The Nation August 17, 2011 by The Nation

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Boko Haram: Army arraigns General NEWS

Page 4

•Police place commands on the alert

No clue on Mikel Obi’s missing dad NEWS – Page 4

•Eagles’ star’s family laments http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 1855 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Day Kudirat was killed, by al-Mustapha’s witness Abiola wife’s ex-aide opens defence today

ORMER Security chief Hamza al-Mustapha ended his defence yesterday in his trial for alleged complicity in the murder of Kudirat, wife of the late Chief M. K. O Abiola. al-Mustapha’s former Orderly, Sergeant Kyari J. Gadzama (rtd), who testified as his second witness, agreed with the prosecution that the late Gen. Abacha’s son, Mohammed, met with al-Mustapha in his office and in his (Abacha’s) home. Besides, he spoke on the day Kudirat was killed. The court, on Monday, admitted in evidence the July 2002 judgment of the Supreme Court in which Mohammed is credited with a statement in which he admitted witnessing alMustapha handing a bag containing guns to Rogers during a visit to alMustapha’s office. Gadzama, who was led in evidence by the lead defence lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, and cross-examined by the prosecution lawyer, Lawal Pedro (SAN), denied being

By Eric Ikhilae, Judicial Correspondent

privy to deliberations at every meeting attended by alMustapha and discussions in his private office. He confirmed alMustapha’s claim that the former Chief of General Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya, former Communication Minister, Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju and the late Gen. Abdukareem Adisa were involved in the 1997 coup. al-Mustapha was the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Gen. Abacha, who ruled with a iron fist. His co-accused and ex-aide to the late Kudirat, Lateef Sofolahan, is expected to open his defence today. He is scheduled to mount the witness box at the resumption of proceedings before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere. Shortly before Gadzama began his testimony, Ojo complained about media coverage of the court’s proceedings and urged the court to ensure fairness in media reports. He accused the media of unfair reporting of proceedContinued on page 2

•Lawyers coming out of the NJC building in Abuja with the rejected court papers ... yesterday

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

NJC rebuffs service of Salami’s court papers

OURT of Appeal President Justice Isa Ayo Salami’s court process could not be served on the National Judiciary Council (NJC) yesterday. It was the second attempt to serve the NJC; a bid was made on Monday. No official was ready to accept service in the suit filed by Justice Salami against the Council, Chief Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and nine others.

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

The others are the Deputy Chairman of NJC, Justice Dahiru Musdapher; members of the NJC’s Fact-Finding Committee – Justice Umaru Abdullahi; Justice Emmanuel Ayoola; Justice Dominic Edozie; Justice Michael Akpiroroh and Mrs. Rakia Sarki Ibrahim. Also sued are members of the NJC ReContinued on page 2

INSIDE

•Musdapher to succeed Katsina-Alu as CJN -P3

•Auta report didn’t ask Salami to apologise - P54

Vatsa’s execution my most trying time, says IBB SEE PAGE 2

•Gen. Babangida

Vatsa’s family: it’s rubbish Obasanjo chided on $16b power spending

•POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •LIFE P29 •MONEY P43 •INVESTORS P45

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS

Day Kudirat was killed, by al-Mustapha’s witness Continued from page 1

•President Goodluck Jonathan with President of Botswana, Serete Khama Ian Khama during his visit to Nigeria ... yesterday. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

ings, adding: “All that I am praying for is that the court should direct that there should be a fair reporting of proceedings.” He referred to a report in Thisday where he was credited with attempt to prevent further media coverage of the proceedings. He also brought to court copies of the National Mirror and The Nation newspapers of last Friday. Pedro urged the defence not to be bothered by media reports. He urged the court to leave the media alone since

NJC rebuffs service of Salami’s court papers Continued from page 1

view Committee -Hon. Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta; Hon. Justice Kate Abiri; and Hon. Justice Peter Umeadi. In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Salami, through his counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), is pleading 15 reliefs, including a perpetual injunction restraining the NJC from acting on the reports of the Justice Umaru Abdullahi Fact-Finding Committee and the Justice Ibrahim Auta Review Panel. He said the two panels have no right to determine whether he was guilty of perjury as they had imputed in their reports. Abdullahi and Auta committees are administrative panels that could not assume the status of a court, Justice Salami said.

Besides, he alleged that the Auta Panel never gave him a right to fair hearing before making a pronouncement of guilt on him. An official, who initially agreed to accept to take the process to the NJC Secretary, Halilu Danladi, for acknowledgment, backpedaled after going in the second time. Apparently unaware of the content of the process, he had offered to take it to the secretary’s office for acceptance after telling the lawyers in clear terms that they would not be allowed to go in. Although the lawyers went in with three copies of the court process, the official also offered to accept copies for other members of the NJC, who are jointly sued. But, as soon as the lawyers went to bring more copies, the official went inside again to ostensably brief his boss.

To the surprise of all, he bluntly refused to accept the process. The following conversation took place between him and the lawyers. Official: My ogas are not around. I cannot collect any of them without permission. If you leave them, you are on your own! Lawyers: But you agreed to collect them before. Okay, who did you go to meet inside? Official: I went to consult my oga. Lawyers: Who among them? Official: All of them Lawyers: So, why are you now refusing to collect them now? Official: He is not on sit now. Initially, I wanted to collect on my own. Initially, you brought three volumes but now it is becoming 11.

Lawyers: Is it about the number? We can reduce it. Official: No; it is not possible again. Lawyers: Then, allow us access to the office Official: No. Nobody is there. Lawyers: But a principal officer will be there. We are just serving; it is not a must we serve it on the secretary; somebody must be in that office. Official: You have no right to go and search anybody Lawyers: Do you know that the implication of what you are doing is that you are blocking service? Official: I don’t know about that. I don’t know anything about law. All I know is that the people to collect it are not around; whether it is against the law I don’t Continued on page 61

media reports do not form part of record of proceedings, which will guide the court in reaching its decision. Justice Dada told Ojo that she was not bothered by media reports of proceedings. She turned down Ojo’s request, saying it was impossible for her to restrain the media. “Is that part of the record of the court? They are extraneous to the court. Are you expecting me to now shut all the media houses? You know I cannot do that. I am not bothered by that,” she said, citing a case where she was misquoted and wrongly referred to as Morenike. Gadzama told the court that he undertook Body Guard and Strike Force trainings. He said in that capacity, he kept logs of visitors to alMustapha’s office, his engagements and meetings. The witness, who said he retired from the Army voluntarily, after series of frustrating occurrences, admitted knowing Sergeant Barnabas Jabila (Rogers), with whom he attended the trainings. He said there was no exception to the routine as it relates to visitors, stressing that every visitor to al-Mustapha’s office, despite his/her status, was subjected to both manual and electronic recordings. Gadzama told the court that he was not aware of Kudirat’s murder, until the evening of the day the incident occurred (June 4, 1996) when it was reported in the media. He claimed to have seen Rogers (who in his earlier evidence before the court,

admitted shooting Kudirat) within the Presidential Villa the day Kudirat was murdered. Ojo: Cast your mind back to the 4th of June 1996. Where were you? Gadzama: I was in the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja. Ojo: Doing what? Gadzama: I reported for duty during the day, between 9 and 10 am. Ojo: Do you know the person called Sergeant Barnabas Jabila (Rogers)? Gadzama: Yes sir, I know him, he was my course mate in the Strike Force. Ojo: Where was he on the 4th of June 1996? Gadzama: We were together at the armoury at the Strike Force headquarters, Aguda House, inside the Presidential Villa. There is an armoury there where every member of the Strike Force signs in arms at the resumption of work and signs out at the close of work each day. He said every member was required to sign out his arms at the close of work because no one was allowed to take his arms home. Gadzama, who said he encountered Rogers at the armoury by 10 am, added that though there were many people there, he could also remember one Garba Alumu. He said as of when Kudirat was killed, Rogers was a Team Leader, whose duties included receiving instructions from the Sergeant Major or Staff Sergeant for Continued on page 61

Vatsa’s execution my most trying time, says Babangida

ORMER military President Ibrahim Babangida yesterday chided ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration for spending $16 billion on power and failing to generate electricity. He also reflected on his eight-year tenure as military leader, saying the most traumatising moment was the execution of Major-Gen. Mamman Jiya Vatsa after being found guilty of involvement in a failed coup in 1986. Gen. Babangida spoke to reporters in Minna yesterday as part of activities marking his birthday. He will be 70 today. Speaking on the poor state of power and its attendant effect on the economy, Gen. Babangida said: “All have failed.” He said he learnt that the Obasanjo government spent $16 billion on power projects which failed because the government lacked “foresight.” “If I had $16 billion, I would not only have provided adequate power, I would have given this country a nuclear power plant; not for the purpose of wagging war, but to provide electricity power for the people.” “$16 billion is a lot of money. There was no foresight during that administration to spend that much money on an issue that was not achievable. In administration these days, there is no foresight or imagination. Ev-

IBB’s day of reckoning will come, says Vatsa’s family

MEMBER of the Vatsa family likened Babangida’s statement to shedding “crocodile tears” “an after thought”. Mr. Jonathan Vatsa,a nephew to the late Gen. Vatsa, added that Babangida’s statement is a cock and bull story. He advised him to stop playing on people’s sensibility. Vatsa said the family was not surpised that Babangida used the occasion of his 70th birthday to retract his earlier acceptance of all his actions during his dictatorial rule, including the execution of Vatsa who was his Best Man, during his wedding. “How come it is now that he is admitting that the decision to kill his selfFrom Jide Orintunsin, Minna

eryone wants to implement his own policies instead of building on what has been done,” Gen. Babangida said. The former military President said during his administration, a barrel of crude oil was sold for $10 while a barrel sells for over $120 today. Gen. Babangida, who was accused by Nigerians of frittering away $12 billion 1992 Gulf oil windfall, which he has not satisfactorily explained, said: “During my years as President, I managed poverty to achieve commendable results, but these days, people manage affluence to achieve poverty. I regret the fact that the price of crude oil was low during my adminis-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

admitted friend was the most traumatising moment, when in the past he told the world he had no regret for all his actions. “Let him stop playing God. Let him go and search his heart and beg for forgiveness from all innocent souls he took. He is now 70, let him know that the judgement day for him is nearer than before,” Vatsa advised the former military leader. He said the family wondered why it took Babangida 25 years to realise that the late Vatsa was “a friend and brother”. According to him, “when Babangida ordered the execution of

tration. I wished I was there when it was $120. Nigeria would have seen wonders. “ He urged the Federal Government to get the people at the barest level of governance involved while the local governments should be given autonomy to operate as they are closer to the people. He said involving individuals at various levels will cut down bureaucracy and corruption. Gen. Babangida’s regime was accused of introducing the “settlement syndrome”, thereby encouraging corruption. It also organised a longwinding transition programme which started in 1988 with a political debate and culminated in the June 12, 1993 presidential election, won by the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola. The elec-

Mamman then, it never occured to him that, they were friends with strong family ties. IBB should stop playing people.” On the claim that the 1976 decree tied the hands of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), in approving the death sentence of the former minister, Vatsa said, “whether it is military law or not, a day of reckoning will soon catch up with Babangida. Let him prepare and reconcile with those he has injured, the families he threw into everlasting mourning. “For us in Vatsa’s family, we cannot be cajoled by his cock and bull traumatising excuse. Mamman (Vatsa) is dead, let all living mortals expect to taste death too,” Vatsa said.

tion, adjudged free and fair by local and international observers, was annulled by Gen. Babangida for no reason. Yesterday, he described the execution of Vatsa as “traumatising.” “The execution of Vatsa was the most traumatising decision I have ever been confronted with in my life because we were not only friends, but you can confidently refer to us as members of the same family because our families were not only close, but our extended families were.” He added: “I pray never to find myself in such a situation. It was the most traumatising decision of my life.” Recalling his relationship

with the late Vatsa, whom he described as a brother, he said: “We came in contact as far back as 1959 when we went to Government College, Bida together. We joined the Nigerian Army together, went to India together, our families were together, but we had to take that hard decision, which has remained the most traumatising moment of my life.” Gen. Babangida said he found himself in a state of dilemma, because the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) had to take a decision based on the existing decree of 1976, which prescribed capital punishment for coup plotting. The former military leader said: “I was in a fix when that incident happened. Many

meaningful Nigerians approached me to spare Vatsa’s life, but the decree promulgated death sentence without provision for an appeal. If I should delay the execution of the judgment to buy time to amend the decree, that would have created trouble for the government and for me. So we had to keep to the decree.” He said the lacuna in the decree made the highest military ruling council to amend it by ensuring that anybody found guilty of a similar offence would have the opportunity to appeal the decision before the AFRC. On the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Gen. Babangida said: “As a tenet of the military profession, I take responsibility for any action taken under my leadership. I cannot delegate responsibility, but only authority and I have no regret for my action, because it was in line with military tenets.” He ruled out contesting for President again, having withdrawn from the race as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant before the 2007 and 2011 elections. “I have said it over and over again that I am not for any elective office again. I am 70 years now. At 74 (in 2015) do you expect me to be going about seeking for votes? No, no. I will stay here and they will come and meet me here in Minna for advice,” Gen. Babangida said.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2011

NEWS PUBLIC TRIBUNAL ON TORTURE

‘The body was indeed that of my brother’ •Brother of SSSCE candidate killed at check point over ‘toll’ speaks To him, his younger brother was somewhere in Nasarawa writing the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSCE) examination on May 5, 2002. Then he got a call that he had been killed at a check-point by a policeman, reports TONY COLLINS

OR the second time in a week, the public tribunal on torture and its audience were astounded at the revelations on how some policemen abandoned their roles as law enforcers to become law abusers. The panel had been stunned last Thursday by the testimony of a woman who was violated by policemen, who left her husband to die after torturing him. Another petitioner at the weekend told the panel how his younger brother was allegedly killed at a check-point by the police who tried to frustrate him from seeking judicial redress. Abdulazeez Idris, an army corporal, is asking the panel to compel the Police to pay his family a N1 billion compensation for the alleged killing of his brother by a trigger-happy policeman in May, 2007. Idris told the public panel raised by the National Human Rights Commission, the Network for Police Reform of Nigeria and the National Commission on Torture that the police shot his brother, Daudan (18), over an argument on what to take as graft from a commercial driver. N50 or N20? The killer police fled from the scene. According to him, Dauda left their Kilankwa village in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on May 6, 2007 for Toto, Nasarawa State. His mission was to write the Senior Secondary School Examinations (SSSCE). But he never made it to the examination centre as he was shot at a check point on the Toto/ Abaji road. His co-passenger, Mrs. Saratu Danlami, was also killed. Idris said: “I was on duty at the Barracks on May 5, 2007 when some people called to inform me that the police had shot and killed my younger brother. Before then, his friend had called to say that he had not seen Dauda and that the examination had commenced. “We told him that he had left the house and should be in school. He told us that he learnt that the police shot a young man and an expectant mother at Abaji. “So, I went to the Abaji Police Station and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who confirmed the incident, informed me that the corpses were deposited at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) morgue.” On the DPO’s advice to confirm at the mortuary, Idris said: “So, I

went back and told him that the corpse in the mortuary was indeed that of my brother. I told him that as Muslims, we don’t keep corpse for long and that we wanted to go and bury him. “The DPO gave us money to go and settle the hospital bill and take the corpse for burial. He had spent five days in the mortuary before we knew about what happened. So, we took the corpse and buried him.” Lamenting that the police refused to pay them a condolence visit, Idris said: “But they went to the family of the late woman and reconciled with her relations. So, I wrote to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Assembly before taking the matter to court. But the police have been trying to cover up the issue.” Idris said he sought for a N1 billion compensation from the criminal and civil case he filed against the police, alleging that Christian Olusomodi, the constable who fired the gun, was brought to court once, even as he alleged that the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Everest Anichebe, who signed out the weapon, has never been brought to court. He said: “In July, the criminal case was struck out by the court because the prosecuting counsel from the Ministry of Justice was not active in the case”. The driver, John Dada, recounted how the trip went awry after leaving the Abaji motor park for Toto. He said: “On our way before Luboju junction, we met the police at the check-point and they asked us to stop. One of them came to my side and I gave him N20 and he asked us to go. “But another officer standing in front of the vehicle ordered him return the N20 because it was too small. But the one who took the money told him to let us go, but he refused. An argument ensued between them. Suddenly, I heard a gunshot that claimed the lives of two of my passengers; an expectant mother and a young boy. “I can’t recognise the one who demanded the increase, but the leader of the patrol team came and asked him why he fired the shot and he could not answer. The two of them who were arguing ran into the bush while others hurriedly left in the patrol van and abandoned us there. I took a bike and went back to the motor park. The

•Idris

‘We were taken aback with this letter and wondered why the police could descend to such a level. We dispatched a memo to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), complaining bitterly and urging him take up the matter’ expectant mother was with her mother during the incident. The driver who said he was hospitalised for days, said his damaged car has not been repaired, lamented that he had been living on his father’s car which he had been using for commercial purpose since then. Dahiru Bobo, an official of the NHRC, confirmed the case was reported at the commission on June 25, 2008 and registered as C/2008/ 930/HQ. He pointed the commission was made to understand that a similar complaint had been lodged at the National Assembly. He said: “In the course of our investigation, we received a letter endorsed to the National Assembly by the Nigerian Police and signed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Pius Umeh, alluding to the fact that the case had been investigated and those officers responsible for the crime were tried in an orderly room and dismissed from the force and that they were prosecuted in court before Justice Yusuf Baba.

“We immediately wrote a letter to the High Court requesting for clarifications as to whether the case was filed. The court, through its Registrar, Mrs. A. L. Haruna, replied. “Her reply reads: ‘I have searched the records of this court thoroughly with the utmost diligence and discovered that no case involving the names of the parties have never been filed before this court and or pending before this court. I have, however, seen the copy of a letter written by one Assistant Commissioner of Police, Pius U Umeh of D department of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), FCT Command, Abuja, where he gave the impression that such a case is pending before this court. I like to confirm to you that the statement is a suggestion of falsehood and suppression of truth. Please accept the assurance of my highest regard.’ “We were taken aback with this letter and wondered why the police could descend to such a level. We dispatched a memo to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), complaining bitterly and urging him take up the matter and whether such a letter got his endorsement before it was sent”. The NHRC official said that the FCT command was later asked by the IGP to take over the case and one Simon Lauh was detailed to take over the prosecution. According to him, the usual practice within the Force is to detain officers suspected to have been responsible in the loss of human lives, until the conclusion of investigations and suspects charged to court. He said: “But the officers were never properly arraigned. However, the police immediately dispatched a letter to the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to take over the prosecution of the case and Adebulo Biyo, a lawyer, was assigned to handle the case. The difficulty he faced was that the suspected officers had already been let off the hook and getting them to face prosecution became impossible. “The police cannot produce them now because they say that the affected officers are no longer their staff as they have been dismissed. “So, to get them is a problem. The lawyer got frustrated and the judge was forced to strike out the case for lack of diligent prosecution”. David Abio, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CPS) from the legal unit, who stood in for the IGP, said he would intimidate his boss with the development. He said it was wrong to have released the suspect without being granted bail by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Mustapha to succeed Katsina-Alu as CJN From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

UTGOING Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Aloysius Katsina-Alu has nominated his deputy, Justice Dahiru Musdapher as his successor. The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) met yesterday to consider the nomination. Katsina-Alu will retire on August 28 when he would have attained the mandatory retirement age of 70. This puts to an end the speculation that Katsina-Alu was lobbying for an extension of the retirement age for Supreme Court Justices to 75 years. The FJSC was established in 1993 by Section 153 of the Constitution. By law, the FJSC, after receiving the name of a nominee from an outgoing CJN, will forward such to the National Judicial Commission (NJC), which in turn will recommend the person to the President for appointment. Acting on the recommendation, the President will forward the name of the nominee to the Senate for screening which will either reject or confirm his appointment before the final approval from the President. The powers and responsibilities of the FJSC include aiding the National Judicial Council in finding and nominating candidates for all vacant positions. The Commission oversees all other judicial staff members, including the chief registrars and the deputy chief registrars of the Supreme Court, as well as employees of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court. Members of the Commission are Katsina-Alu who is the chairman, Hajiya Bilkisu A. Bashir (Secretary), Alhaji Ayinla Olomada, Alhaji M.L Muktar, Lady D. Obodoukwu – Iregbu, Rafiu Lawal Rabana (SAN) and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Bello Adoke (SAN).

Jonathan hails Babangida at 70

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday felicitated with former military President Ibrahim Babangida, who turns 70 today. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President in a letter to the former president congratulated him and also thanked God for his life.

ACN advises against scrapping states/councils joint accounts

O avoid making the local government areas federating units and guard against stifling development at the grassroots, the existing States/Local Government Joint Accounts should not be scrapped, the Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) advised yesterday. The party urged President Goodluck Jonathan to drop his proposed constitutional amendment aimed at scrapping the accounts being operated by state governments and councils. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party warned that scrapping the accounts and allocating funds directly

•Party says proposal inimical to federalism By Nneka Nwaneri

from the Federation Account to the local government areas, will amount to making them federating units. It warned that such practice can stifle development and deal a further blow to the nation’s wobbly federalism. It said the argument in some quarters, which may have spurred the President to push the amendment that the states deduct from the councils’ funds thus leading to lack of development - does not warrant a constitutional amendment that will

fundamentally alter - in the negative sense - the nation’s federalism. The ACN said: “The answer is not to allocate funds directly to the councils but to publish, as it is being done already, whatever is allocated to the local government areas and also ensure that the relevant agencies of government are alert to their responsibilities. “Allocating money directly to chairmen of local government areas will not translate to more development, as they (chairmen) will simply be subjected to withering pressure by local, grassroots leaders

(who ordinarily don’t have such access to state governors), many of whom believe such allocations should be shared.” Commenting further on the amendment being proposed by the President, the ACN said under the current constitution, the Federal and State Governments are the federating units, while councils are mere administrative units of state at the local levels. ‘’Making local government areas federating units (as being proposed by the Constitutional Amendment) will further strengthen the Federal

Government and weaken all other units, thereby pushing Nigeria towards centralisation or unitary governance. “As things are today, Nigeria’s inability to develop at the desired pace is due to over-centralisation brought about by the extended era of military rule.’’ ACN also warned that the proposed amendment would defeat the essence of federalism, which assumes relative autonomy and coordinate status among federating units, adding: ‘’with almost 800 states and local governments associating with one federal government, the characteristics of federalism will be lost.’’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS

Army arraigns General over Boko Haram suspects’ escape O

•Governor Jang

Jos calm after two-day carnage From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

FTER two days of carnage, jos, the troubled Plateau State capital was calm yesterday. There was tension in Barkin Ladi and Jos North Local Government on Monday following an attack by suspected itinerant Fulani herdsmen. The relative calm encouraged the state government to proceed on its trip to Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State. It had earlier postponed the trip due to tension. But the youths continued with their protests in Heipang, Barkin Ladi Local Government yesterday with a warning to the troops never to return to the area. The STF members were driven away by the youths over their failure to stop the attacks and the alleged complicity. The youths pleaded with visiting Deputy Governor Ignatius Longjang on the need to withdraw soldiers from Barkin Ladi following the killing of 12 persons, including seven members of a family in the violence that broke out at dawn on Monday. The residents, who turned out in large numbers to welcome the deputy governor, alleged that some members of the STF were responsible for the killings. They (soldiers) were accused of escorting their assailants to the homes of their victims. Longjang’s visit coincided with the discovery of another body in a maize plantation near Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang. This discovery sparked another round of protest in the community, even as its Head, Da Gwom Rwei Heipang, Da Phelix Pam Tok said three members of the vigilance group were killed. Da Tok praised the bravery of the group and called on the government to support the victims. Longjang, who sympathized with Mr Nnaji, who lost his seven children, appealed for calm. He assured the people that government will ensure justice.

VER alleged complicity in the escape of two detainees suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, Brig-Gen Muraina Raji has been arraigned before a Special Court Martial. The two detainees escaped from the detention at the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, where the embattled General served as Commander. The detainees, who escaped from Bauchi, were arrested over an onslaught on Bauchi last year. Inaugurating the sixmember panel in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Armoured Division, Maj.-Gen Sunday Idoko, said that Raji was indicted for complicity by a military investigation report. His words: It is the duty of superiors to observe, correct and instantly deal with negligence or any misconduct on the part of subordinates. “When there is any breach, it is expected that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken by commanders to forestall future occurrence.” The GOC said that the constitutional role of the military required the highest standard of discipline and professionalism, stressing that discipline and loyalty were essential requirements to success in professional soldiering.

Police commands on full alert

CTING on intelligence reports on plans by members of the deadly Boko Haram sect to henceforth adopt suicide method in wreaking more havoc on their targets, the Force Headquarters have put the the States’ Commands of the Police on the read alert. The reports came in the wake of the interrogation of 20 leading members of the sect by the police. Investigation by The Nation revealed that the police hierarchy is concerned about the latest plans of the sect to send suicide bombers to state commands nationwide. It was gathered that the Joint Task Force (JTF) initiative put in place in Borno State has succeeded in checkmating the sect, whose members are becoming desperate. The desperation was said to have accounted for the planned target on police formations , beginning with botched attempt on the Police Command in Maiduguri on Monday. A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “With intelligence backing, the police have closed in on Boko Haram members who are now getting frustrated and desperate. But we will not give them any breathing space. “Their fresh ploy now is to attack state police commands in the country but we have uncovered their plans. “All police commands in the country have been placed on the alert to check the latest suicide tactics of Boko Haram members.” Responding to a question, the source added: From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

Idoko explained that appropriate disciplinary action was necessary in the

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation and Sanni Ologun

“I can tell you that we are on the final onslaught against the Boko Haram sect, they have no hiding place.” A senior police officer, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the alert to all the commands. He said: “If something happens to your neighbour; if burglars attempted to rob your neighbour, won’t you secure your own house? That is taken for granted. “All the commands are on the alert to ward off any aggression from Boko Haram members.” As at press time, it was learnt that about 20 key suspected members of the Boko Haram sect have been arrested by the police and undergoing interrogation. The officer said: “As part of the carrot and stick approach put in place by the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim and other security agencies, some key members of the Boko Haram have been arrested and they have made useful statements that have assisted our operations against them. “Those arrested are who we can describe as genuine Boko Haram foot soldiers. They are actively part of the ‘struggle’ of the sect. “Certainly that there is hope that the police and security agencies can addres s the menace of Boko Haram.”

military so that itinstitution would continue to play its constitutional role and sustain its place as the pride of the nation. He expressed regrets that

he was convening the third court within a year of his assumption of duty as the GOC of the Division. “However, if this Divi-

sion has been witnessing one Court Martial after the other, it is because I want to sustain high level of professionalism required to confront the mounting security challenges in our areas of operation,” he said. The GOC noted that the existing court in the Division’s Headquarters lacked jurisdiction to try Raji by virtue of his rank, necessitating the inauguration of another court. Idoko implored the court to ensure that no effort was spared to achieve justice for the accused, the Nigerian Army and the country, adding that fairness and impartiality should be upheld in the proceedings and the dispensation of justice. When Raji was arraigned before the court, he objected to the membership of the “Waiting Member”, Brig.Gen Agbo Robinson, who took over from him as the Commander of the Brigade. “He took over the Brigade after me and in the circumstances of the case, it will be prejudicial for him to be on the panel. Besides, all those appointed to testify against me are from his Command,” the General said. Raji also objected to the membership of the Judge Advocate, Lt. Col Bernard Okorie, whom he said, participated in filing the case against him. “His position will make it difficult for him to do his job as freely as he should,” he said.

•Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Engr, Austine Oniwon (left) presenting a trophy to Shaibu Gideon, Adekunle Adeosun and Muraina Taiwo of FCT Government Secondary Schools, the Winner of 2011 NNPC Annual National Quiz Competition held in Abuja ... yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Six days after, no clue yet on Mikel Obi’s father

LDER brother of Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, Ebele, yesterday said the family was yet to be contacted by their father’s abductor. He has been missing since Friday. He said: “We still have not heard anything from anybody. It is very, very sad. He went to work on Friday and we have not seen or heard from him since then.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

“He (Obi Snr) always drives himself to work and back. That fateful day, we were trying to reach him on his phones without any luck. “The phones kept ringing but no one was taking the calls. After a while, the phones stopped ringing. That is the situation till this moment.” Their residence in Rayfield

Jos was busy yesterday as friends and well-wishers trooped in to identify with the family. A relation, who spoke on condition of anonymity said. “We don’t want to talk for now, the security agencies warned us because that can disrupt investigation. But we are worried of the condition of the old man. If only we can know where he is at the mo-

ment, our frustration will be reduced by half. We can’t tell, if he is in the hands of kidnappers. Nobody is demanding any ransom from us. We are in confusion, but we are praying to God for the life of the old man, said one of the relations who pleaded anonymity. A visit to Mr. Obi’s office, Inter-state Transport Company Limited, locat-

ed at Angwan soya within the Tin-city on Monday, called “God’s will is the best” show a state of confusion. One of the managers of Mr Obi’s transport company, who identified himself as Maxwell, said: “Since the disappearance of the old man last Friday, he has not been found and there is no information on his were about.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS Senator Tinubu launches scholarship scheme

Taxi driver killed in Lagos By Jude Isiguzo

A taxi driver , Mr. Patrick Nwabuebo, died in Ikeja, yesterday morning when he was hit by an accidental discharge from an anti-riot Policeman attached to PMF squadron. It was at Peckers Nite Club, Opebi, Lagos. It was gathered that the policeman, who was at his duty post close to the night club, was asked by the operators of the club to come and help to quell a clash by some patrons at the place. It was learnt that while the confusion that ensued lasted, there was a free for all fight and it was while the policeman was trying to control the warring parties that a shot was fired. All efforts to revive the taxi driver failed as he was reported to have died at a hospital where he was taken to for treatment. The younger brother of the deceased, Mr. Peter Nwabuebo, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone said, "The Policeman was tussling a gun with a tout when the gun went off and killed my brother in the process." Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, said it was a case of accidental discharge. He said the policeman had been arrested He said: ""Nwabuebo was rushed to the Ikeja General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.”

Bank robbers bomb police station GUNMEN attacked a microfinance bank in Bauchi late Monday evening, carting away bags of cash and bombed a police station while making their escape. The attack saw eight men flee in two cars they stole from the bank in Gamawa. The robbers tried to attack another bank, but could not get past its bulletproof front doors. A witness, who requested anonymity, said paramilitary police shot at the gunmen, leaving two bystanders wounded. The robbers also threw explosives into a police station while escaping.

Kate Henshaw, Jim Iyke dropped from Glo deal By Victor Akande

AFTER spending two years each as Glo Ambassadors, top actors, Kate HenshawNutall, and Jim Iyke have been dropped, it was learnt. The two thespians, said a reliable source, have been replaced with Kunle Afolayan, actor cum director and Odunlade Adekola, a rave of the moment Yoruba actor. The decision not to renew the contact of the former, a source told The Nation, is not unconnected with their inability to meet the performance indices set by the telecommunications company. The source said the actors have stayed off Globacom’s engagements within and outside the country.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

THE Senator representing the Central Senatorial District of Lagos State, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu has launched a scholarship scheme to assist indigent students from the constituency fund their university education. Speaking at the launch of the Post-Secondary School Scholarship Scheme (PSSS) at the Yaba LCDA yesterday, Mrs Tinubu said 26 brilliant but indigent students selected competitively from 650 candidates from the five local government areas and eight local government development associations areas will receive N100,000 annually for their education. Two students will be selected from each council and LCDA and will enjoy the scholarship yearly for four years. The 624 others will be compensated with a one-off bursary of N10,000. Application forms were distributed to chairmen and heads of education departments of the various councils yesterday to kick-start the scheme. “Once the new academic session begins, fresh students can take their admission letters and credible evidence of registration to the office of their local government council or LCDA chairman before a preliminary interview process. Each of these 13 offices has been given 50 forms for potential beneficiaries. “Within the next two months, cheques would be presented to beneficiaries at our maiden Senatorial District Town Hall meeting,” she said. Mrs Tinubu said the scheme will be funded from her allowance as a senator. She added that the aim of the scheme is to replicate successes achieved from the Spelling Bee competition organised by the New Era Foundation, which she started during her husband’s (Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu) tenure as the governor of Lagos State. The competition, she said, has impacted the lives of winners positively and underscored the importance of education to breeding quality future leaders. “The PSSS was originated with a similar motivation to foster the evolution of future leaders – young men and women of excellence who can capably discharge the responsibilities of being the leading lights of their generation. By fostering the success of brilliant but indigent students, we hope to facilitate the welldeserved emergence of future leaders,” she said.

•From left: ACN Southwest leader Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Senator Tinubu and Hon. Wale Oshun ...yesterday PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

EFCC warns churches over huge tithes T HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday urged religious leaders to show more concern about the sources of huge tithes received from members of their congregation, if the war against corruption is to succeed in the country. Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mrs. Farida Waziri, spoke at a one-day interactive seminar on economic and financial crimes for state senior executives in Calabar, Cross River State. She said it has become the practice for corrupt government officials and dubious members of the public to pay huge sums as tithes to religious bodies without being asked the source of the wealth. The Head, Strategy and Reorientation of the EFCC, Mr. Gabriel Aduda, who represented Waziri at the semi-

From Kunle Johnson, Calabar

nar , said religious leaders should find out if the huge funds paid by members as tithes were legitimately earned. She said: “Prosperity must come legitimately. I feel a responsible pastor should know where the tithe of his worshiper is coming from. How and where did you make the money that you are bringing in as tithe? It is not enough for your member to bring in a huge amount and you say- God bless you. “Pastors should be responsible through their members (who are top government officials, members of the public) to want to know

how they make money they bring to church. So, it goes beyond just preaching prosperity, they should let the people know that religion is beyond that. For any soul to prosper it means that soul must be in right standing with the principles that God has laid down by doing the dos and refusing the don’ts.” The seminar, which attracted top government officials including the Secretary to the Government of Cross River State, Mr. Fidelis Ugbo, commissioners, permanent secretaries, among others had as its theme, “ Transparency and Accountability: Imperative for Good Governance.” In a lecture entitled EFCC Mandate, Functions and Op-

erations, the head of the commission’s legal unit in Enugu, Mr. Johnson Ojogbani, disclosed that the commission had, in the last 15 months, secured conviction for 75 persons. Ojogbani said over N300b recovered had been returned to either the agencies they were stolen from or the coffers of the Federal Government. He said the anti-graft agency was ready to collaborate with the state government to stamp out corruption in areas such as tax evasion, among others. Ugbo said the Cross River State government would cooperate with the EFCC to stamp out corruption in the system, saying, “if we see anything that is shady we have the right to report to the EFCC and we will do that.”

Council suspends two nurses for misconduct

HE Nurse and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has suspended two of its members for misconduct. The disciplinary arm of the council which sat yesterday in Lagos over four cases handed down the suspension order. The other two cases were adjourned. The affected members are: Mrs. Nimota Bolatito Aremu and Oladeji Samson Adeleke. According to the head of the disciplinary arm, Adeleke O. Agbola, Adeleke has already been remanded in

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha and Paul Oluwakoya

Kirikiri prison because he performed a surgery on an expectant mother, Mrs Kemi Alabi, now late. The surgery caused the death of the patient and the baby. Mrs Aremu on her part performed an operation on one Mary Orjiugo and forgot a towel in the tummy of the patient which led to complications and her eventual death. Adjourned by the panel

were the cases involving Dave Oguntimehin Idowu who allegedly treated one Wasiu Alate which led to the latter’s blindness; and Juliana Okosun for aiding examination malpractices. The cases were adjourned to enable the accused and their counsels obtain more defence. The Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel and Chairman Board of the Council, Mrs Rebeccah Aihomu, admonished nurses, on what to do to avoid facing disciplinary panel. He said: “Nurses should

limit their practice to their trainings. Nurses are trained to be nurses right from the time they are admitted for the course. “It is not now when they graduate that we start telling them what to do or their boundaries. They have been trained stage by stage at different levels on what to do as a nurse. The Disciplinary Panel has always been in existence and it is not now that we’ve just start disciplining erring nurses, but we’ve always been firm.”

SSS, NSA call for amendment of Explosives Act

HE National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi and the DirectorGeneral of the State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpenyong yesterday called for an amendment to the Explosives Act. The SSS, boss who was represented by Mr. Mr. Jonathan Kure at a Stakeholders Forum on Commercial Explosives organised by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in Abuja, said “there is dominance of foreigners in the movement of commercial

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

explosives in Nigeria.” Azazi and the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Musa Sada said a review of the Explosive Act of 1964 and Explosives Regulation of 1967 must be carried out. Azazi, who was represented by Maj-Gen Babatunde Samuel, said: “As the National Security Adviser, I urge this gathering to play a key

role in national security as security is everybody’s business. You will agree with me that the Explosive Act of 1964 and Explosive Regulation of 1967 are all outdated, as they do not take into cognisance the present day realities. He asked the gathering to “make very cogent input to a bill to the National Assembly that will take into account today’s realities on the issue of explosives.” Sada said:”In ensuring the realisation of this objective, everything possible must be

done to ensure that commercial explosives, which are indispensible tools for the exploitation of minerals, do not constitute any risk to national security. “Given the above and in view of the apprehensive security reports on illicit transaction and proliferation of commercial explosives and in exercising my powers under the Explosive Act of 1964 and Regulation of 1967, I authorised series of control measures.

“The measures include the screening and issuing of three years clearance to dealers and importers as well as manufacturers of civil explosives by the Department of State Security Service before the issuance of permit by the ministry. End-user certificate should also be issued to explosive dealers based on the recommendation of the ministry to the office of the National Security Adviser in order to control the importation of explosives into the country.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS Police kill four suspected robbers in Adamawa From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

EN of the Special Anti-Crime Squad of the Adamawa State Police Command have killed four suspected robbers at Mayo-Belwa-Zing Road after a tip-off. Parading the bodies of the deceased, Police Commissioner Adenire Shinaga told reporters at the command’s headquarters in Yola that there would be no hiding place for armed robbers and other criminals in the state. He said he would not relent until he has driven criminals from the state. Shinaga said: “When we got a tip-off that a gang of robbers would be operating on Mayo-Belwa–Zing road, our men from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad moved towards the road. Alhaji Ali Kwar was equally informed and was moving towards that same route from Jalingo. “Immediately we got to the spot, the armed robbers opened fire on our men, who responded and killed two of them. The third person is a driver, Mohammed Adamu, aka Number Six, who was arrested by our men. “He used to carry arms for the gang of robbers. Our men took him along but when he tried to escape, when our men were engaging the robbers in a cross fire, he was shot dead by Alhaji Ali Kwar’s men, who had approached the scene.” The police chief said items recovered from the robbers included three AK 47 rifles; four magazines with two painted in police colours; 205 rounds of live ammunition; and one green pouch. Shinaga said on August 10, at about 8.30pm, some armed robbers attacked the security guard at the MTN station in Gurin, Fufore Local Government Area. The security man, assisted by a team of policemen on patrol, killed one of the suspected robbers while the others escaped. He said a suspect, Babbada Doffi, 36, has been arrested for the alleged murder of Hammanjida Bange, 52, of Sangotiti village, and of Potopo tribe.

Oyo Assembly rejects two commissioner-nominees From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

HE Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday rejected two of the commissioner-nominees sent to it by Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The two were included the younger brother of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Kabiru, and an ex-member of the House of Representatives, who is also the National Secretary of Accord Party (AP), Nureni Adisa. The development may not be unconnected with a possible breakdown of the working relationship between the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Accord Party (A) in the House. There are 32 members in the Assembly, comprising 13 ACN, 12 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and seven Accord Party. The Assembly confirmed the nomination of Dapo, son of former Governor Lamidi Adesina, the state ACN Leader, and that of Kafaya, daughter of state PDP chieftain, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, as commissioners. Other confirmations are: Peter Odetomi, who was Ajimobi’s deputy in the 2007 governorship race on the paltform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP); Ajiboye Omodewu, Sumbo Owolabi, Adebayo Olagbenro and Dauda Wasiu. The Assembly had, at last Thursday plenary, confirmed 11 nominees as commissioners. A mild drama ensued at yesterday’s plenary when members rejected the two nominees after Nureni Adisa, from Iddo Local Government Area, was introduced. Adisa had barely finished introducing himself when his attention was drawn to a petition against him. He confirmed this, assuring that the issue had been resolved.

How Nigeria can counter terrorism, by envoy From Dele Anofi, Abuja

IGERIA can check terrorism with an effective emergency response mechanism, the Deputy Head of Mission of Israeli Embassy in Nigeria, George Deek, has said. Deek spoke in Abuja against the backdrop of increasing insecurity caused by the post-election violence and other acts of terror in parts of the country. He said it had become necessary to prioritise the training of security agencies on emergency management. The Israeli government, in collaboration with Plus Factor International Limited, is set to establish three paramedic colleges in Nigeria. The envoy noted that for Nigeria to be effective in counterterrorism, it must put in place effective mechanism for responding to terrorist attacks. Deek presented a paper entitled: The Israeli Model of Emergency Response as a Tool of Counter-Terrorism at a one-day partnership forum. He said prompt emergency response to attacks would defuse the fear of terrorism in the people. According to him, the government and the people must prepare to respond and recover from the possible consequence of terror-related catastrophe as quickly as possible. He said: “Terrorism is all about instilling fear in the hearts of the people, and if terrorists see that their actions lead to more fear, panic, pictures of blood and lack of control, they win.

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (right), Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga (middle) and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, during the governor’s visit to the minister in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

‘Kwara officials gave me money to inflate accredited voters’

N Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) polling assistant yesterday told the Kwara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) gave him N5,000 to inflate the number of accredited voters. Adeniyi Razaq told the tribunal that he was a poll assistant at Unit 007 in Kuntu, Adewole Ward, Ilorin West, and an ad-hoc staff of INEC in the April 26 governorship poll. He said different amounts of money were offered other INEC workers, according to their ranks, to favour the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election. The witness said the PDP requested for the booklets of ballot papers to be made available to it. Razak, who said he was working for an Osogbo-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) added: “A few days before the presidential elections on April 15, the presiding officer for my polling unit, one Kola, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, asked me to go to Agbo Oba, where the NYSC lodge is located, for a meeting.

•Witness alleges PDP plot to rig poll From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

When we got there, we saw a lot of PDP-branded vehicles inside and outside the lodge. When we got into the lodge, the party’s agent, a light skinned lady whose name we were not told but was widely called Alhaja Iya Alate, informed us as follows: •‘That the PDP required all of us (electoral officers) to inflate the number of accredited voters in our respective polling units; •‘That we should make ballot papers available to them; •‘That we should not be concerned about how they would thumb-print the ballot papers and get them into the ballot boxes; •‘That they would take care of that; and •‘That for the services they were prepared to pay us handsomely.’ “At the meeting, the former Ilorin West Local Government chairman and one other person I don’t know gave N20,000 to each INEC Presiding Officer with an in-

struction that it be shared as follows: •N10,000.00 each to presiding officers; and •N5,000 each to polling clerks (every unit has two polling clerks). “There was no provision for polling assistants. “The poll assistants present were not happy that there was no provision for them and they began to protest. I led the poll assistants’ protest. Thereupon, the lady called me and explained that the payment was for work done for the PDP during the National Assembly elections a week earlier. She told me that they would invite me later for further discussion. “I was invited by the same Alhaja Iya Alate on April 25, a day before the governorship election, to Gaa Aremu in Adewole Ward area of Ilorin West Local Government. The place turned out to be the family home of the ex-SSG as I saw a big photograph of the man dressed in his Senior Advocate’s ceremonial robes and his name was written boldly under the picture. The

Alhaji was at this place with Alhaja Iya Alate. I was given N5,000 by Alhaji and I was told that further directives would be given to me later for the next day’s election by Alhaja. “Thereafter, I was escorted out of the house by Alhaja. As we were walking away from the house, she told me that she would call me later that evening. And she did. When she called, she said we, INEC officials, at our polling units needed to inflate the number of accredited voters and if we did this, we would be paid N11,000.00. “Also, she said we would receive N100,000 for providing the PDP with a booklet of ballot papers. She informed me that if we agreed to this, the money would be paid that night. “On election day, on April 26, Alhaja came to meet me at my polling unit and asked if I had agreed to what she said. When I told her that I would not do it, she kept persuading me. But when she realised that I would not change my mind, she left...”

N2.3b monthly not enough for Oyo, says Ajimobi

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday said the N2.3 billion the state gets from the Federation Account is inadequate. The governor said the state has over 2,000 schools and 35,000 teachers and needs N4.2 billion to pay their salaries and wages to. He said it was not feasible for the state to settle its huge bills with the meagre monthly allocation from the Federation Account.

From Nduka Chiejina, (Assistant Editor), Abuja

Ajimobi restated the “need for the proposed new revenue allocation formula to be fair, just and equitable, people- and developmentoriented”. The governor spoke in Abuja when he visited the headquarters of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). He supported governors’ clamour for an upward review of the revenue allocation

formula to enable states and local governments attain higher development levels. Ajimobi noted that because Nigeria is an agrarian society, it would do the nation well if states invested more in agriculture. He said: “No state can achieve maximum agricultural investment except the Federal Government, as the “father to states and local governments” decides to be more supportive by allowing the states to have more alloca-

tion.” He said 70 per cent of Oyo indigenes were into one form of agriculture or the other. RMAFC Chairman Elias Mbam said the development of governments cannot be adequately funded by the allocations from the Federation Account. Mbam urged states to diversify and build up their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to augment their monthly allocations.

Agency chief accuses provost of alleged graft

HE Managing Director of Zaria Consultancy Limited, Mr. Masud Bala, has petitioned the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, over alleged diversion of funds by the Provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Zaria, Dr Moukhtar Ibrahim. The provost reportedly sacked Bala following a disagreement on the leadership of the consultancy firm, which was set up by the FCE. Bala had written the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), urging it to investigate the Provost for alleged graft and abuse of office. The termination of Bala’s appointment was communicated

in an August 9 letter signed by the college’s Acting Registrar, Mr. Sani Yusuf Magaji. But Bala yesterday filed a suit against Ibrahim and 10 others, said to have collaborated with the provost to sack him, at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Bala is seeking, among other things, an interlocutory injunction restraining the provost from implementing any administrative directive on the running of Zaria Consultancy Limited. He is asking the Federal High Court to declare as illegal, null, void and fraudulent, a restructuring embarked upon to ensure the provost’s direct and uninterrupted access to the funds of the consulting firm.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS 51,000 applicants jostle for 10,000 jobs in Ogun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

O fewer than 51,000 persons have applied for the 10,000 job vacancies of the Ogun State Government Rapid Employment Scheme. The collection and submission of application forms will end today at 5pm. About 31,000 persons applied online while 20,000 others applied through their local government councils. Governor Ibikunle Amosun had, during his electioneering campaign, promised to create 10,000 jobs within his first 100 days in office. The committee in charge of the scheme is headed by the deputy governor, Prince Segun Adesegun. The application forms were made available to the public on August 4. Commissioner for Information and Strategy Yusuf Olaniyonu said: “As at 2pm on Monday, over 31,000 applicants had submitted their forms online. Also, 20,000 hard copies of the job application forms had been distributed across the 20 local government areas. “We believe the online option is easier for applicants and we urge them to make use of this advantage before midnight on Wednesday. “Filling of employment forms is just one stage in the employment process and that definitely can’t continue forever. “We need to start the next stage, which is the collation of data, so that the selection process can begin. We already have 51,000 applicants and we are expecting more before the deadline expires.”

Osun Exco approves project funds HE Osun State Executive Council has approved funds for the execution of three major projects. After its inaugural meeting at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday, Commissioner for Information and Strategy Sunday Akere said N480 million was allocated to the rehabilitation of Ede Water Works to increase its output from 20 to 50 per cent. Akere said work to be done on the Ede Water Works includes the provision of pumps, generators and transformers and would be completed in six months. The council also approved the contract for the establish-

From Adesoji Adeniyi,

ESIDENTS of Ilamoshe, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, yesterday protested alleged forceful ejection from their homes by hoodlums allegedly working for a land owner, Samuel Ojo. The protesters stormed the Governor’s Office in Alausa, bearing placards with inscriptions such as “Ilamoshe under siege,” “Our houses are under lock and key,” “Save our soul,” “Save us from Odunsi and Ojo,” “I am 87 years old, I can’t sleep under the bridge,” “I’m a widow, I can’t sleep under the bridge,” amongst other. They appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to intervene. Chairman of Ilamoshe Community Development Association Val Iwuchukwu said their ordeal started on the fifth of this month when Ojo locked them out of their homes. He said Ojo’s lawyer

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Cornelius Odunsi had served residents quit notice for illegally occupying the land that did not belong to them. Iwuchukwu said they bought about 150 plots of land from one Odubada family about 30 years ago and were surprised when Ojo started laying claim to the land. He said the situation degenerated when Ojo’s family won the case against the Odubada family at the High and Appeal courts and residents were asked to leave. Iwuchukwu said the association tried to dialogue with Ojo’s family but Odunsi demanded that each landlord would perfect his or her title document individually. “That is why we have come to seek the governor’s inter-

vention. There are over 100 thugs in the community now and they are tormenting our children. “Over 130 families have been unjustly ejected from their homes by the hoodlums,” he said. Odunsi said he acted based on a court judgment which granted ownership of the disputed land to his client. He said some of the residents have started coming forward to regularise their titles. Chairman of the Council Kehinde Bamigbetan said: “In executing the court judgment, Odunsi has exceeded the stipulated boundary by inflicting pain on residents. “We are demanding the immediate unlocking of the gates of our houses that have been locked for the past one week. We are demanding that Odunsi should be brought to the round table, so that we can dialogue.

“We insist that in the execution of the court verdict, he has to respect the rights of the residents to collectively bargain with him for the best way out. “We are also requesting that Odunsi should be transparent enough to present the exact boundaries and configuration of the territory he is talking about, so that we can identify the number of properties within this territory and know those affected.” The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Justice Sector Reforms, Mr. Lanre Akinsola, said: “The Attorney-General has constituted a panel to dialogue with all parties involved. We have heard from your own side, but it would not be right to jump into conclusion. “I assure you that before the end of this week, all the parties involved will be brought to a round table.”

Osogbo

ment of Osun State Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme. He said it would provide finance for the Osun Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Programme (OREAP) as well as other agricultural initiatives. Also approved is the contract for the dredging of Osogbo Township Rivers. It was awarded to Accord Engineering Limited. The council resolved that the government would source for a loan to pay its counterpart funds for the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme. It appealed to striking workers to reason with the government.

Lagos launches vehicle tracker HE Lagos State Government has launched a vehicle tracking system to ensure the safety of road users. Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa said the device, called Auto Vehicle Inspector, would improve traffic management. The device can identify vehicle registration number, owner information, engine and chassis numbers. Opeifa said this would eliminate the long process involved in checking vehicle details manually. He said the device would ensure that only road-worthy vehicles ply the roads, adding that drivers of unfit vehicles would be apprehended easily. Opeifa said the tracking system

Residents protest unlawful ejection in Lagos R

By Mariam Ndikanwu

would make the work of the Police easier and reduce crime. He said when the proposed National Driver’s License comes out, the new device will assist agencies the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Vehicle Inspection Officers to work collaboratively. Opeifa said it will also ensure the safety of commuters. The Director of Finance and Administration in the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), Mrs. Olubukola Omolaja, said 100 units of the device have been given to the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTM) and its personnel are undergoing training on how to handle them.

