August 04, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

•Ooni of Ife: No cause for alarm, say towncriers •Osun strengthens security around Judge Oloyede •10 Nigerian varsities get World Bank’s N1.4b lifeline •Ondo APC, Metuh trade words on payroll allegation •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3296 TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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By Collins Nweze

the dollar in Abuja and N210 in Lagos — to make brisk purchases.

But the greenback recovered late afternoon to close at N208 and N222 in Abuja and Lagos.

Banks have been rejecting dollar deposits across the counter, but inflows from for-

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•15 rretir etir ed etired

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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IGERIA has traced its looted funds to some foreign banks, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday.

Buhari has vowed to recover such funds from banks, financial institutions and countries in which payments for stolen crude oil have been deposited.

Buhari, who did not name the banks, spoke while receiving visiting United States Congressmen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari acknowledged the coop-

eign accounts are allowed.

They said they could not transfer excess liquidity to their overseas correspondent banks which are restricting importers from using domiciliary accounts.

The CBN said it would continue to curtail the acceptance of foreign currency cash deposits, much the same way as Continued on page 4

N150.00

Buhari: we know banks keeping stolen oil cash

Chadians, Ghanaians, others storm Nigeria for dollars URRENCY speculators from Chad, Ghana, Benin Republic and other neighbouring countries yesterday trooped to Nigeria in a scramble for cheaper dollars.

The speculators, The Nation learnt, took advantage of the early morning drop in dollar rates — at N202 to

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Ambode appoints 19 perm secs

•President Buhari

Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: DEBTORS NOT BLACKLISTED FROM BANKING SYSTEM, SAYS CBN P11

Obasanjo: Okonjo-Iweala derailed under Jonathan Unemployment rate rises to 8.2%

Ex-President speaks on Jonathan, IBB, Halliburton, others

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NEMPLOYMENT rate is on the rise, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) alerted yesterday.

The Bureau said the unemployment rate in the second quarter (Q2) of the year rose to 8.2 per cent from the 7.2 per cent rate it was in the preceeding quarter.

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has given an insight into why former Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala was less effective under the immediate past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure has turned out to be highly controversial, with the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Charles Soludo accusing her of running the economy aground.

Besides, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole insists the former Coordinating Minister for the Economy should explain how $1.2billion Excess Crude Account cash was spent.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala maintains that she did her best.

Business Page 11

Performance delights Siasia

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•DETAILS ON PAGES 2&3 Obasanjo, in an interview with the online publication “Premium Times” in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, spoke on some of the key decisions he took while in office, his relationship with some key political figures, his book My Watch and the Halliburton bribery scandal.

He said Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala performed Continued on page 4

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WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

‘

When Jonathan even said he wanted her, I said ‘I hope you can manage her.’ And Ngozi herself sent me a text (and) I told her times have changed

•NICE MEETING YOU: U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with physically-challenged inspirational gospel artist Grace Jerry of Nigeria before delivering remarks at a town hall at the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) PHOTO: AFP Mandela Washington Fellowship Presidential Summit in Washington, DC…yesterday.

REAM Team VI coach Samson Siasia is proud of his boys who drew goaless with Congo to qualify for the African Under 23.

But the retired international was unhappy over the poor conversion rate of his strikers.

“Playing a match like this is always difficult, but then I knew our best tactic for this game...

’ •RICE MILLERS ACCUSE CUSTOMS OF ABUSE P12 SHEKAU NOT IN BOKO HARAM VIDEO P6 Sport Page 24

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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Okonjo-Iweala,

• From left: Chief Upstream Officer, Mr Antonio Vella, CEO, ENI SPA, Mr Claudio Discalzi, Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, President Muhammadu Buhari, Deputy MD, AGIP, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Goka,Vice President, Sub Sahara Africa, Mr. Ciro Pagano and Vice Chairman/MD, Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd (NAOC), Mr Massimo Insulla during a meeting with the Chief Executive of ENI SPA (AGIP) at the Presidential Villa...yesterday.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in an interview published yesterday by PREMIUM TIMES, spoke at length about the reasons behind some of the key decisions he took while in office, his relationship with some key political figures, his book My •Dr Okonjo-Iweala Watch and the Halliburton bribery Take Ngozi (Okonjoscandal.

‘

T •Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (2nd right), President, Africa's Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E), Mr. Summy Francis (right, Vice President, A.Y.E, Mrs. Ibada Ahmed (2nd left)and South African Regional Head, A.Y.E, Mr. Steven Reed (left) during a meeting with the governor ...yesterday.

•Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole (2nd left), Capt. Pedro Pissarra (3rd right) , Head of Flight Operations, Capt. Godfrey Ogbogu (left) and Head of Engineering, Lookman Animashun during the delivery of the Airline New Aircraft Boeing 767-300 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos... on Sunday.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

•CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema (left) speaking yesterday at the facts behind figure of Forte Oil at the NSE Head Office Lagos...yesterday. With him are Head of Mainboard, NSE, Tony Ibegeako (second left) and CEO, Forte Oil, Mr. Akin Akinfenwa.

HANK you sir for granting us this opportunity to talk about your book. Some people say it is selling like hot cake, I don’t know if it is true but that’s what people say. How has it been? What has been the financial reward from there?

The book was not written for financial reward. If it was written for financial reward, now that…what do you call him… Kashamu had done the stupid things he did, I would have sued him for damages and I would have got damages. But that’s not what the book was written for. The book was written for my experience, my understanding, my knowledge, and what you may call wisdom as a result of all these, to put it for others to be able to learn or acquire knowledge.

That’s one. Two, it was also written to set the record right. One of the things that people don’t know, people that I call arm chair presidents is that they don’t know what goes in before decisions are made or what the man making decisions, what leads him to making decisions.

Take for instance the decision on privatising all refineries. I explained that what I met were refineries that were not working, refineries that were given to an amateur for repairs, for maintenance, what they call turn around maintenance to the company of Emeka Offor – Chrome Group.

Where has Emeka Offor maintained refineries before? Where has he?

That’s what we met. So, the refineries were not working. I called Shell. I said ‘come and help us, just run the refinery.’ Shell was frank with me.

It said that ‘we make our money from upstream, downstream is more of a service. Two, your refineries are small. Port Harcourt is 60,000 barrels a day. Refineries now go 300,000 barrels a day. Three, your refineries have not been maintained well. Four, we don’t want to go into the corruption that is entailed in all these’. I said ‘ok, come and help me run it’. They refused. Now when I then saw people who agreed to take 51 per cent equity in two of the refineries; they did not promise to pay, they paid 750 million, I was dancing and I said ‘look, this is God sent.’ My successor came (and) they cancelled it and paid them the money back. Those refineries today – you won’t get them because they’ve become scrap.

They recently said that they are working again…

Who made them work? (laughs) You mentioned Emeka Offor.

There were lots of stories about the refineries you met, how you handled it. But you never recovered anything from Emeka Offor.

Iweala), who worked for me. And who worked competently for me. Because I know Ngozi’s weaknesses, but I know her strong points. Her strong point is technical competence. But Ngozi needs to be led and to be supervised. Now will you comment on Ngozi who worked for me as the same Ngozi who worked for Jonathan? Will you? But it’s the same person.

‘

What can you recover? A man who was paid up front. He had people. He got some police…people were there.

And like they have said to you now, look, if it works for a week, that’s all you get. And Emeka Offor, after I left he became friends with every government that has come. Now he’s not only into refinery and oil and all that, he’s now also in energy.

Something came out of your book.

You said that before you were elected, that the feeling and perception was that only a northerner could be elected in Nigeria. How did you feel breaking that myth, because you called it a myth in your book?

It’s a myth. It’s a myth that….well, before my election we have had, since independence, three or four elections.

We had election in 1959 that was conducted by the British, NPC won. We were still in the days of parliamentary. We had election in 1964 that was conducted by ourselves. It was a coalition of NPC and NCNC but the head of the government was Tafawa Balewa. We had election again in 1979, Shagari won. We had again in 1983, again Shagari won. And then we had the June 12…

(Cuts in) I was thinking that (1993) was when the myth was broken.

Election which result has not been declared, you cannot talk of… It doesn’t matter what you may see but until the election result is formally declared, it could be anything.

So you think that period was a very momentous period in Nigeria’s history?

I think it was good for Nigeria. It was one of the great strides that Nigeria made. Just as I believe that Jonathan winning election in 2011 was also a great stride for us or 2015,

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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NEWS

a, Halliburton and others, by Obasanjo cation and then get somebody else to do solid minerals?’ So I took Oby there. Now in the Ministry of Finance we had got debt relief, so I could afford to take Ngozi to Foreign Affairs.

That’s all. And then she had Nenadi (Usman) who was the minister of state. She’s not a buffoon. And then, which is also part of her weakness, she came to me and said, look, since it’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she will like to take International Finance along with it. I said talk to your sister with whom you are working and I don’t see anything wrong with that provided you work out a relationship. But she didn’t accord Nenadi the recognition and the consideration that was necessary. I then said the International finance should go back to Finance and that happened. She said she couldn’t act. She put in a letter of resignation. And she had done that before, and before she could come and get people to come and beg, I announced acceptance (of her resignation).

She once resigned before and she took it back?

Yes. Which means you were always having disagreements…

No no no. I know her character.

So why did she resign the first time?

She just felt if she cannot have her way, with me…. If I am the one in charge, then it has to be what I see as what is the best interest of the nation.

So even when she resigned, if you didn’t announce the acceptance she would have come back. So all efforts to make her come back didn’t work?

No no no. Because I had announced.

In 1999, IBB supported you to become president…

(Cuts in) I said that.

Yes, you said that. And many even said he helped fund your campaign at the time.

•Chief Obasanjo

now that the incumbent was defeated by the opposition. These are landmarks, or if you like, reference points in our advancement in democracy.

In the Volume 2 of your book, you wrote extensively about the role God used you to play in enthroning Yar’Adua and Jonathan. You also admitted later – extensive analysis – how both leaders performed poorly. There are those who believe that you owe Nigerians an apology for leading them to enthrone nonperforming leaders.

(Cuts in) You are absolutely wrong. Now you voted for them. I didn’t just take them and put them there. And they went through a process. Don’t you know that? Do you know or don’t you know that they went through a process? Do you know or don’t you know? Answer (slaps interviewer’s thigh vigorously).

I know.

Okay. They went through a process. And that is the process that the constitution and the electoral system allow.

In other words, are you saying that all of us are guilty?

Of course. If you want to put that, everybody who voted for them is guilty.

But you know people believed you. People believed you. When you speak….

(Cuts in) When I speak, I am not an oracle. And I’m not infallible. But on this particular one I have said to all of you, you can get a job for a man you cannot do it for him. Even your own son if you put him in a job….

There is a good saying that if you want to know how anybody will perform, put him in position of power or put money into his hand.

So maybe the thing to say is that you didn’t do enough due diligence…

(Cuts in) No. You are wrong.

There’s no due diligence that you can do to allow a man…. You cannot know the quality of a gift from the wrapping. You don’t know that, you will never go anywhere (slaps interviewer’s thigh). That is absolute wrong.

That point has to be made…

(Cuts in) But I’ve always made it.

I keep on making it. In my book, I said look, Gowon sent me to the war front and because of my performance there, my popularity started to rise…

(Cuts in) Because he knew you had the capacity, he checked you very well…

(Cuts in) No no no. Adekunle was there before me. So he didn’t know Adekunle had the capacity? Answer me. In that same Division, Adekunle was there. And if Adekunle had remained there, there’s the possibility that Nigeria could have lost the war.

So will you blame him for that?

We won’t. But you know a lot of people believe that between 1999 and 2007 when you left was a time that a lot changed in Nigeria for the better. And people just keep saying that you destroyed everything that you put in place with the successors you enthroned.

But take Ngozi (Okonjo-Iweala), who worked for me. And who worked competently for me. Because I know Ngozi’s weaknesses, but I know her strong points. Her strong point is technical competence. But Ngozi needs to be led and to be supervised. Now will you comment on Ngozi who worked for me as the same Ngozi who worked for Jonathan? Will you? But it’s the same

person.

At what point do you think she derailed if I may use that word?

No. Is it at the point that you changed her – because you removed her as finance minister. Was it at that point that she began to derail?

She derailed because….when Jonathan even said he wanted her, I said ‘I hope you can manage her.’ And Ngozi herself sent me a text (and) I told her times have changed.

But why did you change her? She was managing the economy very well for you. Why did you now remove her suddenly?

I wrote it in that my book.

It didn’t come out clearly enough?

It must have come out. Maybe you haven’t read the book very well. I said I’ve touched reform. I’ve touched almost everywhere except Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So one day, I was in my office and the Head of Service, Yayale (Ahmed), came in. He said ‘look, you are looking not happy, what is the matter?’ I said I am worried about two ministries and the ministers who can do the work I wanted to be done there in these two ministries are already doing good work where they are. And he said ‘talk let me see.’ I said education and foreign affairs. And he said ‘who are the ministers that you think can do the job.’ I said Oby (Ezekwesili), Ngozi, and El-Rufai. He said ‘what is Oby doing for you now?’

I said Oby is doing Solid Minerals. He said ‘Sir, in all sincerity, I know you don’t like to rank ministries, but will you say Ministry of Solid Minerals is as important as Ministry of Education.’ I said yes I don’t rank ministries, they are all important. He said, ‘Can’t you take any of these three to do edu-

No. You didn’t say that. You said he supported you. But in your book, you spoke of how in 2011, you chose to support Jonathan…..because you called a Southwest PDP meeting where Jonathan was endorsed, even when IBB had also indicated interest in running. Why did you prefer to act that way?

I wrote in my book that this is the opportunity we have for a minority.

And I’ve said that. I’ve explained that.

I’ve said that times without number.

And we have scaled that hurdle. Nobody in Nigeria today can say ‘oh, because I’m a minority I cannot get there.’

So was he not angry with you that ‘look, I backed you in 1999?’

That’s not…What nonsense is that?

Because you backed me I must back you? It doesn’t matter who you are?

And I don’t have consideration for Nigeria? It’s consideration that you backed me? No, if that is the way you think then you are short-sighted and myopic and stupid. And put that one.

No Nigerian should think that way.

You backed me? And if you don’t back me others will back me. So everybody who backed me that time, I must now come and say, look, when you want anything, any office…. I don’t act like that.

It means that you were able to break the jinx of the problem of minority.

It is necessary that we deal with that.

You said something very shocking in your book – that the presidency instructed EFCC to remove a vital document in Gbenga Daniel’s file in their custody as a way of getting the former governor off their hook.

No. The president knows about it but it was his chief of staff who gave the instruction.

With the consent of the then president?

The president knows about it.

Now listen to what you wrote in page 81 of your book. “To fight corruption, the leader needs absolute transparency, no skeleton in the cupboard, clean hands, a clear mind, fear of God, and absolute honesty and integrity, submission to scrupulous investigation. Search and enquiries are also good for a leader who wants to lead by example.” Great message for any leader all over the world!

This is prescriptive. Now what do you say to those who keep linking you with corruption during your own tenure, especially the unresolved Halliburton scam for which some of your aides were arrested?

Look, anybody can make any allegation. Go and read the EFCC report on me. I’m the only leader who has left office who has had, I said they should carry out clinical… did you see that in the book? And if you haven’t seen that in the book then you haven’t read the book. So what else do you want? (Ndudi) Elumelu carried out a report. Did you see the report of the House and the action of the House? What more do you want?

So it doesn’t matter the allegation you make, that’s entirely up to you.

Halliburton, Bodunde (one of his aides) has been taken to court twice and the court has dismissed the case.

What more do you want? The latest was the one Jonathan did. Just before he left, he took Bodunde back to court.

He was discharged and the case dismissed the first time. The second time Jonathan took him to court and he was discharged again. So what do you want?

You may not know about it, you may not have a hand in it, but it does appear, especially from reports from US investigators that some officials of your administration perhaps took bribe from Halliburton.

No no no! I don’t deny that. But not me! I don’t deny their reports about Halliburton but not me. I don’t even know what Halliburton was doing here. So what’s your problem? And EFCC looked into it. You read the report of EFCC bordering on Halliburton.

The only gap is that people are wondering why you didn’t take steps to bring those officials of your regime to book.

There’s no gap. You can make any allegation. Now EFCC – you can count number of people who are taken to court. I don’t take anybody to court, Mojeed. And don’t annoy me. Now you have the system that takes them to court. I don’t take anybody to court. Because if I have to be the one to say ‘take this one to court,’ that will be witch- hunting. That’s not my job. My job is – set up the system and if anybody in that system is not performing then look for somebody to perform. So it doesn’t matter what allegation. If you read that report of EFCC, one man was hired, and he went out with all sorts of spurious allegations and EFCC took it one by one. Even Ribadu told me that when he gave that report, because he didn’t give the report to me…I said, look, carry out a critical investigation. I thought that was good. Then when he wrote his report, he gave it to Yar’Adua. And he said Yar’Adua asked him, ‘You can’t find anything at all?’ He brought Metropolitan Police here and he said whenever they are doing investigation in the past, when they get somewhere they will say ‘oh, yes, some people are interested.’ But this is the first time they had free hand to carry out investigation. So what more do you want? And what I put there is what I believe in.

Has anybody working under me said to you that ‘oh, he asked me to take bribe?

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

NEWS Rabe takes over from Olukolade as defence spokesperson

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•President Muhammadu Buhari with (from left): Member of the U.S. Congress (21th District, Florida), Frederica Wilson; member of the U.S. House of Representatives (18th District, Texas), Sheila Jackson Lee; leader of the U.S. Congress delegation, Mr Darrill Issa and another member of the Congress (27th District, Texas), Blake Farentholld, after a meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja…yesterday.

Buhari: we know banks keeping stolen oil cash Continued from page 1

eration his administration was getting from the international community in gathering intelligence for tracing and recovering stolen national resources.

He said: “We are getting cooperation from the international community, including information on ships that take crude oil from Nigeria and change direction or pour their contents into other ships mid-stream.

“Some monies were paid to individual accounts. We are identifying the financial institutions and countries that are involved.

“I have been assured that when we get all our documents together, the United States and other countries

will treat our case with sympathy,’’ the President told the Congressmen, who were led

by Representative Darrel Issa.

He also said that his administration would welcome more regular meetings of the Nigeria-United States Bi-National Commission.

President Buhari noted that the Commission could serve as a more useful platform for the promotion of bilateral trade and economic relations as well as joint cooperation in the war against terrorism.

Darrel assured President Buhari that the United States will support Nigeria against Boko Haram by providing training, intelligence and military platforms.

“We look forward to help-

ing you in many ways to end the Boko Haram insurgency and the theft of crude oil in the Gulf of Guinea,’’ he said.

Shortly after meeting the Service Chiefs and Defence ministry officials yesterday, Congressman Darrel Issah told reporters that the U.S. government would soon relax or completely lift the restriction on military assistance imposed on Nigeria under the Leahy Law - a human rights law that prohibits the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defence from providing military assistance to foreign military units that violates human rights with impunity.

He said the development was occasioned by the policy of the new military command

with regards to the ongoing military operations in the country.

“There were a number of things that were discussed at the meeting, but basically the need for additional technical support, including overhead surveillance. This was discussed because it is important in the fight against Boko Haram.

“This is because of the trust in the new regime which has begun the process of ensuring that the military’s professionalism in the battle field is made in a way that we all can be confident that the rule of law is followed.

“Following this development, we have begun the process of lifting restriction unContinued on page 59

Chadians, Ghanaians, others storm Nigeria for dollars Continued from page 1

customers in other countries cannot just walk into banks and make foreign currency cash deposits without proper documentation.

“We wish to assure all citizens seeking foreign currencies for legitimate personal and/or business interests that there remains ample opportunity to do so within the law. The CBN’s Foreign Exchange Rules have many windows for accessing foreign exchange for legitimate business as well as for personal commitments includ-

ing payment of medical bills, school fees, mortgages, demand notes and other bills,” the CBN said.

The naira rate represents a sharp rise from N240 a week ago, as commercial banks continue to reject cash deposits in dollars, traders said.

On the official interbank market provided by the CBN, the naira traded at the pegged rate of N197 to dollar.

Association of Bureau de Change of Nigeria (ABCON) President Aminu Gwadabe told The Nation that the rejection of dollar deposits was

still ongoing and was marginally changing the status of the local currency.

“Banks are rejecting dollar deposits. They are not able to transfer excess liquidity to their correspondent banks abroad which is restricting importers from using domiciliary accounts,” he said.

Gwadabe, who confirmed the temporary gain made by the naira in the morning, said: “By yesterday’s morning, many people who had stockpiled dollars rushed to sell and there were equally willing buyers in the market.

But later in the afternoon, the

rush subsided. We noticed that majority of the buyers were from neigbouring countries of Ghana, Chad and Benin Republic who wanted to take advantage of the low dollar rate.”

He said the Bureau de Change segment of the market was in disarray over the CBN directive that they sell dollars to small-scale users as long as this is to meet genuine needs, and documentation to the CBN, including the customer’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) is provided.

Continued on page 59

HE Defence Headquarters yesterday named Rabe Abubakar, a colonel as its new director of information.

He replaces Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who has attained the retirement age of 35 years in the military.

Gen. Olukolade, who is proceeding on retirement, remains in active service till September.

Addressing newsmen shortly after taking over, Col. Abubakar said he was aware and conscious of the security challenges in the country as well as the need for collective efforts to confront it.

He said: “There is absolute need for synergy of efforts and collaboration among all stakeholders to re-strategise in the area of information collection, management and determination in counter terrorism and insurgency.”

The new director of information promised to make himself readily accessible, available, responsive and proactive in dealing with the media and other partners in the course of promoting military/media relationship.

He promised to maintain excellent and robust relations with the media and rally every organisation to support Armed Forces operations and activities.

Col Abubakar reiterated his

intention to adopt positive measures in his resolve to promote excellent civil/military relations, thereby gaining public understanding and goodwill for troops in the theatre of operations.

He promised to maintain the professional standard set by his predecessor, and even work hard to improve upon it by tapping from his wealth of experience and knowledge from time to time.

Col Abubakar was born on April 7, 1965. He hails from Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

On completion of his secondary education, he proceeded to obtain his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and was later commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1989.

•Abubakar

Buhari orders reduction in 2016 Budget’s recurrent expenditure

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is seeking a reduction in recurrent expenditure and prioritisation of developmental projects in next year’s appropriation bill.

He has ordered the National Planning Commission (NPC) back to the drawing board to produce framework for the 2016 Budget in line with his vision.

The President gave the order after receiving a briefing from the Commission’s Executive Secretary Dr. Bassey Akpanyung at the Presidential Villa.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President told Dr. Akpanyung and directors in the NPC that capital projects must now be given utmost priority.

He was reported to have said that no nation can

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

achieve real development without adequate investment in capital and infrastructural projects. ”In carrying out its role in surveillance of the economy, review and appraisal of policies, the commission should devise a plan for a realignment of the budget so that capital projects can be really prioritised,” the statement quoted the President as directing.

Akpanyung had informed the President that Nigeria’s planning system was beset by many challenges.

These challenges, he said, included the non-alignment of national plans with the annual budget and inadequate capacity in the Pepartments of Planning, Research and Statistics in the various government ministries.

Okonjo-Iweala derailed under Jonathan, says Obasanjo Continued from page 1

better under him because he understood her weaknesses and managed them well.

He said the former World Bank president liked to always have her way, adding: “If I am the one in charge, then it has to be what I see as what is in the best interest of the nation”.

Obasanjo added: “Take Ngozi (Okonjo-Iweala), who worked for me. And who worked competently for me.

Because I know Ngozi’s weaknesses, but I know her strong points. Her strong point is technical competence. But Ngozi needs to be led and to be supervised. Now will you comment on Ngozi who

worked for me as the same Ngozi who worked for Jonathan? Will you? But it’s the same person.

“She derailed because…. when Jonathan even said he wanted her, I said ‘I hope you can manage her.’ And Ngozi herself sent me a text (and) I told her times have changed.”

On what made him remove Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala as finance minister, Obasanjo said: ”I said I’ve touched reform. I’ve touched almost everywhere except Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So one day, I was in my office and the Head of Service, Yayale (Ahmed), came in. He said ‘look, you are looking not happy, what is the matter?’ I said I am worried about two ministries and the ministers who can do the work I wanted to be done there in these two ministries are

already doing good work where they are. And he said ‘talk let me see.’ I said education and foreign affairs.

And he said ‘who are the ministers that you think can do the job.’ I said Oby (Ezekwesili), Ngozi, and ElRufai. He said ‘what is Oby doing for you now?’ I said Oby is doing Solid Minerals. He said ‘Sir, in all sincerity, I know you don’t like to rank ministries, but will you say Ministry of Solid Minerals is as important as Ministry of Education?’ I said ‘yes, I don’t rank ministries, they are all important. He said, ‘Can’t you take any of these three to do education and then get somebody else to do solid minerals?’ So I took Oby there.

Now in the Ministry of Finance we had got debt relief, so I could afford to take Ngozi to Foreign Affairs. That’s all. And

then she had Nenadi (Usman) who was the minister of state.

She’s not a buffoon. And then, which is also part of her weakness, she came to me and said, ‘look’, since it’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she will like to take International Finance along with it. I said talk to your sister with whom you are working and I don’t see anything wrong with that provided you work out a relationship. But she didn’t accord Nenadi the recognition and the consideration that was necessary. I then said the International finance should go back to Finance and that happened. She said she couldn’t act. She put in a letter of resignation. And she had done that before, and before she could come and get people to come and beg, I announced acceptance (of her resignation).”

On why the refineries are in a bad shape, Obasanjo said: ”Take, for instance, the decision on privatising all refineries. I explained that what I met were refineries that were not working, refineries that were given to an amateur for repairs, for maintenance, what they call turn around maintenance to the company of Emeka Offor – Chrome Group. Where has Emeka Offor maintained refineries before? Where has he? That’s what we met. So, the refineries were not working. I called Shell. I said ‘come and help us, just run the refinery.’ Shell was frank with me.

“It said that ‘we make our Continued on page 59

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

5

NEWS

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ORMER Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said subsidy payment under former President Goodluck Jonathan rose from N300 billion to N1 trillion without justification.

He said his successor, Nyesom Wike, is jittery that President Muhammadu Buhari would make him a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The ex-governor spoke at a reception organised in his honour in Abuja on Sunday night.

Amaechi noted that since Wike and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state were jittery that his appointment would be the main determinant of the state politics, they have moved to tarnish his image in the eyes of President Buhari, who detests corruption.

He said besides disagreeing with Jonathan on his management of the economy, “I never insulted him.”

Amaechi explained that he incurred the wrath of Jonathan when he decided to contest for the chairman of

Cleric advises leaders

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Amaechi: fuel subsidy under Jonathan rose from N300b to N1.9tr •‘Wike afraid Buhari’ll make me a FEC member’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

The former governor added that Jonathan got angrier with him when he rejected the fraudulent N1.9trillion Petroleum Support Fund (oil subsidy) claim.

Amaechi recalled: “One day I was in a meeting with Mr. President (Jonathan) and the argument was the $1.9trillion for oil subsidy. I told him as the chairman, Governors Forum I will not support it. I said your Excellency, we are already in court on the issue of oil subsidy. Since that day the ex-President abused the hell out of my life.”

According to him, people misconstrued his strict adherence to principles for stubbornness because he disagreed with the former President on the management of the treasury.

He went down memory lane:

CLERIC, Alhaji Abdulsalam Imam, yesterday urged Nigerian leaders to be dedicated and honest when called upon to serve in any capacity. lmam spoke in Ilorin while delivering a sermon at a reception to mark the 80th birthday of a National Commissioner of lNEC, Dr Abdulkadir Oniyangi.

He noted that public office should a public trust which should be used to serve humanity and not to amass wealth.

The cleric commended Oniyangi for representing Kwara well in all offices he had served.

Abdulkadir also admonished all aspiring leaders to shun materialism and corruption that had destroyed the economic prosperity of Nigeria.

The Chairman of the event, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations, described Oniyangi as an outstanding public administrator.

He urged Nigerians to emulate Oniyangi’s patriotism and selfless zeal.

“I can tell you how my trouble with the former President started. As chairman of Governors’ Forum, the oil subsidy was N300billion under President Obasanjo. Under President Yar’Adua subsidy was N300billion. Six months of president Jonathan oil subsidy rose from N300 to N1.9trillion.

Is it that we now doubled our population or bought more machines, began to manufacture things? As chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, I was in a position to get my own share of the N1.9trillion.

I chose the path of honesty and truthfulness. You cannot catch me doing such a thing.”

He said some of his colleagues in the forum, including the former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu and the former Jigawa Satate Governor, Sule Lamido were also against Jonathan’s style of leadership but they failed to pullout of the PDP with him and other governors.

Amaechi attributed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the integrity and popularity of President Buhari, noting that his instincts never ceased to tell him that his party would be victorious.

Being the director general of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation, he hailed his team for their tenacious struggle and success throughout the campaign.

Recalling how a crowd followed their campaign train, especially in the North, he said “it got to a point I became afraid because of the over two million people (crowd) around us in Kano.”

He reassured the electorate that in order not to be voted our of office as the PDP in 2019, “we will not disappoint voters in Jesus name.”

On Wike, he said “may God not give me the kind of ambition of Nyesom Wike; he can sell anybody.”

He said: “Let me tell you what is currently going on in Rivers State. The governor and PDP are afraid of me getting an appointment to the national executive council because that will determine what the politics of Rivers State will be.

“And they know that the current President abhors corruption and the only way they can stop me from getting the appointment is to paint me with corruption. And the people that know me in Rivers State know that I don’t like money. But I am not angry with them. My anger is that in Rivers they know I don’t like money. And I expect them to defend me that I don’t like money.”

The same Wike, according to Amaechi, who used to advise him that merely executing project without wasting money on people would not earn him a second term in office, has sponsored newspapers’ adverts to undermine his

Former NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ade Abolurin (left) with hHis successor Abdullahi Muhammadu during tThe pulling out oOf the former in Abuja ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

reputation.

Amaechi added: “Governor Nyesom Wike has again sponsored one advert in a bid to undermine me. Only God knows that if there is one thing I don’t like, I don’t like money.

Anybody close to me knows that I don’t like money. Even Nyesom Wike told me you will not win second term if you don’t use money. So all this wasted projects will not deliver us. And I said let us do it once and for all.”

Those present at the reception were: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Aisha-Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by Mr Dele Alake, Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir el-Rufai, House Leader Femi Gbajiabiamila, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, former Bayelsa State Governor Timipreye Silva, among others.

Rep hails Dogara

By Medinat Kanabe

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HE lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency, Mr Tajudeen Obasa, has hailed Speaker Yakubu Dogara for his role in settling the House of Representative’s crisis.

In a statement yesterday, the lawmaker urged him not to depart from his noble ways that ensured his constituents voted for him as speaker of the eight assembly.

“For progress and development, there must be peace. It takes the grace for a leader to be magnanimous in victory. Shifting ground doesn’t mean a person is weak, it simply means collectively we can achieve the task of nation building by ensuring smiles are put on the faces of Nigerians irrespective of creed, cradle or calling.

“Politics is a game of interest, it must not be played from the angle of door-die approach; no matter the crisis, there is always a political solution to curtail it,” he said.

Obasa urged his colleagues to support the leadership of the House in building a formidable legislature that would be focused on the yearning of Nigerians.

EFCC quizzes NAFDAC boss for seven hours over contract scam

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OR about seven hours, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday interrogated the DirectorGeneral of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Paul Orhii.

The DG was quizzed on issues bordering on alleged abuse of office and award of contracts.

It was learnt that a former director of Finance of NAFDAC provided enough evidence to the EFCC on the abuse of the contract system in the agency.

According to a highlyplaced source in the commission, Orhii arrived for questioning at 9am before he was taken to an office to meet with a team of investigators.

The source said: “The DG of NAFDAC was invited to respond to issues against him. These allegations have

‘Nothing unusual about Orhii’s visit to anti-graft agency’

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HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday said its Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii, reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on his volition.

The agency, in a statement by its Director, Special Duties, Abubakar Jimoh, said: “We have been alerted to an online trending news of the From Yusuf Alli and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

to do with alleged abuse of office, favouritism and mismanagement of resources.

Our investigators also quizzed Orhii on award of contracts and supply of items by companies in which he has interest.

“The seven-hour interrogation requires that Orhii should provide certain documents including contract papers, minutes of tender board

visit of the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhii to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) today.

“The visit was at the personal volition of the DG to explain the situation regarding allegation of corruption by a former Director of Finance and Accounts of the Agency, Mr Ademola Mogbojuri.

and payment vouchers.

“We are likely to release him on administrative bail to enable him to source all the evidence.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We may also invite some directors and management staff of NAFDAC for interaction.

“Some of these top management staff, especially a former Director of Finance, have volunteered to testify on the rot in NAFDAC.

“Since last week, some officers who were mentioned in the allegation had gone to the EFCC to shed lights and clear the air on the mindless accusations.

“There is nothing unusual about this but rather to applaud the DG for his courage to want to engage the recalcitrant director who has decided to dance naked in the public and become a willing tool in the hands of the counterfeiters to infiltrate our organised system.”

“We will give equal opportunities to all including a few ones alleging that the Director-General was being framed up.

“So far, investigation is still at the preliminary level. Orhii has been given administrative bail accordingly.”

The Media Unit of the EFCC confirmed the grilling of the NAFDAC DG. A former Finance Director, Ademola Mogbojuri had openly accused Orhii of mis-

managing the agency.

Mogbojuri said: “The truth of the matter is that the DG is quite reckless with spending.

“Before he joined the agency in 2009, the annual total revenue of NAFDAC was about N2.5bn and he met around N600m in the account. Now, the total internally generated revenue is about N9bn and the agency owes about N5bn in debt.”

But the NAFDAC DG told reporters in Abuja that the al-

legations against him were false.

He accused the former Director of Finance of sabotage.

He said: “I will rather leave this agency than to allow such impunity to continue”.

“For me, I would rather collect a loan from the banks to execute my projects. If I know that equipment in the laboratory has broken down, when I know that is where my money is coming from. So, when you refuse to collect a loan when the equipment is broken down, how do you generate revenue to run the agency?”

“When compared with its United States (U.S.) counterpart, it is by prudent management that we are owing N5 billion. If you compare our budget with that of U.S. agency, we should be spending close to N400 billion a year. And as I said, the law allows us to generate and spend ‘user fees’.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

6

NEWS Resident doctors to Fed Govt: undertake forensic audit of health institutions

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HE National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) yesterday urged the Federal Government to institute a forensic personnel audit of federal tertiary health institutions.

The President of NARD, Dr Dan-Jumbo Prince, spoke at a news conference in Lagos.

Prince said that this would assist in appraising the level of spending and development in the nation’s health sector.

He said that this was part of the resolutions of the association at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun.

Prince said, “we reached some resolutions and one of them is that the Federal Government should immediately institute a forensic personnel audit of the federal tertiary health institutions.

“The aim of the audit is to establish the true personnel spending, plugging of all leakages and reinvesting for the manpower and infrastructural development in the sector.’’

He said fund was not allo-

cated for residency in the 2015 budget, urging the Federal Government to make provisions for residency training in the 2016 budget.

Prince also spoke on the incessant strikes in some tertiary health institutions.

He said: “There are pockets of strikes in various Federal and State hospitals across the country.

“This is due to the refusal of some Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors to implement the directive of the Federal Government on the Adjustment of Grade of doctors according to a Dec.19, 2013 letter.

“The refusal of these CMDs/ MDs to obey the directive of the Federal Government has caused untold hardships to many Nigerians in accessing affordable health care.

“NARD directs her local centres on strike to immediately engage their various hospital managements with the circular with reference C.2262/T/ 111 and dated July 29.

“This is with a view to restore services as soon as the managements commence implementation of the directives.’’

Shekau not in Boko Haram’s new video

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OKO Haram terrorists have released a new video on their operations in the country.

Their leader, Abubakar Shekau, again failed to appear in it, fueling speculations about his fate.

The leader of the deadly sect was last heard in March, when he released an audio message, pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said yesterday.

Shekau had been reported killed at least twice by the military, but he resurface to dismissed the claim.

Soon after the March video, the troops, prosecuting the anti-terror war, said it had recaptured all towns and

cities from Boko Haram.

The military said on Sunday that it had freed 178 people who were being held captive by the sect in Borno State, and captured a commander following airstrikes on its bases.

In the eight-minute video, an unidentified young man speaks in the name of the Islamic State (IS) in West Africa, calling on people to be patient: “We are still present everywhere we had been before.”

The video shows the militants attacking a security checkpoint, seizing weapons, and slitting the throat of a man dressed in a police uniform.

Shekau also failed to appear in a video released in June by Boko Haram.

BBC Nigeria analyst Naziru Mikailu believed his nonappearance in the latest video will renew speculation that he is either deep in hiding, or has been wounded and even killed as claimed by the military.

Regardless of Shekau’s fate, it was clear from the video that some militants in the country were still determined to fight, Mikailu said.

The BBC analyst believed the video was produced with the help of IS-allied propaganda units, the BBC analyst said.

The young militant spoke in Hausa, with an accent from the Kanuri ethnic group, to which Shekau belongs.

Shekau became Boko Haram leader following the

controversial death of the group’s founder, Muhammad Yusuf, in police custody in 2009.

Previous reports about his death proved to be untrue.

He sparked global outrage when Boko Haram abducted more than 200 schoolgirls from their dormitory in Chibok, on April 14, 2014.

Shekau laughed in a video clip, and said: “I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah. I will sell them off and marry them off.”

The United States government, which has classified Boko Haram a terrorist group, has placed a $7 million (about £4.6 million) bounty for information about his location.

Ex-NSCDC chief calls for synergy among security agencies

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HE immediate past Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ade Abolurin, has called the need for synergy among security and intelligence agencies in the country.

He spoke yesterday at the pulling-out ceremony held at the Civil Defence Academy, Sauka in Abuja.

According to Abolurin, the synergy among security and intelligence agencies will help boost their capacity and maximise government investment in the security sector.

“So, we must work together. This country requires the services of this corps.

“One agency cannot do it alone, except where there is synergy, collaboration and cooperation.

“This country does not deserve all these crises we are witnessing. But our weakness is that we don’t want to collaborate, cooperate and synergize.

“The time has come and that time is now,’’ he said.

He expressed optimism that vandalism of critical government infrastructure would be a thing of the past, adding that the corps was making large strides toward achieving the goal.

“Protection of critical infrastructure is inevitable and since the corps is the lead agency of government in this area, we have to ensure that these facilities are highly protected.

“We can only do this by ensuring that all that we do is the best.

“We want to also see and hear that the private guard security companies are also contributing their quota.

“I am sure with the current steps being taken by the incumbent commandant general I am confident we shall get there,’’ he said.

Abolurin urged the corps to ensure its integrity and credibility was intact, adding that its zero tolerance for

corruption must be sustained.

“The day the name of the corps becomes associated with bribe, the presence of God will depart from NSCDC. “By the special grace of God, this corps will not die and will never be merged.

This corps shall be more glorious and compete globally.

“Today, I am leaving behind four institutions for the purpose of training of the corps.

“You must not fail to continue the habit of training and re-training of yourselves so that you can be the best among others.

“Also, today not less than 10 of our corps men are world champions in various fields, including field and track events, table-tennis, to mention a few. This must continue,” he said.

Abolurin also acknowledged the contributions of the former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro as well as the permanent secretary and members of the board for their support to the corps.

“As you stood by this corps to ensure that this corps becomes fully recognised, integrated and appreciated by the society, God will indeed stand by you.

“God will also support you in all your ways,’’ he said.

He also called on the officers and men of the corps to lend their support to his successor, adding that the projects he was unable to complete would be expanded and accomplished by him.

“I am sure he will perform exceedingly well but he needs your support, encouragement and prayers and I am sure you all we give him 100 per cent,’’ he said.

NAN reports that dignitaries at the event were Mr Abba Moro, Mr Abubakar Magaji, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, Abdullahi Gana, the Commandant General, NSCDC as well as other former ministers.

•Saraki (fourth left), Shettima (fifth left) and others during a visit to the IDP camp...yesterday.

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Saraki leads Senators to Northeast

ENATE President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has assured the people of North-East that the entire country is solidly behind them in this time of trial.

Saraki, who spoke when he led a delegation of the Senate to Borno State, made a cash donation N10m in support of the upkeep of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The delegation was received by Governor Kassim Shettima at the Government House.

Saraki said: “We have come to feel your pains, to hear what you have been going through firsthand. To seek to understand the severe bloody struggle you have had to endure and go through emo-

•Donates N10m to IDPs in Maiduguri tionally, physically, financially and in many other ways which can hardly be put in words.

The delegation visited the Internally Displaced Persons camps located at the Umaru Shehu College of Education in Maiduguri and the Government College Maiduguri with over 4000 displaced persons.

The delegation also visited the Dalori IDPs Camp housing over 18,000 displaced persons from Bama local government of the state.

Saraki said: “We have come to sit with you and listen to you and hopefully together work out solutions that

would significantly change your situation for the better.

We believe that after this visit your situation will not be the same again.

“The mission of our visit is simple; we have come to bring you hope and to let you know that the Nigerian Senate has not abandoned you and real change is coming.

We are determined to end this carnage, this senselessness and sorrowful war. We are determined to defeat Boko Haram.

“The Senate and indeed the National Assembly is willing to support you and your families to ensure that your lives return to normal. We could

not in good conscience talk to you from Abuja. No. This new senate would rather come here and this is why we are here,” he stated.

Shettima stated that the visit was historic and unprecedented.

He said: “I would like to express my sincere and profound welcome to the Senate President and our respected and distinguished Senators over this official visit to Borno State, which is the first of its kind by any Senate President since the advent of Civilian Administration in 1999.

“This is a clear manifestation of your concern for the plight of the people of the Northeast region and Borno State in particular.”

Nigeria has poorest exclusive breast feeding rate in HE Permanent Secremothers through the proviAfrica , says Perm Sec tary, Federal Ministry sion of crèches and breastfeed-

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of Health, Mr Linus Awute, has said Nigeria has the poorest exclusive breastfeeding rate in Africa with only 17 per cent of the children being exclusively breastfed.

Awute spoke at the ministerial launch of the 2015 World Breastfeeding Week in Abuja yesterday.

Represented by Dr Bridget Okoeguale, Director Public Health, Awute said many women fed their infants with breast milk along with water.

“All the water the child needs is contained in the breast milk; there is no need to give the child water or any other liquid,’’ he said.

According to him, exclusive breast feeding means that water or other liquid is not given to the child, except oral rehydration solution, drops or syrups of vitamins, minerals and medicines.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breast feed for the first six

months of life to achieve growth,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of this year’s celebration is “Breastfeeding and Work: Let’s make it Together’’.

He stressed the need to support women to combine breastfeeding with work whether in formal, informal or home setting.

The permanent secretary called on the private sector to encourage breastfeeding

ing rooms in work places and flexible working hours for mothers.

Dr Wapada Balami, Director, Family Health Department in the ministry, said supporting women of reproductive age in optimal breast feeding would ensure developmental milestone of the first 1,000 days of the child.

He added that exclusive breast feeding would prevent irreversible damage to full potentials in the pre-school age of the children.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

7

NEWS Amosun to investors: create wealth, jobs

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged investors to create wealth and job opportunities to better people’s lives.

He spoke when he received the management of Procter and Gamble Nigeria Limited in his office in Abeokuta yesterday.

The governor said while government would continue to foster peaceful co-existence between investors and their host communities, they should facilitate harmonious relationship with the communities through impacting social corporate responsibility.

Amosun said: “I must commend you for what you have been doing. But there are still a lot to be done and this is why we still need assistance from investors like you to create wealth and job opportunities that would better the lives of our people. And on our part, we will continue to render services that would make your operations and relationship with us and the people seamless and mutually beneficial,” he stated.

He solicited collaboration in the area of infrastructural development, particularly the construction of roads within the industrial areas of the state.

Amosun promised government’s readiness to give the necessary support that would further ease the operations of industries in the state.

The governor submitted that his administration would continue to give priority to developing and consolidating of roads in the industrial areas of the state, notwithstanding the dwindling federal revenue allocation.

The company’s managing director, George Nassar, pledged his organisation’s continued partnership with the government on the state’s development, “particularly provision of basic amenities in critical segments of the society”.

“This has been clearly demonstrated by the intention of the company to construct a three-room building block for Agbara Police Station and the donation of patrol/response vehicle to Agbara Police Command, also to aid policing in the state,” he added.

Nassar added that the firm planned to procure a 350 KVA sound proof generator to the state Ministry of Health, assuring that the donations would be completed by next month.

•Amosun (middle), his deputy, Chief Yetunde Onanuga (third left), Secretary to the State Government Taiwo Adeoluwa (left), Head of Service Mrs. Modupe Adekunle (second right), Managing Director, Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) Mr. Jide Odusolu (right), Nassar (fourth left), External Relations Manager, Olanleke Abdul-fattah (third right); Government Relation Manager, Ikechukwu Ofuani (second left) and corporate communications manager Omolola Ola (fourth right) when the management of Procter & Gamble Nigeria visited the governor in Abeokuta...yesterday.

Man dies in Ogun after being struck with charms

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T was a shocking sight yesterday as a 25-yearold bricklayer, Ahmed Azeez, slumped and died at Ifo, Ogun State.

He was allegedly struck with charms by an official of the Articulate Motorcyclists Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN), after an argument.

It was learnt that Azeez, who occasionally rode a commercial motorcycle, pop-

T

Abeokuta

ularly called Okada, to enhance his income, was asked

by Adegbite to pay for the mandatory N450 daily ticket.

An argument, which degenerated into a fisticuff ensued over what Azeez called “outrageous levy”.

A witness said other members of AMORAN took sides

with their colleague.

It was learnt that the official allegedly struck the bricklayer with a charm he brought out of his pocket.

The AMORAN official, who saw Azeez gasping for breath, attempted to flee.

But sympathisers compelled him to take the man to a clinic.

They later took him to the Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters, where he was tak-

en into custody after it was discovered that Azeez was dead.

The deceased’s brother, Akeem, said: “The action of the AMORAN’s official was a clear case of murder, which should not be swept under the carpet.

“This is murder and should be treated as such. They killed my brother for no reason.

And we have been hearing from their group that they

would get away with any crime because they have the backing of the three tiers of government,” he added.

The Chairman of AMORAN in Ifo, Nurudeen Jimoh, who expressed shock at the incident, said: “Killing is a clear violation of the union’s mode of operation.”

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed the incident, which he said was being investigated.

Metuh, PDP NWC members on Ondo payroll, APC alleges

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NDO State All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted the public, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the police to an alleged reckless spending by the state government.

The party alleged that despite meagre resources, Governor Olusegun Mimiko was still lavishing money monthly on Peoples Democratic Party‘s (PDP’s) National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh and other National Working Committee (NWC) members.

But Metuh, in a reaction, described the allegation as “frivolous”.

In a statement in Akure, the

•‘APC’s allegation frivolous’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

state capital, the APC’s spokesman, Abayomi Adesanya, said: “We reliably gathered that some PDP national officers are on the payroll of Ondo State government.

“The money, which is running into several millions of naira monthly, was part of the agreement reached with Mimiko before controversially installing him as the chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum.

“In view of the prevailing conditions of non-payment of workers’ salaries and emolu-

ments, non-payment of pensioners’ allowances and gratuities for more than two years, neglect and complete abandonment of state-owned industries coupled with infrastructural decadence, the governor is still reckless in spending our commonwealth on frivolities and leaving the people of Ondo State to wallow in abject poverty.

“At this crucial period of economic downturn, we expect the governor to apply austerity measures: mend loopholes, cut down wasteful spending, priortise resources and stop dis-

pensing our money as an Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

“We, therefore, call on the law enforcement agents to investigate Mimiko and these members.”

The APC urged Mimiko to focus on the state’s development and fulfill his electoral promises, rather than spending the state’s funds to resuscitate the “dead PDP”.

Reacting, Metuh said: “It is no longer a surprise to me that they are making these accusations against me. I am not from Ondo State and I am not a worker of the Ondo State Government.

"I was in Ondo during our party's last governorship elec-

Peace returns to Oyo community after chieftaincy crisis

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EACE has returned to Ago-Are community in the Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State, after weeks of protests by youths and other interest groups over a chieftaincy dispute.

