The Nation August 11, 2015

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Soyinka: Jonathan was caged by forces

Mark’s witnesses abscond from tribunal

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61.32% fail English, maths as WAEC stops 13 states 616,370 of 1,593,442 get credit passes in five subjects

LENDING A HAND

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IGERIA may have lost over N225 billion ($1b) to gas flaring last year alone, it was learnt yesterday.

About 295 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas was flared in nine months.

By Adegunle Olugbamila and Ajose Sehindemi

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ORE than half of the candidates who sat for the May/June 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) cannot advance to higher institutions.

Reason: They failed English and Mathematics. The two core subjects are compulsory for admission into tertiary institutions, especially the university.

The council released the results yesterday.

But, candidates in some 13 states have their results withheld because their states are yet to pay the fees.

Only 616,370 of the 1,593,442 (38.68 per cent) of the candidates got credit passes in at least five subjects, including English language and Mathematics.

The percentage, according to WAEC Head of National Office Mr. Charles Eguridu, is a slight improvement on last year’s examination, which recorded 529,425 (representing 31.28 per cent) and 639,760 (38.30) in 2013.

Announcing the results at WAEC’s office in Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Eguridu said: “Out of the 1,605,248 candidates that registered for the examination, with 1,593,442 candidates who sat for the examination,616,370 candidates representing 38.68 per cent obtained credit in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. ”The results of 118,101 candidates, representing 7.41 per cent, are being withheld in

Business Page 11

‘My grandson can play for Nigeria’

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ANE Nkechi Okwaraji, 76, has lived with the agony of losing her soccer star son, the late Samuel Sochukwu Okwaraji, 26 years ago.

The woman, who has five other children, still groans over the demise of her son, who died while playing for Nigeria against Angola ...

Sport Page 24

Govt issues flood alert

Continued on page 2

860 INEC officials fail to declare assets

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HE Federal Government yesterday urged those living in flood prone areas to relocate ahead of the release of excess water from Lagdo Dam by Cameroon.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Fatima...

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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PPARENTLY afraid of being investigated, 860 of the 1,326 Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) workforce have failed to declare their assets before or after the March general elections.

The Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) has given the acting Chairman of INEC, Hajiya Amina Zakari, up till August 20 to compel

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WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

the defaulting INEC staff to fill their Asset Declaration Forms(ADFs).

It was gathered that some INEC staff had “cleverly” amassed wealth and assets in the countdown to the Continued on page 2

N225b lost to gas flaring

News Page 6

ISIS plans to kill Queen Elizabeth

T •Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) leading an old woman by the hand at the NEMA PHOTO: NAN transit camp for displaced persons at Adamawa Red Brick Factory in Mubi…at the weekend.

HE Mail on Sunday has reported that an assassination plot is being orchestrated from Syria by Islamic State against the Queen of England.

Foreign Page 59

•E-BUSINESS P13 •TRANSPORTATION P17 •SPORTS P24 •POLITICS P45 •FOREIGN P59

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

NEWS 61.32% fail English, maths as WAEC stops 13 states

al

Continued from page 1

•President Muhammadu Buhari (second right), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele (left), President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Donald Kaberuka (second left), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Anastasia DanielNwaobia and AfDB Country Director, Nigeria, Mr Ousmane Dore (behind the Perm Sec) after a meeting with the banks’ team at the State House in Abuja…yesterday.

2015 poll: Jega opens up, says I was not afraid

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HE immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, said that despite of plans to scuttle the March general elections, he was not afraid.

He also said although a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, attacked INEC, his team was determined to ensure the tabulation and announcement of the Presidential election’s results.

Jega said contrary to some insinuations, the contract for the production of the card readers was awarded almost three years before political permutations began.

He spoke in an interview with Zero Tolerance, an inhouse publication of the Economic and Financial Crimes

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From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Commission(EFCC).

Asked if he had any fear during the polls, Jega said: “No! Anybody who is afraid for his life will not do this kind of job.

“As you know, they say ‘death is a necessary end. It comes when it will come’. So, we did our best, knowing that if God wills, people can drop and die; but as long we are alive, we will continue to do our best under all circumstances.”

He said Orubebe did not succeed in scuttling the outcome of the presidential election because INEC management team was determined to conclude the computation of the results.

He said: “The fact of the matter is that all of us in INEC were determined to conduct free, fair, credible and peace-

ful elections and by the time we came to collation, it became evident that we had done our best professionally.

“So, we were determined to ensure that no matter the provocation we would ensure that the result were tabulated and announced. There were all sorts of allegations and accusations, but we knew we had not done anything to warrant such allegations and accusations.”

The erstwhile chairman of INEC defended the use of card reader and rated its success higher.

He said it was an innovation that had come to stay.

He said: “The Card Reader was a fantastic innovation that has added tremendous value to the integrity of our electoral process. There were challenges. Anytime you are intoduc-

ing a new technology there are bound to be challenges, but I must say that the chalenges we saw were minimal. In fact, a lot of the challenges we believe were on account of the activities of those who did not want the card reader to be used in the first place.

“For example in places where on the first day of the presidential and National Assembly elections, people were saying the card readers had failed. But we took the staticstics and saw that the failure rate was less than 0.25 per cent.

“So, if you are doing something major and substantive like that and you had only less than half a percentage point as so called “failure” that is insignificant. We identified what some of those so-called failures were and we addresed them Continued on page 58

No govt team for Hajj, says Buhari

O save cost, President Muhammadu Buhari has ruled out the appointment of a government delegation for this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The disclosure came at the weekend from the Hajj Commission, which ruled out govern-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ment delegation from the Hajj trip.

The government will save N30 million (about $1 million).

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and

Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said yesterday that government will carry out its duty on the annual spiritual programme by extending consular, medical and welfare support to pilgrims.

He quoted the President as saying that the decision is for

both procedural and economic reasons and not one aimed at any group or individual.

“The states can deal with that (meaning appointment of own delegations) but this year at the centre, we will not be involved,” the President has said.

connection with various cases of examination malpractice as the cases are being investigated and the reports of the investigations will be presented to the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC). ”Out of all the candidates who sat for the exams, 758,849 candidates, representing 47.62 per cent, obtained six credits and above; 949,862 candidates representing 59.61 per cent obtained five credits and above, while 1,114,988 candidates (representing 69.97 per cent) obtained credits and above in four subjects. In addition, 1,292,915 candidates, representing 78.81 per cent obtained credit and above in three subjects, while 1,376,743 candidates, representing 86.40 per cent obtained credit and above in two subjects.”

Eguridu said that of the 109 visually impared candidates, who registered for the examination, 20 of them (representing 18.34 per cent) obtained credits in five subjects, including English language and Mathematics.

In a further breakdown, Egu-

ridu said 864,096 male and 729, 346 females registered for the examination as candidates.

He said: “Of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination, 1,498,069 candidates, representing 94.01 per cent, have their results fully released while 95,373 candidates, representing 5.99 per cent, have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors, mainly traceable to the candidates and schools in the course of registration or writing the examination.”

According to him, the errors were being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates get their results fully processed and released subsequently.

He said the Council has decided be hard on states that eventually defaulted in paying WAEC fees after the expiration of its two-week deadline.

Eguridu: “Due to challenges facing the council, which l alerted the nation to on the indebtedness to the council by some state governors, candiContinued on page 58

860 INEC officials fail to declare assets Continued from page 1

general elections and during the polls.

Besides, allegations of compromise in Anambra State, the Department of State Security Service(DSS) is probing alleged N2.5 billion bribery scam in Akwa Ibom State INEC’s office.

A submission was also made at an election tribunal in Abuja on Thursday that about N5 million was paid into the account of a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

A Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) was said to have just completed a N1 billion hotel in a Southsouth state.

Based on intelligence reports, the CCB directed INEC officials to declare their assets.

But, of the 1,326 workers, only 466 INEC have complied with the directive of the Bureau, culminating in the August 20 deadline.

The bureau conveyed its deadline in an August 3rd letter to the acting INEC chairman by a Deputy Director (DFPS), J.O. “The Fifth Schedule, Part 1 paragraph 11 to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) make it mandatory for all public officers to declare their assets.

Continued on page 58

CORRECTIONS •The fifth paragraph of one of our front page stories yesterday should have read: Zakari and Lawrence Nwuruku (and not Zakari and Nwuruku).

•Also, Mrs Amina Zakari was wrongly referred to as a princess of Hadejia, Kano State instead of a princess of Kazaure, Jigawa State. The errors are regretted.

PDP accuses Buhari of appropriating Jonathan’s achievements

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against appropriating its achievements under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the PDP charged President Muhammadu Buhari to activate the various economic outlets, which it alleged have been stagnated.

The PDP described as unfortunate that the APC, which

PDP has no enviable legacy to learn from, says APC

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HE All Progressive Congress (APC) yesterday took a swipe at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for what the former called orchestrated distractions by the latter.

It (APC) said there was nothing enviable in the legacy of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for President Muhammadu Buhari to appro-

came to power on claims of high moral ground, rather than focusing on delivering its promises, has been claiming

By Seun Akioye

priate.

As far as the ruling party is concerned, the immediate past administration remained the most incompetent and clueless in the nation’s history.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

glory for the achievements of the previous government.

The statement reads: “For instance, how do we explain APC’s spirited effort to make the public believe that the equipping of the country’s military for the fights against insurgency; the turn-around of the nation’s oil refineries; and the polio-free certification of Nigeria were products of their government even when it is common knowledge that they have not been able to find their bearing for governance since their election into office.

“If the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sam-

APC described the Dr. Jonathan-led administration as a failed one and its achievements dubious.

The APC accused the PDP of deliberately embarking on mudslinging and blackmail to derail the focused President Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration has surpassed in less than 90 days,

bo Dasuki had not been courageous enough to release those incontrovertible facts that the Goodluck Jonathanled PDP administration actually fortified the country’s military before leaving office in May, the APC would have succeeded in its propaganda against that administration and led Nigerians to believe that the equipping was a product of President Buhari’s recent diplomatic shuttles.

“It is an obvious fact that before the May 29 handover to the APC, the Nigerian armed forces, using these equipment sourced under the watch of the PDP government, had already

Continued on page 58

pushed the insurgents to the verge of surrender in the Sambisa Forest, only for them to now resurge under the APCled government due to apparent lack of direction and confusion that have characterised this administration.

“In the same way, this government has positioned itself to claim credit for the turn around and resuscitation of some of the nation’s oil refineries without reference to the past administration that initiated and executed the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the facilities years back, which dividends the nation now enjoys and which we ex-

•Mohammed

pect will result in steady supply of petroleum products in our nation.

“Similarly, informed Nigerians note with dismay how the APC administration has been celebrating the certification of Nigeria as polio-free in the last one year by the World Health Organisation (WHO) without giving credit to the PDP-led government under whose watch the feat was achieved.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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NEWS

EU, Nigeria and fear of $2b revenue loss • President Muhammadu Buhari (right) greeting the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele during a meeting with the AfDB team at the State House, Abuja…yesterday. With them is the outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr Donald Kaberuka.

A study by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa has found that Nigeria will account for over 21 per cent of an estimated aggregate revenue loss of over $2 billion that will be incurred by the African Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) regions in the first year of the EPA’s implementation. Yet, the European Union (EU) is cajoling the country to sign the agreement. Experts at conference organised by Africa Today believe this is a time for Nigeria and other African countries to collectively protect their own destiny.

OLUKOREDE YISHAU examines the case for and against the EPA

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•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola discussing with his predecessor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola during the Osun Stakeholders Conference in Osogbo...yesterday.

•From left: General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho; Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe; Assistant Brand Manager, Guinness, Afolabi Kasomo and General Manager, SuperSport, West Africa, Felix Awogu during the Live Screening of the European Premier League new season in Lagos.

PHOTOS BOLA OMILABU

•From left: Senior Public Relations Officer, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Nicholas Utsalo; Brand Manager, Indomie, Amber Yadav; winner of N1m, Serif Ayinde Saliu and Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Tope Asiwaju during the monthly presentation of cheque to the winners in the on-going Indomie Flash & Win promo in Lagos.

T looks good. Some say beautiful. But, deeper insights seem to suggest that its beauty depends on who is looking at it and from what prism. It has even been likened to a deal between giants and dwarfs, or sharks and sardines—whichever way, the dwarfs and the sardines will be the losers. The giants and sharks will have the last laugh.

This is the story of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). It is the baby of the European Union (EU).

On paper, it is meant to break trade barriers between Nigeria and other African countries and EU countries.

For the EU, Nigeria and other African countries should have jumped at it a long time ago. But they have not.

And EU is not finding it funny. It is cajoling them to join the train of this legally binding bilateral contract between the EU collectively and each country in Africa.

The EU may be running out of patience. On October 1, last year, it withdrew market access to African countries “in the absence of substantial EPA progress”. Vulnerable African nations are feeling this blow. Bigger blows may be on the way in the form of higher tariffs on exports from Nigeria and others. The implication of this is that their products will become uncompetitive, leading to loss of jobs and foreign exchange. Good examples are Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire which signed an Interim EPA in 2007 on the threat of loss of their access to the EU market. The result of this single action was the existence of four different trade regimes in West Africa.

A candidate for the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Sir Ronald Sanders, believes the EU is unfair to Nigeria and others. He shares the sentiment of Nigeria and others on the EPA. In a keynote address at the EUECOWAS Economic Partnership Conference in Abuja late last month, organised by Africa Today in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI), Sanders said the EPA was about the future of the African continent, its resources, and its people.

“It is no puzzle to me that Nigeria has expressed reservations about the EPA which it is being cajoled to sign.

Nigeria – like the rest of Africa - has an obligation to itself to protect its own destiny. It has the responsibility to determine its path not only for the present, but for the future and for generations yet unborn,” he said.

He said with the vast improvements in Africa’s economic growth

and development prospects, there should be no qualms about it emerging as the next leading source of global economic growth. But, its handling of the EPA, said Sanders, would either aid or mar its growth.

Also speaking at the EPA conference, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Ibadan and Chairman, Centre for Trade and Development Initiative (CTDi), Prof. Ademola Oyejide, buttressed Sanders’ position.

He said the decision of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to endorse the EPA after a decade-long negotiation has generated a raging debate in Nigeria.

“The fact that Nigeria has not signed the agreement appears to indicate that no mutually acceptable closure to the debate has been found,” he said.

The reasons behind the big debate on the EPA are legion. Things are simply in bad shape. And anything that could mean additional revenue loss is a threat to its well-being. Although Nigeria rebased its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to $510 billion and became the biggest economy in Africa, the oil sector still dominates the economy. The dependence on oil continues to place that feat on shaky grounds because it has no control over oil price.

“This is evident in the impact of low oil prices which dropped to about $56 per barrel in 2015, from a peak of $107.89 per barrel in June 2014. The naira has lost more 30 per cent of its value, our stock exchange remains in troubled waters and the latest casualty is Nigeria’s annual growth rate which is expected to grow at an average of 6.4 percent in 2015 prior to the oil crisis, has now been revised to four per cent by the World Bank, and it could get worse,” said the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abdulkadir Musa, at the Africa Today/BoI conference.

It is not just oil that has posed a challenge. Iron ore prices were down 50 per cent and rubber prices down 37 per cent from their 10-year averages.

The landmines With such economic woes, which made states unable to meet their financial obligations, experts believe, the EPA could worsen things, if not properly handled.

Sanders and Oyejide lay bare the pitfalls of the EPA. To Oyejide, signing the agreement means Nigeria has traded off the existing non-reciprocal

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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NEWS “The relative fairness of the Lomé and Cotonou agreements – the latter will expire in 2020 – is being abandoned by the EU in favour of the unfairness of reciprocity in the EPA. “It is an abandonment made easier because the three regions of the ACP group that previously negotiated as one, allowed themselves to be divided into six – then sub-divided into individual countries. The unity that was their strength became division and their weakness.”

The EPA, he said, would lead to loss of revenue for Nigeria and other African countries. He cited a UN Economic Commission’s report which shows that Nigeria would account for over 21 per cent of an estimated ag•From left: Sir Sanders, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr S. U. Jacobs and MD, Bank of Industry gregate revenue loss of over $2 bil(BoI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa at the EPA conference. lion to be incurred by the African EPA regions in the first year of implementation.

The implication of such revenue loss, he said, could include raising value added tax and income tax, or indebtedness through further borrowing from the international markets.

Oyejide believes Nigeria should have opted out of the EPA with the clear landmines on the way. He said there was enough evidence even before the start of negotiations, which should have been used by Nigeria to activate the opt-out button.

“Almost without exception, fairly detailed the impact studies carried out in the course of the EPA negotiations confirmed virtually all of the strong negative effects in the particular case of Nigeria which the earlier, less comprehensive pre-negotiation •Africa Today publisherKayode Soyinka (right) in deep conversation with former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth studies had shown. Clearly, therefore, Sir Shridath (Sonny) Ramphal who was the special guest of honour at the conference. what seems surprising about Nigeria’s position towards the end of the negotiation is not the nature of the provided in support of the The twin issues of rev- evidence country’s position, but the fact that each and every component of this evienue losses and the dence was widely known well before impact of EPAs on the the negotiation began, and should have been used to opt out of the EPA development of our negotiation ab initio,” he said.

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industrial sector must be addressed.These two issues are critical to our region’s development and will be impacted

by EPA liberalisation.

Nigeria has been witnessing serious challenges in terms of declining customs revenue as well as the structural transformation of our economies

•Musa delivering his paper at the •Prof Oyejide delivering his paper at the conference. conference.

and preferential market access concessions for an asymmetrical arrangement.

“In this context, ACP countries would have immediate 100 per cent duty-free access to the EU market for their exports. In return, ACP countries would grant to EU exports increasing duty free access to their markets for up to 80 per cent of their EU imports; with the complete duty free access being achieved over 20 years,” he said.

Sanders observed that with the highest GDP in Africa standing at $521.8 billion while the EU’s is $18.526 trillion, the European countries are better placed to benefit from the EPA. He said: “To cast that situation in stark terms, the GDP of the EU last year was $18.526 trillion. By comparison, on the African mainland, the smallest country is The Gambia whose GDP in 2013 was $903 million – a miniscule fraction of the GDP of the EU. “Even if we compare the GDP of Africa’s largest country by population – Nigeria – with the EU, Nigeria’s GDP is $521.8 billion while the

EU’s is $18.526 trillion.

“From these figures alone, it is obvious that, in the event of a dispute, the much larger resources of the EU collective would so dwarf the capacity of any African, Caribbean or Pacific country that it would surrender to the EU long before the fight could begin.

“Realistically, therefore, the dispute mechanism has not much value beyond the paper on which it is written. This is typical of much of the EPA. “Already, what is emerging is the inequality of the relationship between the EU collective and the individual nations of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific with which agreement is being sought on the basis of reciprocity.”

He said the EPA on face value creates the impression of fairness. But that the fairness pales into insignificance because the deal is not between equals.

“Between factors of unequal strength and capacity, ‘reciprocity’ is more than unfair; it is unjust. If you put a heavyweight and a featherweight in a boxing ring, have you

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staged an equal contest? Is the shortsightedness of this demand for reciprocity, not obvious? You would have thought the Europeans would know better; and of course they do,” he said.

He made reference to the attempt of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group for proportionality, especially through the Lomé and Cotonou agreements. These were between the EU and the ACP. Sanders said: “The fundamental challenge with “reciprocity” is that Africa and Europe are not equals in the economic domain. It is a case of giants and dwarves, or sharks and sardines. This very region – West Africa – is about eighty times smaller than the EU in terms of GDP. By contrast, Europe holds most of the cards: market power , financial power , and negotiating power .

“In short, the EPAs could see African countries being swamped by European goods for despite the talk about ‘reciprocity’, it simply is not possible for African companies to compete within their own countries (let alone Europe) with much larger and well-resourced European companies.

Way out Sanders feels the time had come for Nigeria and other countries in Africa to fast-track the implementation of regional trade agreements that will prevent the diversion of intra-African trade to Europe.

This integration agenda, he added, should be accompanied by concrete measures to promote industrialisation, including regional value chains, and trade-enabling infrastructure to connect people, goods, and markets.

He also advised African countries to ensure that the EU provides sufficient aid for trade and development assistance to implement the EPA, adding that they would require sufficient adjustment support to address any adverse impacts, including fiscal impacts, arising from the implementation of the agreements.

Sanders also advised that to address the EPA puzzle in Africa, African countries should coordinate the finalisation of the EPAs negotiations across the five blocks (and possibly also with Northern African countries under the Euro-Mediterranean partnership).

“There should be no encouragement of beggar-thy-neighbour policies that would cause companies to skip from one country to another so as to enjoy short-term access to the EU market. African solidarity is vital,” he said.

Oyejide sees the way out from a different angle. As far as he is concerned, Nigeria should opt out of the agreement, adding that it has ample evidence to do so.

He said: “If Nigeria decides not sign, there will be plenty of strong evidence in support of that decision. It will, of course, also be clear confirmation that Nigeria failed to do what a responsible country should have done in relation to this issue over the last 15 years! This speaks volumes about the country’s understanding of and capacity to negotiate trade agreements. Steps should then be taken to

do whatever is necessary to quickly eliminate the deficit because there are other on-going trade negotiations; and the continental free trade area (CFTA) negotiation has been launched- The EPA mistakes must be avoided in all current and future trade negotiation. The credibility of Nigeria is at stake.

“One of the strong reasons for Nigeria to stay out of the EPA is that the economy should first fully internalise the adjustment costs associated with the CET implementation before taking on another set generated by significant trade liberalisation that would come with the EPA. Two key features have not been taken full account of in the EPA debate. First, Nigeria‘s trade regime is significantly more protectionist than those of other ECOWAs member countries. Second, the UEMOA countries established their CET in 2000 and have therefore had 15 years over which to spread their adjustment costs. Any attempt

by Nigeria to overlay the EPA-related adjustment costs on top of the CETrelated one over the relatively short period envisaged by the EPA would not be advisable. The bottom line is this. If Nigeria decides, quite wisely, not to sign the EPA, the country should lead ECOWAS in the search for technical fixes that can be used to implement and sustain the key elements of the ECOWAS CET in the context of a situation in which other ECOWAS countries decide to sign the EPA.”

The Fed Govt’s position Musa is of the view that any economic agreement ECOWAS endorses must make the economies better, stronger, more competitive and not weaker.

He added that Nigeria expects the EPA to facilitate high level of investment, enhance industrialisation and regional development.

“The twin issues of revenue losses and the impact of EPAs on the development of our industrial sector must be addressed,” he said, adding: “These two issues are critical to our region’s development and will be impacted by EPA liberalisation. Nigeria has been witnessing serious challenges in terms of declining customs revenue as well as the structural transformation of our economies. We believe that these issues are critical not only to Nigeria, but also for other ECOWAS countries, given our demographic challenges and the need for us to create millions of jobs for our populations. We must therefore stand together to address these issues in the EPA or any other agreement by the region.”

He continued: “The region needs to protect our nascent industries and address fundamental constraints to competitiveness before it can compete with advanced economies. The EPA should not hinder or frustrate our industrial development and structural transformation requirements and strategies.”

Musa said Nigeria’s call for a reconsideration of the classification of the sectors in the market access offer has merit.

“So far, in Africa, the EU has sealed deals with African regional grouping which include the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and recently the East African Community (EAC) but CEMAC and the Pacific are yet to seal an agreement. Considering the relative weight of the concluded issues, particularly, as it bothers on the regional economic growth and development, Nigeria objected to the EPA in its current form notwithstanding the consensus reached,” he said.

Certainly, the content of the agreement as agreed to by the ECOWAS is yet to place Nigeria appropriately.

And as the struggle continues, the people should come first. The way to ensure that is to see to it that fairness, proportionality and of partnership that will endure long into the future rule the game.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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NEWS

Flood looms in Nigeria as Cameroon releases water

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HE Federal Government yesterday urged those living in flood plain areas to relocate ahead of the release of excess water from Lagdo dam by Cameroon.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Fatima Mede, warned that the impending water and massive rains in the coming months pose serious threat to lifes and properties.

States most likely to be affected by the release of excess water from the dam include; Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Bauchi, Benue and Kogi.

Mede, at a press briefing in Abuja, said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had warned of massive rainfall, which could lead to loss of lives, property, outbreak of diseases and disruptions of socio-economic activities.

She said: “Earlier in the year, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) made its predictions, forecasting among other things that the rains will come late, but when it does, it will be massive and could also be disastrous in terms of the environmental impact such as flooding with its attendant consequences of loss of lives, properties, livelihoods, outbreak of diseases and disruptions of socio-economic activities.

“The impeding gradual re-

•Mrs Mede speaking with reporters on impending flooding across the country, in Abuja ... yesterday. With her is Director, Erosion Flood and Coastal Zone Management, Mr Victor John.

PHOTO: NAN

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

lease of excess water from the Lagdo dam by our neighbouring country, Cameroon, which they have hinted could take place anytime soon and the massive rains in the coming months poses serious threat to lives and property. The states that are likely to be affected are; Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue, and Kogi.

“Rains are also expected to cause flooding in the following states as follows; Soko Rima, Niger, Benue and Anambra. Coastal flooding resulting from sea level rise and tidal surges, this is likely

to occur in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Lagos states.”

Mrs. Mede said N17 billion was spent by government following the 2012 flood.

Mede said the ministry has called for an emergency meeting of stakeholders to discuss on elaborate strategies for tackling the impeding flood.

She, therefore, appealed to those living in flood plain areas to take action by clearing drainages, culverts, and canals.

Mede said: “You will recall that in 2012. Nigeria experienced one of the most devastating floods in decades, with its attendant consequences.

This unfortunate incidence

cost government about N17 billion, distributed to various states and relevant MDAs, to tackle the disaster occasioned by that flooding.

“The federal government is deeply concerned about the like loss of lives and property as well as other negative environmental consequences. It is in the light of this that the Federal Ministry of Environment is appealing to citizens living along the flood plains to immediately take action.

“Clearing of drainages, culverts, canals in their area of jurisdiction, prepare for relocation to areas considered to be safe and remain at alert for any eventuality.”

Why I supported Dogara, by Tambuwal S OKOTO State Governor and immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday explained why he supported his successor, Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

Tambuwal spoke in Sokoto when he received leaders of Sayawa Community of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.

He said: “He is a patriotic, committed and pious Nigerian who has been tested and trusted.

“He is one young northerner and Nigerian who has not only integrity, but accommodation and the ability for leadership.

“When you are talking about leadership you must put away sentiments and his emergence as the speaker was based on merit, and divined by God.’’ The governor said competence, rather than any reason, led to the endorsement of Dogara by eight of 10 members of the Body of Prin-

•Gbajabiamila: I’ve moved on

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

cipal Officers of the Seventh Assembly.

He said the survival of the legislature as an important arm of government makes it imperative that competent hands are headhunted to be its leaders.

“Eight of 10 members of the Body of Principal Officers in the last Assembly supported Dogara’s aspiration.

Only Femi (Gbajabiamila) and Datti Ahmad supported Femi.

“I have strong affinity with Femi. He was closer to me than Dogara. But when talking about leadership and collective decisions, sentiments have to be put aside. I’m not here to tell you that my support made Dogara the Speaker, no. Two things made Dogara to become the Speaker, one is God and two, Dogara’s competence.

“The acknowledgement of Dogara’s competence did not start with me. It started from the time of Patricia and Etteh and Dimeji Bankole when they entrusted him with a sensitive position of the Chairman of House Services Committee.

“The committee is one of the most sensitive in the legislature. Apart from taking care of the welfare of members, the committee oversees all procurement processes.

As the Speaker, I only did what my predecessors did by giving Dogara this sensitive position.

“No person, as far as I know, has ever served as chairman of the House Services Committee in two dispensations. Dogara broke that jinx. All through my tenure, I brought Dogara close to me because I have found in him a person who is competent, accommodating, and with capacity to lead.

“Anyone doubting Dogara’s ability to lead, should ask members of the Seventh Assembly how he

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From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Buhari said it was disappointing to find that foreign loans obtained in line with signed agreements were moved from one project to another.

The President decried the diversion of a substantial part of one billion dollars from the Chinese Exim Bank, obtained for the construction of a standard gauge rail line linking Lagos with Kano.

“I hope that due process was followed before such diversions were carried out.

Taking money from one project to another has to be done properly,’’ Buhari said.

The President said government had, over the years, failed to meet its counterpart funding obligation on some projects, leaving such projects uncompleted or abandoned.

He added that there was a clear need to streamline, harmonise, and prioritise on-

Sagay heads anti-graft advisory panel •Govt floats $5m justice reform’s fund From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

criminal justice system.

It also has a mandate to develop comprehensive interventions for achieving recommended reforms The statement reads: “In support of the Federal Government’s efforts, an AntiCorruption and Criminal Justice Reform Fund has been established by three international development partners namely the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and Open Society Foundation.

“The $5 million fund is to assist the implementation of key components of the action plan and the work of the Presidential Advisory Committee.

“The fund will be managed

by Trust Africa, an international development Civil Society Organisation (CSO) with programme presence in more than 25 African countries.”

Buhari directs agencies to harmonise biometric data

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R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari on Monday urged government agencies to harmonise the collection and usage of biometric data instead of replicating efforts.

The President spoke after being briefed by Chairman of the National Population Commission, Mr Eze Duruiheoma, in Abuja.

Government organisations that collect biometric data include the National Population Commission, National Identity Management Commission, Federal Road Safety Commission, and Independent National Electoral Commission, among others.

Buhari wondered why each agency would gather its biometric data, when such data could easily be shared.

“It will be more cost effective if you work together. It helps even the credibility of the election process, as Nige-

rians of voting age can be identified easily’’, he said.

Buhari added that all the agencies should work collaboratively, instead of going in different directions, stressing that adequate data was necessary for planning and development in any country.

Duruiheoma had briefed the President on what would be required for the commission to conduct national census 2016, 10 years after the last exercise, as stipulated by the United Nations.

A national population census, the chairman said, would cost about N273 billion, while about N10 billion of the amount would be needed immediately.

He told the President that a biometric-based census was being proposed because it would eliminate multiple and ghost respondents, while making the outcome easy to audit.

Doctors seek Ekiti hospital’s probe •Tambuwal

handled their matter. So we supported Dogara not for any reason but because he was competent to deliver on any task given to him,” he added.

Gbajabiamila told The Nation last night that he had moved on.

“Alhaji Tambuwal has finally spoken. For me, I have moved on and I can only wish him the best in his future undertaking.”

Buhari queries diversion of rail project loans R E S I D E N T Muhammed Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to explain why foreign loans obtained for rail project were not used for the purpose.

The President demanded the explanation at the end of a presentation on the Ministry of Transport by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Bashar at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday.

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R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari yesterday named constitutional lawyer and human rights’ activist Prof Itse Sagay as head of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

The panel as its members: Prof. Femi Odekunle, a professor of Criminology in Ahmadu Bello University; Dr. Benedicta Daudu, an associate professor of International Law in University of Jos and Prof. E. Alemika, a professor of Sociology in University of Jos. Others are: Prof Sadiq Radda a professor of Criminology, Bayero University, Kano, Hadiza Bala Usman, a civil society activist and Professor Bolaji Owasanoye of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), who will double as a panel member and its executive secretary.

The committee’s brief, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, is to advise the Buhari administration on the prosecution of the war against corruption and the implementation of required reforms in the country’s

going projects in the transportation sector.

The permanent secretary had informed the President that only 400million dollars of that loan remained with the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The permanent secretary also told the President about the encroachment on railway land, lack of security on inland waterways and the “confused nature’’ of agreements between Nigeria Ports Authority and ports concessionaires.

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HE Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Teaching Hospital (FETH) Ido-Ekiti, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the management of the hospital.

They cited instances of financial misappropriation which has threatened to cripple the hospital.

In a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting held on August 5, the Association also called on the Auditor-General of the Federation in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health to thoroughly look into the financial activities of the hospital.

The resident doctors have been on an industrial action since June 9th 2015, after a three day warning strike after a 21-day ultimatum given to the management of the hospital and the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Lawrence Majekodunmi Ayodele.

They accused the CMD of insensitivity to the plight of the workers and other matters including financial mis-

By Seun Akioye

appropriation. Some of the issues include: Immediate implementation of skipping of CONMESS 2 for Doctors as approved by the Federal Government in a circular dated 19th of December, 2013, Ref. No: HCSF/EPO/ EIR/63755/T1/195 and clarified by the Federal Ministry of Health in a circular dated 29th of July, 2015, Ref. No: C.2262/T/111; immediate implementation of the new entry point for House Officers with arrears from January 2015 as approved and clarified by the Federal Government in an explanatory note dated 29th July, 2015, Ref No: C.2262/T/109; immediate payment of backlog of updates, revision courses, research grants and examination refunds which are yet to be paid in the last 40 months; immediate payment of 2014 annual step increment to doctors and other health workers of the hospital; immediate payment of promotion arrears to doctors and health workers of the hospital.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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NEWS

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HE Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has warned against Internet fraudsters peddling phantom contracts.

In a statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Mr Ohi Alegbe, in Abuja, the NNPC said internet fraudsters had created a “ phony facebook account” for its new Group Managing Director, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

NNPC warns against Internet fraudsters with fake contracts It stated that the facebook account, bearing the photograph and name of the group managing director (GMD), was created by some faceless internet fraudsters.

It added that the fraudsters were exploiting the personae and the office of the new GMD to defraud the public.

The statement explained that the fraudsters had been using the fake facebook page to send all manner of scam letters and phantom contract deals.

It added that the scammers were also using the same means for “cash solicitations to some highly placed con-

tractors within and outside the oil and gas industry”.

It said the corporation would curb the menace by all means.

The group general manager urged the public to disregard the page purportedly belonging to the GMD of NNPC as he had no facebook account.

Buhari urges elite to partner govt From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

P • Kachikwu

Jonathan was really caged, says Soyinka

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OBEL laureate Prof.

Wole Soyinka has said that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was really caged by some forces while in office.

He said Jonathan was unaware that the nation had been compromised and that ex-First Lady Dame Patience was on the loose and ought to be charged for incitement or chaos.

He however said he warned a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to beware of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said Ribadu later confirmed that Chief Obasanjo was using him.

Soyinka made the submissions in an interview he granted a team from Zero Tolerance Magazine, produced by the Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).

He said he met Jonathan on more than two occasions and that it was obvious the former President had no knowledge of what was going on under his watch.

He said: “Correct. There were forces around Jonathan,

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

which he himself did not understand and that is why I stressed that, you’ve got to choose your circle of advisers very carefully, when you are in charge. He was caged; things were going on that he did not know about.

“And again, I am revealing this to you, since this won’t be published till after the elections because I won’t want to be seen as campaigning for or against one side. It shows in deep trouble governance can be; governance can dig itself into a huge hole and not even know it’s in there. The statement that was issued was issued the night when I met him.

“Oh! It is more than two occasions, but two in recent times. I will tell you one interesting aspect of what we discussed. Jonathan did not know that the nation had been compromised so badly in this telephone thing with the King of Morocco. I was the one who told him when we met over an issue and I said to him, ‘by the way, how is the King of Morocco?

Jonathan didn’t know what I was talking about’.

“When I mentioned the telephone issue, he thought I

was talking about his campaign for the AfDB managing director for which he was lobbying other Head of States. He said ‘I haven’t spoken to him in a long time’, and I said ‘no, you spoke to him a few days ago.’

“He said ‘no, I intend to speak with him, I even asked my foreign ministry to link me up with him because I am campaigning for a candidate but I haven’t spoken to the King of Morocco’. Then I said to him, ‘You better go and read the newspapers of last week’. And I can tell you, he didn’t know.

“So, can you imagine that the President did not know that a scandal had developed that involved a withdrawal of an ambassador!”

On the former First Lady, Soyinka said she ought to be charged for incitement and chaos “On a lighter note, I asked him, ‘what are you doing about madam’, because that one seems to be embarrassing the nation as usual because that seems to be her function as so called first lady. “You got to a section of the country and tell your supporters to stone those who campaign for change

and you insult another part of the nation by calling them those who produce children that they cannot look after.

That woman should be charged for incitement, chaos; it’s incredible that she is allowed to run loose.”

Pressed to disclose Jonathan’s reply to the question on his wife, Soyinka added: “I am not going to tell his response(laughs…). But I am free to tell you what I said, it will be an abuse of privilege if I tell you his response.”

Soyinka said he did not bomb Jonathan but he had spoken privately with the President on the state of the nation.

He said Jonathan allowed corruption to fester during his administration.

Soyinka gave details on how he warned ex-EFCC chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu against being used by ex-President Obasanjo.

He said: “I warned your former boss, Ribadu, I told him that, your task will be done when in the course of your investigation; you discover that the source of the problem is the very person who appointed you.

“He looked shocked a bit, and eventually he and I met

•From left: Asian Ambassadors to Nigeria, Jose Cabrera (Philipine); Lim Juay Jin (Malaysia); Harry Purwanto (Indonesia); Hoang Ngoc Ho (Vietnam); and Chailert Unsomboon (Thailand), at a news conference on the Asian Day Celebration in Abuja. PHOTO: NAN

in London, after, he was removed and El-Rufai was also in exile after they tried to kill him. We met and Ribadu refused to sit down. I asked him to sit but he said no, that until I accepted his apology?

And he said, “I should have listened to you, I failed to listen to you. Something you said to me, and I failed to listen” Ribadu admitted that he realized very late that Obasanjo was using him.

“So we have to destroy that link between power and corruption. Audu Ogbe confirmed what I am telling you.

Then it was ‘go after this one, go after the one, ahh! You did not arrest him? Arrest his mother!’ I am challenging Obasanjo to deny it.

“So when you are looking for corruption, you should look at the entire stratum of the society, while some forms of corruption are direct, others are indirect.”

When reminded that former President Obasanjo said Ribadu investigated him and cleared him of all corruption charges, Soyinka said: I am not going to speak on this; but one thing l like, when I speak, I don’t dwell on rumours but at the same time I form opinion within the limits of the investigation which I make, that’s how far I go. I am a very curious person; I‘ll always ask: is this thing true, is it not true? And I use my own means to investigate and come to my conclusion.”

“Of course he(Ribadu) did, that was one of the longest discussions I had in a long time. We were there for almost four hours and we spoke for at least two and a half hours. I asked him a couple of questions and he told me certain things in confidence and there were things in which corroborated the things I have heard from different directions on investigations which I myself had made.

“But the important thing is that he came around to see that my indication to him is that you had to get to the source of corruption which grows when it is tolerated.”

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged the elite to help the country overcome its challenges.

The President spoke at a meeting with the outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Donald Kaberuka, who visited him at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the privileged and influential citizens clearly should do more now than in the past to help the country deal successfully with its economic and security problems.

“With the shock of falling oil prices, lack of revenues and insecurity, the Nigerian elite must now wake up and provide the right guidance in their communities, and also lead the economy on the right path more than they used to do,’’ the President said.

Buhari added that his administration would welcome more support from the AfDB for projects in versatile sectors, such as agriculture that could easily be explored to create more jobs.

“An impression has been erroneously created that we are a rich country but looking at the economic profile of the country today, you will see that that is not necessarily the case.

“Our social services have to be seriously rehabilitated.

We need urgent attention on areas like education and health services, not only in the north eastern part of the country, but all round the country.

“We will fall back on institutions like the AfDB for support in generating employment. We have vast potentials in the agricultural sector that can be explored to create more jobs.

“We also have small businesses that need funds for expansion,’’ he further maintained.

The outgoing AfDB president said some development institutions, such as the World Bank, German Development Bank and the European Development Bank had indicated their readiness to provide long term loan facilities to small businesses in Nigeria.

Kaberuka assured the president that the AfDB would always support economic projects in Nigeria.

Dr Akinwunmi Adesina of Nigeria will replace the outgoing AfDB president in September.

Honour agreements reached under Jonathan, says Buhari

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R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari yesterday ordered the Ministry of Transport to keep to the agreements reached with firms building seaports and modern standard gauge railway lines.

He spoke while being briefed on the activities of the ministry by its top officials, led by the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Sambo Bashar.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary said the President was impressed

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

with the pace of work on major projects in the sector.

According to him, laying of tracks on the Abuja-Kaduna rail project had been completed while locomotives, which had been paid for were still being awaited as operations would commence on the route by December.

He said the rail lines from Lagos to Kano, Kano to Port Harcourt and Port Harcourt to Gombe were in operation.

He said: “Basically, what we did is to present to the

President the various programmes and projects and the reform efforts we have been undertaking in the last couple of years, the stages of the various projects, especially the railway rehabilitation programme and development in our seaports. And also some of the regulatory issues that we sought are due for review and attention.

“The President quite appreciated a lot of what has been achieved so far and he has indicated his willingness

to continue with a lot of projects and programmes already on ground. And he has expressed his support, especially when we start talking about the capacity building for individual operators in the country. He is really appreciative of the entrepreneur initiatives of Nigerians and indication that government will continue to give its full support.

“There are issues that he thinks we should pay a lot of attention, especially in the execution of agreements that we have entered into. He em-

phasized on the need to adhere strictly to the terms of agreements and we are going to abide by that.

“Basically, those agreements are relating to the projects we entered into with the construction of railway, standard gauge lines and rehabilitation programmes.”

Asked to give updates on ongoing projects, he said: “Well, I think the rehabilitation programme of the old gauge lines, as you are aware, we have completed the Lagos-Kano and it is opera-

tional. Twice a week, people move from Lagos to Kano and back to Lagos.

“We have also recently commenced operation from Kano to Port Harcourt, and Port Harcourt to Gombe and from Gombe upwards we have some challenges.

“With regards to AbujaKaduna, track has been completely laid and we are now waiting for locomotives to arrive, which have been ordered and paid for. Our belief is that we will meet the deadline of December, 2015.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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NEWS

Many Boko Haram suspects arrested in Lagos, says Army chief

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ORMER General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Maj.-Gen. Tanmi Dibi yesterday revealed that many Boko Haram suspects were arrested in Lagos State in the last 18 months.

He spoke in an interview with reporters after officially handing over to a new GOC, Maj.-Gen. Isibor Edet.

Maj.-Gen. Dibi, who refused to give further details on the arrests, warned the division’s officers and men to always remember that they are actively involved in the war against insurgents.

He said: “Military job is a challenging task and Lagos

•New GOC takes over at 81 Division

By Precious Igbonwelundu

State itself is a peculiar state. We have had our challenging times, but we were able to overcome them.

“Under my watch, we were able to prevent the incursion of Boko Haram insurgents into Lagos. A good number of them were arrested here in Lagos.

“Having served for 35 years and retiring now, I expect to see a more disciplined and committed army.”

The Army chief, who addressed personnel of the divi-

APC assures Kogi governorship aspirants of level-playing field From Tony Akowe, Abuja

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HE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday assured that the party would provide a level-playing field for the governorship aspirants in Kogi State.

Speaking while inaugurating the Screening Committee ahead of the primaries scheduled for August 29, Odigie-Oyegun, who was represented by the Deputy Chairman (South), Mr. Segun Oni, also promised that the screening of the aspirants would be free, fair and transparent.

The seven-man committee has Mr. Boss Mustapha as the chairman and Ambassador Lawal Munir as the secretary. Other members include: Hon. Emmanuel Ufuoma, Chief Geoffrey Ufuru, Mrs. Tina Adike, Mrs. Ekwy Oyindo and Mr. Bashir Sheriff Machina.

The National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, hailed the high level of interest in the election, pointing out that to qualify to contest, aspirants must be duly registered and financially up to date.

He said five members of the party from different local governments must nominate an aspirant to qualify.

Izunaso told members of the committee that they had the responsibility to scrutinise every certificate brought before them by the aspirants, stressing that any aspirant who poses an obstacle to the screening of his certificates should be disqualified.

“All aspirants must sign the party’s code of conduct. The screening will be done in line with the 1999 constitution as amended. Only the aspirants cleared will go for the primaries,“ the national organising secretary said.

sion both at its headquartres and at the 65 Battalion parade ground, retires from service this week.

He urged the officers and men to be committed to their duties.

Maj.-Gen. Dibi noted that although the division had been able to contain the excesses of the insurgents in its area of responsibility, army personnel must not relapse in ensuring the area remains safe.

He said: “You are all aware of the challenges we are going through - the problem of Boko

Haram. The fact that you are not in the Northeast does not mean you are not fighting the war.

“We are all involved in the war because wars of this nature do not have a front or a rear. So far, we are winning the war and I want you to do more.

“And so far so good, we have been able to contain their excesses and I want you to do more. We have talked enough about security measures put in place, about your own personal security and that of your families and that of the barracks

and how you relate with your friends, but I urge you to do more.

“Be more vigilant and ensure security of your environment and your barracks. I do not want to be in my village to hear about any careless death. I do not want to read about an attack in Lagos.”

He added: “I want to hear that this division I am leaving is the most efficient division in the Nigeria army. I give God the glory for making it possible to serve Nigeria for 35 years and retiring today. I also thank all of you for supporting me. Some of you have done so well by co-operating, some of you

lagged behind.

“For those lagging behind, please change your attitude towards work, be more dedicated because you do not have any other job than this job, neither do you have any other army.

“The army is a voluntary organisation, which you decided to join. Nobody forced you to join. Therefore, do not allow any to force you do your job.”

Describing his successor as an embodiment of knowledge, intelligence and discipline, Maj.-Gen. Dibi admonished personnel to accord him all loyalty and respect so that the division can succeed.

Ooni’s death to be announced tomorrow, says monarch

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HE death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, will be officially announced tomorrow, an Ife monarch said yesterday.

The Awara of Iwara-Ife, Oba Layi Adereti, who said this, added that the preparation for the burial of the monarch will immediately begin.

Oba Adereti spoke for the first time on the death of the Oba Sijuwade, which had been severally denied by palace chiefs.

Oba Sijuwade died at Saint

•Residents warned to stay in-door From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Mary Hospital in London about two weeks ago.

According to the Awara of Iwara-Ife, Oro festival is the final rite of passage for Oba Sijuwade.

He added that between 9am and 4pm tomorrow, the death of Ooni will be made public.

Oba Adereti, who is also the head of Oro Cult in Ile-Ife, warned all residents to stay

indoors during the Oro rites.

The monarch said after the Oro rites and proclamation, subsequent rites will follow.

He added that though only women are normally barred during Oro festival, he said this time around, it has no respect for any gender.

He said: “This is an official statement from the palace of Awara of Iwara-Ife, who is the head of Oro deity that on Wednesday, August 12, 2015,

there would be official proclamation of the demise of Ooni of Ife. The proclamation will be made public during the Oro festival, being the final rites on the demise of Ooni of Ife. “The residents of the ancient town are therefore urged to keep away from the streets between the hours of 9am and 4pm during which the Oro deity will be out.

“With the announcement, people are advised to stay indoor for the period when the Oro will be out.”

1,242 Oyo pilgrims for Hajj

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HE Oyo State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board has approved 1,242 intending pilgrims to participate in this year’s pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Its chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Akeugbagold, spoke at a practical demonstration for the 1,242 intending pilgrims.

In a chat with reporters at Muslim Hajj Camp in Olodo, Ibadan, he said the orientation was necessary to prevent the pilgrims from misconduct

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

while on pilgrimage.

Akeugbagold added that the pilgrims have been receiving theoretical knowledge for the past six months.

He added that the decision to end the exercise with practical orientation was in line with the Hadith by the holy Prophet Mohammed (SAW), which says that all Muslims should keep praying in exact way they saw the prophet did.

•Aregbesola (left) addressing guests at the summit...yesterday.

Economic crisis: Oyinlola, others rally support for Aregbesola’s govt

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ORMER Osun State Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola yesterday led other eminent indigenes from the state in rallying support for Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration.

He described the state’s “Stakeholders’ Conference”, which was held yesterday, as crucial to strategise its survival in the face of national economic crisis.

He added that the conference organised by Osun Legislators’ Forum would provide an effective platform for the state to forge ahead despite the crisis.

The forum is an umbrella body of the lawmakers in the state House of Assembly and National Assembly.

Oyinlola, who spoke at the summit in Osogbo, the state capital, said “the state is a brand that will outlast any government whether it’s performance is good or bad”.

The former governor noted

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

that the forum, a gathering of all indigenes home and abroad, was an avenue to fashion ways out of the financial crisis facing some of the states in Nigeria.

He said: “Osun as a state has a perpetual life. It is a constitutional brand that will outlive any government in power. It behooves on all of us as indigenes to rally round the state in its present financial crisis. We must not allow the state to die; we must leave a positive legacy for our future generations.

“This is what this stakeholders’ conference is all about. It is a gathering of indigenes and lovers of the state to put heads together and provide a solution to the present impasse. Government comes, government goes but state will remain. So, our gathering today is to fashion a way forward that will be acceptable to all and sundry. For us, it

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

•Governor: summit crucial is our conviction that Osun must continue to exist.”

Aregbesola said that how the nation got into this financial crisis could not be fathomed.

He said the nation was already heading to the precipice, but for the change of government that brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the centre.

The governor attributed the financial crises in the states to the bad leadership of the immediate past government.

Aregbesola stressed that the conference, which was the brainchild of the Osun federal legislature, “demonstrated how serious our representatives take the issue of this state”.