•The protesters...yesterday

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Ekiti farmers get N60m interest-free loan

HE Ekiti State Government has disbursed over N60 million interest-free loans to 400 farmers in the second phase of the State Peasant Farmers Development Loan Scheme. The beneficiaries received N150,000 each and 250 old beneficiaries were paid the outstanding balance of their loans. Presenting the cheques yesterday, Governor Kayode Fayemi said the loan would boost large scale farming and cash crops production. Fayemi said agriculture is one of the 8-point agenda of

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti

his administration. He named some of his administration’s achievements in the sector as the payment of N160 million counterpart fund for programmes of the State Agricultural Development Programme as well as the World Bank FADAMA project. Fayemi said the government has spent over N150 million on the purchase and repair of tractors and other farm implements. He said more than 8,000 tonnes of fertilizer were also

given at 50 per cent subsidy to farmers. Fayemi said his administration would partner investors to make farm settlements attractive to youths. He urged the beneficiaries to use the loan for the purpose it is meant for and repay it promptly to sustain the scheme. The governor said: “The government would frown at the misapplication of this loan for anything other than agricultural purposes. “This government is particularly interested in the establishment of permanent

crops such as cocoa and oil palm plantations. “The loan should, therefore, not be committed to other uses. With good performance, the government will be encouraged to continue funding the project. It will give peasant farmers a sustainable means of livelihood and contribute significantly contribution to the development of our state.” On behalf of other beneficiaries, Chief Ezekiel Ijamusan thanked the government and promised to use the loan judiciously.

Leave Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, Fed Govt warns Ondo

HE Federal government has told the Ondo state Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to hands off the repairs of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin expressway. It said the contract for the repairs of the stretch of highway in question had already been awarded. In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister of Works, Mr. Taiye Akinyemi, yesterday, the Ministry said it was taking such a tough stance due to reports in the media that the Ondo State government has taken over the repairs of the Ore-Benin road after threatening to sack the contractor

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

currently handling the rehabilitation of the road. The ministry also said that it was irked by the incessant misinformation being churned out by the Ondo state Government in its bid to claim credit for the ongoing repairs on the road. The statement reads in part: “For the records, the ministry has since awarded the contract for this road and the contractor is fully mobilized on site and currently engaged in palliative work that would make the road motorable for the remaining part of the rainy season, before executing the reconstruction work scheduled to

be completed by the first week of November, 2011. “The ministry is determined to tackle and resolvethe problems associated with the nation’s major road networks in line with the directive from President Goodluck Jonathan to the Honourable Minister of Works Mike Onolememen, to hit the ground running. “It would be recalled that the contractor handling the project, Messrs Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited withdrew from site in September 2010 due to the kidnap of one of its expatriate staff. “This incidence was widely reported by the media yet the Ondo State Government

did not see the need to intervene and take over the rehabilitation of this road then. The Ministry said, Section 1 of the Ajebandele-Ore-Benin road (Ajebandele-Ofosu in Ondo State) was awarded to Messrs Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited on May 28, 2009 for the total sum of N9.7bn with a completion period of 30 months i.e (December 27, 2011) “As at now, the physical progress on the failed portion of the road is 64.09% with 18km length being up to asphaltic concrete binder course out of the total length of 35kms of the distressed section,” it said. “Notwithstanding the fact that the contractor is being

owed over N3bn for job already done on the over 150km part of the road which has already been satisfactorily recovered and reconstructed, the construction firm is fully back and mobilized to the troubled spot on the are end of the road and palliative work is in progress to enable travellers have easy passage with a firm directive from the Minister that the palliative work must be concluded within the next three weeks.” The ministry said the claim that the state is being owed N2bn on intervention jobs on federal road is not only false, “but cheap blackmail to score some political points.” “Specifically, the value of certificate forwarded from the

state in respect of the OreOkitipupa road was N770, 333,025.18 while that of OwoIkare-Ikaran-Ajowa road was N923, 252,435.87. Each of these amounts has been duly paid to the Ondo State government in tandem with the extent of work done on the roads. The ministry is not owing the Ondo State Government. “It would therefore have been expected that a government that threatens to sack a federal contractor on a federal road would have paid some attention to state roads within its domain to provide an alternative to road users in a complimentary effort to that of the federal government and thus help to ease traffic on the road.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS Expectant mother killed in Benin From Osagie Otabor, Benin

A THIRTY- year old pregnant woman, Mrs. Julie Oshodin, has been murdered at her Benin, Edo State, home. The assailants were said to have strangled her after injuring her with knives and cutlasses. Sources said the late Mrs. Oshodin, who was seven month pregnant, answered a knock on her door on Saturday night only to be pounced upon. Her husband, Omorogieva Ehiedu Oshodin, has been in police custody for about three months. He was arrested, following a robbery which took place the night preceeding his arrest. The deceased’s father, Elder Anakure Igweadiani, who came to Benin from Umueri in Anambra State, said his expectation of a grandchild has been dashed. He appealed to the security agents to bring the perpetrators to book. Police spokesman Peter Ogboi could not be reached for comments.

Delta demolishes illegal structures From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

COMMERCIAL activities were grounded in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State as the Special Taskforce on Flood Control and Removal of illegal Structures demolished over 350 structures. The exercise started at 9am with two heavy duty bulldozers on the Ughelli market road. The Chairman of the Taskforce, Frank Omare, said the demolition was part of government’s programme to clean up major cities in the state and its environs.

Our tax returns in order, says Shell From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

THE Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) yesterday refuted allegations by the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (BSIR) of underpayment of PAYE and withholding taxes to the government. The Executive Chairman of the Board, Joel Onovowapko-Thomas, had slammed Shell and Chevron Nigeria Ltd of dwindling returns of taxes. But Shell’s Managing Director Mutiu Sunmonu in a statement said: “The fact is that our PAYE and withholding taxes for 2011 (January – July) in Delta State are 18.7 per cent higher than what we remitted for the same period last year.” He also said it is not true that it is frustrating an audit of tax returns in the state.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (seventh left); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (sixth right); Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (sixth left) and the commissioners, after the inaugural meeting at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office.

300 officers get new ranks

Sickle cell patients protest lack of medicare S T

From Kazeem Ibrahym,

ICKLE cell anemia patients yesterday caused a stir at the Edo State Sickle Cell Centre when they protested the death of two patients due to what they termed ‘poor treatment’. The protesters said the two patients, a boy and a girl, died on Monday and yesterday morning respectively, because there was no oxygen at the centre. Chairman, Association of Sickle Cell Club, Charles Edigin who is also a patient, said the centre lacks basic facilities such as oxygen. He said the only doctor attached to the centre is on leave, and the casual doctor sometimes works between 12 noon and 12am. He said: “The situation is so bad. A child died here yesterday because there was no oxygen, and the doctor

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

could not resuscitate her. “We learnt that they applied for the procurement of oxygen for the past two weeks, but the admin secretary and the accountant refused to sign the cheque.” Edigin appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole to come to their rescue as the centre is the only place for the treatment of sickle cell anemia. Another protester said there are over 40 patients on admission at the centre and outpatients, who come for treatment daily. He said: “The method of treatment here is very bad. We lose a patient almost on

‘No doctors and qualified nurses to attend to our needs. Whenever there is crisis, there is no oxygen to rescue the patient.’ a daily basis. “No doctors and qualified nurses to attend to our needs. Whenever there is crisis, there is no oxygen to rescue the patient. “They also sell blood to us at N4, 500 against N3, 500

elsewhere.” A parent, Mrs. Juliet Ikogwe, said : “I feel so bad. Treatment here is very far from good, and their drugs are so expensive. “Just look at the time now, we have been here since morning, and we have not seen the doctor to attend to our children.” “Almost every day patients die here. One died yesterday, and another on Monday. We are tired of the situation.” But the admin secretary, Mrs. P.I Obazee, debunked the patients’ claims. She said the two oxygen tanks in the centre were refilled yesterday morning. Spokesman of the Ministry of Health Joe Apili said the centre has the best facilities and that one of the patients who died was referred to the Central Hospital.

Oshiomhole hails Jonathan

Rivers security situation has improved, says Amaechi IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said the security situation in the state has improved . He said his administration would build a world-class University of Science and Technology (RSUST) at the Greater Port Harcourt City. Amaechi said the engineering design of the new RSUST had been completed while construction work would soon commence. The governor declared that taxes would no longer be collected on Rivers roads. He said offenders would be arrested and prosecuted. Amaechi spoke yesterday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt during the State Professionals Stakeholders’ Forum. The professionals, comprising lawyer, journalists, engineers, accountants, teachers, bankers and doctors, among others, were allowed to ask questions. Amaechi said: “We are striving to improve security, especially in the rural areas. “The security situation in

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Port Harcourt and other parts of the state has improved. It cannot be 100 per cent.” He urged the private sector to partner with his administration, to move the state forward. Amaechi said government should not be the sole employer of labour. The governor promised that more teachers would be employed soon . Amaechi also expressed displeasure over the failure of the waste management contractors, who he said, were involved in waste dispersal and not waste disposal.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

He said a new law on waste management would soon be put in place, which would recommend two years imprisonment, without the option of fine, for offenders. The governor said to ensure sanity in waste management, residents of Port Harcourt and its environs, under the new law, would be paying flat rates, based on the location of their houses. Amaechi said the spare parts shops at Ikokwu, Port Harcourt, on Olu-Obasanjo Road would soon be relocated and the land converted to a housing estate. The governor said upon the completion of the bus termini at Omagwa, Eleme, Oyigbo

•Amaechi

and Emohua, inter-state buses would no longer be allowed into Port Harcourt, and taxis would bring the passengers to the city centre. He said the government did not pay for National Examinations Council (NECO) exam because overseas universities do not accept NECO results.

Edo seals off banks

RANCHES of Mainstream bank (Afribank) and Finbank in Edo State were yesterday sealed off by the Board of Internal Revenue over alleged tax evasion. Customers were disappointed as they met the banks locked up. The Board was said to have taken the action over alleged failure by the banks to remit to the government over N71 million Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deducted from their workers’ salaries.

Uyo

HE Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, Felix Uyanna, yesterday reiterated the commitment of the command to the eradication of violence in the state. The police boss spoke at the decoration of 300 newly promoted officers within the command in Uyo, the state capital. The Police boss said there had never been a time in the history of the command when that number of officers were promoted to different ranks at the same time. Uyanna commended the gallantry of the officers that rescued the wife of a former governor, Obonganwan Imoh Isemin, when she was abducted few months ago.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

BIR Chairman Oseni Elamah, who led the operation, said an audit account carried out on the banks from 2004 to 2009 revealed that PAYE taxes deducted from workers have not been remitted to government’s coffer. Elamah said Finbank was indebted to the tune of N7 million and Mainstream bank N64 million. The banks’ authorities could not be reached for comments.

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan’s labour policies are in the right direction, especially his signing the National Minimum Wage bill. He spoke in Abuja when he visited the Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu. The governor praised the minister for his intercessory role in the minimum wage dispute. According to him, all parties in the implementation are set to sign the final document expected to give effect to the new wage structure at the federal level. Oshiomhole said states were obliged to implement the new wage structure now that the Federal Government has kept its promise. His words: "I commend the President for his disposition towards workers' welfare. I mean the way the wage issue was resolved shows that the President was ready to go to any length to find a solution.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS Women to benefit from Kano N1b agric loan

•From left: Minister of Petroleum Mrs Deziani Alison-Madueke, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Governor Gabriel Suswan of Benue State at a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

HE Kano State Government yesterday said women would benefit from the N1billion agricultural loan under its Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme. Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr. Baraka Sani told reporters in Kano that she would redeem reposition agriculture for improved performance. Dr. Sani, who is the first woman Agric Commissioner since Kano was created in 1967, said the ministry would ensur that women contribute to the development of the agro-allied industry. She said the N1billion credit facility, which attracts a single digit interest, would be disbursed after the screening Prospective beneficiaries. According to her, women will benefit from the scheme because they contribute so much to the development of

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

agriculture. Dr. Sani said: “Women are being supported under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme, which the state is running now. The N1billion loan will soon be disbursed and women who meet the criteria will also benefit. “We are involving women so that they can also develop their businesses and move away from the old methods and embrace modern methods to add value to their agricultural produce.” The commissioner said Governor Musa Kwankwaso was concerned about women’s involvement in agriculture. “He is ready to open up all windows of opportunities for women to occupy their rightful place and contribute to agricultural development,” she added.

Gunmen kill six in Sokoto police ECOWAS backs Jonathan on coups station raid F T •Gang member rescued from detention OUR policemen and two civilians were killed on Monday at Tambawal, headquarters of Tambawal Local Government of Sokoto State, by some gunmen suspected to be armed robbers. The hoodlums were said to be on a mission to rescue a member of their gang, who was in detention at the Divisional Police Headquarters. The victims included a police inspector, a Sergeant and two Constables, whose bodies were taken to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. There were over 12 bullet holes in the front wall of the police station, showing the number of shots the hoodlums fired in their desperation to free their colleague. After the rescue, the gang reportedly fled through Kambaza–‘Yaule Road to Kebbi State. The residents ran helterskelter as the hoodlums fired shots at the police station. The hoodlums went away with police rifles and ammunition. An eyewitness said the

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

gang came to the police station in two vehicles Volkswagen Golf and Toyota Camry. The operation was said to have taken place between 5pm and 6pm. Businesses were partially paralysed following the activities of the hoodlums, who were also said to have attempted to attack a first generation bank. The source said: “We were sitting when they arrived. They inquired from a Constable outside the police station if he was aware of someone in detention. The policemn replied in the negative. He was shot immediately. The hoodlums then went inside the police station and started shooting. When we heard the gun shots, we took cover. “The hoodlums rushed out not long after and attempted to enter a bank. They tried

to open its Automated Teller Machine (ATM) but did not succeed. They shot at the bank’s security post, apparently thinking there were policemen inside. They later rushed out and took off.” The Nation gathered that during the operation, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) made calls to the state headquarters for reinforcement. The police command reportedly deployed mobile policemen to the area. Commissioner of Police Adisa Baba Bolanta visited the scene. He debunked the rumour that the hoodlums were members of the dreaded Boko Haram religious sect. The police chief described the hoodlums as gunmen, adding that they had nothing to do with the religious sect. “We have made an arrest and investigation is still on,” Bolanta said.

Fed Govt blamed for Jos killings •Rights group to take Jonathan to World Court

RIGHTS group, the Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has blamed the Federal Government for the killings of unarmed civilians by armed hoodlums in Jos, Plateau State. The group said that the government has failed to restore peace to the beleaguered state, after years of violence. It condemned the kidnapping of the father of the United Kingdom-based footballer, John Mikel Obi, in Jos, at the weekend. HURIWA demanded his unconditional release. The group recalled that only two days ago, 12 persons were reportedly killed by yet-to-be identified assailants in a renewed violence in Plateau. It accused the Federal Government of encouraging impunity as a result of its failure to arrest and prosecute the

perpetrators of the crimes. In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA noted that impunity is unconstitutional, illegal and is against international best practices in the promotion and protection of human rights. The group said it has completed a petition on the Jos crises, adding that it would send same to the International Crimes Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. HURIWA called for the probe of the Federal Government over the mass killings in Plateau, saying it would pursue the matter until it achieves positive result. HURIWA said: “For nearly two years now, since the killings started in Jos, we have persistently appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to implement an effective and permanent solution to

the crises, including the setting up of a Presidential Commission on Inter-Ethnic, Inter-Religious Dialogue and the arrest, prosecution and punishment of suspected perpetrators of the mass killings and their sponsors in the competent courts of law. But the Federal Government has continued to politicise the crises.” The group noted that the killings, breach of peace and breakdown of law and order in Plateau State would have been effectively checked if the Federal Government had used the law to arrest, prosecute and punish the offenders and their sponsors. “We resolved at our recent emergency meeting to file our petition at the International Criminal Court against President Jonathan for his government’s weakness and failure to protect lives and property of innocent persons in Plateau State over the past months,” it said.

Addressing reporters after a condolence visit to the police station, the council Chairman, Alhaji Sambo Bello Modo, noted that insecurity in the country was becoming alarming. He urged Nigerians to pray for the peace and unity of the country. Modo said there was need for the residents to be more vigilant when they see suspicious persons. He assured that the council would protect the residents’ lives and property.

HE Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has backed President Goodluck Jonathan over his pronouncement that coup plotters would be resisted within the region. Jonathan, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, had spoken against coups at the inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja last week. Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament Senator Ike Ekwere-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

madu noted that forceful change of any government would be resisted. He said: “Let me use this opportunity to throw the weight of the ECOWAS Parliament behind the declaration by the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government (President Jonathan) that coups and unconstitutional governments are unacceptable in the West Africa.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS Youth group to support NPC Director General THE Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders has promised support for the Director General of the National Productivity Centre, Paul Bdliya. National Secretary of the group, Adewale Adeniyi, who spoke on behalf of CONYL, said the National Secretariat of the group is willing to appreciate the positive contribution of Bdliya to the growth of the nation’s economy. Adewale has brought tremendous progress to the establishment and urged youths to identify with his outstanding performance. He said: “We deem it fit to appreciate the DG of the Centre owing to his administrative acumen, uncommon characteristic in the discharge of his assignments and best practice. He has attracted more value to NPC.” “When efforts of Bdliya in the NPC finally manifest, the nation will overcome youth restiveness, hooliganism, militancy and other security challenges.”

Council polls: 1,000 collect nomination forms in Lagos A

At least 1,000 chairmanship and councillorship aspirants have collected nomination forms from the secretariat of the Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), following the release of the guidelines for the primaries by the party. The council polls are schecduled for October. The Oladele Ajomale-led State Executive Committee of the party set up a three-man committee of secretariat workers headed by Ademola Sodiq, a lawyer, to handle the issuance of the forms to qualified aspirants. Other members of the committee are the Administrative Secretary of the party,

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Political Editor

Sola Abayomi and Olayinka Adekunle. Already, party leaders at the wards and local government areas have begun the screening of the aspirants in the three senatorial districts. In Isolo local Council Development Area (LCDA), an aspirant, Shamsdeen Olaleye, emerged the candidate of the party. It is still subject ratification by the state leadership. Also, in Agbado Oke Odo LCDA, Augustine Adeoye Arogun, was picked by the

party in the local primaries conducted by the local branch. Beating the incumbent chairman, Kenny Okunmuyide. His running mate is Sola Akande, a former House of Assembly aspirant. In Surulere Local Government, the chairman failed to secure support for his second term ambition. In Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, the chairman, Samuel Adedayo, who scored 75 percent, following the assessment conducted at the grassroots by party leaders, emerged as the candidate. Many council chairmen who have complet-

ed two terms were not considered for nomination. Councillors, who embarrassed the party by attempting to impeach chairmen, also lost their deposit during vetting by the local branches. Arogun, who aspires to steer the affairs of Agbado Oke Odo LCDA, as from October, thanked the party for the confidence reposed in him. He urged members to gird their loins for battle at the council elections. Unfolding his programmes, which cover education, health, environmental sanitation, infrastructural de-

Orji to support hospital From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

Church holds anointing service JESUS Christ Fire Evangelical Ministry (JCFEM), Ekiti State, holds its second Anointing Service on Sunday. A statement from the church said the programme is shecduled for its auditorium on Aita Street, Ire Road, Ilupeju-Ekiti, at 8.00 am. General Overseer of JCFEM, Prophet Oyewole Sola Joshua, Evangelist Oluwaremilekun Omodara of the Tabernacle of Prayer Evangelical Ministry (TOPEM), Ado-Ekiti, among others, are expected to minister at the service. The anointing service which has as its theme: “My Cup Runneth Over” will feature prophetic messages, song ministrations and prayers for individuals, the state and the nation.

Computer lab for schools TO promote computer education in schools, House on the Rock Church has in collaboration with the Lagos state government inaugurated its Computer Laboratory Initiative aimed at equipping public secondary schools with state of the art computer laboratories. Pastor Paul Adefarasin said the church set a target of furnishing 100 schools by 2014. “House on the Rock believes computer literacy is of great importance to the future of the Nigerian Child. “The church had refurbished Dolphin Senior High School( Lagos Island) and Girls Senior Secondary School( KeffiIkoyi). Each school provided empty classrooms which the church refurbished and equipped with 17 computers, Computer Lab furniture (Tables and Chairs), fans, lightings, generators, work stations (flat screen monitors and CPUs), air conditioners, burglary proof, security doors and Venetian blinds. “The Computer Laboratories were commissioned by the Lagos State Government,”he said.

velopment, development of small scale business, agriculture, sports, youth and women development, he said the LCDA is viable because it is blessed with abundant human and material resources. Arogun promised to establish additional primary schools, provide infrastructure for schools, free medical services, roads, sponsor vocational training and a loan scheme for traders. He said: “My mission is to enthrone a government of financial discipline, leadership by example and people-centered administration. My vision is to reposition Agbado/ Oke Odo for sustainable development and economic viability.”

• Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State ( left) with the Managing Director, J&J Technology Nigeria Limited, Anthony Jamhour during an inspection of the New Abia State Workers Secretariat in Umuahia

‘Don’t dump the BPE probe’

HE National Assembly has been urged to resist pressures to dump the ongoing probe of all public enterprises sold by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in the last ten years. President of Jukun Development Association (JDA), Benjamin Danburmo, in a statement, said the probe has once again helped Nigerians to know the real facts behind the sales of some of the public enterprises in the last dispensation by the agency. He said it is sad that the nation’s fortunes have continued to be plundered by those saddled with the responsibility of governance. He said: “The ongoing probe of the activities of the

By Yinka Aderibigbe

Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has again shown the level of rot that has pervaded the system. That many of those companies were sold at values that were at variance with their real values, and others sold to buyers on political considerations, show that our rulers are still guided by rules other than merit” Danburmo, who expressed shock at the level of scandal unraveled at the probe sessions so far, hailed the Senate for its courage in taking on the probe, which he described as a step in the right direction. He said Nigerians would be interested in knowing what the Presidency would do with

the report when it is eventually completed. “We know that those whose past deeds are being exposed would have started mounting pressure on the presidency to dump the report, but Nigerians are watching and would be interested in knowing whether he would be courageous in taking a decisive step against all those indicted by the ongoing probe,” he said. Danburmo added that anyone indicted by the probe should be treated as an economic saboteur. Insisting that only such act would consolidate the gains of the transformational agenda of the present administration, Danburmo said it is in punishing those involved in the scam that President Goodluck

Jonathan would have demonstrated that governance is indeed no longer business as usual. “Let the president treat all economic offences as treasonable and apportion punishment in accordance with the rule of law. Only by doing this would the nation be taken serious in the international arena, and only such would convey the right message that the government really means business in transforming Nigeria,” he said. Danburmo said treating findings from probes such as this, glove-in-hand, would continue to give the impression that some people are sacred cows and cannot be questioned for their misdemeanor while they hold the rein of power.

CNPP backs workers’ protest in Enugu

ONFERENCE of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) yesterday expressed its support for the protest by Enugu workers over the refusal of the state government to implement the N18, 000 minimum wage. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, CNPP hailed workers for rising against the government of “impunity in the state. According to Okechukwu, the workers could not have adopted a better approach to confront an administration “as mindless and insensitive as

From Chris Oji, Enugu

that of Governor Sullivan Chime, known for spending billions of naira from public treasury on trivialities, but could not pay the N18,000 minimum wage.” The CNPP spokesman, who was the governorship candidate for Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the last election, commended Enugu workers for their protest. He said the protest brought back the memory of the 21 coal miners who were killed in the city by colonial police in 1949 for demanding better conditions of service from the

colonial masters. Okechukwu said: “We are happy that Enugu has made history again as the first state where workers thronged the streets to demand for the N18, 000 minimum wage, contained in the National Minimum Wage Act, signed into law by the President. “The protest by workers on Tuesday resonates the spirit of the 21 coal miners who were killed in the city colonial police in 1949 for demanding for better conditions of service from the colonial masters. “That protest laid the foundation of not only modern trade unionism in Nige-

ria, but also nationalism and struggle for Independence, which Nigeria eventually attained on October 1, 1960. “However, it is quite regrettable that the dreams of our founding fathers for a politically stable and economically viable Nigeria has been dashed by leaders like the ones we have in Enugu today who spend billions of naira from state treasury, acquiring hundreds of luxury cars for their friends, cronies, political appointees and even traditional rulers who cannot even drive the cars to their domains because of bad roads.”

OVERNOR Theodore Orji OF Abia State has promised to support the new management of the Federal Medical Center [FMC] in Umuahia. Orji spoke when the management of the hospital visited him at Government House,Umuahia, to congratulate him on his electoral victory and the successful inauguration of his cabinet. The governor said he would partner the institution even though it is a federal agency, adding that the citizens have a passion for the hospital. He said his administration places premium on the health of the citizens as it is healthy people that can enjoy the dividends of democracy. He said his administration has built 165 health centers as well as diagnostic centers in Aba and Umuahia to meet the health needs of the people. Orji urged them to use the diagnostic centers in the treatment of their patients. He congratulated the new Medical Director of the hospital on his appointment and urged him to leave behind worthy legacies. Medical Director of the FMC, Dr.Chuku Abali, hailed the governor for his administration’s encouragement and assistance. Abali said by 2015 the management’s vision to improve the quality of research, scope of training and teaching and the development of functional renal center, endoscopy centre and invitro fertilisation center would be achieved.

PDP chiefs for court SOME chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State might be arraigned in court today in Akwa for forgery, stealing and conspiracy. According to the summons sent by the state Police CID,Olisa Metuh, Emma Nweze and Chuba Egulum are to appear before the Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing money belonging to the state PDP when they served as officials. The case is believed to have been instituted by a faction of the party following accusations of gross financial mismanagement against the officials.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

From the 122 enterprises that have been privatised so far, N146 billion has been realised from the sales. 33.6 per cent of them are doing poorly while 66.3 per cent are doing well. -Bolanle Onagoruwa, Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)

Inflation falls within CBN’s target

NNPC to reduce stake in Brass LNG

IGERIA’s yearly inflation rate declined to 9.4 per cent in July as the naira strengthened against the dollar, curbing the cost of imported food in Africa’s most-populous nation. The new inflation rate is the lowest level for more than three years following an aggressive period of monetary tightening by the banking watchdog. Inflation slowed from 10.2 per cent in June, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement in Abuja, yeterday. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) targets an inflation rate of less than 10 per cent. The naira climbed 2.5 per cent against the dollar between June 23 and the end of July, with the currency strengthening to 151.1 on the interbank market on July 1 after the CBN lifted a curb on foreign investors’ bond holding, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The CBN had raised its benchmark interest rate for the fourth time this year on July 26 to help curb inflation. The apex bank sells foreign currency at bi-weekly auctions to keep the naira within a range of three per cent above or below N150 per dollar. The outlook for inflation this year is “uncertain” due to the state’s plan to more than double the monthly minimum wage to N18,000 ($116) and to deregulate fuel prices,CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi, said last month. Core inflation, which excludes food, will probably accelerate in the second half of the year, according to Sanusi. “Looking forward, we expect CPI inflation to remain around current levels over the coming months, which we believe will provide some level of comfort to the (bank’s) Monetary Policy Committee,” said Andrea Masia, research analyst at Morgan Stanley.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$109.7/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.3 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.2% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -8% Foreign Reserve -$34.7bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 213 £ 241.00 $ 150.7 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 240.3 RIYAL 39.3

• From left: Area Executive, Southwest 2 of FinBank Plc, Mr Mudashiru Mustapha; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Suzanne Iroche; Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; Executive Director, South, FinBank, Mr Omoruyi Iyamu and Zonal Executive, Lagos Mainland/Southwest, Mr Kayode Adeyemi, during the bank’s executives’ visit to the governor.

Jonathan: Uninterrupted power supply possible before 2015 P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has assured of improved power supply in the country. He said yesterday that his administration remains committed to the attainment of uninterrupted power supply in the country before the end of its tenure in 2015. The President spoke during an audience with members of the Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company led by Vice-President Namadi Sambo. According to a statement from the office of the media aide to the president, the Federal Government is mindful

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

of the importance of steady power supply for national development and will do everything possible to ensure that its plans and projects to guarantee stable power supply are successfully implemented. “We all know the importance of power. We look forward to a time when Nigerians can enjoy uninterrupted power supply from the beginning to the end of a year and we are working hard to ensure that that objective is attained within the life-span

of this administration,” President Jonathan said. The President also urged members of the board and management of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company to ensure that the company, which was established to oversee the implementation of National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), funded by the three tiers of government in the country, contributes very effectively to meeting the country’s power supply needs. Vice-President Sambo, who also chairs the board of the company, assured President Jonathan that it will deliver

all the medium-sized gasfired NIPP power generating stations, as well as associated transmission projects on schedule to ensure that the Jonathan administration’s promise of steady power supply is fulfilled. “We will work relentlessly to fulfill our mandate on time,” he said. He thanked him for receiving members of the board. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, governors of Benue, Delta and Ekiti States, as well as the ministers of Power, Petroleum, and Justice were at the meeting.

HE Nigeria National Petroleum Corpora tion (NNPC) said yesterday it would reduce its stake in the long-delayed Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project to 30 per cent, from its current 49 per cent, to secure much-needed investment. The state-owned company according to Rueters news, has offered four per cent of its stake to LNG Japan, which is jointly owned by trading firms Sumitomo and three per cent to Itochu. A further two per cent was offered to a joint venture between Nigeria’s Sahara Energy and United States-based Sempra Energy. NNPC said it has secured a $2 billion loan from a Japanese consortium, led by Japan Bank for International Co-operation, to help fund its share of the project. “Everyone is looking to invest and we have invited others to join. It is a time everyone is looking to alternatives and the Japanese have been very interested in this project,” an NNPC spokesman said. He said stakeholders will make a final investment decision on the project in the first quarter of next year. Brass LNG, whose shareholders also include multinational energy firms Eni, ConocoPhillips and Total, opened construction bids last month for onshore and offshore works and for a subsea pipeline. The project has suffered from years of delays of a lack of investment and the country’s focus on crude oil production.

Adoke backs regulators over nationalised banks

HE Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, yesterday said the regulators - Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) including the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) acted legally in nationalising the defunct Afribank, Bank PHB and Springbank. The AMCON’s Chief Executive Officer, Mustapha Chike-Obi said he expects five (Union Bank, Finbank, Intercontinental Bank, Oceanic Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank) of the 10 banks that were bailed out for N620billion to call Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) by September 30, so shareholders can vote on recapitalisation deals signed with investors. Since the nationalisation of the aforementioned banks penultimate Friday, there have been calls by shareholders and other stakeholders challenging the regulators. While some shareholders have vowed to drag the regulators to court, other stakeholders have

• Five others to hold EGM in Sept By Collins Nweze and Ajibade Akinola

questioned the haste with which these institutions were wound up before the September 30 recapitalisation deadline. They wondered why the regulators were preemptive.But majority of stakeholders backed the regulators’action. The NDIC and AMCON have also defended their actions, saying it was to protect depositors since it was obvious that the trio could not meet the set deadline. Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the AGF, Ambrose Momoh, also supported the regulators’action. In a statement, he stated:“ The CBN, NDIC and AMCON acted in full appreciation of their functions and powers under their statutory mandates and, in particular, the protection of depositors and the system. “The Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Deposit In-

surance Corporation and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria have informed the AGF that the actions taken on their banks are for ultimate interest of depositors and the safety as well as soundness of the Nigeria financial system.” He said the attention of the AGF has been drawn to the decision of NDIC on Friday, August 5, 2011 to incorporate MainStreet Bank Limited, Keystone Bank limited and Enterprise Bank Limited, initially as Bridge Banks to resolve the issues of the failing Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Plc. The AGF said he was aware that NDIC had composite consultation with the CBN, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice on these actions. Adoke, however, said he will continue to monitor these actions to ensure that the appropriate laws are compiled with and due process followed. In a related development,

the AMCON boss told Reuters he expected shareholders of the five rescued banks that have signed Transaction Implementation Agreements (TIA) to accept the deals. If they did not, regulators would need to explore all options to protect depositors, employees and the financial markets, he said. Three of the other banks rescued in 2009 were nationalised this month after they failed to show the will to recapitalise. However, wo of them, - Unity Bank and Wema Bank- have already recapitalised. Intercontinental Bank , Oceanic Bank , Finbank , Union Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank have signed agreements with investors, but shareholders have yet to accept the deals. “If they go to EGMs and decide to reject the deal, then it will be clear those banks will not be able to recapitalise themselves and regulators will need to step in. But I don’t expect them to do that,” Chike-Obi said.

“If it is clear that a bank cannot recapitalise on its own, then all options will have to be explored by regulators. We will not allow depositors, employees or the financial system to suffer,” he assured. AMCON took over Springbank, Afribank and Bank PHB - all part of the 2009 bailout - after they were nationalised because they did not show an ability to recapitalise, a move the CBN said would draw a line under the country’s banking crisis. The former banks’assets have been transferred to three newly created nationalised lender. AMCON has injected N679 billion ($4.4 billion) to recapitalise them. The banking watchdog bailed out the 10 lenders in 2009 and sacked eight of the managing directors because auditors deemed them to be so badly capitalised that they posed a risk to the economy. The banks were poorly managed and were overexposed to the capital and oil markets during the global financial crisis.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS

Pension fund assets hit N2.29 tr T

HE value of Nigeria’s pension fund assets has grown from N1.529 trillion as at December 31, 2009 to N2.29 trillion on December 31, 2010, indicating a 32.70 per cent growth. This information is contained in the newly released annual report of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). According to the report, “the growth of pension fund assets was mainly accounted for by new capital injections either by contributors or scheme sponsors as well as investment income.” By this development, the total pension contributions into the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) in the private and public sectors swelled to N289.81 billion during the year under review.

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor, Abuja

The growth in RSA accounted for the N162.46 billion public sector contributions and N127.35 billion private sector contributions, which represented 56.06 per cent and 43.94 per cent . These also translate to an average monthly contribution of N13.54 billion and N10.61 billion for the public and private sectors. Director-General, PenCom, Mr Muhammad K. Ahmad, said: “The gross investment income was a modest N205.30 billion or 10.12 per cent of the total pension assets during the year under review.”

The RSA “Active Fund equally recorded a growth of N231.41 billion (30.9 per cent) during the review period just as the“Retiree Fund” witnessed a very significant growth of 42.66 per cent from N89.24 billion unaudited value as at end of 2009. The report stated that by the end of 2010, the Closed Pension Fund Adminidtrators (CPFA) and Approved Existing Schemes (AES) assets “had grown phenomenally from N342.36 billion and N266.1 billion in 2009 to N404.37 billion and N423.12 billion.” All the growths recorded in 2010, Ahmad said, were attributable to “the capital market that represents one of the platforms for investing pension funds.”

• From left: Managing Director/CEO Keystone Bank Limited, Mr Oti Ikomi with the Chairman BUA Group, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, during a courtesy visit of the management team of bank to BUA Corporate Head Office in Victoria Island Lagos ... yesterday.

Power bulk trading begins as president approves board, CEO By Emeka Ugwuanyi

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved a pioneer board and the appointment of a chief executive officer for the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NEBT) Plc., the Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, announced yesterday. The Minister of Finance is chairman of the Board of the NEBT while a seasoned technocrat, Mr Rumundaka Wonodi, an engineer, will serve as its helmsman. The NEBT, also known as the bulk trader, was created by the National Electricity Sector Reforms Act of 2005 to fight the single biggest risk in the growth of the power sector – the issue of distribution companies, which buy power from independent power generating companies but are unable to collect enough revenue from consumers to pay for what they bought. The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), which hitherto managed the process owes huge debts from previous power purchase agreements it signed with independent producers such as Agip (N60billion), Shell and Ibom Power. Nnaji said NEBT will honour current PPAs signed by the PHCN and take over the negotiation and signing of future power purchase contracts for distribution companies, but it will not assume PHCN’s previous contract liabilities. This is possible, he said, because the bulk trader is backed a government guarantee which enables it to promptly settle obligations of any distribution company that defaults in payments for power purchased from independent producers. The minister said the NBET will, however, not become a government monopoly. “Distribution companies who can are free to sign direct PPAs with independent generation companies,” he said, and further explained that the “NBET shall exist only as long as it takes the distribution companies to become creditworthy and be able to directly negotiate their own power purchase agreements.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

ISSUES

•Protesting Edo workers

In 2008, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) made a submission to the Federal Government, calling for enhanced condition of service for teachers. The proposal resulted in the establishment of the Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS). Consequently, every state government now treats teachers as professionals. However, the development in Edo State has left many wondering what the teachers want are up to. Could their motive have been to foment trouble as Governor Adams Oshiomhole has infered? DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKOLU reports.

Minimum Wage: Edo, teachers flex muscle W

ITH the classification of teachers as professionals such as lawyers, doctors and engineers, just mention a few, many people are wondering what could have been the reason for the strike by civil servants in Edo State, other than their claim that they were solidarising with the teachers. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a submission, entitled Motion 19 and supported by the Amalgamated Union

of Public Corporations, Theatre and Recreation Employees (AUPCTRE), had pushed for the classification of teachers as professionals. The NLC said: “Recognising that the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has since 1992 been agitating for the enhancement of the condition of service for all teachers in Nigeria through the establishment of a separate professionally inclined Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS), which would not only remove teachers in primary and post

primary schools from the Public Service Salary grid, but create a distinct one for teachers in keeping with their professional calling and expectation “Conscious that teachers in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, monotechnics, as well as recognised professionals in other sectors, such as doctors, medical and health workers, nurses, lawyers, judges, oil and gas workers, engineers, the Police, military and paramilitary personnel have all been so recognised and

given their professional salary packages distinct from what prevails in the public service, teachers should also be granted similar status.” From this submission, which has since been granted by governments at all levels, Clement Iyayi, a retired civil servants, said it is very clear that teachers are no longer core civil servants, adding that it was surprising when the Edo State chap• Continued on page 14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

ISSUES

Minimum Wage: Edo, teachers flex muscle • Continued from page 13

ter of the NUT tried to rewrite history by seeking to be covered by core civil servants negotiation on implementation of the new minimum wage. He said: “NUT and NLC sought for the removal of teachers in primary and post primary schools from the current Public Service Salary grid, and their wish was granted. So, what is all the noise about being part of core civil servants. When they got the TSS increase in March last year, did the civil servants go on strike?” he querried. “Anyway, thank God for common sense that made them return to work. Oshiomhole is not a novice in labour matters. The insistence on remaining on strike would have cost them their jobs and they knew it, that was why they returned to work last Monday.” Iyayi was probably referring to Governor Oshiomhole’s declaration when he met with the workers: “By Monday, if the workers have not resumed work, I will begin to implement every counter action I have on the table. I have not called you to beg. I have done my best to please my constituency. The strike was ill-conceived. This meeting is to deal with facts. Goodluck on your strike and on Monday, we will take our action,” he said. In an earlier negotiation with the teachers and leaders of other unions, the state government had proposed that the teachers should choose between 27.5 per cent TSS and 33. 5 per cent relativity. The teachers allegedly opted for the latter. After opting for 33.5 relativity salary, the teachers began agitation for the 27.5 per cent increment. The government, however, said relativity pay is not meant for those who are on a special salary scale like TSS A communiqué issued at the end of the negotiation on the implementation of the new minimum wage, signed by the state government representatives and labour leaders, said the minimum wage in the Edo State Public Service shall be N18,034 for the lowest grade of employees with effect from June 1, 2011. It reads in part: “That with the upward adjustment of the Minimum Wage to N18,034, appropriate consequential increases have been effected in salaries across all grade levels in the core Civil Service that was not covered by the recent sectoral wage increases granted by this administration. However, if there are sectors that have issues arising from the implementation of the new minimum wage and the consequential adjustments across the grades, such sectors are at liberty to make their cases for the consideration of the Government”. State NLC Chairman, Comrade Remi Ademokun, praised the agreement reached by the parties, saying it was the best that could be achieved for the workers. He explained that with the new chart, workers on grade levels one - six, got 100 per cent salary increase, those on levels seven -12, got 55 per cent, while those from 13 and above, had 50 per cent increament. He told the workers that the state has never operated the federal chart, adding that they would resist the implementation of federal tax on the workers. He said they would enter another negotiation for the teachers and judicial workers in the state. In an effort to involve the state’s labour union, Ademokun was cajoled by teachers, who threatened to remove him if he did not support their demand. He caved in to the pressure mounted on him to call workers to embark on strike. When the minimum wage implementation became a burning issue and the state governments tied its implementation to fuel subsidy removal, Oshiomhole brought his labour background to bear by going ahead to begin negotiation and implementation before all other states. The workers were happy. They counted themselves lucky. The tide, however, turned when the teachers threatened. They said the NLC and TUC compromised the workers’ collective goodwill. Comrades Osasuyi Faluyi and Henson Enagbare, President and Administrative

•Oshiomhole

•NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar

Secretary of the state’s NUT, in a joint statement, said: “We wish to correct the erroneous claim that teachers in Edo State have a special salary structure. What teachers in Edo State enjoy is a special professional hazard allowance and not a salary structure. Otherwise, teachers’ salaries are structured in line with the civil service structure. It is, therefore, baseless and unfair in all respect to apply apartheid position in the implementation of the new minimum wage.” Sources said the threat to sack the leadership of organised labour in the state made the chairmen of NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrades, Emma Ademokun, Joe Aligbe and Shaka Otoide, issued a statement giving the government seven days to include teachers in the new wage as well as capture teachers’ 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Structure Allowance (TSA). Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, at a press conference, expressed government’s disappointment at the strike even after it had paid the teachers the new wage in arrears, saying the teachers’ strike did not follow due process. “This is not a nice way for trade unions to conduct their affairs. The issues they are raising are fresh. They should bring these issues up and not mix it up with the minimum wage,” he said. Oshiomhole said he was shocked that organised labour went on strike in the state despite being the first state to pay the N18,000 new minimum wage. He said the state chapters of the two labour centresNLC and TUC-wrote in compliance with

the agreement his government entered with them. He, however, said other issues raised by the labour leaders were out of their purview. He alleged that they were being used by political rivals. His words: “In your determination that you must foment trouble, you went for anything because you were taking me as an enemy. I didn’t think I was one. “The workers are on strike because of local government election and yet you insist you are not on political contract? Not even a 100 years strike will change anything. It is completely outside your competence. It is not in the purview of labour government relations. How does local government chairman allocations become your headache?” The Governor also wondered why labour blamed his government for remittance of VAT. “You talk of Value Added Tax (VAT). Does VAT accrue to the state government? It is being collected by the Federal Government. You are on strike because a local government remitted VAT to the Federal Government. You are holding me responsible for that. VAT is a federal law for your information. Before I became governor here, PDP government defaulted in remittance of VAT running into N2.3billion.” The workers also listed the issue of promotion in their grievance notice. Oshiomhole explained that he never said no on the issue of promotion and that he had directed that casual workers should not be retained in the services. He said the labour leaders had not drawn his attention to the issue of casual workers.

‘The workers are on strike because of local government election and yet you insist you are not on political contract? Not even a 100 years strike will change anything. It is completely outside your competence. It is not in the purview of labour government relations. How does local government chairman allocations become your headache?’

Oshiomhole was shocked because, according to him, the labour leaders had asked him to implement a minimum wage of N15,000, but that he refused because “it is not sensible, it is ridiculous and I will not want to do it because it will negate my conviction about the merit of the Minimum Wage Act.” He said: “I was discussing with you as comrade but you used the word battle. Now I am ready to go into battle. You abused my friendship, my comradeship, my compassion then I need to show that the same teeth which I used to smile, can be used to bite, particularly when you have taken a sub-contract from a political class.” Oshiomhole explained that he refused to grant the three months tax exemption requested by the labour leaders because the fund with which to pay them the minimum wage would come from taxes collected from market men and women, and also workers in the private sectors. “For me, it is serious business. I am no more NLC president, but I appreciate my NLC background, that is why I sit with you not in the manner that every governor would do. If I didn’t want to pay, I will not pay. I cannot gang up against labour.” Even in the face of provocation, the Oshiomhole remembered his background, and tried to educate the grieving workers. “Not even your rascality will make me misbehave against labour. It is not about you but what I believe in. I tried my best to do what we agreed to do. The teachers rather than write to us to draw our attention like the others did, met and decided to issue ultimatum to government. You cannot threaten this government. Where did you get your training? Who are you ordering? I am not your subordinate. There are rules of proceeding. Unless the teachers write to draw our attention on how this implementation affects them and call for a meeting, they will remain on strike forever. This government will not be blackmailed because I have tried to work in the tradition of labour. “Don’t abuse the fact of our comradeship. Don’t abuse the fact that we have a common background. You know there are rules of engagement and rules of procedure. If you allow yourselves to be pushed by political forces, you will be biting more than you can chew because you know I will be ready to engage any forces. I have engaged them before. They should not hide under minimum wage, then they will be behaving like cowards. Stick to your labour agenda, engage me on those basis and we will find solution. If you steer into the political terrain, you would have complicated your own case.” Oshiomhole also warned the teachers against violating their contract of employment. He said: “Teachers will be dismissed if they violate their contract of employment. I have the will. I am not one of those politicians who will do anything to remain in government. I came into office with my head high and I am leaving with my head high. I will be judged by what I did when I was here and not how long I spent here. I will not yield to blackmail. Let nobody have any misgiving about the election next year.” The meeting was held on Saturday, and on Monday, tension was high among the workers. They were thrown off balance by the governor’s reaction at the meeting. Their leaders issued a statement on Sunday, urging them to ignore any form of threat or intimidation. Many of the workers resumed for duty while others converged at the Museum Ground in Benin City where their leaders addressed them on steps to be taken to resolve the crisis. The strike was called off on Monday. The occurrence might just be a tip of the iceberg to what will happen in other states, as regards implementation of the new minimum wage. As it is, crises are brewing in some states. Ondo and Osun states have had their own share of minimum wage strike. Others may follow suit.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

THE LABOUR PARTY CRISIS IN ONDO On April 19, during the heat of the campaign for federal and state legislative elections, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftains stormed Ondo State. Reacting to statements credited to the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Labour Party (LP) chairman, Dr Olaiya Oni was quoted in a statement issued by Mr Kolawole Olabisis, spokesman for Governor Olusegun Mimiko as attacking the former Lagos State governor. Dr Oni has disowned Olabisi’s statement. The orginal statement by Oni and Olabisi’s press release are reproduced here:

‘ACN a natural LP ally’

Merger with ACN? Perish the thought

SIWAJU Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State and a topmost member of the ACN, is a political figure in our country whom respect for his doggedness in the pursuit of democratic ideals. The way the Asiwaju, along with others, successfully fought imperial Abacha on the famous NADECO platform and so saved us the agony of being ruled by a first degree dictator and, most relevantly, the way the Asiwaju upheld the Yoruba dignity by being the only man that remained standing when the PDP under President Obasanjo uprooted the democratic ideals for which the Yoruba race is distinctly noted, and thereby making Lagos State the inspirational source of the liberation struggle which has now yielded the fruits of progressivism in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states respectively, present good testimonies of the political sagacity of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. However, the statement credited to the Asiwaju on a political campaign to Ondo State recently, that the people of the state should reject Governor Mimiko at the forthcoming elections for the latter’s failure to join the ACN has left me traumatised and bewildered. Truly, and as stated earlier, former Governor Bola Tinubu provided a veritable compass for the liberation struggle in the Yoruba nation and gave us lot of support when we fought to recover the mandate freely given to Dr Mimiko by the people of Ondo State, but which was violently taken away by the PDP. We, equally, and in the same vein, gave the necessary support to Dr Kayode Fayemi when he was fighting to recover his own mandate stolen by the PDP in Ekiti State. One may recall that the first point of call by Governor Fayemi on regaining his mandate was on inauguration ceremonies of Governor Kayode Fayemi. Of course we had continued to collaborate in governance in the best interest of our people. Besides, and as a mark of solidarity with democratic ideals, but more importantly as a way of creating a consensus among the political class with relevant ideals for which we in Ondo State have created a distinction, Governor Mimiko has in his executive topmost members of the Action Congress, now ACN. Moving upwards from the realm of political calculations targeted at gaining political power, to that of public management which is the raison d’etre for political power, it is gratifying to the people of Ondo State that Dr Mimiko has used the mandate they gave to him positively to change their lives within the last 24 months of a purposeful, dedicated responsive and results-oriented administration. And it is the same public management focus which the people of Lagos State saw and appreciated in the AD, AC and now ACN, that made them stand erect in supporting Governor Bola Tinubu and now Governor Fashola who took over after Asiwaju’s eight-year rule against the onslaught of the PDP. Why then should Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu ask the people of Ondo State

•Dr Oni

to leave a winning team, a caring heart government for an IF of history which is and cannot be tenable? That is the source of my trauma and bewilderment that I referred to earlier. Political alliances are not static but dynamic and they come in different shades and combinations, provided they have a common denominator which is serving the needs of society with the acquisition of political power. Governor Mimiko fought on the platform of the Labour Party, and yet he was supported by Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu of AC. Similarly, Governor Adams Oshiomhole acquired his political power with a combination of the ideals of AC and Labour Party and up till today, the Edo Governor still carries on with that dual political personality because both have a common denominator. The relevant issue here is this: Is it only by the Labour Party merging with the ACN that we can create required denominator to entrench that required democratic idea governing our people? Besides, Governor Mimiko came to power on the platform if Labour Party that has its own Constitution which guides everyone that carries its banner in political behaviour. Can Governor Mimiko ignore this political banner in taking a decision on why, when, and how it join political alliances? I believe the ACN will frown at any of its flag by who does not consider these variables in shaping political behaviour. Definitely I have no doubt in my mind that our revered Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is very much at home with the political ideals canvases this statement. I, therefore, regard the statement credited to him as small political mosquito bite which cannot and should not stand the way of political progressivism for which the Yoruba race is noted and in which the new paradym shift in governance of our people in Ondo State has been built. Dr Olaiya Oni State Chairman, Labour Party.

HE Labour Party in Ondo State yesterday advised those who would want to see the submerging of the party with any other political parties to perish the thought, saying that the government it produced remains committed and unwavering in its commitment to the welfarist and people-oriented ideals of the Labour Movement in Nigeria. The LP, in a release issued by its Chairman in the State, Dr Olaiya Oni, a former Minister of Education, noted that rather than anybody trying to hoodwink the electorate and in the face of mounting pressure on the Governor Olusegun Mimiko government to dump the LP, the party was poised to harvest more electoral victories and assets across the country premised on the sterling performance of its lone governor in Ondo State. His words: “While we appreciate the fact that several groups and interests want the government in Ondo State to join them, we are happy that many are trooping, on a daily basis, into the Labour Party wanting to share in the ideals and philosophy of government for the good of the society as opposed to government for the elite. “Being a party with social democratic credentials, the Labour Party government in Ondo State has not only delivered on its promises to the people but has made the welfare of the people its cardinal objective. “That is why the Labour Party government of Olusegun Mimiko has changed the face of Ondo State in such diverse areas as agriculture, health, education, commerce, tourism and sports, among others.” While scoffing at the idea of LP merging with any other party, Oni said that with many people trooping into the party from such locations as Rivers, Cross Rivers, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Nasarawa, Adamawa and the Federal Capital amongst others, “wisdom and reality dictates that the party maintains its identity so as to remain a platform for those who are tired of the deceit and insincerity common in the other parties.” While not ruling out useful collaboration for democracy and good governance, Oni however stated: “In maintaining our identity however, we are ready to collaborate with other well-meaning Nigerians and interests to totally free the country from the hold of those who seek power for the actualisation of narrow dreams, instead of power for the good of the greatest number of people like the Labour Party. “When Ondo was the only State where we had noticeable presence, we were not in any way daunted, nor afraid. Now that we have many joining us to rebuild the country through the platform of the party, we’ll be doing a disservice to ourselves and indeed our teeming admirers if we killed the party in the bid to form a bigger party.” The former Minister while also counselling those who see merger as the only

way to get good governance delivered to the people, opined that it does not really matter which political party one belongs “if our dreams, our goals and our focus is the people, then it will be only a matter of time before we all find a common ground from which we can advance the cause of the common man.” While reiterating the disposition of the people of Ondo State to the social democratic path, more than the commitment of the party, a fact which he noted should make LP remain focused, steady and unwavering in the pursuit of the goals of running this country on the path of government for the good of all. Said he: “Our people have been led in all political decisions that they have made, by the logic and the consistency of expressed ideals with their long-held ideal of a society that is free for the expression of opinions and ambitions by all, the minority and the majority alike. “Since the emergence of the Mimiko-led Labour Party government in Ondo State, our party rather than shrink in number and character has waxed stronger, re-defined leadership and refocused itself on delivering the gains of democracy to the people of the country with Ondo State as the point of departure.” Kolawole Olabisi, Chief Press Secretary, Governor’s Office, Akure, Ondo State.