The crisis started following the approach adopted by the town’s kingmakers, to choose a new king after the demise of

Appeal Court reserves ruling in Ondo APC, PDP petitions HE Court of Appeal sitting in Akure yesterday heard the two appeals brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two of its candidates, Gbenga Edema and Festus Aregbesola.

It reserved its judgment to a date to be communicated to parties in the case.

The two appeals were over the disputed House of Assembly’s seats in Akure Constituency I and Ilaje Constituency II. They were filed by their counsel, Charles Titiloye, following the dismissal of the petitions by National and State Houses of Assembly Tribunal sitting in Akure.

At the hearing, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) appeared

From Ernest Nwokolo,

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

with Titiloye for the appellants and they adopted their briefs of argument.

They urged the Court of Appeal to rely on Paragraph 53(2) of the Electoral Act and deem as waived all non-compliance with the rules complained of by the tribunal, which led to dismissal of the petition.

Akeredolu prayed the court to allow the appeal and set aside the dismissal of the petition and revert it back for retrial before another panel of the tribunal.

In his response, counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Remi Olatubora urged the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the verdict of the tribunal.

Aare of Ago-Are, Oba Jubril Oyesiji Oladoke, who reigned for about 39 years.

Barely a month after the ruler’s demise, a family meeting of the next ruling house, known as Edu, was convened, where 15 candidates came out to contest for the vacant stool.

Names of interested candidates were later presented to the community’s kingmakers for thorough screening through Ifa divination and in line with the town’s age-long customs and tradition.

It was gathered that rather than allowing the usual process of selecting a new monarch, the kingmakers opted for orthodox religious method.

The community has eight kingmakers through a declaration made under Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law of 1957.

Two of the kingmakers had died; remaining six.

Four of the kingmakers, who are Christians, voted for a Christian. The remaining two, who are Muslims, voted for a Muslim candidate.

A Christian candidate emerged victorious through the strange selection process.

The approach of the kingmakers elicited anger and uproar from cross-section of in-

digenes, including the remaining 14 candidates, who contested for the throne.

Also, five princes from the same ruling house complained about what they referred to as “unlawful exclusion of their vested rights’’.

They denied any knowledge about the steps taken by both the ruling house and the kingmakers to select a new monarch and noted that such steps were not make public as required by the law.

But, at peace meeting of the ruling house, a resolution for an outright cancellation of the nomination and selection of candidates by the kingmakers for the vacant stool was passed.

The resolution was contained in a joint letter by chairman and secretary of Edu Ruling House, Princes Olalekan Olaniyonu and Salam Kazeem.

It said the resolution became necessary following observations by the community that the kingmakers did not follow the due process laid down in Ago-Are’s tradition and customs for the selection of candidate for the vacant stool.

The letter reads in parts: ‘’Not only had this led to rancour in the community and dispute among candidates that were

tion campaign and I also went there during the last presidential campaign. I have not been there afterwards.

"I am happy that they are throwing accusations at me and not bombs or assassination attempts. Honestly, I am not surprise at these frivolous accusations and I am not deterred."

CNPP condemns violence at Ekiti PDP secretariat •Party urges NSA’s intervention From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

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•Ajimobi

nominated, failure to follow the due process in selecting the new Are of Ago-Are, which had been our pride, the community is being seriously threatened.

“It is also a dangerous precedent that must be stopped immediately in order to retain oneness, love and unity of our family and the entire community.’’

The letter was addressed to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Alaafin of Oyo, Permanent Chairman, State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Permanent Secretaries, Ministries of Justice, Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Head of Administration, Atisbo Local Government, as well as chairman, community’s kingmakers, Chief Kehinde Adetoro.

KITI State Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has condemned the violence that broke out last Friday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The umbrella body of registered political parties condemned what it called “raging political crisis rocking the PDP and the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

It urged the two parties to lay good examples to other parties in resolving conflict, which it described as normal in the game of politics.

The CNPP condemned the role played by the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) in the crisis, accusing the state media of partisanship.

Its spokesman, Kunle Omotayo, in a chat with The Nation yesterday, expressed shock over the violent dimension to the crisis.

Omotayo said the CNPP viewed the crisis as “very unfortunate and undemocratic”.

He urged players in the PDP imbroglio to embrace peace and not to allow the impasse to degenerate further.

He said: “In the event of any conflict, there are constitutionally stipulated measures to resolve it instead of resorting to self-help. The CNPP is against anything that can lead to the breach of public peace.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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NEWS

Osun has strengthened security around judge, says APC

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TTEMPT by any group or persons to use the safety of Justice Folahanmi Oloyede as a strategy to throw Osun State into chaos would be futile, the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday.

It explained that from the first day that the state government became aware of judge’s petition for the governor’s impeachment, special security arrangements were provided to prevent anything untoward happening to her.

The party, which spoke in a

•Party: blackmailing governor over Oloyede’s safety ‘ll be futile From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

statement by its spokesman, Kunle Oyatomi, said media campaigns alleging danger or insecurity to the life of Justice Oloyede were aimed at blackmailing the Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration.

The party said: “Unknown to the sponsors of this wicked campaigns of calumny, right from day one that Justice Oloyede submitted her petition, the gov-

ernment had taken a proactive measure by alerting the head of the courts in Osun, Chief Justice Adepele Ojo and security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to provide adequate and enhanced security around the person and residence of Justice Oloyede.

“Justice Oloyede herself cannot deny the fact of this enhanced security around her person and residence up till now.”

The statement added that Aregbesola took the precautionary measure, “bearing in mind what opponents of his administration were capable of orchestrating with the life of Justice Oloyede”.

It added: “This is because of the antecedents of the sponsors of this inexplicable and unnecessary tension in our state that they might want to use the opportunity of her petition against the governor to undu-

Ooni: No cause for alarm, say town criers

Ambode appoints 19 permanent secretaries

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AGOS State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday approved the appointment of 19 new permanent secretaries in the state public service.

Fifteen others were retired from the service.

A statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the appointments were in line with the governor’s drive to restructure the civil service for efficient performance and service delivery.

The appointments came following the streamlining of some existing ministries, departments and agencies

•15 retired

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

(MDAs) to ensure greater efficiency.

The permanent secretaries, the statement said, have been deployed.

They are Mr. Bamgboye Abiodun; Mrs. Dapo-Thomas Boladele Aderemi; Mrs. Ariyo Elizabeth Olabisi; Mrs. Adekanye Adebunmi Elizabeth; Mr. Bode Agoro; Dr. Ayandele Olufolayimika Abiose; Dr. Sodeinde Nuriat Ibironke; Mr. Odeyemi Mohammed Adesina; and Mrs. Odulana Arinola Olufunmilayo.

Others are Mrs. Onisarotu Adesina Jemil; Bade-Adebowale Ajibade Caster, an engineer; Mrs. Amosu Sewande Ayodele; Mr. Kadiri Abayomi Adebisi; Mrs. Anifowoshe Amidat Abiola; Mr. Adeyemi Folarin Anthony; Dr. Oduwole Olanike Elizabeth; Mr. Mustapha Abdul Ahmed Olorunfemi; Mrs. Odunlami Funlola Adesola and Mr. Odupitan James Olusola.

Ambode is expected to swear in the appointees at the Lagos House, Alausa tomorrow.

Those retired are BamgboseMartins Paul, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure; Mr. Ajanaku Adekunle Mudashiru, Lagos State Television; Adedeji Taiwo Adetunde, Waterfront & Infrastructure; Dr.

Desalu Aderemi, Ministry of Special Duties; Mr. Pedro Lawal Alade, Ministry of Justice; Mr. Fadipe Ashamu Sewanu, Local Government Service Commission; and Mr. Abari Dada Lateef, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy.

Others are Mrs. Obasa Regina Iyabode, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; Mr. Sodade Adebayo Olukayode, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget; Dr. Sohiyimika John Adesegun, Ministry of Youth & Social Development; Ogunbambi Adeniyi Hakeem, Ministry of Environment; Agbenla Joseph, Surveyor General; Adenekan Ayodeji Adebayo, Office of Drainage Services; Adediran Joseph Ayodele, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency and Mrs. Onabolu Folake Folashade, Parastatal Monitoring Office.

ly stoke crisis in the state.

“It is, therefore, worrisome that several weeks after this had happened, the scallywags are still pursuing their totally untenable subversion of the popular will by campaigning on the pages of newspapers, a threat that never existed, except in their weird imagination and criminal intentions.”

The APC called on the public to be wary of the activities of those plotting to throw the

•Oba Sijuwade

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OWN criers in Ile-Ife, Osun State were sent out of the Ooni’s Palace yesterday to announce to the residents to go about their normal businesses without fear.

It was gathered that about four of them left the palace as earlier as 5a.m. and went to different parts of the town to deliver the “palace message that there is no cause for alarm”.

They did not announce that the Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Olubuse II, was dead or alive, according to a source, who preferred not to be named.

The source added that the criers told the residents that whenever there was additional information, they would be contacted.

It was gathered that a meeting was held by the town’s traditional chiefs and kingmakers yesterday in the palace.

It was said that the meeting might be on how to fine-tune the process of the final rite for the monarch, who was believed to have died at a London Hospital last week.

The traditional chiefs and kingmakers present at the meeting, which reportedly lasted for several hours, include Lowa, Jaaran, Agoro, Arode, Osanire, Laade, Lowate, Irabese, Lodi-

$6m World Bank grant for Oyo

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state into chaos, asking the security agencies to be alert.

“This is to alert members of the public and all security agencies of the criminal intentions of the sponsors of these orchestrated campaigns to prevent our peaceful state from being plunged into needless anarchy.

“Osun has been peaceful and remains so and any impression of tension or anarchy being created is just a manifestation of the evil plots of those who are in desperate pursuit of an agenda to plunge the state into crisis,” the statement said.

HE World Bank is set to grant about $6 million to Oyo State Government to complement the state’s socio economic development drive.

Leader of the bank’s Implementation Mission on Youth Employment and Social Support Programme, Prof. Foluso Okumadewa, said this when he visited Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the Governor’s Office at Agodi, Ibadan.

He said: “We want to commend you for your commitment, enthusiasm and strong determi-

nation for the development of Oyo State as demonstrated through wiliness in all interventions with which the World Bank had supported the state.

“We will to continue work with you so that the Oyo State will benefit more.”

Okumadewa said the state government would continue to enjoy further support from the bank because of its commitment to create employment opportunities for the youth and improve the social welfare of the people.

kos, Obalufe, Obajio, Obalaran, Waasin and Obalaaye.

The Obalufe, Chief Samuel Omisakin, who is the traditional prime minister of Ile-Ife and second-in-command to Ooni, was absent. Omisakin was ill.

Investigation revealed that the “chiefs and the kingmakers do not usually meet in the palace for long hours, except there is a vital issue about the town to be discussed”.

Unconfirmed reports said before the meeting, some unidentified chiefs moved bundles of white clothes from the palace into a vehicle.

The reports added that traditional beads have been deposited at the palace for distribution to high-ranking priests and their followers “for use during funeral rite for the monarch”.

But another source said the Ooni’s body arrived last night and was being kept somewhere in the palace.

The source added that was why the meeting was held by the chiefs.

The source, who craved anonymity, said: “The death of Oba Sijuwade will soon be announced. Markets within IleIfe will be shut and a dusk to dawn curfew will be placed on the residents.”

Ikorodu monarch warns against criminal activities

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HE new Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, has vowed not to condone any criminal activities.

The monarch urged the youths of the town to shun cultism, brigandage and hooliganism.

Oba Shotobi said this yesterday during at a news conference organised as part of the activities marking his coronation as the 19th Ayangbure at the new Oloja’s palace , Awofin, Ajina in Ikorodu.

He assured the people that the state government was ready to provide enabling environment for youths’ self-actualisation.

He promised to work with the youth, government at all levels, public and private institutions, industrialists, investors, workers, market men and women and others to develop the town.

He described Ikorodu as the fastest growing urban town in the state, which is experiencing influx of people of different background, tribes and races.

He noted that the urbanisation of the town came with

By Adebisi Onanuga

mixed blessings, pointing out that the economic and infrastructural developments in the town have remained a major attraction.

This, he said, was why investors and non-indigenes, who came into Ikorodu refused to go back to their places of origin.

He urged members of the Lasunwon Ruling House, especially those of the Adegorushen Royal Family who contested the stool with him, to sheath their swords and join hands with him to build the ancient town.

He said: “To my brother princes, I equally thank you for showing keen interest in the stool of our forefathers. It is our birthright and it belongs to all of us. I recognise your desires, the resources and the energy you all expended, which is an indication of the worthiness and significance of the throne.

“Having fought gallantly and God has ordained His own, I earnestly plead with all my brother princes to please sheath their swords and col-

•Oba Shotobi...yesterday.

laborate with me to usher into Ikorodu, a glorious reign of peace, harmony, tolerance and accommodation, which are critical conditions for progress and development.”

Oba Shotobi invoked the spirits of the progenitor of the Lasunwon Ruling House and of all obas that have ruled the ancient town for an unprecedented development of the town.

He thanked those who played major roles on his ascension to the throne.

The monarch hailed his predecessor, the late Oba Sa-

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

laudeen Oyefusi, who, he described as “a courageous, bold, forthright and great king, who served the Ikorodu community with total commitment, love and dedication”.

He promised to leverage on the goodwill, solid foundation, peace laid down by his predecessor to ensure the development of the town.

“It is my prayer, God willing, I will surpass the reputation and achievement of the late Oba to usher into Ikorodu, an unprecedented development during my reign as the new Ayangbure,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘The present challenges we are facing should not deter us from growing our economy. It shouldn’t stop us from investing. It’s just a passing phase. Other countries that we refer to as developed started from somewhere’ •President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Bank debtors not blacklisted from banking system, says CBN

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EBTORS whose names were pub lished by banks as delinquent debtors still have a window of opportunity to clear their names by clearing their indebtedness with the banks, the apex bank, has said.

The Director, Corporate Communications of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ibrahim Muazu, told The Nation that the current exercise is “ an effort to get them (debtors) pay back what they owe,” so that the banks could recover facilities granted them.

He described the exercise simply as a recovery drive, saying it is not a measure to remove the listed debtors

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

from the banking system.

He said ordinarily, the banks “would have blacklisted the debtors if they so desired, but that the essence of publishing the list of debtors is to shame these delinquent debtors into paying up.” According to him, “the idea is not to blacklist them from paying but to shame them into paying.”

Muazu however, said the Credit Bureau would have seen these delinquent debtors adding that this might affect the debtors’ ability to access credit facilities in the future. He noted that those whose names were pub-

lished “were given three months to make good on paying back what they owed,” but refused to take advantage of the window.

In the past, members of the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) had expressed serious concern over the threat by the CBN to publish names of chronic debtors to banks in the country.

Its President, Mr. Solomon Ogunbusola, during a press conference had expressed displeasure over the CBN’s threat. He said the inability of his members to pay back bank loans was due to governments’ indebtedness to them.

Ogunbusola had lamented that his members had spent

• From left: National Sales Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Seye Ogunwole; Executive Director, Supply Chain, Mr. Rotimi Fadipe and Managing Director, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, during the 27th Honeywell Flour Mills Baking School graduation ceremony in Lagos at the weekend.

SEC objects to BGL’s suit over ‘unpaid’ N5.7b investments

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HE Securities and Ex change Commission (SEC) yesterday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to strike out a suit by BGL Plc, its subsidiaries and others over allegations that they are indebted to investors to the tune of N5.7billion.

Some of the investors, including Rivers State government, had petitioned SEC over BGL’s alleged failure to return their investments at maturity.

SEC, in the preliminary objection, said BGL is indebted to the investors to the tune of N5,769,993, 553.67 as at June 2.

It added that BGL is having severe liquidity problems and has been running at a loss to the tune of over N48billion as at December 2014.

According to SEC, BGL Asset Management Limited, contrary to its mandate, wholly transfers funds received from the investing public to BGL Plc without engaging in any form of Fund/Portfolio Management.

But BGL obtained an order restraining SEC from “holding and or conducting any trial or hearing in respect of the alleged complaints against the plaintiffs…” pending the hearing

By Joseph Jibueze

and determination of the suit.

The plaintiffs are BGL Plc, BGL Asset Management Limited, BGL Capital Limited, BGL Securities Limited, Mr Albert Okumagba, Chibundu Edozie, Teddy Okumakube, Loraine Awoonor-Renner, Ehime Alofoje, Joseph AshleyOsuzoka, Andre Ewubare, Victor Obire and Nkechi Azubuike.

They sued SEC, its Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) and Mounir Gwarzo.

Justice Mohammed Idris had ordered parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending further orders.

SEC had suspended BGL Asset, BGL Capital and BGL Securities from all capital market activities, withdrew the registration of BGL Plc as a capital market operator and directed that Okumagba should cease to be a registered Sponsored Individual with SEC. Dissatisfied, BGL sued SEC, challenging the suspension.

The plaintiffs said the wide publicity SEC gave the suspension, including posting it on SEC’s website with worldwide access, has caused adverse effect on BGL and injured the plaintiffs in every conceivable manner.

BGL said it is contrary to the rules of natural justice for SEC’s APC to adjudicate over the complaints which was the basis for its indictment and suspension.

It urged the court to restrain SEC from making further media publication of the allegations of crime and unethical conduct, adding that “unless the defendants are restrained in the manner sought, no amount of monetary damages will adequately compensate the plaintiffs for the loss that continues to be incurred by them by the defendants’ conduct.”

SEC, in the preliminary objection, is contending that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit on the ground that only the Investment and Securities Tribunal has the exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes between the commission and a capital market operator.

Besides, the commission said the plaintiffs’ claim “is based on speculations and presumptions and has not raised any reasonable cause of action.”

The plaintiffs’ counsel Adebowale Kamoru said he needed at least seven days to respond to SEC’s objection.

Justice Idris adjourned to August 13 for hearing.

the loans they obtained from banks on projects such as roads and building construction in the hope that governments would pay them as at when due, lamneting that governments had failed to pay up.

Members of FOCI are made up of big construction companies, including Julius Berger Plc, C&C Construction, Costain West Africa, Hitech, Brunelli Construction, Jagal Nigeria, G. Cappa

Plc, PW Nigeria Limited, Dantata and Sawoe and RCC, among others.

According to Ogunbusola, the Federal Ministry of Works alone presently owes its members over N500 billion, while one of the firms is being owed N70 billion by the Federal Government.

He urged the CBN to equally publish names of government ministries, departments and agencies indebted to FOCI members if it must

implement the threat.

He said: “We are indebted to banks and CBN is threatening our members, saying that it will publish their names as chronic debtors.

How can you explain it that someone borrowed money from the bank for two to three years and government refuses to pay for the contract done with the money? What will CBN do to government that refuses to pay the contractor?”

‘Unemployment rate rises to 8.2 per cent’

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NEMPLOYMENT rate is on the rise, the Na tional Bureau of Statistics (NBS) alerted yesterday.

The Bureau said the unemployment rate in the second quarter (Q2) of the year rose to 8.2 per cent from the 7.5 per cent rate it was in the preceding quarter.

The latest rise was the consecutive jump in unemployment rate since the third quarter of last year.

NBS explained that the economically active population or working age, comprising persons within the 15 to 64 age bracket, increased to

103.5 million in the Q2 up from 102.8 million in the first quarter.

It also disclosed that the labour force population, comprising those within the working age, who are willing, able and actively looking for work, increased to 74.0 million in Q2 from 73.4 million in Q1, indicating an increase in the labour force by 0.81 per cent.

By implication, 574,498 economically active persons aged between 15 and 64 joined the labour market during the quarter under review.

The agency attributed the decline in the number of full

employment or those working less than 40 hours despite a rise in the labour force to job losses or previously fullyemployed persons, choosing or being forced to work parttime or in underemployment.

It further clarified that with an economically active or working age population of 103.5 million and labour force population of 74.0 million, the rate indicated that 29.5 million persons within the economically active or working age population decided not to work for various reasons in Q2, compared to 29.3 million in Q1 of the year.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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BUSINESS NEWS

10 Nigerian varsities get N1.4b World Bank’s lifeline

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ORLD Bank has dis bursed the sum of N1. 4billion to 10 universities under the African Centres of Excellence (ACE) project in Nigeria.

Executive Secretary (ES), National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie who spoke yesterday at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop on ACE Project Post-Effectiveness in Abuja, named the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU),Ile-Ife, Bayero University, Kano, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Redeemer University and University of Port Harcout as some of the beneficiaries of the funding lifeline.

He said the process of determining the beneficiaries of the project was rigor-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

ous and competitive.

He said:“We have gone through series of very rigorous competition to determine the beneficiaries of this project. A lot of capacity building and documentation have also been done. I am happy to announce that the ACE has disbursed the sum of N1, 471, 723, 265, 50 to the ten ACEs in Nigeria.

“The first tranche was shared equally among the ten ACEs in order to avoid delays in implementation due to low liquidity. It is important to emphasise that what each university will get after today depends on the results that they produce.’’

He said one of the results

was number of national and regional students enrolled in new specialised short-term courses and Master and PhD programmes.

According to Okojie, the aim of the Project Development Objective (PDO) is to support the recipients to promote regional specialisation among participating universities.

He said:“This workshop was therefore put together primarily to build the capacity of all stakeholders in this project in order to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities.

“Emphasis will be on financial management and audit processes, procurements, safeguards, communications as well as deliberation with NUC team on the next steps.’’

BoI okays N497m for Niger SMEs

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HE Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI) Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa has said the bank has disbursed N497million loan to entrepreneurs under its Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Fund (MSME) in Niger State.

Aside the matching fund, he also added that the bank had on its own, disbursed direct loans in excess of N225.0 million to enterpreneurs in the state.

Speaking during the commissioning of BoI’s Niger State office in Minna, he stated that the gesture was to enable entrepreneurs harness the potential in the state on industrial scale.

He said: “Apart from approving N44million for the deployment of off-grid micro system in Bisanti, a community in the state, the bank had identified SME clusters

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

in areas such as Shea Butter, Yam, Soya Bean, Rice, Sugar Cane, Melon, Fish, Groundnut and Cassava.

“The deployment of solar based technology in the state would help to provide energy need for the industry, particularly the segment that has no access to the national grid.

“The objective of the interventions of the bank in the state was to promote job creation and rapid industrialisation.

“I am appealing to state entrepreneurs to avail themselves with the services of the 23 Business Development Service Providers established in the Northcentral geopolitical zones for the packaging of bankable business proposals.”

Giving update on the

MSME fund which is jointly funded by the development finance institution in the state, Olaoluwa noted that while the bank received 263 loan applications amounting to N2.5 billion, 116 loans totaling N497.0 million were approved.

In terms of developmental impact, he said: “An estimated 615 direct and 683 indirect jobs totaling 1,298 jobs have been created thus far.”

Speaking on the occasion, one of the loan beneficiaries, Dr. John Akanya said he ventured into bread production in order to show to his people how standards help to promote businesses.

Akanya, who is the immediate past Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), commended the bank for the transparent manner in which loan application is being process.

Crackdown on rice millers: Investors accuse NCS of undermining rule of law

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ICE millers have ac cused the Nigerian Customs Service of undermining the law by its persistent crackdown on rice importers into the country.

They said the continued shut down of their warehouses is undermining the spirit of the rule of law which the federal government promises to uphold.

They said the behaviour of the operatives of the NCS in sealing their warehouses without due process, “is a total affront to the gospel of the rule of law which the President Buhari administration promises to uphold.

“The recent physical crackdown by officers of the Nigerian Customs on companies allegedly owing excess duties levied after customs had cleared their goods for importation, is believed to be an effort to paint the present Customs administration white and escape the cleansing brush of this administration.

“If the administration swallows the hook, it will spare the leadership and prolong its stay at the helm of affairs of the highly lucrative border agency, the importers said, adding that the sudden crackdown by Customs, in the face of court orders restraining them from taking action against the companies

until the various court cases instituted in this respect are vacated, is a clear evidence of flouting the laws of the land.

It will be recalled that early in the week of 27 June, heavily armed men of the Nigerian Customs invaded premises of seven companies alleged owing N23.6billion on account of unpaid levies in respect of rice importation.

Customs alleged that the companies had imported rice in excess of quotas granted them by the Federal Government in its Rice Policy circular. They demanded payment of 40 per cent levy on the deemed excess, imported between June and December 2014.

“One would have asked if Customs officers had access to this policy paper ahead of the importation and admittance of the goods through our ports. One would have wanted to know if Customs was aware of the conditions of the incentives attached to these policy initiatives and the conditions under which the incentives could be availed.

“Knowing how thorough our Customs men are, they would have scrutinized the policy document and referred it to their legal officers for advice before implementation. Based on

their interpretation of the Rice policy circular, they accepted documents submitted by importers operating under this incentive programme at point of importation, and allowed their cargo be cleared by paying the prescribed 10 per cent duty and 20 per cent levy. They accepted this rate repeatedly for six months until December 2014, when the Federal Ministry of Agriculture woke from its slumber and remembered that it had failed to convene a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee as directed by the government or issued quotas to bona fide rice value chain operators as required by the directive.

The inter-Ministerial Committee was saddled with the task of determining the supply shortfall in rice to be made up by importation and the allocation of quotas to bona fide investors.

Our Error The caption ‘Bello’ on our CEO interview picture on page 37 & 38 yesterday was wrong. It should have read ‘Dr. Joseph Odumodu, DG, SON. The mix up is regretted.

Management

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 , 2015

e-Business The rise of the internet has redefined how man carries out his daily activities. It has broken down the fetters erected by distance and converted the world into a global village. But, by far the most defining moment in the internet age is the boom in social media platforms. Marriages have been consummated through this platform; lifechanging jobs secured and many have lost life savings to scammers. Even unlucky ones have lost their lives, LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

Good, bad, ugly sides of social media platforms H E was an unemployed engineer based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. Since he has done all he needed to do by studying hard in the university to make a good grade, he kept faith and believed that one day God will open doors for him.

A neighbour drew his attention to LinkedIn, one of the about a 100 social media platforms that have sprung out in response to popular demands of a growing youthful global population. LinkedIn, he was told by his 'good neighbour’ is a professional platform where practitioners in different spheres of human endeavours meet and exchange ideas. He promptly signed onto it and he started building his network of professional friends.

A job opening opened up elsewhere and one of his professional friends on LinkedIn asked him to apply online and he did. Just like a scene from a movie, he was invited to Lagos for an interview. He did well and was given the job with a multi-national company in the country. He was given a car and accommodation by his employers.

Mr. Collins Olawale (not real name) relocated to the United States (U.S) about a decade ago in search of a greener pasture. He needed a life partner preferably from his Ilesha, Osun State stock.

He signed onto Fecbook, placed his picture and started receiving and placing invites for friendship from prospective friends.

He met a lady on the platform and after a round of e-dating that spanned three months, he flew into Nigeria, went to Ilesha for the traditional wedding; returned to Lagos and headed to the popular Ikoyi Registry where they signed the dotted lines in their marriage certificate.

These are but just a few good stories that have come from social media platforms. There are others, ranging from extending financial assistance to 'needy friends' and providing offshore accommodation to friends on transit.

However, the rise of social media has created a "goldmine" for online scammers who are searching dating sites and social media platforms to identify victims and troll endlessly for their personal information, a new report by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has shown.

Government's Internet Crime Complaints Centre or ICE said in its annual report that complaints about scammers using social media to perpetrate frauds are on the rise with online dating fraud the most common, according to a report by New York Daily News.

Overall, online scams reported to government cost America $800million last year alone, according to IC3. But that is only a fraction of the real cost, says IC3 which puts the real figure in the neighbourhood of $3.5billion.

Victims on online dating fraud are conned out of more than $14,000 on the average with many perpetrators posing as military personnel pretending to look for that special someone. Women, especially those over 40 years of age were more likely to be swindled.

ICE report says: "Criminals search dating websites, chat rooms and social media websites for per-

sonally identifiable information and use well-rehearsed scripts to attract potential victims.

"Victims of these scams believe they are in a relationship with someone who is honest and trust worthy without meeting them in person."

Criminals can easily gain access to peoples' personal information by setting up spam links for them, to ‘like’ or share online; clicking on the links unknown to them, installs viruses and other malware on their computers.

IC3 also said the rise of internet currencies such as Britcoin have increased the menace as cybercrimes have doubled since 2013.

Other common scams include auction fraud and credit card fraud, impersonation emails (such as the notorious "Nigerian letter"), non-romantic confidence scams and identity theft.

So many people are in jail across the world because of crimes committed using social media platforms as their operational base.

Christian Nnadike, 34, and Collins Deke, 37, were found guilty by a Vietnamese court for operating a fraud syndicate which specialises in hacking in the email of companies and posing as their foreign partners so as to swindle them. The group were also said to have used the social media platform, Facebook to de-

fraud many unsuspecting victims.

They were thus sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Vietnamese court.

His Vietnamese wife, Kim who was also implicated as a member of the syndicate, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Kim and her Nigerian husband were accused of spearheading the hack syndicate which gained illegal access to the emails of several Vietnamese companies doing business with foreign companies.

A 21-year-old boy was recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for defrauding a Briton in an internet love scam.

Identified only as Obiechina, he allegedly swindled Kieran Oakes of the sum of 54,000euros (approximately N16.3million) after a social media romance.

EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, explained in a statement that Obiechina started an affair with Oakes after they met on Facebook in 2013.

He fooled the woman by claiming to be an American businessman Lisa Jackson and began to take money from her under the pretext of coming over to the United Kingdom (UK) to see her.

'Jackson' promised to marry his unsuspecting victim and was able

to fleece her of a total sum of 54,000 euros before she realised she was being scammed. Oakes petitioned the EFCC after her 'lover' failed to show up despite sending money to him.

Uwujaren said the scammer was arrested in a sting operation and would be charged to court soon.

The case of Cynthia Osukogu made headlines about four years ago. She was allegedly lured into Lagos by her Facebook friend, drugged, abused, robbed and subsequently tethered to the bed in her captors' hotel room at Cosmilla Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos and left to die.

What you gain giving up social networking Many people have become so addicted to social networking that they feel life will end when they give up visiting the sites. It has been discovered that visiting sites such as Google+, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Friendster, MyLife, hi5 and others, take up so much time.

Life does not end when people give up social networking sites. Instead, life actually improves for the better without social networks. According to thoughtcatalog.com life improves when people give up social networking sites because people will concentrate on their own life rather than on other peoples'

‘Criminals can easily gain access to peoples' personal information by setting up spam links for them, to ‘like’ or share online; clicking on the links unknown to them, installs viruses and other malware on their computers’

lives.

When you are not constantly looking at other people's lives and achievements, you can concentrate on your own and take pleasure in your own achievements rather than constantly worrying about keeping up with others.

When you stay away from social networking sites, you interact with the real world more far away from illusion. When you do not have to keep checking your mobile telephone to see what is going on in the digital world, you actually have to talk to people in the real world. When you actually discuss with people, you learn far more than you do from the inconsequential stuff that people post on social networking sites. You also make real friends rather than acquaintances friends.

When you keep off, you no longer have to worry whether people are re-tweeting your tweets or 'liking' your Facebook page neither do you have to interact with people you do not like.

Thoughtcatalog.com argues that just because you went to school with people, it does not mean that you have anything at all in common with them now. Indeed you may have grown into such different person, that you do not actually like the person that they have now become.

Again, you safe yourself the hassles of being cyber-stalked neither would you need to be irritated by those who insist on telling the most banal or private details of their day on social networking sites. You will equally safe your sights of those goofy nude pictures people post on these sites. Really would you stand outside the Town Hall and announce to all and sundry some of the things that people say on social networking sites.

You will get more time to attend to your work because of the distractions that go with each alert of some useless postings on social networking sites, especially Facebook.

Looking at your social networking feed takes up more time than you think it does. When you stop doing it you will get so much more done both at work and in other areas of your life endeavours.

You will actually have a life to call your own. When you no longer allow social networking sites to rule your life, you might have a life--one in which you are actually thinking about something more than who has posted some stupid mundane update. You will have the time to actually talk to and listen to others. You might actually live life actively rather than waiting passively for life to come to you via a social networking site.

Also of importance is the impact of these sites on marriages. Some couples are always at loggerheads because one of them will so often lock himself/herself up in the washroom, opening messages, downloading pictures and responding to latest posts on some of these sites, especially WhatsApp an instant message platform.

But to stay safe online, IC3 warns users not to respond to unsolicited emails, phone calls or snail mail requesting personal details; not to click links in emails and to regularly check their bank accounts to watch for fraud activity.

15

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 , 2015

e-Business

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Digitisation's data breaches to cost $2.1tr

HE rapid digitisation of consumers' lives and enterprise records will increase the cost of data breaches to $2.1trillion globally, increasing by almost four times the estimated cost of such breaches this year.

According to a new research by leading market analyst, Juniper Research, majority of these breaches will come from existing information technology (IT) and network infrastructure.

While new threats targeting mobile devices and the internet of things (IoT) are being reported at an increasing rate, the number of infected devices is minimal in comparison to more traditional computing devices, the report noted.

With The Future of Cybercrime & Security: Financial & Corporate Threats and Mitigation as its title, the report lamented the increasing professionalism of cybercrime with the emergence of cybercrime products (that is the sale of malware creation of software) over the past year as well as the decline in casual

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

activist hacks. Hacktivism has become more successful and less prolific -in future. On the whole however, Juniper expects fewer attacks but more successful ones.

"Currently, we aren't seeing much dangerous mobile or IoT malware because it is not profitable. The kind of threats we will see on these devices will be either ransomware with consumers' devices locked down until they pay the hackers to use their devices or as part of botnets, where processing power is harnessed as part of a more lucrative hack. With the absence of a direct payment from IoT hacks, there is little motive for criminals to develop the required tools," James Moar who authored the report noted.

The report also found that nearly 60 per cent of anticipated data breaches globally will occur in North America, noting that this proportion would decrease over time as other countries become both richer and more digitised. Juniper added that the average cost of data breaches in 2020 would exceed

$120million as more business infrastructure gets connected.

The report noted that leading over-the-top (OTT) players such as Apple, Google and Amazon were in pole position to capitalise on this transition with each now offering cloud-based solutions both for personal storage and premium content access.

It argued that if consumers are tied into multiple products from an OTT, the consumers become increasingly reluctant to churn away from one element of the bradn as he/she loses access to the content across their devices.

New Horizons takes students to Microsoft's global competition

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EW Horizons Nigeria will be sponsoring two students from its Partner Schools, Doregos Private Academy and Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls plus a school teacher as chaperon to the 2015 Certiport Microsoft Specialist and Adobe Certified Associate competition taking place in Texas USA. The winners are Miss Aisha Toki of Doregos Private Academy who emerged the national winner of Adobe Certified Associate Photoshop Competition and Miss Afopefoluwa Laja of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, national winner of Microsoft Office Word Specialist Competition.

The two of them emerged the winners after very rigorous competition held at New Horizons Centre Lagos in June this year where they sat for real time on line test in various aspects of ICT. New Horizons will pick all the bills on behalf of the two kids and one chaperon for this competition.

They are to represent their schools and Nigeria in the Worldwide Championship in Dallas Texas, USA where they will be competing with other national champions from 90 countries with a total of 400,000 participants in Europe, America and Asia fromAugust 9 to 12.

Its CEO, Mr Tim Akano, said the most viable solution to Nigeria current economic crisis is to reposition its economy now that the prices of crude oil keep falling from an oil dependent nation to an ICT producing nation like Israel, South Korea and India. But this can only happen if we give our kids quality ICT education from Primary school to university.

This is why for the past 10 years New Horizons Nigeria has taken it upon itself to champion this noble cause by focusing on massive ICT education across board' . We are committed as a company to help Nigeria produce more people like Chinedu - the Nigerian born ICT Professional based in the US who sold his company to Apple for $1billion' Mr Akano 'while congratulating the

two schools that produced the top winners also used the occasion to congratulate their parents and the kids themselves. He challenges the kids to go to the Texas , USA and conquer and bring the trophy to Nigeria ' New Horizons is a US-based, World's largest IT and E -Business SkillsTraining Company (source www.idc.com) with more than 360 centres in 80 countries across the six continents.

This will be the fifth year in a row that New Horizons will be sponsoring Nigerian kids to feature in this most important global ICT competition. New Horizons for the past 10 years have been at the forefront of repositioning Nigeria through the instrumentality of ICT, with the chief aim of making Nigeria become an ICT export nation as against being a consumer nation that she is presently.

From Nigeria alone, over 200 students from different schools across the country participated in this year Microsoft Office Specialist and Adobe Certified Associate categories of the Certiport Competitions which began in January. Apart from the topmost two, Aisha and Afopefoluwa representing the country, the other runners-up in the Adobe and MOS Categories who also scored 80 per cent and above are Emmanuel Emmanuella and Ayomide Abati of Phidel College Lagos while Doregoes Private Academy, Lagos that produced Aisha, one of the Champions going to Dallas Competition also had Adekunle Faderera and Abdul Bello in the 80 per cent and above category.

Others that made it to the Top 10 in MOS Category are: Khairat Abubaka, Abati Ayomide both from Phidel College, MaryamBiobaku of Vivian Fowler, Momodu Oluwaseun of Regal College Ogun State, Asemota Isaac of Princeton College Lagos, Jawando Adetutu of Honeyland College Lagos and Bifarin Alayonimi of OAU International School Ile-Ife, Osun State and Adachukwu Chimaobi of Priceton College Lagos.

Ampion, others partner to finance tech start-ups

•From left: Vice Chairman /CEO Insurance Brokers of Nigeria ,Mr. Prosper Okpue; Mrs. AlomoOluwa and Managing Director Lasaco Assurance, Mr. Ladipo Ajayi during the Insurance Industry Consultative Council in Abuja.

Chams to insurers: deploy IT tools to deepen penetration T

HE founding Managing Director, Chams Plc, Sir ‘Demola Aladekomo, has urged insurers to explore the use of information technology (IT) tools to deepen penetration and fully optimise the huge potential of the sector in the country.

He said with IT tools deployment, insurance would be seen, felt and sold like commodity which it actually is. It would be sold everywhere, he argued.

He said: "There is a need for insurance companies and its professional bodies to leverage this (IT) platform by partnering with relevant companies and agencies in the technology sector to create and provide specialised services which would help update their internal and external operations."

With the swift accessibility of information and automation of business processes made possible by technology, Aladekomo urged insurance companies to take advantage of IT tools such as mobile phones, automated teller machines (ATMs), Point of Sale Terminal (PoS), online retail websites and kiosks to offer real-time services

and products to members of the public for market penetration to expand their businesses to new frontiers.

Speaking as guest speaker in Abuja during Insurance Industry 2015 Mega Conference, he listed ways through which risk-bearing companies can effectively leverage on IT tools to promote their products and services in the market considering the massive adoption of technology tools in the country.

Represented at the conference by the Managing Director, Chams Access Limited, Funke AlomoOluwa, who delivered a paper titled Information Technology as a Strategy for Market Penetration and Expansion, Aladekomo urged insurance companies to develop vibrant digital marketing strategies and become more visible on social media platforms by interacting with their followers and the entire online community to sensitise them on the need to pick up an insurance plan.

Aladekomo, who is the former president, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Chair, Smart City Resort Plc, said insurance companies could maximise the use of IT in building an efficient data base, conducting data analytics and recovery of lost items via systematic tracking.

Smart City Resort Plc is the holdng company for the SmartCity Innovation Hub. The SmartCity Innovaton Hub is an A-grade technology development infrastructure promoted by the NCS, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology.

The project is a bold move to bring together technology, government and society in ways that promote the culture of innovation and the competitiveness between allied businesses and knowledgebased institutions.

AMPION has partnered Transparency International (TI), the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and leading financial institutions in West Africa for two major technology projects.

The first is Ampion Venture Bus West Africa, which will run from September 17 to 23 this year while the second is the Ampion Fellowship and a start-up incubation programme to be launched and run in West Africa from October this year until March next year.

Tagged: the Ampion Venture Bus West Africa 2015, it aims to develop tech solutions for democratic participation and financial inclusion, will kick off on September 17 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at the brand new Fablab Baby Lab. The Venture Bus programme will bring 45 talented entrepreneurs on a seven-day tour to meet the tech startup communities in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin. The startups on the bus are encouraged to work together with Ampion’s partners to develop innovative solutions in the fields of fin-tech and governance.

The programme will alternate

between working on own start-up ideas on the bus and pitching, workshops and coaching sessions during stops in the region’s biggest tech HUBs. The Venture Bus is destined for Lagos, Nigeria where it coincides with Africa’s largest pitching competition, DEMO Africa scheduled for September 23. At the Venture Bus Grand Final in Lagos, the startups developed on the Venture Bus will pitch to a renowned jury of company representatives and investors.

The best startups emerging from the Venture Bus West Africa will have the chance to apply for the Ampion Fellowship West Africa 2015/2016. The Fellowship is a six months incubation programme starting in October this year. It offers a grant, free office space and free, regular one-on-one mentoring. The Ampion Fellows will fly to a kick-off event in Berlin, Germany, to meet investors and to refine their business model. No equity will be taken in the Ampion Fellowship. The programme is launched in cooperation with OSIWA.

Terragon Group unveils mobile solutions DIGITAL media firm, Terragon Group has unveiled two of its latest mobile solutions, - tmoni and Twinpine Performance Advertising (TPA).

Speaking at the unveiling in Lagos, tmoni Product Manager, Tunde Adeniran, said it is a product borne out of the firm’s longstanding relationships with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria. He said as a mobile operator billing solution, tmoni enables content developers and aggregators effectively monetise digital content, goods and services from over 80 million mobile internet users in the country.

“Content developers and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) can now

monetise previously hard to reach demographics as they expand into a fast growing and emerging market. Its benefits includes better conversion rates on mobile, flexible price points and crossplatform integration,” he said.

Speaking on the other solution unveiled, Product Manager TPA, Eniola Moronfolu, said it allows advertisers pay only when there are measurable results from their online mobile campaigns, adding that it provides advertisers with opportunities in real-time measurement and optimisation.

She said: “The overall intention is to allow advertisers drive consumer action, thereby going beyond awareness to creating great experiences for mobile users and give brands prime positioning.”

16

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 , 2015

e-Business

Why e-transaction policies were made, by CBN

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EPUTY Governor, Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Suleiman Barau, has said the introduction of electronic transaction policies by the apex bank was meant to ensure efficiency in financial transactions and curb financial corruption in the system.

He said while the Federal Government and its paratstatals have also embraced a number of information communications technology (ICT)-related initiatives in recent past in services delivery with the resultant cost-saving and ability to plug the leakages in its financial dealings, there is an urgent need to popularise wider and holistic embrace of e-government in its totality.

He notedthat with the passage of three major bills relating to electronic transactions in Nigeria by the National Assembly, the coast is now clear for e-payment to flourish in the country to intitutionalise increased sanity.

Barau, who spoke during a twoday E-Government Summit 2015 organised by the E-Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (EPPAN), in collaboration with the Financial Services Strategy (FSS) 2020 and the CBN in Abuja, said government officials should not be allowed to deal with physical cash.

By Lucas Ajanaku

Speaking on the occasion, Anambra State Governor, Dr. Willie Obiano, said the adoption of e-government in Anambra, especially in the area of tax collection has raised the state’s InternallyGenerated Revenue (IGR) from less than N1 billion to its current N1.1 billion monthly with the ultimate objective to increase it to N3 billion monthly.

“In Anambra, our aggressive pursuit of a vision and mission strategies through an efficient use of ICT has attracted an inflow of investment to the tune of N2.4 billion to Anambra State in the past one year.

“The whole idea is to use government machinery to channel private sector interest to the advantages of the citizens by making the environment condusive through efficient use of ICT to achieve this.”

Head, Programme Office, FSS2020, Mr. Oluwatoyin Joko, said the collaboration with E-PPAN was considered critical as it allows FSS2020 Office to see how it can better re-organise the major markets of financial market, insurance, pension,mortgage, agriculture and the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) using e-government as strategy.

“Beyond restructuring all these

sectors, we also know that cases of financial corruptions, as we have been told to have witnessed in the last 10 years by Mr. President where about $150 billion was said to have been stolen and taken outside the country, would be minimised,” he said.

E-PPAN President, Mr. Macaulay Atase, said the forum was organised to facilitate dialogue that would result in the evaluation of how the adoption of ICT tools into service delivery by the government at all levels could result in increased transparency, efficiency and accountability, especially in the area of financial management.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Dr. Tunji Olaopa, said the ministry came up with a National E-Government Master Plan last year, which recommended strategies which government at all levels can implement to have a uniform e-government strategy that guarantees improved efficiency, transparency, convenience and lower cost of accessing services.

Group Head, Customer Operations and Services at Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Frank Ugbodaga, said egovernment relies on two basic principles of connectivity and government cloud which, he said, are driven by Galaxy Backbone.

•President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Lanre Ajayi (left) and Chief Executive Officer, Teledon Group International, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem during an ICT stakeholders’ forum in Lagos.

‘Broadband ‘ll drive Nigeria’s GDP growth’

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HE Chief Executive Officer, West Africa's leading broadband communications provider, MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke has said broadband penetration will drive Nigeria's growth, urging further collaboration in the industry in order to provide broadband connectivity services to more of the Nigerian populace.

She stressed the need for stakeholders to jointly address the challenges of low broadband penetration as a community of concerned parties with benefits from improvement poised to accrue to all.

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

Speaking at a Broadband Summit held at the WheatBaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos with Driving Accelerated Broadband Penetration in Nigeria as focus, she said:"The Broadband Summit provides a platform for the telecom industry to articulate its perspectives on the landscape, and devise strategies that will hasten broadband penetration in Nigeria."

She called on all stakeholders in the industry and the government to take necessary steps towards

achieving the massive infrastructure rollout required to bring broadband services to more Nigerians, stressing the role of broadband in driving GDP growth in the economies of developing countries.

The summit which featured major industry players including mobile network operators and the country's telecoms regulator, reviewed the country's current broadband status and brainstormed strategies to achieve more effective and pervasive broadband coverage across the country.

Intel begins developer zone

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NTEL Corporation has flagged off the Intel Developer Zone (IDZ) programme for local developers in the country.

Its Country Manager (Nigeria), Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare, said Intel is trying to help local developers achieve their best. He said: “We want to create the right type of technology and also provide appropriate training to

get the best out of this technology.”

Software and Services Lead, East Africa, Agatha Gikunda introduced Intel’s developer offerings to the participants, and offered them advice on how to monetise their software applications.

Intel Student Partnership Programme was also launched. It confers the status of on-campus am-

bassadors on the student partners and also help the budding developers acquire knowledge about Intel technologies.

Intel said the programme would run in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; Rivers State University of Science and Technology, PortHarcourt and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

GADGET REVIEW

Microsoft Surface 3

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AST year's Surface Pro 3 was the software giant's most compelling implementation yet of its hybrid laptop/tablet concept. Now we have the Surface 3, the third entry in its cheaper Surface lineup. And while it may look similar to its predecessors, it's actually a completely different beast. It's a Surface tablet that can actually run all of the Windows programmes you're used to, not just Windows 8 apps. And to Windows RT, the stripped down version of Microsoft's OS that previously powered the non-Pro Surface tablets Hardware No, there aren't any major surprises when it comes to the Surface 3's hardware. It has the same silver magnesium alloy case with smooth chamfered edges, which gives it a smooth, premium feel in your hands.

And of course, there's the iconic kickstand, which can now click into three positions, one step beyond the Surface 2. It's not nearly as versatile as the Surface Pro 3's fully customizable kickstand (which has no distinct positions), but it's enough to make the Surface 3 fit comfortably on your lap in many different orientations. This time around there's also support for Microsoft's pressure-sensitive stylus, something that's always been available on the Surface Pro series, but never the plain Surface line.

The Surface 3 is still incredibly well-designed, with an attention to detail you don't find on most laptops and tablets. Even today, after testing all five previous Surface devices over the past few years, I'm still impressed with Microsoft's craftsmanship. Now that it's finally running software you'd actually want to use, the Surface 3 might make more people recognize Microsoft's design chops.

