The Nation August 19, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Aikhomu’s last moments

NLC asks workers to get set for strike NEWS – Page 7

NEWS – Pages

3, 4 & 5

•Minimum wage crises resurge

•Daughter relives ex-VP’s death

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 1857 FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

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BATTLE OF GENERALS

Obasanjo: IBB a fool at 70 IBB: Nigerians know the fool ‘ ‘ Calling IBB ‘a fool at 70’, especially by a man reportedly and allegedly accused by his own son of incest, is at best a compliment.

Nigerians surely know who is truly a fool or the greatest fool of this century.

Babangida should be pitied and shown sympathy, rather than anger or condemnation because the old saying says a fool at 40 is a fool forever and I would say a regret at 70 is a regret too late.

Well, a regret at 70 is a regret to the grave.

•Obasanjo

F

ORMER military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida got yesterday an acidic birthday gift from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who hurled a stream of invective at him.

Gen. Babangida, who ruled Nigeria between 1985 and 1993, stirred the hor-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

nets’ nest of vituperation on the eve of his 70th birthday celebration in Minna, Niger State, when he dismissed Obasanjo’s achievements as low. He said Obasanjo failed to improve the power sector, despite the huge cash available to the government.

’

Obasanjo replied the former military dictator yesterday. He said Gen. Babangida should be “pitied” and not “condemned” or visited with “anger” for railing at his (Obasanjo’s) eight years administration because Babangida’s criticisms “were, unfortunately, not well thought-out”.

’

•Babangida The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said it was unfortunate that Babangida could embark on an unwise journey of condemning him for not doing enough in the power sector whereas between 1985 and 1993 when he ruled Nigeria, he built no power plant.

Obasanjo, who spoke with journalists at his Presidential Library Project site in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, where he met with some foreign investors, said although he did not believe the report credited to Babangida, until he read it in the newspapers, he decided to reply him lest he thought

he was wise.

What Obasanjo said about Babangida’s allegations: “Well, normally when I read these things, I don’t believe them. Yesterday, when somebody phoned me and said this was said, I said Continued on page 2

Lawyers slam NJC as Salami is suspended •Olujimi, Akintola, Ngige, Tarfa, Falana, others kick

D •Justice Salami

ESPITE the absence of its Deputy National Chairman, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, and a pending suit, the National Judicial Council (NJC) yesterday suspended Court of Appeal President Isa Ayo Salami from office.

But the battle over Justice Salami’s fate seems to have just begin; his lawyers are heading for court.

Nigeria, 1999 as amended, Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami, OFR, President A terse statement by the NJC’s Di- of the Court of Appeal has been susrector of Administration, Mr. E.I. pended from office with effect from Odukwu, directed Justice Salami to today 18th August, 2011.

“The decision handover to the next most Senior SEE ALSO PAGE 6 was reached at Justice of the Court of Appeal. the Seventh The statement reads: “Pursuant to the powers conferred on the National Emergency Meeting of the Council Judicial Council in the Constitution of held on 18th August, 2011.

From Yusuf Alli and Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

“The decision, which was reached at the National Judicial Council, further directs that Hon. Justice Salami should hand over the affairs of the Court of Appeal to the next most senior justice of the court.

“Meanwhile, a recommendation has been forwarded to the President, Continued on page 2

•SPORTS P12 •POLITICS P17 •BRAND P23 •SOCIETY P29 •AGRIC P36

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THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

NEWS

•President Goodluck Jonathan (sixth left) flanked by Vice President Namadi Sambo (fiffth left) and Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and other members of the National Economic Team after the inauguration of the body in Abuja ... yesterday. Story on page 11.

Lawyers allege ‘dire infraction’ of law as NJC suspends Salami Continued from page 1

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to retire him from service.”

Although the statement was silent on what informed the suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal, it was gathered that it is not unconnected with his refusal to apologize to the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu requested.

The NJC was also not forthcoming on why it decided to suspend Salami in spite of the fact that there is a suit pending on the issue before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

As at last night, Salami had not received the letter of suspension.

A source, who spoke with one of our correspondents, said: “They accused Salami of ventilating his differences with the CJN in the media but the same NJC has not communicated its decision to the President of the Court of Ap-

Appeal Court president to seek redress in court

S

ALAMI’s legal team yesterday expressed shock that the NJC, “the first defendant in a suit instituted by the Hon. PCA against the NJC and other defendants, of which NJC had fore-knowledge, has gone ahead to act on the matter.

“That NJC had fore-knowledge of the suit was clear by its advertisement in newspapers of Thursday 18 August 2011, especially in the Nigerian Tribune, on pages 48 and 49, in which the peal before releasing a statement to the press.

“This is 7pm; Salami has not received any letter from the NJC. This has confirmed that the NJC had a predetermined agenda.”

The suspension climaxed a five-month battle between the CJN and Salami since the inauguration of Justice Umaru Abdullahi’s FactFinding Panel by the NJC on March 9.

After the submission of the

NJC Administrative Secretary admitted and unequivocally confirmed the receipt of the suit papers.

“In the light of all these, we in the legal team of Hon. Justice Ayo Salami find the decision of the NJC to go ahead and take action against our client, in spite of the pendency of the action in court, as very, very unfortunate.

“In the meantime however, we want to assure the general public and Nigerians, both at home and abroad, that our client,

report of Abdullahi’s Panel, another Committee headed

by Justice Ibrahim Auta was put in place by the NJC to review the report.

Outside the recommendations of Auta’s panel, the NJC issued a letter of warning to Salami and directed him to apologise to the CJN within one week.

Before the expiration of the deadline for apology, Salami went to court amid drama of evasion of service by the NJC

E

Section 20, Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution says: “The National Judicial Council shall comprise the following members-(a) the Chief Justice of Nigeria who shall be the chairman, (b) the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court who shall be the Deputy Chairman.”

But it was learnt that the NJC session yesterday was presided over by the President of the Customary Court

Continued from page 1

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

throw decency in the air to describe Gen. IBB in such uncouth verbiage as a birthday message. We do not want to believe that he truly said that, but if it is true that he did say that, Nigerians know who the greatest fool is.

“According to the report, Obasanjo was said to have rolled out a series of issues which he considered, in his infantile mind, to be the sins of General Babangida. He was reacting to earlier comments made by General Babangida that the Obasanjo eight years administration lacked creativity and innovation, and that, given the huge resources that accrued to the Obasanjo government, Nigeria should have improved better.

“It is certainly not in the tradition of Gen. IBB, such a refined gentleman officer, to join issues with his subordinates and superiors, but for the price we owe history, this riposte becomes appropriate and necessary.

“We expected Obasanjo to react to the substance of Gen. Babangida’s submissions and not deploy this distractive strategy to shy away from the real issues at stake. The statistics of the government they both ran at different times speak for them.

“The history of Obasanjo is an open sore that is irredeem-

Executive Secretary, Halilu Danladi.

Investigation by The Nation showed that the NJC’s decision on Salami was a fait accompli as the Council members decided to go ahead with their meeting without a statutory head.

The Deputy National Chairman of the Council, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, who ought to preside over the meeting, had traveled to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

Obasanjo to Babangida: you’re a fool at 70

IBB: Nigerians know the fool X-Military President Ibrahim Babangida yesterday fired back at former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who called him “a fool at 70”.

He said history, from all perspectives, will be fair to him than Obasanjo.

He asked Obasanjo to account for his eight-year tenure instead of engaging in brickbats.

Gen. Babangida took a swipe at Obasanjo in a statement by his spokesman, Kassim Afegbua, in Abuja. He said Obasanjo’s comments are unworthy of being dignified with a response.

Babangida, at a session to mark his 70th birthday in Minna, spoke on Obasanjo’s administration.

Babangida said: “In my eight years in office, I was able to manage poverty and achieved success while somebody for eight years managed affluence and achieved failure.”

He also raised issues which elicited Obasanjo’s response.

Yesterday, Babangida said: “We have been inundated with calls from the media and our esteemed friends over comments reportedly made by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the Aremu of Ota, to the effect that General Ibrahim Babangida ‘is a fool at 70’.

“It is in response to this that the Ota farmer has decided to

Hon. Justice Salami, President of the Court of Appeal, has instructed us to go ahead and challenge this dire infraction of the law by a body supposedly charged with the responsibility of protecting same.

“That instruction shall be carried out by us to the letter.” The statement was signed by Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), Chief Ricky Tarfa (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) and Chief Adebayo Adelodun (SAN).

of Appeal, Justice M.A. Bello, who was designated as the acting Chairman of the council.

A source said: “The NJC had two sessions. The first was presided over by the CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu on the appointment of his successor. So, the first issue the NJC members treated was the recommendation of Justice Musdapher as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria. The Federal Judicial Service Commission recommended two nominees (Musdapher and Justice Aloma Mukhtar) but based on the order of seniority, the NJC chose Musdapher.

“It is implied that Justice Aloma Mukhtar will succeed Mudapher next year to emerge as the first female CJN in Nigeria.

“When it was time to determine Salami’s fate, KatsinaAlu left the session because he has been a party to the crisis.”

•Gen. Babangida

ably contrived in several incongruities and contradictions.

When he pleaded with IBB to be given another chance to extend his tenure, IBB was not a fool then.

“When he was released from prison and granted state pardon, bathed in cerebral ornaments and clothed in royal beads and later crowned as President of Nigeria, IBB was not a fool then.

“Now that he is at the extreme of his thoughts and engagements, he can decide to dress IBB in borrowed robes.

But the histories of both of them, when put to public scrutiny, comparatively, IBB is far glowing and instructively stands poles apart from Obasanjo. In terms of decency, finesse, class, distinction and general conduct, IBB could be described in the superlatives but for Obasanjo, God bless Nigeria .

Continued on page 6

don’t believe it. He said check all the newspapers and I said ‘get me all the newspapers’; they got me the newspapers and I read; it’s a little bit unlike Babangida. But, if Babangida had decided on becoming a septuagenarian, that he will be a fool, I think one should probably do what the Bible says in Proverbs chapter 26, verse 4. It says don’t answer a fool because you may also become like him. When you go to the same Proverbs, chapter 26, verse 5, says, answer a fool so that he will not think he’s a wise man. So, I am now torn between which of the two verses I should follow in this respect.

“Some of the things he said unfortunately were not well thought-out. For instance, he talked about our energy.

When I was the military Head of State, I built Jebba dam; built Shiroro dam. I prepared the foundation of Egbin plant, which President Shagari completed and commissioned. That time, the money we were making was not up to the money Babangida was making annually for his eight years and yet we built two dams. Because it was important, you know that power is the driving force for development and for any developing country. But since the building of

Egbin power plant, until I came back in 1999, there was no generating plant for almost 20 years and Babangida spent eight years out of that.

“Now, he has the audacity to talk about anybody; I think that is unfortunate. I also read where he said in his time, he gave the dividends of democracy and at the same time he regretted. When I read that, well, I said Babangida should be pitied and shown sympathy, rather than anger or condemnation because the old saying says a fool at 40 is a fool forever and I would say a regret at 70 is a regret too late.

Well, a regret at 70 is a regret to the grave.”

Reporter: On el-Rufai’s allegation against him on privatisation Obasanjo: “I don’t know what he said. You gentlemen of the press, you have a way of putting slant into what people say. I need to know exactly what he said.”

Reporter: el-Rufai said you almost or attempted to block the sale of Nigeria Airways Obasanjo: “I blocked the sale of Nigeria Airways, not that I attempted to block the sale of Nigeria Airways. When I was military Head of State, Nigeria Airways had 32 aircraft. By the time I came back as elected President of Nigeria, Nigeria Airways had only one aircraft.

One of the 32 was a wide body.

They had all gone and the report on which we worked is here. The amount of money we will have to pay if Nigeria Airways was sold, what we would get out of it is less than 10 per cent of the debt we had to pay. That would be the debt Nigerian tax payers would have to pay; that was not the way to run the affairs of this country. I won’t run my own affairs that way. So, I opted for liquidation. So, it was bankrupted; it was liquidated; in which case whatever you gained from liquidation, which is also a form of sale, it means the burden will be shared by all the creditors and everybody. So, if I owe you 10 dollars and what I sell when I am liquidated is two. That’s what you get. So, I did not allow normal privatisation or sale because it would have put very heavy burden on Nigeria.

So, Nigerians should know that and, in fact, my administration should be commended for that. It’s not that I did not allow that sale because by the law establishing it, liquidation is also a form of sale.

Reporter: We learnt that you’ll be invited to come and explain yourself on the issue. Will you be there?

Obasanjo: Anybody who wants me for any event, I’m available.

Reporter: Why do you think these attacks are coming this time?

Obasanjo: I should ask you.

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

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

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NEWS AUGUSTUS AIKHOMU (1939-2011) Obasanjo: we’ll miss him

Fashola: Nigeria’ll miss his patriotism

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the death of former military Vice-President Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (Rtd) as a great loss to the nation.

Speaking with journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, on his way to Jalingo, Taraba State, Obasanjo said Aikhomu died when his great wealth of experience would have been very vital to the country.

“It is a great loss to Nigeria that our former number two-man in this country died comparatively young when his experience would have been vital to the country.”

His death a big loss, says Amosun GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State yesterday mourned the passage of the former military vice president, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.

According to him, the death of the former military top-brass is a huge shock and a big loss to the country especially, the military institution, as his valued advice would be sorely missed.

Amosun prayed that God should grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

“God is the father of the fatherless and He will surely stand by you and see you through this moment of grief,” the governor said.

He also sympathised with Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, saying “this loss is coming at a time when my brother needs all the advice he can get to uplift Edo State.”

The governor commiserated with the President Goodluck Jonathan, on the loss of the former military chief.

Akhigbe, Okiro condole with family FORMER military vice president Admiral Mike Akhigbe yesterday condoled with the family of the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.

He said: “He has been a mentor to my life and to a generation of younger officers who served under him.”

According to him, Aikhomu’s “concernfor the welfare and professional grooming of his subordinates, as well as the professional development of the Nigerian Navy were unparalleled.

The former InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Dr. Mike Okiro also described late Aikhomu as a role model.

He noted that as a young officer, he “looked on him as a role model in terms of loyalty, commitment and dedication to duty.”

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•Gen. Abubakar and widow, Rebecca Aikhomu... yesterday

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Aikhomu’s last moments, F by daughter ORMER military VicePresident Admiral Augustus Aikhomu addressed his children an hour before his death, his first daughter, Mrs. Vinitha Nimmyel, said yesterday.

She said her father had a premonition of his death. “So, he summoned all his children and urged us to be strong. We were all present when he died.

He knew the time had come,” Nimmyel said.

Eminent Nigerians, including former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Lagos State Governor Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) visited the 7, Forkados, Apapa, Lagos home of the Aikhomus.

Aikhomu’s widow, Rebecca, received them.

The Board Chairman, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Tony Anenih wept. He choked with emotion to speak. He wiped his tears with a dab as he condoled the family. He stepped out later to sign the condolence register.

•Abubakar, Fashola, Shonekan, Anenih, others pay tribute

By Joseph Jibueze

Former head of the defunct Interim National Government (ING), Chief Ernest Shonekan; a former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Commodore Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe; a former Foreign Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi and Senator David Dafione also visited.

Others are: a former Petroleum Minister, Chief Don Etiebet; a former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Allison Amaechina Madueke; another former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Akin Aduwo, and the Ojora of Ijora, Otunba Adekunle Ijora.

Former military President Ibrahim Babangida was being expected as at the time of filing this report around 8pm.

Nimmyel said: “He always had time to ask: ‘How are you?’ I will miss his care and support. Just last week when my brother had a cold, he called him and asked how he was doing. He loved his grandchildren, but didn’t really have the strength to do what he wanted to do for them.

So, we’ll really miss that.

“We were there with him when he died. He knew the time had come, so he was always calling us to be around him. Yesterday he woke up and asked for all of us to be

called. And he said he knew the time had come. He asked us to be strong.

“He took the Holy Communion an hour before he died. He died at about 6.30pm. He died of cancer.

He lived well with it for a number of years. He would have been 72 in October. He lived a good and fulfilled life, and got to the pinnacle of his career.

“He had a good heart. I pray that God will give us his grace to toe that line of him. He had friends young and old. He had a large heart and that is what I want my children and grandchildren to learn from him,” she said.

Abubakar said the late Aikhomu did his best for the country. “He contributed to the development of this country,” the former military leader said.

Aduwo, who was succeeded as CNS by Aikhomu, described the deceased as loyal and dedicated.

Life and times of an Admiral

F

OR Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu, the strife is over. The former Chief of General Staff (CGS) and vice-president crossed the line of divide as he eternally closed his eyes in death. He was so many things. He was an officer, who reached the pinnacle of his career in the military. He was one of the few men who attained the rank of four-star General in any arm of the military. He was an Admiral in the Nigerian Navy.

In administration, he served under the Ibrahim Babangida as a military vice president. In that capacity, he served in the same position as Akinwale Wey, Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Musa Ya’Adua, Alexander Ekwueme, Tunde Idiagbon, Ebitu Ukiwe, Oladipo Diya, Mike Akhigbe, Atiku Abubakar , Goodluck Jonathan and Namadi Sambo.

Born in Irrua, Edo State in October 1939, the late Aikho-

By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor

mu had his secondary education at Irrua Government School, before moving to Yaba Technical Institute between 1954 and 1958. On December 1, 1958, he decided to enroll in the Navy and was sent to the Royal Britannia Naval College, Dartmouth. He was commissioned a Sub-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy in 1964.

Aikhomu was elevated to the prestigious rank of Rear Admiral on May 1, 1984 by the Buhari administration.

He took charge of the Navy as service chief between 1984 and 1986 and, at the exit of Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe who was CGS in 1986, Aikhomu stepped in. The designation was later changed to vice president.

He was promoted a Vice Admiral in 1987 and Admiral before the military quit the stage. One quality that

most people credit Aikhomu with is total loyalty to his boss, General Babangida.

As vice-president, he supervised the creation of two political parties in 1989 and directly supervised the National Electoral Commission (NEC). Professor Eme Awa who was appointed chairman of the commission after he had served on the Political Bureau was said to have resigned on principle to ward off interference by Aikhomu’s office.

He is also easily remembered for his speech stopping the Sharia debate at the Constituent Assembly on May 28, 1988. He said: “This administration will not allow the acrimony already generated by the debate on this issue to degenerate further… Accordingly, the Federal Military Government has decided that this Assembly should stop further debate and discussion on these clauses.”

Like many of his colleagues who held high public offices,

Aikhomu found accommodation in the political space upon retirement from the military. His first port of call was the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), where he was accorded respect as chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT).

Following a spate of crises in the party and the declaration of interest in the presidential race by his boss, former President Ibrahim Babangida in 2007, Aikhomu defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Babangida ambition crashed.

So did the political career of Aikhomu.

His associates, colleagues, friends and protégés have described him as a great leader. Aikhomu (1939-2011) lived and played his part in national affairs, but his place in history can only be determined by history.

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday paid a condolence visit to the Apapa home of former Chief of General Staff (CGS), the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu. He said Nigeria would miss his patriotism.

Fashola, who was received by the widow, Rebecca and one of the siblings Mr. Ohimeh Aikhomu, as well as other close family members, told reporters that it is impossible to discuss modern Nigeria without a mention of the late Admiral Aikhomu.

His words:”For me, he had become like a personal friend.

I will miss him personally in my official capacity. He has become my friend and counsellor. He called me from time to time to inspire and to encourage me on what he thought this government was doing progressively and to recommend ways where we could be stronger.”

The governor, who also said he will miss the late Aikhomu as one of those that will always cheer him and inspire his team, added that he has been on the political landscape for close to three decades but, suddenly he is gone.

“This brings us to the reality that we will all return to whom we came from. This is the final call in the contract of our mortality. We will miss him. We condole with the family, mummy and the children and urge them to remain strong and prayerful,” Fashola said.

Signing the condolence register, he prayed that God will make light whatever burden the family has to bear and make the Aikhomu house a home of happiness and joy.

Uduaghan, Orji, Igbinedion pay tributes

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OVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan, Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and Abia State Governor Theodore Orji yesterday condoled the Aikhomu family on the death of the former military Vice President, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (rtd).

In his condolence, Uduaghan said Aikhomu was not only dedicated, but also diligent and faithful to his professional calling.

Igbinedion said his forthcoming birthday would be celebrated in a low key in honour of the late former military vice president.

Orji yesterday expressed shock and disbelief over the death of Aikhomu.

Orji, speaking through his adviser on electronic media, Ugochukwu Emezue, maintained that the nation will miss the late former Chief of General Staff (CGS), whom he described as a great naval officer.

To Orji, the late Edo born former Vice President no doubt contributed immensely to the building of this nation during and after retiring from the service.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

NEWS AUGUSTUS AIKHOMU (1939-2011)

•Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (left), former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Don Etiebet and the late Aikhomu’s son, Ehime, during their condolence visit to Aikhomu’s residence in Apapa, Lagos...yesterday

•Air Vice Marshal Anthony Okpere (rtd) (left) and Ojomo of Ekpomaland Chief Ezekiel Ainabe

•The widow, Rebecca (left) and Mrs Perpetual Abulu

• Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola signing the condolence register ...yesterday

•Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd) signing the register

•Former Head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan

•Chief Tony Anenih signing the register

•Aare Abayomi Mumuni

•Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim addressing a news conference on the death of Admiral Aikhomu in Abuja...yesterday

•Chairman, Trans-World Security, Dr. Ona Ekhomu (left)and Otunba Adekunle Ojora PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI AND NAN

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

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NEWS KATSINA ALU - SALAMI FACE-OFF

AUGUSTUS AIKHOMU (1939-2011)

‘It’s for council to make Mark, Ekweremadu shocked recommendations’ S

Text of the report of the National Judicial Council investigation committee on allegations levelled against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice A. I. Katsina-Alu, the President of the Court of Appeal Hon. Justice I. A. Salami and some Hon. Justices of the Court of Appeal.

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ET us begin by recalling the words of the fact-finding Investigation Committee on allegations leveled against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice A. I. Katsina Alu, GCON, the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice A. I. Salami OFR and some Justices of Court of Appeal (hereinafter called the Panel) as stated by its Chairman, Hon Justice Umaru Abdullahi CON at paragraph 14 of the opening statement of the Report thus: “We the Committee set up by the National Judicial Council had carried out the fact-finding investigation, which is hereby submitted.

It is now for the council to make the appropriate recommendations based on the facts contained in our report. The Committee suggests that in view of the urgency of the matter and the interest it generated, you may consider calling for the emergency meeting to deal solely with this report otherwise it will have to wait the general meeting of the council”.

It was to hearken to this call that the Council raised a Committee of three now under the Chairmanship of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta, Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Kate Abiri, Chief judge Bayelsa State and Hon. Justice Peter Nananna Chukwudi Umeadi, Ag. Chief Judge Anambra State, to consider the report and make recommendation to be presented to the council at an Emergency meeting now fixed for Tuesday, 9August 2011.

“The panel finds the allegation that the CIN had taken over the running of the Court of Appeal in an unprecedented manner as unfounded” The Ekiti and Osun States governorship issues: The issues here relate to (a) Petition submitted by Chief Olusegun Adebayo Oni) Chief Segun Oni) against (1) Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami OFR (2) Hon. Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi (3) Hon. Justice Ariwoola (4) Hon, Justice Chima Centus Nweze and Justice Adamu Jauro. (b) Petitions by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Governor of Osun State against the president of Court of Appeal and others. (c) Petition by Peoples Democratic Party Osun State against Hon. Justice Ogunbiyi and others.

This Committee recommends for adoption the finding in the report at pages 143-144 at paragraph 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 find 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. (c) The Hon. Justice of the court of Appeal in the Sokoto State Governorship issue and Ekiti and Osun States Governorship issue.

The Committee recommends that the Justice of the Court of Appeal who served on the Sokoto State Governorship Appeal and the Ekiti and Osun Governorship appeal the subject matter of this This Committee recommends for adoption again the part of the report at paragraph ‘m’ page 85 earlier set out above. (b) Issue (2) is on the instructions allegedly given by the CIN to the PCA in the presence of Hon Justice Dahiru Musdapher to dismiss the appellants’ appeal.

This Committee agree 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 CIN to the PCA in the presence of the Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher to dismiss the appellants’ appeal: The CIN 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 CIN 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 modus operandi of the Com-

ENATE President David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu have joined other notable Nigerians to mourn former military vice president, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, who died on Wednesday.

In separate statements by their spokesmen, Mr. Paul Mumeh and Uche Anichukwu, the duo of Mark and Ekweremadu expressed shock and disbelief over the death of Admiral Aikhomu.

Mark described the late Aikhomu as one of the nation’s best and distinguished officers who exhibited high sense of patriotism, loyalty and commitment to the indivisibility of the nations.

Ekweremadu described the deceased as a perfect gentleman and patriot, who gave his very best to the country,

adding that his death marked the exit of one of the nation’s finest military professionals and statesmen.

Mark was quoted as saying: “His death is a personal loss to me. I worked very closely with him and found him an accomplished officer and gentleman who was loyal and dedicated to his nation. He was a man of high moral standing.

“He was a leading light and among the first set of officers in Africa that brought pride and honour to the continent because of his exploits and successes abroad.

“Aikhomu was one of the patriotic officers who laid the foundation for today’s Armed Forces which is the pride of all.”

While extolling the virtues of the late former vice president, Ekweremadu described

Aikhomu as a humane and unassuming leader. According to him, the late Admiral’s life was “a lesson in humility, loyalty to constituted authorities and the nation, impeccable professional conduct, fear of God and untiring service to humanity as a whole.

“Admiral Aikhomu will forever be remembered for his selfless service, unblemished professional and public life, as well belief in one prosperous and indivisible Nigeria which he also worked tirelessly for.

“His wealth of experience, knowledge and elderly counsels will be seriously missed, especially coming at a time the nation needed them the most to strengthen the roots of democracy and quicken the pace of national development.”

Fayemi mourns ‘committed patriot’

E •Justice Salami

mittee in delivering on the evidence tendered before it is captured in these words at page 133 paragraph 5.06.1 of the report which could not be better put as follows: “It is expedient to recall that this panel is a fact-finding panel and not an adjudicatory body.

Its mandate is merely to find out the facts. Pronouncements on legal consequences on these facts found are not within the mandate of the Panel. However, there is nothing that preclude the Panel from being guided by the law in determining the admissibility of probative value of evidence”.

We respectively acknowledge the assiduity which the Panel exhibited in making the report.

Recommendations A the Sokoto Governorship issue In the report, the Sokoto Governorship issue was dealt by the Panel in parts.

I. Part A contains findings on the DPP complaints This Committee on the DPP complaint 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” ii Part B deals with complaints against the Chief Justice of Nigeria by the President, 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. 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 (D) Issues as they relate to the Code of Conduct of judicial officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 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 OFR to ventilate his differences with the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Hon. Justice A. I. Katsina Alu GCON, of which the committee takes judicial notice offends Rule (1) and Rule 2 (9) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Appreciation We thank the National Judicial Council for giving us the opportunity to serve as members of this Committee to make recommendations from the report of the Panel. We further thank the secretariat for making adequate arrangement for the successful completion of the assignment.

Date at Abuja this 4th day of August 2011 Hon. Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta Chairman Hon. Justice Kate Abiri Member Hon. Justice Peter Nanna Chukwudi Umeadi Member

KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has expressed condolences on the death of the former military vice president, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.

In a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, Fayemi said Aikhomu’s death had robbed the country of one of the most committed patriots and believers in one Nigeria.

Fayemi specifically commiserated with his Edo State colleague, Adams Oshiomhole and the people of the state, who he said, were yet to recover from the deaths of foremost nationalist, Chief Anthony Enahoro and first lady, Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole.

He noted that Aikhomu’s service to the country during his 35-year career in the

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti

Navy helped to stabilise and unite the country before, during and after the Civil War between 1967 and 1970.

According to the governor, Aikhomu exhibited discipline, diligence, passion and commitment to success in all assignments given to him during his public service career.

While noting that Aikhomu was a member of the PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) before his death, Fayemi said the late naval chief played politics with tolerance even when his home Edo state was taken over by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Fayemi said: “There is no doubt that we have lost a pa-

triot, a believer in one Nigeria and a father-figure to the contemporary politicians.

“Admiral Aikhomu brought grace, candour and maturity to bear during his days as the nation’s number two citizen.

“My heart goes out to the government and people of Edo State who are suffering from yet another loss when they are yet to recover from the recent losses of Papa Anthony Enahoro, Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole and Mr. Sam Loco Efe. “On behalf of the government and good people of Ekiti State, I send this condolences to the family of the deceased, the government and people of Edo State and we pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

Imoke condoles with Edo govt

G

OVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State yesterday commiserated with the Edo State Government on the demise of one-time Chief of General Staff (CGS) and former military vice president, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.

An official statement by his media aide, Mr. Omini Oden said the governor received the news of the death of Aikhomu with rude shock and sorrow.

He described the late Admiral as a true statesman and patriot who contributed selflessly to the growth and development of Nigeria.

On behalf of the govern-

From Kunle Johnson, Calabar

ment and people of Cross River State, Imoke said the nation will miss the late officer as his passage to the great beyond will leave a great vacuum.

Imoke said Aikhomu died when his services were greatly needed by the country.

He acknowledged his wisdom and commitment while in service, noting that his legacies will leave lasting memories on the sands of times.

He urged the Edo State Government, Irrua community in Ekpoma and the immediate family to bear the loss with fortitude.

• The late Aikhomu

His death a great loss, says Yakowa

K

ADUNA State Governor Patick Ibrahim Yakowa said yesterday that the nation will greatly miss the service of former Vice President, Augustus Aikhomu who passed away on Wednesday at 71.

Yakowa said in a statement signed by his media aide, Reuben Buhari that the death of Aikhomu at a time when the nation was going through a total transformation was a

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

great loss to the nation.

According to him, the former military vice president was a man of great experience considering his experience in governance, adding that he died at a time when the leadership of the nation needed his experience in transforming the country and making it a better place for all Nigerians to live in.

The governor noted that

the contribution of people like Aikhomu to the development of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the nation at large are immeasurable and will be written in gold when Nigeria’s political history is rewritten.

While commiserating with the government and people of Edo State, the governor prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

6

NEWS KATSINA ALU - SALAMI FACE-OFF

NBA to shun SAN swearing-in

Lawyers condemn Judicial Council

S

ENIOR lawyers yesterday condemned the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC), to suspend the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami over the dispute between him and Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu. The preponderance of opinion yesterday was to the effect that the NJC’s decision was hasty, wrong, ultra vires its powers and unprecedented in the history of the nation’s Judiciary.

Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), Yusuf Alli (SAN) and rights activists Femi Falana and Ebun Olu Adegboruwa - were unanimous in their condemnation of the NJC’s decision, stating that it portends a strange precedent and a confirmation of the general suspicion that the NJC had taken a side from the inception of the crisis.

Fagbohungbe said “It has shown that the NJC is unfair to Justice Salami. It shows they are bent on crucifying him. Why was he not invited to the meeting where they reached the decision?

Can he be said to have been accorded fair hearing?

“How can they accuse him of externalizing the dispute which was already in public domain? Has Salami been credited with any media reports? Did any journalist attribute his report to Justice Salami? From media reports, we have seen references to press releases from the NJC. “In any case, matters filed in court are public docu-

By Eric Ikhilae and Joseph Jibueze

ments. NJC should be wary of public opinion on its roles in this crisis. It should remember that it is a public body and should be serving the interest of the public.

“Although it has disciplinary powers over judicial officers, it is left to decide whether they can punish Justice Salami in this instance, because they have not established that he has done anything wrong.

Alli said: “I can just say, today is the saddest day for the legal profession in Nigeria.

It is an unprecedented thing that has never happened in the history of the Judiciary in Nigeria. It is very sad. It is indeed, a sad development.

Falana said: “With due respect to members of the NJC, the body has acted mala fide and ultra vires its powers.

Since the President of the Court of Appeal, has gone to court and court processes have been served on the NJC, although accepted reluctantly, the NJC ought to have allowed the court make a pronouncement on the issue.

“That is the position of the court in the case of the Military Governor of Lagos versus Ojukwu, to the effect that in any country which professes respect for the rule of Law, people must not be allowed to resort to self help, because that is an invitation to anarchy.

“NJC is only a recommending body. It has no powers to suspend a judge.

It can only make recommendations to the appointing au-

thority, who is the President.

The President can discountenance such recommendations.

“No administrative body, no matter how powerful or influential the members may be, lacks the power to punish any Nigerian for any alleged criminal offence.

That has to be proved first, by a well constituted court of law.

“Until the President of the Court of Appeal is proved guilty of the offence of perjury, which he has been accused of, by a well constituted court of law, no punitive measures can be meted out to him. The NJC ought to have waited for the judicial process to run its full course.

Adegboruwa: “Under the NJC Act, the responsibility for the discipline of erring judicial officers resides with the NJC, but it exercises that responsibility by way of recommendation to the President through the National Assembly.

“The NJC itself can not enforce such disciplinary powers over any serving judicial officer. I think good judicial practice would have dictated that the NJC await the outcome of the court in the case filed by Justice Salami.

“This is because the reports of the two panels that have sat on the case would be subjected to review by the Federal High court before which Justice Salami’s case is pending. But the people that sat at the level of the NJC to take the decision are very influential. And the

judge at the Federal High Court will now have to be wary of whatever decision he reaches because of the power of those at the NJC. Lagos lawyer Bamidele Aturu said: “The news that the National Judicial Council has suspended Justice Salami, in spite of service on it of the process filed by him challenging the setting up of the Auta Committee, is a condemnable illegality. That the brazen decision was taken by a body that has responsibility for overseeing the judiciary shows that our attempt at building a liberal democracy is imperiled simply on account of the illiberal persons that superintend the administration of justice in this country.

“The decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Ojukwu v Military Governor of Lagos State has made it clear that it is an act of lawlessness for a party to present the court, as the NJC as brazenly and contemptuously done in the instant case, with a fait accompli.

“What the NJC has done is nothing but a farce. First, the NJC evaded service, then, it pronounced definitively on a matter that is pending in court. What nonsense? We will not allow this act of primitive lawlessness to stand. Those who desecrate the temple of justice are not entitled to any protection or respect from civilized citizens.

“Somehow, somewhere, I hope against hope that the news is a rumour. I call on all decent Nigerians to con-

•Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osita Chidoka (right); National President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Omede Idris; FRSC Deputy Corps Marshal, Policy and Statistics, Ayo Omidiji; and NMA First Vice President, Dr Oyinkondu Koroye; during NMA visit to FRSC headquarters in Abuja... yesterday PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

T

•Katsina-Alu

demn the farcical illegality.

The NJC should withdraw the putrid and offensive decision. The suspension of Justice Salami is unacceptable, atrocious, evil, illegal, unconstitutional, irresponsible and cannot stand.”

A human rights group, Access to Justice (AJ) in a statement by its Executive Director Mr Joseph Otteh, said irrespective of what may be the merits of Salami’s lawsuit, the NJC - composed of some of the most senior jurists Nigeria boasts - should have refrained from taking any steps in the matter.

The group said it was consistent with the rule of law and judicial precedent established over the course of many years not to take action on an issue on which a court action is pending.

“This has been the position of Nigerian law over a long period. The NJC itself has severally refused to take action concerning a number of matters and petitions in the past because it said the matters were sub-judice. Why is this case different then?

“The NJC’s example in this case sets a very pernicious precedent and will undermine the adjudicational authority of Nigerian courts and the rule of law in Nigeria and will be exploited by many others to undermine the courts.

“The judiciary that ought to set the example of how courts and legal processes must be respected is now the institution undermining the court and the judicial process. This is a very wrong, rash, dangerous and ultimately self-destructive precedent the NJC has established.

“It is an ill-advised, imprudent, counter-productive decision that erodes the rule of law and the functions of courts and we urge the NJC to immediately rescind it,” AJ said.

IBB: Nigerians know the fool Continued from page 2

“For a man who cannot possibly tell his true age, one may excuse his present outburst as the effusions of a witless comedian trying effortlessly to impress his select audience.”

“On the issue of performance, Obasanjo cannot contemplate a comparison of his conquistadorial and largely acquisitive regime that plundered our hardearned state resources, with that of IBB government with verifiable record of

achievements. Despite the fact that he carried out a clinical investigation of IBB’s regime, what did he establish against him? Nothing!

“We wish to refer Obasanjo to the National Assembly to give his own side of the story to the several revelations that have become themes of his orchestra when he held sway as President of Nigeria.

Perhaps, he would be able to tell the world how he managed Nigeria’s resources during his regime.

“Obasanjo should ponder on these incontrovertible

facts: The revenues that accrued to former President Obasanjo during his eight years are more than those that accrued to the nation from independence till 1999 before he took over.

“Despite such stupendous wealth of the nation, what was his performance profile?

The number of high profile deaths by assassinations and politically-motivated killings during Obasanjo’s eight years is more than any other in the history of this country.

“Besides, is it not curious

that after Obasanjo’s exit, there has not been any reported case of plane crashes? What was his human rights record?

The people of Odi in Bayelsa State and Zaki-Biam in Benue State are yet to recover from the massacre visited on them

by Chief Obasanjo.

“Again crude oil sold for as much as $180 per barrel for the better part of his eight years, what benefit did Nigerians derive from such excess crude? With the revelations coming from the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly,

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will not attend the sweraing-inceremony of the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) scheduled for next Friday, its President, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) said yesterday.

The NBA boss queried the rationale behind the fixing of the ceremony for vacation period by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu. The Courts are on vacation.

New legal year will start in September.

Daudu revealed that the CJN did not reply to the letter written by the association requesting for a re-think of the timing of the event.

He spoke at a news conference addressed in Abuja by Legal Resources Consortium which has sued the Federal Government on behalf of 110 victims of the April 2011 elections violence.

The Plaintiffs are persons who lost property and whose relatives were killed during the post presidential election riots that took place in many northern states of Nigeria.

They are demanding N100 billion as special and aggravated damages.

Other defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police and the Director of State Security Service (SSS).

Daudu said “we asked the CJN to defer the swearing-in till the begining of the new legal year.

“We are on vacation; courts do not sit during vacation. If NBA is meeting in Port-Harcourt, there is no way we can be here. Heavens will not fall if it is defered till middle of September. It is a request to the CJN which we have not received a reply. There is no need for hurrying...

The NBA boss said the association will review the issue at its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The Managing Partner LRC, Wale Fapohunda said Daudu will lead a team of lawyers including A.J. Owonikoko (SAN) and Norrison Quakers (SAN).

According to Fapohunda, the 110 victims belong to the first batch of the 2000 persons whose complaints are being accessed by LRC. He said additional charges will be filed after a review of the complaints received from victims through help line and regsitry opened in collaboration with National Human Rights Commission.

Daudu lamented the loss of lives and property that occurred during the last general elections.

“It is a matter of serious regret that lives and properties were lost. When things like these happen, somebody somewhere must take responsibility. Having waited for the federal government, the victims felt it will go the way of other cases of violence where perpetrators will not be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

“They want to press for their rights. It is the duty of the Federal Government to protect the lives and properties of citizens. Where there is breach, government must be held responsible. We believe there is a cause of action, where there is a cause there must be a remedy.

Nigerians are now coming to terms with the profligacy of the Obasanjo era.

“Against the backdrop of the above, it is ludicrous for him to raise any intellectual debate on the achievements of the governments they ran at different times in the life of the nation. Calling IBB “a fool at 70”, especially by a man reportedly and allegedly accused by his own son of incest, is at best a compliment. Nigerians surely know who is truly a fool or the greatest fool of this century.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

7

NEWS INEC proscribes seven parties

By Emmanuel Oladesu

F

OR failing to field candidates for the 2011 general elections, the hammer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fell on seven parties yesterday.

INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega said the parties’ names were struck off the commission’s register in accordance with the provisions of the amended electoral act.

The proscription, which elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians, reduced the number of the parties in the country from 63 to 56.

Jega told reporters in Abuja that the affected parties were deregistered because they have failed to satisfy the constitutional requirement of representation at the state and National Assembly.

Henceforth, the proscribed parties are precluded from engaging in any electoral activities, including canvassing for seats in any electoral process, he added.

Jega, who premised the decision to strike the names of the parties off INEC register, said the decision has been communicated to their leaders.

The parties are Democratic Alternative (DA), led by Abayomi Ferreira; National Action Council (NAC), led by Dr Olapade Agoro; National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP), led

by Alhaji Umaru Maizabura; and Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), led by Mr Edreez Alabi.

The rest are: Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC), led by Ngozi Emioma; Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NUP) ,led Yusuf Mamman and National Unity Party (NUP), led by Chief Perry Opara.

Jega said: “The above political parties have been notified and are by law precluded from engaging in any electoral activities, including but not limited to canvassing for seats in any electoral process.

“Consequently, the certificates of registration earlier issued to them are hereby withdrawn”.

He said the de-registration is a continuous process, adding that more parties are likely to wind up, following the resolution of the litigation arising from the last general elections.

NLC orders workers to get set for strike over minimum wage

T

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday directed its members in states whose governors are unwilling to implement the N18,000 minimum wage to proceed on strike.

President of the NLC Comrade Abduwahed Omar spoke at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja. He said rallies would be held in defaulting states.

Omar said Plateau State has drawn the battle line with workers.

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

The NLC President said if the state congresses “decided to give 24 hours ultimatum to the governors, so be it.”

Omar extolled governors who have already concluded implementation.

He said: “There are also some extreme states where the governors did not respond to our call to enter into negotiation. We have now directed those states to issue ultimatum for strike. NEC has also resolved that in

case strike fails in those states we are ready to march into those states to call for mass rally, not only for workers but all the masses until such states agree to pay the minimum wage.

“We have information that some governors have vowed not to pay even if the workers go on strike.

In the case of such states, NEC has resolved to deploy all machinery at its disposal to make sure that such states will be outcast among other states.”

Omar also announced

that the NEC raised a committee on the privatisation probe and declared: “There is a lot that is yet to be brought to the fore about the issue of privatisation.

“NEC has, therefore, resolved to champion the cause of ensuring that all those done deals are brought to light. And in this regard, we have set up a committee that will, within seven days, come up with all findings and recommendations on how to go about it.”