He added: “How we got to this financial crisis is unknown to a lot of people. It is only the wise who may have a flash of understanding of what actual-

ly went wrong. It is this similar crisis that we are also battling with in this state as other states are also experiencing.

“This forum gives us opportunity to study in depth how this situation came about and for us to find a lasting solution to the crisis so that our state will move forward. By organising this conference, our honourable members in the House of Representatives and members of the Senate have shown that they are seriously concerned about the destiny of the state and ready to do anything possible to redeem it from crisis that may afflict it.”

Aregbesola also urged the participants - drawn from the civil servants, formal and informal sector including artisans, businessmen, socio-cultural groups and others - to use the occasion to open up on their

grievances, misconceptions or opinions about his government.

He said the forum was an open one, which would allow the indigenes, to freely criticise his government’s policies and make inputs.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State, Jacob Adekomi, advised the state government to verify the N3.6 billion monthly wage bill of the state properly.

He asserted that “government is likely to discover the real wage bill is not up to that”.

The Senator representing Osun Central, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, said the forum became necessary in view of the delicate political atmosphere hanging over the country.

Adeyeye said that it was apparent that the country was adrift, but for the change at the federal level.

He stated that he and his colleagues organised the forum to

call on all lovers of the state to put heads together to proffer solutions to the challenges facing the state as occasioned by the national economic crisis.

Dignitaries, who attended the conference include the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Najeem Salam; industrialists Chief Tunde Ponnle (chairman, MicCom Cables) and Chief Tunde Badmus (chairman, TUNS Farms); Prof. Ademola Odejide (formerly of the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan); Senator Sunday Fajinmi (governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in the August 9, 2014 election and a former senator representing Osun West); former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Moses Aboaba.

Others are Senator Jide Omoworare, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, Ayo Omidiran, Ajibola Famurewa; Ghafar Amere and many traditional rulers in the state among others.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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NEWS ‘Fayose planning to subvert Ekiti senator’s mandate’ •Governor’s aide: it’s not true

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GROUP, Patriotic Ekiti Youth Coalition for Justice, has accused Governor Ayo Fayose of allegedly plotting to “subvert the choice of Mrs. Fatimat Rasaki as senator representing Ekiti Central through the backdoor”.

In a statement yesterday by its coordinator, Ayo Omotoso and secretary, Dare Aina, the group claimed that Fayose was giving support to a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial aspirant, Lati Ajijola, in his suit challenging Mrs. Rasaki’s eligibility as the party’s candidate in the March 28 National Assembly poll.

Ajijola claimed that he won the senatorial primary conducted in Aramoko-Ekiti on December 8 and accused some party leaders of declaring Mrs. Rasaki as winner.

The declaration, according to him, was contrary to the result of the shadow poll.

Ajijola’s eligibility case against the senator was last Wednesday transferred from the Federal High Court, AdoEkiti to the state High Court for determination in a ruling

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

delivered by Justice Ishaq Sani.

But the coalition claimed that Fayose was supporting Ajijola’s suit to deny Mrs. Rasaki of her senatorial mandate.

It warned Fayose not to work against the senator, claiming that “Ajijola has been frequently sighted at the Government House to firm up the plot to unseat Mrs. Rasaki and replace her with the defeated aspirant”.

But the Commissioner for Information and Sports, Lanre Ogunsuyi, denied the allegation, which he described as “absurd, baseless and unfounded”.

Ogunsuyi, who reacted through a telephone interview, noted that Fayose had earlier been accused in some quarters that he was supporting Mrs. Rasaki.

He wondered how the same Fayose could also be working against the senator he supported to victory.

He added that the governor had no constitutional power to transfer any case other than the authorities of the judiciary.

Ogun NIPR to host award, colloquium on Nigeria

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HE Ogun State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) will hold its 2015 Colloquium and Award Ceremonies on Thursday at the Auditorium of the Olusegun Obasanjo Library.

The theme of the colloquium is “Image-Makers’ Perspective in the Reinvention of the Nigerian Nation”.

It will be delivered by the Secretary General of the African Public Relations Association (APPRA) and the Chief Executive of CMC Connect Burson Marsteller, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya.

Prof. Lai Oso of the Department of Mass Communications, Lagos State University, will chair the event, which will be opened

by Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Other notable discussants will include Chief Bode Mustapha and Chief Adetokunbo Fassy Yusuf, both seasoned public relations practitioners.

In a statement by the Chairman of the chapter, Mr. Tope Adaramola, the choice of the theme of the colloquium is hinged on the present moves to revive the nation and propel it to play catalytic roles in global development.

He said the nation had suffered serious image slur as a result of the decay in the system, and that this had denied it of pivotal place in the comity of progressive nations.

Highpoints of the event will be the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities like Iyalode Alaba Lawson; Biodun Fijabi, an engineer; and Alhaji Jimoh Popoola, for their unparalleled entrepreneurship spirit.

The NIPR Technocrats Award will go to the state Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle.

Four die in Akure road accident

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OUR persons have been killed by a timber truck in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The driver, identified as Friday Ambrose, allegedly lost control of the vehicle on Ondo Road and hit three of the victims, who were on a motorbike, and a pedestrian.

It was learnt that two of the victims of the Sunday evening

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

accident, identified as a couple, were businessmen at the Oba Adesida market in Akure.

Witnesses said the timber lorry was coming from Arakale and heading for one of the sawmills on the road, when it swerved off its lane

and faced the opposite direction before hitting the victims.

It was gathered that the victims died instantly.

But the driver of the truck with registration number Lagos XN 968 AKD was unhurt.

Police spokesman Wole Ogodo, who confirmed the incident, said only one person died in the accident.

Ogodo explained that a victim he simply called Babatunde died at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure, where he was rushed to by sympathisers.

He added that he had not been officially informed about the death of other victims.

Ogodo said the driver had been arrested.

•Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH) Prof. Temitope Alonge (second left) at a news conference on the strike by the hospital’s resident doctors on skipping of doctors on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure at the hospital in Ibadan...yesterday. With him from left are: The Chairman, UCH Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Adefemi Afolabi; Director of Administration Mr. Yemi Fiyanbola; and Head of Hospital Service Mrs. Funke Logun.

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

Lagos tackles sexual, gender-based violence

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AGOS State has promised to tackle sexual and gender-based crimes.

The government, in a statement issued yesterday by the Coordinator, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, enjoined victims of such violence to speak out.

The statement restated the government’s readiness to fight such cases and ensure justice is served.

The DSVRT was inaugurated in September 2014 as a response to the increase in incidents of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect and maltreatment.

•Response team treats 50 cases

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode last month met with the team and urged members to increase victims’ safety and offenders’ responsibility by “providing a cross-jurisdictional response that is uniform in approach in the way sexual and gender-based violence cases are handled”.

Following the governor’s advice, Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi said in the past one month alone, the team had attended to about 50 cases.

Of these cases, 30 were victims of domestic violence, she

said, adding that the team was also monitoring over 20 cases.

They include cases of child abuse, defilement and rape with key evidential medical and police reports.

The cases exclude those the Directorate of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting at the High Court.

“In terms of advocacy, DSVRT has trained over 800 mandated reporters, who are state government employees that have dealings with children on how to detect signs of child abuse and steps to take in reporting such cases.

“Furthermore, over 2,000 school children have been empowered through our rape prevention workshops on how to avoid being a victim of sexual abuse, self-defence and how to preserve evidence when physically or sexually assaulted,” Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi said.

The DSVRT comprises top level representatives of the police, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Public Defender, the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights, Office of Youth and Social Development, Ministries of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Health and Education, Civil Society Organisations and the media.

Impeachment: Ondo urges court to dismiss ex-deputy governor’s suit

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NDO State government yesterday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss impeached former Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi’s suit.

Its Attorney-General, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), arguing a preliminary objection, urged the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

The senior advocate said Olanusi’s suit was an abuse of court process because the ex-deputy governor wrongly filed a fundamental rights enforcement application to challenge his impeachment.

Olanusi prayed the court to nullify his impeachment for not following due process and for violating his rights.

The former deputy governor, who was impeached on April 27, sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the chairman of the seven-man investigative panel, Mr. Olatunji Adeniyan.

After entertaining argu-

By Joseph Jibueze

ments from the parties, Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned till Thursday for judgment.

The judge had earlier granted Olanusi’s application that the case be heard during the court’s long vacation after his lawyer, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, argued that the suit would become academic, if it was not heard quickly.

The case was filed at the Akure Division of the Federal High Court, but was transferred to the Lagos Division as the judge in Ondo, Justice I.N. Sanni, is on vacation till next month.

Olanusi is seeking an order quashing the proceedings and report of the seven-man impeachment panel, which indicted him and led to his removal.

He claimed that the sitting, conclusion of proceedings and submission of report by the panel within one day denied him the right to fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999

•Judgment fixed for Thursday Constitution.

He is seeking a declaration that the failure to give him adequate time and facility, as guaranteed under the constitution, to defend the allegation of misconduct is a breach of his right to fair hearing and fair trial.

Besides, he said the panel failed to personally serve him with the allegation of misconduct, urging the court to declare the notice null and void.

In a supporting affidavit, the applicant said: “The rules of natural justice were not observed by the respondents in the proceedings of the first respondent and the removal of the applicant as the deputy governor of Ondo State.

“The applicant was shamefully removed and disgraced out of office without fair hearing, regard for due process of law and the sanctity of the law and the constitution.

“The applicant’s rights to fair hearing and fair trial have been unfairly and oppressively trampled upon by the respondents.”

Yesterday, Jegede, who represented Adeniyan, said Olanusi’s application did not comply with Order X Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules of 2009. According to him, the suit was, therefore, defective and has no legs to stand.

The attorney-general challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case, arguing that the subject matter was not one over, which the Federal High Court could adjudicate.

Besides, Jegede said joining the Inspector-General of Police as a respondent was wrong because Solomon Arase played no role in Olanusi’s impeachment to warrant his being sued.

“In the case at hand, the IGP is neither the principal respon-

dent nor the only respondent.

“None of the reliefs set out in the originating process is against the IGP; he did not play any role in the removal of the applicant, neither did he sit as a member of the seven-member panel.

“It is clear that the applicant merely joined the IGP as a subterfuge to justify bringing this application before this court in an obvious situation of lack of jurisdiction.

“The mere making the IGP a respondent against all grains cannot salvage the situation,” jegede argued.

Olanusi was impeached after being accused of gross misconduct by the seven-man investigative panel following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Some of the allegations levelled against him include financial misappropriation, absenteeism from official duties and causing disaffection in the state

•Olanusi

cabinet.

Twenty-two of the 26 lawmakers endorsed the impeachment motion, after which the Speaker, Jumoke Akindele, declared that Olanusi had been “impeached and removed from office”.

The former deputy governor told his supporters that the lack of equity in the PDP necessitated his decision to dump the party.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

NDIC worried over poor awareness of its activities From Nduka Chiejina (Asst Editor)

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HE Nigeria Deposit In surance Corporation (NDIC) has expressed concern over the poor public awareness of its mandate.

Addressing journalists in Abuja yesterday at the end of the opening ceremony of a seminar for external Solicitors of the NDIC, the Managing Director, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, observed with concern that a large segment of the Nigerian public has a wrong perception about the Corporation and its statutory mandate.

Umaru lamented that “one of the major challenges confronting the Corporation in the discharge of its mandate, is public awareness. We have observed with concern that the Nigerian public has a misconceived perception of the corporation and its functions.”

He said in tackling this challenge, NDIC has “invested valuable resources in ensuring that this negative trend is reversed in line with its strategy of enhancing public awareness.”

He said the corporation supported the seminar with the theme, ‘Challenges to Deposit Insurance Law and Practice in Nigeria,’ as part of its efforts to sensitise stakeholders on the practice of deposit insurance.

This is what prompted the corporation to invest resources to reverse the trend through effective and continuous public awareness and close collaboration with key stakeholders, he said.

Umaru noted that NDIC would continue to collaborate with the Judiciary to ensure the effective discharge of its mandate and its continued contribution to financial system stability in the country.

According to him, “matters of litigation have always been problematic generally, and it’s the entire judicial process that made it so and not peculiar to the NDIC and having gone through this program, the judges and the lawyers, I believe will better understand the issues involved.”

Giving the length of time it takes to get court rulings on matters relating to deposit insurance and other matters, the NDIC boss disclosed that “while the litigation process in the court is slow, the corporation is currently taking advantage of the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism to get justice.”

Umaru said the NDIC “requires speedy dispensation and requires a lot of understanding on the part of the judges as well as the lawyers and what we tried to do is to use the alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism instead of having a prolonged litigation process,” he stated.

‘When modular refineries are operated, they would be refining smaller quantities of crude oil, create jobs, and help grow the economy’ •Former Commander of JTF, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe

Oil workers shut down AMCON

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CTIVITIES at the As set Management Cor poration of Nigeria (AMCON) came to a standstill yesterday, as oil workers under the aegis of SeaWolf Oil Field, paralysed its activities.

The disengaged workers, who barricaded the entrance to the office, were protesting the failure of AMCON to pay their entitlements which they claimed was between N5billion and N7billion.

They lamented that despite assurance that the corporation would pay their entitlements after taking over their company-Offshore Management Services, such promises had yet to be fulfilled.

Speaking on behalf of the

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

protesters, Victor Ekundayo said the agreement reached with the Corporation was that their salaries be paid by AMCON following the take over of the company two years ago.

He said,”We have had several meetings with the Ministry of Petroleum, Labour and Productivity.

Ministry of Finance had to intervene, insisting that AMCON pays the claims. AMCON even called us to say they will pay, yet nothing has been done.

“AMCON took over our facility in 2013 because SeaWolf was indebted to a lot of commercial

banks. They did so without settling the workers.

“The standard in the oil and gas is that for whatever reason, workers must be paid their terminal benefits, which AMCON has refused to do.

“Before we came here, we took our grievances to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity. They all asked AMCON to pay us our entitlements.

“In May, we met with the Managing Director, of AMCON. He assured us that our claims will be addressed within 48 hours, yet it’s been three months and no word from them.”

Ekundayo claimed that the delay in the payment of entitlement has resulted to the death and hospitalisation of some of his colleagues.

He however urged the Federal Government to intervene so they could get their entitlements paid.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, AMCON, Kayode Lambo, described the protest as illegal because a court injunction stopped them from doing so.

“I cannot tell you what AMCON is doing to address the situation because the case has been taken to court and doing so will be prejudicial,” he said.

• From left: Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Salisu Buhari; and the Executive Director, Abuja/Northern Dirctorate, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Idris Yakubu, at the bank’s small and medium enterprises seminar in Kano ...at the weekend.

Miners plan sector’s revival • Jos to host talks From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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IGERIAN Society of Mining Engineers (NSME) has planned a conference for the revival of the mining sector in a bid to make it a major countributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GPD. The conference Chairman, Central Planning Committee, Gallio E. Dagu and Chairman, Fund Raising Sub-Committee, Prof.

Stephen J. Mallo in a statement yesterday, said the theme of the conference is “Resurgence of the Mining Industry: a Key to Revival of Nigerian Economy.”

The society noted that the theme was purposely chosen to bring into proper focus the contemporary compelling challenges .

The statement said that: “The Society aims to professionally address the theme and put forward specific recommendations before the Federal Government to further enhance the contribution to the policies already initiated and formulate strategies to put the Mining industry in its rightful position as major contributor to the Country’s GDP.” Dagu and Mallo explained that the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers (NSME), an organization that brings together all practicing Mining and Mineral Processing Engineers from all over the country will be holding its 15th Annual General Meeting/Conference in Jos from 3rd to 6th November, 2015.

The statement added that it will be hosted by the Jos Zonal Chapter which comprises Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, Adamawa, Borno,and Yobe States with Headquarter in Jos, Plateau State.

According to the statement, the Society’s Journal, Nigerian Mining Journal, will also be launched at the conference billed for 5th November 2015.

Nigeria loses over N225b to gas flaring

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IGERIA may have lost over N225 bil lion ($1b) to gas flaring last year alone, it was learnt yesterday.

About 295 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas was flared in nine months.

The Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekepere, said the volume of flared gas in the country could fuel about 7000 mega watts of efficient thermal electricity plant.

Onyekepere, who spoke in Abuja at a press briefing on issues relating to the implementing of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMP), said that Nigeria is rich in energy resources, yet poor in power supply.

He said in 2014, Nigeria

• $25b needed to implement gas master plan • Buhari urged to represent PIB to NASS From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

lost about $1 billion (about N225billion), as oil companies operating in the country flared a large proportion of the gas produced from January to September of that year..

“Nigeria flares about 1.2 billion cubic feet (bcf/d) of gas per day, which could fuel about 7000megawatts of efficient thermal electricity power, over 1,400 agro-

processing facilities, 350 textile plants, 70 fertilizer plants with opportunities for creating over one million jobs,” he said.

Onyekepere said going by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), data, “about 295 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas was flared in the nine-month period.”

He said the failure of the 7th National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has robbed the

nation of huge sums of revenue, stating that the country seems to lack a comprehensive implementable energy policy.

CSJ said President Muhammadu Buhari should revisit the PIB and represent it to the National Assembly for quick action.

The body urged that the PIB be split into four parts because of the bulky nature of the bill, with the part dealing with gas isolated and immediately passed into law.

Onyekepere also said Nigerians should be encourage to participate in funding of the gas master plan which is estimated to consume about $25 billion.

While noting that the

• Buhari

country’s inability to end gas flaring in the past was due to lack of political will, the CSJ Lead Director said the government, with the industry stakeholders should fix a definite time frame to end fassociated gas laring and fully implement the gas re-injection Act, with the new rules carrying stiff sanctions for defaulters.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 , 2015

14

e-Business

Scum, debris Danbatta must clean at NCC W

HEN he assumed duties at the headquarters of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) in Abuja last Friday as the new helmsman of the regulatory body, he left no one in doubt as to his mission.

"I want to pledge that I will bring to bear my wealth of experience in tackling the issue of quality of service in order to meet the expectations of the public that we are servicing," Prof Umaru Danbatta told workers of the Commission on his first day in office.

Having been part of the NCC as vice president of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), the skilled manpower training arm of the Commission, Prof Danbatta is by no means a new comer to the telecoms sector.

‘

Service providers no longer flash with codes but the conventional 11-digit GSM numbers. When you see the missed call, you are always tempted to return the call and when you do that, a strange voice will be advertising its services to you. It is very annoying and the new NCC Chief should do something about it

Quality of service palaver Over the years, subscribers' figures have grown phenomenally while quality of service (QoS) has remained an almost intractable challenge. When Dr. Juwah took over from Ernest Ndukwe who spent 10 years, he came up with what he called his six-point agenda. These were: consolidating on the gains of his predecessor; taking drastic measures to improve QoS; enhance broadband penetration; improving competition; providing diversified choices for subscribers; and improving NCC's presence in the international space.

According to the NCC, the total number of mobile subscribers in the country has risen from 144 million in May to 146 million in June this year. In addition, Nigeria's mobile operators added 2.1 million new subscribers in June with the subscriptions to fixed networks increasing from 181,625 in May to 182,643 within the same period. This is by every standard, a huge growth.

During Juwah's tenure, the mobile network operators (MNOs) were sanctioned a couple of times through the imposition of fines (which Juwah admitted the MNOs prefer to pay to complying with laid down guidelines).

Sector analysts say Prof Danbatta must treat QoS issue using the carrot and stick approach. President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Bayo Banjo said all the fines that have been imposed on the service providers were not severe enough to serve as punishment and assure deterrence by others.

Banjo argued that each time the NCC imposes fines on the service providers, all the operators do is to configure their 'system' such that when N10 is deducted from the account of all their customers, they effortlessly recoup the fines.

According to him, the regulator should go a step further by not limiting itself to the imposition of fines but actually removing the chief executive officers (CEOs) of non-performing MNOs. He said by the time one CEO is fired the way the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fires the CEOs of non-performing banks, others will wake up.

"The NCC should also compel the MNOs to improve on their response time to consumers' complaints, especially when the customers have to call the call centre through the codes provided. The current practice whereby customers are kept endlessly waiting to be attended to is not the best. Many customers don't even get attended to at the end of the day and the distance between the physical offices of these telcos to their customers is unacceptable," a subscriber, Mrs. Florence Chikke said.

Unsolicited SMS, calls, 'flashing' Aside poor QoS, the average teleoms subscriber in Nigeria has to live daily with the pains of unsolicited short message service (SMS) and their attendant distractions; unsolicited calls in the name of telemarketing and ridiculously too, 'flashing' all in an effort to make the customer make calls.

The NCC under Juwah said it had reached an understanding with the MNOs over these issues but the understanding has not translated to any relief for the subscribers.

When The Nation took the issue up with the former EVC, he expressed shock, raising questions as to whether the MNOs actually do what they do selectively. "Service providers no longer flash with codes but the conventional 11-digit GSM numbers. When you see the missed call, you are always tempted to return the call and when you do that, a strange voice will be advertising its services to you. It is very annoying and the

’

•Prof Danbatta

The man Danbatta

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ORN in Danbatta Local Government Council of Kano State, he obtained his BEng, MSc and PhD degrees from the Technical University of Wroclaw in Poland and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology UK respectively. He had served as a lecturer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Technology of Bayero University Kano for 28 years, where he taught courses in telecommunication engineering and electronics and held academic positions of Dean of the Faculty and Head of Department at different times. His main administrative responsibilities, in the university, included Deputy and Acting Dean of Students' Affairs, Administrator of the Works Department and later, Director of the Centre for Information Technology (CIT). He was also chairman to, or member of, over 60 university committees and task forces.

In administrative and other responsibilities outside the university, he has served as chairman or member to over 20 committees, prominent among which was the Chairmanship of the Implementation Committee of Kano State University of Science & Technology and subsequently became its pioneer Deputy and Acting ViceChancellor when it took off in 2001. Prof.

Danbatta has supervised more than 60 PhD, MEng and BEng projects in the diverse areas of telecommunications and has also served as external examiner to seven universities and polytechnics and is an assessor, technical reviewer and editorial member to eight research journals. He is a recipient of 18 distinguished awards and certificates of honour. Prof. Danbatta, who had served two terms of five years as a Member of Council for the Regulation of

Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), is also a COREN registered engineer and member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

He has to his credit more than 50 articles in journals, conference proceedings and technical reports. He is also the author of a six-chapter, 167-page book titled Elements of Static Engineering Electromagnetics.

He was the Vice President of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), International Centre for Advanced Communications Studies, which was established in the year 2004 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to build capacity for the Nigerian/African telecom industry in the diverse areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

While at DBI, he developed expertise in ICT implementation, policy and regulation in fields such as regulation of the Telecommunications Sector of the Nigerian Economy; Competition, Interconnection and Price Regulations in a Developing Economy; Issues concerning Authorisation of Telecommunications Services in a Developing Economy; Strategies for ensuring Universal Access and Service to Telecommunications Services; Strategies towards Effective Spectrum Management in a Developing Economy; Issues on Institutional and Legal Framework for Effective Regulation of Telecommunications Services; and New and Emerging Technologies and Impact on Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector of a Developing Economy.

Prof. Danbatta, who recently served as a member of the Implementation Committee of the Northwest University Kano, is presently the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Kano University of Science and Technology.

new NCC chief should do something about it," a legal practitioner, Onyekachi Aguomuo said.

Though the MNOs have blamed some of these on 'rogues' who take advantage of the unregulated internet to unleash 'terror' on the subscribers, sector analysts say the operators should be forced to invest more on firewalls to protect the network against undue attack.

structure support and complementing this with the open access model under which licences would be issued to infrastructure providers (Infracos) in the six geo-political zones of the country and one for Lagos. MainOne has been licensed under this scheme. According to Juwah, based on the business plans of the licencees, funds would be provided for roll-out of services.

Banjo has criticised the idea of funding private firms with tax payers money, arguing that it will breed corruption as the people that will get the "billions will be friends of people in government while a negligible percentage of the licences will be genuine operators.

"The idea of providing funding should be discouraged completely because it is not in line with the anti-corruption crusade of Mr. President," an industry player said.

National Broadband Plan The NCC will have to show the way in realising the ambitious targets of the National Broadband Plan launched by the former administration. Already, the Commission said it is building optic fibre cables to provide in addition to what the MNOs have to give the necessary backhaul infra-

Commenting on the implementation of the NBP, Airtel CEO, Segun Ogunsanya said achieving the NBP will require possibly up to 50 per cent more than the $3billion-$4billion Nigerian operators have been spending on capital expenditure (CAPEX) annually, an increment that would need to be justified by a material change in operating conditions that would improve investment confidence.

Enthroning fair competition Over the years, concernd stakeholders have been complaining about structural inbalances in the system largely because of the lack of laws which ought to have protected the weak from the strong.

The NCC carried out a study about two years ago that showed that there were dominant operators in the sector, especially in the voice segment. It directed the concerned operators to take steps to remedy the situatiion.

It is not clear if one of the affected operators have complied with the directive of the regulator. This issue has however become a subject of litigation before a regular and competent court of law in the country.

Prof Danbatta should take measures to protect the weak operators from the strong because that is the essence of fair and unbiased regulation. The week also have a right to exist afterall they also pay tax to the government and employ Nigerians in their companies too.

Telephony penetration Though subscriber figures have been going up, there are so many rural communities across the country that are yet to enjoy the dividends of the telecoms revolution. The huge resources available at the disposal of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) should be judiciously applied to bridge the digital divide. Prof Danbatta should meet with stakeholders in the industry to map out strategies to ensure that in the 21st century, no community is cut off from civilisation.

It is gladdening that the fund had carried out a survey which showed that over 250 communities spread across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are still disenfranchised.

Review of NCA Act Another important issue the university don will have to push is to get the National Assembly repeal the National Communication Act 2003 to take care of emerging trends in the industry that were not envisaged when the law was enacted. One of them for instance is the power to remove the CEOs of telcos that fail to keep to the key performance indicators (KPIs) signed with the regulator and MNOs. Both Juwah and Ndukwe agree on the need to review the Act as they argue that the law has become outdated in view of emerging trends in the telecoms industry.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 , 2015

e-Business

Cyber crooks break into networks undetected

C

YBER crooks are increasingly becoming more daring in their attacks as they now easily break into organisations' network, by passing security measures and wreaking havoc undetected, a new report by Cisco has shown.

The report underscores the importance of Nigerian firms to invest in integrated technologies to reduce time to detection (TTD) in order to remediate against sophisticated attacks by highly motivated threat actors.

Titled Cisco 2015 Midyear Security Report released yesterday, it revealed that adversaries continue to innovate as they slip into networks undetected and evade security measures.

Cisco discovered that the exploits of Adobe Flash vulnerabilities are increasing. They are regularly integrated into widely used exploit kits such as angler and nuclear. Angler continues to lead the exploit kit market in terms of overall sophistication and effectiveness. The Angler Exploit Kit represents the types of common threats that will challenge organisations as the digital economy and the Internet of Everything (IoE) create new attack vectors and monetisation opportunities for adversaries.

The report also showed that operators of crime ware, such as ransomware, are hiring and funding professional development teams to help them make sure their tactics remain profitable while criminals are turning to the anonymous web network Tor and the Invisible Internet Project (I2P) to relay command-andcontrol communications while evading detection.

Adversaries are once again using Microsoft Office macros to deliver malware. It's an old tactic that fell out of favour, but it's being taken up again as malicious actors seeking new ways to thwart security protections, the report said, adding that some exploit kit authors are incorporating text from Jane Austen's classic novel Sense and Sensibility into web landing pages that

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

host their exploit kits. Antivirus and other security solutions are more likely to categorise these pages as legitimate after "reading" such text.

"Malware authors are increasing their use of techniques such as sandbox detection to conceal their presence on networks. Spam volume is increasing in the United States, China, and the Russian Federation, but remained relatively stable in other regions in the first five months of 2015. The security industry is paying more attention to mitigating vulnerabilities in open-source solutions. Continuing a trend covered in the Cisco 2015 Annual Security Report, exploits involving Java have been on the decline in the first half of 2015," the report noted.

Speaking on the report, General Manager, Cisco Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Mr. Dare Ogunlade, said: "Organisations in Nigeria cannot just accept that compromise is inevitable, even if it feels like it today. The technology industry must up the game and provide reliable and resilient products and serv-

ices, and the security industry must provide vastly improved, yet meaningfully simplified, capabilities for detecting, preventing, and recovering from attacks. This is where Cisco is leading.

"We are regularly told that business strategy and security strategy are the top two issues for our customers, and they want trusted partnerships with us.

Trust is tightly linked to security, and transparency is key so industry-leading technology is only half the battle.

We're committed to providing both: industry-defining security capabilities and trustworthy solutions across all product lines. The report findings also underscore the need for businesses to deploy integrated solutions vs. point products, work with trustworthy vendors, and enlist security services providers for guidance and assessment."

The innovation race between adversaries and security vendors is accelerating, placing end users and organisations at increasing risk. Vendors must be vigilant in developing integrated security solutions that help organisations be proactive and align the right people, processes, and technology.

‘Why rich Nigerians should invest in technopreneurs’

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ANAGING Director/CEO of InfoGraphics Nigeria, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, has appealed to rich Nigerians to start investing in tech start-ups, adding that there is no basis to fear about return on investment (RoI).

According to him, most studies have shown that rapid growth start-ups generate the most new jobs in an economy and require the highest amount of equity risk capital. He quoted Craig Mullett from the Branison Group as stating that a 2005 study of 37 countries showed that out of various sources of funding including debt, private equity, venture capital and angel investor capital, "only angel investor capital significantly positively influenced the propensity to be entrepreneurs".

Mba-Uzoukwu who is also the vice chairman, Demo Africa 2015 edition, said while all successful entrepreneurial hubs such as Silicon Valley, Boston, New York, Tel Aiv, Bangalore and Warsaw all have developed angel investor networks, which incubated start-ups rely on for financing, contacts and strategy advice, rich Nigerians are slow in stepping up to create the platforms and enterprises of tomorrow.

He said: "Interestingly Nigeria HNIs (high networth individuals) appear unaware of, disbelieving of, and/or uninterested in the latent potential of local technopreneurs despite the relatively low entry barriers to investors and a burgeoning start-up community. We recognise that the tech industry is still in early stage of develop-

ment.

"We must be intentional and aggressively so in looking inwards if we are to find sustainable and uniquely suited solutions to the challenges facing our country in the context of a 21st century global economy. Demo Africa is a great step and a new class of indigenous Nigerian investors must rise up and be counted because technology offers the most realistic stairway to a brighter future for Africa."

He said Demo Africa connects African startups to the global ecosystem, adding that the initiative "is the place where the most innovative companies from African countries get a platform to launch their products and announce to Africa and the world what they have developed."

A successful entrepreneur with proven capability, Mba-Uzoukwu, explained that several options are available to potential investors under engagement models, which range from business angels to venture capital and private equity, for funding technology startups.

"Whether it is purely a financial investment or a business decision to diversify business portfolio or an eagerness to join the next big game-changer, it seems pretty obvious that every savvy investor should have a technology company in his portfolio. Local investors who shun technology businesses today will definitely see the earliest pickings taken by their Western counterparts at ridiculously low valuations despite the apparent high

risk," he warned.

While describing technology as the fourth wave that should not be missed if Africa would hope for economic transformation, he said Konga and Paga are signposts of things to come with Nigerian entrepreneurs requiring an infusion of foreign blood in order to scale in the absence of local HNI interest.

He explained that investing in start-ups would soon be an investment option from banks to corporate organisations and individual investors. "By simple logic, if you have cash and have already made investments in real-estate, shares, other financial instruments, gold and possibly your own enterprise too, what can you do with any residual cash that you have? Invest in a start-up stands out as a good option - given that Nigeria is now a fertile ground for ideas and innovation, and being an entrepreneur is cool. And if you are wondering if any have been successful, just look at Interswitch, Hotelsng, M-Tech, IrokoTV, and Jobberman."

According to him, the technology start-up industry has never been more vibrant with ideas and willingness to tread the uncharted waters and a burning desire to bring change to the communities in which they exist. "There is a smoldering fire in the eyes of Nigerian youths that view technology as a means of self-expression, actualisation and a driver for creating the Nigeria of their dreams," he said.

Airtel unveils Touching Lives Season 2

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IRTEL has announced the commencement of the second edition of the initiative, which has been described by many as a ground-breaking approach to Corporate Social Investment.

The initiative is focused on empowering, uplifting and creating lifechanging opportunities for underprivileged individuals, communities and groups in the Nigerian society.

Speaking in Ikoyi, Lagos, to mark the commencement of the second edition, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said the telco is rolling out the second edition of the programme based on the monumental successes recorded with the first edition.

According to him, Airtel went the length and breadth of the country, last year, scouting for people who needed help and for causes to support, noting that "the journey yielded great results as we touched the lives of many Nigerians.

He also noted that the initiative marks a significant milestone in the company's history of CSR interventions just as it perfectly aligns with the telco's vision of connecting Nige-

rians to their dreams, enriching lives, uplifting people and creating prosperity for the people and communities we serve.

“At Airtel, we believe that for us to be a great company we must be a good company and we are very much committed to earning our social license - the love and acceptance of the people we serve, "he said.

The Season One of the Airtel Touching Lives featured 26 emotion-evoking stories, which brought to limelight the commitment and kindheartedness of Airtel in uplifting the conditions of underprivileged people across the Nigerian society.

The initiative is structured in a unique fashion that allows Nigerians to nominate disadvantaged persons who are in need of care or special interventions. Entries can be sent in via SMS, phone calls to the short code 947 or via email to: touchinglives@ng.airtel.com.

Also, nomination letters not more than 1000 words can also be submitted at Airtel Showrooms, shops and dealers' outlets nationwide. Interested people can also go to Airtel Facebook page and Airtel CSR/Touching Lives web page for further information.

Glo gives customers Wi-Fi roaming in 42 countries GLOBACOM has unveiled Wi-Fi roaming to give its teeming subscribers seamless internet connectivity when they travel to 42 countries.

The service gives the telco's subscribers who travel outside the country access to over 300,000 internet hotspots in 42 countries around the world.

In a statement, its Chief Commercial Director, Mr. Ajay Mathur, said subscribers on pre-paid and post-paid platforms will be able to enjoy exceptionally fast WiFi speeds on their mobile devices or tablets in popular locations such as airports, hotels, restaurants, stadiums and coffee shops in the countries where the offer is available.

"The Glo Wi-Fi roaming plans are like passes which grant our subscribers access to their favorite social media applications, websites or emails on any Wi-Fi-enabled mobile device or tablet.

It automatically connects them to thousands of hotspots when they travel," Mathur said.

According to Mathur, the service is available in daily and weekly hourly Wi-Fi plans which are affordable, easy to monitor and give the subscriber double validity. The daily pack costs N2,100 for one hour and has a validity period of two days, while the weekly pack costs N9,200 for five hours with a 14-day validity.

"Whichever pack the subscriber chooses, he is guaranteed the same clear and transparent rate across all available hotspots," Mathur said. He added that each purchased plan has a period of six months within which the subscriber can use it.

Some of the benefits the subscribers will be enjoying include internet speed three times faster than 3G, zero roaming charges, absence of contracts to use the service, zero fee for

•Chairman, Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga

cancellation and round-the-clock customer service.

The countries w here subscribers can enjoy this service include, France, United Kingdom, Germany, China, Japan, Canada, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, India, Austria, Belgium, Taiwan, Denmark, Ireland, Netherland and Russia.

Others are Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Israel, Luxemburg and Malta.

The rest are Martinique, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Reunion Island, Australia, New Zealand and Grenada Mathur explained that subscribers who wish to enjoy the service only have to download the Glo Wi-Fi roaming App which is available on the Android market and Apple Store.

Subscription is done via the app and

by SMS locally before the customer travels. Subscription abroad would incur roaming charges as the subscriber would need to activate his roaming service to download app or send SMS. He also said that the prepaid subscriber would need to load credit on his account to ensure he has enough airtime to cover his desired Wi-Fi plan, while the postpaid customer simply subscribes for the desired plan from the App and the cost associated with the plan will be reflected in his monthly bill.

Familyparliament.com makes debut FAMILY booster international has announced the birth of a brand new family forum focusing solely on family matters. The site is known as familyparliament.com Its founder Bisi Adewale, said the forum is a family focused site designed to heal wound in relationships and marriages and help correct negative cases which are common in the family and society today. He said the online platform will provide avenue through discussions on how to stop the high rate of divorces, wives battering, child abuse, sex abuse, child neglect, child labour, and all other social ills According to him, familyparliament.com will be the

melting point of all that have desire for a great relationship, better marriage and serve as a place to heal the family right from the home.

Adewale explained that the platform is open to people of all ages, married or single, parents, students and others.

"Get online become a member of what is set to become Africa's number one family forum, visit it daily to get deep wisdom of God for successful family life, you can ask questions for people to help you and you can also help people to solve their problems by answering their question on familyparliament.com," he stated.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 , 2015

e-Business

ISPON to banks: invest in tech start-ups

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HE umbrella body for indigenous software companies in the country, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), has urged Nigerian lenders to emulate their foreign counterparts by investing in technology startups.

As technology startups increasingly penetrate traditional banking segments, including payments, wealth management and billing, major global banking giants are not sitting on the sidelines. Six major American banks - Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo - have made strategic investments in 30 technology companies since 2009, according to data from CB Insights.

A statement endorsed by its President, Pius Okigbo, praised the banks for their foresights in funding various tech startups in the 1990s and 2000s such as Interswitch, ValuCard (Unified Payments Limited), ATMC, Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Credit Registry and CRC

-Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

Credit Bureau, all financed by various consortia of Nigerian banks.

ISPON suggested that a second wave of investments in tech startups would require the establishment of Special Purpose Vehicles [SPVs] following global precedents, as was the case with Citi Bank that incorporated Citigroup Venture Capital business through which it invested in i-Flex Solutions Limited, driving the "FLEXCUBE' suite of products to adoption by more than 100 financial institutions in over 40 countries.

Out of the six banks, he added, Citigroup has been the most active primarily through its Citi Ventures, which has invested in fintech startups ranging from Betterment, Jumio and Square. Goldman Sachs has already ventured into fintech startup with thematic investments across payments technology and big data finance.

ISPON urged the banks to study how Deutsche Bank is building a strong ecosystem for innovations and take a lesson from it. Deutsche

Bank would open three innovation laboratories in Berlin, London and Silicon Valley, as part of a EUR1 billion spend on digital initiatives over the next five years.

According to him, the giant German bank would help the organisation to develop new products and services from three global tech hubs, strengthening its ability to innovate and deepening relationships with smart tech startups.

He said: "Nigerian banks should take advantage of the huge innovation awakening that is sweeping across Africa and particularly Nigeria to refocus their plans and place their bets on fintech startups. It is particularly sad that no bank is participating in DEMO Africa, a flagship launch pad for emerging technology and trend hosted in Lagos in 2014.

Many venture capitalists from around the world were present."

Okigbo said DEMO Africa has already released a list of 30 technology start-ups from across Africa that will pitch at this year's edition of the event.

•From left: Product Manager, Washing Machine; Mrs. Taiwo Baju-Adesuyi, Director, Consumer Electronics, Mr. Kumar Sunil, Samsung Electronics West Africa; Managing Director, Fotobrush, Nigeria Limited, Mr. Sydney Onumajulu; Managing Director, Mr. Brovo Kim; and Head, Channel Management, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Chuck Ofoma, during the launch of Samsung Activ DualWash Washing Machine in Lagos.

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NIMC to deploy authentication, verification service link to MDAs, banks

HE National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said it has completed plans to deploy the National Identification Number (NIN) authentication and verification service link to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA's) and banks.

Its General Manager, Information Technology and Identity Database (IT/ IDD), Mr. Chuks Onyepunuka, in an interview, said the deployment was part of the commission's strategy to ensure the success of the proposed September commencement of mandatory use of NIN. According to him, all government institutions and agencies that require the biometrics of individuals to offer functional services or for security reasons are required by law to key into the NIMC National Identity Database for the purpose of identity management and verification.

He noted that NIMC has before now, deployed the authentication and verification service link to the office of one of the security agencies and would soon after extend to other security agencies.

The NIMC is now set to deploy a pilot phase to MDAs and banks.

Mr. Onyepunuka further said NIMC is discussing with the MDAs and banks to enable them ascertain the infrastructure to achieve the deployment of the

By Lucas Ajanaku

NIN authentication and verification service link to their various offices nationwide.

He said: "These institutions include the banks, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Ministry of Aviation, Joint Tax Board (JTB), State House, National Universities Commission (NUC), National Pension Commission (PenCom), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and many others."

At a commercial demonstration session held at NIMC headquarters, Mr. Onyepunuka said the verification and authentication of the NIN can be done at two levels: the online, which has two approaches, and the offline platform.

"The online version has the web portal approach used for NIN verification alone; while the desk top is a robust windows based approach that allows an individual or organisation to conduct the NIN, Fingerprint, demographics and document number verification," he explained.

He said that on presentation of the NIN or the fingerprints, the individual or organisation requesting such proof shall utilise the online National Iden-

tity Management System (NIMS) NIN verification service through the authentication and verification Clearing House to confirm such identity.

He added: "For the offline platform, on presentation of the National Electronic Identity Card, the individual or organisation requesting such identity, shall authenticate the identity by conducting a Match on Card (MoC) verification an irrefutable offline confirmation by requesting the person to provide his finger prints on a card reading device to enable the matching of the finger print provided with the finger prints stored in the chip of the National eID Card."

He further explained that the individual or organisation requesting such a proof has access rights and privileges to determine what category of verification he is allowed to conduct on the individual and what category of data he is allowed to view.

He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the over 400 enrolment centres nationwide to enrol for the NIN because no government agency/institution, bank, or insurance company, and others offering services and/or involved in transactions requiring the identity of an individual, will be allowed to conduct such a transaction without first demanding for the NIN.

GADGET REVIEW

Sony Xperia Z4 S is par for the course with Sony devices, the Z4 doesn't deviate wildly from the design of its predecessor, but that's not a huge problem. The Z2 was thin, light, fast and waterproof; the Z4 is thinner, lighter, faster and... waterproofer.

We've seen this basic blueprint in some variation since early 2013, which makes the Z4 a fairly anonymous slab of plastic and glass.

That's not to say there's been no improvement since the last model, though. The Z4 is a noticeably smaller tablet, with slimmer bezels cutting its footprint down significantly. It now measures 6.57 inches tall (versus the Z2's 6.8), and a clean 10 inches wide.

The reduction in width represents a big step forward.

S o n y ' s trimmed about half an inch from the Z2, which makes the tablet much easier to hold given the screen's 16:10 aspect ratio.

Although the dimensions have changed a bit, the only real "wow" factor here is the weight. The LTE version I tested is just 393g (0.87 pound). For context, the Z2 weighed 439g (0.97 pound), and the cellular iPad Air 2 is 444g (0.98 pound).

Now this may sound stupid, but the Z4 is almost too light. Something about the lack of density makes me scared that if I'd drop it, it'd shatter into tiny pieces. The tablet's lack of heft and matte black plastic back just don't feel reassuring when compared to the iPad's aluminum or even the Nexus 9's soft-touch plastic.

Sony has changed a few things along the edges of the device, the most obvious being the removal of the Z2's magnetic charging pins and IR blaster.

It's also moved the micro-USB port over to the right side, and has managed to waterproof things sufficiently to negate the need to hide it behind a covering. Not having to deal with a fiddly piece of plastic every time you want to charge your tablet is a big plus.

There is still one flap necessary to achieve the Z4's IP65/68 water- and dust-resistant ratings, but it only conceals the microSD and SIM slots. Given how unlikely you are to swap out either with any regularity, it's really not a big deal.

Internally, you're getting everything you'd expect from a 2015 tablet.

A Snapdragon 810 chip with 3GB of RAM; a 10.1-inch, 2K panel; 32GB of storage expandable via microSD; a 6,000mAh battery; and the usual selection of connectivity options like WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC and, if you plump for the cellular version, Cat 6 LTE. What does all that mean? Well, as you'd expect, Sony stuffed the fastest components it could find into its flagship tablet, but there's nothing spectacularly exciting or new here.

Before we move on, a quick diversion: The first tablet Sony gave me failed its waterproofing test. Although there was no visible damage, some water had clearly entered into the display, as the tablet was receiving ghost touch inputs. The second tablet I received passed the same test with flying colors. Sony assures me that this was a pre-production unit, and that the issue is not widespread. As I've never had any problem with Sony's waterproofing before, I'm inclined to believe the explanation. For full transparency, though, it needs to be noted.

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Display, sound It's been some 16 months since I first laid hands on the Z2. Its 1,920 x 1,200 display still holds up as one of the prettiest I've ever seen, so much so that I wouldn't have complained that loudly if Sony had just stuck with it for the Z4. It hasn't, of course, instead opting for an all-new 2,560 x 1,600 panel, which is utterly gorgeous. It

uses the same Triluminos tech as the Z2, but ups both the pixel density and the maximum brightness. Blacks are deep; viewing angles are perfect; and colors are rich without being gaudy.

I struggled to find anything I disliked about this screen. Until, that is, I ventured out into my garden, put on an episode of Orange is the New Black and attempted to take advantage of a rare moment of London sunshine. The display is plenty bright enough, but thanks to the Z4's hyper-reflective glass, I had to shift the tablet around a lot to try and get a view unhampered by reflections. The Z2 had the same problem, and that nothing was apparently done to improve things is saddening.

Another cause for concern comes in the form of the subpar stereo speakers mounted on either side of the display. The audio they pump out is tinny and distorted, especially at higher volumes. I could make a dozen comparisons, but here's one that should illustrate just how bad things are. My iPhone 6's tiny speaker offers better bass response, cleaner mids and highs, is less distorted at every volume level and ultimately goes louder.

To state the obvious, the iPhone is not a paradigm of high-fidelity audio, and is easily bested by other smartphones like HTC's One M9.

Given the Z4 is a 10.1-inch tablet with a killer screen, the poor speakers feel like a big oversight. Whether that's a huge issue for you, though, really depends on where you're going to be using the tablet. Generally, if I want to watch or play something on a tablet, either I'm out of the house or the TV is taken. Because of that, I'm almost always going to be using headphones anyway. If you're likely to use a tablet in place of a TV or laptop, though, the audio quality might be a dealbreaker.

Software The Z4 comes with a modified version of Android 5.0.2. Sony can have a pass from me on not including Google's latest and greatest version, given that 5.1 wasn't publicly detailed until after the tab was announced.

That said, the custom Xperia interface hasn't really moved forward over the past year, despite Android changing massively in the same time.

All of Sony's additions are still present, such as the "small apps" feature, which lets you float a little calculator, browser, calendar, et cetera over regular applications, but virtually none of the Material Design tweaks that came with Android Lollipop have been integrated. The popup app drawer, the Google Now tab to the left of the home screen -- it's all missing, leaving the same distinctly dated experience as found on past Xperias. The only meaningful change from the design we saw last year actually came to the Z2 with its 5.0.2 update: The multitasking menu now offers large panel previews in place of the tiny row of horizontally scrollable icons.

I really don't see much of a problem with Sony's home screen changes. All the apps on the tablet are going to be up-to-date, and the software experience here represents Android skinning at its least offensive. One thing I do take issue with is all the apps that come preloaded with the Z4. The total number of Sony-specific software is comfortably into double figures, along with a slew of third-party apps. If I want Microsoft Office, Garmin Navigator or AVG AntiVirus, I'll download them myself. At least all the third-party software can be uninstalled, as can some of the Sony stuff. •Courtesy: HDTtest

TUESDAY,AUGUST 11, 2015

17

THE NATION

BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION

E-mail: ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

Rail unveils new train control centre

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HE modernisation of the op erations of the Nigeria Rail way Corporation (NRC) has gone several notches higher, with the unveiling of the Safe Train Control system (STC) at its EbuteMetta, Lagos Mainland headquarters.

Unveiling the equipment last Thursday, NRC’s Managing Director Mr Adeseyi Sijuwade said it was another feather on the transformation cap of the Federal Government.

He said at the touch of a button in the control room, the corporation could monitor real-time movements of trains on the tracks, with the aid of the On Board Computers (OBC) installed on its locomotives.

Describing the STC as the first in the history of the 115-year-old corporation, Sijuwade said hitherto its engineers and technicians relied on telephones to communicate with train drivers.

“Before now, we relied on GSM phones to communicate with our drivers. If there is any breakdown or accident or any other challenge, our drivers communicated with the engineers via the phones. There’s no way we can monitor all our operations at a glance. This will stop with the deployment of this equipment,” Sijuwade said.

He described the equipment as “globally compliant and top-of-the range,” adding that the roll-out will put an end to delays caused by communication breakdown between engineers and drivers.

The STC, installed and manned by a South African consortium, Ansaldo Gear Group and A3&O Ltd, according to Sijuwade, will enhance safety in operations and minimise the “human error factor” which had often led to derailment and collision on the tracks.

He said: “Among other features, the equipment enables us to monitor and control train speed, to avoid derailment and collision, and also enhance fuel economy. It promotes efficiency and ensures adherence to journey time by drivers, minimises damages to tracks and other infra-

Ogun to sanction haulage law defaulters

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

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•The expatriate trainers manning the new control centre

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

structure. It has the capacity to increase frequency of train movement, with consequent increase in revenue.”