• Dr Mimiko

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

POLITICS Political activities have been gathering momentum in Edo State since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the July 14, 2012 date for the next governorship election in the state. OSAGIE OTABOR reports the developments.

2012: Election fever grips Edo I

T has been as if people had waited with bated breath for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make the announcement. With obvious glee, politicians have since been trying to leave no stone unturned to achieve victory at the poll fixed for July 14, next year. Already, various groups, apparently being sponsored by politicians, have been springing up. The groups include: Edo Political Coalition, ‘AAO for 2012’, ‘Adams for 2012’ and ‘Support AAO for 2012". The campaigns have started and the different political parties are strategising. However, out of the over-50 registered political parties in the country, only a few have their presence in the Edo State. The parties are ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the National Conscience Party (NCP). Activities in some parties are already indicating that the battle for the control of Edo State in 2012 will be between the ACN and the PDP as other parties are systematically aligning with either the PDP or the ACN. The Labour Party in the state is currently factionalised. One group is led by Sam Omede and another group is led by Dr. John Ogbeide. In the last general elections, the Omede group backed candidates of the ACN, an action which made candidates of the Labour Party fielded by Dr. Ogbeide faction suffered defeat at the polls. Chairman of NCP in the state, Ogba Edward Victor, in a letter co-signed with the party’s secretary, Maxwell Iyamu, said members of NCP had resolved to enter into electoral alliance with the ACN in respect of the forthcoming local government and governorship election in 2012. The letter said the decision was taken “after due consultation with party members and its

stakeholders with the sole aim of accelerating the developmental pace in the state”. According to the letter, “It is worthy to note that the ACN and the NCP’s ideological philosophy are very similar especially with the activities of Babatunde Fashola in Lagos and Adams Oshiomhole in Edo states respectively, both parties have the ability to improve the lives of their citizens and expand the democratic environment”. “For the past two years, you have initiated socio-economic policies that are transforming our state into a modern city; roads are under construction; schools are under renovation and employment is provided for unemployed”. But the CPC in the state said it would form a formidable alliance with other political parties to wrestle power from the ACN in 2012. It said the ACN had not provided the right leadership direction the state deserves for Oshiomhole to return as governor unopposed. State Vice Chairman of CPC, Comrade Ikonomwan Francis, in a statement, said they were already in talks with other political parties. The statement read: “We are already in talks with leaders and stakeholders of all opposition parties in the state in a bid to throw out Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) come 2012.” “Edo state deserved a visionary leader that can harness human and mineral resources and transform the combination into a success story. Oshiomhole’s performance has made it expedient for all opposition parties in the state to begin extensive strategizing to enthrone a purposeful leadership. “Oshomhole will be defeated in 2012 elections. The last general election revealed that Edo central is a no go area for him. My party, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) alone in Edo north is capable of splitting votes from his own senatorial district. Edo South is where we will prove to him that he is not on ground.

• Oshiomhole

• Orbih

The result of the election will shock him.” State Secretary of the ACN, Chief Osaro Idah told The Nation in an interview that the party’s focus for now is not about 2012 election, but how good governance will be delivered to the people. Chief Idah disclosed that Governor Oshiomhole told them to forget about 2012 elections and that the projects and achievements will sway votes for the party. According to him, “Rather, we should focus on how to deliver on roads, transportation, health and all sectors of the economy. We are about paying the new minimum wage now. The governor believes that his achievements will vote for him rather than starting campaigns now. “The people will vote for us if we perform. We are not bothered about elections now. The governor has not said that he will contest. We don’t know if other party members are interested in contesting. It is the people that are calling on the governor to come back even leaders of other political parties are saying they will support the governor.” State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu said the 2012 elections would be a walk-over for the ACN. He said: “ACN has no problem preparing for next year elections. We started our preparation when we came in 2008 with the way the governor hangs onto developmental initiatives. The elections are just going to come and ACN will win. Thanks a lot to the developmental effort of the comrade governor. In a very long time, we have never had it so good in the state. “Mr. Governor is determined. He will not be

distracted. We have programmed our projects such that they will terminate before the elections. All the projects currently on-going will be completed before the elections unless those programmes will outlive this first tenure. The contractors have been paid and they will all be paid as at when due. I don’t think they will negatively affect the performances of the contractors. We have to work extra-hard in terms of campaigning when the time comes. You know Mr. Governor is a strong man.” But the Edo State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih said the July 14 date marks the terminal date of Oshiomhole’s government in the state. He said the PDP was fully prepared for the elections, adding that part of the decisions reached during the party stakeholders meetings were for its members to go back to the villages, wards, towns to prepare for the elections by way of mobilisation of members and voters and exposing in very clear terms the failure of Oshiomhole’s government in the state. “This is the first government we have seen that has been in government for three years and nothing to show. This government has not started any project from the beginning and completing same. All we have seen are renovating old buildings, all we have seen are expansion of existing roads instead on building new roads. All we have seen is government renovating classroom blocks with funds contributed 60 per cent by the federal government and they contribute 40 percent. They cannot point to any project they started on their own and complete it since they came to power.”

THE LABOUR PARTY CRISIS IN ONDO

Onise has been deposed, says ex-Ondo LP chair

ONTROVERSY now trail Monday’s solidarity visit by some Akoko monarchs led by the Onise of Ise, Oba Adegbenro Omonla to Governor Olusegun Mimiko over the resignation of Dr. Olaiya Oni as the Labour Party [LP] State Chairman. The former Minister, Dr. Olaiya Oni yesterday said the Ise monarch has been deposed by an Ikare High Court on August 28, 2010. But, the government sources directed the former LP Chairman to go to court and enforce the judgment if he was sure of his statement. Oni who spoke with The Nation in Akure, the state capital, said it was the Asimako ruling House in IseAkoko who filed a case in court with a suit number NIK/18/2008 against the Onise of Ise on August 27, 2008, adding that the judgment was given in favour of Asimako ruling House. He noted that state Governor, Mimiko immediately directed the Attorney-General, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), to effect the court’s ruling and order him to stop parading himself as the authentic Oba of the community. The former LP state Chairman said in August, 2010, the AG directed the Caretaker Chairman of the local council to approve the appointment of a regent, stressing that one man, Pa Moses Oguntade Balogun was picked for the position in a accordance with custom of Ise-Akoko. “But as soon as I resigned my appointment as state chairman, Governor Mimiko who was a product

•State government: Go to court and bring document From Damisi Ojo, Akure

of the rule of law which gave him his mandate that was stolen by PDP has decided to violate the rule of law by inviting the deposed Onise of Ise for solidarity visit. “That shows the type of person that Olusegun Mimiko is. There is nothing he cannot do or sacrifice for his personal selfish ends and this is unbecoming of someone whose words were to put public interest above private interest,” he stated Oni urged the State House of Assembly to investigate the matter and institute a court process against Mimiko. However, a top government source, said the former LP state chairman words were now contradicting itself. The source, who referred to Oni’s resignation letter, said he had earlier disclosed that the case was still pending at the law court. The statement reads, “as a result of my support for your gubernatorial project and my blunt refusal to support Dr. Olusegun Agagu who even offered me financial inducement, Dr. Agagu spited me by installing a pretender on the stool of my fore-fathers. You asked me to lie low and when we get into government, the issue will be reversed. What did I get? Late Hon. Alademehin and Mr. Dare Adebiyi,

the chairman of the Civil Service Commission asked me to go and hang. To date, I spent over

N2million as legal fees on the matter. You left me to swim the tide alone.

The government advised Dr. Oni to go to court and get the court’s ruling, stressing that this would act as a proof to the whole society.

Ondo ACN faults Akoko monarch’s solidarity visit

HE Ondo State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday condemned the last Monday solidarity visit of some traditional rulers from Akoko North East Local government area of the state to Govenror Olusegun Mimiko over the resignation of former Labour Party (LP) Chairman, Olaiya Oni. Besides, an ACN Chieftain, Dr. Tunji Abayomi who also criticised the monarchs’ visit, described them as political agents. In a statement signed by the Publicity Director of ACN, Mr Gbenga Akinmoyo, the party said rather than the traditional rulers coming to rubbish the integrity of Oni, they should have concentrated on things that would edify their communities. Akinmoyo said,” It is high time traditional rulers stopped being slaved to the government of the day and give appropriate dignity to their stool because their roles should be neutral in the society. He said “In similar vein, we are amazed at the hullabaloo that the governor has generated through his support mechanism from

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Akokoland. They claim that Olaiya Oni is an insignificant departure from the Labour Party and yet his exit from the party has necessitated a frantic mobilisation of sycophants who were stage-managed into orchestrated swan songs supporting the Mimiko administration”. However, Dr. Tunji Abayomi noted that things have really gone very bad in the State when traditional rulers carry placards and seek the crown of disorder in their effort to lift up a Governor. According to him, “Traditional rulers are not politicians; they are expected to act from reflection. They are expected to conform their acts with the character of their dominion. They are not expected to support or impress a Governor that pretends to govern when in reality he misgoverns and abuses his Commission. “It appears all our expectation have now finally been blighted and our faith shattered by the unsound ignorance demonstrated by the Mimiko government supported solidarity visit of August 15, 2011.

Meanwhile, the state LP reiterated that the resignation of the state party chairman has nothing to do with corporate existence of the party in any part of the state as the party boasted that it would continued to wax stronger The party also said that it had perfected necessary arrangements to fill the vacuum caused by the exit of the former chairman in the interest of development of the party. The state organising secretary of the party, Comrade Rotimi Benjamin told reporters in Akure, the state capital, that the resignation of the former chairman was uncalled for as reasons given by him were of personal interest. He said the state executive members of the party were holding talks on how to address all issues at hand and to also ensure that opposition parties in the state do not take advantage of the development Benjamin said Olaiya Oni as an experienced and respected politician that contributed immensely to the growth of the party in the state, should have handled the situation with maturity rather than take such step.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Chastened and changed

Unholy pressures •Jonathan should resist the indefensible blackmail to intervene in the al-Mustapha case

N spite of his current travails and the uncertain fate that awaits him, depending on the outcome of the trial he is undergoing before a Lagos High Court for his alleged role in the murder, on June 4, 1996, of pro-democracy heroine, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Major Hamza al-Mustapha may indeed have been given cause to chuckle with delight and some hope. Nothing could possibly be more heartwarming to the once dreaded former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, than the news that President Goodluck Jonathan is under pressure from some Nigerians to intervene and bring the protracted trial to an end. This stunning revelation was made by none other than presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati, during a briefing session with State House reporters on Sunday. Stressing that the position of the Presidency is that the trial must be allowed to run its course, Dr. Abati said this is in accordance with the tenets of adherence to the rule of law, the principles of federalism as well as the autonomy of the judicial process. In his word, “I am curious that the same Nigerians who will say all this will turn around and say because a particular case is sensational, the President should wake up and put an end to it. I think that may not be a very good suggestion. The right thing to do is to allow the law to take its course. And that matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction”.

The call for the premature truncation of the case is clearly the outcome that Major al-Mustapha and his counsel have been working towards since the commencement of the trial about a decade ago. At every point, the defence has deployed various tactics to cause an interminable delay in the process. The strategy clearly was to arouse public sympathy for release of the accussed on the sentimental grounds that the case had dragged on for too long. Confronted with the stark reality of the full commencement of the trial with all delaying gimmicks exhausted, the defence resorted to cheap and alarmist sensationalism. Major al-Mustapha regaled the court and gullible members of the public with irrelevant tales, making allegations he was eventually unable to substantiate against dead persons who are no longer around to defend themselves. He was clever enough to hint that only considerations of national security prevented him from unveiling even more damaging information in his privileged custody. As expected, there were Nigerians who fell for this blackmail and are now calling on President Jonathan to interfere with the process in the interest of national security. Ordinarily, there ought to be no big deal about the President’s decision to abide by his oath of office to uphold the constitution and respect the principle of separation of powers in this instance. But then, this is Nigeria where institutions

are still fragile and public officers all too often act with impunity. We therefore commend the President’s resolve to resist these unholy pressures. It is unfortunate that by its unprecedented “arrest” of the judgment of the Sokoto State Governorship Appeal Panel in the case between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), the country’s apex court set a dangerous precedent that created the misleading impression that arbitrary abbreviations of the judicial process are normal. Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done at all times in our courts. That is the only guarantee against anarchy. The alMustapha case is no exception. The pressure on President Jonathan is sheer indefensible blackmail.

‘Ordinarily, there ought to be no big deal about the President’s decision to abide by his oath of office to uphold the constitution and respect the principle of separation of powers in this instance. But then, this is Nigeria where institutions are still fragile and public officers all too often act with impunity. We therefore commend the President’s resolve to resist these unholy pressures’

Unspent funds •The recovered money from RMRDC is a teaser to deeper rot in government

T the rate at which public funds are being stolen or misappropriated in the country, we may be tempted to dismiss the N216.7million unspent funds recovered from the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as negligible. This is much more so if we consider that the recovered amount covered recurrent funds over a four-year period, from 2006 to 2010. But that is not the spirit. The point is that such funds must be returned to the treasury. This was not done by the research council. According to the resident media consultant to the commission, the discovery of the unspent funds was part of a system review carried out by the ICPC and that the amount had been paid into the ICPC’s account. In the military years, unspent funds were like buffet in many government ministries and agencies. No one bothered to refund them even as no one bothered to ask for them. As a matter of fact, it was fashionable for civil servants to award all manner of contracts when the year was running to an end without recourse to their needs; all that they were after was to exhaust the current year’s budget by any means in order to justify the increase they were almost certain to ask for in the next budget. However, remittance of unspent funds became mandatory for all gov-

ernment ministries and parastatals in the Obasanjo era. The directive requires full compliance with government policies on the remittance of such funds, as balances at the end of a financial year, to the national treasury. It is this requirement that RMRDC had not complied with. This is not the first time a government parastatal would not comply with this regulation. Some ministers have had to be sacked as a result of their failure to comply with this directive in the past. This is why the ICPC should do more than beaming its searchlight on RMRDC alone. It has been discovered that the said amount recovered from it came from money paid to it from various sources, including non-remittance of internally generated revenue. There is nothing to suggest that some other ministries and parastatals are not flouting the government directive that unspent money should not be kept in their coffers, but that such should be returned to the national treasury. Taking a cue from the RMRDC’s case, the ICPC should go ahead to scrutinise the accounts of all other ministries and parastatals, and especially the Directorate of Pensions and Gratuities—to see how well they have complied with the rule. Investigations may produce startling revelations. It is N216.7 that was recovered from RMRDC; further investigations may lead to the discovery of billions

of Naira recoverable under the suggested further exercises to be carried out by the ICPC. If some top government functionaries had been relieved of their duties on this matter in the past, it will be a case of double standard if the Federal Government should allow others found guilty to go unpunished. We had thought that the previous cases would serve as a deterrent to others. Unfortunately, some people have not learned a lesson from them. Perhaps we need to punish more people to make the message sink. Nigerians are tired of the painful news of billions of Naira being wasted through embezzlement and through other leakages.

Taking a cue from the RMRDC’s case, the ICPC should go ahead to scrutinise the accounts of all other ministries and parastatals, and especially the Directorate of Pensions and Gratuities—to see how well they have complied with the rule. Investigations may produce startling revelations. It is N216.7 that was recovered from RMRDC; further investigations may lead to the discovery of billions of Naira ...’

IKE a boxer ambushed by an unseen hook, Britain has been struggling to stay on its feet its sense of who it is and its place in the world has been shattered by a spasm of violence in which hooligans, arsonists and looters remapped the contours of our lives. The riots have changed how people feel about their neighbours; how they view those who are well-off, those who languish in an underclass, and the gap between the two. Changed, too, it what they want from politicians and police; and made them measure the breadth of their liberal values. A fuse lit last Saturday in Tottenham, North London, snaked across the capital, then the country, until it felt as if all Britain was sizzling. The sound of sirens lulling Londoners and Manucnians to sleep, the sight of streets full of boarded up shopfronts and of restaurants closed for fear of their diners beign mugged, combined to crack the country’s complacency. It was as if a kaleidoscope had been shaken to offer up an unfamiliar and terrifying new pattern of life in Britain. Nobody will forget for some time yet the events, the fear and the feeling of shame of this bleak midsummer. Nor has it been the law-abiding majority alone who have shaken their heads, perplexed and ashamed, by the fever that raged across the country. Many of the looters themselves have seemed baffled by what propelled them through smashed shop windows to steal Tvs they did not need, or casually to pilfer bottles of water to slake their thirst on a late-night journey home. Yet amid the burnt-out buildings and broken glass there has been much to make Britons proud. Thousands thronged to sweep up the havoc left behind by rioters. There was the grace of a father, Tariq Jahan, whose calming words to his community after the murder of his son, Haroon, almost certainly helped to ease tensions in Birmingham midweek. The public’s generous response to victims (an old barber in Brixton robbed of everything; a Malaysian student whose cynical mugging in East London became an emblem around the world for the depravity of Britain’s looters) reminded everyone that this is a country that may be scarred by sickness, but is still far from convulsed by it. Police, fire and ambulance crews served bravely, often without breaks, to restore safety and sanity. Britain has, without doubt, been changed by the past week’s turmoil. But it is early yet to be sure by how much. There has been a swift, strong demand for authoritative policing. Above all else, people want their streets to be safe. Without fear of the police there can be no order. There is a yearning for the sort of zerotolerance policing that cut crime in many US cities. The country has also made clear that it has no stomach for a culture of rights without responsibilities; that parents and schools must instil in youngsters that, when they trash the world around them, they also trash their own lives. But Britain wishes to remain a liberal-minded country (even if not everywhere as liberal-minded as before). While a poll showed a few people happy to let police shoot live rounds, most do not want soldiers on the streets, or curfews. Early calls to kick convicted looters’ families out of social housing have been softened by a recognition that it may be precipitate to rush to drastic punitive law changes when still trapped in the furnace of fury. The chaos has tilted David Cameron’s administration on to a new axis. A firmer emphasis on law and order will not, alone, suffice. The Government must now be imaginative in mapping out an economic strategy that relies on more than just budgetary belt tightening. Like Nicolas Sarkozy before him, Mr Cameron may reap political rewards, depending on how he tackles the aftermath of riots. His challenge is not just to restore calm and prosperity, or to repair Britain’s reputation before next year’s Olympics, but to restore confidence and self-esteem in a nation where, in a few feverish days, both have been shaken. • The London Times

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

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IR: The 12th of August of every year has been set aside by the United Nations (UN) to uniquely drive home global appreciation of the youth and emphasize the imperativeness of harnessing youth energy for rapid socio-economic transformation in the present age. When channelled towards positive engagements, youth energy is essentially inspired and developed with lofty ideas for social re-engineering and driven by the need for moral rejuvenation, garnished with the spirit of enthusiasm, faith and hope in the desired future. However, when we allow youthfulness to grow in its raw and unrefined nature; it betrays such negative attributes such as corruption, , prostitution and violence. It is, however, sad that youths in Third World countries like Nigeria, are not being given the right environment to operate. In Osun State, the situation is not different as the socio-political situation, until recently, was not conducive for productive engagements. No wonder, Osun State was thrown into jubilation when the Court of Appeal pronounced the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the April 14th 2007 election. Aregbesola’s meritorious eight years public service experience as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos State under the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made him to have proper understanding and deep appreciation of the coteries of developmental challenges facing the people of Osun State. This prompted him to develop a comprehensive Six – Point Integral Action Plan targeted at banishing poverty, curtailing hunger, eliminating unemployment through the creating of job opportunities, to restore healthy living and the promotion of functional. One is not surprised by the recent re-brand of the State as ‘Ipinle Omoluabi’ , with a view to re-orientating the citizenry of the state, especially the youth, who for the past years have become disillusioned, isolated and marginalized. Through the novel Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O – YES), no fewer than 20,000 youths of Osun State have been trained and are now

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Aregbesola’s lifeline for Osun youths well equipped with skills and aptitudes that will enhance the creation of wealth through a creative interplay of human enterprise. Several other people – centred programmes and initiatives such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); Contract Review Committee (CRC); Osun Clean (O – Clean); Osun Rural Entrepreneurial Agriculture Program (O – REAP); Osun Tourism Development (O – Tourism); The Osun Re-branding Initiative; Payment of WAEC/NECO Fees; Settlement of

the Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) crisis among other giant strides of the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration, have started yielding concrete dividends of democracy, putting joy and smiles on the faces of the people of Osun in the process. But beyond the massive trainings and skill acquisition programmes, there is an urgent need to further incorporate the youth into the mainstream of governance for the sustainability of these laudable

programmes. Given their dynamic nature and resourcefulness, the youth constitute a critical mass of developmental stakeholders which are needed to rally support for the lofty initiatives of the government at the grassroots as well as in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies and action plans of the government. Governments must see to it that political, social and economic priorities are based on broad consensus among all stakeholders of gov-

ernance, including the youth. Rather than engaging in lawless activities such as drug abuse, trafficking, internet fraud, political thuggery and prostitution, our youths must begin to fulfil their potentials as creators of great initiatives and inventors of developmental ideas. Against this background, it is important that Osun State Government, given its progressive antecedent, inaugurate Osun State Youth Commission that would be saddled with the ultimate responsibility of empowering our youth. This if realized, would be a bench mark for other states in the federation in the project of mobilizing the youth towards the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) before 2015 in Nigeria. • Adedeji Gbenga Justice Ilesa, Osun State

In support of mother tongue

IR: Education refers to making someone understand, know and practice for daily living or store in memory for future occurrences. My attendance in a private secondary school opened my eyes to what education is in Nigeria. What students are taught is how to speak English Language; putting it this way; how fluent English language can be spoken. Students derive joy in speaking this language to confer status on themselves or how “tushed” they are. One is not painting English Language bad, it should be well understood as the nation’s “lingua franca”. But it would have been better placed behind the mother tongue of each state in the federation. The reason for mother tongue to be strictly given attention to is for easy assimilation of studies by kids within school age (primary to secondary), through this creativity and innovation brews. I realise that those within school age especially in the rural areas dropout of school because this borrowed language can’t be condoned. They get intimidated by their colleagues, compelled to keep quiet and not be able to express themselves when this borrowed language is spoken

fluently which makes them feel school is not for them. If one is not confusing anyone, children in rural areas understands more of the earthly gift in their environment (following their parent to the farm, oil well, learning the rudiments). Let me put us through the phase of imagination; imagine these kids are educated with the little knowledge they have and not bothered with this borrowed language but easy assimilation in their mother tongue; of course, they will be great asset to the society actualising their dream.

I believe if teaching is been done with mother tongue, kids will be able to ask questions, express their views and learn more. Most things the so-called elite do is to segregate themselves from the locals. They create e-banking, e-transact, eeverything without an inkling idea of what run through the mind of the locals. All these ideas don’t have any effect on these people neither do they understand all the grammars from the borrowed language. We say the world is global but those in the rural areas are not feeling it. If the

Russian, Japanese, Chinese, can educate their kids in their mother tongue, what stops all states in the Nigerian Federation from educating the kids in their mother tongue; not making English Language compulsorily spoken but necessarily taught in schools due to our diverse ethnicity. Comprehension of language is the most important when a state is aiming for development because it comprises educating, sharpening of skills and ultimately creating ideas. •Damilola ayetigbo “” <mcjayklins@yahoo.com>

Ignoring markets sanitation exercise

IR: This is to draw the attention of the authorities concerned in Lagos State to the lackadaisical attitude of market men and women towards the state’s weekly sanitation exercise. I have noticed that most of the market men and women ignore the period prescribed for the sanitation while some others rather use the period for fellowship-singing and praying.

I am a bit baffled each time I see them gathering in the name of God for fellowship instead of sanitatising their market premises. Even the Bible in Romans 13 verse 1 encourages every person to obey the government in power. No government would exist if it hadn’t been established by God. The governments which exist have been put in place by God. We should all remember that

cleanliness is next to Godliness. The Lagos State Government must also watchout in order to ensure strict adherence to the weekly sanitation exercise of the market places and give appropriate sanction to those who chose not to comply with cleaning of their market environments during the exercise. • Paul Oluwalere Asalu Street, Jankara, Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

NECO 69% failure- a NASS ‘MUNI’ Emergency; JETS; FAAN’s ‘Wealth to Waste’?

IGERIA’S poor records disgrace us all. NECO reveals that 472,906 candidates made five credits and above, including English Tony Language and Marinho Mathematics out of 1,540,250 candidates i.e. 31%. It means 1,067,344 or 69%, or 35,578 classrooms of 30 failed students each or 3,557 separate schools of 10 classrooms each have failed and will be joining the 2012 examination, clogging the classrooms. Nigeria has failed to provide adequate education for its 12-18 year old children- a criminal offence of ‘Educational Deception’. Surely, an emergency change must come immediately! This disgraceful result is not all students’ fault. It is obvious that nationwide the next SSS Class, 2012, must have a ‘Nine Month National Emergency Educational Empowerment Blitz’ Programme as the final year class deserves maximum special attention to get this pass rate up to 75%. SSS3 Classes require ‘Emergency’ provision of the ‘normal’ like extra books, equipment, high quality teachers, one-on-one coaching and Past Question Papers-PQPs. Brilliant NYSC graduates should be deployed to coaching SSS3 and ‘Emergency Extra Classes’, EEC, if they ‘agree for a fee’. They should be paid handsome ‘Emergency Education Allowances’ for this labour of ‘Urgent National Importance’ which will rescue 1 million potential and likely failing students from failure. The NASS should announce an Emergency SSS3 Fund to cover this great NYSC Educational Expectation unless the NUT can guarantee results with the same additional allowances. Nigeria cannot afford another 1million failed students added in 2012. It is possible with concentrated training and equipment to inflict knowledge in the 2012 SSS3 class. It will take dedication, concentration, incentives to schools and teachers and the ministry of education. The classes behind the SSS3, 2012 will also receive attention. Every educated child passing examinations reduces Nigeria’s problems. This NECO result is a NASS ‘Matter of Urgent National Importance’- MUNI. It requires the serious

OR 32-year-old Monika Konczyk, a Polish woman who escaped death by a whisker after rioters torched her home in the recent orgy of violence and looting which gripped the United Kingdom, “England has become a sick society”. Konczyk said she had come to London to seek a better life but was nearly killed by thugs in a nightmare riot blaze that swept through the country leaving tears and sorrow in its trail. Hear her: “I thought London was a civilized society full of gentlemen and ladies - but it is not like that. England has become a sick society. I found myself jumping for my life after being attacked by thugs and thieves. They set fire to my building without any thought for anyone’s safety,” Konczyk was quoted, as saying by The Sun. According to the report, Konczyk was caught inside her house when it was set on fire by an unruly mob. Her terrifying 45minute ordeal ended only when she jumped from her first-floor window into the arms of riot cops 16ft below. The Polish’s pathetic story underscores the anguish a lot of people went through in the hands of the looting gangs and arsonists who recently descended on major cities in the UK after the extrajudicial killing of Mark Duggan, 29, by the police on Thursday, August 4, in Tottenham, North London. A good number of them have described the appalling behaviour witnessed during the riots as naked “thuggery, vandalism and theft.” More than 2,275 people were reined

solutions outlined above, but NASS is on 52 day holiday, like students. The alternative is for the Nigeria to do nothing but complain and get 69% failure rates in 2012. If we get SSS3 right annually, starting in SSS3 2012, we can move to the higher level where scholarships in Africa are not fitting into any ‘National Job Needs Strategy’ and are used to ‘dump them in university’ doing mostly mundane ‘irrelevant and unusable’ courses and not the cutting edge courses we need in Nigeria. How many wealthy individuals and Boards of Corporate Africa have sent Nigerian and African first class students, undergraduate or post graduate, to specifically research particular pressing developmental problems? These problems include developing and applying simple solar solutions to cooking, lighting, sterilizing water and food, and answer to our power problems or the waterless toilet searched for by Bill Gates. Does Corporate Nigeria place Africans in the best universities worldwide and then in super white collar jobs abroad in foreign businesses which will benefit Africa in the long term –strategic employment placement, not to spy but to acquire knowledge which will one day benefit Africa or their country of origin. No country grows if it dismisses the winners of JETS competitions with ‘JETS Participants Certificate’, a cheap prize and nothing more-no educational advancement opportunities. In university, the ‘inventions’ and ‘interventions’ and project results from the sweat and academic suffering of our brilliant youth, are now classified as waste and are thrown out to make space for the next student set, who in their turn will invent things that will turn into nothingness. Do Nigerians know the effect of this on the psyche of the next generation? The London riots, though inexcusable, are believed to have partially been fueled by under-parenting, under-education, and a lack of job creation and easy dole conditions. We must examine how, if at all, we are different in Nigeria, or we may face the same violence. This is a weak-brained country which cuts up old planes into spoons and metal plates instead of delivering those same planes to be dissected by tertiary students and in FAAN Aviation Exhibitions and Airport Museums. This ‘Planes to Pots and Pans Project’ of FAAN, the failure to direct and use

students and lecturers’ university research, the neglect of the JETS winners are examples of tragic ‘Nigerian Wealth To Waste Programmes’, the reverse of normal thinking and a remote reason for our 69% failure in NECO! No child taken to a museum to see the insides of an aeroplane’s technical workings will fail NECO and perhaps visa versa? Perhaps NUC could establish a Project Reference System, serious academic, computerized ‘Record Your Research/ Project Findings’ effort within the university system to Register inventions and findings which should be classified for low interest financial Small and Medium Scale Industry Support. Efforts must match them to industry and organisations like FIIRO, the Federal Industrial Research Organisation. Among the many items in the University of Ibadan is a machine that turns empty plastic bags into tiny pellets for recycling. UI has been identified as one of six AU African ‘Centres of Excellence’ and due to receive a large grant. Beyond that, there requires to be an annual corporate/gown interface where research can be offered a business angle and business can influence research direction. In addition, the new wave of Entrepreneurial Skills Programmes and the MBA programmes should be made to meet professionally with researchers to form partnerships to develop promising research and to explore funding from interested corporate bodies or banks as part of the training programmes.

‘Does Corporate Nigeria place Africans in the best universities worldwide and then in super white collar jobs abroad in foreign businesses which will benefit Africa in the long term –strategic employment placement, not to spy but to acquire knowledge which will one day benefit Africa or their country of origin’

UK riots: The morning after in by the police after shops were looted and several buildings were left either torched or vandalized while the disorder lasted. Images on the popular television networks like BBC, Sky News, CNN and Al-Jazeera showed rampaging rioters in hoods and masks roaming the streets with dangerous objects, or actively breaking into stores and shops. Some were seen running away with looted items ranging from Plasma TV to shoes, mobile phones, clothes and even such petty things as sweets, candies and cans of beer. Zoe Williams of The Guardian describes this as “shopping riots”, characterized by the consumer choices of the rioters. She added: “This is what happens when people don’t have anything, when they have their noses constantly rubbed in stuff they can’t afford, and they have no reason ever to believe that they will be able to afford it. In the context of looting, it’s about taking what you can.” Outside the killing of Duggan which actually led to a peaceful protest on Saturday, August 6, before the whole thing snowballed into a wild carnage, many other theories have been posited as the remote causes of the riots – from moral decadence in the English society to social exclusion, poor family system, spending cuts, weak policing, racism, gangster rap and culture, opportunism, social

‘The lesson from the UK riots for Nigeria is enormous. As more and more people are being sentenced to a life of hopelessness and poverty in the midst of dwindling national fortune coupled with treasury looting by government officials, the potential for a catastrophic conflagration is very high.’

networking and technological advancement. In a piece in the Daily Mail, Sir Max Hastings focused on “a perverted social ethos, which elevates personal freedom to an absolute and denies the underclass the discipline – tough love – which alone might enable some of its members escape from the swamp of dependency in which they live.” According to him, the issue at stake “is not just about a particular class, it permeates all levels of society. When we see politicians claiming for flat-screen TVs and getting jailed for fiddling with expenses, it’s clear that young people of all classes aren’t being given appropriate leadership.” His view was echoed by Camilla Batmanghelidjh, the founder of Kids Company, a charity concern, who wrote in the Independent. She blamed a society in which the “established community is perceived to provide nothing ….it’s not one occasional attack on dignity; it’s a repeated humiliation being continuously dispossessed in a society rich with possession.” Marian FitzGerald, visiting professor of Criminology at the University of Kent, added her own voice by saying studies do suggest that living in areas of social deprivation could be a factor. “The socially excluded are not always the ones who are rioting – in fact, they are often the ones who are most vulnerable to riots. We need a better thought-out approach rather than just using social exclusion as an excuse,” she said. Critics have also beamed their binoculars on the lack of male role models in the society. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Cristina Odone said the riots could be traced to a lack of male role models. She drew her conclusion from the overwhelming

majority of youth offenders now behind bars and said that these gang members have one thing in common: no father at home. Prof FitzGerald seems to concur with this: “Yes there are some issues about where boys get a positive sense of masculinity from when they don’t have anyone in the home to give it. But if you have a stable family set-up, then these kids can still be very high-achieving.” The days and years ahead may prove something rightly or wrongly for the massive cuts in official spending embarked upon by Conservative politician, David Cameron, the youthful Prime Minister of Britain. The spending cuts and raised taxes which have triggered off a wave of austerity measures that have affected welfare allowances for jobless Britons may have also been responsible for the riots. In fact, many Britons are yet to come to terms with the skyrocketing price of homes and school fees while jobs have become increasingly scarce to get. Earlier this year, Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, had a raw deal in the hands of youths who engaged in spontaneous street protests over increase in school fees. But those protests all went with no sour incidents. Though the impact of the harsh economic measures introduced by the new coalition government is beginning to take its toll on Britons, the full impact may still take the people on a final plunge. In that case, if proper palliative measures are not put in place, Britain could be in for more of these riots in the years ahead. As could be seen during the riots, more and more people joined in the riots for mere psychological reason - if it involves a sea of hundreds, it is unlikely that one unexceptional individual would be

Dele Agekameh caught or face retribution. Call it bandwagon effect because in the first two days, the police were overwhelmed and even perplexed. Many may have also joined the riots for the fun of it. Perhaps, that was why Steve Kavanagh, the deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, told reporters who sought his comments after the riots that “social media and other methods have been used to organize these levels of greed and criminality.” This is a phenomenon that is believed to have fuelled disturbances across the Arab world and elsewhere in recent times. For many years, British gangs and football hooliganism have been using technology to get together to wreak havoc. It appears the police have not yet found solution to this. The lesson from the UK riots for Nigeria is enormous. As more and more people are being sentenced to a life of hopelessness and poverty in the midst of dwindling national fortune coupled with treasury looting by government officials, the potential for a catastrophic conflagration is very high. That is why both Britain and Nigeria must go back to the drawing board and map out new strategies in order to save the evil day. A stitch in time saves nine!

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘British people are reaping what they sowed. Look at how they kill innocent souls in Iraq and Libya. The violence will spread into England. United States will also witness violence and their own will be worst. From Olubiyi Mohamed Sarafadeen’

• Patience Goodluck

For Tunji Dare Tunji, you forgot: what if the first lady welcomed the wife of the potential investor as “my fellow widow!” From Femi Osofisan I read The Nation because of its back page columns. “At home abroad” and “Palladium” are my all time favourites. While I don‘t always agree with Mr. Omatseye‘s take, his style is great. You guys are the best. Keep on doing what you know best. Ben Pever, Wuse Abuja Re: “From Obudu with etiquette”. With Okrika still fresh on our minds, the Obudu retreat is a clear case of misplaced priority. Anonymous Haba! What happened to you, praising what made me weep? That Obudu Retreat by Dame Patience deserves praise? Laughed bitterly at your essay.Must be a satire. Dr.Femi Point of correction. Mr. Ayo Fayose was not the Governor of Ekiti in 2001. He became the Governor in 2003. Anonymous Dare, till today I can’t believe what I read about Mrs. Anwar Sadat, first lady of Egypt then that she would rather remain an academic and teach at Cairo university than indulge in frivoliities. Anonymous Well written piece, I honsetly couldn’t tell if you were for or against. Will reserve my comments till I read the “said” paper. From Ada, Enugu You’re certainly a ‘bad’ man, filled with envy and jealousy! I read your piece on the Interim man last year, and I thought, ‘What an analytical mind.’ Today’s piece on Dame (Dr.) P. Jonathan tops it all. Sir, may the coming of the new Nigeria we all desire meet you sound and healthy. Anonymous Your piece brilliantly exposed the reckless abandon with which our leaders waste our joint resources on frivolies and consumption. Sure our leaders and their wives need etiquette training on proper management of public funds. When are we going to get out of this terrible circle? Anonymous Thanks for t “From Obudu with Etiquette”. The truth is that by taking a wife, a man certainly adds to the list of those who have a right to interfere with and advise him and he runs the risk of putting in his own way, another very strong and perhaps inseperable obstacle to his acting, according to his own opinions and inclinations. First Lady Dame (Dr.) Patience Jonathan is obviously taking advantage of our spurious constitution and our ways of doing things.The President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, should know that he will be held responsible for all the activities under his administration, at the right time. From Adegoke O.O. Elewura, Ibadan. This Obudu Resort training is a good example of how we turn things upside down in Nigeria. How can Dame Jonathan teach anybody etiquette? At all her outings (seen on TV) she does not sit right, she does not Walk right and does not even speak right. Untill we realise that position does not confer knowledge on people, we will keep floundering.The best President Jonathan can do for us is to keep her in purdah.

Thanks. From Bayo Alugbin. What a satirical espose.Our own DAME, a renowned orator per excellence, flaunts a Ph.D (Uniport) and is thus competent to speak on public speaking...for governor’s wives... From Ekeoma, Aba Your column of 9th August made an amusing read. However, our commonwealth should not be used in training wives of our leaders on a matter so commonsensical as etiquette! If they need any kind of training, they should draw money from their husbands, mind-boggling security votes. In any case, are their offices in the constitution and why should we be celeberating such frivolities amidst the litany of wahala plaguing us? The reasons you adduced for this unnecessary distraction can never ‘crawl, let alone fly’. Have you seen Michele Obama or any serious leader’s wife involved in this kind of thing? Attraction of investment is based on indices like security, economy and good operating environment that will guarantee good returns and not the etiquettes of some people. From Kayode A, Abeokuta. This is Olatunji Dare in his element. This piece brings back the memories of the late eighties when The Guardian on Tuesday was a must read, by the negligible, satirical clan. As usual, the message in the piece will be lost on the gullible and indiscernable lot. Sad! If at a time N18k minimum wage is an issue; our education is on its knees; life expectancy is below the benchmark; when unemployment level is at its worst; and most Nigerians live below the $1 mark, then, Maryam Babangida should be resting with the saints. I never envied Dame Jonathan though. From Okon Andem, Calabar. It is very disappointing that you neglected to mention the very important lesson learnt on farming and which was clearly shown on National Television: First ladies must not forget to take their umbrellas along to the farm. And when the heavens open and torrents begin to pour, farm work must continue but with an aide holding the umbrella to shield the first lady from rain while farming in the open. This lesson is good for farmers. Abi no be so? Anonymous For Gbenga Omotoso Re: “al-Mustapha: MKO reacts”. Quite a fantastic piece of pen artistry. But the statement credited to MKO “...Here is a boy who has been in custody for over 10 yrs...” taints it very badly. I regard this as an alteration tantamount to forgery. How long has he been in custody till date? From Kola Olukotun As CSO to late Abacha, should we not as a nation, give him the best of opportunity and medium to say it unedited instead of persecuting him? We hate truth and detest justice. If Wikileaks had broken the story, everyone would believe it, but because it is al-Mustapha, we find it so unbelievable. Its unfortunate. From Bayo Oyedeji, Ikeja Very great and imaginative piece...No one can kill the spirit of a struggle, which appeals to the heart of the masses. MKO, sun re o! From Abdulateef Ahmed, Kaduna Gbenga, God bless you. MKO’s reaction couldn’t have been less. As I read your Editorial Notebook this morning, tears welled up in my eyes. Go into Lagos Lawn Tennis Club VIP Lounge you will see the full portrait of Lord Lugard who plunged us into perpetual mess. My late uncle, Oba Adesanoye,former Osemawe of Ondo, told me that Nigeria is not one country. He re-

tired as a super perm.sec, so he knew beter. He was P.S to Obasanjo’s militarygovernment in Defence ministry. I love this country, and I fear the North would kill this my dear country. From Banji Boney Gbenga, ‘MKO reacts’ is a masterpiece. May God bless your fountain of knowledge. Anonymous Waoh! Your article on “Abiola reacts is indeed inspired especially the last two questions and responses from beyond. From Dr. Segun Oyero, Minna Mr. Omotoso, I just read the footage in your article “Anarchy in UK”. If I may ask? what exactly does the world expect? You obviously Reap wat you sow. when USA, France, Britain, Italy, Canada, etc decided to murder peace and sleep in Libya via NATO, out of hatred and jealousy, did they see tomorrow? France is next. From Dave Blankson Well, Gbenga, that was a good one from you. In fact if you didn’t call that phantasmic meeting with Chief Abiola, I would have believed that he visited you from the grave recently. Anonymous Britain can’t feign ignorance of the happenings in Africa. So let them have a taste of it too. From Nasiru, Bauchi Britain is just paying reparation for what they did in Nigeria in 1914. Anonymous A Yoruba adage says if death killed your coleague it is sending a warning to you. The recent event in U K is a caution to Nigerian government, which believes all is well with the youth by handling their issues with litle or no care. Nigeria will not escape the global wrath against inequity. Law makers should take note. Anonymous Your write-up ‘al-Mustapha : MKO reacts ‘ shows your depth. You are too good. I enjoyed it. Adewunmi, Lagos Abiola could not have died if Western community sex workers didn’t kill Abacha with viagra which was N1000 a tab. How cheap our Head of State was! Anonymous Kofi Anan said Abiola was too hard, insisting on his mandate, instead of saying that the West killed Abiola because Abiola aimed at reparation which Goodluck didn’t know anything about recently. Anonymous ‘Which way, Nigeria?’ sang Sonny Okosun years back. Nigerian leaders must change their way of goverance so that they do not take the ‘innocent’ with when our youth vent their fury at them o. Then, any of us riding at least a car could be in trouble. Unfortunately, a dog destined to be lost will not heed the warning of the hunter. Lord have mercy because of the ‘innocent’. Prince Ademola Aladejana. British people are reaping what they sowed. Look at how they kill inncent souls in Iraq and Libya. The violence will spread into England. United States will also witness violence and their own will be worst. From Olubiyi Mohamed Sarafadeen. Sir, Britain has not lost her glory. The Arabs, the Boko Haram, the Niger Delta militants are not losing any glory. Rather Jesus second coming is nearer than ever. Pastor Willie John, Calabar For Segun Gbadegesin Prof., what is the relevance of all the rubish Al-Mustapha is bandying about? Anyway, he once said that his former boss Abacha was mentaly unstable during his despotic rule. Can we now say that his long stay in Kirikiri has made him mentally derailed. Alh. Adeboye Lawal, Felele, Ibadan

•MKO

Segun, we have read enough about alMustapha and accusation against Yorubas. Please move on to something else. Regards. Chuma, Imo State. Al-Mustapha should answer the questions before him and stop making a fool of himself. Nigerians will enjoy his juicy story now but will still want to see him sentenced. So he ‘d better strategise well. From Okocha Grace. I love the way you compose your writeup. You are damn good. Keep it up. Anonymous. Indeed, the critic Global events are preludes to greater Divine showdown meant to affect the entire earth and the mankind occupant. In fact, the starting of warning or better, warming (but not final yet) is the global warming/climate change. The Christian World shall face crisis, sort of as the Moslem world faced. There shall come a global consensus for peace. There shall be a supernatural exposition. From George Godswill al-Mustapha is a good military strategist, hence it was easy for him to Catch Gens. Diya, Yar’Adua, Obasanjo and co for “Ploting coup “. Somebody should tell him we are in democracy. He cannot catch the Yoruba leaders. Let him defend himself. Anonymous As the CSO of the President, his duty is to protect the life of C in C and that of his family and not to be involed in personal dealings of the C-in-C. But that does not stop him from having clues. They sold out democracy. Anonymous Re:Al-Mustapha Wacky Monologue: This is not funny at all! For God’s sake MKO, Kudirat and other innocent Nigerians were all murdered by evil men during Abacha’s era. Why wasting time and resources making spot here? Lets stop fiddling with serious case like this. These guys should rot in jail for thier wickdness and let justice reign in Nigeria. We don taya abeg! E.H. Dabol -Jos Segun if you don’t know what to write why can you resign? Don’t kill alMustapha with your pen please. Johnpaul from sokoto state I may not be a fan of Al-Mustapha but my heart bleeds when a man is presumed guilty and needs to prove his innocence. Mustapha has spent over 10 yrs in detention awaiting trial. What happens if he is, per chance, acquitted? I cry for Naija. Today, it is Al-Mustapha, tomorrow, it could be any other person. Let’s watch it. Anonymous It is relevant because it is circumstantial. Remember NADECO and Abacha were sworn enemies. Mustapha dealt with them when he had the upper hand and when NADECO had the upper hand under Abdusalam,for Abacha’s enemy, it became paback time. Hope your question is answered. Anonymous al-Mustapha’s statements should not be dismissed because I believe there must be an iota of truth in it’s contents. It is even now that the case is becoming more intrested. Most of the recent statements are very important I believe. Felix Douglas Ebeye from warri Delta state

Security agencies scour Jos for Mikel’s father

Pg. 24

NPL RE-RUN

Pg. 24

Hon. Minister, you are wrong —Igbokwe

Nation Wednesday, August 17, 2011

PAGE 23

Nigeria’s pride at stake against Argentina –Siasia

Pg. 24

Set to call up 30 players

•Eagles in training

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NATION SPORT Ebele Obi recalls father’s kidnap

IKEL Obi’s elder brother, Ebele Obi has revealed the incidents that led to his father’s disappearance last week. Michael Obi is believed to have been abducted after he failed to return home on Friday. Ebele who plays for Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Enugu Rangers told SuperSport.com on Tuesday that no word had yet been heard from those believed to be holding Obi Snr. “We still have not heard anything from anybody. It is very very sad. He went to work on Friday and we have not seen or heard from him since then,” Ebele said. The Flying Antelopes player also revealed that his father oversees the transport company which Mikel set up for the family near Jos, Plateau State. “He (Obi Snr) always drives himself to work and back. That fateful day, we were trying to reach him on his phones without any luck. The phones kept ringing but no one picked the calls. After a while, the phones stopped ringing. That is the situation till this moment,” he said.

NATION SPORT

Security agencies scour Jos for Mikel’s father

IGERIA’s security agencies have cloaked Jos in a security net as the search for Michael Obi, the abducted father of football star John Mikel Obi gathers pace. Desmond Agwu, Regional Head of the State Security Service (SSS), told KickOffNigeria.com that a thorough sweep of the state was initiated as soon as information about the abduction was received. “I met with my division heads immediately we got information and I can tell you that we have started sweeping the whole state. “We have sent Muslim operatives to the Muslim areas, and Christian operatives to the Christian areas. “We believe that by the Grace of God, he will be found.” Plateau state Police Commissioner Emmanuel Dipo Ayeni also confirmed that the police were in the hunt for Michael Obi. “We are still searching to find his location,” Ayeni said. On Monday, Mikel made a televised plea on SkySports for his father’s abductors to get in touch. “All I can say is that I’m from Nigeria and I have always tried to help the

country in whatever way I can by playing for the country, serving the country in whatever way that I can. This is the time for my country to help me. “So I just got to say that whoever has got my dad, whoever knows where my dad is, should please contact me and hopefully, he’ll be released,” an emotional Mikel said. The kidnapping of Obi senior is the third high profile case involving football. Everton defender Joseph Yobo’s brother Nornu was kidnapped in July 2008, and released after 10 days. A month earlier, it was Enyimba chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu who was abducted, but later released. A year ago, Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s family narrowly escaped only because they had fortuitously moved their travel dates to a day earlier. Instead, the goalkeeper’s cousin, who was the only one at home at the time, was abducted and only released when he told them he was no relative of the player.

Nigeria’s pride at stake against Argentina –Siasia •Set to call up 30 players

UPER EAGLES’ Chief Coach Samson Siasia has revealed that he would invite 30 players for the next African Nations Cup qualifying match against Madagascar and the friendly match against Argentina in Bangladesh next month. According to him, this is to enable him have a pool of players that would prosecute the all important matches “you know very well that the match against Madagascar is a must win one, and I am sure we are committed to win the match if we would have any hope of making it to the Nations Cup. The match against Argentina is also an important one, because the pride of the nation would be at stake. So we are approaching them with all

acclimatize. “The team will leave one week to the games,” he said. “We want them to get used to the weather and possibly trained with the facilities in Maputo. The other athletes on training tour will join the team in Maputo.” Ekeji expressed confidence that the 10th edition of the All Africa Games will be Nigeria’s best outside the country angling that the success of the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India will rub off on the confidence and performance of the athletes.”Nobody gave Team Nigeria a chance when we were going for the Commonwealth Games last year,” he said. “But we kept preparing quietly and we recorded one of the best outings in the history of the games. I expect that to happen in Maputo because this is the longest time any Nigerian team has ever prepared for an international championship. These athletes have been in camp for almost two months now doing their things quietly.”

HERE is no dull moment here, we are highly motivated, Kaduna is the place to camp, our camp commandant is wonderful, he is “spoiling” us a little, and above all we appreciate the National Sports Commission for what they are doing for us, we will do our best to make the nation proud in Maputo.”. These were the words of Saudi-based 25year-old Nigerian national Handball team captain, Emmanuel David, while speaking with the press on the team’s preparation in their Kaduna camp for the All African Games schedule for Maputo this year. According to David, what they are experiencing in Kaduna has imparted positively to their change of attitude and mentality towards camping in Nigeria as for the first time, they are feeling at home with developments in Kaduna camp. The captain who also appealed for friendly matches among some West African nations and their team said this will help them know their ability before the games. David express his happiness that the handball team is like a family as you can not tell who is home or foreign based in camp, as all what they are aiming at is one particular goal, to win medals for the country, during the games in Maputo. The former Safety Shooters handball team of Abuja, who has put in 16 years in practice as a player, said with the current form of theplayers,theyarereadytofacetheAfrican

champions, North African in the game, but with the hope that one of two friendly matches may come their way before the game. The Saudi based player, who appreciated the efforts of the National Sports Commission in its ability to boost the players morale as a welcome development that they are happy with unlike 2007 when they were not attended to and were abandoned. Also speaking the female captain of the handball team, Okezie Peace Chizoba who plays for Grasshoppers handball club of Owerri said she is happy with the situation in their camp as this has helped them to put in their best during trainings. According to Chizoba, the female see their going to Maputo as a great challenge and would want to use it to create an impact by wining medals in the game and make Nigeria proud. She also explained that the camp commandant is a role model, who has come to treat them as special stars with his incentives that includes prizes and trophy for athletes that excel in camp weekly. This, she noted has made the players both male and female have the understanding that with people like Dr Are incharge Nigeria sports have brighter future and also commended the NSC for their improved understanding of the athletes situation in the country and pray they improve on areas that would bring better result to the nation.

