The Nation August 13, 2014

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VOL. 9, NO. 2937 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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Ebola: Panic in Turkey as Nigerian passenger falls ill Jonathan seeks joint action

North rejects draft constitution

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HE Ebola scare got wider yesterday, with Turkey putting a Nigerian under watch and President Goodluck Jonathan calling for concerted efforts against the deadly disease .

The Nigerian, who arrived in Istanbul, Turkey yesterday, created panic when she fell ill aboard a Turkish Airlines plane flying from Lagos to Istanbul.

The authorities immediately took measures against a possible case of the Ebola virus.

The 32-year-old woman reportedly had fever and vomited during the flight before the pilot demanded paramedics’ attention.

Paramedics working under the General Directorate of Health for Borders and Coasts delivered the first treatment to the woman on the plane. She and her three-year-old son were later taken to the hospital for further examination.

The Turkish health ministry, in a statement, said officials were keeping a close watch on the woman as a precautionary measure.

“It is not possible to say the patient in question has the Ebola virus, but we are carefully evaluating even the smallest symptoms because she came from Nigeria,” the ministry said.

The spokesman of Turkish Airlines, Ali Genç, also confirmed the incident via his Twitter account. “The plane has been disinfected as a precautionary measure,” Genç stated.

The virus is spread by direct contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person. Ebola cannot be spread like the flu through

•18 new states proposed From Onyedi Ojiabor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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ELEGATES of the North rejected yesterday the draft constitution included in the documents presented to them by the leadership of the National Conference.

They said after a meeting in Abuja that the draft constitution was meant to legitimise what they described as President Goodluck Jonathan’s third term agenda.

While calling on political stakeholders to join in reContinued on page 4

2015: Jonathan spurns ultimatum From Yusuf Alli, Gbade Ogunwale and Augustine Ehikioya Abuja

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Continued on page 4

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INSIDE

ON APRIL 15?

•P PAGES 4,19,20,21&63

•Spanish priest dies of Ebola virus •Rwanda wants CAF’s WHERE ARE advice on Nigeria THE CHIBOK •Liberia uses ZMapp GIRLS KIDNAPPED to treat doctors

•The passenger being transferred to a nearby hospital via ambulance after her arrival at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport, PHOTO: AFP Turkey...yesterday.

HE Presidency joined issues yesterday with the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), which gave President Goodluck Jonathan an October deadline to rescue the over 200 Chibok school girls or forfeit his 2015 re-election bid.

The NEF demanded also an end to Boko Haram’s insurgency.

The over 200 Chibok school girls were abducted Continued on page 4

•SPORTS P23 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •POLITICS P45 •LIFE P49 •FOREIGN P58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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Fear of female

•From left: Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Joseph Dawha, Chairman, SPE Nigeria Council, Bernard Obarekpe and Chief Technical Officer, Seven Energy, Campbell Airlie during the NAICE 2014 conference in Lagos.

MIA BLOOM, a professor of security studies at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and the author of “Bombshell: Women and Terror” and “Dying to Kill: The Allure of Suicide Terror”, in this piece for Washington Post argues that female suicide bombers are not a new phenomenon

PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON

T •Managing Director, Cmc Connect Limited,Yomi Badejo- Okusanya ( second right) speaking at the news conference on Nigeria Lubricants Summit 2014 in Lagos. With him are (from left): Representatives of Director,Department of Petroleum Resources, Amos Oliver, Managing Director, Lubricant International , Taiye Williams and Managing Director, Lubservices Association, Kayode Sote.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

HERE were four suicide bombing attacks by young women in Kano, Nigeria. Especially worrying is that the reported ages of the suicide bombers are getting younger and younger. A 10-yearold girl strapped with a suicide bomber’s explosives belt and her older sister were taken into police custody.

The attacks raise concerns that Boko Haram has doubled its mobilisation base.

These attacks and others led the city of Kano to ban public worship and celebrations of Eid, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Local police have issued warnings about women covered in hijab.

Who are the female suicide bombers in Kano?

Three narratives have emerged about who these young bombers were.

A handful of reports originally suggested the women were among the Chibok girls kidnapped April 14 and other women and young girls abducted by Boko Haram over the past

•File picture of a filling station hit by a female suicide bomber in Kano PHOTO: REUTERS

year. Another report instead alleges the young women are actually impoverished Kano beggars who have been outlawed by Kwankwaso. But a Nigeria-based security analyst says the suicide bombers are more likely to be the offspring of Boko Haram members.

The truth is we don’t know who these female bombers are, and we likely won’t anytime soon. In contrast to male suicide bombers, few female bombers leave “last will and testament” videos that could provide positive identification. What is clear is that regardless of whether the young women were girls abducted in Chibok or poor women picked up off the streets, Boko Haram has now embraced this tactical innovation quickly and with deadly results.

This is not a new phenomenon.

Nigerian scholars have echoed what I have claimed in my own research on women and terrorism – that female suicide bombers are not a new phe-

Female suicide bombers: Dealing with the emerging trend

I •From left: Special Assistant to Director-General , National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Elizabeth Awagu, First Vice-President, Advertiser’s Association of Nigeria (ADVAN ), Mrs. Iguo Ukoh, Director, Registration and Regulatory Affairs, NAFDAC, Dr. Monicm Hemben Eimunjeze, Chairman, STB MCC, Sir Steve Omojafor and Registrar, Adertising Practitioner Council of Nigeria (APCON), Alhaji Bello during NAFDAC’s forum for stake holder in the adertising sector in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•From left: ViceChairman, Finance Committee on 50th Year Anniversary of the Nigeria Law School, Mr. Dele Oye, Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki (SAN) and Secretary, Council of Legal Education, Mrs Elizabeth MayUba when Oye andMrs May-Uba visited the minister to thank his class of '86 for the donation of a Mooth Court in Abuja.

N modern history, female suicide bombers have earned dubious honour of becoming more newsworthy than their male counterparts following the widespread belief that women are naturally not wicked, nonviolent, motherly and weak to take such deadly task of committing suicide bombing. However, records have revealed that the participation of women in any terrorist activity and even as suicide bombers is hardly a recent phenomenon as their debut suicide attacks have been traced to early eighties.

Recall the 1985 incident where a 16year old Lebanese female suicide bomber, the late Sana’a Mehaidli, a member of Syrian Social nationalist party, an affiliation of the Lebanese National Resistance Front, blew herself and a car filled with explosives in Jezzine, Lebanon. Subsequent decades witnessed the spread of female suicide bombings in other countries after late Sana’a Mehaidli’s incident.

Another prominent example of a female suicide bomber is the 28-year old divorced and frustrated Palestinian, late WafaIdris who carried a bomb in a back-pack she wore and blew herself up during the 2002 Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Jerusalem, Israel.

Today, the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria has joined the trend

By Frank Mba

of using innocent young girls as suicide bombers to unleash their terror on innocent citizens. This new trend in Nigeria started in Gombe State where yet to be identified middle-aged woman wrapped an explosive round her body and headed towards the Quarter Guard of the 301 Nigerian Army base in Gombe. While she was being stopped for a search, the bomb suddenly went off.

In a similar vein, four (4) unidentified female suicide attackers heavily strapped with IEDs have at different locations; different days but almost same week of the month of July, 2014 blew themselves up while the security personnel on duty were trying to stop them from accessing their target areas in Kano State. Worried about this curious phenomenon, some Nigerians have already concluded that the Boko Haram insurgents have indoctrinated and prepared the abducted Chibok school girls for suicide missions across the country. Although the above hypothesis sounds plausible, there is no empirical evidence to support the view. The recent interception and subsequent arrest of two teenage girls by Policemen at Katsina State casts a huge doubt on the veracity of this claim as none of the two girls already strapped with explosives and prepared for sui-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 20134

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e suicide bombers beginning of wisdom ‘ Women serve a unique purpose in helping mobilise men into terrorist organisations. It is a powerful narrative when women (especially online) accuse men of being unmanly unless they step up and join the Jihad to protect their sisters in Islam

nomenon, even in Africa. As early as December 2009, Al Shabaab began to disguise themselves as women in order to effectively carry out suicidebomber targeted assassinations. Al Shabaab began to pair a male and female operative to give the appearance of a couple on a date. This was particularly effective when the group would attack soft targets like hotels, restaurants or markets.

Women have been involved in terrorism since the 19th century, but religious groups previously eschewed the use of female bombers. The innovation in tactics by these groups introduces new challenges to those defending against terrorism. As scholar Nojeem Shobo of the University of Lagos has said, including women as perpetrators in terrorist attacks brings a “disturbing twist to the fight against insurgency.”

The nature of the organisations that employ female suicide bombers has changed.

Female suicide bombers were active in the 1980s in Lebanon and in the 1990s in Sri Lanka, Turkey and Chechnya. And by the turn of the century, female suicide bombers had spread to conflicts around the globe.

What changed was the nature of the organization that employed them. Initially, leftist groups or secular organiSations were more likely to employ a female in suicide attacks.

Time and time again, they proved to be deadlier and more effective than men.

Bruce Hoffman illustrated how effective female bombers were in The Atlantic in June 2003: “A person wearing a bomb is far more dangerous and far more difficult to defend against than a timed device left to explode in a marketplace. This human weapons system can effect lastminute changes based on the ease of approach, the paucity or density of people, and the security measures in evidence…In April of last year a fe-

cide mission was among the abducted Chibok girls.

As can be seen from the level of damage and horror associated with female bombing, it has become paramount for law enforcement to deal with the emerging trend before it gets out of control. It is on this note that this piece will examine the choice of female suicide bombers by the terrorist groups in carrying out their attacks and the possible ways of nipping in bud or preventing this evil trend.

women to be indoctrinated especially when they are intellectually immature, uneducated and perhaps from very poor and deprived backgrounds. Remember that the innocent two sisters of about 16 and 11 years old respectively, strapped with explosive vests and arrested by the Police in Katsina were not even aware they were carrying bombs. Further investigation also revealed that both of them were orphans and thus economically and socially disadvantaged.

Lastly, apart from the perceived personal and lifetime rewards, some female suicide bombers want to be worldly known as ‘heroines’ with their terror organizations, affiliates and sympathizers. A classic example is the late Sana’a Mehaidli who was believed to have been the first female suicide bomber in Lebanon, earned in death the title of “the Bride of the South”.

Why terrorist groups use female suicide bombers Generally, suicide bombing notoriety and the use of women to perpetrate suicide attacks are totally strange to Nigerians. The Boko Haram terrorist group sees this new trend as an effective strategy of drawing more attention of the general public and getting relevant supports from their sympathizers as they continue their criminal and violent campaign across the nation.

Terrorist organisations believe that if a woman commits a crime such as suicide attack that is deemed nonfeminine, the media coverage will be extensive. This fits into the communication and strategic objectives of terror organizations in seeking massive media attention, thereby mindlessly spreading fears among the citizens, presenting government in bad light and unleashing psychological torture on innocent victims.

Another reason that account for why terrorist groups adopt this trend is that women are generally known to be more emotional, perceived to be weak and non-violent in nature. They are therefore least suspected to be the source of any security threat. For this

‘

male suicide bomber tried to enter the Mahane Yehuda open-air market— the fourth woman to make such an attempt in four months—but was deterred by a strong police presence. So she simply walked up to a bus stop packed with shoppers hurrying home before the Sabbath and detonated her explosives, killing six and wounding seventy-three.”

Most Islamist groups (besides the Chechens) were slow to adopt the strategy of female bombers either because they assumed they had more than enough men for the job or because the social limitations of women traveling without a chaperon (Mahram) required additional considerations and planning for female bombers. Some feminist scholars (e.g., Andrea Dworkin) assumed this reticence might also be a function of wanting to limit women’s roles in political violence lest this influence women’s power in a patriarchal society and politics as a whole.

Preventing female suicide bombers from carrying out attack •Mba

reason, they find it easy to slip through security checks, especially those manned by male officers since they are usually not subjected to the same level of suspicion and scrutiny as their male counterparts. However, this does not amount to negligence or inefficiency on the part of the security agents but arises from the operational and professional standards of law enforcement which forbids male officers from conducting search on the body of women.

In addition, it is also easier for

Once a female suicide bomber begins to move towards a target, it is extremely hard to stop her from executing her wicked act of causing mass destruction. However, the most helpful way of nipping the planned attack in the bud is to take deliberate and effective measures aimed at isolating and frustrating her from getting to her target area. Some of such measures include: Firstly, experienced, well-trained and well-equipped women security personnel should be part of stop and search operations to properly carry out search on females before they gain their entrance into restricted areas. In doing this, there should be no preferential treatment for any woman irre-

The Islamic groups had an infinite ability for adaptation and doctrinal flexibility. Starting in 2004 with the release of a Web-based magazine called al Khansa’a, the evolution of religious ideology on female suicide bombers changed from advising women what to do while their men were on Jihad to telling women they, too, could be Jihadis and even be suicide bombers.

Why have Islamic groups recently taken so enthusiastically to including female suicide bombers?

I highlight four primary changes.

First, there has been an ideological shift. Debates emerged on-line and fatwas were issued stating that women’s obligation for Jihad is equal to that of men. This was largely led by Sheikh Yusuf al Qaradawi, an Egyptian cleric living in Qatar who has legitimized the use of women as suicide bombers.

Second, Al Qaeda’s structure changed. As the central core of Al Qaeda gave way to a host of regional affiliates, those affiliates were more inclined to involve women in frontline violent activities. While al Qaeda’s leaders swore that there were no women in the organization, Al Qaeda in Iraq, al Shabaab, Chechen militant groups in Chechnya and Dagestan, and groups in Pakistan and Uzbekistan and others began using female bombers as early as 2005. It’s only recently that female bombers have emerged among the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan, relatively late adopters compared to the affiliated groups killing Western contractors or people in line for food aid.

Third, there were changes in targeting. Women are ideal operatives when attacking soft targets and blending in with civilians. As terrorist organizations have shifted from attacking military targets (hard targets) to civilian targets (soft targets), women have been especially useful. When an improvised explosive device is strapped around a woman’s midsection, it gives the impression that she is pregnant,

throwing off security forces who don’t expect a woman — let alone one who is pregnant — to be carrying a bomb.

As a result of the existing stereotypes we have of the inherent peacefulness of women, they are less likely to be searched at checkpoints and if the security services are too invasive (and reports of sexual violations at checkpoints is common in many of these conflicts), then invasive searching of women in traditional settings only helps the terrorist organisations recruit more men who are outraged that women are being abused. Mobilising men to protect the honor of women is hardly a new tactic and was extremely effective in the 1960s and 1970s for the provisional IRA who used the stripsearching of Republican women in Belfast by the RUC to motivate men to join the movement.

Finally, including women offered a new mobilisation strategy – not just of women, but also of men. Women serve a unique purpose in helping mobilise men into terrorist organisations. It is a powerful narrative when women (especially online) accuse men of being unmanly unless they step up and join the Jihad to protect their sisters in Islam. In addition to tapping 50 percent of the population, recruiting women is an effective strategy of goading men into participation. This also explains the effectiveness of women online as propagandists, fundraisers and recruiters for terrorist groups.

When are female suicide bombers used most often?

That said, my research suggests that terrorist groups tend to gravitate toward female operatives not when they are at their strongest but when they are at their weakest. Terrorist groups include women either because they are having a difficult time accessing hard targets — which are more valuable in the long term for their struggle — or because men are not signing up unless they are guilted into it. The fact that Boko Haram is using women may be an indication of their weakness more than their strength.

spective of her social status and age.

Secondly, there must be proactive operational action by law enforcement agents, acting intelligently, timely and systematically to neutralize suspected suicide threats. For instance, the successful arrest that took place on the29th July, 2014 in Katsina State where a 47year old Boko Haram operative, DahiruIliya with two teenage female suicide attackers of about 16 and11 years old was as a result of the timely intervention of the Police with the full co-operation of the local security in the State. Before the arrest of the suspects, intelligence report had already revealed that the Boko Haram terrorists have concluded plans to unleash mayhem using female suicide attackers during the Ramadan fasting period.

The two female suicide bombers who were of the same parent were already strapped with suicide vests unknowingly to them in a Honda CRV car at Tudun Wada where the Police patrol team arrested them.

Thirdly, authorities in charge of potential soft targets such as worship centres, institutions of learning, markets and other critical infrastructure should take deliberate measures to strengthen the security in their premises by using crime prevention and monitoring devices such as bomb-jammers and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in addition to security agents.

Conscious of the fact that ignorance and poverty provide fertile grounds for radicalization, it is important that governments at all levels should develop and implement holistic measures aimed at preventing the radicalization of our young girls through massive education and empowerment programmes.

Parents, teachers and religious leaders should be engaged in positive socialization and always see themselves as structures and mechanisms of social order by assisting our children and youths in moral development, acquiring right behaviours and admirable culture of respect for our value system as well as attitudes that will form part of their daily life. The opinion leaders must not hesitate to speak out when the youths are being misled. As rightly noted recently by the Sultan of Sokoto, “nobody can bomb their way to Heaven in the name of suicide attack.”

More so, head of security agencies and government at all levels must collaboratively work towards establishing community based law enforcement agencies that have the confidence and support of the citizens in the crucial task of securing lives and property. This will in addition, facilitate the free flow of information and strengthen intelligence-sharing culture amongst the law enforcement communities. Citizens on their part also, must acknowledge the fact that security is a collective responsibility of all.

Finally, we must remember that the greatest success in preventing female suicide bombers from carrying out their foul acts largely depends on the willingness of the public to report all suspicious activities to the security agents. It is also very important for the governments and other relevant stake holders to support the security Forces by providing necessary working implements and improving on the welfare of Police personnel and other security agencies in the country.

•Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police. is the Force Public Relations Officer.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

Ebola: Panic in Turkey as Nigerian passenger falls ill Continued from page 1

casual contact or breathing the same air as someone who is infected.

It has killed 1,013 people and infected another 1,848, as the latest data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows.

Ebola has a fatality rate of up to 90 per cent, and there is no vaccine or known cure.

•Nigerian Bar Association President Okey Wali (SAN) cutting the tape to inaugurate a six-storey multipurpose building donated by Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos...yesterday. With him is Babalakin (third left). Other (from left) are: National Treasurer NBA, Mrs. Joyce Oduah; President-elect Augustine Alegeh (SAN); General Secretary-elect, Mazi Afam Osigwe and former General Secretary, Mr. Obi Okwusogu (SAN)

2015: Jonathan spurns North’s elders’ ultimatum Continued from page 1

by the Boko Haram sect on April 15. They have since been in captivity, even as the government insists that it knows where they are being kept but would not do anything to put their lives at risk.

Also yesterday, the Igbo Redemption Group (IRG) condemned the ultimatum.

In a statement, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the NEF is misguided and mis-advised. He described their contribution as “irresponsible”.

He said: “Nobody is in a position to give the President of Nigeria an ultimatum. For anybody to pretend that they can give the President and the federal government of Nigeria ultimatum, such persons are engaging in a game of self delusion.

“Beyond that, the kind of statements they make are incorrect because it is very clear even to the blind , the deaf and the dumb that this administration has made the fight against insurgency and terrorism a high priority level engagement for the government.

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“President Jonathan has personally ensured that the war against terrorism is topmost on the international agenda and that Boko Haram has become the focus of international outreach against any form of terrorism, evil acts, assault on our common humanity and civilisation.”

“If the Northern Elders Forum were to be a patriotic group, they would be expressing support as members of the National Assembly have done again and again and as other enlightened groups in this society have done again and again.”

“For Mr. President’s efforts to bring the nightmare of terrorism to an end, if the members of the elders forum were to be patriotic, they would be carrying the flag against Boko Haram, they would be directing their frustration at terrorists and they would be speaking with one voice to say terror is unacceptable, to say that terror is evil, they would be saying that they as ‘elders’ are prepared to support the effort of government at all levels to ensure that terrorists, both at the government level and at the community level are brought to

their knees and that the affected parts of the country are made safe for everybody.

“But they are not patriotic.

Hence, they have opted for a position that can cause disaffection, a position that can cause division, a position that flies in the face of the truth. They are not in a position to accuse this government of incompetence and it is not true that there is deep-seated corruption.”

“If there is anything, President Jonathan has been combating corruption, has strengthened the institutions to make corruption difficult and to, over a long time, eradicate corruption. He has placed much greater emphasis on efficiency and service delivery.”

“So, I think that the Northern Elders Forum is misguided, is mis-advised and I dare add that that statement, if indeed is a statement that emanated as a group position rather than the wild imagining of two persons, then I will add that it was an irresponsible contribution.”

The Igbo Redemption Group said the NEF position was “unreasonable”, “unpatriotic”, divi-

sive and “unfortunate”.

IRG leader Chief Delly Ajufo told reporters in Abuja that the northern elders’ position had confirmed the suspicion that the kidnap of the girls was meant to prevent President Jonathan from seeking re-election.

“Statements like these coming from people who cannot lay claim to any significant contribution to the growth and development of Northern Nigeria is nothing but a mark of desperation which we hopefully assume does not represent the views of right thinking leaders of the North.

“The latest attempt by the Northern Elders Forum to link the 2015 presidential bid of Dr Goodluck Jonathan to ending the Boko Haram insurgency and producing the Chibok girls is unacceptable and will only spell doom for the whole country.

“We, therefore, call on genuine leaders of the North, including traditional rulers, political and business leaders, as well other patriotic Nigerians to rise up in condemnation of these desperate parasitic politicians who do not mean well for either the North or Nigeria as a whole.”

Yesterday, President Goodluck Jonathan called for strategic collaboration among West African countries to control and contain the Ebola Virus in order to stop its further threat to human lives.

He spoke, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, while receiving Guinea’s new ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gaoussou Toure, who presented his letters of credence at the State House, Abuja.

The outbreak of the EVD this year, started in Guinea in March.

Dr. Jonathan praised the containment measures so far taken

by West African countries that have been affected by the disease, stressing that more concert-

ed intra-regional cooperation and action needs to be developed.

He said: ”A problem that affects one of us affects all. We may need to come together as a region to strengthen our containment measures. I am, however, pleased that serious measures are being taken to control the spread of the disease.”

Ambassador Toure thanked President Jonathan for the financial assistance given to Guinea

by Nigeria for tackling the (Ebola) disease and assured him that Guinea is deploying containment measures to combat the outbreak.

Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu also yesterday said Nigeria would take advantage of the Ebola Vaccine if released by the American government.

“At the moment, Nigeria is reaching out to various laboratories and various governments including the United States to see how some of this untried drugs and vaccines that seemed to hold out some hopes could also be deployed in Nigeria and it is possible that very soon we would also be administering the Continued on page 59

Spanish priest dies of Ebola as Liberia uses ZMapp to treat doctors

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N elderly Spanish priest became the first European to die from Ebola yesterday, succumbing to the virus in a Madrid hospital five days after being evacuated from Liberia.

The 75-year-old Roman Catholic priest, Miguel Pajares, was being treated in Spain with an experimental US serum, ZMapp, after being flown to Madrid on August 7 — the first patient to be evacuated to Europe in the fast-spreading African outbreak.

He contracted Ebola at the Saint Joseph Hospital in the Liberian capital Monrovia where he worked with patients suffering from the disease.

“It is confirmed. He died at 9:28 am (0728 GMT),” said a spokeswoman for the Spanish

capital’s La Paz-Carlos III hospital, confirming that he had been treated with ZMapp.

The unproven medicine arrived at Madrid’s La Paz-Carlos III hospital on Saturday after Spain’s drug safety agency exceptionally cleared its import.

“We hoped he would be able to overcome the disease but it was not to be. It is as God wished,” the priest’s sister-inlaw Carmen Romo told Spanish radio station COPE. Ebola has claimed four lives in 10 days among the staff at Saint Joseph Hospital in Monrovia, including its director, Cameroon-born Patrick Nshamdze.

The hospital was closed on August 1.

Liberia said yesterday it would treat two infected doctors Continued on page 59

Draft constitution: Defectors to vacate office

LECTED officials should automatically vacate their seats if they defect to another party, the national Conference has recommended.

But it has retained a four-year tenure system for all political office holders, including the President.

Besides, advocates of state police got a piece of good news; it is in the Draft Constitution.

The conference also said the nation should now have a Constitutional Court and an AntiCorruption Court.

It said the number of states in the Federation should be 54 instead of the present 36.

States are free to create as many local governments as may be expedient for them – should the recommendations be accepted.

The states will also be at liberty to reduce their number of local governments.

These recommendations are some of the highlights in the Draft Constitution, which was distributed to all delegates on Monday.

The draft constitution has caused a split among delegates, especially those from the North who are alleging that it was smuggled into the agenda of the conference.

Delegates broke into NorthSouth caucus yesterday to strategise for the resumption of the plenary today in Abuja.

But The Nation obtained the draft constitution yesterday. It

North rejects draft constitution Continued from page 1

jecting the draft constitution, the delegates said plans to legalise the “new” constitution through a referendum, as proposed by the leadership of the conference, would not succeed.

They said the extant constitution does not have provisions for referendum and two attempts to introduce it at the National Assembly have failed.

The decision of the delegates was read by their leader, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Coomassie. With him were a former member of the House of Representatives, Muhammed Kumalia, former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Gen. Jerry Useni; one-time Senate President Prof Iyorchia Ayu, among others.

Justifying the grounds for rejecting the document, Coomassie said the first indication that there was going to be a problem was on June 30 when it was reported in the media that a member of the leadership was lobbying northern delegates to smuggle in a new constitution at the conference.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

includes most of the key recommendations of the conference.

Other new recommendations are compulsory military service for all Nigerians; approval of independent candidacy; appointment of 18 ministers with at least three from each of the six geopolitical zones; merger of states; and establishment of Independent Grand Jury to investigate

He said though the conference leadership claimed ignorance, the issue continued to reoccur in the course of the conference.

“You are aware, by now of the surprise, shock and disappointment with which not only delegates to the conference but many Nigerians have reacted to the news of the sudden appearance of a ‘new’ draft constitution distributed to delegates on resumption on Monday,” Coomassie said.

Stressing that northern delegates were neither privy to nor being accessory after the emergence of the controversial draft constitution, Coomasie asserted: “We, therefore, unequivocally disown it and emphatically disassociate ourselves from it.”

On why the conference was not competent to embark on such a fundamental act, Coomasie said: “Delegates to the conference were not elected and, therefore, lack both legal and moral authority to draft a new constitution for Nigeria. Rather we were constituted to serve as an ad hoc advisory mechanism for the President, as representatives of broad interests across the federation and cannot, therefore, legally arrogate to ourselves the far-reaching func-

impeachable offences against a sitting President.

Contrary to the fears of the North on single term tenure, the Draft Constitution has retained the existing four-year tenure system in Section 135, Section 180 and Section 68.

There is a provision for a sitting President or governor to vacate office upon defection from his party.

tion of making a new constitution for Nigeria.

“That can only be done by an appropriately constituted Constituent Assembly.”

The delegates said the leadership of the conference could not be exonerated from “complicity” in the move to foist a new constitution on the country.

Coomassie said: “The secretariat of the conference has indicated in Chapter 7 of the draft report, Volume 1, that the so called new constitution is to be brought into effect through a national referendum to be specifically held for the purpose.

“To this, we say without any fear of contradiction that there is no legal provision in our constitution for the holding of such a referendum. The reference to a referendum made by the President in his inauguration address at the National Conference on 17th March, 2014 was purely speculative, as it was predicated on the National Assembly introducing a provision in the constitution that will permit holding of referendum. “...If at the end of the deliberation the

Section 135 reads: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a person shall hold the office of the President until being a person whose election was sponsored by one political party he becomes a member of any other political party before the expiration of that period for which he was elected shall automatically vacate the office.

“Subject to the provisions of

Continued on page 59

subsection (1) of this section, the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of four years …”

Regarding the removal of a governor, Section 180 of the Draft Constitution, among others, says: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a person shall hold the office of Governor of a State until being a person whose election was spon-

•Justice Kutigi

sored by one political party he becomes a member of any other political party before the expiration of that period for which he was elected shall automatically vacate the office.”

In what appeared to be a solution to the security challenges facing the nation, the Draft Constitution expressly provides for State Police.

But it is optional for any state that requires such a policing system.

The section states: “There shall be a state police at the state level for any state that requires the establishment of a State Police for that state.

“The State Police shall be established, controlled and administered in accordance with such Continued on page 59

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NEWS

JNI cautions Muslims on burial

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

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HE apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has cautioned the Muslim ummah to be cautious when burying the dead, to avoid contracting the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

JNI said Nigeria had joined the league of West African nations with the deadly disease, following the death at a Lagos hospital of a Liberian-American, Mr. Patrick Sawyer.

In a statement yesterday in Kaduna by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Islamic body urged Muslims to protect themselves to curb the spread of the virus.

It advised Imams to educate their followers on the dangers of the disease and the preventive measures they should take.

The statement reads: “Our masajid (mosques) managers must maintain a high level of sanitation for the teeming congregation of worshippers. Worshippers, on the other hand, must cooperate in maintaining the sanitary condition of the masajid.

“Most specific areas where the sanitation and or preventive measures are needed are the surroundings of the masajid (mosques), the toilets/bathrooms and, above all, the funeral/burial of our dead ones must be conducted with caution.

“As confirmed by medical experts, the disease was first discovered in monkeys and contacted by those who eat monkeys and other bush meat. Alas, in Islam, eating of monkeys has already been discouraged (Makruh), according to many scholars of Islamic jurisprudence. Thus, we should continue to uphold this verdict as it also serves as a preventive measure.

“The culture of personal hygiene as well as proper sanitation must always be emphasised. Thus, Islam is a religion of cleanliness: ‘Cleanliness is half of faith’, as reported in a sound Hadith.”

JNI listed the symptoms of the disease to include fever, sore throat, muscle pains, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and severe internal and external bleeding.

Edo raises surveillance team From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HE Edo State Government said yesterday it has raised a surveillance team to prevent an outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The government said a man, who died in Udo community of Udo South West Local Government Area, was bleeding from peptic ulcer and not Ebola.

Residents of the village were reportedly scared to take the unidentified man to the hospital when he collapsed.

The people thought he had contacted the Ebola virus.

Information and Orientation Commissioner Louis Odion said the blood samples collected from the deceased revealed that the death was not from Ebola.

The commissioner said specimens were taken from the deceased and taken to the Irrua Specialist Hospital, where preliminary examinations revealed that the actual cause of the death was peptic ulcer.

He said examinations were still ongoing at the Irrua Specialist Hospital on the death.

Odion said the surveillance team was working with health officials in the 18 local government areas, adding that it had monitors in 192 wards.

THE EBOLA VIRUS

Fed Govt committed to curtailing virus, says minister

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VIATION Minister Osita Chidoka has said the Federal Government will contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at its airports.

The minister addressed reporters yesterday in Lagos at the end of inspection of facilities and projects at the local and interna-

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

tional wings of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja.

He said part of his visit to the airport was to review the medical procedures, including the screening of inbound and outbound passengers, to ensure that air travellers and other airport

users were protected from the virus.

Chidoka said: "I am coming out to make sure that the country does not go back in the fight against the virus. That is why we decided to go to the airports yesterday (Monday) to interact and reassure Nigerians of the government's commitment to keep our

airports safe. It is also to make sure that it is not a transit point for the transmission of the Ebola virus.

"The virus is not a political issue; it is not an issue for passing the buck. It is not an issue that recognises ethnicity or partisanship. It is an issue against humanity. It is an issue we should

all rise up and fight. It is an issue we should all show restraint about and compassion for those who have been affected with the disease.

"So, we want to assure Nigerians of our commitment in keeping our airport EVD-free. It is a commitment I have."

Doctors urge govt to equip hospitals against Ebola

By Wale Adepoju

D •Health personnel in protective kits at the National Hospital in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Okorocha warns against information mismanagement

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MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has warned that the mismanagement of information on the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) could be harmful to the economy.

The governor, in a broadcast to the residents, described the outbreak of the Ebola virus as unfortunate.

He said wrong handling of information on the disease could

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cripple the economic activities of the nation.

Okorocha said: “Ebola is unfortunate. But what is more deadly is the handling of Ebola information. It can create tension and cripple the economy of any state. Creating awareness is good. But if the information is mismanaged, it can cripple the

economy of any state.”

The governor said there was no record of the disease in the state, adding that his administration would not allow the virus to enter the state.

He said the government had put in place several measures to keep the virus away from Imo. According to him, the measures include the establishment of a diagnostic centre, Ochiedike

Diagnostic Centre, on Concorde Hotel Road in Owerri, the state capital.

Okorocha said his administration had bought vital equipment to combat any likely case.

The governor warned against unprotected handling of the dead or lying-in-state of bodies in churches until the disease is rooted out.

Editors hail media coverage of outbreak

HE Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has hailed the media for its responsible reportage of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the country.

At its meeting in Lagos at the weekend, the committee urged the media to continue to tread the professional path and ensure that its reports do not cause panic in the polity.

In a communiqué, the NGE urged state governments to set up isolation centres and units as proactive measures to enable them remain on top of the deadly virus.

For a fastidious and exotic pathogen as Ebola, the guild

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From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

warned that reactive steps would only result in risky “fire brigade approach”.

The committee also urged governments to sustain their awareness campaigns on how to prevent the spread of the EVD. The guild urged doctors to call off their strike and return to work “because the nation needs them now more than ever”.

The Standing Committee advised the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and other relevant security agencies to be more alert to their responsibilities and ensure better policing of the nation’s land, sea and air borders to check the Ebola virus.

It also urged the government to take the screening of passengers coming into the country

more seriously so that infected or already ill patients of the EVD are not allowed free rein in Nigeria.

On security, the NGE urged the Federal Government to step up the war against terror and review its tactics.

The body also expressed worry about the insurgents’ use of under-age girls as suicide bombers.

After about 120 days since the abduction of the pupils of Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, the guild said the new trend in terror calls for concern.

It said the nation’s apprehension “is further worsened by the increasing spate of attacks and brazen hoisting of Boko Haram flags in parts of Borno State”.

In a statement by its President, Femi Adesina, the guild expressed worry about the fate of the abducted Chibok girls.

The NGE hailed the Federal Government for attempting to rescue the girls but noted that “not retrieving the girls from the hands of their captors is not an option”.

“Lastly, the SCM called on the Federal Government to settle all outstanding issues with the Academic Staff of Universities Union, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, and others, to ensure that the nation’s tertiary institutions do not witness another season of embarrassing strikes,” NGE added.

UN praises Nigeria for containing spread

HE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has hailed the Federal Government for curtailing the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

UNFPA’s Assistant Country Representative Osareti Adori spoke yesterday in Lagos at the opening of a five-day training workshop on Minimum Intervention Service Package for Traumatised Women and Children, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) in Agege.

Adori said governments had shown commitment to fighting the scourge and ensure that the disease does not spread across the country.

The UN official hoped the synergy among the three tiers of government and the massive public advocacy would help the nation to win the war and prevent further casualties.

He said: “What is important is the will. For the first time in a long time, I’ve not seen this country take so serious any issue as the Ebola issue, at the federal and state levels. I see a strong will to contain this situation and, where there is a will, there is a way.

“This thing happened just about three weeks ago. But if you look at what they have done now, compared to where we are coming from, I would think that if the momentum continues, with

the assistance of the international community, in a short while, we would be able to contain the Ebola virus.”

On the training workshop, Adori said participants would be tutored on how to offer assistance to women and children in emergency situations.

He added that the UNFPA was partnering the Lagos State Government to ensure that succour was provided to such victims.

OCTORS, under the aegis of the Medical Guild in Lagos State, urged the Federal and state governments yesterday to equip hospitals to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

They said it was necessary because patients reserved the right to choose the hospitals they wanted to access treatment.

The doctors stressed that hospitals should be equipped with anti-Ebola equipment to prevent the spread of the disease.

Its chairman Dr Biyi Kufo said global practices demand that certain protocols be put in place in health facilities to protect workers from contracting the disease.

He said: “We are not sure there is adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on ground. It is the foot soldiers on the field who feel the presence of the battle. We work in these facilities and we are aware of the situation on the ground.”

The doctor said proper approach to combat the disease should not exclude his colleagues.

He urged the government to protect doctors and other health workers.

Health workers’ protest threatens Bayelsa Ebola centres From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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PROTEST by health workers has threatened the operations of the 103 surveillance centres recently opened by the Bayelsa State Government to check the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Junior health workers, on Monday marched on the streets of Yenagoa, the state capital, chanting solidarity songs and complaining that the Federal Government owed them over two years’ promotional arrears.

The workers, who carried placards with various inscriptions, took their protest to the Government House. They declared an indefinite strike to press home their demands.

The health workers, under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions (HSU), regretted that the government was also owing them other allowances.

It was learnt that the strike would result in shutting down major state and federal hospitals designated as Ebola Virus Surveillance Centres.

Such facilities include the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa and the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital at Okolobiri.

While the officials of the state Ministry of Health said the strike would not affect the Ebola centres, it was learnt that the health facilities were shut down yesterday.

Our reporter observed at the Physiotherapy Department of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, patients were forced out of the complex by representatives of the health unions.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

NEWS ‘Only 5.2m Nigerians are covered by health insurance’ From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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F the over 170 million estimated Nigeria’s population, only 5.2 million are covered by the health insurance, the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Dr. Femi Thomas said yesterday.

Nigerians, he said, should take advantage of the scheme to improve their health.

Thomas spoke in Abuja at a tertiary institution’s students’ health insurance programme, organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC), in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students Matters.

He said new measures should be taken to change to what he called the sad development.

The NHIS chief urged students to take advantage of the NHIS scheme.

Thomas said: “Sixty-two per cent of our health expenditure is still from our pockets. We should always take care of ourselves and the environment.

With NHIS scheme, you are safe for the rainy days. It is sad to note that only 5.2 million Nigerians are covered by health insurance. We should come up with new measures to change this development.

“By the time we change this trend, it will also be better for students in higher institutions.”

NUC Executive Secretary, Prof Julius Okojie, expressed disappointment that about 52 universities were not under the NHIS.

Babalakin hailed for new NBA House

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OUTGOING Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Okey Wali (SAN) has said BiCourtney Group Chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), is a pride to the legal profession.

Wali spoke yesterday in Lagos when he inaugurated a six-storey, fully-serviced new NBA House on Victoria Island.

He said the structure became a reality through the partnership between one of Babalakin’s companies, Stabilini Visinoni Limited, and the NBA. The partnership, which was based on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement, was conceived to help the NBA develop the prime land that had been bare for a long time and enhance the revenue base of the association.

Wali said: “I must thank our colleague, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), for what he has done in putting this up in collaboration with the NBA. The terms are clear. It is a Build, Operate and Transfer. I thank Wale for the industry he has put into this.”

The former NBA president expressed gratitude to the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr. Tahir Mamman, and the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, O. C. J. Okocha (SAN) and other council members for granting access to the new building through the school premises.

On the creation of the access to the property, Babalakin said: “This building was landlocked.

The only way we could go in was to create that access you see now.”

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (second left); Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan (left); Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa'ad Abubakar III (middle); Edo State Deputy Governor Pius Odubu (second right) and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (right), at the interfaith conference with the theme: The Imperative of Interfaith Understanding and Cooperation for Responsible Politics, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja...yesterday

Obasanjo to Fed Govt: take care of youths to avert danger F ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday pushed for the immediate training, empowerment and positive engagement of the youths to avert future danger.

He warned over a year ago that the army of the unemployed youths was a time bomb and something that could make the country vulnerable to a situation similar to the "Arab Spring".

The former President said a nation that neglects its youths "is playing with a dangerous game with its future".

Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at an event marking this year's edition of the United Nations (UN) International Youth Day.

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From Grace Obike, Abuja

vocacy to remind Nigerians of the girls and give out fliers and stickers to Abuja motorists on the abduction.

The activist said when she started the advocacy, she never imagined that it was possible for the girls to still be in captivity after 120 days.

Usman said: “We know that for our military to rescue the girls will mean that they are at the nucleus of the insurgents’ camp and will dismantle their cells.

“We do not believe that the insurgents will be able to take over

the minds of over 200 girls that easily to turn them into anything negetive. We believe that the rescue of the girls will mean the end of insurgency, by attacking and breaking up their cells.

“Today is the 120th day of the abduction. We increased our advocacy by coming out of the Unity Fountain to engage motorists driving by. We feel that Nigerians should not move on with their lives, but we should be mindful of the fact that people’s daughters have been in captivity for 120 days. This made us stand on the road to hand out fliers and car stickers.

“We believe that everyone who has a voice should lend the voice to the Chibok girls and insurgency by demanding that the government should do its social responsibility to the people.

