadrum 2, Keffi, Obalende during the presentation of borehole to the police.

said residents, no longer feel safe in the area because of this development.

The resident, who identified himself as Kabiru Olawale, wondered why the police could take such an action knowing that the activities of hoodlums is on the rise.

"We do not understand the reason behind this sudden decision, but the police command should know that the presence of these APCs scare away criminals and keep them at bay. We just woke up one morning and discovered that the APC, which had been under the bridge for some years, was no longer there. It is a bad development for security in that area", he lamented.

In Mushin and Idioro, where activities of miscreants are on the increase daily, the APCs are nowhere to be found.

A resident, Salako Abiodun, said: "Now that the police have decided to remove the APCs that means we are on our own.

The hoodlums stopped attacking innocent residents when the APCs were here; now that they have been removed only God knows what life would become in the next few weeks.

It is really unfortunate."

The command’s spokesman, Mr Samuel Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent, said the command is not aware of any such development.

STOLEN VEHICLES 1.

One Toyota Camry and Reg. No. RZ 435 AAA Colour Grey with chassis No. J4T1BG22K8WU267091 and Engine No. 556469891. If seen contact any nearest Police Station.

2.

One Honda Accord S/Car with Reg. No. FN 756 LSR Colour Green with Chassis No. IHGCD5636TA214149 and Engine No. F22B23515224. If seen contact any nearest Police Station or Ikeja Police Station Area ‘F’ Command.

3.

One Honda CRV Jeep with Reg. No. MW 843 AAA Colour White with Chassis No. JHLRD1878Y5005615 and Engine No. B20223007681. If seen contact any nearest Police Station or Area ‘G’ Ogba Police Station.

4.

One Honda Accord with Reg. No. JU 271 EKY Colour Dark Green with Chassis No. IHGCG5668YA805317 and Engine No. F23A13051072. If seen contact any nearest Police Station or Iponri Police Station.

RECOVERED VEHICLES

The Lagos State Police Command recovered a total number of 28 vehicles from 18th - 23rd May, 2011 suspected to have been stolen from different location in Lagos and the vehicles can be located at the station mentioned against each of the recovered vehicles as follows:S/NO

NAMES OF VEHICLE

REG. NO

COLOUR

LOCATION

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

TOYOTA CAMRY TOYOTA HILUX JEEP VOLVO WAGON FORD FOCUS NISSAN XTERRA JEEP TOYOTA MATRIC TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HONDA ACCORD OPEL OMEGA TOYOTA COROLLA HONDA ACCORD TOYOTA SIENNA TOYOTA COROLLA TOYOTA CAMRY TOYOTA COROLLA FAN PICK UP TOYOTA COROLLA HONDA ACCORD TOYOTA 4 RUNNER HONDA ACCORD TOYOTA COROLLA HONDA ACCORD NISSAN PATHFINDER NISSAN QUEST NISSAN QUEST TOYOTA 4 RUNNER JEEP NISSAN PRIMERA TOYOTA 4 RUNNER JEEP

DE 537 LND BR 387 AKD EZ 789 APP LR 105 AAA TV 336 ABC PU 446 MUS SY 805 AAA CQ 88 APP DC 470 MUS BW 624 AKL EY 442 APP TU 730 KJA BZ 638 KSF PP 856 RBC EE 809 KJA DG 491 GGE ET 398 APP SM 974 KJA EP 61 KRD SD 242 KJA DY 489 AAA DN 623 LSD FW 449 LSR DE 934 RBC NW 137 AAA CS 239 MUS JF 80 KJA 473 APP

ASH WHITE BLUE BLACK ASH BLACK ASH D/GREEN WHITE M/GREY WHITE ASH BLACK BLACK GREY GREY BLACK BLACK GOLD GREY ASH BLACK BLACK GOLD L/BLUE BLACK ASH GREY

DENTON ALAKARA OWUTU MAROKO OWUTU EBUTE-ERO AJAH IPAJA AGO-OKOTA ALADE ALAPERE OJOKORO AGUDA V/ISLAND OJO LAYENI SHOMOLU RRS HQTR AREA ‘D’ ILASAMAJA DENTON IJESHA LAYENI GOWON ESTATE SABO IKORODU OKO OBA STD IKEJA

Members of the public who have claims to the recovered vehicles should check at the police station mentioned against each recovered vehicles with original documents.

Claimants should endeavour to check the engine numbers as the original registration numbers may have been tampered with.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

38

CITY BEATS

Lawmaker brings succour to flood victims, orphans

A

MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Epe 2 constituency, Segun Olulade, celebrated his 40th birthday on Wednesday, July 20, by bringing succour to the Agbowa Relief Camp, where those that were displaced by the flood that occurred last year in the Ajegunle area of Ikorodu and orphans of the Home of God's Grace for Orphans and Widows in Agbowa.

The lawmaker visited the two places a day after his birthday and donated N100,000 each to the camp and Orphanage with several food items, ranging from bags of rice, packets of Indomie noodles, packets of biscuits, juice drink, beverages, can drinks, among other items.

Speaking to journalists on why he opted to celebrate through the kind gesture, Olulade said he made promises to the people at Agbowa Relief Camp during the electioneering campaign to attend to their needs through legislation. According to him, "I decided to come here and celebrate my birthday with these people. If I had wanted to do it, I would have organised a party

W

HY don’t uniform men and women pay fares in Lagos?There is no straight forward answer to this poser. But these uniform people seem to believe that it is their right to board commercial vehicles for free.

Hear a policemen serving in Agege, Lagos: “As a uniform officer, I am not supposed to pay a dime when I board commercial vehicles, especially danfos. I serve the country and so, I should be compensated in a way.”

What makes uniform men so special in Lagos that they don’t pay fares while their counterparts elsewhere do?

Policemen, soldiers and others like operatives of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency

‘

• Olulade cutting his birthday cake with orphans

By Oziegbe Okoeki

and people would have come to dine and wine with me and later I would realise I have only lavished money. So instead, I felt I should come and celebrate with these people and use the money to complement the state government's effort.

"I am a Christian and I believe that going out there and throwing a big party will not in anyway be productive for me and neither will it affect lives, I instead chose to celebrate my birthday with the lessprivileged ones and the orphans

in the society. So, this is something I intend to do from time to time, because I believe that affecting lives is more important," he said.

Addressing the victims at the Relief Camp, Olulade said: "I am celebrating my birthday and I have come to celebrate with you people. The reason I chose to come here was because I had you people in mind and I realised that you people were displaced by flood.

"Recently, another flood occurred in most parts of the state and lives and property were lost. But the

Why uniform men don’t pay fares

By Abike Hassan

(LASTMA), Kick Against Indicipline (KAI), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and local government task force officials claim to be “staff” and refuse to pay bus conductors their fares.

On a typical day in Lagos, policemen, soldiers and members of other security agencies board commercial vehicles and do not pay.

They sit comfortably in the bus and tell the conductor that they are “staff”. To avert trouble, the conductor shuns them. But the stub-

born ones don’t and all hell is let loose.

Some of the security agents adorn only their beret, vests with the agency’s logo or jacket to enjoy the free ride.

But these same people pay when they ride okada (motorcycles). They are also hardly seen boarding the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), because they can’t avoid buying tickets to board these buses.

According to the Agege policeman, who shed light on why uniform men are immune from paying transport fares. “Most of all these danfo drivers don’t even have

I am not supposed to pay a dime when I enter commercial vehicles, especially danfos. I serve the country and so I should be compensated in a way

•File photograph of police men

state government has not folded its arms; measures have been put in place to avert future occurrences.

Why I am doing this is to complement the state government's effort at ensuring that you people did not feel dejected," he stated.

He however, assured the people that he will do his best to represent the people properly on the floor of the House of Assembly.

"I will liaise with the state Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) to know some of your needs and ensure that they are provided," he added.

’

a driver’s licence or vehicle’s particulars. So, when they get to checkpoints and a police officer is in that particular bus, we just wave them off. We also help them to prevent paying owo ile (land money) and ‘loading’ to all these agberos at bus stops.

“Is there any aspect of the economy that does not have the problem of corruption? It is everywhere I don’t know why everybody keeps blaming the force, corruption should be tackled from the top then other sectors can follow.”

Another policeman serving at Ikotun Police Station said: “It is not a right for a police officer not to pay commercial buses. It is a privilege given to police officers in Lagos because it is not applicable to other states.”

He also claimed that a circular was passed and implemented sometime in the past by an ex-police commissioner that police officers on uniform are not expected to go about their duties with money in their pockets. Therefore, there is the need for danfo drivers to convey them free to their various destinations.

On why they were not paid salaries and allowances that should cover their cost of transportation, he explained that police officers were under paid and are sometimes owed salaries.

According to him, there is an unwritten agreement between the National Union of Road Transport

At the orphanage, the lawmaker after donating cash and food to the orphans promised that he would assist them in their educational pursuit. According to him, "the education of these special children should be something everybody must see to, we must not leave them to the owner of the home alone. I will do all in my capacity to ensure that the education of these children is attended to," he assured.

He also paid a courtesy call on Agbowa Police Station where he had an audience with the DPO. Workers and the Nigerian Police Force on the issue in Lagos alone excluding other states.

“Other state’s police officers pay their fares because it is excusable that they go around with money and they do not have any agreement with their transport unions.

The ex-commissioner of police used his discretion with the transport union and it came out positively well,” he added.

Though he refused to disclose the name of this past commissioner who gave such orders, he claimed that both the Federal and state governments were aware of the said memo.

Lagos Command spokesman, Mr Samuel A. Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said: “Any police officer boarding a commercial vehicle in Lagos State must pay. Let the danfo drivers tell officers to pay their fares. They want to escape arrest from these officers knowing that their particulars are not complete and so refuse to collect money from officers using it as a cover up to avoid arrest.

“It is never a privilege or a right for any police officer or any other uniform wearing officer not to pay his fare. There is no law empowering police officers to board danfo buses or any other commercial vehicle without paying,” Jinadu said.

“I am making it clear to members of the public and commercial drivers that if they convey any policeman and the officer refuses to pay, he should be handed over to the nearest authority,” he said.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

39

CITY BEATS Chairmanship aspirants unfold plans HAIRMANSHIP aspirants for the local government elections in Lagos State on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) have kicked off their campaigns across the 57 councils.

Part of the guidelines for the polls scheduled for October have been released by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Chairman, Justice Fatai Adeyinka (rtd).

ACN Chairman Otunba Oladele Ajomale told CityBeats that the party's nomination guidelines would be out this week. Sources said the party may come up with stiff conditions.

It was learnt that aspirants would be thoroughly screened; those who have not performed creditably may not meet the criteria. In addition, those of them who have served for two terms may be prevailed upon to step down; those who are presumed not to have performed in their first term may not meet the selection criteria, a source said.

Former vice chairman of Alimosho Council Shamusdeen

C

By Emmanuel Oladesu

Olaleye has declared his intention to replace Mrs Modupe Oseghale as chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), who may not seek re-nomination.

Addressing a rally in Isolo, he said: "I will work for the good people of Isolo. I will reconstruct new roads and drainages, build more classroom buildings, establish more health centre and promote fiscal discipline. ” Paying tribute to past and present chairmen of the country, he promised to build on their good legacies.

The Vice Chairman of OsodiIsolo Local Government, Kayode Tinubu, is contesting for the chairmanship, which is expected to be vacated by Afeez Ipesa-Balogun, former House of Assembly member, who is completing two terms in office in October.

Three years ago, Tinubu, a lawyer and educationist, eyed the office, but was asked to go for the vicechairman.

He told our correspondent: “When the coast is cleared by the party guidelines, we

•From left: Alhaji Quadri Koleoso, Olaleye and Otunba Jide Oni

would start to prepare for the next step".

Tinubu added: "My cardinal objective is to serve our good people. I remain emotionally attached to the cause of development in OshodiIsolo."

In Yaba LCDA, the Chairman, Olajide Jimoh, has received the

Lawmakers to sanitise local govts

T

HE Lagos State House of Assembly has decried the unpleasant developments in the local governments, describing them as worrisome.

Speaking at a seminar on institution building and policy review for local government chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors at Events Centre, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the Deputy Speaker, Kolawole Taiwo, urged council officials to embark on constructive programmes for the development of the people.

He frowned at the acrimony in the councils, saying,” we can't stand aloof and watch things fall.

Chairmen and councillors should work hand in hand because unnecessary tussles retard progress.

We should see ourselves as part-

‘

By Oziegbe Okoeki

ners in progress,” Taiwo said.

In an address, the Clerk/Permanent Secretary of the Assembly, Taiwo Olatunji, said the seminar was in furtherance of the Assembly's determination at entrenching democracy and ensuring effective and efficient service delivery.

He said: “It behoves of the operators of the local government administration who are presumably very close to the grassroots to come up with impactful policies that would alleviate the sufferings of the people.

“The Assembly has been inundated with complaints/petitions from stakeholders and even officials of the local governments.

“The local government councils

It behoves the operators of the local government administration, who are presumably very close to the grassroots, to come up with impactful policies that would alleviate the sufferings and enhance the living standards of the people in their domain

’

and development areas had at various times been caught up in a dangerous crossfire between the legislative and executive arms of government, which, of course, portends grave consequences for our nascent democracy.”

The Clerk pointed out that the House on several occasions, had to set aside important state functions to intervene in such avoidable frictions usually between a legislature that is perceived to be overzealous and exuberant and an executive that is over-bearing and high-handed.

He added that this continued imbroglio has, therefore, brought the administration of local government to a level of ridicule.

"More disturbing and worrisome is the gale of threats of impeachment and, in some cases, actual removal of chairmen of councils by the legislature without recourse to due process and the attendant furore such had generated at the grassroots level.

"This kind of unfriendly relationship between the two arms of local government administration would, no doubt, impede, castrate and frustrate developments, which would be at the detriment of the electorate," Olatunji added.

• Secertary to the Ikeja Local Government, Hon Ayodele Olowoporoku and wife of the Chairman, Ikeja Local Govt., Mrs Sade Odunlami, during a Women’s Vocational Training programme

blessings of party elders, members and community leaders, who are championing his second term ambition. He said: "I cannot reject the call by the leaders and people of this LCDA to submit myself for service again. It is a privilege and I will not let them down.”

No fewer than 10 aspirants are vying

T

HE President, Society of Security Practitioners of Nigeria (SSPN), Mr Davidson Akhimien, has urged the Federal Government to collaborate with his organisation to tackle crime.

