The Nation August 15, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Kumuyi: Deeper Life shooting an assault

NEWS

Page 62

•Church leader visits bereaved families

INEC raises voters cards alarm in Ondo NEWS Page 8

•Akeredolu: name indicted party

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VOL. 7, NO. 2218 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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Two suicide bombers die as mission turns bloody NSA Dasuki, Boko Haram ‘begin talks’ From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Tony Akowe, Kaduna

F

OR two would-be suicide bombers, it was a mission impossible yesterday in Kaduna.

Their bombs went off, killing them instantly. A third victim, who was injured in the explosion, died later in the hospital, it was learnt.

Kaduna police spokesman Abubakar Balteh, a deputy superintendent who confirmed the explosion, said: “Two people were carrying an object suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on a motorbike from Singer Road, about going towards Lugard Hall Roundabout. When they got close to the NNPC filling station, the device exploded, killing the two.

“There was no other casualty. We have sent foresonic experts to the area to take evidence, which we will analyse for additional information. We are on top of the situation.”

The blast sent residents of the area scampering for safety.

Eye witnesses, told The Nation that the men carrying the object, which looked like a television set, were heading towards Ungwan Seriki, but it exploded before they got to their destination, which was not immediately known. The House of Assembly is located a few metres from the scene.

A military check point and one of the biggest mosques in Kaduna are about one kilometre from the scene.

The mosque was said to be hosting the final round of the Tasfir (lecture) normally carried out during Ramadan.

Continued on Page 6

•SCENE OF HORR OR: People gather at the scene of the explosion in Kaduna...yesterday. Arrowed are the bodies and the motorcycle.

HORROR:

Governors seek to make state police optional

S •Police chief Abubakar

OME governors are seeking an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to make state police optional for any of the 36 states interested in the idea, it was learnt yesterday.

There are, however, fears last night that Northern governors might reject any such plans.

According to sources, governors pushing to make state police optional have met and decided that it is the best way to save the Nigerian Gov-

•Ex-IGs reject scrapping of ministry From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

ernors Forum from being split.

It was learnt that the governors also felt the optional choice is a way of allowing most Northern states, which are opposed to state police, to evolve a sustainable security system for the region at their own pace.

A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “Following differences

among the governors on state police, most of us from the South have agreed to adopt a middle course approach by seeking a constitutional amendment which will make it optional.

“Thus, any state interested in state police could do so and define how it will work with the Federal Police. By implication, the nation’s police system will now be on concurrent list,

once the constitution is amended, to allow state police. As for those opposed to it, they have forgotten that governors have limited tenure and they cannot be in control of their states forever.”

Another governor said: “I think some of our brothers in the North have not realised the magnitude of the security challenges at hand.

“We appreciate their fears and we do not want anything to affect the uniContinued on Page 6

•TONY ELUMELU HEADS PRESIDENTIAL PANEL ON HOSPITALS P7

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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NEWS PHCN CONTROVERSY

Why govt, •From left: Minister of Agriculture Dr. Adeshina Akinwumi, President, the Rockefeller Foundation Dr. Judith Rodin and Executive Chairman Econet Wireless Strive Masiyiwa during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

•From left: Managing Director, Obajana Cement Mr. Armando Martinez, Tanzania Ambassador to Nigeria Dr Msuy Mangachi, First Lady of Tanzania Salma Rashid Kikwuete and , Special Adviser to President, Dangote Group Joseph Makoju pointing when Mrs. Kikwuete visited the plant...yesterday

•Lagos State Commissioner for the Enviroment Tunji Bello commissioning Skip Trucks at the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Ogudu Zonal Office...yesterday. With him are LAWMA’s General Manager, Technical Olubori Jeleel and LAWMA’s Managing Director Ola Oresanya .

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

•Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria (right) Mr. Steven Evans, Manager, Digital Media, Etisalat Nigeria Mrs. Chineye Faleye (left) and Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Wael Ammar at the official launch of Etisalat EasyAdz at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

Workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the Federal Government are at loggerheads over plans to privatise the behomoth. The workers accuse the government of toying with their future. The government blames the workers’ attitude on misinformation, among other things. The question remains: what really are the problems? Assistant Editor (Investigations) JOKE KUJENYA provides the answers.

A

FIRST-TIME visitor to the corporate head office of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Maitama, Abuja will not likely find funny the sight of arms-bearing riot policemen who mount 24-hour surveillance on the premises.

The atmosphere is tensed. It was never like that. No thanks to the fight between the Federal Government and PHCN workers over its planned privatisation, the company has now become a military zone.

When The Nation visited the corporate headquarters to meet with feuding staff and management, the tension was palpable.

Each side to the feud insists the other is wrong, making observers wonder what really is the truth.

The Zonal Organising Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Temple Iworima, said the workers are not against privatisation. He said their grouse with government hovers around the fact that the entitlements of the workers have not been properly ironed out. A major point of disagreement is the whereabouts of money the PHCN management had deducted over the years from salaries in the name of severance package.

Iworima said: “We are not against privatisation. The government knows that we have not been opposed to their privatising what rightly belongs to the government.

PHCN is their own. Let them do what they like with it. And we do not have any problems with the Canadian contractors. You can see that none of us is disturbing the white men from doing what they had been invited to Nigeria to do. It is not their fault at all that they were brought into what should ordinarily be our in-house problems. But the government seems to enjoy exposing our domestic issues to the international world.

“Our grouse is against the unjust way we are being severed. Our fear is that our lots will become like that of our other counterparts in the privatised NITEL and other organisations various administrations had privatised. Please, go and look at the records, every company privatised in Nigeria ends up struggling for survival. In fact, they die outrightly and this is what our cry is based on.

“So, we are saying that if you want to privatise, where does that leave us? Many of us have served for eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18, 22, 27 years and so on. Now with privatisation, are you just going to leave us in the cold or pay us through our ‘superannuation scheme’ which we all signed for in our letters of employment? Then, we were here when Power Minister Barth Nnaji gave a fiat order via a letter that our salaries should be slashed by seven-and-a-half per cent.

We asked why, but no one is willing to offer us any explanation. That is after we have been contributing

23 per cent of our salaries to the ‘superannuation scheme’ since we got employed. Now, they are telling us that they can’t find the money.”

The workers are also angry with the amount the Federal Government allegedly wants to sell the PHCN. Iworisa said: “Our other point of contention is that, even if the government wants to sell the PHCN with assets and liabilities in today’s economy, should it be at N220billion? That’s a gross undervalue of the entire assets. Even if they say that the worth cannot be rated at the same value it was several years ago, I bet you, it is still a far cry from what it would be sold, if properly valued.”

‘Enemies of progress’ Head of Public Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Chukwuma Nwokoh said the workers are a cog in the wheel of progress. He said they are stalling moves to end the inefficiency that PHCN represents.

He said: “NUEE members are just fighting against efficiency. That’s the way I see it and I can be quoted. Hundreds of the PHCN members of staff are non-engineers. And now that we say let us privatise so that things can work efficiently, they are out on the streets, resisting the move.”

He denied that the workers’ salaries were slashed.

Said Nwokoh: “I can tell you that the Minister of Power did not slash their pay. There is a document that explains the outcome of government’s negotiation with the unions. All they want is for the government to break the laws of the land in respect of their pensions.

This is the first time that government will earmark money to pay the entitlements of workers before sale of an asset. Already, government has put aside N87 billion in the 2012 Budget to address their severance benefits. The balance will be offset from proceeds of sales of the successor companies. Before PHCN privatisation, the practice is to pay workers entitlements from privatisation proceeds. So the issue of valuation has been duly addressed. We are not selling PHCN building as your question implies. We peg the whole thing at about N200billion. What this means is that after the bidding, the sale cannot go below N200billion but it could be above that amount.

“On their allegations that privatised companies fail or die after the process, I want to say that it is not true. We have many privatised companies that are functioning, save for about one or two.”

Drafting in soldiers As early as 9.00am last Wednesday when The Nation returned to the PHCN complex, hundreds of its embattled workers were locked out of their offices.

Soldiers in camouflages as well as mobile policemen were battle ready within and outside the vicinity the premises.

It was raining, but they defied it. The workers said they had received a message that they should report early to the office to collect their severance packages or lose their entitlements.

One of them said: “But on getting here, we met fierce-looking soldiers everywhere and government’s agents

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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NEWS PHCN CONTROVERSY

workers quarrel over PHCN

•Electricity workers and the Joint Action Forum protesting against PHCN’s privatisation

‘PHCN’s assets’s valuation done scientifically’ Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, in an interview with JOKE KUJENYA, gives insight into the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), including the sales of its assets and liabilities. Excerpts:

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HAT role did the NERC play in the privatisation of the PHCN? NERC has been part of the policy. Don’t forget that the whole policy framework was outlined as far back as 2001 under the National Electricity Power Policy which made it very clear that some of the pillars of the reforms include setting up a regulator, unbundling the hitherto vertically integrated public utility, that is, the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) of old, creating 18 companies out of the bundled companies up to fully privatised and liberalised market. So by the time the NERC was coming up under the 2005 Act, these principles have been clearly articulated. And the Act also laid out different levels of responsibilities. As such, certain levels belong to the Minister of Power.

Some levels belong to the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE). And certain levels belong to NERC. The BPE relies on materials and documentations that NERC produces. So, our role has been to facilitate all that process. And we ensure that the contractual documents meet the requirements of the industry. We are going to provide license to all the preferred bidders who put in for the bid.

And by the time they finally announce the preferred bidders and they come and take over the network, we guide them on the NERC’s licensing conditions and then issue them the licence.

If as you explain everything is well articulated, why then does privatisation generate so much controversy?

Well, that’s the norm all over the world. Privatisation generates controversies. And that depends also on the quality of management that you engage and the quality of discussions between various actors. For example, we saw the situation of the British’ privatisation of the steel, telecom and even of the electricity sector of the United Kingdom (UK) that evolved difficult negativity between the government and labour. The outcome always depends on three things –one: the popular support for the programme as in how it is communicated to the people. Two: the strength of vested interest in which case, labour is dismally opposed to privatisation as is manifest; and the third would be the kind of

who want to force us to sign severance letters we had not met on or even agreed to under duress. I wonder why government at every level uses soldiers to intimidate us. You can use your camera to pick the soldiers and men of the mobile police standing all over the place. I bet President Goodluck Jonathan is telling us that this is his own version of democracy. That’s why, we all, fathers and mothers, with our respective ages, are all made to stand out here in this cold weather.”

engagement between the various actors. But we are not directly engaged with the privatisation but we know that there have been some high profile negotiators who are doing a great job.

On our part, what did you do?

We try to balance the interest of workers, consumers, producers and government with the market. We are not on any side but our job is, if there is any intervention we can do to provide clarity, to fasttrack and facilitate consensus, we do that.

On the sale of PHCN assets and liabilities at N200b, how was that •Dr. Amadi PHOTO: JOKE KUJENYA amount arrived at?

The issues about the transactions is solely BPE’s. But from the NERC’s point of view, we did the valuation and it was done in the best international practice possible. First thing we need to know is that, on assets as they are, we have a consortium of local and international auditors and valuers led by VP Power of London, SAIC, a leading estate valuer in Nigeria and many other groups.

What they did was to do sampling of the physical valuation of the asset by applying what they call the optimised approach. That

The Vice-President, NUEE, Comrade Etukube Mbang, said: “The issue is that we came in this morning to realise that the soldiers have taken over our offices. We were told on getting here that they came to compel us, for the second time, to endorse the ‘exit package’ (severance package), which our union has not agreed to. They also want us to sign a document that will severe us from the PHCN to ‘their companies’. They also want us to sign another docu-

ment for Koko headquarters staff to leave this building and be posted to their companies. They also want us to sign a third document at gun point to authorise them to start deducting seven-and-a-half per cent from our salaries to pay to a pension fund administrator. And these are the issues we have been on but have not yet reached any agreement with the government.

“This morning (last Wednesday), the Permanent Secretary, Power, Mrs

is, they optimise the value, that is, if this asset that is about twenty years, and it had spent ten years, so they subtract the depreciation. They depreciate the asset. Then after that, we look at the level of wear-and-tear. And because of our lack of maintenance, they provide you assets in the country, you don’t take care of it, you don’t clean it up or even maintain it on a general scale, such might not have the same longevity and quality as an asset that is handled in a more maintenance-friendly setting.

So, that is optimisation to the degree of usage and preservation.

We really took time to do the valuation of the PHCN assets in a very scientific manner. And it was open to public evaluation. We also did public consultations on the assets including the would-be bidders and other investors as well as the public.

But the point is, we don’t want to prejudge the controversy.

And even the narratives of how the assets are valued and what they are valued for, what was discounted, openly uploaded on the NERC website.

There’s also the allegation that the PHCN has more non-technical staff than the technical staff...

The normal practice abroad is, if a utility wants to employ people, they would file to the regulator.

But with NEPA, and later, the PHCN, we did not do that. So, we had a situation in which people just brought others from their localities to fill the whole place. And yes, it is true that more non-technical people and more than technical people.

On the Canadian managers, was the deal a sell out?

No, it is not a sell-out. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which is one out of the eighteen companies that came out of the old NEPA, has been handed over to the Canadian firm as management contractors. There was a transparent bidding and the Manitoba Hydro International emerged the winner. So, they are being paid just like you hire managers in a modern way to reviving public enterprise.

Dere Awosika and another woman, Dr. Agare Timipamo, former Labour Permanent Secretary and spokesperson for government on labour issues, brought in a letter from the other oppressors of our union, asking us to sign what we have not agreed to and ask soldiers, who ought to be protecting the lives of vulnerable Nigerians in the troubled states of the federation, to come here and be inflicting pains on us for exercising our fundamental rights. Soldiers are not

sent by our President to fight the common enemies of all Nigeria, the so-called Boko Haram boys. But government is sending soldiers to intimidate harmless Nigerians asking for their fundamental human rights.

Now, they are busy stopping PHCN workers from doing their duty.

“Government wants to impoverish us by using policies that are very inhuman to gag us. One of the things Continued on page 4

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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NEWS PHCN CONTROVERSY

Why Fed Govt, workers quarrel over PHCN The 54 bidding companies

Continued from page 3 we sighted on the document brought in this morning indicates that a security man who has worked for eleven years to come and sign to accept a severance package of a pittance of N85, 000. The government is asking the ones who have worked for 28 years to go without any gratuity. We are saying that this is unacceptable.

We can’t take that. Even they in government cannot take such inhuman treatment.

“And now, it is very primitive of our government in this age and times to treat any arm of its workforce this way. It is also barbaric for the government to want us to go into a negotiation with armed soldiers. We ought to have been above that level in this country. We are asking the government for negotiations. And how many of us do you see holding machetes here? So, why does the government bring guns into this matter between citizens and its government?

This, I believe is a demonstration of absolute corruption of power.”

A call for calm Attempts by The Nation to speak with Mrs. Awosika, who was said to be in the compound awaiting any willing staff to sign his or her document to receive the severance package, was politely turned down by the two security men who explained that no other person, apart from willing PHCN staff, could be allowed in.

The aggrieved workers, on sighting former Labour Permanent Secretary, Dr. Agare Timipamo, at the gate of the PHCN office, started raining abuses on her.

They also sang: “How many workers government go kill o …How many workers government go kill …

Hey, they can do us nothing, hey, they can do us nothing, hey, they can do us nothing. How many workers government go kill…”

As the environment became more tensed, Mbang asked the workers to remain calm and not to engage in any unruly act that would jeopardise their cause.

S/N

DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES

NO OF BIDS

1

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc

5

2

Benin Electricity Distribution Company Plc

7

3

Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc

4

4

Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc

9

5

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc

7

6

Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company Plc

10

7 8 9 10

Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company Plc Kano Electricity Distribution Company Plc Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Plc

2 2 2 3

11

Yola Electricity Distribution Company Plc.

3

TOTAL

54

NAME OF CONSORTIUM (1) Skipper Nigeria Ltd;(2) NAHCO Power Consortium; (3) KANN Consortium Utility Company Ltd; (4) Interstate Electrics Ltd; and (5)ENL Consortium Ltd. (1)Southern Electricity Distribution Company; (2) Cable & Rods Company Nigeria Ltd; (3) Copper Belt Consortium; (4) Rockson Engineering Company Ltd; (5) RENSMART Power Ltd; (6) Duncan Freeman Company/Draytom Energy Ltd; and (7) Vigeo Power Consortium.

(1)Rensmart Power Ltd; (2)Proglobal Power International Consortium;(3)Interstate Electrics Ltd; and (4) Eastern Electric Nigeria Ltd. (1)OANDO Consortium; (2)Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Ltd;(3) NPD Consortium; (4) SEPCO-Pacific Energy Consortium; (5)West Power & Gas; (6)Electric Utilities Nigeria Ltd; (7) KEPCO/NEDC Consortium; (8)ENL Consortium Ltd; and (9) Honeywell Energy Resources International Ltd. (1)Western Consortium; (2) ENL Consortium Ltd;(3) Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Ltd; (4)Skipper Nigeria Ltd; (5)ICOMM Energy Ltd; (6) Electric Utilities Ltd; (7) and KEPCO/ NEDC Consortium.

(1)Rockson Engineering Ltd; (2) SEO International; (3) OANDO Consortium; (4) Amperion Power Distribution Co Ltd; (5)Honeywell Energy Resources International Ltd; (6) Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Ltd; (7)West Power & Gas Ltd; (8)Vigeo Holdings, Gumco, African Corporation AFC & CESC Consortium; (9) Daniel Power Plant Company Nigeria Ltd; and (10) KEPCO/NEDC Consortium.

(1)Masters Energy Oil & Gas Ltd; and (2) Aura Energy Ltd. (1)NAHCO Energy & Power Ltd; and (2) Skipper Nigeria Ltd. (1) Sahelian Power SPV Ltd; and (2)Profile Energy Consortium Ltd. (1)Utility Integrated Management Services Ltd; (2) Rockson Engineering Company Ltd; and (3)4Power Consortium.

(1)SNECOU Group of Companies Ltd; (2)Vivadis Power Ltd (ORTECH Consortium); and (3)Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Ltd.

Between Pension Act and ‘ superannuation’ scheme Speaking for the Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji, his Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Anikwe Ogbuagu said the whole issue had generated much controversy because there had been a lot of misinformation all over the place.

Ogbuagu said: “According to the government’s directive, letters were written to them each and calculations were given for individual persons to be paid. Letters were written and signed by the Managing Director of PHCN, Mr. Hussein Labo, accompanied by the computation of how much each person was to be sent off with. And these letters are to be taken away by each staff to study for about a week and then, return it to express their views, whether they agree with the spelt out terms or not.

“But , instead of doing this patiently, they decided to embark on the opposition battles. What happened is that, and I will like to start with the workers. Ordinarily, of about 60, 000 PHCN workforce, the organisation has far more support staff than the actual technical people needed. And why is this so? In the past, each time the PHCN advertises for qualified engineers, the ‘powers that be’ then would end up employing those who are not even near the required qualifications. And that is why you see that the agency suffers lack of qualified engineers. In fact, that is one of the reasons that the minister approved the creation of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to hire 1,000 engineers. That was how bad the situation was. But I won’t heap the blame on the workers. They did not employ themselves.

•Workers singing anti-government songs

“But the real problem with them is that when the time came for their appointments to be professionally clarified, which is what privatisation is all about... And this is to be determined, one by their letters of engagement, in which case you are supposed to pay them terminal benefits.

And the way it works is that all the workers will be severed, everyone of them, including their management staff. But they will be paid their dues.

And how much they are paid in gratuity is based on the number of years each of them has served. And the computation has been done. The highest that one severed staff will be paid is N38m. And some of those who were employed six months ago would be given about N500, 000 each upwards. So their claims of a security man who has served about 11 years being paid a mere N85, 000 is not true. What every single member of staff is going to be paid on being severed from the services of the PHCN is clearly stated on the schedule prepared from the office of the Power minister.

“They have not even bothered to ask where the money is coming from. Before 2004, they were operating what they called ‘superannuation scheme’ are managed by the management of the PHCN in conjunction with the leadership of their unions.

And it is a system in which the workers are said to be contributing about 25 per cent of their basic salaries. And

so, when they are to leave, their contributions would have amounted to a lot of money. But for some reasons, this money was not being deducted.

But every year, when people were to go off working, there would be some ‘magical’ calculations done and whoever was going would still be paid what he or she was thought to be entitled to. Now in-between, government changed the rules in 2004 when the Pension Reform Act (PRA) was signed into law.

“The Pension Commission wrote series of letters to PHCN asking them to come so the ‘superannuation scheme’ can be dropped for the proper pension scheme. So during their negotiations, they insisted that their terminal benefits should still be based on the ‘superannuation scheme’. Government said that if they agreed to that, it means that they do not have any liability on this matter. The next thing seen was that they, the PHCN, went to their accounts and discovered that all they had in the treasure was just N3billion.

“They were said to have asked their management what happened to all the money that they thought they had saved. But they were allegedly told not to worry as the management knew how to get the money available whenever it was needed. It was said that some of them even raised dust about the management’s claims to have been deducting 25 per cent of their salaries for several years, and

PHOTO: JOKE KUJENYA

demanded to know where the money was kept. And that was the point that government found that it had been in trouble for so long without really knowing it. So, the Power Minister sought the counsel of Mr. President on how to resolve the problem. The President, it was noted, said it wasn’t the fault of the workers but the management and unions they had trusted for so long. And he was said to have added that the workers, who all have put it years of service into the PHCN, should in no way be punished.

“Government then decided that from June 2004 to June 2012, whatever was due to each of them based on their contributions under the PRA, which was computed to be at N80billion, should be paid. This was then presented by the Energy Minister during one of their Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings. This was promptly approved and the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, released the money. All these are on the records. And it is from this money that they did not contribute at all they would be paid their dues.”

Fight to the finish The restiveness is not limited to Abuja alone. Some other PHCN formations have also witnessed protests.

In Minna, Niger State, members of staff of the Shiroro Hydropower Station, which has the capacity of 600 megawatts, also staged a protest

• Nnaji

to resist the government’s handling over of their severance benefits.

They accused the Federal Government of insincerity and not honouring the conditions of service.

Last Thursday, they commenced an industrial action.

They bore placards with messages such as: “Don’t short-change us, pay us our full benefit”, “Barth Nnaji, Tell Nigerians the truth about PHCN”, “Minister of Power, treat us with Dignity”.

In Lagos, employees of PHCN last Friday began an industrial strike over their terminal benefits. The workers blocked the gates of the PHCN offices in Lagos and the headquarters in Marina. They prevented the management, workers and customers from gaining access to the premises.

They said they would not return to work until their grievances were positively addressed.

Speaking for the workers, President, Senior Staff of Association of Electricity and Allied Company, Mr Bede Opara, said government should have addressed all pending issues before embarking on the privatisation move. He said many of the workers have put in between 20 and 30 years of service.

He said: “As such, it will be wrong to embark on the privatisation without the workers getting their dues for serving the country for a long period.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

5

NEWS cassava Fed Govt, states to own shares in electricity ‘No in Gala yet’ distribution firms U T

HE National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has conceded that the Federal Government and states should have shares in the management of the 11 Electricity Distribution Companies which will soon be privatised.

The concession will now be under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) instead of wholesale privatisation.

Also, a few states have selected their technical partners with which they will invest in some of the companies.

The states are Delta, Ondo, Ekiti, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa.

While Delta, Ondo and Ekiti will invest in Benin Distribution Company, others are for Southern Electricity Distribution Company.

The states have opened up discussion with Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited and Income Electrix Limited.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) recently con-

Otedola/Farouk saga: NGO kicks against choice of counsel

By Emmanuel Oladesu

A

Non Governmental Organisation, AntiCorruption Network has kicked against the choice of Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), as counsel for the Federal Government in the case involving Chief Femi Otedola and Alhaji Farouk Lawan over the alleged bribery scandal during the probe of the management of oil subsidy.

Addressing a news conference in Lagos yesterday, the group’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Dino Melaye said the opposition to Awomolo’s choice was borne out of the fact that “he is the same lawyer that is defending former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole in the ongoing alleged corruption case between him and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

“Anti Corruption Network, our own NGO with me as Executive Secretary, we are kicking seriously against his appointment, as the man to speak for the Nigerian public because the money involved is Nigeria’s money,” Melaye said.

He called on the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Muhammed Adoke (SAN) to drop Awomolo, warning that we are going to mobilise Nigerians if he remains as the lawyer for the sate in this matter.”

According to Melaye, you cannot probate and reprobate at the same time because you must also put public interest in mind, asserting that “there is conflict of interest in the matter by his appointment as a counsel of the state over the issue at hand.”

Suspecting that the arrangement was a ploy to mess up the case as well as a plot to create a soft landing for those involved, Melaye said there are a lot of pro-democracy lawyers and human rights lawyers that such a very sensitive case should be assigned to.

From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

firmed that 54 investors are interested in 11 distribution companies which sprang up from the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) .

The list showed that Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company got the highest number of 10 bidders followed by Eko Electricity Company (nine) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (seven) and Benin Electricity Distribution Company(seven) The bids for other electricity distribution companies are as follows: Abuja (five); Jos (two); Kaduna (two); Kano (two); Enugu (four); Port Harcourt (three); and Yola (three).

Although the transaction timeline reveals that the evaluation of the technical bids will run from August 14 to 28, NCP will approve the results of the technical evaluation by

•Govt opts for PPP

September 11.

But a document, obtained by our correspondent last night, indicated that the NCP has opted for PPP to assuage the demand of the 36 states, which claimed that they had invested in electricity over the years.

The document said the government is selling 60 per cent of the electricity distribution companies to investors; the Federal Government and states will own 38 per cent shares; and two per cent shares will be for new set of workers that will be engaged by the 11 distribution firms.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Even out of the 60 per cent allocated to investors, states can still acquire about eight to nine per cent.

But the states’ shares own-

ership within the 60 per cent cannot be more than nine per cent.

“On the 38 per cent shares allocated to the Federal Government and states, the equity will depend on who has built what. There is going to be a post-acquisition inventory of electricity projects. No matter the size of the value, it cannot go beyond the 38 per cent.

“What we have now is electricity chaos. If the states are part of the business, it means their plan for development will be part of the electricity expansion.

“So, the political and socio-economic interests of states are taking into consideration.”

The document listed incentives for investors in the

Electricity Distribution Companies as exclusive distribution rights; five-year tax holiday, creation of National Electricity Liability Management Company(NELMCO) to absorb legacy liabilities and stranded assets prior to transfer; World Bank Partial Risk Guarantees(PRG) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency(MIGA); and regulations to support repatriation and offer protection against expropriation.

As of press time, a separate document showed that a few states have selected their technical partners with which they will invest in some of the companies.

The states are Delta, Ondo, Ekiti, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa.

While Delta, Ondo and Ekiti will invest in Benin Distribution Company, others are for Southern Electricity Distribution Company.

21 fuel-laden ships expected in Lagos ports

T

WENTY one fuel laden ships are expected to berth at the various oil terminals in Lagos, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said.

NPA said in its daily shipping position document made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos yesterday, that 13 of the tankers were laden with petrol otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

It added that two ships were laden with diesel; one with kerosene while five others contained aviation fuel.

According to the document, some of the tankers are MT Argosy, MT Adventurer, MT Ceseria, MT Knronburg, MT Lucky Lady, MT Danny Rose, MT Ermar, MT Rofos, MT Torm Hellerup, MT Torm Gertrud, MT Amalienburg, MT Perla and MT Alizea.

The ships are to berth at the following terminals;

Atlas Cove Jetty (ACJ), New Oil Jetty (NOJ), fishery wharf, Single Buoy Mooring (SBM), Bulk Oil Plant (BOP) and Ibafon jetty.

The document showed that 81 ships were expected at the Lagos Ports between August 15 and 31, with bulk cargo like used and new vehicles, soya beans, bulk wheat and containers.

Others are steel products, fish, general cargo, bulk salt, rice and petroleum products.

The document indicated that the ships were expected to sail into terminals like Ports and Cargo Ltd., AP Moller Terminal, ENL Consulting Ltd., Joseph dam, Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL), TinCan Island Container Terminal and Five star Logistics Terminal.

AC of Nigeria Plc, producers of Gala, yesterday said it has yet to include cassava in the baking of the product.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Affairs to the President Dr. Doyin Okupe was reported on Monday as saying that cassava was now a component in the making of Gala.

In a statement in Lagos, UAC Public Relations Manager Mike Asuquo said the firm as “a responsible corporate citizen is committed to supporting the government’s agriculture policy and programme on cassava.”

The statement reads: It is probably in anticipation of this, that government envisages inclusion of cassava in some of our wheat flour based products like Gala Sausage Roll. We are encouraging and working with our flour suppliers/millers to actively explore the necessary research and product development to ensure commercial success of such a scheme.

“Our research, product development, formulation trials and tests efforts for now is a work in progress, and when successful our consumers will deservedly, be the first to know of such a breakthrough.

“Our Flagship Gala Sausage roll which recently celebrated its th 50 anniversary as iconic category leader has as declared on its packaging, in line with our tenets of a business bound to full disclosure, an ingredient list which does not contain cassava.”

•Research workers, under the aegis of the Joint Research and Allied Institutions Sector Unions, protesting on the second day of their strike over the non-implementation of their agreement with the Federal Government in Ibadan, Oyo State...yesterday.

Ogoni: NBA kicks against proclamation of self-rule

I

•Warns aggrieved lawyers to stay away from Abuja conference venue

T is unconstitutional for any section of the country to break away, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said yesterday.

Its President Joseph Daudu (SAN) said any purported proclamation by any group or state should be viewed with seriousness by the Federal Government and must be renounced.

This, to him, is capable of heating up the polity.

Daudu spoke with reporters in Abuja on this year’s NBA’s Annual General Conference holding in Abuja fromAugust 26.

On August 2, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), led by Mr. Goodluck Diigbo, declared political autonomy for the peo-

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

ple.

Diigbo stated that MOSOP was forced to declare internal autonomy because of the level of devastation and neglect of Ogoni land.

But Daudu explained that this is with the exception to the jingle extolling the virtues of a state, to project its culture and industry as we have in Ogun State.

The NBA boss warned aggrieved lawyers to stay away from the venue of the lawyers’ conference.

He advised those planning to protest the high conference fee to follow the path of honour and due process and address their grievances

without threatening the peace of the nation.

“The best is for them to stay away. We will not allow those who do not have tag to go one kilometre near the perimeter of the conference venue. We don’t want to compromise the security of our dignitaries.”

“The fee is necessitated by the fact that the NBA profile has increased in the last two years. We need to rely on self-funding so as not to go cap in hand begging for fund. It infringes on the capability of the NBA not to say things the way they are.

We are subsidising the conference by 50 per cent. Besides, there is need to leave money for new executive to take-off. People should pay for what they benefit from.”.

Daudu said the fee is the best NBA can charge lawyers at present, considering the quality of presentations, materials, tea break and lunch that will be provided.

“This is going to be one of the best conferences ever organised. There is still time for them (aggrieved lawyers) to have a change of heart and come to benefit”, he added.

NBA advised lawyers to conduct themselves within the ethics of the profession.

He said it is wrong for any lawyer to condemn the leadership of the Bar or the Attorney General of the Federation on the Internet blog without recourse to the National Executive Council (NEC)-the highest organ of the association.

On the criticism trailing the recent NBA election which he was accused of having special interest, Daudu said: “We have no interest in who succeeds us.

We are not contesting again, the choice is for the bar to make. In any case, this is a professional body. We know those who we can entrust our association into their hands. When our leaders and the bar in general make a decision, we respect it.”

The NBA chief said plans were on to strengthen the disciplinary mechanism of the association.

He encouraged lawyers to register their firms with the anti-graft agency but added that the bar will challenge any act that is inimical to the business interest of members in court.

6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012

NEWS Retired IGs kick against scrapping of police ministry •Committee: It should go

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday given two reports on the police affairs ministry.

The Presidential Committee on the reorganisation of the police urged the President to scrap the ministry, saying it is irrelevant. The committee is headed by Mr. Parry Osayande, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, who is also the chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

But the body of former Inspectors-General of Police, kicked against the scrapping of the ministry.

The reorganisation committee members were at the Presidential Villa to submit their report. The ex-IGPs visited the President.

Both bodies are, however, united in their opposition to state police.

The retired police chiefs presented a position paper to the President on the state of insecurity in the country. Members of the delegation included Muhammadu GamboJimeta, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, Mr Sunday Ehindero and Mr Mike Okiro.

Gambo-Jimeta, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, said they are against scrapping of the ministry because of the need for somebody to answer questions on police matters.

The supervisory ministry “conducts the political aspects related to police,” he said.

He added: “With his busy schedule, the President will not have enough time to attend to the day to day issues arising on the police. During the parliamentary days, there was the need for somebody, not the Prime Minister, to answer questions on police, so a minister of state’s office was created in the Prime Minister’s office to ensure that he conducts the political aspect.

“The President needs somebody to explain to the public the policies that were carried out by the police.”

Arguing against state police,

•President Jonathan (third left) with Former Inspectors General of Police after the meeting...yesterday. With him are from left: Police Affairs Minister Olubolade, PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN Abubakar, Gambo Jimeta, Coomassie and Okiro

Governors seek to make state police optional Continued from Page 1

ty and solidarity of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). That is why state police should be optional. Some of us are pushing for this optional choice.”

There were, however, fears last night that Northern governors might reject any plan to make state police optional.

A Northern governor said: “Our position remains the same; we will oppose creation of state police. We won’t support any attempt to make it optional.”

A source in the Police Service Commission (PSC), who pleaded not to be named because of what he described as the sensitivity of the matter, said: “The truth is that we will not support it based on facts and figures before us. We have From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

the group recalled the use of local police in the First Republic.

Jimeta said: “No; we don’t support state police because some of us have lived through the history of this country to have experienced the sort of horrible things that happened when various police forces were in the hands of various people in this country. At that time, people from other parts of the country could not freely go to other parts of the country for trade, political campaigns.

“The local police forces were bastardized. They were used for all sorts of heinous things. so, at the last London conference, before Independence, it was decided that one single police force for the country should be created. It was done, among other

discussed it extensively and we believe that the nation’s political atmosphere cannot accommodate state police now.

“We believe that those who are asking for state police are playing to the gallery. They want to acquire powers to manage state police to use during elections.

“Our position is that there is no institution that has unified this country than the Nigeria Police . Once you decimate the Police, you are eroding the nation’s unity. We cannot afford that now.”

The source also cited governors’ alleged abuse of police and security detail attached to them as one of the commission’s reasons for opposing state police.

things, for the security of the minority people wherever they happen to be.

“People have forgotten where we came from, when Zik could not go to Katsina or Maiduguri to campaign, when Ahmadu Bello could not go to Enugu or Lagos, when Akintola, Awolowo could not go to some parts of the country. In order to put all these things behind us, our founding fathers in the constitution entrenched one federal force that will be responsible for the rights given to the citizens of this country wherever they happen to be.

“We oppose fractionalisation of the police and the enforcement of laws of this country.

“This is very basic. I blame the display of ignorance of our youths because they never came from that time and therefore they are totally ig-

The source said: “A few months ago, Vice-President Namadi Sambo went to a state for an official visit before the election but the governor refused to accord him respect. It was the governor of a neighbouring state that provided alternative protocol arrangement.

“Imagine what will happen if governors are in charge of state police.

They will not allow some citizens of their states to return home.

“Another thing that has become worrisome is the attitude of policemen and SSS operatives attached to these governors. At the prompting of the governors, these security men take laws into their hands.”

norant of the implications of what happened. If you want to disintegrate Nigeria, then encourage this sort of thing, Nigeria will be gone.”

The retired IGs listed steps that could help put the police back on track. These include: Fiscal autonomy, provision of funds, smooth relationship between the police, the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Police Service Commission, Removal of difficulties in accessing retirement benefits/ mismanagement of the pension scheme, provision of office and barracks accommodation, and the need to reinvigorate the intelligence/investigative arm of the police.

In the submission made to the President, the group expressed concern about the security challenges confronting the country.

They noted “the efforts put up by the government in

tackling the challenges,” adding that their visit was informed by the need “to share our thoughts as retired IGPs towards addressing the current internal security challenges”.

The address was signed by Alhaji Muhammadu Yusuf, Mr. Sunday Adewusi, Gambo-Jimeta, Alhaji Aliyu Atta, Coomasie, Mr. Musiliu Smith, Mr. Tafa Balogun, Ehindero and Okiro.

Two immediate past IGPs Ogbonnaya Onovo and Hafiz Ringim - were not listed.

The Osayande committee based its opposition to the call for state police on what it called inability of state governments to fund state police.

Besides, Osayande said such a move will lead to Nigeria’s eventual break up.

Rather than state police, the former police chief advocated a funding of the police by

all tiers of government.

Osayande said: “State police? It is irrelevant. They cannot afford it. Do you know how much it is to police a country? What we are recommending is that they allow the Police Council to function.

“The President is the chairman, the chairman of Police Service Commission is a member; governors are members, the IGP is a member, and (governors) will bring their policing plan to the council. They will then decide on what to do. We don’t need state police; the country will break up; take it from me.

“However, it is a known fact that the Nigeria Police Council is inactive as it hardly meets, and hence does not fulfil its constitutionally assigned roles of administering, organising and generally supervising the Police” On police funding, the committee’s report noted that since policing is a capital intensive venture, the current funding system of mere federal budgetary allocation cannot be sufficient.

“It is either that funding of the Police be made a first line charge or an intervention/ special fund be created to accommodate the needs of the police, it said.

“The committee thus supports the recommendation of the M.D. Yusuf 2008 committee on the reform of the Nigeria Police that Police should henceforth be jointly Continued on Page 59

Two suicide bombers die as mission turns bloody Continued from Page 1

The explosion occurred about 3.00pm, opposite the Ali Akilu Road branch of Sterling Bank.

Unconfirmed reports said a third person, who was driving behind the two people carrying the IED, had his stomach ripped open and later died at the 44 Army Reference Hospital.

A swam of bees invaded the area immediately after the explosion, forcing onlookers to cut leaves to ward off the bees while security operatives shot canisters of tear gas.

Many people, including journalists that went to the scene, were stung by the bees.

An eye witness, Fatima Yakubu, said she was passing by when she heard the blast and ran there only to see the three victims lying on the ground, not far away from

some motorcycles, affected by the explosion.

“I was coming from the house going to plait my hair when I heard the sound. I thought it was gunshot; then, I saw the three of them (victims) and three motorcycles.

They were all lying on the ground. Two of them were dead; one of them was still moving. Then the bees spread around and started stinging people.”

Another eyewitness, Rita James, said she and her sister were indoors when they heard the sound of the explosion and ran out to see what made the sound and they saw the three victims and their motorcycles, destroyed by the explosion.

“We heard a very loud sound. We were scared and ran out to see what caused the sound only to see the

three victims, two dead and one alive and three motorcycles. The police did not come on time, but they later cordoned off the road,” Rita said.

Another eyewitness, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin, who sells cars close, the scene of the explosion said: “We were sitting here when we saw three persons on different motorcycles and suddenly we had a very loud explosion. The sound caused serious confusion and we quickly took our vehicles inside despite the thick smoke that filled the air.

“The next thing we saw were two dead bodies and the third one was crying for help. Another Okada man opted to help him, but we prevented him. When the smoke subsided, we saw only two bodies and three motorcycles. Nobody can say what

happened to the third person.

“When somebody crossed from the other side to help the third person we stopped him, we told him how can you help somebody who wants to kill innocent people? So he left, but we cannot say how he left. Even the third person that was crying for help, we cannot say precisely how he disappeared.

“They were heading towards Kawo, but where precisely, we cannot say. But certainly their destination may not be far from here for it to have exploded in that manner.

“Although we suffered serious attack from bees which have been living on those poles for over ten years, the sound of the explosion scattered them and they stung us seriously while trying to take our vehicles inside for fear of

another explosion. It was difficult for the soldiers and policemen who came to the scene to have access to the place because of the bees.

Another eye witness who identified himself as Ahmed Yusuf said: “We saw one of the men on Okada carrying something that looks like a television set on the carrier of the motorcycle which exploded all of a sudden.

“One of the persons on one of the motorcycles was crying for help and we wanted to help him when all of a sudden, the bees drove us back.

Benedict Obadiah said he came to the bank to withdraw money and as he was about driving out, he heard a loud

•Col. Dasuki sound and a thick smoke which prevented him from driving out.

The Federal Government has reopened talks with militant group Boko Haram, the Continued on Page 59

CORRECTION In a picture on page13 of our August 14, 2012 edition, we inadvertently captioned the NCAA Captain, Sam Obi Ofili as Logistics Manager, Shell. The error is regreted.

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

NEWS Retired IGs kick against scrapping of police ministry •Committee: It should go

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday given two reports on the police affairs ministry.

The Presidential Committee on the reorganisation of the police urged the President to scrap the ministry, saying it is irrelevant. The committee is headed by Mr. Parry Osayande, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, who is also the chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

But the body of former Inspectors-General of Police, kicked against the scrapping of the ministry.

The reorganisation committee members were at the Presidential Villa to submit their report. The ex-IGPs visited the President.

Both bodies are, however, united in their opposition to state police.

The retired police chiefs presented a position paper to the President on the state of insecurity in the country. Members of the delegation included Muhammadu GamboJimeta, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, Mr Sunday Ehindero and Mr Mike Okiro.

Gambo-Jimeta, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, said they are against scrapping of the ministry because of the need for somebody to answer questions on police matters.

The supervisory ministry “conducts the political aspects related to police,” he said.

He added: “With his busy schedule, the President will not have enough time to attend to the day to day issues arising on the police. During the parliamentary days, there was the need for somebody, not the Prime Minister, to answer questions on police, so a minister of state’s office was created in the Prime Minister’s office to ensure that he conducts the political aspect.

“The President needs somebody to explain to the public the policies that were carried out by the police.”

Arguing against state police,

•President Jonathan (third left) with Former Inspectors General of Police after the meeting...yesterday. With him are from left: Police Affairs Minister Olubolade, PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN Abubakar, Gambo Jimeta, Coomassie and Okiro

Governors seek to make state police optional Continued from Page 1

ty and solidarity of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). That is why state police should be optional. Some of us are pushing for this optional choice.”

There were, however, fears last night that Northern governors might reject any plan to make state police optional.

A Northern governor said: “Our position remains the same; we will oppose creation of state police. We won’t support any attempt to make it optional.”

A source in the Police Service Commission (PSC), who pleaded not to be named because of what he described as the sensitivity of the matter, said: “The truth is that we will not support it based on facts and figures before us. We have From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

the group recalled the use of local police in the First Republic.

Jimeta said: “No; we don’t support state police because some of us have lived through the history of this country to have experienced the sort of horrible things that happened when various police forces were in the hands of various people in this country. At that time, people from other parts of the country could not freely go to other parts of the country for trade, political campaigns.

“The local police forces were bastardized. They were used for all sorts of heinous things. so, at the last London conference, before Independence, it was decided that one single police force for the country should be created. It was done, among other

discussed it extensively and we believe that the nation’s political atmosphere cannot accommodate state police now.

“We believe that those who are asking for state police are playing to the gallery. They want to acquire powers to manage state police to use during elections.

“Our position is that there is no institution that has unified this country than the Nigeria Police . Once you decimate the Police, you are eroding the nation’s unity. We cannot afford that now.”

The source also cited governors’ alleged abuse of police and security detail attached to them as one of the commission’s reasons for opposing state police.

things, for the security of the minority people wherever they happen to be.

“People have forgotten where we came from, when Zik could not go to Katsina or Maiduguri to campaign, when Ahmadu Bello could not go to Enugu or Lagos, when Akintola, Awolowo could not go to some parts of the country. In order to put all these things behind us, our founding fathers in the constitution entrenched one federal force that will be responsible for the rights given to the citizens of this country wherever they happen to be.

“We oppose fractionalisation of the police and the enforcement of laws of this country.

“This is very basic. I blame the display of ignorance of our youths because they never came from that time and therefore they are totally ig-

The source said: “A few months ago, Vice-President Namadi Sambo went to a state for an official visit before the election but the governor refused to accord him respect. It was the governor of a neighbouring state that provided alternative protocol arrangement.

“Imagine what will happen if governors are in charge of state police.

They will not allow some citizens of their states to return home.

“Another thing that has become worrisome is the attitude of policemen and SSS operatives attached to these governors. At the prompting of the governors, these security men take laws into their hands.”

norant of the implications of what happened. If you want to disintegrate Nigeria, then encourage this sort of thing, Nigeria will be gone.”

The retired IGs listed steps that could help put the police back on track. These include: Fiscal autonomy, provision of funds, smooth relationship between the police, the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Police Service Commission, Removal of difficulties in accessing retirement benefits/ mismanagement of the pension scheme, provision of office and barracks accommodation, and the need to reinvigorate the intelligence/investigative arm of the police.

