The Nation August 20, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Activist doubts govt, Boko Haram talks

Hoodlums bomb Benin prison

NEWS

NEWS Page 55

Page 4

•It’s to achieve peace, says NOA chief

•Eight inmates on the run

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VOL. 7, NO. 2223 MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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Jonathan: security problems won’t hinder progress

S

•Dr. Jonathan

AVE for pockets of violence in Jos, the Plateau State capital and Kano – the North’s commercial nerve-centre – the eid-el-Fitri was largely peaceful.

A timely intervention by security men prevented a bloody celebration in Jos, but a riot policeman was injured

•Eid-el-Fitri peaceful From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja, Kolade Adeyemi, Kano and Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

after men believed to belong to the militant Boko Haram sect attacked a police checkpoint in Kano.

In Kogi State, a vehicle laden with guns was intercepted by the police.

President Goodluck Jonathan urged Nigerians to work for the country’s peace and unity.

He said this is the way to the much-desired progress.

Dr. Jonathan spoke yesterday when he received a delegation of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslims who paid him a Sallah homage.

The delegation was led by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

The President also hinted that the security challenges facing the country should not hinder its progress, stressing that with prayers, all the problems will be solved and the country will come out greater.

Continued on Page 4

More Lagos ocean surge victims’ bodies recovered

12 people still missing Govt demolishes shanties to save lives

•ON FIRE: The Kuramo Beach after the evacuation of the residents...yesterday. See also pages 2 and 3

K

URAMO Beach – the Lagos fun spot and home of an army of petty traders where one person died and 15 went missing at the weekend is no more.

The beach was demolished yesterday after the government evacuated its residents.

An ocean surge that ravaged the beach on Saturday triggered the demolition, which seems to have worsened the situation of the oc-

No one can really estimate the num‘ber of people swept away because there is no register of people visiting here ’

By Segun Balogun and Miriam Ndikanwu

cupants.

Many of them were yesterday mourning the loss of their properties and loved ones, who were

swept away when the Atlantic Ocean tore through its banks.

Three bodies, believed to be of those carried away by the receding surge, were found on the Bar Beach, raising the number of recovered

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

bodies to four.

Fifteen persons were reported missing after the surge on Saturday.

The recovered bodies were those of two adults and a girl identified as Bisi, daughter of Tunde Kolawole, a resident of the beach.

Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have been combing the beach for the missing persons.

The authorities said the demolition was necessary to forestall further loss of lives.

Midnight on Saturday, the peak period for fun-seeking patrons of the beach, the Atlantic Ocean surged, tearing through the 20 metre-wide beach at the midpoint, to link with the Kuramo Lake on the other side, making about half of its length inaccessible.

Continued on Page 3

•CITYBEAT P11 •SPORT P23 •CEOP32 •JOBS P37 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

2

NEWS KURAMO OCEAN SURGE

Lagos residents mark Sallah with mixed feelings I ‘ It is an annual •L-R: Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (third right); Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (second right), Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ekiti State, Chief Jide Awe (left), Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin (second left) and National Director, Nigeria Pray, Southwest Zonal Rally, Rev. Dr. Moses Aransiola, during a church service, at the Government House Chapel, Ekiti State... yesterday. See story on page 16

•Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi (right) being welcomed by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria Mr. Mahesh Sachdeva during the India Cultural Association day held in Port Harcourt...yesterday.

•Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (right), has Deputy Nsima Ekere (second left) and the Chairman of Oron Local Government, Mr. Orman Esin (left) during the funeral service for the immediate past Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the State, Pastor Oyong Asuquo at the Oron Township Stadium... at the weeked.

T was a mixed bag of feelings as residents of Lagos marked the Sallah yesterday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The inhabitants of Kuramo beach, where an Atlantic Ocean surge killed no fewer than four persons, and 12 others still missing, battled to salvage their properties and relocate while other Lagosians took to revelry to mark the event.

A task-force demolished shanties left standing after the surge.

Special Assistant on Security, Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Stanley Iyere, who led the taskforce, said the demolition was necessitated by Saturday’s surge.

Iyere said the government would not allow the people to return to Kuramo beach because of the inherent dangers.

However, three of the affected persons, Mrs Folashade Ajayi, Mr Kayode Lawal and Mrs. Amina Sura urged the state government to ensure that they were appropriately relocated as their livelihood depended on their daily sales from the beach.

Sura, who plies her trade at the bar beach, said they were not worried by the ocean surge.

She said: “It is an annual occurrence; we live on the Island and every year the ocean must surge.’’

The mother of two noted that the beach was one of the tourists’ centres in the country and urged the government to ensure the protection of lives and properties, especially of people living in the area.

One of the picnickers, Miss Vivian Aluko, an undergraduate, who stormed the beach with her friends to mark her birthday, said that she was not deterred by Saturday’s incident.

“Yesterday was my birthday, so I came to celebrate with my friends.

I am happy because it coincided with the Sallah celebration when a lot of people are celebrating,’’ she said.

Aluko appealed to the Federal Government to make the beach safer so that it would continue to attract a large patronage.

Mr Isa Ibrahim, a father of four, said that he was at the beach because his children loved playing with the sand and watching the flow of water.

“We are having fun, although I am very observant and security conscious because of yesterday’s incident. But we are here to celebrate

occurrence; we live on the Island and every year the ocean must surge

‘

the Sallah,’’ he said.

On the mainland, thousands of lovers of movies thronged the National Theatre to watch various Nollywood and other indigenous films lined up to celebrate the Eid-El-Fitr.

A a businessman, Mr Nduka Onyema, who was at the theatre, said the occasion was an opportunity to take his family around the city to see new places and have fun.

“I know the road will be free today and many people will be at various spots; it is a good opportunity to mix with old friends,’’ he said.

Some of the eateries in the area witnessed a large turnout of revellers.

AlhajiOlarenwaju Ibrahim, who was at Tastee Chicken on Broad Street with his family, said that it was a thing of joy to be alive to celebrate Sallah.

He said: “I am happy to be here with my family; no matter the little we can afford I thank God because we are alive.’’

A banker, Mrs Maria Ogunde, told NAN that the celebration gave her an opportunity to take her children out to visit new places.

She said: “I have visited friends and Silverbird Galleria today, that is why I am at Tastee to eat and go home. It has been a fun-filled day.’’

Traffic was light on IkoroduRoad, and in areas such as Ikeja and IyanaIpaja, as well as Victoria Island and its environs.

However, transport fares remained stable with fares from Ikeja to Ojuelegba stable at N100; Mile 2 to Orile, N50; Iyana-Ipaja to Yaba, N150; and Costain to CMS, N50.

How Kuramo Beach came to be

U

•Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment Tunji Bello cutting the tape to inaugurate a Special Offences Mobile Court ...on Saturday. With him are Director, Public Relations, Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Fola Adeyemi (left), Director, Monitoring and Enfoorcement, Mr. Oluwatoyin Onisarotu, an official of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Arionola Arowolo and representative of the Nigerian Prison Service, Mr. Adenaya Mobolaji PHOTO: MOSES OMOSEHIN

NTIL the Lagos State government fenced off the Eko Hotel end of Bar Beach, there was nothing like Kuramo Beach. Everything was known as Bar Beach, the main beach on Victoria Island, alongside Ahmadu Bello Way and one of the more popular beaches in the state. Bar Beach is the main (inner city) beach and runs from the Institute of Oceanography in the west to the Eko Hotel in the east.

Being smack in the middle of the city, it attracts its fair share of squatters, druggies, “ladies of the night” with their “customers”, and fervent religious types, creating a heady blend of life forms, with the wealthiest walking along the poorest and no one batting an eyelid. Bar Beach is named after the sand bars that characterised the coastline of Lagos, not because of the myriad of bars that run along the beach itself .

The fencing off of the Eko Hotel end of Bar Beach gave room to a more “organised” beach called Kuramo Beach, named after the small lake which lies behind it. A uniform range of beach huts were rented/ sold off to operators of bars and restaurants and for a while, this beach was very inviting. Like all things in Lagos, Kuramo was soon taken over by “the mob” and is now as rough and ready as the rest of Bar Beach.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

3

NEWS KURAMO OCEAN SURGE

•A caterpillar demolishing shanties at Kuramo

•A family moving out their belongings from Kuramo

•Wooden houses destroyed by the surge

PHOTOS: SEGUN BALOGUN

•Burning of demolished shantion

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

More bodies recovered in Lagos ocean surge • Continued on page 1 The gulf thus created made prompt rescue effort for those trapped on the other side impossible, raising the fear that more people, than declared, might have been affected.

The secretary of the security and lifeguard personnel of the beach Abbey Edwards, said: “No one can really estimate the number of people swept away because there is no register of people visiting here.

“Remember it even happened on midnight on Saturday when the beach is bubbling”, he said.

A man, who claimed to have lost his means of livelihood” to the surge, said about 40 cabins would have been lost.

After inspecting the ruin at the weekend, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru, announced government’s decision to demolish all the remaining cabins and gave the occupants till 12 noon of yesterday to leave.

He described the demolition as necessary to pave the way for state government’s intervention project of “pushing back the ocean.”

He said: “If you were here yesterday (Saturday)”, he told reporters yesterday; “you cannot stand where we are now. Sand from the Atlantic City was brought to fill up this place and made it accessible. So, the people can pack their valuables. Now, they have to leave so we can complete the barricade.”

When it dawned on them that they

had barely 24 hours to relocate, the urge to survive overtook the pains inflicted by the quit notice. They quickly dashed in to pick whatever they considered valuable.

The evacuation was intensified yesterday morning as mattresses, locally-made alcoholic drinks, and sound systems – depicting the social of the residents, were hauled away.

The bulldozer commenced the demolition at about 11:40am but as the dust of the exercise settled about one hour later, the suppressed pain and grief seeped out and tears flowed freely on the occupant’s faces.

“I have lost about five of my men to this incident and the best thing they can tell me is to leave here for nowhere,” said Edwards.

He went on: “We know this beach is no longer safe to do business but the least the government can do is to give us an ultimatum rather than order us out.”

With tears, 80-year-old Olatunji Adetoro, who claimed to have been living on Kuramo for 54 years, begged the government to “give us another place to settle down.”

A woman who declines to mention her name criticised the demolition as inhuman.

She said: “I can take care of myself and daughter if they have given us time to move out. I have been doing that without any help from government. Now if I join prostitution, they will still arrest me.

“This business took me six years

to setup but they destroyed it in 30 minutes.

“I was selling gold at Mushin market before it got burnt,” said a woman who identified herself as Margaret Johnson.

“Many of us here have lived our lives without any government help and we are not begging government to provide for us. Our annoyance is that the management should have consulted with government to give us like two weeks to move. Why then are we paying that much?, she said.

The Nation investigation showed that there were about 110 cabins on the beach and about 20 people fend from each cabin. Cabin operators, depending on the location of the cabin, pay between N50, 000 - N70, 000 per month to the beach’s management and local government.

Edward said: “There is nobody in government today that has not come here to canvass for vote. We risked our lives for them during the election.

“See the way they treated us like common dog now. Look at the vehicle of the chairman [of the beach], the number plate carries a chieftaincy crest of Eti-Osa local government. So, they cannot claim we are here illegally.

“Now, more than 2000 people have been rendered useless and they may not have a choice than to take to crime because what they built with sweat was destroyed illegally.”

For the avoidance of doubt,

“Kuramo Beach is gone,” said the commissioner, making the famous beach the third to be sacked by ocean surge, after Bar and Alpha beaches.

“The entire Lagos coastline, whether the plush Lekki environs or the poor Okun Alfa, lies under this natural threat, and demands urgent interventions to curtail the ocean, like the embankment project done by the Lagos State government on the Eko Atlantic City and Bar Beach. The project has saved the entire Victoria Island and Ikoyi from being submerged.”

Allaying the fear that the surge could have been fueled by the multi-billion naira Eko Atlantic City project for which the state plans to recover about nine kilometre lost land from the ocean, with an intention to build a worldclass city estate of about 250,000 housing units.

Oniru had on several occasions said that the Eko Atlantic City would not have any environmental impact on the area as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been duly conducted and certified okay.

He recalled: “When President Goodluck Jonathan visited this area after the July 10, 2011 flood, we were happy that soon there will be solution to this environmental threat but unfortunately nothing has happened since then.”

He therefore blamed the disaster on the neglect by the Federal government saying the problem

would have been solved a long time ago if the apex government had redeemed its promises to assist Lagos state government to solve the ocean problem.

“You will recall that we came here about three months ago with the president Goodluck Jonathan to show him the enormity of the ecological disaster looming on the water front here. From that time till now we have lost about 10 metres of our land to the ocean surge and people’s lives and properties are constantly been threatened by the surge.

“What we need here is permanent solution to the problem like we did on the Bar Beach. That is why you see the whole of Ahmadu Bello Way is not flooded. This problem is not a Lagos problem it is a national problem. The Federal government should come to the aid of the state government. Huge amount of money is required to put permanent solution and the state government alone cannot finance this.”

LASEM’s General Manager Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the state had launched frantic search for 12 persons who were declared missing in the aftermath of the surge.

The victims, according to him are petty traders at the waterfront who reside in the makeshift shanties located within the Kuramo area.

He said the recovered bodies were deposited at the Isolo General Hospital Morgue

4

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

NEWS

Activist Shehu Sani doubts govt, Boko Haram talks

R

IGHTS activist Shehu Sani, has expressed

doubts about the claim of an on going dialogue between government and fundermentalist sect Boko Haram.

The Kaduna based activist, who organised the failed intervention by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop the Boko Haram insurgency, said he did not believe that any talk is going on.

“I’m not aware of any talk going on. No credible talk is going on. If there is going to be any genuine talk, there should be confirmation from the leadership of the group and not the government,” Sani said.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku in a statement at

From Yusuf Alli and Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

the weekend said the government would look into the grievances of Boko Haram.

He said: “In this regard, the Federal Government wishes to reiterate its willingness to listen to the grievances of the sect.

“It is our hope that this process will lead to the restoration of peace, security and tranquility to Northern Nigeria .”

Sani said in Kaduna yesterday: “From what we know, Boko Haram’s only channel of communication is YouTube posting by its leader, Mallam Shekau. As far as I am concerned, I do not think or believe that

there is any dialogue going on because it has not come from the usual source.

“The government is raising some false sense of hope while on the ground; there is no credible evidence to establish what they are saying.”

He, however, added: “The talk between the Federal Government and Boko Haram is not impossible, but it must be done honestly and sincerely and through channels that are credible. From my own understanding, the Federal Government must have been drawn into dubious talks.

“I am of the belief that this will only undermine the search for peace. And then, I will add that these senseless

killings and bombings going on in the North should be ended by honest and sincere commitment and not by the seizing, misinforming and misdirecting the conscience of Nigerians.”

He asked: “Of what use is it, if the group eventually dismisses the so-called talks after raising a false sense of hope? If actually this socalled talk going on in Saudi Arabia or where ever is true, why is it that the killings still continue?

“A genuine talk can only be recognised by a ceasefire and cessation of all hostilities of which it can only be believed, if it comes from the leader of the group. So, what we should understand is that Nigerians are tired of this vi-

olence, and many innocent lives have been lost; and the solution to it must not be through bogus peace talks or concocted dialogue.”

However, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, advised Nigerians not to thwart the peace talks between the Federal Government and Boko Haram.

He said what is happening is good for Nigerians and everybody.

Omeri added: “Now that this is coming after so many efforts by various government agencies, religious leaders and institutions where the last Ramadan provided an ample opportunity

for Nigerians to know that Nigerians are their brothers’ keepers, Nigerians are good neighbours, they have shared in the breaking of fast, they have sought for one another and extended solidarity both ways, the call for dialogue at this hour is just a manifestation of the efforts that we have been making.

“And I want to appeal to Nigerians from all shades of opinions, whether you are a Christian or unbeliever, or whichever side of the divide you belong to, manage your comments, work towards peace and say only those positive things that will lead us to finding lasting peace and brotherhood as one nation, once again.”

Bloody Sallah averted in Jos

I

•Some children during their Sallah homage to President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo in Abuja …yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

N Jos, some Muslim youths returning from the prayer ground, attacked Christians who were on their way to attend church service.

They smashed cars parked in some of the worship places at Farin-Gada area of the Plateau State capital.

Eyewitness account said the youths, packed in trailers, were returning from their prayer ground with stones and other dangerous weapons which they brandished as they chanted war songs.

The timely intervention of security personnel contained the situation from escalating as youths from the area predominantly occupied by Christians attempted to retaliate the attack. But security men shot into the air to scare away the youths from the major road.

Plateau police spokesman Danjuma Azikiti in a statement said “it is disheartening to note that in spite of series of parleys with religious

From Marie-Therese Nanlong, Jos and Tony Akowe, Kaduna

leaders and youths and the stern warning issued on the use of abusive and provocative language and carrying of dangerous weapons, some misguided youths still went ahead to foment trouble on the day of celebration.”

The statement condemned the act and described the situation as unfortunate. It added that no life was lost and no church or mosque was torched Services were held at the various churches with good turnout of worshipers and the Muslim faithful were seen going about their visits without any incident.

There was heavy security presence at the various Eid praying grounds within Kaduna metropolis and environ yesterday as Muslims observed the Eid –el Fitri celebration to mark the end of the Continued on Page 6

Jonathan: security problems won’t hinder progress Sultan condemns bombings

Continued from Page 1

“Today is a great day; it is a moment not just for Muslims but all Nigerians to reflect on the unity of Nigeria,” the President said, adding that to progress, there must be unity and peace.

He promised to build on the efforts of Nigeria’s founding fathers to the enviable level, adding that “this is a forum to tell Nigerians that we are one”.

Vice President Sambo recalled his visit to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj, saying Nigerians have been praying for the President, peace and stability of the country.

“We will continue to support you, Mr. President to deliver the transformation agenda. We assure you of our loyalty and we pray that this country will be transformed under your leadership.”

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Bala Mohammed praised the President for waiting patiently for the Muslim community in Abuja to pay the traditional homage instead of being in church.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur, Senator Philip Aduda, who represented the Senate President, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubo-

T

HE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned incessant bombings in Northern Nigeria, which have resulted in the loss of lives and property.

The Sultan spoke in Sokoto yesterday in his Eid-el-Fitr message to Muslims in Nigeria.

He said it was disheartening to observe that the attacks occurred in no other part of the country but the North, which was hitherto known for its peace and tranquility . ‘’ This would no doubt make us suspect the enemies of our religion to be hiding under the cover of Islam and Muslims to commit such abominable acts,’’ he added. lade, Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, Minister of State for FCT Olajumoke Akinjide, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Bello Isa, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar and Inspector General of Police Muhammed Abubakar were in the team.

Others are former House of Representatives Speaker, Ghali Na’Abba, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Salamatu Ibrahim and former PDP Chairman, Ahmadu Ali. The Joint Task Force (JTF) battled some gunmen, who attacked some check points manned by the military men

Sultan Abubakar said the terrorist acts being witnessed in states, such as Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Kano, Plateau and Kogi, were against the teachings of Islam. ‘’Islam condemns all forms of terrorism and exploitation, regardless of their magnitude , especially in the holy month. ‘’It is pertinent here to condemn these evil acts while commiserating with those who lost their property and condoling with the families of those who lost their lives,’’ he said.

He called on Muslims not to allow themselves to be used by ‘’our enemies ‘’ in achieving their selfish goals. ‘’ We should also not allow them to make us commit acts prohibited by our religion.

in Kano. One riot policeman was injured on the leg.

The spokesman of the army’s 3 Brigade, Kano, Lt. Ikedichi Iweha, told our reporter thatno military personnel was hurt in the confrontations which occurred mainly in Hotoro and Zaria Road areas of the city.

It was learnt that the gunmen struck at some of the check points in vehicles. Lt. Iweha said some of the attackers escaped with bullet injuries.

He said the task force men were combing the areas for the injured suspects, adding that those with bullet wounds would be arrested.

“ We, therefore, call upon all those involved in this nefarious act to fear Allah and desist from committing them. ‘’ They should rather seek to resolve issues through dialogue with their leaders. `` On our part, we shall continue to render assistance in providing solutions to such serious problems through wise counsel, peaceful means and dialogue ,’’ the Sultan said.

He called on religious, political and community leaders to intensify efforts in praying to Allah for the restoration of the glory of ‘’ our religion which is being targeted by some unscrupulous elements.’’

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero praised the efforts of security agents for ensuring a violence-free Ramadan and Sallah celebration.

He urged the public to support security agencies to enable them perform their duty efficiently and effectively.

“The police and other agencies have done well so far and they need hundred per cent of your support to protect your lives and properties,” Alhaji Bayero said.

The Emir praised the controversial suspension of major traditional Sallah rituals, such as the traditional horse riding around the city and the Durbar, saying: “the body is no

longer strong for some of these activities I have been conducting for over 50 years.

Sometimes, you need rest,” he said.

The Emir’s clarification was to rest the speculation that the action was in response to the security challenges.

Kogi police intercepted a Honda car containing six AK 47 guns with 11 loaded magazines. The car was parked at Oboroke-Ihima in Okehi Local Government Area.

Police Commissioner Mohammed Musa Katsina said the seizure of the car was a fallout of the gun battle between a special squad known as Operation Haske (Light) of

•Alhaji Abubakar

the command and some suspected terrorists.

The commissioner said his men engaged the hoodlums in shootout throughout the night of Saturday till yesterday morning. He said the terrorists abandoned the car which was recovered by his men.

He noted that the police were already on the trail of the suspects and assured that there would be no hiding place for criminals.

However, a source in the area told The Nation that the car attracted the attention of Ohi of Ihima, Alhaji Abdulraheem Ahmed Ogido, who alerted the police.

It was gathered that the car was suspected to have been parked near a recharge card seller.

The vehicle has been towed to Lokoja, the state capital, by the police.

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

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20 , 2012

5

NEWS PHCN crisis: Tell your members the truth, Minister advises union leaders

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

M

INISTER of Power Prof. Barth Nnaji has advised labour unions in the sector to respect the rule of law in the issue of the severance package and avoid any action that may threaten industrial peace and harmony.

Nnaji said failure to do so may force the Federal Government to seek legal means to resolve the ongoing crisis.

Speaking with The Nation at the weekend on the outcome of negotiation with the unions, the minister said labour’s stance was unacceptable with the current security challenges in the country and that the union leaders know the truth concerning their demands.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has insisted that all its demands must be met.

NLC Acting President Comrade Promise Adewusi urged Nnaji to set up a committee to actualise the demands of the electricity workers.

The Minister, who alleged that the unions are hiding the truth from their members, called on Nigerians to prevail on the unions leaders to let their members know the truth in the issue of the severance package.

He said there was no money in the Superannuation Fund which the unions were laying claims to.

Nnaji said: “The PHCN labour unions claim that 25 per cent is being deducted from their montly salaries towards meeting their gratuity/pension obligations.

They are therefore demanding a refund of all deductions from workers. However, this claim of 25 per cent deduction from salaries is incorrect.”

He said under the Defined Benefit Scheme, the company made a provision for 25 per cent of staff cost for the Superannuation Fund to enable the company take care of retirement benefits, in line with the Trust deed which established the Superannuation Fund.

“The Trust deed clearly indicated that contribution was to be made by the Authority to the Fund. The PHCN management continues to make provisions in the financial books to meet up with this requirement without the funds to back it up. But there has never been any deductions from workers’ salaries.”

•Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (third right); his wife, Margaret (middle); the late Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu’s widow, Bianca; Ojukwu’s daughters, Chinaza (left) and Chineme (second left); and his sons, Afam (right) and Nwachukwu during the memorial service in honour of Ojukwu at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Nnewi...yesterday.

Subsidy probe: ANPP accuses Fed Govt of insincerity T HE All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) yesterday decried the manner the Federal Government is handling the fuel subsidy probe.

ANPP said despite publishing the names of the 21 firms being investigated, it believes there is a plot by government to kill the subsidy probe, considering the attitude of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, the party said: “The ANPP has observed with interest the publishing of the names of the 21 firms being investigated under the fuel subsidy regime by the Federal Ministry of Finance a couple of days ago.

“According to the statement by the ministry, besides the companies, which are being investigated based on the report of the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Payments headed by Mr Aigboje AigImoukuede, there is a second group of companies with infractions considered by the government and the committee as ‘relatively minor’.

“Our great party believes that considering the sins of the people directly and indirectly connected with ripping Nigerians off of their commonwealth through the petrol subsidy fraud, which is a crime against every Nigerian born and unborn, the Fed-

•Party alleges plans to kill probe My son will face the music, if found guilty, says Tukur From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

P

DP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has said he would not disown his son, Mahmud, over his involvement in the alleged fuel subsidy scam.

Tukur said he is not perturbed by the criticisms expressed by the public and would wait for the outcome of the trial.

He spoke with reporters at the State House, Abuja, shortly after a visit of the Muslim community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), led by Vice President Namadi Sambo, to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The PDP chairman said if the court finds his son guilty of the alleged charges, Mahmud would face the wrath of the law.

Mahmud is facing trial with others for allegedly stealing the oil subsidy fund.

Tukur said his son is an adult, who is old enough to take responsibilities for his actions.

He said: “He is my son and I will never disown him. My son is an adult andit is only the court that can determine whether he is guilty or not. Justice is not about public opinion, it is about the court’s verdict. Whoever is found guilty would be so dealt with. If he is not, we will know.’’

On the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, Tukur described this year’s fasting as “very unique”, noting that the Ramadan month had five Fridays, which he said could take about 50 years to occur.

He said the celebration was also unique because the day fell on a Sunday, so both Muslims and Christians are praying together for peace, unity and progress in the nation.

Tukur said: “All religions have asked us to pray for peace.

May be God has shown us the key. In the Bible, it is said that ‘knock and I will open’. In the Quran, it is ‘if you call me, I will answer’. So this is very unique. We pray to Almighty God for this country to have peace and unity.’’

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

eral Government should move with unmitigated urgency to bring these culprits to book in order to as-

suage the innermost yearning of the people.

“Recently, the government arraigned some oil marketers, who allegedly defrauded the Federal Gov-

ernment of N304 billion in the oil subsidy scam at the Lagos State High Court, in which some high profile citizens were involved.

“But contrary to expectation, the Attorney-General of the Federation, in whose instance the arraignment of the accused was delayed to ‘enable him personally handle the cases’, was not in court to lead the prosecution team.

“What could be more depictive of the government’s lackadaisical attitude to the high profile corruption case than this? We believe at a time like this, body language and perception are as important as hard-core evidence. “Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done. ANPP therefore calls on the Federal Government to be quick and thorough, not only in addressing these indicted companies, but the completion of the prosecution of the Farouk Lawan and Femi Otedola saga, which has brought dirt to the nation’s critical arm of government.

“Nigerians are waiting to see the sincerity of the government in demystifying the corruption and the politics of fuel subsidy, which has a deep implication on the socio-economic well-being of our great nation, considering the fact that the Minister of Finance recently alleged that the current fuel scarcity biting hard on Nigerians was caused by the indicted oil marketers in the fuel subsidy scandal.”

CNPP urges end to PHCN workers, govt dispute

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HE Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has urged the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and the Ministry of Power to resolve their differences.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, after it’s emergency meeting on Saturday night, CNPP said: “In the collective interest of Nigerians, we urge the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), NUEE and their affiliate unions to reach a truce and shelve their threat to throw the nation to

From Chris Oji, Enugu

darkness.

“To the ministry, we submit that labourers are entitled to their wages. Therefore, their July salary and severance packages should be paid forthwith.”

CNPP called for a probe of the Pension Fund and dialogue on dissenting issues.

It said the workers and the government are both responsible for the “horrible” condition of the power sector.

CNPP said: “The workers and the government are cul-

pable, because they conspired in the monumental corruption, which, over decades, atrophied power supply and killed the sector; a regrettable scenario where inspite of billions of Naira expended, 50,000 workers produce less than 3,000 mega watts.

“We recall with pain, how in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 general elections, we pleaded with the NLC not to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of its penchant for corruption and its privatisation policy, an-

chored on a nebulous phrase that ‘government has no business in business’.

“Instead of heeding to our warning, NLC mobilised and publicly endorsed the PDP. NLC therefore voted for privatisation.

“The Ministry of Power, as a matter of national importance, should embark on rapid recovery of the billions owed the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)

by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“This will go a long way in

offsetting the severance benefits of workers and stop the fleecing of tax payers.

“Finally, in order sto stave off a showdown, we urge President Goodluck Jonathan to set up a high powered Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the PHCN Pension Fund to ascertain what percentage was deducted from the workers, how the PHCN management and leaders of the trade union managed the fund and recommend how best to pay off the bulk of the 50,000 workers to be retired at once.”

Abia farmers lament lack of access to N1b loan From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

THE Abia State Farmers’ Cooperative Union has complained about the inability of its members to access the Federal Government’s N1 billion agric loan to states.

It said the requirements of the organisation in charge of disbursing the loan, the International Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, are making it impossible for real farmers to access it.

The union said since the loan was released, none of its members had accessed it.

It said although its members had earlier bought forms as directed by the loan consultants, the organisation has been playing games with them.

In a statement, the union’s President, Chief Uzoma Nwogwugwu, said many farmers in the state could not meet one of the requirements for the loan, which states that an applicant must be guaranteed by a government worker of level 9 and above.

He said most farmers have no relations that fall into that category.

Nwogwugwu said: “In other states, the loan is passed to the farmers’ cooperative societies through the farmers’ cooperative union, which stands as a guarantor to the primary societies. We do not know why the consultant is not applying the same method in our state.

“We want them to consider core farmers through the cooperative union, which has the data of all farmers in the state. The essence of the union guaranteeing the loan, besides ensuring it gets to real farmers, is that it has the mechanism to ensure that members put the loan to good use. “The present situation, whereby members of the body are not considered in the disbursement of the loan, is not acceptable.”

Nwogwugwu urged the federal and state governments to call the consultant to order.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

NEWS Bloody Sallah averted in Jos Continued from Page 4

•Some residents of Kuramo Beach, Lagos evacuating their belongings…yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Govt’s Performance Agreement imported from World Bank B

ARELY 48 hours to the signing of bond by Ministers, it emerged yesterday that Performance Agreement was actually imported from the World Bank by the Federal Government to improve the pace at which the Federal Government works.

The Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs have said that the Performance Agreement can only work if there is timely release of funds.

But all Ministers are expected to get tolerable benchmark from President Goodluck Jonathan after signing the covenant on Wednesday.

According to findings, the Performance Agreement was a model created by the World Bank in the 60s and 80s to “create competition in public service.”

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that more than 12 countries have been using the Performance Agreement, which has two types(French Approach and Signaling System).

The countries with French Approach are France , Senegal , China , Cote D’Ivoire , Benin Republic , and the UK .

Others operating the Signaling System are Pakistan , Korea , Philippines , India , Bolivia , and The Gambia.

It was gathered that some countries might have joined the fray in the 90s to date but their list was not on the website of the World Bank as at

‘It is a private sector mechanism, it is just like bringing private sector sense of enterprise into the government business. A way of matching released funds for work done; it will promote fiscal responsibility’ From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

press time.

A source in government said: “It is a World Bank creation from the brief we have got so far. But the Nigerian format was evolved by the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman.

“I think the administration decided to adopt this agreement after a systemic review by the World Bank. And do not forget that the Coordinating Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala came from the World Bank.

“Why everybody is tagging along is because we all believe

that we need a change to ensure faster service delivery.

“It is a private sector mechanism, it is just like bringing private sector sense of enterprise into the government business. A way of matching released funds for work done; it will promote fiscal responsibility “Some have fears that the Agreement may not work if the Ministry of Finance does not also improve on the slow manner in which it is executing the budget, especially release of funds.

“Unfortunately, the budget row between the Executive and the National Assembly had to do with slow implementation of the release of funds.”

It was gathered that some chief executives of parastatals have made their feelings known to their supervising ministers that “without timely release of funds, the Performance Agreement would amount to nothing.”

It was learnt that prompt release of funds was an issue raised by some heads of agencies and departments at a session with a Minister on Thursday.

A Chief Exécutive said : ‘At a session with our Minister, there was a consensus that no Minister or Chief Executive can perform magic without

funds. So, the buck stops at the table of those behind the Performance Agreement.’

A check at the World Bank site revealed that Performance Agreement came up to ‘create an Entrepreneural Public Sector that has clarity of purpose and direction and is accountable for its performance “It is an agreement between two parties that clearly specifies their mutual performance obligations.

“First emerged in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s in the context of public enterprises. Nora Report proposed Contrats de Stabilite in 1967 “National Economic Development Office proposed a Memorandum of Understanding in 1976. Performance Contracts in governments emerged in 1980s in UK and New Zealand.”

It listed the doctrine behind Performance Agreement as follows: •What Gets Measured Gets Done •If you Don’t Measure Results, You Can’t Tell Success from Failure •If You Can’t See Success, You Can’t Reward It •If You Can’t Reward Success, You are Probably Rewarding Failure •If You Can’t See Success, You Can’t Learn From It •If You Can’t Recognize Failure, You Can’t Correct It •If You Can Demonstrate Results, You Can Win Public Support.

Tinubu to Nigerians: pledge yourselves to nation’s cause

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CTION Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday asked Nigerians to seize the spirit of Ramadan to devote themselves to the nation.

“We need to pledge ourselves anew to the cause of our country, now undergoing serious challenges.

“The time to make that move is now – after the glorious month of Ramadan, and its heightened spiritual gains,” he said in his Sallah message.

Tinubu said: “It is no accident that both the Ramadan and the Easter are the holiest periods in Islam and Christianity.

“During these two yearly fasts, the adherents of the two faiths seek the face of God by fasting and denying themselves those carnalities that distance them from

their maker.”

He said that a majority of Nigerians are adherents of these two faiths should make Nigerians to see themselves as essentially one people, if with differing faiths, but before one God, to whom everyone is accountable.

“If we are one people before God, why do we have religious crises? Why do some people go bombing others’ places of worship, for no just cause? Why do Nigerians throw bombs at innocent fellow Nigerians, who have done them no wrong, thus perpetrating the current parlous security situation?” Asiwaju Tinubu queried.

Congratulating Nigerian Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and Nigerian Christians for showing solidarity dur-

‘If we are one people before God, why do we have religious crises?’ ing the exercise, he said it was time to heal the national wound, and seek the face of God. He called on President Goodluck Jonathan to work harder at improving the grave security situation, while also calling on every stratum of the Nigerian society, particularly the elite, to cooperate and collaborate with the president to make the menace a thing of the past.

“I said it before and I will

say it again: the president, in dealing with this situation, needs every help he can summon. I, with my political associates, stand ready to be of help, if the president approaches us. We have, after all, no other country to call our own.”

But Asiwaju Tinubu added that security starts from tackling the pervasive poverty in the country.

“Our governments, at all levels, must show compassion and tackle the mass poverty that ravages our land.

We must work toward a society driven by equal opportunities, based on merit, to deliver development and mass prosperity,” he said.

“That is the starting point.

But to get to that point, leaders at all levels must know that they exist only for the wellbeing of our people,” he said.

Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

There was heavy traffic build up in the early hours of the day throughout the city as there were check points around the city. Christians also attended their usual Sunday services.

At the Sultan Bello Eid ground in the Anguwar Sariki area of the metropolis, vehicles were not allowed to park near the ground while all roads leading to the place were blocked . Worshipers forced to park their vehicles far away and trek to the praying ground.

One of the worshipers and Chairman of the Kaduna state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mallam Yusuf Idris, said the security arrangement was excellent, noting that it inspired confidence in people.

He said: “all the roads leading to the mosque were blocked and vehicles were not allowed anywhere close to the mosque. I think this is a very excellent security arrangement and the security agencies must be commended. Everything went peacefully and we really thank God for that”.

There was also heavy security presence at the Murtala Square where the Eid –el

Fitri prayers were also held.

But at the Praying Ground, near the Kaduna Capital School in Malali area of the metropolis, there were no security presence except the one put in place by worshippers.

At the Sheikh Muhmud Gummi College Praying ground in the Tudun Wada area of the metropolis, there was also no security presence at the mosque, although prayers were conducted peacefully.

The Nation gathered that due to the security arrangement, the security agencies were over stretched as they had to provide security to both mosques and churches at the same time.

Security sources said being a Sunday, it was not possible to provide security to all places of worship because of the problems of manpower and logistics.

“What we did was to identify the danger-prone areas and deployed our men there because Kaduna is not a small city. There are also other major towns in the state and so we had to evolve strategies to beef up security at mosques and churches. It was hectic because we overstretched our men, but we thank God that everything was peaceful” he said.

Policeman kills self after shooting wife, two daughters

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POLICE Corporal, Anthony Ugwuoke, on Sunday at Edda Village, Ugwuachara in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi, shot himself dead after shooting his wife, Nkechi, and two daughters.

Ugwuoke’s wife and daughters are in critical condition at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA), where neighbours rushed them after the incident, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt.

NAN learnt that the late policeman was attached to the B’ Operations unit of the Police Command in Ebonyi and was an orderly to a High

Court judge in the state.

Mr Sylvester Igbo, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, confirmed the incident but added that no clue had been established on the motive for the action.

“Investigations into the matter are on-going as we would ensure we get to its root.

“The body of the late officer has, however, been deposited at FETHA mortuary,” he said.

Chief Jones Igboke, a community leader in the area, expressed sadness over the incident and called on the police to unravel the mystery surrounding it.

938 persons abducted in Southeast in three years •Imo, Anambra top list

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MO and Anambra states have been ranked among the states with the highest incidents of kidnapping in the Southeast.

According to an investigation conducted by the Campaign for Democracy (CD), a no fewer than 938 persons were kidnapped between January 2008 and August 2012 in the zone.

The statistic are contained in a statement by Dede Uzor A. Uzor and Dr. Jerry Chukwuokolo, Southeast Chairman and Secretary of the CD. According to a survey during the year in review, a total sum of N1.2 billion was paid as ransom by families, who pay between N5million and N30million to secure the release of victims.

The statement also disclosed that Anambra State has the highest incident of kidnapping with a total figure of 273 persons especially within the commercial cities of Onitsha and Nnewi.

According to the CD, about 265 persons were kidnapped

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

in Imo State, making it second on the list.

Abia State came third with 215. Enugu and Ebonyi recorded 95 and 90 incidents of kidnapping, the statement said.

Explaining the rationale behind the investigations, Uzor said the group was motivated by the mounting insecurity in the zone, adding that drastic measures should be adopted by security agencies to end the infamous trade.

Uzor commended the Anambra state Police command for the recent clampdown on kidnappers and their sponsors in the state and the sealing of buildings and hotels used by suspected kidnappers.

Issuing an ultimatum to the Southeast governors Forum to end kidnapping in the zone before the end of October, CD maintained that the upsurge in crime has affected the economy of the Southeast and to restore the confidence of foreign investors, the zone must rid itself of criminals.

7

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

NEWS EID-EL-FITRI CELEBRATION Osun Assembly prays for Nigeria From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (third left); Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Lekan Adegbite (third right); Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu (right); Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shuaib Salis; the governor’s son, AbdulRahman; the governor’s aide, Mr. Lukman Amosun, during the Eid-el-Fitri prayer at the Egba Muslim Community prayer ground, Lantoro, Abeokuta...yesterday

Leaders preach peace as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Fitri

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HE need for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians was the centre of the messages by the nation’s leaders to their Muslim compatriots for yesterday’s Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

Eid-el-Fitri marks the end of fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month in the Muslim calendar.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, urged residents of the territory to live in peace and be their brothers’ keepers.

The minister congratulated Muslims for this year’s Eid-elFitri.

Mohammed noted that it is only through peace that Nigeria could achieve sustainable development.

He assured that President Goodluck Jonathan and security agencies would create an enabling environment for peaceful co-existence amongst Nigerians to enable local and international investors do business in the country.

Mohammed said Ramadan is an inspiration to Muslims to show compassion, mercy and kindness to fellow beings.

The minister advised Muslims to put smiles on the faces of others.

He urged Muslims to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan and imbibe its teachings.

Mohammed said the essence of fasting is premised on selflessness, sacrifice, patience, modesty and spirituality.

The minister advised Muslims to pray for Nigeria, as

•FCT minister, Akeredolu, others urge harmony

By Our Correspondents

the nation strives to become one of the 20 developed economies in the world.

He also called for prayers so that God would guide the nation’s leadership under President Jonathan and give him the wisdom to steer the affairs of the state and actualise the transformation agenda.

The Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, urged Muslims to continue to live in peace with their fellow Nigerians.

In a statement by her media aide, Mr Femi Adefila, the minister advised Muslims to let the lessons of the 30-day fasting abide in their lives.

She noted that the lessons of love for humanity, compassion for the weak and the needy, and the message of peace are what Nigeria needs.

Mrs Obada advised Nigerians to to pray for peace and support for the transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The minister prayed that “God Almighty will sustain all of us to witness many more of this joyous occasion in peace”.

The Minister of State for Education, Mr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, hailed Nigerian Muslims for the successful conclusion of the Ramadan fast.

The minister noted that the

unity which Nigerians, led by President Goodluck Jonathan, worked for during Ramadan period, showed that this is the most important thing that binds the nation.

He said: “I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters on the successful conclusion of Ramadan. The nation, led by our President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, showed that peace signifies the true nature of Nigerians.”

Wike urged Nigerians to work for the nation’s unity, which ran through the Ramadan period, to build the country.

The minister congratulated the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i and other Muslims in the ministry for successfully participating in the fasting.

He said the nation’s development, which the Jonathan administration has begun in different sectors, would transform the country.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN), urged Muslims to use Eid-elFitri celebration to pray for peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.

In a message in Akure, the ACN standard bearer advised Muslims to pray for the restoration of good governance in the state.

In a statement by the Director of Media, Publicity and

Strategy of his campaign organisation, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President advised Muslims to reflect on the teachings of Islam, the religion of peace.

Akeredolu congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of Ramadan, which he said symbolises commitment and dedication.

The ACN candidate urged Muslim clerics to pray for a hitch-free governorship election in the state on October 20.

The frontline lawyer advised politicians to play the game according to the rule, asking them to shun bitterness and violence.

The ACN standard bearer assured Ondo State residents that an era of a progressive government is around the corner in the state.

He added that the dividends of democracy would soon get to every resident in the state.

The senator representing Ekit Central, Babafemi Ojudu, said the beauty and lesson of Eid-el-Fitri are encompassed in giving and sharing the good things of life with fellow beings.

Ojudu noted that these would work when Nigerians de-emphasise ethnicity and embrace nationalism to make them have an allegiance for the country above ethnic consideration.

Ojudu urged Muslims to allow the spirit of Ramadan, which is based on love, care

•Bala

and devotion, to be their principles in their service and prayers for the country.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said there is need for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians to make the nation progress.

He told reporters after the Eid-el-Fitri prayers at the Shonibare Estate, Maryland, Ikeja praying ground, that it is through peace that the nation could atain greater heights.

He said: “First, let me congratulate all Muslims for the joy of another Eid-el-Fitri celebration. Thanks be to Almighty Allah for giving us the grace to be alive today and for enabling us all to successfully come to the end of this year’s Ramadan fast.”

The Speaker advised Muslims, especially those in Lagos, to “continue to be law-abiding by doing only that which we know will make us meet our Creator with joy”.

He added: “We all should keep rendering our services to God and humanity.

It is equally very important that we all should continue to abide by the laws made by our leaders, since it has pleased Almighty God to put them there to move our society forward.”

Ex-Lagos governor Tinubu to launch book in US

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HE National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be in the US this week to present his new book.

The week-long programme will begin on August 21 with a roundtable discussion tagged, Current Developments in Nigeria: The View of the Opposition, at CSIS and Centre for Strategic and International Studies, 1800 K Street, NW, from 11am to 12.30 pm.

Activities will move to the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), 1100 17th Street, N.W., Suite 1000 Washington, where another roundtable will hold between 2.30pm and 4pm.

On August 22, Asiwaju Tinubu will deliver a speech on: The Role of the Opposition in Meeting Nigeria’s Challenges.

This would be followed by a questions and answers session, billed to hold at the Woodrow Wilson Centre,

One Woodrow Wilson Plaza (back of the Reagan Building), 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 3pm and 4.30 pm.

Asiwaju Tinubu will visit his alma mata, the Chicago State University, on August 23, between 3:30pm and 4.00pm, where he is expected to meet Wayne Watson, PhD, President of Chicago State University, with the Dean of School of Business School, Mr. Collins, in attendance.

The former Lagos State governor will meet with Chairman, CEO and members of the board of Trustees of Dusable Museum at the Museum campus, Hyde Park, Chicago, on August 24, between 3pm and 3.30pm.

A short tour of the museum artefacts will hold between 3.35pm and 3.45pm same day.

The day would be rounded off with a Town Hall meeting on: The Need for

True Federalism in Nigeria at the Dusable Museum of African American History, 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, Illinois, at 4pm.

Activities to round off the visit start with a live television show, at the headquarters of Rainbow Push Coalition from 10am on August 25.

This will be followed by Asiwaju Tinubu’s book launch and signing at 11.30am.

HE Osun State House of Assembly yesterday prayed for peaceful coexistence, harmonious relationship and social development in Nigeria.

The parliament noted that these are necessary to stop the atmosphere of hatred and religious crisis in parts of the country.

In a statement by the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Goke Butika, the Assembly felicitated with Governor Rauf Aregbesola, traditional rulers, community leaders and Muslims.

Speaker Najeem Salaam praised Muslims and nonMuslims for the peaceful way they conducted themselves during the 30 days of fasting that preceded the celebration.

He urged the residents to ensure the oneness, harmony and conviviality among Nigerians.

The Speaker, who is on Umurah for lesser Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, said the kernel of his prayer for the state is peaceful coexistence and a crime-free society.

According to him, each time people celebrate, Allah also celebrates with them.

Salaam advised Muslims to pray for leaders of the state and local governments, adding that leaders have many things to contend with.

The Speaker said prayer is the only guiding light that could help leaders to steer the ship of the state to a safe harbour.

Muslim youths urge peace From Ugochukwu UgojiEke, Umuahia

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HE National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has urged Nigerian youths to shun violence and embrace peace.

NACOMYO, the umbrella body of Muslim youth organisations in the country, advised the nation’s leaders to eschew corruption and exhibit patriotism in their conducts.

It called for the implementation of youth-friendly policies that would generate employment for the teeming youths.

In a sallah message in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, NACOMYO noted that the precarious security, increasing unemployment, collapsing economy, widespread corruption and egocentrism have caused hardship on Nigerians, irrespective of their tribes and religions.

In the message by its National President, Alhaji Kamaludeen Akintunde, and National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Suleiman Ukand, the group said insecurity, caused by bombings, shows why Nigerians should embrace peace and embrace unity in diversity.

The statement reads: “The wanton killing and destruction of property in the name of religion is antithetical to Islamic teaching. Islam professes the sanctity of human life, hence Nigerian Muslim youths join all lovers of peace to condemn such inhuman behaviour.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

8

NEWS EID-EL-FITRI CELEBRATION Sallah: Kwankwaso urges harmony From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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S Muslims nationwide marked the Eidel-Fitr yesterday, Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has enjoined the people of Kano State to continue to embrace the teachings of Prophet Mohammed and live in peace and harmony.

In his Sallah message, Kwankwaso urged the indigenes and residents of the state to continue to cooperate with his administration in its mission to build a new Kano, which he said would be a pride to the citizenry.

He appealed to Muslims to be their brothers’ keepers as contained in the Holy Qur’an and prophetic traditions by demonstrating sound communal spirit, helping the needy and taking care of the sick, widows and orphans.

“As Muslims, we must be found worthy in character at all times, as our religion abhors negative tendencies in all forms.”

He told the people to pay attention to personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, warning that the habit of dumping refuse in gutters and drainages will lead to outbreak of diseases and flood.

Governor Kwankwaso urged the people to sustain their security consciousness and cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure the maintenance of law and order.

He restated the determination to serve them more than before and appealed for continued public support to make the set goals achievable.

Taraba, Benue seek peace From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

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ARABA State Governor Danbaba Suntai and his Benue counterpart, Gabriel Suswam, have sued for peaceful co-existence at the borders between the two states.