According to him, the control system will also enable the corporation to stay ahead of the liberalisation agenda by making it possible for more operators to run trains on the same single narrow gauge network of the NRC. This is possible because the the movement of each train on the track would be managed and controlled from the control room to prevent a collision, Sijuwade said.

He said the STC, which is the first phase of NRC’s modernisation agenda, would be operated on its Western Line (Lagos-Kano) first, and all gray areas sorted out before extending it to the Eastern Line (PortHarcourt-Maiduguri) in the second phase.

He said some NRC engineers were undergoing training on the operation and maintenance of the system, with

a view to taking over from the team of expatriates manning it.

On the STC, the Managing Director of Gear/A3&O Ltd., Mr Sameh Abdelaziz, said his firm has appreciable presence on the African rail industry having executed similar projects in Mozambique, Kenya and South Africa.

He said the equipment, which transmits control signals through Radio Satellite Communication, would transform the Nigeria’s train system and enhance its efficiency and frequency.

From the control room, Abdelaziz said, the operators can monitor everything on the train, especially the speed, and control or stop any train if the driver refuses to heed signals transmitted from the control room to prevent any accident.

“The system also has checks and balances to prevent the intersection of two train operating on the track at the same time, thus promoting safe train operation on the narrow gauge.

The system enhances the capacity of the corporation to know where the trains are and be able to manage them effectively and increase the capacity to run more frequency efficiently within the system. This will bring optimisation of all the trains in the system.”

He said the project, which took about three years to actualise, captures the entire system from Iddo (Lagos) to Ijoko (Ogun) on the Metro Train Transit System (MTSS), and from Lagos to Kano.

“Overall, the STC system will enhance operational efficiency and improve safety of the railways,” Abdelaziz said.

Among top officials at the event were: the Director Mechanical, Fidet Okhiria, Director of Operations Mr. Niyi Ali, Director of Civil Engrineering Lasisi Ahmadu, Director of Finance Mr Felix Njoku, Deputy Director of Procrements Mr Ben Iloanusi and District Manager of the Lagos District Mr Akin Osinowo.

GUN State Government has said it will sanction truck own ers who fail to comply with its haulage commercial vehicle law.

The Director of Geological Services (DGS) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Steve Ipinniwa, said this during the enforcement tour of some private organisations in Ota and its environs by the agency.

According to him, officials of the ministry have begun enforcing the Ogun State Commercial Vehicle (Haulage Fee) Amendment Law of 2013.

Ipinniwa said the government would no longer condone the unwholesome activities of commercial vehicles operating for private firms, pointing out that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been empowered to ensure that stakeholders and concerned agencies cooperate with the government to halt the acts.

“Government will no longer tolerate any unscrupulous individual or groups, who print fake haulage tickets to enrich themselves, disguising to be government officials,” Ipinniwa said.

He said the enforcement would be carried out where necessary to nab hooligans who disguise as state government agents to collect haulage fees.

Ipinniwa added that the government has branded haulage stickers to checkmate the sale of fake ones and address double payment.

He enjoined companies to comply, warning that any firm found wanting would have their vehicles impounded.

Companies visited in Ota were Kolorkote Nigeria Limited, Nestle Foods, Nycil Limited, Tower Aluminum and De-United Foods Industry Limited, among others.

No going back on Sept. 1 speed limiter deadline, says FRSC

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EDERAL Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi has said there is no going back on the September 1 deadline on the speed limiter for commercial vehicles.

The enforcement will be nationwide.

Opeyemi spoke at the opening of the maiden edition of the four-day training organised by the Corps.

The yearly event was for members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) chapter of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG). It took place at White Sand, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, trailer park.

Oyeyemi said:“With the use of this device, especially by commercial vehicles, speed-related accidents are expected to be reduced to the barest,” oyeyemi said.

Similar training with the theme: “Drivers certification for safety on wheels,” was held at trailer parks at Ogere, Ogun State, Eiye-Nkorin, Kwara State and Suleja and Taffa, in Niger State.

The training also held at Mararaba in Jos, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Lukpanta, Warri, Oghara and Benin.

He said efforts by the PTD to promote safety consciousness among its members, especially given the unenviable accident-prone status of most tankers and trailers on the roads.

“The training, which would focus on

By Olalekan Ayeni

specialised knowledge for drivers to ensure they comply with international best practices, would complement the intensive patrol, and strict enforcement of traffic regulations as well as robust public enlightenment programme being pursued by the Corps to bring the situation under control,” Oyeyemi said.

Oyeyemi said it would go a long way in erasing the uneviable statistics, which indicate that over 120 lives were lost and several people injured between March and July, in crashes involving tankers and trailers.

He said the record also showed that tankers/trailers accounted for over 22 percent of the vehicles involved in crashes since 2012. A sizeable percentage of victims, he said, fall within the productive age bracket of the national population. The development negatively affects the nation’s economic growth.

Soliciting for continued support to make the roads safer, he said the FRSC was committed to attaining 50 per cent reduction in road crashes and fatalities by end of the year as contained in the Accra Declaration of 2007, and the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.

He advised truck drivers to fix retroreflective tapes on their vehicle, ensure the vehicles are fitted with good brakes and tyres before setting out on journey. He noted that the corps would

no longer allow rickety vehicles on the highways and underage drivers (below 27 years), or anyone without a valid drivers’ licence, to drive.

The PTD National Chairman, Comrade Salmon Oladiti, said the training became imperative because of the increasing involvement of tankers in accidents with attendant loss of lives and properties.

He praised the FRSC for providing technical support for the training, adding that the training was another demonstration of PTD leadership and members commitment to quality services.

The training, he said, will be regular and hold at locations where tanker drivers meet, socialise and rest. It will

be carried out and certified by the institution responsible for safety on the highways and address the three major components of tanker driving — “skill, health and ethics.”

He urged tanker drivers to cooperate to make the road safer for other road users.

Oladiti appealed to Major Oil and Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and Private Petroleum Depot Owners of Nigeria (PPDON) to support the training and retraining of tanker drivers to make the roads safer.

NUPENG President Igwe Achese said the training would enable the corps and stakeholders ensure, henceforth, an improvement in the

driving culture of tanker drivers.

“The training centred on safe driving and vehicle maintenance and the development is expected to reduce carnage on our roads,” Achese said.

He urged drivers to always embark on defensive driving when on the wheels and to be ambassadors of safety of lives and property.

He said: “Any driver that drives and arrives at destination is a good driver.” He urged them to ensure they possessed a valid drivers’ licence to be free from harassment.

“We are very happy with the resolution of the union that any tanker without speed limiter device will not be allowed to load at any depot in the country.

•Oyeyemi (second right), Achese (right); NATO National President, Ahaji Kassim I. Bataiya (centre); Oladiti (second left) and NUPENG Kaduna Zone’s Vice Chairman Alhaji Tijani Suberu, at the training in Lagos

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

18

THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

Customs develops single platform on goods clearance T

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has developed a single window platform to quicken the release of cargoes from the port, its Public Relations Officer, Wale Adeniyi, has said.

He told The Nation that the Service had experienced some hiccups with the scanners it inherited from the former service providers, adding that the challenge had been overcome with the single platform now in place.

He said: “The scanning machines bequeathed to us are not good because they break down most of the time. But the single window platform we have created is assisting us. Once you make genuine declaration, you don’t have problems with Customs in terms of releasing your cargo.’’

However, Adeniyi, who spoke in Dubai, United Arab Emirate, stressed the need for port users to consider the other support agencies in the ports,

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda From Singapre

which duties also impact on Customs’ operations. He advised other government bodies to adopt the NCS’s approach to facilitate the clearance of goods. ‘’But don’t forget that you have other agencies that have one or two responsibilities to perform before your goods can exit the gate because that is where they blamed the Customs for problems not created by us,” Adeniyi said.

On the pressure put on the Customs by the government to generate more cash rather than facilitate trade, Adeniyi said one of Customs’duties is to generate money for the government.

On how to make the ports viable

and justify their hub status, a senior official of the Federal Ministry of Transport, who spoke on condition that his identity be veiled, said the Muhammadu Buhari administration should reposition the ports.

This way, he pointed out, the seaports can generate adequate revenue to reverse the dwindling intake from the drop in oil prices at the international spot market, redress the rot in the ports and make them to be revenue spinners.

The official said unless the government takes a critical look at the human and infrastructural problems confronting the seaports and addresses them, it may be difficult for it to meet the hub status and would continue to lose cargoes to other ports in the West African sub-region..

The sea ports, the official claimed, are

• Nigeria High Commissioner to Singapore Mrs Nonye Rajis-Opara and Adeniyi at a Business Forum in SingaPHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA pore

not competitive and attractive. To him, some senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), some other government agencies and key operators in the maritime sector are not on the same page with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over the plan to make the seaports the hub of shipping and maritime.

Some of the agencies, according to findings, are yet to key into the single window of the NCS to facilitate the quick cargo clearance from the ports and boost trade.

President Buhari needs to put some measures in place to reduce human contact at the ports to make them the hub for shipping business within the West and Central African regions, he added.

The official, however, faulted NPA’s prediction that there would be a 5.9 per cent increase in the tonnage of cargoes coming to the Lagos ports, next year.

He said the figure was not based on ‘accuracy’, but a mere ‘fallacy’ because in some of the neighbouring ports, such as Cotonuo, Ghana and Togo, officials have adopted the epayment system and paperless transaction as championed by the NCS. “Nigeria is the only oil producing country where officials of Ministry of Finance will put pressure on its Customs Service to generate more revenue, rather than compel it to facilitate trade and make the ports more attractive for business.

“Before President Goodluck Jonathan left in May, nobody cared about the state of the multi-billionnaira old scanners bequeathed to Customs by the former service providers. They were less concerned that the scanners were not working efficiently, as they broke down every time and delayed the process of cargo clearance by Customs officials at ports and borders, yet, the last administration gave Customs about N1.2 trillion revenue target.

He continued: “During the last ad-

• Dikko

ministration, the pressure on the management of the Nigerian Customs Service to generate more revenue was so high that they generated almost a quarter of the nation’s annual budget.

Another bad side of it was that Customs collected over 70 per cent of the money from the two ports in Lagos without any corresponding development of the port infrastructure by the Federal Government.

“To move your cargo in and out of the Lagos ports is still a big problem till today. Therefore, where is the efficiency in our port operation if it takes a truck driver more than three days to pick a container inside the port and another two days to come out?

Whereas, in other ports, such as Singapore and Dubai, it takes them just about three hours to move your container out of the port. Even at Cotonou, it takes them less than a day.

“The government must know that the country cannot attain the hub status of West African vessel traffic if our ports are not efficient and the cost of doing business at the ports remains high. For example, terminal operation charges in the ports for a 20-feet container is N62,682, while that for a 40feet container is N87,682. The demurrage-free period at our ports is three days. Whereas, it takes truck drivers up to three days to access the port.’’

Ex-councillors, others seek priority for Maritime Academy

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to put the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom State on its priority list.

The Association of Former Councillors of Oron Nation (AFECO) made the call after a tour of the academy.

The group praised MAN’s Rector Mr Joshua Okpo for doing a “good job”, saying he has raised the infrastructure base of the nation’s sole maritime institution.

Addressing reporters in Uyo, the state capital, after the tour, the group’s President, Mr Okon Edet Iyohokwa, said it was not happy that past administrations neglected the academy’s development.

He urged President Buhari to assist the institution.

Iyohokwa alleged that the institution had been under funded by the government, adding that it had not been accorded the status befitting a special institution.

The group listed some of the challenges of the academy to include its non-listing by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), World Maritime University and other relevant international maritime authorities.

These, it said, had reduced its global status both at the international labour market and participation in relevant global protocols and conventions.

The group, however, was happy with the institution’s Rector for ensuring that MAN was affiliated to other recognised institutions.

“As former Oron councillors, we have for a very long time been concerned about the fate of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria. As a special institution like the School of Aviation Zaria, Petroleum Training Institute Warri, Nigeria Defence Academy Kaduna, to name just a few, we had hoped for a realistic provision of adequate maritime training for the production of the needed maritime manpower.

“Top in our worry is the realisation that MAN Oron is just beginning the process of affiliation and partnership with global maritime regulatory bodies, such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and World Maritime University (WMU), and there are other relevant bodies beside these two.

We feel sad that with over 30 years of historical sanction, MAN Oron lacks the academic and technical base to qualify cadets based on the Manila Convention, and our cadets are compelled to pursue their course completion programme in other maritime academies, in the world.

“We do not only find this unacceptable, for us, it is scandalous and seemed to be the height of executive inaction, and or, executive negligence.

Knowing the track record of President Buhari, we feel assured that his administration will provide the turning point for the academy. We also feel assured that with the incumbent rector’s track record, Mr. President will not have problems not only in getting his mandate and turn around

commitments properly executed, but also timely and expeditiously. As concerned stakeholders, we desire that MAN Oron must take its pride of place as an important component of our economy, and the time is now.

“Unfortunately, in the past 20 years, we have watched helplessly as the most basic training facilities and assets were not provided. It is clear that training under this reality in the past has been adhoc in nature and incomplete. Funding for the academy is inadequate and we are also concerned about part of the academy’s funding arrangements derived from a statutory five percent of the net earnings of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which is released to the academy at piece meal and at the whims

and caprices of the leadership of NIMASA,” he said.

Its Secretary, Essang Achibong, urged President Buhari to reposition the institution for better performance.

“We are happy and grateful to God that a man of integrity like President Buhari has ascended to power. We urged him to take more than passing interest in the affairs of MAN Oron in respect of holistically repositioning the academy, and we are very hopeful that Mr. President will afford the incumbent rector a second term appointment to enable him complete the very laudable clean-up programme and enviable developments projects he has started.

“We feel concerned that since the return to civilian administration in

1999, MAN Oron ceased to catch the list of important departments of growth and an agency of the Federal Government. Yet, this is supposed to be a critical manpower development platform for us as a maritime nation.

We feel sad that cadets that graduated from this academy end up being okada riders not because they couldn’t excel academically, but because critical gaps within their completion course content such as mandatory sea time training were not provided due to lack of training ships. They get stuck in the middle of nowhere, like medical students denied their mandatory houseman-ship. This is very painful and we look up to the administration under Buhari, to give the academy the lift it urgently requires.” Achibong said.

Dogara, Dikki praise terminal operators

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OUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Director-General Benjamin Dikki have praised operators at the seaports for improving their terminals with world-class equipment.

Dogara spoke at a conference on the review of port concession agreement, organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (IMEC) in Lagos.

Represented by the House Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Pally Iriase, the Speaker said the 2006 port concession had brought tremendous ben-

efits to the economy.

He said the average turnaround time of vessels has also reduced significantly.

“Since the concession agreement in 2006 till date, terminal operators have recorded some achievements as evidenced by the injection of funds for the provision of port infrastructure and equipment,” he said.

He listed the achievements, as “seaside operation, which has drastically reduced the vessel turnaround time at our ports, the perimeter fencing of all the terminals in compliance with ISPS Code and improved security of cargoes at terminals among others”.

Dogara charged the operators to do

more, especially in automation of cargo clearance, enhancement of cargo examination processes and rehabilitation of the port access roads.

Dikki also said the positive impact of port concession could not be overemphasised.

“Anybody, who has seen the port in 2006 and goes round the port today, will know that the concessionaires have made investment that ordinarily, a government cannot bring out from his budgetary allocations to support,” he said.

Dikki praised the Nigerian Shippers Council, calling for the quick passage of the Ports and Harbours Bill to reap the full benefits of the concession.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Privatising petroleum • Federal Government to implement a long-overdue policy?

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HE recent announcement by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) that the Federal Government wished to privatise Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries is welcome news, but there is a history of legislative inertia, union opposition and repeated delay to overcome before it can become reality.

The logic behind the push for privatisation is impeccable. For at least two decades, the country has been a living contradiction of an oil-rich country due to its heavy dependence on imported petroleum products.

This paradox stemmed from the decline in the output of its four refineries based in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna. In spite of the apparent interventions of successive military and civilian regimes, the country has been unable to get them to work at optimum capacity until recently.

The huge import bill led to the creation of a subsidy regime which has been riddled with poor regulatory oversight and corruption, especially after its dramatic increase during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan, when it allegedly rose from N300 billion to N1.9 trillion in the first six months of his administration.

Privatisation would create several benefits. It would take the management of refineries out of the hands of a discredited Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and put it in the hands of established corporations whose main aim would be developing the reliability that is vital to sustained profit. It would progressively reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products, and thereby help to end the corrupt sub-

sidy regime that is based on it. The longneglected downstream sector of the oil industry would expand as new players come in to take advantage of increased opportunities. That, in turn, would accelerate the growth of manufacturing, as the by-products of refineries become more widely available locally.

Before these benefits can be attained, however, several obstacles must be overcome. Perhaps the most prominent is the long-delayed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). First sent to the National Assembly in July 2012, the bill is meant to formally define institutions, relationships and responsibilities within the oil sector with the aim of ensuring faster growth and increased local participation and ownership. It has suffered repeated delays due to the supposed opposition of multinational oil companies, the emergence of fake versions, and an inexplicable legislative apathy.

The BPE claims that the passage of the PIB is vital to the implementation of the privatisation process. Even if it were not, it is difficult to see how such a significant policy could go through in the absence of the updated legal and regulatory framework provided by the PIB. Then there is the problem of oil worker hostility. Both the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have consistently expressed their opposition to the privatisation of state-owned refineries. They argue that the focus should be on increasing local capacity and disparage privatisation merely as an attempt to sell the nation’s

patrimony to well-connected cronies at give-away prices.

Given the blatant lack of transparency that has characterised previous privatisation schemes in the recent past, the unions certainly have a point. However, even they must accept that the current situation is simply too unsustainable to continue. Government control of the telecommunications industry did not result in efficiency or cost-effectiveness; the entry of privately-owned telecommunications companies has turned Nigeria into one of the fastest-growing performers in the world.

Government, too, must get over the unwarranted indecision which has only served to further complicate things.

Former President Umaru Yar’Adua cancelled the sale of refineries in 2007, after it had been approved by his predecessor, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Jonathan administration initiated a process of refinery privatisation in December 2013, but it went nowhere. It is to be hoped that the Buhari administration will succeed where its predecessors have failed.

‘The logic behind the push for privatisation is impeccable. For at least two decades, the country has been a living contradiction of an oil-rich country due to its heavy dependence on imported petroleum products’

DISCO debtors

•In view of their billing crisis, defending the N31bn debt by govt agencies might be difficult

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LECTRICITY Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in the country have done what they are best at doing again: release huge figures as debts owed by electricity consumers. What they have always failed to do is provide convincing evidence that the sums against many of their customers’ names are genuine. At least six of the DISCOs say they are being owed a total of N31billion since November 2013.

The Ministry of Defence and paramilitary formations are the biggest debtor, with a debt overhang of N15.5billion. Of the N7.1billion owed Abuja Disco, the Ministry of Defence is owing N3.6billion.

The military again is the worst culprit as shown in Kaduna Electric’s debt books, with over N5.7billion while the police, other paramilitary outfits and state ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) owe over N980million. The entire debt from public institutions stands at N6.7billion.

‘Let the DISCOs sanitise their billing system. Indeed, it is high time they expedited action on provision of prepaid meters; this is the only way out of the present billing crisis. It would be unfair for the DISCOs to make their customers pay for services not rendered’

On its part, Ibadan Disco is owed N5.2billion by the federal and state MDAs, with the military owing N3.9billion. Others owe the balance of N1.2billion. Kano Disco is owed over N860million, with the state and other MDAs owing N560 million, and military formations owing N260million. Eko Disco in Lagos is owed N2.3billion with the police, federal and Lagos State governments owing over N400million; military formations in the state owe N1.9billion.

Without doubt, this is huge, especially when it is realised that the record of debts owed to the other DISCOs in Port Harcourt, Ikeja, Enugu, Yola and Jos, by government agencies and the military was not included in the debt profile. But that is assuming that the debts are verifiable. Most if not all of the DISCOs still use the rule of the thumb billing method while crazy bills are still the order of the day. In the final analysis, these agencies may not be owing as much as the DISCOs are claiming.

The issue now would be how to determine what exactly they are owing even as we agree that it is irresponsible of them not to pay these past years.

Without doubt, we are against the idea of people or institutions using a public utility perpetually on credit because such impunity is a sure way of taking the service provider out of operation. It is particularly disturbing when the military occupies the topmost place in the roll of dishonour. Equally disturbing is the fact that the debtor agencies make provision for electricity supply in their annual budget. So, where could the money have dis-

appeared into?

But this is not the first time that these agencies would be accused of not wanting to pay for electricity consumed. In the Obasanjo years, when faced by a similar situation, the Federal Government decided to deduct the sums said to be owed by military formations and federal ministries and parastatals at source, to defray the debt. Unfortunately, that decision did not take cognisance of the unfair billing method of the time.

Much as we agree with the Director of Advocacy and Research for the Association of National Electricity Distributors (ANED) that: “…

President Muhammadu Buhari … needs to talk to his people from the State House to the State Governments to pay their bills …”, we want him to remember too that many, if not all of these electricity companies still rely on the anachronistic billing method of the past to determine what electricity consumers pay.

Let the DISCOs sanitise their billing system. Indeed, it is high time they expedited action on provision of prepaid meters; this is the only way out of the present billing crisis. It would be unfair for the DISCOs to make their customers pay for services not rendered. Just as it is not credible for the electricity companies that only doled out a whopping N5billion to the immediate past ruling party a few months back for its reelection campaign, to claim they do not have money for their operations.

That generous donation was not emblematic of business entities in distress.

Auditing the federation account

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IR: Forensic auditing is a critical and a turnkey process conducted on controversial accounting record. It is more of an investigation with security undertone than financial meaning. When the government announced it was going to conduct a forensic audit with a publicly named committee, there was no problem. If the named committee insist on going public with name of intended auditing firm, there is a very big problem with such.

Auditing is not a fool proof process with its holy grail. It can be a totally flawed process as compromising truth has become a culture in global financial system. On this, no country is exempted. The government has to ensure their processes are free of unwanted external influences. There is no being too careful with financial data in Nigeria as government is suffering from slack handling. Any proposed auditing must meet global standard, free of excessive tinkering with the committee that initiated such auditing process.

If decision that was meant to benefit the whole Nigeria is not free from political intonation, witch hunting could become a hobby and original intention misinterpreted and thwarted. It could give birth to endless finger pointing without real outcome. There is good justification for book-checking amidst cash strapped economy and shrinking current account balance. Illegal leakages need to blocked on time to avert quantum scale financial disaster. Surprises are yet to spring up if making the system transparent is the goal of any forensic auditing. Recovering looted fund is not an easy task, even from the deceased. Lessons should be learnt from the past as benchmark for caution on financial record handling.

As for the federal government, financial system needs sustainable neutrality, which is free from much wielded partisan influences. When standards are set, ensuring inclusive and balanced perspective is very necessary.

Auditing the financial records could be quite controversial if a probe is not conducted ahead of time. There is no limit to book cooking and extensive manipulation of records. The saving grace could come swiftly, if the government could allow the probe before auditing or do both concurrently. It will be cost and time saving for the government. The element of surprise and secrecy shouldn’t be eliminated for the search for truth as the security aspect of the forensic auditing will be more important.

With all accounting and auditing panoply of the federal government ready to probe past government, caution must be the watch word. Most horrendous of revelation are yet to reach the people. Perhaps the past administration has many procurement and expenses not included in everyday record for security reasons.

As democracy and governance is evolving so are the humans that engineer the progress.

It should be noted that as a nation, we are still under construction.

• Unekwu Peters Onyilo, Kogi State.

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 11, 2015

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: As attractive as most buildings in Nigeria are, they are discriminatory. I have had the occasion of venerating the Almighty in beautiful constructions and amazingly all of these outstanding structures do not have provisions for physically challenged people.

Have you seen any physicallychallenged person wheel themselves into your local places of worship lately? How can they, without being carried?

It is ironic that the ‘establishment,’ discriminates against those who are still alive and, those coming after now - who may be physically challenged.

How many places of worship (churches/mosques), have accessramp into their buildings for the incapacitated? The few disabled faithful who must come to seek the face of the Almighty no doubt would have to be helped-up and these persons hate to be helped.

They take delight in doing things all by themselves, but the state makes them look helpless and subjects them to leaning on persons for help.

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Discrimination against people with disabilities Aren’t handicapped priests and Imams also called for service of the Almighty, and how do they then negotiate the mosque and altar?

How about public buildings and our schools? Not even our university edifices take cognizance of this defect. Take a walk to the bank and conjure up how a disabled person will ever access these buildings. I do not see access-ramps provided for them. How about our residential buildings, with no accessramps for visitors that may be disabled?

How about our hotels? No accessramps with handrails as well.

Aren’t there people on wheel chairs who may want to go to the hotel for refreshment and leisure with their kinfolks? And when they do,

should they fret and see their condition as a curse or a blessing?

How many of these hotels even have raised chamber-pots for the disabled to use in their hotels?

Government needs to sensitize all stakeholders on the needful which are many: there is the need to find ways to increase the size of carriage lift in public buildings; this will help people who use the wheelchair; our transportation system, rail, road and air should have comfortable sections for people with disabilities (I am yet to see public buses designed with these people in mind); there should be special outdoor play area with good designs that will accommodate their interest (a lower basketball court etc);and even though we have sports for the

Oil price as Buhari’s albatross

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IR: Nigeria has been battling so many macro-economic problems such as low productivity, unemployment (with an army of unemployed graduates estimated at 30%, plus 1.3million jobs lost in Q2 of this year according to recent report by the national bureau of statistics), a general price increase etc.

Now the country is facing a daunting challenge of oil price drop. Insecurity too, has fuelled our economic woes. Economic activities in the entire north-east region and by extension, northern Nigeria, have gone to a remarkably drastic low ebb.

Will President Buhari with his change mantra achieve any meaningful change with the changing petro-economy?

Optimists will completely agree that multi-sectoral economic plan or diversification will be the saving

grace or leeway towards stabilizing the economy. It’s all about touching every facet of the economy. As an economy grows, its production activities and employment shares move from agriculture to industry and services, with the services eventually claiming the vast majority of the country’s employment potential. That is real growth.

Now that President Muhammadu Buhari has adopted the transformation policy on agriculture, it is heartwarming but countries are moving from being agragrian to industrial.Yet we cannot achieve industrialization without harnessing our agricultural potentials. Outputs from agriculture mostly serve as inputs in our industries, thus the need to develop it.

Diversification is indispensable to countries’ economic growth in the

long term. Nigeria has been heavily dependent on revenues generated from oil, ignoring other key area like agriculture, mining etc. jeopardizing our chances for meaningful and sustainable growth.

I strongly believe that our economic policy makers under President Buhari have a clear understanding of why diversification of the economy is necessary.

To address the negative effects of the decline in oil price on our economy, President Buhari must go with Obama’s lexicon of building ‘strong institutions’ by firm commitment, investment in critical infrastructure and a clear cut macro-economic policies. They are key to achieving meaningful economic growth.

• Ukegbu Chieke James, Owerri.

disabled coordinated by government, how have we integrated these into our homes and in public areas?

Construction companies should be thoughtful enough to include an all-inclusive design concept in their designs even if they are not suggested by clients and government planners and supervisors need to supervise buildings for these defects.

On occasions when I see high-step-

risers on entrances, dangerous for the elderly and children in public places I wonder which architect designed such buildings.

When I do not see bigger spaces in public places in between pews for the disabled or sections reserved for them and their wheels, I wonder which planner approved such buildings.

When I visit an eatery for rest and relaxation and do not see ramps for the disabled who are keen also of having treats, I wonder how insensitive owners of these places can be.

We need to get it right for everyone, after all; nobody knows what will happen tomorrow; young now and old tomorrow, if not handicapped.

• Simon Abah, Port Harcourt.

OYSG should rethink refuse policy

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IR: At the beginning, the refuse collection and disposal exercise started well by the current government in Oyo State during its first term in office. Refuse containers were provided and placed at some strategic positions in Ibadan metropolis and it went smoothly.

People complied fully as they dumped their refuse in the containers and were evacuated regularly by the workers in charge. One hardly saw refuse pile up along the roads. But all of a sudden towards the period of the last elections, there were no more regular clearing or evacuation of the refuse and the containers started overflowing. It used to take up to a month before the evacuation was done and at a point everything came to a halt. When residents were being disturbed by the bad odour of the refuse, they started setting them on fire which consequently destroyed some of the containers.

This was the situation until the elections. With the elections over, the government removed all the refuse containers while telling people not to dump refuse any-

where in the city, but to go and get registered contractors who will be paid to carry out the refuse collection and disposal for each household! And to enforce the order, people were being arrested on dumping of refuse at the so-called ‘prohibited’ places by the government. Presently, people still bring and dump their refuse along the major roads and in the river paths as well as any open space and bushes around.

Why should waste evacuation and disposal service become a problem for the government that clamours for clean environment or how much does it pay to the cleaners who do the work? By now one expects that almost every 500 metre square in Ibadan would have waste containers so that nowhere will be found filthy but reverse is the case!

Is the government to kill the poor people with all this pay-pay syndrome in this terrible economy or what else is the benefit of this democracy? Please change your stance!

•Ayoola Razaq Odogbo- Ibadan

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

21

COMMENTS

A

Commission (INEC) would KPABIO, Akpabio! pour cold water on the DSS supLet off that hail in The Nation position, but the immaculate Editorial Board suites, and you Ms. Ogar had spoken! probably would elicit equally passionNow, what was Mr. Akpabio’s ate but contradictory responses. reaction to these clear abuses, Commendation: a socially responsible though then he was both Akwa and historically conscious former goverIbom governor and chair, PDP nor, whose laudable education policy was Governors Forum? Perhaps as aimed at ridding his people of the muffled back then, as his hell“houseboy/girl and cook syndrome”, by Olakunle raising now is shrill! making education free, compulsory and lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola Sure, that would appear imattractive; and gifting his state monumenmaterial, particularly if the altal physical infrastructure, easily a genlegation is true — for, ad homerational reference point. inem, his preferred reaction does And condemnation: a brash narcissist, not affect the objective reality who always thinks he remains the issue. on the ground. But it pushes a Whatever he says, no matter how ridiculegitimate case that Senator lous, he tends to feel that, because he says temptible urchins that must take it or chuck it! Still, the least said Akpabio, for partisan motives, might just be crying wolf where on that the better: post-power PDP — and its workers — appear it, confers on it the wisdom of Solomon and the depth of Socrates. there is none. perfectly capable of carrying their cross!

That is Ripples’ honest sweet-sour impression of Godswill Obot Besides, the states under reference, Akwa Ibom (where Which takes the discourse to the Akpabio and Secondus latest Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom State, and newly Akpabio was involved as a partisan) and Rivers, are instructive. campaign on DSS’s alleged satanic activism on electoral officials minted Senate Minority Leader.

Media reports before, during and after the elections, in the two allegedly linked to contentious polls; and President Buhari’s That much is clear from Senator Akpabio’s latest crying wolf, states, strongly suggest probable cases of grave electoral suballegedly skewed anti-corruption war. over President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war, DSS’s version (with lost lives and limbs to boot!), with alleged crimiJust as well the DSS, through Lawal Musa Daura, its directoralleged partisanship in election matters and of course, the resnal collusion from ranking electoral officials and security agengeneral, has responded to the partisan allegations. It’s left to the tive Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staff, agitating against a 50 cies. public to decide the more credible — the accuser or the accused. per cent pay cut.

The tribunals are adjudicating the allegations. Still, the But, for Ripples, the issue is simple: a key security pillar of state “We can no longer run to the Villa for cash, so we don’t have Akpabio-Secondus tag-team is not deluded enough to think that becoming a partisan rod, does no one no good. Under President the wherewithal to maintain that large number of secretariat just crying partisan wolf would force the authorities to back off Goodluck Jonathan, DSS was notorious for such brazen abuse. workers”, Himself, Akpabio the Infallible, barked, in company those with genuine cases to answer?

By that same logic, it can’t be popular under President Buhari, if with Uche Secondus, acting PDP national chairman, at a press The alleged Buhari one-sided corruption war speaks of a parthat vile habit has continued. conference. “The workers should understand that they are in a ticularly virulent strain of political nihilism: accusation and If true, that would be a negation of building state institutions. master-servant relationship, in which you cannot force an uncounter-accusation soon democratically spreads the muck among After all, to paraphrase US President Barack Obama, strong inwilling master to keep a recalcitrant servant. We are definitely a gullible people, uh? stitutions deepen democracy, seldom strong personalities. going to downsize.”

Though the Presidency itself has given a fitting response, the It is, however, rich Mr. Akpabio is raising hell now. What was Pray, what was that? No, not the master-servant stuff in emstates where the PDP points a finger of guilt, Rivers and Lagos, his reaction to DSS excesses during the Jonathan presidency, ployment matters. That is trite, though a being less infallible are rather interesting. when “golden girl” Marilyn Ogar became the stylish “Charlie’s would sure have been sweeter, less stark and less combative.

Even under PDP banners, Rivers under Rotimi Amaechi, from Angel” (remember that American crime-busting TV series, that Rather, it was the bit about running to the Villa for cash. Was all objective analysis, had a lot going for it: its futuristic public aired on ABC from 22 September 1976 - 24 June 1981 — and that a Freudian slip? An Akpabio-istic hyperbole? Or a hedgeschools, its effective post-militancy security infrastructure bemuch later, via syndication, on NTA?) in the Jonathan and-be-damned combative war cry from He, who cannot be fore murderous politicking set in, by a desperate but doomed government’s unending war against the opposition? wrong? presidency; and its huge investment in physical infrastructure.

On 8 August 2014, Lai Mohammed, then opposition All Whatever it was, was the PDP dipping its hands into the pubThe allegations would, therefore, appear a once sweet song Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson, with Sunday Dare lic till to run its business, simply because it ran the Presidency? turned sour — without prejudice to whatever the probing auand Salisu Shuaibu, were celebrated DSS pre-Osun gubernatoMr. Akpabio’s dismissive roar tended to suggest such. thorities may find. rial election “prisoners of war”.

But even if it were just the impassioned hyperbole from the And Lagos under Babatunde Fashola? Arguably, in his 2007On the spot, a DSS trooper alleged Alhaji Mohammed always House of Akpabio, it was harmful no less: for the senator’s 2015 set, Nigeria’s brightest advertisement for democracy. “abused” Jonathan. Even, if abusing the president was a crime arrogant diction seemed to portray the rump of a regnant impuEven if he did nothing else, his clinical tackling of the Ebola — which it is not, though it may be tort if it is slander or libel — nity, that peaked in the power hubris, that finally smashed the virus remains a global reference. If Lagos — and Nigeria — when did DSS become the courts to settle the matter in a onePDP Humpty Dumpty. didn’t collapse under Ebola, Fashola earned all the plaudits. way adjudication of summary arrest? But Ms Ogar soon moved Imagine referring to your own party workers as near-conPre-Ebola, his place, in sane and responsible governance, was in to clear the air: those in the net were nabbed for “loitering” secure: a tremendous blessing to his generation. Besides, how (another novel crime)! come Fashola ran Lagos with admirable pluck, that earned a ‘Rubbishing due praise is political nihilThe same Ogar swiftly moved in to canonise DSS’s illegal national reference?

— twice: the second, an open defiance of an express court ism taken too far. More than the target in- raids Rubbishing due praise is political nihilism taken too far. More order — on an APC IT facility in Lagos, brutalising the staff, dividual, the system loses the credible wrecking assets. The angelic Ms Ogar again weighed in with a than the target individual, the system loses the credible dream of a glorious repeat. plethora of “evidence”, suggestive of alleged electoral subverdream of a glorious repeat’ That is a loss a growing democracy can ill afford. sion. True, Prof. Attahiru Jega’s Independent National Electoral

R

epublican ipples

Akpabio and crying wolf

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N 1995, polio affected all countries across Africa and paralysed more than 75,000 children for life. The following year, Nelson Mandela launched a new campaign: ‘Kick Polio Out of Africa.’ His hope was that polio would follow the only human disease ever consigned to the history books: smallpox. Today we are one step closer to achieving that goal.

Today August 11, for the first time in history, thewhole of Africa reached one year without a single case of wild poliovirus being confirmed. Just three years ago, Nigeria was home to more than half of all global cases of wild poliovirus, and outbreaks in the Horn of Africa and central Africa in 2013 made some question the feasibility of global eradication.

Nigeria is the only remaining country in Africa still on the polio endemic list. However, there hasn’t been a recorded case since July 2014. Last month, President Muhammadu Buhari committed to ending polio in Nigeria and sent a powerful message across the country by vaccinating his own granddaughter. Once all the lab samples for the past year have been checked and surveillance standards are fully satisfied –Nigeria could be removedfrom the polio-endemic list.

Africa now stands on the brink of being polio-free. Our

‘Health workers have been the true heroes of Africa’s polio programme.

Daily, they overcome conflict, trek through marshlands to reach remote villages and build trust with communities to ensure that all children receive lifesaving polio vaccines.Community ownership and social mobilization have also been vital. Across Africa, we need to invest in and empower health workers,making sure they have the training, skills and incentives to continue delivering for our communities’

Africa’s great Polio legacy GUEST COLUMNIST collective efforts to combat polio have left behind important lessons that we must build upon to ensure that no child dies from vaccine-preventable diseases.

First, government leadership at all levels is critical to success. Leaders across Africa prioritised and resourced the fight against polio. We Dr. Matshidiso now have a blueprint to tackle other Moeti health and developmental challenges.

To protect the health and improve the lives of our citizens across the region, it is crucial for African leaders to deliver on the 2001 Abuja Declaration commitment to spend 15 percent of national budgets on public health.

Innovation is also crucial. In Nigeria, major investment in seven Emergency Operations Centres and a strengthened surveillance system enabled early identification of new cases and enabled a quicker response. The infrastructure set up for polio proved invaluable when Nigeria was confronted with an incipient Ebola threat and was able to quickly snuff it out in its largest city, Lagos.

Health workers have been the true heroes of Africa’s polio programme. Daily, they overcome conflict, trek through marshlands to reach remote villages and build trust with communities to ensure that all children receive lifesaving polio vaccines.Community ownership and social mobilization have also been vital. Across Africa, we need to invest in and empower health workers,making sure they have the training, skills and incentives to continue delivering for our communities.

Another model of success has been theunique publicprivate partnership that has driven progress against polio.

Working with governments across Africa and around the world, Rotary International, the World Health Organization, Unicef, the Centre for Disease Control and

Prevention and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have helped generate public, political and financial support for polio eradication.

Final and lasting success of the polio campaign in Nigeria and across Africa willnot be possible without life-saving vaccines. With the eradication of polio closer than ever before, leaders must commit to financing polio eradication, strengthening surveillance and improving routine immunisation performance. The first-ever Continental Ministerial Conference on Immunisation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this November will call upon every African health minister to ensure that lifesaving vaccines – against polio and other preventable diseases – reach all children.

The polio campaign in Africa has shown us that when we invest in health systems, strong leadership, health workers and vaccines, overcoming even the most difficult health challenge is achievable. A year with no new confirmed cases of wild polio in Africa is a step in the right direction for the entire continent – and certainly a cause for celebration. However, we cannot become complacent. Now is the time for us to redouble our efforts.

We have an unprecedented opportunity to make good on Mandela’s vision and create not only a polio-free Africa, but also an Africa where children survive and communities thrive. Let’s do it together.

• Dr. Matshidiso Moeti is the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa.

‘The polio campaign in Africa has shown us that when we invest in health systems, strong leadership, health workers and vaccines, overcoming even the most difficult health challenge is achievable. A year with no new confirmed cases of wild polio in Africa is a step in the right direction for the entire continent – and certainly a cause for celebration’

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

COMMENTS

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ROM any angle it is viewed, leadership is by no means easy. For one, it necessitates inspiring people or followership towards achieving a common worthy goal, notwithstanding the odds. For another, leadership tends to try the soul of whoever is entrusted with it because of the burden of responsibilities and obligations involved. Apart from providing the compass of direction for people to follow, a person in such an exalted but tasking and sensitive position is also required to be driven by progressive and indispensable indices like vision, mission, pragmatism and dynamism.

This is not to gloss over the requisite lofty values of leadership, including intelligence, honesty, integrity, accountability, trust, humility, discipline, diligence, common touch, patience, perseverance, confidence, courage, commitment, determination, equanimity, empathy, compassion and selfless service.

If truth be told, the aforementioned leadership qualities are the hallmarks of President Muhammadu Buhari. Since his assumption of duty, Buhari has been engrossed in the herculean task of rebuilding Nigeria from her political and socio-economic ruins. To this effect, he has warned that it would no longer be business as usual in governance in the country, especially with regard to inefficiency, corruption, mismanagement and impunity in public institutions and negation of the basic tenets of the rule of law, due process, human rights, justice and common good.

The President has also promised expectant Nigerian people, many of whom victims of terrible legacy of misrule, a new dawn where leadership will be exercised in the strictest sense of the word.

Evidently, within few months of being at the helm of our national affairs, Buhari has demonstrated the right stuff he is made of.

Apart from shunning the razzmatazz of affluence, influence, fame, extravagance and arrogance often associated with power, he has opted, to the delight of our popular masses, for a low-key life with his family. In this connection, Buhari has refrained from recognising the so-called Office of the First Lady, which, after all, is not provided for in our constitution, but rather preferred his dutiful spouse, Hajiya Aisha, to be simply known and addressed as “the Wife of the President”. In so doing, he has saved Nigeria billions of naira that were often frittered away through that office under successive regimes.

In the light of the current austerity in Nigeria partly caused by the decline in global crude

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N Sunday, August 2, it was reported that the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia state was razed down by unknown elements.

It does appear the new mantra of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state is “If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence and blame it on your opponent.’’

That members of the PDP would attribute the fire to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its governorship candidate in the April general elections, Dr. Alex Otti, was the most irresponsible and ludicrous accusation I have ever heard. As usual, nothing they did in the past and have continued to do in order to hold on to power surprises me anymore.

These are the same people who accused Otti of sewing military uniforms for a couple of men during the campaigns. They later sent armed men, who invaded his residence at Umuru-Nvosi in Isialangwa South Local Government Area of the state ostensibly to kill him. The same people whose thugs tore up Otti’s billboards, attacked his campaign events in Ikwuano and Ntigha in Isialangwa North Local Government Areas.

Again after the elections, when some unscrupulous officials of INEC in the state were arrested by security agents at the INEC headquarters in Umuahia with Card Readers and other electoral materials, PDP shamelessly said the suspects were working for Otti and APGA, in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Just last week after an unsuccessful assassination attempt was made on Otti in Abuja, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his media hands characteristically jumped on the matter, accusing Otti of making up the story so as to generate public sympathy even after the police authorities had confirmed the incident.

This is why their recent accusation about the fire at INEC did not come as a surprise.

I think this time they have finally outdone themselves. This time they have actually shot themselves in the foot. Having failed in all their previous efforts to derail the tribunal, the most recent being their failure to get Otti’s petition dismissed, they finally decided to

Buhari and his expectant people

By Okechukwu Emeh, Jr oil prices since last year and partly by the monumental corruption, mismanagement and impunity attributed to the immediate past regime, President Buhari has unfurled a number of laudable measures to cut the cost of governance in the country. As part of such measures, he and his vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, have set an example by slashing their salaries and allowances. Besides, their administration has shown keen interest in streamlining or merging some parallel ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government that are consuming billions of naira worth of taxpayers’ monies through annual budgetary allocations without showing much for their funding – no thanks to corruption and mismanagement that have militated against their workings.

So far, the mere fact that there is now pervasive fear and caution in Nigeria about being caught for official corruption since the inauguration of the Buhari government is not only a cause for celebration but also a major achievement. This is considering the ineluctable fact that widespread embezzlement of public fund is mainly responsible for arrested development in the country, as egregiously shown in economic and industrial backwardness, poor infrastructure and social services, mass poverty, chronic unemployment and alarming increase in crime and violence.

Against this backdrop, President Buhari has shown great courage and determination to combat this menace in all its ramifications by naming, shaming and prosecuting its perpetrators as a salutary lesson to others. Apace with this campaign is his administration’s implacable commitment to revitalising our ailing economy by means of diversification, human capacity building, agriculture, harnessing our abundant natural and human resources, resuscitation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), attraction of foreign direct investments, increased foreign trade, exploration of alternative clean energy sources, amongst others.

In a dramatic show of leadership sensitivity, Buhari not long ago authorised the release of a huge bailout of N713.7 billion, to enable 36 states of the federation offset their outstanding debts, including arrears of sala-

ries owed to workers in some states and commercial loans. Indeed, such an economic protection package remind us of social welfare initiatives formulated in the United States (US) during the extremely challenging times like the New Deal by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to cushion the effects of Great Depression of 1929/30 and the Great Society programme developed in the late 1960s by the administration of Lyndon Johnson in the heat of the deep divisions wrought in the country by racial segregation and the anti-Vietnam war campaign.

As part of the new beginning in Nigeria, President Buhari has reassured Nigerians of his irrevocable commitment to build an allinclusive system in the polity, including a broad-based government. This is encapsulated in his now famous statement that “I am for everybody and I am for nobody”, which has indicated his inclination to rise beyond the confines of sectionalism and the notorious political godfathers and cabals, in his determined effort to engender a new political society that will work for its struggling people.

To address the serious challenges of ethnic militancy and religious extremism and the accompanying violence, bloodshed and depredation in Nigeria’s trouble spots like Southsouth (Niger Delta) and the North-east, the Buhari administration is articulating longterm regional development plans for the areas alongside other geo-political zones that have their peculiar security problems like armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, piracy, crude oil theft, farmers-herdsmen’s conflict and cattle rustling. Recently, the President issued a directive for the immediate implementation of the long overdue report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the clean up and remediation of the crude oil – devastated Ogoniland. Earlier, the appointment of Brigadier-General Paul T. Boroh (rtd), an illustrious son of Niger Delta, as the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) by Buhari had elicited a groundswell of commendations for him from the key stakeholders in the region, including the former militants. This is just as the appointment of Major-General Tukur Buratai and Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd), all from the conflict-ridden

North-east, as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and National Security Adviser (NSA) respectively. Interestingly enough, with the recent appointment of the new service chiefs, our armed forces have intensified their offensive against the deadly Boko Haram sect with ample support from our neighbouring countries in pursuit of his administration’s vow to crush the terror group by December.

In a bid to improve Nigeria’s relations with the US, Buhari was on a four-day tour of that pre-eminent super power last July at the invitation of President Barack Obama. It is notable that part of the likely dividends of that newsworthy event for our country are possible relaxation of an embargo on arms sales and training of our military, provision of security and intelligence expertise in the war against Boko Haram, economic cooperation, trade, investment and assistance in tracking and returning of our looted funds laundered abroad. This is not to mention the pledges by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to set aside about $300 million to fight malaria in Nigeria, along with the gigantic sum of $2.1 billion being proposed by the World Bank (WB) for the rebuilding of infrastructure in the conflict-ravaged North-east.

In all, with the resolve of President Buhari to overhaul the governance system and its institutions in Nigeria for efficient and unfettered service delivery, it is self-evident that he is a purposeful leader with the overall interest of our fatherland at heart. Although the task of national rebuilding facing his embryonic administration would be daunting, especially in a formidably difficult time like this marked by the cumulative effects of economic plunder and rot caused by some of our previous regimes, the prospects of our expectant people reaching the Promised Land are not yet lost. While hoping that he would remain focused in his avowed objective to turn Nigeria around by delivering the dividends of democracy, the citizenry are called upon to be patient with and supportive of his promising administration. At the same time, they should close ranks, irrespective of ethnic, religious, political or ideological affiliation, in order to forge ahead with mutual tolerance and forbearance as a people with a sense of common national destiny. This is especially now President Buhari is leading us gradually but assuredly in the historic march of change towards the realisation of our Manifest Destiny as a great national community.

• Emeh, a social researcher, wrote from Abuja .

Abia election tribunal and quest for justice

By Nnanna Ijomah destroy the evidence that was supposed to be brought to the tribunal for forensic examination by Otti’s team.

Let us not forget that both the PDP and INEC previously conspired to refuse Alex Otti’s legal team access to those materials, in spite the tribunal’s order. So far they have got away with almost everything they have done. But let us see if they can get away with this one.

Iam not a lawyer but I know that there is in law, something called the “Theory of spoliation”. In a layman’s language, it says that ‘“when a party destroys evidence, it may be reasonable to infer that the party had “consciousness of guilt” or motivation to avoid the evidence”.

A good example of the application of this concept was a case in Texas, United States in 2013. It was a case named Brookshire brothers Ltd VS Aldridge 2013 . As reported, Jerry Aldridge had taken the bookstore to court for an injury he had sustained in the store when he slipped and fell. Aldridge with the assistance of his attorney discovered that the bookstore which had earlier refused them access to video footage of the incident, destroyed some video footage and withheld some from them.

The judge found that the evidence destruction and the refusal to provide the additional video constituted spoliation and as a consequence the jury awarded Aldridge $1million in damage. Even though not all spoliation inference may be warranted depending on the circumstance, in this particular instance of the burning down of Obingwa INEC office, the issue is whether spoliation cannot be rightfully inferred.