“We appreciate what our military is doing and we call on the government to provide them with the things they need to rescue our girls.

“We are also calling on the government to embark on a decisive rescue operation. We have not seen any concrete indication that there is a rescue operation going on, especially with the fact the localities are being attacked continiously. So, that does not give us comfort that there is a rescue operation going on.”

Presidency inaugurates committee on Jonathan support groups

HE Presidency inaugurated yesterday an 11members committee to coordinate the various groups drumming support for President Goodluck Jonathan's 2015 reelection bid.

The President's Political Adviser, Prof. Rufai Alkali, who inaugurated the committee, said the panel was to streamline the organisation and structures of the groups.

Alkali said: "As 2015 approaches, we note that the circumstances and fundamentals facing us are somewhat different. The opposition is different: the political landscape is different, the players are different and the issues are different.

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The former President, who led over 200 youths from the Youth Centre arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Youths Centre (OOPL) on a charity walk, urged government at all levels to make youth empowerment and development their priority to ensure a secured future for Nigeria.

He noted that it was because of the importance of the youths to the nation, the community and the society that the UN dedicated August 12 each year to celebrate youths across the

world.

The former President admonished the youth to be of good behaviour.

Obasanjo said: "When the United Nations decided that youths all over the world will be celebrated in one day of the year, it knew what it was doing.

"This is because people will say youths are the hope of the future. But you are more than the hope of the future; youths are the hold on the future, the stability of the future and, in fact, youths are the future.

"So, when we talk about the youths, we are talking about the

Insurgency ‘ll end with Chibok girls’ rescue, say protesters

ROTESTERS of the #BringBackOurGirls movement have said the rescue of the Chibok girls will end insurgency in the country.

They said if the military could rescue the girls, the camps and cells of the Boko Haram sect would crumble and end to their reign of terror.

Members of the movement said they had always taken the advocacy of the Chibok girls as a means to end terrorism in Nigeria.

The movement’s Coordinator Hadiza Usman said the group, which had been protesting the abduction of over 200 pupils of the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, for four months, increased the ad-

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From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

future. Any country or community that does not take the training, the skill acquisition, the empowerment and employment of its youths seriously, that community or nation is playing a dangerous game with its future."

According to the former President, the theme for this year’s celebration is: Youth And Mental Health.

Obasanjo noted that the theme was appropriate because it highlighted a long neglected issue of mental health.

He participated in the twokilometre road walk, which took off at the popular Kuto Roundabout, where youth groups converged, and terminated at the OOPL.

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

"Therefore, to succeed in 2015, there is a great need to re-appraise our strategies and the structures of the umbrella organisation of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG), which helped us to victory in 2011.

"To address these issues, the reorganisation of the GSG has become imperative. I have, therefore, decided to set up a special GSG re-organisation committee to study all issues concerning the organisation and propose a reorganisation structure that will allow us position for 2015."

The President's aide urged the various Jonathan support

groups to register in the six zonal offices set up by his office.

Alkali said: "The exercise will enable us to properly understand these organisations and their objectives so that we can prepare to partner, coordinate and work with them to achieve victory in 2015.

"This screening and evaluation will be conducted by my workers, in collaboration with our state chairmen and other stakeholders and will be supervised by my Senior Special Assistant on campaign groups."

The committee is chaired by Gen. Ahmed Ibrahim.

Other members are: Chief Olusola Oke, Nick Eze, William Makinde, Mohammed El-Amin

Babatunde Fashola (SAN) is the chief host.

Highlights of the occasion include a keynote address, titled: A New Nigeria is Possible, to be delivered by Information Minister Labaran Maku.

Distinguished guests who have been confirmed for the event include House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF),

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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HE management of the National Assembly yesterday intervened in the crisis rocking the leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN).

The union's national leadership, last week, dissolved the executive of its National Assembly chapter over alleged non-remittance of N158 million checkoff dues.

It constituted a caretaker committee to run the chapter.

But the National Assembly chapter's executive denied the allegation.

It said: "No chapter is complying with the provision of the PASAN constitution as regards check-off dues due to its obnoxious nature."

The executive also faulted the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) on which it was purportedly dissolved.

But the management of the National Assembly, in an internal circular by its Director of Personnel Management, Dr Ishaya Habu, said it was considering the contentious issues in the crisis.

It urged all parties to maintain status-quo, pending the resolution of the issue.

The management warned that any party that conducts itself in a disorderly manner would face the full wrath of its rules.

The internal circular, titled: Re: Dissolution of National Assembly PASAN Chapter Executive, reads: "The management of the National Assembly is in receipt of all communications on the above subject matter and is considering all issues involved in the crisis.

Tambuwal meets Obasanjo in Abeokuta •Dr Jonathan

and Senator Nimi Amnage.

Others are: Alhaji Lamido Chikaire, Prof. Tony Edoh, Hajia Barakat Sani, Godson Nnaka and A. Y. Ahmed.

The committee was given 10 days to submit its report.

TheNiche on Sunday for presentation August 16

CCLAIM Communications Limited will, on Saturday, August 16, formally present Nigeria’s exclusive Sunday newspaper, TheNiche on Sunday.

The event will hold at the Orchid Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

It will be chaired by a former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, ProfAnya O. Anya (OFR), while Lagos State Governor

National Assembly management intervenes in union crisis

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.

Others are: Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Theodore Orji (Abia).

Also expected are business leaders and celebrities from the Nigerian music and film industries.

HOUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal met yesterday with former President Olusegun Obvasanjo at his Abeokuta home.

Tambuwal, who came at 5:30pm, left about 45 minutes later.

No reason was given for the meeting. But Tambuwal’s spokesman Imam Imam said: “You know Baba (Obasanjo) is a father to all in the country. The visit was to consult him. It is about rubbing minds on how to move the country forward and make Nigeria better.

“It was a closed-door meeting.

Whether or not it is in connection with a presidential ambition, I cannot comment. Let’s wait till 2015. Then, we will address that.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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NEWS Why Osun politicians are after us, by DSS

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Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun presenting prizes to Sanni Marghiyah (right), Eniayekan Segun (middle) and Agbanusi John (left), the most outstanding pupils at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) National Quiz Competition at Obas Complex in Abeokuta... yesterday.

Fayemi, Ajimobi, Daniel, Ikuforiji eulogise Ade Ajayi ‘ E Prof. Ajayi’s KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has described the late Emeritus Professor Ade Ajayi as “an Ekiti ambassador, who is worthy of emulation”.

Speaking yesterday at a condolence visit to the late historian’s family in Ibadan, Oyo State, Fayemi said the late professor promoted honour and integrity as a scholar.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, commiserated with the family and urged them to celebrate the deceased.

In the condolence register, he wrote: “On behalf of the Ekiti State government, I have come to say Rest in Peace, dear daddy, our pride and great national icon.”

Fayemi was received by the late Ajayi’s first son, Niyi.

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi also commiserated with the family of the late former ViceChancellor of the University

of Lagos (UNILAG).

In a statement, Ajimobi said: “We can rightly claim that the late Ajayi was our son because he lived a great part of his life here in Ibadan.

Many of his profound theses in history were conceived right here and he found the peace and tranquility, which contributed to his long life and peace of mind, in Ibadan.

“Prof. Ajayi does not belong to the realm of those who can die or have died.

Whenever or wherever African history is discussed, the emeritus professor would live. Wherever his seminal thoughts are being cited, he would appear to them. So he cannot be said to have died.”

Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel said: “Prof. Ajayi’s role in the documentation of African history was respected beyond the shores of the continent, especially as he was instrumental to making African history a branch of

role in the documentation of African history was respected beyond the shores of the continent...

’

academic discipline.

“From a humble, but noble background, Prof.

Ajayi’s rise to the exalted academic position of UNILAG VC was that of a silent achiever, with his touch in nearly all landmark achievements in the nation’s foremost Ivory Tower.

“Although saddened by the passage of such a great man, we are consoled that he left an indelible mark on the cultural life of Africans.

The only way to honour him is to preserve his legacies by passing the historical past of our society, nation and the continent to coming generations.”

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji said: “The late emeritus professor of History was among the group of Nigerian academics, who laid a solid foundation for the Nigerian university system. Although his loss is painful, we thank God for enabling him to attain the matured age of 85.

“On behalf of my family, fellow legislators and the management and staff of the Lagos Assembly, I commiserate with the family of the late Ajayi, the government and people of Ekiti State, the VC, staff and UNILAG community on this sad and irreparable loss.

“May God grant his soul eternal rest and his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Five injured in attack on Osun APC members

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IVE persons were injured yesterday in Iponda, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, in a clash between Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters and All Progressives Congress (APC) members.

It was gathered that the APC members were celebrating Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s re-election when they were attacked.

Some APC members, who

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•PDP: they assaulted us From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

sustained deep machete cuts, were rushed to hospital, where they are on admission.

One of the victims, Deji Akanmu (Ward 4), was stabbed in the head.

An Assistant Director in the Bureau of Communica-

tion and Strategy in the Office of the Governor, Mr. Bosun Oyintiloye, described the attack as barbaric.

He said the incident was reported to the police division in Ibokun.

However, the Media Director of Senator Iyiola Omisore’s Campaign Organisation, Prince Diran

Odeyemi, said it was the APC members that attacked PDP supporters.

Odeyemi said: “We are surprised that despite the APC’s victory in Saturday’s election, its members have continued to harass, maim and humiliate supporters of our party across the state.

We urge Governor Aregbesola to call them to order before the situation gets out of hand.”

Ogun slashes fees in tertiary schools

HE Ogun State government has reduced tuition fees in stateowned tertiary institutions by 61 per cent.

The reduction takes effect from the 2014/2015 academic session.

The government abolished the payment of different fees by indigenes and non-indigenes.

Addressing students’ repre-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

sentatives at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Segun Odubela said the decision was reached after deliberations by the government with students’ leaders and heads of the institutions.

Some students will now

pay as low as N29,700.

According to Odubela, medical students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), who have been paying N301,610, will now pay N176,596. Arts students in the same institution will pay N81,112 instead of N126,540.

Other schools affected by the development are the Moshood Abiola Polytech-

nic, Abeokuta; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun; College of Education, Omu; the four Information Communication Technology (ICT) polytechnics and the College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu.

The government donated 13 buses to the student unions of all tertiary institutions in the state.

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

HE Department of State Service (DSS) is being hunted by political parties for rejecting a N14 million bribe, the agency’s spokesperson, Mrs Marilyn Ogar, said yester-

day.

Speaking with reporters yesterday at the National Briefing Centre in Abuja, Mrs. Ogar said: “The DSS director in charge of election duty in Osun State was asked to come and collect N4 million for himself and N10 million for his men. The offence of the DSS is that it rejected the money.

“The rejection is bringing misunderstanding between political parties and the DSS. It is unfortunate. There is a big man occupying a sensitive position in Osun State. The man should thank his God that it was not the DSS that arrested him with the huge amount he was found with.”

Stressing that the agency cannot be induced with money, Mrs Ogar said: “We are well paid and our operations are well funded.

Compare N14 million to the N200 million that was spent; which one will you go for? People should stop using money to entice security forces. The Federal Government and Nigerians, who engaged us, are capable of taking care of us.”

She said if security forces were not present for the election, the story would have changed.

Urging parties to leave security agencies out of politics, Mrs Ogar said: “We thank God the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election in Osun State. There was no bomb blast because there was enough security presence. The security forces that assisted in the election in Edo State were the same ones that went to Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun.”

‘Expect shocking revelations about Ekiti poll’

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HERE will be shocking revelations at the hearing of the petition instituted by Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) on the June 21 governorship election, Deputy Governor Modupe Adelabu said yesterday.

She said the election was skewed against her party by the powers that be.

Mrs Adelabu said Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s victory on Saturday proved that no amount of “federal might” could subvert the people’s will. She described it as a call for change.

The deputy governor and Governor Kayode Fayemi’s wife, Bisi, visited Aregbesola in Osogbo to congratulate him.

In a statement by her media aide, Bunmi Ogunmodede, Mrs Adelabu urged Nigerians to effect positive change through the 2015 general polls.

She said: “We have come to rejoice with our brother, whose mandate for a fresh four-year term has been renewed. We are grateful to God for what he has done for us.

We are happy for the governor. He deserves it and we know the people of Osun State will enjoy his second term. I believe he is going to perform better than he is doing in this first term, which expires in November.

“We are using his (Aregbesola’s) re-election as a point of contact for other states, so that in 2015, there will be a change at the centre. What we have seen in Osun State is a revelation of what happened in Ekiti State on June 21. We thank God that we made the sacrifice in Ekiti State.”

•Mrs Adelabu

Fashola seeks re-ordering of 2014 budget

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By Oziegbe Okoeki

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has requested the re-ordering of the 2014 budget.

A letter from the governor requesting the re-ordering was read at plenary yesterday by the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Ganiyu Abiru.

PUBLIC NOTICE The governor said the re-orOGUNDOWOLE dering is to take care of emergI formerly known and addressed as ing issues, such as the reversal Master Ogundowole, Joshua of fees at the Lagos State UniOyindamola Ugaga now wish to be known and addressed as Master Elum, versity (LASU), “which reJoshua Oyindamola Ugaga. All former quires us to make provisions documents remain valid. General pubto cover LASU shortfall in prolic take note. jected revenues to service the school; the unanticipated but urgent need to address the threat of the Ebola virus epiPUBLIC NOTICE demic; and the need for counMUOKWE terpart funding requests to acI formerly known and addressed as cess developmental funds to inMiss Muokwe, Obioma Suzan now stall solar power panels in 172 wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwokolo, Obioma Suzan. All public schools and 11 primary former documents remain valid. NYSC health centres in the first and general public take note. phase”.

He said: “The re-ordering will not affect the original PUBLIC NOTICE N489.69 billion budget size, as OSUJI we have discovered that there are unutilised provisions by I formerly known and addressed as Miss Osuji, Ogechi Grace now wish some Ministries, Departments to be known and addressed as Miss and Agencies (MDAs), which Chukwuma, Ogechi Grace. All former may remain so till the year documents remain valid. NYSC and general public take note. ends.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13, 2014

8

NEWS

Aregbesola urges security agents to ignore illegal orders •Dedicates Certificate of Return to electorate

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola received yesterday the Certificate of Return for Saturday’s election at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) office in Osogbo.

He was accompanied by his wife, Sherifat; his deputy, Mrs Titi LaoyeTomori; All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and top government officials.

Aregbesola dedicated the certificate to the people for their “steadfastness and unflinching support” for his administration.

Shortly after the certificate was presented to him by INEC’s Supervising National Commissioner, Ambassador Mohammad Wali, the governor hailed the commission for conducting a “largely free and fair election”, which he scored 75 per cent.

He said: “I advise INEC to take seriously the security of election materials. It should be extra-vigilant with election materials. We appeal to you to be alert and determined to secure materials, to prevent compromised INEC workers from tampering with them.

“I commend other contestants,

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

who enriched the country’s democratic process. They should come to us on how we can improve our state. For those who are embittered, we are in no way inducing them not to chart the legal way to redress. While they are seeking redress in court, they can still come to us on how we can give meaningful life to our people.”

Aregbesola said no democratic mandate is inferior to the other, noting that for democracy to be meaningful, whatever honour is given to the president must be extended to anyone who is democratically-elected.

On the conduct of security personnel during the poll, Aregbesola said some turned themselves into terrorists.

He condemned the “harassment, intimidation and arbitrary arrest” of APC members and supporters.

Urging them to always carry out their duties professionally, the governor said: “I commend security agencies for their commitment to making the election a huge success and violence-free. However, one must not fail to mention the

Senator, Muslim youths hail governor From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan and Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

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YO State Accord chieftain Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (Oyo South) has congratulated Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola on his re-election.

In a statement yesterday, the lawmaker said Aregbesola’s victory was “well-deserved”, considering the governor’s infrastructural, grassroots and people-oriented policies, “which earned him the people’s love”.

The senator hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organising “a credible election”.

He praised governmental and non-governmental agencies that made the feat possible, adding that Nigeria would improve if the people’s will is allowed to prevail.

Also yesterday, the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Ogun State chapter, congratulated Aregbesola on his re-election.

The group urged youths to shun violence and conduct themselves peacefully in the 2015 general elections.

In a statement by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Oyetunde, and Secretary Muftau Salaudeen, NACOMYO said: “We congratulate Aregbesola on his victory. He should note that the people voted for his good work and continue with his innovations.”

Oyo raises panel on demolition

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has inaugurated a judicial commission of enquiry to look into complaints about his administration’s Urban Renewal Programme.

Inaugurating the commission in his office on Monday, Ajimobi said although only illegal structures were approved for removal by the government, irregularities cannot be ruled out during implementation.

The commission is to identify cases of irregular demolition and recommend compensation to claimants; identify cases of arbitrary allocation of land and recommend sanctions for culpable public officers; and recommend ways to prevent recurrence.

The commission’s Chairman, Justice Okanola Akintunde Boade (rtd.) said the panel would execute its duties diligently.

•Makinde Members are Mr. Soji Taiwo, HE lawmaker reprea town planner; Mr Sikiru senting Ife ConstituSalami and Bamidele Abolarin, ency in the House of representing the Nigerian Bar Representatives, Mr. Rotimi Association (NBA); Mr. Kola Makinde, has said he did not Olofa, an estate surveyor; Dr. vote on Saturday.

Ademola Aremu, representing Addressing reporters yesthe Academic Staff Union/ terday in Lagos, the All Civil Rights society; Mr. W. A. Progressives Congress Ajuwon, the secretary and Mr. (APC) chieftain said: “I did I. O. Tijani, the panel’s counsel.

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•Aregbesola displaying the certificate...yesterday. With him are Mrs Laoye-Tomori; Wali (left); INEC Secretary Oladapo Oladipo (second left) and INEC Acting Director, Legal, Ibrahim Bawa.

overzealousness of a few of the security agencies, who, in the name of obeying orders, ran riot and clamped down on innocent chieftains, members and supporters of our party.

“As security personnel, your constitutional role is to maintain law and order, as well as protect the people. It is, therefore, criminal of any law enforcement agent to molest, harass or intimidate innocent people, let alone kill a Nigerian.

“You must, from now on, resist

wrong orders, which are antithetical to what the constitution permits. Any order that is not supported by the constitution is inimical to good governance and the rule of law. Therefore, whatever order that violates the constitution of Nigeria is criminal.”

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, said he was proud of INEC’s performance, adding: “We at INEC, by the judgment of international communities and observers, are pleased that the Osun election is adjudged as the best in the coun-

try, though it was not completely smooth. The utterances of politicians over heated the polity, among other allegations against INEC. “Not bothered by these, the commission focused on conducting a free, fair and credible election. We will continue to make INEC one of the best in the world. Political leaders must shun election vices and educate their people against them.

There is a pressing need for unity among political leaders.”

He hailed the people for coming out en masse to vote for their candidate.

Osun APC: Omisore is a sore loser

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Saturday’s poll, Senator Iyiola Omisore, lost “fairly”.

APC was reacting to Omisore’s remarks that his defeat was due to the damage done to him and his party by the former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Rufus Akeju.

Omisore said: “We had a situation where a clearly partisan REC had opened the entire electoral system to our opponent from the registration stage through data storage to personnel loading… Before he left, he did a lot of harm in the system that would take years to rectify.”

In a statement yesterday,

APC said: “To accuse the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Akeju, especially, is the hallmark of a man in delusional stupor. He has not been able to climb down from his high horse of living a lie.

“Omisore lost fair and square because the people rejected him for his notoriety as a violently–disposed individual. Secondly, he offered nothing to the people except to promise the destruction of everything the people were enjoying from Aregbesola’s administration. He presented himself to the people as a destroyer, not a builder, and instilled fear in the hearts of Osun people.

“That was why, in spite of the security apparatus of the Nigerian state put at his dis-

‘Omisore knew when he was about to cast his vote that the odds were against him. In one brief moment, he was forced to say a little prayer (maybe for forgiveness) before he voted’ posal and that of Osun PDP; the terrorist marksmen from Bayelsa State brought to Osun by Asari Dokubo and Tompolo; and the army of thugs within the state available to Omisore and the PDP, they could neither persuade nor intimidate the people to vote for them.

“That Omisore cannot figure out why he suffered

such a defeat shows the shallowness of his intellect and the immaturity of his political engagement. We hope the committee he set up to find out why he lost the election will detect the fraud and the lie in which they had lived, deluding themselves that Aregbesola was ‘unpopular’ in the state.

“Omisore knew when he was about to cast his vote that the odds were against him. In one brief moment, he was forced to say a little prayer (maybe for forgiveness) before he voted.

“He talked about fraud by INEC without producing a shred of evidence. He is just setting up a committee to look for that fraud. The path of honour, if he has any left, is to accept defeat honourably and move on.”

I wasn’t allowed to vote, says rep

By Dada Aladelokun and Musa Odoshimokhe

not vote in that landmark re-election of the people’s governor, Rauf Aregbesola, last Saturday.”

He said Aregbesola’s reelection was made possible

by God and the support of the “appreciative” people of Osun, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) tried its best to subvert the electorate’s wish.

Explaining why he did not vote, Makinde said about 1:15am last Saturday, his Ife home was invaded by armed men allegedly working for his major political rival in Ife. He said: “In the wee hours of last Saturday, my house was bombarded with four vehicles loaded with armed military men. They were shooting sporadically as if I

•‘Aregbesola’s victory divine’ was the only one in Ile-Ife. “I did not vote in the election, as I had to run for cover.

It pains me that some reactionary elements prevented me from voting for a man of history (Aregbesola). I cried and cried in hiding.

“It was a re-enactment of what I suffered in 2006, when I was kidnapped in my father’s house a day before the election. This time, Senator Isiaka Adeleke’s house was attacked too. I feel sad and I am yet to overcome the shock of the traumatic experience.

“If a member of the House of Representatives with the mandate of the people could not step out of his home, you can imagine how many

people in the area could not step out to vote. It is painful, but I thank God for showing Himself.”

Makinde, who is the deputy chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, said he felt compelled to alert the public that his life was in danger.

“My life is in danger and Nigerians must know. Most importantly, the ill-motivated militarisation of my state before and during the poll calls for serious concerns by genuine lovers of this country. The PDP must not be allowed to carry on like this. It is dangerous,” he added.

Reacting to the fact that the PDP’s candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, had more

votes in Ife than Aregbesola, Makinde said: “The votes churned out by the PDP do not represent the true wishes of Ife people, who want continuity. It is a charade.”

The lawmaker said by that election, Omisore has been retired from politics, adding: “Omisore’s defeat will signal the end of violence and tyranny in Ile Ife.” Noting that it was uncomplimentary of the military to “allow itself to be used by politicians to thwart the aspiration of the people it ought to protect”, he urged the police to live up to their responsibilities and protect the people.

Makinde said: “As I speak to you, some APC members are still being targeted by these elements. The earlier the police defend them, the better for our people.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

9

NEWS Tambuwal, Obasanjo meet in Abeokuta

Kwara youths endorse Ahmed for second term From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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GROUP under the aegis of Kwara North Youth Consultative Forum (KNYCF) has urged Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to run for the governorship seat again next year.

The youths, from the five local government areas of Kwara North Senatorial District, hinged their support on the governor’s programmes, particularly the empowerment of young people.

The youths, who addressed reporters in Bode Saadu, headquarters of the senatorial district, said the current administration had employed many youths.

They added that the governor recently appointed youths from the area as special assistants.

Leader of the group, Comrade Ibrahim K. Mohammed, said: “We are well-structured and connected to the grassroots. We know what is happening in all the five local government areas; comprising Baruten, Edu, Kaiama, Moro and Patigi.”

Director of Defence Informtion Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade presenting a souvenir to Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu when he visited the Oba in lagos

Vehicle owners get ultimatum THE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned vehicles parked at Gowon Estate Police Station to remove them or lose them to members of the public through auction two weeks after this publication.

The vehicles are Toyota Corolla Saloon car AS 977AKD, Nissan Primera Saloon car CF 203 MUS, Toyota Bus XD 777 NND

Funeral for Madam Alice Adegboyega

37 companies jostle for N211m AFCSC contracts From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

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HE Armed Forces Com mand and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji has received 52 bids for the execution of its 2014 capital projects worth N211million.

But the college said the contracts would be awarded to the lowest and most responsive bids based on the fund at its disposal.

About 37 contractors and companies had submitted the 52 bids for the contracts ranging from renovation of Junior NCO’s Quarters, construction and equipping of one block of five number science laboratories for AFCSC Secondary School and equipping of works production centre among others.

Chairman of the college’s Tenders Board and Director of Logistics, Commodore Kenneth Gbemudu, spoke yesterday at the opening of the bids at AFCSC Jaji, Kaduna State yesterday.

He said there were 11 projects to be awarded for capital projects this year.

Gbemudu said: “The lowest bid for each of the project may not necessarily be the most responsive. Our evaluation will determine the lowest responsive bids upon which we will award the contract based on the availability of fund.”

He added that the contract would be awarded as soon as the funds are coming into the college’s purse to avoid owing contractors.

Gbemudu said the contracts were parts of the AFCSC Commandant’s resolve to reposition the college and make it conducive for learning.

Othercontractbidedforarerenovation of Works Production Centre, renovation of AFCSC Headquarters, furnishing and equipping of Syndicate Rooms, furnishing of AFCSC Headquarters, renovation of Senior Course Hostel, renovationandfurnishingofCaptainQuarters, computerisation, networking andBroadbandInternetAccessand renovationandupgradingofSports Centre Facilities.

HOUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal met yesterday with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Abeokuta residence.

Tambuwal, who came around 5.30p.m, left about 45 minutes after.

No reason was given for the meeting, but Tambuwal’s spokesman Alhaji Imam Imam, said: “You know Baba is a father to all in the country. The visit was to consult him. It is about rubbing minds on how to move the country forward, and make Nigeria better.”

He added: “It was a closed door meeting. As for whether it is in connection with a presidential ambition, I cannot comment. Let’s wait till 2015 and then we will address that.”

•Nigerian Consul General in Jeddah Ambassador Ahmed Umor(second left) being assisted by Medview Airline’s Managing Director/CEO, Alhaji Muneer Bankole(second right) and others to cut a cake at the opening of the Airline’s Jedda Regional office (ahead of Nigeria-Saudi Arabia scheduled flights) in Saudi Arabia.

Osun poll: Opadokun, Dabiri-Erewa congratulate Aregbesola N ATIONAL Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Secretary Ayo Opadokun has described Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s success at the poll as a victory for democracy.

Also, House of Representatives member from Ikorodu Constituency Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa congratulated the governor and the people of Osun State for sticking to their conscience in the face of intimidation by security agents. She described the poll result as the tri-

By Emmanuel Oladesu

umph of people’s will over the barrel of gun.

In a statement in Lagos, Opadokun, who is the Coordinator of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (DODER), said “the victory is for the consolidation and polularasation of democracy in the country.”

He added: “The victory,

which is of God, had human grim determination of our people to resist tyranny, dictatorship of any kind, particularly when their political interest is being assaulted. The victory is an affirmation that our people can confidently re-assert the supremacy of the will of the people over the military surrogates, sympathisers, and loyalists masqurading as political lead-

ers in Yorubaland.

Noting that the people of Osun State have remained loyal to the progressive cause, DabiriErewa said they have demonstrated that no amount of intimidation can stop them from voting and defending their votes.

She added: “They have shown that their confidence in Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola will not be shaken.”

THE remains of Madam Alice Ibiyemi Adegboyega, who died on May 21, would be buried on August 16 in Ayedun – Ekiti, Ekiti State.

She was 105. A statement by Bayo Oguntuase on behalf of the family said the Christian wake and lying – in – state would be at her A/68 Oke – Owa Street, Odo Ayedu-Ekiti home on August 15 and there would be a funeral service at Methodist Cathedral of His Glory, Odo Ayedun – Ekiti, at 10:00a.m.

Entertainment of guests would follow at her home.

Madam Adegboyega is survived by Children, grand children and great grand children.

•The late Madam Adegboyega

APC leaders mount pressure as Ribadu concludes plans to defect

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HERE were strong indications yesterday that former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has concluded plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in spite of pressure to shelve such move.

A source in his campaign organisation said Ribadu might announce his final decision on or before Friday to lay all speculations to rest.

It was learnt that the initial plan was for Ribadu to defect on Thursday at a mini-rally in Yola, but he decided to hold more consultations following protests from some stakeholders in Adamawa PDP. Ribadu was also said to be hurt by alleged blackmail by some of his rivals in PDP, who have drawn a battle line.

But some leaders of the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) have held last minutes meeting with Ribadu to plead with him to shelve the plan.

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I’ve not stepped down, says Tukur

DAMAWA State governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Awwal Dahiru Tukur has denied media reports that he had withdrawn following alleged plans by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to defect to the party and use his structure.

Tukur said the report was false and a mischievous attempt to cause disaffection in his structure, which he said he built since 1998 when he joined the PDP. He said he remained an aspirant on PDP’s platform and would not withdraw for anybody after he withdrew for Admiral Murtala Nyako in 2011 during PDP primaries.

The aspirant said he was not aware of any plan for him to quit his ambition for Ribadu or From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Another reliable source said: “Barring any last minute hitch, Ribadu has concluded arrangements to defect to the ruling PDP on or before Friday to settle the controversy trailing his defection once and for all.

Meetings to this effect were concluded last weekend.

“All I can tell you is that

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

anybody.

He said: “Even though Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is my friend and brother, there has not been any discussion concerning my ambition to govern the state in 2015. The PDP has been my party since 1998 and I’m still in the race to contest for the governorship slot of the party.”

He denied any meeting with Ribadu in Kaduna to discuss his withdrawal from the governorship race.

He said the PDP was ready to welcome anybody into the party, but people must queue the same way he has done since 2007.

Ribadu will make his decision known to Nigerians. He is almost finalising last segment of consultations.

“The only thing disturbing Ribadu and his team is the increasing mudslinging and attacks on his person.”

Another source gave insights into the final stage of plans to bring Ribadu on board

by some PDP leaders.

The source said: “In one of the meetings in Abuja, a PDP stakeholder from Adamawa Southern Senatorial District invited a couple of APC chairmen from Adamawa State, together with a handful of former members of the state Assembly during the tenure of former Governor Boni Haruna in the com-

pany of three members of the current PDP State Executive Council to a meeting with Ribadu himself in attendance.

“The stakeholder, who happens to come from the same local government with a top aide to Mr. President, informed the meeting that he was personally directed by Mr. President to invite them to the meeting and inform them that the defection of Ribadu to PDP had the full support of Mr. President.

“He said what they needed to do was to mobilise the ward delegates in readiness for the party primaries that would soon take place, especially given the fact that apart from those three members of the state PDP Executive Council that were at the meeting, all the others cannot be relied upon.

“He further told the meeting that Ribadu would be granted a waiver to contest the governorship whether the state chapter of the party liked it or not.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

I regret embracing robbery, says suspect

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22-YEAR-OLD robbery and murder suspect has regretted taking to robbery instead of remaining a pickpocket.

The suspect, Akeem Adesina, is being interrogated by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Command, Ikeja.

He was arrested after a member of his gang killed a man when they invaded his home.

After the incident, they allegedly dispossessed people going for early morning prayer of their belongings.

Adesina said: “My best friend, Abawon Kehinde, convinced me to join the gang. I regret going to rob with them. Had it been I knew that I would land here in SARS today, I would have continued with my pick-pocket job. At least, nobody would have arrested me.

“Kehinde said that we should go to Jebba Street in Oyingbo, Lagos. He told me that we were going for tigba

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By Jude Isiguzo

bo operation. It means to kick and break down the door to gain entry. We had a gun and a machete. We were four that went for the operation, but that was the first time I would partake in robbery with a gun. My former job was pick-pocket.

I used to cut open pockets of people sleeping to steal their money or phones.”

Describing the mode of the gang’s operation, Adesina said: “Yes, we don’t have any target. We just move around and pick on any building at random.

Kehinde is small and easily climbed up the balcony, to the first floor. He opened the curtain and said we would get money from that house.

“One of us, Lucky, held the machete. He climbed and followed Kehinde.

Sule, who held another gun, gave it to me and climbed up. They opened the window and attempted to open the gate. But the owner heard the sound of the gate and started shouting! Sule

‘

... that was the first time I would partake in robbery with a gun. My former job was pick-pocket. I used to cut open pockets of people sleeping to steal their money or phones

’

ordered him to stop. But the man started struggling with Sule in a bid to collect the gun.

“Sule opened fire. The man fell down. Neighbours started shouting as they threw things at us. My friends rushed down from the balcony and we left the

By Precious Igbonwelundu

A •Adesina

tal. The policemen asked me if it was my gang that did it; I denied it. I told them that we were doing ‘stop and search.’”

After further interrogation, Adesina was transferred to SARS, where he promised to cooperate with the operatives to arrest his fleeing accomplices. But Adesina fingered innocent people.

“I later told the truth that those people I mentioned were innocent. It was Sule that shot and killed that man,” Adesina said.

Two toddlers die as fire razes Lagos building

WO toddlers died Monday night in a fire that razed a building in Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos.

Daniel Monadi and Joel Chukwu were found dead in their room at 43, Salami Street, Mafoluku. The building comprised four flats and 10 other rooms.

It was learnt that the fire, which started at 8pm at the apartment of Ada Patrick,

By Precious Igbonwelundu

was caused by a lit candle.

One of the toddlers was Patrick’s; the other was her sister’s son who was visiting. The kids were asleep when fire started.

The Director, State Fire Service, Rasaq Fadipe, said the fire fighters were contacted at 8.47pm.

“We met the house very alive with fire. The situa-

tion was very serious and the fire had even affected the roof of a nearby building.

Immediately, we invited Isolo and Ilupeju fire trucks to complement Oshodi and each came with 10,000 litres of water.

“It was in the cause of putting out the fire that we found the kids burnt beyond recognition in one of the bedrooms. The fire was caused by a candle that was

NDLEA seizes N322m drugs in oil filters

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place,” he added.

He went on: “We started robbing people going to early morning prayers of their money and phone sets.

The time was about 4am.

We saw a guy carrying a bag and another driving a car. Sule showed them his gun and we collected their phones and money. While we were collecting these items, we saw a police van with its headlights on.

“We all started running; Sule ran and seemed to disappear. Lucky, Kehinde and I kept running. Kehinde was the person in the front, Lucky second, I was last. I heard “stop there or I’ll shoot.” It was the policemen. Kehinde and Lucky knew that area very well.

They disappeared, but the police got me and took me to their station.”

The suspect added: “The police were taking my statement when someone came into the station to report that some men came to their compound and shot their neighbour without collecting anything. They said the man had died in the hospi-

Truck pusher accused of stabbing neighbour

HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has impounded N322 million worth of drugs concealed in oil filters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

A vehicle spare parts dealer, Agbala Eze Cosmos (38), was arrested in connection with the consignment containing substances that tested positive to methamphetamine. The consignment was meant for export to Mozambique, the NDLEA said.

NDLEA Commander at the airport, Hamza Umar said the drugs were cleverly hidden inside oil filters. “The drugs were concealed in a manner that made it difficult to detect.

We had to cut the filters open to recover the drugs.

In all, 35.8kilogrammes of methamphetamine was found inside the oil filters,” he said.

Hamza said Agbala was assisting the agency to get the drug syndicate that allegedly hired him.

The suspect, who said greed led him into drug trafficking, said: “I blame myself because I was greedy. They asked me to facilitate the exportation of the drug to Mozambique f or N 1 m i l l i o n . I wa s happy to do it because I needed money. It did not occur to me that there was so much risk involved because of the manner the

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

drug was packed. I never knew the drug costs so much. I am married with three children and I sell auto parts.”

Agbala hails from Enugu State.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief

Executive, Ahmadu Giade said: “The agency will work very hard to arrest everyone that is involved in this case. We are prepared to go the full length in our investigations. The suspect has given us useful information that we are currently processing.”

lit and left unattended to.

“I want to use this opportunity to urge the public to discontinue the use of candle. It is also important

for landlords to discourage their tenants from using candles; rather, people should use lanterns,” Fadipe said.

Lawmakers move against arrest of motorcyclists

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AGOS State House of Assembly yesterday called on Governor Babatunde Fashola to prevail on the Commissioner of Police to ask his men to desist from indiscriminate arrest of commercial motorcycle riders, particularly outside the restricted areas.

The House also resolved to revisit the list of restricted routes for commercial motor cycle operation so as to amend those routes that have engendered conflicts and or exploitation by

By Oziegbe Okoeki

some law-enforcement agents.

The resolutions yesterday followed a motion co-sponsored by 10 lawmakers and moved by Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1).

The House condemned any mode of enforcement which negates the provisions of the Lagos State Traffic Law, 2012, promising to take steps to forestall further abuse of the law by some law-enforcement agents and their collaborators.

•From left: Mrs Lola Alonge, Coordinator of Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI) and Hon. Wale Odunlami, Chairman, Ikeja Local Government, Lagos State (right), with a nursing mother during the 2014 World Breastfeeding Week ... yesterday

23-YEAR-OLD truck pusher was arraigned yesterday before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stabbing his neighbour with a broken bottle.

Tunde Olowu was brought before Magistrate L.Y. Balogun for assaulting Mutiu Hassan by stabbing him on the neck for disturbing him with loud music.

Trouble started when Hassan allegedly refused to accede to the defendant’s plea to reduce the volume of his music set.

The court heard that the incident occurred on August 3, at Itedo Waterside, behind MTN Project Fame Studio in Lekki.

Prosecuting Inspector Raji Akeem told the court that the defendant attempted to escape after the offence, but was apprehended by neighbours who handed him over to the police.

Akeem said the complainant was wounded in the neck, adding that the offence contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

The defendant pleaded guilty and was remanded in custody.

Magistrate Balogun adjourned the case till August 13 for facts and sentence.

Three held for alleged N10m theft

By Precious Igbonwelundu

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HREE men have been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing valuables worth N10 million belonging to their employer.

Benedict Abah (36); David Abah (26) and Asukwo AniekpenoEffiong (28), appeared before Magistrate O. Olanipekun for alleged conspiracy and stealing, punishable under Sections 409 and 285(10) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

The prosecutor, Michael Kokoye, told the court that the offences were committed on July 26 at 2am, at 15, Prince Taiwo Sesanya Street at Parkview Estate in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Kokoye said the defendants stole four pieces of 42-inch plasma television, one internet machine and gold jewelry worth N10million, belonging to a woman, Mrs. Adeleke.

The defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted N500,000 bail each one responsible surety each in like sum.

Olanipekun ordered that N100, 000 be deposited in the account of the Chief Registrar and adjourned the case till August 29 for mention.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

WapTV sets Facebook record

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APTV, a 24-hour pidgin language TV channel, has become the first privatelyowned Nigerian cable TV channel to have over 100,000 ‘Likes’ on the social network platform, Facebook.

This also makes wapTV the fifth Nigerian TV channel overall (across Terrestrial and Cable Platforms) to cross the 100,000 ‘Likes’ mark via its Facebook page.

Excited about the achievement, Wale Adenuga, Managing Director of wapTV, said: “We are excited at this milestone, as it is a clear testament that our viewers enjoy the channel’s contents, which we work very hard on. wapTV is less than two years old, but it has already received so much commen-

dation from TV viewers and practitioners all over the world. We are grateful for this level of acceptance and we assure all our viewers that there is a lot more to come.”

Adenuga expressed satisfaction at the fact that wapTV’s viewers regularly visit its Facebook page for updates on the “channel’s programme schedule, interactions with other viewers from all over the world, behind-the-scene pictures and videos, audition dates for chances to appear in wapTV programmes, opportunities to win fantastic prizes and lots more.”

The TV station was established in 2012 by Wale Adenuga Productions Ltd., and is available to the Nige-

•Adenuga

rian and African audience on Star Times, CONSAT and StarSat with ongoing plans to be available on even more cable TV platforms worldwide.

Timi Dakolo releases Iyawo Mi video

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IGERIAN soul singer, Timi Dakolo, has released the official video of his song, Iyawo Mi, off his forthcoming album, Love and Consequences.

The 1970s -inspired video directed by Clarence Peters was shot in Ogun State, Nigeria, with a vintage Mercedes car, time - appropriate costumes, makeup and other props.

The video shows the journey of a newlywed couple played by Timi Dakolo and his wife, Busola, through good and difficult times.

“I’m really proud of this video. I have always wanted to do a vintage video that is fun and features my wife.

Iyawo Mi was inspired by her, so it was just right that she played a part in it. We had an awesome time,” said Timi Dakolo.