They spoke at the weekend at Dan-Anacha, Taraba State, during a grand reception in honour of Governor Suswam.

Governor Suntai, who is the Chamba, and the Senator representing Taraba South, Emmanuel Bwacha, an Ichen, were decorated alongside Suswam in Tiv’s most revered cultural regalia –the black and white attire, and spears.

Suswam and Suntai shook hands to demonstrate love, unity and peaceful co-existence.

•Members of the Nadwat Ul Aali Islamic Society of Nigeria (NADWAT) during the Eid-el-Fitri prayer at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

Worshippers boo as Ahmed’s name is mentioned

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USLIM faithful yesterday at the praying ground in Ilorin, Kwara State, jeered at the mention of Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed’s name.

The worshippers assembled at the ground for prayers to mark the end of the Ramadan fast.

An announcer said the governor provided water for their use, but the crowd went wild, saying “we don’t need his water for ablution.”

S

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

But the announcer added: “I have only said the governor provided us with pipeborne water at the praying ground.”

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Prof.

Mohammed Yisa Gana, represented Governor Ahmed at the prayer. The Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Dabarako, was also in attendance.

ing ground to prevent local government workers from protesting the delayed June and July salaries.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, urged the government at all levels to give job creation a priority.

The monarch, who addressed his subjects in Ilorin, said: “Our children, after graduation, cannot secure employment. This is bad.”

The emir, who is the chairman of the state’s council of traditional rulers, appealed to the government to accord job creation priority. He noted: “Times are hard.”

The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Salihu Mohammed Bashir, urged Muslims to allow the lessons of the holy month reflect in their lives.

He advised them to be conscious of Allah at all times, saying, “this will make you observe righteous deeds at all times.”

Wamakko urges Nigerians to pray for peace

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko has urged Nigerians to pray for peace to overcome the insecurity and other problems facing the country.

He said the nation required fervent prayers to experience divine intervention.

“With sustained prayers, these problems will be solved.

Nigerians will smile and breathe a sigh of relief,” Wamakko said.

In a Sallah broadcast yesterday in Sokoto to mark the cel-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

ebration, the governor, who solicited the support of Nigerians, said the suicide bombings and other attacks were unfortunate, adding: “There is need for Nigerians to intensify prayers.

“These prayers should be sustained by all and sundry, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations so that peace will be restored.”

He enjoined Muslim Ummah to put into practice the lessons learnt during the Ra-

madan to promote peace, progress and economic transformation of the nation.

According to him, “the noble virtues of piety, love for one another, high level of devotion and sympathy for the less privileged should be sustained all year round.

“These virtues, if sustained, will boost peace, security and inter-ethnic and inter-religious understanding.”

Governor Wamakko hailed the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, for his con-

tributions to national development, peace and security.

“The Sultan never fails in initiating moves to entrench peace and religious harmony in the nation.

“These efforts by our revered religious and traditional leader are commendable and worthy to be praised,” he added. The governor also hailed Islamic clerics for their preaching during the Ramadan and traders for not inflating the prices of their wares.

“I wish to commend our

wives for keeping the home front intact during the Ramadan.

“The indigenes and residents of the state deserve a pat on the back. Government will continue to appreciate the high level of cooperation and support it has been receiving from the society.

“We will run an open government with listening ears whose penchant for uplifting the living standard of the people will be unequalled,” he said.

CAN leadership renews pledge to partner Muslims to fight terrorism

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HE leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kano State chapter, has called on Christians and Muslims to form a formidable force to fight terrorism threatening the peaceful co-existence in the country.

It also called on Islamic leaders to collaborate with it to ensure peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Delivering his Sallah message to mark the Eid-el-Fitr in Kano yesterday, the Chairman of the state chapter of CAN, Bishop Ransome Bello, said only a consolidated unity between the faithful of the two religions could move the nation to greater heights.

He said to achieve this, the leadership of both religions should have a platform for

Ogunsheye’s biography Sept 5 PROF. Ayo Ogunsheye’s biography, entitled: “Ayo Ogunsheye: The workers’ economist,” will be launched on Septemer 5 at 11 am at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.

The event will be chaired by Justice Bola Babalakin. The chief launcher is Alhaji Adebayo Jimoh, the Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company. The reviewer is Prof.

Ibi Ajayi, a retired University of Ibadan Professor of Economics.

Chief host is Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan.

Security operatives were at the praying ground to forestall violence.

Few vehicles were allowed into the praying ground. Beggars and hawkers were barred from its vicinity.

The tight security might not be unconnected with the Boko Haram scare in the Ilorin metropolis a few days to the end of the Ramadan fast.

Unconfirmed sources claimed that security was tightened in and around the pray-

dialogue and discuss the issues agitating the minds of their followers.

He congratulated the Muslim community in the state on the celebration of the Eid-elFitri, saying the period was devoid of violence, which was a credit to Islamic leaders, the government and security operatives.

“I want to on behalf of Christians in the state hail our Muslim brothers and sisters

for the completion of the Ramadan. We also praise them for the Sallah celebration that ended on a peaceful note,” Bishop Bello added.

He appealed to religious leaders to be mindful of the sermon they preached to their followers, noting that as role models, their actions would impact on their followers.

“We should avoid making inciting comments.”

The Christian cleric sent a message of peace to members of the Boko Harm sect. He told them to embrace dialogue. He urged the government to respond if they showed willingness for dialogue.

Bishop Bello, the General Overseer of the Calvary Life Assembly Church, advised the Federal Government to create more jobs for youths to discourage them from involving in crimes.

Expectant mother, man injured in crash •They were reckless, says FRSC official From: Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

•Scene of the accident...yesterday

T

WO people, an expectant mother and a man, were injured

yesterday in Lugbe, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),

when the vehicles they were driving, a Seiner space bus and a Mercedes Benz car, rammed into each other.

According to an eyewitness, who pleaded for anonymity, the accident occurred about 3pm. The drivers were said to be speeding.

They were reportedly taken to a private hospital.

The eyewitness told The

Nation: “This type of accident has never happened in Lugbe.

The accident could have been avoided, if the man and the expectant mother had slowed down. I just thank God that I was not involved because I was nearby.

“I pray that the woman survives the crash because the accident was serious. The victims were dragged out of the vehicles. It was pathetic.”

Security operatives were on

the scene when this reporter got there.

An official of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who was also on the scene, said: “Please, I don’t want you to mention my name. All I know is that the accident was due to speeding.

It would have been avoided.

The drivers were reckless.

The victims, an expectant mother and man, have been taken to the hospital.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

9

NEWS EID-EL-FITRI CELEBRATION

• Vice President Namadi Sambo (second right); Head of Service, Alhaji Isa Sani(left); Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Minister Bala Mohammed and Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar at the Abuja Praying Ground...yesterday.

•The Onitire of Itire, Oba Lateef Dauda (left) and Chief Imam of Itireland, Alhaji Onipele Saheed, at the Itire playing ground...yesterday.

• Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed (right) and his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki, during the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia

•Former President Olusegun Obasanjo (right) and Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, when the former President visited the governor at his Akin Olugbade family home in Abeokuta...yesterday

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (second right ); Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (right); Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun (second left) and Baba Adinni of Yoruba land, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, at the Osogbo praying ground, Oke-Bale, Osogbo...yesterday,

•Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda (second left); Bauchi State Chief Justice, Justice Ibrahim Zang (left); Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Adamu; Wazirin Bauchi, Alhaji Bello Kirfi and Galadima Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Jahun, at the Central Mosque, Bauchi...yesterday

•Former Oyo State Governor Lam Adesina (right) and the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, at the Felele prayng ground in Ibadan...yesterday

•Former Oyo State Govenor Rashidi Ladoja (right), O’dua Investment Company Chairman Sarafadeen Ali; former Oyo State Deputy Governor Gbolarunmi Hazeem at the Eid Ground, Ibadan.

PHOTOS: ISAAC AYODELE &NAN

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

10

NEWS

Killing in the name of Islam is unjustifiable, says Aregbesola

‘ACN candidate has submitted nomination form to INEC’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

THE Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO) yesterday debunked a report by the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), did not meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of his nomination form for the October 20 election.

It described the allegation as wicked and false.

In a statement in Akure, the state capital, by its Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, ACO said: “This is part of the wicked plot by the ruling party to confuse the people because they know that they will be rejected in the October 20 election.

“Instead of them to showcase their achievements after almost four years in office, all they do is spread malicious rumours about the ACN standard bearer, Akeredolu (SAN).

“Akeredolu is a senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who does not only have a very deep knowledge of the law of the land but is also a specialist in electoral law.

“He duly submitted his nomination form to INEC and there was never a time he snubbed INEC over its submission.

“This is a panic measure by Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his amorphous LP, which is a government of abandoned projects and market builders.

“There is no amount of falsehood that would deter the ACN from pursuing the forthcoming election to a logical conclusion.

“We are sure, from all indications, that the people of Ondo State have decided to reject Mimiko and his party in the October election as they will vote for the progressives.”

The party urged the INEC to speak up on the matter.

It advised Ondo State residents to reject the LP falsehood.

Relief for Oyo community residents RELIEF is on the way for residents of Apete in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State. Work on the construction of the 2.5kilometre Ajibode/Apete road is nearly completed.

The road will serve the residents who have been traumatised by the effect of last August 26 flood disaster.

It was learnt that the contractor hired by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration has attained 70 per cent completion of the project.

Since last year’s flooding, the residents have been travelling several kilometres through the Ologuneru/ Camp Road, their link to other parts of Ibadan, the state capital.

The Project Manager of Ravegos Construction Limited, Mr. Wole Adebola, assured that the road would be delivered to the government early next month.

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday said the killing of Christians and bombing of churches by the Boko Haram sect are against the tenets of Islam.

The governor spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, during the Eid-el-Fitri prayer that ended the Ramadan fasting.

Aregbesola said Islam is a religion of peace.

Citing verses of the Holy Qur’an and history, he said Prophet Muhammed entered Jerusalem and refused to invade a church.

The governor said this was an exemple of how Muslims

should relate with Christians.

He noted that Muslims are not allowed to kill other people, except during a war.

According to him, in such situations, Muslims are forbidden from killing prisoners of war because the blood of such people would be on the heads of those who kill them.

Aregbesola said Prophet Muhammed cautioned that no tree should be cut down except when roads are to be built, let alone killing human beings.

The governor urged Muslims to demand an explanation from those who have

been hiding under Islam to violate the sanctity of human lives.

He said this would stop the needles killings of innocent people.

The Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Mustapha Ajisafe, advised Muslims to live in harmony with one another.

The cleric urged Muslims to desist from vengeance but live in peace with their fellow beings.

Ajisafe, who is also the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest, Edo and Delta states, cautioned that any evil

act would be redressed by Allah on the Day of Judgment.

He called for love, peace and harmonious relationship between Muslims and other people.

The Chief Imam said true Muslim lives according to the injunctions of Allah and fears his Creator in everyday life.

He hailed Aregbesola for the progress his administration has made in building roads all over the state.

Ajisafe advised the governor to continue to attend to the needs of the residents so that life would become more comfortable for the people.

•Some Osun State indigenes boarding a free train to Lagos at the Old Garage, Osogbo...yesterrday. The train service was organised by the Osun State Government for the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

Akeredolu urges IGP to remove Ondo members in the state. police chief party Many ACN members have From Damisi Ojo, Akure

•Akeredolu

T

HE Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has urged the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to transfer the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in Ondo State, Mr. Henry Fadiro.

A statement by the Direc-

T

tor of Media, Publicity and Strategy of the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), Mr Idowu Ajanaku, said this has become imperative to avoid chaos in the October 20 governorship election.

Akeredolu alleged that Fadiro has become a tool in the hands of the ruling Labour Party (LP) in the state for harassing, intimidating and molesting members of opposition parties.

He said the police chief has become “notorious” since 2009, when he was transferred to Ondo State after Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s victory at the Court of Appeal in Benin, Edo State.

The former Nigerian Bar

Association (NBA) President said Fadairo had been transferred to Taraba and Lagos states but was returned to the state through Mimiko’s alleged influence.

According to him, the police chief has not only become the governor’s “man Friday” but has also been acting like the deputy chairman of the LP. The statement reads: “The question the ACN is asking, therefore, is that is it only in Ondo State Fadiro can work?

Why was he transferred outside the state twice and brought back to Ondo State?

We want the IGP to investigate this and move Fadiro out of Ondo State to avoid chaos.

“Fadiro is the brain behind the framing up of opposition

been charged to court on frivolous allegations of armed robbery on the instructions of Fadiro. Many of them were refused bail on the order of the police officer. These types of arrest are spread across the state.

“Fadiro has now taken his antics to a new level by calling on leaders of opposition parties in Ondo State that he is ready to work with them, to ensure free and fair election.

“For us in ACN, we view the present action as part of a grand plot to prevent him from being transferred from the state, ahead of the election. “But we cannot be deceived by the antics of this ‘notorious’ policeman, who has become partisan in his duty.”

Ogun: no corruption complaints yet against from the public. He chalministry officials HE Ogun State Governlenged those who claimed to ment has said it is not

aware of any illegal revenue collection from sawmill operators and timber contractors on the use of the state’s forest reserves by officials of the Ministry of Forestry.

The sawmill operators and timber contractors in IjebuOde had alleged that some ministry officials were milking them and the government dry by collecting “illegal levies” and issuing “fake receipts” to cover up their alleged fraud.

The saw mill operators and timber contractors, through their counsel, Mr Yomi Nuberu, wrote to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, alleging that some officials of the Forestry Ministry had been ille-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

gally collecting money from them.

The operators also alleged that there had not been any response to several petitions which they wrote to the government.

They urged the governor to intervene.

“We make bold to say that our client in this patriotic spirit to assist the government to improve the internal revenue drive and stop illegal felling of timber as well as deforestation at government forest reserves has recorded, in a video tape, all ar-

eas where illegal felling of timber and destruction of plantations were done,” the petition said.

The timber merchants urged Amosun to probe the alleged acts of malfeasance, graft and illegal levy collection by the officials.

They noted that this would enable the government to identify the culprits stop the diversion of government revenue.

But Forestry Commissioner Falilu Adebisi Sabitu said the timber merchants had not lodged formal complaints with either the police or the government.

He said the ministry has not received any complaint

have paid illegal revenue to officials of the ministry to bring their evidence.

Sabitu told The Nation that if the saw mill operators and timber contractors in IjebuOde, under the aegis of the Ijebu Sawmillers and Timber Contractors Association of Arowosegbe Agba Sawmills, had any complaint or petition on the “illegal” fee collection by officials of the ministry, such had not been brought to his notice.

According to him, any illegal collection of fees or issuance of fake revenue receipts by any ministry official would be investigated when formally reported.

Ondo indigenes in UK back candidate From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A

GROUP, Ilaje Descendants Union in the Diaspora (IDUD), at the weekend backed Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The group comprises Ilaje indigenes resident in the United Kingdom (UK).

It canvassed support for a South Senatorial District chieftain of the party in last year’s National Assembly election, Dr Paul Akintelure, as his running mate.

The group explained that Akeredolu is the only credible candidate that could actualise the dream of Ilaje and other residents of the state.

It urged Ilaje at home and in the Diaspora to support Akeredolu to govern the Sunshine State.

In a statement by its chairman, Bolaji Odidi, and Secretary, Banjo Aladetan, the group said: “We dissociate ourselves from anyone or group that has served at the top echelon of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) or the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) or on the board of the two agencies that left Ilaje in penury.

“We wish to express our gratitude to the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati and his successor, Dr Olusegun Agagu, for their support to Ilaje for the construction and completion of llaje Road phase one.

“However, we wish to express our disappointment in the Olusegun Mimiko administration for abandoning the second phase of the road construction, which has left the community in a trauma.”

‘ACN’ll win in October’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

O

NDO State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) women’s leader Erelu Modupe Johnson, at the weekend predicted the party’s victory in the October 20 election.

Mrs Johnson cautioned members against anti-party activities that could jeopardise the chances of the party to form the next government.

The women’s leader spoke in Akure when she hosted some women’s groups under ACN. She urged the women to pray for the party so that its agenda to rebuild the state could become a reality.

Mrs Johnson advised the women against derailing from the party’s objectives, saying they should be committed to its cause.

She said: “I beg of you not to indulge in activities that can hinder the progress of ACN in the October election. Don’t be discouraged by the Labour Party (LP) gimmicks and acts of violence.”

The women’s leader urged the electorate not to mortgage their future and that of the state for material things.

Mrs Johnson said ACN has been destined to take over the governance of the state in February, 2013.

She advised the women to go back to their wards and spread the party’s programmes.

According to her, ACN is a party that promotes gender equality and appreciates the roles of women in politics.

These, she noted, are not done in the ruling LP.

11

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

CITYBEATS Three-year jail term for man, 32

By Precious Igbonwelundu

AN Ojo Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 32 year-old Sunday Oluwaseun to three years imprisonment for stealing three Mazda buses and a saloon car.

The accused, an ex-convict, was sentenced after pleading guilty to a six-count charge of conspiracy and stealing at various times.

He allegedly conspired with another ex-convict, Chinedu Oforbuike, 27, to rob.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police, Friday Eze, told the court that Oluwaseun and the second accused committed the offence between April and May. “On April 12 at about 2pm at 5 Hassan Street, Afromedia, Oluwaseun Sunday stole a Mazda bus marked XB889WEN, valued at N1.5 million, property of one Mr Olumafon.”

Also in May, the prosecutor added, the accused conspired with Oforbuike to steal a Toyota Carina car, valued at N800, 000 and two other Mazda buses, valued at N1.5 million and N1 million respectively, properties of James Taiwo and Idowu Adewusi.

Eze said the total value of the cars stolen was N4.8million.

According to the prosecutor, Oluwaseun was a criminal recently released from prison.

He said the offences contravened Sections 409 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

Magistrate T.O. Shomade sentenced the convict to three years without an option of fine.

The second accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to N5 million bail with two sureties in the like sum by the magistrate. His case was adjourned to September 10.

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

How Clifford Orji died, by prison authorities A CTING Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Prison Command Mr.Biyi Jeje, yester day explained how Clifford Orji, the alleged cannibal who was arrested 13 years ago died in Kirikiri Prison on Friday.

Jeje, who confirmed Orji’s death to The Nation said the suspect died in his sleep.

He said: “As at Thursday, Orji was fine but on Friday morning, he died in his sleep. The cause of death is still unknown but an autopsy would be performed,” he said.

Orji it was arrested shortly after he was caught with what were allegedly human parts and later remanded in prison custody on court orders.

The Kirikiri Prison authorities however claimed his mental case got worse. It was gathered that

By Jude Isiguzo

medical analysis carried out on him showed that he was mentally deranged and prison authorities tried to take him to mental hospitals for treatment but he was rejected.

Jeje confirmed that Orji had been rejected by many mental health facilities in the country and noted that the prisons authorities did all it could to manage his illness.

He said: “We took Orji to many health facilities but he was rejected time and time again. I don’t know why they rejected him but we did all we could to manage his illness.”

“The alleged cannibal and long time inmate at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison died of unknown

causes.

“An autopsy is being performed to ascertain the real cause of Orij’s death and the result would also be made public.”

Orji was arrested in February 1999, by the police, under the bridge around Toyota Bus Stop on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

It was alleged by the police then, that he was discovered to be killing and eating humans under the bridge.

He was subsequently charged before the Ebute-Meta Magistrate’s Court, on February 19, but was never tried.

A prison official who pleaded for anonymity told our reporter that Orji who was usually restless, kept

•The late Orji

to himself all through Thursday.

The prison authorities also reported some few months back that Orji had completely gone mad.

NPC chair sued for allegedly instigating ex-staff’s arrest

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HE National Population Commission (NPC) Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Chief Festus Odimegwu, has been sued before the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, for allegedly instigating the arrest and continued detention of his exstaff, Okon Iyanam, by the Police.

Iyanam was until August 1, the Group Managing Director of Quintessentially Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Odimegwu.

He was also once the Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Airtel, and later Executive Director, Globacom.

In the fundamental rights enforcement suit marked: M/741/

By Eric IKhilae

2012, Iyanam is seeking among others, an order declaring his arrest on August 6 illegal, a public apology from Odimegwu and an award of N50 million as compensation to be paid to him

by Odimegwu.

He is also seeking an order restraining the police from further harassing and arresting him and a declaration that the relationship between the him and Odimegwu was civil in nature, which denies the Police the powers to arrest and harass him.

Iyanam stated, in a supporting affidavit deposed to by Daze Nga, that his problem with Odimegwu

reached its height when he tendered his resignation letter on personal ground. He said his time of resignation coincided with when Quintessentially, United Kingdom Ltd terminated its franchise with the local company on allegation of highhandedness and sharp practices.

He explained that a few days after his resignation, Odimegwu allegedly accused him of influencing Quintessentially UK to contemplate terminating its franchise to the Nigerian company. He alleged that it was at that point Odimegwu allegedly “swore on his name to deal ruthlessly with him and ensure

that he would be made a caricature.”

Iyanam accused Odimegwu of threatening his life in public and in several e-mails to employees of the company, in which he allegedly threatened to deal with him. He tendered a copy of the said e-mail dated August 5 and purportedly authored by Odimegwu, in which he allegedly made the said threats as an exhibit.

Odimegwu, according to Iyanam, in furtherance of his alleged threats, wrote to Quintessential, UK, branding him as a criminal because of his decision to quit his (Odimegwu’s) company.

Ikuforiji calls for peaceful co-existence

By Oziegbe Okoeki

SPEAKER, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji has stressed the need for peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.

He said this at the Shonibare, Maryland, Ikeja Praying Ground moments after the Ramadan prayers to mark the end of the 30-day fast.

Ikuforiji said: “First, let me congratulate all Muslims for the joy of another Eid-El-Fitri celebration. Thanks be to the Almighty Allah for giving us the grace to be alive today, and for enabling us all to successfully complete the end of this year’s Ramadan He charged Muslim faithful and indeed all Lagosians to continue to be law-abiding. We all should also keep rendering our services to God and humanity.

“It is equally very important that we all should continue to abide by the laws made by our leaders since it has pleased the almighty God to put them there in order to move our society forward,” Ikuforiji said.”

‘Sustain your achievements’ LAGOS State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, has been commended for his achievements since he came into the saddle.

The Lagos State chapter of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria in a statement signed by Apostles Segun Amodu and Nathaniel Lawal, Chairman and Secretary of the group, respectively, urged Fashola to ensure the continuation of his lofty programmes for the state beyond 2015.

•The collapsed Air Force Command fence. Inset is the Officer-in-Charge of Works Airforce officer-in-Charge of Works, Airforce, Ft-Lt B.A. Umar with community leaders inspecting the silted drainage

Fresh fears of flood grip Lagos community

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HOGUNLE, a suburbb of Lagos, now lives in fear as residents are now worried over flood surge taking over the area and possibly washing it away in the coming months. This stems from the recent prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) of expectations of heavier rains and flooding in the coming months.

Shogunle and environs in the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of is flood proned and has been in the centre of flooding in the state in the past years. Located between Oshodi and Ikeja, floods wreaks havoc in the community yearly, damaging and destroying properties and washing away homes and valuables. In the rains of June and early July this year,the community as well lost homes and properties while some of its members barely escaped being drowned.

By Yinka Aderibigbe

One such family that nearly got killed by the floods in the community was the Oyetunji family of Fabukade Street. They had gone to bed on Wednesday, June 27, oblivious of the fate awaiting them.

Though the rain had set in from the early hours of the days no one had thought it could take such a devastating toll on the community much later that day.

The canal behind, separating the community and the Ikeja Logistic Air Force Command Base, gullies and drainages, running across roads and around streets were already filled up and overflowing their bounds.

Community leaders as well as government to act fast in the event of any downpour.

Floods from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN’s)

channelisation go through the nearby construction firm, Strabag, facing the new airport terminal straight into the drainages of the Air Force and emptied into the shallow and poorly constructed public canal behind the community to cause massive flooding of the area, the elders claimed. This position, according to them, was reaffirmed by the collapse of the entire stretch of the Air Force fence during the June/ July down pour. The fence is already re-erected but community leaders insist it was pulled down by the flood from the Base, which had found the narrow drainage through which it was emptied into the public canal, too small to go through.

But the Base Commander, Air Commodore Tony Omenyi, disagreed.

According to him, it was wrong for the community to point

accusing fingers at the Base for their ordeals as it has no silted drainages. He said the drainages were constantly cleaned and cleared of debris. He counselled members of the community to comply with government’s policy not to build on drainages, the need to always make for enough set back from the canal, to desist from dumping refuse into drainages/ canals, and carry out soil test before erecting buildings.

At a recent meeting of the community, their leaders, including the traditional ruler, Chief Rafiu Ajisegiri, the Chairman of Shogunle Central Community Development Association (CDA), Alhaji S.A. Yekini, the Vice Chairman, Rev. I.O. Odekunle and a host of others, called for the expansion of the drainages and the canal to be able to accommodate the large volume of water.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

12

CITYBEATS

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

Court begins trial of commissioner, LASTMA for contempt A FEDERAL High Court in Lagos has commenced contempt proceedings against the state’s Transportation Commissioner, Kayode Opeifa, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and one of its official Mrs. S. Awotola.

They are being tried for allegedly flouting court orders.

Already, Form 49 (notice to show cause, why order of attachment should not be brought under the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act, Cap Section 6 Laws of the Federation) has been issued against the accused.

The development followed an earlier issuance and service of Form 48 (notice of consequence of disobedience to order of court) on the accused and their alleged continued refusal to obey the orders of the court contained in a

By Eric Ikhilae

July 30, judgment by Justice Mohammed Idris.

The plaintiff, Ganiyu Adebanjo, a lawyer, in a supporting affidavit attached to Form 49, said that despite the service of enrolled orders of the judgment, the accused have refused to release his car, seized by LASTMA officials at Zone 15, Iponri, where it was parked on June 13.

He said: “The Zonal Commandant, Zonal Head and Head of Operation at Zone 15 of LASTMA insisted that the car cannot be released, unless they receive a directive from LASTMA’s Legal Department in that regard. @Despite assurances from the Legal Department that a directive

for the release of the car as ordered by the court shall be communicated to the Zone, no such directive came. Up till now, the respondents are still holding on to the car in spite of the valid and subsisting order of this court, duly served on them.”

Adebanjo had sued the respondents following the seizure of his car – a Toyota Corolla, marked TA 73 KJA, by LASTMA officials on June 13 this year on allegation that it violated traffic offence.

In his fundamental rights enforcement application, the plaintiff said his car was parked on the left side of Borno Way, by Coates Street, Ebute Metta, a spot allegedly reserved long ago by the government for parking purpose.

He stated that although he had thought his car was stolen, he was surprised that on tracing it to the Iponri office of LASTMA, the officials were allegedly unsympathetic, but ordered him to pay N17, 000 as fine before his car could be released.

The court in its July 30 judgment described LASTMA’s action as an abuse of powers. It held that by seizing the plaintiff’s car from where it was parked beside the road amounted to denying him the right to own property, a right guaranteed under the constitution.

The court awarded N3 million damages against the Transport Commissioner, LASTMA and its official and ordered that the impounded vehicle be released.

Fashola calls for restoration of good virtues

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S Nigerians celebrate Ed-elFitri, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has called for a restoration of the virtues of good neighbourliness and re-orientation to respect law and order among the citizenry.

The governor, who spoke during a Tasfir and prayer session for the nation, organised by the Lagos State Pilgrims Welfare Board in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, said the citizenry at all levels need a lot of re-orientation on how to be their brothers’ keepers and be more sensitive to the wellbeing of one another, stating that those virtues are currently missing.

Fashola reiterated that good virtue is not about praying or worshipping God alone as many Nigerians who worship God, lack

•Fashola

Igbo celebrate new yam in Lagos AVE you “eaten” the new yam? Some Igbos in Lagos have ushered in a new season with the New Yam festival, a symbolic occasion which has remained a major aspect of Igbo culture.

The event, hosted by Eze Ndi Igbo of Badagry Local Local Government Area, Eze Michael Uchegbu, had the theme: Oji ruo ulo, akowa ebe osiri bia.

Ego anyi kpatara ga eru ulo (When kolanut reaches home, we tell where it comes from. The money we earn shall reach home).

The event began with the breaking of kolanut, which was followed by prayers for the well-being of those who ate it. Representatives of the ethnic groups were invited to partake. Prayers were said for the country’s unity and progress.

Uchegbu, in line with the festival’s theme, prayed that the ‘journey’ made by Igbos to Lagos should be fruitful and not fraught with difficulties or regret. He prayed for an end to insecurity and terrorism.

He implored God to allow for all their legitimate possessions and wealth to also be enjoyed by the people back home. “It shall be well with us on every market day,” he prayed. Guests chorused Ise!

H

A

By Segun Balogun

the fear of God in them. He added that it would be difficult to explain why a Muslim who just left a Mosque after prayers would proceed to drive his vehicle against traffic.

The governor asked Nigerians who visit Saudi Arabia at one time or the other to always ask themselves why the city of Mecca appears orderly each time a new set of pilgrims come around for pilgrimage.

He urged all Nigerian pilgrims to Mecca to emulate the good deeds about Saudi Arabia and replicate same when they return to Nigeria, adding that on yearly basis, many Nigerian Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage and always obey the laws willingly, but resist the same laws when they return back

home.

Fashola thanked the state House of Assembly for enacting the new Traffic Law, adding that if the new law is fully implemented and takes full effect in Lagos, the state would surpass the desired progress.

In his sermon, Sheikh Musa Yahya Agboola, the Director of the DarulFalahi Arabic School, urged Muslims to imbibe good deeds as one would be judged accordingly.

Prominent among those who were at the prayers were: The Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kolawole Taiwo, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba and counterpart his Special Duties and Education and Education, Dr Wale Ahmed and Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye.

•Eze Iwelu, Eze Okafor, Eze Uchegbu and Eze Nworgu cutting the new yam

The publications: Igbo Language Books 1-5 and a research paper entitled: Igbo Origin Revisited, written

by Eze Uchegbu, a lawyer and chartered accountant, were presented.

The author said the books would aid children born in the city to learn Igbo easily, as many are unable to speak the language. He urged parents in the cities to speak Igbo to their children.

Uchegbu said wherever Igbos reside, they should endeavour to gather yearly to celebrate the New Yam Festival, as yam is their main agricultural crop and a staple food.

He added that the festival depicts the prominence of the root crop in the socio-cultural life Igbos, with the occasion marked on different market days in different communities, with varying festivities.

Sekoni: Court to rule on exhumation of body

LAGOS Coroner’s Court, Yaba, has set September 28 as date to rule on an application brought before it by the State Government to stop the exhumation of the body of Mr. Sekoni Saka.

The deceased was allegedly killed by the police in a shoot-out during the 2009 demolition exercise at Makoko.

Meanwhile, the chairman, Lagos State Taskforce on demolition, Mr. Adebayo Suleiman, a Superintendent of Police (SUPOL) has been invited by the court as witness.

He is expected to testify during the next adjourned date.

Magistrate S.K Matepo said that she will on the next adjourned date give her ruling on whether to dismiss the order for the exhumation of Sekoni’s corpse which was filed by counsel to Lagos State, Mr Olufemi Alabi.

In the application, Olufemi had prayed the court to set aside the exhumation of the corpse which the defence counsel, Mr. Kalu Obuba, earlier sought and

By Ebele Boniface

THE commercial motorcycle riders associations in Lagos have been advised by some concerned citizens to stop their members from plying one way and reckless over taking of long vehicles, use of their motorcycles to rob bank customers who went to bank to withdraw or deposit their hard earned money and carrying of pregnant women and two or more passengers.

This advice was given to them during their interactive section with the security agents like Police, State Security Service (SSS), State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and the Press in the meeting of the whole house of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) and unveiling of FALCON Motorcycle held at Oba of Egbeda Palace Hall, Egbeda, Lagos on Friday.

The press asked their executive members to react on the allegation that most of their members do not obey traffic rules, ply one way and indulge in dangerous overtaking of long vehicles like trailers and trucks on all the roads in Lagos thereby sending most passengers and few of their members to local and government orthopaedic homes and hospital which are springing up every month due to avoidable fatal accidents caused by their stubbornly reckless members in Lagos and other states in Nigeria, due to the ineffective monitoring and control of their- members by the associations taskforce members who only enrich their private pockets with any how fines and contribution without taking care of their members welfare or fishing out criminals who infiltrated them.

Lagos gets five more mobile care units

By Seyi Odewale

By Joseph Jibueze

Other royal fathers present took turns to say their prayers for God’s blessings. They include Eze Igbo I of Alagbado, Igwe Leonard Okafor; Eze Ndi Igbo Surulere, Chief Jossey Iwelu; and Eze Ndi Igbo of Isolo, Dr Ajagu Nworgu.

After a traditional dance performance came the highpoint: cutting open the new yam (iwa ji).

The royal fathers joined hands to perform the act, followed by representatives of Igbo community associations and guests.

The new yam, prepared in various forms, was served. It was roasted and eaten, dipped in red oil. It was cooked in peppered soup, with chicken, fish or stockfish. It was pounded and served with a variety of soup. It was fried.

To add some intellectual touch to the occasion, a historian, Chief Geoffrey Amaocha gave a lecture on the need for traditional rulers to do more to halt the dwindling practice of yam cultivation by Igbos.

According to him, while Igbos were not the original yam farmers, they gave it value just as they did the kolanut. Such value must be sustained, he said.

‘Stop reckless driving’

By Precious Igbonwelundu

obtained on May 15.

Alabi urged the court for an order to stop the exhumation.

Obuba had told the court that the cause of Sekoni’s death which was in doubt, ought to be clearified, adding that it was necessary that his corpse be exhumed in order for a post mortem to be conducted.

In his prayer for the exhumation, Obuba had stated that the management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH) mortuary, where the remains of Sekoni was deposited had said that the deceased had been given mass burial alongside other unclaimed corpses.

He had told the court that it was based on LUTH’s claims that the deceased’s family applied for the exhumation of his corpse.

The Coroner adjourned the matter to September 28.

APPARENTLY to widen the scope of its emergency services, strengthen and revamp its response operations during disasters and accidents, the Lagos State government has added five more Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) ambulances to its fleet of 30.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who inaugurated and deployed the ambulances over the weekend, stated that the main goal of the government is to reduce mortality and morbidity resulting from road accidents and other disasters.

“It is essential for us as a government to provide a structure and means of mechanism to reduce this mortality and morbidity. This is why the ambulance service, which is a very essential aspect of the health system, has been given priority by the government of Lagos State both the previous and the present one. We have a fleet of about 30 mobile intensive care unit ambulances now and our plan is to increase the fleet and to train our staff,” he said.

Idris explained that the reason for the emphasis on emergency care is not far-fetched judging from the high mortality and morbidity rate being recorded on roads, homes and disasters like fire accidents and building collapse. He stressed that government would continue to provide services that would reduce mortality and morbidity rate and carry out programmes to reduce the incidence of accidents.

The commissioner, who stated that Lagos has the best ambulance service in the country, however, noted that the state has a long way to go in providing a sophisticated ambulance service that can be compared to what obtains in big cities of the world.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the General public of the Loss of the original Certificate of Occupancy dated 19th December, 1988 and registered as number 51/51/1988s of the Lagos State of Nigeria Land Registry office, Ikeja in the name of ROSENJE NIGERIA INDUSTRY LIMITED. If found please contact Mr. Rosenje Street, Gbagada, Lagos.

Signed: Messrs KB & Co. of Suite 135 Block A2-11, Sura Complex, Simpson Street, Lagos Island, Lagos.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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NEWS

Fed Govt pledges housing scheme for victims of Abuja demolition M INISTER of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed has said the Federal Government plans a housing scheme for victims of Abuja demolition.

Mohammed spoke yesterday after a visit by the Abuja Muslims community led by Vice-President Namadi Sambo to President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House.

The minister, who spoke with State House correspondents, said government was not unaware of the hardship the demolition would cause.

He said the exercise was necessary to rid the capital city of undesirable elements.

Mohammed said: “ I will seize this opportunity to say

Wike praises Muslims MINISTER of State for Education Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has commended Nigerian Moslems for the successful conclusion of the Ramadan fast and the celebration of Eid-Il-Fitri.

The minister noted that the unity shown by Nigerians led by President Goodluck Jonathan all through the Ramadan Month indicated that what binds the country was more than any other factor.

He said: “I congratulate our Moslem brothers and sisters on the successful conclusion of the Month of Ramadan. The nation with a series of friendship led by our President, which signified the true nature of Nigerians.”

Wike urged Nigerians to leverage on the spirit of unity that ran through the Ramadan period to build the country.

The Minister particularly congratulated the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruquyyatu Ahmed Rufai and other Moslems in the Federal Ministry of Education for successfully participating in the fasting.

He said the developmental processes already kickstarted by the Jonathan administration in different sectors will transform the country.

Kufour, Fashola, Amosun for Soyinka awards

By Ozolua Uhakheme

F

ORMER Ghananian President John Kufour, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and his Ogun State counterpart, Ibikunle Amosun, are expected at the grand awards night of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa holding on September 8 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Masked musician, Lagbaja will lead other top artists that will entertain at the event.

A statement by the organisers said of the four hundred and two (402) entries from 26 African countries assessed, three short-listed candidates for the grand finale would be announced on August 28 by the board of trustees.

The fourth edition of Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa is sponsored by telecom company, Globacom.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

that the demolition and other social services we are carrying out as an administration is not something that we like to do but it is something that we have to do with a lot of pans.

“But I assured them that under his Excellency President Jonathan, we are coming up with social housing with housing that will accommodate the needs and aspirations of every Nigerian, especially those that are affected by the demolition so that at the end of the day, we will carry out an exercise where they will be registered where will be able

to provide them with affordable housing and in a place where they will like. What we are doing is to secure the nation, to secure the capital and to secure the residents and including those of us and we are highly pained.’’

Senator Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT), who was part of teh delegation, said the National Assembly had abandoned the affected victims of the demolition, saying that it would be prejudicial to speak out on the issue before a court of law.

Aduda said the legislators had been discussing with the executive arm of government

to ensure palliative measures for the victims and that the exercise should consider the rainy season, which, according to him, is not the best time.

He said: “It is not true that we have abandoned them.

The issue is that we are discussing. We have discussed with the minister, we have discussed with the President and we are coming up with palliatives.

“You see people need to understand that the matter is in court, and as legislators, if matters are in court ,we are restrained from going into such matters and that is why

you find out that the various committees that we have did not go fully into it.

“So, what we are doing is that we are discussing as representatives of the people to go behind the scene to talk to the minister and the President to see where they can bring up palliatives and to see that if they must demolish, it must be minimal.

“The demolition should be time-framed. I have discussed this that this is rainy season, there is no way you want to say you will move people out immediately. We have to give some time if it must happen.’’

Aduda urged Nigerians to embrace peace and unity for the country to record meaningful development.

Speaking on the conse-

• Mohammed

quence of violence in the country, the senator said persistence crises, killings and destructions have turned cities which used to be local and international tourists delighst in to shadows of themselves.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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NEWS

Gowon lauds Fayemi’s developmental strides

Stop battering Jonathan’s image on social media, aide tells youths

T

HE Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youth Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe, has cautioned youths against battering the image of the President on social media.

Imagwe urged youths to be constructive in their criticism to avoid over heating the polity.

He spoke at a meeting with the executives of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) in Abuja.

Imagwe urged youths to champion issues pertaining to their empowerment and not to be derailed from fighting all odds against them. He challenged the media to project the country positively.

His words: “I will not allow government to change my person, but I will rather

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

change government. I want God to lead us all, we are stranger in this world, the only thing we can be remembered for is the legacy we left behind” “Let the media assist us get the Nigeria image redirected” he said.

The National President of YOWCAN, Patriot Dolly Simon, noted that youths are not begging the government for money but a conducive atmosphere to make them excel in their choosing carriers.

He said: “Federal Government should give the youth a platform to excel, we have so many potential youths but lack the needed environment to strive.”

Simon appealed to youths to refuse to be used to perpetrate illegalities.

•Urges Nigerians to pray for nation’s unity

•Dr. Fayemi

F

ORMER Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has lauded the efforts of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in developing the

state.

He said Fayemi is an agent of change, who should be supported and encouraged to do much more.

The former Head of State, who said he was impressed by the massive infrastructure development activities in the state, commended the various roads and the urban renewal projects and the huge investment in health and education sectors.

He urged Ekiti citizens to rally support for the governor so that he can take the State to a lofty height

and make it the envy of other States.

Gen. Gowon, who spoke with reporters shortly after a prayer session for the governor and the state at the Government House Chapel, yesterday, urged Ekiti indigenes to support Fayemi’s efforts with prayers and also support him electorally should he show interest in seeking a second term in office.

The former head of state recalled that Fayemi was particularly prayed for at the “Nigeria Prays” programme in April 2007, when he

contested the gubernatorial election. He stated that though it took three- and – half years for the prayers to manifest (through his inauguration as Governor), the plan of God to transform the State through him is gradually being fulfilled.

“I have read a lot about the developments in the health and education sectors and I have seen quite a number of roads at various levels of construction going on in different parts of Ekiti.

I have also seen quite a number of buildings that have come up since my last visit here. I am certain there has been a lot of development and progress in the state under Governor Fayemi’s administration. I must congratulate the people of Ekiti for giving him the needed support to achieve what he has achieved. And I urge them to give him more support so that he can do much more.”.

“I also expect that the support will be given should you desire to go for a second term, so that the state can witness more development.”

Speaking on the spate of insecurity in the country, Gowon urged Nigerians, especially Christians, not to be carried away in their worries about the ugly trend, but rather intensify their prayers till the country witness peace and tranquility.

He added that their prayers, complemented by the steps taken by government will address the worrisome trend and bring the lasting peace that the country desires.

The former Head of State, who worshiped at the Government House chapel, ahead of his Nigeria Prays crusade, in Ado-Ekiti, said he was optimistic that God will restore peace to the country.

Fayemi said Nigerians must not relent in their prayers for the country as he expressed optimism that Nigeria would rise again.

Fayemi, who noted that the Nigeria Prays programme has a lot of roles to play in transforming the country, stated that the June 1998 edition of the programme was not unconnected with the restoration of peace that the country enjoys; saying that the tempo must be maintained for the nation to thrive.

While describing Gen. Gowon as a compassionate and honest leader, the governor commended him for his commitment to the existence and success of the Nigerian project; saying that he epitomises leadership that serves the people.

A prayer session on the peace and progress of Ekiti State and Nigeria was led by General Overseer of the Gethsemane Prayer Ministry and national director of Nigeria Prays, Revd. Dr. Moses Aransiola.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

NEWS

How advertising missed it, by T Abioye W

ITH the increasing number of advertising agencies in Nigeria, the industry appears to be losing its grip on professionalism.

This is occasioned by the fact that agencies have made billings as the major driving force as against inspiration, innovation and creative ideas.

Speaking at a media chat on the state of the industry, the Managing Director, Fuel Communications Limited, Tunji Abioye, said that advertising in Nigeria has grown over the years and has become more competitive.

According to him, the industry at a time has over 200 agencies registered with the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) and more yet unregistered as well as yet unborn.

He said: “In the light of the giant stride the industry has been recording, there was a flip along the line in the industry. The industry was experiencing diminishing returns as agencies focused attentions elsewhere other than ideas.

“In the 70s and 80s, agencies were known as the library of

knowledge for brands. Clients relied on the agencies to lead the game. The advertising and communication industry began so well in the country and this gave hope to the brands.Because the industry looked elsewhere for inspiration, professionalism is rarely in place now. The alternate inspiration we are talking about is that ideas began to give way to money. The focused shifted to what clients can spend as the billings issue takes the front burner,” he said.

Abioye was inspired to set up his agency, Fuel Communications. “ We were inspired by a quote in one of the editions of Harvard Business Review, which states: ‘with increasing competition from the world’s emerging economies, supply often will exceed demand and to sustain profitable growth in any market, it is only brands that do things differently that will be able to grow and sustain it,’ he said.

In the light of this, Fuel Communication otherwise known as

the “womb for uncommon ideas” was born into the industry as an unconventional agency.“For us here in Fuel, the brain needs to sweat for great and uncommon ideas to be born,” he said.

“Our emergence into the industry is to champion very unpopular ideas, to create shocking but effective brand solutions to be noticed in the crowded market. It is only campaigns that look extraordinary that appeals to people and they are the ones that are often remembered.

“This is our own ideology in the business of advertising. “ There are too many followers in the market, but we want to create and build brands that will lead in the market in line with the blue ocean theory. In recognition of its mode of operation, ethical principles and professionalism, Fuel Communications was recently inducted into the AAAN fold. The managing director sees membership of the association as a value driver as it encourages and challenges for better professionalism, ethical practice and good conduct in business. All these in the long run ensure quality service delivery to the client.”

HE Board of Diageo Plc, the parent body of Guinness Nigeria Plc, has appointed Mr Austin Ufomba as Marketing Director.

The appointment takes effect from August 1.

Ufomba began his marketing career at Guinness in 1995, as a management trainee in the sales and marketing department.

He occupied several positions in the marketing department, including Brand Support Manager, Brand Manager, Malta Guinness and the flagship brand, Guinness Extra Stout.

In 2002, he was seconded to Diageo Plc in the United Kingdom, the parent company of Guinness Nigeria as a Global Marketing Manager. He

Diageo gets new director was there for 10 years.

Ufomba joined Coca-Cola Nigeria & Equatorial Africa Limited in 2005 as Strategic Marketing Manager (Flavours). In 2006, he was appointed Strategic Marketing Manager (Colas) and later, Strategic Marketing Manager for Sparkling Beverages, with responsibility for building brands such as Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, Limca and Gold Spot.

Starting as a Graduate Management Trainee (GMT) at Guinness Nigeria, Ufomba over a 10-year period held various positions in Diageo.

Nutricima launches product

D

AIRY and beverage products Marketer, Nutricima Limited, has launched its Yo! drink, an unflavoured natural yoghurt.

The product, Yo! Classic, is described as a life style product aimed at health conscious consumers who care about what they ingest and seek to maintain trendy choices.

The firm’s Marketing Head, Mrs. Wande Oluwasegunfunmi , said YO! Classic Yoghurt helps build the human immune system and is packed full with live cultures for general digestive health and wellness, adding that it contains calcium and vitamins

By Precious Igbonwelundu

to further enrich healthy living among consumers.

She said: ”The essence of the Yo brand is to provide products that support the health and general wellness of consumers in a fun and exciting way. It is targeted at males and females between the ages of 20-45 years who seek to maintain a healthy lifestyle.“ Participants at the launch included council member, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr. Bartholomew Brai, and fitness expert, Mrs. Bisi Abiola.

Consumers misled over ‘fixed’ mobile phone contracts

I

T’S alarming to know that some mobile phone operators wrongly told customers that the number of minutes, texts, data and price would stay the same throughout a contract.

Vodafone is among the mobile phone operators which has used a ‘hidden clause’ allowing them to increase prices on ‘fixed’ contracts.

The majority of mobile phone stores are misleading customers about the possibility of price increases on so-called “fixed contracts”, according to a consumer watchdog.

A mystery shopping investigation in August found that 82 per cent of staff in the stores it visited gave incorrect information about fixed deals, even when asked directly if the price would stay the same for the duration of the contract.

The group visited 39 branches of O2, Orange, Three, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Phones4U and Carphone Warehouse in the Midlands, the northwest, the south, the northeast and the southeast.

All shop assistants, when prompted, claimed the number of inclusive minutes, texts and data would stay the same throughout the contract.

However, the consumer group said in the past year, four of the five main phone operators – Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and

Three – had taken advantage of a “hidden clause”allowing them to increase prices on contracts that appeared to be fixed.

Recent research found that 70 per cent of people on fixed contracts did not know mobile phone companies could increase prices during the length of their contract.

The watchdog, which recently launched the Fixed Means Fixed campaign calling on companies to make sure prices and other aspects of a deal remain unchanged for the full length of the contract, said the practice is potentially netting the industry up to £90million a year.

It is calling on operators to advertise the possibility of price rises upfront and allow customers to switch contracts without penalty if they do increase. It has also complained to the industry regulator Ofcom.