Long before the Abia tribunal started sitting, many in the opposing camp had wondered why Otti would not let bygones be bygones and go on with his life. My answer to that is yes, he could have done that, but it would have been a let down to the hundreds

of thousands of Abia electorate who voted for him. The truth also is that even though Otti is the one who filed the petition, the real people behind the petition are Abia citizens.

In doing so Dr Otti must have hearkened to the words of Ellie Wiesel, the Jewish holocaust survivor and hunter of German Second World War criminals who once said – “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we must fail to protest”. To which Martin Luther King lent these words, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle, the tireless exercise and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

Otti is a tireless crusader for justice but let the word go forth, loud and clear that he is not in the struggle alone. There are hundreds of thousands of Abia people both at home and in Diaspora who are with him, who believe in him and his cause because his cause is theirs as well.

Human history has always been shaped from numberless diverse acts of courage as exemplified by Otti and each time a man like him stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope which in time builds a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and injustice.

It is said that the cry of the poor is not always just, but then, the reality is that if we don’t listen to it, we will never know what justice is. There is a reason why hundreds of thousands of Abia citizens are crying and yearning for justice. There is a reason why they agonized and continue to agonize his electoral loss by trooping out to the tribunal venue each time it is sitting.

Ours over the years have been a country where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails and where one class is made to feel it has no chance be-

fore our justice system and to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them. Ours is a country where for too long we talk about election rigging. Something whose negative impact we recognize and condemn. An act which those who participate in it enjoy, those in power ignore and we the citizens acknowledge but tolerate.

As the case progresses, we will hope and pray for justice, as justice is the first virtue of social institutions, the same way truth is of a system of thought.As the legal jurist, John Rawls once wrote, “In a just society, there must be liberties of equal citizenship and the rights served by justice are not subject to political bargaining or the calculation of social interest.”

Those who committed the crime of burning down the Obingwa INEC office must be made to pay for this crime. If and when it is proven that this was an act committed by PDP agents, the tribunal justices must apply the theory of spoliation whether or not it is part of Nigeria’s case law.

I would urge for reinforced security for the honorable justices as well as the court premises. These enemies of justice are ruthless and are very determined to hold on to power.

• Ijomah writes from New York

‘Those who committed the crime of burning down the Obingwa INEC office must be made to pay for this crime. If and when it is proven that this was an act committed by PDP agents, the tribunal justices must apply the theory of spoliation whether or not it is part of Nigeria’s case law’

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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It is important that a dispassionate and unbiased understanding of the challenges affecting the effective delivery of a robust victim support system must be identified before any advancement may be made in attaining the best practice standards in our clime

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See page 40

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court has said the alleged Standing Orders forgery is the Senate’s internal affair. But, to the Inspector-General of Police and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the issue is beyond the Senate. To them, a criminal allegation of forgery cannot be termed the legislature’s internal affair. ERIC IKHILAE examines the issues.

•National Assembly complex

Is Rules ‘forgery’ Senate’s internal affair?

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INSIDE:

AN a criminal allegation of forgery be validly treated as an internal affair of the Senate? Are legislators immune from investigation under the Legislative House (Powers and Privileges) Act? Can the police be restrained from investigating criminal allegations against citizens on the sole ground that they are members of the National Assembly?

These are some of the questions awaiting the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/646/ 2015 and filed on July 23 by a Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, Gilbert Nnaji, is in relation to the allegation that the Senate Standing Orders 2015 was forged.

It was alleged that Senate’s 2011 Orders was secretly altered by some individuals to produce the 2015 edition.

The alleged forgery relates to alterations to Rules 3(3)(e) and (k), which were said not to have been amended in accordance with the provisions of Rule 110 (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) of the 2011 Orders.

While the 2011 Order Rule 3(3) (e) talks about manual voting and open ballot, the 2015 Orders allows electronic and secret bal-

‘Enforcing right to accountable govt’ -Page 37

lot voting in the election of the President and Deputy.

Also, while Rule 3(3)(k) of the 2011 Order makes it mandatory for all members to participate in the process of electing the President and Deputy, the reverse is the case under the 2015 Orders.

The 2011 Orders, Rule 3(3)(k) provides that: “All Senators-elect shall participate in the nomination and voting for President and Deputy President of the Senate,” similar provision in Rule 3(3)(i) in the 2015 Orders reads: “All Senator-elect are entitled to participate in the voting for Senate President and Deputy Senate President.”

Nnaji’s claims Nnaji is, by his suit, seeking primarily to ensure that the allegation of forgery in the production of the Senate Standing Rules 2015 (as amended), on which basis the Senate elected its current President and Deputy President, be treated as an internal affair of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly and consigned to the past.

It is his contention that, by virtue of the provisions of Section 30 of the Legislative House

‘How Akwa Ibom election was marred’ -Page 39

(powers and privileges) Act Cap L 12 Law of Nigeria, Sections 50(1) and 60 of the Constitution, activities and actions of the National Assembly cannot be inquired into by other arms of government within the context of the principle of separation of powers.

Nnaji, who did not address the legitimacy or otherwise of the controversial Senate Standing Rules 2015, wants the court to restrain the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), who are listed as defendants, from further investigating the allegation and taking steps to prosecute those found culpable.

The plaintiff stated, in a supporting affidavit, that although he first saw the controversial Standing Rules 2015 at the inaugural sitting of the Senate on June 9, 2015, the questions regarding its production were resolved during the Senate’s sitting of June 10 and 23, with the Senate President and Deputy, Abubakar Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu presiding. Saraki, Ekweremadu and other principal officers of the Senate are seen as major beneficiaries of the alleged forgery.

He further stated that the decision by the IGP to investigate the case, already settled inhouse by the Senate, was targeted at the Senate leadership, particularly Ekweremadu, rep-

resenting Enugu West.

Some of the reliefs he sought include: “An order of injunction restraining all the defendants, their agents and servants from taking any further steps or interfering in whatever manner with the legitimate duties of the Senate of the National Assembly, whether acting on their own volition or upon any written instrument from whatever source, particularly over the emergence of the leadership of the Senate in respect of its proceedings of June 9, 2015.”

Section 30 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act (LHPPA) provides: “Neither the President or Speaker, as the case may be, of a Legislative House nor any officer of a Legislative House shall be subject to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise of any power conferred on or vested in him by or under this Act or the standing orders of the Legislative House, or by the Constitution.”

Section 50(1) (a) of the Constitution states that: “There shall be:- a President and a Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.”

Should CLE recognise NOUN’s law degree?

-Page 40

•Continued on page 27

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LAW COVER CONT’D

‘But where allegation

•Senator Saraki

•IGP Arase

of forgery is made, it is for the court to reflect deeply whether it is not an allegation which the Senate’s Committee on Rules and of its Ethics can validly investigate

‘

•Federal High Court CJ, Ibrahim Auta

Is Rules ‘forgery’ Senate’s internal affair?

Section 60 provides that: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Senate or the House of Representatives shall have power to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure for summoning and recess of the House.”

Justice Kolawole’s position On August 4, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who had ordered the defendants to show cause why he should not grant the plaintiff’s ex-parte prayer for interim restraining orders against the defendant was of the view that the allegation that the Senate’s Standing Rules 2015 was forged was internal to the Senate which it should be allowed to deal with by deploying its internal mechanisms.

Justice Kolawole said the involvement of the police in the case amounted to the National Assembly allowing other arms of government to supervise or regulate its internal proceedings.

He threatened to void the investigation report produced by the police, which is now before the office of the AGF for further actions, should he find that the defendants took steps in relation to the issue after Nnaji had approached the court.

The judge’s positions were contained in a bench ruling he delivered on whether he should proceed to grant the interim orders sought (as canvassed by plaintiff’s lawyer, Peter Nwokolo) or first decide the issue of jurisdiction raised by the defendants in their preliminary objection. ”My view is that in relation the instant suit, the allegation which relates to the alleged forgery of the Rules of the National Assembly is not an ordinary allegation which the court can approach with a pedantic mindset. It is so, because the issues as relating to the Senate Rules or Standing Orders are firstly the internal domestic matters.

“But where allegation of forgery is made, it is for the court to reflect deeply whether it is not an allegation which the Senate’s Committee on Rules and of its Ethics can validly investigate and, within its internal proceedings nullify any of its Standing Orders found to be irregular and, to also sanction any of its members that is found culpable.

One of the sanctions is to recommend such a member or members to the defendants for prosecution.

“These are my thinking as a way to protect the integrity and independence of the National Assembly so that neither the Executive arm (as constituted by the defendants) nor the Judiciary should be allowed to pry into a matter which the National Assembly, as a legislative arm of government, can deal with, applying its own Rules and Standing Orders. ”This is to ensure that a dangerous precedent is not being set for the National Assembly, to have its internal proceedings being regulated, perhaps supervised by other arms of government of the federation (i.e. the Executive and Judicial Arms). “

Defendants disagree But, in their separate notices of objection, the defendants disagreed with the judge. They are of the view that the allegation of forgery was criminal in nature, which only the police, created under Section 214 of the Constitution, and acting pursuant to its powers under Section 4 of the Police Act, could validly investigate, without being hindered by the court.

IGP argued that the Senate Standing Orders

2015 forgery allegation was a criminal issue on which the police could not be restrained from investigating. He said the issue, which affects the integrity of the National Assembly and the country, was beyond what could be left for the Senators to address, deploying their internal mechanisms.

Also, the Office of the Attorney-General has said it was in receipt of police’s investigation into the allegation and would begin its execution soon. It queried the powers of the court to restrain either the police or the AGF from performing their statutory responsibilities.

IGP’s stance The IGP stated that from the investigation so far conducted, it has been discovered that the Senate was operating on a forged Standing Orders because there was no evidence that the 2011 Orders were ever amended before the introduction of the 2015 Orders.

He said:“The matter at hand is not simply an issue on the floor of the National Assembly, the matter at hand raises issues of criminality. The 1st defendant owes Nigerians the duty to unearth the truth behind the allegations of forgery.

“There are allegations of forgery of the Senate Standing Orders against some principal officers of the Senate. It is these allegations that the 1st respondent is poised to investigate. Forgery is a criminal Allegation. It is only investigation that can prove whether the case of forgery is true or false.

“There was no time the current Senate sat to pass the 2015 Standing Orders. Senators were, at the inauguration, just handed a document from the blues titled: Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended). “ He went on:“There was never any amendment of the 2011 orders by the immediate past Senate. Certain orders of the said 2015 amended Orders are inconsistent with the 2011 Orders. “There was never a notice written, calling for such amendment. Senators, who are complaining were never consulted before any such amendment.

“The first defendant has a duty and responsibility to investigate all allegations of crime.

To determine whether allegations of forgery are made out, who committed the said forgery and if there is forgery at all in the first place.

“Investigating the allegations and determining the culpability or otherwise of the alleged culprits will lead to a just conclusion of the matter. Non-investigation of the allegations will engender mistrust among the disputing sides.

“The first defendant is neutral in this matter. It has not taken sides, will not take sides and does not take sides on issues of this nature at all. Every Nigerian citizen can be investigated in all civilised countries, Nigeria inclusive.

“Investigating allegation of forgery can only strengthen the integrity of the Senate and the Senate leadership. The 1st defendant’s duty will be impeded by the grant of the reliefs sought,” the IGP said in his coun-

ter affidavit to the plaintiff’s motion for injunction.

In faulting the competence of the suit, the IGP faulted the plaintiff’s reliance on Section 30 of the LHPPA, noting that Nnaji is not the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, nor is he an officer of the Senate.

He added that the plaintiff is not aggrieved, he is not interested in this matter and that he is not accused of forging the amended Senate Standing Orders.

On whether the alleged forgery amounted to an action taken by the Senate in the course of performing its legislative function, which is covered by the LHPPA, the IGP argued that the allegedly act of forgery predated the 8th Senate as the plaintiff cannot prove that the 2015 Standing Orders was passed by the preceding Senate, because the 2015 Standing Orders was never made nor passed by the immediate past Senate.

“The new Senate has not passed any Standing Orders. As at the time of inauguration of this present Senate, no Standing Orders had been made. The practice is that, at inauguration, the incoming Senate uses the Standing Orders of the preceding Senate. The immediate past Senate did not amend the 201 Standing Orders. The 2011 Standing Orders have not yet been amended.

“It is the 2011 Standing Orders of the Senate that should be used. The former Senate President did not pass any 2015 Standing Orders.

The present Senate President was not in a position to have passed the 2015 Senate Standing Orders before his inauguration. The extant Senate Standing Orders are the 2011 Orders.

“It is only after inauguration that the current Senate could pass the Standing Orders.

What he (the plaintiff) is bandying about is not an authorised Senate Standing Orders. The so-called 2015 Senate Standing Orders are forged.

“It is at the conclusion of investigation that 1 st Defendant can determine whether the Standing Orders are founded or unfounded.

There are two Senate Standing Orders; one 2011 and the other, 2015. The 2011 Orders were used to govern the immediate past Senate,” the IGP said.

He argued that the court cannot grant the plaintiff’s prayer to restrain the police from performing its statutory responsibility of investigating allegations of criminal conduct.

He relied on the case of Hassan vs EFCC 2014, 1 NWLR (pt 1389) at 631 where it was held that “no court has the power to stop the investigation powers of the police or EFCC or any agency established under our laws to investigate crimes, whether there is reasonable suspicion of commission of crime or ample evidence of commission of an offence by a suspect.

Relying on the case of Fawehinmi vs IGP 2002, 7 NWLR (pt 767) at 606, the IGP argued that principal officers of the Senate cannot hide under Section 33 of the LHPPA to claim immunity from investigation. He noted that, in fact, Section 25 of the LHPPA supports his

‘

The new Senate has not passed any Standing Orders. As at the time of the inauguration of this present Senate, no Standing Orders had been made

‘

position on the issue.

Section 25 states: “Any person who prints or causes to be printed a copy of any Act or law now or hereafter in force, or a copy of any report, paper, minutes or votes or proceedings of a Legislative House as purporting to have been printed by the Government Printer or by or under the authority of a Legislative House or by the President or Speaker, as the case may be, of a Legislative House, and the same is not so printed, or tenders in evidence any such copy as purporting to be so printed having reasonable cause to know that it is not so printed, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of two hundred naira or imprisonment for twelve months or to both such fine and imprisonment....”

The IGP further stated that the court can only intervene where there are allegations that the police have wrongly applied its powers.

AGF’s position The AGF argued, in its objection, that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi (right to sue) to initiate the suit. It noted that by his averments, Nnaji has betrayed his true intention, which is to protect the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

It contended that it was only Ekweremadu and others, who feel their interests or rights would be affected by police investigation of the forgery allegation that could validly sue.

“We submit that the plaintiff can only seek declarations in court if he can establish that he has suffered or is going to suffer any injury on account of the investigation. This is a suit that should rightly be instituted by the Senate as an entity or, better still, by Senator Ike Ekweremadu, whom, by the plaintiff’s affidavit, at paragraph 27, identified as the ultimate target of the petition.”

The AGF argued that the court lacked the powers to “validly restrain other departments of government from carrying out their functions. The law is trite that where the plaintiff lacks the locus standi to institute a matter, reliefs and orders sought cannot stand.”

Observers are of the view that since the case will no longer be heard by Justice Kolawole, who has since ceased to act as the court’s vacation judge, there will be no need for the defendants, who have objected to his position on the issue in dispute, to apply for a transfer or appeal or file an appeal.

It was the position of some senior lawyer, who would not want to be named because the case was in court, that the issue of forgery cannot be rightly be termed an internal affair of any institution. They urged the court to be steadfast and stand up to protect the country’s democracy and the integrity of its institution.

The leader of a group, the Integrity Watch, Nigeria (IWN) Abdullahi Sariki, said this was not the time for the Judiciary to turn its mind against the mood of the society. He said the Judiciary must support all efforts to unravel the mystery behind the controversial Senate Rules 2015 in the interest of the nation’s democracy.

“We cannot because we want to allow societal peace, let some of these infractions to go like that. The Senate is an important institution in every democracy. So, we cannot afford to hand its leadership to people who are products of a forgery. It is better we dismantle this faulty foundation and rebuild than attempt to manage this faulty one. Of course, you know the consequences of a faulty foundation,” Sariki said.

27

THE NATION AUGUST 11, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY

Ortom closes defence at tribunal B

ENUE STATE Governor Samuel Ortom has closed his defence at the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi.

He told the tribunal that he resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and registered with the All Progressives Congress (APC) last December 9.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media Mr Teherv Agezua said a former PDP Nzorov ward chairman in Guma Local Government Area, Felix Agbaka and incumbent APC Nzorov ward chairman Adikpe Ezekiel testified for Ortom.

Agbaka tendered the governor’s resignation letter from the PDP. Ezekiel said he registered Ortom on the same date and issued him a membership card.

The ward chairman, who identified both the card and register, also stated that he wrote to the party’s council chairman notifying him about what he described as the ‘big catch’ and later took the party register to the state secretariat.

He also identified the letter he wrote to the local government party chairman. The letter, alongside all the other documents were admitted and marked accordingly.

The other respondents to the petition, the APC and Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), have equally entered their defence and called witnesses.

Agezua said the governor, last weekend assigned portfolios to his commissioners and special advisers. The governor made the announcement at the end of a three-day retreat at Benue Peoples House.

The exercise saw the appointment of the

former Managing Partner, Michael Gusa and Company, as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General.

Other commissioners and special advisers assigned portfolios are: David Olofu (Finance); Odeh Ageh (Information and Orientation); Emmanuel Manger (Works and Transport); Nick Wende (Water Resources and Environment); Mwuese Mnyim – Women Affairs; Professor Dennis Ityavyar – Education, Science and Technology; James Anbua – Agriculture; Arts, Culture and Tourism – Sekav Iyortyom; Youths and Sports–Onoja Lawrence; Housing and Urban Development -John Otokpa; Industry, Trade and Investment – Dr. Tersoo Kpelai; Health and Human Services –Dr. Cecilia Ojabo Gusa was born on May 27, 1967 at Mbakyan, Ugee Ward in Gwer Local Government Area, Benue state.

He started early education at Local Government Education Authority, LGEA Primary school, Agasha, 1973, moved to LGEA Primary School Abinsi, and completed at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Mission, R.C.M. Primary School, Taraku, in 1978.

Thereafter he proceeded to Gaadi Comprehensive College, Vandeikya, between 1979 and 1980 and later moved to Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School, Makurdi; 19801984, obtaining the General Certificate of Education, GCE Ordinary Level.

Mr. Gusa also attended the School of Basic Studies, Makurdi from 1984-1986 and obtained the Interim Joint Matriculation Board, IJMB, certificate in 1986.

He gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1987 obtained the

‘NBA NEC approved stamp, seal project’ •Schedules pre-conference meeting

By John Austin Unachukwu

T

•Ortom

Bachelor’s Degree in Law in 1990 and proceeded to Nigeria Law School, Lagos from where he graduated in 1991 and was called to the bar in the same year.

He was Counsel in Chambers at Lobi Chambers, Makurdi, 1992-1993; Principal Partner, Michael Gusa and Company, 19942005; Special Assistant to the Governor, 20057; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Poverty Alleviation, 2008-11 and 2013 to February, 2015 as well as Managing Partner, Michael Gusa and Company, before his appointment as commissioner.

•Participants at a workshop for senior police personnel on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA and) the Violence Against Persons Act (VAPA). See story on Page 39.

Disband courts-martial, says Falana

A

LAGOS lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged the military authorities to disband the two courts-martial sitting in Lagos and Abuja and discharge the soldiers on trial.

Falana said there is no legal or moral basis for their continued existence. To him, those who set them up have admitted that they led a military that was neither equipped nor motivated to confront the well-equipped enemy.

He, however, argued that the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, has questions to answer regarding the Chibok girls’ abduction, mutiny and demobilisation of the troops under the alleged false claim that the Federal Government had reached a truce with the Boko Haram sect.

The Lagos lawyer recalled that between September and December last year, two courts-

By Adebisi Onanuga

martial which sat in Abuja, convicted and sentenced 70 soldiers to death.

“The soldiers who were charged with mutiny had complained of lack of equipment to fight and the failure of the military authorities to pay their operational allowances.

“The allegation of the diversion of the troops’ allowances was confirmed by the military authorities who removed the General Officer Commanding the 7th Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army based in Maiduguri, Borno state at the material time,” Falana said.

According to him, the soldiers’ conviction embarrassed the Federal Government. This, he said, explains why the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth Minimah refused to confirm the findings of both courts-

martial contrary to Section 22 of the Armed Forces Act. “Thus, by refusing to confirm the findings, General Minimah deliberately denied the convicted soldiers the right to challenge their conviction at the Court of Appeal in line with the provisions of the Constitution and the Armed Forces Act,” Falana said.

The Senior Advocate noted that the military authorities decided to dismiss other soldiers accused of committing similar offences in the course of prosecuting the war on terror in order to avoid further embarrassment.

“In view of the injustice which characterised the exercise, we had pleaded with the authorities to review the exercise and pointed out that the decision to dismiss 1000 young men who had been trained to handle weapons was a threat to national security. Our appeal fell on deaf ears.”

HE mandatory use of personalised adhesive stamps by lawyers on le gal documents was approved by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Executive Committee (NEC), the association’s General-Secretary, Afam Osigwe, has said.

He said the approval was made during a meeting held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on November 13, last year.

The stamp, he said, is in two colours: green for lawyers in private legal practice and red for lawyers in employment with ministries of justice, other ministries, commissions, parastatals, agencies, banks, corporations, associations, among others.

Osigwe was responding to a statement credited to the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), which criticised the stamp and seal.

The NBA scribe, in a statement said: “While not trying to join issues with the Body, we respectfully wish to state as follows: The Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007, was made by the General Council of the Bar (“the Bar Council”), in the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the Legal Practitioners Act to make rules of professional conduct for Legal Practitioners.

“The Rules were made for the maintenance of the highest standards of professional conduct, etiquette and discipline.

The RPC 2007 is a Subsidiary Legislation made pursuant to the Legal Practitioners Act. Osigwe, said: “Contrary to the assertion in the publication that there is no enabling statute backing the NBA Stamp Scheme, Rule 10(1) of the Rules of Professional Conduct authorises the NBA to approve the use of the stamps.

“The Rule provides as follows: ‘A lawyer acting in his capacity as a legal practitioner, legal officer or adviser of any Government department or ministry or any corporation, shall not sign or file a legal document unless there is affixed on any such document a seal and stamp approved by the NBA. “For the purpose of the rule, ‘legal documents’ shall include pleadings, affidavits, depositions, applications, instruments, agreements, deeds, letters, memoranda, reports, legal opinions or any similar documents.

“If, without complying with the requirements of this Rule, a lawyer signs or files any legal document as defined in sub-rule (2) of this Rule, and in any of the capacities mentioned in sub-rule (1), the document so signed or filed shall be deemed not to have been properly signed or filed.

“The mandatory use of the stamps commenced on June 1. There is, therefore, no doubt that that the NBA followed the due process of law in introducing the stamps.

“We wish to state that the initial back-log in the delivery of Stamps to Lawyers has been cleared and stamps are now produced within forty eight (48) hours from the date of receipt of the application at the National Secretariat of the NBA. The stamps will only be issued to verified Legal Practitioners whose names are enrolled on the Roll of lawyers.

“There cannot be a better time than now to enforce the provision of the Rules of Professional Conduct which in the words of the Chief Justice of Nigeria ‘is aimed at providing a means of authenticating all legal documents, processes and letters that are prepared by legal practitioners duly qualified to practice law in Nigeria.

“It is important to note that since the introduction of the NBA Stamp scheme we have been able to identify several fake Lawyers who have applied for the Stamps.”

Meanwhile, the NBA will hold its 2015 Pre-Conference National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the International Conference Centre, Garki, Abuja, on August 23.

According to Osigwe, the meeting will begin by 2pm.

28

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

LAW PERSONALITY Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) has over two decades’ experience in litigation and arbitration. He is also an expert in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and corporate restructuring in the financial services, among others. In this interview with Assistant Editor BOLA OLAJUWON, Ajogwu, an author, speaks on the new appointments at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the need for efficient and effective reforms in oil and gas industry, the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the controversial oil subsidy.

‘Non-passage of PIB shouldn’t stop NNPC clean up’ W

HAT is your position on the appoint ments made so far in the oil and gas sector by the President, specifically in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)?

First of all, I must say that President Muhammadu Buhari has made a well-thoughtout appointment in the person of Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, and I say this for so many reasons. The President has made a promise to the people of this country that he would be embarking on reforms within the oil and gas industry. It is important to note that these are qualitative reforms that will need to cover more than 80 per cent of the revenue base of the country. So, it is a crucial sector, and it means that whoever would drive the reform has to be first and foremost, somebody who has integrity, is competent, has the wherewithal, good understanding and experience of how that industry works productively; not just how it works but how it works productively. He must also be somebody who is business-minded.

There couldn’t have been a better person that comes to mind than Dr. Kachikwu.

Now, it is important to highlight that Dr. Kachikwu comes with him with a good degree of pedigree. He is a first class graduate from a university in Nigeria, and he held that record for more than 20 years, there was no other first class. He also graduated with LLM with Distinction from Harvard and a PhD, which he completed in record time from Harvard University. And what was his specialty? Petroleum and Investment Law strategies. And this is critical to what the NNPC ought to be in bracket, which it was doing and which it now need to start doing immediately. Petroleum and investment; that is what is needed. And these were his specialties. He hasn’t just bagged those academic degrees, he has also worked the talk in terms of industrial experience, having worked for Texaco Nigeria and Texaco Overseas for over 10 years, having worked for Exxon Mobil Group, risen to the point where he was not just a general counsel or being on the board, but also overseeing Mobil activities all across Africa. So that is a great deal of stamp of approval and from Mobil, who are partners with the Federal Government. There is so much trust invested in this man and I think it is a good decision to allow him come in and assist the President with the reforms that are needed in that sector.

What do you think of Dr Kachikwu?

I must mention that Dr. Kachikwu himself is somebody who has run something successfully: publishing as entrepreneur streaks in his blood, he is full of new ideas and has a good understanding of the contractual regimes of the NNPC. Now, it is important, because I know many would say, he is a lawyer, comes from a legal background. We must understand that the critical thing NNPC does is actually managing a lot of those contracts with its partners and getting the best for the country. Here is a man who has fingertip experience on those arrangements: production sharing; joint ventures and how they all work, having been on the other side of the partnership. He knows what the multinationals seek to do, he knows what their interests are, he knows what is good for Nigeria on the long-term, as well as the medium term and it is good that he brings all these experiences of over three decades, to bear on what the NNPC does.

I think that at this point, what we need to anticipate is a clean out of non-essentials from the NNPC; it needs to run not like the big elephant, sluggish elephant that it used to be.

But it needs to move limbs, needs to be efficient and productive. The NNPC needs to impact on the lives of its shareholders who are really the people of this country. It needs to deliver on the reasons for which it was established in 1977. If you have set up something for more than 38 years and it turns like the NNPC, it needs to be born anew. This is what I think and have a lot of confidence that Dr. Kachikwu

will do, with the able support of President Buhari, to ensure that there are no distractions or contrary policies that may impede the business focus of the NNPC. What are the specific legal areas you will want a reform in the NNPC? It is important to understand that NNPC was reorganised years ago, starting from 1988 in strategic business units, covering the entire spectrum of the oil industry operations, exploration and production, gas development, refining, distribution, petrochemicals, engineering and other commercial investments. One of the things we need to see is a streamlining of all of these different units, to bring them to more manageable sub-divisions. Each one having what we call a “profit and loss” centre, where they need to be run efficiently and transparently. That is the first thing, to streamline the operations of the NNPC and you see that he has already started taking steps in that direction. The next thing is to improve the earnings of NNPC by the kind of contracts the corporation enters; they should be profitable and advantageous contract, not lopsided contracts in which the NNPC comes out with a shorter end of the stick, because that means Nigerians comes out with a shorter end of the stick. We need a better arrangement with the partners.

The third thing that we do need to expect would be transparency and corporate governance. No organisation can be successful, if there is lack of governance structures. It would just drift away.

How do you think NNPC should be managed?

An organisation like the NNPC should have all the ingredients of good corporate governance for which Dr. Kachikwu already draws from his three decades of working for multinationals, who are particular about corporate governance, and also himself being a fellow and director of the Society for Corporate Governance in Nigeria. It is an organisation dedicated purely to the development of corporate governance. We expect him to bring these to bear in NNPC, in terms of instilling proper corporate governance and that includes frequency of board meetings and accountability.

The board of NNPC over the past two years barely met, and you cannot deliver governance, if you don’t come together to sit and consider reports - management reports; financial statements; activities; operational activities and strategic direction of that enterprise, especially at the board level, which of course will then distill downwards of the whole organisation.

We also expect that he would look at issues of revenues and revenues that end up where section 162 of the constitution says it should end up: consolidated revenue accounts.

The NNPC needs not run as though it was owned by the managers. It is owned by the country, not the managers of the corporation.

It is a commonwealth and so we expect to see accountability to that commonwealth. In terms of overall culture change, we don’t want that iconic structure with its towers being referred to as towers of corruption. We want to see them as towers of wealth of the nation - that is what they represent. They should be towers of excellence, where the wealth of the nation is grown and preserved, not where it is dissipated.

We expect to see and know that Dr. Kachikwu will make this a reality. I don’t think that it is a dream that is going to take forever. There would be difficulties as with all other things driving change. There would be resistance; as we don’t expect good things to come easy.

But in all, from what I know and have read, I do believe that he is up to the task and would come with a fresh mindset, not the one bug down by bureaucracy and red tapes, but one that comes from results, being himself a result-driven person and an achiever. I see that he would want to continue with that same culture and not take anything less. That is what we expect to see, and I am confidence that

should be achieved for the NNPC. In the end, it would not just be the NNPC itself, but its workers, its board and the people - the collective owners - that would benefit from it. Then it would be a positive one for President Buhari and the people would see that he is matching his words with actions.

The Seventh National Assembly could not pass the PIB into law. Don’t you think that the NNPC will carry out its responsibilities at variance with what we have already in the PIB? We need to look at this from a very practical perspective. It was in 2000 that the Nigerian government established the Oil and Gas Sector Reform Implementation Committee in order to bring about comprehensive industry reform.

The committee’s members were charged to make recommendations for establishing a new regulatory and institutional framework within the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. That essentially led to trying to implement one of those recommendations, which is to harmonise the entire regulatory laws into a Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). I am giving this background to enable us see the journey of PIB. We are now 15 years into that effort and the first draft of the PIB came out in 2008. Seven years after the first draft, there have been several changes, modifications and all sorts. In 2012, the latest version was sent to the National Assembly by former President, Goodluck Jonathan. It stayed there for about three years, until on June 4, 2015, the House of Representatives passed the PIB. I must underline that it is yet to be passed by the Senate and, of course, yet to get the accent of the President.

Do you foresee the PIB being signed into law soon?

Fifteen years of waiting, seven years of waiting for the first draft, and I cannot predict how much longer it will take for the PIB to come out. People who want to achieve results don’t get bug down by this kind of lengthy processes, the PIB has taken this long because, as I previously said, it is like a big elephant, which is trying to fly because it is difficult to take off.

It includes so many things, and I am sure you would see that there are issues in the version passed by the House of Representatives on June 4, 2015, with definition of what is an oil producing community and so many other things.

I think that in seeking to bring everything into one bill, it became too complicated and too many stakeholders disagreeing over too many things. Also keep in mind that while this delay is happening, the NNPC needs to carry on, revenues needs to be earned for the country to continue and so, it doesn’t wait for this PIB, and I don’t expect that the activities or clean-up at the NNPC should wait for the PIB. In any case, I don’t that is the plan of those who want to clean up the place. I expect that within the existing legal framework, and it should be kept in mind, we are not operating in vacuum. The NNPC is a creation of Statute, it’s an Act; it defines how things should be done. The problem hasn’t really been that the legal framework itself is defective; it’s implementation and sanctioning of breaches of the existing framework that has led to the journey-to-nowhere.

What I expect from Dr. Kachikwu, which I have a lot of hope and confidence, is that working within the existing framework, he would bring transparency, decency, efficiency and proper governance to bear on NNPC, as it is. If and when the PIB is passed, and becomes the Petroleum Industry Act, the NNPC can work it.

I have no doubt in my mind that the activities of the NNPC will be aligned in compliance with that law when it becomes law. I do disagree with those who suggest that we should hold on until the legal framework being proposed becomes law. I would be a realist in this regard to say let us go with the reality on ground and make the NNPC a better corporation, rather than suspend the reforms and wait till the PIB is passed. Those would be my humble views.

•Ajogwu

How can the reform in the NNPC tackle illicit financial flows? And is there any need to seek for assistance from the international community to tackle it?

This is a very crucial question; when you look at the quantum, it’s because oil largely accounts for more than 80 per cent of our revenues and rarely qualitative activities, in terms of export and earnings. Whenever there is lack of transparency, questionable payment and oil theft, the money gets somewhere else other than where it ought to go. It highlights itself by the percentage of total; it becomes 80 per cent of all. It then seems as if that is a dominant place where illicit transactions do occur; it is simply because of the relevance. Oil theft goes with receipt of the money for the stolen crude and you will find that this kind of money will go in funny directions. Oil theft is one of the largest destinations of pipelines for illicit flows, and the minute we can tackle the corruption within our sector, we would drastically have reduced those kinds of funds. Would the NNPC led by Dr Kachikwu achieve that alone? I don’t think so. I think the corporation does need the cooperation of other institutions, like the Central Bank of Nigeria, which has already began plugging loopholes in the system and trying to make us compliant with money laundering regulations that are more or less global practices, if we want to be part of that system.

We must also realise that law always move slower than crime and mischief. So, if mischief happens today, you will need an amendment to block that loophole, and then the mischiefmakers look for another loophole and when they find it, they will use it for a while until the regulation blocks it. I must commend the Central Bank of Nigeria for responding without fear as they observe loopholes and gaps for illicit funds flow. The NNPC needs institutions like CBN, the organised private sectors, businesses, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and global partners to deal with this. I expect that with a man like Dr Kachikwu, who knows how to work in collaboration and partnership with people, we would be able to harness those synergies among those institutions to work together to tackle the common problem.

What is your view on fuel subsidy?

Fuel subsidy continues to be an issue, not because anyone wants to particularly punish consumers of fuel, but because of the quantum that every N4.3 trillion of our budgets, about N1.5 billion - more than 25 per cent - goes into funding fuel subsidy. This figure exceeds what we spend for education, health and other component parts, all put together. This is really a practical question that we must answer: do we want to continue on this? Or do we want to stop and take the hard and painful decision? I think that when we look at the strain it puts on our foreign exchange, external reserves, government revenues, we must understand that the role of government is to allocate resources to the areas where they are needed in an optimum manner, respecting the basic laws of economy, which is that there would always be an infiniteness of needs and demand, and indefiniteness of supply.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

PAGE 29

INSIDE ‘Shonga Farms doing just fine’

PAGE 30

Kogi jobs plan takes off

•Here are your stolen cows, says military task force commander, Col Ekulide

Peace returns in Plateau?

After about a decade of bloodletting, the Berom and the Fulani are helping each other to recover stolen cows - the main cause of their rivalry. Is ethnic violence over in the state? YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

I

N Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, renowned for ethnic volatility, the Fulani found a herd of cattle abandoned by armed rustlers in Tafan village and returned the animals to their Berom owner.

Also, in Kamam, another community in the council, the Berom chanced upon some wandering cows presumed left behind by thieves and handed them over to their Angas owner.

Such gestures are rare in the council where suspected Fulani often raided Berom communities often on allegations of stealing cows.

The new show of love between the tribes has been described as a significant departure from the past when cow rustling could never be traced and what normally followed were violent attacks by so-called unknown gunmen.

Is the new fond feeling a sign that the bitter rivalry is over?

The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis code-named ‘Operation Safe Haven’ coordinated the recovery of the rustled cows and

‘The new show of love between the tribes has been described as a significant departure from the past when cow rustling could never be traced and what normally followed were violent attacks by so-called unknown gunmen’ their handover to the owners. Commander of the Sector 7 of the STF in charge of Barkin Ladi, Col. Charles Ekulide handed over the stolen animals to their owner.

Col. Ekulide said, “When the owner of the cows alerted us that his cows had been rustled, we immediately informed the various Fulani community leaders to help look out for such cows. The cows were later discovered by the Fulani people and they contacted us. We then went there to recover the cows.

“No suspect has been arrested so

far; the criminals just abandoned the cows at Tafan village between Barkin Ladi and Riyom. But recovering the cows does not mean we will allow the criminals to go free.”

The Secretary of Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Barkin Ladi chapter, Muhammed Adamu said, “Our people just saw some cows wondering without anybody with them; we immediately alerted the STF and they came to discover that they were rustled cows. We had to ensure these cows were returned to the owners because it is the kind

of criminal activities that bring about conflicts, and we want peace in the local government.”

The proprietor of Ndang Farms, Joshua Ndang said, “I have only 59 cows and over 40 rams. The criminals came to the farms to remove all the cows and rams. I reported the incident to the STF, and...I am really overwhelmed they have solved my problems.”

In Kamam village, where a herd of 53 cows was also recovered by the Berom people, head of the community, Da Pam Dusu said, “I was at home when some children ran to me to inform me that they saw some cows roaming about without the owner, so I came out to see the cows and I asked the youths to ensure they gather the cattle in one place. Then we contacted the STF. “We decided to cooperate with the STF to recover the stolen cows because we have been enjoying a fine relationship with the Fulani in this village.

“We used to hear of attacks in some places, so we have warned our children and our youths not to cre•Continued on page 30

PAGE 31

Enterprise made easier

PAGE 33

Sanitising the oil sector

PAGE 36

30

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

T

HE recent visit of African Development Bank (AfDB) officials was another milestone of Governor Badaru Abubakar to tap from the huge resources available at such development institutions as AfDB. The visit which was at the instance of Governor Abubakar formed part of a broad strategy of building synergy with institutions to pursue the economic diversification promised by his administration.

During the visit AfDB Country Director, Dr Ousmane Dore who led the team of African Development Bank officials to Government House Dutse, disclosed that their visit was hinged on the desire for the bank to support the new administration to achieve its vision for the state. He said current revenue shortfall occasioned by the dwindling oil revenues from the federation account neccessitated the bank’s

Jigawa governor prioritises rural transformation

By Yusuf Suleiman

readiness to partner Jigawa on strengthening its public finance to boost IGR and reduce over dependence on oil revenues.

The Director, added it is the bank desire to assist in making Jigawa state economically viable, Dore said, the bank had already begins investing over 2.6 USD on feasibility study under African Water Facility for the Construction of Multipurpose Dam along HadejiaKomodougu-Yobe basin that would boost irrigation and electricity generation adding that the total cost of the project is $200m with 2016 completion period.

He said AfDB also introduced Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme on rice and sorghum production along Hadejia axis that would provide

‘The AfDB will rehabilitate agricultural and ancillary social infrastructure which include the 195km irrigation and water conveyance canals,105 hydraulic structures 250km of feeder roads, rehabilitation and equipping of five primary schools, two health centre and two community markets’ jobs, food security, rural access and infrastructural development for the rural dwellers.

Under the programme, according to him, the bank would undertake the rehabilitation of agricultural and ancillary social infrastructure which include rehabilitation of

195km irrigation and water conveyance canals,105 Hydraulic structures 250km of feeder roads, rehabilitation and equipping, Five primary schools, two health centre and Two community markets. Others were provision of nine boreholes and accessories, community

sensitization on good nutrition and hygiene practices to reduce child morbidity and mortality, establishment of one demonstration and technology centre, provision of a tractor, Harrow Tine Cultivator, Trailer Boom Sprayer, Pneumatic Planters, power tillers and combined harvester.

Dore said, the project’s benefits are to encourage all-year round farming, community Development, youth, women and vulnerable training programme under International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA)’s outreach programme geared towards making the self- reliant. The country director maintained that an estimated 45,000 farmers and Rural Entrepreneurs, 200,000 rural youth including existing or potential •Continued on page 31

‘Shonga Farms doing just fine’ D

ESPITE criticisms, Shonga Farms Holdings Limited (SFHL), located in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, is alive and well, the firm’s General Manager, Adebayo Sangobiyi has said.

Many Kwara residents, especially those in the opposition, had condemned the establishment of the over 10-year-old enterprise, describing it as a doomed white elephant. Others said state officials used it to siphon cash. Yet some claimed its produce was not available in the state’s markets.

Sangobiyi waved all that away, saying the entity is strictly a commercial concern whose “concept was for us to understudy the white farmers and by the time they are big enough, should buy us out.

That is why we have the Shonga Phase 2 called Alapa project. Our intention is to start the Alapa Project with the indigenes.

“I think Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has started it by selecting 10 youth farmers from each of the 16 local government areas of the state. The concept is to transform them to commercial farmers and they are doing wonderfully well.”

Mr. Sangobiyi added that Shonga farms business has been a success story, saying that his poultry farmers started from one pen

‘What we are concentrating on is how to benefit the immediate communities. We have brought a concept called out-growers to showcase these communities to others. Our intention is to extend statewide what we do and give back to the communities’ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

each.

“When the banks came in they did one more each for them and already today they are erecting pens on a daily basis. At the close of this year each of the four of them will be having 10 pens. If there is no market they will not be talking of expansion. We have depots in Abuja, Lagos and we deal directly with all the eateries.

“Now what we are concentrating on is how to benefit the immediate

communities. We have brought a concept called out-growers to showcase these communities to others. Our intention is to extend state wide in terms of what we do as give back to the communities.

We are in business in Shonga Farms Holdings Ltd. We are competing with other companies, so our concentration is how grow.”

He therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari to face agriculture squarely as it will lead to industrialisation with a concomitant transformation of the country’s

economy.

Sangobiyi said “wven at the national level the GDP will improve and we will do less of importation.

In Shonga we were the first to do major cassava chips export during Dr Akinwumi Adesina. We did about four or five shipments during that time.

“We were mopping up cassava from the entire state to do our chips.

More money was coming to the farmers. If we have a similar Shonga Farms Holdings Limited in all the zones, I tell you Nigeria will be a major challenge to America and Britain and our Naira will appreciate.”

On the strident criticisms of SFHL by some members of the opposition, the chief executive officer (CEO) described such as “most unfortunate.”

Said he: “We have heard that over and over again, so we are used to that tune. We are dealing with banks. Shonga was initially known as Kwasinbo, then it was under the ministry. It was solely owned by the Kwara state government.

“But later as time went on the then Governor Bukola Saraki found out that if the entire Kwara state money was sent to Shonga, it would not take the farms to his desired dream.

That brought about bringing in the banks. When the banks came in Shonga was moved out of the ministry. Banks will not tolerate all these bureaucracies; banks are in business, so when they invest

•Sangobiyi money they want returns.

“All this attitude changed and now Shonga was registered as a limited liability company and that was when the entity Shonga Farms Holdings Limited came up. It started with five banks namely the legacy PHB, legacy Finn Bank, GTbank, Unity Bank and Intercontinental now Access Bank.

Each of the banks contributed N300 million debt and N200 million equity and that was the take off of the proper Shonga Farm Holdings Limited.

“Since Shonga Farm Holdings Continued on page 32

Peace returns in Plateau?

•Continued from page 29

•From left: Special Guest of Honour, Hajiya Hadiza el-Rufai; Chairman, Sacred Heart Primary School, Mrs Ranti Audu and Chairman, Sacred Heart Primary School, Governors Board, Alhaji Mansur Ahmed during the 50 years anniversary of Sacred Heart Primary School, Kaduna

ate problems for us by going after Fulani cows.”

Owner of the recovered cows, Kawu Muss said, “My 23 cows were stolen by armed men...but because of the cordial relationship between us and the communities, the boy informed the [community] and they mobilised themselves and followed the boy to the direction of the gunmen. So, when the gunmen noticed that the vigilance group was coming after them, they abandoned the cows and fled into the bush.

“I have discovered that our resolve as a community to live in peace with the Berom as we used to be is yielding results, because since the Berom people can rise up to help the Fulani recover our stolen cows, I can see that the renewed peaceful coexistence is working well, and I hope it shall remain so.”

The newfound love between the Berom and the Fulani could be traced to the peace initiative of the Simon Lalong administration,

which has made peace in Berom a priority. The governor has also been personally coordinating reconciliatory meetings between Berom and Fulani leaders.

In one of those meetings, Lalong admonished both tribes to embrace peace, pleading with them to cease hostilities forthwith.

Governor Lalong also directed the immediate composition of a 14-member committee made up of seven representatives from each community. The committee was to receive the recommendations of other bodies set up to proffer a solution to the violence which has claimed no fewer than 300 people in the last two years.

Lalong equally directed the Police Commissioner, Special Task Force and the state security outfit, Operation Rainbow, to ensure the enforcement of law and order in the communities.

The government is committed to peace. Are the Berom and Fulani?

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

31

THE NORTH REPORT

Kogi jobs plan takes off A

NEW employment effort has started in Kogi State to complement earlier ones, the aim being to thin down the ever bustling crowd of the jobless. The latest measure, a partnership with South Korea, is called Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute of Vocational and Advanced Technology (NKFI). It is located in Lokoja, the state capital.

The project, in the works since 2013, has now taken off and will admit trainees in various skills.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Projects, Alfa Ibn Mustapha stressed the need for government to boost technological education as a means of reducing rising unemployment. He lamented the high rate of joblessnes, stressing that the only solution is to get the teeming youths to embrace vocational training.

Mustapha who commended Governor Idris Wada on the skill acquisition centre, said it will go a long way in preparing youths for self-sustenance. He said the National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB) will be involved in the certification of its students.

The centre has such departments as Automobile Engineering; Electrical/Electronics; Welding and Fabrication; and Internet Computer Technology, Metal Fabrication, Car Spraying and Diagnosis.

Plumbing will be added later.

Okewu Aroma Gabriel, Principal of the institute said the NKFI will be a fee-paying school, but not beyond the reach of the poor who the government is out to cater to in the first place.

According to him, “The state government saw that there was every need to provide vocational skills for the people of Kogi State, not only the youths but also the employed and unemployed Kogites to be self-reliant and re-

‘The staff, both management and teaching instructors, were all trained in South Korea. There are eight instructors and five management staff, all trained at the Daelin University College in South Korea’

•The institute

From James Azania, Lokoja

sponsible to themselves and to the society at large”.

He explained that funding is through Public Private Partnership (PPP), stating that the Governor has fully met all the obligations on the part of the state government in the form of its counterpart funding.

He further explained the extent of the involvement of the Korean government, through the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which is responsible for International projects, part of which is the training of the 13 existing staff at the Daelin University College, South Korea.

He said, “The existing staff, both management and teaching instructors, were all trained in South Korea. There are eight instructors and five management staff. We were all trained at the Daelin University College in South Korea.

“The instructors first went on a three-month programme at the uni-

•One of the workshops versity college in 2012. In July 2014, another enhancement training of one month was also undertaken, led by Professor Lee Youy Geol.

Besides that, Korean experts have

been in and out of the state for enhancement training of both the management and the teaching staff”.

Though not forthcoming on the

exact figure of the number of people that will be employed by the institute when fully operational, this reporter sighted over Continued on page 32

Jigawa governor prioritises rural transformation

•Alhaji Abubakar •Continued from page 30 small, medium and large-scale entrepreneurs, business associates who provided services to rural households would be in business all year round.

He said the twin programmes under Agricultural transformation programme i.e commodity value chain on Rice and sorghum and Community development programme and infrastructural development, would cost the bank an estimated sum of N2bn which would be co-financed by Jigawa State and the Bank with the state releasing N43.4 million in the

first year. It would also undertake the input support on fertilizers, provision of agro-chemicals, office space and vehicle for the project as well as recruitment of zonal project staff.

Governor Muhammedd Badaru was explicit, apt and coherent in response to barrage of proposals offered to him by AfDB officials.

He told the AfDB officials to specifically assist him in developing agriculture and agric value chain in Jigawa State. He also asked the Bank to support skills acquisition for women, youth and vulnerable groups. Other request of the governor was the training of school teachers and health personnel that would man his proposed policy of establishing a Health Center in the state’s more than 270 wards.

The governor explained that he was worried by the state of the nation’s Economy. He said: “Coming from private sector, we see the need to work closely, considering the situation we are in Nigeria.

What has been happening today cannot continue, we have to develop an economy for the state that is subsistent; we have to develop businesses that would take care of the state” “In most states in Nigeria as you are aware, we are majorly relying

‘Coming from the private sector, we see the need to work closely, considering the situation we are in Nigeria. What has been happening today cannot continue; we have to develop an economy for the state that is subsistent; we have to develop businesses that would take care of the state’ on Federal Grants except probably Lagos, Ogun, River and some few states and that is what we intend to change” For Governor Badaru, the AfDB visit came at a better time and the state stands ready to discuss options available and where the bank could support the state to achieve its vision. The governor told AfDB officials that “For years we have looked inward on the best we can do. We have discussed with friends,

colleagues, and consultants, we always come back to the issue of Agriculture because, that is only need we have for now. That is our only strength, that, if well developed, we can have a competitive advantage and sustainability needed. For these reason, this administration is focused on human Development, and job creation through agric and agro value chain, that is what we have comparative advantage doing”

Governor Badaru noted the challenges of skills acquisition centre in Jigawa State which according to him was not made on the market-demand realities.