Timi Dakolo, 33, is an award-winning R&B/Soul music artiste from Bayelsa State, Nigeria. He grew up in the city of Port-Harcourt, where he started his singing career at 12.

Following his victory at the first and only edition of West African Idol, he released his debut album titled Beautiful Noise in 2012, receiving great reviews for the work. He later released another single titled Great Nation.

•Rhema

Star The Winner Is: Applause for Rhema A

S the quest to becoming the winner of N10million and a brand new car heightened, contestants face tougher time on the fourth episode of Star The Winner Is last weekend.

In what can best be described as a night of glitz and fun, the show featured 10 performances with contestants desperately battling to outdo one another.

23-year-old Rhema Osbourne emerged victorious, securing a well-deserved spot in the semi-finals. With good looks and

an amazing vocal range to complement, Rhema impressively rendered Chris Brown’s Don’t Judge Me, Liquideep’s Fairy tale and Lionel Richie’s Hello earning him the status of the jury’s favourite.

Other contestants from the episode, Temisan Francis, Haitee Olajorin, Micheal Emeka, Uju Prince and Treasure Clement also rendered quality performances, but they couldn’t impress the 101-jury members.

The last round of the episode was a particularly heated one with sultry singer, Treasure, and Rhema going

head-to-head in the battle.

Treasure, however, lost the round, thereby forfeiting an opportunity to walk away with N400, 000.

Winning the episode propelled Rhema to join Philip, Brenda and Happiness from three previous episodes in the race for N10million and a brand new car.

Star The Winner Is sponsored by Star Lager is a singing game show in which singing only seven songs could turn around the life of a lucky contestant.

•Dakolo

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13, 2014

NEWS Unknown persons demolish Anglican Church

Amaechi faults Fed Govt on NYSC RIVERS State Governor Chibuike Amaechi has slammed the Federal Government’s nonchalance to the plight of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Rivers State.

He spoke yesterday on the government’s reluctance to solve accommodation problems and other challenges faced by corps members.

The governor was receiving members of the National Governing Board of the NYSC led

by Tijani Adekanbi at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Amaechi said the Federal Government has failed to address most NYSC challenges, leaving them to the state, despite that the scheme is its responsibility.

Senator to empower 5,000 From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Senator Hosea Agboola representing Oyo North will on Friday empower over 5,000 people.

He will also inaugurate projects worth millions of naira. About 1,334 students will receive N10,000 bursary each.

Agboola, the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, spoke yesterday to The Nation in his office in Ibadan.

He said Senate President David Mark would inaugurate the projects.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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•Abia State Governor Theodore Orji (second left); flanked by the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry Worldwide, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; and his wife, Esther (left); Abia State Deputy Governor Sir Emeka Ananaba (third right); Abia State Overseer of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor Damian Umeh and his wife, Felicia, during a visit by Pastor Kumuyi to the governor in Umuahia.

My fear for 2015, by Ngige

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ORMER Anambra State Governor Chris Nwabueze Ngige said yesterday that for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to get it right in next year’s general elections, partisan Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) must be removed.

He alleged that most of the RECs are biased, urging their removal as done in Osun State for the conduct of a free, fair and credible election.

Ngige, who represents Anambra Central on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke yesterday to reporters at his campaign office in Awka.

He said the strategy APC used in winning the Osun gov-

•’Only APC can save Ndigbo’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

ernorship poll last Saturday would also be used to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) next year.

Said he: “My worry about the 2015 general elections is that INEC will not dispense with partisan RECs. “The Osun election was successful because a petition was written against the REC and he was replaced. That was what we asked for in Anambra, but INEC refused to listen to us.

“The INEC Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, has to do an inhouse cleansing, if he wants to get it right in 2015. He needs to

Midnight fire: Shop owners count losses

Man ‘kills’ mum in Anambra

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From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

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HOP owners on Industry Road, opposite Nigerian Breweries Plc factory in Aba, Abia State are counting their losses, following a midnight fire, which gutted their shops.

The Nation learnt that the fire destroyed goods worth over N1 million.

But for the quick intervention of fire fighters from the Abia State Fire Service, the damage would have been devastating.

An eyewitness said those affected were restaurant owners, beer parlour operators, provision shop owners and spare parts dealers.

Another source, whose shop was among the ones not affected, said: “I was in my home about 12am when I received a call that our shops were on fire. I rushed down to see if we could save our goods. When we got here, we met fire fighters battling to put out the fire. I was lucky that my shop was among the

assess those who will report to him before and after the elections.”

The senator said APC has what it takes to improve the lives of Ndigbo more than any other party.

He denied a claim that the party has given its presidential ticket to any zone.

“Before we do that we will constitute our Board of Trustees (BOT) and the National Executive Council (NEC), including our National Caucus. The only zoning APC did was for party officials,” Ngige added.

He said the party must start its campaign like President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he

accused of using tactics to campaign.

His words: “We have no time. Jonathan has started campaigning. In the next few weeks, it will be run, run, run for APC.” Ngige said 50 per cent of the Boko-Haram insurgents were unemployed youths in the Northeast, adding that the country needed a government with a human face.

“A lot of things, such as infrastructure, jobs and electricity are lacking in this country.

We need a responsible government to provide these things, which my former party, the PDP, has failed to provide,” he said.

NKNOWN persons on Monday demolished Ebenezer Anglican Church, Oyolu-Oze, 3-3, Nkwelle Ezunanka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Although the Nkwelle Ezunanka community denied knowledge of the action, the Anglican Church accused the community of masterminding the demolition.

It cited the crisis between the church and the community, which has lasted for over a decade, as the cause of the action.

The Nation learnt that the building was under construction.

A source said the multimillion naira project was nearing completion before it was pulled down at midnight on Monday.

The Anglican Archdeacon in charge of the building project, Venerable Frank Obi, accused the President- General of Nkwelle Ezunaka, Elder Chris Eluemuno, of being responsible for the demolition.

He described the incident as ungodly and urged the Anambra State government to intervene.

But Eluemuno denied the involvement of the community in the demolition.

•Some of the burnt shops... yesterday

ones not affected. The inferno affected about nine shops.”

He said they suspected power surge as the cause of the fire.

Some of the shop owners were accused of leaving their refrigerators on.

The Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Victor Gbaruko, said goods

HE police in Anambra •Burns her in bush State have arrested a From Nwanosike Onu, 29-year-old man for Awka allegedly killing his mother at Ndikpa Awuka, Ogbunka progressing. community in Orumba South “She was a witch. She rained Local Government. curses on us not to progress The suspect, Ekene Ucheag- and others were blindfolded wu, allegedly killed his 65- because of our mother’s year-old mother, Agnes witchcraft. Because I knew her Ucheagwu, in May. plans, she always attacked me.

He was said to have accused “I killed her because she his mother of using witchcraft planned to kill me for calling to prevent the family her Queen of the coast” -- her progress. spiritual name.

Police spokesman Uche “My mother was a witchEzeh told reporters at the Of- craft living in the sky. I killed fice of the Special Anti-Rob- her and burnt her body in a bery Squad (SAR) in Awkuzu bush called Ogbukwu. that the suspect would be “I didn’t regret killing her tried. initially. But now, I am beginHe said Ucheagwu commit- ning to regret my action beted the crime after being re- cause our people have isolatleased at the Umuchukwu Po- ed me. “ lice Station for allegedly batHe said the police arrested tering the mother. him in Aba. The suspect confessed yesThe Nation learnt that the terday that he killed his moth- Ogbunka community baner, alleging that she debarred ished the suspect, who relocated to Aba to continue his worth over N1 million were her children’s progress.

He said his elder brother, cobbler job at Ariara market lost.

He advised people to switch aged 45, had not married, fol- before he was arrested.

The crime, according to the off electrical appliances be- lowing their mother’s witchcraft and curses. suspect, was committed at fore closing.

Ucheagwu said: “My moth- night. er was evil. I killed her beHe said he used a club to hit cause of her wickedness. The his mother. He put her in a hear any evil. The Rivers State incident occurred in May. She wheelbarrow and took her to Government is conscious of prevented her children from the bush where he burnt her. this, but wishes to reassure CP Ogunsakin that it is not a brigand nor an irresponsible govFrom Bolaji Ogundele, Warri ernment.

“Governor Amaechi has statSOCIO-political group, Delta United for Tony Obuh ed that the purpose of his ward (DUF), has urged the indigenes to support power shit tours is to find out the impact of to Delta North. his projects on the people at the It said it would be fair for the people to support power shift grassroots and what gaps still to the senatorial zone. exist to enable him cross all the The group, led by its convener, Chief Ayiri Emami, a chiefT’s and dot all the I’s, as his ad- tain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said it is ministration finishes its last lap. embarking on the campaign because it is a group of advoWe can state unequivocally that cates of power shift, in line with the PDP constitution. we will not disregard the rules Emami, who recalled how members of the group began of engagement and that when the campaign for Emmanuel Uduaghan governorship in 2006, we are set for campaign, it will said it was as a result of the group’s quest to choose a better be clear not just to the Rivers governorship aspirant for Deltans that they urged a technoState Police Command, but also crat, Tony Obuh, to run for the governorship. to the entire world.”

Rivers govt, police disagree on Amaechi’s council tours

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HE Rivers State Government and the Police Command have disagreed on the tour of the wards in the 23 local governments embarked on by Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Police Commissioner Tunde Ogunsakin said the ban on political campaigns was still on until 90 days to the elections, in line with the Electoral Act. The Rivers government, through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said yesterday in Port Harcourt that it was out of place for Ogunsakin to warn Amaechi against campaigning during his tours.

Mrs. Semenitari noted that

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

government was worried about the tone of the statement and concerned about its implication.

The Rivers government said: “For the purposes of clarification and emphasis, the administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi considers participation a key element of democratic rule and good governance. As a result, it embarked on stewardship accountability fora and stock taking since the governor assumed office in October 2007.

“Town Hall meetings, meet the people tours and engagement with professional groups

are neither novel nor strange with the Amaechi administration. The alleged comments of the Rivers Police Commissioner appear curious, especially coming on the heels of the overtly politically- purported endorsement of the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, for governor, by members of the Rumuepirikom community and the political visit of the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, to local governments in Rivers State.

“While the purpose of these political gatherings of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is campaign for 2015, CP Ogunsakin appears unable to see or

‘Power must shift to Delta North’

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Absurd impeachment bickering

•Nasarawa lawmakers should go to court if they have issues with panel membership

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HE political brickbats between Governor Tanko Al-Makura and majority of the members of Nasarawa State House of Assembly have, to say the least, unduly overheated the polity. The 20 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislators seem hell bent on impeaching Al-Makura despite the governor’s exoneration by the impeachment panel instituted by Justice Umaru Dikko, chief judge of the state, upon the instruction of the House. The remaining minority four members of the House belong to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The kernel of the verdict of the sevenman panel, comprising Usman as chairman, Mohammed Keana, Rev. Joel Galadima, Abdul Usman, Samuel Chaku, Mohammed Usman, and Daniel Chaga was the dismissal of all 16 allegations of gross misconduct against AlMakura. The outcome of the panel’s report has been rejected by the PDP mem-

‘We call on the lawmakers to approach the court if they are in doubt of anything. To us, the judge has done his work just as the legislators did theirs without any unnecessary query. This case is, indeed, a test for constitutionalism and the collective resolve to sustain institutions in the country’

bers of the House due to grievances against two members of the panel.

Keana was accused of being a registered member of the PDP from Keana Local Government while Rev. Galadima was also accused of being not just an appointed member of the government instituted Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board who allegedly collected his June, 2014 salary from the state but also a member of PDP from Keffi Local Government.

Yet, the 1999 Constitution(as amended) in section 188(5) provides that ‘the Chief Judge of a state shall at the request of the Speaker of the House of Assembly appoint a panel of seven persons that in his own opinion are of ‘unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party.’

In our view, this constitutional provision cannot be said to have been breached as the Nasarawa lawmakers are stridently trying to make us believe. Lawmakers are not interpreters of the law. This is why there is provision for the judicial arm of government - the other two being the executive and the legislative arms, with clear-cut separation of powers and right of checks and balances.

Baba Ibaku, Chairman, House Committee on Information and Security’s dismissive statement that: “…..there is no seven-man panel that is investigating Governor Al-Makura because we had earlier asked the state Chief Judge to disband the panel … We (the lawmakers) only appeared through our legal team to register our protest against the composition of the panel ... We will go ahead with our moves to impeach Governor Al-

Makura and nothing will stop us, no matter what it entails” is spurious.

We consider this kind of utterance as quite unbecoming and indecorous. From the bitter and malicious presentation of the position of the House, we could glean desperation and the fact that the motive behind the impeachment moves of the PDP legislators could not have been the desire to protect the interest of indigenes and inhabitants of Nasarawa State. We could smell dirty politics and inordinate desire to achieve parochial political end.

The legislators have no power over who gets appointed to an impeachment panel, even as this should not serve as an excuse for the chief judge to flout the law.

But the legislators, in their desperate bid to be the judge in their own cause, are ridiculing the institution of the legislature, not minding the sanctity of the law.

For example, the same assembly members reportedly moved the House deliberations to obscure Karu Local Government of the state despite the fact that no rule or resolution of the assembly permitted that. This act is a flagrant disobedience of the Supreme Court’s decision in Balonwu Vs Obi (2007 NWLR PT1008/ 488) to the effect that the House of Assembly can only conduct its legislative functions in a legally designated place in the state capital.

We call on the lawmakers to approach the court if they are in doubt of anything.

To us, the judge has done his work just as the legislators did theirs without any unnecessary query. This case is, indeed, a test for constitutionalism and the collective resolve to sustain institutions in the country.

Esther’s glory

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•Nigerian dressmaker and artist makes history at Smithsonian Institute

HO would have thought that a dress could help in redefining Nigeria’s image internationally?

Interestingly, this has been achieved by an attention-grabbing dress designed by Patience Torlowei, a dressmaker and an artist whose work has reportedly made history as the first piece of high fashion to be accepted as part of the permanent collection of the respected Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., United States of America.

Without doubt, the spectacular silk ball gown, which was unveiled at a cocktail party held at the prestigious Metropolitan Club, Ikoyi, Lagos, ahead of its departure to America, is a stunning conflation of art and fashion design as well as a reflection of “the transcendent possibility of art”; and it is fitting that the story behind the creation is equally inspirational. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the narrative is the fact that the dress recommended itself by its sheer brilliance, and by logical extension, the designer’s coruscating creativity.

By Torlowei’s account, one of her patrons wore a dress she had made to an event in America, and this marked the turning point for her. She told the audience at the club: “She wore the dress to New York, it was to the Smithsonian Institute conference and everyone wanted to know where she got it from.

Coincidentally, they were marking a fashion show for an ongoing exhibition and I was selected. I was given a date for this event in August shortly after my mum passed away in July. Eventually the exhibition with the theme Earth Matters’

was held in February and there were eight exhibitors from Africa; I was the only one from Nigeria. The other designers had sponsorships from their countries, four were presidential sponsorships. I had no one to sponsor me. I had to go with my meager sum but I love what I was doing.”

Her passion paid off, which may hold a lesson for others, particularly her compatriots. Torlowei said: “I chose to do something about Africa, with stories covering Sierra Leone, Liberia, Congo, South Africa and Nigeria. When I came on stage, there was silence in the hall, followed by uproar and a standing ovation. Others were bidden goodbye from the exhibition, I was asked to stay back. I started to get media interviews because of this dress; they wanted to know the value of the dress so they could buy it; but instead I offered to donate it to the museum. I named her Esther because of my mother. All this happened to me just after she died.”

Truly, at the conceptual level, it may be relevant to explore the description of Esther as a “Nigerian dress”. However, there is no denying the fact that this celebrated gown, despite its western cultural provenance, was artistically Nigerianised by the designer. What this demonstrates in clear terms is that in the global village, with its tendency for internationalism, a strict definition of dresses in narrow geographical and cultural contexts may no longer be rigidly applicable.

It is instructive that Mr. Akintola Williams, the country’s doyen of Accountancy, who unveiled the dress at

the send-off, made a profound observation about its positive promotional quality. He was quoted as saying: “In light of Nigeria’s current image on the world stage, it is clear to me that such high and unique achievement as Esther deserves our support and our acknowledgement of this feat by a Nigerian designer and artist, who has made a mark in a significant moment of our country’s history.”

Besides Torlowei’s ascent and the fact that the country is basking in her reflected glory, it is important to recognise the motivational value of her work and achievement for local designers, especially the possibility of encouraging the exportation of local skills in the dressmaking sector.

‘However, there is no denying the fact that this celebrated gown, despite its western cultural provenance, was artistically Nigerianised by the designer. What this demonstrates in clear terms is that in the global village, with its tendency for internationalism, a strict definition of dresses in narrow geographical and cultural contexts may no longer be rigidly applicable’

Controlling the Ebola Epidemic

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N Friday, the World Health Organization formally declared an international public health emergency in response to what its director general, Dr. Margaret Chan, called “the largest, most severe, most complex outbreak” of the deadly Ebola virus “in the nearly four-decade history of the disease.” And what has the world done in those 40 years to defend against the disease? Not much. Apart from inflicting a staggering human toll, the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa has laid bare how unprepared the United States and other advanced countries are to protect and treat thousands of Africans whose lives are threatened by an extremely dangerous virus for which there is no cure.

The W.H.O. reported that Ebola has infected about 1,800 people in four West African countries and killed almost 1,000 of them. The drugs that could potentially treat those already infected and the vaccines to protect healthy people from infection are all in the earliest stages of testing. And even if they do pass muster in clinical trials, they cannot be produced in large quantities quickly enough to stem the widening epidemic anytime soon.

These uncertainties were highlighted by the special treatment given to an American doctor and an American aid worker who were infected while caring for patients in Liberia and treated there with a drug that has worked well in monkeys but never been tested in humans. They were flown back to Atlanta to receive the best care possible in an isolation ward at Emory University Hospital. There were exuberant media reports that they had been saved by the drug and demands from Liberia that the drug be made available to African patients. Yet at this point no one knows whether the drug played any role in helping the two Americans, only that it didn’t kill them.

In any case, very little of the drug is available, and the small company that makes it does not have the capacity to produce large quantities to treat large numbers of patients in the field. Another drug candidate is in clinical trials with a small number of patients, but the trials were recently suspended and then partially reinstated because of fears that it could harm the patients. Meanwhile, a clinical trial of the first potential vaccine is being expedited, but it will be months before its safety can be verified and the vaccine made available for humans.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put it: “We do not know how to treat Ebola or vaccinate against it — and it will be a long time before we do.”

Many drug companies have little interest in devising treatments or vaccines for Ebola because the potential for profit is small. Much of the research has been financed by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense and carried out by small start-ups, but some experts believe the federal government has not shown enough urgency to push these programs ahead.

Traditional public health measures, like finding and isolating patients who become sick, tracing their contacts and using stringent infection control procedures in hospitals, remain the best bet for containing the epidemic in West Africa.

The C.D.C. has elevated its response to the highest possible level and is sending 50 more health care professionals to the area, backed by hundreds more professionals in this country. Sierra Leone, which has the highest number of cases, is planning to deploy hundreds of troops and police officers to enforce isolation measures that its residents have so far ignored, and Liberia, with the second largest number, has declared a 90-day state of emergency that allows it to suspend civil liberties and impose quarantines. Nigeria has also declared a state of emergency. Such public health measures should ultimately, although perhaps not quickly, bring the outbreaks under control.

– New York Times

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: There is no doubt that the presence of Ebola virus disease in the West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Ghana is reaching a pandemic dimension. The panic among Nigerians explains the zeal and enthusiasm with which we embraced the rumour of a preventive therapy in a warm-salt- water bath last Friday.

It is difficult to pin-point the exact source of the rumour but the substance of it was so pungent that it was difficult not to give it a thought in practice.

It is not difficult to fathom why Nigerians fell for the Ebola prevention rumour. In a country where health care delivery system is very poor, where doctors are on strike for months on end and the sick are left to die, where drugs, medical supplies and other medicaments

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EDITOR’S MAIL BAG

SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Ebola: Social media and gullible citizenry and facilities are in short supply and not affordable where they exist, the thought of a ravaging disease with no sure cure is debilitating and shocking. How ready is Nigeria to deal with the disease should it surface, say in Auchi, Orlu or Gusau?

It is not enough to seek to quarantine a known Ebola virus disease victim. Such victims, even if we know they would surely die, must be fed, comforted and given a sem-

blance of good treatment by health workers. Which health workers are ready to risk their lives in the face of the rampaging disease?

It is commendable that some effort is being made in this direction with the new life insurance policy for medical care-givers engaged in the Ebola containment effort. The Edo State government, for example, has already designated medical personnel and facilities for handling

Ebola cases should any be found in the state.

The warm salt water bath hoax not only displayed the gullibility of the citizenry but shows how vulnerable the social media can be in the hands of those who have manipulative tendencies. For example, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media applications and platforms have become tools for blackmail, fraud and the spread of

continued to encourage the Israelis to commit modern day holocaust.

Seeing whole cities, some with highrise buildings reduced to mere rubble and observing toddlers, women and the aged being picked up dead under the rubble does not offend the conscience of our contemporary leaders. For how long will this be? Must Israel live only by the dagger? It is true historically the

Jews had perceived itself as a persecuted and harassed nation. But haven’t they engaged in barbaric and unrestrained retaliation, if one were to call these actions that name?

It is my belief that the physical and forceful occupation of parts of Palestinian land will engender no peace in that region whatever the toll that comes with it. In the last three decades the Israeli political

leadership has devoted much of their time and resources to the suppression of their more volatile but ill-equip antagonists. More than ever before, the present leadership is engaged in this destructive and thoughtless campaign. The question continues to stare us in the face, will this continue forever?

• ‘Deji Fasuan, JP Ekiti State.

courage of the APC, Aregbesola and Osun electorate on the one hand and on the other the fear of the possibility of the imminent reversal of democracy in the crises that might erupt should the PDP stick to its agenda of conquest of Osun at all costs.

the intimidation of the PDP-controlled security agents.

Is the cost of Osun poll in terms of the hype, tension, intimidation, misuse of the law enforcement agencies – the police, SSS, soldiers - unlawful arrest of APC candidates worth it? It's almost a pyrrhic victory for Aregbesola, APC and the people of the State of Osun.

Aregbesola performed extraordinarily well such that he did not need to go through such soul-corroding, excruciating and energy-sapping campaign that kept the whole nation on tenterhooks. Well, it was not a campaign to win a re-election but to stop the rigging machinery of the Federal

Israel on yet another destructive way

IR: The state of Israel in the last two months has come alive again with its glittering weaponry and destruction of innocent lives in some parts of Palestinian state. Gaza and other parts of the state of Palestine have been under constant assault, demolition and unmitigated destruction since 1948. With the muted backing of American Jews and benign neglect of the rest of humanity, the Jewish state has consistently led its own version of jihad into other peoples land and home.

Israeli soldiers and commanders have no qualms shooting down, with the most sophisticated weaponry, Palestinian lads armed only with stones, pebbles and sticks.

This is their own version of ‘appropriate’ or ‘heavy response’ to provocation. For how long will the world connive at criminal acts of the Jewish state? In other climes Israeli government would have been charged with committing genocide or ethnic cleansing or both.

America’s double standard, plus the tepid, timid stance of some powerful European countries have

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outright lies and falsehood, sometimes against political opponents and competitors. Some Nigerians, out of frustration, see and use social media only as a platform to hurl insults and abuses at others. This incident has brought to the front burner, the need to regulate the use of social media in Nigeria. Users must take full moral and legal responsibility for what they post particularly with respect to matters concerning the security of lives and property.

Facebook particularly has become a platform for mudslinging, smear campaign and spread of libellous innuendoes against innocent persons, some of them holding high political, business, traditional or religious positions in the society. It is a general belief that anything or whatever libellous material that is posted (or published) on Facebook or Twitter is not actionable. It is not so. Such posts may not have been tested in court here yet, but I hold the view that such a test may, as has happened elsewhere around the world, prove that posters are liable for any act of libel or defamation posted or published by them. As responsible citizens, we must exercise caution in all that we do lest we endanger public health and safety.

• Comrade Nasamu Jacobson, Benin City.

Aregbesola and the cost of victory

IR: Notwithstanding Governor Rauf Aregbesola's victory on Saturday, the governorship poll in the State of Osun was not free and fair.

Election is not just about casting of votes but the process, a level-playing field for all candidates being the most critical factor for the success of any poll.

We all knew Aregbesola would win if the election was free and fair. This is because he has an almost fanatical following in Osun, being a man of the grassroots par excellence.

It is not because PDP did not do everything possible to rig the poll in favour of its candidate, Iyiola Omisore; it is because of the doggedness and

Indeed, many APC supporters were still scared from coming out to vote as news of arrest of their leaders rented the air. So, through intimidation of APC supporters, the PDP still rigged the poll. It's just that unlike Ekiti, where the majority of party supporters were caught unawares, the majority of the APC supporters in Osun had been sensitised and were ready to defy

Government-controlled PDP. Rather than think of better democratic strategy to defeat Aregbesola, the PDP and Iyiola Omisore relied solely on the might of the federal government to use the security agents to cow the APC supporters as it did in the recent Ekiti poll.

I commend the role of the media in the prohibitive success of the APC and triumph of performance over mediocrity. I laud the APC governors for standing by their brother-governor through thick and thin; kudos to the APC national leadership.

•Patrick James, Kaduna

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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COMMENTS

‘Our Girls’; Lagos-Ibadan 9 hrs; ‘No Shaking’, Ebola & ‘Ebata’; Failed ‘Political Class’ of 1999-2014! Osun!

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UR Girls’ are still missing since April 15.

And now we have girlchild bombers. Are they forced to act under threats to their families or school friends. Where Tony is the world going?

Marinho Lagos-Ibadan took five hours last Tuesday morning due to inability of the contractors in providing adequately wide two easily motorable lanes, not ‘one and a half’ during construction work. Simply pouring gravel on holes and over the major muddy areas will keep traffic moving. It took longer – nine hours – last Saturday which is 10 kilometres per hour courtesy of both Convention and Contractor failures. Why must Nigerians suffer extreme torture in order to ‘smile’ to a new expressway?

Today we face Ebola and have ‘No Shaking’, hugging, sneezing or close contact with sick people until Ebola is excluded from the diagnosis. We must add ‘Ebata’ meaning careful with your shoes, especially in unhygienic markets where other people’s urine, faecal matter and other secretions are dispersed freely on the ground and all kinds of ‘water’ including gutter and rain puddle water is used to wash vegetables and keep them looking ‘fresh’. Have you seen the bread hawkers blowing and dusting bread with foam before inserting it into the cellophane bag, and who blows the husks off groundnuts be-

‘Add to these maliciously high government charges, four year backdated high rates, for everything exemplified by retired citizens being forced by circumstances to take on tenants to help pay ever-increasing rates and taxes often without a pension paid as and when due’

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TS recent outbreak in some West African countries may not have initially been accorded much attention, but today, as a result of the havoc it has so far created and the ease as well as the rapidity of infection, everybody is now on his toes across the globe. Now, Ebola has suddenly assumed the status of the fastest-growing killer virus in the world. And to affirm this horrible and disturbing status, last Friday, health experts declared the Ebola epidemic an international health emergency that requires a coordinated global approach.

At the moment, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and lately, Nigeria are battling the deadly virus, which has defied any known cure. So far, the virus is believed to have infected at least 1,779 people, killing 961 or more, thereby making it the worst outbreak in the four-decade history of tracking the disease. According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, "the possible consequences of further international spread are particularly serious in view of the virulence of the virus, the intensive community and health facility transmission patterns, and the weak health systems in the currently affected and most at-risk countries".

The history of the disease is well known. Unfortunately, since it was first recognized in 1976, all the 18 outbreaks so far recorded occurred in Africa alone. Ebola may be a native of Africa but now the virus is threatening to go global and, by declaring it an international public health emergency, it shows how seriously WHO is taking the current outbreak. But tough statements, definitely, won't save lives. Perhaps, what should really worry all of us now as the battle against the virus rages, are the words of Peter Piot, the scientific adventurer who discovered the virus: “We shouldn’t forget that this is a disease of poverty, of dysfunctional health sys-

fore forcing them into groundnut bottles? How sick is the person in the backroom who sends the child or youth to the market or street?

This is not alarmist but cautionary. The Ebola virus does not live long outside the body and transmission is prevented by simple hand-washing with detergents and antiseptic washes like bleach and soaking suspected clothing in bleach but if two highly trained Americans can get it so can we.

‘Caution, care, cleanliness, contact reduction & cellphone,’ are the watchwords with reduction in physical contacts by increased cellphone use. Gloves and masks are essential if one is in direct contact.

It is now that Nigerians will understand the persistent clamour for adequate sanitation. Toilets are ‘conveniences’ because locked or absent toilets are a crime, not an inconvenience. Running water and toilets are huge factors in preventing Ebola but many more will die ‘unsung and silently’ of ‘common’ typhoid than will ever die of Ebola. Are we not mumu in Nigeria? We shout ‘Ebola’ even though we live and die with typhoid and unsanitary situations everywhere. Foreigners do not die of typhoid any more. Running water and sanitation in schools and offices are not ‘dividends of democracy’ but ‘Demands of Democracy and Civilisation’.

The ‘Citizens/Politicians Charter Or Principle’ is not about good quality contract works, fine public buildings, more well equipped schools, water running everywhere, a clean attractive environments, more tax, better health facilities, better roads, more arrests for out-of-school hawkers or even more toilets. These are subtitles under the general International Political Science heading of ‘Civilisation or Development Agendas’. These ‘achievements’ are not nuclear physics but a United Nations Millennium Development Goals examination or test which Nigerian politicians have repeatedly failed.

They have failed all the sloganized ‘For All’ yardsticks in the last 50 years: ‘Housing For All, Food For All, Education For All, Polio Plus For All, 10,000Mw For All’-now just ‘Little or Nothing For All’.

The Citizens/Politicians Charter Or Principle’ is about nonviolence and calculating how much is spent in terms of total funds expended on trailer-loads of rice, cooking oil, sewing

machines, motorcycles, grinding machines, keke NAPEP, and even ‘free or nearly free’ medical services handed out by First Lady NGOs and politicians and foreign based Nigerian medical ‘Missions’. Except for some of the ‘Medical Mission Outreaches’, every kobo of these services, and equipment comes from the government purse and through contractors forced to ‘be grateful’ and ‘support politicians’. Much of the money used is actual political ‘legalised theft’ masquerading or hidden in the budget as hyper-inflated ‘Salaries and Perks’, SAPing Nigeria dry. The people have learnt to take ‘freebees’ from all parties against the rainy day of ‘democracy draught’.

Calculate how much money is held back by politicians’ ‘Constituency Projects’. People have noticed this accounting anomaly and demand more ‘upfront’. The people have no voice except ‘the vote’, manipulated or not. The method of ‘belly infrastructure’ is not a new creation but merely the mega-manifestation of chronic hunger from political failure.

Now ‘Rice is My Price’,’ ‘I Don’t Believe Any Of You’, ‘Hunger Management- Prevention Is Better Than Cure’ or ‘A Bag Of Rice Goes A Long Way’ the manifestation of ‘I-Am-Tired-OfWaiting’, ‘What Is In It For Me Now, Today?’ The voter is a shareholder ‘selfishly’ or perhaps ‘wisely’ demanding something now as he sees politicians getting richer while he gets poorer.

This apparent greed by the citizens is consequent upon the vicious assault on them by malicious ‘manner-less’ arrogant seizures of wares and motorcycle and vehicle, shop closures, bulldozing of houses, disappearing good and wares -officially confiscated but actually stolen by government officials - and Internally Generated Revenue drives. Add to these maliciously high government charges, four year backdated high rates, for everything exemplified by retired citizens being forced by circumstances to take on tenants to help pay everincreasing rates and taxes often without a pension paid as and when due.

Congratulations to the State of Osun for the ‘relatively nonviolent’ return of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. How ‘pure’ and non-violent were the elections in Ekiti and Osun? Progress at last, perhaps! But should democracy cost so much money, and how much was spent in Osun?

Africa as Ebola’s Paradise tems and of distrust”.

In 1976, Piot, a 27-year-old medical school graduate training as a clinical microbiologist, undertook a voyage of discovery to the then Zaire, where, out of sheer determination, he ventured into the thick forest in one of the remotest areas of the country and unearthed the disease. Piot is now 65 years old.

It’s been 38 years since the first outbreak and the world is now experiencing its worst Ebola epidemic ever. At the last count, the disease has reared its ugly head in four West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Out of these, Nigeria has been least affected, recording fewer deaths. Unlike in the past when the outbreak is confined to only one country, the current situation is unprecedented as the spread of the disease across four countries is making it more complicated to deal with than ever before.

As Piot rightly observed and I agree with him, “this is a disease of poverty, of dysfunctional health systems and of distrust”. The current Ebola’s spread in West Africa is a reminder of the vast development needs that persist in some of the region’s poorest countries despite claim to rapid economic growth and investment. The vast majority of Africans live miserably in slums and squalor. Africa faces endemic poverty, food insecurity and pervasive underdevelopment, with almost all the countries lacking the human, economic and institutional capacities to effectively develop and manage their water resources sustainably. As a result of this, a large number of countries on the continent still face huge challenge in attempting to achieve the

‘Ebola may be a native of Africa but now, the virus is threatening to go global and, by declaring it an international public health emergency, it shows how seriously WHO is taking the current outbreak’

United Nations water-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Although the crucial role of water in accomplishing the continent's development goals is widely recognized, various governments on the African continent seem not to be moved by the appalling living standard of their people both in the urban and rural areas. Thus, clean water becomes a scarce commodity.

Besides, Sub-Saharan Africa is the world’s poorest and least developed region, with half its population living on less than a dollar a day.

About two-thirds of its countries rank among the lowest in the Human Development Index. A recent report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNDESA, gave an analysis of data from 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, representing 84% of the region’s population, showing significant differences between the poorest and richest fifths of the population in both rural and urban areas. According to the report, “over 90% of the richest quintile in urban areas use improved water sources, and over 60% have piped water on premises. In rural areas, piped-in water is non-existent in the poorest 40% of households, and less than half of the population use any form of improved source of water”.

The report stated that despite efforts and approaches to extend and sustain water, sanitation and hygiene systems and services continue to suffer leading to different health complications in Africa as a whole, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, thereby causing avoidable deaths.

“The water and sanitation position in West/Central Africa is of particular urgency, as the region has the highest under-five mortality rate of all developing regions: 191 child deaths per 1,000 live births”. This is underscored by recurrent outbreaks of cholera in both urban and rural areas, a situation that equally underlines the poor state of this region’s basic living conditions. This is a serious concern because of the

associated massive health burden, as many people who lack basic sanitation engage in unsanitary activities like poor solid waste and waste water disposal, open defecation and other dirty habits. The practice of open defecation that is rampant in Africa is widely believed to be the primary cause of faecal oral transmission of disease with children being the most vulnerable.

As if all these are not enough, there is also rapid and almost uncontrollable population growth and rural-urban migration. Despite the efforts of some Sub-Saharan African countries and cities to expand basic services and improve urban housing conditions, rapid and unplanned urban growth has increased the number of settlements on unstable, disaster-prone and high-risk land where diseases and other phenomena disasters with devastating consequences are prevalent.

Among developing regions, SubSaharan Africa is estimated to have the highest prevalence of urban slums and it is expected to double to around 400 million by 2020.

Again, this rising population is driving demand for water and accelerating the degradation of water resources in many countries on the continent.

Africa has joined India and China as the third region of the world to reach a population of one billion people, and it is expected to double this by 2050, the UN says. By then, there will be three times as many people living in Africa's cities, and the continent that had fewer than 500,000 urban dwellers in 1950 may have 1.3 billion. The breakneck transformation of a rural population into a predominantly urban one is neither good nor bad on its own, but the issue is that African countries should plan their cities better, to avoid mega-slums and vast areas of deprivation developing across the continent. This is because, in most slums in Africa, basic amenities like potable water, quick disposal of garbage, sanitation facilities and toilets are not

Dele Agekameh available. People in slums face many battles. Besides poverty, the health situation is very bad. Since slums are considered illegal, the government feels no obligation to provide water and proper sanitation to slum dwellers. This high density and over-population means viruses and diseases can spread easily and cause epidemics. And when people are ill, there are not enough health services, doctors, nurses and medicines available for them, or even if these are available, people often lack the money to pay.

The sickening living conditions in many African countries may not have attracted much attention from the global community all this while.

However, the ravaging Ebola virus that is currently knocking at the doorstep of everybody has, once more, forced global attention on Africa. With the experience of Nigeria, where a Patrick Sawyer, an American-Liberian diplomat, imported Ebola into the country from Liberia, the whole world has suddenly woken up from slumber to the stark reality that the entire global community is at the risk of contacting the deadly virus. What this calls for is the need for global cooperation and strategy to combat the recalcitrant disease. Not rhetoric.

Not empty promises!

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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COMMENTS ‘Your piece “A clear difference”is quite intresting, and to me it is very unconvincing. I am not convinced because you are not being objective in this particular piece.

Are you suggesting that Governor Aregbesola has no flaws throughout his almost four years in office. There is a difference between performance and personality. From Ojo A Ayodele.Emure-Ekiti’ •Aregbesola

For Olatunji Dare I read your backpage article.... and I laughed my head off. May be the documents contained a new plot to take over the world. Sometimes we are lost at what to do when international companies fail in their service agreements.I hope UPS has access to this publication.From Ernest Re-Beware, sender: A UPS experience. Quite interesting a story, it was. Whatever US might have had as her motive, we know you have an International repute. Let’s thank them that at last, it was released. In some climes and in a particular clime, it would have been tampered with, shred clearly, with impunity! From Lanre Oseni.

Your UPS experience seems to me to be unbelievable ! I can just believe it . Are you sure UPS is telling the truth ? If it is true,you must consider legal action for a redress .Take legal action against UPS and join Border protection Agency. Its not for pecuniary gain but to let them know as human, you have your rights.

Thanks. From A Lawal,Lagos There was every posibility that you would have been invited by the Custom and Border Protection Agents for questioning, possibly with some form of impunity measures also conducted on you, was there anything incriminating found in that your parcel. Now that nothing of such was discovered therein, I think its still proper you institute a court action against them for obvious reasons.That they may invoke the so-called National Security issue and all that as a cover or defence shouldn’t serve as a deterrent at all.You would be suing the UPS oragnisation and not the American government. The Border and Security Agents can only be joined in the suit to complete the circuit. Aside claiming damages for the breach of contract it is also expected that you should in the process be able to find out exactly whether such embarasment was specifically meant for you or has truly become the new general practice with sending

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out such document through UPS these days.

From Emmanuel Egwu For Gbenga Omotoso The reason why soldiers commit crime and escape, stands on the fact that their names and numbers are not sewn on their uniforms. If this can be mandated, it will deter them.

Anonymous For Segun Gbadegesin Sir, you have said it all, Governor Aregbesola owns the key to the development of osun. Ogbeni no shaking.From Jacob Viashima The governorship election in Osun is so crucial to the presidency because of one major reason: PDP has lost credibility in all the Hausa states and therefore desperate to win in all the states in South West in order to enhance its victory at all cost in 2015, it is a straight fight between the PDP and APC, and therefore we need to be very very vigilant to thwart all calibrated measures designed by the PDP to manipulate the outcome in favour of Omisore. Anonymous Governor Aregbesola is of man by God. I have never met him before, I don’t think I wil ever meet him in my life but, God almighty wil protect him to save Nigeria in the future.

I’m praying earnestly that Allah wil make him Nigeria’s president after his second term.

From Zakariyya Adam, Minna.

Sir, kudos to your analysis of the governorship candidates in Osun state, it is a good write-up, I dont think Osun will rubbish themseslves as Ekitis, we are watchng with keen interest. From Chief Akeredolu Tayo, Odooro,Ikole local government.

For Osun people tomorrow their destiny remains on ability to exercise franchise properly, police same and shun intimidation like Imo State. From Ugbo Umeoha, Enugu.

On a fine day in an ideal and utopian society where intergrity and respect for societal norms are held in high esteem with special premium for the rights and priviledges of the masses Governor Aregbesola should win election convincingly. This of course is predicated on his unequalled and unparalleled achievements over a shortwhile of his lead-

ership in Osun state. From Chief Obinwa Akanwa,Port Harcourt.