He said crime control and management should not be left to the government alone and that his group would provide service in “this important subsector.”

He spoke at the inauguration of the 11-member executive of the organisation in Lagos.

Noting the achievements of the 30-year-old association, Akhimien said they could do more if given the chance to perform. He said: “It is not only the police that are responsible for security.

When we talk of collaboration, it is not only with the police, but also other security agencies such as the military, State Security Service (SSS), among others. We can form an institutional framework to tackle crime. At the moment, we work with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Civil Defence Corps in the fight against crime. But there is the need to expand the horizon. '”We are the fourth largest employer of labour. We are found in every nook and cranny of the country. But can you find the police every where?” he asked. “The government has us, therefore, as a huge resource in partnership.”

Also, the body's Director of Publicity, Richard Amuwa, said: ''It is only in Nigeria that private security organisations are not utilised by the government. The government could use private security companies to solve the problem of shortage of personnel in the Nigeria Police.”

On complaints against quackery in some security organisations, he said the matter is being attended to. For example, he said biometric machines would be deployed to take the biodata of its members just

for the chairmanship of Kosofe. More are likely to join this week.

The out-going chairman, Muyiwa Adedeji, may not run, having completed two terms. Among the likely aspirants are the Vice Chairman, Segun Aka-Bashorun, his predecessor, K.K. Elesin and Muritala Ogunsola.

Security practitioners seek govt's partnership

By Joseph Eshanokpe

as the group is moving to ensure that the new minimum wage is implemented to boost workers' morale in the sector. ''About 15 months ago, we had planned that no guard should receive not less than N25,000 monthly. We wrote our clients on it. For us to provide quality service, there is the need for better emolument for our members," he disclosed.

“On community policing, we are part of it. Also, as a society, we are raising security consciousness in the country through seminars, training etc. We have established chapters in Ibadan and most state capitals in the Southwest. Soon, we will get one in Abuja,” he said.

Saying that private security practitioners' efforts should be recognised, he said it pained him that none of his members is on states/ Federal Executive Council or working asa senior personnel. It is for this that he is calling for a synergy between the public and private security apparatuses, noting that the latter is better placed to serve the masses.

On the menace of Boko Haram, he suggested a proper co-ordination of all security efforts, ranging from the armed forces to paramilitary organisations. While for the General Secretary, Tony Ofoyetan, to solve the problem, there should be intelligence gathering, followed by investigation, unveiling of the suspected major culprits without a noise and giving a stern warning to those found guilty.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

40

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The National Emergency Management Agency will continue to provide necessary advocacy and assistance to Nigerians in matters of disaster such that the effects will be minimal if they occur.”

NEMA Director-General, Muhammed Sani Sidi, during the distribution of relief materials to flood victims in Lagos.

CITYBEATS

• Moses

• Olawumi

• Fanti beach

PHOTO: TOLUWANI ENIOLA

The world of Lagos sand miners

I

T is not a place that people should live or work but, to survive the hard times, many are left with no choice.

As some hefty men in torn shirts scoop the sand with spade into tippers, others could be seen with heavy baskets of wet sand on their heads, the murky water flowing down to other parts of their body. From sunrise to sunset, they toil in agony.

For the many less-privileged with unemployment and accommodation problems, the Fanti sand beach on Tin Can Island, Lagos is home.

The beach is one of the places building contractors get various sand for their projects. It also hosts thousands of labourers involved in manual dredging of sand; tipper loaders, dischargers, boat builders and others.

Over the years, its population has increased because the homeless find succour there, doing menial jobs. They also get a place to

By Toluwani Eniola

lay their heads after a hard days job. The snag, however, is that they are poorly paid and sometimes work under harsh conditions to the detriment of their health.

When CityBeats came calling, some of the labourers shared their experience, blaming their woes on the prevailing economic reality. They described the job as a saviour of sorts because they have no alternative.

Their stories elicit sympathy as many said they also live on the beach and sometimes travel out at night to get the sand from the sea. This reporter found out that some of them earn as little as N150 per day.

The beach, which is managed by businessmen, under the aegis of Ifelodun Sand Dealers Association, has many wooden huts covered with rafters sprawling down the shore of the lagoon; this is where the labourers take a nap and even sleep in the night.

Despite the harsh condition, the snag of not being paid regularly, the squalor of the environment, the risk at sea, more hustlers are trooping there daily. Contrary to the belief that the sand is got from the beach, the labourers said they travel to Badagry and, sometimes, outside Nigeria to get the sand.

Fifty-year-old Adolphus Nicholas, who has been working there for 20 years as a dredger, described the place as his home, saying he opted for sand dredging because of unemployment. Nicholas explained that the boat owners hire them to get sand from Badagry, adding that they embark on sand dredging at night using their hands.

He said: “It is a very difficult job. I have been doing it for 20 years. We go to Badagry to get the sand from the sea. We use ladders to go down the sea and we use buckets to get them into the boats. We will then bring it here by boat using the outboard engine.

Reward for a trip is as low as N10,000 shared

by three people and, sometimes, the pay is less.”

Another is Daniel Akobaye, 49, who hails from Delta State. “After I left my former job, I came here to find work and I started loading sand into the tippers. We are paid N500 per load of tipper. You see how small it is.

The work is very difficult and requires a great deal of strength. When we get sick, we use our little money to get drugs. I also live here because of poverty. That we live here is not our wish but because we just want to survive. I am now trying to save money to get better accommodation,” he said.

The story of Taiwo Aremu, 54, who hails from Epe, is not different. “There is no sweet thing about life here. That’s why you see us drinking alcohol to keep ourselves warm.

The only compensation in this job is that my children are well catered for. Although I don’t live here, I spend most of my time here.

To Olawumi Adekunle, the most challenging aspect of the job is not getting payment after their journey. “One of the hard things here is that after going through the stress of bringing the sand here, some employers would not pay you, saying the market is not favourable. Besides, when the boat capsizes, it implies that there is no payment.”

Abraham Moses, 52, who hails from Bayelsa State, is another resident of the beach.

Moses, who spoke in Pidgin English, narrated his experience, saying for 30 years, life has been up and down. He described the wooden huts as hell in the night with mosquitoes and other insects disturbing his sleep.

He said: “We dey suffer well well! you dey hear me so. We suffer too much. If I get another job wey I go fit make better money, I go do. I no get house. Na him make me dey live here. If mosquito dey kill people, I for don die a long time ago. Me and my children dey live here because of poverty.”

While the job is a tale of sorrow for the loaders, the boat owners who hire the labourers rake in thousands of naira. One of them is Mrs Aroso who owns two boats. She said the business of sand dredging is lucrative but added that it is also unpredictable as it is based on market demand. She said a tipper load of sand goes for between N5,000 and N7,000, depending on the kind.

“Although the business is lucrative, it comes with many challenges. For instance, the boat may capsize and you would spend up to N50,000 to get it back so it comes with a lot of risks. Besides, now that we are in the rainy season, demand for sand is low because of the risk.”

The beach owner, Orodu Dominic, who said the area was initially acquired by his late aunt some 38 years ago, revealed that the industry has up to 18,000 labourers.

‘Govt’s neglect of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway a shame’

T

HE neglect of the ApapaOshodi Expressway by the Federal Government is “a national shame”, Senator Muniru Muse has said.

The road leads to Apapa Port, a major revenue earner for the country.

Muse, who was a senator between 2007 and June, this year, urged the government to repair the road.

“I have had occasions to ply the road with pains. Just a week ago, I spent more than three hours between Apapa and Mile 2, a trip that should not last 10 minutes.

“I was helpless in the traffic logjam. I had to frantically call the person with whom I had an appointment, seeking his understanding. It is bad enough," Muse said.

Last week, the Lagos State Government and Chairman of Apapa Local Government, Ayodeji Joseph, renewed urged the Federal Government to be sensitive to motorists'predicament on the road.

Muse said: “In any country with

By Dada Aladelokun

ports like ours, all the roads leading to such ports are consciously made motorable for easy flow of traffic. With the volume of money being made by the government at the ports through levies including Value Added Tax, it goes without saying that the government must see to the sanity on the road; unfortunately, ours is different. It is sad.”

“It is beyond common sense for any government to close its eyes to the kind of rot that the road has been exposed to, despite the volume of business transactions going on at the port among Nigerians and even foreigners.

“I thank the Lagos State Government, the Apapa Council leadership, among others, for reminding the government that it is unfair to neglect the port-bound road and other federal infrastructure in Lagos. We must continue shouting until the government does the needful.”

• Apapa/Oshodi Expressway

SEND YOUR STORIES, VIDEOS AND PICTURES TO CITY BEATS at ynotcitybeats@gmail.com OR SEND AN SMS TO 08033054340

SLIDING TACKLE

42

Monday, August 1, 2011

Mourinho plays down Adebayor link

•Wenger

Wenger warns Fabregas, Nasri not entirely convincing today.”

Boca coach Julio Cesar Falcioni said: “We tried to pressurise them and we tried to make them make a mistake.

“They are very fast and they recover the ball very quickly.”

'Chelsea should pay £60m-£70m for Modric' “But, if you let one player get away, you’re going to let lots of players get away with it.

“Somebody has got to make a stand and I think Daniel Levy is doing the right thing.

If Levy lets Modric do what he wants this year, then it’ll be someone else next year who wants to leave.”

Roberts added: “Tottenham will then just be a selling club again and we don’t want to be a selling club, we want to be a top four club.”

OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...

STANFORD CLASSIC

Serena sets up Bartoli clash

•Serena

•Mourinho

Man City to be bigger than Barca—Yaya Toure

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

43

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

44

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

JOBS THE NATION

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

45

Printing keeps job prospects alive For many unemployed Nigerians, printing has become a means of survival.

With the introduction of heat transfer machine, people find it easier to print on clothing materials for a living. The business has provided relief for the jobless.

AKINOLA AJIBADE writes.

P

RINTING is offering more job opportunities to people. While some engage in the printing of calendars, exercise books, jotters, notebooks, complimentary and invitation cards for events/ceremonies, posters, and letterheads to eke out a living, others explore the opportunities inherent in the heat transfer mode of printing.

Heat transfer method of printing is cost effective, flexible, modern and technical.

It is a process whereby one prints on Tshirts, fez-caps, handkerchiefs, napkins, tablemats, mugs and key holders, among others.

Usually, the materials are used for below-the-line advertising, and attract huge patronage from corporate organisations such as banks, airlines, insurance firms, maritime agencies, oil and manufacturing companies and others.

The heat transfer form of printing has created a lot of opportunities for the unemployed. Findings reveal that graduates and non-graduates are making money from it because the technology is

• Heat transfer machine

affordable, mobile, and requires little effort to handle. Also, using a heat transfer machine does not require having a large office.

The Managing Director, Quick Access Ventures Limited, Mr Abiola Shittu, said there is no need to undergo extensive training before mastering the art of printing on clothing materials. He said many, to make money, train people on heat transfer system of printing for a month or two.

He said a newcomer to the business needed a week’s training and must know the materials used in printing, their textures. He must also understand the processes of embossing images on materials with a heat transfer machine.

Shittu said a heat transfer machine varies in style, model and function, adding that the

PHOTO: AKINOLA AJIBADE

Chinese model costs between N130,000 and N150,000, while the American model costs N180,000.

He divided the papers used in transferring image on clothing materials into two: mirrored and opaque papers. The mirrored paper is used on light fabrics, and goes with grey, white, butter and ash. This paper comes with a brand name, Lazer 55600. The opaque paper is used on dark fabrics, and goes with navy, blue, red, yellow and green.

He said the heat transfer machine uses electricity and is timed. It also boasts of switch pad/base. Shittu said it takes three seconds and a temperature of 150 degrees celsius to transfer an image on any clothing materials, when using opaque paper. He said six seconds and a temperature of between 220

and 250 per cent are required to transfer image on clothing materials, when using a mirrored paper as the paper and fabric would burn, if they stay under the machine beyond six seconds.

Shittu said the machine used for printing on fez caps and handkerchiefs is different from the ones used for T-shirts, key holders and mugs, among others. He noted the heat machine used for T-shirts costs between N180,000 and N200,000, adding that it provides value-added services to the users.

“The capacity of the machine is high and it can produce a lot of materials. One can produce 100 fez caps or T-shirts • Continued on page 46

46

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

JOBS

Printing keeps job prospects alive • Continued from page 45

within 30 minutes. It can even be more than this depending on how efficient and fast one is. The most important thing is to apply pressure and follow the timing. The moment the machine gives an alert that the time is up, what you need to do is to release the pressure and take the materials off the machine.

“Though printing on clothings, among other materials, is a seasonal job, it is lucrative. On the average, one can make N20,000 in a day. In some cases, one can make N40,000. To some, the job is not seasonal because they work throughout the year,” Shittu added.

He spoke of another machine, Craft Robo, which architects use to design on buildings. He said the machine is smaller than heat transfer machine and used to cut letters.

He observed that many are creating jobs for themselves using Craft Robo.

Also, Mr Gbenga Adeoye, a

printer, said he went into the business of printing on mugs and other materials after unsuccessful attempts to get a job. Adeoye said he survives with proceeds from the job. The Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration holder said he puts in a lot of initiatives to make the business work.

He said the job is rewarding to some extent, despite the bad economy.

Also, an expert in printing technology, Mr Cyril Nwankwo, said there are aspects of printing which graduates are going into. He said these aspects require branding of materials too.

He explained that with the heat transfer machine one must make the design on a paper first, print it and put the image on what he called’ substrate’ simply known as a surface and get a good result.

He noted one needs to get a heat transfer machine of about N200,000, a computer and a small office.

He said the machine is highly

productive once there is electricity.

“You design on computer, print it, and by the heat transfer system put the image on a substrate. The substrate means a surface, and this can be a paper, clothings, T-shirts, mugs and handkerchiefs. You can design T-shirts for organisations such as banks, clubs, schools, and others.

Also, a lecturer in the Printing Department, Yaba College of Technology, Mr Afolabi Abdulrasheed, said it is easier to succeed in the business when one has good marketing strategies. He said marketing thrives when the needs of the customers are being met, advising companies to try and satisfy the needs of their target customers.

One of the most effective ways of arousing the interest of customers, he said, is to produce promotional materials for them, urging people that print on materials to utilise this opportunity well.