The research firm’s Executive Director, Richard Lloyd, said: “It is totally unacceptable that people aren’t being told the full story about potential price rises when signing up to contracts in mobile phone shops.”

“Shockingly, even when we asked directly about price increases the vast majority of staff denied this could happen. There should be no nasty surprises after signing a mobile contract. People must be confident that fixed really does mean fixed.”

• From left: Brai, Wande, YO! Senior Brand Manager, Deola Kasali and Sales Director, Bola Arotiowa at the product launch in Lagos.

E

Etisalat’s TalkZone goes nationwide

TISALAT has extended nationwide access of its TalkZone, the dynamic discount tariff offer that allows customers to enjoy up to 98 per cent

Consumers laud Legend Real Deal promo

P

ROUD winner of a brand new generator, Miss Tokunbo Dosunmu, a civil servant based in Port Harcourt, has applauded Legend Extra Stout for the Real Deal Nite activation.

She said her winning come as a surprise because she just came to unwind at the monthly “Real Deal nite” and never had the thought of getting such a surprise gift from Legend.

“This new generator is a life saver because my canteen business will benefit very much from it due to the bad state of the old one”. She was very thankful to Legend for making this possible.

She disclosed that Legend is a brand with special interest in giving back to consumers to appreci-

ate them for their patronage.

Mr Olamide Lawal, who won a brand new refrigerator, acknowledged that he was shocked when it was confirmed that he had won. “I came here to relax after a friend invited me, I never imagined that I would go home with a new refrigerator. I am really glad to be here today”.

He called on other companies to emulate the kind initiative Legend has designed to encourage consumers.

The ‘Real Deal Nite’ an in-bar monthly brand activation, rewards consumers for being loyal to the Legend brand. The event which holds every last Friday of the month, gives brand loyalists an opportunity to win fantastic prizes

in a raffle draw promo while they have fun and feel the spirit and uniqueness of the Legend brand.

Last month’s edition of the highly entertaining activation was held at the Niteshift Coliseum, Opebi, Lagos. Fast-rising humour merchant, Bovi, held the audience spellbound as he thrilled them to ribcracking jokes. Also on ground at the event, was famous musician, Mike Okri, who dazzled the audience to sublime dancing skills while performing vintage hit tracks, such as ‘Time Na money’, ‘Omoge’, and ‘Rumba Dance’.

Funso Ayeni, Brand Manager Legend Extra Stout, reiterated that the relevance of the “Real Deal Nite” is to create an atmosphere for business.

discount on calls made to Etisalat lines and up to 20 per cent discount on calls made to other networks.

This unique service which offers customers call rates as low as 1k/ sec is available to all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

TalkZone special discount tariff offer was first introduced in October 2010 in five north eastern states of the country, and later expanded between February and July this year to 30 states.

Now the telecommunications giant has further extended the tariff offer to six more states, namely Nasarawa, Edo, Rivers, Ogun, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to Director, Marketing Segments and Strategy, Oluwole Rawa, the Etisalat TalkZone tariff offer is available to its easystarter and easycliq subscribers and gives customers the opportunity to enjoy flexible discounts on calls made to all networks.

Explaining the mechanics of the tariff, Rawa said: ‘’Migrating to

TalkZone from easystarter or easycliq is easy and free. You only need to dial *244*8# to migrate to TalkZone.

That’s all! There is no cost or reduction of your credit at all! But if you would like to return to easycliq from TalkZone, dial *244*1#. Likewise, to opt out of TalkZone and return to easystarter, dial *244*2#.”

He further reiterated Etisalat’s commitment to delighting its customers by giving them value for money.

“The number one focus at Etisalat is customer satisfaction, and the essence of this discount offer is to give all our subscribers value for their money no matter what part of the country they are calling from,” he said.

He added that it is a way of further encouraging subscribers who have been loyal to the network to do more talking and in turn, achieve more in their businesses or pleasure each day.

“What is the essence of belonging to a network, when you cannot talk as long as you want? Etisalat gives you that pleasure and value, no matter how much airtime you load and anywhere you are in Nigeria,” Rawa said.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Again, the debt crisis •Our rising debt profile is worrisome, despite govt’s assurances T is sadly a reflection of how little has changed that the Federal Government seems to have returned the country to the ruinous path of debt peonage. Seven years after shelling an unprecedented $12 billion to the Paris Club, and another $1.406 billion to its London Club counterpart to exit the clutches of the international creditors’ cartel, there are enough tell-tale signs of a nation that has learnt nothing and forgotten nothing.

It starts with the size of the debt currently standing at $44 billion. Although the managers of the economy continue to make a song of the Debt/ GDP ratio of 17 percent – said to be a far cry from the international ceiling of 40 percent, we hasten to make the point that the issue is hardly about the size of the debts per se. Neither is the issue about its denomination, whether they are preponderantly foreign, as obtained in the past, or domestic as it is currently.

The issue is that the debts are inexplicable. Consider the paradox of a nation which only a while back took to advertising its phobia for debts, and actually went wild in an orgy of celebration after its exit from the debt shackles; the same country has since gone on to ratchet new debts. A case of the proverbial dog returning to its vomit?

The picture is certainly worrisome as it is. After coming down from the record-high external debt of $35.94

I

billion pre-2005 to $3.54 billion in December 2006, the nation has since mounted another steady climb. In December 2007, the foreign debt stock was $3.65 billion; by December 2008, it shot up to $3.72 billion.

Today, it stands at $5.96 billion – a quantum leap of nearly 60 percent over a seven-year period. As if to give flesh to the saying that old habits die hard, another $7.9 billion loans is said to be coming under the External Borrowing Plan submitted by President Goodluck Jonathan to the National Assembly for approval in February.

While the managers of the economy continue to assuage our anxieties that there is really nothing to worry about in the bourgeoning debt, there are enough reasons to be apprehensive.

To start with, one aspect of the debt tale that is hardly raised is whether these debts are necessary in the first place. Against all odds, oil prices – which constitute the most important determinant of government revenue – have kept relatively steady above the benchmark price set out in successive budgets. Unfortunately, more inflow of oil revenue into the treasury has become licence for fiscal expansion by federal and state governments; the obverse side of the situation is that far less disproportionate value is being delivered in terms of investment in critical infrastructure.

That should be worrisome enough.

One other source of worry is the impact of borrowing on corruption.

Although the link between the two may seem tenuous, it is clear to us that borrowing, apart from removing the incentive to clean up the government, is itself a ready source of graft. How can anyone justify the vicious cycle of earning more – spending more only to end up piling up more debts? What happens when oil prices dip – as they inevitably will? Does it not amount to double jeopardy that a leadership that has done very little to erect sustainable pillars for the economy has chosen to stack up debts for the future? Where will the capacity to pay the debts come from when they mature? These are the questions at the heart of the current debt crisis.

‘How can anyone justify the vicious cycle of earning more – spending more only to end up piling up more debts? What happens when oil prices dip – as they inevitably will? Does it not amount to double jeopardy that a leadership that has done very little to erect sustainable pillars for the economy has chosen to stack up debts for the future? Where will the capacity to pay the debts come from when they mature?’

Worrisome threat •FG, PHCN employees must resolve differences to protect the power sector reform T is ironical and somewhat distressing that workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have threatened to go on strike and plunge the nation into what they describe as ‘total darkness’.The irony is that the threat is coming at a time that electricity supply in the country has shown signs of improvement, attaining a record peak of 4,307.7 Megawatts with an additional reserve of 170 Megawatts.

We would have thought that the PHCN, one of the most derided and loathed public outfits in the country over such a long time, would eagerly gird its loins in a determined bid to sustain and improve on the current still marginal achievement.

Sadly, the organisation is faced with an industrial relations crisis that is not only distracting but could endanger the power

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‘If workers’ salaries were deducted into an illegal fund, the culprits must be identified and punished while the cheated workers are paid their due in the interest of justice. It is good that a committee has been set up to investigate the issue. The committee should act with dispatch so that the matter can be addressed promptly and decisively. Nothing must derail the ongoing reforms’

sector reforms.

True, the electricity workers have never hidden their misgivings, even outright opposition, to aspects of the reforms. But Nigerians, who have borne the brunt of protracted poor power supply and the attendant negative economic and security implications, will accept nothing less than the total re-structuring, overhauling and privatisation of the sector. And the reason is simple: we cannot continue to do things the same way in the power sector and yet yearn for positive change.

There is, therefore, no plausible alternative to reforms.

The main grouse of the workers as articulated by the Zonal Organising Secretary of the Edo/Delta zone of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Joseph Ndem, is that they are allegedly being short-changed as regards payment of pensions and gratuities of those that will be affected by the privatisation of the sector. According to the workers, the PHCN management, which has over the years deducted 25 percent of their salaries as savings for pensions payment is now prepared to pay only 15 percent.

The Power Minister, Professor Barth Nnaji, argues that the workers are calculating their supposed pensions entitlements based on Chapter 13 of the PHCN Retirement and Pension Condition of Service of March 5, 2010, which he insists has no more legal validity. Nnaji notes that the financial implication of the workers’ claims will be over N443 billion while only N144 billion was budgeted for severance and pensions of

workers in the power sector. This, for us, is really not the critical issue. The important thing is what the law says, which must be complied with, no matter the financial cost.

But it is exactly from the legal perspective that we think the workers’ position may be untenable if indeed the provisions of the PHCN conditions of service have been superseded by the Pensions Reform Act (PRA) of 2004. The latter specifically abolishes all previously existing underfunded schemes in the country, while prescribing transitory steps to the current contributory pensions’ regime. Surely, if this is what applies across the public sector, the PHCN cannot be an exception.

But is it true that PHCN workers have been contributing 25 percent of their salaries to the organisation’s Superannuation Fund towards their pensions and gratuity? If so, it is clearly indefensible for the affected workers to be paid only 15percent, which is less than their actual contributions. It is not enough for the minister to say simply that the PHCN was operating an illegal scheme.

If workers’ salaries were deducted into an illegal fund, the culprits must be identified and punished while the cheated workers are paid their due in the interest of justice.

It is good that a committee has been set up to investigate the issue. The committee should act with dispatch so that the matter can be addressed promptly and decisively. Nothing must derail the ongoing reforms.

Ecuador’s foolish gesture

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HE decision to grant Julian Assange political asylum plunges diplomatic relations into turmoil Not for the first time, a British government finds itself unwittingly drawn into confrontation with a South American country over the extradition of a foreign national to another EU member state. Fourteen years ago, the cause of the imbroglio was General Augusto Pinochet, whose extradition was sought by Spain, triggering months of legal and political wrangling and a diplomatic breach with Chile. This time, the focus of attention is Julian Assange, the selfrighteous WikiLeaks founder, wanted for trial in Sweden on charges of sexual assault and now holed up in the London embassy of Ecuador, whose government has, preposterously, granted him political asylum.

The Assange case has the potential to become every bit as problematic as the Pinochet affair. Indeed, the suggestion yesterday that the diplomatic status of the Ecuadorean embassy could be revoked to allow police to enter and arrest Mr Assange demonstrates how easily it can get out of hand. Such a move would be a breach of the Vienna Convention, place British diplomats overseas at risk and jeopardise this country’s reputation for honouring its international commitments. The Foreign Secretary should make it clear that this is emphatically not an option.

If the Ecuadoreans are happy for Mr Assange to remain in their embassy in perpetuity then that is up to them.

Once he sets foot again on British soil he can be arrested. While there are flaws in the European Arrest Warrant, under which our courts have ordered his extradition, this country has obligations under that treaty, too. Moreover, we need take no lessons on human rights from Ecuador, where the government’s critics are routinely intimidated, or worse. Above all, we must not let Mr Assange force us into postures that ruin this country’s good name. He is not important enough for that.

– The Telegraph

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: An acceptable modality for the settlement of severance package due to staff of PHCN which presently tops the privatisation chart of government has become a big bone of contention between the government and the two in-house unions of PHCN. In the beginning, workers of PHCN were made to contribute 25% of their salary to an in-house contributory scheme called “Superannuation Fund” which has been in existence since 1972. They claim that roughly N 300 billion has been deposited in that fund which has been taking adequate care of all their staff retirement benefits without any delay or hiccups. When the issue of Contributory Pension Scheme came on board in 2004, workers chose to maintain their Superannuation Fund and still do.

However, eight years after the Pension Reform Act was signed into law, government decided to coerce PHCN into the Contributory Pension Scheme. Now it says that the Superannuation Fund was an illegal scheme which runs contrary to the 2004 Pension Reform Act and as such described as a classic case of hyperbole the unions’ claim that N 300 billion naira has been invested in the Superannuation Fund. The government through the minister of power later issued a directive to the unbundled distribution companies to commence immediate deduction of 7.5% from staff salary in compliance with the Pension Reform Act, 2004.

This did not go down well with the workers who immediately queried what becomes of their 25% con-

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Time for dialogue in the power sector tribution to the Superannuation Fund which has been in place before the advent of the 2004 Pension Reform Act. The workers equally contended that if the ministerial order is implemented, it will amount to double deduction culminating in 32.5% having been contributing 25% before PRA came into being. As usual, government sees workers agitation for a fair deal as an affront and a ploy to sabotage

the privatisation process.

To start with, government was aware that PHCN did not comply with the 2004 Pension Reform Act eight years after it was signed into law but did not ensure that they did.

If one may ask, what is the essence of forcing an organisation due for privatisation in less than six months into a pension scheme which they were not part of since inception? If this 7.5% is deducted where will the

cash be domiciled as workers were not given the opportunity to choose their Pension Fund Administrators? Moreover, given the penchant of fraud in pension administration and management in Nigeria today, people are disenchanted with the whole issue and PHCN staff are not different.

For peace to reign in the power sector, a convenient way of marrying the Superannuation Fund with

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• Sunday Onyemaechi Eze PHCN, Zaria, Kaduna State

Too much power at the centre is nation’s bane

IR: Nigeria, as it’s presently constituted cannot function optimally if power is not decentralised from the centre to encourage healthy competition among the federating units. Same with the policing system or how do we expect a Yoruba man who has never been to Kaduna or Kano to police such places efficiently when he can hardly understand the dialect, culture and socio-economic and political inclination of the people?

What kind of policing is that? The concentration of power at the centre is already creating unhealthy competition between North and South; it is common now to hear the noble policy (state police,

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decentralisation of power,e.t.c,) being vigorously opposed because of perceived sectional interest or domination. But the North is not doing itself any good by relying on external factors like oil or tax from goods and services from the South for its own socio-economic security and future. It must as a matter of its own survival develop road-maps for its own future.

The seeds of hate and mutual suspicions has already been sown by our elite, because the oxygen that our elite need to survive is conflict and confusion.That’s why Niger Delta, Boko Haram, OPC, MOSOP, MASSOB, e.t.c, menace are the making of our political elite.These circus of madness is now “Do me I

do you” syndrome. By the time power shifts to the North, militants from the other side of the divide will strike again and the rumbling will continue.

A tolerant and progressive North sharing its values and its interest with South and vice versa is ultimate dream of any peace-loving citizens of this great country. But to achieve these goals, the North through its intellectuals, thinkers, clerics,e.t.c, should leverage on its core interest and values to rescue the region from abject poverty, illiteracy, juvenile delinquency and Almajiri syndrome. With these, the North will be more respected and favorably compete with the South in any sphere of human endeavors

Terrorists, not Boko Haram responsible for Kogi massacre

IR: The recent attack on a church in Okene, Kogi State which resulted in the death of innocent worshippers is the handiwork of terrorists hiding under religious platform.

The people of Kogi State are known for their tolerance of each other irrespective of their religious affiliations. Hitherto, it has been one the most peaceful states in the country; that was before the band of miscreants decided on tarnishing its name by giving it the latest

the Contributory Pension Scheme instead of unilaterally imposing the contentious 7.5% should have been evolved. The Superannuation Fund should be investigated for the truth to be laid bare while sanctions should be applied where necessary instead of dismissing unions’ claim as unfounded.

The power sector is critical to the survival of the economy. It is therefore high time for the parties to dialogue. When two elephants fight, the grass bears the brunt. Customers of PHCN and the nation at large will surely be at the receiving end of this duel. This crisis should be averted in the interest of the nation.

It pays to dialogue.

label of being an unstable state.

The effort of the state government to tackle insecurity deserves to be commended; also the tireless effort of the security agencies to tackle the menace of armed groups is also noteworthy.

But we must show our displeasure for hasty way the state governor Captain Idris Wada left the state for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj when his presence in the state at that particular time is needed to douse the rising

tension.

This attitude could be likened to what President Goodluck Jonathan did sometime ago, when he traveled outside the shores of this country when the security situation of the country needed his urgent attention.

In as much we would not stop the governor from performing his religious obligation, his hasty departure from the state left much to be desired.

The Muslim and Christian in Kogi

State have been known for constant interaction though marriage, family ties and other mutual consideration that would not warrant the attack on each other. Kogi State will remain as one irrespective of differences of religion, in ethnicity, and other affiliation. We pray that such dastardly act will never again occur in Kogi State.

• Bala Nayashi Lokoja

without the likes of Asari Dokunbo threatening to starve the North.

The pathetic and depressed situation in the region, coupled with Boko Haram’s bombing is making the South to treat the North with disdain and contempt. In human relations, when you are socio-economically disadvantaged, your peers, even your parents will treat you with less respect compared to your siblings who are doing better in life and I must confess that these are major factors fueling the attitudes of southern intellectuals and the elite, which sometimes are exaggerated. But who do we blame? Northern elite who over the years manipulated power without empowering its people like what Obafemi Awolowo did in South-West.

Concentration of power in Abuja is not favouring the North, it only inhibits her developments.This system only encourages the elite to gather in Abuja like vultures in sharing and devouring national cakes while leaving their impoverished people dry, low and frustrated. This time, the North through its communities and intellectuals should redefine its interest and values to accelerate developments and empower its people.

• Akinola M. A. Verona-Italy

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

COMMENTS

State police needed for empowerment

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NE way or the other, the Nigerian nation is always compelled to be full of zip. If a non-issue would not become national controversy, those with personal interests would engineer and lift it up to cover up matters that are supposed to be impacting on the life of the masses.

The hot national contest now is the issue of reinstatement of state police. This is an indisputable season when the nation is being confronted with assortment of challenges, especially on security. When way out is not budding for a quandary, then peoples’ mind and focus would be diverted. Hence, with the unresolved insecurity afflicting the peace of the land, the possibility of the Federal Government and states in the south heading for a major conflict over state police hullabaloo might just be another instigated diversion.

While southern states are in favour of the decentralisation of the police, an initiative which they believe will facilitate internal security - their northern counterparts are now taking a standpoint against it - after primarily backing the proposition through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) platform.

Eighteen of the 36 states in the federation are reported to be in favour of state police, while 17 are against, with only one state still without obligation.

A report has it that the FG’s concern, rather than resolving the nation’s expansively damaging insecurity, is that state police might have influential and dominant repercussion on the 2015 election. The interest is beyond defending the safety and wellbeing of the people; it is more to retain power through scheming means. In place of state police, the FG says it is opting for a sweeping reform of the Police. The instant inquiry is if indeed it has the genuine will to manifest its proclaimed transformation agenda of the various jaded aspects of the degenerating nation.

A senior government official was quoted as saying that the FG might not be on the same platform with those governors backing the state police issue. He said “you cannot be talking of police reform on one hand and initiating state police” moreso as “the Federal Government is more pre-occupied with the security challenges.” His conclusion is that the government will open talks with the states to show some understanding on why the nation is not ripe for state police now. “It is normal for states to contribute to the ongoing attempt to review the constitution, but we will not allow the nation to be further divided as “the debate on state police is splitting the nation along North-South axis, which is not in the best interest of everyone. The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan will not support anything that could pitch a region against the

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HIS case has no strong or moral basis to be allowed to result into a legal matter. The government of Delta State has gone to court to challenge and then claim ownership of the N2.25 billion, allegedly offered by former Delta State governor, James Onanefe Ibori, as bribe to the former Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu to influence a case.

Up till today, there is no proof or evidence to invalidate the fact that Ibori actually committed the offence. But the point in question is clear: why must the Federal Government involve itself in a case that is so clear for all to see?

In the first place, since the Federal Government and its agents are aware that Ibori is in jail in far away England and cannot go to court to testify, why are they now insisting that they would claim the ownership of the money?

The argument and postulation of the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Charles Ajuyah, SAN, that the court should order the return of the money to its rightful owner, that is Delta State, is quite in order.

While in office, all the money Ibori expended on behalf of the state where he held sway, from 1999 to 2007, by right belong to the state and its people. It is not a matter of semantics or undue show of power which seems to be the tactics being employed by the federal government.

Indeed by filing the case at the Federal High Court, Abuja,

Delta State, being the foremost cosmopolitan state in the country, where it is hard to maintain and further develop the many urban cities in the state, it then follows that all the money belonging to the state must be allowed back into the coffers. The more money the state gets, the more visible the developments as Uduaghan has given himself entirely to that big task.

other.” He confessed the feared challenge of the government bordering on the implications of adopting state police for the 2015 elections.

The position of the Forum of ex-Inspectors-General of Police and the Presidential Committee on Police Reform, headed by Mr. Parry Osayande, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police is fearsomely against the state police. In its report to the President last week, the forum holds that the country will break up if state police were allowed. “The agitation is irrelevant. The states cannot afford the cost. The forum’s recommendations is that the Ministry of Police affairs should be scrapped and instead, allow the Police Council to function - with the President as chairman and the Chairman of Police Service Commission, the Inspector General, and governors as members. Osayande’s argument is that with policing plan being handled by the Council, instituting the state police would not be necessary.

Bluntly, the expressed fears and qualms of the opponents of state police are groundless, tenuous and uncorroborated. In reality, the altitude of desperation of many of the politicians for elective post is bothersome and irritating. The real apprehension is that if the state police system is allowed, it might not allow the jumbling of the electoral process by the controlling central government.

Not that one has forgotten the abuse of the state police in the 1960s when they were under regional controls. That there were troubles and tribulations in the past does not mean that the present generation cannot evolve ways and means of overcoming the precedent challenges. Instead of permitting past deficiencies to becloud the pathway to progress, modern strategy of open public discourse should be encouraged to bring forth workable right decisions.

Encouragingly, former military President Ibrahim Babangida has thrown his credence behind the re-emergence of state police, on the ground that those opposed to the idea are living in the past, failing to reflect on current reality. Getting it right standing in support of the state police, he argues that the opponents were only advancing fears which had existed since the 1950s and wondered why after more than 60 years, worries of state police should still continue to bother the nation.

According to IBB who seems to be waking up from political slumber, “the whole essence of governance is to provide adequate security for the people and in whatever way this is achieved is acceptable. I don’t believe the fear of what happened in the 50s should continue to haunt us. We should try to move on.” Recounting how the National Guard established by his administration was discarded following criticism, he could not comprehend that what happened in the 50s when the regional police were used to intimidate the opposition will continue to happen under the present dispensation. “The constitution has clearly stated the role of every institution and the people. There should be no fear. I don’t think governors now can use state police to intimidate anybody. Honestly, the fear is unfounded.”

His position is that the federal police should be responsible for federal laws while the state police should handle the internal

security of their states and should only buttress the efforts of the federal police.

One of the hindrances of Nigeria’s progress and development is non-functionality of its claim to federalism. The more true federalism is left to remain in name only, the faster the reversal of the nation tagged federal republic to the miry clay. The centralcontrolled police of today are failing to tackle the Boko Haram terrorism in the victimised metropolis and localities. The position of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) that “security is, essentially, a local matter within a geographical entity, except the protection and defence of our territorial integrity as a nation,” to me, makes good sense.

Indeed, in genuine federation countries, there are federal, state, municipal and local government police, to the extent that in mature nations, motor parks even have their policing system.

CODER’s Mr. Ayo Opadokun’s stance that the current structure is detrimental to state governors, who as the constitutionallyrecognised chief security officers in their states, lack the powers to enforce the laws passed by their respective Houses of Assembly without clearance from the Inspector-General is a verifiable reality. The actuality that a state Police Commissioner would not succumb to the authority of the supposed state’s chief security officer on local security issues would also not guaranty safety assurance in the localities.

Whosoever is having undue advantage under the current policing system that has failed to sustain security cannot be a pragmatic advocate of the nation’s peace and progress. It is inopportune that governors in the sections of the country where there are deadly security challenges would turn around to reject a more impactful localization of the security system through the state police arrangement. This appears like a regional collaboration against reality. Unlike Osayande’s thinking, it is the unworking security structure that has the potential of scattering Nigeria – not the re-establishment of the local police that once existed and would be in line with true federalism system meant to empower the localities.

Rather than being overwhelmed with the self-centered and inconsiderate agenda of expanded territory that makes room for the misuse of police force, let it be known that no section of the country can hold the others to ransom any longer.

Let’s begin to practice true federal system, whereby the federating units have a measure of control over the security agencies in their areas of operations, state police can become the key to solving the nation’s insecurity problem. The federating units should have the kind of needed machinery to maintain security in their different localities, instead of depending on a central where it would be unfeasible to have profound awareness of what is occurring across the nation. The savannah of Maiduguri can hardly be monitored and enforced the same manner as the creeks of the Niger Delta, simply because of the varying perspectives and attitude of the people.

Security empowerment can only come when specific areas are policed by those proficient at knowing what is going on where they are guiding.

‘This money belongs to Delta’

By Fejiro Akpos what the Delta State government has succeeded in proving is that it loves due process and proper recourse to good orderliness.

However, this sort of due process cannot be said to be right when the money should not have been kept by the Central Bank of Nigeria for this long. It must be noted here that all the money supposedly siphoned or diverted

by Ibori and recovered in the past through various means were all returned to the coffers of the Delta State government. Why will this one be treated in a different way? That is the question well-meaning Deltans have been asking the federal government.

We must recall that when cases like this one happened in Plateau and Bayelsa states involving governors Joshua Dariye and Diepreye Alamieyesigha, the monies were speedily returned to the state governments. That was no reason or cause for the succeeding state governors to go to court to challenge or reclaim the monies. There was no need to remind the federal government to release what was due to the people.

In the afore-mentioned instances, the public was not made to raise an outcry or implore the federal government to act right. Ibori was the governor of the state between 1999 and 2007 when the bribe was allegedly offered. This invariably stands to prove that there is no basis for this dispute. The asset or money of this nature is an exclusive property and entitlement of the state in question.

Like Ajuyah, SAN, bodily stated in an affidavit and statement made before the Abuja Federal High Court on the matter, “Delta State is the bona fide owner of the money.

It is hoped that the money should be released without further delay to facilitate the many developmental projects going on in the state. Everybody knows that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his team are embarking on many capital projects presently to give Delta State a comprehensive face-lift. This is why all hands should be one deck to support the governor to make this a reality.

Delta State, being the foremost cosmopolitan state in the country, where it is hard to maintain and further develop the many urban cities in the state, it then follows that all the money belonging to the state must be allowed

back into the coffers. The more money the state gets, the more visible the developments as Uduaghan has given himself entirely to that big task.

By allowing the case to drag, what the federal government is intent on doing to set a bad precedent. In other words, in future, when such a case happens, the culprit can claim that the money came from the purse of the federal government. This is not good and every right thinking person in the society must rise to call what is bad its right name.

Even beyond mere argument and hollow reasoning, the federal government is yet to account properly for monies recovered from former public and government functionaries who stole from the coffers of the government. This is why this case further stretches the fact that trust plays a major role here. The public outcry following the stand of the federal government in this case, shows that people have lost hope and confidence in the system.

Therefore, let this case be determined through fairness, equity and justice. And for this is to happen, the federal government should try and do the needful before September 17 when the case will be heard in court. This is the only way Nigerians can see the government at the centre as the government for all sections of the country.

• Akpos writes from Ughelli, Delta State

We must recall that when cases like this one happened in Plateau and Bayelsa states involving governors Joshua Dariye and Diepreye Alamieyesigha, the monies were speedily returned to the state governments. That was no reason or cause for the succeeding state governors to go to court to challenge or reclaim the monies. There was no need to remind the federal government to release what was due to the people.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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COMMENTS

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HOSE who may have been envying President Goodluck Jonathan for his meteoric ascendancy to the highest political office in the country would have by now, been reconsidering their positions.

Jonathan had unexpectedly very easy and impressive rise to power that many rushed to the conclusion that there must be something in his name, Goodluck. Trust Nigerians!

Since then, many parents have found it very fashionable to name their new born babies Goodluck in the hope that the good fortunes which Jonathan bountifully reaped from could also come the way of their children. By now however, this class of people may have been coming to terms with the fact that there is a limit to every thing including good luck.

That there comes a point where knowledge, proficiency and high leadership skills must as a matter of compelling imperative, take the center stage. At that point, the leader is assessed not on account of mere opportunity of his ascendancy to power but what he makes of the position. And the direction this eventually takes will be a mark of the success or failure indicator of that leader. Thus, it is possible for luck to throw up people to high leadership positions only to expose their inadequacies thereafter. And their place in history will be largely shaped by the latter.

The above ironic scenario seems to mirror the current predicament of our number one citizen. Despite the initial euphoria that came with his easy rise to power, Jonathan is today

‘Jonathan must assuage these frustrations by rising to the challenge of his office. He must give the nation hope that he has the capacity and political will to permanently discourage the urge by armed religious bandits to hold the nation to its knees. But he can as well throw in the towel if the present pass is the limit good luck can push him’

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T is in the nature of peddlers of appalling rumours, freelance geysers of destructive criticisms and irredeemable pessimists to wish feverishly that the untruths they fervently disseminate become reality.

So far gone in this illusion are they that they employ the techniques of repetition with the forlorn hope that if they remain relentless, the banal falsehood being propagated repeatedly will one day morph into the gospel truth and the public so inundated will rejoice and shower encomiums on them. But what is false is false – no amount of repetition can transform it into truth.

It is in the light of the foregoing that the actions of the rabid critics of the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the State of Osun can be properly understood. For instance, in spite of the unambiguous explanations of the governor on the fact that the State of Osun is neither indebted to any bank nor does its N35 billion credit line available for frivolous spending, critics, mainly leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, are unduly restless in their persistent claim to the contrary. Doubtlessly, they are unhappy that the state they claim to be concerned about its development is not immobilised by heavy debt. Hopelessly given to the politics of bitterness, the PDP in the state is terribly pained that Aregbesola is creatively emancipating the state from the valley of strapped economy and catapulting it to the higher ground of economic buoyancy –a feat that is evidently above the ken of the PDP, whether at the local or national level.

For the avoidance of doubt, Aregbesola’s administration has through the deployment of unconventional financial strategies reversed the financial woes that the PDP administration of Olagunsoye Oyinlola inflicted on the state for about eight years. When the present administration assumed duty on November 27, 2010, it discovered that Osun was indebted to UBA to the tune of N18.3 billion. What was more shocking is that the PDP administration withdrew the entire money and lodged it in another account in the same bank, thus paying full interest and all charges ab initio.

This, it should be revealed, was even contrary to what often obtains in any situation where banks are approached for loan. Where

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Jonathan’s many troubles a man haunted in all fronts by the same circumstances that threw him up. Both friends and foes seem to be up in arms against him.

The question this uncanny scenario evokes is whether luck has now turned its back against the president such that even those that are supposed to be sympathetic to his cause are now abandoning him? Or put differently, why is it that Jonathan cannot count on providence to overcome the daunting problems trying to ridicule his mandate?

Perhaps, what this poser point to is the inevitable fact that there is a world of difference between luck and the capacity of its beneficiary to rise to the challenges entrusted upon him by it. That may account for why the House of Representatives is spoiling to have him impeached for failing to implement the 2012 budget irrespective of the dominance of PDP members in the lower house.

Even as this threat is still hanging on his head, the dreaded fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram insulted the sensibilities of this country when it asked the same president to resign or convert to Islam for peace to reign in the country. That is not all. The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN (northern chapter) whose members have been under serious onslaught by the sect, also have some grouse against Jonathan. It is piqued by reports credited to Jonathan on why his government has not been able to tame Boko Haram and save its members the carnage from constant bomb attacks and sundry acts of brigandage.

They are not enthused by the argument of Jonathan that Boko Haram has not been put under check because “members of the sect are

our siblings and you cannot ask the Army to wipe out your family”. CAN has therefore, accused the President of protecting these killers at the expense of innocent Nigerians. Ordinarily, northern Christians would have been the last set of Nigerians to wish a hurried disengagement of Jonathan from office. But they saw his recent statement as a clean bill of health for the atrocities of the deadly sect, hence their attack on him.

If these developments stand as a gauge of informed public opinion, definitely Jonathan must be a highly troubled man. For several months now, he has been battling with high level of insecurity in the country occasioned by the Boko Haram onslaught. As things stand, not a few Nigerians have lost confidence in the capacity of his regime to find lasting solution to the menace of that sect. By his statement, it is increasingly getting clearer that he has no solutions to the problem. And this will definitely embolden the sect in their campaign of making the country ungovernable.

As things stand, even those living in the south are full of apprehension that some day, Boko Haram will make good its threat to attack the south.

It was therefore careless for the president to have given the impression that he is now helpless in combating the Boko Haram scourge. And that is why northern Christians who bear the brunt of such senseless killings are up in arms against him to the extent of calling for his resignation.

If the president does not want to send the soldiers to wipe out Boko Haram because

they are our siblings, he is vicariously endorsing the killing of Christians in the north. Are the Christians in the north and the countless security personnel who have lost their lives to this murderous sect not our siblings also? At any rate, which of these category of people should our laws protectthe criminal religious sect or the innocent civilians and soldiers who die daily from their attacks? That is the irony of whatever point Jonathan sought to make.

Perhaps, if he had stopped at saying that the difficulty in combating Boko Haram is because of precaution by security agencies not to hurt innocent citizens, this could have made more sense. There is no doubt that their mode of operation makes it difficult to distinguish who the real Boko Haram is. But that is the much that can be said about it. If the civilian population shields and continues to give them cover to unleash the relentless attacks on innocent citizens, then they must suffer the consequences of their action. We have before now, seen the military in action in Odi, Bayelsa and Zaki-Biam, Benue states respectively. We have not forgotten the fate of the ordinarily people when the military invaded there to avenge the killing of their colleagues.

Boko Haram has been killing soldiers and policemen without let or hindrance, yet we are still trivializing the matter. It is therefore an unmitigated insult to public sensibilities for anyone to regard these reprobates as his siblings. The moment such siblings took to criminal tendency that is the time they forfeited any right to protection by the state.

They are simply a criminal lot and must be so treated. The increasing impatience of the people with this menace is aptly captured by the recent frustrations of former Oyo state governor, Lam Adesina who asked Jonathan to resign if that will bring about peace in the country. Off course, the resignation of Jonathan will divide opinion. Doing so will convey the erroneous message that a band of criminals can force a democratically elected president to abdicate office. Such a ruinous tendency must be discouraged.

Jonathan must assuage these frustrations by rising to the challenge of his office. He must give the nation hope that he has the capacity and political will to permanently discourage the urge by armed religious bandits to hold the nation to its knees. But he can as well throw in the towel if the present pass is the limit good luck can push him.

Clearing the fog over Osun’s debt

By Temilade Adedeji the loan to be sourced is for developmental projects, the standard practice is that the bank will make the money available in tranches, depending on what is required at the various stages of the project. But in the case of Osun under Oyinlola, the money was taken at once.

From that time onward, the state became indebted and began to service the loan under an overly suffocating condition every month to the tune of N615 million.

This burden of servicing the debt was so insufferable that the state would need to borrow N1billion every month to be able to meet its statutory financial obligations. All of the state income – both the Internally Generated Revenue and the national allocation – as at that time was nothing more than N2.4 billion. It meant that something had to be done.

It was at this point that the Aregbesola government began to think of how best to service the debilitating loan. Its discussion with UBA did not yield any favourable outcome, for the bank, understandably, was not willing to waive the condition under which it granted the loan. Happily, by March last year, governor Aregbesola got the positive nod of First Bank which gave the government a credit line of N25billion under the following favourable conditions: The high interest rate of the N18.3 billion was negotiated downward from 17 to 13 per cent; there was a 12month moratorium during which the state would not pay anything; and there would be a 60-month repayment plan. These conditions were completely different from those under which the Teflon Oyinlola government got the loan and the government’s monthly obligation on loan shrunk to about N70 million from Oyinlola’s N615 million.

This credit line does not mean that the state is indebted to the bank. What it means is that there is an approval in principle to draw money when any legitimate need for it arises.

It is a negotiation for succour in the event of any serious situation. It becomes a debt only when the state starts to draw from it. The Aregbesola government with the credit line bought back the N18.3 billion loan. The erst-

while administration had already withdrawn and spent about N8 billion from the loan. So, only the amount spent was withdrawn from the credit line from First Bank.

Still, this does not mean indebtedness on the part of the state, for as of today the remaining N17b of the life line has now been increased to N35b. With the money allocated to Osun and its local governments from the excess crude oil account the government was able to boost the credit line.

Only a prudent government with a financial engineer of uncommon foresight as the helmsman can achieve such great accomplishment. But while the PDP leaders in the state are hard-pressed to extol the government for finding a practicable solution to the blitzkrieg they contemptibly unleashed on the finances of Osun, they find it effortlessly easy to assault the public with a spurious tale of debt overhang.

Moreover, contrary to the ranting of the PDP members, the N35 billion credit line is not even available as solid cash for Aregbesola’s government to spend frivolously. The governor has time after time made it clear at different fora that the money is there mainly for development projects which compulsorily the state has to carry out. Not a single kobo has been deducted from the money. It is not all-purpose money that the government can just withdraw and do whatever it likes with. Thus, to avoid taking recourse to the money at will, the government had to come up with the idea of getting a more relaxed fund which is the bond. This is strong and has fixed interest rate.

The unpopular yet effective approach through which this administration is fortifying the financial power of the state does really enable it to discharge its statutory obligations. An instance of this is the recent payment of N4 billion to pensioners in the state. And this was an inherited burden.

Again, in spite of the delay in the monthly federal allocation (the June allocation was paid in the first week of August), the government pays its workers their July salary on the 25th of the month. In fact, for the past

four months, the state workers have been getting their salary a week to the month end.

Were this government to depend on allocation for the payment of salary, the burden of salary arrears would have become a huge source of ache for it. Yet, no bank or any organisation can claim the government has borrowed from it in order to be able to fulfil this sacrosanct obligation. What is more, the state now has what is called the Omoluabi Conservation Fund put in place to cater for the future of the state. Recently passed into law by the State House of Assembly, the government deducts certain percentage of all its income to enrich the account. This demonstrates that the government in Osun is not only prudent, but is also an exemplar of fiscal discipline.

Except to mischief makers and the disgruntled elements, it is a fact that a debtstricken state cannot boast of all these concrete achievements of the Aregbesola government in the State of Osun. Absolutely, the N25billion debt overhang claimed by the blinkered PDP apparatchik in the state is as false as the secession and Islamisation hoopla they instigated to their shame a few months ago.

• Dr (Mrs) Adedeji lives in Ile-Ife, State of Osun

‘Hopelessly given to the politics of bitterness, the PDP in the state is terribly pained that Aregbesola is creatively emancipating the state from the valley of strapped economy and catapulting it to the higher ground of economic buoyancy –a feat that is evidently above the ken of the PDP, whether at the local or national level’

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

25

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

ISSUES

THE CEO

BoI: Revitalising real sector to - P. 27 create jobs News Briefing

Manufacturers fret over LPFO price hike THE Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA) has raised the alarm over the hike in the price of both Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) and electricity.

It said despite the intervention funds from the government, the textile sector is still finding it difficult to survive.

- Page 26

CBN: $100b required to bridge infrastructure gap NIGERIA requires over $10 billion annually over the next 10 years to bridge infrastructure gap,the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

Transportation is one of the biggest problems facing Nigerians. But with the concerted effort of the states and local governments, the transit buses would help ease the problem.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

Banks’exposure in real estate below 1% - P. 32

Inflation to rise this month, say analysts •’CBN won’t ease monetary tightening’ I

NFLATION is expected to rise ithis month as increased levy on flour get imputed into the Consumer Price Index (CPI), analysts have said.

The CPI for June saw the headline inflation decelerating from 12.9 per cent year to date to 12.8 in July, 0.24 per cent month to month decline.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismark Rewane said this month’s inflation will rise, especially when a 20 per cent rise in prices of bread and other products made from flour are reflected.

Rewane, who spoke with The Nation, hinted that after the projected rise, inflation is expected

By Collins Nweze

to decelerate.

Similar views were also expressed by Head Market Research, Africa at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan. She said her forecast had been hinged on a rise of 1.5 per cent month on month, with headline CPI rising 14.1 per cent year-to-year based on the new tariffs on imported food.

Also, other price pressures related to Ramadan, continued pass through from the partial fuel subsidy removal seen in the New Year as well as June’s electricity tariff increase were taken

into consideration.

Analysts also insisted that aside these factors, July figures normally see a sizeable increase in the gain in the overall CPI index, before harvest starts to have a more favourable impact.

Khan explained that though the past is never a perfect guide to the future, the rebased CPI index rose 1.9 points in July 2008, two points in July 2009, and 1.1 in July 2010. “Although July 2011 saw a smaller increase, of 0.4 in the headline index, this year, amid all of the pressure that was anticipated, there was a marginal rise, with the index up only 0.4 points in June,” she

said.

Khan explained that there was a slowdown in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and tight monetary environment, which will lead to marginal price pressures going forward.

She said there are little possibilities for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ease monetary policy. “Inflation remains in double digits for now, leaving little room for complacency.

While the slowdown in the economy may exert more influence on the price level in the future, it is not a given that we will see this offsetting supplyside drivers of inflation, espe-

Interbank rates fall on allocations

- Page 30

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Ethiopia gets first Boeing 787 in Africa ETHIOPIA has become the second country after Japan to take delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Ethiopian Airlines has bought 10 of Boeing’s flagship aircraft, which are built from lightweight material, rather than aluminium, to save fuel.

- Page 40 DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.5% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $35.8b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 242.1 $ 156 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 238 RIYAL 40.472

cially in the event of further fuel price adjustment – which is becoming more of a budget necessity,” she said in an emailed statement.

She noted that monetary policy was tightened to allow for foreign exchange stability in the face of a potential worsening of second-round inflation effects. “Rebuilding external reserves given global uncertainty remains the key policy priority of government as such would aid forex stability, a key safeguard against higher inflation,” she added.

She said Nigeria may have seen a more benign July inflation print than expected, but global uncertainty and downside economic risks have hardly diminished.

•Group Managing Director /Chief Executive, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mrs Funke Osibodu,shaking Mr Oscar Onyema, CEO,Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE), Lagos during a visit to the Exchange over the weekend. With them are Executive Director, Union Bank, Mr Philip Ikeazor (right) and his colleague, Alhaji Ibrahim Kwargana.

‘Stock market needs concrete direction’

U

NCERTAINTY in the capital market has kept many networth portfolio investors at abeyance, as they are watching to gauge the overall direction of the stock market, The Nation has learnt.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Bismarck Rewane, said the fluctuation in share prices of quoted companies underlined concerns by several investors over the direction of the market. He added that large portfolio investors are concerned about macroeconomic decisions and the market’s structures He told The Nation that a large number of large portfolio investors and fund managers whose active participation would have stabilised market are still waiting on the sideline. He explained that several initiatives by the management of the Nigerian Stock Ex-

By Taofik Salako

change (NSE) have not yielded the much-desired impact, as the market is still haunted by fears of uncertainties.

He said investors are worried about macroeconomic and fiscal policies, which could undermine their investments, citing the on-going drive by the Federal Government to substitute wheat flour with cassava flour in bread making as one that could impact on decisions regarding investments in quoted flour firms.

Rewane said investors are also still evaluating the stability and direction of corporate earnings. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that several equities, are significantly undervalued, pointing out that banking stocks still hold substantial prospects for equitable returns.

Earlier in his monthly mac-

roeconomic review for the second half, he said the stock market would witness a moderation this month and close with little or no gain.

He highlighted the possibility of further decline in market’s volume and value as the full impact of the monetary tightening in July becomes more visible in the financial markets.

“This is clearly a difficult investing environment, but a good mix of both debt and equity investment is a winning formula.

“We believe the short end of the yield curve is the superior position,” Rewane noted. He said with relative undervaluation of most equities, investors should continue to buy quality stocks irrespective of the market trend.

“Timing the market may be easy in theory, but it is difficult in practice,” he

stated.

He said to stay ahead in the returns race, investors should buy and hold good businesses, select leading stocks across different sectors to create a diversified portfolio and pay attention to “wide moats with strong cash flow.”

He said the stock market would be largely driven by profit-taking transactions in August, adding that the market could witness marginal correction and shed some gains, especially in the absence of any catalyst.

Any irrational fall in stock prices will be an opportunity to buy, fundamentals remain favourable regardless,” Rewane stated.

He singled out the banking sector as a segment with substantial potential for gains, noting that the sector’s multiples remain attractive from a historic and relative basis.

IGERIA’S interbank lending rates fell sharply on Friday to an average of 14 per cent, from around 19.33 per cent the previous day after about N283 billion ($1.80 billion) in budget allocations to government agencies hit the market.

The Federal Government distributes money from oil revenue to its three tiers of government from a centrally held account, which provides liquidity for the banking sector and eases the cost of borrowing among banks.

Dealers said the market was short prior to the disbursal of the budget funds due to stricter Central Bank’s measures to tighten liquidity in the system and support the local currency.

“The market opened with a deficit of about N197 billion on Friday, but by the time the budget allocations hit the system today, the cost of borrowing fell sharply,” one dealer said.

The apex bank in July raised the cash reserve requirement for lenders to 12 per cent from eight per cent, and reduced net open foreign exchange positions to one per cent from three per cent, to restrict the money supply and support the currency.

It also barred banks that borrow naira funds from its official window from using those funds to buy dollars at its byweekly auction, a bid to crack down on currency speculation.

Dealers said the release of the budget funds on Friday was a relief to the market, which has been hit by cash shortages.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) dropped to 14 per cent from 18 per cent the previous day and lower than the 15 per cent it closed last Friday.

Overnight and call rates closed at 14 per cent each, compared with 20 per cent on Thursday.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

26

BUSINESS NEWS Flight Schedule

Dangote moves to create jobs

MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 7. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 9. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Aero 12.20 13.30 15. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 16. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 17. Arik 13.45 14.45 18. IRS 14.00 15.20 19. Aero 14.10 15.30 20. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 21. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 22. Arik 15.50 16.50 23. Aero 16.00 17.20 24. IRS 16.30 17.50 25. Arik 16.50 17.50 26. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 27. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 29. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 20. Arik 18.45 19.45 31. Aero 19.20 20.40

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LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00 Arik Aero Arik Aero

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LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Aero 10.50 12.30 5. Arik 11.40 13.00 6. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 7. IRS 13.30 15.00 8. Arik 14.00 15.20 9. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 10 Arik 16.10 17.30 11. Aero 16.15 17.30 12. Arik 17.10 18.30 1.

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LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

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LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

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LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

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•From left: Head, e-Business Ecobank, Mike Obalu (III) and Chief Executive Officer, CitiServe, Lola Ogunbambi, at the launch of CitiServe new OrangeBox Point of Sale (PoS) and Communication Channels in Lagos.

Manufacturers fret over hike in LPFO, electricity tariff HE Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA) has raised the alarm over the hike in the price of both Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) and electricity. It said despite the intervention funds from the government, the textile sector is still finding it difficult to survive.

Speaking with The Nation, the Director-General, Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association (NTMA), Jaiyeola Olarenwaju, said the textile companies are still struggling to survive as a result of the escalating cost of LPFO and the hike in the electricity tariff. ”Although the intervention funds have been given to us, the situation has not improved because of these two factors, and if care is not taking, things will go worst.

Some of the companies that took the loans have bought new machines, some have done many things with the loan, but their situation has not improved. It is not

T

By Toba Agboola

palatable,” he said.

Olarenwaju said this is making it difficult for the local companies to compete with the foreign products, because their cost of production is on the high side.

He said the intervention fund will not make any significant impact unless the government addresses the issue. ”We cannot compete with imported textiles under the current business environment. If within one year the market is saturated with imported textiles, local industries will have problems selling, and many of them will certainly close down. ”The government has to do something on these increases if they want progress in the sector. I don’t really know why government should increase the cost of LPFO that we are producing locally.”