In the submission made to the President, the group expressed concern about the security challenges confronting the country.

They noted “the efforts put up by the government in

tackling the challenges,” adding that their visit was informed by the need “to share our thoughts as retired IGPs towards addressing the current internal security challenges”.

The address was signed by Alhaji Muhammadu Yusuf, Mr. Sunday Adewusi, Gambo-Jimeta, Alhaji Aliyu Atta, Coomasie, Mr. Musiliu Smith, Mr. Tafa Balogun, Ehindero and Okiro.

Two immediate past IGPs Ogbonnaya Onovo and Hafiz Ringim - were not listed.

The Osayande committee based its opposition to the call for state police on what it called inability of state governments to fund state police.

Besides, Osayande said such a move will lead to Nigeria’s eventual break up.

Rather than state police, the former police chief advocated a funding of the police by

all tiers of government.

Osayande said: “State police? It is irrelevant. They cannot afford it. Do you know how much it is to police a country? What we are recommending is that they allow the Police Council to function.

“The President is the chairman, the chairman of Police Service Commission is a member; governors are members, the IGP is a member, and (governors) will bring their policing plan to the council. They will then decide on what to do. We don’t need state police; the country will break up; take it from me.

“However, it is a known fact that the Nigeria Police Council is inactive as it hardly meets, and hence does not fulfil its constitutionally assigned roles of administering, organising and generally supervising the Police” On police funding, the committee’s report noted that since policing is a capital intensive venture, the current funding system of mere federal budgetary allocation cannot be sufficient.

“It is either that funding of the Police be made a first line charge or an intervention/ special fund be created to accommodate the needs of the police, it said.

“The committee thus supports the recommendation of the M.D. Yusuf 2008 committee on the reform of the Nigeria Police that Police should henceforth be jointly Continued on Page 59

Two suicide bombers die as mission turns bloody Continued from Page 1

The explosion occurred about 3.00pm, opposite the Ali Akilu Road branch of Sterling Bank.

Unconfirmed reports said a third person, who was driving behind the two people carrying the IED, had his stomach ripped open and later died at the 44 Army Reference Hospital.

A swam of bees invaded the area immediately after the explosion, forcing onlookers to cut leaves to ward off the bees while security operatives shot canisters of tear gas.

Many people, including journalists that went to the scene, were stung by the bees.

An eye witness, Fatima Yakubu, said she was passing by when she heard the blast and ran there only to see the three victims lying on the ground, not far away from

some motorcycles, affected by the explosion.

“I was coming from the house going to plait my hair when I heard the sound. I thought it was gunshot; then, I saw the three of them (victims) and three motorcycles.

They were all lying on the ground. Two of them were dead; one of them was still moving. Then the bees spread around and started stinging people.”

Another eyewitness, Rita James, said she and her sister were indoors when they heard the sound of the explosion and ran out to see what made the sound and they saw the three victims and their motorcycles, destroyed by the explosion.

“We heard a very loud sound. We were scared and ran out to see what caused the sound only to see the

three victims, two dead and one alive and three motorcycles. The police did not come on time, but they later cordoned off the road,” Rita said.

Another eyewitness, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin, who sells cars close, the scene of the explosion said: “We were sitting here when we saw three persons on different motorcycles and suddenly we had a very loud explosion. The sound caused serious confusion and we quickly took our vehicles inside despite the thick smoke that filled the air.

“The next thing we saw were two dead bodies and the third one was crying for help. Another Okada man opted to help him, but we prevented him. When the smoke subsided, we saw only two bodies and three motorcycles. Nobody can say what

happened to the third person.

“When somebody crossed from the other side to help the third person we stopped him, we told him how can you help somebody who wants to kill innocent people? So he left, but we cannot say how he left. Even the third person that was crying for help, we cannot say precisely how he disappeared.

“They were heading towards Kawo, but where precisely, we cannot say. But certainly their destination may not be far from here for it to have exploded in that manner.

“Although we suffered serious attack from bees which have been living on those poles for over ten years, the sound of the explosion scattered them and they stung us seriously while trying to take our vehicles inside for fear of

another explosion. It was difficult for the soldiers and policemen who came to the scene to have access to the place because of the bees.

Another eye witness who identified himself as Ahmed Yusuf said: “We saw one of the men on Okada carrying something that looks like a television set on the carrier of the motorcycle which exploded all of a sudden.

“One of the persons on one of the motorcycles was crying for help and we wanted to help him when all of a sudden, the bees drove us back.

Benedict Obadiah said he came to the bank to withdraw money and as he was about driving out, he heard a loud

•Col. Dasuki sound and a thick smoke which prevented him from driving out.

The Federal Government has reopened talks with militant group Boko Haram, the Continued on Page 59

CORRECTION In a picture on page13 of our August 14, 2012 edition, we inadvertently captioned the NCAA Captain, Sam Obi Ofili as Logistics Manager, Shell. The error is regreted.

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

7

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

NEWS

Elumelu heads presidential panel on hospitals

T

HE Federal Government yesterday inaugurated a 20-man committee, headed by the Chairman of Heirs Holdings Limited, Mr. Tony Elumelu, to oversee the building of, at least, one world-class private hospital and a diagnostic centre in each of the six geo-political zones before May 29, 2015.

The members include Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, Dr. Yemi Onabowale, Mr. Ifeanyi Okoye, Mr. Charles Cudjoe and Mr. Wale Shonibare.

At the ceremony in Abuja, Minister of Health Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu said inefficiency in resource management has made it difficult for hospitals in Nigeria to meet up with best global

•Committee to woo private investors From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

practices.

Chukwu said: “The failure to provide high-end medical services in many instances, coupled with globalisation, has resulted in the loss of patients to medical tourism, with its attendant capital flight from the economy, further worsening the economic situation in the country.

“In the circumstances, it is obvious that the government alone cannot provide all the health facilities needed to provide adequate healthcare services to the population, now at 167 million and expanding.

“The establishment of pri-

vate world-class hospitals and diagnostic centres would not only satisfy the yearning of Nigerians for such services, but would reverse the direction of medical tourism to Nigeria’s advantage, which again is in line with the economic focus of the transformation agenda of employment and wealth creation.”

Elumelu said the assignment would give him and the committee members an opportunity to contribute to the development of the health sector.

“We shall do our best to come up with an implementable plan to unlock the private sector poten-

tial in the sector.”

The former Managing Director of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) urged the minister to grant the committee access to the reports of previous panels set up in the sector.

He said this would help them to perform better.

The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele, urged the committee to make the government’s plan for the sector a reality.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Mrs. Ndidi Elumelu and the leader of the Senate Committee on Health, Mr. Garba Gamawa, said the National Assembly would

partner the Executive on the initiative.

The committee is to analyse the low involvement of private investors in “highend” specialist hospitals and diagnostic centres .

It is to draw up strategies for attracting private investors to the sector and actualise President Goodluck Jonathan’s vision to have a world-class private hospital and diagnostic centre established in every zone before May 29.

The committee is to develop business models and plans for potential investors.

It is to propose an accreditation scheme that will ensure full compliance with global best practices in the operation of the facilities.

Farmers to get free phones

T

HE Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Communications Technology have concluded plans to distribute 10 million mobile phones to small scale farmers in 2013.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina spoke yesterday, when the President of the Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. Judith Rodin, led a delegation to his office in Abuja.

Adesina said the phones would carry features, such as information on climatic conditions, market prices of farm produce, extension workers and how the farmers can access agricultural funds.

He said it would be part of the second phase of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.

The scheme is a Federal Government initiative aimed at subsidising the cost of major agricultural inputs, such as fertiliser and seeds.

Under the initiative, the direct procurement and distribution of farm input to farmers is discontinued and supplies are expected to be done through an electronic distribution channel, known as the e-wallet.

A farmer, registered under the e-wallet scheme is expected to pay 50 per cent of the cost of farm input, while the federal and state governments would pay 25 per cent each.

Adesina said: “By that, the farmers can get information on planting seasons. We cannot do that by newspapers, we need to have something they can relate with in local languages.

“We will continue to build on the scheme. Right now, we have only one company called Cellulant managing it. Nigeria is huge; Only one company cannot cover the entire country.

“Three more companies would join Cellulant to make it easier for farmers in the different parts of the country to access the e-wallet.’’

He condemned report from some quarters that the e-wallet was too technical for farmers, adding that the scheme would soon be a “powerful tool’’ in the hand of farmers.

‘No third phase of amnesty programme’ From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

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HE Presidential Amnesty Office has said it has no plan for a third phase.

Its Head, Media, and Communications, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, spoke with reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday.

He said the office is aware of the existence of former militants, who were not captured in the programme.

Alabrah said: “It is true that some former agitators in the Niger Delta region were not captured in the on going process. So far, we have about 26,358 exagitators that have been captured in the programme. “ They are currently undergoing training and possible re-integration into the society.”

The spokesman described those who protested in Benin, the Edo State capital and those who attacked the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Warri, Delta State, over their non-inclusion in the programme as impostors.

Redeemer Varsity gets full accreditation

By Miriam Ndikanwu

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•Chukwu (right) congratulating Elumelu...yesterday. With them are Gamawa and Mrs. Bamidele.

Cleric urges Jonathan to show good leadership

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to exhibit purposeful leadership and eschew arrogance.

The President and Archbishop of the Gospel Baptist Conference of Nigeria and Overseas, Prof. Magnus Atilade, gave the advice at the weekend while speaking with reporters in Awe, Oyo State, after the dedication of a chapel.

The chapel dedication was part of activities marking the

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

40th anniversary of the church.

Regretting the spate of corruption in the country, Archbishop Atilade said: “It is regretful that most of those managing the country’s resources are unaccountable.

“Fraud, embezzlement and corruption have almost been institutionalised. Owing to the loss of conscience and the reckless desire to get rich quick, those in positions of

honour collide with foreigners to loot the country’s treasury.

“There are likely to be few countries in the world, if any, which rank higher than Nigeria when it comes to citizens colluding with foreigners to defraud their fatherland by transferring billions of naira in foreign exchange out of the country through fraudulent means. The oil subsidy scam is a case study.”

He said it is unfortunate that government officials

cannot even guarantee their own security, alone protect the people.

The cleric said: “The question is: if the government cannot guarantee the security of the people, how can it provide security for the people?

“Part of the country’s problems is non-compliance with the laws of God. As long as the people continue to ignore the laws of God, insecurity will continue to prosper.”

Lar warns against state police

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IRST Civilian Governor of Plateau State Chief Solomon Lar has cautioned against the formation of state police.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Jos, the state capital, Lar said past experience has shown that Nigeria does not need state police.

He recalled the experience with the local police system known as “Yan Doka”, from the late 1950s to early 1970s.

Lar said the local police were exploited by politicians to oppress their opponents.

He blamed the

From Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos

country’s problems on corruption and urged Nigerians to fight the malaise.

Lar said the Jos crisis would have ended, if his recommendations were implemented.

He said: “It is unfortunate that Jos and the entire state have become what it is today.

“In the past, this state received a medal for being good and peaceful.

People came from everywhere to live and do business here and we did not discriminate against anybody.

“People from all tribes came here and even represented Plateau at the parliament. But now, people are trying to paint Plateau as an unfriendly state, which is not so, because Plateau people have been very fair to everyone.

“The creation of the emirate in Jos is the figment of some people’s imagination, because the emirate is a conquered territory, not an area where a particular people live.”

The former governor advocated a forum where “people would come and discuss freely as was

HE National Universities Commission (NUC) has given full accreditation status to all the academic programmes offered by the Redeemer University, Ogun State.

NUC, in a letter to the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, said all the 14 academic programmes recently assessed have received accreditation.

The accredited programmes include: Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Marketing, Insurance, Biochemistry, Industrial Mathematics, Industrial Chemistry, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, Political Science, Sociology and Socio Works.

Approach NOA for flags

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•Lar

done after the apartheid regime in South Africa.”

He urged Nigerians to demand that their leaders at all levels live up to expectation.

NDIVIDUALS and corporate organisations interested in procuring the National Flag for the October 1 Independence Day celebration are to visit the headquarters of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) at the Old Federal Secretariat, Area 1, Garki, or any of the agency’s state offices.

NOA Director-General Mike Omeri, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Paul Odenyi, urged Nigerians to see the Independence Day celebration as an opportunity to be patriotic and display the national colours.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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NEWS Ogun deploys technology against ghost workers THE Ogun State Government has begun a comprehensive biometric screening of over 41,000 members of its workforce.

The exercise involves a documentary review as well as a biometric data capturing.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the exercise is aimed at identifying irregularities in the state’s payroll system and eliminating ghost workers.

The exercise began on Monday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the state capital.

It involves Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

The statement said the exercise is part of government’s efforts to ensure that only legitimate workers remain on its payroll.

The Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, in company of the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, monitored the exercise.

Mrs. Adekunle hailed the civil servants for responding quickly to the exercise.

She explained that it is routine, adding that the last was carried out five years ago.

The Accountant-General, Mr. Seye Senfuye, whose office is coordinating the exercise, said the process is part of “the ongoing financial re-engineering of the state”.

He added: “One clear objective that we have set is to ensure the best value for every single naira spent.

Naturally, this extends to staff costs, which represent a significant part of our monthly obligation.”

Jonathan’s wife, Shonekan, Babalola, others honour Obasanjo at book launch •Eminent Nigerians hail ex-President on unity, democracy

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IFE of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience; former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan; and eminent lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), yesterday hailed former President Olusegun Obasanjo for ensuring Nigeria’s unity.

They acknowledged the former President’s contribution to the stability of democracy.

The trio spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at the public presentation of a book entitled: Olusegun Obasanjo: Passing the Torch.

They eulogised the leadership virtues and patriotic spirit of the former leader, describing him as an “enigma, eminent personality and an internationally acclaimed statesman”.

The book, which chronicles the life of Obasanjo and his many forays, was written

by Albert Omotayo and reviewed by Wale Famuyiwa, a professor of Psychiatry at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

At the event, which held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, were: former Cross River StateGovernor Donald Duke; Chief Ebenezer Babatope; representatives of Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari; the Oni of Ife, Oba Okuanade Sijuade; and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Gbadebo.

Mrs Jonathan, who was represented by the Water

•Chief Babalola at the book launch...yesterday From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Resources Minister, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, hailed Obasanjo for devoting his life to the “service of the nation and humanity”.

According to her, the book is a befitting tribute to Obasanjo’s multifaceted achievements, which have been etched deeply on the sands of time.

Shonekan likened Obasanjo to a prophet and hero accepted by other nations but not in his country and by his people.

He described the former President as a patriotic Nigerian who is “physically and emotionally” committed to the unity of the country.

The former Head of State urged Nigerians to celebrate their heroes as it is the practice in other climes and shun the pastime of “pull-themdown” syndrom.

He said: “As I have always

•Former President Obasanjo (right) with Mrs Ochekpe in Abeokuta...yesterday

said, Chief Obasanjo can be likened to the biblical prophet who is not honoured in his own country and among his own people.

“I say this because, those of us who know him can tell you that you may take anything from Chief Obasanjo, you cannot take his love for Nigeria from him...”

Babalola, who chaired the occasion, noted that the trying times faced by the nation were capable of causing it to trip off the precipice.

He attributed the survival and unity of the country to the commitment of a handful of persons, including Obasanjo.

The eminent lawyer and founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado (ABUAD) in Ekiti State hailed Obasanjo for the sustenance of democracy.

He noted that it was Obasanjo’s effective leadership between 1999 and 2007 that stymied the scheming of

some unpatriotic Nigerians, who were enticing the military to scuttle the fledgling civil rule for a return to governance.

Babalola said: “Chief Obasanjo has indeed been a gallant torch bearer. He has led the way well, he has foraged courageously through paths hitherto considered risky, where faint-hearted leaders feared to tread and has, as a result, led the country to the path of greatness.

“Unknown to many, the sustenance of the current dispensation of civil rule is attributable to the efforts of Chief Obasanjo to keep those bent on a return to the dark days of undemocratic rule at bay.

“During his Presidency, some people tried unsuccessfully to instigate crisis with a view to giving the military ample excuse for return to governance.

“However, the experience

and effective leadership of Chief Obasanjo put paid to these attempts.”

Besides Obasanjo’s feat during the civil war, Babalola said the former President stabilised the nation’s naira against foreign currencies, offset foreign debts, established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), invested in education, among others.

According to Babalola, who opened the launch with N2 million, the book Olusegun Obasanjo: Passing the Torch, is of immense significance as it chronicles the contributions of the former President as a veritable source through which his numerous feats could be accessed, analysed and utilised for the benefits of present and future generations

Oyinlola’s claim on centre false, says Aregbesola’s aide

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HE Director of the Bureau of Communications and Strategy in the Office of Osun State Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawo, yesterday said the claim by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola that he sought audience with the state government on the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding is false.

In a statement in Osogbo, the state capital, Okanlawon said Oyinlola’s plan to hide under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to convert the centre to his personal property has failed.

He said: “The claim by Mr. Femi Adelegan, who said he was the Secretary to the former board of the centre, must have been made out of total ignorance or pure mischief.”

The statement debunked the claim that the centre does not belong to the state but to Oyinlola and that the government could not alter the composition of its gov-

erning board or amend the law setting it up.

Okanlawon said: “Much more ridiculous is the desperate attempts by Oyinlola and his cohorts to hide under the cover of a global organisation with its integrity to subvert the people’s will.

The UNESCO is known the world over to be a credible organisation, which follows procedures and can never be associated with the plot by Oyinlola to appropriate a public property as his own.

“If they have failed woefully to deny the fact that

Osun tax payers’ money was used to procure the artefacts at the centre and the same tax payers’ money was used to build the edifice, which houses the centre, and the law setting the centre up was passed in Osun, on what moral pedestal do Oyinlola and his co-travellers stand to challenge the decision to appropriately reconstitute the Governing Board?”

The statement urged the former governor to apologise to the people of the state for allegedly attempting to convert state property to personal use.

Ondo INEC decries ‘illegal’ voter compilation

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State yesterday alerted the public to an alleged illegal house-to-house compilation of voters’ cards by a political party.

In a statement by its Head of Public Affairs, Mrs. Celina Beckley, the electoral body said the exercise is unconstitutional because it contravenes the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state had raised the alarm over alleged

•Akeredolu urges INEC to name indicted party From Damisi Ojo, Akure

illegal registration of voters by the ruling Labour Party (LP) with visual evidence.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Akin Orebiyi, denied the allegation at a stakeholders’ meeting at the State Police Officers Mess, Akure.

INEC said: “Political parties and their members are warned to forthwith desist from this activity or any other that is in contravention

of this act and the Constitution of Nigeria.”

It urged security agencies to be on the alert, saying anyone caught in the act would be punished.

The statement also urged the public to keep their cards for the October 20 poll to elect the governorship candidate of their choice.

The Akeredolu Campagin Organisation (ACO) has challenged the INEC to name the party that embarked on illegal voters’ card compila-

tion.

In a statement in Akure, the state capital, by its Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the organisation noted that Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the PDP had raised the alarm that the ruling LP had begun illegal registration of voters.

It said the ruling party operated under the pretence of conducting a biometric registration of civil servants for e-payment.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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CITYBEATS

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Auctioneer held for selling car with arms, ammunition A

LICENSED auctioneer has been arrested by the police for allegedly selling a vehicle containing arms and ammunition.

Gani Momoh was said to have inspected the car before the auction and discovered the arms and ammunition but did not inform the police.

It was gathered that policemen attached to Trinity Police Station in Lagos got a tip-off that a car with arms and ammunition was inside a mechanic workshop in Ajegunle, Lagos.

The police went to the workshop and recovered the

By Jude Isiguzo

Daewoo Racer car marked AZ 234 MUS. Momoh, who lives in OlodiApapa, confessed that he sold the car to Yahaya Idris of No.75, Bale Street, Ajegunle.

Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide said: “Policemen attached to Trinity Police Station, while acting on a tip-off recovered one K2 and two AK49 rifles in an auctioned scrap Daewoo Racer saloon car with

registration number AZ 234 MUS from a mechanic workshop at Ajegunle.”

Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), warned buyers of used cars to avoid purchasing cars with arms and ammunition.

Braide advised auctioneers to check vehicles to be sold and report to the police when they find strange items in them.

Braide also confirmed that policemen attached to Ijeshatedo Police Station killed

•Some students of Babs Fafunwa Senior High School, Ikeja, Lagos at the (NAWOJ) family week... yesterday

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an armed robbery suspect during a shootout with members of his gang.

She said the incident occurred on the Odo-Olowu Street, Ijeshatedo.

Braide said: “The robbers robbed one Mustapha Kareem of No.2A, Olubunmi Alonge Street, Ijeshatedo, of his motorcycle.

Two live cartridges and the robbed motorcycle were recovered from the robbers. The case is under investigation at the State Ccriminal Investigation Department, (SCID), Panti, Yaba.”

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Banker charged with reckless driving

IVE days after her arrest for allegedly killing a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority’s (LASTMA) official, 35-year-old banker, Yinka Johnson was yesterday arraigned in court for driving against traffic.

She pleaded not guilty and Megistrate J.A. Adegun of the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court granted him N50,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Mrs Johnson in blue jeans and mixed coloured blouse was charged with reckless driving against on coming traffic.

Prosecuting Inspector Gbemileke Agoi told the court that, on August 10, about 8:30am at Mega Chicken, Ikota, Ajah Expressway, Lekki, Mrs. Johnson drove a Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with number plate Lagos CY276LSD

recklessly against oncoming traffic(one way), without reasonable consideration for other road users.

Agoi said the offence contravened Section 29(1) of the Lagos State Traffic Laws, 2003.

LASTMA Balogun was killed while trying to stop Mrs. Johnson from taking one-way.

LASTMA spokesman Mr. Richard Omolase said Mrs Johnson hit Balogun, throwing

him on to the path of an oncoming vehicle.

“Balogun, a level four officer, was crushed to death by the oncoming vehicle.”

The deceased, who lived at No 8, Eluku Street, Ikorodu, with his wife and two children, was buried that last Friday according to Muslim rites.

Mrs Johnson in blue jeans and mixed coloured blouse was charged with reckless driving against oncoming traffic.

Dana Air crash: Witness faults air traffic controller, NAMA

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RETIRED Group Captain, Oladipo Ojikutu, yesterday, faulted the air traffic controller for failing to control the Dana airliner before it crashed on June 3, at Iju-Ishaga, a Lagos suburb.

Ojikutu who gave evidence during the inquest into the crash also faulted the nation’s Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) for poor emergency plan on air crash.

The Air Force Captain, who has 26 years experience as an air traffic controller, wondered why the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) report was silent on the communication between the aircraft, Lagos and Kano control towers.

He said there were gaps between what transpired between the control tower and the pilot of the ill-fated plane going by the transcripts of their conversations He told the

By Adebisi Onanuga

coroner, Magistrate Alexander Oyetade Komolafe, that the court was only given 13minutes excerpt of what was supposed to be about 44mins of the conversations between the tower and the pilot.

“From the transcripts of the conversations between the control tower and the pilot of the ill-fated plane, there were gaps between what transpired. The court was only given 13minutes excerpts of what was supposed to be about 44mins of conversations between the tower and the pilot,” he alleged.

According to him, the missing 21-minute recording would have provided a clue into what happened before the plane lost its two engines, noting that air craft rescue emergency works does not start when a crash happens.

He added that the air traffic controller on duty did not respond immediately he got a distress call from the pilot.

“And when he ought to have taken charge of the emergency response, he handed over to a subordinate,” he said, adding that the air controller was supposed to have handed over to a superior officer.

He told the coroner that emergency operation in the case of Dana Aircraft showed that the authority did not respond until it was too late.

The captain said that virtually all emergency units that responded to the crash were clueless about how to extinguish an air plane fire.

“We don’t fight aircraft fire with water. But from the video footages of that day, I noticed they were using water and that didn’t help a bit,” he said.

He said a substance called

foam chemical was supposed to be used.

He said NAMA did not have sufficient manpower, adding that the last time the agency trained its staffs was about 15years ago.

Group Captain Ojikutu also argued that an air crash emergency was a local emergency and not a national one. According to him, the local government must be equipped to cater for emergency of that magnitude before the arrival of state and federal agencies.

He observed that there are too many residential buildings close to the airport pointing out that they constitute danger to safe landing of aircrafts.

He suggested that government should demolish all such buildings and compensate the owners in other to make the Ikeja Airports safer for landing.

‘No bail for driver who hit Judge’

By Precious Igbonwelundu

bus driver, Quadri Kasali, 33, who hit a judge of the Lagos High Court about five months ago, has again been denied bail.

This is the sixth time he would be denied bail since he was arraigned in March 5.

Kasali, whose ordeal started on March 1, after he allegedly hit Justice Adeniyi Adebanjo on Moloney Street, has been denied bail six times by Magistrates M.A. Ladipo and A. Adegbite who handled the matter at different times.

The Magistrates said since his offence was an attempt to kill a Judge, they lacked powers to grant him bail.

Kasali was accused of deliberately hitting the Judge three times with his vehicle with number plate XA242KLK on March 1, and was arraigned on March 5, before the Magistrate’s Court, Tinubu, Lagos his vehicle and driver’s licence were seized by the court.

Lawyers have argued that it was wrong for the court to continuously detain the driver for an offence that is bailable.

The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) took over the matter to ensure that Kasali was granted bail on Monday, but it dis not succeed.

The prosecutor told the court that the case file was sent to the DPP on July 30 and he was yet to get the advice.

Although an application for bail was brought forward on Monday by the defence counsel, Mr. Adedotun Isola-Osobu from Falana and Falana law firm, the court denied the accused bail.

Isola-Osobu told reporters that he would rely on Section 119 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011 to approach the Lagos High Court to seek Kasali’s bail.

The matter has been adjourned to September 13.

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Robbers kill policeman, two others

By Jude Isiguzo

AN Inspector, Taye Adetumobi, attached to Apapa Police Station was, killed yesterday in a gun battle with robbers in Apapa, Lagos.

The police also killed one of the robbers and arrested two of the suspects.

It was gathered that the four-man robbery gang operated on two motorcycles.

They were allegedly laying ambush for customers who came to the bank.

Policemen patrolling on motorcycles, sighted the robbers and went after them.

A policeman, it was gathered had pushed a robber on one of the motorcycles and the three of them fell.

When the robbers noticed it was policemen, one of them shot Adetumobi who died on the spot; the policemen killed the robber that shot their colleague.

Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, said the robbers had been terrorising Apapa and its environs, adding that the police got information that they wanted to strike and laid ambush for them.

The robbers, she said, engaged the policemen in a gun duel during which one of them and a policeman was killed.

Braide said two of the robbers were arrested; an English pistol with seven rounds of ammunition and one of their motorcycles.

On Monday, two people were shot dead on the Lekki-Ajah axis by robbers.

The deceased are a supervisor and a driver in a private company.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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NEWS ACN members advised on deputy governor From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders in Ilaje Constituency II of Ondo State yesterday urged members of the party to shun ethnic and parochial inter-

ests.

The party leaders urged members to unite for a credible deputy governorship candidate from the area.

The ACN chiefs appealed to members to avoid actions that may mislead the party leadership to pick an unpopular person as Rotimi Akeredolu’s running mate.

They noted that this could stall the party’s chances in the October 20 election.

In a statement by Mr Adamson Orowole, Chief Ayinuola Ogunmosun, Mr. Duro Olatuyi, Mrs. Funmilola Orimoloye, Mr. Kayode Ebiwa and Mr. Isogun Ibimisan, the politicians urged those aspiring for the deputy governorship in the constituency to support the former chairman of the State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Chief Adewale Omojuwa.

The party leaders, who are from Mahin, Aheri and Etikan in the local government, noted that for ACN to win the election, it needs to have credible politicians who can outshine other parties’ candidates at the poll.

The ACN chiefs said Omojuwa, though from Constituency I, should not be seen as a barrier to those from constituency II, who wish to compete with him.

They said the former OSOPADEC chairman has the political wherewithal to vie for the position.

The ACN chieftains said since Omojuwa is a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in the local government and a former member of the state’s leaders’ caucus of the party (PDP), he would influence the defection of more PDP members into ACN, if picked as the deputy governorship candidate.

‘LP diverting Ondo resources for Mimiko’s campaign’ T HE Akeredolu Campaign Organisation of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday accused the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State of diverting the state’s resources to fund Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s campaign for the October 20 election.

In a statement by its Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, the organisation said the alleged fund diversion has started affecting governance.

The statement reads: “The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation wishes to bring to

the attention of the people of Ondo State the activities of the government under the Labour Party on the diversion of state resources for campaign in the October 20 governorship election.

“This has started affecting governance, as salaries of teachers and other related workers in the public service are delayed for two months.

Besides, ministries, agencies and parastatals are no longer being funded. This failure to release fund has paralysed

the activities of the affected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“It is now clear that the present government is desperate and prepared to mortgage the future of the state for its personal electoral gains. But the people of Ondo State know better; they will vote out the Labour Party, regardless of whatever its gimmicks are.

“What the people desire is progressive and productive governance that is commit-

ted to sustainable development, rather than the tokenism as exemplified by this present government in the much celebrated projects, which have no direct bearing on majority of the people.

“The Akeredolu Campaign Organisation also wishes to state that Ondo State people will experience massive infrastructural development, if the standard bearer of the ACN is voted into office in the October 20 election.”

Women cocoa farmers protest

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HE women’s wing of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital, protested against the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s procurement of agrochemicals for the association.

The women urged the ministry to include ‘Ultimax Plus and Ridomil’ with two other chemicals it bought for cocoa farmers.

The women farmers, who are from cocoa producing states, were led by Mrs. Doras Expo, Alhaja Aminat Usman and Mrs. Arifalo Comfort.

The women said those chemicals are more active than those the Federal Government bought for them.

They threatened to take their protest to the National Assembly, if the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, fails to listen to them.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

The women expressed solidarity with the association on its request for particular brands of agrochemicals.

They said: “We want the minister to review his position on the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) on cocoa value chain. The minister is our son. We know he would listen to us, because cocoa farmers are pillars of development of the cocoa sector.”

Receiving the protesters at the CFAN national secretariat, National President Alhaji Raheem Adeniji hailed them for conducting themselves peacefully, despite their displeasure.

He said: “It is the belief of the association that the minister, who is a gentleman, will listen to the request of cocoa farmers.”

Unemployed graduates back Akeredolu From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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GROUP, The Ondo State Congress of Unemployed Graduates (OSCUG), yesterday backed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), in the October 20 election.

The group is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) whose membership is restricted to indigenes in higher institutions of learning in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

The group also checkmates extravagance among political office holders.

In a communiqué by its General Secretary, Adebiyi Mayowa, after meetings in Ikare-Akoko, Akure and Okitipupa, the group supported Akeredolu’s aspiration to govern the state from February 13, 2013.

The communiqué reads: “After a wide consultation with relevant arms of the organisation and having listened to the manifesto of the three major political parties, we have endorsed Akeredolu and ready to work for his victory.

“The ACN standard bearer has promised to employ 30,000 youths in the first 100 days of his administration, like Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola engaged 20,000 youths.”

The unemployed graduates criticised the ruling Labour Party (LP) administration for neglecting them.

They said the Mimiko administration is corrupt and dishonest.

“It must be noted that within three and a half years of Mimiko’s government, it has distributed palliative incentives to the national Union of Road Transport workers(NURTW) and Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) for more than six times,” the group said.

“The development has forced some of our members to become taxi drivers and Okada riders, thus becoming easy recruits as political thugs by the ruling party,” the group said.

The Coordinator of Ondo Youth Alliance (OYA), Mr. Kayode Adeyemi, whose group has been mobilising the electorate for Akeredolu, assured unemployed graduates that their trying times would soon be over.

•Some robbery suspects paraded at the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan...yesterday.

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

Police re-arrest robbery suspects in Oyo

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HE Oyo State Police Command have re-arrested members of a gang that allegedly terrorised Ibadan, the state capital, and environs.

Two of the suspects, Arise Jelili and Adewale Lawal, were reportedly released on prerogative of mercy and got court bail.

But they were said to have been re-arrested by the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at the scene of another robbery.

Jelili was among those reportedly released on prerogative of mercy in December, last year, while Lawal was earlier charged to court by the SARS for car theft in 2010. He

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

was granted bail.

Outgoing Police Commissioner and newly promoted Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tambari Yabo Mohammed told reporters in Ibadan that Jelili was caught at Akingbade in Egbeda Local Government Area at a robbery scene.

The police chief explained that in response to a distress call, a patrol team from Egbeda Division stormed a robbery scene at Akingbade.

According to him, during a shootout between the police and the robbers, Jelili was arrested with two locally made pistols.

Mohammed said the suspect confessed to many other robberies and also led SARS operatives to arrest the leader of his robbery gang, Lawal.

The gang leader reportedly escaped with two others during the shootout.

A suspected criminal, Jimoh Yekini (aka Ejo), who has been on the police wanted list, was reportedly sighted at Agbeni, Ibadan, robbing some homes.

This followed an alert to SARS office.

The anti-robbery team was said to have stormed the scene and arrested Ejo. The police chief said the suspect was wanted over a communal clash in December, last year, at Agbokojo/Foko,

Ibadan.

Several people were reportedly killed in the clash with many homes, shops, mosques and churches razed.

Assorted weapons, such as AK 47 rifles and other weapons were said to have been used by the warring factions.

The police said Ejo is also wanted in connection with several armed robbery cases.

Before he was arrested, Ejo allegedly killed a man identified as Kamoru Lamidi during a robbery at Agbeni.

Mohammed said the culprits would be charged to court soonest.

He said the police would track down fleeing members of the gang.

Fasehun criticises cash-less policy

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HE founder of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasehun, yesterday condemned the cash-less policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Addressing reporters at his Century Hotel, Okota, Lagos, Fasehun accused the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, of crippling the economic activities of the Yoruba race by using Lagos as the test run of the policy.

According to him, the policy has failed.

He urged the Federal Government to abolish the policy

By Oluwakemi Dauda

because it is doomed to affect the economic emancipation of the Southwest.

The cash-less policy, Fasehun noted, has started taking its toll on the economic activity of the Yoruba race because, according to him, many people have been forced to keep their money at home or to take it to neighbouring countries.

The OPC founder narrated the case of a Yoruba woman, who wanted to save N20million in one of the banks in Lagos but was pre-

vented from doing so because of the policy.

Fasehun said: “Investigation conducted by OPC has shown that the policy is not a good one because, even in Europe, people are at liberty to withdraw any amount they want from their savings and deposit any amount of their legitimate earnings.

“If the policy is a good policy and not doomed to fail, we feel the CBN Governor would have used Kano, in addition to Lagos, for the test run, instead of opening the Lagos economy to attack.

“Does it mean Mallam

•Fasehun

Sanusi loves Lagos more and Kano less?”

Advocates of the policy have hailed it as a bulwark against robbery. Besides, it fastens transactions, among other advantages.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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NEWS

Electricity generation hits record 4477MW P

OWER generation has attained a new high hitting 4,477.7 megawatts - the highest ever generated in the country. Out of the volume, 170MW is being kept as reserve.

The new peak exceeds the record level of 4,237MW achieved on August 6 by 240.7MW. The spokesman of the Minister of Power, Ogbuagu Anikwe, in a statement quoted the Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, as saying: “The good news is that every power generated is wheeled comfortably. In August, 2010, when Nigeria generated for the first time 3,800MW, the system collapsed within a few minutes because the transmission infrastructure was poorly maintained.”

Commenting on the new generation level, the former PHCN executive director and former chief executive officer of the Egbin Power Station in Lagos, Mr Simeon Atakulu, said: “It is significant that the new record in generation has

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

been set even with the 1,320MW Egbin plant, the nation’s biggest power generator, doing only 600MW because it is undergoing routine maintenance. This means we have a spare power capacity of over 300MW.” It is understood that the new output increase came from the 600MW Shiroro Hydro Station in Niger State, which ironically a section of

the media falsely reported at the weekend to have been shut by a group of junior workers over controversial pension claims.

The Power Minister said the Nigerian Gas Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), has been increasing gas supply to power stations in accordance with the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan and Petroleum Resources Minister

Diezani Alison-Madueke. He added that the quantum of power available to Nigerians would increase further before the month runs out.

Giving a breakdown of how the government would further increase generation, Nnaji stated that one unit of 112.5MW at the Omotosho plant of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) in Ondo State would start to run this month and noted that he would soon travel to

Ughelli in Delta State in preparation for the addition of 200MW from the Delta Power Plant later this month.

One unit of 112.5MW will be inaugurated next month at the NIPP plant at Ihonvbe on the outskirts of Benin, Edo State, with another unit of the same capacity scheduled to start power supply in October. The same month, one unit of 112.5MW of the second phase of the

Geregu plant in Kogi State will be inaugurated, he added.

While praising the staff of agencies under the Ministry of Power for their hard work, commitment and patriotism in challenging circumstances, which many Nigerians may not appreciate, Nnaji asked them not to rest on their oars, adding that power development still has a long way to go in the country.

Why Africa suffers from hunger, by Econet Chair

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HE African continent experiences hunger because it accounts for only three per cent of the world’s fertiliser production, the Executive Chairman, Econet Wireless International, Strive Masiyiwa, has said.

Masiyiwa, who was part of the President of Rockefeller Foundation, Ms. Judith Rodin’s entourage, stated that the continent is capable of eradicating hunger if it could

• Nigeria can lead Africa, says Rockefeller From Nduka Chiejina, Olugbenga Adanikin and Halima Sogbesan, Abuja

double its fertiliser production and adopt the use of improved seeds.

He spoke yesterday when Ms. Rodin visited the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in Abuja.

Masiyiwa said: “The fertiliser summit with President Obasanjo was one of the most critical turning points. As I was saying earlier, Africa is using only three per cent of the world’s production in fertiliser. If we simply went to six per cent, there will be no hunger.”

He said it is imperative

to focus on local production of fertiliser before scouting for the provision of improved seeds.

Noting that 80 per cent of agricultural yields are produced by small scale and subsistence farmers, he urged the Federal Government to provide arable lands as well as improved seeds to boost their farm

output.

Earlier, Dr Rodini said Nigeria has the capacity to be the agricultural hub of Africa and the continent’s leader in food security.

She spoke after a session on financing agriculture with the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina.

Court restrains Okonjo-Iweala, NAICOM from sacking management

A

FEDERAL High Court in Lagos has halted the planned sack of the management of Alliance and General Insurance Plc by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

The court also restrained the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and her ministry from either approving the removal of the company’s directors and management or ratifying the appointment of new directors and management in place of existing ones.

Justice Pat Ajoku, in a ruling yesterday, also restrained NAICOM from implementing the directive with which it purportedly suspended the insurance company from transacting business in the country for the next six months with effect from August 6, 2012.

The ruling was on an exparte motion filed by Alliance Insurance. The judge barred NAICOM from either sacking the management of the plaintiff company or appointing new directors to assume control and management of the company.

The judge also ordered NAICOM to remove from its

By Eric Ikhilae

website, information on the suspension of the plaintiff from transacting insurance business in the country for the next six months. She also restrained NAICOM from publishing same in the national newspapers.

Justice Ajoku directed that the orders are to subsist pending the determination of a motion on notice filed by the plaintiff against the respondents,including NAICOM, Finance Minister, her Ministry and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke (SAN).

The judge, however, ordered the plaintiff to sign an undertaking to pay damages to the respondents should it turn out that the orders ought not to have been granted.

Plaintiff’s lawyer, Ayodele Akintunde had, while arguing the motion, told the court that his client’s fate would be jeopardised should the respondents be allowed to proceed with the implementation of the suspension directive.

Odu’a Group makes N750m profit

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HE management of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited made a profit of over N750million at the close of business last year, its Chairman, Chief Sharafedeen Ali, has said.

He disclosed this to reporters at his Bodija, Ibadan residence yesterday.

The Odu’a boss said the achievement was made possible due to the commitment of the management to probity and accountability.

“As at today, Odu’a is entirely a business concern, a truly profit-making organisation. Before we came in, Odu’a was not making profit.However, because of fiscal discipline and a paradigm shift, we made over N750 million in

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

2011", he said.

Under its management, Chief Ali, who was a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), said many of the Odu’a subsidiary companies have been revived and funds injected to make them viable.

Among the companies, he noted, was the formerly distressed Odu’a Telecommunications outfit, Onet ,that has been revived to compete with other telecoms giants in the country.

He recalled past efforts to make the Onet the pride of the Southwest, adding that the telecoms service provider has come to stay with the procurement of $6million worth equipment.

EMPOWERMENT

HELP

Ministry provides jobs for youths

CARE

Camp for flood victims

Free treatment for rural expectant mothers

Edo

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Kebbi

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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Lagos

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

‘Do not hijack farmers’ fertiliser’

T •Dr. Adesina

HE Minister for Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has cautioned against hijacking subsidised fertilisers meant for farmers.

He told growers in the Southwest to be wary of those he called “fertiliser merchants” who are desperate to rob them of their subsidised farm inputs.

Adesina noted that such merchants in the past frustrated the efforts of about 89 per cent of farmers in the Southwest to access

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

fertilisers meant for them, but he added that the Ministry is equally making things difficult for the unscrupulous merchants.

The Minister said those political fertiliser dealers were used to buying the Federal Governmentsubsidised fertilisers at cheap prices and ferrying them to the North and the Republic of Benin for sale at “exorbitant prices.”

He added that since the Federal

Government would no longer be involved in procurement of fertilisers, there would be no more avenue for the sabotage that fed the unpatriotic business.

Adesina said the fertiliser merchants’ new antics entail going to the farmers directly and telling them that the fertilisers are not good for their soil or crops.

Adesina spoke to reporters in Ogbere, Ijebu-East Local Government Area, Ogun State, during the distribution of

subsidised fertilisers, NPK and Agrolysers, to cocoa farmers in the area.

It was in furtherance of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) programme for cocoa under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (TATA) of the Federal Government.

The Minister who was represented at the occasion by the Southwest Regional Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Talabi Julius Odeyemi, said the Federal Government has •Continued on Page 47

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HIS lifts the heart of cardiac patients. At Adazi Nnukwu community in Anambra State, Governor Peter Obi has laid the foundation of a heart diagnostic centre. The facility, whose cost is put at N60m, is sited at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Adazi-Nnukwu.

That is not the only project that is shaping up in the community. The foundation blocks of a N150m Medical Service Complex have also been set there. The Obi administration has provided N90m out of the total cost of both facilities.

The diagnostic centre, named after Dr. Joe Nwailo, brings much cheer to patients of heart disease. Across the country, such diagnostic centres are few and far between, putting sufferers in danger, many of them having to travel far to get medical attention at exorbitant cost.

The Adazi-Nnukwu facility eliminates much of the pain.

Governor Obi said the Heart Centre is in honour of Dr. Nwailo, an indigene of the town and renowned heart surgeon who has promised to visit the state annually to provide free health services.

The Hospital Manager, Rev. Fr. Charles Ibekwe, in his address, recalled that Obi is the first governor since 1978 to partner with Mission Hospitals, demonstrating commitment to healthcare delivery in the state. He thanked the governor for his sustained support over the years. He disclosed that the students’ hostel the governor sponsored is nearing completion while their modern laboratory is now functional.

Miss Ogochukwu Ezenwaka and Miss Paschlina Agwolle were among the people who praised the governor for his efforts. They said God was using him to reduce the suffering of the people. They also promised to utilise the

•Gov. Peter Obi laying the foundation of Nwiloh Heart Diagnostic Centre at the St Joseph Hospital Adazi -Nnukwu

A lift for heart patients Obi lays foundation for N60m facility Community hails effort rebuild collapsed structures and From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

facilities provided at the institution by the Obi administration to make the best of their studies.

Governor Obi equally presented a cheque of N5m to Bubendorff Memorial Grammar

School, Adazi-Nnukwu to commence the rebuilding of its dilapidated structure. Obi presented the cheque during a visit to the school, accompanied by some top government officials.

Presenting the cheque, he said the gesture was in line with the policy of his administration to

create conducive learning environment for the children. He enjoined the school management to work hand in hand with the Parents Teachers Association and the Town Union to execute the project.

The Principal of the school, Sir Andy Obi, in his address ,lamented that over the 40 years

the school was taken over by the government after the civil war, nothing much has been added in terms of infrastructural development. He thanked Governor Obi for the assistance given to the school.

In a similar development, the governor directed the management of Lorreto Special Science School, Adazi-Nnukwu to provide the government with the estimated cost of rebuilding dilapidated structures in the school through direct labour.