He advised those that print on

• Minister of Labour & Productivity, Chukwuemeka Wogu

• Abdulrasheed

clothing materials, among others, to engage in relationship marketing, adding that they need contacts to survive.

“Heat transfer mode of printing is a small-scale business. But you can start small and become big in the business if you package your products well. After recording success in this area, you can diversify into other areas, such as

monogramming. It is a specialised form of printing that brings more money to people”, he said.

It is evident that printing has opened a vista of opportunities for many. The unemployed should key into the opportunities and earn a living. Like many other things in life, the beginning may be rough but, with perseverance and hardwork, one would succeed.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS Rivers appoints global expert Peterside as commissioner

• Peterside

R

IVERS State Government has further strengthened its administrative financial competence with the appointment of Finance Commissioner, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside.

Peterside’s pedigree as a global financial consultant and expert in investments and partnerships from the United States brings a major spice to the efforts of Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi, to give the state a formidable credit and investment stand as well as reposition the state’s financial sector.

Prior to his appointment, Peterside had worked with the Rivers State Government as a member of the State Economic Advisory Council where his contributions have been invaluable.

Rivers State now enjoys dual International credibility rating, a step higher than every other state in the country.

He was born in Rivers State, where he had his primary and sec-

ondary education. He moved to Moscow for further studies at Friendship University in 1983 where he earned a Masters degree in Finance (1989) and Ph.D in Economics in 1992. He formed a startup firm in Moscow called ValueAdded Consulting with operations in Eastern Europe, UK and Nigeria. In 1996, he relocated to the United States and joined the Global Private Client Group of Merrill Lynch as Certified Financial Manager and Financial Advisor in New York City, helping client structure and manage their investment portfolio.

He also worked with HSBC Brokerage USA as Branch Investment Manager in charge of investment management and deepening bank

cross-sell relationships with clients.

With his expertise from Wall Street, against the backdrop of changing global geo-politics and economic transformation, Peterside went into private practice setting up a new investment advisory firm- New Era Capital Corp focused on harnessing opportunities in the emerging and frontier markets as well as serving clients in the US markets.

A principal aspect of that endeavour was espousing and helping design investment strategies for infrastructure investments and project finance in Nigeria by utilising the increasingly ubiquitous public-private sector (PPP) model.

His vast experience in the global scene is an asset to the Rivers State Government when it comes to foreign investments. He assured that his office will foster international investments.

“What brought me into Rivers State was when His Excellency by the decision of the Supreme Court became the governor, the first body he set up was the Economic Advisory Committee and I became one of the members and that truly was a turning point in my career in terms of involvement in Rivers State. I did that and will continue to do that, it involves a lot of travel and interactions, interface with my colleagues at the council and a lot of exchange with the Governor in policy making and ideas,” he said.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

N

OBODY owes you a job. If you desire a good one, you need to get up and go after the job you desire. Invest your time, energy and money (even the little you have - can you estimate how much you spend on small, inconsequential things monthly?).

Let me add further, most job seekers expect the search to be easy, simple and quick; and when things are not going that way, they give up, often too soon.

The moral here is that though you may be unemployed, you still have an occupation: to get yourself a job.

You will need to put in all you have. To get a good one takes imagination, initiative and focus.

It means you must be committed to implementing the skills you will acquire, attending seminars, reading relevant books. You know what you want, and must be ready to work for it. Are you?

Job search basic The message in the first paragraph is the first of three fundamentals of job search. The No. 2: job-hunting success is directly proportional to the amount of intelligent job-hunting effort. The more you try, the more likely you will find the position you want, and quickly too.

Even if you are a career/job changer, you need to schedule and make time out consistently to pursue your search. No. 3: successful job-hunting requires a willingness to change tactics. If something is not working, move to another strategy.

Nobody owes you a job

By Olu Oyeniran

But do you have a search strategy?

These apply to everybody in the job market.

The first point in your search is to assess your job search skills. You need to acquire skills in the following areas: skill analysis, job search strategies formulation, career and job goal setting, identifying career achievement, writing winning Resume/C.V and application letter, conducting informational interview, job interview and follow up, job aptitude test etc.

If you don’t have good enough job search skills, then do all you can to acquire them: read books, attend relevant seminars, get help- from friends, family members, mentors, career and job search counselors, professional Resume/C.V writers etc.

Hey, show me the jobs?

I am sure the question floating in your mind is “where are the jobs?

You are already on your way to uncovering the job market. The next step is to analyse the job and business environment. There are opportunities in education/training, agriculture, accounting/banking/finance, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, service, government, civil-society/social/professional

organisations, oil/gas, media/publishing sectors of the economy. All you need to do is to develop special interest in specific job market/segment that holds promise and potential of a good job for you. (We will discuss a more thorough method of choosing your career in future).

Get organised for a job campaign Now, get organised for job search.

The starting point is skill analysis.

Skills are the fundamental basis of job search. Employers are looking for certain skills, and the best jobs are those ones where your skills match the needs of the employer.

There are three types of skills job specific, self-management and transferable skills. You also need to put together an arsenal of accomplishments.

This is for those with fairly long working history, highlighting their career achievements. You need to understand your strength(s), weakness(es), interests, aptitude and potentials. What would you like to do with your life, all your life?

You will now generate a list of potential employers in respect of your chosen job objective. Necessary information may be obtained from friends, relations, consultants, vendors, newspapers, trade journals

etc. Once you’ve made your choice, go after them- using conventional and unconventional means.

Develop your grand strategy How do you intend to pursue these job opportunities? What is your job hunting strategy? Let me tell you what is working. Or let us start with what have the least chance of working.

The five most ineffective job search strategies are these: • Internet- posting your C.V/Resume on the Internet, and expect potential employer to visit the board/site and make a choice, depending on the match between your skills and their requirements. It has four to 10 per cent success rate • Mailing out Resume CV to employers at random (Resume blasting). seven per cent success rate.

• Answering ads in professional/ trade journals. Seven per cent success rate.

• Responding to Newspaper ads. five to 24 per cent success rate. The higher the salary/position, the lower the success rate • Using employment agencies, five to 28 per cent success rate.

Again, the higher the salary/position, the lower the success rate.

Now, the best five ways to search for a job: • Ask for job leads from family, friends, people you know, etc - “Do you know of any job at the place where you work, or elsewhere?” 33 per cent success rate • Knocking on the door of any employer, factory, office etc, whether they are known to have vacancy or not. 47 per cent success rate • Identifying subject/field of interest, identifying employers on that field and calling on them to ask if you they are hiring for the position you desire and that you know you can do well. 69 per cent success rate.

• Do the above in a group with other job hunters. 76 per cent success rate • Doing a life- changing job search (identifying your skills, proffered places, interest and acceptable working environment and going after the job you desire) 86 per cent success rate.

You got me there. There is still a better method: combining the strategies (experts suggest it should not be more than four!).

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Assoiciates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

47

MOTORING

‘Transportation, cornerstone of modern civilisation’

L

AGOS State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has described

transportation as the pivot of modern civilisation.

Fashola said transportation has enormous impact on the quality of life that people live.

He said the state has achieved much in the public transportation.

The governor spoke last week at the grand finale of the 2011 Be Road Friendly (BRF) Competition held at Alausa,

By Miriam Ndikanwu Ikeja, Lagos.

He said the ‘Be Road Friendly’ initiative is a project to empower youths to know what dangers they could constitute to themselves and other road users by being reckless on the road.

“We need a nation of people who know their rights and duties under the law and also know that if they act contrary they endanger them-

selves and others”.

The governor reiterated his message to people who come to Lagos to do business that they must be law abiding, because if they choose not to, the law will track them, it will hunt them down and bring them to justice.

While saluting the members of the transport family like the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and partners such as the Federal Road Safety

Commission (FRSC) and Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), the Governor said contrary to what people think, keeping traffic moving is a sheer miracle today.

“I salute you for all your efforts, I understand it and the challenge you face. It is not by prayers alone. It is happening through hours and hours of sheer hard work, critical planning and investment in public transport infrastructure, such as street lights, motor vehicles, patrol vehicles, fuel, training, installation of street lights, lane marking and continuous training of LASTMA”.

He disclosed that a total of 895 LASTMA men have completed training on service delivery, courtesy on the road and efficiency at work, adding that another batch will soon go into training for bet-

ter performance by the men.

Governor Fashola also acknowledged the collaboration of different, religious leaders across all the divides who have been assisting in mentoring the officers of LASTMA largely because of the conduct of some few officers which became an issue during the last elections, adding that the acts of a few was being used to paint the whole lot in tar.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon Kayode Opeifa, explained that the successful organisation of the programme further confirmed the government determination to tackle road safety challenges.

Opeifa said the competition had surpassed the target set for it at its inception, describing the development as one of the entries set to change the

face of public transportation in the world.

While congratulating the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education, Dr Mariam Masha, for the success of the advocacy programme, which has just been shortlisted for an international award, Fashola said the programme is the story of the success that comes out of Lagos time after time.

He said projects such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has become a World Bank model for Public Transportation in Africa, just as the Security Trust Fund has been adopted as a United Nations model for crime prevention in urban setting. He disclosed that British Prime Minister who was in Lagos, recently was in the State to see its tax administration policy as part of his engagements in the country.

Akure Auto Mart takes off

B

•Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FERMA, Mr Kabiru Abdullahi (right) with President, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Chief Olumuyiwa Ajibola, during a courtesy call on the NSE President last week.

USINESS activities have picked up at the newly constructed International Auto Mart on the Ilesa-Akure-Owo Express way constructed by the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State.

The administration apparently disturbed by the action of auto dealers littering the streets with “Tokunbo cars” especially on the popular Oba Adesida-Oyemekun road in Akure, the state capital development that blocked free flow of traffic, consequently initiated the ideal of an auto mart.

The new auto mart adjoining the Nigerian National

From Damisi Ojo, Akure Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is accommodating all the cars originally displayed on the road sides in Akure metropolis by various auto dealers.

It was inaugurated by the Governor, recently to mark his two years in office after months of intensive work at the site of the project.

Over 1,000 vehicles were on display when The Nation visited the site. It is divided into sections with 20 cars per stall for the attention of would-be buyers.

Among the facilities in the premises are two banking

halls for the use of car dealers and their customers. Also, there are fire stations, Police security post and others.

Governor Mimiko said the project cost N350million, stressing that it was the first of its kind in Nigeria.

The project, he said, would halt the menace of indiscriminate and unorganised auto trading by over 100 registered auto dealers on major roads in Akure.

Mimiko said: “The benefit of the Auto Mart is that apart from addressing the infrastructural needs of Akure, it will also be of tremendous economic value in the generation of employment and boost commerce in the state.With the various first class facilities available at the Auto Mart, the intensity of economic activities that it will stimulate is better than imagined.

“We know that the uniqueness of the Auto Mart will excite people from far and near, therefore, we plan to expand the Auto Mart in future to meet anticipated robust patronage in automobile sales and ancillary businesses. We are projecting that the Akure Auto Mart will, sooner than later, become the hub of auto trading in Nigeria,” “the governor assured.

The state former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Kunle Asaolu, described the Auto Mart as a premier project which is benchmarking automobile business in the country.

“The desired effect of unencumbered traffic flow, road expansion and beautification of the Oba Adesida-Oyemekun Road corridor will, however, not be achieved if automobile dealers continue to take over the road shoulders to display their vehicles,” the Commissioner said.

The Chairman of Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Dr Michael Ade.ojo described the project as a watershed in the annals of motor mart in Nigeria, it put was wellthought out and remains the best and the first of its kind in Nigeria.

The Head of the team that constructed the mart, Mrs Mobolaji Tunde-Suara, said agreed that auto mart was the first of its kind of West Africa.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

PERSONAL FINANCE

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Investor’s Worth

A financier’s take on equities M OBOLAJI Balogun is a well-rounded invest ment banker with many ground-breaking deals.

From his days as executive director and chief operating officer at City Securities Limited (CSL) one of Nigeria’s earliest private capital market operator - to his roles as executive director at FCMB Capital Markets - one of the leading and most versatile issuing houses and now as the Chief Executive Officer of Chapel Hill Denham Group, investment finance has been a lifelong career for him.

Over the years, he has led advisory teams in many complex financial transactions including raising funds and structured finances for top blue chips on the Nigerian stock market.

Chapel Hill Denham has since then earned the reputation as one of the most innovative and nimble wholesale banking firms in Nigeria. In recognition of Balogun’s depth of know-how and influence, he was appointed to the Africa Ad-

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visory Board Committee of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), South Africa in 2009.

But beyond raising funds for needy companies and restructuring balance sheets, Balogun has also shown personal interests in discovering and holding down long-term values for himself. His strategic positioning in equities of quoted companies has seen him emerging as one of the youngest directors of quoted companies in Nigeria. A top-level player, Balogun strives for both dominant shareholdings and dominant companies, putting himself as a voice to reckon with in key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

With the largest shareholding among the directors of Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc, Balogun’s equity stake is about 1,167 per cent more than the publicly-declared total shareholdings of other directors. Lafarge Cement Wapco Ni-

SHARE capital repre sents the probable or existing core capital and shareholders’interests in a particular company. Share capital is denoted by its dormant value or active value.

The authorised share capital, the dormant value of share capital, means the maximum

E •Balogun

geria, a subsidiary of Lafarge-the global leader in building materials - is valued at N131 billion.

Balogun also holds significant equity stake in Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (Nahco), Nigeria’s dominant aviation services company. Though indirect, Balogun’s appointment unto the board of Nahco might not be unconnected with his shareholding interests and experience.

Nahco, the only quoted aviation handling company and obviously the leading quoted aviation companies, is valued at N9 billion.

Ask a Broker What is share capital? value of shares that a company can legally issue to its shareholders as authorised by the shareholders and in line with relevant regulations and laws.

The paid-up share capital or issued share capital represents the number or value of a com-

pany’s authorised share capital that his issued to shareholders either by way of payment of cash- initial offer, supplementary offer, rights etc or by capitalisation of reserves through bonus shares.

Ways and Means

How to earn higher return on Thus CDs combine the atdeposit tributes of savings accounts and

•Yemi Adeola, GMD, Sterling Bank

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HE two main concerns of every investor are the safety of investment and return on investment. Achieving both objectives are the essence of portfolio management.

But often time, achieving safety of principal investment and good return may be difficult, especially in a sluggish market. It even becomes more difficult in a recessive or declining market like has been witnessed in Nigeria in recent years.