Olarenwaju said the textile sector is at a stagnated level, attributing

the situation to the smuggling of cheap textiles from abroad.He said rising cost of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) has combined with failing infrastructure, thereby making operation difficult for the surviving textile industries in Nigeria.

Unless the Federal Government takes urgent action by giving a special relief to manufacturers, especially textile manufacturers, the sector could become comatose, he stated, pointing out that with these challenges, the sector could be extinct. ”The supply of electricity from the public source leaves manufacturer with no options than running on private generating plants.

Take, for instance, a textile company consuming 1,000,000 litres of diesel in a month and three million litres of LPFO a month, the increase in the prices of the product will definitely reflect on the price of their products,” he stated.

NACCIMA seeks increase in cassava production

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HE Chairman, Agric Task Group of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Tunji Olukoya, has said the use of cassava flour in baking bread calls for increased production of cassava and enhancing enzymes.

He said the country needs an aggressive and improved production of cassava to leverage the diversified use of cassava flour.

He told The Nation that the emerging market for cassava bread and other confectionaries, require domestic research in the production of cassava enhancing enzymes. ”I want to say that it’s a step in the right direction because cassava

By Toba Agboola

is giving the economy an edge, and sending delegates outside Nigeria to source for cassava enhancing enzymes that will improve productivity. I want to believe also that the agriculture ministry is collaborating with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, in this cassava enhancing enzymes,’’Olukoya said, adding that the availability of the cassava enzymes would enhance crop multiplication and improve farmers’ access to seedlings. “It will increase cassava productivity both in quantity and quality and cassava bread

production will be enhanced in many ways,” he said.

He said government’s moves to produce cassava enhancing enzymes locally, is a commendable effort that would impact positively on farmers and the nation’s foreign exchange. “Cassava farmers will be sure of disposing their farm produce and this will increase their income and improve their livelihood,” he said.

Olukoya said the policy would grow the economy, as the importation of wheat grain and wheat flour would drastically reduce, thereby conserving foreign exchange, he added.

Yields seen lower on likely index inclusion

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IGERIAN bond yields are expected to ease further this week as news of the country’s likely inclusion in the JP Morgan government bond index heightens offshore investor interest in its debt.

Nigeria is likely to be included in JP Morgan’s Government Bond Index - Emerging Markets (GBIEM) from October, potentially bringing up to $1 billion into one of Africa’s most developed debt markets, the bank said on Wednesday.

Dealers, according to Reuters, said the announcement spurred a

rash of buying, pushing down yields across the board.

The yield on the most liquid bond, the three-year, fell to 15.60 on Friday from 16.17 per cent a week ago. That on the five-year instrument dropped to 15.70 per cent, compared with 16.28 per cent last Friday.

“We expect a lot of foreign investors to rush for local debt in the coming days in response to the report on JP Morgan and this will further push down yields,” one dealer said.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) sold N75 billion ($478 mil-

lion) in bonds with maturities ranging from five to 10 years at a monthly auction on Wednesday.

The yield on the five-year paper was marginally higher, while those on the seven- and 10-year securities fell.

Dealers said a lower-than-expected inflation figure for July would also support a further drop in yields. Consumer inflation eased marginally to 12.8 per cent year-on-year, from 12.9 per cent in June, surprising analysts who had expected it to rise due to the partial removal of fuel subsidies in January.

O reduce unemployment, especially in the rural communities, President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has assured of his desire to invest more in manufacturing concerns that complement his existing companies.

This, he said, is to pave the way for the teeming unemployed youths to be engaged.

In a statement, the business mogul disclosed that plans were afoot to establish another agro-sacks manufacturing company at Ibese, Ogun State to complement Dangote Cement plant in the community with the production of sacks.

He added that other concerns, such as tomato paste company as well as Palm Oil refinery are in the offing.

Alhaji Dangote, who was represented by the Group General Manager Project of Dangote Group, Mr Joseph Alaba, at a meeting with Ibese host Community members of the Yewa North Local Government Council of Baales, which held at Cement Plant, assured that eligible indigenes of the host communities would be given attention for employment.

He said the construction of the lines three and four of the Ibese plant, which will take the annual production from six million to 12 million, has started. He urged the community leaders to give maximum co-operation to the firm just as it has done in the past.

He explained that he was of the belief that production is what could lift the nation’s economy from the woods and not importation, pointing out that employment could only be generated through manufacturing and that all hands must be on deck to create jobs through manufacturing.

The Group President thanked his host communities for the tremendous support the Dangote Cement has received from them, saying he was happy that the communities understood that it was only in the atmosphere of peace that any meaningful development could take place.

Expert to Govt: Address aviation tax, tariff

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

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HE Federal Government has been urged to address the existing tax regime in the aviation industry to make it more friendly to promote growth in the sector.

Chairman, Nigeria Aviation Safety Initiative (NASI), Captain Dung Pam, told The Nation that if the sector must thrive, the government must consider ways of eliminating the escalating taxes and prohibitive tariffs, which have combined to stall growth in the industry.

He said some events in the aviation sector in the past few years have shown that until business friendly policies are put in place to attract investment, any expectation of imminent growth therein, would remain a pipedream.Until the government gives a five-year taxation holiday, beginning from the next financial year, many operators may close shop, he warned.

He called for zero import duties on air power spare parts and consumables to reduce the costs of operations of the carriers, as well as for other businesses in the sector, adding that the government should consider granting import licences to operators to buy aviation fuel as part of measures to reduce the cost of doing business.

Pam explained that if the existing domestic operators are to remain in business, they must, as a matter of urgency, embark on a strategic review of their business models to reflect the realities in the sector.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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ISSUES

•The BoI office in Abuja.

The role of the Bank of Industry (BoI) in growing the real sector through its intervention funds fits the President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s transformation agenda of propelling Nigeria into the world’s top 20 economies by 2020. TOBA AGBOOLA reports.

BoI: Revitalising real sector to create jobs O

NE of the critical sectors required to turn the dwindling fortunes of the economy is the manufacturing sector. Industries have the capacity to create jobs.

Statistics indicate that the textile industry, for instance, once provided employment to a large number of Nigerians, generated 25 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product(GDP) and contributed 20 per cent of corporate taxes to the government.

Reviving the lost glory of the nation's once thriving manufacturing industries and creating jobs, squarely fit into the Bank of Industry's (BoI’s) consistent target funding of some industries considered critical in employment generation.

Not long ago, the President declared that the manufacturing sector, with support from the BoI, is among the various sectors of the economy, which the administration believes should lead the economic transformation drive of the government and position the nation for achieving the desired ambition of being one of the leading 20 economies in approximately eight

years from now.

BoI's Mandate The Bank of Industry (BoI) is Nigeria's oldest, largest and development financial institution with a mandate to provide financial assistance for the establishment of large, medium and small projects. it is also expected to provide the enabling environment for the expansion, diversification and modernisation of existing industries; and rehabilitation of ailing ones.

The institution was created in 2001 out of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB) Limited, which was incorporated in 1964.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), which produced its pioneer chief executive, holds 75 per cent of the bank's equity along with some domestic and foreign private investors. Although the bank's authorised share capital was initially set at N50 billion, in the wake of NIDB's transformation into BoI in 2001, it was increased in 2007 to N250 billion to position the bank to adequately fund the nation's industries.

Appraisal Recently, President Jonathan declared that the bank's leadership and its staff deserve to be congratulated for the impressive strides that have been recorded operationally.

“It is satisfying to note that the BoI has evolved into a strong, dynamic and flexible development finance institution over the last 10 years. The progress made by the bank is a testimony of the fact that we can do so much together in building a great economy when we collectively act in the best interest of our country's future," Jonathan said. He added that the Federal Government would continue to give BoI all the support it needs to play a pivotal role in the re-industrialisation of Nigeria.

"We shall ensure that the bank's corporate governance practices, operational policies and procedures are in line with international best practices to enable it attain the top ratings needed to mobilise the much

needed financial and technical resources we need to fast track the transformation of our industrial sector.

"In this regard, we shall accelerate the recapitalisation of the BoI and open up its equity to development," President Jonathan said said. He disclosed that Nigeria needs a robust BoI to support entrepreneurs in the ensuing agriculture value chains. The bank as a development finance institution has a fundamental role to play in this endeavour, Jonathan added.

Stakeholders' views According to industry players, the recent growth recorded in the sector was as a result of the intervention from the BoI in steering the manufacturing sector for greater performance.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), two months ago, disclosed that over 400 companies have so far benefitted to the tune of N198billion from the N200billion Continued on page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

28

ISSUES

BoI: Revitalising real sector to create jobs BoI recapitalisation

Continued from page 27

Resuscitation and Refinancing Facilities (intervention fund) earmarked for the revival of ailing firms in the manufacturing sector.

The N200billion was set aside by the CBN as quantitative easing measures aimed at creating liquidity and support for the development of the real sector of the economy.

According to the Deputy Director, Development Finance, CBN, Mr Akintunde Sowunmi, CBN expects BoI to play its role in ensuring that the fund was well utilised.

"We expect the banks on their part to play their roles. Due diligence is expected from them. All these are being done in order to transform the industrial sector, most especially the manufacturing sector," Akintunde said.

He said the CBN has engaged the African Finance Corporation (AFC ) to provide capacity building to BoI, the managers of the fund. Confirming this, Manager, Risk Management Division, BoI, Mr Kola Adewole, said 99 per cent of the N200billion has been disbursed so far, adding that the intervention fund for the revival of the industrial sector has supported the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

"The objectives of the fund include fasttracking the development of the manufacturing sector of the economy by improving access to credit to manufacturers; improving the financial position of the Deposit Money Banks; increasing output; generating employment; diversifying the revenue base, as well as increasing foreign exchange earnings. It is also meant to provide inputs for the industrial sector on a sustainable basis," he said.

OPS The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in a communique recently, stated that the Intervention scheme has the potential to galvanise the economy through the private sector, given the grace period of the loan.

"This intervention fund has given a longer time frame of about 10 to15 years and a lower interest rate of about seven per cent.

So, it is left for the banks to properly implement it according to the guidelines," MAN said.

Director-General, Nigerian Chamber of Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Isemede, described BoI as a success, saying the bailout is perfect.

He said what the chamber is trying to do is “like sending a child to the best school without teachers, and no teaching aids.”He said what the country needs is a disciplined Public-Private Partnership (PPP). There are a lot of things, but government has to do its part and allow the private sector to come in. To bring back the airlines to what they used to be, they should assist the private sector, he said, adding that the N300 billion for power and airlines bailout is insufficient. He urged the CBN and BoI to be transparent and strictly follow the guidelines on the disbursement of the funds and ensure that it got to the right beneficiaries.

The Legislature The House of Representatives Committee on Industry, led by its Chairman, Mohammed Onawo, on a visit to the BoI office in Lagos, remarked: "We have seen the impact of BoI in Nigeria and what it is doing to change the lives of Nigerians. We have seen the value addition of this bank; jobs are being created; individuals are being encouraged to go into the manufacturing of goods that were hitherto imported."

He noted that the support BoI is getting from local and international organisations is due to the confidence the management has been able to build.

Onawo observed that some of the major challenges threatening the survival of industries are the responsibilities of the government and, therefore, urged government's assistance to industrialists to ensure continuous growth.

He disclosed that during their interactions, some Nigerians claimed ignorance of the existence of the bank.

"I do not think that it is true, however, management should do more than it is doing now to take awareness to the nooks and crannies of the country. It is only through this that we can achieve the height of in-

•Women beneficiaries of BoI funds.

dustrialisation in the year 2020," he advised.

Beneficiaries Managing Director, Ken Baxton Limited, Mrs. Itoro Bassey Udoh, one of the beneficiaries of the Dangote/BoI N20billion intervention fund, described the intervention fund as very helpful, but stated that inadequate power supply has been a major threat to most of them.

Her words: "The fact is that this intervention fund has been very helpful. We got N19 million through the BoI in 2010, and it has really helped the growth and existence of the business. Initially, we tried to secure loan from the commercial banks but the condition given to us was harsh. To start with, the interest placed on it was on the high side. Besides, banks are not interested in a long term loan. "However, the major challenge is epileptic power supply. As at today, we spend N40,000 everyday to power our generating plant and this translates to N240,000 per week because we operate six times per week. Also, we cannot produce at full capacity. We have to put off some machines because the generator cannot power the machines at a go. Also, we pay about N200,000 to PHCN every month. Either there is light or not, we pay that ridiculous amount every month. When we started this business , we thought things are going to improve because government kept promising us every day. If not for this, the business is very lucrative".

Another beneficiary, a furniture maker and Founder/Chief Executive Officer of IO Furniture, Munira Shonibare said accessing the BoI's intervention fund has doubled her company's turnover tenfold. Shonibare, said the fund has helped them set up a production plant that meets international standard.

She also said the company has been able to train their staff to acquire proper skill, stating that local manufacturers differ from their counterparts abroad because they (foreign manufacturers) have access to cheap funds and therefore can always set up latest machines and equipment. ''They can constantly guarantee their products, capacity and quality. With the intervention fund, we have been able to do that,'' she declared.

Recalling where the company was before accessing the fund, Munira said the main aspect of IO Furniture was established in 1992 to take control of the company's designs and quality control standards of its products. ''Initially, we were using local manufacturers. We found out that they didn't always meet our quality requirements and deadlines and, most importantly, they never completely interpreted our designs.

So, I thought, why not start manufacturing on a very small scale,'' she explained.

Without prior knowledge of manufactur-

ing, she said she entered into an agreement with an Italian who was working here in the country at the time and set up a little cottage industry in their premises using very archaic old fashioned manual equipment, second hand that was leased longterm.

She said: ''It was painstaking; it meant ideally lengthy production processes because everything was done manually. You couldn't always guarantee the quality because it changed from person to person''. ''About 10 years down the line, I realised we have grown. What pushed me really was when the government banned furniture. We were forced to take a critical look at how best to proceed. I approached an Italian company that we have been doing business with to come to Nigeria and set up a furniture manufacturing company with the aim of also training our own local staff and produce products that we are ultimately going to export. They agreed and we got into an agreement but funding was a problem, which is where BoI comes in. ''At first, we applied to two banks for funding because it was important that we move things very quickly so that our technical partners will not get impatient and lose interest. They gave us funding, but it was at a very steep interest rate. The CBN had not come out with the intervention fund for manufacturers. As soon as they did, our bankers applied on our behalf and we got the funding from CBN.'' Munira said manufacturers do not have as much support as they should to produce. ''We need support. We need machines, manpower and constant power supply. It is something we need to address as a people,'' she declared.

Managing Director, European Soap, Mr Suren Mirchandani, said the company, which got N519million through the bank, had "grown stronger."

He said the funds have really helped the company, adding that it was seeking another intervention fund for expansion.

He said: "The CBN-BOI intervention has helped in the employment of about 1,000 Nigerians in this place alone, compared to the 400 workers we used to have. The fund is to help in the industrialisation of Nigeria.

If we can have three or four of this kind of project, we could provide more jobs," he said.

Mirchandani said the capacity utilisation of the company had also risen from 15 per cent to 60 per cent, adding that the company was expected to hit 80 per cent by next year.

Between March 27, 2011 and March 27, 2012, a monitoring exercise on the facility was carried out to evaluate the level of compliance with the guidelines by the participating banks. The exercise was also meant to attend to other operational issues with the fund managers, BOI.

‘We spend N40,000 everyday to power our generating plant and this translates to N240,000 per week because we operate six times per week.

Also, we cannot produce at full capacity. We have to put off some machines because the generator cannot power the machines at a go’

During the opening of the Corporate Headquarters of the Bank,last year, President Goodluck Jonathan declared that with a well- positioned and recapitalised bank, the re-invention of Nigeria's re-industrialisation would get a quantum leap. He promised that his administration would give the bank and its management the needed support to create wealth and jobs. He asserted that there was an urgent need to open up the bank to institutional investors, who would buy into its programmes with a view to increasing the capital base.

Managing Director, BoI, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, recently disclosed that the bank has in the last 10 years of its operations approved 1,435 loans amounting to investment of N165.74 billion, with considerable developmental impact on the economy.

"It is gratifying to note that in the last 10 years, BoI despite our challenging environment, recorded appreciable strides in pursuit of its mandate and its evolution into a strong, dynamic and flexible development finance institution that proactively responds to the needs of entrepreneurs in Nigeria," she said.

Also commenting on the move to recapitalise the bank, President, NigeriaAmerican Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, said it is a laudable initiative and should be applauded by every industrialist in the country.

"Any right thinking Nigerian should support this. At least, all of us are witnesses to what the bank can do with little resources at its disposal.

UN, BoI investment on renewable energy The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and BoI are to invest about $4.48 million in renewable energy projects in the next three years to boost the productive capacities of micro-small- and mediumscale enterprises (MSMEs) in the rural and urban areas.

Renewable energy projects involve the utilisation of wind, biomass, small hydro, and solar energy options to generate electricity. The Access to Renewable Energy (AtRE) project package which was unveiled recently in Abuja at the launch of the partnership, is expected to facilitate access to affordable and reliable energy supply alternatives independent of the supply from the national grid, which has been a source of national concern in recent times.

All parties involved are expected to contribute towards the realisation of the project's objectives, with UNDP expected to provide about $2 million of the total funding requirement, while BoI would provide the balance of $2.48 million throughout the project scheduled to run till December 2014.

Oputu said at the agreement signing ceremony that the initiative would assist MSMEs to build capacity to set up renewable energy either as a business or as service for business development, while financial institutions would receive better guidance in assessing credit and financing risks in renewable energy investments and services.

Similarly, she said the partnership would encourage the government to develop and implement renewable energy policies and regulatory frameworks that would provide the enabling environment for MSMEs to thrive and create jobs for the people.

Ms Oputu is convinced that renewable energy remains a viable solution to the country's energy sector challenge, particularly in the industrial sector, saying this was the right time to take concrete steps to address the problem in a holistic manner.

"Energy is a major factor in Nigeria's economic growth and development, as well as a major input in the production of goods and services. I am confident that the experience and wealth of knowledge of the project board members would be invaluable in ensuring the success of the project," the BoI boss said.

The fund is meant for refinancing existing loans; refinancing existing leases and working capital for both power and aviation sectors, while the long-term segment of the fund is exclusively applicable to new power projects only.

The CBN noted that the funds shall be administered at an all inclusive interest rate and charges of seven per cent. The BoI will take one per cent as management fee while participating banks collect six per cent that is payable quarterly.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

29

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

U.S. consumer sentiment rises unexpectedly A FTER two months of sliding sentiment, this month’s advance indicates consumers may be feeling the benefits of growing payrolls.

Rising confidence raises the odds households can sustain July’s pickup in retail sales, which set the pace for stronger growth in the third quarter.

“People have said the worst scenario is not going to happen,” said John Silvia, chief economist at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Another report, the index of United States leading economic indicators, climbed more than forecast in July, a sign of sustained expansion. The Conference Board’s gauge of the outlook for the next three to six months increased 0.4 per cent after a revised 0.4 per cent drop in June, the New York-based group said today. Economists projected the gauge would rise by 0.2 per cent.

Stocks were little changed, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index at 1,415.39 in New York. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell to 1.807 per cent from 1.84 per cent late.

Estimates in the consumer confidence survey ranged from 69 to 75. The index averaged 64.2 during the last recession and 89 in the five years before the 18-month economic slump that ended in June 2009.

Michigan’s sentiment reading for August contrasts with the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index, which slumped last week to the lowest level since January.

The Michigan survey’s index of current conditions, which reflects Americans’ perceptions of their financial situation and whether

•A US shopping mall

they consider it a good time to buy big-ticket items like cars, improved to 87.6 from 82.7 the prior month.

It is the highest number since January 2008.

The index of consumer expectations six months from now, which more closely projects the direction of consumer spending, fell to 64.5, an eight-month low, from 65.6 in July.

Rising confidence could help induce more households to head to shops and malls and restaurants, stoking the expansion after they gave it less support last quarter.

Consumer spending, about 70 per cent of the economy, grew at a 1.5 percent annual rate from April to June, down from a 2.4 per cent pace in the previous three months, according to Commerce Department data.

Retail sales advanced 0.8 per cent in July, the biggest increase since February and the first in four months, easing some concern that elevated unemployment will cause households to retrench.

Supporting the growth in demand, payrolls increased by 163,000 in July, the most in five months, Labor

Department figures show. The jobless rate, nonetheless, rose to 8.3 per cent, a five-month high.

“Unemployment rates have remained around eight per cent, as we all know, for the past two quarters, and given all of this in the current economic situation, our perspective is we would need to see more stable growth signals before expecting U.S. consumer confidence levels to show a sustained increase,” Ajay Banga, president and chief executive officer of Mastercard Inc. (MA), said during an Aug. 1 earnings call.

Gas prices could also hamper steady

.

Firm ‘regrets’ Marikana mine deaths

Greece set to pay its next bond

I

T looks like Greece will be able to make its latest bond payment next week, thanks to some creative financing.

The Greek government sold over 4 billion euro worth of three month bills on Tuesday, which analysts say will be used to repay 3.2 billion euro in bonds held by the European Central Bank that mature on August 20.

Greek banks were the main buyers at Tuesday’s auction, because most outside investors are still unwilling to lend money to Athens.

However, since the ECB decided in July to stop accepting Greek government bonds as collateral, Greek banks have been dependent on the Greek central bank for emergency liquidity. The banks are widely believed to have used central bank money to buy the bills.

“Greece has basically been feeding off the eurosystem at one window to repay it at another,” said Nicholas Spiro, director of Londonbased consultancy Spiro Sovereign Strategy, referring to the group of 17 eurozone central banks. “It’s just a recirculation of the funds.”

The immediate goal is to avoid a messy default that could force Greece out of the euro currency union and set off a market panic that drags down Spain and Italy.

But the proceeds from this week’s debt sale could also help cover any budget shortfalls that occur if the latest installment of Greece’s bailout money is delayed, said Dimitri Papadimitriou, a professor of economics at Bard College.

“It was convenient to have this arrangement coming to fruition,” said Papadimitriou.

Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras and his partners in the coalition government are struggling to find an additional 11.5 billion euro in spending cuts required by the European Union, International Monetary Fund and ECB, known as the troika.

Troika officials are set to return to Athens in early September to complete their review of the government’s finances. That means eurozone finance ministers will probably not make a decision on Greece’s bailout money until they meet on October 8.

In the meantime, Samaras is expected to push for a two-year

extension of Greece’s bailout program, which would give the government more time to implement difficult reforms. He is scheduled to meet next week with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande, among other top eurozone officials.

Germany in particular has been reluctant to make concessions for Greece, and some German politicians have said that a Greek exit from the eurozone would be manageable.

While the eurozone has strengthened its financial firewall, economists say it is impossible to predict what would happen if Greece were to leave the currency union.

The stakes are particularly high as borrowing costs for Spain and Italy have drifted upward recently, rising back near unsustainable levels. Investors are particularly concerned about Spain, which is widely expected to ask the eurozone bailout fund and ECB to intervene in the bond market.

“No one wants to gamble on a disorderly Greek exit from the eurozone,” said Spiro.

Qatar buys stake in Heathrow owner for $1.4b

Q

ATAR Holding LLC, the investment arm of the Middle East country’s sovereignwealth fund, agreed to pay 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion) for a 20 percent stake in BAA Ltd., which owns London’s Heathrow airport, Europe’s busiest hub.

Qatar Holding will acquire a 10.62 percent stake in FGP Topco Ltd., BAA’s parent company, from Ferrovial SA (FER) for 478 million pounds, the Spanish infrastructure company said in a statement today. Qatar Holding also agreed to buy a 5.63 per cent stake from Britannia Airport Partners and 3.75 per cent from GIC Special Investments Pte

Ltd., according to the statement.

Qatar Holding LLC , the investment arm of the Middle East country’s sovereign-wealth fund, agreed to buy a 20 per cent stake in Heathrow airport owner BAA Ltd. for 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion).

Qatar Holding LLC , the investment arm of the Middle East country’s sovereign-wealth fund, agreed to buy a 20 percent stake in Heathrow airport owner BAA Ltd. for 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion).

“The sale of this stake in BAA is part of Ferrovial’s strategy of establishing a market valuation of our assets and improving the structure of our invest-

ment portfolio,” Ferrovial Chief Executive Officer Inigo Meiras said in the statement.

Qatar uses wealth accumulated from the world’s third-largest gas reserves to acquire regional and European assets. Qatar Holding bought Harrods Ltd. in 2010, and the sovereign wealth fund has taken an 11.6 per cent stake in Swiss minerXstrata Plc. (XTA).

The deal is pending regulatory approval and is expected to be closed by year end, Ferrovial said. The transaction will help the Madrid-based company boost liquidity and gain “flexibility to undertake investments in infrastructure and services projects,” it said.

gains in confidence. The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $3.72 on August 16 after sliding to $3.33 in early July, the lowest in six months, according to AAA, the nation’s largest auto club.

Consumers in today’s confidence report said they expect an inflation rate of 3.6 percent over the next 12 months, compared with three per cent in the prior survey. Over the next five years, Americans expected a three per cent rate of inflation, compared with a previously reported 2.7 per cent in the previous report.

•Roger Phillimore

L

ONMIN says it “deeply” regrets the deaths at its Marikana platinum mine in South Africa after clashes between police and strikers.

More than 30 people were killed on Thursday when police opened fire after failing to disperse strikers armed with clubs and machetes at the mine.

The mine has been at the centre of a pay dispute, made worse by tensions between rival trade unions.

Shares in Lonmin fell by about eight per cent on Friday morning before recovering.

The company’s share price has fallen by more than 12 per cent since the clashes began.

In a statement, Lonmin chairman Roger Phillimore said: “We are treating the developments around police operations... with the utmost seriousness.

“It goes without saying that we deeply regret the further loss of life in what is clearly a public order rather than labour relations associated matter.”

President Jacob Zuma said he was “shocked and dismayed at this senseless violence”.

‘Negative effect’ The South African platinum industry is battling not only a lacklustre platinum price... but

also increasing depths, declining grades and more complicated metallurgy” Platinum is used in catalytic converters which reduce vehicle emissions, and is widely used to make jewellery.

Lonmin’s operations are situated in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, where the majority of the world’s platinum comes from.

Anglo American Platinum produces 40 per cent of the world’s platinum from its mines in the area.

Its London-based parent company said production was currently at normal levels.

But a spokesman told the BBC it was “watching the situation extremely closely”.

The price of platinum on the international markets rose four per cent on Friday to $1,460 per troy ounce.

Gideon du Plessis, general secretary of South African trade union Solidarity, said the country would suffer huge losses as a result of the clashes at the mine.

“South Africa’s reputation as a stable investment destination is negatively affected by the violence, not only in the platinum industry but in general,” he said.

On Thursday, Lonmin had said that the strike meant it would lose 15,000 ounces of platinum production, and as a result it was unlikely to meet its production forecasts for the full year.

“The extent of the variation from guidance will depend on the timing and speed with which normal operations can safely resume,” the company said.

Mining analysts said the problems had come at an already challenging time for the industry.

30

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

MONEY LINK

CBN: $100b required to bridge infrastructure gap

N

IGERIA requires over $10 billion annually over the next 10 years to bridge infrastructure gap, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

This puts the total infrastructure need for the nation in the next decade at $100 billion.

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi disclosed this in a statement tagged: “The Role of Development Finance Institutions in Infrastructure.”

He said foreign direct investment receipts outside the traditional oil and gas sector, and more recently, telecoms are not significant for infrastructure fi-

Stories by Collins Nweze

nancing needs.

Existing sources of long-term financing such as multilateral loans, euro and or dollar bonds, private equity among others, are either grossly inadequate, expensive or unavailable based on the present global economic realities.

The statement published on the CBN website said, for commercial banks, the maturity transformation risk is high based on their present funding structure, which mainly consists of short-term deposits, coupled with limited skills to perform their intermediation

role.

“One potential solution is the use of pension funds. Nigeria has over N2.3 trillion in Pension funds, which yield predictable streams of income in the long-term that match their typical long-term liabilities. In addition, they hedge against inflation and are less volatile.

Across the world, pension funds, insurance companies and private equity are playing an increasing role in infrastructure financing,” he said.

According to him, pensions regulator, PENCOM has performed creditably well in trying to balance safety, liquidity

and maintenance of fair returns. “They have recently amended the regulation on investment of Pension Fund Assets to allow for the investment in infrastructure bonds that are registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission,” he said.

Sanusi said the capital market in Nigeria also provides a variety of financing instruments that could lead to larger pools of funds.

He said that the sustainable growth and development of the country hinges on the provision and maintenance of adequate infrastructure. “The current state

RenCap upgrades Stanbic IBTC shares

R

pected cost growth reduced profit growth. An abnormally low tax rate aided the result, but reduced its quality. We have reduced our full-year forecasts,” it said.

Balance sheet trends showed that net loans increased five per cent year to date, a significant slowdown from the 40 per cent pace achieved in fiscal year 2011.

“We attribute this partially to a flat corporate loan growth performance, and partially to

ENAISSANCE Capital (RenCap) has upgraded shares of Stanbic IBTC Bank from sale to hold. The recommendation for hold came after a reduction in its risk-free rate to 11 per cent from 12 per cent and 12-month target price to N6.44 from N5.72.

The investment and research firm explained in an emailed report that it trimmed the bank’s year 2012 forecasts, largely on lower ad-

vances growth and given ongoing pressure on margins.

RenCap said the bank’s 2012 Earnings Per Share (EPS) estimate is now 48 kobo, up from 58 kobo. It said that the comparative base is considerably easier in second half of 2012, given that second half of 2011’s high impairment charge.

“We were somewhat disappointed by Stanbic IBTC’s recently announced first half 2012 results, as pressure on margins and higher-than-ex-

HE Registrar and Chief Executive, Institute of Chartered Accountants Nigeria (ICAN), Olutoyin Adepate has emphasised the need for improved skills among accounting experts to tackle money laundering and financial crimes in the country.

Addressing the induction ceremony of new members

ICAN advocates improved skills for members

T

of the Association of Accounting Technicians in Lagos , Adepate noted that the promulgation of the money laundering 2011 and anti-terrorism acts demanded for specialised professional expertise to deal with emerging issues in the banking and economic envi-

a deteriorating asset quality picture, particularly in retail lending. Deposits fell in the six months, ascribed by management to jettisoning expensive funding. The loans/deposits ratio rose markedly,” it said.

Income statement trends showed that net interest margins (NIM) dropped to 5.8 per cent in first half in 2012 from 7.9 per cent in first half of 2011, on sharply higher funding costs.

counting officers to ensure the soundness, integrity and stability of the financial system is not compromised.

He stressed the need for officers to acquaint themselves with international accounting standards to institutionalise greater transparency in financial reporting.

ronment.

He said accounting technicians need to develop skills to assist the government in the crusade to curtail the growth of the practice. With the government making legislations to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, Adepate urged ac-

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 17-8-12 SYMBOL

CADBURY INTBREW FIDSON DANGFLOUR LIVESTOCK EVANSMED IKEJAHOTEL RTBRISCOE NAHCO OANDO

O/PRICE

15.95 6.94 0.84 6.13 1.37 1.15 1.17 1.65 5.70 13.61

C/PRICE

16.74 7.28 0.88 6.10 1.43 1.20 1.22 1.72 5.90 14.00

CIBN restructures

T

HE Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has embarked on a restructuring exercise aimed at strengthening its operations and processes of the institute.

This it said in a statement, would assist it in meeting the expectations of stakeholders in the banking industry and economy at large.

It said that its target is to benchmark programmes of other banking institutes in various countries, create new administrative structure for the institute among other issues.

To drive these initiatives, the Institute promoted three Principal Managers to Assistant Directors.

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

The newly promoted Assistant Directors are Mr Segun Shonubi, former Principal Manager Membership Services; Mr. Oluseye Awojobi, former Principal Manager Education and Mrs. Rukayat Yusuf, former Principal Manager, Consultancy, Training and Research.

Part of the restructuring exercise includes the creation of Group Heads to provide effective and efficient leadership for the various divisions in the Institute including Membership Services; Learning and Development; Capacity Building and Certification; Finance and Corporate Services; Ethics and Professionalism and Other Bankers Committee Division; and National Secretariat Annex, Abuja.

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Dec ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 12.6%

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

CHANGE

0.79 0.34 0.04 0.27 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.07 0.20 0.39

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

often characterised by non-recourse or limited recourse financing, meaning that lenders can only be repaid from the revenues generated by the projects.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

DATA BANK

Tenor

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

of infrastructure in Nigeria poses a significant problem and the financing gap has proven to be the ‘thorn in the flesh’ of efforts to alleviate this problem,” he said.

The non-availability of longterm funds, absence of risk sharing structures, lack of clarity around the governance of the PPP framework, and a dearth of expertise to assist banks and other firms engaged in infrastructure financing, are some of the challenges that are hampering development efforts, he said.

The CBN boss said that building infrastructure is a capital-intensive process involving large initial costs, low operating costs and long term finance given the gestation period of projects. He said infrastructure projects are

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 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

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 123.71 107.75 0.76 1.10 0.93 1,731.32 9.66 1.39 1.87 8,024.44

9.08 1.00 123.56 107.53 0.74 1.10 0.91 1,729.01 9.19 1.33 1.80

LOSERS AS AT 17-8-12

SYMBOL CONOIL ARBICO UPL MAYBAKER ROYALEX BAGCO REDSTAREX WAPIC NASCON NIGERINS

O/PRICE 23.00 14.83 4.30 1.75 0.53 1.63 2.75 0.55 4.77 0.51

C/PRICE 21.85 14.09 4.10 1.67 0.51 1.57 2.65 0.53 4.67 0.50

CHANGE 1.15 0.74 0.20 0.08 0.02 0.06 0.10 0.02 0.10 0.01

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2011

Current 07, Aug, 2011

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

31

MONEY MARKET REPORT

•US

•Naira notes

Dollar notes

CBN’s measures strengthen reserves

G

LOBAL economic uncertainties have made rebuilding of foreign reserves a key policy priority of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Consequently, the banking watchdog is pursuing policies that would foster macro-economic stability, economic diversification as well as encourage foreign capital inflows, which also impact, positively, on the reserves.

Analysts at Afrinvest said without buoyant reserves, Nigeria cannot achieve foreign exchange stability, which remains a hedge against higher inflation and buffer for the stability of the naira.

The CBN has, therefore, instituted a tight monetary policy,which allows for the rebuilding of reserves, in line with the government target of $60 billion by year-end as Nigeria’s oil production soars. For the past 10 days, the reserves have been rising. It stood at $37 billion as at August 16.

The apex bank had consistently advocated tighter fiscal controls around oil revenues to boost the reserves. The foreign currency reserves stood at $37 billion as at July 4, 2010, rose to $68 billion in August 2008, before the global financial crises impacted negatively on it.

Head of Research, Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan, said in an emailed statement that the CBN needs to build up adequate external reserves to satisfy the genuine needs for forex as such is consistent with the increase in the growth in economic activity. For her, this will equally assist in conserving resources and withstanding external shocks.

Interbank Interbank lending rates fell sharply on Friday to an average of 14 per cent, from about 19.33 per cent the previous day after about N283 billion in budget allocations to government agencies hit the market.

Dealers said the market was short prior to the disbursal of the budget funds due to stricter central bank’s measures to tighten liquidity in the system and support the local currency.

“The market opened with a deficit of about N197 billion on Friday, but by the time the budget allocations hit the system today, the cost of borrowing fell sharply,” one dealer said.

Dealers said the release of the budget funds on Friday was a relief to the market, which has been hit by cash shortages. The secured

By Collins Nweze

Open Buy Back (OBB) dropped to 14 per cent from 18 per cent the previous day and lower than the 15 per cent it closed last Friday.

Cash-less The CBN said banks are helping their customers to circumvent the cash-less policy initiative. Specifically, the apex bank said some banks still perform cash collection services for some supermarkets and petrol stations. Others it said allow their customers to withdraw / deposit cash above the free limits, without charging processing fee.

In a circular signed by CBN Director, Banking and Payments System Department, ’Dipo Fatokun, explained that banks are yet to fully comply with the apex bank’s directive mandating them to stop cash in transit lodgment services rendered to merchant customers.

He said the policy stipulates that customers could engage the services of CBN licensed CIT companies to aid cash movement to and from their banks at mutually agreed terms and conditions. It was also stated that contravention of this policy would attract fine of N1 million per specie movement.

“The CBN has discovered that some Deposit Money Banks aid and abet their customers to circumvent the policy. In particular, some banks still perform cash collection services for some supermarkets and petrol stations, while some allow their customers to withdraw / deposit cash above the free limits, without charging processing fee,” it said.

ICAN The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) absolved professional accountants from the spate of corruption in Nigeria. It said they have strict code of ethics, discipline and enforcement that would not allow them to stray from best practices.

Chairman, Ikeja District Society of ICAN (IDSICAN), Mr Patrick

Sanni (FCA), said there were several unregistered accountants who are not under the ethics and discipline of ICAN thus making it difficult for the body to checkmate their activities.

He spoke at the flag-off of IDSICAN – a multi-event programme to mark the 30th anniversary of the society. Sanni said ICAN has strict ethical guidelines and active disciplinary process that would not allow professional accountants to deviate from laiddown best practices. He said any indictment could lead to removal of such member from the institute.

Finance Houses Finance Houses have lamented the limited sources of funding for operators of the sub-sector. Speaking at the CEO Business meeting and luncheon held in Lagos, Yemisi Tayo-Aboaba, an official of Finance Houses Association of Nigeria (FHAN) and former Managing Director, First Funds Limited, said securing long-term and cost-effective financing remains a big challenge in the country.

She explained that equity; private individuals, institutional investors, debt and/or equity from Developmental Finance Institutions, borrowings from individuals as well as institutions and funding from government are key sources of funding for the sector.

IFRS The Managing Director, IFRS Strategic Consultants Nigeria Limited, David Raggay, has hinted on key areas that will pose challenges to banks in implementing of the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS). Already, many quoted companies, particularly banks, have reported their financials in IFRS as evidenced in their first-quarter financials submitted at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). While more results are being expected, there are things investors and analysts should look out for.

He said accounting for financial instruments is one of the more chal-

‘The market opened with a deficit of about N197 billion on Friday, but by the time the budget allocations hit the system today, the cost of borrowing fell sharply’

lenging areas of IFRS. Banks are likely to also encounter problems in areas such as income taxes, employee benefits, business combinations and share-based payments.

DMO The Debt Management Office (DMO) last week sold N75 billion worth of bonds. Reports from Reuters said the local bonds’ maturities will range between five and 10 years at its regular auction.

The DMO said the Federal Government issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit. The units of sale are N1, 000 per unit subject to a minimum subscription of N10, 000 and in multiples of N1, 000 thereafter.

The offer, will like, FGN bonds, qualify as liquid assets for liquidity ratio calculation for banks. The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of FGN and are charged upon the general assets of the country.

Excess Crude Account FBN Capital Limited has said Nigeria will save an estimated $2billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), if she is able to keep the daily crude oil production at 2.70 barrels by September.

In a report entitled: The New Orthodox on Oil Production, the research firm said the market will revise its outlook if the government can sustained the crude oil production of 2.70mbpd.

AMCON A Federal High Court, Lagos has granted an order permitting the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to take possession of prime assets and properties of one of its debtors. The alleged debtor is American Specification Autos Limited, whose Managing Director is Chief Felix Amaefuna.

AMCON, through its counsel, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) sought the court’s discretion to invoke its special powers in a debt recovery case. It sought the court’s order to take possession of the landed properties, which the firm allegedly pledged as securities for a loan.

AMCON also sought an injunction to prevent the debtors from taking away their assets from the court’s jurisdiction. The court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Idris, found merit in the application and granted the orders as prayed pending the determination

of the substantive suit.

PoS

The result of the effort by the CBN to transform the nation from a cash-based to cash-less economy will depend on the availability of Point of Sales (PoS) terminal and connectivity, the Executive Director, Business Development, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Christabel Onyejekwe said.

Speaking at this month’s edition of the Digital Jewels Information Value Chain, in Lagos, she explained that the adoption and continued support for merchants in the use of PoS terminals remains a major step towards making the cash-less banking initiative a reality.

“We have the conviction that the successful adoption of PoS terminals is dependent on the readiness of stakeholders to discharge their functions effectively, especially in areas of availability and connectivity,” she said.

Bank to bank report Shareholders of Stanbic IBTC Bank approved the creation of a holding company – Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc – for the bank and its other non-banking businesses.

The resolution was unanimously endorsed by 99.06 per cent of its shareholders at the court-ordered Extra-Ordinary General Meeting in Abuja.

The new structure, according to the Chairman of the Stanbic IBTC Group, Mr Atedo Peterside, is in compliance with the revised regulatory framework by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which requires banks to divest from noncore banking businesses or adopt a holding structure. The new structure comes into effect next month.

Sterling Bank reiterated its commitment to empower entrepreneurs and developing human capital in the country.

A statement from the bank expressed its focus on these areas, which it considers critical in wealth creation. Speaking at the end of the Fate Foundation Series sponsored by the bank, Group Head, Corporate Development, Shina Atilola, assured that the lender will continue to empower entrepreneurs to achieve their desired goals.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is to partner with the Government of Benin Republic on infrastructure and economic development. The Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza, disclosed this when he met with the President of Benin Republic, Dr. Boni Yayi in Cotonou.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

32

THE CEO

Banks’ exposure in real estate below 1%

• Adediji

Mr Bode Adediji is the immediate Past President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and Chairman, Bode Adediji Partnership and Kontinental Properties, a firm of builders, estate surveyors and valuers. In this interview with OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE, he speaks on the effects of the security challenges, banks’ exposure to the real estate, reduction of Diaspora remittances, Vision 20:2020, tenancy law and the widening housing gap.

H

OW has the security challenges affected the real estate sector in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI)?

The interests of foreign investors are fast waning and one is almost certain that the profile of fund remittance by Nigerians in Diaspora will hit rock bottom. Nigerians in Diaspora work too hard to

make ends meet and usually send good money for investment in real estate but the security situation in the country has changed the equation. Nobody will work that hard and send the money home when he is not sure if the investment will evaporate overnight. Currently, there is also no effective demand and the private sector is not making significant impact on the construction

and real estate sector due to the challenges.

In a country where about 90 per cent of the people live below two dollars per day, issues of security can only be left in the hands of God. How has the housing sector fared?

There has been no growth in the sector in the last six months as the heightened insecurity tends to accelerate lack of no confidence

in the economy and erodes investor confidence. If you look at countries that have overcome housing problem, it is by public policies and programmes. It is entrenched in their culture that housing the people is a must and the starting point is to generate and deliver internal capacity • Continued on page 33

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

33

THE CEO

Banks’ exposure in real estate below 1% •Continued from page 32

to manufacture and produce all these basic building materials that can be utilised to produce houses for all categories of income groups.

But in Nigeria and unfortunately since independence, the nation has quietly embraced a policy of always looking forward to foreign countries to solve our problems when potentially, the internal capacity to solve these problems are here and available. How we make this mistake from one administration to another will be an issue for a political scientist to decide and educate us.

How can these housing problems be solved?

The housing market is a complex one and sadly our policy makers seem not to understand how it works. If they do, they would have probably come up with a policy encouraging companies to invest and participate in the housing sector in order to develop it. For instance, how many estates today can be credited to Julius Berger Plc apart from road, unlike the one it built in the 60s and 70s? Of course, except the one the company is doing under its pension fund scheme, how many real estates in Nigeria can be credited to Shell either as owner or promoter? Our government should have taken advantage of the financial muscle of these multinationals

to coax them into housing development. There is a need to liberalise the process of land acquisition and also check the high cost of land titles. In my estimation except a particular administration is able to solve this problem, housing a majority of the people will be a mirage.

How about the Lagos Tenancy Law? The Tenancy Law will not work because of insufficient housing units and inadequate infrastructure.

The government should as a matter of urgency muster the same political courage it used in promulgating the law to produce more houses for the people. As long as the problem of insufficient housing units persists, there would be a serious mismatch between demand and supply, which would translate into high rents. The truth, however, is that the Lagos Tenancy Law will be inoperable. It can only work if the government combines this law with massive production of houses.

As a matter of fact, it is not the first time in the history of Lagos that a rent edict or law will be enacted.

For as long as the problem of insufficient houses persists, there will be a mismatch between demand and supply, translating into high rental prices.

What’s the way out?

The only solution is for the gov-

‘But in Nigeria and unfortunately since independence, the nation has quietly embraced a policy of always looking forward to foreign countries to solve our problems when potentially, the internal capacity to solve these problems are here and available.

How we make this mistake from one administration to another will be an issue for a political scientist to decide and educate us’

• Adediji

ernment to create an enabling environment to produce more houses where government should be directly involved in the production of houses. As long as there are shortages of housing units, landlords would continue to dictate to the tenants. It has led to a situation where landlords ask prospective tenants to choose between government rent and their own. Today, the scenario is somewhat like this where a landlord will say “I have this house for rent, but if you say you want to rent as per the government tenancy law, go and rent from the government, l built my house with my money and government cannot decide how much l will rent my building.” Besides, the exclusion of some areas from the operations of the law made it selective.

How will Nigerians easily acquire houses of their own considering the over 16 million housing gap?

The only way that people can easily have houses of their own is through the establishment of a virile, sustainable and non-elitist mortgage system in the country. Any country that operates a culture of cash and carry, would only be dreaming about housing for all. For any country to solve its housing problems, there are fundamental steps that must be taken that are totally non-negotiable. Housing and mortgage are the engine room that drives the economy of most advanced nations but unfortunately the reverse is the case in Nigeria.

Looked from another angle, the total loan exposure of all banks in this country to real estate is less than one per cent while total contribution of the housing, property and construction to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is just about three per cent, which is very negligible.

One will expect the government officials with information on such miserly data on our housing development to embark on a revolutionary response to address the situation. Reality is that from one administration to another, we have always talked about housing; mortgage, land reforms, that is, access to land but nothing tangible ever takes place beyond the realm of talking.

Is leadership in Nigeria part of the challenges in the housing sector?

Certainly, like l said earlier, the inability of previous administrations to appreciate the relationship between real estate and other crucial sectors such as health, security and even social stability, has been the bane of the nation’s development. I use this opportunity to urge our government to emulate the giant strides taken by Brazil and Argentina to get out of the poverty zone. Go and read the story of Brazil and Argentina. Brazil now has more than 58 per cent of people who have moved into the middle class cadre, up from the abysmally 10 per cent in the 10 years just because of the leadership of one person, President Luna. As at today, the poor percentage in Brazil is less than 20 per cent. Look at Argentina, the country was bankrupt about 10 years ago when they walked out of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and insisted they were not going to pay debts.

The banks closed down, they had a president that said, enough is enough and subsequently put all their resources together and within a space of 10 years, they had a profound collection of middle class people and reduced poverty to the barest minimum. That should be the vision of the leadership of our

• Adediji

‘The truth, however, is that the Lagos Tenancy Law will be inoperable. It can only work if the government combines this law with massive production of houses. As a matter of fact, it is not the first time in the history of Lagos that a rent edict or law will be enacted’ country if we are desirous of moving forward.

How can quacks be eliminated in the estate surveying and valuation business?

The first thing we are doing is to educate the public to know what we stand for and the functions we perform to the public. We are ensuring the public patronise professionals than quacks. Secondly, we are growing our membership to enable people have access to as many professionals as possible in any part of the country to reduce or stamp out the incident of quackery. Thirdly, when we see infringement on contractual obligations perpetuated by quacks, we let the public know that justice must take its course. These are the things we are doing currently and we are winning already. The public have also been enlightened on how to identify professional estate surveyors from quacks. The advantages of patronising a registered surveyor is unquantifiable as the client always have recourse with the institution or even a court of competent jurisdiction in case of a default.

What other reforms have the institution put in place for its members and by extension the public?

We have moved the institution from just the conventional transaction-based profession to intellectually driven profession, and through the seminars, workshops, and emphasis on merit, we positioned our members to come to a point that they appreciate the fact that estate agency is not the only professional aspect of our profession. We moved into things like building constructions, managements, investment studies, and financial packaging.