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja According to our source at the Glasshouse secretariat of the NFF, a letter is expected to be dispatched to the Minister today, telling him the reasons why the former league boss would not be allowed to participate in the election. “Despite the fact that he is ineligible to contest the election, he took football matters to court, which FIFA always frown at. He was invited to the disciplinary committee of the NFF, he did not turn up, saying that he has taken his case to the appeal court. Moreover, since he has taken the case to the appellant court, he should stay away from football matters until such a time when the case would be trashed out”. The source exonerated Minister from any wrong doing saying that wrote the letter with good intentions in his bid of finding peace in the football circle, only that he was ill advised by the eggheads in the commission.

Don’t disband F/Eagles, Elaho, Allen beg NFF

MAPUTO 2011

Nigeria’s Handball team, best in Africa –Captain “T

Owumi: NFF to inform NSC of disqualification HERE is a strong indication that the Nigeria Football Federation may forward a letter to the Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission Suleiman Yusuf on the reasons why the embattled former chairman of the Nigeria Premier League Davidson Owumi would not be allowed to contest the forth-coming Chairmanship election in the League Board. The Minister had on Monday written to the NFF pleading that the former Rangers International player and Manager should be allowed to contest the forth-coming election after his case was thrown out by a Federal High Court in Abuja and he was disqualified from contesting the election because he did not meet the criteria set by the NPL to contest the election in first place. According to the NPL guidelines, for Owumi to be eligible for the position, he needed to be a club chairman, which he was not at the time of the election.

Air Nigeria to airlift Team Nigeria to Maputo HE National Sports Commission (NSC) have struck a deal with Air Nigeria to airlift the Nigerian contingent to the 10th All Africa Games in Maputo which begins on September 3. The MoU was signed between the airline management and the NSC recently. Director General of the NSC, Dr Pat Ekeji confirmed the deal saying it was the best Team Nigeria could get amongst all the airlines contacted. “We have a fantastic deal with Air Nigeria to lift all the athletes and officials to Maputo,” Dr Ekeji said. “We approached quite a number of airlines but we got the best bargain from Air Nigeria and even our athletes are delighted to fly the airline.” The DG added that since the larger chunk of the Team Nigeria contingent could not go on training tour, the team would leave for the Games one week to the commencement of the continental Olympic so that the athletes can

From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja seriousness. To this end, we would invite 30 players out of which we are expected to pick 22 players for the two matches, to avoid any unforeseen issue”. The former international said the technical crew has sent their programmes to the NFF and awaits their response “we have to put everything in the right perspective, and must start very early enough,

because Nigerians would not want to hear any story whatsoever. That was why we needed that match against Ghana to enable us assess our boys and know those that will fit into our programme. But with the turn of events, we have no option than to readjust” he said. Siaone refused to be dragged into any issue on the recent rejection of national call by Dickson Etuhu saying that the player may have reasons “I don’t have issues with Etuhu. He may have his reasons, but that does not mean that the doors of the national team have been shut on him” he concluded.

T •Mikel

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been advised not to disband the country’s Under-20 team, the Flying Eagles despite failing to progress beyond the quarter final stage of the on-going FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia. Ex-international, Friday Elaho and former Bukola Babes handler, Festus Allen, while making the appeal in separate chats with NationSport, believe the John Obuh tutored boys are the future of Nigerian football as they are expected to form the bedrock of the Super Eagles team ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. According to Elaho, “they tried their best and it was a good outing even though they couldn’t get past the quarter final stage. I hope they have learnt one or two lessons, but all the same they have made themselves and the country proud. “NFF should not disband the team. That is the mistake we always make. Let them leave the team. After this tournament, we still have another age grade, the Under-23 which this team can graduate into. Let us leave them to grow together and by that they will have much understanding when they play together at least for three years. Since some of them are in the range of 18 and 19 years, in the next four years at least they would have matured well enough for the Super Eagles,” he told NationSport. For Allen, “Coach John Obuh should be commended for taking the team to that stage. Though we did not expect to be eliminated in the quarter final stage, we should not throw the team away. We

By Akeem Lawal should learn from defeat because in football you either win or lose, so they should be commended and the team should be encouraged. “Some of the players are ripe enough for the super eagles and should be considered. They are the future of Nigera and will be ripe for the 2014 world cup. For me I will not advise them for U-23, some of the players should be invited into the Super Eagles now,” he said.

CTION in the 2011 Federation Cup resumes on today as the combatants return to the battle field for quarter-final matches. In the continent, the FA Cup in Egypt, which began in 1920, only surpasses it. Nigeria’s Federation Cup has a rich history and started back in 1945 as the All Nigeria Governor’s Cup. Seventy-four teams across the country started the race for the title, which qualifies the winner for a place in the 2012 CAF Confederations Cup, but only eight are left to challenge for the big prize. Famous sides like 3SC, formerly called (IICC), Mighty Jets and Bendel Insurance have since disappeared from the annual competition, which remains the oldest club competition in the country. Sadly, others like Stationery Stores, NEPA (former ECN), Leventis United and Abiola Babes are now extinct. In the absence of these teams, fivetime champions, Enugu Rangers, have made an ambitious challenge on behalf of the old brigade. Although, the last time Rangers tasted Cup success was way back in 1983. The ‘Flying Antelopes’ have a date with former league champions, Bayelsa United, which now plays in the lower division, but the match has been postponed because Rangers will travel to Niger for a WAFU Cup match. Bayelsa gaffer, Dipreye Teibowei, who played for defunct Julius Berger, in this competition is plotting a revival for the Yenagoa side. Rangers first choice-goalkeeper, Ebele Obi, is confident that the club can correct previous mistakes in the 2011 Federation Cup. “The team has changed in recent times, despite the absence of several top stars. This is the right time to break the Cup jinx,” Obi told SuperSport.com. History favours four-time champions, Dolphin, to advance into the last four. Interestingly the team is coached by Stanley Eguma, who won the club’s first-ever Cup title in 2001. Like ‘Oliver Twist’, Eguma wants more titles. “My wish is to win again to celebrate the anniversary of my 2001 feat at first attempt. It’s been very exciting and I pray that God helps me again. I have tried to maintain a standard every year and it’s been working for me. I can’t believe its 10 years now,” Eguma said to SuperSport.com. Two-time CAF Champions League winners, Enyimba, are seeking their third title this year. Fresh from a 2-0 victory over Raja Casablanca, Enyimba travels to neighbouring Enugu to face group leaders, Kwara United. It’s another tricky match for Enyimba star, Phillip Auta, who reached the crossroads of his career earlier the season. Auta dumped Enyimba for Kwara due to unfulfilled promises and played some matches for the Ilorin side. However, he was forced to return to the former champions and eventually punished Kwara United when they visited Aba on a road trip. “I intend to do my best for Enyimba,” he said just before the team headed for Enugu. Kwara United’s experienced gaffer, Kadiri Ikhana is already a manunder-pressure.

•Nigeria Premier League in action

Federation Cup begins Ikhana’s team have been dumped out of the Wafu Cup by NPL rivals, Rangers, and also out of contention in the league. WAFU champions, Sharks and 2008 Cup champions, Ocean Boys, will converge on Uyo for a place in the last four. It’s a competition that has never favoured Sharks since 1979, when they appeared in the first-ever finals and lost to IICC (now 3SC). Perhaps, their performance in the league might be tonic to bring goodtidings. Fixtures: Rangers v Bayelsa United (P) Dolphins v Heartland Kwara United v Enyimba Sharks v Ocean Boys P - Postponed Fixture Congestion : Fixture congestion remains a recurring decimal in the Nigerian football culture. Over the years, there has been a battle to align domestic fixtures for clubs in the continent. It’s something the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has struggled toget right. No date has been fixed for the Cup final. The group stage was postponed when the NFF erroneously fixed Cup matches at a time the trio of Enyimba, Sunshine Stars and Kaduna United were busy with matches in Africa. Interestingly, Kaduna United failed to show up at the Uyo zone and Sunshine barely managed to join the duo of Sharks and Bayelsa United. Rangers have headed for Wafu Cup match in Niger, which has led to the

postponement of their encounter with Bayelsa United. It’s still not clear when both teams will return to the battleground. Semi-final matches earlier fixed for Saturday August 20 have been postponed till Saturday, August 27. There is the possibility of another postponement if Enyimba qualifies for the semi-final because the team will play Raja, in a CAF Champions League match on Friday, August 26. The calendar of the Federation Cup has adversely affected the Nigeria Premier League. In countries with better football cultures, the Cup fixtures are known ahead of time. To compound the woes of some teams, the NFF forced their players to the camp of the Beach Soccer teams and even threatened to punish teams that re-call their players. It becomes increasingly difficult for football fans to prepare for these matches. In spite of the shortcoming of the NFF, the players areever willing to thrill the spectators, who want to relive memories of Cup action. Changing names of the Federation Cup: Today’s Federation Cup started as the All-Nigeria Governor’s Cup, in1945. However, the competition has changed over the years. • All-Nigeria Governor’s Cup: 1945 through 1955 • Challenge Cup: 1955 though 1998 • Coca-Cola FA Cup: 1999 through 2008 • Federation Cup: Since 2009

•Julius Ubido

NPL re-run: Hon. minister, you are wrong –Igbokwe •THE TORCH LIGHT of Nigeria Football and Leader of the Credible (Football) Elections Group in Nigeria, Barrister Iyke Igbokwe has faulted the opinion of the Hon. Minister of Sports, Alhaji Yussuf Suleiman on the mode of the forthcoming NPL Chairmanship and Chairman of Chairmen Re-run Election saying that the Minister does not understand the issue having just assumed office barely One month ago. •Barrister Igbokwe who made this remark in a Press Statement issued from Abuja said that the Hon. Minister is totally wrong in his assertion contained in his Letter to NFF on the issue that the Justice Kolawole Court Judgment in the matter filed by deposed NPL Chairman, Davidson Owumi

ordered a totally Fresh Elections where Fresh Nominations will be reopened for candidates who were not part of the first earlier election of 8th May, 2011. •“The Hon. Minister is not well informed on the directive of the Court regarding the Re-run election because he was not there when Prof. Akin Ibidapo Obe’s Arbitration Tribunal treated the NPL Chairmanship issue and ruled that Owumi was not qualified to contest the election and is therefore disqualified from contesting”. “The Hon. Minister had also not being appointed Sports Minister when the NPL Board arising from One of its Board Meetings wrote the NFF to communicate Prof. Ibidapo Obe for a further clarification which Prof. Obe did in writing stating that what his Tribunal

ordered was a Re-run election and that Owumi was disqualified from contesting the Re-run”. •“So the Hon. Minister is not informed on the matter at all and I believe his mistake in trying to direct the NFF to ensure that the Rerun is made open to other Contestants who were not part of the first election is an innocent mistake he made because he is not informed”. “For avoidance of any doubt, the judgment of the Federal High Court only affirmed and upheld the Ruling of Prof. Ibidapo Obe which Owumi went to Court to challenge and nullified”. “So, the Court Judgment is not a fresh Judgment on the issue but a validation of the correctness of Prof. Obe’s Award and the fact that the NFF is in-charge of Football in

Nigeria and has the Power to set up the Arbitration Tribunal in line with Article 68 of the NFF Statutes”. •“I advise the Hon. Minister to beware of bad advisers who would put him in trouble”. “The NPL Chairmanship Election has already been settled and he should not be misled into opening another crisis on the matter”. “Owumi has gone to Court which the Football Statutes forbids and lost”. “If Owumi wants to go to the Court of Appeal, let him do that”. “Nobody is afraid of Owumi going anywhere because the truth is that Owumi did not qualify for the NPL Chairmanship Contest and nothing can make him qualify” “Prof. Ibidapo Obe said that in his Arbitration Award and now the Law Courts have reached the same conclusion”.

•Ayoola Moses

CONTEST

CHALLENGE

FRIENDSHIP

Best breastfed baby unveiled

Kerosene scarcity bites harder

Council chief donates food

FCT

Ekiti

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17, 2011

Plateau

Page 25

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Bulldozers roar again in Abuja N

O fewer than 400 houses will be pulled down in the Apo district of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Development Control Unit (DCU) has said. The DCU, an arm of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring development in the nation's capital and ensuring it is in line with its master-plan. The 400 houses were said to have been

N1b property demolished in one day FCT says buffer zone must be preserved From Bukola Amusun, Abuja

illegally built in the buffer zone of the FCT, which was designed to be free of property. Fifty of such houses in the district were brought down in one day, each of them re-

portedly valued at N20m. Not even the pleadings of the developer could save the houses from the DCU bulldozers. The roar of the bulldozers brought back the memory of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai,

whose era as FCT Minister witnessed the demolition of structures in the Territory. Buildings came down under Rufai's bulldozers, sending grief through the ranks of the rich and powerful who put up choice structures in different parts of the nation's capital. It earned him the nickname of Demolition Man. Many saw Rufai as the little man who made 'big men' cry. But the Minister â&#x20AC;˘Continued on page 26

â&#x20AC;˘Bulldozers will soon pull down those houses

Taraba pledges credible council polls

HE Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) has promised to conduct credible and transparent local council elections throughout the state. The date for the polls has not been fixed, but Newsextra gathered that the exercise will hold any moment from now, as all arrangements have been made towards it. The newly appointed Chairman of the commission, Mr. Jonathan Nyanborn stated this on the floor of the state House of Assembly during his screening. "TSIEC will conduct local council polls that will serve as a model in Nigeria," Nyanborn said. He noted that credible elec-

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

tions will solve several of the nation's nagging problems. "The commission will not allow primor-

dial sentiments to override public responsibility," he declared. "We shall embark on public consultation to enable us act rightly". The TSIEC chairman commended the Inde-

SIEC will conduct local council polls that will serve as a model in Nigeria. It will not allow primordial sentiments to override public responsibility. We shall embark on public consultation to enable us act rightly

pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the April 2011 general elections, saying: "INEC has restored to a great extend, the image of the country by conducting free, fair and credible elections in April". Nyanborn added that TSIEC, under his leadership, will not only follow the steps of INEC, but will do better in order to give the grassroots credible leaders. Members of TSIEC include Nelson Santi, Nuhu Sadiq and Jerry Dogonyaro, Danladi Bitrus, Emmanuel Orbunde and Sunday Ibrahim, who is to serve as secretary. Taraba Speaker, Hon. Istifanus Haruna Gbana urged the TSIEC members to work with the fear of God to enable them deliver on the mandate. The three-year tenure of local government chairmen in the state expired in January, 2011.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

•Continued from Page 26

often argued that the rich unleashed a culture of impunity on the FCT by undermining its master-plan and building anywhere they pleased. Now, the DCU appears to be taking off from where el-Rufai left off. Buildings on the illegal site named Sunrise Estate, which accommodates about 400 structures, is at 70 per cent completion stage. The Director of the FCT Development Control unit, Yahaya Yussuf said the 400 houses were built contrary to the Abuja Master-plan. The developer was said to have encroached on the land without any land document from the Abuja Geographic Information System, AGIS, and other relevant authorities before commencing construction.

Bulldozers roar again in Abuja Stating that he has about 400 houses on the said land costing about N20 million each, the developer said he will seek redress in the court against the action of the FCDA. As the bulldozers rolled in, the developer pleaded with the officials of the Development control unit for some days to regular-

ize his papers. But Yusuff insisted that all the plots covering about 20 kilometres had been set aside as Buffer zone in the Abuja master plan, adding that any certificate of occupancy or approval that had been issued on such plot was fake. It took the intervention of the FCT Perma-

I led a group recently to re-mark before we gave a 21-day notice but they still continued with the construction. If you think you can waste your resources while notices are being served, you are on your own

nent Secretary, Nathaniel Olorunfemi who ordered that the exercise be suspended to review the issue. Olorunfemi had some weeks ago issued some notices indicating that plots in those areas were not earmarked for mass housing as purported. Yusuff said the structures were marked about a year ago for the contractors to stop work but they refused after which they gave them another 21 day notice before the unit decided to wield the big stick. "I led a group recently to re-mark before we gave a 21-day notice but they still continued with the construction. If you think you can waste your resources while notices are being served, you are on your own. "Even if the plot was allocated by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), as claimed by the developer, it is a fraud as AMAC does not have any power to allocate land in the city," Yusuf stressed.

Communication is an essential part of promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. The importance of breastfeeding and breast milk in the overall development of the child cannot be overemphasised…Give breast milk to their babies within 30 minutes of delivery, even as he advised them to avoid giving them water

•

Dr. Mohammed, with little Blessing

Abuja unveils best breastfed baby

RS Udemba did not know that her baby girl would become the healthiest child in the Federal Capital Territory as she set out to participate in the annual best breast-fed baby competition. The Baby Show Competition was part of the event to commemorate this year's World Breast-Feeding Week organised by the FCT Primary Healthcare Development Board (PHCDB). At the colourful event held at the Health Secretariat of the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA), fourmonth-old Blessing Udemba competed with over 100 exclusively breast-fed babies in the

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

nation's capital and came out tops. Chubby Udemba went home with a remotecontrolled toy car. The Executive Secretary, FCT PHCDB, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed said the event was meant to encourage six months of exclusive breastfeeding for babies. He said the theme for this year's celebration "Talk to me breastfeeding-A 3D experience" was aimed at promoting efforts targeted at supporting breastfeeding. "Communication is an essential part of promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding. The

importance of breastfeeding and breast milk in the overall development of the child cannot be overemphasised." Mohammed however encouraged mothers to "give breast milk to their babies within 30 minutes of delivery, even as he advised them to avoid giving them water. Continue an exclusive breastfeeding for six months. At six months, adequate complementary feeding is introduced while continuing breastfeeding for two years and beyond." He regretted that in spite of government's efforts to ensure that babies are exclusively breastfed, many babies are still denied of breast milk.

Sokoto council audits staff ABO Local Government Council of Sokoto State is set to screen its staff in order to determine its strengths and weaknesses, especially as the council has been groaning under the weight of bloated staff. The council chairman, Comrade Abubakar Shehu Shamaki, said the exercise will enhance efficiency and productivity in the council. ''We don't need excess staffing but a manageable size that will be productive in the interest of development," he said. Shamaki said further that the council is studying the situation with a team of its directors in order to determine how best to carry out the exercise. Yabo is also grappling with the menace of ghost workers. Shamaki, who is the immediate past state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on July 23. The newly sworn-in council chief assured

•Governor Aliyu Wamakko

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

that he will carry everybody along, particularly the youths, women and the elderly, as he pursues his agenda of transforming the council. "In no distant time," he said, "we will form a committee of elders that will be consulted from time to time on socio-economic issues bothering communities across the local government." The essence, according to him, is to give everyone a sense of belonging “The words of elders are words of wisdom and we want to be as democratic as possible to achieve our desire for development," he said. Shamaki who was speaking with reporters in his office in Yabo, headquarters of the local government, said the staff audit is not meant to witch-hunt anyone but rather strengthen efficiency and effectiveness in the council's administrative functions for im-

He however appealed to the private sector to be innovative inv ensuring that their workers' babies were not denied exclusive breastfeeding. "I want to enjoin the private sector to allow their workers to breastfeed their babies because records have shown that workplace rules are often against bringing babies to work. As a matter of fact, I want to appeal that private organisations in the FCT should establish crèches in their workplaces so that mothers can have time to breastfeed their babies. "We are making this appeal because the future of children is the future of our country and it is only a healthy baby that can produce a healthy and productive work force for the country." The Emir of Jiwa, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Idris Musa, in his remarks enjoined husbands to support their wives in placing their babies on breast milk exclusively for six months. He said exclusive breastfeeding has no environmental hazards whereby disposal of used tins, containers and other materials create health problems for individuals and authorities. Most of the babies at the event were given assorted gifts. proved results in service delivery to the people. He said he is mindful of the fact that his election is the people's mandate, which he respects. He explained that about 90% of the councils' allocation goes into the payment of staff salaries. "We have a record of about 2000 on the payroll as staff which by every standard, is ridiculous," he said. "This is capable of retarding development in the council because there will be little or nothing to be left for developmental activities for people." The chairman also spoke on the issue of a joint account between councils and the state government. He said he has no problems with it provided its processes are transparent and its operators accountable. "To me, if there are instruments of monitoring and due process is respected with transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, no cause for alarm because the objective is to provide the needed infrastructure for the socio-economic comfort of the people," he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

ESIDENTS of Ado-Ekiti are having hectic time coping with the scarcity of kerosene, which is normally the common fuel for cooking and other domestic uses. A beer bottle of it now sells for N90 whereas it cost much less before the scarcity. The option of going to filling stations is unattractive because of a number of reasons. One, the nearest filling station may be very far from the people in search of the product. Two, queues there have grown so long that the scene is crowded and disorderly, and the the process of getting the product time-consuming. Often, impatient ones jump the queue, and sometimes, the rich and powerful people join them. At the time Newsextra visited Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) sub-station on Old Ikere Road, now Bank Road, in Ado-Ekiti, the long queues were still sighted and intending buyers had a hectic time dealing with shunters. Meanwhile, business is booming for some dealers. Sola, a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti said she had been on the queue for about two hours. Chances of getting the product were becoming slim, as the line kept lengthening. She said: "Oga, see the five litre keg I have been waiting on the Lord for. See what some people are bringing. I think there should be a way to separate these big container buyers from us". According to Mama Ola, a resident who wanted to buy kerosene, there was no option but to endure the trouble as "a bottle of kerosene sells for N90 or more,

• A crowd of kerosene buyers at a filling station in Ado-Ekiti

Brisk business as kerosene scarcity bites harder in Ekiti From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

and five litres sell for N650 or more. Here at the station, five litres go for about N500". She adviced the government to do something about the scarcity as

the effect is too harsh, especially for the masses whose income is too small to accommodate the ever rising cost of kerosene. “People must eat," she said. Another resident, Kola, a secondary school teacher,

condemned the federal government for what he considered its insensitivity. He said: “I do not see what value the government has if it cannot solve the problem of kerosene scarcity. Tell me, what has government been doing if it cannot set up a proper network to control and supervise distribution and sale of an essential item like kerosene? "Why do they want to deceive us that the economy is moving when

•Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (middle); Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Dr Nathaniel Olorunfemi (second left), with the newly appointed secretaries and management of the FCTA at Life Camp, Abuja

•Police anti-riot squad heading for the scene where herdsmen and locals clashed in Plateau State

the inhabitants are groaning under such unnecessary hardship of kerosene scarcity?" Meanwhile, Kolapo, a kerosene seller, also turned up at the filling station with various sizes of containers. She admited it is a profitable business despite the people’s complaints. "What do I sell if I don't sell kerosene again? There is nothing I have not sold before I came into this; all have failed. What can I do?"

Group canvasses safe environment in FCT

NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation (NGO), the Environmental Safety Corps (ESCORP), has urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to embrace the environment-friendly activities of the corps. ESCORP is said to have mounted a sustained campaign for a safe environment in the Territory. The ESCORP CommandantGeneral, Prince Emenike Nwachukwu told reporters in Abuja at a rally to mark this year's International Day of the Youths that two years after its inauguration, the organisation is yet to receive due attention from the government. Nwachukwu explained that apart from environmental safety, the organisation has created jobs for about 1,000 trained environmental safety officers, thus contributing to the promotion of safety and best practices in sanitation. Nwachukwu said the gesture has also helped to reduce the unemployment rate among the youth, a development which, he said, is very disturbing in the

Youth unemployment is a time bomb capable of destroying whatever the nation stands for if not properly handled country. "Youth unemployment is a time bomb capable of destroying whatever the nation stands for if not properly handled," he said. He therefore called on the government to work harder in the area of providing jobs for the nation's youths. The Chairman, Zonal Coalition of Civil Society and NGOs in Nigeria, Chief Celestine Osim Tawo also called on the federal government to integrate activities of the NGOs in its programmes and policies.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

Govt warns council chiefs against fertiliser diversion

Taraba distributes tractors

•Governor Danbaba Suntai

HE Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has distributed about 36 tractors to farmers co-operative societies and individuals registered under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. The initiative is part of measures outlined by the state government to boost agricultural activities across the 16 local government areas of the state. The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources,Mr Anthony Jellason, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Jalingo. He said that the delayed distribution of the tractors was caused by some contractual breach. Jellason explained that the contractor

‘Don’t block access roads’

HE Chairman of Bwari Area Council in the FCT, Mr Peter Yohanna,says the council will not tolerate indiscriminate blockage of access roads to residential quarters in the area. Yohanna told journalists in Bwari that the council had been inundated with a lot of complaints from residents about the blockage of access roads leading to their houses by various land owners. He said the land owners should act within the precinct of the law by leaving spaces for pedestrians and motorists while fencing their plots. “We will pull down any house built on access road,” the council chairman threatened. Bwari residents, particularly those living in Quarters’ Extension and Ushafa Road, had complained about how fences were raised to block access paths by some worship centres which claimed ownership of the plots. Some of the residents, who spoke appealed to the council to check the indiscriminate blockage of roads leading to their houses. Mr Chukwudi Emeka, a trader who lives at the Quarters’ Extension, said that some residents of the area could not walk conveniently to their apartments because of the fences. “Someone built a house to block the entire road which makes it difficult for people to get access out of their house. “We wonder if that place was meant to be a house; and if it was, where is the footpath leading to the residential houses?” Mrs Christy Dasha, who lives behind Deeper Life Bible Church, Ushafa Road, also decried the blockage of footpaths in the area. She said: “The church recently decided to raise a fence where we used to walk through to the main road. “We thought we could find an alternative way to reach our houses easily by the fence side but another plot owner blocked the only footpath.” Mr Sylvanus Omale, another Bwari resident, said “it is ridiculous that though many plot owners in the area have not developed their

Abuja plots, they prevent people from passing through them.” In a related development Jellason has advised farmers to take advantage of the Fertiliser Voucher Scheme introduced by the state government. The commissionersaid that the scheme, introduced by the government in 2009, had enabled several peasant farmers across the state access the commodity. He told journalists in Jalingo that about 6,250 farmers from the 16 local government areas of the state had registered and were currently benefitting from the use of the vouchers. He said the use of the vouchers had made it possible for farmers to access the commodity with ease, adding that it had also gone a long way to address the challenge posed by middlemen. He noted that with the use of the vouchers, a bag of fertiliser that sold at N5,000 in the open market, could be purchased at N2,000 per bag. Jellason he said that large-scale farmers who required large quantities of the commodity were attended to after experts from the ministry had assessed their farms to determine the quantity they needed. The state government plans to distribute about N600 million worth of assorted fertiliser this year through the voucher scheme. Commenting on the use of the vouchers, Alhaji Hashim Umar, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Taraba chapter, expressed appreciation to the government for its efforts to ensure timely supply of fertiliser to members of the association. Umar commended the government for the “ giant strides” it had made in the procurement and distribution of fertilisers. He urged the government to devise a means of catering for the interest of large-scale farmers, most of whom he said, were not adequately covered in the voucher scheme.

Taraba supplied only 36 tractors out of 100 units expected, adding that pressure would be mounted on him to ensure that the balance of 64 tractors was delivered on time. According to him, the available tractors were distributed to farmers on loan at a subsidised rate, with the state and Federal Governments accounting for 15 per cent and 25 per cent subsidy respectively. The commissioner said that interested farmers were expected to deposit N340,344 each to obtain a tractor.

Contractors cautioned against shoddy jobs HE Yobe State Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Lawan Shettima, has expressed displeasure over the quality and spate of work done on the 65 km NguruMachina road. The commissioner said this while inspecting the road whose contract was awarded in 2005 to FK Construction Company. Shettima, who was visibly angry with the quality and pace of the work, wondered why the contractors were allowed to continue with the project. “This is a failed project with many portions already gone bad even before it is completed. We will not allow this abuse and you must give us value for the money you have collected.” He expressed disappointment with the staff of the ministry for clearing the contractors who were paid N2.5 billion without requisite work done on the project. “We will investigate and deal with all those involved in making government to pay the contractors despite the poor and shabby quality of work,” he added.

•Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State presenting health equipment to the Sole Administrator of Sabon-Gari Local Government Area , Hajiya Amina Dalhat, during polio campaign flag-off at Dogarawa, Sabon-Gari, Zaria PHOTO: NAN

HE Kwara State government has presented relief materials worth N5 million to victims of recent rainstorm and flood disaster in Oyun and Asa local government areas of the state. Presenting the materials, the Special Adviser to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Emergency and Relief Services, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, said at Afon in Asa Local Government Area that the gesture was to alleviate the burdens of the affected persons. Abdullahi advised victims of the disaster to plant trees around their building to protect them from rainstorms. According to him, there is need for the appropriate authorities to discourage unfriendly environmental

P HOTO: NAN

‘Embrace enviable virtues’

HE Arch-Bishop-Elect of First GoodNews Mission, Bishop George Amu has enjoined Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of righteousness, integrity and honesty for their individual advancement and the greatness of the country. The cleric spoke during an interaction with reporters in Lagos over his forthcoming ordination and elevation to the position of an Arch-Bishop; the celebration of his 70th year birthday; his 43rd anniversary of his “richly blessed” wedlock with Bishop-Elect, Mrs. Modupe Amu and the consecration of three new Bishops at an event billed to hold on August 23 at Wellcome Centre & Hotels, Isolo. Recalling that despite the storm he had to weather in his life journey, the planned celebration was aimed at appreciating the grace and unwavering faithfulness of God that has remained the pillar of his life. Revealing that giants including Mr. Akintola Williams, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo and Phillips Asiodu at different times contributed to what he has grown up to become in life, the revered Bishop added: “All my life, I hold integrity, focus and honesty dear to my heart in all I do. I also fervently believe that the grace of God is enough for whatever one wants to become in life because I know that the destiny of man is organised by God Himself. “Whatever I do in life, I’m always focused. I had told myself early in life that when I clock

Community seeks deployment of medical personnel

Disaster victims get relief materials

•Tomatoes waiting for buyers at Mararaba market

•From left: Cordinator, Police Machine, Ifeauyi Ughuoku; Chairman, Lagos Divisional Football Association, Mr Dotun Coker; Technical Head, LDFA, Mr Yomi Peters and Cordinator, MFM Team, Mr Lekan Gabriel at the presentation of jerseys to the last eight teams in Boska/Football Tournament in Lagos PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

HE Borno State government will take drastic action against any local government chairman who diverts fertiliser to the market, Alhaji Babakaka Garbai, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has said. He gave the warning at the commencement of the 2011 sale of fertiliser by the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC). Garbai expressed worry that in spite of government’s efforts, the commodity had over the years, been found to be diverted by some officials. “It is unfortunate that the highly subsidised commodity had been found in some private stores in the metropolis”, he

By Dada Aladelokun

70, I would want to become an Arch-Bishop. I thank God that it is now a reality, which is why I’m celebrating His faithfulness.” On the secret of his 43-year-old fruitful marriage,he said it is rooted firmly on the pillars of love, understanding and the fear of God, adding: “Dialogue rules in our family. I don’t exercise authority; that is why my wife and I are one till today. Good enough, she too has been compassionate, caring and supportive. Many families must learn from our experience.” Though a native of Sabongida Ora in Edo State, Bishop Amu, a son of a police officer said he attended St. Gregory College, Lagos and W o r c e s t e r / Birmingham College of Technology, England before returning into Nigeria in 1968. Afterwards, he secured a job with BEWAC Company while he was also into boxing promotion and sale of automobiles. •Bishop Amu

Kwara activities such as bush burning and deforestation to reduce the impact of climate change. Abdullahi urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items, adding that the state government had concluded arrangements to establish an Emergency Corps to assist in preventing disaster. Abdullahi advised the people to desist from activities that could promote flooding such as dumping of refuse in waterway, saying the last flood disaster affected the five local government areas of Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Asa, Oyun and Ifelodun. Earlier the chairman of Oyun Local Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Omoniyi and his Asa Local G o v e n m e n t , counterpart Dr Mufutau Yahya, commended the government for alleviating the sufferings of those affected. In her response, one of the beneficiary, Hajia Wosilat Akaje, thanked the government for the timely assistance to the victims, saying that the mattresses, roofing sheet, nails, cements, rice and beans would go al long in helping them to return to normal life.

Adamawa

HE Shuwa community in the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State has called for the deployment of medical personnel to the area. The Sole Administrator of Shuwa Development Area Authority,Alhaji Suleiman Duhu, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Madagali. Duhu said the call was imperative so that the people of the area could access quality healthcare services. He said the development area authority had constructed clinics in Gadon-Mayo, Ghahili and Duhu villages, but they are yet to begin full operation due to the lack of medical personnel and equipment. “There are no doctors and other medical specialists in the area. “We requested personnel from the local council since the completion of the projects in the last 10 months, but it has yet to respond to our demand.” Duhu said the deployment of such personnel would ease the difficulty in accessing healthcare services in the area. According to him, patients and emergency cases are being referred to hospitals in Mubi, Yola and Maiduguri. The sole administrator urged the state government to rehabilitate boreholes and hand pumps within the community to facilitate access to safe drinking water. “We are calling for the rehabilitation of Shuwa-Kwirchinga-Tzuyal road which was washed away by flood,” he added. Duhu praised Governor Murtala Nyako for rehabilitating a school and executing development projects in the area. The sole administrator called on the people to protect the clinics and school facilities provided in their respective localities.

Aspirants begin campaigns for council polls

HAIRMANSHIP and councillorship aspirants in Lagos State have flagged off their campaigns, following the release of the party guidelines for the grassroots polls. The election holds in October. At Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the chairmanship hopeful, Hon. Shamsdeen Olaleye, has been adopted as a consensus candidate by stakeholders in the party at a special meeting attended by the apex party leaders, government functionaries and representatives of Community Development Association (CDA) and traditional rulers. Four aspirants also stepped down for him. At Kosofe Council, former Secretary to the council, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, and Mr. Sofola, are slugging it out. Other aspirants include Hon. Segun AkaBashorun, out-going vice chairman, Kunle Afariogun, and Fatai Gbadebo. Okanlawon told reporters in Lagos that he wanted to use his experience to build on the achievements of previous chairmen, urging party supporters to give him the ticket. Another chairmanship aspirant in Kosofe Council is Richard Adekunle Afariogun. He promised good drainage and roads, affordable healthcare and security of lives and property.

Borno said. He attributed it to the lack of commitment by some council caretaker committee chairmen. “I must tell you that the report on the diversion of the commodity has reached the state governor. “The governor was not happy with the development and has threatened to remove any council chairman found to be involved.’’ The commissioner advised the council’s caretaker chairman to ensure that the commodity was not diverted. “My advice is that you should set up a committee that will work toward ensuring that the commodity gets to the farmers who are the targeted group,” he stressed. Replying, Alhaji Waziri Imam, the MMC Caretaker Chairman, promised to make sure

•Governor Kashim Shettima that the commodity was sold to genuine farmers only. Imam, however, appealed to the state government to assist farmers in the area with pesticides and other agro-allied products that would help in the prevention of insects and birds attacks on farms.

Council spends N20m on hospital

HE Kubau Local Government Area in Kaduna State has spent more than N20 million on the purchase of medical equipment and drugs to facilitate the provision of healthcare services to its communities. The council’s Sole Administrator,Mrs Binta Audu, told newsmen in Zaria that the equipment included beds, generating sets and medical appliances. She said the drugs and equipment were distributed to the various health centres in the area to ensure that health facilitators were well equipped to carry out their duties. Audu explained that deliberate efforts were made to stock the health centres with adequate drugs to enable the health facilitators respond more effectively to any emergency cases or sudden outbreak of diseases. She said the recent outbreak of cholera in the area was promptly contained by the council’s

Kaduna medical team who were urgently mobilised with necessary drugs and facilities. “We want to ensure that adequate drugs are made available and the people at the ward level are sensitised on what to do and whom to contact when there are such emergencies in future,” she added. Audu attributed the success recorded in polio eradication in the area to the support and cooperation she received from the various communities and health facilitators. She urged the people to avail themselves of the health facilities provided in the area by the state government. She also advised them to support the administration at all levels to attract more dividends of democracy to the area.

NDDC inaugurates cottage hospital

30-bed cottage hospital built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been inaugurated at Eyara, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. The event which also marked the flag-off ceremony of the NDDC/Nelpan Korea Free Medical Mission, was performed by the Managing Director/CEO of the Commission, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha, who was represented by the Delta State Coordinator of the interventionist agency Dr Omawumi Urhobo. In his speech, Ugwoha urged the community to see the hospital as a welcome development and make the best use of it, adding that the it is well equipped. The MD, who handed over the cottage hospital to the Delta State Ministry of Health, also advised the community to take advantage of the free health care programme of the Commission designed to bridge the gap in

Delta health care delivery to the area. The state Commissioner of Health, Dr Joseph Otumara, who was represented by Dr Ebiakofa, commended the NDDC for the gesture, promising that the state government will compliment its efforts by providing personnel for the hospital. Responding on behalf of the community, Mr. Gbogbo Tawarien expressed gratitude to the NDDC for the free medical care and the cottage hospital. Mr. Tawarien stated that the free health exercise is for the benefit of Eyara and Ughehlli south indigenes, especially those who cannot afford health care. The Medical Director of Nelpan-Korea, Prof Ade Ijele put the statistics of cases seen at over 4,000.

By Emmanuel Oladesu

The chairman of Apapa/Iganmu LCDA, Dr Adebayo Adedayo, has flagged off his campaign for second term. “I have worked assiduously in my first term and I have a passion to complete the unfinished business in the interest of our people”, he said, advising his supporters to remain steadfast in their determination to insist on excellence. A chairmanship aspirant in Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Area, Prince Ayuba Adebola Akinpelu, has unfolded a fivepoint manifesto encompassing education, health, environment, infrastructure, and job creation, youth and women empowerment. He promised to construct new blocks of classrooms, provide education infrastructure and motivate teachers to bring out their best. Akinpelu also promised qualitative health care system by establishing more health centres and providing free medical services for pregnant women and children below the age of 16. Akinpelu, a graduate of Business Administration from the University of Ado Ekiti, added: “We will empower youths and women through job creation, vocational training, and other poverty reduction programmes. Our hospitals would be refurbished and upgraded and we will provide quality drugs. We will construct roads and new markets for our people. We will serve with the fear of God”.

•From left: Director of Budget, Agboyi Ketu LCDA, Mr Bola Adeyemi; Mr Bola Adeyemi (Auditor); Mr Segun Ayedu (Secretary); Mrs Lola Akintokun JP (Chairperson); Mr Emeka Agbo (PRO) and Mr Biodun Adekoya (Treasurer)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

Life

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

‘God has refused to take my life’ – Page 30

Pastor becomes monarch – Page 31

•Sam Loco

‘Why our wines are not in open market’ – Page 34

Sam Loco ‘planned to retire to the farm’ • SEE PAGE 33

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘God has refused to take my life’ •Hole-in-heart man needs N3.5m For 27-year-old Okechukwu Odo, life is no longer worth living. He would readily give anything for the hole in his heart to be closed-up. But, he needs N3.5 million to realise that dream. His story, as told by EVELYN OSAGIE, is miserable and pathetic.

“I

CAN’T walk for 10 metres without palpitating like somebody who has just finished a long race. This sickness has really dealt with me. What kind of life am I living?” This statement sums up the pain that 27-year-old Okechukwu Odo, who has a hole in his heart, is going through. Odo is battling to stay alive even though the ailment has grossly affected his physique. His frail stature and bulging eyes are tell-tale signs of his pains. He is always found sitting quietly with a sad look on his face perhaps wondering when death or help would come. Although he prays for relief from his ailment, there are times too that he prays for death. This is when the pain become unbearable. Hear him: “I’m living a life from which I expect death anyday. I have even prayed for death to come, but I’m still alive. Let it come at once so that this pain will end once and for all. I have asked God to take my life but God has refused.” Despite his pains, Odo still dreams of becoming an engineer. But, according to him, his ailment would not let him concentrate. He finished secondary school in 2005 with credits in nine subjects. But for his ailment, he said he would have engaged in any economic venture that could enable him sponsor himself in the university to achieve his dream. But how did it all begin? According to him, 12 years ago, he was diagnosed with a hole in the heart. The diagnosis came as a shock for his parents, Mr and Mrs Odo Sylvester Ugwu, and siblings. But nothing could be done because they lacked the fund to seek immediate treatment. And so, he lived with the condition until it deteriorated. That was in 2008. He was rushed to a hospital in Lokoja, Kogi State, where he was referred to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. The medical tests – ranging from eco-cardiography, ultrasound and x-ray – confirmed the earlier diagnosis. According to his brother, Ejiofor, he was referred to an Indian hospital where the heart operation could be done. “Doctors at the teaching hospital said the corrective surgery would cost N3.5 million or thereabout,” Ejiofor said. Since then, Odo said he has left everything in the hands of God. According to him, his family lacks the means to raise such an amount. His septuagenarian parents are farmers; his siblings are barely able to make ends meet. Although this is not the first time his plight would be made public, help has not come from any quarter. After a newspaper publication last year, he raised about N400,000. But that could not get him anywhere. Odo has, however, been receiving treatment at the University of Nigeria Teaching (UNTH), Enugu with the money, while praying that well-meaning Nigerians would still come to his aid. He is calling on the public, corporate bodies, government agencies and charity organisations to save his life by contributing towards his treatment. Donations can be sent to Firstbank Plc. The Account number is: 3843010075086 and account name is: Okechukwu Odo.

•Okechukwu

‘I can’t walk for 10 metres without palpitating like somebody who has just finished a long race. This sickness has really dealt with me. What kind of life am I living?’

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

On October 7, the Ekiti State Government will present Oba Michael Folarin Fabunmi Onarinla IV, the 15th Onifisin of Ifisin, the instrument and Staff of Office. The intriguing thing is that monarch is a pastor, reports OKAN SEYE ADETUNMBI.

T is no longer news that every community in the Southwest wants whoever emerges as its monarch to be educated. Still, being educated is not enough for a monarch to stand out. What makes a monarch unique is a combination of factors, which include professional calling, exposure, disposition and vision. Any community that gets it right is destined for greatness. If a community does not attain global relevance through economic and historical advantage; then what often catapults such community to the limelight may be the calibre of its monarch. This is why the Iwarefa and elites of Ifisin-Ekiti, in Ekiti State should be praised for the choice of a distinguished royal father, Oba Pastor Michael Folarin Fabunmi Onarinla IV as the 15th Onifisin of Ifisin. On October 7, the Ekiti State Government will formally present him with the instrument and Staff of Office. He excelled in his professional calling in the secular world and remained a devout Christian. He became born again in January 1989, was commissioned as a worker in Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in 1996, ordained a local minister in 2002 at RCCG Victory Temple, Alexandra and Deacon, RCCG Worldwide in 2004. He assumed full time Pastor of RCCG Amazing Grace Sanctuary Stafford, VA in March this year. The potential of the monarch have since manifested after his installation in February 2008, portending good tidings for the community. He was born in 1954 into the Fabunmi royal family of Onarinla Ruling House in Ifisin-Ekiti. He spent the early part of his life outside Ekiti. His primary and secondary education was outside the state. He started his banking job in Wema Bank in the 1970s and in 1986, he graduated from the Chartered Institute of Bankers, London (now Institute of Financial Services, London) and attained a fellow status in 2002. After a flourishing career in banking, he joined Elizade Toyota Nigeria Limited as General Manager, Finance and Logistics. He worked with Chevy Chase Bank Mclean, VA, USA as a Financial Planning Analyst (FPA) in 1998-2001 and later joined Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, McLean, VA as a professional financial analyst until his retirement in March 2011. Since his encounter with Christ, he has remained

‘His love for the community is unshakable. The palatial house he built over 15 years ago still stands out in the community and in the absence of an official palace; the building is suitable for his royal use. Oba Fabunmi is, however, determined to build a befitting new palace for the Onifisin that will serve future generations’ •Oba Fabunmi

Pastor becomes monarch committed to the people’s cause. His love for the community is unshakable. The palatial house he built over 15 years ago still stands out in the community and in the absence of an official palace;

Grooming future dramatists

the building is suitable for his royal use. Oba Fabunmi is, however, determined to build a befitting new palace for the Onifisin that will serve future generations. Whoever has not seen a visionary monarch has not met Oba Fabunmi.

HE National Troupe of Nigeria has flagged off the second edition of the long vacation theatre workshop for children between five and 17. The first edition held last month was designed to expose participants to general theatre practice and appreciation of drama. It was also to allow their creative talent to be fully harnessed, nurtured and developed in order to realise their imaginative potentials. According to the Artistic Director of the National Troupe, Mr Martin Adaji, the project is designed to further the troupe’s objective of encouraging the development of children’s theatre. The projects also aims at grooming future theatre practitioners as well as serve as an orientation programme for young practitioners who may want to take up a career in the theatre and allied genre. Co-ordinator of the project and Director, Drama , National Troupe, Ms Josephine Igberaese, said that a special command performance—usually a product of the one month intensive training will be staged to close the workshop as it was done last year. The 2010 edition closed with the command performance of Tolu Omojola’s Colours of the Rainbow. It was staged before parents, Teachers and Students and it drew applause from the audience. Ms Igberease also stated that this year would even be better in scope and content. She said: “We have expanded the content to include voice training, pantomime and the usual storytelling, singing, dancing, ating and creative writing.” Ms Igberease disclosed that unlike the maiden edition, which held without meaningful support from the private sector, the troupe has received support from companies, such as Ranona Limited, Fidelity Bank, Unilever,

•National Troupe

Leventis Foods, Apex Mills, Ribena (Glaxo Smithkline), Golden Penny Noodles and the National Theatre. She said: “We are excited at the development and their partnerships. This is what we

want to happen to the Arts—collaboration with corporate Nigeria. I have no doubt that these partnerships will really go a long way in ensuring that we sustain the imitative.”

Meanwhile, rehearsals for the performance to close the workshop have started. “The children actors are going to be staging Noel Greig’s Whispers in the Dark and it will be staged on August 28,” Igberease added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

The Midweek Magazine

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Feast of books at Garden City literary festival

HE Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will host this year’s Garden City Literary Festival book fair. Visitors will be able to buy educational, professional and leisure titles at the fair. Other books that will be on state are: Straight from the heart’ (Jesse Jackson); Changes (Ama Atta Aidoo); A Swamp Full of Dollars’ (Michael Peel); Tomorrow Died Yesterday (Chimeka Garricks), A Man of the People (Chinua Achebe), The Secret lives of Baba Segi’s wives (Lola Shoneyin), Pearls of the Mangrove (Obari Gomba), In the shadow of a saint (Ken Wiwa), among other must-have books. This year’s festival with the theme Literature and Politics, will take place from September 12 to 17 at the University of Port Harcourt and the Hotel Presidential. Special guests writers include Ama Ata Aidoo, Lola Shoneyin, and Ken Wiwa. •Family time

POEM The Care Merchant Her steps brisk and smart The radiance of her face, To the patient emits hope and succor. Clad in spotlessly clean apparel; A luminous effect to the dampened spirit of the sick She brings along even with her clothing. With her around, The sick recognizes and receives attention. On the palms of the nurse, Care is in abundance.

The Three Jolly Friends Here comes knowledge, one of three friends. He goes about gathering information, facts and assertions. He has no business with anything else just that which he knows best to do. Ask him what to do with things he gathers and you get introduced to one of his friends. Meet understanding and get close to him. It grips your hand off knowledge his friend. Joyfully he starts his art. Sits you down and right before you are the things knowledge has gathered. You wonder what understanding is up to, Skillfully he arranges the information, facts and assertions in their proper sequence. His objective is to have you move from knowledge to the place of understanding. You are here in the home of understanding. The horizon is clearer and brighter. Beautiful realizations and acceptances blow your mind to new dimensions. You get to appreciate the mechanics behind concepts and idea. Understanding feeds you to a point you want to ask; “what next?” Excitedly, he points you to his other friend WISDOM The ultimate is here, He sees you and grins broadly. “You are heartily and warmly welcome”, he utters. “You must have passed the homes of my friends; knowledge and understanding”, he continues. “All they gave you are vital for constant use if you want to employ being with me” Wisdom tells you his home is a place of rest. Confusion, wrong judgment and misplaced priorities have no room here. As you live, put knowledge and understanding into proper application. And you get to the place of wisdom. You need to get here, “it is the principal thing” The Bible says.

Recreating Hometown Nazareth for children

FTER last year’s remarkable outing, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) God’s Heritage Assembly Parish has concluded plans to bring the Biblical Home Town Nazareth live to holidaying students. The event began on Monday at the Princeton Junior School ground, Surulere, Lagos, with lots of fun. It was filled with frills and thrills of being in the real Nazareth where Jesus grew up. The week-long event that will end on Friday, was witnessed by a cross section of the media, parents and top professionals. Among those who attended were the Regional Director, United Bank for Africa, Mr Charles Nwobi; executive ICT expert, United Bank for Africa, Mr Princewill Okpara; official of the BusinessMen Fellowship International, Chukwuma Nebolisa; Chief Executive Officer, Whitewater Limited and convener 1,000 Leaders Meetings, Mr Nsikakabasi Daniels; a representative of Paraclete Business Solutions Limited, Mr Femi Laremu. Co-ordinator of the project, Mrs Chinyere Almona, said it is a special Holy land adventure vacation school programme, adding that it would enable the participants to step back in time at Home Town Nazareth, exploring what it was like to live in the town where Jesus was raised. She added that those involved would take a trip to the Bible times market place, sing catchy songs, play

By Omowunmini Idaraobong teamwork – building games, dig into Bible – time snacks, visit Jesus mother, Mary and get many more side attractions and creative surprises to make the adventurers have the real feel of Nazareth without leaving the country. According to Pastor Obi Almona, the chief host, it is to engage the holiday makers, preparing them for greater days ahead for the benefit of the family, the church, the individual as well as the larger society. He advised that to realise the Nigeria of our dream, parents should strive to be the best. This, he believed, would keep in check a lot of ills in the society because of poor up-bringing and parental neglect. “Parents should take every opportunity they have to teach their children good values that will tune their thoughts towards positive life and effective personal leadership which is the cornerstone for every well fulfilled destiny. This can be seen in the lives of most of our credible leaders today,”. Mrs. Patience Obuekwe, a grandmother, who accompanied her grandchildren, said that it is a thrill and it will take a life time to forget. She frowned at the attitude of the corporate bodies towards the education and character development of the younger generation. “All the jumping they are doing in the dance events and music concerts

they support are good, but the mind is left unattended to and is causing society so many injuries, pains and damages. Go to the orphanages and remand homes and see what is going on. You will be shocked because of the stories. New born babies are abandoned daily by teenagers from very well to do families. We have to re-define our values and vision as a nation and parents or else we labour and toll for nothing …” she lamented. Mrs. Almona stressed that it is very important to ensure that the younger ones are always assigned to keep them busy grooming them wholly – body, spirit and soul for the betterment of society. This will nip in the bud excesses of the youth. She said the project is a yearly platform conceived to imbibe universally acceptable values and provide a learning ground that will keep what the participants have seen and experienced with them and shape their tomorrow and make them dependable and reliable leaders with integrity. Some of the children, who were full of excitement, expressed their gratitude to the originators of the idea. They advised that government agencies, groups, religious organisations, corporate bodies, including well-meaning individuals should create and support novel projects, such as this. This, they agree, would curb juvenile crimes in the country.