With high political risks, social insecurity, uncertain macroeconomic direction and poor infrastructure, an economy such as Nigeria’s, particularly pose significant challenge in terms of ensuring safety of investment alongside a reasonably high above average return.

Notwithstanding these challenges, discerning investors and value-minded institutions and individuals can explore opportunities offered by high-yielding guaranteed investments, which combine the two main advantages of fixed-income securities- safety of principal and guaranteed return, with above average return.

One of the most invaluable valueadding instruments in a period of recession and economic uncertainties like now is the Certificate of Deposit (CD).

Certificate of Deposit (CD) is a saving and investment product that evidenced a deposit by an investor for a fixed period based on agreed interest.

investment in that they are guaranteed and virtually risk-free such as savings accounts while at the same time offering interest or coupon just like bonds, treasury bills and other fixed-income investment products. The tenor, or period, of a CD can range from short to medium to long term. As such, there can be a CD for three months, nine months, a year, two years and so on.

Though CDs generally have similar core attributes, each financial institution may offer additional benefits to enhance the attractiveness of the instrument.

These benefits may include a variable interest rate such as index-linked or inflation-linked rates rather than the generally fixed interest rate as well as crosstrading of the CD for products and services within the issuing financial institution and related companies. Besides, CD can come in form of a negotiable or non-negotiable instrument as well as discounted or undiscounted certificate. Negotiable CDs (NCDs) are tradable like bonds, equities, etc on the secondary market. Discounted CD (DCD) is a form of CD that is issued at a price lower than the par value, the face value.

A CD holder may also choose to rollover the CD upon maturity or opt for redemption.

The Sterling Discounted Certificate of Deposit (SDCD) recently introduced by Sterling Bank Plc, Nigeria’s preeminent investment bank, offers exciting opportunities for investors to reap the many benefits of a CD and the unique benefits of a financial conglomerate represented by the Sterling Bank Group.

With the SDCD, customers and non-customers of Sterling Bank have the opportunity to earn higher returns on their investments, especially when compared to the prevailing rate on regular deposits.

Besides the assurance on prin-

Measuring return on investment (ROI)

cipal and high interest, a CD holder can use the instrument to amass funds towards future projects as well as plan for annuity payments at retirement. In addition, the SDCD is transferable ensuring that the gains of such investment are transferred to the next of kin or identified beneficiary.

SDCDs can also be used as collaterals for loans while holders can also operate their investments as trust funds for their children and dependants.

Without doubt, the product clearly reinforces Sterling Bank’s commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience as it is a product that meets the customers’ need in more ways than previously envisaged by many.

SDCD caters to different investor and customer appetites with options ranging from as low as N100, 000, N250, 000 to N1 million, N5 million and N10 million.

To secure an SDCD, an investor only needs to walk into any branch of Sterling Bank nationwide as designated officials have been stationed at each branch to advise investors on the various options and additional benefits accruable on each investment option.

The guarantee of the SDCD is further assured by the buoyant financial position and stability of the issuing bank - Sterling Bank.

One of the stand-alone banks that had weathered the turbulence of global and national economic recession and financial crises without government bailouts, Sterling Bank has more than N280 billion in assets and 100 branches nationwide.

With subsidiaries in investment banking, Sterling Capital Limited; share registration, Sterling Registrars; and Crusader Sterling Pension, Sterling Bank is a major financial supermarket that offers certificate holders opportunities to link their investments into additional value-addin

VALUATION is one of the most important elements in any preoccupation.

Whether in administration and management planning or physical construction planning, evaluation plays critical roles as the determining factor and gauge for the measurement of the extent of correlation between the objectives and the end results.

When it is usually the last element on the planning process, evaluation serves as the initial element or trigger for the next planning and most importantly leads to corrective measures that better guide the planner closer to the realisation of his objectives.

The primary motivation of investment is return. Investment planning, strategy and tactics must therefore keep the primary objective in focus.

In investment administration and management, measurement of return on investment is the only way of evaluating the performance of the investment visà-vis other comparable investments and alternatives.

Return on Investment (ROI) represents the amount of money realised from an investment,expressed in monetary value or percentage value, at a given period.

ROI is the reward for the assumption of risks since there is no risk-free return in the real term.

Every investment, including sovereign instruments and best-rated companies, involves an element of risks, no matter the degree of certainty of return. In portfolio management, it is important to determine the ROI for every stock or instrument and thereafter the overall ROI for the portfolio.

This enables the investment manager to decide the growth-drivers for the period and possibly review its investment strategy.

For fixed-income securities like bonds, treasury bills, fixed deposits and others, the ROI is simply measured by the coupon or interest rate, usually expressed in percentage term.

To get the monetary value of the ROI, divide the gross sum of investment by 100 and, thereafter, multiply the answer with the interest or coupon rate. For example, suppose you invest N1 million in government bond with a coupon rate of 15 per cent per annum, your ROI at the yearend will be N150, 000.

By Taofik Salako

For equity investment, return on investment comes in mainly in two ways, cash income and capital gain (loss).

The other form of return is scrip or bonus shares.

The cash income refers to the gross value of dividend declared by the company while capital gain (loss) is the difference between the purchase price per share and the current market value per share.

Bonus shares result from distribution of retained earnings in the reserves of the company to shareholders, usually on the basis of the nominal value of the company and proportional to each shareholder’s holding. ROI for investment in quoted equities thus comprises the totality of all these, expressed in monetary or percentage term.

Suppose you purchased 100,000 ordinary shares of a company at N10 per share with a transaction cost of 1.5 per cent at the beginning of the period, your total cost of investment will be N1 million + N150, 000 = N1.015 million. If the company declared a dividend of 70 kobo per share, your gross dividend or cash income will be N70, 000.

Where the market value of the company has risen to N20 by the year end, your capital gain is the difference between the opening and closing price, which is N10, multiplied by the number of shares, 100,000, totalling N1 million. The total ROI in this example in monetary term is, therefore, N1.07 million.

To further test the return rate of the investment, deduct the exit transaction cost from the ROI to get a net return. Given existing 10 per cent withholding tax on dividend in the market, one may further undress the ROI by deducting withholding tax or use the net dividend income rather than gross dividend income in the calculation of ROI. The above example illustrates measurement of ROI in monetary term. To express this in percentage term, simply get the percentage equivalent of the ROI in the total cost of investment. For the above example, this is expressed as follows: N1.07m/N1.015m * 100 = 105.4 Thus the ROI is 105.4 per cent.

The percentage return on investment can also be calculated by determining the

dividend yield and capital appreciation rate, and then add the two together.

Dividend yield means the percentage of dividend per share to the purchased price per share. Dividend yield for the above example is express as follows: 70 kobo/N10 * 100 = 7.0 per cent.Percentage capital gain is the percentage change between the purchased price and the closing price, which for, our example, is expressed as follows: N20 - N10 = N10/ 10 * 100 = 100 per cent. The addition of dividend yield and percentage capital appreciation gives the percentage ROI. Thus, the percentage ROI in this example is 107 per cent, which tallies with the monetary value calculation if the cost of investment is discountenanced. For stock with bonus shares, the total volume is taken to be the initial volume and the bonus shares as the bonus share is reflected in the share price of the company.

In calculating a comprehensive ROI, any return accruing on the dividend income from a particular investment, should be added to the ROI for that particular stock.

For instance, interest earned on a deposited dividend income or capital gains or/and dividend from reinvestment of dividend income. To get a fuller picture of ROI, otherwise called real ROI, adjustment should be made for the inflation by subtracting the inflation rate from the ROI. Thus with an inflation rate of 12 per cent, the ROI in the above example comes down to 95 per cent, without adjustments for taxes and charges.

Another way of making better meaning of the ROI is by comparing average ROI on a class of instruments, like shares, with average ROI on another class of instruments, say bonds or deposits.

Comparison can also be between ROIs of similar instruments, such as ROIs of two cement companies; between different sub-sectors of the economy, like petroleummarketing and building materials; between the portfolio or stock ROI and the overall market benchmark index, such as the All Share Index (ASI) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); stock-tostock comparison, UACN vs UPDC; individual portfolio and mutual fund and between self-managed portfolio and portfolio under investment manager.

‘The primary motivation of investment is return.

Investment planning, strategy and tactics must therefore keep the primary objective in focus...Every investment, including sovereign instruments and best-rated companies, involves an element of risks, no matter the degree of certainty of return’

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NEWS

81 jailed for flouting sanitation law

APGA chair condemns six-year single term LL Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chairman Victor Umeh, has condemned the single six- year tenure being proposed by President Goodluck Jonathan for president and governors.

Addressing reporters in Umuahia, Umeh said President Jonathan might have a good intention for proposing the Bill, but such an arrangement would not make those elected accountable to the electorate.

Umeh said: “The President may have a good intention for proposing this Bill, but a critical analysis of the im-

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From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

plications of passing this Bill into law is that people will now be elected for a six year single tenure.

“So, it is very dangerous that from the blast of the whistle, they will decide to abandon the electorate and you cannot do them anything with the Section 308.

With the Immunity Clause in our constitution, it means that it will be very difficult to remove them when they are going wrong.

“Six years will be a long time to allow a governor or a president, who from the blast of the whistle, decides to shortchange the people.

So, the four year tenure is still better.”

“We are going to pull a campaign to agitate for this Bill to be dropped, it is not going to do our democracy any good. We believe that when the public office holders know that they are going back to the electorate to renew their mandate, they will be responsible.”

On whether or not the Bill will not sanitise the country’s electoral system, he said:”There is no way it can help. The first thing to do is to preserve the right of the people to renew the mandate of their leaders at the shortest time possible.

“If you give them a long term without the right of

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakiliki

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•Umeh

the citizens to call those elected to proper track, then it will be very dangerous. If you allow them to stay for six years, they will compound corruption in the system. So, it will be better to put them on their toes, knowing that in the next four years they will return to the electorate to renew their mandate.”

Ndigbo to Aviation Minister: resign or declare your origin

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GBO Ezue, a socio- cul tural group, has called on the Minister of Aviation, Stella Adaeze Oduah, to resign or publicly announce her true state of origin and local government as against her claim that she is from Anambra State.

The group decried President Goodluck Jonathan‘s decision to appoint women from the state into his cabinet at the expense of men adding that the act is inappropriate.

The President of Igbo Ezue, Prince Elochukwu Onyekwere made the call at

‘It is becoming the trend in recent times to look for a woman to fill Anambra State slot in Federal Appointment’ the weekend during its midyear conference in Abuja.

He said the group was not

against the 35 per cent affirmative action of the Federal Government but it is becoming a trend for government to appoint women to fill Anambra State slot.

“Why is it that everytime Federal Government give Federal ministerial appointments, it must be a woman? Are there no experienced and qualified men worthy of consideration to represent Anambra State other than women?

“It is becoming the trend in recent times to look for

a woman to fill Anambra State slot in Federal Appointment. We have nothing against the female gender but it becomes worrisome where the Federal Government makes it an habit.” He added Onyekwere, however, alleged that the minister was not an indigene of Ogbaru Local Government of Anambra State.

He said if truly the minister is from the state, she should make a public declaration of her hometown and family house in Ogbaru or resign from office.

Abia tribunal strikes out APGA candidate’s petition

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HE Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia on Friday struck out the petition by All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate Reagan Ufomba, for lack of merit.

Ufomba had joined the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Resident Electoral Commissioner as co-respondents.

He is challenging the validity of the election and declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

[PDP]candidate Theodore Orji as the elected governor of the state.

In his ruling on the motions brought by Orji, PDP, and INEC, Justice Mobolaji Ojo, the Chairman of the three- man tribunal held that the petition was “statutorily and constitutionally ungrantable.”

Justice Ojo held that the grounds of the petition and the reliefs sought by the petitioners were incongruous, incompetent, manifestly unsupported by the claim-

GOC condemns insecurity in Southeast HE Acting General

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Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigeria Army, Enugu, Brigadier-General Sylvester Audu, has condemned insecurity in the country, especially in the Southeast.

Gen. Andu He attributed insecurity in the Southeast to the desire to get rich quick.

He spoke at the opening of a one-day meeting of security agencies in Southeast at the headquarters of the Division on Friday.

He said: “The menace is rather motivated by outright desire for criminal acts and the blatant and arrant intention to get rich quick. He said these negative traits do not have a place in our society. The Igbo race is known for commerce and hard work.”

He said the precarious security situation in the Southeast had presented se-

From Chris Oji, Enugu

curity agencies and other stakeholders in the zone with challenges of checkmating the activities of the perpetrators.

He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Azubuike Ihejirika, for approving the meeting.

According to him, the high rate of insecurity in the Southeast has become a source of worry to everyone.

He decried the armed robbery attacks on banks in Enugu, the unexploded explosive devices discovered in Anambra and the preponderance of cultism in tertiaryinstitutions.

Audu said: “The meeting is expected to give opportunity to security heads to rub minds on insecurity in the Southeast.”

ants and devoid of any merit known in law.

He said: “The petitioners embarked on a wide goose chase and the entire

grounds of Paragraph 11, which canvassed that there was no election known to law in Abia was a breach of the Electoral Act.”

Magistrate at the Ebonyi State Environmental Sanitation Court sitting in Abakaliki, Chima Ukwa, has sentenced 81 persons to various terms of imprisonment for defaulting the restriction of movement during Saturday’s sanitation.

Some of the victims, who said they were returning from a church service, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Referring the defaulters to the Holy Bible, Ukwa said the Bible encourages Christians to obey constituted authorities and not to be law breakers. He added that they violated the law of the land and the holy book.

The magistrate sentenced the driver conveying the passengers to six months imprisonment or a fine of N10, 000 .

The passengers, mostly women, were sentenced to two months imprisonment or a fine of N3,000.

Ukwa urged residents of Abakiliki and its environs to adhere to environmental laws, adding that the court would impose stringent fines on defaulters.

Addressing reporters at the end of the sanitation, the Commissioner for Environment, Paul Okorie, said Governor Martin Elechi created the new ministry to ensure that the state is one of the cleanest in the country.

He said: “It is regrettable that this kind of dirt is accumulated and dumped indiscriminately within the capital city.

This

Tinubu’s aide for chairman CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) elders in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Lagos State, yesterday endorsed former Governor Bola Tinubu’s aide, Bolaji Ariyoh, for the chairmanship slot in the next council polls.

An ACN elder, Pa Joseph Olabimtan, told party faithful that the aspirant is the consensus candidate of the party in the council and urged them to support him at the primaries.