He said NEC set up an 11member committee to handle the issue of labour “casualisation.”

Privatisation: ANPP urges punishment

T

HE National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday urged the Senate AdHoc Committee investigating the privatisation of government-owned companies to ensure those indicted are disciplined He spoke at the inauguration of a six-member management team to pilot the affairs of the party in Kogi State.

He said the commonwealth of Nigeria is meant for all and not for a few selected people who are “bent on doing things unduly and playing with the image of the country”.

Onu said: “I call on members of the Senate committee currently looking into the activities of public enterprise, to do all they can to ensure that the defects that have been identified during the investigation in the privatisation process in the country are remedied. Nigerians expect from them recommendations that would help us as a

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

nation to remedy the mistakes of the past so that our nation can really move forward and attain the greatness that we desire. Other countries imbibe on privatization of public enterprises and they are successful.

“But when it comes to Nigeria we do ours and it is not good. We find that instead of the companies becoming more efficient they are not even in operation.

Instead of the companies creating new jobs workers are being sacked. This is not right and it is not acceptable and we hope and believe that the Senate committee will help us as a county to ensure that privatisation is done the right way so that the commonwealth of the people of Nigeria will be put at the disposal of all Nigerians and not for a few.

We must begin to put the interest of our nation first in everything that we do.”

‘Trial of officers won’t demoralise security officers’ From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

M

INISTER of Police Affairs Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd) has said the trial of police officers allegedly responsible for the killing of Boko Haram leader, would not weaken the morale of officers.

Olubolade spoke with State House Correspondents yesterday. He said: “The service personnel know that there is regulation, there is trial in case of offences and nobody can change that. So, I don’t want a situation where they will feel that their morale will be low if certain people are tried for offences.

“It has always been the system within the services that if offences are committed, somebody must be tried and penalised if he is guilty. Of course, he will face a panel, nobody will just start punishing. “ If he is guilty, he will be penalised. So, nobody can stop that and we must strictly abide by it because it is the rule within the service.”

Sergeant Damu Gado, J. B Abang and Akeera Dogara (Assistant Commissioners of Police), Mohammed Ahmadu (Chief Superintendent of Police) and Mada Buba (Assistant Superintendent of Police) are standing trial for the alleged killing of Mohammed Yusuf, leader of the Boko Haram sect, in 2009, an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, LFN, 2004 and punishable under Section 15 (1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act, 2004.

The matter has been adjourned till October 24, 2011.

• Cross-section of members of the committee at the submission of its report in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Govt gets interim report on Boko Haram

T

HE Federal Government has granted the Presidential Committee on Security Challenges in the Northeast addtional two weeks to tidy up its work.

The extension was at the request of the committee, which submitted its interim report yesterday.

Consenting to the request of the committee, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said the suggestions and recommendations contained in the interim report remain sealed until the submission of the final report in two weeks.

“This report will not be made public until the final report is submitted,” he said.

He commended the committee for the urgency it attached to the work, adding:, “The two weeks extension has been heartily granted”.

Anyim said it was important that lives and property are secured.

He said: “While we

•Committee to submit final report in two weeks •ACF to hold conference on sect tee.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

agree that government should find out why people are aggrieved, it is equally crucial that people should follow the right channels in stating their grievances.”

The chairman of the Committee, Usman Gaji Galtimari, said the committee went round the affected states, met with security agencies and was able to gather enough information to direct the government.

The committee, he further said, has been able to understand how the group operates.

He also said the report made some recommendations which the government must implement urgently.

The terms of reference include: to review all the issues of security challenges in the zone and proffer solutions/recommendations which would bring a speedy

resolution of the crisis; to serve as a liason between the Federal Government and the State Governments, where necessary; to liaise with the National Security Adviser (NSA) to ensure that the security services discharge their respective assignments with optimal professionalism; to consult with stakeholders from time to time for suggestions; and to consider any other initiatives that will serve to engender enduring peace and security in the area.

Members of the committee are: Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mr. Joe Kyari Gadzama, Col. Musa Shehu (rtd), Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, Minister of Defence, Bello Haliru Mohammed, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, and Abdullahi Shehu of the Office of the SGF who is the secretary of the comit-

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday said it would hold a peace and unity conference.

The Chairman, Planning Committee, Conference on Peace and Unity in the North, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammad Gusau, spoke with reporters in Kano shortly after a meeting with Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

Gusau, a former Minister of Mines and Steel, said the people of the North are capable of solving their problems without interference from any quarters.

He said: “There is need for us to understand ourselves. We need to engage ourselves in frank talks. All the problems in the North can be solved by the northerners themselves without any interference from any quarter.”

He said the conference would offer stakeholders the opportunity to deliberate on the violence in the North, with a view to finding lasting solution to the menace.

8

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

NEWS Jonathan calls for strict regulation of small arms PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday called for a global regulation of small arms, with a view to checking increasing cases of trans-border crimes, restiveness and insurgencies.

Jonathan spoke during a farewell visit by the outgoing Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Anneli Vuorine, at the State House, yesterday.

He said Finland and Nigeria share similar positions on several global issues, such as the need to take global action to check the free movement of small arms, peace-keeping, and human trafficking.

President Jonathan said: “Global regulation of the movement of small arms will help to check transborder crimes and insurgencies.” The President said Nigeria would continue to canvass that position.

He thanked the out-going Ambassador for stimulating trade relations between the two countries and her other achievements.

Ms. Anneli Vuorine said she was impressed by “hard working, devoted and inspiring Nigerians” she met during her three year stay in the country, adding that her tenure was “interesting and historic”.

She congratulated President Jonathan on the success of Nigeria’s conflict resolution and peacebuilding activities in West Africa, and said efforts were on-going to utilise Nigeria’s facilities for joint peace-keeping training.

Police arrest three for alleged forgery THE Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday arrested an Immigration Officer and two others on alleged forgery of documents of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

The others are a former staff of the NTDC and an accomplice.

The three suspects were allegedly circulating the documents to discourage promotion of tourism.

Some of the documents were also intended to cause disaffection in the NTDC. A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “When the police intercepted the suspects, many forged stamps, letters in the name of NTDC were recovered from them. Some of these documents are meant to project Nigeria as a country not good to be designated as a tourist destination.

“The suspects have also been holding meetings in the last one week on how to ‘deal’ with the DirectorGeneral of NTDC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe.”

FCT Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood confirmed the arrest of the three suspects.

Moshood said: “We are investigating a complaint from the Director-General of NTDC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe against three suspects, who procured NTDC documents that are not real. ”

ACN criticises Fed Govt over famine, drought in Horn of Africa

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday criticised the Federal Government for not leading efforts to alleviate the sufferings of millions of Africans who are victims of drought and famine in the Horn of Africa.

In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said as a natural leader in Africa, it is incumbent on Nigeria to spearhead the campaign to raise funds to provide food and shelter for the victims.

It said it is not enough for Nigeria “to hide under the cover of the ever-lethargic African Union (AU) to make its contributions to efforts to assist the victims, especially

By Nneka Nwaneri

at a time that the country is occupying the position of the rotational chairmanship of the 15-member regional group Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a well-respected body in the international community.”

The statement reads: “The unfortunate situation in the Horn of African Nations is a great opportunity for Nigeria to play its natural leadership role in Africa, and to show the world that it is indeed well placed to represent Africa on a permanent basis on the UN Security Council.

“Waiting for the belated

Pledging Conference being organised by the AU next week before doing anything towards ending the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa is a disappointing lack of initiative on the part of the Jonathan administration.

“The US has donated or pledged $535 million towards the humanitarian crisis, by far the highest so far.

Brazil has promised to provide more than $27 million while Russia has pledged $1 million in aid.

“In contrast, the few AU states that have shown interest have pledged a paltry sum of $500,000 in total. Even ordinary Kenyans have raised more - $4 million - through the Kenyans for Kenya cam-

paign!”

ACN said the statement attributed to Irungu Houghton, a pan-African director of Oxfam International, should prick the conscience of African leaders, including President Goodluck Jonathan.

Houghton said: “African citizens have already rallied to the cause and made significant contributions.

But now we need African governments to follow their lead. Most are yet to make a decent contribution and show the true meaning of ‘African solutions to African problems’. Every time an African citizen dies in this crisis, the ideals of the African Union are dealt a fatal blow.”

Lagos plans programme to tackle youth empowerment

By Miriam Ndikanwu

L

AGOS State government has concluded plans to launch an apprenticeship programme for youths to acquire various skills that will empower them to be self reliant.

Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola, (SAN) on Youth and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru spoke yesterday while addressing reporters at the flag off of the 2011 International Youth Week celebration. He said the move was based on government’s concern over youth unemployment.

He said the youths would be taught as auto mechanics, catering, tie and dye as well as furniture making, through the assistance of some ministries and agencies.

Badru said: “Since the UN recommendation, government, families NGOs and corporate bodies and individuals have set aside the date to focus attention on youths through special programmes and activities that will address their needs, rights, obligations, interest and aspirations.”

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Kamol Junaid, advised youths on the need to make themselves useful by offering voluntary services to their community.

Tambuwal laments poor state of education •Lamadrid (left) and Padalhin during the visit ... yesterday.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

‘Body of OAS chopper pilot buried in Philippines’

P

HILIPPINES Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Nestor Padalhin yesterday said the remains of the pilot of the illfated OAS chopper Mr. Arnold Catameo , has been buried in the Philippines.

Padalhin, who spoke during a visit to the corporate headquarters of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation, said the pilot’s remains were flown to his country for burial.

The chopper crashed in Ikonifin, Osun State on July 29, killing the pilot and his two passengers, Mrs. Josephine Kuteyi and her Personal Assistant, Mrs. Adedoyin

By Osas Robert

Ogunbanjo.

“His body was carried in a coffin and flown to his family in the Philippines for burial,” the Ambassador said.

He was accompanied by Minister and Consul General, Embassy of the Philippines in Nigeria Mr. Alex Lamadrid.

They were received by a team, led by the Saturday Editor, Mr. Dele Adeosun.

The Ambassador oversees the interest of his country in the West African subregion. He said there are no less than 8,000 Filipino professionals in Nigeria. According to him, his compa-

triots are into fields, such as oil and gas, construction and aviation.

On the relationship between his country and Nigeria, Padalhin said 150 ex-militants are in the Philippines undergoing training in underwater welding. “They will be useful in the oil and gas industry when they return home,” he said.

The Ambassador said his country wants Nigeria students to take advantage of its competitive higher education to develop themselves.

He said: “Our universities are very good but competitive.

We also have very good medical facilities and good tourist

sites with our several islands. That is why we are promoting medical tourism and tourism generally.”

Padalhin said the volume of trade between the two countries is insignificant at the moment. “But we hope to improve on this with time,” he said.

Adeosun thanked the Ambassador and the Consul-General for the visit.

“We are just five years, but we have achieved a lot. We are the second largest circulating newspaper. This has been empirically proven.

We will be willing to work with you in any area of common interest,” he said.

Fed Govt to streamline agencies, parastatals

A

S part of efforts to cut waste in governance, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday set up a committee to streamline the activities of parastatals and agencies.

The President said this has become necessary as over 400 government agencies are carrying out overlapping functions, which, according to him, has led to inefficiency and wastage.

The committee has eight weeks to conclude its work and submit its report.

The Committee is headed by a former Head of Service

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

of the Federation, Mr Steve Orosanye.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals and Agencies, Jonathan said it was in response to the memorandum submitted by the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), led by Gen Theophilus .Y Danjuma on the effective and optimal management of national resources.

The President noted that

one of the recommendations contained in the memorandum was the need to restructure and rationalise the number of non-ministerial agencies to eliminate overlap, duplications and redundancies.

The parastatals and agencies, according to President Jonathan, were established to speedily implement government projects and programmes without the usual encumbrances of the bureaucracies.

“The need to reduce the cost of government cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

The committee’s terms of reference include: to study and review all previous reports/records on the restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals and advise on whether they are still relevant or not; to examine critically the mandates of the existing federal agencies, parastatals and commissions and determine areas of overlap or duplication of functions and make appropriate recommendations to eliminate such overlaps, duplication or redundancies.

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

S

PEAKER of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal yesterday lamented the poor state of education in the country.

Tambuwal spoke during a visit by the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike to the National Assembly. He said the House would ensure that all bills before it relating to education are given accelerated hearing.

He said: “The House is ready to give the Federal Government support on education and every other issue that will ensure that the country moves forward. All the bills on UBEC, nomadic education will be supported.

“We are ready to partner the Executive to ensure that what needs to be done to move the country forward is done.”

Wike also lamented the state of unity schools, which he described as the “centre of excellence” in the past but which, he said, is now “no longer what it used to be.”

According to him, the Education Trust Fund (ETF) Act has already been amended to take care of the tertiary institutions.

“Other bills on education will also be coming. We plead that you give it the necessary support because education is the bedrock of development in the country and with your support, it will be possible for an improvement our education sector,” the minister said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

9

NEWS Ex-deputy governor denies electoral malpractice in Nasarawa

F

ORMER Nasarawa State Deputy Governor John Michael Abdul has denied witnessing any electoral malpractice in the April 26 governorship election.

Former Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is challenging the declaration of Umaru Tanko al-Makura of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Abdul testified on Wednesday.

Under cross-examination by counsel to INEC, led by Hassan Liman (SAN), and counsel to al-Makura, Yusuf Ali (SAN), the former deputy governor said he did not know what transpired at all the polling units in his area on the day of the election.

He said he was only at one polling unit that day – Ancho Ningha’an – where he voted.

According to him, the allegation in Paragraph 18 of Doma’s petition, that al-Makura allegedly committed electoral malpractices, was based on the information he received from his party’s agents.

Abdul denied seeing alMakura, the fourth respondent, on the day of the election, say-

From Johhny Danjuma, Lafia

ing he did not read through the entire petition of the former governor but only his own statement on oath.

The witness said his statement was based on his analysis on Form CE8A, which the PDP, the second petitioner, asked him to analyse.

Alhaji Danjuma Musa, who testified on Tuesday, said he saw INEC officials and CPC agents discussing in low tunes as he hid at a vantage position.

In his statement on oath, Musa said he observed proceedings at a polling unit.

He said he did not report what he saw to the Police or INEC. All other witnesses, who testified under oath during the cross-examination, alleged one form of irregularity or the other during the governorship election.

Counsel, however, picked holes in some of their statements during cross-examination.

The tribunal, which began the main hearing on Doma’s petition on Tuesday in Lafia, is expected to take 125 witnesses from the PDP, 67 from INEC and 75 witnesses from Almakura.

‘Fashola, a responsible leader’

By Abike Hassan and Samuel Akintan

A

FORMER Nigerian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade, yesterday described Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola as a responsible leader.

Kolade spoke in Lagos at a seminar entitled: Hallmarks for Responsible Leadership in Nigeria, organised by a group of Christian businessmen and women, Managing Business for Christ.

The former envoy noted that Fashola has improved the state transport system and made other accomplishments.

“There used to be a time when people in Lagos fought one another to board buses. But now, we can do that with ease,” he said.

Kolade said Nigeria has enjoyed good governance through some responsible leaders from Independence till date.

He said: “From 1960, our year of Independence, to when we became a Republic till today, we have had responsible leadership. Although we are suffering inconveniences in all aspects of our lives, we have indeed survived.”

Kolade referred to Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, Chief Timothy Odutola and other other early entrepreneurs as responsible for making the economy vibrant.

“Those who engaged in slave trade were responsible leaders because they saw a business opportunity in the context that they were living during their time,” Kolade posited.

He urged Nigeria’s economic leaders to ensure result-oriented policies.

The former broadcaster and Cadbury Managing Director advised Nigerian leaders to place national interest above self.

He said: “Although we are met by hostility in the environment we live in and too much pressure being imposed on our values, our leaders should not rest to give their best. The stakeholders of the society are the beneficiaries of their services and so should ensure diligence.”

Kolade berated those who behave as if they do the people a favour when they attain leadership positions.

“I remember a former Head of State that believed that if the population got down to one person, he would still rule. Only those who demonstrate the right attributes should be promoted to leadership roles,” he said.

Church joins LAWMA to clean 48 centres in Lagos

T

HE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will tomorrow join the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) to clean 48 centres in Lagos.

The church said the exercise is part of its fifth annual All Africa Service Project.

This year’s service project is tagged: Strengthening Families, Building.

Members of the church will spend three hours (7am-10am) sweeping, excavating gutters and blocked drainages, cleaning streets, public schools, hospitals, prison rooms, motor packs and other public spaces among other cleaning exercise to be done across the state.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, the National Public Affairs and Director of Mormon Helping Hands, Mrs. Adetola Hassan said the exercise would be carried out in Apapa, Festac, Ikotun, Egbeda, Akowonjo, Agege, Oshodi, Ifako, Ejigbo, Lekki, Ojo, Ikoyi, Amuwo Odofin, Ajangbadi, among other places.

She said the All African Mormon Helping Service Project is designed to provide labour services to communities through partnership between churches, individuals and religious organisations.

•Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (left) receiving the Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy, when he visited the Government House, Minna.... yesterday

‘ACN agents barred from Ifelodun council during April 26 poll’ •Ward supervisors accuse PDP of electoral fraud in Kwara

A

CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) ward supervisors testifying at the Kwara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin yesterday said their agents in Ifelodun Local Government were barred from the poll.

They also alleged that there were cases of multiple thumbprinting, ballot stuffing, intimidation, violence and other violations of the Electoral Act in Share, Agunjin, (Budo Idowu) in Babanla and Igbaja.

The witnesses also alleged widespread bribing of voters on the queue.

Hakeem Ojo, who was ACN ward supervisor for Share Ward 2, told the tribunal how the party’s agent for Ile Adeyi Polling Unit 004 was chased away from the area by suspected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs after he had identified himself as ACN agent.

He said those identified as ACN sympathisers were also asked to choose between voting the PDP and death.

Ojo said: “I also saw that multiple thumb-printing of ballot papers and stuffing of same into ballot boxes was going on by the PDP agents who had PDP tags on them

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

without being stopped by the INEC official.

“I was also threatened when they realised who I was and I had to leave the unit in a hurry after I informed my CEO, Mr. Tokunbo Paul, who promised to inform the police about the situation.”

He said similar incidents occurred at other polling units in Share, especially at Open Space Motor Park Unit 6.

The witness said the ACN agent there was threatened by suspected PDP thugs, “who had earlier scared away ACN supporters with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons from voting. I also saw (suspected) PDP thugs and supporters perpetrating multiple thumb-printing and ballot stuffing.”

Kamor Jimoh, another ACN ward supervisor for Share Ward 5, recounted how a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Idris Olawale Adebayo, who was the Electoral Officer for Community School, Ilupeju Unit 9, was beaten to a pulp for refusing bribe to sell ballot papers to (suspected) PDP thugs, led by the party’s agent for the unit.

He said: “I was also informed by agents at other units of the said ward, that is, polling units 1 to 8 and 10, that intimidation, threats, harassment, multiple thumb-printing and ballot stuffing took place in their units. Aside from the information given to me by the ACN agents, I also visited Open Space Faje Village Unit 1; Community School Share Junction Unit 2; St. Martin’s School Adio Unit 8; and Community School Alera Unit 10 and saw (suspected) PDP thugs intimidating and harassing agents and eligible voters, whom they perceived as ACN supporters. The agents also were stuffing ballot papers into ballot boxes.”

ACN Ward Supervisor for Igbaja Ward 2, David Afolayan, told the tribunal how Miss Aderonke Babalola, an ACN agent, was sent away from Idi Apa Polling Unit for not being an indigene of the community.

He described how a man he identified as Adeniyi, an ACN agent for Ofa Irese Polling Unit, was beaten up by suspected PDP thugs loyal to “Baba Kegbe”.

Also, the ACN Ward Supervisor for Ile-Ire District, Olay-

ode Oladiran, alleged widespread multiple thumb-printing and bribery in the 13-vilage ward, especially at Polling Unit 005 of Budo Idowu (Babanla).

He said a prominent PDP member in the area, “Baba Egbe”, led his party members to openly commit electoral fraud.

Oladiran said similar malpractices occurred in the other four units in Babanla.

According to him, the village head for Ikosin, where Polling Unit 010 was located, threatened to banish anybody that voted for ACN. ACN supervisor for Agunjin Ward, David Ademola, alleged multiple thumb-printing, ballot stuffing, non-accreditation of voters and misapplication of ballot papers in the ward.

He said there was “counting of votes and no announcement of results in all the polling units and votes were not recorded on forms EC8A and EC60E at the polling units in the ward and the result Form EC60E was not pasted in any of the polling units in the ward”.

Ademola added: “There was no collation of results at the Ward Collation Centre.”

Two dead, 20 injured in Abuja-Lokoja accident

N

O fewer than two people were feared dead yesterday when two 18-seater Toyota passenger buses collided on the LokojaAbuja road.

About 20 other passengers reportedly sustained injury.

The Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

(FRSC), Kogi State Command, Mr. Sunday Maku, confirmed that two persons died in the accident, which reportedly resulted from excessive speeding and reckless overtaking.

The registration number of one of the buses is: AX 679

USL. When our correspondent visited the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, where the victims were taken, 15 of the passengers were said to have been seriously injured.

Over 10 other victims were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, for treatment.

It was gathered in one of the

hospitals that the dead were more than two, but no precise figure was given.

A survivor said one of the vehicles took off from Abuja and was heading to Benin.

He said the other bus was attempting to overtake another vehicle when the driver ran into the Benin-bound bus.

Ringim to tribunal: I don’t have forensic report NSPECTOR-General of Police Hafiz Ringim yesterday told the Kano State National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal that he was not in possession of any forensic report.

Alhaji Barau Jibril of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) is challenging the election of Bello Hayatu as the senator representing Kano North Senatorial District.

On Hayatu’s request, the tribunal had summoned Ringim to present a forensic report on the senatorial election.

Represented by the Officer in Charge of the Legal Department of the Kano State Police Command, Abubakar Aliyu, a Superintendent of Police (AS), Ringim said Hayatu did not make a request for a forensic examination.

According to him, since he was not aware of any forensic

I

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

examination on the election, he had none to tender.

Ringim also said since there was no request, he did not give an order to produce the report for the tribunal.

Counsel to Hayatu, Richard Omokoro, prayed the tribunal to give him till Monday to enable him consult forensic experts and produce them as witnesses.

Tribunal Chairman, Justice Muktar Abimbola, refused to grant Omokoro’s prayer.

He said the tribunal had given enough time for crossexamination and, therefore, gave the respondent till today to call his last witnesses.

Justice Abimbola also gave Omokoro till today to tender the forensic report, as part of evidence for his defence.

10

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

NEWS Ibadan prison inmate escapes from hospital bed From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

S

ECURITY operatives are on the trail of an inmate of Agodi Prisons in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Shuaib Aro, who escaped from the University College Hospital (UCH), where he was receiving treatment.

The warder attached to Shuaib at UCH, simply identified as Isola, has been dismissed for alleged negligence of duty.

Shuaib was discovered missing on August 4 and Ishola could not explain his where about.

The prisoner is still at large.

A source said: “The suspect was moved to UCH from Agodi Prison because of his poor health condition but later discovered missing. The Prison officer assigned to him could not ascertain his where about and has been dismissed from service.”

He said Shuaib had been declared wanted by the Nigeria Prisons Authority (NPA) and the case handed over to the police.

Shuaib was remanded in prison by an Oyo State Magistrate’s Court for alleged stealing and issuance of a dud cheque.

Gunmen kill Agagu’s ex-aide A FORMER Senior Special Assistant to exOndo State Governor Olusegun Agagu, Mr. Bode Obolo, was yesterday killed by unknown gunmen at Iju Waterworks, Lagos.

Obolo, who returned to the

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

country this week after two years in exile, planned to visit his family in Okitipupa, Ondo State.

His younger brother, Idowu, said the gunmen,

numbering about eight, jumped the fence and forced their way into his home.

He said the criminals searched the house for the deceased.

When they discovered Obolo’s hideout, Idowu said

they shot him in the abdomen and right leg.

Obolo was taken to a nearby hospital where he died.

Sympathisers have been besieging his home in Okitipupa to commiserate with his widow.

‘Lagos, no-go area for criminals’

T

HE Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Police Command in Lagos State has embarked on a “Show of Force” to reassure residents of adequate security.

Men of the state government supported squad, in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), drove through Ojota, Maryland, Ilupeju, Mushin, Isolo, Agege and Ikeja last Monday.

They covered Ikorodu and environs last Tuesday.

RRS Commander Akeem Odumosu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said the objective is multidimensional.

He said it was aimed at keeping his men alert, giving the public a sense of security and reassuring them that the government cares about their safety as well as

warning criminals that Lagos is still a no-go area.

Odumosu said the exercise was carried out with the approval of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Yakub Alkali.

He said: “We want to reassure the public that the RRS, on which the state government is spending a huge amount now to provide security, is very much on ground.

“We emphasise that Lagos is still a no-go area for criminals and for those of them attempting to come back to Lagos, our arsenals are still very much on ground. We are re-oiling our arsenals and re-strategising.”

Odumosu said security would be intensified as the “Ember” months approach.

Residents praised the police and government for the initiative.

Fashola appeals to Assembly for re-ordering of 2011 budget

By Oziegbe Okoeki

M

ID-YEAR review of the 2011 budget of Lagos State shows that its performance stands at N129.063 billion or 57.3 per cent.

This was contained in a letter from Governor Babatunde Fashola to the Assembly dated August 11 and read at plenary yesterday.

The letter titled, “Re-ordering/Augmentation exercise” is a request by the governor to for the re-ordering of the 2011 budget.

Fashola said: “Observation showed that some of the state-wide votes are almost exhausted, while some areas of the budget have not witnessed much in terms of performance.

“There have been some developments since the budget was approved, including disruption caused by the elections, implementation of the new salary scheme and extensive flooding, which have necessitated this proposed adjustment to the budget.

“These developments have made it necessary to redistribute identified unutilised provisions to other areas of critical need to engineer optimum budget performance.

“Prioritisation was based on the budget policy of giving pre-eminence to settlement of outstanding liabilities, completion of on-going critical projects/programmes before commencing new projects.”

The aggregated amount proposed for re-ordering is N7 billion for recurrent expenditure and N16.6 billion for capital expenditure.

Although the House had frowned at re-ordering, Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji however said: “This situation is critical; it has been an election year and government activities at such period are not usually what they should be.

“It has altered the performance of the government, but with second consideration that it was a special year, we have to look into the request.”

The House set up a seven-man committee to look into the request and report back next Monday.

The committee is headed by the Majority Leader, Ajibayo Adeyeye. Members are Wahab King; Hodewu Avoseh; Segun Olulade; Olumuyiwa Jimoh; Bisi Yusuf and Yinka Ogundimu.

•Ekiti State Deputy Governor Mrs. Funmi Olayinka and the Director of Finance and Administration, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Hakeem Akinbola, who stood in for the Director-General of the Agency at the presentation of relief materials to the Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital... yesterday.

Calm returns to LAUTECH

N

ORMALCY returned to the Ladoke Akintola University

of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, yesterday.

Workers of Oyo State origin, under the aegis of Oyo Vanguard, on Wednesday protested the joint ownership of the school.

But the peaceful protest was disrupted by some students.

The authorities of the institution blamed the disruption on the former President of the Students’ Union, Idowu Adeniji, a.k.a. Aluta.

In a statement, the Public Relations Department said: “The authorities of

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

LAUTECH use this medium to inform the public of the true position of what happened on Wednesday, August 17, in view of the several misrepresentations published in some national dailies.

“A group tagged Oyo Vanguard, which comprises some non-teaching staff of the university, at 7am in the morning gathered at the main gate of the university to protest some issues bordering on the joint ownership of the university. Academic and administration activities were disrupted.

“The protest was peaceful

‘Our support for joint ownership is unequivocally total, as this has majorly contributed to the enviable position of the university...’ as members of the Vanguard only carried placards with inscription, such as “No more joint ownership,” “Ag. Registrar must come from Oyo state” and so on.

“It was when Adeniyi came to disrupt the protest that altercation ensued, which was amicably resolved as the protesters maintained that they were not against students.”

LAUTECH Alumni Association condemned the protest.

In a statement, its President, Dr. Tunde Olabisi said: “Our support for joint ownership is unequivocally total, as this has majorly contributed to the enviable position of the university.

We hereby call on the two owner-states to come up with a joint position with a view to resolving the crisis permanently.”

Aregbesola explains benefits of wages commission From Adesoji Adeniyi , Osogbo

•Aregbesola

A

S the workers’ strike in Osun State hits the ninth day, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said they have a lot to gain from the proposed Salaries and Wages Commission.

Aregbesola said the commission will ensure proper remuneration of workers.

Speaking through his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, in a statement yesterday, the governor said the concept of a commission to deal with the remuneration of workers came to him out of a genuine desire to lift workers up economically and socially.

He said all avenues to ensure that Osun workers are the best paid in Nigeria are being explored and urged

labour leaders to educate workers on the benefits of the commission.

The statement reads: “We did not just come up with the idea of Salaries and Wages Commission. It is a mechanism that has been tested and has worked well elsewhere.

“The situation in Lagos State is such that even before the Federal Government came up with the Minimum Wage Law and pegged it at N18,000, Lagos State had implemented N17,500 as minimum wage for its workers.

“Lagos State was able to do

Osun repairs Osogbo roads for festival N preparation for the grand finale of this year’s Osun-Osogbo festival scheduled for August 26, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has directed that roads leading to the ancient grove should be tarred.

Aregbesola also ordered the construction of a 500-capacity car park and a walkway leading to the shrine.

I

A bigger gate is to be installed at the shrine to ensure easy movement.

Aregbesola assured residents that the construction would not affect cultural icons in the grove.

Construction equipment and workers were seen working on the road from Isale Osun junction to the grove.

that because it had put in place a mechanism for measuring workers’ pay, vis-a-vis the income of the state.

“With such a commission in place in Osun, there will be representatives of the workers; government and independent consultants.

“This body will ensure that wages are fixed according to certain parameters and ensure adequate remuneration for the workers.”

The state chapter of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) called for a speedy resolution of the strike.

Its chairman, Mr. Makanjuola Anifowose, urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, scholars, among others, to intervene.

Speaker of the House of Assembly Najeem Salaam urged the workers to be cautious in their actions, adding that the issue would soon be resolved.

11

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

There is a problem: Fiscally, this is not sustainable.

Nigeria is eating beyond its means. While we smile as we eat rice every day, Nigeria rice farmers cry as the import undermine domestic production. This must stop.

We must accelerate domestic rice production and improve on processing to meet quality standards.

Minister of Agriculture Dr Akinwumi Adesina

Fed Govt sells N93b bonds, says DMO

World markets slump amid double-dip fears

T

HE slow recovery in world stock markets has been eroded amid warnings of double-dip recession - with the FTSE having £62.3 billion wiped off its value. A downgrade for world economic growth by the American bank Morgan Stanley added to sell-offs, initially driven by weak economic data from the UK, Japan and China.

In its latest forecast, Morgan Stanley made stinging criticism of Washington and eurozone Governments for failing to act more decisively to contain their separate sovereign debt issues. It cut its expectations for global GDP growth in 2011 to 3.9 per cent from 4.2 per cent and from 4.5 per cent the next year to 3.8 per cent. The FTSE 100 opened 1.2 per cent lower and the losses extended through the day - closing down by 4.49 per cent, the 12th biggest points fall in its history.

Weaker than expected UK retail sales data fed into the general feeling of gloom while fears that China would act again to cool its economy hit mining stocks.

Banks lost value over continuing concerns about exposure to eurozone debt.

The sell-off according to Skye News was felt more keenly on the main European markets - the DAX in Germany falling to close down 5.82 per cent. France’s CAC was also hit, ending the day down by 5.48 per cent.

The price of gold hit another new record high of $1,825 per ounce as investors left risk behind and made a dash for safe havens.

HE Federal Govern ment raised N93 bil lion ($604.3 million) in 3-, 5- and 10-year sovereign bonds on Wednesday, at its eighth debt auction of the year, the Debt Management Office (DMO) said on yesterday.

The DMO, according to Reuters, said it sold N30 billion of the 3-year, N15 billion of 5-year and N25 billion of 10-year papers, due to mature in 2014, 2015 and 2018 respectively. All the papers are re-openings of previous issues.

DMO said an additional N23 in the 3-year paper were sold to some mandate customers outside the auction.

The 3-year paper was given a marginal rate of 10.75 per cent, above 10.24 per cent offered last month, while the 5year instruments were allotted at 11.19 per cent against 10.70 per cent. However, the 10-year papers were allotted at a marginal rate of 11.39 per cent, lower than the 11.49 per cent at the previous auction.

Fitch maintains US triple A rating

T

HE US still deserves a triple A credit rating with a stable outlook, Fitch Ratings said on Tuesday, highlighting the different tacks that leading agencies have taken on US. Fitch’s decision to reaffirm the pristine credit of the US came after Standard & Poor’s shocked markets with a downgrade to AA+ and Moody’s took the middle road, keeping a top notch rating but cutting its outlook to negative.

The Fitch decision shows that while there is not a vast disagreement between the agencies on the trajectory of US debt, they take different views on the recent debt-ceiling deal, and on the potential for the US political system to produce more savings.

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

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• Chairman, Odu'a Group of Companies, Sharafadeen Alli (left) discussing with the Group Managing Director, Adebayo Jimoh, when the chairman assumed duty ... on Monday.

Jonathan to Economic Team: Improve citizens’ quality of life • Oil spill report team inaugurated

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in augurated the National Economic Management Team (NEMT) with a mandate to improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.

He also constituted a committee to review this month’s United Nations report on oil spills in Ogboniland and make recommendations to the Federal Government on immediate and long-term remedial actions.

Speaking at the inauguration, Jonathan said: “Our task is to ensure that the country records unprecedented economic progress and our citizens see clear improvement in the quality of their lives.

“This is our commitment. I expect this team to work with the Vice President and I to bring about such a clear transformation that can clearly translate into better opportunities for our people,” he said.

From Vincent Ikuomola and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

He told the team to fasttrack economic growth and development.

The President clarified the role of the economic team, which he said was not meant to take over the responsibility of managing the various ministries.

Emphasis for the team he said, would be employment generation and economic growth that will translate to measurable benefit for the people.

He said the task of the team was to make the country proud by ensuring that it records unprecedented economic progress and improvement in the quality of lives within the next four years.

Meanwhile, a statement from special assistant to the President on media and pub-

• ’NNPC to restore Ogoni land’ licity, Rueben Abati, said the special committee on oil spill includes newly appointed finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, and the head of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Austen Oniwon. They will submit a report to the president within two weeks with their findings.

Other members of the committee are the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafiya (ViceChairman), the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commis-

sion, Mr. Chibuzo Ugwoha, the Director-General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Mr. Peter Idaboh, and the Special Adviser to the President (Technical Matters), Mr. Sullivan Akachukwu Nwakpo.

Meanwhile, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC Engineer Austen Oniwon, said the corporation and its Joint Venture partners will work together to recover Ogoni land and give life back to the community.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of Shell, Total, Agip and Chevron in response to the United Nation’s environmental assessment report on Ogoni land, Oniwon said a committee will be set up to study and evaluate the report and come up with desirable action plan that would bring back the glory of Ogoni land.

Nigeria leads in African local debt

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IGERIA looks set to overtake South Africa as the continent’s biggest issuer of local government debt with a planned $650 million auction by one of its states in October, but sub-national bonds remain far off for much of Africa.

Capital markets can prove cheaper than bank loans - and may be the only option - for

some governments seeking to fill budget gaps or fund big infrastructure projects, but in much of Africa the growth of local debt issuance has been slow to take off.

A planned N100 billion ($650 million) bond issue by Rivers State in Nigeria’s oilproducing Niger Delta would take Nigeria’s total local debt

stock to more than $2.3 billion compared to South Africa’s $1.9 billion in municipal bonds.

“Banks in Nigeria have only a small direct exposure to Nigerian sub-nationals, about 510 per cent of their total loans,” said Maciek Szymanski, an investment analyst at African Alliance, explaining why Nigerian states are keen to issue bonds.

“In South Africa, the banking sector is more consolidated and has more capacity to lend to municipalities.”

South Africa’s business centre Johannesburg became the first local authority to tap the bond markets in 2004 and has since been joined by neighbouring Ekurhuleni and the port and tourism capital of Cape Town.

MTN Nigeria records 4.8% subscriber growth

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OR the six months ended 30 June 2011, MTN Nige ria grew its subscribxer base by 4.8 per cent to 40.5 million.

South Africa-based MTN Group also announced a 7.5 per cent increase in aggregate subscribers since 31 December 2010 to 152.3 million.

By Adline Atili

Group President and Chief Executive Officer, MTN, Sifiso Dabengwa noted that total revenue in Naira grew by 13.1 per cent driven mainly by airtime and subscription revenue growths as well as an increase in inter-

connect revenue. This was driven by an increase in traffic from other networks.

He said traffic patterns of MTN Nigeria subscribers remained at 83 per cent on-net, adding that data remains in its infancy in Nigeria, but showed strong growth due to an increased focus on data

packages and promos.

Reported Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), which is a measure of monthly revenue generated from typical subscriber, according to him, declined by 6.7 per cent to $9.8 while local currency ARPU decreased by 5.1 per cent from 31 December 2010.

Fed Govt signs MoU on power From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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HE Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Power have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the use of some of the country’s dams for power generation.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday while receiving the update on the partial commercialisation of the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) in the country from the Director General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa.

The BPE Head of Public Communications unit, Mr. Chukwuma Nwokoh made this known in a statement in Abuja yesterday.

The minister said some of the dams are viable for power generation. This she said, prompted her ministry to dialogue with the Power Ministry on the matter.

She expressed the willingness of the ministry to partner with government agencies such as the BPE for the benefit of Nigerians.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

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NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

AHEAD NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS

Chartered plane to airlift S/Eagles FF Scribe Musa Amadu has confirmed to NationSport that the Super Eagles would fly directly to Madagascar from Abuja in chartered Air Nigeria flight.

Speaking exclusively in Abuja, the

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From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja scribe said they have studied the proposal submitted by the technical crew and have resolved to cancel the proposed camping in Mauritius

Capital oil and gas industries splashes N10m on Flying Eagles •NFF gives Obuh free hand to share Largesse

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HE CEO of Capital oil and gas industries, Sir Ifeanyi Ubah has rewarded the efforts of the Flying Eagles at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with a princely sum of ten million naira and IPAD for all the players and technical crew. The John Obuh tutored team was treated to a grand reception on Thursday at the premises of the first indigenous independent oil company.

The team who arrived from Colombia on Wednesday will also spend the night at the Golden Tulip hotel, Festac town, Lagos on the bills of Capital oil company while they will be given a sumptuous breakfast on Thursday to bid them farewell to their respective homes.

The CEO of Capital oil who spoke to the Nationsports gave reasons for embarking on such a noble project as he said: "What we are celebrating today is the effort that they have made, and I believe that if many Nigerians continue to encourage our youths, and footballers in this direction, I believe our football will go to the next level.

We have to make sure that we encourage these young footballers, give them the moral support, to make them understand that people appreciate them."

Meanwhile the assistant Secretary General of the NFF, has given the John Obuh tutored team a free hand to share the Largesse they got from Sir. Ubah.

By Stella Bamawo "It is a good thing the chairman of capitol oil has done for the boys, you can see that they are all happy. It has shown that even though they did not win the Cup, but they won the hearts of so many Nigerians with their performance including Chief Ifeanyi Ubah.We are very grateful that their performance in Colombia is being appreciated by Nigeria. The money is for players and officials. I dont know anything about it. The NFF has done a lot for the team while they were in Colombia, so I will just live it like that."

Coach Obuh who was all smiles throughout the ceremony stated: "You can see that more than that was spent in the organisation of this grand reception.

We should commend the heart that gave out this, there are millions of Nigerians that can do this, but how many of them have been able to come out to do this?

We had this kind of gesture from the Governnor of Rivers State who gave us some money, this is the first time we are getting this kind of gesture from an individual, he needs to be emulated. By the special grace of God the team and I will never disappoint Nigerians. I must say that it is great a gesture, I spoke with him(Ubah) while he was in Paris, and I spoke with the first vice president on this, we never knew it was going to take this shape that it has taken."

NRFF targets 2020 Olympics • As Lagos gets set to host 7s Rugby Festival

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HE Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) is determined to ensure that Nigeria gets a representation in the sport at the 2020 Olympics, as the Lagos 7s Rugby Festival is set to get underway in November.

The main priority for the board of the Federation is to use the championship which will run from 5th to the 6th of November as a pivot to putting Nigerian Rugby on the front foot in the world, ably supported by the biggest sponsorship and experimental marketing agency in Africa, EXP. The Lagos 7s Festival will be strictly an invitation club tournament with local and international clubs participating and it is hoped to have schools sevens tournament with teams from the promasidor sponsored schools rugby competition in Lagos as a part of the programme.

“Rugby is growing in leaps and bounds around the world and it’s growing faster in Africa that anywhere else in the world. But for a while now Nigeria rugby has been a bit in the doldrums and we need to kick start our development programme here at home which is why we have appointed appointed EXP. to help us.

That is why we are so excited by our partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development in organizing the 7S Rugby Festival in November,” according to President of the NRFF, Richard Ajayi.

With 1,200 children being encourage to play the game in a programme powered by Promasidor Nigeria Limited, the NRFF has resolved to take the game to the grass root over the next few years with playing, coaching clinic, and talent scouting.

By Innocent Amomoh In a breakfast meeting at the Southen Hotel Ikoyi yesterday, the guest of honour and South African 1995 Rugby World Cup winner, Kobus Wiese, described the sevens rugby is a fast paced game relying on great ball skills, speed and elusive running more than on brute strength.

“That’s what makes sevens such a great game to play and a really entertaining game to watch both for tradituional rugby fans and for people who have never taken an interest in rugby before.

The entertaining nature of the sport is one of the key reasons the international Olympic Committee has decided to make sevens Olympic sport from 2016,” he said.

onwards to the all important match in Antananarivo “the players would start arriving on 28th and 29th, they would train here in Abuja and travel straight to the match venue on a chartered flight.

Immediately after the match, they would also leave Madagascar on another chartered flight to Bangladesh. All the logistics have been completed, and we are expecting the best from the team”.