Thus, make it difficult for the trainees to operate in a highly competitive environment. He however pointing out that, his administration had sponsored a survey with the help of DFIDGEMS-3 to identify businesses that favorably accommodate the trainees so government can focus its attention on, saying that, henceforth skills acquisition programmes would be demandbased.

With this helping hand from AfDB, it is evident that Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar’s momentum for the new Jigawa State has started yielding results.

The vigor with which he is pursuing the change he promised the people of Jigawa state is unprecedented. As such, there is no gainsaying the promise ‘change’ is just day away to fulfillment. What is needed for the people to continue supporting the government and a little patience since it is said nothing good comes easy.

•Suleiman is an Editorial, ICT & Media Relations officer, Government House, Dutse

32

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT Continued from page 30 Limited started it has changed not only nomenclature, it has changed in administrative practice. So we are strictly in business. People expect all the continuation of the jamboree when we were we giving fresh milk to pupils, the government was doing that but the banks cannot afford to do that. At the inception the banks rolled out 15 per cent each totaling 75 percent and the state government added 25percent.

“But the tune changed as the banks were becoming handicapped kind of, they couldn’t afford to give money as at when due. As at that time Union Bank plc had the best agriculture desk, so we moved to that bank and negotiated with them and that was why the then group managing director, Funke Osinbodu came to the farm, saw everything herself and granted us

‘Shonga Farms doing just fine’ some loans.

So you can’t be on loan and be doing jamboree. We are open to all, but the unfortunate thing is that the kind of concept we are running is new in Nigeria. We came up with off-taker approach. When we started, we set out to attain a certain level of production and we were able to achieve it. When we got to where we were going there was nobody to buy our products.

We never thought of looking for somebody to buy the products before producing and we found out that people could not consume what we produced. That is when we were doing road shows all over the big cities in Kwara letting people know the products we had.

Kogi jobs plan takes off Continued from page 31 15 low cadre staff while on the premises, many of who were either engaged as cleaners or gardeners, while another two was later sited at the 800KVA power generator house.

Facilities on the premises, including a kitchenette, dining rooms, stores, guard houses, are pointers that the institute will take on more hands when fully in operation.

One of the instructors, Mr. Ada Amorley, of the Automobile Engineering Department said the aim was for them to train students to acquire skills to become responsible and useful citizens.

“The idea is for us to train our prospective students in the area of skill acquisition so that when they come out it is either they are employed or be self-employed,” he said.

The instructors look to introduce more refresher courses when the Korean experts hand over to them in about one month after the commissioning.

The Registrar, Omada Eneojo envisages that five years’ time, over 50 percent of unemployed Kogi youths would have been taken off the streets and become gainfully engaged as a result of the establishment of the institute.

His words: “This system of education in South Korea, both the educated and non-educated benefit from this type of training, and this I must say has added enormous value to their way of life. This, we are determined to replicate locally for the overall benefit of our people”.

The hand-over/commissioning ceremony of the NKFI will be performed by the State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, supported by the Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea Mr. NOH Kyu-duk, as contained in a statement issued by Mr. Jacob Edi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy.

The event he said will be jointly organized by the Kogi State Government, KOICA Nigeria Office and the National Planning Commission (NPC). The institute, the only one of its kind in the country, he said is part of the flowers of the governor’s transformation agenda for the state.

“It is therefore strategically located on the campus of the Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, to meet the dream of its initiators, he added.”

He called on the youths of the state to take the advantages that will be provided by the institute to improve themselves economically.

‘People expect the continuation of the jamboree when we were we giving fresh milk to pupils; the government was doing that but the banks cannot afford it. At the inception the banks rolled out 15 per cent each totalling 75 per cent while the state government added 25 per cent’ “The lesson that we have learnt led us to the off-taker approach system. ‘How does the off-taker approach work?’ ‘You will tell me what you want before I start producing.’ We started with cassava supplying the Nigerian Starch Mills Limited, which is the biggest in West Africa. It is located in Ihiala, Anambra state. We were supplying fresh milk WAMCO to produce our favoured peak and three crowns milks. We were supplying fresh to NUTRICIMA to produce coast milk in 10 percent local content.

“Equally our chickens, we had meetings with people that were supplying the big eateries and hotels to give us their consumption schedule per month. We signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). And that is what the banks want. They want to be seeing how their money flows. That is what changed our approach to business and that is why people started saying that Shonga products are not available. That is not true. Go to Shoprite or any eatery in Ilorin. If you eat chicken in any eatery you have eaten Shonga chicken.

“At a point we were throwing away as much as 2000 litres of milk per day, if you throw away 2000 litres of water people will see the impact. We couldn’t continue that way if we really meant to succeed.

We give our products to people with cold rooms and cold vans. I can see that the attitude of our people towards business, I don’t find it challenging enough. So our products are available.

“Likewise, for our milk, we lost interest in the production of yogurt. You can’t sell more than 1000 litres of yogurt in a day, whereas WAMCO wants me to give it 20,000 litres of fresh milk per day. It is a function of comparative analysis and if I want the banks to show interest in my business their money must be going back as at when due.”

He said that those claiming that the products are not in the markets in the state are only scoring cheap political capital of the whole issue.

“For four years I have a depot for yogurt in Ilorin, the state capital and I was throwing away yogurt every day. We don’t have the milk drinking culture. They are only making politics out of it. then I felt the best thing to do is to give the milk to WAMCO and we are all benefiting directly or indirectly. We

still have depots all over, people are not patronizing us and the next song they will sing is that they are not seeing our products.

“Chicken chillies eatery was selling our rice for years, Alhaji Dan Musa Gold rice was processing our rice. How many of this were they buying? Dan Musa was taking his rice to Abuja and Lagos.

The reality is that most of our people want free things or cheap things. We cannot afford to do that, we are in business. If Kwara state government wants it can buy parts of the products and do politics with it, unfortunately it does not have the controlling shares.”

The general manager the company and hitherto hostile villagers are now best of friends, as the SFHL gives some of the villagers free technology and skills.

His words: “To the glory of God we see one another as family members. There is hardly anybody in the communities that does not know the names of my farmers. But it didn’t just come out of its own volition. It came courtesy of the committee on community relations. We give them technology free of charge. We have allowed some of them who are excellent in their farms to work in the farms of the white farmers.

“We are transferring skills and subsidise whatever they want to make their farm grow. We even create out-growers for them. If you plant and you cannot sell we buy from you and put it along with our own larger quantity and sell to the larger market.”

Kebbi rice farmers to get loans

B

ETTER days are here for rice farmers in Kebbi State as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has concluded arrangements to give them loans in order to improve and expand their production.

A press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Abubakar Mu’azu said Governor Atiku Bagudu told residents of Kofa Kola that much when they visited him in his office.

The governor told the people that in view of the fact the state is number one in rice production in the country, the Federal Government

From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin-Kebbi

has directed the Central Bank to grant special loans to the state’s rice farmers to enable them exceed the ceiling approval for other states.

The governor was said to have promised that talk has also begun with foremost flour milling companies in the country who have reportedly agreed to make funds available for the expansion of maize, millet and guinea corn production in the state.

•Nigerian returnees from Cameroun with their luggage at Adamawa Red Brick Factory Transit Camp waiting to be taken to their permanent camp by NEMA in Yola

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

Page 33

Youths can now thrive in business after learning how to avoid its pitfalls, thanks to a workshop organised by the Redeemed Evangelical Mission and the Bank of Industry. OLUGBENGA ADANIKIN reports

•The beneficiaries

F

ew things can be as frustrating as setting up a business only to see it crash. Young entrepreneurs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) now know how to avoid such disasters and smile to the bank.

A partnership between The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) availed such youths and others a workshop at which the dos and don’ts of small businesses adequately explained. The forum dealt with such issues as how to get funds to start a business and whether you must have collateral before you can get a loan.

It was not the first time TREM would help business-minded youths who have little cash. Last year about 30 young persons were empowered with over N1 million to secure industrial sewing machines, industrial baking equipment and fish farming tools, among others. This year some business owners took advantage of the church’s Vision House Leading Edge Conference to learn how to grow their busi-

T

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has dissolved all its agencies and boards of parastatals in accordance with directive from the Federal Government.

The directive was contained in a circularý signed by the Head of Service of the Federation and dispatched to all the affected agencies and parastatals.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by Assistant Director/ Chief Press Secretary

Enterprise made easier nesses.

At the conference, representative of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Regional Manager, North Central, Jack Kings dutifully instructed the participants on how to get business support and run their enterprises successfully.

Kings gave reasons why small business owners often meet a deadlock. Some businesses, he said, die on the demise of their owners.

The solution according to him is to seek support from the BOI. He said, “For you to access BOI support, about 50 per cent of the business members should be Nigerians. There is also need for you to have stakes far beyond passion for the business.”

He went further to explain the need for financial discipline so that entrepreneurs don’t dip into their business private accounts.

“Are you passionate, energetic

‘For you to access BOI support, about 50 per cent of the business members should be Nigerians. There is also need for you to have stakes far beyond passion for the business’ and resilient in the face of challenges, If you fall, will you be able to still rise up and continue with the business?”

Entrepreneurs were encouraged to start businesses small and then

allow it to grow with time, so in case of eventuality, loss would be minimal. According to the expert, a short challenge could cause the entire downfall of the business if proper structure is not taken into

Agencies, boards dissolved From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

to the FCT, Muhammad Sule.

It read in part: “In compliance with the directive of the Federal Government on the dissolution of Boards, Agencies, Institutions and Government owned Companies, all Boards of the FCT Parastatals and Agencies stand dissolved.

“It may be recalled that the FCT

Administration had earlier conveyed the content of the Dissolution Circular signed by the Head of Service of the Federation to the affected FCT Parastatals and Agencies on Friday, July 24, 2015 with a reminder on Monday, August 3, 2015 to hand over all Government properties and documents in their disposal.

“Accordingly, the Permanent Sec-

retary, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, FNSE, has further directed that the Directors of Administrations and Finance (DAF) in all the Mandate Secretariats should ensure strict compliance with the directive of Mr. President.

“The FCT Administration will take appropriate measures against any official who flout the Federal Government’s directives.”

consideration.

TREM General Overseer, Bishop Mike Okonkwo described the conference as one participants would not forget in a while.

Those participants eventually got to know that it was important to create viable and realistic roadmap for businesses to attract BOI supports. In a sense, it is a way of saying or doing something positive, as the clergy advised.

One other simple success secret is the company being in proximity to reliable sources of raw materials. Also, the organisation should be a member of professional bodies or entrepreneurs association to gain needed recognition especially on funding.

On the possibility of cooperative societies seeking loans, Kings told the participants to disregard need for such. According to him, the BOI, “have suspended most cooperative societies because they are there to take advantage of the system.”

Clearly, basic reason for organising this conference is not far-fetched from the surrounding need to diversify the economy, create jobs, empower the youths and, above all, boost standard of living. In a situation where youths graduate from tertiary institutions annually but get no jobs, it becomes imperative to adopt a different approach to employment.

•Continued on page 34

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

34

THE NORTH REPORT

This baby needs help urgently C

HIMDUBEM Elizabeth Kezie is just one month old but one with a terrible burden. Her heart is bad, and doctors say she cannot survive unless an operation is carried out in India to save her life. Her father, Kezie Harry, a graduate of Business Administration from Enugu State University of Technology cannot afford that kind of money.

He said, “She was born on the 2nd of June, 2015, at Federal Staff Hospital Jabi Abuja. The doctors noticed she was not breathing properly and asked us to run an echo-sound on her, which we did on the 11th of June. The test came out that she has a hole in her heart, which is not the type that will close over time, hence we were advised that the only solution will be to carry out a surgery on her which will be done in India.

“For now we are working on an estimated figure of four million Naira (N4,000,000) based on the people who have gone through a similar case. [Another scan was scheduled at the National Hospital Abuja, and then yet another] After that, an official letter will be written to the hospital in India to get the actual cost of the surgery, cost of transportation, accommodation and so on.”

He also appealed to Nigerians to render assistance, in terms of finance, prayers and information that could be crucial in saving

‘The doctors noticed she was not breathing properly and asked us to run an echo-sound on her, which we did on the 11th of June.

The test came out that she has a hole in her heart, which is not the type that will close over time’

Elizabeth’s tender life.

“We have been able to get Nine hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N950,000) from individuals, because most organizations we intend meeting for assistance will need the details before they can assist us. If good-spirited Nigerians can assist us with finances, prayers and information that will aid us in carrying out the surgery successfully, we will certainly be grateful,” he said.

Elizabeth’s story, sad on its own, is another pointer to the deplorable infrastructure in Nigeria’s health sector. Definitely, if the operation

Continued from page 33 An executive committee member of the conference, Dr. Bisong Omare said there is need to make youths financially independent through empowerment.

He said, “We keep encouraging people not to get frustrated and make something out of their lives, rather than just sitting at home but do something for themselves.”

Should the government also partner religious bodies, Omare said it would go a long way to ending pov-

‘Council autonomy will spur growth’

T

HE chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon Ibrahim Daniel has said that local government autonomy as well as abolishing the joint state and local government system will stimulate development at the grassroots.

Reacting to the report of the autonomy granted by Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai to local governments in the state and the abolition of joint state and local government system, Daniel urged more states in the country to follow suit as it will bring development to the doorsteps of the people.

“The governor of Kaduna State is replicating what he saw as a minister in the FCT. He met one of the

Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

best practices of FCT administration and decided to take it to his state. The area council account in FCT has 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 development will reach to the people. For me, there should be only two tiers of government in the country, the local government and the federal

•Settlements like this in the FCT need facilities

•The baby

•Mother and child could have been done in Nigeria, the cost would be reduced and the chances of saving the baby’s life, increased. As it stands, unless a miracle happens, the survival of

government. The state does not have a jurisdiction, they exist under the local government. What you see is the capital centre being developed while the local government are left 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.

Elizabeth’s life will depend on whether her parents can raise the millions required before time runs out.

Cheerful givers around the coun-

try, donations can be made to Kezie Harrison Obinna, 2000430991, Zenith Bank. For further enquiries, the father can be reached on 08036715618

Enterprise made easier erty and foster job creation.

“Government has done well, there was Sure-P initiative that the previous administration introduced. The programme helped so many young people and cut down frustration ýwhen students finish school without job openings.

“So we want to help them and get them to do something for themselves. At least the nation could be a better place to live in.”

The organisers, however advised the Federal Government to look into past initiatives on job creation and perhaps consider ýthem if government found them useful.

“Normally, because money is needed, whatever you want to do, you definitely need money. We do empowerment programmes, give soft loans in the church to help young people instead of just sitting at home getting frustrated.

A

490 get free medical services

TOTAL of 490 persons including vulnerable children from 10 years and above in Tunga Maje, Gwagwalada area council have received free testing and vaccination against Hepatitis B and C organised by a civil society organisation, Elohim Foundation, under its free medical outreach programme.

Speaking during the event, the Project Director of the organization, 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 further 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 centres in the country is 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 behavior change communication, treatment literacy education, treatment support and adherence counselling services.

“This is in-addition to the followup with the non-positives who through the issuance of a vaccination card and text messages are re-

‘Government to provide access to treatment and support for infected persons as the cost of treatment at the very few available specialist centres in the country is very high’ minded of the need to complete their vaccination does appropriately,” he said.

Ibecheole however decried the low level of awareness of the disease and its treatment among the rural residents of the FCT, blaming it to non-inclusion of other stakeholders particularly the Civil Society groups.

One of the beneficiaries, Esther Jacob expressed appreciation to the organization for the kind gesture, pledging to take advantage of screening and vaccination.

Also during the event,cassava stems and special brand of potatoes called orange flavoured sweet potatoes rich with vitamin A were distributed to the community as part of the deliverables under a USAID funded CRS project called SMILE.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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ABUJA REVIEW

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HE president, Ministry of Defence Staff Agricultural Cooperative Society (MODACS), Comrade Babatunde Gbadamosi has said the federal government is not doing enough to strengthen the cooperative system in the country, saying that a well-structured cooperative system will eradicate poverty.

Gbadamosi made this known during the 10th anniversary of MODACS, ýat which he said that the need to help civil servants get loans prompted the formation of the society.

According to him, “government is not doing enough in terms of cooperative management, the co-

Fed. Govt. urged to encourage cooperatives Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

operative is structured that in every state you have Director of Cooperatives, you have people who monitor how cooperative should function, I think government needs to strengthen those areas properly, because if those areas are properly structured those offices will be able to properly manage and coordinate cooperatives.

“I tell people that with coopera-

tives you will eradicate poverty in this country, I am convinced about that, but that is if the government institutions that are to oversee these things have the manpower, commitment, and zeal,” he added.

He revealed that one of the things the cooperative does is to mobilise funds from all members to solve immediate need of members, stressing that the cooperative society has been able to empower its members through loans, acquiring electronic gadgets, land, houses, and even properties among others.

Politicians urged to shun sentimental criticism

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HE National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) Ambassador Dickson Akoh has urged politicians and others to remove sentiment from any criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that it is too early to lampoon the new government.

Akoh pointed out the dangers of such attack, saying it can distract Buhari and his government.

The PCN boss spoke in Abuja at the 17th anniversary of the PCN. He commended Buhari for the financial bailout granted the state governments to enable them offset the backlog of unpaid salaries and allowances to workers who are be-

N

ATIONAL Ameer (President) of the Muslim Students’ Society Of Nigeria (MSSN), Muhammad Jameel Muhammad has described as intolerable the continued denial and discrimination against the use of Hijab.

He spoke at during a courtesy visit to the House Of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker Hon Lasun Sulaiman who received them on behalf of Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

A statement by the National Public Relation Officer, Muhammad Grema Bukar quoted Muhammad as saying that since Hijab has never hindered the users from excelling in all fields, the Islamic dress code should not be denied anymore by any individual, organisation or even government.

“Moreover, as if the plotters against the Hijab are not contented with their unconstitutional act, some of them, he said, have gone ahead to advocate a legislation to totally ban the use of hijab in Nigeria on the pretext that it is used by terrorist as a cover to launch attacks on innocent Nigerians.

“Our query lies in the fact that, in civilised societies, few cases of abuse of something have never been used as an excuse to abolish such an important thing. We therefore call on you to sponsor a bill to enact a specific legislation that will criminalise the denial of the use of Hijab in this country.”

Muhammad expressed dissatisfaction over the action of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), especially in the recent time.

He said: “While we now have some sigh of relief for the timely intervention of the Federal Government on the Board’s imposition of course and institution on the candidates against their choices, we want the relevant authorities particularly the National Assembly to find whether the statutory objectives of JAMB is to generate revenue like FIRS, or to render a necessary social

ing owed for several months.

His words: “The PCN believe that Nigeria has passed through a phase and now has a growing opportunity for the desired change under the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We are of the view that it is indeed too early to embark on any form of sentimental criticism of the new government, as such posture is capable of distracting an administration that needs proper and careful planning before hitting the ground running.

“I hereby enjoin Nigerian youths, particularly members of uniform youth organisations, as agents of

change and social order worldwide not to join any dissenting force but align themselves with the Buhari administration in the onerous task of nation building.”

Akoh said the major task ahead is to work relentlessly to ensure the passage of the bill seeking for an Act for the Establishment of the PCN by the 8th National Assembly adding that: “You are quite aware that the bill which scaled through second reading in the 7th Assembly and was slated for public hearing could not be concluded because of the electioneering campaign embarked upon by the legislators.”

‘With cooperatives, you will eradicate poverty in this country. I am convinced about that, but that is if the government institutions that are to oversee these things have the manpower, commitment, and zeal’ The president disclosed further that in an effort to curb exploitation of civil servants by some banks and ‘kangaroo’ cooperative society ýthat it would be giving loans to members and non-members of the society.

“This is to take advantage of those civil servants who are not cooperators but who are being exploited by people who are giving them loans and outrageous conditions, because they are desperate they just take the money without looking at the condition,” Gbadamosi noted.

He also said the society intends to go into transportation as part of its effort to diversifying its investment, adding; “now the sector is fairly messed up, but we do know that if we have it in a real format,

we can do it properly, already we are in property sector, we have acquired land, and having it tomorrow our members at a very subsidised cost,” the president said.

Meanwhile, presenting his paper on Mastering your Income Expansion, the guest speaker, Mr. ýMuyiwa ýAfolabi said many people wasted a lot of years holding on to a wish without a way, noting that there is need to build a very strong foundation not wishful thinking and religion gyrations.

He added that expenditure thinking is synonymous with Nigerians, thus meeting unnecessary wants and needs, stressing that there is a culture that makes people in this country perpetually poor.

Group makes case for hijab

•Hon. Yussuff (right) with Muhammad and Yunus (left)

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

service-access to higher education. This is necessary given the apparent extortion of candidates in the form of sales of scratch to determine one’s posting for post UTME. We call for immediate refund of such monies.”

The National President expressed happiness that the leadership emergence issues of the House of Representatives have been amicably resolved in that a way that there is no winner no vanquished.

“In fact, we should say a win/ win type resolution. As we pray the same to happen at the upper chamber, we fervently ask Allah to make the happenings of the previous weeks avenues of knowing one another and knowing the job, which will ultimately usher in a more robust, a more dispas-

‘Our query lies in the fact that in civilised societies, few cases of abuse of something have never been used as an excuse to abolish such an important thing. We seek a bill to enact a specific legislation that will criminalise the denial of the use of Hijab in this country’ sionate and a more united National Assembly, despite multifaceted diversity,” he said.

He lamented the relegation of religious subjects in various academic institutions, saying that

“at a time when we seriously need God consciousness, decency, sacrifice among other virtues as antidotes to corruption, immorality and all social vices, it is sad that religion as a subject

is relegated to an elective status in our secondary schools. It is equally sad that general course of core status like Moral Philosophy have been made insignificant at a time when our higher institutions of learning are afflicted with cultism, nudity, examination malpractice, intolerance among other indicators of total moral bankruptcy. We call for a rethink and a quick review of this unpopular, inimical policy.”

Among the team that visited the leadership of the National Assembly include Auwal Yunus (National Secretary General), Bukar, Anas Hamisu Lawal. (National financial Secretary), Surajuddeen Abdulaziz (National Ex-Officio I) and Abdulhakeem Kolawole (National Islamic Affairs Officer B’Zone) among others.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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ABUJA REVIEW

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VERYONE now knows that the integrity train looks unstoppable. Sample: the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has stopped the lodgement of oil revenues into any bank accounts other than that of the federation.

Also in its efforts to fight corruption in the oil sector, the government last week disclosed that some stolen oil monies have been traced to some foreign accounts.

While it will only take days for the international oil thieves to be unmasked, President Buhari has also started to put in place measures to get refineries working again.

For corrupt and selfish reasons, the refineries have been made to remain comatose for many years, even as Nigeria lost millions of barrels of oil daily in the process of refining it outside the country.

At the centre of all these irregularities, oil theft and corruption in high places is the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which is seen as the chicken that have been laying the golden egg.

No wonder the restructuring of the organization towards efficiency engaged the attention of President Buhari last week.

Buhari on Tuesday sacked and replaced the former Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Dr. Joseph Dawha.

He appointed Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu to immediately take over from the former GMD with the mandate to restructure the corporation.

What he was expected to do include ridding the NNPC of corrupt elements; recover all stolen crude oil funds; work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Directorate of State Service (DSS) to trace and recover stolen oil money.

He was also expected to review the structure of the NNPC to compete globally, give targets to subsidiaries complete with performance benchmarks, and fixing all refineries to work at optimal level.

Within 24 hours of his appointment, Kachikwu has sacked eight Group Executive Directors at the helm of affairs of the Corporation.

The GEDs relieved of their duties include Mr. Bernard Otti (Finance and Accounts); Dr. Timothy Okon (Acting GED, Exploration and Production who also doubles as Coordinator Corporate Planning & Strategy); Adebayo

Sanitising the oil sector Ibirogba (Engineering and Technology).

Others are Dr. David Ige (Gas and Power); Ms. Aisha Abdurrahman (Commercial and Investment); Dr. Dan Efebo (Corporate Services); Ian Udoh (Refining & Petrochemicals) and Dr. Attahiru Yusuf (Business Development).

For efficiency, Kachikwu also trimmed the directorates from eight to four including Refining and Engineering, Exploration and Production, Commercial and Investment, and Finance.

To also properly scrutinize NNPC books among other agencies and remove any political undertone in the final reports, two audit firms are expected to be named this week to take over the function from the four man panel set up by the National Economic Council (NEC).

After allegation by former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi of missing money and incomplete remittance to the Federation Account by NNPC, the immediate past administration of former President

From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya

Goodluck Jonathan, after much pressure, appointed PriceWaterhouse Cooper Nigeria (PWC) to investigate the allegation.

The summary of the investigation as disclosed to journalists was that the firm found nothing wrong in the NNPC books except for $1.48 billion transferred by NNPC to one of its subsidiary, NPDC. With the fresh audit of the NNPC accounts, it is hoped that the true picture about activities of the Cor-

poration will soon be very glaring to Nigerians.

The ongoing efforts are not only expected to properly reposition NNPC but make all existing and upcoming refineries operate optimally for the benefit of Nigerians.

Efficient National Carrier President Muhammadu Buhari has not hidden his desire to have a

Residents seek health facilities

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HE residents of Adadu community in Kwali Area Council have urged the council administration to provide a clinic for them to resolve their health challenges.

Speaking in an interview, the chief of the community, Habila Joshua stated that the residents especially the women and children need a health facility, adding that expectant mothers usually deliver at their homes because the nearest hospital to them is very far.

Speaking further, he said that when there are complications, taking the women in labour to the hospital is always an uphill task.

“Our roads are very bad. So in order not to complicate the situation, the woman who is in labour is carried on someone’s back.

Normally, we use motorcycles for transportation but carrying a woman on a bike and on 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 clean drinking 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 roads 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.

•Gwari women heading home with their calabashes of firewood

functional and efficient national carrier in the country.

Before he was inaugurated President in May, he had blamed the 16 years governments of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the death of many national institutions in the country including inability to have a functional national carrier.

This, over the years, has resulted in the sufferings of Nigerians who loose productive time due to delayed and cancelled flight and who have no option but to be taken round unnecessary routes before arriving at their destinations.

Buhari’s directives for quick action on the establishment of a new national carrier issued to the Federal Ministry of Aviation on Wednesday was a welcomed development.

But efforts should be made now to ensure that pitfalls and problems encountered by the defunct Nigeria Airways, Virgin Nigeria and Air Nigeria are avoided for an efficient national carrier that will stand the test of time.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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LAW & SOCIETY Conclusion of the text of the keynote address delivered by Femi Falana (SAN) at the presentation of Dr Musa Babayo’s book on Economic Diplomacy and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in Abuja.

‘Enforcing right to accountable govt’ •Continued from last week

I

N the fight against corruption, the court rightly held that aggrieved citizens who submit petitions alleging corrupt practices against public officers are entitled to the report of the investigation carried out by the police and anti graft agencies. It was the solid view of the court that “the appellant is entitled to the investigation report on his right as the complainant. See Article 9 of the African Charter. The generality of the public are not entitled to that information until the person suspected is arraigned before a competent court for trial.”

In view of the categorical pronouncements of the appellate courts in the cases of Fawehinmi v. The President (supra) and Alhaji Dododo v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (supra) it can no longer be said that a tax payer has no locus standi in demanding for the investigation or prosecution of a public officer suspected to have engaged in corrupt practices. To that extent, the Federal High Court (per Kolawole J.) fell into error when it struck the case of SocioEconomic Rights Accountability Project & Ors. v. AttorneyGeneral of the Federation & Anor on the ground that the plaintiffs, a group of human rights bodies, lacked the locus standi to demand for an account of the $12.4 billion which was allegedly mismanaged by the Ibrahim Babangida junta.

Since the members of the plaintiffs have a duty to render assistance to law enforcement agencies the doctrine of locus standi was improperly invoked and wrongly applied by the trial court.

Indeed, the trial court ran into contradictions when it turned down the request of the defendants for the ward of costs.

Even though the court had struck out the case for want of locus standi it proceeded to say plaintiffs could not be said to be “busybodies” when it held that “It will be uncharitable for anybody to describe or christen them as ‘busy-bodies’.

They are not, rather, I see them as patriotic ‘corporate citizens’ of Nigeria who in my view, are driven purely by a desire to use the judicial instruments to effectuate in practical terms, the ‘fundamental objectives’ expressed in section 14(1) of the CFRN, 1999 as amended that ‘the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be based on the principles of democracy and social justice’... These applicants are not busy-bodies but patriotic corporate citizens (regardless of the status of the 2nd and 3rd Applicants who did not sue through their registered trustees) whose courage to bring this action against all odds, must be commended.”

In Bamidele Aturu v. Hon Minister of Petroleum & Ors.1 The legal validity of the decision of the Federal Government to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by allowing market forces to fix the prices of petroleum products was successfully challenged at the Federal High Court by the plaintiff. In rejecting the contention of the defendant that the action was not justiciable the learned trial judge said that “the decision to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry by not fixing prices of petroleum products will not only be counter- productive, but will be a negation of that objective and a violation of the provision of the Constitution. I say this, not unmindful of the argument put forward by the 3rd Defendant that the Plain-

•Falana

tiff cannot enforce the provision of section 16(1) (b) because it is not justiciable. ...It is my considered view therefore that any decision by the government of Nigeria to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry in the face of the extant laws copiously referred to, will not only be unlawful, illegal but unconstitutional as well and therefore, null and void.”

Campaign against anti-graft agencies by the ruling class Based on the avowed commitment of President Mohammadu Buhari to fight the menace of corruption the members of the ruling class have begun to wage a campaign of calumny against the EFCC and other anti graft agencies.

An influential newspaper has, without any shred of evidence, accused the EFCC leadership of wallowing in corruption while a rented crowd has “stormed” Abuja to demand for the removal of the EFCC chairman. Even some members of the ruling party have not spared the EFCC. For daring to ask certain people to account for public funds the EFCC has been accused of allowing itself to be used to settle political scores.

On its own part, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the anti-corruption agenda of the Buhari Administration is deliberately designed to humiliate and party and embarrass the Goodluck Jonathan Administration.

The other day, the immediate National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) had his residence searched by offi-

‘Nigerians who are desirous to expose corruption are advised to invoke the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act. It has to be realised by the Government that unless the anti corruption is owned by the Nigerian people it cannot succeed’

cials of the Department of Security Service (DSS) based on a search warrant issued by a Magistrate. Without considering the fact that the search was carried out in line with the rule of law, the DSS was accused by a section of the media of embarrassing Col. Dasuki for leading the soldiers who arrested Gen. Buhari during the palace coup of 1985! In the same vein, police investigation into the alleged forgery of the Standing Rules of the Senate by a top national assembly staff is being politicised. Even a mere invitation extended to some persons to react to allegations linking them with multi billion naira fraud is now said to be a political vendetta.

Since the allegations of bias or persecution being leveled against the EFCC are deliberately designed to discredit the renewed fight against corruption and shield looters from prosecution, it is high time that the attention of Nigerians was drawn to the fact that corruption is fighting back. It is indeed embarrassing that some members of a regime that promised to fight corruption are involved in the dubious campaign to sustain impunity in the country. Having closely monitored the recent activities of the EFCC since it was established over 10 years ago, I can say, without any fear of contradiction, that the Buhari Administration has not gone beyond granting autonomy to the commission to discharge its statutory duties. It may interest Nigerians to know that the majority of the petitions which formed the basis of the ongoing investigation by the EFCC were submitted before the emergence of the Buhari Administration.

I have confirmed that the petition against the cabal of fuel importers was submitted to the EFCC sometime in January 2012 by the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke on the directive of President Jonathan. Even the petition against those who duped the nation of hundrerds of millions of dollars through the oil swap scam was also submitted to the EFCC by her after the 2015 presidential election. With respect to the ex-governors of the APC and PDP who are currently standing trial, the petitions which triggered the investigations were written and submitted to the anti graft agency by concerned citizens and anti-corruption bodies. The Kwara State chapter of the PDP has owned up that it authored the petition alleging fraud against the spouse of a public figure.

It should be pointed out that the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies are being inundated with petitions by Nigerians and foreigners alike who believe that the Buhari Administration will not shield corrupt people from investigation and prosecution. To that extent, the decision of the Federal Government to limit the investigation of corruption cases to the Jonathan Administration cannot be justified in law. As there is no statute of limitation with respect to corruption cases aggrieved Nigerian citizens cannot be restrained from exposing corrupt practices of successive regimes. More so, that President Buhari has requested the Obama Administration to assist in the recovery and repatriation of $150 billion stolen from Nigerians in the past decade.

Conclusion In the light of the foregoing, the renewed war against corruption should be supported by the Nigerian people. It is indisputable that an enabling environment exists to promote public accountability in the country. Apart from respecting the autonomy of the anti-graft bodies the government should ensure that they are adequately funded. The anti-graft bodies should take advantage of the Administration of Criminal Justice, 2015 to speed up the prosecution of corruption cases. If the prosecution units of the relevant bodies are prepared, the cases which have been in the docket for years may be concluded within the next six months in line with the provisions of the Act. Nigerians who are desirous to expose corruption are advised to invoke the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act. It has to be realised by the government that unless the anti corruption is owned by the Nigerian people it cannot succeed.

In fighting official corruption, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 has turned the Nigerian people into whistle blowers. The law has granted unhindered access to concerned citizens to approach the court to enforce compliance with the law. For the avoidance of doubt section 51 of the Act stipulates that “a person shall have the legal capacity to enforce the provisions of this Act by obtaining prerogative orders or other remedies at the Federal High Court without having to show any special and particular interest.” With the enactment of the Whistle Blowers Bill and the Witness Protection Bill by the National Assembly the Nigerian people have been further empowered to expose and fight corruption.

•Concluded

Group lauds EFCC over charges against Ibru

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GROUP, the Civil Society Network against Corruption ( CSNAC) has praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for filing charges against Goodie Minabo Ibru, Associated Ventures International Limited, IHL Services Limited and Clearview Investment Limited before the Lagos High Court.

The coalition of 150 anti-corruption organisations earlier petitioned EFCC over the alleged crime.

The commission accused the defendants of conspiracy to steal, and stealing by fraudulent conversion of about N2 billion belonging to Ikeja Hotel Plc. CSNAC noted, however, that the defendants are yet to be arraigned.

In a statement in Lagos by its chairman Olanrewaju Suraju, the group said: ”EFCC deserves public commendation for its work in this regard. However, while they are deserving of our commendation, we must state that our petition to the EFCC dated the 10th of November 2014 alleges more cases of criminal diversion of funds in excess of the N2 billion belonging to Ikeja Hotel Plc and its subsidiaries by Mr.

By Adebisi Onanuga

Goodie Ibru and his accomplices were charged and in respect of which we had similarly sought orders of court to require the commission to promptly investigate and prosecute. ”The fact that Mr. Goodie Ibru is a former President of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, especially gives cause for worry, and should ordinarily provide an added impetus for the regulators to investigate the claims against Mr. Goodie Ibru, so as not to appear complicit by any stretch of imagination.”

Expressing its interest in the issue since last year, Suraju said the coalition took interest in the Ikeja Hotel debacle after it received complaints and petitions from many ordinary shareholders in the Hotel, about the mismanagement of Lagos Sheraton Hotel by the Management of Ikeja Hotel.

“This interest is demonstrated by the fact that following the removal of Mr. Goodie Ibru on January 6, 2015, as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ikeja Hotel PLC at a Court ordered Extraordinary General Meeting, the outcomes of which were similarly validated by the Federal High Court,

Mr.Rasheed Olaoluwa, the Managing Director of Bank of Industry, became the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ikeja Hotel Plc. The public expects that he will ensure that corporate governance codes are fully complied with, such as to prevent the kind of fraud that had been so cruelly perpetrated against the ordinary shareholder of Ikeja Hotel Plc. “We shall pursue and ensure that perpetrators of acts of corruption against the public are fully made to account, whether they are carried out in state institutions and parastatals or private/public enterprise. In this regard, we earnestly call on the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Nigeria Stock Exchange as well as the Corporate Affairs Commission to undertake routine inspections of companies to ensure that such infractions as was witnessed in Ikeja Hotel Plc are checked and punished.

“Accordingly, CSNAC wishes to urge the EFCC to continue its investigation into the financial activities of Ikeja Hotel, Plc and her said subsidiaries.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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LAW & SOCIETY The Akwa Ibom State Election Petition Tribunal has been receiving testimonies from the petitioners’ witnesses.

JOSEPH JIBUEZE recounts some of the revelations.

‘How Akwa Ibom election was marred’ A

MID allegations of threats to security, the Akwa Ibom Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal was relocated from Uyo, the state’s capital, to Abuja. It followed the approval of All Progressives Congress (APC’s) request by the Court of Appeal President Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa.

Following the April 11 election, the APC had rejected the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which proclaimed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Udom Emmanuel winner.

In its petition, the APC and its candidate Umana Okon Umana, alleged, among others, that the election was marred by widespread electoral malpractices, disenfranchisement of voters and a declaration of votes for the PDP in virtual violation of INEC provisions that required that all votes cast be duly accredited. To him, there was no election.

A member of the party’s legal team, Victor Iyanam, had accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Austin Okojie, of consistently refusing to cooperate with the APC to conduct forensic examination of materials. The electoral commissioner, however, denied the accusation, saying the only disagreement was whether to allow the party go straight to scan the documents, or sort out and count the documents before scanning.

APC’s lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun(SAN), sought the relocation of the petition from Uyo because of threats of insecurity and also to guarantee the expeditious dispensation of justice.

Effort to stop the tribunal from sitting in Abuja failed. The tribunal dismissed Emmanuel’s motion challenging its jurisdiction, describing it as misconceived and misplaced.

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Sadiq Umar agreed with Olanipekun that the issue of security is recognised in law in deciding where an election tribunal should sit. The tribunal held that the objection raised against the relocation for security reasons was misconceived.

Among those who have testified is a business man Michael George from Ibesikpo Asuquo LGA. He said he acted as APC’s agent during the election. His collation unit, he said, was at Nung Ukana.

He said he got to the collation centre on election day at about 1:30 pm and left around 5:00 pm. He said he did not meet any other party agent at the centre.

George said there was no election in his LGA, therefore, no result could have emanated from there. According to him, his polling agents reported to him through phone calls that there was no election. He said there was no election anywhere in his ward.

Another witness, Steve Ekpenyong, a cleric based in Obot Akara, said he is from the same area as the former Deputy Governor, Chris Ekpenyong. The witness said he was at the ward collation centre from 7:30 am and left at about 8:30 am.

According to him, his polling unit was opposite his ward collation centre, and he was at the collation centre till 12:00 am the next day. He said his party had two LGA collation agents and that he made calls to them informing them that all the election materials had been hijacked by hoodlums.

Ekpeyong said he did not report to the police because officers were allegedly present when he was beaten up by the thugs while electoral officers were nowhere to be found.

Under cross examination, he said he saw a man at the collation centre who was in custody of the materials before they were hijacked, adding that the materials never reached the polling units.

A former Petroleum Resources Minister Atuekong Don Etiebet told the tribunal that elections did not hold according to law in Oruk Anam LGA where he comes from.

He testified to massive irregularities, including but not limited to ballot snatching, absence of ballot materials at polling units, and violence.

He tendered four exhibits, namely: his voter’s card; his press statement condemning the sham elections, newspaper publication of the press statement and a video recording of his visit along with other leaders of the state to INEC head office in Uyo on the night of the election to see whether there was state collation of the ballot.

He said during the visit they found the INEC’s office in total darkness with no work going on. Okojie, he said, was nowhere to be found on election night when the office ought to be a beehive of activity. He said he was surprised that the following morning, a result was announced and Emmanuel was declared winner.

A former governor, Obong Victor Attah, also testified. He tendered his PVC to prove that he was a registered voter.

However, he said he could not vote because elections did not hold in his town.

He also tendered video recordings and testified orally to the effect that elections did not hold according to law in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA where he hails from.

A female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member,

•Umana

•Emmanuel

who served in Mbiabong, Uyo, recounted how thugs allegedly invaded her unit and carted away election materials.

She said the hoodlums arrived in vehicles with arms, shouting and hailing the PDP and grabbed the ballot materials under her watch. When she resisted them, she said, they beat her up, tore up her clothing and threatened to incapacitate her.

She said a kind onlooker brought his jacket to cover her near nakedness. She added that she and her colleagues at the unit had to run for dear lives. She tendered the clothing as evidence.

The Tribunal began on July 13. At the start, lawyers to Emmmanuel, Paul Usoro and Tayo Oyetibo, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), argued that the tribunal should disallow all key witnesses brought by the APC on the basis of alleged concealment of their names.

The SANs had separately raised objections on the statements on oath made by all the APC witnesses on the ground that their real names were not on the statements but initials and acronyms.

Oyetibo argued that the mere use of initials or acronyms should not be allowed by the tribunal to confer originality on the witnesses since their real names were not printed on the statements they had sworn to.

But Olanipekun insisted they had the right under the law to use initials or acronyms on their statements on oath. He cited different authorities to back up his claims, as he adduced the issue of security as reason names of witnesses are often concealed.

Justice Umar held that the objection was strange and could not be supported by law. He agreed with Olanipekun’s submission by that witnesses have the right under the law to use their initials or acronym on their statements on oath.

INEC was directed to move all of the materials used in the elections that are in their custody to Abuja and make them available to the APC team for forensic inspection. But before an extension was granted for the inspection, respondents opposed the application on the grounds that APC and its candidate did not rightly state the facts. The petitioner had, however, complained that the forensic team was not allowed to carry out its work.

It was alleged that the PDP who is a respondent and who’s role in the forensic exercise is to primarily observe the process were strangely given priority to determine how the

process is carried out.

Some of the excuses that hampered the inspection since May 15 include INEC’s claim that it needed to sort and differentiate ballot papers; and that it wanted to count every ballot paper before investigation can begin.

On July 6, when the forensic team, arrived the INEC Institute, they were allegedly denied access to the premises and made to stand outside the gate for hours because there was no letter or prior notice informing them of the visit.

Akwa Ibom APC Publicity Secretary Ita Awak alleged a bid to “frustrate” his party in carrying out orders made on May 12 and 23 and June 25 asking that INEC grant access to the APC lawyers and its team of forensic experts to inspect the materials.

Iyanam and APC legal team thereafter petitioned the DSS Director-General and the Inspector-General of Police. They alleged that a mix up the ballot papers and other sensitive election materials of the Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives elections with the ballot papers and other election materials used for the governorship election.

They also alleged that water was deliberately poured on bags containing sensitive election materials, soaking them in the process.

Besides, they alleged that other bags containing more critical election materials were kept under the rain, contrary to INEC directives and established practice of keeping sensitive and important election materials and documents in INECapproved and supplied sealable envelops and containers.

They also allege that hundreds of thousands of ballot papers and other election materials supposedly used for the governorship election were physically mutilated beyond redemption, making it absolutely impossible for the APC forensic experts to scan them for forensic examination.

Akwa Ibom PDP chairman Paul Ekpo’s had accused APC leaders of planning “to use every means at their disposal to subvert the will of our people,” including deploying DSS personnel to harass them, which Awak denied.

The APC state spokesman said the DSS officials accused of “partisanship” were only “helping to contain and bring to justice people with criminal tendencies…”

All eyes are on the tribunal to see how it all ends. Section 134 (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 states “that an election tribunal shall deliver its judgment in writing within 180 days from the date of filing of the petition.”

Etisalat’s suit against MTN, NCC adjourned

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USTICE Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos will on September 25, this year hear a suit by Etisalat Nigeria Limited seeking a judicial review of a Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) policy, which allegedly encourages unhealthy competition.

The judge struck out an application by MTN challenging the suit’s hearing during the court’s long vacation.

MTN’s lawyer Olasupo Shasore (SAN) said there was nothing urgent about the case to warrant it being heard by the vacation judge, but Etisalat’s lawyer Kola Awodein (SAN) said he was ready to proceed, adding that he wasted no time in filing his reply to MTN’s processes.

However, NCC’s lawyer Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) said he had just been briefed so he needed time to study the casefile.

Etisalat is seeking a review of the 30 per cent differential between MTN’s off-net and on-net retail mobile voice tariffs. It said through the differential, MTN has created a “calling club”, an example of which is its “Family and Friends” promo.

By Joseph Jibueze

Etisalat is contending that the promo, which offers a call rate of 11 kobo per second to eight MTN subscribers and two non-MTN subscribers, is a threat to the plaintiff’s business.

It added that the promo aided MTN to “leverage on its size to restrict outgoing traffic to smaller operators by pricing on-net tariffs lower so as to make off-net calls unattractive.”

According to Etisalat, the 30 per cent differential granted MTN by NCC was a breach of the commission’s Determination of Dominance in Selected Communications Markets in Nigeria (DDSCMN) regulation issued by NCC on April 25, 2013 following a study it conducted in 2012.

It said when it realised that MTN had launched the promo, it wrote several letters to NCC, which allegedly failed to compel MTN to withdraw the ‘Family and Friends’ tariff option.

Etisalat is contending that such leverage given by NCC to MTN would not allow for a healthy competition and must be judicially reviewed.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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LEGAL OPINION

Should CLE recognise NOUN’s law degree?

•Continued from last week

E

VEN though history has little or no meaning in Nigeria, it does not appear that the distinguished members of CLE and BB have forgotten too soon that many of the prominent lawyers whose names ring bell presently in Nigeria and beyond, did the same in the past, both at the Bar and Bench, either studied by part-time, distance learning or correspondence course. A good number of them passed their O’Level, A’Level, University of London degrees, including L.L.B law degrees by these programmes. What is part-time programme?

Part-time: World over, Part-time study has provided relief to indigent students who have to work and study.

A person who consciously studies on his own, straining to pay the school fees, purchase materials that should assist him in acquiring the relevant knowledge, does not merely read to pass the requisite examination, but to acquired the relevant knowledge, skill and understanding for personal development, material and intellectual uplift in life. Part-time study involves utmost sacrifice and personal commitment to succeed in life struggle. It demands unalloyed discipline, which is self control from frivolities and external distractions. The Full-time counterpart enjoys the luxury of teaching, in some cases may be persuaded, distracted or tempted by the option of “sorting,” spying for “miracle centers,” colluding with some unscrupulous clerical staff to obtain examination questions, in an institution where there is laxity. Some students may cram or memorise, without understanding, to satisfy the teacher who may demand – “give me back what I give you”. “Pinging,” “partying,” “chatting,” “discussing past questions” for the purpose of passing examinations may constitute some distractions to some classroom students, who are not serious with their study. The Part-time student has limited time – he has to work, study, take care of his welfare and pay for all these. He, therefore, has to deny himself so many things to succeed.

Many have indeed, succeeded by Parttime and have gained enviable positions in society, world-wide. Let us respectfully consider some eminent Nigerians, who have succeeded by part-time studies.

One of the prominent Nigerians, who has gone through the rigours of Part-time study, emerged in flying colours and has occupied the position of a legal star is the constitutional lawyer, Barrister-at-law, Inner Temple, London, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Commander of Order of the Niger, Nigerian National Order of Merit, former Minister of Education and Youth Development, fellow of many Tertiary Institutions; Chairman, The

By Dr Ogunyiriofo Okoroh

Patriots, Doctor of Law, the second since the death of Dr T. O. Elias; the only Nigerian and African holder of a Higher Doctorate Degree in Law of the University of London by published works – the three ‘isms’ – Constitutionalism, Presidentialism and Judicialism, translated into many European languages, is no other person than Prof Obi Nwabueze. By Part-time study, Nwabueze passed four subjects in G.C.E Advanced level while working as a clerk in a government establishment. With this qualification he gained admission to study Law in University of London.

There are so many all over the world who have passed their O’Level, A’Level, degrees, even degrees in Law, by Part-time. There was another honourable, who was a Minister at the Temple of Justice – Justice Joseph Jeremiah Umoren.

“When he arrived England as a selffunded student, he had to work and go to school”. While in London he attended the famous University of London between 1964 and 1967 by Part-time. He passed creditably and was called to the English Bar and later Nigerian Bar. Umoren: Exit of a Consumate Jurist. The Guardian Tuesday April 29, 2014 p. 80. What of those who studied as external students?

External Student: Another icon was Hon Justice Abdul Fatayi Demola Kuti, retired Judge of Abuja High Court, who was considered one of the known incorruptible judges Nigeria has produced. He was an external student of University of London in 1958 after which he did his L.L.B.Law examination and passed with honours. He was called to Bar

•CLE Chair, OCJ Okocha

both in London and later in Nigeria.

He served the nation diligently and responsibly.

Due respect must equally be accorded to Justice Michael Adeyinka Odesanya, whose thirst for knowledge was so high that he was among four Nigerian students who passed intermediate Bachelor of Art Degree in Law as external students during the Second World War, 1939-1945. Later, he became the second General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch Another, among the four was revered T. O. Elias. He had five degrees before he was called to Bar. In addition he had two Doctorate Degrees. He later became a Professor of Law, Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Justice of Nigeria, the first African and black man to head the International Court of Justice at the Hague.