Your piece “A clear difference”is quite intresting, and to me it is very unconvincing. I am not convinced because you are not being objective in this particular piece. Are you suggesting that Governor Aregbesola has no flaws throughout his almost four years in office. There is a difference between performance and personality. From Ojo A Ayodele.Emure-Ekiti.

It turns out to be as you authoritatively prophesised in your Friday 8/08/2014 Titled: A clear difference Thanks for your objective projection of the outcome of 2014 Osun Governorship Election, devoid of journalistic sentiment. From Na’ali Mohd,Lafia.

For Tunji Adegboyega Re: How they bleed Nigeria. With the weighty content in the above subject-matter, I would want to believe that the Federal Government, the National Assembly and the Secretary to the Federal Government would either be retroactive by replying you, invite whoever the culprits are to assuage the unimaginable pain such wastage in delay as well as depreciation of Nigerian livelihood!

Otherwise, I dey laugh and still dey laugh o.

That write-up is such a responsible government must not take with a pinch of salt no matter the hatred for you! Pain! Pain!! Pain!!!

Is the word for the story of the abandonment. On the Osun election result, Ogbeni Aregbe won, so, who had the militarisation favoured with no thuggery and no death and no ballot boxes snatched? Let us all be openminded in all we do and see. Commend what is good and condemn the bad. From Lanre Oseni.

INEC has declared APC governor Aregbesola winner of the Osun State election. A glorious second term begins. Anonymous.

God bless you Mr. Adegboyega for the write-up. I wish all the media houses and civil society groups can take this up against the PDP (Jonathan) government as it was done during the fuel subsidy removal pro-

•Omisore

test, the aviation saga, etc. and currently Chibok girls’ abduction, so that Nigerians can forever ‘quarantine’ the PDP come 2015. Meanwhile, I congratulate APC for its victory in Osun; they should adopt grassroots policies/ strategies as other elections draw near. Once again thanks and God bless. From Ndubuisi M. Nnam, Makurdi.

PDP is an assemblage of all kinds of dubious characters. The threat by Nebo is an empty one; those involved must either be PDP members or their sympathisers. Jonathan’ll not make any comment on it. His priority now is 2015 and nothing more. From Alhaji Adeboye Lawal.

My greatest surprise is that you are wondering whether the Federal Executive Council monitors the money approved for projects.

Was it not in this same country that a sitting minister of works took over N300bn to construct roads and the nation’s roads became worse under his watch? That same man is currently one of the three most powerful and influential characters in the ruling party. All you need to get away with any crime is to belong to the ruling party . If there’s one word to describe this country considering how the leaders treat the citizens and resources, that word is waste! From Simon Oladapo.

It has been in our leaders’ character to abandon projects and equipment. Now that Prof Nebo has cleared power equipment that was abandoned at the port for years, it is clear indication that Nigerians would soon see regular power supply because of his vision and mission It is a welcome move to ensure that there is regular power supply. Kudos for that; let all Nigerians that there will be light at the end of the tunnel as clearance had made over the issue. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and allow him fulfill the promise he made when he was appointed power minister. From Gordon Chiika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

Addressing Abuja’s infrastructure challenge

RULY, before any settlement, town or community could be termed developed, such must have a surfeit of infrastructural facilities in place. Putting the same issue in different words, a city devoid of infrastructure is like a king without a crown.

This explains why experts have identified infrastructure deficit as a major constraint to Nigeria’s development. So, to address this problem, successive governments had introduced various policies aimed at bridging the gap.

That is the case with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the administration of Senator Bala Mohammed has been working assiduously since 2010 to provide basic infrastructure for the territory. These projects have in turn created employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians.

The world over, infrastructure projects are by their nature, social investments, especially in developing climes like ours. That is why the World Bank’s estimate that African governments face infrastructure investment deficit of $93billion annually calls for serious concern from all and sundry.

To resolve this issue, some stakeholders have canvassed for a speedy passage of the “Development Planning and Project Continuity Bill” currently before the National Assembly, which would make it mandatory for every government in Nigeria to continue the implementation of projects initiated by the past administration(s).

When passed into law, the Bill would also make development planning compulsory for all tiers of government in Nigeria as a means of creating coherence and measurable targets in developmental initiatives by all governments, to facilitate the expeditious achievement of the goals set out by government.

By Rogers Edor Ochela In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Bala Mohammed-led administration has been working round-the-clock to provide roads, bridges, sewages, potable water, housing, schools and hospitals for both indigenes and residents of the nation’s capital city. In this regard, the entire FCT has been divided into districts, which have also been grouped into development phases to wit: Phases 1 to 4. These are to make provision of these essential facilities easier, orderly and faster.

Phase 1 has all the districts with the exception of Guzape fully developed with infrastructure. The districts include: Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04); Central Business (Cadastral A04); Garki 1 District (Cadastral Zone A03), Guzape Cadastral Zone A09); Maitama District (Cadastral Zone A05 and AO6); Wuse District (Cadastral Zone AO3) and Wuse 11 District (Cadastral Zone AO3).

Similarly, Phase 2, which has most of the districts developed include: Durumi, Utako, Jabi, Wuye, Kado, Mabuchi, Katampe (& Katampe Ext), Jahi, Dakibiya, Kaura, Duboyi, Gaduwa and Dutse.

Phase 3 has Gwarimpa, Galadima, Dakwo, Lokogoma, Wumba, Saraji, Kabusa, Okanji, Pyakasa, Nbora and Karma.

While phase 4 district, which is still being developed include: Karsana, Sabon gida, Idu, Idogwari, Kaba, Kajini, Ketti, Shertti Cheche, Waru-Pouma, Gwari, Bude, Chafe, Jaite, Mamusa, Burum and Purfun.

Above all, there are suburban districts. These are districts that are not within the Federal Capital City (FCC), but because of their proximity to the FCC, have attracted some devel-

opment, with thousands of those who work in the FCC residing there. These include: Kubwa, Gwagawalada, Karu, Jikwoyi, Lugbe, Chika, Kuchigworo, Mpape and Dei-Dei. Apart from tackling the problematic issue of land racketeering, the Abuja Light rail and the Abuja-Kaduna railway projects (Lots 1A and 3) embarked upon by the incumbent FCT administration is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2015, which will transport a total of 700,000 passengers daily. While these projects are equally expected to create thousands of business opportunities, plans for mono-rail project have reached an advanced stage.

Provision of engineering infrastructure worth N61,194,747,645.00 through Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) for Katampe District is currently on-going, while that of Kagini 1 District is estimated at N52,609,879,284.47 and Maitama Extension District expected to gulp N23,650,000,000. These massive projects will provide 70,000 kilometres of road network of diverse categories, including bridges, culverts, drainage systems, water, sewage, electricity and communication facilities.

To actualize this vision, the FCTA has entered into series of agreements with Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), an agency of the federal government set up to boost investment in infrastructure by the private sector through PPP. It is a well known fact that the concept of PPP in the provision of social infrastructure is all about leveraging the capacity and the skill, nay efficiency of the private sector to enhance delivery of social services such as education, health, shelter and security.

A lot has equally been achieved in the area of provision of potable water with the recent

commissioning of completed work on Tanks 1 and 6 with 40,000 cubic centimeters storage capacity; reconstruction and expansion of the country’s most modern 10-lane multiple carriage super-highways: the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (Airport Road) expressway; the Outer Northern (Murtala Mohammed) Expressway otherwise known as the Zuba/Kubwa/City Centre highway as well as the dualization of the Nyanya-Abuja Expressway.

In the same vein, several major inter-changes at AYA; Banex-Jahi/Mabushi link; Gwarimpa 11 Junction-Kado/Life Camp Junction; Karmo/ Utako have been completed and commissioned

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

To extend development to satellite towns, the administration, following the approval of the president, has re-established the FCT Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA). With this agency as handmaiden, the administration has extended its Midas touch to the satellite towns.

Strenuous efforts of the administration has led to the attraction of over $20billion investments in Abuja; and in a drive to make the city the preferred investment destination in Africa, a 37-storey World Trade Centre, estimated at $1.2billion is being built at the Bakassi Market under PPP arrangement with Churchgate Group.

The most audacious policy of the FCT administration is the land swap policy premised at ceding lands to private investors in lieu of provision of critical infrastructure for Abuja city centre and adjoining districts and satellite towns.

Now doubt, if the current efforts are sustained, Abuja will certainly become one of the most developed capital cities in the world in the foreseeable future.

• Ochela is an Abuja-based media consultant.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

BG’s ex-CEO to help InterOil build LNG plant

Fidelity, Sterling, others go for Enterprise Bank

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NTEROIL Corp. (IOC), Total SA (FP)’s partner in Papua New Guinea, named former BG Group Plc Chief Executive Officer Chris Finlayson as chairman to help the company develop a natural gas export project in the Pacific nation.

Finlayson has led exploration and production ventures in Russia, Nigeria, Europe and Asia with BG and Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Singaporebased InterOil said in a statement yesterday. He will replace Gaylen Byker, a director at the company since 1997, according to the statement.

Finlayson joins InterOil as the energy company and Paris-based Total proceed with plans to use supplies from the Elk and Antelope fields to build Papua New Guinea’s second liquefied natural gas development. The proposed project will target customers in China and Japan as the U.S. adds to supply competition in the global LNG market, Finlayson said.

He said: “Whilst I do see the U.S. as a major exporter, it’s not going to be the dominant exporter. Elk-Antelope sits in a very attractive position” from a cost perspective, and Asian buyers will want to diversify their sources of supply.”

A Total and InterOil development in Papua New Guinea would follow Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM)’s $19 billion LNG project, which started shipments to Asia earlier this year.

Oil Search Ltd., Exxon’s partner, acquired part of Elk-Antelope this year.

Finlayson said InterOil would be interested in working with competitors in Papua New Guinea to curb costs.

“We’ll be open to cooperation,” he said.

NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

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HE race to acquire Enterprise Bank has reached its final stage.

Fidelity Bank, Sterling Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) and Heritage Bank Limited are among the bidders that indicated interest in acquiring the bank after the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) offered it for sale since last September, report

by Afrinvest West Africa Plc has shown.

AMCON’s spokesman, Kayode Lambo said the corporation is expected to by the end of this week, send names of successful bidders for the lender to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for approval.

He explained that it is after Citibank and Vetiva, advisers to the deal, have concluded their work, that the corporation’s management and board will

• CBN to get bidders’ list this week

By Collins Nweze

consider the result before the approved buyers are officially sent to the CBN. The Afrinvest report titled: ‘Nigerian Banking League- The Fate of Small Players’ said the Enterprise Bank sale presents the Tier2 banks with the opportunity to leverage both the scale economies and the financial advantage, since the market is willing to pay above 60 per cent premium for being classified as a Tier-1 bank.

Enterprise bank, which was described as one of the cleanest banks has received huge interest from a lot of bidders.

Afrinvest said the era of double digits earnings growth in the Nigerian banking industry has gradually begun to thin-out, adding that the numerous liquid-

ity tightening policies introduced by the CBN has constantly exerted pressure on the banks profitability within the last few months.

According to the report, the constant liquidity tightening rhetoric as reflected in the CBN’s policy stance has had a significant impact across Nigerian banks (Tier-1 and Tier-2).

“The hawkish policy designed in 2013, targeted at price and exchange rate stability, have consistently squeezed the earnings of the banks, particularly the 50 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio, which effectively removed approximately N1 trillion from the financial system,” it said.

Enterprise Bank is wholly owned by AMCON. Other bridged banks owned by

AMCON are Keystone and Mainstreet banks. The corporation had acquired the lenders in August 2011, after the intervention by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Enterprise Bank was created from the ashes of the defunct Spring Bank, while Keystone Bank and Mainstreet Bank were created from the defunct Bank PHB and Afribank respectively.

As part of efforts to divest its shareholdings in the three banks by 2014, starting with Enterprise Bank, AMCON had appointed Citigroup Global Markets Limited (Citi) and Vetiva Capital Management Limited as Financial Advisers, as well as G. Elias & Company as Legal Adviser to the transaction.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

•From left: Pro NAPSA, Pharm Nnodu Iheme Dr. funmi Adegbile, President of NAPSA, Prof Viola Onwuliri, Minister of State 1, Foreign Affairs, Prof Gideon Adegbile and Pharm Emmanuel Ezirim, at the leadership meeting with Nigerians in Diaspora, at Cincinnati Ohio, United States.

‘Ceramics market ‘ll grow in excess of $408b’

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

T

HE ceramics industry will grow in excess of $408 billion by 2018, Chief Executive Officer, Epina Technologies Ltd., Prof. Patrick Oaikhinan has said.

He said though the nation occupies the 9th position among world’s ceramics consumers, it unfortunately remains the only country among the emerging economies without export.

He said: “Nigeria currently imports over $600 million worth of ceramics products annually, yet there is no appropriate strategy in place for the development of the sector that has the capacity to create over 1.2 million direct and indirect jobs in the country.

“There is therefore an urgent need to bring together a network of partners from across the world to set a new paradigm for its development.”

On how he intends to raise awareness for the sector, the ceramics science and engineering graduate from the University of Leeds said his firm is planning an international ceramics trade fair in Sheraton Hotel.

He said hi firm havs so far received confirmation for exhibition and attendance from several exhibitors from America, Britain, China, Germany, India, Spain and South Africa.

“We are expecting ceramics professionals, industry players, stakeholders and other interested parties to attend the fair to put their innovations and products on display, to discuss and set a new paradigm to pace ceramics and their constituents development in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, Nigerians need to promote what they have and should be prepared to sustain themselves always.

‘We pay N3b monthly pensions to pension departments’

T

HE Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has been paying about N3 billion as monthly pension to each segment of pensioners under the old pension scheme of Pay As You Earn (PAYE), the Director-General of the Directorate, Ms Nelie Meshack, has said.

Speaking in Abuja on the total amount paid by PTAD since its inception in August last year, she said the directorate has been diligent in the discharge of its duties.

The segments to be managed by the Directorate are the Police Pension Department; the Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Department; the Civil Service Pension Department;

By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

and the Treasury Funded Parastatals Pension Department.

PTAD is already managing and paying monthly pensions of the Nigeria Police Force, Customs and Immigration and Prisons and recently adopted the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) pensioners categorised under the Civil Service Pension Department.

Meshack however said the Directorate cannot ascertain the total liabilities of pensioners under the old scheme as a result of lack of database for the pensioners in the country.

She said not all the pen-

sioners have been consolidated under PTAD, noting that this is why the directorate is embarking on a nationwide verification exercise soon.

This, she said, will enable the directorate to know the total number of genuine pensioners and sieve out ghost pensioners under the system.

She further said the pensioners are presently scattered across the country and it is part of its mandate to put them under a strong database.

She said: “We cannot fully ascertain the total liabilities of pensioners under the old scheme and that is why we will soon embark on a nationwide veri-

fication exercise to verify genuine and fake pensioners.

“We have not done the total of the few ones that we have on our list now but on a monthly basis depending on a certain segment of pensioners, we pay about N3 billion monthly.”

Speaking on the Directorate’s mandate, she said: “Our mandate is to make budgetary estimates for existing pensioners and officers exempted from this scheme under Section 5 (1)(b) of this Act, prepare and submit the monthly payroll of pensioners to the office of the Office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation for direct payment from the budgetary allocation main-

tained with the CBN’s bank accounts; issue payment instructions to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation; maintain a comprehensive database of pensioners under their respective jurisdiction.

“Others include ascertaining deficits in pension payments if any to existing pensioners or the categories of officers exempted under section 5 (1)(b) of this Act, and carry out such other functions aimed at ensuring the welfare of pensioners and render monthly returns on pensioners, deceased pensioners, details of NOK of deceased pensioners and on any other issue as may be required from time to time.”

Pensioners decry unpaid 53% Heathrow, Gatwick passenger Banks, others rush for increment N220b MSME’s fund numbers hit July record - P40 - P38 - P 26

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

26

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

Banks, others rush for N220b MSME’s fund T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been inundated with requests to draw from the N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) fund, The Nation has learnt.

The loan applications are money deposit banks, microfinance banks (MfBs), finance companies (FCs) and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs).

They sent the applications following a meeting with stakeholders at the CBN Headquarters in Abuja last week to review the drawdown guidelines, sources said.

It was learnt that beneficiary institutions can come for fresh applications when the previous loan is paid. The source said no one has benefited from the fund since it was released last year because CBN wanted to agree with stakeholders on the drawdown criteria.

The 80:20 ratio for on-lending to micro enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and request that 60 per cent of the fund,

Stories by Collins Nweze

representing N132 billion be earmarked for providing financial services to women-owned businesses, is being reviewed in the final guidelines approved at the meeting.

The clause that participating financial institutions can only finance agricultural value chain activities; trade and general commerce; cottage industries and artisans, among others, is also on the table for review.

CBN said to ensure that productive sectors continue to attract more financing necessary for employment creation and diversification of the economy, a maximum of 10 per cent of the commercial component of the fund will be channelled to trading and commerce. This clause, the source said, is also under review.

CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele said MSMEs were globally recognised as the critical engines of economic growth due to their poten-

tial to creating jobs, boost production, generate income, and reduce poverty. Despite this recognition, MSMEs in the country do not have the adequate financing needed to play this pivotal role in the development trajectory.

A joint report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and McKinsey said the financing gap of this critical sub-sector of the country is about N9.6 trillion as of 2010.

The N220 billion, they said, is meant to address this gap and unlock the potential of the MSMEs as an innovative way of improving their access to finance, thereby shoring up their potentials for job creation, and enabling them to reduce poverty within the country.

Emefiele said the CBN would be committing human, material, and financial resources to monitoring both the disbursement and utilisation of the funds by participating financial institutions. These stakeholders, he said, will be re-

quired to submit periodic returns on disbursements as well as an analysis of the social impacts of the Fund adding that the regulator will also undertake regular on and off site checks to ascertain veracity of the reports received.

“This effort is in furtherance of the bank’s earlier endeavor at establishing six Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs) in each Geopolitical Zone to support the mandate of the 23 Industrial Development Centres (IDCs) under the purview of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN),” he said.

Emefiele said while the microloans will be administered through private or state owned microfinance institutions, Finance Houses, and Cooperative Finance Agencies, the SME loans will be

Nigeria, others to get $3b lifeline for power

T

• From left: Representative of EFCC Chairman, Dr David Tukura; Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Dr Otive Igbuzor and Head, Enlightenment and Re-Orientation, Unit, EFCC, Aisha Musa, at a workshop for Women Civil Society Groups on Corruption, Economic and Financial Crimes in Abuja.

‘Why money laundering persists in Nigeria’ W

HY is Nigeria vulnerable to Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (ML/ TF)? It is because of its economic side, rapid growth, insecurity in the Northeast and corruption, says, the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

The agency’s 2013 Annual Report obtained by The Nation said these problems,Nigeria remains the engine of growth in West Africa, adding that it holds the promise of human development in the region.

GIABA advised against allowing Nigeria’s booming economy and financial system to be corrupted by financial crimes.

It said so far, weaknesses in investigative and prosecutorial capacity as well as judicial corruption have blocked cases of financial crimes in the courts.

“As a matter of urgency, the Government of Nigeria should grant the operational autonomy of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and facilitate the removal of obstacles to effective adminis-

tration of justice with regard to ML/TF cases in the country,” it said.

GIABA described Nigeria as a resource-rich country with fast-growing economy. “Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa and the 10th largest in the world, producing about 2.3 million barrels per day, and with 37.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. Nigeria’s economy represents about 55 per cent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and its population constitutes the largest market in Africa,” it said.

It said the outlook for the country’s economic growth has remained positive. “Real GDP, which sustained the momentum of the past decade, 7.5 per cent average for the last 10 years, is projected to grow by 6.7 per cent in 2013 and 7.3 per cent in 2014. This growth is driven mainly by the oil and gas sector, which grew by eight per cent and contributes 79

per cent to government revenues and 71 per cent to total export revenue.

Next to oil and gas is the agriculture sector, which accounts for 30.9 per cent of GDP and employs about 70 per cent of the country’s labour force. The agriculture sector, therefore, holds the prospect of addressing the country’s huge unemployment challenge,” it said.

GIABA said Nigeria’s economic potential provides opportunity for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

It said for the second year running, 2011 and 2012, Nigeria was been ranked as the number one destination for FDIs in Africa, and as having the fourth highest rate of returns on investments in the world.

“Although FDI inflow fell from $8.9 billion in 2011 to $7 billion in 2012, it remained an impressive performance. However, much of the investment is in the ‘enclave’ oil and gas sector and thus holds little potential for generating employment,” it said.

disbursed through the DMBs. State governments will be able to access up to N2 billion each for on lending to eligible beneficiaries through participating financial institutions in their states.

He said the fund is also in conformity with CBN resolve to create a professional and people-centred Central Bank that will act as a financial catalyst for job creation and inclusive economic growth.

“While these are our ultimate goals, our main intermediate objective is to ensure that these funds get to people at the very bottom of our social pyramid at single digit interest rates. Without achieving this intermediate objective, I have no doubt that it would be impossible to achieve the ultimate goal of job creation and poverty reduction,” he said.

HE African Development Bank (AfDB) has reaffirmed its support for the advancement of the Power Africa initiative, by commiting $3 billion to electricity projects in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia and Tanzania.

Its Group President, Donald Kaberuka, who spoke at the just concluded African Conference in US, said the six Power Africa focus countries would get the money over five years.

This support was announced by the AfDB, as an anchor Power Africa partner on the continent, in July, last year.

Last year, AfDB interventions amounting to over $600 million went to related projects Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania.

Under the enhanced partnership, AfDB will collaborate on scaling up the use of off-grid and mini-grid technologie,supporting geothermal power development, and strengthening regional power trading among African countries, among others.

Over the next year, the AfDB expects to commit about $1billion in support of energy projects in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania, the six Power Africa focus countries. Once implemented, these op-

erations would contribute towards five to 10 per cent of the stated Power Africa goal of developing 10,000 megawatts of new power generation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The AfDB supports far-reaching power sector reforms and provides technical assistance, financing and guarantees for power generation, transmission and distribution projects in Africa.

The AfDB Group – including the concessional lending window African Development Fund (ADF), to which the United States contributes – works directly with governments and private investors to advance critical reforms needed to attract public and private financing and build the capacity in Africa’s power sector.

AfDB commitments to Africa’s energy sector currently total over $12 billion, and are projected to increase by $2 billion in the coming year.

Examples of joint activities under the anchor partnership include the launch in March 2014 of the Africa Renewable Energy Fund (AREF), a fund which is expected to significantly invest in Power Africa focus countries and which is co-sponsored by the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), a multi-donor trust fund administered by the AfDB and to which the US made a $20 million multi-year contribution.

Firm, school partner on data

A

S part of continued efforts geared towards impacting the society through sustainable initiatives in the field of education, leading investment bank and asset management firm, FBN Capital Limited, initiated a partnership with the Lagos Business School with the inauguration of the LBS Bloomberg Room which houses Bloomberg terminals.

The facility will help students in finance related disciplines gain exposure to the real-time market data tool.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FBN Capital, Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe said: “The Bloomberg Terminal is one of the industry’s most widely used sources for real-time financial data and we believe that this resource will be very helpful to students in finance related courses by facilitating access to information. The donation of the Terminals is in keeping with our focus on facilitating

sustainable initiatives that use education and technology as a catalyst for growth”.

Mr. Akinkugbe explained that education is a core focus of FBN Capital’s CSR strategy and as such this initiative is in line with our sustainability goals.

The donation of the Bloomberg Terminal has been a welcome development at the Lagos Business School.

The Dean of Students, Dr. Enase Okonedo, made this known as she expressed her pleasure on the development.

She stated: “Indeed, the Bloomberg terminals have been most helpful not just to students, but to faculty and research staff too.

Getting up-to-date and reliable financial information for course assignments and research papers would have been more tedious without them. We are happy with the progress that the Bloomberg terminals have allowed us make, and are thankful to our sponsors,

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

27

MONEY To check banks’ insatiable urge for funds, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pegged their Tier-II capital to 33.3 per cent of their Tier-I capital. Tier-I is a company’s total capital outlay before it seeks additional fund; Tier-II is supplementary capital. Will banks comply with CBN’s directive or will they continue to do it their own way? COLLINS NWEZE writes.

I

T has become an insatiable urge. At every turn, banks seek capital and more capital. There is nothing they would not do to get capital. To check this insatiable urge, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a directive on how far a bank can go in raising Tier II Capital, otherwise called supplementary capital.

In the last one year, more than six banks have approached local and international investors in search of new capital. Access Bank Plc sold $400 million of subordinated notes in June. FirstBank of Nigeria sold $450 million of bonds on July 18.

Stanbic IBTC, the Nigerian unit of South Africa’s Standard Bank, plans to raise up to N30 billion in Tier II capital. Diamond Bank is also in search of N50.4 billion to boost its operations. Sterling Bank has also raised funds, so were Wema Bank and Ecobank. The list is endless.

Stanbic IBTC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mrs Sola David-Borha told Reuters the actual amount would depend on market conditions and regulatory guidelines.

She did not provide a timeline.

Mrs David-Borha said the mid-tier lender was aiming for a 15 per cent loan growth for the second-half of this year, targeting business customers, after it grew loans 18 per cent in the first-half.

Also, Ecobank Transnational Inc. (ETI)’s unit in Nigeria sold $200 million of dated subordinated notes due in 2021. The issuance has a yield of nine per cent and a coupon of 8.75 per cent. Deutsche Bank AG and Standard Chartered Plc were the lead managers.

Diamond Bank Plc needs the new capital to improve its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and boost its growth. The bank, which has released details of its rights issue on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and its website, will issue 8,685,145,863 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N5.80/ share. Qualification date for the rights issue was June 13.

On the bank’s capital raising, Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and research firm, said the rights issue which opened last week is expected to close on August 26.

“We view this as a step in the right direction by Diamond, the fastest-growing Nigerian bank over the past three years, and recommend qualifying investors should take up their rights. The bank grew total assets by 155 per cent between 2010 and 2013. Delivering such impressive growth, despite its capital constraints and recording two consecutive years of 23 per cent Return on Equity 2012 and 2013. We find this remarkable,” it said in a report titled: ”Diamond Bank – Time for the rights”.

RenCap said the lender needed capital to support the next phase of its strategic growth plan, adding that the bank could achieve a loan growth of 20 per cent this year. The feat, it said, could be maintained over the next two years to 2016, with deposit growth coming in higher at 25 to 30 per cent over the period.

The CBN policy In a circular to banks, CBN’s Director of Banking Supervision Mrs. Tokunbo Martins said, henceforth, total Tier II capital, including Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) Reserves is limited to 33.33 per cent of total Tier I capital.

Tier II capital is supplementary bank capital that includes items, such as revaluation reserves, undisclosed reserves, hybrid instruments and subordinated term debt. A bank’s reserve requirements include its Tier II capital in its calculation, but it is considered less reliable than its Tier I capital.

The CBN Director also said lenders are required to note that “unaudited OCI gains will not be recognised as part of capital while unaudited OCI losses shall be deducted from the institution’s capital in arriving at total qualifying capital”.

The circular, titled: “Exclusion of NonDistributable Regulatory Reserve and Other Reserves in the Computation of Regulatory Capital of Banks and Discount Houses”, said the policy is part of the ongoing reforms by the CBN aimed at ensur-

Checking an insatiable urge

• GTB CEO Segun Agbaje

• Mrs David-Borha

• Oduoza

• CEO Diamond Bank Alex Otti

ing more prudent assessment of the regulatory capital of Nigerian banks.

It is also in line with global efforts aimed at raising the quality and loss absorbency of the capital base of banks. The regulator said the Regulatory Risk Reserve created pursuant to Section 12.4 (a) of the Prudential Guidelines which was effective on July 1, 2010 will henceforth be excluded from regulatory capital for the purposes of capital adequacy assessment.

Also, collective impairment on loans and receivables and other financial assets will henceforth not form part of Tier 2 capital while OCI Reserves will be recognised as part of Tier 2 capital subject to the limits set in the CBN Guidance Notes on the Calculation of Regulatory Capital.

He said the provisions of this circular supersede the provisions of S. 12.4 (b) of the Prudential Guidelines as well as S. 2 of our Guidance Notes on the Calculation of Regulatory Capital.

Analysts said the banks are raising money to help fund power, oil exploration and manufacturing projects.

The World Bank, CBN and other local and international lenders have also showed renewed commitment to power sector funding in Nigeria.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele included in his agenda for the financial sector and economy, a blueprint for the power sector. He called for improved investments inflow into the power sector from both local and international lenders to solve the power crisis.

Emefiele said the CBN will facilitate investment in key parts of the value chain by providing funds at concessionary rates to targeted investments in the power sector. “We will encourage investment in the gas to power infrastructure to improve the reliability of supply of gas to the existing and new power plants. We will also support investments in renewable energy in rural areas through matching funds schemes, and providing first loss guarantees,” he said.

He said some of the CBN’s developmen-

Power, oil exploration top business target

‘Banks have also drawn huge funds from the bond market to fund power projects. Four Nigerian banks raised $1.45b in the last three years through Eurobonds to assist them in meeting their power sector funding obligations’

tal functions will include credit allocations and direct interventions in key sectors of the economy such as power, agriculture, Medium and Small Enterprise (MSME), oil & gas, and health sectors of the economy.

Also, the Board of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) approved an African Development Fund (ADF) Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) programme of $184.2 million to support Nigeria power sector privatisation. It also provided an ADF loan of $3.1 million, for capacity building for the country.

The Director of the AfDB’s Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department, Alex Rugamba, said the PRG programme in Nigeria would increase the country’s electricity generation by catalysing private sector investment and commercial financing in the power sector through the provision of PRGs. “The PRGs will mitigate the risk of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), a Federal Government of Nigeria entity established to purchase electricity from independent power producers (IPPs), not fulfilling its contractual obligations under its power purchase agreements with eligible IPPs. This in turn will increase the comfort level of private sector financiers and commercial lenders investing in the Nigerian power sector privatisation programme,” he said.

Local lenders dig in Mrs David-Borha said Stanbic IBTC Bank was committed to partnerships that would help energise the power sector. The bank’s chief also disclosed that through partnerships, financing would be available for offgrid solutions that rely on cleaner fuels such as biomass and biogas across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Another lender, Ecobank Nigeria said it would invest $25 billion in five years to help solve Nigeria’s power sector crisis.

Ecobank Country Head, Power & Energy, Olufunke Jones said the investment is in line with its policy to support the growth and development of the power sector in Nigeria.

She said it had played a major role on the buy-side of the power sector privatisation by providing financial advisory services, lead arranger role, acquisitioning financing and guarantees to Distribution Companies (DISCOS), Generating Companies (GENCOS) and National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP).

She said: “Nigeria has one of the largest gaps between demand and supply for electricity. To bridge this gap the country requires a combination of favorable government policies, private sector participation and FDI as well as transparency and persistent monitoring that will guarantee an improved business environment.”

Likewise, the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) said it had so far extended $700 million, about N113 billion, in funding to different investors to acquire power assets in the privatised power sector. The bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Phillips Oduoza said: “It is a growth sector we are playing very big.”

Zenith Bank Plc said it expects to increase loans to the privatised power companies.

The lender said loans to the power sector may rise to 10 per cent of the bank’s loan book by year-end, up from 4.3 per cent in the third quarter and 1.3 per cent at the end of June, last year.

Debt for power funding Banks have also drawn huge funds from the bond market to fund power projects.

Four Nigerian banks raised $1.45billion in the last three years through Eurobonds to assist them in meeting their power sector funding obligations, Debt Management Office (DMO) Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, said.

The banks are Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, Fidelity Bank and FirstBank.

GTBank issued $500 million, while Access Bank issued $350 million. Fidelity Bank and FirstBank issued $300 million Eurobonds each. Nwankwo said the funds will be instrumental in helping Nigeria meet its infrastructural needs especially power.

28

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

New CBN policy may spur new fund raising as banks readjust capital A

RECENT directive on exclusion of non-distributive regulatory reserve and other reserves in the computation of the capital base of banks and discount houses could quicken the pace of fund raising by banks and other financial institutions.

Many banks have been raising funds in recent period. Diamond Bank is currently raising N50.4 billion new equity funds. Unity Bank had recently closed application list for a combined new equity issue of N39 billion. Wema Bank and Sterling Bank had earlier raised new equity funds.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week in a circular to all banks and discount houses highlighted details on the exclusion of non-distributable regulatory reserves and other reserves in the computation of regulatory capital of banks and discount houses.

The highlights of the circular indicated that the regulatory risk reserve will be excluded from the regulatory capital when computing the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), collective impairment on loans and receivables and other financial assets will henceforth not form part of Tier-2 capital, other comprehensive income reserves will be recognised as part of Tier-2 capital but limited to 33.3

Stories by Taofik Salako

per cent of total Tier-1 capital and while unaudited other comprehensive income gains will not be recognised as part of capital, unaudited other comprehensive income will be deducted from total qualifying capital.

The circular, which implementation started immediately, was part of efforts to ensure more prudent assessment of the regulatory capital of Nigerian banks and in line with global efforts aimed at raising the quality and loss absorbency of the capital base of banks.

Capital market pundits said the new policy would significantly impact on the capital adequacy ratios of banks and might spur them to seek additional equity funds to bolster their capital base.

Increased fund raising by banks, which represent the most active block in the capital market and control nearly one-fifth of total market capitalisation at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), is expected to enliven the primary market.

Analysts at Afrinvest (West Africa) noted that the new policy would fur-

ther exert pressure on the banks' capital adequacy ratios in the third quarter of 2014, when the policy will be used in calculating third quarter earnings and financial statements.

The capital adequacy ratios of tier 1 banks had declined to 20.0 per cent by the end of 2013 as against 23.3 per cent in 2012.

Analysts pointed out that the regulatory risk reserves accommodates the difference between the allowance for impairment losses on loans and advances based on CBN's prudential guidelines compared with the loss incurred model used in calculating impairment charges under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

A review of the banks' capital adequacy ratios (CAR) as at first half 2014 showed that Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has the lowest CAR at 16.0 per cent, at par with the 16.0 per cent regulatory requirement for systemically important banks (SIBs). FBN Holdings has 17.6 per cent, slightly above the requirement for SIBs. Among tier 2 banks, Diamond Bank has the low-

est CAR with 17.3 per cent, which underlined the strategic importance of the bank's ongoing rights issue.

"The recently introduced 33.3 per cent Tier-2 ceiling of total Tier-1 capital, places a restriction on some of the banks that intend to raise further Tier-2 capital in the second half of 2014, hence, they may be forced to explore the Tier-1 capital's equity raise option," Afrinvest stated.

Analysts noted that the new policy would increase confidence of foreign banks in Nigerian banks, based on the stringent capital requirement, which is in tandem with global counterparts, noting that in the light of Nigerian banks' exposure to the Eurobond market, the prospects of volatility or depreciation in foreign exchange can be significantly absorbed.

The new CBN policy comes in the wake of impending implementation of the Basel II by the Nigerian financial services authorities. The Nation had recently reported that Nigerian banks might raise some N400 billion in the current capital raising phase to

strengthen their capital base in view of the impending implementation of the Basel II. Basel II seeks to strengthen banks' risk and capital management through three main areas, otherwise known as pillars.

The first pillar deals with minimum capital requirements, the second pillar deals with supervisory review process while the third pillar deals with processes relating to market discipline. The pillars generally ensure that the greater the risk to which a bank is exposed, the greater the amount of capital and required supervisory framework.

After initial delay, Nigeria has set October 31, 2014 as the cut-over date for the implementation of Basel II. Market sources had noted that while the average capital adequacy ratio in the Nigerian banking industry is currently high and most banks are above regulatory benchmark, banks might need to support their adequacy ratios, which are expected to fall after the cutover.

Several analysts' reviews on the banking sector have outlined capital raising as a major theme for the Nigerian banking sector citing new regulations and emerging business opportunities.

Foundation to honour dividendpaying companies

By Alvin Afadama

T

•From left: Director of Administration, NAMA, Dr. Saleh Ibrahim and the Managing Director, Mr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam during the breakfast meeting by MD with League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).

G

Investors await GTBank, Access Bank, Dangote Cement results

UARANTY Trust Bank (GTBank), Access Bank Plc and Dangote Cement Plc are expected to tickle the stock market with their half-year results. GTBank is expected to declare its half-year results and interim dividend this week.

The release of the half-year results of the three companies has been cited as a possible driver for the stock market in the next few trading days, as the market seeks to consolidate its uptrend. The benchmark index for the Nigerian stock market, the All Share Index (ASI) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), indicated average return of 1.58 per cent last week.

The full-year dividend recommendation of N4 per share by Conoil Plc and interim half-year reports by petroleum-marketing companies were the main drivers for the market last week.

Most analysts' reviews indicated that the banking sector would witness a major uptick this week on the back of earnings reports from GTBank and Access Bank.

Other major results being expected include Dangote Cement and Nestle Nigeria.

GTBank is the most capitalised financial services stock and Ni-

geria's third most capitalised quoted company. Dangote Cement is the most capitalised company while Nestle Nigeria ranks fourth behind GTBank. Access Bank ranks 15th on the capitalisation table. The most capitalised companies exert the greatest influence on the overall pricing trend at the stock market.

The boards of Nestle Nigeria Plc and GTBank had recently met to review the company's half-year earnings and possible returns to shareholders.

Directors of the companies were said to have discussed dividend payments. Both companies operate a twice-a-year dividend policy while they also operate the Gregorian calendar as their business year. There is also strong expectation that Access Bank may also declare interim dividend.

Market analysts said they expected interim dividends and halfyear earnings from companies to stimulate mild rallies at the stock market.

GTBank is expected to declare interim dividend on its audited

accounts for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014. At the meeting, the board of the bank deliberated on the operational reports and financial statements for the six-month period, after which the accounts was forwarded to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the apex bank's review and approval. The accounts and dividend recommendation are expected to be sent to the NSE for onward release to the market.

GTBank had paid an interim dividend of N7.36 billion, implying a dividend per share of 25 kobo in 2013. It later followed this with final dividend of N42.67 billion, representing a dividend per share of N1.45. The total dividend for 2013 thus stood at N50 billion, representing N1.70 per share.

There are credible indications that the bank might not go below the interim level in 2013. While the market awaits the second quarter earnings, the bank had recorded modest growth in gross earnings in the first quarter, though its bottom-line was suppressed by relatively higher in-

terest and operating expenses.

First quarter report of GTBank for the period ended March 31, 2014 showed that while gross earnings rose by 6.0 per cent, profit before tax slipped marginally by 2.0 per cent. Net profit after tax however inched up by 2.0 per cent.

The performance of the bank across the profit and loss accounts and the balance sheet was tight with slight increases in key balance sheet items. Deposits rose by 3.0 per cent while loans and advances inched up by one per cent.

Net assets rose by 6.0 per cent.

Gross earnings stood at N67.58 billion in first quarter 2014 as against N63.86 billion in comparable period of 2013. Profit before tax dipped from N28.49 billion to N28.01 billion. Profit after tax inched up from N22.56 billion to N23.11 billion. Earnings per share thus increased by similar ratio from 80 kobo to 81 kobo.

Customer deposits rose from N1.44 trillion in first quarter 2013 to N1.49 trillion in first quarter 2014. Loans and advances increased marginally from N1.01 trillion to N1.02 trillion. Net assets rose by 6.0 per cent from N332.35 billion to N352.89 billion.

HE Board of Trustees of Bodmas Foundation has announced the commencement of the yearly presentation of dividend payment awards [DP-AWARDS] to the Nigeria’s listed company in the Nigeria capital market, the Board Chairperson, Dame Priscilla Kuye, has said The board and management of the DP-Awards said they would track records of dividend payments by all Nigeria’s listed companies on yearly basis and add up each listed company’s record cumulatively for the awards, adding that the awards consideration begins from a company’s year of listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as published in any edition of their annual report The Board Chairperson, Dame Kuye emphasised that the DPAwards are being given to the listed companies as rewards for growing investors wealth through dividend payments and also for contributing to the growth of the Nigeria economy through their positive turnovers that resulted into dividend payment Kuye said: “The awards shall enlighten the Nigerian public to the massive wealth pool that dividend payments constitute for investors in Nigerian capital market every year as we would publish every details of dividends payment achieved by each listed company in Nigeria to their shareholders beginning from the start of the Nigeria stock exchange” She noted that “Annual dividends payment by the Nigeria’s listed companies account for a significant national wealth pool outside the government and is invariably turned over to the larger Nigeria population by the beneficiaryinvestors through their numerous economic activities in tne Nigerian economy.The annual DP-Awards presentation shall afford the public the opportunity of measuring the annual sizes of this great wealth pool” Kuye assured the public, particularly the stakeholders in the Nigeria capital market of the ability of Bodmas foundation to present each edition of DPAwards with utmo st diligence and solicited the cooperation of the stakeholders in the onerous task

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

Help on the way for ‘forgotten’ Lagos communities •Rotarians pledge to lift Agboyi out of misery, neglect

F

INSIDE

OUR months after the searchlight was beamed on the deplorable living conditions of the Awori people of Agboyi in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State by The Nation newspaper on April 9, help is on the way for the three riverside communities.