On a purely hardware level, the Surface 3 is the fullest realisation of Microsoft's original Surface dream: a portable tablet that can do doubleduty as a laptop. It features a new Intel Atom x7 processor, which lets it run traditional Windows apps, unlike the previous Tegra 4 chip. At 1.37 pounds and 0.34 inch thick, the Surface 3 is also a tad lighter and thinner than the Surface 2, which clocked in at 1.49 pounds and 0.35 inch thick. The two tablets still feel very different, though. The Surface 3 adopts the 3:2 screen aspect ratio from the Surface Pro 3 for its 10.8-inch screen, which makes it resemble a sheet of paper more than the wide 16:9 displays on previous Surfaces. And while that means the Surface 3 will show black bars when watching movies, the new proportions make it far more balanced to hold as a tablet. The previous Surface's wide screen just felt more awkward when held in one hand -- especially in portrait mode.

Compared to the 1.76-pound Surface Pro 3, the Surface 3 is noticeably lighter and better-suited to being used as a tablet. But the Pro model makes for a much better ultraportable laptop, given its vastly superior hardware. That's to be expected, but it's a reminder that anyone considering the Surface 3 needs to think hard about how, exactly, they plan to use it.

Alongside the Surface 3's edges, you've got a full-sized USB 3.0 port, Mini DisplayPort, headphone jack and a micro-USB port for charging (no more proprietary cables!). And of course, there's the usual power button and volume rocker, as well as a microSD card slot underneath the kickstand (something Microsoft's included in past models). Again, there aren't many surprises, but I grew to appreciate the Surface 3's ability to charge over micro-USB. While it comes with a USB power adapter, you

can also plug the Surface 3 into just about any micro-USB charger (or even another device with a USB port).

Unless you trek out into the middle of nowhere, there's little chance you'd find yourself stranded without the ability to juice up the Surface 3.

If you're the type who enjoys taking photos with your tablets -- something I'll never understand -- you'll be pleased to know the Surface 3 also sports a new 8-megapixel rear camera. That's a step up from the 5MP shooter on the Surface 2, which we found to be fairly disappointing in our review. There's also a 3.5MP front-facing camera, which should be far more useful.

You'll have to buy one of Microsoft's Type Covers separately if you actually want a keyboard. And, let's face it, there's no reason why you'd want to buy the Surface without the Type Cover. Since the beginning, Microsoft's positioned its unique keyboards as expensive accessories -- because the Surface is, after all, a tablet. The problem with that logic, though, is that Microsoft also wants it to be seen as a laptop replacement. And trying to sell a laptop without a keyboard is like trying to sell a car without a steering wheel (no, Google's self-driving cars don't count). It's just not going to h a p p e n .

Microsoft is so eager to compete with the iPad's price that it's practically lying to consumers about the Surface's true cost. That may have been excusable at the start - maybe -- but at this point it just feels gross.

Just like before, the Surface 3's Type Covers latch onto the tablet with a strong magnetic clip. But, taking another cue from its bigger brother, it also angles up slightly, which makes it more stable while on your lap.

Microsoft has created a new Type Cover to fit the Surface 3's smaller frame, but you can also attach any of the previous Surface keyboard cases if you've got them lying around (though they will hang over the tablet's edges a bit). There's no new Touch Cover (which doesn't have physical keys) for the Surface 3, which may be a sign Microsoft is ready to give up on that whole concept. But given just how thin and capable it's been able to make the Type Cover, I don't expect anyone will mourn the inevitable death of the Touch Cover.

Display, pen input Microsoft managed to cram some nice displays into the last round of Surface devices, and that trend continues with the Surface 3. It features a 10.8-inch LCD with a 1,920 x 1,280 resolution that's bright, crisp and colorful. It's not as sharp as the iPad Air 2's Retina screen, or the Quad HD screens in Samsung's Galaxy Tab S line, but it's a fine display for extended reading, photo viewing and even watching movies (I particularly enjoyed using the Surface 3 to catch up on my Comixology queue). But if you have issues reading small text, take note: The Surface 3's generous resolution will make some websites and programs hard to use. Be prepared to bump up the text size in your system settings and browser.

As is usually the case with LCDs, the Surface 3's display fares well indoors, but loses its luster outdoors.

It's still usable -- you can easily make out text and photos -- but you'll have to get through plenty of reflectivity to get anything done. It's hard to fault the Surface too much when this is a problem you'll face with most tablets and laptops, even those significantly more expensive. For what it's worth, the Surface Pro 3 performs much better in direct sunlight.

•Courtesy: engadgets

17

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION

Rail key to mass transit, says Kano governor

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HAT is the best mass transit option? It is the rail, says Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

This, he said, remains the only means of addressing the country’s transport challenge in the face of its growing population.

He spoke at the flag-off of the 1,139 rail kilometre mixed train service in Kano last Thursday.

Represented by Kano State House of Assembly Speaker Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, the goverrnor said Nigerians were looking forward to when they would ride in modern coaches like people in developed countries.

For over a decade, trade relations between Kano and the South suffered because of the stoppage of the KanoPort-Harcourt rail service.

Traders in textile, shoes, gold, jewellery, hide and skin, cotton, groundnut oil and other agricultural produce felt relieved with the reactivation of the service by the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

Speaking on the occasion, NRC Managing Director Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade said the service would further consolidate the age-old movement of goods and services across the country.

According to him, the significance

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

of the new service is the offering of a better, seamless linkage between the two viable routes - the western and eastern lines.

Sijuwade said the Kano railway station was opened in 1914 to cement the success of the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates.

“Kano is renowned for being the home state of the groundnut pyramid, hides and skin, cotton, ceramics and other agricultural products.

It is the commercial and economic capital of the North, with full-scale intermodal transportation network that is complemented with an international airport, inland container depots and petroleum product facility base.”

He said the business opportunities associated with Kano were fundamental to the NRC’s reconnection of the town to other parts of the country, to facilitate the mass movement of people and products.

“What we are flagging off here is a mixed train service that consists of a 68-seater air-conditioned passenger and several other comfortable standard class coaches, with stops at Madubi, Danbura, Kuya, Zaria, Kaduna junction, Zunkwa, Kafanchan, Gwaza, Lafia, Ajia-

•From left: Sijuwade, Alhaji Rurum, and the Emir, HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II and a Kano Prince inside the First Class coach of the Kano-Port-Harcourt railway service.

Yaragu, Markurdi, Otukpo, Ehamupu, Enugu, Ovim-Amava, Umuahia and Aba stations,” Sijuwade said.

He noted that, earlier in the year, the NRC flagged off a number of services, including the Zaria-Kaura Namoda intercity mixed train service and the Port-Harcourt-Kafanchan, adding that the latter is being extended to Kaduna, Zaria and Kano.

Recently, the NRC also began intercity train service from Gombe to Kano.

He said he is excited that the ageold movement of goods from Kofa Wambai, Kafin Kori, and Komi mar-

kets in Kano to Opute Market in Enugu, Ariara Market in Aba and Diobu Market in Port-Harcourt will be resuscitated and retuned.

He disclosed that the train will run one trip weekly. It scheduled to depart Kano Thursdays at 16.00 hours (4pm) to arrive PH at 05.00 hours Saturdays. The return trip will depart Port-Harcourt station at 07.00 hours Sunday and arrive Kano at 20.00 hours (8pm) on Wednesday.

He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his continued commitment to effecting positive change in the country, even as he acknowledged the “fatherly guidance and counsel” of the

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O fewer than 453 heavy duty vehicles were impounded and 209 drivers tried for road indiscipline by the Federal Road Safety Corps during a week long exercise tagged: Operation Scorpion.

The exercise which ended last Friday, was co-ordinated by the Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states Command.

FRSC’s chief Boboye Oyeyemi said Operation Scorpion focused on the eradication or reduction of accidents caused by heavy duty vehicles.

Offences for which the drivers were tried ranged from driving with wornout tyres, fake drivers’ licence, driving unlatched/unhooked container trucks, lane indiscipline, rickety vehicles and overloading.

Oyeyemi said the Corps was implementing the resolution jointly agreed on by stakeholders in the transportation industry.

According to him, it is one of the major strategies aimed at ensuring full compliance with road rules and regulations to prevent crashes.

The Corps, he said, has been in consultation with various unions leaders on the need for their members to comply with traffic rules to make the roads crash-free.

“We have being engaging all haulage operators at the National summit held in Abuja. We had a four-page resolution to implement to end the indiscipline, one of which is the scorpion’s operation which is to checkmate the impunity of drivers driving unlatched or unsecured trucks on the road, he said.

He added: “The road regulations are very clear and the FRSC is not reinventing the wheel or bringing in a new law.

“Last week, the Corps promised that we are relocating to Lagos to begin the enforcement on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, which is a major traffic hub for the heavy duty vehicles.

“With the cooperation of stakeholders, the Corps should at the end of the year record a change in the attitude and approach of vehicle owners and their drivers on the road.”

Boboye said tankers, trucks/trailers must attain a minimum road worthy standard, while the drivers are expected to be safety conscious and possess valid licence before embark-

•Akpabio showing one of the damaged tyres

PHOTO: OLALEKAN AYENI

FRSC tries 209 drivers for ‘indiscipline’

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe and Olalekan Ayeni

ing on any journey.

According to him, the Corps is not after arrest and prosecution or fine but to ensure that vehicle owners and drivers correct the mistakes that usually lead to crashes on the roads. He added that the new FRSC’s philosophy is to ensure moving trucks/trailers with fractures are arrested and prosecuted. The Corps insists that proper maintenance must be done before the vehicle is released to enable the driver ‘sin no more’.

He said the FRSC has partnered with the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) and Police, to ensure the full investigation of anyone caught with fake drivers’ licence and to ensure all rickety trucks/trailers are evacuated from the road.

Boboye, appealed to stakeholders, union leaders to continue to cooperate with the Corps to enable it tackle road indiscipline.

He urged vehicle owners and driv-

•453 heavy duty vehicles arrested ers to install speed limiter in their vehicles, saying no one would be spared when the enforcement begins on September 1.

Boboye pledged to increase the minimum fine of infractions by hydraulic vehicles drivers to N50,000 instead of N5,000 to serve as deterrent to others.

He appealed to media practitioners to continue to assist the Corps in broadcasting the road safety proclamation, saying the special operation will be a continuous exercise.

Flagging off the exercise earlier, the Lagos and Ogun States Zonal Commander, Assistant Corps Marshal Nseobong Charles Akpabio, said the special operation was meant to make the highways safe for all road users and aimed at ensuring that operators of the heavy duty vehicles abide by traffic rules and regulations to pre-

vent fatal accidents.

He said the special operation was organised following the incessant crashes of the articulated trucks/trailers.

According to Akpabio, the Corps would be deploying all its human and material resources to ensure compliance to traffic rules by the “kill and go” drivers.

He noted that the bad habit of the hydraulic vehicles’ drivers on the road is becoming unbearable and the recent pain and suffering of some Nigerians as a result of the falling tankers laden with fuel and unlatched containers.

Akpabio said to achieve the goals of the operation, all functional patrol, rescue and recovery vehicles in all the units, sectors and zonal commands have been mobilised and deployed.

He added that the operation which is going on simultaneously in six commands in Lagos, five in Ogun and five in Oyo is complemented with mobile courts constituted by the concerned states’ judiciary at strategic points on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor.

Emir of Kano Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi II, and the passion of all workers of the corporation for driving the change initiative that has seen the transformation in the railway sector.

He assured train commuters of the commitment of the corporation to providing a reliable, safe and affordable train service across the country.

The Emir of Kano His Royal highness Muhammadu Lamido Sanusi II said the rail service would further cement the age-long relationship of the ancient commercial city of Kano with other parts of the nation, particularly the Southeast and Southsouth.

He thanked the NRC for linking Kano to Port-Harcourt.

He urged the drivers to always drive on the lane prescribed by the traffic law. “It is not a good driving habit to drive in the middle of the speed lane. The right hand lane, Akpabio said, is meant for overtaking; last one on the right is the service lane.

Therefore, it is advisable for drivers to drive fast when overtaking, while the left lane is for speeding vehicles,” he added.

Akpabio warned drivers against patronising touts or second party in the procurement of driver’s licence.

“Whoever gives money to individuals to obtain driver’s licence will end up getting a fake,” he said.

According to him, the Corps is set to open drivers’ licence centres at the fuel depots in Lagos, Suleja, Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt, to enable the drivers procure their original drivers’ licence at the normal rate of N6,350 only.

Akpabio thanked the law enforcement agencies, such as DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other stakeholders in road safety matters, saying their collaboration with the Corps will restore orderliness in trailers and trucks operations on the roads.

The national Chairman of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, pledged the owners and drivers’ loyalty to the corps, saying AMATO will always comply with traffic rules.

He urged the government to repair bad roads, saying the deplorable conditions of the roads are negatively affecting the capacity of vehicle owners to repair and maintain their vehicles.

He also urged the government to ensure that all routes in which fake vehicle parts are imported into the country are blocked.

He said: “In as much as we are willing to work with the FRSC to ensure safety, I am using this medium to appeal to the various agencies that are in charge of the road maintenance to help the masses repair all the bad roads.

“The deplorable conditions of the road are some of the major reasons why we see containers falling here and there, so let the agencies in charge of the road do their best in repairing them.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

18

THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

With the crash in oil prices, Nigeria needs to boost its revenue through other sources. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) believes it can save the country N50 billion by curbing poultry smuggling. Maritime Correspondent OLUWAKEMI DAUDA reports from Singapore.

Stopping the N50b illegal poultry trade I

T is a huge task, but the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is prepared to confront it to ensure a saner economy. Smuggling has deprived the country of huge revenue and rendered many companies comatose. By tackling the problem, Customs is set to protect N50 billion poultry investments, boost farmers’ earnings and create jobs to meet the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s objectives.

Over 80 per cent of smuggled poultry comes in through Benin Republic. The unhygienic products are said to be partly responsible for digestive and intestinal problems of consumers.

NCS operatives have taken the war against importation of frozen poultry to the creeks, footpaths and other flashpoints to check their influx into the country.

Customs officers from the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, an investigation revealed, have increased their patrols on land and sea, fortified check points and swampy areas, where operational boats and vehicles could not access with committed officers.

A senior official of the National Agency for Food, Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), who does not want his name mentioned, said the special anti-smuggling operation initiated by Customs Comptroller-General (CCG) Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi against illegal importation of frozen chicken and turkey had started yielding results.

The official told The Nation that FOU officers had increased the tempo against imported frozen poultry on Badagry Road, Gbaji, Seme, Idi-Iroko, Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode to achieve national food security and protect the economy.

With the high rate of seizure by officers and men of the unit, the official said the country could no longer be a dumping ground for smuggled poultry, most of which he said were preserved with chemicals dangerous to health.

The official pointed out that since the launch of operation “Hawk Descend” to date, Customs has seized over N600 million worth of poultry products from smugglers.

It was learnt that 29,341cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products valued at N132,034,500.00 with payable duty of N26,406,900 were seized between January and last month by the FOU officers in Ikeja.

Officers of the unit, it was learnt, also recorded 1,030 various remarkable seizures, valued at N593,673,300.00.

Prior to this time, a source said Customs had various modes of operation, which basically included hinterland operations. But with the new directive from Abdullahi outlawing all forms of hinterland operations, the source said officers and men of the service had devised other methodologies which are in tandem with global best practices.

He said NAFDAC was happy over the strong will with which officers and men of the service have pursued the interception and destruction of imported poultry products,

• Some imported frozen poultry products seized by Customs, Ikeja.

because the industry has contributed 25 per cent of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and created over 40 million jobs for Nigerians.

He drew attention to the health hazards posed by the products, stating that smugglers often hide them in fuel tankers to bring them to the markets for consumption.

“The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, of the service remains a beacon and rallying point in view of the strategic role it plays in the anti-smuggling drive.

“The unit plays a big role because of its statutory functions and this is evident from the paradigm shift in its anti-smuggling activities since inception of the current administration, which has led to huge seizures of poultry products and other items that have remained unprecedented in the annals of the service.

“The smuggled poultry products are usually preserved from spoilage with formaldehyde, the same chemical used in mortuaries to preserve corpses. This exposes consumers to carcinogenic substances, which predispose people to cancer.

“The domestic poultry industry as predicted by a 2011 Nigeria Agribusiness Report, is growing.

Onallo Akpa, an executive of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) estimates commercial production at N51.2 billion and rural family production at N320 billion, with 553,000 metric tonnes of eggs and 708,000 metric tonnes of

broiler meat being produced as at 2011. With the poor economic situation of the country, high rate of unemployment and dwindling fortune of the crude oil at the international market, the figures must have increased,” the source said.

He continued: “Six kilogrammes of eight chickens we eat in Lagos and other big cities in the country is imported smuggled chicken. We have no doubt that the current efforts of Customs against smuggling of poultry products will reduce that by 50 or 60 per cent. If we are able to achieve that, it will help in generating millions of new jobs and save the country about $1.5 billion because we estimate that the total amount used to bring smuggled chickens into this country is about $2.75 billion yearly.

“The poultry industry is in a good position to generate employment, create wealth and contribute to the economic development of the country. Poultry constitutes 25 per cent of agricultural GDP; as producer of animal protein, they do not only employ poultry farmers, they also have farmers of maize, farmers of soya beans, farmers of groundnuts as their members because the poultry farmers consume about 2 million tonnes of maize, and need about 500,000 farmers to produce that every year. Other crops like soya, palm kernel and rice, among others, are being used for the formulation poultry feeds,” he added.

Poultry business, according to the

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

source, has contributed 25 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural Gross Domestic Product and created over 40 million jobs. The Federal Government, he said, through the NCS could not continue to watch things go down the drain with the increasing rate of smuggling poultry products in the country. Poultry is very strategic to the growth of Nigerian economy like that of other countries of the world.

“If Customs allows the smuggling of poultry to continue, what will be the fate of over N50 billion investments in this country? What will be the fate of employment created by this industry for Nigerians?” the official asked.

When contacted, the Area Controller, FOU, Ikeja, Mr Adamu Turaki, said the smuggled poultry products do not only pose serious health risks, but their importers also circumvent payment of Customs duty since the items are prohibited.

Officers and men of the unit, Turaki said, are waging a serious battle against poultry products smugglers because they are depriving the nation of its needed foreign exchange and job opportunities for the citizens.

“The Nigeria Customs Service, in its renewed determination to strike a final blow to poultry products smugglers, recently launched operation ‘Hawk Descend’. You will recall that Government in its wisdom banned the importation of frozen chicken and turkey into Nigeria. It is pertinent to note that smugglers all over the world

‘The smuggled poultry products are usually preserved from spoilage with formaldehyde, the same chemical used in mortuaries to preserve corpses. This exposes consumers to carcinogenic substances, which predispose people to cancer’

thrive on products whose trade are controlled, restricted or out rightly banned. This explains the strong will with which the Nigeria Customs Service have vigorously pursued this project.

“We are aware of the dangers posed by the importation of these products in terms of the adverse effect on the economy and in terms of depreciation of our GDP, resulting in unwarranted cases of unemployment and the attendant health hazards. They need not be overemphasised. The NCS in its effort to sustain the campaign is strengthened by the outcome of a recent medical research which re-confirmed our fears about the health hazards inherent in the consumption of smuggled products.

“We have a responsibility to protect the heavy investments of our local farmers and we cannot abdicate this responsibility. The fight against smuggling of these unwholesome products will be taken to the creeks and other flashpoints, we suspect provide access to smugglers. We have heightened our aggressive patrol activities to actualise this mandate.

“We are, however, not pretending that even with all our arsenal, we can win this war on our own and that is why collaboration with stakeholders and dependable allies has become most expedient,” Turaki said.

He added: “The unit remains fully committed to this campaign and will stop at nothing until smugglers of the products are decimated and their supply chains blocked. We strongly believe that this strategy will help in checkmating and possibly bringing smuggling of the products to a halt.”

The Customs chief stressed the need to protect local farmers and the attendant creation of jobs from the negative effect of those he described as “unpatriotic persons”, who have taken smuggling as means of livelihood.

Turaki praised Abdullahi and his team for their unalloyed support and encouragement with the provision of an “enabling environment”, which informed the achievements the unit has recorded.

The Chairman, Chicken Traders Association at Alaba-Rago Market, Lagos, Alhaji Sanusi Salau, said the biggest part of poultry industry is broiler chicken and the country produces about 300,000 metric tonnes annually.

“The biggest part of poultry industry is broiler business and, in this country, we produce about 300,000 metric tonnes of chicken annually of which we are consuming about two million tonnes of maize. This aspect alone has enabled the poultry farmers to engage over 500,000 maize farmers without putting into consideration others who will take part before it gets to the market and end users.

“Let’s now imagine the number of jobs that would have been created in poultry industry alone if we can put a stop to about 1.2 million metric tonnes of chicken smuggled into the country on yearly basis,” Salau said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Saved by the bell •Decision by Army authorities to review the case of innocent soldiers sentenced to death calls for more rigour in conducting military trial

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EWS that the fate of scores of soldiers sentenced to death, life imprisonment or dismissal may soon be reviewed by the army authorities is indeed welcome, not only to the soldiers’ families, but to Nigerians at large. The case which had been handled by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, at the Court of Appeal, caught the attention of the international human rights community as the men were considered victims of circumstances. As the Army Public Relations Director, Col. Sani Usman, disclosed last week, the authorities have now decided to review the cases. This is one of the major arguments against the capital punishment. Had those of the men sentenced to death been executed, what would happen if they were eventually found innocent? Could they be brought back to life again?

This case is one reason why the statute books should be reviewed to drop capital punishment. It is also one reason why the court-martial process that had been abused many times in the past, especially when battles were being fought, should be reviewed. The immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, was so furious following the outcry over the conviction that he told the press that they made a mistake making the court-martial trial open. He said the soldiers could have been tried, sentenced, executed and buried - “all within five minutes” in the bush before questions could be raised.

The military top brass should realise that the Rule of Law is the underpinning principle of all activities in a democracy.

Military laws are also subject to the same

doctrine. Any law whose provisions contradict the constitution, directly or indirectly, is null and void, at least to the extent of that contradiction.

It is the more surprising that the same former Chief of Defence Staff confessed at the pull-out exercise organised for him last week that the armed forces had been underfunded over the years. He acknowledged that political considerations informed the decision to demobilise officers and men and deny the forces of needed weapons. He also said countries that were normally friendly had, for political reasons, become hostile such that purchase of weapons became difficult as the war grew fiercer. He attributed the heavy casualties suffered by the Nigerian military to these challenges.

These were the same reasons that had been adduced in defence of the convicted soldiers, but dismissed by Badeh and the military board when the matter came up.

The media pointed out that morale was low among the other ranks that bore the brunt of the battle as heavy losses were being recorded daily. As Marshal Badeh has now confirmed, too, there were fifth columnists in the officer ranks who leaked information of plans to the terrorists, thus exposing the men to avoidable deaths.

At a point, realising that this was the case, some of the men on the battle field fired at their commanding officer who they felt had been compromised or was condoning the practice. At another time, wives of officers deployed on the battle field demonstrated against the deployment of their husbands because of poor welfare provisions and the inexplicable loss of ground by the federal troops.

It is surprising that Marshal Badeh saw no contradiction in his undue vilification of the media at his valedictory speech. On the one hand, he was confirming media reports; and on the other, abusing the reporters. It is the pastime of leaders, military or civilian, to blame their failure on the media. This should change. They should realise that Nigerians are intelligent people who could see through whatever games being played.

The Buhari administration should look into the statute books and forward executive bills for overhaul of the justice delivery system. A halt must be put to needless shedding of human blood in the country. A major question that Marshal Badeh raised, even if inadvertently, was the need for us to probe the trillions we budgeted for defence, especially in the past few years that the Boko Haram insurgency escalated. If weapons were not bought for the soldiers, then what happened to the trillions?

‘As the Army Public Relations Director, Col. Sani Usman, disclosed last week, the authorities have now decided to review the cases. This is one of the major arguments against the capital punishment. Had those of the men sentenced to death been executed, what would happen if they were eventually found innocent? Could they be brought back to life again? ’

Amnesty tension We need a new sanity in the programme

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HE myriad of problems facing the amnesty programme have left a sour taste in the mouth. More worrisome is the fact that the programme has been ingrained in administrative crisis barely a month of the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The cause could partly be the delay in appointing a new coordinator for the programme by the new government, but more importantly, the major problem is lack of institutional focus and discipline on the part of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government in its pursuit of the programme.

Since May 29 handover date to a new government, the public gets besieged by the programme’s challenges such as ab-

‘It is good that a new administrator has been appointed for the Niger Delta Amnesty Scheme; but the government should forthwith fulfill whatever agreement it had with the ex-militants, notwithstanding the change of guard at the centre. After all, government is a continuum.

We call on the new helmsman in the amnesty office to move fast to sort out all the pressing problems’

sence of a coordinator which has recently been solved through the appointment of one by government; the sad issue of over 2,000 ex-militants being thrown out of the Liverpool’s John Moores University and other institutions in the United Kingdom.

Also gloomy is the revelation that 13 amnesty trainee pilots have been dropped

by Lufthansa following the failure of the Federal Government to pay up their fees, and the issue over N10billion unspent funds in the programme’s coffers, amongst others.

The Amnesty Office is responsible, at government’s expense, for scholarship programmes of ex-militants’ education in countries, including the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Poland, Russia, India, Ukraine and South Africa. It is unfortunate that militants under the late President Umaru Yar’Aduainitiated amnesty programme that commenced in August 2009 have reportedly not been paid their promised monthly stipend in the last three months due to absence of an authorising signatory.

Kinsley Kuku, former Special Adviser to the immediate past President Jonathan on Niger Delta, and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), left office with his boss.

The scheme was designed to assuage the militants to lay down their arms. But under the present scenario, most of the ex-militants are reportedly broke, indolent and restive, a development that could put the oil-rich communities, once again, on the edge. President Buhari on his in-

auguration day stated in his speech that the programme’s December 2015 terminal date, was sacrosanct: “The amnesty programme in the Niger Delta is due to end in December, but the government intends to invest heavily in the projects, and programmes currently in place.’ The evidence on ground is to the contrary so far.

We appreciate the fact that the government has appointed a new administrator for the amnesty office. We expect positive change to manifest earnestly in all spheres of the amnesty duties. We want to believe that the new appointment was not informed by the perceived veiled threat of Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a.

Tompolo, a notorious militant leader who recently called an aborted meeting of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) ‘ex-generals’ and ‘commandants’. The halted meeting was to discuss the state of the nation in relation to the Niger Delta.

It is good that a new administrator has been appointed for the Niger Delta Amnesty Scheme; but the government should forthwith fulfill whatever agreement it had with the ex-militants, notwithstanding the change of guard at the centre. After all, government is a continuum.

We call on the new helmsman in the amnesty office to move fast to sort out all the pressing problems. He should also not run the place like a ‘one-man show. The time has come to discard the free cascading of the Jonathan era by putting in place a proper and sustainable system to run the amnesty programme.

Youths: Everywhere but nowhere

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IR: Any nation that don’t give it’s young population the necessary support and an enabling environment to contribute their quota in this digital era may continue to have it’s youths dominate everywhere but nowhere.

Outside the shores of Nigeria, Nigerian youths are everywhere and belongs to everybody and have proven themselves in their chosen careers with some winning elective posts in their host nations. This also explains why most Nigerian youths would do the unimaginable to find their way to such climes.

But here at home, Nigerian youths are nowhere and the story is obvious to be ignored. Even in this era of change, the kind of birds that have been flying and perching on the trees of the presidency and the president’s body language so far leaves a lot to the imagination.

That explains why there may be no end in sight to the inexorable rise in crime in our polity. Crime has become so lucrative a venture that some faint hearted youths now see as the last alternative.

Though I condemn in its entirety the inexcusable act of taking to crime as a means to an end, it is a comeuppance that befalls a nation that relegates it’s workforce to the threshold of servility; they have become vulnerable and a threat to the largest growing economy in Africa where oil wealth has enriched the elite who has failed to create jobs for the unemployed youths.

Is it not an irreversible irony that the same people that graduated and had government and private jobs waiting for them are the ones that would encourage the younger generation to embrace jaded skills acquisition and also dictate the kind of skills acquisition one will acquire?

This has shown a failure at all levels in previous permissive governments to sincerely stimulate growth and development and inculcate the spirit of self reliance in Nigerian youths that will encourage and empower youths to get self-employed.

Inasmuch as I am enthusiastic with strong hope that things may get better in this era of change, if adequate measures are not taken to address the challenges that has befallen Nigerian youths and tackled head on, a time will come when no matter the kind of arms and ammunitions the government invests on our nation’s security, the twin monsters of terrorism and kidnapping would continue unabated. Soon the government may also have no choice but to begin to build and rent houses where these youths would be sent to because there will be no more space in the already congested prisons we have across the federation.

• Joe Onwukeme, Enugu

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

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: It is time for the relevant authorities in charge of academic matters in Nigeria to turn to the National Open University of Nigeria to end the insupportable exploitation currently being executed at that institution.

That the National Open University of Nigeria has turned itself into a money-draining agency is stale news to those who are conversant with the system. But it is inconceivable that a people can be pushed to this humiliating extent and still decide to maintain grinning visages in the face of such alien oppression!

It is this passive role championed by the University’s students themselves that I have struggled so hard to decipher.

Although I have been very uncomfortable with the entire situation, I deliberately kept mum all along hoping that this epidemic would die a natural death. But now, with its rapid growth, developing deep roots into our system like a vicious

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NOUN’s extortionate fee regime virus, I feel it is time to blow the whistle. Firstly, it is not clear why the University charges a COMPULSORY registration fee for research project for final-year students. Last semester (2014/15 academic session), this fee was charged at N10,000. Now, the University has, for unknown reasons, and without any official notice to its students, decided to increase this fee to the sum of N15,000. I am unable to figure out the rationale for which students should pay the university for a research that will be carried out by the students themselves. The act

is completely indefensible and a deliberate ploy to get money off students.

Secondly, depending on the course, students are sent out every semester for Industrial Training.

The university also charges a COMPULSORY registration fee for this, and an additional N1,000 which must be paid separately into a Stanbic IBTC Bank account! Last semester, as in the academic session stated above, this fee was N3,000.

At the moment, the University has raised it to N10,000, again, without any viable reason and without any

prior notification.

Thirdly, it is not clear why the university should charge a fee for what it termed ‘Result Verification’.

This fee is payable every year and it is charged at N5,000. Despite this fee being paid, students who have attempted to verify the authenticity of the controversial results awarded to them have largely hit a rock. So, if results are not verifiable, how then can the National Open University of Nigeria justify the receipt of this money from students?

Fourthly, the university gets paid for course materials but it never

What is the problem, men?

IR: “Bricklayer bags 12 years imprisonment for raping teenager”. ”Man defiles 13year-old girl”. ”50-year-old man bags nine years imprisonment for defiling 11-year-old girl”. “Retired soldier jailed for life for raping, infecting 10-year-old stepdaughter”. ”Grandpa arrested for having sex with grandchildren”. ”Man remanded in prison for raping schoolgirl.”

“Woman accuses neighbour of defiling her three-year old daughter”.

These are the chilling headlines from one newspaper site in one day.

Every day, our newspapers are replete with stories of men raping under-aged children; which raises the question, what is wrong with men? Or rather, (before I court the ire of men), what is the matter with these men? Once considered an abomination and unheard of in the good, old, halcyon days, it appears defiling of children is fast becoming

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an everyday affair, so much so that it appears not to raise any more eyebrows as such. We appear to have traversed from shock, to surprise, to resignation, to cautious indifference.

Almost all the men invariably blame the “devil” for their despicable action. The so-called devil has become a convenient alibi but it is no excuse. If you ask me, they were very much aware of what they were doing. Let us even assume that the so-called devil put the evil idea in their heads, what did they do to resist it? Did they pray to the good Lord for the strength to overcome? They willingly succumbed to their weaknesses without a second thought.

Again these obviously ‘insane’ men give the impression that they were lured or tempted by the sight of the girls. Pray, how can an underaged girl who has not fully developed the characteristics of a

woman become attractive to these men as to have sex with them? The point remains that these children did not lure or tempt these men in any way. They were not near nude by wearing provocative dresses that set the ‘mad men’s’ imagination running wild. Even if they were, what is there to attract them in an under-aged girl-child whose outward physical appearance is as yet almost the same as that of a boy?

On the contrary, these men are the ones who lured these apparently child-like children who as yet are not aware of the wiles of the world in terms of beguilement and cunning. They deal with the world and human beings in a straightforward manner. Thus in their child-like world view, the thought hardly occurs to them that uncle, daddy or grandpa can do any bad thing to them. They took advantage of these under-aged children’s childlike innocence in which is embedded trust and obedience to

deceive them into entering the privacy of their closets to have carnal knowledge of them. After finishing with their dirty acts, they warn these little children not to reveal what happened to anyone, threatening them that they would die if they did. And they believe these men because in their childlike world, adults don’t tell lies. But the deed cannot be hidden for ever as they are later obliged to tell mummy after persistent questioning by her to unfold what transpired.

If these deviant men are really hard pressed to satisfy their sexual urge, could they not go after a consenting female adult?

A writer once penned that money, power and sex are great intoxicants for men, such that it can drive them to doing the unthinkable. What really is the problem, men?

• Victoria Ngozi Ikeano vikeano@yahoo.co.uk

provides these materials.

Prices for each material depend on the credit units of the course. At the moment, a two credit unit course material is N2,000, however slim the material may be, whilst a three credit unit course is charged at N2,500. Payment for these materials is also COMPULSORY. Now, supposing a student runs 10 courses in a single semester, the minimum payable for course materials alone stands at N20,000. This fee does not include fees for examination registration.

Students must pay the sum of N1,000 per course if they are to participate in any semester examination. This, for a student running 10 courses, brings the fee to N30,000 for a single semester! And do note that this analysis does not include compulsory fee, which maybe N28,000 or N13,000, depending on the semester. After receiving payment for course materials from students across study centres nationwide, the university may issue one, two, or zero course materials out of a possible 10 as illustrated above.

Thereupon, the university advises students, without compunction, to get these materials in whatever way they deem fit. At this point, students are solely on their own to hunt for additional money in order to re-purchase these materials elsewhere. The university is unconcerned about what becomes of students who are unable to get materials afterwards.

Such is the insensitivity being inflicted on a people whose only offence is their decision to seek knowledge.

I invite relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of the illicit activities of the National Open University of Nigeria. Those running the university must understand that the objective for setting up the institution was to disseminate knowledge, not as a ploy to take advantage of a student community mainly dominated by those at the lowest level of our economic ladder. That will not be acceptable going forward.

• Abiola Adedeji, Lagos

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

21

COMMENTS

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doctrine.

That further EMEMBER Salisu Buhari of Kano?

He was the first Speaker, 4th underdeveloped the already Republic House of Representatives. disadvantaged parliament, since it stayed suspended in the He was everything: rich, handsome, military era. genteel, debonair, street-wise and dashing For the democratic polity, the — until a certificate forgery scandal laid severe result of such subversion him bare. He was also accused to have is institutional shrivelling, with fast-tracked his age to make election into the House of Representatives, and parliament becoming punier eventually, its Speakership. and the executive bigger; and Olakunle But when the forgery scandal came, he corruption spiralling out of lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola came hurtling off his high throne. He control. promptly got convicted too — and like So, could the Buhari new antithe comet, he blipped off the public space. corruption war be a ready Nevertheless, the Olusegun Obasanjo executive excuse to further presidency granted him pardon, after pulverise the legislature? conviction.

Maybe. Maybe not — though in-chief of the war against graft, who would share his glory with But not so (at least in the public eye) the Buhari’s lean, ascetic and Spartan profile appears much more nobody, thought nothing of throwing the National Assembly House, and by extension, the National Assembly which, from reassuring, for a genuine anti-sleaze war, than Obasanjo’s flabby, to the wolves on “furniture allowance”. then, has somehow notched up the rather unsavoury image of hedonistic and materialistic persona.

He made it known that the National Assembly (NASS) was chambers of eternal scandals.

Still, much as a strong, just and disciplined leader can, hopefully some unconscionable allowance glutton, out to ruin his new age It was supposed to be a new beginning of democratic rectitude, in Buhari, redeem the dawn of rectitude that the Obasanjo era so of rectitude.

But mum was the word, on the perks his own after years of waste, driven by military turpitude. But clearly, painfully promised but never delivered, a strong set of ministers and special advisers were grossing — no matter! the National Assembly wouldn’t be part of that renaissance. institutions would serve better the democratic polity.

The media loves sensation.

It even enjoys the more, roasting Aside from Citizen Buhari’s trip, the late Evan(s) Enwerem, That is why the Senate must snap out of its present costly the proverbial high-and-the mighty.

The National Assembly’s first president of the 4th Republic Senate (3 June 1999 - 18 drama — costly to its own institutional health; even costlier to goose was cooked.

It was the final departure — and NASS never November 1999) and Imo governor in the aborted 3rd Republic, Nigeria’s ever delicate democratic project. made it back in the good books of public consciousness. was stewing in his own corruption juice.

There are credible allegations that the Senate leadership Some 16 years down the line, from the first Buhari House of His nemesis was the dreaded “banana peel”, from which also election of July 9 held under a forged set of rules — Standing Representatives scandal, another Buhari is appearing on the antithe flamboyant Oyi of Oyi, Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo (now Orders 2015 (as amended) which magically replaced the extant corruption horizon. He is Muhammadu Buhari, president of the dead), second Senate president (18 November 1999 - 8 August rules at the end of the 7th Senate: Standing Orders 2007 (as Federal Republic.

2000), would slip. They were both unhorsed in quick successions, amended). Police investigations reportedly suggest there might From the previous historical back-grounding, President Buhari no thanks to scandals, real or induced. be a prima facie case of that grave allegation. may well appear, like President Obasanjo before him, as another Though Anyim Pius Anyim, the third incumbent (8 August If that holds true, it means Senate President Bukola Saraki one come with executive swagger, to crush the longsuffering 2000 - 29 May 2003) , would complete that turbulent but sole may have kicked off the Buhari era in a dust of scandal, as Speaker Nigerian parliament. term (even that, at the expense of forfeiting a return to the Senate), Salisu Buhari kick-started the Obasanjo era with a whiff of The shriller the anti-corruption rhetoric, the more endangered the “banana peel” soon claimed its third scalp, Adolphus Wabara. forgery. That adds no shine to the legislature’s image, as a the NASS, right? And, as an endangered species, NASS has a Fourth senate president but only first president of senatorial bastion of change — change for the better. right to defend its democratic territory? term 2003-2007, Wabara was forced to resign (2005) via a bogus Yet, the Senate response to this grave charge is a sickening Indeed, there are interesting parallels between President Buhari corruption scandal, reportedly pushed by a tag-team of the espirit-de-corps, which tends to flex emotive muscles on the and former President Obasanjo. Both were former military heads Obasanjo presidency and Nwabara’s own Igbo rival-claimants executive-legislature divide, instead of addressing the weighty of state, who secured democratic mandates. Both enter their to the Senate presidency. But a court later quashed the allegations, question of alleged forgery of rules. democratic era jobs as radical anti-corruption stalwarts. Finally, for lack of fair hearing.

Should the courts decide the case, and the worst fear is both promise(d) a new dawn, after so many years in the woods.

Ken Nnamani (2005-2007) would enjoy a relatively peaceful confirmed, NASS’s image, as a responsible and responsive legal Still, with all due respect to President Obasanjo and all his tenure as senate president, even, with regal panache, halting citizen, would dip further. An illicit but wilful cover-up is a war anti-corruption activism, what he promised in 1999 has turned President Obasanjo’s illegal third term bid. But the Senate the Senate cannot win. out nothing but a false dawn. presidency, assailed by scandals from the “Eastern home front”, If President Goodluck Jonathan pitifully crashed out of office Either way, it just might be prone to more executive bullying, proved a hideous churchyard for many a prominent South East in 2015 — and that, at the ruling elite’s scramble not to sink with should Buhari develop an Obasanjo-like messianic complex; politician. him — the genesis of that rot was the Obasanjo presidency from and essay Obasanjo-era blackmail and muscling. That must be Meanwhile, the holy President Obasanjo, fiery commander1999. Its progressive decay climaxed in the Jonathan fiasco of avoided at all cost.

That has even made President Buhari’s anti-corruption That is why the Senate should do an unflattering introspection, ‘Senate President Bukola Saraki may have 2015. stand all the more pressing and credible. and do what is right, by law and by morality. Otherwise, NASS Obasanjo’s systemic blackmail and muscling of the National kicked off the Buhari era in a dust of scandal, would come short again, and not illegitimately, be perceived as Assembly (both the Senate and House of Representatives in obstacle to the present anti-corruption effort to bring the as Speaker Salisu Buhari kick-started the perpetual near-permanent war state, almost always traced to wilful country back to life, from the grave of its past graft. some executive-fuelled intriguing), only led to a thorough That would be well and truly unfortunate Obasanjo era with a whiff of forgery’ subversion of the separation of powers/checks-and-balances

R

epublican ipples

Again, NASS comes up short

T

HE fate that has befallen the parallel segment of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market in the last one week reminds me of James Hadley Chase thriller with the above title. For a market whose staying power has been in its ability to defy the laws of gravity, it says a lot about the changing tides that the naira which has been on a free fall in the last three weeks not only regained its verve but did in a rather dramatic manner.

On Saturday when the news that the naira has recovered ground first broke, yours truly initially considered it as one of the offerings from the rumour mill. A quick check would confirm that the naira which had traded in the low band of N240-N245 in the parallel market segment for three weeks running had truly gained strength (it sold for between N210 and N215 at the weekend); the reason would emerge later: domiciliary account holders had been barred from paying into their foreign-denominated accounts!

Of interest to me was that a measure which seeks to set the currency on an irreversible course – and which has expectedly brought much wailing and gnashing of teeth to currency speculators – was actually effected by the monetary authorities without the usual fuss.

I considered that as too good to be true. And to think that no one actually saw the measure coming; at least to the extent that the CBN did not – officially – do as much as firing a shot to bring this about!

Was it a case of the newshounds missing in action when it really mattered? Apparently, not even the CBN website had much to offer by weekend. The press release, issued by the apex bank only on Saturday, titled Renewed Vigilance to Prohibit Illicit Financial Flows in Nigeria’s Banking System – at best ex-post factum explanation – neither gave anything away nor said anything really.

Yes, it expressed concerns about the report by the Global Financial Integrity group, which ranked Nigeria as one of the 10 largest countries for illicit financial flows in the world, and which estimates that about US$15.7 billion of illicit funds go through the nation’s financial system annually. It reminded the public of the existing protocols on illicit fund flows, money laundering, and terrorism financing both in Nigeria and around the world, followed by a terse warning that “the CBN will increase its vigilance to ensure that Nigerian banks are not used as conduits for illicit fund flows, especially in foreign currencies”.

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

The way the cookie crumbles In the end, it merely acknowledged that “Nigerian banks have started to curtail the acceptance of foreign currency cash deposits, much the same way as customers in other countries cannot just walk into banks and make foreign currency cash deposits without proper documentation” – and with it, a reminder that the apex bank’s “foreign exchange rules have many windows for accessing foreign exchange for legitimate business as well as for personal commitments including payment of medical bills, school fees, mortgages, demand notes and other bills”.

There was simply no suggestion of any specific measures taken aside the general assurances to “all citizens seeking foreign currencies for legitimate personal and/or business interests that there remains ample opportunity to do so within the law”. To imagine that the operators were at this time were already counting millions in losses.

To be sure, not a few Nigerians would be happy that the so-called Black Market is being served the same bitter potion it enjoyed administering on the economy. The truth of the matter is that only in the context of the inexcusable paradox of Nigeria’s traumatised economy can the suzerainty of the unofficial market be rationalised or even condoned. For far too long, we have seen the so-called parallel market not only rule; we have watched as the operators insist on setting the direction for the monetary authorities to follow.

Before now, I actually wondered what made the black market tick. Convenience? The so-called ease of transactions said to flow its lack of stringent rules? In the past, that would probably be true. In today’s world, technology has made all the difference. With a plastic card or at a touch of a button, you can effect payments in financial jurisdictions that would have been unthinkable only a while ago. I recall that yours truly once kept a domiciliary account. The idea behind it was to enable me pay for magazine subscriptions. Five years after, the account would be rendered redundant –superfluous.

Really, Nigeria may third world in several areas of its national life, its payment systems currently aspires to first world status – and that is the truth!

The real story of the weekend is however the unspoken part. We know the story behind the panic which the PDP amazingly sees as the flight to communism. It is the morbid fear of what would happen to their castle of dollarised economy in the event of the rules finally closing in. That their trove of dollar holdings would shed nearly 10 percent under one week must truly be a frightening proposition. Seems about time the malcontents brought out their vast hoard of forex to save our dear naira.

After all, a firm naira would be good for the economy, particularly the small and medium scale industries currently gasping for breadth.

The reason I wonder why the CBN couldn’t simply step in and make it real. Or is it a return to the familiar game of playing the ostrich?

‘Only in the context of the inexcusable paradox of Nigeria’s traumatised economy can the suzerainty of the unofficial market be rationalised or even condoned.

For far too long, we have seen the so-called parallel market not only rule; we have watched as the operators insist on setting the direction for the monetary authorities to follow’

22

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

COMMENTS

B

ARELY seven weeks into a four-year term, criticism has arisen from some quarters about the pace of governance under President Muhammadu Buhari. Some of the criticisms are from people who have made it their stock and trade to deride the new government. That is fine. It is a part of democracy. However, I do not write this article to address them. Nothing can be said to them for they criticize the President not because of the quality of his actions but because they must. Their survival hinges on quantity of words they yelp his way. These are the same people who watched silently as the Jonathan administration let the economy fall into the bog. They suddenly gained voice when President Buhari took over, complaining that he was allowing the economy to collapse. When he moved to save the economy by freeing money to pay state civil servants and to restructuring the states’ debt burden, these same people complained that the President was letting profligate state executives too easily off the hook. These people cared little for the fact that this presidential action will stave a deeper economic calamity by putting money in the hands of hundreds of thousand government workers that they may feed their families, pay bills and inject needed life into the local commerce. These critics would rather the people starve. Fortunately, President Buhari’s compassion exceeds theirs. Let me put it another way. Had Jonathan remained in office and continued as he was, there would not have been a relief package. He would have smiled but remained idle as the states and then the national economy went into the swell. That President Buhari moved decisively to halt this slide before abject emergency was upon us more than vindicates his performance thus far.

Yet, there are well meaning people who are concerned about the pace of governance. This submission is directed to them. First they must remember that only seven weeks have elapsed of an administration that will cover more than 200 weeks. This is less than three percent of the term. It is much too early to conclude the negative.

I think a reason for this concern is that the people do not have a full grasp of the dimensions that corruption and malignant indiffer-

W

ITH over four million cars and 100,000 commercial vehicles on the roads (the national average is 11 vehicles per kilometre), Lagos daily records an average of 227 vehicles per every kilometre of roads. One of the major fallouts of this scenario is the unending and highly scary Lagos traffic gridlock. Areas mostly affected by the traffic gridlock include Apapa, Orile-Mile 2Badagry axis, the Alimosho conurbation, Lagos Island, Ojota-Ketu-Mile 12-Ikorodu axis among others.

Like it is with most cosmopolitan cities across the world, it is, perhaps, not strange that Lagos experiences continuous queues of vehicles, which block an entire network of intersecting streets, bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill. Popularly referred to in local parlance as ‘go slow’, traffic gridlock has become one of the sour identities of Lagos, which succeeding governments in the state have been trying to do away with. In an attempt to tackle the traffic problem, the state government, in the last 16 years, has rehabilitated and reconstructed major roads across the state.

Furthermore, many agencies were created mainly to deal with the traffic situation in the metropolis. The Lagos Traffic Radio initiative is also an integral part of the arrangement to address traffic congestion in the state.

In-spite of this, however, the traditional Lagos traffic gridlock has continued unabated. To effectively address the transportation and traffic challenges of a complex mega city such as Lagos, the issue of mass transit has to be properly and effectively brought into the picture. One of the major causes of traffic gridlock in Lagos could be traced to the dearth of an effective and efficient mass transit system. It is essentially because many Lagosians do not have sufficient confidence in public transportation that makes virtually everyone who owns a car to put it on the road. The result is that there are more vehicles on Lagos roads than any other major city in Africa. This, of course, is partly responsible for the chaos that we experience on a daily basis on our roads. Irrespective of the works so far done in the area of road expansion and rehabilitation by the state government, if nothing is done to reduce the number of vehicles that ply Lagos roads, daily traffic gridlock would continue to be a biting reality.