We also reached out to the Federal and state governments to enlighten them to the fact that whenever there is any issue pertaining to the built

environment, land and building, valuation and development, we should be the first point of contact, and that we have succeeded.

Does it mean your members can be sanctioned for unprofessional conduct?

We have our set of rules and regulations, which have provision for the discipline of erring members.

It is in our code of practice and that is why we encourage members of the public to patronise only registered surveyors in order to have something to fall back on in case of dispute.

As a professional, what is your take on Vision 20:2020?

I have been a member of Vision 20:2020 and I can tell you that we have mentioned to the government that this is one document that, unless we implement, Nigeria will not move forward. So, we all have to understand Vision 20:2020, we must all key into it and the government must implement it faithfully and timely.

What can you say on incessant collapse of buildings?

As surveyors we have the longest and strongest relationship between end-users of any project – be it office or residential building. The first thing we know is that there must be, as a matter of fact, public education that encourages best performances in design, construction, supervision and monitoring of all projects. And once you do that, you are on a right tract. Secondly, we tell government that where buildings are adjudged to be suspect, it is important for it to have a special budget to evacuate the inhabitants of such buildings, so it won’t be a reaction from the angle of threat but from the angle of saving lives. We know that all over the world complete avoidance of collapsed building is inevitable, but we must be able to minimise the occurrence.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

34

EQUITIES

Merger: NSE places Starcomms on suspension

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 17-8-12

TARCOMMS Plc have advanced talks on possible business combination that may see the metamorphosis of the struggling telecommunications into a new vibrant corporate identity.

The Nation had reported exclusively ongoing business combination talks in the CDMA telecommunication segment.

Sources close to Starcomms said the company had reached advanced stage in its talks with new investors and the conclusive announcement may be made soon.

In anticipation of possible changes in the capital structure of the company, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) placed Starcomms on full suspension at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the market recorded a turnover of 932.58 million shares worth N7.277 billion in 17,711 deals, in contrast to a total of 1.318 billion shares valued at N9.136 billion that ex-

S

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

changed hands the previous week in 19,200 deals.

The financial services sector was the most active during the week, with 703.84 million shares worth of N4.92 billion exchanging hands by investors in 10,282 deals.

Volume in the sector was largely driven by banking sub sectors led by shares of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc. Trading in the shares of the three banks accounted for 252.67 million shares, representing 41.13 per cent, 35.9 per cent and 27.09 per cent of the turnover recorded by the sub sector, sector and total turnover for the week, respectively.

The NSE All-Share Index (ASI) opened the week at 23,239.03 points depreciating 0.42 per cent to close last Friday at 23,141.08. Similarly, the equities Market

Capitalisation opened at N7.40trillion, depreciating 0.41 per cent to close at N7.37trillion.

The Bloomberg NSE 30 Index remained flat at 0.00 per cent to close at 1,084.61.

While, two of the five sectorial indices appreciated – The Bloomberg NSE Consumer Goods Index rose by 1.01 per cent to close at 1,965.10, while the Bloomberg NSE Banking Index rose by 1.50 per cent to close at 360.13.

Also, the Bloomberg NSE Insurance Index depreciated by 0.20 per cent to close at 124.44, Bloomberg NSE Oil/ Gas Index fell by 1.81 per cent to close at N165.70, while NSE-Lotus II depreciated by 0.76 per cent to close at 1,343.27.

Thirty three equities appreciated in prices during the week, higher than 31 of the preceding week. Nigerian Breweries Plc led on the gainers’ table by 1.94 per cent to gain N2.31 followed by Cadbury Nigeria Plc by 11.16 per cent to gain N1.68.

Twenty-eight stocks depreciated in prices lower than 36 of the preceding week. Dangote Cement Plc led on the price losers’ table, dropping by 4.33 per cent to shed N4.98 followed by Mobil Oil Nig. Plc with a loss of N4.98 or 4.28 per cent.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 17-8-12

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20 , 2012

35

EQUITIES WATCH

Email: taofad2000@yahoo.co.uk

Cadbury Nigeria opens today with the second-highest returns in the food and beverages sector. With several other stocks in negative, a year-to-date return of about 47 per cent by the Ikeja-based company is the main driver of the positive outlook of this sector. But will this rally continue? TAOFIK SALAKO x-rays the variables

C

ADBURY Nigeria opens today at its highest value per share this year. At N16.74 per share, Cadbury Nigeria carries a year-to-date return of 46.8 per cent, three times more than average return by equities.

Besides the superlative 80 per cent gain by UTC Nigeria Plc, Cadbury Nigeria is the highlight stock for the food and beverages sector. And weighted in terms of potential impact, it overrides the gains by UTC Nigeria as the key driving stock for the sectoral performance.

With stocks such as Seven-Up Bottling Company, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Multi-Trex Integrated Company and Honeywell Flour struggling with negative returns and several other stocks stagnant at price-on-board, Cadbury Nigeria's performance not only overshadows modest returns by stocks such as Nestle Nigeria and National Salt Company of Nigeria, but draws attention to the differing growth stages of the stocks. While Nestle Nigeria, which had remained bullish mostly through the five-year downtrend, appears to have matured into steady but marginal gains, Cadbury Nigeria shows the awakening of a recovery stock.

However, while the price trend so far this year underlined a major recovery for the food and beverages stock, it still substantially below its recent highs. Cadbury had slumped by 55.5 per cent in 2011. From a low of N9.97 in 2010, the stock peaked at a high of N34.84 and later closed the year at N25.62. It however, dropped from a high of N29.20 to a low of N10.17 and eventually closed 2011 at N11.40 per share. The rather turbulent pricing trend of Cadbury Nigeria in previous years had mirrored investors' concerns over the recovery of the company, which had struggled to shrug off a scandalous 2006 account overstatement crisis.

Improving fundamentals But Cadbury Nigeria appeared to have regained its winning streak with both audited and interim reports showing sustained growths in key actual and underlying performance indicators. Latest report for the first half ended June 30, 2012 showed profit after tax of N1.1 billion in 2011 as against N766.31 million in comparable periods of 2011. Gross earnings were however, flat at N16.1 billion in 2012 as against N16.13 billion in 2011. The bottom-line

What headroom for Cadbury Nigeria? performance in the first half mirrored the consolidation trend that started the year, squeezing more profit from core brands as the company rearranged its portfolio to focus on key winning brands.

Interim report and accounts of the company for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012 showed impressive growth in profit in spite of marginal decline in sales. Turnover had declined from N7.59 billion in first quarter 2011 to N7.20 billion in 2012. Gross profit dropped marginally from N2.42 billion in 2011 to N2.27 billion in 2012.

With better mid-line cost management, profit before tax grew by 86 per cent to N587.1 million in 2012 as against N314.7 million in 2011. Profit after tax also grew by 95 per cent from N205.6 million to N400.66 million. With pre-tax profit margin of 8.15 per cent in first quarter 2012 as against 4.15 per cent in comparable period of 2011, first quarter performance represented a significant improvement.

Cadbury Nigeria had showed a stronger and more resilient performance in 2011, which most analysts believed laid the foundation to resumption of dividend payment by the company after some six years break. Turnover rose by 17 per cent to N34.11 billion in 2011. Gross profit also rose by 20.7 per cent from N9.25 billion to N11.16 billion. Profit before and after tax leapt by 160.3 per cent and 216.8 per cent to N5.08 billion and N3.70 billion respectively in 2011.

Shareholders' funds also improved by 18 per cent, from N28.5 billion in 2010 to N33.71 billion in 2011. The latest audited report generally showed strong underlying fundamentals with gross profit margin rising from 32 per cent to 33 per cent. Pre-tax profit margin doubled to 14.9 per cent. Although Cadbury Nigeria did not declare any dividend for the 2011 business year, the earnings represented significant improvement and strong prospect for future earnings.

With earnings per share rising from 37 kobo in 2010 to N1.18 in 2011, current earnings yield stands at 8.2 per cent. Net assets per share closed

2011 at N10.77 as against N9.10 in 2010.

What future earnings?

Will Cadbury Nigeria step up the momentum in the period ahead? Management of the company said various strategic initiatives would continue to consolidate the performance of the company in the years ahead. With Cadbury Nigeria's new focus on growth brands serving as impetus for growth, its membership of the Kraft Foods also opens immense opportunities, which could be catalytic to significant growths in the years ahead. Cadbury Nigeria is already working on leveraging on the affiliation to introduce many global super brands from Kraft Foods into the Nigerian market. These business prospect and emerging fundamentals are the key variables behind expectant investors' aggressive positioning, which underlines the Cadbury Nigeria's current share price trend.

Federal Government's fiscal and monetary incentives to agriculture and agro-allied companies may also impact positively on the overall performance of Cadbury Nigeria.

Cadbury Nigeria holds 99 per cent equity stake in Stanmark Cocoa Processing Company Limited (SCPC), a subsidiary that operates a 12,500 ton capacity plant and processes cocoa beans into a range of intermediate products including cocoa butter, cocoa liquor and cocoa powder for export and local customers. SCPC could benefit from government's concessions on agric equipment and amenable loans to agricultural companies. These incentives should expectedly impact on the parent company too.

Stepping up the momentum Besides, Cadbury Nigeria recently announced the appointment of new managing director in what appeared a consolidation of the company's position as the hub of the Kraft Foods' interests in Africa and Middle East.

The newly appointed managing director, Mr.

•Chairman, Cadbury Nig. Plc, Mr Atedo Peterside

Emil Moskofian, will also act as Area Managing Director, Western Africa for Kraft Foods in addition to serving on the leadership team for Kraft Foods Middle East & Africa Region. Moskofian, a 47-year old British citizen, is a highly experienced manager with over 20 years' experience in leading organizations. His career has taken him through Finance, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Sales & Marketing and General Management roles across several countries for British American Tobacco, including tenures in Bangladesh, Egypt, South Africa, Hungary, Austria, Korea, Malaysia and Russia.

Prior to joining Kraft Foods, Emil was Regional Managing Director, Africa and Turkey of IFFCO, a leading manufacturer and marketer of fast moving consumer goods in the Middle East and Africa.

Cadbury Nigeria said Moskofisan's broad experience will count as it enters what it described as the transformation and growth phase of its rebuilding programme. His global roles will also assist in the integration of the Nigerian company into the global product portfolios, bringing new refreshing products that could raise the tempo of competition in the fast moving consumer goods sector. For Cadbury Nigeria, the third quarter performance will provide further direction for the market consideration.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20 , 2012

36

DUE DILIGENCE

Evans Medical: Staging a comeback?

E

VANS Medical Plc witnessed a major recovery in 2011 as the healthcare company rebuilt sales and profitability to break away from recent losing streak. Audited report and accounts of Evans Medical Plc for the year ended December 31, 2011 showed considerable improvements in the profit and loss and balance sheet positions of the company.

Improved profit margin, better financing position, better cost management and productivity as well as improved returns underpinned the company's first pre-tax profit in the past five years. With 16 per cent increase in sales, decline in overall operating and finance expenses magnified topline impact on the bottom-line, resulting in a profit before tax of N130.2 million.

The turnaround in 2011 represented a major breakthrough for the company, which had piled up losses yearon-year since 2007. The net impact of the losses had eroded the capital base with shareholders' funds at a deficit of N54.04 million in 2010. The net balance sheet position, however, took cue from the positive profit and loss performance in 2011, with shareholders' funds recovering to N37.5 million.

Although the net earnings position appeared relatively robust to support cash payout, the board's decision to reserve net earnings further strengthened the overall outlook of the company.

However, with pre-tax profit margin at 2.8 per cent as against gross profit margin of about 48 per cent, the recovery remained tenuous, especially where momentum of future growth fails to match the impact of deferred finance expenses.

Financing structure Group paid up capital remained unchanged at N243.2 million, indicating some 486 million issued and fully paid ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

Shareholders' funds however, recov-

By Taofik Salako

ered from -N57.04 million in 2010 to N37.47 million in 2011. Total assets inched up by 6.2 per cent from N4.1 billion to N4.35 billion. Current assets grew by 6.0 per cent from N2.4 billion to N2.55 billion while permanent assets improved from N1.69 billion to N1.80 billion. On the other hand, total liabilities inched up by 3.8 per cent from N4.15 billion to N4.31 billion. Current liabilities had grown by 4.0 percent to N2.5 billion as against N2.4 billion in 2010 while long-term liabilities increased from N1.75 billion to N1.81 billion.

The overall financing structure of the company appeared better, though still fragile. Equity funds/total assets ratio improved from -1.4 per cent to 0.9 per cent. Current liabilities/total assets ratio also improved to 57.5 per cent as against 58.7 per cent. The company however, remained substantially leveraged.

company provided for taxes and still recorded substantial net earnings in 2011, the first respite in several years of losses. Group turnover had grown by 16 from N3.94 billion to N4.57 billion. With 14 per cent increase in cost of sales from N2.1 billion to N2.4 billion, gross profit improved by 18 per cent to N2.2 billion compared with N1.8 billion in previous year.

Efficiency Operating expenses-including marEvans Medical saw appreciable im- keting and distribution costs, stood provements in cost efficiency and pro- at N1.8 billion in 2011, 13.5 per cent ductivity during the period, as in- above N1.6 billion recorded in 2010. creased cost per head translated into Non-core business incomes dropped better performance. Average number by 43 per cent from N77 million to of employees dropped from 331 per- N43 million. This was counterbalsons to 319 persons but the related anced by decline in finance costs, staff costs jumped from N586.2 mil- which dropped from N409 million lion to N783 million. Average cost to N317 million. per employee thus increased from Profit before tax thus recovered N1.77 million to N2.45 million. How- from pre-tax loss of N54 million in ever, total cost of business, excluding 2010 to profit of N130 million in 2011. finance charges, reduced from about Profit after tax further consolidated 93 per cent of total sales to some 91 from N8.8 million in 2010 to N94.5 per cent of sales in 2011. Average con- million in 2011. The company had tribution of each employee to pre-tax written back tax provisions of N63.14 profit also improved from N0.03 mil- million in 2010, which induced the lion to N0.3 million. modest net earnings. It however, provided for taxes of N35.6 million Profitability in 2011.

Further analysis showed a more With pre and post tax profits of N130m million and N95 million re- reassuring earnings outlook. Basic spectively, Evans Medical made a full earnings per share improved from return to profitability in 2011. While 2.0 kobo to 19 kobo while net assets it had showed a semblance of recov- per share reversed from loss of 13 ery in 2010 due to tax write-back, the kobo to positive position of some 8.0 kobo. Underlying profit 31 2011 2010 and returns indices also turned 12 months % change positive with return on equityimproving from -15.4 per cent to 252 per cent. Return on total assets recovered from -1.3 per cent to 3.0 per cent. Gross profit 4,572 16.0 3,943 margin increased from 46.8 4,572 16.0 3,943 per cent to 47.7 per cent. The 2,389 14.0 2,096 company made average pretax profit of N2.8 on every 2,183 18.3 1,846 N100 unit of sales in 2011 as 1,780 13.5 1,568 against loss of N1.4 on similar

Fiscal Year Ended December Nmillion 12 months Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

•MD Evans Medical, Olubunmi Olaopa

43 317 130 95 19 0 0 8

-43.4 -22.6 -339.3 973.9 850.0 0.0 0.0 -161.5

77 409 -54 9 2 0 0 -13

sales in previous year.

Liquidity The liquidity position of the company improved during the period.

Current ratio, which relates current assets to relative liabilities, improved from 1.00 times in 2010 to 1.02 times in 2011. The proportion of working capital to sales improved from -0.03 per cent in 2010 to 1.0 per cent in 2011.

Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 205.4 per cent in 2011 as against 183 per cent in 2010.

Governance and structures Evans Medical Plc is one of Nigeria's oldest and largest pharmaceutical companies. Established in 1954, Evans Medical is publicly quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and currently has some 18,000 shareholders. Devpharm Limited holds the

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

2011 %

2010 %

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

0.9 41.7 57.5 3178.7

-1.4 42.7 58.7 -399.3

47.7 2.8 3.0 252.0 0.00

46.8 -1.4 -1.3 -15.4 0.00

Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

0.3 2.45 91.2

0.03 1.77 92.9

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

1.02 1.0 205.4

1.00 -0.03 183.0

Profitability

1,744 1,801 902 2,546 4,347

7.9 6.4 27.3 6.0 6.2

1,616 1,693 709 2,401 4,094

439 1,192 2,498 1,811 4,309

13.4 423.7 4.0 3.6 3.8

388 228 2,402 1,748 4,150

243 38

0.0 -165.8

243 -57

Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times) Efficiency

largest equity stake of 28 per cent, the only investor with substantial shareholding above the statutory disclosure benchmark of 5.0 per cent.

Evans Medical Group consists of four companies, Evans Medical Plc- the holding company that majors in manufacturing, sales and marketing of overthe-counter (OTC) products, Evans Nutraceutical Ventures Limited, CiplaEvans Nigeria Limited and Evans Healthcare Nigeria Limited.

CiplaEvans is a strategic alliance between Evans Medical Plc and Cipla (India) and ii deals in sales and marketing of prescription only medicines (POMs). Evans Medical Group has more than 31 products.

Following recent restructurings, Mr. Olubunmi Olaopa, erstwhile managing director of Cipla-Evans, assumed the position of group managing director. Chief Saifudeen Edu remains the chairman of board of directors. The company broadly complies with code of corporate governance and best practices.

Analyst's opinion The performance of Evans Medical is commendable, especially against the background of its historic records in the previous five to seven years. The outlook shows a reassuring recovery. This was particularly notable as overall performance was driven not only by cost management but by relatively robust growth in sales.

However, the company remains on the edge and still in need of further consolidation to override the possible negative spillovers from previous deficits. Its debt profile could still undermine possible returns unless the company sustains strong growths in the years ahead. Besides continuing the aggressive top-line drive and efficient cost management, the company needs to rebalance its finance structure to support long-term growth. As results improve, it may consider additional equity injection to strengthen the balance sheet and reduce possible shocks from bank loans.

Overall, there is reasonable basis to assume a positive outlook for the company.

JOBS THE NATION

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

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

37

e-library raises jobs’ prospects For many, the e-library is modern and complex.

Experts argue that the e-library has the capacity to create jobs for people who have mastered the art and bring them into the income net, writes AKINOLA AJIBADE

T

HE electronic library is one of the fastest growing methods of accessing knowledge globally. It is a departure from the traditional library in which books, journals, photographs and film strips are accessed in hard copies. It has created a platform for earning a livelihood.

In recent times, people have been availing themselves of opportunities in e-library to create jobs for themselves. e-library has provided a window for people to work as systems’ analysts, librarians, catalogue officers, index officers and marketers, among others.

Be it publicly owned, or a private institution, e-library is providing jobs for people. Individuals are not left out as they help authors arrange their books electronically. They do this by seeking the consent of authors who pay them based on agreement.

A unique way of creating jobs is through marketing of visual CD tapes that contain books. Findings have shown that marketing of such tapes not only generates income, it also leads to information sharing. For instance, a person can buy a visual CD , upload the book in his website or page, and get people to subscribe for it.

Though the idea is still new in Nigeria,

the prospect of creating employment is widening by the day. The reason is because the world is going digital, making it possible for people to use electronic means to access and build a body of knowledge.

Experts argue that e-library is not only a faster and effective way of accessing knowledge, but has opened a window of oppor-

tunities for people. The library is divided into personal, academic, and specialised.

They added that each of the three aspects can be managed electronically. They said people can create e-library either individually or collectively, and earn an income through subscription.

A librarian at the Department of Business

Administration, University of Ibadan, Mr Abiola Hamzat, said e-library is the process of transferring books, journals and photographs, among other traditional means of getting information into elec-

• Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

38

JOBS

e-library raises jobs’ prospects • Continued from page 37

tronic format. Hamzat said the library is a systematic way of organising knowledge, arguing that the e-library plays a key role in this regard. He said people that can master the art of creating the e-library would not only create jobs for themselves, but also for others.

He said there is a new concept called, “Access Not Necessarily Ownership”, which implies people can access a particular library without being the owners. They do this by paying certain fees to get to the owners of the library.

Giving insight into the process of creating the e-library, Hamzat said there is a notion called “information explosion” in library science. He said it means there is an abundance of information for people to sift or select from and offer to the readers. He said the information or materials are selected to meet certain schedules, adding that they are uploaded into a system through the use of softwares. He said there are customised and commercial softwares for management processes, stressing that the usage depends on the goals e-librarians have set for themselves.

“The former requires the services of a vendor who would give specifications regarding the nature or type of books that can be in electronic format. Under this, the titles, series, names of the authors, among other relevant information are documented. The latter requires going to the market to buy books from the shelves,” he said.

Hamzat said system analysts, librarians, cataloguers, indexers and abstractors, among other workers, are employed in the process to carry out their duties. He said the world is going digital, and institutions (private or public) are being encouraged to transit from the traditional to electronic library.

He said system analysts manage the softwares used in creating the e-library, while the system librarians check the specification of the books, contents and whether the books are not pirated online. The index officers arrange references of a book in alphabetical order, while catalogue officers list the names, persons, or things in alphabetical order. Often times, he uses descriptions.

“A lot of job opportunities have opened up through the electronic library. Now that states, governments and higher institutions are embracing e-library, they would be forced to employ people that specialised in this area. Also, an

• Akano

individual can work on his own by creating his own website, entered into agreements with authors, get their books on his page,

and get paid via subscriptions,” he added.

Enterprise Server and Storage Manager, Hewlett Packard Ni-

‘The former requires the services of a vendor who would give specifications regarding the nature or type of books that can be in electronic format. Under this, the titles, series, names of the authors, among other relevant information are documented. The latter requires going to the market to buy books from the shelves’

geria Limited Mr Okpaka Chukwuma, said more people would be brought into the income net as the e-library gains acceptability.

Chukwuma said the impact may not be felt greatly now because people are still trying to adopt the idea. He foresees a situation whereby people would depend heavily on the e-library to broaden their knowledge.

According to him, students use books a lot and would like to get books on-line because they are compact, safer, and effective.

Chukwuma said e-publishing has gained recognition in developed countries, adding that the e-library as a component is part of it.

“I see e-library creating jobs in the sense that people would patronise it the same way they did to e-published materials,” he said.

Former Managing Director, Longman Nigeria Plc Dr Dan Obidiegwu said the world has become a global village where the barriers of space and time have been reduced to the barest minimum level. He said there is an increasing awareness that published works must be protected to enable owners make money.

He said people are using various ways of protecting their works, adding that the development would stop people from accessing published materials freely.

“When this happens, people would be forced to pay owners of electronically documented works some money before they access them. This means the idea would generate revenue, and by extension more jobs for people,” he said.

A computer analyst, Mr Tim Akano opined that the e-library would create job opportunities for Nigerians in future. Akano said one does not need to be an author before he can create an e-library, adding that it offers wide opportunities for people to explore.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

Job interview plagues you must avoid T

HE last two presentations were on things you need to do right. Equally important are the errors you must avoid in the course of attending a job interview. Here is a list of the top priority ones:

Don’t prepare Not being able to answer the question “What do you know about this company?” might just end your quest for employment, at least with this employer.

Background information including company history, locations, divisions, and a mission statement are available in an “About Us” section on most company websites. Review it ahead of time, then print it out and read it over just before your interview to refresh your memory.

Also check the company’s LinkedIn page and Facebook page, if they have one.

Dress inappropriately Dressing inappropriately can work both ways. You will certainly want to wear a suit if you are being interviewed for a professional position. When interviewing for a summer job at your local theme park or as a lifeguard, for example, dress accordingly in a neat and casual attire. If you aren’t sure what to wear, visit the organisation and watch employees coming in and out of the office to see what they are wearing.

Poor communication skills It’s important to communicate well with everyone you meet in your search for em-

By Olu Oyeniran

ployment. It is, however, most important to positively connect with the person who might hire you. Shake hands, make eye contact, exude confidence, engage the person you are speaking with, and you will let the interviewer know that you are an excellent candidate for this position - before you even answer an interview question.

Too much communication Believe it or not, a recent candidate for employment, who, by the way, didn’t get the job, didn’t hesitate to answer his cell phone when it rang during an interview.

Leave the phone behind or at least turn it off before you enter the building. Same goes for coffee, food and anything else other than you, your resume, your job application, and your list of references. They don’t belong at an interview.

Talk too much There is nothing much worse than interviewing someone who goes on and on and on... The interviewer really doesn’t need to know your whole life story. Keep your answers succinct, to-the-point and focused and don’t ramble - simply answer the question.

Don’t talk enough It’s really hard to communicate with someone who answers a question with a word or two. I remember a couple of in-

terviews where I felt like I was pulling teeth to get any answers from the candidate. It wasn’t pleasant. So, even though you shouldn’t talk too much, you do want to be responsive and fully answer the question as best you can.

Fuzzy facts Even if you have submitted a resume when you applied for the job, you may also be asked to fill out a job application.

Make sure you know the information you will need to complete an application including dates of prior employment, graduation dates, and employer contact information.

Give the wrong answer Make sure you listen to the question and take a moment to gather your thoughts before you respond. Like the following candidate, you’ll knock yourself out of contention if you give the wrong answer.

The interviewer had completely described a sales and marketing position to the candidate. She emphasized that cold calling and prospecting were the most important skills and experiences needed for the position. The candidate responded to the question about what she did or didn’t like to do in sales, with these words: “I hate to do cold calling and prospecting, and I’m not good at it.” That response ensured that she wouldn’t get the job!

Badmouthing past employers Your last boss was an idiot? Everyone in

the company was a jerk? You hated your job and couldn’t wait to leave? Even if it’s true don’t say so. I cringed when I heard someone ranting and raving about the last company she worked for. That company happened to be our largest customer and, of course, I wasn’t going to hire someone who felt that way about the company and everyone who worked there.

It’s sometimes a smaller world than you think and you don’t know who your interviewer might know, including that boss who is an idiot... You also don’t want the interviewer to think that you might speak that way about his or her company if you leave on terms that aren’t the best.

Forget to follow up Afraid you didn’t make the best impression? Are you sure that you aced the interview? Either way, be sure to follow up with a thank you note reiterating your interest in the position and the company.

Finally, even if you do flub the interview, don’t take it to heart. I don’t think there is anyone who hasn’t blown an interview or two. If it happens, look at it like it just wasn’t meant to be, and more importantly, learn from your mistakes and move on to the next opportunity.

Olu Oyeniran is the Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates.

Website: www.jobsearchhow.com E-mail: oluoyeniran@yahoo.com Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

39

INSURANCE

Insurance can generate over N2t, says Daniel D

ESPITE the operational challenges confronting the insurance industry, the sector has the potential of generating over N2 trillion premium income, the Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel has said.

He told The Nation that the last recapitalisation recorded significant impact in the industry.

He said: “One of the major issues confronting the industry prior to 2007 was that of financial capacity.

The lack of financial capacity translated into the industry not having technical and sufficient human capacity. Let us take it from the bottom, to have first class brains to manage an institution, you really need to be able to pay – that is a lot of money.

“You need to be able to deploy a lot of significant efforts in training and up scaling staff skills. So, with low resources, no insurance company would be able to devote sizable amount of money to training people, acquiring information and

Stories by Uyoatta Eshiet

technology support. But the aftermath of 2007 recapitalisation has seen an insurance industry with huge financial capacity. We have gross between N500billion and N600billion to the sector, so the financial incapacity has completely disappeared”.

Daniel said the recapitalisation had enhanced financial capacity and has manifested in the industry being able to meet up with claims payments.

‘The robust financial capacity was put to test two years ago, when some companies paid the biggest claims ever heard in the industry, which was that of Nigerian Bottling Company that gulped about N10billion.

“Effortlessly, the companies paid without hassle. In fact, the industry ought to have celebrated that feat, but because insurance practice is based on the principle of utmost good faith, the principle imposes a duty of respect of privacy of contract on the in-

dustry. This is because if we did not make fun fare when we collected premiums from companies, and by the time of claims, we begin to advertise every where, the firms may not be too comfortable with it.

“The important thing is that we had a huge claim of that magnitude and the industry paid effortlessly.

That is one of the gains of the recapitalisation exercise” Daniel said financial capacity has helped in building technical capacity, such as reinsurance, adding that a firm must have decent balance sheet to attract the support of reinsurance, particularly foreign reinsurance.

The 2007 recapitalisation has enabled the industry accessed greater technical capacity, which he stressed, is not what you achieve in a day.“You need to

build it. This is because if a company needs to send 10 of its staff to acquire better skills, that is building capacity, it cannot be bought at the shelf.”

Speaking on the N1 trillion premium income target, Daniel said the insurance industry business environment in Nigeria, has the capacity that can support the premium income of N1 trillion or even N2 trillion. The industry’s Market Development and Restructuring Initiatives (MDRI), Daniel said, was the industry’s strategy to draw the attention of citizens to the existing compulsory insurances which were not properly implemented, except motor insurance which people are used to.

He said: “We brought the MDRI to highlight, and create awareness, implement and engage in enforce-

ment which is the last result. One of the key objectives of the MDRI which is creating awareness in the mind of people, has been considerably attained.

“Four to five years ago, when you ask people to take compulsory insurance for their buildings, they would ask you to explain which laws make it mandatory for them to buy the policy. Today, most Nigerians cannot claim ignorance of these compulsory insurances.

“So, we have reasonably created awareness, and awareness is a continuous thing which one cannot stop. We will continue to create awareness until most of the people naturally accept these products as a must buy. Reasonably, we have been able to sensitise people to buy insurance.”

Crystalife Assurance makes N2.6b gross premium

C

RYSTALIFE Assurance Plc, recorded a gross premium of N2.6 billion last year, its Chairman, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, has said.

Durosinmi-Etti, who spoke at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, told shareholders that despite the challenging operating environment, the company was able to report a relatively good performance.

He said the gross premium increased by 24 per cent, rising from N2.1 billion recorded in 2010, to N2.6 billion in the review period, adding that the company’s Life Fund grew by 28 per cent, from N1.13 billion in the previous year to N1.44 billion, resulting in actuarial valuation surplus of N788 million.

He said the shareholders’ fund rose from N3 billion to N3.2 billion, while the investment portfolio grew from N3.7 billion to N4 billion.

He said the company has concluded its transition to the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS). He said its financial statement for this year would be prepared in line with the standard.

The Managing Director, Mrs Oluseyi Ifaturoti, said the company has designed varieties of

products to boost its income in years ahead.

She said: ”We have a basket of products, ranging from education, health, pilgrimage policy, mortgage policies and credit life, among others, which are designed to improve lives and enhance our operations. We believe that addressing the needs of people would enable us to draw them to embrace our business.

“We have been trying to talk to people engaged in pool marketing which we believe that sooner than later, we should be able to attain the desired level of penetration. It is our key objective to deepen the penetration of individual life business. We have given ourselves targets on how to achieve our set objectives.”

Mrs Ifaturoti said soon, life insurance would be appreciated just as the telecoms, which many people in the past did not believe would be embraced by the number we have today. “We will continue to educate the public on the need for insurance, for as soon as people begin to embrace it, it would have multiplying effects,”she said.

The Crystalife boss said the company would continue to improve on its market research and product offerings and invest in quality service assurance across all the lines of its business.

Royal Exchange wins Award

R

OYAL Exchange Group has won the ‘Best Web Transaction Processing’ website award in the insurance category of the Web Jurist Award conducted by Phillips Consulting, Nigeria.

The award, which was received by the Group Head, Information Technology, Ejike Osisioma, was presented by the Minister of Communications, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, accompanied by the Managing Direct o r of Phillips Consulting, Mr. Folusho Phillips.

The award, according to a statement, was considered as a major endorsement of Royal Exchange’s Ebusiness platform and the management’s investment in the upgrade of its website and information technology tools and processes, to ensure products and services are offered to customers, how and when they want it.

In 2010, Royal Exchange pioneered the introduction of its scratch

card payment solution to cover motor vehicle and personal accident insurance policies.

These policies can be acquired in a faster, more reliable and convenient manner than conventional methods because of the virtual process that the scratch card payment system offers.

“Royal Exchange has invested heavily in technology to create seamless and secure platforms through which our existing and potential customers can access Royal Exchange products and services. The objective here is to ensure that every point of interaction is laden with superior value, no matter the type of transaction being done”, a statement said.

“We want to continue to deploy the best technology to deliver value to our customers, working through the best, well-trained and motivated people to deliver value and we are happy with the progress we have made so far,” the company said.

•From left: Patrick Sanni, Chairman, ICAN, Ikeja; Mr Adedoyin Owolabi, National President; Mr Olutayo Phillips, Chairman, Anniversary Planning Committee, during the 30th Anniversary of Ikeja District Society at the Institute at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

NIA insists on adherence to ethics

T

HE Director-General, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Sunday Thomas, has said the group decided to review the industry’s market agreement to make it enforceable.

He said the essence of the retreat organised by NIA with operators is to seek ways of making the initiative work, adding that the agreement is meant to enable operators comply with stipulated rules in the course of undertaking their operations.

He said: “The issue of market agreement is not just about rates, but about service delivery.

People would have misconstrued market agreement to mean rates.

They have actually taken market agreement to be synonymous

with rates cutting. It is beyond that, a lot of things are meant to be achieved with appropriate rating of risks in the insurance market.

“I can say the market agreement is working. We have had interventions on issues that relates to the market agreement. We had understanding on the perception of our members, hence we had a retreat and the focus of the retreat essentially is to review the agreement and make it more workable. That is what we have done. So far, members are respecting the agreement, we have not had serious complains as we had prior the retreat.”

He said the NIA has spelt out measures of disciplining errant members, adding that has the con-

stitutional power to expel members who portray the image of the association in bad light.

“We have a disciplinary committee among members who discipline errant members. Some members have been suspended and on serious cases some have been expelled. Ours is a voluntary association not set-up by government. If the way and manner a member conducts his affairs is not consistence with the belief of the association, the association has the right to excuse the fellow. If the association sees that what you are doing is not helping the interest of the association, they would ask you to move, which is part of the constitution of the association,” he added.

Expert advocates positive image for indistry

T

HE Corporate Affairs Manager, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Tope Adaramola, has said the industry will develop when operators engage in activities that will improve their public image.

Adaramola said the industry operators over the years did not care enough for their image. He said this has resulted in the poor perception of the public about insurance. He noted that operators’ neglect of professional public relations executives also contributed to the problem.

“Coming to the realm of insurance, generally, it is a known fact that the industry has continued to be bedeviled by multifarious problems, chief of which is image challenge. The problem of poor image

and public acceptance has for long limited the growth capacity of the industry and its ability to contribute significantly to the national economy.

Adaramola said unlike what is obtained in America, Europe and other growing economies in Asia and in countries, such as South Africa, Egypt and Kenya, where insurance occupies commanding heights in the economy, the case of Nigeria is remarkably different.

“It is believed that insurance is bought in such economies, whereas it is sold here in Nigeria. Despite renewed efforts by the regulatory institutions and government to reverse the trend, the industry’s image problem has remained a pain in the neck of the operators,”

Adaramola said.

He said if there is a component of the industry that must imbibe public relations, mostly at the level of their individual practice, it is the insurance broking sector. It is noteworthythat insurance brokers constitute a significant profile of insurance practitioners. He said they are also believed to control the lion’s share of the nation’s insurance business.

“With over 500 registered members of the NCRIB, there is hardly any nook or cranny in Nigeria where you are not likely to find a broker. Consequently, insurance brokers play pivotal intermediary roles between the insured (the public), and the insurance companies,” he said.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

40

AFRICAN BUSINESS

IFC takes $190m stake in Moroccan bank

B

ANQUE Centrale Populaire, Morocco’s second-biggest lender by market value and which needs funds for an expansion plan, is to sell a five per cent stake to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for 1.74 billion dirhams.

BCP said at the weekend that the deal valued its shares at 201 dirhams.

The stock was unchanged at 198 dirhams.

The company, which faces a

shortage of liquidity in the domestic market, said the transaction will give it easier access to credit facilities that IFC provides to small and medium enterprises.

It was BCP’s second deal with a foreign partner since April when French co-operative bank BPCE agreed to buy five per cent stake, also at 201 dirhams.

In June, Populaire said it would

pay one billion dirhams for a 50 per cent stake in Ivory Coast lender Group Banque Atlantique, which is active in Ivory Coast, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

Morocco raised 5.3 billion dirhams last year selling a 20 per cent stake in BCP to help fund a spending spree aimed at to winning over protesters inspired by the Arab Spring.

Standard Bank’s Africa costs weigh on profit

S

TANDARD Bank will press ahead with expensive plans to open another 30 branches in sub-Saharan Africa this year, aiming to cash in on booming loan and deposit growth even as the costs of such investment hit its bottom line.

Africa’s biggest bank by assets, Standard is 20 percent owned by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China . It blamed a below-forecast nine percent increase in first-half profit on Thursday on costs of investment.

“It really has been growing rapidly and we’ve continued to invest, which is part of the reason for the cost growth that you’ve seen,” Chief Executive Jacko Maree told Reuters Insider, referring to its 16 operations across the continent.

“But if you look at the profitability in Africa you saw the profits growing by some 80 percent, just looking at the onthe-ground banks on the continent, which is a very big jump.”

Maree pledged to do all he could to control spending after a 17 per cent rise in the six months to the end of June but said costs would continue to climb as the bank seeks to cash in on an estimated 30-40 per cent rise in loans and deposits across the continent.

Standard has outlined plans to expand from seven to 70 branches in oil-rich Angola, now one of the world’s most expensive countries for business, in as little as three years, following swiftly on from an ambitious expansion in Nigeria.

Sub-Saharan expansion is costly, analysts say, even for a long-time player on the continent like Standard Bank.

The lender has operations in 17 countries outside of South Africa and a total of 514 branches outside its home

PetroSA, Anadarko sign oil, gas exploration deal for South Africa

•Dreamliner

Ethiopia gets first Boeing 787 S Dreamliner in Africa

E

THIOPIA has become the second country after Japan to take delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Ethiopian Airlines has bought 10 of Boeing’s flagship aircraft, which are built from lightweight material, rather than aluminium, to save fuel.

The BBC says that despite the pouring rain, a marching band gave a fitting welcome as the first plane arrived.

Ethiopian Airlines is one of Africa’s biggest airlines.

Our reporter says when the first Dreamliner arrived, it was a very proud moment for the company’s workers and many took photographs of the new plane.

“As a continent this shows how much we are making progress as Africans... competing on the global stage and changing our image,” Ethiopian Airline head Tewolde Gebremariam told reporters at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport.

The aircraft are supposed to cost $200m each but correspondents say airlines rarely pay this price, especially for bulk orders.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways are the only two airlines already operating Dreamliner aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines generally has a good safety record, apart from the 2010 crash of one of its aircraft off the coast of Lebanon.

The state-owned company serves 69 international destinations.

De La Rue threatens to pull out of Kenya

B

ANKNOTE minter De La Rue may cease operations in Kenya if the pending joint venture does not sail through, it hinted yesterday. “Well, viability of operations would need to be reviewed by the board if that happens... though I’m not suggesting we’d close down,” Robert Hutchison, director of communications said.

Africa Sales Director Stephen Prior said only 25 per cent of currency printing work at the Ruaraka plant, which has a capacity of 600 million notes a year, is for export. The plant alone has printed 30 different currencies besides other security documents since 1992. “Loss of 75 per cent of our market base would affect viability of operations at the plant,” he said.

The firm termed the Sh1.83 billion lost by taxpayers through its dealings with the Central Bank as a “mystical loss” as it seeks to exonerate itself from the accusations. “It never actually happened,” commercial legal director Douglas Denham said in a

market.

That number is likely to be around 550 by this time next year, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Ben Kruger told Reuters in an interview. It currently has seven branches in Angola, Africa’s top oil producer after Nigeria.

Shares of Standard Bank are up nearly 18 percent so far this year, compared with Johannesburg’s Top-40 index that is 10 percent higher.

The bank’s shares took a knock after the results, however, falling by over 3 percent to 112.48 rand at 1414 GMT. Johannesburg’s Top-40 index was 0.2 percent higher.

“Headline earnings growth ... was a little bit below the consensus forecast of 14 per cent growth, that together with higher impairments and costs is what might have led to the share being marked down,” said Steve Meintjes, head of research at Imara SP Reid.

“But against that, the bank is in a very sound steady state and the African operations are going very well through investing and expanding its footprint, especially in Angola. So there’s nothing to worry about.”

Total costs for the year were likely to come in at around 39.5 billion rand ($4.8 billion), the bank said. They totalled 34.7 billion last year.

Diluted headline earnings rose to 458.2 cents per share from 421.3 cents a year earlier. Headline earnings, the main gauge of profit in South Africa, exclude certain one-time items.

Rival Absa announced a 6 percent decline in first-half earnings last month while No. four lender Nedbank said profit rose 24 per cent in the same period.

press conference.

The British minter said its mistake in the whole saga was probably having re-tendered to print the notes overseas after the initial tender was annulled. “We don’t think we did any wrong,” said Denham, “We made the best offer in the first tender to print onshore and bid the lowest price.

But when we re-tendered we made an offer comparable to our overseas competitors.” The minter, denying shadowy pressures to have it print currency offshore, said benefits that would have accrued to the Kenyan economy from onshore printing were not considered in the tender process despite lower cost.

“There was no appreciation of having the local facility hence we wanted to be compared with other firms on a level basis,” said Hutchison. The firm said it is pleased that the Public Accounts Committee report supports the joint venture with Kenya, but it may yet reconsider local opera-

tions if long-term contracts with the CBK are withdrawn.

The PAC in its report said the loss occurred through the price difference between the interim orders from the CBK to the firm to continue printing current banknotes and the cancellation of the contracts for the new generation banknotes in 2007 on the basis of the intended JV. Former finance ministers David Mwiraria and Amos Kimunya were mentioned in connection with cancellation of the contracts during parliamentary debate in November 2011.

The PAC said Kimunya, currently Transport minister, and Prof Njuguna Ndung’u, the incumbent CBK governor, were responsible for loss of the billions and should be held accountable. It recommended that the two are not fit to hold public office and should be investigated further by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Authority with a view to taking legal action against them and recovering lost funds.

OUTH African state-owned oil firm PetroSA and U.S.-listed Anadarko Petroleum Corp have signed a deal for oil and gas exploration in blocks off the coast of South Africa, the companies said on Friday.

Under the farm-in deal, whose value was not disclosed, Anadarko will hold an 80 percent stake in Block 5/6 and Block 7 and will serve as operator, and PetroSA will hold the rest.

Under a farm-in agreement, a company buys an interest from another in an existing field, often to help finance development.

Ian Cooling, executive vice president at Anadarko, said the company was interested in South Africa because it was looking for frontier acreage and a country where there was potential to grow a business if the exploration work proved successful.

“We think that South Africa provides all of that,” he said at the signing ceremony.

He did not elaborate on how much Anadarko was planning to invest in the first, three-year-long phase of the exploration work.

“Basically, if the potential is there, we will spend money,” he said.

Explorers in South Africa’s offshore areas have had limited success, despite more promising finds along the coast of neighboring Namibia and Mozambique, but South Africa is seen to hold good potential for shale gas and coal bed methane exploration onshore.

Anadarko, along with other global players, has been very successful in exploration off the coast of Mozambique and the east African nation is now expected to become a major exporter of liquefied natural gas by the end of this decade.

PetroSA’s Chief Executive Nosizwe Nocawe Nokwe and Anadarko’s Cooling declined to say if their partnership could possibly lead to PetroSA also participating in Anadarko’s Mozambican acreage.

“When we finish the initial work (in Mozambique), we may be looking to farm down (sell a stake), but that’s in the future,” Cooling said.

The Anadarko deal is part of PetroSA’s strategy to go into partnerships with global players to expedite work in its blocks.

Earlier this week, the South African oil group signed a farm-in deal for crude oil and natural gas exploration in Block 1 with Cairn India Group .

Ghana’s mineral industry records $2.76b revenue in half-year

G

HANA’S mineral industry records $2.76b revenue in 2012 half-year.

Ghana made $2.76 billion revenue from mineral resources during the half-year of 2012, the Ghana Chamber of Mines said.

The amount was a 19 per cent rise over the 2011 period, the Chamber’s 2012 half-year report indicated citing jump in production of gold.

“The impressive first half performance was largely on the back

of the performance of mineral revenue from gold and bauxite, despite the dip in revenue from diamond and manganese”, the Chamber’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Toni Aubynn, said in the report.

Gold recorded $2,693,986,461 revenue during the half-year period with production rising by six per cent due to new production coming from Perseus Mining Ghana Ltd and Adamus Resources, according to the mining group.

Other Sport...Other Sport...Other Sport...Other Sport...

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Before the July 14 governorship election in Edo State, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) and his party exuded confidence. But the people renewed the mandate of the incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in an emphatic manner. Airhiavbere, who filed a petition challenging the result, has been denounced by the PDP. In this report, Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR examines the issues before the tribunal and explains how the division in the opposition party could affect Airhiavbere’s chances.

How far can Airhiavbere go at tribunal?

B

EFORE the July 14, governorship election in Edo State, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) had boasted ‘I am in the race to win’.

His hope of clinching the coveted Edo Governorship seat was raised following the backing of his candidacy by notable PDP leaders in the state such as Captain Hosa Okunbo, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, two-time Governor of defunct Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Chief Tony Anenih and a host of others.

In one of his many interviews, Airhiavbere said, “I, as a retired Major-General, started my career as a boy soldier from the Nigerian Military School, a training for preparing effectively with a view to having the minimum casualty and for this particular encounter, which is the Governorship race to Osadebey Avenue on July 14. Failure is not part of the options. So, it’s a must win election and for that reason, we have played out all scenarios to achieve victory for the PDP at the polls.”

Airhiavbere high hopes of winning the election crashed as he could not even secure a win at the polling unit where he voted. In fact, the electorate ensured that he stayed on the queue for accreditation. The PDP lost miserably in all the 18 local government areas of the state with the ACN polling 477, 478 while the PDP got 144,235.

The election adjudged as the freest and fairest election in recent times in Nigeria is over but not for the retired Commander, Corps of Army Finance and Accounts.

With less than 24 hours to the expiration of the 21 days for filing petition at the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, Airhiavbere submitted his petition challenging the outcome of the election.

In the petition in which the PDP was placed as an applicant, Airhiavbere said the election was marred with fraud, irregularities, rigging and manipulations.

State Director of Publicity of the PDP, Okharedia Ihimekpen in a statement said the PDP went to the tribunal to deepen democracy and the rule of law in the overall interest of the people of the state.

Ihimekpen explained that the party was contesting the outcome of the elections because they discovered that the modern school certificate presented by Oshiomhole was not genuine and on ground that Governor Oshiomhole was invalidly returned by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (Edo state) as duly elected, despite the fact that the election was not conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2012 (as amended).

The statement read in part: “That the Returning Officer Edo State Governorship election, as the Returning Officer, wrongly proceeded to declare Adams Oshiomhole winner of the election by issuing Form EC8E on the 15th day of July, 2012.

“That Adams Oshiomhole was purportedly returned as the winner of the said election was not qualified to contest the said elec-

• Oshiomhole

tion for the office of the governor of Edo State even as the party said that despite the non revision and non amendment of the voters’ register, amended and criminally altered, the voters’ were used in various wards and polling units in the three senatorial districts.”

But few days after the petition was filed, it emerged that all was not well between Airhiavbere and leaders of the PDP and that they are not on the same page. State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih announced that the party was not interested in challenging the July 14, election.

Orbih at a press briefing said it was painful that the party decided not to file any petition at the tribunal in the interest of the state adding that the party leadership was mindful of the consequences the state will run into with protracted litigation.

According to him, “While our party worked and abided by the principle of one man one vote, our main opponent engaged the instrumentalities of intimidation. The results of the election are not only ridiculous but also completely at variance with rational reasoning and human expectations.

“On election day, Governor Oshiomhole had earlier rejected the way and manner the election was being conducted by INEC when he thought his rigging plan had failed, yet the result of the same election is now being hailed by all because it is the PDP that has

•Airhiavbere

lost.

“It has now become a tradition that when PDP loses an election, the election is free and fair.”

Also speaking on the petition, Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Matthew Urhoghide said it would be difficult to upturn the outcome of the July 14, governorship election.