He said that they are not expecting any hipcup whatsoever, saying that the Coaches are rearing to go.

Amadu said that the training camp in Mauritius was canceled because of the new football season that has just started in Europe “we should also put our players plight into consideration.

They need to stabilize in their various team, and I don’t think they would want to stay away for almost five days now” he concluded.

Nwofor, Yekeen recount Colombia 2011 experience

Sports Minister asks for details T

HE Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission Suleiman Yusuf on Thursday requested for a comprehensive brief on the kidnapping of the father of Super Eagles midfielder Mikel John Obi. According to our impeccable source at the National Sports Commission, the Minister wants immediate action from Commission; devoid of any hiccups “yes the Minister called on the schedule officers in the Commission and requested that a brief be made available for him before the close of business on Thursday. He said that they would want to collaborate with

From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja the relevant security bodies to ensure that John Obi (snr) is released with immediate effect.

He said that considering the fact that country has a very crucial match at hand, it would be out of order for people to do anything that would destabilize Mikel in his efforts to wear the country’s colours.

“We expect that after he must have been properly briefed, they would give further directives on what the Commission would do to facilitate the release of the man

•Yusuf Suleiman who has been missing since Friday last week.

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri HE Nigeria’s Flying Eagles duo of Uche Innocent Nwofor and Kazeem Yekeen have disclosed that the experience they had in Colombia during the ongoing FIFA Under 20 World Cup would continue to linger on in their fledging football career despite the fact they exited at the Quarter final stage.

Nwofor who plies his trade with Rangers International of Enugu and rumoured to have sealed a contract with VVV Venlo of Holland stated that even though the team wanted to go all the way they were still happy that the country was not disgraced by any nation while the competition lasted for Nigeria.

According to the scorer of two of the 15 goals recorded by Nigeria, “ We had a fantastic experience in Colombia and it will remain with me for a long time. We wanted to go past France and may be get to the final but we thank God for what we achieved and we are very sorry that we couldn’t bring the cup to Nigeria.

There is always another time.”

Also in another separate interview, Kwara United shot stopper, Kazeem Yekeen expressed his delight at the opportunity granted him to represent the country and even though he failed to man the post in any of the matches played by Nigeria, he told NationSport that he was not in any rush and he would patiently wait for his time which he reckoned he would grasp with both hands when it eventually comes.

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Egbedi, one of the few members of the disconsolate Nigeria squad able to summon up the energy to speak to FIFA.com in the wake of their untimely exit.

“We made a good impression here and this support reflects that,” he added, confirming the views expressed by coach John Obuh in the press conference that followed the game. “We played as a team throughout the competition and we stayed strong. We’re very pleased with the support that Colombia has given us and we feel right at home.

They wanted us to win.”

Mixed in with the dejection is a sense of pride at Nigeria’s achievements at Colombia 2011. For the first time ever the Flying Eagles recorded four straight FIFA U-20 World Cup wins, scoring 15 goals in the process, thanks to a potent combination of searing pace, pure technique and ruthless finishing. Group opponents Croatia and Guatemala both fell to heavy defeats as the likes of Ahmed Musa, Olarenwaju Kayode and Egbedi served notice of their rich potential.

“It was a game we could have won,” the forward continued, ruing his side’s misfortune against Les Bleus.

“Unfortunately for us, we weren’t on top of our game and we didn’t put France under the same pressure that we did other teams. We had high hopes but we left too much space and that’s why we’re sad. That’s football though.

“We showed we can go far if we work at it,” he added, taking the

Falcons’ pros arrive August 23

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Sulaiman to visit national boxing camp

By Akeem Lawal sports development in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

Meanwhile, the minister is expected to address the issues of landed property belonging to NSC which has since being encroached by unsuspected landlords who are bent in taking legal actions against the Commission and Edo state government.

The landed property measuring 4.177 acres at Etete that was given to the Commission about 30 years ago by the then military administrator of the old Bendel state, Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia (Rtd) could only boast of the gymnasium complex and surrounding two plots while others have being taken over with erected buildings and industry by unauthorised buyers.

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FTER entertaining everyone with their free-flowing attacking football in the group phase, so much so that many experts tipped them to go all the way, the Nigeria squad were understandably forlorn as they contemplated their exit from the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 on Sunday evening.

The pain of their 3-2 extra-time quarter-final defeat to France was still etched on the players’ faces as they emerged from the bowels of the Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali, some 90 minutes after the final whistle had called time on their Colombian adventure.

Their compelling brand of football had not gone unappreciated, however, and as they filed out tournament volunteers and stadium officials lined up to give them a heartfelt round of applause, an indication of the high regard the locals have for the African entertainers.

“We love these people. We love Colombia,” said an appreciative Edafe

2012 OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

ALL AFRICAN GAMES INISTER of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon Yusuff Sulaiman will be visiting the national boxing camp in Benin-City, Edo State to assess the performance of the team preparation for the forthcoming 10th All African Games (AAG) billed for Maputo next month.

Also, the minister who will be in town with his team officials is expected to pay a courtesy visit to the Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Government house, G.R.A. NSC South-South zonal coordinator, Jeremiah Akpabio who confirmed that the minister and his team officials visit to the ancient city of Benin as part of his effort to assess boxers readiness for the Maputo battle and to show appreciation to the Comrade Governor efforts in

Egbedi: We gained experience

MIKEL’S MISSING FATHER

• England's Callum Macmanaman (fallen) vies for the ball with Edafe Egbedi from Nigeria during their FIFA World Cup U20 football match held at Centenario stadium

UPER Falcons coach Eucharia Uche has disclosed that her foreign invitees for the August 28 London 2012 Olympic Games qualifier against Cameroon will arrive the country on August 23.

Uche who are currently perfecting tactics with the domestic players in Abuja on how to undo the Cameroonian Indomitable Lionesses in the crucial tie had early given the Europe based players August 18 to join the camp.

The foreign legions invited for the crucial game are veteran forward and reigning African footballer of the year Perpetua Nkwocha, Faith Ikidi, Onome Ebi, Helen Ukaonu, Rita Chikwelu and Emueje Ogbiaagbevba.

On what necessitated the change on the arrival date for the foreign based players, the former Nigerian forward told SuperSport.com that the new date was the time their respective clubs agreed to release them for the national assignment.

“No, they are no more arriving on August 18; they are now expected to arrive on August 23 that is the date their clubs agreed to release them due to club’s engagements.

“We hope on the agreed date the players will arrive in the country so that we can tidy up on our preparations for the game against Cameroon.”

Uche who guided the reigning African champions at the just concluded Fifa Women’s World Cup in Germany is upbeat that her wards will win the contest for the London 2012 Olympics ticket at the expense of Cameroon.

“The domestic players are doing very well in camp, they have continued to improve and impress too.

“The way they are going about the business Cameroon will not escape thorough beating.

“Of course, we appreciate the nation’s concern, we cannot afford to fail them again,” she said.

positive view. “Our dream was to win the title but I think we’ve learned a lot here, and the team will be more prepared by the time the next World Cup comes around.”

The diminutive striker can also be satisfied with his contribution to the Nigerian cause, building on his showing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, where he scored three goals en route to the hosts’ defeat to Switzerland in the final. In striking a further three goals at Colombia 2011 he has joined a select band of players, one that includes Ronaldinho and Seydou Keita, who have found the back of the net in both competitions.

“I scored three goals at the U-17 World Cup and I remember telling myself that I was going to improve and score even more at the U-20 World Cup,” Egbedi said. “My dream was to score five or six here, and though things didn’t work out that way, I think my performances were

pretty good overall.”

Those performances were made all the better by the fact the promising striker is currently without a club.

Training alone or with his local side Warri Wolves, who have occasionally fielded him in friendly matches and are not reluctant to sign him, the 18year-old Egbedi is content to bide his time, waiting for a foreign club to come in for him. Judging by his displays over the last fortnight or so, the offers should soon be coming thick and fast.

“That was my other dream: to play well enough to get spotted and earn a good move to Europe. And I showed that I can play for a big club there. I’m young and I’m only going to improve.”

Though Egbedi’s Colombian sojourn has been cut cruelly short, both he and his fellow Flying Eagles have every reason to believe their future will be a bright one.

Ameobi targets first League goal at Sunderland

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IGERIAN born Newcastle forward, Shola Ameobi is hoping to move a step closer to one of his lifetime ambitions against one of the sides who fear him the most on Saturday – arch rivals Sunderland.

The striker sits on 70 goals for the Magpies but wants to reach at least a ton in black and white before he is done with United, and knows there is no better team for him to open his account against for the new season.

Ameobi was today backed by Toon legend Alan Shearer to keep on piling the misery on the Wearsiders as he looks to add to the SIX goals already in his special derby collection.

The player may well split opinion among United fans – yet only the great Jackie Milburn has more derby goals at the top of the exclusive list with 11, while Shola lies level on six with Albert Shepherd.

Ameobi could even surpass Wor Jackie’s tally if he keeps up his derby exploits during the remainder of his contract.

The striker told the Chronicle: “I know if I can stay fit, I do not see any reason why I cannot get to treble figures.

“Every time I score, it is a great feeling. I do not really pay too much attention to statistics and stuff like that.

“I just try to do my best on a gameto-game basis, but it is great to be able to say I have scored that many goals for the club I support and love.

“Hopefully, I can add to that tally.”

Ameobi has scored some big goals in his time at St James’ Park with strikes in the Champions League, Uefa Cup and some vital Premier League goals.

• Ameobi

His double against Sunderland last term also elevated his place in Geordie folklore following another impressive brace back in 2005 in a 3-2 win.

He was also on hand to save blushes in 2009 under Joe Kinnear.

His solitary strike at the Stadium of Light coincided with United’s only defeat on Wearside in three decades.

Ameobi has just signed a new twoyear extension to his United deal and wants to make sure he reaches 100 goals before the end of that contract.

He added: “Every striker wants to score as many goals as he can, and treble figures is something I want to target.

“I know if I can stay fit, I don’t see any reason why I cannot get to treble figures.

“I want to stay healthy over the next two years and help the club achieve the goals Alan Pardew and the club have.”

Everton, Fenerbahce resume Yobo talks

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VERTON and Fenerbahce have resumed talks over the transfer of Nigeria captain

• Yobo

Joseph Yobo to the Turkish champions.

An agreement is expected to be reached by the end of Thursday, with an announcement expected by the weekend.

Both clubs had all but agreed a 4million euro deal about a month ago before a match fixing scandal, in which Fenerbahce were prominently involved, rocked Turkish football.

The situation led to a halt in negotiations, and the player reported to Finch Farm for Everton’s pre-season training.

Sources close to the player told KickOffNigeria.com that Everton chairman Bill Kenwright tried to persuade the Nigerian to stay, but Yobo insisted on leaving.

Officials of Fenerbahce also said to have kept in touch with the player, assuring him that the club were still very keen on bringing him back to Turkey.

SHOPPING

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THE NATION

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

e-mail: janicenkoli@yahoo.com 08033349992 sms only

email:- shopping@thenationonlineng.net

• Modern aso-oke stocked in a shelf.

Aso-oke: Tradition meets modernity The aso-oke has transcended its traditional use and continues to blend with modern and Western trends. Wherever they may be, Nigerians stand out in scintillating aso-oke designs for special occasions to the admiration of others, writes JANICE NKOLI IFEME.

• Ready to wear: hair band, purse and peep toe shoes made from aso-oke

MY SHOPPING ‘It’s hard to say no to a corner piece’

•Cap made from aso oke

Page 14

•Bag made with aso oke fabric

Page 14

Page 15

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

14

SHOPPING

• Dashiki

• Fila

• Traditional aso-oke fabrics

Aso-oke: Tradition meets modernity T HESE days, the use of aso-oke fabric has developed beyond its traditional usage.Many stores now stock modern designs of the fabric and various accessories to go with it. Designers on the other hand, blend it with western styles to suit the taste of fashion lovers.Now, the fabric could be used to make shirts, jackets, skirts, gowns, bags and are even used to design the home.Fashion buffs also blend it with western designs.

During the recent fashion week organised by Arise Magazine, a designer, Ituen Bassey presented a set of collections that blended asooke with western designs. She combined strips of single, brightly coloured aso-oke to create a patchwork effect.

A brown, gold and pink striped jacket in a rough, denim-like aso-oke cloth with a cashmere collar stood out in the men’s collection. That is the beauty of the aso-oke fabric.

Many stores understand this and therefore ensure that they stock the fabric in diverse forms with both modern and traditional accessories to match. Among the major markets where the aso-oke could be bought are Balogun and Gotta on Lagos Island as well as Itoku market in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Other markets and boutiques across the metropolis also stock the fabric.

Though it originated from the Yoruba, it is becoming an increasing popular fabric among non-Yoruba, including West Indians and African-Americans. They are usually reserved for special occasions including birthdays, naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals and chieftaincy title ceremonies. It is also the preferred garment for traditional African weddings.

Aso-oke is a hand loomed cloth woven by the Yoruba people of south west Nigeria. Aso oke means top cloth in the English language.

The fabric is used to make men’s gowns, called agbada, women’s wrappers, called iro, and men’s hats, called fila.

The Yoruba are by far the best known and largest group of male weavers in Nigeria.

Today, the subdued palette of pre 1970s cloth has been displaced by shiny metallic lurex and brightly coloured rayon threads.

It takes some time to make the fabric as it is

made very delicately. It is woven with elaborate unique patterns made from dyed strands of fabric that are woven into strips of cloth. It can also be made with a silk fabric which enhances the colours and the material.

There are three types of traditional aso oke worn by Yoruba.

Alaari - a rich red aso oke.

Sanyan - a brown and usually light brown aso oke.

Etu - a dark blue aso-oke.

It is often worn with aran, a brown velvet with concentric designs.

How to wear aso-oke Aso-oke is a very elegant traditional African cloth and can be worn in different designs.

People from all parts of the world can wear it.

Traditionally, it is used to make both men’s and women’s outfits.

The traditional aso-oke garment for women consists of four parts: Buba (boo-ba) - a plain straight blouse without darts and fasteners Iro (ee-row) - a wrapper Gele (ghe-leh)– Nigerian Head tie Iborun (ee-boar-roon) or Ipele (ee-peh-leh)shawl or shoulder sash The full traditional Aso-oke garment for men also consists of four parts: Dashiki - African men’s top Sokoto (show-koh-toh) - Is the Yoruba word for pants/trousers Agbada (aa-BA-DA) – Wide sleeved robe worn over dashiki, usually worn to the ankles Fila (FEE-la) –Men’s cap Dashikis are very common in Africa, particularly in the west of the continent. It covers the top half of the body and has formal and informal versions which vary from simple draped clothing to fully tailored suits. These can be made from other types of material such as brocade.

The aso oke hat This is a traditional Yoruba hat that is made of hand woven African fabric. In the Yoruba language, this hat is called fila. Although they originated in Nigeria, they are worn by all men of African descent. Typically, the top of the hat slouches to one side, and rests above the wearer’s ear. It is commonly worn with African formal attire and lace or cotton

brocade dashiki suits. Many men wear a bowler hat with the lace dashiki suit. However, an aso oke hat or crown style kufi cap are the most common choices when wearing any other type of formal attire.

The making of aso-oke Many Nigerians make a living from weaving and selling aso-oke African cloth. It is made by first washing the thread and then using starch. It is then left out to dry in the sun. It then needs to be rolled before you start to weave it. They are hand-loomed either with pure cotton yarn, cotton with metallic thread accents, or completely with metallic silk threads. It can take up to three hours to finish weaving one piece and can take up to two weeks to finish a complete customised aso-oke cloth. This process can be much longer during the rainy season.

Care instructions Aso-oke, just like many other African outfits, comes with heavy embroideries, often hand crafted, which require careful handling and care.African clothing and attires are, in general, made from fine fabrics. Popular fabrics range from 100 per cent plain cotton, printed cotton (wax print), cotton-kente, and cotton brocade with elaborate designs woven into the fabrics.

Upscale fabrics include George, Damask, various varieties of lace fabrics, and handloomed aso-oke fabrics. Outfits made from such fabrics have a tendency to shrink if proper care steps are not followed.

Here are some care instructions to follow in order to get the best out of your unique African clothes: Machine wash with warm water and mild soap; avoid the spin cycle; hang to dry; iron on the wrong side using the setting for cotton, or use cooler settings.

Cotton aso-oke As the name indicates, the cotton aso-oke is hand-woven with 100 per cent cotton yarns.

Because these clothes are not everyday clothes, they do not require frequent care. On average, you only need to clean/wash your Aso Oke once every three to four wearing. Though cotton is machine washable, using washer/ dryer machines for washing your aso oke for whatever reason is strongly discouraged. If

•Sokoto

•Cap made from aso oke

•Bag made with aso oke fabric

you can find a knowledgeable dry-cleaner, the best practice is to use a dry cleaning service. Otherwise, do not despair.

This is how to do it: hand wash with mild soap; hang to dry; iron with hot iron (setting for cotton) Metalic aso oke The metallic aso oke is hand-woven with synthetic or silk yarn and they are very good at repelling dirt. When and if you must clean/ wash your metallic aso oke set, follow this care instruction: dry clean or hand wash with very mild liquid soap; hang to dry; they do not need ironing.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

15

SHOPPING MY SHOPPING

‘It’s hard to say no to a corner piece’ • Dr Cosmas Maduka, President/CEO Coscharis Group Y OU do not just buy, but also sell?

Yes, we sell cars; but we don’t just sell cars like every other person selling cars. You know, we try to sell joy, we try to sell satisfaction and we try to sell peace of mind.

Even though all these things look intangible, things that look like you cannot buy them, but you can also buy them because if you have a good product that you have a sheer driving pressure when you move it…you know, it’s satisfaction and it brings joy ultimately.

You buy other products, don’t you?

Well, I buy things of course…a whole lot of things… but frankly, today, I’m not really freak about buying things. I’m too busy; there are too many things that occupy my mind.

But, I buy properties you know (laughter).

What kind?

Yea sure, you know… prime properties that are well located; a corner piece property. I’m a freak with a corner piece property; any time you see me …it’s hard for me to say no when you offer me a corner piece property; this is the one that turns me on; so, if you want to get me, find a good one in that sense…

Give an example Some thing that is in a junction of a road, like a two-way. If you look at where I am in Maza Maza, you know,

By Janice Nkoli Ifeme

where our corporate head office is, there is a road by the left side and by the right side. If you look at where we are in Sanusi Fafunwa, if you look at the one in Adeola Odeku, if you look at where I’m living in Ikoyi; so I have always eyed properties where there is a road at this side and at the other side.

Where everyone could access you?

Yea sure, that’s what I mean by corner piece property.

How do you see shopping malls in Nigeria?

More of them are coming up and I believe you are one of the pioneers of luxury shopping Frankly, I think there will be more shopping malls. I think that we haven’t had enough because the truth is that…you see, human beings are like…it’s like, when you organise them, they follow. If you don’t, everybody will just go like flood on the street. If you make a gutter, you see that the water will flow through it, but if you don’t, it will find its own way. You will be sure that if space is available, because part of the difficulties with shopping malls in Nigeria is parking space. You can’t get to find a kind

of space where people can come in, park and be able to shop properly.

There are many neighbourhoods that are supposed to have shopping malls.

If all things are equal, we should have a good shopping mall in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Broad Street, you know different places. Of course, growing up as young men, we used to have a shopping mall in Broad Street, the former Kingsway used to be there, UTC and others.

Would you say you are prudent?

Ahh (laughter) I am very very prudent How prudent?

Ahh! Whoa! (laughter) You would be surprised to know… very very prudent. I would really be sure that I will get a great value before I spend money.

I don’t part with money very easily; because my training as a business guy, the most important skill I get is to spend money very well. It goes with being an entrepreneur; the amount of money you make is not as important as how well you manage it and the value you get in parting with your money. It comes naturally by my training that I am very prudent when it comes to spending and I’m not …I can just tell you a

• Dr Maduka

few things that turn me on and not quite a number of them.

You have been able to sustain yourself in the business of shopping My mother was my mentor, you know, she inspired me, having lost my father at the age of four, you know ... by virtue of hardship, I became part of a bread winner.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

17

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Although the campaign for next year’s governorship election in Cross River State is yet to begin, underground moves are already on. Correspondent KUNLE JOHNSON observes that apart from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Liyel Imoke, whose campaign billboards are common, others are yet to wake up to the reality that the election will soon be here.

Imoke, PDP and the 2012 poll

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PART from Liyel Imoke of the PDP who is known to have indicated interest in contesting the 2012 governorship election in Cross River State, speculations are rife that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Labour Party (LP) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) would present candidates for the poll. But, aspirants of the other political parties are not known as they or their agents have not come out openly to canvass support.

When Liyel Imoke campaigned for the governorship in 2007, his only credentials were the periods he was in the Senate and his appointments as Special Adviser and as Minister. While he was popular at the federal level, he could not be said to be that popular at the state level, having not made his presence felt at that level. However, his four-year stay in office as governor changed the setting. He is, today, the factor on the state’s political scene.

The journey to 2011 started before 2007.

He was in political partnership with former Governor Donald Duke and the friendship saw Duke who would otherwise have been disadvantaged by geopolitical consideration emerge governor in 2003 and reelected four years later, based on an unsigned pact that he would be succeeded by Imoke.

It was the same political structure upon which he climbed the ladder to emerge as the PDP’s candidate in the 2007 governorship election which he won but was annulled on July 14, 2008.

That structure remains and it is working towards ensuring that Imoke wins as governor again in 2012 as the party is leaving nothing to chance this time around.

Imoke and the party are even more at an advantage in the coming election and this is evident.

The PDP is in control of the 18 local government areas in the state and the 25 members of the State House of Assembly. The party also won all the councillorship elections in all the wards in the state, except three in Obanliku, Akpabuyo and Obubra.

These chairmen and councillors are already mobilising the people at the grassroots to vote for Imoke’s party in Saturday’s election.

Added to this is the fact that many of those who constituted the opposition in 2007 are now in the PDP fold and are part of the present government having been given political appointments.

In the 2007 governorship election, the only candidate that posed serious challenge to Imoke was High Chief (Dr.) Eyo Etim Nyong of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP).

Dr. Nyong like Imoke, mobilized heavily and campaigned seriously to solicit the mandate of the people, unfolding what he had in stock for them.

While Imoke and Nyong traversed the nooks and crannies of the local govern-

ment areas of the state, other parties relied solely on posters in the feeble bid to win the governorship election.

Ironically, Dr. Eyo Etim Nyong who had more serious claim to the governorship position, opted out of the Elections Petition Tribunal ostensibly to peace a chance to promote stability.

Money remains a strong factor in elections in the country. It is unlikely that any of the other parties would be able to raise enough fund to confront PDP at the poll.

Plans are already afoot to launch campaign funds for the governor’s re-election bid in 2012 as was the case in the 2008 rerun election which he eventually won.

A chieftain of the PDP, Chief Asuquo Ekpeyong, who spoke glowingly about Imoke then said since he assumed office in 2007, the governor had demonstrated his knack for good governance.

‘We started witnessing good governance at the grassroots. Imoke is quite easy to market, we therefore have to give him all our support to ensure that he comes back to office”, he said. The situation has not changed.

Already, in the build-up to the 2012 governorship election in the State, a political group, Consensus for Imoke, has pledged total support for the governor from the people of Northern Cross River State.

In a meeting held at the Ogoja Local Government Council Hall August 11, the group declared in a communique that the people of the five local government areas of the north were pleased with the governor’s performance. They called on any one from the north or any part of the state having governorship ambition to shelve same till 2016.

The group led by a two-time member of the House of Representatives, Hon Paul Ada said Imoke has, in the past four years, purposefully undertaken the task of opening up rural roads, rehabilitated hospital infrastructure, renovated schools, and ensured security of lives and property in the state and therefore should be allowed to continue for the next for years.

The meeting which attracted a mammoth crowd of the political elite, traders, and students had representatives from Ogoja, Obudu, Bekwara, Yala and Obanlikwu.

The meeting addressed several issues, including the creation of Ogoja State, the election of a governor from the northern part of the state in 2016, among others.

The group dispelled fears as to whether Senator Imoke was committed to his promise to transfer power to the northern part of the state or not., “All we need is for those of us from the north to work hard, Senator Imoke told us here in this same place during the Town Hall Meeting that he would help the north actualize its dream of promising a governor from here (north) and we have no reason to doubt him”.

The group called on national assembly members representing the area to work towards realising the dream of creation of

• Imoke

‘The only obstacle that Imoke may have to confront is the reported resolve by some people loyal to Duke to back another candidate. It has not been spelt out whether the contest would be within the ruling party or through an opposition party. In the last election, all incumbent governors were handed PDP tickets. It is, however, unlikely that the ruling party would change the formula’ Ogoja State. “Our representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives must work hard and ensure that our dream for a state is realised, perhaps it is for that same reason that the Idoma people of Benue State returned Senator David Mark for the fourth time to the Senate to achieve their dream for them”, the communiqué said.

The group assured that the meeting would be regular until the PDP primaries and the governorship election in 2012 are over: “This meeting shall be regular and we would reach out to our brothers in the central and southern part of the state to ensure that we work together on this project”.

In attendance at the meeting were notable personalities from the northern part of the state like Mr. Idi Yakubu, Tony Uniandeye, Chief Matthew Ojugbo, Chief Jonjoe Ogar, Dr John Shia, Hon Paul Ada, Mr Casmir Obok and Emma Lifu.

When Donald Duke was governor between 1999 and 2007, it was openly stated

among the people that whoever succeeds him would be judged by his performance.

Now, the song is that whoever will ever succeed Imoke in 2016 must be able to operate on the same level or surpass Imoke’s performance as governor.

The only obstacle that Imoke may have to confront is the reported resolve by some people loyal to Duke to back another candidate. It has not been spelt out whether the contest would be within the ruling party or through an opposition party.

Given the example of the last election that saw all incumbent governors handed the PDP tickets, it is unlikely that the ruling party would change the formula. And, other parties have too much to do to establish a structure that could match the PDP at the polls before May next year.

However, in politics, 24 hours is a long time. Anything can still happen, especially within the ruling party. Otherwise, it is a smooth ride to Calabar Government House for Governor Liyel Imoke.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

RAMADAN NEWS Boko Haram: ‘A national embarrassment’ A LAWYER, Mr Tahir Adeosun has described the activities of the Boko Haram sect as a national embarrassment.

Adeosun who spoke during the Ramadan Lecture organised by the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Awori Division held at Ota, Ogun State said: “The Muslim community in the country is now embarrassed by the negative image the bombing has given to an otherwise peaceful religion.”

He regretted that violence in Nigeria is gaining notoriety everyday due to lack of competent security structure, infrastructure and operatives compounded by political connection.

Adeosun said the activities of the Boko Haram sect has made Borno State a no go area.

“Individuals and group now desist from going there to transact business. Even Corps members posted to the North to serve their fatherland are always filled with fear and this is drastically draining the economy of the country,” he said.

“It is understandable that no investor will invest his money in an atmosphere that is characterized by violence, kidnapping, robbery and general insecurity,” he added.

He enjoined Muslims to ensure that their children are trained in line with unadulterated Islamic teachings and Inculcate good morals in them.

Chairman of the division, Alhaji Abdullahi Oyetunde said the topic on terrorism was imperative going by the situation of the country.

The lecture, Alhaji Oyetunde said, was to enlighten Muslims on the true position of Islam on terrorism and sensitise the government to be proactive on security matters.

Muslims urged to imbibe Ramadan lessons

By Adepeju Elegbede

THE Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Badmus has appealed to Muslims throughout the world to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan such as piety, kindness, honesty and fear of God. Badmus urged imams to pray for President Goodluck Jonathan and governors for God to give them the wisdom to address challenges facing the country.

He donated electronics, foodstuff and cash to the audience at a public lecture organised in his honour.

The guest lecturer, Dr Kola Makinde described Ramadan as the month of patience whose reward is paradise.

“It is the month of goodwill during which provisions are multiplied. A month whose beginning is mercy, middle is forgiveness and the end is emancipation from hell,” he said.

Dr Makinde said fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from hell fire.

Foundation spends N4m to fete clerics, others

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HUMANITARIAN organization, Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) has distributed food items worth four million naira to feed clerics and Jamah (congregation) of various mosques in Lagos.

This was in appreciation of the efforts of the clerics in redirecting the affairs of Muslims for positive purpose.

At Olorunsogo Central Mosque, where The Nation monitored the distribution of chicken and other food items to members of the League of Imams and Alfas, the clerics were full of praises to the foundation.

“It’s rare in the history of this country for an organisation to single-out clerics for Ramadan package. This is a good initiative,” said one of the clerics at the event.

Coordinator of the foundation in Mushim, Nurudeen Oyinlola said Zakat and Sadaqat can bring a new dimension in generating funds to ease poverty in the society.

Oyinlola said ZSF has plans to allocate funds to Imams on a monthly basis if their target is met.

“The clerics are expected to be custodians of morality.

They, to a large extent, help in shaping the character of young and old in the society yet nobody is looking after their welfare. This is one of our objectives to ensure that our Imams are being paid,” he said.

He explained that by given charity during Ramadan, Muslims are bound to reap the blessing of the month.

•Alhaji Amida (middle), assisted by Oyinlola, presenting Iftar Sahim (Breaking of Fast) package to Sheikh Sanmori during the Iftar Sahim, for clerics in Mushin

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

The guest speaker, Ustadh Dhikrullahi AbdulHameed lamented that Zakat is fast becoming a forgotten pillar of Islam.

He attributed the negligence Zakat to the inability of clerics to propagate it as they do in respect of other pillars.

“It is unfortunate that Muslims are the riches and also the poorest in the world. If the wealthy among Muslims pay Zakat regularly, it will eradicate poverty in the country.

Our Imams are the closest to these rich people; let them encourage them to pay Zakat.

They need to put the interest

of the teeming population of Muslims above their personal interest. By doing this, wealth would be evenly distributed and in turn the clerics would benefit more,” he said.

Chairman of the League of Imams and Alfas, Mushin and Odi-Olowo Chapter, Sheikh Daud Sanmori thanked the foundation for the initiative.

Sheikh Sanmori, the Chief Imam of Mushin Central Mosque, Ojuwoye, enjoined government to partner with the foundation to ensure that more clerics benefit from the gesture.

He urged ZSF to continue to hold on to righteousness.

While describing Ramadan as a month of mercy, he urged

government to tap from the blessings of the month by ensuring that interest of the masses is paramount.

Secretary-General of ZSF Lagos State, Alhaji AbdulWaheed Amida said the annual programme is in line with the foundation’s objectives the make the Imams happy.

He urged the clerics preach the gospel of peace and harmony among Nigerians.

He said religious tolerance and understanding were needed to enhance peace and progress in the country.

He said that preachers must stick to the Holy Qu’ran and the Hadith for the sustenance of harmony and tolerance among Muslims.

Ramadan a unique month, says Sultan

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HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has described Ramadan as a unique month for Nigerian leaders to tap from the abundant opportunities it offers.

Alhaji Abubakar said this at a Ramadan breaking of fast organised for Journalists in the caliphate.

The revered royal father urged Muslims to remember to give to the less privileged in view of the bountiful rewards associated with the holy month.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

“The month is unique in its nature and in the course of worshiping Allah because of its significance in relation to the revelation of the holy Qur’an,” he said.

Meanwhile the establishment of Ramadan feeding centres across the 23 local government areas of Sokoto State has brought relief to thousands of less privileged Muslim faithful.

The Wamakko administra-

tion voted N281 million for the feeding programme which most residents hailed as kind gesture in accord with spirit of the Ramadan.

Over 48 centres in the state capital under the programme are currently serving the feeding needs of Muslims.

Besides, there are special centres where cash donations are shared to destitutes.

However, Chairman of the committee on Ramadan feeding and Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Professor Musa Maitafsir explained said the

month of Ramadan remains significant in the worship and dedication of wealth to serving Allah through the feeding of the needy. “It is fundamental of the five pillars of Islam and every positive deed in the holy month attracts multiple reward,’’ he said.

He said Islam encourages support and kindness to the needy, adding ‘’ that is why the state government is extending its little quota to give relief to the class of those that are in need’’

Cleric advises leaders to prevent ‘Arab awakening’ in Nigeria

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OOD governance, accountability and consultation by Nigerian leaders have been identified as ways of forestalling a possible occurrence of the Arab awakening in Nigeria.

Therfore, political office holders have been called upon to learn from the recent upheavals in Britain, Tunisia, Egypt and other parts of the world and work towards ensuring such does not happen in Nigeria.

In a lecture on The Arab awakening: lessons for Nigeria, the Imam of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef said, in or-

By Risikat Ramoni

der to avoid a similar problem in Nigeria, political leaders should ensure the people they are governing do not suffer on account of their leadership.

The lecture was organised by the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO), at the Lagos Secretariat Mosque, Ikeja.

AbdulLateef urged Nigerian leaders not to suppress the citizen’s right of expression.

Highlighting the way out, the former aide to Governor Babatunde Fashola called on leaders at all levels of govern-

ment to fulfill the promises made during the electioneering campaigns; and ensure participatory government at all levels.

He appealed to the masses to obey rules and regulations regularly and pay their taxes.

“Citizens of the country should be in a position to recommend to the government, what type of laws will be able to bring the greatest happiness to them,” he said.

The State Coordinator of NACOMYO, Mallam Abdullah Anifowoshe said the Arab awakening has gone beyond the Arab nations and has started spreading to other conti-

nents.

“What our politicians and leaders are doing is like they are working towards an action that may bring reaction in the future which they would tag as violence.

“Government is not about individuals, rather, it is a system in which anybody appointed should fulfil his promises to the people by executing projects for the convenience of the populace.”

Anifowoshe implored Muslims to read, meditate and practice the content of the Qur’an during and after the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Amida called on wealthy Muslims to take advantage of the Ramadan period to assist the less privileged by paying Zakat.

Zakat, he said, is expected to stimulate the economic growth of the country and contribute significantly to the creation of an enabling environment that will facilitate a sustainable socio-economic and spiritual well-being of the people.

Cleric laments dearth of scholars From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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EARTH of scholars and rising poverty, disunity and violence have been identified as challenges of Islam.

An Islamic scholar, Nurudeen Asunogie, made this observation at a Ramadan Lecture, “Challenges and Propagation of Deen of Islam”, organised by the Benin chapter of Nasrullahi –li-Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT).

Asunogie, former National Amir of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) noted that Islam may face more challenges if its adherents fail to return to the deeds and teachings of Prophet Muhammed as embedded in the Holy Quran and the Hadith.

He said about 96 per cent of Muslims are unconscious of their environments as against the Muslims of old, a development, he noted, made them not to acquire Islamic knowledge to confront challenges from non- adherents’ antics and intrigues.

Asunogie explained that the quest for material wealth among believers had made them forsake their obligations to Allah.

“Over 90 per cent of Muslims engage in alms begging due to poverty and 70 per cent of world oil and energy as well as 40 per cent of non- oil mineral resources are located in the Muslim world.

He pointed out that the resources were a source of curse to the people instead of impacting positively on their lives.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

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EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Buffetting the rich •Home truths from a wealthy American

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HE prominent American investor, Warren E. Buffet, is an unusual man. The so-called “Sage of Omaha” is well-known for his homely, laid-back and unpretentious approach to the business of making money. Even though he is one of the world’s richest men, he has been known to regale business meetings with bouts of fiddleplaying and table tennis. Unlike his colleagues who take refuge in expensive suits, obscure jargon and moral flexibility, Buffet has chosen to make himself as down-to-earth as possible.

Buffet’s capacity for plain speaking was demonstrated in an important intervention he made in the financial woes of the United States recently. In a recent article in the New York Times titled “Stop Coddling the Super-Rich,” Buffet revealed that he and other very wealthy Americans paid on average 17.4 per cent in taxes on their taxable income, compared to the bulk of the middle class, who could be taxed up to 25 per cent.

Arguing that tax-breaks for the wealthy did not endanger economic growth, he called upon the “billionaire-friendly” United States Congress to raise rates on taxable incomes that exceeded U.S. $1 million, with progressive increases for households which made more.

Coming at a time of bitter ideological divisions over the best way for America to reduce its burgeoning deficit, Buffet’s declaration is the triumph of pragmatism and commonsense over ideological posturing. He has used his own experiences to point out the way in which

government policy has benefitted him to the long-term disadvantage of his nation and its people, and has made the case for change.

The U.S. is fortunate to have an entrepreneur as unpretentiously honest as Buffet. But what of countries like Nigeria, where great wealth is often not matched by a pronounced sense of social responsibility? This country can boast of many individuals who possess enormous personal wealth, and who continue to make fortunes from their various business activities.

However, it is sad to see that very few of them have ever tried to go beyond the business of making money. Apart from the odd donation here and there, too many of Nigeria’s rich citizens have been content to allow prevailing cultural attitudes, national policies and advantageous circumstances to benefit them at the expense of the majority.

With regard to taxes, for instance, it is a well-known fact that Nigeria’s wealthy are among the most undertaxed individuals in the country. Apart from payroll, property and other unavoidable taxes, many of the country’s rich people are notorious for doing everything to avoid their tax obligations. This does not stem from mere miserliness; many of them are only too happy to engage in obscene demonstrations of wealth at social occasions. It is simply that they would rather waste their money on frivolities rather than give it to the state.

A good deal of Nigeria’s rich also appear to lack Buffet’s capacity for selfreflection. The American’s non-

conformity apparently emerges from his acute awareness that the wealthy have unavoidable obligations to those who are not as fortunate as they. Hence his committment to giving away most of his wealth, and his demand that the rich be taxed appropriately.

In Nigeria, such acts of self-abnegation are outstanding for their rarity. Most rich people see their fortunate situation as self-explanatory: it is a confirmation of their own talent and as a manifestation of God’s blessings, regardless of how the wealth may have been obtained. Even though they may be surrounded by poverty, deprivation and suffering on all sides, their consciences often only stir them to limited acts of philanthropy aimed at short-term solutions instead of the deep reflection necessary for a lasting resolution of the problems of inequality.

A generosity of spirit is the true basis of wealth, and Nigeria’s rich would do well to develop it.

‘Apart from the odd donation here and there, too many of Nigeria’s rich citizens have been content to allow prevailing cultural attitudes, national policies and advantageous circumstances to benefit them at the expense of the majority’

Babangida at 70 •A leader who almost became a statesman comes of age

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F being a head of state automatically qualified one to be a statesman, then General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) would have without question, been one. But political science scholars will readily tell you that there is more to that noble tag than leading a country. Indeed, beyond being a political leader, you must be known to be wise; you must be commanding of respect and in equal measure, you must be seen to be a patriot.

As Babangida turned 70 years August 17, 2011, how much of these ingredients are combined in his persona? He had a long, fruitful, if not successful military career. After studying in some of the best military schools in Nigeria, India, UK and the USA, he was appointed to numerous command positions until he became the Chief of Army Staff in 1983 at 42 years.

Prior to heading the Nigerian Army, at only 34 years old in 1975, he became a member of the Supreme Military Council (SMC), then prime ruling body in Nigeria.

He was to remain in SMC till 1979. In 1983, when the military toppled the civilian administration of President Shehu Shagari, Babangida was once again a member of General Mohammadu Buhari’s SMC from 1983 to 1985.

Babangida was to stage a palace coup against General Buhari on August 21, 1985 to take charge of the country as a President-in-Miliary uniform and Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces. He christened his ruling team the Armed Forces Ruling Council, (AFRC), from the pinacle of which he held the country in thrall for eight years up untill August 27, 1993 when he left power and office in ignominy albeit, promising to return.

For a military reign that lasted eight years, Babangida left his imprints. He built the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, he fasttracked the relocation of Nigeria’s Federal

Capital to Abuja and he to a large extent, helped liberalise the economy unleashing private initiatives in the financial services sector such as banking, insurance, stock market, as well as taking Nigeria through the IMF route of structural Adjustment Programme (SAP).

However, Babangida, the wily politician in military uniform may not earn the respect (the key ingredient for statesmanship) of Nigerians for several of the followign reasons. First he left Nigeria’s ecnomy much poorer than he met it, literally exterminating the middle class and leaving the nation’s currency weak and prostrate (from about N4.00 in 1985 to above N50.00 to a dollar in 1993).

Babangida is still suspected to have an idea about the letter-bombing of acclaimed journalist Dele Giwa in October 1986.

About half of the population was not happy that he stealthily corraled Nigeria into the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) thus dividing the country down a fractious line of religion.

Further, he got no plaudits for not accounting for the Gulf war oil windfall which was more than 12 billion dollars, for which a panel he set up (Okigbo Panel) indicted him for lack of accountability.

Not done, Babangida took Nigeria through a whirlwind of a transition that was expensive and soul-trying for the country and which amounted to nought.

Ab initio, it was found out, he never wanted to quit power; seeking instead to perpetuate himself as a life president, he unfurled his negative genius and manipulated the populace until he, in a manner of speaking, scored an own goal.

He had to “step aside” in a haste leaving the polity heated and installing an adhoc successor. The nation still bleeds from the misadventures of his era till date. For eight years of his rule, institutions of state were

damaged and systems broke down as government business were carried out in the breach. Economic development was done in a disorganised and haphazard manner. For instance the nation’s refineries were not maintained during his time and Nigeria became a net importer of petroleum products. This has continued till date.

He almost got away with all these and won his status of statesmanship but one last straw did the damage. He annulled the June 12, 1993 Presidential election adjudged to be free and fair and won by Chief M.K.O. Abiola. The election held in spite of his ill machinations against it.

Providence did not mean Babangida to be a statesman for if he had nto copped out in that giddy month of June to put that election under his boot, he probably would have been the most important man alive in Nigeria today. Indeed, he would today, on his 70th, have taken a frontS seat among leaders and legends of world politics.

Today, as Babangida comes of age, he is just another act, slinking in the shadows and knowing that history has not reserved much space for him in its annals. Thank-fully he is still here; he can still make amends.

‘Not done, Babangida took Nigeria through a whirlwind of a transition that was expensive and soul-trying for the country and which amounted to nought’

Tactical Retreat

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HINA’S decision to recall 54 highspeed trains, a month after one crashed into another and killed 40 people, is not only a huge embarrassment to the country’s Communist leadership; it is usual testimony to the growing influence of a restless, internetsavvy generation that is outraged by the scale of official corruption accompanying many of China’s prestige projects.