The meeting was attended

by Wale Ariyibi, Suara Ogundare, Olukayode Osho, Biliamin Morakinyo, Salami Adejare, Catherine

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By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

Badejoko, Dele Mabinuori, Mumudat Shobayo and Mrs Modupe Ariyoh, the aspirant’s mother.

Ariyoh, a Special Assistant on Special Projects in Lagos State, will slug it out with Kayode Tinubu, ViceChairman of the council, who was asked to step down for the outgoing Chairman, Afeez IpesaBalogun, in 2004 and 2008 local government elections.

Olabimtan described him as a dedicated party man, assuring that he would serve the council diligently.

“Ariyoh will take proper

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RAMADAN NEWS British Foreign Secretary congratulates Muslims

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

BRITISH Foreign Secretary, William Hague has congratulated muslims worldwide over the commencement of Ramadan Hague said: “As the sacred month of Ramadan begins I want to send my very best wishes to Muslim communities in Britain and across the world.”

He described Ramadan as a time of intense devotion and reflection.

He said: “Its values remind us of the principles that we hold in common – tolerance, justice, progress and the dignity of all human beings. The key messages of selflessness, charity, and compassion are values that unite Muslims and non Muslims alike.

“At this special time of year I hope that your prayers are answered, that Ramadan brings you peace, happiness and unity. So I say to you, your relatives and your friends, Ramadan Mubarak,” he said.

‘Pray for Nigeria’, Mark, Tambuwal task Muslims

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ENATE President, Senator David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal have urged Muslim faithful to dedicate the period of fasting to pray for the nation.

The duo said it will help overcome the security challenges currently facing Nigeria.

In a statement by Mark’s spokesman, Paul Mumeh, the

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

senate president said that recent events have made it imperative to pray for the continued corporate existence and survival of Nigeria.

He said: “As you embark on this month-long spiritual renewal and supplication to the Almighty Allah, I enjoin you to remember Nigeria and her people in prayer.’

‘The current security chal-

lenges we have witnessed in recent times call for a divine intervention so that we may all continue to toe the path of peace, harmony and respect for the sanctity of life.’

“We have faced challenges in the past, especially during the 30 months-old fratricidal civic war that was fought with much hate and bitterness, but this current challenge is one that is truly avoidable and absolutely unnecessary.’ He

added Tambuwal described Ramadan as a period of intense devotion and reflection upon the wisdom and guidance that come with faith and the responsibilities that human beings have on one another.

The Speaker therefore reminded Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to reflect on the principles and ideals and work towards advancing tolerance, peace, progress, jus-

Aregbesola, Mimiko, Ahmed preach piety From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo, Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

O

Aliyu, Baraje advise Muslims From Jide Orintunsin, Minna, Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

GOVERNOR of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has enjoined Muslim faithful to conduct themselves well during the holy month of Ramadan in order to maximise the spiritual and physical benefits inherent in the month.

Aliyu made the call on Sunday in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo.

Aliyu identified good intention, prayers and firmness of purpose in the pursuit of good deeds as conditions for reaping the benefits of the holy month.

Urging faithful to accord Ramadan all the necessary attention, the governor stressed that the month being one of the pillars in Islam, should be dutifully observed.

Aliyu cautioned preachers to guard their utterances during the fasting period. The governor urged them to concentrate on the true teachings of Islam.

“Muslim scholars should instead educate their audience of what is expected of Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan to earn Allah’s blessings,” Aliyu advised.

Also, the Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Abubakar Baraje asked muslims across the country to use the holy month of Ramadan to pray for peace and tranquility in the country.

The PDP boss urged Muslims to observe the fasting in line with the dictates of the glorious Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.

tice, mutual co-existence and the dignity of all human beings as enshrined in both the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.

He enjoined the Muslim Ummah to use the Ramadan period to pray for continued peace, unity and stability in Nigeria as well as provide support to others with a view to advancing opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere.

•Former University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nurudeen Alao (right) greeting President, UNILAG Muslim Alumni (UMA), Alhaji Sikiru Alimi (left). With them are Deputy Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor, Alhaji Shuaib Salith (second right) and Chairman, Lagos State Muslim Council, Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi at the UMA 17th Annual Pre-Ramadan lecture in UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

•L-R: Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Ibrahim; Baba Adini of Eti Osa, Chief Yekini Bakare; Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh AbdulAfeez Abou and President, Fatima Charity Foundation, Hajia Bintu Fatima Tinubu during the Pre-Ramadan lecture held at City Hall, Catholic Mission, Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Ramadan: Fashola cautions on sermon

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AGOS State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola has urged Muslim scholars to pass messages that would bring about peace, security and development of the nation.

Fashola thanked Islamic clerics for their effort in ensuring peaceful co-existence with their Christian counterparts in the state.

The governor spoke through the Commissioner for Special duties, Dr Wale Ahmed and former aide, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Kosoko during Pre-Ramadan lectures organised by Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF) at City

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Hall and University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA) at UNILAG Main Auditorium, Akoka, Lagos.

“Our scholars should pass messages that would impact positively in people’s character and improve good neighbourliness. We have many Mosques and Churches in this country yet the crime rate is high. We need to pray for the betterment of our country,” he said.

He urged Muslims not only to uphold the teachings and lessons of Ramadan but let

them radiate in their daily activities.

He hailed the leadership of the Muslim Ummah in the country for commencing this year’s Ramadan in unison.

At UMA, the guest speaker and former UNILAG ViceChancellor, Prof Nurudeen Alao said Ramadan should serve as a period of retreat for the nation and self-discipline to increase individual’s faith.

“The persistence of poverty, the enlargement of the scope and variety of violence, the scandalous degree of corruption and the visible degree of environmentat degradation should be of very

deep concern to all of us. This month of blessing should be used in designing paths to rapid and sustainable solutions,” Prof Alao said.

The speaker at FCF, Alhaji AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef urged the nation to avail itself of the opportunities of the unlimited mercies of Allah in Ramadan to chart a path to glory.

He charged the leaders to eschew selfish goals and formulate policies aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of average Nigerians.

Ramadan, he said, has come to revive the nation from collapse.

SUN State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his Ondo and Kwara states counterparts, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed respectively have enjoined Muslims throughout Nigeria to use the month to offer special prayers for the stability of the country.

Aregbesola's said avarice, insatiable accumulation of wealth at the expense of the ordinary people and injustice are at the heart of the various insurgencies in parts of the country.

He urged people against all vices, saying that failure to exercise restraints and fear of God are responsible for Nigeria's many woes.

Governor Aregbesola also said self-restraint, closeness to Allah and love among the people which are the hallmarks of the holy month should assist Nigeria to overcome many of the challenges confronting it as a country.

"Ramadan is a month of self-restraint and it is important that Nigerians, especially Muslims remember this in order to take full advantage of the blessings of the month.

Mimiko enjoined Nigerians to be tolerant and love one another irrespective of their religious beliefs and inclinations.

He charged Muslims to continue to maintain the relative peace in the state to enable his administration to continue to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Mimiko who spoke at a preRamadan lecture organised by the State Muslims Welfare Board for Muslims preparatory to the annual fasting season in Akure also called on muslim faithful in the state to use this year's Ramadan period to rededicate themselves to the service of God and humanity.

Ahmed urged Muslims to engage the period of the holy month to pray for the sustenance of democracy, peace and unity of the country.

Fasting, the governor said, is made compulsory for all able Muslims by Almighty Allah, which should not in any way be regarded to mean punishment but a golden opportunity to move closer to God and desist from all forms of evil.

Ahmed's Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba in a statement enjoined all wealthy Muslims to appreciate the pains of hunger by donating generously to the less privileged in this holy month, noting that the reward for this is enormous from Almighty Allah.

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MONEY LINK

NDIC urges bank examiners to upgrade skills

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IGERIA Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has challenged bank examiners to take conscious efforts in upgrading their skills to enable them handle long term loans to finance agriculture, industry and infrastructural development.

The Managing Director, Umaru Ibrahim, said as banks get set to improve on their lending, there is urgent need for bank examiners to be ready in terms of acquiring the right skills to handle emerging transactions, he said, adding that NDIC would continue to lay emphasis on training, retraining and provision of necessary tools for their effective performance.

In his keynote address at the 2010 examiners’ conference held at the weekend, Umaru said to ensure a safer and stable banking sector, bank examiners must be current with the happenings in the local and international economies of the world, be forward looking and very objective in the discharge of their functions.

He said crisis in the banking sector were inevitable, stating that the ability to respond to the future would depend on how

By Collins Nweze Senior Correspondent

adequately prepared the regulators and supervisors are in the areas of regulatory tools and proactive actions. “ Given the dynamism of the global economic environment, more robust tools and skills would be required in dealing with the issues arising from the rapid changes in the global financial system, especially products and

services, as well as the emergence of technology-driven channels of providing banking services such as mobile banking,” he stated.

He noted that the choice of this year’s theme: ‘The future of banking supervision in Nigeria,’ was most appropriate given the recent developments in the global financial system as well as the domestic banking industry and the way various supervisors all over the world have responded to them.

He said the NDIC management

will continue to lay emphasis on training, retraining and provision of necessary tools for their effective performance.

“Banking business and its environment are very dynamic. Consequently, bank examiners must be aware of the happenings in both local and global economies.

While the management is alive to its responsibility, examiners should also note the pivotal role they are expected to play in the

achievement of the Corporation’s mandate,” he stated.

The NDIC boss, harped on financial inclusion, which he said, informed its active support and collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in promoting microfinance banks through effective supervision, provision of deposit insurance and orderly resolution of the failed ones, including prompt reim-

FinBank introduces equipment acquisition product F INBANK has introduced a new school expansion/ refurbishment product to cater for approved schools’ desire to meet set standards in the sector.

The bank said it is aware of the role education plays in the development of personality and the society and therefore is committed to developing products that offer immense value to its customers and prospects.

“Bearing in mind that the education of our children is the bedrock of development of our country, and the funding challenges being faced by school proprietors, we went ahead to develop several credit products for educational institutions”,

while the bank provides the remaining 80 per cent, adding that the bank also offers a complementary product called educational-portal, an electronic platform for schools which automates all administrative and academic processes.

Zonal Executive, Lagos Mainland & South West Zone, Kayode Adeyemi, said.

The product offers credit facilities to crèches, nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions which are prepared to apply the funds for the upgrading of facilities in their schools in order to improve learning conditions.

Adeyemi, described the product as a generous offer requiring participating institutions to show commitment by providing only 20 per cent of the total amount it requires,

He explained that the educational portal solution is a world class online, real-time, interactive and web-based platform containing a database of all students/members of staff within the school, stating that it can also uniquely identify all students and give them access to a personalised “virtual domain” where they can perform various activities

•GMD, FinBank, Suzzane Iroche

like on-line sale of application forms for admissions, registration of courses, examination, on-line payment of school fees, accommodation fee and other levies.

‘We need to create linkages within the economy’

T

HE President, National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Chuku Wachukwu, has urged the Federal Government to create linkages in the economy.

Speaking during the business forum between the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and the Trade and Investment Ministry in Lagos, Wachukwu said Nigeria can achieve a lot through partnership and cooperation between different sectors of the economy,

especially the Small and Medium Scale Industries (SMEs).

He said, it is only when there is healthy competition and favourable economic environment that foreign direct investments (FDI) come in, stressing that there is need to stimulate the local economy.

He said there is need for diversification of the economy, instead of depending solely on oil revenue, adding that government should take steps to deepen the

He said SMEs with fewer than 10 employees are referred as "micro," those with fewer than 50 employees as "small", and those with fewer than 250 as "medium." In most economies, smaller enterprises are much greater in number and are also responsible for driving innovation and competition in the economy.

He said the major advantage of the sector is its employment potential at low capital cost which helps to create rapid wealth within the economy.

economy because it will bring multiple streams of income.

“There should be emphasis on transformation and deepening of the economy.

I would want to suggest the development of healthy small scale industries, encouraging the informal sector among other things to create wealth in the economy,” he said. He said there is so much leakage within the informal sector, which needs to be pieced together.

FGN BONDS

DATA BANK

Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 29-7-11 SYMBOL PZ CADBURY GLAXOSMITH FIDSON CONTINSURE ECOBANK TRANSCORP ACCESS BERGER STERLNBANK

O/PRICE 40.00 19.00 23.90 1.81 1.05 2.77 1.03 6.41 8.50 1.48

C/PRICE 42.00 19.55 25.09 1.90 1.10 2.90 1.07 6.55 8.80 1.53

CHANGE 2.00 0.95 1.19 0.09 1.05 0.13 0.04 0.24 0.30 0.05

LOSER AS AT 29-7-11 SYMBOL UBN DIAMONDBNK WAPCO OCEANIC PLATINUM REDSTAREX DANGSUGAR STARCOMMS UBA RTBRISCOE

O/PRICE 2.40 5.00 46.00 1.01 0.61 3.67 11.40 0.64 5.40 1.95

He said NASSI is committed to ensuring that government creates enabling environment and infrastructure that would make it easier for SMEs to access loans from financial institutions without ease.

According to him, since it has become difficult for several members of his group who do not have the right collateral to obtain loans, the association will going forward guarantee the credits for its members.