Governor Obi, who gave the directive after an inspection visit to the school, said his •Continued on Page 47

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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•Governor Dakingari

Kebbi gets camp for flood victims

HE Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has concluded arrangements to set up a temporary camp for victims of the flood, which ravaged parts of Birnin Kebbi last week.

The flood caused by a heavy rain, killed a 70-year-old man and rendered many people homeless.

The acting Executive Director of the agency, Malam Abbas Rabiu, told journalists in Birnin Kebbi that the agency was preparing a camp for the displaced people.

Rabiu said that already other committees had been constituted for assessment, evacuation and supply of relief materials to the victims.

He said, “We would meet and issue solutions on our findings to state authorities.”

The heavy rainfall that lasted for seven hours resulted in flooding of the metropolis, with major roads blocked, while many houses col-

Hajj: Zamfara pays N2.2b to NAHCON

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HE Zamfara State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, has remitted N2.2 billion to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as deposit payment for seats allocated to the 5,570 intending pilgrims from the state.

Alhaji Lawali Abubakar, the Executive Secretary of the agency, disclosed this in Gusau in an interview with newsmen.

He said the payment was in line with the deadline issued to the agency by NAHCON for payment of the 2012 Hajj seats.

Abubakar said the government was also making arrangements to remit the outstanding balance to the National Hajj Commission to facilitate early preparation for this year’s exercise.

To meet the high demand for seats by intending pilgrims from the state, Abubakar said the government had forwarded a request to NAHCON for 500 additional seats.

The executive secretary said the government had granted subsidy worth N360 million to intending pilgrims from the state to enable them perform this year’s Hajj without stress.

“Under the subsidy policy, the government has subsidised accommodation for pilgrims in Mecca to the tune of 1,500 Saudi Riyals (about N67,500) for each of its 5,570 intending pilgrims,’’ he said.

Abubakar said the government had also waived all expenses relating to the transportation of pilgrims to and from Zamfara to Sultan Abubakar

Zamfara International Airport, Sokoto.

On allegations that some of the immediate past sole administrators of local government councils squandered Hajj fares, the secretary said that the issue was being investigated by the Ministry for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs.

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HE Katsina State Action Committee on AIDS (KATSACA) says it has distributed free milk to 30 newlyborn babies infected with HIV and AIDS in the state.

Dr Muntari Hassan, the Executive Secretary of the committee, said this while distributing the milk to parents of the affected babies in Katsina last week.

He said the HIV and AIDS infected babies were drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state.

According to him, each of the babies will be given four tins of the milk for six months to facilitate their feeding.

lapsed.

The state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim, accompanied by some top government officials, had earlier inspected parts of the areas devastated by the flood.

He ordered the state Urban Development Authority to immediately clear all blocked drainage.

Police warn vehicle owners THE Lagos State Police Command have

Group seeks dialogue on national issues HE need for people committed to the socio-economic and political emancipation of Nigeria to discuss ways forward, was the subject of a recent pre-summit session of the Centre for Patriotic Leadership Initiative (CPLI). The theme was: Connecting mind; securing the future, Welcoming participants, CPLI executive director, Femi Adeoya, said the meeting became imperative in order to find solutions to the various national challenges.

Adeoya said: “This meeting is essentially called to brainstorm on our problems as a nation and find solutions on the one hand; and to effectively plan for the CPLI international summit coming up in few weeks’ time where we intend to invite experts and professionals in different fields to lead discussions around this

Agency gives free milk to HIV/AIDS babies

Kebbi

warned owners of vehicles parked at the following divisions to remove them immediately or forfeit same through auction.

Isolo and Akinpelu Division 1. Toyota Avensis- unregistered 2. Mitsubishi Gallant- MR594KJA 3. Hyundai TJ-405KJA 4. Land Cruiser Prado Jeep- FB636LRS 5. Honda Accord – CF629LSR Seme Division 1. Mazda 626 saloon car DB696KTU 2. BMW 3 series- unregistered

By Adegunle Olugbamila

theme.

“It’s our belief that if we can connect minds as Nigerians, no matter our language, ethnicity, religion, status, professional callings or places of residence, the future of this great nation can be born and secured.

` • From left: Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Mr. Fady Richmany, Regional Managing Director, EMC Corporation, and Alhaji S.I. Ojomo, Baale of Lakowe at the inaguration of IT equipment donated by the corporation to Iwerekun Community High, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos

Tight security at Osun Osogbo festival

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HE Osun State government has assured tourists and other visitors who plan to witness the 2012 Osun Osogbo Festival of adequate security of their lives and property.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr Ladipo Soyode, gave the assurance on while addressing newsmen on preparations for the 2012 Osun Osogbo Festival.

Soyode said the government, in collaboration with the security agents, would ensure absolute protection of lives and property “before, dur-

C

By Amidu Arije

is an annual event and the council would continue do so to enable many further their education.

“We give glory to Almighty God for making it possible. This is our seventh edition of the scholarship awards, we are not going to rest on our oars. Since it is an annual scheme, we shall continue to strive to make sure that we give many scholarships to students in the community for them to be able to continue their studies,” he stated.

He said the students were selected from all public primary and secondary schools within the Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area and Mosan Okunola by their teachers for examination conducted by the forum.

“We wrote letters to the schools to request for five of their best students for the scholarship examination and picked finally on merit,” he said.

• Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Govt Area Hon. Akeem Bamgbola presenting free GCE forms to one of the beneficiaries. With them are the council officials

Gospel Businessmen hold convention

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•Prof AbdulGaney Abdulsalam, guest lecturer (left) with the National Missioner, Al-FathiuAl Quareb Muslim Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Tijani Kehinde Fadlu-R-Rahman at the Ramadan lecturer organised by the group in Lagos.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

Osun ing and after the celebrations’’.

He appealed to the people of the state to exhibit good virtues by extending hands of tolerance and hospitality to visitors and tourists throughout the period.

According to the special adviser, the state government is set to raise the festival to international status rather than promoting the fetish aspect which is left completely in the hands of traditionalists.

He said that the pavilion at the groove was being renovated to meet UNESCO standard, adding that provisions had been made for befitting hospitality services, proper management and control of crowed to allow easy flow of traffic.

The festival which has already started would end on August 24.

The annual globally- recognised festival is attached to the founding of the ancient town of Osogbo by two prominent personalities Oba Larooye and Olutimehi, the great hunter.

The duo, in search of a better habitable place with their people, left their former abode, called Ipole Omu, and settled at Osun River beach.

Briefly

HE Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International will hold its national convention from today to Saturday, August 18 at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos at 9am and 5pm daily.

Speaking with journalists last week, the chairman of the convention Planning Committee, Mr Ayo Badejo, said the gathering is a bi-annual empowerment programme of the fellowship for her members and the public. The theme is: The Season of His Glory and it is hoped that participants will be equipped with the tools required to build successful business and showcase righteousness in the market place.

The Regional Vice-President, South West region of FGBMF, Mr Niyi Ogunnusi, an engineer, noted that some of the best hands in their disciplines have been selected to handle

the various sessions. Some of the speakers include: the National President of FGBMFI Nigeria, Arc Ifeanyi Odedo, Bishop Oyedepo, Brother Gbile Akanni and Dr Okey Onuzo.

Some of the highlights of the convention are: rallies, business fora , teachings, life lifting testimonies among others.

FGBMFI is a global movement of business men and professionals from all walks of life founded about 60 years ago and existing in over 160 nations. There are over 3000 chapters in Nigeria and part of its objectives is to create a forum for both young and experienced business men and professionals to come together to share experiences for better business principles.

The convention expects 20,000 participants from all the states of Nigeria, African countres, America, Europe, Asia and others.

Herbal union recognised

AGOS State government has given permission to the state chapter of National Union of Medical Herbal Practitioners, led by Chief Dr Yemi Areola, to operate as a registered and recognised institution.

Speaking in an event to mark the registration, Chief Areola stated that “with government certificate issued to us, we can now help in administering, fostering and promoting healthy living techniques for the benefit of the people of the state.”

He, however, reiterated that this does not warrant members of the union to extort

Katsina “The gesture is courtesy of the state governor’s wife, Hajiya Fatima Shema, who provided 70 cartons of the milk as part of her support to the KATSACA and the HIV and AIDS infected persons in the state.”

The executive secretary urged the mothers to ensure proper use of the milk.

In his remarks, Alhaji Abubakar Kankia, the state Chairman, Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS, thanked both the KATSACA and the governor’s wife for the support.

Council provides jobs for 100 youths

Students get scholarship ONCERNED by the high number of indigent students unable to further their education, a group, Ipaja Youths Forum (IYF) has given scholarship worth N1.5 million to students in primary and secondary schools within the Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area.

The scholarship is a three-year free tuition fee given to pupils going to the Junior Secondary and the Senior Secondary schools within the community.

The president of the forum, Mr Akanji Shadare who was represented by his deputy, Hon Ishau Ajibade, said the reason for the scholarship is to help the less-privileged in the society achieve their dreams.

“Every year we do use N1.5 million to pursue the cause of the scholarship; we do this to help the indigent students achieve their goals in life” he said.

The scholarship, according to the president,

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money from people, even as he added that they should always imbibe the ethics of the profession.

Chief Areola praised the effort of Governor Babatunde Fashola in making the state a better place to live in. He also praised the efforts of the Commissioner for Arts and Culture and his directors for their efforts towards promoting arts and culture in the state.

The union pledged to contribute its quota towards the development of the state. It thanked all council chairmen in the state for their supports to the union.

Didi Museum reopened

By Risikat Ramoni

THE first private museum in Nigeria, Didi Museum was recently reopened in Lagos.

The one-storey building w as rebuilt, rededicated and reopened for public use with an exhibition of photos from the desert called, Whispers from the Sahara.

Many guests present at the event expressed their joy and satisfaction to see the museum, which started as a room, become a storey building of international standard.

The museum, named after Jibunoh’s sister, Edith who died in 1954, was established to coordinate, preserve and exhibit Nigeria’s collective heritage from all parts of the country and beyond.

Collection of arts in the museum has been influenced by Jibunoh’s personal life journey.

Guests were thrilled by the exhibition of photos taken by Kelechi Amadi Obi who travelled to the Sahara with Jibunoh in 2008.

Some of the Sahara collections include; the custodian of sand dunes, frozen moments of brilliant eternity, spirit dance, white sahara, among others.

The Tafida of Kano, Alhaji Tijani Abubakar reopened the building on behalf of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. He was of the opinion that the museum symbolises the unity of the country.

Publisher, Africa Today magazine in London, Mr Kayode Soyinka, who co-authored a book on Didi museum with Mrs Elizabeth Jibunoh, expressed satisfaction that the museum met international standard.

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JIGBO Local Council Development Area in Lagos State has concluded plans to train 100 youths in various vocations at its Skill Acquisition Centre in Ejigbo.

Distributing the forms to beneficiaries at the council headquarters, the chairman, Mr.Kehinde Bamigbetan, said the aim was to help the youth not to be a burden to their parents.

“Becoming a financially independent in-

By Duro Babayemi

dividual will make you appreciate God who had given you the talent to use your hands and be free from being a burden to your parents”, the chairman said.

Bamigbetan added, “The youths constitute 65 per cent of the population in this LCDA and empowering them as a means of ensuring a financially capable one in the society, not only in Ejigbo but in Lagos State”.

• Governor Shema The council chief said he chose to demonstrate the best investment in education and youth development to ensure a crime-free society that would not only develop Ejigbo but also make Lagos State a place for multidimensional industrial investment.

“Since 2008, we have demonstrated the best investment in education and youths development with free GCE and JAMB forms to more than 1000 candidates in addition to distribution of free uniforms and other educational materials that make teaching and learning easier for pupils in all public schools in Ejigbo LCDA”, the chairman said.

Bamigbetan said the 6-3-3-4 educational curriculum was to create standard base for carpenters, vulcanizers and other artisans in Nigerian society and “free your mind of the erroneous notion that you cannot be successful unless you go to university”.

Continuing he said: “If you chose to go for higher education, the skill acquired at the centre will help your earning and therefore be a support to your parents”.

‘Embrace free education’

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•From left: Mr Bisi Olatilo receiving an award from the Rotary Club of Maryland, Lagos, District 9110 at the installation of Rotn Rosemary Ifeonye(third left) as the President, 20122013 Rotary Club of the year at Planet One Events Centre,Maryland,Ikeja. With them are Rotn Henry Akinyele,(second left),Rotn Yemi Arigbabu and Rotn Deinde Soga.

Kingmakers defend monarch’s installation

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INGMAKERS in Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State have said that due process was followed in the installation of the Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu-Adeyemi three years ago.

This was in reaction to a statement credited to one Eyejumu who alleged that the monarch was wrongly chosen.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Alara-In-Council, who is also the High Chief Sajowa of Aramoko Ekiti, headquarters of council, the kingmakers condemned the report in the Sunday Tribune of July8, credited to Chief Eyejumu, who claimed that Oba Adeyemi’s ascension to the throne was fraught with irregularities.

The statement was issued after a meeting of the kingmakers in reaction to the said publication credited to Chief Eyejumu in the media. Eyejumu had alleged in the newspaper stories that Oba Adeyemi, who ascended the throne following the demise of Oba Oluwole Amele, Counsellor Balogun of the rested The New Village Headmaster Television series, was not the choice of the Ifa Oracle .

The kingmakers rejected the report in absolute terms and stated that it was not only ridiculous to the community but a false and irresponsible statement meant to malign the royal institution of Aramoko Kingdom.

It stated further that the name of Prince Segun Aderemi, who was referred to in the story as the person favoured by the oracle was never selected.

The 13 kingmakers stated without equivocation that: “Prince Segun Aderemi was never picked by the Ifa Oracle nor was he popularly elected as Alara of Aramoko in the election that produced Oba Adeyemi. The Kingmakers followed due process in the

entire selection exercise that was conducted openly and recorded in both print and electronic media. The video clip is available and in circulation,” “As educated and informed individuals, we kingmakers to the Alara of Aramoko Chieftaincy are sufficiently educated and informed to see the need to avoid doing anything that will amount to impugning the integrity of the court on a matter which is ‘subjudice’.

HE Executive Director, Adult and NonFormal Education in Nasarawa State,Mr William Ebuga, has called on uneducated youths and adults to register for free adult education in the state.

Ebuga, who made the call in a chat with newsmen in Lafia, said that the objective of the agency was to educate both youths and adults, who had dropped out of school.

He said:“The agency is determined to educate and equip all the youths and adults, who have dropped out of school with skills before 2015.

“Skills acquisition is part of the strategies adopted by the agency to persuade adults to learn. The agency would educate them free of charge.”

Ebuga added that government had done its part by founding the adult education agency..

He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to assist the government because it alone could not do everything.

The director also said that the agency had the legal mandate to register other organisations that wanted to embark on adult education in the state.

•Supervisor for Health, Apapa Local Government Area, Hon. Moji Lawal, standing during the school comprehensive health programme for all primary school pupils in the council

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

EDITORIALS

Innocent 24 years •After serving over two decades behind bars, a court sets Olatunji Olaide free

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HE news report that the Court of Appeal has found one Mr. Olatunji Olaide innocent, after he had spent 24 years in prison, is embarrassing for our criminal justice system; and the experience agonising for the victim. Even more excruciating for Mr. Olaide is that 17 of those difficult years were spent on the death row waiting for the hangman, before the Court of Appeal freed him. Mr. Olaide’s experience in a normal clime would have led to a national outrage and a major public enquiry to find out how a nation’s judicial process can be so unfair to a citizen.

But in Nigeria, Mr. Olaide’s experience is common, as many Nigerians in prison across the country have spent years in custody, on what is commonly referred to as ‘awaiting trial’. This unfortunate experience is despite the existence of chief law officers at the federal and state levels. Indeed, but for the intervention of one Pastor Ariyo Popoola, and the counsel he retained for the condemned prisoner, Mr. Chino Obiagwu, the Executive Director of Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), Mr. Olaide would have been hanged for an offence the appeal court has now found him innocent of.

The heart-rending story of torture by the police, and other inhuman treatments deserve investigation by the nation’s human rights commission. There is also the need to improve capacity to investigate and punish crimes.

It is unfortunate that while discharging and acquitting Mr. Olaide, the Court of Appeal was not in a position to grant him any financial restitution. This scandalous

exposure of our criminal justice system, would most likely also receive scant change in future, unless there is a legislative interference providing for financial restitution in similar cases. Also, the Lagos State ombudsman should intervene to get an administrative relief, and if it fails, judicial intervention for Mr. Olaide to receive compensation.

According to Mr. Olaide, he left Lagos in 1988 for Gwari to buy cows, goats and rams to sell, and while in the bush making his choice, he was arrested by some policemen who claimed that he and others they were chasing had abandoned a stolen vehicle on the road, and had ran into the bush. He narrated that after a series of interrogations in Niger State, and despite his claim of innocence and confirmation by the interpreter who was with him when he was arrested, that he was a visiting trader, he was handed over to an anti-terrorism squad from Lagos and transferred to Adeniji Adele Police Station, where, according to him, the real hell began.

After a trial at a Lagos High Court, Justice Da Sliva sentenced him to death, and for 17 years, he was a call away from death. Within that period, his other eight inmates, who shared the same tiny cell with him, were one after the other called out on their individual faithful day and, according to him, they never returned.

While in prison, his wife remarried, and interestingly, he bears her no grudge; stating that were his wife a sister, he would have acquiesced to her new marriage, as there was little hope of his ever getting out a free man. Indeed, despite his

family’s best effort to free him, no respite came, as the lawyers hired for the purpose merely collected fees and failed to make any headway.

We salute the churches that lightened his ordeal, particularly the Catholic Church, and of course his ultimate benefactor, Pastor Poopola, as well as his counsel, Obiagwu, who collected no money for the services. We commend such magnanimity to other lawyers, particularly those who place money above other considerations.

Olaide scored the police very low, claiming torture and the stealing of the N325,000.00 he had on him when he was arrested in 1988. He also condemned the judicial system, believing that it is ineffective and that he was unjustly condemned for a crime he did not commit.

Anybody would. We hope, as he does, that he will now enjoy the rest of his life in freedom.

‘This unfortunate experience is despite the existence of chief law officers at the federal and state levels. Indeed, but for the intervention of one Pastor Ariyo Popoola, and the counsel he retained for the condemned prisoner, Mr. Chino Obiagwu, the Executive Director of Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), Mr. Olaide would have been hanged for an offence the appeal court has now found him innocent of’

A taxi driver’s example •The selfless man returns N18 million to the owner

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AXI driver Imeh Usuah is a phenomenal Nigerian. He is in the spotlight for a remarkable act of honesty, and was recently honoured with an award by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), for returning the princely sum of N18 million left in his car by a passenger. Usuah, who plies the airport road in the federal capital, Abuja, discovered that there was a bag in his car while he was at a car wash.

According to him, “My mind went back to the man that I dropped at a hotel and I immediately alerted my chairman and he instructed me to go back to the place where I dropped him. I saw him and delivered his bag to him.” The event reads like a moralistic piece of fiction. We can only imagine the temptation the discovery posed to both the driver and the chairman of the taxi drivers’ association. In a television report on the award, the chairman said that members of the branch of the association had a strong orientation towards honesty. The evidence of this claim can be seen in their righteous behaviour.

Usuah’s exemplary conduct deserves to be celebrated, said the NOA DirectorGeneral Mike Omeri, because he “toed the path of honesty and displayed rare integrity.” This path of truthfulness is a difficult challenge in a money-conscious society like ours. With that kind of money, the taxi driver’s life could have been transformed for good. Given his profile, he was a common man; yet faced with the possibility of riches acquired immorally, he

chose the straight and narrow path of conscience. His sense of right and wrong was potent enough to overcome the lure of filthy lucre. He resisted the pressure to turn his material condition into an excuse for dishonesty.

There is a school of thought that is fixated on the here and now, and which defines money as “the medium by which earthly success is measured.” Evidently, Usuah was not swayed by this belief; otherwise, he would probably have behaved differently in the circumstances. His definition of success is perhaps more transcendent and he is not willing to be rich at all cost. There is another school of thought that is inspired by visions of the afterlife and poses the question, “What does it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul?” Apparently, Usuah was guided by the implied principle of such spiritual thinking that places a premium on morally acceptable sources of wealth.

Unfortunately, we live in a money-oriented society where examples abound of how not to pursue wealth. Many people are in the grip of Mammon and would go to any length to acquire wealth. Such extreme materialism has different faces, ranging from the fraudulent politician who enriches himself with public money to the tune of billions of naira, to the ritual killer who seeks big money by supernatural means, and the kidnapper who demands a huge ransom from his victim.

To this group of money-driven people, the

end justifies the means.

The excessive love of money is certainly an important factor in the widespread corruption that has tainted the country’s image. Nigeria is a well known case study in official corruption, and the bad example of the country’s public officials has, regrettably, become a standard for many of its citizens. In the case of Usuah, for instance, his son told reporters that when the news broke that his father had returned the large sum of money found in his taxi, some people mocked the man and called him names.

But by providing this moral example, Usuah has made a name for himself. His is an edifying story that reflects the beauty of the human spirit and helps to reinforce the value of virtue. We need more of his type.

‘This path of truthfulness is a difficult challenge in a moneyconscious society like ours. With that kind of money, the taxi driver’s life could have been transformed for good. Given his profile, he was a common man; yet faced with the possibility of riches acquired immorally, he chose the straight and narrow path of conscience. His sense of right and wrong was potent enough to overcome the lure of filthy lucre’

Egypt’s Morsi must moderate his power grab

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RESIDENT MOHAMED MORSI retilted Egypt’s balance of power Sunday, two months after the ruling council of generals had tilted it too far in their own direction. This could prove a step toward a truly democratic Egypt, a positive turn of events. But there is a danger, too, for Mr. Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate who won the first free presidential election in Egypt’s modern history. He must respect others in a nascent civil society.

By any measure, the power grab by the council of generals was crude and offensive to the democratic aspirations of millions of Egyptians, who threw off Hosni Mubarak’s rule last year in the Arab Spring. Just as the polls closed in Egypt’s runoff presidential ballot in June, the military council stripped the presidency of power, seized authority to legislate until a new parliament is elected and to decide all matters related to the armed forces, and took a significant role in the writing of a new constitution.

On Sunday, Mr. Morsi returned those powers to himself. He also forced the country’s top two generals — both holdovers from the Mubarak years — into retirement and fired the chiefs of all the military services. Last week, he ousted Mr. Mubarak’s head of the security service. Mr. Morsi seems to have shrewdly capitalized on the Aug. 5 security debacle in which 16 Egyptian troops were killed by Islamist militants in the Sinai.

But Mr. Morsi will need to be more than shrewd if he is to lead Egypt in a democratic direction. His action against the generals was extralegal, and in a twilight period without a permanent constitution or parliament, he will have extraordinary sway, both legislative and executive, over how the new Egypt is constructed. The Muslim Brotherhood’s history as a closed, secretive society is not a viable method for governing.

Mr. Morsi probably had no alternative but to face off with the generals and consolidate his political standing. The military council would not have permitted a democracy to flourish. But Mr. Morsi must avoid the temptation of absolutism, and that means respecting other centers of power. He must still command a military establishment that has vast economic interests and is deeply rooted in the state. He must respect the secular and liberal forces who have been rivals to, and suspicious of, the Muslim Brotherhood.

Mr. Morsi also must learn to live with a certain amount of criticism. In recent days, the authorities announced prosecutions of journalists, some of them close to the military and not particularly sympathetic to Mr. Morsi. The president should not go down this road. He promised in a televised address on Sunday not to “narrow freedoms,” a pledge he must uphold at all costs if Egypt is to move beyond the stagnant authoritarianism of the Mubarak years.

– Washington Post

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

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•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Haramu, in my dialect as a borrowed word means to greedily take what does not belong to you like a dog; this menace is rampant where God, his word and principles are not allowed and hallowed to rule and reign.

Anything coveted greedily makes one a Haramu. It is expressed in selfishness, greed, corruption and wickedness.

Boko Haram in Nigeria is multidimensional; unless the root is evacuated the leaves will continue to bloom in terrorism.

The real Boko Haram are the big elites that seem to be above the law; they sponsor these terrorists to forment trouble; like troubled water, unless the fish is removed, effort to get clean and settled water will be extremely difficult.

We have Boko Haram among our law enforcement agents. The police assigned to maintain law and order see that as license to take bribe.

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 1000 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.com

Containing the many facets of Boko Haram Customs and immigration services manning our borders are coveting goods meant for confiscation.

Hunger is biting hard and it produces Boko Harams among the citizens such as kidnappers, armed robbers, cyber-criminals and prostitutes.

In the civil service, there are many ghost harams that are feasting from national purse; ours is a country where citizens steal what belong to them.

Lack of patriotism is another invisible haram that visibly threatens the integrity of Nigeria. The aver-

age Nigerian thinks about himself and what he can only get out from Nigeria. blindness to focus We need to change the orientation of Nigerians to be patriotic because we cannot think negatively and get positive results. Nigeria is richly endowed but the content of our character is incongruous to the kind of development we envisage. There cannot be social justice where there is moral imbalance neither should we expect economic growth in chaotic environment. How can we have political versatility where there is ethnic sentiment and religious big-

otry?

Leadership is all about discomfort but here in Nigeria, we worship pleasure and comfort but without discipline there cannot be honour.

Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability. Let our leaders learn deep lesson from former Tanzanian president, Julius Nyerere who slept in huts with villagers to identify with them, and from Thomas Sankara who demonstrated height of humility as he gave up many things in order to rightly govern Burkina Faso. People do not care how much you know until they

On Sanusi’s cashless Lagos

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IR: When Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor came up with his cashless Nigeria initiative, with Lagos as the guinea pig, I screamed, here he goes again.

It is expected that hypothesis/experiments are first attempted in controlled areas that will not immediately distort current order.

It is only when such experiments, have consistently produced desirable results that they are unleashed on our collective space, after due certification by relevant authorities. Thus, the idea of starting the cashless experiment in the nations economic nerve centre was dumb-founding and confounding in equal measure.

Amidst several reports on the success or otherwise of this bold, daring and conroversial move, I wish to give my opinion as a beneficiary cum victim. I hear a lot of numbers being bandied about that cashless transaction has gone to so and so level. There has been 700% increase in POS terminal deployment. Figures that ordinarily are meant to give credence to the success of the scheme, albeit lacking in credibility because all facts are not laid bare. Our telecoms network providers are getting record fines for non-performance, just at the time we are relying on them to be the backbone of our acclaimed cashless transactions.

For us to applaud this cashless initiative and to properly dimension the value added as citizens and its contribution to the economy, there is the need to properly evaluate the rate of penetration or adoption of electronic payment platforms preand post- cashless Lagos. Screaming headlines on number of new POS and volume of cashless transactions are not only escapist, they add zero value, if not measured against where we ought to be and the impact of same on economic activities.

I have a good tip on how to drive the cashless agenda. I currently buy airtickets online, because it is conveninet, gives me the option of checking in online and it is “cheaper”. Though airlines need to make their payment platform more robust. I have been debited without being issued tickets and had to wait for weeks for my cash. The key point is, a carrot and stick approach, is better than a pure stick approach when it comes to e-channel adoption.

My digital TV payment are also made online. The industry has aggressively pursued the use of multiple payment platforms. Though it can do a lot more in terms of value added services. Online payment is not only convenient but guarantees almost instant reconnection. The effect of the infrastructural deficit in telecommunications is also minimised in this two industries

with the offer of a good mix of online and offline approach. Hence, oftentimes you can start the transaction online and complete offline, vice versa.

The telcos are trying to migrate consumers to e-channels, but have to a large extent been unsuccessful.

In Nigeria, a lot of our smaller denominated transactions are done in cash in informal retail channels, spread across our neighborhoods.

However, this could also be managed. Let us note that we operate in a third world economy, with clear

peculiarities; wholesale adoption of western initiatives are bound to suffer losses.

There is always a way to manage change, it is finding the delicate balance between the old and the new, based on practical consumer insights.

I will love to go cashless on everything except spraying the owambe musician, but the value proposition of whats in it for me, has to be fully addressed.

•Adediran Adebanjo Port- Harcourt , Rivers state.

can see and feel how much you care.

Leading by example will create trust from common people but a situation where leaders live in luxury, suspicion and misunderstanding will rule the day. Our leaders must see service to humanity as readiness to sacrifice their time and talent, since we cannot climb the tree of ease to comfort zone, such laxity from our leaders portends that they only pay lip service to the current challenges plaguing us.

To put an end to Boko Haram in northern Nigeria, federal government must declare free and compulsory education from primary schools, because ignorance is a disease. The faithful of Boko Haram today are the uneducated folks that past Nigerian government failed to educate 25 years ago; hence illiteracy makes them to progress in error and ignorance to dastardly kill innocent people (don’t tell me that they are educated because education makes people respect one another value and create the right to live together without interfering with one another’s right).

A word of challenge to our clerics let them preach the truth in all its entirety, unless the fear of God is restored in Nigeria, there can be no peace. Prosperity is not what we have but who we are. Unless we possess an incredible strength of sound character we cannot move forward. We seek peace because peace is the climate of freedom.

I can see a beautiful, strong and virile Nigeria. Together we are better!

• Ezekiel Kolawole Lagos

Extortion galore at Ikoyi Magistrate Court

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IR: The excesses of LASTMA and KAI officers have been highlighted in different fora by concerned Lagosians. However, the Magistrate Court Ikoyi stands apart in magisterial extortion.

On a daily basis, Okada riders are being exploited, harassed and manipulated and all forms of threats are being used to extort money raging from N15,000 to N18,000 as fines for perceived offences which they are accused of committing every now and then. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes of course do this with the aid of the policemen and can conduct their business at any time of the day.

Ikoyi Magistrate Court is a place

where touts masquerading as court officials subject innocent citizens; some not too innocent to all forms of harassment, intimidation and humiliation. The fact that Ikoyi prison is close to the court does not help matters at all. All what these touts need to do to succeed in their nefarious activities is to point to Ikoyi prison, this of course will drum sense into the head of any difficult or un-cooperating offender.

It is sad to observe here that the money is never receipted nor documented and the presiding “Magistrate” is hardly seen. Hardly does the money collected from these people go into government treasury, all, virtually all ends in pri-

vate or individual pockets. Ikoyi magistrate court is a gold mine!

The state as it is has enough security challenges on its hands and it will serve no useful purpose sending people to the already over saturated labour market by depriving them the opportunity to earn a decent living. Arbitrary confistication of motorcycles from these hapless riders is nothing but the surest way of depriving them and denying them the means of their livelihood.

I urge relevant agencies to conduct a discreet investigation to the allegations in order to save Lagos from the extortion ring.

• Martins Abiona Taiwo, Lagos.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

COMMENTS

Nigeria has sold its birthright, the youth; Youth sport = ‘A Weapon of Mass Development’

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REAKING News: Nigeria was not one of the 79 countries which won the 4,700 medals, it was one of about 120 countries with zero. However Nigeria Tony ‘won Gold’ for ‘Largest Marinho Administrators Team’. A National Assembly panel of enquiry must determine if Nigeria criminally dumped coaches and genuine athletes in favour of‘administrators’ and if and how Nigeria spent N2.8b ‘released’ for Olympic‘preparations and travel’ three months ago?

Extract from my letter to the incoming President in 1999: ‘Education and Sports are silent generators of the economy to be harnessed for development of talent, youth employment, and revenue generation. One football ‘employs’ 22 players, staff and spectators, fights crime, and stimulates business. Government should take responsibility for the grassroots development of sports rather than vie for expensive international competitions. Holiday talent camps nationwide should recruit LGA, state and national teams for the SPORTS PYRAMID data base. The federal government (with state, LGAs and Corporate Nigeria) should maintain an age and gender [computerised] SPORTS DATA BASE for each sport…. from schools, clubs, LGAs and states. We should be encouraging our youth to JOIN A CLUB NOT A CULT by getting neighbourhoods to form youth clubs and schools to have co-curricular activities. Government activities (and especially LGAs and private corporate CSR) should provide permanent facilities, not transient face caps and T-shirts, or emergency facilities which disappear after the event.’

The following is from Tony Marinho in The Nation Oct 29 2008 Tell the sports administrators. ….the poor ‘returns’ from the N1.7b Olympic 2008 trip are contrasted with the poor funding of sports development! Thank God Nigeria’s Para-Olympians made gold medals from mud. NB: N37 billion saved (from cancelling football fiestas) would provide sports infrastructure of N3-400m for each of 180 Olympics 2016 gold medal events or provide N450,000 each for multisport equipment for 70-80,000 schools. Nigeria needs 4-8 years of fully funded school, community, university and military sports! For-

get hosting. Encourage a moral revolution in the private sector which spends more on million naira billboards and promo CSR than on grassroots sports. Shame!

Today, in Olympics 2012, nothing has changed. We pray for the 2012 Para-Olympians also neglected by Nigeria which funds administrators above athletes and ‘ESTACODE’ trips above ‘sports equipment and training’!

From the internet, the Olympic medals have the Greek goddess of victory ‘Nike’ on them and are in three categories: gold with 1% gold, $644; silver with 92.5% silver, $330; bronze with 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin worth $4.70.

The medals are however priceless bringing social, moral and monetary awards. There are 4,700 medals in 29 sport categories. Most gold medalists were bronze winners at previous Olympics and some gold medalists in 2008 are now bronze medalists in 2012. There is no‘instant athletics’ or ‘Nigerian athletics’. Consistent effort over 8-15 years is needed by athletes, coaches, administrators, clubs, funding bodies and governments. Which of our 744 LGAs spends a kobo in budget on ‘sport’ except for a political, not permanent, Chairman’s Cup for chop-chop goals? Shame!

We are disadvantaged with inadequate sports equipment, moral, food supplement or financial support! UK athletes got £125m. Nigeria turns home talent into national tears.

Jamaica, population 2,889,187 has the world’s best 200m sprinters Bolt-Blake-Weir 1-2-3 while the self-styled ‘giant’, ‘the heartbeat’ of Africa weeps. If B-B-W were Nigerians, would we have sent them to London? Nigeria actually refused an offer of training from the Jamaicans! Nigeria is a giant without a giant stride or ‘a heartbeat of a chance’. Meanwhile we boast of 160m and or ‘nearly’ 200m when we know it is 120m or less without the chicken, goats and the over-counted in purdah! Population alone is no achievement but an embarrassment if it does not carry its weight in Olympic Gold and contribution to the world. Reproduction is an ‘accidental’ byproduct of man’s favouriteactivity –sex. Jamaica does not boast, it ‘does’ and therefore it ‘is’ a‘great’ or ‘giant’ sporting and music nation. Nigeria may be a population giant but its authorities, governments and private corporations have destroyed another generation of seeds trying to make it a great

nation! Nigeria has unsupported athletes!

Inspiringly, tiny Islanders, Caribbean, Grenadians and Dominicans 19-year olds, won Olympic gold while Nigeria’s youth are told to ‘shut up’ and ‘manage’ abysmal facilities, no coaches, no supplementary nutritional diet and no competitive ‘XYZ Corporate Sports Data Bases’! But then, we keep our youth corps members in near pigsties called NYSC camps.

Remind Corporate Nigeria that better CSR and advertising mileage will be got from direct ‘sports branded youth centre building, equipment input, food and technical support’ in schools, youth clubs and communities. Nigeria has no business allowing corporate business to make 2000 instant millionaires while Nigeria has poor sports support. Nigeria’s athletes are good enough to be headhunted abroad as ‘sports refugees’ but neglected at home! Nigerian athletes have a short sports life and are fiercely patriotic but Nigeria is unpatriotic to them! If Nigeria denies you then go to a more grateful country! Once again, as with education where 20% is the pass rate, the collective Nigerian leadership, from LGA Chairman to President to Corporate Nigeria, has failed the youth.

Nigeria, you have sold your birthright, the youth, for a mess of corruption! This is abysmal failure of good governance, not the youth! Simple mathematics: Youth sport = ‘A Weapon of Mass Development’; ‘No sport’ = ‘A Weapon of Mass Destruction’

‘Once again, as with education where 20% is the pass rate, the collective Nigerian leadership, from LGA Chairman to President to Corporate Nigeria, has failed the youth.

Nigeria, you have sold your birthright, the youth, for a mess of corruption! This is abysmal failure of good governance, not the youth!’

His Excellency, the ‘bullet-proof’ governor (1)

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AYODE Davies is an indigene of Kogi State residing in the United States of America. He has three kids who prefer to be called by their pet names – Kiki, Didi and Mama.

Kiki, the eldest, is 16 years old; Didi is 13; and Mama, the baby of the house, is 10.

Last Tuesday, Didi, the only boy of the family, stumbled on one of the clips from the gory massacre in Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. It was the visit of Idris Wada, the governor of Kogi State, to the Deeper Life BibleChurch at Otite, Okene, the scene of the senseless killings that has added a new and frightening dimension to the bestiality that has become a common feature all over the country. The video clips soon moved from the church premises to Okene General Hospital, where some of the victims were receiving treatment for indiscriminate gunshot wounds inflicted on them by the merchants of death.

At this point, Didi could no longer bear the comic side of the video clips alone. He drew the attention of his sister, Kiki, and, subsequently, their father also got involved. What really amazed them was the posture of Wada, the state governor, who was wrapped up in a bulging bullet-proof vest worn over a pair of white caftan with a traditional cap to match. The following conversation then ensued: “Dad, don’t you see what is going on?” Didi, asked the father.

“Yes, that is the governor of our state,” the father replied. “Is that how they dress in your part of Nigeria?” Didi asked again.

“How do you mean?”, the father queried.

“Dad, can’t you notice that that man, your governor, is wearing something like a bullet-proof vest?” Didi went on. “Yeah,” the father replied, even as he became uncomfortable watching the moving scenes on television.

Just then, Didi added the caveat: “But your governor, whoever he is, could have concealed this stuff underneath his flowing robes, and that would have been more decent and pleasant than what he has done.” The stupefied father was still thinking of what to say when Didi came on again: “Supposing his head becomes the target of a marksman who is well aware that he is wearing a bulletproof vest on his chest? What will happen?” The story ended when the news item came to an end on the television screen that night.

That comical but significant episode that took place far away in the United States, about 7,000 kilometres away from the shores of Nigeria, heralded the era of bullet-proof governors in Nigeria.

That Wada and his handlers thought it fit to appear in the public at that inauspicious time dressed in such an incongruous manner, underscores the reigning anarchy prevailing in the country. In the past, the public has often been inundated with stories about how Nigerian leaders, most especially the affluent, politicians, captains of industries and others are expending millions of naira on the purchase of bullet-proof cars to ward off attacks from would-be assassins and gang-

“What (Idris) Wada simply did by advertising his bullet-proof vest is to send a wrong signal that Kogi State is almost becoming ungovernable”

sters operating everywhere in the country. That is the extent to which some powerful Nigerians are willing to go in the face of the current wave of terrorism and terrorists’ attacks that have, so far, defied any solution. From my findings, a bullet-proof car costs anything from N55 million and above, depending on the brand.

Yes, Wada might have gone a step further in erecting an impregnable wall around himself. I must confess that when I first saw the picture on television, I thought he was just wearing a waistcoat on his white caftan until I took a closer look. One funny thing is that except for the governor, no other person in his entourage was wearing a bullet-proof vest, not even his aide-de-camp, ADC. What that tells me is simple: to demonstrate that the governor cares for his people, he needed to dash down to Okene from his base in Lokoja, the state capital.

And because of the exigency of the day, he must have been ‘advised’ by his security aides to put on the vest. The fear could be that Oga governor could become a target of attack in such a volatile environment into which Okene had suddenly descended. To the governor’s security aides, the axiom,“prevention is better than cure”, must have overtaken any other consideration at that time.

After all, the safety of the ‘big man’ is a sine qua non to their continued stay at the Government House, the seat of power, and all the juicy opportunities that could offer.

I totally agree with Wada’s security precautions. It was a wise decision. Remember that the Deeper Life Church attack was not the first of its kind either in Okene or in Kogi State. Before that incident, some gun-wielding bandits had once shot their way into a federal prison in the town and freed hundreds of prisoners.

Another group of deadly gangsters had also blown off the vaults of one or two banks in the area with explosives and carted away huge sums of money at different times in the past. In fact, such cases of violent attacks have become a recurring decimal in the state in recent times. And come to think of it, two soldiers were again killed in Okene barely a few hours after Wada’s visit to the town. This also prompted the governor to impose a dusk-to dawn curfew on the Central Senatorial District of the state.

With the new Wada’s style, I am sure, many of our leaders will soon follow suit. That is if they had not been doing so before now.

Many of them could have been concealing theirs underneath the flowing babaringa. Now, Wada has exposed them. What Wada simply did by advertising his bullet-proof vest is to send a wrong signal that Kogi State is almost becoming ungovernable. By the way, if a governor of a state decides to move about in bulletproof vest, what is expected of his subjects? Perhaps, they could request for armoured personnel carriers, APC, to enable them move about freely. After all, selfpreservation is a good form of defence. In that case, the saying that “what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” will automatically apply.

However, what I found distasteful is the usual braggadocio that follows such visits. In Okene, the governor threatened to deal with all enemies, real or imagined, who are out to cause trouble in the state. Right now, two former local government chairmen, who were recently appointed special aides to the governor, are cooling their heels in police custody. They are facing interrogation over the attacks in Okene, particularly the one where two soldiers were

Dele Agekameh killed.

Anybody who has been following political developments in Kogi State should not be surprised at the turn of events. In a season such as this, nobody can be exonerated. There are several plots, intrigues, mudslinging and/or intimidation going on in the state.

That is our own way of playing politics in this part of the universe. It is more worrisome when the plots are within the ruling party itself. And it is like that in almost all the states of the federation.

Then you wonder what the problem really is. It is simply the ‘fratricidal war’ to control the resources of the states, and nothing more. Not good governance or any pretentions to that fact.

People just want to share the cake among their cronies, not baking it. That is the bane of governance in Nigeria. And without good governance and service delivery, the present acrimonious climate in the country is bound to linger on for many years to come. More bullet-proof vests for our imperial majesties please!

(To be continued) Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

22

COMMENTS ‘It is a slap on our face. President Jonathan has had his “goodluck” working for him alone. It is during his time that Nigeria is doing bad in sports.

Nigeria has never recorded a high death rate even when the military was in power, he should resign for the sake of peace. I am sure if his two daughters are among the victims, he would have resigned.

From Dare Kazeem, Akure’

•Jonathan For Segun Gbadegesin Your usual humour on our nation’s tragedies is something to look forward to every week. Great work. The real lesson for me is that when we get our act right in the state of affairs, the effects will trickle down to every sector including sports, not the other way round. China is a good example of this because they were nothing near being a power house in sports untill their economic development reached a certain level. I also believe there is a lesson that IBB and OBJ can learn from your last paragraph. Unity can only be inspired but not enforced by elder statesmen trying to relive their younger days by claiming to be willing to fight for a goal that can only be attained freely. Anonymous Thanks for your beautiful piece “Our national prayer”. God has forever be listening to our prayers, the only snag is that our GMG politicians believe or are interested in their pockets and other wordly things to bother with about national prayer or her citizenry.

From Ojo A. Ayodele, Emure Ekiti We know our faults. I think we should desist from blaming any person and strive to make Nigeria great again. We should dedicate time to scout for and train athletes from the grassroots so that we could be duly represented, and not our usual last minute preparation that leads us to shameful performance.

Anonymous I resisted commenting on “Okupe-attack dog” or what have you. The more I tried to shelve my comment the more the urge I got. Okupe, unfortunately, is broke and needs some sustenance. He is so broke that his PDP base in Ogun State does not know what to do with him. That apart, accepting a Yeoman’s job at his age is to confirm the assertion above.

How far he can go is yet to be seen. If at his age he could be said to be known for derogatory words, one wonders what legacies he wants to leave for his children. Where is Fani Kayode now? He was forgiven his sins because he repented after leaving office. Okupe should borrow a leaf from Kayode and watch his utterances. He should realise that no matter the panel beating, a crashed accidented vehicle is as bad as written-off. From Ayo Apelogun, Ilesha I read your comment. I wish the so-called leaders would have listened. Good talk. From Mike, Makurdi.

I read your piece in The Nation newspaper of Thursday, August 9, 2012. I could not agree more with you. My heart sang with joy that there is a Nigerian out there who sees things the way I do. It is time for Nigerians to practise what we always profess; it is about the country and not our pockets if we want our country to move forward. From Sarah, Jos Re: “Our national prayer”. Several times we have said and written it. Without discipline and incorruptible mindedness which should transfer purity to the citizenry, we will continue to take a long way to get it right!

Irrespective of the change in stanzas of our National Anthem, we must have a pure orientation, both the leaders/rulers and the fol-

lowers/led. Prayer is not automatic for development and growth; we must work for it!