As well as recalling the trains for technical examination, after a series of breakdowns on the newly opened Beijing-Shanghai line, China also announced that it was permanently cutting the speed of the trains from 155mph and was scaling back the ambitious high-speed network, originally projected at 10,000 miles to be built by 2020. This is a starting retreat from a project trumpeted as a showcase for Chinese technology that was relentlessly promoted, despite experts criticising its cost, borrowed technology and crude engineering and the complaints of many Chinese that the system was unsuitable for China and money would be better spent on improving the overstretched conventional network.

What forced the recall, however, was the extraordinary outpouring of anger over a crash that symbolised the string of disasters, ranging from the collapse of schools and bridges to tainted milk and coalmine explosions, that have cost lives but not forced a rethink of the policies. Within days, microbloggers posted thousands of hostile comments, newspapers defied normal cencorship to pursue unuasually agressive reporting and internet users accused officials of trying to suppress reports and cover up the extent of official corruption contributing to these disasters.

In response, a rattled leadership – unable to ignore the 688,000 postings on the crash on Sina Weiebo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter – has clearly decided to make a tactical retreat.

Partly this may have been prompted by the realisation, slow in coming but accelerated by the Arab Spring, that public opinion is a growing force that can be rapidly mobilised by microbloggers in a way that the party can barely control. Partly, however, this is a canny calculation that apparent flexibility is a good way to disarm criticism before it settles on more fundamental issues such as political liberty and freedom of expression.

This is not the first time that the leadership has tacitly admitted that critics have had a point. After years of rigid denial that the Three Gorges Dam could have any adverse impact on the environment, China sheepishly admitted in May that the dam was causing economic, geological and environmental problems because of the drought. The release of Ai Weiwei in June also appeared tobe a pragmatic response to negative foreign comment and worries that his case would be taken up by sympathetic microbloggers in China.

But like an angler allowing slack in order to better reel in a fish, China has no intention of ceding political or ideological control. It is still pursuing dozens of lesser known dissidents, cracking down on house churches and pushing ahead with investment projects that have run also local opposition. The difference is that those riding the bullet trains are rich, influential and articulate. China’s rapidly developing wealth and sophistication depend crucially on these cadres. If they make links between dubious projects, corrupt officials and party patronage, the Government will be in trouble. Better, therefore, to retreat and rethink in good time.

– The London Times

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THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: Of late, there has been intense criticism and sometimes needless controversy over the present revenue allocation sharing formula, considered by many to be unjustly skewed in favour of the federal government. This, as many have observed, is against the spirit and tenets of true fiscal federalism that the country claimed to be practicing. To this end, political analysts and legal practitioners have advocated an immediate but honest review of the existing sharing formula to reflect the current political and economic realities.

But the questions are: what is the problem with the current sharing formula? Why are state and local governments demanding a review that would see them getting more than the federal government? Is the federal government not justified by retaining the lion share?

What is today known as fiscal federalism in Nigeria started in 1946, when the Richard constitution was introduced? This was after the country had been amalgamated in 1914. Don’t forget that at the time, Nigeria was operating a system of government called regionalism through which we had three regions- North, West and Eastern regions. After independence, we had the mid-western region created out of the western region. One of the significant features of this era was the presence of regional autonomy where regions grew at there own pace. The centre was only saddled with responsibilities that could promote national cohesion. Meaningful growth and development were witnessed during this time.

From the foregoing, it can be said that from 1946 to the end of the first republic in 1966, Nigeria operated a true fiscal federalism. But where did we err? The whole unfortunate drama began in 1966 after the collapse of the first republic. What happened? There was a coup and the military took over the reigns of power while the federal constitution got suspended. Thus, a unitary system was invoked on the country. Of course, the regions protested, but in the military parlance, power emanates from the barrel of the gun.

The whole country was turned into a military cantonment where the last order must be obeyed. This was

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True fiscal federalism is the answer!

the genesis.

States and local governments were created in a most questionable circumstance. In fact, some scholars have observed that the creation of more states and local governments was a deliberate tactics by the military to create dependency on the federal government?

In other words, it was not an honest decision, and ever since, the problem of fiscal inequality has remained with us like. Not even with the return of democracy in the country in 1999 could the problem be solved.

To solve a problem, they say, one most understand its history. This, I have done. Now I must address the issues raised. That there is a prob-

lem with the existing sharing formula is stretching the fact of understatement a bit too far. An arrangement where only the federal government gets 52.68% of the total revenue without a corresponding increase in its responsibilities, leaving the state and local governments with 26.72% and 20.60% respectively in spite of their huge expenditure is not fair neither is it just.

Yet, it is the state and local governments that generate large chunk of the country’s revenue. For instance, Lagos alone generates over 40% of the country’s Value Added Tax (VAT), but what did she get as its share - peanut. A case of robbing Peter to pay Paul you may say. Beyond this, it is in the states and local

governments that we have over half of the country’s population, putting pressure on the existing infrastructures that are already in near comatose. Tell me, where is justice in this!

To the second issue, the states and local governments could not have been self-centred in their quest for a review of the sharing formula, for, a system where states and local governments go cap in hand begging for the crumbs that fall off the dining table of the federal government is not sacred. This Almajiris system must not be sustained. The hard fact is that, the expenditure assignments of state and local governments do not correspond with their share of revenue. In other words, there is disconnect between assigned respon-

sibilities and what they are getting as allocation. What do you call this? Injustice! The federal government has not justified its lion share of the country’s revenue, with small expenditure assignment, and that is why waste and corruption have become its hallmark.

The way to go is to review not just the revenue allocation formula but also expenditure assignments and fiscal jurisdiction of the three tiers of government; every unit must justify what she is getting from the national purse. If we must fight corruption, then, we must make the centre unattractive for political jobbers; for, this is the only way to restore the country to its glorious days of true fiscal federalism.

One would expect that with the resurgence of opposition government in the country, especially in the south-west, the A.C.N must fight for the enthronement of true fiscal federalism. Finally, the ball is now in the court of the National Assembly to right the wrong of fiscal disparity.

• Alatise Taofeeq Nasir, Law student, University of Ilorin

Tunes of empty promises

S

IR: How can President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) and Prof. Attahiru Muhammadu Jega (AMJ) be promising Nigerians a better electoral system when they have both constituted themselves into a stumbling block to a genuine electoral reform? Yes, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is right that the amended Constitution forbids partisan politicians to be in the executive echelon of the so-called Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but is that constitutional provision adequate? Has the Constitution gone as far as guaranteeing justice?

The obvious answer is No! What can guarantee electoral justice is to free INEC from the whims and caprices of partisan politicians, and that is exactly what these two figures are subtly opposed to because they are power monger. That was why the president dismissed the Justice Muhammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee’s recommendations as he perfects his perceived his self-succession plan.

We should know that electoral justice is impossible where partisan politicians are chosen as INEC officials just as the president has done. I cannot see how the ACN or any other party will outwit this sad ploy. The possibility seems too slim. We cannot do it right until we get it right.

Whoever wants a better Nigeria for now must fight for electoral justice.

And the time to do it is now that

posterity. Given the Nigerian situation, I look forward to a genuinely free INEC if only the PDP will not stall the process for achieving this.

Remember how that party developed cold feet after the Justice Muahammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee submitted its recommendations.

• Pius Oyeniran Abioje, Ph. D, University of Ilorin.

The unseen side of INEC.

IR: There are funny stories across the states where few Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) officials misuse and abuse their position to deny candidates their electoral victory for reasons that would not do our electoral and democratic process any good.

This particular case has to do with Nasarawa North Senatorial district where Dr. Ngogo was interested in being the C.P.C candidate but did not qualify in the January 15th primary. Solomon Ewuga becamed the

S

2015 is still far-off. We should refuse to be confused by the president’s strategy of distracting us with a useless debate on his single term plot.

We should throw-away the poisonous and diabolical soup before he puts it on our table. It is an evil machination.

More than ever before, we need the solidarity of the legislature to reposition Nigeria for now and for

party’s candidate and campaigned vigorously for the party to win both the National assembly and the Governorship election.

In the course of the campaign, INEC allegedly in an intriguing manner inserted Nagogo’s name on its website against the party’s interest. This prompted the party through its chairman and secretary to write INEC on three occasions affirming Solomon Ewuga’s candidature but INEC still went ahead with its plan on Nagogo.

This was despite the fact that

Nagogo had instituted a suit challenging CPC and INEC for having another person but himself as the candidate. As a follow up, Solomon Ewuga requested to be joined as a defendant in the suit at the Federal High Court, Lafia.

The whole episode stinks to high heavens. INEC should get its act together and do what is right, just and proper.

• Tokunbo Ajidahun, Wuse 2, Abuja.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011 16

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Elite scum and other abstractions (1)

Reality Bites G

Olatunji Ololade

OLD plated doors and sofas.

Plastered walls and Venetian glass. Platinum pumps and home theatre. Spring locks, expensive cars and wine cellars. Trophy wives and concubines among other things epitomize the good life; in our fatherland.

Civilization has been improving our houses and husks no doubt but it has not equally improved the men who are to inhabit them. Great thanks to modernity, we have learnt to build castles even as we cannot yet create noblemen and scions to inhabit them.

In our fatherland, the “civilized” citizen and elitist’s pursuits are no worthier than the savage’s. He spends the greater part of his life in pursuit and acquisition of basically gross necessities and luxuries that at the end, impoverishes him worse than the most contemptible barbarian.

That has to be shocking given that in the prime of his life; at the apex of his growth and self-actualisation, he becomes a President, Governor, Industry titan, religious leader and “very successful” activist or media consultant to mention a few.

Ultimately, he becomes “rich” fundamentally in societal terms.

The Nigerian elite is “rich” and yet irrevocably poor. This poverty that I speak of connotes the poverty of his

intellect and psyche. Insidiously weaned and self-propelled by a discontent that is at once insatiable and detrimental to his being, he engages in an eternal pursuit of luxuries and accoutrements that to him and his privileged peers indicates the “good life.”

Basically, he is handicapped. And this handicap of his extends beyond the familiar trope of the human forelock or Intelligent Quotient (I.Q.) if you like. Like a canker, it eats into his psyche and ravages him till he becomes not much in constitution and expression.

Thus the alarming desperation by which he strives as a constituent of the Nigerian society. Hence his many vanities and vulnerabilities, particularly his inclination to engage in everything and anything in pursuit of money and attainment of the “good life.”

The Nigerian elite perpetuate the irony of a contrived metaphor.

Although by virtue of its purported civilization, it is expected to serve as an instrument of positivity and progress, it isn’t. Rather than facilitate the process of growth that till date, remains elusive to the Nigerian State, it terminates it; rather than ignite hope in their less privileged compatriots, it extinguishes it. Every

‘Notwithstanding its astounding rise to relevance, the Nigerian elite will be toppled off its high horse sooner than it can ever imagine. This is unavoidable in spite of the citizenry’s seeming idiocy and duplicity’

T

HERE is nothing wrong with Nigeria but there is something wrong in Nigeria! We are a nation with a sizeable land mass located in an earthquakefree, tsunami-free zone of the world. Properly harnessed, our soil can feed the entire African continent; we have an abundance of natural resources and vast reserves of untapped mineral resources. Yet for being the world’s 12th largest producer of petroleum and 8th largest exporter with the 10th largest proven reserves, Nigeria is a dismal failure. Our citizens live in squalor without basic amenities. Ours is a nation where nothing works!

The words of Patrick Wilmot spoken decades ago seem to have been engraved in granite as a permanent capture of the Nigerian state. ”After almost half a century of independence, Nigeria, the potential super power of Africa has travelled in reverse gear. If Nigeria had been a motor vehicle it would have been scrapped. And the scrap dealer would probably have refused the metal because of its flaws.

On every measure of performance for a state with its wealth and material resources, Nigeria has been a failure. Nothing works - from health, education, housing, manufactures, telephones, roads, the historical record is almost blank. In a thousand years, scholars could look back and sigh; there’s no sign that wise men once ruled.”

These painful but truthful words speak volumes and it should be no surprise that the desperate cries of the Nigeria citizen is growing louder by the day. That we need change is indisputable but the change we need must provide real solutions and move us forward as a people.

Like everyone else within the oppressed community in Nigeria the so-called “boko haram” is entitled to dreams of change but the wretched methods of religion-inspired murder, arson, terror and brigandage that they have chosen is totally unacceptable. There are few things that the “boko haram” axis has to be told openly. First of all, the

‘Starting from the days when we were hounded, captured and carried off as slaves first to the Arab Peninsula and later to the western world in slave ships under the most cruel of conditions. Our lands were stolen, confiscated and we went on to suffer the equally shameful pains of colonization’

day, the citizenry watches helplessly and in awe, the appalling recklessness with which it extinguishes their hope and profit from such enterprise.

It would be overkill perhaps if I endeavour to relate Nigerians’ political hara-kiri at the recently concluded general elections to a treacherous and annoyingly insolent elite class. It could be akin to giving a skunk a bad name if I hereby blame Nigeria’s crushing woes on the highly selfish and hypocritical elite piloting her ship of state.

This is neither to flay the elite for the villainy it perpetrates nor is it meant to castigate it for the eternal hopelessness it fosters. This is to commiserate with the nation’s elite class, middleclass, uppermiddleclass, upper class, aristocracy or whatever highfaluting title appeals to their ego.

A savage lust is basically its woe.

Take for instance, the abject horror the nation’s government perpetuates in the name of providing decent shelter or “affordable and low-cost housing for all.” It would no doubt be deemed preposterous to allege that via such “citizenry-centred” and over-celebrated efforts, they brazenly embezzle public funds.

So doing, it perpetrates a twopronged atrocity with chain reactions: it defaults in its promise of “affordable, low-cost housing” and subject the citizenry to untold hardship characterized by homelessness thus the burgeoning shanties and slum republics prevalent in our most high-profile cities.

To this, I guess not a few elitists in government and their acolytes within and outside the corridors of power would argue that it is not the duty of the government to put food on everyone’s table. They would argue that the government couldn’t provide decent shelter for all even if it tried. Then they would seek refuge

in the workings of Capitalism which purportedly provides for every man to fend for himself, according to his means.

Not a few elite would pertinently state that the persistent failures of their class to facilitate an acceptable human state of affairs in the country are hardly unforgivable failures.

They would claim that they merely add up to their inability to fulfill their constitutional obligations due to the “Nigerian factor” and because doing so would impose avoidable inconveniences on them. They would aver that it would be basically inexpedient to fulfill their statutory responsibilities given the unstable and feral nature of Nigeria’s democracy.

Simply put, it is the moral character that breaks down. How many Nigerians can afford to pay N7 million, N15 million or more cashdown or within a year, to acquire our elite-driven two and three-bedroom contraptions shamelessly dubbed “affordable and low-cost housing estates?

Truth is, it’s the cronies and associates of serving public officers that are able to afford such conveniences at such ludicrous rates.

Once they acquire them, they put them up for lease at rates that makes Shakespeare’s Shylock fundamentally, a saintly man.

Even in the medieval era, every family owned a shelter sufficient for both its coarser and simplest wants.

Today, in Nigeria’s towns and cities, where civilization supposedly prevails, the fraction of those who own houses is negligible. The rest pay an annual rent that basically renders them impoverished and barely able to feed and clothe, not to talk of owning a house.

The Nigerian elite care less about such issues than about getting one of its own into power. Its members are loyal not to posterity and ideas but

Boko Haram and its elusive remedy!

By Ladi Peter Thompson

“boko haram” leadership should go back and rediscover their African heritage! Starting from the days when we were hounded, captured and carried off as slaves first to the Arab Peninsula and later to the western world in slave ships under the most cruel of conditions. Our lands were stolen, confiscated and we went on to suffer the equally shameful pains of colonization.

In more recent times, the man of colour has been elevated to the role of the “tolerated village idiot” by modern and sophisticated concepts in other continents of the world. It is therefore obscene for any African to oppress and kill another on any pretext. On a second count, the “boko haram” must learn that practical African experience has taught us the vanity of unnecessary blood spillage in the land. In ancient times our lands were polluted with human sacrifices that brought no gain and Africans can easily recognize the signature of those ancient blood-thirsty malevolent forces.

The third lesson can be gleaned from the ancient African virtues of religious tolerance and effusive hospitality. A few generations ago we did not have access to either Christianity or Islam and common sense ought to teach us that the murder of fellow Africans under the cloak of religion is imbecilic! Both religions are in our lands today because we initially gave them an African welcome. Our traditional senses of decency still run deep and the creed and actions of the “boko haram” are bringing more shame to the Islamic faith than fame. The biased burning of churches and murder of university graduates by ill educated louts does not point to progress.

The fourth lesson is simple; if “fear and insecurity” is the objective of the “boko haram” leadership, there is a need to rethink the strategies. No sensible person can be impressed by their wanton acts of arson, rape, murders, looting and destruction. The average Nigerian that would

to the pursuit and attainment of wealth and power by any means.

In an ostensibly capitalist country, these self-styled vanguards of Capitalism espouse and brazenly perpetrate an oppressive social philosophy that upholds the existence of the average Nigerian as an imperceptible social organism—a view which implies that his needs are not valid instruments for perceiving social reality and improving it.

So doing, they project themselves as the chosen few supposedly endowed with special insight and ability to direct others. This implies the existence of an elite foundation of knowledge and aristocracy; a socio-political arrangement inaccessible to logic and beneath the mind.

Notwithstanding its astounding rise to relevance, the Nigerian elite will be toppled off its high horse sooner than it can ever imagine. This is unavoidable in spite of the citizenry’s seeming idiocy and duplicity.

Preoccupied by pursuits antithetical to national development, the Nigerian elite obviously do not know that it has lost the weaponry that guaranteed its rise to eminence and made all of its conquests possible: idealism and morality. It had to lose them precisely at the height of its success, since its claim to both was a fraud; the evident realities of its politics demonstrate the brute illogicality and inhumanity of its social code and gospel of sacrifice.

The Nigerian elite do not preach sacrifice as a temporary means to some desirable and lasting end.

Sacrifice is its end—the sacrifice of the lives of others. It is the commoner’s independence, prosperity, and happiness that the elite wish to destroy. And it is succeeding in its plot.

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have sided with their cause is too hungry to be afraid.

The average people are looking for equity, progress and direction and cannot relate with boko haram’s backward, dishevelled and incoherent public image. If the “boko haram” continues to push its luck, it will soon discover that Nigerians are not pampered western nations’ citizens that have comfort zone to defend! Unlike the western cultures that ignore neighbours, our ties are too strong for strangers to blend in our communities. Please forget about fear mongering because it won’t work with us.

All in all, the average Nigerian agrees with the ‘boko haram” that things must change but not in the wrong direction. It is only an unwise farmer that will depend on good luck to secure a harvest and the Nigerian government needs to wake up from its stupor. Beyond the “boko haram” menace, there are genuine concerns that must be addressed swiftly for Nigeria to survive. When an airbus takes off at Murtala Mohamed airport, it does not depend on good luck to arrive in Heathrow! The “boko haram” menace can be resolved with a few deft strokes but Nigerians are in dire need of a visible and honest plan that will keep hope alive. The Christian community in Nigeria too needs to step up to the plate! The “boko haram” may have a wrong approach but they at least, have spoken up.

The Christians need to be a lot more proactive in showing concern for the plight of the poor and the oppressed instead of grumbling when other faiths take the lead to establish innovations like Islamic banking that favours the oppressed. The Christian community could easily educate the “boko haram” on how to effect change positively. A suicide bomber is a cheaper sacrifice that dies only once but the Christian faith has no fear of death because we are living sacrifices who are taught to die daily. The Christian assurance of eternal life is the reason many missionaries are now volunteering to relocate to Maiduguri and other cities where churches have been burnt and Christians martyred. Shortly, there will be a mass movement of fresh Christian ministers to the worst affected areas to stand eye-to-eye and toe nail-to-nail with the “boko haram” till we find out whether or not the living sacrifice of the faith is greater than the dead sacrifice of suicide bombing.

The neutral citizens in Nigeria will be given an opportunity to confirm that life will always triumph over death.

This is the duty that the Christian community owes this nation until everyone has learnt that we must learn to coexist peacefully in spite of our differences.

• Thompson writes from Lagos State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

W

HILE driving through the road in the morning of Wednesday, August 17 on my way to the office, l was attracted to one of the displayed headlines of one of the dailies by a newspaper vendor calling General Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, a failure. The statement was reportedly made by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida while fielding questions from journalists on his 70th birthday. The paper quoted him as having said: “If I had been lucky like those in the recent past, I would have done more than we did. In my eight years in office, I was able to manage poverty and achieve success while somebody for eight years managed affluence and achieved failure.”

Ordinarily, the fact that Obasanjo achieved nothing but revenge and persecution of perceived enemies while in office for eight years is no longer news to the informed in the country. Rather, what makes news is that such a statement of fact came from the self styled evil genius called IBB. To someone like yours sincerely, there is no difference between Obasanjo and IBB when viewed from the crude way in which they both ruled this country.

The only difference is that while Obasanjo is very stingy, IBB is reportedly large-hearted.

Till now, it is up to any courageous government to help us ask IBB how he spent the $12.3 billion Gulf War Oil windfall that the Okigbo yet-to-be officially released report said could not be accounted for. Yes, Obasanjo wasted $16 billion on Independent Power Project (IPP), when electricity still remains a scarce commodity in the nation today. May we pertinently ask what happened to IBB’s $12billion unaccounted for oil windfall?

Whatever developmental initiatives $16 billion can undertake in 2007, it is too certain that $12 billion can equally do better in 1991.

So, the evil genius should not befuddle Nigerians with his incongruous comparative analysis.

Afterall, in his bid to cover his and Abdusalami Abubakar’s dirty tracks while in office, he travelled all the way from Minna to Ita-Eko in Abeokuta to prevail on and goad Obasanjo to come out and contest for the presidency despite the reality that Bashorun MKO Abiola was alive then and his June 12, 1993 mandate was still subsisting. The rest is

T

HOSE who have been silently nursing the hope that APGA (All Progressives Grand Alliance) would grow into an emergent Igbo party, better seek anchor elsewhere. This APGA won’t fly. Despite the fact that it controls two states in the Southeast now, the party is joyously coming across as a phantom with neither soul nor body. How can I make such matter-of-fact assertion, is it not too early to tell, you might ask?

Well, morning shows the day, they say and tutored eyes can tell a ripened corn without having to pinch it. Surely, reclaiming Igboland for Nd’Igbo is not part of APGA’s grand vision, if it had any. Let us consider this issue from the following perspectives: the two APGA governors, APGA as a party, other major ethnic groupings, party affiliations visà-vis PDP and the centre, and lastly, Nd’Igbo as a headless body headed no where.

Concerning our APGA governors, Peter Obi and Rochas Okorocha, Mr Obi is on his fifth year at the helm of Anambra state. By the standards of Nigerian governors, Obi has held out well in spite of peculiar problems but he has failed woefully as a big dreamer and empire builder. Yes, he has done well fixing the small matters but he seem not to have it in him to mobilize the great people of Anambra and get them marching as one towards a glorious destiny. How then can anyone expect him to galvanise Nd’Igbo into an excited and conquering mass.

He has not shown any or such streaks.

Regrettably, he is tied up doing the work of directors, permanent secretaries and commissioners. We see him inspecting school blocks and receiving sundry dignitaries.

Dreams die when we sweat small stuff.

On the part of the Imo governor, Okorocha, he was heaved aloft on the shoulders of Imo people straight into Douglas House, the state’s seat of power. He won deserved victory against a hard fighting incumbent. But how has he managed this enormous power thrust on to his laps so far? Not too well one dare say.

Apart from his initial rhetoric concerning education and promptitude of civil servants to work, he is still doing the much disliked blaring of siren and crowded convoy routine of his predecessor. He has employed a multitude of aides but most worrisome, his team, with due respect to all concerned, falls far short of being a transformational one.

For instance, we hear a 27-year-old boy barely out of school and with no work experience whatsoever mans the Environment

The evil genius at 70

Babangida today history.

The truth of the matter is that though IBB and Obasanjo both existed in different epoch but their reigns have a lot of things in common. They both ruled Nigeria with fistic grip. One entrenched corruption, the other consolidated corruption. IBB laid the foundation for the destruction of the Nigerian economy, Obasanjo built on that foundation.

One’s reign pioneered closure of Universities while the other consolidated on the evil practice. Fuel price increment and scarcity started during IBB’s tenure while Obasanjo merely ingrained that diabolic culture on the poor suffering Nigerians. IBB gave out

unnecessary billions of naira worth of import wavers to his cronies while Obasanjo also emulated him in this regard. Both regimes created undeserved millionaires out of indolent Nigerians.

The value of the naira, the nation’s official currency, was nothing to write home under both regimes. What more as both men while in power nursed grandiose ambitions that destroyed their reputations. IBB tried to elongate his tenure when he annulled the June 12 Presidential election until he was forced to step aside from power by Nigerian pro democracy activists. Obasanjo did same through his infamous third term bid but was stopped by the national assembly that voted against the evil initiative. Above all, the bitter truth in the polity today is that both men have doubtful reputations with questionable antecedents that make the Nigerian public perceive them as men that are not worthy of being called leaders. So, the statement credited to IBB should be regarded as the ranting of a frustrated 70 years old man.

At 70, one would have thought that IBB would have used the opportunity of his privileged attainment of that biblical age to atone for sins committed while in power against Nigerians and Nigeria. He should have apologised to late Gani Fawehinmi’s family for wrongful incarceration and contributory negligence to the ailment that eventually killed the most illustrious human rights activist of our time and epoch. Babangida ought to have apologised for bastardising the Nigerian

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

(SMS O8055001684) email: steve_osuji@yahoo.com

APGA’s house of cards Ministry. In today’s world, this is the most important ministry as environment has gone beyond refuse disposal. There are ways to reward campaign stalwarts, handing a mere boy a ministry to oversee is not one of them.

This singular appointment says a lot about Governor Okorocha’s vision or lack of it.

We also hear such jobs as Government House Comedian and the use of a Nollywood diva as Head or Lagos Liaison. Hmn! this matter na serious business, no be wassa o! As for the young lady in Lagos, this is the centre of trade, commerce and industry in Nigeria and of course has the largest concentration of Nd’Imo and Nd’Igbo generally.

What is Governor Okorocha’s grand vision for this city in his overall business plan and how can this young, beautiful lady interface these important audiences and drive this dream?

Yes, this story is about APGA and the Igbo conundrum but if we are embroiled in small matters about getting the right hands to run routine errands, then the big picture will surely dissolve before our eyes.

That big picture is Nd’Igbo in today’s Nigeria, in 2015 and beyond. If APGA and her two governors is not losing sleep - and I think not - over this Igbo matter, then they are just strutting and puffing to be blown away like specks of dust in the near future.

All discerning minds can already see that Nigeria is drifting inexorably towards a proper federal state most likely based on the delineated six zones. What is Igbo agenda in all this?

Nd’Igbo look up to APGA to pick up the gauntlet and begin the political rebirth of Igbo people as Ohan’eze has become a parastatal in the Presidency. But from the foregoing, this

seems a forlorn wish.

The Southwest has built itself a formidable political machine in ACN, it has its recharged (or is it reformed?) Afenifere and there is also the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE). Its strongarmer, OPC is still there latent and live, and how do you dig such emerging portfolios as commissioner for regional integration?

Strategic thinking?

The North has the CPC, ANPP and its Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) intact. They have been using these platforms to meet, brainstorm and strategise towards 2015 and beyond. When was the last time Nd’Igbo met to parley on their group interest?

Though we have so much to meet for and talk about, we are the most deprived ethnic group in Nigeria today (least number of states, LGAs) yet we can’t find a reason to pull together. There seems to be a national conspiracy to ensure that Nd’Igbo get no arrowhead. Have you noticed recently that each time a voice of reason emerges, he is given a taste of the soup, not a platter like others, but in his cupped, beggarly palm. Once our brother leaks it, he begins to sing and blabber from both sides of the mouth. Have you noticed that from 1999 till date, every Ohaneze leader who emerged had been tethered to Aso Rock lawn to contemplate the exotic imported, grasses of the Villa. This is the root of the current problems of Nd’Igbo.

That is how come Nd’Igbo are nowhere today. The Southwest has secured its region to run as it designs and as bargaining chips against the rest of the country when they have to. The North has quietly reclaimed PDP and positioned for the next dispensation. If you haven’t noticed, they are holding numbers two, three, four and five (CJN) positions in Nigeria’s order of national precedence, plus

currency through his badly implemented IMF induced Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). At 70, it would have been sensible if IBB apologised to the family of late notable journalist, Dele Giwa who was killed by a parcel bomb delivered by a despatch rider during his regime.

He severely punished Fawehinmi for attempting to unravel his killers through the judicial system. It is still baffling why Babangida at 70 has not deemed it fit to apologise to Nigerians over his annulment of the freest, fairest and best elections ever in the annals of this country. Nigerians and indeed the Abiola family deserve an unreserved apology from this man at 70. IBB must apologise for inflicting Obasanjo on the nation in 1999. The evil genius was responsible for too many atrocious official conducts including the entrenchment of corruption that it would be unrealistic to think that such could be properly dissected in this write-up due to space constraint.

Unfortunately for IBB, he has tried to launch himself back to power but thrice he failed. In 2003, he withdrew when he gauged official mood at that time that was antagonistic of his ambition. In 2007, he was shown a sample of the impunity dose that he administered on others while in power for eight years. His son, Mohammed, was even quizzed by the state service then. By 2011, the IBB cocoon was broken and finally his long standing ambition to once again rule Nigeria was shattered by the so called northern leaders that voted for Atiku Abubakar.

When asked by reporters during his 70th birthday media parley whether he would still run in 2015, he reportedly answered: “Politics?

Forget it. I will sit in Minna here and people will come and seek my advice.” My position is; who will seek advice from a man that was disgraced out of power in 1993 as a self styled military president and who from all indications is a failed politician by any standard of measurement in the country today?

Neither IBB nor Obasanjo has the moral right to advice anybody in the nation. Providence provided the duo with the opportunity of becoming statesmen but they both squandered it as they ended their public careers as political villain. Too bad! Anyway, l am saying a grudging happy 70th birthday to IBB. the PDP chairmanship. They dominate the National Council of State (NCS) - Shagari, Babangida, Buhari, Abdulsalam, Gowon, Obasanjo and Shonekan. When crucial matters of state are discussed both in the NCS and the PDP, Nd’Igbo are not there. Which is that Igbo voice that can ricochet across the four corners of Nigeria today? Like Tinubu, Ciroma, E. K Clark? Igbo wu Igbo unu o mu kwa anya e?

The North has even cleverly created its own militant group, Boko haram and they are on the verge of enjoying mouth-watering amnesty doles direct from the Presidency soon.

Weep not Igbo boy, your leaders sold your birth right. I will wager that Okorocha is plotting and waiting for the right signal to return to the PDP where he thinks they will hand him vice presidential ticket come 2015.

But that will be his greatest undoing for PDP, that pernicious drain pipe (that’s PDP too) will bring him and his government to ruins. Let him ask his predecessor what happened to him upon his return to PDP. They sucked out his soul. How we have become so very comfortable and cool in second fiddle positions? How our so-called leaders accept it so gleefully. So for those of you who thought APGA was coming to dominate the Southeast, perish the thought. Not this APGA. It lacks the grit, capacity and vision. It was conceived in the wombs of intrigues and nurtured on chicanery. We can take some surprises though.

PDP is weak and ripe for picking. But where are the leaders to make the move…?

LAST MUG: Sanusi Islamic Bank: though the CBN governor may have bamboozled us into submission but one small point remains.

Why must a public business outfit supervised by a federal agency (CBN) bear a non- secular label? If Lamido Sanusi pushes through and licenses a bank by the name, ISLAMIC BANK, he will have to license CHRISTIAN BANK too.

He will have to create Christian and Islamic banking departments in the CBN, on an on.

And the rest of us will go ahead and name our businesses Christian supermarket, Christian mass transit, Christian stock brokers, on and on. Where will this lead Nigeria? More unified or divided? We surely can have non-usury banks without the ISLAMIC tag. As it is, Sanusi has so far been stumped by the normal conventional banking. He is supposed to be the unbiased arbiter, the regulator. But Sanusi seems to relish in stirring up ruinous ethnic and religious sentiments among our people.

Why?

23 FRIDAY, AUGUAST 19, 2011

Vol 3 No. 142

‘Why firms prefer experiential marketing’ Felix King Eiremiokhae is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Oracle Experience, a brand activation agency with tentacles in Nigeria, Cameroun , Ghana and other countries in sub-Sahara Africa. In this encounter with WALE ALABI, he canvasses the need for experiential marketing and other related issues. Excerpts: Oracle: From the beginning

O

RACLE Experience is a West Central and West Africa experiential brand communications agency founded in 2004. It creates experiences to help the world’s leading companies improve performance, increase sales and build brands through live events, branded environments and other interactive experiences. It has a staff of 50 and 3,000 trained field personnel spread across Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroun. In Nigeria, you will find our network across the 36 states and Abuja, making us the agency with the most spread operational network in the country. What a grace to have.

We have been blessed not only to be part of some of the most ambitious marketing experiences in the market we operate, but we have been part of the successes achieved through these ambitious activations from conception of ideas, to story board of these ideas and finally bringing the ideas to life seamlessly. We are so blessed to have some of the most passionate staff who see themselves as entrepreneurs and clients who believe in our ability to turn even the most ambitious idea into a success story.

In few months to come, the industry will witness one of the most ambitious consumer endorsement campaigns ever in the history of experiential marketing. And once again, we are blessed to be part of it all.

Also, we have learnt, in the course of our growth, not to see creativity as nice on pitch presentation slides without meticulously driving the essential elements of the big idea into a seamless real life interpretation. Politicians will tell you winning election is do or die. At oracle, succeeding with these big ideas is much more serious than that.

Brief and the big idea Every brief presents an opportunity to showcase what a wonderful team we have. We are proud to have some of the most creative, passionate, and talented team of professionals in the industry. Our people come from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of job and life experiences. We have professionals from specified fields working together to create winning and supportive cooperate culture. Our work speaks for us.

We start with our client’s early ambition, develop the concept and content, storyboards the ideas, and subsequently installs and manages all of the physical requirements, no small achievement given the scale of challenges we have needed to overcome and we still manage to have fun doing what we do. I always feel fulfill each time I hear the client say if you want a good job, use Oracle and go to sleep with your two eyes closed because they believe in the agency’s ability to always do great jobs.

Marketers on experiential marketing Marketers have a lot to say about experiential marketing – broadly defined as live event marketing experiences where consumers interact with a product or brand face – to – face. at present, the industry is growing: indeed, it’s estimated at over N10 billion in Nigeria yearly. There are some key factors fuelling this category’s growth: A media reality in which consumers screen out broadcast marketing messages; a culture that is increasingly brand-aware and fiercely loyal; and, most importantly, the need for marketers to be relevant with consumers where they shop, work and play. Given the level of expenditure in the space, there are few benchmarks on; how experiential marketing compares to other marketing disciplines. How consumers response to experiential marketing varies among demographic groups and across product categories; and what characteristics are most ap-

pealing to consumers in a marketing experience.

Elements of experiential marketing Key characteristics have to do with locations, durations and timing. For instance, top experiential destination for men and women are shopping malls, stores and local markets, public fairs and events. Generation X which falls between 24 and 37years and generation Y. Women are significantly more likely to prefer these venues than men.

Conversely, younger men are more likely to prefer sports and concert events. Logically, the engagement time frame consumers are willing to spend in these categories which can be in an average of 15 minutes is dramatically longer than the 30 – 45 seconds attention span of the most traditional media. Some key characteristics that make a marketing experience more effective and appealing are the opportunities they provide the consumers for immediacy, dialogue, entertainment and interaction along with product trial.

How experiential marketing influences purchase It is because experiential marketing has been proven in the past 15 years or so, to drive quick response. Survey results conducted by the experts in the industry indicates that experiential marketing drives fast purchase response among consumers and that among certain groups it is the most effective means to do so, particularly with women and younger audiences. Many marketers know intuitively experiential marketing is best suited to motivate a target audience to action. That doesn’t take place in traditional media in building brand awareness, but it is more effective in inciting fast response and every marketer needs quick return on their investment. It will be permissible to say experiential marketing is the critical strategy for marketers that need to inspire immediate action. Experiential marketing; as an effective marketing tactic across many products category. Men and women of all ages are particularly receptive to experiential marketing programmes in the categories of food and beverages, cars, computers, software and cell phones. Of particular interest is the strong interest women indicate in programs in health care services and products given the increased direct–toconsumer trend in pharmaceuticals, it only makes sense that event marketing should play a big role. The strong interest for experiences in the car and computer categories

‘Men and women of all ages are particularly receptive to experiential marketing programmes in the categories of food and beverages, cars, computers , software and cell phones.

Of particular interest is the strong interest women indicate in programmes in health care services and products given the increased direct–toconsumer trend in pharmaceuticals, it only makes sense that event marketing should play a big role’

•Eiremiokhae

demonstrates the high value consumers place in this type of marketing as a way to “demystify” and “try on” big – ticket products. Both categories require more complex sell, both in terms of information and price justification. First hand product experience is a key way to drive purchase behaviour.

Challenges and prospects I don’t think I am qualified to pass judgment on the operations of competitors, but what I can tell you is that Oracle has built a reputation by creating extraordinary consumer experiences in some of Nigeria’s most demanding environments: from Maiduguri to Sokoto, from Uyo to Abakiliki, from Oyo to Ekiti from Lagos to elsewhere covering the length and breadth of Nigeria. However, just like in every evolving industry, you will have the contenders and the pretenders. At present, a lot of pretenders are creeping in, using price slash as a strategy and sometimes the clients get their fingers burnt because as the saying goes, “if you hire a quack, you get a quack result”. On a more serious note, I am an advocate for the industry to have a regulatory body, which guarantees recourse for the client.

Yes, if PR can have a body, why can’t we have Experiential Marketing Association? The industry will be much better and respected.

Over the past 12 months, we have invested heavily in a production company called Live Events Productions which interest focuses on multi-media services, set design, concert stage rental, public address system reinforcement units that can drive up to 100,000 watts, lights and laser effects with other spectacular production toys, event scripting and treatment. Live Events operates as a “gun-for-hire” outfit providing live events production solutions for Oracle and other agencies which might be in need of their services. Live Events Production deals more with agencies as a third party supplier and they are at the liberty to work for anybody without conflict of interest.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

24

Advertising budget goes up

C

ONTRARY to pundits’ prediction that there will be a drop in advertising budget due to the economic meltdown, a recent report has shown that there was an increase in advertising spend last year.

According to the report, a total amount of N97.549 billion was invested on advertising mostly (above the line advertising activities) in Nigeria in 2010.

This was contained in the latest edition of Mediafacts,a yearly publication of MediaReach OMD, Nigeria’s most influential media independent agency.

This figure includes funds invested on television, radio, outdoor, and press advertisements in the past year.

The figure represents a growth of 7.3 per cent over the amount spent in the previous year, 2009. In 2010, the Lagos region accounted for 52.7 per cent or N51.415 billion, while the North accounted for 19 per cent or N18.578 billion. The Eastern part accounted for N16.218 billion or 16.6 per cent while the western part of the country accounted for the balance.

As in 2009, the telecoms product category spent the highest on ATL advertising having recorded N16.866 billion of ad spend, followed far behind by personal paid announcements which spent N7.854 billion. Lager beer was third in the product category with N4.513 billion.

In the telecommunication category, MTN was tops in ad spend last year with N7.145 billion, followed by Globacom, which spent N4.485 billion for advertisements in 2010. Etisalat and Airtel spent

N2.489 billion and N2.126 billion respectively. All the four brands topped the list of the top 20 brands in terms of ad spend last year.

Another highlight of Mediafacts 2010 is that television advertising amounted to N39.656 billion of the total N97.549 billion, accounting for 40.7 per cent of the cumulative Nigerian ad spend in 2010.

Outdoor expenditure was next to television with N28.562 billion.

Mediafacts 2010, published in one volume in English and French contains media trend information on nine West African countries and three central African countries. This covers some of the countries where mediaReach OMD operates in. The company, mediaReach OMD is a specialist media company that provides media planning, buying, control and inventory management services with offices in Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana. mediaReach OMD is well known for transparency and accountability.

Over the years, the company has provided professional media services with professionalism, client responsiveness, innovation and integrity as its values in action.

Having started operation in 1999, mediaReach OMD is part of OMD global network and has grown to be a reputable media independent firm in West Africa with considerable operations capability in Central Africa. It is one of the largest and most influential media communications specialists in the world.

Billboard World holds brands award

B

ILLBOARD World, will honour advertising professionals, outstanding human, corporate, product and brands ambassadors from West Africa, South Africa and Europe on Sunday at the Four Points, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This year’s edition, the third in the series, has as theme: Repositioning the Nigerian out of home media towards globalisation.

The yearly event, according to its organisers, is a corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at encouraging, motivating and rewarding key industry players and brands that have distinguished themselves and have added value to the growth and sustenance of outdoor media business in Nigeria.

The Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, Mrs Maureen Umanah, said popular and trusted brands, both human and

product, with the usual core values that distinguish them in the crowded marketplace will be rewarded at the event.

“The awards seek to reward and motivate such brands that possess unique value proposition with resultant positive impact on us and the society at large.

And brands that have shown loyalty in their line of duties and course of existence,” Umanah added.

Dignitaries expected at the event include: Akwa State Governor Godswill Akpabio ; Information Minister, Alhaji Labaran Maku and Mr IpoolaA. Omisore, member, Lagos State House of Assembly.

Others are Alhaji Bello Garba Kankarofi, Registrar, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON); Mr Torgbor Mensah, chairman, Outdoor Advertising Association of Ghana and Mr Francis Dadzie, Executive Director, Advertising Association of Ghana.

•From left: Chairman Interswitch East Africa, Dr. William Kalema, Minister of Finance, Uganda, Ms Maria Kiwanuka and MD/CEO, Interswitch Group, Mr Mitchell Elegbe, at the transformation of Bankom Uganda to Interswitch East Africa in Kampala, Uganda.