Urhoghide noted that it would be difficult to prove in court whether Oshiomhole has genuine certificate or not.

He said, “What are the chances of winning at the court? The only charge that can probably be pursued is certificate or no certificate, and that is very hard to prove.

“Our own Senator Yisa Braimoh did the same thing when he took Senator Domingo Obende to court over certificate, but did he win?

“The best we can get is nullification of results, but there is no other way PDP can say it defeated Oshiomhole at the poll. Some of our members when it mattered most did not put in their all. To hire a SAN will cost nothing less than N50m. That multiplied by at least five SANs, where will the money come from?”

But Airhiavbere told newsmen that he was not consulted by the leadership of the party in the state before the party issued a statement that it would not contest the outcome of the election.

Airhiavbere said he would not withdraw the petition he filed at the tribunal and that as the leader of

the party in the state, he has the final say as to whether the party will go to the tribunal or not.

‘I was already at the tribunal before the party came up with their statement. Edo 2012 governorship election which took place on the 14th July, 2012 was marred with fraud, irregularities, rigging and manipulations, and intimidation.’

The petition suffered another setback when Airhiavbere’s running mate in the election. Johnson Agbolagba, a lawyer, announced that he accepted the outcome of the election in ‘strict obedience to the wish of the party’.

Agbolagba in a press statement said he did not attend any meeting of Edo North leaders where they endorsed the decision to challenge the outcome of the election adding that the party’s position regarding the election was superior to his individual ambition or the ambition of any member of the party.

According to him, “This decision is as difficult for me as am sure it is for all who honestly strove at the election to enthrone a PDP government in Edo State.”

The bicker over the petition filed at the tribunal has raised faction among members and leaders of the party with each singing discordant tunes over Airhiavbere’s petition.

Former Chief Whip of Senate, Roland Owie and Owere Dickson Imasogie led other leaders of the party in Edo South to support Airhiavbere in challenging the election at the tribunal.

‘What are the chances of winning at the court? The only charge that can probably be pursued is certificate or no certificate, and that is very hard to prove. Our own Senator Yisa Braimoh did the same thing when he took Senator Domingo Obende to court over certificate, but did he win?

The best we can get is nullification of results, but there is no other way PDP can say it defeated Oshiomhole at the poll’

Also, some leaders of the party in Edo North Senatorial District in a communiqué said the justice of the case will be better served by prosecuting the case in the court of law.

They said their support for Airhiavbere’s pursuit of the petition was for a just and equitable Edo State.

The communiqué signed by Chief E. O. Ojo and three others reads in parts, “That we are unimpressed by the dissolvent theories and reasons given by Chief Dan Orbih which according to him led to his unilateral withdrawal of PDP from the suit filed by Gen. Ehigie Airhiavbere in the Election Petition Tribunal. We consider them very untrue, unfounded, baseless and lacking in merit,” A former member of the House of Representative, Hon Femi Okuns described Abolagba decision to abandon Airhiavbere as political misadventure and a move that will have no effect on the petition.

According to him, “Any attempt to ram it down the candidate’s throat not to continue with his petition will spell political disaster.

General Airhiavbere contested the governorship election and he has genuine reasons to go to court. He is doing that with his resources and no one can gag him.

“Has Orbih ever contested any election? Since he has been saddled with the responsibility of being chairman we have gone on two outings (elections), and the outcome have been disastrous. Do we know yet what Airhiavbere is seeking for in court? Let us wait and see. No one, even the lawyers know what the outcome will be, but to me, the move will strengthen democracy.”

But Orbih said those supporting Airhiavbere were not members of the party and that they are political jobbers who are out to drain Gen. Airhiavbere’s money.

Meanwhile, the PDP through its Counsel, K. O Obamogie has filed a motion of notice at the tribunal seeking to withdraw from the petition against the declaration of Governor Oshiomhole as winner of the July 14, governorship election.

The motion reads, “An order granting leave to the second petitioner to argue this motion outside the prehearing session.

“An order striking out the name of the second petitioner from the instant petition is not desirous of prosecuting and/or maintaining said petition.

Airhiavbere who retired from the military in June last year have tasted the murky waters of politics. His emergence as the PDP candidate led to protest by other aspirants and party members who felt the party primary was sold to the highest bidder.

Some analyst said Airhiavbere might have been used and dumped because of the position of the party against his petition including the fact that he was not consulted before the party leadership took the decision.

The retired General has vowed to fight on but a party leader told The Nation that continued support from some party members would depend on how much cash that is available.

44

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

POLITICS Soji Ehinlanwo is the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the October 20 election in Ondo State. In an interview with reporters in Lagos last week, he explained why he left the Labour Party (LP), his plans for the state and his chances. AUGUSTINE AVWODE was there.

‘ Ondo needs new lease of life’

W

HAT gave you the confidence that you stand a chance contesting the governorship election on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)?

I left Nigeria for the UK in 1996 and was mainly there till I came around in 2009. Each time I came home and was in Ondo State, particularly, in the remote areas, I didn’t feel that much had changed. When I juxtaposed the squalor, poverty and almost complete lack of social infrastructure that I had seen in Europe with the standard of living and level of social infrastructure that are associated with the places where I lived in Europe, I always felt deeply saddened. I was even more depressed when I considered the resources that were available to our state and all the missed opportunities to deploy this for the transformation of the lives of the generality of our people. It was this state of affairs that influenced me to get involved in politics in 2007. I just simply felt that things had to change and indeed believed shying away from taking part in helping to correct this anomaly represented some kind of dereliction of duty and lack of true commitment to the collective good. This, therefore, was my motivation for joining politics and still remains what has sustained my continued involvement.

I have been actively politicking now for over five years, that is, partisan politics. But then, given my passion for politics since my student days, I could as well say that I have been in politics for most of my life. So why not, I have the requisite experience to govern the state.

But, why did you leave the Labour Party for CPC? When I decided to join the Labour Party as well as back the Governorship bid of the incumbent, I genuinely thought, along with others, that the Labour Party could be used as a strong vehicle for a rapid and remarkable transformation of our state. It was this that also influenced my wanting to represent Ilaje/Ese-odo Federal Constituency on the platform of the same LP at the House of Representatives in Abuja in 2011. But the confidence that I and many others had was soon revealed to be misplaced as the government gradually drifted and began to lose focus. Internal party democracy was jettisoned for the supremacy of the will of one man. There was also loss of direction and drive in terms of the totality of the action needed and urgency involved in the formulation and implementation of wide ranging and holistic programmes that could have dramatically transformed the state and make it the envy of other states . Soon, it became clear that the government had lost the plot in terms of the delivery of development programmes for the state.

How do you mean?

Take the case of the much talked about mega schools. While the government promised at the inception of this administration to build about 54 of these schools, with three of these in each local government, after three years, it has only succeeded in building five in the entire state. More importantly, instead of using the huge resources which they have spent on these so called mega schools, they ought to have created modern small or medium size, smart schools with first class facilities which could be replicated across the nook and crannies of the entire state. Yet, they continued to promoted the concept of mega schools, which even in the West, is now regarded as obsolete and counter-productive in relation to creating good and qualitative education for pupils and student.

They have, in effect, introduced to Ondo State an educational concept

•Ehinlanwo

which has the potential of creating an uneven two tier system in our public schools which will ultimately leave behind many of the school age population in relation to access to best quality education. It is obvious that this government was more interested in showmanship than creating an educational legacy that will serve the needs of the greatest majority of our people.

There has also been such bad and inefficient management of state resources that is unprecedented in this state. Take the case of the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission which is now a subject of investigation by the EFCC. When the Governor was campaigning for the 2007 elections, he promised that he will on assumption of power increase percentage of allocations to OSOPADEC from the 13 per cent derivation fund from 40 to 45 per cent.

This promise was never fulfilled!

Rather than doing that, many in the mandate areas will attest to the fact that there has been such bad and inefficient management of the over 61 billion which has so far been allocated to the commission. Out of the 61 billion allocated for developing the oil producing areas, nobody in the oil producing area can actually honestly say that there is even evidence of 1 billion expended. This is an unfortunate shortchanging of the people of that area.

Also, there is the case of wastage of over 3billion on an event centre called the Dome. Painfully, across the state, the government has been unable to provide good portable water and people in remote areas lack good health facilities, with general hospitals in decadent state.

The lack of the political will to stimulate the creation of small and medium scale enterprises, large and viable industries as well as the resuscitation of moribund companies like Oluwa Glass in Igbokoda, Okitipupa Oil Mill.

Nirowi in Ondo and others which would have contributed in tackling the important challenge of youth employment.

The government has in the last three

‘Our state is being turned into a debtor state in a way that contradicts logic and flies in the face of sound economic opinion. In the light of these failures and loss of focus of the Labour government, I did not believe that the best interests of the state were being served by the Labour government’

years directed energies and state resources toward building market and town halls which used to be the preserve of local councils and is ironically celebrating this with pomp and fanfare, robbing the local government of their traditional functions. What has happened to all the Local government allocations in the last three years?

When you take the allocations that has accrued to the state of over 400 billion, the over 30 billion that the government met in the state coffers on assumption of office, the internally generated revenue and importantly the several billions which should have gone to the local councils. If you compare that with what is on ground, you will find a serious and wide deficit.

Our state is being turned into a debtor state in a way that contradicts logic and flies in the face of sound economic opinion. In the light of these failures and loss of focus of the Labour government, I did not believe that the best interests of the state were being served by the Labour government and could not in all good conscience continue to identify with the Labour Party. It was at once a moral burden for me and I believe that the CPC is the best platform for me to push, along with others, the agenda of massive, rapid and meaningful transformation for our dear state.

Is this enough to win the confidence of the people in October?

Yes, because as I said with all sense of modesty, I and my party are best suited to achieve the kind of transformational change which our state urgently need and deserve at this point time. I possess the necessary experience and exposure needed to take decisions that will help to ensure a dramatic change in the fortunes of our people across gender, age, generational and other social divides.

Our Four Point Agenda, which represents our main program, aside other simultaneous plans, will provide the best means for radically transforming our state within our term in office if I am elected. This four point plan will include: The radical enhancement of our education system through the provision of highly qualitative, free, functional and accessible education for school age children up to Secondary school certificate level. This will include building new, smart schools with the latest modern facilities including ICT as well as the complete refurbishing of old and dilapidated schools across all the nooks and crannies of our state so that quality education is available to all school age children, thereby ensuring that no child is left behind.

How would you describe your chances in the contest?

Very bright! The feedback that I am getting is that people see my entry into the race as some real breath of fresh air. And generally, people see our party as the most suited to governing Ondo State and providing that change that our people so earnestly desire. Given their recent and current experience, our people are now clamouring for honest, well exposed, very efficient, visionary and dynamic leadership for our state and they are excited about my entry into the race because they believe I am the one who is best able to deliver the type of leadership aspirations for our dear state.

It is apparent you are banking on your father’s support base.

My Father has served his people and his country well and naturally he has his many admirers. With all modesty, as a smart politician, it will be foolhardy of me if I did not attempt to exploit these links and support to promote our grand vision of making Ondo State rise again. But, in addition, having participated myself in our politics for a while, I have also built my own links and support base.

•From left: Jukun Development Association Vice President Chief Alex Yamusa, Fasehun and Bako at the meeting.

‘National dialogue ‘ll end violence’

By Segun Balogun

T

HE recent declaration of political autonomy by one individual in Ogoni land must be seen as a warning that should prompt the Nigerian politi cal class into dialogue with ethnic nationalities.

Founder of Oodua People’s Congress, (OPC) Dr. Frederick Fasehun stated this at a meeting between the OPC and The Jukun Development Association in Lagos (JDA). Both organisations agreed to mutually defend each other’s interests while calling on the Federal Government to begin dialogue with the ethnic nationalities in the country.

According the Fasehun, “the faster this happens, the earlier the country can begin to pull away to safety from the crises threatening its survival. It is an embarrassment that a people so enlightened as Nigerians have failed to forge national unity for almost a century of coexistence.

“We are praying, working, and struggling very hard to make sure that a nation grows out of these disparate ethnic nationalities. We love Nigeria, but we love Nigerians more. So, if Nigeria must remain, the only way is to get all the ethnic nations together in a conference to forge a new pact to live together in unity,” he said.

He formally welcomed the Jukun ethnic nation on board the growing Coalition of Ethnic Nationality, an initiative he pioneered.

He said the coalition is already fostering an understanding among ethnic nations and this will provoke a Sovereign National Conference, which he said, is the panacea to Nigeria’s many challenges.

“A superpower told us about seven years ago that by 2015, which is only two years away, Nigeria will fracture, but we want to demonstrate to that superpower that Nigeria and Nigerians shall remain,” he said.

“The politicians have been there for years, yet the nation has been dancing around a brink. Now is the time to pull the nation away and that is why the ethnic nations are forging friendship, love, and cooperation.”

“The MOSSOP people have been agitating for social justice for a long time and if that justice has taken this long, I think the warning should be given. We all have a reason to complain that social justice is not in place.”

The President of the JDA, Bako Benjamin Danborno, also supported dialogue between the federal government and perpetrators of violence in the northern part of the country.

“I don’t know what they want but whoever takes up arm against a nation must be agitating for something. Just like it happened in the South-South, I do not think it would be out of order to call them for dialogue,” he said.

“Virtually every ethnic nation in Nigeria is complaining of being marginalised.

The Jukuns are not the only one complaining.

Orji unfolds has programmes

By Emmanuel Oladesu

A

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has rendered his account of steward ship in Lagos State, saying that he had spread dividends of democracy across the three senatorial districts.

He also assured indigenes of the state, who attended the Town Hall meeting held at Adro International School, Victoria Island, that all the development projects undertaken by his administration would be completed before the end of his tenure.

The governor reviewed his government’s strides in many sectors, including education, health, agriculture, security, electrification, housing and poverty alleviation. He said development had followed the restoration of peace, security and unity among the political class in the last five years.

Orji, who was accompanied by the Speaker of House of Assembly, Ude Chukwu, commissioners, special advisers and other top officials, received accolades from prominent indigenes, including Genetal Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), Prof. Anya O.Anya and former deputy governor, Acho Nwakanma, for making unity, peace and development his priority.

Senator Nwachukwu, who chaired the meeting, noted that Governor Orji assumed the reins after 10 years of bad governance, urging the indigenes to give him the required support to succeed.

Prof. Anya, a National Merit Award winner, advised the people of Abia State to donate their ideas and professionalism to the administration, assuring that Dr. Orji would not let them down.

The foremost scientist added: “We want Abia to be number one state because it has the potentials to be number one. We need peace in Abia. If there is no peace, there will be no development. By bringing peace to Abia, we now glady go to the state, unlike before. The achievements being recorded now were not possible in the past.

“There were ideas, but there was loss of focus and priority. We should harness our brain power for Abia’s development. Tinubu and Fashola make use people like Joe Igbokwe, an Igbo, to develop Lagos. There was no achievement recorded by Obasanjo without Igbo’s input. The people of Abia should contribute their ideas. Let Abia people invest 10 percent of their resources in the state and you will see changes”.

Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Chukwu, said Orji deserved support because of his sincerity and sense of mission, stressing that his developmental projects and social relations had united the state and change its perception as • Orji violence-prone area.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

45

DISCOURSE • Continued from last Thursday

Over-concentration of power at the centre ECTION 2(1) of the 1999 Constitution pro vides that “Nigeria is one indivisible, in dissoluble, sovereign state to be known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. Section 2(2) goes ahead to provide that “Nigeria shall be a Federation consisting of states and a Federal Capital Territory.”

It is evident from the provisions of section 2 (1) & (2) of the Constitution, that Nigeria ideally, should be a Federal State, operating a Federal system of government, that is, Federalism.

However, the point must be made loud and clear that the 1999 Constitution can be described as a perverted Federal Constitution. Its various provisions are antithetical to the very essence of Federalism; it is also a negation of all the norms, ingredients, traditions, customs and basic principles of Federalism. In a Federal State, both the Central and the State Governments are supreme within their respective areas or spheres of competence. In his treatise titled Federal Government, Professor Wheare posited: “By the federal principle I mean the method of dividing powers so that the general and regional governments are each, within its spheres co-ordinate and independent.”

According to Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN), Federalism is “an arrangement where powers within a country are shared between a national, country-wide government and a number of regionalised (i.e. territorially localised) governments, in such a way that each exists as a government separately and independently from the others operating directly on persons and properties within its territorial areas, with a will of its own apparatus for the conduct of its own affairs, and with an authority in some matters exclusive of all others.”

The Supreme Court in an elucidating manner explained the connotation and operation of the doctrine of Federalism in the case of A.-G. Abia State v A.-G. Federation as follows: “Federalism, as a legal and political concept, generally connotes an association of states, formed for certain common purposes, with states retaining a large measure of their original independence or autonomy. It is the co-ordinate relationship and distribution of power between the individual states and the national government, which is at the centre. Federalism, as a viable concept of organising a pluralistic society such as Nigeria, for governance, does not encourage so much concentration of power in the centre, which is the Federal Government. In Federalism, the component states do not play the role of errand boys. The other extreme is also true and it is that they do not exercise sovereignty, which only belongs to the nation as a sovereign entity. States in a Federation rather exercise the middle role of exercising legislative and fiscal autonomy as provided for in the Constitution. By the doctrine of federalism which has been adopted by virtue of section 2(2) of the 1999 Constitution, the autonomy of each government, which presupposes its separate existence and its independence from the Federal Government, is essential to federal arrangement. Therefore, each government exists not as an appendage of another government but as an autonomous entity in the sense of being able to exercise its own will in the conduct of its affairs, free from direction by another government. It follows that both the general and regional governments must each have under its own independent control, financial resources sufficient to perform its exclusive functions.”

Federalism, in its simplistic sense, refers to a concept or practice where homogenous groups come together to form a government on the basis of a covenant, often referred to as a Constitution. The fundamental and distinguishing characteristic of a federal system is that neither the central nor the regional governments are subordinate to each other, but rather, the two are co-ordinate and independent. I have had cause to posit that in a Federal set up or system of government, it is each of the federating states that donates parts of its powers or rights to the centre and not vice-versa. Federalism cannot mean the subjugation, suppression, oppression or manipulation of the state or region by the central or national government.

It can be argued that Nigeria is a Federal State on paper but an over-bloated unitary state in practice. As earlier stated, the division of powers between the Federal Government and the State Government runs contrary to the provisions of section 2 and the principles of Federalism. The Constitution vests enormous powers in the Federal government to the detriment of the States. Section 4(1) vests legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the National Assembly which consist of the Senate and House of Representatives. Taking an excursion into the division of powers between the Federal Government and the States as provided in the Constitution, you will discover that it is the National Assembly that has the power to promulgate an Act for the purpose of creating a new State vide s. 8(1), while s. 8(2) vests it with

S

Challenges to governance in emerging democracies Text of a paper delivered by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, FCIarb, during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG) on July 26, 2012, in the school’s auditorium power to pass an Act for the purpose of boundary adjustment of any existing state. By virtue of s. 9, it is also the National Assembly that can alter the provisions of the Constitution with the concurrence or approval of not less than two thirds of the Houses of Assembly of the States.

There are about sixty (60) matters set out in the Exclusive Legislative List over which the National Assembly is empowered to legislate upon to the exclusion of the Houses of Assembly of the States. Some of these items include arms, ammunition and explosives, aviation, awards of national titles, bankruptcy, banks, banking, bills of exchange and promissory notes, borrowing of money outside Nigeria, census, citizenship, currency, control of capital issues, customs and excise duties, defence, drugs and poisons, election to legislative houses, evidence, external affairs, finger print, incorporation, regulation and winding up of bodies corporate and companies, labour, including trade unions, industrial relations, conditions, safety and welfare of labour, industrial disputes, prescribing a national minimum wage for the Federation or any part thereof, industrial arbitration, mines and minerals, nuclear energy, stamp duties, railway, prisons, formation, annulment and dissolution of marriages, trade and commerce, traffic on federal trunk roads, water from such sources as may be declared by the National Assembly to be sources affecting more than one state, weights and measures, wireless, broadcasting and television transmission other than broadcasting and television provided by the State, Police and other government security services established by law, posts, telegraphs, telephone, taxation of incomes, profits and capital gains etc. Notwithstanding the enormous powers already vested in the National Assembly by the Constitution, the Constitution goes further to state that both the National Assembly and the House of Assembly will have concurrent powers to legislate on all matters set out in the Concurrent Legislative List. Although in general parlance, both the central and state governments can make laws on the items on the concurrent list, however, in practical terms, it is only the National Assembly that can legislate on most of the items under the said list. This is because of the provisions of s. 4(5) and the judicial acclaimed doctrine of covering the field. S. 4(5) provides as follows: If any law enacted by the Houses of Assembly of a state is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistence be void.

In the same manner, the executive authority of the Federation is vested in the President. The President is not only the Chief Executive of the Federation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; he also exercises absolute control over the Police and other security agencies.

The President controls revenue allocation and public funds and can even authorise the withdrawal of moneys from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the Government, in situations when the Appropriation Bill has not been passed.

Curiously, the Judiciary appears not to have been left out in this centralisation exercise as the State Judiciary has lost its traditional jurisdiction in favour of the Federal High Court. It has been held by our courts in interpreting section 251 (1) (p)(q)(r)(s) that it is only the Federal High Court that has jurisdiction in any matter involving the Federal Government or any of its agencies.

Our Federation remains an aberration in which all Governors or their aides and Local Government Chairmen and Councillors will have to converge at Abuja bi-weekly (if not weekly), either for one celebration or the other or to lobby for funds, to run their respective administrations. With the over-centralisation of power and even its paraphernalia in the Federal Government, the Federal Government has become too powerful, arrogant, fearsome, coercive, intimidating, proud and overbearing. No

wonder, Lord Acton was perfectly right when he declared in 1987 in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton that “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. In this country, we have seen situations where the President withheld funds meant for the legitimate running of Local Governments, the President usurping the powers of the State Governors and so on.

Towards better governance So far, I have had the unenviable, but necessary task of painting the grim picture of the state of our nation as it is. It is often said that Nigerians are experts at identifying and pontificating on problems but not at proffering solutions. Having identified the problems, we will now consider what I hope to be plausible solutions in the direction of good governance.

Why good governance?

Empirical studies have shown a strong positive causal relationship between governance and development.[88] Indeed the essence of the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution is development. Section 16(1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution provides: The State shall, within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this Constitution: (a) harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, dynamic and self-reliant economy; (b) control the national economy in such a manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.

Section 16(2)(b) also provides: “The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.”

Good governance is not an end in itself, rather it is a normative, procedural and practical concept that facilitates the attainment of set goals.

Regarding the objectives set out in Chapter II of the Constitution, Section 13 provides that: “It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of this Constitution.”

Within the context of constitutional democratic governance therefore, good governance can be viewed as the proper application of the powers conferred on government toward the attainment of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy. According to Sanja Bojanic of the UNDP: “If a state practices good governance, it is likely to be: … Using resources wisely for the benefit of all – For example Nigeria and Botswana are both rich in mineral resources, diamonds and oil but have completely different development paths; whereas Botswana’s real per capita income increased six fold from 1970-74 to 20002004, that of Nigeria scarcely reached gains of 25 percent and was in fact negative between 1970-1999 notwithstanding $231 billion gains made by the Nigerian petroleum industry.”

I should also add that aside from the truth captured in this quote, we also need good governance desperately to launder our heavily soiled image. We will now consider a few factors that engender good governance.

Accountability The Black’s Law Dictionary defines the word ‘accountable’ as ‘responsible and answerable’.[90] I will say then that a responsible government is an accountable government and an accountable government is an answerable government. The notion of accountability itself is intrinsic and necessary to power. The vesting of powers without the necessary accountability mechanisms is a recipe for a draconian and oppressive government.

Earlier, I used the analogy of the agency relationship to describe the relationship that exists between the government and the governed. I

If any law enacted by the Houses of Assembly of a state is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistence be void.

•Chief Olanipekun

will now go further by drawing a parallel between the concept of trust and governance. A trust is an equitable obligation binding a person (the trustee) to deal with the property over which he has been given control or power (trust property) for the benefit of persons (the beneficiaries)of whom the trustee may himself be one. In relation to governance, the trustee is the government, the trust property are the powers and the resources, the benefits are the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution and the beneficiaries are the citizens of Nigeria. It is trite that a trustee has a duty to give account of the trust he administers. Conversely, a beneficiary has a right to call for and receive information on the trust. In the case of Attorney-General of Cross River State v. Attorney-General of the Federation the Supreme Court per Edozie JSC held: “With respect to the prayer for an order of account it is conceded that by virtue of section 162(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, that the Federal Government holds the position of a trustee in respect of all monies paid into the Federation Account …

As was decided by this court in the case of Attorney-General Bendel State v. Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors … this court, per Uwais JSC (as he then was), while interpreting section 149(1) of the 1979 Constitution, which is impari materia with section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution observed thus: “It is settled that it is the duty of the trustee to keep a proper account of the trust he administers. And the beneficiary has the right to call upon the trustee for accurate information as to the state of the trust. Consequently, it is imperative for the Federal Government to render accurate and regular account to the beneficiaries of all monies paid into the Federation Account when requested to do so.”

It is obvious from the foregoing that a necessary incident and ingredient of accountability is information. I should commend the recent passage of the Freedom of Information Act after a protracted delay. It is only left for Nigerian citizens to take advantage of the provisions of the Act and also for the Government to take proactive and positive steps to show that its commitment to honouring the tenor of the Act is not feigned. Perhaps, we need to take a cue from the United States of America, where the annual State of the Union Address and the Saturday morning Weekly Radio Address have become rituals of some sort. Indeed, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s rhetoric in his famous Fireside Chats still resonates almost a century after his presidency. In the United Kingdom , there is also the annual Queen’s Speech and the Weekly Prime Minister’s questions which have also become conventions in that clime. It is therefore a surprise to observe the fuss generated over the House of Representatives’ recent invitation to the Presidency to address it on a pressing national issue.

If we were to make progress on the path to good governance we must realise that budgets and budget implementation are a core aspect of accountability. Therefore, headlines like these: “Reps tackle Jonathan over budget execution” “Senate queries 2010 budget implementation” “Senate flays Government’s budget implementation” …should be a thing of the past. To this end, I would advocate the promulgation of a Budget Implementation Act or the amendment of the Constitution to introduce provisions making full and strict implementation of the budget mandatory. Still on statutory initiatives, it is imperative that an amendment to the Constitution should be effected to expunge the provisions of section 6(6)(c) and expressly to make the provisions of Chapter II justiciable.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

DISCOURSE

Challenges to governance in emerging democracies Text of a paper delivered by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, FCIarb, during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG) on July 26, 2012, in the school’s auditorium • Continued from Page 45

A rule-based system

M

OST of the laws governing the sphere of Government activities in Nigeria are based on discretion. In other words, we practice largely a judgment-based system, giving wide latitude of discretionary powers to government and its agencies. A cursory look at most of our regulatory laws would give credence to this claim. While a judgment-based system is not altogether bad in itself, in my view, it is not suitable for Nigeria given our peculiar circumstances.

The greater part of post-independence Nigeria was dominated by Military dictatorship. The judgment-based system, which we find ourselves operating, and which is replete in most of our statute books, is not one which we have consciously adopted, but is part of the relics of Military rule and its authoritarian and draconian tendencies in our system. Now, the exercise of discretion is by its very nature whimsical and capricious. The average Nigerian has had a psyche impacted by the military way of life. This is evident even in our vocabulary. Most of you will agree with me that you will hardly hear a Briton or even the more boisterous American utter words like ‘I will deal with you’ or ‘You are in trouble.’ The use of such expressions, though normal to Nigerians, in other climes would raise serious apprehension. Therefore, the natural inclination of the average Nigerian exercising discretionary powers is to do so in a draconian or authoritarian way, which would ultimately lead to abuse of power and purpose. I would therefore suggest that gravitation towards a rule-based or prescriptive system will engender more effective and efficient governance in Nigeria .

In relation to the Rule of Law, it is important to note that a system based on discretion is the antithesis of the Rule of Law. The Rule of Law would naturally not thrive under such a system. Thus, Bingham’s second principle of Rule of Law is that questions of legal right and liability should ordinarily be resolved by application of the law and not by the exercise of discretion.

The participatory role of citizens The counterpart of leadership is followership or more appropriately, the citizenry. Discussing the Rule of Law earlier, I identified the challenge of ignorance. While this is attributable in part to a vastly illiterate population, it is also due to apathy and civic inertia. Nigerian citizens have literally slept on their rights leaving politicians to have a field day in office. The average Nigerian does not see what transpires in government as his business. To him, he is his own government, so he concentrates on his business to get all he can, can all he gets and sit on the can. Well, he still has to drive on the bad roads, fly in planes and keep his money in banks.

As for his can, he must keep its contents away from the prying eyes of robbers.

The most important role of citizens is participation in public life. Citizens have a duty to stay informed, contribute to social, economic and political discourse and engage in constructive debates and criticism of policies.

This will not only keep the government on its toes, but create a wide opinion pool and wisdom bank for assessing government policies and for providing plausible alternatives.

Citizens should also exercise their voting rights wisely on ideological convictions and not on tribal or religious sentiments. One sad feature of the Nigerian State is that the citizens are becoming robotiSed on daily basis.

This is traceable to the abject poverty pervading the landscape. Otherwise, why should an average registered voter sell his Voter’s Registration Card for a pittance, and in a situation where he does not sell it, why should he/she sell his/her conscience by voting for the return of a Council Chairman or Governor or even any candidate of a political party who has not performed or fulfilled any election manifesto? Why should Nigerians take up paid advertisements praising and eulogising a State Governor who has only dug a borehole for a community of fifty thousand citizens, when his primary duty is to provide them with pipe borne/hygienic water? The indomitable Fela Anikulapo-Kuti had this generation of Nigerians in mind when he composed his evergreen lyric-”Suffering and Smiling.” No wonder a recent re-

port described Nigerians as the happiest people on earth!

Institution building James Madison the fourth President of the United States of America stated: “But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature. If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls would be necessary.

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”

I had earlier identified the problem of elevating individuals or personalities to the point where institutions are obscured in Nigeria . I also said that, this is fuelled by egotism and sycophancy. Ashoka, the third century Emperor of India and a proponent of good and just behavior, attempted to build his government and society on the assumption that individuals in society should and ought to do what is good and right voluntarily, without being compelled through force. He spent most of his life trying to promote good, spontaneous behaviour in people in respect of their civic obligations and duties.

As expected, much of Ashoka’s efforts were in dissipation and he achieved little success. In contrast, Ashoka’s grandfather, Chandragupta built his government by laying emphasis on development of institutions through features such as restrictions, prohibitions, punishments and incentives. He believed that people had little capacity for doing good things voluntarily without incentives, restraint and punishment.[98] I have carefully chosen the illustration of the parallel of Ashoka’s noble but unrealistic philosophy and Chandragupta’s pragmatic approach to drive home the point that societies built on institutions are more likely to succeed than those based on individuals.

As aptly captured by James Madison, leaders are no saints anywhere in the world. In my view, the difference between governance in other parts of the world and Nigeria is the absence of institutional checks and balances and transparency.

We all recall the recent ‘Expenses Scandal’ in the UK House of Commons. While others chose to console themselves in the fact that such problems were not peculiar to Nigeria after all, I was particularly impressed by the fact that the UK Government immediately put laws into place and rectified the system that, in the first place, allowed the MP’s to make claims for reimbursement of bogus expenses. Prosecution of those culpable then followed. In Nigeria, our typical approach would be to call those involved names, arrest them and replace them with so-called ‘angels’ while leaving the loopholes in the system (un)addressed and temptingly wide open for the new ‘angels’ to exploit. A typical alternative approach would be to set up a ‘committee of angels’ to look into and investigate those involved and forgetting that even Lucifer was originally an angel.

Moving forward, I suggest that we direct our efforts toward building institutions, with transparency and incentive mechanisms in place. This will also help in terms of actualizing a blue print and having a common sense of purpose and direction.

Electoral reform According to Frank Herbert in his Children of Dune: “Good governance never depends upon laws, but upon the personal qualities of those who govern. The machinery of government is always subordinate to the will of those who administer that machinery. The most important element of government, therefore, is the method of choosing leaders.”

Consent of the governed is the most fundamental aspect of democratic governance. In a democracy, power and sovereignty belong to the citizens, who through the exercise of their suffrage, yield power to a group of people to exercise temporarily on their behalf for a specified period of time. This is indeed how the principal-agent relationship or the social contract is consummated.

The manner in which elections are conducted is

•Chief Olanipekun

therefore a critical factor in determining the legitimacy and ultimately, the performance of the government. It goes without saying that a government that gets into power by circumscribing the will of the people can not be answerable to the people.

In relation to governance, the constitutional provisions requiring those in government to return to the citizens to revalidate their mandates at periodic intervals are important. This is the most potent way for citizens to exercise control over their governments where they have not used the powers for the purposes for which they were donated.

A close observation of governments all over the world will show that first-term governments are generally more responsive, effective and efficient than lame duck governments. This underscores the significance of the electoral process and the need for it to be free, fair and transparent. Transition through elections has been a major challenge in most African countries as recent events in Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria have shown.

Electoral reform is a central issue that has many dimensions and perspectives to it, which ought to be the subject of another discourse on another day.

In a lecture titled “Governance and Politics: the Challenges of Electoral Reforms”, I articulated some factors that are key to a successful electoral system. These include: • An independent and neutral electoral umpire; • Internal democracy within political parties; • Partisan politics based on ideology; • A transparent an fair system of party and campaign finance; • A closely-monitored, transparent and secure voting process; and • A fair means of resolving post-election disputes.

It is important to state that the Constitution and the Electoral Act provide the requisite legal framework that defines the electoral process. We recall that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua set up the Justice Uwais Panel on Electoral Reform.

We also know that many parts of the Panel’s comprehensive report were discarded by the ‘powers that be.’ Invariably, any further suggestion on free and fair elections would be an exercise in futility since it would amount to political suicide for the powers that be to pass them as law. I can not agree more with Femi Falana when he said: “Electoral reform is laudable but it is meaningless in the face of a dogged determination on the part of a political group to maintain the status quo and their privileged access to state resources and power. This is why electoral reforms must not skirt or precede the fundamental issue of the structure of the Nigerian state; the fact that the federal government controls too much resource revenue and has too much power over its distribution. This is the root of political desperation, which has doomed our …electoral contests till date.”

This takes us to the next crucial point.

Convocation of a sovereign national conference It has now become the norm that a lecture of this nature would not be complete without mention or discussion of that phrase that just would not go away – ‘Sovereign National Conference’. Regardless of what it is called, a discussion on the basis and nature of our conjugation as a people is not only necessary but inevitable. It is not only necessary for parties to a union to talk before consummating the union; talking should also remain a fundamental and consistent part of the relationship, if not for nothing else, to let out pent-up grievances.

‘Leaders are no saints anywhere in the world. In my view, the difference between governance in other parts of the world and Nigeria is the absence of institutional checks and balances and transparency’

I will make reference to certain quotes, which predicts the present ‘Boko Haram crisis’, just to show that Boko Haram is the same monster rearing its ugly head in another form. The then Minister for Defence, General T.Y Danjuma was quoted in 1999 to have said: “The perceived internal threats to the Nigerian nationhood are real, if one considers our recent political experiences and the growing phenomenon of armed robbery, assassinations, religious fundamentalism and communal clashes.”

On the same day General Danjuma made those comments, the editorial comment of The Punch read:“Do ethnic nationalities constituting Nigeria still desire to remain as one country? If yes, on what terms? If no, why; and now may they peacefully resolve their differences? What is it that rankles the country and continually predisposes it to instability? …We anticipate that the country will find, at the end of the day, that a Conference of Nigerian Sovereign Peoples to peacefully negotiate their political destiny will be inevitable, however long maybe the way leading to it. In our opinion, however, the sooner the wiser.”

Professor Wole Soyinka stated in 1999: “Recurrence of ethnic-based violence in the polity is unreasonable and must be halted to allow genuine dialogue on the terms of the federation…We are in serious trouble. The violence has become non-rationalisable…If people had a forum to express their grievances, Nigeria will be saved of the violence being witnessed lately.”

The foregoing words say it all. The Preamble to our Constitution starts with these words: “WE THE PEOPLE of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: HAVING firmly and solemnly resolved: TO LIVE in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation…

DO HEREBY MAKE, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES the following Constitution:- “ The question that I ask each time I read the Preamble is: When did we come together to make this firm and solemn resolution? I am sure no member of this august audience has the answer to my question. Our Constitution is obviously founded on a lie. It is however never too late to get it right. I refer to a paper titled: ‘Nigeria: What Manner of Federation?’ where I commented thus: “We must bear in mind that it is in our own interest that these knotty and lingering problems should be resolved now rather than transferring them to our inpatient children. It is better to jawjaw now rather than to war-war later.”

Those of us who are Christians should be fairly familiar with the fact that before the emergence of Saul, the first King of Israel, God was virtually directly governing them through Judges qua Prophets. But when Samuel, the last prophet who doubled as a Judge was ageing, and his two children who he put in charge of governing Israel engaged themselves in acts of corruption and the like, the Israelites had what could be described as the first national conference in history, and plainly told Samuel that ‘we want a king like any other nation.’ For ease of reference and for effect, permit me to quote from the book of I Samuel Chapter 8: 1–7: “And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons Judges over Israel …

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel ... And said unto him, ‘Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walked not in thy way; now make us a king to Judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel …

And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, ‘Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”

The comparison being drawn from this biblical passage is that if the children of Israel could, after they have convocated, ask God through Samuel that they wanted to be governed in a different way from the way God was governing them and God hearkened unto their demand, who then are we ordinary mortals to prevent a conference of Nigerians to chat a way forward for ourselves and future generations, and to salvage us from the excruciating crisis and chaos which we are facing today. We pretend not to be at war or in a state of war, yet the lives being wasted on daily basis are more than corpses that are taking out of war enclaves. Those who are against the convocation of a national conference have not mustered sufficient courage to distill and highlight, for the purpose of counter arguments why we should not have the conference now. With respect to the National Assembly, every or any attempt at constitutional making in form of amendments or re-amendments cannot bring about any desired result unless and until we present our grievances at a conference and, thereafter, distill our differences and decide to resolve them.

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

DISCOURSE Introduction I wish to thank the Department of Sociology under the able leadership of Dr. Saleh Omar for inviting me to deliver a keynote address on a topic that is uppermost in the mind of Nigerians and human societies all over the world. It is a pleasure to be in Gombe town for the first time.

I also wish to seize this opportunity to congratulate the state government forestablishing a university for the peoples of the state and the Universityauthorities for supporting the department of sociology to host a national conference.

GombeState University is a relatively new institution in Nigeria. It needs to organize such conferences and seminars in order to engage its scholars and others from Nigeria and abroad.Universities are supposed to the centres for knowledge production and they should be encouraged to do so in all ways. Indeed, Nigeria needs to make strenuous efforts to transform her universities into centresfor knowledge production because these institutions are currently poorlyrated in the world. As an example, no Nigerian University is among the top 500 in the world while we are among the last twenty of the top 100 universities in Africa.

Part of the reason for the poor rating of our universities is becausethey degenerated from the time of SAP to their current unhealthy state. We are always on strike due to poor funding and salaries. Many of our scholars have migrated to other parts of theworld due to dilapidated facilities and laboratories. The environment was for many years especially during the military rule, hostile to serious intellectual work. Years of military dictatorship eroded university autonomy including freedomof speech. Finally,

Text of the Keynote Address delivered by Prof Layi Erinosho at the Sociology Department Nationl Conference at Gombe State University, Gombe on August 7.

Political Violence in Nigeria many of our scholars are not as productive as their forerunners of the First Republic. Instead of publishing in peer-reviewed, indexed, and truly international journals, our scholars now peddle their lecture notes as scholarly papers in self-sponsored journals. This has led to the Appointment and Promotion Committees in our universities to query them and also frown at what is often referred to as the Vol.1 No. 1 syndrome!! All of the foregoing lapses contribute to the poor rating of our universities in the world market place today.

Consequently, the effort of sociology department to nurture a culture of scholarship through this conference should be commended.

A culture of scholarship is nurtured through robust discourse at seminars and conferences as well as through peer-reviewed publications. I therefore hope that the proceedings of the conference will be carefully and professionally edited, published, and widely circulated.

Now to the theme of this keynote address

• Prof Erinosho which is political violence in Nigeria. I shall first and foremost provide a definition of political violence. This will be followedbyan attempt to show the universality of political violence. Moreover, I shall examine political violence in the context of Nigeria and in so doing take us back into our past history, citing incidences of political violence. I shall attempt to conjecture a guiding proposition for political violence.Thirdly, an attempt will be made to focus on the Boko Haram insurgencythat is facing our country. The paper concludes by proposing the overarching strategy for mitigating political violence in Nigeria.

Challenges to governance in emerging democracies Conclusion of text of a paper delivered by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, FCIarb, during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG) on July 26, 2012, in the school’s auditorium • Continued from Page 46

Government and governance in Nigeria must be made less attractive and lucrative We cannot pretend not to know, or, at least appreciate the fact that the most paying business in Nigeria today is politics. It is the only business that can transform a jobless man of yesterday to a multi-millionaire tomorrow, without anybody asking questions about his source of wealth. It does not only catapult one into a position of power, but also lifts him to the zenith of wealth. Within the three tiers of government in Nigeria, most resources and income are dissipated on recurring expenditures. Capital projects become secondary. At every State level, there are four ‘Excellencies’, that is, the Governor and DeputyGovernor and their spouses; at the Federal level, there are also four ‘Excellencies’ at the executive segment and also four ‘Excellencies’ at the Senate, that is, the Senate President and his Deputy and their spouses. Every Local Government Chairman describes himself as ‘Executive Chairman’ and his wife is also the First Lady at that level of government. All of these personnel have aides and chains of attendants, all of who draw from the public tills or revenues. We also have the fleeting legislative aides and attendants at every tier of government.

One top government functionary opined recently that Nigeria is in recession.

Then the staring question – can we still continue running these very large, elaborate, bureaucratic, magisterial and flamboyant governments in the midst of declining productivity, earnings and income? The answer is definitely in the nay. Thus, we have to critically examine the desirability or otherwise of our continuing with the very expensive Presidential System of government, when other cost effective, but more efficient means of government, including but not limited to the Parliamentary system are readily available. Again, this is an agenda for a National Conference.

Epilogue

I have striven in this lecture to highlight some of the challenges to governance in emerging democracies. This paper does pretend to have exhausted

all the challenges militating against good governance in a democracy and I doubt if any paper can so do. I have deliberately used Nigeria as a focus. I could not have done otherwise because our charity must begin at home. Although the early emergence of democracy has been traced to Greece, one is not unaware of the fact that good governance itself was not alien to Africa and more particularly Nigeria. We must remind ourselves of the great empires that sprang up from this part of the world, including but not limited to the great Oyo Empire, the Benin Empire, the Mali Empire, the Songhai Empire etc. These were empires that had rooted and enshrined in their unwritten constitutions, checks and balances which contemporary democratic governments of today should get entrenched in their written constitutions.

The idea of bad governance cannot and should not be restricted to Africa, despite the recent Arab Spring, which swept off some of the dictators and murderers on the African continent.

The African continent can boast of very rich governmental institutions.

Egypt is one of the early ancient countries and empires mentioned in the Bible, as well as the Quran. It is by far older than many of the leading democracies in the world today. We could discern good governance from the way and manner Pharaoh, through the instrumentality of Joseph managed the economy of his country during the long years of severe famine as recorded in the book of Genesis. Ethiopia is another ancient African country which was never colonised. The biblical Queen of Sheba who visited King Solomon as recorded in 1 Kings Chapter 10 was from Ethiopia. Examples of world renowned leaders once littered the African continent and right here in Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa who was our Prime Minister for almost a decade (but brutally murdered by the Military in the January, 1966 coup) was/is on record as having not indulged himself in any act of corruption or primitive acquisition of wealth. Despite the fact that he was Prime Minister in Lagos for almost a decade, he had no personal property of his in the then Federal Capital. The only traceable property he had was in

•Chief Olanipekun

his home town and he built same through a bank loan. Julius Nyerere of Tanzania was another example of selfless and visionary leadership. As at the time he voluntarily handed over power to his successor, he neither had a car nor a house of his. The first military leader of Egypt who also doubled as the first successful the coup plotter in Africa, General Abdel Nasser was another selfless and patriotic African leader. He accumulated no wealth, as his ambition was to foster the progress of Egypt, as well as the African renaissance. Rather than using his position to acquire illegitimate properties, he kept on reminding himself and his wife that his last dwelling place would be the public cemetery in Cairo. Nelson Mandela of South Africa has become a world citizen because everyman born of woman within this generation appreciates and salutes his selfless leadership. Patrice Lumumba of Congo, though slain by agents of imperialism would ever remain in the hearts and consciousness of right thinking Africans as a true, selfless and clear-visioned leader. The point being made is that our democracy must throw-up for our children, good and not decadent examples; role models and not crooks, murderers and ‘nation killers’ who camouflage as ‘nation builders’. Our nation and democracy are in dire need of heroes, leaders, father figures, role models, moderating and influencing factors, as well as fulfilled and satisfied statesmen like Nelson Mandela who is a veritable example of quintessential leadership to the human race, irrespective of tribe, colour, creed, religion or language. The democracy of South Africa which he pioneered after the scourging years of apartheid subsists today because of his selfless and mature efforts. While Mubarak of Egypt is spending the twilight of his years in prison and might likely end up

Conceptual Overview Political violence is the use of violence to cause harm against a group in order to coerceresponsible authorities or population in the furtherance of political and social objectives.

Political violence may be perpetrated by a state or group. An example of state-sponsored political violence is the invasion of Iraq by the US without the authorization of the United Nations.

Politicalviolence is not an African problem. It is universal because no part of the world can be left out when we talk of political violence.

Political violence has been with us from time immemorial and is likely to be with us as long as the grievances of individuals and/or groups are notseriously addressed by those who ought to do so.

There have been 326 episodes of armed conflict in the world between 1946 and 2012 (Marshall, 2012). Although it is difficult to estimate the number of causalities, one writer has estimated that a minimum of 16.2 million died in all the civil wars fought since the end of the Second World War (Boix, 2008).

Global Overview of Political Violence Let us refresh our memories on various incidences of political violence in the different sub-regions of the world. We will recall the politically motivated violence in Europe not too long ago in Yugoslavia which finally, led to the breakup of the country. The 9/11 bombing of the twin towers in theUnitedStates is an example, motivated by the determination of Osama Bin Laden to get rid of the United States from his home country.It will be recalled that Osama Bin Laden, working with the United States fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.

• To be continued

there, the entire world recently stood up in unison to celebrate the 94th birthday of Mandela. I must repeat the point again that we must not overconcentrate on the centre to bring forth our own heroes and role models, as leaders can emerge from amongst the State Governors or even from the local government level. We can also have them from the private sector or the corporate world. In effect, good governance must be enacted not only at the federal, state and local government levels, but also at all private and corporate institutions.

The study earlier referred to in this lecture on the classifications of democracy[103] actually pigeon-holed Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, India (the largest democracy in the world), Poland, Brazil, Hungary, Mexico, Argentina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Benin, Ghana etc. under Flawed Democracy. Perhaps, as a result of the way and manner our Constitution was foisted on us by the Military and the imposition of unitary system of government in place of federalism, Nigeria is ranked amongst Democratic Authoritarian regimes. Thus, this lecture is a wakeup call for our nation to put its house in order.

While I am not an incurable optimist, I am also not an unrepentant or die-hard pessimist. Most Nigerians believe in the future of this country, if all things are equal. It is a country of great potentials and potentialities.

God has been so kind, generous and marvellous to us in terms of endowment with natural and human resources, as well as clement weather and environmental conditions. We could not and cannot have gotten it better from God, while he was distributing resources globally and also situating peoples in different locations of the world. Our problems are not insurmountable, but solvable, if and only if, some of us are not ready to play God, knowing it all and not giving any room for contributions and calls for a national discourse. Although our democracy is dithering and facing challenges, fora like this one provide ample opportunities for the governors and governed to draw ideas from views and presentations of patriotic citizens towards strengthening not only our democracy, but also overcoming, to very reasonable and manageable extents the challenges facing our nation. In times like this, the picture looks grim, and indeed it is, but at least we are all here.