LIFELINE FCE (T) Akoka holds conference August 25

paper at the conference. Leading artistes converge on Iceberg for OXYGEN

The School of Vocational Education, Federal College of Education, Technical (FCE, T) Akoka, Lagos holds a three-day international conference on Energy, Information Technology and Vocational Education at the multi-purpose hall, FCE, Akoka, Lagos beginning from August 25 to 27. Chairman of the opening ceremony is the Provost, Federal College of Education Osiele, Abeokuta, Dr. Kunle Filani, while Prof. Frank Ugiomoh of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State is the key note speaker. Prof. Oluwole Familoni of the University of Lagos will present the lead

The brandworld media, Ice magazine in conjunction with ICE BAR will present OXYGEN (Wahala Be Sense) CD at Ice Berg party on September 3, at the Ice Bar & Lounge, 20 Allen Avenue, Ikeja Lagos by 4pm. Guests artistes at the party will include Banky W, Wiz Kid, M O Cheddah, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Tonto Dike, Zack Orji, and Norbert Young. Others are Gloria

Young, Emeka Enyiocha, Francis Odega, Gandoki and Alli Baba. Sylvanus Okpala, Uduka Ugbader nd Paul Ogazi are guests of honour.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Until his death, ace dramatist Sam Loco Efe, had planned to retire to the farm in Ebonyi State. He shared this dream with OJI ONOKO long before he passed on August 7 in Owerri, Imo State.

Sam Loco ‘planned to retire to the farm’

ETERAN actor Sam Loco had an elaborate plan to retire to the farm next month but for his death, on August 7. In a telephone interview with this writer on February 2, he said: “As at now we are building the different structures. Fencing and other input have gulped over N6 million. We hope to start in September.” The farm, which is located in Ebonyi State, he explained, sits on an acre of land. “We are going into fishery, poultry, snail rearing (heliculture), grass cutter rearing and along the line pig rearing,” he had added with the professional air of a farmer in the making. Asked what happens to acting for which he had

•Sam Loco

garnered fame and to some extent fortune, Sam Loco with a touch of humour said: “I would be acting passively and no more actively.” On his legacy, he sent a text message yet to be wiped off the writer’s phone stating thus: “There are many dreams dreamt by dreamers, but only a few are appreciated by them. My legacy, therefore, is that I nurtured to

fruition many successful actors and actresses, writers and directors.” Though not inclined to discussing the financial rewards that had accrued to him over the years as an actor, he revealed owning “a BMW car, a Honda and “after much pressure,” as he put it, ordered for a “jeep” (SUV). It was a long way from the early 90’s when his only car was a Volvo.

ROYAL BIOGRAPHY

T was a parade of eminent Nigerians as dignitaries arrived at the International Conference Centre, Abuja for the launch of the autobiography of Onwuameze Damain Ezeani, Igwe Ugonagbo of Neni, Anambra State. The guests included former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuma Ezeife, former Information and Communications, Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, the Igwe’s wife, Ugoeze, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National

Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh; Governor Peter Obi, represented by the Commissioner of Education, Mr Ken Onyebuchi. The book written by Kevin Chrisanthus, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria chronicles the family background, formative years and ascent to the throne of Igwe Ezeani. The 319-page book is the biographical tale of the paramount ruler of Neni, an important community of the Igbo people of the Southeastern Nigeria. It also explores the rich cultural history

of the Neni people. The biography showcases the Igwe as a successful business mogul, a seasoned administrator, and an outstanding family man. Also included in the masterpiece is an in-depth interview that serves as an insight to his perception on gender activism and the place of Igbo people in the contemporary Nigeria after the Civil War. Dr. Ezefie who chaired the occasion eulogized the Igwe for his exemplary life style and reign, which he said has affected the lives of people positively.

•From left: Prof Akunyili, Dr Ezeife, Igwe Ezeani and his wife, Ugoeze at the event

The essential Sam Loco

IS number was 4444. That meant over 4,000 people were attending the interview for the two vacant positions of Sales Representative in Michelin! His chances of getting the job were as bright as those of winning the national lottery. Worse, he could not drive, a precondition for the job. His ingenuity came to play. Overnight, he took a crash programme in driving and in just two hours, felt he had mastered the art well enough to face the interviewers. The next morning, he filled out the portion in the form that indicated he could drive with affected confidence. The interview was just an hour away. Jauntily, he walked into the venue and passed the oral and written test easily. Then the crunch came-driving! He eased himself into the driver’s seat and crashed into the gate! Yet he got the job for frankly admitting his error of judgment. The package was mouth watering- £40 a month with a car attached. Year: 1972. For six months he frolicked in his newly acquired status symbol, a Morris Minor bus, cruising around Lagos, Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode selling Michelin tyres. The world could not have been any better. Soon after, he lost the job for “telling a small lie.” But luck still smiled on him. On collecting his last pay, he had sauntered to a nearby beer-hall to drown his sorrows. It was there he got his next job! “That’s why l can never leave beer,” he smiles, downing his third bottle, oblivious of the artistes milling around at Abe-Igi, opposite the National Theatre, Iganmu-Lagos this Thursday evening. Presently, two actresses take their seats beside him. A middle aged woman, owner of one of the stalls around, soon lounges over hailing him- “stage mashall.” He pats her, then continues: “l ordered beer for this man and as he was leaving he asked where l worked. I told him I just lost my job. He asked me to come over to his office at Dunlop the next day…” Life on the fast-lane was to continue, after all. What with a bigger car, pay and other perks. His base shifted to Benin. “l was the first person to ride a Volkswagen 1500 CC in Benin”, he claims. He remained with Dunlop for four years before moving to Karo Pharmaceuticals in 1976, as Sales Manager. This time, he not only had a 504 saloon car attached to him but also a chauffeur to go with it. But for Sam Loco Efe, life was not always like this. “l lost my father, a warder, while still in elementary school. It was my mother, an Akara (bean cake) seller whom the burden of bringing me up fell to,” he recalls. It was tough. There were two other nieces, too to take care of. As early as 4.00 a.m everyday, the beans must be sent for grinding as frying commenced by 5.00 a.m. Schooling became a sporadic affair for him and the siblings, indeed, rotational for the three tots. Each year, one had to stay off for the others. By the time he got to Standard 6,(now Primary 6) his peers were already in Class 3 in Secondary School! But the theatre offered an escape. From the moment an amateur Theatre group came to present “The Doctor In spite of Himself” in their school in 1960, the make – believe world of the theatre became a compelling attraction. And with the help of one of the teachers, they were able to produce excerpts of Julius Caesar for their school. This was later presented for the Abakiliki Zonal Festival of Arts in present Ebonyi State. Though the performance was not so inspiring as their school came last at the competition, Sam Loco won a prize as “most promising actor” with a scholarship to boot. “Without that scholarship, I wouldn’t have gone to secondary school,” he says. It was while in secondary school that his flair for the theatre was nurtured. He founded theatre clubs that pre-

By Oji Onoko

sented plays and concerts on a regular basis. Even during the civil war (he fought briefly on the Biafran side before being captured by the Federal Troops), he enacted drama sketches to boost flagging morale of the soldiers. With his return to Benin in 1968, his practice blossomed. He formed Ovonranwen National Theatre Group (ONTG) which introduced plays outside of the national genre to an appreciative audience. “We sent an established group parking,” he recalls, smiling. There were the flash points, though. Like when he and his group had to be on the run for two months for producing Wale ogunyemi’s play, “Day of the Oro Cult” without his permission. Or when they got locked up for five days in Auchi in present Edo State while on tour there for failing to settle their hotel bills! Certainly, artistic success was not being matched with financial returns. Even his foray into the Television did little to improve things financially. He was co-actor in Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Benin’s prime time drama programme, “Hotel de Jordan” where he played Pikado Suberu and later Ukatabiribiri. His pay per episode was N10! His brother in- law became restive wondering how one could keep on with a trade that was not paying. On his prodding, Sam Loco in early 1972 grudgingly moved to Lagos. The jobs came… At the peak, he quit… for the theatre! It was time for the World Black Festival of Arts and Culture, FESTAC ’77. He was auditioned and got the lead role for “Langbodo,” Nigeria’s entry. He had to choose between his job and the production. He chose the latter. “Actually FESTAC’77, had so much promise” he says. “There were plans to tour extensively around the world, after the event but nothing came of it.” The question of going back to his old job was out. Through Professor Dapo Adelugba, director of Langbodo, he was introduced to Professor Joel Adedeji, a man he calls now “my father,” who was then the Head of Theatre Arts Department, University of Ibadan. He was offered the position of Senior Artiste with the Unibadan Masks and placed on grade level 07, a far cry from his former salary. But the academic community thrilled him and he was later admitted for the two-year diploma programme in Theatre Arts, graduating in 1979. He later went solo, presenting shows for Radio, Television and Stage. He also did stints as Master of Ceremony on the side. Within this period, he formed Ben Sam Productions with Ben Okuguale with which they toured the country extensively. In 1980, he joined the Unibadan Performing Company as Head of Drama. He was there for three years, creating “Two Just Men” and “Fun Time” for Oyo State radio. By 1985, he began work on a TV programme, when he got a call from Chief Odimegwu Ojukwu, in Lagos to come and participate in his sponsored play, “Wind Versus Polygamy.” Several productions followed: “Eruku,” “Once More Dear Native Land,” “ Broken Jug,” “ Turning Wheel,” (TV sit-com), “The Prince Must Marry the Princess ... ” He enjoyed it all, except the money! But, the video upsurge of the 1990s brought him back to reckoning. He has starred in so many of the films till date that the number no longer means anything to him. There is a metallic white Volvo car to show for it. “l can employ a Professor as my P.R.O.” he says now at the National Theatre, easing himself into the owner’s corner, the driver engaging gear… •Culled from Glimpses of Our Stars by Oji Onoko

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

At the birthday party for South African ex-President Nelson Mandela, the tasting of Rolands wines was the high point of the celebration at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos. The brain behind Roland wines, Chief Jerryaham Roland Okoro, spoke with OZOLUA UHAKHEME, Assistant Editor (Arts) on why his wines are not in the market, his preference for South Africa and his battle against adulteration, among others.

‘Why our wines are not in open market’

OUTH African-based Nigerian businessman and Chief Executive Officer, Westlog Nigeria Limited, a leading marketer of South African wines, Chief Jerryaham Roland Okoro, has identified inclement economic climate- high cost of production and distribution, in the country as major setback to the nation’s economic growth. He said unlike Nigeria, South Africa provides enabling environment for investors with good business plan and strategy to realise their business objectives. “When you are talking of economic factors, they are in exhaustive- power to maintain the cooling system for the wine; the labour cost; the land acquisition system and farm land acquisition nature also make it very easy. South Africa is a country where once you have a good business plan and strategy the financial institutions will support you to realise the business plan. Unlike in Nigeria where you must own properties for collateral and the banks will expect you to operate for three months with them before you can get any form of assistance from them. In South Africa, trust is something you must strive to earn from your business associates and once you gained trust from them, the sky is your limit. That is a country where partnership strives,” he said. Chief Rowland, who founded a leading marketer of South Africa wines in 2007, noted that in South Africa, transportation system is adequate, effective and there is a high level of support from the government to entrepreneurs. “When I had the opportunity to attend an economic summit in South Africa held at the International Conference Centre in Cape Town in 2006, I discovered the need to build an economic bridge between Nigeria and other West African countries through Westlog Nigeria Limited. It is purely a trading company that majors on wine and wine related requisites and other consumables,” he added, stressing that today, it is a dream come true owning private wine labels. Westlog Nigeria Limited, which has distribution channels in Nigeria, Ghana and Angola has variety of wines; red, rose and white, with brands like Rowlands Wine and Justinas Wine, which put his name on the shelf of African market. He said he feels happy following the footsteps of Nigerian investors, such as Dangote, Adenuga Jr and Tony Elumelu. The former employee of United Bank for Africa said his products are not in the informal market for fear of being adulterated. And to further avoid adulteration, he established mobile wine bar services unit that serves wine in customers’ events and receptions. Continuing, he said: “Our major consumers and customers are high network individuals; middle market managers. We do direct marketing-supplying to supermarkets; hotels; eateries and nite clubs. Our brands and products are not in the informal open market such as the Trade Fair Market;

•Wine tasting session at Mandela’s birthday party, in Lagos

Balogun Market; Onitsha Market and Aba Market. “We warned our consumers not to drink any of our products purchased in the open market. It will be at their own risk as they may fall victim of adulteration of fake wine, which is very common in Nigeria’s open market. To avoid people meddling with our products and brands, we established a mobile wine bar services unit that serves our wine in our customers’ events or reception. We set up a Westlog mobile wine bar at the reception venue and serve the guests directly from our wine bar. According to him, “we want our customers and consumers of our products to hold us responsible for what they drink. We have introduced a return bottle system so as to make a refund of certain amount to customers that brings back their bottle to us after consuming the liquid content.” He declared that it is very expensive to adulterate his products because it is not profitable to do so. He added that the organisation’s system of operations made it extremely difficult and unprofitable for them, saying “we operate Westlog wine shops in every state in Nigeria. These Westlog shops serve as distribution hub to all hotels, supermarkets, eateries and clubs. He disclosed that there are plans to establish a plant in Umuahii Amaike 1, Mbieri in Imo State in the future as a way of creating job opportunities. “I am still working on

•Chief Rowland

the energy challenge as wine needs a 100 per cent cooling system…A sip of any Westlog wines like Eezi Mzi; Rowlands or Justinas changes everything. Our wines are all cultivars wines: Merlot, Shiraz, Cabnert, Pinotage, Rose, etc. None is a table wine. We don’t do table wines,” Roland assured.

EU centres partner for culture

•Schmactel, Higgs and Lebreton, at the ceremony

FRESH window of partnership between the three leading European cultural centres represented in Lagos was opened last Thursday when the centres signed an agreement forming a EUNIC Cluster at the British Council in Lagos. EUNIC (European National Institutes for Cul-

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

ture) is the network of the international cultural relations institutes from the member states of the European Union. President of the cluster, Director of Goethe Institut, Mr Marc-Andre

Schmachtel, said at the ceremony that the network is open to any European cultural centre in Lagos wishing to join, adding that unfortunately only very few European countries have functional centers. “Majority only have cultural attachees,” he said. He explained that the cluster is

not an association, but only a group trying to facilitate collaboration in events that are of common interest. “Though we have been working together before now, today is one step at formalising it,” Schmactel added. He stressed it is another way of putting European brand on any event involving the network in Nigeria. “It is a potential new source of getting resources for funding of our programmes. British Council Director, Mr. David Higgs, said next year the network would further explore ways of partnering in events, such as World Music Day celebration. He noted that the network intended using the cluster as a platform for the European Union (EU) to look at itself from outside. The Outgoing director of Alliance Francaise, Mr Philippe Lebreton, described the agreement as a formal way to show their will to collaborate.

Its members seek to facilitate cultural co-operation, to create lasting partnerships between professionals, to encourage greater understanding and awareness of the diverse European cultures and to encourage greater language learning. The founding members are the Alliance Française, the British Council and the Goethe-Institut. They will actively pursue ways to share best practice, exchange resources and work together on selected projects, thus creating effective partnerships and networks between each other in order to improve and promote cultural diversity and understanding between European societies and to strengthen international dialogue and cultural cooperation with Nigeria. The Cultural department of the Italian Consulate in Lagos will join as an Associate Member. Specifically, they will co-operate on areas like creative industries and art in public space.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Women, children’s reproductive rights ignite debate

T was obvious from various presentations that the Nigerian women have numerous challenges confronting them, all through life. But their reproductive rights seem to be most that suffered setback. That was the highlight of a two-day international bar conference which was held at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, Lagos. With the theme: ‘Challenges in upholding the rights of women and children, the conference discussions turned out to centre mostly on women’s health and their rights with emphasis on their threatened reproductive rights. Different speakers took time to highlight the many issues challenging the reproductive health of the women and children taking cue from the environment. Two of the foreign speakers at the event, however, drew much attention with their presentations during the two days’ event. President, Family Watch International, Sharon Slater and Chief Executive, Think Marriage, United States, Susan Dutton Freund, spoke extensively at variance on the institution of marriage and reproductive health rights of women and how Nigeria need to guard against foreign intrusion. In Slater’s opinion, the African concept of the family is very unique and the idea of procreation is equally one that distinguishes Africa from the rest of the world. Slater spoke who on, Human Right Gone Awry: Myths and Facts Regarding Internationally Recognised Human Rights with Implications for Women and Children, noted: “You care deeply about family in Africa and we understand Nigeria has even adopted the concept of four children to a woman. This is great, because in some Asian countries families are now being paid to have children as there are shortfalls in number of younger ones to replace the ageing population. “We, at Family Watch, would advise that you allow your women to have all their children, love them and don’t allow any western influence to kill your children in the name of abortion or under the guise of reproductive rights. It’s one of the worst values to import from the western world. Invest in your children and replace them as you wish; we advocate explosion rather than implosion, she postulated. Slater who is a mother of four equally frowned at teaching young children about sexuality education, saying, “certain things should not be taught young children as it makes them curious to know more outside marriage and leaves nothing for marriage and family”. In her presentation, Protection against the violation of the rights of the child Freund said that every child deserves the right to be told and taught what he or she needs to know. She pointed out though that almost half of the marriages contracted in the US in recent years have ended up in divorce and that the country, has a high number of unwed

•Children at Bring Back The Book project launched in Abuja By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

childbirths to women less than 20 years most of which she attributes to cohabitation and not legal marriages. “We, at Think Marriage, believe in the institution of marriage and the sanctity of the institution and would not advocate that any child be raised outside wedlock because studies have shown that divorce or separations affect the child the most.” Freund urged the legislature to be weary of laws that would jeopardise the right of the child rather make laws that would promote the woman as well as treat the child fairly and equally as human being. “Premarital education to our girl child and young adults would certainly reduce rates of divorce. We need to teach the youths love relationships to stop bad marriages before it begins as well as teach romantic relationships. We need to put sexuality in its right perspective and teach them what they need to know because good information about relationships is a sure step to keep the family strong”. According to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Prof Pamela Enemo, who spoke on, Rethinking Gender Equality: A case for complimentarity’ and Mrs. Anayo Offiah (SAN), who spoke on Economic and Political Empowerment of Women and the Law in Nigeria, the society has really downplayed the role of women by allowing the environment to erode into the rights the laws permit, thus compromising the opportunities based on gender equity through certain statues and customs. According to Enemo, “All the discriminatory laws in the

land are not in accordance with Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution, which does not allow discrimination; thus women competing with the male-folk over rights issues are uncalled for.” Offiah challenged the series of campaigns in support of legalising abortion, saying, “the culture of our forebears forbids it and so must not be allowed to be corroded”. The NBA chairman, Lagos branch noted that the measure of how well a society advances is hinged on how well its vulnerable fared, particularly the women. “In the third world, the women and children bear the brunt of economic woes, failed marriages, child labour, sex trade, children soldiers among others and we in the NBA think it is time the world leaders rise up to face these challenges to give the women fare share in their reproductive health.” First Lady, Patience Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the wife of the Vice-President, Aminat Namadi Sambo, insisted that the various rights accrued to the Nigerian woman should be accorded the right atmosphere to flourish by everyone. She urged women to guard against and protect every right that accrues to them including social and reproductive rights and prevent societal ills or expectations that limit them in any way. She pointed out that the Nigerian woman is still caught in the web of culture and is unable to fully achieve her potentials, urging a level playing ground for every woman because she is made to fulfill a purpose in life beyond reproduction.

First set of winners emerged at Loya milk promo

• From left: Mr Onubogu, Mr Ogayemi and wife Temitope, winner of the first prize of N250,000, in the on-going Loya Milk Promo draw and Mr Keith Richards, MD Promasidor, at the second day draw in Lagos ... last week.

HREE winners have emerged in the on-going “Win Cash with Loya” promo. The three winners emerged at the maiden draw of the promotion conducted by the company and which

was witnessed by officials of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission and Lagos State Lotteries Board. The winners are Taye Gbemi Kisi, who won the first prize of N250,000; Gabriel Margaret, a customer, who

resides in Ajah area of Lagos was the second place winner of N150,000 while the third prize winner Adekunle Adegboyega, who hails from Oyo town, in Oyo State went home with N100,000. All the winners were contacted on telephone. Reacting to the development Adegboyega praised the Lord for the surprised prize while Margaret asked if the presenter was serious about it. The draws were based on life SMS that were sent to the company through its, SMS service provider. Mr Kachi Onubogu, general manager of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Loya milk, said the company had always been at the cutting edge of technology, adding that Loya is a premium brand in the company’s portfolio and that it is rich and affordable. He said the promo which was the first of its kind, is an opportunity to reward customers of the company who have been “supporting our brands”. Promasidor, recently launched a N50 million “Win Cash with Loya Promation” to reward and excite its teeming consumers across the country. Loya milk is one of the leading brands from the stable of Promasidor, a marketing led and consumer driven organisation noted for high quality and innovative product offerings that excite and exceed consumers’ expectations. The product was re-launched in September 2010 to re-position the brand and further strengthen its equity in the premium segment of the dairy market. The objectives of the promo are to reward loyal consumers of the brand as well as create fun and excitement around it. Daily draws will hold for 50 days to reward three categories of winners: first prize N250,000, second prize, N150,000 and third prize N100,000. A sum of N500,000 will be given daily, amounting to N25 million for 50 days.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘Nigerian indigenous languages promote good governance’

•From right: Mai Nasara, Nwokeji, Umez, Ayo Arigbabu and Thompson

CORA ‘spoils’ authors at book party The six authors short-listed for this year’s NLNG Nigeria Literature Prize were the toast at Book Party by the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA). But the authors got more than they bargained for. OZOLUA UHAKHEME and EVELYN OSAGIE were there.

HE authors came thinking it was going to be another drab reading that would drag on for long. The six short-listed authors for this year’s Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Nigeria Literature Prize had a taste of stardom last Sunday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Every year, CORA treats the authors shortlisted to book revelry. But this edition of the CORA Book Party was different. It was more than just a book jam. It had the glitz and glamour that go with fame. The paparazzi, the TV cameras, the interviews, the autographs, food and drinks were common place. And there were controversies, readings, book discussions, conversations and performances. Another highlight of the book feast was that it brought together families, friends, the literary community, fans, favourite authors and lots more. Guests from all walks of life came faced with the brains behind the books. And they are author of The Runaway Hero Uche Peter Umez; Philip Begho, author of Aunty Felicia Goes to School; Ayodele Olofintuade (Eno’s Story); Chinyere Obi-Obasi (The Great Fall); Mai Nasara, who wrote The Missing Clock; and Thelma Nwokeji, author of Red Nest. And so, it was a celebration of book and its author. According to CORA Secretary General, Toyin Akinosho, “this is the most important of all the three book parties we have organised.” He said: “The Nigeria Prize For Literature this year is focused on Children literature. Children have been a central focus of the book reading awareness that we at CORA have initiated. Our annual Book and Art Festival, which happens every November, is, for a large part, a children affair.” The children’s involvement in the feast added spice to the event. Guests, especially the authors were dazzled by the children’s observations and analyses of the books. It was like having a children’s parliament. The students of Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Tolu Complex, Ajegunle kick-started the sessions

with reviews of the books. This was followed by book readings, creative performances, discussions on the books and the issues they highlighted. It was a rousing moment for everyone. The childreviewers were Judith Nwanbian (The Runaway Hero); Abel Afolabi (Eno’s Story); Femi Folarin (The Missing Clock); Francesca Agbenzo (The Great Fall); Paul (Red Nest); and Bakare Islamyat (Aunty Felicia Goes to School). They observed that the books were easy to read and interesting, saying adults should learn to take children serious. Islamyat said: “Parents should learn to give children a chance to explore their potentials.” They commended the authors for publishing inspiring books, calling on NLNG to start children version of the NLNG Literature Prize. Paul, who spoke on behalf of the children, said: “We thank the authors for churning out materials that would take children to the next step. NLNG should come out with children version of the award because there are many children who are writing books.” However, some, like Judith, had some misgivings on the books. She said she did not like the way The Runaway Hero ended. Koreyo Thompson, a secondary school intern with The Guardian, took the authors on while asking some stirring questions. He asked Nwokeji why she chose to give her book a bitter/sweet ending. Nwokeji said it was necessary that her book ended the way it did to teach children that cheating

‘I found the experience thrilling, especially the fact that the children were made to review the books: their depth and understanding of the issues raised. I did not expect it’

does not pay. “He tried to cheat to make it in life and ended up robbing himself of the opportunity of going abroad to study.” The authors said they did not expect the kind of reception they received, saying it was impressive. Olofintuade said: “I found the whole experience thrilling, especially the fact that the children were made to review the books: their depth and understanding of the issues raised. I did not expect it.” Umez said: “I was blown off by it. It is a very heart warming experience.” The President of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr. Jerry Agada, was also impressed by the children’s contributions. He said: “With what we have witnessed today, it goes to show that there is hope for Nigerian literature. The children were quite engaging. Their understanding of the books and the subject matters was highly intellectual. The event is commendable. I thank CORA for organising the event.” He urged the children thus: “I am happy you are seeing the writers as your role models. You can see what it means to be a writer. As a writer, you are being celebrated and your book would be read across the globe.” He said the authors were legends in their own rights whether they win or not. One question in everybody’s mind was who among the six will emerge winner? The chairman of the judges, Prof. Akachi AdimoraEzeigbo allayed all fears, saying: “In my opinion the books are good enough. I think a winner will emerge. We assure the authors that the best book will emerge the winner.” On CORA’s inspiration, Akinosho said: “There are two reasons behind today’s jam session. For one, idea for us, at CORA, is always to expand the membership of the community of culture patrons. And this book party fits in. We have invited you to a light evening of entertainment of a different kind. “But there is another, more urgent, more crucial reason. It is our notion of extension service for the book industry.”

HE Minister for Culture,Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, said the role of indigenous languages in Nigeria should not be taken lightly as they promote good governance just as he commended NICO’s Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) as a veritable programme. The minister, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) in Abuja, noted that the role of indigenous languages informed efforts by the Federal Government to preserve them. According to Duke, who was represented by the Director of Culture in the Ministry, Alhaji Mukhtar Sanni Abdulkadir, the role of traditional language cannot be overemphasized, and that, “African society and the culture have found vivid expression in all aspects of the people’s lives of which our indigenous languages play significant role. It is interesting to note that the interface between language and good governance is not only fascinating as it provides an avenue for measuring the obligation of rulers to their subjects and to what extent the interest of those that are governed are protected. Communication between the government and the subjects could only be projected by language. Language plays a major role to all the sectors.’’ Commending NICO for the initiative, the Minister added: “This is an auspicious occasion. It is an annual programme geared towards re-awakening the need to promote, appreciate and speak our indigenous languages, in line with the Federal Government National Policy on Culture, which stresses the need for conscious and concerted efforts by all levels of Government to promote the teaching of our indigenous languages and inclusion of the same in the school curricular.’’ The Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, said the language programme was aimed at teaching the various Nigerian languages, in order to inculcate in the Nigerians the ability to speak one or more Nigerian languages. Dr Ayakoroma added that the programme was also necessitated by the fact that Nigerian indigenous languages are among the cherished tangible and intangible cultural values and norms that are gradually going into extinction due to neglect and challenges of globalization He called on the participants at the four-week intensive programme, to ensure that they have something to show at the end of the period. An ex-student of the programme, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Shaban Audu (Nizozo III), who was the Royal Father of the Day, corroborated the view of Dr Ayakoroma, urged participants to make sure that they do not miss class for one day, because the interesting thing in the programme is to capture all the resource persons would teach. The chairman of the occasion, the Provost of Federal College of Education, Zuba, Prof Tijani Ismail, urged Nigerians to use the opportunity provided by NICO as countries, such as China, Brazil, India, and Japan, have used their indigenous languages to excel, so Nigeria needs “to re-energise and rekindle interest in indigenous languages for socio-economic development of the nation.’’

Twin Seven Seven goes home

HE family of the late actor, Chief Prince Olaniyi Osuntoki Oyewale (aka) Twins Seven Seven has announced the funeral arrangements of the late prince. According to a statement by the family, there will be Artist Night at the Osogbo Grammar School (PMAN Night and Candle light Vigil) today, while tomorrow, there will be a parade of corpse commencing from Abere Junction and a Lying-in State (ANTP Night) at City Stadium. On August 19, there will be Christian Wake at his residence by 4pm (GOMA Night), August 20th 2011, and funeral service at the Osogbo Grammar School by10am. Interment follows immediately at his residence while entertainment of guest follows at the Osogbo Grammar School. The statement added: “It is with a heavy heart that we – the family of Chief Prince Olaniyi Osuntoki Oyewale formally announce the transition of our beloved father and husband, popularly known and affectionately called ‘Twins Seven-Seven’, who joined his ancestors on Thursday, June 16 2011 after a brief illness while on admission at the University Teaching Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Oyo Sate. Daddy wa, as he is fondly called by us was a great man, a caring husband, and a loving father to all his children both biological and non-biological. He was a great philanthropist, and an exemplary artist to the core. He loved art, cherished art and celebrated art in various forms and mediums, never failing to flaunt his artistic acumen to educate and entertain his audience whenever the opportunity presents itself. In his living days he was a force to be reckoned, and in death his art is still a force to be reckoned with.

Seun Kuti back from tour

FTER a three-month musical tour of Europe and the United States, Seun Anikulapo Kuti and Fela’s Egypt-80 Band will be performing at the New African Shrine on Saturday, August 27 from 10pm. Seun Kuti and the band performed at major concert and festival venues promoting his second album From Africa with Fury: RISE. During the three-month tour, Seun Kuti performed at the Lille Festival in France, the festival de Revenna in Itally, the Montreal Festival in Canada and the Brooklyn Festival in the United States.The show promises to be very exciting for Afro Beat fans as Seun Kuti will thrill the audience with highly pulsating Afro Beat vibes from his second album, RISE and Fela’s repertoire spiced with heavy political yabis in the shrine tradition.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

ABUJA REVIEW BRT scheme for FCT

HE Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO) is operating at a loss, its Managing Director Ibrahim Junju has said. Junju lamented the high cost of diesel which has made operation of the company so challenging in the last two years. In a chat with Newsextra, the AUMTCO boss said: “Our major challenge is the high cost of diesel. In the 2011 budget, we earmarked N118 per litre; but as at now, a litre is about N180 and on each and every commuter we convey in the FCT, we lose about N30. On any commuter that entres our bus from one point to the other, will lose the same N30. Our services are more or less like social services. We are not making any profit. What are sustaining us are advertisements and a few other things. “On the issue of transportation alone, we operate at a loss and that is why we have been calling on government to come to our aid.” Commending the staff of the company for their commitment, he said: “The Minister, Bala Mohammed, is willing and determined to make a difference by providing what is lacking in the system and more importantly, he has resolved to enforce regulations because all along, we have been working without regulations. Regulation must be enforced to succeed in this kind of business.” Junju disclosed that the minister met recently with the Lagos State Governor who has succeeded on the BRT mode of transportation in Lagos. He said the minister is bringing such experience to the FCT in order to improve its transportation sector. “We are still on board. What we are going to do now is to enhance our services. We will try to sustain the confidence imposed in us by the minister in order to confront, head on the transportation challenges of Abuja residents. On why the use of smartcards in the buses was suspended, he said: “The issue came up in order to block leakages because one of the problems we were having was leakages. That is why we have to engage some undercover agents to be monitoring our drivers, supervisors and everybody in this business. We are doing that because we identified certain problems which we still want to address adequately. “For you to be effective in transport business, you need to block such loopholes of cheating. I assure you that is where we are going. Once we put certain gadgets in our buses, they are vandalised, and I am sure it was in connivance

•

•Abuja Stories From Bukola Amusan

with some of our staff so that we will not be able to detect the discrepancies in the issue of payment and its verification.” Asked if the company was contemplating hiking the fare to serve the public better, Junju said that “the last time we contemplated increasing the fares with about N10, it took us almost 10 months to get approval for it. By the time the approval came, it was virtually useless. These are some of the problems we are experiencing. As I said on the issue of leakages, some of our drivers connived with people

outside the company to siphon our fuel. Apart from that, there is the issue of vandalisation. Whenever a policeman offends some of these ‘araba’ boys in the FCT, the next victim will be our buses because they have the impression that our buses belong to the government. For them to avenge what has been done to them they vandalise our buses. We have about 10 to 11 buses that were vandalised by people around Gwagwa area in the FCT.” Another challenge the company is experiencing is high cost of spare parts which, he said, were not readily available in the

Our major challenge is the high cost of diesel. In the 2011 budget, we earmarked N118 per litre; but as at now, a litre is about N180 and on each and every commuter we convey in the FCT, we lose about N30. On any commuter that entres our bus from one point to the other, will lose the same N30. Our services are more or less like social services. We are not making any profit. What are sustaining us are advertisements and a few other things

country. Junju said that due to the folding up of the other two transport companies, Nation-wide Transport and Sonic Global, AUMTCO decided to divert some buses to other routes in the city to address the gap. “The other two companies are no longer functioning, and we have been mandated by the FCT Minister to take over their routes. Formerly we were only on Masaka/Maraba route. Now we are on Gwagwalada and Kubwa route. We even go to Suleja and Abaji. All these were earlier manned by these two operators and now we are servicing almost about two routes. “So, we have to deploy people to cover some of these routes. As at present, we have about 191 buses and out of these, we have at least 120 that are operational. Others are not operating due to one problem or the other. These are some of the problems we are trying to fix. We are trying to make sure that at least 180 buses are working at the same time,” he said. Junju added that if the company could purchase diesel directly from NNPC, it will reduce its operational costs.

FCTA subsidises 18, 000 bags of grains

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ordered the sale of 18,000 bags of grains to the residents at 50 per cent subsidy. This, the FCTA said, is a short term measure to reduce the high cost of staple food items and to reduce the increase in prices of most food items. The Minister of State for the FCT, Mrs. Olajumoke Akinjide who flagged off the sale said the Buffer Stock Programme, which is a periodic annual project used by the FCTA to buy farm produce directly from the farmers and re-sell them directly to the members of the public at a subsidised

rate, will help to stabilise the prices of food in the nation’s capital. She said: “In order to cushion the effects of high cost of these food items, the FCTA, in keeping with its mandate, has deemed it expedient to order the release of Buffer Stock Grains to FCT inhabitants with the hope that, as a short term measure, it will reduce the high costs of staple food items.” The Minister said a bag of maize and guinea corn would be sold at N1, 500 while a bag of millet will sell at N1, 700, all in 50kg sizes. “To give effect to this programme, I have approved that 10,940 bags of maize, 1,200 bags of guinea corn and 5,860 bags of millet all in 50kg sizes be sold to the public, area councils, government agencies and various farmer associations at a 50 per cent subsidy,” she said. The Director, Finance and

•Abuja road

Administration, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the FCTA, Mr. John Obiahu, also disclosed that government, with current stores of over 900 metric tons of grains, would increase its storage capacity in 2011-2012 by 1,000 metric tons.

Obiahu said this would be made possible with completion and handing over of the modern specialised warehouse at Tungan Maje, which is aimed at meeting the target of 10,000 metric tons storage capacity by 2020.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

ABUJA REVIEW

•

•Abuja

Navy officers’ wives lift the needy

HE happiness on the faces of the beneficiaries of the good gestures of the Nigerian Air Force Wives’ Association (NAFOWA) was all glaring when the National President and wife of Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Hajia Aisha Umar led her team to spread the hands of goodness to them. Last week, Umar and her team put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged. Her first stop was the Air Force wing of the Ushafa Barracks along Bwari Road. Umar and her entourage were received by the waiting crowd who sang and danced in appreciation of a day care centre for the little ones, a bore hole and a clinic she commissioned. Staff Sergeant Iyu, in his remarks after the commissioning, said it is the beneficiaries of the projects that could appreciate the benefits of the projects donated to them. “Before now, we have to look for vehicle that will convey our sick ones to the hospital in the town which is several kilometers away from here, even in the middle of the night. Now we are blessed with a clinic and an

From Dele Anofi

ambulance. The water problem here is something else to the extent that all of us have to carry jerry cans to the office if we really want to drink clean water. “With this borehole, that problem has been solved. On the day care centre, we all know the value of education in our lives, and for Mama to have done this for us, the future of our children and others that will use this school would have begun on a solid foundation.” Hajiya Umar also donated insecticidetreated nets (ITNs) to the women of the community saying, it was part of efforts to fight malaria to a standstill in the country. She enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of all the facilities so that the objectives of their being conceived would not be defeated. She left for the Headquarters of NAF Camp in the Mogadishu Cantonment where also she commissioned a borehole to assuage the effects of water challenges facing the

HE Federal Government should be cautious in approaching the issue of Islamic banking. That was the message the Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Christian Ekong sent to the Goodluck Jonathan administration. The cleric advised that the issue which divided the country essentially along religious lines, should be handled with wisdom, arguing that if otherwise approached, it could plunge the country into unnecessary conflict. Ekong, who spoke through Reverend Rufus Iwuoha, said there is need for extensive consultation with all interest groups in the country before such decisions are taken. “No group should be taken for granted in a matter of such national consequence,” he said. “The National Assembly and other institutions should look deeply into this matter to avoid dragging the nation into unprofitable actions.” He also urged the government to be very transparent in its democratic reforms, saying that the issue of constitution review should not be done in haste. “The government should sit back and face the insecurity in the country, tackle unemployment among the youths so that they can be meaningfully engaged in order to reduce the crime rate in the country,” he said. Ekong regretted that after 50 years of

community. Senior Air Force officers led by the Commander, 106 NAF Camp Air Commodore Musa Fari graced the occasion. Abuja-based comedian, Prophet of Laughter anchored the event with hilarious jokes that kept the crowd yearning for more. The Air Force Wives’ Association (AWA) led by their Magajiya (President) also entertained Umar and the national executive with delightful tunes. High point of the NAF Camp event was the poverty eradication and wealth creation initiatives of the NAOWA President. She donated 20 sewing machines and 10 hair dryers to 30 women drawn from three NAF formations in Abuja. Apart from several food items donated to the members of the Air Force Wives’ Association (AWA), Umar said widows in the country should be given adequate attention by well-meaning Nigerians. She noted that if widows and women in the family were economically empowered, not only the family would be better equipped to fight poverty but the entire community

would also have benefitted more through wealth creation. She donated food and clothing materials to the five widows, urging the well-to-do in the society to focus attention on alleviating the plight of the widows. Hajiya Umar, who also donated N1.5m to the NAFOWA Secondary School to supplement the school’s budget, said: “What we are trying to do is to sustain the objectives on which the NAFOWA were established with the cornerstone of lifting the quality of life of not just its members but also the larger society. This is to show that we are committed to those objectives.” The Coordinator of the Abuja chapter of NAFOWA, Hajia Amina Musa Fari summed up the large heart of Umar whom she said has always responded swiftly to their calls. She said: “Today’s event should not be a surprise to us because she always has a large heart. As a matter of fact, the donation of N1.5m only shows how responsive she has always been. Just as soon as she assumed office as the National President, we approached her about the transportation problems facing our school students; she did not waste time as she responded swiftly by ensuring that a bus was bought for them. Mrs. Fari assured the NAFOWA President of putting to good use the inaugurated facilities while keeping in sight the objectives of sustaining the empowerment of the family through the skills acquisition equipment donated to the members. Past executive members of the AWA were also rewarded for their efforts.

Before now, we have to look for vehicle that will convey our sick ones to the hospital in the town which is several kilometers away from here, even in the middle of the night. Now we are blessed with a clinic and an ambulance. The water problem here is something else to the extent that all of us have to carry jerry cans to the office if we really want to drink clean water…With this borehole, that problem has been solved

Cleric cautions on Islamic banking From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

independence, the country is still, unfortunately, faced with insecurity as a result of agitations from different

groups. He pleaded with members of the Boko Haram sect, which has terrorised the country, to embrace peace and accept the

olive branch which the Federal Government has extended to its members. The cleric urged them to desist from violence of any sort.

Intending pilgrims get payment deadline

NTENDING Pilgrims from the Federal Capital Territory for this year’s hajj have up to tomorrow to pay the balance of their fare or lose their seats. A statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Board, Malam Aliyu Usman said this became necessary as the process

From Bukola Amusan

of acquiring visa would soon commence and there is need to effect full payment the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria on schedule. According to the statement, intending

The board’s education and orientation tour for intending Pilgrims at area councils would continue next week with Kuje Area Council starting on Tuesday, Bwari on Wednesday and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Thursday at the National Mosque

male Pilgrims would pay a maximum of N628, 600.30 while intending female Pilgrims are to pay a maximum of N630, 300.30. This category is to have Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) of $1, 500. Aliyu added that intending male Pilgrims who intend to book for medium seat would pay N561, 100.30, while female intending pilgrims in this category are to pay N562, 800.30. This category is to have Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) of $1, 000. According to the PRO, intending male Pilgrims would pay a minimum of N527, 350.30, while intending female Pilgrims have a minimum fare of N529, 050.30 to pay. This category is to have Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) of $750. Meanwhile, the board’s education and orientation tour for intending Pilgrims at area councils would continue next week with Kuje Area Council starting on Tuesday, Bwari on Wednesday and Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Thursday at the National Mosque.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

We have so far spent N2.5 million to construct a health clinic for our people who had no access to health facilities at the council headquarters, Dengi

Council chief donates food to Muslim community T HE chairman of Kanam Local Government of Plateau state has distributed bags of Guinea corn, millet and sugar to members of the Muslim community fasting in the month of Ramadan. At the council secretariat in Dengi where the distribution began, the chairman Hon. Danjuma Usman Gar said: "The majority of the population of the local government face serious challenges particularly in this season of fasting. Out of those challenges they face, the council decided to provide 370 bags of Guinea corn and 250 bags of sugar. The reason is that the people are mostly farmers and the grains they planted are yet to be harvested. Food is central to fasting and unless we provide such relief to the people it will be difficult for them to observe this crucial aspect of their religion. "We do this particularly to encourage religious activities in the locality as my administration is prepared to support those who genuinely pursue and practice their spiritual activities. What we will not encourage is to indulge in abuse of the religion." The council chief spoke further: "We will use the opportunity to urge people of the local government and particularly the Muslim faithful to use the period of the Ramadan to get closer to their God and pray for the peace and security of the council. At a moment like this, we need to hand over our security to God because only God can guarantee security of His subjects on earth." The Emir of Kanam, Alhaji Muhammadu Babangida called on leaders in the country to come to the aid of the masses by providing them with basic necessities of life, especially food. The monarch said: "The best form of service political leaders can offer the people are food and shelter. In this month of Ramadan, food is a topmost necessity and a very big challenge to the Muslim faithful. Let the masses have food to eat and you have solved a life problem and there would be less crime in the society." Commenting on other essential services rendered by the administration, the council boss said: "Apart from providing the food needs of the people, since assumption of

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

office barely two months ago, I have impacted positively on the lives of the rural communities by constructing about 10 boreholes to enable the people have access to potable water. "We have made a positive move to solve

the power supply needs of the people by procuring five transformers, 250 electric poles; with these we will be able to extend electricity supply to areas in need. The project will be commissioned very soon by no other person than the governor of the state Da Jonah David Jang. "We have so far spent N2.5 million to construct a health clinic for our people who had no access to health facilities at the council headquarters, Dengi. Gar spoke further told his constituents that his administration will not embark on any white elephant projects: "We will embark on programmes and projects that will make direct positive impact on the lives of the people; the meager resources of the council have to be used for the benefit of the people."

•Hon. Gar

• Gar gave out sacks of grains

Science Teachers call for new curriculum

•Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu (right), working during a sanitation exercise at Muslim burial ground in the town

AGOS State Science Teachers Association has called on the government to release the new curriculum for science, technology and Mathematics to all schools in the country. The association made this call at the 10th conference of the association held at the Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Lagos. The programme with the theme, “The new national curricula in Science, Technology and Mathematics,” brought together science teachers within the six education districts in the state. The forum availed the teachers new methods of teaching science subjects to eradicate mass failure in Nigeria. Speaking at the event, former Chairman of the Association, Prof Udoogie Ivowi said the mass failure experienced in the external exams in Nigeria at the secondary school can be attributed to the lack of modern technology and up to date curriculum that is needed in empowering todays youth to become responsive leaders in all spheres of life. He said many schools are yet to receive the

By Adeola Ogunlade

new curriculum, while teaching is not enhanced for lack of materials, dearth of enough teachers. Ivowi said: “We have a lot of problems in the education sector. For instance, the new curriculum which the teacher has to implement must be made available to him or her. It is no use for the teacher to just depend only on prescribed textbooks”. He continued: “Take a look at the Technical Colleges across the country; there is decay in tools and equipments, and this results in dwindling performance. The contractors that are given money to supply science materials for practical teachings to make teaching effective and learning more conducive for students will either supply fake materials and the students are supposed to practicalise what they have learnt in classrooms, so this will stall implementation of the curricula”. The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the association, Dr A. Ajewole stressed the need for teachers to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship among secondary schools students.

SLIDING TACKLE

"What Sergio Aguero achieved did not surprise me. He is a fantastic striker. However, he can get better than he showed against Swansea. I am sure of that. He is not yet 100 per cent fit. He only has 10 days training with us and he will get better." 42

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Mancini: Aguero can only get better

ERGIO Aguero took the Premier League by storm with a twogoal half-hour cameo on his Manchester City debut and rival teams must now be dreading what the striker can do in a full game when fully fit. A 4-0 thrashing of Swansea City was the perfect start to the season for the title aspirants and Aguero's impact from the bench had the home crowd in raptures even if ice-cool Italian manager Roberto Mancini took it in his stride. "What Sergio Aguero achieved did not surprise me," Mancini said. "He is a fantastic striker. However, he can get better than he showed against Swansea. I am sure of that. He is not yet 100 per cent fit. He only has 10 days training with us and he will get better." The 23-year-old Aguero, a record signing even for mega-rich City having cost

a reported £38 million, was supposed to be still feeling his way back after being one of the few success stories for Argentina at the recent Copa America. Aguero was bought from Atletico Madrid as a replacement for Carlos Tevez with his countryman wanting a move, but a transfer away for Tevez seems unlikely before the August 31 deadline - and Mancini could have the luxury of fielding them both at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday. "Aguero could play with Tevez or any of the other strikers," said Mancini, whose side have quickly recovered from their late Community Shield loss to rivals Manchester United. "Carlos at this moment is still our player and maybe he will be available for the game at Bolton."

SPANISH SUPER CUP

Madrid going for victory — Benzema

TRIKER Karim Benzema is confident Real Madrid can strike the first blow of the season against fierce rival Barcelona and win the Spanish Supercopa at the Nou Camp tonight. Madrid heads to Catalonia for the second leg knowing it will most probably need to beat its rival after being held to a 2-2 home draw on Sunday. Jose Mourinho's side was, however, the dominant team on its home turf as Barca was cast into an unfamiliar role of playing on the break. That tactic almost worked with David Villa and Lionel Messi netting after Mesut Ozil's opener, but Xabi Alonso claimed a deserved equaliser for Madrid to enthuse Benzema. "This is a title that you want to win and the first leg leaves us with plenty of optimism," the France international told AS. "It was a very enjoyable game and I think the fans would have liked what they saw on the pitch. "Two great teams did battle but in all honesty I think Madrid clearly

•Aguero

Gerrard to speed up recovery time Defender Martin Skrtel, who

IVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard is expected to step up his recovery programme allowing him to return quicker than expected. The skipper is expected to return to light training this week for the first time since undergoing surgery on his groin in March. His scheduled return for this month took a step back after he contracted an infection after undergoing the operation. Gerrard is still on target for his revised come-back for mid-September but he is ready to increase his therapy at Melwood. Manager Kenny Dalglish confirmed Gerrard’s training programme: “Stevie will be stepping up his recovery this week.”

has also been out for the whole of pre-season, is expected to make a comeback soon after he returned to training from a calf-injury. But the extent of Fabio Aurelio’s achilles problem is still to be discovered.

Barton was given a yellow card for his role in the melee, as he had initially dragged the Ivory Coast winger off the ground after an apparent dive from the Arsenal star. Because he had been dealt with during the game, the controversial midfielder has escaped any punishment in the aftermath of the feisty

OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...

Mullings left off Bolt-led Jamaica team JAMAICA has left 200 metres national champion Steve Mullings out of its 50-

member team for the world championships starting in Daegu on Aug. 27 after local media reported the sprinter had failed a doping test. Jamaican officials confirmed Mullings, the year's third fastest sprinter in the 100m, had been suspended from the team headlined by triple Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt, but declined to elaborate on what grounds. "Because of the outstanding issue surrounding Mr. Mullings he had to be omitted from the team," Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) executive member and treasurer Ludlow Watts told Reuters. "However, if the matter is

deserved to win. "Many things have changed from last season. We had a monopoly on possession and we did not let them play. "That is exactly what you must do against a team like Barca. "We now know that we are more than capable of winning tomorrow and lifting the Supercopa. "I am sure that the second leg will be an open game and we will go for victory."

•Benzema

Alves predicts stronger Barca

Gervinho, Song handed three-match bans

R S E N A L ' s Gervinho and Alex Song have been handed three-match bans by the English FA for their conduct during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United. Gervinho, 24, was given a straight red card for slapping Magpies midfielder Joey Barton.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini not surprised by new signing, Sergio Aguero's fantastic debut at Eastlands where Swansea was clubbed 4-0

resolved in his favour, there is a provision where he (Mullings) can be re-instated at a later date." JAAA general secretary Garth Gayle added that Mullings had been omitted "because of his suspension." The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) last week said a Jamaican track and field athlete had tested positive at national trials for the world championships but did not release a name. Jamaica athletics sources with knowledge of the issue confirmed to Reuters that Mullings was the athlete who had failed the doping test.

encounter on the opening day of the Premier League season. Song, however, has been charged with violent conduct and given a ban for stamping on Barton's leg, an incident the referee did not see at the time. Arsenal have accepted the ban given to Song but will appeal against the severity of the suspension handed to former Lille winger Gervinho. Because they are not contesting the ban itself they should avoid being handed an extra game on the player’s ban for a frivolous appeal. Instead, the club will likely try and argue that Barton himself has admitted publicly that he overreacted to the slap to try and get the number of games the 24year-old is out for reduced. Both the Gunners and the Tyneside club also face charges by the FA for being unable to keep their players under control in the game, which carries a £25,000 fine. Newcastle have denied the charge and their case will be heard by an FA disciplinary commission, while Arsenal are undecided on their course of action.

ARCELONA's Dani Alves has told Real Madrid to expect a far more fluid display from the champions when the two great rivals meet in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday. "We will improve as we go along. It was a hard fought match with a high intensity and I am happy with the work of the team who responded well," said Brazilian Alves. "Some of the players were only just ready for the game but in the end the element which worried us most, being physically prepared,

worked out okay and gradually we found our feet." Barca scored twice against the run of play as Madrid controlled the game for long spells, but Alves was just pleased to come away from such a tough venue with a positive result. "It was a good result for us as it was never going to be easy against a quality Real Madrid side and we will be better prepared for the next game," he added. "We coped physically and now we will be a lot sharper at the Camp Nou where we will look to achieve our objective."