Moved by the report, which re-

Ebola: Bush meat sellers in battle to bring back fleeing customers •PAGE 32-33

vealed poor sanitation, lack of potable water, dilapidated health facilities, crumbling classrooms, poor public toilet facilities and other public infrastructure, including transportation in the 500year-old communities, members of the Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA went on a fact finding mission to the area last Tuesday and were shocked by what they saw.

This eightyear-old girl needs N2.6m to survive •PAGE 34

Asked about her impression after the mission to Agboyi I, II and III, a Charter member of the Club, Chief Mrs Onikepo Oshodi, was damning in her verdict: “Life (at the three Agboyi communities) is brutal, bad and unfortunate.” For her, the standard of living of the residents is unacceptable.

•Continued on page 30

Three policemen, prophet held over alleged murder •PAGE 35

PAGE 29

Decades of seeming government neglect could be about to end for the people of the Island communities of Agboyi I,II and III, Ketu, Lagos as the Rotary Club of Ogudu Government Reservation Area (GRA), drawing support from sister Rotary clubs in the United States, has pledged to ameliorate their suffering.

ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE reports.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

30

SOUTHWEST REPORT

,

•Continued from page 29

Not that they had expected to meet some comfort at the communities having read this newspaper’s earlier report on Agboyi, but what they saw was even more shocking than what they read.

To them, it was mind boggling that a community so close to Ketu in the metropolis, and with even a Local Council Development Area (LCDA) named after it, could be so backward in all indices of development, just because it is an island.

Though Mrs. Oshodi said she had been to Agboyi in the past for a similar assessment, she like other members of the club’s project committee, among who were the current president, Mrs. Fikayo TundeOjo, the in-coming president, Mrs. Fidel Oguwazor, Treasurer, Mr. Hakeem Adesanya and Chairman, ‘We Care’ of the club, Mrs. Ojinika Okeke, were shocked at the very low standard of living of the people.

Done with the initial fears as they entered the canoe that took them to Agboyi III – which was just a shouting distance from Alapere jetty, which the people have re-Christened Agboyi-odo – they were appalled that the corrugated structure that dots the waterfront were toilets, where the people defecates. Same structures, three in all, built on stilts, were also replicated in Agboyi II and Agboyi I. One of the elders of the town, who had come to welcome the August visitors, and guide them around, Prince Adewale Seriki, told the Rotarians: “70 to 80 percent of residents of these communities use these toilets, which also serve as bathrooms.

Others make use of potty, which they come to empty into the river, but everyone uses these places to bath. Early in the morning, women could be seen with wrappers tied round their chest as they take turns to take their baths.”

Seriki had barely finished his narrative, when the visitors were assailed with some children splashing away in the water, as they take their baths, applying soap on their bodies and swimming to wash the foams off. “In this era of infectious diseases, this place is a rich reservoir for any outbreak of epidemic,” Mrs Oshodi stated with some finality.

The team made the short distance between Agboyi III and Agboyi II, on dung of wastes as the entire environment was littered with all manner of waste, prompting the team to inquire whether the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) PSP waste operators ever visit the communities.

At Agboyi II, the project team inspected the Agboyi Primary School, (which houses primary four to six), which was still in good condition.

In front of the school was a borehole facility that residents said has never been used since it was commissioned. Though the facility which was said to have been executed by a foreign group had a water treatment facility, it was never put to use as the water produced was salty. “We couldn’t drink the water because it was salty. Borehole fails here, not because we do not have underground water, but because the water is bad. It is heavily polluted by iron, which makes it salty,” Seriki said.

The group later visited Agboyi 1, where they inspected the only Maternity Centre that serves the three communities. They were told the electricity generating set provided by Path 2 in collaboration with the United Kingdom Aid agency (UKAid), (two foreign health based non-governmental organisations) is in top shape, and works anytime the LCDA provides the fuel.

The group expressed happiness that Agboyi Primary School which houses Primaries One to Three which was in a very bad state last April when The Nation was in the settlement is undergoing some rehabilitation. Not only was the four-room one block of classrooms being rebuilt, the roof has been removed, as new logs were being put in place to give way for new aluminum roofing sheet. The project it was learnt began on July 14.

The group which ended their tour with a visit to the palace of Baale of Agboyi II, Alhaji (Chief) Taiwo Lamina, praised the chief for keeping the communities peaceful in spite of the dehumanizing challenges that their residents have been facing.

Speaking for the group, Chairman of the Projects Committee, Mrs Oshodi said though the Club has compiled a list of 10 riverside communities within its area of jurisdiction which it intended to assist, it decided to begin with Agboyi communities because their living conditions have been one of the most parlous.

She said: “We hope that the communities would assist us in seeing to the realisation of our dreams of a better life for riverside dwellers. Though we have read of your plight in the newspapers which informed the moves we have made to ensure that we secure international support from other sister Rotary clubs in

In this era of infectious diseases, this place is a rich reservoir for any outbreak of epidemic ... We couldn’t drink the water because it was salty.

Borehole fails here, not because we do not have underground water, but because the water is bad. It is heavily polluted by iron, which makes it salty

,

Help on the way for ‘forgotten’ Lagos communities

•Agboyi primary school under rehabilitation

•Mrs Oshodi

•Seriki

•Toilets in Agboyi

America to collaborate with us; we have come and we have seen with our eyes and we have come to the conclusion that indeed you deserve an intervention and urgently too.”

She said the committee embarked on the visit not only to assess the needs of the people but to also hear from them what their needs are.

And after listening to them, she told the Baale that her group had reached the conclusion that the people needs among others, a concrete footbridge linking Agboyi III to Alapere. Beside the bridge would be laid water pipes from the Lagos State Water Corporation’s water mains across the river at Alapere, which would be a final solution to the unavailability of potable water to the over 3,000 residents of the three communities.

Other needs of the people she pointed out were sanitation which was divided into two-fold – provision of two blocks of six pit latrines and bathrooms each; for the three communities and the provision of at least three incinerators one each for the three communities to address waste disposal.

On health, Mrs Oshodi lamented the trouble the communities’ pregnant women go through during child birth as the maternity runs only between 8am and 5pm.

She said one of the nurses told the team they give referral notes to pregnant women once they get to week 36, adding that it is unacceptable that women would be put inside canoe and paddled to Ketu or Alapere before they could access healthcare.

Mrs. Oshodi who expressed dismay that many of the pregnant women still patronize traditional birth attendants (TBA) at this age, said the Club would look into the request of the nurses to provide at least one labour room and two extra rooms for expectant mothers’ relations, so that the nurses could work also at night and relieve the women the agony they go through at child birth.

She wondered how the maternity had been meeting its mandate to serve pregnant women and take deliveries when the only room provided for the purpose had allegedly been turned into a pharmacy where drugs were dispensed to patients.

She assured that these projects would begin within the next six weeks provided the people are willing to provide her team with land to site them. She equally expressed the desire of the Club to provide classroom furniture and exercise books for about 300 primary school pupils in the three communities, who she said needed to be supported with such materials to make learning fun.

“We saw some pupils who are being taught by some of your children in higher institutions and we are happy about that development. We, however, observed that the classrooms need more furniture and some of the pupils do not have exercise books while others who had only had one. We are therefore assuring you that our Club would provide your children with classroom furniture and these pupils would be given exercise books,” Mrs Oshodi said.

She sought the community’s assistance and support to ensure the smooth take off of these projects adding that as part of encour-

PHOTOS: BIODUN ADEYEWA

aging local entrepreneurship, residents of the communities would be engaged by the Club to put these things in place. Mrs Oshodi said the Club would equally address the link footbridge between Agboyi 11 and Agboyi 1, which has become a death trap.

The bridge, she said, would have aluminum railings to protect lives and prevent accidents.

In his response, the Baale, Alhaji Lamina praised the group for their interest in alleviating the plight of the people of Agboyi.

Lamina who prayed for the team asked God to make all their dreams for his people achievable, even as he pledged the commitment of all the elders and people of the three communities to the projects.

He said the people would be willing to donate land to the Club for the execution of the projects as everyone is interested in ensuring a lift in their standard of living once the projects are in place.

“We are very happy when our children told us of your visit.

We are honoured to have you because we know you and your antecedents. We have no doubt that you will help us just as you have pledged. We are equally committed to ensuring the success of these projects and we shall provide you with all that you need to make all these dreams possible.

“As you have identified, our main problem is potable water.

We have relied over the years on sachet water (pure water) and bottled water for our sustenance. Only God knows how much we commit to this everyday in the three communities. If you can do the pedestrian bridge for us and provide pipe borne water it would have taken 70 percent of our stress in these communities away.

“If these are coupled with addressing the challenges our women face during child bearing and give us a labour room, you would have helped us greatly. This added to the steps you want to take on the pedestrian bridge and education would make us seriously indebted to your Club,” Lamina said.

The Baale who lamented the long years of neglect of his people by the government, urged other well meaning humanitarian clubs to take a cue from the Rotary International and partner with other blighted communities whose people are facing herculean challenges and life has become almost unbearable.

Also speaking Mr Kehinde Ladega praised the club for coming to the aid of the people of Agboyi.

“It is salutary that all these are coming to our people not because we pressed any special button, but because they read of our plight in the newspapers just like any other reader had.”

President of Agboyi Student Union (ASU) Comrade Yusuf Muideen Ajigi said the intervention of Rotary International in the town was a welcome development. “What is most welcoming to all of us especially the students and youths of the town is that the club is promising to address virtually all the problems besetting the people of Agboyi 1, Agboyi 11 and Agboyi 111. All of these we need to emphasize are coming because they read of our plight in The Nation newspaper. While we are thanking the club, we must equally praise that newspaper for being the vanguard of the downtrodden,” Ajigi said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

•A cross section of students at the Enterprise Day

W

HEN Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) inaugurated Enterprise Day, an annual event in the state, little did he know that the programme will turn out to become a spring board for the development of young entrepreneurs in the state.

This year’s celebration with the theme “Technical and Vocational Skills as a Gateway for Enterprise Development” held recently at NECA House in Alausa and attracted thousands of young people from the five technical colleges in the state, stakeholders from different sectors as well as government officials.

The forum provided opportunity for the students to interact with successful entrepreneurs, while ten young people that excelled in youthled businesses and other entrepreneurial pursuits were honoured by the state government.

Some of the speakers at the events including President of McBride Research Laboratories, Mr. Cornell McBride; Chief Executive Officer of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi and Founding Partner of Red Media Africa, Mr. Adebola Williams,who addressed the students shared their experience of rejection and success.

Citing his own example, McBride emphasised the need for humility, saying this was what helped him in business and in life. He explained that he knew why he wanted to build a business empire that would outlive him. But he said he did not know how to do it.

He acknowledged that he suffered a lot of disruption along the way and that in spite of what he went through, he did not resign to fate, but that his vision kept on driving him until he realised his ambition.

“I had to do all kinds of odd jobs to make money. And I was proud of doing those odd jobs, even though I went into the US Army when I relocated to the New York at 24. I later went to College in order to hone my entrepreneurial skill.

I am simply a product of humility.”

Ogunlesi said that one other critical element, which she described as the cornerstone of every successful business was humility, urging the students that if they must build viable business empires, they must imbibe the spirit of professionalism that would re-

The Lagos State government in its drive to equip the youth with requisite entrepreneurial skills to realise their dreams of owning a business of their own held another edition of its annual Enterprise Day recently. MIRIAM EKENE-OKORO was there.

Tackling youth unemployment with vocational training

L: R: Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye; General-Secretary Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) Mr. Olawumi Gasper and Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire at the event.

quire them to set rules and standards to guide the conduct of their business transaction.

Ogunlesi told the story of her life, saying she was indifferent in her academic pursuit.

She said even though she gained admission to undertake a law programme at Ahmadu Bello University, Congo Campus, she only managed to spend two weeks on the programme.

Her reasons for quitting, she said, was not because she could not cope with the rigours of academic pursuit, but that she was pursuing what she had passion for rather than mere academic honours, adding that her passion gave birth to Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, now branded an indigenous firm with global appeal. According to her, the fact that she chose not to pursue her law degree did not make her an illiterate.

Ogunlesi advised the graduating students to take advantage of the incentive which the state government had given

to help realise their dreams and visions.

Also, Adebola Williams, founding Partner of Red Media Africa encouraged the graduating students to rise up and position themselves as the country’s solution providers rather than liabilities. He said they do not have excuse not to succeed, citing the right platform and support that the state government has been giving through LASTVEB. Addressing the gathering, General Secretary Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) Mr. Olawumi Gasper, said the programme was designed to develop a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Gasper explained that the programme will also assist students of the state’s technical colleges on the need for competence-based education, adding that in the last five years, the technical colleges in the state have already imbibed the entrepreneurial cul-

ture as embedded in the curriculum of the technical colleges.

He also noted that vocational skill trades are sufficiently infused with entrepreneurial elements that have harnessed the power of entrepreneurial competence.

According to him, “in the past, emphasis was placed on knowledge, skills, qualities, attitude, innovation and creativity among students of the technical colleges in the state, thereby preparing them to become self-reliant and competitive in the new dynamic and globalised world.”

He said the state’s entrepreneurship development project of the technical colleges alongside the chosen trade of the students “have no doubt contributed to job creation and acquisition of necessary skills by the graduates towards selfemployment. It is noteworthy that the private sector has been in support.

“To produce high-quality

competence with entrepreneurial and technical skills for economic growth, well being of society and creation of long term wealth for individuals.

In training them, the spirit of entrepreneurship is continuously being infused into learning, enabling trainees to seek entrepreneurial opportunities leading to success.”

Governor Fashola who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said the government was not only developing the entrepreneurial capacity of the technical students, but had also put in place an arrangement for any graduate of its technical colleges “to access takeoff credit facility.”

The governor said the loans “will be given to the students at single-digit interest rate. Aside, the students are not expected to provide any collateral except that they are not from any of the government owned colleges of edu-

cation. That is one of the reasons for the establishment of Lagos State Micro Finance Institution (LASMI).”

The take-off loan for the graduates of the state’s technical colleges will be processed through the LASMI while forms will be provided for the intended students at their various institutions to enable them apply. We have chosen to champion vocational and technical education because it focuses specifically on providing relevant skills while preparing them to be better positioned to develop new enterprises.

“We have not departed from the position that technical and vocational education presents a complementary approach to general education. Our students are given the right opportunity to explore and identify potential career goals and are provided with the resources needed to achieve goals through technical partnership with industry stakeholders,” he added.

Commissioner for Education, Olayinka Oladunjoye said: “Following the success of the first edition, the second edition is designed to celebrate legacies of successful entrepreneurs while also promoting immense opportunities in youth-led businesses and other entrepreneurial pursuits.”

One of the students, Miss Mariam Sunday, who graduated from Government Technical College, Epe in Computer Craft, said listening to the various speakers have renewed her spirit not to let go of her dream of becoming a great entrepreneur in the future.

Also, Master Adeola Shobowale said “I came to the Enterprise Day confused, but I have hope now. My plan is to be an entrepreneur of global brand. This forum has equipped me with the necessary tips to realise my long-term dream.”

He told The Nation that he had just completed his programme in electrical installation and engineering and also undergone training in FATE Foundation, which he said, has helped him to master the procedure of writing business plan.

Shobowale said the next stage would be to start building his business and keep developing capacity in his area of specialization, which he said, would rank among the best in the next five years.

32

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

33

SOUTHWEST REPORT

T

HESE are not the best of times for roasted bush meat sellers in Nigeria especially in towns and cities in the rain forest region of the country.

Their once thriving trade which on a good day could earn some of them a profit of N3,000 (three thousand naira) on the average has virtually grounded to a halt following the recent outbreak of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Lagos State.

In Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Akure and other major towns and cities in Yoruba land where bush meat or Eran Igbe as it is called by the locals is a delicacy, there is a glut in the market as connoisseurs and patrons of vintage hunted animals have ceased buying their favourite meat since it became known that they could harbor the Ebola virus.

But faced with a challenge to their daily bread, some of the sellers have now resorted to eating the bush meat in the open to demonstrate to the skeptical public that their product is Ebola free. But the effort seems not to be working as some of their customers appeared to have changed their taste.

When The Nation visited the Asejire axis of bush meat market in Ibadan on Monday, several sellers watch helplessly as customers went for roasted fish. They made futile spirited efforts to persuade t h e m otherwise.

In frustra tion, some o f them have resigned to fate, believing that it is a phase t h a t w i l l sooner o r later pass away.

One of them, w h o s i m p l y identified herself as Iya Bukky, said: “We are surprised that people believe that Ebola is in bush meat. We eat bush meat everyday with our family members and we are completely well. They kill these bush meat with guns.

Health experts only said that people eating baboon and bats are likely to contract the virus but we don’t sell such animals. We only sell grasscutter, deer, hare, squirrel, snake etc. the campaign has been on for about three weeks now and it has affected us seriously. We hardly sell one bush meat per day now instead of the many that we used to sell.

We are starving due to this lack of sales and we can’t switch to fish because we are not skilled in it.

“Government should let people know that our meat is not infected with Ebola. We have plenty of stock at home and in the freezer but no buyer. We are starving.”

The trader,

while still doubting the link between bush meat and Ebola urged health officials to come and examine their stock to confirm their claim so that government could educate people that bush meat is not a source of contracting the virus.

“Bush meat is as old as man. It has been from the beginning. We have no other business or means of survival.” She said.

Another trader, Mrs Bidemi Babawale (aka Mama Toke) said since the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country, sales have been extremely dull for them. She also denied that the virus can be contracted through eating bush meat.

She said: “It is a big lie that Ebola is in bush meat.

Before I was born, and even before my grandparents, bush meat had been. We are eating it now and we are feeling well. There is no Ebola in it. No customer has ever complained of having contracted a strange disease in bush meat.”

Mama Toke, however, concluded that it is a phase that will pass away just like the outbreak of bird flu which nearly wrecked poultry farmers. She appealed to their customers to come back, assuring that the deadly virus is not in their stock.

• A bush meat market In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, ‘market’ is equally bad for bush meat sellers as customers and residents overwhelmed by the fear of getting the deadly disease, shunned bush meat and the sellers.

Some of them who spoke to The Nation said they have given money to hunters in advance to source meat from the forest while others complained of borrowing the money to do the business, and pay back in b i t s through d a i l y s a l e s , wondering •Ebola virus w h e r e they would recoup their losses.

For the Ifelodun Eran Igbe Sellers Association, Abeokuta, whose stands are located at the Brewery junction of the state capital, it was all tales of sales lull.

Mrs Idowu Ojubanire who told The Nation that she has been in the business for over 24 years said before the reported case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria, she makes a daily profit of N1,500K but lamented that there is no sales anymore as customers, frightened by news of bush meat being a potential source of the virus, shun their market.

Mrs Ojubanire said: “hunters don’t come here again. We don’t know why the Ebola thing came to spoil our source of daily bread. Our ancestors and grand fathers ate bush meat and we are eating it and no sickness, nothing happened. No sales, no gain and no handshake.”

Sherifat Poopola, leader of the Olomore Bush Meat Sellers said their daily business has been grounded with their members eating the meat themselves as customers’ taste has shifted because of Ebola. She said people are only scared to buy bush meat because of wrong information and rumour.

According to her, there is no death in the meat as their parents ate it without harm.

A good number of them nibbled at the ones on display for sale and ate from it to convince the reporter that the meat was not only safe and but also that they were not scared.

The same lamentation and counting of losses were also observed among the bush meat sellers near the Mini Campus of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago - Iwoye and their counterparts having stands at the Odogbolu junction of the Sagamu - Ore Expressway as their customers who are mostly travellers avoided them like a plague.

An hotelier, Chief (Mrs) Olubunmi Fajuyigbe, the proprietress of the Darfun Guest House, Arigbajo, Ifo, who patronises bush meat sellers for use in her hotel, said the business has never been this low. Very few customers ask for bush meat pepper soup unlike before, she lamented.

Mrs Fajuyigbe said the situation is not helped when health experts and government failed to specify the animals that could harbour the

Ebola: Bush meat sellers in battle to bring back fleeing customers

The once thriving trade in hunted animals, otherwise called bush meat, has virtually collapsed in the Soutwest as in other parts of the country, no thanks to the Ebola Virus Disease that has claimed no fewer than two lives in Lagos State since it broke out about three weeks ago. BISI OLADELE, DAMISI OJO and ERNEST NWOKOLO report that bush meat sellers are, however, not giving up efforts to retain their customers. virus, a situation she added had compelled customers to embark upon generalisation in their avoidance of anything bush meat.

She said:”they should be specific. When people hear one thing, they go about saying ten things. It is affecting our business.

“I use bush meat to cook and nothing has happened to us, me and my children. Please they should educate the people well. Eran Igbe, if you wash and roast properly before eating becomes hygienically alright. It is monkey, Chimpanzee, bats and antelope that may carry the virus but not grass cutters.”

In Akure, the Ondo State capital, the story is not all that different but in addition to the lamentations of bush meat sellers, the hunters are equally complaining. According to the chairman of the Hunters Association, Samuel Adeleke, the reported case of Ebola outbreak in the country has spoilt “our job and damaged it beyond repairs”.

He lamented that many of their customers within and outside Ondo State have ceased to patronise them because of fear that people can easily contract the virus through bush meats particularly monkeys.

Adeleke said:”This (Ebola) is a lie, wild animals are not poisonous; the meat is natural, pure for consumption. On a daily basis we kill as many as seven monkeys; our customers eat the meat and we the hunters always enjoy it as a good delicacy without symptom of any disease.

“If at all there is Ebola, it is in Liberia and not Nigeria. We kill assorted wild animals on daily basis and none of our numerous customers have lodged complaints of any disease from our meats”.

The Chairman urged relevant agencies particularly the federal government to do everything to allay the fear of the citizenry on the deadly Ebola virus.

He wondered why the fear of a rumoured disease should rob them of their means of livelihood suddenly, saying “this is our noble job we cannot join Boko Haram insurgents, kidnappers or armed robbers to make ends meet.”

Adeleke assured their consumers that they have nothing to fear eating

bush meats, stressing that there is no Ebola Virus in Ondo State.

Meanwhile state governments across the region have taken measures to contain the virus where it has been reported and prevent its spread to other areas.

In Ondo State the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju during a sensitisation meeting with public and private health practitioners in the state said the state government has designated three hospitals with facilities to quarantine any suspected case in the state.

The centres are Federal Medical Centre, Owo for the northern senatorial district, State Specialist Hospital, Akure for the central senatorial district and the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa to take care of the south. Also, the State government is to train 30 barrier nurses that would serve the three designated centres.

He also added that health facilities across the state would be strengthened with necessary equipment to prevent the spread of the disease into the state.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin said the government had instituted 24-hour monitoring and tracking of suspected cases in all 33 local government areas of the state.

Gbadegesin said that emphasis was particularly placed on the border regions of Saki West, Iwajowa, Atisbo and Itesiwaju council areas, adding that the tracking of foreigners coming into and leaving the state was also ongoing.

“There is also a strong collaboration with officials of the Federal Ministry of Health, other Southwest states Ministries of Health, World Health Organization and University College Hospital, Ibadan on surveillance, tracking and case management of suspected, probable or confirmed cases,’’ he said.

The Commissioner, who disclosed that there are no reported cases of Ebola virus disease in the state, said that an isolation ward was also being constructed at the University College Hospital (UCH) to take care of any confirmed Ebola patients.

The commissioner advised members of the public to maintain proper

personal hygiene like regular hand washing with soap and water, and to report any person suspected to be having fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes and bleeding or anybody who might have died due to cause(s) not known, to the nearest health facility.

He said that government was particularly interested in those persons with the above listed symptoms who might have visited Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea recently.

Gbadegesin cautioned the people of the state against the use of unorthodox methods of curing Ebola virus disease, like taking salt or bitter cola.

In Ogun state, the government has urged those hunting for wild life and game animals to suspend their activities forthwith in order to check the spread of the Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus in the state.

Justifying the government’s decision, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Ronke Sokefun, said hunting of such animals could facilitate the outbreak of the disease as they pose some risk.

Also, her counterparts in the health ministry, Dr Olaokun Soyinka, said the government has stepped up surveillance along its border communities in collaboration with community leaders and security agencies to ensure that the over 70 identified border routes are adequately monitored.

Soyinka disclosed that the ministry has equally embarked upon mass purchase of protective gadgets to protect the healthcare givers from being infected by the contagious virus when attending to suspected persons.

Soyinka said: “so far, the identified victims of the virus are in Lagos, infected by a travelller from Liberia who arrived by air. Two have diedboth health care workers who tended to the man before his status was known. There are six other confirmed cases who have become infected, the same way and who are being cared for.

“The two persons earlier reported in a section of the media of being from Ogun state have been tested and cleared to be virus-free. Infection by Ebola virus results from direct contact with body fluids,that is for example, blood, vomit, faeces, urine and saliva. This is why it tends to affect health care workers, carriers and family members.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

34

SOUTHWEST REPORT The menace of gully erosion and invasion of their waterways by water hyacinth are threatening to bring life to a halt in Akotogbo, a riverside community in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State. DAMISI OJO reports.

Erosion, water hyacinth threaten Akotogbo community T HESE are not the best of times for the 10,000 strong inhabitants of Akotogbo, a riverside settlement in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State who are battling the twin invasion of their community by water hyacinth and gully erosion.

Linked by a river to Benin, Edo State in the south and Badagry in Lagos state in the north, Akotogbo is almost being cut into two by erosion which has created a huge gully through the community.

And to compound their problem, the river has been covered by water hyacinth thereby denying them easy access to their main market and other places through the waterways. In fact the people, who are predominantly farmers, have abandoned the market.

The gully erosion which is more than two kilometers long has

claimed many lives.

The town’s regent Iwalewa Omoruwa told The Nation that the crater created by the erosion is endangering the lives of his people especially the younger ones.

A teacher in the community, Richard Olarinde who corroborated the regent’s claim said the gully has become a death trap, stressing that many children and houses have been lost to it.

Some residents of the community are unhappy about the situa-

Alaafin tasks Yoruba in diaspora on cultural promotion From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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•Omoruwa

•Waterways blocked by water hyacinth

HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III has tasked Yoruba in the diaspora to promote their cultural heritage.

Oba Adeyemi made this appeal while receiving the newly elected president of a Yoruba group based in Texas, United State in America, Mr. Bolu Omodele in his palace over the weekend.

He thanked Yorubas in diaspora for their continued solidarity visit to show support to their cultural heritage.

“God did not make mistake by making us blacks and of all the black Africans, Yoruba, sons and daughters of Oodua are most impressive” An Anglican missionary came up with a write-up in which he said Yoruba have been modest in practicing cabinet method of separation of power even before whiteman came.

“The choice of Oyomesi can otherwise be called a cabinet system of government which gives room for separation of power that made Oyo empire to thrive and a reason we are called pacesetter”, the imperial majesty declared.

Oba Adeyemi however expressed sadness with the abysmal use of Yoruba language by some traditional rulers in Yoruba land.

“What is most saddening is that some kings are castings aspersion on their religions and culture, even as some call themselves Christian and Muslims monarchs, but Oyo kingdom has not undermined the culture to show to the world that we are the real custodian of Yoruba cultural heritage” he said In his own speech, Omodele, thanked Oba Adeyemi for his good role i n promoting Y o r u b a •Oba culture.

Adeyemi

tion of things generally there.

One of them, Lisa Morayo, a mother of four, claimed that the state government has simply neglected the community.

However, the community’s representative in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Afolabi Iwalewa said the problem is beyond the state government.

The regent and other members of the community have therefore urged the government to take concrete steps to end their pains.

Apart from the menace of erosion, the people have also called on both the federal and state governments to urgently assist them to weed water hyacinths on their waterways to prevent water from overrunning their market.

The river which is a blessing to the people may soon become a curse if urgent steps are not taken to remove the water hyacinths on the waterways.

Currently, the water is overflowing to the community’s main

market located beside the river.

Ojo Adegbusi, one of the high chiefs in the community noted that the community is in dire need of urgent government intervention.

The member representing Irele state Constituency also lamented the poor state of the river, saying something concrete has to be done urgently to arrest the situation. He expressed the hope that the state government would attend to the demands of the community before the situation degenerates.

A

N indigent family in Ikare, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State has appealed to governments, corporate bodies and public spirited Nigerians to come to the aid of their eight-yearold daughter Saidat Saliu who has a heart disease.

Mr and Mrs Adeyemi Saliu whose daughter was diagnosed with heart disease two years ago said they cannot afford the N2.6million needed to rectify the defect in her heart at a foreign hospital. The primary two pupil of Cornerstone Nursery and Primary School, Ikare Akoko, was on October 2012 reported by the Medical Director of Comprehensive Medical Centre, Iwase, Oka Akoko, Ondo State, Dr E.A Olorunfemi to have developed signs and symptoms of heart disease when she was three years old.

According Dr Olorunfemi these signs made the hospital authorities to refer her case to a cardiologist who carried out some investigations on her and discovered that the girl has congenital heart disease.

The October 2012 health report on the little Saidat made her parents who are peasant farmer and petty trader respectively, to take her case to the Kanu Heart Foundation.

Noting that the patient, Saidat is from indigent family that can hardly afford to even buy the basic palliative drugs for the girl, the foundation in November 2012 launched an appeal to save the life of the little girl.

The foundation according to an SOS letter dated November, 30 2012, revealed that Saidat’s condition then required an urgent open-heart surgery abroad due to the absence of the requisite medical facilities for “this risk” surgery in Nigeria.

As at the time the appeal was launched, the foundation sought to raise a total sum N1,632,000 to subsidise the cost of treatment, accommodation, transportation and feeding throughout the duration of her stay overseas.

•Saidat Saliu

This eight-year-old girl needs N2.6m to survive From Damisi Ojo, Akure

According to the letter, the foundation could not on its own shoulder the responsibility of the cost of the treatment, stressing that she was under close medical observation as her case was severe while her doctor advised that the surgery be carried out urgently to avoid complications.

Unfortunately, the appeal did not yield the desired result as the parent could not raise the N800, 000 which was the 50 per cent of the money required for the surgery. Saidat was thereafter taken back home.

However, the condition of the little girl, who is now almost eight years old, has deteriorated which compelled her parents to rush her to Wesley Guild

Hospital Ilesha, Osun State.

According to the father, they had been going to the hospital since last year and this has gulped all what the family could raise.

The frequent visit to the hospital had been affecting her education as she is now in Primary Two when many of her peers are already in Primary Four.

Ironically, the family, which could not raise N800, 000 in 2012, is now been told to urgently look for N2.6million for Saidat to live, due to the deteriorating condition of her health and the rate of inflation Any assistance for little Saidat should be channeled through her father’s bank account at Skye Bank with the name Saliu Adeyemi, account no 1761694126 while he can be reached on telephone number 07066132323.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

35

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Three policemen, prophet held over alleged murder

The death of a 20year old man after an alleged torture by the police has landed three policemen and a prophet in trouble. JUDE ISIGUZO reports.

•Family accuse police of demanding N150,000 for autopsy

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The late Oluwatobi

•Badmus

was brought here. He was actually here but we have no legal record backing up his presence.”

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the station had asked for Badmus’ statement as soon as he received a petition on his torture but none was produced.

Bakare Asani, a lawyer representing the Badmus family, in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, accused the police officers at the ‘B’ Division police station, Akure, of murdering Badmus.

The petition alleged that the deceased sustained internal injuries as a result of the gruesome torture by the police.

A medical report issued by a hospital said Badmus suffered serious internal injuries. The report added that the victim had inhaled a chemical that caused serious bodily damage.

“The boy was brought in here and he was breathing through the help of an oxygen mask and we attended to him immediately after they had collected a card,” said a staff at the hospital. He added that the deceased “had inhaled a heavy dose of the substance which had already damaged his brain and caused serious disorder in his system before he died.”

Father of the deceased Raheem Badmus said: “My son was hale and hearty before his untimely death.

He came home to break the Ramadan fast with me during the week at my residence. I even spoke to him concerning some unholy behaviours of his during the fasting period and promised to deal with him, before he ran away from the house to his uncle’s place in Okuta Elerinla Estate.

“He was filled with life and expectations when we broke the fast together. Certainly, death was not one of the tasks of my only son, not even cheap death from the supposed law enforcement agents who tortured him with large dose of chemical substance, which he inhaled and later passed out.

“So -me of my friends that called him over the unfortunate incident found it difficult to break the news to me and it was later I was told what transpired on the day.

“The elder sister Oluwaseun told me that she was in the house when she was called by one of our neighbors who asked her to come to Danjuma Street where she was told that they wanted to see her because her brother (Tobi) had stolen a smart phone in a prophet’s church.

“Truly, they discovered such type of phone was in Tobi’s pos-

session and they i n quired how he •Acting IGP, managed Suleimon Abba to get the phone since he was never at the church.”

He added that Tobi was taken to the police station along with his uncle, Sola, and was tortured before being released, but that he died some hours later.

Oluwaseun, the late Badmus sister who was with him when the police came for him confirmed his arrest and torture at the police station. She said: “I was at home when some people close to prophet Bisi called me, that my younger brother, Tobi, had stolen a smart phone from his church. It was surprising, and I told him my brother can’t do such a thing. Immediately I called my mum’s uncle (brother Sola) where Tobi was staying to inquire about the allegation and if he saw any phone with Tobi and he confirmed he saw a phone with him and had already collected the phone”.

She explained that she told the clergyman that his uncle had confirmed finding such a phone with late Badmus and that she had called him on his phone to meet her at the prophet’s church.

She said that though the late Badmus agreed to meet with her at the church, the prophet was impatient and advised that they go and meet him wherever he was.

“On getting to Tobi’s place, it was argument all through between the two, with claims that the phone doesn’t belong to the prophet. The prophet now told us that he had already informed the police at B division Oke Aro about the matter. It was at that point, Tobi suggested we move down to the Police station, where he believed the matter would be resolved”.

She further stated that three police officers, led by a corporal with the name tag ‘Adesola Awodeyo’ held several talks with the prophet at the front of the Police station before they arrested her late brother.

When they were dragging him away, she said she heard use of the term, ‘Baptismal Room,’ and believed that was where he was tu-

tored.

“Close to an hour later, the prophet and the cohort (Policemen) with whom he carried out the plot came out with my brother with his face swollen, vision blurred and his eyes balls reddish and bulging and couldn’t compose himself while he can’t also stand on his legs”.

She alleged that instead of the policemen to take him back inside the station, he was handed over to them with directions that they go home, adding that they drove back home in the prophet’s vehicle amidst argument and anger over the maltreatment in the station.

She said when the prophet dropped them and departed, her brother’s condition worsened. He was crying, vomiting and holding his stomach and complaining of a headache.

“I picked my phone and called prophet Bisi who pleaded we take him (Tobi) to the hospital and that he would join us there,” she said.

He was rushed to the State Specialist Hospital Akure, but that he could not be attended to because of the ongoing strike of doctors, and later to Liberty Hospital in Oluwatuyi quarters also in Akure, where doctors directed them to their family hospital.

At Hope Land Hospital, Lafe junction in Akure, where Badmus died, a nurse who spoke on the condition of anonymity said: “The boy was brought in here and he was breathing through the help of oxygen and we attended to him immediately after they had collected a card. Report with us showed that he had inhaled a heavy dose of chemical substance which has already damaged his brain and caused a serious disorder in his body system before he died”.

Days after Tobi’s death, Oluwaseun said the police, in an effort to cover up the case called her to come over to the station to write a statement for the deceased because they had forgotten to get him to write one, but that she declined.

Spokesperson to the Ondo State Command, Oluwole Ogodo confirmed the incident. He said the deceased was brought to the station for stealing and that he confessed to it, adding that it was because he refused to return the other items that he took from the church that

,

HREE policemen attached to the ‘B’ Division Akure of the Ondo State Police Command and a popular prophet are currently been detained for the alleged murder of Mohammed Oluwatobi Badmus (20).

The deceased was the only son of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a popular hotelier, Raheem Afolayemi Badmus.

Young Badmus was allegedly tortured to death by policemen on the orders of Prophet Bisi Adedugbagbe of the Celestial Church of God, who alleged that the deceased stole a phone belonging to a member of his church.

Late Badmus was allegedly dragged to the police station by the prophet on the allegation of breaking and stealing at his church.

The family is also alleging that the police are demanding for a sum of N150,000 (one hundred and fifty thousand naira) to carry out an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death, a responsibility they claim ought to be borne by either the state our the suspects.

But the police are saying that since the family was alleging that their men killed the deceased, it was their responsibility to provide the funds for the autopsy to ascertain their claim.

The family had alleged that Adedugbagbe had ordered the policemen led by one Corporal Adesola Awodeyi to torture late Badmus to confess to stealing a phone from his church.

It was gathered that Awodeyi and the other two policemen beat and tear gassed Badmus until he collapsed and became unconscious.

A family source said: “Once he became unconscious, the policemen at the station then hurriedly wanted him released to his family because they suspected he could die.

“Corporal Awodeyi and Prophet Bisi should be held responsible for the death of Badmus. He was tear-gassed at close range, after he had been beaten mercilessly at a mini-detention room in the station.

The beating and torture with tear gas was to coerce Badmus to confess to stealing the phone.

“He refused to confess to the crime because he did not do it and he was battered as a result. Some of the other officers at the police station heard the scream of the boy.

They advised Corporal Awodeyi and the other two officers to take it easy with the boy, but they refused.

“The prophet was present during the torture, but he showed no compassion for the boy. All he wanted was for the boy to confess to the crime of stealing a phone.

He was urging the corporal to keep pummeling Badmus. The prophet was bragging that he would deal with Badmus unless he confessed and returned the phone he allegedly stole”.

A police source said “We have no legal record of the boy in our station now because they didn’t even ask him to write a statement.

The statement should have been the first thing, but Corporal Awodeyo forgot to initiate that. Already he has put himself into trouble for that.

“We can’t deny the fact that he

Corporal Awodeyi and Prophet Bisi should be held responsible for the death of Badmus. He was tear-gassed at close range, after he had been beaten mercilessly at a mini-detention room in the station. The beating and torture with tear gas was to coerce Badmus to confess to stealing the phone

,,

he was brought to the station.

The spokesperson said from investigation, the deceased was released by the police around 10am and developed ill health around 6pm. He said if he had indeed been tortured as his family was claiming there was no way he could have survived up till that time.

Ogodo said the three policemen and prophet linked to the murder of Badmus have been arrested and they are been detained, pending investigation.

On the issue of autopsy, he said it is the family’s responsibility to pay as they are the ones alleging and therefore should be able to go to any extent to prove it.

‘

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

36

SOUTHWEST REPORT

When Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu 1 constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly gathered a cross section of his constituents together last week for a special three in one programme, not a few went home with smiles on their faces. OZIEGE OKOEKI was there.

A legislator’s passion for his people H

•L-R: Ogunleye, Agunbiade, Panux and Ms. Fashola

number of people so as to aid in planning and provision of infrastructure”.

And thirdly to extend to members of the CDAs and CDCS a gesture he started three years ago with market men and women in his constituency, whereby they are given interest free soft loan from the bank to boost their businesses.

The programme tagged, ‘Interactive reception for executive members of CDC and Chairmen of CDA in Ikorodu LG, Ikorodu West and North LCDA’ has as its theme, ‘Imperative of community vigilance, mobilisation and protection in the face of insecurity in the country’.

The Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Security Matters, Major Tunde Panux gave a lecture on ‘Security challenges/awareness in the country’, while the state Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi spoke on ‘Interrelationship between CDA/CDC and the government’. The DirectorGeneral of LASRRA, Ms. Yinka Fashola briefed the people on ‘Lagos residents registration exercise’. The chairman of the occasion was former Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye.

According to Agunbiade, CDAs and CDCs have not only become an integral part of governance in Lagos state they indeed have been formerly recognised as the fourth tear of government in the state through a

Oyo Police parade suspects with cartridges

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HE Oyo State Joint Security Patrol, code named ‘Operation Burst’ has paraded two suspects with 10 packs of live cartridges.They deal in buying and selling of ammunition.

The suspects are Mohammed Alayo and Idowu Fasasi.