From Lanre Oseni The rulers of this nation do not believe in her! It is a bazaar where everyone grabs as much as possible while it lasts. A national conference is the way foward. From Joe, Abuja.

It is a slap on our face. President Jonathan has had his “goodluck” working for him alone. It is during his time that Nigeria is doing bad in sports. Nigeria has never recorded a high death rate even when the military was in power, he should resign for the sake of peace. I am sure if his two daughters are among the victims, he would have resigned. From Dare Kazeem, Akure For Gbenga Omotoso Re: “Nigeria at the Olympics”. Which hero do you expect? Look within our country Nigeria - do we have a hero in our leadership cadre in the three arms of government?

None, in all honesty. Hear this, when the home is saddened, outside is like excreta. Who among the athletes will perform well when they are poorly motivated. Chinese, Koreans, Japanese and others started preparing for the games three years earlier. A lot of things are wrong with leaders and, therefore, we have no Olympics hero this time. From Lanre Oseni When you fail to tell your enemy the good you have for him, he will tell you the evil he envisages for you. To ask Jonathan Ebele to convert to Islam is proper in the law of nature because he had failed to live the life of Christ on the seat of power. If they had seen him live/speak/pray as a Christian should, fulfilling the promises of electoral mandate, whoever dared him would incure the wrath of God. Thank God for the Christians praying for Jonathan and his government. From Rev. Bonibaiyede David Where is our hero? Our fellow Nigerians are so much engrossed in religion; our heroes are in the churches and mosques. If at all, we can boast of having the largest number of churches and mosques where all forms of miracles are manufactured. Anonymous Our Hero will emerge when we are ready as a country. Anonymous Your article should have been titled “Where is our hero”. You killed your story with a poor headline which is part of the problem we have as a nation. Anonymous I have read you as usual on Olympics, if corruption had been introduced, Nigeria would have taken gold. From Miliki, Lokoja.

Your piece “Nigeria at the Olympics” is thought provoking. I was deeply pained reading through and wondered in what part of the universe this nation is. We want to eat our cake and have it, we want to reap where we did not sow. It is only in Nigeria that government wishes away evil rather than addressing it. We desire change yet we do not want to pay the price. We put mediocres at the helm of affairs and they pray that they succeed. Which way Nigeria? From Steve Aiyanyo, Abeokuta Our heros are being killed daily by Boko Haram, and others are being harassed by Boko Haram’s uncles. No one performs optimally in an atmosphere of rancour including President Goodluck Jonathan, you, Team Nigeria, and others. Only prayer prayer and less verbalisation, less reactionary methodologies can help us. From Prof. Aaron Fyneface, Port Harcourt With your column today I am laughing and crying even while fasting. Every nation gets

the leadership it deserves. Evil people are more than good ones, take it or not. Anonymous Where is our hero? Our heroes are in Aso Rock, National Assembly, and State Houses sharing our Olympics allocation. That is why we failed to win anything in London Olympics. From Prince Emenike lheanacho, Aba, Abia State “Nigeria at the Olymp ics” is a thoughtprovoking write-up that x-rays our national life. You have seen it all and wrote it all. Keep up the good work. From Tajudeen I sincerely agree with your honest writeup “Nigeria at the Olympics”. If we are to win medals I suggest that we send proposals to IOC on thuggery, election rigging, bombing, ethnic/religious rioting, curruption, and others as games. From Chris O. Mbaeri Beautiful write-up. Please, keep it up. You hit the nail on the head. Oluwa a je ki awon ojelu to wa ni ipo gbo. From Laide, 0sogbo Sorry the games on which we could get medals were not featured. They are: corruption, kidnapping, bribery, armed robbery, election rigging and the game of sending one’s son to steal because he is an adult. These are areas we can get gold not silver. From Dapo Fasuyi, Ibadan Don’t you know that righteousness exalts a nation? Weep not Nigeria you will always be put to shame untill you embrace justice.

From Adeniji Gbenga, you spoke my mind today. May the Lord help the ‘giant of Africa.’ More power to your elbow. Anonymous You aptly captured what makes our country tick in “Nigeria at the Olympics.” Need I say more! It is quite incisive. Thanks. From Ilom Chukwuji, Lagos Thanks for your masterpiece. Will things ever change in this country? During the last council election, no voting took place in my ward, yet numbers were allocatd to the parties with PDP taking the largest share and its candidates won. Insecurity is inevitable!

Anonymous Re:“Nigeria at the Olympics”. Good work sir. PDP could not rig Okagbare’s relay nor could the fixers fix D’Tigers match. It is not an election or subsidy money. Maybe, we can learn to do things right for future ahead. From Yusuff S. A., Ede, Osun State I feel sorry. Nigeria did not win a medal.You cannot win when there is no honour competing for your country. A man returns millions instead of giving him national honours he is beratted by his country men for not taking the money. To many Nigerians money and not honour is everything.

Money will be spent honour will remain. A sad Nigerian. Anonymous Gbenga, you have done it again. The problem with Nigerian sports like our national life is corruption. Those at NSC have been there for so long yet our sports have not faired better. Their greed knows no bound. I will not be surprised if our ministers are not being compromised or made to look the other way because of lucre. The fire brigade approach and our planlessness are the bane of

• Okupe our sports. Bringing the corporate world into our sporting life will do this country some good, improve our sports and reduce corruption. This is the practice everywhere by serious minded government. Abbrogate decree 101 and see what will happen to our football.

Could you imagine Dangote, MTN, GLO, UBA, FBN, ZENITH BANK, SHELL, OANDO and others having football teams and academies? Corporate battles will shift to the soccer pitch. It will create jobs, excitement and get alot of young men off the streets. Why are we lagging behind? Greed, corruption and lack of foresight on the part of our leaders. I stand to be corrected, sir. From Jonathan E. Asokoro, Abuja If President Jonathan had fielded ACN judge Salami at the Olympics, Nigerians would have been singing victory songs. From Bisong, Umuahia Team Nigeria was there for a fashion parade, unmindful of the Olympian task before them….if only we can adjust and correct the societal anomalies: lack-lustre leadership, indiscipline, corruption and other vices, conformity with the norms and standard of Olympics sportmanship would be ours to uphold. Anonymous I read your back page article of August 9, 2012, titled: “Nigeria at the Olympics.” I doff my cap that people like you who can use the pen to tell the President the bitter truth, and spot this country’s problem which is PDP exist in this country. Insincerity is our problem. From Evang collins Chukwuemeka Your piece on Nigeria at the Olympics was a comic relief to millions of Nigerians who had expected so much from their athletes (and you cannot blame them) but watched in disbelief as smaller African countries like Botswana mounted the podium to collect their medals with the giant of Africa missing out. Sure, a probe panel will be set up as you predicted with millions voted for the committee. Another job for the boys. A wasteful exercise. Well done. From Mike Nzeagwu, Ikeja On your story “Nigeria at the Olympics”. did you hear the minister’s solution to our failure? Shallow minds. From Yomi The greatest problem facing us as a nation is nothing but “bad attitude and greediness”.

How I wish we could change! And, the socalled leaders have lost “self confidence”. Our heroes are yet to be discovered. Anonymous Thank you for your write-up “Nigeria at the Olympics.” The price of leadership is resposibility. We still do not have responsible leaders who can make a hero out of themselves, let alone making a hero out of others.

One day, our dream country will be born.

From Mr. Iyere, Benin City

‘Our heros are being killed daily by Boko Haram, and others are being harassed by Boko Haram’s uncles. No one performs optimally in an atmosphere of rancour including President Goodluck Jonathan, you, Team Nigeria, and others. Only prayer prayer and less verbalisation, less reactionary methodologies can help us. From Prof. Aaron Fyneface, Port Harcourt’

24

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

Life

25

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‘Even at 90, I will not be done yet’

•Onobrakpeya

Fresh lift for PWDs in Lagos

Beauty queen begins humanitarian campaigns

– Page 27

– Page 28

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On August 30, one of Nigeria’s oldest practising artists, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, will turn 80. Expectedly, his birthday is being marked with series of arts events across Nigeria, US and Ireland. In November, the birthday train will berth at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, for an exhibition and a book launch. The founder of Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation (BOF) said that even if he clocks 90, he may still be unable to realise his dream as an artist. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

‘Even at 90, I will not be done yet’

‘If I am given more years, it still may not be okay to accomplish my dream as an artist ...One great thing that contributes to longevity is physical engagement at all time...If I had been tutored on all this, the workshop would have grown bigger than what it is now. However, the Harmattan is the longest running workshop in South of Sahara’

P

ROF. Bruce Onobrakpeya, 80, is a household name in Nigeria’s creative industry. He is one of the most documented and oldest practising Nigerian artists. The renowned printmaker, painter and sculptor has exhibited in leading galleries across the globe, including the famous Tate Modern London, National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institute, in Washington DC and the Malmo Kontshall in Malmo in Sweden.

His yearly Harmattan art workshop at Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, has recorded over 3,000 participants from Nigeria, US, France, Belgium, Ghana, Togo and Benin since it was founded 12 years ago. Yet, Onobrakpeya said even if he clocks 90, he would still have much to accomplish as an artist.

He said to turn 80 is by the grace of God, but that the strange thing he feels is that there is still much undone as an artist. “If I am given more years, it still may not be okay to accomplish my dream as an artist,” he added. He, however, gave gratitude to God for his sojourn so far on earth, noting that though there is destiny, one great thing that contributes to longevity is physical engagement at all times. He recalled that his late father was 112 before he died.

“If you set a target of what to achieve, and you are doing it, then you will be unmindful of time. But when you feel it is over for you, then life tends to stop,” he said.

According to him, his 80 th birthday has been a one-yearlong programme of events, which started with this year’s Harmattan workshop at the Niger Delta Centre for Arts and Culture, Agbarha-Otor in February. There was an exhibition (revisit of the Sunshine Period) which included presentations, interviews on life, art and inspirations for his art. At the Dakar Art Biennale, a group exhibition featuring 19 artists’ works was held at Kajinol Station, Dakar, Senegal, between May 10 and 24 as part of the celebration.

The exhibition featured some of the best examples of the experimental works resulting from the Harmattan Workshop, undertaken by a galaxy of artistic stars.

Onobrakpeya showed an installation entitled: Igbe Jubilee 2 (Jubilee Dance 2) and several experimental works that have been closely associated with Onobrakpeya’s innovative career spanning over 50 years. There were about 40 works on show at this exhibition.

But he regretted that the Harmattan workshop has not been able to hit the mark in its 12 years of existence because he went into the project without ascertaining the financial and structural developmental needs for its sustainability. “If I had been tutored on all this, the workshop would have grown bigger than what it is now. However, the Harmattan is the longest running workshop in South of Sahara,” he said. Onobrapkeya said the Harmattan workshop caters for the lowest to the highest in the art, adding that the academics realise the relevance of the workshop in skill acquisition.

He cited the late Twin Seven-Seven as an example of how the informal workshop has contributed to the nation’s artistic growth. He said the late Twin Seven-Seven was the only Nigerian artist listed in a publication, 30,000 Years Of World Art - The Story Of Human Creativity Across Time And Space, published in 2007 by Phaidon, New York.

The late artist’s work that was listed is The Lazy hunter and the poisonous wrestler (Lizard ghost and the cobra).

He said there was need for more of such informal workshops, adding that government should assist such workshops to get the best. “Also, the corporate bodies and donor agents should come to their aid,” he added.

On his dream for the Harmattan workshop, Onobrakpeya said development is on-going at AgbarhaOtor that would see the old structure being turned into a museum. He said: “Ours is a success story. It has helped to develop the local community, the state and the nation.

We are creating network for artists to grow. The sky is not the limit for the alumni.”

Onobrakpeya’s 80th birthday will be commemorated with a series of art events in Nigeria, the United States and Ireland. Leading the pack of art institutions is National Museum of African Art, Washington D.C. US that will hold a reception for Onobrakpeya after the opening of an exhibition at the Skoto Gallery in New York between Oc-

•Onobrakpeya

INTERVIEW tober 18 and November 24.

In Ireland, Onobrakpeya will be the keynote speaker at the SMA sponsored Rev. Father Kevin Carroll Conference on African Christian Art holding at Dromantine Conference Centre, Northern Ireland, between October 5 and 8. Onobrakpeya, a noted collaborator of Fr. Kevin Carroll, was an early advocate of the use of African art in churches.

The conference, which will also be attended by Prof. John Picton of University of London will feature presentation of Onobrakpeya’s illustrations, prints and materials connected with Fr. Kevin Carroll’s pioneering work on Christian art.

On the home front, there will be a summer retreat between August 5 and 18 at Niger Delta Arts and Culture Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. The retreat, which is being organised by The Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation, will centre on Bruce Onobrakpeya and the environment and will feature mature artists who want to escape the distractions of the city and enjoy the serene and rustic Agbarha-Otor.

A retrospective exhibition, 50 years of Bruce Onobrakpeya:

•Onobrakpeya explaining his work

Window Into his Art, of selected works from various periods of Onobrakpeya’s artistic career from 1957 till date will hold at the Nike Gallery of Art, Lekki, Lagos from August 25 to 30.

The first segment of the exhibition is the Mythical Realism (1957–1962), which represents paintings, and lino-cut prints that depict folklore themes, and Northern landscapes (Zaria). The second segment focuses on the artist’s workshop experiments and his bronzed lino relief series otherwise known as the Sunshine Period (1962–1967) while the third is The Mask and the Cross (1967–1978). The fourth segment represents the historical vignettes. These are pictures known as the Symbols of Royalty (1978–1984) which depict historical figures, mostly royalty from the Benin Kingdom and Niger Delta.

Also on display is The Sahelian Masquerades (1984–1988), which draws a lot of attention to the role of government in relation to the issues of desertification. The Mask Series (1990–1995) represent the development of images, which inspired depictions of masks treated in different print media that bring out the philosophies of the people.

Social Unrest (1995–1999) is the period of strife within the society. His installation periods from 1995 till date will also be featured. This show will be jointly curated by Nike Okundaye, Sam Ovraiti and Bode Olaniran.

From Nike Gallery the train moves to All Saint Church Yaba, Lagos where a thanksgiving service will hold on •Continued on page 27

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Fresh lift for PWDs in Lagos With the passage of the Special People's Law and establishment of the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA) last month, the life of People with Disabilities (PWDs) will soon improve. In this chat with EVELYN OSAGIE , LASODA General Manager Dr Babatunde Awelenje speaks on the commission's tasks.

W

HAT brought about the Lagos State Office of the Disability Affairs (LASODA)?

At the implementation phase of the Lagos State Special People's Law (LSSPL), which came into existence in May last year, there was need for personnel on ground to effect it. Consequently, a seven -man board member was inaugurated to implement the law. This led to the inauguration of the board on the ninth of last month.

What is the office out to achieve?

The office would be formulating and implementing policies on disability affairs; liaising with governmental ministries and agencies, including non-governmental organisations to implement the PWDs' law and ensure that people comply with the law. Also, the office would be involved in the issuance of directives and guidelines on special schools (whether privately or public owned). It would also be coordinating the activities and investigating all the disabled people organisations in Lagos State; issuing the disability certificate (temporary or permanent). The temporary one will last for six months after which, if the disability disappears, the certificate would be revoked. Also, the office will look at various issues confronting the PWDs, such as how people with disabilities could easily access health, education and recreational facilities. They are mostly excluded from utilising health facilities; and in the law we are to ensure that PWDs have free medical health care at all public hospitals and free tuition at all levels of education provided they are qualified with the necessary credentials. Aside that it will ensure the rights of PWDs in the state are rightly protected against discrimination, prejudice and cruelty of all forms.

Does the law cover all aspects of the PWDs in the state?

Of course! The law is one of the best five in the world. It is a high-breed of disability laws from different western nations. And with the law on ground, I think the sky would not only be the limit but the beginning for people with disabilities in the state.

What should be the PWDs expect from LASODA? Since, LASODA has no precedence so all eyes are on Lagos State. The expectations, we know, are very high. However, they should be rest-assured is that all the provisions of the law shall be implemented and at its implementation stage the PWDs in the state will enjoy all the benefits of the law as enumerated in the law.

What about those outside the state?

We hope and expect that all the other states would have to follow suit and; consequently, people with disabilities (PWDs) in their state would also benefit.

How do you intend changing the mindset of Lagosians towards people with disabilities?

We are going to intensify public advocacy campaigns. The people would have to change their orientation. And to achieve this, LASODA is not going to work in isolation. We would be working with civil societies groups working exclusively with PWDs and the media. In the next few months, the campaigns will take-

•Dr Awelenje

INTERVIEW off via electronic and print media. There will also be some public enlightenment programmes to re-orientate the public on how to empathise and sympathise with people with disabilities. It is not all about charity or about giving PWDs money. They would be re-orientating the public on what disability is really all about.

With regards to showing PWDs charity, are you saying it is wrong to empathise with persons with disabilities?

Like I said, we are going to re-orientate the public on how to empathise or sympathise with PWDs. When you say empathy, it means to assume that you are the one suffering from the dis-

ability; and had it been you were the one what would happen to you. So, instead of looking down on PWDs or seeing them as useless or non-functioning to the society, the orientation would have to change. That is why we are going to be intensifying our enlightenment campaigns.

So, how should people empathise with a PWD? Disability is complex and multi-dimensional. First of all, people should know that it can be anybody. The fact that I am the person suffering from a disability today, it can be any able-bodied person in the next few minutes or tomorrow. And disability can be through medical/health complications, illness, accident, or certain neurological diseases that come with old age; such as impairment of memory - this condition is also a disability.

‘Even at 90, I will not be done yet’ •Continued from page 26

•From left: Publisher, Yes! International Magazine, Azuh Arinze, Prof. Daniel Awodiya of the Suffolk County Community College, Brentwood, New York and CEO, Virgin Outdoor Limited,Kunle Hanilton, during the presentation of Awodiya’s book on Strategic Public speaking at UNILAG.

September 1 by 10 am. This will provide opportunity for well wishers and the art community to worship, celebrate and give thanks with Onobrakpeya and his family. Reception follows at the V. Ginis Centre, Opposite WAEC, Yaba, Lagos A retrospective show of selected works from various periods of Onobrakpeya’s artistic career will hold at the Institute of African Studies, Univeristy of Ibadan in November. It will be accompanied by the launch of a book: Mask of Flaming Arrows edited by Dele Jegede, a 446-page of essays by leading scholars on Onobrakpeya from 1967 to date with over 100 colour illustrations.

Onobrakpeya is also noted for the illustrations of some classic novels of many Nigerian writers such as Chinua Achebe’s No Longer At Ease, Heinemann, London, Adeboye Babalola’s Iwe Ede Yoruba, Apa Kini, Longmans of Nigeria, 1961,Cyprain Ekwensi’s An African Night’s Entertainment, AUP Lagos, 1962, Cyprain Ekwensi’s, Juju Rock, AUP Lagos, Nigerian Episcopal Conference, May Your Kingdom Come, Geoffery Chamman, London, 1969, Nkem Nwankwo’s Tales Out of School, (Cover illustration), AUP, Ibadan, Kola Onadipe’s Sugar Girl, AUP, 1964, Rosemary Uwemedimo’s Akpan and the Smugglers, AUP, Ibadan, 1965, T.N.O. Quacoopne’s West African Religion, AUP,Ibadan, 1969, Oladele Taiwo’s The Hunter And The Hen, AUP, Ibadan, 1969, Barbara Haeger’s Africa: On Her Schedule is Written A Change, AUP, Ibadan, 1981, , Kola Onadipe’s Magic Land of the Shadows, AUP, Lagos, 1970, Soyinka and Fagunwa’s A Forest of a Thousand Demons, Nelson, London, Clementine Deliss’ Seven Stories About Modern Art in Africa, White Chapel Art Gallery, London, 1985, and Onuora Nzekwu and Michael Crowder’s Eze Goes to school.

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2012

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ANA gets N1m for scheme

By Evelyn Osagie

T

HE Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) will be in a pilot scheme for its maiden edition of the National Teen Authorship Scheme next month.

The project, which is meant to strengthen creative writing at branch levels, is part of ANA’s capacity development of writers, especially at the grassroots.

The scheme is being supported by the wife of Niger State governor, Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu. According to ANA executive, “Madam Chief Servant” as the governor’s wife is known, has donated N1 million to boost the scheme which will be disbursed to five state chapters nationwide.

This, the executive said, is part of the fulfilment of Remi Raji/Baba Dzukogi-administration’s campaign promises.

Five state chapters would be the initial beneficiaries of the scheme, which include Abia, Katsina, Kogi, Osun and Taraba states. The chapters shall receive N150, 000 each to publish an anthology of teen authors they interact with between September and December.

According to ANA executives, “the Teen Authorship Scheme is a revolving scheme where fund is set aside by a state chapter of ANA to publish a school anthology of between 40 and 50 original poems by 40 to 50 pupils.”

The pupils, it said, would be drawn from any chosen school(s) to undergo a five-day training programme in their school(s); they would be expected to compose poems on-the-spot as individual pupils to secure a place in the anthology.

ANA said: “Its ultimate objective is to trigger the school child’s sense of imagination and aesthetics for the future of creative writing. It would also provide an opportunity for school children to start out in creative writing as early as possible, to enable them attain excellence as quickly as possible once they take up the vocation of writing; sharpen other areas of study through wide reading, and provide a wide range of experiences to the child through books that will help shape his/her character positively and intelligently for building the greater and responsible person, among others.”

While reminding the beneficiaries that the scheme was adopted from ANA Niger chapter, ANA President, Prof.

Raji urged other chapters to be prudent in managing the resources disbursed to them, and ensuring diligence in the execution of the project. He said his administration is committed to discovering tomorrow’s great Nigerian writers. He called on other state governments to “emulate the positive and proactive example of Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, who has dedicated himself to facilitating ANA activities for the past five years”. He also praised the Kebbi State governor for volunteering to sponsor the Second Northern Nigerian Writers Summit. Professor Raji acknowledged the goodwill of Kebbi State Governor as a good sign of better things for the Nigerian author, urging him to ensure it is the largest literary event in Northern Nigeria, come October.

ANA executives also added that another set of ANA chapters will be selected for the programme in 2013. “Thereafter, a national public presentation of 10 titles from the chapters would be done by Hajiya Jummai Babangida Aliyu.”

Successful pupils whose works feature in the anthology automatically become members of the teen authorship cadre of the chapter as a feeder tier to the mainstream ANA, according to ANA. “This is important for the future establishment of a National Association for Teen Authors (NATA) under the Association of Nigerian Authors,” it said.

ANA has appointed the inaugural national coordinating committee, which comprises of Kamar Hamza (ANA Niger) as National Coordinator; Wole Adedoyin (ANA Oyo) as National Secretary; Khalid Imam (ANA Kano); Camillus Ukah (ANA Imo) and Su’eddie Vershima Agema (ANA Benue).

Ezeigbo, others become Fellows

A

WARD-WINNING writer Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo has joined the league of Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Letters.

She became a fellow at the Academy’s 14th convocation and investiture of Fellows at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Professors Sola Akinrinade, Francis Egbokhare, Oladele O. Layiwola, Antonia Yetunde Folarin-Schleicher (Overseas Fellow). Prof. Abiola Irele were also made fellows. FLAN, was the con- •Prof Ezeigbo vocation lecturer.

•Queen Isabella sharing food items

•Queen Isabella and Mama

Beauty queen begins humanitarian campaigns

By Evelyn Osagie

PHILANTROPHY

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HREE months after emerging the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) Queen Isabella Ayuk, 25, has her humanitarian projects.

Isabella, the 25 th Queen of the competition has granted scholarships to some pupils and visited some widows. She has also donated hospital equipment.

One of the recipients of the queen’s charity projects was a food vendor from the north, simply known as Mama Food Vendor, a widow of three children, who is also catering for her 79 year old mother. Mama Food Vendor shared her story with Queen Isabella of how she started the food business after borrowing money to buy five cups of rice, beans, and other food items; and after selling to her customers, she could not make ends meet because of the debts she had to pay. Her makeshift ‘restaurant’, she said, had little or no furniture and as such was not attractive to customers.

Her tale moved Queen Isabella. Seeing the effort of the widow, she also constructed her restaurant to prevent it from rain and provided her with plastic chairs and tables; food items, such as rice, a cartoon of tomatoes, some gallons of ground nut oil, etc, kitchen utensils, a big cooler to preserve food. Out of excitement, she named the makeshift ‘restaurant’ Queen Isabella Ayuk Restaurant by the appreciative entrepreneur.

Queen Isabella also visited a primary school in Ikom LGA of Cross River State and was touched by the unconducive conditions the pupils received lectures which were not as half of the roof of the school building was blown off thereby exposing the pupils to rain and harsh weather conditions.

The Queen pledged to assist in reconstructing the dilapidating structure in the school and went ahead to award scholarships to two pupils from the community and distributed food stuff to the widows and needy.

Her next port of call was the Mabushi Primary Health care Centre in the north which has been in existence for more than 17 years but lacked basic hospital amenities like hospital beds and equipments. Queen Isabella improved the healthcare centre by donating some beds to the hospital to alleviate the pains and sufferings of the patients and also baby weighing machine to put an end to the earlier practice were new born babies were referred to other hospitals to be weighed after delivery which exposed them to health risks.

The queen, who will be representing Nigeria at the Miss World competition taking place in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China in November this year, has participated in several contests since 2004 and was the ex-Queen Of South-South Nigeria (2007/2008), Miss Global Nigeria (2009/2010), and was delegate Miss Global International (World) in Jamaica ( 2010). Queen Isabella’s vast experience in reigning as a Queen is evident in her immediate quest to touch the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Badagry invokes Slave’s spirit for festival

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HEN Lagosians turn out enmasse to celebrate this year’s edition of Badagry Cultural Festival running from August 17 to 23, one thing would be certain. They will invoke the spirit of millions of Slaves who died during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Little wonder the organisers of the event, African Renaissance Foundation (AREFO) in conjunction with Lagos State and Badagry Local Government have incorporated the International Day for the Remembrance of Trade and its Abolition into the programme.

According to the organisers, the festival is not all about celebrating slavery, but that the idea to invoke the spirit of millions of slaves who died during the inhuman trade was consciously conceived as part of the event.

The International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and Its Abolition will be marked on August 23, with a drama presentation, African fashion parade and Ogun Ajobo.

The president of AREFO, Babatunde Olaide Mesiwaku said the drama presentation would be on a book entitled Odigbose (Goodbye) written by Dr Wanle Akinboboye.

“The presentation is not only to recall the experience of the slaves during the 17th and 18th century Trans–Atlantic Slave Trade, that led to the death and displacement of millions Africans, but also to put in picturesque how they were chained and forcefully taken into slavery in the New World.

“However, one must not lose focus that the festival is all about Slave Trade remembrance, but a well packaged fiesta aimed at showcasing Ogu people’s rich heritage and tourism potentials with a view to eliciting its social and economic gains,” he said.

Other events lined up for the festival include nature sports, cultural exhibition, Masquerade performance, Vothu festival, drama presentation and tour of heritage sites, Gbenopo Royal carnival and declaration of Fitila procession.

Meanwhile, De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1, Akran of Badagry has called on indigenes, residents and stakeholders who are attending the festival to remain

•Some slaves

FESTIVAL peaceful.

“I want all Badagry indigenes, residents and tourism stakeholders to embrace peace before, during and after the 2012 Badagry Festival,” he said.

The Royal father who observed that the influence of Western religion is taking its toll on the festival, reiterated the need for peace, as the whole world focus on Badagry Festival for tourism development.

Chairman Badagry Local Government, Mr Husitode Moses, urged investors to collaborate with the organisers with a view to making the festival an international one.

“With investors’ collaboration, the festival can further create a platform for building multi-stakeholders and responsible tourism partnership,” he said.

Mesiwaku said that this year edition of the festival would be unique and different from past ones, both in content and outlook.

“AREFO is networking with some organisations to create some innovations for the festival with a view to making the event a big one,” he noted.

He added that with the involvement of Association of Orisa International Group, Road Transport Workers Union and Grinders Association, the festival would be more inclusive and create enough public awareness.

He disclosed that executive members of Black Mayors from America, religious associations from Benin Republic are expected to grace the festival.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

29 As far as local content is concerned, the ICT industry is uncompetitive because it is cheaper to import a base station than to fabricate one in Nigeria. It is cheaper to import a chip card than to make and personalise in Nigeria.

- Mrs Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Forecasts Q3 Sept 2012 Oasis Ins Turnover N450m Profit after tax N63.894m Access Bank Gross earnings N54.782b Profit after tax N11.907b Resort Savings & Loans Gross earnings N960.736m Profit after tax N165.540m Trans-Nationwide Exp Gross earnings N170.342m Profit after tax N40.568m GT Assure Gross premium N9.525b Profit after tax N1.241b Pharma-Deko Turnover N454m Profit before tax N10m Cornerstone Ins Premium Revenue N919.418m Profit after tax N41.002m Skye Bank Gross earnings N99.710b Profit after tax N13.933b CCNN Turnover N3.683b Profit after Tax N402.165m Custodian & Allied Gross Premium N8.540b Profit after tax N1.345b UPDC Turnover N10.274b Profit after tax N1.002b Nestle Nig Turnover N28.850b Profit after tax N4.014b UACN Turnover N48.313b Profit after tax N4.611b Julius Berger Turnover N125.541b Profit after tax N3.993b Diamond Bank Gross earnings N27.315b Profit after tax N3.107b Oando Turnover N123.207b Profit after tax N2.967b Presco Turnover N2.400b Profit after tax N613.760m Berger Paints Turnover N976.303m Profit after tax N88.258m Eterna Turnover N56.413b Profit after tax N859.734m Consolidated Hallmark Ins Gross premium N4.110b Profit after tax N511.564m MRS Oil Nig Turnover N76.804b Profit after tax N1.068b Transcorp Total income N2.658b Profit after tax N1.507b Evans Medicals Revenue N1.619b Profit after tax N64.656m AIICO Ins Gross premium N2.561b Profit after tax N344.406m GSK Nig Turnover N6.756b Profit after taxation N580.824m Abbey Building Society Gross earnings N1.300b Profit after tax N217.537m Regency Alliance Gross premium N1.300b Profit after tax N303.777m Total Nigeria Turnover N54.466b Profit after tax N1.804b Red Star Express Turnover N2.888b Profit after tax N200.557m Cadbury Nig Turnover N9.873b Profit after tax N735m Okomu Oil Turnover N2.176b Profit after tax N667.068m Continental Re Turnover N10.028b Profit after tax N1.207b Livestock Feeds Turnover N1.379b Profit after tax N51.654m IEI Gross Premium N4.250b Profit after tax N533.898m

Technical hitches delay release of AfDB’s $700m loan to SMEs

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HE African Development Bank (AfDB) has said technical hitches are delaying the release of $700million (about N108billion) loans promised the Nigerian Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

The bank’s Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ousmane Dore, told The Nation that the loans would have been released to the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) for distribution to the SMEs, but for some technical problems.

He said the issues have to do with the capacity of the beneficiaries to repay the loan at an agreed period.

“We are trying to work out some conditions guiding the release of the loans.These are technical issues such as the capacity of the beneficiaries to pay back the facility. We need to know whether the people for whom the loans are meant can pay back or not. This is important

By Akinola Ajibade

to ensure that confidence between the bank and Nigeria is intact.”

Dore said the board of AfDB has approved the loan, adding that the technical issues have to be sorted out before the loan is released to the beneficiaries.

He stated that the bank is shifting its operational goals to employment generation to foster growth of member states, adding that this is evident by the proposed $700million loan for the SMEs in Nigeria.

He said the bank has set up loans for capacity building in various countries, including Nigeria, adding that the loans are sovereign guaranteed.

He explained that the bank normally looks at the conditions attached to sovereign guarantee loans, before it releases the loans to the beneficiaries, saying such loans are given to people at very concessionary terms to ensure a flexible mode of payments.

He berated the local banks for not funding the agricultural sector adequately, observing that the sector is playing a critical role in

the nation’s economy.

“If you look at the overall credit in the economy, only two per cent goes to a sector like agriculture which is identified as one of the strongest contributors to the Gross Domestic Product. The Federal Government can work towards improving the scheme. I think the government has some schemes on that already,” he added.

He said the bank has dedicated loans for growth of the energy sector, stressing that infrastructural development is of major concern to the institution.

Emerging stocks fall most on China, Europe woes

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MERGING-market stocks dropped the most since August 2, this year after the Bank of America Corp. cut its forecast for Chinese economic growth.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index (VXEEM) sank for a second day, losing 0.7 per cent to 972.59.

Brazil’s Bovespa stock index, according to Bloomberg, dropped with mining company MMX Mineracaoe Metalicos SA and homebuilder Cyrela Brazil Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes (CYRE3), among the worst performers.

The Shanghai Composite Index lost 1.5 per cent, the most in four weeks. Israel’s shekel fell to a two-week low amid concern the nation is considering a strike against Iran.

Bank of America joined Deutsche Bank AG and Barclays Plc in cutting growth forecasts for China, the biggest developing economy, on weaker exports. Israel’s Home Front Command this week will test its nationwide text-message system to alert the public of danger, the military said yesterday, as concerns rise about a confrontation with Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

“At a time like this when trading levels are generally low, the markets are a lot more volatile when a headline number emerges,” Robert Abad, who helps oversee $41 billion in emerging-market assets at Western Asset Management Co., said in a phone interview from Pasadena, California.

“The GDP forecast cut doesn’t necessarily mean a hard landing for markets as emerging markets have a lot more ammunition in terms of stimulus measures,” he added.

•From left: Group Executive Director, Corporate Services NNPC, Dr Peter Nmadu; Group Managing Director, Mr Andrew Yakubu; Group Executive Director, Account and Finance, Mr Berenard Oti and group Executive Director, refinery and Petrochemical, Anthony Ogbuiwe, at the induction of new employees of the corporation in Abuja.

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Fed Govt owes contractors over N1tr

HE Federal Government is owing road contractors over N1 trillion.

Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onomemen, disclosed this on the sideline of a ministerial briefing in Lagos.

He said as a result o the huge debts the government has stopped the award of road contracts until the debts are settled.

He said emphasis would be put on roads that would have impact positively on the economy. He listed these as roads linking seaports and airports, adding though that contracts already awarded would be executed.

The emphasis on such roads, he said, would be to decongest them, concentrate on the construction and rehabilitation of roads with high economic yield that would grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He said: “Government’s new line of thinking is to prioritise projects that are supportive of the economy, such as major arterial roads, roads leading to the sea and air ports. The whole idea is to de-emphasise projects that do not add value to the economic growth of the nation”.

He said the road that connects the Murtala Muhammed International

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst. Editor

Airport in Lagos would be expanded to eight lanes while Oshodi/Apapa Expressway that leads to the port is under construction.

Onolememen lamented that the yearly budgetary provision of N140 billion pales into insignificance in the face of daunting challenges to keep the road network motorable and safe. The situation, he said, calls for a more pragmatic, practicable and efficient way to keep the roads safe for users.

On the huge debt profile of the state to contractors, he said though it has risen to about N1 trillion, some contractors simply abandoned their jobs under one guise or the other and

Piracy:NIMASA arrests 10

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HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said the Nigerian Navy personnel in the Maritime Guard Command (MGC) of the agency have arrested 10 suspected pirates who two weeks ago attacked one of NIMASA’s newly acquired ultra-modern patrol boats.

Deputy Director Public Relations of

May & Baker to receive Financial disclosure: Banks •INSIDE: N2b bail out from Danjuma get strigent conditions •Page 30

not necessarily due to delayed payment as the government is making good effort to clear the backlog.

He cited an example with the Sagamu/Ikorodu road, where the contractor was mobilised, but still abandoned the project midway.

Onolememen warned that the government would not tolerate such laxity and would not hesitate to cancel such contracts. He announced that the government has decided to cancel the contract and woud soon award the contract to a competent contractor who could deliver on schedule.

The minister also said repairs on the Third Mainland bridge was on-going and would meet the scheduled completion date of November 7.

•Page 32

By Oluwakemi Dauda

NIMASA, Hajia Lamin Tumakar, who along side the Commander of MGC, Navy Commander Promise Jasper, briefed reporters at the operational base of MGC in Lagos, said, during the attack on the boat, the Managing Director of Global West Vessel Specialists Limited(GWVSL), Capt Romeo Itima, was affected.

Chinese firm to invest in aviation •Page 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

30

MONEY

Financial disclosure: Banks get strigent conditions T HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has mandated banks to exceed statutory disclosure requirements as stipulated in the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) and Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) in filling their financial statements, The Nation has leant.

The improved disclosure requirement is targeted at achieving good corporate governance in the banks.

Banks are, therefore, expected to include in their annual reports, remuneration policy for members of the board and executives; non-executive directors including fees, allowances, and other executive compensation.

There are also needs for details and reasons for share buy-backs, if any; board of directors’ performance evaluation and details of directors and shareholders who own five per cent and above of the bank’s shares. Also included are other

Stories by Collins Nweze

shareholders who in concert with others control the bank.

CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Chris Chukwu, who confirmed this in a circular to banks and discount houses, said lenders can now include their governance structure, composition of board committees including names of chairmen and members of each committee.

The apex bank is requesting further information on risk assets that will include concentration of assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet engagements by the sector, geography and product.

Loan quality, lending/borrowing to or from subsidiaries and as-

sociates, insider-related credits will also be accommodated in banks financials going forward.

Besides, it also includes all significant risks, risk management practices indicating the boards’ responsibility for the entire process of risk management as well as a summary of external auditors’ observed lapses.

The banks will also include information on strategic modification to the core business, all regulatory or supervisory contraventions during the year under review and infractions uncovered, capital adequacy structure, regulatory sanctions and penalties. Others are any service contracts and other contracted relationships with related parties. Banks will also in-

clude frauds and forgeries that took place within the period as well as other contingency frameworks.

The CBN stressed that the move became important as “the banking system relies on the effective operation of a range of ‘integrity systems’ for keeping the institutions and their management honest and accountable.

“Banks and OFIs shall render quarterly reports on their compliance with the provisions of the guidelines along with their corporate governance status returns. The external auditors of each bank and OFIs shall report annually to the CBN, the extent of banks and OFI.” According to the CBN, the objective of the policy was to encourage stakeholders to bring unethical conduct and illegal violations to the attention of an internal and or external authority so that action would be taken to resolve the problem.

It said: “This will minimise the

• CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido

institution’s exposure to the damage that can occur when internal mechanisms are circumvented. It will also demonstrate to stakeholders that the institution is serious about adherence to codes of ethics and conduct.

Nigeria’ll overcome its economic woes, says Ernst & Young

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• From left: Managing Director, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Roberts Orya and Head of Mission, Embassy of Romania, Nicolae Moldoveanu during a visit to the bank in Abuja.

Banks’ rating on real sector funding performance coming

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is considering an intensive performance rating for commercial banks in determine their effectiveness of lending to agriculture, and other real sectors of the economy.

To achieve this, the apex bank has set aside N1.5 billion, out of the N75 billion allocated for the full implementation of the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) project.

In a statement, CBN Director, Development Finance Department, Paul Eluhaiwe, said rating of the banks is one of the strategic measures being taken by the apex bank to stimulate lending to the sector.

According to him, the NIRSAL objective is to de-risk agriculture finance value chain, build long term capacity and institutionalise incentives for agricultural lending.

He said potential lenders include traditional banks, microfinance institutions, trade finance providers, asset managers, and private equity funds. Credit to the sector could also come as a loan portfolio, a loan, a bond or in some cases, a

specific commitment letter.

He said NIRSAL Credit Risk Guarantee range from 30 per cent to 75 per cent and could be loan principal, or loan principal and interest payments.

The funds are targeted at farmer groups, large corporate farmers, processing companies, agricultural service providers, logistic companies, wholesale distributors among others. It can also be targeted at whole agribusiness value chain covered across all crops and livestock activities.

He said NIRSAL was a public/ private initiative designed by the apex bank and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in 2011 to disburse such grants to financial institutions for easy access by farmers nationwide.

Eluhaiwe said N45 billion had been earmarked from the N75 billion as loans to the farmers, while the balance would be used to train the farmers and insure them.

The CBN Director said the funds will be driven by five pillars, in which N45 billion will be channeled into risk sharing facility. There is equally a N4.5 billion

insurance facility that links insurance products to loans provided by banks to borrowers.

He reaffirmed that NIRSAL’s target is to de-risk agriculture finance value chain, build long term capacity and institutionalise incentives for agricultural lending.

According to him, additional technical assistance facility of N9 billion, will be used in building capacity of banks, microfinance institutions, agricultural value chain actors and expanding financial inclusion.

A bank incentive mechanism of N15 billion was also allocated to target incentives that will move banks to long term, strategic position and increase their commitment to agricultural lending.

NIRSAL, he said, will encourage counterparties to brand products and raise the number of banked and previously unbanked Nigerians. “The body is equally working with mobile solution providers to deliver shared weather information, distribute farm inputs, pay and recover loans as well as disseminate market information to farmers nationwide.

CONOMIC development in the 25 leading rapid-growth markets (RGMs), including Nigeria, has started to slow sharply since the beginning of this year but this will only be a temporary setback, according to Ernst & Young’s quarterly report.

Senior Economic Adviser to Ernst & Young, Carl Astorri said RGMs are well placed to weather the major risks facing the global economy at the present time, given that they have the space to relax fiscal and monetary policy.

This, he said has already happened in some RGMs, adding that there will be further easing of monetary policy in the months ahead, particularly if the global economy deteriorates further.

Co-Leader of the Emerging Markets Centre, Alexis KarklinsMarchay said although slower expansion in the rapid-growth markets is likely this year, it will only be a blip and we will see a return to significant growth towards the end of the year. “Soaring domestic demand in economies starved, for some time, of investment and consumption will offer business exciting new markets for goods and services in the years ahead,” he said.

Bisi Sanda, Senior Partner, Trans-

action Advisory Services, believes the power sector holds the key to the Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

Said Sanda: “If the Federal Government completes its privatisation of the power sector assets in 2012, it will provide much required fresh breath to the much delayed reactivation of stimulus of the manufacturing sector, including the reactivation of over 100 textile mills that closed down or relocated from Nigeria between 2000 and 2007. Power is an enabler in Nigeria.”

Ernst & Young, an international consultant, was recently recruited by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to assist them adapt their financials to the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) status. The CBN is expected to migrate to IFRS by the end of this year while NDIC is already at the impact assessment stage of its migration.

The IFRS are principles-based standards, interpretations and the framework adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) that requires disclosure on a range of issues including risk management measures and changes in accounting policy.

Analysts rate forex market low in Q1

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NALYSTS have rated the Ni gerian forex market low on performance in the first half of the year.

Speaking at the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Roundtable on the Economy held in Lagos, Oludahun Bade-Ajidahu, an analyst, said the trend in the forex market in the last six months has been quite disappointing.

This, he said, was largely caused by the poor economic performance, insecurity and poorly implemented economic policy.

“This has driven the exchange rate in the parallel market to over N164 to a dollar. Although we have some promising reforms going on, the effect may be seen much more later, probably 2013 to 2014,” he said.

Bade-Ajidahu said excessive demand pressure at the market remained unabated for most part of 2011 and even first half of 2012, causing the value of the naira to slide against the dollar.

According to him, the forex market remains the largest financial market in the globe accounting for over $4.1 trillion daily on turn over.

Recently, the apex bank commenced audit of the forex spent on wheat importation last year to curtail its abuse. It said the step became necessary to reduce the volume of forex spent on wheat import.

Ajidahu said that such exercise is aimed at tackling speculative demand for dollar.

The apex bank had said dealers that failed to provide information on customer name, date of purchase, address, Form ‘M’ number, volume of purchase in metric tonnes, source of funds, country of origin, total value, among others, would result in sanction.

CBN’s action followed the government’s hike in levy and duty on wheat and rice from July 1. The government imposed a 100 per cent import duty on wheat flour; 20 per cent on wheat grain, 30 per cent on husked brown rice and 50 per cent on polished rice.

Government said the move is to expand domestic production of these staples in order to create employment. The extra levy is intended to put further strain on the importation of the commodities and protect local producers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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MONEY

CBN policy, improved yields spur investors’ interest in TBs

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HE upward review of the Cash Reserve Ratio from eight to 12 per cent, and the concurrent retention of the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 12 per cent have buoyed activities in the fixed-income securities, especially Treasury Bills (TBs).

The banking watchdog’s policy has further tightened liquidity in the financial market with attendant effects on banks’ leading rates.

The development has resulted in increase in the subscription levels of treasury bills.

Other key considerations include the zero-risk status and guaranteed yields.

A summary of activities at the Primary Market Auction (PMA) and Opening Market Operation (OMO) showed that N559.67 billion worth of transactions was recorded in June, as against N525.19 billion last May. This resulted in the net inflow of N172.39 billion relative to N111.20 billion outflow recorded in the previous year.