•Alves

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

MONEY

CBN frowns at banks’ exposure to Fed Govt T

O forestall possible threats to financial stability, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is designing some risk management frameworks for banks. According to the Deputy Governor, Financial Services Stability, CBN, Dr Kingsley Moghalu, the risk management programmes would help the apex bank in addressing transactions in the fixedincome securities market. Moghalu, who spoke in Lagos, said the CBN had observed banks were too exposed to the Federal Government’s Bonds, adding that such exposures must be reduced to stabilise the financial system. He said reduction of the exposure of banks to the government’s bonds was discussed at the top level to guarantee the safety of the financial system. He said the risk management initiatives would cover the capi-

By Akinola Ajibade tal market, to reduce the votalities being experienced by the banks. CBN had earlier said returns on government bonds were below the current inflation rate, and that the development was threatening the financial stability. In an analysis of the market risks faced by banks , the CBN said: “Yields on the FGN bonds market do not reflect economic fundamentals. For instance, yields on 10-20 years FGN bonds were around six to eight per cent while the rate of inflation was estimated at 12.5 per cent. Thus, real interest rates on those bonds were negative, a situation which is not sustainable in the medium or long term. “The situation is more likely to be corrected by an increase in nominal interest rates, rather than

a substantial decline in the rates of inflation.” The CBN said with banks holding an average of 60 per cent of outstanding FGN bonds, an increase in nominal interest rates “could result in huge capital losses to banks.” Institutional investors and pension funds which are also estimated to hold about 10 per cent of the FGN bonds would also be affected.“ This could lead to erosion of banks’ capital and would have a negative impact on financial sys-

tem stability,” the CBN emphasised. The apex regulatory bank did not, however, say what was being done to mitigate this risk. A study of yields on FGN bonds between April 30 and November 30 shows that yields on all FGN bonds, except one of the 20-yearbonds, are below the current rate of inflation of 13.4 per cent. A comparative analysis of average yields on FGN bonds for April 30, 2010 and December 10, 2010 shows the average yield on the

three-year bonds now stands at 9.39 per cent compared to the 3.04 per cent in April 2010. The average yield on the fiveyear bonds is 8.25 per cent compared to the 4.15 per cent; the average yield on the seven-year bonds is 8.42 per cent compared to 5.06 per cent. The 10-year bonds now have yields of 7.49 per cent, compared to 6.04 per cent while the 20-year bonds now have average yields of 10.29 per cent compared to the 7.44 per cent in April 2010.

‘Oil wipes out banks’ bailout gains’

HE benefits of the 2009 bailout of some banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are being depleted by reliance on oil and social unrest, Standard & Poor’s (S&P’s) has said. “The banking sector has undergone a significant transformation in the last two years. What holds the rating down is the remaining political uncertainty. It is also the dependence on the oil sector, prices and the low level of economic development generally,” Christian Esters, a Frankfurtbased credit analyst at S&P told Bloomberg. S&P lowered the credit rating of Nigeria to B+, the fourth-highest junk rating, with a “stable” outlook in August 2009. That’s the same month the CBN injected 620 billion naira ($4.1 billion) into 10 banks and fired the chief executives of eight. The apex bank also set up Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in 2010 to buy

nonperforming loans from the banks. The AMCON took over and injected N679 billion into Afribank Plc, Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Plc on August 6 after the CBN bank revoked their licenses. The apex bank said the affected banks were unlikely to meet a September 30 deadline to recapitalise. “The banks’ asset quality has markedly improved since AMCON relieved the banks of the bad loans. The ratio of nonperforming loans has been brought down quite a lot by this measure,” Bloomberg reported. Nigeria relies on crude exports for 95 per cent of its foreign-exchange earnings, making it vulnerable to oil-price swings, said Esters. The nation’s foreign-currency reserves, which have dropped 5.7 per cent to $35 billion as of Aug. 10 from a year earlier, could have risen more, he said.

• Airtel Nigeria’s Vice President Corporate Communications & CSR, Emeka Oparah, presenting the Best

Bank in Telecoms Financing Awards to a representative of First Bank PLC at the Telecoms Awards held last in Lagos.

Why firms fail, by SEC chief

Minister lauds bank on promo

INISTER of the Niger Delta Affairs Godsday Orubebe has praised Skye Bank Plc for its attempt to revive the savings culture among Nigerians. He spoke during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)/North Central draws of the bank’s ongoing savings promotion in Abuja. According to Orubebe, it is through savings that Nigerians can prepare for old age as well as fund other projects which may require huge capital outlay. He enjoined members of the public to key into the bank’s promo and begin to cultivate the savings culture which he described as indispensable in modern times. The bank’s Executive Director, Southsouth/Retail Banking, Mrs Ibiye Ekong, explained that the

promo was a way of getting Nigerians to imbibe the savings culture as well as a way of giving back to the bank’s customers. According to her, the bank had conducted a similar draw in the Southeast where gifts worth more than N10 million were given to lucky winners. Ekong urged prospective customers to open a savings account with the bank and leave a minimum of N25,000 in it for a month to qualify for the draw. In the FCT/North Central draws, Ahmadu Abdullahi, a customer of the bank’s Lokoja branch won a brand new Toyota Corolla car while Nedu Gloria Oriaku of Mararaba Branch won the cash prize of N1 million.

$500m Eurobonds yields fall

HE price for the $500 million Eurobonds, Nigeria’s only international notes, has declined by 0.1 per cent to 103 cents on the dollar. The Eurobonds due 2021 has a 6.75 percent yield. The notes were poised for a weekly slump of 3.4 per cent, the biggest five-day decline since their January issue. Crude oil headed for the third weekly decline on signs that the global recovery is slowing and demand for fuels will be reduced. Nigeria relies on crude exports for

95 percent of its foreign-currency earnings. The country’s foreign-currency reserves fell 5.7 percent to $35 billion as of August 10 from a year ago, according to Central Bank of Nigeria data. “Considering the recent declines in the oil price we tend to have a less optimistic view about the economic growth going forward,” BNP Paribas analysts led by London-based Paul MortimerLee wrote in a research to Bloomberg.

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has linked the failure in many public quoted companies, especially banks, to weaknesses in their Audit Committees. Its Director-General, Arunma Oteh, said the audit committees did nothing when some bank directors and chief executive officers used the companies’ shares to invest in other firms. She said such practices led to the demise of several companies. Oteh said the auditors and regulators were supposed to work together to address such malpractices. Speaking during this year’s Annual Audit Committee conference in Lagos, Oteh said SEC recently passed the Financial Reporting Council Bill and launched a Code of Corporate Governance to help address issues of such nature. According to her, while the code has provided extensively for the role of the Audit Committee, the Financial Reporting Act, which replaces the Nigerian Accounting Standards Board Act of 2003, is expected to ensure credible financial reporting from the public and private sectors. She said there was need to follow sound corporate governance practice, which is widely regarded as a competitive tool. “It is a tool of true advantage to the

By Collins Nweze investors, the firm and the nation at large. The financial crises also underscored the importance of developing a competitive economic environment, achievable through corporate governance standards in our business entities,” she said. She said audit committees hold the key to ensuring that corporate governance is entrenched, in public companies. Oteh said there was need to establish and maintain clear channels of communication with the board, management, external and internal auditors. This,she said, would ensure the integrity of financial reports as well as the firm’s general operations. Chairman, Audit Committee Institute of Nigeria Christian Ekeigwe described audit committees as key pillars of corporate governance, explaining that in advanced capital markets, regulators have imposed heavy gatekeeping responsibilities on audit committees. “The New York Stock Exchange, the AMEX, the UK Code, the Toronto Stock Exchange, the US SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, among others have all recognised the unique role of audit committees in protecting the investor and Nigeria. Therefore, Nigeria should do same,” he said.

He said the Financial Reporting Council Act 2011 recognises the importance of audit committees in corporate governance, adding that there is need to explore the dimensions of audit committee responsibilities to ensure they fulfil their duties diligently. Shareholders have a right to expect that audit committees are working in their interests. When that happens, shareholder value is protected, he said, adding that when shareholders’ interests are protected, it becomes easier to attract investments that create jobs and wealth for the economy. He called for reforms in many aspects of corporate governance and audit committees regime, financial reporting value chain and audit firm governance. He said the audit committee institute is spearheading initiatives to improve audit quality with the establishment of its Centre for Audit Quality (CAQ) which will focus on helping organisations and their internal/external auditors to improve the quality of audit as a means of ensuring shareholder value assurance. In the coming months, professional bodies and audit firms will be invited to join the CAQ, in the quest for reassuring audit quality and preventing audit failure.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

MONEY

Rescued banks hold N3.5tr deposits • Intercontinental, Oceanic, Union keep largest share

HE eight rescued banks hold N3.5 trillion of deposits in the industry, with Intercontinental, Oceanic and Union banks keeping the largest portions. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Financial System Stabiliy, Kingsley Moghalu said. He said with the signing of Transaction Implementation Agreement (TIA) by the three banks and FinBank, 80 per cent of deposits in all the banks has found a safe harbour. He stressed the need to address the role of the regulator, recapitalisation process and the role and expectations of the banks as well as other stakeholders. The legality of the CBN in exercising its powers, he said, is consistent with its role as a regulator. The CBN’s careful consolidation of the banking sector has already proven itself to be essential to the future stability and growth of the economy, he said. The consolidation activity that the CBN has encouraged and regulated to date is intended to safeguard capacity within the banking sector - capacity that would otherwise have been lost if the intervened banks were not rescued and regulated in accordance with best practice. He said that the “Intervened” banks are in difficult circumstances is an understatement. They can only be rescued by “White Knights”. Critically, the CBN is helping to provide a safe harbour for the depositors of the failed institutions and the seamless con-

By Collins Nweze tinuation of banking services to Nigeria’s growing banking customer base. The CBN and, indeed, other regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) must ensure they focus on the five banks that have demonstrated seriousness so far and ensure necessary approvals and support needed to close the transactions is provided promptly. He said from the results of the 2009 CBN audit, it is clear that intervened banks require more than capital. Last Thursday came the announcement that one of the rescued banks – Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB) had signed a Transaction Implementation Agreement (TIA) with Sterling Bank Plc. This was about two months after Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank signed theirs. Since then, three other intervened banks – FinBank, Union Bank and Oceanic Bank have announced the signing of binding terms with their respective suitors, First City Monument Bank , African Capital Alliance (ACA) and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated. Analysts insist that Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank as well as Sterling Bank and ETB now appear to have become the reference point for efficiency and compliance in the recapitalisation process. “Under the watchful eyes of the CBN, the four institutions have managed the process with the high-

est levels of professionalism and focus. Insiders claim that the integration teams of both banks have been working together for several months under the guidance of world-class advisers,” Moghalu said. Industry watchers are of the view that Access Bank and Intercontinental Bank as well as Sterling Bank and ETB now appear to have become the reference point for efficiency and compliance in the recapitalisation process. Under the watchful eyes of the CBN, the four institutions have managed the process with the highest levels of professionalism and focus. Insiders claim that the integration teams of both banks have been working together for several months under the guidance of world-class advisers. Furthermore, the management of both banks have made compliance with best practice standards their watchword, coupled with extensive engagement of all stakeholders. “As the “White Knights” and their benefactors (intervened banks) approach shareholders in the coming days for approval, the nation expects a resounding vote for the recapitalisation process. Shareholders must vote to protect depositors’ funds. They must vote to keep the respective banks alive. They must vote to keep the jobs of thousands of employees who would otherwise be thrown into the job market. They must vote right! If shareholders do the right thing, they will be celebrated,” he said.

Fed Govt to sell N70b bonds today

HE Federal Government is set to sell N70 billion ($458.7 million) in three, five and 10year sovereign bonds today. This is the nation’s eighth debt auction of the year. The Debt Management Office said it would sell N30 billion bond maturing in 2014 at 10.5 per cent; N15 billion bond maturing in 2015 at four per cent and N25 billion bond maturing in 2018 at 10.7 per cent yield. “All the papers are re-openings of previous issues and the results of the auction will be published the following day,” DMO said in a statement. The government agency issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. The units of sale are N1,000 per unit subject to a minimum subscription of N10,000 and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter. The offer, already listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE),

will like all FGN bonds, qualify as liquid assets for liquidity ratio calculation for banks. The FGN Bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government of Nigeria and are charged upon the general assets of the country. According to the DMO, “For reopenings of previously issued bonds, successful bidders will pay a price corresponding to the yieldto-maturity bid that clears the volume being auctioned, plus accrued interest from the original issue date”. It is also stipulated that the interest payment be payable semiannually and also bullet repayment on the maturity date. Analysts said the offer qualifies as securities in which trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act. It also qualifies as government securities within the meaning of the Company Income Tax Act and Personal Income Tax Act for Tax Exemption for Pension Funds.

Non-interest banking to attract FDI, says BDAN

ANK Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN) has lent its support to the introduction of non-interest banking in Nigeria, saying it will enhance the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. Speaking at a press conference organised by the association on its forthcoming annual Stakeholders Forum, its General Secretary, Mr Yemi Idowu, said non-interest banking is a well-established practice all over the world with the potential to enhance offshore funds into the country. Idowu, who responding to enquiries on the position of BDAN on the introduction of Islamic banking in the country, said what is being introduced is non-interest banking, which is a normal type of banking. He said those referring to it as Islamic banking have another agenda, adding that the term “Islamic banking is not appropriate”. He said there are many aspects of non-interest banking and Islamic banking is just one of them.

BDAN is the umbrella body of non-executive directors of banks and it serves as a forum for improving the knowledge and the competence of bank directors, for the purpose of promoting honourable practice within the banking industry. Idowu said the “annual stakeholders forum of the association brings together executive and non-executive directors of banks, officials of other financial institutions, regulatory authorities, professional bodies and executives of other leading companies in Nigeria”. He said the banking industry has gone through phenomenal changes in the last three years like the global financial crisis, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intervention and banking reforms. “While change is inevitable, the best way to profit from change is to prepare for it and bank directors being key decision makers in the industry need to be abreast of the how these changes would shape the future of banking in Nigeria,” he said.

Financial system’s net foreign assets hit N6.3t

• From left: Business Director of Noah’s Ark Communication, Mr Victor Oyarero; Marketing Manager, CAP Plc (Dulux Paints), Mr Dominic Oladeji and Manager, Dulux Colour Centre, Mr Olugbenga Ogunfolaji, during an interactive session, at the Dulux Colour Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

Mainstreet, Keystone opt for e-banking

WO of the nationalised banks, Mainstreet and Keystone banks will place emphasis on cashless banking. The banks, previously known as Afribank Plc and Bank PHB Plc lost their licences following signs of inability to meet up with the September 30 deadline to recapitalise their operations. They were recapitalised for N285 billion and N283 billion by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), following their nationalisation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The action tallies with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) objectives of reducing the population of

By Akinola Ajibade the unbanked segment via mobile banking system. Mainstreet Bank’s spokesman, Mr Moshood Isamotu, told The Nation, that the bank would leverage on its track records in cashless banking to stimulate growth. Isamotu said though all the banks are into electronic banking, Mainstreet Bank would give it prominence to increase growth. “We already have powerful solutions to drive cashless banking initiative. So, it would not be a problem for us in this area. Though all the banks have one form of cashless banking product or the other, we would give the issue the de-

sired prominence,” he said. Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Keystone Bank Limited, Mr Eti Ikomi, said the cashless banking would be given prominence by the bank. He said the intention of the new management is to give customers service a priority. Ikomi, also said more customers and businesses would be attracted to reposition the bank . Prior to now, Afribank had a history of electronic banking. The bank, through its branch networks across the country engaged in the sales of West African Examinations Council (WEAC) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms.

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said the net foreign assets of the banking system stood at N6.304 trillion as at December 31, 2010. The figure, contained in the CBN’s report for the year, represents a decline of 17 per cent, compared with the decline of 11.2 per cent at end of the preceding year. The development reflected wholly the decline in the net foreign assets holdings of the CBN, which stood at N5.169 trillion at the end of the period, compared with N6.5222 trillion at the end of December 2009. This was accounted for by the reduction in demand deposit with foreign banks, as well as holdings of bills of foreign governments. Credit to the domestic economy grew by 13.4 per cent at end-December 2010, but was lower than the indicative benchmark of 51.4 per cent for the year and the

growth rate of 59.6 per cent at endDecember 2009. The development reflected, wholly, the growth of 64.2 per cent in credit to the Federal Government (issuance of treasury securities). Credit to the private sector declined by 4.1 per cent, as against the growth of 28.6 per cent at endDecember 2009. Net domestic credit to the economy constituted 78 per cent of total monetary assets at December 2010. Also, net credit to the Federal Government rose by 64.2 per cent, compared with 25.9 per cent at endDecember 2009 and the indicative benchmark of 25.1 per cent for fiscal 2010. Aggregate financial savings rose by N70.7 billion or 1.4 per cent to N6.431 trillion, compared with N6.340 trillion at the end of the preceding year. The total ration of financial savings to GDP was 32.9 per cent, compared with 22.8 per cent in 2009.

BNP Paribas to invest $22m in Africa

NP Paribas, France’s largest bank, has agreed to buy a 60 per cent stake in Cadiz Holdings Ltd. (CDZ)’s securities unit for $22 million to expand in South Africa. The combined unit will provide clients with cash management, derivatives research and brokerage services, BNP Paribas

said. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter, the lender said. “We’ve been struggling in the last few years to retain market share. Some firms opened offices in London or Hong Kong but we thought that was too expensive and too risky.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

THE NATION

INVESTORS 11 companies to raise N250b N

O FEWER than 10 quoted companies and one unquoted company are lined up to access funds from the capital market, but investors' apathy appears to be moderating the reactivation of the primary market. The primary segment of the capital market has become increasingly inactive since 2008 and this year has seen the lowest level of activities in recent years. The Nation's check, however, shows that at least 11 companies have indicated interests to raise some N250 billion from the capital market, although some of the companies are reluctant to float their offers fearing poor subscription. The companies that have indicated interests in raising new funds include RT Briscoe, DN Meyer, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (Nahco), Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) and Lafarge Wapco Cement Plc. The rest are May and Baker Nigeria, International Breweries, Fidson Healthcare, UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) and Promasidor Nigeria Limited. Most of the companies have already intimated shareholders of the necessity of accessing new funds while many have started and completed some key steps in the new issue process. Already, CCNN has secured shareholders' approval to raise N45 billion while application lists for Nahco and International Breweries would open soon as the companies have mostly perfected all pre-issue requirements. International Breweries would be raising N7 billion new equity funds through a rights issue while Nahco plans to raise at least N5 billion through a bond issue. Also the trio of Flour Mills, Fidson Healthcare and Lafarge Wapco are expected to raise some N90 billion. While some of the companies plan to use net proceeds of their offers for business expansion, most of them would use the funds to restructure their balance sheets by reducing bank loans and providing additional working capital to support long-term growth. Inability to access equity funds due to investors' apathy has made several companies to build up huge bank loans, with attendant high interest expenses that have become drags on returns to shareholders. RT Briscoe, DN Meyer, May and Baker Nigeria, International Breweries, Lafarge Wapco and UPDC would use large chunks of the net proceeds of their new issues to reduce their financial leverage while further supporting the balance sheets with additional equity funds or long-term debt funds. Meanwhile, CCNN, Flour Mills and Promasidor are raising new funds to finance business expansion. Promasidor, which plans to float an initial public offering (IPO) next year, is seeking to raise funds to partly finance its new factory. Although the size of the IPO is yet to be finalised, founder of the Promasidor Group, Mr Robert Rose, has said the new factory would be four or five times the size of the Promasidor current operations in Nigeria.

By Taofik Salako

According to him, the group plans to build another factory in another part of Nigeria which will not only enable it to do existing business better but enable it to go into new businesses. Shareholders of CCNN recently approved a multi-instrument capital raising exercise to enable the cement company to finance its N45 billion expansion project. Shareholders had empowered the board of directors to raise N15 billion each through rights issue, public offer and a rights-based

secured convertible debenture issue. This means that the company would be seeking to raise up to N30 billion from existing shareholders while new investors and existing shareholders would contribute N15 billion. A secured convertible debenture would enable debenture holders to choose to convert their holdings to ordinary shares at a later date. Capital market analysts said the new issues by CCNN might succeed given the commitment of the major shareholders. Damnaz Cement Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abdulsamad Rabiu's BUA International

â&#x20AC;˘ Vice-President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria[CIPM], Mr Sunday Korode, flanked by Wale Adediran Chair-

man, Conference Planning Committee (left) and Mr Sunday Adeyemi, Registrar/CEO, at a pre-annual national conference media briefing of CIPM in Lagos

High inflation may worsen equities' returns

XPECTED increase in inflation rate in the period ahead may further worsen the returns outlook at the equity market, with real return on investment expected to be around -20 per cent by the third quarter. Real return on investment implies the return on investment after adjustment for inflation rate. Simply, return on investment refers to capital appreciation or depreciation over a definite period. Most analysts hold that stock market prices have already been adjusted for dividend and as such use market valuation as the sole measure of return. However, some analysts add dividend yield to capital gain to arrive at total return on investment. Average year-to-date return on the stock

Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

market opened this week at -8.93 per cent while inflation stands at 10.2 per cent. Analysts have, however, said inflation might trend up in the period ahead, which could further compound the decline in investors' returns at the stock market. In the latest update on economic outlook, analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) said the inflation rate might increase to between 12 and 13 per cent in the coming months while fund managers might see further shift in orders from equities to bonds. According to analysts, increase in consumer prices could go up in coming months as the minimum wage is eventually implemented. Imported inflation could go as high as 13 per cent per annum if the Naira contin-

Honeywell flour discloses facts behind growth HONEYWELL Flour Mills Plc will tomorrow disclose to the public the factors responsible for its present growth in its unaudited first quarter result ended June 30, 2011. According to the company's results made available to the exchange at the weekend, its revenue has grown to N9.3 billion. Specifically, the company's first quarter un-audited results for the period ended June 2011 showed that this feat was achieved despite the tough operating environment. The figure represents an increase of 2 per cent over the revenue of N9.16 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter in 2010.

Limited, holds about 51 per cent equity stake while Nasdal Bap Nigeria Limited owns about 11.5 per cent stake. The two major investors are thus expected to contribute 62.5 per cent or N18.8 billion of the N30 billion expected from rights issues. Chairman of CCNN, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, said the net proceeds of the three issues would be used to finance the installation of a new one million metric tonnes production line to increase the installed capacity of the cement company from 500,000 tonnes per annum to 1.5 million tonnes per annum.

By Tonia Osundolire

However, the company when contacted said it experienced a challenging first quarter, characterised by rising global prices of agricultural commodities; increasing freight and energy costs; and naira depreciation. This is also coming as the company stepped up preparation for completing its over N10 billion (about $65 million) state-ofthe art twin mill facility, at its current site, with combined capacity of 1,000MT/day to enable it to meet growing demand for its range of products.

Forecasts Q3 OANDO TURNOVER N127.82 PAT N3.06BN

ues to cede ground to the Dollar in the Forex market. "All these factors could distort demand patterns and consequently push CPI back up to within a region of 12 per cent - 13 per cent.," analysts said. Analysts said inflationary concerns still exist in the second half of the year on the back of global inflationary concerns and rising energy cost, pointing out that consumer price level has been highly volatile since the start of the year. Analysts said the increasing price of diesel and kerosine were major factors in propelling the CPI spike in the second quarter of the year the transportation cost of food from farms to markets increased due to the 23 per cent hike in the price of diesel.

DN MEYER TURNOVER N582.16N PAT N14.81M

NPF MFB T/O N827.31M PBT N198.55M PAT N198.55M

STACO INS. TURNOVER 6.43BN PAT N665.05M

TRIPPLE GEE & COMPANY PLC TURNOVER N166.09m PAT N74.59m

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

THE NATION INVESTORS CCNN targets N3b sales in Q3

HAREHOLDERS of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) Plc may see appreciable improvements in the operations and returns of the company in the on-going business year as the board of the cement company says it expects improvement in profit in the third quarter. According to forecasts by the board, profitability of the company is expected to improve this quarter with gross profit margin and pre-tax profit margin projected at 37.3 per cent and 19.47 per cent respectively. In 2010, full-year gross profit margin was 36.8 per cent while pre-tax profit margin stood at 15.65 per cent. The company estimates turnover to be N3.32 billion during the quarter ending September 30, 2011 while gross profit is expected at N1.24 billion. Profits before and after tax are projected at N646.30 million and N439.48 million respectively. When annualised, the forecasts indicate that the company may wit-

By Taofik Salako

ness noticeable increases in sales and profit this year. Audited report and accounts for 2010 showed that CCNN produced 397,185 tonnes of cement and clinker with a turnover of N11.18 billion compared with 394,288 tonnes for a turnover of N11.87 billion in 2009. Gross profit dropped by 20 per cent from N5.2 billion to N4.11 billion. Profit before tax stood at N1.75 billion as against N2.32 billion while profit after tax totaled N1.27 billion as against N1.81 billion. Basic earnings per share stood at N1.01 in 2010 as against N1.44 in 2009. However, the company's total assets per share increased from N7.80 in 2009 to N8.53 in 2010. Net assets per share also improved from N3.36 in 2009 to N3.86 in 2010. The company strengthened its balance sheet as total assets rose by 9.4 per cent to N10.7 billion in 2010 compared with N9.8 billion in 2009. Shareholders' funds also increased by 15 per cent from N4.22 billion

in 2009 to N4.85 billion in 2010. Chairman of CCNN, Alhaji Rabiu AbdulSamad has assured shareholders that the board has been working to improve performance of the company, noting that it has embarked on the conversion of its kiln from Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) to coal modernise the existing plant and reducing the cost of energy. According to him, the board of the company has approved the supply, installation, commissioning as well as training for a coal grinding facility together with its auxiliary equipment. Rabiu noted that the new production line and the kiln fuel conversion would reduce production cost and increase the competitive advantages of the company. He assured shareholders that the future of the company was bright, reiterated the commitment of the board to the enhancement of shareholders' value and adequate disclosures. He said the board has approved the formation of two committees to ensure the company’s transition to the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) ahead of the 2012 deadline given by financial services authorities.

FACTS

More suspended firms submit reports

T the close of business yesterday, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) recorded more responses from quoted companies with the list of those placed on full suspension reducing to seventeen from the 24 initially placed on suspension. The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, says, his team is driven by transparency and efficiency. Onyema, who spoke on the challenges he faced when he assumed duties said the response by the various companies is an indication that the companies are realising that it is not business as usual. He said in line with the restructuring of the exchange, four additional departments have been created to address the inability of the companies to comply with post listing requirements. These include listing regulation, rule and interpretation and surveillance departments. He said they are building up the skill level there to ensure that a level playing

By Tonia Osundolire

ground is created with a firm but strong regulatory programme. “We want to make sure that we have rules that are enforced and that everybody knows that for every rule you break there is consequence,” he said. “We are not trying to be punitive, but we are also trying to work with the companies to help them to comply with the post listing rules. We started a programme where we have been calling the companies, working hand in hand with them to make sure that they comply,” he said. The NSE, he said, won considering coming out with a calendar so that people get to know ahead of time that these companies are due for reporting for public knowledge. "We have many things that we are doing at the background to make it more efficient even for companies and their prospective investors," he said.

FACTS

NBC vs Seven-Up: Different tastes of the bottlers

IGERIAN Bottling Company (NBC), the Nigerian bottler of all CocaCola products and Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, the bottler of Pepsi and other premium brands, are the dominant companies in the soft drink industry. With leading brands across the segments, the two companies have become generic names for soft drinks. With six decades of existence, NBC is the oldest and biggest of the two. Notwithstanding its recent decision to revert to a private limited liability company after nearly four decades as a publicly quoted company, NBC was for several years, the flagship of the soft drink industry at the stock market. Meanwhile, Seven-Up has over the past 52 years, built an enduring and highly competitive brand name. With 33 years as a public limited liability company, it has been consistent within the top food and beverages stocks. Seven-Up's dividend track record spanning several years has made it a toast of the investing public, thus maintaining a stable pricing trend in spite of the stock market recession. Sales Generation Both companies increased sale growth in the immediate past year but Seven-Up was ahead in all indices. NBC's sales increased by 13.3 per cent in 2010 as against 12.6 per cent in 2009, indicating a two-year average growth of about 13 per cent. Seven-Up increased turnover by 24 per cent in the immediate past year compared with 18 per cent increase recorded in previous year, representing an average growth of 21 per cent over the years. These indicate that both companies witnessed appreciable top-line performance in the immediate past year given that latest growths were more than previous growths and the averages over the years. It should however be noted that while NBC's business year runs the normal Gregorian calendar year, Seven-Up's business year operates a 12-month April to March calendar. Profitability The general decline in profitability was more visible on NBC than Seven-Up, which placed the latter ahead as the most profitable soft drink company. NBC grew gross profit by 2.8 per cent in 2010 compared with 19.6 per cent in previous year. Profit before tax, which had grown by 77 per cent in 2009,

By Taofik Salako

dropped by 28 per cent in 2010 while profit after tax similarly declared from 32 per cent increase in 2009 to 15 per cent decrease in 2010. The decline also reflected in the underlying profit-making capacity of the company with gross margin dropping from 29 per cent to 26 per cent. Average pre-tax profit per unit of sale dropped from 4.8 per cent to 3.1 per cent. Seven-Up increased gross profit by 13 per cent in 2011 compared with 20 per cent in 2010. Profit before tax slipped by 4.2 per cent as against an increase of 18.5 per cent. However, profit after tax growth rate nearly doubled at 30 per cent in 2011 as against 15 per cent in 2010, indicating average growth of 22 per cent over the years. Underlying profit margins meanwhile fell below average. Gross margin dropped from 41.5 per cent to 37.6 per cent while pre-tax profit margin declined to 4.9 per cent as

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

•MD Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Mr Ben Langat

•MD, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr Sunil Sawhney

against 6.4 per cent. Actual Returns Seven-Up has proven to be more efficient in utilisation of shareholders' resources and other assets. Return on total assets, which indicates underlying net returns on the entire balance sheet, increased from

5.2 per cent to 5.7 per cent, representing average return of 5.5 per cent. Return on equity, which measures actual return to shareholders, rose above two-year average of 23 per cent to about 27 per cent in 2011 as against 19.6 per cent in 2010. On the other hand, NBC's return

NBC

on total assets dropped below average to 3.1 per cent as against 4.4 per cent while return on equity inched up from 9.7 per cent to 10 per cent. The Bottom-line The performances of the companies show the difficulty the consumer goods industry faces generally. With declining purchasing power, growing sales and profitability simultaneously has become an arduous task and most companies have seen contraction in profit in spite of appreciable growth in sales. But Seven-Up appeared to be more adept and consistent in managing the variables. While both companies witnessed decline in underlying profitability in the immediate past year, SevenUp still maintained higher margins and better returns on its operations. Even as NBC rounds off its reversion from publicly quoted company to a private company, this provides the last opportunity to measure the competitiveness of the two companies.

Seven-Up

2010 %

2009 %

Average %

13.3 2.8 -27.7 26.2 3.1 -14.9 3.1 10.0

12.6 19.6 77.2 28.9 4.8 32.4 4.4 9.7

12.95 11.2 24.75 27.55 3.95 8.75 3.75 9.85

Pre-tax profit margin (NBC)

Turnover growth Gross profit growth Pre-tax profit growth Gross margin Pre-tax profit margin Net profit growth Return on Assets Return on Equity

2011 %

2010 %

Average %

24.4 12.6 -4.2 37.6 4.9 29.5 5.7 26.5

17.8 19.9 18.5 41.5 6.4 15.0 5.2 19.6

21.1 16.25 7.15 39.55 5.65 22.25 5.45 23.05

Pre-tax profit margin (7-Up)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TIPS

‘What makes millionaires tick’

MAGINE what it would be like to become a self-made millionaire by using simple and fast business secrets. That is what Managing Director,Web Innomics Solutions Limited Innocent Owujie is selling. For him, there are golden secrets on how to achieve the freedom, respect and security of millionaires. He is a believer in positive thinking, creative visualisation and goal setting;all these are secrets of the amazing millionaire’s mind. He wants Nigerians to get this information and have the million dollar mind. Owujie said he has learnt the methods of geniuses, and thinks like a millionaire. The result, he noted, is amazing. Owujie said his encounters with geniuses have been wonderful. His package, he noted, reveals what really makes them tick, adding that it is an intimate look at successful people, how they think, not only in business, but in their everyday lives. What he is now teaching is the secrets, tips, techniques, and strategies for making millions. This, he said,he discovered from the secrets of self-made millionaires. According to him, there are many Nigerians who want to be rich and know that money is important. However, at a deeper level, they may not realise that their subconscious mind either holds many limiting beliefs about money or associate lots of negative feelings towards money. These negative associates, he noted, cause them to repel money and prevent them from becoming rich without even

Auto repairs and spare parts sale

Stories by Daniel Essiet

realising it. For him, everything starts from the mind. There is a very big difference between wanting to become a millionaire and being committed to becoming one. When one merely wants, wishes or hopes to achieve a goal, it will rarely happen. One has to think about it. This is why people want to be financially free, but very few ever make it happen,he warned. He is determined to work on Nigerians to reduce limiting beliefs and painful associations towards money. Owujie is now consumed with this knowledge of making megafortunes and believes Nigerians can do that monthly for the rest of their lives. He said the information accelerates one on the road to financial independence. By selling millionaires secrets, Owujie said his goal is to inspire people to create wealth where they are to achieve their dreams. People who have listened to it have come up with ideas that have sold millions. He wants Nigerians to achieve whatever they want in life and this starts with overcoming fears and developing unstoppable self-esteem to get anywhere. The biggest mistake almost every small business owner makes is to kill chances they have for success. He boasts of what to help any aspiring entrepreneur create winning leverage in any business and create massive profits differentiate

By Edwin Agbaike

•Owujie

self from competitors. What Owujie is targeting is making millions of naira monthly in passive, active and residual income. This means effortless riches where they can be made monthly for the rest of their lives whether they ever work another day or not. With his secret formula, Owujie is feeling like a champion daily and rejoicing that the best-kept secret of the rich has finally revealed. His strategy is creating multiple lifelong streams of cash flow and achieving financial security. For him, becoming successful and wealthy isn’t just about learning some money making techniques, but learning some fundamental concepts of thinking about wealth in a certain way. According to him, his thinking, mindset, behaviours, actions and perceptions towards money, have all changed to a brand new leaf.

Producing ice cream,yoghurt

CE CREAM and yoghurt production is good business because the products sell fast. Ice cream has varieties and different flavours. It is the same with yogurt. Managing Director, Dabrex Ventures, Mrs Faith Emenike said ice cream and yoghurt are good business opportunities. With a lot of hard work and careful business planning, she said the business can become successful. They have reasonably low startup cost. With N10,000, she said entrepreneurs can start ice cream and yoghurt business. This is affordable for many small-business owners who want to use their homes. Mrs Emenike said small entrepreneurs can produce from home until they can afford to rent spaces at locations that get high volumes of the right kind of traffic, where parents and children pass by. She has being making home-made yogurt and ice cream for some years. The next step is to seek registration

Mrs Emenike

with the relevant government agencies. Her training is made to help young and starting entrepreneurs excel at their ventures and earn good money. S h e handles everyt h i n g from setting up the business to other issues important for a thriving and lucrative business setup. S h e trains housewives, la-

dies and entrepreneurs to prepare yogurt at home. As she has grown, selecting products and flavors is now an enjoyable aspect of the business. Mrs Emenike teaches her students costs of ingredients and ice cream mix and the percentage of air pumped into the finished product are critical to the quality outcome. She said one can start with N10,000 and make 80 per cent of the amount at the end of the month. A starter may not need a commercial yoghurt maker with an electrically heated base. According to her, most of the equipment needed to prepare yogurts can be found in the kitchen. Things such as a container for yogurt that holds at least five cups or used individual custard cups or jelly jars. Others are large spoon, large bowl, and aluminum foil or plastic wrap to cover yogurt containers if they don’t have lids. She gives recipes for plain yoghurt. Basic things needed include dry milk powder, sugar or honey. For her, making homemade yogurt is part of the back to basics series to get people back on track to balanced nutrition. Along with money, a good location plays a very important role in making an ice cream business a success. Parks, beaches, malls, store fronts and other such obvious and crowded places are good for an ice cream stand. Like every business, the experience could be both exciting and exhausting. There are some rocky bumps on the way though . When it comes to the ice cream retail business the idea of actually wanting to be in the business must come with passion. Success depend on the willingness of the entrepreneur to work hard, and nature the business.

THE economic growth of the last several years has resulted in increased disposable income. Many people have chosen to spend part of their increased income on their automobiles. As a result, the need for reliable and convenient auto services has substantially risen as well. Increase in consumer credit products offered by banks and availability of cheaper car models, is encouraging the acquisition of new cars by more people, especially in Nigeria. The number of new cars registered in Nigeria has been on the increase in the last five years. In addition, many individuals also directly import their cars from abroad to reduce the cost of acquisition as well as get better specifications. The influx of new cars has, expectedly, increased the need for high quality auto spare parts and service centers, especially in Lagos and other major cities where there are heavy traffic flow. This project entails setting up of a modern ‘Auto repair services and sale of spare parts’. It proposed offering high-quality, quick and convenient auto repair services; along side, a full range of auto parts inventory with rapid shipping capability of major auto parts, for the Nigerian market on commercial basis. The product lines to be stocked for servicing and sales will include a full complement of inventory at a typical super centre of an average that is approximately 25,000 items. Prominent among which are: tires; Batteries. new and remanufactured parts for domestic and imported cars, including: suspension parts; ignition parts; exhaust systems; engines and engine parts; oil and air filters, belts, hoses, and air conditioning parts; lighting; wiper blades; brake parts; etc. chemicals: including oil, antifreeze, polishes, additives, cleansers and paints. Mobile electronics: including sound systems, alarms, and remote vehicle starters. Car accessories: including seat covers, floor mats, and exterior accessories. Hand tools: including sockets, wrenches, ratchets, paint and body tools, jacks and lift equipment, automotive specialty tools and test gauges. Repair services to be rendered would range from routine maintenance and refurbishments to major repairs of automobiles. Specifically, it will include the followings: Oil Change: scheduled and unscheduled walk-in oil change service for all vehicles. Filter replacement: for all vehicle types. Preventive maintenance: Regular maintenance on all vehicles with diagnostics to detect impending repairs. Tire installation, balancing and alignment: Replacement of tires for all vehicle types, electronic wheel balancing and alignment. Brake service: General service and repair of brakes. This will include replacement of brake pads, drums and lining. Air conditioning system installation and repair: Complete and partial installation of car air conditioning system. Repair of entire cooling mechanism. Belts and hoses: Replacement of belts (fan belt, engine belt, A/C belt) and hoses. Engine diagnostics: Complete engine diagnostic for all vehicles. Diagnosis is capable of detecting all major and minor defects in the engine of the car. Tune-ups: Engine tune-ups and overhauling. Fuel system maintenance and repairs: Cleaning and maintenance of fuel systems to ensure smooth functioning of engine. Transmission fluid exchange: Replacement of automobile transmission fluids with authentic fluids. Shocks and struts: Replacement of automobile shocks and struts with original spare parts. Car wash: Automated and manual car wash and detailing service. Body Works: Panel-beating. Painting and repainting using state of the art automotive baking ovens. Sale of spare and service parts: This will include parts of vehicles that will be used for in-house repair and/or refurbishment jobs as well as in sale to other garages and vehicle owners. Sale of car accessories: This will include general and specialised accessories for various vehicle brands. Investment cost for execution of this service project may range from N10 million. This amount can be scaled down or increased, depending on the financial position of the promoter. The project has great economic potential if properly planned and implemented. The returns in terms of turnover and profits are considerably very high; sometimes running over 50 per cent . It is, therefore, recommended that interested investors contact the consultant for help and a detailed Feasibility Report. This project stands a good chance of attracting both local and offshore finance, which can be obtained from any of the commercial banks or foreign banks/investment outfits. A well-packaged Feasibility Report is a pre-requisite to securing finance for the project. This can be provided by the Consultant on request. For details on how to implement this project or any other, please contact us. We are willing to assist potential investors on any aspect of the project. Prospective investors may get in touch with us at the address stated hereunder. Edwin Agbaike (Projects, Financial & Management Consultant) KRISED BRILLIANT LIMITED (Brilliant Consulting), Tel. Nos. 08023381900; 08098525122. E-mail: krisedbrilliant@yahoo.com.

‘Investment cost for execution of this service project may range from N10 million. This amount can be scaled down or increased, depending on the financial position of the promoter. The project has great economic potential if properly planned and implemented. The returns in terms of turnover and profits are considerably very high; sometimes running over 50 per cent ‘

Saved Mac12: Wednesday 17-08-11

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011 e) Department of Mechanical Engineering M.Eng (Full Time) and Ph.D (Full-Time and Part-Time) Programmes in the following areas of specialization: i) Industrial and Production Engineering ii) Metallurgy and Materials Engineering iii) Design and Applied Mechanics

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MINNA POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL (Office of the Dean) (Internal and External Advertisement)

3. School of Entrepreneurship and Management Technology

M.Tech (Full-time) Ph.D (Full-time/Part-time) in Estate Management

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into the following Postgraduate Programmes in the various Schools of the University.

4. School of Environmental Technology a) Department of Architecture

A. M.TECH/M.ENG AND Ph.D PROGRAMMES

M.Tech (Full-time and Part-time) and Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in Architecture

M.Tech (Full-time) and Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Agricultural Economics ii) Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology

b) Department of Building Technology M.Tech (Full-time and Part-time) and Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Building Services ii) Construction Management iii) Construction Technology c)

Department of Urban and Regional Planning

b) Department of Animal Production M.Tech Animal Production (Full-time) Ph.D (Full-time and Part-Time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Ruminant Animal Nutrition ii) Ruminant Animal Production iii) Monogastric Animal Nutrition iv) Monogastric Animal Production v) Reproductive Physiology and Pasture Production. vi) Pasture Production

Ph.D in Urban and Regional Planning. - (Internal Candidates only for 2011/2012 Session)

c) Department of Crop Production

M.Eng (Full-time and Part-time) and Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in Computer Engineering

M.Tech in Agronomy (Full-time) Ph.D (Full-time and Part-Time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Crop Production ii) Agronomy iii) Horticulture iv) Seed Technology v) Plant Breeding vi) Post Harvest Technology d) Department of Soil Science M.Tech (Full-Time) and Ph.D (Full-Time and Part-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Soil Conservation and Water Management ii) Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition iii) Soil Physics iv) Soil Microbiology v) Pedology e) Department of Water Resources, Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology M. Tech (Full-time) Fisheries Technology Ph.D (Full-Time and Part-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Fish Nutrition ii) Hydrobiology iii) Fish Post Harvest Technology iv) Aquaculture Nutrition v) Fish Genetics and Breeding vi) Fish Biology vii) Fish Ecology viii) Fish Toxicology 2. School of Engineering and Engineering Technology a) Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering M.Eng (Full-Time) and Ph.D (Full-Time and Part-Time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Farm Power Machinery. ii) Crop Processing and Storage. iii) Soil and Water Engineering. iv) Food Engineering

Ph.D in TeleCommunication Engineering (Full-time and Parttime) b) Department of Computer Engineering.

c) Department of Computer Science M.Tech (Full-time and Part-time) and Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in Computer Science

M.Tech (Full-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Applied Geophysics ii) Solid State Physics iii) Applied Nuclear Physics iv) Atmospheric Physics Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Applied Geophysics ii) Solid State Physics iii) Atmospheric Physics j) Department of Science Education M.Tech (Full-time) and Ph.D (Full-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Science Education ii) Educational Technology 7. Centre for Disaster Risk Management & Development Studies Masters in Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS A candidate applying for Postgraduate Studies in the Federal University of Technology, Minna must have obtained five (5) Credits in WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and GCE (O’Level) or their equivalents including English Language and Mathematics at not more than two sittings. No admission shall be made on the basis of any awaiting O/Level paper result and no exemption is made for admission into any programme. 1

Master Degree Programmes

A Minimum of Second Class Honours (Lower Division) degree from Federal University of Technology, Minna or any other recognized University.

d) Department of Cyber Security Ph.D in Cyber Security (Full-time and Part-time) 6. School of Science and Science Education a) Department of Biochemistry M.Tech (Full-time) and Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Toxicology ii) Nutritional Biochemistry iii) Clinical Biochemistry b)

Department of Biological Sciences

M. Tech (Full-time) and Ph.D (Full-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Applied Entromology and Parasitology ii) Hydrobiology iii) Applied Genetics and Breeding c) Department of Chemistry M.Tech (Full-time and Part-time) and Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in Analytical Chemistry d) Department of Geography M.Tech (Full-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Geography (Meteorology) ii) Geography (Remote Sensing Applications) iii) Geography (Environmental Management) in the following areas of specializations: a) Natural Resources Management b) Environmental Development Planning c) Environmental Pollution and Waste Management. e) Department of Geology

c) Department of Civil Engineering

M.Eng (Full Time) and Ph.D (Full-Time and Part-Time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Structural Engineering ii) Water Resources and Environmental Engineering

M.Tech (Full-time) and Ph.D (Full-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Automobile Technology Education ii) Building Technology Education iii) Electrical/Electronics Technology Education iv) Metal work Technology Education v) Woodwork Technology Education

M.Eng (Full Time) and Ph.D (Full Time) in Electrical Power and Machines

i) Department of Physics

a) Department of TeleCommunication Engineering.

M.Eng (Full-time) and Ph.D (Full-time) in Chemical Engineering

d) Department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering

M.Tech (Full-time and Part-time) and Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Industrial Microbiology ii) Medical Microbiology iii) Environmental Microbiology iv) Pharmaceutical Microbiology

5. School of Information and Communication Technology

Ph.D (Full-time and Part-time) in the following areas of specialization: i) Hydrogeology/Engineering Geology/Environmental Geology ii) Paleontology/Biostratigraphy iii) Mineral Exploration

b) Department of Chemical Engineering

h) Department of Microbiology

a) Department of Estate Management

ADMISSION INTO POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES FOR 2011/2012 ACADEMIC SESSION

1. School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology a) Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology

M.Tech Mathematics (Full-time and Part-time) Ph.D Applied Mathematics (Full-time and Part-time)

ii. A Third Class Honour Degree with at least 3 year Postgraduate experience in relevant fields may be considered, in some areas, passing a qualifying examination to be administered by the Department of the candidates in consultation with the Postgraduate School may be required. iii. Candidates with HND with a minimum of Lower Credit, OND Lower Credit and a Postgraduate Diploma in relevant field with, at least a minimum of Lower Credit and one year graduation experience may be considered. iv For avoidance of doubt, candidates with PASS grade at any level Degree, PGD, HND and OND do not qualify for admission to the Masters Degree Programmes. No Diploma candidate with CGPA less than 2.50 qualifies for admission into the Masters Degree Programmes. v Where examination is required as in the case of 1 (ii) and 1 (iii) above, an examination fee of N500.00 will be charged outside the cost of Postgraduate application forms. vi. In all cases of admission the final decision on qualified candidates rests with the Postgraduate School Board. Candidates with Science-based background are normally considered. vii.All Masters Degree Programmes require course work components in addition to research work components. There is no exemption. A thesis must be submitted and defended for a student to qualify to graduate. viii. Entry Requirements for Masters in Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies: (a)

Department of Industrial and Technology Education

g) Department of Mathematics and Statistics

(b)

(c)

Five ‘O’ level credit passes in English, Mathematics and any of Geography, Biology, Agric Science, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Social Studies, History and Government at not more than two sittings. Minimum of Second Class (Lower Division) Bachelor’s Degree in Sciences, Social Sciences, Medicine, Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Town Planning etc from recognized Institutions. Third Class Degree or Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in any of the areas listed above and at least 3 years of working experience in relevant fields may be considered.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011 (d) 2

Evidence of National Youth Service (NYSC discharged certificate or exemption letter).

Ph.D Programme

i. Candidates for Admission for any of the Ph.D Programmes shall be Masters Degree graduates of the Federal University of Technology, Minna or any other Universities recognized by the Senate or holders of equivalent qualifications acceptable to University Senate. ii. A Master Degree holder applying for the Ph.D Programmes of the University must have maintained a weighted score average of 60% or a ‘B’ grade or a CGPA of 3.50 in overall performance in the Masters Degree programme. iii. Appropriate courses may be prescribed for candidates whose background is considered weak for the areas of specialization. This is done at the discretion of the School/ Department within the approved general regulations/ guidelines of the Postgraduate School. DURATION OF PROGRAMMES i

Masters Degree Programmes

The Masters Degree programmes are expected to last a minimum of 3 Semesters for Full-Time Students and 4 Semesters for Part-Time Students. The maximum allowable periods of studies shall be 6 Semesters for Full-Time and 8 Semesters for Part-Time Students, subject to maintaining a GPA of 2.50 in every semester. Failure to meet this requirement will result in withdrawal from the programme. ii Ph.D Programmes A Minimum of 36 months for Full-Time Students and 60 months for Part-Time Students is required. A maximum of 60 months and 84 months is allowed for Full-Time and PartTime Students respectively. B. POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES 1. Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Technology i) Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics (Full-time) ii) Postgraduate Diploma in Extension and Rural Sociology (Full-time)

49 Entry Requirement: i) A Higher National Diploma (HND) in Chemical Engineering from a recognized Polytechnic or any recognized Institution with at least Lower Credit grade. ii) HND in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Agricultural Engineering from any recognized Institution. iii) B.Sc. or B.Eng. with Third Class in Chemical Engineering. 6. Department of Civil Engineering Postgraduate Diploma in Civil Engineering (Full-Time) Entry Requirements: i)

Higher National Diploma (HND) with a minimum of Lower Credit in Civil Engineering, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. ii) B.Eng from a recognized University with a minimum of Third Class. 7. Department of Mechanical Engineering Postgraduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Fulltime) Entry Requirements: i)

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Electrical Engineering from any recognized Polytechnic or any recognized institution with a minimum of Lower Credit. ii) B.Sc or B.Eng with Third Class in Mechanical Engineering. iii) Candidate must have a minimum of five (5) Credits at G.C.E O’ level or SSCE or NECO or NABTEB which must include English, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics at not more than two sittings. iv) All candidates must have NYSC Discharged Certificate or exemption letter. 8. Department of Entrepreneurship and Business Technology Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management Technology (Full-time) 9. Department of Estate Management

Entry Requirements: Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Management (Full-time) i)

HND holder from a recognized Polytechnic with at least Lower Credit. ii) B.Sc., B.Tech/B.Eng from recognized University with minimum of Third Class. 2. Department of Animal Production Postgraduate Diploma in Animal Production (Full-Time) Entry Requirements: i)

A Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agriculture from a recognized Institution with a minimum overall aggregate of not less than a Lower Credit. ii) A Bachelor’s Degree certificate in Agriculture and Allied disciplines such as Vet. Medicine, Biology, Zoology with a minimum of a Second Class Division or its equivalent.

Entry Requirement: i)

A candidate must possess Five O’ Level Credits in Mathematics, English, Economics and any other two from the following: Geography, Technical Drawing, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Biology and Physics. ii) HND holders from a recognized Polytechnic or Monothenics or its equivalent with at least Lower Credit. iii) A Third Class Degree in Estate Management. iv) B.Tech/B.Sc Degree with Second Class Lower Division in related disciplines of the Federal University of Technology, Minna or any recognized University. 10. Department of Architecture Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture (Full-time)

3. Department of Crop Production 11. Department of Building Technology Postgraduate Diploma in Crop Production (Full-Time) Entry Requirement: i)

A Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agriculture with a minimum of Lower Credit and a minimum of Third Class Degree in Agriculture and Science.