The third in the count was Dr. G. B. A. Coker, who retired as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The fourth, but by no means the least, was Chief N. N. A. Okafor, who was the pioneer General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association at its inception in 1959. Again, regards must be accorded to Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (JSC) rtd, who served at the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He studied as external student of the University of London between 1953 and 1957.

He distinguished himself by passing his LLB. Law degree and his English Bar final the same year. He was admitted to the English Bar at Lincoln’ Inn on November 25 ,1958.

He later enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday September 1959.

•To be continued next week

•Law School DG, Olanrewaju Onadeko

‘How accused forged Customs’, NSCDC’s employment letters’

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HE trial of a middle-aged man, Ibrahim Sulaiman, alleged to have duped some job seekers of N277,000 by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) continued last week at a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.

A witness, Mr. Idowu Ohiowewe, told the court presided by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, that the defendant forged the appointment letters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which he gave to the complainants, claiming that they were issued by the agency.

Ohiowewe said the defendant told them the money paid to him was for

By Adebisi Onanuga

securing employment.

He said the defendant also told them that they should refer any job seeker to him.

Justice Ipaye has, however, adjourned the matter till August 17, this year for continuation of trial.

The EFCC had arraigned Suleiman for allegedly duping job seekers.

The defendant was arraigned on a 12-count charge on conspiracy, fraud and obtaining money by false pretences.

The EFCC alleged that Suleiman, in January, last year obtained N227,000 from the six unemployed

persons with a promise to get them employment.

According to the charge sheet, the defendant “with intent to defraud obtained N32,000 from one Olajuwon Hammed, N65,000 from Ogungbe Ayodeji, N50,000 from Ogungbe Joseph, N50,000 Ogungbe Kole, N20,000 from Ayo Richard and N10,000 from Sunday Ajose, making the total of N227,000 collected from the complainants”.

The prosecution said the offence committed is contrary to Section 8(a) 1(3) of the Advance fee fraud and other related offences Act, No.14 of 2006.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Stakeholders have called for the effective implementation of the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015 (VAPPA). ERIC IKHILAE reports.

Towards effective new criminal laws

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TAKEHOLDERS in the criminal justice sector have ob served that the newly enacted Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA) and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015 (VAPPA) will not be effective without strengthening the operators’ capacity.

Speakers, including the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Isahq Bello, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advance Legal Studies (NIALS), Professor Adedeji Adekunle, the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF), Ahmed Yola and the United Nations Office on Drug and Crimes (UNODC) Representative, Koli Kouame argued that the effective implementation of both laws were capable of eliminating the delay and frustration currently experienced in criminal trial, assist in ensuring prompt disposal of cases and by extension enhance the justice administration process.

They spoke in Abuja at a workshop for senior police personnel on the application of ACJA and the Violence Against Persons Act (VAPA) 2015 jointly organised by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and NIALS under the framework of the European Union funded project to support justice sector in Nigeria. The workshop held between August 3 and 4.

Justice Bello noted the need to establish a monitoring committee that would oversee the implementation of the ACJA and VAPPA. He said the passage of the Acts “stands out as a resounding leap forward for the reform of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, as it would foster reform and facilitate newer, better ways of processing criminal trials.”

He observed that despite efforts by personnel involved in investigation and prosecution, the obsolete legislations, whether substantive or procedural are responsible for the various problems associated with the Criminal Justice System that has increasingly became questionable.

Justice Bello said the ACJA, which will become operational in the FCT at the resumption of the courts from its current vacation, is designed to eliminate the current challenges associated with criminal trial in the nation’s capital.

He said a new system that will restore the integrity of the Criminal Justice System is being put in place with the gradual introduction of the ACJA, part of which informed the workshop aimed at preparing the policemen for the task ahead.

Justice Bello, who was optimistic about the success of the new laws, particularly the ACJA, said by the time the High Court of the FCT resumes from its current vacationin mid-September, it will prohibit the conduct of prosecution by non-layer police prosecutors.

“To do otherwise will be illegal, because the ACJA provides that prosecutions are to be handled by law officers, unless you are a policeman, trained as a lawyer, you

will not be allowed to prosecute cases in FCT courts either at the Magistrate or High Court level.

“Those lay policemen are not going to be out of job because, by their experience as prosecutors, they could be best deployed as Investigating Police Officers (IPOs).

This is because they know off hand, virtually the ingredients of most of the offences they prosecute. When you deploy them for the purposes of investigation, I can assure you they will perform better,” he said.

Justice Bello, while giving hints on how investigators could aid the effectiveness of the criminal trial process, advised IPOs t always be reluctant in writing statements for suspects, who mostly deny such statements at trial, thereby delaying proceedings.

Arase, said the passage of the new laws places enormous responsibility on the Police and that the training program would help officers to understand changes that have occurred in the Criminal Procedure Act and the Criminal Procedure Code and to act appropriately in carrying out their duties.

He thanked the European Union and UNODC for supporting this and other training programs aimed at developing the capacity of officers of the Nigeria Police.

He described UNODC as “a friend indeed that has been involved in all-round training and development of the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.”

The ACJA and VAPPA are very important legal instruments that, if properly implemented, have the potential to “advance professionalism and efficiency in the trial of criminal cases, reduce congestion in Nigerian prisons as a result of speedy dispensation of justice, and enhance respect for human rights,” said Mr. Arase.

Prof Adekunle stressed the relevance of both laws to the effectiveness of the nation’s criminal justice system. He stated that both laws “are necessary to create a saner society.” He said there is need for the police to be abreast of the laws to enable them effectively carryout their responsibilities.

Yola said both laws are meant not only to reposition the Criminal Justice Sector, but intended to eliminate violence in public and private lives, as well as provide remedies for victims of crimes.

Kouame, who was represented at the workshop by the Acting Coordinator of the “Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria” project at UNODC, Polleak Ok Serei, said, “setting up the structures and capacity needed for effective implementation of the two laws will contribute to the achievement of the Government’s vision on justice reforms.”

“UNODC realised the importance of these laws to effectively reform the Nigerian justice sector and therefore supported some advocacy activities to ensure that the laws were passed within the lifetime of the last legislative circle,” said Mr. Kouame. “UNODC will continue to support initiatives of the Nigerian Government that fall within its mandate,” he added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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LAW AND SOCIETY The Victims Support Fund set up by the Federal Government to address the plight of victims of insurgency has come under intense searchlight, with obvious lacuna in the way the scheme is administered. Lagos lawyer Wahab Shittu suggests how the scheme can be better managed.

Wanted: Victims’ support fund

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ERRORISM has become a recurring decimal in Nigeria with Boko Haram insurgents being on rampage. That Northern Nigeria is now considered a terror hotbed has become a pedestrian fact. The nation has been fraught with several challenges as regards terrorist attacks, especially from the activities of the group known as Boko Haram, which has seen to the loss of several lives and the destruction of property worth billions of naira. Principal amongst the challenges raised by the menace of Boko Haram is the sudden increase in the number of internally displaced persons, which has risen by what mathematicians refer to as ‘a geometric progression’ resulting from the displacement of the victims of the callous acts of the notorious terrorist group.

As of last April, The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), which is a leading source of information and analysis on internal displacement, estimated that 1,538,982 people forced to flee their homes in Nigeria were still living in internal displacement. This figure includes majorly people displaced as a result of brutal attacks by the Islamist armed group Boko Haram in north-eastern Nigeria and the governmentled counter-insurgency operations against the group.

It is important to state that whilst the insurgency in the northeast forms the predominant causal factor for the size of the internally displaced persons in Nigeria, other minor causes of displacement include ongoing inter-communal clashes as well as natural hazard-induced disasters.

The consequences of the Boko Haram insurgency on the Nigerian state and its peoples are indeed, profound and far-reaching. One of the worst hit casualties of this unprecedented terror includes millions of Nigerians, who form the bulk of victims of the atrocities with far-reaching implications.

This, though painful, is understandable. The impact of crime on the people affected by it can be profound. Victims may suffer from physical, mental, emotional and financial harm, from which some may never recover.

Injuries may be threatened or inflicted upon victims, witnesses or their families, and threats may even be made against lives. In

addition to the strong human rights dimension for assisting and protecting people, who have fallen victim to or witnessed serious crimes, there are strong criminal justice considerations for doing so. This is, particularly, true of the Nigerian situation.

Having had cause to reflect on the conditions of the victims of the aforementioned circumstances and their status as internally displaced persons, vis-à-vis the quality of support services and care delivery available to them, it became apparent that there is a need for a proper delineation of achievable standards upon which the Nigerian state can build its support system for the victims of the crime of terrorism amongst others.

To be candid, the efforts of the government, especially through the accomplishments of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), albeit being laudable, have become the subject of pejorative and uncomplimentary comments in media circles and especially through the channel of social media.

Moreover, in July, last year, the administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan set up a Victim Support Fund Committee with Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) as the committee’s chairman while Mr.Fola Adeola was appointed as his deputy. The committee had been mandated to raise N30 billion to help victims of Boko Haram’s terrorist activities in the northeast.

At a fundraiser, shortly after its inauguration, which was televised, the committee raised about N58.79 billion from the organised private sector while the federal government and state governments pledged N20 billion combined to the victim support fund.

In December, last year, Dr. Sunday Ochoche was appointed as Executive Director of the committee. However, following this appointment, very little has been heard from the committee except that about N250million had been expended on administrative costs towards the ‘setting up’of the Victim Support Fund. Since July 2014 to this date, over a whole year has expired with very little in visible results, which can be deemed attributable to the VSF. Furthermore, having not been satisfied by

the length of time, which it has taken the VSF to get to work, especially considering the urgency of the needs of the victims of terror and internally displaced persons, several individuals and advocacy groups have sought to know why the much needed relief has not been proffered to the victims, who are the primary subject of the VSF’s mandate.

However, it is important that a dispassionate and unbiased understanding of the challenges affecting the effective delivery of a robust victim support system must be identified before any advancement may be made in attaining the best practice standards in our clime.

It is in the context of the foregoing that one would say that: in spite of the gains made by NEMA through the administration of various IDP- camps across the breadth of the nation, it cannot truly be said that Nigeria’s current victim support system is operated at the optimal capability where citizens, especially the volunteers conceive of the system as exploitative, manipulative and secretive (especially where individuals lack access to information or knowledge of the full operations of the IDP-camps and the rights of the internally displaced persons), or where the system is fundamentally weak in its delivery of the requisite services to the citizens, who suffer the misfortune of being refugees in their own nation.

Consequently, it becomes imperative that Nigeria looks beyond what is on ground at present and in the direction of far reaching approaches towards propitiating the calls of the victims of terrorist attacks for a better victim support system; one, which the entirety of the country would be proud to call its own.

The truth remains, victims of terrorism have rights and support services to the victims of such dastardly crime are essential to victims’ rights. Separate from the fact that vital human rights foundations exist for the need to protect people, who have fallen victim to or witnessed the dastardly effects of terrorist attacks and other disasters, there are also strong socio-political cum legal rationale for fulfilling these obligations .

There exists, a global accord regarding the

•Shittu

position of victims of crime and their basic rights, which can be found in the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power of 1985. This international law instrument was adopted with the goal of being geared towards urging the international community to enhance the status of victims. The Declaration, although not a legally binding treaty, lays down the minimum standards for the treatment of crime victims and has been heralded as the magna carta of the international victims’ movement. It requires states to implement social, health, including mental health, educational,economic and specific crime prevention policies to reduce victimisation and encourage assistance to victims in distress.

By learning from the experiences of other jurisdictions, particularly countries within the European Union (EU), where through the Council of Europe Recommendation on the Position of the Victim in the Framework of Criminal Law and Procedure, a stronger victim support system has been established, it has become obvious that for the successful.

The sky was their limit when they were called to The Bar. A few years and several challenges later, things seem not to be going exactly as planned. Young lawyers share their experiences with ROBERT EGBE.

Their journey so far

•Nneke

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HEN Olamipo Folami graduated from the Nigerian Law School in 2012, it was a day of joy. “I was so happy,” she told The Nation. “My family had never wanted me to study law; they felt it was too dangerous. They had this idea that people are always after lawyers, but I stood firm and at the end I was very happy.”

However, just a few months later when she hit the labour market, her bubble of happiness burst when she heard how much a law firm was willing to pay her.

“Nothing,” she said. “Absolutely nothing.

The law firm said they were not going to pay me a kobo, that I was going to be working for the experience and should try to get by that way. I went home and wept.”

Folami’s story is that it is not unique. Many ’new wigs’, as new lawyers are called, feel the wages they are paid by law firms is inadequate.

Lillian Ebeh, who was called to the Bar in 2012, agrees. “Young lawyers are not well paid,” she said. “We’re just working to gain experience, knowing that you can use your experience to make money.”

Ebeh also raised another issue that had little to do with money: the senior-junior lawyers relationship. “Senior lawyers sometimes treat young lawyers like they know nothing, as if they know nothing about the law or proceedings. I think sometimes they should give young lawyers the opportunity and they’ll find out that we have a lot to offer.”

For Chukwudi Nneke, the challenges are of a different kind and a bigger pay packet may not necessarily be the answer. He told The Nation that the legal profession in Nigeria appears to be near saturation point, as far as new wigs are concerned.

He said: “One of the challenges is that as a young lawyer one finds it difficult to fix oneself in a saturated legal profession. For instance, a friend of mine looked for a law firm to work in for two years.

“I was also faced with the challenges of meeting the high expectations of friends and relatives. Immediately after my call to bar, I

started receiving calls from friends and relatives asking for financial assistance.”

Nneke, who is five years post-call, also raised some issues that new wigs may not direct their minds to. He said: “As a young lawyer I also lacked the experience of doing some kind of work without supervision.

Sometimes, classroom theory can also be quite different from the actual practice of law.

I also had the challenge of meeting up with the demand of the profession in the area of research work with the attendant endless reading.

“Another seemingly discouraging challenge is the attitude of our courts. It is quite frustrating that a lawyer will wake up early, prepare and leave for court only for it not to sit, and without an apology. It is even more annoying when you have spent about three hours waiting already.”

In his three years at the Bar, Uwem Equere has had his fair share of challenges, but the main ones have to do with the courts. “For court room practice,” he began, “litigation can be frustrating at times, particularly when the courts do not sit. This causes undue delay in the lifespan of a case before a court finally concludes with a matter, though not in all cases.

“I once had a matter and on the first date the matter came up, the judge granted our

application and gave a bench ruling in our favour, but this is usually not so common as this also requires a lawyer dotting their Is and crossing their Ts.” However, it is not all doom and gloom.

“Law practice is evolving and better every inch of the way compared to what we heard and read,” says Equere. “Every lawyer can only create a niche for himself and ensure he rises to the zenith of his area of specialisation. With the number of lawyers the law schools churn out yearly, we can only create an enabling environment to absorb us all.”

Ebeh shares similar sentiments. She is certain that law practice can be quite rewarding. “Experience pays in the long run,” she said. “Law practice is very lucrative; you just need to be patient and wait for your time.”

The passage of time certainly appears to have made a difference in Folami’s career.

“It has not been easy,” she said. “If you’re not determined you won’t be able to practice law. My self determination saw me through and now, I have no regrets.”

For young lawyers time is perhaps the most important commodity they have. They and the 3,782 new wigs announced by the Council of Legal Education last week can take solace in the fact that though the road ahead may be long, they have all the time in the world to get there.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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SHOWBIZ

Glo launches reality dance show

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OR an event launch that had the crowd cheering impromptu dance contestants so loud, the excitement can only be imagined when the new reality show, Dance With Peter, begins on television.

Saturday evening unveiling provided an insight to what is to expect from the new Globacom entertainment show, in collaboration with one of its ambassadors and Africa’s dance emblem, Peter Okoye of the popular PSquare fame.

Globacom is optimistic the Reality TV show will raise the entertainment bar in Africa.

“Dance with Peter would promote the dance culture among West Africans and assist those who may want to go into the dance profession to pursue their dream,” said the company in a statement.

According to the telecommunications company, the show will be the biggest ever in Africa and with huge benefits for contestants, entertainment lovers and television viewers generally.

Winner of the competition,the

company disclosed, would go home with a brand new Toyota RAV 4, N3million and the special privilege of featuring in P-Square’s forthcoming music video. The first and second runners-up, on the other hand, would go home with a brand new Honda Civic car, N2million and a brand new Kia Rio car with N1million respectively. Both will also have a chance of featuring in a top Glo Ambassador’s music video.

Peter will be supported by dance queen, Kaffy, and Flex as judges of the show which would have Ehis Okoegule of MTV Base as host. Other showbiz superstars and Glo ambassadors are also expected to feature as guest judges in the competition.

Cities where auditions for the show will be held include Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin and Abuja in Nigeria, as well as Accra, Ghana. The auditions will produce six dancers to be selected by the judges from each location for the real battle in Lagos.

Out of the 13 weeks duration, the first two weeks would be spent on profiling and auditions, while the next 10 weeks would be for the elimi-

• (L-R): Dance instructor and PSquare’s Choreographer, Flexx; Peter of PSquare; Host of ‘Dance with Peter’ Ehis Okoegule, and Guinness Book of Records longest dancer, Kaffy, at the unveil of a new Reality TV show, Dance with Peter, sponsored by Globacom.

nation series which would have different dance themes. The last episode will be the grand finale of the show to be held in Lagos.

“Dance with Peter is in line with our commitment to keep on delighting our teeming subscribers and adding value to their lives, economically and

socially. Fun seekers on the continent in general and in West Africa in particular are about to witness the best dance show ever. It is going to be 13 weeks packed full of excitement,” the company stated.

The show will be broadcast on Africa Magic, AIT in Nigeria, TV3 in Ghana and ORTV in Benin Republic.

Globacom said registration for the competition has started and it is open

to only Glo Subscribers in Nigeria and Ghana, adding that subscribers are required to send ‘DANCE’ to the short code 55517 in Nigeria at N100, and 3030 in Ghana at 0.5GHc. They will then be requested to send their details such as Name and Location at no extra charge. All successful registrations will get a confirmatory SMS with instructions on what to do next.

Why Nigeria should sign co-production treaties, by Zack Orji

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Star Trek: Wild fan strips for 2Face Idibia

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HE Sapele, Delta State leg of the ongoing Star Music Trek did not go down without some drama, as a lady forced her way to the stage, attempting to pull off 2Face’s clothes.

It was the highlight of the show, as the lady beat the venue’s security and climbed the stage while 2Face was performing. The unidentified lady grabbed the pop icon from behind, pulled him close, stripped off her top and attempted to remove 2Face’s clothes, when the artiste was rescued from her grip.

Interestingly, the show had 2Face’s wife, Annie Idibia in attendance. Reports say Annie looked dazed at the occurrence.

The actress was spotted rocking a casual outfit as she cheered 2Face and dancehall act Patoranking during their performances at the Sapele Stadium.

Many had thought that it was a stunt by 2Face’s manager, Efe Omorogbe, but it turned out it was not.

The concert, sponsored by Star Lager also witnessed performances from Oritse Femi, Sound Sultan, Young Grey C, Cynthia Morgan, Runtown, Black Magic, Raw Nwanne, Dotun Cool FM, DJ Neptune and DJ Tony Blaze.

ETERAN actor, Zack Orji, has said that the reason Nollywood is yet to make much impact on the international scene is because the Federal Government is yet to see the need for international co-production treaties.

He said that such treaties, if signed with other countries, will make certain funds available for feature coproductions on an international basis.

Orji who spoke to NAN in Lagos on Monday explained that the horizon of Nollywood would expand once the government got involved.

“We have been gradually reaching out to our colleagues in other African countries and the response has always been very encouraging.

“The good thing is that with the work we have done so far in Nigeria we occupy a vanguard position in all of Africa to the point that a lot of our colleagues in other African countries invite us when they want to do the kind of thing we are doing in Nigeria.

“And that is something we find very welcoming, very commendable.

“So we have been doing a lot of international feature co-productions; the only thing you can say is that at the governmental level, Nigeria has not signed co-production treaties with other African countries.

• Orji

“So that is the level we have to cross.

“When we cross that level, it will make certain funds available for feature co-productions on an international basis.

“If our government signs co-production treaties with other African countries, it will begin to generate a lot of feature film co-productions with those countries. “

Tonto Dikeh confirms wedding tales

D

ESPITE the fact that Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh is known for mischief, it came as a shock to fans and followers of the thespian when news of her marriage broke last weekend.

News of the actress’ marriage began to filter in when her stylist and friend Swank Jerry shared two pictures of Tonto Dikeh and her new husband, Churchill Olakunle Oladunni in PortHarcourt for the Introduction ceremony over the weekend.

“Blessings on blessings on blessings

By Ovwe Medeme

@tontolet. My babe is leaving me But Am happy Am too excited Jesus you rule and @tontolet Winning #Goals What God Has Joined let no man put asunder,” Jerry captionedone of the photograph.

He captioned another photograph with the actress and her beau; “Storm the yard girl @tontolet. I can’t even express my excitement Super proud of you and who you have become Congrats my darling. PH Una too much.”

According to findings, Tonto and

Churchill got married not too long ago, and the purpose of the Introduction Ceremony was to show her new husband to her family. In one of the photos, the newlyweds are kneeling down while Tonto Dikeh’s grandmother blesses them. Other reports also say that the union has been blessed with a child.

On her part, Tonto gave a subtle confirmation to her Instagram fans that indeed a union had taken place when she changed her name to Mrs Tonto Wigo Dikeh-Churchill.

• Tonto Dikeh and Churchill recieving a blessing from the actress’ grandmother

45

TUESDAY AUGUST 11, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

KOGI POLITICS No fewer than 24 aspirants are warming up for the primaries in the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC). The crowded race may unleash a post-primary crisis, unless the party conducts a free and fair shadow poll and puts in place a crisis resolution mechanism. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

•Audu

•Ocholi

•Kadiri

•Abatemi-Usman

•Mohammed

•Bello

•Olafemi

•Obadofin

N

25 for governor in Kogi

O fewer than 24 chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State are warming up for the governorship primaries scheduled for Lokoja, the state capital. Party sources said more stalwarts may still join the race. The primary election holds on August 29.

The governorship poll holds on November 21. In the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Idris Wada, who is seeing renomination, is the lone aspirant. His performance has been disputed by the APC. Although the governor has boasted that the PDP will retain power, APC chieftains believe that change is imminent in the Northcentral state.

Since 1991, Igala has always dictated the political tune. No governor has emerged from the state without the support of the acclaimed largest ethnic group. Aspirants and parties can only ignore the influence of the tribe to their peril.

Kogi has been ruled by three governors in this dispensation. In 1999, Prince Abubakar Audu of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) was elected. He was on a familiar terrain, having been elected as governor in the Third Republic as the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC). However, in 2003, his second term ambition hit the rock.

His successor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris of the PDP, ruled for eight years. He handed over to Wada in 2011.

In the opposition party, the aspirants have obtained nomination forms. The confidence of APC chieftains is growing. According to sources, three factors are responsible. These are the power of incumbency at the centre, the strength of the Kogi chapter and the confidence in the ability of the electoral body to organise credible elections.

Top on the list of aspirants is Audu, the party leader. Opinion is divided on his ambition. A section of the party believes that he is the only chieftain who has a strong structure to win victory for the APC. But, other members are of the opinion that he should guide the process as a father figure. Many aspirants see him as a threat

to their aspiration. A source said that, although they may gang up against him at the primaries, the gang-up may not be effective because he has the spread.

Audu explained to reporters that he joined the race to salvage the state. he said Kogi is sick, adding that it needs urgent medication. The former governor flaunted his experience, recalling that he left behind lasting legacies as a twotime governor. Lamenting that his legacies have been destroyed, he said his priority is the infrastructural development. But he also said that his administration will accord importance to human capital development.

The legal luminary, James Ocholi (SAN), is also a strong aspirant. He has made name in his profession. He is also widely acknowledged as a committed party leader. He is not a new comer, having joined the political family from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) days.

Also in the race is the eminent journalist, Mallam Yakubu Mohammed. Party members have described him as a man of honour and integrity. He has contested for the governorship in the PDP before defecting to the APC. The former Speaker of House of Assembly and Acting Governor Clarence Olafemi is also in the race. He is a defector to the progressive bloc from the PDP. He is very popular.

Other aspirants include Yahaya Bello, the first

aspirant to obtain form, Senator Nicholas Yahaya, Sani Halilu Shuaibu, Suleman Baba Ali, Air Vice Marshall Saliu Atawodi, Muhammad Abdullahi, Senator Nuruddeen AbatemiUsman, and the only woman-contender, Hajiya Hadiza Ibrahim.

Other are Suleman Abutu, Sunday Ejibo, Lanre Ipinmisho, Dr. Tim Nda Diche, seasoned banker Habeeb Abdullahi Yakeen, Rotimi Obadofin and Babatunde Irukera, Olusola Oluworanti, Adinoyi Onukaba, Aliyu Zakari, a pharmacist, Senator Alex Kadiri, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Umar, Hussaini Idris Kashim and Dr. Sanusi Abubakar.

As they stormed the party office to collect the forms, amid pomp, some of the aspirants explained their motivation and programmes.

Ocholi said he entered the race to offer qualitative leadership. “Kogi deserves a better leadership, which I am ready to offer. I have the capacity to steer the affairs of the state towards the path of development”, he added.

Habeeb lamented the slow pace of development in Kogi, saying that it is sad. Noting that the situation is redeemable, he promised to use its potentials to develop the state and move it forward.

Habeeb decried the high rate of unemployment, armed robbery and kidnapping in the state, which he attributed to bad leadership. He assured that the APC will halt the trend, if peo-

No governor has emerged from the state without the support of the acclaimed largest ethnic group. Aspirants and parties can only ignore the influence of the tribe to their peril

ple vote for power shift in November.

Human rights activist Obadofin promised to bring government closer to the people. He identified poverty and hunger as the problems facing the masses, assuring that their abolition will top his agenda. Obadofin said any governor who fails to address these issues is not serious.

Diche advised the people to vote out the PDP, saying that its hold on Kogi has been disastrous.

He described the PDP government as a nonperforming government, challenging the party to list its achievements. he said 24 years after the creation of the state, it has nothing to offer.

Ipinmisho lamented the corruption in governance, saying that it is counter-productive. He promised to enthrone a transparent government that will better the lot of the people. Noting that Kogi is being run as the black sheep of the nation, he said the mess should not be allowed to continue.

Shu’aibu promised to multiply the dividends of democracy. His blueprint encompasses social security, human development, job creation, and agricultural development.

Bello promised to revive the ailing sectors and restore the glory of the state. He promised to work with the Federal Government to tap the mineral resources of the state. “Kogi State is the solid minerals capital of Nigeria. The most strategic minerals are buried in the bowels of our dear state. But, the lackluster successive administrations have been blind to these jewels of nature around us. “of the 34 most important minerals in Nigeria, 29 are in Kogi State. We have a master plan to partner with the Federal Government and ensure that these blessings no longer lie fallow in our land while our people go hungry and unemployed,” Bello stressed.

• Continued on page 46

THE NATION TUESDAY AUGUST 11, 2015

46

POLITICS

After the election, my expectation was what would I do ‘again that will please my people and how I would be able to get them the deserved representation in the House ’

Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Adesina Adeyemo represents Ibarapa East Constituency.

In this interview with BISI OLADELE, he speakes about his legislative agenda, the dynamics of the multi-party House and the challenges of governance in the Pacesetter State.

‘Oyo Assembly not rubber stamp’

Y

OU’RE a ranking member of this Assembly. How do you feel being the Speaker?

Well, to every normal human being, you will feel good. Personally, I feel good and I give God all the glory for that. It is not my own making but it was God who made it possible. I also thank His Excellency, the governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and our party leaders, Chairman of the party and the party Executive who God used to ensure that fairness, equity come to play, and all elected members of the House as a whole who had the confidence that I deserved to be their speaker. So, we have to recognize one fact; that all elected members are qualified to be speaker, going by the constitutional provision that members shall elect their speaker among themselves. So that gives everybody equal opportunity to be elected as Speaker. However, one person has to emerge and eventually, they decided , after my nomination which was seconded, and they all agreed that I should be the speaker of the Eight Assembly.

What motivated you to vie for the Speaker?

Honestly speaking, my way of doing things is quite different. I believe that God has a way of putting ?you in positions and at a every point in time for a specific responsibility or assignment. And as at that time, I was elected to represent my constituency. My concern about the inauguration of the house was how I was going to deliver; how I was going to give my constituency that representation. I didn’t contest to be the speaker during election; I only asked for re-electioon which the good people of my constituency gave me. After the election, my expectation was what would I do again that will please my people and how I would be able to get them the deserved representation in the House.

That was my first concern. As the issue of the speakership began to come up, I believed that I may be the speaker and also, any other person may emerge as speaker.

But did you see it coming?

Honestly speaking, I saw it but I was not desperate to have it. I only believed that whoever emerged; either myself or any other person, mine is to give maximum cooperation and support as a person that has passion for service delivery, good representation and ensuring that peace reigns in the House. My expectation was that I was going to give anybody who emerged my utmost support and that I would do my best.

When it became clear that it was going to be you...

The fear I had then was enormous.

Fear such as: would the composition of the ?Eight Assembly be quite different from the Seventh Assembly?

In every society, especially in Africa, we do respect women; we ?give them respect, we accord them some level of tolerance but you now have an Assembly that a man was coming up as Speaker. So, the challenges would be so high and tasking. So, that happened to be the first concern; that oh God, how would I weather the storm of these highly respected men and women who made up this Assembly? How would I do it and what would I do so that I would not offend them, and that I would be favourable to them, that they would be able to tolerate my shortcomings and eventually having the desired peace to reign in the house?

It began to dawn on me that the task ahead was high and that I had to look for ways to bring everybody together after the inauguration because some people felt normally aggrieved and we had to start mendling fences to ensure that we are together. And I thank God that we are now one.

Have you been able to do that fence-mending successfully?

Yes, we were able to do that during our retreat and the ways the interactions we had went, the way they came individually to pledge the?it support both in prayers and politicking showed a positive sign. We’ve begun to have confidence that we have men of like minds who share the same vision of having a peaceful Assembly. And at the same time, I pledged my openness and transparency in the conduct of the affairs of the House and they have been able to see some measures of trust and confidence in me. We are going on well and I believe that what we started now will end well by the special grace of God. What should be the yardsticks for assessing the Eight Assembly?

Well, when you look at the Seventh Assembly of which I was a member, we must look at factors that were responsible for the peace we had. The first person we need to appreciate and acknowledge is the governor for the maximum support he gave the Seventh Assembly. You see him as a man of peace; a man that embraces peace rather than violence. He didn’t interfere in the affairs of the House. Most crises we had in the House were influenced from outside. But such external influence was not allowed to succeed, coupled with the fact that we had a woman leading. Everybody resolved to work with her. At least, we have wives at home and if a responsible man can tolerate whatever inadequacies or shortcoming of his wife, we all agreed that we were going to accept her; not that she was perfect, not that she didn’t have faults but members tolerated those inadequacies. It was our resolution from the beginning that we wanted a House that would differ from what we had earlier experienced in the state. To the glory of God, we have a governor that believes peace is the only foundation for development;

that once there is peace, there is going to be both human and societal development. We all embraced that it is in unity, in an atmosphere of peace that our aspirations can be transformed to reality. Those were the factors responsible for our feat.

And we are telling the members of the Eight Assembly that we want to surpass the records of the Seventh Assembly. We have been able to let them know that for you to achieve success in this area of legislative endeavour, the House must be united.

Our party affiliations should be put aside and the interest of the people that elected us should be paramount.

We were not elected to come and be throwing chairs, fighting one another or confronting the governor but we are elected to work together with other members and see how we can move the state forward for the good and benefit of the good people of Oyo State. So, if that is the purpose of our election, then definitely we must not come here and do anything contrary. And I believe members have been able to embrace this decision and they pledged that what we experienced in the Seventh Assembly would be a childsplay in terms of peaceful sessions in this Eight Assembly. I am assuring members of the public that this Eight Assembly will never be a departure but will sustain, consolidate and give extra performance of what we had in the Seventh Assembly.

Any plan for the training of lawmakers?

Honestly, one of the things that helped us in the last assembly was the series of trainings. We had local and international trainings. And it really helped us because there is no end to learning and knowledge. So, the zeal to acquire more knowledge, to interact with other climes; learn how things are being done helped us in achieving those landmark feats in the Seventh Assembly. I hope this time around, in spite of the challenges of paucity of funds, we will be able to have similar trainings which will help our members in their legislative responsibility. So, it is very crucial that members are having regular and constant trainings. It helps a lot. It is a good thing and we hope the governor would approve of this trainings for us to make us better representatives of our people.

It takes longer for laws to be amended.

The impact it will have on society needs to be critically examined

•Hon. Adeyemo

You are a lawyer and you have been a lawmaker for four years.

Why is it that some bills don’t scale through the process of legislation?

The fact that we have bills at the point of second reading doesn’t mean that the bills are not good. It may need some re-engineering; to work on it further, to remove some areas which we feel are not suitable.

For instance, there were bills initiated by members in the Seventh Assembly including mode of dressing, identity and all that. Having seen these bills, we looked at them and we saw that a lot of factors needed to be considered and we also needed to consider our society ?where citizens view issues from religious, economic view and social perspectives.

We tried to look at this bill critically to be sure that various agents of government should endeavour to instil ethics in terms of mode of dressing that suit their professions or agencies. We should not look at the issue of legislation independently. What you feel that some people may want and some may not should be considered. So, such bill cannot scale through; it had to be rejected. You have to consider the perspective of the society because we are making laws that are suitable for people.

Another thing is that if you have a bill, whether it is being sponsored by private members or it is an Executive bill, we ensure that further clarifications are taken before this bill will become law. It takes longer for laws to be amended. The impact it will have on society needs to be critically examined. We don’t rush in passage of sensitive bills. So, at times, we allow bills to be pending to allow contributions from members of the public. From those that touch on certain professions, we need to invite those professional bodies to come and make their own input.

•Kogi State Governor Idris Wada (second left), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Sam Ohuotu, Secretary to the Government Prof.

PHOTO: MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE Olugbemiro Jegede and Commissioner for Information Hajia Zainab Okino at a briefing in Lagos yesterday.

‘Buhari’s a problem solver’

H

OUSE of Representatives member Hon. Olajide Jimoh (Lagos Mainland) has said that the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari in the National Assembly crisis has portrayed him a man of peace and a great leader.

While reacting to the statement by the Minority Whip of the House, Hon. Yakubu Barde, who on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus,said the President not neutral, Jimoh said that the remark was misguided and baseless.

He said: “When the President said on his inauguration day that ‘I am for everybody, I belong to nobody,’ what it simply means is that “I am for all,” and you cannot jettison the interest of your party as a party man. You have to ensure that there is peace in your party. What the president has simply done is to find a way out of the impasse and allow peace to reign in our party.

“The APC is very composed unlike the PDP, and we are a party of peace with the high level of belief in reconciliation. Without primary there cannot be secondary, the president cannot just stand aloof and watch what is happening within our party without doing something about it because he’s the leader of the party.

“Therefore, what the Minority Whip said has nothing to do with the personality of the Ppresident and the APC. Our party is for peace and progress in Nigeria.

What we are after is to ensure that the people of this country enjoy the dividends of democracy, which PDP could not offer, when they were in government for 16 years.

The lawmaker reiterated the commitment of the APC to national development, assuring that the party’s campaign promises would be fulfilled.

He said: “We are very happy as the people stood behind the APC in the last general elections to ensure that positive change happened in Nigeria.”

My plan for Kogi,

by Abatemi-Usman

K

OGI State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman has promised to run an all-inclusive government that will give the people a sense of belonging.

The former Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs spoke through his media adviser, Michael Jegede, in a statement issued in Abuja.

He said Kogi State needs a governor that would entrench good governance and pave the way for the development of the state.

Abatemi-Usman added: “There is no gainsaying the fact that Kogi State is one of the most backward states in the country today. You will feel pained as an indigene of the state when you compare Kogi with other states created at about the same time with it.

“Honestly, we do not have any reason to be where we are, if not for the monumental corruption, mismanagement of resources and bad leadership that have characterized the administration of the affairs of the state since it was created almost 24 years ago. I am therefore coming on a mission to transform the state and move it to where it should be in terms of infrastructural and socio-economic development.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION Medview Airlines to begin ‘Open Skies for Africa ‘ll Lagos-London, Lisbon flights destroy Nigerian carriers‘ M

T

HE Implementation of the Open Skies for Africa endorsed by African Transport Ministers can destroy the air transport industry, an expert, Chris Aligbe, has said.

He warned that the policy could grant unrestricted access to carriers in the continent to invade the Nigerian market to the detriment of local carriers.

The former Nigeria Airways spokesman told The Nation that unless the government empowers indigenous carriers with market protection measures, allowing stronger African carriers to invade the nation’s routes would reduce capacity for troubled indigenous carriers which are grappling to remain relevant.

He listed the demerits of the Open Skies for Africa policy to include some foreign carriers’ ability to develop hubs in some African countries to distribute their passengers into Nigeria, adding that it is for this reason that the Federal Government must position indigenous carriers through protective policies to enable them withstand the imminent competition.

Aligbe said there was need for the government to develop strong

Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

indigenous carriers through ownership structure to enable Nigeria take its right position in the air transport sector in Africa, pointing out that the absence of a carrier has led to Nigeria losing her voice in continental and global fora where issues and policies of air transport on the continent are discussed.

Nigeria has lost her voice to other countries, including Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia and Kenya.

Aligbe continued: ”The situation is bad that we have no national carrier, the major flag carrier is struggling, while the domestic carriers are struggling.

“The only flag carrier is nothing to go by in terms of continental reckoning. This has become a huge challenge because the flag carrier is a point-to-point operator and cannot take Nigerians anywhere,” he said, adding: ”We are not doing anything to curtail the excesses of foreign carriers in the industry.’’

The implementation of Open Skies Africa was okayed in January, in Adis Ababa. Some countries that have not endorsed the big carriers in Africa have since keyed into it, pushing through the Afri-

can Union meetings for its implementation.

Aligbe said if the policy sails through, the consequence is that African carriers will have unrestricted access into the airports. ‘’They can fly to Asaba, Calabar, Sokoto, among others, lapping the Open Skies for Africa policy.

“Multiple entry will be a small problem, it is a free entry into any of the airports in Nigeria. African carriers will just fly in unrestricted into our airports. That will be the death knell for most domestic carriers.”

He said some Gulf carriers will hide under such policies to empower some African carriers to target Nigerian routes.

Aligbe said: ”Emirates has signed agreement to build a terminal in Senegal, to build another in Angola to use as a hub into West Africa . If the Luanda Airport comes on, Nigeria should forget it and all the foreign carriers are targeting Nigerian market .

“Part of the agreement is that Emirates will empower TAM Angola to operate under Open Skies into Nigeria to feed and distribute passengers into routes that Emirates fly into.”

EDVIEW Airlines is set to begin flights from Lagos into London and Lisbon in Portugal.

The Managing Director, Alhaji Muneer Bankole who made this known, said the carrier has secured approvals from aviation authorities in the United Kinfgdom (UK) and Portugal to begin the operations.

Bankole said the airline has engaged a consultant to complete the bilateral and technical preparations for the operations, describing the deal as part fulfillment of the Air Agreement Nigeria it has with the two European countries.

He said Medview was moved to actualise its designation into the routes, to offer Nigerians affordable fares from the exploitative ones being offered by foreign carriers.

He said foray into the routes would offer passengers travel options from the exorbitant fares offered by British carriers on the London route .

He spoke just as the airline took delivery of its own Boeing 767 aircraft, to be used for the international operations as well as Hajj operations.

The new delivery by the airline is historic as the only indigenous carrier to acquire a Boeing 767 aircraft with Nigerian pilots and cabin crew .

Bankole said: ” I discovered that getting out of London is so expensive because we only have two British Airlines coming here; Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Among the countries we have got designation is Jeddah and Dubai.

“So, we are putting one on the forefront now and that would be in the next couple of months. We are sincerely working on that. The British authorities as well as the government of Nigeria have designated us to the Lagos-London route. We also got Portugal; Lagos-Lisbon route.

“So, we are looking at the European side, but we are launching this aircraft to Jeddah on the 16th August, 2015 for pilgrimage. We hope to close the first leg on September 16, continuing through October and the aircraft would be ready for international operations in November.”

He added: ”There are people doing the business right now. You know Heathrow Airport is the in-thing with about 73 million travellers annually while Gatwick takes about 35 million yearly. We are looking at the link of bringing Nigerians to Gatwick and we are looking at using the British rail, linking them on complementary to Victoria. Or, we are looking at Heathrow. We are there already.”

On preparation for Hajj, he said: ” I told you I’m ready, but the only thing is that I’m busy for hajj operations now.

“And we are also bringing B777 for the hajj operations and we would be the first in the annals of this country to use B777 and I am proud to say that the NCAA people have been trained by MedView, they are in Atlanta, United States, running for 777.”

Aero gets award

A

ERO Contractors has won the Safety Culture Award. It also received an ambulance from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) for its effort.

The award, according a statement by the airline, was won following an audit by a team of consultants from NECA/NSITF on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies, procedures and culture.

The statement reiterates the airline’s high safety and security standards in the market.

The airline, the statement said, is known for its adoption of cutting-edge technology and for offering comfort, flexibility and quality services to its customers.

On the award and the kind gesture from NECA, the Acting Managing Director of Aero, Capt. Russell Leefoon said: “Aero won the Exceptional Safety Culture Award for 2014, after a thorough audit from a respected and professional team of Safety Consultants from NECA/NSITF on the airline’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies, procedures and Culture.

“We are delighted that our hard work to ensure highest safety standards are being recognised by reputable organisations like NECA and NSITF.’’

SAA begins flight into Accra •From left: Alhaji Bankole; Emmanuel Correia, Flight Officer, Medview Airlines and Capt. Pedro Pissarra during the delivery of the airline’s Boeing 767-300 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Why NCAA should be restructured, by experts

E

XPERTS have canvassed an over haul of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) to boost civil aviation regulations.

They said unless a major restructuring was carried out at the regulatory authority, it might not effectively discharge its oversight duties.

According to a report obtained

by The Nation, the experts recommended that steps should be taken by the government to address the challenges facing the authority .

The report put together by a team of experts who examined the NCAA after the DANA Air crash a few years ago, recommended that a comprehensive review of the act establishing the authority should be urgently carried out.

The report recommended that all appointments in the management cadre from the positions of assistant general managers to di-

rectors should be the sole responsibility of the board of the authority, based on written examinations and assessment interviews.

It also recommended that all levels of senior management in the authority should be by tenure.

The report also recommended that 10 per cent of annual revenue of the NCAA be mandatorily devoted to training and manpower development.

It reads: ” That besides the short term courses and programmes of the NCAA for various classes of airworthiness and safety oversight staff, the authority should evolve a well articulated programme of development for all grades of staff engaged in regulatory oversight from airworthiness to flight safety, technical and cabin, medical economic and consumer protection. ‘’Others should include airspace, ground operations, handling,

aerodromes, terminals and facilitation. That emphasis on training should shift away from ageing and contract staff as is currently the practice and rather focus on permanent and newly engaged staff for purposes of replacement and succession planning.

“That attitude in the NCAA where very senior experienced staff and contract staff seek to perpetuate themselves , monopolise training and create a picture of indispensability does not augur well for the survival of the industry.

The report continued: “That the NCAA board should subject all its present oversight staff to programmes on appropriate work culture, attitudinal change and internal oversight on integrity.

“That the NCAA should develop a clear code of conduct for all its staff , the details of which must be in public domain to check excesses of staff with undue motives.’’

S

OUTH African Airways (SAA) has begun its inaugural flight between Accra, Ghana and Washington DC in North America.The airline disclosed this in a statement .

In a statement, tthe airline said the new route has strengthened SAA’s presence in West Africa during the first flight which departed the Kotoka International Airport in Accra last week.

Besides announcing the new Accra-Washington route, SAA also announced that it has concluded a commercial cooperation agreement with Africa World Airlines (AWA), the Ghanaian domestic carrier which will offer customers further connections into West Africa. With Accra-Washington added to its extensive African route network serving 24 countries on the continent.

SAA offers customers the option of a second West African country linking air travel to North America.

“Introducing more travel options on the African continent is a major development and achievement for the airline as part of our Long-Term Turnaround Strategy, which sets growth on the African continent as one of our key objectives.

“Besides celebrating the inaugural flight between Accra and Washington, SAA has also concluded a Commercial Cooperation Agreement with Africa World Airlines (AWA) which is off a long-term strategic nature, offering customers more travel options within the West African region “SAA’s decision to route some of its North American bound flights to Ghana, is based on sound business principles as there is considerable demand for passengers wanting to fly between Ghana to the U.S.A. We anticipate that this route will add considerable opportunities for the growth of tourism and trade relations between Ghana and the United States of America,” said Mr Kendy Phohleli, SAA executive, Africa Hub Projects.

“True to our promise of improving connectivity on the continent, the agreement with Africa World Airlines will offer SAA customers from Washington and Johannesburg seamless connectivity via Accra to other destinations in Ghana such as Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale as well as to Lagos, Nigeria. Forming a local partnership with a domestic airline was part of our plans of strengthening SAA’s presence in West Africa,” said Phohleli.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 , 2015

e-Business

•From left: Cheif Executive Officer, BPO Academy Nigeria Limited, Mr. Madu; Mr. Jack; and President, Outsorucing Professionals of Nigeria (AoPN), Mr. Austin Nweze during the presentation of accreditation certificate to BPO Academy Nigeria Limited by NITDA in Lagos.

NITDA pledges fresh bite to ICT local content policy T HE National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said it is committed to the implementation of the Local Content Policy guidelines released by the Federal Government under former Communications Technology Minister, Dr Omobola Johnson.

It added that it had already sent invitation to all the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) including Intel and the others for round table to explore a way to implement the policy without hitches.

Its Director-General, Mr. Peter Jack who spoke on the sideline during the accreditation of BPO Academy of Nigeria Limited in Surulere, Lagos said the meeting will involve all the major stakeholders in the industry such as Omatek, Zinox, Intel and other players in the industry.

He said: "There are two things

Accredits first BPO academy in Nigeria

By Lucas Ajanaku

involved. We already have something in this respect in 2013, the former Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson launched the Local Content Policy for the country guidelines and policies.

Now what we are also doing is to call, any moment from now the local OEMs to come to the table.

He said: "As you know Intel provides a technology that is non-discriminatory, you know the Intel processor is in all computers, the IBM and others and Nigeria systems such as Omatek and Zinox. What we are trying to do is to encourage Intel because the firm has already built a plant in a place

such as The Gambia, why can't we build a plant in Nigeria?"

Speaking on the accreditation of the first BPO Academy in the country, Mr Jack said it is a significant milestone in tapping into the potential the subsector holds for the country in terms of job creation and foreign direct investment (FDI).

He said: "It is a major milestone achievement because what it means for us is to change the face for the growing of the outsourcing industry of Nigeria. An industry cannot grow without the right skill to drive it, so this is a very good start.

By accrediting the BPO Academy; you would have noticed that we also saw the laboratory which is well equipped, with computers and software for de-

tailed BPO (business process outsourcing) training.

"We are hoping that we can encourage more participants, more organisations to go into the business of outsourcing, because we mentioned early that the World Bank carried out a study that even online outsourcing has potential of over 32million jobs globally and Nigeria has been labelled in Africa as a destination. And we also talked about opportunities in Ibadan, where an Indian company is now partnering with NITDA to grow capacity in outsourcing, particularly in the call center business.

"The company is called ISON, they just won the MTN contract to support the entire African operation of MTN, and because of that together with NITDA, we are growing jobs of over 3,000

by December this year, and 10,000 by the end of next year."

e-payment expert urges MDAs on electronic revenue collection

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XECUTIVE Director, Systemspecs, Deremi Atanda has urged Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to embrace the use of technology, especially the electronic or e-payment platform to collect revenue, arguing that the option provides convenience and improved revenue generation to government.

Atanda who lamented that MDAs were still faced with several challenges on how to implement Federal Government's

By Olatunde Odebiyi

electronic payment policy, said there are lots of e-payment options now open for MDAs to collect government funds.

Speaking during the technical session of the 2015 E-Government Summit, which had Key to Sustainable Development as its theme in Abuja, he said epayment collection completes the cycle of revenue collection for the government.

Addressing the topic of how to design and implement elec-

tronic payment platform for government revenue collection" Atanda identified six electronic platform options available to MDAs in Nigeria, adding that electronic collection completes the cycle of processing government transaction electronically.

According to him, the six available electronic platform options are "bank branches, internet banking, point of sales, debit and credit cards, mobile wallet, and micro finance banks."

The benefits of these plat-

forms are immense as, according to him, "these options give government revenue collectors 168 hours instead of 35 hours a week. It increased collection channels at almost zero cost and provides reliable and verifiable data for planning."

He added that the MDAs, through these options would get "improved service delivery, access to comprehensive and timely reports as well as expanded business opportunities, which would ultimately improve revenue."

How to eschew stolen phones in Computer Village

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OMPUTER Village, Ikeja has been described as the final destination of IT product in Africa where customers from within and outside Nigeria purchase quality laptops, phones, electronic accessories and other electronic gadgets. However the sale of stolen phones have dented the image of the ICT village. Most people end up buying stolen phones during their first visit to the market.