Buhari: Sure, steady march of a reformer

By Sunday Dare ence have done to the core of our governing institutions. While we all know that corruption and misgovernance have reigned supreme for years, it is only when you begin to clean the house does the full extent of the filth truly confront you. Given the pervasive anomalies of our institutions and the need to straighten the twisted compass of governance before we can move swiftly in the right direction, President Buhari’s pace is that of an experienced and determined leader preparing to perform the wholesale housecleaning needed if reform and progress are to be had. This pace is the one that makes the most sense. For him to move too fast to enact policies would be to miss too many of the twists and distortions in the system that would pollute and bend even the most well conceived policies.

Buhari must make haste slowly and above all wisely, else he falls into the many snares laid before the prior administration went into retreat. Although the election is over, entrenched interests never cared much about the people’s sovereign will. These interests may have left the seat of elected power but they still seek to steer governance toward their liking. Reform bested the status quo on election day. Now, the status quo seeks to prolong the war by other political means. Buhari won the election but now he must win in the trench warfare of changing the governing bureaucracy and the institutional mindset of almost every government entity.

The task is enormous yet it must be done with the care of surgery lest we excise the decent portions that should remain while allowing the canker to spread. Millions of Nigerians would be the worse for it. The APC government will make haste, but slowly and deliberately. Like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, APC national leader rightly puts it, APC never

promised to be fire fighters in combating the problems of Nigeria, but to be meticulous planners and executors in order to bring about enduring change.

Tinubu had a parting shot for the PDP and their co-travellers. Under the PDP, government had become addicted to high-octane corruption. You cannot expect a latrine of 16 years to be cleaned up in a mere 30 days.

President Buhari took several bulls by their horns when he stepped into office. He knew security demanded urgent attention. He knew regional cooperation was key to securing victory against Boko Haram. He hewed regional cooperation by visiting Chad and Niger. He held the ECOWAS meeting and took practical steps to improve Nigeria’s military – including changing its command – so that it might have the right fighting spirit coupled with decisive strategy that would bring the BoKo Haram insurgency to breakage.

President Buhari spent countless hours before he was sworn in and since he took over to pour over tons of papers and briefings. He has sat at numerous meetings with key government elements in an attempt to grasp the needed information to act. Like a true statesman and strategist who surveys the long-term consequences of his present actions, he has moved patiently with an eye for detail before settling on his approach. Once he has decided a thing, he has moved with purpose and resolution toward it.

As time moves on, we are beginning to see the stern stuff he is made of and the integrity of his actions. The man moves in pursuit of our highest national purpose.

We have seen the process of fighting corruption unfold and Nigerians who have amassed ill-gotten wealth are now moving to surrender their loot because they know our new president is not up for sale or purchase.

Buhari has put all on notice that he intends to

run a zero tolerance government regarding corruption.

Recovering ill-gotten wealth and ploughing such back into the economy is one sure way to revive the system. As mentioned previously, Buhari has acted to resolve salary woes of many states through his emergency funding/ loan restructuring plan.

In this complex situation, what use is it to dash about swiftly if the end result is that you swiftly stumble. President Buhari cannot afford to fail on the promises he made to us.

An understanding of the multi-dimensional crisis into which this country has been plunged is key to designing apt solutions. Here, the devil is not only in detail; it lurks in way the avarice of the previous administration infected government processes and even personnel.

Currently, it is the inherently methodical process of clarifying these details through which the Buhari government must go. He must correct and repair the tools of governance before they can be used properly to implement the sweeping reform the nation seeks.

Buhari made a solemn promise to reform government and thereby improve this nation.

That he seeks to be meticulous in doing so should be applauded not condemned. He is not a man given to theatrics or gimmicks. He seeks results and we all should pray that he continues to be diligent and studious because that is the only path to finding the exit from the complex of troubles into which thee PDP has cast us.

When the history of this moment is written, those complaining of the pace of things will be seen to have given the wrong counsel. The sure and steady direction of President Buhari will be seen to have been the right and perhaps the only course out of the storm. We all must realize the task at hand is not an easy one. President Buhari deserves our understanding and support. Few men have entered office to face such myriad problems. He has set about to earnestly tackle them and bring Nigeria to is rightful future. We should be grateful that he is at the helm as the direction he courses is the right one. Ultimately, it is better to be steady yet right than fast yet utterly wrong. In all, he deserves our prayers.

• Dare is Special Adviser Media/Chief of Staff to Asiwaju Tinubu.

The panacea for traffic menace in Lagos

By Lateef Raji Consequently, there is an urgent need to expand the operational scope of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Though the system does not use all the features of some of the renowned BRT systems across the world, it still has many advantages over the traditional bus system. Universally, the BRT system has the capability of moving huge numbers of people from one place to the other at a time in a faster and more convenient way. The system operates on the concept of utilizing dedicated lanes in areas where competition with highway traffic would be greatest while it makes use of existing highways and roads in areas that are less congested in order to reduce costs.

The BRT scheme, if well expanded and strategically developed could help in drastically reducing traffic gridlock in the state. A first step towards achieving this would be for the state government to inject over 1000 brand new busses into the already existing fleet of the scheme. Once this is done, the next strategy would be for the operatives of the system to create more routes across the state for the scheme to thrive better and meet more needs. In creating these new routes, priority should be given to areas with greater population density such as Badagry, Mowe-Ibafo axis, Sango-Ota axis, Alimosho among others.

Additionally, the BRT scheme could be planned to include commuting within short distances within a particular local government or location. For instance, people commuting within Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Alimosho, Yaba, etc. could rely on BRT buses within the locations for their daily and routine movement. Once this is done and the operation of BRT in these locations becomes credible, effective and efficient, more commuters would opt to leave their cars at home and would willingly embrace the BRT alternative. For the system to become more reliable, effective arrangements must be made for constant repair and refurbishment of buses in the BRT fleet. A well-planned culture of maintenance must be embraced and

strictly adhered to. The sorry state of some of the busses in the BRT fleet makes this quite imperative.

With time, especially with an effective and efficient BRT inspired mass transit system in place, government should make efforts to gradually phase out commercial buses (Danfo) on Lagos roads. A large percentage of the chaos that we daily witness on Lagos roads are partly caused by commercial vehicles. In Lagos State, it is not uncommon to see commercial vehicles illegally parked on either side of the road. Some even drive in such careless fashions that make nonsense of traffic laws while others drive on or across the road median. In Lagos, the recklessness of commercial bus operatives is legendary.

Public transportation is too important and strategic to be left in the hands of a poorly organised set of individuals. This could jeopardize our renewed drive for foreign and local investments in the state. The traffic situation of every city determines the volume of investment that is attracted to the city. No sane investor would want to put his money in a place that is renowned for irresponsible traffic behaviour. It is, therefore, imperative, all other things being equal, for the state government to address the nagging question of commercial busses in the state, once and for all. To avoid any public outcry that such step might attract, especially from transport unions, willing commercial bus owners and drivers could be incorporated into the enlarged BRT system to avoid job losses.

Similarly, we need to strictly enforce, to the letter, the 2012 Lagos Traffic Law, especially the sections that have to do with the restriction of the operations of commercial motorcycle’s operators in 495 designated strategic highways and routes out of a total number of 9,700 available routes within the metropolis. Compounding the disorderliness on Lagos roads is the activities of commercial motorcycles. The menace commercial motorcycles constitute to the public transport system is manifested in disobedience of traffic law, carrying more than a passenger, ridding without the use of helmet, indiscriminate use of horn, driving unregistered motorcycles and without license, destruction of road fa-

cilities and physical attack on other road users. These are in addition to ferrying arms and ammunition for criminals who use them for nefarious and life-threatening activities.

We need to commit more investments into the ferry system if we are to properly address Lagos’ underutilization of water as a means of transport. The ferry system currently only carries about 18,000 people, even though about one-fifth of the city is made up of water in the form of lagoons, creeks and the Atlantic Ocean. Creation of new jetties will compliment the existing ferry infrastructure. Until we increase our investment in water transport, the innate water transportation potential of Lagos State would continue to be grossly under- utilized and as such chaos would always continue to be the culture on our roads.

Additionally, the Lagos Light Rail project needs to be expanded. Major mega cities of the world operate on an effective light rail transport scheme which is cheaper and faster and has the capacity to move more people at a time. It has the capacity to capture up to seven times as many passengers daily as the BRT system. We need to attract interested foreign investors to come up with the needed funding and technical expertise that would make the vision of a light-rail scheme for Lagos a reality. Without a doubt, the introduction of an effective and efficient rail system could further ease traffic congestion and help meet the rising demand for affordable mass transit in the metropolis. Integration between multiple transport solutions will offer Lagosians a greater variety of mass transit options, and will improve quality of life and the ease of doing business in the city.

‘The introduction of an effective and efficient rail system could further ease traffic congestion and help meet the rising demand for affordable mass transit in the metropolis’

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

25

’

There is no legislation in Nigeria, that states that criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution must be conducted and concluded within a specific time frame

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See page 26

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

The House of Representatives has directed Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase to reopen investigation into the death of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Chief Bola Ige (SAN), seasoned industrialist Pa Alfred Rewane, frontline journalist Dele Giwa and others. Will the police succeed in this mission? PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports.

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URDER cases are not closed. In vestigations continue until the culprits are brought to justice.

With this at the back of its mind, the House of Representatives last week directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase to reopen investigation into the death of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Chief Bola Ige (SAN), seasoned industrialist Pa Alfred Rewane, frontline journalist Dele Giwa and others.

For instance, the question: Who killed Dele Giwa? remains unanswered 28 years after the founding Newswatch Editor-inChief was killed. Will the killers ever be found?

Some critics have argued that reopening the cases would amount to a waste of resources because many of them were thrown out of court for want of diligent prosecution.

They argued that unless there are fresh facts that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, the government should concentrate on combating crime.

Some of the murders

INSIDE:

For 28 years, Giwa’s blood has been crying for justice. He was killed on October 19, 1986 through a parcel bomb delivered at his Ikeja, Lagos home. It was insinuated that the then Gen Ibrahim Babangida had a hand in Giwa’s death. He was 39.

Despite the public outcry over his death, Giwa’s killers are yet to be brought to justice.

Chief Rewane, a business mogul, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) financier and a strong critic of the late General Sani Abacha regime was killed in 1994 in his GRA Ikeja, Lagos home by unknown gunmen.

Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola was killed on the heels of Rewane’s death.

Chief Ige was killed on December 23, 2001, at his Ibadan residence.

Dr. Obi Wali, a Rivers State born politician, was killed in the early 90’s in his Port Harcourt residence. His killers are still unknown.

All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) stalwart Chief Marshal Harry, was killed on March 5, 2003, but his killers are still free.

Others are Funsho Williams; Aminosari Dikibo; Ogbonnaya Uche; Andrew Agom; Igwe Barnabas and his wife, Abigail.

Williams, who was strangled in his Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, residence on July 27, 2006, was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A cemetery attendant, Bashir Junaid, who was arrested and detained by the police during preliminary investigation into Williams’ death, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking a mandamus order compelling the Inspector-General of Police to conduct fresh investigation with the possibility of a fresh trial.

Junaid alleged that the police disregarded his free statement, which could have assisted them to know who killed Williams.

He claimed that the evidence that he tendered was dscarded by the Federal Cen-

Their first day in court -Page 26

have strong leads and evidence, such can be traded for money and the case allowed to die a natural death.

It is also difficult for the police to go after killers where they are closely connected to the government. A government with killers within it will not back efforts to bring culprits to book.

Also, the police inability to apply forensic science in unraveling murders has not helped matters. Besides, poor funding is also a handicap, with most policemen ill motivated.

Although Nigerians have repeatedly demanded justice for the deceased and other murdered persons, the seeming helplessness of the police as well as curious silence of successive governments on the issue have made many to believe that the state was sanctioning extra-judicial killings as alleged by human rights groups.

Will their killers ever be found?

Lawyers’ view

•Lawyers back reopening of cases

•Late Bola Ige

•Late Dele Giwa

tral Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos.

inability to solve execution killings and other high-profile crimes. Many reasons may account for the police’s inability to to track these killers.

Some analysts believe that corruption is so widespread that suspects can pay their way out of prosecution. Although the police may

Why murders remain unresolved There have been concerns about the police’s

Strategies and legal framework for recovery of looted funds -Page 27

But lawyers who spoke on the issue, endorsed the move by the legislators, noting that it will end the reign of impunity in the country.

They argued that there was no time frame to investigate a criminal matter, urging the police to ensure adequate evidence is gathered.

To Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), the lawmakers should be invited by the Inspector-General of Police to offer evidence or leads that would be of help to the agency. ‘‘I do not think there is anything wrong with the resolution by the honourable members.What I expect the Inspector-General of Police to do upon receipt of the resolution is to invite the members who moved the motion to come forward and offer the evidence or leads that would assist the Police in reopening the cases. ‘‘It’s not a question of just passing a resolution; they should supply the evidence.

It seems the evidence may not have been destroyed as erroneously thought. ‘‘However, if the honourables fail to supply the required evidence to the Police, the case files should remain closed. As there is no statute of limitation for crimes, whenever the evidence is adduced, the case files could be re-opened,’’ he said.

Activist lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) believes that the resolution is in accord with the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to reopen illegal killings and end impunity in the country. ‘‘Since there is no statute of limitation, murder cases which were covered up can be reopened now. Because killers were not prosecuted in the past, life has been devalued. In the last six months not less than 80 people have been killed by armed gangs in Lagos area alone. ‘‘In many parts, assassins, kidnappers, robbers and terrorists are having a field day. Occasionally, some suspects are paraded and then illegally executed by the police without any trial. The officially sanctioned murder has to stop. The investigation ordered by the house is in the interest of the country,’’ said Falana.

For Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) who noted that the House does not have the power to give the IGP directive, however •Continued on page 26

The right to accountable government in Nigeria -Page 37

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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LAW COVER CONT’D •Continued from page 25

said the resolution was commendable..

He said: “Although it is a commendable initiative, the House of Representatives must know that it has no such powers as to give directives to the IGP. ‘‘That is the function of the executive and the legislators must read the constitution very well to know the limitations of their powers.

They can only pass resolutions or recommend to the IGP not giving him directives. ‘‘Having said that and despite the term directive being a misnomer, I think the current executive should reopen investigation of those state murders and assassination in order to bring the culprits to book. ‘‘I was one of the prosecutors in the case of late Bola Ige and I can tell you that the executive arm of government at that time bungled the prosecution. They did everything possible to frustrate the prosecution of the suspect. ‘‘One of the key witnesses that the prosecution team hoped to rely on based on his statement at the police, was later discovered, to have spent about a year in the same cell with the accused person. ‘‘The executive arm then was not interested and it won’t be a bad idea for this government to reopen the cases, since there is no statute of limitation on criminal matters. ‘‘A lot of questions remain unanswered, like why AIG Mrs. Ojomo was transferred? It will gladden our hearts if all culprits of state murders are brought to book.’’

For Norrison Quakers (SAN), the lawmakers’ intervention is in order and murder investigation can be reopened.

He said: “It is important to note that Legislative Powers of the Federation is vested in the two legislative arms of the Nigerian State and the powers are well defined and spelt out in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“It includes, but not limited to making laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation including the federations units (States) in relation to matters within the exclusive legislative list set out in the Constitution and the Police and other government security services of the government of the Federation come within the purview of the National Assembly. Which power, I believe must be jointly exercised.

“It is commendable that the House of Representatives has given this directive, but in my view, crimes committed cannot be barred by time.

“There is no legislation in Ni-

‘

•Late Williams

•Late Kudirat

•Akintola

•Ngige

Will their killers ever be found? geria, that states that criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution must be conducted and concluded within a specific time frame.

“It is against this backdrop that, I can safely say that whether the House of Reps directs or not, the Police as .

“The oversight functions of the legislature over institutions of government saddled with security, must include funding towards training of personnel, acquisition of machinery and state of the art technology in enforcement, prevention, investigation and prosecution.

“If we reflect on the statement made by the retired Chief of De-

fence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, that he presided over a poorly equipped military, it will give us insight into why our agencies saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring protection of lives and property, prevention of crimes, investigation and prosecution are unable to do discharge there constitutional duties.

“Perhaps, with the emergence of this new government, funding will no longer be an issue. If the right technology is acquired and deployed, substantial progress will be made in the several unsolved murders.

“So, the families still in grief will give sighs of relief, if the in-

There is no legislation in Nigeria that states that criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution must be conducted and concluded within a specific time frame

‘ vestigations are reopened, findings are made, persons culpable are arrested, tried and subsequently convicted.

“I believe, the House of Reps in their oversight functions over the Police, has called on the IGP to reopen the cases. I appreciate the fears expressed such as assembling of witnesses, collation of evidence, possible destruction of existing evidence, unwillingness of some persons coming forward etc, but as a country, we must move forward.

“It is for the new IGP to request for the macro and micro tools, the institution he is heading needs to successfully carry out the legislative directive.”

Defendant locked up for lateness to court

By Robert Egbe

T

HE defendant in a criminal trial at an Ikorodu magistrate’s court in Lagos, got a foretaste of prison when he was arrested and locked up for a few hours at the jail within the court’s premises for failing to arrive on time for his trial.

Oladeji Adejare, a 35-year-old male residing in Ibadan, Oyo State, was absent when his case was announced by the court registrar on Friday morning, but his lawyer, Mrs. O. M. Folami informed the court that her client was on the way and had called to say he was almost at the court’s premises. She asked that the case be stepped down for a few minutes.

The prosecution, Police Corporal Mary Ajiteru, however, disagreed and applied that a bench warrant be issued for the defendant.

In her ruling, the magistrate, Hon. Mrs. A.B. Olagbegi-Adelabu, said her records showed that the accused had a habit of lateness to court and ordered that upon his arrival, he should be arrested and locked up for a few hours to teach him discipline. She declined the application for a bench warrant but admonished the defendant’s counsel on the need to advise her client to take legal proceedings seriously.

On his arrival at a few minutes past noon, Adejare was promptly led to jail by bailiffs. He was not released until a few minutes before 4pm.

Adejare was first arrested by the police last year for obtaining N1.65millon from one Kamoru Mustapha between April 22 and 24 2014, on the pretext that he would buy a Toyota Hiace bus for him but absconded with the money, an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011. He was also charged with stealing in contravention of Section 285 of the same laws.

‘

Hon. Mrs. A.B. Olagbegi-Adelabu said her records showed that the accused had a habit of lateness to court and ordered that upon his arrival, he should be arrested and locked up for a few hours to teach him discipline

‘

The court is open to all - judges, lawyers, litigants and spectators. While judges and lawyers know the rules of the game, the others are novices. ROBERT EGBE writes on some Nigerians’ experiences on their first day in a courtroom.

Their first day in court

I

WAS afraid to cough – Samson Sadiq, Litigation Officer, Surulere, Lagos

The first time Samson Sadiq set foot in a court of law, he knew he had to be very careful. He had convinced himself he could be made to pay a heavy price for any indiscretion before the judge. So cautious was he that he was even afraid to cough.

He told The Nation: “I can’t remember the year I first entered a courtroom, but I remember it was at the Lagos High Court before the Hon Justice Muftau Olokoba. The judge handled the matter in a very nice and coded manner. He was very humble and had a transparent way

of giving judgment. On this first day, I didn’t know the do’s and don’ts, so I had to conduct myself very well. I sat quietly in court, patiently watching. When I needed to cough, I had to go out because I was thinking if I coughed in court and the judge heard me, he would say something. I was terribly afraid, so I conducted myself in an orderly manner. That was my first experience in court.

I heard that judges were very harsh – Ayobami Odole-Akinyemi, student at Bowen University Ayobami Odole-Akinyemi could not have imagined the events that

played out during her first day at an Ikorodu, Lagos, magistrate’s court. She came prepared to find a stern-looking magistrate, but was pleasantly surprised by the jovial atmosphere.

“The first time I entered a courtroom was on July 2, 2015. It was a magistrate’s court at Ikorodu (Lagos), and it was actually very interesting because I had always thought – according to what I had heard in school – that judges were very harsh, and (for) any little thing they could just throw you out of the courtroom. But for this one I found the magistrate to be very relaxed, because he was very funny; he was even cracking jokes. Every-

•Odole-Adeyemi

•Sadiq

thing was not too serious, and those who wanted to go out were allowed to, and stuffs like that. He wasn’t harsh at all, and the lawyers were okay too. “I didn’t fall victim of the magistrate’s anger,” she told

The Nation, “but another day I was in court when someone’s phone rang and it was taken from him. By then I had already known that when you are in court, you have to put off your phone, so, I was prepared.”

THE

27

THE NATION AUGUST 4, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY University of Lagos (UNILAG) law lecturer Wahab Shittu explores legal avenues to recover stolen money.

‘How to recover stolen funds’

T

HE pledge by President MuhammaduBuhari to recover alleg edly looted funds from the previous administration is one of the commitments arising from his recent visit to the United States. The President was quoted to have said that he would arrest and prosecute past ministers and other officials who, allegedly, stole Nigeria’s oil and diverted government’s money into personal accounts. It may be too early and premature to summarily pronounce anyone guilty of looting without pronouncement of guilt by court of competent jurisdiction; nevertheless, it is useful to interrogate the strategies and legal framework available to the authorities in the quest for loot recovery within and outside the shores of Nigeria. This is the purport of this intervention.

Undoubtedly the scourge of corruption coupled with astronomical rate of embezzlement of public funds constitutes serious impediments to the developmental process of any country, including Nigeria. It is okay to strive at dispatching the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to prison after a detailed and fair trial proceedings but it is also useful to recover for the benefit of the state the proceeds of such criminal activities. This is technically referred to as loot recovery or the forfeiture of proceeds of crime. The latter objective is the essence of this article, the rationale being that other than penal measures of imprisonment of guilty persons, recovery of the financial benefit which is the motivation for the crime will greatly discourage potential perpetrators.

Given the fact that we operate a democracy with adherence for constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, including transparency and accountability, it is important to deploy strategies and identify legal framework for loot recovery that would not run foul of the prescriptions of the democratic traditions including the rights of citizens in line with best practices and international standards.

Clearly, recovery of looted funds particularly by way of forfeiture is an effective weapon of weakening and tackling the scourge of organised crimes in that such weapons if successfully implemented reduce the efficacy of carrying out such crimes as perpetrators are unable to access funds to carry and sustain such crimes apart from also providing a platform for restitution for victims of such crimes including serving as veritable sources of funding for developmental purposes of which law enforcement remains a critical component.

The question is given the challenges of loot recovery and the determination of this administration to recover looted funds, how can this be achieved and with what instruments and legal framework if achievable?

In my article published in one of the journals of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies I had observed as follows on the phenomenon of dirty money otherwise called illicit funds the subject of recovery or forfeiture.

‘Money laundering is one example of transnational organised crime, and in the context of Nigeria it is regarded as one of the dangerous economic and Financial Crimes assuming such notoriety as to compel the draftsman to put in place a special legislative framework to address the scourge.

As a preliminary point there is a need to address the misconception of equating money laundering with currency trafficking as well as the era of perceiving money laundering as basically cross-border crime or trans-national crime. It is clear that there is pervasive incidence of money laundering within national frontiers and the salient feature of the crime would appear to be deploying proceeds derived from criminal activities such as illegal drug trafficking, corruption, dealings in narcotic drugs, any other crime or illegal act to lawful outlets and endeavours with the object of concealing the illicit origin of such funds with a view to avoiding the legal consequences thereof. The focus of money laundering therefore will appear to be against any form of ‘dirty money’ or funds derived from illegal activities technically referred to as money laundering’.

I had concluded in the said write-up by

making the following recommendations: ‘It is clear from the foregoing that African countries must design a regulatory and policy framework that will strengthen international partnerships and sustain strong ties amongst themselves and other countries of the world to effectively address the crime of money laundering. This would require the ratification by countries of the United Nations convention and the passage of more effective money laundering and forfeiture laws. It is also important to investigate the points where the money is most vulnerable and identify what can be done to separate criminals from having access to their ill-gotten wealth.

There is also the need to strengthen international co-operation on information exchange and law enforcement; ensuring proper mechanism for handling suspicious reports and effective compliance culture among financial institutions that will ensure that proper systems and procedures are put in place. There is also the imperative of increased public awareness of the threat of money laundering as well as effective synergy that will lead to increased cooperation between multiple agencies (national and international). These agencies must ensure that their personnel are well trained in investigation and intelligence sharing.

It is also necessary to deploy more personnel and focus on new technologies and counter-measures of investigating suspected violations. Multiple law enforcement agencies must share information on forfeited proceeds among themselves as well as introduce measures that will make it difficult to conceal funds derived from illegitimate and unlawful sources.

The foregoing analysis may have revealed the harmful effects of money laundering within and across national borders with disastrous consequences on the financial communities and the economic development process. Clearly, the crime undermines legitimate businesses and competition, including impacting negatively on government tax revenue as well as reducing legitimate opportunities for genuine business operators.

It has also been shown that the increased sophistication of money laundering as well as its diverse mechanism and process pose grave challenges of investigation and prosecution within and across borders.

Finally, we have shown the need for countries to strengthen international cooperation, vigilance, legal and institutional frameworks to tackle the menace of money laundering’.

The above suggestions remain useful for addressing funds looted and starched abroad for Nigeria and any other African country faced with such dilemma.

With respect to funds sought to be recovered within the shores of Nigeria, what is to be done? Prof Adedeji Adekunle, the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies has done extensive work in this area and his expertise will certainly be useful to the authorities in charting the way forward in our quest to recover looted funds. In his inaugural lecture titled: Proceeds of Crime in Nigeria: Getting our Act Right delivered in 2011, the erudite scholar addressed the issue comprehensively covering such areas as: ‘What kind of crimes/offences are proceeds important; Why should we be concerned with proceeds of crime; Basis and Forms of Forfeiture; Legal Framework for Forfeiture in Nigeria; Addressing Weaknesses and Gaps in the Law; Strengthening anti Money Laundering Measures; As-

set Recovery and Management Agency; The forfeiture Regime should include Civil Forfeiture; Forfeited property and the criminal justice system’, and other far-reaching recommendations and suggestions. The erudite Professor had also written extensively on related areas in his article titled ‘Fair hearing and Law Enforcement: some recent developments; Seizure of proceeds of criminal activity: Trends in recent financial crimes; status and independence of Prosecutors in National systems: Nigerian Legal System in perspectives and the corporateorganisation and Business Crimes in Nigeria amongst others’. I recommend these works in dealing with the problem of loot recovery in Nigeria.

Without prejudice to the foregoing, what is clear from the research findings on the subject of loot recovery is that the drive must be pursued within the framework of constitutionalism and legality; meaning that we must first of all try to trace the assets representing proceeds of crime. Secondly, we must be able to restrain by judicial order dealings on such assets and lastly, we must set machinery in motion to obtain a final forfeiture order in respect of assets that have been restrained.

It is necessary to follow the law and the steps itemised above because it is difficult to trace proceeds of crime or looted funds given the fact that perpetrators of such crimes have also devised ingenious mechanisms and measures for concealing their illicit loot away from prying eyes. Justice Obaseki JSC in Igbinovia v State (1981) NSCC 63 at pp 6869 acknowledged this fact when His Lordship observed as follows: “In this area of the world where crimes of violence are on the increase and means of investigation are in their rudimentary stage of development coupled with the secrecy with which these crimes are committed and the abiding faith in the concealment of facts by whatever means by the perpetrators of these crimes, the responsibility of ensuring security for the lives and property of our citizens demands the detection of the perpetrators of these crimes by all means allowed by law. Detection of crimes is a never ending task the Police is called upon to perform and in the performance of this task they ought to be able to beat the suspects in their game of hide and seek...”

It is necessary to distinguish two forms of forfeiture. Again, Prof Adekunle posits: ‘There are two broad methods by assets of criminals can be forfeited to the state. The more common form – conviction based penal forfeiture and the lesser known (at least in these climes), civil forfeiture process that has been popularised in countries like the United States. The main distinction between the two forms is that in the latter, forfeiture is not contingent on a finding of guilt or proof of any offence, it being essentially proceedings against property as distinct from persons’.

Research findings in Nigeria show clearly that the legal framework for forfeiture in Nigeria is not contained in one piece of legislation, rather several legislations embody the law and practice of forfeiture with varieties depending on the nature of the crime and the legislation sought to be enforced.

Consequently, statutes, such as the EFCC Act; the National Drug Law Enforcement Act etc. the forfeiture regime could be targeted at the property which is the evidence of the commission of the offence, property forfeited to compensate the victim of the fraud or in

‘

Undoubtedly, the scourge of corruption coupled with astronomical rate of embezzlement of public funds constitutes serious impediments to the developmental process of any country, including Nigeria

‘

•Shittu

circumstances where the instrumentalities of the crimes are confiscated and lastly where all the property traced to a convicted person are seized for forfeited to the state.

The other type relates to the forfeiture of the proceeds of a crime, meaning property derived directly or indirectly from the crime for which the accused was convicted or under trial.

There are provisions under the EFCC Act for example for interim forfeiture of assets during trial proceedings pending the determination of guilt of the accused person, the rationale being to prevent such assets traceable to the accused person from being tampered with or utilised to fight the system during the pendency of proceedings. Generally, the law provides for the power of confiscation for forfeiture of such assets that are successfully traced to the accused person arising from the criminal activity for which such accused person is standing trial.

There are also provisions under the AntiMoney Laundering Laws. Financial institutions are also under obligation under the 2011 Money Laundering Prohibition Act to put in place measures aimed at preventing the laundering of illicit funds and may be compelled to disclose to relevant agencies whether accused persons have beneficial interests particularly in bank accounts or any other source of investments with the bank in respect of suspects under investigation for offences bordering on corruption, drug trafficking, financial crimes or human trafficking.

Consequently, a useful strategy would be for the authorities to work closely with the banks and other financial institutions and enforce Anti-Money Laundering provisions on disclosures and other penal sanctions.

Banks and other financial institutions who fail to cooperate or are in default of antimoney laundering legislation to be identified and prosecuted.

One effective strategy for the authorities on loot recovery is to enforce existing Money Laundering and other legislations impacting on illicit funds in Nigeria.This will require diligent investigation within and outside the country.

The other strategy is to identify the challenges of recovery of looted funds abroad.

The challengesposed by national and crossborder investigation and prosecution of money laundering crimes, herculean as they may appear would seem not to exist without remedies and in reality it can be said that countries across borders may call in aid the guidance offered by the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as well as the perspective offered by the United Nations model Legislation on money laundering and financing terrorism.

In addressing the scourge, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) may have set a template for countries to follow in curbing the •Continued on page 28

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

28

LAW AND SOCIETY

When Roberto met Abraham: A

NYONE who watched scenes of blatant patronage politics employed to end slavery and win the civil war in the United States, as depicted in the 2012 film Lincoln, might well question if corruption is necessarily the nemesis of the progression of basic human freedoms and rights.

The movie gave me a crisis of conscience.

In Berlin, a stalwart anti-corruption activist from Transparency International Estonia tried to reassure me that there’s always another way. But I couldn’t help question that, maybe sometimes, is corruption good.

Then I got a call, in early 2013, via Skype. It was from Roberto Berardi, who at that point was only on house arrest in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

Why was he arrested? Because he was in a position to provide firsthand evidence to US courts of massive thieving by the ruling family in Equatorial Guinea, a small but oil rich country on the west coast of Africa.

Roberto Berardi is an Italian businessman who entered into a joint venture with Teodorin Nguema, the son of the president of Equatorial Guinea, and the country’s second vice president. When the jointly owned company was identified in papers filed by the US Justice Department in proceedings to seize assets in the US acquired by Mr. Nguema, including a California mansion and Michael Jackson’s Bad tour glove, Mr. Berardi asked questions. Soon thereafter, he was arrested, tried for fraud and misappropriation of corporate assets in a trial for which there are no written records, and was detained, mostly in solitary confinement, in a Bata, Equatorial Guinea prison for years, until finally released on July 9.

Human rights groups and his family reported beatings, untreated illness, extreme weight loss and denial of access to needed medical attention, and suggested he’d remain detained and suffering until the case in the US concluded and he’d effectively be precluded from bringing evidence to light. And, this is exactly what happened: the case settled

By Erica Razook

Corruption and Rights Law in

Title of book: Human africa Number of pages:

403

Number of chapters:

7

Publisher:

Oxford Hart Publishing, UK

in October last year, and eventually, this month, Berardi was released home to Italy, despite President Obiang’s promises to tend to the humanitarian concerns in Brussels, at the European Union-Africa Summit, well over a year ago.

The connection between corruption and human rights could not be made any clearer, whether impacting individuals like Berardi, or en masse populations like in the countries hit by Ebola, where long histories of thieving from the public treasury resulted in inept healthcare systems unable to stop a deadly epidemic.

In an intellectually robust endeavor, Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan makes the case forcefully that human rights law and tribunals are a needed response to grand corruption. He argues compellingly in 362 rich pages that the human rights movement must take into account the underlying roots of the degradation of systems of governance via widespread corruption which in turn results in systemic rights abuses.

After examinations of national and international legal contexts, highlighting Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Angola, Dr. Olaniyan’s book, Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa, concludes that national criminal law approaches to countering cor-

•Continued from page 27

menace of money laundering. The Financial Action Task Force which was established by the government of the major industrial countries recommended that Anti-money Laundering Measures should be seen as an international responsibility and must be given priority by nations. This task force made forty recommendations on how to achieve eradication of money laundering with most of the recommendations embodied in the United Nations model law. These recommendations have since been increased to forty eight. Basically the recommendations highlighted a standardised international approach to the counter measures against money laundering.

In achieving these objectives, the recommendations highlighted the following main issues amongst others. a. Legislation Member nations of the United Nations are requested to put in place a legislative framework against money laundering. This legislation is designed to universally criminalise money laundering in all countries of the world.Given the peculiarities in different countries every sovereign state is encouraged to identity the financial crimes they consider to be of serious nature within their frontiers and list such crimes in their money laundering law. b. Content of the Law The recommendations also require states to put in place such preventive measures that will require banks and financial institutions to: i. Establish the identity of their customers before entering into business relationship with them; ii. Keep record of the customers transactions; iii. Report every lodgement and; or withdrawal by the customer which falls within the reportable threshold.

The recommendations also require that secret or coded account system be abolished and that bank secrecy acts should not be allowed to operate against investigation of money laundering. c. Assets for forfeitures

ruption are needed but inadequate.

Turning to international human rights norms of universality and acto popularis, empowering all “spirited citizens” to bring complaints of abuses, Dr. Olaniyan culls refreshingly supportive statements from former commissioners of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights recognizing the importance of considering corruption in the human rights cases it hears.

This is a positive step forward from the denial of admissibility the Commission issued in a case filed by the Open Society Justice Initiative in 2007 against Equatorial Guinea, alleging that massive theft from the public treasury was a violation of Article 21 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights – a provision which protects the peoples’ rights to natural resources, wealth and development.

In that case, the Commission decided that complainants would have to exhaust domestic remedies before approaching the continental forum. The denial of admissibility was not only a setback for people in Equatorial Guinea who have limited options for pursuing accountability for corruption domestically – according to lawyers in the country, the court system is entirely controlled by the executive, and in practice, the military, and a presidential decree is necessary to approve meetings of five people or more – but for would be anti-corruption activists generally, and others like Roberto who find themselves as potential witnesses to the crime.

It evinced unapologetic disregard for the real security risks posed to those who dare challenge such overpowering, all-encompassing oppression machines.

In many places, not just in Bata, people pay with their lives for the cost of corruption.

Health crises wreak havoc. Livelihoods and food and water sources perish. Perspectives are silenced. Information suppressed. Basic services are denied, and avenues for recourse can be mere facades of justice, at best.

Dr. Olaniyan is right to suggest legal ac-

tions challenging corruption should enjoy the same open notions of standing of complainants that the human rights movement has forged.

He concludes also with a set of more specific recommendations, including around trust funds for victims of corruption, legal reform to enhance accountability of banks and other firms involved in laundering stolen assets, and mechanisms for peer review of anti-corruption conventions.

I wondered how many options Lincoln had in his day. We have quite a few more.

•Razook is Legal Officer, Anti-corruption, Open Society Justice Initiative, United States

How to recover stolen funds

•Shittu

There are also far reaching recommendations designed to take away the gains of crime from the money launderers. In this respect, legislation is required to contain forfeiture clauses, apart from terms of imprisonment. This will allow the assets of the launderers to be confiscated by government upon conviction for such crimes. d. International Co-operations There are also far reaching recommendations requiring cooperation between nations and international organisations on the issues of money laundering.This coopera-

tion requires free flow of information and mutual assistance in the area of interdiction, investigation and extradition. Nations are also encouraged to ensure that they are not only signatories to, but would live up to the obligations of international initiatives against money laundering and other financial crimes. e. Institutional Framework The body equally recommended an institution which would be charged with the responsibility of enforcing, monitoring the law as well as regulating the institutions on whomthe law has imposed obligations.

The recommendations also contain provisions on ‘the role of legal systems in combating money laundering’; ‘provisional measures and confiscation’, role of financial system in combating money laundering, measures to cope with the problem of countries with no or insufficient ant-money laundering measures as well as ‘other measures to avoid money laundering’. The recommendations also specify for the ‘implementation and role of regulatory and other administrative authorities’ including measures for ‘strengthening of international cooperation’.

It can be said that these recommendations constitute good theory on paper but the implementation of same in domestic legal systems in Africa, including Nigeria (may depend on other variables including political and economic indices on ground). The political will and determination by the Buhari administration is important. It is also critical to put in place policies that would facilitate the blockage of leakages in the system and allow return of looted funds this will include thorough investigation to ensure looted funds are successfully traced.

Secondly, once such assets of suspects under investigation are identified, agencies concerned must initiate restraint/seizure proceedings to obtain interim forfeiture orders.

Thirdly, the judicial mechanism to obtain

final seizure orders of property of convicted persons must be effective and efficient.

The scenario whereby there is no single piece of legislation on forfeiture of assets in Nigeria is unhealthy. Therefore, I agree with Prof AdedejiAdekunle’s suggestion that ‘Nigeria is in dire need of a comprehensive law on proceeds of crime’. The authorities might want to take the hint by initiating an executive bill for an Act providing for a comprehensive provision on proceeds of crime in Nigeria. There is also the need to strengthen existing Anti-Money Laundering Measures in line with best practices and international standards.

The other issue is how to address the looted funds recovered in view of several allegations and counter allegations that such recovered funds are not properly accounted for making the suggestion of an Asset Recovery and Management Agency imperative. Experts should work on this immediately.

Finally, if the drive for the recovery of the looted funds is to be successful, we need to strengthen national systems in a manner that would encourage diligent investigation to trace looted funds, strengthen the adjudicatory process to ensure that recovery of looted funds follow due process and are dealt with dispatch, we need to strengthen anti-money laundering measures and seek collaboration with national and international agencies including sub-regional, regional and international community and agencies in facilitating the recovery of looted funds. Where necessary, memorandum of understanding bilateral and multilateral treaty obligations may have to be worked out to achieve this objective.

Looted funds are specie of corruption. It is salutary that the US, the world major power has offered to assist us. We should leverage on this and also seek the cooperation of the international community as a whole in helping Nigeria to recover looted funds.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

PAGE 29

INSIDE Colourful inauguration for Plateau council chiefs

PAGE 30

Business school to train Kwara civil servants

PAGE 31 •Dankwambo inspecting the park construction

After insurgents developed a taste for open and poorly secured parks, detonating four bombs and killing scores at two such facilities in one day, the Gombe State government has started building large, better monitored parks.

VINCENT OHONBAMU reports

S

ULKING over the last chilling attacks will not help.

On Sallah’s eve, just under two weeks ago, a bomber killed 50 people and injured about 71 others at the Gombe Main Market. Six days earlier, four explosives, a pair in each of two parks, claimed another 36, injuring some 105. It was a horrible time

Gombe responds to Boko Haram ‘Dankwambo will not have his people brood endlessly over the tragedies. He took action to make it more difficult for bloodthirsty elements who continue to cause the nation much grief through such attacks on soft targets. Dankwambo is building spacious parks with sufficient monitoring gadgets’ for Gombe State.

Yet, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo will not have his people brood endlessly over the tragedies. He took action to make it more difficult for bloodthirsty elements who continue to cause the nation much grief through such attacks on soft targets. Dankwambo

is building spacious parks with sufficient monitoring gadgets.

That and some other spin-offs inspired the establishment of Gombe Mega Motor Park and Trailers Parking Bay, Governor Dankwambo said.

The governor spoke at the site of the Trailers’ Parking Bay after in-

specting both sites in Gombe, the state capital.

He said, “From what we have seen in the last couple of weeks, these [bomb blasts] would have been minimised if we had one central place where people are monitored by cameras and their movements in and out regulated.

“We are guaranteed that this [Mega Motor Park] is going to be the only place where all security measures and devices can be installed for the security of lives and property.

“Secondly, it will help to generate revenue; thirdly there are related activities: lock-up shops, there is a small hotel where you can rest for the night if you return late and can’t go home. That dignity in human being is what we are looking for.

“These and other ancillary activities will enhance the socio-economic welfare of our people through increased commercial ac•Continued on page 30

Nightmare on the other side of town

PAGE 33

All for Buhari in Cameroon

PAGE 36

30

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

•The Berom cultural group was also there

•A cultural group from Mangu

Colourful inauguration for Plateau council chiefs

P

LATEAU State Governor Simon Lalong has inaugurated the third tier of government in the state. And what a colourful event it was.

Various segments of the state population cast aside all religious and tribal differences to usher in the new local government area chairmen in style.

Since the governor took over power on May 29, the appointment of council leadership was his first major official duty. The inauguration took on a carnival atmosphere.

Governor Lalong said, “We are gathered here today to witness the swearing-in of Management Committee Chairmen as well as the formal inauguration of Management Councils for the 17 Local Government Areas in the state.

He said, “It became a matter of necessity for the government to dissolve the local government executive and legislative arms after an assessment of the operations of the councils within the provision of the law, which leaves much to be desired in government expectation of leadership at that level.

“As a responsible government committed to reducing the sufferings of our people, we have satisfied in our estimation the requirement of law, conscience and the expectations of •Continued from page 29

tivities, thereby increasing the per capita income of the state.”

Dankwambo said the Trailers’ Parking Bay was informed by the need to curtail the loss of lives and property through accidents caused by articulated vehicles.

Speaking further, he said, “One of the reasons is to ensure that as much as possible, trailers, tankers, the larger vehicles don’t go into Gombe. They will park here. And if they are loading from the NNPC Depot or the grains market, they proceed from here and move in an organised way that can be controlled.

“Secondly, if you go into town, you will see a lot of heavy-duty vehicles parked indiscriminately.

By that we are losing revenue and so many benefits. And the roads too are overstressed and sometimes we see indiscriminate parking on both lanes.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

the people of Plateau in our actions. Our Government for the purpose of emphasis will not fold her hands and watch those who are called to the highest threshold of accountability in leadership become unaccountable in public service to the mandate given to them.

“As a new government, we are confronted with the challenge of paucity of funds in the midst of security concerns, myriad of social welfare and developmental challenges needing immediate attention, for which we are resolute on delivering on them in our quest, to restore Plateau to her glorious days and position of pride in the comity of States.”

The governor told the new council chiefs, “Your selection as Management Committee Chairmen and that of your other members is a product of a broad spectrum consultation, so that you are conscious of the expectation of the people and morally under the burden of conscience to deliver on the expectation of the citizenry. We are on a Rescue Mission and now as a part of the team, you are under mandate to provide purposeful leadership in line with our policy trust of revamping the economy, sustaining peace and security, ensuring

•Some of the new council chiefs after their inauguration

prosperity through good governance which is the hallmark of development; within the duration of your service.

“You should therefore see this appointment as an opportunity to drive the needed change the people at the grassroots yearn for and for which you are under obligation to deliver.”

As soon as the swearing-in ended, the people exploded into festivities, each of the 17 local councils displaying their cultural riches in honour of each of the newly inaugurated chairmen.

The carnival later moved to the

‘We are gathered here to witness the swearing-in of Management Committee Chairmen as well as the formal inauguration of Management Councils for the 17 Local Government Areas in the state’ residence of the various chairmen or some location chosen by the new leaders. Some of those outdoor locations included the

Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Rayfiled Resort, Plateau Hotels and Rock Garden, among others.

Gombe responds to Boko Haram “But with this kind of thing, to a larger extent, revenue can be generated; employment can be generated here too and security of the vehicles will also be guaranteed”.

He said various relevant unions would equally be better organised in their monitoring of the people who go in and out of the town for security purposes.

Yaya Bappayo, Permanent Secretary, Gombe State Ministry of Works who conducted the governor round the projects, said the project cost N3.2bn with 28 months completion period starting from January 2013.

He said when completed, the Mega Motor Park would provide employment for teeming youths of the state, enhance internal revenue generation, and improve state security delivery, and would, above

‘When completed, the park will provide employment for teeming youths of the state, enhance internal revenue generation, and improve state security delivery, and also harmonise, sanitise and modernise all the mini-motor parks scattered across Gombe’ all, harmonise, sanitise and modernise all the mini motor parks scattered across Gombe metropolis.

Ancillary facilities at the parks include a terminal building, four taxi lines, three retail shops, two mini-bus lines, luxury bus lines, two modern mechanic workshops, standard clinic, fire service station, comprehensive police station, two

juma’at mosque, three public toilet and bathrooms, a standard 38room hotel and two administrative union offices Nevertheless, the need to reschedule the completion period; need for proper organisation of site, need for additional skilled labour and additional workforce and the need to start work on trailers, trucks and lorries’ section as well as general external

works questions the scheduled completion period.

It also questions Governor Dankwambo’s resolve and assurance to finish Mega Motor Park project this year.

Work at the Parking Bay has attained 80% completion and while that of the Mega Motor Park is still at a mere 38% completion despite that government has paid 52% of the total contract sum to the contractors.

The Nation reports that government intends to operate both projects for a while and later handover to the private sector for proper management as part of the strategy to reduce the government expenditure, maximize as much revenue as possible and recoup the resources invested on them for further investments.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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THE NORTH REPORT

Business school to train Kwara civil servants N

EWLY established Goshen International Business School has expressed its intention to train Kwara State civil servants.

The training, if consummated, will be in the areas of human capital development, transformation of the state civil service through our training programmes, socio-economic research, environmental Conservation activities; partnering with state government in its economic transformation programme and social awakening of the citizens of the state.

Others are offering genuine advice to the state government on its socio-economic activities and advice on security to the state government, the Chairman, Governing Council of the school, Bayo Atoyebi has said.

Mr. Atoyebi, a lawyer, said this at the commissioning of the school in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

He added that “it is with this in mind that the school’s management has taken a decision to partner the state government to help develop the civil service by way of bringing the civil servants up to date in terms of the required knowledge to translate government policies into economic development.

“We intend to contribute to the extension of the frontier of knowledge of the civil servants in terms

‘The school’s management has taken a decision to partner the state government to help develop the civil service by way of bringing the civil servants up to date in terms of the required knowledge to translate government policies into economic development’ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

of Management training in key areas. This we hope would empower them to effectively transform and translate the state’s economic policies into real development to the benefit of all.”

He said that a well equipped civil service will facilitate rapid economic transformation efforts of the government.

The governing council chair stated that no amount of salary paid to civil servants could make them as effective as the knowledge of economic transformation/policies that “we are ready to provide not only for this state but for the states around Kwara

in the first two years of our operation in Ilorin.”

Said he: “It becomes imperative here to highlight the strategic importance of the state as the gateway between the southern and northern parts of the country. It is also one of the middle-belt states which make it accessible to the two divides of the northern and southern states of the federation.

“Its accessibility is not in doubt considering the avalanche of routes open to would-be visitors and tourists to the state. The state is accessible by Rail through the main trunk from Lagos to Kano, it is a nodal city considering the road transport, it can be accessed through the International

•Kwara state Deputy Governor Elder Peter Kisra cutting the tape to commission the school, while the Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold and some traditional rulers watched with interest.