4. Department of Water Resources Aquaculture and Fisheries Technology Postgraduate Diploma in Fisheries Technology (FullTime) Entry Requirement: i)

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agriculture from a recognized Institution with overall aggregate of not less than Lower Credit (Minimum CGPA of 2.50). ii) A Bachelor Degree in Agriculture and Allied Discipline such as Vet. Medicine, Botany and Zoology with a minimum of a Second Class (Lower Division) or its equivalent for unclassified Degrees. 5. Department of Chemical Engineering Postgraduate Diploma in Chemical Engineering (FullTime)

Postgraduate Diploma in Building (Full-time and Parttime) 12. Department of Quantity Surveying Postgraduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying (Full-time and Part-time) 13. Department of Urban and Regional Planning i) Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies (Full-time) ii) Postgraduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning (Full-time) 14. Centre for Human Settlements and Urban Development. Postgraduate Diploma in Public-Private Partnership in Urban Environment (PPPUE) (Full-Time). Entry Requirements: i)

A minimum of HND at Lower Credit in any related discipline or First Degree with a minimum of Third Class from Environmental/Social Sciences and Engineering background. ii) A minimum of 5 O’ Level Credit Pass including English & Mathematics.

15. Department of Computer Science

Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science (Full-time and Part-time) 16. Department of Geography. Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management. 17. Department of Industrial and Technology Education Postgraduate Diploma (Full-Time) in the following areas of specialization: i) ii) iii) iv) v)

Automobile Technology Education Building Technology Education Electrical/Electronics Technology Education Metal work Technology Education Woodwork Technology Education

Entry Requirements: i)

A Higher National Diploma (HND) in Electrical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering or Technology with a minimum of Lower Credit from any recognized Institution. ii) Full Technological Certificate in Engineering or Technology with a minimum of Lower Credit. 18. Department of Science Education Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Full-time) Entry Requirement: i)

To be eligible for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma in Education Technology Programme candidates must hold First Degree or its equivalent from recognized Institution.

DURATION OF STUDIES IN POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES Generally, Full-Time Students are expected to graduate normally after 3 Semesters while those on Part-time will graduate after 4 Semesters of successful completion of their programmes, subject to maintaining a minimum GPA of 1.50 in any semester. MEHOD OF APPLICATION 1. All applications for Admission should be directed to: The Secretary, Postgraduate School, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 65, Minna, Niger State. 2. Completed application forms must be returned to the Secretary, Postgraduate School on or before Monday, 3rd October, 2011. And should be sent together with two self-addressed envelopes all credentials claimed and photocopy of NYSC Discharge/Exemption Certificate. Failure to submit any or all the items at the time of selection is sufficient grounds to disqualify an applicant. 3. All Ph.D applications must be accompanied with a typewritten proposal of the research interest (not more than 2000 words) of the applicant. 4. It is the responsibility of each candidate to ensure that the Referee’s report and transcripts are received on time. Any application not accompanied by at least two referees’ report would be rejected. 5. Any Ph.D application not supported with an official academic transcript and proposed research at the point of consideration shall be disqualified. 6. Provisional Admission cannot be utilized without all necessary bio-data are submitted. Registration formalities shall be completed within the four weeks of the commencement of the Session beyond which there shall be penalty for late registration up to the sixth week of the commencement of the Session. APPLICATION FORMS. University charges an application fee of N5000.00 Payable in Bank draft made in favour of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA). PAYMENT OF FEES AND OTHER CHARGES. All students are required to pay in full their fees and charges in the first year and thereafter each Semester of their studentship including any period of extension of studies approved by the University Senate. Signed.

A.S. D. Usman Secretary.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

INSURANCE

IFRS: Insurers move to meet 2012 deadline I

NSURANCE firms are rushing to meet the January 2012 deadline for the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to avoid penalties. The IFRS consists of rules that guide companies on how to prepare and produce their financial statements, in line with the best global practices. It is aimed at improving accounting procedures in companies. The Nation learnt that many insurers have been making frantic efforts to adopt IFRS before the January 2012 deadline set for all the companies quoted on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Industry sources said insurers have been directing their auditors to carefully study the IFRS issues, come out with templates, and procure technologies that would ensure convergence with IFRS, among others. Managing Director, Crystalife

Stories by Akinola Ajibade

Assurance Plc, Mrs. Oluseyi Ifaturoti, corroborated these during the company’s 13th Annual General Meeting in Lagos. Ifaturoti said the company is making efforts to procure information and technology (IT) equipment that would help in implementing IFRS. She said: “Further to our determination to upgrade our information communication and technology (ICT) platform, we are in the process of adopting the software to incorporate platforms that will afford compliance with IFRS and emarketing. In that wise, our policyholders can now access their policies on line”. Also, the Chief Executive officer, Law Union and Rock Plc, Mr Yinka Bolarinwa, said the company has drawn a roadmap to enable it implement IFRS before the deadline. Bolarinwa said the development becomes necessary in view of the

recent directives from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that all companies must adopt IFRS. Chairman, Regency Alliance Plc, Justice Karibi-Whyte, said three major factors are expected to shape the insurance practice in the country. These, according to him are; a constantly changing political/legal environment; increased pressure on profitability; and the regulatory compliance, especially in meeting the deadline set for the adoption of international financial reporting standards. Speaking on the issue, the Director-General, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Fola Daniel, told The Nation that IFRS’ adoption is necessary to stimulate the growth of the companies, and the economy in general. He said everybody is working together to ensure the success of IFRS in the country.

Understanding Insurance premiums

OW many people actually understand why their insurance premium is what it is, or why they fit into a particular risk category? Ensuring that you understand how your premium is made up and why it is the level it is, can help to make sure that you're paying the right amount. With car insurance, the premiums vary according to the likelihood of you being involved in an accident, or of your car being stolen. So said Fabian Angiers, general manager of Dial Direct Insurance, who explains that premiums are directly related to a combination of various factors. These include the number of claims submitted, the age and driving experience of the driver and the type of car insured. He said: “The fewer claims you have had in the past, and the smaller the claims that you have made, result in you having a better risk profile.” This, in turn, means a better premium. You may even be eligible for a discount on your car or household insurance if you have never claimed. Insurance companies classify clients according to these various characteristics, including details such as where the vehicle is stored overnight and the make, model and age of the vehicle.”

An important consideration is the fact that some cars are more susceptible to theft than others: For example, a very common model on the roads is easy to obtain parts for, so it is likely to be a greater target for theft. Also taken into account is the safety record of the model you are insuring, plus the cost to repair or replace it. In addition, other aspects such as whether you use the car for business or pleasure also impact on premiums. Most clients presume that the biggest risk to their vehicle is theft or a write-off, when in fact it is the cost of repairs. With cars today, even entry level models, being increasingly sophisticated, the cost of vehicle repairs has risen too. Often, components requiring repair have to be replaced instead of merely repaired, which shoots the cost of repairing a damaged vehicle right up. Angiers added, While it is not possible to control the portion of your premium that is affected by your car's make and model, you can keep your premiums at an affordable level by claiming only when strictly necessary, if at all, ensuring that your car security is as good as possible, and driving safely to minimise the chance of being involved in an accident. • Source: World Insurance.com

Buying policy for the first time? Check your cover

• From left: Zonal Business Manager, Airtel, Mr Wale Abu; Indian Music legend, Paudit Jasraj; MD/CEO Airtel, Mr Rojan Swaroop; and Mrs Suman Kauwar at a musical concert organised by the Indian Fine Arts Society and sponsored by Airtel.

Operators target better yields from compulsory insurance

NSURANCE operators are targeting improved premiums, as the implementation of five compulsory insurance policies begins next month. The policies are motor vehicle (Third Party) insurance, insurance of buildings under construction, Public building construction, Medical and health care professional indemnity Insurance and group life insurance. The policies are taken from the 16 insurance products in the country. Incidentally, they are subsumed into a concept called National Insurance Commission Market Development and Restructuring Initiatives (MDRI). Prior to this period, the policies were not made compulsory by the industry standards. This had affected the capacity of insurers to buoy their profitability, premiums, and operations. With NAICOM set to implement the five policies in a matter of weeks, operators are eyeing a minimum 55 per cent increase in premiums. Many firms are said to be waiting for the implementation of the policies to expand the frontiers of their businesses. The Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Kehinde DurosinmiEtti, said Cyrstalife Assurance Plc is focusing on the implementation of the five insurance policies to expand its retail market and alternative distribution channels. Skye Bank is a core investor in Crystalife Assurance, a development that ceded the chairmanship of the company to the

• Crystalife makes N74m loss managing director of the bank. Durosinmi-Etti said the company would take advantage of the market development and restructuring Initiatives of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to increase market penetration, and further grow its operations. Also, the former President, Institute of Chartered Insurance of Nigeria(ICAN), Princess Adenike Adeniran, said there are huge prospects in the five compulsory insurance policies slated for implementation in September. He said the premium is expected to increase from N200billion in 2010 to N1trillion in 2012, and N6trillion in 2020. She foresees a brighter prospect for the operators, adding that the implementation of the policies would gear up activities in the industry, and bring the desired results to the economy. The Chairman, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc, Mr Obi Ralph Ekezie, said the formulation and the subsequent implementation of the policies would deepen insurance penetration, and increase the yields of the operators. Ekezie said the company would capitalise on the compulsory insurance policies to increase its patron-

age, and further encourage growth. “We hope that when adequately driven, such markets penetration efforts especially in respect of the various compulsory insurances would pave the way for significant revenue growth in the industry,” he said. Meanwhile, Crystalife has recorded gross premium of N2.12billion in the financial year ended December 2010, representing an increase of 75 per cent over the N1.11billion realised in 2009. Besides, the company recorded a 40 per cent in Life Fund, as it moved from N807million in 2009 to N1.13billion in 2010. However, its investment income went down in 2010, due to the capital market crisis and the abysmal low interest rate in the money market. The company’s Chairman, Mr Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said the profit before tax amounted to N156million. Speaking during the company’s 13th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, Durosinmi-Etti, said the firm was unable to give dividends to shareholders due to decrease in the value of investments carried out during the period under review. He said the issue resulted in the loss of N74million, adding that the company would make up for it in future.

AKING your first step into the insurance world can be daunting and confusing, but it needn't be. Logging onto the internet to research various insurance companies and what they can offer you, is a really helpful first step. Young people starting out on their own, perhaps having bought a first car and having moved out of home, need to be careful about making the correct choice of the type of cover to purchase. The choice of cover options for motor insurance is comprehensive cover, third party, fire and theft and third party only. Fabian Angiers, general manager of Dial Direct Insurance, advises anyone about to purchase insurance for the first time to shop around and do their homework: "Do not be afraid to ask questions until you understand exactly what you are purchasing when you take out insurance for the first time." Another decision that must be made upon entering the insurance market is whether to go direct or through a broker. Both options have their benefits, but going the direct insurance route is one that often suits younger people down to the ground. Direct insurance lets

you save on costs, time and bother, as you simply log on to the internet for a quote, saving time and paperwork. You also get the benefit of dealing directly with your insurer, so there is no chance of mixed messages - you hear it 'from the horse's mouth'. It is also important to investigate the price difference between the amount of the premium versus what cover you are purchasing. Is there a bucks-back bonus? What about the excess you will have to pay if you make a claim? Are there any value-added benefits like emergency and roadside assistance? Angiers adds, "If you decide to insure your household contents, make sure you are correctly covered. Don't just take out cover for the lowest amount you can afford. The amount for which you insure your belongings must be their replacement value, otherwise you could find yourself seriously out of pocket. The replacement value is what it will cost you, at the time of a claim, to replace all of your belongings with similar new ones." Looking at a case study can help to clear up uncertainty about how the process works, and what the difference is between adequate cover and too little cover.

Changes to increase claim costs by 17%

HE Insurance Bureau of Canada says the auto insurance changes announced by the Nova Scotia government will add to claims costs but the effect on premiums won’t be known until consumers and the insurers have had time to adapt to the new environment. As reported earlier in Thompson’s, the province has reformed its cap on pain and suffering awards for minor auto accident injuries with a new definition and an increase in the limit from $2,500 to $7,500. “An effective auto insurance system must maintain a balance between benefits and stable premiums,” IBC Atlantic vp Bill Adams said. “The government has changed that balance to provide more benefits. “We are committed to helping implement the changes and hope

that the new balance works to the benefit of Nova Scotia drivers.” The bureau said there are many factors affecting claims costs and the price of insurance in Nova Scotia including the ongoing constitutional challenge against the previous cap, solvency requirements, claims inflation, individual company experience in a competitive marketplace and how claimants and their legal representatives will respond to the changes. Meanwhile actuarial firm Oliver Wyman says the changes to the minor injury cap and definition will increase bodily injury coverage claim costs by 17per cent — a $24 increase in the estimated required average premium for the year. The firm added that due to a lack of sufficiently detailed data and the nature of forecasting, “the estimates we present in this report are based on numerous assumptions,” which it said are reasonable.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS

Secretary evades service as Salami sues NJC, others Continued from yesterday

That while giving their evidence, they (members of Babalakin Panel) objected vehemently to the competence of Hon. Justice E. Ayoola (Rtd), the 5th Defendant, to be a member of the 4th – 8th Defendants’ panel in the light of the fact that he was a member of their own panel which had earlier sat and decided the issue currently before the 4th – 8th Defendants’ panel. That the Abdullahi Panel was set up by the 1st Defendant at its meeting of 9th March, 2011 presided over by the 2nd Defendant who had played vital roles in the issues leading up to the setting up of the Panel, including his act of ordering an order of injunction mentioned earlier on, after disqualifying himself from sitting on the Supreme Court panel and whose testimony was vital to the determination of the issues referred to the panel. The Abdullahi panel was set up after I and the 3rd Defendant had been ordered out of the 1st Defendant’s meeting on 9th day of March, 2011. That in the course of its proceedings, several witnesses appeared before the Panel, one of whom was the same 2nd Defendant. The Abdullahi Panel submitted its report dated 6th of July, 2011 to the 1st Defendant at a meeting presided over by the 2nd Defendant, who had testified before the Panel. The Abdullahi Panel in its report concluded that my allegation against the 3rd Defendant, relating to the directive of the latter to direct the Court of Appeal panel to dismiss the Sokoto Appeal, was unfounded. The meeting of the 1st Defendant at which the Panel’s report was submitted took place on 27th day of July, 2011 and was presided over by the same 2nd Defendant. The 1st Defendant at the said meeting accepted the report and resolved to set up a three man panel headed by the 9th Defendant to make recommendations on the report of the Abdullahi panel.

The panel hereinafter otherwise referred to simply as “Auta Panel” set up by the 1st Defendant at the meeting referred to above submitted its report to the 1st Defendant at its meeting held on the 9th of August, 2011. Notwithstanding the adverse findings of the Abdullahi Panel against me, the 1st Defendant did not deem it to furnish me with a copy of the report and invite my reactions to same. That at no time did Auta Panel give me the opportunity to react or say something about its assignment. That I only got to know that Auta panel had submitted its report and same had been acted upon by the 1st Defendant on pages of newspapers and it was only late on 10th day of August, 2011 that I was served with a warning letter reference No: NJC/f.2/CA1/1/273 dated 9th August, 2011 in which I was informed that my allegation against the 3rd Defendant that I was instructed by him to direct the Sokoto Gubernatorial Appeal panel to dismiss the appeal before it was false and that it was a misconduct contrary to Rule (1) of the Code of Conduct for judicial officials. Further the said “warning letter” directed me to apologize in writing within one (1) week to the 1st and 3rd Defendants. That on 9th of August 2011 when the 1st Defendant sat to receive and consider the report of the Auta panel, the 1st Defendant’s meeting was presided over by Hon. Justice M. A Bello , OFR, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, who was stated to be the “Acting Chairman of the National Judicial Council”. That I know as a fact that Hon. Justice M. A Bello , OFR is not one of the persons constitutionally recognized to chair the meeting of the 1st Defendant and was at no point appointed or validly appointed as an Acting Chairman of the 1st Defendant by any constitutionally recognized body or through any lawful or constitutional process or

means. That all members of Auta panel referred to above were appointed as members of the 1st Defendant by the 3rd Defendant who is a subject of the report of the Abdullahi panel which the panel was set up to make recommendations on. “That the setting up, composition and report of both Abdullahi and Auta panels were conducted in breach of my constitutionally guaranteed right to Fair Hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. “That I know as a fact by virtue of my professional training that both Abdullahi and Auta panels being administrative bodies, have no power or competence to pronounce on the veracity of facts or statements contained in a statement on oath sworn to before a court of law nor pronounce facts contained in a statement on oath sworn to before a court of law to be false as such power is exclusively reserved for a competent court of law under the 1999 Constitution (as amended). That the declaration of Auta panel that my approach to the mass media to ventilate my differences with the 3rd defendant offends Rule 1(1) and Rule 2(a) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is ultra vires the panel as it is clearly outside its Terms of Reference and the issue of ‘approach to the media’ by me was not even among the issues before the Abdullahi panel and no finding was made on such issue by the Abdullahi panel. “That I also know as a jurist that the Auta panel which was set up to consider the report of Abdullahi and make recommendations thereon cannot go outside the findings of the Abdullahi panel and outside its own Terms of Reference to make recommendations which affects me, moreso as I was not given the opportunity of being heard by the Auta panel before such decision was reached. “That I know as fact that the decision of the 1st Defendant contained in the said warning letter is vitiated

•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (left) presenting a souvenir to the leader of ASA USA, Dr. Allison Anadi at the conclusion of their medical mission to Anambra State...last weekend

•From left: Pastor Peter Ajala, Mrs. Ronke Obasuaye, Pastor Timothy Oke and Mrs. Omolara Dapo-Okunore at the opening of Rolar Beauty Port, Ikeja, Lagos PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

not only by the fact that Auta Panel went beyond its remit but also by the fact that the 1st Defendant based its decision on a finding by Abdullahi panel notwithstanding that the Auta Panel was set up principally to make recommendations on the Abdullahi panel report to predicate the decision of the 1st Defendant. “That the 4th – 8th Defendants’ findings as contained in their report dated 6th July, 2011 is contradictory, perverse, illogical and unreasonable having regards to the following: The issue which the Abdullahi panel was set up to decide was in relation to my allegation against the 3rd Defendant regarding the alleged directive of the 3rd Defendant to ensure that the appeal was dismissed; The panel in resolving the issue relied on the affidavits of the 3rd Defendant and myself as well as the oral testimony of the 2nd Defendant when he appeared before it. I alleged in my affidavit that the 3rd Defendant had invited me to his office on the 8th of February, 2010 and directed me to ensure that the Sokoto appeal is dismissed, or that the panel be disbanded; In the 3rd Defendant’s affidavit, he alleged that he summoned me to his office in response to a petition written against me which alleged that the judgment to be delivered by the Sokoto appeal had leaked and that he, therefore, requested me to disband the panel on that ground. He asserted that he never requested me to ensure the panel dismisses the appeal. As at the 8th day of February, 2010 when I was summoned by the 3rd Defendant, no petition had been written. The petition only sufficed on 15th day of February, 2010 after I had refused to carry out the unconstitutional directive of the 3rd Defendant. The 2nd Defendant who was present when the incident occurred, in his testimony before the panel, stated that he was only present when the 3rd Defendant advised me to disband the panel because the

•Justice Salami

judgment had leaked. In respect of the allegation of requesting me to ensure the appeal was dismissed, 2nd Defendant stated that the issue “was not discussed” in his “presence”. The 2nd Defendant also said he was not shown any letter or petition to confirm that judgment had leaked. The panel in its finding concluded that the 3rd Defendant acted in good faith in requesting for the disbanding of the Sokoto panel. The panel also concluded that my allegation against the 3rd Defendant was “unfounded” because the 2nd Defendant had “emphatically denied” my allegation. “By my letter dated 11th day of August, 2011,I applied to the 1st Defendant for copies of its minutes of the meetings of 27th and 28th of July, 2011 and 9th of August, 2011. “By the 1st Defendant letter dated 11th August, 2011, I was informed that the minutes were not ready. “That I can identify all the documents referred to in this Statement as well as those attached to my statement of claim as Annexures 1 - 25, if shown to me. “Unless restrained by this court, the defendants will proceed to give effect to the findings and/or recommendations of the Abdullahi and Auta Panel’s and the decisions of the 1st Defendant on same.”

•Mr Onno Ruhl, Country Director, World Bank (left) and Mr John Inegbedion, Commissioner for Finance, Edo State after the launch of the Nigeria 2010 Investment Climate Assessment Report presented by the World Bank in Benin City.

•National Vice President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Northwest, Comrade Abdullahi Aliu (left), Deputy Vice President, Comrade James Nduka Ofume and the National President, Comrade Ibrahim Kholeei at a news conference in Lagos...last weekend

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS

The impact of exile on home videos Concluding part of the text of Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka’s speech during the investiture of Mr Ade Oyenekan as President Rotary Club of Ikeja at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos on Sunday •Continued from yesterday

HE scion of a royal house, intoxicated with power, ordered his groom to saddle a rather erratic horse, despite serious warning that the horse was unreliable. He wanted to parade through the town, and no other horse would satisfy, he felt, his stature. So, duly caparisoned, escorted by a retinue, buglers and drummers, horse and prince galloped into the streets. It was an impressive sight. The citizens cheered, saluted, prostrated themselves along the royal passage while the horse pranced like the thoroughbred it was. In the entourage was that same stable groom and equerry, who also doubled as a drummer. He knew the horse, he had done his duty by the prince, so now he took solace in the ‘siddon look’ philosophy. While all the other drummers belted out the prince’s titles, lineage lines and praise names, he also dug into the skin of his iya ilu, but the sounds that emerged from his drum read: Kangun, kangun, kangun, yi o kangun s’ibi kan, kangun, kangun, kangun, yi o kangun s’ibi kan. Now thoroughly aroused by this new exotic rhythm, whose meaning he could not read of course, the prince grew ecstatic, threw his horse metaphorically ‘into high gear’. the horse pranced sideways, highstepped backwards, reared, twisted and turned, executed pirouettes, gavottes etc. to the excitation of the crowd. Then, at an appropriate place, next to a garbage dump,it reared as high as it could and – dumped his royal highness on in the slime. Without missing a beat the groom changed tune to: O ti kangun s’ibi kan, o ti kangun s’ibi kan, o ti kangun s’ibi kan….. Now, that is ‘siddon look in action, prescient and prophetic. ‘Siddon look’, or internal exile, hopefully a voluntary condition, is however mostly passive, even resigned, arms firmly folded, eyes staring into space. This is when one succeeds, contentedly, in watching the world go by without batting an eyelid, observe the world float serenely in ether or explode - it makes no difference to the quintessential Siddon-looker. I’ve been trying to join that school of contemplative detachment without success for a number of years, but I hope to make the grade before too long. I have gone into serious training – if necessary, I shall advertise for a coach. There must be coaches for that kind of passivity among retirees, with or without a pension. Others have it made it in seconds, lucky people! They have no choice in the matter, having crossed into internal exile involuntarily, mostly from popular pressure. This space of exile is more commonly known as political wilderness. Do not lower your guard however! This class hardly ever gives up completely, they always plan a comeback, having concluded, from precedents, that a nation like ours is a nation of short memories and all their transgressions shall be quickly forgotten. The expression on their lips is ‘After all what have I done that others haven’t?’ or ‘ Damn it, others have done worse and now, look at them, back in the public eye, receiving chieftaincies right and left, guaranteed a seat at the high table, and/or topping the MC’s boring list of ‘I beg to recognise’ at social functions. Well, that is the confident scenario and, like prison exile, it’s all a matter of serving out your time and then, re-admittance into ‘decent society’. Let me regale you with the career of one such candidate who, I am certain, is covertly engineering his parole, if not working towards a direct commutation of sentence, based on the culture of amnesia. Right now however, he’s serving time. Once upon a time – that is, before the last elections, you could not see the trees or sky in my state for his self-promotional billboards - The Lion of the West! The Man in the Lion’s den! Santa

Claus come to Life! Pace Setter without Equal! Supreme Architect of Olumo Rock! etc etc. Well then, some of you probably know, hunting is perhaps the only outdoor hobby I pursue. For a number of years however, I couldn’t indulge in it owing to some visual problems. Finally I had my operation so, I was back in service following close to a three-year break. I could hardly wait - I began to revisit my former haunts with a vengeance. And what did I encounter? Transformation without precedent! Development in my rural haunts on an impressive scale. The jungle had developed, taken over some of the roads through which I used to drive to the real hunting grounds. In fact, I no longer needed to drive so deep into the rural areas – which was just as well, since most of the roads had caved in, become impassable. Culverts had crumbled. One other item was in a state of high development however – the billboards, all in praise of this ruler– Saviour, Giver, Planner, Genius, Colossus, Icon, and of course OGD here, OGD there, OGD everywhere and everything. Quite understandable. When you adopt initials with the same letters as God – never mind that they are not even initials of your real names but augmented by acquired titles - it is easy to believe that you have indeed become the equal of God himself. Naturally, when I was next invited to give a public lecture in Abeokuta, I paid tribute to the King of the Jungle, gave dues to what I termed the Cult of Governance by Billboard. Apparently, Lion-God was not amused. That rather pained me. I did keep a wary lookout for this advertised lion in my bush forays - which covered the West quite extensively – but I never encountered him, or any of his brothers. His presence as king of predators was however felt by all when he proceeded to shut down the Ogun State House of Assembly, sneaking in a minority number of legislators under full police complicity early one dawn, when all normal beings were barely stirring. This minority impeached the absent Speaker, elected their own Speaker, then proceeded to sack the absent majority. They passed over twenty bills in less than two hours, the principal of which was a ‘419er’ multi-billion Naira debt facility – one needn’t be told that a lion would of course take the lion’s share of that bounty. This was the pernicious bill that the majority had steadfastly refused to pass, leading to their ‘impeachment’. Immediately after that prodigiously productive session, again with the aid of the police, he sealed up the legislative building tightly while he presided over the affairs of the jungle from some hidden lair, without further interference from the pesky creatures over which he reigned like a true Mafia Boss of the underworld. As a fervent supporter of the Freedom of Information Bill, I must reveal that this was where I came in. With the support of the ‘Save Nigeria Group’, I organized a Town Hall Meeting at Ake, Abeokuta, presided over by Prince Bola Ajibola, a predecessor of Bola Ige to the portfolio of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and later, member of the International Court of Justice at the Hague. That meeting was disrupted by the lion’s court of the genuine animal kingdom – judging by their comfortment, male and female, never mind that the latter were camouflaged in florid aso ebi – complete with head-tie, shawls and gaudy fake jewelry. Only alter would we learn that they were the ‘hit squad’ of the Lion’s political harem. They accompanied him everywhere singing his lavish praises, danced to their own special compositions and were schooled to disrupt meetings whose results were not going the Master’s way. Without question, it was easily the most raucous public gathering I ever initiated. Maximum restraint had to be exercised simply to bring the meeting to an inconclusive end, and without calling in the police who

were stationed in large numbers outside. We had earlier received intelligence report of a plot to physically disrupt the meeting and even plant dangerous material in the premises the night before, so a night vigil had been maintained over the venue. I also personally demanded from the Police Commissioner that the police be on standby – but outside the hall. Despite extreme provocation, we did succeed in keeping the police outside till the end. Some of them later reported to us the scramble – teeth, claws and head butts - that ensued afterwards among his cubs over the sharing of the lion’s donated carrion – a nearly always predictable fallout, it would appear. The following lesson needs to be imparted the hard way for the untutored in the ways of history: Power is transient, authority enduring. Without power, Authority still validates itself, since Authority is shorn of the crassness of power and exists in autonomous repletion, without coercion, without bribery or crude terms of inducement. Authority is innate, self-sufficient, since it is earned or bestowed, not exacted or contrived. Without Authority, Power is internally corrupted, a decayed husk whose grain has long fallen to worms, a masquerade without core, animation or essence. In or out of exile, living or dead, those who remain faithful to the Muse of Free Expression, a deity that never goes on exile, are armed with the consistency of that Muse’s authority. Be it as Town Crier, as Voice of Prescience and Caution, as Interpreter or as Chronicler when the deed is over. That is the god we serve. Our man, on the other hand, oh yes, what deity does he serve exactly? Opinions vary, but the cultic affiliation of his calling has been firmly established, bestowing on him his true name – Daanielebo! The time of reckoning was near, Come election time, our business as servitors of the Muse was to abandon the pen for a while and join hands with others in ensuring that he went into that involuntary, internal exile, known as political wilderness. Compared with some other parts of the nation, in our portion of the Nigerian real estate, some forms of conduct, such as that of an Ojuorolari, omo aij’oberi – are not easily forgotten. Perverts and fetishists of power are chronicled thereafter as the creatures they were. Daanielebo was thrown out of power – no, not in his own person, his term having come to an end, but through his anointed substitute who would have covered up his soiled posterior. From ongoing reports, he may yet add a second level of internal exile to his current location. Is that to be regretted? Not in the slightest. It only means that we may look forward to a creative collaboration between him and the earlier acknowledged Nollywood kingpin of Kirikiri Studios. This is no idle speculation. You should recall that one of the pastimes of Daanielebo while in the seat of power was pornographic videos – no other name for it – pornographic videos, with the accompaniment of prurient photo albums. He specialised in secretly filming his close advisers and commissioners in various stages of nudity, in which condition they were made to swear oaths of loyalty over one kind of fetish or another, then kept the images for whipping any dissident followers in line. Do not take this speaker’s word for it – check the back issues of the media during the various crises in my state that completely overwhelmed the main task of purposeful governance. Additionally, I recommend the stunning book of disclosures by Wale Adedayo, a former loyalist and collaborator of the Lion King. This book is titled MICRO-SECONDS AWAY FROM DEATH – and that title is to be taken literally. I have subjected the author to interviews, and taken other measures to verify his narrative, and I can vouch for the veracity of at least sixty per cent of its revelations.

•Prof Soyinka Adedayo does not gloss his own culpability in some of the events, events that eventually led to his flight into exile after a mysterious attempt on his life. Nollywood had better look to its laurels with the likely augmentation of Kiriwood by high placed, incoming talent. I have always preached that there is life after power – you can put the skills you acquired in the State House to good use in the House of Correction. So, pornographic movie moguls move over! Here comes Daanielebo with a cast of ex-commissioners and legislators. Nigerian video industry is all set for a killing, fortunately only as a figure of speech this time, not killing in the sense of terminal exile that Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane, Bola Ige or most pertinently Chief Dina, that luckless Ogun State governorship challenger, had known it. We make progress. Indeed everything points to good news all round, especially in the video world. It was possible – but pointless - to send agents to buy up all available copies of CDs by one self-styled Ologundudu and intimidate shopkeepers who stocked his records. These compositions provided the earliest recitative exposures of doings under Daanielebo’s watch but, needless to say, quite a few copies are still in circulation, passed hand to hand in Ogun state and abroad. They will probably provide background music or interludes to the video production now in progress – yes indeed, the news is that a Nollywood producer has acquired the rights to Wale Adedayo’s book, and casting will commence very soon. A hold-up – temporary, it is hoped - has been caused only by the difficulty – I am speculatively informed – of getting Daanielebo to play his own character in the lead role. Now that would be quite a first class cinematic coup. It means that Ogun State would not really have to be deprived of the company of their pet lion after all, safely caged, since this would be a home video series, with a daily episode running for years. It is also a way of re-integrating Daanielebo into society without the full rigours of exile, enjoying the best of two worlds – exiled, yet back from exile at one and the same time. There is more than sufficient material to occupy a captive team of script writers, headed by Director alMustapha of Kiriwood Studios. Sumptuous anticipation! Enough of these creative titillations – I really must wind up. Mr President-elect, my warmest Congratulations. And sincere wishes for as vibrant, joyous and productively memorable a tenure as your predecessor, Banjo Solaru must have had. But if you have any letters for him, don’t bother to give them to me. I am doing all I can to delay departure for that terminal – State of Exile.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION with

How to be a good manager cessful hybrids do not exist in such a situation. Most managers have received advice through the Author: Tom Massey years concerning how they Publisher: Religious should conduct themselves when Broadcasting Inc. in the company of those they manage. I believe that most of the Reviewer: Goke Ilesanmi advice is an expression of the personal convictions…of those personal accountability. Accord- passing on the advice.” ing to Brown here, five prerequiIn chapters nine to 12, Brown sites for business success are the fatal errors of failing quality or unique product; proper X-rays to set standards; failure to train timing; adequate capital; people your people; condoning incomresources; and effective manage- petence; and recognising only top ment. He explains that if you lack performers. the fifth element, that is, effective He educates that if you take all management, you will not have the top performers in your industhe first four. Brown stresses that try and hire them for your comin business, everything begins pany, at the end of a year, only and ends with management, person would hold the adding that in order to work ef- one spot. Brown adds fectively, management must be number-one that you cannot hire all the top accountable. and you cannot build Failure to develop people is performers, any department within a comidentified as the fatal error pany with only top producers. number two. According to him, He stresses that no matter how management has a major puryour financial resources are, pose: to provide for the continu- great recruiting abilities or connecation of the business over time. tions, you cannot achieve this. “Moreover, your permanent abIn Chapter 13, the last chapter sence due to transfer to another is based on the fatal error number position, retirement, poor health, 13, that is, trying to manipulate or even death must not cripple the people. According to the author, company. If it will, then you are managers we can change the neglecting your obligations as a “As attitudes of our people, but we manager,” expatiates Brown. also take care in the methIn chapters three to seven, the must ods we use to influence those on consultant examines the fatal er- our staff. Good influences will rors of trying to control results add to the self-esteem of those on instead of influencing thinking; our staff and will make them joining the crowd; managing eve- more productive. Bad ones will ryone the same way; forgetting cause the staff to feel maniputhe importance of profit; concenand production will be trating on problems rather than lated, negatively affected.” objectives. Brown also looks at the subChapter eight is based on fatal concepts of taking attitude into error number eight, that is, being account; having the knowledge a buddy, not a boss. Brown says of your people; making manageso often, managers want to be the ment work; approaches to inemployees’ buddy after hours, productivity; corporate then come into the office and creased manage the following day. He philosophy, etc. On stylistic diagnosis, Brown’s stresses that the employees will efforts deserve commendation. not allow it. In his words, “It is The language is simple and eman either-or situation: You must broidered with good word-orderbe the buddy or the manager. Suc-

BOOK REVIEW

GOKE ILESANMI

OST corporate organisations collapse today as a result of ineffective management. This is because most people find themselves in managerial positions without prior training or preparation. Many fatal errors are, therefore, committed by such managers which negatively affect their organisations. It is therefore necessary for such managers to read this book entitled “13 Fatal Errors Managers Make and How You Can Avoid Them”. It is written by Steven Brown, president of the Fortune Group. Brown says for many years, the Fortune Group and himself have been helping businesses to succeed and managers to manage. He adds that when managers fail, it is not because they cannot master numbers, but because they try to master people, manipulate them or ignore them. According to him, this book is for managers or anyone who wants to be one someday. He adds that it is equally for old managers and young people just starting their business career as it is about perfecting one’s leadership and managerial skills by avoiding the common errors managers make with the people they manage. The book is segmented into 13 chapters based on the identified number of errors. Fatal error number one is refusal to accept

ing which enhances comprehension. Brown is also very creative in the way he handles his concepts, making everything interesting. He uses graphical embroidery to achieve visual reinforcement of understanding. The author includes “Fortune Action Contract”, an exercise section, at the end of every chapter to arouse readers’ active participation. In the words of Dennis Waitley, author of “Seeds of

Greatness”, “In the flood of ‘success’ books, this is a stand-out in style … and applications…Brown gives us a needed dose of preventive management medicine.” However, fatal errors two and ten should have been merged because the concepts are similar. Do you want to become a great manager by avoiding fatal errors managers make? If your answer is “Yes”, then this book is highly recommended to you.

Organisational crises and effective communication strategy (3)

RISIS and organisational communication We explained last week that communication during a crisis should follow the principles of risk communication. We added that organisations need to be open, accessible and willing to respond as much as possible to those seeking information. We said another thing is not to over-reassure, especially that the objective is not to soothe, but to express accurate, calm concern. We stressed that organisations in crisis should also emphasise that a process is in place to learn more, and describe that process in simple terms. Finally, we said there are some steps an organisation can take to prevent a crisis, quickly stop the crisis, or even create a positive opportunity from it. Now let us examine some of these steps. Have a plan through anticipation This is one of the strategies of forestalling a crisis. Anticipate every possible crisis and ask “What if ...?” for every possible

By Goke Ilesanmi incident and the scenario that can be envisaged. Organise a crisis management and communications team, and then create a detailed plan to communicate and be in a position to control the message to the media and the public in general. Immediate response Immediacy of response is another step. When there is a crisis, respond immediately. Have the spokesperson prepared and ready to go. Follow the steps outlined in the crisis communication plan and put the team into action. The first few hours are most important in establishing credibility and building public trust and believability. You need to delete “No comments” from your vocabulary. René Henry, a renowned business communication expert says, “In a crisis, perception is stronger than reality and emotion stronger than fact. When those responsible do not communicate, the crisis still gets played out….” Avoid talking too much

Another strategy is to avoid talking too much. Just the opposite of keeping quiet, do not overtalk or release information without having all of the facts. Never speculate on what may or may not be happening. Ensure you analyse each situation for its newsworthiness. Some information may not need media attention. You do not have to answer every question. Just because a question is asked does not mean you have to answer, but you should have some kind of response. In any crisis, there are questions that you simply cannot or should not answer. Hypothetical questions, proprietary questions and speculative questions should be politely avoided. The spokesperson needs to be trained and reminded that he or she cannot be expected to know the answer to every question asked. But he should not withhold information that should be disclosed. Tell the truth at all times Telling the truth at all times constitutes another strategy of crisis

prevention or management. It is all right to say “I don’t know” if you do not have the facts. The public will respect you for that, and know that you are telling the truth. According to a survey conducted by Porter/Novelli, a public relations firm, 95 per cent of people are more offended about a company lying about the crisis than the crisis itself. Accept responsibility If there is a problem, admit it. Be accountable and accept responsibility. Research shows that in October 2004, Citigroup had operational problems in Japan because of ethical violations and lax controls that may have led to money laundering. Charles Prince, chairman and CEO, flew to Tokyo and with Douglas Peterson, CEO of Citibank Japan, confronted what happened by publicly apologising and making amends, Japanese-style. A photograph of the two men bowing deeply, bent forwards from the waist and heads lowered, was transmitted around the world. Prince then fired three top executives responsible for the

violations. Cover-ups never work because today almost anyone can disseminate information quickly and widely on the Internet, where it can be read by millions of people. • To be continued NOTE: The duration of the public speaking seminar has been greatly reduced as requested, in addition to other adjustments. You will find the programme on the right side at the upper part of my website. Click on the text and see details. I appreciate your suggestions and requests. •GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is a Certified Public Speaker/Emcee, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker, Career Management Coach, Renowned Book Reviewer, Corporate Leadership Expert and Editorial Consultant.. Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: info@gokeilesanmi.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS Minimum wage: Fed Govt needs 11b yearly

HAIRMAN of the National Incomes Salaries and Wages Commission (NISWC), Mr. Richard Egbule yesterday said the Federal Government needs additional N11.4billion to be able to pay the new wage across board. He said withthe agreement reached by all parties to the negotiations on August 2 all salary cadres in the Federal Public Service were adjusted to reflect the increment. Egbule, who read the communique of a meeting of stakeholders on the minimum wage in Abuja, said: “It is not easy statistically to pin down everything to N11billion, the outcome of what we calculated in the end was N11billion and 54million but the 54million can be easily consumed by the allowance of 5 percent which was meant to take care of agencies that might not have been captured, particularly the newly created ones.” The communiqué reads in part: “Taking the relativity factor into account, the implementation and consequential adjustments across board shall be limited to the eleven billion naira additional wage cost per annum to the Federal Public Service wage bill in 2011. “The new minimum wage

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

and the associated adjustment will be implemented with effect from August 1, 2011, while the arrears with effect from March 23, 2011, will be paid not later than August 31, 2011.” The Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim lauded the labour movement for the patriotic approach to resolving the wage dispute and encouraged frequent dialogue to talk things over before they escalate to unbearable proportion. The labour leaders signed the harmonised document in a congenial atmosphere that was not characterized by the usual long faces worn during the scramble for the N18,000 National Minimum Wage since President Jonathan signed it into law. The document to signal the implementation of the wage at the Federal level had the signatures of Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Nigeria Labour Congress President, Abdulwahed Omar, Trade Union Congress (TUC) President General, Peter Esele and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu.

N19b approved as compensation on power projects From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

HE Federal Government yesterday approved a budget of N19billion to improve power supply in the country. The budget is meant to handle the compensation on property, crops and land along transmission lines across the country. The government also hinted that bidding for the unbundled Power Holding Company of Nigeria will take place next year. Besides, transmission of power will remain the business of the government while distribution and generation will be privatized in the ongoing reform of the power sector. Briefing newsmen immediately after the meeting of the Board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, which lasted about 10 hours, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Mr. Gabriel Suswam, governor of Benue state, alongside Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor, Barth Nnaji, minister of power and James Olotu, managing director NDPHC, in his general overview of the discussions at the meeting, also said monies was approved for most of the outstanding contracts. The board, he said, was encouraged by the appointment of Prof. Barth Nnaji as minister of power. The governor said government by this effort has shown its determination to deliver stable power supply to Nigerians in the shortest possible time. As governors, he said, “we share the concerns of every Nigerian because if we have power supply, it will create more employment. We are very concerned. That is why we constantly fly in here to attend meetings. “We are all worried because with power unemployment will go, most of moribund companies will come to life. This is why the Federal government and the states contributed money to the tune of N5. Something billion in other to address this issue of power and I can assure you that we are doing everything humanly possible to do that. For us to spend close to 10 hours hear today is an indication of our clear commitment to make sure that we deliver power.” On his part may NDPHC Managing Director said the N19 billion was to enable the government pay compensation on property and lands on transmission line. He said with the approval, all problems associated with compensation will be adequately dispensed with and PHCN would be able to install new power plants in the country. He stated that additional N19 billion budget was requested by the board as the N19 billion earlier approved for the similar purpose has been exhausted. The minister of power said 5,000 mega watts is the most realistic power generation target the administration is looking at. He said the administration is assured of this figure after due alignment on all that has been done in the area of power generation. “This is a figure we believe we can achieve and not just painting a rosy picture. Speaking on the call by Nigerians for the installation of prepaid metres in the country, Nnaji said government has directed distribution companies in the country to fast-track the process of installation across the country.

Fresh row over Auta panel’s report • Salami never asked to apologise to CJN

FRESH row rocked the judiciary yesterday following discovery that Justice Ibrahim Auta’s Review Committee did not ask the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, to apologize to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu. Also, the committee did not find Salami guilty of perjury. The Auta Panel only indicted Salami for allegedly ventilating his differences with the CJN in the mass media. It was learnt that the allegation of going to the media by Salami was however outside the mandate of the Auta Panel. A fresh crisis might have broken out over how the NJC came about its recommendations of August 9, 2011 which were not in the report of Auta’s Panel. A statement by the NJC on August 10, 2011 said: “Having therefore established that the allegation by the Hon. President, Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami, OFR, against the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, GCON regarding the Sokoto Gubernatorial Election Appeal was false, Council decided that it is a misconduct contrary to Rule 1(1) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Consequently, Council further decided that the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal should: (i) be warned for such unethical conduct which eroded the public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary; (ii)apologise in writing to both the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of National Judicial Council, Hon. Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, GCON and National Judicial Council within a week from today the 10th day of August, 2011". But the five-page report of the Auta Panel’s Report, obtained by our correspondent yesterday did not contain the decisions taken and released to the public by the media--.

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation Abuja

It was also discovered that the Auta Panel went outside its mandate by establishing a new charge against Salami bordering on his purported ventilation of his differences with the CJN in the media. A top source said: “Nigerians should ask the NJC how it came about its decisions of August 9 because they were not part of the report of the Auta Panel. “The recommendations of the Auta Panel are now in the public domain, the NJC members should account for how they came about their resolutions. Also, the Fact-Finding Committee of the NJC, headed by Justice Umaru Abdullahi, did not establish any media allegation against Salami. Yet the Auta Panel that reviewed the report of the Abdullahi’s Committee came up with an extraneous recommendation of ventilating differences in the media against Salami. “Even as spurious as the allegation was, the Auta Panel did not deem it fit to invite Salami to hear his side on alleged ventilating of differences in the media. The panel charged Salami, tried him in absentia and convicted him. What kind of justice do we call this? “So far, it is apparent that the resolutions of the NJC were stage-managed to nail Salami. This is a bad omen for the judiciary.” The report of the Auta Panel reads in part: “The Committee is of the view that the approach to the mass media by the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice I.A. Salami to ventilate his differences with the CJN, Hon. Justice A.I. Katsina-Alu GCON, of which the Committee takes judicial notice offends Rule 1(1) and Rule 2(9) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Rule 1(1) reads: “A Judicial Officer should respect and comply with the laws of the land and should conduct

himself at all time in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary. Rule 2(9) says: “A judicial Officer shall be bound by professional secrecy with regard to his deliberations and to confidential information acquired in the course of his duties other than in public proceedings.” Other highlights of Auta Panel’s report are as follows: “This Committee recommends for adoption the finding in the report at pages 143144 at paragraphs 5.08(i), (ii) hereunder set out for ease of reference: Upon the totality of the evidence and the material placed before the Panel it finds that the call logs relied upon by the petitioners lack authenticity and therefore have no evidential value (ii) that there is no sufficient evidence to establish the alleged unethical communication and to make a finding of fact that there was such communication. “The Committee recommends that the Justices of the Court of Appeal who served on the Sokoto State Governorship Appeal and the Ekiti and Osun State Governorship Appeal, the subject matter of this report, do not have any issue to answer and it is further recommended that they be completely absolved of any wrong doing whatsoever as they were carrying out their judicial functions. “In the report, the Sokoto Governorship issue was dealt with by the panel (Umaru Abdullahi’s) in parts. Part A contains findings on the DPP Complaints. “This Committee on the DPP complaints recommends for adoption the findings in the report at paragraph ‘m’ page 85 as follows: In view of the surrounding circumstances, the Panel finds that the CJN was motivated by an apparent urge to protect the administration of justice and avoid breach of peace. The Panel finds that the CJN acted in good faith to have taken the steps he took. “Part B deals with complaints against the CJN by the

President of the Court of Appeal. Issue (1) is on whether the letter of the CJN to put on hold the delivery of the judgment amounted to interference in the Sokoto State Election Appeal. “This committee recommends for adoption again the part of the report at paragraph ‘m’ page 85, earlier set out above. “Issue (2) is on the instructions allegedly given by the CJN to the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) in the presence of Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher to dismiss the Appellant’s appeal. This Committee agrees with the Panel in its findings at paragraph (ii) at page 94 of the report as follows: The issue of instructions allegedly given by the CJN to PCA in the presence of the Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher to dismiss the appellant’s appeal: The CJN emphatically denied this allegation and the clear evidence of Hon. Justice Musdapher confirmed the CJN’s position. The matter needs no further discussions. “In the light of the above, this Committee further recommends for adoption on this issue the findings of the Panel at paragraph “t” page 96 of the report as follows: From all the circumstances, there is available evidence that the CJN did not give instructions to the PCA to direct the Panel to dismiss the appeal. “Issue (3) is on whether the CJN directed the PCA to disband the panel and constitute another one. This Committee recommends that it was found as a fact that the CJN had directed PCA to disband the Panel and constitute another one as shown at paragraph ‘s’ page 95 of the report. “It is further recommended for adoption that the basis for such directive is to be found at paragraph ‘w’ at page 96 of the report which puts this issue to rest as follows: The Panel finds the allegation that the CJN had taken over the running of the Court of Appeal in an unprecedented manner as unfounded.”

• Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State administering polio vaccines on children during a programme tagged: "Let's Kick Polio Out" at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta…yesterday

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

MONEY LINK

CBN to sanction dealers over late forex returns

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged all Authorised Dealers of foreign exchange to ensure that they submit their returns as at when due or be sanctioned. This followed last week’s increase in forex sale to bureau de change (BDC) and other authorised dealers from $500,000 per week to $1 million. In a circular signed by O. L Ahuchogu for the Director of Trade and Exchange, Musa Batari, the CBN, said all authorised dealers are required to urgently submit relevant documentation evidencing the utilisation of foreign exchange for the importation of petroleum products, cement, rice and wheat. It urged dealers to ensure compli-

By Collins Nweze

ance and render appropriate returns on transactions, as any contravention shall attract appropriate sanctions in line with the provision in the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Acts (BOFIA), as amended. But in the case of petroleum products, documentation is required for only transactions valued at $1 million and above. The returns, expected to cover transactions between May and July, 2011, should reach the Director, Trade and Exchange department, before the close of business on Friday, this week. “All authorised dealers are required to urgently submit relevant

documentation evidencing the utilisation of foreign exchange for the importation of petroleum products, cement, rice and wheat,” the statement said. The recent forex increase is the third by the apex bank in less than two months. The CBN has carried out similar increase, which raised the volume of available forex by 100 per cent. The CBN, on June 24, pegged dollar sale to BDCs at $250,000 per week. This was followed by another increase on July 28 week to $500,000, before the recent exercise. The apex bank has also mandated that each BDC is allowed to purchase from only one authorised dealer per week.

Before these amendments, banks and other authorised dealers could sell autonomous funds to BDCs subject to compliance with the Antimoney Laundering Act 2004. The apex bank, in January, 2011, issued new rules guiding the sales of foreign currency in the country. A statement from the bank, noted that the funds purchased from it at the auctions market must be used for eligible transactions only. The CBN equally on November 3, 2010, in a circular referenced, FPR/ DIR/CIR/FXM/01/004, cancelled the issuance of class ‘A’ BDCs licences, following its review of the two-tier structure of the market.

How to transform agric sector, by Sanusi

By Joseph Jibueze

HE Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, yesterday listed key policy requirements needed to transform the agricultural sector and increase food production. He said agriculture is central to Nigeria’s economy, accounting for 40 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product and providing 60 per cent of employment. Sanusi, who spoke on the topic: ‘Prospecting/actualising the Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing for agricultural lending (NIRSAL)” at a one-day roundtable entitled: “Towards ensuring food security

in Nigeria,’ said, agriculture is a major source of employment growth, adding that between 2001 and 2007, it accounted for 51 per cent of jobs created in Nigeria,” Sanusi said. Sanusi, represented by Isaac Okoroafor , at the event organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), in Lagos, added that agro-dealers and select farmers need to be trained to offer basic advice on fertiliser and seed usage, while new conditions of service should be created for extension workers.

policy, land use, marketing boards, and insurance, he recommended. Sanusi called for the establishment of an Agricultural Value Chain Research Development Fund (AVCRDF), an Agricultural Research Transformation Agency (ARTA); and a harmonisation of the roles of existing research and development institutions. The CBN governor urged the government to leave fertilizer procurement and distribution to the private sector, and put in place a fertilizer quality regulatory framework, as well as provide targeted subsidies that will promote local manufacturing.