Road to cashless Lagos

H

E is there. Before the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) realised the need for a cashless economy, he has been living there and enjoying it. He is educated. He is exposed. He goes casual most of the time.

Today, he wears a T-shirt, a pair of dirty jeans and sneakers. He loves the tingling of the cold air on his face and head, as such, he wears no moustache, no beard, no side burns, not a single follicle of hair on his baldhead.

He is clean-shaven. He is 25 or in that neighbourhood. Anyway, he has come to pick few essentials at the city’s mall.

Therefore, his trolley is loaded: household appliances, beverages, toiletries, canned juice and fruits. He is not well-dressed. Nevertheless, he looks well fed. You could see why.

As he approaches the payout counter, he brought out his designer leather wallet. He flips it open, revealing payment cards, nestling quietly in the inner recess of the wallet.

Let us check the brands: Verve, Freedom, Genesis, Visa and MasterCard.

At the counter, he pulls his trolley closer and selects a card, and waits while the pretty cashier announces, “That’s N955. 50. The bald-one simply places his card on one of the point of sales (PoS) terminals on the desk, punches the exact amount, takes the receipt and, before you know it, the stewards have come forward to assist him with his trolley.

Then, the bald-on edisappears. No hassle.

No haggle.

Meanwhile, there is another man, this could be anybody; he is not there at all. He is living in a different world, a world that relies heavily on cash; as such, he does not understand why he must leave them all without his complete balance, when in reverse the mall attendant will not care about him if he does not pay the correct amount. He is ready to haggle until eternity and fight it out with the person in order to have his way.

Of course, this generates intense argument andattracts shoppers’ attention.What is the difference between the bald-one and the bad one? A plastic card: One man favours the payment card, the other goes for cash. In the first instance, why would you carry plastics in your wallet when you can rest in the cold assurance of cash? Why would you opt for card instead of cash? That is what the CBN cashless policy is asking you to do. Embrace card. Discard cash. However, this would not be easy. What can we do? To answer your question, let us recall the benefits of payment card over cash in a cash-dependent economy like Nigeria. Thieves follow cash, not card.

Thieves come to kill and rob and steal your cash, not card. It goes, therefore, that thieves would hate you if you carry card. They would not kill you. What they might do is find ways to get your personal identification number or PIN. That is why those who are gullible enough to give away their PINs always fall prey to phishing.

However, the incidence of card hackers and spam is not as high and gory compare to cash-induced cases in Nigeria. Therefore, for the CBN to succeed in its operation cashless, it has a long road to travel. You might say 2015 is far, you might be right. Or wrong. It depends on your leaning.

Nevertheless, if you consider the workload ahead of the CBN it should start working now and stop talking. The apex bank said it would begin the implementation in Lagoss State this December, before it spreads to other

parts of the country. Tagged operation cashless Lagos, as a starting point, Lagos would be ahard nut, as not many people (the unbanked especially) patronise the banks.

That is why a bus conductor is always comfortable with his cash. That is why a vulcanizer would not accept your card as a means of exchange when he inflates or gauges your tyres. He prefers his cash. It reassures him.

The collection of market women and mai taba would settle for cash any day. No, it is not impossible, but the timeline of December 2011, is short for the Herculean task ahead of the CBN. Within this period, the apex might not record much success because infrastructure such as PoS, ATM etc needed to migrate from acash-aware Lagos to a cashless Lagos are not on ground. Unless the song coming from the CBN is not true, the road to acashless Lagos is like the Ibadan Expressway, there are so many detours, so many potholes and gullies. Likewise, a cashless city or economy does not just spring up overnight. Yes, the apex bank has referred to the near cashless economy in Kenya. Nigeria is not Kenya. Kenya is not Nigeria. Kenya’s tourism, which attracted load of foreigners mostly Europeans who are used to shopping with cards, hashelped.

Similar environment does not exist here.

Yes, we can induce it. Yes,we can attract it.

Yes, we can. However, not in six months and not in a cut and paste manner. The CBN should stop talking about importing 10,000 point of sales (PoS) terminals, but should commence the importation exercise and deploy the machines across every merchant locations, malls, supermarkets and banks in the state. The apex should stop talking about how it would increase current ATMs to 75,000 by December 2012, but should start to deploy ATMs now orroll out the deployment plan.

The CBN eggheads should stop talking and start doing. Achieving a cashless economy does not happen on the pages of newspapers, it happens when the generals and foot soldiers areworking in the trenches.

It breaks one’s head when corporate organisations particularly banksand the likes announce their intension on the pages of newspapers and magazines or on television stations without having put in place thelogistics to actualise the plan. The apex bank has embraced the sametrend, and it should move away from it.

For instance, the only constituency that could create a gully on the road to a cashless Lagos are the banks. Can the CBN say it has the full buy-in of the various banks? Who will procure the PoS? Who will deploy them?

Who will procure the ATMs? Who will deploy the ATMs? When will these machines hit our shores? When will they be deployed?

How about the PoS and ATM users have they been educated? Are they aware enough about the CBN’scashless Lagos? How about the malls, supermarkets, and merchantlocations; are they ready for the take-off of the project?These are some of the issues that should be addressed before wecontemplate taking a walk on the road that leads to a cashless Lagos.Yes, transactions can be done in Lagos by primarily using cards. Yes,we can reduce the rate at which we carry cash around, as the bald-onedid at the city mall. However, to achieve that, the CBN should start planting the seed now.

‘Unless the song coming from the CBN is not true, the road to acashless Lagos is like the Ibadan Expressway, there are so many detours, so many potholes and gullies. Likewise, a cashless city or economy does not just spring up overnight’

*Editor - Wale Alabi *Consulting Editors - Rarzack Olaegbe, Sola Fanawopo * Correspondent-Jimi David * Human Relations Executive - Owolabi Afolabi *Operations Executive - Isiaka Hassan *Creative - Oluwaseyi Sulaimon*Front Office Executive - Blessing Nkeanya * Business Development - Kenny Hussain * Legal Adviser - Olasupo Osewa & Co Brandweek is powered by Drumbeat Media and published every Friday in THE NATION newspaper. Corporate Suite: 20 Akinremi Street, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

All correspondence to the editor - 0808.247.7806, 0805.618.0040, , e-mail: korede2000@gmail.com © All rights reserved.

Annnaul report

MAINTENANCE Cross River spends N393m on roads Abia

28

FRIDAY AUGUST 19, 2011

CRIME

HONOUR

Motorbike robbers on the prowl

Akpabio bags award

Lagos

38

Akwa Ibom

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

40

Page 25

• The bridge

Relief as community bridge takes shape T

HE two communities are so near, yet so far. Why? The road that links them is in terrible disrepair. In the wet season, one community is virtually cut off from the other. Residents seek alternative routes at a huge cost. But now, the days of torment are numbered. A bridge to link the two neighbourhoods is nearly completed, as is the road accompanying it. Residents of Ijegun and Isheri-Osun in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State are overjoyed.

W

ORRIED by the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence among the youth, the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) have inaugurated what they called the Outof-School HIV/AIDS project in Akwa Ibom State.

The project, according to UNICEF's Field Officer, Charles Nzuki, is to fight the HIV epidemic among the youth.

Nzuki explained that different surveys

Several Lagos neighbourhoods to benefit

By Miriam Ndikanwu

The inner-city road is one of many which the state governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola promised to construct in remote parts of the state councils. The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure took the governor's pledge seriously and intensified construction work across the state.

Addressing journalists shortly after inspect-

ing construction work at Ijegun-Isheri Osun, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Dr. Obafemi Hamzat assured residents that the project would soon be completed and presented to the people.

He assured them of the government's determination to improve inner-city roads across the various local governments in the state. Hamzat blamed the slow pace of work on inadequate funds.

He, however, informed that 70 per cent work has been done on the 1km bridge, adding that the entire work would be completed by the contractor within the next 15 months.

"So far so good," Hamzat said. "We are pushing the contractor to deliver the bridge on time, but we also understand that there are challenges in terms of structures. We are here to assess and see whatever we can do to keep our fulfilment to the people of the state.

•Continued on Page 26

UNICEF, NYSC inaugurate HIV/AIDS project Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

had shown that proportionately, young people (less than 25 years old), have higher HIV prevalence.

He noted that UNICEF has long been collaborating with other partners to support the implementation of HIV prevention and life skills education for young people

through the NYSC scheme.

Mr Nzuki stated that the project would equip several thousands of in-school young people nationwide every year with the requisite knowledge and skills to prevent HIV infection.

Apart from implementing the project in Akwa Ibom, Nzuki disclosed that the Outof-School project on HIV/AIDS has been in-

augurated in Kaduna and Cross River states.

He said: "In recognition of the need to intensify preventive efforts, this project was conceptualised to focus on using radio drama to provide comprehensive HIV prevention information, life skills and referral for services to out-of-school young people.

•Continued on Page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

26

Community petitions Obi over impeachment

A

S a result of the recent impeachment of the President-General of Nibo Union, an umbrella body of a community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, the community has petitioned Governor Peter Obi on the development.

They also petitioned the state Director of State Security Services (SSS) and the Commissioner of Police, Mukhtari Ibrahim.

The former President-General Goodluck Nwankwo, according to the community, was impeached for an alleged violation of the provisions of the constitution, financial misappropriation and gross misconduct.

The community has already elected and inaugurated a new President-General. He is Mr Okey

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Okoye, a lawyer. He has equally been endorsed by the traditional ruler of the area, Ezeike IV of Nibo, Igwe Ugonwanne Dennis Ngene and his cabinet.

The community also elected Hon. Paul Afam Ogudo as the Deputy

President-General, Chukwudi Nwude, Deputy Secretary General, Chuka Okafor Welfare Officer and Mr. Samuel Okafor as the chairman of Works Committee.

Furthermore, the community alleged that all the grants given to communities in Anambra State by Governor Peter Obi for security

In view of the stated constitutional breaches by the President-General, Nibo Union, Mr. Okey Goodluck Nwankwo and by the provisions of section 38, sub-section (4) and (7) of the said Nibo Constitution, we therefore resolved that the actions of Nwankwo have impacted negatively on the peace and security of Nibo community as a whole

and development purposes that amounted to millions of Naira could not be accounted for by the impeached President-General.

They further alleged that the account of the community was being run like a personal account without the knowledge of their monarch, Ngene who is supposed to be a signatory to it.

The community said: "In view of the above stated constitutional breaches by the President-General, Nibo Union, Mr. Okey Goodluck Nwankwo and by the provisions of section 38, sub-section (4) and (7) of the said Nibo Constitution, we therefore resolved that the actions of Nwankwo have impacted negatively on the peace and security of Nibo community as a whole.

"This situation can no longer be tolerated as it would permanently destroy the peace, development,

•Obi harmony and peaceful co-existence of Nibo people."

The petition a copy of which was obtained by The Nation was signed by 20 people each from the four villages that make up the community.

Lawmaker floats skill acquisition centres

T

HE Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District Chief Hope Uzodimma has announced plans to establish skills acquisition and computer literacy centres in 12 local government areas that make up the zone for the training and empowerment of youths.

He said the centres would help position Orlu for "massive skill empowerment of the large army of our unemployed youths."

Senator Uzodimma made the declaration in an address he delivered in London at the convention of Old Orlu Division Union in United Kingdom and Ireland, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Owerri.

The Senator, who had, at the floor of the Senate, raised an alarm over the rising wave of unemployment, said he was worried over the plight of the youth.

He disclosed that his mission was to fast-track the development of Orlu zone and to erase “from our annals the wasted years of our wasted generation.”

Chief Uzodimma also revealed that

The idea of the skill acquisition centres was ‘to re-awaken the spirit of enterprise and technical knowledge which Orlu people of old were known for’

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

the idea of the skills acquisition centres was "to re-awaken the spirit of enterprise and technical knowledge which Orlu people of old were known for."

He said: "The skills acquisition centres are programmed to avail our youths with requisite elementary technical skills that can serve as catalyst for our much-needed mediumscale technological revolution."

He said his vision was to use the centres as technological revolution that will turn Orlu zone into the little Asian-Tiger of Nigeria with the graduates serving as energisers to the technical dexterity of the people.

Senator Uzodimma reiterated his resolve to ensure that he activates programmes that will create jobs for the people and guarantee a safer place for lives and property.

He called on Orlu residents in UK and Ireland to partner with him and other stakeholders to evolve ways of accelerating the development of Orlu zone.

He informed them that he was already partnering with those indigenous to Orlu who reside in the United States of America to host an Orlu Development Summit, even as he urged them to buy into the project.

The Senator assured that he would work with his colleagues in the Senate to ensure that Orlu State was created. He commended them for being peaceful and worthy ambassadors of Nigeria in UK and Ireland.

• From left: Permanant Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Fatima Bamidele; Team Leader, Presidential Sorghum Transformation Value Chain Agenda, Prof. babatunde Obilana, and Representative of the Director, Rural Development in the Ministry, Mr Daudu Machika at the National Sorghum Transformation initiative stakeholders forum in Abuja

UNICEF, NYSC inaugurate HIV/AIDS project •Continued from page 25 "The HIV/AIDS National Strategic Framework for Action on HIV/ AID (2010 - 2015) and the National HIV/AIDS prevention plan identify young people as a key target group for intervention."

Also, the state coordinator of NYSC, Aniefiok Okpongete, lamented that for three decades, humanity had been contending with

• Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State (third) in a group photograph with a delegation of Abia indigenes in Diaspora when they paid a Courtesy visit on the governor in Umuahia

the threat of HIV/AIDS. Okpongete reasoned that in response to the above, in 2003, the "NYSC UNICEF Adolescent Reproductive Health/HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support Project" was launched in Akwa Ibom State to target the in-school youths through the NYSC Peer Education Training (PET) Programme.

He explained that PET programme is executed by the volunteer corps members, trained according to UNICEF standards and equipped to carry out anti- HIV/ AIDS campaigns in secondary schools and communities across the states of the country.

The mandate of PET, according to the NYSC state coordinator, is to train and mentor at least 40 students as peer influencers and behaviour change agents among their peers, colleagues and community members.

He noted that since the inception of the project in the state, over 2, 000

Corps members had been trained as peer education trainers and posted to schools across the state where they have individually trained and mentored over 40 students as PETs who have, in turn, reached out to at least 20 of their peers with informed HIV/AIDS messages, thus reaching out to over one million people in the state.

Earlier, Governor Godswill Akpabio in his keynote address commended UNICEF and the state NYSC for the initiative.

Akpabio said: "It is gratifying to note that the initiative came after an organised research work and studies conducted in the state by UNICEF through the NYSC to determine the drivers of the virus and the vulnerable group, in which the out-of-school youth was therefore identified.

"This therefore calls for concerted efforts and action given the speculations that youths share not only an active but also the most mobile segment of our society."

THE NATION

27

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

Imo monarchs warned against unruly behaviour

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HAIRMAN Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness (HRH) Eze Samuel Ohiri has threatened to expel any traditional ruler who engages in any act capable of tarnishing the reputation of the institution.

He stated this while interacting with reporters in Owerri. He stressed that it is now a thing of the past for royal fathers to engage in squabbles with one another, even as he disclosed that anyone caught in this misdeed would be dealt with.

Eze Ohiri pointed out that traditional rulers are custodians of the people’s culture and should be endowed with knowledge to rule their respective domains.

The monarch, however, expressed his

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

disappointment that his predecessor ignored the Governor’s directive to return all government’s properties in his possession regardless of the consequences.

He added that since Ilomuanya is no longer the chairman council of traditional rulers in the state, he has no reason not to comply

with government directive.

On the suspension of the 106 newly instituted traditional rulers by Governor Okorocha, Eze Ohiri said that government is still looking into the issue with a view of coming out with a solution.

He expressed worry over the large number of traditional rulers and autonomous communities in the state,

‘Why we removed traditional council chief’

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MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has explained that the removal of the chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers was considered necessary in the bid to restore sanity in the traditional

From Emma Mgbeahurike

institution.

Okorocha, who stated this when the new leadership of the council led by Eze Samuel

Idris receives award

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OVERNOR Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State’s achievement in the area of youth empowerment has attracted international recognition as he is the sole recipient of this year's Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Award.

The governor received the leadership award last week in Dublin, Ireland during the third annual Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life International Youth Leadership Conference which has its theme "Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders.”

According to Governor Ibrahim Idris' Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Zakari Adamu, the Founder and President of Albert Schweitzer Foundation, Maurice Buckly explained at the award ceremony that Idris was nominated based on his "firm belief in youth and the concrete steps taken by his administration to empower them".

Maurice Buckly said at the occasion that the programme was aimed to serve as catalyst for changing the world and making it a better place, The Conference which attracted youths from across the world strives to promote unique youth leadership training programme world wide and it is open to young adults who have demonstrated good leader-

adding that a situation where there are autonomous communities in every hamlet in the state is regrettable.

He said the governor may not be prepared to divert the money meant for the implementation of free education for payment of salaries of 537 traditional rulers.

ship abilities within their own communities.

While speaking after receiving the 2011 Albert Schweitzer leadership award, Governor Ibrahim Idris said, his administration's comprehensive youth empowerment programme has created opportunities for youth to engage in self employable ventures.

He said when he embarked on his youth empowerment programmes, little did he know that it will attract international recognition.

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris said he inherited in 2003, a state that had no programme for youth development in addition to a collapsed school system.

The Governor gave kudos to the vision of Ireland Chamber of Commerce, the United States Foundation for Community Service and indeed the bilateral economic relations between Kogi State and the Republic of Ireland.

Meanwhile, the state government, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris said will continue to provide enabling environment for prospective investors in the state.

He stated this in Dublin, Ireland at a meeting with Ireland Minister of Environment, Phillip Hogan and President, Ireland Chamber United States, Maurice Buckly.

Governor Idris, at the meeting advised pro-

• Idris spective investors to avail themselves of Kogi State abundance minerals resources while he sought collaboration in the area of youth empowerment, energy, sugar, cement agriculture and education.

Ireland Minister for Environment, Phillip Hogan commended the initiative of government of Kogi State with as promise to send a team to the states to explore areas of cooperation.

Ohiri paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri, said the former chairman dragged the image of the traditional institutions to the mud by deeply involving himself in partisan politics.

He further said that his action also aimed at saving the institution from further embarrassment and to enthrone a credible leadership that will implement the reforms needed to restore Igbo cultural values.

He maintained that Eze Ilomuanya’s removal is irreversible hence it is done in the best interest of the council and the state.

Governor Okorocha also informed the traditional rulers that “we have begun investigation into those behind a hidden account tagged traditional institution account operated since 12 years where a whopping sum of N567m belonging to the state was stashed away.

According to him, the fund had been used to procure 100 security vans and gadgets for the operations of Imo Rescue Security Outfit.

Earlier, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri presented to the governor a resolution by the council which warned the former chairman or any other traditional ruler against acts capable of breaching security in the state.

He urged the governor not to be distracted but to continue with the good works he had started under his rescue mission agenda to transform the state.

Eze Ohiri added that the council would not hesitate to wield its big stick on any of its members whose conducts run against the rules governing the council.

Relief as community bridge takes shape •Continued from page 25 "It has to be phased. We have all the design and everything, it's a question of money really, we want to do all the inner roads in Lagos immediately, but we don't just have the money to fulfil all those obligations. That's why we said we should take the bridge first and then we can do the roads; so it's a question of money."

He explained that the construction of the bridge is in line with the state government's strategic plan of improving access in local communities and boosting economic activities in the state.

The commissioner also spoke on the challenges of executing such projects.

"There are so many challenges when you do roads," he said. "These are areas where there are buildings and so by the time we finish, we will want to do dual-carriage roads both sides. So we have to talk to people because some people's fence may be affected. You can't just come in and do the road. So, as long as people are involved, it's always very difficult to give a time frame because even though you are doing the road for the benefit of the people, if it affects your fence, you will be selfish.

Hamzat equally explained the benefits of the new bridge and road.

He said: "It will guarantee access to Isolo via Jakande Estate for residents of Ijegun, Ijedodo, Ijagemo and Isheri Osun communities; improve the infrastructural facilities as well as the socio-economic status of the residents within the community, vis-avis property appreciation."

Mr. Dany Abboud, Deputy Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company, the

• Officials of Lagos State government inspecting the project firm handling the construction, assured that the bridge will be completed in about 12 months.

He said: "In a matter of one year, [we will finish the job]; we started work on this job in 2008. As you can see this area is a very marshy area. It took so much to fill. The major work was the filling and now the piling is on. We have completed about 70 per cent of the piling".

He said the bridge will meet the required standard for all concrete structures expected

to last within 50 to 100 years.

Some motorists, who commented on the development, appealed to government to expedite action on the road. A number of them lamented the hardship they face daily due to the bad state of the road. They expressed happiness, saying that when completed, the road will improve economic activities in the area.

A motorist, who gave his name simply as Joshua, told our reporter that the project stalled for a very long time.

"Before now, we had to use the Ijegun road to connect the city because this road has not been functional but when the contractors began work here we realised the route was shorter and convenient, considering the traffic on the Ijegun road.

"But as the days went by, we kept hoping that the road would soon be completed. I am happy that the first phase is almost completed now. We appeal to the government to speed up work so that the road proper can be delivered soon."

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

28

Ebonyi introduces quarterly immunisation T

•Governor Elechi

HE Ebonyi State government has introduced a quarterly immunisation programme with a challenge on the menfolk to ensure the eradication of polio in their families and the society.

Governor Martin Elechi stated this in Abakaliki during the flag-off of the maiden edition of the state quarterly campaigns on eradication of polio.

Represented by his deputy, Chief Dave Umahi, the governor said that the continued menace of polio in the society was intolerable and unacceptable, hence the focus on men.

“As we enter the speed lane in our drive to actualise the health component of the Millennium Development Goals, the time

NAFDAC seizes N30m expired drugs

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HE National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has seized 450 cartons of relabelled expired drugs, worth over N30 million in Onitsha.

The re-labelled expired drugs include Cypron, CeneXcream and Beytucem.

Mr Benson Kine, Director, Onitsha NAFDAC Zonal Office, told newsmen that the consignments were discovered through intelligence gathering by the agency’s officials.

Kine said that the suspect confessed to buying 900 cartons of the three products, but sold most of them before he was arrested last week.

He said that the drugs were genuine drugs from Orange Drugs Ltd, adding that the suspect had bought and kept them; when they expired in 2009, he decided to re-label and sell them.

“The suspect, Nnamdi Igoeli, had kept 900 cartons of expired drugs, suspected to be genuine products of Orange Drugs Ltd, relabelled and sold them to the public after they had expired in 2009.

“He then went and produced another cover for them and changed the expiring date, which

Anambra was 2009 to 2015.

“Our greatest concern is that the suspect has pushed some of the expired drugs into the market before he was arrested,’’ he said.

Kine said that the suspect would be relocated from Fegge Divisional Police Station, Onitsha to the agency’s Enforcement Department in Lagos for further investigation and prosecution, which could lead to his imprisonment.

The director, however, called on members of the public to clearly watch drugs they buy for super-imposed labelling, or irregular labelling of its manufacturing and expiring dates, as well as their NAFDAC numbers.

Speaking, the suspect said he bought the drugs when they were not expired, adding that the drugs eventually expired in his custody, which made him to store them in his warehouse.

“I bought them from the company in 2009 and when they got expired, I decided to park them in my warehouse before I was arrested.

I never intended to push them into the market,’’ he said.

Cross River spends N393m on road maintenance

T

Ebonyi

has come for us to make the final push to eradicate polio.”

According to Elechi, the state shall embark on special quarterly sensitisation and immunisation exercises that will last till 2012.

“Each quarter shall be dedicated to the mobilisation and sensitisation of a specific demographic component of the population.

“For this quarter, the focus is on men. As fathers and husbands, the time calls for men to take responsibility for the enthronement of a polio-free society.”

The governor also urged traditional rulers, community leaders and opinion moulders to mobilise their subjects to meet the challenge of polio eradication.

“As citizens and agents of change, the time calls for men to do battle with polio and give freedom to our children. This is the challenge of this moment,” Elechi said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Sunday Nwangele said that Ebonyi had remained polio-free since 1999 except for 2009 when it recorded two imported cases from Benue.

He, therefore, called for a concerted effort by various stakeholders to maintain the tolerance status of the state.

The highpoint of the flag-off was the immunisation of some children by Elechi, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr Ikechukwu Nwankwo and the Health Commissioner, Dr Nwangele.

• Abia State Governor Theodore Orji (right ) welcoming His Royal Majesty Eze Kalu Kalu Ogba, the Enachioke of Abiriba Kingdom, when he led his Eze- in-Council on a courtesy call on the governor, in Umuahia.

ISOPADEC votes N600m for community road

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HE Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC) says it has voted N600 million for the construction of a community road in the state.

Its Managing Director, Chief Anayo Alozie, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba.

Chukwumerije donates boreholes

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HE Senator representing Abia North, Senator Uche Chukwumereije, has donated a motorised water borehole to the people of Amangwu Ohafia community.

Inaugurating the project at Ohafia, Senator Chukwumereije said that it was part of his campaign promises to the people of the area, adding that he is determined to ensure that the people of his senatorial district receive the best in service.

Chukwumereije assured the people of his senatorial district of equal measure in the distribution of the dividends of democracy, saying that they should remain steadfast in their support for the state governor, Theodore Orji, whom he described as the best thing to have happened to the state.

He urged the people to protect the facility, stressing that they should ensure that it is not vandalised by the never- do- wells in the area, as it will affect them at the long run.

Also speaking at the ceremony the President General of Amangwu Community Development Union, M.C. Udo, described the motorised water borehole as a treasure to his

Abia From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

community and expressed hope that it will go a long way to prevent incidence of cholera.

He said before the borehole, his people suffered from water borne diseases such as cholera, “which has claimed several lives in our community in January this year and we believe that such will not befall us again with this motorised borehole”.

He thanked Senator Chukwumerije for responding promptly to the plight of his community through his kind donation, stressing that it will go a long way in saving the lives of his people and asked God who rewards accordingly to replenish his purse abundantly.

Earlier in his speech, the managing director of Anambra-Imo River Development Authority, through which the project was executed, Onu Eluwa, called on the people of Amangwu community to take good care of the project for it to serve them well.

•From left: Wife of the Chairman Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area, Alhaja Ashabi Bamgbola; Chairman, Hon. Hakeem Bamgbola, his mother, Alhaja Rafat and Alhaja Sherifat during Ramadan lecture held at Ijeshatedo, Lagos.

•Cobblers set for business at Kano market in Kaduna

Group criticises court ruling on kingship tussle T

HE recent High Court ruling on Arigidi Obaship tussle in Ondo State has come under attack. A group, the Arigidi Unity Club (AUC), has described it as having a political undertone. The ruling restrained the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, from parading himself as the monarch of the town.

The the ruling was broadcast on some electronic media on August 2.

Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, who delivered the ruling, had based his argument on then fact that the court had earlier issued an injunction on November 3, 2008 to the defendants (Ondo State Government) not to carry out the installation, adding that the latter eventually went ahead with the action two days later.

However, a statement signed by the group’s chairman and secretary Messrs Raheem Balogun and Edward Francis, wondered the rationale behind the ruling while the substantive matter had not begun full trial.

The group said the ruling may have been predicated on the fact that the incumbent Zaki was installed as the candidate of the former Governor Olusegun Agagu.

The statement accused Mr Tunde Olanipekun, the plaintiff, who was then a major contender with the present monarch at the time.

The group argued that the suit and the injunction filed by the plaintiff in November 2008 challenging the qualification of the defendant shortly after his installation, had earlier been contested in the court by the

37

By Adegunle Olugbamila

monarch’s counsel, which claimed the said injunction had no place in law since an injunction is meant to restrain an action anticipated to be done, and not an action that has already been carried out.

He said the ruling jolted the Arigidi Akoko community and the entire people of Ondo State when the monarch was ordered to step aside pending the determination of the main suit.

The AUC also wondered why Justice Kumuyi chose to deliver the ruling on July 28, a day after the Ondo State workers resumed a weeklong warning strike, and when hearing notice had not yet been issued by the courts and signed by the court’s Registrar AUC said: “What baffles people was that Ondo State workers were on a week-long warning strike since Monday, July18 2011, which affected the court’s sitting in question. The said strike was called off on Monday of July25. . However, the first resumption day was Tuesday July 27, without hearing notice duly issued by the Registrar or the court and served on all parties before the court or their counsels.

“But the most surprising thing was that the plaintiff’s counsel was in court while the defendant’s counsel was not put on notice that the ruling would be delivered that day because there was no official of the court to communicate the ruling date to the counsel or the parties during the strike.”

Imo Alozie, who was in Asaba for an International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) meeting to assess the performance of the programme in Niger Delta, said that the 10 km road would cost N1.3 billion.

He said that the road would link the urban area with Eluanwali-Izombe, an agrarian community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of the state, adding that the community had been cut off from the rest of the state for long.

Alozie said the community’s territory extended to Oguta Local Government Area, adding that the two council areas were the only oil-producing ones in the state being covered by ISOPADEC. “The community has 5,000 people with 2,000 children who are supposed to be in school but there is no school there for them. They are great farmers of cassava, plantain, fishes, among other produce.

“The road in question is about 10 kilometers and you have to cross the creeks to get there.

In our assessment, we found that it will cost a total of N1.3 billion to give them an access road.

“And of this amount, we have budgeted N600 million and are appealing to IFAD, the Federal Government and NDDC to assist us with the balance to enable the people to have the basic amenities.’’

Alozie also disclosed that the counterpart contribution by Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta to IFAD-assisted projects in the council areas would be paid by ISOPADEC.

Ekene Dili Chukwu founder’s widow passes on

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HE death has been announced of Chief Mrs. Catherine Uduoyibo Ilodibe aged 74.

Born in 1937 to the family of Mr and Mrs Philip Akpunonu of Umuanuka, Otolo, Nnewi, Anambra State, she was married to the late Chief Augustine Ejikeme Ilodibe, founder of the popular Ekene Dili Chukwu Transport.

Their marriage produced seven children.

In a statement signed on behalf of the family, Chief Mike Ilodibe said her burial procedures will be released shortly.

•The late Mrs Ilodide

HE Cross River State government spent over N393 million between January and July on road maintenance across the Southern Senatorial District of the state.

Briefing news men at the strategic media interaction in Calabar, the Director-General, Cross River State Road Manitenance Agency, Mr. Tom Agi, said the agency had procured its own equipment to enhance effective and efficient service delivery.

Agi said in spite of lean resources, the agency was living up to its responsibility in tackling deplorable roads across the state.

“In pursuit of the purpose for establishing the agency, it diligently fill the potholes in the state capital as soon as they are noticed. Drains have also been reconstructed and gutters desilted. They have greatly eased the incessant flooding in some areas of the metropolis,” he stated.

As an interim measure to the failed Federal Government Ugep –Ogoja road, he said the state government has begun the rehabilitation of its bad portions while effort is being intensified for the repair of Ikom- Obudu road which also in a deplorable state.

He disclosed that the agency in collaboration with the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has fashioned out a workable synergy between its sister agencies, adding that so far,

Chime’s wife seeks economic emancipation Enugu

T

HE wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs Clara Chime, has called on the state’s House of Assembly to make laws for the economic emancipation of women.

She said that such laws would aim at improving women’s welfare in the state.

The governor’s wife made the call when she received wives of legislators who paid her a courtesy visit in her office on Monday.

She said that such laws would enable the women to contribute their quota to the socioeconomic development of the state and their families.

Mrs Chime congratulated the women for the victory of their spouses at the polls and prayed that God would grant them the wisdom to make good laws.

According to her, the achievements of the governor are traceable to the good working relationship that exists between members of the House of Assembly and the Executive arm. She also commended the Speaker of the state Legislature, Hon. Eugene Odo, and members for their support to the governor’s programmes.

Chime told the legislators’ wives to assist the less-privileged in the society to give them sense of belonging.

The wife of the Speaker, Mrs Ada Odo, said that the women came to identify with the governor’s wife and to commend her for supporting their husbands during their election.

Briefly

Honour for Delta SSG THE Secretary to the Delta State Government, SSG, Comrade Ovuzourie Macaulay, has bagged the prestigious African International Award (AIA) 2011.

Presenting the award to Comrade Ovuzourie Macaulay at the prestigious Hotel Majore, Ghana, the regional representative of the body, Dr. Charles Marcus, said the recipient was one of the 30 outstanding leaders in Nigeria listed for the award.

He explained that the award was in recognition of Comrade Ovuzourie Macaulay’s contributions to humanity through dedication to duty, hard work and commitment to service.

Speaking further, Marcus said the award has brought Macaulay into the club of eminent African Summit Award (ASA), naming such eminent persons to include; “Asuwaju Bola Tinabu, Jerry Rawlings of Ghana, Prof Sam Afe (OFR), Alhaji Umar Nasko, Prof S.O. Garba, Justice Hajia Fatima Nyako, Barr. Florence Lotten, Prof Bassey Okon Asuquo, Chief Polycarp Ajoko and Dr. Enoch Onyeche and a host of others.

He reiterated that these people have made positive impacts towards the progress of the African continent through effective service to humanity in their various countries.

Receiving the award,Comrade Ovuzourie Macaulay praised the body for finding him worthy of the award as one of the 30 outstanding leaders in Nigeria.

Cross River From Kunle Johnson, Calabar

apart from regular meeting with it, FERMA has been very supportive to the agency in attaining its set objectives.

From In an Kunle effort toJohnson, sustain theCalabar ongoing maintenance culture on the urban roads, the DG disclosed that the agency is contemplating a legislation that will be forwarded to the State House of Assembly which will empower it to collect toll from motorists plying the state to enable it raise

•Governor Imoke enough funds and channel same to maintenance.

Community youths protest neglect

H

UNDREDS of youths in Udu community, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State recently embarked on a peaceful protest over what they described as neglect of the Udu road.

The youths, who during the protest shut all Oil wells in the community, also protested the non- appointment of any Udu sons into the recent constituted board of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) by the state government.

Some of the youths who were alleged to have gotten bullet wounds following a clash with security operatives drafted to maintain the peace, were said to have been hospitalised while the busy Udu road was barricaded from vehicular movement.

Addressing newsmen, the chairman of

Delta From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

the Urhobo Progress Union youth wing, Udu Kingdom chapter, Comrade Sunday Subi, said Udu people are angry because of the neglect of the area by successive governments treating Udu as second class citizens in the state.

He said since the inception DESOPADEC, no Udu son or daughter has been appointed into its board which he said proved that Udu has no stake in the commission yet they have oil and gas being extracted daily from their land.

The Public Relations Officer of the Union of Udu Communities, Mr John Magba, maintained that Udu has been neglected over the years and that government must be told in blunt terms that Udu people are angry.

‘Our projects have direct impact on people’

E

DO State government says all the projects it has embarked upon has direct impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of the ordinary people, as it is not difficult to locate developmental projects ongoing in the three senatorial districts of the state.

In a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekheme by a group, Grassroots Coalition Network, Dr. Imuekheme said “I want you all to go out and tell your people that the governor means well for the people of the state and I can tell you that 2012 campaigns will be based on issues and not character assassination. Our experience in the last election showed that votes counted and it will also count in 2012.

The deputy governor expressed happiness as the visitors were interested in the political future of the state saying the government is interested in youth empowerment and development.

“I appreciate your contribution to the enthronement of this government and all the inconveniencies you have suffered. I urge you to continue to give your support to the government because, what Governor Oshiomhole is doing is for all with good legacies and achievements that incoming administrations can build upon.

He added :“It is not difficult to say that Edo State is working. Nobody thought Ring Road,

Edo Oba Market Road Sokponba Road among others would look the way they are now. It takes one person’s vision to change the course of future generations. The quality education we are all seeing today is as a result of Governor Oshiomhole’s resolve to change the destiny of the Edo Child. The renovations of schools and conducive environment for learning like the one in Idia College, Maria Goreti, and Annunciation College in Irrua among others.

“Nobody would say Oshiomhole is not working because; all the projects he has embarked upon have direct impact on the lives of the people. For sustainable development, I urge you all to support the Governor because, as educated people, you are better placed to appreciate what the governor is doing.

In water provision , the deputy governor said Governor Oshiomhole thought if there is water everywhere; people will no longer go to the stream and thereby susceptible to infectious diseases,adding: “For us to strike water in places and locations where it is believed it is impossible, I think that alone is an achievement and this is going on in the three Senatorial districts of the state”. The massive work on-going at the Central Hospital is also a case in point.

• From left: Registrar /CEO, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Ahmed Mora; Director, Food and Drug Service, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Mary Opeshi and Registrar /CEO, Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), Prof David Oluleye, after a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, in Abuja

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

29

PEOPLE THE NATION

A FIVE-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

On August 4, bankers gathered at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos to appraise their industry and chart the way forward in a relaxed atmosphere. SEYI ODEWALE was there.

•Oba Akiolu greeting Dr Otudeko (left). With them is the representative of Governor Dankwabo, Mr Kadiri and Mr Olugbemi (standing behind the monarch)

M

AJORITY of them appeared in black suits. They looked like lawyers than bankers as they streamed into the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, that evening. It was after a hectic day at work.

It was an evening they had longed for; an evening to unwind, network, make friends and reflect on their calling. There were hugging, back-slapping and exchange of phone numbers.

It was all at the 14th Lagos Bankers’ Nite organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Lagos Branch.

The parking lot of the Federal Palace Hotel, was filled with different brands of exotic cars.

The evening provided opportunity for friends who had lost contact for a long time, to reconnect or meet new ones.

The array of delectable damsels spotting well-tailored olive green-flowered gown, who acted as ushers, was called to task often, to take one guest or the other to his seat.

The event billed to start at 6pm; did not begin until about 7p.m.

With Seye Awojobi as the master of ceremonies, the stage was set for the bankers to enjoy a memorable evening. Awojobi began with the invitation of the dignitaries to the high table. They included the former Chairman of FirstBank Plc.and Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr Oba Otudeko, who chaired the event. Others are: Chairman, CIBN Lagos Branch, and host of the evening, Mr Bayo Olugbemi and his wife; Chairman, 2011 Lagos Bankers’ Nite Organising Committee

Bankers’ nite of black suits and Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, First Pension Custodians Ltd., Mr Akin Fanimokun and his wife, Abiola; representative of the Governor of Yobe State, Mr Sagitus Kadiri, first Vice-President, CIBN Mr Segun Aina, who represented the president Mr Laoye Jaiyeola; and the guest speaker and the Director-General, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema.

The introduction and rendition of the National Anthem were followed by the opening prayer, which was said by the Managing Director, Chartered Standard, Mrs Bola Adesola.

In his welcome address, Olugbemi said the night was meant to deliberate on contemporary issues affecting banking. “You would recall that the last two editions dwelt on global financial meltdown, a collective problem and last year, we spoke on meeting your obligation as skillful driver of the economy. These themes were chosen based on the exigencies of the industry then,” he said.

This year’s theme, according to Odugbemi, is dictated by the need for all the stakeholders to

hook up to the political environment as the foundation and driver for its economic growth and development.

The guest speakers, Olugbemi said, were carefully chosen because of their pedigree and exposure to the local and international arena.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that any country that is politically unstable will have developmental challenges. You will agree with me that our nation has experienced series of economic challenges occasioned by varying levels of political interventions resulting in a slow pace of development in all sectors of the economy,” Olugbemi said.

He went on: “Nigeria will be 51 in October and it is only fair that we look at our score card; where we are coming from, where we are now and of course, our destination.”

In his remark; Otudeko noted that the topic treated by the guest speaker, was apt as it flowed from the attendant peace that came after the last April polls.

“As expected, the achievement of free and fair

election has redefined and deepened the foundation of our democracy. Hence, the stable and virile productive society which is ours has been re-inforced through the ballot boxes. But going by the modest success of last elections, our desire should be to transform that achievement into immediate development outcome, as a result of which we will be able to address infrastructural deficit and also improve the lot of our people,” Otudeko said.

He implored bankers to return to the good old days of banking where discipline held sway. “I want us to return to the old time-tested banking of conservatism and discipline, while we are still trying to enforce our ethical base to the practice of our profession,” he said.

In a paper entitled: “Leveraging on political stability for sustainable economic development” Onyema, outlined eight stages as indices for political stability. They are: the Latin American experience; Nigeria’s challenge; economic development; what we know; Nigeria’s solution; NSE’s role and outlook; Nigeria’s opportunity and what government and private sector must do.

Political stability, he said, is key to sustainable economic development. Government, he noted, must ensure political and economic stability; guarantee transparency in government as it augments national image and reputation; develop a well structured regulatory and legal framework; comply with the rule of law; stabilise and make consistent market driven •Continued on page 30

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

30

SOCIETY

Bankers’ nite of black suits •Continued from Page 29

policies; float privatised state-owned businesses on the exchange and grant tax incentives to listed companies and trading fees.

Dignitaries at the event included: the royal father of the day, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, who came midway into the event; Lagos State Commissioner for Finance Mr Mikahi Abiru, who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola; his counterpart in business district, Sola Oworu; founding fathers and past presidents of the body, Sir Francis Ijewere; Mr M. A. Kazeem; Mazi Unegbu and Mr Femi Ekundayo.

Others were the Second Vice-President, Otunba Bosede Oshibogun; Ademola Ajuwon; Executive Director, Equitorial

Trust Bank (ETB), Femi Obaleke; Mr Albert Okumagba; Prof Sunday Olawani; Mrs Femi Okeke; Adelowo Adesola of Inlaks Computers; Osabuyi Olaribigbe; Ezenwa Umborgu; Mr Chinedu Orisakwe, WHO represented Sterling Bank’s MD; Ade Shonubi and Alhaji Wale Adeyemi, a past president of CIBN. Guests were treated to different menu ranging from Nigerian dishes to continental and desserts.

Awards were given to best graduating students of four tertiary institutions in Lagos State: Anuoluwapo Daramola from YABA TECH; Abraham Ayobami from L a g o s State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH); Ajadi Olawale David from Lagos State University (LASU) and Ajiboye Azeez Olasunkanmi of University of Lagos (UNILAG).

•From left: Mr Tokunbo Agbero, Mr Onyema and Mr Segun Aina

•Mr Francis Ijewere (right) and Mr Michael Kazeem.

•Mrs Bernedine Okeke (right) and Mr Korede Adekoya

•Mr Segun Shonubi (left) and Marcel Okeke

•Mr John Obiekwe and Mrs Kofo Awobamise

•Otunba Debo Osibogun and Mrs Oke Okechukwu

•Mr Chibundu Edozie (right) and Mr Urum Eke

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

31

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

31

SOCIETY WEDDING BETWEEN FORMER MISS OMOLARA MACALABI AND MOBOLAJI OLUWOLE IN LEKKI, LAGOS

•The couple Mobolaji and Aisha

•Bride’s parents Mr and Mrs Tunde MacAlabi

•Groom’s mother Mrs Toyin Oluwole flanked by Otunba Victor Osibodu (left) and Chief Chris Okunowo

•Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN) greeting former Ekiti State Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Senator Gbenga Ashafa (right)

•Prince Tony Momoh and his wife, Janet

•Mrs Bola Shodijo-Odukoya flanked by Lagos Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Ben Akabueze and his wife, Pastor Ngozi

•Bashorun J.K. Randle and Mrs Kehinde Usman Muhammed

•From left: Mrs Debola Williams; Justice Dayo Oyebanjo and Mrs Gbolahan Babalakin

•Mr Tunde Adebiyi

•Ogrimadagbo of Ilodo Ogun State, Oba Isiaka Ajede

•Architect Biliamin Shodehinde and his wife Dupe.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

32

SOCIETY It was celebration time for the Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110 Nigeria on Sunday, August 7, as it held its 2011/2012 induction for its board of directors at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. They were led by Ade Oyenekan, the Ikeja Club’s 45th president. NNEKA NWANERI and OSAS ROBERT were at the investiture.

I

•Akin-Lewis decorating Mr Oyenekan

All for charity

T was an afternoon of glamour and fun last Sunday at the Banquet Hall of the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, when Rotary Club of Ikeja, District 9110, held its 2011/ 2012 induction and change of baton by leadership.

Gorgeously dressed ladies and gentlemen walked, in one after the other into the well-decorated hall to witness the epoch making inauguration of the board of directors of the club and the investiture of its president.

The hall glittered with lightings of various colours, while the table and chairs overlays bore the Rotary colours of blue and yellow.

Distinguished guests were led by the governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun.

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, could not be mistaken as he sat quietly beside Chief Michael Olawale-Cole. Also present was the Osile of Oke-Ona, Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, who was the royal father of the day. He was accompanied by his three ageless Oloris and their entry was, indeed, royal as they were ushered with the blaring of the trumpet. Also in attendance were the alumni of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

Governor Amosun, who was the special guest of honour, in a

remark, described Rotary Club as synonymous with promoting humanitarian services around the world. “This is a call for greater responsibility and better service in the Rotary International around the world, as it is synonymous with promoting humanitarian services around the world,” he said.

The immediate past president, Akintola Akin-Lewis, expressed confidence that the new president, Ade Oyenekan, would be successful as he would start his tenure on a solid foundation. “Today, history is being made because we made promises that the incoming president and his board will start on a solid foundation,” he said.

Enumerating Oyenekan’s achievements in his tenure, Akin-Lewis said the club has donated 50 Laptops to Ikeja High School, constructed a bore-hole for Ofada community and made generous donations to patients and staff of Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH), among others.

To Oyenekan, he said: “May you run and never get tired. May your ideas never run dry so that you can fulfill all the promises you have made.”

Soyinka, the guest speaker, held the audience spell-bound with his thought-provoking lecture. It was

entitled: The Impact of Exile on Home Videos. Guests laughed intermittently to his jokes, speaking in low tones when the occasion demanded and nodded in agreement whenever he made some comments.

Congratulating the new president, he said: “Ade, I wish you a vibrant and creative tenure”.

There was an interlude of entertainment from the Young Ambassadors Singers, whose sonorous voices filled the hall.

Past president, Gboye Ogunlaja, who confessed that he enjoyed the presentation by Soyinka, thanked him and on behalf of the club presented him with a gift. He, thereafter, presented Oyenekan, his wife and children to the guests and members of the club as the first family of Rotary Club of Ikeja.

Oyenekan, in his speech expressed delight at the honour.

“I am thrilled, speechless and honoured by your presence in our club today. This year, our team will continue the good work of charity. So, I enjoin you all to join hands to make it a memorable year as you join me in fighting the polio epidemics, support schools, the poor and the down trodden.”

• From left: Governor Amosun; Olawale-Cole and Tayo Alabi

•Mrs Kemi Oyenakan(left) and Mrs Olubunmi Akin-Lewis

• Prof Soyinka (right) and Oba Adedapo Tejuoso

•From left: Oloris Omolara, Yetunde and Labisi Tejuoso

•From left: Chief Oluwole; Arch Gbemi Towobola and Chief Doja Adewolu

•From left: Chief Oluwole Babatolu; Mr Seun Soyinka, and Chief Doja Adewolu.

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

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THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

SOCIETY

Raising a voice for the voiceless High profile personalities, Rotarians and well-wishers drank from Ekiti State Governor’s wife’s fountain of knowledge on women empowerment, at the installation of the new president of Rotary Club, Omole-Golden. KUNLE AKINRINADE was there.

O

N Sunday July 31, 2011, the crowd inside the Banquet Hall of Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State, suddenly got frenzy at the sight of a ‘rare’ Special Guest of Honour: the enchanting wife of the Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi. She stepped into the auditorium at 4.05pm with her coterie of gaily looking aides and wives of top public office holders from the state, which prides itself as the ‘Fountain of Knowledge’.

The occasion was the installation of the new President of the Rotary Club of OmoleGolden, Rotarian Adedayo Ajose, who incidentally is the Director of Lagos State Fire Services.

Mrs Fayemi received a bouquet of flowers from a little girl at the entrance of the hall before gracefully waving to the high table where other high profile guests such as the Deputy Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Lagos State Chapter, Cardinal James Odumbaku (Baba Eto) and the Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, ensconced.

Delivering the keynote address, Mrs Fayemi urged policy makers and philanthropic organisations to work in concert on gender inequality, HIV/AIDS pandemic, violence

against women, child rights and maternal mortality rate, among others.

She said:”I would like to remark on women empowerment, maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS. This is because the key I will be making here today is that if women and girls are not empowered, we will not be able to tackle the very serious crisis of maternal mortality in our region as well as the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

“Millions of women and girls still suffer from the feminization of poverty, lack of access to basic resources, disease, violent conflict and the complex use of culture, religion and tradition to render women voiceless. Crimes against women, young girls and children are on the rise, gender based violence, rapes, sexual assaults, harmful tradition and religious practices, voluntary and involuntary commercial sex work, trafficking, sexual exploitation, institutionalised gender based discrimination, and kidnappings among others make private and public spaces in our country very unsafe for women and girls.

The gains of women are often eroded when faced with a combination of all these obstacles. These issues continue to hinder the progress of women for reasons bothering on lack of political will, reli-

gious and cultural conservatism and lack of civil society capacity to tackle some of the problems owing to financial, human and technical inadequacies.”

She hinged a successful campaign against gender inequality and maternal mortality on potent legislative and policy framework, robust strategies and vigorous campaign against HIV pandemic, awareness and sensitisation on all forms of violence against women and girls.

Fayemi explained that Ekiti State has recorded a fairly impressive success in this direction via the eight point agenda of the current administration.

She admonished the organisation to take women empowerment serious.

“I would like to salute the Rotary family in Nigeria for doing us proud. I say this because one of the areas I have been actively involved over the past 12 years is working in the field of organised philanthropy globally. Some of us who are in the field of formal philanthropy and who are from Africa, have argued that we know enough, have enough and are committed enough as Africans to develop sustainable ideas that can address many of the intractable problems facing our communities. I, therefore, not only thank you for all your efforts at promoting local philanthropy, but I also challenge you to be bolder and more ambitious in your

CONJUGAL BLISS

•Erelu Fayemi displaying her award. With her are Adedapo Ajose (left) and Rotary Club District governor, Kennedy Ejakpomewhe

philanthropic goals and agendas,” she said.

“We live in very challenging times; we need new ideas, new visions and new voices and critical to this is the role of women. Please rise up as fathers, husbands and sons to ensure that we can all fulfill the dreams of our common humanity together. Trying to move forward leaving women behind is like trying to clap with one hand, let us clap with both hands so that we can make a resounding call together for justice, peace and equality.”

She was later honoured with an award for her sustained effort at promoting gender equality and selfless service to humanity, moments after she

promised to support the club’s cervical cancer and maternal mortality projects.

Cardinal Odunmbaku, who chaired the occasion, was also honoured for his unflinching commitment to spiritual and socio-political advancement of the society.

In his address, Odunmbaku admonished p h i l a n t h r o p i c organisations to take a cue from Rotary Club’s charitable gestures in the society, adding that government alone cannot provide the needs of the people.

Receiving the baton from the outgoing presi-

dent of the club, Rotarian Lekan Awogbemila, Ajose assured members of the club of his readiness to utilise the banner of selfless service bestowed on him to uplift the society.

“It’s a great pleasure and a tremendous honour for me to accept this offer to serve Rotary OmoleGolden at this time. I thank you all for placing so much confidence and trust in me.

“As president, my main focus this year is to make this club an indispensable fun place and also to seek out opportunities for service, so as to enhance recognition of our club in the Rotary community and importantly to increase to our impact in the community at large-the world needs more Rotarians,” he said

BIRTHDAY

•The couple Omowunmi and Babatunde Dada flanked by bride’s parent Mr and Mrs Olayiwola Ogungbade (right) and groom’s parent, Mrs Oluwaseyi Thomas and Mr Olu Adebayo, during their wedding at Yaba Baptist Church, Lagos.

PROMOTION

•ASP Segun Erikitoba (left) and ASP Musa Kimo after Erikitoba’s decoration, at Seme Border

•The celebrator, Pa Peter Kinyomi assisted by his wife to cut cake

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THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

COMMENTARY

O

FEMI ABBAS ON

NE of the prominent features of Ramadan is Tafsir. From the beginning of that sacred month, every year, Muslims congregate in various Mosques or learning centres where Tafsir (exposition of the Qur’an) is rendered by scholars. This is in accordance with the Prophetic tradition which encourages better understanding of the Qur’an.

Linguistically, Tafsir means exposition. But technically, it means the comprehensive analysis of the Qur’an.

In other words, Tafsir is the exposition of the contents of the Qur’an, as usually done comprehensively by Islamic scholars especially during the month of Ramadan throughout the Muslim world.

Because of the coded language of the Qur’anic revelation, it became necessary for the verses of that sacred book to be decoded for the purpose of thorough understanding by the Muslim Ummah. This confirms that the revelations of the Qur’an were the immediate cause of intellectual research in Islam. For instance, Arabic the original language of the Qur’an had no grammar prior to the revelations of the divine message. The grammar of that language evolved only from the contents of the Qur’an.

The challenge which the Qur’an threw to humanity in all spheres of life led to competition among the scholars.

Thus, each time a revelation came, the disciples of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) wanted to know why and how of every what. And this led to closer association with the Prophet who paved the way towards that intellectual research.

Although the formal study of Tafsir as an independent discipline did not begin until many years after the death of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), he (the • Crescent Prophet) nevertheless started its process. He did not only give the Tafsir. Whoever wanted to attain exoteric and esoteric meanings of scholarship in the field of Tafsir ought revealed verses of the Qur’an, he also to master Arabic. But the anomaly in explained their application to daily life that becomes very conspicuous when of man. one remembers that over three quarters It was the prophet who decoded most of the world’s Muslims today are nonof the coded areas of the Qur’an for Arabic speakers. This anomaly seems proper understanding of the ordinary to be creating some hurdles for Muslims. Through his utterances and humanity in understanding the actions which were later to be known practical meaning of the Qur’an and in as Hadith and Sunnah, the contents of appreciating its real essence. the Qur’an became more and more There is nothing like being literate in understandable to the Muslims. one’s mother tongue. The Arabs have Thus, with time, after the prophet’s demonstrated this abundantly through death, Hadith and Sunnah too, became Tafsir. But since Tafsir of the Qur’an is an independent subject of research. And not meant for the Arabs alone, shouldn’t these help, in no small measure, in there be a means of making it available expanding the scope of Tafsir. From to majority of Muslims in the languages that, all new discoveries, new frontiers understandable to them? in knowledge were adapted to the study That is one major question which the of Tafsir until Tafsir became an estuary global Muslim leadership has not been through which every stream of able to answer for over1000 years. The knowledge was passed to humanity.

Qur’an is begging for understanding.

Ever since Tafsir has become a field Overwhelming majority of Muslims are of study in which research into all looking for a means of understanding spheres of knowledge has increasingly it. There must be a meeting point. advanced with resultant development The situation of Tafsir in Nigeria of man. It is through such research that today is the same situation in virtually man zoomed into the firmament of all the Muslim communities outside the science which brought about the current Arab world. That situation does not gigantic civilisation wrought by help the spread of Islam as it does not technology. If there are such famous assist Islamic scholarship. institutions like Al-Azhar of Cairo, in Worshiping in the original language Egypt; Qarawiyyin University of Fez, in of the Qur’an is unique in sustaining Morocco and Zaytuniyyah University the unity of the Ummah and the of Tunis, in Tunisia, it is as a result of uniformity of their faith. It also the research developed to advance the encourages the spirit of brotherhood by course of Tafsir.

However, it is understandable that most of the Tafsir books available in the world today are in Arabic language. The language of the revelation of the Qur’an is Arabic. Most of the disciples of Prophet Muhammad (PBOH) who interacted closely with him and were privileged to knowing through him, the interpretation of the Qur’an were Arabs.

Arabic itself is exceptionally rich linguistically and literarily. And for centuries after the revelation of the Qur’an it was mostly the Arabs who assumed authority on its interpretation.

Others like the Persians (Iranians), Indians and Turks who tried to compete with the Arabs in that field, could only do so in Arabic language which they first had to learn.

Thus, from the beginning, Arabic had been the authoritative language of

Femabbas@yahoo.com 08051101861

Features of Ramadan over 1.71 billion Muslims around the world, who are faithful to it. And since the only means of understanding it is Tafsir, language should not be a barrier.

Qur’an is like gold. Making necklace or ear-ring or wrist bangles from it does not debase it. It does not change its name either. Rather it enhances its appreciation and value. In this computer age, the world needs the Qur’an more than ever before. And it is only Tafsir that can justify that need.

Muslims and non-Muslims alike should be able to read the interpretations of the Qur’an in languages they understand.

That is a challenge to Islamic scholars of this age. It is also a challenge to Muslim philanthropists around the world who want to give a little back to Allah from the bounties they have received from Him. Besides, one of the aiding instruments of Tafsir is literacy. The more literate the Muslims are in the relevant language, the more they are likely to understand the Qur’an through Tafsir. And no one who thoroughly understands Tafsir will be ignorant about Islam.

Muslims who are deeply schooled through the Western system of education will discover that virtually all the sciences, social sciences and arts, originated from the study of Tafsir. Even some scientific terminologies like ‘Aljibrau’ (Algebra), ‘Al-kaimiyau’ (Chemistry), ‘Al-fisiyau’ (Physics) confirm this. It therefore takes real scholars, not just reciters of the Qur’an or speakers of Arabic language, to be exponents of Tafsir. This is a rare factor in Nigeria.

There is a sharp difference between translating the context of the Qur’an and interpreting them expositorily. The one is shallow. The other is deep. Tafsir is not an annual Ramadan affair. It is a daily practice for scholars who are ardent in it.

Although Tafsir gains more popularity in the month of Ramadan because every true Muslim wants to get closer to Allah through familiarization with the Qur’an, it is not limited to that sacred month and it should not be seen as such.

Going by the limit of their knowledge and the extent of their unwillingness to seek more knowledge, only a few Islamic scholars in Nigeria are qualified to tutor the populace in Tafsir. Most of the socalled Nigerian Alfas have turned

‘Fasting, therefore, does not only lower blood pressure and alleviate angina pectoris; it also prevents arteriosclerosis (an arterial disease occurring, especially in the elderly, characterised by elasticity and thickening of the blood flow). Not only that. Fasting also reduces the mortality rate of myocardial infraction’

Tafsir into an annual commercial jamboree which fetches them what they regard as Ramadan booty. Their motive of engaging in Tafsir is more ulterior than religious. What such Alfas dish out in the name of knowledge is mere hearsay. And that is why majority of Nigerian Muslim audiences at Tafsir centres can hardly benefit from what they hear in those centres.

Tafsir is a special field of discipline meant only for research oriented scholars. But unfortunately, it is one area of study which has very few institutions of learning in Nigeria.

Because of this problem, the Qur’an has been translated into only two Nigerian languages so far. These are Hausa and Yoruba. The former was championed by the late Sheikh Muhammad Mahmud Gumi, a leader of Izalah Muslim Organisation. The latter was led by the late Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory, the founder of Arabic and Islamic Centre (Markaz), Agege. Both scholars are now demised.

Today, copies of the vernacular Qur’an so translated can hardly be found on book shelves and they are virtually out of reprint. With this situation, how can Nigerian Muslim populace understand the Qur’an? This is a great challenge to truthful Muslims who are blessed by Allah. They can pull resources together and jointly finance the reprinting of reviewed copies of these Tafsir Books in appreciation of Allah’s special favour on them. And that can be best initiated in this sacred month.

Meanwhile, Muslims in most parts of the world always perceive Ramadan from economic, social, moral and spiritual perspectives. What most of them don’t seem know is that the practical lessons of this divine month are far beyond this scope.

Science is in a state of continuous evolution and new discoveries follow one another’s heels. There is a large flow of information coming like a spring from seminars, conferences, symposia, encyclopedias and medical journals which put us always on the right path of knowledge.

Biologically, human beings grow old and eventually die. Very few people ponder over this occurrence. We have all accepted it as a natural phenomenon which we must willingly or unwillingly abide by. Apart from old age, most people die not because they are naturally ripe for death but because the blood flowing through their coronary arteries clots sometimes prematurely. These arteries must have become hard and rusty as a result of improper diet and other defective factors in our biological set-ups.

This process is called Artheroma, and many theories have been advanced to explain the mechanism of Artheroma or rustiness of the blood vessels. This is one major area in which Ramadan is quite relevant. Fasting increases the power of the blood to dissolve blood clots whether the clots are in the coronary arteries of the heart that cause heart attack or in the cerebral arteries that cause stroke.

Fasting, therefore, does not only lower blood pressure and alleviate angina pectoris; it also prevents arteriosclerosis (an arterial disease occurring especially in the elderly, characterised by elasticity and thickening of the blood flow). Not only that. Fasting also reduces the mortality rate of myocardial infraction.

The blood sugar is maintained at a steady level during fasting, the glucose being formed from glycogen and natural fat which have been mobilized to dispose tissue. If, however, there is any tendency of hypoglycaemia (a decreased sugar level in the blood), the adrenal medulla immediately secrets increased amount of catecholamine: adrenaline and non-adrenaline which prepare the body for either or both.

Ramadan brings about an increase in secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary and this causes an increase in human weight and acceleration of linear growth with widening epiphysis in young animals. Thus, with Ramadan, many human health problems are easily solved.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

35

AGRO-BUSINESS

Anxiety mounts over absence of national surveys of fish stocks A

PROFESSOR of Fishery at the Lagos State University (LASU), Martins Agenuma Antekhai, has called for a national marine survey to gather information on biodiversity and fish stocks in the nation’ seas.

He said accurate and precise estimates of fish stocks will help the government match fishing with natural fluctuations with a view to avoiding unsustainable harvests and population crashes.

With a dependable fish stock assessment, Anetekhai said the industry will set sustainable harvest levels to accommodate commercial demand.

He spoke in an interview with The

Stories by Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

Nation.

He said without accurate stock assessments and their proper use in management, exploited fish populations can collapse, thus creating severe economic, social, and ecological problems. Such surveys, according to him, are fundamental to ensure the sustainability of commercial and recreational marine fisheries.

Anetekhai described lack of accurate fish population data as a weak

spot in the nation’s fisheries management.

Given data limitations, he observed that the current ability to accurately present what is happening to fish populations in response to management changes and environmental or other factors is characteristically uncertain.

In a seperate interview, the Chief Executive of Talon Farms, Dr Lanre Talabi, said fisheries is an important part of food security and that information gathered from such assessment is important to

prevent over exploitation and better management of fisheries resources to increase food security benefits and ensures that they are sustained.

With growing population, Talabi said there is increasing pressure on resources, and many stocks are now overfished.

He said fish stocks have to be maintained at levels that ensure sustained productivity, if the food security benefits derived from them are to continue to be available.

World wide fishery management organisations use the results of stock assessments to design and implement various controls for the total catch that can be removed from fish populations under their jurisdictions.

Commercial catch can be managed by specifying the amount of harvesting allowed; the areas of fishing and times of the year that fishing can take place; the gear that can be used; fish size limits; and in

• Antehkai

some cases, the amount of fish that any single fisher, community, company, or other entity can catch.

Recreational fisheries more often impose minimum size limits, daily catch limits, seasons, and sometimes gear restrictions and requirements to release fish that are caught.

Shea butter price rises 50%

T

• Director-General, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Peter Hartmann (right) addressing participants at the cassava revolution forum in Ibadan.

Minister hails IFAD’s support for rural agric

M

INISTER of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, has commended the International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD) for its role in promoting agriculture, especially in the rural areas.

IFAD has supported nine projects valued at $187.4 million in Nigeria since 1985, and is financing the implementation of three on-going programmes across the country.

Ashiru, who met with IFAD’s President, Dr. Kanayo Nwanze and his team in Abuja, expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to the development and promotion of agriculture as a major revenue earner and employment generator.

“We are a government that is in a hurry to deliver on its promises to the people, and, therefore,

we want to see how agriculture can propel the country in terms of its GDP, and employment for our teeming population,” he said.

He said the ministry would provide the necessary support to IFAD to enable it achieve its goals, adding that the value chain programme which would start in 2012, would be good for the nation’s transformation agenda.

Responding, Nwanze requested Ashiru to canvass the support of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member-nations for IFAD, noting that their strong support to the fund had waned.

“We want you to appeal to your colleagues from these countries to support IFAD,” he said.

Nwanze said Nigeria started

benefitting from IFAD programmes since 1985, and that the agency’s emphasis has been on agricultural productivity, rural finance, and capacity building.

According to him, rural infrastructural development and women are the main targets as they account for more than 80 per cent of rural farmers.

“We are looking at agriculture as a business, employment, good health and nutrition as it is critical to national security across the globe; a country that cannot feed its citizens has no right to sovereignty,” he said.

He noted that decreasing investment in agriculture had reduced Nigeria to a net importer of food as against the 1960s when it was a net exporter.

HE price of shea butter has in creased from N4,000 to N6,000,50 per cent increase, according to Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, the state Coordinator, Fadama III in Niger State, has said.

Mohammed said in Minna that the improvement was achieved following a collaboration with the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).

“When our farmers were producing shea butter locally without adding value to it, it was sold for N4,000 per 20 litre jerry can.

“But right now, with the added value on the produce with the assistance of JICA, it is now selling for N6,000 per 20-litre of jerrycan,” Mohammed said .

According to him, JICA is collaborating with the Niger State Commodity and Export Promotion Agency to enhance the capacity of

shea butter producers to add value to the produce.

“JAICA has assisted shea butter producers and processing groups in the state to produce good quality shea butter,” he added.

The co-ordinator said the state has 10 shea butter processing groups, adding that more market outlets have been discovered for the sale of the produce.

“We are very lucky to get market outlets for the sale of shea butter; even yesterday, some people were here to purchase the shea butter produced by these groups,” he said.

Mohammed said plans were under way to make shea butter and export produce, after the producers and processors had perfected the art of value addition.

He urged shea butter producers to contact the state to Fadama Office to enable them to enhance their production.

Plateau to complete agric projects

S

EVEN on-going agricultural projects worth N10 billion will be completed within six months, Mr Maven Barko, the Plateau Commissioner for Agriculture, has said.

Barko said the projects would boost the fortunes of the sector. He listed the projects to include three agricultural service training centres in Mangu, Kassa and Shendam and four other commercial projects spread across the three senatorial districts of the state.

“The projects cost a total of N10 billion; we have spent about N8 billion and will need another N2 billion to get the job done.

“The projects will address food production and open up employment windows to our teeming

youths,” he said.

The commissioner expressed confidence that the projects would encourage more youths to engage in agriculture and minimise migration to the urban centres.

He decried the over-reliance on the oil sector and underscored the need to develop alternative sources of revenue.

Barko also said Plateau has the potential to produce coffee for export, among other products.

He noted that the state government had provided enough fertiliser for farmers in the current farming season.

He urged the ministry’s workers to re-double efforts toward encouraging more farmers to remain in the profession.

Ministerial Working Group recommends total overhaul of cotton sector

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HE Ministerial Working Group on Cotton Rebirth has recommended the total overhaul of the industry to cotton production from the current 120,000 tonnes to 300,000 tonnes.

The group was set up by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Adenwumi Adesina.

The Chairman of the 14-member group,Malam Shetima Mustapha, made the recommendation in report the body presented to the Minister of State, Alhaji Bukar Tijani in Abuja.

Mustapha said that the major challenges affecting the cotton sub-sector include production, marketing, smuggling and inconsistence in government policy.

He said the group was able to iden-

tify the key constraints in the various components of the value chain from production to marketing and recommended solutions to address them.

“Production constraints are in the areas of cotton contamination, poor extension services and unorganised licensed buyers.

“Also, marketing and smuggling constraints are enormous via illegal dumping of textile fabrics,” he said.

He said the group recommended that in the short term, the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) and the National Seed Council must work out gradual phasing of pure seed production between 2011 and 2014.

“The gap in the seed quality will

dictate whether importation or irrigated cotton will be restored as an alternative mostly for 2012 plantings,” he said.

He said this would also include urgent meeting of all the ginners to discuss the proposal and incentives to make them buy in on the revolution and assist in the rehabilitation of the obsolete machine for the training of cotton classers.

Mustapha said under medium term, the provision of storage facility for cotton germplasm with power back-up facilities, financial support to IAR for training, provision of critical inputs and high volume instruments for classification and grading of cotton for participating ginners, among others.

And for the long-term, it was recommended that the Quarantine Service and both the federal and state produce inspection services, should be re-invigorated to check the influx of exotic cottonseed.

He also suggested that farmers should be encouraged to access credit from their respective state government which are expected to disburse at single interest rate, to boost production.

He called for the establishment of agro-cotton one-stop-shop to ensure prompt purchase of inputs.

Responding, Tijani noted that cotton is one of the key commodities for promotion under the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Shar-

ing System for Agricultural Lending (NISRAL), an initiative of the CBN. He also said the cotton sector was a strategic in the non-oil industry after agriculture.

Tijani underscored its potentialities for achieving food security, incomes generation and job creation.

He said the government was embarking on the cotton green revolution because production was still largely unorganised, thereby impacting negatively on productivity and fibre quality.

Tijani commended the efforts of the group for a job well done and urged them to review the recommendations before the final approval.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

36

AGRO-BUSINESS

Agrobusiness Fadama III: Cross River community groups get N218.4m opening up in Edo N F O fewer than 572 farmers groups across Cross River State have benefited from the Fadama III project in the state. N218.4 million was disbused to them, according to the Co-ordinator of the project in the state, Mr Bassey Ilemi.

The beneficiaries are 40 Fadama Community Associations (FCAs) and 532 Fadama User Groups (FUGs).

Ilemi said the fund was disbursed to the groups between Nov. 2009 and July, this year.

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

He said the disbursed fund was part of the N300 million which the state accessed from the International Development Association (IDA) grant.

The co-ordinator said the state government paid its counterpart contribution to the programme for three years - 2007, 2008, 2009 and part of 2010, totalling N184 million, saying the state’s annual contribution was N56 million.

Ilemi also said the 18 local

government areas in the state had paid N72 million, representing their annual N2 million counterpart contributions for 2007 and 2008.

He, however, pointed out that the state government is yet to pay its counterpart contribution for this year while the local governments have not paid their contributions for three years – 2009, 2010 and 2011.

He said 34 FCAs are currently implementing various sub-projects under the Community-owned Rural Infrastructure Scheme.

The projects, Ilemi said, include 13 market stalls, three roads, six cold rooms, two culverts, three mini-bridges and one feed mill.

He said 445 FUGs are also implementing various subprojects which include 129 crops’ farms, 41 fisheries, 102 agro-processing, 146 livestock, 17 agro-forestry and 10 rentals.

The co-ordinator said the project was, however, facing the challenge of non-payment of counterpart contributions by the FCAs and FUGs in the state.

Women to benefit from Kano agric loan, says commissioner T

O encourage women in agriculture, the Kano State Government is set to disburse a sizeable part of a N1 billion loan to them under its commercial agricultural credit scheme.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Baraka Sani, made this known in Kano.

Sani, who is the first female Commissioner to head the ministry since the creation of the state in 1967, said her primary task is to redeem the dwindling fortunes of agriculture and reposition the sector for better performance.

Besides, the state ministry

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

of agriculture, Sani revealed, is rolling out capacity building programmes to empower women, so that they can make more contributions to the development of the agro-allied industry.

She said the credit facility, which attracts a single digit interest, would be disbursed after screening.

According to her, women would be part of the beneficiaries since they make sig-

nificant contributions to the development of agriculture in the state.

She said: “Women are also being supported under the commercial agriculture credit scheme which the state is running right now. The N1 billion 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 so that they can move away from the old system of doing things and

embrace modern methods to add value to their agricultural products.”

Sani said the intending beneficiaries are to apply for the loan and undergo screening to qualify for the commercial agricultural credit which attracts only a single-digit interest.

The governor, she explained, is concerned about involving women in agriculture, adding that “he is ready to open up all windows of opportunities for women in the state to occupy their rightful place and contribute positively to agricultural development of Kano State.”

• Banana market in Yashi in Plateau State.

UNAAB to host Int’l symposium on Roots and Crops

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HE University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), will host the 16th International Symposium on roots and crops.

It got the hosting right, just as its Director of Leventis Memorial Centre for Learning (LEMCEL), Prof Lateef Oladimeji Sanni, was appointed the First Vice-President of the International Society for Tuber and Root Crops (ISTRC).

The society’s symposium will attract participants from at least 54 countries, across continents.

The President of ISTRC, Prof Andrew Westby, said the event is slated for between September 23 and 28, 2012 with the proposed theme, The Roots and Tuber

of Global Development.

Participants will also look at policies favourable to enhancing the contribution of roots and tubers to development, the global scenario on production as well as the application of new

scientific and technical knowledge on roots and tubers.

Prof Sanni will double as the chairman of the symposium’s Local Organising Committee.

Sanni, a professor of

Food Science and Technology, is the current President, University Alumni and the Country Manager for Cassava: Adding Value for Africa (C:AVA), a Bill and Melinda Gate initiative.

Gwandu LG earmarks N10.2m for cassava, rice production

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HE Gwandu Local Government Council in Kebbi State says it has earmarked N10.2 million for the expansion of cassava and rice production.

The Sole Administrator of the area, Alhaji Dangi Juli, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Birnin Kebbi that the amount would be disbursed to farmers as loans to be repaid in three years.

Juli said the potential for revenue generation and economic benefits cassava and rice farmers would also be expanded.

According to him, 1,500 hectares have been prepared for the scheme, adding that it would provide job opportunities for the unemployed.

He appealed to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money that would be

provided.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar, the agriculture department officer, had been appointed to head a 10-member committee to ensure proper disbursement to farmers, the sole administrator said.

He recalls that the council last year spent N5 million on the pilot cassava production scheme in which 5,000 farmers benefited.

By Daniel Essiet, Agric Correspondent

ARMING provides employment for most of the people of Edo State. The agricultural sector provides jobs and supports hundreds and thousands of rural families.

Agriculture in the state involves production of key national cash and food crops such as maize, groundnut, guinea corn, soybeans, cassava, yam, vegetables, fruits, fishery, oil palm, cocoa and rubber.

The target markets are local and international.

There are large scale agro-processing and agrobusinesses. There are also heavy activities in livestock and fishery, etc.

Edo largely lies in the rainforest belt with its luxuriant vegetation and good soil for farming and other agricultural activities. With 1.6 million hectares of arable land and a very favourable ecological condition, Edo is the potential haven for private investors in agribusinesses.

The variations in rainfall patterns and soil types sustain a wide range of agribusiness enterprises, including tropical and temperate horticulture; inland and coastal aquaculture; production of grains, oilseeds and fibres; grazing and feed lotting of livestock; thoroughbred breeding, forestry and the production of timber products. Edo has significant areas of land for farming and is gaining ground in positioning itself as an agriculture hub with investor-friendly policies. To realise its immense potential in food production, the role of agribusiness development has become ever more important whether as a medium of partnership and a path toward attaining the sustained growth of the agricultural sector and rural folks’ emancipation from hunger and poverty.

The state presents opportunities for food production and related • Governor Oshiomhole agricultural projects.

There are business opportunities in dairy farming, poultry, irrigation, crop production, stockfeed and livestock production. There are also opportunities for the establishment of abattoirs, fertiliser manufacturing as well as biofuel plants.

Local and foreign investors have the opportunity to invest in aquaculture sector.

The state is a logical supply source for agricultural products and food and biofuels.

Considering the extensive range of agricultural resources and rural production, there are significant new agricultural opportunities available within a stable investment and regulatory environment.

Agribusiness opportunities have been identified, analysed for viability, pursued, and public and private investors invited to take a second look at these opportunities that lead to high returns The state is refocusing attention on long-term spending in the sector to mitigate hunger and poverty.

Millions of Naira are aligned to maximise agricultural productivity through the provision of inputs such as organic and chemical fertilisers, extension, training, and research and development, access to loans, and other post-harvest facilities, and hybrid and certified seeds.

With the growing responsibility of government to foster economic expansion, food security, and rural employment, the ministry of agriculture has been mandated to accelerate its programmes to ensure development of agriculture as this will significantly have a deep and lasting impact on the economy, the environment and the people of the state.

There is a notable increase in awareness on the economic viability of small ruminant farming. There is a consistent increase in demand for breeder and slaughter animals.

The state government is determined to support the agric sector to raise productivity, increase household incomes and assure household and national food security.

Specifically, there are programmes to increase adoption of crop varieties; improve farming technologies; expand markets and trade for staple food crops; secure land and property rights to accelerate investment in sustainable soil, land and water management technologies, as well as enhance environmental sustainability of technological interventions.

THE NATION

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

Imo monarchs warned against unruly behaviour

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HAIRMAN Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness (HRH) Eze Samuel Ohiri has threatened to expel any traditional ruler who engages in any act capable of tarnishing the reputation of the institution.

He stated this while interacting with reporters in Owerri. He stressed that it is now a thing of the past for royal fathers to engage in squabbles with one another, even as he disclosed that anyone caught in this misdeed would be dealt with.

Eze Ohiri pointed out that traditional rulers are custodians of the people’s culture and should be endowed with knowledge to rule their respective domains.

The monarch, however, expressed his

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

disappointment that his predecessor ignored the Governor’s directive to return all government’s properties in his possession regardless of the consequences.

He added that since Ilomuanya is no longer the chairman council of traditional rulers in the state, he has no reason not to comply

with government directive.

On the suspension of the 106 newly instituted traditional rulers by Governor Okorocha, Eze Ohiri said that government is still looking into the issue with a view of coming out with a solution.

He expressed worry over the large number of traditional rulers and autonomous communities in the state,

‘Why we removed traditional council chief’

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MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has explained that the removal of the chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers was considered necessary in the bid to restore sanity in the traditional

From Emma Mgbeahurike

institution.

Okorocha, who stated this when the new leadership of the council led by Eze Samuel

Idris receives award

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OVERNOR Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State’s achievement in the area of youth empowerment has attracted international recognition as he is the sole recipient of this year's Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life Award.

The governor received the leadership award last week in Dublin, Ireland during the third annual Albert Schweitzer Leadership for Life International Youth Leadership Conference which has its theme "Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders.”

According to Governor Ibrahim Idris' Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Zakari Adamu, the Founder and President of Albert Schweitzer Foundation, Maurice Buckly explained at the award ceremony that Idris was nominated based on his "firm belief in youth and the concrete steps taken by his administration to empower them".

Maurice Buckly said at the occasion that the programme was aimed to serve as catalyst for changing the world and making it a better place, The Conference which attracted youths from across the world strives to promote unique youth leadership training programme world wide and it is open to young adults who have demonstrated good leader-

adding that a situation where there are autonomous communities in every hamlet in the state is regrettable.

He said the governor may not be prepared to divert the money meant for the implementation of free education for payment of salaries of 537 traditional rulers.

ship abilities within their own communities.

While speaking after receiving the 2011 Albert Schweitzer leadership award, Governor Ibrahim Idris said, his administration's comprehensive youth empowerment programme has created opportunities for youth to engage in self employable ventures.

He said when he embarked on his youth empowerment programmes, little did he know that it will attract international recognition.

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris said he inherited in 2003, a state that had no programme for youth development in addition to a collapsed school system.

The Governor gave kudos to the vision of Ireland Chamber of Commerce, the United States Foundation for Community Service and indeed the bilateral economic relations between Kogi State and the Republic of Ireland.

Meanwhile, the state government, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris said will continue to provide enabling environment for prospective investors in the state.

He stated this in Dublin, Ireland at a meeting with Ireland Minister of Environment, Phillip Hogan and President, Ireland Chamber United States, Maurice Buckly.

Governor Idris, at the meeting advised pro-

• Idris spective investors to avail themselves of Kogi State abundance minerals resources while he sought collaboration in the area of youth empowerment, energy, sugar, cement agriculture and education.

Ireland Minister for Environment, Phillip Hogan commended the initiative of government of Kogi State with as promise to send a team to the states to explore areas of cooperation.

Ohiri paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Owerri, said the former chairman dragged the image of the traditional institutions to the mud by deeply involving himself in partisan politics.

He further said that his action also aimed at saving the institution from further embarrassment and to enthrone a credible leadership that will implement the reforms needed to restore Igbo cultural values.

He maintained that Eze Ilomuanya’s removal is irreversible hence it is done in the best interest of the council and the state.

Governor Okorocha also informed the traditional rulers that “we have begun investigation into those behind a hidden account tagged traditional institution account operated since 12 years where a whopping sum of N567m belonging to the state was stashed away.

According to him, the fund had been used to procure 100 security vans and gadgets for the operations of Imo Rescue Security Outfit.

Earlier, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri presented to the governor a resolution by the council which warned the former chairman or any other traditional ruler against acts capable of breaching security in the state.

He urged the governor not to be distracted but to continue with the good works he had started under his rescue mission agenda to transform the state.

Eze Ohiri added that the council would not hesitate to wield its big stick on any of its members whose conducts run against the rules governing the council.

Relief as community bridge takes shape •Continued from page 25 "It has to be phased. We have all the design and everything, it's a question of money really, we want to do all the inner roads in Lagos immediately, but we don't just have the money to fulfil all those obligations. That's why we said we should take the bridge first and then we can do the roads; so it's a question of money."

He explained that the construction of the bridge is in line with the state government's strategic plan of improving access in local communities and boosting economic activities in the state.

The commissioner also spoke on the challenges of executing such projects.

"There are so many challenges when you do roads," he said. "These are areas where there are buildings and so by the time we finish, we will want to do dual-carriage roads both sides. So we have to talk to people because some people's fence may be affected. You can't just come in and do the road. So, as long as people are involved, it's always very difficult to give a time frame because even though you are doing the road for the benefit of the people, if it affects your fence, you will be selfish.

Hamzat equally explained the benefits of the new bridge and road.

He said: "It will guarantee access to Isolo via Jakande Estate for residents of Ijegun, Ijedodo, Ijagemo and Isheri Osun communities; improve the infrastructural facilities as well as the socio-economic status of the residents within the community, vis-avis property appreciation."

Mr. Dany Abboud, Deputy Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company, the

• Officials of Lagos State government inspecting the project firm handling the construction, assured that the bridge will be completed in about 12 months.

He said: "In a matter of one year, [we will finish the job]; we started work on this job in 2008. As you can see this area is a very marshy area. It took so much to fill. The major work was the filling and now the piling is on. We have completed about 70 per cent of the piling".

He said the bridge will meet the required standard for all concrete structures expected

to last within 50 to 100 years.

Some motorists, who commented on the development, appealed to government to expedite action on the road. A number of them lamented the hardship they face daily due to the bad state of the road. They expressed happiness, saying that when completed, the road will improve economic activities in the area.

A motorist, who gave his name simply as Joshua, told our reporter that the project stalled for a very long time.

"Before now, we had to use the Ijegun road to connect the city because this road has not been functional but when the contractors began work here we realised the route was shorter and convenient, considering the traffic on the Ijegun road.

"But as the days went by, we kept hoping that the road would soon be completed. I am happy that the first phase is almost completed now. We appeal to the government to speed up work so that the road proper can be delivered soon."

THE NATION

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

CRIME WATCH

Motorcyclistrobbers on the rampage •Suspects arrested

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F you are a regular visitor to the bank in Lagos, watch out. Armed robbers may be lurking around, waiting to pounce as soon as you ease yourself out of the facility.

And they are often atop motorcycles.

Those who also carry large sums of money to deposit in the bank should not disclose their movements to anybody to avoid being trailed.

So many bank depositors and clients have been attacked by robbers operating on motorbikes in the last six months. Lives as well as millions of naira have been lost in the process.

Usually, the robbers who are normally two or four in number operate on a motorcycle.

While one of them will pose as the rider, the others will pretend to be passengers. It is the passenger-rogues that shoot and snatch the money from their victims.

About two weeks ago, a customer of a bank in the Okota area of the city was shot in his legs by two armed men who wanted to snatch his bag as he came out from the bank.

It was the timely intervention of mobile policemen on guard duty at two other nearby banks that stopped the hoodlums in the tracks.

According to eyewitnesses, when the policemen heard the gunshots, they fired sporadically into the air. This scared the bandits, who eventually abandoned the operation and fled. Not too many people are as lucky as the man in the Okota robbery.