Airport situated in the Capital City, Ilorin which also host an Aviation College. There is no gainsaying the fact that Ilorin presents the best location ever possible to site the school, and which we have done. ”Equally important is the fact that the proponents of the school are stakeholders in the state who are willing to contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.

“We therefore appeal to His Excellency to consider this school as one

Continued on page 32

490 get free medical services

Panel to probe Jos chlorine leakage

A

T

HE Plateau State government has constituted an administrative panel to investigate the chlorine gas leakage which claimed eight lives. The 11man panel is chaired by Mr Jimmy Cheto, an engineer.

The chlorine gas leakage at Jos Water Treatment Plant that affected over 100 residents was initially thought to be a saboteur’s handiwork. It was rather a case of negligence and possibly sheer ignorance of the chemical capacity of the gas. Those who use of the chlorine in treating water for human consumption may not know the chemical beyond its usage.

Laboratory scientists and chemists say the chemical is also a weapon of mass destruction, which can wipe out many humans, animals and plants, as was the case in the leakage in Jos killed human beings, plants and animals.

Chlorine gas is described as a “highly irritating, greenish-yellow poisonous gas existing as a diatomic gas and capable of combining with nearly all other elements, produced principally by electrolysis of sodium chloride and used widely to purify water, as a disinfectant and bleaching agent, and in the manufacture of many important compounds including chlorates, sodium hypochlorite, and chloroform” A laboratory scientist in the Laboratory Science Department of University of Jos, Mr. Danjuma Kumbak said, “Chlorine is very poisonous, being highly irritating to the nose, throat, and lungs, and causing suffocation. It is used in

of your achievements in the state during your tenure particularly when measured against the huge potentials it has, to help build a solid human capital base for the state.

We offer to train the entire civil service staff in batches at a discounted rate as part of the school’s contribution to the state government.

•A rusted chlorine gas cylinder at the plant

‘The chemical is only useful to humans when it is dissolved in water, but it is poisonous to human beings when consumed in its raw stage. Such accident can occur through sabotage or careless handling of the chemical’ From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

purifying water, as a disinfectant, and bleach.

He said, “The chemical is only

useful to humans when it is dissolved in water, but it is poisonous to human beings when consumed in its raw stage. Such accident can occur through sabotage or careless handling of the chemical.

“I know that small amounts of chlorine gas can be made in the laboratory by combining hydrochloric acid and manganese dioxide.”

Historians have revealed that chlorine gas was used as a chemical weapon during the First World War by Germany. Recently, during the Iraq war of 2007, chlorine gas was used in the form of chlorine bombs by insurgents against the local population and coalition forces in the Iraq War. On March 17, 2007, for example, three chlorine-filled trucks were detonated in the Anbar province, killing two and sickening over 350. Other chlorine bomb attacks resulted in higher death tolls, with more than 30 deaths on two separate occasions.

TOTAL of 490 persons including vulnerable children from 10 years and above in Tunga Maje, Gwagwalada Area Council have been tested and treated free for Hepatitis B and C. The outreach was organised by a civil society organisation, Elohim Foundation.

Speaking during the event, the Project Director of the organisation, Julius Ibecheole stated that the exercise which is part of the activities marking this year’s 2015 World Hepatitis Day, marked globally every July 28.

He added that this year’s event is aimed at creating the needed awareness on the increasing spread of Viral Hepatitis in Nigeria, which currently has an infected population of about 20 million Nigeria.

Ibecheole called on the Nigerian government to provide access to treatment and support for infected persons as the cost associated with obtaining the treatment from the very few available specialist centers in the country was very high.

He further called on development agencies and pharmaceutical groups to support hepatitis treatment in Nigeria as the burden of Hepatitis is astronomically far higher than that of HIV and the infection more deadly than HIV. Beneficiaries of the screening who tested negative were given free vaccination while those that tested positive were referred to Bwari and Asokoro General Hospital.

“These hospitals have specialist to handle the needed treatment while organization follows up the patient through linkage to her support group mechanism to enable them access behaviour change communication, treatment literacy education, treatment support and adherence counselling services.

32

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

T

HERE is no taking the foot off the accelerator in the drive against criminals in Kaduna State.

The state governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai declared war on miscreants terrorising the state, adding that anyone who committed murder or engaged in any criminal act must face the music.

The gesture has sent a strong signal to the criminals. Just after he constituted General Martin Luther Agwai led committee on Southern Kaduna killings, the war against criminals has been progressive.

After 120 suspected criminals, including new Sara-Suka miscreant gang members were charged before a Kaduna court, 41 others have been paraded by the police for armed robbery, illegal gun production and car snatching among others.

The suspects were taken to court and later assigned to various magistrate courts by the Chief Magistrate Court I, Awaulu Musa Aliyu, for the continuation of the case.

However, the suspects were taken back to police custody.

Speaking with journalists over the arraignment, Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, Deputy Supretendant of Police, DSP Zubairu Abubakar, disclosed that 120 suspected criminals and terrorist gangs were charged before the court for criminal activities adding that there is no hiding place for miscreants in the state.

He explained that: “We arrested 120 suspected criminals with some acts of terrorism, armed robbery and rape. Some are suspected to be members of a terrorist gang known as Sara-Suka. We arrested some of them on the spot while committing the crime, while others were arrested based on complaints from the public”.

But of specific interest in the Friday parade of suspects at the police headquarters was the case of a car thief who vehemently rejected being referred to as a car snatcher.

Aliyu Yakubu who confessed to have stolen about 300 cars from Kaduna since 2012 said, he never snatched a car in his life. Yakubu who suddenly turned an English language teacher, told journalists that, a car snatcher robs the owner at gunpoint.

According to him, “I have a master key that can open any type of car and that is what I have been using to move cars from where they are parked. Immediately I pick a car, I move straight to Niger Republic where I sell it at a fixed price

•The suspects and their weapons

El-Rufai steps up campaign against criminals From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

of N300,000:00.

“I normally target places like big people’s areas, rich people’s occasions, because I know they won’t be pained much because they have many other cars. So, they don’t usually report to police on time, before they report, I must have gone far,” Yakubu explained.

On whether his choice of ‘business’ has dark side, he said yes, “In 2013, I was arrested by police for the same offense and I was subsequently charged to court. But a friend, who has political intention came to my rescue and secured my bail.

‘We arrested 120 suspected criminals with some acts of terrorism, armed robbery and rape. Some are suspected to be members of a terrorist gang known as Sara-Suka. We arrested some of them on the spot while committing the crime, while others were arrested based on complaints from the public’ “So, the case is still in court due to bureaucracy and redtapism. It was as a result of come to court today come tomorrow that I added one plus two and continue with my business pending the time the court

will determine my case”, he hinted confidently.

He further added that, “I some-

Business school to train Kwara civil servants •Continued from page 31

•From left: Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; National Assembly Auditor and Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Badminton Association, Gabriel Gbayan and Vice President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, during the recently concluded International Badminton Classics held in Lagos

times traced unsuspecting motorists to their destinations where I use the master key to unlock the car’s sensor after which I drive as fast as I could straight to Niger Republic where my regular buyer would be waiting for the consignment.

“I started in 2012 when I was told that I could make as much as N300,000 on one car. I tried it and I saw that it was not difficult so I continued until when I was caught few days ago by the police in Kaduna”, he explained.

Luck however ran out of him when he attempted to steal another car on popular Isa Kaita road, Kaduna.

“We wish to appeal to you to avail this school the opportunity to train the entire civil servants of the state in phases such that in a spate of oneyear, the bulk of the service would have been translated from mere ‘worker’ to human capital – an essential ingredient for accelerated socioeconomic development of the state.”

He said that the school has designed retreat/Workshop for state executive council members; retreat/ Workshop for members of the House of Assembly; facilitating local and overseas training for senior civil servants; skill acquisition for all categories of civil servants.

Commissioning the project, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed represented by his deputy Peter Kisra said that his administration would not allow the current financial challenges in the country affect the training of its civil servants.

He added that the school is in a position to contribute to the economic activities in the state as its students and faculty would patronize business across the state.

Governor Ahmed said: “I find it remarkable that Goshen Business School is focusing on strategic areas

that are of priority interest to my administration of particular interest are human capital development, Training of civil servants, environmental conservation and security. I assure you that the state government stands ready to collaborate with you in these and other areas of mutual interest to uplift our state and create a better life for our people.

“We are particularly interested in human capital development especially through the expansion to access to quality health and provision of functional education. In line with this commitment, this administration intends to extend our hospital remodeling project to an additional five general hospitals in the state in our quest to ensure that more of our people can access affordable quality health care wherever the live in the state.

“The establishment of additional comprehensive and primary health care centres will also complement our efforts in this key sector. Additional, we will boost educational reforms and ensure that our youths receive functional education that will prepare them for entrepreneurship and instead of searching for increasing competitive and shrinking positions in the public and private sector.

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

Page 33

Driving is pleasurable in the swanky parts of the territory, dreadful in less graceful areas. Blame the bad roads, reports GRACE OBIKE

•A road at Kubwa

W

HEN the roads are free in the glitzy districts of the nation’s capital, you could cruise in your car. In several outlying parts, though, driving is hellish no matter the hour of the day or season. In the rainy season, it is sheer agony in those less celebrated areas.

Such parts as Maitama and Asokoro where the rich and powerful live are the stuff of dreams but in the wet season, parts of Durumi, especially Durumi II, for instance, are a nightmare for motorists. To get to the area, one will have to cross a small stream.

In the rainy season, the stream overflows its banks and residents have to wade through its murky waters or pay some muscled youths to ferry them across on their backs.

Roads in Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi and environs are bad.

Even the main expressway that leads into Abuja from Nasarawa State is not in such great shape with patterns of potholes on it.

The streets are worse.

Mr John Bishop, a resident of Karu, said 90 per cent of the road

S

INCE the ban on commercial motorcycles in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), some 20,373 of the twowheeled vehicles have been impounded by the administration.

The FCT Permanent Secretary Mr. John Chukwu, an engineer, has warned commercial motorcycle operators to stay away from Abuja because their motorcycles will be impounded, if caught.

Mr. Chukwu also stated that in order to ensure the safety of lifes and property on Abuja

PHOTOS: AYORINDE HOPE

Nightmare on the other side of town

is in complete decay and that it has become worse this rainy season.

“I will honestly tell you that 90 per cent of the roads around Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi, Orozo and the rest are really terrible. Virtually all the roads are terrible, car owners like myself have to wash our cars everyday and even with that, people always ask us if we are coming from the farm with our cars; when it rains heavily, motorcycle operators refuse to ply some parts because they can get stuck in the road and some of the roads are so slippery that even vehicles get stuck in them.

Papei, directly behind the famous Maitama, fares rather badly too.

‘90 per cent of the roads around Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi, Orozo and the rest are really terrible. Car owners like myself have to wash our cars everyday and even with that, people always ask us if we are coming from the farm with our cars’ The road leading into it is awful in the dry season; in the rainy period it is worse. It hardly has any drainage. This leaves the area flooded.

Galadima, near the popular Gwarimpa, has little drainage but it is not enough to de-flood the area. The road is very bad. Its wet

20,373 motorcycles impounded From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

highways, the FCT Administration has used its new computerised Vehicle Inspection Scheme to check the roadworthiness of 11,000 vehicles from September 2014 to date.

He claimed that the FCTA Computerised Vehicle Inspection

Scheme is the first and the only one in Nigeria and added that the policy has become very necessary, considering the number of the unfortunate road crashes in and around the 250 square kilometers of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary FCT, Muhammed Sule made the revelation in a press statement where he said that Engr.

Chukwu disclosed that the inspec-

tion is ongoing and urged the motoring public to take advantage of the scheme to know the status and be sure of their vehicles before using them on the highways.

He restated that the vehicles’ test would make the Directorate of Road Traffic Services certify such vehicles for use thereby minimizing avoidable road accidents.

Chukwu also added that in or-

orange clay soil makes driving a choking exercise. Garbage lines the road. Houses are built so close to one another and very close to the major road.

Dutse also has its share of bad roads. Some residents claim that they have become tired of waiting for the government of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Area Councils which are supposed to be closer to the masses to do what they are meant to do. Kubwa is an area where only major roads are good; those leading into streets are very di•Continued on page 35

der to improve service delivery, the FCT Administration has approved six additional Driving Training & Test (DTT) Canters for the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services to run driving tests simultaneously as well as the issuance of drivers’ licenses and assured that the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services as at today, has the capacity to process new vehicle number plates /vehicle papers within 24 hours except for fancy or out of series numbers that may take longer time.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

34

THE NORTH REPORT

Nightmare on the other side of town Continued from page 33 lapidated and in some areas eroded my minor erosions.

Pipeline is one of such areas. Although the area is directly behind the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ýcamp, the road leading into the area is really bad. Surprisingly, the area boasts lovely private houses and the residents ride lovely vehicles. The problem is driving to their homes. The road is so bad that sometimes residents have to fill the road with sand, which is quickly washed off again.

Uzodinma Oko, a resident of Pipeline, told Abuja Review that they were all required to contribute money to repair the road but nothing came out of it.

She said, “This road is so terrible, everyday, people pack out of this vicinity because of the road, the houses here are actually nice and affordable but the road will not allow people to stay. The area association made each house in every compound contribute N9,000 and even car owners were asked to pay again differently for the rehabilitation of the road, because everyone is tired of the suffering; we all paid but that was since last year. When we asked, we were told that the man who collected the money from everyone had embezzled everything, he did not even think of doing the

‘This road is so terrible, everyday, people pack out of this vicinity because of the road, the houses here are actually nice and affordable but the road will not allow people to stay’ road even a little, recently they returned with another demand for money but no one will pay because our job is not to provide them with money that they can embezzle”.

Byahzine, another popular part of Kubwa, has the most dilapidated roads. At night, people pay motor-

•Another bad road in Kubwa cycle operators double the normal fare to take them to their homes.

The FCT administration is known to give the six Area Councils their due allocations at all times and in most cases, it is the job of these area council chairmen to provide simple amenities like roads.

Bwari Area Council roads are awful right up to its secretariat.

Esther Isah, a resident of Dutse,

Bishop urges patronage of hospital

C

HURCH of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has announced the establishment of the church’s hospital in Kubwa to cater to its members.

The church also urged members to patronise the facility.

The church made the call in its Bishop’s Charge delivered during the first session of the 3rd Synod at Abuja, with theme: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

He also reported to the faithfuls that the commencement of the Anglican University, Pegi also in the Federal Capital Territory has been suspended because the National University Commission (NUC) refused to approve the 25 hectares of land of the proposed site in Pegyi.

From John Ofikhenua

Akamisoko noted that the commission has insisted that the church acquire 100 hectares of land but getting such a large expanse of land in Abuja is a difficult task.

The cleric noted that that Nigeria needs good leadership to harness and have proper administration of all the God’s given natural resources in the country.

Presenting the charge, Rt. Rev. Duke Akamisoko sought the rebirth of every Nigerian, stressing that the United States of America has a very strong institution that no President can manipulate since the system would simply send the leader packing.

He said: “Nigeria needs good leadership to harness and have proper

administration of all the God’s given natural resources on our land. This has to start from you in your offices to the presidency.

“American...has a system set up in such a way that no President can mess America up. The system will throw him out. If you take President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to America as President, he will perform.”

The US institutions at all levels, according to the cleric, are too strong so they always make their leaders sit up.

Continuing, Akamisoko added: “Then bring President Obama to Nigeria, he will be corrupted by the Nigeria system and will not be able to perform as a good president.

“We all have roles to play in the issue of our country.”

described how she and the motorcyclist ferrying her fell on a slippery dirt road.

“I had gone to Bwari and I was still on the motorcycle in the market when the bike man lost control because of how slippery the road was and we fell. It was so embarrassing and as people pitied me and said sorry because not only was my dress ruined but most of the prod-

ucts that I had purchased in the market were all over the road I wanted to be angry at the bike man but I realised that it was not his fault. The road is slippery since our government has refused to repair it. These bad roads are really dangerous and cause a lot of accidents.

The government honestly have to come to the aid of the masses and provide the necessary amenities.”

EPARTMENT of State Service (DSS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Bello Bakori has vowed to ensure that Abuja is free from security breaches.

Bakori promised that the DSS would continue to provide intelligence to assist the FCT Administration deliver good governance to the people.

He spoke during a courtesy visit to the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Chukwu.

In a statement sent by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Muhammad Sule, Bakori was quoted as saying, “My office would continue to provide quality intelligence to assist the FCT Administration deliver good governance to the residents.

We’ll secure Abuja, says DSS

D

•Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria Prof. Eli Bala (left) Managing Director Bank of Industry, Rasheed Olaoluwa, Country Director United Nation Development Programme, UNDP, Dr Pa Lamin Beyail and Executivce Director, Large Enterprises Bank of Industry, Mohammed Alkali during the Bank and UNDP Solar Energy Programme Project Board Meeting in Abuja Photo Abayomi Fayese

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

“We will also continue to strive for the Federal Capital Territory to be free from any security breaches by providing the necessary intelligence”.

Mr. Chukwu called on synergy between all security agencies operating in the FCTý, to ensure that Abuja is free from all criminal activities.

He said that the call has become necessary because of the ever influx of people into the Territory, due to security challenges in some parts of the country, thereby making the security situation in the FCT more challenging.

Engr Chukwu added that, “We want continued peace and stability in the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory because Abuja is hosting Mr. President, members of the diplomatic community as well as serving as the seat of government, which calls for security agencies to be more proactive in service delivery.

“This is a period of reflection and change, I will like to also call on the security agencies in the Territory to continue to put in their best to enable Abuja remain a pacesetter because it’s no longer business as usual.

“I will like to enjoin all the heads of the security and anti corruption agencies in FCT to bridge the gap between the staff of the FCT Administration and their respective organisations, since we are all working for the government and for the common good of the people”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

35

ABUJA REVIEW

Council chair makes case for autonomy

T

HE chairman of Kwali area council, Hon Ibrahim Daniel has stated that the autonomy for local governments in the states and abolishing of joint state and local government system, would help bring about development at the grassroots.

Daniel who was speaking in an interview stated that the local government autonomy if implemented, will bring positive transformation to the lives of the people at the grass root.

Reacting to the report of the autonomy granted by Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for local governments in the state and the abolishing of joint state and

local government system, Daniel urged more states in the country to follow suit as it will no doubt bring development to the door step of the people.

“The governor of Kaduna State is replicating what he as a minister saw in FCT. He met one of the best practice of FCT administration and decided to take it to his state. The area council account in FCT have been an autonomous account. Whatever FCT administration generates, 10 per cent goes to the area councils. If other states will follow suit, It will bring development will be seen at the door step of the people.

“Whatever money that is meant

for the councils should be giving to them so that the developemnt will reach to the people. For me, there should be only two tiers of government in the country, the local government and the federal government. The state does not have a jurisdiction, they exist under the local government. What you see is the capital center being developed while the local government are let on their own,” he said.

He expressed sadness that in most states, development was only recorded in the city capital adding that it was bad as the state fund should be equitable distributed so that development will be for everyone.

“The state funds are meant for equitable distribution. If more local government created, they will deal with the people in the grass root and federal government have to do with international issues, the military and other issues,” he said.

Residents plead for health facility

T

HE residents of Adadu community in Kwali area council has called on the council administration to provide a clinic in the area so as to alleviate the suffering of the residents as it comes to getting quality health care.

Speaking during an interview recently, the chief of the community, Habila Joshua stated that the residents especially the women and children needed a health facility which

can cater to their health needs.

He stated that pregnant women usually deliver at their homes because of the distance of the hospital in the area adding that when there was complication in the pregnancy, taking the woman in labour to a hospital was always an uphill task.

“Our roads are very bad. So in order not to complicate the situation, the woman who is in labour are carried on someone’s back. Normally,

Council chief hopes for more revenue

T

HE chairman of Kwali Area Council, Mr Ibrahim Daniel has expressed the hope that the FCT Internal Revenue Service Board inaugurated in May will collect more revenue in the area councils.

Speaking during an interview, Daniel said that there were many areas in the council and FCT where that authorities could not collected revenue because there was no enabling law.

He added that with the board in place, revenue collection will be made easier.

“We know that we will feel the impact of the board. The reason is that there are revenue in council and FCT level that were not able to be collected because there was no enabling law. Like the property task in Abuja, it runs into billions of naira.

From the projection, in FCT, if they are to collect revenue on it, it will run into billions,” he said.

He noted that development will be recorded in the councils as whatever the board collected as revenue, 60 per cent will be plunged back to the councils.

“The good news for the councils is that whatever the board collected from the revenue, 60 per cent will be plunged back to the council. It is a massive change,” he said.

Daniel expressed hope that though the board will face various challenges, the FCT residents will begin to get its impact before the year runs out.

“There might be challenges this time around, administrative structures, modalities for collecting the revenue and how to kick-start it. I am sure that before the year runs out, we will begin to get the impact of the FCT Revenue Board,” he said.

Recall that the former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Bala Mohammed, has the inauguration the board following the signing of the law by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mohammed had stated that the FCT administration expects to generate N400 billion annually through the board adding that the board had responsibility for assessment, collection and accounting for revenues accruable to the FCT and other related matters.

we use motor cycles for transportation but carrying a woman in a bike and in the bumpy road is a difficult task,” he said.

Habila also stated that the bad road in the community has cut it off from other communities as the people find it hard to transport themselves from the community to another due to the bad road and called on the council to help them in solving their problems.

He expressed gratitude to the government for providing potable water to the community adding that the availability of the water has help the people a great deal in their quest for a clwan drinkable water. ‘’We are grateful that we were remembered. We need more things like a clinic. We have to go to far places to receive health care. Because the road are bad, it takes us hours to get to access a clinic. We are happy that we have a primary school. We remember we always remember we have a government with the school,’’ the community chief said.

T

HE Acting Director, FCT Secondary Education Board, Hajia Rakiya Daniya has stressed the imperatives of education, saying it is the key to social and economic development. She advised communities to make it a priority.

Daniya stated this during her first visit to Kabusa community in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

Her prompt visit which was to inspect the Senior Secondary School and solicit for the Chief and the Community’s support in facilitating the movement of the school to its permanent site was accompanied by officers from the Board.

ALGON boss hails NUJ president

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HE President of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Micah Jiba has congratulated the newly elected President of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) Mr. Waheed Odusile, the Managing Editor of the Nation Newspapers.

Jiba who is also the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), expressed optimism that the emergency of Odusile would mark a new beginning for Nigerian journalists who are struggling in the profession to make ends meet.

According to the ALGON boss, who made this known in a press statement, there are so many things that needs to be corrected in the media sector by the new administration of Odusile, mostly in the aspect of total neglect of Nigerian journalists who give voices to the voiceless.

“We believe that with the credible credentials of Odusile and his long experience and antecedents in the practice of journalism, which is regarded as a very re-

spected and noble profession, Nigerian journalists will have reasons to smile out of their hard times.

“We want to assure the President of NUJ that ALGON is fully ready to work with the newly elected leadership of the NUJ, as we have always seen ourselves as partners in progress. We will continue to work together for the benefit of the common Nigerians at the grassroots, in order for them to get the change they desire.

“I also want to appeal to the newly elected President of NUJ to always put the interest of Nigerian journalsits at heart, by ensuring that their salaries are paid regularly as at when due, because most of them at suffering to survive because of none payment of their salaries.

“I believe that if the issue of welfare and salaries of Nigerian journalists are corrected by this new NUJ administration, then Nigerians will get the best from the media and the journalists will no longer sell their conscience for money,” he said.

‘We want to assure the President of NUJ that ALGON is fully ready to work with the newly elected leadership of the NUJ, as we have always seen ourselves as partners in progress’

‘Prioritise education’ Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

The acting education boss explained that educating children has proven to be a great asset to parents, communities and the nation, adding that investing in it will make positive impact.

She noted that no community can develop without providing functioning education services.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, (PRO), Odugbo Sarah, she further stressed that the FCT Secondary Education Board in fulfilment of its mandate

of providing and sustaining qualitative senior secondary education to FCT residents will continue to work assisdously to achieve its objectives.

The acting director stated further that the establishment of Government Secondary School in kabusa among other communities in the Federal Capital shows the determination of the FCT Administration to make Education accessible and affordable as it has place education in its front burner for its teeming Continued on page 36

•Jarawa cultural dancers at swearing-in ceremony of local government leaders in Plateau •Participants at the annual workshop for members of Association of Financial Analysts of Nigeria (AFAN) in Dutse, Jigawa State State

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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ABUJA REVIEW

T

HOUGH not the first Nigerian leader to visit Cameroon, President Muhammadu Buhari’s two-day trip to the country may be well be one of the most memorable.

Buhari, who was the fourth Nigeria’s President to visit the country behind former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Umaru Yar’ Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, completely seized the airwave and cyberspace many days before the visit.

Apart from a tumultuous crowd that turned out to welcome and bade him fareware, almost all the programmes on television, radio and social media in the country completely focused on Buhari’s visit.

Discussions at any little gathering of Cameroonians also centred on Buhari with excitement of the visit glaringly showing on their faces.

Different groups of women, men and youth in the various colourful Cameroonian national attires dancing and showcasing their culture were at many points between the Yaounde International Airport and the Hilton Hotel, where Buhari stayed.

They were also on the roads leading to the Presidential Villa, known as the ‘Unity Palace’ and on many roads in the city.

At every point, security personnel had hectic day keeping the crowd in check to prevent them from spilling to the roads in excitement.

While armed security personnel dotted the two sides of major roads in the city, snipers were strategically positioned on top of high rise buildings looking out for troublemakers.

Any road where vehicles were allowed to ply prior and during the visit, had many check points where the vehicles and passengers were thoroughly screened.

Pedestrians were not left out as they were made to open any bag on them for searching.

Shops, doors and gates to buildings by the roadside of Buhari’s routes were shut throughout the visit.

Nigeria and Cameroon flags and banners with various messages on the strong ties between the two countries were hung on the two sides of the road at intermittent intervals Besides the rolling out of drums by the Cameroonians and Nigerians residing in the country, the visit is viewed as a great plus for security in the sub region aimed at defeating the Boko Haram terrorists.

The visit is also expected to boost bilateral relations between the two countries As part of the communique read in the presence of the two leaders at the end of the visit by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Ismail Aliyu, the two leaders agreed to complete the demarcation of the land border between

All for Buhari in Cameroon Nigeria and Cameroon before the end of the year in order to concentrate on enhancing cross-border cooperation.

They also endorsed the commitments made at the Extraordinary Summit of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic held on June 11, 2015 in Abuja.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen security collaboration along their common border under the auspices of the NigeriaCameroon Trans-Border Security Committee and within the framework of the implementation of the concept of strategic operations approved at the Abuja Summit.

They reaffirmed their determination to strengthen cooperation with other neighbouring countries for the rapid elimination of terrorism and other security threats.

Thanking the United Nations, the African Union, the ECOWAS, Economic Community of Central African States and other bilateral and multilateral partners for active solidarity against Boko Haram, they reaffirmed their support for the implementation of the Lake Chad Basin Commission’s Five-Year Investment Programme (2013-2017).

This seeks to save Lake Chad, restore its ecosystem and promote the socio-economic development of the people living within the basin.

The two leaders also welcomed the first meeting of Governors of contiguous states and regions on the

‘Prioritise education’ •Continued from page 35

populace all around the six Area Councils of FCT. Daniya while soliciting for the Chief’s support in ensuring the existing mutual relationship between the school and its host community is maintained said, it is the wish of the Board to embark on its projects at its permanent site noting that, the present structure and facilities at the old site are over stretched.

She appealed to the community to continue to encourage their children to take the advantage of the school and learn for their advancement.

Daniya restated that, the FCT Administration is committed to providing functional and sustainable education aimed at bringing speedy development to its indigenes and residents.

In response, the Chief of Kabusa Community, Yohanna Koche commended the Ag. Director and her team for their visit and expressed his readiness to help where necessary in the movement of the school to its permanent site.

He noted also that, the establishment of the school has been a blessing to the community and as such, the community will not hamper its expansion.

He also appealed to the authority to assist in providing other social amenities needed in the community.

will be set up, a collaborative effort will be set up to check the Chadian corridor, which will check proliferation of small and light arms to Nigeria. My expectation is that the day of Boko Haram will soon be over.”

From the Villa

Avoiding past mistakes

By Augustine Ehikioya Nigeria-Cameroon border in Yaounde, calling for such regular meetings to strengthen collaboration between the two countries.

One of the governors on the visit, Adamawa State Governor, Jibrilla Bindow said: “I am very happy to be part of this team. Though it concerns me because I am one of the governors that are affected by this insurgency, Adamawa is one of the frontline states.

“As you know, Mr. President is a serious person and the Cameroonians are very happy to meet him. We the six governors that came with the president are also highly impressed.

“Our expectations are very important for our people. Apart from the insurgency that affects the North East states, Yobe in particular because of the mountains around the state. I’m

•Chairman, Star Times Group, Pang Xinxing (left); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr Sade Yemi Esan; Director, General Nigerian Television Authority, Mr Sola Omole and Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, Emeka Mba at the 5th Anniversary of StarTimes Digital Network in Abuja.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

sure Boko Haram will soon be a thing of the past.

“It is also highly important, Cameroon and Nigeria has already signed an MoU to reconstruct the road between Demse-Belel-JimetaGerei. So we are very impressed and looking forward to seeing some of the implementations of what we have agreed. The road is very important for the movement of goods and services.”

On his part, Cross Rivers State Governor, Ben Ayade, said: “It has been a fantastic outing, a closed-door meeting between President Buhari and Paul Biya, with extensive outcomes.

Emphatically looking at the Boko Haram menance and see how, through that bilateral cooperation, they can curb the incidences of Boko Haram.

“My hope is that a joint patrol team

Will you like a President who appears to be very fast with policies that get the country nowhere or a seemingly slow President who properly articulates his policies and hit the mark for the progress of the country.

Many Nigerians, no doubt, will definitely go for the second category of President in order to have their expectations and yearnings met.

This is a poser for those who may already be feeling that President Muhammadu Buhari, after two months in office, is not as fast as they want.

In this direction, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa last week Tuesday called for patience.

He said: “Change is not by magic it is driven by the people, the spirit and the character and the planning. We have had so much problem in this country in the past because we run into policy blind folded without adequate and effective planning.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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LAW & SOCIETY In Kalu v. Federal Republic of Nigeria11 by the Appellants challenged the locus standi of the EFCC to prefer against them on the ground that the funds allegedly stolen belonged to the Abia State Government and not the Federal Government. In dismissing the objection the Court of Appeal (per Eko JCA) held that the argument of the Appellants was rooted in the fallacious ground that “the funds allegedly stolen and paid into the account of Slok Nigeria Limited was from the Security Votes of Abia State that were managed by the 2nd Respondent, as the Governor of Abia State, and that the said Security Votes are ‘unaccountable and unretireable’. The argument does not say, and it cannot be further stretched to mean, that because the funds from Security Votes are ‘unaccountable and unretireable’ they are ‘stealable’ or and can be pilfered with impunity.”

Kola Olaniyan has contended that “corruption cannot be effectively combated by reliance only on the criminal and law enforcement approach, and a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach which incorporates human rights law will be required to adequately and effectively deal with the problem and effects on human rights”.12 With respect, corruption cannot be effectively dealt with without challenging the political economy of the postcolonial capitalist states in Africa. In view of Article 21 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which has imposed a duty on all African countries to “undertake to eliminate all forms of foreign economic exploitation particularly that practiced by international monopolies so as to enable their people to fully benefit from the advantages derived from their national resources” the expropriation of the commonwealth by a few persons including foreigners is untenable.

Being the keynote address delivered

by Femi Falana (SAN) at the public presentation of Dr Musa Babayo’s book on Economic Diplomacy and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in Abuja on Monday 27, 2015

‘Enforcing right to accountable government’ The Nigerian Economy and Nigerians

T

HE right to development is a fundamental right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to and enjoy economic, social and cultural development. It is a right which includes the exercise of full sovereignty over national resources, self determination, popular participation in development and equality of opportunity.1(Footnotes) UN General Assembly Declaration on the Right to Development 1977.

Accordingly, the Nigerian State shall direct its policy towards ensuring the promotion of a planned and balanced economic development and ensure that the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the mean of production and exchange in the hands of a few individuals or of a group.2 Having ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Nigeria is under a duty to ensure the exercise of the right to development and respect the economic, social and cultural rights of the people with due regard to their freedom and identity and in the equal enjoyment of the common heritage of mankind.3 Apart from ensuring that the nation’s material resources are harnessed and distributed to serve the common good the State shall ensure that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, old age care and pension, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.4 A key component of the economic objectives of the State is the “control of the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status.”5 Therefore, the State shall prevent the “exploitation of human and natural resources in any form whatsoever for reasons, other than the good of the community”.6 Hence, the entire property in and control of all natural resources vested in the Government of the Federation shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. 7 In order to establish a welfare system in the country the Constitution has imposed a duty on the State to direct its policy towards ensuring that “the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good and that the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group. But with the hijack and control of the economy by imperialism and its local lackeys the commonwealth has been completely concentrated in the hands of a few people.

The demand for the control of the country’s natural resources was a component element in the struggle for independence from the British colonial regime. But upon the attainment of self rule the status quo was allowed to remain in the economic front. Realising that the socio-economic rights of the people could not be meaningfully guaranteed without the control of the natural resources a duty has been imposed on the member states of the African Union to freely dispose of the commonwealth in the exclusive interest of the people.

No doubt, the domination of the Nigerian economy by market forces has stultified the development and growth of an efficient, dynamic and self-reliant economy in Nigeria.

The adoption of neo-liberal economic policies by the Federal Government has continued to promote poverty among the generality of Nigerians. Despite the abundant resources of the nation, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that “over 100 million Nigerians live below the poverty line.” I am not unmindful of the commitment of the Buhari Administration to fight corruption. It ought to be pointed out that corruption is not the root cause of our poverty but one of the manifestations of the peripheral capitalist economy which is anchored on ruthless exploitation.

Instead of striving by means of appropriate regulations “for the minimisation of exploitation and the concentration of wealth in a few hands, the securing of adequate means of livelihood and employment opportunities, suitable and adequate shelter, reasonable minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, unemployment and sick benefits etc”8 the State begun the systematic promotion of poverty through the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme imposed on the country under the Ibrahim Babangida junta.

Contrary to the economic objectives of the nation, the State

Duty of Nigerians to fight corruption

•Falana

has stopped the planning of the economy, refused to harness the resources of the country and failed to address grand corruption and abuse of office. But in view of the debilitating effects of corruption on the society the State has adopted some measures to promote transparency and accountability in governance. In addition to the penal and criminal codes which have provided for stringent penalties for fraud, embezzlement, stealing, conversion etc other laws which are designed to promote good governance are the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, Code of Conduct Act, Public Procurement Act, and Fiscal Responsibility Act. In demonstration of its resolve to combat corruption the Government has ratified the United Nations Convention on Corruption and the African Union Convention on Corruption.

Aside the collaboration with some countries to tackle corruption through Mutual Legal Assistance the Federal Government has enacted a number of laws for encouraging ethical standards and promoting good governance. Notwithstanding the corpus of anti-graft laws and the establishment of anti corruption agencies, official corruption has stultified growth and development and exposed the country to ridicule before the comity of nations. This is not unexpected given the nature of the country’s neo-colonial capitalist economy compounded by impunity on the part of the ruling class.

Constitutionality of anti-graft agencies Upon the promulgation of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act by the National Assembly, its constitutional validity was taken up in the case of Attorney-General of Ondo State v. AttorneyGeneral of the Federation.9 In rejecting the request of the Plaintiff to declare the Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission Act, 2000 illegal and unconstitutional, the Supreme Court said that “The Act is meant to make justiciable by legislation a declared state policy to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power; it is to hearken to national and international concerns over corruption it is to give a national leadership and impetus to the crusade while not standing in the way of the states; it seeks, among other things, to deal with and punish specific offences on corrupt practices even including those committed outside Nigeria by citizens and persons granted permanent residence in Nigeria; see section 66. It is not in any way an attempt to embark on a general criminal law legislative jurisdiction. The eradication of corrupt practices and abuse of power will enure to the good government of Nigeria.”T h e constitutional validity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004 was equally questioned in Hassan v.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission 1010 (2014) 1 NWLR (PT 1389) 607.

Where the Court of Appeal held that the commission had been duly established by an Act of the National Assembly with the responsibility of investigating and prosecuting economic and financial crimes. In refusing the relief for perpetual injunction to restrain the Commission from further arresting or disturbing the Appellant in any manner whatsoever the Court held that “no court has the power to stop the investigative powers of the Police or EFCC or any agency reasonable suspicion of commission of a crime or ample evidence of commission of an offence by a suspect.”

Furthermore, the locus standi of the EFCC to charge the appellants was challenged

The duty conferred on citizens “to render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order” has been said to include the duty to expose corruption by reporting allegations of corrupt practices to the antigraft agencies. In Fawehinmi v. Inspector-General of Police13 the Supreme Court held that notwithstanding the immunity conferred on heads of government by section 308 of the Constitution, criminal allegations against them may be investigated by the police during their term of office. The view of the apex court was captured by Justice Uwaifo when he said that “The evidence or some aspect of it may be the type which might be lost forever if not preserved while it is available, and in the particular instances given it can be seen that the offences are very serious ones which the society would be unlikely to overlook if it had its way... It may no doubt be used for prosecution of the said incumbent Governor after he has left office. But to do nothing under the pretext that a Governor cannot be investigated is a disservice to the society.”

The Court however turned round to hold that the police could not be compelled to investigate or prosecute any criminal complaint on ground of public policy. With respect, the Supreme Court missed the point as it failed to take cognizance of the relevant provisions of the Constitution. In other words, the discretion of the anti graft agencies to decide whether or not to investigate or prosecute allegations of corruption cannot override the fundamental right of citizens to freedom of information coupled with the duty placed on them to render lawful assistance to law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their duties.

Convinced that they have discretion to investigate or prosecute allegations of corruption the anti graft agencies have often pick and choose which cases to investigate or prosecute. The latitude given to the police and other agencies clothed with prosecutorial powers was taken up in Alhaji Sani Dododo v. Economic & Financial Crimes Commission and Ors. (supra). Having submitted petitions to the anti graft agencies alleging corruption against a former governor of Sokoto State, Senator Muhammed Adama Aliero which were not investigated by the respondents the Appellant approached the Federal High Court for judicial review by filing a writ of mandamus.

In striking out the case for want of locus standi on the part of the Appellant the federal high court held that the Respondents could not be compelled to investigate or prosecute the suspect. The appeal against the verdict was also dismissed by the Court of Appeal. But the locus standi of the Appellant to institute the case was recognized when the Court (per Nwodo JCA) held that “the traditional and narrow view set out in Adesanya’s case will not attain justice in the realm of public right in the light of the Nigerian cases earlier set out on issue of locus... the African Charter provision encompassing public rights should be so construed broadly to vest locus on a tax payer who is interested in good governance and shows such interest by writing a statutory body to complain on misappropriation of public funds. Such act is disclosure of sufficient interest.”

In recognising the constitutional duty imposed on citizens to report allegations of corrupt practices by public officers to the anti graft agencies the Court of appeal said that “the Appellant, has some duty under section 24 of the Constitution 1999 to abide by the Constitution and respect its deals. He also has duty, by dint of section 24(e) of the same Constitution ‘to render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order’.

It is in the spirit of section 24 of the Constitution, read together with section 15(5) of the same Constitution that enjoins the state agencies to ‘abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power’ that the appellant made his complaint of corrupt practices against the 4 th respondent to the 1st and 2nd Respondents, who are no doubt lawful agencies of the Federal Government charged with police powers to investigate allegations of corrupt practices and financial crimes and prosecute the offenders.”

•To be continued nextweek

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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LAW & SOCIETY Despite efforts by the government to decongest the prisons, the number of inmates is on the rise. Last week, during the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Badagry Branch, Lagos, some lawyers examined the issue and profferred solutions to the problem. ADEBISI ONANUGA reports.

Lawyers proffer solution to prison congestion L

AWYERS and other stake holders in the Justice Sector Reform have proferred solution to prison congestion in the country.

This was at a seminar theme, Prison Congestion and administration of justice in the 21st Century Nigeria which held in Ojo, Lagos as part of activities marking the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Badagry Branch.

Participants agreed that the congestion at the prisons is caused by awaiting trial inmates and not the convicted ones.

Chairman of NBA Badagry branch, Chief Chris Okoye lamented that the problem of prison congestion had been successfully tackled by past governments.

“Our prisons are anything but corrective. They are mostly congested with inmates who see themselves as being condemned to hell fire. Even the ones who are on remand and are still presumed innocent because they have not been found guilty are, no doubt, also being deprived of their dignity as they languish in our congested prisons”, Okoye noted.

“If justice is three fold – justice to the victim of the crime, justice to the society and justice to the accused person who is being detained in the prison where he has to stand or squat all night and day in a little corner because there is no space, it behoves to ask the type of justice he will get when he has suffered untold hardship in the prison. Can any justice be administered to a prison inmate in a congested and overcrowded prison?” he asked.

A Badagry-based lawyer, Senu Olufemi Avoseh, in his paper canvassed constitutional amendment so that issues of prisons could be removed from the exclusive legislative list to the residual list so that states could be given powers to build prisons to ensure that convicts and persons awaiting trials in the states can be kept in state prison.

•From left: Guest Speaker, Uguwmmadu; Chairman of the occasion, Sir Osuala Nwagbara; Secretary NBA Badagry, M.O. Chukwuma-Okafor: Director, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Tunji Dawodu; and Chairman, NBA Badagry, Chief Chris Okoye; during the opening ceremony of the seminar.

He said this would allow for space in federal prisons. He said the arrangement, whereby all convicts and awaiting trial persons from the different levels of the court are kept in federal prisons have been responsible for the overcrowding of the prisons.

Avoseh lamented that the prisons have remained congested because bail conditions are not easily fulfilled by the awaiting trial persons and for other reasons considered unimportant, when trial against an accused person is yet to commence. This resulted in overstretching of prison facilities with the attendant illness, poor feeding, destruction and death, ‘’ asking he the courts should be encouraged to enforce only laws that would not lead to congestion of prisons.

Avoseh explained that it was to stem the tide of prison congestion that the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody)(Special Provisions) Act Cap 40 Laws of the Federation 1999was passed.

He noted the state Chief Judges of and governors have been releasing awaiting trial inmates from prisons yearly in exercise of their powers under the law. He also said rather than prison sentences, magistrates should be encouraged to commit convicted persons to community services or that such person, if not a Nigerian, be deported to his country to serve his prison terms.

He said they could also take advantage of plea bargaining, whereby a convict is set free after returning all he stole instead of be-

ing committed to prison.

Activist and former Secretary Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights (CDHR), Malachy Ugwummadu, painted a gloomy picture of the situation in the prisons. Quoting statistics from the International Centre for Prison Studies, he said no fewer than 57,121 inmates are languishing in 240 Nigerian prisons as at October 31, last year. According to him, 17,544, representing 31 per cent, are convicted inmates while the remaining 39,577 inmates, which constitute 69 per cent are awaiting trials persons (ATP). He said the data established the terrifying degree of abuse to which the fundamental rights of Nigerians, under the 1999 Constitution, including prisoners, particularly regarding their rights to fair hearing as regards their innocence as stated in Section 36(5), right to personal liberty (Section 35), dignity of human persons (Section 34) are violated, exposed and rendered lame and useless.

Ugwummadu said the innovations in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 assented to by former President Goodluck Jonathan is capable of tackling prison congestion, if strictly followed. Until the new law came into being, he noted that criminal procedure was governed by either the Criminal Procedure Act or Criminal Procedure Code, noting that for years, these legislations were applied by each state without any significant improvement.

Instead, he observed that the criminal justice system is

polarised along regional lines and lost its capacity to quickly meet the needs of the society in relation to rising wave of crime, speedily bringing criminals to book and protect the victims of crime. “The ACJA 2015 responds to Nigeria’s dire need of a harmonised legislation that will transform the criminal justice system to reflect the true objects of the constitution and the demands of a democratic society in eliminating unacceptable delays in the disposal of criminal cases thereby improving the efficiency of the criminal justice administration in the country, including prison congestion”, he said.

He sought the merger of the provisions of the CPA and CPC into one federal Act that would apply in all federal courts, pointing out that while the new Act substantially preserves the criminal procedures, it also introduces innovative provisions that would enhance the efficiency of the justice system.

He listed some of the provisions of the new Act, which he said, are geared towards prison decongestion to include Sections 16, 29, 33, 34, 68, 111, 296, 315, 319, 396, 460, 461, 467 and 468, among others.

Ugwummadu explained, for instance, that Part 45 introduced the parole system in the administration of criminal justice, adding that Section 468 of the act empowers the Comptroller-General of Prisons to recommend to the court that a prisoner serving his sentence in prison is of good behaviour, having served at least one-third of his

term, that the remaining be suspended and the prisoner shall be released from prison after undergoing a rehabilitation programme. Section 460 of the Act provides for suspended sentences and Community Service for lesser offences not involving use of arms, offensive weapon, sexual offences or an offence which sentence exceeds imprisonment of over three years; Section 461 provides for the Chief Judge to establish in every Judicial Division a Community Service Centre while Section 315 provides that if a judge or magistrate is unavoidably absent, perhaps because of elevation to a higher court, his judgement may be delivered by another judge.

To Ugwummadu, the provisions of the ACJA 2015 would revolutionise and accomplish great reforms in the criminal justice system of the country. He, however, stressed the need for every stakeholder in the sector, including police officers, magistrates, judicial officers to play their part and work together to achieve the laudable goals the Acts was set to achieve.

“There has to be some synergy between the executive and the judiciary so as to give life to the provisions of this Act. Surely, if lawyers, policemen, prison officials, magistrates and judges and all stakeholders alike ready themselves to surmount every challenge, then the future of the criminal justice system is bright and bright indeed,”he stressed.

Lawyers pay tribute to Nwaiwu L

AWYERS are still struggling to come to terms with the death of Dr. Amaechi Nwaiwu (SAN), who will be buried on Satuurday.

In his tribute, the former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Associaiton (NBA) Section on Special Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), said,: “I am still shocked beyond words and yet to come to terms with the reality that he is really no more.

“As a legal practitioner, he was an epitome of erudition and distinction, diligence and excellence. He was indeed an invaluable asset to the legal profession. His sudden demise has no doubt left a vacuum that can never be filled. I was privileged to have known and worked with him

By John Austin Unachukwu

for over a decade. He was a very close friend, a dependable associate, and a fine colleague. He was also a perfect gentleman; core professional, committed family man and devout Christian who lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.”

Chairman of NBA Owerri Branch Burial Committee, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, who spoke on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates (SAN), said Nwaiwu would be missed.

“For lawyers based in Imo State, Dr. Amaechi Nwaiwu is the sixth lawyer to ever attain rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria only after Chief A.B.C. Ikeotuonye (SAN), Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN), Chief Bon

Nwakanma (SAN), Chief D.C.O Njemanze (SAN), Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN). It was after Dr. Amaechi Nwaiwu took silk that the rank of (SAN) was bestowed on Sir J.T.U Nnodum (SAN), Chief D.C Denwigwe (SAN), Chief Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), Chief K.C.O Njemanze (SAN), Prof. Francis Dike (SAN), Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN) and Sir Ndukwe Nnawuchi (SAN).

“In Abia State, his home state, Dr. Amaechi Nwaiwu is the fourth lawyer of Abia State extraction to attain the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria only after Dr. Nwakanma Okoro (SAN), Chief I.N. Umezuruike (SAN), Chief Awa Kalu (SAN). It was only after Dr. Amaechi Nwaiwu took

silk that the rank of SAN was awarded to Chief Chris Uche (SAN), Chief Solo Akuma (SAN), Chief Etigwe Uwa (SAN), Chief I.N. Ijiomah (SAN), Chief J.U.K. Igwe (SAN) and Chief Gordy Uche (SAN).