Business owners in the market blame this on ignorance on the part of visitors.

One of them, Christian Obiora said people easily fall prey because most of them go after the purchase of second

By Modupe Elegushi

hand phones which most times are purchased from over-zealous road sellers who don not have addresses.

“It will be advisable for customers to always purchase new brand products which can easily be got from shops for which receipts are issued after payment. That way, there is a verifiable way of tracing the seller.

Mr. Mark Amadi said people fall victim of buying stolen products because they are often persuaded by roadside sellers who most times sell stolen phones.

He said: ” The same phone that is being sold for N50,000 in the

shop is the same phone a person on the roadside will sell for N25,000 and people will buy it.

Few days after, the phone develops fault and you come back to that same spot, you won’t see the person who sold the phone.

Who is to blame?”

He also said most people are fleeced because they don’t come to the right place to get the right product, adding that all people wanted is to get a quality gadget for a cheaper price.

He said there are benefits of buying from Ikeja Computer Village which include the opportunity to buy a quality product at affordable prices. He warned that one could however end up buying fake product by

paying attention to people soliciting patronage instead walking into a shop and bargain for the price of whatever you wish to buy.

He said this is the reason most people come to Computer Village while some people think everyone is a criminal, that it is a place for pick-pockets and swindlers. “This is not so because the buyers themselves don’t go to the right place to get quality product they desire.

They prefer to patronise impostors whose stock in trade is sellling stolen gadgets or badly used ones which always brings reputational challenge to us,” he said.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 , 2015

e-Business Bridging the widening ICT skills gap has become the cause of concern for the industry. Prof Sola Aderounmu, who was elected president of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) two weeks ago, says the solutiuon to this is for the public and private sectors to provide adequate funding to the tertiary institutions. He says the Federal Government must use ICT tools to humiliate Boko Haram and tackle graft. Prof Aderounmu underscores the importance of research and development in national development; the need to patronise indigenous OEMs and promises to run an all-inclusive NCS. LUCAS AJANAKU met him.

Funding tertiary institutions ‘ll bridge IT skills gap

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VER a decade into the ‘revolution’, what is your assessment of the ICT industry in Nigeria?

The information technology (IT) industry has gone a long way and in the last 10 years, we have witnessed a substantial growth, especially after the deregulation of the telecoms sector by the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The software industry is also growing fast and some of the outcomes are evident in the e-commerce sub-sector of the industry. Another area we are yet to take cognisance of is in mobile apps development.

We now have wide range of mobile apps that address local needs ranging from food ordering using your phone to sophisticated ones that do heath monitoring.

As a leading professional advocacy group in the country, what would you advise the new government to do?

There are lots to be done in the IT sector. For instance, when you consider the infrastructure landscape, the country has about 45,000 km of fibre optic cables. However, the hinterland is under-represented. The cost of internet access in Nigeria is still prohibitively high when compared with other parts of the world. This high cost has been blamed on infrastructural deficit, high cost of right of way (RoW), cost of providing security to infrastructure. So, we will be engaging relevant government agencies on behalf of our members to negotiate for better deals. It is in the interest of the country that internet is allowed to get to the hinterland and at a cheaper cost too. Indeed, it is an antidote to the perennial problem of ruralurban drift.

Service quality has remained an issue in the telecoms sector. What are the ways forward?

In the telecoms sector, you must understand where we are coming from. Like I mentioned earlier, there is an infrastructure deficit in the country with its attendant consequences on service quality. While not holding brief for the telcos, one must understand, historically, where we were pre-2001 and where we are now. I wish to also reiterate the old saying •Prof Aderounmu that the consumer is always right. So, it is important for the telcos to recognise the primacy matter is in court, it may be prejudicial comof subscribers. But more fundamentally is the menting on it. I wish there is an alternative need to understand the root causes of service dispute resolution process for this kind of disruption. It could be that of capacity, wan- things rather than outright litigation. ton destruction of equipment, power outages In what ways can ICT help to address the evils and a host of others. Our administration will of terrorism and graft in Nigeria? be engaging our corporate members on posIn the case of terrorism, IT can come in many sible ways of ameliorating the situation. Some areas such as monitoring. For instance, there of our sensitisation programmes too will also are intelligent cameras that can detect unusual include promotion and education of subscrib- movements and based on that, activate alarm ers about their communications rights so that system. IT can also be used to intercept commuevery citizen is aware of his or her rights. nication between terrorist groups thereby foreHow can the dearth of local skilled man- stalling possible cyber-incidence. The question power be tackled in the industry? again is: ‘How do these terrorist organisations I will answer this question from the point of receive funding?’ With IT, there would be a fiview of somebody with responsibility to im- nancial tracking system that helps trace the part knowledge. Primarily, one of the core movement of these blood funds. Once traced mandates of the university system is to pro- and blocked, degradation of their activities duce skilled manpower for the economy. This begins and ultimately their defeat. There is a is further complemented at different levels by new wave of terrorism - cyber terrorism where the polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges terrorist target critical information infrastrucof education. However, inadequate funding ture. This has more damning consequences. Curhas been the bane of most of these institutions rently in my lab in Obafemi Awolowo Univerespecially for science-oriented courses requir- sity (OAU), Ife, Osun State, we are working on a ing labs. One way forward is to nurture a mu- model to assess risks to critical information and tually benefitting relationship between the in- infrastructures in a scientifically verifiable way dustry and the institutions. If some of the prod- and provide cyber defense capability. As regards ucts of these institutions will have to work in corruption, at our conference in 2011 in Uyo, we the industry, it makes sense for the industry concluded that it was imperative for the govto also invest in their training. In developed ernment to pursue the cashless policy relentworld, companies set up laboratories in the lessly. Once cash transaction is reduced to the universities. I look forward to Nigerian com- bearest minimum, funds going through the panies doing similar things here. banking sector becomes easier to track. On a How best can the objectives of the National Broadband Plan launched by the Federal Government be realised if they are realistic?

It has been empirically proven that every 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration in developing countries results in a commensurable increase in 1.3 per cent in the gross domestic product (GDP), hence there is urgent need for the Federal Government to have collaboration with the private sector in achieving this dream.

Telecoms industry regulator has been criticised for not doing enough to protect smaller players. Do you agree, especially with Etisalat dragging MTN to court for running a promo that is killing its business.

I believe the matter is about price differential by one of the contending parties. Since the

personal note, I and a team of researchers in OAU are working on this. So maybe I should not let the cat out of bag yet.

A synergy between NCS and the academia is imperative. Do you agree?

Yes, I agree with you completely. R&D is one of my core agenda. Under my leadership, we will be encouraging people in the academics to participate more in the activities of NCS. We have an existing programme (R&D Workshop) specifically designed for the academic community. The annual event has become quite popular. However, beyond the existing research fair, we look forward to seeing more handshakes in identifying industry-specific needs for our members in the university to provide solution.

We have deployed this model in OAU and this can be scaled up.

The use of local ICT tools has not been effective as government at all levels prefer to patronise foreign OEMs at the detriment of local OEMs. What is your take on this?

This problem is not particular to IT. It cuts across our national life and for this to change, there must be a complete re-orientation across all levels. In addition, I do not see how local manufacturers can compete with its upstream supplier in this case the original equipment manufacturer. It is even worse when the local manufacturer does not add any value to the product. I am an advocate of competitive advantage.

The software industry is fast changing and there is an increasing number of indigenous compa-

‘In the case of terrorism, IT can come in many areas such as monitoring. There are intelligent cameras that can detect unusual movements and based on that, activate alarm system. IT can also be used to intercept communication between terrorist groups thereby forestalling possible incidence. The question is: ‘How do these terrorist groups receive funding?’ With IT, there would be a financial tracking system that helps trace the movement of these blood funds’

nies patronising locally made software. Let me share our experience in OAU with your readers. When education portal was just making entry into the Nigerian market, we were bombarded by all sorts of foreign solutions. Virtually all banks in Nigeria wanted to sell electronic portal service. We made a decision to develop an in-house portal. Less than three years after, some sister universities that purchased the imported solution discovered that such solutions did not align with our own educational requirement so they abandoned the solution while ours is being used by about five other institutions in Nigeria. So if this is replicated in the banking sector, oil and gas, telecoms, we will not only be conserving foreign exchange, local expertise will be deepened with attendant employment generation and wealth creation.

Congrats on your election as NCS president.

Under your leadership, what will the industry be expecting or what is your agenda?

Thank you. I have a three-point agenda which I clearly spelt out in my manifesto. They are: more IT advocacy; research and development (R&D); and NCS physical presence. So, our administration will work hard to promote the use of IT especially IT penetration and use in rural areas; we will continue to promote the use of indigenous software to address local challenges. The welfare of our members is central to this administration. As such, we will provide platform for capacity building, employment generation and wealth creation.

NCS was established in 1978 then as Computer Association of Nigeria but in more than 37 years of existence, we do not have a befitting physical presence. This administration will commence the process of having a befitting head office that members will be proud of. So we will be seeing a rebranded NCS. Some of the things enunciated can only be achieved when there is enabling policies and political will to implement such policies. In this regard, we will engage the National Assembly, and collaborate with relevant government agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other relevant stakeholders in the computer profession.

We will leverage on the commitment and good-will of our members to court the friendship of the press, seek the help of the industry and multinationals; and support of the Nigerian people in making IT the fulcrum of our development programme as a nation. No nation, I dare say, can grow faster than the level of its IT growth. In the modern day economy, IT is a major driver. In 2013, I was on the entourage of the former Communications Technology Minister, Dr. Omobola Johnson on a working visit to China. It was startling to see how IT has helped to advance China’s economy. Same can be said of the trio of Israel, India and Ireland which derive substantial part of their foreign (forex) earnings from software export.

We hope to convoke an all-inclusive ITstakeholder meeting to chart path for IT in Nigeria. This we hope to do early in this new administration in collaboration with relevant government agencies. The IT industry holds a huge potential for Nigeria for an improved economy through job and wealth creation; foreign exchange earnings and conservation.

However, this potential has not been fully utilised. This is a gap that the NCS under my leadership will be filling.

Will your administration continue with some of the initiatives of your predecessors? I ask this question because the ICT Park introduced

by Sir ‘Demola Aladekomo appears to have gone moribund.

I was a party to the ICT Park project. The project is already being revisited. There were challenges of getting funds but we are already finding ways around that now.

What is your message to fellow members of the NCS? The election was keenly contested and my cocontestant graciously accepted the outcome. This is commendable. NCS belongs to all of us. In the next two years, I will be out. I cannot do it alone. I am using this forum to appeal to everyone to come together for us to build the NCS of our dream. We all have stakes in the society and it is a collective responsibility to reposition and rebrand it for greater heights.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 , 2015

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e-Business FEEDBACK Tips on managing data, airtime on smartphones

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OOD day sir, I would like to commend you on your e-business column that features every Tuesday in The Nation newspapers.

Great job sir. Your column, which I find very informative, is always the favourite part of the Tuesday’s paper as I am a tech enthusiast myself.

However, I observed that people complain often through your column’s Complaints Box about their smartphones, Android devices particularly consuming their data subscription and even their airtime as well as putting all the blame on their service providers. This shouldn’t always be the case.

Here is a little write-up, a sort of techtips that will help your readers reduce data usage on Android devices.

How to manage your smartphone’s data subscription

• From Left: Country Representative, Ford Foundation, Innocent Chukwuma; Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya; member, Airtel CSR Advisory Committee, Yemi Cardoso during the launch of Airtel Touching Lives Season 2 held in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Fake phones, laptops: Dealers blame SON, Customs, others

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NFORMATION technology dealers at Computer Village, Ikeja have decried the inadequacies of regulatory government agencies and greed of dubious importers making sub-standard IT products to thrive in the market.

According to the Secretary General of Computer and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria, CAPDAN, Mr. John Oboro, the government is the only agency that has the instrument of enforcement as the association can do just a little to curb the menace.

He said: ‘’The man who imported counterfeit smartphones and laptops want to make profit. But it is the duty of the government to checkmate it. The Federal Government has moved a step forward to evolve the MANCAP and the SONCAP certificates. For you to import a product into Nigeria, you have to get the SONCAP certificate.

These are not regulations by the ordinary men but by the government’.

Mr. Oboro further added, ‘’Substandard phones and laptops do not fly into the country. They pass through the border and we have the custom officials there who are supposed to monitor and regulate im-

By Tolulope Lawani

portation’.

He however, made a clarion call that all hands must be on deck to ensure that computer village is free from all sub- standard products. In his words: Everyone in Nigeria has a contribution to make. We must put our hands together to drive the process together’.

Corroborating this was Mr. Emeka, a dealer in laptops and electronic accessories who said, ‘’we all know that these products are not produced in Nigeria but they are imported. It is the duty of the custom officials to monitor what comes into the country but some of these officials are very corrupt, they collect bribes and allow counterfeit products into the country’’.

He added that though some dealers intentionally import fake products, there are also instances of factory error; where original Smartphone develop technical faults a couple of weeks after purchase and customers blames the dealers instead of the manufacturer.

Speaking on the increase of substandard products at Computer Village, a customer who claimed anonymity said, ‘Computer Village is

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By Olatunde Odebiyi

things because these smart phones give more money than those analogue phones. Smart phones have more advantages. The madness for new phones, for new technologies cannot help us remember whether there is one phone they call, Nokia 3310 or Nokia 105. A lot of things you can do on the computer system can now be done on the phone, so you should not expect people to go back.”

He added that due to development, the time we are in now, dictates what happens. “What we rather have now is China phones which are not so durable but people will rather buy them, though the money they would have used to buy one genuine phone, would have been used to buy five China phones,” he said.

Mrs Ronke Ayo-Ibine, in charge of Dr Phones shop at the Computer Village added that those producing the analogue phones are no longer doing so because no one is using them, therefore, no one is buying.

She noted that the demand for phone is higher now than those

Turning off auto sync data Auto sync data is a feature that allows your smartphone to automatically synchronise data from your phone to your email and google accounts which in turn consumes internet data.

Auto sync can be turned off by going to settings> general> accounts and sync and then unmarking the auto sync icon.

Turning off automatic update Turning off automatic updates of apps and switching to manual update allows you the freedom of choosing which essential apps you wish to update and saves you more data by preventing the frequent and unnecessary update of less important apps.

Restricting background data By restricting background data, you prevent background apps and services on your phone from eating your data.

So unless you open an app, it can’t use your data. Restrict background data can be turned on by going to settings>network>mobile data>options and then marking the restrict background data icon.

Data conserving apps Data monitoring and conserving apps can help you to monitor and conserve your device data usage. Some good apps such as my data manager or dataeye would do the job.

Also some browser apps consume more data than others. Recommended browsers such as operamini and uc browser minimise data usage but still offer great browsing experience.

It is however noteworthy that it is always advisable to turn off mobile data when not in use so as to conserve data and battery usage.

Feyisara, a graduate of physics and electronics awaiting the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployment, wrote from Lagos.

COMPLAINTS BOX

•Oboro a market where deceit thrives. I bought a smartphone from one of the shops two days ago, but when I got home, I discovered that the phone cannot access the internet. I have been to the shop twice but the issue is yet to be resolved.

When asked if he would make a report to the police he said, ‘I would rather let sleeping dog lie, because taking the case to the police does not mean I will get an internet enabled phone at the end. I would not want to lose at both ends.

Why analogue phones are fading away NALOGUE phones, which used to be the only option for all phone users some years back, are now fading off. Despite their durability, life span, cheap price and long lasting components which is durable for the Nigerian society, these types of phones seem to be few in market.

According to information gathered at the Lagos Computer Village, analogue phones are no more in the market because they are not being purchased and are therefore not imported into the country.

The Secretary, Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), an umbrella body representing Information Communication Technology vendors in the Computer Village Ikeja, Mr John Oboro, noted that some of the reasons analogue phones are fading away was due to the change in the face of technology and the opportunities around the change.

According to him, the introduction of smart phones gives more money than the analogue phones.

“You cannot expect the man who wants to make more profit to remain in the old ways of doing

Smartphones generally consume a lot of data as most of their features are internet-dependent but users can still manage to control their device data usage.

You can however control your smartphone’s data subscription by:

By Ibitoye Feyisara

days of analogue because more people now use phones even children who cannot maintain nor pay the bills.

Another trader who identified himself as Obina, spoke on behalf of the manager of Zip shop, a phone store, noted that smart phones has increased competition, saying that there are lots of brands now unlike some years back when analogue was just within the range of Nokia, Motorola, Sajem and a few others.

“Then, people had to buy what they see because they have no choice, but today, we have so many brands and there is competition. Some people can even go for the cheaper ones”.

He added that with smart phones, there is more profit on the path of the sellers somehow, but it does not pay always because of the competition, though Smart phones have brought a better and easy life because a lot can be done via the phone.

He added that despite the issues around the smart phones, in terms of battery drops, people still prefer them because of the varieties of work they can do.

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 in 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 frivolities. 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

to

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 , 2015

INTERNATIONAL

e-Business

Nigeria puts start-ups at Gitex 2015 centre stage

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Alibaba agrees £4.4b tie-up with Chinese electronics giant Suning

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HINESE Internet giant Alibaba is to pay 28.3 billion yuan (£3bn) for a near-20 per cent stake in consumer electronics retailer Suning, the two companies have announced.

At the same time the Chinese shopping chain will invest up to 14bn yuan for just over 1pc of Alibaba, the companies said, bringing the total value of the deal to nearly £4.4bn.

It will make Alibaba the secondlargest shareholder in Suning, the statement said, adding the two firms would embark on a “strategic collaboration” that would “bring benefits to hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers” and marked “a milestone that signals the further integration of digital and offline retail”.

Suning is one of China’s biggest consumer electronics retailers, while

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Alibaba’s Tmall.com site is believed to command more than half the Chinese market for business-to-consumer transactions. Its Taobao platform holds more than 90 per cent of the country’s consumer-to-consumer market.

Alibaba made its name - and its fortune - by enabling transactions online, challenging traditional bricks-andmortar retailers. But as the market matures it is developing its operations in areas such as payments and logistics, creating potential synergies with former rivals.

Suning, headquartered in the eastern city of Nanjing, operates 1,600 stores in more than 280 cities nationwide, the statement said, and also has its own e-commerce business.

Alibaba’s founder and executive chairman Jack Ma said: “Over the past two decades, e-commerce has become

an inextricable part of the lives of Chinese consumers, and this new alliance brings forth a new commerce model that fully integrates online and offline.”

The two companies will also work together on logistics and suggested that “in the near future” customers could receive orders as quickly as two hours after they were placed.

Suning chairman Zhang Jindong said it would “help transform China’s manufacturing industry and broaden the global horizons of Chinese brands”.

The deal is the latest in a string of acquisitions by Alibaba as Ma tries to diversify. The New York-listed company faces domestic competition from Internet giants Baidu and Tencent, and remains relatively little known outside China.

Windows 10 is free, but ...

HILE Microsoft is ending the pattern of charging for major software updates, making Windows 10 a free upgrade, several programs that users would have once taken for granted must now be paid for.

Solitaire, a Windows gaming staple, is now supported by adverts unless gamers pay a subscription fee, a move that baffled long-time fans last week.

On top of this, Microsoft is charging £11.59, or $15 in America, to download its official DVD player. Windows 10

has scrapped Windows Media Player, Microsoft’s native DVD program, meaning the ability to play video discs no longer comes as standard.

Windows 8, Microsoft’s previous operating system, did not support DVD playback out of the box either, with Microsoft charging £6.99 to upgrade the software, although many hardware manufacturers installed their own programs to allow users to play discs.

Many Windows 10 users will be upgrading from Windows 7 and may be surprised when they attempt to load

up a film, though.

The lack of DVD support is likely to be down to licensing issues, with Microsoft saving money by not paying out for certain permissions that are needed to play DVDs. Microsoft is making the software free to those who did upgrade to Windows Media Center on Windows 8, but for those who didn’t, they will have to shell out.

Alternatively, one can use one of the several excellent free DVD players, such as VLC.

Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, will be signposting its presence at Gitex 2015 with a Country Pavilion showcasing its technology startups and themed presentations on vast rewards for offshore investors in its burgeoning ICT market.

The theme for GITEX Technology Week 2015 is 'The Internet Future of Everything.' Nigeria is promoting its technology startups through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to leverage on this main theme by featuring an array of young innovators delivering revenue-delivering solutions across sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, security, oil and gas, and the retail industry among others.

NITDA Director-General, Mr. Peter Jack said the agency is putting start-ups at the centre of its participation this year because of its strong believe in huge potential of the young population of the country.

"Nigeria's wealth is in her young people. This great body of talented young people will drive the future of this country. The NITDA is encouraging pool of young talents to showcase their content-rich initiatives that could determine both the direction of technology investment whether local or foreign; and the direction of the entire ICT industry beyond how we know it now as well as the shape of the economy beyond crude oil export," he said after the second GITEX Local Organising Commit-

Samsung introduces laundry solution GLOBAL home appliance innovator, Samsung Electronics West Africa, has launched the new additions to its home appliance laundry designed to elevate the everyday home experience for consumers, making laundry at home easier and even providing health benefits. Featuring outstanding performance, smart, consumer insight driven design and sleek functionality, Samsung displayed its latest innovations - including a new onestop laundry solution at the launch of the new activ dualwash recently.

Its Managing Director, Brovo Kim, said: "With today's multitasking families busier than ever, we consistently hear from consumers that they need easy and convenient ways to tackle everyday laundry needs - like prewashing fabrics, treating stains and picking up household dirt. They are looking for home appliances with clever solutions that help them take care of their home efficiently so they have time to pursue the things they really want to do.

ASUS unveils ZenPad, ZenPad 8.0

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LOBAL leading PC maker, ASUS, has announced ZenPad 7.0 (Z370) and ZenPad 8.0 (Z380), premium 7-inch and 8-inch Android tablets that combine refined styling, entertainment capabilities, and customizable functionality with interchangeable covers to redefine the tablet experience and bring true luxury to consumers. Available in two sizes, with WiFi and optional LTE/3G connectivity, there is a ZenPad to suit any kind of user, the PC maker said.

According to ASUS, ZenPad features an alluring appearance inspired by the ASUS Zen design philosophy of crafting harmonious beauty and functionality. With its clean lines, embossed-leather patterning, and premium styling influenced by fashion accessories such as clutch bags and wallets, ZenPad has a luxurious appearance unique among mobile devices. Ergonomic rounded edges make ZenPad comfortable to hold and carry, and its polished metallic frame adds a bold

visual accent. ZenPad is available in three colors: Obsidian Black, Pearl White, and Aurora Metallic.

Powered by a 64-bit quad-core Intel Atom x3 processor, ZenPad delivers high performance for smooth multitasking, watching videos, or gaming. Its 8MP_ rear-facing and 2MP2 front-facing PixelMaster cameras allow users to capture greatlooking photos, videos and selfies in any situation, including lowlight2 conditions.

ZenPad comes with Android 5.0 'Lollipop' and features ASUS ZenUI, the all-new mobile user interface built around the concepts of freedom, connection, and expression. As the world's first fully customizable interface, ZenUI offers advanced functionality with a stylish, clean design that places information front and center for a simpler, smarter user experience.

ASUS ZenPad is crafted to provide exceptional entertainment experiences. Each tablet in the ZenPad series is built around an expansive HD

IPS display that provides up to a 76.5 per cent screen-to-body ratio and features the exclusive ASUS Visual Master suite of visual enhancement technologies - including ASUS Tru2Life and ASUS TruVivid - that brings advanced image-processing found on highend TVs to a tablet for the first time and provides comprehensive visual optimization.

ASUS Tru2Life analyzes each pixel in an image before it is displayed and performs intelligent contrast and sharpness adjustments to boost dynamic range, revealing even the smallest details to ensure an incredibly-realistic viewing experience. ASUS TruVivid improves screen clarity, brightness, and touch responsiveness by transforming the conventional six-layer display design, composed of cover glass, two layers of optical adhesive, two layers of sensor film, and an air gap in front of the LCD module - into a two-layer, fully-laminated de-

tee (LOC) meeting in Abuja.

To ensure full participation of the public and private sectors as well as the education/research institutions, NITDA has embraced multi-sector stakeholders in the LOC charged with ensuring the country's successful participation. The GITEX LOC is headed

by Dr. Vincent Olatunji. The committee will provide the framework and implementation activities for participation of stakeholders inside the Nigerian Pavilion at the tech fiesta; promotion of local startups; projection of the country's vast and untapped IT potential; organization of Nigeria's IT Investment Forum within the Nigeria Pavilion; and generation as well as well as distribution of IT intelligence material on the country for the global audience at Gitex.

The event holds between October 18 and 22 inside the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

We welcome initiatives to address needs in the healthcare, banking, education and agriculture sectors among others. We have to expose our young and talented startups to investors, global IT buyers and tech acquisition specialists keen to know more about the country and willing to explore partnerships and business opportunities. This applies to startups and the already well established companies seeking to expand their portfolio of business interests and margins" said Dr. Olatunji.

sign that eliminates the air gap, resulting in higher optical transparency in brilliant colour and improved brightness.

ASUS ZenPad is the world's first tablet to feature an innovative interchangeable cover design that lets users easily customise their tablet with functional back covers. These can provide extra features and additional color options, while perfectly matching ZenPad's look.

Audio Cover is an entertainment accessory that brings the cinematic, 5.1-channel surround sound to ZenPad. It includes four satellite speakers, one center-channel speaker, and one subwoofer to provide an incredible surround-sound experience when watching videos or listening to music. Audio Cover provides up to six times (6X) louder volume than ZenPad alone and up to six hours of continuous usage on a single charge. Audio Cover also doubles as a convenient stand for watching videos or getting some work done.

"Our lineup of innovative and stylish laundry solution delivers on this consumer need. Samsung appliances are the ideal combination of simplicity, performance, technology and innovation."

Research shows that when it comes to laundry, the most tedious task is pre-treatment and pre-wash.

Most homes don't have a sink in their laundry rooms, requiring consumers to pre-treat/pre-wash elsewhere and bring the items to the machine. The simplest and most convenient way this can be done is through the latest top load washer from Samsung. This innovative and stylish product solves the most tedious laundry needs with a simple, yet revolutionary feature activ dualwash. The top of the active dualwash laundry machine includes a built-in sink with water jet and gentle scrubbing surface.

This convenient sink provides a separate space to pre-treat tough stains, like heavily soiled sports uniforms, or hand wash items like delicate fabrics. Once finished, the laundry and water can easily be poured into the machine. This allin-one solution allows consumers to handle the entire wash process in the laundry unit instead of having to spread it out over multiple locations, avoiding mess and saving a considerable amount of effort.

Speaking at the launch, the Director, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Sunil Kumar said the active dualwash laundry machine also features the magic dispenser detergent drawer which creates a powerful water vortex, dissolving detergent and dispersing it evenly even before the wash cycle starts.

"With this new technology, consumers can wash a normal load of laundry with virtually no detergent residue on their cloths or detergent drawer. The activ dualwash is the first Samsung top loader to feature this technology" he said.

Activ dualwash is currently available in Inox, (16kg.) and Silver (13kg), Wine (8.5kg) and features a rear panel with a dual-cluster design and easy-to-access control buttons, which are fully protected from water splashes.

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MONEYLINK

CBN approves reward scheme for e-payment users

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HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) has ap proved an industrywide E-Payment Incentive Scheme and Awareness Campaign for electronic payment users.

The scheme, it said, is in furtherance of the drive for Nigerians to widely embrace the usage of electronic payment system as a preferred means of payment for financial transaction.

The Incentive Scheme known as ,Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme

Stories by Collins Nweze

(EPIS), is being implemented

by CBN and the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS).

The scheme is focused on rewarding users of electronic payments platforms in the country and further encouraging adoption of the on-going cashless initiative by all while promoting financial inclusion.

The EPIS Project Manager, NIBSS, Mrs. Funmi Momodu

said cardholders are already benefiting from the programme through the ongoing weekly cash-back credited to their accounts for payments for purchases made via Point of Sale (POS) terminals.

Other components of the incentive scheme include, the reduction of Merchant Service Charge (MSC) from 1.25 per cent to 0.75 per cent or a maximum of N1,200 as against the initial of N2,000, and the accelerated Commission on Turnover OT exemp-

Abia State eyes N1.5b monthly IGR

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HE Abia State govern ment is working on achieving a N1.5 billion monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Public Communications, Sam Hart who made this known at the weekend in Lagos, said the state which currently generates N400 million monthly, will need improved revenue base to enhance developmental projects in the state.

He said the state is not only plugging revenue leakages, but has engaged a consultant who will guide it on the revenue drive.

Hart, who is also a member of the Abia Economic Advancement Team (ABEAT), said the state government will give the Consultant a revenue target, and that it is only when the target is met that it will begin to take commission on generated revenues.

He said the state transformation agenda, which is being implemented under the ABEAT scheme, will be through economic facilitators, focusing on areas of development to promote economic growth and social well being.

He said the state has a vibrant population with entrepreneurial skills and has strategically located access to seven other states.

Hart also said the state’s infrastructure drive will focus on providing adequate power supply to the people, while guaranteeing security for lives and property.

He said the state will also leverage on its green vegetation, focusing on major cash and food crops and will establish Marketing Board that will

assist farmers in preserving their products.

“We will also establish a Marketing Board, and the Bill for the establishment of Abia State Marketing Board was recently passed into law. The farmers don’t have the facility to keep their products, but the board will find market for our crops. They will buy them off the farmers and build silos and preservatives. This will galvanize the economy. They are also to find buyers,” he said.

“Why are our supermarkets stocking products from foreign countries. The Marketing Board will help them saturate our market,” adding that the new government will re-establish the Abia heritage as a commercial hub, engage in market expansion and promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

He said the state will engage private concessionaire to ensure the commencement of operations in Aba dry port; leverage Imo River and Aba River for the creation of a Seaport among other projects.

“Abia State is Nigeria’s second strongest economy behind Lagos State. A vibrant agricultural and agro-allied processing sector, Aba an industrial center easily compared to Lagos. The State has at least five modern global standard markets serving West and Central Africa. It is a strong hub for Nigerian content activities for the oil and gas sector,” he said.

“Geometric Power Plant is also located in Abia, and will begin operation by November. Geometric Power Plant will help supply power in Abia. We are being account-

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largest private sector funding scheme of N50 billion to support agriculture and agro-processing industries in Nigeria. Since then, UBA have sustained its commitment to the agricultural sector by committing an average of seven per cent of its loan book to agricultural financing, well above the banking industry average of four per cent.

The LCCI awards night recognises, promote and celebrate private and public sector institutions operating in Nigeria for best business practices, growth through innovations, business sustainability and positive impact on people and the society.

UBA was also one of the two banks selected in 2010 to administer the N200 billion

Head, Corporate Communications in NIBSS, Mrs. Lilian Phido, said the CBN has approved the implementation of EPIS Raffle Draw as a sensitization exercise before the launch of the Loyalty Scheme. NIBSS is set to kick start the maiden draw this month while the monthly draws are open to all domestic cards and is scheduled to commence in Lagos.

Card holders who perform point of sale (POS) transactions that meet the preset criteria defined in the campaign within the month under review will automatically qualify for the raffle draw. The draw would be based on a random selection of transactions done on POS in the course of the month under review.

NIBSS would work with the Issuing Banks to confirm and contact the winning cardholder’s details as well as the merchant details as registered on the Central Terminal Management System.

All Winners are expected to have a Bank Verification Number (BVN) for authentication of bank account.

Furthermore, the draw would reward winners for POS users for the month prior to the draw, that is, POS transactions done in July 2015 will be eligible for the draw scheduled for this month.

The raffle draw would be divided into three winning categories monthly and the cash prizes, with the first prize winner going home with N100,000; first runner up will go home with N50,000 and second runner up will win N15,000.

Nigeria mortgage agency to seek approval to raise N28.5b •Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu

able, making our processes easier. We are setting up the Abia State Promotion Agency”.

According to Hart, Abia State remains the one-stop investment centre. “We are giving investors assurance that we will give them good incentives that will promote their businesses. We identified five pillars where we are going to concentrate. Agriculture is a key area we will focus on. Up to 80 per cent of Abians are still farmers. We intend to identify our major food and cash crops where we have comparative advantage.

Previous administrations built farm settlements and we are revisiting those areas and take them over. We will give our farmers high yielding crops and build farm settlement,” he said.

According to Hart, the state government also wants education that is targeted at employment. “We are interfacing with industries in the state, and demanding the manpower the companies need. We are reviving our technical education. We are bringing Diasporas with expertise back home to come and develop our economy,” he said.

UBA named largest lender to agriculture HE United Bank for Af rica (UBA) Plc was at the weekend, honoured with an award as Nigeria’s biggest lender to agriculture.

The award was conferred on the lender by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at the chamber’s annual commerce and industry awards night.

The LCCI awards night recognises, promotes and celebrates private and public sector institutions operating in Nigeria for best business practices, growth through innovations, business sustainability and positive impact on people and the society.

UBA was honoured on the night for consistently supporting the growth of agriculture in Nigeria. UBA, as far back as 2009, floated the

tion for electronically based transactions.

The scheme also permits merchants to provide cash back services to cardholders following a purchase. This serves as an incentive for merchants to earn a fee for providing a value-added service Cash-out services to customers following a purchase of goods/services from their stores.

Momodu also noted that part of the EPIS is the Loyalty Scheme (Point Based Reward System) which is scheduled to Go-Live in the fourth quarter of 2015; this will allow cardholders earn points each time payments are made via a POS terminal.

These points can be accumulated and redeemed for gift items on the CBN Loyalty Web portal.

agriculture fund set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) because of the bank’s commitment to agricultural financing as well as its spread across the country.

Listing some of the consideration that LCCI considered in selecting winning companies for the LCCI awards, Aderemi Bello, President of LCCI, said that companies that were selected were companies that have broadly impacted on the society positively by challenging the status quo, redefining lifestyle creating wealth and vitality and giving people increased confidence to become better at what they do. Other key considerations, he said, included; compliance with set standards, regulations, level of disclosure and corporate governance.

N

IGERIA Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) will seek approval from members by month-end to raise additional equity capital of N28.5 billion ($143 million) through a shelf registration programme, the statebacked mortgage agency said yesterday.

NMRC set a price range of 4.50 to N7 per share for the first series of equity to be raised under the programme worth N6 billion.

Nigeria put $300 million

World Bank aid money into a mortgage-backed guarantee last year in a bid to boost lending through the creation of a secondary housing market, which is virtually non-existent in country.

Nigeria suffers a housing shortage, with somewhere between 16 million and 20 million new homes needed just to keep up with current demand, according to official figures.

The NMRC was set up with the aim of lowering mortgage lending rates — currently around 20 per-

cent for a 10-year loan or up to 30 percent for households with lower credit ratings.

The debut general meeting will be held on August 31, the NMRC said in a notice to approve the capital plans.

It added that further equity tranches will be approved by members.

Mortgage lending is a small portion of the overall property market. There are about 20,000 mortgages open in Nigeria, the finance ministry has said, none of which are tradable because of a lack of liquidity. None extend beyond 10 years

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NEWS Enugu, Anambra govts consult From Chris Oji, Enugu

ENUGU and Anambra State governments yesterday agreed to partner in various areas of mutual interest, including business development.

Anambra State Governor Willy Obiano and his Enugu State counterpart, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, told reporters at the Enugu State government House that the cooperation would be treated with seriousness.

Obiano said: “We discussed areas of mutual interest business wise and agriculture.

“Basically, this is my first visit since Ugwuanyi became governor of Enugu State. I came to congratulate him and •Director-General, Peoples Democratic Institute Dr Lanre Adebayo (left), convener of Restart PDP Project, Mr Nwosu Emmanuel if there is any challenge we and a member of Zamfara Elders Committee, Alhaji Garba Gusau at the presentation of the road map towards the speedy will discuss it.”

PHOTO: NAN restructuring of PDP ahead of 2019 general elections in Abuja…yesterday

‘Call for state of emergency in Aba’ From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

A BODY of Nigeria ethnic nationalities, under the aegis of The Youth of Nigeria (TYON), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State.

In a communiqué at the end of its three-day quarterly conference in Aba, TYON decried the pathetic state of the ancient town, lamenting that Aba had become a shadow of itself and called for government’s urgent intervention.

It called on the Federal Government to look into the infrastructural problems facing other ancient cities such as Ibadan, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, and Zaria.

The communiqué, signed by the Acting Secretary Eric Oluwole, and Deputy Public Relations Officer Emmanuel Zopmal, hailed the efforts of the Buhari-led administration in addressing the insurgency in the Northeast.

Enugu group wants NCAA bill passed into law From Chris Oji, Enugu

A COALITION of women interest groups in Enugu State have called on the Enugu State government to pass the National Coalition on Affirmative Action (NCAA) bill into law to give women prime position in the society.

The call came yesterday when NCAA’s leadership, led by the Coordinator, Nkiru Ugwu Nwabueze, visited the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, in his office.

Nwabueze explained that NCAA was not mandating that men and women be equal, but that women be given their fair share in the society.

She noted that five states had passed the bill and implored Enugu to follow suit.

Ubosi assured the women that the house would consider the bill, noting that it had been presented to the House during the last plenary but was not assented because its sponsors were ineffective.

He counselled the women to re-present the bill to the Committee on Gender Affairs when the House Committees are constituted.

Students protest plot to downgrade S Alvan Ikoku Varsity TUDENTS and management of the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, are protesting the Federal Government’s purported plan to return the university to its former status of a college of education.

The protest caused a gridlock on the Owerri-Orlu road as commuters were stranded for hours.

The protesters displayed placards, which read: “We want our university Mr. President”; university yes, college of education, no”; Mr. President, don’t take away our university”. They prom-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

ised to resist the plot.

Addressing reporters, Academic Staff of Union of Universities (ASUU) Chairman Comrade Ukachi Wachukwu advised President Buhari to shun what she described as the ‘self-seeking suggestion’ by any group of people to reverse the newly upgraded university to its former status.

Wachukwu assured Buhari of the university’s re-

solve to live up to its challenge of providing qualitative education.

“We cannot afford to lose the ground already gained.

The plot is from a self-seeking group of people and should Mr. President reverse the present status of the institution, we will fall back to the union instrument to handle the issue,” Wachukwu said.

President of the Student’s Union Government (SUG) Comrade Solomon Okafor expressed displeasure at “the

purported plot to tamper with the university’s status”.

He pleaded with Mr. President ‘to jettison the idea and work with the document handed over to him’.

The SUG president said any attempt to tamper with the present status would amount to impartiality.

“What would be our fate and that of students of the Southeast if President Buhari would reverse the institution to a College of Education,” Okafor said.

Traditional stool causes chaos in community

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HERE is tension in Amanuke community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, with two groups struggling to install the town’s monarch.

Governor Willie Obiano had recognised Alphonsus Ezebilo and gave him a certificate and staff of office.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Awka, the President-General of the town, Mr. Paul Enemuo, said Ezebilo, an accountant, was nominated, screened and presented to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, which also wrote the Department

•Outgone General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major-General Tanmi Dibi (right) and the incumbent GOC, MajorGeneral I.H. Edet after the handing and taking over ceremony in Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

•‘Obiano gave us a monarch’ of State Service (DSS) for investigation.

These according to him, were done without any hitch until some persons offered the position to another person.

According to Enemuo, the DSS cleared Ezebilo, whose certificate of recognition has been signed by the governor.

His words: “The former monarch, Igwe W.O. Ezenwa, died in 2000 and the mourning period had since elapsed, hence the necessity for a new one.

“In compliance with the Constitution of Amanuke,

we have painstakingly undertaken the exercise and the town endorsed Ozo Alphinsus Ezebilo as the Igwe– elect.

“The selection process started with a directive by the Central Executive Committee of the Amanuke Development Union on September 28, 2014, to Enuagu village, which is constitutionally entitled to produce the next Igwe, to present a qualified person.

“They presented Ozo Alphonsus Ezebilo and a chieftaincy committee was set up in compliance with Section

57 of our constitution. They screened and found him qualified in all respects”.

He described Dennis Ezebilo, a relation of Igwe Alphonsus Ezebilo, laying claim to the stool, as an impostor.

Another community leader, a former contender who withdrew from the race, Chikaodi Anara, said Dennis Ezebilo could not have been selected because his father is alive.

Anara said Dennis did not possess the minimum educational requirement for the throne, adding that every member of the Ezebilo family supported Alphonsus.

Enugu APC sure of victory in rerun From Chris Oji, Enugu

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NUGU State All Progressives Congress (APC) is hopeful of reclaiming its alleged stolen mandate in a rerun.

The party is sure that the tribunal will nullify the election of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who it said was occupying the Government House temporarily.

APC Chairman Dr. Ben Nwoye addressed reporters yesterday after the party’s stakeholders meeting in Enugu. He said forensic evidence filed by the APC was weighing against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nwoye insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) erred in declaring Ugwuanyi winner of the April 11 poll.

He said: “As far as the Enugu State APC is concerned, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwanyi is enjoying a stolen mandate, and that makes him a temporary tenant at the Government House.”

He said APC was repositioning itself ahead of its expected victory, adding that “those saying we are in crisis are making a big mistake.”

“You can see that all the state executives are here, including party stakeholders.

Our National Vice Chairman, Southeast, Emma Enukwu, our governorship candidate, Okey Ezea, and others are here.

“So we dispel speculations in some quarters that APC in Enugu State is in crisis; we are not in crisis, we are one united big family”.

Anambra PDP crisis: Uzodike declines position

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HE crisis in the Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to abate as former Governor Peter Obi’s nominee for the party’s secretary, Chief Joe-Martins Uzodike, has declined the position.

In a statement in Awka yesterday, the former commissioner for Information and Culture said his resignation was due to personal reasons.

His letter reads: “I hereby decline my nomination for the position of state Secretary due to personal reasons.

“I shall continue to offer my services to our party, especially, towards its reunification, rebuilding, and reinforcing, thereby ensuring that we become one flock, one shepherd, with a focus devoid of personal interest but that of the party and our state, Anambra.

“Power must not only belong to the people but must be seen to do so. Thank you and God bless”.

Chairman Prince Ken Emeakayi denied knowledge of Uzodike’s decision.

A source, however, said Uzodike could not have accepted the position with the crisis ravaging the party. He described Uzodike as a disciplined man.

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NEWS

Seven killed in attacks on Jos villages

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EVEN people have been killed in three attacks on Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In one of the attacks, gunmen laid ambush for cattle grazers at Kassa village and killed three.

In the second attack, a truck carrying four cows was attacked on its way to a cattle market at Bukuru in Jos

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

South Local Government.

The owner of the cows, Alli Suleiman, was killed, but the driver, Samaila Ibrahim, escaped with bullet wounds.

Three bodies of Fulani young men, who left Saminaka in Kaduna State to visit their kinsmen at Sho village

in Barkin Ladi Council were found on the Barkin Ladi-Jos Road, apparently dumped by the killers.

The deceased were reportedly attacked by gunmen on their way to Sho. It was alleged that they were abducted by gunmen and taken to an unknown destination where they were killed and their bodies dumped on the road.

The Secretary of MIYETI ALLAH Cattle Breeders Association, Barkin Ladi chapter, Muhammed Adam Muhammed, confirmed the attacks to reporters in Jos yesterday.

Officials of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis code- named ‘Operation Safe Haven’ could not be reached to confirm the attacks and the number of casualties.

Kwara APC justifies exco’s delay

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State yesterday justified the delay in the composition of the executive council (exco).

It said the situation was not peculiar to the state, adding that there were states in the Southwest and in the North that were yet to constitute their excos.

The party Chairman, Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani, told reporters in Ilorin that “preparations are in top gear to appoint credible people as commissioners and advisers.”

He denied the rumour that Senate President Bukola

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Saraki was meddling in the affairs of the government.

Balogun-Fulani said Saraki had at no time interfered in the day-to-day running of the state.

According to him, the running of Kwara was the responsibility of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

He said APC was happy that the governor was performing.

Balogun-Fulani said the party passed a vote of confidence in Ahmed for excellent performance.

Kwara Poly suspends three From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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•Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Mr Abdullahi Mohammed; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Emir of Kano, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria Stakeholders’ Conference in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Suswam’s govt looted over N6b council funds, alleges SSG T

HE Secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG), Targema Takema, has alleged that over N6billion local government funds went into private accounts annually, during the eight-year tenure of ex-Governor Gabriel Suswam.

The SSG, who spoke at a reception organised in his honour by the Mbaiwoo Development Association in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, said contrary

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

to the 29,000 work force projected as workers of the local governments by the previous administration, a biometric audit of council workers showed that only 14,000 workers were employed in the 23 councils.

He said the bloated figure

took between N600million and N700million of local government funds monthly, which went into wrong hands.

He said as a member of the transition committee, he was privy to the fact that the indebtedness of the state as established by the committee “now stands at N130billion as against the N90billion earlier mentioned,” adding that ar-

‘We’ve retrieved 25 cars from Yuguda’s wives’

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HE recovery committee set up by the Bauchi State government to retrieve illegally-acquired government’s property from officials of the last administration, has retrieved 25 cars from ex-Governor Isa Yuguda’s wives.

The committee Chairman, Air Commodore Ahmed Tijani Baba (rtd), told reporters in Bauchi yesterday when reacting to a media report credited to Yuguda and his wives.

The former governor had claimed he handed over the government property to the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, led by Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar.

Baba said: “The committee was not set up to witchhunt anybody, but to recov-

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

er looted government property in tandem with its mandate.

“There are certain controversies surrounding the cars collected from the wives of the ex-governor, which the committee wishes to clarify.

“We learnt that Yuguda, through his media team, claimed that the committee lied. I want to state that the committee has in its possession, valid documents in connection with the retrieved vehicles.

“Twenty-five cars have been collected from the wives of the former governor. We retrieved seven from his fourth wife, Hajiya Nafisa, which include a Toy-

‘Kano to maintain scholarship for students’

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ANO State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has debunked insinuations that the government may not maintain the scholarship given to students in foreign universities by the last administration.

The governor, who spoke at the launch of a free eye care programme at Sir Sunusi Hospital in Kano, said his administration would ensure that they complete their studies so they could fill the vacancies in areas of the economy, especially in the health sector.

He said the government would maintain the local scholarship scheme, noting that the aim was to make the state a knowledge- driven society that would be a model in the country.

ota Camry L.G, Camry C.E, Land Cruiser V.8, two Peugeot 406 cars, Toyota Hilux and Peugeot 307.

“From Hajiya Abiodun, the committee retrieved 10 cars, which include a Camry L.G, Land Cruiser V.8, Peugeot 406, Peugeot 307, Peugeot 406, Peugeot 407, two Peugeot station wagons, a Toyota Hilux Fird and a Ford Ranger Hilux.

“Five vehicles were collected from his first wife, Aisha. They are Toyota Camry L.G, Land Cruiser V.8, Peugeot 406, Toyota Hilux and Peugeot 504 station wagon.

“We also retrieved three vehicles from his third wife, Hajiya Maria. They include a Toyota Hilux pick-up, Toyota Land Cruiser V.8 and a Honda Civic.”

rangements had been concluded to ensure that those who stolefrom the pubic treasury were made to return the money.

Appointments: Group urges truce From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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HE Niger State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged ceasefire in the controversy over the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and other political office holders by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

It enjoined aggrieved parties to bury their hatchet in the interest of the electorate and state’s progress.

Senator David Umaru, representing Niger East, has been the leader of the opposition to the appointment of the SSG. He said it was done to the detriment of the people of his senatorial zone and in violation of the constitutional provision.

But IPAC issued a statement in Minna yesterday signed by its state Chairman, Alhaji Isah Ndamaka.

The statement said the council believed that the appointment of the SSG was done in good faith for the benefit of everybody.

NUJ to check fake journalists From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi

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HE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kebbi State Council, has set up a disciplinary committee to monitor and fish out quacks.

A communiqué at the end of its meeting yesterday by the Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Jajirma, said the new leadership would rid the state of fake journalists.

He said a synergy would be struck with information officers, government agencies and parastatals to address quacks in journalism and unprofessional conduct.

Jajirma urged journalists to play their role of agenda setting by committing themselves to the development of journalism.

HE authorities of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, have approved the suspension of three students for alleged involvement in cultism.

Last week, the institution suspended four students for the same offence.

The students are from the Public Administration Department.

The Principal Assistant Registrar (Academic) said in a statement that the polytechnic’s tradition was to suspend any student under investigation, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The statement reads: “A report from Oke-Oyi Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police has been received by the polytechnic authority in respect of your alleged involvement in cultism.

“Consequently, I am directed to inform you that the management has approved your suspension from the polytechnic pending the outcome of the investigation by the police.

“The polytechnic advises the students to stay away from the campus pending the determination of their case.”

Mark’s witnesses abscond from tribunal

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HREE witnesses due to testify yesterday for Senator David Mark at the National and State Legislative Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi, have absconded.

Kenneth Ikonne, lead counsel to the former Senate president, before the beginning of the defence, told the tribunal that he would call eight witnesses, saying he had lost some of his witnesses to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

When the sixth witness was called, he was not present.

Ikonne told the tribunal that he was not familiar with the Benue political terrain.