Parading the suspects on Monday at Operation Burst office in Agodi, Ibadan, the deputy commandant of the outfit, DSP Elijah Bawa said the patrol team in Kishi town during on surveillance on the August accosted a pegeout 504 wagon with registration number JJJ 206 XK. “The driver was intercepted and search was conducted, then a sack containing 247 cartridges was discovered and on interrogation, he the consignment is for one Mohammed Alayo. Alayo too was arrested at Sango-Ota, “Bawa said.

The key suspect, Mohammed

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan Alayo (32yrs), who confessed to the crime, noted that he was influenced by one Abass to join the shady business.

He said: “Abass stays in Saki and I sent money to him to send 10 packs of the cartridges to Sango-Ota where I was working as a surveyor. I bought each packs for N3,400 and this is my first time in the business. I did not intend to rob or sell to armed robbers. I wanted to sell them to vigilante people” Idowu Fasasi (28) who was transporting the cartridges from Saki, said he did not know the content of the sack that was handed over to him at the park by Abass.

Operation Burst also paraded two suspects who specialised in stealing motorcycles in Saki.

The suspects as Tajudeen Olajumoke and Tajudeen Jimoh.

,

E has always shown unusual passion for issues concerning his constituents and his constituency; even while speaking on the floor of the Lagos State House of Assembly one could easily see a legislator with deep concern for the welfare and well-being of his people.

The same passion last week propelled Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, representative of Ikorodu 1 constituency at the Lagos Assembly to bring his constituents together for what he tagged a three-in-one sensitization and empowerment programme.

The event which held at the ground of his constituency office in Ikorodu was first to sensitize the people especially members of the Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) about security issues around them especially as the nation battles the Boko Haram insurgency.

Agunbiade is also worried by the seeming distance between himself and the representatives of the people at both the Ward and local government levels a situation he reasoned does not augur well for the development of his constituency and constituents. Equally of concern to him was the low level of response by his people to the ongoing registration of residents of the state by the state government. Consequently the lawmaker put together a major programme to tackle these three issues at the same time.

The three-in-one programme was to create a platform for collaboration between him and representative of the people within the community, particularly on security and development matters, “that is the Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Community Development Committees (CDCs) that represents the people at the community level.”

It was also meant to sensitize and involve his people in the on-going registration of residents of Lagos state by the Lagos state Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) “so as to let them know that the essence is not for taxation but to know the

But I discovered that a lot of people do not know how to make use of their representatives at the state level yet they complain. I invited the CDCs in the three local councils in my constituency and chairmen of all CDAs; right here now we have over 600 CDAs from the three councils.

,

law passed by the Lagos state House of Assembly.

He, however, regretted that there was no strong collaboration between him and these representatives of the people at the local level. “I see the need for more collaboration between the representatives of the people in government and those within the community. I know what the law passed by the Assembly on CDA and CDC contains, that there should be a lot of collaboration.

“But I discover that a lot of people do not know how to make use of their representatives at the state level yet they complain. I invited the CDCs in the three local councils in my constituency and chairmen of all CDAs; right here now we have over 600 CDAs from the three councils.

Most of them when they write letters to government offices they don’t copy me as their representative yet they want the representative to act on it, how would he know? So it is a way to further tell them how best to make use of their representatives for collaboration.

“So it is a way to give them a sense of belonging and extend a hand of fellowship to them as fellow representatives of the people, for us to now start afresh and continue to collaborate on behalf of the people that we all represent. Also the insurgency in the country and the security challenges is something the CDCs

and CDAs should take as their primary responsibility (and) we want to bring that home to them. And also to extend to them the gesture I have been using for the market people for the past three years, which is the interest free soft loan. I get the money from the bank, I pay the interest, I redistribute. I have been doing it with the market people, we now feel that the various CDAs should now benefit, that is why I am giving 60 slots to the three CDCs. We hand over the cheque to them and they will help us recoup the money after the due date”, Agunbiade said.

He said he brought the three government officials to speak to his people and further enlighten them on the various areas they spoke on, especially the security duties of CDCs and CDAs and registration of residents.

“So I intend to achieve by this event, more collaboration, more cohesion between the representatives of the people at the local level and myself who is the representative of the people at the state level so that there would be a very good rapport.

They have just been elected, there is need to tell them I am there for you, make use of me to get what you want to get from the government because a lot of them do not know how to make use of their representative”, the lawmaker said.

While commending Agunbiade for providing the platform for such meetings in the constituency, “the first of its kind in any constituency”, Ojelabi in his lecture urged the CDC and CDA officials to see their position as an opportunity to contribute to the development of the community. He urged them to be focused and identify their roles at the community level.

“You have a duty to protect and sustain government projects in your various communities and apprehend anyone who either stalls execution of government projects or destroys government properties; you should always render account to the community which contributed money for the execution of some projects as that will encourage them to do more.

“You should partner with the government by putting your request and pressure through your representative at the Assembly, you should also work together with the council chairmen. If you do all these you are helping and assisting the government.

You must be proactive so that we can all forge ahead”, the commissioner told CDA and CDC officers.

In his lecture, the security adviser to the governor, Panux told the officials to always assist the police to do their work as security issues have

gone beyond the government “our eyes must be opened wide to ensure that we arethe police cannot be everywhere at all times, we must all be the ears and eyes of the police. He advised everybody to use the security lines of 767 and 112 and other phone numbers he gave out at the event in case of any emergency.

“The governor has directed that all the council chairmen must hold monthly security meeting and furnish him with the report which he works on. We must vet all our personnel including our domestic staff.

We want proactive actions, we don’t want ugly things to happen or to start taking actions after things happen, be very observant because without security, serenity and peace we cannot do anything reasonable”, Panux said.

In her brief, LASRRA DG, Fashola said registration is for a database that will among other things enhance security in the state. “Through the data we are able to get information that will assist us in fighting crimes and know where there is high rate of unemployment; it also assist us to know what crime prevention measures to adopt in each locality. So our data fits into so many aspects of life; it will help in tackling unemployment, it will help refocus education and type of education being offered.

Registration is for everybody, we must all move along together, if you must move forward and move this state forward you must register”, she said.

She disclosed that despite the fact that Ikorodu division is one of the largest in the state it has so far recorded one of the lowest registration figures. “It is not as high as those that have registered in Badagry division and this will tell on provision of infrastructure and other planning for the division,” she said.

While commending Agunbiade for the programme, chairman of the occasion, former Deputy Governor of the state Prince Abiodun Ogunleye said the CDA and CDC members will benefit from the lectures because they are the people that are involved in activities at the community level.

Agunbiade gave out interest free loan of N20,000 each at the event to 60 CDA and CDC members, 20 from each of the three local councils in the constituency and also gave same amount to 50 members of Onward Movement, a non political group meant to boost their businesses. He also gave out cash gift of N50,000 each to Agbede Idi-Orogbo CDA and Ladegboye CDA in Ikorodu central for their developmental strides in 2009 and 2011 respectively.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

37

THE NATION INVESTORS

CIS pushes for broader market regulation THE Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) would work with other stakeholders in the capital market, the National Assembly and the Presidency to ensure the passage of a new bill that seeks to broaden the scope of certification of the CIS through the creation of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI).

The CISI bill, which is being sponsored by former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, intends to replace the law that set up CIS and bring other capital market operators under the supervision of CISI. Mr. Albert Okumagba, the new president of the CIS who was formally inaugurated on Monday, has made the CISI as a cardinal point of his administration.

Okumagba said the CIS would engage the National Assembly and the Presidency to ensure that the CISI bill is passed before the end of this year.

In a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Capital Markets on the CISI Bill, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) had stated that the CISI Bill would foster greater collaborative and proactive engagement with regulators, trade bodies, financial services firms, academic institutions and expert advisers and truly reflect the emerging nature of the Nigerian capital market beyond the restrictive definitions of buying and selling of stocks.

According to the NSE, the CISI Bill is in line with the practice in

•CISI likely to start in 2015 other leading markets including United Kingdom (UK), South Africa and United States of America (USA).

The NSE outlined that the objective of its memorandum was to enable the legislators to make an informed decision that would positively affect capital market stakeholders at a critical time in the recovery of the capital markets.

The NSE noted that the CISI Bill would upgrade Nigeria’s CIS to similar bodies like the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) in the UK, the South African Institute of Security (SAIS) in South Africa and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in the USA, broadening the scope of participation and knowledge in the Nigerian capital market.

The CISI Bill 2013 is based on the model of the CISI UK, the largest and most widely respected professional body for professionals in the securities and investment industry in the UK and in a growing number of financial centers globally. The SAIS was established in Johannesburg in 1978 and it is responsible for drawing up the original training standards for the securities industry. SAIS aims at promoting individual professional competence and to support the maintenance and enhancement of this competence by securities professionals. This model is also simi-

lar to the proposals in the CISI Bill.

The FINRA, a successor to the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. (NASD), is a private corporation that acts as a self-regulatory organization (SRO) FINRA is a non-governmental organization that performs financial regulation of member brokerage firms and exchange markets. FINRA also regulates the activities of professionals in the securities markets as well as administers the certification for participating in the US financial markets.

According to the NSE, the proposed CISI Bill modernizes and broadens the scope of operations of the CIS to include securities and investments and its objectives include ensuring adequate knowledge and discipline in the market.

“The CISI Bill seeks to adhere to international standards as illustrated in capital market activities in other jurisdictions. It will ensure that the Nigerian capital market

meets up to the set benchmark and remains one of the leading financial centres in the African region in line with the transformation of the Nigerian capital market and wider economy,” the NSE stated.

The Exchange noted that the passage of the CISI Bill will ensure a higher degree of professionalism in the financial services industry and encourage members to maintain and develop their knowledge and skills to promote higher standards of ethics and integrity in the securities and investment industry.

According to the NSE, there is need for a broader version of the institute of stockbrokers as this will allow for broader participation of other players in the capital market as the Nigerian capital market has evolved beyond buying and selling of stocks and it now includes fixed income trading, Exchange Traded Funds and other securities.

It pointed out that as part of the effort to deepen and develop the Nigerian capital market other financial instruments will be introduced to the market imminently

which will require participation from other financial services professionals such as treasury bond dealers in the over-the-counter (OTC) market amongst other securities.

“The current CIS structure has become redundant as it is restricted to only stockbrokers and does not accommodate other financial market professionals. The CISI Bill incorporates these professionals so they can also participate and contribute their quota to the development of the Nigerian capital mar-, ket,” the NSE stated.

The Exchange however called for broader consultation with all other major capital market stakeholders that will fall under the jurisdiction of the bill as well as a guarantee of the NSE position on the governing council of CISI as contained under the CIS 2004 Act. It also noted the need for the scope of the CISI bill to be adequately defined and articulated such that the regulatory functions and powers of the new institute would be clearly defined.

Rising inflation will not hurt equities market, says Rewane

R

ISING inflation may not significantly influence the performance of the Nigerian stock market, managing director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Mr Bismarck Rewane has said.

Many analysts expected the inflation rate to rise in the next computation. Rewane’s FDC has predicted that inflation rate will likely increase marginally again to 8.3 per cent.

According to FDC, the inflation forecast was based on the regression model of its analysts. If this forecast increase in inflation takes place, it will be the fifth monthly consecutive increase in the price level this year.

In its latest economic bulletin, FDC said the projection of a further increase in the headline inflation figure would not hurt investors’ confidence in the equities market.

According to the report, investor confidence in the stock market will remain unchanged because the status quo on monetary policy has not influenced a significant movement in the fixed income market.

The report pointed out that the current investors’ sentiment and profit-taking transactions are possible incentives to drive the stock market performance in the near term.

“The stock market in 2014 has only gained 1.65 per cent. In spite of earnings growth decline, the price earnings ratio has declined to 29.56 times from as high as 31 times. This means that there are a few bargains out there. The inflation numbers are unlikely to scare yield hungry investors from bargain hunting,” FDC stated.

However, the report noted that while the increase in inflation rate might be marginal, the cumulative increase could become a cause for monetary policy concern given that

in February 2014, the year on year retail price inflation was 7.7 per cent and will now peak at 8.3 per cent, up by 0.6 per cen.

According to FDC, even though inflation rate is within the six to nine per cent target range, it will only be 0.7 per cent lower than the ceiling, a trend that should give the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Governor a reason to look at the close relationship between M2 growth and the consumer price index (CPI).

The CBN Governor is also expected to decompose money supply into the high powered component and other aggregates as the rate of inflation is already becoming part of the political agenda in what is likely to be a keenly contested election.

“The Central Bank is watching the inflation rate closely because of the fact that rising inflation will seriously undermine the key objective of maintaining the value of the naira at current levels. The new CBN Governor has staked his reputation on his mission to bring down interest rates and thus impact employment indirectly. An increase in the inflation rate is likely to make the reduction of interest rates less imperative,” FDC stated.

Notwithstanding, the report indicated that the exchange rate would remain stable as increased foreign reserves has placed the apex bank in better position to defend the currency. ‘’We do not expect any significant impact of the projected increase in inflation rate on the interbank market in August. However, it will make portfolio managers become jittery, since an increase in rates will de-press bond prices and could lead to diminution in value of their portfolios. But irrespective of the inflation numbers, we do not expect increased volatility in the money markets as our projection remains within the target band of the CBN,” the report stated.

•General Manager, Listings Sales and Retention, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mrs. Taba Peterside presenting a gong to the Group Managing Director, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti during the bank’s interactive session with the stockbrokers at the NSE

Growing the top-line is our priority, says Honeywell Flour Mills

T

HE main objective of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc's growth strategy is to ensure healthy growth in its sales as it seeks to create headroom for profit margins in a cost-push and tough environment.

Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr Lanre Jaiyeola, in a review of the operations of the company, said the double-digit growth recorded in sales in the immediate past year ended March 31, 2014 showed the commitment of the company to deliver on its top priority.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of Honeywell Flour Mills for the year ended March 31, 2014 showed that sales rose by 21 per cent to N55.08 billion as against N46 billion recorded in the previous year. Profit after tax also rose by 18 per cent from N2.8 billion to N3.5 billion, which translated to similar increase in earnings per share from 35.86 kobo to 42.26 kobo.

Jaiyeola said the results reflected the company's increased output capacity and aggressive push to meet rising demand across its product categories.

According to him, despite the challenge of input cost pressures caused by increase in wheat prices,

•Turnover rises to N55b Honeywell Flour Mills was still able to achieve a 32 per cent increase in gross profit from the N8 billion to N10.4 billion due to deft management of raw material sourcing and efficient control of production cost.

He noted that the sheer challenge of operating in the Nigerian business environment was evident in the rising profile of Honeywell Flour Mill's operating expenses as it incurred costs to deepen its trade, marketing and sales activities to further develop hitherto under-served sectors of the Nigerian market.

"Growing the top line is our number one priority, even as large industry capacity remains a constant threat. We are committed to the development of higher margin products and from our results, you can see that investments in brand equity are beginning to yield fruits as sales of our value added products like semolina, wheat meal and noodles contributed more to our portfolio mix than in the past. This is a trend that we plan to sustain and even grow as we embark on a new phase in our corporate existence", Jaiyeola said.

He noted that Honeywell Flour Mills is currently at advanced stages in the development of a new pasta plant and an integrated animal feed mill in Sagamu, Ogun State, two projects that are expected to be completed in 2016.

Jaiyeola said the expansion would create thousands of jobs and support several agriculture value chains in Nigeria by focusing on local raw material inputs.

Operating from two locations, Apapa and Ikeja, in Lagos, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. is one of the largest foodfocused companies in Nigeria and is a member company of the Honeywell Group. Its products include branded food products like Honeywell Pasta, Honeywell Noodles, Honeywell Wheat Meal and Honeywell Semolina.

The fiscal year ended with a transition in the leadership of the company; the pioneer chief executive officer, Mr Folaranmi Odunayo, retired after 17 years of service and was succeeded by Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola. Prior to his appointment, Jaiyeola had garnered 20 years experience in the company, working across strategic departments at both managerial and executive management levels.

38

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS P ENSION

contributions’ review Pensioners decry unpaid Pension reasonable, says Suleiman 53% increment T P ENSIONERS have expressed worry that money approved in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 budgets by the Federal Government for the payment of their arrears arising from the 53 per cent increase in the old pension scheme of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) has not been paid.

The National Union of Pensioners (NUP) Chairman, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Section, Evangelist Peter Amodu, stated this at a workshop in Abuja.

It was organised by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for pensioners in the old pension system.

He said alleged misappropriated of the cash.

Amodu said the government was planning to pay from last January, 33 per cent instead of the 53 per cent it announced in 2009.

He explained that NIPSS is a parastatal and the academic section of the NUP. He said the plan by the government to begin payment from this year instead of 2011, would be resisted by pensioners.

He said: “The Federal Government in 2009 made an announcement to increase pension by 53 per cent in a circular. The Ministry of Finance, Accountant-General and the budget office are aware of the circular and the money was later

•Afolayan Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

captured in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 budget and after four years that we have been on this matter, they now want to commence payment from this year.

“The question that we are asking is where is the money that was captured and approved under the 2011, 2012 and 2013 budget.”

He said NIPSS pensioners were demanding payment of the three years’ arrears because there were reports that the national leaders of NUP have been compromised and were ready to accept 33 per cent.

He urged the union executives to reject the 33 per cent.

NUP National President, Dr. Abel Afolayan said the government owes pensioners the increment of 53 per cent.

He noted that part of their problem with the government was the non-implementation of 142 per cent increase for some pensioners and 53 per cent pension increase in 2010 that has been reduced to 33 per cent.

He said: “In 2010, when workers salary was increased by 53 per cent, pensioners also got a 53 per cent increase. The 1999 Constitution as amended in Section 173 sub-section 3 and Section 210 sub-section 3 stipulated that pension must be increased every five years or whenever workers’ salaries are increased, whichever is earlier.

“The government told us that they reduced the 53 per cent increase to 33 per cent because they are deducting 10 per cent tax, 7.5 per cent contributory pension, 2.5 per cent national housing fund. It is not supposed to be so because pensioners don’t pay tax and are not under the contributory pension or housing fund.”

Afolayan said the 20 per cent deduction was unjustifiable, adding that they have not been paid the 33 per cent though the government has paid the military. He lamented that they have been abandoned because they are civilians.

HE upward review in the rate of pension contribution from 7.5 per cent to 8 per cent for employees and 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent for employers as amended in the Pension Reform Act 2014 is a slight increase that may not arouse any reaction from employers, Managing Director, FUG Pensions, Usman Suleiman has said.

He spoke withn reporters in Lagos. He said the increase would provide additional benefits to workers’ Retirement Savings Accounts, thereby enhancing their monthly pension benefits at retirement.

He said employers who have been contributing without being prompted or coerced will find it easy to adjust to the new rate adding that there are employers who were contributing 20 per cent when

the minimum contribution was 15 per cent.

He said: “All those who are in compliance at present, one will expect them to continue to be in compliance in spite of the increase which is minimal. Those who are not in compliance apparently are not complying because of the differences in the percentage but for other reasons.

“These types of employers are those who do not usually obey the laws. They are the ones that fail to remit PAYE, the taxes deducted from their employees. They fail to remit company tax that they deduct from their suppliers and contractors.

“It will, therefore, not be surprising if they also fail to remit pension. Such employers will have this increase as an excuse but it really should not be an excuse,” he said.

Sogunle harps on awareness for retirement

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HE risk of not achieving a financially secured retirement remains high if awareness is not deepened about planning, the Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Dr Demola Sogunle, has said.

To assist in the attainment of this goal, Sogunle said the company, a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), has taken its enlightenment campaign to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to boost retirement planning for Nigerians.

He said the seminar, which had the theme, “Life renewed at 55 and beyond,” besides celebrating those who will soon become retired clients of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers also provided a platform for the PFA to forge closer ties with its customers and to further illuminate emerging trends, promote awareness, and help educate the public on developments in the pension industry. Among issues discussed by seasoned professionals at the event included preparation for retirement; how to access retirement benefits; health at retirement and investment

opportunities for post-retirement.

He emphasised that since retirement from active working life is inevitable, planning for it should start early in an individual’s working life.

He said starting early is imperative because it typically takes many years to accumulate the necessary funds with which to live comfortably when the salary eventually ceases to arrive every month.

He said: “This seminar, besides celebrating those who will soon become retired clients of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, also provides an opportunity to address the concerns or anxieties you might have as retirement draws near.

“The seeming lack of interest and complaints of administrative complexities among workers are issues adequately addressed under the Contributory Pension Scheme upgraded through the recently signed Pension Reform Act of 2014. Engaging the expertise of a professional financial adviser will help in designing the appropriate retirement plan for each person and also the adjustment of such plans when the need arises.

Ondo appoints Adediji to establish pension commission

F •From Left: Mr. Don Adinuba, President, Alliance Against Monopoly (AAM), Mazi Omife Omife, Secretary general, AAM, Dr. Nnamdi Nnorom and Legal Adviser, AAM, Mr. OgbonnayaAgbafo during a press conference

by AAM in Lagos to protest against Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)’s 60-day ultimatum to cement manufacturers to comply with the new cement grade.

Kaduna spends N4.7b on pension, gratuity ADUNA State Government said it had spent N4.7 billion on pension and gratuity liability.

Governor Mukhtar Yero made this known during the distribution of cheques to retirees and families of pensioners in the 23 local governments, local education authorities, Emirate council and chiefdoms in the state.

According to the Governor, “As at July 2014, I am proud to inform the general public that, we have settled all pension and substantial part of gratuity liabilities totalling N4,747,917,247.52. The balance now left is N1,171,571,663.71 for gratu-

K

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

ity, which will be paid as the state finances improve.”

Yero said his administration inherited huge liabilities of pension arrears for Local Governments pensioners which kept increasing as a result of implementation of the various salary structures and high number of people retiring from the service.

“This became a major concern of Government considering the plight and the hardship being experienced by the retirees and next of kin of the deceased families.

“To ameliorate this suffering, the government has resolved to step up action towards cushioning the effect, in spite of paucity of funds in the State.”

The governor said the state had increased its monthly contributions from N13 million to N65 million, while the 23 local government Councils from N121.8 million to N400.8 million.

However, 1,080 beneficiaries received cheque worth N642.5 million as accrued pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, pension arrears and arrears for verified pensioners.

OLLOWING the enactment of the contributory pension law by the Ondo State Government, it has appointed the Group Managing Director, Pensionscope Group/Chief Executive Officer Interterms Pension Consultancy, Tai Adediji, a consultant to establish the state pension commission.

The commission is expected to coordinate and manage workers’ pension affairs in the state.

With the appointment, Adediji is expected to bring to bear his experience on pension management, in drawing the template for the commission, draw the criteria for the appointment of the Director-General and relevant officers.

He will also be responsible for the appointment of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs).

Adediji, who was the pioneer Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the CRIB Pension Fund Administrator, has contributed to pension industry’s development through article publications, paper presentations at high profiled fora, production of pensionscope radio as well as pensionscope magazine, a monthly professional publication for both pension and insurance industries.

Commenting on the appointment,

Adediji pledged to do his best in ensuring that the state has one of the best pension commissions that can guarantee improved wellbeing for contributors, retirees and other stakeholders.

He said the enactment of the state’s pension law, especially now that a new pension law has been signed by the Federal Government, will help enhance the moral of the workers.

He lauded the efforts of the state government in joining other progressive states in laying a secured and prosperous future for its workers and called on workers in the state to reciprocate the gesture of the government by redoubling their contributions to the state’s development.

He said: “When the Governor Olusegun Mimiko decided to bring in the change by the introduction of the contributory pension scheme in replacement of the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), it appears the governor was fully expecting reactions and in some cases rejections to the new scheme simply because a change was about to come.

“This led to the application of democratic principle by opening up the window to dialogue with virtually all the interest groups. This has worked and averted what would have led to serious crisis in the state.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

39

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

‘Ideas vital to business growth’ An upcoming entrepreneur has discovered the treasure in alkaline solution, which cleanses and detoxifies the human system. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

I

DEAS leading to successful businesses sometimes come from the most seemingly mundane problems. Such ideas have often times lead to providing solutions to addressing the problems and subsequently, becoming an instant business success.

The business success of Echeng Agbong, Chief Executive, Cheng Young Nigeria Enterprises, Lagos, is an example of an idea that set out to provide a solution only to turn out to become a successful business initiative useful in curbing the spread of waterborne illnesses.

For Agbong, the inspiration to begin his business came in 1991, after exploring bio alkaline water therapy.

While he was experimenting on alter-

native medical therapies, Agbong came across the alkaline solution, which has since turned out to be effective in purifying and energising water.

Globally, the therapy has been known to be capable of reducing weight, providing allergy and arthritis relief, improving bowel regularity, increasing energy, advancing hydration of cells and skin, improving digestion, reducing cholesterol, and promoting overall better health.

In addition, it also allows optimum cleansing and detoxification of the human body.

Gradually gaining acceptance in the market, Agbong is delighted that he belongs to the group of growing entrepreneurs driven by passion for

making the world a healthier place.

But crucial to his success were the many resources he tapped along the way, especially in capacity building, which included consultations with other entrepreneurs, leading him to joining the Association of Micro Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN).

To his advantage, there are many areas in the market that some natural brand has not claimed, while the business itself has good potential to grow with other health products.

Abong is a happy man for providing a water solution that will help Nigerians experience a reinvigorated healthy living. Though a winning product, there were a lot of challenges penetrating the market. One of this is

the acceptability of the product in the market. Besides, the difficulty of registering with the National Agency for Foods, Drugs and Administration and Control (NAFDAC), funding has remained a major concern for this budding entrepreneur.

Yet, he remains undeterred. For him, an entrepreneur is like a fighter - he must seek out the people that will help you succeed. He is still moving ahead, always trying to realign a best way to monetise what he has done.

He is confident that natural foods and products are still the big thing in the market place, and with growing sales, the development of the product is continuing.

•Agbong

Women group seeks entrepreneurships for youths

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HE President, Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), Mrs. Lola Okanlawon, has urged non-governmental organisations and parents to impart basic entrepreneurial skills in youths to reduce unemployment.

She said most viable businesses collapsed because their owners did not have the children that could be relied upon to run their businesses successfully after they might have passed on.She said entrepreneurship skills should be encouraged at the secondary school level to equip young people to be job creators.

She said: “If the women should die without getting someone that will succeed them, it will be a problem; and we are saying it is better for us to catch them while they are young.

“We want to have them looking for things where others are not looking at; where opportunities can

come up.

“And we feel that we can do it with these young ones so that once we start to tell them, or to teach them to look outside the box, they should not say okay when I finish the university, I am going to start to look for a job, because you know right now, getting jobs is very difficult.

“We have so many graduates out there who don’t have a job.“ She said one of the visions of NNEW was to inculcate entrepreneurial skills in youths across secondary schools to teach them selfemployment.

While the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put urban unemployment in 2013 at 29.5 per cent, a financial advisory company, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), in a recent report, predicted an increase of two per cent in the rate of unemployment in the year.

BoI urges SMEs to partner FIIRO •Co-ordinator Funsho Adebayo (Standing) explaining a point to trainees during the Short term Skill Acquisition training for poverty eradication at Alimosho Local Development Area (LCDA), Lagos.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

The economy has remained attractive to some entrepreneurs. It is encouraging the growth of small businesses, which are the drivers of the economy. Michael Oyiana, Chief Executive, Mkel and Company, is one of such entrepreneurs in the SMEs subsector. DANIEL ESSIET writes.

Living on insecticides

N

IGERIA is a flourishing ground for enterprises. It has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the last few years.

As a result, many entrepreneurs are taking a shot at establising their ventures.

Across the sectors, innovative ideas are vital to successful startup stories. One area micro entrepreneurs are showing this is through the launching of new products.

But the launch of a product is not for the faint-hearted. Creating the product and perfecting it to meet the needs of the market require proper planning and execution.

It, therefore, remains worthy of commendation for upcoming entrepreneurs who brace the odds to start a business and nurture it to fruition.

Michael Oyiana, Chief Executive, Mikel and Company, is one of such courageous entrepreneurs who took the bull by the horns and launched his insecticides products into the market.

Oyiana started the business with N10,000, which he raised from his savings. He bought chemicals and

other materials he needed for his first production. Today, it is worth N200, 000.

Beyond this, there are prospects for growth. Even though the business is small, Oyiana is glad that he is making progress. He is proud that his insecticides are helping in the fight against malaria and contributing to the national economic development.

Yet, characteristic of any business, there have been some challenges. His initial problem was getting the right composition of the insecticides. He has also suffered from inadequate funding. Like other small-businesses, Oyiana has limited or no access to high quality and affordable business development services, technical services and management-support services.

There are challenge of irregular power supply, competition from foreign firms and cheap imports in local markets. The high costs of formalisation of business, including regulatory requirements also pose an obstacle to his business.

But he remains resolute to succeed, deploying such strategies as

T

HE Bank of Industry (BoI) has urged Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) to source raw materials and adopt manufacturing methods from the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos.

Managing Director of the bank, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, made the call when he visited FIIRO. He said the bank would support SMEs which collaborate with the research institute, noting that the aim was to industrialise Nigeria and create more jobs.

He stressed the need for products of SMEs to be competitive in any part of the world, adding that the bank would develop low-cost production technologies that would benefit SMEs. According to him, one of the current targets of BoI is to focus on how to move Nigeria to become a full

agro-based industrialised economy.

“BoI is looking at how to create an eco-system aimed at industrialising our economy. We want to create a simple and low-cost technology that the SMEs will tap to make profitable production.The whole idea of BoI is to add value and attraction to our local technologies, which young graduates from schools could pick interest in. Through such medium, the rate of unemployment will be reduced,” Olaoluwa said.

The Director-General of FIIRO, Mrs. Gloria Elemo, said the bank’s visit to the institute would engender harmonious relationship that would propel the nation’s industrial revolution plan.

Elemo assured BoI of the institute’s readiness to provide SMEs with information, materials and support that would boost their production.

SMEDAN: SMEs should reposition to attract funding

T •Oyiana

focusing on capturing the low income share of the market. To budding entrepreneurs like him, entrepreneurship is a long journey.

Yet, Oyiana believes SMEs are invaluable to any economy, noting that they can help catalyse job creation, reduce poverty, provide basic goods and services, and generate the export and revenues that help countries develop.

HE Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has urged entrepreneurs to re-position their businesses for local and international equity financing.

Its Southwest Co-ordinator, Mr Gbenga Ogundeji, spoke in Lagos.

He said equity financing, contrary to other opinions, could mitigate the challenges of development funds.

Ogundeji said: “Equity financing is the method of raising capital by selling a company’s stock to investors and in return for the investment, the shareholders receive ownership interests in the company. It should serve as an alternative to bank loan or debt financing, but the only challenge we have here is that some of

the basic systems have yet to be put in place. Another major issue we should address is that of partnership; we always ring it into the ears of SME owners that they should form partnerships to build stronger systems.

“A situation where there are so many micro businesses that are barely making peanut profits without standard accounts, structure and so on, it will be difficult to access loan or equity.There are so many equity firms that have been approaching us to partner with our vibrant businesses, we really advise that equity be tapped into and let’s see how it goes.The complaints of lack of access to funds could be reduced if we begin a venture on equity financing,” he added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

40

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL Abil rescued by South African Reserve Bank

S

OUTH Africa’s central bank has stepped in to run troubled lender African Bank Investments Limited (Abil) temporarily.

The South African Reserve Bank has said it wants to introduce a recoveryplan that will ensure the lender has financial security in the future.

Abil said it had incurred serious financial losses in the past year and needed nearly $800million (£480million) to survive.

Abil’s chief executive has resigned and the bank’s shares have been suspended on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

They have fallen by 50 per cent in recent days.

The largest shareholder in Abil is the Public Investment Corporation, which looks after money on behalf of government pension funds.

Others who are affected are ordinary people who have deposited their savings.

Together, they make up 3.2 million customers.

Until recently, Abil was held up as a model for a new way of banking in Africa.

It targeted the mass market made up of previously unbanked South Africans, who are largely the poor and the working class.

However, some have accused Abil of making reckless loans without checking properly whether customers could afford it.

In 2005, South Africa introduced the National Credit Act, imposing strict regulations for lending.

The case of Abil will be a litmus test for banking in a new South Africa, where it is necessary to cater for communities that were previously excluded from the economy because of apartheid.

The Reserve Bank is the last port of call for troubled banks, but its involvement here may be seen as a first step to nationalising a local bank.

• From left: Third winner of nationwide essay competition on Mobile Number Portability, Mr. Ifeanyi Udodilim Okpala(a student FUNAAB); second winner, Miss Kadri Zaharat Olamide from the University of Ibadan; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi; first winner, Mr. Olawale Johnson Dasaolu (student of the University of Lagos); and Director, Public Affairs of NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, during the prize giving ceremony in Abuja.

UK pork farmers threatened by Russian import sanctions

U

K pork farmers will face pressure to lower prices because of Russia’s ban on food imports from a number of Western countries, say experts.

The ban is expected to increase the supply of pork on world markets.

“This will increase competition on global markets,” said Mick Sloyan, director of BPEX, the UK trade body for pork producers.

“It may have some knock-on effect on the EU market and, hence, the UK,” he added.

The ban bars imports from countries which have imposed sanctions on Russia.

The tit-for-tat ban, expected to last at least a year, includes the EU, US, Australia, Canada and Norway.

Russia imports around 90% of its pork with Canada supplying 40% of that. The ban means that those farmers will now have to find alternative markets.

James Leavesley, chief executive of

Midland Pig Producers, said this could lead to oversupply in the market, with pork exports originally bound for Russia now set to be sold elsewhere.

“If Russia bans pork from other countries there is a danger it could be dumped into the UK market,” he says.

Mr Leavesley said the industry had already been hurt by low margins and falling prices.

Pork prices have already fallen in some regions.

In Chicago, where one of the main benchmark pork prices is determined, “Lean Hog Futures” have fallen 18 per cent from their July 7 peak.

“The Russians are going to leave some extra meat on the market for consumers to absorb,” Terry Roggensack, partner at commodity research firm the Hightower Report, said.

UK hiring plans at 16-year high, according to survey

U

K firms intend to hire staff at the fastest rate for 16 years, research suggests.

Accountancy firm BDO said its jobs index for July, which measures hiring plans over the next three months, was at its highest level since 1998.

A “significant uptick” in hiring plans by services firm in particular was driving the increase, BDO said.

An increase in the rate of job creation is expected for the rest of the year, the survey found.

BDO’s optimism index - which measures businesses’ expectations over the next six months - was at its highest level for more than a year in July.

• Ms Abiola and Joju at the briefing.

“The unprecedented growth we’ve seen in UK employment this year looks set to continue,” said BDO partner Peter Hemington.

But he warned that some services firms were already citing concerns over a shortage of skilled workers, and said “readily available and flexible labour from Europe” could help to relieve short-term pressure on businesses.

“To address this, the government must ensure its protectionist tendencies are put on hold until productivity returns to pre-crisis levels,” he added.

T

Heathrow, Gatwick passenger numbers hit July record

HE debate over expanding the UK’s air capacity has heated up after passenger numbers at both Heathrow and Gatwick airports hit a record high last month Heathrow said passenger numbers totalled 6.97 million passengers last month, up 0.5 per cent on July 2013.

Meanwhile, Gatwick said 4.1 million passengers used Gatwick in July - up by six per cent yearly.

Both airports claimed the record numbers meant they, rather than their rival, should be expanded.

“Only Heathrow can deliver daily. Gatwick can’t, Heathrow can,” said Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye.

However, Nick Dunn, Gatwick’s chief financial officer, said a third runway at Heathrow would “diminish the choice available to British passengers”.

“We support competition, re-

duced fares and two world-class London airports serving the UK as a whole,” he added.

A third runway at Heathrow, the lengthening of an existing runway at Heathrow or a new runway at Gatwick are all being considered as ways of expanding the UK’s air capacity.

The Airports Commission, charged with deciding which option is best, is due to report after 2015.

Australia’s treasury wines estates in bidding war T

HE world’s biggest listed winemaker, Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), has received a second multibillion-dollar takeover bid for its business.

The offer is worth A$3.4billion (£1.88billion; $3.17billion) and has come from an as-yet unnamed global private equity firm.

Earlier this month, the US private equity giant KKR launched a renewed bid for the winemaker.

TWE owns brands such as Wolf Blass, Rosemount and Lindeman’s.

It is also behind Australia’s most recognised winemaker, Penfolds.

The second investor to make a bid for the winemaker has requested that its identity remain confidential for the moment.

KKR’s bid earlier this month is a joint venture with fellow US private equity firm Rhone Group.

It has been closely watched by private equity firms since it was spun out from Fosters group in 2011"

TWE has a turbulent history and is currently undergoing restructuring that will see 175 job cuts.

Last year, the firm sold 385 million bottles and recorded revenues of A$1.76billion.

“It has been closely watched by private equity firms since it was spun out from Fosters group in 2011,” said market strategist Evan Lucas at IG Markets in Melbourne.

“Drinking habits globally have also seen wine moving up the list in liquor consumption, while brands such as Penfolds and Seppelt demand premium on the global stage.

“And that is where private equity firms see value,” he said.

TWE was formed in 1995 as the wine division of Australia’s Foster’s group In June last year, the group was forced to destroy A$34million

worth of unsellable wine.

The move was a result of disappointing sales in the US, where domestic crops performed well and where wine does not demand the premium price it does in Asia.

The firm has also seen disappointing results in Australia, with falling volumes domestically and lower-than-expected sales in China amid the government’s austerity drive there.

But Mr Lucas said the mainland remained a strong market for Australian and New Zealand wine and that markets including Japan and South Korea would help offset any slowdown in China.

“The wine industry continues to see growth despite global downturns,” he said.

“Drinking habits in Asia have continued to drive demand for Australian and New Zealand wines, plus both countries still derive most of their earnings from the domestic market, which remains a constant for the bottom line.”

Propak West Africa exhibition for Sept 2

A

FIRM Montgomery West Africa is set to hold an exhibition for packaging firms, experts and investors from September 2 to 4 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Titled: Propak West Africa 2014, the exhibition would feature over 50 participants from West Africa and abroad. These include firms and experts from China, Germany, India and South Africa. Chellarams and a subsidiary of Kodak are among new firms that have indicated interest in the expo.

Managing Director Montgomery West Africa Tori Abiola said the event is aimed at creating a market for stakeholders in the sub-sector to enable them benefit from its attendant advantages, such as networking and boosting their businesses.

She also said it would provide a competitive advantage for participants. She noted that the subsector could grow by over 10 per cent yearly, if well harnessed.

She said the expo was unique because it would also hold a free seminar for participants to educate them on innovations in printing and packaging. Besides, there would also be segment titled:’ Print Expo’ and’ Pro Plas’, where new machines and materials used in the subsector would be unveiled.

Ms Abiola added that the forum would provide a one-stop shop for exhibitors to showcase their products. “They are not only going to learn about new products but also learn and improve in the industry,” she said.

Besides, Sales Agent, Montgomery West Africa Joju Adekanbi said: “The exhibition is the biggest event in the subsector in West Africa. We brought it here because Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) is the largest in Africa,” adding that it was also in the country about two years ago. Besides oil and gas, the packaging and plastics industry is very attractive, he affirmed.

“We started in 2012. Then, we had 49 exhibitors. We have more than that this year. He assured of security, saying that was why the venue was chosen.

The firm has the support of both the Institute of Packaging (IOP), Nigeria and Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON). IOP’s President Mike Adekola said: “Propak is the best thing to happen in West Africa. Its organisers educate people about packaging.We have been involved in the last six years and we are not going back. The first exhibition was very successful; we are hoping that this one would be, especially as those coming to this one could triple the figure of 2012.

He said Propak is vital because Nigeria needs to boost the subsector. He listed the challenges in packaging as market domination by foreigners and low level of education.

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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

OSUN POLITICS A combination of record of sterling performance in office, ability to bond with the grassroots and campaign messages that resonated with voters helped Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defeat his main challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore. In this report, Assistant Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF examines other factors that shaped the election.

How Osun poll was won and lost T

HE governorship election in Osun State was widely expected to end in blood shed, particularly if the electoral sovereignty of the people was subverted. But, rather, the state erupted into wild jubilation in celebration of the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. It was perceived as a well-deserved victory for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Except in Ile-Ife, where people were seen brooding over the loss of an opportunity of having a son of the soil on the number seat, men and women - old and young -- took to the dancing floor as if a statewide party had been declared. From Ikirun to Osogbo, capital of Osun State, and almost all major towns and communities, it was partying galore. Many residents drank to stupor, while some drove recklessly, waving the broom, the symbol of the APC. To secure another four years in office, Aregbesola polled a total of 394, 684 votes to defeat his main challenger and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore, who got 292,753 votes. In an election that was adjudged to be generally peaceful and credible, Aregbesola trounced Omisore in 22 out of 30 local government areas in the state, which satisfied the constitutional requirements of winning in at least two-thirds of the councils. With this feat, Aregbesola has become the first governor in the history of the 23-year old state to win a re-election.

Addressing thousands of residents who had gathered at the popular Freedom Park in Osogbo, Aregbesola said he is humbled by the victory, promising that the show of genuine love and appreciation by the people will make him to further rededicate himself to the service of the state.

“I have never doubted your love and genuine appreciation. I can only thank you. I thank you all,” he said in an emotionally charged tone. The equally ecstatic audience responded by waving of broomsticks and shouts of “change, change, change.”

Tortuous road to victory

Although Aregbesola won the election convincingly, the road to victory was not smooth for him. Since the resurgence of the PDP in the state since last year, Aregbesola has battled to maintain the firm grip his party initially enjoyed on Osun politics. He had had to continually explain and re-explain policies of the administration, which the opposition sought to discredit to curry favour. Omisore, who had spent time and stupendous resources to breathe life into tattered remnants of the PDP left behind by former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, was often busy taking policies and actions of the state government to the cleaners -- which some say worked to some extent.

For example, the PDP worked very hard to profit from the demolition of several houses in Osogbo, which was done either to pave way for the dualisation of some roads or give the state a facelift through the government’s urban renewal intervention. The opposition also sought to reap from controversies that brewed over the school merging and reclassification policy of Aregbesola, by allegedly sponsoring and fanning the fire of acrimony between Muslims and Christians over wearing of hijab to public schools.

Campaigns of calumny

Throughout the campaigns, Aregbesola’s APC was incessantly lampooned by the PDP attack dogs as lacking in internal democracy. They did not just cast aspersions on him, his policies were derided and villified as anti-people, using propaganda that confused not a few. Diran Odeyemi, Director of Publicity of Omisore Campaign Organisation, bashed Aregbesola and his party to no end, labeling him a religious fundamentalist. Omisore and his team never acknowledged that anything good had been done by the sitting administration. The PDP also branded the APC as a party that is not domiciling the economy of the state. It alleged that all the plum contracts

Omisore was standing trial for Ige’s murder); the person he nominated as minister of police affairs (Jelili Adesiyan) was with him in prison too; the person who is being nominated to run for Osun Central senatorial district seat (Kunle Alao) was also with him in jail); the state chairman (Gani Olaoluwa) was also with him in jail.

It is only his deputy governorship candidate (Adejare Bello) that did not go to jail with them.

Are we saying that if we don’t go to jail we cannot lead,” Oyinlola asked, which punctured in no small measure Omisore’s already fragile reputation.

Aregbesola’s performance

• Aregbesola

• Senator Omisore

were being handled by those it called the Lagos Boys, and promised that the party would send them back to Lagos. “There is no water project anywhere. The roads are bad across the state.

Government is a serious business; it is not for jobbers. It is not for unserious people. Look at our debt profile now; it is about N438 billion and there is nothing on (the) ground to show for it. He has no reason to owe any worker in this state. He has no business owing O’YES cadets or not funding the project he started. But because he has a master in Lagos, Bola Tinubu, it is an ajele relationship. He is repatriating our money to Lagos,” Omisore alleged in one of his interviews before the poll.

According to the PDP flag bearer, and his campaigners, almost all the laudable interventions of Aregbesola in education, health and other sectors will be changed, if not done away with outrightly, if given the chance to govern the state.

Comrade Amitolu Shittu, who is the DirectorGeneral of De Raufs Volunteer Group, which championed the ideals and re-election Aregbesola, said the spin game of the PDP did not resonate with the people because they appreciate the changing face of Osun under the APC, especially those who believe that the state would be the loser if the numerous ongoing projects in the state are not completed due to lack of continuity in government. The notable human rights activist added that the “game would probably have been different had Omisore acknowledged the monumental achievements of Aregbesola and promise to improve on them,” for the people believe in Aregbesola who is generally perceived as a passionate leader.

But the PDP got its match in Kunle Oyatomi, state publicity secretary of the APC. In an equally vicious manner, Oyatomi constantly reminded the people that Omisore’s sudden adoption of local appellations, identifying and eating with the common people on the streets, buying items from petty traders and paying in multiple fold, as well as distributing foodstuffs to the elector-

ate were barefaced baits to seduce voters. But the APC handlers, suspicious that Omisore’s sudden modesty might be a fraudulent tactic to gain undeserved advantage, effectively cast him in the mould of a thug, hooligan and devil -- an antithesis of the Omoluabi ethos upon which the state prides itself.

Omisore’s antecedents

Perhaps buoyed by the easy electoral victory of Ayodele Fayose, the party’s Ekiti State governor-elect, Omisore’s campaign team laboured in vain throughout the electioneering exercise to make him look like Fayose. Although it is an undeniable fact that Omisore lacks Fayose’s charisma and touch with the masses, he was desperate to be portrayed as another Fayose in Osun.

But the attempt flopped. Omisore, who won election into the Senate in 2003, while in the prison custody, uncharacteristically rode on a motorcycle and displayed two pieces of roasted corn he had bought on his way to the campaign ground. Despite having a huge war chest and the support of the PDP-led federal government, Omisore battled unsuccessfully to wriggle out of his Achille’s heel: his association with the assassination of Bola Ige, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who was a highly respected son of the state.

Though he has been discharged and acquitted, the PDP candidate was sufficiently tainted by the accusation of his involvement in Ige’s murder. His bizarre and lacklustre campaign, which was a poor carricature of Fayose’s, was unable to wash him clean of this.

At the well-attended APC mega rally in Osogbo last Wednesday where Oyinlola defected from the PDP to the APC, the immediate past governor of the state delivered a speech extempore that further exposed Omisore’s character flaws.

In the speech, Oyinlola described him an egoist and sadist. “Omisore is greedy and selfish. I don’t know who killed Bola Ige. But the person nominated by Omisore to replace me as national secretary of the PDP was with him in prison (when

‘We had no doubt about our chances to win. Our candidate is popular, while their own is notorious. If election is a popularity contest, we will win easily because we are confident that our people will not want to go back to Egypt’

Rather than getting carried away by campaigns of calumny by the PDP, Aregbesola’s team embarked on a blitzkrieg of a campaign, largely issues-based, ably directed and coordinated by the irrepressible Senator Sola Adeyeye. The party flaunted its achievements, which the people can see, and used opportunities of its rallies to address controversial issues that could have spelt doom for the incumbent governor’s chances. The establishment of Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O‘YES), which is said to have employed over 40,000, was also a deft stroke that worsened Omisore’s chances. Not only were the youths engaged, they helped to broaden Aregbesola’s support base. So was his programme in education, which is unprecedented in the history of the state.

Besides building mega schools with super infrastructures and modern appurtenances that many residents found unbelievable, he equally introduced programmes such the O’Meals that feeds hundreds of thousand of students daily, and another for clothing of students. These populist programmes endeared the governor to parents and students alike. The construction on many township roads and ambitious dualisation projects embarked upon by the state gave Aregbesola a public perception as an excellent public administrator. At Biket Hospital junction in Osogbo, a boy of about 12 years was seen campaigning vigorously for the APC at night a day before the election. His reason for idolising Aregbesola is as a result of the government’s intervention in education, especially how the governor identifies with students by wearing their uniform.

However, rather than just basking in the euphoria of its record of sterling achievements in the last three and a half years, the APC campaign team, as a brilliant way of laying the issues bare before the electorate, framed the justconcluded election not just as a contest between Aregbesola and Omisore. It deftly primed the race as a competition between the forces of progress and backwardness, hope and despair, as well as those of light and darkness, asking people to choose whatever they wanted. As if it is the underdog in the race, the APC mounted a fierce campaign that took it to all the nooks and crannies of the state, beckoning residents to compare what has been achieved in almost four years under Aregbesola with the previous administration under the PDP that lasted more than seven years. Using all means available, the governor’s team sold his candidature to the public as a caring and pro-masses leader that can do more, if given the opportunity to do so.

In the words of Senator Jide Omoworare, representing Osun East, the election was a contest between popularity and notoriety, saying with aplomb that Osun State will not want to go back to Egypt -- an apparent reference to Omisore’s antecedents, which many find not too attractive in a state that prides itself as the home of the Omoluabi. “We had no doubt about our chances to win. Our candidate is popular, while their own is notorious. If election is a popularity contest, we will win easily because we are confident that our people will not want to go back to • Continued on page 44

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POLITICS Achinike Peter is the President of Ikwerre Consultative Forum. He speaks on why his association and other groups are agitating for power shift to the upland area of Rivers State.

OSUN POLITICS

‘Why we support power shift in Rivers’

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• Aregbesola at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, shortly after he was declared winner by the INEC.

Why Aregbesola won • Continued from page 43

Egypt,” he said.

Disunity in PDP

Apart from character differences between the two major candidates in the election, the perception in Yorubaland that the PDP-led federal government is anti-Southwest is another factor that hurt the prospects of Omisore. Residents were constantly reminded that this is the first time any administration at the federal level will relegate the zone to irrelevance in the scheme of things in the country. Oyinlola made it a huge campaign issue during the APC mega rally in Osogbo that President Goodluck Jonathan has been unfair to and disdainful of the Southwest, pointing to the lopsidedness that has characterised appointments and sharing of major political offices during the last four administration. APC chieftains and afficionados drummed it into people’s ears that the administration of the PDP under President Jonathan has not executed any project in the state. When this issue came up during the mega rally of the PDP, which took place before that of the APC, President Jonathan merely asked Osun residents to cast their votes for Omisore, saying he will tell them what he intends to do for the state by the time he comes back on a visit to the state.

Another masterstroke that fetched Aregbesola the victory song is the disunity in the PDP, which triggered mass defections from its fold to the APC. Due to irreconcilable differences and the general perception of Omisore as not the best for the state, many top chieftains of the party in the state left the fold specifically for that reason. Although the PDP spokespersons consistently maintained that the defections would not hurt the party, Omisore went into the poll with a battered army of followers without the requisite input of movers and shakers of the party in the state that made things tick in the past. Apart from Oyinlola who left the PDP with thousands of his followers, Isiaka Adeleke is another influential former governor who quit the self-styled largest political party in Africa to augment the camp of the APC. By the time the votes were counted, it was obvious that the PDP did not recover from the bruises left behind by a wave of mass defections that hit it. In Ede North and South, which traditionally were regarded as PDP strongholds, Aregbesola won resoundingly in the two local government areas -- a feat partly made possible by Adeleke who is fondly called Serubawon by his people. Similar things happened in many other places that the APC would have found difficult to make an inroad.

Aregbesola’s grassroots support Being a man that is well schooled in the art of politics, Aregbesola has run an administration that is not defective in marrying governance and politicking. Right from his assumption of office in 2010, the governor has developed and implemented strategies that helped him bond with the people.

Having branded himself as Oranmiyan, a progenitor the Yoruba respect and adore forever, the governor left no one in doubt that his is an unusual administration that does not want to leave any segment behind.

Aregbesola, a fair-minded and Godfearing politician, is seen generally in the state as a governor that is always trying to please everybody and group -- be it Muslims, Christians and traditionalists. That is perhaps why his candidature was backed by several organisations, including the labour unions. He also enjoyed the backing of several mushroom groups such as the De Raufs Volunteer Group, The Oranmiya, The Vanguard, Total Victory Group, among others, which worked tirelessly promoting his candidature.

Boasting about his chances before the election, Aregbesola said he is a product of the popular forces. “I am a product of the popular forces, the people, and I am part and parcel of them. I emanated from them and I am a product of their struggles. What is known as stomach infrastructure is what we know as interaction, engagement, living with the people and meeting their aspirations and needs.

That is what I have been doing from the beginning of this administration.

I identify with them on a daily basis in their struggle to live and they understand that everything we do is to make life easy for them. My administration does not suffer from alienation from the people; it is one and the same with the people and that is the basis of our confidence in their

‘What is known as stomach infrastructure is what we know as interaction, engagement, living with the people and meeting their aspirations and needs. That is what I have been doing from the beginning of this administration’

ever-ready support at all times,” Aregbesola said in an interview before the polls.

Osun’s geo-political demographics On the whole, another big factor that helped to sideline Omisore is the geography of birth of the two political gladiators. Interestingly, for the first time in the history of the state, both Aregbesola and Omisore hail from the same Osun East senatorial district, regarded as the largest in the state in terms of voting strength. However, while Omisore, a Christian, is from Ile Ife, Aregbesola, a devout Muslim, hails from Ilesa. The same district is populated mainly by Christians.

Though Omisore won in Ile Ife, which has four local government areas and more voting strength than Ilesa, which has two local government areas, he could not get enough votes to dance the victory dance. The reason is that Aregbesola’s Ilesa, an Ijesa community, enjoys same historical, cultural and linguistic affinities with other comunities in Ijesaland such as those in Oriade, Obokun, Atatkunmosa East and Atakunmosa West local government areas -- all comprising six local government areas. All these delivered a block vote for Aregbesola. A breakdown of the result announced by INEC showed that the APC won in the following local government areas: Ilesa East (16,106), Ilesa West (15,427), Oriade (12,523), Atakumosa West (6,928), Atakumosa East (9,287), and Obokun (11,696), while the PDP pocketed votes only in Ife South (12,811), Ife North (9,841), Ife Central (24,555), and Ife East (20,831).

Although the state is known for its liberal nature in terms of religion, it is an issue that sometimes plays a defining factor in the politics of the state.

Aregbesola, a Muslim from a predominantly Christian-dominated section of the state, enjoys a statewide popularity. That is why Aregbesola was embraced in other parts of the state, especially in communities that are predominantly Muslim, who see him as one of their own. Unlike Omisore that garnered votes mainly in his areas, Aregbesola enjoys massive popularity and support outside his place of birth, especially in predominantly Muslim-dominated areas such as Osogbo, Ikirun, Iwo, Ede, Iragbiji, Ejigbo, Ila Orangun, Ikire and other communities, which backed him solidly with their votes despite the siege on the state by heavily armed security agents that the PDP-led federal government deployed to the state.

All this and many more robbed Omisore, who had reportedly boasted that he would rather die if he did not win the election, of chances to sing the victory song.

HY is your group agitating for power shift to the upland area of Rivers State?

We are not different from our brothers and sisters in our zone. Therefore, people here are talking about power shift.

We will do what others are doing. After all, democracy is all about power sharing and power shifting. It is all about zoning and harmonisation. Since 1967 when Rivers State was created, there has been this Riverine and Upland harmonisation policy.

There is understanding among the people for such harmonisation. For instance, after Dr. Peter Odili’s tenure, power ought to have shifted naturally to the Riverine side, but, it was given to an Ikwerre man, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and we are grateful for that. But, to contemplate retaining power among the upland people after 16 uninterrupted years is not only unfair and unjust, but even criminal. Therefore, power must shift to our brothers and sisters in the Riverine. This is the thinking of most people in Rivers State.

Our people want the Riverine part that has been shut out for 16 uninterrupted years to taste power; it has to go back there.

Why are you so passionate about this power shift; are you a riverine person?

No, I’m not a riverine person. I am the President of the Ikwerre Consultative Forum. We are upland people.

What is the motivation for this struggle?

I am doing this because of what will happen tomorrow. I am seeing tomorrow. Today, it is the riverine that is looking for power and justice from the upland. Tomorrow, the uplanders may be in this situation and they will remember that some people spoke out. So, it is better for us to adhere to laid down harmonisation policy, for equity, justice and fair play.

What is your reaction to the ambition of some uplanders, who have shown interest in the governorship contest?

I wouldn’t want to discuss parties or ideologies. I am only interested in the fundamentals and that is what I would want to talk about. Today, we in Rivers State know ourselves. No matter who is voting for power, or anybody for that matter who thinks he has the biggest voting strength and wants to take advantage, this will not happen. It is not possible. It is not good for our democracy and peaceful co-existence. Therefore we must stand in support of justice and equity. We must condemn it.

How influential is the Ikwerre Consultative Forum?

The Ikwerre Consultative Forum cuts across the four local governments of Ikwerre. They include Ikwerre Local Government, Emuoha Local Government, Port Harcourt Local Government and Obi-Akpo Local Government. The forum is a formidable group that has always been there. We are not a political party; we are a pan Ikwerre forum. So, our ideologies are properly rooted and our agitation is to make sure that there is a better Rivers State. We are not just looking at the Ikwerre, we are looking at Rivers State as a whole; and our concern is that there should be respect power sharing at all times. Even though we have the highest number of votes, we must be guided by the principles of fairness, equity and justice.

What kind of governor are you people looking for?

We are considering three things: the personality, a credible person. I believe the Riverine part of the state has such people in abundance. But aside all these, there are also other considerations. Let me say here that all our senatorial zones have riverine and upland people; this is why our harmonization is very thorough. Therefore in all our considerations, we must consider the riverine in all these.

It is their time, and we must give it to them because they are human beings like the rest of us. Even President Goodluck Jonathan is a product of zoning, so we must encourage it.

There is also the complaint that Rivers South East Senatorial District has not produced a governor. How does this fit into the Upland/Riverine harmonisation?

There are riverine people in all senatorial districts of the state, so there is no problem in this regard. In this instance, let them consider riverine people.

What about the agitation of the Ogonis?

If you observe, no real Ogoni leader from any of the three Ogoni councils is seeking to be Governor. What you hear is a media creation by some self-serving Ogoni politicians. The real Ogoni leaders know it will be unfair to exclude more than one-third of the population of the state, who are riverine people, from governance for too long. The thought of it is immoral. The true leaders of Ogoni are saying, we want a governor who will develop our place and restore our environment.

Where a governor comes from is immaterial to them.

• Peter

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Life

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

• From left: Mr Eresia-Eke; renowned critic, Abiodun Jeyifo; Ajai-Lycett; Nollywood producer, Mahmud Ali Balogun and other guests

Forces against writing ‘Many things militate against the health of writing in the country. How healthy is our society? These rub off on writers. What kind of encouragement do we have as writers?’

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 50

Day of giving – Page 52

Finding Fela opens in US

– Page 51

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The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

All is set for this year’s edition of the NLNG Prize for Literature. Eleven Nigerian authors are gunning for the $100,000 prize money. The literati and book lovers met with the shortlisted authors in Lagos at the CORA Book Party. It was a dramatic feast of sorts, reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

• From left: Mr Eresia-Eke; renowned critic, Abiodun Jeyifo; Ajai-Lycett; Nollywood producer, Mahmud Ali Balogun, Dr Molokwu (second right) with other guests

Forces against writing

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RITERS have been urged to revisit the works of their old and established counterparts to get inspiration in addressing the country’s socio-cultural and political problems.

Citing religious and ethnic upheavals, ace actress, Taiwo AjaiLycett advised writers to address themes that highlight contemporary issues, particularly peace and love, in their works.

Writers, she said, should tackle the “issue of love” from political, religious, socio-cultural angles, saying it would curb violence.

“There is nothing utopian about love. In fact, the fundamental thing wrong in our society is that we do not love one another.

It is the intellectuals that galvanise our people, working on their collective consciousness. Writers should think about,” she said.

Hers was one of the submissions at CORA’s book party held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos in honour of the initial shortlisted authors of the Nigeria Literature Prize sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited. It drew the literati, publishers, booksellers and booklovers from within and outside Lagos.

The playwrights and their works that were on the spotlight at CORA’s book fiesta include: John Friday Abba - Alekwu Night Dance; Patrick Ogbe Adaofuyi Canterkerous Passengers; Soji Cole - Maybe Tomorrow; Paul Edema A Plague of Gadflies; Jude Idada Oduduwa, King of the Edos; On-

‘Many things militate against the health of writing in the country. How healthy is our society? These rub off on writers.

What kind of encouragement do we have as writers?’

•Mr Toye (middle), Eresia-Eke (far right) and the shortlisted playwrights

• Nobert Young reading from Udoka’s work

LITERATURE shore Ruth Momodu - No Fault of Mine; Attah Isaac Ogezi - Under a Darkling Sky; Julie Okoh Our Wife Forever; Ade Solanke Pandora’s Box; Arnold Udoka Akon and Sam Ukala - Iredi War. After two months of intensive scrutiny, the list of 11 playwrights was drawn from a total of 124 entries by the panel of judges, including Professor of Theatre and Drama and ViceChancellor, Benue State Univer-

• Iquo Eke reciting a poem

• Akinosho

sity, Prof Charity Angya; a past laureate of the prize and Professor of Theatre Arts, Prof Ahmed Yerima and Professor of Performing Arts, Akanji Nasiru.

They are contesting keenly for the $100, 000 prize. The yearly prize rotates among four literary genres – prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature.

This year’s focus is drama; and the sponsor’s say the final shortlist of three playwrights will be announced in September, and the winner of the $100,000 prize in October.

Its previous winners include Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (2007) for children’s literature; Chika Unigwe (2012) for prose fiction and Tade Ipadeola (2013) for poetry.

For CORA, the authors whose works make the prize’s initial shortlist are winners in their own rights. And the yearly book party, which offered guests the opportunity to interact with the celebrators, was a way of honouring them.

The event was incisive, educative and fun-filled, blending of

book readings discussions, poetry and musical performances with assorted food and drinks.

This year’s had an added spice – the audience were able to interact with nominees based abroad via online conferencing.

According to CORA SecretaryGeneral, Toyin Akinosho, the feast is part of the foundation’s intervention in spreading the word about The Nigerian Book. He said “It’s one of our several outreach programmes for the book (including Book Trek in Secondary Schools and Publishers Forum).”

In fact, on the part of CORA’s Programme Chair, Jahman Anikulapo, it is out to enlarge Nigerian reading population.

“We find ourselves in the vanguard of expanding the membership of the community of booklovers. This party is one of the several events we organise to make books look cool,” he said.

Indeed the “Word” took centre stage and was served fresh and raw to the audience as the shortlisted playwrights and Nollywood celebrities celebrities read from their works and interacted with booklovers.

There were several poetic and dramatic performances as well as music.

•Continued on page 51

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Finding Fela opens in US

WORKSHOP

Writers’ residency at World Book Capital

F

INDING Fela, a documentary on the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, opened penultimate Friday at a New York Theatre, United States. The 119minute documentary was produced and directed by Alex Gibney.

The small gesture was not the late Fela Kuti’s style. With his band the Africa 70, this Afrobeat pioneer rolled out monstersize grooves, chugging along with soulful beats, keyboards and horns. His lyrics, partly in pidgin, spoke out against military dictatorship; at home, he declared his Lagos house to be an independent territory. As for marriage, he embraced polygamy, in the cultlike double digits.

With the perilously stuffed documentary Finding Fela, the Director, Alex Gibney, tries to reckon with this audacious child of the Nigerian elite who courted execution with his brickbats, and megalomania with his extravagance. And Mr Gibney gives his rise-and-fall treatment an extra critical filter through a “making of” look at the recent Broadway musical Fela! Accordingly, through interviews and lively clips about Fela’s musical and political evolution in the 1960s and ’70s, “Fela!” director, Bill T. Jones, portrays the man, who died in 1997. Mr Jones is both razor-sharp and candid about his mixed feelings, and he’s part of a robust core of

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•The late Fela

DOCUMENTARY commentators, including the biographer Michael Veal, the former New York Times correspondent John Darnton and the former Black Panther Sandra Izsadore, a formative influence on Fela.

The behind-the-scenes component, juiced with razzle-dazzle excerpts from the

“Fela!” production is sound, in theory.

But, like many sequences, it’s not so tightly executed, and this strand tends to knock the documentary off balance.

Mr Gibney’s approach has built-in limitations (and a milquetoast title: where’d Fela go, exactly?). But maybe it’s a tall order for any conventional documentary to get its arms around a man whose 30minute-plus jams routinely broke free of their moorings.

Young at Art holiday workshop is 10

Y

OUNG at Art is 10. The holiday art workshop made its debut in 2004 as a yearly event for children and young adults between the ages of four and 19.

Young At Art Children Creative Workshop started on August 4, 2004 at Specifics Gallery in Ikeja, Lagos, with only three participants: two boys and a girl – the children of the founder Biodun Omolayo.

According to the organiser, this year’s anniversary will hold in the second week of next month because most of the people involved would have been back from summer vacation. “We do not want anyone connected with Young at Art to be left out,” it was said.

Activities marking the anniversary include Special Creative Workshop for children from selected orphanages, homes and public schools in Lagos; presentation of photo book featuring its old and new members with all the activities from

WORKSHOP inception to date; presentation of special paper on the Role Of Children Creative Education In National Development; and anniversary dinner; awards for the initiative’s facilitators, class governors, parents, supporters, sponsors and the media.

According to Omolayo, the art initiative has grown without losing focus of the original vision of developing the creative potential of the child for future benefits of the larger society along with engaging the best human and material resources to develop a happy creative well-motivated and culturally-sound child.

The initiative has since added other events, such as May 27 Children Day and Free Art Workshops, especially for children from public schools, orphanages and the physically challenged. In addition, the initiative provides employment

opportunities for undergraduates and graduates on permanent and part time.

Its quarterly publications Young at Art Express is distributed free to schools, colleges, organisation and missions across Nigeria.

The initiative, an institution operating through Biodun Omolayo Art Gallery is also consultant to the British Council Lagos It has facilitated a one week art workshops Young at Art 100 for teachers of junior and senior secondary schools sponsored by the British Council, to celebrate Nigerian centenary. “We are looking forward to having workshops in Mathematics in other to assist those children who are weak in the subject, since some of the parents complain that a lot of the children who love art seem not good enough in Mathematics,” Omolayo discloses the future pals of the workshop.

Part of its plan is to have our own permanent facility where the children can camp during the workshop. This will be referred to as Young at Art Village.

ORT Harcourt is in its third month as the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Book Capital.

With a mind of fulfilling its mandate as the World Book Capital (WBC) expressed in the winning bid, it has kicked-off several projects, such as the Reading Tree and Book Clubs, the Walking Book and National Essay competition for students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across Port Harcourt and the country, the Port Harcourt World Book Capital project administrators have said.

According to them, they have started a monthly Book-of-the-Month discussions and drama performance, Books in the Air, and Library Support programmes. Besides these, they say the Port Harcourt Book Festival, the Port Harcourt Book Centre, new Public libraries and the Writers in Residence projects are soon to be unveiled.

The Writers in Residence project will bring together 12 selected writers (published and unpublished) from all over Nigeria to reside in the city of Port Harcourt for three weeks.

Throughout their stay, they are expected to exchange ideas and engage in intense training sessions that will be anchored by seasoned literary professionals. They are also expected to draw inspiration and ideas for new works based on the theme of the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014: Books Windows to our World of Possibilities, which would then be published in an anthology.

The residency, the WBC administrators said, is expected to foster cooperation, unity and friendship among the writers thereby encouraging national integration and promote tourist activities in Rivers State. There would be Writers’ Workshops on Script writing and fiction with Mr Chris Ihidero and Chika Unigwe.

Interested participants should apply, according to organisers. “ To participate, writers must be Nigerian citizens or permanent residents of Nigeria, be at least 21 years old and possess a portfolio of good quality written material.”

Applications for the Writers in Residence programme is expected to include a statement of what the writer hopes to achieve during the residency, a detailed curriculum vitae and a 12001500 words excerpt from a published or unpublished work. Application forms can be downloaded from the website below: www.portharcourtworldbookcapital.org<http:/ /www.portharcourtworldbookcapital.org.

Entries should be submitted electronically to wir@portharcourtworldbookcapital.org not later than Friday, August 22. “All enquiries should be addressed to the Writers in Residence Programme Coordinator via wir@portharcourtworldbookcapital.org or via telephone on 08023187731.

Forces against writing •Continued from page 50

And as charging the celebrators to honour their “covenants as writers”, poet and journalist Akeem Lasisi’s poetic renditions: “…You kept your words like the delicate egg…you have honoured your covenant with the musing drive…” reaffirmed the importance of the “Word” and the writer’s role as a conscience of society.

Celebrated scholar Dr Esohe Molokwu re-echoed Ajai-Lycett and Akeem’s words, urging the celebrators, thus: “Use your work to change society; dramatists have the power to change society”.

According to NLNG General Manager, External Affairs, Mr Kudo Eresia-Eke, the prize was established by his company as part of its corporate citizenship programme and commitment to the development of Nigerian society, adding that there has been progressive improvement in the quality of works entered and the competition is getting “sweeter and stiffer”.

He said: “We have seen continuous improvement in the quality of works, whether you call it poetry, drama, prose or children literature. The quality of works that come in every sense, the creativity of the stories, the manner in which they are

expressed – the expressionism that we see, we can really say that people are gearing up even more to do better works. And African Literature is the greater beneficiary.”

On the part of shortlisted writers, it was a privilege to be on the initial shortlist, and the event, a welcomed initiative. However, for most of them, writing is beyond winning a prize but more of “affecting lives”. They decried their plights of creative writers, calling for better support and infrastructure to encourage budding ones.

“Many things militate against the health of writing in the country. How healthy is our society? These rub off on writers. What kind of encouragement do we have as writers?” Prof Ukala said. While making a case for playwrights, he said: a teacher of drama, saying: “Why not drama? As a professor who teaches drama, if I don’t write plays upon what basis would I be teaching?”

The hilarious twist of the evening came towards the end when the moderator, Mr Deji Toye threw questions to the authors.

“Do you think you stand a chance of winning the prize?” he asked.

“If I am given the prize, the critics would not be disappointed,” Ogezi said, drawing laughter from the audience; while on Abba’s part, “It is not a fair question”. “I have stood on the shoulders of many great

•Mrs Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, Mr Emeka Agbayi of NLNG and Anikulapo at the event.

shoulders; whether I have seen far enough, standing on those shoulders, is left to the

judges to decide. Am I going to win, I don’t know,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

52

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK AFTER ELECTION BATTLE...

•Supporters carrying a mock coffin of a candidate

Day of giving

R

ESPITE came the way of members of the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria last Wednesday. The Rotary Club of Festac Town District 9110 Nigeria inaugurated a bore hole worth N1.7 million for the association.

Before now, the home patronise water vendors but now, it open taps within its premises at no cost.

The facility was installed with sustainable pump, stainless steel water treatment plant and components. Rotary also donated a wheel chair to the home.

The same day, the club donated physiotherapy equipment to Beth-Torrey Handicap Children’s Home in Festac.

The equipment will aid treatment of the handicapped children to restore consciousness. The equipment are; ultra sound, cotton wool, hand gloves, thermometer and messaging cream among others.

At about 5pm the same day, Rotary gave out sewing and baking machines and some funds to empower no less than 15 people.

The club’s gesture for the day ended with a cheque of N55, 000 scholarships to an 18year-old Usman Lawal, a student of Comprehensive Academy in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Usman, who had hole in the heart, was endorsed by the club four years ago on his return from a surgery in India.

The donations were parts of activities lin, Dr Dele Balogun.

The club President, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Whitehall Multinational Limited, Mr Gabriel Onyema, said the day was another joyous period to give joy to the lives of the deprived and attend to their needs.

“This is just the beginning of the projects

•(sixth right), Mr Onyema, Dr Balogun (forth right) and his wife, Yemisi. With them are members of the club, staffs and children of the home.

PHOTO: OLATUNDE ODEBIYI

By Olatunde Odebiyi

to be carried out during my administration.

I told my club members that there is no rest this year; we are going to carry out one project per month,” he said.

Onyema reeled out programmes for the next few months: “In August, we will donate beddings and baby incubators in Maternal and Child Care Hospital in Festac Town, in September, the club would inaugurate a Peace triangle symbol in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area to let people know the importance of living together in peace.

“In October, we will donate 300 desks to students in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area and in November we will

carry out a project that will cost us nothing less than 1.2 million naira for the library in the council.”

Dr Balogun hailed the club. He admitted that the government cannot cater for everybody, hence the need for organisations like Rotary to support the government.

“It is our responsibility to assist our fellow human beings in the little way we can and it is important that we make these people as comfortable as possible. No soul is superior to the other,” he said.

He raised concern on the state of the spinal cord injury victims saying, they need to be engaged to live a meaningful life.

“People should stop the stigmatisation;

they can be engaged in activities like skill acquisition that will make them feel part of the society. Their eyes, brain, hands and mouth are still sharp and can work,” he said.

Balogun reiterated that there is ability in their disability saying, when you have something to showcase, people will come looking for you.

He urged the beneficiaries who were given equipment and money to make the best of all they have gotten from the club, adding that they should use it to take care of themselves and their family.

Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria chairman, Mr Obioha Ononogbu, said many of the victims are capable of doing what they were doing before they had the injury - all they need is retraining.

“One of us has written a book, this shows that even with our disability, we can still offer something to the world,” he said.

Ononogbu explained that the home solely depends on service rendered from service clubs and other well meaning individuals, urging government and corporate organisations to come to their aid.

The Administrative officer at the BethTorrey Handicap Children’s Home, Mrs Tayo Udoh, said the physiotherapy equipment donated will be used to imrove the health of the children .

“When we see people like this coming and humbling themselves regardless of who they are and show love to those who are less privileged, it is a great opportunity,” she said.

“These children have talents and they have to discover it. So with all these items received, it will go a long way to nuture their talents,” she stated.

One of the beneficiaries from the empowerment, Mrs Mary Olojobi, expressed her gratitude to Rotary, saying “My shop got burnt sometimes ago and since then, I have being borrowing sewing machine from colleagues to sew cloths for my customers.

What Rotary has done for me today would make me independent and cater for my children.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

53

BUSINESS EXTRA

Nigeria to get 30% US fund for energy in Africa

N

IGERIA will get 30 per cent of the $7billion the United States has earmarked to boost energy in Africa, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, said yesterday.

Igali, who spoke after a plenary session at the ongoing conference of the National Council on Power at Abuja, yesterday, said despite the challenges that people identified in Nigeria, the global electricity giant, General Electric has described the Nigerian power sector as the present direction for investment.

He submitted that the new-

• Govt explains causes of vandalism From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

est sub-sector for investment in the country is renewable energy because of the potentials in the country.

He explained that so many remote areas of Nigeria are naturally cut-off from the national electricity grid, saying their only succour for power supply is renewable energy, adding that the Federal Government would replicate its pilot scheme of renewable energy-Operation Light Up Nigeria, in all the states of the federation.

According to him, the ministry receives a delegation from different parts of the world coming to indicate interest in renewable energy investment on daily basis.

He called on the state governments to spell out their structure for energy development, adding that all the states should have Ministry of Energy.

The Permanent Secretary announced that the ministry is now working on the “governance structure” for state participation in renewable energy development in the

country.

Igali revealed that some states attract more investors than others because of the preparations they have already made.

“Development partners want to know who is in charge.

Every investor wants to know a particular person who he/her is coming to meet to take him to the governor,” he said.

He urged the state to provide an enabling environment to facilitate investors in the communities, adding states should “provide access to land for power investment to thrive.”

Igali advised states to desist from frustrating Federal Government projects in their domains.

He cited an instance of a youth leader who was kidnapped in an undisclosed community by those seeking personal benefits from a federal project.

On vandalism, Igali claimed that some people who believe that their interest has been tempered with the privatization of the power sector are mostly responsible for vandalism.

He added that some vandalize power installations in order to thwart the efforts of the political opponents.

• From left: Mr Uzoma Bonaventure, National Lottery Commission, Abuja; Head Customer feedback and collaboration, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, (SON), Engr (Mrs) Olujie; Chairman of Binatone in Nigeria, Chief Alex Akinyele; Managing Director of Binatone, Mr Gurumorthi Sridhar; Ms Comfort Mariam and Ms Tosin Ogunware of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, (APCON).

T

Minister warns NERC, EMS over rivalry

HE Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil yesterday warned against the rivalry between the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC) and the Electricity Management Services that are both under the ministry.

He advised that “only collaboration and positive interface can speed up attainments of the goals of the power sector reforms”.

This was contained in a statement made available by the Special Adviser, Media to the minister, Rasheed Olawale yesterday.

According to the statement,

From Abimbola Alo

speaking while inaugurating the Technical Committee on the establishment of the Electricity Management Services Limited in Abuja on Tuesday, the minister noted that “inter agency dispute has negative impact on the implementation and achievement of government goals. We must never engage in disputes to the extent of engaging in press war.

“Agencies must avoid taken to public domain operational issues that should be resolved within the ministry. The transformation of the power sector has recorded so much

progress that we cannot for whatever reasons fight each other over mandates. The ministry can no longer watch the infighting which has now reached the media. That is why this committee is conceived.

“You are to ensure that all areas of disputations between the EMS and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission are resolved with respect to the bill before the National Assembly. Your committee is to provide options and recommendations on how to ensure synergy between the two agencies”, the minister said.

The Permanent Secretary of

the Federal Ministry of Power, Dr. Godnows Igali told the committee that the EMS was set up by the same instrument that set up other agencies during the power sector reform exercise. EMS was not a creation of the present leadership of the ministry. The National Council on Privatization created EMS. “The only thing was that it was registered as a limited liability company with the Corporate Affairs Commission before the National Assembly in its wisdom recommended a legal backing for the body. So it is not a new creation”, Dr Igali said.

Responding, the Chairman of the committee, Engr.

Nyelampa Nggada said there can be no robust power sector without technical regulation as different from economic regulation.”Lack of proper testing of equipments is an invitation for troubles.

“We must address the technical challenges facing the power sector and one of the best way is to have a technical regulation. We must commend you for setting up this committee and we will bring our expertise to bear in the discharge of our responsibilities “,the Chairman said.

Nigeria’s cocoa prices fall as mold reduces bean quality

C

OCOA prices received

by Nigeria’s declined as mold induced by heavy rains reduced the quality of the chocolate ingredient, said Socodevi, an organisation working on improving crops in Nigeria.

Farmgate prices in the Cross River belt dropped eight per cent to N440,000 ($2,714) a metric ton, compared with N480,000 at the

T

end of July, Neji Abang, Country Coordinator for Socodevi, a Quebec City, Canada-based organisation, said in a telephone interview yesterday from Ikom in Cross River State.

“High mold caused by heavy rains affected crop quality, leading to lower pricing of beans by exporters,” said Neji, who is training farmers in the country how

to raise output and bean quality. “The mold level is as high as 21 per cent compared with three per cent that is internationally acceptable.”

The Cross River region produces about 75,000 tons of cocoa annually, out of a national output of 300,000 tons.

Cocoa exports from Nigeria rose 41 per cent to 8,990 tons in July compared with a month earlier, the nation’s

Federal Produce Inspection Service, which certifies exports, said yesterday.

Socodevi is training farmers “on best pruning practices,” to reduce the effect of mold, Neji said. “We are asking farmers to reduce unwanted branches to enable sunlight to penetrate their farms for the main crop harvest.”

The main crop harvest in the

southern Edo state, accounting for 15 per cent of the nation’s output, has been slowed by mold of up to 30 percent owing to the rains, Aminu Yakubu, spokesman for the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, said in a separate interview in Benin.

The rainy season, which runs from May to October in the area, has brought heavy precipitation this month, he said.

129m Nigerians are active GSM subscribers, says NCC

HE Chairman of Board of the Nigeria Commu nications Commission Engr. Peter Igho has said that Nigeria has 129 million active subscribers while over 50 million Nigerians have access to the internet.

He said that the tele- density is 92% and still increasing almost on daily basis which shows that the people

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

of the country have fully embrace the new telecommunication with internet services that has brought the world closer to them.

Speaking during a call on Governor Theodore Orji in Umuahia, Mr. Igho explained that telecommunications

contributes to 8.5 % of the nations GDP and has transformed the way of doing things in the country.

Igho said that his commission is making effort to improve the quality of telecom services to Nigerians through proper monitoring of the activities of service providers, adding that almost everything in the country is

now being done through telecom.

He however identified multiple-taxation and hindering of the right of way and vandalization of ICT facilities as some of the factors that militate against improved service, pointing out that the commission is currently pushing for a law to classify telecommunications

facilities as critical infrastructure.

The board chairman disclosed that NCC has given ICT equipment to 38 secondary schools in the state among other items given to tertiary institutions in Abia and appealed to the Governor to partner with his commission to improve the quality of service to the people.

MTN spends N9b on projects in Nigeria From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

T

HE MTN Foundation has invested over N9 billion in various projects in 338 locations across the country.

Its Director, Mr Dennis Okoro, who said this in Calabar while handing over five security vans to the Cross River State government said they will continue to work with government at all levels to enrich the lives of the people.

He said the project was under the foundation’s security support project.

He said security of life and property is critical to growth and development, hence it is an area that should not be left to government alone.

He said the foundation in two previous phases had provided 115 fully equipped security patrol vehicles with communication gadgets to to 18 state governments.

Cross River which received theirs yesterday, he said was in the third phase alongside eleven other states who would also receive five each.

“At MTN, we are passionate about improving the quality of life in Nigeria and contributing to its socio-economic growth. Thus we constantly seek out opportunities where we can contribute to the development of the communities,” Okoro said.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Efiok Cobham, expressed delight at the gesture and promised to utilise the vehicles maximally to the benefit of the people.

He said the gesture would boost the security infrastructure in the state.

Cobham said in the country today, it has become clear security is everybody’s concern.

NLNG wins Appeal Court verdict against Global West

T

HE Court of Appeal in Lagos has upheld a preliminary objection

by Nigeria LNG Limited and dismissed an appeal filed by Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, challenging an earlier Federal High Court decision to continue a substantive suit over the blockade of NLNG’s jetty in Bonny, from where the Company exports cargoes of liquefied natural gas and allied products.

In a lead judgment delivered

by Hon. Justice Rita Nosakhare Pemu, with which the other Justices that heard the appeal concurred, the Appeal Court ruled that the Notice of Appeal filed by Global West was”incompetent” as contended by NLNG, having been filed without leave either of the Federal High Court or the Court of Appeal.

The ruling affirms a previous one by the Federal High Court in Lagos dismissing Global West’s Notice of Preliminary Objection against a substantive suit by NLNG on the ground that Global West was a proper party to the suit.

Following the refusal by the Federal High Court, Global West then proceeded to the Appellate Court to set aside the decision and stay proceedings at the lower Court pending the determination of the appeal.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-08-14

25-07-14 DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 12-08-14

Caverton grows turnover by 21% in first half C

AVERTON Offshore Support Group (COSG) Plc grew its top-line by 21 per cent in the first half as the management of the company reaffirmed its targets for the 2014 business year.

Key extracts of the sixmonth earnings report for the period ended June 30, 2014 showed that turnover increased by 21 per cent to N12.5 billion in 2014 as against N10.3 billion recorded in comparable period of 2013. However, profit after tax dropped to N1.59 billion from N1.79 billion while profit before tax is N2.60 billion as against N3.82 billion in corresponding period of 2013. Total assets meanwhile grew by 10 per cent to N41.9 billion in first half 2014 as against N38 billion in first half of 2013.

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

The June-2014 report is the first half-year results of Caverton after it became a public ly quoted company in May 2014.

Chief executive officer, Caverton Offshore Support Group (COSG), Mr Bode Makanjuola described the first half performance as a steady performance noting that the 21 per cent growth in the top-line was driven by growing demand for helicopter charters, which complemented recurring revenues from fixed contracts.

He pointed out that the company’s overall performance was better as operat-

ing and administrative costs fell from 79 per cent of revenue excluding other operating income to 75 per cent.

“Overall, the outlook remains positive and we expect to meet our growth targets for the full year. Our strategic plans remain on course. The recent addition of our 7th AW 139 helicopter illustrates our delivery on our fleet expansion strategy. This serves as a boost to our aviation business and positions us on track to service our growing portfolio of contract tenders. Most pleasing is the recent award of a two-year contract extension with TOTAL which gives us confidence in our capabilities for increased activities in the oil and gas sector,” Makanjuola said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

55

MONEYLINK

July inflation may rise marginally to 8.3%

T

THE July inflation rate is likely to increase marginally again to 8.3 per cent from 8.2 per cent in June, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Bismarck Rewane has said.

He said the forecast is based on the regression model of FDC analysts.

Should the forecast become a reality, Rewane said it will be the fifth monthly consecutive increase in the price level this year.

While the incremental rise is marginal, the cumulative increase could become a cause for monetary policy concern. “In February 2014, the year on year retail price inflation was 7.7 per cent and this will now peak at 8.3 per cent, up 0.6 per cent. Even though it is within the six to nine per cent target range, it will only be 0.7 per cent lower than the ceiling,” he said.

Rewane said the trend will give the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele a reason to look at the close relationship between money supply growth and the inflation. “Emefiele will also try to decompose money supply into the high powered component and other aggregates. The rate of inflation is already becoming part of the po-

Emerging market governors back economic policy

E

By Collins Nweze

litical agenda in what is likely to be a keenly contested election,” he said.

He said the CBN is watching the inflation rate closely because rising inflation will seriously undermine the key objective of maintaining the value of the naira at current levels. “The new CBN Governor has staked his reputation on his mission to bring down interest rates and thus impact employment indirectly. An increase in the inflation rate is likely to make the reduction of interest rates less imperative,” he said.

He said in the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, the countries that are facing increasing inflationary pressures are Ghana (15 per cent) and South Africa (6.6 per cent). Ghana has taken economically draconian measures like sharply reducing subsidies on petroleum and power.

It has finally succumbed to reality by approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a programme to address persistent pressure on the external balance.

The structural adjustment programme (SAP) will force Ghana

•Rewane

to trim its fiscal spending and bring it to a more acceptable level than its current 10.1 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The FDC Lagos urban inflation in July moderated to 8.53 per cent, a decline of 0.85 per cent from 9.38 per cent. Both the non-food and food baskets declined. The disconnect between the national headline and our Lagos urban inflation is due to an observed one-month lag between the trends of both estimates.

Notable decline in prices include pepper, yams, rice, building materials while the prices of beans and air fares increased. The decline in the indices is attributable to the commencement of harvest as well as the decline in demand for building materials.

MERGING market central bank governors have pledged support for efforts to normalise developed-world monetary policies.

This is happening despite the stresses some have faced since the Federal Reserve signaled its desire to reserve its extraordinary policy measures in May last year, according to Ravi Menon, Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

“Most emerging market central bank governors that I have heard, say normalisation of monetary policy is welcome,” says Menon in an interview published today in Central Banking journal. “All they want is that normalisation is done in a calibrated, clear and orderly fashion.”

In contrast to the views of many pundits in the financial services industry, Menon sees the benefits of normalisation – which includes raising interest rates as well as ending asset purchases – outweighing any short-term costs of capital reversals.

“The sooner we see a normalisation of monetary conditions globally, the better for us here

Stakeholders laud U.S.-Africa trade, investment summit

B

USINESS leaders and policy makers from the United States (U.S.) and Africa are calling the first ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit on investment an enormous success.

Recognising African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka by name for his role in helping to boost business ties between the U.S. and Africa, President Barack Obama said: “We’ve joined with African governments, the African Development Bank, and the private sector — and I will tell you, the response has exceeded

our projections.”

Obama went on to say that “projects and negotiations are underway that when completed, will put the U.S. nearly 80 per cent of the way toward our goal. On top of the significant resources we’ve already committed, I’m announcing that the United States will increase our pledge to $300 million a year for this effort.”

It was all part of a gathering of American and African entrepreneurs, business leaders and remarkably, more than 40 Heads of State inter-

ested in harnessing the economic power of Africa, which is home to six of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies.

“I’ve been to many summits where Africa has been discussed but I found this summit to be a discussion of mutual understanding,” said Kaberuka of the economic and development interests forged at the three-day meeting“I want to commend President Obama for convening this summit, which is business oriented and seeks to look at Africa

as a land of opportunity, with residual challenges of course, but a land of opportunity.”

The summit highlighted trans-Atlantic dedication to improving Africa’s security, along with human and democratic development through a series of public and private partnerships. The main events of the summit’s final day hit on regional peace and stability, governing for the next generation of Africans and investing in the continent’s future.

DATA BANK

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGET FUND FBN HERITAGET FOUD FBN MONEY MARKET FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,117.13 121.58 121.70 1,117.51 1.3620 1.3560 1.0221 1.1841

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,116.32 120.71 120.84 1,116.70 1.3529 1.3570 1.0039 1.1841

SYMBOL

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 30/07/2014 23/07/2014 21/07/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

8.2%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

RTBRISCOE

0.91

0.97

0.06

PAINTCOM

1.47

1.54

0.07

AIRSERVICE

2.12

2.22

0.10

EVANSMED

2.16

2.26

COSTAIN

1.10

DNMEYER

1.10

PHARMDEKO

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.4b

US Dollar

154.73

155.73

$110.44

Pounds Sterling

259.5441

261.2215

206.4717

207.8061

170.033

171.1319

Yen

1.5127

1.5224

CFA

0.2968

0.3168

236.1742

237.7006

Yuan/Renminbi

25.1237

25.287

N15.9 trillion.

Euro

0.10

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N16.76 trillion

Swiss Franc

1.15

0.05

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

1.15

0.05

1.98

2.07

0.09

PREMBREW

0.88

0.92

0.04

FLOURMILL

77.50

80.90

3.40

INTENEGINS

0.50

0.52

0.02

LOSERS AS AT 12-08-14

SYMBOL LIVESTOCK

O/PRICE 3.28

C/PRICE 3.07

CHANGE -0.21

CADBURY

70.54

67.02

-3.52

UPDCREIT

9.46

8.99

-0.47

CONTINSURE

1.03

0.98

-0.05

NASCON

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Rate (%)

Overnight (O/N)

10.500

10.500

Riyal

41.2558

41.5225

1M

12.175

12.101

SDR

236.938

238.4693

3M

13.328

13.225

6M

14.296

14.-85

FOREX RATES

9.91

-0.49

1.79

1.71

-0.08

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

14.80

14.20

-0.60

NEIMETH

1.04

1.00

-0.04

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

UBA

7.90

7.60

-0.30

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

STERLNBANK

2.24

2.16

0.08

CCNN

WAUA

Rate (%)

10.40

ACADEMY

Amount Sold in ($) 381.27m 272.9m 399.01m

Currency

Money Supply (M2)

Tenor

Amount Offered in ($) 400m 300m 400m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES August 1, 2014

Inflation: June

GAINERS AS AT 12-08-14

in Asia and in emerging economies,” says Menon. “The spill-over effects of unconventional monetary policies are not insignificant – volatility in capital flows, pressures in asset markets, a general increase in financial stability risks and a flattening of the yield curve that distorts investment decisions. These are not trivial consequences.”

Menon says abnormally low interest rates have caused “longerterm structural challenges” for some financial market participants, such as pension funds. “It’s not just about macroeconomics; there are broader economic and social consequences from low interest rates.

Not to mention some of the distributional effects that these unconventional monetary policies have had.”

The MAS managing director, who was previously permanent secretary at the Ministry of Trade & Industry and deputy secretary at the Ministry of Finance in Singapore, says there are “good reasons” to want to bring about a normalisation of monetary policies “as soon as practicable”.

But he stresses such action needs to take place “in an orderly fashion”, so that it “does not unsettle markets” and “gives economies time to adjust”.

Menon believes the Fed has “done a reasonably good job” communicating its monetary policy intentions: “They are sending two messages. One, that policy has to eventually normalise – that’s an important message so people do not think this is the new state of affairs and make investment decisions on that basis. Two, they are also giving notice that normalisation is not coming too soon, that it will be dependent on the state of the U.S. economy.”

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.00

T-bills - 182

10.07

T-bills - 364

10.22

Bond - 3yrs

11.37

Bond - 5yrs

11.41

Bond - 7yrs

11.86

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13, 2014

57

NEWS

2015: Ijaw youths clash over Jonathan

I

JAW youths dismissed yesterday a Southsouth group, which urged President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve his re-election plans for 2015.

The group, under the aegis of the Forum of Past Youth Leaders of Ethnic Nationalities in the Southsouth (FPYLENS), reportedly asked Jonathan to shelve his re-election plans for 2015.

The forum was said to have spoken in a statement

by Alhaji Mumakai Unagha and Ekpo Okon.

But its position has drawn the anger of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

They dismissed the forum, saying the group and the signatories to “the provocative” statement, were fictitious and unknown to major stakeholders in the region.

The IYC, in a statement by its spokesman Eric Omare, said the report was the handiwork of inconsequential elements seeking recognition.

“There is no organisation called FPYLENS and the signatories are unknown as far as youth leadership in the Southsouth is con-

cerned,” he said.

Omare said the IYC leadership consulted its past leaders and presidents like Dr. Felix Tuodolor, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, Mr. Jonjon Oyefia, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, Mr. Abiye, T.K. Ogoriba, and others to determine the veracity of the group’s report.

He said prominent Ijaw said they were not part of the meeting and that there was no such gathering.

The spokesman reinstated the commitment of the Southsouth towards the reelection of the President.

Said he: “IYC supports the the Jonathan 2015 Presidency, which is a project of the Southsouth people. Youths of the region are committed to the project.

“They are mobilising towards the re-election of Jonathan in synergy with other ethnic nationalities.

“IYC urges the public to disregard the statement purported to have been made by the inconsequential past Southsouth youth leaders as they do not have the support to organise any anti-Jonathan campaign in any part of the region.”

Abductors of commissioner’s mum demand N.15b

T

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

HE abductors of the mother of the Rivers State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. George Tolofari, are demanding N150 million ransom.

A source, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt said the 70year-old woman was kidnapped in her home at Victoria Street, Town, Port Harcourt, last week.

He appealed to the abductors to release her unconditionally.

Efforts to reach the police spokesman Ahmed Muhammad were abortive, as his line did not go through.

Alleged cult members, gunrunner held

F

IFTEEN persons, including nine minors aged between 13 and 17, have been arrested by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly belonging to cults.

They were arrested at Unewa in Esan North East Local Government Area and Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.

Police spokesman Noble Uwoh said eight of them arrested at Unewa were members of the “Hallah of the Night”; others arrested at Ologbo belonged to the Eiye Confraternity.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

He said two axes were recovered from them.

Uwoh said the suspects would be charged to court today.

Also, a suspected gunrunner, Ebhodaghe Tedah, has been paraded.

Police said four double barrel guns were recovered from him.

Uwoh said the suspect was discovered to be allegedly leasing guns to robbers, kidnappers and thugs.

Ebhodaghe claimed he used the guns to hunt wild animals.

Kudos for Abe’s educational initiatives

A

•From left: Mr. Nnodu Iheme, Public Relations Officer, NAPSA, a pharmacist; Dr. Funmi Adegbile, President, NAPSA; Prof.

Viola Onwuliri, Minister of State 1, Foreign Affairs; Prof. Gideon Adegbile and Mr. Emmanuel Ezirim, a pharmacist, at the high level leadership meeting with Nigerians in the diaspora, at Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.

Ex-militants protest against Kuku in Benin

F

ORMER militants in Edo and Delta states, who were not included in the third phase of the amnesty by the Federal Government They have sent a petition to the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Committee, Mr. Kingsley Kuku.

In the letter, copied to President Jonathan, National Assembly, the Police and the State Security Service (SSS), the ex-militants,

From OSemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

said they were from nine camps scattered in the two states.

They alleged that people close to political appointees, who were not registered in the programme, were benefiting to the detriment of “real militants”.

The petition, through their lawyer, Mr. Ugha Kurumah, said the Beni-Obiri Camp, headed by Ojuemi Prediseghbofa, keyed into the third phase of the am-

nesty with 1,300 persons and surrendered over 109 automatic weapons and ammunition.

It said seven slots were allocated to them in the monthly stipend, while that of the Pina-Ofini Camp, headed by Saturday Ajemiri, entered the programme with 1,002 persons.

The camp was said to have surrendered 49 arms, but was given five slots.

The petition said 800 persons from Oweikontei Camp, headed by Emmanuel Aboh, subscribed

Jonathan to open gas plant in Akwa Ibom

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will visit Akwa Ibom State tomorrow.

He will inaugurate a gas plant and other projects by the Governor Godswill Akpabio administration.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Aniekan Umanah, said the president would inaugurate the gas processing facility, with a 69-kilometre pipeline, at Uquo.

He said the plant was built under a public-Private partnership arrangement be-

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

tween Septa Energy and Akwa Ibom State government.

Umanah said the President, who is visiting the state for the fourth time, would also inaugurate the Goodluck Boulevard on Ring Road III in Uyo and perform the ground-breaking of a $1.8 billion Methanol Plant at Ibeno.

Other assignments are the inspection of the dualisation of the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene-Aba Road embarked by the state; inspection of

the first suspended bridge under construction in Abak and the 30,000-capacity Ibom International Stadium, Uyo. President Jonathan, in October 2012, laid the foundation of the stadium and inaugurated the new digital Governor’s Office, among other projects.

The Information Commissioner said the President would meet a cross-section of the people at a banquet before leaving for Abuja.

He enjoined the indigenes to come out and welcome President Jonathan.

to the amnesty and surrendered 49 arms and ammunition, but got five slots.

It also said the Toruiyesinghan Camp, headed by Ayefagha Yeriyemi, surrendered 351 persons and handed over 55 arms and ammunition, but also got five slots.

The Ukurisi Camp, the petition said, headed by Jacob Ikpi, keyed into the programme with 277 persons, surrendered 40 arms and ammunition, and received four slots.

UTHORITIES of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Rivers State Polytechnic (RIVPOLY) and the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) have hailed the lawmaker representing Rivers South East, Senator Magnus Abe. They praised him for initiating educational support schemes for students in the senatorial district.

The Dean, Students’ Affairs, RSUST, Prof. Friday Segalo; Rector, RIVPOLY, Sir Obianko Worlu-Elechi and NURSS President, Comrade Mazi Lucky, spoke in their goodwill messages at the Third Abe’s Annual Fee Support for indigent final-year students, at Bori, Khana Local Government.

Segalo, who described Abe as one of the best senators, urged the people of Rivers Southeast to support

his projects.

He said: “Senator Abe is one of the best lawmakers in this country. Students may not understand what he has done for them, but one thing is clear; what Abe has done will remain evergreen in our minds.”

Worlu-Elechi said although Rivers South East has had senators, Abe has demonstrated more commitment.

He added: “Senator Abe is doing well and we are following his activities . The lawmaker’s angle of human capital development is important. It will make the people become independent in future.”

Lucky thanked the senator for investing in education and pledged the support of students.

The Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom, thanked Abe for all he has done for the people.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

58

FOREIGN NEWS Ivory Coast blocks refugees amid Ebola fears

S

IERRA Leone has been hit by Ebola, along with Guinea and Liberia Ivory Coast has blocked 400 refugees who fled to Liberia from returning home because of fears they could spread the Ebola virus, a UN official has said.

The decision violated domestic and international law, the official added.

Ivory Coast said it could not allow the refugees in because of the Ebola “pandemic” in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

The virus has now killed 603 people in the three states, with 68 deaths reported in the last week, WHO said.

This is the worst outbreak the world has ever seen.

There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola, which spreads

through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.

UN refugee agency official Mohamed Toure said Ivory Coast had acted “unacceptably” by turning away a convoy of refugees at the border with Liberia.

The agency had offered to carry out medical screening of the refugees, but Ivorian officials still refused, he said.

The group had fled to Liberia during the 2010-2011 conflict that hit Ivory Coast after then-President Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in elections.

Ivorian government spokesman Bruno Kone defended the decision to block the refugees from entering.

“Everyone needs to show some understanding,” he is quoted by AFP news agency as saying.

“We face the greatest pandemic our region has seen for a long time. We cannot be lax in this area,” he said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said 85 new cases had been recorded in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia between 8 July and 12 July.

Sierra Leone recorded the highest number of deaths 52. Liberia reported 13 deaths and Guinea three, WHO said.

The figures include confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola, it added.

WHO spokesman Dan Epstein said it would probably take several months to “get a grip” on the epidemic.

“People are isolated, they’re afraid, they’re scared,” he said.

Syria president reappoints prime minister amid war

S

YRIAN President Bashar Assad reappointed premier Wael al-Halqi to form a new government Sunday following presidential elections in which he won a new sevenyear term in office, the country’s state-run news agency said.SANA said Assad issued a decree tasking al-Halqi to form the new Cabinet. Al-Halqi automatically became a caretaker pre-

mier following the June presidential election, which was confined to government-controlled areas and dismissed by the opposition and its Western allies as a sham.It is not clear how much time al-Halqi has to form the Cabinet, which is not expected to change the course of Syria’s 3-year-old civil war. Opposition activists say the war has killed more than 170,000 people.Assad ap-

pointed al-Halqi, 50, two years ago, elevating him from the post of health minister after former premier, Riad Hijab, defected. Halqi is a member of Assad’s ruling Baath party and hails from the southern city of Daraa, birthplace of the Syrian uprising.He narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Damascus last year in a bombing that killed several other people.

Bolivia deports Argentine ‘Dirty War’ officer

J

ORGE Horacio Paez was arrested on Friday in the central Bolivian city of Santa Cruz Bolivia says it has extradited an Argentine ex-officer accused of crimes against humanity committed under Argentina’s military rule (1976-1983).

The officer, Jorge Horacio Paez Senestrari, was captured on Friday in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz.

He is accused of torture and aggravated homicide in Argentina’s north-western San Juan province.

An estimated 30,000 people were tortured and killed during this period, in a campaign known as the “Dirty War”.

Mr Paez, 68, had been on the run since 2011 and Interpol had issued a red notice, the highest possible

alert, for his arrest.

He was detained in an apartment he had rented in Santa Cruz, which police said he only left at night for an hour at a time to buy basic supplies.

Bolivian Interior Minister Jorge Perez said Mr Paez had “played a direct role in Operation Condor”, a plan under which the military governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay collaborated to eliminate their political opponents in the 1970s and ’80s.

Mr Paez served as a captain in the 22nd Mountain Infantry Regiment.

He had been held in a prison in the Argentine province of San Juan pending his trial, but a court had ordered his release in 2011.

When he failed to attend

•Perez

a court hearing, police issued an international warrant for his arrest.

His trial on charges of crimes against humanity is now expected to resume.

Investigations into human rights abuses committed under Argentine military rule have led to the imprisonment of key figures of the military junta, including that of Gen Jorge Rafael Videla who died in prison last year while serving a life sentence.

President Goodluck Jonathan (left) receiving letter of Credence from the Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, Mr Torben Getterman in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014

59

NEWS Spanish priest dies of Ebola as Liberia uses ZMapp to treat doctors Continued from page 4

with the scarce experimental ZMapp, the first Africans to receive the treatment.

It said ZMapp doses were very scarce, raising ethical questions of who should have priority.

ZMapp has already been administered to two United States (U.S.) aid workers. The U.S. citizens are now in a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, after being medically evacuated and have shown some signs of improvement.

With medical staff lacking the equipment and training to tackle the first outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, more than 60

healthcare workers have died and dozens more been infected, severely hindering countries’ ability to cope with the disease.

Liberian Information Minister Lewis Brown said the Liberian government had received written consent from the two doctors - who he identified as Zukunis Ireland and Abraham Borbor for the treatment, which has not been fully tested on humans.

“The drug maker could not export...the drug without the approval of the FDA so our authorities approached the FDA and received specific approval for the treatment of these two doctors,” Brown told Reuters by

telephone.

He said the drug was expected to reach Liberia within the next 48 hours.

Mapp Biopharmaceutical said on Monday its supply of the drug haD been exhausted, after the company provided doses to a West African nation, according to a report published by the Wall Street Journal.

A WHO spokeswoman said supplies were “very scarce”.

“They have less than a dozen (doses) of it,” spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told a briefing. “It is very important to discuss who should get it...and if it is ethical to use it.”

Ebola: Panic in Turkey as Nigerian passenger falls ill Continued from page 4

vaccines on extremely serious cases.

“What is important is that we had already established a mechanism to explore all possible suggestions. Apart from the American vaccine, there are others but none had gone through all the necessary clinical processes.

“Some had gone through phases one and two but none had gone through phase three.

We are reaching out to research institutions in about three countries, so it is work in progress.”

Chukwu said “even with the vaccines, whether approved, licensed, or registered, what is important is that all of them will only complement what has been

the well tried out treatment protocol in Ebola virus.”

In Nigeria, he said, “our national research ethics code also permits such practice under exigency or when there is epidemic and there had been drugs or vaccines though not yet concluded in terms of clinical trials, which we could deploy into the patients.”

North rejects draft constitution Continued from page 4

need for a referendum arises.”

“We want to say, with authority, that such a proposal has since been turned down by the National Assembly. Inquiries at both the Senate and the House of Representatives have shown that efforts at tabling the case for referendum through private member bills were rejected twice, and cannot, therefore, be reintroduced in the life of the present National Assembly.

“From the foregoing, it is now abundantly clear that the conference has been infiltrated by fifth columnists whose goal is to subvert democratic processes and plunge the country into deeper, but avoidable political crisis.

“To all intent and purposes, the introduction of a new constitution 2014 for Nigeria is a calculated attempt by some people to take advantage of Court of Appeal’s ruling in 2003, as delivered by Justice George Oguntade (JCA as he then was) in the celebrated case of Attorney General of the Federation versus All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and others.

“Wherein Governor Abubakar Audu of Kogi State (then) was challenged over his

eligibility to run for a second term in 2003, having had a first term, which ended in May 2003.

“The contention was that having been elected Kogi State governor in 1991, his tenure 1991 to 1993 should be regarded as a first term and the tenure 1999 to 2003 should have been regarded as second term.

“Accordingly, he should stand barred from contesting another term in the 2003 election, as that would amount to a violation of the subsisting constitution, which has provided that a person could only be elected into the office of a state governor for two terms and no more.

“In that decision, the court upheld the eligibility of Governor Audu to stand for re-election on the ground that his first tenure 1991-1993 was under a completely different constitution, while the country was at the material time operating the 1999 constitution which was a new constitution.”

The former IGP said given the observation under the above, adopting a new constitution is, therefore, calculated to enable incumbent elective office holders who are statute-barred from going for third term at both federal and state levels to run for

offices again under the guise of running under a new constitution.

“This will also have the consequential effect of depriving aspiring politicians from all political parties, as well as all Nigerians, of their rights to choices and preferences as enshrined in the constitution.

“If not arrested, the third term agenda, as in the past (2005) is capable of plunging Nigeria into another circle of political chaos with potential of violence and anarchy.

“We, as pan-Nigerian and democrats, reject this agenda in its entirety and call on stakeholders of all persuasions and institutions, especially political parties, national and State Houses of Assembly, the media, civil society organisations, women, youths and others to reject same and continue to champion and uphold democratic principles as enshrined in the constitution and other legitimate sources of law making,” he added.

The delegates were, however, silent on whether the main report of the conference would be adopted by them or not.

Plenary resumes today, having adjourned on Monday to enable delegates go through the five documents presented to them.

Draft constitution: Defectors to vacate office Continued from page 4

provisions as may be prescribed by a law of the House of Assembly of that State.

“The members of the State Police shall have such powers and duties as may be conferred on them by the laws of that state which shall not be in conflict with powers and duties of the Federal Police.”

Section 3 of the Draft Constitution deals with the increase in the number of states from 36 to 54.

“The section says: “There shall be 54 states in Nigeria, that is to say Aba, Abia, Adada, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Amana, Anambra, Anioma, Apa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Edu, Ekiti, Enugu, Etiti, Ghari, Gombe, Gurara, Ijebu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kainji, Kano, Katagum, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, New Oyo, Njaba Anim, Niger, Ogoja, Ogun, Oil Rivers, Ondo, Ose, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Savannah, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.”

Regarding the establishment of local governments, Section 7 of the Draft Constitution has vested the powers to create same

on states.

But states wishing to merge with others can do so, in line with Section 8A of the Draft Constitution.

It reads: “Without prejudice to states constituting the federation units, states that wish to merge may do so, provided that (a) a two-thirds majority of all members in each of the Houses of Assembly of each of the states in which such merger is proposed support by resolution the merger; (b) a referendum is conducted in each of the states proposing to merge with 75 per cent of the eligible voters in each of those states approving the merger; and the National Assembly by resolution passed by a simple majority of membership approves of the merger.”

It also indicated that the nation might operate a two-tier system of Federal and State structures.

The section reads in part: “States shall create local governments, which shall be under the jurisdiction of that state.

“States that wish to may increase or reduce the number of existing local governments which shall be under the jurisdiction of the state.

“The number, structure, form and administration of local gov-

ernments shall be determined by states, provided that the tenure of elected local government councils shall be three years.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission shall divide the local government or the area council into two or three equal parts as the case may be for the purpose of the rotation of the office of the chairman.”

On courts, the Draft Constitution has provision for the creation of the Constitutional Court and the Anti-Corruption Court.

It has asserted the independence of the courts.

Section 6 (1) (4) (5 a-l) (6) says: “The judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established for the Federation.

“Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall be construed as precluding (a) the National Assembly or any House of Assembly from establishing courts, other than those to which this section relates, with subordinate jurisdiction to that of a High Court; (b) the National Assembly or any House of Assembly, which does not require it, from abolishing any court which it has power to establish or which it has brought into being.”

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63

SPORT EXTRA

•All Spanish affair.... Action from last night’s Super Cup match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Cardiff, Wales

Ronaldo’s brace wins Super Cup for Real Madrid

C

RISTIANO Ronaldo wasted little time reminding the world of his impressive soccer abilities as the Portuguese striker scored twice to lead Real Madrid over Sevilla 2-0. With the victory, Madrid claims the 2014 UEFA Super Cup, the first of six potential trophies the team will have an opportunity to lift this season.

Madrid opened the scoring in the 30th minute when the usual suspects Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo combined to break down the Sevilla defense.

Bale sent a superbly placed long cross from the right wing that

found Ronaldo free near the far post. The Portugese striker stretched out and volleyed the ball past Beto just before it hit the ground to give Madrid a 1-0 lead.

Other than that brilliantly rested chance and finish by Madrid, Sevilla's defense was effectively stubborn and kept Los Blancos frustrated for most of the first half.

All that great defending though didn't really matter as Ronaldo doubled Madrid's lead just four minutes int other second half.

Ronaldo started the chance,

moving the ball centrally to Karim Benzema, while he continued to run into the right side of the Sevilla box. Benzema returned the ball as Ronaldo streaked past two defenders and hammered a shot off Beto's hands to make it 2-0.

Sevilla simply couldn't muster an effective attack against the Madrid defense, but overall it wasn't a poor performance for Unai Emery's side. They'll no doubt be disappointed in the result, but they managed to limit Madrid's chances in general, and can build on that as they enter the new La Liga season.

U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

NFF assures Falconets of support

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised to provide all the necessary support to ensure that the Falconets win the FIFA Under 20 Women's World Cup trophy.

This statement, made by NFF acting president Mike Umeh, assured the team of adequate support, noting that the federation is pleased with the Falconets’ performance "I bring you the Federation's best wishes as you take on England.

"We have watched your two matches with keen interest and your performances show that you are aiming for the trophy.

“The Federation will do everything to support your effort,”

Umeh said.

The NFF boss added that the entire nation will be waiting upon them to bring the trophy home.

Umeh continued: "I’m here on behalf of the Federation to cheer you up against England. Other board members in Nigeria are praying for you. I’m confident this present team will make the nation proud".

The Falconets are taking part in the 2014 edition of the tournament taking place in Canada and sit top of Group C with 4 points in two matches played against Mexico and Korea Republic.

The Falconets will lock horns with England at 1am (Nigerian time) on Thursday. A draw will qualify the Falconets for the

knock out stage.

Coach of the team Peter Dedevbo, who spoke with the team’s media officer, Elizabeth Kah, said the players are aware of the enormous task before them and are ready to make Nigerians proud.

"I call on Nigerians to continue to pray for the team. We have not lost focus, our focus remains to win the win the cup. By the grace of God we shall get a decent result against England," Dedevbo said.

"All the players are in high spirits as they look forward to picking their quarter final ticket.”

Nigeria have made six appearances at the FIFA U 20 Women's World Cup.

AFRICAN NATIONS CUP QUALIFIER

Rwanda wants CAF's advice on Ebola in Nigeria

T

HE outbreak of the Ebola virus continues to threaten many of the forthcoming 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and the Rwanda FA is the latest to complain.

Yesterday, Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association (FERWAFA) confirmed

•CAF president, Issa Hayatou

that they had written to CAF over worries about the Ebola virus outbreak in Nigeria ahead of their game against the Super Eagles in Calabar.

Vincent Nzamwita, the FERWAFA President confirmed to AfricanFootball.com in an interview that they had written because they were not tak-

ing the matter lightly.

“We have written to CAF so that they advise us on the situation in Nigeria because the red flag is up for the deadly Ebola virus in Nigeria. We are waiting to see if they can change the game,” added Nzamwita.

He also said besides the advice from CAF, they would also wait to hear what the government of Rwanda would say on the next step. “If the government decides that the Amavubi does not travel, then we shall respect that,” he added.

The African Champions are meant to host Rwanda on September 6 at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar. The two teams are drawn in Group A that also has South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Sudan.

Already CAF has ordered Sierra Leone and Guinea who have also been affected by the Ebola virus outbreak to relocate their home Afcon qualifier ties because of the Ebola virus outbreaks in their countries.

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Ebola may be a native of Africa but now, the virus is threatening to go global and, by declaring it an international public health emergency, it shows how seriously WHO is taking the current outbreak’

DELE AGEGAMEH

VOL.9 NO.2,937

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HE NEPA people came the other day.

Actually, their official name has changed, but NEPA — an acronym for the utility formally known as the National Electric Power Authority — is easier to say and jibes so well with our expectations: Never Expect Power Always.

Though the organisation is now called the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, the new name doesn’t work as an acronym, though its initials, P.H.C.N., are popularly agreed to stand for: Problem Has Changed Name.

I had been expecting them. They come about once a month, a van containing a crew of four or five guys, going from house to house, ready to cut off your power if you lack proof that your payments are up to date — and turn it back on for an $8 reconnection fee, or any reasonable under-the-table amount. Alas, I was in arrears.

I owed several months for the electricity they had barely been providing. Even though about 85 percent of Nigeria’s urban areas and 30 percent of rural areas are on the power grid — the result of years of government monopoly and its attendant corruption — the supply is intermittent at best. I’ve been getting about three hours a day, if lucky, and even then rarely at a stretch. Sometimes you don’t get any power for three or four days. Like many people here, I rely on a private generator to bridge the gaps.

Things were supposed to get better since the government announced with great fanfare (almost a year ago now) that it had privatized the power-distribution network. But one didn’t need to be an engineer to understand that decades of neglect, in this as in other areas of national life, can hardly be fixed in a few months.

It’s difficult for nonprofessionals to work out the complicated structures involved, but generally speaking the government now generates electricity and private companies distribute it. These companies tend to be much more aggressive than the government had been because they need to repay bank loans and recoup other startup costs. Their employees, like all workers in Nigeria, are paid very poorly. It is therefore understood that a man must augment his income any way he can.

The affable crew boss who confronted me was sincerely understanding as I explained to him how my problem had begun six months ago, when my monthly bill jumped from $30 to nearly $185. But arguing was pointless. After my power was cut, pending payment of past bills

RIPPLES

RIGGING IS NOT ONLY WHEN BALLOT BOXES ARE SNATCHED–Ex–Governor

Yes RIGGING starts when SOLDIERS are said to INTIMIDATE VOTERS

OPEN FORUM

By ADEWALE MAJA-PEARCE

Nigeria’s power problem

‘

•President Goodluck Jonathan and the reconnection fee, he suggested that perhaps it would be best for me to go state my case at my local P.H.C.N. office. I should have known better.

The official I was directed to wait for was calm, considering the confusion and mass irritation swirling around him. When my turn finally came, he looked over my latest bill, frowned, and began to tap away on his keyboard. Finally, he looked up at me and explained that my previous bills had been too low; they had been adjusted upward based upon estimates of my power consumption.

In any case, he added, my meter was obsolete. I tried to explain that my meter still functioned, but he cut me short, demanding to know why I hadn’t applied for one

N

OW that the Goodluck Jonathan presidency has declared a national emergency regarding the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), it may be expected that the administration would take certain unusual steps in line with the announcement.

In particular, to go by a newspaper report by a State House correspondent in Abuja, the government is likely to launch an operation to get rid of the bats that populate the location of Aso Rock Villa, the president’s official base.

The correspondent said: “One of the animals the Minister of Health mentioned as carriers of Ebola was bat. That also generated another round of fear. Many of the big trees inside the Villa are homes for bats. They fly around the Villa in their thousands. They pass out faeces on cars, leaving the owners with no option than to clean them.”

He continued: “Journalists called the attention of the minister to this and he was also surprised. He quickly hid his fear and assured the agitated journalists that those concerned will definitely do something about the bats as soon as possible.”

So, Hardball expects a vigorous effort to make the place inhospitable for bats, but wonders how this will be achieved, considering the information that they are present

Cutting corners has become a way of life for all Nigerians, great and small. We don’t expect anything better, which is why we are so quiescent under conditions that should ordinarily make people rise up and say, enough is enough

’

of the new prepayment cards, which deduct money automatically as electricity is used. I explained I had been told that none were available — to put my name on a waiting list. (Payment cards may be more efficient, but they offer less opportunity for the state to collect cash payments, or impose fines.) He shrugged and called the next customer.

I decided to take my case up a notch. But the senior manager I appealed to at the head office the next day shook his head.

There was nothing he could do but demand payment in full. However, he added, I was in luck. The card meter was now available. For “just” $275, and they could

HARDBALL

fix one for me — after I had settled the outstanding bill.

So now I was looking at fees of around $525. I went home and discussed the problem with my wife, but in truth there was nothing to discuss and we both knew it.

We already paid $215 a month to run our generator, which is not powerful enough to draw water from the well I had dug when the state water authority, equally comatose, finally stopped supplying us many years ago.

To say that this couldn’t have happened at a worse time assumes that there is ever a good time to be hit with an outrageous bill. We had just embarked on major renovations, and a newspaper that had hired me to write a weekly column suddenly and without explanation stopped paying.

Then there was always “the Nigerian factor,” which is to say the uncertainties of life in a country where even the power of the government itself is something of a fiction. This is most obviously demonstrated by the fact that none of the more than 200 schoolgirls who were abducted over three months ago by Boko Haram terrorists have been rescued (although a few of them managed to escape).

So time passed, the next monthly bill appeared, and hard on its heels came the men with their ladders to disconnect defaulters.

This time I fudged the truth, explaining that I had met with the senior manager, and that we had worked out a payment plan. No use. They cut the power line to my house.

I went to my local office and paid something on account, and got a stern warning to settle up once and for all as quickly as possible — or else.

And yet, even as I write this, I’m not as perturbed as perhaps I should be. Cutting corners has become a way of life for all Nigerians, great and small. We don’t expect anything better, which is why we are so quiescent under conditions that should ordinarily make people rise up and say, enough is enough.

But power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and, in their own small way, so do power shortages.

•Maja-Pearce is a writer and critic, and the author of “Remembering Ken SaroWiwa, and Other Essays.” First published

by New York Times on August 7 •Mohammed Haruna returns next week

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Bats at the Villa “in their thousands.”

Given the government’s penchant for governance-bycommittees, it won’t be surprising if it sets up yet another committee to tackle the bats.

Sadly, apart from the unfortunate death of a Nigerian nurse who contracted the disease from the late Liberian diplomat, Patrick Sawyer, whose entry into the country on July 20 triggered the spread of the virus, reports say 177 others are currently under Ebola-related surveillance in the country. Against this alarming background, it is perhaps understandable that, according to the Aso Rock correspondent, “the spread of the virus was the only item on the agenda” of the August 6 Federal Executive Council meeting chaired

by Vice-President Namadi Sambo. He said: “His boss, Goodluck Jonathan, was at that time in Washington DC for the United StatesAfrican Leaders Summit.”

The correspondent observed that “there is fear in the Vila over the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus.” According to his report on the meeting, “it all started like a joke with some ministers avoiding handshake with their colleagues, journalists and other government officials for the fear of

contracting the disease.” He said of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu: “Apart from regular washing of hands with soap, the minister also encouraged citizens to cultivate the habit of using hand sanitisers. He said he had his own bottle of sanitiser inside his car.” He then said of the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku: “At that point, Maku dipped his hand into the pocket of his agbada and brought out a bottle of sanitiser. To demonstrate it, he and Chukwu rubbed their hands with the substance.”

Now, back to the business of battling the bats and sending them packing from the Villa - supposing this is accomplished by whatever means, would it guarantee an Ebola-free Villa? Speaking of bats, what about the possibility of “human bats”, with the implication of spreading the virus, among other things? By way of information, there is a mysterious creature called the Humanoid Bat, also known as Human Bat or Bat-Thing, which is believed to be either a human that had evolved into a bat-like creature or the other way round. What if such a creature can be found in the corridors of power?

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