In the week ending July, N34.89 worth of 91-days treasury bills was sold at the rate of N13.95 per cent as against 13.75 per cent in the previous week. Also, N60 billion each

Stories by Akinola Ajibade

worth of 182-day and 364-day bills were sold at the rates of 14.94 per cent and 14.97 per cent against 14.89 per cent and 15.60 per cent during the last auction. Total subscription during the auction stood at N448.41 billion versus N482.87 billion at the last auction.

Though the treasury bills market occasionally experience declines in subscriptions occasioned by the shortfall in supply, it has not in any way reduced the investors’ appetite for it.

Speaking on the issue, the Currency Analyst/Consultant, Forex Time Trading West Africa, Mr BadeAjidahun Oladehin said treasury bills are now more appealing to investors because it is risk-free compared to other money market instruments.

Oladehin during a session with the finance correspondents in Lagos said it was now safer for people to put their money in TBs because they know they would get better yields at short intervals.

Vice Chairman, Anchoria Investments Securities Limited, Dr Olusola Dada said the CBN’s deci-

sion to revive activities at the Open Market Operations (OMO) by way of offering treasury bills at various discount rates has re-ignited interests in the instruments.

He said investors are cashing in on the apex-bank’s efforts to mop up funds and further moderate the rate of inflation by investing in TBS. According to him, investors have lost confidence in the capital market and, therefore, prefer to invest in a safer, reliable and highly guarantee instruments such as treasury bills.

He said interest on savings is very low, adding that investors are ready to go for TBs rates of between 12 to 13 per cent (on overage) than accepting a single –digit interest rate on savings.

He said: “What is evident in the market today is that there is a surge in movement to the TBs market.

People are looking for at least, marginal returns on investments, because they are not ready to lose everything. Equities investors, except the conservative ones are leaving the capital market for fixed-income securities such as bonds and treasury bills because they want better returns.”

Lagos MfBs target N100b operational fund THE National Association of Microfinance Banks, Lagos Chapter, has said microfinance banks were targeting a loan portfolio of N100 billion in 2012.

The Chairman, NAMB, Lagos chapter, Mr Olufemi Babajide, told The Nation the loan portfolio of MFBS in Lagos was about N30 billion in 2011.

He added that the banks were serving 1.2 million customers out of nine million in the state. “Our target is to meet N100 billion target before the end of 2012. If we increase to that level, we will be serving close to four million. But this will happen with the help from government institutions,” he noted.

Babajide said there was no provision of lender of last resort in the policy formation of MfBs, adding: “In other countries, they have provision of lender of last resort in their MfBs’ policy formation. What we did was to put in place a trust fund on our own, which we called NAMBLAG. “The fund could be accessed at interest rate of 25 per cent per annum.

This is as a result of the fact that members’ contribution to the fund is nil. Therefore accessed funds will be provided by the trust fund manager and trust fund custodian. As soon as members start to make contribution into the fund, interest rate will come down.”

He pointed out that the funds would help to boost both short term liquidity management, project financing and refinancing of operators.

The NAMB boss had earlier stated that each microfinance bank was expected to contribute N500,000 into the fund.

He said: “The contributed fund will be matched by the deposit money bank and trust fund custodian. When this is accomplished, the weighted average cost of fund will be reduced. As the fund grows in size and number, government agencies, donor agencies and institutions will be allowed to invest in the fund.”

Experts laud CBN directives on foreign subsidiaries EXPERTS have praised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for stopping banks from using their funds to finance foreign subsidiaries.

According to the former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Nzekwe, the directive would reduce money laundering.

Nzekwe alledged that many bank executives borrowed money from banks and used them to buy stocks of their subsidiaries and later converted them to personal use.

He said the collapse of the capital market was due to actions of bank executives in diverting money and buying shares in the same bank to finance their subsidiaries.

Also, the former president, Finance Houses Association of Nigeria (FHAN), Mr Eddie Osaronkhoe said the initiative was a welcome development that would make credit facilities available in the economy.

Osaronkhoe said it was regrettable that banks mobilised money from the public and divert it to run subsidiaries at the expense of giving loans to customers.

He said many banks have been hiding under the universal banking model to siphon money for personal use, adding that the development has negatively affected the industry.

He said corruption in the banking sector led the financial crises in the banks. The CBN’s ability to implement the directive would reduce capital flight and further sanitise the industry.

‘Identity database ‘ll strengthen banking industry’

• From left, Head, Credit Risk Management, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Joe Osojie; Currency Analyst, ForexTime Trading, West Africa, Mr. Bade-Ajidahun; President, Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Babajide Komolafe and Mr. Bunmi Asaolu of FBN Capital during FICAN roundtable on the economy held in Lagos.

Experts fret over payment security deadline E XPERTS have expressed fears about the readiness of the banks to meet the 2013 deadline set for lenders to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS).

This is coming on the heels of the alarm raised by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) that banks were yet to fully comply with the PCIDSS directives set for banks globally to foster the growth of the electronic payment system.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ethnos IT solutions Limited, Mr Peter Ejiofor, said banks were not ready to comply, hence, the slow rate of response to the initiative.

Ejiofor said his interactions with some of the lenders showed that they were not prepared to meet the deadline set for them on the issue.

He said some banks were only talking about PCI-DSS issue because of the CBN mandate attached

to it. He said senior managements of the banks are not ready to make commitment on the issue, despite the fact that they are aware of its importance to their customers and the e-payment system in particular.

He said some banks may prepare a certificate to show they are PCI-DSS compliant when the pressure is mounted on them, adding that there is a difference between compliant and obtaining certification.

He said PCI-DSS is a benchmark that a bank must achieve, stressing that it is not a one-off thing globally.

According to him, a bank must be audited every year and have upto-date technology and applications to remain compliant.

He advised banks to comply,

stressing that failure to do so would affect the confidence level of their customers and the global electronic issuance cards such as MasterCard and VisaCard that are a treaty to the formation of the PCIDSS concept.

He said a breach of contract on the issue can lead to bankruptcy in a bank, if care is not taken. Ejiofor said if MasterCard, for instance, pulls their account from a bank that breached the contract; the bank would lose lots of transactions.

Prior to this period, the Head, Shared Services Office, CBN, Mr Chidi Umeano had at a cashless programme in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom told journalists that only or two banks have complied with the directives. He said the CBN will sanction banks that failed to be PCIDSS compliant, arguing that the issue would affect the customers’ confidence in the banks.

THE Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr Chris Onyemenan, has said a reliable identity database would help in strengthening the banking industry.

Onyemenan, while making his presentation during a cash-less programme, said the national identity management system was central to the success of a cash-less economic project. He added that the Universal Identification Infrastructure (UIDI) is unique, reliable, secure and accessible.

“A secure UIDI is a precondition for financial inclusion. The NIMS will tie captured biometrics and unique National Identification Numbers (NIN) of Nigerians to a bank account, voters registers, immigration, law enforcement agencies, among others.

He said the existing database has not met the international standards, adding that they were not centralised, reliable and complete.

He said a reliable identity database would unleash, the opportunity in consumer credit experienced on the developed countries, reduce fraud, fight terrorism, improve the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create a robust and dependable identifier.

Onyemenan praised the Mobile System Services Sector (MSSS) which has achieved remarkable feats which include the licensing of mobile payment service providers, such as Fortis Mobile, USA/Afripay, GTBank, e-Tranzact, among others.

Fidelity Bank lauded on CSR FIDELITY Bank Plc has been commended by Niger State Governor, Mu’azu Bababgida Aliyu, for its community work in the state.

Aliyu stated this while inaugurating classroom blocks that were renovated by the bank at Maitumbi Primary School, Minna. He said the bank has used its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme to enhance the lot of the people.

The state Commissioner for Basic Education, Mrs. Susan Gana, who represented the governor, said: “This is, indeed, a laudable project. A project that we hope every stakeholder in the state should emulate. We appreciate your presence in our state and we hope that your stay will remain prosperous and fruitful.”

Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Reginald Ihejiahi, said the bank decided to renovate the classroom blocks because of the importance of education in the development of the society. “Our token in renovating the classroom blocks is in line with our passion for equipping people especially in the education sector,” Ihejiahi, who was represented by General Manager in the bank, Idris Yakubu, said.

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THE NATION INVESTORS

May & Baker to receive N2b bail out from Danjuma

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T. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) has concluded arrangements to extend N2 billion bail out to May & Baker Nigeria Plc, in a dramatic move to ease the debt burden and enhance the profitability of the healthcare company.

Huge exposures to banks and attendant high interest expenses have been major drags on the performance of May & Baker.

The company’s interest expense rose by 40 per cent in 2011 from N172.88 million in 2010 to N242.89 million in 2011. The company’s short-term bank overdrafts increased from N948.5 million to N1.22 billion in 2011. Besides, May & Baker Nigeria has outstanding term loans of N1.41 billion.

An impeccable source told The Nation exclusively that Danjuma has already approved and would release the specially arranged loan any moment.

The bail-out loan, according to the source, is a soft loan with almost negligible interest rate that will significantly reduce May & Baker’s finance expenses and allow the gains of recent expansions to trickle down to shareholders.

It was however unclear whether the bail-out has any future convertible clause that will allow all or part of the loan to be converted to equities at the instance of the parties.

But the source confirmed that Danjuma offered more convenient

Stories by Taofik Salako

terms of payment that would neither put pressure on the company nor jeopardize the interest of any stakeholder.

The source indicated that the company would use the bail-out loan to pay outstanding bank loans and restructure its balance sheet. The would put firm in a stronger position to stabilise its operations.

Caught in the middle of a large expansion plan by the recession at the capital market, May & Baker, which had earlier outlined plan to raise funds through equity and bonds issues, was forced to depend on bank loans to complete its World Health Organisation (WHO)-standard new factory in Ota, Ogun State. The completion and commissioning of the new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, known as the PharmaCentre in 2011, had more than doubled May & Baker Nigeria’s pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.

The PharmaCentre, which could not contribute to the company’s performance in 2011 on account of preparations for WHOprequalification inspections, has already started production having being fully certified by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Danjuma, a multi-billionaire, holds the largest equity stake of

24.38 per cent in May & Baker Nigeria through his company, T.Y Holdings Limited.

The source said Danjuma, who chairs the board of May & Baker among several other companies, has also intensified supports for the realisation of BioVaccines Nigeria Limited, a joint venture on local vaccine production between the Federal Government and the company.

The Federal Government had recently approved the renewal of the joint venture agreement for the local production and distribution of vaccines in Nigeria.

The source said the May & Baker and the Federal Ministry of Health

have advanced talks on the constitution of the new board for BioVaccines, noting that the formalities for the appointments of representatives of the Federal Government and those of May & Baker would soon be completed.

The constitution and inauguration of the new board will signal the take-off of BioVaccines, operations, a move that May & Baker hopes will create new income stream and impact on the group performance.Although a joint venture, BioVaccines Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of May & Baker Nigeria.

Shareholders of May & Baker had at their last annual general

meeting appealed to Danjuma to bail out the company from its debt crisis.

Consequently, shareholders initiated and unanimously passed a special resolution authorising the board and management of the company to source personal loan from Danjuma.

Shareholders had urged Danjuma to deploy his personal wealth to assist the company to mitigate exposure to bank loans and ensure better returns to the owners especially the minority retail investors who depend on the cash dividends. The company paid a dividend per share of 10 kobo for the 2011 business year.

SMEs canvass specialised bank for enterprreneurs

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MALL and Medium Scale Entreprises (SMEs) owners under the auspices of National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) have called on the government to create a special-purpose bank that will specifically provide finance to small and medium enterprises.

National President, National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Chief Chukwu Wachukwu, lamented that in spite of the huge potential of small and medium industries, lack of adequate and amenable funding has been major hindrance to the growth of the sector.

According to him, 95 per cent of the Gross Domestic Products (GDPS) are from the industries and in the area of employment; the industries are employing more Nigerians than any other sector.

He noted that the establishment of a sector-specific bank such as SMEs Bank would enable the provider of funds and users to work around the peculiarities of the sector and provide complementary finances that would unleash the potential of the sector.

He cautioned against moves by the Federal Government to scrap National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND), warning that it will not augur well for SMEs. “NERFUND is the body now funding industry sector and so if anybody should tamper with the fund, he is not wishing the SMEs and Nigeria well,”Wachukwu said.

The NASSI president said who spoke at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the management of Goldmond Limited for the brand development and publicity of the association, noted that NASSI is a veritable platform for the development of small businesses.

He said that NASSI had received N109 billion from a bank for onlending to its members across the country According to him, NASSI has the ability to mobilise funds for its

members and provide them access to finance with its nationwide structure including offices in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He expressed the optimism that NASSI’S relationship with Goldmond will take the association to a greater height in terms of publicity and brand development.

•From left: President, NASSI, Chief Chuku Wachuku; Managing Director, Goldmond Limited, Donnett and brand management expert, Mr Okey Kanu, at the signing of the MoU between NASSI and Goldmond in Abuja.

Global restructuring: PZ Cussons to focus on Nigeria

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Z Cussons will close its operations in several countries in a deft restructuring programme that will concentrate manufacturing operations of the multinational in certain countries including Nigeria.

A document on the global restructuring operations with details for West Africa obtained by The Nation indicated that PZ Cussons, which holds 66.81 per cent in PZ Cussons (Nigeria) Plc, plans to shut its manufacturing facilities in Ghana and concentrate its manufacturing in Nigeria.

With the impending closure of the Ghanaian manufacturing facilities, Nigeria and other unidentified third parties will provide supply to Ghana, a major win for Nigeria. Manufacturing operations create better employment opportunities, and will further complement the growing human resources for marketing activities.

PZ Cussons has manufacturing plants in Ilupeju, Ikorodu; both in Lagos State and Aba, in Abia State.

The Nigerian operations include manufacturing and marketing of soaps, detergents, health and beauty products, electrical goods and nutritional products. More than 77,000 Nigerian individual and institutional investors hold equity stakes in the conglomerate.

The global restructuring project was sequel to high costs of operations that have increasingly impacted on the global profitability of the conglomerate.

According to the document, PZ

Cussons group developed the global restructuring programmes to ensure that its supply chain cost base remains at a competitive level given sustained rise in raw material costs together with significant wage inflation in emerging markets.

Although Nigeria’s competitiveness was impinged by security issue and other macroeconomic variables including recent fuel subsidy removal and declining consumer disposable income, Nigeria was still considered as the prime hub for the group’s African operations.

“We will use the opportunity to make Nigeria a centre of excellence in Africa,” the document stated.

Besides, the global restructuring would see the group close its manufacturing facilities in Australia and restructure that of Poland as it seeks to move to a variable cost model for its developed market homecare businesses. Just like the emerging markets, supplies will be outsourced to third parties.

The group will also focus on reducing significantly its overhead at a number of other manufactur-

ing facilities.

“We believe the benefits of this project will be seen in the new financial year through lower supply chain overheads, wage inflation mitigation as well as reduction in high capital maintenance cost that would have been associated to the closed or restructured facilities. It will ultimately show an improved performance and higher returns on investments,” the document indicated.

Recent audited reports and accounts of PZ Cussons (Nigeria) Plc had underlined the global worries about rising costs and depleting returns. While the conglomerate increased sales by 9.5 per cent and 5.1 per cent in 2012 and 2011, the bottom-line has worsened over the years.

As against modest increase of 6.7 per cent in 2011, gross profit dropped by 12.3 per cent in 2012.

This further magnified into a drop of 46.3 per cent in pre-tax profit, eroding negligible increase of 1.3 per cent in 2011. Net earnings position worsened from a decline of 1.5 per cent in 2011 to drop of 55.4 per cent in 2012.

PZ Cussons’ gross profit margin dropped from 28 per cent in 2011

to 22.4 per cent in 2012. Pre-tax profit margin halved from 12.1 per cent to 6.0 per cent. Also, return on total assets dropped from 8.3 per cent in 2011 to 3.9 per cent. Return on equity also shrank to 5.9 per cent in 2012 as against 13.2 per cent recorded in 2011.

Audited report and accounts for the year ended May 31, 2012 showed turnover of N72.16 billion as against N65.9 billion in 2011.Gross profit, however, dropped to N16.18 billion as against N18.45 billion. Profit before tax also halved to N4.31 billion compared with N8.03 billion in 2011 just as profit after tax that dwindled from N5.7 billion to N2.5 billion. With adjusted net earnings per share at 61 kobo in 2012 as against N1.31 in 2011, the company has proposed a dividend payout of 43 kobo per share.

The company had in previous year distributed more than N2.3 billion as cash dividends, representing a dividend per share of 86 kobo.Also, it capitalised N397.05 million to distribute bonus share of one for four shares.

FCMB offers power company N4b facility

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IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc has granted N4 billion loan facility to Tower Power Utilities (TPUL) Limited to support the company’s development of a 17.75 megawatts (mw) capacity combined cycle gas fired power generation plant in Ota In-

dustrial Estate, Ogun State.

The N4 billion financing was granted through the Bank of Industry’s N300 billion Power and Aviation Intervention Fund (BOIPAIF), which was launched in August 2009 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to facilitate invest-

ments in two of Nigeria’s key sectors which have the potential to drive sustained economic growth.

In the N4 billion deal, FCMB had refinanced TPUL’s existing nonBOI-PAIF debt and subsequently financed increased capacity from • Continued from page 33

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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THE NATION INVESTORS FACTS

A

TO

FACTS

AG Leventis vs John Holt: Between good and worse

G Leventis (Nigeria) Plc and John Holt are two of the oldest surviving and earliest listed companies in Nigeria.As conglomerates, their interests span foods and beverages, automobile, real estate, hotel, general trade, power, appliances and merchandise.

Both AG Leventis and John Holt, particularly have striking similarities. Each has eight business lines, several decades of operations, foreign ownership and control and hundreds of thousands of shareholder.AG Leventis’(Nigeria) operations span the wide gamut of the economy from foods and beverages to automobile, real estate, hotel, general trade and merchandise.

AG Leventis has some 30,000 shareholders but the Leventis family still owns about 88 per cent controlling equity stake. John Holt Plc has a history of 115 years but it has operated as an incorporated entity in Nigeria for 50 years. John Holt Group consists of some eight subsidiaries including HPL Limited, Africa Properties (Nigeria), Holt Engineering Limited, JALLCO Limited, John Holt Agricultural Engineers Limited, Probyn Road Properties Limited, West African Drug Company Limited and Yamaha Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited. The conglomerate operates three principal business segments including technical products & leasing services, power and marine engines and property. John Holt and Co Liverpool, United Kingdom, holds the majority controlling equity stake of 51.46 per cent while Nigerian individual and institutional investors hold 48.54 per cent.

Latest audited reports and accounts of the two companies meanwhile showed different scenario, with AG Leventis sustaining a generally positive outlook, in spite of obvious industry-wide slowdown in sales and decline in margins. While John Holt writhed year-on-year in worsening performance outlook, AG Leventis appeared to stage a comeback. Midline costs and taxes, however, continued to put pressures on net earnings of both companies.

FACTS TO FACTS Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

AG Leventis (Nig) 2011 2010 % % 35.5 -1.7 35.8 -4.5 29.8 -55.3 21.2 26.2 5.6 5.9 -16.3 -28.6 2.6 3.3 5.1 7.2

Average % 16.9 15.65 -12.75 23.7 5.75 -22.45 2.95 6.15

Pre-tax profit margin (John Holt)

Pre-tax profit margin (AG Leventis)

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

John Holt 2011 % -42.2 -41.5 -30,700 17.9 -25.8 -15,550 -13.5 -49.5

Sales Generation AG Leventis witnessed a major turnaround in sales during the year ended December 31, 2011 as group turnover rose by about 36 per cent.

Sales had dropped by 1.7 per cent in 2010. However, John Holt continued on the downside with sales dropping by 42.2 per cent in 2011, sustaining losing streak that dropped sales by 44.4 per cent in 2010. On the average, AG Leventis still carried a positive top-line growth of 16.9 per cent over the past two years compared with average annual decline of 43.3 per cent recorded by John Holt.

Profitability John Holt replaced its modest profit in 2010 with a huge loss in 2011 as decline in sales exacerbated adverse impact of high costs. Gross profit dropped by about 42 per cent in 2011. Profit per unit of sales dwindled from a negligible 0.05 per cent in 2010 to -25.8 per cent in 2011. Average loss per sales over the past two years stood at about 13 per cent.

On the other hand, AG Leventis’ gross profit recovered from a drop of 4.5 per cent in 2010 with an increase of about 36 per cent in 2011.

Profit before tax also improved with an increase of 30 per cent in 2011 as against a drop of 55 per cent in 2010. However, gross margin dropped from 26 per cent to 21 per cent while pre-tax profit margin slipped from 5.9 per cent to 5.6 per cent. On the average, the company maintained positive outlook with average gross margin of about 24

2010 % -44.4 17.7 0.05 -99.5 -0.07 -0.3

Average % -43.3 -20.75 -15350 17.8 -12.875 -7824.75 -6.785 -24.9

per cent and average pre-tax profit margin of 5.8 per cent.

Actual Returns The returns outlooks of the two conglomerates showed stark contrast. John Holt left shareholders and other stakeholders with negative returns while AG Leventis offered modest positive returns, although it fell below average. John Holt returned -13.5 per cent on total assets in 2011 and -49.5 per cent on shareholders’ funds. It had posted modest negative returns of 0.07 per cent and 0.3 per cent on total assets and equity funds in 2010.

AG Leventis recorde return on total assets of 2.6 per cent in 2011 as against 3.3 per cent in 2010, indicating average return of 2.95 per cent. Return on equity stood at 5.1 per cent in 2011 compared with 7.2 per cent in 2010, representing average return of 6.2 per cent over the past two years.

The Bottom line With businesses strewn across several sectors of the economy, conglomerates would appear to possess cushions against sectoral dislocation and minor macroeconomic corrections. However, with global fluctuation in primary input costs, high domestic operating costs and huge interest expenses due to exposures to banks, conglomerates are facing stiff challenges from small niche players.

To outflank small and medium niche operators, conglomerates will need to engage in delicate balancing act of economy of scale and low operating costs.

FCMB offers power company N4b facility • Continued on page 32

8.75 mw to 15.75 mw. TPUL plans to further increase capacity to 17.75mw with the addition of a 2.0mw Waste Heat Recovery Apparatus (WHR) for improved efficiency.

Vice president and Group Head, Project and Structured Finance, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr Robert Grant, said the bank decided to support TPUL’s business model as it provided clean, reliable and affordable electricity to manufacturing companies.

He noted that additional power supply by the private power company has reduced the burden on the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) thereby, beneficially supporting domestic users with more stable power.

According to him, small scale independent power providers such as TPUL have proved to be successful off-grid power providers and have been effectively managed by private investors under the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) licensing guidelines.

He assured that beyond the imminent privatisation of the power distribution companies by the Federal Government, the bank would

continue to support the power sector across the entire value chain.

In his remarks, Executive Director, Tower Power Utilities (TPUL) Limited, Mr Arun D-Sira, said the company would continue to work with FCMB in executing more projects.

He said TPUL’s power plants would also provide embedded distribution for generation and distribution companies that are scheduled for privatisation, thus reducing operating costs for commercial and residential customers alike.

TPUL’s expansion plan was due to increased demand from its customers at the Ota Industrial Estate, which included Aluminum Rolling Mills, Kolorkote Nigeria Limited, Daraju Industries, Eagle Packaging & Printing, Euro Global & Food Distilleries, Sonhart Investments, Homan Industries Limited and Sadwanis Nigeria Limited, among others.

Power is distributed through a small 11KV distribution system installed and owned by TPUL and generated by Cummins made gas engines. The feedstock is g a s , s u p p l i e d b y Shell through a pipeline which terminates in the Ota Industrial Estate. Apart from scheduled maintenance, the gas supply has been uninterrupted since inception.

•President, Republic OF Benin, Dr. Yayi Boni (right) and Group Managing Director, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti, during a courtesy call on the President by the bank executives.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2012

AVIATION

Chinese firm to invest in aviation T HE China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd (CSCEC) has signified its interest to invest in Nigeria's aviation sector, especially the construction of aerotropolis (an urban plan in which the layout, infrastructure and economy is centred around an airport, existing as an airport city) in the major international airports.

Overseas Operations Vice President of the corporation, Yu Zhende made the pledge at the headquarters of the corporation in Beijing, China during a visit by the delegation from the Ministry of Aviation.

The Ministry, which is on investment drive in China said as a major country in Africa, the development of her aviation sector would establish the country as a major hub on the continent.

In a statement, Yu Zhende said a delegation from CSCEC would soon visit Nigeria to deliberate more on the concept of aerotropolis development, and expressed the readiness of the company to sign an agreement and mobilise to site as soon as the Nigerian and Chinese governments reach a compromise.

“We will send a delegation to Nigeria to conceptualise this project, subsequently we will work with the Chinese government to finance this project”, Zhende said. He stated that it will take the support of both governments to actualise the project but "we will move as fast as the Nigerian government wants us to move”.

He assured that financing the

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

project will not pose any serious challenge for the Chinese government once an agreement is reached.

On the technical know-how of CSCEC, the Vice President said the company has vast and extensive experience in airport construction in China, the UAE, Europe, Asia and Africa. He added that the magnificent African Union building in Ethiopia was built by CSCEC and donated to the AU. He assured that quality and timely deliverance forms the bedrock of all it's projects.

Similarly, Huawei Technologies Company of China in conjunction with their IT solutions partner, SITA has presented a Joint Proposal to the Aviation Ministry seeking to provide IT Infrastructure for the new terminals.

The proposals were made when the Nigerian delegation visited Huawei at their headquarters in Shenzhen where discussions and meetings were held with top management of the enterprise group.

The discussions according to the statement, centered on the fundamentals of FAAN's desired IT infrastructure for the new terminals.

In addition, the delegation met and held discussions with Airport Design Specialists, CSWADI and the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD). They also met with airport specializsed equip-

ment suppliers CIMC- Tianda (for Avionics bridges and Apron buses) as well as CASRI (for airport baggage handling systems).

All companies expressed strong desire to partner with the Ministry in the development of aviation industry in Nigeria the statement said.

Meanwhile, Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has told the Chinese Business Community that all projects contained in the investment baskets currently being marketed through the Investors' Roadshow are to be executed under the Contractor-Financed Business Model and not through concessioning or the Public Private Partnership (PPP) business model as obtained in the past.

The Minister, who made the position of government known during the Investors' Forum in Beijing, China over the weekend, said the ministry was looking for investors who are interested in investing in the Nigeria Aerotropolis Cities and the aviation sector in general who will partner with Nigerian indigenous investors in growing the aviation industry in the country.

Asked if the ministry is considering the PPP option as it's preferred business model, the minister said what the government is "actually looking for is contractorfinanced investors who can finance the projects while the government provides the enabling environment; we are looking for investors that can have Joint Ventures with our local, indigenous companies where together, they can contractor-finance the various projects.

For better airport facilities

By Michael Odusina

IN Nigeria, it is easy for people to dismiss the importance of airport terminals partly because of the stagnation in air transportation over the years. From the humble beginnings of the first recorded aviation activity in Kano in 1925 when a Royal Air Force(RAF) pilot made a breath- taking but safe landing on the horse race course, that historic moment went down as the first recorded aviation activity in Nigeria.

The structures in airport terminals across the country today have over the years depreciated from their world class as at the time of construction almost 40 years ago.

It is only proper to trace the history of aviation in Nigeria, which shows that the earliest known commercial aviation activity is credited to “Bud” Carpenter, who owned the earliest type of the light aircraft, de Havilland Moth. Records show that he frequently undertook high-risk flights between Kano and Lagos, using the rail tracks as his guide and piling up extra distance in the process.

In the early 1930s, an enterprising pilot carried a few fare-paying passengers in a seaplane between Lagos and Warri. With the continuation of the annual RPLF flights, aviation activities in Nigeria became considerable, creating the need for aerodromes.

Consequently, a representative of the Air Ministry in London visited Nigeria to inspect what could then be appropriately described as “landing grounds”. Sites were selected at Maiduguri (Borno State),Osogbo (Osun State), Lagos, Minna (Niger State), Kano and Kaduna. Wing Commander E. H. Coleman, one of the earliest observers of the evolution of civil aviation in Nigeria described the aerodromes thus: “It must be remembered, however, that what was called an aerodrome in those days would by no means meet requirements for even some of the small airplanes of modern times. In the early days it was considered necessary to construct several runways oriented in varying directions to avoid cross wind landings and take-offs, as the older type of tail-wheel aircraft was more prone to swing than the modern nose wheel types.

Fast forward to 2012 - it is not a secret that most of the airports and terminals were built in the 70s, as such by 2011 they were decayed and in a state of utter dysfunction. All airport users attest to the fact that our infrastructure are a disgrace and embarrassment to our national pride. Imagine an airport without adequate toilet facilities; this was what Nigerians and foreigners alike had suffered for several years.

As such, it is important that the call for the remaking of the industry be supported in all ramifications. The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah must be commended for the giant strides so far taken to ensure that the projects come on stream immediately, despite criticisms trailing her efforts.

The airports in major cities like Abuja, Lagos, and Port-Hacourt etc are already in the process of enjoying this rejuvenation.

Most importantly, this new investment will go a long way in ensuring that Nigeria’s air safety record continues to be at par with global best practices. Nigerian air travellers deserve the best.

SAHCOL acquires equipment

From right: Head, Business Development Clement Faluyi; Managing Director, Capt Akin Oni, both of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria, Ltd and Mr Tunji Olugbodi, Group Managing Director, Verdant Zeal Marketing Communications, during a media interactive session held by Bristow Helicopters recently in Lagos.

Medview lifts pilgrims to Saudi Arabia

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EDVIEW Airlines will airlift at least 2,000 pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia for this year’s lesser Hajj , the firm has said. The pilgrims will be from Lagos, Ilorin, Maidugiri and Abuja zones So far, the carrier said it has airlifted about 1,000 pilgrims for the exercise, which it hopes to conclude by the end of this month.

Speaking with reporters at the Departure Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, the General Manager, Med-View, Mr David Babatunde that the lesser Hajj to Mecca was a prelude to the main Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia later in the year.

Babatunde explained that the first phase of the exercise would end by August 11 while the return leg would commence the

same month.

In a bid to effectively airlift the pilgrims, he said the carrier deployed a Boeing 767-300 to the route and assured that the exercise would be concluded as planned without any major challenges.

On intending pilgrims who regularly use the avenue to run away from the country, Babtunde said the management had devised many means to prevent this from happening and assured that the entire pilgrims airlifted to the holy land would return as scheduled.

He said: “For our pilgrims, we have really sensitised, advised and appealed to them the implication of running away when they get there. However, Medview Air carrier is very selective when it

comes to picking pilgrims. We don’t just get involve in airlift without knowing who they are.

At times, when we are in doubt, we ask them to provide us with guarantee just to ensure that they don’t disappear from Saudi Arabia.

“As you are aware, lesser Hajj as the name suggests is preparation towards the main Hajj exercise. So, this period, a lot of Muslims will want to visit Mecca most especially during the last 10 days of Ramadan fasting and that is why we are involved in the airlift. We also have package for those who want hotel accommodation, surface transportation and even visas. That makes a complete package.”

The airlifting of pilgrims to Mecca for lesser Hajj started last week in Lagos zone.

THE Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, (SAHCOL) has acquired state- of –art- equipment to enhance efficiency and transparency in its service delivery.

According to a statement, the machine-Rapiscan 632DV X-ray System Machine with dual view is an advanced small and large parcel screening system designed for pallet and break bulk cargo screening. It comes with a 1,500 mm (59.1 inches) wide by 1,650 (65.0 Inches) high tunnel opening and uses innovation dual–view technology to generate a horizontal and vertical view of the object under inspection with a standardised platform that makes it easy to install and maintain.

The machine also comes with features such as dual energy detection, a streamlined, ergonomic design and Rapiscan’s feature – rich 0S600 system software.

Rapiscan 632DV X-ray System Machine with window software has 24 high capacity monitors, dual view lockable console kit, 4.0m umbilical cable, 115V North America /Japan 3-pin voltage kit as well as 230V British 3-pin voltage kit.

Managing Director/CEO of SAHCOL, Olu Owolabi said the introduction of the new equipment will ensure the cargo section of SAHCOL performs optimally as the organisation strives to meet international standard in its cargo, parcel and baggage inspection.

Owolabi also said that SAHCOL would stop at nothing to ensure customers satisfaction, pointing out that steps have been taken to reposition SAHCOL since its takeover by the Sifax Group in 2009.

He added that Secure Brainwaves Technologies (Nig) Ltd would commence training workshop for Staff members after the installation of the machine.

‘Why aviation challenges persist’ PRESIDENT of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) Comrade Benjamin Okewu has blamed the present predicament in the aviation sector on neglect by previous governments.

Speaking with aviation journalists in his office at the Muritala Muhammed International Ikeja airport Lagos, Okewu aviation in the country has been relegated until a few years ago when sanity was restored after series of crashes. He added that the sector was in a dire need of funds for improvement.

“Government has not spent enough money in aviation for it to hands off aviation business in the country.

All over the world he said the government don’t hands off aviation business because of security and other implications. Okewu stressed the need for more funds to be injected into the system for the survival of the domestic airlines through the acquisition of aircraft.

According to him, the neglect of the over 20 years old Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria maintenance hangar should be revisited to ensure that aircraft are maintained in order to reduce cost of maintenance abroad.

He declared that with all the human resources available in NCAT, maintenance will not be cumbersome. He urging the government to compliment the hangar being built by the Akwa Ibom government to keep the aviation sector on track.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

37

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

After years of neglect by successive administrations, the Kayode Fayemi administration in Ekiti State is turning the Ikogosi Warm Spring into a tourist’s attraction. SEYI ODEWALE reports.

Ikogosi Spring: Ekiti’s untapped gold

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HE snaky and undulating tarred narrow road, running from AdoEkiti, through Ilawe-Ekiti to Igbara-Odo or Erijiyan and Ikogosi - the town with the mysterious warm and cold springs, all in Ekiti State, meanders through the rolling hills. The hills, covered with luscious green forest, display the enthralling beauty of the tropics, which gives a gushed feeling of seeing nature at its very best.

It was a cool and humid day with the Sun literarily on break that Tuesday morning and the weather was clement.

The 30-minute drive from Ado-Ekiti to Ikogosi was a prelude to the entrapping beauty of the land where the warm and cold springs are nestled. But the neglect it has suffered over the years has deprived the town the hue usually associated with such places.

Nevertheless, the town ranked among places endowed with warm springs in the world.

Unlike its counterpart in Georgia, Atlanta, United States, the sleepy town of Ikogosi is endowed with a unique combination of warm and cold springs, forming a confluence at the base of the rocky hill. This makes it different from seven other discovered warm springs in the world.

And like others around the world, Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs have an alluring history. Though shrouded in myths and oral traditions, it is told by the natives with much gusto. From the account of two wives of the same husband forming the warm and the cold springs, to more realistic details of a hunter discovering them, the place, no doubt, is historic. Perhaps, historians and anthropologists would be needed to trace the history behind the incredible natural endowment.

The warm spring has a temperature of about 70 degree Celsius at the source and about 37degree Celsius after mixing with the water from the cold spring at the lowest course of the stream. The meeting point of the warm and cold springs is a unique attraction to tourists.

At the top of the warm spring is a small shed perhaps built to prevent people from either defiling the spring’s source or turning it to something else. “You know the way some of our people react to mysteries of this type. Some spiritualists must have done some unimaginable things at the spring that made those in charge to secure its source with this shed,” said a tourist who came with her family members from the United States to visit the site.

Its therapeutic prowess, like its counterpart Georgia, Atlanta in the United States, has made the natives to hold the spring in high esteem. To them, it’s a divine gift from God. “If anyone is infected with Guinea Worm and manages to dip his or her infected leg into this water as it flows from the hill, the worm will immediately come out from that fellow’s leg,” said a young girl fetching water from the warm spring.

It would be recalled that the former American President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in 1924 went to the Georgian Warm Springs hoping to find a cure for the infantile paralysis (polio) that had struck him in 1921. He swam in the 88-degree warm, buoyant spring waters, which brought him no miracle cure, but he got some improvement.

Ikogosi springs, however, have passed through different chequered stages since its discovery in the 50s. From the Baptist Mission, which established a youth and conference centre on the hill adjacent to the springs, to the defunct Ondo State government, which took over in 1978 when it acquired the place and later passed it on to Ekiti State when the latter was created, the neglect suffered by the place has nevertheless diminished its enchanting beauty.

Interesting part of the springs are the old colonial buildings on the adjacent hill. They appeared a bit quaint, but they form the enchanting beauty that makes the place differ-

•Some of the structures at the resort

TOURISM

‘My passion for tourism is driven mainly because of my interest in anything which will add value to the development of the society, particularly any project which is capable of changing the status of the common people for the better. My education and exposure have greatly come handy here. There is no part of the world that I have not been to’ ent; they constitute a part of its history.

One is however, amazed by the rehabilitation currently going on at the springs, which is likely to cost about N135billion. Topping the priority list are the lodging rooms for visitors, which are undergoing massive rehabilitation. The rooms are being redesigned to conform to international standard just as about 24 others are being constructed to serve pupils and students who may be on excursion to the place. At the far right, overlooking the springs are five-star duplexes, 75 per cent completed, to cater for the upper class of the society. There are others such as the executive lodge meant to service the middle and the working class. On the whole, different strata of the society surely have a place at the resort when fully completed.

With the expertise of the South African tourist development firm, Mantis, remarkable for managing resorts and wildlife, the springs will, in no time, make the state a tourism hub. In the words of John Dixon, general manager, Mantis Collection, the springs’ location would form the unique selling point.

“I certainly think that what is key in tourism is location and Ikogosi springs resort is in a beautiful location. Our vision is to make it a first-class resort with adjourning nature reserve. We’ve seen the sincerity of purpose of Ekiti government. I’m impressed with the passion of every member of the government team,” he said.

The firm is not only to rebuild the ‘ruins’ of the springs, but to train and manage members of the community in helping to run the resort. However, the top executives will be South Africans.

•Governor Fayemi

To form the first stage of development according to Dixon, is the development of Mc Gee Camp, which was named after the Baptist missionary who built the chapel; the three-star JKF Chalets consisting of 32 rooms; the Warm Spring site; the Western Chalets and the Villa. All these, Dixon said, would be completed in record time and be opened to the public in October. About 100 rooms are expected to be ready and they will cater for different categories.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Fayemi on Tourism Development, Sesan Obidiran, revealed more. “At the Mc Gee Camp, we are expecting about 24 rooms with a bunk for 48 students. At the villa, we met four and we are adding eight to make 12, which is for the VIPs, while the western chalet is for the choice category.

‘The McGee camp also has the conference centre which can sit 300 guests, the shopping mall, the business centre, restaurant, bar, music centre and a chapel for the religious tourists.”At the back of the Mc Gee camp is the amphitheatre where people can hold various forms of events and social functions. This is served by a big well paved motor–park,’ he explained.

He added: “It is being wholly financed by the Ekiti State government and the place will be managed by the Mantis group from South Africa. In fact, the official of the Mantis Group is on ground to see that the structures and facilities are well planted so that what the government is expending 135 billion naira on will not only worth it but come out beau-

tifully to justify the investment.”

But in the words of Governor Fayemi what is being done is a tip of the iceberg.

“You have not seen anything yet. What you have seen is just a caricature of the real thing that we are putting on ground. The facilities and structures, which are there are just for the first phase of the project of a three-phase initiative which will culminate in a golf course, a helipad, a games village, a wild life park, a cable car and other range of tourists’ facilities.

“And this is what our people yearn for. The first phase is to tell the world kindly come and see what we are bringing out. This will enable us to go along with the other two phases with public confidence, support and understanding,” the Fayemi said in a chat.

Explaining the driving force behind the rehabilitation of the springs, Fayemi said: “My passion for tourism is driven mainly because of my interest in anything which will add value to the development of the society, particularly any project which is capable of changing the status of the common people for the better. My education and exposure have greatly come handy here. There is no part of the world that I have not been to. I sure know the import of a deluge of people; I mean heavy tourists traffic to a state. I know what and what to put in place to have this effect in any creative environment which Ikogosi Warm Spring offers.

“I also know that tourism propels an economy by mobilising wealth, creates employment, empowering and initiating development. Hence, it will be wrong of me if I said because of my predecessors failed to enhance the awesomeness of Ikogosi. I, too, should follow suit. No. The fact is that I see what they did not see in Ikogosi. I know the economic wonder which the full enhancement of Ikogosi Warm Spring will perform in the lives of my people, the economy of Ekiti State and Nigeria. This is why my government is making it a priority for development. And I assure you, we will not rest on our oars until Ikogosi Warm Spring becomes the best tourism resort in Nigeria.

Mark my words.”

He confirmed an earlier assertion of his SSA on Tourism that the place would not be run by the government. “ It is the generational fund which must yield the dividends for this generation and generations yet unborn. There are facilities for all categories of people. There are five-star facilities for those who can afford them and we have the three-star for the majority of the people,” he assured.

With a bowl of pounded yam served with assorted bush meat and fresh palm wine in Igbara-Odo, a neighbouring town to Ikogosi, one is assured of a blissful ride back to base to face the hustling and bustling of the city.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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The ancient in modern African design

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ACIAL scarification, known as Igbu-ichi in parts of Igboland, is making a return from ancestry into the designs of Tony George Chidi Akudinobi. A visual thinker and quintessential poet of furniturecum-interior design in the African mode, Akudinobi is the convener of the African Design Roundtable who holds pride of place for representing Nigeria at the 29th India International Trade Fair (Pragati Maidan) New Delhi. He equally represented Nigeria in The World Expo at the Global Village, Dubai. He is respected in official circles, being selected and sponsored by The Nigerian Export Promotions Council.

For Akudinobi, exquisite beauty can be discerned as an object shining in interactive light, escalating in design by losing physicality to be beautiful. His vision and structured path could be seen in fusing nature with fantasy to reach beyond boundaries of design and aesthetic presence. He ardently believes that there are sacred principles and definitions littering the scorched highways of the African expression called art.

According to Akudinobi, “In this art we find patterns, motifs and recorded principles of ways of life and living which may be man’s salvation. That is why I raised Ethnika as a contemporary discourse of the past, defined in the present, to be called African Urban Classics, just shouting out when the village goes to town.”

The designing of furniture, for instance, thus evinces character. By characterising, the design through structured aesthetic presence shines light onto self to define space or spaces in dialogue. Every design finds itself in dialogue with the owner and the maker, but asserting in its presence a light that dims, flickers or shines on its path to eventual physical destruction, but lives forever in the dialogues evoked.

“In man’s rhythm and lyrics, he works up an interface that releases energy to build culture and lifestyles that capture his design essence,” Akudinobbi asserts, leaning on his masterwork known as Okpoka. “We bend and mould that energy to design as a channel of manifestation of the creative essence. Some call it inspiration but it goes with perspiration to manifest duly as a great design.”

He forges ahead thusly: “The incompleteness of design is like life in which every breath stretches the journey. Deep within every man’s definition a veil is lifted so that his inner light shines in dialogue with the thing he finds beautiful.”

The grist of Akudinobi’s art is all-encompassing intervolving Africa, life in general and the Holy Spirit. His words: “We have come with booties and bounties picking up crushed petals on our path to find our place in our sun.

Design application for me is a matter of mind control over the medium, and the right attitude of conquest opens the medium (material) like the brain of a child, and the necessary variables come to play: Love, Discipline, Freedom and Authority etc. It is then you work up a mix that creates for

•Tony

•Okpara the chair

By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

DESIGN you. As it grows in dimension and direction it will live in constant dialogue with contentions of sound, sight, and silence to find its place in the realms of existence, both physical and otherwise. Retention of images becomes a background or backdrop on the canvas of reality which holds dreams, fantasy, accidents, living and ultimately being as a part of the greater canvas of the Creator or, some say, Nature.”

As CEO of Hammerhead Integrated Ltd which operates out of Aba and Port Harcourt, Tony Akudinobi sees designs as creative manipulations of life. He intones: “The direction and dimension of designs are like inputs in the brain of a child which forms in learning and perception but grows with the courage of application in quest and conquest. One of the greatest design assets is courage to go beyond borders and push for new boundaries, for in this the unforeseen becomes a friend in the new dialogue before a definition.