In the history of the legal profession in Nigeria, Dr. Amaechi Nwaiwu is No.173 in the roll call of Senior Advocates of Nigeria while Chief Rotimi Williams SAN is Number one “In the Nigerian Law School Class of 1985, Dr. Nwaiwu was the third person to be elevated to the rank of SAN. He attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria at the remarkable and clearly young age of 40 years in 2001.”

A Valedictory Court session will

•The Late Nwaiwu

be held in his honour on Friday at the Justice Paul Onumajulu Square, High Court Premises Owerri, Imo State by 10.00am before his burial on Saturday.

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LEGAL OPINION Should CLE recognise NOUN’s law degree?

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OLLOWING the ban on parttime study of law in Nigerian Universities by the Council of Legal Education (CLE), and Body of Benchers, the controversy over the recognition of the law degree awarded by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) for the purpose of admitting its graduates for vocational studies at the Nigerian Law School, Ogunyiriofo Okoroh in this rejoinder, interrogates involved in this decision and action. He appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari to look into the discrimination meted out to NOUN law graduates by the CLE and Body of Benchers with a view to making it possible for NOUN law graduates to attend the Nigerian Law School.

In the public notice published in the Guardian of Tuesday, April 7, 2015 Council of Legal Education and Body of Benchers informed the general public that “the Council of Legal Education again announces for the benefit of the general public, that the LLB. Hons. Degree Programme offered by the National Open University of Nigeria is not approved”. p.34.

The position of the statutory bodies – the Council of Legal Education and the Body of Benchers is as follows: •The study of law must be undertaken on full time basis, in recognised institutions for the provision of undergraduate studies” •the regulatory bodies have long proscribed the study of law through Part-time, Distance Learning, or Correspondence Studies and it was in consequence of this, that the Parttime LL B. programme run by the Faculties of Law of accredited Universities were abrogated” •that every aspirant for the Legal Profession must undertake an undergraduate study on full time basis, in a recognised Faculty of Law. This is because the study of law transcends knowledge acquisition alone, as it involves the molding of future entrants to the Bar in learning, character and attitude.

In another advert in the same paper on the same date, titled: application for Bar part 1 course, Council of Legal Education announced among other things, the admission requirement – “The programme is open to law graduates of approved oversees Universities or Law Schools whose law courses have been approved by the Council of Legal Education. Degrees obtained through long distance learning or study as an external student are not recognized for the admission to this programme” In an interview on ‘why Council of Legal Education may not admit Open University graduates to Law School’ granted to Joseph Onyekwere, by the Chairman, Council of Legal Education Chief O. C. J. Okocha, published in The Guardian, Tuesday, 31 December 31, 2013, he gave some reasons why law graduates of National Open University may not be admitted to the Law School. This interview is of interest to the public.

It is the intention of this writer to analyse the issues raised by Council of Legal Education, CLE and Body of Benchers, BB and critically react to them. But before going to these, we may have some brief ideas about NOUN, CLE and BB.

By Dr Ogunyiriofo Okoroh

Centres in all the states. The Faculty of Law admits professionals, degree holders, higher degree holders and qualified none degree holders. Each admitted student must have the basic requirement for admission to any Law Faculty in any University and must study for a minimum of five years to pass the legal compulsory and elective courses of not less than 200 credits to graduate. The University is accredited by the National University Commission (NUC).

Council of Legal Education, CLE Nigerian Legal Education Act was established in 1962 to regulate the General Council. CLE is a supervisory body established by statute and responsible for the accreditation, control and management of legal education in Nigeria.

It runsthe Nigerian Law School, a vocational institution responsible for the training of prospective legal practitioners in Nigeria. It has a Chairman.

Body of Benchers Body of Benchers was established by the Legal Practitioners Act. The Body regulates the activities and conduct of members of the legal profession. It does this with the General Council of the Bar. We shall analyse and critically react to the issues raised by CLE and BB

Study of law on full time On the issue that the study of law must be undertaken on full time basis, the pertinent question is – why this policy? This same question has been raise by journalists, newspaper columnists, some editorial, even some University law teachers without any response from CLE and BB. The Law School is statutorily established in the interest of Nigerians and the management derives its statutory authority from the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Section 14 1, as amended, states “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice”. 2 “It is hereby, accordingly declared that a sovereignty belongs to the peo-

ple of Nigeria from whom government through this constitution derives all its powers and authority”.

Given the above constitutional provisions, one would think that the people of Nigeria, some of whose children are admitted to NOUN Faculty of Law, deserve to know why their children should not be admitted to the Law School after spending huge sums of money on their education and after the children have successfully passed their L.L.B law degree. It is difficult to appraise the policy objectively without CLE and BB telling the Nation the reason for the decision, in a democratic nation.

Proscription of study of law through part-time, Distance Learning, or Correspondence Studies As a matter of fact, NOUN law students are given scheduled law lectures by some law lecturers from University Faculty of Law close to the State Center. Some practicing lawyers also lecture NOUN law students. Hence, the issue of parttime, distance learning or correspondence studies does not strictly arise.

Even then, what is wrong with studying law by part-time, distance learning or correspondence studies? Only a self disciplined, intelligent student can study by any of these options and pass creditably.

The reason is that under any of these programmes there is no “sorting,” “miracle center,” “advance,” or “greasing of palm,” to pass any of the examinations. The law student at NOUN does not know the marker of examination scripts, can not ask the computer for any favour during elective course examination. Examinations are taken under very strict supervision, with even law enforcement agents monitoring the environment of the examination center. Any individual caught cheating faces serious disciplinary measures.

Nevertheless, it is, indeed, very sad to reflect on the fact that Nigeria where history has little or no meaning.

History is no long taught to Nigerian children in school. In very few tertiary institutions where it is taught, it is given a disguised name to attract students, who are usually very few in number. The advanced nations do not gamble with their history. The Voice of America has a daily programme “Today in history”. History not only reveals the past, it guides the future.

It creates legends which the children model or emulate. It prepares the future for new generation.

•To be continued nextweek

Brief on NOUN NOUN is a Federal University established by Statute during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. It has Study

•CLE Chair, OCJ Okocha

•Law School DG, Olanrewaju Onadeko

Lawyers congratulate Odusile THE Lawyers in the Media (LIM) Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has congratulated The Nation’s Managing Editor Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile on his election as the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) president.

In a statement signed by its Chairman John Austin Unachukwu, the forum urged Odusile to use his wealth of experience to improve the welfare of journalists.

It urged media practitioners to join hands with the new NUJ executives to move the profession forward and contribute to nation building. “ It is our firm belief that the new NUJ exco will definitely improve the lot of Nigerian Journalists. Once again we say congratulations,” LIM said.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

Great expectations from Buhari, Osinbajo

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RESIDENT MuhammaduBuhari, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief, Nigeria Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Vice President Professor YemiOsinbajo, (SAN), GCON, surely deserve our congratulations on their successful inauguration in Abuja, on May 29.

Their ascension to the prestigious offices were momentous, consideringthe palpable fear that had overwhelmed Nigerians,prior to the last general elections. Their success also elicits excitement, because of their pedigree, particularly as persons who have never shown the predilection for ostentatious lifestyles and the concomitant corrupt self-aggrandizement.

It is therefore hoped that their tenure will bring improvement in the material, spiritual and psychological well-being of Nigerians.

As we read this piece, the reverie from the inauguration parties across the country should have worn out. If it hasn’t, it should, considering the enormous challenges facing the country. While many commentators have continued to taunt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over their challenge in transforming from the ruling party to the opposition party; they fail to appreciate that the challenge facing the All Progressive Congress (APC), in transforming from the opposition party to the ruling party is even more enormous. The job of the opposition is to propound alternative programs, while the job of the ruling party is to execute successful programs.

So, for APC, it is time to walk the talk. I guess the first task facing the leadership of the party is to select those who have the integrity and the quality to rouse the expected change across the country. Such men and women would be required to sit down with the President and the Vice President, to share their vision for the country, in the next four years. With the presidential vision as guide, the egg-heads would brainstorm, and chart a policy direction and mission for the administration and the country.

With a vision and mission in place, governance becomes a standard routine, with less stress for the leaders.

Luckily for Nigeria, between the two leaders, we have a potentially benefitting combination.While one has untrammelled bravery and force, the other possess intellectual power and methodology. If the two fail to harmonise, the presidency would be less effective, and our country would be the worse for it. But if the two and the contending forces they represent agree to work together, then there would be efficiency, just like in a new automobile or indeed any technology, which is a synchronisation of forces, to achieve a goal.That is why APC and her leaders must agree on a common vision, mission and the processes to achieve all that they hope to achieve, within the next four years.

Nigeria in many respects,therefore represents Charles Dickens’s the Great Expectations. Also, APC,Buhari and Osinbajofiguratively represents the great expectations for Nigerians.While Nigeria is a woven tale of ‘wealth and poverty, love and rejection, and (hopefully) the eventual triumph of good over evil’ likethe Great Expectations; the new presidency represents for Nigerians, the beacon of great expectations; and if you ask many, the solution to all the problems of Nigeria and Nigerians. As the President was reported to have observed to the Vice President during their campaigns, many of those shouting ‘change’, would when their expectations are not quickly met, join to curse and complain, against them.

For this column, like many other Nigerians, that great expectations has to be met. While it will be unfair to expect magic from the new administration, I guess the presidency already know, that Nigerians would not be willing to accept excuses, for any failure.To meet the great expectation, what is needed from the presidency is to tap into the vast human capital that abound in Nigeria. I believe that once President Buhari and his government show the inflexible determination to do it right, to all manner of people without fear, favour or ill-will, the majority of Nigerians would join them, to achieve the great expectation.

Across the states, the governors must also show the willingness to join, to achieve the great expectation. When it comes to governance, it is the wish of many Nigerians that partisanship should take the back seat, particularly as the next general elections are four years away.Of note, unless there is a change in the national economic structure of the country, the Buhari administration can only make a dent, on the gargantuan economic, social and political challenges facing the country. The reason is simply because there is little or no economic activities going on in most of the states of the federation, save the monthly gathering, to share the money received from the federation account.

As this column has severally canvassed, the states across the country must be given greater economic opportunities, if we hope to have a real national rebirth. While the presidency should walk towards reducing the items in the exclusive legislative list, for the federal government, in favour of the states; the President can immediatelygrant more economic opportunities to states, willing to walk the talk. For instance, states willing to mine minerals in their backyards, build and use rail lines within their states, generate and use their own electricity, dredge and use the water ways and harbours within their domain, build highways, among other economic activities, presently tied to exclusive legislative list, should be encouraged and granted the rights by the federal government.

Unfortunately for Buhari and Osinbajo, most governmentsin recent years,failed to meet the great expectations of Nigerians, and the international community. The result is that Nigeria is commonly referred to as a potentially great country. Now, it is expected that all the past challenges of the country would be resolved by the twosome and their party, that rode into power, with the mantra of change.

•This article, published on June 2, is being repeated as result of public deman.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

LAW REPORT

When a tribunal can get away with error on point of law or fact IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA HOLDEN AT ABUJA ON FRIDAY, THE 12TH DAY OF JUNE, 2015 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS SULEIMAN GALADIMA, J.S.C. MARY UKAEGO PETER-ODILI, J.S.C. OLUKAYODE ARIWOOLA, J.S.C. MUSA DATTIJO MUHAMMAD, J.S.C. KUDIRAT MOTONMORI OLATOKUNBO KEKERE-EKUN, J.S.C. SC.189/2005 (2015) LPELR-24780(SC) Between: H. R. H. IGWE KRIS ONYEKWULUJE & ANOR ……...……..………….

APPELLANTS And BENUE STATE GOVERNMENT & ORS ......…………………………….

RESPONDENTS LEAD JUDGMENT DELIVERED BY SULEIMAN GALADIMA, J.S.C.

•Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mahmud Mohammed

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HE 1st Respondent had through certain officers entered into contract with the Appellants for the supply and installation of 30 x 30 KW FM Transmitters to the 1st Respondent’s Radio Broadcasting Station.

The contract contained an Arbitration clause which provides for recourse to it, in the event of “any dispute in the course of the execution of the said contract which in the opinion of the parties cannot be resolved amicably.”

TheTransmitters that were supplied were the first to be produced by the 2nd Appellant ARTEX Investment Limited and could not meet the requirements of the 1st Respondent who, being dissatisfied with the whole transaction, found the performance of some of its officers wanting in the contract.

The 1st Respondent setting out to have due process complied with, set up the 3rd Respondent sequel to Section 2 of the Commission of Inquiry Law, Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963, to ascertain whether there was abuse, misuse, or misappropriation of money meant for the project, in any way.

To further ascertain whether there was any improper or fraudulent practice or unjust enrichment by any person and to apportion blame

and recover the monies believed to have been misappropriated, unjustly obtained, or fraudulently administered.

At the end of sittings of the 3rd Respondent, it issued out a White Paper which indicted the 2nd Appellant, and it was requested to refund N85,575,111.60. Dissatisfied, with the outcome of the White Paper of the 3rd Respondent, the Appellants filed a suit at the Federal High Court claiming that the 3rd Respondent sitting as a Commission of Inquiry violated the Appellants’ right to fair hearing and that the said Commission exceeded its jurisdiction.

Hence their reason for approaching the Court to quash the White Paper issued by the 2nd Respondent, based on the Report of Inquiry submitted by the 3rd Respondent. In it’s considered judgment, the trial Court dismissed the Appellants’ application. It held that they failed to establish that the 3rd Respondent lacked jurisdiction to inquire into the contract between the Appellants and the 2nd Respondents. On appeal to the Court of Appeal, Jos Division, the Court endorsed the trial Court’s findings. This is a further appeal to the Supreme Court by the Appellants against the decision of the Court of Appeal.

For the Appellant were couched 8 issues for determination which was adopted by the Respondent.

However, the Court found issues 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 germane and sufficient for the determination of the matter the issues are as follows: 1. Could the fact of the Appellants participating “under duress” and “under protest” at the proceedings before the 3rd Respondent be rightly and legally construed as abandoning a mutually agreed requirement in the Contract (Exhibit 2) that insists on recourse to Arbitration? Distilled from Grounds 7, 13 and 17.

2. Whether the failure of the Lower Court in not considering the unjustified finding and punishment meted on the 1st Appellant despite its having been one of the ISSUES does not rob its judgment of its efficacy. Distilled from Ground 8.

3. Were the Reliefs sought by the Appellants founded on a breach of the Rules of Natural Justice or for want of jurisdiction. Should the answer be in the affirmative, can it be said that the Lower Court looked at/considered the Affidavit filed with the Appellants application. Distilled from Grounds 10 and 12.

4. Did the cumulative conducts of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents whereupon the Appellants were indicted, and penalized on the basis of paragraphs 2 and 3 of Exhibit 7 pass the litmus test handed down by the Supreme Court in the landmark case of ACTION CONGRESS & 1 OR. AND INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) (2007) FWLR (Pt.378) page 1012. Distilled from Grounds 5 and 14.

8. Whether the non-requirement/ application of the Evidence law did not necessitate a constitutionally competent Court, rather than the 3rd Respondent, to determine paragraphs 2 and 3 of Exhibit 3? Distilled from Grounds 3, 6 and 11.

In the Appellants’ issue No.1, their complaint was that they participated in the proceedings of the Commission of Inquiry under duress and protest. It was contended that they had stated in their memorandum to the 3rd Respondent that the 3rd Respondent lacked jurisdiction and that they were therefore appearing under duress and protest and therefore, the 3rd Respondent should have first resolved the issue of jurisdiction before embarking on the terms of reference; see ONYEAMA v. OPUTA (1987) 3 NWLR (Pt.60) page 259; ALHAJI SAIDU ADULSALAM & 1 OR v.

ALHAJI ABDULRAHEEM SALAWU (2002) 6 SCNJ 388 at 396.

Learned counsel for the Appellants submitted that there had been dispute between the parties, contrary to the holding of the two Courts below, and recourse ought to have been made to the Arbitration clause contained in the Agreement. It was further submitted that had a dispute not arisen, the 3rd Respondent would not have sent a subpoena; and issue a bench warrant to arrest the 1st Appellant and the staff of the 2nd Appellant with a perilous threat which made the Appellants to appear before the Commission of Inquiry. That the acceptance of Court processes on protest cannot ripen into a waiver.

Responding to this issue, learned counsel to the Respondents submitted that the Appellants were not in any form of “duress” and neither did they attend or appear at the proceedings under “protest”.

It was contended that the Appellants did not make jurisdiction an issue before the Commission and strongly demanded a ruling on it; though they feebly appealed to the State High Court to stop the proceedings of the 3rd Respondent on ground of lack of jurisdiction without justification.

It was argued for the Respondent that the Appellants who refused, neglected or failed to take various options available to them cannot now turn around to accuse the 3rd Respondent that it failed to accord them fair hearing. It was finally submitted that the actions of the Appellants in their failure, refusal and neglect to take advantage of legal and Constitutional remedies available to them, when they felt unhappy about the setting up of the 3rd Respondent, can be construed, as abandoning their right to submit the dispute, if any, to the Arbitration.

On the second issue, the Appellants complained about alleged unjustified findings of, the Commission on and punishment metted on the 1st Appellant. The learned counsel contended that even though the contract entered into by the parties clearly depicted 2nd Appellant as the party responsible for the supply and installation of Radio Transmitters, the 3rd Respondent, unfairly adjudged the 1st Appellant as the person that failed to execute the contract within the stipulated period even some variations were made in the contract with the consent of the said 3rd Respondent. The Respondent has faulted the Appellants on the alleged “unjustified findings” of the Commission which is said to have led to the miscarriage of justice.

It was submitted that the only way the 1st Appellant could have proved unjustified finding and punishment meted out to him, is by exhibiting the Record of the Proceedings of the 3rd Respondent which led to unjustified finding.

Counsel submitted that if the Appellants had produced the record it could have been found unfavourable to them. It was the contention of the Respondent that Exhibit 7, which is the White Paper of the 1st Respondent, does not constitute the Record of the 3rd Respondent’s Proceedings. That as a public document, it was not certified contrary to Section 109 of the Evidence Act. See MAJOR-GENERAL ZAMANI LEKWOT & ORS v. JUDICIAL TRIBUNAL ON CIVIL AND COMMUNAL CRISIS IN KADUNA STATE (supra).

The Court considered the arguments on the germane issues raised by the parties in the appeal thus: On the submission of learned counsel for the Appellant’s issue 2 which alleged that the lower Court failed to consider the findings and recommendation of the 3rd Respondent and the Respondents contention that there was no such failure of the Court below and that the Appellants have not proved their allegation as this can only be done by exhibiting the Record of Proceedings of the 3rd Respondent which failure to consider led to “unjustified findings.” The Supreme Court considered the observations of the lower Courts on this point and on the authority of GENERAL ZAMANI LEKWOT (RTD) & 10 ORS v. JUDICIAL TRIBUNAL ON CIVIL & COMMUNAL DISTURBANCES IN KADUNA STATE & ANOR (SUPRA) which the lower Court also relied upon relied upon where it was held, inter alia that: “...No Court in this country can set aside, nullify or quash any proceedings or decisions not before it...” The Court held that the proceeding of the 3rd Respondent referred to i.e. Exhibit 7 the Recommendations of the Commission to the State Government, the 1st Respondent is a Public document within the meaning of S.109 of the Evidence Act Cap E14 LFN, 2004 then applicable, now S.105 Evidence Act 2011 and could only have been relied upon and proved in the manner provided in the Act. On the complaint of the Re-

spondents that the Appellants did not make available a certified copy of the Recommendations of the Commission before the trial Court.

That Exhibit 7 is not certified and it was not signed by the members of the Commission. For this reason, Order 3 rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure Rules) 1980 was not duly complied with. The Court held that though the words used in the rules are “may not question,” when the validity of the proceedings is in issue, it is only right that the Court should be in a position to look at the proceedings to fairly decide whether it does not meet the principles of natural justice or it was an exercise in excess of jurisdiction. The Court also stated that there is a pitfall in relying solely on the excerpts of the applicant in a supporting affidavit, as this may be exposing the Court to the danger of relying on what an interested party has already decided to bring before the Court for favourable consideration of his application.

On the submission of learned counsel for the Appellant in issues 1, 5 and 7 that the 3rd Respondent lacked legal authority to constitute a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to pry into the affairs of contract mutually entered into between the 2nd Appellant and the 1st Respondent, which contract provides for submissions of disputes to Arbitration. The Court agreed with the learned counsel for the Respondents that an arbitration clause in a contract is only a procedural provision whereby the parties agree that only disputes should be submitted to arbitration. That this does not exclude or limit rights or remedies of parties, but simply provides a procedure by which the parties may settle their grievance.

The Court held that a Tribunal may commit a mistake or error of law in reaching its decision. However, so long as the mistake/error is committed within the confines of its jurisdiction, a superior Court, exercising supervisory jurisdiction cannot readily interfere with it. That is, a Tribunal may decide a point of law or fact wrongly whilst keeping well within its jurisdiction. See SHODEINDE v. THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT-IN-ISLAM (1980) 1-2 SC.225; OLANIYI v. AROYEHUN & ORS. (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt.194) 653 at 685.

It is not however in doubt, that a superior Court, exercising supervisory jurisdiction, can interfere or intervene to prevent a statutory tribunal from exceeding the jurisdiction allowed it by law, but it must be borne in mind, and this is also settled, that an applicant, such as the Appellants herein have a duty to establish clearly all the facts necessary to justify the grant of the order sought. He must justify the facts upon which the application has been made. See THE QUEEN v. THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Ex-parte, The AKALAKO OPAFO (1959) WNLR 294 and QUEEN v. THE ALAKE OF ABEOKUTA & 31 ORS (1960) WNLR 288.

In the final analysis, the Apex Court was not moved to disturb the concurrent findings of facts by the two Courts below as they were not shown to be perverse or reached as a result of an improper consideration of facts placed before them. In the circumstances, the decision of the Court of Appeal was affirmed, and the appeal accordingly dismissed. No order as to costs was made and in the overall circumstances of the appeal. Appeal dismissed.

•Edited By Law Pavillion LawPavilion Citation: (2015) LPELR-24780(SC)

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

NEWS

•Awardees: Knights of John Wesley (KJW), Methodist Church of Nigeria at the Methodist Church of Unity, Wuse Zone 3 Abuja...at the weekend

•Marketing Manager, Twining Ovaltine Nigeria, Kemi Saliu (second left) presenting Ovaltine products to Managing Director, DHL Express, Mr. Randy Buday (second right) and National President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Dr. Valerie Obot at a joint news conference to announce a joint CSR initiative. With them is General Manager, Twining Ovaltine Nigeria Mr. Enrico Liggeri.

•National Sales Manager, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Seye Ogunwole (left); Executive Director, Supply Chain, Mr. Rotimi Fadipe and Managing Director, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, at the 27th Honeywell Flour Mills Baking School graduation in Lagos... at the weekend.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Rev. Samson Ayokunle of Nigeria Baptist Convention (middle) cutting the tape to dedicate the Champion’s Multipurpose building to mark the 15th year’s appreciation service at First Baptist Church, Festac Town, Lagos...at the weekend. With him are Senior Pastor, Champions Cathedral/ host, Rev. Victor Akerele (left) and President, Lagos Centre Baptist Conference, Rev. Kehinde Babarinde.

•L-R: Baale of Ojodu, Awori Land, His Highness Lasisi Adekunle Kudoro; Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo and Iyalaje of Ojodu, Mrs. Folashade Salako during the conferment of chieftaincy titles on some eminent personalities in Ojodu, Ikeja…at the weekend

•Head of Nigerian Content Development, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria (SNEPCo) Austin Uzoka (left); Director, United Kingdom Trade & Industry, Chris Maskell; British Deputy High Commissioner, Ray Kyles; General Manager, Nigerian Content Development, Shell Nigeria, Chiedu Oba; UKTI Specialist, Sue Whitebread and Director, Monitoring and Evaluation (NCDMB),Tunde Adelana at the just-concluded Nigeria – UK Suppliers Engagement programme sponsored by SNEPCo and its Co-venturers.

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TUESDAY AUGUST 4, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

As Nigerians eagerly await President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s ministerial nominees, Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the qualities of those who will constitute the cabinet.

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Who wants to be minister?

INCE May 29, when the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was inaugurated, Nigerians have been eagerly looking forward to the unveiling of the men and women who will constitute the Federal Executive Council. The expectation was heightened by the President’s promise to announce his ministers immediately on assumption of office. But, the President has explained that his cabinet will not be ready until September. The reasons are the need to prepare a solid structure on which the ministers will operate; reduction of the ministries from 42 to 19 and reforms in the public sector to enhance service delivery.

While agreeing with Buhari on why he has not constituted his cabinet, analysts said he should take his time in searching for credible people to be appointed as ministers. Ministerial appointment, they said is not meant for political prostitutes or charlatans, those who do not have electoral value or those who do not believe in the sanctity of change, the manta of the new administration. Appointments, they contend should be given to men and women, who have conscience, and not predisposed to imbibing the pedestal culture of deception, betrayal and dishonesty in serving their principal in a bid to acquire material gains at the expense of the people.

There are questions begging for answer: What criteria should President Buhari apply in picking his ministers? What qualities should the ministerial nominees possess?

Former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch, Mr Monday Ubani urged Buhari to search for people who are prepared to offer selfless services.

Ubani said: We are where we are today because, former leaders were after what they can collect, their personal comfort and that of their immediate families; they didn’t care about the people and the nation. President Buhari should look for people that have vision for this country, people that want to leave legacies behind; people with fear of God in appointing his ministers.

“We have past leaders whose legacies are still being talked about today. There was one military officer called Brigadier Samuel Ogbemudia who was governor of old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta States). People of that states can’t forget Ogbemudia because of the developmental projects he carried out. In the Southwest, the Yorubas can never forget the great Awo because of the programmes he implemented as the Premier of old Western Region. In Imo State people still commend the late Sam Mbakwe for opening up rural communities through road construction when he was governor of that state in the Second Republic.

The lawyer added: “A ministerial nominee whether, man or woman, must be one who has capacity for value-addition towards the core fabric of the civil service, which is development administration. One who would not be told what to do, but one who is instinctually given to generating positive ideas and concepts that would help in growing the ministry or the department under his or her supervision”.

On those that could be considered for ministerial appointments, the lawyer said: “A person like Femi Falana (SAN) who has been in the forefront of the struggle for good governance in the country should be considered to enable him articulate his thoughts in governance. Buhari should also consider the renowned economist/columnist, Henry Boyo that has been talking on the mismanagement of the economy and abuse of foreign currencies. Similarly, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education should be considered given her track records within and outside government.”

Public Affairs commentator Mr Clem Baiye advised President Buhari to shop for people of integrity. According to him, the cabinet should be composed of personalities who possess professional skills, intellect and competence and people that are ready to render selfless services.

•Buhari

A ministerial nominee, whether man or woman, must be one who has capacity for value-addition towards the core fabric of the civil service, which is development administration He added: “First, men and women that do not compromise their integrity should be given priority. In my view one of the biggest challenges our nation has gone through has been in this area. We cannot afford to have people who do not mind being compromised or who can easily compromise the nation’s interest.

“Second, we need men and women for whom public office is a public trust. The notion of public office as a personal, sectional or group interest has been the bane of our country.

Now we should be looking for people who believe above everything else that a ministerial or any public office is not an opportunity to convert the public treasury to a personal, family or group piggy bank which they can raid at will. Indeed the classic notion of public office forbids such thinking or practice.

“Third, we require competent hands who are knowledgeable and possess leadership and organizational skills. These people in my view could have cognate experience but my first and second points should override.

“It should not be all about chronological experience. If someone has had a long experience in public service and he is short changing the public interest, of what use is such a person?

“Obviously, personal maturity and a disciplined temperament are good qualities that will help President Muhammadu Buhari’s public service ethos and thrust”.

Baiye said he was convinced that such men and women are available across ethnic, ideological and geopolitical lines.

Civil rights activist Comrade Moshood Erubami called for the recruitment of those who believe in the change mantra of the APC in the cabinet. According to him, the ministerial list must reflect the critical sectors of the society.

Erubami said, in appointing new ministers, the quality of who should make the list must be informed by the promise made by the President and what it represents in the life of the people whose aspirations have been heightened by the APC change mantra.

He stressed that the cabinet should not rely on the vaunted value of the nominees, but on the known virtues of honesty, passion for selfless service delivery and character of integrity.

“Such ministers must be selected from the collective of critical stakeholders in Labour , Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), informal sector workers, NANS, women groups, handicaps, civil society and human rights groups, These groups know who among them possess the values needed to turn around the economy, those whom the President desires would be acceptable to the populace who are yearning for genuine change in their country and in their lives.

“The appointment of Ministers into the cabinet of President Buhari is not an end but a means to achieving the end of reforming the status quo material conditions and democratic repositioning of the country among the comity of performing Nations in the world.

“Making such appointment must be informed by a new beginning, a paradigm shift in terms of real enthronement of genuine democracy and good governance, adherence to ethical value in public and private life and commitment to the norms of Human Rights and democratic value, in fact the beginning of the end of an evil era and the breaking of a long tortuous journey that should end all the pains of years of wrong and weak leadership, mismanagement of national resources, suppression of rule of law, and dehumanising of humanity”.

The new ministers, according to Erubami, should represent the real mantra of change beyond mere power shift, showing the beginning of a new era that will bring good welfare and security into the life of the people towards the achievement of the Presidents three key areas he has promised change namely security, corruption and economy.

He said ministers must understand issues affecting this country and possess the capacity to fix them under the very strong leadership of the President so as to jointly move the country on the path of rule of law, human rights, and democracy.

The ministers should be people that can install a new order rightly built on the foundation of massive participation of the people in an inclusive government, he stated.

Lawmaker warns Dogara ahead of composition of House Committees T HE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has been advised to prepare for another round of crisis.

The crisis may expected to be precipitated by the appointment of Chairmen and members of House Standing and Special Committees.

There were 92 Standing and Special Committees in the 7th House.

Danlami Mohammed Kurfi, representing Dutsinma/ Kurfi Constituency of Katsina State , however, expressed optimism in the ability of the Speaker to handle the situation.

Kurfi, in a statement yesterday, said the resolution of the principal

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

officers’ face-off was an indication that Dogara would not allow the impending crisis to derail the House.

It reads: “We are impressed by his leadership prowess and qualities, and we are willing to stand behind him 100% against any unnecessary opposition and an unwarranted distraction from all quarters, arising from the outcome of deliberations on matters that may arise in the coming weeks.

“The Speaker has not only demonstrated wisdom in addressing the myriad of issues that rocked the House in recent times, he has also demonstrated uncommon humility and political sagacity in leading the great House of Representatives.

“His decision to allow for party supremacy in the emergence of our amiable leader Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and other leaders, has adequately shown that this Speaker is a man of solid democratic credentials and ample qualities required to further the democratisation process.

“In the coming days, there may be disagreements over the headship of Committees and sub-committees, but this must be seen as an unavoidable feature of an institution of diverse interests, temperaments, ideological bents, parties and political dispositions.

“I would however advise my dear Speaker of the House to maintain his calm approach to issues, and keep to his sense of justice in making appointments to these very important Committees that can help the Legislature carry out its constitutional duty of oversighting the Executive arm of government.

“In overseeing these appointments,

•Dogara

I trust our dear Speaker to apply his famed wisdom, intelligence and sound judgment as always”.

46

THE NATION TUESDAY AUGUST 4, 2015

The APC in Edo has barred aspirants from erecting ‘ political structures and hiring campaign offices ahead of the party primaries

’

POLITICS Prince Dotun Babayemi is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. In this interview with SINA FADARE, he says, despite the challenges the state is facing, it is a model for future generation of good governance.

‘Aregbesola’s transforming Osun economy’

A

•Imasuangbon

•Obahiagbon

• Osunbor

Who gets Edo APC ticket?

T HE ranks of those seeking to contest next year’s governorship election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is swelling by the day. The APC leadership has put a caveat on building political structures by the aspirants, ahead of primaries.

Former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kenneth Imasuangbon, popularly known as ‘Rice Man’ because of his yearly distribution of rice to the poor, has joined the race.

Imasuangbon recently led his supporters to defect to the APC. He described his defection as the return of the prodigal son.

Other are Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, Deputy Governor Dr. Pius Odubu, Head of Oshiomhole’s Economic Team, Godwin Obaseki, Pharmacist Christopher Iyare, Chris Ogiemwonyi, and General Charles Airhiavbere.

A founding member and financier of the defunct Action Congress (AC), Imasuangbon was persuaded to step down for Governor Oshiomhole in 2007. He joined the PDP at a time the party was in disarray. He resurrected the PDP in the state in 2009 and reconciled the warring factions.

Imasuangbon lost the PDP ticket to Airhiavbere in a keenly contested primary in 2012. He has not relented in his bid to govern Edo State.

Speaking at Ewohinmi, Esan South East Local, when he defected to the APC, Imasuangbon said he returned to his base to support infrastructural development in the state.

Imasuangbon, who described the APC as a party for the progressive whose vision is to among other

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

things eradicate poverty, said he supported the APC in the last general elections.

He said: “I joined APC since January this year but we have not had the opportunity to celebrate it due to the elections. But thank God we are celebrating today. I wish to reassure you the people of the state that your sacrifices would not be in vain.

I promised to continue to sacrifice my time, energy and resources as I have done over the years in adding value to the lives of Edo people.

“I am indeed proud of our Edo ancestry and the laudable works being done by our governor, Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole is our leader and mentor and we will continue to celebrate him for all he is doing for our people. My advice to Edo people is that we should remain steadfast in out belief in the creation of an egalitarian Edo State and that by so doing we will achieve the Edo State of our dream by the grace of God and good governance.”

APC leader in the locality Victor Eboigbe said the return of Imasuangbo would add value to the APC in Edo Central and the state as a whole.

Eboigbe said: “ I was surprised that Imasuagbon left the house he built for others to inhabit. But we thank God that he is back to the house he built. He joined even before the elections and he worked for the party.

So we call on elders of Ewohimi to pray for him so that he will not lose track again.

“He was one of the founding members of this party. We have always appeal to him to come back.

The party said it would disqualify any aspirant that flouted the party rules and that the party flagbearer would emerge through the party’s structure

We are happy he is back home. We are proud of him as a politician. We appreciate his coming.

“His coming will make a great impact. APC has had it tough in some local government areas in Edo Central. His coming to join us will have impact in the entire senatorial district. He is a man that is known across the state.”

The APC in Edo has barred aspirants from erecting political structures and hiring campaign offices ahead of the party primaries. The party said it would disqualify any aspirant that flouted the party rules and that the party flagbearer would emerge through the party’s structure.

Imasuangbon is back to a familiar terrain, but under another political party whose conduct pf party primaries is different from the PDP. Unfolding events in the coming months will determined, if he would make headway this time around.

•Executive Director of Bank of Industry Mr Waheed Olagunju (left), Bank Managing-Director Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, Niger State Deputy Governor Mohammed Umar Ketso and Secretary to Niger State Government Alhaji Ahmed Dan Yahaya cutting the tape to commission the Bank Corporate office in Minna, Niger State…yesterday.

S a politician and entrepreneur, what are you doing to boost the economy of Osun State?

We have started the process and it is going to be a continuous exercise. What drew me to politics was the style of governance l saw in Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the first two years that he became the governor of Osun State. He came as a crusader who has the knack to serve, the type that we witnessed in the early 60s. Not looking at the state as it is but as it can be in the future. When the late Obafemi Awolowo in the 60s introduced free education, a lot of critics thought the policy cannot work, but look at the benefits today and where it has put the former Western Region.

That was what attracted me home that something unique is happening here and wanted to be part of it. Apart from interfacing with organization within Nigeria, we are working with the government to see how we can bring investors to the state to open her economic potentials which are all over. One of the core policies of the state is to make it the food basket of the country. We have the green land and all what it takes to make this a reality.

Action has been taken to that effect about 80 per cent of the rural areas have been linked up with the state capital through road net work where food has been transported from Oshogbo to Lagos and other states.

What we are seeing is the gradual civil servant economy to that of agrobased economy. Since the Federal Government has said that the country is now ready to exploit the country’s natural resources, Our state has a lot of gold that can be exploited. We are going to collaborate with the Federal government to aggressively pursue those natural resources. In terms of employment our outfit has engaged significantly the people of the state. We queued into the programme of the state by providing employment for the youths.

Are you comfortable with what is going on in the National Assembly? What is the way out?

No, The APC members in the House should look back and be conscious of where they are coming from. They did not get to the House in a vacuum; the constitution provided that you must run under a party therefore the supremacy of the party should be sacrosanct.

Therefore since you are representing the party in the house you must follow the rules and guidelines of the party. The decision of the party is supreme and should be adherent to and should be respected. Our members should realize that service to humanity is one of the cardinal goals of APC; therefore they should be guided on this so that the nation can be moved forward.

What we have seen in the National Assembly in the recent time is that some members have allowed personal ambition to override the goals and objective of the party on whose back they all rode to the

•Babayemi National Assembly. Though all that happened was still in the purview of the law, but morally it may not, as a representative of the people, they should lead by example. They should let the past belong to the past and sit down to put in place laws that will alleviate poverty in the country and let the people see in them that they are actual representative of the people.

It is also important that the party that gave the platform of their existence in the Assembly should be respected in the future, this is critical so that they will remain focus and promises they made to the people would be actualized. When member strained out of line, the consequences of such action if un attended to, can cause anarchy. It is better that member should not stray out of the rule of the agreed norms; otherwise it is the beginning of the end for such a union.

What do you think should be the priority of the APC members in the National Assembly?

The first step they should take is that they should retrace their step back to the party and conform to its wishes. When a child falls, he look at the front but when an elders falls, he looks back, the elders that looks back wanted to know what brought him down. They should do likewise.

It is necessary that we should not forget where we are coming from. For 16 years that the PDP are in the saddle of power, the APC has been toiling all over to provide a credible alternative to the miss-governance of the past. That we have the alternative programme that can restore the lost hope of Nigerians and take care of their basic needs. That the university students would no longer stay at home unnecessarily due to lack of job to do after graduation. Now that we have the reality coming up, we should not buddle the opportunity.

Some people toiled night and day to get us to where we are, therefore we should not derail from our known norms and value as a political party with progressive inclination.

When member strained out of line, the consequences of such action if un attended to, can cause anarchy. It is better that member should not stray out of the rule of the agreed norms

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

47

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION

Experts push for airport management firms

A

VIATION experts have called for the setting up of management companies to improve the profitability of the over 22 airports managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) .

The Chief Executive Officer of BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited, Mr Christophe Pennick; the Chief Executive Officer of Belujane Konsult, Mr Chris Aligbe and the Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Securities, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), in separate interviews, said airport management companies have become imperative in the face of inefficient running of the airports by the FAAN. The 22 airports, according to them, sre too humongous to be managed

by FAAN, which doesn’t have sufficient expertise to run them and make profit for the government as is the practice in other parts of the world.

According to Aligbe, pairing some airports for effective management by the proposed companies will ensure better services and development for some terminals hitherto described as unviable.

FAAN, he said, is saddled with too much task that it may not be able to focus on providing the required services, and at the same time run the terminals to return profit to government.

The management companies, he said, would focus on enhanced non aeronautical sources of revenue for the airports while FAAN would focus on operational and technical areas.

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Correspondent

Aligbe said : ”There is an urgent need to fix the entire airports in Nigeria to make them viable. One of the ways of achieving this is for the government to install the relevant air navigation equipment to enable airlines fly into them even at nights.

This is one of the ways to better run the airports if the facilities are in top gear.

“The next major problem is the way the airports are run. We need the right model on how to run the airports. The decision by FAAN to acquire more airports including the 22 it is currently managing is wrong.

What FAAN needs to do is stop the central managing of the entire airports. This is not the best approach.”

He continued: ”That is not what FAAN should do. Even if you fly 10 management experts into FAAN, it cannot centrally manage 22 airports.

The central management system cannot bring about efficiency in airport management , even if they say they have a regional structure, they all still report to the headquarters .

It is facade, the airports cannot be freed from the stranglehold of centralised management.

“Where the regional manager of an airport takes decision on what he wants to do in terms of development of such an airport. When a manager tries to utilise any means to earn revenue and utilise it for that airport, it will not work.

“These are issues of internally generated revenue. Airports are not run

that way, if we need to have good airports in this country, we must concession them. It must be done in a way that government will take concession revenues and royalties from where it will reorganise the system.

“Then FAAN, will be restructured to be one, a holding company, the holding company will oversee government interest in the concessioned airport and to ensure the implementation of the terms of the concessions.

This will involve terms. There are various strategies to airport concession. The airports need to be paired for income generation and development. You pair the airports. For instance, you take Benin and Lagos as one. You take Kano and Maiduguri and other airports.”

Pennick on his part said it is better to allow an independent airport management company to manage the airports because It is not proper to allow FAAN play the role of service provider and regulator of airport services .

He said allowing FAAN to become airport operator, regulator and competitor is not healthy for the business of air travel.

He said: ”I think FAAN should be an airport management company and NCAA should be the only authority. FAAN should be more focused to regulate services and manage the airports. FAAN should only provide framework for how the airports should be managed by private companies. It would not make sense for FAAN to become both regulator of the airport and service provider it would be unfair as a competitor.”

AIB to release report on ground collision

A

CCIDENT Investigation Bureau (AIB) has said it will re lease the preliminary report of its investigation into the col lision of Emirates B777-400 and Hak Air B737-400 that occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on July 6.

AIB spokesman, Mr Tunji Oketumbi, who said this in a statement, said the bureau has, however, raised eight safety recommendations addressed to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on how to improve safety at the airport.

The Emirates B777-400 was taxing for take-off when its wing tip collided with the Hak Air aircraft, which was parked at the apron of the airport’s General Aviation Terminal (GAT). No one was injured, but the B737-400 sustained substantial damage.

A similar incident involving two aircraft belonging to First Nation Airways occurred at the same airport on July17, when a A319 taxing into the terminal hit another parked A319 aircraft at the apron.

AIB is also conducting investigations into the serious incident involving Aero Contractor at the airport on July 21, aborting its Abuja bound flight.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737, lost a tire on take-off, which necessitated the crew to make an air return.

Also being handled by AIB is the investigation into the serious incident involving a hawker 125-800XP aircraft belonging to Swat Technology Limited with registration Number N497AG in Port Harcourt on June 11, where the aircraft veered off the runway on landing at the airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage but there was no injury to the passengers and crew.

Aero gets IATA membership

T

O boost its safety and operational rating, Aero Airlines has been certified as a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This was disclosed by the acting managing director of Aero, Captain Rusell Leefoon and the IATA area manager, South western Africa , Mr Samson Fatokun at an event in Lagos.

Aero, according to them, is now the second member of the global airline association in Nigeria and the third in West and Central Africa. This followed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), the highest safety certification of the association that Aero received last year.

Aero, Nigeria’s oldest aviation company, received the membership certificate following a rigorous exercise in meeting safety standards, customer services and security by IATA over the last two years.

The membership offers Aero opportunities for interline and code share with top players in the global business. The airline will also have access to training and information data base of IATA, among many benefits.

BA offers summer fares

B

•From left: Eder, Abdulsalam and NAMA Director, Safety Electronics, Emma Anasi, during the test of Kano Airport Safe Tower Project.

RITISH Airways (BA) has announced discounts for summer in its First Class cabin, from Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria.

According to the airline, its esteemed Executives can purchase tickets to travel from Abuja or Lagos to London at special rates.

The mega carrier said the offer is open to all existing and potential customers and it covers outbound travel from 1 August to September 30.

Commenting on the offer, B A’s Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka, said the latest offer was in line with the company’s desire to offer great deals to its Executive customers planning on travelling for business or spending and celebrating with their family members and friends abroad this summer.

Olayinka noted: “Our First Class customers have been a solid support to us over the years, as they experience our First class servicer service, this is our way of saying thank you for their loyalty to us. We will continuously support them with our wonderful service in our First Class cabin and those flying on First Class this summer whether for business or personal reasons, can enjoy the same world-class luxury from British Airways for less.’’

NAMA conducts test on Kano Airport project

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REPARATORY to the inauguration of the Kano Safe Tower Project, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has conducted a site acceptance test (SAT) on the installed equipment at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

The SAT, done using a procedure book, is intended to ascertain conformance with stated and specified functions of the equipment within the environment.

At the event in Kano, the Managing Director of NAMA, Ibrahim Abdulsalam, who declared open a four-day awareness training on

the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract/Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication ( ADS - C/CPDLC)’ project, to be inaugurated soon, described the two projects as strategic in the agency’s effort to transform air traffic management services.

He listed the benefits of the project to include use of electronic or paperless flight progress strips by air traffic controllers; effective and efficient flight planning; reduction in air traffic control workload; availability of a radar monitoring system for enhanced air traffic situation awareness; automated data storage for

effective billing; availability of meteorological information online and real time and vertical wind shear alerting system among others Abdulsalam listed the benefits of the ADS-C/CPDLC to include extended range communication to ensure effective air traffic management delivery within the Nigerian airspace; reduce air traffic control and pilot workload; enhance safety through accuracy and efficiency in communication between air traffic control and flight crew; reduction in flight delays, flight times, fuel burnt and C02 emissions; provision of cost

effective surveillance and data communication; elimination of air–ground communication blind spots within the airspace and the provision of effective coverage over the oceanic airspace.

Managing Director of Avsatel Communications Limited, Project Contractors, Mr Georg Eder, expressed confidence that the airspace would experience the needed transformation in its flight operations with the quality of equipment deployed by his company which he described as “world-class”.

The Safe Tower Project, which was conceived since 2006, was

aimed at automating air traffic management services at the four major airports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano. While others have since been commissioned, that of Kano suffered a series of setbacks, leading to the rebuilding of a completely new safe tower for Kano airport.

The conduct of the site test, which is the last leg of activities culminating in the launch of the Kano Safe Tower project, is therefore, significant and one of the steps taken by NAMA to continue deploying new technologies in air traffic management for the airspace.

48

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 , 2015

49

e-Business

•From left: Regional Director, South and sub-Saharan Africa, Intel Corporation, Sven Beckmann; Country Manager, Nigeria, Intel Corporation, Olubunmi Ekundare and Director of Innovation, Sub-Saharan Africa, Intel Corporation, Hitendra Naik; during Intel Developer Day Nigeria 2015 in Lagos.

Solar 'll cut power consumption by 85 per cent, says Omatek CEO ANUFACTURING industries, factories, banks, schools, government parastatals, Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and other private organisations have been urged to embrace solar energy maximise profit.

Speaking to reporters after a tour round the company's solar solution, the Chief Executive Officer, Omatek Ventures Plc, Mrs Florence Seriki said the adoption of solar energy would help to cut down on wasteful consumption of electricity by 80 to 85 percent, thereby saving it and making it useful for other Nigerians.

She added that solar energy would also reduce the cost of production.

According to her, "adopting solar solution as an alternative source of power will help the country to achieve 24/7 power lighting with the digital all-inone solar powered solutions.

She said the solar solution, off-grid or hybrid, is available for both domestic and industrial use noting that with the

M

By Olatunde Odebiyi

solar solution, the cost of diesel or fuel on generators will be a thing of the past.

She encouraged Nigerians to embrace the technology which she said is cheaper and saver when all the expenses of the generating set are considered.

“Our solar solution comes in different models. We have the very small ones of 12 watt which has capacity to lighting.

Once it is fully charged, it can last for 24 hours and can be used to serve students, farmers, small homes, like a one bed room apartment, shops, kiosks, and a large number of SME. It has USB port, can charge phone and it has a torch light. We also have the 20, 30, 40, 50 watts and on like that.

The solar power by default is 25 years, inverter is 10 years, battery is five years and bulb is five years.

"We are trying to move with banks to create consumer markets for this entire product. We decided to put a manual in the

pack with drawing so that people can install by them self.

We will also train the local engineers in the companies so that they can continue in the maintenance. W e need them to manage it by themselves, and by so doing we are also building human capacity by training internally everywhere we go.

“When we come to your office, we do chart, we calculate your NEPA bill, your diesel bill, for one year only, the amount of energy you have saved, and it is equivalent, by the time you see it as a corporate body, you will see that this is cheaper.

"The solar solution can take a whole town just like we are working with Shell to do a whole community that would run on solar. They will tap the sun directly; the only risk is that when the sun is not too hot, they will switch to NEPA and it can only be used day time, which is still not bad," she said.