He said, the government must focus on policies that will enable firms to compete, introduce more incentives for agro-processors, reform the Land Use Act, streamline and make transparent the process of obtaining and designing land titles. According to Sanusi, lack of adequate funding and severe lack of access to finance by seed companies hinder food production. Therefore, policy changes must be made in the procurement and distribution of fertilizer and seed, and in agricultural extension, storage and price stabilisation, cluster

Keystone Bank assures customers

ANAGING Director/CEO, Keystone Bank Limited, Oti Ikomi, has assured customers that the bank is a solid institution, having met the required capital adequacy level. He said the bank is in a position to fulfill all financial obligations to its customers and partners, adding that the bank is now fully operational and open for business after it received N283 bil-

lion lifeline from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The lifeline, Oti said, has helped the bank to fully pay off the N70 billion Loan taken from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2009. The fund has also enabled it to meet the CBN minimum capital requirement of N25 billion; injected more funds into the bank

progress. “With a strong focus on commercial and retail banking, our aim after repositioning and enhancing Keystone Bank for value, is to attract more customers and strategic investor(s). We will explore all our human and technological resources to achieve this efficiently, competitively and professionally,” the statement said.

to wipe off negative shareholders’ funds and met the CBN requirement on minimum Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR). The leadership of the bank also extended its gratitude to the outgoing Managing Director/CEO, Cyril Chukwumah and the Executive Directors for the work they did over the last two years, promising to build on their work to ensure continuity and

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

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($)

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 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 16-8-11 SYMBOL GLAXOSMITH HONYFLOUR VITAFOAM FIDELITYBK CAPHOTEL GTASSURE DANGCEM AIICO COSTODYINS CONTINSURE

O/PRICE 25.62 4.41 5.700 1.89 7.16 1.79 113.00 0.16 2.60 1.02

C/PRICE 26.90 4.63 5.989 1.98 7.50 1.24 117.00 0.63 2.68 1.05

CHANGE 1.28 0.22 0.28 0.09 0.34 0.05 4.00 0.02 0.08 0.03

LOSER AS AT 16-8-11 SYMBOL ETERNAOIL UTC TRANSCORP RTBRISCOE ASHAKACEM ECOBANK NBC UPL REM REDSTAREX

O/PRICE 5.20 0.63 0.91 1.43 20.90 2.76 42.00 4.39 0.52 2.97

NTERCONTINENTAL Bank Plc has issued 1.6 million cards, 81 per cent of which are active as at May, 2011. The feat has given the bank 2011 Best E-Bank of the Year award, organised by Logical Communications Limited. The bank beats three other lenders to clinch the award. The bank’s issued cards accounts for 20 per cent of banking industry cards on the Interswitch platform. It has also issued Hajj International cards for Muslims faithful travelling to the Holy Land. According to the organisers, "To win the award, bank acquired the highest number of other banks’ transactions on its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). It dispenses the highest number of cash on its ATMs to other banks’ customers. The Bank’s ATMs accept the highest number of card variants in the banking industry. Such cards include verve, Visa, Master Card, V-pay, e-Tranzact. The Bank has the highest number of active Verve Cards on the Interswitch platform."

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

OBB Rate Call Rate

E-banking: Intercontinental issues 1.6m cards

DATA BANK

Tenor

NIDF NESF

•CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido

C/PRICE 4.94 0.60 0.87 1.37 20.04 2.68 41.00 4.30 0.51 2.92

CHANGE 0.26 0.03 0.04 0.06 0.86 0.08 1.00 0.09 0.01 0.05

Amount Sold ($)

Exchange Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N) Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

12-08-11 N7.285tr 22,775.55

15-08-11 N7.216tr 22,559.07

% Change -0.95% -0.95%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW January ’11

February ’11

July ’11

MPR

6.50%

8.75%

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% 10.2%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.62 112.11 0.81 0.98 0.98 1,620.90 9.61 1.39 1.87 8,827.74 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 111.16 0.78 0.97 0.97 1,618.90 9.14 1.33 1.80 8,557.73 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 04 MAR, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 24, MAY, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 MAR, 2011

07, MAR, 2011

Bank

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

Blue chips rally NSE as index rises 1%

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-08-11

•NSE constitutes corporate governance committes

2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 250.00 500 250.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 14 15

Quotation(N) 0.50 7.48

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 20,000 10,000.00 58,300 439,953.00 78,300 449,953.00

Quotation(N) 7.01

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 355,926 2,495,041.26 355,926 2,495,041.26

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.37

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 30,000 15,000.00 524,600 731,909.66 554,600 746,909.66

Quotation(N) 6.05 4.50 2.68 6.03 1.98 11.50 0.50 13.15 9.50 0.70 1.15 5.94 1.43 4.76 2.09 0.61 0.80 13.05

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 55,780,112 335,513,625.21 9,543,499 42,265,441.96 333,516 903,202.94 4,937,690 29,834,029.97 3,084,747 5,984,256.15 22,292,569 252,439,968.64 114,226 57,113.00 16,980,865 223,033,771.47 290,725 2,759,228.00 269,000 188,300.00 373,543 429,574.45 25,414,245 146,366,338.50 4,381,356 6,203,613.16 7,605,013 36,071,977.11 1,497,147 3,129,037.23 1,712,227 1,041,610.45 1,013,601 796,219.74 18,777,491 244,473,394.86 174,401,572 1,331,490,702.84

Quotation(N) 218.00 6.10 85.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 750,019 163,229,285.05 31,550 183,050.00 872,355 74,147,097.80 1,653,924 237,559,432.85

Quotation(N) 20.04 7.95 117.00 44.65

Quantity Traded Value 440,992 336,052 180,283 590,634 1,547,961

Quotation(N) 9.80 26.60 5.11

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 22,557 210,043.67 104,260 2,737,229.61 200 972.00 127,017 2,948,245.28

AIR SERVICES Company Name NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 72 72

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 26 27 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 226 87 18 95 97 724 10 603 25 9 13 154 34 195 26 25 32 308 2,681 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 91 9 134 234 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 55 12 25 45 137

of Shares (N) 8,833,617.42 2,671,250.40 20,997,641.20 26,267,539.86 58,770,048.88

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 6 26 1 33

EMENT majors and other highly capital ised stocks rallied the Nigerian stock market back to the positive yesterday, raising prospects of further improvement in the overall return outlook of the market. The All Share Index (ASI), which measures the price changes of all quoted companies, rose by 1.03 per cent from its index on board of 22,559.07 points to close at 22,792.06 points. This translated into capital gain of N74 billion as aggregate market capitalization of equities increased from N7.216 trillion to N7.291 trillion. With the upswing, average year-to-date at the Nigerian stock market improved from -8.93 per cent to -7.99 per cent. The stock market, opened trading on Monday with a decline of 0.95 per cent, which raised concerns about the outlook for the week. Highly capitalised stocks however roused the bulls to outflank the bears with Dangote Cement, the most capitalised company, leading the rally with a gain of N4 to close at N117 per share. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer chalked up N1.28 to

No of Deals 38 38

Quotation(N) 2.92

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 906,600 2,666,971.00 906,600 2,666,971.00

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 3.58

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 1,875.00 500 1,875.00

CONGLOMERATES Company Name A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC JOHN HOLT PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2 61 1 44 43 49 202

Quotation(N) 1.99 6.85 40.99 6.11 0.87 39.00 28.00

Quantity Traded Value 10,100 2,829 320,917 820 3,000,420 284,008 420,235 4,039,329

of Shares (N) 19,190.00 18,416.79 12,981,638.13 4,764.20 2,610,365.40 11,082,036.57 11,741,161.02 38,457,572.11

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 6 1 9

Quotation(N) 2.66 54.56 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 70,000 186,200.00 32,000 1,759,607.00 15,000 7,500.00 117,000 1,953,307.00

close at N26.90. Lafarge Cement Wapco added 54 kobo to close at N44.65, while Oando and Capital Hotel added 51 kobo and 34 kobo to close at N28.50 and N7.50 respectively. Altogether, there were 21 gainers as against 15 losers. Guinness Nigeria Plc, led the losers with a drop of N2 to close at N220. Nigerian Bottling Company, dropped by N1 to close at N41. Ashaka Cement lost 86 kobo to close at N20.04. Eterna slipped by 26 kobo to N4.94, while University Press lost 9.0 kobo to close at N4.30 per share. Turnover dropped considerably with the exchange of 346.77 million shares worth N2.07 billion in 4,613 deals,

‘The committees include audit, demutualisation, finance and general purpose, rules and adjudication, technology and risk and disciplinary’

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-08-11 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 4

Quotation(N) 1.99

No of Deals 26 31 51 86 45 31 28 23 25 2 1 2 351

Quotation(N) 45.00 17.00 14.44 11.48 85.00 4.63 4.40 41.00 400.00 22.61 0.50 0.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 136,512 6,450,072.00 77,182 1,305,797.61 114,936 1,576,921.92 5,255,878 58,215,312.30 112,447 9,640,929.33 1,228,851 5,217,823.12 271,406 1,191,983.26 181,647 7,380,981.57 76,442 30,652,138.75 270 5,799.60 30,000 15,000.00 75,000 45,000.00 7,560,571 121,697,759.46

Quotation(N) 0.98 1.80 26.90 4.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 70,000 65,800.00 592,500 1,022,770.50 116,094 3,074,082.88 61,100 233,130.00 839,694 4,395,783.38

Quotation(N) 7.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 250,000 1,874,689.50 250,000 1,874,689.50

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 23 19 8 53 HOTEL & TOURISM

Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 7

Quotation(N) 5.98

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 112,145 667,642.10 112,145 667,642.10

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 14 14

Quotation(N) 0.51

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 979,198 500,338.48 979,198 500,338.48

Quotation(N) 0.63 1.05 0.50 2.68 0.50 1.24

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,319,751 2,088,841.05 101,000 106,050.00 3,500 1,750.00 189,630 506,200.24 20,696,875 10,348,437.50 119,132,583 147,669,380.42

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC

No of Deals 69 2 1 11 6 43

0.50 0.51 0.50 1.69 0.50

7,000 2,424,557 500,000 3,370 2,000 146,380,266

3,500.00 1,246,306.57 250,000.00 5,560.50 1,000.00 162,227,026.28

Quotation(N) 0.95

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 95,370 86,980.40 95,370 86,980.40

Quotation(N) 0.94

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,872,559 1,743,244.40 1,872,559 1,743,244.40

Quotation(N) 0.51

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100 51.00 100 51.00

LEASING No of Deals 7 7 MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 74 74 MEDIA

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

Quotation(N) 0.52

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 26,200 13,624.00 26,200 13,624.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 20,000 39,416.00 20,000 39,416.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

1 24 5 1 1 164

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

as against a turnover of 379.6 million shares valued at N3.14 billion in 5,577 deals. The banking subsector maintained its dominance in volume terms with 174 million shares worth N1.3 billion in 2,681 deals. It was followed by the insurance subsector which traded 146 million shares worth N162 million in 164deals. The food and beverages subsector ranked third with 7.6 million shardes worth N121 million in 351 deals. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), yesterday strengthened its corporate governance with the constitution of committees to oversee various functions. The committees include audit, demutualisation, finance and general purpose, rules and adjudication, technology and risk and disciplinary. Members of the committees, which are made up of individuals and institutions, include Mr Nsa Harrison, Mrs Yemisi Ayeni, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud SAN, WSTC Financial Service, CEO of NSE; Oscar Onyema, Adeolu Bajomo, Stanbic IBTC stockbrokers, Mr Bismarck Rewane, Mrs Dorothy Ufot (SAN), Partnership Investment Company Limited and Reward Investment and Services Limited among others.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 1 1 4

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.18 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 21,260 10,630.00 4,332 4,981.80 16,000 8,000.00 41,592 23,611.80

Quotation(N) 2.15

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 915,773 1,886,960.40 915,773 1,886,960.40

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 54 54

PETROLEUM (MARKETING) Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2 22 16 7 18 274 15 356

Quotation(N) 0.50 63.86 32.73 4.94 17.41 148.70 28.50 203.32

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 49,000 24,500.00 1,437 89,179.85 49,575 1,695,899.16 193,336 955,079.84 6,385 105,607.90 14,237 2,109,280.10 2,499,130 71,294,115.95 14,700 2,939,875.00 2,827,800 79,213,537.80

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 12 16

Quotation(N) 5.00 4.30

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,968 40,690.00 213,319 913,108.82 221,287 953,798.82

Quotation(N) 19.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 51,424 976,501.04 51,424 976,501.04

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 21 21

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Company Name UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRU Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 4

Quotation(N) 50.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 52,000 2,600,000.00 52,000 2,600,000.00

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 30,300 15,150.00 30,300 15,150.00

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 22 22

Quotation(N) 14.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 708,440 10,240,155.00 708,440 10,240,155.00

4,611

346,767,948

2,066,696,578.74

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

FOREIGN NEWS Guinea’s President Conde pardons jailed activists GUINEA’S President Alpha Conde has pardoned 17 opposition activists jailed for taking part in an illegal rally in April. The amnesty was aimed at promoting reconciliation after divisive elections last year, the BBC’s Alhassan Sillah in the capital, Conakry, says. Mr Conde had also appointed Guinea’s top Muslim and Christian clerics to head a reconcilation commission. Mr Conde took power in elections that ended military rule last November. A statement on state radio said Mr Conde “pardons all citizens sentenced following the violence and acts of vandalism” that hit Conakry in April. The unrest erupted after thousands of supporters of defeated presidential candidate Cellou Diallo had gathered to welcome him when he returned from a fourmonth-long foreign trip to African and Western countries. Police declared the rally illegal and cracked down on the crowd. In the clashes that followed, four people were killed and many others sustained bullet wounds.

PUBLIC NOTICE MODUPE I formerly known and addressed as ROSELYNE MODUPE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ROSELYNE MODUPEORE TAYLOR. All former documents remain valid. General Public to take note.

Gaddafi’s forces launch first Scud missile • Gaddafi

ILITARY forces loyal to Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi have fired a Scud missile for the first time in the country’s sixmonth conflict, United States Defence officials say. They say it was launched from near the coastal city of Sirte and aimed at Brega - currently held by rebels - but landed harmlessly in the desert. Pro-Gaddafi forces are believed to have more than 200

straddles the road connecting Tripoli with Sabha, Sorman west along the road from Zawiya to Tunisia - and Tiji, although this has not been confirmed by residents. If the towns fell to the rebels, they would have Tripoli surrounded by land, with Nato blocking sea access. The BBC’s Matthew Price in Tripoli says how much territory the rebels hold and for how long they can hold it is unclear. But both rebels and the US said Col Gaddafi was coming under increasing pressure. Rebel spokesman Ahmed Bani said the use of a Scud was a sign of desperation by the Libyan leader. “This man will use any weapon necessary to keep his regime going and resume his rule, even for few

hours,” he said. “It’s becoming increasingly clear that Gaddafi’s days are numbered,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney. Benjamin Barber, a Libya expert and fellow at the think tank Demos, said such claims were “wishful thinking”. “I don’t think there’s any particular reason for hope unless they’re willing to do a negotiated settlement, but neither the opposition council, nor Nato, nor the United States seem very interested in that right now,” he told the BBC World Service. “There are a great many tribes and groups in and around Tripoli whose future depends on the survival of Gaddafi,” he added. Nato spokesman Col Roland Lavoie: “The Scud missile is not a new threat”

Four Nigerians jailed in Dutch ‘voodoo’ prostitution case A

DUTCH court yesterday sentenced a Nigerian-born man accused of leading an international prostitution ring which used voodoo to threaten victims to seven years in jail. Three accomplices were also sentenced to between six months and four years by the court in the northeastern city of Zwolle for their part in luring at least 14 young Nigerian girls to the Netherlands and forcing them into the sex trade.

“The court sentenced the four accused to between seven years and six months for human trafficking,” a court statement said. Court documents told how the accused, whose name was given as Peter Kwame S, 42, lured underage Nigerian girls to the Netherlands by promising them legal work in a shop “where they could earn good

money.” It said at least two victims were “subjected to voodoo rituals in Nigeria to make them swear an oath that they would not go to the police… and to pay back their ‘madams’ about 60,000 euros ($86,000 dollars) in cash.” If the victims didn’t pay, they were told their “bodies would be brought back to Ni-

geria in a coffin,” court documents said. Once in the Netherlands the girls, one as young as 17, were forced to become prostitutes and even travelled to other countries including Italy and Norway, where they were forced to “perform sexual acts with or before a third party in return for money.” The victims had to pay part of their income to the accused, documents said.

EMBERS of Parliament have released a letter from a journalist jailed for phone hacking, alleging senior News of the World figures knew what was going on. Former royal editor Clive Goodman wrote the letter to News International as he appealed against his dismissal in 2007. Mr Goodman said hacking was “widely discussed” at the paper and that he had been promised his job back if he did not implicate it in court. In a separate move, the Commons culture committee may recall James Murdoch. Committee chairman, Tory MP John Whittingdale, said that it might recall Mr Murdoch to give further evidence because it needed to ask more questions about what he knew about hacking. Other former News International executives are already expecting to be called to give evidence to MPs in September. Responding to the release of Goodman’s letter, a News International spokesman said: “We recognise the seriousness of materials disclosed to the police and Parliament and are committed to working in a constructive and open way with all the relevant authorities.”

Zimbabwe ex-army chief Mujuru dies in fire

FOR SALE

This is to bring to the notice of general public that Alh. Moshood Onigbanjo, Alh. Sikiru Onigbanjo and Alh. Kassim Onigbanjo being the Children of late Alhaji Abudu Lamidi Onigbanjo have decided to sell the property known as N0. 14 Griffin Sreet, Lagos. The above named property is free from any encumbrances and by this publication the general public is hereby notify. Any aggrieved party may challenge this sale within 14 days of this publication. Signed: ALH. KASSIM ONIGBANJO For: Late Alh. Abudu Lamidi Onigbanjo (family)

Scuds in their arsenal. The move comes as the rebels continue a push towards the capital, Tripoli. On Monday they advanced into two strategically important towns controlling access to the capital, from the west and the south. Fighting was reported in both Zawiya, 50km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, and Gharyan, 80km (50 miles) to the south. Medics outside Zawiya told Reuters news agency that sniper and mortar fire from government troops had left three civilians dead. Col Gaddafi’s forces are still thought to control the Zawiya oil refinery - the only one in western Libya - where they get most of their fuel. Earlier, the rebels said they had seized Gharyan - a town in the Nafusa Mountains that

Reporter: senior executives knew about phone hacking

ORMER military chief Solomon Mujuru, one of Zimbabwe’s leading political power brokers and husband of the vice president died in a fire at his home yesterday. Mr Mujuru, 62 and his wife Joyce were part of the more moderate faction within President Robert Mugabe’s divided Zanu PF party.

His death could intensify turmoil in Zanu PF over who will succeed Mr Mugabe, 87. Many fear that the way is now open for defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is accused of organising much of the political violence in Zimbabwe since its 1980 independence, to succeed Mr Mugabe. Mr Mujuru, known as Rex

Nhongo during the civil war which brought Rhodesia to its knees, retired from government ten years after independence from Britain and became one of Zimbabwe’s wealthiest men owning farms and mines. General Constantine Chiwenga, current military chief and part of Mr Mugabe’s clique of advisors told state

radio he visited a farm about 35 miles southwest of Harare where Mr Mujuru died after the farmhouse caught fire. Dumiso Dabengwa, one of Mr Mujuru’s colleagues from the 1970’s civil war, said yesterday that his death was a tragedy. “He played a major role in the liberation war and he never feared criticising the party.” Mr Dabengwa, jailed without trial by Mr Mugabe for four years after independence said Mr Mujuru played no part in massacres of opposition supporters in the Matabeleland provinces in the 1980’s. “We discussed it when I came out of prison. He had walked away from it at the time. “He and I tried to see Mugabe before the last elections to persuade him not to stand. We wanted to tell Mugabe he could never win, but he would not see us.”

• Mujuru

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai easily beat Mr Mugabe in the first round of the 2008 presidential poll. Violence was then launched against MDC supporters and hundreds were killed, thousands were wounded and tens of thousands displaced from their homes y militia and members of the security forces loyal to Zanu PF.

PUBLIC NOTICE MESSIAH DISCIPLES GOSPEL MISSION This is to inform the general public that the above named mission has applied to Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters act of 1990. THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1) Pastor (Prof.) Akinbodunse Omolaso Frederick -Chairman/President 2) Pastor (Dr. Mrs) Akinbodunse Omolola Bridget -Vice-Chairman/V.President 3) Pastor Akinleye Thomas Adegboyega - General Secretary 4) Pastor Afolabi Temidayo Olamide -Treasurer/Financial Secretary 5) Pastor Benjamin Mayokun -Prayer Secretary 6) Pastor Omolaso Blessing Oluwagbamila -Missions Coordinator 7) Pastor Ogundipe Abraham Kehinde -Investment Coordinator 8) Pastor Omolaso Peter Oluwasefunmi -Coordinator of Studies 9) Rev. (Barrister) Oshodi Abayomi Emmanuel -Legal Adviser/Solicitor THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. To make disciples from all nations for the messiah 2. To preach total gospel to man whenever found. 3. To make people ready for the coming of the Messiah. Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent. Off Aguiyi Ironsi street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication. Signed: REV (BARR) YOMI OSHODI

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

RAMADAN NEWS

‘Fasting aids soul cleansing’

ORMER Military Governor of Edo State Brigadier Mohammed Onuka (rtd) has said fasting is ordained for all Muslims to purify their souls. Onuka spoke on Sunday at the 10th Annual Ramadan lecture organised by the Afemai Islamic Movement (AIM) in Abuja. He noted that fasting, especially in the month of Ramadan, energises the body and makes the system healthy. “There are so many other factors that make fasting significant to the lives of Muslims but most importantly it makes one feel cleansed

at the end of it,” he said. An Islamic cleric, Malam Umar Solomon described fasting in the lives of Muslims as not only abstinence from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse but also belief in the oneness of Allah. Solomon described Ramadan as the month in which the Quran was sent to mankind as a guide and a clear sign for guidance and judgment. He said that the month of Ramadan was ordained by Allah as the month in which Muslims’ faith is tested. “During this month, you can deceive anybody but you cannot deceive Allah be-

cause He sees all that we do in hiding and in the open,’’ he said. Solomon urged Muslims to control their tongue and shun cheating or stealing. Also speaking, Malam Ibrahim Idris who chaired the occasion said that the significance of this month to Muslims is inexhaustible. He said that part of the essence of the month of Ramadan was basically giving to the less privileged and the needy. “It is not until you are rich before you can give charity. Even with the little you have. Allah will be pleased with a cheerful giver,’’ Idris said.

•Justice Muri Okunola’s widow, Alhaja Ramdat (left) and wife of the late Kafaru Tinubu, Alhaja Bintu-Fatima during the late Justice Okunola Memorial Ramadan lecture at the Eko FM Pavilion, Agidingbi, Ikeja. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Islamic banking: Panacea to economic growth, say experts

SLAMIC banking system has been identified as a major contributing factor to the economic development of the country. A Professor of Economics at the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, Prof Chika Aliyu said the introduction of Islamic banking in Nigeria will make cheap capital available for the people who have the entrepreneurship skill and expertise to engage in small scale businesses. Under the system, the capital received from the bank, he said, would be interest-free and help people without job to start a business of their own. Similarly, it would contribute to the reduction of inflation because the conventional banks are promoting inflation with the

By Risikat Ramoni

interest on the capital given to investors. Prof Aliyu who spoke recently during the 5th Da’wah Workshop organised by the Lekki Muslim Ummah, LEMU at the Lekki Central Mosque auditorium encouraged people to learn more about Islamic banking and interest-free banking. The economist said noninterest banking is an arrangement which is based on financing without interest and it is not necessarily Islamic. “Not all interest free banking is Islamic banking but Islamic banking must be interest free and it must comply with Shariah principles,” he said. He said Islamic banking does not only operate with the removal of interest

Old students holds Ramadan lecture

HE annual Ramadan Lecture of the Ansar-Ud-Deen College, Isolo Old Students Association (ADCIOSA) will hold on Sunday at the College hall, Isolo, La-

gos. The lecture title Islamic Banking: Why the hues and cries? will to be delivered by the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Murtadha Muhibdeen and chaired by the President of Eko Club, Prince Rabiu Oluwa. Other guests expected at the event are paramount ruler of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi; Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabir Agbabiaka; Awuse of Onigbongbo, Oba Muniru Yusuf and Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Afeez Abou.

from the transaction but also has some Islamic precepts and values to comply with. Such values include; honesty, integrity, benevolence, kindness and charity. In his lecture on Ethical Financing and Sustainable Economy, the Islamic alternative, Head of Investment, Management and Research at Lotus Capital, Taofiq Agbaje said Islamic banking is required in Nigeria for the purpose of bringing people who have never had any dealings in the financial sector. Agbaje said the system has helped significantly in infrastructural development such as good roads, rail system, and electricity, among others. He stressed that, countries like United Kingdom and Germany which have small Muslim population have adopted this style of banking as an alternative and they have used it to develop their economics. “In developed nations, those who have enjoyed the bank mostly are non-Muslims,” Agbaje said. He explained that the system allows banks and their customers share profits and losses together. “There is the need to bring into the knowledge of people that this is only an alternative,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS

NJC rebuffs service of Salami’s court papers Continued from page 2

know that one. To Olujimi, the evasion of service is bad for the image of the judiciary. He told reporters that the Federal High Court will be approached to grant the Plaintiff leave to effect service of the process through substituted means. He said: “I do not see why he (Danladi) should refuse service of a court process. It bothers me a lot; it is scandalous. I don’t see how it is justifiable. Court process; if you have anything to say against it, of course, you can come to the court. If you want to challenge service, you can come there and challenge it; but it is not a right approach to refuse service. We blame the laymen when they refuse service, but how do you explain this now happening at this high level of judiciary. I think it is most unacceptable.” On what will be his next line of action, Olujinmi said the Plaintiff would file an application for substituted service. “That option is still available for us in this matter - to file application for service by substituted means; that is what we can do. But, I still want to speak with the secretary to find out what exactly are his reasons for refusing service. I have called his number, but he has switched off. “Interestingly, the information reaching me from my lawyers is that this process was actually collected by one of the officials of the NJC and he took this process only to return to say they have instruction not to accept service. It is very embarrassing that we have to go back to court with a motion to serve by pasting the order for service on the wall of

NJC. “It is not just limited to the reactions from within the country; even the international community will wonder the kind of judiciary we have in the country. You have a case against any section of judiciary and you cannot effect service. May be some people think by refusing service they can slow down the wheel of justice; I do not think that can be achieved. I will expect that if he (Danladi) has anything to say, he should explain why he refused service. Olujimi believes that all the parties are aware of the suit through newspapers reports. “Obviously, they are aware,” he said. The former Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister is, however, optimistic that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Auta will not sit on the matter or delay in assigning it because he is a defendant in the suit. “I have filed my case and I expect it will be heard. I don’t want to be pessimistic that certain things will happen,” Olujimi said. In a letter to the NJC Secretary, entitled “Notification of pendency of Court Action and Applications for Injunction”, Olujinmi informed the Council of the pendency of Justice Salami’s suit. It reads: We act as counsel to Hon. Justice lsa Ayo Salami, (OFR), the plaintiff in the above headed suit. It is on his behalf and instruction that we write this letter. “We wish to bring to your attention the fact that, our client has filed an action at the Federal High Court to challenge the decision of the National Judicial Council directing him to tender apologies to the council

and the (Chief) Justice of Nigeria. The propriety of the directive and the reports of the panels set up by the council have now been turned over to the court for consideration. “The plaintiff’s suit in court is backed up with applications for interim and interlocutory injunctions. We attach hereto as annexures 1 to 23, the relevant court processes. “The simple question that arises at the juncture is, what is the obligation of the council in the light of this present court action? The obligation of the council is to adopt and abide with the well established principle of law as enunciated by Tobi J. “C. A. in I EZEGBU vs. FATB (1992) 1 NWLR (PT. 220) 699 @ PAGE 735 PARA A - F When he stated thus: “”Parties who have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court are under a legal duty not to do anything to frustrate or make nonsense a possible court order. They must, whether they like it or not, wait for court order. They must, whether they like it or not, wait for the court to take a decision one way or the other. The procedure at arriving at a decision may be slow. It may even be sluggish. But the parties cannot jump the gun and do their own thing in their own way. That will be tantamount to undermining the integrity of the court. What I am in effect saying is that a party who has submitted himself in the jurisdiction of the court is not entitled to resort to self-help. That will be chaos and distability of the social equilibrium if the opposing party reacts. The Supreme Court clearly held in Governor of Lagos State v. Chief Ojukwu {1986} 1 NWLR {Pt. 18} 621 that par-

ties should not embark upon selfhelp when a matter is before a court of law. Since a successful decision nugatory, parties is aware of a pending court process, and whether the court ha not given a specific injunction order, parties are bound to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the court process. They should, on no account, resort to self-help. “Whenever such situation arises, the court must invoke its disciplinary jurisdiction to curb the excesses of a recalcitrant party. That was the essence of the application made to this court by Chief Williams in the case of Chief Okoya and others v. Santilli and others {1991} 7 NWLR {Pt. 206} 753. In that case, this is what I said at page 766 in respect of the disciplinary jurisdiction of a court: “”The jurisdiction inheres in the court as adjudicator qua judex. The power is designed for the maintenance of the dignity and integrity the court exercises its disciplinary jurisdiction in appropriate circumstances, it will lose its dignity and integrity in the judicial process. The institution for the court which the law has placed in an exalted and sacred position surrounded by all aura 0/ legalism and sanctity, will be reduced to a toothless dog which can bark but cannot bite”. “See also Daniel v. Ferguson (1891) 2 CH.D.27; Von Joel v. Hornsey (1895) 2 CH.D.774; Edward Jones v. Securities and Exchange Commission 80 (1935) L.E.D. 1015 and Adetona v. Attorney -General on Ogun State and others. Appeal No. FCA/1/110/82 delivered on 24/8/83 (Unreported). It is rather sad that the learned trial

•Justice Salami

judge did not see the necessity 0/ invoking his inherent disciplinary jurisdiction in this matter”. “The personalities involved in the subject matter of this suit are highly placed judicial officials and we believe that they are well conversant with the need to preserve and protect the sanctity of the institution of the court. In the premise, it is our firm belief that all actions will be suspended pending the resolution of the matter before the court. “The Nigerian Judiciary in recent time has unnecessarily exposed itself to public outcry by the conduct of some of its officials. The failure to stay all actions pending the resolution of the court action will send wrong signals to the public. Thus, the interest of the judiciary will be better protected if actions are stayed in relation to the subject matter of the plaintiff’s suit. “Kindly bring to the notice of members of the council the fact of the pendency of our client’s case and this letter.

Tribunal declares Aliero Senator From Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi

•Vice President Namadi Sambo cutting the tape to open the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) headquarters in Abuja ... yesterday. With are from left: National President, NURTW, Alhaji Najeem Yarsin; FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed; Labour Minister, Mr Chukwuemeka Wogu; Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and NLC President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar PHOTO: NAN

Day Kudirat was killed, by al-Mustapha’s witness Continued from page 2

onward delivery to junior officials. He said it was difficult for any soldier to leave his duty post without being issued a “pass”, a document signed by a superior, containing details of such journey, times of departure and return. He said it was a crime to exceed the approved time, except there was an approval for extension. On whether it was possible for a soldier to transfer arms to his colleagues, he said it was impossible because arms were signed for individually. He said there was no exception to such practice. Asked to explain the meaning of “Range exercise” (earlier referred to by al-Mustapha), Gadzama said: “It is a field where you go for shooting of arms. It is a shooting exercise.” He said after it, participants were

required to take oath, swearing that no arms was in their custody, clean the ones used and return them. He told the court how he was arrested thrice, detained and subjected to torture. Gadzama claimed that while in detention, he was told by Rogers and a security personnel called Bashir to cooperate with their interrogators, who allegedly asked him to confirm Rogers’ purported confessional statement. He told the court that Rogers informed him that he (Rogers) was given a house and promised a foreign posting for cooperating with the investigators. He denied knowing Sofolahan and Alhaji Sarkin Sasa (who allegedly introduced Sofolahan to al-Mustapha as an informant). Under cross-examination, Gadzama could not remember what day of the week was June 4, 1996, but said they were in the office at the Presidential Villa when Kudirat

was killed. The witness, who said he and Rogers always met while signing in and out their arms, told the court that he had an irregular resumption and closing time as an Orderly to the CSO. He, however, denied being present at every meeting attended by al-Mustapha and ever being spoken to directly by former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar. Pedro: As an orderly, you are supposed to be with your boss at all times. Gadzama: Yes. When he goes out, I am supposed to be with him. Pedro: You were not present when he had discussions with former Head of State Gen Abubakar. Gadzama: Yes. I was waiting outside when they met at Aguda House. Pedro: Had there been any time the former Head of State spoke to

you in person? Gadzama: There was never a time he spoke to me directly, except on phone when he could not reach the CSO himself. Pedro: Do you know Mohammed Abacha? Gadzama: Yes. He is the son of the late Gen. Abacha. Pedro: Have you ever seen him in your boss’s office before? Has he had any meeting with Major alMustapha to your knowledge? Gadzama: Yes. Sometime, they met in his house within the Villa and sometime, they met in his (alMustapha’s) office. He denied ever seeing Rogers visit al-Mustapha’s office in person. On why he was arrested, Gadzama told the court that he was never told, except that his interrogators asked him to implicate his former boss in the Kudirat murder. The trial continues today.

EBBI State National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal yesterday declared Senator Adamu Aliero of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) winner. It ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] to withdraw the certificate of return issued to the 1st respondent, Senator Abubakari Atiku Bagudu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and issue a certificate of return to Aliero as the lawful person to represent Kebbi Central Senatorial District in the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Delivering the judgment, the Chairman of the tribunal Justice Aliero Edodo-Eruaga said on the 30th of July 2011, the court entered judgment against the 1st and 2nd respondents herein for disobeying a pre-hearing order, for being substantially unprepared and for failure to participate in good faith pursuant to paragraph 18(11) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, adding that judgment was also entered against the 3rd respondents and the 4th and 5th respondents for being substantially unprepared and for disobeying a pre-hearing order. Justice Edodo-Eruaga, further explained that subsequent to the judgment and in pursuance of paragraphs 18(11), (12) and (13) of the first schedule to the electoral Act,2010 (as amended), saying that section 36 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and under the inherent jurisdiction of the Tribunal all the Respondents filed Motions on Notice praying the Honourable Tribunal for reliefs.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

NEWS Nigerian, 20, gets combined Masters from Oxford A NIGERIAN, Anne Imafidon, 20, has joinned the league of younger students to receive a Combined Masters’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the prestigious Oxford University. The Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Imafidon, an indigene of Edo State, bagged the Degree from Keble College. Imafidon told NAN in an interview in London: “Education is such an important part of young people’s lives and I want to get the message out there to the youth that learning is such a vital element in their growth. “I also want them to understand that mathematics is essentially a game of numbers.’’ Mr Chris Imafidon, Anne’s father said, he was proud of his daughter adding, “every child can achieve similar feat if given the enabling tools and environment’’. Anne is the sibling of the twins, Peter and Paula Imafidon, who set a world record in Mathematics and schools admission examination in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2009. Dubbed the “Wonder Twins’’, the Imafidons broke records when they passed A/ AS –level mathematics papers at the age of seven.

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (M) commissioning the ultra-modern Sunshine Market in Ijare town during the commissioning of projects by Governor Mimiko in Ifedore Local Government Area of the State on Tuesday (yesterday)

Ajimobi solicits Fed Govt’s support for free trade zones YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has solicited the support of the Federal Government to make the Oluyole Free Trade Zone and the Ikerete International Border Market near Saki a reality. The governor spoke in Abuja yesterday when he visited the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga. In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communication, Dr Festus Adedayo, the governor said his vision was to make the two free trade zones investors’ destinations of choice so that more jobs could be created to grow the economy. Ajimobi expressed the hope that the two projects would attract development quickly to their respective locations and increase the centre-points of development in the state.

Obama’s aide to begin cancer research in Ekiti From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

MEDICAL research centre on breast cancer is to be established in Ekiti State. A member of the National Cancer Advisory Board for the United States, Prof Funmi Olopade spoke on the centre when she visited Governor Kayode Fayemi. Olopade, a professor of medicine, is an indigene of the state. She inspected facilities at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, during the visit. Olopade was recently appointed into the board by President Barack Obama for her breakthrough in cancer research and scholarship. She told the governor that the US government was “really interested in sponsoring researches” in cancer in Ekiti State, adding that her scope included “understanding the problems that people have in the healthcare system and trying to develop solutions to the complex problems”. Olopade said: “We are looking for cure for breast cancer and we want to fund it wherever we can study it. I study women cancers and my research is on breast cancer. “I have been doing researches at the University of Ibadan and also work at the University of Chicago in the USA. “We don’t know where we are going to find the next cure. It could come from Ekiti, and that is why I am doing the business of higher education here.” Fayemi congratulated Olopade for what he described as a well deserved appointment. He said his administration would tap into the wealth of experience and professionalism of indigenes, irrespective of their place of abode.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

The governor said that government had already opened talks with investors on the projects, adding that his administration was committed to bringing the free trade zones to the people of the state at the earliest possible time. Ajimobi highlighted the focus of his administration to include massive infrastructural development, provision of qualitative education and health facilities, as well as the rejuvenation of agriculture. According to him, Oyo State has the greatest potential for agriculture in the southern part of the country, owing to its vast land, massive population and proximity to huge markets offered by the urban centres in the South-West. He said a significant portion of the 20,000 jobs being planned for youths by his administration in its first 100

days in office would be in agriculture. Ajimobi also expressed his administration’s readiness to revamp all the abandoned farm settlements in the state so that youths could be mentored in different aspects of agriculture. He said that the state agricultural programme would place emphasis on the entire value chain so that products could be processed for enhanced returns to farmers. The governor, therefore, called on investors to take advantage of the transformation programme of his administration by coming to the state to invest. The minister said the Federal Government would sign a feasibility study agreement with a foreign company on the Ikerete International Border Market in September and that when completed, the project would create over one million jobs.

US to assist Nigerian military tackle insecurity HE Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Carter Ham, is in Nigeria to offer technical and administrative assistance to the military to tackle security breaches. Though the US admitted that Nigeria appeared to have done its best in containing the breaches, it noted that it required some support from the US to curtail growing insecurity. Ham spoke with a select group of Defence correspondents in Abuja on Monday. He said he was in the country to seek areas where the US can assist Nigeria.

•Etsu Yanpa Jebba, Alhaji Mohammed Tetengi on top of the hippopotamus killed in River Niger by hunters, led by Mallam Mamman Musa (left), at Jebba North, Niger State...on Monday. PHOTO:NAN

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

Ham, who was visiting Nigeria for the first time since he took over the command of AFRICOM in March, said the US would assist the Nigerian Army to boost its equipment, technical capabilities and other areas. He said he had met with military chiefs but did not state the areas Nigeria would need the offer. Ham said: “One would like to know why the US was specifically interested in the Nigerian military. It is simply because our two nations share great communality for security challenges. So, we look at the future and look at what-

Ex-Ekiti SSG in race for PDP national secretary

FORMER Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Ambassador Dare Bejide, has said internal strife weighing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) down in the state would soon be resolved. He urged the residents to watch out for a new PDP. Bejide, who addressed reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capi-

tal, on his declaration of intent for the position of National Secretary of the party, said the national secretariat of the PDP needed a loyal, experienced and vibrant party man to run its affairs. He said he possessed the qualities needed to turn around the party’s fortune

in Ekiti. Bejide said: “I believe the position of National Secretary of the party is very important. With due respect to others aspirants, I think I am the right person to be there. I have the experience: I was secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the old Ondo State; Secretary of Na-

tional Republican Convention (NRC); I was the pioneer Secretary of UNCP in Ekiti State; also pioneer Secretary of the PDP in Ekiti State. I was also Secretary to Ekiti State Government(SSG). I was a Nigerian ambassador to Canada. With all these, I don’t need anybody to teach me the job of a secretary.”

ever can undermine the security in your country and in mine. We share a lot in common. “In this visit, we are looking at opportunities to meet with Nigerian leaders to explore opportunities for us to strengthen and improve on existing partnerships between the Armed Forces of the US and that of Nigeria. “There is much more we can do in the future to strengthen those ties. “Though over the years, there has been a strong bond between our two countries, but we have to seek opportunities to see that those bonds are strengthened so that we can advance the interest of our nations.” He said the US could offer technical assistance in containing internal insurgency, especially the use of improvised explosive devices(IEDs) being used by renegade groups. Ham said the US was worried about growing cooperation between outlaw groups within and outside the country.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

SPORT EXTRA

McClaren targets Yakubu •To play for Nottingham Forest

TEVE McClaren is monitoring Everton’s Ayegbeni Yakubu and Jermaine Beckford as he attempts to find a solution to Nottingham Forest’s striker shortage. Everton are eager to offload Yakubu, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Leicester, and McClaren knows the Nigerian well from their time at Middlesbrough. But Forest could face

competition for Yakubu from Leicester, who have also e x p r e s s e d interest in Everton’s Victor Anichebe. The Foxes are also bidding £5.5million for Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard after missing out on Robbie Keane.

•Yakubu

Itanyi rejects welfare officer job •Says she is a qualified coach

ORMER national and Africa Heptathlon champion, Patience Itanyi has reportedly turned down the post of welfare officer she was offered by the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), on the team going to next month’s 10th All Africa Games. Itanyi who still holds the national record in the Heptathlon reportedly wrote the AFN soon after she was named Welfare Officer that she wouldn’t accept a position alien to her, insisting she is a qualified coach. ‘I thank you for the offer of welfare officer given to me but I cannot accept it because I was trained as a coach and it is what I have been doing

since I quit as a competing athlete’, Itanyi was reported to have written in the letter sent to AFN Secretary General, Maria Worphil. Itanyi, according to our impeccable source at the Athletic Federation of Nigeria office in Abuja is also unhappy that Evangelist Solomon Ogba, the AFN president has been telling whoever cares to listen that she is not a coach. ‘She wrote in another letter to the AFN that she has a Masters Degree in coaching and attached her certificate. She also challenged the AFN to order all the coaches on the team to Maputo to produce their certificates’, revealed NationSport’s

source. ‘Pat knows that Gabriel Okon,Yusuf Ali and Gabriel Opuana (who have been dropped by the National Sports Commission) are not qualified coaches. And I agree with her but Ogba has been given too much power to do and undo. Pat is a better coach than Solomon Aliyu who is incharge of the hurdles but Ogba doesn’t like her guts because she is the only one among the coaches who can stand up to him. The rest are yes sir men who can even kill their mothers to make Nigeria’s team to any international or continental competition’, the source further revealed

Tomorrow in THE NATION

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 6 NO.1855

‘But el Rufai successors disagreed with him just as they disagreed among themselves. The only thing they agreed on was that they happily did a hatchet job for greedy elites. All the Director Generals, spoke from both sides of the JIDE OLUWAJUYITAN mouth.’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

ENERAL Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (GCFR), aka IBB, aka Maradona (of Nigeria’s politics), former army chief and former self-styled military president of Nigeria (August 27, 1985 to August 27 1993) is 70 today. When, as army chief, the man ousted his boss, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, in a palace coup 26 years ago, he promised in one of his early broadcasts that he was going to be a bold leader, bolder than any we have seen before. He would, he said, rather go down in history as a leader who took the wrong decision than one who procrastinated. Twenty six years on few Nigerians, I am sure, would dispute the fact that the man kept his word on both the domestic and external fronts. As I argued nearly twelve years ago on these pages, no Nigerian leader has sought to change the face of the country’s politics and socio-economy in as thoroughgoing way as Babangida. Whether he succeeded or failed in his attempt was, as I said, a matter for debate. Few, however, could dispute the fact that his eight-year rule had become a defining period of Nigeria’s history. Here I’ll like to reproduce much of what I said about the man in the article in question published in Daily Trust of November 1, 2000 and The Comet (The Nation’s precursor) of the same date, because what I said at the time is as valid today as it was then. The article was a review of a well attended and well publicised symposium by The Open Press Limited in Jos in mid October 2000 which was in assessment of the man’s regime. The most definitive proof of Babangida’s unsurpassed boldness, I said in the piece, was President Olusegun Obasanjo himself who, before his second coming as Nigeria’s leader, was the severest critic of Babangida, bar possibly the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. “Many years after condemning Babangida’s economic policies of privation and deregulation as lacking a human face,” I said, “he adopted them lock stock and barrel, the major difference being that he seems to be doing worse than Babangida in implementing them. “As for politics, not only has Obasanjo been a willing beneficiary of Babangida’s creed of the two party tendency, ha has hardly indicated any desire to deregulate party formation so that we can become a multiparty system, even if only in principle – something which he could do by initiating a bill that would remove INEC’s power to register political parties using stiff, if not impossible, guidelines. “The fact that seven years after Babangida ‘stepped aside’ we still conduct our politics and socio-economics in the mould he had set, makes it justified for him to claim at the end of the Jos symposium that he had indeed ‘reengineered Nigeria’. “This claim has, predictably become a matter for scorn among many analysts and much of the press for whom Babangida has become a, if not the, favourite whipping boy...Those who pour scorn on Babangida’s claim to have re-engineered Nigeria fall into at least two categories. First, there are those

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Babangida, the man who re-engineered Nigeria

•Babangida

who concede that Babangida did indeed reengineer Nigeria but they insist that in doing so he left Nigeria worse off and therefore he has no moral right to boast about his reengineering feat. Second, there are those who argue that Babangida did re-engineer Nigeria for good and things would have remained so but for his seemingly unpardonable crime of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections which his friend Chief M.K.O. Abiola looked set to win. “Analysts can debate the merits of these two schools of thought till Thy Kingdom Come. For me, however, whereas the first has some justification, the second is merely based on sentiment and little or no logic at all. No one, not even Babangida, can dispute the fact that SAP (Structural Adjustment Programme, the centre-piece of his economic policy) was bound to inflict, and did indeed inflict, pain on Nigerians. That was why programmes like the National Directorate of Employment, NERFUND, Peoples Bank, DIFFRI, etc were created to lessen the pains. Even then those programmes hardly achieved their objectives. “However, to dwell on the pains alone and ignore the potential of Babangida’s economic policies to turn things around is not only short-sighted, it completely misses the point

RIPPLES

HARDBALL

•For comments, send SMS to 08054502909

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Between Turner Ogboru and al-Mustapha

AJAOKUTA CONCESSIONING: OBASANJO VIOLATED DUE PROCESS, says Minister

DUE PROCESS....that’s a strange language to BABA

that his Structural Adjustment Policy was merely a necessary but not sufficient condition for things to actually turn around. I am a critic of the IMF-type SAP which seeks to impose completely unregulated market forces on Third World countries when elementary economics suggests quite clearly that no economy, not even United States’, the mother of capitalism, is completely unregulated and without a huge public sector. “However, the inefficiency of and the corruption in most Third World public sectors, including Nigeria’s, is such that no development can possibly take place without deregulating it to a great extent and making the private sector to take over its role of being the engine of development. “Babangida was, of course, not the first to see this point. He was, however, the first Nigerian leader to have had the courage to do something about it. If, in showing this courage, Babangida had succeeded in spreading the burdens of SAP among the rich, the middle class and the poor rather than restrict the sacrifice largely to the middle class and the poor, he probably would have been able to secure the long term support his policies needed to succeed. Thus he probably would have been saved the SAP riots of 1989 which provided an excuse for the bloody coup attempt of 1990, which in turn made him too paranoid to give matters of state, as opposed to his self-preservation, the priority he had accorded it up till then. “Yes, Babangida’s SAP, like IMF’s SAP that it resembled somewhat, may have left Nigerians worse off than they were, but the same SAP given a human face was a necessary condition for turning things around. Surely Babangida deserved credit and not vilification for having the courage to embark on it. Chances are, if he had not embarked on it 14 years ago, bad as things are today, they would have been a hell lot worse. “Now, whereas the argument that Babangida should not boast about re-engineering Nigeria because it inflicted a lot of pain on Nigerians has some justification, the argument that whatever good resulted from his reengineering feat was annulled by his annulment of June 12, 1993 election has little or no merit. The reverse of this argument is that if

Babangida had allowed the election to stand all his other perceived sins would have been forgiven if not forgotten. How the irrationality of this argument would escape the many otherwise intelligent people who make it, never ceases to amaze me.” Next to his annulment of “June 12” probably his worst crime in the eyes of his many critics was his alleged complicity, at the least, in the murder via a parcel bomb of the celebrated columnist and editor, Dele Giwa, on October 19, 1986. But in this, even more so than in that of “June 12”, the critics’ views had been driven more by emotions than by the facts of the case. And these include the fact that Giwa’s personal lawyer, the indefatigable Chief Gani Fawehinmi, could not successfully pursue his private prosecution of the two Babangida intelligence chiefs, Colonels Halliru Akilu and A. K. Togun, that Fawehinmi has accused of the murder. On the contrary, he had in the end lost a libel case which the two has instituted against him. Then again other than the possibility of Giwa being a victim of extra-judicial murder, there were two other possibilities, namely, (1) marital grouse on the part of his then estranged wife, Florence Ita-Giwa, whose driver, Olufemi Oyeleke, was identified by Giwa’s guard, Musa Zibo, as the person who delivered the parcel bomb, and (2) business grouse on the part of Mr. G. Coumantarous, the global flour mill magnate and Chairman of the huge Nigerian Flour Mill, Apapa. Both Ita-Giwa and Coumantarous were interrogated by the police but Babangida’s critics were never interested in any consideration of these possibilities, having clearly made up their minds that Giwa had to be the victim of extra-judicial murder. Much water, as they say, has passed under the bridge since Babangida “stepped aside” as military president 18 years ago. The man has tried to step back into power as a civilian twice since then, first in 2007 and then this year. On both occasions I had argued on these pages that it was unwise of him to have tried. I had argued that it was best that he played the role of a statesman and kingmaker after eight years in power and over 17 years in its corridors following the brave role he played in aborting the 1976 Dimka coup attempt in which the Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, was gunned down in broad daylight in a Lagos traffic. In any case his attempts, as we all know, have been unsuccessful. Those failures may have now diminished his reputation as the invincible grand master of Nigerian politics from whence he got his sobriquet, Maradona – but it will be difficult to deny him the fact for good or for ill he has, more than any leader of this country to date, been responsible for re-casting the mould in which the politics and socio-economics of this country had been conducted since the First Republic. Here’s Happy Birthday to the man who reengineered Nigeria. And many more years of service to your country outside partisan politics.

AJOR Hamza al-Mustapha is a drama major. In addition to playing to the gallery in all his responses in court, he has apparently also mastered the art of histrionics. He considered no answer an answer until it had been overdone, until it gripped the audience trooping to court to witness his trial for allegedly masterminding the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the then detained winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. He had a nose for what pleased his audience, and he gave the packed court what they yearned for – pure entertainment. He has with utmost carefreeness staged his plays with honed skill and virtuoso; he will leave the judge the arduous task of sifting the wheat from the chaff, a task that is, in the best of courts in Nigeria, often thankless and herculean.

Consumed by his theatrics, it was not surprising that al-Mustapha failed to notice the haunting paradox in one of his responses during cross examination. He had been accused by the prosecution of torturing detainees in the days of his infamy. He did nothing of such, he bawled, except maybe Turner Ogboru, the brother of Ovedje Ogboru who was implicated in the failed April 1990 Gideon Orkar-led coup against Gen Ibrahim Babangida. And he ordered the torture because the victim flouted the law by supplying heroin to military officers, some of whom participated in the coup. His evidence? As usual, specious accounts of nameless weeping widows and children, the sort of “proofs” he became accustomed to giving during his trial. Had the theatrical major been a little wary of appealing to the mob, he would have realised

he just admitted to torture, albeit under extenuating circumstances. Turner Ogboru has defended himself by denouncing the major’s testimony. He had never seen heroin in his life, let alone offer it for sale, said Ogboru. But like most of the testimonies of alMustapha, he bespattered as many wellknown names as possible perhaps solely to elicit frenzied interest, names that if they were alive would not have been obligated to defend themselves in court in the first place. Well, at least it is now known he ordered some torture, and the victim was Ogboru. This may not be next door to a confession, but it helps to know that as a junior officer, back in those appalling days of military irresponsibility, al-Mustapha had begun to acquire the nefarious skills that recommended him to the bestial and laconic general, the late Sani Abacha.

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