No personality in the Bible suffered worse calamities than Job; but despite all he agonisingly went through, he still said: “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it would sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease.

Though its roots may grow old in the earth, and its stomp may die in the

ground, Yet at the scent of water it would bud and bring forth branches like a plant.”

Like the Biblical Job, I believe Nigeria could still bud and bring forth branches like a plant. Howbeit, heavens only help those who help themselves. We must quickly retrace our steps from the path of self-destruct, selfdecimation, self-annihilation and economic plundering which we have been treading for long. We must make hay while the sun shines. Democracy is synonymous with civilisation and civilization is co-terminus with good government and governance. While there is no alternative form of government to democracy in our contemporary world, our own democracy cannot be localised or conceptualised as Nigerian in nature, thus, making it distinct and different from what democracy connotes and brings to other people in different climes of the world, to wit, to bring happiness and succour to the greatest number of the citizenry. In actual and factual terms, this is what should be described as the dividends of democracy.

I would not know the reason behind Obasanjo’s Military regime changing the soul-searching National Anthem of Nigeria which was echoed and rendered on 1st October, 1960 when the Union Jack was pulled down to replace it with ‘Arise, O Compatriots ...’ But it is apt to end this lecture with the wordings and prayers contained in the last two stanzas of that National Anthem to the effect that: “Our flag shall be a symbol That truth and justice reign, In peace or battle honour’d, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children, A banner without stain.

“O God of all creation, Grant this our one request, Help us to build a nation Where no man is oppressed, And so with peace and plenty Nigeria may be blessed.”

We have no choice or alternative than to explore the wordings of this jettisoned national anthem to re-invent and resurrect Nigeria, bearing in mind our present scaring and intimidating circumstances, coupled with the recent report of the Fund for Peace – a United States based institution, which designates Nigeria as a potentially failed state, just minimally ahead of a few countries like Congo, Chad, Sudan, Somalia, Guinea, Haiti and Zimbabwe.

I thank you all for listening and for the opportunity given me to address this very august gathering to mark the auspicious and unique occasion of the 50th Anniversary of our alma mater.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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MOTORING

Total diversion on Third Mainland Bridge today T HERE will be a total diversion of traffic on Third Mainland Bridge between 11am and 2pm today.

Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said the total diversion of traffic on the bridge is highly imperative since the Phase 1 (in bound Lagos Island) of the repair would

Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo

be completed by yesterday and the Contractor, Messrs Borini Prono, will immediately start the repairs of the five (5) expansion joints Oworoshoki inbound.

Opeifa obtained the information from the office of the Federal Director of Works, South west zone, Mr Ejike Mgbemena, last week.

According to him, no vehicle will be allowed on the bridge between 11am and 2pm to ensure the easy movement of equipment to be used for Phase two repairs.

The Commissioner who commended Lagosians for their perseverance said during the Phase 2 repair works, which begins tomorrow, the change over time will be

12 Noon and 12:30pm inbound Lagos and 12:30pm inbound Ikeja.

He reminded motorists that during the Phase B repair works, same diversion plan on traffic management will be implemented.

Opeifa urged motorists to, as usual, follow the diversion plan, make use of the regular alternative routes and obey the officials of the

KIA opens new service outlet in Abuja

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IA has opened its largest showroom in Utako, Abuja.

The new structure featured display of the model range of KIA automobiles in Nigeria.

The facility will serve as an aftersale service outlet with full service and maintenance complements for KIA’s customers in the capital city.

The outlet can service as many as 50 cars in a single day.

The workshop is fully equipped and hosts 20 bays for servicing.

According to Kia, no fewer than 45 people have been employed for the centre.

“This further demonstrates KIA’s commitment to excellent after-sales service. Owners of Kia models

•Interior of the new KIA ultra-modern service outlet in Utako, Abuja

across Nigeria, especially now in Abuja, can be assured of genuine parts and professional consultation and advice from our experts who

have been trained to KIA’s highest standards of providing workmanship of the highest quality,” the statement reads.

The statement further reads: “We believe every KIA owner should get the very best after-sales service possible which is why we continue

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) who are on the roads to give traffic instructions and render assistance.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government started repairs, on Third Mainland Bridge on July 8 and expected to be completed in November. to make efforts to open new service outlets across the country to bring our services as close as possible to their doorsteps. We have over 20 service outlets across Nigeria and this new outlet in Utako, Abuja reaffirms our commitment to this ideal.”

“The Utako outlet will help cater to the needs of KIA fleet owners as they will always find keeping the fleet in top condition and get more value from KIA. This new initiative means KIA lovers in the capital city can visit the new outlet to enquire about new deals and purchase opportunities.

Recent price cuts on a number of KIA brands including the Cerato and Sorento will definitely be on the top burner of offers that customers should look out for when they go into the new outlet. KIA increasingly seeks to satisfy the tastes of discerning automobile lovers by delivering sleek, futuristic designs, class leading features and functionalities, durable cars that combine power and cutting edge aesthetics.”

Briscoe partners technicians on fake parts

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RISCOE Toyota, a subsidiary of R.T. Briscoe (Nigeria) Plc, in partnership with Motor Mechanics and Technicians Association of Nigeria (MOMTAN), has planned to tackle distribution and use of fake spare parts.

At a meeting with the association, Briscoe explained the advantages of genuine parts and dangers of using fake auto spare parts.

In a statement, company said fake parts contributes to accidents and loss of lives, vehicle breakdown, reduction in the life-span of the vehicle and, ultimately, loss of valuable time and money, “while genuine parts on the other hands helps in averting these unsavory situations”.

Briscoe said: “This is part of our strategy to entrench the culture of using genuine spare parts for auto repairs by the mechanics and technicians in the country. But beyond this, the members being the users

C

OSCHARIS Motors will soon open its new corporate Headquarters in Lekki, Lagos

State.

The new building will have a showroom and workshop.

According to a statement, it’s aimed at ensuring customer intimacy, product leadership and service excellence and guaranteeing value for money.

of spare parts, the Company is also willing to support them regular supply of genuine spare parts at affordable rates to enable their members to retain and maintain their existing chain of customers, attract and secure new ones and make more sales and profit in their businesses”.

MOMTAN expressed the readiness to work with R.T. Briscoe to reduce the trend.

The group said none of his members would claim not to have heard of, or transact businesses with RT Briscoe at one time or the other in the past, adding that the company is living up to a name that has become the generic name for Toyota genuine parts in the Automobile market.

According to the After Sales Manager, Mr Johan Heydenreich, who was represented by the OTCParts Manager at the parley, Kehinde Lamina, an engineer,

•Mr Lamina (third left), Alhaji Arowolo and other executive members of MOMTAN at the meeting

other benefits planned for the association include discounted prices for volume purchase, special purchase discount prices for confirmed MOMTAN members, peri-

odic training support from the company on new models of vehicles/spare parts and processing of warranty claims by the company on behalf of the mechanics on defective spare parts purchased.

Coscharis to open new headquarters The latest facility is to ensure that the experiences of customers in sales, service and repairs match the sublime features of the vehicles themselves.

It is quite notable that Coscharis Motors represents a very significant aspect of the auto industry.

Coscharis reaffirmed its commitment to providing showrooms and workshops that are not only the best in Nigeria, but also exceed the expectations of its customers and manufacturers alike.

Consequently, at the new Lekki facility, all brands’ ranges of the

company would be displayed while retaining the individuality of each brand in terms of their corporate identities.

It would be recalled that Coscharis in identifying with the Lagos State’s Public-Private Partnership initiative, took over the

The statement added that other associations, such as National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), among others, are scheduled to benefits, from the partnership.

Eko Engineering project for Sales and Aftersales services of all Auto brands as well as managing the Vocational Centre for technical skill acquisition, specifically to provide aftersales support for Rapid Response fleet of vehicles.

Coscharis Group has over 26 branches nationwide with presence in three African Countries, namely Ghana, Gabon and Cote D’Ivoire.

SAFETY DRIVING

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HERE is, no doubt, about the fact that a good leader that deserves honour leads by example. It is also true that before you can lead anyone successfully, you must first lead yourself.

Therefore, the Nigerian Leaders are expected to show examples at obeying rules and regulations designed by them.

However, the happenings in our society are not pointing to leadership by example.

Road safety and leader In Nigeria, there has been hues and cries about indecent dressing, especially by women in educational institutions. I was taken aback recently when I saw about one-third of the breast of a woman in government uncovered and she was not ashamed to expose part of her breast. Should we call this fashion or a high degree of immorality in high places?

In another dimension, I saw a

member of the legislative arm of government in Nigeria displaying covetousness at a buffet by searching for big meat while serving himself at a function. A disciplined and good leader will make do with the first meat the service spoon brings up.

In the same vein, we see a lot of our leaders not leading by example on the highways. Some “VIP’s” take one-way driving against the

traffic, disobedience of the traffic light and traffic control officers, driving without valid driver license, Overspeeding and many other acts of indiscipline on the roads.

Leaders, lead yourself before you can have the clear conscience to lead others. Join hands to make our roads free from crashes and fatalities. Be a part of the solution and not a problem.

Jide Owatunmise •Registrar/Chief Executive Owatunmise is the Professional Driving and Safety Academy

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1.Canoe (4) 4. Price (4) 7. Container (4) 8. Father (2) 9. Tack (4) 11. Not Near (4) 13. Final (3) 14. Wasted (5) 15. Indicating location (2) 17. Grain (3) 19. Unit (2) 21. Aid in crime (4) 24. Pain (4) 26. Eggs (3) 27. As it is (2) 28. Narrated (4) 29. Net (4)

1. Misfortune (4) 2. Keen (4) 3. Until (3) 4. Gonorrhea (4) 5. Range (4) 6.Prostititute (4) 10. Insect (3) 12. Gave food (3) 14. Pig’s pen (3) 15. Skill (3) 16. Verruca (4) 18. Asia (4) 19. Exclamation (2) 20. Tide (4) 22. Boyfriend (3) 23 Fish (3) 25. Expression of surprise (3)

Mini-Sudoku SUDOKU IS JUST A GAME OF LOGIC AND NOT MATHEMATICAL. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO FILL IN THE MISSING SPACES IN THE GRID TO ENSURE THAT EVERY ROW, COLUMN AND 2 BY 3 BOX CONTAINS THE NUMBERS 1 - 6.

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ShoWbLiTZ HUMOUR

HUMOUR

Jackson’s Neverland Gone With The Wind

Colour Pick

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Find out what color your friend or loved onr thinks you are by sendig this to themto select your colour.

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Black= I want a relationship with u

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~Green= I’m falling for you

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~Purple= I miss you ~Orange= I really like you ~Pink= I love you ~Red= I hate you ~Yellow= You’re amazing

Few places are as eerie or as melancholy as an abandoned theme park. The laughter and screams of delight that we imagine once echoed around the rides and other amusements have gone, leaving a strange silence that seems all the more heavy in contrast with the joyful cacophony it has replaced. Add a full moon and a back-story replete with scandal and tragedy, and you have an intensely atmospheric subject for a photographic series.

Michael Jackson’s Neverland was once a children’s fantasy made real. Then came the infamous child abuse allegations. In 2005, Jackson declared that he would never return to Neverland because he felt violated by the police searches that took place there, which he claimed were conducted without a warrant.

With Jackson’s privacy invaded, an intended dreamland had turned into a place of nightmares for the late entertainer. In 2008, he went on to sell the property, and its many rides and attractions were also sold off one by one Before it was dismantled, Neverland boasted an incredible number of rides, including the Carousel, Ferris wheel, Octopus, Pirate Ship, Wave Swinger, Zipper and Super Slide. In addition were attractions such as , duck ponds, gardens, arcade, various winding roads and, of course, the train station.

Pep Talk

~Blue= You’re friendly ~Grey= We need to talk seriously ~Silver= I want your number ~Rainbow= you’re my everything ~white= I want to take you out shopping What’s my colour?

****** Low battery!

A sex robot was designed to satisfy women. It was tested with four women. The first was a Hausa woman; after one hour she came out smiling and said: “Gaskiya, e sweet me die”. The next woman was Yoruba; after three hours with the robot she also came out smiling and said: “Ooshey.” The Igbo woman came out after five hours, saying: Nna, Chinedu should know about this business. The last woman was Calabar; after 11 hours the woman was still not out, so the security had to go and check thinking the robot had killed her. Only for them to open the door to see the Calabar woman chasing the robot up and down, saying: ”Come here you liar, if your battery is down, how come you can still run?

WORD MATCH Each of the words in the grid on the left has a match in the grid on the right. Pair the two words to form a single word.

The first word has been paired to spur you on.

BE AS TEN RAM E BAS AT LE STA R E HYP P I SL ER UND N SHI SEA

MAT E STRI DE GRO U D O N ND ONE SHO D BALL TENS I R O D ON WAR D CREA P E N SE

BESTRIDE

The end of wisdom is to dream high enough not to lose the dream in the seeking of it. William Faulkner

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THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08022664898

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Hunk (4) 3. Border on (4) 5. Fiend (3) 6. Standard (4) 9. Recedes (4) 12. Age (3) 14. Cereal (4) 15. Informal Course (7) 18. Hermaphrodite (2) 19. Consumed (3) 20. About (2) 22. Employs (4) 24. Part of Feather (4) 26. Wandered (5) 27. Examine (4) 28. Path (4)

1.Remit (4) 2.Lusterless (3) 3.Imitate (3) 4.Trial (4) 7. Green Area (5) 8. Edible Grass (3) 10. Snake (3) 11. Nobleman (5) 13. Illuminated (3) 16. Bricklayer (5) 17. At No Time (5) 18. Youths (4) 21. Ward off (4) 23. Period (3) 25. Fuss (3)

MISSING LETTERS All the words in the columns below have lost their first letters as indicated by the blank spaces above them. You are required to find and affix them. When done, all the first letters will form a 9-letter, sexually offensive word or action. Happy Puzzling!‘

SHOWbitzz Indonesian protesters force Lady Gaga to cancel show

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HUMOUR Chore Swap An efficiency expert concluded his lecture with a note of caution. “Don’t try these techniques at home.”

“Why not?” asked somebody from the audience.

“I watched my wife’s routine at breakfast for years,” the expert explained. “She made lots of trips between the fridge, stove, table and cabinets, often carrying a single item at a time. One day I told her, “You’re wasting too much time. Why don’t you try carrying several things at once?”

Protests by Islamic conservatives who say that Lady Gaga’s provocative live show will “corrupt young people” got their way, as local and national police denied Gaga’s request for a permit, forcing her to cancel a sold out show in Indonesia.

The show, which was meant to take place on June 3rd, was on track to be the biggest show of the Born This Way Ball tour, selling out every single seat in Jakarta’s 52,000-seat Gelora Bung Karno stadium.

Law-makers, conservative hard-liners, and religious leaders in Indonesia have all spoken out against Lady Gaga’s show, suggesting it “undermines the country’s moral fibre.” Some fringe extremists even threatened to use physical force to prevent Gaga from leaving her plane and entering the Southeast Asian nation safely.

The Born This Way Ball has been no stranger to protests. Demonstrations in South Korea led to the tour opener in Seoul being restricted to audience members 18 and older.

Lady Gaga has yet to comment on the cancellation, but it’s safe to say that Mother Monster and her hoard won’t be too pleased that Indonesian officials gave in to conservative pressures.

BEHIND THE PHRASE

Middle for diddle Meaning: A rhyme used to decide who starts a darts match.

Origin: This phrase is part of the English jargon’s pub game of Darts.When a game is instigated, someone calls ‘Middle for diddle’, meaning: ‘Whoever throws a single dart nearest the middle of the board (the Bulls-eye) starts the game.

The phrase ‘middle for diddle’ originated English pubs.

In The Dictionary of Slang, Eric Partridge asserts that it dates from the 1920s but without offering any evidence for that view. The earliest example that I can find in print is John Moore’s fictional account of life in the English Midlands Brensham Village, 1946: The term has not strayed far from England although Darts is now played in other countries. In August 1960, Texas newspaper The Victoria Advocate printed a piece that explained the expression: It’s the start of another old fashioned English game of darts. “Middle for diddle” means aiming at the bull’s eye in the centre of the board to start the game. The man who gets nearest takes first shot.

“Did it save time?” the guy in the audience asked.

“Actually, yes,” replied the expert. “It used to take her 20 minutes to make breakfast. Now I do it in ten.”

Executive Folly 20 executives board an airplane and are told that the flight that they are about to take is the first-ever to feature pilot less technology.

It is an un-crewed aircraft. Each one of the CEOs is then told, privately, that their company’s software is running the aircraft’s automatic pilot system. Nineteen of the CEOs promptly leave the aircraft, each offering a different type of excuse.

One CEO alone remains on board the jet, seeming very calm indeed. Asked why he is so confident in this first uncrewed flight, he replies: “If it’s the same software that runs my company’s IT systems, this plane won’t even take off.”

Hospital Bill The Doctor said he would have me on my feet in two weeks.

And did he?

Yes! I had to sell the car to pay the bill

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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NEWS

Anambra council polls: Rep absolves Obi

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HE member representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the House of Representatives, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, yesterday absolved Governor Peter Obi of any blame as regards the non-conduct of local government election in the state.

Mrs. Ekwunife said Obi’s effort to conduct the election was scuttled by his political opponents, who went to court

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

and stopped the election.

Speaking with reporters in Nnewi, Ekwunife said as a law abiding Governor, Obi obeyed the court order.

She praised the governor for attracting investors to the state, adding that it would create jobs and speed up development.

Mrs. Ekwunife, who is the Chairman of the House

Committee on Environment, said the Ecological Fund Office is being repositioned to effectively tackle the various ecological problems confronting various parts of the country.

She called for a holistic approach in the execution of erosion control projects, adding that the present “piece meal approach” by the Federal Government will only escalate the situation.

Mrs. Ekwunife said Obi

has remained steadfast in delivering his electioneering promises and has put the people’s interest above party politics and personal interest.

She said the state now enjoys one of the best road networks in the country, with the hitherto neglected rural communities opened up with quality roads.

The lawmaker described APGA as the most credible party in Africa, dismissing

the present crisis in the party as a family affair, which cannot distract the governor.

She said Obi has a clear vision for the state, adding that politics is different from governance.

Mrs. Ekwunife said the party will emerge from the crisis stronger.

She urged Southeast states to agree on what state should be created, so as to make a harmonised presentation that would be acceptable to others.

Flood ravages 15 Ebonyi communities

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HE Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) at the weekend said property worth millions of naira were destroyed by flood in 15 communities in Ikwo Local Government Area.

The communities include Alike, Achara, Inyimagu, Akunakuna, Igbudu, Ndieche, Ndinkoshi, Okwerike, Ekahufu, Obegu and Ekpomaka, among others. The flood was caused by two days of heavy downpour.

SEMA Executive Secretary

•NGO assists victims From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

Elder Igboke Umunna spoke yesterday at the Urban Secondary School in Ndufu Achara, Ikwo council, when a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Chinedu Ogah Foundation, distributed relief materials to the victims.

Umunna said buildings, household appliances, crops and livestock were swept away by the flood, which

was rendered many people homeless.

He regretted that floods have become an annual disaster in the state.

Ugwoke said the Federal Government recently awarded the contract for the dredging of Iyiokwu and Iyiudene rivers.

The Chinedu Ogah Foundation distributed relief materials worth N10 million to the victims The items include bags of rice, garri, cartons of Maggi, clothes, soaps, disinfectants and cash.

Chief Executive of the foundation Mr. Chinedu Ogah said: “The state witnessed a heavy rainfall which lasted for two days. By the time it was over, houses, crops, livestock and household appliances had been destroyed and several people were rendered homeless.

“The victims are taking refuge in nearby communities and makeshift structures. The foundation’s gesture is to alleviate their suffering and complement the government’s effort. We are working towards resettling

Upper Iweka Road named after Ojukwu

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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday named the most important road into the Southeast, starting from the Onitsha Head Bridge to Upper Iweka Road, after the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.

He said the immortalisation of the late Ojukwu must start in Anambra.

Obi said the road would be unveiled by President

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Goodluck Jonathan at the end of this month.

He spoke during the memorial service in honour of Ojukwu at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Nnewi.

Obi urged Nigerians to keep the memory of Ojukwu alive by emulating the deceased, whom he said lived a selfless life devoid of greed and the unbridled desire to acquire material

Soldiers foil kidnap in Onitsha From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

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BUSINESSMAN and his son were yesterday rescued from a gang of suspected kidnappers by soldiers attached to the 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The gunmen trailed their victims to a filling station on Obodoukwu Road, Onitsha, and forced them into a vehicle, but the emergence of soldiers unsettled them.

Sources said the hoodlums abandoned their victims and their operational vehicle and fled.

It was the manner in which the gunmen fled that attracted the soldiers, who were not aware of what was going on.

Assistant Director Public Relations, 82 Division, Enugu, Lt. Col. H.A. Gambo said: “The gang blocked their victims’ vehicle with a Four Runner Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) ACAP filling station on Obodoukwu Road in Onitsha. But on sighting soldiers, who were on patrol, took to their heels.

“In view of this ugly development, the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army hereby advise the public to be wary, alert and report any unusual and suspicious trailing to security agencies.”

Abia gets kudos for tax harmonisation

T

HE Abia State Government has been praised for working towards harmonising the taxes paid in the state.

The former President of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), Chief Azuka Alagwu, said residents would be willing to pay approved taxes.

Speaking with reporters in Aba, Alagwu said many companies in the city had folded up because of multiple taxation, adding that the government’s move is com-

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

ing at the right time.

Alagwu said most of the taxes and unauthorised levies collected often end up in private pockets.

Governor Theodore Orji has directed council chairmen and revenue generating ministries to harmonise the taxes of residents to put an end to the incessant harassment of business owners by revenue collectors.

He ordered them to close unauthorised bank accounts.

wealth.

Ojukwu’s widow, Bianca, thanked Nigerians and the government for their support since her husband died.

She said it made the experience less traumatic.

Bianca said her husband was a man of peace, who believed in justice, equity and fair play. She urged leaders to emulate his ideal of transparency in the public service to gain the people’s trust.

In his sermon, Rev. Fr.

Lawrence Anoyiba urged Ndigbo to uphold the legacy of the late Ojukwu.

He said despite his wealthy background, the late Ojukwu lived a humble life.

Fr. Anoyiba said the late Ojukwu used his wealth to fight for justice and to liberate Ndigbo.

He urged Nigerians to always resolve disputes through dialogue.

them.”

The foundation donated a 200 KVA transformer to Ndubia community, also in Ikwo Council.

Ogah, who is the leader of the Ebonyi Youth Assembly, said the foundation recently donated 20 units of three-bedroom bungalows to indigent widows across the state.

He said 150 undergraduates have benefited from the foundation’s scholarship scheme.

The vi ctims thanked the foundation and urged the federal and state governments to manage the ecological funds judiciously.

Enugu approves N13.6b for secretariat From Chris Oji, Enugu

THE Enugu State Government has approved N13.6 billion for the building of a new secretariat complex for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Commissioner for Information Chuks Ugwoke announced this while speaking with reporters after the State Executive Council meeting.

He said the new secretariat would address the present shortage of offices and improve productivity.

Ugwoke said the council has approved the recruitment of 28 consultants for the seven district hospitals.

They include surgeons, gynaecologists, paediatricians and physicians.

The commissioner said each hospitals would have a consultant.

He said the vacancies would be advertised and the recruitment would be carried out by the Civil Service Commission.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public that my name written as OLOKO KAYODE ADEKUNLE on some of my documents including my international passport and some others were addressed as OLOKO KAYODE SULAIMAN, are the same person as my full name reads OLOKO KAYODE ADEKUNLE SULAIMAN. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

54

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

55

NEWS Four suspects killed in Delta From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

F

OUR kidnappers allegedly involved in the abduction of a Delta State Judge have been killed in a shootout, the police have said.

Police spokesman Charles Muka said the gang was involved in the kidnap of Justice Marcel Okoh.

He said the gang was also involved in the foiled kidnap of Benson Ojoto, who was trailed by the gang to his residence.

Muka said the victim escaped from his abductors while the kidnappers drove away in his vehicle.

The spokesman said the police trailed the gang to BeninCity, Edo State, where the suspects were shot by operatives of Operation Storm.

A gang member escaped with gunshot wounds.

Recovered were a Hilux van, one rifle, four live ammunition ,one locally made pistol ,one military jacket, two unregistered cars.

Muka said efforts are on to arrest the fleeing kidnapper.

Praises for Delta ACN chair

By Eric Ikhilae

T

HE Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Delta State, Joseph Adolo Okotie-Eboh, has been described as the best and most visionary chairman in the history of the party.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Frank Eghomien, said this yesterday in a statement in Asaba.

Eghomien said the exemplary and participatory leadership style of Okotie-Eboh made an enlarged general meeting of the party to pass a vote of confidence in him.

“It is laughable for any true member of ACN in his or her right senses to dream of the removal of the Delta ACN Chairman.

“This is a man who has taken ACN in Delta from point zero to the enviable height it is today, particularly in terms of structures and membership.

“We quite agree that it is time we flushed out all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents masquerading as members of ACN in Delta. The state executive is compiling names,” he said.

Families petition Jonathan over eviction From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

N

ATIVES and residents of Ogodoni/Lugbo in Rumuomoi community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have cried out over the alleged forceful ejection from their farmland and houses by soldiers from the 2 Brigade Command, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Ninety-six families have written to President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and six others to ask the soldiers to vacate their property.

Their spokespersons, Goodluck Chinwo, Ademola Omisola, Cosmos Nwadinigwe and Obiora Kingsley, alleged that sometime last year the soldiers who shared boundaries with the community started threatening them.

They sent representatives to the 2 Brigade to find out the cause of the sudden strain in their relationship but the response they got was that they were acting on “orders from above.”

The families said Justice S. Amadi of the Port Harcourt High Court on July 8, last year, restrained the soldiers from further threats of arrest and detention of the people.

According to them, the judge ordered the soldiers to open up the access road to the houses and farmlands they had blocked.

The petitioners said the soldiers obeyed the order in part by removing the erected fence blocking the access road.

On July 14, they said the soldiers chased them away and moved in with their families.

But Army spokesman, Maj Micheal Etete said the families were given notice of ejection from the land in dispute, which rightly belongs to the Army because it has Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

Etete declined further comments saying “we have appealed the judgment.”

ACN files objection to Airhiavbere’s petition From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Edo State has filed its preliminary objection to the petition filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 governorship election, Charles Airhiavbere.

The party, in its objection, said the Electoral Act did not prescribe the qualification to be met “by a candidate seeking to contest election to the office of the governor.”

It said the claim by the PDP candidate that Oshiomhole did not have the educational qualification to contest should be disregarded.

The party said no voters register was amended or altered as alleged. “The third respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) printed or produced copies of voters register from the Direct Data Capture Machine used last year, which is usually referred to as the electronic version and a soft copy was made available to the parties by the third respondent before the election,” it said.

The party also denied that it used thugs to harass and intimidate voters during the election as it said it does not have thugs within its party.

•From left: Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere; former military governor, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishment, Senator Aloysius Etok, during the annual convention of the Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Gunmen bomb Oko prison in Edo

G

UNMEN yesterday bombed Oko Minimum Prison in Benin, the Edo State capital, freeing about eight inmates.

It was learnt that the hoodlums invaded the prison about 1:30am with a bus and used dynamites and sophisticated weapons to carry out the attack.

Residents said there was heavy shooting and explosions, forcing them to remain

•Eight inmates escape

From Osagie Otabor and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

indoors.

The gunmen were said to have pulled down a part of the fence with explosives while the prison officials responded with gunshots.

Relatives of inmates besieged the prison when they heard the news of the attack.

They were turned back by security operatives, who cordoned off the area.

Unconfirmed sources said the inmates were after their colleagues who are on death row.

Four of the escapee inmates were said to have been re-arrested.

Prison officials are meeting

at the prison.

Spokesperson of the State Prisons Ms Theresa Idiake confirmed the incident but said investigations were still on.

She said a statement would soon be released.

Police spokesman Anthony Airhuoyo said the command is yet to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer.

The State Controller of Prisons, Ewulo Jimoh, confirmed the incident.

Youths protest oil spill in Akwa Ibom

H

UNDREDS of youths from Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, protested the oil spill reported at the Qua Iboe Oil field operated by Mobil Producing Nigeria.

The placard-carrying youths sang solidarity songs to the local government secretariat in Uquo, Esit Eket.

The protesters were mainly fishermen, youths and other groups affected by the spill.

The angry protesters were prevented from entering by security men, who locked the gates until local government officials got the attention of the vice chairman.

Their spokesman, Edoho Uqua Paul, told the Vice Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government, Enobong Asubob, that the council should prevail on ExxonMobil officials to take responsibility for the spill.

His words: “It has come to

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

our notice that the oil spill agency has ordered them to clean up the contaminated shoreline but for one week now nothing has happened.

“If Mobil dares the regulator it means that it is up to

something and we shall not allow them to get away with this, the pains that the spill have inflicted on the fishing population on the coastline are unimaginable.

“We appeal to you to use your office to get Mobil to retrace its steps by withdraw-

ing the comments in the media that they do not know the source of the oil spill, we cannot be deceived.”

In his response, the Vice Chairman said he would brief his boss, Ibanga Etang, who would take up the matter with the appropriate authorities.

Develop Southsouth, Kuku advises HE Presidential Adgovernors (OYC). viser on Niger Delta He said it is regrettable

T

Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Committee, Kingsley Kuku, has advised Southsouth governors and local government chairmen on the development of the region.

He said they are not improving the lots of their people, despite the increase in their monthly allocations.

Kuku said as a result of the amnesty, oil production has improved, rising from about 700,000 to about 2.7million

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

barrels per day, which in turn, has increased states’ allocations by about N7billion monthly.

Despite these huge earnings, Kuku lamented that they are not empowering their people.

The Presidential Adviser spoke in Port Harcourt at the weekend when he met with Ogoni Youth Council

that instead of executing projects for the people, the politicians are busy jostling for second term in office “and because of that they do not tell the governors the truth for fear of losing their bids to come back to office.”

Kuku also said “this is the only time the governors can empower their people because beyond amnesty programme, what happens? Or must we gazette every Niger Delta youth as ex-militants.”

Why I support Oshiomhole, by Ogbemudia

F

ORMER Governor of defunct Bendel State Samuel Ogbemudia has said he will always support Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, despite their party differences.

He said this is because the state is greater than anybody.

Ogbemudia, in a congratulatory letter to Oshiomhole on his electoral victory, described the governor as “a winner by any or all standards”.

According to him, “the July 14 governorship election has come and gone leaving behind tremendous lessons.

“You are the winner by

any or all standards and I join millions of Nigerians and in particular Edo people in congratulating you, on behalf of my family .

“I have always maintained, in my dealings with you, that the state is greater than an individual or party.

That was why I put partisan differences aside whenever the interest of the state is at hand.

“Thus, I have never hesitated to congratulate you and to lend my support in order that you may succeed in the greater interest of our dear state, especially now that you have declared ‘No victor, no loser’.

“My stand has often been

based on my experience as a former public servant who had the privilege to be exposed to the intricacies of statecraft, including the awesome responsibility of a governor.

“I urge you to continue to be magnanimous in victory.

It is clear to all that your victory was pan-Edo. “Therefore my expectation is that your government and governance should reflect this fact. Extend malice to none but charity to all. Remain fair but firm.

“Put the Edo State of your dream in a focal position and set out unwaivingly and with Spartan determination to achieve it.

•Ogbemudia

“I am convinced that by the end of your second term in office, you will achieve that feat to the benefit of all and to the glory of God.”

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

56

DIALOGUE

‘Fixing Nigeria must be joint project’ Text of the brief remarks by former Lagos State GovernorAsiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the public presentation of the book -”The Nigerian Political Turf: Polity, Politics, Politicians”- by Mobolade Omonijo at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, on August 7.

Protocol

W

E all are gathered here today to celebrate a great Nigerian journalist and writer, Mobolade Omonijo. Today is made possible because he is a journalist who never kept silent or shied away from his journalistic responsibilities as a reporter, columnist and analyst. For the decades he has traversed the journalism world, he is one who speaks through his pen and through the instrumentality of the media platform.

Omonijo belongs to the tribe of other courageous Nigerian journalists and writers who have spent years interrogating the germane issues confronting our polity. These pen pushers like Omonijo have used the pages of newspapers and magazines and of course other media platforms to prick the conscience of our leaders, alert the citizenry to their rights and the mis-governance around them and proffer solutions to Nigeria’ss problems.

They have never relented in beating the drums, not of war, but the drums for change with the message that unless we change our ways of doing things, the present will remain uncertain and our future imperiled.

The book - Nigerian Polity, Politics and Politicians: The Perspective of an active participant - is loaded with crisp, lucid and well articulated insights and analyses into the problems that plaque Nigeria.

Sort of a medley; commentary, columns, analyses, features, and short reports laced with postulations, this collection by Mobolade Ominijo is not one to be easily discarded. In this collection, all the issues that have diminished us as a people or confronted us as a polity are touched. The author never let any development escape the venom of his pen in a positive sense. The continuous controversy over the 1999 constitution and the lack of true federalism,

the unending battle for control and power by politicians jostling for influence, elections and electoral issues, the fuel price hike, the unending corruption and a potpourri of other issues bordering on the political, economic and social all never escaped him. On these pages, Nigeria is exposed as a country where almost everything is politicized and where unless you are in politics or connected to someone in politics, you are not likely to make headway.

The saddest commentary that leaps out after reading this collection is that decades after, we are still debating the same issues and Nigeria is still saddled with the same class of politicians, leaders and followers. We are sadly trapped in the same Nigeria where constant power supply remains a mere wish, where corruption is a pastime, where the leaders treat the citizens like slaves and where life is a mixture of hell laced with some fleeting moments of reprieve. The present state of insecurity and bombings is symptomatic of a nation on a free fall. The government must act quickly and intelligently to curtail the situation before Nigerians resort to self-help. The debate over state or community policing is long overdue. Nigeria needs to decentralize its policing system in line with universal policing trends.

Truly, Nigeria has never lacked solutions or answers to its problems. What we have lacked is visionary and courageous leaders at all levels with the capacity, the political will and commitment to driving through the reforms proffered.

Under the current government Nigerians are confronted with a reluctant leader, a choirmaster with singers churning out discordant tunes and singing from different pages. Nigeria is right now at a sorry pass and no one needs a soothsayer to reveal that Nigeria is almost at the tipping point.

But we cannot continue like this. That we are where we are today is because the politicians in whatever garb have turned politics into a zero sum game.

Winner-take- all. Some kind of booty game. A rat race where you must gobble up as much as you can in the shortest time possible.

Nigerian is prostate because we have taken morality out of politics and replaced it completely with enlightened self interest. The resounding message from Omonijo is that unless we speak up, unless we mobilize for action, unless the people wake up from the slumber, a Moses will not emerge, a revolution will not happen and Nigeria will remain in the auto- repair section.

When we refuse to speak up against injustice against our fellow citizen. When we fail to rise up in defense of our rights and freedoms. When we slumber and sleep rather than line the streets to make our case and demand that those that mis-rule us be pushed out. When we behave like we are a sadistic people who enjoy pains being inflicted on us by those elected to protect us-we open ourselves up to abuse, exploitation and pauperization. As Nigerians, we must learn to walk

the talk, we must band together to demand from our leaders that our country is better governed and we must not relent until we witness the changes we so much desire. Else, darkness will descend. And no man-either from Sokoto to Samunaka, or from Kotongora to Kaduna, or from Ibadan to Imo, or from Delta to Plateau will be spared. If we fail to vote wisely and also defend our votes, then we might end up in lamentation like the Germen protestant pastor, Martin Niemoller.

Martin Niemoller, (1892-1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps with regrets that he never joined in the struggle to rescue his fellowmen from the tyranny of the German rulers. Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation: “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out...

“Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out...

“Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out...

“Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me...and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Such was his lamentation. Nigeria is fast becoming a country of lamentations. Lamenting our condition will not bring about changes only action will. This is

‘The resounding message from Omonijo is that unless we speak up, unless we mobilize for action, unless the people wake up from the slumber, a Moses will not emerge, a revolution will not happen and Nigeria will remain in the auto- repair section’

• Asiwaju Tinubu

the central message of the writer and journalist we celebrate today.

The Arab spring protests and the near revolutionary process that it continues to unleash remains most instructive in our situation today. Nigerians have a right to demand to be governed properly.

This collection of writings is almost un-putdownable and opens our eyes, trains our minds and provides us with what is needed to transform Nigeria. The work is most provocative and there is no way anyone that genuinely loves Nigeria will not be moved to action.

Today, in saluting Omonijo for his dedication and informative writings, we must demonstrate our solidarity by not just buying but by reading the book and spreading the message that Nigeria needs fixing and this fixing is a task for both the leaders and the followers. I congratulate Mobalade Omonijo on this compendium and wish him many more years of active service in Journalism.

N EWS

•From left: Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare; Amb. Eloho Otobo, Director of Strategy and Deputy Head of Peace-Building, United Nations(UN), New York and Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Relations to the Governor of Delta State, Oma Djebah, during an on-the-spot assessment tour of on-going environmental clean-up across the state in Sapele... at the weekend.

•His Royal Highness, Eze Chidume Okoro, Deputy Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers & Chairman, Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chidume Okoro (right) receiving a gift of kolanuts from the Regional Manager, South East, MTN, Dan Nwankwo, at the Iri Iji Mbaise 2012 at Mbaise, Imo State.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

57

FOREIGN

•Assange...yesterday.

•The protesters..yesterday

Two killed in Libya AT least two people have been killed in a twin car bomb attack in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, security officials say.

One blast took place near the former military academy for women, while the other struck close to the interior ministry.

Emergency crews rushed to the scenes of the blasts, which were cordoned off.

It is the first deadly bomb attack since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi last year.

The bombs struck at dawn close to the interior ministry’s administrative offices and near the military

27 dead in North Vietnam typhoon AT least 27 people have been killed during a typhoon which swept across northern provinces of Vietnam over the weekend, officials have said.

Typhoon Kai-Tak made landfall on Friday, bringing intense rain and strong winds.

Nearly 12,000 houses were damaged and 56,800 acres (23,000 hectares) of cropland were flooded, officials said.

Egyptian leader to visit Iran THE Egyptian president is to visit Iran to attend meetings of the NonAligned Movement at the end of August, Egyptian media report.

If the visit to Tehran goes ahead, Mohammed Mursi’s trip will be the first visit by an Egyptian head of state since the 1979 Iranian revolution.

Previous reports suggested he might send his deputy, Mahmoud Mekki.

Egypt currently heads the movement, created during the Cold War to promote the interests of the developing world.

A visit by Mr Mursi could mark a thaw in relations between Iran and Egypt after decades of discord.

PHOTOS: AFP

Assange to US: leave Wikileaks alone J

ULIAN Assange has urged the US to end its “witch-hunt” against Wikileaks, in his first public statement since entering Ecuador’s London embassy.

He also called for the release of Bradley Manning, who is awaiting trial in the US accused of leaking classified documents to the Wikileaks site.

Assange spoke from a balcony at the embassy and thanked Ecuador’s president, who has granted him asylum.

He faces extradition to Sweden over sexual assault claims, which he denies.

The 41-year-old said the United States must also stop its “war on whistleblowers”.

He added: “The United States must vow that it will not seek to prosecute our staff or our supporters.

“The United States must pledge before the world that it will not pursue journalists for shining a light on the secret crimes of the powerful.

Assange also said the United States was facing a choice between re-affirming the “revolutionary values it was founded on” or “dragging us all into a dangerous and oppressive world in which journalists fall silent under the fear of prosecution and citizens must whisper in the dark”.

The US is carrying out an investigation into Wikileaks, which has published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables, embarrass-

ing several governments and international businesses.

Alleged Wikileaks source Bradley Manning, 24, an intelligence analyst in the American army who served in Iraq, is alleged to have leaked US government cables to the whistle-blowing website. He is set to face a court martial.

In an interview for US television in 2010, Assange denied any knowledge of Pte Manning.

Assange began his speech by thanking his supporters, many of whom have been holding a vigil outside the building in Knightsbridge.

Speaking of the visit by police officers to the embassy on Wednesday, Assange said: “Inside this

embassy after dark, I could hear teams of police swarming up into the building through its internal fire escape. But I knew there would be witnesses and that is because of you.

“If the UK did not throw away the Vienna Conventions the other night it is because the world was watching and the world was watching because you were watching.”

It is an established international convention that local police and security forces are not permitted to enter an embassy, unless they have the express permission of the ambassador.

The Foreign Office has said it remained committed to reaching a “negotiated solution” but following its

Somali lawmakers to elect president

S

OMALIA’s newly appointed legislature will elect the country’s next president today, in a fresh bid to end two decades of unstable central government in the wartorn Horn of Africa nation.

The election of the new president would complete a complex process set in motion through a UN-backed agree-

ment aimed at ending eight years of rule by Somalia’s graft-riddled, Westernbacked Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and, it is hoped, would bring peace.

Outgoing president Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in power since 2009, is one of the favourites for the top job, though he cuts a controversial

figure with Western observers.

A UN report in July said that under his presidency, “systematic embezzlement, pure and simple misapproriation of funds and theft, of public money have become government systems.”

Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali and

the outgoing parliament speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan are also contenders for the post.

Somalia has lacked an effective central government since president Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991, unleashing cycles of bloody conflict that have defied countless peace initiatives.

Zuma declares national mourning for miners

S

OUTH African President Jacob Zuma has declared a week of national mourning for striking miners killed in violence at a platinum mine on Thursday.

At least 34 people were killed when police opened fire at the Marikana mine, north-west of Johannesburg.

A further 10 people, including two police officers, were killed in earlier clashes at the mine.

Earlier the owners of the mine, Lonmin, gave their striking workers a final ultimatum to return to work.

In a statement, Zuma said the nation was in “shock and pain”.

“We must this week reflect on the sanctity of human life and the right to life,” he said.

At least 78 people were injured in the violence and

some 250 people were arrested.

Flags will fly at half mast at all flag stations in South African and missions outside the country during the mourning period, which will last from today until next Sunday.

On Saturday, former ANC youth leader Julius Malema called on Zuma to resign over the clashes.

Lonmin, the world’s third largest platinum producer, said the miners must be back at work by today or risk being dismissed.

“The final ultimatum provides RDOs [rock drill operators] with a last opportunity to return to work or face possible dismissal,” spokeswoman Gillian Findlay said on Sunday, according to Agence France Presse.

Some miners dismissed the call as disrespectful to their colleagues who died.

“Expecting us to go back is like an insult. Many of our friends and colleagues are dead, then they expect us to resume work. Never,” worker Zachariah Mbewu told AFP. He added that no-one would return to work as long as they were still in mourning and that workers would only go back when management gave them what they sought.

The miners, who are currently earning between 4,000 and 5,000 rand ($484$605), say they want their salary increased to 12,500 rand ($1,512).

The BBC’s Nomsa Maseko, in Johannesburg, says the violence has been blamed on rivalry between labour

unions during the strike for better wages.

The circumstances that led police to open fire on Thursday remain unclear, but reports from eyewitnesses suggest the shooting took place after a group of demonstrators, some holding clubs and machetes, rushed at a line of police officers.

Police, armed with automatic rifles and pistols, fired dozens of shots.

The mineworkers arrested for public violence are expected to appear in court shortly.

In May 2011, the company sacked some 9,000 employees after what it described at the time as “unprotected industrial action”. Lonmin and the NUM union said all were later reinstated.

obligations under the Extradition Act, it would arrest Assange if he left the embassy.

In 2010, two female exWikileaks volunteers accused Assange, an Australian citizen, of committing sexual offences against them while he was in Stockholm to give a lecture.

Assange claims the sex was consensual and the allegations are politically motivated.

In a statement issued after the Ecuadorean decision to grant Mr Assange political asylum, Foreign Secretary William Hague said the UK was under a “binding obligation” to extradite him to Sweden.

Colombian rebels blow up oil pipelines

A

N oil pipeline has been blown up in south-western Colombia.

Local officials are blaming the Farc rebel group for the attack.

It happened near the city of Tumaco, which has been without power for the past 10 days, following an earlier rebel attack on its electricity grid.

Officials say the repairs have been slowed down by rebels booby-trapping the area, which led to the killing of two electricity workers and an indigenous guide on Wednesday.

Police said the attack on the Transandean oil pipeline happened in the early hours of Sunday.

Colombia’s state oil company Ecopetrol said the attack had forced it to stop pumping oil through the 300km (185-mile) pipeline leading from neighbouring Ecuador to the port city of Tumaco.

The Ministry of Defence said attacks on Colombia’s oil industry had increased this year, with 67 incidents between January and June 2012, compared to 84 for all of 2011.

Residents of Tumaco, a port city, took to the streets on Saturday to protest against the rise in attacks.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

58

NEWS ‘Jonathan should speak on Bayelsa’ From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

C

HAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, has raised the alarm over the silence of President Goodluck Jonathan on Bayalsa State’s creation of its coat of arms, flag and song.

Enang who represents Akwa Ibom north east in the Senate noted that rather than over look the development as a state matter Jonathan should as a matter of urgency break his silence on it.

Besides, he urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Nigeria Bar Association, civil society organizations and other interest groups to challenge the action of Bayelsa State Government in court to establish the constitutionality or otherwise of the action.

Bakassi not for secession, says Ita-Giwa

Emmanuel Oladesu GROUP, the Bakassi Peoples’ Assembly yesterday dissociated itself from the declaration of a State of Bakassi by some people, saying that its allegiance is to Nigeria.

The leader of the group, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, reiterated the desire of the people is to be resettled into the proposed Dayspring and Kwa Island in accordance with the ‘Green Tree Agreement’.

Ms Ita-Giwa, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, warned that violence would not resolve the Bakassi issue.

The former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters lamented that both federal and state governments have not shown enough commitment to the resettlement of the displaced Bakassi people.

“Our concern is to ensure that our people are given a permanent abode, not to delve into controversial issues that would hardly yield any positive impact towards that goal.

“It would be a pleasant surprise, if any campaign returns us to our ancestral homes, yet we do no think that such effort should overshadow the need to permanently resettle our people,” she said.

A

FOREIGN

Anti-Japanese protests in China

A

NTI-JAPANESE protests have taken place in cities across China after Japanese nationalists raised their country’s flag on disputed islands.

Thousands of people took to the streets in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and a number of other cities demanding that Japan leave the islands in the East China Sea. In Shenzhen, some demonstrators attacked Japanese restaurants and smashed Japanese-made cars.

The islands are known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

Early yesterday, at least 10

activists swam ashore after a flotilla carrying about 150 people reached the Japanesecontrolled islands.

The activists - who had earlier been denied permission to visit the islands - swam back to their boats and were being questioned by Japanese customs officials.

However, as news of the action spread, angry protests broke out across China.

In the south-eastern city of Shenzhen, a Japanesebranded police car was overturned and smashed with a metal bar.

Footage carried by Hong Kong Cable TV showed other

Japanese-branded cars and restaurants being damaged.

Protesters waved Chinese flags, burned images of the Japanese flag and shouted slogans denouncing Japan’s claims over the islands.

Bottles of water were thrown at police when they tried to calm protesters down.

“They [Japan] should return the islands to us and apologise,” said one protester quoted by Reuters news agency.

No arrests were made, according to Cable TV. In neighbouring Guangzhou, demonstrators

gathered near the Japanese consulate calling on Tokyo to quit the islands.

In Shanghai, protesters held a banner reading “down with Japanese imperialism”.

An estimated 200 demonstrators also marched through central Hong Kong to the Japanese consulate chanting anti-Japanese slogans, broadcaster RTHK reported.

In the south-western city of Chengdu, protests shut down a Japanese department store and a branch of the Japanese clothing store, Uniqlo.

76 oil wells: Group hails dialogue

A

GROUP, the Bakassi Peoples General Assembly, has hailed the offer by Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio to dialogue with the Cross River State Government on the disputed 76 oil wells.