Your inner lights shine beyond your eyes, and the learning trapped in the seat of the mind unfolds like a lotus before your emotional centre as the heart screams ‘wow’ for all to see and delight in. The dynamic nature of the design is captured extensively in urbanisation when a village square transforms to a city centre and a can of Coca-Cola or a bottle of Schnapps gets half-buried in a shrine to add a new defini-

LIFELINE

Troupe holds children workshop

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HE National Troupe of Nigeria will hold the third edition of its annual long vacation theatre workshop dubbed, Children Creative Station (CSS). The first edition of the CSS targeted at children between the ages of five to 18 was held in August 2010 and was designed primarily to expose participants to theatre practice and appreciation of drama in order for their creative talents to be fully harnessed, nurtured and developed to realise their imaginative potentials.

Artistic Director of National Troupe, Mr Martin Adaji said that the CSS aims at engaging the children creatively during the long vacation. He stated that it is aimed at not only fostering the imaginative skills of children, which is in line with the Troupe’s objective of encouraging the development of children theatre. “We believe that by engaging them creatively, they will not only take their minds off certain known vices during the long holiday but they will be able to harness and polish their individual creative talents” he said.

By Mabel Onyeanwusi

Coordinator of the project and Director in charge of Drama at the National Troupe Miss Josephine Igberaese stated that the children would take basic dance, music, drama and puppetry routines. She hinted that a special command performance, a product of the one month’s intensive training would be staged to close the workshop as it was done the previous years. Recalled that the maiden and second edition closed with command performances of Tolu Omojola’s Colours of the rainbow and Noel Grieg’s Whispers in the Dark respectively, which were staged before theatre goers, parents, teachers and students.

She assured that this year’s edition would be better in scope and content compared to the previous editions. “We have expanded the content to include voice training, pantomime and the usual storytelling, singing, dancing, acting and creative writing,” she said.

Seun Kuti at the Shrine on August 25

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FTER an extensive tour of Europe, Seun Anikulapo Kuti and Fela’s Egypt 80 Band will be performing at the New Africa Shrine on August 25. During the tour, the band performed in Rotterdam, Japan, France, Norway and London. In Rotterdam, Seun Kuti performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival and also played at the prestigious Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.

At the New World Event in Stratford, London, Seun

Kuti stopped his show in protest when the conservative British Police refused to allow fans dance to his music. Seun Kuti, who is presently working on his third album, has promised to thrill his teeming fans with the best of Afro Beat vibes amidst heavy political commentaries on the state of the nation and details of his recent face-off with the British Police.

The show promises to be exciting for Afrobeat devotees.

tion to worship; that which man brings to the gods. In urbanization, man’s internal and external definitions fuse in a continuing mix to create frontiers which will be broken down tomorrow.”

The highly revered Emeritus Professor Ebiegberi Joe Alagoa, author of The Uses of Hindsight as Foresight, is a major supporter of Akudinobi’s work, sitting as chair on the board of the African Design Roundtable. The eminent art historian, Prof Frank Ugiomoh, has high regards for Akudinobi’ designs, and writes thusly: “The works of art presented here are coded in furniture of utilitarian types that are simply alluring. They are in tandem with the African spirit where the works of art are products of imaginative creative powers that are at once utilitarian as they are decorative and loud; desiring and demanding that we appropriate them because we value them as products of our ingenuity. The value of these designs is the abandonment of the synthetic world induced by modern technology. In many furniture catalogues we confront furniture made with same technology as Akudinobi’s designs. They are an assemblage of various works that include the textile and leather artist, the machine operators and a host of diverse interests that lead to an end product. Where Akudinobi’s designs appear rustic and bucolic they all the same define a strength that is adequate to their function. Their rustic nature which relates them to the past is mediated by available technology but leaves their origins intact. This is where their renascence is located. Inspired by diverse extant and extinct traditions of design, these contemporary designs stand as eternal bridges that hold the flow of time with cheek; demanding that we revaluate their origins while identifying what we should hold onto as our identity or remnant of self. Within an African worldview sturdiness belongs to these designs in their diversity.”

On his part, Chike Amene believes that Akudinobi can conquer the world with his works only if he deigns to move ahead: “You have done wonders with your raw natural talent; no University in this world will teach you these...but you have not moved. You are like the great Greek legend called Atlas that supports his work on his shoulders and stands in a spot for eternity; no matter the weight you carry or the talents latent in you, if you don’t move, you have done nothing.” Throwing more light on the Hammerhead phenomenon, the notable film scholar and sibling of the Hammerhead founder, Dr. Jude Akudinobi, of the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has followed its germinal spark and assured mutations, over the years, has this to say: “In lots of ways, Hammerhead Furniture, draws from the dynamic transformations within contemporary Africa to project kaleidoscopic expressions of African modernities. Their sparkly conceptual spirit gives renewed life to indigenous art forms, inviting contemplation of the relationship between form and functionality, art and design, and crucially, cultural identities and living spaces. In essence, Hammerhead Furniture goes beyond the utilitarian, to give new shapes and meanings to the comforts of home.”

In Akudinobi’s works such as the one named “Kumasi”, we find that the elevation of gods lies in sacrifice. In “Akataka” we behold in bold relief the two faces of the spirit. “Abayi” is a paean to the kidnapping in his beloved city of Aba. Of course “Okpoka” dares you to look at him to recognize him to your peril!

Akudinobi has taken African utilitarian art to a level such that it is incumbent on the world at large to latch on to the African Roundtable Design initiative.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

39

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Bayelsa lifts Ijaw language

BOOK REVIEW Title:

The Nigerian Political Turf: Polity.

Politics. Politicians

Author:

Mobolade Omonijo

Reviewer:

Kunle Ajibade

Pagination:

360

Year of Publication:

2012

Publisher:

Madiba Publications Limited

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

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I

N less than two years after Mobolade Omonijo joined The Nigerian Economist owned by Dr Haroon Adamu, he was sent to report the war-torn Liberia where General Samuel Doe was embattled. Rebel groups including that of Charles Taylor were all out to take over the country. That June 1999, Omonijo nearly lost his life. He left only a week before his co-journalists, Krees Imodibe of The Guardian and Tayo Awotunsin of The Champion were rounded up in the Nigerian Embassy along with other Nigerians, and promptly beheaded. Frank Igwebueze, my colleague in African Concord, was rescued from that disaster zone by the American Embassy. The rebels were angry that Nigeria under General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida was supporting General Doe. It is to these two journalists that this book is thoughtfully dedicated. I urge you to honour these martyrs with a minute’s silence.

The book, The Nigerian Political Turf: Polity, Politics and Politicians is a generous selection of short and long articles written by Mobolade Omonijo for The Nigerian Economist, Policy, Vanguard and The Nation over a period of 22 years. Arranged thematically in eight chapters, each of the articles describes some political moments in Nigeria in ways that reminds us of the past and gives some intimations of the future. In clear voice and lucid prose, Omonijo blends indignation with passion for Nigeria. Clearly he does not write with stylistic dash and panache the kind for which Tatalo Alamu of The Nation on Sunday is justly celebrated, but he packs wisdom, carefully considered arguments into his simple sentences.

Even when he merely rants and laments, he does so with a lot of unfailing common sense.

His interest in politics dates back to his days at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he was a member of the Marxist Youth Movement. He later became a member of the Senate of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Omonijo may not be a starry – eyed Marxist or Communist any more, but he hasn’t forgotten his dialectical materialism. I implore you to bear this in mind as you read his caustic criticisms of the I.M.F. and World Bank agents and experts: the Ngozi Okonjo – Iwealas in power and government. He dismisses their touted brilliance as wonderful fiction.

In article after article, Omonijo describes how we undermine liberty and rule of law with kleptocracy which we pass off as democracy. He observes that we violate our constitution with our illiberal attitude so shamelessly that our giant strides towards democratic ideals are just a mirage.

The author expresses his anger against those who are trampling on these ideals but he never hates them. He takes the likes of Olusegun Obasanjo, Bode George, Tony Anenih, Ayo Fayose, Saminu Turaki and Orji Uzor Kalu to the cleaner for their wanton recklessness. He proves, however, that these characters are eminently attackable.

If he laughs to scorn the likes of Mrs Ayoka Adebayo, Wada Nas, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Chris Uba, Tafa Balogun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, James Ibori, the hypocrisy, the selfishness and the greed of the Ibrahim Babangidas do not escape his barbs. Omonijo argues that the war of attrition between Obasanjo and Atiku was not about national interest or democracy but about personal interest: Obasanjo simply wanted to elongate his stay in power and he saw the overweening ambition of Atiku as a stumbling block. He describes how this insane ambition was scuttled in the Senate, and he celebrates it. Each time the negative forces in our politics gather, Omonijo does not waste time to tear down their painted masks. You will find his sly dig at his targets immensely satisfying because it is always anchored in knowledge and facts. With the wisdom of hindsight that this collection provides, he proves that journalism is not just about

How tough is the political turf? ???????????? slices of history written in a hurry. It is history consolidated.

Omonijo’s critical empathy is reserved for the Balarabe Musas, Wole Soyinkas, Bola Ahmed Tinubus, Umar Yar’Aduas, Audu Ogbehs, Anthony Enahoros, Bisi Akandes, Kayode Fayemis, Rauf Aregbesolas, Bisi Onabanjos, Bola Iges, etc. His support for these politicians and activists is based on their fight for true federalism, sovereign national conference, the attempt to enthrone the rule of law and the struggle to reclaim popular mandates from political armed robbers.

As he takes account of the enormous emotional and financial cost of governance in Nigeria, he observes that the country has not made any qualitative leap. If anything, it has been fiercely resistant to growth. More than ever, the country is sharply divided along religious and ethnic divides.

Yet Omonijo is incurably optimistic that this country that is collapsing on our heads will survive. He believes that we can make it whole again with our collective efforts. He appeals to us not to be indifferent to the politics and politicians of our country. To be indifferent is more than dangerous. More crucially, we must never lose our good arguments.

Let me conclude with Elie Wiesel, who won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1986 the same year that our own Wole Soyinka won the prize for literature. He once said: “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented”. On another occasion, he expanded the scope of his exhortation: “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest”.

That is the spirit this book espouses. That is the spirit we must all resolve to nurture and replicate.

•Mr Ajibade, Executive Editor of TheNEWS and PM NEWS, Lagos

BornThroway backs youth empowerment

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HE fourth edition of BornThroway training workshop opened last Monday. It will run till August 18, at Owoseni Primary School, Adeyemi Street, Oshodi, Lagos. ‘The workshop is focusing on the issue of “waste” physical (our relation with the environment) and human (our undiscovered, untapped or unutilised talent’. It will feature a team of instructors including musician, producer and MTN Project Fame judge; Ade Bantu, actor, writer and producer, Ropo Ewenla, dance and performance artist, Segun Adefila and poet, frontline activist and social crusader, AJ Dagga Tolar.

The BornTroWay project is inspired by Music Matters, a music movement promoting emerging Nigerian talents.

It is also supported by various organisations and individuals committed to the investment of youths development and acts as an instrument for empowerment.

By Ngozi Chilaka

According to Ade Bantu, co-founder of the project, ‘BornTroWay was launched in Ajegunle, Lagos, from May 16 to 21, 2011 and the project has since travelled to Port Harcourt and Durban, South Africa where participants also took part in the World Climate Conference in 2011’ BornTroWay aims to travel to other Nigerian cities (Jos and Kano); after which the best acts and will be selected to take part in the production of a musical show that will tour Nigeria, promoting peace and unity and showcasing the talent of our youth living in marginal areas.

It is a creative arts training initiative, which is aimed at promoting individual self-confidence, self-expression, teamwork and integration among 45 youths (aged between 15 and 25) in disadvantaged areas of Nigeria’s main cities.

HE Bayelsa State government has taken steps to boost Ijaw language and culture with a promise of automatic scholarship for students of Ijaw language in higher institutions of learning.

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolo disclosed that henceforth graduates of Ijaw language are qualified for automatic employment in the state’s civil service.

He spoke recently when he met with Diploma Students of Izon Language at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) Amassoma. He said that the study of Izon language as a full-fledged course in the university would commence next academic session, while Ordinary National Diploma is expected to be awarded to graduates at the end of the programme.

This, according to him, was aimed at boosting the Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration’s vision for the Izon language project.

“To underscore government’s seriousness in the Ijaw language project, candidates who enrolled at the Ijaw language School at the NDU will be offered scholarship throughout the period of study”, Tuodolo, said.

“Everything will be done to ensure the success of the Ijaw Language project”, he added.

Also, the state will commence the teaching of Ijaw language in primary and secondary schools by September as it solicits for the support of local publishers for its success.

The Commissioner said his ministry is ready to partner with the independent publishers association for effective service delivery.

Apart from the Ijaw language programme, the state is also encouraging the exposition, promotion and production of Izon music and films through cultural festivals to unite Ijaws at home and in Diaspora.

The festival will provide platform to immortalise prominent Ijaw leaders and heroes such as the late Pa Dappa Biriye, Ernest Ikoli and Isaac Boro.

Don presents four books

D

R. Mathew Umukoro of the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State will on Friday, August 31 present four of his books at the Pope John Paul II Centre, opposite the U.I. Bookshop, Ibadan by 2.30 pm. The event will be chaired by the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo. The books are; The State of the Nation, The Performing Artist in Academia, The Art of Scholarship and The Scholarship of Art, Obi & Clara.

Lagos takes sex education to youths

By Miriam Ndikanwu

A

S part of efforts to bridge the seeming gap between ignorance and social violence in the society, the Lagos State government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has engaged youths across local government areas in the state on sexual education sensitisation. A three-day event was held at the Akinwunmi Youth Centre Alagomeji ,Yaba, Lagos by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to equip the youths with knowledge on reproductive health, sex education and career development.

The event, which witnessed a large turnout of youths also witnessed participants sharing their experiences with the trainers who prescribed solutions and way out of social violence. Director of Finance and Administration in the Ministry, Mr Farouk Akodu, who praiseded UNFPA for the initiative, said the programme was one that would equip the youth to become better citizens. He urged the participants to take the programme seriously in order to achieve the objectives.

The UNFPA country representative, Dr. Olubunmi Asa expressed satisfaction that the programme featured participants from the Christian and Muslim faith, as well as teenagers who had demonstrated a strong resolve to be informed. He said participants would be assessed at the end of the programme noting that they would be peer educators in their localities.

One of the facilitators, Mrs. Folake Bankole, a social worker with Media Concern Initiative (MEDIACON) took time to explain the often avoided issues surrounding sex.

Harping on the dangers of youths engaging in premarital sex, she listed sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancy, Hepatitis and loss of self respect among others. She urged the youths to practice abstinence from sex until marriage. “You need to set your goals right, find out the things important to you and establish goals and career plans and build your skills. Also, let the people around you including your boyfriend and girlfriend know your stand and abstain from sex,” she added.

Speaking on Career Planning for the Youth, Mrs. Suziana Ayodeji said it was pertinent for youth to be guided on selecting a career, which according to her, plays a large role in shaping the future of any youth. “I can confidently say to you that people do not properly develop a career plan and, as a consequence, do not reach their career goal.

They often approach life in an unplanned, willy-nilly manner, taking each day as it comes and hoping that all will end well and as desired,” she told the participants.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Scavenger at work A scavenger sighted at the premises of the Central Union Mission, during the World AIDS Conference 2012 in Washington DC, US.

•PHOTO: OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA

12 artists eye N4.5m prize

O

RGANISERS of the annual national art competition have expressed concern over the low response by artists from the northern part of the country in the art competition. Chairman, African Artists Foundation (AAF), Mr. Azu Nwagbogu said it is worrisome that entries from that part of the country are not encouraging. He made the observation in Lagos while announcing the 12 shortlisted finalists for this year’s national art competition. He said the foundation has made efforts to ensure that the competition is national in sourcing for entries every year. He, however, noted that though entries do come in from the northern part of the country, but those entries sometimes did not make the final selection.

“We cannot pretend that Lagos is the heart of cultural activities in the country. But we are working with arts schools across the country to improve the spread of entries,” he added. The competition which is sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc is in its fifth year.

The 12 finalists who recently attended a workshop in Lagos included George Emeka Agbo, Emmanuel Dudu, Chimenye Miriam Emelogu, Joseph Eze, Pris Nzimiro, Francis Umendu Odupute and Zemaye Okediji.

Otheres were Maie Okafor, Folakunle Oshun, Alafuro Sikoki, the duo of Papa Omotayo and Folarin Shasanya, and the duo of Omoligho Omoye Udenta and Affiko Obadina.

The workshop facilitators were Dr. Peju Layiwola, Chike Obeagu, Olu Amoda, Ike Francis, Prof. Moyo Okediji, Gerald Chuwuma, Joseph Gergel and Chike

Fresh diary from blogger

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

VISUAL ART Nwagbogu. This year saw a record number of strong, conceptually-driven entries on the theme, Consequences, which were screened by a team led by Prof. El Anatsui. The finalists’ artworks will be exhibited at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on October 25 and later in Abuja.

Nwagbogu stressed that for this year, emphasis is on the processes of artistic creation rather than solely the end product. He explained that thje 12 finalists have chosen to explore the interpretation of the theme through a variety of mixed media and installation practices.

The first prize winner will go home with a cash of two million naira, while the second and third prize winners will take one million five hundred thousand naira and one million naira respectively.

Nigerian Breweries’ Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Manager, Mr. Vivian Ikem said the competition is one of the company’s strategic corporate initiatives towards youth empowerment through talent development. “It is designed not only to burnish the skills of talented artists, but also as a veritable platform for the discovery of creative arts talents and supporting them to realize their dreams, he said.

Ikem explained that at Nigerian Breweries, sustainability is very important and as long distance runners, are committed to the competition for a long time to come. “We will not be in the project if did not feel the

•Essien BOLA Essien-Nelson, a consistent blogger for the past three years has released a new book entitled: The Diary of a Desperate Naija Woman in the Year 2011, her fourth book and her third in the Diary series. The new book is available at Terra Kulture and Laterna Bookshop, all based on Victoria Island in Lagos and also online.

Since the writer posted her first blog in January 2009, her desire to write has continued to grow from strength to strength.

The blog not only provides her with an outlet to air her heartfelt views but also an avenue to serve as a balm to troubled souls. EssienNelson draws from her everyday happy and sad experiences to produce pieces that encourage as well as share practical life tips to inspire her readers. In the last three years, the best of these pieces are compiled into a book.

Readers will learn from the writer’s matterof-fact handling of issues in her home and environment. They will also deduce the love she has for writing and her desperation to be Christ-like in whatever situation she finds herself. The pieces are at times funny, sometimes drawing tears and those who read between the lines will find there a woman in a struggle to connect with her true Christian self. Essien-Nelson is down-to-earth, simple and honest and everyone who reads her book will fall in love with it instantly.

Born in Kano State, Essien-Nelson completed secondary school at Queens College in Lagos and graduated with first class honours in French from the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State in 1987. The writer went on to obtain a master’s degree in French/English translation from the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State in 1990. The writer, who describes herself as a working woman, mother and wife, said her source of inspiration is her family. Essien-Nelson, who said she is content and at peace in her home, explained that she lives for her husband and children but the pursuit of Christ-likeness, is her main calling.

Agency tasks Globacom to back writers

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REATIVE Alliance, organisers of the short story competition, Literary Star Search, has commended telecommunication operator, Globacom Nigeria Limited, for sponsoring the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa. Spokesperson for Creative Allaince, Mr. Seun Jegede, who said the ascendancy in literary creativity in the country needed the support such as the one Lumina Foundation, organiser of the prize, has brokered with Globacom.

He challengeds other corporations in the country to follow the example of the telecom operator to give the nation’s cultural expressions needed boost. He noted that in spite of

LITERATURE the achievements and numerous awards Nigerian writers have won over the years to establish Nigeria as a global leader in culture production, the nation’s writers are still orphans, as local recognitions in terms of financial reward are still lacking.

Jegede expressed happiness that Nigerians had dominated the prize since its inception in 2005 with four of the five winners being Nigerians. This is in spite of the fact that the judges usually came from five African countries, with only one coming from Nigeria. This year is no exception, with eight writers already in the

shortlist released.

He, however, tasked the management of Globacom Nigeria Limited to also extend its ambassadorial roles to Nigerian writers as it was doing to music and movie stars, arguing that Nigerian writers were better stars deserving of the lucrative deal that the Globacom ambassadorial role conferred on those so honoured. Jegede said he based his argument on the fact that outputs from Nigerian writers had ennobling values for the Nigeria, nay African, society than most of the trash coming from the music and movie sub-sectors. He added that the writers still ensured the wholesomeness of Africa’s culture as against what the music and movies were doing to erode it.

Also, Jegede said the music and movies coming out of the country were further deepening illiteracy with the bad English being spoken in most Nollywood films, whereas the literary workers still ensured standard use of the country’s lingua franca (English) for the benefit of readers of the works being produced.

Jegede charged Globacom not to base their selection criteria only on the razzmatazz of show business but should base it on the lasting values writers bring to the table in deepening social values and creating a truly literate generation of Nigerians. Writers, he noted, were grassroots people, who were also capable of giving mileage to any product.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Human rights activist, advocate of good governance and Cross River State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Mike Igini, in this interview with BEN OGBEMUDIA in Benin City, says without a strong, committed and independent judiciary insulated from politics, there is little hope for democracy and the rule of law.

‘Judiciary is bedrock of democracy’ H

OW is INEC going about sanitizing the electoral sys-tem?

The Commission is working on several measures that would also involve changes in the legal template towards sanitizing the electoral system.

As you may be aware, there are two streams of thought; one assumes that historical forces bring about an evolution as people collectively retreat from the behavior that is not experientially beneficial, while the other assumes that the forces of technological change can propel advancement.

Taking on both streams, the Commission is determined to partner with key stakeholders to reverse the situation where there are no social and legal consequences for electoral offences. You may have noted the Commission’s partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association on the trial of electoral offenders; this is going on even Cross River have just arraigned a number of persons over the February 25, governorship election.

Although it is not going on at a pace that some of us desire, nevertheless it is going on. The approval, few days ago, by the federal government of the establihment of an election offenses tribunal that we have been clamoring for will greatly strengthen this trend. Regarding the propelling force of technological change, the Commission is not shying away from the adoption of technological developments in order to meet international best electoral practice that would render errant electoral behaviour a thing of the past.

This is why as a follow-up to the biometric registration, the Commission sought and received approval from the government on the provision of embedded chip smartcards as permanent voter registration cards; these are incremental but certain steps toward increasing the credibility and reliability of the electoral process.

In addition, there are internal changes which are ongoing but because these are still in progress, it will be premature to comment on them in the public domain.

Nonetheless, the Commission continues to build on the use of human agency to strengthen the electoral structural institutions of the country, for as Birch said in 2010, it takes the efforts of the management of an electoral body to assert its autonomy for the improvement of the process. If we do not lower our standards but remain committed to the electoral process, rather than to private political interests, we will attain acceptable autonomy, and properly sanitize the electoral process.

Do you think the call for restructuring and the attendant Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is still necessary, given political developments of the past few years in Nigeria?

Every matter that would help the nation attain greatness should not be relegated to the background. We should not narrow political discourse because broadening it helps to improve public decision-making. We should be able to direct such discourse to enriching the democratic process. A critical re-examination of structural gridlock that inhibits development, which we all crave, should be examined because structure follows strategic vision, and if the strategic vision of Nigeria is one of federal-

ism, then there must be a strategic and structural fit; especially, where the deficit between strategy and structure can inhibit development.

We must, therefore, ask ourselves repeatedly, what in our experience are the deficits which have made the structure of Nigeria unaligned with the strategic vision of federalism? Why is it that the First Republic was and remained the golden era of development in Nigeria before it was trauncated? And how can we improve on this to fast track our development.

It is usual for people in politics to compete for advantages but such competition should not undermine national cohesion because if we lose the country we lose everything. We should strive to widen the ambit of legitimate representation, not to extinguish that which is extant, the point is to enhance order not to obfuscate it.

There are those who believe that President Goodluck Jonathan is in his first term in office while others say he is in his second term. What is your take on the controversy?

Well I am more concerned with what all those who have won elections have done with their mandates for the people, because of that, I find it shocking that the turn of discourse have become such that we want to make elections an end in themselves, rather than the means to the end of development. Is this a delibrate way of distracting ourselves?

Why are we more interested in power for power sake and not using power as an instrumental tool? I believe that it is premature and wasteful to ignore development now and perpetually politick, by doing that we lose sight of the purpose of elections and governace. Any issue that is of such political significance should not be allowed to fester in the public domain, distracting development efforts and overheating the polity with emotive diatribe.

That is not the type of example and maturity that stakeholders should display to aspiring leaders. We must prioritize our developmental needs and indeed the demand of our time not our differences.

Don’t you think Nigeria’s democracy lies in the hand of the judiciary, and, has the court done much in this regard?

Without a strong, committed and independent judiciary completely insulated from politics, there will be no hope for any democracy and the rule of law. The courts need to do more, because if you take the opinion of a cross section of Nigerians today, not very many will give the courts very high marks. The association of judicial officers with corruption in recent times, have not done any good

• Igini

for this perception. Circles of senior jurists must come together to develop and adopt a plan for the revival of the judiciary, if we must rejuvenate this society.

Now, how do you see the ways and manner the courts have handled election matters in the past, particularly election petitions that emanated from the 2011 elections?

It could have been a lot better and to illustrate my position, let us examine the provisions of section 285 of the amended constitution which gives Election Tribunals 180 days and Appeal Court 60 days as well as the Supreme Court. But we saw situations where appeal court decisions where delivered outside the mandated periods, and some appeal courts purporting to deliver judgment without giving the reasons for their judicial decisions.

In terms of legal procedure, is it the norm for a court which is not a final court of appeal to reserve reason for its judgment?

Such procedure is reserved for final courts of appeal because there is no exigent need to examine such reasons thereafter. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court that is now the final Court on governorship elections, has carried forward this anomaly by declaring reasons for judgement delivered outside 60 days invalid yet no remedy despite the provision of Section 22 of the Supreme Court. Our worries and concern is about the precedent that has been set now that would work hardship on Nigerians in future election petitions and the perception of the public of what the courts have done to sustain the faith of the public in our Courts. The Courts should not be

‘The courts need to do more, because if you take the opinion of a cross section of Nigerians today, not very many will give the courts very high marks. The association of judicial officers with corruption in recent times, have not done any good for this perception.

Circles of senior jurists must come together to develop and adopt a plan for the revival of the judiciary, if we must rejuvenate this society’

seen to be complicit in creating a nursery for self help.

For as we approach 2015, can we truly say that the intention of the National Assembly to extend to the Supreme Court appeal on gubernatorial elections has been discharged in line with the expectations of justice?

What would you say about corruption of INEC officlas like RECS and EOS who are accused of manipulating election results for millions of naira?

The judicial matters which we have just referred to above, which goes to election tribunals begins from such corruption. If election managers do not complicate elections and allow the votes of the people to count, we may never have reasons to go to tribunals, or even if some participants insist on going to tribunals, election managers who stand by the truth, who have not been corrupted, will provide all the evidence of the audit trail , showing how the election was conducted, the public seeing this will be left without doubt that elections were won and lost, and all these chicaneries and equivocations will not arise.

This is why such corruption should be stopped at all cost, it is very damaging to society.

What is the criterion for judging the outcome of an election?

In addition to the statutory requirements for declaring a candidate as the winner of an election, the most important criterion for judging the outcome of an election is the acceptance of the result of the election by the majority of the electorate, because an election is principally about conferring legitimacy to the elected leader, and, that legitimacy flows from the electorate. When legitimacy is given, the decision-making on behalf of the governed without the necessity of force is easy to justify.

To improve on reaching this acceptability professionally, local and international codes of practices are developed, such as the African Charter on Elections, Democracy and Good Governance, the European Union’s Venice Commission codes of good practices in elections and so many others. Such normative guidelines can become internalized when they gain salience within a country in line with Harold Kohs principle of transnational legal progress and Naboth van den Boek’s theory of norm internalization.

President Jonathan was recently recognized by the times magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

What do you think is the magic?

It is a commendable recognition, it shows the robust potential stature that Nigeria can hold in the comity of nations, and also I believe this recognition flows from our evolving democratic credentials. We may not have reached the acme of that aspiration, but as I have said previously, if there is one thing we must commend President Jonathan about, it is his non interference in 2011 with the electoral process in the manner of his predecessors both military and civilians.

From contemporary human history, development has been shown to be incomplete if it is not accompanied by the unfettered participation of free citizens in public decision making, especially in regard to holding leaders accountable through elections. We have just witnessed an international situation, where a blind man spent hours attempting to climb a wall at night just to attain the individual freedom of self expression and participation in public decisions. The Chinese government eventually opened the doors to allow him such freedom to pursue his goals, showing the global value and the ‘soft power’ of a free society enabled by the agency of leadership.

So, if you ask me, I will say the magic is in the universal recognition of the value of human freedom and progress. Those who stand by such values will stand on the right side of human history.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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POLITICS For eight years, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo presided over an administration that has remained a model and benchmark in Africa as the Premier of the defunct Western Region. Although his dream of becoming federal Chief Executive was abortive, he has remained a legend of ideas, vision, courage and integrity. Ayo Opadokun, who worked closely with him as the Deputy Director of Organisation of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), revisits the political philosophy and thoughts of the consumate politician and leader.

Intimate reminiscences on Awo and his politics •Continued from yesterday

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VERY significant resolution of that meeting was that the two broad political divides in Yoruba nation should collaborate on any major matter, which affects the Yoruba nation. The meeting therefore decided that a meeting between leaders of the two groups was imperative and a necessity in order to unite the Yoruba folds. A unique reconciliation of the followership was intended. An interesting part of the proceedings of the meeting was the contribution of Chief Ayorinde, the Ekerin of Olubadan Ibadan land. He proverbially stated that OA should know that it was time that he stopped being in opposition. He said in Yoruba: “Ma ja, ma sa laa makikanju l’ogun; Akikanju to moo ja ti ko moo sa, iru won maa mbogun ibomiran lo ni”. Literally, he meant that he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.

And that a great warrior who does not know when to retreat is most likely to be part of the spoils of war.

Befittingly, Senator Adesanya retorted “Mi o le w’aku, k’oni je oye ile baba e”. in English, that translates into: Anyone who fears death when a throne is at stake can never lay claim to a hereditary throne. At a breakfast talk with Papa the next morning I informed him (OA) of the eagerness of one of his former close lieutenants from Ogun State, who began to pile pressure on me to be allowed the hosting of the meeting. Information reached us has confirmed to me that this man was a mole, an undercover police informant secretly reporting Papa to his paymasters. I was sensitive to the fact that it was possible for this double agent to install electronic gadgets at his proposed venue to make a full recording of the meeting for instant transmission to Dodan Barracks. Determined to frustrate the mole’s evil plan, I sought the permission of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sijuade Okunade, Olubuse II, to allow us utilize one of his Ikeja houses to hold a series of possible meetings. He obliged. The said mole was a former parliamentary secretary that was close to (OA) as the Premier of the Western Region. OA as a Finance Federal Commissioner under Gowon became curious when he suspected a voucher he was to sign for payment. On investigation, it was established that the mole had always been a police informant.

Tactically, His Royal Majesty Oba Sijuade privately wrote to inform Gen. Babangida that the Yoruba people were preparing for reconciliatory parley; that peaceful co-existence among Yoruba people would generate greater peace and reconciliation in the country altogether; and one of his Ikeja’s houses was going to be the venue for all such meetings.

Thus on the 8th of February 1987 Rtd Sir Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, Chief H.O. Davies, Dr. koye Majekodunmi and Prince Babs Oyekanmi, on one side, and had Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Chief C.O. Adebayo and I, on the other side. Senator Abraham was asked to moderate the dialogue.

Two Metropolitan Club leaders spoke at the occasion. First, Sir Ademola spoke, followed by Chief Davies simply said they were totally committed and willing to work for the unity of the Yoruba nation and that they will be willing to make reasonable sacrifices for the achievement of peace, mutual trust and unity among the Yoruba people.

Chief H.O. Davies said they had always known and accepted that OA was in control of over 90 per cent of the Yoruba nation, but that they were in control of the traditional rulers, along with the remaining 10 per cent of the people. He therefore recommended that it will be in the greatest interest of the Yoruba nation for the two groups to unite and begin to build enduring good legacies for posterity. The moderator of the dialogue, Senator Adesanya, then requested Chief Awolowo to respond. The Sage initially hesitated to speak. Eventually, however, Chief Awolowo, in his usually gifted oratory, took on each of the trio. First, OA addressed Justice Ademola. Let me paraphrase.

“Justice Ademola, you will remember that

• The Late Awolowo

• The Late Enahoro

you made frantic efforts to literarily eliminate me physically and politically. You will also recall that you came to talk to me in Calabar Prison where you suggested to me to renounce Egbe Omo Oduduwa and the Action Group, promising that you will thereafter ensure my immediate release from prison?

Of course, you will remember that I totally rejected your offer. And I said that Egbe Omo Oduduwa, unlike your Egbe Omo Olofin, was not a private club owned by Awolowo. You will recall also that after I was released by the government of General Yakubu Gowon, Yoruba elders organized a reconciliation meeting to reunite us. I accepted that the political difference between us was over. Furthermore, I would also like to remind you that on your retirement from office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, I organized a reception to celebrate you. In spite of my practical demonstration of love to you since then, I will like you to tell this gathering what further offence I have committed to warrant your renewed and total opposition to me in the 1979 general election. In the polling booth very close to your house, it was proved again by eye witnesses that you voted for the NPN? Also, if its true that you want the progress of the Yoruba people, why should you again spearhead deep enmity between your very small group and me?

Chief Awolowo again went on to remind his Yoruba kinsmen at the meeting that other nationalities never tired of blackmailing him with suppositions that if Awo were to be

• HID Awolowo

• Jakande

elected President or Prime Minister, he would concentrate more developmental programmes on Yorubaland. When such suspicions continued to remain a stumbling block to his life-long aspiration for national leadership, why should he again suffer “multiple jeopardy” with the high level opposition marshaled against him within the Yoruba nation leadership?

Mesmerised by eloquence of Awo’s address, Justice Adetokunbo only suffered to make one interjection, asking: “Was the lady (Adetokunbo’s wife) present at the party you organised for me”?

Chief Awolowo replied in the affirmative and, to prove it, he directed me to hand over to Justice Adetokunbo a copy of the photo album produced of the reception. Justice Ademola was visibly dumfounded as he browsed through the collection. In preparation for the meeting, Chief Awolowo had asked me to visit his Library (now donated and managed by the Obafemi Awolowo University) and requested the Senior Librarian to assist me in locating the particular photo album and other related photograph of that reception. I got the Album of that reception and it was handy. It was a coup de grace. It effectively deflated Justice Adetokunbo’s ego.

There and then, he apologized for the unnecessarily stress that their relationship had suffered.

OA then took on Chief Davies. OA reminded the Chief that after the reconciliation meeting, which he also attended, there have not been

‘Chief Awolowo again went on to remind his Yoruba kinsmen at the meeting that other nationalities never tired of blackmailing him with suppositions that if Awo were to be elected President or Prime Minister, he would concentrate more developmental programmes on Yorubaland’

any issue between them that could have warranted the renewed bitter enemity that Chief Davies harboured against him. OA now threw a bombshell. “You, Chief Davies, were the Originator and Author of 122/3 to be interpreted as 12 states and 2/3 of a state. Chief Richard Akinjinde was just the mouthpiece as the official advocate of the NPN and later became the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the NPN Government.

Chief Davies neither admitted nor denied OA’s accusation. Instead, he reiterated his position that the meeting was conveyed to settle out dispute and wrongs causing disharmony between the elder statement. He promised that in the twilight of his life, he would be committed to giving everything within his power for total realignment of forces among Yoruba leaders.

Finally, OA turned to Dr. Koye Majekodunmi. Awo wanted Dr. Koye Majekodunmi to reveal if he had again offended the Medical Doctor after the major PanYoruba reconciliation meeting. Reminiscing, OA asked the Former Administrator of Western Region to remember that as a political detainee, Awo had requested that the Administrator should not yield to the propostion of the NPC top hierarchy to detain him at Lekki, Epe area, reputed to be teeming with various killer insects and dangerous reptiles. In spite of the Administrator’s promise never to send Awo to such a place, a few days later, OA was restricted to the most dangerous quarters of the Lekki Island waterside. OA also revealed that in spite of his underserved travails, as orchestrated by the conspiracy of the NPC and NCNC, he readily forgave the apologetic Yoruba leaders at the major reconciliation meeting.

Recalling that he and his entourage, including Alhaji Ganiyu Dawode and Chief Ojekunle Ferrewa arrived very early for the opening ceremony of St. Nicholas Hospital, established by Dr. Majekodunmi, OA reminded the Doctor that people who sighted him at the venue took offence and questioned why he had honoured the invitation of a “traitor” who had collaborated with the evil agent of the NPC to humiliate and oppress him. This angry horde mobilized to burn down St. Nicholas, but for OA’s strong and laborious appeal that Yoruba Leaders had reached a resolution for forgiveness and unity among the leadership and the followership. OA also wanted Dr. Majekodunmi to tell the meeting why the Physician should be part of another gang-up against him. Dr. Majekodunmi also simply responded that bygones be bygone, as the current meeting had been called to broach a reconciliation among them as identified Yoruba greats.

With all the dirty linens put away, the atmosphere took a friendly and lively turn, with free-dealing of jokes and banters amongst these doyens of the Yoruba race. The leadership of the two sides decided that the meeting should adjourn and they should leave there to brief their different camps. They reached a resolution to regroup for a follow-up meeting on April 18, 1987. Subsequently, OA and I guided Chief Davies to his car, as he had already lost his sight by then.

Unfortunately, the follow-up meeting for April 18, 1987 never happened. Just two weeks after the primary meeting, Chief Davies lost his first child, the Chief Executive of Rod Publicity, an advertising agency. To stabilize him from the devastation that his son’s death inflicted upon him, Davies himself was rushed abroad. To make matters worse, there came the paralysing death of OA himself. The efforts geared towards re-uniting the Yoruba nation thereafter hung in limbo until Papa Micheal Adekunle Ajasin naturally took over as the Leader.

Awolowo’s excellence in planning and executing policy decisions remain unequalled.

That was why he blazed the trail or scored first in the formulation and execution of spectacular matters; first to introduce free universal primary education in Nigeria; first Television in sub-sahara Africa; first standard stadium (now Obafemi Awolowo), first tallest storey building in Nigeria (Cocoa House, Ibadan), biggest firm settlements in Nigeria etc.

•To be continued

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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NEWS

Firm accuses INEC, others of alleged fraudulent conduct

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) has been accused of maintaining a carefully crafted contract scheme through which it allegedly fleeces the country of billions of naira.

Under the purported scheme, which was allegedly devised and nurtured during the leadership of Prof Maurice Iwu, but sustained by the incumbent, some senior officials of the commission, in ‘collusion’ with officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, facilitate the award of multibillion naira contracts to companies with insufficient share capital.

This allegation formed part of averments in an August 9 application filed before a Federal High Court, Abuja by a firm, Bedding Holdings Limited in opposition to a July 12 motion

by Emchai Nigeria Limited - one of the companies accused of being involved in the said scheme.

Bedding Holdings, in the counter affidavit deposed to by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sylvester Odigie, accused INEC of collaborating with others to engage in alleged criminal and fraudulent conducts making them liable for prosecution under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act, Public Procurement Act, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act and similar laws.

It alleged that INEC had in some instances engaged in “fraudulently obtaining legal documents from the Ministry of Commerce under false

By Eric Ikhilae

pretences, using and projecting companies with insufficient share capital for selective tendering and bidding for procurement of a multi-billion naira contract.”

Other cases of fraudulent conducts by INEC, it alleged, include instances where members of the companies bidding for its contracts maintain family or working relationship with the principal officer of INEC; fraudulent misrepresentation of facts and information to deceive the Presidency into approving some of its requests.

Bedding Holdings gave an instance in 2006 where Emchai was allegedly issued a patent right over a ballot box – Envopak Ballot Box – by the Registrar of Patent (an official of the Ministry of Commerce) even when all the company’s documentations indicated that it applied for a right over a Plastic Security Seal with the name – Envoseal.

It alleged that Emchai, armed with the illegal patent, was offered a contract of N5.520 billion by INEC despite being aware that Bedding Holdings had the sole subsisting patent right over transparent ballot boxes.

The firm accused Prof Iwu of influencing the alleged fraudulent process through which the contract for the supply and sale of 300,000 units of its patented transparent ballot boxes was awarded to Emchai, despite being aware that it was without its consent.

Emchai was said to have procured the collapsible

Transparent Ballot Box from the far East at a unit cost of 7.89 pounds in 2006, and the exchange rate of Naira to the pound was about N230.00.

By implication, it translated to N1,815.85k per unit of the product which was awarded then at N18,400 per unit by INEC to Emchai; which means the actual cost of the box for 300,000 units amounted to N554 million of the total contract sum of N5.520 billion collected from the Federal Government.

The firm argued that it was curious that despite the persistent and inflationary trends which abound world over, Emchai could give a discount of N5,400.00 per unit of ballot boxes which cost N18,400.00 as awarded by INEC in 2006 and N13,000.00 per unit four years later in 2010.

On allegation that some companies had links with officials of INEC, Bedding Holdings cited the case of a company that bidded for the contract in 2006 - Cass Engineering Nigeria Limited; a company it alleged was being promoted by persons with links to Prof Iwu. It said though the company had just N100,000 share capital, was allowed to bid for a multi-billion naira contract.

It also cited the case of Stusal Engineering Limited, which it described as a non-existent company allegedly used by INEC under Iwu to fulfill the process of selective tendering for the multi-billion naira contract for the supply of transparent ballot boxes.

“Emchai, in addition to the fake patent used for the bidding and securing the multi-billion

naira contract, had insufficient share capital of N10,000 with which it bidded for the contract,” the company stated.

It added that in addition to the alleged manipulation in INEC’s contract process under Iwu, using his office, applied to the Presidency on behalf of Emchai for import waiver, excemption from taxes, duties and pre-shipment inspection, among other privileges, making the company and Iwu “to cart away N552million being deductions of 5 per cent and 5 per cent VAT in the two payments received for the contract.”

Bedding Holdings, whose sole patent and design rights over Transparent Ballot Boxes and Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes were upheld in a June 5, 2012 judgment by Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, alleged that the practice of fraudulent connivance between INEC and contractors is purportedly sustained under the incumbent management led

by Prof Attahiru Jega.

To buttress this claim, it cited a memo dated November 15, 2010 purportedly written by Prof Jega to the Presidency, recommending Emchai to the Federal Government as the company with the appropriate patent and design rights over the transparent collapsible ballot boxes, and which should be favoured for the contract for the supply and sale of 150,000 units of the boxes.

This recommendation by Jega, allegedly claimed, was despite the fact that he was aware that Bedding Holdings

was the sole owner of the subsisting design and patent rights over the said ballot boxes.

It said that with Jega’s recommendation, Emchai, which possessed an unlawful patent right, which company has been voided by the June 5 judgment, got the N1.950billion contract for the supply and sale of its (Bedding Holdings) patented transparent boxes for the 2011 elections.

Emchai, one of the seven defendants in the suit in which judgment was given on June 5, is in its motion, praying the court to, among others, set aside the Judgment. It claimed that the said judgment was given in default of appearance and allegedly obtained fraudulently by the plaintiff, Bedding Holdings.

It also argued that the suit constituted an abuse of court process as there was a subsisting suit, with similar facts, prayers and parties, now pending before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

Other defendants in the suit include the Registrar of Patents, Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Tambco United Nigeria Liimited, Anowat Project and Resources Limited, Attorney General of the Federation, INEC and Prof Jega.

Of all the defendants, only Emchai has challenged the judgment.

Bedding Holdings denied Emchai allegation of improper service of court processes on the defendants. It gave details of efforts made to effect service including court ordered substituted service and publications in national dailies.

It alleged that all the

defendants deliberately refused to participate in the proceedings leading to the June 5 judgment for fear that all the allegation of fraudulent and criminal dealings made against them will be publicised in the course of proceedings.

As against Emchai’s claim that its office was not at KM 17 Aba/Port Harcourt Express Way, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but Plot 212 Idowu Ajao Street, Anthony Village, Lagos, Bedding Holdings claimed that the Port Harcourt address was what Emchai supplied in its application for patent right.

It prayed the court to dismiss Emchai’s motion on the ground that, having given a judgment in the case, the court could no longer revisit it again.

INEC’s spokesman Kayode Idowu denied the allegations made by Bedding Holdings. He described the firm’s resort to “media hype” as an attempt to preempt the outcome of the case in court.

“What they (Bedding Holdings) filed in court is pursuant to the case that has been on for a while now. The case is in court. And we have appealed the judgment they referred to.

“We have also filed an application before the trial court for a stay of execution of the judgment pending the outcome of our appeal. That application will soon be heard. They should await the outcome rather than resorting to this propaganda.