A staff of Onward Press on Fatai Atere Way, Matori was shot by a gang of six suspected armed robbers operating on motorcycles.

Their victim, who works in the account department of the company, was on his way to a bank on Ladipo Road to deposit money.

•Samuel Eduah, a suspect Stories by Jude Isiguzo

He was attacked right in front of The Nation Newspaper as he was trying to buy a recharge card and his bag containing about N3million taken away.

At Ahmadiyya, FESTAC, Iyana-Ipaja, Ojo, Surulere, Ikeja, Ojota, Ogudu, Victoria Island, Apapa, CMS, Broad Street, Marina, Trade Fair, Satellite Town, Ipaja, Ketu, Ikotun, Idimu, Igando, Agege, Ogba, Tin Can, Ikoyi, and other parts of the state, the tale of woe is the same. Bank customers are begging the police to beef up security around areas where banks are located to save them from being killed or wounded by these criminals.

The police in FESTAC where Mr Usman Ndababo is Divisional Police Officers (DPO) made a desperate and bold attempt to check this new method of robbery in his jurisdiction. His men have arrested a member of a gang of six that reportedly specialises in robbing bank customers after or before transactions.

The suspect, 23-year-old Samuel Eduah, from Benin Republic, was arrested on August 10 at Ajangbadi area of the state following a

•Mother of a suspect tip-off that his gang was on the way for operation at another bank.

It was gathered that Eduah and the other members of his gang who are currently at large have their criminal hide out somewhere at Idodo in Ogun State and have been terrorizing residents of FESTAC, Trade Fair, Ajangbadi, Ojo and its environs for over two years.

According to police sources, Eduah was not originally a member of the gang but an okada rider who rents his motorcycle to them for operation, after which he is paid a certain amount of money depending on the success of the operation.

However, it was learnt that when the suspect discovered that the gang was using his motorcycle for operation and felt that he was been short changed, he joined them so that he can get more money. It was gathered that after his first operation with the gang, he used his own share of the loot to buy another motorcycle and added it to the business.

A police source disclosed that the gang leader one Jeda Badmus was riding on the same motorcycle with Eduah when he was arrested but Badmus who is suspected to be using voodoo managed to escape.

Three locally made guns cut to size were also

recovered from the gang by the police as well as one of their operational motorcycles.

But the police in its effort to ensure that Badmus is apprehended went and arrested his mother whom they claimed knows his whereabout.

Ndababo has promised that no stone will be left unturned in Police efforts to ensure that other members of the gang are arrested and brought to book.

Speaking to Newesextra the suspect who confessed to the alleged crime said, “We have robbed so many bank customers and we have also made good money. When I joined them, I made over N200, 000 in my first operation and I used the money to buy two more motorcycles”.

The suspect who said that it was greed that led him to join the gang told Newsextra that he regrets everything now that he has been arrested and added that if he is allowed to go by the police that he would join in the war against crime.

“If am set free, I will enlist into the Nigerian police Force so that I can assist fight crime since I have had a feel of how criminals operates. I am begging my parents, friends and relatives to forgive me for bringing this shame upon them”, he said.

Explaining how the suspect was arrested, the Command’s spokesman, Mr Samuel Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said that he was arrested on their way to an operation.

He said, “They were going for an operation and the police got a tip-off and decided to close-in on them. When the police caught up with them somewhere in Ajanbadi, the other gang members jumped into a canal and escaped while Eduah was arrested”.

Jinadu said that investigation is ongoing and that police is on the trail of the other suspects who are at large.

He advised members of the public to always be on the alert whenever they are coming out from the bank and if the suspect anybody, they should inform the policemen on guard at the bank.

Jinadu assured Lagosians that the command is doing everything possible to ensure that security is beefed up in the state.

NDLEA partners security agency on crime control

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HE Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr. Femi Ajayi has expressed the anti-drug agency’s willingness to partner with security experts in the fight against child trafficking, money laundering and terrorist financing.

Ajayi said this while receiving members of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON) led by its President, Dr. Ona Ekhomu at the Agency’s headquarters, Ikoyi Lagos.

He said NDLEA will collaborate with the association in planning a national workshop on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing. The workshop is slated for October 2011.

Resource persons shall be drawn from the NDLEA, the police, and international financial institutions, amongst others.

By Jude Isiguzo

Ajayi noted that in spite of the enormous challenges of narcotics control, the agency will remain committed. He said the implications of slackening the anti-drug war are alarming.

He said: “Illicit drug proceeds can be diverted into terrorist financing, insurrection and other forms of social and political belligerence. The Agency has a huge responsibility that goes beyond drug trafficking. We cannot afford to fail because the consequences are too dismal to contemplate. At every opportunity we educate people on the implications of drugs on the economy, road accidents, health, productivity and crime.”

Ekhomu on his part explained that the danger of money laundering cannot be overemphasised, and drug barons in many

Illicit drug proceeds can be diverted into terrorist financing, insurrection and other forms of social and political belligerence. The Agency has a huge responsibility that goes beyond drug trafficking. We cannot afford to fail because the consequences are too dismal to contemplate

A

BIA State indigenes in the United States of America (USA) have petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr Hafis

Ringim over the abduction of Mr Francis Eze in the commercial city of Aba. Eze, who is based in the USA was in the country on July 20 to bury his late mother but was kidnapped by some unknown persons during the ceremony.

He was released some days later after his family members had met with the demands of his abductors.

The indigenes under the aegis of Abia

• Ajayi (left) and Ekhomu climes have hijacked government, distorted the economy, hence the need to identify scientific method of investigating their fund.

He urged NDLEA to take advantage of such-knowledge-based investigation methodologies and other security certification programmes at the disposal of private security experts to improve their effectiveness.

He said, “The association is willing to partner with the Agency on the issue of

security education and human resource development with the view to enabling its narcotic agents acquire and utilise modern narcotics control methodologies and skills which would enable them to discharge their onerous responsibilities effectively.”

Ekhomu expressed satisfaction with the agency and called on the federal government to equip and fund the agency properly, because of the vital role it is performing in the society.

Abians in the USA petition IG over insecurity Vanguard in the USA, has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government to restore security in the state or resign if it cannot guarantee the security of life and properties of Abians home and abroad.

In the petition signed by Dr Linus Ukachukwu Enyribe, Abains in America are demanding the immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of all the suspects

involved in the kidnap of one of their own as they strongly believe that the criminal act has a political undertone.

He alleged that their investigation revealed that the thugs who carry out the kidnap of prominent indigenes in the state are armed and funded by some desperate politicians who want to retain or return power by every means possible.

Enyribe noted that power belong to the

people any no group of persons can hold onto it by terrorizing innocent indigenes and residents.

Already, the IGP has order the commissioner of police in the state to look into the matter and report back to him as he was no longer ready to tolerate any form of crime and criminalities in any state in the country.

THE NATION

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

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HE National President of Nigeria Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) Chief Leo Okereke has said that to curb the incessant building collapse, the economic situation in the country must improve.

Chief Okereke further said that the improvement of the economy would have a turn-around implication on the patronage of building specialists, even as he regretted that the solution to the problem is not yet in sight.

The NATE President, who disclosed this in Abakaliki during the inauguration/ Chartering of Ebonyi State branch of the association said: “Each time a building collapses, the first thing people normally say is quacks.

“We have not gotten the issue of building houses right because if we follow the normal method, you will go to a specialist for design, procurement of materials and for the actual implementation. But these things cost money and because they cost money, people tend to cut corners.

“The way out in tackling issues of building collapse is for our economy to improve.

There should be liberalisation in many areas so that the common man can have food and shelter for himself. That is the way out,” he said.

Chief Okereke urged the Federal Government to build a technology village

‘How to check building collapse’ From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

where hi-tech products would be churned out annually for the purposes of advancing the technological status and promotion of indigenous technologies.

He stated that the country would benefit immensely from the establishment of such centres nation-wide. He however regretted that Nigerian technologists were not being encouraged to advance the use of their skills

and natural endowments to reposition the country technologically.

“If such centres have been given the due attention needed, the country would have the opportunity to compete with countries like China, Japan, America among others in terms of technological abilities. Nothing stops states from doing it.

The technological village will be funded by the Federal Government and

The way out in tackling issues of building collapse is for our economy to improve. There should be liberalisation in many areas so that the common man can have food and shelter for himself. That is the way out…The Federal Government to build a technology village where hi-tech products would be churned out annually for the purposes of advancing the technological status and promotion of indigenous technologies

before you know it, we will start churning out technology. For a start, it can be at the urban areas because it is capital intensive.

“My people can make anti-kidnapping devices. When you touch the person, there will be lots of bellows that is noise emanating from the device. We can also make anti-burglar device. Technologists are people who can bring down nature and transform it for the use of mankind.

“Our association will be showcasing the first ever technological exhibition called NATE waves where all and sundry will gather to behold Nigeria’s technology juxtaposed with that of foreign technology.

We have to start show- casing our technology. We have technology here. Our people can make so many things. By the time we showcase them, people will start to criticise them until them become acceptable,” he added.

Speaking during the occasion, the chairman of Ebonyi State branch Mr Felix Uro said the association in the state would checkmate the activities of its members to ensure professionalism and development of the state technologically.

• Wife of Anambra State Governor, Margaret Peter Obi handing over empowerment equipments to some women in Awka, the state capital

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

Okorocha urges self-sufficiency

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•Okorocha

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged institutions in the state to be selfsufficient in line with the Rescue Mission Agenda of the new administration.

He stated this during a breakfast meeting with the newly appointed Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen, Academic Staff Union of Universities Imo State; Heads of 19 General Hospitals players and management of Heartland Football Club.

The governor charged them to imbibe the spirit of a champion, even as he reminded them that determination is the bedrock to success. He also said: “I would want to establish a relationship between local governments and sports councils to enable the various local governments to produce younger football players who would replace old ones when they retire.”

He informed them that he would start Imo Technical Institute that will be affiliated to Imo State University which will kick off in October. He urged Heartland FC players to register in order to improve their talents both in sports, music and other areas.

Governor Okorocha, in the same manner, disclosed that a group of medical expatriates from India are interested to partner with the

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

state to provide quality healthcare delivery, stating that the essence is for them to assist in delivering health care at a very affordable cost.

He also charged the new council transition chairmen to donate a land where a modern school and filling station will be built in their local government areas to alleviate poverty in the rural areas, noting that there will be “operation repair rural roads” where indigenous contractors will be contracted to work on the rural roads for four years.

He advised the chairmen to look into the medical state of the hospitals in their communities and keep abreast of community speakers and traditional rulers.

The chairman Heartland Football Club, Mr Fan Ndubuoke proposed to run the team independently if given the opportunity and necessary support from the state government, while Dr Oronini Amuzienwa of General Hospital Oguta stated that making general hospitals to be self sufficient may be problematic as communities will be afraid of losing the hospitals to individuals and workers may entertain the fear of losing their

jobs.

Mr Emmanuel Babayaro, a member of the management committee, Heartland FC, lamented on the vicious of hatred and bickering among sports administrators, stating that such attitude has always impeded the growth of sports in the state.

I would want to establish a relationship between local governments and sports councils to enable the various local governments to produce younger football players who would replace old ones when they retire

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

40

I am happy that a true story can come from Akwa Ibom State…We represent the new future for Nigeria and indeed, Africa...Our desire is to make our state a role model for others to emulate

Akpabio bags award A

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has been awarded the Certificate of Congressional Recognition by a member of the United States House of Representatives for what was termed his exemplary leadership and uncommon transformation in the state.

Presenting the certificate on behalf of the 18th Congressional District of Texas, Ms Sheila Jackson Lee said the gesture was in recognition of the leadership qualities of Chief Akpabio in turning around the state from that of obscurity to global tourism destination.

In the same manner, his wife, Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio was accorded the same recognition by the Congresswoman for her "mission to empower women, alleviate poverty, encourage youths who are disillusioned and give the disabled a sense of belonging."

The certificate was presented at the Gala night and the launch of Uyai Iban International by Mrs Akpabio, which chronicled all the activities organised by Akwa Ibom in the Diaspora Network (AIDN) at the prestigious Westin Houston Memorial City Hotel and Resort in Houston, Texas.

Governor Akpabio, who was overwhelmed with joy to be so honoured in a foreign land, described the recognition as one of the best things that has happened to him in the course of his mission of transforming Akwa Ibom State from a civil service state to urban economy through provision of free and compulsory education, infrastructural development, provision of basic amenities for the teeming population, and job creation.

T

RADERS from the Southeast geopolitical zone of the country have given the ComptrollerGeneral of Nigerian Customs Service a seven-day ultimatum to remove all the customs officers on the roads.

The leaders of the traders under the aegis of Southeast Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association (SEAMATA) Chief Okwudili Ezenwnakwo and Temple Udeh, the President and the Secretary respectively, who addressed reporters in Onitsha, Anambra State said that they came up with the resolution after their meeting in Aba, Abia State where they reviewed the activities of men of Nigeria Customs Service on the major roads across the country.

They said: “The traders in the Southeast have been paying through their noses to clear their goods from the Onne Port because of the stringent measures the Comptroller at that port put in place. We pay between N2.5 to N4m to clear a container load of goods at that port.

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Governor Akpabio thanked the US Congress for the recognition and encomiums poured on him by its representative, saying the gesture would act as a stimulus for more uncommon transformation.

"I am happy that a true story can come from Akwa Ibom State…….We represent the new future for Nigeria and indeed, Africa. Our desire is to make our state a role model for others to emulate. On behalf my wife, I receive this certificate with humility and this recognition would spur us to do more work to empower our people for greater Nigeria," he said.

He commended the US Congress for their good job and visionary leadership in the world, saying "you are doing a good job, not only in America, but in the world. Your mission to make the world a safer place for all is worthy of emulation."

Ms Lee, a member of the US House of Representatives, said Governor Akpabio's reelection was as a result of "an overwhelming people's mandate and a vision, which subsequently developed into a nine-point agenda to re-brand and re-position Akwa Ibom State in the Nigerian configuration through programmes such as industrialisation, poverty reduction, community entrepreneurship, food security, among others.

The Certificate reads: "In just a year, a web of modern road network was deplored across all the 31 local government areas of the state for greater accessibility, the state now holds world class events…," said Ms Lee, adding: "The focus is industrialisation and to do that His Excellency has placed the state's resources in the right baskets, the baskets of air transport, seaport, tourism, skills acquisition, education, agriculture, among others."

She described Akwa Ibom State as " as a state with limitless opportunities," saying "with so many projects delivered, over 300

• US Congress Woman, Sheila Jackson Lee(L) proclaiming Congressional Recognition for Govrnor Akpabio(R) in Houston last weekend of them, and a lot still in the works, Akwa Ibom State now stands out as a foremost state in the Niger Delta, not embroiled in tribal wars, militancy or crime."

According to her, the progress so far witnessed in the state has motivated her to give recognition to whom it is due.

"Now therefore, be it resolved that, on behalf of the constituents of the 18th Congres-

sional District of Texas, I take great pride in welcoming His Excellency Governor Akpabio and Mrs. Akpabio to Houston, Texas. Indeed, your successful work in Akwa Ibom State and your shining example of leadership are truly worthy of respect, admiration, and commendation of the United States Congress," she said.

Traders give Customs seven-day ultimatum From Adimike George, Onitsha

“As if that is not enough, after we must have paid all the necessary duties to the Customs, they will still go and block us on the Southeast roads to extort money from us. They extort between N500, 000 to N1m for every container that passes through Southeast roads, especially Rivers to

Anambra State,” he added.

The traders also alleged among other things that they have been falling victims to high extortion from men of the Nigeria Customs Service, adding that the Comptroller in charge of Onne should be removed with immediate effect.

They alleged: “He has been making life difficult for traders and we are not

It was a grand plot by the Nigeria Customs Service to frustrate genuine traders from the zone... At the end of the seven-day ultimatum, Customs refuse to withdraw their men from the Southeast roads; the traders would be forced to take laws in their hands to ensure that they chase them out of the roads

going to accept his excesses any longer, if he is not removed from that port, we are going mobilize our members to a protest at the port.

“We wonder what the Customs officials are doing on the South East roads when you do not see them on the roads in other zones in the country. We pay them the necessary duties, as exorbitant as they are at all the clearing points at Port, and we wonder why they keep harassing, intimidating and extorting money from us when show the papers for the clearing of our goods.”

The traders further alleged that it was a grand plot by the Nigeria Customs Service to frustrate genuine traders from the zone.

They said that at the end of the sevenday ultimatum, Customs refuse to withdraw their men from the Southeast roads; the traders would be forced to take laws in their hands to ensure that they chase them out of the roads.

Niger Delta youths commend Jonathan

A

• Jonathan

group known as Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) has commended President Goodluck Jonathan over the bold step in setting up an administrative panel to probe the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of an alleged N69b fraud.

In a press statement signed by the National President Comrade Godspower Odenema and the National Secretary Comrade Moses Omo-lkirodah at the group’s Presidential Liaison Office Ughelli, Delta State, the group analysed the impunity with which the affairs of the NDDC have been run in the past 21 months.

The group expressed appreciation to the President for setting up a panel to look into the crisis in the NDDC, as well as to identify areas of conflicts with a view to proffering solutions that will enhance and strengthen values at the commission.

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

The statement further noted that the 9-man panel will critically look into the awards of contracts, illegal transfer of the Commission’s money, alleged N69bn NDDC scam and the immediate and remote causes of in-fighting in the commission in the past two years.

The group alleged that there are moves by

some NDDC bigwigs to offer mouth- watering bribes to some members of the panel so that their findings and recommendations could favour them.

The group urged the members of the panel to be sincere and resist all temptations as their findings and recommendations will have direct impacts on the welfare, future and fortune of more than 30 million Niger Deltans.

There are moves by some NDDC bigwigs to offer mouth- watering bribes to some members of the panel so that their findings and recommendations could favour them

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NEWS Sekibo condoles with Abe From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

THE governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, has condoled with Senator Magnus Abe over the death of his mother, Madam Margaret Abe. In a condolence letter yesterday in Port Harcourt, Sekibo said the news of the death was a shock. He said the family should be consoled by the fact that the deceased was a good Christian.

Sekibo prayed for her soul to rest peacefully.

‘Governance is about the people’

PDP in consultation over elections T in six states T

HE National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is to consult with stakeholders on the timetable for the conduct of governorship elections in six states.

It said yesterday that the uncertainty in some state chapters following the demands for fresh primaries calls for concern.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed dates for governorship elections in Sokoto, Bayelsa, Edo, Adamawa, Cross River and Kogi states, beginning from

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

December.

Before then, parties, including the PDP, had conducted primaries in all the states with winners declared before INEC shelved the elections in deference to a court order.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali said the NWC was consulting stakeholders and party leaders at various levels to guide it in arriving at a

mutually acceptable decision.

Alkali said: “On the situation in Kogi, we feel that we have to do some consultations whether there will be fresh primaries in the state and our decision will be made public as soon as we conclude our consultations.

“We are therefore calling on all PDP members in the state to rally round the leadership of the party to ensure that opposition does not have a leeway to penetrate

and weaken the chances of the party in the election.”

On the situation in Anambra, Alkali said the NWC remains committed to its decision that the Southeast zonal leadership of the party should continue to oversee the affairs of the state chapter until fresh congresses are conducted.

He lamented that the PDP has suffered several electoral loses in the past as a result of the endless crisis in the state chapter and appealed to members to unite and give the zonal leaders the opportunity to resolve the impasse.

Jonathan for NBA conference From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is to open this year’s Annual Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday.

Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt.

At a joint briefing yesterday, the three branches of the NBA in the state said the conference would be hitch-free.

Their spokesman, Worgu Boms, said members in Ahoada, Isiokpo and Port Harcourt as well as the national officials led by the President, Joseph Dauda (SAN) and other stakeholders, are working to ensure a successful outing.

Boms said 10,000 lawyers would attend the conference, which he described as the largest gathering of lawyers in the world.

The theme of the conference is “Sustaining an Enduring Democracy in Nigeria”.

It will end on Friday.

Amaechi advises accountants RIVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has advised accountants to ensure that corruption is rooted out of the polity.

Amaechi spoke yesterday when the President and National Executive Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) visited him at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor said ICAN should adopt a proactive stance to move the economy forward.

His words: “You owe us a duty to ensure that the economy is productive. You owe us a duty to ensure that criminals don’t steal from government.

“If accountants discharge their duties responsibly, corruption would be stamped out of the system.

“Accountants are financial gate keepers.”

He enjoined the body to sponsor a bill to support its agitation for a death penalty for fraudsters. “I support you on the death penalty, but it should start with accountants first.”

The Governor accepted the Institute’s request to be the Guest Speaker at its 41st Annual Conference in December.

•President Goodluck Jonathan presenting a gift to the outgoing Finish Ambassador to Nigeria, Annli Vourinen, when she visited the State House, Abuja, yesterday PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

F

Stop rubbishing Obasanjo’s name, says Fani-Kayode

ORMER Minister of Aviation Femi FaniKayode has condemned disrespect for past leaders.

He said the country was drifting towards not appreciating the sacrifices its leaders made.

He was referring to the attacks on former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his alleged roles in the sales of some Federal Governmentowned assets by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), following the revelations at the public hearing of Senate Committee on BPE. The former minister said the heat on Obasanjo was

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

not only “uncalled for, but unjustified.”

Fani-Kayode, who served in Obasanjo’s second term, spoke in Minna, the Niger State capital, yesterday.

He said despite the efforts put in by the former leader, there has not been a word of appreciation, but criticisms from Nigerians .

“When we accuse our leaders, especially past leaders, it amazes me. In

Nigeria, people do not appreciate the best. That is why they don’t appreciate leaders like Obasanjo and Babangida.

“Nigerians like mediocrity; they like to persecute and blame the people who have done their best for the nation,” he said.

The former minister recalled that Obasanjo ‘s ingenuity took the economy of the country from zero level in 1999 to a level where foreign debts were cleared.

His words: “When Obas-

anjo was in power, Nigeria had massive foreign reserves which were probably the largest in Africa after South Africa.

“Four years after his administration, there is not a kobo left in the account while the foreign reserves have been depleted.

“Yes, Obasanjo made a few mistakes, I will be the first to admit that but the mistakes are quite few.

“He also had some great achievements. The records are there for anybody to look into, it is not hidden.

So people should stop rubbishing the good image of Obasanjo.”

Mi17 fighter helicopters deployed in Calabar

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the deployment of newly-acquired Mi17 fighter helicopters to Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The Air Officer Commanding 207 Mobility Group, AirVice Marshall John Akprekuma, broke the news when he visited the state.

Briefing Governor Liyel Imoke, Akprekuma said the President approved the upgrade of the group to a divisional status with accompanying paraphernalia.

He said this followed a careful security advice on the Niger Delta.

The Commander said the

From Kunle Johnson, Calabar

headquarters of the group is in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Akprekuma, who hails from Bayelsa State, said the imminent arrival of the multi-purpose helicopters in Cal-

abar is because of their strategic importance to the nation.

This, he said, will bolster the security surveillance in the state and in the five other states that make up the group.

“Because of the strategic importance of Cross River

State, and particularly the need to provide air surveillance throughout the Niger Delta , the President approved the expansion and upgrade of the Mobility Group which is very strategic to the Air Force following expert study,” he said

HE Edo State Government has said it is committed to providing service to the people.

The Secretary to the State Government, Simon Imuekemhe, said this when the National and Provincial Executives of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) Archdiocese of Benin visited him.

He said: “What is uppermost in governance is the number of lives its programmes and policies are able to touch.

“Governor Adams Oshiomhole really needs prayers to succeed. The Governor, Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, the Head of Service and I are Catholics. We really need the prayers of the Church to succeed.

“The Governor has reiterated this over time that governance is all about delivering the goods of democracy.

“What matters most is the number of lives that we are able to touch through our programmes and policies.

“This includes road expansion, construction and reconstruction, provision of hospital amenities and building new ones and massive investments in schools across the state.

“I am overwhelmed with the kind words you have showered on me today by this visit. This is the most remarkable among the courtesy visits. For everything that happens in my life, to God be the glory.”

Rivers ACN rejects panel on oil pollution From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State has rejected the membership of the Special Review Committee on Oil Pollution in Ogoniland.

The committee was constituted by President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, said the Federal Government was yet to come to terms with the true situation in Ogoniland. He accused the government of politicising the issue.

ACN said the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP’s) report on oil pollution in Ogoniland is clear and calls for immediate actions.

The party said what is needed at the moment is a convocation of experts, environmental activists, Ogoni stakeholders, representatives of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and the Rivers State Government.

Oshiomhole warns against rigging

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday urged Nigerians to build on the successes of the April election and stand against rigging.

The governor spoke during the launch of the autobiography of Imarhiagbe Igiehon in Benin.

He said there is nothing wrong with his struggle against rigging.

“Let us join the fight against rigging and insist that the

people must decide, and with that, we can pay the real compliment to the memory of the late Igiehon,” he noted.

The governor said Edo State will continue to contribute towards building Nigeria with its critical manpower.

He hailed the late Igiehon for the autobiography. Oshiomhole said Igiehon was not only concerned about his family and immediate environment but the country as reflected in the book.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

56

MONEY LINK

Forex limit to narrow WDAS, interbank margins T

HE policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), limiting sale of forex to bureau de change (BDC) to $1 million per week, would bring convergence between the Wholesale Dutch Auction (WDAS) rate and the interbank rate, Chief Executive Officer, Bwide Bureau De Change Limited, Moses Adebayo, has said, He noted that the apex bank would have done an analytical study of the market and understood the benefits before taking the decision.

He said the WDAS rate and that of the interbank have been widening in recent months, and it is expected that the policy will reduce the wide gap in both transactions.

Another dealer, Mohammed Idris, said the policy will create

By Collins Nweze

accountability and restrict dealers from unwholesome practices. It will also help the apex bank to keep better records of the transaction volume within the time frame.

The CBN raised the volume of forex sale to BDC from $500,000 per week to $1 million. This is the third time in less than two months that the apex bank has carried out such an increase. The CBN in June 24, pegged dollar sale to BDCs at $250,000 per week. This was followed by another increase in July 28 from $250,000 per week to $500,000 before the last exercise.

The apex bank has also mandated each BDC to purchase forex from only one authorised dealer per

eign currency in the country.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) closed at 10 per cent, up from 6.80 per cent last week, and 125 basis points higher than the CBN’s benchmark rate and 3.25 per centage points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement rose to 10.50 per cent, from 7.25 per cent, while call money closed higher at 10.75 per cent, compared to 7.75 per cent last week.

The market opened with a cash balance of about N195.90 billion ($1.27 billion), down from N372.18 billion the previous week. The indicative rates for the Nigeria interbank offered rate (NIBOR) also rose sharply in tandem with the short-term instruments, with

week.

A circular signed by CBN Director, Trade & Echange, Batari Musa said the action was meant to sustain exchange rate stability in the foreign exchange market.

He advised authroised dealers to ensure compliance 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.

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 had in January, issued new rules guiding the sales of for-

seven-day funds closing at 11.29 per cent, up from 8.16 per cent last week. The 30-day funds rose to 11.95 per cent from 10.10 per cent, the 60-day closed at 12.54 per cent against 10.98 per cent, while the 90day jumped to 13.04 11.70 per cent.

"We see the cost of borrowing falling sharply next week because of an anticipated cash inflow from July budget disbursals, which could hit the market in the middle of the week and raise liquidity levels in the system. We also see possibility of convergence of major market indicators in the coming weeks," one market dealer told Reuters.

Nigeria distributes cash earnings from oil revenue to its three tiers of government - federal, state and local governments on monthly basis.

ECOWAS to support Sea-Link’s $60m project

T

HE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lent its support to the Sea Trade Link project being facilitated by the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM). The Sea Trade Link project is expected to deepen trade as well as promote economic integration in the West African sub-region.

The sub regional body yesterday pledged its support for the private sector led project that is expected to gulp $60 million to promote free flow of goods and movement of people is line with the vision of the ECOWAS Commission to develop the growth of the private sector in the sub-region.

The proposed Sea Trade Link project will be managed by an incorporated private limited liability company, and it is expected to begin to deliver value after the second year, while dividend in the project would accrue to investing parties after the third year.

From Nduka Chiejina

The Director, Private Sector Department of ECOWAS, Alfred Briamah, praised NEXIM for agreeing to facilitate the Sea Trade Link project, stressing that though the West African sub-region is blessed with a good coastline, the sub-region is yet

states. In his words, “a team is already in Accra to draft the code to provide the investment and legislative platform for the full unlocking of the benefits of the proposed shipping line.”

At the formal presentation of the initiative to members of the Federation of West African Chambers of Com-

to effectively utilise the potentials.

He said ECOWAS will introduce a single common market in Africa, saying that Heads of Government in the region have already approved the ECOWAS common investment market initiative and is in the process of harmonising investment codes for the 15 member

Diamond Bank empowers entrepreneurs

D

IAMOND Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting small and medium scale entrepreneurs by providing growth capital worth N3 million each to five top breed entrepreneurs.

The beneficiaries emerged in the just concluded maiden edition of the bank’s “Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET) programme.” The BET is Diamond Bank’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative aimed at building and

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

The 50 entrepreneurs commenced the three - month capacity building exercise on September 13, 2010 at the EDS, Pan-African University.

Out of the number, 15 top breed entrepreneurs were selected and admitted into a six- month intensive support programme of EDC. Each of the 15 participants had a Masters in Business Administration advisor from the SME Logic Club of LBS. Finally, out of the 15 top breed entrepreneurs, five were selected for the Next Level Award which

empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

The programme which was initiated in 2010 in partnership with the Enterprise Development Service (EDS) of the Pan-African University on rekindling interest in entrepreneurship through an intensive entrepreneurial management training for which 50 top bread entrepreneurs were selected for Business Development Support out of over 1,000 applications.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($)

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES OBB Rate Call Rate

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 18-8-11

SYMBOL UNITYBNK JAPAULOIL STARCOMMS OANDO ECOBANK NAHCO WEMABANK UBA LONGMAN WAPCO CONTINSURE

O/Price 0.60 0.98 0.52 29.00 2.81 7.01 0.76 4.75 4.90 44.60 1.01

C/Price 0.63 1.02 0.54 30.00 2.90 7.20 0.78 4.86 5.00 45.50 1.03

CHANGE 0.03 0.04 0.02 1.00 0.09 0.19 0.02 0.11 0.10 0.90 0.02

LOSER AS AT 18-8-11 SYMBOL

BAGCO GTASSURE FIDSON CCNN ETI ACCESS ASHAKACEM FIDELITYBK NEM NB GUINNESS

O/PRICE

2.14 1.30 1.78 8.00 14.50 6.28 20.04 2.07 0.53 85.00 217.50

C/PRICE

2.04 1.24 1.71 7.70 14.00 6.10 19.60 2.03 0.52 83.99 215.06

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)

16-08-11 N7.291tr 22,792.06

17-08-11 N7.297tr 22,811.39

% Change +0.08% +0.08%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW January ’11

February ’11

July ’11

MPR

6.50%

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 1.01 0.97 1,620.90 9.61 1.39 1.87 8,827.74 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 111.89 0.79 1.01 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

CHANGE

0.10 0.06 0.07 0.30 0.50 0.18 0.44 0.04 0.01 1.01 2.44

entitled them to N3 million growth capital each from Diamond Bank with an additional 3 months of business support from EDS. The five winners are: Iteun Bassey, Fashion Development Agency (Garment Manufacturing); Mobolanle Oshin, Clara's Bakery (Food and Catering); Iwugoh Chuma, In'exteriors Ltd (Furniture and Design); Tolu Olatubosun, Rfisheries Nigeria (Agriculture); Ubong Effiong, Direction Footwear Apparel (Fashion).

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

NIDF NESF

merce and Industry (FEWACCI), NEXIM Managing Director, Roberts Orya, said “the bank undertook the initiative to help remove the various barriers against deepening regional trade and development of West Africa as the traditional markets for our exporters, as obtained in other parts of the world.”

• 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

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

57

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

EQUITIES

Capital market chiefs set agenda for Okonjo-Iweala

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-08-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 9 11

Quotation(N) 0.50 7.48

Quantity Traded 25,300 70,000 95,300

Value of Shares (N) 12,650.00 512,860.00 525,510.00

AIR SERVICES AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 1 NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COM PL 39 Sector Totals 40

2.23 7.20

2,000 435,411 437,411

4,240.00 3,080,832.33 3,085,072.33

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

2 14 16

0.50 1.42

ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA 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

128 104 30 49 71 557 631 35 7 4 132 31 268 15 12 24 300 2,398

GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

54 10 137 201

8,800 45,292 54,092

4,400.00 63,413.78 67,813.78

BANKING 6.10 4.50 2.90 6.10 2.03 11.56 13.16 9.90 0.70 1.15 6.00 1.45 4.86 2.09 0.63 0.78 13.29

5,064,978 24,930,862 1,914,873 7,058,784 12,615,784 10,821,571 24,328,966 250,290 263,553 91,342 6,835,251 8,637,570 35,509,053 137,255 557,562 691,160 13,876,559 153,585,413

31,355,350.24 112,208,478.61 5,404,845.42 43,158,246.97 25,802,590.01 124,125,808.85 320,468,311.32 2,437,554.58 184,487.10 105,043.30 40,877,307.49 12,385,245.66 168,725,768.47 286,862.95 345,882.20 538,870.32 183,428,787.85 1,071,839,441.34

BREWERIES 215.06 6.08 83.99

1,661,111 96,700 4,258,877 6,016,688

357,155,580.43 561,110.00 359,442,961.75 717,159,652.18

995,253 388,322 44,287 548,693 1,976,555

19,579,142.48 3,043,696.74 5,131,669.25 24,925,568.91 52,680,077.38

BUILDING MATERIALS ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

47 22 15 39 123

BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

3 10 13

19.60 7.70 117.00 45.50

CHEMICAL & PAINTS 9.80 26.60

4,650 29,994 34,644

43,415.00 802,612.86 846,027.86

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

6 19 25

0.50 2.95

PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNAT’L CORPORATION OF NIG PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

60 60 52 34 206

COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

2 16 18

58,170,439 1,753,874 59,924,313

29,085,219.50 5,162,547.49 34,247,766.99

316,204 4,158,250 272,458 167,560 4,914,472

12,466,956.83 3,348,381.18 10,633,307.22 4,629,028.78 31,077,674.01

CONGLOMERATES 40.00 0.84 39.02 28.00

CONSTRUCTION 2.66 55.50

5,000 61,200 66,200

13,300.00 3,394,611.00 3,407,911.00

16,800 16,800

32,514.00 32,514.00

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

4 4

1.99

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS 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

10 45 9 64 55 4 1 33 20 39 2 1 6 289

45.00 16.80 14.44 11.15 85.50 4.63 1.70 4.50 41.00 400.00 22.61 0.50 0.60

8,783 269,967 30,187 814,625 1,321,179 20,000 10,500 461,875 63,677 28,735 1,299 40,000 27,051 3,097,878

395,572.64 4,491,980.72 414,165.64 9,055,690.58 113,058,232.63 88,000.00 17,010.00 2,074,616.65 2,527,779.32 11,501,831.20 27,902.52 20,000.00 15,419.07 143,688,200.97

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

8 13 7 9 37

CAPITAL HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

9 9

0.98 1.71 26.90 4.00

T

HE Nigerian stock market sustained a positive outlook for the third consecutive trading session as capital market operators called for a concerted financial sector framework that harmoniously promotes holistic development of the financial services industry.

Key market indices trended further upward yesterday although the overall market situation remained cautious. The All Share Index (ASI) rose from 22,811.39 points to 22,828.33 points while aggregate market capitalisation of equities increased from N7.296 trillion to N7.302 trillion, indicating an increase of 0.07 per cent.

The third consecutive gain improved Nigeria’s year-todate return to -7.84 per cent, which though a negative return but still better than almost double digit negative return in recent period.

The addition of N6 billion brought total capital gains in the past three trading sessions to N86.14 billion, but market pundits were wary profit-taking transactions and concerns about regulatory policy direction might undermine market recovery.

All the sectoral market indices except the insurance index closed on the positive, showing the spread of the bullish rally. Oando led the advancing stocks with a gain of N1 to close at N30, while Guinness Nigeria led the slackers with a drop of N2.44 to close at N215.06.

As the new Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, completed her first day in office, capital market chiefs have called for a coordinated approach to fiscal and monetary policy man-

agement in the overall interest of the economy.

President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Mike Itegboje, said the new finance minister should give attention to all segments of the financial markets in the quest to drive national economic growth.

According to him, the capital market expects much from the new finance minister given her wealth of experience.

He urged the minister to work out a bailout plan for the capital market especially stockbrokers, noting that if the market would maintain stable recovery, stockbrokers need funds to bring liquidity back to the market.

“Without liquidity the market cannot recover. The Nigerian market was not as bad as the other developed markets in terms of crash in 2008 but it has taken much longer to recover because of lack of liquidity, more than anything else. As we welcome the Honourable Minister to her familiar turf, we want her to work out a bailout plan for the most important segment of the capital market,” Itegboje said.

He noted that the recovery of the capital market would have a salutary effect on the economy, pointing out that market dealers have been working to make market capitalisation more than 100 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2020.

Managing Director, GTI Securities, Mr Tunde Oyekunle, said the new finance minister should focus on identifying sources of instability and implementing immediate remedial mea-

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-08-11 Sector Totals

126

AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

9 9

1 13 14

0.50 5.98

1 13 14

0.50 0.54

71,239.36 443,800.00 791,011.40 201,408.00 1,507,458.76

CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

0.67 1.03 2.68 0.50 1.24 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.54 0.50 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.50 1.61 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

1 2 3

435,924 435,924

3,487,389.00 3,487,389.00

NIGRN BAG MANUFACTURING COM PLC Sector Totals

228 228

1 1

0.98

6,500 108,875 115,375

126

1.02

Quotation(N) 0.52

Quantity Traded 3,525 3,525

Value of Shares (N) 1,833.00 1,833.00

0.50 0.50

20,000 33,200 53,200

10,000.00 16,600.00 26,600.00

27,690 1,063,378 1,091,068

2.04

630,095 630,095

1,286,242.70 1,286,242.70

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) 3,250.00 645,743.75 648,993.75 13,845.00 536,619.00 550,464.00

MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

1 33 16 8 10 242 14 324

63.86 32.73 4.94 17.41 148.70 30.00 203.32

1,000 76,708 71,556 4,736 6,568 3,347,515 30,995 3,539,078

63,850.00 2,593,583.66 336,778.40 78,333.44 938,803.40 97,858,463.79 6,186,386.85 108,056,199.54

2,025,817 106,103 2,131,920

10,129,045.25 434,351.10 10,563,396.35

PRINTING & PUBLISHING 1,573,423 3,035,958 295,920 42,500 898,085 2,000 122,035 9,723 2,000 30,000 6,000 10,000 10,692,326 525,000 1,000 52,000 1,000 30,000 3,620 51,100 17,383,690

1,082,385.07 3,169,249.24 818,176.00 21,250.00 1,134,309.65 1,000.00 61,017.50 4,861.50 1,000.00 15,600.00 3,000.00 5,000.00 5,666,992.04 262,500.00 500.00 79,560.00 500.00 15,000.00 1,810.00 25,550.00 12,369,261.00

30,000 30,000

28,200.00 28,200.00

MARITIME JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC

61,694,540.37 61,694,540.37

PACKAGING

LEASING C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

120,969,687 120,969,687

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

INSURANCE AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 38 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 9 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC9 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 3 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 21 GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. 1 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSUR PLC 2 INTNL ENERGY INSURANCE COM PLC 1 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 1 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 2 LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC 2 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 1 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 21 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 3 OASIS INSURANCE PLC 1 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 5 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSUR COM PLC 1 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 1 UNIC INSURANCE PLC. 1 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 3 Sector Totals 126

13,289,462.31

MORTGAGE COMPANIES

71,744 260,000 29,746 52,560 414,050

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CHAMS PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

0.51

Company Name No of Deals UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC 1 Sector Totals 1

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

13,121,131 MEDIA

HOTEL & TOURISM 8.00

sures that would stabilise the economy.

He pointed out that there is need to harmonise the fiscal and monetary policy directions, adding that the new finance minister should encourage coordination among financial services regulators.

Oyekunle urged OkonjoIweala to drive the development of the capital market by including listing on the stock market as preconditions in the privatisation of the power sector and other government companies.

He said she should work to stimulate the economy by providing supports to the real sector as the capital market would naturally grow in a thriving economy.

Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, said Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala should focus on developing a comprehensive national economic blueprint that will ensure consistent economic policy regime across all segments of the Nigerian economy.

According to him, one of the major challenges that the capital market has faced over the past three years is inconsistency in government policy pronouncements, which have heightened the level of business risks.

He noted that consistent economic policies will lead to restoration of confidence in the capital market and market recovery.

Meanwhile, a total of 391.33 million shares valued at N2.28 billion were traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in 4,295 deals as against 195.42 million shares worth N2.43 billion traded in 4,283 deals in previous trading session.

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

13,121,131

13,289,462.31

LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

2 9 11

5.00 4.09 REAL ESTATE

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC 15 Sector Totals 15

19.75

369,270 369,270

7,232,044.50 7,232,044.50

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST UNION HOMES REAL ESTATEINVESTMENT TRU Sector Totals

1 1

50.00

50 50

2,500.00 2,500.00

ROAD TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

6 6

UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

3 3

0.50

518,500 518,500

259,250.00 259,250.00

TEXTILES 0.58

10,803 10,803

6,291.74 6,291.74

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS ECOBANK TRANSNAT’L INCORPORATED 12 Sector Totals 12 Overall Totals

14.00 4,284

137,855 137,855 391,174,987

1,930,510.00 1,930,510.00 2,281,598,298.86

58

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

NEWS Kwara contacts DPR, NNPC on crude oil discovery HE Kwara State Government has requested the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to visit Aran-Orin, Ifelodun Local Government Area, where crude oil was reportedly discovered last week.

It urged both organisations to carry out the processes for determining the availability of crude oil in commercial quantity in the town.

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Prince Tunji Moronfoye, made the request yesterday on behalf of the government.

Moronfoye addressed reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, on the outcome of the state executive council meeting.

He said two wells would be drilled for exploration and appraisal, adding that the government was awaiting the response of the DPR on the matter.