It said benefit that will accrue from such dialogue should be used to improve the lives of the Bakassi people.

A statement by its National President, Bassey Ita Edet, National Vice-President Effiong Edet Effiong and the Secretary-General, Elder Ndabu Eyo Nakanda said such settlement would strengthen the historical bond between the states.

The statement reads: “We, the leaders of Bakassi under the aegis of Bakassi people’s Assembly, would like to hail Governor Akpabio for his offer.

“It is gratifying to note that Akpabio is not averse to holding a dialogue with his Cross River State counterpart towards exploring an amicable resolution to the problem that has put a strain on the relationship between both states.

“We are convinced that this fresh window of opportunity should be embraced not only in the interest of peace but also towards strengthening the historical bond between both states.

“However, in the event that such dialogue becomes a reality, we the people of Bakassi believe it will be serving the cause of justice, if we are part of this dialogue session.”

Octogenarian escapes rape From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

A

N eighty-year old woman, Madam Mary Omorogieva, narrowly escaped being raped by a suspected Fulani herdsman in her farm at Iguobazuwa Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Reliving the ordeal, the victim said: “I was on my farm, gathering firewood, when I felt a hand behind me asking me to lie down.

“I started shouting wetin now, when my attacker said he wanted to sleep with me. In the ensuing struggle, he placed a cutlass on my throat.

“He later put his fingers in my mouth, which I bit. I lost a tooth. As I bit his fingers, he got up and ran.”

Madam Omorogieva said she saw his face; that the person was short and black and had tribal marks.

The Divisional Police Officer, A.A Ehidero, said the matter has not been officially reported to him.

Amaechi to partner India

R

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said his administration has begun talks with Indian authorities on how to establish a new medical school in the

state.

Amaechi made the disclosure while addressing the Indian community during the Indian Cultural Association Day celebration in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The governor said the collaboration is aimed at providing manpower for the school.

“Once we are sure that Indians can supply us with the teachers then we will be ready to establish it.

“Because it is not good to establish a medical school without qualified teachers,” he said.

Amaechi said the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) will also contribute in providing teaching staff, pointing out that once the new college takes off, it will provide the required manpower to man the numerous health facilities being built by his administration.

•People hold banners and shout slogans as they attend a rally ...yesterday

PHOTO: AFP

Assad makes rare public appearance

S

YRIAN President Bashar al-Assad has made his first appearance in public since a bomb attack in Damascus last month killed several senior officials.

State TV showed Assad performing prayers in the capital’s al-Hamad mosque at the start of the Eid al-Fitr festival marking the end of Ramadan.

Across the country, many people marked the holiday with prayers and anti-government demonstrations.

But opposition groups reported fierce bombardments of rebel-held areas.

Parts of Aleppo and Rastan have been shelled, and clashes reported in Herak, Deraa province, the pro-rebel Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Protests were held at cemeteries and mosques around Syria including Damascus, Hama and Idlib, opposition activists said.

Assad was shown seated on the mosque floor and standing to shake hands with

clerics.

Correspondents say that in previous years he was generally filmed arriving or leaving in his convoy, but this did not happen this time.

The Syrian president has not been seen in public since giving a speech in parliament on July 4.

Two weeks later, a bombing in the state security headquarters killed four senior officials including Assad’s brother in law, Deputy Defence Minister Assef Shawkat.

There have also been several defections in recent weeks by senior officials, notably Prime Minister Riad Hijab.

However, on Saturday officials denied rumours that Vice-President Farouq alShara, the most senior Sunni Muslim in the Damascus regime, had gone over to the opposition.

The international community has welcomed the appointment of the veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi as the new UN-Arab League envoy for Syria.

The 78-year-old succeeds

•Assad ...yesterday

Kofi Annan who resigned this month as his peace plan had failed to achieve a real ceasefire.

Analysts say he has a formidable reputation at the UN but is also seen as independent of the major powers.

Officials in Damascus have also given him their support.

However, opposition groups have expressed scepticism about his ability to accomplish his mission.

Brahimi has said it is too

soon for him to demand that Mr Assad should step down.

Annan had said it was clear he should leave office.

Meanwhile, the mandate of the UN observer mission in Syria ends at midnight local time (21:00 GMT). The observers were deployed to monitor a ceasefire brokered

by Annan, but no truce ever took hold.

Announcing his resignation earlier this month, Mr Annan had said he was unable to fulfil his role because of the growing militarisation of the conflict, as well as deadlock in the UN Security Council.

Russia and China have vetoed resolutions on the crisis three times, citing their opposition to any action which might be seen as regime change imposed from outside.

Activists estimate about 20,000 people have died since anti-government protests erupted against the Assad regime in March last year.

Tens of thousands of people have also fled the country.

Aide: Romney to release tax returns by Oct 15

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EPUBLICAN U.S. presidential challenger Mitt Romney plans to make public his 2011 tax return by October 15, a senior campaign adviser said on Sunday, as President Barack Obama’s re-election team pressed its criticism of Romney’s decision not to disclose more about his per-

sonal taxes.

Romney, a former private equity executive who is one of the richest men ever to run for president, has come under pressure for months from the Obama campaign to release more years of tax returns.

He has released his 2010 tax return and estimates for 2011 but does not plan to reveal

more years of returns. In April, he requested an extension from the Internal Revenue Service to file his 2011 tax forms, while estimating his tax liability at $3.2 million for last year.

Ed Gillespie, a senior Romney adviser, indicated the former Massachusetts governor would release the 2011 return by October 15, about

three weeks before the November 6 election, but refused to say exactly when.

“Look, October 15 is the deadline for the IRS on an extension.

We have said as soon as they’re ready we’re going to release them. And I believe they’ll be ready before that,” Gillespie told the “Fox News Sunday” programme.

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

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What Aguero's injury could mean for City's title defence ANCHESTER City's winning start to their English Premier League title defense was marred by a potentially serious injury suffered by Sergio Aguero.

He was stretchered off in the first half of the Citizens' 3-2 victory over Southampton.

While no official word has

M

been given regarding the extent of the ailment, City boss Roberto Mancini is concerned, according to Sky Sports.

Mancini is right to be worried, because the prolonged absence of Aguero could wreck City's EPL title defense.

It was Aguero's stellar form in front of goal that propelled City to their first-ever Premier

League trophy last season, culminating in that thrilling, last-gasp winner against Queens Park Rangers.

However, as important as his goals were, Aguero's biggest impact comes from how his skill, intelligence and movement contributes to City's attacking style. Overshadowed by the famous

manner in which they won the league was the fact that City produced the finest attacking football of any team last season.

Much of that exciting flair is thanks to Aguero's class.

His short-area speed and clever, subtle off-the-ball movement often lure defenders out of position. This cre-

ates the space for attacking midfield trio Samir Nasri, David Silva and Yaya Toure to exploit.

The fluidity of City's attacking play will suffer if Ageuro is on the treatment table for a lengthy spell. The fact that they scored three goals without him against Southampton does not contradict that state-

•Aguero

ment.

Samir Nasri stepped forward to deliver the kind of performance that his talent always promises but his attitude often precludes. However, against stronger opposition in the biggest games, City will miss Aguero's ability to add pace to both their passing and forward running.

Ageuro's possible long-term absence would also hurt fellow countryman Carlos Tevez. Aguero's technical refinement and speed of thought helped form the stylish partnership with Tevez that ultimately won City the league.

As good as Tevez is, he isn't the same without a fluid, quick-thinking forward next to him. His best work came alongside Aguero last season and during the 2008 campaign with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, during his stint with Manchester United.

Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko lack the touch and guile to help Tevez truly flourish.

City's attack will soon become stunted and desperate, rather than assured, without the Aguero-Tevez partnership.

Until the full extent of Aguero's injury is made clear, City will not be prompted into action. However, if the prolific Argentine is set to miss significant time, Mancini must add a flair player of similar quality to the forward line.

Otherwise, his team will lack the inspiration they would need to turn around two-goal deficits against top opposition.

I'm very proud, says Adkins N

IGEL Adkins was heartened by the performances of his players in today's 3-2 loss at Manchester City – but disappointed they couldn't hold on for a result at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite trailing to Carlos Tévez's 40th-minute opener, second-half goals from substitutes Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis put Saints ahead going into the closing stages.

But reigning champions City hit back through Edin D•eko and Samir Nasri to break Southampton hearts with ten minutes to go.

"I'm obviously very proud of

the players, but it's about winning games of football – that's our endeavour," Adkins told Saints Player at full time.

"We've won consistently for the last two seasons and, coming into the Barclays Premier League, we've got to come up with ways to win and be smart enough to do it.

"I thought we started ever-sowell today, and we finished well," he continued.

"We had to defend well during the course of it, and we had a couple of opportunities.

"When we went 2-1 up, you thought 'could it be?' – unfortunately it wasn't to be, but I'd like

to think it has given our players a lot of confidence and belief.

"This is a very tough place to come to, and we so nearly got something from it."

There were some raised eyebrows at Adkins' decision to leave Lambert – Saints' top goalscorer for the last three seasons – on the bench at the Etihad.

The striker emerged from the dugout to level the scores within three minutes of coming onto the pitch, leaving the gaffer delighted with Lambert's impact as a substitute.

"It was a big call today to leave out Rickie Lambert – a massive call," Nigel admitted, but that's

Suarez targets title win for Liverpool

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IVERPOOL striker Luis Suarez has declared his main career ambition is to win the Premier League with the Anfield club.

The Reds endured a tough campaign on and off the field in 2011-12, eventually finishing eighth, but their top scorer is desperate to top the table.

The Uruguayan told the Daily Mirror: "If you ask me now what am I dreaming of for the rest of my career, I would tell you it is a championship with Liverpool.

"That is all I want – and usually I get what I want.

"I have a lot of self-confidence about this now, but before I joined Liverpool - I can admit this now - I was nervous.

"I feared I would be surrounded by superstars in the

dressing room, big-time Charlies, But I soon found out they are all really nice, downto-earth guys. Now I am so happy in Liverpool.

"As a young boy I would dream about playing for a club like this.

"Even when I first bought a PlayStation, I used to play a football game and I always picked Liverpool as my club.

So I find it amazing that I now wear the shirt here. I am playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Everyone in South America knows that. My career is going fantastically."

Suarez arrived at Anfield already notorious for having once bitten PSV's Otman Bakkal in November 2010 while playing for Ajax, but feels the incident is referred to too often, nearly two years after the fact.

"Listen, when I make a big mistake, I accept any punishment and all the criticism," he said.

"The biting incident was a massive mistake. When I bit Bakkal, I knew I was wrong, so I apologised to Bakkal and my team.

"But I see fouls in England which are far worse and the sanctions are not as big – I never kicked someone's leg to pieces, you know.

"But even when I know I've been wrong, I can't read or hear the stuff they say about me because I get so upset."

Suarez paid tribute to the role of his wife, Sofia, and two-yearold daughter, Delfina, in keeping him grounded in football.

"When I was little, I did not even have money for football boots," he explained.

what I've got to do.

"I've got to find ways to win games of football – we've done that consistently through the last two seasons, and I've down that consistently throughout my career.

"I've got to make decisions that I believe are right for the team.

Believe me, Rickie Lambert is the last person I want to leave out of the team but I had to do that – and be brave enough to do it.

"If you play too attacking a game, you're going to get cut to ribbons. I wanted us to be in a situation where we could be smart enough to give ourselves a chance to get a victory from the game or, if not, a draw.

"We came with a game-plan: Guly was up there to gallop around for as long as he could, and then I knew that we would have the freshness of Rickie and Billy Sharp to come on, have an impact and give ourselves a chance to score.

"What a great story that is for Rickie to go and score a fantastic goal.

"The lads have been made well aware of it from day one: it's not about 11 players," continued the manager.

"I'll be astonished if I don't use three substitutes in every game, so they've got to make an impact coming off the bench."

Another slight surprise was the designation of the captain's armband to Adam Lallana, who had never been named as skipper in a competitive game prior to this afternoon.

But Adkins insists that the 24-

year-old will thrive with the added responsibility of his new role.

"He wore his armband with pride," he said. "I think he's ready

for it having been with us since the age of 12.

"He epitomises everything about the Football Club, and the affinity is there.

•Adkins

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•Adam Le Fondre scores Reading's late equaliser with a penalty in the final minute

I'm not the new Abramovich, says Reading's Russian billionaire owner A

NTON Zingarevich flew into England from his holiday home in the south of France on Saturday aboard a private jet accompanied by his supermodel wife Katsia, his billionaire father Boris, his mum Tatania, his younger brother Max and a group of friends.

The newest and, at 30, the youngest, owner of a Premier League club made his way in a chauffeur-driven limousine to Reading, the club he bought for a 'bargain' £25million in May, and soaked up the summer sunshine for a while before nipping into the club shop to give his family and friends a quick guided tour.

Every few moments, Zingarevich was stopped by a fan asking for an autograph or a picture. So intently did the supporters focus on him that they barely noticed the gorgeous Katsia, a 23-yearold originally from Belarus, who shot to fame as a lingerie model for Victoria's Secret, standing quietly to one side, chatting to the Mail on Sunday.

Zingarevich happily granted every autograph and picture request. And why not?

In these parts he is seen, for now, as a hero and saviour, a man who can take Reading to the next level, who will use

his money and contacts to help make Royals dreams come true.

And in his first interview with a national newspaper, he outlined exactly how he came to buy Reading, why he will not be splashing cash on the scale of his fellow Russian owner, Roman Abramovich at Chelsea, and how, despite his intentions to make sensible business decisions, he sees a bright longterm future for the club.

'I'm quite a normal person, actually,' he said, rejecting the suggestion that he is lucky in favour of his chosen word, happy. 'I'm sitting here in the sun at the football club I now own and I have my beautiful wife at my side. But I am not bragging about this. I am already thinking of tomorrow.'

He insists that he has wanted to own a football club since he was a teenager, when he spent hours playing football simulation games on his computer. 'Like the Russian version of Championship Manager,' he says.

'I have been a football supporter since a young age. I grew up supporting Zenit St Petersburg, the local club where I grew up.

'I would have liked to become a player but it wasn't possible. Becoming an owner is something that combines my passion for football and

•Zingarevich and chairman Sir John Madejski (right) celebrate promotion to the Premier League

my passion for business. What was my motivation in buying Reading? To create something. To make something grow.'

He first became aware of the possibility at Reading last November, when a longstanding family friend and business associate, Chris Samuelson, was asked by a Reading contact if he knew anyone who might be interested in buying Sir John Madejski's controlling interest in the club.

Within days, Zingarevich and Madejski had struck an outline deal for the Russian to buy 51 per cent of the club for £12.7m, with a firm commitment to buy the other 49 per cent for £12.3m. By January, the package was all but settled. Reading were far from certain to be promoted at that stage but, with an astonishing run of 15 wins in their last 17 games, they not only went up but did it as champions.

'We were definitely lucky,' said Zingarevich of the £25m price tag for a club that will generate around three times that much income this season alone. A number of clubs now in the Premier League have changed hands for less but always when the club in question were either in a lower division, financially distressed or both.

The deal Zingarevich got was, in business terms, a steal, although Samuelson adds that Sir John has received a £5m bonus from the new owner because of promotion - and would have been paid only £20m, not £25m for the whole club if Reading had not gone up in May. 'You can say I'm lucky at the price,' says Zingarevich. 'On the other hand, perhaps we deserved to be lucky because we worked hard on this and we saw the potential.'

He says that Reading were 'the best choice' for him be-

cause as a teenager he studied at a local college, he knows the area and speaks fluent English. 'So, yes, I was looking for value, as and when the right opportunity arrived. But I have links here and that's important. I understand the potential. I have an affinity.'

The new owner is based in Moscow, where he works on a variety of business ventures. The level of his private individual wealth is unconfirmed but he says Reading has been bought with 'family money'.

His father's fortune is reportedly £3.4billion, primarily from paper and cardboard products. Katsia says Anton has been 'obsessed' in recent months with Reading 'because it has been his dream', adding that when she first met him 'it was clear that football was big in his life.

Owning a club was always going to be a matter of time'.

The couple did not meet in conventional fashion.

Zingarevich first set eyes on Katsia on the internet. 'I saw a photo of her and she looked beautiful,' he said, quickly stressing 'it was on a social network, nothing dodgy!'

The photograph was posted on the Russian equivalent of a Facebook page by a mutual acquaintance. Zingarevich was living in New York and Katsia was working in the United States a lot. The mutual friend set up a date and love blossomed. They have been married since 2009.

If Zingarevich's private life is something of a fairytale, he does not expect footballing miracles. 'Running the club will be about commonsense and good business decisions,' he said. 'UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules mean that clubs have to live within their means and we'll doing that because it's sensible.'

His aims are modest in terms of success. 'First we want

to stay in the Premier League.

Then, within five years, we'd like to be in the top 10,' he said.

Behind the scenes, secretly for now, Reading are planning ambitious expansions for various areas of the club. A new 140-acre training complex with 17 pitches is in the pipeline.

Zingarevich is also overseeing 'partnership links' with clubs in North and South America, Asia and across Europe. 'We want the best young talent, and this will help,' he says. 'I can tell the fans we're serious.

We'll be sensible, but we're building an infrastructure, looking to the future.'

•Anton Zingarevich at the Madejski with wife Katsia

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Anichebe wants stability in Eagles

E

•Emmanuel Emenike of FC Spartak Moscow and Nicolas Lombaerts of FC Zenit St. Petersburg vie for the ball during the Russian Football League Championship match at the Petrovsky Stadium

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIERS

Emenike vows to shock Yobo •Dedicates Kazan victory to new born nephew

S

PARTAK MOSCOW striker Emmanuel Emenike has promised compatriot and Super Eagles’ captain Joseph Yobo hell when his Russian side tackles Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League qualification match.

Speaking exclusively from his base yesterday, the former Karabukspor goal king said next on his priority list is the clash against the Turkish giants that pays the bills of Yobo on Tuesday for the first leg in Moscow, while the second leg takes place next week Wednesday in Turkey.

“We were down last week after humiliation from Zenith but thank God that we

By Innocent Amomoh bounced back before our match against Fenerbahce.

“Fenerbahce game is going to be tough but we want to win and play in UEFA Champions League this season, we have the advantage of playing the first leg at home which is more important for us to win because Turkey will be tougher.” he said.

Meanwhile, Emenike, also relished his team’s 2-1 win over Obafemi Martins’ club Rubin Kazan, dedicating it to his elder sibling’s new born baby, who was incidentally named after him.

Though he fires blank in Spartak’s victory at the

weekend in the Russian League, Emenike is excited that the victory places his side at the second spot of the log after playing for 70 minutes.

“I’m happy that we won our match against Rubin Kazan, a tough team like

J

“The wheeling and dealing on the transfer market by clubs like PSG, Lille, Lyon and others in the league tells you the importance they attach to winning the title this season.

“But we are ready because this time no one regards us as the under dogs anymore."

He equally admitted that Montpellier would miss the goals of top scorer Olivier Giroud, who joined Arsenal in the summer after he fired 21 goals last season.

"Of course we would miss Olivier but we have players who can fill the vacuum,”

in his name,” said Emenike in a telephone conversation from Russia.

However, it was pomp when Ebuka, Russian based player agent sibling of Emenike christened his new born baby yesterday in Lagos.

PAN-AFRICAN U-17ARS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

Nigeria vows to conquer Africa •Competition kick- off today in Kenya

N

I G E R I A ’ S contingent to the

Pan-African Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) Soccer

Utaka admits tough times ahead in France OHN UTAKA has admitted French league champions Montpellier face a stiff fight from PSG, Lille and Lyon in their title defence this season.

Utaka, who was instrumental to the success of the club last season, has now told MTNFootball.com that it is more difficult to defend a title than to win it.

"It would not be an easy season. But judging from our pre-season we are battle ready for the challenge ahead. Like you know it is easier to win a title than to defend it," the experienced striker said.

that, we were 1-0 down before we came back into the game and won. It was a crucial victory and I have dedicated the victory to my brother’s new baby who was named after me. I wish I could be there to witness the naming but I have done this

VERTON and Nigeria's Victor Anichebe says there need to be stability in the Super Eagles as it goes through a period of transition.

Nigeria has struggled recently and failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

"Now is the time to stick with one coach, we can't be changing coaches all the time," the striker told BBC Sport.

"If you stick with the team and have a stable base then I'm sure Nigeria will get back to where it's supposed to be."

The 24-year-old, who won a silver medal with Nigeria at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, says he is all too aware of the expectations of the fans.

"Nigerians really are big football lovers and they lookup to the team and the expectations are huge," he said.

"But the expectations are huge in the [English] Premier League too so it's something we're used too.

"It's always an honour and a great pride to represent your country.

"Whenever you do so you don't look at the expectations so much, you just look at the real pride and honour to represent your family and your country.

Anichebe also urged the fans to continue supporting the team.

"Through these transition periods the country needs to stick with the team and bide their time because at times like this there will always be good patches and bad patches," he said.

"I think they are trying to bring through some of the younger players and and some of the home-grown players - which is great for the country."

Nigeria's next game is away to Liberia in September in the first leg of the final round of qualifying for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

insisted Utaka.

•Utaka

Championship holding in Nairobi, Kenya, have vowed to clinch both trophies in the male and female categories as proceedings starts today in far away Kenya.

Being represented by winners of the Airtel Rising Stars National Finals held in Lagos recently, the Jos Male Team and Port Harcourt Female Team, a total of 16 team will be competing in the i n t e r n a t i o n a l championship. Speaking during the week at the farewell ceremony organised for the teams by Airtel Nigeria, the captain of the female team, Success Elendu assured Nigerians that Port Harcourt girls will rule Africa by emerging overall champions at the tourney.

“We are going to Kenya to win and by God’s grace we

shall come home with the trophy. I want to assure you all that we have the quality, determination and passion needed to win the trophy for the female category. We will not disappoint Nigerians. We will do our very best to win the trophy,” she said.

Corroborating Elendu’s position, captain of the Male Team from Jos, Aminu Nuhu said the team is focused and committed to winning the tournament for Nigeria.

“We are going to Kenya with a singular ambition to win the trophy for Nigeria.

We will do our very best to make sure we win the trophy.”

Meanwhile, in his view Salisu Nakande, Coach of the Male Team and Joseph Egbu, Coach of the Female

Team also assured Nigerians of victory, saying that their mission in Nairobi is to conquer Africa and bring back home both trophies.

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop who received the ARS teams at Airtel’s Corporate Headquarter in Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, charged the boys and girls to stand tall, reminding them that Nigeria is the giant of Africa.

“I was at the National Finals at the Agege Township Stadium to watch you guys. You are all exceptionally talented. I want you all to be confident. Believe in yourself and make Nigeria proud at Nairobi,” he said.

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Yakubu leads goal rush in China

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AKUBU Aiyegbeni again headlined Nigerian goal scorers overseas this weekend with his fifth goal

for Chinese club Guangzhou R&F. Aiyegbeni was on song for Guangzhou R&F on Sunday in 4-2 win over Shandong

Luneng.

The former Everton and Blackburn Rovers of England forward equalised for his team in ninth minute to make it 1-1.

The big striker has so far scored four league goals and one in the cup with Guangzhou R&F now fourth on the table with 32 points from 22 games.

Former OB Odense of Denmark hit man Peter Utaka can’t stop scoring as he found the back of the net for Dalian Aerbin in a 2-1 win over Guizhou Renha in another Chinese Super league game.

Utaka scored the winner for his team in the 90th minute after Mali star Seydou Keita first scored in

the 36th minute.

Nigeria international Peter Osaze Odemwingie began the English Premier League season with a goal when he helped West Bromwich Albion to a resounding 3-0 victory over Liverpool.

Odemwingie was on song in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot after Shane Long was brought down in the vital area by Martin Skrtel.

In Belgium, BelgianNigerian striker Jason Adesanya rescued his team Lierse against Genk.Adesanya scored the equaliser for his team in the 86th minute after being on the bench for just 10 minutes.

Di Matteo silent on new Chelsea move for Moses

C Resign now, exinternational tells Ekeji •Laments dilapidated stadia across the country

F

ORMER Flying Eagles’ player, Francis Monidafe is of the opinion that the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Patrick Ekeji should tender his resignation letter following the dismal performances of Team Nigeria at the just concluded 2012 Olympics held in London.

In a chat with the NationSport, he said emphatically:"The days of Principal Cup , Hussey Shield, Thermogene Cup Elyson Trophy competitions where talents were got from school and groomed to be world beaters. Dr. Bruce Ijirigho, Godwin Obasogie the great hall of famer Charlton Ehizuelen, Harrisson Salami, Dominic Ezeani, Mary OnyaliOmagbemi, Modupe Oshikoya, and our own Dr. Chief Patrick Ekeji who incidentally is the man at the helm of affairs."

Monidafe who spoke from his base in Benue state was also of the opinion that the various sports facilities need to be upgraded while also making them accessible to the athletes.

What I can't get is, how the Chief let things get out of hand this bad, the giant of Africa can't maintain our National Stadium thereby making our Eagles go round the country begging for where to play their matches, I could go on and on, but will stop here for now and ask, beg, and plead that our DG National Sports Commission should RESIGN honourably he has done all he can but his best is not good enough for Nigeria.

Time to move on. He was a product of a winning formula how he could forget so easily beats my imagination. I know the Late Mr. Isaac Akiyoye will be tuirning in his grave, because Dr. Ekeji was mentored by the respected Director."

Monidafe, a product of school sports and one of the first sets of players to adorn the Flying Eagles jersey in 1978 added that the ailing sports industry in the country can only be revived

By Stella Bamawo by going back to the grassroots.

He said:"It is easily the worst outing of any Nigerian team in recent times. We are witnesses to calls from Nigerians for those concerned with managing Sports to go back to schools and Local Government areas to tap raw talents, like was the practice in the glory days of our sports.

This is a call on the Hon. Minister not to forget to include Sportsmen in the Diaspora who have ideas to contribute to Sports having been part of glory days This is wishing and hoping that the proposed over haul is done properly."

HELSEA manager Roberto Di Matteo has remained tight-lipped on any potential new offer for Victor Moses, with Wigan so far refusing to sell the winger unless their valuation is met.

The Latics are said to be holding out for a fee in the region of £9million (Dh51.9m) for the 21year-old forward Moses, who is out of contract next summer.

Chelsea are already believed to have failed with three bids, the last of which was a cash-plusplayer exchange involving Josh McEachran on a season long-loan deal. But all have been rejected

by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, who has criticised the Blues for "messing them around".

Latics boss Roberto Martinez

admitted it was a risk to start the 21-year-old in his side's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday with speculation surrounding his future, but was happy with Moses’s performance.

Moses was arguably Wigan's best player, causing Chelsea goalscorer Branislav Ivanovic plenty of headaches after switch to the left-flank in the second half.

Martinez said: “We haven’t had an offer that matches his valuation, so we haven’t had to make a decision.

“Victor knows that if (a club) doesn’t want a player enough, it’s not a good move. I’m delighted Victor’s here, I’m delighted he showed he’s desperate to perform for our team.”

Nigeria fans thrill FIFA

T

HE Nigeria Community resident in Japan have been commended for their massive support towards its U-20 Women National Team taking part in the FIFA U-20 Women National Team.

Federation of International Football (FIFA) through one of its Editors, Eloi Silverira expressed delight at the way the Supporters Club dominated the Komaba Stadium in

Japan.

"They kept singing a particular traditional song which l have heard several times anytime l watch a Nigeria team. I actually thought they flew in from Nigeria only to be told that they are based here.

"That's very encouraging and thoughtful of them. I am sure that in the next game we would expect moreNigeriansinthestandsfollowing the outcome of today's (Sunday) match," he added.

Mancini waiting for Aguero's diagnosis

A

GUERO fell a w k w a r d l y following an early challenge by Nathaniel Clyne.

It was quickly obvious the Argentina forward was in some considerable pain and although he indicated a desire to continue, medical staff quickly decided the damage to his knee would make it

•Mancini

impossible.

Mancini confirmed it will be 48 hours before City can make a proper diagnosis.

However, as with all such injuries, the fear Aguero may have damaged his cruciate ligaments is obvious.

"I am worried," said Mancini. "We don't know how serious it is because we need to wait maybe two days for the scan.

"But usually the knee is dangerous. The injury was so strange because it was not a bad tackle. It was not strong.

"The good thing was that he wanted to try and play. But at the moment we can't say anything."

Mancini conceded that if the worst is confirmed later this week and Aguero is ruled out for an extended period, he may have to change his squad building plans.

He is still hoping to bring in a new face, with strong rumours linking him with Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, although Mancini said he knew nothing of any developments.

"If it is a serious injury we will probably change our

plans," said Mancini.

"But we need to wait. Maybe it will be one week or three or four weeks, after the international break."

Mancini also confirmed the complete absence of Adam Johnson from his matchday squad was to give the winger an opportunity to look for another club.

Johnson was at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon and trained with a number of team-mates after the match had finished.

However, he has become tired of being a bit-part player with the Blues, although Mancini insisted he has no axe to grind against Johnson, who started England's midweek win over Italy in Berne.

"Adam is a young guy," said Mancini.

"He is a good player and he wants to play. In these 10 days, if we find a good solution for him and he can go to play, maybe it is better.

"I don't know about a loan.

We have two or three situations. We are talking with him about this.

"But if he stays here I don't have a problem."

Heartlands leave for Ilorin today •Sign on fees delay stops Sunday's trip

H

EARTLAND of Owerri failed to leave for Ilorin as earlier planned on Sunday for their 2012 Federation Cup quarter final duel with Prime of Oshogbo owing to players insistence on having their sign on fees paid before the trip.

NationSport has, however, reliably gathered from those that should know in Owerri that the players will depart this morning after getting assurances from Imo government that part of their sign on fees will be settled this week.

Heartland is the defending champions of the Federation Cup but are still battling on despite only receiving 20% of their current season's sign on fees with barely a match to the end of the 2011/2012 season.

A source within the team informed NationSport that the players had initially agreed to travel to Ilorin for the semi final clash with Prime still on promise that their remaining sign on fees would be offset later but they however disagreed after a chanced meeting with Imo Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha when he came for his routine walkout at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Saturday.

One of the players who told NationSport on the condition of anonymity noted that they were shocked to the marrow when the governor informed them that he had

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri approved the payment of 40 percent of the remaining 80 to them and they ought to have got it.

"We were having our training on Saturday morning when we saw the governor at the stadium having his early morning walkout.

"We met him and asked politely what has been delaying the balance of our sign on fees but he told us he has approved the payment of 40 percent of the remaining 80.

The management and the commissioner for Youth and Sports (Comrade Kenneth Emelu) didn't tell us anything like that at all.

"This made us to back down on our initial agreement to travel on Sunday but I heard they have agreed the governor has approved the payment of 40 percent he confirmed to us and that everything is being done to ensure that it is paid this week."

Meanwhile, a source in the Heartland's management has confirmed that the players and officials of the team would be departing for Ilorin on Monday morning (today) with high hope despite the sign on fees distraction because the players are aware of the enormity of the tie with Prime to their careers and to Imo State.

Heartland pipped Enyimba 1-0 in the final last year at the Teslim Balogun Stadium,Lagos on September 25.

FEDERATION CUP

Lobi won’t disappoint –Lorfa

T

ECHNICAL crew of Lobi Stars Fooball Club of Makurdi, Benue led by Dominic Iorfa has assured soccer loving fans of the state that the club would not disappoint them in the NFF federation Cup campign.

Addressing players of the Makurdi side at their Macarthy stadium training ground in Makurdi, Dominic Iorfa ,an -ex international expressed confidence that with the current form of the state owned sponsor club,there is no stop them till the cup is brought to Makurdi.

He charged the players and officials of the club to be more committed now that the league and federation cup is at critical stage saying they must

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi work as a team to bring victory to the government and people of benue state.

According to the former Qeens Park Rangers (QPR) utility player,winning a trophy in the 2011\2012 football session is the only way to justified state government huge investment on the club .

Lobi will tackle Kano Pillars in one of the semifinal matches of the Federation Cup at Calabar township stadium,the winner would move to Lagos for the final.

Benue state government through the deputy governor,Chief Steven Lawani who is the chairman of the club has assured the players of support .

FIFA U-17 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Flamingoes leave for Portugal Sep. 4 •NFF cancels friendlies with Ghana, Gambia

T

HE U-17 Women's national team, Flamingoes will on September 4 travel to Faro, Portugal for a two week training tour ahead of the Aberbaijan 2012 FIFA U-17 World Cup slated for September 22 through October 13.

Flamingoes defeated Kenya and Zambia in the qualifiers to book a passage to the World Cup and will contend with Canada, Azerbaijan and Colombia at their 3rd successive finals since 2008 when the competition debuted in New Zealand.

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), Barrister

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Musa Amadu who disclosed this to NationSport said that the Flamingoes would engage in some friendly matches with yetto-be-revealed opponents while having their residential camping in Portugal.

Quoting the scribe of the NFF:"I know they will be travelling to Faro,Portugal next month on the 4th of September for a two week training camp and while there, they will play series of friendly matches that are being arranged for them. Those matches we will let you know before the team travels and of course after training for two weeks they will then go to Azerbaijan for the World Cup proper."

THE NATION MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012

63

SPORT EXTRA

T

HE twin brother of Britain’s Olympic gold medal hero Mo Farah has spoken for the first time about how they were torn apart as boys amid the chaos of civil war in Somalia.

In a heartbreaking story of a childhood fractured by violence and turmoil, Hassan Farah has revealed he and Mo had such a close bond that they slept in the same bed and shared food from the same plate.

The pair were so strikingly similar that teachers and even friends confused one for the other.

But the boys were forced to say goodbye at the age of eight when their parents made the agonising decision to send three of their six children, including Mo, to Britain for a chance of a better life. It was a wrench neither of them has forgotten and it was a full 12 years until the twins saw each other again.

Hassan grew up amid dust and poverty in the African state of Djibouti which borders Somalia, and has watched without bitterness or resentment as his brother, who excelled on the sports fields of England, became a world-class athlete.

Mo has rarely spoken about his family back in Africa. But The Mail on Sunday tracked Hassan down to his modest home in Hargeisa, northern Somalia, last week.

It was here, half a world away from the Olympic Stadium in London, that Hassan watched TV with pride and happiness as his brother secured an unprecedented double gold triumph.

It was midnight before wellwishers stopped calling at Hassan’s door to share their excitement and joy at the town’s famous son.

Yesterday, still celebrating and still wearing his white Team GB jersey, Hassan spoke about the extraordinary events that tore him and his brother apart.

‘We had been together in everything, we were inseparable,’ he said. ‘We shared food from the same plate, we shared a bed and we played and studied together. There is a special love between twins that is different from other sibling love.

‘When Mo was sent away I was left with an empty space in my heart. That space has never been filled, but he is still somewhere in my heart and I

•Mo Farah and family

Exposed: Mo Farah’s ‘half’ found in Mogadishu know I am in his.

‘Like many Somali families we were torn apart by war. In my case it felt more tragic than most. I feel I lost the other half of myself, my twin brother.

‘These days we are all still close, despite the difficulties of travel and communications in this country.’

Hassan believes they can never make up the lost years spent apart, but it is telling that when Mo triumphed with gold in the 10,000m, his brother was one of the first people he called.

Hassan said: ‘He told me, “Pray for me, my brother. I have great hopes that I can win a second gold. It is what I’ve waited for all this time”.’

The twins’ father is Muktar Farah. He had left Somalia as a young man and settled in London where he worked as an IT consultant. During a holiday visit to his homeland he married Amran – and decided to stay. They made a life together in Mogadishu and already had two sons and a daughter when the twins arrived.

Mohammed and Hassan were born in Mogadishu in March 1983, at the beginning of relentlessly troubled times for the beleaguered capital city of Somalia. Fighting between deadly rival clans was becoming a daily hazard in the city.

The president, dictator Siad Barre who had seized power in 1969, was under increasing pressure from warlords who joined forces against him.

Barre was finally ousted and exiled in 1990, and a long, bloody civil war was to shape the country’s future for more than 20 years.

Cautious hopes for security and stability are only now being expressed, with democratic elections planned for next month.

For Mo and Hassan’s parents the disintegration of their country after 1990 meant harsh and agonising decisions.

Hassan recalled: ‘We were small and there was shooting and killing every day near our home. We knew our father

•Twin was going back to England to try to make a family home for us there, and our mother was taking our brothers back to her home village in the north.

‘Everyone’s family was in turmoil during that time.

There were refugee camps outside the city, people living in tents. Others were desperate to get out, and although we were very young we knew it was a time when families were making painful decisions.

‘They sent us, and our older sister Ifrah, to live in Djibouti with our grandmother so that we could have a peaceful childhood. For Mo and me, it was enough that we were staying together.’

The boys’ maternal grandmother had settled in a poor suburb of Djibouti city. The monsoon blows all year in a climate officially described as torrid. From October to April the average temperature is 37C (98F).

Hassan said: ‘We were sporty kids, Mo and me. But it was too hot; too hot to do almost anything. We played football in the streets and we ran around a lot, playing chase and always beating the other boys.

‘But there were no facilities, just the streets. We were keen on football and Mo and me were never picked for the same side, no one would have been able to beat us. There we were, refugees from a war, living without our parents, and I remember a very happy childhood. All I needed then for my security and stability was my brother.

‘We did everything together, we were best friends. There was occasionally a fight and it would last one minute, both of us collapsing with laughter.’

No one could tell the twins apart.

‘We used to swap clothes halfway through the day just to confuse everyone.

‘It drove our teachers to distraction, even in the serious atmosphere of the madrasa we attended where we learnt the Holy Koran.’

Hassan remembers a day sitting on the front step of their grandmother’s house. ‘I said something cheeky to a girl walking by, and when she

came back with her brothers to get me into trouble they found Mo sitting there instead.

I nearly let him take the blame but in the end I couldn’t do it, I owned up. That’s how it was with Mo and me.’

The boys’ mother had settled back into her rural home, a tiny village in the remote desert area between Hargeisa town and the Ethiopian border. There, she received news from her husband in England that, as an asylum seeker, he could bring their children over to join him.

But crucially, he told her he could take only three – as many as he could afford to support.

Mo Farah added a lucrative sponsorship deal with Virgin Media to his growing portfolio of endorsement contracts as he reaps the rewards of his gold medals.

The 29-year-old will earn between £250,000 and £500,000 in an advertising campaign with fellow Olympic hero Usain Bolt. Both runners will wear

•Hassan Farah

Richard Branson goatee beards.

It will take the earnings of the winner of the 10,000m and 5,000m titles up to an estimated £2.5m a year.

Before the Games, Farah earned a reported £500,000 in endorsements, including sponsorship deals with Lucozade and retail giant Nike.

Scottish Widows, the official pension provider for the Olympics, predicts he will pocket about £5m by the Rio Games in 2016 – and he could command a £1m appearance fee if he runs in the London Marathon next year.

Hassan and Mo were told that only one of them could go with their older brothers Liban and Omar.

‘They found a way to soften it, to make it seem as if it would be all right,’ Hassan says, with no apparent bitterness. ‘My grandmother told us that Mo would be going, getting on a train to Addis Ababa then on a plane to England.

‘I would have to wait but one day I would join him.’

Hassan remembers the night they said goodbye. ‘It was my bedtime, and there was all this fuss with him leaving the house and taking his things, getting into a car. I was OK because they kept saying I would be with him again soon.’

Mo began a bewildering new life in England. He has spoken recently of difficult times at school, trouble with learning English, and finding solace only on the sports field where he was eventually recognised as a major talent by his PE teacher.

Several years went by in Djibouti, with Hassan receiving continual but empty reassurances that he and Mo would be reunited. It was not until 12 years later, in 2003, that Mo finally came back to Somalia for a visit. To this day Hassan has never been to England.

He has watched as his brother began to get the recognition he deserved as a potential star. Back in dusty, poor Djibouti, Hassan – despite his identical genes and potential – had not the remotest chance of athletic success, though he was just as good a runner as his brother.

‘Of course Mo and I were on a par as runners,’ he said.

‘Sometimes I would beat him as we chased each other around, sometimes he would beat me. But now he has had the most technically-advanced training and advice available in the world, with top running tracks and gyms to work in, and I have had nothing.

‘Who knows what I could have become? We could have been famous twin Olympic athletes. I couldn’t help thinking about that when I was watching him in the races on television. But he’s my brother, I love him and I rejoice in his great successes.’

As a teenager Hassan returned to Hargeisa and was reunited with his extended family. He lived with an aunt and did well at school. He married and now has five beautiful children.

Life in Hargeisa is hard and sometimes chaotic – donkeys, goats and camels wander the streets and unemployment is rife, with most families living on money sent to them from relatives abroad.

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Encouragingly, former military President Ibrahim Babangida has thrown his credence behind the reemergence of state police, on the ground that those opposed to the idea are living in the past, failing to reflect on current reality.’

SOJI OMOTUNDE

VOL 7 NO 2,223

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

“D

• Fayemi

‘If that is inevitable as modernity is a train no one can reverse, we must adapt the way Fayemi has done. Some of them have no pensions, and this is a surefire way to squeeze water out of nothing.

Other governors will do well to emulate him. Social security cheques in the U.S. are not fat, but something to keep the old citizens from month to month. That is what Fayemi has done’

not have the village back. Time is moving to the desolate place, and our sense of community is going behind us.

We have not come to terms with how to handle this properly. One governor with a clear crack at it is Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State. Every month all senior citizens get N5,000. But when the news came to the fore, it was not generally appreciated by the larger Nigerian community.

I had a greater appreciation of it when I visited Ekiti a couple of weeks back at one

of Fayemi’s signature projects, The Ikogosi Resort. As the governor walked down a slope after inspecting a set of chalets, a group of elegantly dressed old women loomed ahead. They were dancing and singing in Yoruba. They encircled him in a whirligig of joy. They serenaded the governor for not abandoning them in their old age. It was mini-party from their point of view, a party of gratitude.

Those who live in the inflation-laden cities of Lagos and Abuja may make light

of the sum. But to the villagers, it is a monthly fortune. It can buy quite some necessities and give them a sense of anticipation every month. Later that evening, at a phone-in programme, some senior citizens called in to complain that the state’s version of social security had not reached some of them. The governor promised to look into it.

These are the fathers and mothers of the nation. They toiled once, had the sap of youth, and were the source of all productivity. Now that they have lost most of that vitality, how do we say thank you?

This contrasts what happened a few years ago in Jigawa State when the governor shed millions to the talakawa. That celebrated indolence, young people were paid not to produce. In Ekiti State, they had attained their geriatric days. The Chinese proverb says, “When I was young I never had the sense but when I was old I never had the strength.”

The talakawa young had the strength, the twilight citizens of Ekiti had little. We have had different ways of attacking this problem with the provision of free health to some of the weaker members of our society. In Lagos and southwest states, the elderly get free health, in Delta State the children under five years old and pregnant women get free health services. Ditto to Rivers State.

Fayemi’s answers to not only the need to approach unpredictable needs of the individuals but the freedom to decide what to do with their money. In the United States today, a huge debate is raging on whether to maintain the social security system as well as Medicaid which cares for the weak and poor. It is a big debate that increasingly polarises the society.

In 1996, Hilary Clinton wrote a book, It Takes a Village, in which she urged Americans to borrow a leaf from Africans in the way we raised our kids. She won a Grammy for her audio version of the book, even though politicians like Bob Dole brought a partisan bad blood to it.

But while Americans were contemplating our sense of community, we are busy aping them. If that is inevitable as modernity is a train no one can reverse, we must adapt the way Fayemi has done. Some of them have no pensions, and this is a surefire way to squeeze water out of nothing. Other governors will do well to emulate him. Social security cheques in the U.S. are not fat, but something to keep the old citizens from month to month. That is what Fayemi has done.

RIPPLES

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE CALLS FOR MASS SACK IN POLICE–NEWS

South African miners and vestiges of apartheid

O not cast me away when I am old,” Ps. 71:9 The old are an endangered species in our community, and this is a paradox. The aged cannot be endangered when they are close to their graves. But that is the crux.

The aged did not always live in danger of extinction. Rather they went away in blissful peace. They passed away in contrast to the poet Dylan Thomas who urged his loved one not to “go gentle into that good night.” Rather the poet asked the loved one to “rage, rage against the dying of the light.”

Today, the aged die without éclat, without hurrah. Their songs go dark even before their lights peter out. That is because the society does not care for the aged again. We do not care for the aged because the village has lost its pristine peace and harmony, its energy of togetherness.

The birth of the city, the struggle for the elusive filthy lucre, the allure of what Henry James called the “big, bright Babylon,” has taken away the innocence of the village.

So the old dies hardly with family.

When they die, the relations and friends visit to say the final goodbye in somewhat material extravagance that the dead did not get in their twilight years. The ornate casket and lavish party mock the years of penury when they did not get good nourishment or required medication or the psychological succour of family attention.

When I was in the United States, I often told the story to Americans of the African sense of community, and how we were our neighbour’s keepers. One day, I gave a talk to a senior home, where many citizens in their hoary years lived. Theirs was a journey of the jejune, a life of loneliness, many never visited by children or relatives, but cared for by their retirement money and the monthly pay cheque from the government called social security.

They were amazed by my tale of America as a lost civilisation, a sense of a nation at home with money more than family. But when I returned home, the country I left was a shadow of its communal past. Villages now house lonely older citizens with fewer people to care for them. Somehow, I saw that the African society, like its Western counterpart, was lost in the cash nexus, in the rigmarole of the search for fulfillment in money and material splendour. I knew the chilling fact that we can-

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchsam@yahoo.com 08054501081(sms only) •Winner, Informed Commentary 2009& 2010 (D.A.M.E)

Twilight citizens

A

Or in the alternative, transfer them to BORNO or YOBE

FEW minutes, and it was all over.

Some 34 protesting miners working for Lonmin PLC, a platinum mining concern in South Africa, lay dead, shot by heavily armed South African policemen last week. About 78 others were also injured in the vicinity of the mine located in Marikana, some 100km from Johannesburg. The killing of the miners by black and white policemen reminded the world of the March 21, 1960 Sharpeville Massacre in which apartheid police shot dead 69 black protesters. What came over the policemen last week? How do they hope to live down the despicable fact that in a few minutes so many protesters had been shot dead with a callousness that is so strikingly reminiscent of the apartheid era? So far, police chief, Riah Phiyega, a former woman banker who was appointed barely two months ago, has been unable to offer reasonable justification for what many South Africans now describe as a massacre.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) claims the shootings were in self-defence, arguing that the protesters were armed with machetes, sticks and clubs, had caused the death of 10 miners during intra-union disa-

greements, and murdered two policemen a few days earlier. But were these reasons strong enough to trigger the reprehensible shootings at Marikana that were captured on video and broadcast all over the world. It is apparent that while apartheid ended more than 18 years ago, and blacks now dominate the SAPS and lead it, the culture of impunity and recklessness exhibited by the law enforcement agency under apartheid is yet to be exorcised.

The dead miners were among about 3,000 workers who are members of the newer Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), a rival union challenging the dominance of the 25-year-old National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) that is closely allied to the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Though the striking Lonmin miners were campaigning for pay rise, it was apparently not lost on the public that politics was not far from the surface of the grievances tabled by the protesting workers. Moreover, in December, President Jacob Zuma will be facing internal leadership election in the ANC. Claiming to mourn the shootings, the police authorities have set up an internal

investigation to find out whether officers used disproportionate force. Zuma has also ordered an official inquiry into the killings. But irrespective of what the investigations find out and whatever punishments are meted out to the offending officers, it is expected that South Africans would be doing a lot of soul-searching in the coming weeks. They will be deeply shocked that apartheid era repression might be returning, or that even more worrisomely, never left the law enforcement agency in the first instance. It is indeed easy to imagine what South Africa would have looked like had it been a regular African country without the benefit of inherited structures originally built by the apartheid governments that ruled the country for about a century.

President Zuma may not be an inspiring and inspired leader, and has often given the impression of a cheerfully frivolous politician, but the scale of these shootings should compel him to go beyond politics to purge and reorient the SAPS. He must ensure that such mindless killings never reoccur, and that all vestiges of apartheidera brutality are banished from the police.

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