Head of Production, Saheed Onifade added that the advan-

•Mrs Seriki

tage of the solar alternative is that it cuts you off the grid and the energy from the grid is available for other people, because you are generating your own energy.

"Light Emitting Dilute consumes less power like we have in the conventional electricity and the life span is longer".

He noted that the company has no limit to the expansion of its capacity, saying that as long as there is sun in the city, it the solar power can be used.

Cisco sees internet users in Nigeria, others rise to 425million

D

Dfor mobile access and video services, internet users in Nigeria, other parts of Africa and the Middle East will rise steeply to 425million, a United States tech giants, Cisco has predicted.

According to the 10th annual Cisco Visual Networking Index (VNI) Forecast for this year, by 2019, there will be nearly 3.9 billion global internet users (more than 51 per cent of the world's population), up from 2.8 billion last year.

In Middle East and Africa, internet protocol (IP) traffic will grow six-fold by 2019, a compound annual growth rate of 44 per cent. Factors expected to drive traffic growth include global increases in internet users, personal devices and machine-to-machine (M2M) connections, faster broadband speeds, and the adoption of advanced video services.

Internet traffic will grow 6.8-fold from last year to 2019, a compound annual growth rate of 47 per cent and there will be 2.1 billion networked devices in 2019, up

By Lucas Ajanaku

from 1.4 billion last year.

Cisco said 78 per cent of all networked devices will be mobile-connected in 2019 with M2M modules accounting for 17 per cent (358.9 million) of all networked devices in 2019, compared to eight per cent (112.1 million) last year; tablets will account for four per cent (93.1 million) of all networked devices in 2019, compared to two per cent (24.7 million) last year while smartphones will account for 31 per cent (652.0 million) of all networked devices in 2019, compared to 14 per cent (196.6 million) last year and nonsmartphones will account for 38.3 per cent (818.9 million) of all networked devices in 2019, compared to 68 per cent (943.6 million) last year.

Connected TVs will account for three per cent (69.4 million) of all networked devices in 2019, compared to two per cent (23.8 million) in 2014. In Middle East and Africa, TVs accounted for two per cent of total internet traffic in 2014, and will be two per cent

of total Internet traffic in 2019, Cisco averred.

General Manager, Cisco Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Mr. Dare Ogunlade, said the relevance of VNI is underscored by the rise in internet of everything.

He said: "As consumers, businesses and societies in Nigeria head towards the digital era with the Internet of Everything gaining momentum, VNI is even more relevant now in its 10th year than it was in its first.

For our customers and the industry ecosystem as a whole, we look forward to continuing to report on these trends, the challenges they bring, and the immense opportunities ahead.

"We are entering into a very dynamic technological era and the rapid increase in connected devices will benefit a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, oil and gas, utilities, government, healthcare, sports and entertainment, education, in terms of increased efficiency, reduced costs, and, most important, improvement of the lives of citizens."

Key global IP traffic and service predictions by Cisco

also showed that several elements will shape IP traffic in the coming years, adding that on more internet users, last year, there were 2.8 billion internet users, or 39 per cent of the world's population of 7.2 billion, adding that by 2019, there will be about 3.9 billion internet users, or 51 per cent of the world's projected population of 7.6 billion quoting Population Division of the Dept. of Economic & Social Affairs of the United Nations.

On proliferation of devices and connections, the firm said 24 billion networked devices/connections is expected online by 2019, compared with 14 billion last year. It urged service provider networks to adapt to an influx of sophisticated devices. These devices include tablets, smartphones, and Internetenabled ultra-high definition (UHD) TVs, as well as M2M connections and wearables (including new smart watches, health monitors, and others.)

50

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

e-Business Last month, Nigeria missed the digital switch-over deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Chairman, StarTimes, Mr. Xinxing Pang, says for the country to achieve analogue switch-out, government must clamp down on illegal operators in the digital pay TV sector. He says relevant laws will also need to be enacted while adequate funding must be provided. Pang, who was in the country as part of activities to mark the fifth anniversary of the firm’s operations in Nigeria, spoke with reporters in Abuja.

BLESSING OLAIFA and JILL OKEKE, were there.

Govt must enact laws for digital switch-over

N

IGERIA is said to be a difficult terrain to do business. Do you subscribe to this?

In order to operate in some areas, we need to be granted licenses to commence operations and sometimes the approval from the National Broadcasting Commission [NBC] actually takes longer time. This is one major reason our DTT deployment appears to be travelling on the slow lane. However, this year, we have been able to set up 16 transmitting sites so that we can reach wider areas and the current coverage will certainly improve. For DTT to work, there must be presence of transmitter in that area and NBC needs to grant us frequency per location and sometimes these takes up to six months. We feel it is too slow as we feel that if we apply for licenses because of the digitisation, we should be able to benefit from it and when it takes six months, the whole year is already gone.

We need the frequency to be able to operate in those areas. DTT is different from satellite broadcasting where you can operate from one location and reach everywhere.

With DTT, for you to reach everybody, you must be in multiple locations.

Startimes has clocked five years in business in Nigeria, how would you describe the journey so far?

Generally, in the last five years, the company has been growing in leaps and bounds as you can see. Today, we are one of the largest in the pay digital TV market in the country. Currently our DTT platform covers more than 40 cities in the country and last year we launched our DTH which covers the entire country. Meanwhile we have started introducing more channels even with local content. We have also been training and retraining our workers for better efficiency with richer content and the quality of these contents and the quality of our programme is increasing gradually. Our subscriber base is now up to 2.6 million in the country and that has been achieved within the past five years. While we are growing and developing ourselves, we are also contributing to the Nigerian society. Today we have created direct job of about 1000 and indirect jobs of over 10,000 for Nigerians.

And since we started business in Nigeria five years ago, we have also contributed almost N4 billion as tax revenue to the coffers of the government. All these are testimonies of StarTimes' achievements within our years of operation in the country. Our services are being enjoyed a lot more by users and for the three consecutive years, we have been awarded the most popular operator in the country.

Geographically, Nigeria is wide. What is the level of reach as a company in the country?

Right now, we are in 46 locations; we however cover more than 46 cities. Take for example, in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, we get as far as to Offa and Omuaran while in Oshogbo, Osun State capital, our coverage gets to as far as Ife and Ilesha. And in these fringe cities, we intend to improve our coverage. We are in 46 cities but more than 80 cities are benefitting from our services.

Actually, we have covered 80 per cent in all the states while our ambition is to be in all the Senatorial zones of the country. It is possible that by the end of this year, we will be in three cities in each of the 36 states. Only about two states are outside our coverage and these are Yobe and Bornu states because of security concerns. And we shall soon be in the state as soon the security situation improves.

You just clocked five in Nigeria, in another five years, what are your business plans for the company?

We have other plans such as improving our DTT networks in order to keep optimising the coverage of the network but since the country is quite big, we have to use the DTH platform as a very good complement to the DTT coverage. The improvement of our network is to promote the

•Pang

popularities of the local content and its development. In order to enable families enjoy digital TV services, we have provided affordable set-top box and also a digital TV set so that every family can afford this and enjoy our services. We are also introducing new programmes which have been provided in our latest bouquets. These bouquets are also affordable for the low income earners.

You are operating in a competitive environment, yet the price you offer subscribers keep going down, what is the secret?

We have lowered our cost so that we can stay in the competition. It is unlike the satellite operators where the cost remains the same no matter their expansion. The same goes for the content fees which is still the same no matter how many people are watching the TV. Here, we need to increase our subscriber base and growth so that we can make profit. The second part is that StarTimes is a high technology enterprise and so therefore, we are involved in research and development as leader in the technology through innovation in designing and producing recast. We hope to use cutting edge technology to lower the cost of just the set-top-boxes. We also have tried to improve our efficiency. We use economies of scale

because we are in charge of the technology and we do produce for other people at marginal profit.

What really do you think is the problem with the inability of the country to meet the digital migration deadline set by ITU? Digital migration in the TV industry is not just a simple process as some of you might think. It is like a huge chain that needs adjustment and involves quite a lot in the industry and for different market and entities. This means that all the stakeholders in the process must participate in making it happen because of their different demands.

And for StarTimes, we are just a company; what we can do at the moment is the promotion of the digital migration which we have been doing. We cannot make any decision or fully participate in the decision making process. However, there are strange happenings in the digital TV market in the country as some companies are presently operating illegally.

Secondly, digitalisation is a very complicated process. It consists of several parts such as the shooting, casting, signals from local and states TV stations as well as the private TV and some international channels. We have to aggregate all the signals into one platform.

‘Digital migration in the TV industry is not just a simple process as some of you might think. It is like a huge chain that needs adjustment and involves quite a lot in the industry and for different market and entities. This means that all the stakeholders in the process must participate in the process because of their different demands. And for StarTimes, we are just a company; what we can do at the moment is the promotion of the digital migration which we have been doing. We cannot make any decision or fully participate in the decision making process’

On the same platform, all the channels can be carried in their digital form. Remember that previously, we have been under the analogue system which is just one analogue channel unlike in digital TV where one channel can carry more than 20 channels. At a point, we would advise the government to create some legislation to stop the importation of analogue TV set into the country. It is only when this is done that the digitalisation of the industry can be realised. Also the Nigerian consumers need to be educated on the benefits of digital migration. Also for digitalisation TV to work in this country, government must subsidise the decoder set as it is done in other countries. Digital TV carries rich content, wide coverage and therefore a good marketing strategy must be put in place. Also a professional team which knows the technology, management and operation must be cinstituted. These conditions are really indispensable for the success of digital TV. What is your assessment of the market having been around for thses years?

On operations in Nigeria, we started business in Africa in 2002 and in Nigeria since 2009.

We have not stopped promoting the digital migration in the Nigerian market and for StarTimes we have already prepared ourselves for the digital migration. The only issue now is that we cannot decide for the government when they should complete the migration. We wish that the migration can start as soon as possible because we all shall benefit immensely from the migration.

The issue of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is important as companies are expected to give back to their host communities. What are your firm's footprints in this area?

As an enterprise in Nigeria, we have been involved in doing genuine business in compliance with the laws of the land like paying our taxes regularly. Secondly, we have tried to provide high quality product and services to our customers and thirdly we have been providing support to vulnerable communities which we often don't want to mention in the media.

Before 2010, the price of the pay TV services was on the higher side with subscription also very high and unaffordable and with the entrance of StarTimes into the market, a lot of Nigerians can now afford digital TV services.

This was made possible with StarTimes which forced our competitors to lower their prices.

We realised also that this is a major contribution to the society. We feel honoured to have several awards in the few years of our operation. We are the only digital TV station operating in states with less than $1 gross domestic product (GDP). We are ready to get to the poor even though business may not be doing well in those areas. We are also doing a lot in the areas of healthcare and children. We did a lot to create awareness during the Ebola scourge.

Sport is an area where pay TV stations appear to be having interest. What concrete impacts have you made?

We believe that the German Bundesliga is an exciting football league in European football right now and we have acquired the media right for the next five seasons. With this, we don't intend to increase the price of our bouquets as we shall be giving the right to air it free to the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) so that Nigerians can enjoy it. By next week, we shall sign another agreement with another football league in the top five football leagues and with this our sporting content shall hit roof top. We also have the European Cup qualifying series and the qualifiers for the World Cup in Europe and so, altogether there will be more than 500 football matches till 2019. We have concluded the deal with the International Champions Cup for the next five years for the South of the Sahara area. Our platform includes the World Cup Under-20 in the next World Cup in 2017. Our platform is user-friendly to all our customers as our newly launched set top box can receive signal from UHF to DTT.

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e-Business Phase3 is Pan African Broadband for Enterprise Solutions Provider of the year

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• From left: IIM Registrar, Musa Zubairu; Chief Temitope Ajayi; Abdulahmed Mustapha; Mr. Abayomi Sutton; representative of Ahaji Jamiu Ibrahim, Mr. Adesoji Fagbemi and Ayodeji Oyewole

Group urges Buhari to adopt data-based information sharing

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NHE Institute of Information Management (IIM) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt data-based information sharing in his administration saying this would help to ensure transparency and prevent fraudulent acts in governance because information would now be everywhere and accessible by all.

Speaking during the annual lecture, induction and investiture ceremony of the Institute at the University of Lagos main auditorium, its President, Oyedokun Oyewole noted that government needed to pay attention to information management, saying this is reinforced by the demand by Nigerians on the need for good governance and delivery of campaign promises made by the government.

He added that the success of the new administration will critically depend on good information management, stressing that bringing good practice, standards and systematic governance to the management of data and information ought to be a national priority.

By Olatunde Odebiyi

Dr Oyewole said there is need for the new government to endorse effective information management which will ensure transparency, accountability, good governance and access to information.

“This would be an essential aspect of the resources and infrastructure required for economic recovery and promotion of business integrity in government and the society at large with a resultant increase in economic value,” he said.

He stressed that government should ensure that all its agencies are held accountable for service delivery, by accessing what needs to be done in preparation to make plans and decide what choices and risks that will shape those plans.

Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode who was represented by Director- General, Lagos State Financial Systems Management Bureau, Mr. Abdulahmed Mustapha, spoke on Ambode’s continuous commitment to

selfless service for the social economic transformation of the state. He called on Lagosians for corporation and support of his determination to improve the lives of all.

Mr. Mustapha added that the government was always interested in the use of ICT to govern the people of the state relative to the population and the number of staffs.

He said the administration has adopted ICT in several ways including e-building permit, procurement processes and security measures, adding that the process is still ongoing. “We will no longer employ any individual that is not a commuter literate, because all processes in the administration will be done via systems. We as a government have also put it on ourselves to quip our youths with skills that will make them compete favourably anywhere in the world. We also want to work with the Lagos State University to add to the school curriculum ICT skills that would be useful for the graduates,” he said.

Glo’s reduction in international calls’ tariff excites subscribers

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HE reduction of tariffs on international calls from 39k per second to 20k per second by Nigeria's total information and communications technology solutions provider, Globacom, has been praised by subscribers who described the gesture as a welcome cost-saving measure.

Globacom said the reduction is to enhance the communication experience of subscribers, adding that the tariff slash is for calls to the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, China and India while interested subscribers are expected to dial *101*6*1# to enjoy the package.

A cross section of its subscribers said the 50 per cent reduction was another thoughtful move by the truly Nigerian telco.

Abeokuta-based Mrs. Aduke Sodunke whose husband relocated to Canada last year praised the reduction, adding that she could now speak for longer time with her family.

She said: "The tariff reduction has immensely facilitated communication between the rest of the family and daddy, as we increased our daily discussion from once daily to three times. Now, we even pray on the phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night. We are grateful to Glo." Another subscriber, Mrs. Yinka Moses, who has a son at the University of Lin-

coln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom also said the reduction has increased his bond with her son as she now speaks with him so often.

She said: "I used to spend about N1000 for a 25 minute-call but with the slash, the call cost will now come to less than half of that. I am glad that Globacom has again made the cost of telephony more affordable."

Benin based Ekhorountomwen Victory said the Glo international call rate is the lowest today in the country, adding that before the reduction, she used to spend a lot of money calling her sisters in America. "With this reduction now, calling overseas is very cheap and I now talk for as long as I want. Glo has done very well for us".

For Aguinede Patience, the tariff reduction is great as it made her to regularly call America nowadays, adding that this has greatly added value to her business by expanding her contacts.She said just as Glo pioneered the per second billing system in the country, the telco has blazed the trail for copy-cats to follow."This is the power of indigenous ownership and patriotism. When these people first came, they said it will require rocket science to get per second billing effective but when Glo came, it shattered the myth completely," she said.

In the words of Abuja based Haruna Idris, "Glo has been my preferred line

•Glo Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga

since 2003 and the company has never disappointed me. The reduction in IDD rate is very good. We are enjoying it. keep it coming, Glo!" In Enugu, a 60-year old man, Hyacinth Jiwuaku, is ecstatic that Glo slashed tariffs on international calls, noting "as the head of my family, I have to maintain regular communication with our siblings in the Diaspora where they reside and Glo has helped a lot. About five are based in the UK while three are resident in the United States and one is in China".

An Indian based in Lagos, Pradesh Singh, described the reduction as a big boost to communication and a veritable support for the talk more campaign, adding that this had turned Globacom to the network of choice for Indians in Nigeria who now call home fairly more regularly than before the reduction.

EST Africa's largest independent fibre optic infrastructure and telecoms services provider, Phase3 Telecom has added another award to its local and international awards and recognitions with its emergence as Pan African Broadband for Enterprise Solution Provider of the Year at Technology Africa's 'Titans of Tech' 2015 Awards.

Phase3 Chief Executive Officer - Mr. Stanley Jegede said: "We are grateful for the outpouring of recognition and support from the region and international community for our vision to ensure the sustainable development of Africa through the provision of the most reliable telecommunications services. Speedy broadband penetration is a major focus to what we do and we will continue to ensure that the region enjoys quality of service, reliability and exceptional customer experience as we continue on this journey."

Jegede maintains that the company hopes to continue to deliver on the promises made to its clients, partners and the industry.This is particularly in the area of network expansion in West Africa as well as investment in communications technology that enables its clients to share critical and big data within a secure, reliable and scalable infrastructure.

According to the Managing Consultant for Titans of Tech 2015, Mr. Pedro Aganbi, Phase3's win is well deserved after going through a rigorous voting exercise against top contenders including Computer Warehouse Group, Signal Alliance,

Jegede

Resourcery and Business Connexion; to come out as the preferred enterprise broadband services provider. He stated that the company's unique approach to amplifying regional connectivity puts the customer's need first thus gaining a strong market niche with discerning corporate customers.

The organisers believe that Phase3 has demonstrated time and again that it is committed to enhancing the availability of fast and reliable internet to the unserved and underserved parts of the West Africa Sub-region through investment in infrastructure and human capital. More so; the company's recent opinion pieces in influential national dailies prove that its strategic insight and blueprint for Africa's telecommunications industry is achievable, sustainable and key to eradicating the current digital divide.

COMPLAINTS BOX Feyise Akeeb Kareem is my name; my number is: 08098245620 Sir, help us tell Etisalat that its data runs out too quickly. All the MNOs should be told to stop sending us unsolicited messages.

Also, assist in drawing the attention of MTN, Airtel,Etisalat and Glo to the poor coverage of their networks in Ogwashi Ukwu town, Delta State. There are areas in the town where there’s no coverage at all. This is very worrisome to the residents.

My number is 08023254106 About two months ago, I travelled to Dubai for an official engagement.

When I checked my airtime account, it was too low. I asked somebody in Nigeria to load my phone with N6,000. I am not sure if I received more than two short calls and in less than three hours, my N6,000 got depleted. Back to Nigeria, I have been loading the phone with N2,000 and N3,000 regularly and I watch my service provider ‘steal my credit’ instalmentally. My operator waits for me to buy airtime, and as soon as I do that, it gets depleted. I got the rude shock of my life when I took time out of my busy schedule to visit the Ilupeju, Lagos care centre of my MNO. A lady that attended to me was rude, and not giving a hoot about my age, she said: “From what I can see here, you have not been recharging this number. There is no truth is all your claims.” I will consider porting out of this network if my challenges are not addressed.

My phone number is 08033242256.

I always receive unsolicited text messages from my service provider . This SMS can come anytime of the day including weekends! They come through coded numbers such as 5201, 5031 ,3021 ,3031 and others. They normally command me to subscribe to one thing or the other like health tips, sports, music, wise sayings ,proverbs and all sorts of stupid distractions! I normally delete these SMS but am getting tired and frustrated ,pls ,advise them to stop all these rubbish or else I will be forced to tear their SIM card into shreds! I don't need the messages at all! There are lots of problems in this country and it is unfair that

my service provider should be adding more through numerous and high provoking and insulting unsolicited and vexatious messages!

My number is: 08165255703 Each time I buy airtime on my phone, it disappears with the speed of lightning.

Kindly use your good offices to ask my operator what has happened to my line.

My number is: 08187580759 My problem is with data. Over the past two weeks, I have spent so much on my data subscription. I actually subscribed to a data plan that should immediately give me 2G data according to what my service provider promised.

I loaded airtime and dialled the appropriate code but to my utmost disappointment, the data ran out within four days. I don’t stream videos on Yutube, I don’t download pictures or engage in internet frivolties. This has happened to me almost thrice in recent weeks.

I have tried contacting my service provider hoping solution will come my way but no luck.

Kindly use your platform to tell my service provider to “return my stolen data.”

08035735383 is my number: My problem has to do with data. I use a Blackberry phone and naturally I subscribe to a data bundle plan. My worry is that each time I intentionally deactivates my internet connection at the expiration of my data plan, I noticed that my service provider kept deducting my money for data usage. I am shocked that this could still be happening to me because the data icon had already been deactivated. Or does it mean that so long as one uses a smartphone, data subscription becomes automatic?

My service provider should not auto-renew my data subscription.

It is courtesy to ask if I was interested in continuing with the data bundle plan.

•Send complaints lukajanaku02@gmail.com

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INTERNATIONAL

e-Business

Apple is in talks to launch virtual network service

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Microsoft gives out N5tr worth of software globally

HE world's number one software maker, at the weekend unveiled a $200 billion free software bonanza, with the launch of its new Windows 10 Operating System software.

Under the plan, virtually every personal computer (PC) user anywhere in the world, will now be entitled to a copy of the new Operating System Software, free of any payments for life. They are available for free download from the Microsoft website and there are currently some two billion Windows users worldwide. More than 100 million downloads have been made worldwide.

Although Microsoft seems to be offering some conditions for upgrade of old Windows installations, the novel package is possibly the world's largest software gifting in history, since virtually every PC user is allowed to download the software free of any charges.

Microsoft says only users of genuine copies of its old Windows 7 or Windows 8 will be able to upgrade to the new software on their old computers. The new installation ensures this by asking for the Serial Number of the old Windows, during the upgrade and declines upgrade of any old Windows installation done with an illegal Windows copy or already black listed Serial number. Microsoft Corporation has however not placed any restrictions to prevent fresh installation of the new Operating System software, even on PCs on which

illegal copies had been previously installed. Only extremely low configuration computers will be unable to run the new software.

This latest software release by Microsoft Corporation and the free full software offer over the next one year, is apparently the organisation's strategic way of winning back leadership of the global Operating System software market, which it has lost to the Google-backed Android Operating system, now running on computer Tablets and smart mobile phones worldwide.

From August next year, every copy of the new Windows Operating System software, will be sold for a minimum of $110 for installation on every new computer. Corporate organisations, government agencies and private business users will however pay to upgrade their existing Windows versions to various Enterprise Editions of the new Windows 10 beginning today.

Microsoft Corporation's Windows software, which used to be run on nine of every 10 of the world's Personal Computers. That market control has dropped to just about two in every 10 Personal Computer products and devices in use worldwide. Microsoft's new goal may be to ensure that virtually every Personal Computer user worldwide, is running a genuine copy of its flagship Operating System software.

It is a de javu of sort, with the unique unveiling and free offer, coming al-

most exactly 30 years after Microsoft Corporation released its Windows 1 free of any additional payments, with the world's first personal computers.

The Windows 1 Operating System software released in November 1985, became the software running on 90% of the world's personal computers.

The introduction of inexpensive, but very stable portable Tablet Computers, running the Google corporation-backed Android Operating System, some 10 years ago, has over the years proved to be the game changer for Microsoft's hold on the global Operating System software industry.

Today's Android-based Tablet Computers, have very minimal electric power demand, running for days on single battery charges. They have become very popular replacement for PC notebooks and laptops, because they are capable of doing virtually all that users of Personal Computers can do on PCs running Windows.

The arrival some six years ago, of inexpensive smart mobile phones, running virtually the same Android Operating System as Tablet computers, totally knocked the bottom off any Microsoft plan at recapturing the market. Today, there are almost four million Android-based Tablet computers, mobile phones and other devices, all capable of running the same software and interpreting the same programming codes and instructions within themselves.

Facebook's solar-powered drone to beam internet from sky

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ACEBOOK has completed the production of its first full-scale solar-powered internet drone that will deliver wireless internet with lasers from the sky in parts of the developing world where internet availability is still a dream.

Mark Zuckerberg has announced the completion of Aquila, Facebook's first unmanned plane that beams down internet connectivity from the sky, as part of his project with Internet.org.

"It has the wingspan of a Boeing 737, but weighs less than a car and can stay in the air for months at a time," Zuckerberg said in a statement posted on his Facebook blog on Thursday.

"We have also made a breakthrough in laser communications technology. We have successfully tested a new laser that can transmit data at 10 gigabits per second," he continued.

"That is 10 times faster than any previous system, and it can accurately connect with a point the size of a dime from more than 10 miles away," Zuckerberg said.

Aquila's wings are made of a type of material called carbon fibre.

"When the carbon fibre material undergoes a kind of heating process known as curing, it can become "stronger than steel for the same mass of material," Yael Maguire, Facebook Connectivity Lab director, wrote in a blog post.

The drone has been developed by Facebook's Connectivity Lab which is part of Facebook's Internet.org initiative to bring the internet to places where there is a lack of connectivity.

This effort is important "because 10 per cent of the world's population lives in areas without existing internet infrastructure. To affordably connect everyone, we need to build completely new technologies,"

Zuckerberg informed.

In an accompanying video, Facebook engineers said that the drone will fly from 60,000 to 90,000 feet above the Earth and stay in the sky three months at a time.

"Using aircraft to connect communities using lasers might seem like science fiction. But science fiction is often just science before its time," Zuckerberg wrote.

Facebook will have lasers on the ground that can locate the domeshaped optical head, located on the bottom of the plane, in the air basically shooting a laser at a dime-sized target that is more than 10 miles away, tech portal The Verge reported.

The plane will first hone in on the general location of the laser on the ground, proceeding to target it further and lock onto the location so that it can start beaming down the internet.

PPLE is in talks to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service in the US and Europe, Business Insider has learned.

Sources close to Apple say the company is privately trialling an MVNO service in the US but is also in talks with telecoms companies in Europe about bringing the service there too.

An MVNO is a virtual carrier network that sees technology companies lease space from established carriers and sell it to customers directly.

Here’s how an Apple MVNO will work: Instead of paying your carrier every month, you will pay Apple directly for data, calls, and texts. Apple then provides you with everything you used to get from your carrier, but the Apple SIM switches between carriers to get the best service. The telecoms companies auction capacity to Apple so it can run the service.

There is no guarantee Apple’s service will launch beyond a test phase, and if it does, it will not roll out anytime soon. Telecoms sources say Apple is looking long-term with its MVNO and could take at least five years to fully launch the service. Apple has been in talks with telecoms companies for years over its MVNO plans, those sources say, adding that it’s an “open secret” among carriers that a virtual Apple network is on the way.

Business Insider earlier on Monday reported that Apple was testing a service called iCloud Voicemail that will automatically transcribe voicemail messages using Siri.

It makes sense that Apple wants to take control of voicemail before it launches an MVNO. Right now your voicemails are stored with your carrier. Once Apple is taking money from customers for data and calls, customers will not have direct relationships

with carriers. Once Apple launches iCloud Voicemail, you will not have that problem and will be free to sign up to Apple’s MVNO. Apple already signalled its intent to become the gateway to carriers when it launched the Apple SIM in 2014. It allowed customers to switch between networks through their device using a SIM card that could connect to lots of different carriers. Right now it’s available only for the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3, but future versions of the SIM card could be used to launch an Apple MVNO for iPhones.

Google is already testing its own MVNO. Project Fi is available only for the Nexus 6 smartphone in the US, but it is a signal that the tech company sees an MVNO as a potential area for expansion in the future.

But not every MVNO is successful. Gigaom pointed out back in 2012 that both Disney and ESPN tried to launch their own MVNO services but later had to shut them down.

Glo treats Soyinka, young literary stars to reading night TOTAL Information and Communications Technology solutions provider, Globacom, says it plans to celebrate the continent's iconic literary giant and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, with a night of literary readings, featuring other young writers.

Globacom, it will be recalled, has remained Africa's iconic supporter of Literature as it has promoted the art and literature both in Nigeria and in Ghana by bringing together literary giants to read excerpts from the works of the most celebrated Wole Soyinka. It also sponsors the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, Globacom said the event captioned "A Night with Wole Soyinka and Nigeria's Young Literary Stars" would be held in August.

The company explained that apart from using the event to promote literature, it is also being organized to pay tribute to the literary stars for their immense contributions to the study of literature and for putting Nigeria on the world literary map.

Prof. Soyinka, the company noted, had brought honour and glory to Nigeria and the whole of Africa."

In addition to celebrating the wordsmith, the event will also provide a platform for lovers of literature, the media and the guests to interact with Professor Soyinka and the young award winning writers", Globacom further explained.

The telecoms network added that arrangements were being concluded to ensure an evening of intellectual stimulation, glitz, glamour and sublime entertainment for guests.

At the event, Globacom will also launch a special prize in Literature for undergraduate students across the country tagged "The Glo Literature Prize for Undergraduate Stu-

dents".

The evening will also showcase a documentary on the life and times of the Nobel Laureate as well as a reading of his works by the three young literary Nigerian writers.

The writers will in addition share their personal perspective on African literature and the contributions of Prof Soyinka in an interactive exchange. The young writers being honoured on the night are Sefi Atta, Tope Folarin and E.C. Osondu.

Sefi Atta was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1964. She has won several awards including the 2009 Noma Award for Publishing in Africa, 2006 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, 2005 PEN International David TK Wong Prize and 2003 Red Hen Press Short Story Award.

Tope Folarin who lives and works in Washington, DC., United States, won the 2013 Caine Prize for African Writing, described as Africa's leading literary award, for his short story entitled 'Miracle' from Transition. He is the recipient of writing fellowships from the Institute for Policy Studies, Washington DC., and serves on the board of the Hurston/Wright Foundation. Tope was educated at Morehouse College, and the University of Oxford, where he earned two Master's degrees as a Rhodes Scholar.

E.C. Osondu who is the last celebrant won the Caine Prize in 2009 for his story "Waiting". He has also won the Allen and Nirelle Galso Prize for Fiction, and his story, "A Letter from Home", was judged one of The Top Ten Stories on the Internet in 2006. His debut short story collection Voice of America was published by Harper Collins in 2010 and Granta Books in 2011.

He lives in Rhode Island, USA where he is an Assistant Professor of English at Providence College.

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 03-08-15

DAILY SUMMARY DAILY SUMMARYASASATAT16-07-15 03-08-15

Forte Oil plans new capital raising to boost growth F

ORTE Oil Plc plans to raise additional capital to boost its balance sheet and support the growth of the company over the long-term. The oil giant oil firm is also considering merger, and acquisition options with partners that same similarities with its corporate governance strategy.

Group managing director, Forte Oil Plc, Akin Akinfemiwa, disclosed this yesterday at the presentation of the underlying reasons for the company’s performance to stakeholders at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

He said the supplementary capital raising exercise would involve both equity and debt issues noting that the net proceeds of the new issues would be used to bolster the company’s working capital and enhance the overall balance sheet.

“There is an ongoing plans and commitment with potential investors to inject additional capital through debt or equity within the next few weeks. This, we believe, would significantly impact

•Eyes merger, acquisition

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

our negative working capital and also shore up our shareholders funds,” Akinfemiwa said.

He said the outlook for the company remains promising pointing out that Forte Oil had had entered into strategic partnership and alliances with technical partners to participate in the proposed Federal Government sale of marginal oil fields and divestment of International Oil Companies (IOC) investment in local oil blocks.

He added that the company would optimise opportunities from its real sector assets to grow complimentary businesses which would ultimately increase its bottom line while it also plans to optimise its distribution channel through focusing on retail network optimisation and

strategic acquisition of prime retail sites.

According to him, the company would improve operating margins and diversify revenue base by focussing on high margin products such as lubricants and expanding the Geregu power plant assets with additional 21 mega watts.

He said that the company would diversify into the upstream space through profitable of upstream assets and harness partnerships with quick service restaurants, financial institutions and telecommunications firms.

Key extracts of the interim report and accounts of Forte Oil for the for the half-year ended June 30, 2015 showed a turnover of N61.17 billion, 23 per cent below N79.61 billion recorded in the comparable period of 2014. Profit before tax stood at N3.26 billion compared with N4.19 billion while profit after tax dropped by 19 per cent to N2.53 billion as against N3.13 billion posted in the comparative period of 2014.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 03-08-15

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SHOWBIZ

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N memory of the late Afrobeat king, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the rooftop of his residence came alive on Sunday with music and banter. From the beginning of the Gbemisola Street, Ikeja, where the edifice is domiciled, the celebratory ambience could be felt by both residents and revelers alike.

The four storey structure which also houses the Kalakuta Museum was one of the venues of the celebration of the 18th anniversary of the late legend.

Made up of mainly young and curious music lovers, the audience partied hard in memory of the late Afrobeat king. While music was supplied by the Egypt 80 band, interspersed with performances by the up and coming artistes, the tribute party took guests through four decades of Nigerian music.

As Osagie Okoduwa, Manager of the Kalakuta Museum puts it; this year’s anniversary is all about the great legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The celebration which started on Friday at the New Afrika Shrine

18 years after, Fela lives on

By Ovwe Medeme

continued through Saturday at the same venue before moving to his Ikeja residence.

For Dede Mabiaku, nothing says Fela is a living legend more than his being featured in “the height of theatredom”, the Broadway; the first African to ever be so represented. Addressing the audience, Mabiaku, a protégé of the Afrobeat king, said that through his works and recognition, Fela still lives.

“Listen carefully and let the meaning (of his songs) make a meaning to your life. You as Africans, one man come fight to make this path today open to all of una wen dey here so. You need to go back now, start to listen, listen deep and let your minds open, and let the truth reign with you. Anybody wen dey here now come here because of the name Fela. And everybody wen dey all over the world give reverence and regards to Fela. Make una start to think. The more African you

are, the more legit you are. The more African you are, the more authentic you are. The more values of Africa you hold, the more the quality of your life. Everything wen Fela talk, till today everybody talk say na true.

When the prophet dasheth through your path, grab a hold of the spiritual essence of what he has delivered.

Fela lives,” he said amidst cheers.

This year’s remembrance, packaged Afrofusion and JP Interproject, culminated in a grand concert featuring Fela’s stooge, Femi Kuti at the New Afrika Shrine.

Popular for creating the Afrobeat style, a complex fusion of Jazz, Funk, Highlife, a bit of rock and other styles, Fela Kuti is also reputed for setting up the Kalakuta Republic which he later declared independent from the Nigerian state.

On August 3, 1997, his brother, Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, stunned the nation by announcing Fela’s death a day earlier. More than a million people attended Fela’s funeral at the site of the old Shrine compound.

• Fela

Timaya hangs out with Rihanna

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IGERIAN musicians and their art seem to be all about crossing borders these days. Pundits have said that it is not a bad thing. Toeing the same line as his colleagues, the Egberipapa 1 of Nigerian music, Enetimi Alfred Odon; better known as Timaya, yesterday posted photos of himself on Instagram, posing with Barbadian singer, Rihanna.

The photograph, taken at the Barbados Music Festival, was captioned “with the baddest gyal, RiRi.” The two seemed quite chummy in the photograph and from the comments from Timaya’s fans, it is being whispered that the duo are working on a collabo.

It would appear that the artiste is not making an issue of the rape saga which threatened his career and reputation sometime last week. In the photo, the bearded ‘Port Harcourt Boy’ is sporting a multicoloured tunic with a matching hat, while the Barbadian singer is her usual skin-baring self.

Only last week, the Dem Mama

• Timaya with Rihanna

By Jane Kolade

crooner was in the news for allegedly raping a lady in Atlanta.

The lady who simply goes by the name, Shella B opened a new Instagram account called ‘exposingtherealtimaya’ which she dedicated to sharing her rape allegations. According to her, Timaya raped her and begged for forgiveness while also threatening her.

Reacting to the incident, Nollywood filmmaker and social critic, Charles Novia advised the singer to get a good lawyer, and go to America and prove his innocence.

“This is not an allusion that Timaya is guilty but I’m concerned that he has to put this behind to move on as a creative artiste and also to redeem himself and other Nigerian artistes who might be affected by a blanket suspicion in the eyes of the larger world. A good Lawyer would ask questions on aspects of Sheila’s story which at face value as it is from the statements right now; seem to be a bit out of place,” he said

Classic FM takes medical mission to Lagos residents

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N partnership with Pathcare Laboratories, Classic FM on Saturday, August 1, held the 2015 edition of its Doctors on Air Medical Mission. Held at Yaba Local Government secretariat, Yaba, Lagos, the management of the radio station called on government at all level to give more attention to making quality healthcare services accessible to

By Ovwe Medeme

the masses.

General Manager of Megalectrics Limited, operators of Classic FM97.3 and Naija FM102.7; Mr. Deji Awokoya said that the yearly event provides free public health care for local residents.

“Doctors on Air is actually a radio

• A Lagos resident undergoing eye examination

programme that goes out on Classic FM on Wednesdays. So, based on the feedback we got from callers, we thought it was important for us to create an offline event where we could give the public a chance to speak to doctors and get some information from them. It speaks for itself. This is the third edition and as the years go by, the turnout increases,” he said.

The teeming crowd that thronged the venue also received Medical counselling and advice from a team of volunteer doctors available for the exercise.

Dr. Pamela Ajayi, creator and host of the Doctors on Air radio programme and founder of Pathcare Laboratories, also seized the opportunity to appeal to the government to continue with intensive screening at the nation’s borders and airports to avert another Ebola virus outbreak in the Nigeria.

“The focus is on preventive healthcare, educating people on how to pick things up early. We have pharmacists who support us. The essence is to know certain things. We must know our health numbers. It is all about empowerment. Empowering people through knowledge so they can take control of their health," she said.

The Doctors On Air Free Medical Mission is an annual CSR put together by Pathcare Laboratories, Classic FM and Naija FM in partnership with Lagos state Blood donation service, Bridge Clinic, Mopheth Pharmacy, The Eye doctors, Medplus, Healthplus, Fidson Healthcare, Megacare limited, Skye Dental, Chike Okoli Foundation, Access Bank, Leadway Assurance, CDMA LUTH and many more.

Roads closed as Bobbi Kristina is laid to rest

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S Bobbi Kristina was buried alongside her mother Whitney Houston yesterday, town police announced road closures and restrictions around Fairview Cemetery.

Bobbi, the 22-year-old only child of singers Houston and Bobby Brown, died in hospice care on July 26, months after she was found unresponsive in her Georgia home.

East Broad Street, where the cemetery is located, was closed at about 10 a.m. from Wychwood Road to Springfield Avenue.

Gallows Hill Road was also closed from East Broad Street to the Cranford line.

No parking was allowed on the closed roads from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. yesterday, though residents were allowed to access their homes.

The burial follows a private funeral and wake held last week in Atlanta.

The road closure became necessary when news vans started appearing outside Fairview Cemetery on East Broad Street this week in the wake of Bobbi Kristina Brown’s death. Westfield residents said they were most concerned about an intrusive media presence and obstacles for those who wish to visit other graves.

• The late Kristina

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NEWS Tribunal reserves judgment in Kashamu’s, Abiodun’s case From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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RINCE Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterdayclosed their cases at the National and state Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with each adopting his final addresses.

The court also reserved judgment in the petition till a date to be announced later.

The petition was brought before the Tribunal by Abiodun, challenging the declaration of Prince Kashamu by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) as the winner of the senatorial seat for Ogun East on March 28.

According to Abiodun, he was validly elected but denied the victory.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Counsel for both parties, adopted their separate final addresses and also made submissions in support of their positions.

But the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Ebiowei Tobi said the judgment is reserved for a later date which would be communicated to both Counsel.

During the hearing, witnesses were called to give evidence both by the Petitioner and respondents. Abiodun’s Counsel Yusuf Ali (SAN) claimed that there were observable discrepancies between result sheets made available to agents at the polling units and the Certified True Copies brought before the court by INEC. Ali prayed the court to nullify Kashamu’s election on ground that Abiodun won the majority valid votes cast and that Kashamu was not fit to contest the election by reason of alleged drug related cases around him.

“Our position is that we won the election but was denied victory, and the tribunal should restore us into the victory path, that’s the summary of our case.

“We have two alternative prayers, one was that if we do the proper calculation of the valid votes, Dapo Abiodun would have the majority of valid votes, and we said based on that, nullify the election of Buruji and declare Dapo Abiodun the winner.

“In case the tribunal does not agree, by looking at the documents we brought after the conclusion of votes in each polling stations, Dapo Abiodun’s agents were given copies of the result which we tendered but we need INEC to bring the Certified True Copies and we now discovered that the ones they brought were different with the material particulars of the ones they gave to us on the day of the election.

“We now said if the tribunal agrees that such differences point to irregularities, we have asked the tribunal to nullify the election and order fresh election, those are our alternative prayers.

“Our allegation again was that Buruji Kashamu was not qualified to run for the election having regards to a lot of issue on his extradition and based on those issues, he shouldn’t have contested election,” Ali submitted.

537 truck drivers prosecuted for recklessness, says FRSC

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O instill caution in highway drivers, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) yesterday said 537 heavy duty vehicle drivers have been arrested and prosecuted for reckless driving.

The offenders, comprising tanker and trailer drivers, were nabbed on the LagosIbadan Expressway between July 27 and 31, during a special patrol “Operation Scorpion”.

Reviewing the operation, FRSC Zonal Commander, Assistant Corps Marshal Nse-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

obong Akpabio said the exercise spanned 139 kilometres, the patrol covered Ojota-Ikorodu road interchange and continued through Iwo Road in Ibadan.

He said the operation, which was the first phase of the exercise, was designed to focus on heavy duty vehicle drivers because their driving habit was worrisome.

“The recent death, pain and suffering brought on Nigerians, resulting from havocs caused by falling tankers laden with fuel, and unsecured

container carrying trucks, have become an embarrassment to the nation, hence the need to address it.

“537 drivers were apprehended based on the designed objectives of ‘Operation Scorpion’ special patrol which was to optimally deploy the human and material resources available to the corps to ensure compliance to traffic rules.

“These drivers who have been dubbed by many Nigerians as “killers on the way” were prosecuted at various mobile courts in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States.

“They were arrested for violating traffic offences such as trucks moving with unsecured containers, lane indiscipline, rickety vehicles, over loading, driving with worn out tyres and driver’s license violation.

“Personnel of the Corps were drawn from all FRSC formations along the corridor from Lagos Sector command headquarters to Ojota Unit Command, Lagos; Mowe, Sagamu, Ogere and Ogunmakin Unit Commands all in Ogun State and finally FRSC operatives from Oyo State coordinated by the Sector Com-

•Akintayo (left) and others at the news conference by Joint Health Sector Union and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals on Healthcare Agenda held at PSN’s head office at Anthony … yesterday PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS.

Workers to Fed Govt: prevent crisis in health sector

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O prevent crisis in the health sector, stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to disregard the healthcare agenda and restructuring document as worked out by six doctors.

According to health professionals and workers under the umbrella of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU)/Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA), implementing the document implies that stakeholders are headed for more discord and conflicts.

The body comprises the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Pharmaceutical

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

Society of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria ( A M L S N ) , SSAUTHRIAI, Association of Radiographers of Nigeria and Non-Academic Staff Union.

Others are Health Information Managers Association of Nigeria (HIMAN), Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Nigeria Optometric Association (NOA), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.

The body, whose representatives spoke in Lagos,

said it was on record that in an undemocratic process, six doctors, including agents of Western donor agencies that championed the commercialisation of health facilities, crafted the health policy.

Chairman Olumide Akintayo said: “One of the key recommendations of the sixman Committee was to canvass a reform of the Federal Ministry of Health and reduce the number of agencies from 14 to three, based on alignment of scope and deliverables.

“Curiously, the administration has sought views and position papers on healthcare agenda from strange templates, especially a par-

ticular group of entrepreneurs in healthcare, rather than the true representatives of healthcare providers who are well structured into professional associations and trade unions”.

Akintayo said the pecuniary motives of the entrepreneurs, who belong to an array of professions and background, remain an inclination to access funds provided by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), as they plan to lord their concept of privatisation and commercialisation on the health sector, notwithstanding the damaging effects it will bring to consumers and the country’s economy.

•From left: Mrs Josephine Anifowoshe; Retired Lt.-Col. Yakubu Anifowoshe; Mr Wole Anifowoshe, Lola Anifowoshe and GOC, 2 Div., Maj.-Gen. Salihu Muazu, at the unveilling of a street named after Lt.-Col. Anifowoshe (rtd) in Letmuck Cantonment in Ibadan...yesterday.

mander Oyo with operation base on Oluyoye Unit Command.

“The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Boboye Oyeyemi who led the National Headquarters team also participated in the exercise from Lagos to Ibadan,” Akpabio said.

He said the operation would be extended to other routes in order to complement the gains and to attain the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety principle 2011– 2020 in reduction of road transportation crashes.

Agbo hails Onu on award From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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OVERNORSHIP candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APGA) in Ebonyi State, Anthony Agbo, has described Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as one of the most decent politicians Nigeria ever produced.

Agbo was reacting to the conferment of the Pan African Servant Leadership award on Onu by the 51-member countries of the African Students Union Parliament. He spoke yesterday in Abakaliki.

The Senator said he was not surprised at the award because Onu’s antecedents spoke for him.

Ekiti health official buried

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HE remains of Mrs. Deborah Olubanwo Adeoye have been in-

terred in Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State, after a funeral service at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Idagba. The funeral was officiated by Ven. Oguntuase.

Mrs. Adeoye, a health worker at the Efon-Alaaye Community Health Centre, Iloro, died on Saturday July 25. She was buried on Tuesday, July 28, at her residence at Oniyo Quarters, Efon-Alaaye.

She is survived by an aged mother, her husband, Prince Adewale Adeoye, children Adeola, Adeyemi and Adewumi, and siblings.

Ven. Oguntuase urged Christians to see life as vanity, stressing that heaven is more important than the temporary sojourn on earth. The cleric noted that the deceased led a honourable life.

At the church service were former Ekiti State Information Commissioner Elder Odunayo Ategbero, House of Assembly member Afolabi Akanni, former Efon Council Chairmen Prince Joel Omoniyi and Prince Ade Agbaje; Chief Joseph Alake Erungbua, Chief Bode Olayinka, Dr. Gbenga Guinea, Prince Sunday Ajibade Aladejare, Mr. Jide Olowoyeye, and members of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Efon Council chapter.

•The late Madam Adeoye

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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NEWS Firm seeks removal of buildings under high-tension wires

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HE Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Ltd (AEDC) yesterday urged owners of houses under high-tension wires to remove them.

This is contained in a statement by Ahmed Shekarau, the head, Public Relations and Media of AEDC and sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

It warned consumers to refrain from patronising unlicensed electricians when faults occurred on their power lines or appliances.

The statement said AEDC recorded zero deaths and accidents in the second quarter of the year.

It noted: “This is the first time such a feat is recorded in the history of the company.”

The statement added that no worker was involved in a negative incident on safety, health and environment between April and June.

The Managing Director/ CEO of AEDC, Mr. Neil Croucher, hailed the workers for the achievement.

He enjoined them to sustain the tempo.

Croucher said since the takeover of the company in November 2013, new investors had raised the AEDC’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Policy to a higher level.

The statement said the AEDC management created a board committee to ensure HSE was integrated in its operations.

Audu, ex-commissioner for APC ticket From Tony Akowe, Abuja

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ORMER Kogi State Governor Prince Abubakar Audu and one of his commissioners, Suleiman Baba Ali, are to contest the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) ticket for the November governorship election.

The duo were at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday to collect the nomination form.

Audu said the majority of those in the race were young school leavers, who lacked the experience to take the state out of the woods.

He said the state does not need anybody who will come and learn on the job, as the task ahead of the next governor is to take the state out of the woods.

Addressing reporters after collecting the form, Audu lamented that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government did not put in place any meaningful project in the last 12 years, but allowed the state to deteriorate.

He said he was contesting to answer the call by the people, who mobilised resources to pay for the expression of interest and nomination form.

Audu said Aliko Dangote was operating a cement factory in Kogi because studies showed that he could make money from the state, adding: “I will attract more Dangotes to Kogi.”