The commissioner said the government had begun

T

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the processes of determining if the crude oil deposit reportedly found in the state is of commercial quantity.

The government, on Monday, announced the discovery of crude in the town.

Moronfoye said the government would follow the directive of the Federal Government on the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

He said since the new minimum wage has become a law, there is no going back on its implementation.

The commissioner noted that “the workers deserve it”.

Moronfoye said changing of the name of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development did not mean emphasis on science and technology has been removed.

He said the government is focusing on skills acquisition to ensure that students become skilled to make them self-employed.

‘National security necessary for socio-economic growth’ From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

T

HE Sokoto State Director of State Security Services (SSS), Alhaji Jibrin Danmalan, yesterday said national security is a necessary tool for socio-economic development.

“We believe security operatives require the input of all and sundry to provide effective national security as a critical factor for our nation to achieve rapid socio-economic development,” Danmalan said.

He noted that the task of sustaining peace and security was becoming more challenging, saying this is why criminal activities such as kidnappings and use of explosives are on the increase.

Danmalan spoke in Sokoto at a workshop organised by the state command of the SSS. It was chaired by the Sokoto Commission for Justice, Inuwa Abdulkadir, and its theme was: Security Sensitisation of Members of the Public as Veritable Tool for Enhancing National Security.

He said Nigerians should see themselves as critical stakeholders in maintaining peace and security.

Danmalan said: “This is why we have to initiate the establishment and maintenance of effective liaison towards sensitising the public.

“We want to make them to be more security conscious and equally initiate strategies and measures that will guarantee peace and security through sustained public perception management.”

In a paper entitled: Role of the Media in Promoting Security Consciousness in the Citizenry, a senior journalist, Mallam Abubakar Umar, noted that unless Nigerians appreciate the positive and negative effects of national security, the nation would continue to face more challenges on security matters.

Umar said the media, as the watchdog of the society, has greater roles to play in changing existing negative perceptions through attitudinal reorientation of the populace.

He said: “There is need to change ignorance about security-related issues to knowledge; apathy to interest; delusion to reality; and hostility to sympathy; with regard to security consciousness issues.

• From left: Head, Customer Care, Visafone, Linda Amechi; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Sailesh lyer; and Chief Operations Officer, K.V. Srinivasa, at the company’s Customers’ Forum in Lagos.

13 killed, 100 trucks burnt in Benue clash N O fewer than 13 persons have been reportedly killed in a clash among the workers of Benue Cement Company (BCC) factory in Tsekucha, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

Also destroyed were about 100 trucks belonging to a transport company and some Tiv businessmen parked within the factory premises.

The Chairman, Gboko Local Government Area, Isaac Angbande, yesterday conducted Governor Gabriel Suswam round the area.

He said the clash was neither political nor religious but a business interest between two BCC workers.

Angbande said the clash

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

occurred when a Hausa man, identified as Suleiman, had an argument with a Tiv man, named Kwaghkul.

A minor argument reportedly ensued.

The council chief said the men argued over a debt.

He said: “Trouble began again when Kwaghkul asked Suleiman to pay him back his money for the diesel he had supplied a few days back.

The argument degenerated into a fight and the Hausa man stabbed the Tiv man to death.”

According to him, it was

after Kwaghkul was killed that some youths at the factory mobilised for a reprisal attack.

He said 13 persons were killed and 100 trucks were burnt in the ensuing confrontaion.

Suswam urged the management of BCC to show more interest in the affairs of their workers to avoid a similar clash in the future.

The governor also warned security agencies against indiscriminate arrest of members of the host community.

He said: “I want to advise that since the crisis was be-

tween two BCC factory workers, no security man should invade any village within the community for the purpose of arresting anyone.”

The General Manger (Finance), BCC, Mr Mike Etu, praised the governor for the interest he showed in the affairs of the company.

He urged him to provide more security to forestall similar occurrences.

The Head of traditional rulers of Gboko Local Government, Saa Adi, and the President-General of Mbayion Development Association, the host community, Ben Kyado, promised that they would work towards the return of peace to the factory.

Security: Monarch urges President to shed powers to governors

HE Chairman, Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers and Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba yesterday called for an amendment to the nation’s law to make the President shed part of his powers to governors.

Describing Nigeria’s security as porous and defective, Buba said the solution rests on the President relinquishing some of his security powers to the governors.

Buba spoke at a five-day retreat with the theme: Strategic Thinking for Senior Government Officials in Plateau State, held at the Obudu Conference Resort, Cross River State.

Delivering a lecture on: The Structure and Challenges of Governance, the monarch called for constitutional

T

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

amendment “where Mr President would surrender part of his unilateral control of security service apparatus to governors”.

In the alternative, he said “the amendment should allow each state to establish and control its security apparatus, such as the state police.

Buba suggested same for the nation’s 774 local governments and called for redeployment of police officers to their states of origin where they would be familiar with the terrain.

According to him, the clamour for the dry inland ports across the country, particularly in the Northeast,

‘

Where Mr President would surrender part of his unilateral control of security service apparatus to governors

‘

will be a wasteful venture because the zone hardly gets more than 30 containers in a year.

Buba, who retired as Controller-General of the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS), noted that the dry inland

port in Kaduna is a waste because no serious activity is going on there.

On the structure and challenges facing governments, the Gbong Gwom said the new commissioners ‘must ensure that their Ministries, Departments and AgenciesMDAs, propose such projects that are captured in the budget so as not to raise unnecessary budgetary stress’.

Buba advocated for the setting up of an advocacy committee to ‘holistically assess and review government agricultural policies particularly its relationship with the ASTC and redirect it towards revitalizing the private sector in areas of farming and establishment of Agro Allied Small Scale industries be they in the area of processing for a start’.

‘Corruption among elite caused post-election violence’ REED and corruption among the elits caused the violence that erupted in parts of the North after the declaration of the presidential election result, an academician, Dr Habu Mohammed, has said.

Mohammed, who is the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee for a peace conference being organised by the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), in conjunction with the British High Commission in Nigeria, the British Council and Freedom Radio, blamed the post-election violence

G

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

on the elite.

He told reporters yesterday in Kano that the last post-election violence was caused by class distinction and not by religion or ethnicity.

Mohammed said the proposed two-day conference on November 29 and 30 in Kano, has as its theme: Islam, Peace Building and Political Engagement.

He noted that the conference would enlighten Nigerians on the need to embrace peace.

•BUK, Britain plan peace conference Mohammed said the time had come for political leaders, religious and traditional institutions and the academia to discuss how to forestall a recurrence of violence in the country.

He attributed the violence to greed and unbridled corruption among politicians, religious leaders and traditional rulers, whom he said have failed to fashion out a programme to safeguard the future of the youth in the country.

Mohammed said: “In recent

times in Nigeria, there has been a rising tide of violence as a result of multiplicity of factors, which are profoundly caused by economic, political, ethnic, communal, religious, regional and other identity-related contestations.”

He said the violence that followed the April 16 presidential election in the North raised a number of questions about the breach of peace and loss of lives and property.

Mohammed said: “One of the unique and bewildered experi-

ences of the post-election violence is not only about the geography of violence itself, which virtually swept the states of northern Nigeria, but the paralysis of social life, insecurity and indiscriminate target of innocent people by irate youths.”

He said the post-election violence has generated a fresh need for peace and confidence-building, adding that the peace conference would bring stakeholders and resources from within and outside the country to brainstorm on the way forward.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

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THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

61

NEWS ‘It’s early to campaign for 2015’

N151.8m to light up communities THE Enugu State Government has approved N151million for the execution of rural electricity projects in 10 communities and the Mechanic Village.

Government has also approved N37.535 million for the purchase of 21 electric transformers for distribution to 21 communities to improve power supply in their areas.

The Commissioner for Information Chuks Ugwoke spoke while addressing reporters at the end of the Executive Council meeting in Enugu. He said the money would be released immediately.

According to Ugwoke, the electricity projects will be executed through direct labour by the state government in partnership with the local governments where the communities are located in the ratio of 60:40 counterpart contributions.

A breakdown of the amount and benefiting communities shows that state government will contribute twenty-three million naira

NAHCO: Shareholders okay assets’ transfer

By Tonia Osundolire SHAREHOLDERS of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc at the company’s Extrardinary General Meeting in Abuja yesterday approved the board’s twopoint business agenda presented for their consideration .

The issues include proposal to approve the Management Support Agreement and the transfer of assets of the company to NAHCO FTZ, a subsidiary outfit that will operate in a Free Trade Zone, as decided at the last Annual General Meeting.

On the order of the chairman and approval by the shareholders, the Managing Director, Kayode Ojo, spoke on why the MSA and transfer of assets to the subsidiary were presented by the board for shareholders’ approval as ordinary resolutions. He said the initiative would not only enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness of the company in the global aviation cargo handling industry but also translate to great economic benefits for shareholders and the country.

PFN holds crusade THE Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Ifako/ Ijaiye province, will organise a three day crusade entitled: “Ifako/Ijaiye Miracle Crusade 2011.” The crusade will begin on August 19. Evangelist Steve Pelemo, Bishop Kola Onaolapo and Rev. Moses Idris will minister at the crusade at Ebenezer Comprehensive High School, Jankara, Agbado, Lagos.

T

•Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State handing over the keys to the 3 Hummer buses to Magistrate Eke Obuba, Leader of the Nigeria Bar Association, Abia State,at Government House, Umuahia... yesterday

Workers’ strike may affect August pay in Enugu T HE Enugu State Government has warned that the ongoing strike by workers in the state may prevent the payment of salaries this month.

A statement by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Patrick Okolo, said the absence of the officers who prepared the vouchers has stalled the computation of the variations with regards to the payment of the minimum wage this month.

“It will be a sad development if workers in Enugu

State do not receive their salaries August 25 like they have been accustomed to since Governor Sullivan Chime assume office in 2007, because of a clique desperate to frustrate the good intention of government,” Okolo said.

Warning that those officers must take responsibility for any delay in this month’s salaries or subsequent ones, the SSG said the government had fully complied with the im-

plementation of the new minimum wage. He said the salary of every civil servant was also upwardly adjusted, adding the issue at stake “is not about the payment of the minimum wage.”

He said the government remained open to further dialogue with labour and continues to appeal to the workers to reason with it and understand that the financial resources at the disposal of the

government cannot support the salary chart proposed by labour.

The SSG reiterated that the government was not at war with labour leaders and workers.

He assured that government would continue to give attention to the welfare of its workforce.

“Government urges the workers to appreciate this true position as it implements the minimum wage law and not be misled by detractors,”he said.

Father of kidnapped soldier seeks govt’s assistance

T

HE father of Maj Dennis Ekpe, the soldier, who was abducted by gunmen three weeks ago, Ekpe Onuoha, has appealed to the federal and state governments to rescue his son from the kidnappers.

Maj Ekpe of the Ohafia Military Barracks, Abia State, was abducted on July 31 in Ohafia.

He was said to be returning from Aba where he had attended the child dedication of his elder sister when the kidnappers abducted him after shattering his private vehicle with bullets.

The kidnappers were said to have trailed him from Aba to a lonely bush path on Nguzu Eda/Ohafia road junction in Amaekpu Ohafia.

The youths in Bende Town, his country home, have protested the abduction of their son and called for the timely intervention of the government.

It is learnt that the youths will protest at major communities in Bende local government before going to the Government House, Umuahia.

Speaking to reporters in his residence at Etiti Ulo, Isiala

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia Autonomous Community in Bende, Onuoha said he received the news with shock.

Onuoha said it was unbelievable that the kidnappers of his son have not been seen, adding that they had only called once.

He said: “My son’s wife said

“I have never seen such money in all my life.”

The Nation gathered that there has been uneasy calm in the community as the women group in Etiti Ulo community had demonstrated and matched round Bende.

The women group called on all the traditional rulers in Bende to rise to the challenge of rescuing their son.

Church holds harvest THE harvest of Oke-Osun Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Lagos Zone, will take place on August 21 at the Cathedral of St. Jude, Freeman Street, Ebute Metta. Chief Theo Adogoyega, the Harvest Committee Chairman, said proceeds from the harvest would be used for evangelism. He said the harvest, which is a special thanksgiving of the Diocese, is to extend the blessings of God to friends and well wishers.

Ebonyi Assembly summons commissioner over N2.6b contract

BONYI State House of Assembly Speaker Ikechukwu Nwankwo yesterday directed the House Committee on Lands, Survey and Housing to summon the former Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Housing Comrade Jonah Egba, the Permanent Secretary and the contractor handling the Ebonyi five- star hotel to appear before it.

Nwankwo, who gave the directive during the inspection of projects in the state, regretted that the N2.4 billion paid to the contractor was not commensurate with work done and urged the committee to invite the commissioner and others to explain.

He said of the contract sum of N2.6 billion, N2.4 billion

E

the kidnappers had only called once, but did not allow her to speak with her husband, this situation is not normal.”

“Instead, they asked her to pay a ransom of N10 million to get her husband released.”

Onuoha urged state government to act fast to rescue his son, as according to him

HE Chairman of Move Nigeria Project, Dr Godwin Akpenlamen Dabo’Adzuana, has said it is too early for any patriotic Nigerian to campaign about which of the six geo-political zones should produce the next President in 2015.

He spoke at a news conference in Abuja yesterday.

Dabo’Adzuana was reacting to claims by some politicians from the Southeast that the zone must produce the president in 2015.

According to a newspaper report, Dabo’Adzuana was quoted as saying that the North should forget about the Presidency in 2015.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan should be allowed to focus on giving Nigerians good governance.

Dabo’Adzuana said every geo-political zone has the right to aspire to lead Nigeria in 2015 and thereafter.

He said: “I am a northerner. I cannot exclude the northern part of the country from 2011 contest.”

The chairman of Benue State Elders’ Forum and PDP’s chieftain, said President Jonathan remains the “consensus leader that can be trusted with the public treasury in Nigeria. He is incorruptible and an uncompromising patriot.”

Dabo’Adzuana condemned some politicians and opinion leaders for insinuating that the President was seeking tenure elongation following his proposal on the single tenure bill.

He said Dr Jonathan had made it clear through his spokesperson, Dr Rueben Abati, that he’s not going to be a beneficiary of the bill meant ‘’to guarantee future political stability and economic development of Nigeria’’.

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakiliki

had been paid to the contractor.

He said: “The level of work done in the five star hotel did not conform with the amount released by the governor to the contractor.Even last month, N200 million was released to the contractor. I am directing the Chairman, House Committee on Lands of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, to invite the immediate past Commissioner for Lands, the Permanent Secretary in-charge of the ministry and the contractor handling the project to appear

before the House.

“These people should appear before the House so that there would be a legal process, our intention is to interview them to know why they are frustrating the dream of the governor to ensure that the projects are completed within his tenure.

“I am not satisfied with the level of work executed in the project.”

The Speaker said the work has lingered for more than 10 years, adding that the project would have provided jobs for the youths and enhance the revenue generation of the states.

Conducting the Speaker

round the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC), Nwankwo expressed satisfaction with the level of work done by the contractor. He added that Ebonyi is the first state in the southeast to attain the digitalisation of broadcasting in the country.

He hailed Governor Martin Elechi for the even distribution of projects across the three geo-political zones of the state and urged the contractors not to sabotage the efforts of the governor.

The Speaker was accompanied for the projects inspection by all the commissioners, Personal Assistants, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretary, Executive Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)and other stakeholders.

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

62

FOREIGN NEWS Turkish planes attack northern Iraq TURKISH aircraft have attacked 60 sites in northern Iraq used as bases by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in a “successful” operation, military headquarters said in a statement.

It followed an attack by the rebel group that killed nine Turkish troops.

The statement said the military would press ahead with strikes until the rebels were “rendered ineffective”.

The aircraft involved in the operation all returned safely to their bases in Turkey, it added.

Fourteen soldiers were also injured in the attack by the Kurdish separatist militants in the district of Cukurca, in Hakkari province close to the Iraqi border, on Wednesday.

Officials and Turkish media said the vehicle used by the troops who died was hit by a roadside bomb or mine. There were also reports of a shoot-out.

The PKK said they had carried out the attack.

Israel pounds Gaza after deadly attacks THE Israeli military has confirmed carrying out air strikes over the Gaza Strip following a series of deadly attacks in southern Israel.

At least six people, including a senior militant, were killed in the air strikes, Palestinian sources said.

Earlier, Israeli officials promised a strong response after attacks on vehicles near Eilat left seven dead.

Israeli officials said Gazan militants were responsible, although Gaza’s Hamas government denied involvement.

Palestinian sources told the BBC that four members of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), a faction in Gaza that is loyal to Hamas but sometimes operates separately, had been killed in the air strikes.

World leaders tell Syrian President Assad to step down

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HE leaders of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union have all called for Syria’s President Assad to step down over his suppression of protesters.

US President Barack Obama said: “The time has come for President Assad to step aside.”

It marks a significant increase in pressure on Mr Assad for sending in his army against the protesters.

Meanwhile, United Nations investigators say the use of violence in Syria “may amount to crimes against humanity”.

In a report to the UN Human Rights Council, the in-

vestigators said the UN Security Council should refer the issue to the International Criminal Court.

Human rights groups believe about 2,000 people have been killed and thousands arrested since March as Syria’s security forces - including tanks, helicopters, gunships and snipers - try to quell dissent that has broken out in much of the country.

President Bashar al-Assad has promised political reforms but blames the unrest on “terrorist groups”.

In a written statement, Mr Obama said: “The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way. His calls for dia-

logue and reform have rung hollow while he is imprisoning, torturing, and slaughtering his own people.

He added: “We have consistently said that President Assad must lead a democratic transition or get out of the way. He has not led. For the sake of the Syrian people, the time has come for President Assad to step aside.”

Mr Obama also announced “unprecedented sanctions to deepen the financial isolation of the Assad regime and further disrupt its ability to finance a campaign of violence against the Syrian people”.

Addressing a large gathering of Baath Party faithful shortly before the US-European move, Mr Assad told

Kenya’s camp opens for Somali refugees

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•Obama

them that Syria would stick to its “nationalist, resisting positions” however much outside pressures might mount.

Hostility from the US and the West in general is a given as far as Damascus is concerned, so its reaction is bound to be defiant.

Libyan rebels capture key oil refinery

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N oil refinery outside the Libyan town of Zawiya, just 50km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, has been taken by opposition forces, a BBC correspondent confirms.

A BBC crew was taken around the refinery by the rebels who have captured the complex.

There was no sign of proGaddafi troops, and dozens of rebel groups could be seen milling around.

This contradicts a statement by the Libyan PM who

said earlier that government forces were in control.

There were no snipers, and the nearest fighting was at least 3-4km (two miles) away, says the BBC correspondent at the refinery.

I’m in the back of a rebel pick-up truck now, driving just past the entrance to the Zawiya oil refinery. A few days ago, this place was in the hands of Col Gaddafi’s forces.

I can see some of their burnt-out pick-up trucks with the remains of a large ma-

chine gun. There’s clearly been a fierce fight here, but this place is now under the control of rebel forces.

And that is another major blow to Col Gaddafi; they cut the road to Tunisia; they’re in control of this oil refinery, a key strategic lifeline for the Gaddafi regime.

But as we drive through here, in the distance, there are large columns of thick grey smoke rising from the city of Zawiya. There is still intense fighting going on

here, and the rebels are not absolutely in secure control of the city yet.

Pro-Gaddafi forces have lost territory to the rebels in recent days.

Rebel fighter Abdulkarim Kashaba said on Wednesday that they had taken “control [of] the gates of the refinery” and were planning an assault.

Heavy gunfire could be heard after rebels in cars loaded with large-calibre ammunition sped towards the refinery.

Putin ‘castrated’ democracy in Russia, says Gorbachev

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A-level passes rise in UK A-LEVEL passes have risen for the 29th year in a row as teenagers face an intense battle for university places.

Those who miss out on a place this year could face tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year.

Many did not know for hours whether they had a place, after problems on a key university admissions website.

Hundreds of thousands of teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have received the results of their A- and ASlevels.

The overall pass rate is up slightly, but for the first time in 14 years there has been no increase in the total proportion getting A or A* grades.

Just over 27% of entries scored these grades, with a small rise in the proportion awarded A*.

HE first 200 Somali refugees fleeing famine and conflict have moved into a controversial camp in Kenya that has been lying empty for several months.

The government had stopped work to prepare the Ifo II site because local people resented the permanent buildings being handed over to Somalis.

It has more than 100 houses, three schools and a clinic, but most of the arrivals will be housed in tents.

The Dadaab area of northeastern Kenya is now home to 400,000 Somali refugees.

The East African region is suffering from its worst drought in 60 years, affecting 12 million people.

Somalia has been the worst-hit country with two districts suffering from famine and much of the country controlled by the Islamist alShabab group which has banned many aid agencies from its territory.

The BBC reporter in Dadaab says relieved officials of the UN refugee agency described it as a very important day as the first Somali refugee family stepped off the bus at Ifo II. United Nations officials acknowledged that the delay in opening the site had been deeply frustrating but said they realised the impact that such a large number of refugees had on local people.

An estimated 1,500 Somalis are arriving every day at Kenya’s massive Dadaab camp - the world’s largest refugee camp.

•Sympathisers at the funeral for the UK riot victims...yesterday

Funerals held for UK riot victims

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P to 20,000 people gathered for a prayer event ahead of the funeral for three men killed during riots in Birmingham.

The prayers took place in Winson Green’s Summerfield Park, with private burials held in Handsworth.

Four men are currently in custody charged with their murders.

The men’s deaths came amid mass rioting across England.

The hearses containing the men’s coffins entered the park shortly before 15:00 BST. Some mourners gathered by the vehicles in the park as the remaining crowds stood silently behind nearby barriers.

Speeches were made by invited speakers before the

Janazah [funeral] Prayer, part of the Islamic funeral ritual.

Alan Blumenthal, from Singers Hill Synagogue, who attended the service, said the men were “beacons of light”.

“Today goes against the view that young people are only interested in themselves and are layabouts,” he said.

Haroon Jahan, Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir died after being hit by a car in Winson Green “Here we have three beacons of light and an example of the way people should lead their lives in services of others.”

Another man told BBC News he had travelled from Saudi Arabia two days ago to attend the service because he was “so sad” after hearing about the incident.

Some wore T-shirts with the

men’s names on and others with the words “Gone but not forgotten”.

Birmingham City Councillor Ayoub Khan, Liberal Democrat, addressed the crowd saying the men had been protecting property for “Muslims, non-Muslims, black and white alike, even people they did not know”.

He also praised people for the maturity and restraint shown by the community following the deaths.

The community “of all faiths and non-faiths have rallied as one”, he said.

Saqib Majid, cousin of Shazad and Abdul, also spoke to the crowd.

He said words could not express the pain the families had been feeling.

“We are still very much in shock,” he added.

The hearses were laden with flowers, with their names spelt out in white floral arrangements.

Abdul Quddoos said his brothers did good deeds in their life before their deaths Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said the riots would be a turning point in David Cameron’s leadership. The secretary of state for work and pensions said the looting and violence of last week had been a warning of a social crisis in Britain Prince Harry has visited Salford to meet fire crews and other members of the emergency services who were on duty in the disturbances, as well as community groups.

IKHAIL Gorbachev has accused Vladimir Putin of “castrating” Russia’s electoral system and said he should not seek re-election as president.

The ex-Soviet leader was interviewed by the BBC on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the failed coup which led to the collapse of the USSR. The action was aimed at reversing reforms overseen

by Mr Gorbachev.

Mr Putin, the current prime minister, radically changed the voting system during his two terms as president.

He is widely tipped to stand again in 2012 and previously won landslide victories in 2000 and 2004.

Mr Gorbachev, 80, the Soviet Union’s first and last unelected president, stood for election as Russian president in 1996, when he took less than 1% of the vote against his old foe, Boris Yeltsin.

He remains dismissive of the hardline plotters who tried to depose him in 1991 but is anxious about where Russia is heading now, the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent reports.

The electoral system we had was nothing remarkable but they have literally castrated it”

THE NATION FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA

Odemwingie signs new West Brom deal •Extends stay till 2014

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EST BROMWICH ALBION striker Peter Odemwingie has signed a new three-year contract with the club and will remain at The Hawthorns until the end of the 2013-14 season.

The Premier League side made the announcement on Thursday and added that it is a “new-and-improved” deal.

“Peter Odemwingie has given Albion a huge boost ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea (ko 5.30pm) by signing a new-andimproved contract,” read a

statement on West Brom’s official website.

“The 30-year-old striker on Thursday committed his future to the Baggies until June 2014 by penning a three-year deal.”

The Nigeria international, who joined the Baggies on a twoyear contract last summer and scored an impressive 15 goals in his debut season in the Premier League, had been linked with a move away from The Hawthorns.

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson himself admitted

earlier on Thursday that “Wigan made a bid but it was way below the valuation” of Odemwingie, but is now delighted to have his star player’s future sorted.

“I’m obviously very pleased that Peter has pledged his future to West Bromwich Albion,” he enthused on the club’s official website. “I always believed this would be the case and I am grateful to both him and the club for reaching an agreement.

“We can now look forward to benefiting once again from Peter’s goal-scoring prowess and seeing him play an important part in our campaign to stay in the Premier League for a second successive season.”

Sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth added: “It has been well documented that Peter still had two years left on his previous deal but off the back of his achievements last

season, the club wanted to reward him with an improved, longer-term contract “We have obviously been involved in lengthy discussions with Peter over the summer and I am delighted that they have come to a successful conclusion.

“From the outset, both parties wanted this to happen but, as with any contract, there are always one or two issues to be ironed out “Peter can now fully focus on showing everyone what a key player he is for West Bromwich Albion and contributing to what we hope will be another successful season.”

West Brom finished in midtable last season and began the new campaign with a 2-1 defeat to champions Manchester United at home on Sunday. They travel to London to confront Chelsea this weekend.

Baggies eye Onuoha

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EST BROMWICH Albion have joined the chase to land Nedum Onuoha, skysports.com understands.

Now three clubs are currently battling to land the 24-year-old, who has been told

by Manchester City he can leave this summer.

Skysports.com understands Blackburn and Queens Park Rangers are the other two clubs currently looking to land Onuoha, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland.

Everton and Bolton have also been linked this summer, but are yet to make offers and at this stage are not in the running.

West Brom’s bid is understood to be an initial loan, while QPR and Blackburn have made offers on a permanent basis.

Onuoha had been hoping to battle for a first-team place, but he is way down the pecking order and has now seemingly accepted that his future lies away from the Etihad Stadium.

AHEAD OF AAG

Sports Minister to visit athletes in Ibadan camp •Odemwingie

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HE Honourable Minister and Chairman National Sports Commission Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman will be visiting athletes preparing ahead of the All African Games (AAG) camped at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan today.

The visit which is slated for 10. am will also enable the Honourable Minister to officially declare the 3rd edition of the

NFF to scrutinise Siasia's 30 -man list

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HE 30-man team list submitted by the Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia will be under scrutiny as the NFF Technical Committee meets today in Abuja. According to our source at the Glasshouse Secretariat of the football house, the head coach is also expected to be around to defend some of the inclusions in team "the committee will take a holistic look at the list and the programme submitted by the Coach for the match in Madagascar and Bangladesh in the first week of September.

He is also expected to justify some of his foreign inclusions and why they were included to the detriment of the home based players.

The committee is very mindful of the fact that the two matches are very important to Nigerians, and we are not going to allow anything to be left undone". We

From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah, Abuja further gathered that some members of the Committee are not favourably disposed to the inclusion of Isaac Promise and Solomon Okoronkwo in the team, as they have been invited severally since Siasia took over, and have not dressed.

The Technical Committee will also take a look at the performance of the National Under-20 team in the on going U-20 World Cup and what the future holds for the team and its technical crew. Coach Uche Eucharia will also be on the searchlight as all her preparations towards the all important Olympic qualifying match against Cameroon would be reviewed."we can afford to lose this one, we are not going to Maputo for the All African Games, so the Olympic games is

a must win for us".

NationSport further gathered that the NFF has received a letter from the Cameroon Football Federation requesting that the second leg match between the two countries be shifted because the Cameroonians are participating in the All African Games Women Soccer event.

By Innocent Amomoh Nigeria School of Nursing and Midwifery Games (NISONMG) closed.

NationSport gathered the motive for the visit is to ascertain the welfare of the athletes who are in camp at the AAG at the ancient city.

According to Zonal Coordinator, Southwest Zone of the National Sport Commission (NSC), Steve Olarinoye the visit will in no small measure give the athletes encouragement they need for the task ahead.

Part of those camped at the venue are athletes that will be representing the country in the Table Tennis, Para-swimming and para-table tennis special athletes events and they have for the past weeks been camped at the refurbished hotel of the stadium. They expected to continue training until the departure date for the competition.

Beach Eagles training tour suffers hitch

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HE proposed training tour of the National Beach Soccer team, Super Sand Eagles to Portugal has suffered a hitch. NationSport gathered in Abuja on Thursday that team which was supposed to travel to the European country for further preparation for the Beach Soccer World Cup slated for Italy next month.

According to our source, "the team was suppose to travel on

From Andrew Abah, Abuja Thursday to Portugal to further their preparation for the Beach Soccer World cup.

But all efforts to get VISA for them as at the time of this report. We are making frantic efforts to get that sorted out immediately to enable the travel". We further gathered that the team which comprised of 15 players and 5 officials will most likely travel before next weekend.

CAF CONFEDERATIONS CUP

Sunshine not seeking a reprisal –Idoko

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ESPITE the unsavoury treatment meted on the team when Sunshine Stars of Nigeria played MAS Fez of Morocco in the Match Day 3 of the Orange CAF Confederations Cup which eventually culminated in their 0-1 loss, the Executive Director of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Mike Idoko has stated that plans are in top gear to further enlighten the fans and supporters not to embark on a reprisal when the Moroccan visits Nigeria next weekend.

Idoko in an interview stated that though the Nigerian team supporters are very hospitable and kindhearted, the officials of the Olusegun Mimiko Boys would still ensure that the fans that would throng the Gateway International Stadium, Ijebu Ode are well orientated on the need to maintain peace and not seek vengeance during the return leg.

His words,“ No we do not plan to go on reprisal attack on them (MAS) when they

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri come to Nigeria. We are peace-loving and very hospitable country. We also have very responsible set of fans and supporters so I don’t expect any problem to be fomented on our visitors.

“That notwithstanding, we still hope to go on publicity and enlightenment campaigns to stress the need to maintain peace and always be our brother’s keeper even in very daunting situation like ours. We hope to beat them squarely on the field of play and the only way to do that is to ensure the players and officials are well psyched up after the worst experience they had in Morocco. We are up to the task.” Idoko boasted Sunshine which hitherto led the group before the tie in Fez, Morocco slipped to second still with six points while their conqueror, MAS overtook them with a point ahead.

The Nigerian side are making their debut on the continent this term.

IEI Hockey: Delta, Union Bank set pace in Premier League

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HE 2011 International Energy Insurance (IEI) National Premier Hockey League Finals flicked off at the hockey pitch of the National Stadium Abuja with Delta Force, Union Bank and Police Machine setting the pace on day (Tuesday) of the main tournament.

Though the tournament flicked off last Sunday with the preliminaries, the tournament proper commenced on Tuesday, and Delta Force secured the first victory in the Men’s category.

The Delta State male team defeated Plateau Tigers 2-1 while Union Bank pipped Bayelsa Kings 1-0 to set the ground for an interesting

league.

Delta Force and Union thereby share the lead in Group A which also has Plateau Tigers and Bayelsa Kings.

The third win of the day went to Police Machine, which defeated Sunshine Flickers of Ondo 2-1 to jump to the top of the Group B. However, last year winners Niger Flickers could only manage a goalless draw against arch rivals Yobe Desert Warriors in group B. In the female category, Bayelsa Queens secured the biggest defeat, 4-2 against Delta Queens and perched on top of Group B table after yesterday’s goalless draw with Ondo Flickers.

OLUWATOYIN BADMINTON CUP

70 players jostle for honours

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HE Championship sponsored by Erelu Oluwatoyin is bound to attract badminton players in the Junior and Senior categories as cash prizes and valuable awards would be given to winners.

While speaking with the sponsor, Erelu Oluwatoyin, said the tournament was designed to uplift the standard of the sport which according to her was in a doldrum, adding that there was urgent to regenerate the standard of the game to meet international standard as she promised that the second edition woud be more glamorous than the maiden edition because she would add more programmes to the tournaments.

The former national Badminton player who is based in Republic of Ireland, said he and his colleagues were involved in series of tournaments during his playing days but the trend had diminished due to lack of sponsors and inability of the Nigeria Badminton Federation to attract corpoarte boie to support their project centred on developping te sport.

While regarding the event as a measure to give back to the

By Innocent Amomoh community, Oluwatoyin, said the Federation should endeavor to organise regular refresher courses for the nation's Badminton coaches. This is to keep them abreast of lastest happening in the sport, adding that such move would also aid the coaches to impact positively on their wards. Who in turn would be better players having acquired necessary skills to stand out in international competitions.

She also urged the Federation to deem it necessary to organise regular clinic/camps for young badminton players in a bid to create a virile platform for the growth of Badminton and also to discover players who would be groomed to become future stars.

The Lagos State Sports Council has commended Oluwatoyin zeal to add value to the sport and the state's Badmington players who have been yearning for badminton action after the last concluded National Sports Festival, tagged Garden City Games as the sports council believed that the competition would serve as means of keeping the badminton players in shape for the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Lagos, 2012.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

WHO SAID WHAT

‘But if Babangida had decided on becoming a septuagenarian that he will be a fool, I think one should probably do what the Bible says in Proverbs 26:4. It says don't answer a fool because you may also become like him’ VOL. 6 NO.1857

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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HE ink on the paper with which President Goodluck Jonathan signed the minimum wage bill into law had hardly dried when governors embarked on lamentations that they could not pay the new wage even if their lives depended on it. Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State sounded disturbed when he insinuated that capital developments of any kind in his state might just as well be considered dead if he must pay the minimum wage and its accompany relativity to the 40,000 workers in the state’s payroll. He said the monthly federal allocation with the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) would be eaten up by this new salary structure. The statutory federal allocation of Ekiti State (the second richest state from the rear) is about N1.7 billion and its IGR is about N1 billion a month.

Gov. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu was more dramatic and he fired shots at President Jonathan, both of whom are from the same party. The Niger State governor, fuming about his inability to implement the new wage, said he could not understand why somebody sitting in Abuja should tell him what to pay his civil servants in Minna. The governor even questioned the president’s sense of judgment and wondered how he expects him to pay the same wage that workers in the Southsouth would also receive, a geopolitical region whose governors, Babangida Aliyu says, gets ten times what he receives in federal allocation. Alhaji Aliyu sees only N2.7 billion in the till from Abuja every month while about N1 billion is deposited in his IGR box. And he has 32,000 civil servants he must pay every month. Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, whose state is among the top five money spinners, quipped that being richer is not necessarily better as the new salary structure will also put a big dent in his own pocket.

Some “newly-minted” governors are going to be worst hit by this gathering “Hurricane Relativity” because they walked straight into an empty treasury (at least that’s what they said) right after their electoral victories in their states. With Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, the new salary structure is so grave that rather than ask his Accountant-General to simply take a full page advert in the newspapers to present the usually hard-to-interpret Balance Sheet (unless you’re a trained accountant) of the state to his indigenes, the governor personally wrote an article in the newspapers, detailing the revenues that accrues to the state in such a simple way that a secondary school student would understand. In his article, Ajimobi “sums up the financial profile of his state as follows: Statutory allocation from the federation accounts: N, 445,118,813.00; VAT (Value Added Tax) N651, 407; IGR N100, 000,000.00. Total State Revenue: N4, 196,526,606.00.”

The governor further said that “though total revenue accruing to the state government

OPEN FORUM By FEMI ODERE

Beyond minimum wage

•Dr. Jonathan

was about N4.2 billion, payment of the N18,000 minimum wage would cost the state government the sum of N4.4 billion monthly.

This is against the present monthly wage bill of N2.9 billion which the past government paid till April 2011.” So by a simple arithmetic, if Gov. Ajimobi is to implement the minimum wage law, he will need to either steal or borrow an additional N200 million from somebody every month just to cover his workers’ salaries.

And what is the take of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in all of these lamentations?

It could care less. NLC had in fact issued its own Riot Act to the governors. So welcome to governance as an art form.

A president who is on top of his game would have asked for, and considered the facts and figures of the financial state of the states, visa-vis the Federal Government before signing into law such a financial intensive bill. But this is pointless now. The Nigerian government is seriously notorious for not having any concrete, verifiable data on anything before formulating policies. Like all his predecessors, President Goodluck Jonathan only knows and that everybody says the nation has money. How much of what this money can buy in real terms is for somebody else to

RIPPLES SOMALIA FAMINE WORRISOME–Jonathan

...and what of HUNGER in NIGERIA, SIR?

‘Most of these workers do nothing but watch “Africa Magic” anyway. Those who are not glued to this entertainment channel are nowhere near their seats because they’ve gone on their private businesses within the secretariat selling such things from Aso Ebi, Recharge Cards, to Coca Cola’ figure out and worry about. Not him.

It ought to have dawned on both the federal and state governments now that the honeymoon of financial profligacy that had characterised the fourth republic since 1999 must end if this country must experience real progress. It appears that governance may inadvertently be evolving into a situation where the “real men” at the helm of state affairs must be separated from “the boys.” This must, of necessity happen because one of the attributes of democracy is that people overtime become increasingly aware of their rights thereby making demands for better living conditions from their governments. As the people put pressure on their state governments to improve their lives in a democracy, so also must the state governments apply pressure on the centre to open up the political space by devolving more power to its constituent parts. This includes challenging the constitutionality and morality of federal laws that are stifling and counterproductive to people’s rights in a free society.

These challenges should not come only from state governments in opposition parties (as brilliantly pursued during the Tinubu administration) but also from state governments of the ruling party as well. This is when it will be known that a Chief Executive truly cares for

HARDBALL

I

N their response to the presidency’s determination to go ahead with the presentation of the bill on tenure amendment, opposition political parties have asked whether the government of Dr Goodluck Jonathan conducted any poll to gauge public mood. They won’t receive an answer. Presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, had earlier scoffed at the suggestion that the president was ready to withdraw the tenure bill because of heavy criticisms.

Who measured the value of that opposition?

Abati asked. In his opinion, there is probably as much support for the bill as there is opposition. In turn, the opposition has asked how Abati measured the equal split between supporters and opponents of the bill. The presidential spokesman is a grammarian, not a statistician. The opposition will not get any further explanation from him, for where they are trying to draw him into is treacherous territory.

It is suspected that the presidency is pressing ahead with the bill simply to prove that Jonathan is not a wimp. After the initial strident opposition, which convinced most

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO

the rights and wellbeing of his people.

With the precarious financial state of most states, the only hard choice left for most governors to cut this minimum wage monster to size is to invoke the “R” word if their states must remain financially viable, with or without the proposed new revenue formula. They must shed the excess weight of their workforce through systemic retrenchments. Although this move may be considered a non-starter as this would further draw the ire of NLC. But the organisation must come to terms with the fact that the new salary structure is simply unsustainable in the long run and retrenchments are inevitable especially where a huge chunk of these employees are redundant and therefore of little or no value to their employers.

While it may be argued that NLC did not force employees on governments, one should also empathise with state governments that they hired some workers they really do not need because of the chronic unemployment situation in the country that has the potential to trigger serious social upheaval if it’s not carefully managed. If not, one should ask what Ekiti State, for instance, is doing with a 40,000 workforce where a huge percentage of its people are peasant farmers and market women who may never visit the state secretariat for anything in their government’s four-year tenure. Or why does Gov. Babangida Aliyu have 32, 000 workers on his payroll in a state where probably the chief concern of the population is how to read their Koran in preparation for eternal life of bliss in Aljannar? Most of these workers do nothing but watch “Africa Magic” anyway. Those who are not glued to this entertainment channel are nowhere near their seats because they’ve gone on their private businesses within the secretariat selling such things from Aso Ebi, Recharge Cards, to Coca Cola.

An idea that state governments might want to consider is to offer early retirement “buy out” plan for workers whose skills are probably outdated and cannot be effectively retrained for today’s technology-driven work environment. This would be a win-win situation for workers and their employers. State governments can help their people to rediscover themselves and their hidden talents by rewarding them to disengage from jobs that add little or no value to employers and to society at large. People could use the financial compensations from their “buy out” to unleash these hidden talents. This way, more wealth and employments are created and society becomes increasingly well off. Governments save money in the long run and increase effectiveness with smaller but technology-savvy young, productive workforce.

• Odere is a US-based media practitioner.

•Segun Gbadegesin returns next week •For comments, send SMS to 08054502909

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Single term and its ‘majority’ supporters Nigerians that the bill is unpopular, there was talk that the president might be considering withdrawing the bill. In fact some analysts had speculated that Jonathan detested fighting for anything, and that he always waited to see where the cats are jumping before leaping into the fray himself. To put a lie to this offensive characterisation of Jonathan, the presidency, through Abati, has decided to announce it would stay the course and fight to get the bill passed. If passed, it would be one of the legacies of Jonathan’s transformation agenda, aides of the president announced gleefully and optimistically.

There is nothing in what both the president and Abati have said that gives any indication that the presidency really wishes to stake its goodwill or fortune on the bill. But now that Jonathan has cast his die, there is no longer fear that somewhere along the line he would withdraw it. In fact it seems very safe politically for him to stake his fortune and office on it because whether it is passed or

rejected, it is precisely the sort of bill that promises little impact either way. If it is passed, it will not make him a statesman; and if it is rejected, it will not make him less a statesman, assuming other policies and programmes lift his public value.

However, notwithstanding what the president does or does not do with the tenure bill, or what the National Assembly and public debates do to it, it does not mitigate the bill’s wrong timing and irrelevance. A careful study of Nigeria’s political history will show clearly that the country’s problem is not the system of government or the tenure of president and governors. What undermines stability and stymies development is the country’s structure. Dr Jonathan has merely sought to tackle the symptom rather than the real ailment because it is much simpler and safer to do so.

If he wants to transform the country and leave a legacy, tenure bill is not the answer. He probably knows this.

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