“The media hype is meant to preempt the court. We will not join issue with them outside the court on this,” the INEC spokesman said.

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THE NATION, WEDNESDAY AUGUST 15, 2012

NEWS RAMADAN Japan’s PM holds Iftar for diplomats APANESE Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has hosted ambassadors from 34 Islamic countries to an Iftar (breaking of the fast) in his Tokyo office.

The diplomatic missions were offered their respective national dishes at the occasion.

This was contained in a release by the Japanese Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires Yasunari Morino.

Noda attributed the spread of Islam in different countries to its tolerance about diversity.

“Further mutual understanding between different civilisations and tolerance about diversity are increasingly important to world peace and stability. Today’s iftar is a precious opportunity for Japanese people to experience an Islamic tradition and is expected to contribute to further mutual understanding between Japan and the Islamic world,” he said.

Morino acknowledged the importance of the Holy month of Ramadan to the Kingdom and said iftar functions have been held every year at the Prime Minister’s office.

“This custom shows Japan’s deepest respect and warm feelings for Islam and Muslims all over the world. Nobody can object to Prime Minister Noda’s appeal for further understanding among different civilisations,” Morino said.

He praised the initiative of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to promote interfourth dialogue.

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•Cross-section of the Saudis and other nationals who came for Umrah (lesser hajj) pertaking on the iftar (breaking fast) organised by the Saudi Arabia government in Makkah

Scholar preaches against burying dead in residences

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N Islamic scholar, Alhaji Femi Abass, has advance people to desist from burying their beloved ones in residences, saying it is unhygienic and unislamic.

Abbas, a religious columnist with The Nation newspapers, gave the advice while delivering the 17th Ramadan lecture sponsored by an Islamic group, Ola-Oluwa

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From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Muslim Society in honour of the late Chief Tijjani Aremu in Iwo, Osun State.

The event featured free medical services and drugs to members of the public.

He urged families to procure lands in secluded areas to bury the corpse of their beloved ones rather than digging graves in residences,

healthy.

He said the time had come for a bill either private or public to be sponsored, against the practice.

He furthter enjoined the the media to join crusade and enlightenment efforts that are geared towards drawing the attention of the people to the health implication of the practice.

He further said the fear of

the safety for corpses in public cemeteries must be responsible for families’ penchant for burying the dead in residences even as he said the practice is capable of polluting the environment.

Olurode opined that families or groups can buy parcels of land far from residences and use such for burying the corpses of their beloved ones.

Fayemi’s wife fetes Muslim women

IFE of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has presented gifts to Muslim women across the state at the second annual Iftar (breaking of fast) dinner with the women to mark the Islamic month of Ramadan.

The group was led by the

By Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

President, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) to the Government House Mosque and Lady Jibowu Hall where the governor’s wife joined the women in praying for the state and the nation.

RAMADAN GUIDE WITH FEMI ABBAS e-mail: femabbas@yahoo.com Tel: 08122697498

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where it is easy for the decomposition of the corpses to contaminate wells and pollute underground water.

Also, chairman of the group, Lai Olorode, a professor of a Sociology and a Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission, condemned the practice of burying corpses in residences. He described the practice as un-

Essence of Tilawah

ILAWAH is the traditional recitation of the Qur’an

by Muslims especially in the month of Ramadan. The objective of such recitation is to acquaint one’s self with the instructions of Allah in order to carry out such instructions temporally and spiritually. Although recitation of the Qur’an is not restricted to the month of Ramadan, the choice of that Holy month for such recitation is quite symbolic and deliberate. It is in this month that the revelations of the Qur’an began in 610 A.C. It is also in the month of Ramadan that Angel Jubril used to come to reconfirm to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) all that had been revealed to him in the past.

Ramadan is also the month in which Muslims go into I’tikaf (spiritual seclusion) in emulation of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who received the very first revelation while in I’tikaf in the Cafe of Hira. Inside this same month is Laylatul Qadr (the night of power) which Allah says is more rewarding than ten thousands months.

Recitation of the Qur’an in this month as in any other months is not necessarily in Arabic language. People who do not understand Arabic can recite it in any other understandable language into which the Qur’an has been authentically translated. There is no use reading what you do not understand. Thus, it is better to recite the Qur’an in Hausa, Yoruba, English or any other language for that matter and comprehend what is read than to recite it in Arabic without understanding it while pretending to have done Tilawah of the Qur’an.

Islam is a dynamic religion that cherishes knowledge and not a dogma. If people had taken the Tilawah of the Qur’an in Arabic for obligation in the past out of share ignorance, such cannot continue today. Without understanding the Qur’an through translated scripts the Europeans who are now embracing Islam in scores would not have known the contents of that Glorious Book and Islam would have remained alien to them. For those who understand Arabic enough to comprehend the contents of the Qur’an no language is better for them in Tilawah than Arabic. But others who do not understand Arabic can do their Tilawah in the language they understand.

The governor’s wife had hosted the Muslim women to similar dinner at the same venue during last year’s holy month of Ramadan.

This year’s event also witnessed a lecture delivered by a guest lecturer, Dr Bilqis Abdulraheem, on the position of women in Islam.

Speaking during the prayers preceding the breaking of fast, Erelu Fayemi urged women to pray for their families, the state and for peace to reign in the country.

She noted that Islam is a

religion of peace, love and tolerance, and urged Muslims to use the period of Ramadan to pray for peace and unity of the country.

Erelu Fayemi enjoined religious tolerance and called for a halt to the killings and wanton destruction of property in the country.

She used the opportunity to solicit for more support and prayers for the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration to deliver more dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

Dr Abdulraheem in her

lecture, stressed the need for women to ensure that moral and academic training of their children is given adequate attention.

She urged women to get actively involved in politics and to be economically productive.

Thanking the governor’s wife for hosting the women for the second year running, the President of FOMWAN in the state, Alhaja Fausat AhmedYusuff, restated the continued support of the Muslim community for the state government.

Nigerians urged to assist inmates

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N appeal has been made to the nongovernmental organisations and individuals to complement the effort of the government in assisting the prison inmates.

The Deputy Controller of Nigeria Prison service, Ijebu Ode, Mr Olufemi AdeOgunyade made this appeal during the Ramadan lecture organised by the Islamic Humanitarian Service (IHS) at the prison premises recently.

Large numbers out of the 301 male and female inmates were present at the lecture.

Ade-Ogunyade noted that prior to Ramadan, some religious bodies, individuals

By Risikat Ramoni

and organisations visit the prison with gifts.

He called on others to do same as the government alone cannot cater for all the needs of the inmates.

The inmates, he said, have been changing their behaviour for the better owing to the regular lectures and words of advise given to them by the religious organisations.

National coordinator of IHS AbdurRasheed Okenla, called on Muslims including the Muslim lawyers to assist them to gain freedom.

Okenla urged the inmates to be of good behaviour to be

useful when they gain freedom.

He told them to repent from their misdeeds and turn to God to rescue them from their predicament.

The guest lecturer, Ustaz Dawud Dosunmu said Muslims and Christians should endeavour to co-exist mutually.

Dosunmu stressed that Islam is a religion of peace and no conscious Muslim will kill others and cause insecurity in a nation.

"Being here is not the end of the world. You should move closer to Allah and pray you will be useful for yourself, family, community and the Muslims in general," Dosunmu told the inmates.

Group urges Muslims on national development

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ASRUL-LAHI-LIFATIH Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) has urged Muslims to devote their energy and intellects to develop the society.

NASFAT National President, Alhaji Sheriff Yussuf during the Laylatul-Qadr (night of majesty), said Muslims are men of honour who live peacefully with their neighbours.

Yussuf was represented by the Abuja Branch Chairman, Alhaji Shewudeen Giwa.

He urged the congregation

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

not to let the opportunity of the special night pass them by.

He enjoined members to show love and kindness to their neighbours.

"The communities in our localities should equally benefit from our activities through interventions in matters of public interest, social mobilisation, education, healthcare and public utility endowments.

"We held a world class

symposium in May 2012 as our contribution to educating the general public on the prime position of Islam on peaceful cohabitation with other faiths in the face of popular misconception about Islam being the motive for criminal insurgencies and attacks on innocent targets that has been ravaging our country, Nigeria, " he said.

Guest speaker Sheik Abdullahi Salati, said, Muslims should seek God wherever they are.

Pray for the nation, ACN chieftain urges Muslims From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, Hon. Niyi Adeagbo, has called on Muslims to dedicate the ongoing Ramadan fast to special prayers on peace, unity and aversion of natural disasters.

Adeagbo said that at no time has it been more necessary for Nigerians to pray for the country than now when there is violence in the North, inter-religious tensions, ethnic divisions and poor economic conditions across the country.

He spoke in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state while distributing gift items to Muslims in 10 wards in the council.

“Our Muslim brothers and sisters must use the occasion of the Holy month to seek God’s guidance and prayers in other areas of national life like unemployment, insecurity, corruption in high places, dilapidated infrastructure which are holding the country down,” he said.

He empathised with families which lost relatives and properties during the flood disaster in the state, while reassuring all residents in the state of the sincere intentions of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-administration to adequately respond to their pains and losses caused by the disaster.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

47

‘Do not hijack farmers’ subsidised fertiliser’ •Continued from Page 13 designed a new strategy to monitor and supervise fertiliser distribution channels to ensure that only genuine and registered farmers access the inputs during this year’s planting season.

He said: “They are trying other means, but then it can never be same with them anymore; even the farmers, we are drumming it into our farmers that they should not allow the fertiliser merchants to come to them, who would offer them a token, only to take it somewhere else to sell at exorbitant prices; we now raising the alarm and are monitoring the distribution at every redemption centre.

“In the past the Federal Government chose to procure fertilisers and would ask states to indicate the fertilisers and the quantity they would need for a year for the farmers and then the Federal

Government would go ahead and procure the fertilisers and upon arrival, it would be sent to all the states based on what they have indicated for and it is assumed that the fertilisers will get to the farmers but unfortunately we found out that only 11 per cent of the farmers actually have access to these fertilisers.

“The rest which is about 89 per cent do not get fertilisers. What happened to the bulk of the fertilisers? As we are loading it into the stores, people I call fertiliser merchants come and purchase them in bulk and carry it to the North.

And not only to the North but also across the borders to sell, and that is why the culture of using fertilisers have not been entrenched in the farmers, because they have not been getting it.

“I will just advice our farmers to really meet up to expectation and heed to instructions that are given •Farmers

As we are loading fertilisers into the stores, people I call fertiliser merchants come and purchase them in bulk and carry them to the North, and not only to the North but also across the borders to sell •Continued from Page 13

administration was determined to restore the lost glory of the education and health sectors.

At Girls High School Agulu, Obi said the deplorable condition of facilities in the school was unacceptable to government and attributed it to the gross neglect by successive previous administrations since the government’s forceful takeover after the civil war.

Obi remembered the family members of the 12 AdaziNnukwu victims of Boko Haram

to them; they should not allow the fertiliser merchants to deceive them and take their fertilisers away. We are telling them the propriety of using fertiliser and that has become very important, because without it the crops will not do well,” he said.

According to him, the fertilisers being distributed to farmers in the state are being subsidised jointly by the Federal Government and the

Ogun State government.

He noted that the two tiers of government have jettisoned political differences and are working in partnership to help the farmers access cheaper fertilisers, boost their produce for the development and growth of their families and the nation.

“Hunger does not know politics, so this one transcends political

A lift for heart patients slaughter. They were given cheques of N1m each totaling N12m.

The other two victims, from Agulu and Azigbo in Nnewi South were equally given similar sums. The cheques given to the Boko Haram victims so far totaled N28m from Anambra and Adamawa state governments.

Presenting the cheques at Saint Andrews’ Catholic Church, Adazi-Nnukwu, Obi, in an

•Chairman, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area Hon Bolaji MuseAriyoh (right) congratulating leader of the Legislative house Abolore Shobayo during the presentation of cars to the council officials.

emotion laden voice, said each of the families of Adazi-Nnukwu 12 would receive N1m to enable them live a meaningful life, having lost their breadwinners.

“We are fulfilling our promise of N2m each to families of the victims. We have given them N1m each before and we are redeeming the last segment of the promise from Anambra State government and Adamawa State government because the people must have faith in government...we have given the Catholic Church in AdaziNnukwu N150m in investment in its St Joseph’s Catholic Hospital and the structure we built there for students hostel is worth N60m. I promised to put N10m in this church and I have given N4m before. Today I am giving another N2m totaling N6m.

Obi appealed to the community not to look at the victims to use the money in paying numerous levies either in the church or in the village but to serve as a means of getting something meaningful for the sustenance of the people left behind by the victims.

“In Nigeria today anybody with N2m that is organised can build a meaningful life. I don’t do party but I use money to do work that it is meant for,” he said.

Parish Priest of the Church, Rev Fr Dr Peter Onyeso informed the governor of their centenary anniversary coming up in November for which they needed more money to finish the expansion project of the church but thanked him for donating N10m.

National Vice President of Adazi Nnukwu Town Union, Chief Alex Obiadi on behalf of the families of the victims thanked Obi for being a man of his words in fulfilling the promise of N2 million to each of the victims’ families as a

consolation to their living family members.

For the Parish Priest Saint Mathews Anglican Church, Amawbia, Rev. Fr. Jonas Okoye who doubles as the Secretary of Catholic Diocesan Finance Council, Obi has spent over N150m in only catholic interests in Adazi Nnukwu excluding other Catholic interests in the community and state at large.

He thanked him for the erosion control project in the community and his courage in handing over schools to the mission.

He appealed to him to hand over Burbendoff Grammar School, Adazi-Nnukwu to the Catholic Church even though it is not owned by the Church since community is one community Catholic church to enable them

leanings, otherwise the state government, Ogun, being an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) state, and the Federal Government being a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would not have collaborated. But we are lucky that all the governors have put aside their political differences and embrace this agricultural transformation agenda.”

take appropriate care of the school as they have done others handed over to them. He described Obi as God-sent to give direction to the state.

The anchor-person of the community, Prof Ken Nwogu did not agree with the transfer of the ownership of Burbendoff to the Catholic Church but insisted Obi would remember it in rehabilitation as he does other schools to restore its lost glory to avoid doing the right thing wrongly.

“Burbendoff is not a Mission school but what we are looking at is restoring its lost glory...”

Prof Nwogu said Obi has built many roads in the state and Adazi-Nnukwu, including one already earmarked for construction to open up the community and others more. He prayed that a good person takes over from Obi.

Obi remembered the family members of the 12 Adazi-Nnukwu victims of Boko Haram slaughter.

They were given cheques of N1m each totaling N12m

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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HE Amule and Anuoluwapo communities in Ayobo, Ayobo/Ipaja Local Council Development Area, Lagos, have appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to rescue them from the hazards of a telecom mast installed in their area by a telecommunication company.

Communities raise alarm over telecom mast

By Oziegbe Okoeki

Expressing their anger to newsmen in the community, landlords namely, Mr. Olamide Agboola, Pastor Tony Abu and Pastor

This is a mast that is not only disturbing our sleep in the night but is also dangerous to our health. Please help us to tell the government to come to our aid

Omosco Okougbo said they have suffered untold hardship for three years because of the mast.

“This thing has been going on for the past three years. When we first complained the place was sealed off. But suddenly early this year, the place was re-opened, without the authority of the Ministry. They came with mobile policemen threatening to shoot us,” said Okougbo who is the spokesman of the community. Investigation later showed that, the mast was erected without the approval of the state government,” Okougbo said.

According to him, the emission and radiation from the mast affect the health of the residents, the

radiation, he stressed “have cracked the walls of our houses and because of the emission we find it difficult to breath sometimes in the night,” Pastor Okougbo said.

An official of Lagos State Physical Planning and Development Authority, Mr. Nuru Rafiu, confirmed the worry of the residents.

“We have told the telecommunication company to remove the mast; it was not approved by us; it is illegal,” he said.

Investigation revealed that the piece of land was sold to the company by one Mrs. Eunice Uzor, a landlady in the community who sings a different song from the other landlords.

“She sees nothing wrong in the presence of the mast or the havoc it is causing in the area”, the other landlords complained.

When Mrs. Uzor was approached for comments, she declined.

“And this is a mast that is not only disturbing our sleep in the night but is also dangerous to our health. We searched the Internet, and we discovered this. Please help us to tell the government to come to our aid,” Okougbo said.

When contacted on the tele[phone for comments, an official of the company Mr. Funsho, whose number is displayed conspicuously on the gate where the mast is erected, did not return the call.

‘Live good and prayerful life’

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IGERIANS, especially Muslims, have been advised to draw closer to God during this fasting period. They were also urged to be prayerful in order to receive God’s mercies.

The Chief Visioner of Al-Istijaba Dua Foundation and the founder of Juma Albishirun Islamic Organisation, Akwa Ibom State, Fadilat Imum Abdulahi Jelil Olalekan, gave the advice at the Alhaji Yunusa Adisa Akinola Memorial Ramadan lecture.

The lecture, which was organised by the Councillor representing Ward 1 at the Oriade Local Council Development Area Hon. Lawal Idris Olajide, held at the palace square of Ovori of Ibeshe, Oba GausuAlani Rasaki.

Olalekan, who is also a founding member of NASFAT, said the Quran “reminds the faithful to remember death in all they do or say,” adding that “death is a natural phenomenon which everybody must experience.

It does not respect or give concession to the rich or the poor.

Continuing, he said: “There has never been a man as foolish as to think that he will not die. Man is the only animal that knows that he

By Chinaka Okoro

must die. He knows about the certainty of death even though he does not know when it will be.”

Faced with this kind of uncertainty, he said, Muslims and indeed, all mankind, should get closer to God both in prayer and action, noting that at any point in time, death will come.

“Once a man becomes fully aware of the imminence and inevitability of death, he begins to seek out meaning that will account for his coming here on earth. It is always the knowledge of death that leads men to stress the vanity of life. Being genuinely conscious of death and preparing to experience a happy one helps us to detach ourselves from all worldly things.

“The awareness and preparation of death seems to make man conscious of his inmost being. To become aware of death and to accept mortality is to become aware of a boundary of existence.

He urged the Muslim faithful to take advantage of this Ramadan period to hold tight things of God. He stated that when in Ramadan, Muslims should focus their minds on the

•From left Alhaja Olori Nofisat Oseni, Akinlola-Shodolu Rafat, Alhaja Tawakalitu, Secretary to Oriade LCDA, Hon. Kareem Sunmola, Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Akeem Agbelega and Hon. Lawal Almighty Allah, adding that it is not a period to travel from one place to the other or engage in activities that will draw their attention away from serious supplications to God. “You must put your mind in God, and whatever you want to do; you have to bear in mind the conse-

Grassroots newspaper launched in Lagos

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COMMUNITY newspaper, Drumbeat, has been launched in Ikotun, a Lagos suburb, promising to highlight grassroots issues.

The publisher, Mr Emeka Agbo, said the publication will be a leading community newspaper and reference point for ideas.

He said it will highlight community development issues, economic empowerment and political mobilisation, as well as be a platform for communicating change among stakeholders devoted to grassroots development,

By Emmanuel Udodinma

especially in the Alimosho Local Government Area where it is based.

“We are poised and indeed profoundly committed to creating a credible platform for effectively and efficiently communicating change within the Alimosho constituent Local Council Development Areas. We shall be highlighting issues concerning key players in Alimosho, the perspective of localised government, business and the

academia,” he said.

Speaking during a seminar at the launch, Dr. Steve Osineye said information, education and entertainment are vital tools for economic development.

He said the media has a vital role to play in holding elected officers accountable, urging practitioners to be more committed to putting people of integrity into governance, as that is a way to ensure development.

Police officers and members of the Alimosho community were

honoured for their services and contributions to development in the area.

Those who received such honour were A s s i s t a n t Commissioner Police (ASP) Ibrahim Kaoja, C h i e f Superintendent of Police (ACP) Agba Nchor, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Austine Akika, Superintendent of Police Gbenga Adeoye, Otunba Segun Omoyelu, Mrs Cecilia Okachi, Chief Kingsley Obiekwe, amongst others.

•Publisher, Drumbeat Magazine, Mr Emeka Agbo presents an award to Mr Austine Akika (right) (CSP) at the event

quences of such action; whether it is an action that will lead to everlasting life or everlasting death.

“This is the time to be active in the five prayers during Ramadan period. The prayers are those of 5:30 in the morning, 2:00 in the afternoon, 4:00 in the evening, 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This is so because Islam stands on five pillars.

“The pillars include knowing or believing in God, believing in the prophets who are working for

God, fasting which is very important, salat which means you must pray always and participating in hajj,” he said.

In a chat with Newsextra on what informed the lecture, Hon. Lawal said it was “intended to teach the Muslim faithful in this period of Ramadan to be aware of the intrinsic lessons of the period and to prepare their minds towards doing things that are pleasing to Almighty Allah so that His mercies would be upon them.

NGO assesses five states

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ENTRE for Values and Social Change (CVSC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Lagos, is undertaking a development measurement exercise across Anambra, Niger, Jigawa, Ekiti and Lagos states.

Dr. Olufemi Oluniyi, Executive Director of the Centre, said the target of the exercise is to discover “commitment to completion” of projects on the part of governments of the five states on non-partisan basis.”

In a chat with Newsextra in AdoEkiti, the state capital, Oluniyi explained that the exercise in the five states is a pilot project, addding that other states would be covered in next year’s study. He said further that the five states were chosen as “they had already set up their peer review mechanism offices.”

By Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

He noted that the exercise is just a measure of output and not a gauge of intention, adding “while it is not intended to expose any administration or personality, the exercise would facilitate measurement of performance within a given time period.”

He said the Commitment to Project Implementation Index (CPII) is an annual gauge of projects delivery activities of state governments, the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Government.

Oluniyi stated: “Regardless of place of domicile, Nigerians aspire and expect to be governed well and one of the greatest factors responsible for the failure to deliver sociopolitical and economic goods is the uncompleted projects syndrome.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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Council chief urges Muslims to pray for peace

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HE chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Deployment Area, Lagos, Hon Kayode Robert has urged Muslims to use the month of Ramadan to pray for peace, unity and security of the country.

Robert made the appeal at the fourth annual lecture organised by the council.

He said: “I urge our Muslim brothers and sisters to use this month of Ramadan to move closer to Allah and re-dedicate themselves to the teachings of the Holy Quran as taught by the Prophet Mohammed.

“As we seek the face of Allah during this month, let us hold dear those lessons of the Prophet and pray earnestly for peace for the country.”

On security, he disclosed that the council has made adequate arrangements to protect life and property, even as he said strategic measures are being taken to forestall breakdown of law and order in Oto-Awori LCDA. He appealed to Chief Imams and clerics in the area to promote peaceful coexistence among the people, especially now that the country is experiencing security challenges.

The council chief had earlier sponsored Mr Abideen Ahiiba, Mrs Shittu Rasheedat and Mrs Shobowale Basirat

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HE most heinous of all crimes is the counterfeiting of drugs because the health of the people is compromised and they are sent to early graves.”

This was the statement made by Mr. Aigbomian Leli, Assistant Director, Ports Inspection Directorate, when she led a team of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) officials on drugs inspection in Taraba State.

The agency is on a national inspection tour of drugs sold in Nigerian markets, with Taraba being the 33rd state it has visited.

During the exercise, the team was split into many groups, which visited over 40 establishments in the state, confiscating over 167 varieties of counterfeit, expired, unregistered and banned drugs from patent medicine stores.

The inspection took place largely in the state capital Jalingo, Mutum-Biyu and Tella.

All the medicine shops visited were stocked with counterfeit and banned drugs, NAFDAC said.

Drugs expired since 2001 were found in a medicine store in Yelwa Market, Jalingo. The

•Hon. Roberts (left) with Ramadan lecturer Sheikh Bello at the event

By Emmanuel Udodinma

to the Holy Pilgrimage.

Delivering the Ramadan lecture, Alhaji Muyideen Bello called on Muslims to be conscious of Allah, even as he reminded

them that death is an inevitable phenomenon which everyone must experience.

He said: “As a Muslim, this is the period to move closer to Almighty Allah in order to cleanse our sins. We should abstain from sin and worship the Creator

with our entire heart.”

The cleric called on Muslims to devote themselves to the Almighty so that He would cleanse the land of the terrorists activities of Boko Haram and other forms of violence perpetrated in the country.

NAFDAC clamps down on fake drugs in Taraba From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

store is owned by 25-year old Ajibo Chinoso Linus. Ajibo and many PMS owners (medicine sellers) were invited to NAFDAC office for interrogation.

“Their medicine shops would be closed down if they fail to appear before the agency,” Leli told newsmen.

The agency said it used the “Text and Send” method to check counterfeited drugs, while Truscan, a new cutting edge machine introduced by NAFDAC Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii, was used to verify the genuineness and quality of drugs.

Drugs confiscated included Analgin injection, Gentimycin 280mg, Fulcin 500mg tablets, Norvasc 5mg/10mg, Pectol, Waipa and Septrin.

Other seized drugs were intoxicants and energisers such as Tramadol 120mg capsules, Socomol, Tika 100, Viagra 3800mgx8 capsules, Bigman 15,800mgx10 and Xekati Dipyrone injection, among others.

•NAFDAC team leader, Aigbomian Leli explains how the agency detects counterfeit drugs

NAFDAC Assistant Director, Mr. Shaba Mohammed said Septrin and Fulcin are contraband goods.

Mohammed, whose team stormed SabonGari, a suburb of the state capital, explained that Zeneca –the manufacturer of Fulcin, had stopped producing the drug since 2002. “So, any Fulcin you see in Nigerian patent medicine store is classical fake,” he said.

This is also applicable to Septrin, which was contraband since 2001. Mohammed explained that the Nigerian government decided to ban Septrin importation so as to locally manufacture it and create jobs for its

citizens.

Gentimycin 280mg injection was also banned when research revealed its effects on certain parts of the body: kidney, liver and the ears. NAFDAC said it has approved only the 80mg of Gentimycin for Nigerians.

It was also gathered during the survey that some of the medicine stores sell medical devices which they are not authorised to, and also inject patients which they are not qualified to do. In some shops, under-aged persons who have not received any medical training were seen selling drugs.

‘Our society not driven by values’

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HE District Governor, Lions Clubs, District 404a, Sam Ekpuk has said the Nigerian society has largely jettisoned

values and embraced material things.

Ekpuk, in a statement, said the leaders have

By Wale Ajetunmobi

also lost goodwill, saying for the country to develop accountability and planning must be respected.

He said: “Ours is a society that has failed to be driven by the public good, equity and fairness. We have exalted a tragic and effervescent individuality and failed to promote the overall advancement of social and living standards for the generality of the populace.”

This lack of value in the society has motivated him to choose for his one-year tenure, a theme that will reflect his desire to leave positive footprints. The theme: “Foot points to the Future”, is a statement reflecting his desire to make actions of all Lions in the district, be driven by the need for service probity and common good.

Ekpuk said: “Lions are proud of their past heritage of service and confident of their future in continued service. We are not just volunteers but men and women of courage.

People who dare to confront poverty, disease and oppression through peaceful means and achieve great results, just ordinary people, doing extraordinary things. This signals our desire for fresh ideas, fresh actions and fresh processes. A new way forward and a reflection of my promise during the campaign for office.”

To ensure efficiency among the Lions Clubs in the district, Ekpuk has decided to retain the eleven-region structure he inherited but to create additional zones within them to increase the number to 35.

However, some of these new zones are provisional and risk being merged to other zones if they fail to nurture the new clubs within their zones to higher financial and membership levels.

Also, he is bringing in new ideas to the format of the District Cabinet meetings with each scheduled as a breakfast meeting and •Continued on Page 50

50

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

Free treatment for rural expectant mothers

T

O reduce maternal and infant death, a community-based programme tagged Rural Help Maternity Project (RHMP) is giving indigent expectant mothers in rural areas free treatment from antenatal to delivery.

The initiator of the programme, Dr Alaefula Uchendu said the expectant mothers will receive treatment from donations by concerned individuals or corporate organisations.

Uchendu, who spoke in Lagos, said the project has just passed the pilot stage at Ikotun in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, with five women safely treated from five months of conception to delivery with N20,000 each.

He said: “Five other expectant mothers offered to pay some token and they are proud mothers today. With this project, expectant mothers will be able to deliver their babies safe and healthy, thereby, reducing the rate of maternal and child deaths.”

Uchendu said the funds to execute the project will come from donations from corporate bodies and concerned individuals to help poor expectant mothers in rural communities because the government cannot do it alone, adding that they are the worse hit when it comes to maternal deaths.

The programme, Uchendu said, was borne out of the desire to help the poor expectant mothers in the rural areas rather than for personal gains. “I have a clinic in the rural area and I know what these women go through. This was the motivating factor.

•Continued from Page 49 not lasting more than 4 hours as against the usual all day meetings. The meetings will also double as town hall meetings, with presidents of clubs sharing best practices and seeking solutions to their challenges.

The District’s programmes for the year have been streamlined into six core areas with specific performance targets. Tagged, “The power of six”, they will focus on areas like: a net growth in membership of 500 Lions; leadership development of at least 400 club officers and over 150 district officers through training and special mentoring; a Public Relations and Branding Campaign to over one million Nigerians and poverty community service projects by at least 80 percent of the clubs. The focus also include improved club/district relationship and youth empowerment to ensure at least 100 graduating Leos are gainfully employed and over 100,000 young people engaged in service activities.

A major programme that is very dear to Ekpuk’s heart, is the Opening Eyes, the club’s paediatric eye care programme. This involves the provision of free eye screening, eye care education and treatment to pupils of about 200 primary schools across the district, with each Lions Club adopting at least two schools while the district provides matching grants, screening materials and other supporting

A major programme which is dear to Ekpuk’s heart is the club’s paediatric eye care. This involves the provision of free screening, eye-care education and treatment of pupils of about 200 primary schools across the district

By Wale Adepoju

Some of them visit unqualified birth attendants, chemists, herbalists, among others, for delivery but the result has been very fatal. This was why we decided to initiate the programme to bring succor to those poor,” he added.

“The programme will ensure free antenatal registration, drugs, treatment, laboratory tests, and pelvic scan which will be done twice. From normal delivery, there will be male circumcision, immunization and provision of mosquito nets,” he said.

Uchendu said the criteria is to first identify rural communities with very poor people, adding that project will relate with the village heads and traditional rulers to identify expectant mothers that need help.

“We will identify a reputable hospital controlled by a medical doctor with nurses and midwives located in or around that rural community or possibly, the nearest government General Hospital.

“We shall negotiate and pay N20,000 per expectant mother to the hospital to take care of the woman from the expenses I mentioned,” he said.

He said the project will pick 10 women from a rural community and pay to the nearest hospital closest to them.

To ensure save delivery, he said: “The first strategy is to make sure that the doctors and nurses or midwives are qualified and skilled to reduce cases of negligence and unprofessionalism. Secondly, complicated cases that cannot be handled by the said

The programme will ensure free antenatal registration, drugs, treatment, laboratory tests, and pelvic scan which will be done twice. From normal delivery, there will be male circumcision, immunization and provision of mosquito nets

•Dr Alaefula Uchendu hospital will immediately be transferred to the nearest General Hospital, and indeed our care continues in that hospital.”

For 25 women, he said, the sum of N500, 000 would be given to a designated hospital to take care of the expectant mothers in that particular community, adding that the fund would help the facility to get drug and equipment needed from it.

‘Our society not driven by values’ aids to the clubs to enable them effectively execute this huge activity.

Another major programme is the membership and club growth programme, which targets 20 new Lions Clubs with at least 10 of these planned as family, women, campus and special interest clubs.

The district has also planned to host a selfsponsored Senior Lions Leadership Institute. This year, the district governor has decided to hold both The Lions Day with the United and the 2012 Peace Poster competition, in Abuja. The Peace Poster competition has been expanded to include more than 2,000 children in over 100 schools.

The youths in the clubs and the society will also be impacted upon through

outreach programmes that aim at reaching and impacting over one million youths through online newsletters and social network groups. The Leo programme has been redesigned to allow the Leos to hold their council meetings concurrently with Lions while sponsoring Lions Clubs assume more responsibilities in the approval and implementation of Leo Clubs’ projects.

Ekpuk has set up a Constitution Drafting Committee, headed by Lion (Barrister) Oba Effanga, Jnr. to draft a District Constitution and By-laws document for the district. The draft, expected to be considered, arranged and approved during the District Convention in January 2013 will correct the

present situation whereby the district has operated for over seven years without a Constitution.

Lion Ekpuk’s plans for the district this year includes ensuring that more Lions take active part in the various International Lions events. These will include Leadership Exchange programmes, International Club/ District twinning and the up-coming Mediterranean Cruise.

He will be assisted in executing his plans this year by eminent Lions in the Cabinet.

Prominent among who are: The first vice district governor, Lami Ahmed, The second vice district governor, Tokunbo Jegede and other cabinet members.

•From left: Lion Ekpuk flanked by his wife, Lioness Yvonne and Lion Kola Oyekanmi, shortly after Ekpuk was presented with his gongand-gavel insignia of office in Port Harcourt

52

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

She said the participants, while in training, will receive stipends to aid their transportation and on graduation, will be provided with starter-packs and cash mobilisation to enable them start their own businesses

Jobs for Edo youths

E

DO State Ministry of Youth and Sports has inaugurated the third phase of its Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP) under which 30 young people have been trained in skills to earn a decent living and even become employers of labour.

YEDP is one of the many programmes of the Ministry aimed at providing the youth with skills to enable them engage in income generating activities to enhance their economic and social wellbeing in the society.

Unlike the first two phases which saw the training of 25 female youths in fashion design and 35 male youths in the production of household items, this third phase featured a combination of both sexes, allowing the youths to choose their areas of interest irrespective of gender.

Interestingly, among the resource persons engaged to train these youths were former trainees who distinguished themselves while in the programme and went further to register their own companies as partners.

These young entreprenuers are Godswill Obaghagie and Joseph Aiwerioghene whose firm, Gojo Techran Academy, is engaged in the commercial production of inverters.

At the inauguration of this crop of youths, the Commissioner, Hon. Anita Evbuomwan, said they were to undergo training in fashion design, GSM repair and inverter production for a duration of 12

S

ENATOR Gbenga Ashafa representing Lagos East Senatorial District has presented free computers and printers to outstanding youths who graduated from his free monthly Information Communication Technology (ICT) programme.

The youths, who were accompanied by their parents and guardians to a brief ceremony marking the presentation of certificates, expressed gratitude to the senator for the opportunity he has given them.

They said Ashafa has given them

•Some of the beneficiaries

By Precious Igbonwelundu

months. She said the participants, while in training, will receive stipends to aid their transportation and on graduation, will be provided with starterpacks and cash mobilisation to enable them start their own businesses.

She said the programme was in acknowledgement of the state government’s commitment to reduce youth unemployment in the state, even as she maintained that more meaningful avenues will be created for individual and corporate partnerships with the government towards job creation.

“It is our firm promise that any

of the trainees who distinguished themselves would be given additional incentives to be able to expand their businesses.”

Evbuomwan urged the youths to take full advantage of the opportunity provided by government to build their capacity in their desired skills so as to grow economically, and become

employers of labour.

She, however, emphasised that only the beneficiaries who complete the 12 months course will be entitled to the starter-packs and mobilisation from government, even as she maintained that there will be strict monitoring every month to ensure compliance and diligence by the participants.

Lawmaker provides youths with computers, printers

By Miriam Ndikanwu

a sense of direction.

Desktop computers and printers were also presented to three outstanding students among those who received certificates.

Addressing the gathering, Ashafa described the gesture as part of his contribution to the development and empowerment of youths in the constituency.

He said a total 198 people have benefited from the training since its inception, adding that while some graduated and proceeded to universities for further studies, others established their own businesses through which they have become employers of labour.

“Before now, I cannot tell what a mouse is or even the difference between the monitor and the hard disc, but through this training, I got

exposed and today I can carry out a whole lot of tasks on the computer,” one of the beneficiaries said.

Ashafa further explained that the strategic importance of ICT to the continuous existence of humanity in the modern world cannot be over-emphasised, adding that national economies all over the world have, as their engines, the relative adoptions of ICT in their operations for them to perform.

He said feedbacks from past graduates indicate that the effort has not been a wasteful one as it has helped others to identify their latent potential.

“We can only advise that those of you going out today will also make the best use of the exercise. Let me assure you that having been part of the training exercise, the benefits are beyond mere participation,” he said.

Parents urged to protect children against rape

C

•From left: Marketing Brand Manager, 7-Up Bottling Company, Mr Mordon Thurston; Mr Olujimi Williams, new winner, Miss Misan Rewane, first winner, and Mr Femi Mokikan, Executive Director 7-Up Human Resources at the 7-Up Harvard Bussines Scholarship in Lagos PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

ONSIDERING the rampant cases of rape in the society, parents have been advised to keep close watch on their children and be more protective.

The Outreach Supervisor of Doctors without Borders (Medicines Sans Frontiers), an international medical humanitarian organisation, Glory Kanu, gave this advice in Port Harcourt in a presentation she made at the August 2012 general meeting of the Rivers State Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

Kanu said it is amazing that the Port Harcourt office of Doctors without Borders treat about 70 sexually-abused children monthly and lamented the grave harm this has done to the psyche of these victims.

Citing heart-breaking instances of children who have been raped

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

by their fathers, uncles, drivers, housegirls, houseboys, teachers, among others, the supervisor of Doctors Without Borders expressed fear that the future society would be more violent-prone due to the psychological effect most of these rape victims have been afflicted with “because they would want to unleash their anger on anybody they come across.”

While informing that Doctors without Borders which came into Port Harcourt in 2005 would be leaving the city in the next one year, she urged members of NIPR and indeed the larger society to begin to engage in preventive measures against rape, pointing out the need to adopt confidentiality when correcting sexual abuses.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

53

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-8-12

Profit-taking, Sallah sales halt market rally T HE Nigerian stock market took a breath yesterday as flood of sale orders by profit-taking investors and others angling to raise cash for the forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitri halted the upswing at the market and shaved off N48 billion from market capitalisation.

Eid-ul-Fitri, the Muslim celebration of the end of a month-long fasting period, is expected to be on Saturday or Sunday while the Federal Government has declared next Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to mark the celebration.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities dropped from N7.408 trillion to N7.360 trillion as investors sought to capitalise gains from several stocks that had accumulated substantial gains in recent bullish rally.

The All Share Index (ASI) the main value index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), slipped by 0.64 per cent from 23,273.56 points to 23,125.32 points. The reversal yesterday depressed year-todate return at the NSE to 11.55 per cent.

Market analysts said the negative market trend was

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

due investors raising cash to boost their liquidity during the celebration. Under the NSE’s T+3 trading cycle, Tuesday was prime trading day for most investors seeking cash rather than reinvestment and portfolio review.

Analysts said investors were particularly focused on several stocks that had rallied significant gains in recent period including Guaranty Trust Bank, Dangote Cement and Union Bank of Nigeria.

Dangote Cement topped the slackers’ list with a loss of N2.50 to close at N112.50.

Arbico followed with a drop of 78 kobo to close at N14.83.

Union Bank lost 24 kobo to close at N4.88. Guaranty Trust Bank dropped 20 kobo to close at N17.50. UACN Property Development Company fell by 15 kobo to N9.70.

Dangote Sugar Refinery lost 14 kobo to close at N4.55 while Eterna slipped by 10 kobo to N2.45 per share.

On a positive note, Flour Mills of Nigeria led the ad-

vancers with a gain of N1.60 to close at N52.

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria added 51 kobo to close at N29.51. PZ Cussons Nigeria rose by 43 kobo to N24.44. International Breweries gained 23 kobo to close at N6.30. Cement Company of Northern Nigeria chalked up 21 kobo to close at N4.49 while National Salt Company of Nigeria gathered 12 kobo to close at N4.87 per share.

Investors staked N1.35 billion on a total of 206.95 million shares in 3,755 deals with banking sector accounting for 65 per cent of total turnover. Banking stocks pooled a total of 134.5 million shares valued at N870.6 million in 2,061 deals.

On stock-by-stock basis, Access Bank was the most active stock with a turnover of 27.08 million shares valued at N203.12 million in 152 deals. Diamond Bank came second with a total of 26.2 million shares valued at N69.39 million in 77 deals.

Multiverse ranked third with two cross deals for 20 million shares valued at N10 million. First Bank of Nigeria recorded a turnover of 16.81 million shares worth N203.5 million in 509 deals while Skye Bank exchanged 11.71 million shares valued at N31.92 million in 125 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 14-8-12

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

CBN: Banks aid customers to circumvent cash-less policy

B

ANKS are helping their customers to circumvent the cash-less policy initiative, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

Specifically, the apex bank said that some banks still perform cash collection services for some supermarkets and petrol stations. Others it said allow their customers to withdraw / deposit cash above the free limits, without charging processing fee.

In a circular signed by

By Collins Nweze

CBN Director, Banking & Payments System Department, ’Dipo Fatokun, he explained that banks are yet to fully comply with the apex bank directive mandating them to stop cash in transit lodgment services rendered to merchant customers.

He said that the policy stipulates that customers could engage the services of CBN licensed CIT companies to aid cash movement to and from their banks at mutually agreed

cash above the free limits, without charging processing fee,” it said.

Fatokun said that all stakeholders should ensure that its collective responsibility to ensure the success of the cash-less initiative, due to its enormous benefits to the various stakeholders.

He reiterated the need for strict compliance with all the components of the guideline on the Industry Policy on Retail Cash Collections and Lodgments.

terms and conditions. It was also stated that contravention of this policy would attract fine of N1 million per specie movement.

“The CBN has discovered that some Deposit Money Banks aid and abet their customers to circumvent the policy.

In particular, some banks still perform cash collection services for some supermarkets and petrol stations, while some allow their customers to withdraw / deposit

Apex bank implements anti-money laundering framework

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced full implementation of its anti-money laundering /combating the financial terrorism (AML/ CFT) risk-based supervision framework, it issued in 2011.

A circular from the apex bank signed by CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Chris Chukwu, said the implementation of risk-based supervision to combating money laundering and terrorist financing

depends on a sound understanding of the threats and vulnerabilities of the menace to each financial institution in particular and entire financial industry in general.

The apex bank said the

measure is further supported by the importance the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) attached to the riskbased approach to AML/CFT supervision in its revised recommendations issued in February 2012.

Nigeria to save $2b from excess crude account

F

BN Capital Limited has said that Nigeria will save an estimated $2billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), if she is able to keep the daily crude oil production at 2.70 barrels by September.

In a report titled: “The New Orthodox on Oil Production” the research firm said the market will revise its outlook if the government can sustained the crude oil production of 2.70mbpd.

Citing the Nigerian Na-

By Akinola Ajibade

tional Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)’s data that oil production has reached a record high of 2.70 million barrel per day early this month, the firm said the development would bring about a robust fiscal performance, a steady increase in official reserves and a platform for naira appreciation. It said the concerns generated by the rise in the international prices of crude oil would stop, if this happens.

According to FBN Capital, oil production would witness dramatic changes when the National Assembly passes the Petroleum Industry Bill.

It said there has not been a single oil data source to rely on, except that of CBN that runs until April this year and shows an average for the four months of 2.32millions barrel per day.

It called for the establishment of a single unified data series on crude oil production to keep a tap on the nation’s major source of earnings.

It said oil production has been below the threshold of 2.48mbpd in the 2012 budget, as evident in the data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the allocation given to the three tiers of government to compensate for shortfalls experienced in oil revenues.

The firm further said that oil export prices have consistently exceeded the assumption of US$72/b in the budget, and that the issue has not in any way responsible for the shortfalls.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 14-8-12 SYMBOL

O/PRICE

FLOURMILL GLAXOSMITH PZ INTBREW CCNN NASCON PAINTCOM UACN NB CUSTODYINS

50.40 29.00 24.01 6.07 4.28 4.75 2.20 33.52 120.00 1.23

C/PRICE

52.00 29.51 24.44 6.30 4.49 4.87 2.29 33.60 120.07 1.29

O/PRICE 115.00 15.61 5.12 17.70 9.85 4.69 2.55 1.64 1.66 4.40

C/PRICE 112.50 14.83 4.88 17.50 9.70 4.55 2.45 1.56 1.58 4.33

T

agement Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mustafa Chike-Obi has called on corporate bodies to support the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in its effort to imbibe ethics and professionalism in the banking sector.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ dialogue with the Institute, he noted that CIBN plays significant roles in the banking industry and deserves to be supported by all the corporate stakeholders to enable the Institute discharge its responsibilities to the industry.