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (fouth right); World Bank Representative on Community Social Development Programme (CSDP) Team Leader for Youth Employments and Social Supports, Prof. Folusho Okumadewa (third right); World Bank Consultant on CSDP&YESO, Prof. Yusuf Sulaimon (third left) and Marketing and Evaluation M&E Specialist, Federal Operation Coordinator, Mr.Atiku Abubakar Atiku (second left); Mr. Ismael Olalekan-Alli (second right), Director, Oyo State Community Social Development Programme (CSDP), Mrs. Laide Akintola-Oyebamiji (left) and Miss Funmi Adesina, when the team visited the governor ...yesterday

Six held for allegedly killing policemen

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HE Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of six persons in connection with the alleged killing of Police Inspector Nura Hashimu.

They are the managing director and five other workers of Pinnacle Hotel, Sokoto.

Confirming the arrest when briefing reporters on the circumstances that led to the death of Hashimu, police spokesman Al-Mustapha

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

Sani said the late Hashimu was the son of the late Police Commissioner Hashimu Yauri.

He said the deceased died after he was allegedly beaten up by the hotel’s security guards on August 1.

Sani said: “The deceased reportedly lodged in the hotel for about five days preceding the incident.

“The late officer was asked

to leave the hotel after complaints by his co-lodgers that his room was always rowdy.”

He added: “He had earlier packed his belongings, put them in a tricycle and left the hotel. But he later returned angrily.”

According to him, the deceased quarrelled with the managing director after he went back.

This, Sani said, resulted in a fight.

His words: “It was at that

juncture that the security guards pounced on the deceased and beat him up.

“The officer was later taken to the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto where he was confirmed dead.”

He said the deceased was taken to the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto for post-mortem.

The spokesman said the suspects were being detained at the police command for investigations.

Gombe tribunal dismisses petition

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HE Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Gombe State yesterday dismissed a petition filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its governorship candidate, Jafar Abubakar, challenging the election of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the April 11 poll.

By Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

The petition was nullified and dismissed following doubts over the competence of the petitioner’s counsel, Mr. Sam Kagbo.

The tribunal Chairman, Justice Mohammed Sirajo, held that following Section 1 (2) and (24) of the Legal Prac-

titioner’s Act, “only persons whose names are on the roll of lawyers can practise as barristers or solicitors.”

He said the name ‘Sam Kagbo’, as used by the petitioner’s counsel, was not on the roll of lawyers.

Justice Sirajo held that the petition remained competent, as it was signed by the peti-

tioner, Jafar Abubakar and Sam Kagbo, adding that the tribunal was bound to its unanimous ruling of July 9, “which still subsists.”

He said the processes filed in respect of the case, including the proceedings conducted by Sam Kagbo on behalf of the petitioner, were also nullified for want of competence.

FERMA begins rehabilitation of Northeast roads

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HE Managing Director, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Mr. Gabriel Amuchi, has directed the rehabilitation of federal roads in the Northeast.

He said the project would be carried out by a committee of FERMA Zonal Coordinators and the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineers (FRMEs) in the geopolitical zone.

A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Head, Com-

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

munications and Public Relations, Mrs. Maryam Sanusi, said the project was tagged: ‘FERMA Intervention Team on Critical Roads in the Northeast’.

She said the team’s programme would begin immediately, pending formal launch in Bauchi State, the working headquarters.

According to the statement, the team was headed

by the Executive Director, Roads Maintenance Management Services, Garba Mubi, with the following terms of operation: Group response to failed locations along safe roads; sustain routine maintenance along federal roads in the zones; utilise available resources for effective deployment; ensure safe and secure operation within the team and carry out other assignments approved by the management.

The team was advised to work cautiously, observing safety measures at all times and give progress report with pictures on a weekly basis, fortnightly and a monthly comprehensive report of the intervention progress.

The FERMA managing director assured that the agency would deliver on its mandate of effectively and efficiently maintaining federal roads nationwide, within available resources.

‘Why Niger ‘ll not release fund for MSME’

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IGER State government has expressed condition for the release of the balance of N200million commitment to the N1billion counterpart fund for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development fund programme with the Bank of Industry (BOI).

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello spoke when he inaugurated the Bank of Industry (BOI) office in Minna, the Niger State capital.

He said government was

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

not in a hurry to release the outstanding balance until a proper evaluation of the N300 million earlier contributed was made to ascertain the utilisation of the joint contribution by the government and the bank.

Bello, who spoke through his deputy, Mohammed Ahmed Ketso, said the government was committed to the programme, which he noted was in tandem with its

economic policy.

He added: “We are committed to releasing our counterpart fund for the MSME States’ Matching Fund Programme we entered with the Bank of Industry, but this will be after proper evaluation of beneficiaries of the funds earlier contributed.

“We have to ascertain the disbursement of earlier fund, verify and ascertain the beneficiaries before the N200 million balance is released.”

The governor said the government, in collabora-

Gradual calling of witnesses circumstantial, says APC counsel From Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

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OUNSEL to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate in the last general election, Ayoola Ajayi, has said their idea of bringing in witnesses gradually was tactical to their case.

Ajayi, who spoke at yesterday’s sitting where he called two witnesses, recalled that he once said they were just starting and would take off very soon.

He said: “We are taking the witnesses the way we feel will be good for our case. We are bringing them gradually. Maybe tomorrow we will bring some and we will continue that way. It’s just to take care of the circumstance.

“I told you the other time that we are just starting.

Soon we will take off.

“You know it’s an election that involved many wards, polling units and the rest of them. You don’t just rush in things like that.

“You need to bring in the witnesses gradually in order to have the spread and this is exactly what we are doing.”

Ajayi said the forensic examination of materials as ordered by the tribunal was still being carried out, adding: “I understand they are in Deba in continuation of the exercise and it is still part of what we intend to bring to the tribunal.”

‘Stop abandoning babies’ From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

T •Governor Bello

tion with BOI, through the matching fund, improved MSME in polythene production, rice milling, yoghurt production, quick service restaurants and cattle fattening.

HE wife of the Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, yesterday decried increase in the rate of abandoned babies.

She said act was the worst crime against humanity.

Dr. Bello, who inspected an orphanage in Minna, the capital, advised those fond of abandoning babies to desist.

She said the act had a repercussion that would haunt those who engaged in the “inhuman and ungodly practice.”

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NEWS ‘Urhobo deserve better recognition’ From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

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GROUP, The Urhobo Arsenal for the Development of Niger Delta (TUADEND), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give the Urhobo a better recognition as the fifth

largest ethnic nationality in the country.

At a meeting in Ughelli, Delta State, after deliberations on the state of the nation, especially in Niger Delta as they ffected the Urhobo, TUADEND noted that despite Urhobo’s contributions to sustaining Nigeria, they had nothing to show for it.

In a statement in Warri by its National President Lucky Demide, Secretary Festus Oyibo and Publicity Secretary Mark Odedede, the group said the Urhobo should be given their rightful place in the scheme of things as one of the largest ethnic natiionalities.

TUADEND noted that in the last 16 years under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Urhobo experienced the worst neglect in federal appointments, developmental projects and other empowerment programmes.

The statement said: “We, therefore, implore the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to show due consideration for the development of the Urhobo nation and make it paramount in its developmental master plan.

“The Urhobo, as a peace-loving people, are always eager and poised towards supporting the developmental programmes/ projects in Niger Delta and other parts of the country.

“We, members of TUADEND, hope to work with organised development agencies and statutory security bodies to promote peace and harmony in Niger Delta to bring about a tranquil environment for Oil and Gas industries to thrive.”

Four kids, woman crushed to F death in Bayelsa

OUR children and a woman were crushed to death at the weekend in Bayelsa State.

The incidents occurred on two separate locations.

A two-year-old girl was said to have been crushed in one of the accidents, which triggered a protest by residents of Osiri Road in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

It was gathered that the vehicle, which killed the unidentified girl, belongs to a local government chairman and was driven by his driver.

The driver was said to have escaped lynching from the residents, who attempted to burn the Prado Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

The victim, identified as Favour Kelechi, was said to

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

have run into the road.

A source said the incident occurred when the council chairman visited a resident.

“After the chairman finished his visit, the driver, who was attempting to move the car to pick up his principal, drove in a rough and speedy manner. He could not control the vehicle when the child suddenly ran into his path,” the source, who spoke in confidence, said.

Police spokesman Butswat Asinim, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), confirmed the incident.

He said: “The report from the

Ekeki Divisional headquarters of the police showed that it was a fatal motor and pedestrian accident.

“On July 31, at 3.30pm, on Mbiama/Yenagoa Road by Osiri Junction, a black Prado SUV with an unknown registration number knocked down Favour Kelechi, two, a female.

The victim was rushed to hospital but died a few minutes later.”

The second incident, it was gathered, happened in Sagbama Local Government Area, resulting in the death of a woman and her three children on the East-West Road.

A Toyota SUV was said to have rammed into a roadside market at Adagbabiri Junction and killed the victims at 3:40pm.

An eyewitness, who gave his name simply as Kelvin, said the woman and her children were having lunch when the car ran into their kiosk and crushed them.

“Of the woman and her four children, she and three of the children have been confirmed dead; one is still battling to live,” Kelvin said.

The deceased mother was identified as Ruth and the children’s names are: Favour, 9, Godsgift, 5 and one-year-old Oghenerho.

Butswat said the SUV, with registration number YEN726RG, was coming from Patani.

Three kids escape lynching over N11,500 ‘theft’ From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HREE boys, aged between 15 and 17 years, yesterday escaped being burnt to death by a mob for allegedly stealing N11,500 and a Tecno mobile phone worth N4,000.

The boys allegedly stole the items inside St. Paul Anglican Church at Ologbo village in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

After beating them up, the mob placed tyres on them, apparently to set fire on them.

But the police came in time to their rescue.

The suspects were identified as Goodluck Benson, Omoruyi Isaiah and Ediomwan Desmond.

A drama ensued when the boys were to be arraigned at a Magistrate’s Court on four counts of stealing and membership of an unlawful society called “Blade”.

Benson told Chief Magistrate Esohe Bazuaye that he was 17, and not 19, as written by the police on the charge sheet.

The magistrate was enraged that the suspects were not taken to a juvenile court, instead of a regular court.

The suspects told the magistrate that they were from broken homes and were not caught at the crime scene.

They said they confessed because the mob threatened to kill them.

Chief Magistrate Bazuaye urged the pastor in charge of the church, Rev. Johnson Nwatamuojor, to forgive the suspects and rehabilitate them.

She told the cleric that the suspects would become hardened, if they were sent to a remand home.

“Has God not given you the assignment to win souls? We can turn the lives of these kids around by making them become better in future,” Bazuaye said.

Family urges IGP to probe son’s death in detention From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HE family of Benson Obode, who died in police custody on May 21, has urged Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase to set up an independent investigative panel on how Benson died.

Benson, 26, was arrested by four policemen from the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos State for allegedly buying a stolen car estimated at N5.5 million.

It took the family 63 days to know that Benson was killed the day he was arrested and his body deposited at the Benin Central Hospital same day.

The four policemen, who arrested the late Benson are: Oniyo Musa, Adeleke Adedeji, Henry Shobowale and Abena John.

They have been arrested and will soon be taken to Benin, the Edo State capital, according to police sources.

The petition to Arase was signed by counsel to the family, Philip Okoh.

The late Benson’s family urged the police chief to investigate the role of Edo and Lagos police commissioners, including the SARS divisions in both states.

It was gathered that several “victims” of the four policemen’s alleged brutality in Edo State had started filing petitions at the police headquarters.

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•From left: Past Rotary District Governor, Mr Obafunso Ogunkeye; past Rotary President, Mr Nureni Adeniran; new President, Rotary Club, Jericho-Metro, Mr Gbenga Odunwole; Assistant National Secretary-General, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Olu Abiala, at the installation of Odunwole as new president of the Rotary Club of Jericho-Metro in Ibadan, Oyo State...on Sunday.

PHOTO: NAN

April polls worst in Rivers history, says Princewill

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ABOUR Party (LP) governorship candidate in the April 11 election in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has said this year’s elections were the worst in the history of the state.

He urged Nigerians to support the Muhammadu Buhari administration to succeed.

Princewill, who addressed reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said he was in politics to impact positively on his people.

The LP candidate said he was not among politicians who would kill to get to power.

According to him, he came to save lives and empower the people of Rivers.

Princewill said since the April elections, he had not left Nigeria, but redirected his focus on running his business.

He said: “I still boldly stand to say the April 2015 elections in Rivers State were the worst in our history. But by our constitution, Governor Nyesom Wike was sworn in. Thanks to

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He is, therefore, the governor and he has a constitutional duty to govern the state till further notice.

He needs the support and prayers of all to achieve that.

“I refused to approach the tribunal for many reasons, but one major reason was the fact that the men of God I respect told me not to. When I prayed about it, my mind was at peace.

It still is.

“The independence and maturity of the governorship tribunal are quite impressive and encouraging. But I did not approach the tribunal. My party (LP) did, after trying to suspend me for advising them against it. Surprisingly, they did not contest the senatorial, House of Representatives or House of Assembly elections; just the governorship poll, even when I said no. I hear they lost. Let the truth be told: the annulment of the elections in Rivers State will not

surprise me. What will be the outcome of a re-election? My stand is with the people of Rivers State.”

Princewill also said politics should not be an avenue to make money but a means to make things right.

The LP candidate urged his friends in politics not to go into it as a profession but to have another or other legitimate sources of livelihood to depend on.

He said politics should be a sacrifice, adding that to survive in it, politicians must always have legitimate ways to fund themselves, which would make them to speak from their hearts.

Princewill said: “A lot has happened in the last few months, but what stands paramount is that Nigeria is still one and there is still hope. That is something we all should be proud of. I have been involved in every kind of politics, including opposition politics and politics of the party in power.

But the one I find most interesting is people’s politics. That is what ex-President Goodluck Jonathan displayed at the end of his tenure. The people come before the party.

“I must say that I am yet to see a reason to pat President Muhammadu Buhari on the back, but I also have not seen a reason to crucify him. For a government to move ahead, criticisms can be effective but distractions can be destructive.

That is what our politicians should learn. Buhari is now Mr. President and, to the best of my knowledge, no one is challenging that. So, all energy should be mustered to help him succeed. Critics should proffer solutions and keep him on his toes but to always try to be constructive.”

Princewill also admonished President Buhari to forget the “Baba Go Slow” title, adding that it is not how someone starts that matters but how he finishes.

He urged the President to liaise with his predecessor.

Fuel scarcity looms in Edo as marketers threaten to stop supply

HE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Edo State has threatened to stop fuel supply, following the closure of its filling stations by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the state’s Oil and Gas Committee.

Edo IPMAN Chairman David Ikhuoria said his members were unable to sell petroleum products at the official

•DPR shuts down filling stations over price hike From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

price of N87 because they were buying from private depots at Oghara, Delta State.

The union leader noted that rather than close their filling stations, because they were selling at between N105 and N110 per litre, the DPR should regulate the price from private de-

pots to enable IPMAN members sell at N87 per litre.

He warned that Edo residents might face hardship, if they stopped buying petroleum products from private depots.

Ikhuoria urged the oil and gas committee to empathise with the union in the interest of peace.

He said: “We buy products from private depots in Oghara

and they sell to us at N95 per litre; Othniel Energy sells at N99 and Rain Oil at N95. After that, we pay transport. By the time the product gets to Benin, we sell at N110 or N105. If we were buying from Warri depot, we would have been selling at N87 per litre, but the country goes there to load fuel.

“The Warri depot is bringing out 1.5 million litres per day and

the number of trucks that goes to Edo State is not up to five. In the past five days, no truck has loaded from Warri to Benin. So, there will be serious scarcity in Edo State very soon because my members have stopped going to Oghara to buy fuel since the state government and DPR are closing down our filling stations.

“The DPR has its people who work with these private depots where we buy fuel. All they can

do is to regulate the prices and not punish us for trying to buy products for our people in Edo State. It is unfair.

“If we buy at N99 per litre, we will add transportation and a little profit. So, we are appealing to the state government to also understand our plight. If our people stop buying products from Oghara, there will be scarcity in Edo State because the Benin depot is not working now.”

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

NEWS

Toyota, Honda, R.T. Briscoe, others get Fed Govt’s nod to assemble vehicles locally

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APAN’S automobile manufacturing giant, Toyota, Honda, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria and Coacharis Motors are among the 12 auto firms franchised by the Federal Government to establish assembly plants in the country.

Others are: Globe Motors Nigeria; General Appliances West Africa; Perfection Motors Company; Richbon Nigeria; Nigeria-China Manufacturing Company; Nigeria Sino Trucks; DAG Motorcy-

cle Industry Nigeria; Century Auto-Assembly Nigeria and Concept Auto Centre.

They were licenced by the Federal Government through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).

According to a statement in Abuja yesterday by NADDC’s spokesman Bello Rasheed, all the firms have awarded licences for the establishment of 12 vehicle assembly plants in the country.

In a New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, the plants are

expected produce a wide range of products including Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), cars, pick-up vans, buses, tricycles and motorcycles, among other automobile products.

The statement also indicated that the companies, with their corporate offices in Enugu and Lagos, have started making arrangements to begin operations.

The commencement of operations by the new licensees will bring the current total number of automobile assem-

bly plants in the country to 45, the statement said.

It stated that there were 15 assembly plants in the country before the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) was launched in 2014, but only three were operational.

While stating that 18 additional assembly plants were set up after the NAIDP came into being in 2014, the document stated that the plants were in different stages of completion.

Buhari: we know banks keeping stolen oil cash Continued from page 4

der the Leahy Law but the vast majority of the support U.S. provides will be given regardless of the restrictions,’’ he said.

Issah said the U.S. would provide other forms of support that would not only boost the military’s capabilities but would also create the environment to rebuild devastated communities.

He said the U.S., through its agencies in Nigeria, would help rebuild and rehabilitate communities and victims of insurgency in the Northeast.

“We are looking forward to working with the President and the military to rebuild

the confidence of the people of Nigeria in the professionalism of the military.

“To make the military something that the people will rely on as the nation tries to clear insurgents and protect the civilians; that is important to the new president of Nigeria, our president and it is also important to the congress.

“But we are looking forward to a great difference in the relationship, a proactive relationship and one in which we can provide a greater level of support,’’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr Ismaila Aliyu, said the visit was a sign of the renewed

confidence in Nigeria’s military on the global scene.

He said Nigeria now enjoyed a greater level of confidence and trust in the international community, stressing that it would impact positively on the nation’s efforts in repositioning its economy.

“The U.S. believes in Nigeria, they have trust and confidence in Nigeria, that is why they are here.

“On the issue of human rights, the U.S. is pleased with what we have been doing in recent times to address the gaps that may have existed in the past.

“This visit is a follow-up to Mr President’s visit to the

U.S., we have said it and will continue to state that the visit was of great benefit to Nigeria, it has rekindled confidence in the relations between the two countries,’’ he said.

Issah led a delegation from the U.S. congress Judicial Committee to the meeting with Nigeria’s top ranking defence officials.

Other issues that dominated discussions between officials of the two countries include justice reforms and support for devastated communities, among others.

The meeting is believed to be one of the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to the U.S.

I5 billionaire debtors owe three banks N15.83b

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IFTEEN billionaires are owing three banks N15.83 billion, it was learnt yesterday.

The debts were the loans they took but refused to pay before they went toxic, The Nation investigations have shown.

Going by a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive on the non-performing loans, the companies and their billionaire directors risk being banned from accessing foreign exchange from the official window and trading in the Nigerian Government Securities Market.

The affected debtors are: Enikkom Investment Services Ltd, whose director, Edward Amene, owes Skye Bank Plc N1.86 billion for a term loan, approved in December 2010 and expired December 2013 and Prod Integrated Services Limited, whose directors Sylvester Okonkwo and Bekele Tadesse - obtained a lease finance loan from Skye Bank Plc in September 2008.

The facility expired in February 2013 and currently has outstanding negative balance of N1.65 billion.

Tim Afrique Services, whose term loan was approved in January 2009 and expired December 2012 with outstanding balance of N998.65 million, has Captain Billy, Gula Timati and Capt Bob Timondi as its directors.

National Truck Manufacturers’ directors - Sunil Pathanani and Alhaji Ibrahim Bayero obtained an overdraft which was approved in April 2008 and expired in June 2009. It has an outstanding balance of N728.23 million.

Appaye Engineering Company Ltd, whose only director is Chief Richard Asaje, got a term loan which was approved in January 2007 and expired in January 2009. The account has an outstanding

By Collins Nweze

balance of N524.3 million.

The big debtors with Enterprise Bank Limited are: Naturelle Extracts Ltd, whose directors - Dr. Patrick Acholonu, Steve Agbarakwe, Ebong Nte Basiekanem, Brenda Bassey and Andrew Ahunnaya - got a loan in April 2011 and expired in April 2016 with an outstanding balance of N1.89 billion.

The GIC Oil & Gas Services Limited, with Ebolowo Godwin, Mrs. Evbusogie Ebolo, Osarugue Ebolo and Olabisi Bamidele as directors, also got a term loan which was approved in October 2012 and expired April 2015. The account with Enterprise Bank Limited has an outstanding balance of N1.89 billion.

Nadebo Energy Limited, another Enterprise Bank Limited customer, has Senator Nuhu Aliyu, Chief David Ajobola Olorunleke and Ali Jeldi Abubakar-Peters as directors.

It secured a term loan which got the lender’s approval in February 2008. The debit balance stood at N1.55 billion by October 2013 when the repayment period expired.

On the Enterprise Bank’s list of billionaire debtors is Vester Services Limited and the directors are Sylvester Unokesan and Labord Unokesan.

The company requested and got approval for a term loan in November 2011 which expired in February 2013 but has an outstanding balance of N1.44 billion.

IS Oglass Industries Limited is also indebted to Enterprise Bank Limited. Its directors are: Chief Isaac Akinmokun, Muyiwa Akinmokun, Dr. Akin Akinmokun, Tokunbo Orimobi and Olubunmi Ajoje.

The company applied and secured a term loan in April 2011 which expired in April 2013 and now has an outstand-

ing balance of N895.83 million.

Zenith Bank Plc. also has its own share of bad debtors.

They include: Energy Company Nigeria Limited, whose directors are Abidoye Ayoola, Ojeifo Musa, Grant Gilbert Temisan, Oji Theophilus Ifeanyichukwu, Nom Yunana and Ayoola Oluwole.

The company applied for and secured a Bank of Industry (BoI) term loan which got the lender’s approval in January 2012. The facility has an outstanding of N743.49 million.

Olugbenga Onigbogu, who is also the sole director, got a share loan of N502.7 million which was approved by Zenith Bank in January 2008 and the facility expired since February 2009.

Prime Marketing Associates Limited, with Adeleke Sebiomo, Adesimbo Sebiomo and Serak Sebiomo as its directors, got a commercial paper loan from Zenith Bank. The facility was approved in October 2007 and expired October 2008. It has an outstanding debt of N472.2 million outstanding.

Ekha Agro Processing, whose directors are Samuel Osazenaye, E. Osazenaye, Ede Osayende, James Osarenkhoe, obtained a BoI term loan from Zenith Bank Plc. The facility, which was approved in October 2010 and due to expire in October 2020, has an outstanding balance of N356.39 million.

Also on the Zenith Bank list is Southfield Petroleum Limited, whose directors are Brigidi David, Didi Ndioma and Patrick Ndioma.

The company got import finance facility from Plc and the facility which was approved in September 2007 has an outstanding balance of N323.99 million after it expired in October 2008.

Chadians, Ghanaians, others storm Nigeria for dollars Continued from page 4

Gwadabe said the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) portal required by the BDCs to implement the BVN directive was not available, but the CBN insists that the portal must be used.

He said a gradual appreciation of the currency would

require building confidence in the financial system and price of crude oil in the international market. “This is what is going to drive the exchange rate now and beyond.

We cannot isolate what is happening in the global economy like the issue of diversification of energy sources,” Gwadabe said.

Obasanjo: Okonjo-Iweala derailed Continued from page 4

money from upstream, downstream; is more of a service. Two, your refineries are small. Port Harcourt is 60,000 barrels a day. Refineries now go 300,000 barrels a day.

Three, your refineries have not been maintained well. Four, we don’t want to go into the corruption that is entailed in all these’. I said ‘ok, come and help

me run it’. They refused. Now when I then saw people who agreed to take 51 per cent equity in two of the refineries; they did not promise to pay, they paid $750 million, I was dancing and I said ‘look, this is God-sent.’ My successor came (and) they cancelled it and paid them the money back. Those refineries today – you won’t get them because they’ve become scrap.”

DSS storms PDP secretariat

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EN of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) yesterday morning stormed the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja to prevent a breakdown of law and order , following a sharp disagreement between the national leadership and staff over plans to reduce the staff strength, their salaries and allowances by 50 per cent.

They went upstairs where they stayed for over 30 minutes during the meeting between the directors and leaders of the aggrieved workers.

They also went round the

premises of the Secretariat and finally went to the National Executive Committee, NEC meeting hall before they finally left, may be with assurances that there was temporary peace.

HE lingering crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following a sharp disagreement between the national leadership and staff over plans to reduce the staff strength, their salaries and allowances by 50%, Monday took another twist as men of the Department of State Security Services, DSS stormed Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the party.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

60

FOREIGN NEWS

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syrian government warplane has crashed in a marketplace in the north-western town of Ariha, killing at least 27 people, activists say.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) activist group said the crash occurred amid bombing raids.

Ariha was one of the last government strongholds in Idlib when it was captured

by Islamist rebels in May. The fall of Ariha left most

27 die as Syrian war plane crashes in market place of Idlib province, bordering Turkey, in rebel hands.

Separately, Airwars, a journalist group that archives the US-led coalition's air campaign against the socalled Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, said that credible reports showed at least 489 civilians had been killed in the air strikes since August last year.

In addition to those killed, the SOHR said at least 60 people had been injured in the Ariha incident. It is not clear whether the plane was shot down or crashed for another reason.

The Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC), a network of opposition activists, posted an image online of what it said was the af-

termath of the crash, showing huge damage to the marketplace and surrounding buildings.

An image supplied by the anti-government Ariha Today group which is said to show the area of the town affected by the crash Ariha Today also supplied this image said to show parts of the aircraft Residents are shown

looking for survivors in another Ariha Today image It said people were working to find survivors under the rubble and remove bodies.

Idlib is now mostly in the hands of the Jaish al-Fateh (Army of Conquest) rebel alliance that includes alNusra.

Idlib has borders with

Journalist badly beaten, detained in Burundi

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URUNDIAN journalist and AFP correspondent Esdras Ndikumana said he was arrested by government security forces and badly beaten on Sunday at the scene of the assassination of a top general.

Ndikumana, who also works for France's RFI radio, said he was taking pictures at the site of the attack in the capital Bujumbura when he was arrested by members of the National Intelligence Service (SNR)

and taken to their offices.

He was held for around two hours, during with he said he was subjected to severe beatings on his back, legs and the soles of his feet.

He was then released and hospitalised, with the injuries also including a suspected broken finger.

AFP's global news director Michele Leridon said she was "very shocked" by the attack.

"We will seek explanations from the authorities in Burundi and an assurance

that such an incident will not happen again," she said in a statement.

"Our correspondent must be able to continue to carry out his work in complete safety."

The political crisis in Burundi has seen many independent media outlets shut down and many journalists have fled the country or have gone into hiding because of threats and attacks.

The assassination of General Adolphe Nshimirimana

20 injured in Netherlands cranes collapse

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WO cranes employed to restore a bridge in the central Dutch town of Alphen aan den Rijn have collapsed on buildings, injuring at least 20 people, media say.

Amateur video showed one crane trying to hoist a section of the Juliana Bridge and collapsing under the weight, bringing the second crane down with

it.

A fire brigade official said rescue workers were trying to find out if anyone was still trapped.

Images on Dutch media showed a row of crushed buildings.

It said a Dutch team normally used for earthquakes and other disasters had been sent to the scene.

A large number of people

were at the site watching the bridge operation when the accident happened.

Ton Koot, a spokesman for the local fire brigade, told the NOS national broadcaster that heavy machinery had been moved in to help with the rescue work.

He had no more information on the condition of those injured.

came just over a week after President Pierre Nkurunziza was declared the outright winner of controversial elections, securing a third straight term despite opposition protests and international condemnation.

He was a close aide to Nkurunziza and was widely seen as the central African nation's de facto internal security chief and even considered the regime's numbertwo.

Nkurunziza's candidacy

Pakistan flash floods death toll hits 118 • Ndikumana

was condemned as unconstitutional by the opposition and provoked months of protests that left at least 100 dead in a fierce government crackdown, as well as an attempted coup in mid-May.

U.S. to defend Syrian rebels airpower

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HE United States of America has decided to allow airstrikes to defend Syrian rebels trained by the U.S. military from any attackers, even if the enemies hail from forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar alAssad, U.S. officials said on Sunday.

The decision by President Barack Obama, which could deepen the U.S. role in Syria's conflict, aims to shield a stillfledging group of Syrian fighters armed and trained by the United States to battle Islamic State militants -- not forces loyal to Assad.

U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to confirm details of the decision, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, said the United States would provide offensive strikes to support advances against Islamic State targets.

The United States would also provide defensive support to repel any attackers.

U.S. officials have long played down the idea that Assad's forces - which have not fired on U.S.-led coalition aircraft bombing Islamic State targets in Syria - would turn their sights on the U.S.backed Syrian rebels. But they cannot rule out the possibility, perhaps in an unintentional clash.

The Pentagon and the White House declined to discuss the decision on rules of engagement or confirm comments by the unnamed U.S. officials.

White House National Security Council spokesman Alistair Baskey said only the U.S.-trained forces were being provided a wide range of support, including "defensive fires support to protect them" and pointed to Friday's U.S. airstrikes as proof.

The U.S. military launched its program in May to train up to 5,400 fighters a year in what was seen as a test of Obama's strategy of getting local partners to combat extremists and keep U.S. troops off the front lines.

• Obama

Moroccan migrant dies inside suitcase Moroccan man suffo-

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cated to death in a suitcase after his brother tried to smuggle him into Spain in the boot of his car, the Spanish government says.

The 27-year-old man was on board a ferry from Spain's north African enclave of Melilla to the mainland Spanish city of Almeria.

The surviving brother, who has a French passport, has since been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

On Sunday, four migrants died trying to swim to another Spanish enclave.

The men, from sub-Saharan Africa, were attempting to swim around a fence from Morocco to the enclave of Ceuta.

Another three were rescued,

Turkey to the north and the Syrian province of Latakia to the west. Latakia is the heartland of President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect.

Government forces have been fighting rebels in mountainous parts of Latakia, trying to prevent them reaching key coastal areas.

Morocco's interior ministry said.

A boy from Ivory Coast was found alive in a suitcase in May In May, an eight-year-old boy from Ivory Coast was discovered inside a suitcase as it passed through a security check point in Ceuta.

He was later reunited with his mother, who lives legally in Spain, after he was granted a temporary residence permit.

Human Rights Watch says at least 4,300 people entered Ceuta and Melilla illegally in 2013, compared to 2,804 the year before.

In February last year, hundreds of migrants stormed the fence in Melilla in one day, with around 100 managing to make it into the enclave.

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HE death toll from flash floods triggered by seasonal monsoon rains in various parts of Pakistan has risen to 118 and floodwater has inundated vast areas, leaving tens of thousands homeless, authorities said yesterday.

The National Disaster Management Authority said the flooding has affected more than 800,000 people in 2,275 villages.

About 2,900 houses have collapsed or are partially damaged.

The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is the worst affected, with 59 deaths reported there, according to NDMA's statement. The Pakistani part of Kashmir and southern part of eastern Punjab province each reported 22 deaths.

In mid-July, monsoon rains followed by flash floods badly hit the northwestern city of Chitral, where flooding destroyed several bridges, homes, mosques, hotels and a power station. Pakistan army's engineers repaired damaged bridges in Chitral, while boats and helicopters evacuated those affected.

Heavy monsoon rains and flooding also affected the scenic Gilgit Baltistan region where five deaths were reported in affected 175 villages and over 600 houses completely or partly damaged. A total of 136,000 people were affected there.

The southern part of largest Punjab province is another region badly hit by the flooding. The NDMA and Pakistani military moved tens of thousands of people from there to safety and provided relief goods. The operation was continuing in southern Punjab.

An army statement said army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif visited Layyah district, where rescue and flood relief operations are ongoing. It said he expressed deepest regret over the devastation, loss of life and property.

The rain continued yesterday but weather conditions are expected to improve in coming days.

Every year, floods triggered by monsoon rains kill scores of people in Pakistan.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

61

CITYBEATS Residents hail Ambode on Ejigbo-Ikotun, Okota road R

ESIDENTS of Ejigbo and Ikotun areas of Lagos have commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on the commencement of repair works of Ejigbo-Ikotun and Okota Road, which had been a nightmare for motorists.

It would be recalled that Governor Ambode paid an unscheduled visit to the area a fortnight ago, describing the state of the road as unacceptable and assured residents that the road will get a face lift soon.

In line with his assurance, the governor last week mobilised the Lagos State Public Works Corporation to commence work on the network of roads.

The Ekerin of Isolo, Chief Samina Lawal, hailed the governor for the action and appealed for speedy execution of the project.

Chairman of Ndigbo in All Progressives Congress (APC), Kanayo Osondu urged the government to consider a total rehabilitation of the road, saying that the palliative work has reduced travel time from Ago Roundabout to Cele.

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AGOS State Government has filed a preliminary objection to a

suit by two structural engineers indicted in the six-storey Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) building collapse.

The engineers are praying the Federal High Court in Lagos to quash the coroner’s verdict which found them culpable.

Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun filed two suits numbered FHC/L/CS/ 1095/15 and FHC/L/CS/ 1096/15 against the Lagos Commissioner of Police, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the state AttorneyGeneral and the Alimosho District Coroner Mr Oyetade Komolafe.

They are challenging the July 8 inquest verdict on the death of 116 persons in the building crash which indicted Ogundeji and Fatiregun of criminal negligence and recommended them for criminal prosecution.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had said government would implement the coroner’s verdict including filing criminal charges against the church.

•The road under renovation

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Osondu said: “Before this palliative work, we spend about one hour to move from Ago Roundabout to Cele Bus Stop, but since the road was repaired, it takes just about five minutes. It is a good measure for traffic to

flow. You know that people going to Ikotun Egbe, Jakande Estate and Ijegun all ply through Cele and the traffic is always heavy. We thank the Governor for this quick intervention.

“But then, if nothing concrete is done, by the time rain comes again, it would

wash away the palliative. It is better the contract is awarded so that a permanent solution can be put in place”, he said.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr Paul Bamgbose-Martins appealed for the cooperation of motorists in the area for

Synagogue: Lagos opposes indicted engineers’ bid to quash verdict

By Joseph Jibueze

Yesterday, Lagos SolicitorGeneral Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) informed Justice Mohammed Idris of the notice of preliminary objection by the police, Attorney-General and Komolafe.

The objection is on the ground that the applicants’ main complaint is not for enforcement of their fundamental human rights but to challenge the Coroner’s verdict.

The state said the respondents are not Federal Government agencies, therefore, their action or decisions are not subject to the court’s jurisdiction in the circumstances of the case.

Lagos said the engineers’ application “is a gross abuse of court process.”

The respondents said if the court critically examines the applicants’ reliefs, it would see that they are seeking a determination of the Coroner’s verdict’s validity.

The respondents said the al-

leged potential breach of the applicants’ fundamental right is not the main complaint before the court.

Besides, the contended that the plaintiffs’ filing of the suit by way of fundamental rights application is fundamentally wrong and therefore the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain it.

Also, they said there is no evidence to show that the applicants’ rights are likely to be breached by the Coroner’s verdict.

“The inquest is only to determine the number of fatalities, place of death, the cause and manner of death of the persons that died in the incident.

“The Coroner did not issue any judicial indictment but a recommendation that the applicant be investigated based on reasonable suspicion of having committed an offence or criminal negligence.

“Therefore, the right of the applicants to fair hearing, lib-

erty or dignity was not breached in any respect,” the defendants said.

The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that “the findings and recommendations of the fourth respondent (Komolafe) as contained in his verdict dated 8th July, 2015 as they relate to the applicants’ indictment for prosecution for criminal negligence and recommendation for prosecution for criminal negligence by the first to third respondents are invalid, null and void and of no effect, whatsoever.”

Their lawyer Olalekan Ojo urged the court to protect the engineers, saying the police had been after them since the verdict was delivered.

Yesterday, counsel for COREN, L.O Karim, said he needed time to respond to the suit as he had just been briefed.

Pedro and Ojo did not object to his request for an adjournment.

Justice Idris adjourned to September 30.

LASUTH holds symposium

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AGOS State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) will tomorrow hold a symposium/baby show at its premises in commemoration of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).

The theme is Breast feeding and work, let’s make it work.

This, the hospital said, was to demonstrate the importance and health benefits of breastfeeding.

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, is expected as Special Guest.

•From left: Member, House of Reps. representing Ojo Federal Constituency, Hon Tajudeen Obasa, one of the survivors of the Ojo boat mishap, Miss Shukurat Alli; Obasa’a wife, Aishat Obasa and Alhaji Adio Salam during the lawmaker’s visitation to the victims

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

free flow of traffic especially as the reconstruction work progresses, assuring speedy action on it.

Immediate past chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said people of the area are elated that within 60 days of his administration, the Governor

could promptly come to their aid.

He pointed out that the road, which was last done about 30 years ago, could not cater for the population presently living in the area, hence the need for more permanent and total reconstruction of the road.

Alleged police attackers regain freedom HE four men who allegedly beat up a policeman and stole his phone at Itamaga junction in Ikorodu, on March 11, got their freedom yesterday when an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court struck out the case against them for want of diligent prosecution.

Ayomide Emmanuel and three others now at large were accused of assaulting Inspector Ikudaisi Gbenga of the Sagamu Road Police Station at abou

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t 10:30pm on the same day, with a sharp object, thereby injured him and stole his handset valued at N4, 000.

The police preferred a twocount charge of stealing and assault against them, punishable under Sections 172

By Robert Egbe

and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.

When the case was mentioned, the prosecutor, Police Corporal Mary Ajiteru, informed the court that the complainant was a police inspector and was away on duty. Her other witness was also unavailable, so she requested for an adjournment.

Magistrate Adejumoke Olagbegi-Adelabu said her records showed that the complainant had never put in an appearance since the case was brought to court, adding that the complainant’s job was not an excuse for his failure to appear even once since the trial began. The case was struck out for want of diligent prosecution.

‘I’m tired of being my husband’s punch bag’

By Basirat Braimah

31-YEAR-OLD teacher, Funmilayo Uchenna, has taken her husband, Stanley, before an Agege Customary Court in Lagos for ‘assault.’

Funmilayo, who lives at Alafia Street, Ijoko, Ogun State, said she met her husband in a church.

“We married last year march and since then, I have not had peace of mind. He chases me out of the house at midnight making me sleep in a police post on several occasions,” she said, adding that: “He harasses me in my place of work to the extent that I resigned. I left his house four months ago because I can’t continue to be a man’s punch bag,” she said.

In his defence, Uchenna, 32 said since he married Funmilayo, she has changed completely.

He described her as a liar, saying they were living as a couple even before they got married.

He also accused her of belittling him, saying that there was a day he gave her N100, 000 she refused it, called it ‘change’ and said she had a bank manager who will give her a huge amount of money.

He further said he only beat her when she refuses to comply with him.

The court’s President, Pa Adekunle Williams, ordered the couple to maintain peace and adjourned the case till August 24.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

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TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10

NO. 3296

‘Senate President Bukola Saraki may have kicked off the Buhari era in a dust of scandal, as Speaker Salisu Buhari kick-started the Obasanjo era with a whiff of forgery’ OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

“T

HE mess in Kogi” was the notso-nuanced title of the article I posted in this space on February

2, 2012.

How I wish time and tide and circumstance had softened that judgment.

Rather, they have, if anything, reinforced it.

Then Kogi State was, and is even more so now, a political unit administered by the Igala largely for the benefit of the Igala, with scant regard for the interests and wellbeing of the Yoruba – the so-called Okun people of the former Kabba Province, the Ebirra and the Nupe who were corralled in a state that treats them as colonial subjects.

You see it at every stratum of the public service and in every aspect of the governance. It is dominance most unsubtle.

When they bother at all to respond to the complaint of those whom they are lording it over with such in-your-face brazenness, they tell them it is all a game of numbers.

They assert that the Igala people outnumber all the other ethnic groups combined and should by that fact exercise the dominance that comes with that endowment. Theirs is a game of brute numbers in which equity and fellow-feeling have no place.

Those at the receiving end of this kind of treatment must therefore have felt sorely galled to hear Governor Idris Wada declaim the other day that he had brought equity and justice and fairplay to governance in Kogi.

Hear him, in a wide-ranging interview with Thisday (July 23, 2015) “...We try to unify our people for a common purpose of development and transformation of Kogi State by being fair in the distribution of amenities and projects across the three senatorial zones of the state and we try to attend to the needs of our people in an equitable manner and this has helped to propel our agenda for unity and transformation ...”

This declamation can perhaps be understood in the context of the gubernatorial election in which Wada will be seeking a second term. Outside that context, it flies in the face of the facts. It is even flatly contradicted by other claims Wada made in the wide-ranging interview.

The claim that he is building a university teaching hospital and a vocational training centre and an “ultra-modern” parking garage and 500 houses and has “electrified” more than 400 villages and built 300 motorised boreholes and renovated “countless” number of schools even while building many more may be well-founded.

The critical question is: Where are these projects located?

It is the contention of this column that

RIPPLES

NASS Crisis: NOTHING UNUSUAL IN EKWEREMADU’S ELECTION–TERA

We voted for CHANGE...not ONE CHANCE

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Kogi: The unending mess

the “equity” and “fairness” that Wada trumpeted in the interview under reference hardly informed the siting of the projects.

The siting of the Federal University in the state and Wada’s role in it makes that point abundantly clear.

Word had come, apparently from on high that, finally, a major federal project was likely to be sited in Kabba, in the muchneglected Yoruba area of Kogi State. The entire area was agog with excitement and great expectation. The town already boasted a thriving College of Agriculture, an affiliate

of Ahmadu Bello University, set up during the First Republic when Kabba belonged in Northern Nigeria.

With that solid infrastructure in place, and with plenty of room for expansion, the proposed university would be taking off on a sound footing, in an area where education is the major industry. It would, withal, serve as a catalyst for economic development.

The joy was short-lived. The university, Wada insisted, had to be sited in Lokoja, to make up for what he called a deficit of federal presence in the neighbourhood.

If anything, Lokoja already enjoyed a surfeit of federal presence as befits a state capital. It is host to a Federal Medical Centre, a branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Inland Waterways, a military garrison and a police area command, among other institutions.

According to corroborated media reports, Wada led a visiting National Universities Commission delegation to the premises of a secondary school in serious disrepair and told its members that that would be the home of the new federal university. And at the end of its visit, NUC Chairman Professor Julius Okojie dutifully announced that it had indeed accomplished its mission of locating the best site for the new institution, namely the premises of the derelict school, aforementioned.

To be fair to Wada, he is not solely or even principally responsible for the blazing inequity and the grasping propensity that have under the ruling ethnic group in Kogi become the defining characteristics, if not the fundamental objectives, of the governance of the state.

The template was set by the imperious

HARDBALL

T

HE Yoruba often talk of egbirin ote— a complex web of intrigues, sustained with unconscionable coldness: and the more you weed out one, the more others sprout, literally from nowhere!

That appears the situation in Rauf Aregbesola’s State of Osun.

At the heart of that intrigue, sprouting from a clinically sustained egbirin ote, is a body that calls itself Civil Society Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun (CSCEO). Its public face is one Adeniyi Sulaimon Alimi, who takes the title of “chairman”.

But the real mastermind would appear one Seun Adeoye, a “pastor” in one life and journalist in another, churning out CSCEO’s endless Osun apocalyptic press releases, this time referring to Alimi as CSCEO “chairman”, and that time referring to him as “secretary”!

Adeoye, a former Osun correspondent of The Guardian, later became the editor of the weekly Osun Mail, an answer to the then opposition Osun Defender, as the Mail railed against the opposition, in the aftermath of the disputed 2007 governorship election.

Adeoye’s contentious resume, as he cavils against progress but trumpets reactionary causes; as well as his controversial record and tenure in Osun local Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) politics, would appear to stand him out as a sus-

first elected governor, Abubakar Audu, who invested himself with royal airs and an ornate, outsized wardrobe to match. It was notorious that he conducted business from a throne-line chair while his fawning appointees had to stoop before him to take their orders.

He reluctantly agreed to set up the state university in the nearest town, Ayingba, when it became clear that his village lacked the absorptive capacity for that kind of project. Even so, he had it named for himself by subterfuge.

A student delegation from the institution had gone to meet Audu in Lokoja to complain about a dearth of facilities at the institution. The students, so the story goes, were dragooned into a room and asked to draft a petition urging the Kogi Assembly to name the university for Audu. The petition was forwarded to the Assembly, which assented post haste.

That was how it came to be called Prince Abubakar Audu University –not just any Abubakar Audu but the princeling – with the hilarious acronym PAAU. The institution has since reverted to its original name.

Audu’s successor Ibrahim Idris, the carpenter they called “Ibro”followed the same path, but without the flashes of urbaneness that Audu often radiated even at his most imperious. Wada has been a good and faithful student of the duo.

If Wada wins the PDP’s nomination, he will face re-election in November in a profoundly altered political environment.

The superior numbers the PDP had relied upon over the years to win and retain power in Kogi without serious challenge is no longer assured.

The PDP retained control of the State Assembly in the general election this past March, but the strong showing of the APC in that poll, not forgetting that it is now the ruling party at the centre and that it has thrown up candidates with far wider appeal do not bode well for Wada and the PDP. One more thing: The voting pattern in the general election suggests powerfully that, contrary to what has been the dominant assumption in Kogi all these years, the Igala do not constitute a bigger voting bloc than all the other ethnic groups combined.

If they play smart, those groups can effect a power shift, especially if the PDP is seen to be offering nothing but continuity.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Egbirin ote in Osun pect crusader meet a dubious cause!

To be sure, there is no love lost between the Aregbesola government and the Osun opposition. Immediately after the Supreme Court threw out Iyiola Omisore’s last challenge to Aregbesola’s re-election, the governor’s supporters mocked, on facebook, twitter and allied social media jungle: “Aregbesola je gomina, Omisore j’agbado!” (literally, “Aregbesola is governor, but all Omisore could crunch is a cob of maize!”).

That, of course, was a devastating pun on Omisore’s laughable play at “the friend of the poor” ala Ekiti’s Ayo Fayose, munching two maize cobs, on the campaign stumps! That the ploy spectacularly backfired, with the Osun electorate handing Omisore a resounding defeat, was bad enough. That Aregbesola supporters would rub it in with such a devastating pun must have stung the Omisore camp to no end — and Alimi and Adeoye’s CSCEO appears happy to be pressed into service!

That would explain Osun’s current egbirin ote, a rather panicky but cold-blooded get-Aregbe-out-by-hook-or-crook, milking the mass misery of a nationwide crisis of salary defaults, even if the financial recklessness of the Goodluck Jonathan presidency (which, by the way, tried all strong arm tactics to procure an Omisore’s victory, after Fayose’s in Ekiti) caused the cri-

sis.

Well, their intrigue has ploughed new lows. A sitting judge, Justice Folahanmi Oloyede, has abused the sanctity of her high office, hauling reckless partisan accusations at a sitting governor. Yet, she would not appear in the Osun legislature to defend her allegations, as she merrily threatened in her petition.

CSCEO, a dubious human rights coalition, eggs her on. But every second, her conduct becomes a rebuke to her core judicial constituency and her National Judicial Council (NJC) employers. How on earth can NJC, the bastion of judicial independence, defend the reckless conduct of this judge, and protect the bench from the odium sure to follow such judicial rascality?

Then, a so-called education summit, also vociferously promoted by CSCEO, ended a damp squib. Though CSCEO shrilly cried blue murder as usual, the people appear to know their genuine leaders, and how to keep charlatans and opportunists at bay.

Hardball has no business telling CSCEO to quit a barren business, for falsehood would eventually consume its vendors.

But as the Yoruba also say, you need not tell the blind the market has broken. The funereal quiet, after the din, passes the message quicker!

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