C/PRICE 2.28 4.75 43.71 0.96 0.58 3.49 10.85 0.61 5.15 1.86

CHANGE 0.12 0.25 2.29 0.05 0.03 0.18 0.55 0.03 0.25 0.09

Amount Sold ($)

Exchange Rate (N)

Date

400m

467.7m

400m

153.59

25-5-11

400m

452.3m

400m

153.4

23-5-11

500m

499,8m

499.8m

153.45

16-5-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N) Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

21-07-11 N7.606tr 23,787.31

22-07-11 N7.650tr 23,925.72

% Change +0.58% +0.58%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW January ’11

February ’11

May ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.00%

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% 11.3%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.62 1,586.00 0.81 0.99 0.98 1,586.00 9.47 1.39 1.87 8,827.74 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 1,576.75 0.78 0.99 0.98 1,576.75 9.01 1.33 1.80 8,557.25 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 04 MAR, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 24, MAY, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 MAR, 2011

07, MAR, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

57

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 29-07-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 4 13 19

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50 7.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 45,000 22,500.00 67,000 33,500.00 290,095 2,179,702.50 402,095 2,235,702.50

Quotation(N) 2.50 7.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 22,380 54,464.40 729,166 5,111,999.16 751,546 5,166,463.56

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.86

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 71,671 35,835.50 141,129 264,254.36 212,800 300,089.86

Quotation(N) 6.65 0.73 4.75 2.90 6.20 2.12 12.44 0.50 14.40 9.20 0.86 0.96 0.58 6.36 0.87 1.53 5.15 2.28 0.77 0.89 14.80

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,515,348 56,629,491.28 381,393 278,416.89 2,037,577 9,974,883.93 189,692 525,492.89 2,486,246 15,422,259.11 5,980,212 12,750,995.82 11,388,639 138,341,206.09 1,442,000 721,000.00 18,256,000 264,652,114.60 2,704,945 24,834,683.22 4,950,562 4,257,723.32 10,205,057 10,023,649.72 1,996,984 1,164,189.57 1,663,170 10,606,669.28 16,433 13,639.39 3,137,395 4,672,099.00 11,000,777 58,749,492.04 3,126,071 7,309,654.14 120,500 89,385.00 2,293,818 2,008,876.32 45,492,693 673,464,282.95 137,385,512 1,296,490,204.56

Quotation(N) 230.85 6.20 90.20

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 64,017 14,448,123.23 225,615 1,364,611.60 1,411,235 127,399,957.56 1,700,867 143,212,692.39

Quotation(N) 21.12 8.00 120.00 43.71

Quantity Traded Value 439,974 361,303 237,343 710,073 1,748,693

Quotation(N) 8.80 28.90 1.38 1.29 5.11

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 172,013 1,466,882.11 57,760 1,612,096.46 1,000 1,320.00 800,000 1,032,000.00 226 1,098.36 1,030,999 4,113,396.93

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 50 58

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 15 16 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. SPRING BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 173 18 79 18 39 84 586 17 536 36 37 119 45 131 6 26 260 111 6 41 631 2,999 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 45 17 186 248 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 40 18 32 42 132

of Shares (N) 9,311,942.48 2,915,368.02 28,322,847.40 32,433,149.48 72,983,307.38

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 12 28 1 3 1 45

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC Secure Electronic Technology PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 1 61 64

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.92 3.49

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,100 550.00 550 484.00 5,212,949 18,230,098.08 5,214,599 18,231,132.08

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 3.25

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,300 4,017.00 1,300 4,017.00

Quotation(N) 2.09 42.00 1.07 39.30 28.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 1,990.00 127,505 5,355,210.00 64,606,548 66,827,460.92 194,099 7,601,392.68 131,201 3,653,067.50 65,060,353 83,439,121.10

Quotation(N) 2.66 50.82 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 69,329 176,294.66 24,438 1,180,249.24 94,000 47,000.00 187,767 1,403,543.90

CONGLOMERATES Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 19 360 28 39 447

Conoil doubles profit, posts N4b in first-half C

ONOIL Plc, doubled pre and post tax profits in the first half as the petroleum-marketing company rode on the back of significant increase in sales and improved cost management to deliver higher returns to shareholders.

Interim report and accounts of Conoil for the sixmonth period ended June 30, 2011 released at the weekend, showed that profit before and after tax rose by 97.2 per cent and 97.52 per cent respectively, while sales grew by 86.23 per cent. The report further indicated improvement in underlying profitability of the company with a pre-tax profit margin of 4.4 per cent in 2011 as against 4.1 per cent in the comparable period of 2010.

The firm posted a turnover of N79.91 billion in the firsthalf of 2011, compared with N42.91 billion in first-half of 2010. Profit before tax nearly doubled at N3.51 billion as against N1.78 billion, while profit after tax doubled from N1.21 billion to N2.4 billion.

The report indicated about 16 per cent increase in shareholders’ funds from N15.26 billion to N17.65 billion. With earnings per share at N3.44 as against N1.74, actual and underlying returns to shareholders almost doubled as return on equity stood at 14 per cent compared with 7.9 per cent in the corresponding period of last year.

The first half performance already placed Conoil on strong footing to surpass its projections and recent dividend records. The company increased cash payout per share by 33 per cent to N2 for the 2010 business year, as

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 11 11 4 26

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.54

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 540.00 1,000 540.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 11 73 24 74 49 11 1 15 14 36 3 2 313

Quotation(N) 45.00 19.95 16.00 10.85 85.00 4.00 1.78 5.10 43.25 402.00 0.50 0.68

Quantity Traded Value 14,643 1,690,274 55,332 3,069,094 117,710 930,220 1,000 122,450 40,570 34,234 31,500 700 6,107,727

of Shares (N) 680,779.96 33,275,353.71 885,312.00 33,509,564.20 10,042,470.37 3,720,880.00 1,700.00 616,676.50 1,698,797.50 13,734,775.49 15,750.00 455.00 98,182,514.73

HEALTHCARE Company Name EKOCORP PLC EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. PHARMA-DEKO PLC UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 18 4 7 2 2 35

Quotation(N) 5.31 1.05 1.90 25.09 3.88 3.87 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100 505.00 1,000 1,000.00 283,410 504,148.20 97,437 2,378,104.30 44,477 170,209.67 20,000 73,600.00 1,538 769.00 447,962 3,128,336.17

Quotation(N) 6.51 1.46

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 68,001 442,686.51 72,856 106,369.76 140,857 549,056.27

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 7 11

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC VONO PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 1 10

Quotation(N) 6.00 2.88

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 67,900 404,615.00 1,000 2,880.00 68,900 407,495.00

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC MASS TELECOM INNOVATION NIGERIA PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 1 14 18

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50 0.61

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 12,500 6,250.00 500 250.00 294,768 179,808.48 307,768 186,308.48

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.69 1.10 0.50 2.77 0.50 0.50 1.44 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.53 0.54 1.67 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 1,000.00 1,994,172 1,374,187.74 9,856,000 10,027,290.00 2,000 1,000.00 1,366,284 3,783,410.90 53,513 26,756.50 49,999 25,039.50 212,500 312,750.00 252,000 126,000.00 15,556 7,778.00 50,000 25,000.00 705,910 352,957.00 12,000 6,000.00 12,531,053 6,500,345.74 795,027 424,085.30 120,406 205,586.14 2,592,400 1,296,200.00 3,042,850 1,521,665.00 2,000 1,000.00 2,000 1,000.00 2,000 1,000.00 2,000 1,000.00 509,700 254,850.00

By Taofik Salako

against N1.50 paid for the 2009 business year.

Conoil’s five-year financial projections, indicate that turnover is expected to grow progressively to N118.8 billion in 2012, N127.5 billion in 2013, N136.43 in 2014 and N145.6 billion in 2015.

Also, profit before tax is expected to grow to N4.75 billion in 2012, N5.09 billion in 2013, N5.5 billion in 2014 and N5.83 billion in 2015.

Distributable earnings is projected at N3.23 billion in 2012 and subsequently to N3.5 billion in 2013, N3.71 billion in 2014 and N3.96 billion in 2015.

The Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, recently assured shareholders that the company would sustain competitive returns, while delivering real value to customers and other stakeholders.

He said the company is assured of sustained growth because it is constantly thinking ahead and acquiring additional capacity necessary for growth and profitability, even in an unpredictable economic environment.

“We are positive that Conoil is in good shape and continues to make progress towards delivering superior shareholder value. We plan to consolidate the progress we have made in the past years and leverage our unique position as Nigeria’s leading oil marketer,” Adenuga said.

He said the company has consolidated its strengths across its businesses by investing in new facilities and developing a new

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 29-07-11 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

2 395

0.53

17,000 34,188,370

8,670.00 26,284,571.82

Quotation(N) 0.95

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 115,000 109,250.00 115,000 109,250.00

Quotation(N) 1.05

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 6,157,945 6,241,720.68 6,157,945 6,241,720.68

Quotation(N) 0.51 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 217,000 110,670.00 2,500 1,250.00 219,500 111,920.00

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 4 MARITIME

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 100 100

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 6 2 8

MEDIA

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 2 6 10

Quotation(N) 1.38 0.50 0.50 0.53

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 715.00 500 250.00 1,420 710.00 105,515 55,367.80 107,935 57,042.80

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND TRUST PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 2 9 14

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.02 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 485,000 242,500.00 1,395,250 2,818,405.00 186,638 93,319.00 2,066,888 3,154,224.00

Quotation(N) 2.35

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 4,925,309 11,535,317.28 4,925,309 11,535,317.28

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 77 77

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 1 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 208 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 21 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 1 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 26 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC 2 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 4 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 5 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC 2 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 1 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 7 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 2 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 40 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 23 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 17 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 4 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 21 STACO INSURANCE PLC 1 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 1 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 1 UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC 1 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 3

portfolio of excellent brands, supported by effective distribution machinery.

“Looking to 2011, we are focused on excellence in execution, advancing our growth projects and generating additional integration value. We are encouraged by the excellent growth opportunities in the ever-dynamic downstream sector. Our focus shall be on integrating our activities across the businesses, aligning them functionally to achieve operating efficiencies and significant improvement in earnings,” Adenuga outlined.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian stock market closed last week on the negative as the benchmark All Share Index (ASI) depreciated by 98.73 points to 23,826.99 points.

Market capitalisation equities also dropped to N7.62 trillion. The NSE-30 Index also depreciated by 5.09 points to close at 1,064.22.

PZ Cussons Nigeria, led the 21-stock gainers’ list with a gain of N4 to close at N42 per share. Cadbury Nigeria Plc followed with a gain of N2.94 to close at N19.95 per share.

On the losers’ list, Guinness Nigeria Plc, topped the list with a loss of N12.15 to close at N230.85 per share. Lafarge WAPCO Cement Nigeria Plc, followed with a loss of N1.89 to close at N43.71 per share.

Turnover stood at 1.56 billion shares worth N8.93 billion in 24,312 deals last week.

The banking subsector was the most active with a turnover of 790.02 million shares worth N5.39 billion in 14,432 deals. Conglomerate subsector posted a turnover of 456.56 million shares valued at N760.65 million in 1,108 deals.

No of Deals 1 13 17 20 5 21 123 12 212

Quotation(N) 0.50 67.22 36.01 4.08 19.28 157.50 40.50 195.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 20,000 10,000.00 4,457 290,730.05 24,868 858,448.62 176,250 683,850.00 3,000 57,840.00 94,042 14,930,326.40 939,897 38,240,386.51 39,931 7,971,825.20 1,302,445 63,043,406.78

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 10 13

Quotation(N) 5.35 4.70

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,101 11,240.35 64,779 289,570.13 66,880 300,810.48

Quotation(N) 18.41

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 52,422 937,810.60 52,422 937,810.60

Quotation(N) 0.59

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 310,239 183,041.01 310,239 183,041.01

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 17 17 TEXTILES

Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 4

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 16 16

Quotation(N) 14.98

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 288,509 4,304,341.18 288,509 4,304,341.18

5,313

270,572,187

1,846,297,378.54

58

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

59

60

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

NEWS

How Oyinlola, Oni lost at NJC panel •Continued from last Saturday

Responses

I

N a response dated March 3, 2011 signed

by Justice Salami, PCA; Justice Ogunbiyi , PCA; Justice Ariwoola, JCA; Justice Nweze, JCA and Justice Jauro, JCA, the PCA and the justices dealt extensively with the issue of “call logs from Sept 2010 - Jan 2011”.

They contended, among other things, that they “cannot locate anything incriminating in the logs. Worse still, there is nothing in them indicating any incriminating communications between us and any of the named parties in the appeal”; the authenticity of the said logs is doubtful as the source is neither indicated nor are they certified; the lawyers who the petitioner alleged they were communicating with and described as ACN lawyers could not be described as ACN lawyers by reason of the diversity of persons and parties those lawyers have been representing; there is nothing in the call logs to show the nature of the communications, either ethical or unethical; that it is for Chief Segun Oni to “expose the nature of the communications and to link them with the cases.”

Finally, with regard to the alleged communications between Justice Salami; Lai Mohammed; one Olatunji Olowolafe and Chief of Staff of the Lagos State Government, the respondents’ responded that it has to be observed that Oni did not, equally, show the nature of the communications between them, and that they have never even heard of Olatunji Olowolafe until the receipt of the petition “which had earlier been widely publicized in the newspapers.”

Evidence

Non-expert evidence.

The non-expert evidence in the matter in regard to the call logs consisted of the evidence of the following: a) Chief Oni, the petitioner, who tendered ill-evidence two bundles of call logs consisting respectively of 69 and 141 pages marked Exhibits 4 and 5 respectively and relating respectively to a no. 08034004887 alleged to belong to Hon. Justice Salami and a no. 08034010700 alleged to belong to Mr. Tunji Ijaya. He browsed through exhibit 4, pages 1- 16- and testified that he could not say the most frequent call numbers on those pages but Mr. Ijaya’s number came up many times; he saw the names of Lai Mohammed, the Publicity Secretary of ACN, Yusuf Ali, SAN, described as an ACN lawyer in Ekiti matter. He said that on the date of ‘his matter’ he saw on page 18 of Exhibit 8 that Justice Salami called Ijaya at 16:45 hours. He stated that the essence of the call logs is to show that communication really took place.

He stated: “It is not any imputation of criminality because we do not have here what was discussed or a text message. It is just to show there was communication and we do not intend to say somebody is a criminal. I want to make it clear. We are dealing more on the ethical issues.” Cross-examined he said: “I cannot describe a communication as unethical if I do not know the content. I can say their communication in the manner it happened is unethical because I believe that a judge should not be so open with the party on the other side. The telephone calls were persistent.” Pressed further, he said: “I believe that if the judgment is about to be given, there should be no communication between the judges and the parties before him and their Counsel,” Otunba Ojo-Williams, the Acting Chairman, PDP, Osun State Chapter who adopted the contents of his reply to the response of the PCA and the other Justices on the Court of Appeal panel confirmed the assertion in his petition that there are two bundles of call logs which prove beyond reasonable doubt “that justice Salami colluded to give a perverted judgment.” He tendered in evidence the call logs from different service providers which he said he collected from the Secretary of the Panel who has downloaded them from the flash drive received from the National Security Adviser (NSA). Under cross- examination he said that he obtained the call logs he attached to his petition from MTN, Glo and others and that it was his secretary. who brought them to him insisted that the call logs were genuine and that he got them through a proper channel. According to him the call logs attached to his petition and those obtained through the NSA contained the same information.

Otunba Ojo Williams also alleged that the

• Oyinlola

composition of the panels was made to favour the appellant, Rauf Aregbesola, in the Appeal Election Tribunal.

Expert evidence in regard to the call log consisted of the following witnesses:a) Called at the instance of former Governor Oni,’ former Governor Oyinlola and the Osun PDP Chapters. i) Theophilus Ndubuisi Onyia, an officer in the Office of the National Security Adviser, who described his designation as Director, Lawful Intercept. The substance of his evidence is that upon receipt of a request from the NJC to obtain call logs from some service providers, namely AirteI, MTN, Glo and Etisalat, the NSA made a request to each of the service providers who responded by email. Upon seeing that the responses were too voluminous, the office of the NSA put them in a soft copy which was forwarded to the NJC. He identified the soft copy sent in a flash drive and confirmed that the flash drive he sent was the same as the one produced by the Registry of the Panel after identifying the contents of the flash drive. Cross-examined, he stated that he is not an IT expert. He was emphatic that the flash drive delivered to the NJC was the one he sent to the NJC. He said he was hearing of cloning of telephone numbers for the first time when asked whether it is possible to clone somebody’s telephone number and use it to make calls. ii) Adeolu Oyinlola, who was invited by the PDP, Osun and Ekiti Chapters to give expert evidence on the call logs. Mr. Oyinlola graduated from the University of Ife with B.Sc degree in Engineering Geology, a degree of Master in Geophysics in Ghent University in Belgium and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Programming in the University. He testified that he continued to update his knowledge as far as computer is concerned with certification most current Information and Communication Technology with special bias for data analysis. He described himself as a software analyst.

The substance of the evidence of Mr. Oyinlola is that he examined two sets of call logs, Exhibits 9 and 10 on the one hand and Exhibits 4 and 5 on the other hand and also other records. From the bulky call data records, he extracted about 8 sheets relevant to the petition to assist the panel. According to him his instructions were “to examine call logs to see if there is a correlation, i.e. two variables.” His findings were that “there’ is established sufficient correlation between Justice Salami and Tunji Ijaya.” He rendered a list of frequent contacts with Justice Salami through the telephone number 08034004887 which he stated was Justice Salami’s telephone number. He stated that Exhibit 18 contains all the phone numbers and that Exhibit 18(9) contains who some of these people are. Interpreting call records relating to calls made to number 08034010700 which he claimed was Ijaya’s telephone number, he stated that the first 18 calls made on exhibit 18(4) were made by Justice Salami to that number and were made to that number by Justice Salami from 16:4:41 to 23:45:13 and that on 02/12/11, he received 10 text messages.

He testified that he identified the eight other callers of that number on that date as: Mo-

• Oni

hammed Raufu Lai, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Titus Ashaolu, Fagbemi Lateef, Phillip Oyinloye, Olalekan Faromika, Olatunji Kayode Olowolafe; Onikepo Animashaun.

In regard to page 6 of Exh. 18, he read out as regular callers of Ijaya from 18/11/10 to 26/ 11/1 the following names: Mohammed Rauf Lai, Hon Justice Salami, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

From page 4 of Exh. 18 he read out calls received by Ijaya as those of, Hon. Justice Salami, Fagbemi Lateef, Titus Ashaolu and Phillip Oyinloye.

He said further that he searched on Google the names of some of the frequent callers and found that Dr. Joshua Olukoye Olatoke was stated to be the Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation, for Titus Ashaolu, the former Attorney General of Kwara State and Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s Counsel. He said he also found out that Yusuf Ali is the Northern Correspondent of the Nation’s Newspaper; that Mohammed Haruna writes for the Nation’s Newspaper as well as the Daily Trust and that Onikepo Animashaun is the Registrar of Lagos State University. He said that he also found out from someone who knows his number that the number registered in the name of Gbadegesin Ademola was actually Senator Bola Tinubu’s number.

In cross-examination he asserted that the ‘callings’ in Exhibits 4 and 5 and by implication 9 and 10 were made by MTN; indicated by the codes 0806, 0803, 0703 and 0706. He admitted that the Exhibits were not given to him by MTN, but by Osun and Ekiti States PDP Chapters; that exhibits 4 and 5, 9 and 10 were on A3 papers while Exhibit 12 series were on A4 papers; that the entries for October that he captured in Exhibit 18 was based on Exhibits 4 and 5,-9- and 10 and that whatever the NSA brought to the panel is not from January 2011 as suggested by the counsel, Mr. Ngige, but from December 2010 and that the source of the information or analysis in Exhibit 18 is as at September, October, November and December 2010 and is from information in Exhibits 4 and 5, 9 and 10.

Inaccuracies in Exhibit 18 were suggested and pointed out to him, but he denied the fact that there were inaccuracies. He denied that it is possible to generate a text message using somebody’s telephone number or that it is possible to clone somebody else’s number. b) Called at the instance of Hon. Justice Salami: Sherif Usman. He gave his expert qualifications as follows: HND, Computer Science, Kwara State Polytechnic in 1992; Post Graduate Diploma, Computer Science, University of Abuja, 1996; MBA, University of Calabar, 2004; M.Sc in Computing and Software Technology, University of Wales, Swansea, UK in 2006; Professional Certificates as Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP) awarded- by the British Computer Society, Microsoft Certified Professional, Certified Information System Auditor.

He is also a member of several professional Computer Societies in Nigeria and outside Nigeria . He has substantial work experience in several reputable organisations. He has been in the computer profession for 17 years. He expressed his expert opinion that it is. “very easy” to commit fraud either by

outsiders or staff of the company.

The salient points of his evidence are: That he could not with assurance say that there is any link between the USB “drive received from the NSA and the contents said to be stored therein. It is possible to use the number of one person to call or text that of another without the knowledge or permission of the person whose number is being used.

Further Mr. Usman said that it is not possible to have a typographical error on a digital evidence such as a call log. Most of the service providers use size A4 papers. Exhibits 4, 10 and 18 were not properly made call logs from a GSM service provider for the following reasons: In exhibit 18 there are characters that are not numbers; as regardsexhibit 18 which was said to be an analysis of Exhibits 10 and 4, the mere fact that there were typographical errors on Exhibit 18 clearly shows that .the standard forensic analysis was not done because there are laid down procedures for forensic analysis that leaves no room for error. According to Mr. Usman, the abnormal feature of a number calling itself is another pointer that the document exhibit 18 has been doctored. The spoofing demonstrated in the presence of the panel was simply to register call logs for two parties and to show that it is possible to use the number of one person to call or text that of another without the knowledge or permission of the person whose number is being used.

It is possible to spoof a voice communication- by activating a prerecorded message and the duration’ message will appear as the call duration on the recipient’s log.

Non-expert, but related, evidence from the representative of the service provider - MTN Rotimi Odusola, Senior Manager Commercial/Legal in the Corporate Services Division of MTN. The salient aspects of his evidence are: That the established procedure of MTN for obtaining CDR (call logs) is that the request must emanate from a written request from any of the following Order of a competent court; a law enforcement agency; a request by the subscriber who establishes ownership of the line. The CDR will be released with a cover note and the person requesting it should issue a receipt.

Exhibits 7 and 8 are never printed on the size of paper on which they are printed. MTN prints on size A4. In cross-examination, he said that as far as he knows it is not possible on MTN system to use another person’s number to call a number. He said that Exhibit 12(12) looks like an MTN· call log but that he did not know the circumstances of its release. In re-examination he said that there was no covering letter accompanying exhibit 12(12) and that Exhibits 4 and 5 were run on, A3 papers.

Final Addresses:

On behalf of Chief Olusegun Adebayo Oni. In the written closing address by Counsel on behalf of Chief Oni, it was stated that the only issue that arises for determination is: “Whether from the Petitions and the Responses thereto, the totality of the evidence placed before the panel, the President of the Court of Appeal could not have been said to have been (sic) acted in contravention of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, more particularly rules 1(1) and (2A)(1) 2(B) (4) and 2(1)(1) thereof.”

Initially the arguments were premised on 3 grounds: (i) The sustainability of the Judgment against the petitioner. - (ii) “Communication between the justices, counsel, agent and chieftains of the ACN. (iii) “Disregard of the Sokoto petition pending before the NJC/likelihood of bias on the contents of the affidavit of Senator Umaru Dahiru.” However, the petitioner dropped the first ground. The substance of his submission on the second ground is that Justice Salami did not deny that Mr.Tunji Ijaya is his friend and that the principal/agent relationship between the former and the latter “can be inferred from the multitude of communications between both of them as evidence in Exhibits 4 and 5, and calls and text messages from- counsels and chieftains of political parties who had cases in the appeal tribunal.” It was argued that the PCA “never” denied the calls made by him, or received by him or Tunji Ijaya his friend, or ‘by ACN chieftains, a day before the Ekiti Judgment and on the date of the Judgment.

• To be Continued

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

61

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

62

FOREIGN NEWS

15 dead in China crackdown WEEKEND unrest in Kashgar, in China’s western Xinjiang region, has left at least 15 people dead, state media say.

The violence began on Saturday when two men killed a truck driver, then drove his lorry into pedestrians and attacked them with knives, killing six. One of the attackers also died.

Yesterday an explosion killed three people and police shot dead “four suspects”, the Xinhua agency said.

Xinjiang has a Muslim Uighur minority and has seen serious ethnic tension.

The BBC’s Martin Patience in Beijing says there are reports of further clashes in the city yesterday.

A local official was quoted as saying that both of Saturday’s attackers were Uighurs.

According to tianshannet.com, a Xinjiang government-run website, the assailants hijacked a truck waiting at traffic lights, stabbing the driver to death before ploughing the vehicle into bystanders.

They then got out of the vehicle and started attacking people at random, the report said.

It said the crowd then turned on the men, killing one of them. The second man was captured.

State-run news agency Xinhua said the attack had been preceded by two explosions.

AU calls for summit over famine in Somalia

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HE African Union (AU) has announced it is to hold a summit meeting to pledge help for the victims of Somalia’s drought.

The statement comes after considerable criticism in the African media of the failure of the continent’s leaders to help famine victims across

the Horn of Africa.

The AU said the pledging conference would bring together heads of state and international donors.

The United Nations says the famine is spreading across southern Somalia.

The African Union statement was made by its deputy chairman, Erasmus Mwencha,

during a visit to the AU peacekeeping mission in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

“I ask the African continent, from the northern cape to the southern cape, to look hard at how they can contribute to alleviating the suffering,” said Mwencha.

But he gave no date for the summit.

His call came as the United Nations warned that the crisis was intensifying, with more than 12 million people in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti urgently needing help.

The UN says that tens of thousands have already died and hundreds of thousands are at risk of starvation.

Soldiers kill 100 in Syria

S

YRIAN security forces have cracked down on anti-government protests across the country, killing 100 people in the city of Hama alone, reports say.

Witnesses said tanks moved into Hama at dawn, shelling civilians. Other towns also erupted in violence in one of the bloodiest days since protests began.

The government said troops had been sent in to Hama to remove barricades erected by the protesters.

US President Barack

Obama said reports from Hama were horrifying.

“Once again, President [Bashar al-Assad] has shown that he is completely incapable and unwilling to respond to the legitimate grievances of the Syrian people,” he said.

Obama, who said he was appalled by the government’s use of “violence and brutality against its own people”, added that the US would continue to work to isolate Assad’s regime.

By early evening, activists in Hama told the BBC that the

city was quiet, and that the tanks had pulled out to the city’s perimeters after failing to gain control of the centre.

With this latest military operation, the authorities are sending a clear message that they will not tolerate large-scale unrest ahead of the month of Ramadan, when protests are expected to grow, says the BBC’s Lina Sinjab in Damascus.

But our correspondent says the people of Hama remain defiant, with some still out in streets shouting: “We

will not be killed again,” a reference to a massacre in 1982 when tens of thousands were killed.

Elsewhere in Syria, activists said about 30 people had been killed on Sunday amid widespread clashes: Witnesses said security forces in the Damascus suburb of Harasta threw nail bombs into a crowd of protesters, injuring about 50 people In the Damascus suburb of Muadhamiya, more than 100 people were arrested, rights groups said.

US parties hopeful of deal

U

S political rivals are cautiously optimistic about the chances of raising the $14.3tn (£8.7tn) debt limit by tomorrow and averting possible default.

Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell said the sides were “very close” to a $3tn deal after talks with Vice-President Joe Biden.

Senior Senate Democrat

Richard Durbin spoke of “a more positive feeling”.

But both the Democrats and the Obama administration warned that the details had still to be agreed.

America limits by law the total amount of debt its government can run up in order to pay its bills, and the Obama administration is under mounting financial pressure.

According to the Associated Press news agency, a compromise plan now emerging would increase the debt limit in return for spending cuts of about $1tn initially.

A joint committee of members of Congress would then decide a larger package of cuts as the price for a second raise in the limit after next year’s presidential election.

In a sign of the level of anxiety over the issue, troops in Afghanistan asked Adm Mike Mullen if they would be paid.

The admiral, who as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff is on a visit to southern Afghanistan, said he could

•Obama

not tell if the US failed to raise the debt limit.

“We have to get this solved,” White House senior adviser David Plouffe told NBC television on Sunday. “Today is obviously a critical day.”

Attack victim pardons Iranian man

A

N Iranian man who was ordered to be blinded for carrying out an acid attack on a woman has been pardoned by his victim, state television has said.

Ameneh Bahrami had demanded qisas, a rarely used retributive justice under Sharia law, but the report said she had forgone that right at the last minute.

A court had backed Ms Bahrami’s demand in 2008 that Majid Movahedi be blinded.

He attacked Ms Bahrami in 2004 after she had refused his offer of marriage, leaving her severely disfigured.

Rights group Amnesty International had lobbied against the sentence, calling it “cruel and inhuman punishment amounting to torture”.

The state television website reported: “With the request of Ameneh Bahrami, the acid attack victim, Majid (Movahedi) who was sentenced for ‘qisas’ was pardoned at the last minute.”

The Isna news agency quoted Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi as saying: “Today in hospital the blinding of Majid Movahedi was to have been carried out in the presence of an eye specialist and judiciary representative, when Ameneh pardoned him.”

Isna quoted Ms Bahrami as saying: “I struggled for seven years with this verdict to prove to people that the person who hurls acid should be punished through ‘qisas’, but today I pardoned him because it was my right.

“I did it for my country, since all other countries were looking to see what we would do.”

Ms Bahrami was quoted on Iranian TV as saying: “I never wanted to have revenge on him. I just wanted the sentence to be issued for retribution. But I would not have carried it out. I had no intention of taking his eyes from him.”

Dolatabadi told Isna that Ms Bahrami had demanded “blood money”, or compensation, for her injuries.

He praised her “courageous act” of pardon, adding: “The judiciary was serious about implementing the verdict.”

Bahrami said she had never received any money from the man’s family, saying she was seeking only compensation for medical fees, which she put at 150,000 euros ($216,000: £131,000).

She said: “He wont be freed. He has a sentence, which he has to serve for 10-12 years of which he has done seven. Unless the full compensation is paid, he won’t be freed.”

Isna quoted Ms Bahrami’s mother as saying: “I am proud of my daughter... Ameneh had the strength to forgive Majid.

This forgiveness will calm Ameneh and our family.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA

Okagbare posts season’s best with Budapest win B

EIJING Olympic bronze medalist, Blessing Okagbare at the weekend won the Hungary Athletics Grand Prix long jump event in Budapest to re-enforce Nigeria’s quests to sweep track and field medals at the All

Africa Games scheduled for next month in Maputo, Mozambique.

The Delta girl jumped 6.84m to claim the gold ahead of Renate Medgysova of Slovakia (6.64m) and American Janay Deloach (6.43m).

Fashanu urges NSC to develop Table Tennis

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EACTING to the recent decline in the standard of Nigerian Table Tennis, an enthusiast of the sport,Babatunde Fashanu has tasked the National Sports Commission (NSC) to provide modern quipements that will enhance the growth of the game in Nigeria.

In a chat with NationSport, Fashanu said that the availability of such approved equipement by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) will in no small measure give the needed fillip to the sport especially at the grass root.

Speaking further, the Chairman of Printlink Table Tennis Club Lagos explained that the most important thing is making funds available to help stage and attend competitions internationally.

"It is sad that a country that has produced great Table Tennis players in the past does not have a standard hall for players to train," he said.

He said that the poor standard of the sport has forced it to become unpopular compared to the days when table tennis was popular in Lagos Island.

By Innocent Amomoh He said:"In those days people from different parts of Lagos converged at Alakoro, Elegbata, among others to play table tennis. Such things don't happen again because of the dearth in developmental programmes" Fashanu also called on the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) to ensure they establish cordial relationship with corporate bodies, as government alone cannot fund sports.

"Look at what Nestle Milo is doing in Basketball.In the past Cadbury used to associate with the NTTF and such marrige lifted the standard of table tennis in Nigeria unlike what is obtainable today in the sport".

He lamented that Egpyt seems to have overshadowed Nigeria as far Table Tennis is concerned, a development that he described as worrisome.

"Egypt have been able to overshadow Nigeria due to their d e v e l o p m e n t a l programmes.Egpyt are organised and their focus in the sport is to be the leader," he explained.

FIFA UNDER-20 WORLD CUP

Nigeria routs Guatemala 5-0

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IGERIA thrashed Guatemala 5-0 at the Under-20 World Cup on Sunday with Edafe Egbedi scoring s brace.

Egbedi struck in the eighth and 39th minutes in the Group D match.

Nigeria, one of the favorites, piled it on after the break with Abdul Ajagun scoring in the 47th, Olarenwaju Kayode adding another in the 53rd and Ahmed Musa hitting the final goal in the 76th.

This is Nigeria's eighth appearance in the tournament.

The Flying Eagles team is still searching for its first title.

On Wednesday, Nigeria faces Croatia and Guatemala is up against Saudi Arabia.

Flying Eagles Line-up against Guatemala 1 Dami PAUL(GK) 2 Terna SUSWAN 5 Kenneth OMERUO 6 Ganiu OGUNGBE (yellow card) 7 Ahmed MUSA 9 Olarenwaju KAYODE 10 Abdul AJAGUN 13 Emmanuel ANYANWU 15 Philemon DANIEL 18 Edafe EGBEDI 20 Ramon AZEEZ(C)

Although Okagbare’s win was partly added by a wind of +2.9, it however did not stop the University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP) general studies major from celebrating her victory.

She returned later same Saturday evening to claim the bronze medal of the women 200m with a season’s best time of 22.94. Jamaican Veronica Campbell Brown won the gold in 22.26 while the silver went to Sanya Richards Ross of the USA in 22.85. All the top three winners ran their seasons best at the grand prix named after Istvan Gyulai, a former secretary general of the IAAF who died in 2006.

Okagbare’s field feat is coming on the heels of the sterling performances put up by both Doreen Amata in the high jump and Tosin Oke in the triple jump.

Apart from the fact that Amata has remained consistent this

season, she is a top contender at the world stage with the record equaling 1.95m she posted three weeks ago in Germany. With a win over world leader Blanka Vlasic at the Monaco leg of the

Diamond League, the All Africa Games defending champion may shock the world to get to the podium at the World Championships holding in Daegu, South Korea later this

month.

Oke on the other hand remains the favourite for the gold in Maputo with the season best of 17.20m he jumped in Barcelona penultimate weekend.

AFE BABALOLA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ajimobi to close competition

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HE executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has been scheduled to lead other top dignitaries to grace the final of Afe Babalola Champions League, a soccer tourney organised by Ibadan Football Association and bankrolled by the Ibadan based respected legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola.

Ibadan high chief Adebayo Akande, the Chairman of Splash FM, former Super Eagles Coach, Chief Adegboye

Onigbinde, and Senator Ayo Adeseun representing Oyo South senatorial zone have also given their consent to be at the Olubadan Stadium the venue of the event slated for Sunday 31st July, 2011.

Other dignitaries that will witness the soccer tourney which started with over 70 grassroots teams from Oyo, Ogun and Lagos State include the Deputy Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan, Senator Kamoru Adedibu, Alhaji

Lasun Sanusi, SAN, Mr. Edward Adebisi and immediate past 3SC board Chairman, Coach Jossy Lad. Active Soccer Academy according to IFA media officer, Folorunsho Oyelakin will be on the verge of making history as the first division 2 side in IFA League to win a major title when it confront Marvelous FC, a division one side for the prestigious Champions League trophy, the tourney that featured 16 IFA League leaders.

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Like Obasanjo, Jonathan got the presidency too easy.

That is why, like Obasanjo, he is journeying to tragic dreamland, when there are serious work to do to fix the country.’

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

VOL. 6, NO. 1,839

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

W

HEN I first heard of the issue of Islamic banking, I thought the words were misplaced. So I said Sanusi was merely referring to interest-free banking. In my reckoning, it was as much an Islamic thing as it was a Christian thing.

The hoopla was therefore unnecessary.

But I had to look deeper. The fray intensified as nerves frayed across pious lines. The CBN boss, the boisterous and diminutive Sanusi, would not miss out on the theatre. If Sanusi does not meet with theatre, he would have to invent it. He loves the fight. He dares his opponents. Coming from a pedigree both colourful and austere, he wants to make a show in pursuit of oldfashioned ideas.

So, ancient and modern meet in the small man who has a lot of plunk and thunder.

We should not forget that this man’s first love is not to be a CBN boss, however he seems to relish it. He wants to be the emir of Kano. That can come from a sense of revenge. His family lost out in the royal battle decades ago, and he feels a historic challenge to retrieve it. He would rather be a family hero than a national icon. Rather he has become celebrity as irritant.

So it is not surprising that he talks as though from a throne. He deploys poise, articulation, defiance, authority, a certain royal energy quite out of place with the aplomb persona of a central bank top shot.

But Nigeria is a country where this sort can blossom. When Alan Greenspan shook the system in his day, it was on the quiet side. A Sanusi in America would mean a sort of professional suicide. It is only a man of Sanusi’s background though that can fell hefty bankers, play hero absent-mindedly and contradict himself and get away with it.

He wants to cleanse the banks and later confesses cleansing the banks would not cleanse the economy. He is a contradiction of hubris in humility and humility in hubris.

He abides the opposites. He wants to be at once regal and messianic, a revolutionary at war with himself.

So it is with Islamic banking. He explains the issue of Islamic banking as though it is only an economic issue. He does not mind riling the Christians. He does not care to reach out to them. He just wants to do his job.

Then you saw unrestrained goons like Datti Ahmed calling for war and another mullah with the Bible in Oritsejafor boasting as though we are in the years of The Crusades when Christians battled Muslims.

In the rough-and-tumble of the debate, it is obvious no side is reasoning, and to use the cliché, we have a storm in a tea cup.

If you read the Bible well, you would realise that Christianity has nothing against the principle of Islamic banking. Usury in the Bible is sin. It is also sin in the Koran.

So, it seems to me that the Oritsejafors of this world are opposing Islamic banking

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

samo@thenationonlineng.net 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009 (D.A.M.E) •Columnist of the Year 2009 (NMMA)

Protestant ethic and spirit of Islamic banking ‘If Christians are so worried about that, then they should not patronise the bank. The bank is not being imposed on everybody. If you decide not to use the bank, then go to other banks’ •Sanusi

because they call it Islamic banking and because the bank would have a board of Sharia clerics to ensure the bank is faithful to its ideals. By opposing Islamic banking, they are supporting interests, the sin of capitalism. It is the supreme irony of clerics trying to go to war in defence of the worldly system. Friendship with the world, warns Paul in the Bible, is enmity with God. Christendom did not go the way of the so-called modern banking until the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, which at the end was neither holy nor Roman, according to historians. What emerged at the fall of Catholicism was what Max Weber designated as the spirit of capitalism. But that spirit came not from infidels but from

RIPPLES CORRUPT POLITICIANS, OFFICERS MUST BE JAILED–Obasanjo

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Labour and Fed Govt unrealistic, unimaginative

T

Yes!...beginning from 1999!

Christians. A group of Christians called Calvinists redefined the attitude of the faithful and consequently the world and history. As Weber, a sociologist, explained it, the Calvinists wanted to turn the kind of devotion they had for God to the world. They defined this in terms of work.

It was this group that laid the foundation for the modern view of work and profit, the contempt for indolence, the calculation of time as money, the proliferation of the professions, the scientific view of things with the masters of the Renaissance. A critical turn of mind overtook us, and the god of mammon started to compete feverishly with that of God. They could have heard what Jesus said: make unto yourselves

friends of the mammon of unrighteousness… Some scholars said Jesus encouraged dishonesty. We know the parable of the unjust servant, and the fact that he was unjust told the story. Jesus did not call for interest. Nowhere in the scriptures does so.

Banking was a story of Christians who dumped strict Christian principles in favour of profit. Americans are at bottom Calvinists.

They are puritans in faith and puritans in business. They pursue faith and profit with equal enthusiasm. That was why Max Weber said the spirit abandoned what was called enchantment, a world peopled by only spirits. They became disenchanted and followed not only the spirit of God but also the spirit of capitalism.

What is called Islamic finance only calls for a strict adherence to a different sort of capitalism. It is wrong to deny Islamic finance the description of capitalism. The Muslim world wants capitalism in its own way. It calls for what it calls profit sharing.

Rather than give a loan to a man to buy cars and charge for interest, it would buy the car at above the market value and sell it to the customer. The buyer will decide whether the profit is what he or she can live with. There will be a Sharia council to watch operations, but there is nothing wrong with that. If Christians are so worried about that, then they should not patronise the banks. The bank is not being imposed on everybody. If you decide not to use the bank, then go to other banks.

It is one of the fastest growing institutions in the world of commerce, and it is flourishing in Europe and the United States.

It is better than what we have today when banks are lazy and charge astronomical interests for loans that help nobody but themselves. About 250 mutual funds and major banks have some form of Islamic banking to those who want it. Islamic banking is collaborative banking, and the customer takes part in negotiating terms and shares profits with the bank.

What the world witnessed in the past few years with shylock CEOs has drawn quite a few people to the Islamic alternative. Even the Vatican has argued that “the principle of Islamic finance may represent a possible cure for ailing markets.” This is the Catholic Church.

I wonder if many who oppose this brand of banking understand what it means. As I noted earlier, it has to do with the context of Sanusi’s rhetoric. It ought to be explained not only as an economic venture by a competing deity, but a practical way to do business. Capitalism grew out of the word laissez faire, which implies that others are free to make profit. Let a thousand traders bloom.

This is not the time to ratchet up rhetoric over religion, especially in these days of rampaging Boko Haram partisans. Rather than destroy Islamic banking, let us see how we can make it work.

HE Federal Government has a piquant habit of sexing up or watering down statistics whenever the urge or political discretion seizes it. Its figures must, therefore, be used cautiously. However, in its difficult negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the implementation of the new national minimum wage, the FG has published what appears to be a believable figure on federal salaries. Before the last wage review, which took the new figure to about N1.5 trillion, the FG spent a little over N960 billion on its workers’ wages. Given a 2011 budget of about N4.4tr, of which an unhealthy N2.48tr is for recurrent expenditure, leaving less than N1.14tr for capital expenditure, it is not difficult to see why the government is uneasy about the demands of Labour. When it is also considered that nearly the whole of capital expenditure will be borrowed, the situation assumes ominous proportion. Not only is the FG financial position precarious, the states are in much worse shape.

Labour is, however, insisting that with proper management of the country’s finances and resources, the FG should be able to pay the new wage. Labour is emboldened to ask for what by any standard is even a very modest wage because the nation has been irresponsible in the wages and allowances given some elected officials, particularly the National Assembly. Obviously the problem is not that Labour is asking for too much, nor is the problem caused by the FG becoming loth to add to its wage burden. It must also be added that the states, even if they manage their resources well, are still justified to worry about the minimum wage they are being compelled by law to pay. In both the FG and states, after payment of the minimum wage and other wages for political appointees and elected officials, there is very little left for capital projects.

Unable to fashion a way out of the dilemma, both the FG and Labour are unreasonably plunging the country into a labour crisis. But

can they really find a way out of the dilemma? It is doubtful. They are both using a template that is outdated, irrational, prone to crisis, and destined to plunge the country into instability, and possibly worse. What the statistics staring us in the face is saying is that the structure of the country has been unwieldy for far too long without any attempt to change it. Not only should the public sector workforce at federal, state and local government levels be cut drastically, even the number of states must also be rationalised through mergers. This column ventures to predict that even if the FG and Labour reach an agreement, it will not solve the problem we have all irresponsibly shied away from tackling. Until we rationalise states, cut public workforce and invest in infrastructure and in the general economy, we will continue to face the sort of crisis that is paralysing us and engendering social revolts.

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