He said that AMCON will support efforts and initiatives of the Institute to achieve its objectives in the

sector. “Being a member of CIBN will help bankers to be the fit and proper person in the industry”, Chike-Obi said adding that AMCON was established for the interest of the banking industry and will continue to discharge its mandates professionally.

To enhance its professional efficiency, the CIBN recently, reviewed professional code of conduct for bankers practicing in the country.

The draft Code of Conduct has been sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation and the 24 deposit money banks for their input before final copy is endorsed by all the relevant bodies.

CHANGE 2.50 0.78 0.24 0.20 0.15 0.14 0.10 0.08 0.08 0.07

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE

1.60 0.51 0.43 0.23 0.21 0.12 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.06

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12

LOSERS AS AT 14-8-12

SYMBOL DANGCEM ARBICO UBN GUARANTY UAC-PROP DANGSUGAR ETERNA BAGCO CUTIX UBA

AMCON CEO seeks support HE Managing Direcfor CIBN tor/CEO, Asset Man-

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Currency OBB Rate Call Rate

among leading world economies with effective payment system.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

He said that appropriate penalties shall be strictly applied against defaulters.

The CBN said that about N200 billion will be spent on cash management thereby making it imperative for banks to comply with cash-less banking initiative.

CBN intends to reduce cost of banking operations by at least 30 per cent in the next three years. It said, adding that the cash-less banking policy and implementation will assist Nigeria in realising its Vision 2020 objective and place it

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 123.47 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 107.75 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.76 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.10 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.93 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,731.32 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 9.66 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 8,005.52 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 123.32 107.53 0.74 1.10 0.91 1,729.01 9.19 1.33 1.80 7,792.77 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

56

NEWS Kidnapped doctor freed From Osagie Otabor, Benin

A

RESIDENT doctor of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Scott Omorogie, who was abducted last Friday, has been freed by his abductors.

Omorogie was freed at 9pm on Monday.

His abductors left him at 2nd West Circular road in Benin City with his hands and legs tied backwards.

Family sources said it was passersby who untied and gave him money for his transportation home.

The source said Omorogie was injured. It was not confirmed if any ransom was paid.

Imoke seeks joint-military patrol

C

ROSS River State Governor Liyel Imoke has proposed a joint-military patrol of the Gulf of Guinea by Nigerian, Equatorial Guinean and Cameroonian troops.

He said this when he received the letter of accreditation from the Consul-General of Equatorial Guinea, Feliciano Asume Akieme.

The governor said the patrol would strengthen trade and commercial activities among the countries.

He said this has become necessary due to the sudden increase in the activities of pirates within the water boundary which the three countries share.

Imoke, therefore, called on the Federal Government to initiate moves in that direction.

T

Ministry, police bicker over whereabouts of children

HE whereabouts of four children and their mother is creating tension between the police in Delta State and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development.

Sophia Hyacinth (seven), Kelvin Hyacinth (five), Dominion Hyacinth (two) and Nonso Unachukwu (five) are children of a domestic worker, Hyacinth Okwute.

Also abducted was Hyacinth’s expectant wife.

The Nation learnt that Hyacinth, said to be at large, allegedly conspired with others to steal N13.8 million of the N60 million kept by his boss in his car boot at his

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

home in Asaba.

It was learnt that the police invited five persons, including the expectant woman, for interrogation last Wednesday over the alleged theft and they have since been released.

But in a strange twist, the whereabouts of the children have remained a mystery as the police denied the arrest of the kids and blamed the ministry.

A police source said the children and their mother are not in police custody but in the custody of an official

of the ministry.

But an official in the ministry denied that the children are in their custody.

The situation prompted a petition to the commissioner of police by the law firm of B.C. Ofiaeli & Associates, demanding the release of the kids “from unlawful custody, detained since August 8.”

The petition, entitled: “Re: Sophia Hyacinth (seven), Kelvin Hyacinth (five), Dominion Hyacinth (two) and Nonso Unachukwu (five)”, was signed B.C. Ofiaeli and copied to the Inspector-General of Police, the AIG, Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin, the

governor and the ministry.

The petition noted that the case of alleged theft was reported at the police station, which led to the invitation of Hyacinth’s wife and his relatives for interrogation.

“However, the children arrested with others were purportedly handed over to the ministry.

“We have made all necessary contacts with officials of the Welfare and Child Development and to our surprise no such records about the above named children exist.

“And the ministry officials also denied the receipt of the children from the police.”

Uduaghan advises Army

D

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has advised the Army to sustain its active participation in crime reduction.

The governor made the request when the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Maj-Gen Mohammed Abubakar, visited him in Asaba.

He said the participation of the army in peace efforts has reduced piracy, illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping, among others in the state.

“I want to commend the Army for its contribution towards the reduction of crime in the state.

“For now, there is great reduction in piracy, kidnapping, illegal oil bunkering and robbery, among others. I attribute this to the army and other security operatives in the state.”

Robbery suspect killed in Delta From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

A

ROBBERY suspect was yesterday killed at the Airport Junction, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State by riot policemen.

Sources said two robbery suspects allegedly trailed a bank customer and in an attempt to stop him shot into the air .

A police team from the Enerhen Police station intercepted them and one of the suspects was shot.

Also, three suspects, who specialise in the snatching of motorcycles, have been remanded in custody for allegedly snatching motorcycles. Police spokesman Charles Muka confirmed the incident.

Funeral for community leader

T

HE Imuzeze family of Ozalla in Owan West, Edo State has announced the death of Samuel Imuzeze. He died on June 26 at 66.

The late Imuzeze was a civil servant, who worked in different local governments in the state.

Rites will begin tomorrow at his residence in Eguada Ehor, Eguada Ehor Uhunwode Local Government. His remains will be interred on Saturday.

•Uduaghan flanked by Abubakar (left) and Brig-Gen Obi Umahi…yesterday at the Government House, Asaba

My husband is ill, says wife of detained activist

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HE wife of Rev. David Ugolor, Ngozi, who was arrested for the murder of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s Principal Private Secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde, yesterday told an Edo State High Court that her husband “is very ill”.

Ugolor was arrested on July 27 after a suspect in police custody identified him as the sponsor of Oyerinde’s murder.

His wife, in an affidavit supporting the motion exparte filed at the court , said her husband can’t stand up to eat when she visits him in the police cell.

According to the affidavit, “When I saw the applicant in cell, he is very ill and is

‘Charge Ugolor to court or release him’

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HE Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has criticised the police for the continued detention of David Ugolor in connection with the murder of Olaitan Oyerinde, the late Private/Principal Secretary to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Ugolor, who is the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), has been in police custody since July 27, when a suspect fingered him as the sponsor of the murder.

Nearly two weeks after, Ugolor has neither been charged to court nor released.

In a statement in Lagos, ERA/FoEN described the continued detention of the activist as human rights violation.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

unable to eat and could not stand up from the ground, where he is lying in a dirty cell.

“My husband has been

complaining to his doctor about chest pain before his arrest and his health is deteriorating.”

Mrs. Ugolor said her husband told her that a suspect with tuberculosis was

brought to the cell and that the odour in the cell was making it difficult for him to eat.

She said her husband has expressed willingness to stand trial.

The lead counsel, Olayiwola Afolabi, told the court that the police transferred Ugolor to Abuja, after they were served a copy of the suit.

Urging the court to grant the suspect bail under the Fundamental Human Rights Law, Afolabi said the suspect has no criminal record and would not jump bail.

Justice E. A Edigin adjourned sitting till tomorrow.

Running mate disowns Airhiavbere over ence to the wish of my dear ANDIDATE of the petition party.

Peoples Democratic

PUBLIC NOTICE THE DOMINION APOSTOLIC FAITH CHURCH Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named organization has applied for registration under part C of the Companies and Allied matters decree 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE AS FOLLOWS:1. PASTOR OYEWUSI AMOS 2. MR. OKIKIADE ADEWALE 3. MRS. OYEWUSI ADENIHUNSE 4. MR. ABIODUN OLAJIDE 5. MR. OLAOYE KAYODE 6. MR. OLAJIDE MAYOWA 7. MISS AKINMO RANTI The objective of the organization is to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Any objection to the application should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission. Area 11, P.M.B 198 Garki Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: BARR. OLAOYE MODUPE

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Party (PDP) in the July 14 governorship election in Edo State Charles Airhiavbere is in the cold over the petition he filed at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

His running mate, Johnson Agbolagba, yesterday announced that he has accepted the outcome of the election in “strict obedience to the wish of my dear party.”

Last week, the PDP filed a motion at the tribunal seeking to be removed as the second petitioner in the suit.

Agbolagba debunked reports that he was part of a meeting of Edo North leaders that endorsed the decision to challenge the outcome of the election.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

He said the party’s position regarding the election was superior to his individual ambition or the ambition of any member.

In a statement in Benin, entitled: “On my party’s position regarding the Edo election result I stand”, Abolagba said: “My loyalty to my party, has never been in doubt and I am convinced, as a party man, that Edo PDP and the position it has taken regarding the election is superior to my individual ambition or the ambition of any member of the party.

“I wish to insist that my decision to accept the result of the election is in strict obedi-

“This decision is as difficult for me as am sure it is for all who honestly strove at the election to enthrone a PDP government in Edo State.”

The State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Thomas Okosun, has described the ongoing crisis rocking the PDP as the case of a house divided against itself.

“We have been served the petition and the withdrawal as we hear is more or less a public comment, until we receive a notice of discontinuation.

“A house that stands against itself cannot stand and you know that Edo PDP is a house that stands against itself.

“So, it does not have the basis to substantiate some of the

•Airhiavbere

grounds in the petition. Some of the party’s big wigs lost their units and wards, even their national leader lost his ward, the candidate lost.

“As ACN chairman, I was the first to go through the governor’s document because don’t forget he presented his credentials to the party before I forwarded it to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

NEWS PDP: ACN not on ground in Abia •We want good governance, says party From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

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•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi flanked by Francis Cardinal Arinze (right) and the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja at the funeral mass for Bishop Emmanuel Otteh, the former Bishop of Issele-Ukwu, at St Paul’s Catholic Cathedral, Issele Ukwu...yesterday.

Policeman allegedly beats up govt workers

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HREE members of the task force engaged by the Enugu State Ministry of Transport to apprehend traffic light offenders in the city were allegedly beaten up and arrested yesterday by a police officer attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) in Enugu.

They are Mr. Chukwaemelie Nwobodo, Mr. Odoabuchi Daniel Mr. Nnamani Kenneth.

In a statement, the minis-

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From Chris Oji, Enugu

try said the victims were trying to interdict the police officer for violating the traffic light rule on Onitsha Road, when he came out of his car and beat them up with sticks.

It said: “When Nwobodo stopped the police officer, who was in mufti and was driving a Toyota Saloon, marked CK 176 ENU, the man alighted from the vehicle with his service pistol in one hand and a stick in an-

other.

“He pounced on Nwobodo and inflicted injuries on his hands and legs. He handcuffed him and dragged him to the SARS office in Enugu.

“Daniel and Kenneth, who tried to intervene, were also beaten up and injured by the police officer.”

The SARS Commander in Enugu, Mr. Uche Obiozo, said nothing of such happened.

He said: “I am in the office now. If there was such a case,

PDP’ll take-over Southeast, says HE National ViceChairman (Southeast) National Vice-Chair

of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd.), has said the party has been repositioned to take over the zone in 2015.

Akobundu said this in his congratulatory message to the Imo State chapter of the party following its victory in last weekend’s House of Assembly by-election in Oguta Local Government Area.

He said the victory is an indication that PDP is still popular at the grassroots and thanked the electorate for voting for the party’s candi-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

date.

Akobundu debunked claims that many people boycotted the election because it was conducted only in four of the 11 communities.

He described the election as “an accurate reflection” of the people’s will.

Akobundu said: “The lesson of this victory is that PDP is the party to beat. Not just in Imo, but the entire Southeast. Our agenda to win the five states in the zone is on

course. Imo is a solid PDP state and the people have once again confirmed their strong faith in our party.”

He said the party has enthroned internal democracy and urged aggrieved members to return.

Akobundu praised President Goodluck Jonathan and the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) for providing the atmosphere for credible polls.

He thanked security agencies for their contribution to the success of the election.

Why I banned preaching on state radio, by Elechi From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

•Elechi

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BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi yesterday said his administration stopped the broadcast of religious programmes on state-owned radio and television stations for security reasons.

Elechi said the security situation in the country does not encourage giving any religion media dominance.

He spoke in his office in Abakaliki, the state capital,

while receiving the management of Radio Nigeria, Unity FM 101.5, Abakaliki, led by the General Manager, Mrs. Miriam Menkiti.

The governor said: “The fragile nature of Nigeria allows all forms of religion to co-exist, but does not allow one to dominate others.

“Some preachers have abused the opportunity of preaching on the radio and the government’s decision is in the interest of the state.”

He said the decision is not binding on Unity FM because he does not have such authority.

Elechi said abroad, certain stations are devoted to religion and anyone interested in listening to sermons would tune to then.

He said he would look into

‘Some preachers have abused the opportunity of preaching on the radio and the government’s decision is in the interest of the state’ Unity FM’s request for a bus and 100KVA generator.

Mrs. Menkiti thanked the state government for providing a conducive working environment for the station.

She said the station’s new office in Abakaliki would be inaugurated soon by the Secretary to the State Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

I would be aware of it. I have made enquiries from my men and none is aware of such incident. How can one man handcuff three men at a time and march them to the office without the knowledge of any member of the squad?”

Commissioner for Transport Chukwuka Utazi said the attack on members of the task force by policemen and soldiers is jeopardising its operation and urged the state government to intervene.

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has said the Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN’s) plan to take over the state in 2015 is a “tall dream”.

The PDP was reacting to a statement, in which the ACN said it would take over the state.

Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia, PDP State Chairman Senator Emma Nwaka said: “ACN does not exist in Abia, considering the fact that the party addressed reporters at a hotel, instead of a party office. ACN does not even have a state executive here. It is planning to conduct its state and local government congresses at the end of this month.

“Bad mouthing the political party in power is the trade mark of failed politicians. Taking over a state being controlled by another party is not done through boasting.

“They have a lot of work to do, such as going to the people at the grassroots. But as I speak to you, ACN does not have an office in any council area; they only exist on the pages of newspapers.”

Nwaka said Abia, under Governor Theodore Orji’s leadership, had been applauded by the National Assembly as the most prudent state in the country.

Reacting to the PDP’s statement, state ACN leader Prince Paul Ikonne said unless the PDP government sits up, his party would take over the state in 2015.

Ikonne said: “We are concerned that the PDP has not been able to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. All we want is for the state to develop, like neighbouring states, or else, we will take over.”

‘Ndigbo have lost their identity’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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PROFESSOR of Accounting at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Anambra State, Benjamin Osisioma, yesterday said Ndigbo have lost their identity.

Speaking with The Nation in Awka, Osisioma said: “Today, Igboland has become the home of counterfeit drugs and narcotics. The Niger Bridge Head has become the selling point for poisonous lotions disguised as medication for children, chalky substances presented in capsule form and contaminated water packaged as injection fluid.

“We have a finger in every crime in the land, whether it is drug peddling, money laundering, 419 scam or robbery. We have fought hard to maintain infamous representation and federal character in the moral depravity and turpitude in the land.

“We seek short-cuts to fame and fortune, and fraudulent credentials to flaunt before our impoverished friends and neighbours.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15 , 2012

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NEWS Holiday classes: Belgore seeks apology from Kwara

Lawmaker raises alarm over plot to cause mayhem in Jos T A

LAWMAKER representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Bitrus Kaze, has raised the alarm over a plot by some residents of Plateau State to cause mayhem.

He spoke yesterday after a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Berom and Hausa/Fulani communities.

It was convened to find a solution to the crises in the state.

The Hausa/Fulani community through their spokesman, Salisu Nakande, said they were not comfortable with any other recommendation except the outcome of the Solomon Lar Advisory Committee and the General Abisoye Panel Report, which they claimed were relevant.

Kaze said it was absurd to argue that a matter that was settled by courts of competent jurisdiction could be said to

From Marie-therese Nanlong, Jos

have lost contemporary relevance.

His words: “In 2010, a Federal High Court in Jos determined that only the Plateau State Government, to the exclusion of the Federal Government, had the constitutional power to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the crises in Plateau State and this judgment was upheld by the Court of Appeal.

“During the military era, it was Col. Mohammed Mana then the Military Administrator of Plateau State that constituted the Justice Aribiton Fiberisima Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Jos crisis of 1994, not Gen. Ibrahim Babangida the Military President.

“As far as the rule of law is

concerned, there can be no questioning the fact that government at all levels is bound to implement the Reports/ White Papers of the Justices Fiberisima, Niki Tobi and Bola Ajibola judicial commissions of inquiry into the Jos crises of 1994, 2001 and 2008.”

He said it is unfortunate for those canvassing a view in favour of the Federal Government, because according to him, there is no implementable report on the Jos crises given to the Federal Government.

The lawmaker went on: “Shortly after the Gen. Emmanuel Abisoye panel began sitting in Jos, there was an outbreak of crisis, which made it abandon its work. Gen Abisoye never showed up in Jos, his panel never concluded sitting and could not have produced any report.

“Besides the fact that the Solomon Lar panel was only advisory and therefore a toothless bulldog that could not indict anyone, the constitution of the panel was flawed as certain members, such as Alhaji Salisu Nakande and Alhaji Sale Bayeri (who was described by the Justice Niki Tobi report as a “man not fit for any decent society”), had been indicted by the judicial panels of inquiry into the Jos crises. Contrary to the universal principles of natural justice, they became judges in their own cases.

“The judicial commissions of inquiry into the Jos crises have indicted the Jasawa community (the alter ego of the Jos-based Hausa/Fulani) and its allies for instigating and causing mayhem in Jos. Little wonder they don’t want the reports implemented”

HE governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kwara State in the 2011 elections, Mohammed Dele Belgore, has said the government ought to apologise to thousands of potential beneficiaries of his truncated free holiday coaching, rather than give “lame and contradictory excuses.”

Belgore, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), insisted that permission was sought and obtained from the head teachers before the scheme began, contrary to what he called “contradictory and laughable excuses by the government.”

The government last week ordered government-owned schools to disallow in their premises, the free holiday classes sponsored by Belgore on the grounds that he did not secure permission to use the facilities.

But a statement by Belgore’s media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, alleged that government lied and was only giving face-saving and contradictory excuses.

He said the programme would continue at private facilities if government disallowed the use of public-owned facilities.

The statement reads: “We cannot but laugh at the puerile excuses the Kwara State Government is giving for stopping an effort geared towards improving the educational standard of our youths.

“Rather than apologise to the people of Kwara for such

shameful conduct, the government has continued to give lame, yet fallacious and contradictory excuses that we did not comply with the laiddown rules, which incidentally and laughably too were just concocted after the incident to justify the shameful behaviour.

“While the governor’s spokesman Muhyideen Akorede said we ought to pass through the Ministry of Education and not the head teachers, the Ministry of Education said anybody willing to use schools should apply through the head teachers. For the record, we wrote to the head teachers of the schools and got their approval to use the facilities. Permissions were sought and received.

“The action of the government contradicts the universal human rights that make dissemination of useful knowledge a fundamental right of human beings. It is a shame that Kwara State Government, which has failed over the years to equip the people with sound education, is bent on frustrating citizens who see education as the only true empowerment and are working in that direction.

“This government is committing a grave error if it thinks that this action will deter us from reaching out to every Kwaran, irrespective of political affiliations, who desires assistance in the area of human capital development.”

Fake lawyer arrested in Bauchi

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•From left: Team Leader, Education USAID Nigeria, Dr. Jill Jupiter Jones, Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and Senior Specialist, Global Partnership for Education, Renu Jain, during a Global Partnership for Education and Civil Organisation meeting in Abuja...yesterday.

Police arrest bank workers for N2.8m fraud

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HREE employees of Stanbic IBTC Bank have been arrested by the Kano State Police Command for allegedly defrauding the bank of N27.8 million.

The suspects, Mark Ojobi Onum, Mrs. Mauren Obi and Idris Usman reportedly conspired and paid Abdulkadir Shehu and Samuel Matthew, both at large, N16 million and N11.8 million without authorisation.

A source said on July 25, the general manager of the bank during a routine check discovered that N27.8 million was missing from the custody of the two suspects.

The source said moments after the arrest and interrogation of the suspects by the po-

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•Man stabbed to death over N50 From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

lice, they confessed to the crime, adding that efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover the money.

The police have also arrested Emmanuel Ibietan, 25, Damian Tochukwu, 23, Endurance Ikede, 24 and Jibrin Wazrai, 40. They are employees of a new generation bank and are accused of defrauding two customers who deposited N1 million and N376, 000,00. The bank management discovered that the money was not credited into their account.

Mr. Ibrahim Musa, 20, of

Gyadi-Gyadi Quarters, Kano has been accused of stabbing Yakubu Mohammed, 21, over N50.

The incident followed a quarrel over a N50 debt. Musa was said to have stabbed Mohammed in the shoulder with a screwdriver, resulting in his death.

Police Commissioner Idris Ibrahim told reporters in Kano yesterday that the command impounded 963 high calibre Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and two suicide prime car bombs between January and August. He added that the explosives were defused.

Ibrahim, who decried the

Funeral for council employee

LDER Isaac Opeyemi Ogunmodede, an employee of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, who died on August 9 during a protracted illness, will be buried on Friday.

According to a statement by the family, the funeral slated for his home in Magboro, Ogun State, will be preceded by a Christian

wake on Thursday at 2, Olayemi Adegoke Street, off Miracle Avenue, Magboro.

The statement signed by Mr. Bunmi Ogunmodede, said an outing service is scheduled for the Magboro Assembly of The Apostolic Church, opposite Eleja, on Magboro Road, immediately after the interment.

•The late Ogunmodede

high rate of rape in the state, said Yusuf Isa, 39 and Al-Hassan Uba, 35, abducted a 10year-old girl, lured her into a bush and defiled her.

He said Lurwanu Panda, 45, of Sharada Quarters, Kano lured a 13-year-old girl, who was hawking lettuce, into a house and defiled her.

According to the police commissioner, the command on August 1 arrested Abubakar Garba for being in possession of one brownie pistol, prohibited firearms and 10 rounds of live ammunition.

After investigation, Matthew Oshogbemu, Dominic Orji and Umaru Nassarawa were arrested for being in possession of two pistols, 11 pump action rifles, one air pistol, nine double barrel rifles, 176 cartridges and expired firearm licences.

Ibrahim, who said the police recovered over 13 stolen vehicles, added that four suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery. He said one AK 47 rifle with 45 rounds of live ammunition and two magazines were recovered in a bush in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters following a tip-off by concerned citizens.

25-year-old man, Ibrahim Aminu, who has been parading himself as a lawyer and a worker with the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has been arrested by men of the State Security Service (SSS), Bauchi State Command.

Aminu, who was arrested following a tip-off, allegedly defrauded two men of N193,000 after parading himself as a member of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Gombe branch.

The Assistant Director of the SSS Command, Bauchi, Mr. Olu Justin, while parading the suspect before reporters yesterday, said 83 passports, forged stamp of Providence Chamber, Dutse, Jigawa State, and University of Maiduguri identity card were found on him.

He said the suspect paraded himself as a worker of the NIA and collected money from unsuspecting people on the pretext of helping them to get a

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

job. But he bolted.

Justin said the suspect would soon be handed over to the police. He warned the public to be wary of fraudulent people.

Ibrahim, who said he is married and has a daughter, added that his wife is due to be delivered of his second child.

He said he regretted his actions, claiming that he was pushed into defrauding people because of hardship.

Ibrahim, who spoke impeccable English, claimed to be a student of the University of Maiduguri, but dropped out as a result of financial problems. He said he is studying Law at the College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Misau.

The suspect, who said he was ready to plead guilty to all the charges, added that the forged stamp of Providence Chamber, Dutse belonged to a friend who left it in his home.

Boko Haram: JTF sensitises Damaturu residents

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EMBERS of the Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday held a sensitisation campaign in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

It was held amid tight security. JTF members marched on major roads in the metropolis.

They called on the people to understand the need to “expose those behind the heinous attacks”, which according to them have lasted too long.

Pamphlets and other enlightenment materials were distributed during the road show.

Briefing reporters before the campaign, Commander Mohammed Wabi of the Defence Headquarters said the security of lives and properties of the citizenry is the responsibility of all. He urged the people to

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

give useful information that will aid the arrest of Boko Haram members.

He said the JTF would soon assist the Damaturu community with potable water, free medical services and free books to pupils to complement government’s efforts.

“Those killing people under the guise of fighting for God should rest assured that they would not inherit the kingdom of God. They need to desist from such act and ask for forgiveness,” Wabi said.

Yobe State Commander of the JTF, Lt-Col. Abu Oba, urged the Damaturu residents not to flee as security forces would continue to work to ensure their safety.

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NEWS Dangote set to reduce price of cement

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O assuage the growing concern over the perceived high cost of cement in the country, leading manufacturer of the product, Dangote Cement Plc has commenced a systematic liberalisation of the product distribution .

The Company said it has successful doubled local production with new capacity still ramping up.

The managemnet said at the weekend that it was increasing the distribution outlets by opening more mega depots and signing on new dsitributors so that the consumers can reap the benefit of the increased local production.

There have been concerns over the price of cement even with continuous efforts at increasing production, which has led to a successful local production beyond the national consumption demand .

Dangote Cement, which accounts for over 70 per cent of the local production, has continued to invest more in local production by expanding its production lines and establishing new plants to ensure the nation produces enough for home consumption and have surplus for export to other countries.

The management of Dangote Cement believes that only a liberalised distribution system can make increased local production translate to cheaper cement and bring meaning to the huge investments in local production.

With more investments by the sector’s players, local

production has risen to about 27 million metric tons per annum high and above the national demand hovering between 17 and 18 million metric tons per annum.

Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Devakumar Edwin said the cement company decided to review its distribution network system to ensure the availability of the product by creating wider access for its customers. He noted that the move would ensure not only the stability of price, but also guarantee availability at the most reasonable price.

Edwin said the company has acquired 5000 trucks to boost its logistics and pave the way for even distribution of the product across the nation, noting that “having solved the problem of logistics, the next phase is to ensure a wider distribution depot and register more dealers and bring the product closer to the customers.

“What we are doing now is

to liberalise the distribution network by increasing our depots and registering more credible distributors. All we require is the Certificate of company registration, two passport photographs and letter of intent. There is also opportunity for individuals to buy direct.

“Henceforth, we are guaranteeing 48 hours registration with a minimum purchase of one trailer load that is 600 bags monthly. In fact no deposit is required. And customers can collect from any of our plants”, Edwin stated.

According to him, individuals, corporate organisations and institutional buyers seeking to buy Dangote cement in bulk could just walk into any of the company’s depots or offices nationwide.

He added that the company has begun a campaign aimed at sensitising the people to this development. “In the long run, we hope that this effort will not only make

Two suicide bombers die as mission turns bloody Continued from Page 6

•Alhaji Dangote

cement available in every nooks and cranny of Nigeria but will reduce the price and make the price stable.”

“Our investments at Ibese and Obajana have helped Dangote Cement double shipments of locally produced cement that will help Nigeria towards self-sufficiency. The ramp-up of our new capacity is progressing steadily and we are increasing our distribution network to extend our reach in the market”, Edwin said.

ANPP blames Olympics failure on govt

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HE All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) yesterday said corruption and mismanagement are the major reason why Nigeria failed at the just concluded 2012 London Olympics.

ANPP advised the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government to probe the corruption in the sports sector and save the country the national shame in the future.

Government, the opposition party said should carry out a sincere investigation into why the huge amount of

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

N1.9billion was late in being disbursed to the Team Nigeria, as alleged by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Former Nigerian sports champions, ANPP said should be summoned to a roundtable to discuss what went wrong and suggest how best to move our beloved nation forward adding that allegations of fraud, favoritism and foul play by the nations’ sports officials before and during the Olympics should

be properly probed with a view to punishing culprits.

A statement issued in Abuja by National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Emma Eneukwu said: “The Nigerian delegation to the London Olympics failed the nation when they came back without even a bronze medal as a prize. It is a fact that the Olympics is about marketing culture through sports and showing the world that one’s country is modern and has an unbridled aspiration to greatness...”

Retired IGs kick against scrapping of Police Ministry Continued from Page 6

funded by the three-tiers of government.”

The committee said: “The Ministry of Police Affairs has no particular assigned role in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, being neither in charge of Police administration, which is assigned to the Police Council, nor in charge of operations which is assigned to the Inspector-General of Police nor in charge of appointment, discipline and promotion, which is assigned to the Police Service Commission.

“Notwithstanding, the budgeted fund of the Police is un-

justifiably domicilled with the Ministry of Police Affairs”.

The committee also condemned a situation where the ministry determines police projects and awards its contracts, including organising and, running training programmes involving billions of naira with no input from the Police who are the end users.

“The result is that some of the projects being executed are not priorities to the Police.

This is an aberration, which has led to abuse, misapplication and haemorrhage of the limited resources made available to the police”.

“We are saying the placement or super-imposition of the Ministry of Police Affairs is anomalous, the ministry has no legal standing there. So, they have constituted a drainage, a sippage, haemorrhage of our limited funds.

The committee also pointed out the disparity in remuneration of policemen compared to the officers of sister organisations carved out of the Police.

“For instance, while the Inspector-General of Police earns N711,498 per month, the Director-General, State Security Service earns N 1.336 million per month and the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

earns N1.5 million per month.

“This disparity in salary does not reflect the higher responsibility attached to the Office of the Inspector-General of Police”.

Osayande spoke on the need for continuous training as a way of repositioning the force, saying: “Rather than only basic training, there should be continuous training to ensure professionalism; in patrol, crime detection, administration and training.

“There must be continued training and then school of intelligence and all that. It was not there for many years since 1861 when the police was established.”

sect which is behind the state of bombings and killings in the North, it was learnt yesterday.

An earlier attempt of third party talks between the sect and the government, which was brokered by National President of the Supreme Council for Sharia’ah in Nigeria, Dr. Datti Ahmad, broke down as soon as it started.

Ahmad claims that the talks, which were meant to be secret, were exposed to the media by government officials.

President Goodluck Jonathan has consistently called on the group to give a face not to remain faceless but to come forward to put its grievances on the table.

Yesterday, a purported spokesman for the group said it had begun talks with the government to end violence in the North.

In a statement obtained by Voice of America (VOA), Habu Mohammed, who claims to be a deputy to Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, said the group decided to initiate the peace moves in response to public appeals for peace in the country. The statement, VOA said, was given to it in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

It did not provide additional details.

The Islamic militant group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks, including church bombings and the bombing of a United Nations building and the police headquarters in Abuja. The group has also threatened media organisations.

It could not be confirmed yesterday who Mohammed is as he had neither spoken on behalf of the group nor is-

sued a statement.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo was in Mecca to observe the lesser Hajj where the Boko Haram statement was reportedly made available to VOA. But the statement’s at variance with the position expressed by Shekau in a You tube post last month in which he foreclosed further dialogue with the government.

Thereafter, there was the attack on a Deeper Christian Life Church in Okene in which 20 worshippers were shot dead during a Bible Study class. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for shooting.

No government official was willing to comment on the talks yesterday.

But a source said National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki had opened talks with Boko Haram leaders as a way of finding solutions to the insecurity in the country.

Details are under wraps, however.

A source said the talks started a few weeks ago but nobody was ready to say where the two parties met.

The source said: “The NSA has met with Boko Haram leaders, but you cannot have the details now. These sessions were meant to appease the leaders of the sect and give insight into their grievances.

“All I can tell you is that the signs so far are positive. We are hopeful that the two parties can come to the roundtable for dialogue.”

Asked who the NSA had talks with, the source said: “I won’t mention any name but they are leaders of the sect. It is when the whole issue is finally resolved that we can tell you how the peace deal was sealed.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15 , 2012

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NEWS

•Pastor Kumuyi and wife, Esther Blaize

•Awoniyi

Deeper Life shooting: Kumuyi says attack is call to service

•A baby suvivor with mum

•Visits survivors, bereaved families in Kogi

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WO brief services, condolence visits and a courtesy call on the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Yomi Awoniyi, were the highlights of Pastor Williams Kumuyi’s on the-spot-assessment trip to the Confluence State.

The pastor who is the General Superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, flew into Kogi in an helicopter at about 10am, urged the government to do more to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the people.

Pastor Kumuyi’s mission was to commiserate with residents, especially the bereaved and wounded members of his church in the state.

They were attacked by suspected hoodlums while holding a Bible study class in Okene, in Okene Local Government Area.

The fundamentalist sect –Boko Haram later claimed responsibility for the unprovoked attack which claimed about 20 lives.

A Kogi politician and some suspects arrested in Edo State are being quizzed by security operatives.

Pastor Kumuyi, who was at the state deputy governor’s office shortly after he led a church service in Lokoja, the state capital, thanked the

From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

government for the concern shown the survivors and family members of the victims.

He said: “I appreciate the government’s gesture in accepting to defray the cost of treatment.

“The killing of these faithful members of Deeper Life Bible Church, who were worshipping and reflecting on the Bible study message, has added a critical dimension to the security challenges confronting the nation currently.

“As a church, we are mindful of the assault of the forces of darkness against the nation and the Body of Christ.”

The cleric also appreciated the quick intervention of security agencies.

Kumuyi said: “We appreciate the efforts of the nation’s security agencies and the supreme sacrifice their personnel are paying to stem the tide of terrorism in Nigeria.

“We urge the government to take more decisive and proactive measure to protect the lives of defenceless and innocent Nigerians against the menace.

“It is indeed worrisome that Kogi

that had been very peaceful is being dragged into the fold of terrorstricken states.”

Responding the deputy governor assured the cleric and the people that the government has made remarkable achievement in arresting some suspects.

Awoniyi said: “Anyone found wanton in that devilish act will face the wrath of the law irrespective of his or her position in the state and the country in general.”

According to him, the genocide was never religious it wa politically motivated.

Pastor Kumuyi, who wore a ‘moody look’, went round the hospitals in Okene to commiserate with the survivors.

Members of his entourage were also moody when they visited the attacked parish of Church in Okene.

A pastor, who could not hold his emotion, broke into tears upon sighting blood stains of their members.

At another service at the Okene regional headquarters of the church, Pastor Kumuyi urged Christians not to be deterred in their service unto God. He promised that the church

•Kumuyi empathising with another survivor

would stage one his crusades at Okene to lighten up the heavy hearts, even as he offered special prayers for the deceased and the injured.

He remarked that the attack on the church has spurred Christians to propagate the word of God, add-

ing that the church will continue to pray and preach the gospel of truth, which he identified as the only weapon against terrorism in the country.

“Though the deed is done, I urge us all to forge ahead as the victims did not die in vain”, he said.

Suspect held in assault on journalist

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HE man who initiated the assault on a photo journalist with the Leadership newspaper Mr. Benedict Uwalaka last Thursday has been arrested by the police. He showed up at a Lagos police station yesterday after the police launched a search for him.

He has been identified as Debayo Ogunshola, son of the owner of Lekan Ogunshola Memorial Morgue; concessionaire to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) morgue, Mrs. Taiwo Ogunsola. Debayo, alongside six others are being interogated at the Area ‘F’ Police Station.

LASUTH has invited Uwalaka to an investigative panel inaugurated to look into his maltreatment by workers of the morgue. According to a letter made available to Leadership, the panel will hold its sitting at 11am on August 17 at the Head of Department of Psychiatry office.

Debayo turned himself in to men of the Area F police station, Ikeja at about 10am and was immediately ushered into the office of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the station, Mr. Alabi Abiodun where he reportedly wrote a statement explaining his role in the shameful acts.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

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TODAY IN THE NATION

‘What (Idris) Wada simply did by advertising his

bullet-proof vest is to send a wrong signal that Kogi State is almost becoming ungovernable.’

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.2,218

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

LITTLE over seven years ago this month, Nigeria exited from its huge Paris Club debt – about $30.5 billion, we were told, of which $18 billion was purportedly written off in return for an irrevocable commitment to pay over 12 billion within three months from October 2005. Following the exit, many a professional praise singer and even some otherwise seriousminded pundits hailed it as one of the greatest achievements - if not THE greatest - of any leader in the country’s history. Some apparently over-enthusiastic praise mongers even dubbed it Nigeria’s Second Independence, after the first on October 1, 1960.

President Olusegun Obasanjo, himself, set the high celebratory tone of the occasion several days ahead of the actual exit in the second week of July, 2005. “My dear fellow Nigerians,” he said in a special national broadcast on June 30, “It is with great joy that I address you today on one of the pillars of success of this administration. It is the debt relief already announced.”

In the broadcast he lamented how previous governments got the country in hock for so much, only for its officials to waste and steal the loans. “We came to believe in the Machiavellian philosophy of the end justifying the means,” he said. State governments, he added, “contracted loans with outrageous conditions and interest rates and failed to perform.”

Predictably, nowhere in his speech did he remember to mention the role he played as military head of state back in the late 70s in securing the first so-called jumbo loan which was really gratuitous – it was during the first oil boom when we were being told money was no object but how to spend it – and which was the very beginning of our sad debt saga.

Equally predictably, however, he praised himself for his heroic role in bringing the sad story to an end. “I,” he said, “can only say for those who doubted that we would ever get debt relief or those that felt that we were merely junketing around the world doing nothing, history and events have vindicated us.” He secured the relief, he said, by working hard to create a new leadership that broke with the past; a new leadership which rejected the past attitude of “business as usual.”

And then when finally the deal was done, he told a delegation of the Organised Private Sector, one of the myriads of visitors who trouped to Aso Villa to congratulate him, that Nigeria’s debt burden was gone for good. The exit, he said, has “removed the debt burden on Nigerians today and in the future.”

A few Nigerians, notably the late professor of Economics, Sam Aluko, had dismissed the debt’s size as dubious, to begin with. “My committee (the National Economic Intelligence Committee which he chaired),” he said

RIPPLES WE SHALL RETURN TO BAKASS– displaced indigenes

as ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS?

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Back in the debt trap

•Obasanjo

in an interview with The News (October 9, 2000), “produced evidence for General Sani Abacha, that out of the money borrowed

by Nigeria, at least $7 billion did not reach Nigeria. All we borrowed from 1979 to 1999 was about $27 billion. We paid $28 billion and we are still owing $29 billion. What type of arithmetic is that?”

Aluko then questioned our approach to settling the debt. He argued that if we could manage our resources well we could pay five billion dollars annually on the debt “and it would not affect our internal economic progress at all.”

Not surprisingly, doubts about the size of our debt and criticisms of the onerous terms of our exit – Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the American Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on Millennium Development Goals, described the creditors as “nasty and stingy” for extracting $12 billion from a country with an annual budget of three to four billion dollars - by the likes of Aluko

were studiously ignored by a president determined to achieve what he apparently believed was a historic first.

Barely seven years after that “feat,” it is now obvious that the president’s claim about our exit from the Paris Club removing the debt burden on Nigerians “today and in the future” was a classic case of hyperbole. For, as the recently rested Newswatch said in the cover story of its June 11 edition, we seem to be “Back in the Debt Trap.”

The country’s debt stock presently stands at $44 billion, 5.6 for external creditors, the rest (5.96 trillion in Naira) domestic, according to Newswatch, quoting Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Finance and Co-ordinating minister. Some experts, says the magazine, put the domestic debt even higher - about N9.1 trillion, if you include the bonds issued by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and the Debt Management Office (DMO) in April and March.

The external debt of $5.96 billion is without cognisance of the 7.9 billion requested by the President Goodluck Jonathan for the Senate’s approval, a request which will invariably be granted.

The country’s current debt stock, Newswatch said, grew by 153.75 per cent between December 2006 and March this year. But, says our internationally well regarded minister, this is nothing much to worry about. Large as the increase is, she says, it is only 17 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – a far cry from the ceiling of 30 per cent set by the government and even further away from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) 40 per cent benchmark.

The minister, on sabbatical from the World Bank where she is vice-president and whose presidency she lost to an American backed candidate in an essentially two-horse race only recently, has said she is more worried about the

HARDBALL

DELE AGEKAMEH

size of the domestic debt than the external’s.

She should be equally worried about both, if only because we were told the same story of “not to worry” (shigo, shigo, ba zurfi, as the Hausas would say) some 35 odd years ago when the country gratuitously took its first external jumbo loan which eventually landed us in the peculiar Paris Club debt mess, which cost us more than an arm to get out of.

The danger of complacency, however, is not the only reason to worry as much about the external debt as we do the domestic.

There is also the context of the minister’s spirited determination to create a Sovereign Wealth Fund of nearly $7.9 billion against all opposition from the governors. Then there is the factor of an Excess Crude Account that is said to target a minimum of $10 billion at any time. This is not to mention our external reserve which reportedly stands at about 36 billion presently.

Being a non-economist and someone who is not so sharp with his arithmetic, I am really baffled why we should have all these billion of dollars sitting in one foreign account or the other and still go borrowing much smaller sums to solve our problems, no matter how generous the terms of those loans look.

I am all for saving for rainy days but certainly not when, as in Nigeria’s case, it looks suspiciously like saving, not for our rainy days, but for those of our external creditors and their charmed small circle of local friends.

I do not mean to impugn the patriotism and integrity of our highly capable minister but we all know, don’t we, that the most important function of the World Bank which she works for and whose imprimatur is all over our economic and monetary policies, is political, not economic.

As Dr. Kevin Danaher, a co-founder of Global Exchange, a San Francisco based human rights organisation, said in his 2001 pamphlet, 10 REASONS TO ABOLISH THE IMF & WORLD BANK, these institutions create stronger allegiance and accountability between third world elites and those of the first than exist between third world elites and their people. By providing or guaranteeing large loans to third world countries these institutions shape the economic policies of the Third World more for the benefit of International Capital than for the benefit of the pauperized people of the Third World.

•For comments, send SMS to 08054502909

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

The problem with Delta’s slush fund

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T promises to be one of the most interesting legal cases to pass through Nigerian courts in many years. The government of Delta State has gone to court to claim ownership of the $15 million (N2.25 billion) alleged to have been offered by former Delta State governor, James Ibori, as bribe to influence Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Observers will recall that when the allegation first came to light, Ibori stridently denied he offered any bribe to Ribadu. There is still no legal proof he did, only circumstantial evidence apparently not strong enough to secure the former governor’s guilt. Ribadu, however, insisted an attempt was made to bribe him, and he had in his custody the alleged bribe money which he would coffer in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Somewhere along the line, the money of indeterminate origin had been ordered to be forfeited to the federal government following an application by the EFCC. Delta State is now seeking to contest this order.

This certainly is a tricky legal labyrinth to navigate. To start with, it should have been ethical for the EFCC and government to painstakingly determine the source of the money in order to remove all doubts. Surely, no money could have fallen upon anyone,

let alone upon an anti-corruption czar, from heaven. The days when manna rained from heaven are past. But rather than probe the source of the slush fund, the government and EFCC had sought to impound the money thereby opening themselves to a rebuttal from a chafing Ibori who wailed that a malevolent government wished to defame his character and tar him with the brush of corruption for political reasons. The former governor added that after calling a dog a bad name, his accusers then sought by legal sleight of hand to return the money to where it came from – the federal purse.

By going to court, Delta State apparently wants the federal government to put its money where its mouth is. The Delta logic is that if the incorruptible EFCC and federal government are sure the money came from Ibori, and Ibori is no longer governor, why should it be difficult for them to return the loot to the rightful owner?

However, to compound the problem for the state, it is unlikely Ibori, who is imprisoned in Britain for money laundering, will want to further dent what is left of his reputation by confessing to having offered Ribadu bribe. It is in fact sensible to imagine that he will watch with indifferent amusement which way the cats will jump. In effect, given the laboriousness of Nigeria’s legal framework, Delta State will be called upon to prove, sans witnesses, that the disputed money came from the state purse. They will prob-

ably be able to do so if they can manage to get the public to trust them, Nigerian-style, that since the money was not manna from heaven, and since it would be beneath the dignity of the EFCC and federal government to play mischief with Ibori’s image, then the money could only have come from Delta State as the EFCC first alleged.

But there is a better way of resolving this simple and open case. Let the courts think patriotically for once and ask the recipient, Mallam Ribadu, who gave him the money.

On oath, it seems, the eminent anti-corruption warrior will tell the truth and turn plaintiff witness to corroborate Delta State side of the controversy. After all, throughout the whole saga, he has emerged smelling of lavender more than anyone else, and it would further secure his reputation if the case were to close properly with the refund of the money to its right origins. If Switzerland could return stolen foreign money without being tempted to punish the real victims, why would the federal government want to keep money it alleged was stolen from a state?

To impound the money is to arm Ibori to plausibly argue sometime in the future that the alleged money came from the purse of the federal government in the first instance and that it had to be returned there for the books to balance.

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