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Said he: “Something strange seems to be happening here. My witness came to me and said he has defected to the APC. He spoke with other witnesses and now I cannot see them in court.”

Onazi Emmanuel, Paul Okpe Anyebe, Julius Ali, who were called to testify, were not in court.

A witness told the tribunal that the March 28 election was free and fair in Benue South.

The matter was adjourned till Thursday for continuation of defence.

‘We didn’t endorse candidate’ From James Azania, Lokoja

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HE Okun Development Association (ODA) said yesterday that it was yet to arrive at the choice of a governorship candidate from the aspirants from Kogi West and Central senatorial districts.

It said it would be out of place for any aspirant to say he had been adopted, as the committee set up to screen the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants was yet to begin work.

The Secretary of the Search and Screening Committee, Mr. Tunde Arosanyi, disassociated ODA from the publications linking it with the adoption of any of the aspirants.

Ganduje launches free eye care service From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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ANO State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje yesterday launched a free eye care/eye camp programme aimed at treating over 44,000 patients across the 44 local governments.

Under the programme, patients will be given drugs/ medicaments, medical glasses and will undergo cataract and lid repair surgeries, free.

The governor said at the launch at Sir Sanusi General Hospital, Yankaba, Kano that his administration initiated the programme as part of its human development programme to save people from visual impairment and blindness.

He noted that empirical evidence showed that at least three million Nigerians suffered from eye problems and one million were blind.

Ganduje said with the government’s intervention, people with visual challenges would be saved from blindness.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

NEWS PDP has no enviable legacy to learn from, says APC Continued from page 2

what Dr. Jonathan failed PDP could not achieve in 16 years.

“The distractions being orchestrated by certain elements in the polity will not deter the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari from its avowed determination to rescue Nigeria from the clutches of those who are holding the country by the jugular,” the statement said.

It went on: “The people, including fringe elements, who have frenetically engaged in fault finding with the Buhari administration, are those who either have skeletons in their cupboards or those who are acting at their behest, for a fee.

“These paranoid and skittish people daily run to the media to disparage the Buhari administration. Grasping at their straws, they condemn and criticise everything from appointments to the war against corruption and the battle against insecurity, even though the party to which they belong had 16 years to make things right for Nigeria but chose to suck the country dry, enthrone insecurity and pauperise the citizenry.

“Their design is simple: Make enough incoherent noise

in the media with the hope that the Administration will be distracted. ”Unfortunately for them, they have failed in their evil machination, because this President can neither be deterred nor be distracted. While their dogs continue to bark, the caravan of the Buhari administration proceeds on its steadfast journey.

“While a virile opposition is indispensable in any democracy that is worth its salt, no opposition can succeed by dwelling on the mundane, or by engaging in bare-faced lies. Only good research, strict adherence to the truth and a focus on real issues rather than frivolities can make the opposition relevant.”

It wondered why the Buhari administration should take the blame for the “blatant refusal of the last administration to adequately equip the military to confront the Boko Haram insurgency, when even an appointee of the administration told the whole world that he was the head of a military that lacked the relevant equipment and motivation to fight an insurgency.

“What achievement is there for anyone to appropriate from

an Administration that will go down in history as the most rapacious, incompetent and clueless in the history of our nation?” it queried.

The APC noted that in less than three months, the Buhari administration has started off on a strong footing in many areas, including the fight against insurgency; the battle against corruption; the reorganisation of the oil sector that was the private piggy bank of the last administration; the bailout granted to cashstrapped states and the revival of the Nigerian dream.

It also listed the resetting of the Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with the rest of the global community and the overdue clean-up of the Niger Delta region, which was shockingly ignored by a President from that region as some of the landmarks of the three-monthold administration.

The statement said: “With its sure-footed efforts in all the listed areas already attracting national and international acclaim, does it not beggar belief that the same Buhari administration will be accused by the apologists of the failed regime of appropriating their dubious achievements?”

860 INEC officials fail to declare assets Continued from page 2

“It has been observed that from our records that the Asset Declaration Forms(ADFs) issued to your organisation on 11th March to be distributed to your staff were not returned as only 466 out of 1,326 Forms were duly filled and returned.

“Failure to declare and return duly completed Assets Declaration by members of staff before 20th August , 2015 shall attract appropriate sanctions. Take urgent action.”

In a memo to all directors of INEC, dated August 4, the Director of Human Resources Management, Musa Adamu asked the officials of the electoral agency to declare their assets or face sanctions.

The memo said: “Sequel to the issuance of Asset Declaration Forms to all staff of the commission in March 2015 and pursuant to the provisions of the Fifth Schedule part 1 of Paragraph 11 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(as

amended), which makes it mandatory for all public officers to declare their assets, notice is hereby given to all staff who have not completed and submitted their forms to do so on or before 20th August,.2015.

The memo said failure to comply with the CCB directive “shall attract appropriate sanctions from the Code of Conduct Bureau and the commission.

“You are requested to bring the content of this circular to the notice of the affected officers in your department/ directorate.”

After the declaration, the constitution empowers the Bureau to take the following steps.

They are: “Examine the declarations in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct or any law.

“Retain custody of such declarations and make them available for inspection by any citizen of Nigeria on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may pre-

scribe.

“Ensure compliance with and, where appropriate, enforce the provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law relating thereto.

“Any statement in such declaration that is found to be false by any authority or person authorized in that behalf to verify it shall be deemed to be a breach of this Code.

“Any property or assets acquired by a public officer after any declaration required under this Constitution and which is not fairly attributable to income, gift, or loan approved by this Code shall be deemed to have been acquired in breach of this Code unless the contrary is proved.”

“Receive complaints about non-compliance with or breach of the Provisions of the Code of Conduct or any law in relation thereto. Investigate the complaint and, where appropriate, refer such matters to the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

Jega on general elections: I wasn’t afraid Continued from page 2

before the governorship election. You could see that nobody complained about the use of the card reader during the governorship elections.

“There were areas where people didnt want the card readers to be used, and worked very hard to ensure those card readers were not used. They now turned around and made it appear as if the card readers failed to

work.”

Asked “(Laughs) those are allegations that remain unproven. In any case, the time we gave this contract for the production of the card readers was almost three years. So, at that time, the political permutations and configuration had not become established.”

Jega admitted that corruption has crept into the nation’s electoral system.

He said: “I find worrisome the use of money in politics

particularly in the electioneering process in Nigeria.

“Increasingly, use of money in politics seems to be enticing to voters because of what they receive rather than choosing those they believe can deliver.

“I think the use of money in Nigerian politics is becoming such a worrisome phenomenon that a lot needs to be done in order to minimise it, because it is capable of undermining the integrity of the entire exercise.”

WAEC: 61.32% candidates fail English, Mathematics Continued from page 2

dates in 13 states whose governors have not paid the Council will not be able to access their results until the states affected produce advance payment guarantees from reputable banks, so that the Council will be assured that the fees will be paid.”

Although, he refused to name the debtor-states, Egu-

ridu said the issue had been brought to the attention of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), noting that payments were still being made by some states. It will, therefore, be premature to name the states, he said.

Eguridu said the examination was also conducted in Benin Republic and Cote d’lvoire due to “wishes of parents of

Nigerian origin who are not satisfied with the education of their wards there and want them to come to Nigerian higher institutions. WAEC is also open to other nationals who wish to patronise it.”

There were cases of Nigerians colluding with their wards and schools to engage in examination malpractices. Such cases have been recorded and such results withheld, Eguridu said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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FOREIGN NEWS

ISIS threatens to kill the Queen of England

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HE mail on Sunday has reported that an assassination plot is being orchestrated from Syria by Islamic state against the Queen of England.

The newspaper reported that extremists aim to explode a bomb in central London during events to mark the 70th anniversary of VJ Day – Victory over Japan – which are expected to be watched by thousands of people.

The Mail on Sunday claimed it was informed by sources that a specific threat was made against the Queen, triggering a review of security arrangements.

“While the UK threat level from international terrorism

remains severe, we would like to reassure the public that we constantly review security plans for public events, taking into account specific intelligence and the wider threat,” a police spokesman said.

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on the reported threat.

The Queen and members of the Royal Family will take part in a series of events next Saturday.

A service attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, veterans, former prisoners of war and civilian internees will be held in central London.

The Japanese surrendered on August 14 following the

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• Queen Elizabeth II

dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet declaration of war and invasion of Manchuria.

The next day, Wednesday

August 15, was celebrated as Victory over Japan Day and the nation formally surrendered on September 2, 1945 at a ceremony in Tokyo Bay aboard USS Missouri.

Deadly bomb attack near Kabul airport

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Taliban suicide bomber has attacked a checkpoint near the entrance to the international airport in the Afghan capital Kabul, killing five people.

Local officials said at least 16 people were injured in the blast, which happened at about midday (07:30 GMT).

A Taliban spokesman said the attack targeted a convoy of foreigners but it is unclear if any died or were injured.

The incident is the latest in a series of recent deadly attacks following the announcement of a new Taliban leader.

President Ashraf Ghani is due to hold a televised press conference later on Monday to discuss the security situation.

Kabul's deputy police chief, Sayed Gul Agha Rouhani, told reporters that

a suicide bomber had driven a vehicle into the first checkpoint on the road into the airport.

Images showed a large plume of smoke rising from the site of the blast and locals reported seeing ambulances approaching the scene.

Those killed were four civilians and a border police officer.

Wahidullah Mayar, a spokesman for the public health ministry, said a young child was among those injured in the explosion.

The airport was closed for several hours.

Monday's Taliban attack comes after three deadly attacks on Friday that killed at least 50 people.

The bombing comes after several recent deadly attacks in Afghanistan's capital

An American soldier was killed in an attack on a Nato base in Kabul on Friday A suicide bomber blew himself up near the city's police academy on Friday evening, killing about 20 recruits.

A short while later, gunmen launched an attack on Camp Integrity, a Nato base that houses US special forces near the airport.

Eleven people, including an American soldier and eight contractors, were killed in the attack on the base.

Earlier on Friday, a truck carrying explosives was detonated near an army base in the Shah Shahid area of the capital, claiming 15 lives.

The Taliban said it was behind the attack on the police academy but did not mention the two other incidents.

A top UN official said the

attacks were likely to be the product of a Taliban power struggle following the death of the group's leader Mullah Omar.

"We suspect the upsurge in violence may be triggered by the succession battle within the Taliban," Nicholas Haysom, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, told the BBC on Saturday.

Last week, the Taliban released a video in which they showed members of the group pledging allegiance to the new leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansour.

But analysts suggest there has been infighting within the group between supporters and opponents of Mansour.

The Taliban's announcement that Mullah Omar had died led to a tentative peace process being suspended last week.

Burundi arrests over general's killing

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EVERAL people have been arrested in Burundi over the assassination of a powerful general, the prosecutor's office has said.

However, it said the "masterminds" behind the murder of Gen Adolphe Nshimirimana were still being sought.

Prominent human rights activist Pierre Claver Mbonimpa was shot and wounded in an apparent reprisal attack following Gen Nshimirimana's killing last week.

Mr Mbonimpa has been allowed to fly to Belgium for treatment.

Heavy shooting was heard in the capital, Bujumbura, on

Sunday night, but it was unclear who was behind it, the AFP news agency reports.

Burundi has suffered serious unrest since President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision in April to seek a third term in office.

Pierre Claver Mbonimpa's work over the years for prisoners and others has won international acclaim Opponents argued this violated the constitution, and protests broke out in parts of the country.

There was also failed coup attempt in May, as renegade generals demanded that Mr Nkurunziza steps down when his term ends.

A presidential election was held last month which Mr Nkurunziza won.

The result was rejected by the main opposition parties, but one of its leading members, Agathon Rwasa, agreed to take the post of deputy parliamentary speaker to promote reconciliation.

The prosecutor's office said in a statement that a military vehicle was used by Gen Nshimirimana's attackers and it was subsequently burned.

"The identities of the perpetrators are now known. A certain number have been arrested. The rest of them and the masterminds are being

sought," it said.

Burundi has suffered months of unrest since President Nkurunziza's decision to seek a third term He was widely seen as the most powerful person in Burundi after Mr Nkurunziza.

Meanwhile, Mr Mbonimpa's daughter said the authorities had allowed him to leave for Belgium, the former colonial power.

"He will be treated there and they can do all the tests that we can't do here. We are also more reassured about his safety there," Amandine Nasagarare said, AFP reports.

Coast guard rescues 1,417 migrants off Greek islands

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REECE's coast guard rescued more than 1,400 migrants in nearly 60 search and rescue operations near several Greek islands in the eastern Aegean Sea over the past three days as the pace of new arrivals increase, authorities said yesterday.

Tens of thousands of people, many of them fleeing war and conflict in Syria and Afghanistan, have been making their way from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in inflatable dinghies, overwhelming

cash-strapped and understaffed authorities on the islands.

The 1,417 migrants rescued between Friday morning and Monday morning were picked up at sea in 59 separate incidents off the coasts of the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Agathonisi and Kos, the coast guard said.

Those figures do not include the hundreds of others who manage to reach the islands' coasts themselves, walking to the main towns to turn themselves in to local authorities and receive

registration papers.

Mukhtar, a Somali migrant who arrived further north, on the island of Lesbos, said he had made his way to Greece in an effort to get to Norway where his family lives.

"I haven't seen my family for 20 years," said Mukhtar, who would only give his first name, in Mytilene, the island's capital. "I want to see my family."

He is one of some 124,000 migrants who reached the Greek islands by boat in the first seven months of 2015, a

staggering 750 percent increase from the same period last year, according to the UNHCR, the United Nations' refugee agency. In July alone, there were 50,000 arrivals, about 70 percent from Syria. The vast majority land on five islands: Lesbos, Chios, Kos, Samos and Leros, the UNHCR said in a statement released Friday.

The migrants pay large sums to get to Europe. Just the short crossing from Turkey to Lesbos costs "approximately $500" said Sajid, a migrant from Afghanistan.

Mexican missing-student activist killed

Mexican community activist who helped families search for their missing relatives has been killed.

Miguel Angel Jimenez Blanco's body was found near his home in a town in the south-western state of Guerrero.

He had led search parties after the disappearance of 43 students in the nearby town of Iguala last year threw light on hundreds of other missing people.

Guerrero is a region plagued by gang and drug violence.

At least 15 people were killed there over the weekend.

Mr Jimenez Blanco's body was found in the taxi he owned in the small town of Xaltianguis.

He had been part of an organisation which had supported the search for the students in the hills around Iguala. He had also helped dig up a number of graves of murdered people that were found during the search for the students.

He had helped organise a group called The Other Disappeared, mostly women who meet every Sunday to search the hills for the remains of their loved ones.

The search parties started in November last year, a few months after the 43 students were abducted and presum-

ably killed in Iguala on 26 September.

The death of Mr Jimenez Blanco has deeply shocked the small town of Xaltianguis Since the group began work, it has found 129 bodies, which were handed over to the authorities for identification.

In a BBC interview, Mr Jimenez Blanco said that after Iguala, 300 families had come forward saying they had missing relatives too.

The case of the missing 43 students promoted a national and international outcry. The parents of the students and many other Mexicans still reject the government's version of events.

The administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto has insisted the students were killed by gang members on the orders of corrupt local police.

The bodies were then burnt, and the remains dumped in a river, but so far only one student has been identified.

The case highlighted hundreds of other people missing in Guerrero - Mexico's most violent state.

Guerrero is a major opiumproducing state and a battleground for a number of different criminal gangs.

More than 20,000 people are missing across the whole country.

Turkey hit by series of attacks

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WO women shot at the U.S. consulate in Istanbul yesterday and at least eight people were killed in a wave of separate attacks on Turkish security forces, weeks after Ankara launched a crackdown on Islamic State, Kurdish and far-left militants.

The NATO member has been in a heightened state of alert since starting its "synchronized war on terror" last month, including air strikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq. It has also rounded up hundreds of suspected militants at home.

Police armed with automatic rifles cordoned off streets around the U.S. consulate in the Sariyer district on the European side of Istanbul, following the gun attack there.

Ahmet Akcay, a local resident who witnessed the attack, told Reuters that one of the women fired four or five rounds, aiming at security officials and consulate officers.

"Police were shouting 'drop your bag, drop your bag'.

And the woman was saying:

'I will not surrender'," Akcay said.

"The police warned her again: 'Drop your bag or we will have to shoot you', and the woman said: 'Shoot'."

One of the two women was later captured wounded, the Istanbul governor's office said.

The Dogan news agency said the injured woman was aged 51 and had served prison time for being a suspected member of the farleftist Revolutionary People's Liberation ArmyFront (DHKP-C), which is virulently anti-American and is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and Turkey.

"We are working with Turkish authorities to investigate the incident. The Consulate General remains closed to the public until further notice," a consulate official said.

On the other side of Istanbul, a vehicle laden with explosives was used in an attack on a police station, injuring three police officers and seven civilians, police said.

EU approves •80 million loan to Jordan

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HE European Union (EU) yesterday approved the disbursement of an •80 million loan to Jordan the second and final tranche of a •180 million Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) programme for the country, a statement said.

"Jordan is an important partner for the European Union and we are committed to helping the Jordanian people cope with the knockon effects of the severe crises the Middle East is experiencing," said EU Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, responsible for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs.

This assistance comes in addition to other forms of EU support to Jordan that in-

cludes regular cooperation in Jordan's reform efforts in areas such as energy policy, employment and private sector development, as well as the more than •300 million provided since the beginning of the Syrian crisis to help the country address its related humanitarian, development and security needs.

Macro-Financial Assistance is an exceptional EU crisis response instrument available to the EU's neighbouring partner countries. This operation is complementary to assistance provided by the IMF. MFA loans are financed through EU borrowing on capital markets. The funds are then on-lent with similar financial terms to the beneficiary countries.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

60

CITYBEATS A 72-year-old fisherman, Michael Dansu, yesterday said he took to pipeline vandalism because he can’t die of hunger.

The Lagos State-born suspect was paraded yesterday alongside 12 others in Ikeja by the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Dansu said: “I have two wives, five children and 19 grand children. For a while now, I have not been able to fish because of the season and when member of my family were almost starving and I can’t die of hunger. So, I took the offer from my friend, Kwame. I was given N15,000 by one Nicholas Ajalesan, who owns the petrol. It was when we were about to take off from the high sea, we were arrested. We were sent. It is not what we do for a living.”

Another suspect, Yusuf Arowolo, a driver, said he

Lawyer seeks divorce

By Angela Abu

I can’t die of hunger says, suspect •NSCDC parades 13 pipeline vandals •The suspects...yesterday

By Basirat Braimah

was promised N2000 after the trip.

He said: “I was caught with 10 drums of diesel in Ojo. I have been idle for a while now since Lagos State Traffic

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LAWYER Mrs Hezelyn Chinwe yesterday pleaded with a Mushin Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her two-year-old marriage with Ernest over lack of care.

Mrs Hezelyn said Ernest no longer care and give her the necessary attention and love she needs as a wife.

Ernest also accused Hezelyn on maltreating her step son.

He also told the court on how she went out two occasions without informing him and coming home late at night.

“I have a son whose mum died few years back, ever since the boy came to the house she has been maltreating the boy and feeds him with expired and rotten food. Whenever I confront her concerning the issue, she yelled at me and never allow me utter a word,” he said.

Magistrate R.O Mushishi adjourned the case to August 24.

Management Authority (LASTMA) officials seized my bus for passing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.

“At times my friends gave me a bus to work for half day.

It was my first time. I was sent. I didn’t know it was il-

legal. I needed something to eat. I have been gathering money for my wedding.

Please I was sent.”

Tola Kwame, a Ghanaian, said he took the job because he had nothing to eat.

“I am married with two

children. I was told about the job by one Nicholas Ajalesan who resides in Badagry. I gathered six people who are also fishermen because we have been starving lately. I was given N20,000 being the captain while others were given N15,000 each. This is my first time. If not because the fish season is dry, we won’t be here,” he said.

NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said seven out of the suspects were arrested last Friday in Badagry, Lagos, with 706 Kegs of 25-litre of fuel.

According to him, the suspects attempted to move the products to neighbouring countries before they were held.

Abafi said: “On August 5, officials of the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft (NNS Beecroft) handed over five suspected petroleum vandals to our command. They were said to have been on their way to Benin Republic with 81 drums of 250-litre petrol around 12.15am.”

Abafi enjoined people to look for legitimate jobs.

Lagos seals six firms for N6.2m tax evasion

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HE Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) has sealed six firms for failing to remit N6.197 million Personal Income Tax of their workers to the state government.

Mrs Ajibike Oshodi-Sholola, Head of the Distain Unit of LIRS, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that the companies were sealed during a state-wide tax law enforcement exercise Oshodi-Sholola, who led the enforcement team, said that the affected companies’ tax liabilities were between 12 months and four years.

Oshodi-Sholola said most corporate organisations usually evade the remittance of the previous year’s tax only to remit taxes of current years,

adding that the six companies’ tax debts were basically for 2011 tax-audit year.

According to her, some companies think that jumping the previous years’ tax to pay off the current year tax will make the LIRS exempt them from paying the outstanding debts.

“It is very wrong to overlook tax payment of any certain year and a misconception to think that government will forfeit tax payment of any registered organisation in the state.

“Despite how long the tax of an organisation has lingered, the truth remains that the government will someday come for it,” she said.

The team leader noted that the enforcement would con-

tinue until Nigerians imbibed the culture of voluntary tax compliance, adding that tax evasion was a criminal act.

According to her, the companies that were affected by the recent tax enforcement include; pharmaceutical companies, a security management company, paint manufacturing firms and a media company.

Oshodi-Sholola urged companies operating in the state to ensure that their tax files and documents are always up-to-date to avoid been shut by the LIRS. She said the poor administration and compliance to taxation system had resulted to low generation of revenue from tax.

According to her, the poor taxation system was responsible for the poor maintenance of the nations’ infrastructures.

“In western countries where everything is taxable, tax is government’s key source of income. The government can still streamline Nigerian taxation system to make it more rewarding.

“I believe that effective taxation will boost government’s revenue and that is the only way the nation’s infrastructures can be maintained and sustained,” she added.

Meanwhile, some of the affected companies complained of not being given notification by the state government before coming to shut down their firms.

Police promote 364 officers

By Ebele Boniface

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HE Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 346 Superintendent of Police (SPs) and other ranks to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

The officers, who were decorated yesterday at various command headquarters within the country, were urged to be good ambassadors.

Those promoted includes, the former officer-in-charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja Lagos, Abba Kyari, who was instrumental in the arrest of various armed robbers, kidnappers and sea pirates.

Also are Akin Adejobi, Aminu Mohammed, Abubakar Yakubu, Funke Olubanjo among thers.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu urged the officers to be professionals in discharging their duties, saying that the promotion was based on merit.

Ojukwu said those promoted were qualified and their promotion was well deserved.

Seven in court for ‘breaking shop’

By Idayat Bello

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EVEN men were arraigned before an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos yesterday for allegedly breaking into a shop.

They are Dauda Isiaka, 21, Adamu Sule, 20, Sodiq Amodu, 27 and Suleiman Mamadu, 27, Umoru Abubakar, 21, Abdullahi Adamu, 28, and Abubakar Abdullahi, 31.

They were also accused of stealing a cash sum of N1,052,400. The accused pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Olanrewaju Olatunji granted them N100,000 bail each. The case had been adjourned till September 3.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

61

CITYBEATS

Alade market: traders, govt trade words •‘The place built by the concessionaire is inhabitable’ •Ministry of the Environment approved it’

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HE Executive Secretary of Ikeja Local Government Area Adekunle Dally Adeokun yesterday cleared the air on the controversy surrounding the status of Alade Market traders.

He said there was no truth in the allegation that the council issued a 60-day ultimatum to the traders to move out of the market. According to him, no date has been fixed for the relocation.

Describing the ultimatum as a “misrepresentation of facts,” Adeokun said at no time did he address a news conference or issue any statement giving the traders ultimatum to leave the market.

Adeokun spoke against the heels of yesterday’s protest by the Concerned Traders of Alade Market Men and Women (CTAMW), who alleged that the proposed relocation site is a flooded and swampy plane that is unsuitable for trading.

Speaking on behalf of the market women, President of the Concerned Traders, Mrs Sulola Odunsi-Dania said the council authority had initially made the move to displace them and demolish the market in 2003, but the state government denied any knowledge of the planned demolition.

“The truth is that we were not served any notice by the Lagos State Government. It is sad to note that when the state government wants to repossess a particular place, they come up with sundry excuses. The place built by the concessionaire is inhabitable. It is located beside a canal behind the market. You need to see the place. Reptiles and other animals roam about and it is worse during the rainy season,” she lamented.

Mrs. Odunsi-Dania said they had gone as a group to the Iyaloja General of Lagos State, Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, who called a meeting of the market women and the con-

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

cessionaire, Mr Lai Omotola.

“At the meeting Mr Omotola blatantly said that he had no business with us, to whom the Iyaloja entreated to have proper dialogue with us because we are the ones directly concerned,” she said.

Legal counsel for the market women Jiti Ogunye, said there were various abnormalities in the way the concessionaire was going about the relocation.

“These women are stakeholders who pay tax to the government.

They can’t just be treated anyhow,” he said.

Describing the protests as “a storm in a tea cup,” Adeokun said the issue surrounding the relocation is one that would be resolved amicably between the council, the concessionaire and the traders as it is “a family affair.”

He said what happened in the council on Sunday was the inaugural meeting of the committee members in charge of the relocation and after the meeting, they all agreed to give the concessionaire 60 days to put some things in place at the new site.

He said: “The committee of 16, which was made up of six members of the traders and five each from the council and the concessionaire, met and resolved that the concessionaire must open up the area and put interlocking paving stones on the floors, and build 100 locked up shops and additional Kee Clamp, build a perimeter fence and fit same with American wire mesh, all of which, he said, the concessionaire promised could be done within 60 days.”

He said the true position is that after the 60 days, the committee is expected to inspect the site and review the activity of the concessionaire after which all the stakehold-

•The market entrance...

Boat operators to face prosecution if...

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OAT operators in Lagos State who fail to provide life jacket to their passengers will be prosecuted, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), has warned.

LASWA Managing Director Yinka Marinho, gave the warning in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

He said the authority would no longer tolerate passengers travelling on waterways without wearing standard life jackets.

“It is mandatory that all users of waterways wear life jacket. We are going to prosecute all operators who car-

ry passengers without life jacket. We implore passengers to insist on the use of life jacket,’’ he said.

He said that the penalty to be melted out on boat operators who failed to comply with the directive would be determined by the courts.

Marinho said the regulations guiding boat operation would be reviewed and necessary penalties spelt out for erring operators.

“Some operators have been prosecuted; our regulations will be reviewed and there will be penalties for noncompliance to the use of life jackets. If a passenger refuses to wear life jacket, operators

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ers are expected to meet to now negotiate when the traders would eventually move.

“It is only after the committee has been convinced that the relocation is feasible that any negotiation on the relocation could be contemplated. The traders at the market are our people and we would not do anything to inconvenient anyone,” he noted.

Adeokun called the cooperation of the market traders in the redevelopment of the market adding that the council will do everything to protect their interest.

According to him, there was no truth in the allegation that the site is inhabitable because it was cleared for use by the state’s Ministry of the Environment and they are meant to

should not allow such passenger on board for whatever reasons.

“Passengers should also insist on wearing life jackets, because 80 per cent of the fatalities on the waterways are caused by non compliance with the use of life jackets,” he said.

The Managing Director said that no fewer than 3,500 life jackets had been distributed in the state and many were still being expected.

He said that the authority recently took delivery of 2,400 life jackets donated by the government for distribution to boat operators across the state.

T

By Precious Igbonwelundu

ing a creation of statute by virtue of the provision of Section 1(1) of Special Offences Court Laws of Lagos State, lacked the mandatory power to conduct the trial.

Besides, they argued that there was no enabling law that empowered the court to entertain offence created under the Criminal Laws.

Citing plethora of legal authorities, Ajala submitted that “where the commencement of a prosecution of a charge does not disclose facts supporting prima facie case against an accused person, the charge must be quashed”.

Ruling on the preliminary objection, the court upheld the argument of the defendants and struck out the suit.

Magistrate Adeyemi said having gone through the defendants’ application, it was found to have merit.

stay there only for 24 months.

He said most of the shops are being offered at ridiculously low prices and the council is ready to accommodate all irrespective of their status whether legal or illegal tenants of the market. He alleged that while most of the traders rented the shops from the council at N7,200, they reissued same to tenants at fees ranging from N500,000.

Adeokun said though the initial projection was for the new site to be temporary, but the concession-

aire in accommodating the grievances of the traders have had to invest heavily in constructing solid shops, that would be powered by a 350 KVA electricity generating set.

He said the lawyers to the traders have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the council and concessionaire on the mode of relocation.

The concessionaire, Mr Lai Omotola said the company would do everything possible to meet the demands of the traders to facilitate early relocation to enable it commence the contract.

Lawyer arraigned for ‘N4.8million fraud’

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LAWYER Johnson Anumudu was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, Igbosere, Lagos for allegedly defrauding his colleagues of N4.8million.

The defendant was alleged to have obtained the money from two other lawyers seeking an office accommodation.

Anumudu pretended as the owner of the property where the complainant sought office space.

Arraigning the lawyer before Magistrate M. Owumi on nine counts of impersonation, stealing and obtaining under false pretences, pros-

Court strikes out environmental offence suit HE Lagos State Special Offences Court yesterday struck out an Environmental Law violation suit filed against for suspects for want of jurisdiction.

Gbolade Onalaja, Yinka Agbabiaka, Gloria Ocheme and Adeola Egbeyemi were charged before Magistrate J.O. Adeyemi on three counts of bordering on the violation of Environmental Laws.

But through their lawyer, Gbenga Ajala, the defendants had challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.

In a seven-page notice of preliminary objection, the defendants prayed the court to quash all the charges levelled against them.

They argued that the charges were outside the jurisdiction of the Magistrate court, adding that some were related to collection of dues by a body registered under the Trade Union Act. The defendants submitted that the court be-

•The committee members

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By Precious Igbonwelundu

ecuting Inspector Philip Osijale told the court that the offence was committed in September last year, at 15B, Fatai Arobieke Street, Lekki phase 1.

He told the court that the defendant fraudulently obtained N2.8million from one Olufunke Afolabi with the pretence of renting her an office accommodation, adding that another N2million was obtained from one Adebisi Fajuyigbe by the defendant for same purpose. ýHe alleged that after the complainants have paid and

commenced renovation, the real owner of the property surfaced.

Osijale said when the complainants confrontedý the defendant and demanded a refund of their money, he issued them dud cheques of N400,000.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences were punishable Sections 312(3), 285(1), 378(1), 319(b) and 313(1)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Anumudu pleaded not guilty and was granted N500,000 bail with a surety in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till August 25.

Council opens health centre

PAPA-Iganmu Local Council Development Area has inaugurated a Primary Health Centre (PHC) to improve the health care of the populace.

The opening, was done by the council’s first Executive Chairman, Dr Christopher Anago.

Executive Secretary Mrs Oluwafunmilayo AkandeMuhammed promised to make health care accessible to the residents.

She said: ‘’It is a fact that the Primary Health Care campaign was by a former Minister of Health, Prof.

Olikoye Ransome-Kuti and

By Ajose Sehindemi

the Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law of 2006 gave strength to it, by stressing that every citizen in the state is meant to have access to minimum health care which must be made available in every ward with a minimum of 10,000 persons and this is what we are delivering to the people now, although the populace in this ward is more than that.”

She expressed optimism that the centre and others would run a daily 24-hour service.

According to her, neces-

sary materials including resource personnel have been provided in the centre to serve the community. ‘’Everything concerning health is here except the extreme one. The council is doing well to maintain the health of the populace and this centre is a further demonstration of our efforts to improve the health care,” she said.

She urged the residents to see the centre as theirs and not mismanage it.

Dr Anago hailed the council chief for upgrading the centre.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

NEWS Agip withdraws ARCO workers from facility despite court order From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

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HERE management of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Limited may have violated a Federal High Court’s order that the status quo be maintained in a matter between the company and its contractor, ARCO Group Plc. Agip reportedly terminated the contract and ordered ARCO’s workers out of its facilities in Obrikom (OBOB)/Ebocha/Kwale, all in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

It was also learnt that the company transferred the contract to a foreign firm, Plantgeria Limited, despite the subsisting court order.

In the suit, ARCO challenged the alleged wrongful transfer of its contract to Plantgeria Plc without due process and regard for Nigeria’s Local Content Act, 2010.

Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, at the last sitting on June 30, urged the parties to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of motion on jurisdiction raised by Agip.

The matter has been slated for hearing in October and the order was reportedly served on the parties.

But on July 7, Agip reportedly ignored the court order and withdrew ARCO’s workers from its (Agig’s) processing plant the major work ARCO handles for Agip - and replaced them with Plantgeria workers.

ARCO’s workers have been stranded since, although they have been reporting for duty.

On July 28, the Federal High Court sent its Sheriff, Ayo Agboola, to appeal to Agip not to disrespect the court’s ruling but allow ARCO’s workers to continue their duties until the matter before it was concluded.

Efforts to reach Agip’s officials for their reaction were unsuccessful last night.

Man flees after killing three over T bitter leaf plant HE Edo State Police Command has promised to hunt down a fleeing Igbira man, identified simply as Alhaji, for killing three persons over bitter leaf last Sunday evening at Ibillo in Akoko Edo Local Government Area.

The names of his victims were given as: Aliu Ademo; a girl identified simply as Favour and a three-year old boy, Isaac.

Alhaji was said to have had a quarrel with Favour over the bitter leaf plant because he did not seek the consent of the owner before plucking its leaf to make a soup.

•Police: he will be arrested From Osagie Otabor, Benin

An eyewitness, who spoke in confidence, said: “Alhaji, who is an Igbira (from Kogi State), came out with a cutlass and beheaded the girl. A neighbour, Aliu Ademo, saw what happened and started shouting. Alhaji ran after Isaac, the little boy to kill him but Ademo pursued him to

save the boy. Alhaji killed the small boy and Ademo.

“Alhaji attempted to kill Mr Ademo because he came out to save the boy. Isaac was rushed to the hospital, because he was still unconscious. But we heard he died this morning (yesterday).

“Alhaji is on the run, but the police are looking for him.”

Police spokesman Stephen

Onwechei, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.

He said: “He (Alhaji) will be arrested. He abandoned his cutlass and took off after the killing. When people came round to stop him, he killed them, including the three-year-old child. That is barbaric. “I understand that he previously had a quarrel with the mother of the child over the ownership of the bitter leaf in the compound.

That is madness. But we must arrest him, no matter how far he tries to run. He must face justice for his wicked act.”

Youths threaten to seize APC’s secretariat

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group of Bayelsa youths yesterday threatened to take over the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They said the secretariat, at Izagara Close, off Baybridge Road, Kpansia, Yenagoa, belongs to the state government.

The youth, under the auspices of Mangrove Boys Brigade of Bayelsa State (MBBBS), urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the party, led by former Governor Timipre Sylva, to vacate the property or face eviction.

The group’s spokesman Kingboy Joshua said MBBBS had written to President Buhari to intervene in what he called an illegal occupation of government property.

The letter, Joshua said, followed an earlier appeal for the President to intervene in the matter, after Sylva allegedly claimed that the action of the APC was supported by the party’s national leadership.

He said: “As people who be-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

lieve in the rule law and its importance in a democratic dispensation like ours, we are calling on President Buhari to urgently prevail on Sylva and the APC to obey the subsisting court order, which ordered the APC to vacate the premises.”

The spokesman said the party’s actions were intended to provoke violence, heat up the polity and cause a breakdown of law and order.

According to him, if not nipped in the bud by President Buhari, the development could have far-reaching consequences.

It was learnt that the state government, through Yenagoa Capital City Development Authority, obtained an order of interim injunction on July 22 from the State High Court, presided over by Justice G. S. Botei, asking the APC to vacate the property, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Court dismisses PDP’s appeal against tribunal HE Court of Appeal in Calabar has dismissed an interlocutory appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the Election Petitions Tribunal for refusing to allow the party delete the statements on oath of the petitioner’s witnesses.

Senator Prince Bassey Otu of the Labour Party (LP) had filed a suit against Senator Gershom Bassey, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over Cross River South Senatorial District election.

The appeal was filed by the lawyer to the second respondents (PDP), Efefiom Otu Ekong, on behalf of Paul Erokoro (SAN) for the first respondent (Gershom Bassey) and INEC, the third respondent.

The tribunal, in a ruling on

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From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

June 18, disconnected the application to expunge some statements on oath of the petitioner’s (Otu’s) witnesses.

It held that the attempt was premature because it adjudicated on the substance or otherwise of the petition.

The petitioners’ lawyer Essien Andrew, in rejoining on a point of law against the appeal, argued that the ruling of the tribunal conformed with Paragraph 47(i) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act of 2010, as amended.

The Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Mohammed Garba, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice H. A. Barka, upheld the submission of the counsel in favour of the tribunal and the petitioners.

•From left: Kehinde Awosika; Mrs Grace Araba; Dr Bola Awosika Oyeleye, Prof Abiola Olanrewaju Awosika (the celebrator) Mr Gbenga Awosika and Pastor Taiwo Awosika at the 60th birthday party of Prof Abiola Olanrewaju Awosika at OPIC Estate, Lagos State

We got N500m not N15b, says Bayelsa flood panel

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HE Bayelsa State PostFlood Management Committee yesterday said it received N500 million from donors and not N15 billion, as alleged by the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The committee explained that it received N500 million, donated to the state government by a philanthropic organisation, Mr. Mike Adenuga

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Foundation, and additional N35 million for logistics and administrative cost from the government.

BSPMC’s Chairman, Chief Francis Doukpola, in a statement in Yenagoa, the state capital, said it was wrong for any person or group of persons to make such weighty allegations without facts.

He challenged those behind the allegation to provide the proof of any transaction that led to the collection of such amount by the committee or state government.

Doukpola said the money received was used for interventions in most of the affected places in seven local government areas.

To alleviate the suffering of the people, the chairman said

the committee started some projects, including the distribution of cement in the seven local government areas affected by the flood, besides Brass.

He said: “Also, 400 bags of cement were given to each of the communities to be distributed among the most affected persons, with emphasis on the lessprivileged with mud houses.”

APC set to receive 70 Bayelsa PDP chiefs ARRING any change in plans, 70 Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) stalwarts, including some of its founding members in Bayelsa State, will on Saturday dump the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was gathered that the mass movement, called “the mother of all defections”, may narrow the chances of the PDP, which is bedevilled by a protracted internal crisis.

The party has been at a crossroads since its primaries for the last general elections, following allegations of anti-party activities against some of its leaders.

The inactions of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the alleged excesses of his wife, Dame Patience, including the reelection ambition of Governor Seriake Dickson, are said to have further polarised the party.

It was gathered that 500

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•500 others to follow suit From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

loyalists of the defecting heavyweights will also dump the PDP for APC in what many people consider a political tsunami.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and five APC governors are expected be in Yenagoa, the state capital, next Saturday to receive the defectors.

Top in the list of the defectors are: former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and former Special Adviser to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe.

Others are: Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, former Acting Governors Nestor Binabo and Werinipre Seibarugu and Governor Seriake Dickson’s former Honourary Adviser, Chief Alex Ekiotenne.

Also billed to defect are: former Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, Senator John Brambaifa, Senator Clever Ikisipo, Emmanuel Otiotio, former House of Representatives member, Dr. Stella Dorgu, former NDDC Chairman, Prof. Tarila Tebepah and Rear Admiral F. B. I. Porbeni (retd.).

Also, former Representatives Christopher Enai, Warman Ogoriba, Bonus Indiamaowei, Nelson Belief, Nadu Karibo - and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Gideon Ekeowe and former Deputy Speaker Fini Angaye, will join the APC. Former commissioners, like Lionel Jonathan-Omo, Chief Alex Ekiotenne, Charity Vedalago, Sylvanus Abila, Chief Abeke Ebikake, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha,

Godknows Powell, Capt.

Matthew Karim (retd.), Chief Nathan Egba, Topido Amananagha, Ebitimi Amgbaye, Frank Oputu, are also expected to join APC. Ekiotenne presented the list of defectors to reporters in Yenagoa.

He said they would formally declare for the APC at a mega rally on August 15.

Ekiotenne said the defectors also comprise Chief Hings Dumbo, Selebina Saboh, Prince Abeki, Mrs. Tonye Apreala, Miebi Biribina (philanthropist), and many former special advisers and governor’s representatives.

According to him, besides Vice-President Osinbajo, APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, five governors, former Governor Timipre Sylva and other APC stalwarts, including its Chairman, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, will be on hands on Saturday.

THE NATION TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

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TODAY IN THE NATION

‘Rubbishing due praise is political nihilism taken too far. More than the target individual, the system loses the credible dream of a glorious repeat’ TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10

NO. 3203

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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“NATIONAL ICON” turned 82 the other day.

No, it wasn’t the literary titan and Nobelist, Wole Soyinka. It wasn’t the great legal scholar and jurist, Professor Ben Nwabueze. It wasn’t the statesman, First Republic Minister of Mines and Power and Second Republic Ambassador to the United Nations, Yusuf Maitama Sule.

It wasn’t even Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, “Leader of the Ijaw Nation” and lately confidant, counsellor and father-confessor to yesterday’s man, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Unless you were like me a pertinacious consumer of the newspapers, including advertisements ranging from the self-indulgent to the flagrantly-seditious and everything in between, you would have missed the full-page announcement in one of the better national dailies of the grand arrival of this “national icon” at that epochal milestone.

To persons of an even temperament, given neither to excess of praise nor censure, the accolade might seem over the top. But considering the subject’s transcendent achievement as set out in the advertisement I cited earlier, qualifying him as a “national icon” might on deeper reflection seem a back-handed compliment.

If I did not know the reputation, forthrightness and judgment of the iconographer, I would myself have accused him of engaging in denigration by faint praise.

That would have been unduly hasty.

For, the advertisement goes on full throttle to elucidate, for contemporary society and posterity, just what the subject’s iconic status consists in.

“A leader of uncommon achievement,” the iconographer declares languidly about his subject, preparatory to ramping up the adulation. “Keeper of the peace of the nation, a political heavyweight and mentor to the upcoming generation, an elder statesman and a leader of indomitable mien.”

Even so early in the game, I can almost see the reader scratching his or her head and wondering just who this “national icon,” this paragon of political virtue, is.

Surely, our iconographer cannot be talking about Frederick Lugard or Herbert Macaulay or Nnamdi Azikiwe or Obafemi Awolowo or Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, or Abubakar Tafawa Balewa or Anthony Enahoro or Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu or their contemporaries who might still be among us?

Who, then, is the “national icon” he is eulogising so rapturously?

“No doubt, yours has been a life of consistent hard work, total commitment to higher principles and unalloyed loyalty

RIPPLES

SEVENTY PER CENT OF NIGERIANS HAVE ACCESS TO WATER –Fed Govt

Yes, RAIN WATER and STREAM

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Between ‘national icon’ and iconographer

to the national cause,” the iconographer continues, gathering pace.

Total commitment to higher principles and unalloyed loyalty to the national cause in a land where the leadership has been defined by the absence of a commitment to higher principles and often to no principles at all, except for brief shining moments, a land that has espoused no national cause beyond preserving its so-called territorial integrity and is still seen by a large bloc of its inhabitants as a “geographical expression” more than 50 years after independence?

By now the reader is scratching his or head maddeningly. Who is this “national icon,” this paragon of civic virtue? Where was he in all these years that Nigeria has

been like a stalled caterpillar, its antennae probing forlornly in every direction, its body inert?

Patience, reader.

“The story of your achievements and the status you occupy, “ the iconographer continues his impassioned exordium, is (sic) an eloquent testimony to a life of discipline spent in sacrifice and sincere devotion to a nation that today expresses its gratitude...

“Sincere devotion,” you hear. No faking.

That would be iconic indeed, if true; indeed, for a country mired in every pathology known to political science, nothing would be more iconic. But the reader cannot tell whether it is true until he or she knows the true name and identity of the subject of the exordium – the “national icon,” in other words.

As for the nation “expressing its gratitude,” when did that happen? By now, the reader who belongs in the attentive audience for public affairs is thoroughly frazzled. He or she cannot recall a recent public event honouring the singular individual who has wrought such transcendent feats of public devotion and dedication and commitment and nation-building, but by design or default remains largely unknown and unsung.

The reader cannot recall any national thanksgiving ceremony at which the “national icon” was presented on the national stage in appreciation of his iconic service, nor the proclamation of a federal holiday to mark the canonisation.

Can it be that the iconographer was the only witness at the event who was not sol-

HARDBALL

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A, Hardball wished Fela, the Abami Eda himself, were still alive!

If he were, how would he have tackled the August 6 Goodluck Jonathan “secret” meeting with his successor, Muhammadu Buhari, the reported details of which The Nation nevertheless splashed as front page lead on August 10?

Were he in President Buhari’s shoes, he probably, all biting and laconic humour, have crowed: “e don beg me”, as he did of Justice Okoro Idogu, the judge who gaoled Fela for currency offences but who Fela insisted apologised for alleged miscarriage of justice. That was ironically during the first coming of Major-Gen. Buhari as military head of state, he with the Unsmiling One, the late Tunde Idiagbon — the duo the media promptly christened the “Buhari-Idiagbon regime”?

Or Fela could play the vintage and unrepentant iconoclast, as he did in one of his immortal numbers: “Unnecessary begging, dem dey call am for area o, or’ebe o sele!” (Roughly: folks call it unnecessary begging — because begging is uncalled for!)

Well, Hardball could not in all good conscience, even from The Nation report, assert that Jonathan went to “beg” Buhari, over the grave corruption allegations that seem to swirl his administration, as ants would swirl cubes of sugar. But he can’t

OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

emnly sworn to secrecy?

Then this, up close and personal to the “national icon” from the iconographer: “Chief, there is nothing more for you to prove.”

There you have it, a verdict for the ages is definitive and admits of no equivocation. Not even the most inventive revisionists can assail it.

In their unwisdom, philosophers of antiquity warned that we should call no person good until he is dead. But we have it on the authority of our latter-day iconographer that his subject is virtue personified.

All that remains is a prayer, dutifully entered by the iconographer that as he”gracefully” adds to his years, the “national icon” may be granted longer life and good health “to continue with selfless service to the nation.”

The mystery deepens, if not the awe.

Where most people spend that time of life contemplating the hereafter, this “national icon” thinks of nothing but continuing his accustomed “selfless service” to the nation.

Pray, who is this “national icon”? And who is his gushing iconographer?

It can now be revealed, as a reward to the reader who has stayed through this tortuous puzzle, that the “national icon” at issue is none other than Himself the Arch Fixer, Chief Tony Anenih, Iyase of Esanland, best known for his uncommon skills in turning election winners into losers and losers into winners.

I can also now reveal that the gushing iconographer, joined by his wife Fati and their children, is General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, former head of state, under whose custody President-elect Moshood Abiola was murdered for refusing to submit to the pernicious bargain that Anehih had made of his sweeping victory in the presidential election of June 12, 1993, and now a much sought-after international mediator: in short, a “national icon” himself.

It takes one “national icon” to identify another.

Correction In this space last week, I blamed Kogi Governor Idris Wada for derailing a plan to site a federal university in Kabba. It was his predecessor Ibrahim “Ibro” Idris who scuttled the plan. I regret the error.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Unnecessary begging? also, in all good conscience, deny that the former president appeared in desperate search of some soft landing — should those grave allegations be proven.

The Nation report claimed Buhari told Jonathan point-blank: looted funds must be returned! The former leader reportedly confessed he was hearing the allegations of industrial-scale graft for the first time.

That probably showed the tight hold he had on a government in which about everything was done by his name.

He also reportedly pleaded the Abdulsalami Abubakar-chaired 2013 Peace Committee, as some magical quid-pro-quo: I have given up power after losing; so, open sesame, vanish any allegation, no matter how dripping in scarlet; and my garment and my ministers’, become as white as snow!

Even before the visit, media reports had spoken of a rather agitated Jonathan, reportedly pressuring Gen. Abubakar to intervene with Buhari to remember the letter — and well, the spirit — of the agreement. Abubakar, on his part, had tried to connect the president and possibly set up an appointment between the two.

But after the meeting, the Peace Committee protocol would appear not the “open sesame” that Jonathan had hoped. The best deal he would get, it appears, was to be shielded from the direct line of fire. But what if a particularly irreverent former official of state caught in the sleaze web, insists he won’t go down alone, does the unthinkable? Perish the thought!

And former President Olusegun Obasanjo, now with no love lost between him and Jonathan, did he visit Buhari to knock down whatever reliefs he felt Jonathan could have secured? That, in all fairness nothing indicates. But then, it won’t be out of character for Baba Iyabo, the political warrior that takes no prisoners! May you never have his likes as opponent, let alone of enemy!

Anyway, Hardball’s golden lesson from the embattled former president: always have a grip on yourself and your staff, when in position of authority.

Post-power years, it just might make all the difference: for how can Jonathan, even if true, seriously say he had no idea humongous sleaze was taking place virtually under his nose?

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Telephone: Switch Board: 08034505516. Editor Daily:08111813080, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14 Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790 WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO