The Nation August 27, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Osun PDP legal chief joins APC NEWS Page 7

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VOL. 9, NO. 2951 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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•INSIDE: TINUBU WISHES RIBADU LUCK P4 JONATHAN, OTHERS HONOUR AKUNYILI P6

Fury over troops’ desertion APC seeks Jonathan’s action ‘Returnee soldiers under probe’

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HERE was outrage yesterday over the desertion of 480 Nigerian soldiers.

The soldiers were said to have fled to Cameroon on Monday.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) described the development as a national embarrassment; political scientists said it was a bad omen.

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President

Nigeria has never had it so bad. The military...has now reached a level where its troops are deserting ...

There is no way to spin what happened on Mon—APC day...

A standing army is a national asset. A nation-state is incomplete without a competent army. If the army is fragile...that means the state is fragile —Political scientists

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja, Emmanuel Oladesu and Precious Igbonwelundu

Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and another senior advocate Chief Niyi Akintola said the desertion was worrisome.

Also yesterday, the soldiers, according to Agence France Presse (AFP), spoke through a proxy, on why they fled to Cameroon.

The AFP quoted the junior officer as saying that his colleague who spoke with him

from Cameroon claimed that they fled after running out of ammunition.

The officer added that the soldier also spoke of the troops facing well-armed Islamic fighters. The AFP said the officer insisted on anonymity since he was not authorised to speak.

On Monday, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), in a report quoting

Cameroon’s Army spokesman Didier Badjek, said Nigerian troops fled, but the DHQ denied the claim, saying the soldiers strayed into Cameroon in a “tactical manoeuvre” Yesterday, AFP said Basuma Muhammed, a resident of Gamboru-Ngala, in Borno State told it that soldiers joined hundreds of civilians who fled into Cameroon.

Initially, the soldiers were able to repel an attack by Boko

It is a serious thing, which no patriotic citizen should encourage under any right. To desert the Armed Forces of your country in the war front is worse than murder —Akintola (SAN)

Haram, killing many of their

fighters, Muhammed said, adding: “But hours after the attack, a bigger number of the Boko Haram gunmen arrived from the other side of the town and engaged the soldiers who could not stand their superior force and had to join us in running into Cameroon.”

The defence headquarters statement said the soldiers had performed a “tactical maneuvre” when they found themselves in Cameroon.

The soldiers are back, the De-

fence Headquarters (DHQ) said yesterday, adding that they are in “high spirits with all their weapons and equipment intact.”

On its twitter handle, DHQ said: “The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that troops who returned from Cameroon were today addressed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Maj.-Gen. Zaruwa as they embark on another misContinued on page 4

Enugu deputy governor sacked From Chris Oji, Enugu

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NUGU State Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi lost yesterday the battle to keep his job.

The House of Assembly impeached him following its adoption of the report of the panel that probed him.

The panel, which was set up by the Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, investigated the allegations of gross misconduct levContinued on page 4

Govt: Ebola virus now contained •Schools to reopen Oct. 13 From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja and Miriam Ndikanwu

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IGERIA has contained the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) imported into the country 28 days ago by the late LiberianAmerican Patrick Sawyer, Health Minister Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said yesterday.

Chukwu said there is only one case left, adding that the person is being treated in the isolation ward in Lagos. The patient, the minister said he got the virus through secondary contract, adding that he is in a stable condiWHERE ARE tion.

Five deaths were recordTHE CHIBOK ed, all of them got the virus GIRLS KIDNAPPED from contracts with the inON APRIL 15?

Continued on page 4

?

•Falconets arriving at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja…yesterday. The U-20 female national football team won Silver at the PHOTO: NAN FIFA U-20 Women World Cup in Canada.

•LIFE P15 •SPORTS P24 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •POLITICS P43 •FOREIGN P58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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NEWS •Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (middle), United States Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle (left) and US Consul General, Lagos, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins during a visit to the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta... yesterday.

Boko Haram Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, a Judge of the High Court of Justice of Kogi State, studied Terrorism at Walden University, USA. In this piece, he examines the Boko Haram menace and suggests ways to defeat the insurgents

T •From left: Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Dr Demola Sogunle; Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd, Mr. Olumide Oyetan; and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Capital, Mrs. Yewande Sadiku at the signing of the Stanbic IBTC Exchange Traded Fund 30 in Lagos...yesterday.

•From left: Captain, Ikeja Golf Club, Mr Jibola Awoseyi; President, Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Prince Yemi Adefulu; Deputy President, Prince Dapo Adelegan and Treasurer, Mr Uwami Igein at a news conference in Lagos...yesterday.

•Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Ophtalmological Society of Nigeria’s Annual Congress, Dr Benectus Ajayi addressing a news conference on the forthcoming congress in Ibadan...yesterday.

With him are from left: Secretary, Dr Yinka Ologunsua and President, Dr Sebastian Nwosu.

ERRORISM is one word that now bestrides Nigeria like a colossus. It is now a household word. Nigeria has been the victim of an undeclared war, engendered by Boko Haram, a so-called Islamist sect, which has put the northern part of the country under siege of attacks since 2009. The popular image of terrorism in Nigeria today is one promoted by Boko Haram: car bombs, suicide bombs, indiscriminate bombing of selected targets, kidnapping, abduction of persons and assassinations, amongst other heinous and violent crimes, which have now become regular features. The direct consequence of these is that no one feels safe anywhere: at home, at work, at the airport, at a bus stop, while walking on the street or inside a mall. The sacred and hallowed sanctuaries of worship centres are not free from terrorist attacks, assaults and bombardments. A climate of fear and insecurity now pervades the land. According to Human Rights Watch, Boko Haram has so far been responsible for the death of 2,053 civilians in 95 attacks during the first six months of this year.

Basically, all these terrorists strikes are meant to destabilise the nation by challenging her sovereignty and integrity. The attacks on defenceless civilians are designed to generate terror, fear, and anarchism by creating a general feeling of insecurity. By daring the police and other security agencies, Boko Haram seeks to demoralise the security forces. The attacks at churches, mosques and other religious worship centres are meant to injure sentiments, whip up religious passions and tear apart the secular fabric that holds Nigeria together.

They are also designed to promote prejudices and bigotry.

There is no crime the sect has committed that has traumatised the country quite like the abduction of 270 school girls at a village called Chibok in Borno State, on April 15, 2014. The girls, aged between 16 and 18, were preparing to write exams when they were taken from school hostels late at night. About 50 of them escaped. Others have remained in Boko Haram captivity for a period of over four months now.

It is thought that the militants initially took the girls to Sambisa forest. Subsequent reports however, suggest that some may have been trafficked into neighbouring coun-

•Shekau

tries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon and forced to “marry.” There are also fears that the girls might have been indoctrinated and recruited into the army of Boko Haram, given the spate of reported female bombers in recent times. These fears may not be unfounded as nobody has reported the loss of any other girl apart from Chibok girls of late.

The abduction of these Chibok girls, as they are now popularly called, has drawn worldwide condemnation and sparked international outpouring of support for Nigeria in her fight against terrorism.

Significantly, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign resonated at both the British Parliament and the Senate of the United States of America.

To be sure, terrorism is a global phenomenon, not peculiar to Nigeria. Indeed, it has become the most worrisome feature of contemporary life. Though violent behaviour is not new, the present day terrorism has obtained a different character and taken a different dimension. It poses an extraordinary challenge to the civilized world. The basic tenets and edifices of a modern State, like democracy, state security, the rule of law, sovereignty and integrity, basic human rights etc. are under the threat and attack of terrorism.

The abduction of the Chibok girls has brought into the front-burner of public debate the propriety or oth-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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NEWS

m ...What Nigeria needs to do

•Map of Borno State where Boko Haram’s insurgency is felt most.

‘The government has, indeed, lost the moral right not to negotiate with the insurgents. The essential goal of negotiation in this context is to protect Nigerian citizens’ erwise of government negotiating with terrorists. I proceed on the hypothesis that it remains the primary responsibility of the government to secure the lives and property of its citizens. I make an assumption that when faced with the choice of negotiating or not negotiating with terrorists, government will take a decision that will serve the best interest of the generality of the people.

Flowing from this assumption, I posit that the interest of the citizenry will be best served if their lives and property are secured and protected.

The basic question here then is: should the government negotiate with the Boko Haram terrorists or not?

In answering this question, it is good that we know what negotiation means and entails. Black’s Law Dictionary (8th edition) defines the term negotiation as a “consensus bargaining process in which the parties attempt to reach agreement on disputed or potentially disputed matter.” For the purpose of this discussion, I choose to adopt the definition given by Robert Mnookin (2003), a negotiation expert, that, negotiation is a “joint decision making process involving interactive communication in which parties that lack identical interests attempt to reach agreement”. It is important to note here that the ultimate goal of negotiation is to resolve disagreement.

Negotiations can be genuine or pretentious. A genuine negotiation bears some basic features. The features include, amongst others, the willingness of the affected parties to make some concessions or tradeoffs, however nominal. It must also be in good faith and necessarily embody readiness to meet the other party’s interests, whether or not the other party consists of terrorists. It must not be used as a ploy, trick or stratagem to deceive terrorists by bringing them out of their hidings to be captured or attacked. A measure of compromise and flexibility on both sides is required for a meaningful negotiation to be attained.

Nations all over the world have different attitudes and policies towards terrorists. Some countries have a stated policy of never negotiating with terrorists. Quite often, however, such a policy is honoured more in the breach than observance.

This is because, while it is openly declared or asserted that there is no negotiation with terrorists, governments still go behind to negotiate with the groups they have declared as “terrorist organisations”. For instance, Britain negotiated with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Israel negotiated with Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and other Palestinian factions. Spain negotiated with Basque ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuma (Homeland and Freedom). Even the United States of

America, under President Reagan, provided TOC missiles to Iran to win the release of hostages held by Hezbollah. Most recently, Obama administration exchanged one soldier for five Taliban held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, after some forms of negotiation.

President W. Bush was a hardliner. He was uncompromising in his stand not to negotiate with AlQaeda. His administration held tenaciously to the position that AlQaeda was an enemy that “holds no territory, defends no population, is unconstrained by rules of warfare and respects no law of morality.”.He, therefore, maintained that, such an enemy cannot be deterred, contained and appeased or negotiated with. “It can only be destroyed,” he asserted.

It does appear to me that Nigeria has no clearly defined and consistent policy of dealing with terrorists. The Nigerian government seems to be overwhelmed with terrorist attacks such that it finds itself in a state of confusion and bewilderment. As it pursues the terrorists militarily, it also attempts to negotiate, persuade and dialogue with them. This is what Professor James B. Kantiok (n.d), describes as a ‘two-prong approach’. The inability of the government to be effective in its fight against Boko Haram terrorists and particularly, in securing the release of the abducted Chibok

girls, puts the viability of this approach into question.

The leader of Boko Haram sect had in a video message boasted: “These are the girls abducted by us that the Nigerian government has been calling for their release. We won’t release them to you and you can’t take them away from us no matter how you tried (sic). We would only release them if you, the government, release our brothers you have arrested and detained for 4 to 5 years now.” Since the time the video clips were released, there have been divergent views as to whether or not government should negotiate with Boko Haram. Even amongst senior government officials, there have been some discordant tunes.

Sometime ago, an eight-man presidential committee on security challenges in the North-East zone headed by Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtumari was set up. At the inauguration of the committee, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, said the government could not negotiate with the sect because “it is a faceless organisation.” Anyim told the panel members that their duty excludes negotiating with the group because “you don’t talk with those you don’t know.”

In the same vein, the Senate President, David Mark, said negotiating with terrorists as proposed

by Shekau over the abducted girls, may not serve any good purpose but to further give them room to wreck more havoc on both the country and the citizens without even them fulfilling any terms of agreement that may be entered into with them with no platform of trust whatsoever. He added that, Nigeria will not negotiate with terrorists under any circumstance because “you don’t negotiate with criminals which Boko Haram insurgents are”.

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida added his weighty voice to this issue as he recently spoke against negotiating with Boko Haram. He asked rhetorically, “who do you negotiate with? …You can only negotiate with persons who everybody knows are fighting for a cause… But we don’t know these guys”.

Some other prominent Nigerians hold a contrary view. They are of the opinion that the only way out of the current quagmire is to negotiate with the insurgents. The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III has been consistent in calling on the government to negotiate with Boko Haram insurgents at every opportunity available to him. He has advanced the facelessness of Boko Haram insurgents and the criminal nature of their activities as reasons why the government should negotiate with the sect. It is to be noted here that the same reasons have also been given on why the government should not negotiate with the sect. “You cannot fight a group of faceless individuals whose locations are unknown,” the Sultan warned. And, in veiled reference to the Senate President’s position, the Sultan said: “Ï have heard people saying you don’t dialogue with criminals, who says you don’t dialogue with criminals? You cannot fight the criminals because you don’t even know where they are…

You cannot win any insurgency by use of force, nowhere in the world has that worked.”

Senior government officials have also been known to have indicated the readiness of the government to negotiate with the insurgents.

Prominent amongst them are

Tanimu Turaki, Minister of Special Duties, and Mike Omeri, Director General, National Orientation Agency. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, can also be counted amongst government officials calling for negotiation with Boko Haram insurgents. According to him, negotiation “does not just mean you are submitting: you are not. It is just a strategy” Those who object to the policy of negotiating with terrorists usually predicate their stand on five main arguments. First and foremost, they state that it sets bad precedent and encourages future attacks. Secondly, it is argued that the very act of negotiating with a group that has been declared by government as a terrorist group is incongruous and self-defeating. The reasoning here is that the formal designation of a group as terrorist organisation is essentially designed to stigmatise, delegitimise and isolate such a group. By agreeing to negotiate with such a group, implies that the same government is granting legitimacy to the terrorists group. This, they say, usually encourages other would-be terrorist groups that violence is a relatively easy way to gain government’s recognition. By this, terrorism becomes an attractive way to pursue political agenda.

Thirdly, it is also often argued that terrorists are simply not trustworthy and therefore make bad negotiating partners. The fourth argument is a strategic consideration of the likelihood of losing domestic and international support. It is believed that government’s ability to harness domestic as well as international support could diminish if negotiations were underway.

Fifthly, terrorists are usually treated as satanic. There is, therefore, a strong moral aversion to dealing with the “devil”.

There is no doubt that a decision as to whether or not the government should negotiate with Boko Haram insurgents is an extremely difficult one, due to many factors and the uncertainties of what the result of any particular decision will be. In coming to a decision or recommending a decision on this issue, it is important to reflect on the fact that Boko Haram insurgency has been with us since 2009. We failed to nip it in the bud at its embryonic stage, until it escalated beyond unimaginable proportion. All along, we ignored the use of force when it was absolutely necessary to do so, until the insurgents got an upper hand.

Now, over 200 of our girls are in the custody of the insurgents. I understand that 100 other young boys have been captured by them. If the government says it will not negotiate, what next will it do? In my view, a blanket refusal to negotiate in the circumstances in which we find ourselves will simply portray the government as uncaring. And a government that does nothing in the face of endangered citizens, panicky family members of the captives, traumatised nation and the horror engendered by the insurgents, will appear ineffectual. The government has, indeed, lost the moral right not to negotiate with the insurgents.

The essential goal of negotiation in this context is to protect Nigerian citizens. At least, the government must demonstrate clearly that it has real interest in the safety of those now held hostage. The most effective way to do this is for the government to enter into a genuine negotiation with the insurgents.

Thereafter, it may proceed with whatever actions it may consider necessary and appropriate to combat Boko Haram insurgency.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Enugu deputy governor sacked Continued from page 1

• Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris speaking on the Ebola Virus Disease at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday. With him are Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba (right) and the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Mr. Hakeem Bello

Outrage over defection of 480 troops to Cameroon Continued from page 1

sion in the Counter Terrorism campaign. All the soldiers are in high spirits with all their weapons and equipment intact.”

Calling for a probe of the matter, the APC urged President Goodluck Jonathan “to urgently address Nigerians on the worsening security in the North which allows Boko Haram to proclaim sovereignty over Gwoza.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also demanded a probe of how the $14 billion votes for security, defence and the police between 2010 and 2014 was spent. ‘’The issue that should agitate the minds of Nigerians now is whether our troops are adequately equipped to battle Boko Haram and, if not, what has happened to the funds allocated for such in the past. As we said in our earlier comments on this issue, between 2010 and 2014, a total of US$14 billion was allocated for defence, security and the police. What has happened to these funds? ‘’Nigerians must start asking questions rather than just blam-

ing soldiers. Nigerians must ask why the alarm raised by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State concerning the low morale and lack of necessary fighting equipment by the military was dismissed on the altar of partisanship. Nigerians must ask what next, if a rag-tag band of marauders are now carving out territories for themselves in our nation. Things cannot and must not continue like this,’’ the APC said.

It said in the face of the biggest threat to Nigeria’s unity and territorial integrity since the civil war, President Jonathan must also put partisanship aside and rally the nation against Boko Haram, which seems to be getting bolder and stronger, to the extent of hoisting its flag over parts of the nation’s territory.

APC restated its call for an urgent national stakeholders’ conference on security cutting across party lines to find a solution to what has become a danger to Nigeria’s survival. It pledged unalloyed support for any sincere effort to end the insurgency.

The party urged the President to halt the illegal electioneering campaign by his Ministers, oth-

er appointees and supporters, saying Nigeria must survive before any party or individual can rule over it. ‘’These campaigns, ostensibly by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) but in truth being bankrolled by the Federal Government, offends national sensibilities at a time our citizens are being daily slaughtered and our troops are struggling against the terrorists who are bent on balkanising our nation. Needless to remind Nigerians that over 200 school girls remain missing more than 130 days after they were abducted,’’ the party said, adding: ‘’The President must put politics aside for now and lead the nation to defeat Boko Haram.’’

It charged the military and civilian leadership to quit politicking and fashion out ways for the military to live up to its constitutional responsibility of maintaining Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

APC said it was shameful for Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro to be prancing around Ekiti and Osun states, marshalling troops to harass the opposition during the elections in those states, at a time Nigeria is losing territory

after territory to Boko Haram.

Also worrisome, the party said, is the development that has seen some defence chiefs become the chief campaign managers to the President, an action it described as a violation of the military’s professional ethics. This has embroiled the military unnecessarily in politics, at a time they should be rallying troops against Boko Haram, APC said. ‘’Nigeria has never had it so bad. The country’s military that was being hailed worldwide for its sterling performance at global peacekeeping missions has now reached a level where its troops are deserting, engaging in mutiny or simply unwilling to fight. ‘’There is no way to spin what happened on Monday, when 480 Nigerian soldiers escaped to Cameroon. The Ministry of Defence called it ‘tactical manoeuvre’, but did not explain how soldiers fighting insurgents along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon will foray 80 kilometres into Cameroon! Also, if the Nigerian troops’ foray into Cameroon was in the spirit of the cooperation between Continued on page 57

elled against him by the lawmakers.

His sack followed the adoption of the report of the sevenman panel.

The impeachment motion was moved by Udeh Okoye, representing Awgu North state constituency during plenary, and was endorsed by 21 of the 24member House.

Okoye, who is the House leader, while moving the motion, said the panel concluded that the “allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the deputy governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi by the Enugu State House of Assembly have been proved.”

He said the House, “having carefully considered the report on investigation of the allegations do adopt it and it is hereby adopted.”

Onyebuchi told reporters after he was sacked that his removal will not stand.

He said he was heading for court.

The Southeast chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned yesterday the impeachment of Onyebuchi because, according to the party, it was politically motivated and based on flimsy allegations.

Its spokesman, Osita Okechukwu, in statement said the impeachment has once more confirmed that the Enugu State House of Assembly is a RubberStamp Assembly.

APC said that it was only an Executive pliant and stooge Legislature, which would ignobly negate the intendment of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.

It claimed that the Constitution rates gross misconduct as grave violations of the Constitution, not impeachment as tool for political vendetta.

It asked: “Otherwise, when has Chicken-Farming in the Government House become Gross-Misconduct envisaged by the Constitution? When has the resolution of the House become law? Or is the House not aware that the Chicken-Farm was raided on January 27, 2014, by the unfolding dictatorship in Enugu?”

The party said: “We have to caution His Excellency, Chief Sullivan Chime to desist from the narrow road to dictatorship, as it is an ill-wind that blows none good. Unfortunately, we have observed recently signpost of dictatorship, corruption and propaganda in the state affairs in Enugu State.

“For if we keep quiet today because it is an intra-party dispute, Chief Chime may become a great risk to our fledgling democracy, especially on the eve of a crucial 2015 general election.

Enough is Enough.

“We challenge, Chief Onyebuchi to contest his impeachment in court, as it is our considered view that the Chicken-Farm impeachment was politically motivated, unconstitutional and undemocratic.”

The search for the successor to the impeached deputy governor of Enugu State, Sunday Onyebuchi has begin in earnest.

Two names are being mentioned as possible replacement.

The two are from the Nkanu clan where the impeached deputy governor hails from.

Ribadu remains a friend, says Tinubu

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ATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday described Former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chair Nuhu Ribadu as “a friend and brother.”

Ribadu, the 2011 election Presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N), one of the major parties that fused together to form the APC, last week defected to the PDP. He is seeking the PDP ticket to contest election as governor

of Adamawa State. The byelection is slated for October 11.

The Adamawa seat came up for by-election following the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako of APC, ostensibly with the backing of the Presidency.

Tinubu, in his first reaction to the defection, twitted yesterday: “Ribadu remains a friend & brother. He is mature. He remains one who believes in liberty, justice and service. I wish him LUCK with GOODLUCK.”

Ebola virus now contained, says Federal Govt Schools to reopen Oct. 13

Continued from page 1

dex – Sawyer. Among them is Dr. Stella Adadevoh, a consultant with the First Consultant Hospital, who reviewed Sawyer’s case and prevented him from being discharged after his Ebola status was established.

Lagos State Health Commissioner Dr. Jide Idris, also yesterday denied rumours on the social media that Dr. Adadevoh’s sister had contracted the EVD. “She tested negative,” he insisted and admonished Nigerians against rumour mongering.

Dr. Idris said three those who died from the virus were cremated (including Sawyer).

The other two were buried in line with the World Health organization (WHO) specification.

The Federal Government also yesterday extended the reopening of schools – public and private – to October 13 to prevent the spread of Ebola.

Schools were scheduled to resume in the second week of next month.

The only patient being treated now, according to the Health Minister’s update, signed by his aide Mr. Dan

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HE Federal Government has directed that all public and private schools should remain closed till October 13.

This is to prevent the outbreak of the Ebola virus.

Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, stated this yesterday in Abuja after an extensive meeting with Commissioners of Education.

Schools were initially expected to reopen for the 2014/2015 academic session in the second week of September.

He said all Federal Government colleges should also comply with the directive.

Shekarau said each State Ministry of Education should appoint designated Desk Officers on Ebola information not later than September 1.

States ministries of education, he said, should immediately organise and ensure that at least two people in each school, both public and private are trained by appropriate health workers on how to handle any suspected case of Ebola and also embark

Nwomeh, is a secondary contact, whose spouse was of one of the physicians who participated in the management of the Liberian.

He said: “As I speak to you, Nigeria has only one confirmed case of EVD”.

She is stable but still on treatment at the Isolation ward in Lagos.

“So far, all the reported cas-

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

on immediate sensitisation of all teaching and non-teaching staff in all schools on preventive measures.

This training, the minister ordered must be concluded not later than September 15.

He urged state governments to support their ministries of education with all necessary funds to ensure effective implementation of the preventive measures.

A follow-up meeting to review the decision was fixed for September 23.

The minister added: “All primary and secondary schools, both public and private should be provided with a minimum of two blood pressure measuring equipment by the State Ministries of Education. The state ministries should determine the number of such equipment required and forward same to the Federal Ministry of Education, not later than 1st September, 2014.

The Federal Ministry of Education will liaise with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that appropriate equipment is

es of the EVD in Nigeria have their root in the index case, the late Mr. Sawyer. This is an indication that, thus far, Nigeria has contained the disease outbreak.

“I wish to reassure Nigerians and indeed the global community that the government shall remain vigilant and will not relent as government continues to work with her partners to

procured.

“All the above measures shall also apply in all Federal Government colleges. All summer classes currently being conducted by some private schools should be suspended with immediate effect until 13the October, 2014. All private primary and secondary schools must comply with the directive given under these preventive measures.

“State governments are called upon to support their state Ministries of Education with all necessary funds to ensure effective implementation of these preventive measures. All tertiary institutions are advised to suspend exchange of staff and students programs, visits and major international seminars and workshops until further notice. They are also to monitor the movement of foreign students in their campuses. They are to liaise with appropriate government health institutions to organize and ensure effective sensitization programme for all their teaching and nonteaching staff.”

ensure that the disease is kept out of the country.”

The Minister added that 129 persons had been freed from surveillance, having passed through the 21 days incubation period for the virus without testing positive.

Similarly, 128 persons are still within the radar of government for the virus, the Minister added. “All those who are

under our surveillance, only one person is symptomatic; we are investigating, the result is not out. All others are not symptomatic,” the Minister stated.

“As of today, 26th August, 2014, Nigeria has had thirteen (13) cases of EVD including the index case.

“Of these thirteen (13), five (5), including the index case

•Chukwu

unfortunately did not survive the disease and are now dead.

“However, seven (7) of the infected persons were successfully managed at the Isolation ward in Lagos and have been discharged.

Two (2) of the treated patients, a male doctor and a female nurse, were discharged yesterday evening, 25th August, 2014, having satisfied the criteria for discharge.”

The minister also debunked the insinuation that the sister of Dr Stella Adadevoh who died of Ebola virus had tested Continued on page 57

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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NEWS Ebola: Lagos mobilises advertisers

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

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HE Lagos State Government through the State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), in partnership with the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), will soon begin a public awareness campaign on how to contain the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The initiative, with the support of the ministries for Health and Information, would involve electronic billboard operators mounting their platforms with messages on the deadly disease in strategic locations across the state.

It is estimated that the operators would waive over N240 million in billboard space.

LASAA’s Managing Director George Noah said the campaign would focus on key areas in the spread and management of the disease. These are: modes of transmission, preventive measures, symptoms and help lines.

Noah said: “This initiative is designed to complement efforts by the Lagos State Government in curbing the spread of Ebola. It is also borne out of the need to enlighten the public on the disease and the need to adopt preventive measures.

“We hope to achieve this with the use electronic billboards, which we would be rolling out in collaboration with our esteemed partners who see this as a corporate social responsibility initiative.

“In all, we would use 32 electronic billboards across strategic locations in the state.”

Obasanjo becomes Ambassador of Sight today From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo will be inducted today by the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN) as its Ambassador for Sight.

The former President, with some corporate outfits, will be inducted at the opening of the society’s 39th annual general meeting and scientific meeting at Premier Hotel, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman Dr Benedictus Ajayi said Obasanjo would promote regular eye checks among Nigerians.

He said: “People need to take eye diseases seriously.

That is why we are using this medium to create awareness by inducting people of high calibre in the society to promote eye tests among Nigerians.

“We need more Nigerians and corporate outfits to join us to reduce blindness. First Bank is the first corporate outfit to assist us in creating awareness on this. It will not give us funds, but it will carry the message for regular eye examinations to the people.”

There’ll be credible polls in states, says Jega

I

NDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof.

Attahiru Jega has said the commission will organise free, fair and credible elections in the states, despite the security concerns being raised by stakeholders.

Jega spoke in Abuja when he hosted the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michael Zenner, at the commission’s headquarters.

The INEC chairman, who was responding to Zenner’s concerns about the political and security situation in the region, said: “As an election management body, we have a responsibility. Our hope is that elections will be conducted in every part of Nigeria.

“It is too early to say there are areas where elections will not be conducted.”

The INEC chairman assured that the commission relied on the advice of security agencies, adding that it was constantly having consultations with them.

Jega stressed that INEC had work hard for the successes

•Parties set up committee on campaigns, others From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

it recorded in past elections.

The INCE chairman said the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections were testimonials to the commission’s hard work.

But he admitted that there had been some challenges.

According to him, with the support INEC got from development partners and international bodies as well as the improvement in the commission’s activities, “the 2015 elections will be much better”.

Jega welcomed any partnership which could improve the integrity of elections in the country.

He congratulated Zenner on his appointment as the German Ambassador to Nigeria.

Zenner said both countries enjoyed a good relationship, adding that his visit was to explore more avenues to improve on the relationship.

He said: “We can learn from each other how to im-

prove elections through an exchange of ideas and views.”

The envoy recalled that when he met President Goodluck Jonathan on his arrival in Nigeria, the President spoke about the importance of the 2015 elections to development in the country.

Zenner said he understood the enormous responsibility associated with organising credible elections in Nigeria.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has set up a committee to monitor parties’ compliance with campaigns regulations for elections.

Besides, the committee will monitor campaign advertisement and ensure strict adherence to its governing rules.

IPAC’s re-elected National Chairman Dr. Yinusa Tanko said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supervised the election of the committee at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He said all the registered

25 parties participated.

The IPAC chairman, who is also chairs the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s National Conscience Party (NCP), told reporters yesterday that “libellous campaigns should be followed”.

He added: “As political parties, we must campaign within the time frame stipulated by law, which is 90 days before election. So, we will make sure we do the right thing before INEC will have to teach us what we have to do. As political parties, we have to put our political skills in the limelight so that everybody will be happy for us.

“There is a particular committee that has been set up to deal with all of these within the Code of Conduct. So, everybody who tries to contravene this aspect of the law will be referred to the appropriate committee with a view to recommending necessary sanctions and punishment because we are not an organisation that cannot bite.

We are committed to mak-

•Prof. Jega

ing sure that the right thing is done.”

On the fears among some parties on future elections, Tanko said they were not new.

The IPAC chairman said the council had made reference to those issues.

He said: “I can tell you that not a single political party raised an issue. But when there was one that happened in Anambra State involving former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nasir El-Rufai, we made sure that the right thing was done.”

Jonathan meets PDP governors, Chairman From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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•Military officers at the maiden Army Library Services book fair in Lagos…yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Fed Govt urged to order military to fight Boko Haram

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HE Chairman of the Nigerian/ West African chapter of the International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS), Air Vice Marshall Muhammad Audu-Bida (rtd), has urged the Federal Government to order the military to fight Boko Haram and other insurgent groups.

He said this was necessary to restore peace in the land.

Audu-Bida said about four million Nigerians had been displaced by Boko Haram insurgents.

He spoke yesterday in Abuja on the outcome of Monday’s meeting of the executive board of the society.

Audu-Bida said the board members considered the worsening humanitarian situation in the Northeast, the adjoining states and neighbouring countries.

According to him, the board concluded that it was time that “all be set aside to wrest the area from rampaging insurgents and restore peace”.

Audu-Bida said the figures from local

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From: Yusuf Alli, Abuja

and international agencies, such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Human Rights Watch, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Internally Displaced Monitoring Centre (IDMC), showed that many Nigerians were displaced or had become refugees in neighbouring countries.

He said in March, nearly four million Nigerians were displaced, while over 100,000 were squatting in refugee camps in Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

Audu-Bida said this could not be allowed to continue because humanitarian aid agencies were unable to reach the displaced people for fear of being attacked or kidnapped by terrorists.

He said: “As a former military general, I am aware that our military is capable of quelling this insurgency. They have the training, courage and equipment to ac-

complish the task of securing the country’s territory. But they should be allowed by political authorities to carry out their duties unfettered by political, ethnic or religious colouration and/or sentiments.”

Audu-Bida regretted that insurgency had been allowed to fester for too long while things had also got out of hands.

According to him, the sacking of the police mobile training institution in Gwoza, Borno State, demonstrated the extreme of insurgency in Nigeria.

He said: “With this, the insurgents will become more emboldened, unless a decisive action is taken immediately to wipe them out.

“For the good of millions of Nigerians, the military should take decisive action now to stop further displacement of Nigerians, destruction of farmlands, lives and property as well as occupying our territory. The situation has become very embarrassing to Nigerians, the government and the Armed Forces.”

NDLEA: cannabis cultivation threatens security

HE Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has said cannabis cultivation is a threat to the nation’s security.

Giade spoke yesterday when the NDLEA destroyed 50 hectares of cannabis plantation at Epele Forest Reserve in Ondo State.

He vowed to prosecute forest guards who turned a blind eye to criminal activi-

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ties and anyone who connived with cannabis cultivators.

The destruction followed a special operation involving 70 NDLEA officers from the Southwest Commands and 50 labourers.

Giade said: “The NDLEA will not hesitate to prosecute any forest guard who aids and abets cannabis cultivators.

Cannabis constitutes a serious threat to security and the NDLEA is determined to

eradicate narcotic drugs. Cannabis use can induce rape, unprotected sex, political violence, murder, militancy and many more.

“This is the second cannabis farm destruction within the past one month. This shall be a continuous exercise until cannabis cultivation is eradicated.

“The first one was 184 hectares while this is 50 hectares.

We are looking forward with optimism to a time when

farmers will abandon cannabis for only food and cash crops.”

The NDLEA Director of Operations and Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo, led the operation which was attended by the Ondo State Commander, Mr. Walter Nicholas; Assistant Director, Operations, Mr. Fred Ezeora; Ondo State Assistant Commander Operations, Mr. Femi Agboalu and other principal officers.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with some People Democratic Party (PDP) governors and the party’s National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The governors at the meeting included Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Liyel Imoke (Cross Rivers), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe).

Details of the meeting were not made public. None of the governors spoke with reporters at the end of the meeting.

‘Nigeria may be unable to handle population explosion’

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N expert on population matters, Mr Dimos Sakellaridis, has said Nigeria may not be able to handle a likely population explosion in the next few years.

Sakellaridis, who is the Country Director of DKT International Nigeria, said the present population growth rate would create problems for the country, if certain measures are not taken.

The agency chief noted that a time would come when the massive population would become unmanageable, resulting in negative consequences.

He said: “Nigeria presently has an estimated population of 174 million people. With the current growth rate, the population will be 450 million people by 2050.

“A major concern about this rapidly growing population is the fact that jobs, national infrastructure, social services, housing, health care facilities, among others, are not growing at an equally comparable rate or at a faster rate, as the population growth rate does.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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NEWS

Jonathan: Nigerians won’t forget Akunyili •She did ordinary things in an extraordinary way, says Kukah From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigerians cannot forget the late Minister of Information and Communication, Prof Dora Akunyili, because of her patriotism.

The President recalled the golden moments the late Akunyili brought to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) when she was its directorgeneral.

Jonathan spoke yesterday in Abuja at the requiem mass in honour of the late minister at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church at Area 3.

The President recalled that the late Akunyili was appointed to several offices, including Minister of Information and Communication under former President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He said her days at NAFDAC were the most cherished because of her service to the nation.

Jonathan urged Nigerians to emulate the late minister, who he described as diligent, intelligent, patriotic and brave.

He said: “This is our last assignment in honour of our sister. Dora was a professor of Medicine.

At the public level, she served at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), NAFDAC and then minister. Dora was more known as the director-general of NAFDAC, more than when she served as a minister. Most Nigerians knew Dora because of her service. So, ...anybody who has the opportunity to serve should serve well because what will endear you to people is not necessarily the office you hold but the service you render.

“As a minister, Dora was good. We were very happy to work with her. She was diligent and intelligent; very forthright and extremely patriotic. Above all, she was extremely brave and could say anything right or wrong. She did not care whose ox was gored. That was Dora for you.”

He also said: “She sought to protect the lives of Nigerians as the director-general of NAFDAC; she never compromised as regards those who trafficked in fake drugs. One thing that endeared her to me is that probably I’m one President who has worked with so many women. At times, you noticed rivalry among women. But with her, you never noticed any rivalry.

“Today, our dear sister has left us. But to my brother, her husband, as the Bishop has told us about the virtues of a good wife, you have to thank God you will get that respect because of her achievements.”

Addressing the late Akunyili’s children, Jonathan said: “Your mother was a very dynamic woman because her works and identity have given you what silver and gold cannot give you. Yes, they might not translate into monetary rewards, but many will respect and want to assist you as her children because of her. We pray that those of us serving, that when we die, people will respect our children because of our deeds, like Dora’s. So, you have to thank God for that.

“Let me thank the Akunyili family, the people of Anambra State, the people of Nigeria and Nigerian women for whom Dora was a role

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•At the requiem mass for the late Prof Akunyili were her husband, Dr Akunyili and others, in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO:AKIN OLADOKUN

Family remembers minister From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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RRANGEMENTS have been concluded for the funeral of the late Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, in Agulu community, Anambra State.

Mrs Akunyili was said to have died of endometrial carcinoma and not cervical cancer, as speculated, on June 7 in an Indian hospital.

She will be buried tomorrow in Anambra.

Her cousin, Mr. Cajethan Edemobi, described the late minister as an “icon of hope”.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Edemobi said the late Akunyili hardly forgot anybody in the family, even when she was NAFDAC’s Director-General and later Information Minister.

He said: “She did not allow the positions to get into her head. She used them to touch the lives of the people who came in contact with her.”

Edemobi said the late Prof Akunyili, who married Dr. Chike Akunyili in 1979, did not turn her back on the family.

Head of the Akunyili family Mr. Boniface Akunyili said the late minister brought a lot of changes to the family since she joined the family.

The elder Akunyili said she always encouraged the young ones to be hard working, making everybody to call her “mirror of knowledge”.

Also, Mr. Cyril Akunyili, a brother-in-law to the late minister, said he lacked words to describe her because she brought remarkable changes to the family.

model. Her dressing represented the Nigerian woman, love and character. She was a lady who would hardly leave our memory. She was one of the few Nigerians who made the country proud. I condole with you all. May her soul rest in peace.”

In his homily, Sokoto Diocese Bishop Matthew Kukah said funerals should be among the proudest moments for Christians because they are a reminder between Christianity and every other religion in the world.

He said: “This is not to compare Christianity to other religions but to tell us why we are Christians. The reality of funerals is as Jesus demonstrated to us that tears are a part of our emotions as He wept for his friend, Lazarus.

“St. Paul admonished us in Romans 13 that men and women should work in the light because it would soon be daylight. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is what set Christianity apart from other religions.

“We know that Jesus went and came back. It is in that simple act that Christians believe that death is the beginning of a new life. We should pay attention to the legacy she left behind. By the way, she used the gifts she had.”

Kukah added: “The Bible says happy is the husband of a good wife. It illustrates the virtues of women. The reason Nigerians mourn Dora is not because of the contracts she gave but because she had the ability to see the future.

Your encounter with her was not ordinary.

“In politics, public life and family, she demonstrated indeed that power was not everything and that power comes from God. But to

some of us, when we pray that the will of God be done, we are simply saying your will correspond to ours on earth. That is why we have a lot of violence in politics.

“She demonstrated to us that public life can be an opportunity to be noble. When we surrender our lives to God, He has a way of turning it around to something we never can imagine. She left a legacy that her family and children will be proud of. We will go to heaven not because of the extraordinary things we do in life but for the simple things we do extraordinarily. She did ordinary things in an extraordinary manner.

“When we live with good people, we tend to take so many things for granted. Her struggle will never be in vain. May God grant peace to our country.”

Husband of the deceased, Dr. Chike Akunyili, recalled that Dora won the popular American lottery but dropped her U.S green card at the Immigration post when she was asked to choose to be either an American or a Nigerian.

This action, he said, demonstrated her true love for her country in words and in deeds.

He thanked Dr Jonathan and his wife for the comfort they offered him in his moment of grief.

Dr Akunyili said the special valedictory session by the FEC also consoled him.

He said: “When Dora died, I saw the special FEC session in her honour. That helped me in my grief. When I also had the opportunity to meet the President in his office, he held my hands and comforted me with kind words. He said: ‘Give me any date for Dora, I will be there.’

2015: Billboard vandals to be punished

NYONE caught defacing or vandalising approved billboards or outdoor advertising will be sanctioned in Kwara State, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said yesterday.

About a fortnight ago, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) traded words on alleged destruction of each other’s billboards in Ilorin, the state capital.

Ahmed urged parties, politicians and other stakeholders to comply with the rules of outdoor advertising and signage to maintain integrity and professionalism in the sector.

The governor, who was

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

represented by his deputy, Elder Peter Kishra, spoke yesterday in Ilorin at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KWSSAA).

Ahmed said: “As we approach another general elections, outdoor advertising is likely to play a more pivotal role in political campaigns.

“Therefore, anyone or group who defaces or otherwise destroys any approved billboard or other outdoor advertising will be breaking the law and will be dealt with accordingly.

“To me, the answer to the

often-violent struggle for political power in this country, especially during elections, is very simple. If you do what the people want or inspire hope in them, they will vote for you, even if the opposition tears down all your posters and tramples on your billboards.

“On the other hand, a thousand billboards will not get you elected, if the voting public has no confidence in you or in your capacity to deliver what they want at the time they want it.”

The governor urged KWSSAA to “develop creative ideas and business processes that will be beneficial

to all stakeholders in the industry”.

The agency’s General Manager Ahmmed Olufadi said KWSSAA’s task is to attract further investment into the state.

He said: “Like other regulatory bodies, our task is huge and challenging. This is the reason we are soliciting for your understanding to attract further investment into the state.

“May I make it clear that we are out to make sure you are in business? We are ever ready to listen to your input and how best to achieve our mutually beneficial desired objectives.

Today, he is here.

“Dorothy is an elephant and, if I start talking about her, we will not leave today. We went to Florida in the United States. At the Immigration, they told her: ‘Look, you are an American citizen (because she won the lottery and that was what favoured us). And here you are with a Nigerian diplomatic passport. You must surrender one. She used her left hand to drop her green card and retained her diplomatic passport. So, you can see the level of her love for this country.

“Once in her local government, they brought a trailer load of fertilisers. What did Dorothy do? She shared all to the community. They told her that was not how it was done but she said: ‘This is how it will be done.’

“Even as a professor, if you saw her at home, she would hold water for me to wash my hand.

And I would tell her: ‘Mummy, you are a professor.’ She would say: ‘I married Nkem before I became a professor.’”

He added: “One day, we went for medical check-up and we found a lump at her lower abdomen. The doctors said she had seven months. I told her that the doctors said she had seven months to live. She said: ‘The doctors have spoken but God has not spoken.’ Seven months became two years and three months!”

“I want to thank our children. They were always there, contributing what they could. We had contact with all the best medical doctors in the world because three of her children are doctors in the U.S. “Dora had a message for this country. It was a message of love, courage and steadfastness.

Even when she was in pain, she still attended the National Conference. You all heard what she said at the conference that ‘a country grows great when old men plant trees, whose shade they will not live to enjoy’.

“She told me she would serve this country with the last drop of her blood. Many did not want her to go because of her health. She said she would go to the conference. She said: ‘Nigeria first and me second.’”

The first reading was taken by one of her daughters while one of her sons took the second reading.

Among the personalities at the ceremony were: First Lady Mrs Patience Jonathan, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; members of the National Assembly; members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC); Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark; Anambra State politician, Dr Andy Uba; frontline industrialist, Dr Stella Okoli; former ministers and former Plateau State Deputy Governor Pauline Tallen.

Odu’a, NMA campaign against Ebola

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DU’A Investment Company Limited, in conjunction with the Oyo State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Junior Chamber International (JCI), has launched an awareness campaign on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The campaign began with a lecture by Oyo NMA Chairman, Dr Muideen Olatunji, at Cocoa House, Ibadan.

In the lecture, titled: Ebola Virus Disease: Basic Clinical Syndrome, Care and Management, Olatunji listed some symptoms of the disease as fever, flu, sore throat, muscle pain, red eye, asthemia, rash-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

es, diarrhoea, vomiting, among others.

He said: “There have been more than 3,000 reported cases and over 1,600 deaths since the discovery of the Ebola virus. Nigerians should avoid direct contact with blood, dead bodies, fluids or cadavers. Also, aerosol spray, sexual transmission and percutaneous (through the skin) transmission can occur.

“Wear personal protective equipment, manage patients in isolation, discourage traditional burial practices and practise barrier nursing techniques.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

NEWS PDP’s legal adviser defects to APC

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HE Osun State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Legal Adviser, John Abolarinwa Abidoye and some of his supporters have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Interestingly, the development came yesterday as the PDP is set to file its petition today in court to challenge the result of the August 9 governorship election.

Abidoye, who was the Secretary of PDP’s Legal Committee before his defection, was expected to compile the PDP’s documents for the petition to be filed in court on the election.

As the APC’s flag was handed over to him by the state’s Interim Chairman of the APC, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo, the defector said he decided to join the progressives because of the outstanding performance of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Abidoye said as a returning officer for the PDP in Boripe Local Government at the poll, he knew the result was a true reflection of the people’s wishes and aspiration.

The people, he said, spoke with one voice that they wanted continuity under the Aregbesola’s administration.

He noted that Aregbesola’s administration was “a government of the people,” maintaining that there was nothing to be feared about the PDP’s petition to the tribunal.

He said: “The people of Osun truly voted for Aregbesola. Across the states, they spoke loud and clear.

They have demonstrated that they wanted continuity; they wanted development. All fears people had before the election has evaporated.

“There is even no fear about the election tribunal.

The tribunal relies on facts

Ajimobi approves teachers’ promotion

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YO State has approved promotion of teachers in public primary and secondary schools.

The state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Kolawole Kayode, said this in an interview with reporters yesterday.

He spoke after a meeting with Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Ibadan.

The NUT chairman said the teachers’ promotion for 2010 and 2011 woul take effect from September 1.

He added that they would soon receive their promotion letters.

The NUT chair said the governor had given a directive to the state Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to ensure speedy implementation of the promotion exercise.

Kayode added that the government had approved career elongation for primary school teachers with National Certificate in Education (NCE) qualifications from Grade Level 14 to Grade Level 15.

He said Ajimobi, angry that the affected teachers, all university graduates, were still on on GL 14 for years, directed that they be moved to GL 15 with immediate effect.

The union’s Secretary, Mr. Waheed Olojede, said the governor approved outstanding planning grants for headteachers in primary and secondary schools.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

and figures and no one can manufacture facts and figures. We were there during the election. I was a party agent in Boripe. Other parties were even afraid that I would not sign the INEC papers.

“I signed the result sheet and so it was in all the 30 local government areas of the state.

But even at that, the electoral law has changed. Now, the failure of any party agent to sign the result sheet does not invalidate the result of the election,” He added that his coming over to the APC should be seen as a added strength to the party.

In his remark, the APC Secretary, Prince Gboyega Famoodun, described Abidoye as a politician of a proven integrity.

Famoodun said the coming over of the former PDP Legal Adviser was a right decision as his presence in the progressive camp would help his political and legal career.

He said: “Prince Abidoye is one of those who believe in development of the state. He believes in the charismatic leadership of Aregbesola. He believes in the truth. He is a politician of proven record.

“He is coming over to the right party. He is coming to the progressive camp; coming to the light from the darkness. He is convinced of the good work Aregbesola is doing.

His coming over is a testimony to this effect.”

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, called “other truth-loving, development-inclined and lover of the state, who are currently idling in PDP to come over to the party that is genuinely interested in the state’s development.”

•Abidoye with the broom-symbol of APC and the flag...yesterday. With him are Adelowo (fourth right), Oyetola (left), APC Assistant Public Relations Officer Samson Oyebode (second right); Famodun (right) Abidoye’s wives, Kemi (second left), Shade and Lola.

Osun poll: PDP heads for tribunal

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SUN State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the August 9 governorship election’s results, vowing to file its petition today at the tribunal.

The party said this in a statement yesterday by its Press Officer, Victor Oriola.

The PDP said it was convinced after a review of the processes leading to the election’s outcome that there were alleged irregularities and fraud perpetrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The statement said: “We have decided to challenge this brazen attempt to subvert the wishes of the people who came out to support our

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Rescue Mission Campaign and candidate at the tribunal, as provided for by the constitution and electoral laws.”

It added that it was mindful of the “investment in the deceit-driven propaganda unleashed on the citizens by the APC to distract attention from the manner the alleged electoral heist was perpetrated.”

The party vowed to “ensure that scientific rigging of elections” in Osun and the country were “both exposed and reversed.”

It stated: “Our legal team will reveal shocking graphic details of pre-election rig-

ging led by the leadership of the APC, who had directed that all its officers relocate to Osun State before the election in addition to the subversive roles these ubiquitous officials played in the elections as they compromised some of the INEC officials.

“On account of these and many other damning revelations, we affirm that the announced outcomes of the August 9, 2014 elections in Osun State are not a true reflection of the votes cast in the election…

“We shall seek to retrieve our stolen mandate that was freely given to our candidate and party, using legal means as provided for by both the

constitution and electoral laws.

“We shall continue to provide information to our aggrieved supporters and party members and urge them all to go about their lawful duty without any fear of intimidation.”

It promised that the case would deepen democracy since shocking revelations would be made during the legal battle to strengthen democracy in the state and Nigeria.

The PDP said it had an abiding faith in God, “who will always make the victory of the unjust pyrrhic and confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the cheated.”

APC seeks court’s nod to inspect electoral materials

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has approached the Election Petition Tribunal seeking to inspect, copy and conduct manual and forensic examination of electoral materials used for the election.

The hearing of the application filed by the party’s National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire, Kunle Adegoke, AbdulRahman Okunade and M. A. Okunade, is slated for today.

The party is asking the tribunal for an order to inspect and conduct manual and forensic examination of materials used in the election.

It is also seeking the order of the tribunal to allow the ex parte motion be conducted outside the prehearing session of the matter.

The party also prayed the tribunal panel to permit its agents to take certified true copies and conduct manual/physical inspection of electoral materials to wit, Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D, EC8E, EC40A, EC40B, EC40C, EC40F, EC40G, EC25, EC25B (Electoral Material Re-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

ceipt), EC1A, EC60, INEC list and codes of the polling units, wards and local government areas.

Other documents include voter registers, Form EC17 (oath/affirmation of neutrality), stubs of ballot papers used and unused ballot papers, EC25 series, Forms EC60E, rejected ballot papers, tendered ballot papers and actual ballot papers recorded as spoilt.

It is also asking for a list of the polling agents in the conduct, a list of all ad-hoc staff engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all polling documents and materials used for the conduct of the governorship election in some local governments.

The council areas are Atakumosa East Local Government, Atakumosa West Local Government, Ayedaade Local Government, Ayedire Local Government, Boluwaduro Local Government, Boripe Local Government, Ede North Local Government and Ede South Local Government.

Others are Egbedore Lo-

cal Government, Ejigbo Local Government, Ife Central Local Government, Ifedayo Local Government, Ife East Local Government, Ifelodun Local Government, Ife North Local Government, Ife South Local Government, Ila Local Government, Irepodun Local Government, Isokan Local Government, Iwo Local Government, Obokun Local Government, Odo-Otin Local Government and Oriade Local Government.

The APC is also asking

the tribunal to allow its forensic experts to inspect, by way of machine/electronic scanning of ballot papers.

The party also urged the tribunal to permit handwriting and forensic experts to conduct an inspection of Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D, EC8E and all other forms and materials used for the election in the local government areas.

The application is supported by a 20-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Abdulrahman Okunade, a lawyer, as well as a writ-

ten address.

The party said it was ready to defend any petition that might be filed by any of the parties which lost the governorship election.

The application noted: “APC requires inspection of all electoral documents and materials mentioned in the motion in order to effectively defend such petition and object to certain votes cast in a number of the polling units contained in some of the local government areas.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

NEWS Amosun advises corps members

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged corps members to embark on community development projects to impact positively on the lives of residents of their places of assignments.

He gave the advice yesterday at the closing ceremony and terminal parade of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2014 Batch B Orientation Course at Sagamu.

The governor urged them to shun and discourage any act of violence that could put them in disrepute as leaders of tomorrow.

He added that they should strive to be partners in progress in their communities.

Amosun said the corps members should “keep the scheme’s flag flying in their quest for new grounds without attempting to drop the ball.”

He urged the corps members to move and relate freely with their host communities and share the hopes as well as the aspirations of the people.

“I want to congratulate you on the successful completion of the rigorous and captivating three-week orientation course. This one year of compulsory national service is a time your God-given talents and energy would be fully stretched from time-to-time.

“Make sure you contribute your quota through selfless service to your host communities. I charge you to keep the flag flying and possibly, strive to break new grounds. Come up with ground-breaking community development projects that will impact positively on their lives.

“As good ambassadors of the country to your various locations where you will spend the next one year, apply caution in your activities. Shun violence and discourage any act that can truncate the peace being enjoyed in the state,” Amosun added.

The governor reiterated that the state’s board of the NYSC, which has been inaugurated, would see to the welfare of the corps members and strengthen the existing structure.

He promised openness in partnering any willing individuals or organisations in the efforts to maintain the security of lives and property.

PVC: Ladoja threatens to lead protest against INEC

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ORMER Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja has threatened to lead a protest march against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), if the commission failed to make Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) available to the state’s eligible voters.

He made the threat yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, at a reception to welcome Senator Femi Lanlehin and other All Progressives Congress (APC) members to Accord Party.

Ladoja told the gathering that he was yet to receive his PVC. His words: “Concerning the permanent voter cards and continuous voters’ registration exercise, up till now, I have not been issued my own permanent voter’s card in my ward 10, Ibadan North. INEC has assured us that the cards would be given to us.

“If they don’t do it, I will lead those without the cards on a protest to INEC. I enjoin you all to register and ensure that you collect your cards.”

He assured that if he was voted for as the next governor

Oyo APC: Rally is a show of shame

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THE Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the rally by the Accord Party to welcome some defectors into its fold as a show of shame.

Its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, in a statement yesterday, said the event was a “demonstration of political naivety, failure and expiration of some political players fond of exaggerating their worth before the electorate.”

The APC faulted the party over what it called its alleged “notoriety for parading the same set of pretenders and blackmailers as defectors from the APC.” The statement said the rally was designed to misinform the public and win voters’ sympathy “in a fraudulent manner” or plunge the From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

in the 2015 elections, he would conduct council election within his first four month in office.

But Lanlehin, in his remarks, said Accord would win the next governorship election, maintaining that the party has programmes that meet the yearnings of people, irrespective of their financial and social

state into another era of crisis.

It added: “The rally was nothing but a show of shame organised by a one-man party which is bent on returning Oyo State to the era of political terrorism.

“It (the rally) was held to celebrate some politically naive and over-zealous individuals who have penchant for sabotaging genuine and welldefined efforts to improve the quality of lives of the masses since their mantra revolves around individualism and self-aggrandisement.”

The party urged the electorate to be wary of what it called the antics of “some self-serving individuals and shameless political players whose stock in trade is to thwart the peaceful atmosphere and provision of good governance by any progressive government.”

status.

The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District said he was leading his members and supporters to Accord, convinced that the people loved the party.

Those who were welcomed to the party yesterday included Semiu ArisekolaAlao, the son of late business mogul, Aare Abdul-Azeez

Arisekola-Alao; Senator Gbenga Babalola, formerly of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); PDP woman leader in Egbeda Local Government Area, Alhaja Aolat Olasunkanmi; immediate past chairman of Atisbo Local Government Area, Timothy Ogunkunle, Dr. Fola Akinosun and Chief Akeem Isekolowo and others.

‘Students abandoned in Russia’

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HE Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has decried the neglect of 322 Nigerian students on Federal Government’s scholarship in Russia.

Dabiri-Erewa said her committee had received pleas of help for the students through several channels; both at home and abroad.

“Many of these students and their parents rejoiced upon receipt of the Bilateral Education Agreement Scholarship awards by the Federal Scholarship Board through the Federal Ministry of Education.

“However, right now, many of the parents and students alike are wishing they were never awarded the BEA scholarship as it appears to have brought them more hardship than joy,” she said.

The lawmaker said the students were yet to receive their monthly stipends for over eight months.

Dabiri-Erewa added: “This act of unpaid student stipends is highly reprehensible and is beyond human justification.

“The haphazard manner of payment of BEA scholarship awardees needs to be addressed immediately with a view to implementing a permanent and long term solution.”

She appealed to the minister of Education to look into the matter and ensure that it was resolved with immediate effect.

Ekiti condoles with Ikere people From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

E

KITI State government has commiserated with the people of Ikere-Ekiti over the passage of the town’s monarch, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye, Akayejo II, last Friday.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, who received an official notification of the demise of the monarch through a letter from the Ogoga-in-Council, said the Ikere community and his government would miss the late monarch’s fatherly role.

The governor said the late Oba Adegboye’s reign was characterised by peace and development.

Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said he received the news of the passage of the Ogoga with sadness.

He was grateful to God for the positive impact made by the late monarch.

The governor said he was in touch with the family of the late monarch, urging the people to remain calm.

He described the late Oba Adegboye as a monarch, who had a long and peaceful reign.

The governor added that the traditional ruler would be remembered for the development the town witnessed during his reign and the support he gave to the government.

The letter by the Ogoga- in-Council to the governor showed that funeral rites for the late Oba had since commenced.

A member of House of Representatives and the Ekiti State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the last election, Opeyemi Bamidele, described the monarch’s death as a colossal loss to the people.

The Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, also commiserated with Ikere people on the demise.

The minister, in a condolence letter to the Ogoga-inCouncil, described Oba Adegboye as an accomplished monarch, whose reign brought tremendous development to Ikere-Ekiti.

•A cross-section of members of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs during a meeting with Governor Babatunde Fashola at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja...yesterday. INSET: Fashola (left) and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, at the event.

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700 APC members sue Army, DSS, police for N47.2b

BOUT 700 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who were allegedly arrested, detained and brutalised during the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun State have gone to court.

The APC members have sued the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of Security Service (DSS) for breach of their fundamental human rights.

In the suit, filed on their behalf by their counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), the party members are claiming N47.2 billion as damages.

The applicants include the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire; the Attorney General of Osun State, Mr. Wale Afolabi and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Wale Adedoyin.

Others are the Regent of Iloko Ijesha, High Chief Sola Ogunsanya, member representing Ilesha West in the House of Assembly, Folarin Fafowora, a businessman, Chief Tijani Oladosu and many others.

Joined as respondents/ defendants in the suit are the Chief of Army staff, the Director of DSS and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The claimants filed a 24point fundamental rights enforcement applications.

In their originating motions filed by Falana at the Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, the applicants, who came from over 20 local governments, are asking the court for a declaration that their arrest and detention by officers of the respondents on August 8 and 9, 2014 is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.

They said it was also in violation of their fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by sections 34 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and Articles 5 and 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, Cap A9, LFN, 2004.

They prayed the court for a declaration that the arrest and manhandling of the applicants by officers of the respondents on August 8 and

9, 2014 constitute a violation of their freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment as guaranteed by Section 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Other prayers are for “a declaration that the prevention of the applicants from participating in the governorship election that took place on Saturday August 9, 2014 and voting for the candidate (s) of their choice is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates Articles 13(1) and 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. A9, LFN 2004.

“An order directing the respondents to pay aggravated damages/compensation in the sum of N100,000,000 to each applicant and tender public apology to each of the applicants for the aforesaid illegal and unconstitutional violations of the applicants’ fundamental rights”.

Attached to some of the court processes were pictures of some of the appli-

cants, showing injuries sustained while under torture allegedly in the hands of the officials of the respondents.

Some of the applicants said they were arrested in the night preceding the election day, stripped naked and severely beaten by the officials of the respondents.

“As they were severally detained in different places until the election was over on August 9, 2014, they were not allowed to participate in and vote for the candidates of their choices”.

They also alleged that they were all arrested because of their membership of APC and support for Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Meanwhile, several Nigerians, including the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.

Attahiru Jega, have condemned the use of soldiers and masked security men in monitoring and conducting the election.

The state Attorney-General, Mr. Wale Afolabi, said the use of the masked armed men “is an indication that the democratic process still has a long way to go.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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NEWS REQUIEM MASS FOR PROF. DORA AKUNYILI AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF NIGERIA PRO-CATHEDRAL CHURCH, ABUJA

•President Goodluck Jonathan (right); his wife Dame Patience (second right); former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Chief Edwin Clark at the requiem mass for the late Prof. Dora Akunyili at the Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral Church, Abuja...yesterday

•Minister of Works Mike Onolememen (left); Minister of State (Works) Adedayo Adeyeye and Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu...yesterday

•Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ms. Aruma Oteh and Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Umeh...yesterday

•From left: Minister of State for Trade and Investment Samuel Otom, Director-General, Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) Chief Emeka Eze and Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) John Chukwu

•Executive Secretary, Christian Pilgrims Commission John Kennedy Opara (left) and Chief of Staff to the President Brig.

Gen. Jones Arogbofa

•Archbishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan (second right); Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah (second left); Rev. Fr Willy Ojukwu (left); former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (middle) and Hon. Uche Ekwunife waiting for the body of Prof. Akunyili at the church...yesterday

•Former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen (left); Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala and Hon. Peace Nnaji...yesterday

•The widower, Dr. John Chika Akunyili (right) leading the casket of his late wife into the Church for the requiem mass...yesterday •Abia State Governor Theodore Orji (left); his wife, Mercy; Deputy Governor’s wife Nene Ananaba; Chairman Abia State Advisory Council, Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe, Bob Ogbuagu and Lady Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi reciting the national anthem at the 23rd Abia Day anniversary celebration lecture at Micheal Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27, 2014

NEWS

Pupils decry Gombe’s failure S to pay SSCE fees ECONDARY school pupils in Gombe State have bemoaned government’s failure to pay the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) fees.

They said this failure was endangering their education, as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has refused to release their results.

Ahmed Ishaq Usman, a candidate at the Government Day (Pilot) Secondary School, Gombe, said it was sad that the results of public secondary school candidates,

•Lament non-release of results by WAEC

By Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

who sat for the 2014 SSCE, were not released with their private school counterparts.

He said: “Government is not being fair to us. Is it because the children of public office holders are studying outside the country? This is sheer wickedness.

“We appeal to the government to correct this injustice.

It is the children of the poor, whose results are being withheld.”

Usman said the situation had put him in a dilemma concerning his educational career.

Another candidate, Ibrahim Nasir Jalo, a resident of Jekadafari quarters, who

wrote his examination at the Government Day Secondary School, Gandu, described the situation as terrible because his future was in jeopardy.

Contacted on the phone, the Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Aishatu M.B. Ahmed, said she was at a meeting in Abuja and could not comment on the issue.

Kwankwaso gives tricycles to meat distributors

K

ANO State government has distributed 100 customised tricycles, worth N60,480,000, to members of the Meat Hauliers Association, to ensure a functional meat delivery system.

The tricycles were given out as a concessionary loan under a special empowerment scheme, on a 50 per cent subsidy, payable over 18 months.

Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said the initiative was part of measures to ensure that meat transporta-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

tion and processing were healthier and environmentfriendly.

The governor noted that the scheme would “enable beneficiaries to embark on more trips and carry more meat, while also reducing accidents caused by pushcarts and motorcycles.”

He said the beneficiaries were trained by relevant regulatory authorities on how to manage their business, traffic rules and regulations

as well as maintaining the tricycles.

Kwankwaso said government would ban the use of pushcarts and motorcycles for mear distribution in Kano.

This, he noted, was in conformity with his administration’s effort “to transform Kano into a mega city, a tourist destination and the preferred choice of investment.”

The governor also presented 19 motorised boats, worth N15,732,000, to 19 fishermen associations, with 120 members.

Kwankwaso said this was

a strategy to sanitise fisheries resource management.

The governor also presented an empowerment package, worth N13,320,000, to 120 graduating students of Magaga Fisheries Skills Acquisition Centre.

He also gave 4,000 crates of eggs to 40 secondary schools donated by Grand Cereals Company Limited to add to the nutritional values of feeding in schools.

The governor thanked the company for the gesture, hoping others would emulate its example.

Adamawa: Ribadu, Fintiri, Tukur beat PDP deadline I T was a flurry of activities at the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abuja, as 12 of the 14 governorship aspirants in Adamawa State scrambled to return their nomination forms to beat Monday’s deadline.

The aspirants, who spoke with reporters after submitting their forms, described the primaries as “a serious business”, saying they would not leave anything to chance.

Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri said the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, constituted no threat to his aspiration.

Fintiri said rather, Ribadu should be afraid of him.

“I am the one that is a threat to Ribadu. Why should I be afraid of Ribadu

•Marwa, Modibbo too

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

when he does not have a structure and support base?

“I am the leader of the rescue team in Adamawa because I have been laying the foundation for good governance, equity and fairness since I assumed office as the acting governor,” Fintiri said.

Ribadu said he had been working hard for the party’s ticket, adding that his last minute’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP would not affect his chances.

He said: “I am prepared to serve the people at any level I find myself, even if I am

called upon to serve as a street sweeper. I am working hard to win the party’s ticket. You should get it right that I am not new in partisan politics.”

Also at the secretariat was the son of the ex-PDP national chairman, Auwal Tukur, who came with supporters.

In an apparent reference to Ribadu, Tukur decried what he described as a situation where a stranger would join the PDP at the eleventh hour and expect to get a leverage over old members.

“A situation like this kills the initiative of old members, who have worked hard for the progress and development of the party. It is not

Clinical services resume at FMC Makurdi

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OLLOWING the suspension of the strike by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), doctors have resumed work at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

When The Nation visited the centre at Wadata, patients were being attended to.

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

The Medical Director, Dr. Peteru Inundu, went round the wards.

A patient, Erdoo Amase, told The Nation that during the strike, she spent a lot to treat her aged mother at a private clinic.

At the Apir annex of the FMC at KM2, MakurdiOtukpo Road, the doctors attended to patients.

Inundu said he was happy that the strike had been called off.

He urged the organised labour and government to settle their differences, rather than resorting to strikes.

PMAN endorses Ahmed for second term

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HE Kwara State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term.

Speaking on behalf of musicians, who stormed the Government House, Ilorin, to urge the governor to seek re-election, PMAN Chairman Alhaji Saka Danfo appealed to Ahmed to heed their advice to enable him complete his projects.

Danfo, who highlighted

the achievements of the present administration, especially in health, energy, human capital development, education and youth empowerment, hailed the governor for developing Kwara.

He stressed that seeking a second term would enable the governor consolidate on his programmes and policies, which he said were geared towards enhancing the socio-economic development of the state.

Ahmed enjoined PMAN to contribute its quota to the socio-economic development of the state by passing information when entertaining the public.

He said his administration would consolidate on the successes it recorded and deliver the dividends of democracy to the indigenes, regardless of political or social differences.

The governor promised to support the associations in the state.

•Ribadu

fair and such things should not be encouraged in the party,” Tukur said.

Shortly after returning his form, the former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Mohammed Modibbo, said all aspirants should test their popularity at the grassroots, instead of seeking undue leverage from the powers that be.

Former Lagos State Military Administrator Buba Marwa and ex-political adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak, submitted their forms last Friday.

PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME KALEJAIYE I, Formerly known and addressed as KALEJAIYE ABOSEDE ABIODUN, now wish to be known and addressed as TAIWO ABOSEDE ABIODUN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME ASIKA I, Formerly known and addressed as ASIKA KOSISOCHUKWU LUCY, now wish to be known and addressed as NWANKWO KOSISOCHUKWU LUCY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME MOLAKE I, Formerly known and addressed as MOLAKE Abiola Abolaji (Miss), now wish to be known and addressed as LONGE, Abiola Abolaji (Mrs) . All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Three expectant pilgrims disqualified

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HE Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board disqualified yesterday three women from participating in this year’s hajj.

They were disqualified for failing a pregnancy test.

The board had issued a four-day ultimatum to intending female pilgrims,

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

who had not undergone pregnancy test, to do so or forfeit their slots.

The board spokesman Malam Badamasi Nuhu Usman, who confirmed the disqualification, said three hospitals were designated for the test.

Community leader dies at 76

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HE death has occurred of a community leader, Mrs. Sarah Olujimi Akinsanya.

She died on July 1. She was 76.

The late Mrs. Akinsanya, from Elere Adubi near Onigbedu at Itori in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, was a Christian leader.

The Akinsanya, Oyeyoade and Aminu families said a a month-long funeral service was held at the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), All Saints Anglican Church, Oshodi, Lagos.

They said the first phase of the funeral rites took place last Saturday at Owoseni Primary School, Oshodi, and the final funeral ceremony would

be announced later.

She is survived by children and grandchildren, among whom is Emmanuel Abiodun Akinsanya (the eldest son), an engineer, who works with the Nigeria Gas Company, a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ekpan, near Warri, Delta State.

•The late Mrs Akinsanya

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

ably the world’s oldest preacher, breathed his last Monday evening. He was a few hours away from his 114th birthday. The Gospel Apostolic Church Gbagada, Lagos, which he founded in 1973, had concluded plans to celebrate his birthday on Sunday.

A weeklong revival that would have culminated in the celebration took off yesterday. But it was with gloom. Papa, who preached actively for 82 years, bade the world goodbye.

Born in 1900 at Ifon in Ondo State, he was the last child of his parents and the 12th child in the family. He remained in good health until three years ago. His dentition remained intact while he only used eyeglasses to read.

He remained agile, walking unaided to the pulpit for

his fiery sermons. His voice remained strong.

“God is the secret of my long and it is also hereditary.

My three sisters lived up to 130 years,” he once stated.

Amazingly, he never experienced any major sickness throughout his long life, save from occasional headaches and body pains. His aides who have served him for over 50 years said he was never hospitalised or bedridden for once.

His memories also remained sharp and unfailing.

He recalled specific dates with relish and would always reel off global and national events with dates without bating. He knew when the First World started in 1914 and clearly rolled out incidents in his life and the globe effortlessly.

Papa, as Sadela, was fondly addressed, preached actively until sometimes last year when his strength started fail-

ing him. He restricted his appearances in the church to only Sundays for benedictions.

A source in the church said his last public appearance was on Sunday, adding: “He blessed us and stayed on praying for a long time. Many of us were surprised but had no clue he was preparing to go.”

A courageous, trail-blazer, Sadela shocked the world in 2007 when he married then 30-year-old Christiana. His first marriage, which lasted 21 years, was a complete disaster. It took him 10 years before he remarried. A second marriage, consummated in 1965, was blessed with four children, but only two survived. Madam Juliana died in 2001 after which he married Christiana.

His ministerial journey began in 1928 when he met Prophet Orimolade. In 1931, he met Pastor Babalola, under whose direct supervision he was ordained a fulltime minister in 1937.

He was reputed to have undertaken many missionary journeys on foot and bicycles to every part of the South West in the 1940s to 50s.

Asides from praying and studying the Bible, he was an avid lover of boxing and wrestling.

His death has drawn the curtain on the first generation of indigenous church founders in Nigeria. It was not known yesterday when he would be buried. But church sources said the burial would be a grand celebration for his accomplishments and values.

still being said. Outside the church, some young members were busy playing.

Many of them who were born in the church lived with the late Sadela all their lives.

They were still in the dark about the death of their mentor.

Sadela dies at 114

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EASONED priest and the world’s oldest preacher, Rev Samuel Akinbode Sadela, is dead.

He died on Sunday in a Lagos hospital. He was 114.

The late Rev Sadela, founder of the Gospel Apostolic Church in Gbagada, Lagos, was due to begin a three-day revival yesterday in his church. The event was to kick-start the activities marking the celebration of his 82nd year on the pulpit.

His death is being kept secret by his immediate family and close aides.

When our correspondent visited the church on Ayodele Okeowo Street in Gbagada, security men refused him entry. No one was ready to confirm Rev. Sadela’s death. But his portrait and a condolence register placed on a table outside the church confirmed his death.

Our correspondent joined in the service, but there were no announcements regarding the cleric’s death.

Songs of praise and special prayers were held for him and his ministry, but no reference was made to his death.

By 6.30pm, the church was filled, with all available space on the altar also occupied. But Rev Sadela’s seat was empty.

“The church is keeping sealed lips over Baba’s death.

We are not ready to announce now until certain things are done,” an aide who claimed to have been with Sadela since 1984 told The Nation.

But some members, who refused to be identified said Pa Sadela’s death would hit the members hard. “He was an old man we didn’t want to let go. He was a bridge

By Seun Akioye

builder, a channel across generations. As old as he was, he was in firm control of the administration of the church.

Many lives will stand still because of his death,” he said.

Our correspondent witnessed the emotional outburst of an interpreter who just ministered in the service.

She was taken outside and the news of Rev Sadela’s death was broken to her.

Inside the church, many looked crestfallen. But many of the elders tried to contain their emotions, but the elders’ mien was cold.

“We cannot talk to the media now. We have a lot of people that we must inform first. We don’t want them to start reading of Baba’s death on the pages of the paper,” a church official told The Nation, adding: “Baba was not a politician, we have to be careful. There are protocols to follow. Tonight after service, we will inform the church and then decide when to call the media.”

When asked if that was the wish of the late preacher, an elder said: “Yes, this is how Baba wanted it. We must follow protocol.”

“I know you are a journalist. We have made it clear that you are not wanted for now.

We don’t want you to write false stories. I am trained to fish out people like you; others have come and we sent them back. You came in because of the service,” the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the church told this reporter.

A neighbour said: “I don’t know what is happening; we notice a lot of activities in the house. Baba’s wife shop was opened this morning then they hurriedly closed it. Or

Two sisters electrocuted in Lagos

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MIDDLE-aged woman and her 12year-old younger sister were yesterday electrocuted at Amukoko, a Lagos suburb.

The incident occurred about 3am when a hightension wire fell on the roof of house 8, Olumokun Street, Amukoko, sparking off fire.

The girl, simply identified as Fatima, was said to have visited her elder sister, popularly known in the area as Mama Ibrahim.

The victim, who was said to be on vacation from Niger State, was electrocuted while holding an iron stand of a canopy that leaned on the affected building.

When Mama Ibrahim noticed that Fatima had remained motionless following the incident, she screamed her name but without a reply.

“When Fatima did not reply, Mama Ibrahim moved to where she was and tried to rescue her; she was also electrocuted. Tears flowed freely as neighbours who could not salvage the situation watched helplessly as the sisters died,” an eyewitness said.

By Jude Isiguzo

It was gathered that residents had complained that both the wire and the transformer were too close to the building.

A resident, Shola Ahmed, confirmed that both victims hailed from Niger State, adding that the late Mama Ibrahim’s husband, a driver, was outside the state when the incident occurred.

She said the fire caused by the incident was put out by residents and policemen led by the officer in charge of Amukoko Police Station, Mr Nosiru Ayoade, a Superintendent (SP), before electricity officials arrived the scene and switched off power supply to the area Ayoade was said to have prevented the angry residents from lynching the electricity officials who rushed to the scene.

The traditional ruler of Nupe people in Amukoko, Wokili Nupe Mohammed Abdullahi, called to inform the late woman’s husband about the incident.

He also directed that the corpses be removed and moved to their Niger State hometown for burial according to the Muslim rite.

•Sadela’s portrait and his condolence register at the church ... yesterday.

His life and times

H

IS contemporaries died several decades ago. Among them was the legendary Prophet Moses Orimolade, founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church. Another was Pastor Ayo Babalola, who founded the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). He outlived them and several others.

He wanted to live up to 200. That was his passionate plea to God. He said if he could achieve that milestone, it would be celebrated at the Buckingham Palace with fanfare.

“I want to live longer to prove to all that God remains the same as He was in times past. If Methuselah could live for 969 years, God can make me live well beyond 113. If Noah could be 950, it is not too much for Him to make me live up to 200,” he once said.

But Pastor Sadela, argudid you hear anything?”

By 7pm, the service was far from over. Prayers were

By Sunday Oguntola

Three held ‘for burgling gold stores’

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HREE suspects have been arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command for allegedly stealing jewellery valued at over N23 million from a shop.

A police source said the incident occurred at the shop owned by a woman, simply identified as Mrs. Ekong, on Unity Road, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

It said the prime suspect, Moses Obanda was arrested in his Benue State home last week, while other suspects were apprehended a month after the alleged robbery.

Obanda and the other suspects, Ogbulaja Ogaba and Izuchukwu Ezeobi, are currently being interrogated by operatives, following a report by the owner.

Obanda, who was a security guard at the gold shop, was alleged to have carried out the operation alone as the two others he invited did not show up.

The police source also claimed that he had been charged with kidnapping and murder in the past after his gang killed a victim along the Ibadan-Sagamu Road after collected a ransom.

Explaining the tricks of the gang, the source said its

•The suspects ... yesterday

members would secure employment as security guards in gold stores and supermarkets unknown to their employers that they were planning to rob them.

The suspects usually use fake certificates, fake addresses and unregistered SIM cards to seek employment, making it impossible to trace them after they had struck, said the source.

The source said after the shop was burgled, Obanda invited his accomplices to a hotel at Bolade in Oshodi, where they discussed how to share and sell their loot.

“Ogaba got 35 pieces of the gold, which he sold to one Jubril Garba for N80,000.

Obanda took the remaining to Yaba and sold it at a giveaway price of N1m and another for N105,000,” it said.

After the deal, Obanda

By Jude Isiguzo and Ebele Boniface

allegedly moved his family to Benue State to evade arrest, opened a hair-dressing saloon for his wife and started plank business.

Obanda, who lives at Olufunmilayo Close, Agbado Ijaiye, a Lagos suburb, said he secured employment into the store in October, 2013 with the fake certificates belonging to his younger brother.

“On December 22, last year, we bought chemicals with which we softened the wall. But I knew where they kept the keys of the stores which I used to open the place. That was the first time I would open the place. I decided to do the burglary alone because I had done a similar burglary before, which took me to the Alausa Police Division. I spent five

days in detention,” he confessed.

Benue State-born Ogaba, who said Obanda invited him for the operation, explained: “One morning, he told me that he had carried it out alone, asking me to meet him at a location.

There, he gave me 35 pieces to sell for him. I did and got N80,000, but I could not find him to deliver the money.

He told me later on phone that he had gone to Benue and that I should enjoy the money. I used the money for my siblings’ examinations.”

Ezeobi, who hails from Anambra State, who said he was not involved in the act, however, said: “I only provided him with a buyer called Ibrahim, but I did not get any money from whatever amount he sold it. I am innocent.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

OSUN OSOGBO 2014

Theatrics as TFT performs The Lion and The Jewel – Page 17 • Devotees moving to the Osun grove

‘Nigerian writing has long come of age’ – Page 48

• Health workers at the festival

‘Not even Ebola could stop us’ ‘Superstition helps spread Ebola virus’ – Page 49

‘I don’t believe Ebola exists and if it does, Osun water will wash it away. This is a major reason I am here, to seek protection for myself and my family...’

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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OSUN OSOGBO 2014

‘Not even Ebola could stop us’ This year’s Osun Osogbo Festival has since ended, but its memory lingers.

Osun devotees ignored the deadly Ebola scare to worship their goddess, writes ADESOJI ADENIYI. • Arugba in procession

S

INCE 2005, when it got listed as a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage site, the Osun-Osogbo Grove has become a major tourists’ destination.

Yearly, a large crowd of tourists from in and outside Nigeria converge on the Osun Grove at Osogbo, the Osun State capital, to worship their goddess. This has brought huge religious, social and economic benefits to the state.

Every August, when the festival holds, Osogbo is put on the world map. For the Osun devotees, it is a period of spiritual cleansing and dedication. Thousands of devotees and believers in the supernatural power of the river “goddess of fertility and wealth”, congregate at the grove to renew their vows.

The event starts with traditional cleansing of the town, Iwopopo, to be followed three days later by the lighting of the 500-year old sixteen-stand lamp called Atupa Olojomerindinlogun. What comes after this is Ib oriade, an assemblage of the crowns of the past monarchs (Ataoja) for blessings. It is led by the current Ataoja and the votary maid (Arugba), propelled by the Chief Priestess, Yeye Osun, and a committee of priestesses. The Arugba, who is expected to be a virgin, will carry a calabash containing what is believed to be the people’s age-long prayers to the grove.

This year’s event was no different, but for a little twist. The grand finale of the two-week event was marked without fanfare. Reason: the fear of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) . The fear affected attendance at the festival, which was said to be low-key compared to past editions.

Few days to its grand finale, the government warned that visitors from outside the state would not be allowed to participate in the event. Although the warning did not go down well with the devotees and the festival’s committee, explained the reason for its action. According to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, the low-key celebration was because of the Ebola virus imported into the country through the late Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer.

Despite the order, some Osun worshippers still came from other states and abroad. Against all odds, the Osun Advisory Committee insisted on holding the event on its scheduled date in accordance with the town’s tradition and culture.

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, played his role of receiving visitors to the grove. He also prayed for the country.

Gaily dressed traditional groups, members of the Oodua People’s Congress and other devotees added colour to it.

The devotees, who trooped to the grove last Friday, underwent medical screening. Besides the devotees, visitors and journalists were subjected to various medical checks as part of precautionary measures by state. As early 6am, no fewer than 80 medical and health personnel deployed by the government were already at the two main entrances of the grove, screening people with infrared thermometers.

Vehicles were not allowed beyond the entrance of the grove, while the occupants were asked to alight for screening.

Akere called for the understanding of the people, particularly the goddess worshippers, its devotees and other traditionalists. He said their cooperation would be seen as sacrifice for the well-being of Osogbo residents.

Lagos-based Prince Adeola Oshuniyi, who has attended the festival for the past 40 years and Mrs Abosede Modinatu-Ojo, a theatre practitioner, were two of the die-hard devotees, who stopped at nothing to attend the festival. They said they could not afford to miss

• Crowd at the grove

• Mrs Mbanefo (third right) flanked by some Brazilian visitors

‘Not even Ebola disease could stop me from coming for the festival. If truly there is Ebola, Osun would never allow it to affect us. We are Osun’s children and we are sure of her adequate protection’ it, saying the goddess would protect them.

Mrs Modinatu-Ojo said: “Not even Ebola disease could stop me from coming for the festival. If truly there is Ebola, Osun would never allow it to affect us. We are Osun’s children and we are sure of her adequate protection.”

She said the Osun goddess was approached and appeased by her parents before she was born, adding that

nothing can stop her from coming yearly to celebrate and worship the goddess.

Another worshipper, Omikunbi Adams has not missed the festival. She said: “For the past four years that I have been coming to worship Osun I have enjoyed tremendous blessings. So, Ebola could not have stopped me •Continued on page 50

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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Theatrics as TFTperforms The Lion and The Jewel To mark Prof Wole Soyinka 80th Birthday, between July and August, The Thespian Family Theatre and Productions is performing two of his plays. The troupe promises a show like no other, writes PAUL ADE-ADELEYE.

F

OR the more theatre-oriented, the word ‘performance’ would immediately spawn erect ears and faster heart beats. Such was the anticipation when it was announced that to celebrate the 80th birthday of Prof Wole Soyinka, Nigeria’s only Nobel Laureate, The Thespian Family Theatre and Productions, an independent theatre troupe, will be performing two of his plays - The Lion and the Jewel, and The Trials of Brother Jero - between July and Saturday, August 30. As all theatre troupes do, the troupe promised to bring the show to you as never before.

Punctual as a clock, the writer was at the venue, Freedom Park, CMS, Lagos, and strolled to the enclosure demarcated for the performance itself. Expecting to find an enclosure fully designed to look like a hall and eliminate all appearances of an open-air theatre, he was taken aback and sent a-pondering to find that the only things covered were the seats for audience and the stage itself. Wondering if this was in fact, a keeping to Soyinka’s depiction of indigenousness prevailing over western tradition, for traditional African theatre was usually an open air affair, he settled to watch the performance.

Predictably, the play did not start at the appointed time, and there might have been many reasons for this. First, the auditorium was still as devoid of spectators as a baboon’s backside is devoid of hair. It could also have been that the producers were stylishly waiting for the audience to fill up. This situation proved that theatre in Nigeria is fast going out of favour because movie premieres at cinemas seem to pull a more punctual and populous audience.

The play itself proved to be an eyeful. The director, Mr Toyin Osinaike apparently knew what he was on about as his artistic pyrotechnics reverberated from one end of the stage to the other, from the opening glee to the curtain call. As is well known among theatre practitioners, the course of a performance is usually determined by the opening moments; Mr Osinaike therefore, lived up to his name by ensuring that the opening glee was fast paced and exhilarating, even so that an itinerant photographer – obviously blown away by the dexterous display of dancing feet and drumming women as depicted in the glee – unwittingly abandoned his job in favour of greedily feasting his eyes on the sequences breezing by in rapid succession on stage. Not that one can blame him though; anyone with a good eye would have done likewise.

Written by Prof Soyinka, The Lion and the Jewel depicts an outlandish school teacher, Lakunle, who is brains deep in love with Sidi, a village girl of Hellenic beauty. He wants to marry her, and would have successfully done so had he not been averse to the idea of paying her bride price. This may be as a result of his less-thanattractive financial situation, or his damning indoctrination in western philosophies, but whichever it is; Sidi will not marry him without a bride price and she even calls him miserly. A photographer has come to the village earlier and, bewitched by her beauty, has taken pictures of her and published them in a magazine. Baroka, the village head and unmitigated adversary of modernity has also seen the pictures, and like the biblical devil, who as a roaring lion, prowls around, seeking whom he may devour; begins to desire her for a wife. In the dark recesses of his mind, he hatches an evil plan; lies to his blabber-mouthed wife that he has lost his potency, and, as expected, she gossips this information with Sidi. Inordinately

•A scene from the play

THEATRE eager to spite Baroka, who she has erstwhile seen as a living god, she goes to seduce him so she can mock him when he cannot perform basic manly duties, but things go awry as she did not go with a long spoon to dine with the devil.

Ultimately, the old rogue has a go at her and that proves to be enough to make Sidi a believer of his. She promptly heads home, bids Lakunle a cold farewell, and packs off to be a new bride in Baroka’s harem.

Under Mr Osinaike’s direction, the first scene took off with a commendable effort to keep up the pace, which the performers had built already from the glee. Mr Patrick Diabuah, the individual who played Lakunle, a character Soyinka most artfully created, must have known he had a lot of work, and he pulled off quite an exciting performance, although a few glitches were to be noted. First, perhaps in his keenness to sustain the pace and obey the basic principles of acting comedies, he began to move and render lines faster than was required. In fact, he seemed to be acting in a dimension operating at a faster frequency than the audience, but being a ready performer, he must have noticed this himself, and, in an impressive display of theatrical flexibility, quickly recovered himself and soon began to draw chuckles from the audience.

Now, whether by the director’s design or by the actor’s fate, he breezed around the stage again at the appearance of the village belle, Sidi, played by the comely Ijeoma Aniebu whose

affecting beauty may have driven even a garden slug to feats of Olympian proportions, and, at the sequence where he was to collect her pail and ‘uncannily’ spill some water on himself, he gave himself a quick bath, and subsequently nearly flooded the stage floor.

This proved to be a misfortunate occurrence as he was soon clumsily slipping up and down the stage, whereas he was supposed to be breezing around with grace. To pay for this water spill later on were a couple of dancers who either by design or by fate was left sprawling on the floor during a mimicry dance.

Miss Aniebu, who played Sidi, also did justice to the character as she coyly swung her hips about; the effect of course was acted or genuine amorous displays of affection from either Mr Diabuah or Lakunle. One thing though, stood in her way – audibility. Her voice was not the loud type and despite her efforts at vocal projection, the writer still had to pay very keen attention to hear her quite clearly.

While this did not slow down the pace; the director, who had every intention of justifying the amount charged for the performance, proceeded to attack the crowd scene where a chorus of vociferous townspeople were supposed to be singing and miming, and the performance seemed to be all roses and daisies until the entrance of Baroka, played by Mr Sobifaa Dokubo. The thing about this bit of the performance is that it was to say the very least, below relative par with what had erstwhile constituted the performance. The aforemen-

‘Inordinately eager to spite Baroka, who she has erstwhile seen as a living god, she goes to seduce him so she can mock him when he cannot perform basic manly duties, but things go awry as she did not go with a long spoon to dine with the devil.

Ultimately, the old rogue has a go at her and that proves to be enough to make Sidi a believer of his’

tioned actor is one who is said to have worked with the Nigerian Thespis himself, Chief Hubert Ogunde, and his theatrical feats have also kept not a few people enthralled. Alas, whether due to advance in age or by an ill turn of events in his career, his performance was arguably the chink in the armour that was the performance as a whole. The writer began to wonder if the veteran actor was a regular at rehearsals, and if he was, whether the director devoted enough time to personally work on him as every good director should. From his initial utterance to his ultimate action, Mr Dokubo seemed out of place with a character he was meant to be engrossed in. He fumbled for his lines as was noticeable by anyone who had read the play, and at a point simply began to render lines to the detriment of his acting. This was made even more glaring when one of the scenes that should have revealed his theatrical prowess, the armpit-hair-being-plucked scene, was thrown away once more as it lacked the proper comic elements to bring it to life – fast pace, classy acting bordering on melodrama and farce, infusions of slapstick to maintain consistency with the opening sequences, and last but most importantly, interaction with the audience. Mr Dokubo threw all these to the winds, and may have been undone had Sadiku, played by the skilled Mrs Lara Akinsola, not come to save the scene. She apparently knew what she was on about as she threw some life into the scene.

At the close of the second scene, it became apparent that what would prove to be the performance’s Damoclean sword was the scene where Baroka would have to wilily lure Sidi to bed. So far, Mr Dokubo’s acting had not justified the appellation ‘Fox of the Undergrowth’, and Sidi had not yet come up with a trick to boost her projection. If both performers were left alone on stage together, it would require effusive thespian miracles to keep the play alive.

The miracle was never to be as the sword soon dropped at the commencement of the said scene, and to prove this point, a quick glance round the audience in the middle of the scene revealed the tell-tale signs of a borderline blasé audience – mass usages of phones, and, even the photographer slowly came to life like a flower in the sun, except he was less graceful about it for he soon conceived it in his camera to impede the writer’s vision and concentration with his beefy frame and noisome clicks.

To give the devil his well-deserved due, Mr Dokubo displayed remarkable presence of mind throughout. Any performer acting like he was on stage would have known he was facing imminent perdition and would have cracked open like a nut in a squirrel’s paws.

Alas, he kept his act together, and by bumbling and fumbling pulled it through to the very end without falling apart, or if he did, he did an exceedingly commendable job hiding it from the writer’s searching eyes.

Soon enough, the writer was salvaged from the hell of a graceless photographer and a bumbling actor with the reappearance of Lakunle and Sadiku towards the end of the play as they kicked up the action again, and, Sidi’s significant selection of Baroka, the action conveying the ultimate thematic preoccupation of the play, was well managed by the director whose job had thus far been commendable. He proved a ready manager as the crowd scene was well controlled with significant dances and pantomimes which hit the nail on the head as far as the subject matters of the play were concerned. Alas, he may have been a bit too industrious while depicting Lakunle finding some fun at the end with a young girl.

Now, Professor Soyinka wrote it as such, but he never portrayed Lakunle speaking Yoruba at any point in the play and Mr Patrick, while playing Lakunle, at the final scene spoke Yoruba to a young lassie who had caught his eye earlier; a very significant turn of events which tampered with Soyinka’s depiction of western culture through the character of Lakunle.

Finally, the managers of the production seemed to need some schooling on how to choose locations for theatre performances and I would recommend that they read up Stephen Langley’s works before choosing Freedom Park for any play again. Their decision seemed to the writer to have hampered the director’s work as he had to move the orchestra into the audience in a play that was not Brechtian. Not only that, they also sent Miss Ijeoma to the guillotine as she had to talk her throat out in an open-air theatre with heavy winds blowing and a mild rain falling. To the Thespian Family Theatre, in the words of Ola Rotimi, if drama be the food of life, act on.

•Ade-Adeleye is of the Department of English and Literary Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

The Midweek Magazine Discovering pleasure in fellowship

T

HE book Pleasure in Fellowship is a fascinating narrative of the travelogue of the author to so many countries, cities, destinations and sites, by analytical commentaries on enriched many topics and subjects.

Though a practising medical doctor, Bayo proved to be an accomplished observer and reporter of people, places in the flowing prose, while leading the reader through an adventurous journey of our world through an enlightened prism of his personal experience and feelings.

I did not know this extraordinary dimension of Bayo Windapo’s basket of talents, though I worked with him in the Literary and Library Committee this Rotary Year where he performed excellently.

He is able through enchanting narrative to hold you spell-bound by hand, and lead you through his passionate tours of the cities he visits, while he focuses your gaze at different sights and sounds of each environment that you will otherwise have overlooked or missed.

Though I have visited most of the places featured in Windapo’s junket around the world, I can hardly recognise the spell and spirit he has so vividly captured in his travelogue.

Many Rotarians, including my good self, have attended many Rotary International Conventions along with Bayo Windapo, but very few of us are blessed with the keen and detailed power of recall and narration captured in the book “Pleasure in Fellowship”. After reading this book, I began to wonder if the same places that I visited are the same locations described by this writer in this iconic book.

This book is a great contribution to the world of international tourism and I believe many tourists and tourism organisations around the world will benefit from this colourful depiction of many historic

D

ENJA Abdullahi’s Death and the King’s Grey Hair and other Plays is a classical collection of plays filled with great humor, myth and satire.

The three plays are experimental plays. The first is in movements, and broken in to seven movements, while the second is in Acts and the third in scenes. Pretty much different from the usual Act and Scene style of play writing.

The plots are unique as the playwright succeeds in crafting out the conflicts and providing good resolutions with good characterisation and dialogue that blend with the period and situation of the time.

Death and the King’s Grey Hair is not a historical play, but a play based on an oral mythology attributed to the Jukun people of middle belt region of Nigeria. It highlights the effect of the abuse of power and total disregard for tradition. The playwright does not attempt to go in search of the facts of the story, but feels the need to weave bare myth into dramatic fiction. The play is centred on the king of the land of Shakaga, King Esutu, who defies the tradition of his people that says the throne is for ‘’young kings and short reigns’’, as kings in that land are normally given poison to drink and die to be reborn into a lion at the sprout of the first grey hair on their royal heads.

Like it is with such typical tradition, all is not well with the people of Shakaga at the beginning of the play.

The attempt of the King to wilfully

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BOOK REVIEW Title: Author: Publisher:

Pleasure in fellowship Dr Bayo Windapo Otus Prints and Packaging Ltd

Pagination: 62 and modern destinations.

The centre piece of their beautiful book is focused on service above self. This essence of Rotary is vividly captured by Arthur F. Sheldon when he states that “He profits most who serves best”.

The writer emphasises this central theme throughout the book in various forms as he regales the reader with account of Rotary interventions in the service to mankind, Polio eradication from our world being one of those initiatives

by Rotary.

Dr Windapo is the current Chairman of Rotary Wheel Schools, a project that was conceived to rid our streets of beggars, by breaking the chain of begging and poverty through education, beginning with the children of beggars who are forced to assist their parents in begging. This stewardship of his at the Rotary Wheel Schools shows great commitment in the service to mankind.

As laudable as this programme is, it is suffering the danger of paralysis and extinction because of the shortage of funds, amongst other things, to run the schools.

Surprisingly too, many Rotarians and non Rotarians are hardly aware of the existence of these schools, not to talk of knowing the challenges the schools are facing.

For the record, there are three Rotary Wheel Schools located in Ebute-Metta, IdiAraba and Agege run by Rotary International District 9110, which are all endangered because of paucity of funds and personnel to run the schools as required.

The book is rich in fine, thought-provoking quotations.

For example, he quoted copiously from mother Theresa, the saintly nun in the Slum of Calcutta, India, who posits that people should “Give until it pains”.

He also quoted the past District Governor of Rotary District 7210, New York, United State, Roterian Mustapha, who admonishes us to commit to serve mankind, because, that is the “rent we all pay for living”.

On education, the writer repeatedly comments thus: “Education, they say, makes a people easy to lead but difficult to drive; easy to govern but impossible to enslave”.

From Paul Harris the father of Rotary he quotes, “the power of combined effort knows no limitations, especially when we work together.”

Dr Bayo Windapo is a scientist and practising medical practitioner, yet he exhibits vast knowledge in all areas of human affairs that typifies him as a well-read man of the world.

He approaches even the most serious topics with wit and candour such that his advocacy for high ideals and values trenchantly rings aloud like the sermon of a preacher from the pulpit.

Though the printing paper is not of the highest quality, the quality of the content of the book more than compensates for the low quality of the print.

The book “Pleasure in Fellowship” is a sumptuous menu of tales, comments, re-

Myth, power and satire in Abdullahi’s plays BOOK REVIEW Title: Death & the King’s Grey Author: Denja Abdullahi Reviewer: Salamatu Sule Publication: Kraft Books Limited No of Page: 108 Date of Publication: 2014

defy tradition in search of absolute power and the people’s resistance to that form the conflict framework of the play. The play is noteworthy for its cultural setting.

The playwright explains to the reader in the preface that power is “power no matter the period of time a leader rules”. King Esutu of Shakaga and the man of the cave in the ancient period are not different from the modern man, who can go to any length to remain on the throne.

First Wiseman: We all know that it is a taboo for a king to show signs of aging in our land. Our land is a land of young kings and short reigns. But something tells me that Esutu has stayed longer on the throne than any other king we’ve had since Jigulu, our founding father (Death & the king’s grey hair, pg. 14) To unravel the mystery, the tribe is confronted by the tragedies as faced

by Gabisi and the poison bearer. I like the poetic rendition of the character of Gabisi the poet and guardian of words Page 13: I am Gabisi, the poet of the ancients. Those who do not respect what is old should await the sting of my tongue.

Whenever you see brave grey-haired men bent with many moons of wisdom, look for Gabisi, Gabisi is the messenger of tradition, the poet of the ancients.

In the second play entitled: Truce with the Devil, Abdullahi brings to the table his experiment with Marxist ideology as opposed to capitalism.

Through this theatre of experiment, the playwright says it is nearly impossible to dethrone capitalism and enthrone Marxism. He uses real characters in fictional perspectives.

Suleiman, a devotee and advocate of Marx and Engels is oppressed by his capitalist uncle; he gets expelled from Jarasite University as a result of his crusade for the proletarians. Like Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s I will Marry When I Want, the principle of collectivism cannot work as most people are oppressed by poverty and joblessness.

Suleiman submits to capitalism because he cannot fend for his siblings and he explains to Dapo on Page 77 how he only needs to play the devil’s advocate to get what he wants.

Suleiman: No, you got it wrong. I was

portage and analysis, spread through 160 pages of enchanting adventure written in fluid narrative.

Through a journey of about 30 short chapters and/ or sections, the book thrills the reader with well written stories and articles on subjects such as travels and places, medicine, philosophy, Rotary service, account of the author’s stewardship as a Rotary President, politics and politicians, tributes to Icons dead or alive, world peace and understanding, and religion, I particularly enjoyed the tribute he paid to my friend and old classmate Dr.Yombo Awojobi. Dr.Windapo’s passion for service to humanity runs through the pages of the book like a flowing stream. His diction is simple and clear, even when he is discussing technical matters.

The book is replete with deep quotations from outstanding people which he employs to support his position as if he was an advocate in the court of Law. Regular check-up and test to prevent cervical cancer in women, is treated humanely and equally humorously.

While I highly recommend the book to readers, I will suggest some areas of improvement in the event the author chooses to reprint “Pleasure in Fellowship”. The quality of the book deserves better printing paper and editorial attention.

I looked for the ISBN in the book and could not find it, which could mean it might not be registered in the National Library. A book of this quality should be so registered to make it accessible to all readers.

The book could also do with a table of content, to guide the reader through the delightful maze of stories and comments.

The different topics and sections of the book can be better categorised in editorial classification.

The illustration on the front cover is apt and suitable, but omitted picture of a bicycle which is a symbol of his daring bicycle junkets in new terrains. The pictures in each chapter are quite appropriately good and relevant.

In conclusion, I strongly recommend this book to all lovers of service, education, healthy living, good governance, adventure, scholarship and goodwill, whether Rotarian or non-Rotarian.

seduced by reality after all those student days of sloganeering…My friend let me tell you, I have stopped living on Marxist books. Marxism is dead, Communism is crumbled.

Fringe benefits, the third play, is written through the eyes of the playwright as a participant-observer. In this play, Abdullahi explains the social realities of life in tertiary institutions and the society at large and the benefits that accompany the job we do. Imagine if we have to go to library where books are non-existent to do a research or where the only way out is to buy handouts or take our lecturer’s order? Imagine if the only better option for us is to go beyond the shores for a greener pasture due to the economic situation of the country.

Abdullahi is an award-winning poet, literary essayist, cultural enthusiast and technocrat, who has many works to his credit. They include A Thousand Years of Thirst (2011); Abuja Nunyi (2008); the Talking Drum (2008) and his much celebrated narrative poetry, Mairogo: A Buffoon’s Poetic Journey Around Northern Nigeria (2001) and Themes Fall Apart but the Centre Holds (2009) a book co-edited with Joe Ushie on the 50-year Anniversary celebration of Achebe’s most acclaimed novel, Things Fall Apart in (2008).

Death and The King’s Grey Hair and Other plays is his current collection of plays. I will suggest this book be recommended for Tertiary institutions, secondary schools and the theatre.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTERS

Wrong fall guy •It is good news that doctors’ strike is over, but FG shouldn’t have blamed media for its blunder in sacking the doctors

I

T is just as well that doctors in the country have suspended their 55-day-old strike action. The umbrella body of the doctors, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said it had to call off the strike on Sunday, following appeals from wellmeaning Nigerians and in view of the medical emergency caused by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) brought into Nigeria by the late American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, on July 20.

The suspension of the strike was a big relief as many government hospitals were deserted during the strike, with the attendant loss of lives that usually accompany such doctors’ strike.

We welcome the doctors’ decision, but we don’t praise them. They did not call off the strike to heed the sublime philosophy of their Hippocratic oath, but because they had lost anything that was left of their moral purpose. It was a desperate surrender as face-saving, rather than a noble gesture.

But, while the issues that led to the strike

‘This sad development is the result of yet another illdigested policy pronouncement. If indeed, the government had not meant to sack the doctors, why did it take such a long time for it to react to news reports that the doctors had been sacked?’

are themselves important, government’s handling of it, particularly the alleged sacking of the resident doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), an affiliate of the NMA, (which government later denied), is equally germane.

The Federal Government has denied sacking the doctors, saying that it was the journalists that misrepresented its position. According to the government, it suspended residency but did not sack the resident doctors. We find this denial quite ridiculous. Suspension and dismissal are two different things entirely.

Yet, in a memo dated August 13, the government had explained that it had no choice but to take that course of action having “considered recent developments in the heath sector.” Indeed, a circular by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. L.N. Awute, to all Chief Medical Directors and medical directors in public hospitals put it bluntly, “The honourable minister has directed that you issue letters of termination of Residency Training appointment to the affected Resident Doctors in your hospital immediately.’’ Awute added that the development was “for the purposes of appraising the challenges in the health sector”.

Quite naturally, the so-called sacking of about 16,000 doctors attracted widespread criticisms in a country suffering from an acute shortage of medical doctors. Whilst NARD said the sack was unfortunate and provocative, NMA’s national president, Dr Kayode Obembe, warned the affected doctors not to collect any sack letter or sign any register opened in any hospital. “For the avoidance of doubt, no doctor, no matter how hungry, should pick up any locum

appointment with the government hospitals as directed by the circular. Any doctor who flouts this directive does so at his or her own peril,” Obembe added.

The government apparently got overwhelmed by the deluge of criticisms of its sacking of its doctors and was looking for a fall guy, hence, its belated change of mind that it suspended, rather than sacked the doctors.

This sad development is the result of yet another ill-digested policy pronouncement. If indeed, the government had not meant to sack the doctors, why did it take such a long time for it to react to news reports that the doctors had been sacked?

The circular by Awute was issued on August 13, why did the government wait till August 20 to refute the story or put it in perspective, as the case may be? Clearly, the volte face was an after-thought and the government should have been honest enough to admit its blunder rather than blame it on ‘change in vocabulary’ caused by the media.

All said, the strike has come and gone, but we hope the lessons have been learnt.

There are some points in the doctors’ demands, especially those having to do with the issue of funding of the health sector and upgrading of facilities in our hospitals, welfare of the doctors, etc. But there are some of the demands too that make no sense. For instance, we do not know why nurses, pharmacists and other personnel in the health sector cannot aspire to the highest echelons of their respective professions or become consultants. We do not think there has ever been any issue as to where the ultimate power lies in the sector; so, the fear of such people taking over the functions of doctors does not arise.

Drain pipe

•Demand for 0.5% of budget to fund political parties is outrageous BIZARRE demand was made by the political parties at a workshop on the “Role and Responsibilities of Political Party Agents on Election Day”, which drew participants from registered political parties in the country, on August 4. The demand was for 0.5 percent of the nation’s annual budget to allow them “function effectively”. Making the demand at the three-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in collaboration with the Democratic Governance for Development Project (DGD) the Chairman, Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Tanko Yunusa, called on the National Assembly to set aside 0.5 percent of annual budget to fund the registered political parties.

We know the issue of funding of political parties has always remained contentious, and rightly so. Without doubt, political parties, like most other things in life, require funding to be able to play their role in society effectively. Part of the reasons advanced by proponents of government funding of political parties is to ensure that no party is denied the opportunity of marketing itself on account of its inability to raise funds. Moreover, they believe that funding from government would prevent the situation where money bags would hijack the parties. A third reason, which is no less important, is the fear of some external bodies being the sponsors of political parties in the country. This has its implications for the polity.

Perhaps these explain why our governments in the past funded the political parties. Indeed, the 1979 Constitution

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specifically provided for government funding of the political parties. The Babangida administration even went a step further by not only making funds available for the two political parties that it decreed into existence, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC), it also built the party secretariats.

However, such a position would be difficult to sustain today. Indeed, since the introduction of free largesse for any group of politicians who “formed” political parties, the number of political parties in Nigeria has grown significantly to 50. This has only been pruned to about 26, with some of them operating from barbers’ shops under fake party officials with dubious spread in the country, just to collect party funding after which they fizzle out before elections. Many of them just make noise in the media. It has been such a massive fraud! Those in support of the existence of mushroom parties argue that government funding would enable all viable and unviable parties to propagate their ideas.

But we are yet to see which ideals have been propagated and how effectively they have performed, with many of these parties usually scoring between zero and a limit of one digit in ward elections and an annoying woeful performance at the local government and state levels. Many of them have not a single candidate either in the state assemblies or National Assembly to justify being called political parties.

Those who want to float political parties must have been sure of their capability to adequately fund the parties through their

members’ contributions because the members must buy into their political parties.

Happily enough, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to fund political parties, whether registered or unregistered. So, let every political party take care of its finances without being a burden to the national purse. It is important to remind those calling for funding of political parties which are only on paper that we already have enough drain pipes in the country, mostly through corruption of various descriptions. Calling for government funding of political parties in order to appropriate funds into private pockets without anything to show in terms of good results at any election is an unwholesome addition to our drain pipes.

We don’t need more of this criminal wastage of public funds that could have been put to more productive use. What we need to do is monitor the expenses of the political parties to ensure they do not go beyond tolerable limits within the purse of their respective members.

‘Calling for government funding of political parties in order to appropriate funds into private pockets without anything to show in terms of good results at any election is an unwholesome addition to our drain pipes’

Why Obama is angry with Nigeria

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S it just me or is President Barack Obama angry with the Nigerian government? During Obama’s visit to Africa in 2013, a lot of people expected that he would come to Nigeria.

Not a few were surprised that he boycotted the ‘giant of Africa’ and instead went to other African countries like Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. What could have informed that decision? The answer is not far-fetched. Obama, like his contemporaries in developed nations, doesn’t take too kindly on abuse and violations of human rights. Leaders of developed countries know that the abuse of human rights does not tell well in the full glare of the world. A country such as America which has a past associated with maltreatment of the Blacks, knows that it won’t condone such a thing happening on a large scale again. Stories of how the rights of Nigerians are being infringed upon, with those in power not batting an eyelid, have gotten to the ears of world leaders, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth. If the rights of citizens are being trampled on, what then is the essence of having people rule over us, who turn a blind eye to what is going on?

The week long US-Africa Summit held in Washington DC is another instance that can’t be ignored. President Goodluck Jonathan was relegated to the background, in the last row in a certain group picture, instead of taking pride of place in the first row, beside President Barack Obama. What about the front page picture that Jonathan took with Obama and his wife, Michelle?

Yes there were smiles, but the body language was stiff and we all know that those smiles were just for the camera. It will be back to strong faces and gritted teeth after that picture was taken. It has been made known now that Nigeria was left out of the multi-million dollar effort to support peacekeepers from Africa in the just concluded US-Africa Summit. The programme will be aimed at military-training, institutional support, interoperability with other Africa-based peacekeeping forces, equipment maintenance and repair etc. It is quite ironic that Nigeria who has one of the best military in Africa won’t be benefiting from this opportunity.

What about the recent rejection by Obama in sending the Zmapp drug to Nigeria, used in containing the spread of the Ebola virus? Though the said drug is not officially in the market, but it has worked effectively for the American medical officials that were sent to America for treatment.

I’m wondering if it has gotten to that extent of Obama not minding if the affected people in Nigeria would just die like chickens.

President Obama is trying to tell the Nigerian government something. Put your ‘house’ in order and let your citizens enjoy their fundamental human rights; stop corruption and embezzlement of public funds. One cannot really blame him for taking such decisions. It is now left to our leaders to take the big step and set things right in Nigeria so that she can take her pride of place in Africa once again, and change her image in the world.

• Awele Okwudarue University of Benin Editor’s note: For reasons beyond our control, this column, which features editorials from other climes, is being suspended until further notice.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The hype, frenzy and hullabaloo of the Osun governorship election have come and gone, it has left some echoes of lamentation of lost travellers on a maze of paths with no compass to chart the right course. The election brought to the fore issues and principles around which political parties canvas for votes. On focus also was the integrity of the political process, especially the neutrality of the electoral umpire, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).

Equally conspicuous were the roles of security operatives, observers and election monitoring, reports, comments and analysis of the members of the fourth estate of the realm and the entire gamut of the election.

Without a doubt, the election was a dress rehearsal to the forthcoming 2015 elections.

Elections in Nigeria are neither issue based nor ideological in outlook. Qualifications and acceptance are on the narrow prism of religion, ethnicity, and other sectarian considerations.

This is the reason why the money bags purchase ballots and support by giving handouts to Nigerians whom they have impoverished through looting of our commonwealth.

Crowds are hired for rallies to give semblance of popularity and acceptance and rigging machines oiled.

Preparation for elections ordinarily was for candidates to introduce their manifestoes and programmes to the electorate but instead the candidates carry and distribute customized rice, salt and pepper with little cash for the D-Day. In the build-up to the Osun election, there was so much hues and cries about the presence of security in the entire states. The APC accused the PDP led federal government of militarizing the state with the aim of intimidating the opposi-

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Lessons from Osun governorship election tion and create avenues for manipulating the electoral result. The question then, is how does the presence of security forces translate to intimidation? Yes, the roadblocks may be quite inconveniencing. It is unfortunately our fate that we have to contend with for now. However, it is my view that security agencies should be thinking beyond the “roadblock” intelligence which only visit hardship on the people and expose them to greater harm in event of “unlikely” incident of attack at those road blocks.

The DSS operatives now operate like Rambo wearing hood and bearing arms offensively to the chagrin of any person with pretensions to intelligence gathering. This to me

has manifestly exposed our inability to get intelligence to arrest the mindless violence and insurgency in the North-east and other criminality in Nigeria. Always, there ought to be synergy by the different security agencies each complementing the other in fine harmony not like the Nollywood pageant exhibitionism.

The activities of the DSS also exposed the deep rooted partisanship of the service and perhaps other security agencies. I was worried at the statement credited to the spokesperson of the Directorate of the State Security (SSS), Marilyn Ogar where she alleged that men of the department were bribed with the sum of N14 million. To a ra-

tional person, it was obvious she was not only playing a script but wearing the garb of partisanship.

After all, it is common knowledge that all the political parties arrange financial package for the security men through some facilitators.

Therefore she was not saying anything new or extra-ordinary about our elections; that may not be best global practice but a Nigerian political norm. In all these murky water of political storm, the lesson is that the people, the masses, and electorate have the ace to change our political culture and fortune.

• Mike Kebonkwu Esq Wuse 2, Abuja

On 30% youth representation in govt

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IR: With the refusal our octogenarians to relinquish the space for the younger generation in the political sphere, it has become imperative to seek for ways of making them see reasons why the younger generation should be given the opportunity to govern .

The recent pronouncement by President Goodluck Jonathan that youths should be allowed to vie for the presidency could not have come at a better time.

To fully understand the demand for 30% representation of youths in elective and appointive positions, we must have a clear view of how our present elders emerged in positions of leadership.

Former President Shehu Shagari became a federal legislator at 30 and minister at 35; M.T Mbu became minister at 25, and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom at age 26. Richard Akinjide was Education Minister at age 32; Maitama Sule was minister at 29. Audu Ogbe was minister at 35 while at 32 General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), became head of state and successfully led Nigeria through one of the most difficult times in her history and prevailed.

However, since the advent of democracy in 1999, our elders have consistently monopolized virtually all leadership positions, transforming young people into glorified thugs and tools for electioneering. This self

-serving policy and greed have combined to exclude intellectually sound young minds with great ideas from governance .

Over the years, our elders have insisted on the fact that we lacked the requisite experience to lead. But how do we secure the experience when we are denied the opportunity to serve? They say we are leaders of tomorrow, while stubbornly refusing to allow tomorrow to come.

The youth might not have the financial muscle to struggle for power with the elders on equal terms , but in the words of Lupita Nyong’o, our dreams are valid !

•Oche Joseph Otorkpa ochejoseph@yahoo.com

Delta State government should pay contractors

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IR: It is very unfortunate that an administration that aspires to finish its tenure very strongly has not been giving consideration to the men and women that are making it to happen. It is on record that most of the contractors and suppliers to Delta State government that have been listed for payments in the last 12 months have not been paid.

Meanwhile, ministries and parastatals are still advertising and awarding contracts to unsuspecting citizens to lure them into the same trap as their predecessors. Most of the contractors have lost their properties due to the non payment of the money they borrowed from banks and other financial institutions to execute these projects. Some of them are lying critically ill in hospitals and other families are on the edge because of the same problem.

It had been one promise after another, on a monthly basis. It is worthwhile to note that the Delta State government has been collecting its monthly allocation throughout this period, without giving consideration to these contractors, that have sacrificed their sweat and blood to execute these projects.

The government should at least show some compassion and consideration to these contractors who have contributed to the uplifting of the state.

Deltans are looking forward to government addressing this matter immediately so as to ameliorate the sufferings of the contractors and also for the continuation of the abandoned and suspended contracts and projects.

• Adje Samuel, Warri, Delta State

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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COMMENTS

‘Our Girls’; Adadevoh and others; ‘WHO Medical Audit’; Typhoid resident Vs Ebola visitor ‘

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UR Girls’ are still missing since April 15.

What are they going through? What are their families going through?

When will they come home?

The latest Tony suspected videoMarinho supported atrocity of the Boko Haram in murdering Borno State citizens and setting up a Caliphate is a horrific mimicking of what the malignantly evil ISIS. The NEMA should stop the irresponsible castigating of independent authorities over the estimated number of displaced persons as 600,000. Government always emphasises the irrelevant. There are probably even more people displaced as parents flee for their lives and the lives of their children.

Who is waiting there to die?

We have lost four Nigerians to Ebola Virus Disease including from the medical and nursing profession doing exemplary work to contain the virus. Our hearts go out to their families

‘The NMA strike may be suspended but the medical air remains polluted with criminal neglect by government and its officials in the accumulation of filth, real and management filth, in our chronically under-funded and demoralised medical services. Ameyo and our valiant others must not die in vain. Nigeria, stop crocodile tears and at least clean up and provide 21 st Century sanitation for our hospitals, schools and markets’

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HREE weeks ago, this column pointed out the brazen act of illegality which the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, particularly the 20 members from the opposition party, is trying to foist on the people of the state. It is very clear that their satanic plot is to remove Tanko Al-Makura, the legitimate governor of the state, by illegitimate means. Though impeachment is a legitimate weapon enshrined in the constitution to check executive recklessness in the polity, many right-thinking Nigerians are amazed and dazed by the easy recourse of some lawmakers (or lawbreakers) in some Houses of Assembly to invoke this section of the constitution at will to settle personal scores or political differences.

Now that the Nasarawa State House of Assembly has been beaten to their game, the 20 opposition legislators are not taking their defeat lightly. They have vowed to continue with the impeachment moves against their governor in spite of the fact that the panel constituted to investigate allegations against him, has returned a not-guilty verdict.

There is no other way to describe this desperation than to call it legislative rascality. This is because if, indeed, the legislators were genuinely representing the people who voted them into the House, the whole impeachment brouhaha should have ended at the point the panel dismissed the 16 counts of gross abuse of office levelled against the governor.

It is quite unfortunate that all the legal questions raised by the entire impeachment saga have not been addressed, yet more are being created as the episode continues. The key issues raised by the impeach-

who need emotional and financial support. I first met Ameyo Adadevoh with her siblings in the house of her parents Professor Kwaku and Mrs Deborah Adadevoh in the late 60s in University of Ibadan. Her father’s sister Aunty Stella married into the Marinho family. Ameyo had a successful fulfilled caring professional practice. Now she is dead. Only God can comfort her son, husband and other family members and especially her mother. There is talk of national honours for the dead. Perhaps, but this cannot bring them back. From these needless deaths what lessons are to learnt and acted upon by government? What permanent preventive measures are to be made available? Ebola will surely go, but Dr Ameyo Adadevoh, the matron and the other health and ECOWAS support staff will remain dead.

They are dead because of their dedication to duty and personal heroism and because we did not adhere to normal ‘International Standard Individual Isolation Facilities Protocols’ and ‘Deadly Virus Management Protocols’, proper hose-down of patients, and access to the drugs used to save the lives of foreign patients flown abroad. Let them not die in vain. Medicine is not measured by Nigerian sub-standards.

Medicine is of one standard -international. This tragedy has exposed the abysmal state of Nigeria’s medical services and sanitary conditions. Of course Jonathan cannot be held responsible for cleaning and monitoring bacteria in hospitals.

These are the preserve of the supervisory effectiveness of the nursing staff and microbiology swab takers. But Jonathan can use emergency powers to triple the health budget, have an ‘Independent International WHO Supervised Medical Audit’ to see who is lying about the state of health- the doctors or the ministry. Above all, medicine needs a large dose of ‘truth’ and not more political mumbo jumbo and congratulatory backslapping while the numbers of Ebola patients continues to increase even as typhoid and infections contracted by patients already in hospital defy calculation.

Medicine must step up and take its place as it did in the past.

You may think that the Indians and Chinese setting up hospitals and diagnostic centres in Nigeria are better than us and are here to save you from our medical failure. Yes and No. They have an undue advantage as they get government grants and bank loans from their home countries at 3-5%

long term 3-5 year repayment schedules. Nigerians in medicine are forced to get loans at 25% and 3-12 month repayment terms and that is if they can get a loan at all. The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) should have an NMA Bank with its funds and get grants from African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Bank to give equipment loans to doctors at 4-5% over five years. The health service requires a great ‘cleanliness hand’ as well as cutting-edge equipment.

Recently the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission or whatever paralysed the already nearly pathetically inadequate cancer care radiation capability in Nigeria by arbitrarily increasing the fees for radiation material when we should be offering such facilities in every single state. Remember that even the ministry of health for 20 years refused to supply patients in Nigeria’s hospitals with pethidine and other morphine-based pain killers, essential for post-operative care and severe pain. No heads rolled as our patients died of cancer and died in pain. Nigeria was offering better care 30-40 years ago when I was a medical student and a young doctor than it does today. In those days, we had open heart surgery and renal transplants. We were not ashamed to have foreign professors and doctors visit us and operate and use our toilets.

Today we are ashamed of the colour of our walls, unpainted and unclean for years. Our equipment is dated. We are ashamed of our level of commitment, paralysed by endless waiting for electricity or equipment to be sterilised or the staff to be assembled.

We can trace our failure to a breakdown of morale in all professional life to the beginning of the end –the corrupt megasalaries and perks. SAP paid the political class and SAPing the will of other Nigerians to work when politicians take N30 45m per quarter for talking. The NMA strike may be suspended but the medical air remains polluted with criminal neglect by government and its officials in the accumulation of filth, real and management filth, in our chronically underfunded and demoralised medical services. Ameyo and our valiant others must not die in vain. Nigeria, stop crocodile tears and at least clean up and provide 21st Century sanitation for our hospitals, schools and markets and wash your hands!

Nigerian Typhoid is a permanent resident killer, not a visitor like Ebola!

Nasarawa’s ‘cash and carry’ politics ment drama as stated in the column before this, are, first, whether the Nassarawa State House of Assembly had conformed with the provisions of Section 188 of the Constitution that demands that notice of the impeachment be served on the governor within seven days of its presentation to the Speaker of the House; second, whether the Chief Judge of the state has complied with Section 188 (5) of the Constitution in setting up the panel charged with investigating the allegations against the governor; and third and last, whether the House of Assembly can direct the Chief Judge to disband and reconstitute the panel on its own authority as opposed to calling a court of competent jurisdiction to determine whether the panel was indeed duly constituted or not, and making consequential orders based on its determination.

None of these issues has yet been conclusively addressed by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly or the Chief Judge of the state. Still, the whole episode keeps unfolding in a direction so far removed from legality that one must wonder whether the law or any perceived breach of the law means anything to these institutions that are responsible for its formulation and interpretation. Meanwhile, in one breath, the House of Assembly stands by its ‘order’ to the Chief Judge to disband the panel amidst vows to continue the impeachment process irrespective of the report of the panel.

In another breath, it promises to institute an action in court to deter-

‘With the knowledge that there are top legal practitioners involved on all sides, one can only wonder why there are so many legal missteps and disregard for legal procedure from the onset of the Al-Makura’s impeachment saga’

mine the legality of the panel. The absurd reality of this legislative double-speak in Nasarawa and the seeming lack of any statement by the Chief Judge on the legality of the constituted panel in line with Section 188 (5) of the Constitution, bears a remarkable resemblance to the politics of impunity practised in Nigeria which pervades all arms and levels of government. An otherwise straight-forward procedure laid down by the laws of the land has resulted in legal and legislative circus show to the surprise of no one in the country.

If the Nasarawa State House of Assembly does go ahead with its threat of continuing the impeachment process in the light of recent developments without recourse to the law courts, then we may be headed to yet another instance of blatant disregard for our constituted laws in the country. This has disturbingly become more of a trend than otherwise as one would expect of an organized society. From all indications, the circumstances of this present case cannot be left to or resolved in the “court of public opinion” as the APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had suggested in earlier comments to the press. The situation calls for a lawful order, one way or another, to put an end to this public show of shame by all parties who are rumoured to be acting on absurd pecuniary motivations, unsurprisingly.

The resolution to this debacle, whatever the motivation, appears to lie more on the issue of the legality of the constituted panel than on any other issue. If we were to be realistic on the issue of service or non-service of impeachment notice on the governor, one may point out that while it is always in the interest of the law to insist on adherence to procedures laid down therein, it is also on record that, sometimes, the courts have taken a tough stance

on cases hinged on service or nonservice of legally required notices by looking at the essence of such notice to begin with. The essence of a ‘notice’ is to bring to a party’s knowledge the existence of certain facts or circumstances to accord that party the privilege of knowing about them, such as a suit or allegations for instance, and create an opportunity for a reply or defence to those allegations. If even after the omission of this notice by the accusing party (or parties), the indicted party has in one way or the other got wind of the allegations and has, in some cases, even proffered or prepared his defence, then the insistence on the actual service of the notice and any issue arising from it becomes superfluous or a technicality and not a necessity.

However, the law is the law and must be followed, especially by elected officials who should know better.

This brings us to the issue of the composition of the panel by the Chief Judge, which is at the centre of the matter. The legality of the panel is not only justiciable but, surprisingly, it can be determined in a competent court at the instance of any of the affected parties. It will be a suit purely calling the court to decide if the panel was validly constituted. If the House of Assembly is not willing to call the court to decide on the legality, any other affected party can equally do so. It can be a matter decided solely based on affidavits as clearly provided for by the Originating Summons procedure of the High Courts and Federal High Courts.

For sure, the constitution leaves no room for the legislature to determine the composition of the panel, or decide the mode of sitting or the outcome of the deliberation.

And just as what constitutes gross misconduct is left entirely to the discretion of the legislators, the composition of the panel is the pre-

Dele Agekameh rogative of the Chief Judge of the state as well. Therefore, the legislators’ refusal to accept the panel’s verdict amounts to legislative recklessness, and any attempt to force out the governor through extra-constitutional means is an open invitation to chaos and anarchy.

With the knowledge that there are top legal practitioners involved on all sides, one can only wonder why there are so many legal missteps and disregard for legal procedure from the onset of the Al-Makura’s impeachment saga. It calls the integrity of lawyers involved to question and puts the sincerity of their legal advice and ethics in bad light, depending on the level and the time of their involvements. With the foregoing, let me state what we all know clearly. There is all probability that this whole mess has nothing to do with gross misconduct, or the desire of a House of Assembly to act in the interest of the people or even the law at all. This may just be politics as usual, fuelled by cash. No wonder, the players are picking and choosing from laws that suit their interest and playing it all out in the public gallery, like true Nigerian politicians that they all are. God help us all!

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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COMMENTS ‘Prof your piece, “What does the North want” made an interesting reading. I am alarmed as to why we keep deceiving ourselves that we are ONE NATION! Whatever has been keeping us together, with all due respect to the others is the “see it the way it should be and, say it as it should be” of the Southwest! I know that there are patriots all over, however, the consistency of the westerners about through federalism cannot be taking away.From Adebamowo yinka, Ibadan’ that there are patriots all over, however, the consistency of the westerners about through federalism cannot be taking away.From Adebamowo yinka,Ibadan

•Prof. Ade Ajayi For Segun Gbadegesin It pains that its often at death that the import and impact of most of the nation’s rare gems such as Prof Ade Ajayi and the likes are usually felt by Nigerians.We are so blessed with such icons of international repute but whose contributions to the growth of the nation are never given chance to thrive beyond the confines of the Ivory Towers, basically because they never counted in billions of naira.Any wonder then that our political stage is so prolifrated with half-baked moneybags educated-illiterate politicians whose worrisome political jokering and corrupt lives have subjected the nation to this perpetual stagnation. How many Ajayis of the nation have we interred unconcerned about their contributions to the way forward for the country? How many of them have either been messed up or brutally assasinated because they dared to foray into our political scene to put their knowlege into use for our comon good? Nigeria! From Emmanuel Egwu On your article of August 21, you wrote as if you didn’t know that Nigeria is an animal kingdom where some animals are more equal than others. President Jonathan being a zoologist is our leader and the “more than equal” corrupt animals are his anointed ones.

From J.Peters Help me tell Governor Fashola that many non Lagosians love him because he just concentrates on governance and not talking like other APC members. Anonymous Prof your piece, “What does the North want” made an interesting reading. I am alarmed as to why we keep deceiving ourselves that we are ONE NATION! Whatever has been keeping us together, with all due respect to the others is the “see it the way it should be and, say it as it should be” of the Southwest! I know

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N his last important work, Chinua Achebe offered his own description of the human debacle which characterized the prosecution of the Nigerian Civil War. In his inimitable pungency the grandmaster observed that more firearms were deployed than the total supply used by the Axis and Allied Forces during the Second World War! On page 170 of There Was A Country, Achebe stated that “the Nigeria – Biafra conflict created a human emergency of epic proportions” with millions flooding the deplorable camps, “epidemic ridden grave yards, where shortages of supplies, poor sanitation created a bitter cocktail of despair, giving rise to social pathological and psychological traumas.”

Through those cruel trench exchanges, coldblooded massacres and through the trauma of parents’ watching helplessly, the final seconds of their children starving to death, the Biafran granite resistance remained stoic and stubborn. Of all the colossal losses suffered by both sides, there were few exceptional calamities. For the federal Second Division, the Abagana Fiasco, and the disastrous Niger crossing from Asaba, was like the Oguta and the Owerri final offensive of the Third Commando Division, landmark reverses which at the end of the day, returned the initiative to the desperate secessionists.

On the Biafran side, the stop at Ore; the poisoning and the consequent wipe-out of the Biafran Expeditionary Army by their Bini hostesses; the loss of the entire Midwest; the fall of Port Harcourt and its refinery; the loss of Azumiri, Egbema, Ohaji, Uzuakoli and for that matter the Biafran food basket axis of Ngwa land, Akwette, Aba etc, were heavy reverses that were never contained till the bitter end.

As the Biafrans took more punishment, the death on July 29, 1967 at Obollo Ofor of the charismatic Major C.K. Nzeogwu almost brought the war to an early end. In our exclu-

For Olatunji Dare Dear Prof. August 19 article in The Nation is quite insightful. They were not listening 35years ago and I can assure you, sir, that they are incapable of listening now. The worms in their stomach control their ears and brains.So sad.Anonymous Many thanks for your write-up on the erudite Professor of History, of course they are not listening otherwise 16,000 doctors wont be sacked! From Victor Oniyire, Lagos Dear Prof., Congratulations on your birthday recently. As one of my great teachers - I learn weekly from your column, I wish you more years of good health and greater accomplishments. I am highly impressed today by the honour done to Prof. Ade Ajayi in your column. Ade Ajayi is my great grandfather in the study of History apart from being a fellow Ekiti man. Honour shall never depart from your home. Sir, can you show me mercy of getting a copy of the book presented at your birthday.Thank you sir.From Pastor Femi Adebayo, Sagamu, Ogun State.

Prof Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi is Nigerian historian per execellence, who came, saw and conquered as far as education sector is concerned. He left legacies that other historians should emulate. From Gordon Chika Nnorom The death of Professor J.F Ade-Ajayi at this time is quite painful and a sad loss. Notwithstanding we must give all the glory to God, for a life well spent. He is one of the very best and illustrious sons Nigeria and indeed Africa has produced. He has left his footprints in the sand of time, and when history beckons, his name will be written in gold. Nigerians should take a cue from the very good life he has spent, he is a humanist personified.

From Ojo Anjorin Ayodele,Emure Ekiti Re-Jacob Festus Ade Ajayi (1929-2014). An erudite scholar and a Nationalist who believed in his country, Nigeria, also gave Nigeria every chance to make others believe in

her. Did the situations warrant that people should make real, late Professor Ajayi’s theory of ‘My Country’? The question could be answered by all! May late Professor Ade Ajayi’s soul rest and continue to rest in peace, ameen. From Lanre Oseni.

Prof. Dare., Good day to you wherever you are. I buy The Nation on Tuesdays primarily because of your weekly column. There was a minor oversight on your part in the tribute to Prof. F. Ade Ajayi. In the fourth paragraph, you described him as a man who was in the eighth decade of life. Actually he was in the ninth decade of his life when he died.

You sir, entered the eighth decade of your life on July 17 and I also bridged that threshold in April this year. Thank you for hour insightful writings.From Funso Famuyiwa, Ibadan.

For Tunji Adegboyega Re: Begging for bread (The Nation, Sunday August 24) refers. No one, no sane mind, no honest and fatherly/motherly Nigerian would read this write-up and his or her heart wouldn’t bleed. Again, should I believe all that you wrote? But with Lipede Olu’s comment, I believed. Have these boy-girl students at Volgograd –Russia visited Nigeria’s Embassy in Russia to find out what is happening? What was/is the Nigerian ambassador in Russia doing regarding information on the pains with the boy-girl students? Is it good luck to those who are crazy about such sponsorship? This article is a lesson to us all. Even here in Nigeria, my heart trembles. I can imagine the pain these young Nigerians are being tormented with over there in Russia. Whoever was or is behind their woes should remember God and remember the Day of Judgment. Release these innocent children-students from these excruciating pains, please. From Lanre Oseni.

I have not seen a government that does not care for its citizens like this government headed by Dr Goodluck Jonathan. If the previous governments had not provided a good environment for students during his school years, would he have had the chance to be-

• Jonathan come what he is today? Nigerian students are going through a very terrible situation under a government that does not care about the wellbeing of its citizens. It is sad that students on Federal Government scholarship have turned to a laughing stock outside the country. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

This is the country where a man stole billions of naira from pension funds and he is walking free; where a serving minister accused of using public funds to buy two bullet-proof cars told us to go to hell; where another said to have spent N10b on private jets is still sitting pretty in office at the expense of the taxpayer; where the son of a late rogue had charges running into billions of dollars dropped; where only God knows what the legislators are earning. Truth must be told, whoever dies for Nigeria has died for nothing; there is hardly anything noble about this country. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

Your write-up on the horrible plight of Nigerian students on Federal Government scholarship in Russia is a nice one. My desire is for the Minister of Education to listen and do something to end the sufferings of these our future leaders. Thanks. Anonymous.

I just read your piece on “Begging for bread”.

I like your sincerity of thoughts and the boldness to write them down for those concerned to read and act if they want to. God bless your writing prowess and give you the wisdom to keep telling our leaders the home truth. From Paul Adams, Nyanya, Abuja.

Thank God for people like you. How do we expect these Nigerians to express patriotic zeal? This country is stupendously rich not to treat her students this way, when one considers the looting going on by political office holders. Anonymous.

Soyinka: Biafran memory of Asaba

By Emma Okocha sive chronicle of the last hours of Kaduna Nzeogwu (See pp 45, Blood On The Niger), we noted that the immediate impact of Nzeogwu’s death was devastating across the lines. His death led to the emotional loss of Opi junction, which as he had predicted, led to the eventual loss of the war. He had advised Ojukwu not to declare secession as that would pull the OAU to the federal side. His death diminished the potentials of organizing a southern command in tandem and his trusted lieutenants, Majors Obasanjo, Ogbemudia, Atom Kpera abandoned their neutral stand and went full circle carrying the federal flag to war.

In his own battlefield testimony, former Press Secretary to the Head of State and Daily Times War Correspondent, David Attah stated in the Sunday Sun, January 22, 2011, that,…”When Major C.K Nzeogwu was killed, the wailing of the Nigerian officers shocked me. An enemy officer was killed and I could not believe their tears. They had lost a comrade-in-arms, a man who believed very much in the Nigerian Revolution.” On the orders of the Federal Commander, Nzeogwu was buried in Kaduna with full military honours.

Colonel Charlie Archibong was the lead Commander at Ore ahead of the invading Biafran forces that struck the Mid West, August 9, 1967. He had His Excellency’s special Orders to blitz through the West and sack Dodan Barracks in 48 hours! He was ordered to stop and from Ore the Brigadier Banjo’s inexplicable Retreat Orders led to the federal recapture of the Midwest. Charlie Archibong was to see more action at Ikot Ekpene and

after one of those his risky officer-led Recce operations, his command headquarters waited in vain for his return. A federal well organized ambush had spotted the Biafran officer, ensnared and trapped him into a double obstacle. In the mad rush to recover his body, the Biafrans lost the strategic Ikot Ekpene town and the entire sector. No other Biafran officer apart from Col. Nsudo also from Akwa Ibom, fought the war with such incomparable zeal, sacrifices as Charlie Bazooka!

Another heart breaker for Biafra came with the shocking news of the death of Major Adaka Boro. Like in the ironic case of Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, both friends and foes cried at his funeral. General Alabi Isama in his book went further to produce the photograph of the Biafran straggler who shot the Major at the Port-Harcourt sector of the war. Adaka Boro’s death put Biafra in mourning as most of the Biafra field commanders were followers of Boro. Issac Boro was many things to many people, but as the President, University of Nigeria, Students Union, in the early ‘60s, he was the epitome of the golden age of Nigerian student revolution. At Nsukka, he had a covenant with his disciples. They communicated in special languages and codes.

These subalterns were his followers and the first to volunteer service into the Officer Corps Regiment that bore the brunt of the war. They did not question the leader when he declared the KIAMA philosophy and were not in any position to question his decision to join the federal forces. His death was a shock and like loyal officers they fanned out from their bush locations to salute the fall of a fine officer.

While the Biafrans were able to return to

their trenches after the funeral rites of those officers, they were in inconsolable grief on learning of the death of the Nigeria’s Paragon of Integrity, Crusader against Genocide and Africa’s Leading Voice against man’s Inhumanity to Man. At the 2010 Harvard International Conference celebrating the works of Christopher Okigbo, Achebe with Professor Soyinka sitting beside him, once more, recalled the reaction of the people of the Sun to the sad news of the ‘death” of the activist. “We learnt that our friend and dissident, Professor Wole Soyinka had died in prison custody… the whole enclave erupted in solidarity and a new energy and a Spartan resolve to fight to the finish was unleashed”.

And for the Biafran memories, Professor Wole Soyinka was the first courageous voice to relate the gruesome death of King’s College handsome Alumnus, Gogo Nzeribe.

When the man Died, Gogo was bound hands and feet by Captain Bulala Tarfa and fed for days to cockroaches in Kirikiri Prisons. When nobody had the balls, he was the lone voice right there in prison custody who told the world about Asaba.

“A Corporal had shot 13 detainees in Asaba in cold blood. A young Yoruba boy admitted shooting them. He said they were talking in Igbo and he had ordered them to speak English. He decided that they were plotting something so he turned his machine gun on them.

He was released two days ago and re-assigned to a new Division by the Office of the Chief of Staff. Then I asked why….it is only part of the same extermination process. It has been bred in them. A free for all epidemic. That young man had done his bit, he is set free”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

23

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

BUSINESS THE NATION

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

‘Advertising auditing will boost growth’

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

A

N outdoor advertising industry driven by audience measurement will help media planners and buyers justify investments on media, an expert has said.

Speaking against the backdrop of earth of credible data to justify outdoor advertising agencies’ charges on billboards, the Managing Director of MediaReach OMD Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya said lack of dependable data was affecting the sector.

He said: “First, at the core of the issue lies the lack of credible scientific research which would substantiate the reach and efficacy of the OOH medium. At a basic level, this implies at least a need for measurement that would let media planners and buyers establish a cost per 1000 people reached for various sites and, therefore, a rationale for the money to be invested on the media.”

Ogunkoya, who is President of Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), said a credible monitoring was vital to the sector.

He also said it would enhance a robust advertising expenditure auditing which in turn would let competitive spends be tracked over a period for clients to monitor and invest on competitive media investments.

He said: “Apart from this, there is also the importance of the state in the marketing plans of different clients. Markets where distribution/ sales is an issue, tend to get lesser media support from most clients while those where distribution/ sales are doing well tend to attract more media investments.”

He advised outdoor agencies to ensure a system whereby they can justify why advertisers should pay for a media exposure on the billboards adding that such system should be handled by third party to avoid manipulation of figures.

D

IRECTORS and key management officials of various quoted companies that were issued three-month notice of compulsory delisting from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) have been making frantic efforts to clear the backlog of corporate governance issues and secure waivers from the Exchange as the deadline closes in.

The NSE had in late June given a three-month notice of compulsory delisting to 18 firms for various corporate governance and post-listing failures, especially non-release of financial reports and accounts for several years. The three-month notice expires next month.

A reliable source at the NSE said the Exchange would follow through the process of compulsory delisting for those companies that fail to meet acceptable standards by the expiration of the notice.

Many market and corporate source told The Nation that various companies have reached out to the NSE to redress their corporate governance failures and seek for extended timeline to comply with some restructurings that require major changes.

Investigation by The Nation

Companies rush to beat delisting deadline • NSE to delist defaulting firms next month Stories by Taofik Salako

confirmed that the 18 companies were still listed on compulsory delisting, implying that none of the companies has been cleared by the NSE. The affected companies included Investment and Allied Insurance Plc, Goldlink Insurance, Afroil, Rokana Industry, IPWA, West African Glass Industry, Nigeria Wire and Cable, Starcomms, Daar Communication, Mtech, Big Treat, G.Cappa, FTN Cocoa Processing and UTC Nigeria.

Others included Stockvis, Nigeria Sewing Machine, Jos International Breweries, Capital Oil and Golden Guinea.

The NSE had indicated that while the five of the companies, including Stockvis, Nigeria Sewing Machine, Jos International Breweries, Capital Oil and

Golden Guinea were penciled for delisting because they failed to regularise their listing status, other companies were being delisted because they have failed to submit requisite financial and operational statements.

"The regulatory action is necessary to protect investing public from trading in the securities of entities with no current information regarding their financial status," the NSE had stated.

Reliable sources said the boards and key management staff of many of the affected companies as well as some influential shareholders have engaged the management of the Exchange on some of the underlining issues raised by the notice.

According to sources, a few of the companies have made appreciable progress in resolving

the concerns.

One of the companies-FTN Cocoa Processing Plc has already released its two outstanding audited reports and accounts for the 2012 and 2013 business years.

All the companies slated for delisting had been dormant and mostly at their nominal values.

Companies such as Big Treat, Starcomms, Capital Oil and Afroil have been subjects of regulatory investigations.

The Nation had earlier reported that the companies have been under intense pressure from shareholders, creditors and other stakeholders since the issuance of notice of delisting.

Many shareholders were against the delisting of the companies, noting that delisting would worsen shareholders' fate.

However, shareholders who spoke to The Nation recently had called on the capital market regu-

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

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

• From right: Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema and President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Albert Okumagba during the closing of trading by the UBA Chairman at the NSE. HE Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has called for the adoption of the naira as the currency for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-states.

NACCIMA, however, said for this to happen, the naira should be revalued to be at par with the American Dollar as it was in the 80s.

Its Director-General, Dr John Isemede, said the much-talkedabout economic integration had been elusive for years because the requirements for convergence could not be met by the participating countries.

He said: “Our import cultures have not allowed economic integration and taking orders

T

‘Fraud, forgery cost banks N20b’ - P 26

lators to probe the utilisation of the funds earlier raised by those companies and the previous projections made by the companies.

Chairman, Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association (IBZA), Chief Sola Abodunrin, said the delisting of the companies could discourage investors from future participation in new issues as most of them only came to the market to raise funds without returns to shareholders.

According to him, the companies did not follow through with their purposes of the fund raising and mismanaged investors' funds.

Abodunrin, a member of the board of trustees of the Investors Protection Fund (IPF) of the NSE, said delisting would be worse for the investors in the companies as they won't be able to retrieve their investments.

He said the companies would not adhere to any iota of corporate governance after delisting and shareholders would not have any hope of holding the companies to account.

National coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, also said the NSE and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should go beyond the delisting to determine the extent of management's culpability in the companies' misfortunes.

Another shareholders' leader, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, called for a thorough investigation of the management of the companies.

According to him, the regulators should extricate failures that were due to environmental constraints from those due to managerial failures.

Also, NSE’s Head, Legal and Regulation Division, Tinuade Awe, confirmed to The Nation that the Exchange has got overtures from some of the companies.

NACCIMA proposes single currency for ECOWAS •Urges naira’s revaluation

By Toba Agboola

from other people to run our own country. So, how can we achieve the economic bloc?

“We are talking of the Common External Tariff (CET), which will take off next year; we are a sub-region and not a customs union. For us to be a customs union, incentives, value added tax (VAT), import duties, tariff and non-tariff must be the same.

“Today, VAT in Nigeria is five per cent, Benin Republic 20 per cent; Ghana 17 per cent. So, if we now have all these, why will the borders not be porous and smug-

gling not be booming because there is a big advantage of routing your goods through Nigeria at five per cent. How can we achieve free movement of goods with the differences in VAT?” Isemede said if the economy could be develop internally like it was in the 80s, the naira could be become ECOWAS’ single currency.

“If we can develop our economy internally as it happened in the 80s, the naira can become ECOWAS single currency. I can give you the exchange rates of the Nigerian cur-

20 firms to form NSE’s premium board - P28

rency for over 30 years. In 1980 , it was between 50 and 60 kobo to the U.S. Dollar. When SAP (Structural Adjustment Programme) was introduced, it was N42 to a dollar in 1986.

“So, all we have to do is to work on our own naira because in the past, people were traveling abroad with the naira because it was more or less the single currency in West Africa.

“If the value of the naira today is N50 to the US Dollar, a lot of experts in America would come back to Nigeria because the value of the currency. If you are mighty, other economies will run after you,” he said.

According to him, Ghana Cedis and the CFA may not

qualify for single currency for the sub-region because they are overvalued and have been depreciating for almost 20 years.

He ruled out the possibility of achieving convergence.

He said: “In fact, we cannot wait for this people because there can never be a convergence. It can’t work. The CFA today is a member of the Euro because when France decided to surrender the French franc to Euro the CFA automatically became Euro; if you are doing business with francophone countries if you invoiced your goods in dollars and pounds, they may not pay you because their currency is not tied to dollar and pound.’’

Pension assets hit N4.4tr - P38

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

26

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

Fraud, forgery cost banks N20b, says survey B

ANKS lost over N20 billion to frauds and forgeries between January and June, last year, according to a survey.

There were 2.478 fraud and forgery cases valued at over N20 billion during the first half of last year, the KPMG Nigeria 2014 Customer Satisfaction Survey on Fraud and Forgery said.

The figure, it said, represents an eight per cent increase over the previous year’s volume and indicates a significant increase in value of over 200 per cent from 2012.

On cybercrime, the report said at two per cent of retail customers indicated that they were fraud victims last year, adding that while this number appears small today, it may signify the start of a potentially disturbing future trend.

The battle against cybercrime is a typical example of a rat-race that is difficult to win, it said, adding that the least one can do is to try to stay as up to-date as possible.

According to the report, an overwhelming number of corporate customers (95 per cent) rated security of their online corporate solution as their most important element of online banking, fol-

Stories by Collins Nweze

lowed by the ease of use, and convenience.

“When questioned specifically on their level of comfort with the quality of online banking security, only 50 per cent of customers reported strong satisfaction levels, others were of the opinion that there was room for further improvements,” it said.

For Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and Treasurers of corporate organisations, banks will need to focus on two priority areas to further improve user experience and meet the evolving needs of corporate users.

Corporate customers, such as CFOs and Treasurers, want banks to recognise the changing nature of their roles so as to provide appropriate support, especially in the area of reporting. This specific class of customers desires greater flexibility and options for customising financial reports.

The report identified lack of sufficient detail in reporting of transactions as well as the inability to see at a glance, a consolidated view of all banking transactions and accounts across dif-

ferent banking relationships.

“Increasingly, real-time data is crucial to corporate planning, forecasting and decision-making. Thus, it is clear why corporate customers are demanding that banks provide reliable and accessible real-time data.

A number of the corporate respondents suggested that more banks should build capabilities to support integration between Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms and banks’ proprietary e-payment solutions, thereby minimising the need for manual intervention and ultimately reducing the risk of errors,” it said.

KPMG said corporate customers continue to complain that banks need to invest a lot more towards a deeper understanding of their businesses and industry.

That way, they feel that banks will be able to support their needs in a more proactive and comprehensive manner.

However, when questioned on banks’ ability and responsiveness towards designing fit-forneed solutions, only 29 per cent of corporate customers expressed satisfaction with their bank’s ability to tailor solutions

• Managing Director/CEO, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Omar Hafeez (left); founder Growing Businesses Foundation Dr. Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien (2nd left); Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele (right) presenting a certificate and cheque of N750,000 to Executive Director, Self-Reliance Economic Advancement Programme (SEAP), Olatunde Oladokun (middle) for winning the Most Innovative Microfinance Institution award during the seventh Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards in Abuja.

CBN assures of new notes, lower denominations

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it has made arrangement with merchants to ensure adequate circulation of lower denominations and new notes to meet the consumers’ demands.

It said the decision was part of its measures to protect the consumers’ rights.

Addressing reporters in Sokoto as part of its sensitisation and awareness campaigns for educated and grassroots consumers, the apex bank’s Head Consumer Education Division, Khadijah Kasim, assured Nigerians that the lender had simplified its mechanisms for the benefit of the public irrespective of their economic class or status.

Mrs Kasim said the bank was committed to protecting consumers such that its efforts would impact on the economy and en-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

hance growth.

According to her, ”every Nigerian is free to go directly and get new notes from the CBN. “We have a responsive security arrangement in place to check those hawking new naira notes,” Kasim stressed.

She explained that the weeklong sensitisation, which include workshops and interactive sessions would avail consumers the opportunity to understand and make wise financial decisions that would improve their economic status.

She noted that lack of consumer sophistication on financial transactions and businesses were largely responsible for the near collapse of the economy in the past, adding: ”That was why the CBN evolved some reforms to

sensitise the system as a cardinal component.

“This has further enabled the bank to upgrade its mechanism by establishing a full-fledged department for a sound financial system and services that will engender the confidence of consumers of financial services with banks.’’

Mrs Kasim, who represented Hajiya Ummah Aminu Dutse, a Director of the bank, also explained that the CBN has enough smaller denominations that can serve the demand of the public.

“Some consumers do not want to carry coins with them for transactions due to their bulky nature,” Kasim said.

She further explained that the new N65 ATM charges are only applicable on the forth withdrawal at a various (ATM) pay points other than a customer’s bank.

to their needs.

In the three segments, product suitability was rated as one of the most important service measures for customer satisfaction. While the retail and SME customer segments reported slight increases in satisfaction with product suitability, their interest in loans against satisfaction remained unchange in the corporate segment.

“For corporate bodies, there was some improvement in satisfaction levels with the quality of e-payments and collections capabilities. In our estimation, we

feel that the issue may not necessarily be that quality has declined — in many instances, banks have made considerably more investments — it is that customer expectations have increased,” it said.

Access to credit remain, it said, a significant challenge for retail and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) customers. Despite majority of customers in both segments expressing interest in accessing loans, only about two in ten customers are very pleased with the ease of access to credit facilities.

Nigeria to benefit from $3.3b fund

F

BN Capital has said manage ment consultants, Ernst & Young estimates that Africa focused-Private Equity (PE) firms raised $3.3 billion in 2013.

The investment and research firm said Nigeria would be the major beneficiary of the funds, adding that the greater opportunities and rewards lie in PE. FBN Capital said findings of the National Bureau of Statistics is that the average household has 5.7 people, adding that Nigeria has 23.4 million middle class, equivalent to almost 14 per cent of the population. According to the report, consumption by the households ranges from $23 to $115 per day.

The study reports that the middle class population has increased six-fold since 2000, indicating a redistribution of wealth amounting to more than just “trickledown”.

“Many investors have bought into the story of the emerging middle class. Marriott of the US bought South Africa’s Protea Hospitality Group, which has several properties across Nigeria.

Local e-commerce companies such as Jumia and Konga are expanding rapidly on the back of foreign investment.

It said shopping malls are the most visible examples of this investment. Market research for

the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja identified 68,000 households within its target consumer area spending at least $150,000 (N24.31million) per year on consumables. This would place them well above the middle class range,” it said.

However, FBN Capital said the story is at odds with the generally, disappointing results of listed consumer goods companies in first quarter of and second quarter of the year.

“Their sales growth has slowed markedly. We have also bought into the story and suggest that the listed companies, unlike the many which are privately owned, may not be targeting the best domestic market. The listed companies account for no more than five per cent of this segment of the economy in sales terms,” it said.

Globally, money committed to private equity funds but as yet uninvested – stands at a record $1.19 trillion, up from $1.08 trillion at the end of last year and comfortably above the pre-crisis peak.

This suggests lot of money will be chasing the best investments, pushing up prices and potentially forcing some funds to make do with less attractive opportunities.

Moreover, this unspent cash looms at a time when private equity funds are already being forced to pay historically high prices for companies.

Depositors demand improved online services

D

EPOSITORS are clamouring for improved e-payment platform services.

They complained to The Nation about poor Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) services, poor network at Point of Sale (PoS) terminals and online payment services.

A real estate developer, Shina Aguda, said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cash-less initiative, which pioneered the e-payment services is noble, but must be improved to achieve result.

He said in almost all cases where he used the ATM, the services always failed. According to him: “I have never used the ATM without it having a network issue and this has cost me a lot because I have to keep changing ATM cards on regular basis and this is not fair at all”.

He said poor network services remained a challenge that the CBN and other stakeholders must address in customers’ interest.

Aguda said banks could improve their technology and networks in

By Erekosima Lucy

order to replicate the seamless services witnessed in other countries.

He advised the CBN and banks to take adequate measures that would guarantee safety of customers’ transactions especially those that use internet banking platforms.

Another customer, Mr Kunle Adeshina, a businessman based in Lagos, said PoS is a better alternative to cash, adding that it is safer.

He said carrying huge cash attracts risks that should be avoided, noting that poor quality network has made use of PoS frustrating for customers.

Adeshina said most customers were interested in using e-payment platforms, adding that it is only quality service that will sustain such interests.

An estate manager, Kenneth Opara, said service quality varies from bank to bank. He advised banks to deploy the right technology in improving services and customer satisfaction.

27

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

MONEY The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and others in financial circles have been defending the return of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) charge, which was N100 before it was abolished in 2012. It was restored few weeks ago at N65 and it will take effect from September 1. Depositors are not impressed with arguments for its return. They perceive the policy as a ploy to shortchange them, reports COLLINS NWEZE.

War of words over ATM charge T HE reintroduction of N65 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) charge took many bank depositors by surprise. The N100 ATM charge was abolished in 2012. But, a few weeks ago, the charge was reintroduced but with a different amount of N65.

Depositors believe its return is another policy targeted at further enriching the banks and impoverishing them.

But the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in a statement last week, said the policy was intended to enhance the process of ATM transactions and ginger lenders to invest more in the machines. The CBN also wants customers to understand that banks need the charge to improve ATM services and achieve the seamless cash-less banking they have been asking for.

The CBN said it noted some public comments on its recent circular in respect of fees/charges on the extended use of other banks’ ATMs. These reactions, it said, had been mixed with most commentators showing great understanding and others expressing clear lack of understanding of the rationale for the decision of the Bankers’ Committee.

To experts, N65 per transaction on remote-on-us ATM cash withdrawals is a step in the right direction. Remote-on-us are transactions done by a card holder on another bank’s ATM. The policy, which will take effect from September 1, is generating mixed reactions.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company (FDC), Mr. Bismark Rewane, described the reinstatement of the charge as appropriate.

He said it was wrong for the CBN to have removed the charge in the first place. Rewane insisted that the charge was necessary given that the dynamics of banking are such that banks would continue to invest and re-invest in infrastructure to ensure that they continue to provide quality service to customers.

He noted that banks are carrying the burden of paying the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) levies; the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) premium, adding that the commission on turnover (COT), which is also a cash spinner for lenders is also almost being removed by the apex bank.

An Executive Director at Sterling Bank, Abubaker Suleiman, said that the re-instatement of cost recovery for the use of other banks’ ATM was intended to limit the cost incurred by banks and does not constitute profit.

He said: “Banks are still left with the burden of three free withdrawals a month, which translates to N195 monthly charge. While this cost is less than the income on medium and high value accounts, it is sufficient to render most low value accounts unprofitable, which will force banks to discontinue marketing such accounts.”

Suleiman argued that the last thing the country needs at this time is a rollback of the financial inclusion campaign, which has resulted in a noticeable uptick in customer enrollment by banks and has created access to financial services for

more than one million Nigerians in just over a year.

He stressed that the previous policy on limitless withdrawals might have benefitted those who were already financially included in the short-term but would have harmed mostly poor people with banks scaling back investments for mass market and refocusing on the middle class.

Furthermore, emphasised that the burden on banks arising from the combined weight of NDIC premiums and AMCON levy as well as the increasing cost of Cash Reserves gave little room for pushing additional cost to banks.

He added that these costs has become a source of concern for investors and could have negative impact on capital flows. “When it comes to the cost of using ATMs, Nigerian banking customers still have one of the best deals you can find in any jurisdiction” Suleiman averred.

But chairman of the National Humans Rights Commission (NHRC) Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, kicked against the policy, saying does not benefit the poor and should be discouraged. “So the CBN Governor has decreed that each ATM transaction shall henceforth attract a charge of N65.

Clearly, providers of banking services exist to make profits for their shareholders. But regulatory powers are a public good. There is a legitimate question to be raised here: (how) does this serve the public good?,” he queried.

Odinkalu continued: “Nigeria is a country that is heavily under-banked; banking penetration is low; retail banking is poor in many places. For these deficiencies, customers are to be levied what is in effect a financial services tax of N65 per withdrawal.

And this in a country in which no bank recorded a loss in the last year.

I do understand ATMs need a backend. But if the banks are already profitable, while introducing the fee”.

Does anyone know the figures for average trip to a cash-point per customer per annum? That would give a sense of ? how much this tax is worth.

“With the level of hardship we have here, how many Nigerians can afford this tax? I would like to get a legal team to review this because there may be room to get the CBN to justify itself under the applicable rules of judicial review,” he said.

Central Banking Report, international online researchers, said the CBN is defending the ATM policy because it feels the reintroduction of fee will hinder abuse of expensive ATMs and promote its cashless policy. It also said fee was abolished in 2012 to encourage use of ATMs and promote the cash-less banking initiative.

• Odinkalu

• Fatokun

tually turned ATMs into their personal purses because nothing i s c ha r g ed . S om ebod y need s N500, N1,000, he will go to an ATM to withdraw, such that in a day, some people can patronise ATMs up to five times,” he said.

According to him, this has created a huge cost burden for the banks that issued the cards. It was the major reason the central bank decided that even though remote-on-us would still be encouraged, a customer can go to other banks’ ATMs and withdraw up to three times and there would not be any charges. But the customer would be charged N65 when he makes the fourth withdrawal.

“Of course, if you go to the ATM of your bank, you are free to withdraw as much as you like.

So, it does not discourage financial inclusion,” Fatokun argued further. The central bank had explained that it took the latest decision as a result of the unintended consequences on banks.

It had said the earlier arrangement had resulted in substantial cost burden incurred by banks in defraying the cost for the service. According to the CBN, the reintroduction of the fee was also to cover the remuneration of the switches, ATM monitoring and fit-notes processing by acquiring banks.

What the policy says

• Suleiman

• Rewane

According to Chairman Rockview Consulting Limited, Kingsley Obinna, pressure on some banks’ ATMs is likely to rise with the new policy. This, he said would lead to poor service quality and loss of fund by customers.

However, he said since ATM has become lucrative, it more banks which found no reason to expand their ATM figures will be forced to invest more in new machines.

Also, he said customers of banks with limited number of ATMs will be disadvantaged if they have to rely on their banks which may be far away from their homes.

For him, lenders are finding ways to defray the burden of the cost from themselves despite the huge billions declared as profit every year from credit interest and bank charges.

Also an electrical parts merchant in Balogun, Lagos, Emeka Onyewuchi lamented that apart from the fact that the reintroduction would impoverish ATM users, it would also discourage people from using the ATMs. Likewise, a textile dealer based in Oshodi, area of Lagos State, Michael Obi, said it was surprising that the CBN could take such

a decision when people are been encouraged to go cashless.

He called on the apex bank to reverse the decision as it capable of send-ing wrong signal the banking populace.

Speaking in an interview in Lagos, Director, Banking and Payment System Department, CBN, ‘Dipo Fatokun, said the policy will not affect the apex bank’s financial inclusion campaign. He also insisted that the policy was not a re-introduction of charges.

Fatokun said prior to the amendments in December 2012 it used to be N100 on any remoteon-us withdrawal. But he said the N100 was removed then so that people would be encouraged to go to other banks’ ATMs. “But the truth is that, as we said in the circular, that of the N100, N35 goes to the payment bank, which has now been completely waived. But in going to other ATMs to make withdrawals, your bank, which is the acquirer bank, incurs a cost of N65 which they pay to the switches and the owner of the ATM that you are using.

“Between 2012 and recently, when the review was done, it was discovered that people have ac-

‘Between 2012 and recently, when the review was done, it was discovered that people have actually turned ATMs into their personal purses because nothing is charged. Somebody needs N500, N1,000, he will go to an ATM to withdraw, such that in a day, some people can patronise ATMs up to five times’

The CBN had reintroduced Automated Teller Machine (ATM) fee it scrapped in December, last year. The apex bank said from September 1, customers will commence payment of N65 as against the N100 fee charged previously.

Fatokun, who made this known in a circular, the re-introduction of Remote-on-us ATM cash withdrawal fee of N65 per transaction, is to cover the remuneration of the switches, ATM monitors and fit-notes processing by acquiring banks.

He said the new charge shall apply as from the fourth transaction in another bank’s ATM. “The fee shall apply in “Remote-on-us” withdrawal (in a month) by a card holder, thereby making the first three (3) ‘remote-on-us transactions free for the card holder, but to be paid for by the issuing bank.

September 1, 2014 shall be the effective date for the implementation of the new fee,” he said.

However, all ATM cash withdrawals on the machine of issuing banks shall be at no cost to the card holder. He advised banks to conduct adequate sensitisation to their customers, on the introduction of the new fee.

The Nation’s findings showed that the top five banks - FirstBank, GTBank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa and Access Bank are worst hit by the removal of the ATM fee. However, it is expected that the reintroduction of the fees is a plus for these lenders and would boost their revenue base.

For instance, FirstBank of Nigeria operates an extensive distribution network with over 750 business locations (623 branches, 61 quick service points and 69 cash centres/agencies), over 2,397 ATM’s and over nine million customer accounts.

The bank has five subsidiary companies, providing a comprehensive range of financial services.

Equally, banks will fewer ATMs are likely to lose some of their customers as they drift to the bigger banks over the policy.

28

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

20 companies to form new Stock Exchange's T premium board

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) may pick 20 companies out of the 30 stocks that made up its NSE 30 Index to form its new premium board. The NSE 30 Index tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks at the stock market.

The Nation's investigation indicated that the NSE may soon launch the new premium board, which will effectively make the Exchange a three-tier trading platform. The new premium board is designed as a market for the most capitalised stocks with the best corporate governance and liquidity. It is meant to showcase Nigeria's best stocks to the global market.

The proposed premium board will be NSE's exclusive board with its listing rules and criteria. The existing listing boards, the main board and the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM), will also continue to run concurrently with the new premium board. The existing listing rules will continue to apply to companies currently on the main board and ASeM. Investigation showed that some 20 companies may make the inaugural list for the new premium board, which will subsequently be used by the NSE to woo major companies in Nigeria's premium sectors of oil and gas, telecommunications and manufacturing.

Companies that will be regrouped into the new premium board, according to a

Stories by Taofik Salako

preview of the criteria obtained by The Nation, will be taken from five sectors of the NSE. These included leading breweries, cement-manufacturers, leading fast moving and consumer goods companies (FCMGs), oil and gas companies and banks. However, the new board will still be dominated by banks which are expected to have the largest representation and as well as liquidity.

None of the stocks in the populous insurance sector and other sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, construction and information and communication technology will make the maiden trading list for the board.

The existing quoted companies that will make the new premium board, according to a preview, included the two leading cement companies- Dangote Cement and Lafarge Africa, the two leading breweries-Nigerian Breweries and Guinness Nigeria, at least seven banks including Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, FBN Holdings, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Stanbic IBTC Holdings, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Access Bank as well as at least three oil and gas stocks including Oando,

Forte Oil and newly listed Seplat Petroleum Development Company.

Other companies that will make the list included Nestle Nigeria, Unilever Nigeria, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria and Flour Mills of Nigeria.

A source in the know of the undercurrents at the Exchange indicated that the transition of companies across the three boards will be a continuous exercise as companies that meet the criteria for the premium board will be upgraded to the board while any company on the premium board that falls below the minimum standards will be downgraded to the appropriate lower board.

The NSE will also continue to undertake primary listing of new companies on the three boards, depending on the qualifying criteria and status of the company.

A preview of the criteria for the new board obtained by The Nation had indicated that companies to be listed on the new board must have market capitalisation of not less than $1 billion or about N157 billion.

The companies must also score at least 70 per cent on the Exchange and the Convention for Business Integrity's Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS).

Besides, the companies must have a minimum free float of 20 per cent or value of shares floated must be equal to or above $1 billion and the number of shares representing its issued share capital must be equal to or above 10 billion units.

The companies are expected to meet stringent corporate governance, capitalisation and liquidity conditions.

According to the draft rules for the new board currently under consideration, to remain on the premium board, an issuer's continued eligibility shall be evaluated by the Exchange annually in line with all the outlined criteria or on the basis of additional requirements which may from time to time be prescribed by the Exchange, provided that each company shall comply with all other continuing listing obligations as specified under the listings rules of the Exchange.

The council of the NSE may also in its

discretion grant an extension of time for a company to comply with the relevant free float requirements set out in these rules; provided that the company submits a formal and substantiated request in that regard setting out the reasons why it could not meet the said requirements and how it proposes to satisfy the requirements within the time granted.

Also, in the event of non-compliance with any applicable codes or regulations affecting their governance, companies shall be expected without prompting, to disclose in the Directors' report of their annual report why they are in breach.

The Exchange had indicated that the new board is aimed at providing a platform for greater global visibility for eligible Nigerian entities, which will make it easier for them to attract global capital flows and reduce the cost of borrowing.

Head, legal and regulation, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Tinuade Awe, said the new board would subsist on a very strict regime with a great deal of emphasis placed on the need to comply with good corporate governance.

According to her, the companies on the new board would be liable to sanctions in the event of breach of the premium board rules as well as the listings rules of the Exchange.

Red Star Express bemoans difficult operating environment

C

HAIRMAN, Red Star Express Plc, Dr Mohammed Koguna, has expressed worry over the difficult operating environment, noting that the economic and business environment continues to be challenging for most companies, including Red Star Express.

According to him, the increasing rate of insecurity in various parts of the country, particularly the Northeast, including Abuja, which is one of the company's high revenue generating territory, slightly impacted on its business.

He noted that the inability of the privatised power sector to increase output as envisaged, as a result of issues with gas supply and power distribution, rising inflation cost and decaying infrastructure continue to pose great challenges to businesses in the country resulting in maintenance and operations cost.

In an address to shareholders at the company's general meeting, Koguna said despite all these challenges, the Nigerian economy remains one of the fastest growing economies in the world with comparable high indices in foreign direct investment.

He said Red Star Express has been positioning to key into the increasing potentials noting that the company is embarking on various expansion projects that will spur phenomenal growth in the company and the process for the actualisation of the strategic investment projects are being put in place.

"Embarking on these projects we are certain would improve the quality of service offered to customers, increase our market share and ultimately improve margins," Koguna said.

According to him, the company posted a turnover of N6.4 billion in the year under review achieving 21 per cent increase in revenue compared with N5.3billion achieved last year. The profit before tax increased from N544.9 million to N603.9 million, showing an increase of 11 per cent, while profit after tax grew by 33 per cent, moving from N331.77 million to N403.63 million.

He pointed out that the company has maintained its commitment in the creation of wealth for shareholders, in appreciation of their support at all times adding that the company would be distributing gross cash dividend of 35 kobo for every 50 kobo shares translating toN206 million, representing a growth of nine per cent compared to N189 million paid last year.

He further said that as part of corporate social responsibility, the company considers the community as a social

By Alvin Afadama

partner.

"Red Star Express considers the community as a social partner and thereby established the Red Star Foundation ten years ago as part of its corporate social responsibility. The objective of the Red Star Foundation is to partner with our host community through addressing support for education , poverty alleviation, skill development, and environmental responsiveness. In the area of education, twenty scholarship awards were given out to students from different schools in the western and northern regions of the country. While in the area of poverty alleviation, four homes [old people's homes and orphanage homes ]were beneficiaries of the "I care project".

A sum of #2,018,170 representing 0.5 per cent of our profit after tax was appropriated to the foundation," Koguna said.

•President Goodluck Jonathan presenting an Agric Fnancing Award to Group Managing Director Union Bank PLC, Emeka Emuwa, in Abuja.

NSE steps up surveillance as cyber fraudsters target stock market

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has issued a red alert on increasing cyber frauds and scam attempts specifically targeted at the stock market as the Exchange step up its surveillance to protect investors and operators.

In a circular to market operators, the NSE stated that it has observed increasing trend of cyber fraud and scam mails being sent by fraudsters and impersonators to stockbroking firms.

As part of the measures to checkmate the rising trend of cyber frauds, the NSE said that stockbrokers must ensure compliance with the market standards on identity fraud management and enhanced customer due diligence, otherwise known as “Know Your Client” (KYC).

In the circular signed by NSE’s Head, Broker Dealer Regulation, Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo, the Exchange underscored the importance of customer due diligence and immediate report of any suspicious transaction or message to the market’s regulators and the law enforcement agencies.

“The Exchange has observed an increasing trend of cyber fraud and scam mail sent by fraudsters and impersonators to dealing member firms.

Dealing members are advised to confirm all client orders or mandates made by fax, telephone (voice or text) or electronic email before execution,” the circular stated.

According to the NSE, stockbrokers and other operators must also ensure compliance with existing rules by con-

ducting proper KYC on all clients and report suspicious transactions.

The Exchange has mulled new policies to tighten the KYC framework in the stock market and stem investorsrelated frauds. These included the policies on biometric identification and direct payment of cash to investors.

Under the biometric identification, individual and institutional investors would have to submit for biometric identification before they could buy or sell shares at the Nigerian stock market.

A copy of amendments to rules governing operations and operators at the stock market showed that all stockbrokers will now be required to obtain the biometrics of all their clients in a new rule being proposed by the NSE. In what may have far-reaching implication at the market, NSE indicated biometric identifiers to be obtained “shall include finger prints and iris recognition and the information collected shall be applied towards confirming clients’ identities”.

While individual investors will have to provide biometrics on every account, corporate entities will provide corporate information as well as biometrics of the authorized signatories to their share trading accounts.

“No Dealing Member shall open, accept and/or operate a share trading account or otherwise deal in any manner whatso-

ever, on behalf of any person or entity unless the biometrics of such person or authorised signatories of the entity have been collected by the firm,” the new rules stated.

According to the proposed rules, any stockbroker that fails to obtain the biometrics of its clients and obtain adequate knowyour-client documentation from its clients shall be suspended from trading forthwith until regularisation is effected.

Under the direct cash policy, net proceeds of stock market transactions would be sent directly to bank accounts of investors through the Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS, the clearing and settlement gateway of the market.

As against the general practice whereby the payments for investors’ transactions go into the accounts of the brokers for onward disbursement to their clients, the general practice under the ‘direct cash settlement’ will be to send the net proceeds direct from the clearing and settlement system straight to the investors’ accounts while the existing practice of payment through brokers will become exceptional cases.

The NSE has already advanced on the framework for the new direct cash payment system, with the rules setting out the framework currently undergoing review for final draft and approval by the Securities and

Exchange Commission (SEC).

According to the new rules, brokers are mandated to provide their clients’ bank account details to the CSCS, being the agent of the Exchange for the clearing and settlement of all securities traded on the Automated Trading System (ATS) of the NSE. Settlement of each trade carried out on the ATS shall then be done by direct payment into the client’s account as provided to the CSCS. Under the proposed framework, brokers are mandated within three working days of receiving instructions from a client that settlement should be done by direct payment into such client’s account to notify the CSCS of the client’s instructions and provide the client’s account details to the CSCS. Any broker-dealer that fails to notify and provide the account details within the three-day timeline will be liable to a fine of N250,000 in addition to any other penalty which the Exchange may impose, according to the new rules.

However, a client that declines direct cash payment into its account provided to the CSCS shall notify the CSCS by completing a direct cash settlement notification form, specially made for that purpose.

Also, settlement of transactions carried out on behalf of any client whose account details are not provided to the CSCS shall be done by payment into the account of the client’s broker-dealer firm.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

PAGE 29

THREE YEARS AFTER RAVAGING FLOOD

Oyo rebuilds bridges

Three years after an early evening downpour triggered a devastating flood in Ibadan and some other communities in Oyo State, killing no fewer than 100 residents and destroying infrastructure, the state government has rebuilt some of the damaged bridges, bridges bringing great relief to motorists and residents of the affected areas. BISI OLADELE reports.

A INSIDE

UGUST 26, 2011 was a day nobody in Ibadan and some communities outside the Oyo State capital

Controversy trails sale of Owena Motels PAGE 31

would forget in a hurry.

Just as it was in August 1980 with the Omiyale flood disaster, the heavens opened

Save us from Ajagungbale, communities plead with govt

PAGES 32-33

on the ancient city on that day and rained sorrows, tears and blood. •Continued on page 30

When traditionalists celebrated Isese festival in Osun

PAGE 35

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

30

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Oyo rebuilds bridges •Apete bridge under construction

•Apete pedestrian bridge

•Ajibode bridge

•Apete bridge

•Mustapha

Continued from page 29

At the end of over seven-hour downpour which triggered heavy flooding particularly, in Ibadan, many people were swept away along with several bridges and vehicles.

The rain had started like a drizzle. It showered and gradually developed into a torrent pouring for several hours, trapping many commuters, shop owners and occupants of some building either constructed near flood planes or standing right on flood paths.

According to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, the rain measured 187.5mm and lasted for seven and a half hours.

In Ibadan, the areas flooded include Onipepeye, Odo-Ona Elewe, Odo Ona Apata, NIHORT, Ijokodo, Sango, Apete, Ajibode, Orogun, Agbowo, old Bodija, Ikolaba, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Fatusi Ogbere, Olodo Kumapayi, University of Ibadan, Eleyele Waterworks and Oluyole Estate. A few bridges were also washed away in Oyo town.

According to the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Media, Dr Festus Adedayo, the flood was caused by several factors including indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainages, development of structures along flood plains, climate change and effects of global warming.

Adedayo recalled that the government immediately after the havoc ordered weekly environmental sanitation exercise to aid cleaning of the city. He also disclosed that government took several other actions to mitigate the effects of the flood and prevent a recurrence. Apart from the palliatives to the victims, concrete steps were taken by government to reconstruct the damaged bridges to bring relief to both the residents and motorists in the affected areas.

Besides, the government constructed temporary pedestrian bridges to reconnect cut-off communities in Apete and Ayegun communities, cleared blocked drains, expanded and de-silted streams like the Ona River that runs through the metropolis.

Adedayo added that “contracts were awarded for the reconstruction of the major bridges and roads affected during the flood and many of them have been completed or at advanced stages of completion.” The bridges include the ones at “Apete, Secretariat-Bodija, Olomi, Ogbere. Works have also been completed on damaged bridges and

roads such as Agbongbon Bridge, Simeon Adebo\Davies Hotel/Blessed Water Road, Simeon Adebo/Adeyi, Awolowo Road, Orita Aperin/ Omowumi/Olorunsogo Bridge, Failed portion opposite Orogun Junction, along U.I/Ojoo Road, Mokola/Cele/ Barrack Junction Road/Bridge, Salami Estate/Bodija Road, Ona River at Olubadan Avenue, Oluyole Estate.”

The state’s spokesman also added that government embarked on demolition of structures erected on statutory set-backs, pointing out that over 60 houses on flood plains have been demolished and that more are still slated for demolition.

When The Nation went round the city, so many of the bridges have been reconstructed while pedestrian bridges have been built in areas where new bridges are being built or where the problem is less severe.

The state government disclosed that due to heavy financial burden of reconstructing the bridges and other infrastructures, it started with the most critical ones. These include the multimillion naira Bodija Bridge christened ‘Restoration Bridge’, Ayeye Bridge, Ogbere Babanla Bridge, Olunde Bridge and the Simeon Adebo/Adeyi Bridge, among others.

The Ogbere Babanla bridge was one of the bridges whose collapse brought untold hardship to residents of the area.

The densely populated area, which extends to Ibadan airport was almost practically cut off from the rest of the city but for the Old Ife Road route which served as a painful escape route.

Commercial bus drivers on the route who had no other route to ply, suffered the bridge collapse most.

The Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ogbere branch, Alhaji Rafiu Mustapha told The Nation that commercial drivers on the route went on forced holiday immediately after the bridge collapsed.

He recalled that even in the period of the old bridge, residents and drivers used to face hectic time navigating through the bridge whenever it rained because flood used to overflow the bridge.

He said: “It was a big problem for us because all our business went down, and we were not having income like before.

When the bridge collapsed during the Ramadan season three years ago, we could not go home that day and had to sleep inside this shop. It was in my presence that three people were swept away by the flood on the bridge.

“The old bridge was small and low.

Every little rain led to flood that used to cover the bridge, thereby creating heavy traffic on the route.”

But Alhaji Mustapha is very happy with the new bridge constructed by the state government.

“We are grateful to Governor Abiola Ajimobi because he is a listening governor. Despite the fact that this road is a federal road, immediately he heard about the collapsed bridge, they started work on it and since its completion we have not heard of flood sweeping anybody away again.

“The bridge is of high standard when compared to the former one. The difference between the former one and this one is that this new one is very tall and the river has also been dredged.

Before, flood used to overflow the former bridge but now it doesn’t and flood doesn’t sweep people away again.

“The new bridge has brought about a great relief to us and now our businesses are moving on smoothly. ýWe are very grateful to the Oyo State Government. We are also using this medium to appeal to them to assist us to rehabilitate this road down to IdiObi.” At Bodija, where the Restoration Bridge, is sitting strong, residents applauded government’s efforts, saying it has improved economic activities in the area in a large measure.

On the former bridge, a shop owner at the nearby shopping complex Mr Michael Ajibade, said: “The former bridge was nothing to write home about.

Anytime it rained heavily, people around were, often times, in a big problem because flood would definitely enter their compounds and destroy their property. Flood also swept cars off the road into the stream. Flood used to overflow the bridge. Often times, people found alternative routes.”

Ajibade said the new bridge is a very strong one with good height which makes it difficult for flood to overflow it.

“The new bridge has eased traffic and since the construction of the bridge we have not experienced such problem as we use to experience. Since there is free flow of traffic, there have been changes.

I can say that in the days of the other bridge people found it difficult to drive into the complex but now since the road is good the excuse is no more there. The traffic towards this end is heavy which has affected the business positively.” He said.

•Ajibade

•Ishola PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

The Chairman, Ajibode Unit of the NURTW, Mr Muritala Isola, also explained that the old bridge was a disaster. He recalled times when they had to stay at home for days, and even up to one month when flood overran the old bridge.

“The old bridge used to give us loads of problems every time it rained twice or more successively. Both vehicles and commercial motorcycles would be unable to pass. By this, we would stay at home until the flood goes down. There was a time we stayed at home for one month when it rained for days non-stop.

It was terrible.

But residents used alternative routes inside the University of Ibadan. Those with cars used to take the Apete route because the bridge was still good then.

“But now we are enjoying the bridge.

The government constructed a very solid bridge and it is so tall, no flood can overrun it. We really commend them. The new bridge now enhances our operations as all commercial drivers now drive freely. We are reaping the full potential of the route.

We thank the government for this good job.”

In Oyo town, Alaadorin and Sanga bridges have been reconstructed while Osoro bridge was also reconstructed in Saki.

Overall, the reconstructed bridges have breathed life back to economic activities in all the affected areas while government continues efforts to attend to the rest.

To prevent a recurrence of the tragedy, Adedayo said enforcement of rules and regulations on compliance with environment laws was being vigorously pursued.

Taking proactive measures to forestall a recurrence, he said: “Government came back aftermath that devastating flood to the drawing table.

It immediately set up a panel to look into the overt and covert causes of the flood, with a view to recommending appropriate solutions. That panel came out with the list of a total of about 2500 houses which it recommended for demolition. But after a critical look by government, being a humane one, the number was reviewed downwards, with the belief that massive dredging of rivers and streams, as well as construction of bridges across the state would ameliorate the situation. This we did and we thank God that the result is what we have now – a great reduction in the destructive powers of the flood.

“Government also engaged in massive sensitization measures, especially with the residents and stakeholders of flood-prone areas on one-on-one basis, as well as on the radio and television.

Part of the pro-active measures government took was to work in partnership with the World Bank.

“Because the task of reconstructing these bridges is so massive and is beyond the state government alone, immediately after the 2011flood, the governor met with officials of the World Bank upon which the bank sent its representatives to the state for an assessment. The report has culminated in the bank, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Finance, agreeing in principle to grant the state government emergency relief. Only recently, the World Bank approved the sum of $200 million for the construction of some bridges and roads damaged during the flood.

Part of the fund is to channelize the 30km Ona River and complete the Upper Ogunpa River, along with helping solve the state waste management challenges, from storage, collection, transportation to disposal sites, so as to turn them into sanitary landfills and to eventually begin a waste-to-wealth programme. An absence of these efforts has often been a major cause of flood disasters.

“Another part of the government’s efforts at ensuring that the flood disaster of last year does not reoccur was to also partner with the World Bank on the Eleyele Dam. The report, which came out after this partnership, discovered that the Eleyele Dam had not been silted in its 47 years of existence.

Immediately after the 2011 flood, Governor Ajimobi had to urgently rush to the World Bank office in Abuja, as a result of the predicted heavy rainfall.

He further made a presentation to World Bank officials in Washington through teleconferencing in Abuja to show the emergency nature of the Eleyele Dam. This led to the palliative measures taken by the state government in the reconstruction of Eleyele Dam’s broken slabs. Perhaps, if this had not been done today, the flooding situation would have been more chaotic.

Even though flooding is a natural occurrence, the Oyo government has done every humanly possible thing to ensure that there is no reoccurrence of flood disaster in the state. It is however not resting on its oars.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

31

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Controversy trails sale of Owena Motels

•Bulldozer pulling down Owena Motels

Controversy is trailing the demolition of Owena Motels in Akure by the Ondo State government. The state-owned hotel was demolished to pave the way for a shopping mall and a fivestar hotel, reports DAMISI OJO.

N

OT until when the bulldozers moved into the premises of Owena Motels along Igbatoro Road in Alagbaka area of Akure the Ondo state capital last Monday to pull down the 35-year old structures, did it dawn on the workers and the general public that the curtain was finally coming down on their much loved motel.

When hours earlier the state governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko turned the sod of a proposed shopping mall that would occupy part of Owena Motels premises, not a few still harboured the hope that a reprieve could come that would spare the motels.

But any hope of a reprieve soon fizzled out when the bulldozers moved in to tear down the motels commissioned on July 7, 1979 by then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo.

But ever since Governor Mimiko flagged off the construction of the shopping mall to be operated by the popular Shoprite brand, controversy has continued to trail the decision to demolish Owena Motels.

Though there is contrary view from many quarters on the development, proponents and sponsors of this idea are of the view that the coming of Shoprite and its investment would stimulate the state’s economy and shore up social and economic life in Akure, the Ondo capital in particular.

Mimiko said one of the gains of the shopping mall for the state when completed would be its attendant economic windfall in the short term and prospective stream of generating income to the state in the long term.

At the ground breaking of the project which also includes a car park, Mimiko said construction would commence immediately by Top Services Nigeria Limited, which in partnership with the state government will develop and manage the facility. He said the value of the investment on the project is over N1.651 billion and would be completed within 15 months to complement a new fivestar hotel that will occupy the remaining part of the land formerly occupied by Owena Motels. The five-star hotel is expected to be completed and commissioned before the end of his administration in 2017.

According to him, Top Services Nigeria Limited is a reputable Company with an impressive track record and experience as witnessed in their shopping complex in Lagos and the Cocoa Mall in Dugbe, Ibadan.

Though the arrival of Shoprite in

Akure is seen in many quarters in the state as a welcome development, many were of the opinion that it was wrong for the Labour Party run administration in Ondo State to sell the premises of Owena Motels, regarded as one of the legacies of the founders of the state, to a private concern, the arrangement being a Public Private Partnership (PPP) notwithstanding.

They noted that a neutral ground should have been prepared for the shopping mall.

Aside the propriety or otherwise of the alleged selling of Owena Motels premises to a private entrepreneur, another controversy over the project was the abandonment of Owena Motels and its staffers by the state government in the run up to the new arrangement.

The deplorable structure and poor management of the Motel as revealed by some of the workers clearly indi-

cated that successive governments have not been committed to its promises to the citizenry of the state. A source told The Nation that the state government has not paid the workers’ salaries and other entitlements in the past one and half years.

According to the source, “Government has refused to pay our salary arrears for the past 16 months. We have used every legal mean to press home our demand but all to no avail.

“When we heard that government was going to demolish the Motel to build Shoprite, we were running helterskelter to know what becomes of our fate.

“We pleaded and wrote letters through our leadership to appropriate quarters to pay our salary but government could not respond even up till now that they are demolishing the structure.

“We have since been locked out of the premises of the Motel. What it means

is that we have been tactically eased out of jobs. The most painful thing is that nobody has come to say anything about the salaries we are being owed.”

The worker said he and his colleagues have kept hope alive that one day the present government would attend to our demands.

“But now all hope seems to have been lost. It is unfortunate and sickening. Our jobs have been taken away from us and our outstanding salaries not paid,” he said.

Though some people argued that the Motel has outlived its usefulness, some others have argued that if indeed Owena Motels was no longer meeting up with expectation, it was the responsibility of the state government to upgrade it by putting on ground the necessary infrastructure that will enhance it to be able to compete with other fivestar hotels around, a development which would have provided job op-

portunities for a reasonable number of people.

The State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its reaction said it is not against the demolition of Owena motels and the desire to start Shoprite and a five-star hotel, but government should be open about the transaction.

The party Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke asked:”Has Owena Motels land been sold or is it (the new project) a PPP arrangement? What is in it for Ondo people? We are afraid that someone will just pull down what we have and we will have nothing but an abandoned project (in its place).

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has kicked against the sales and demolition of the motel, especially selling it to a private concern.

The party through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Wale Ozogoro said the move by the government was aimed at selling the legacies bequeathed on it by the previous administrations.

The party said the decision to demolish part of Owena Motels showed that the Labour Party(LP) administration in the state was not out to benefit the citizens.

Ozogoro said the government should have given another parcel of land to Shoprite instead of selling the state legacies to family members and friends of the governor.

According to him, the government supposed to have refurbished the motel and make it to generate revenue to the coffers of the government instead of outright sale.

Ozogoro said during the immediately past government of Dr Olusegun Agagu, what the PDP’s government did was to lease it to a private company in order to turn it around and make it profitable.

He said the intention of the LP government was to destroy all the legacies of the past administrations before it, saying what the government could not sell, it has left comatose. He cited the Oluwa Glass industry and Ifon ceramic as examples.

He said the PDP would go to court to challenge the decision of the government as the party would not wait and allow the LP administration to destroy the future of the state.

The party also told the company not to start construction at the site as any action taken by it would amount to waste of fund as the people of the state would resist the sale of its heritage.

Group prays for peace in the Southwest

•Gen Diya (left) and Apostle Adebiyi during the installation

LAGOS-BASED group, the Christian Ministers’ Welfare Initiatives (CMWI) has devised a working plan to use prayer as a strategy in ensuring peace in all the six geo-political regions of Nigeria, starting with the South West.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos at the weekend the founder and President of the association, Apostle Daniel Aderemi Adebiyi explained that all the challenges facing Nigeria stemmed from the lack of effective prayer by both Christian and Muslim leaders.

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Apostle Adebiyi said one of the covenants the Lord gave him was the covenant of peace, adding that the association gathered in Abuja on June 26, 2014 to save the nation from being dragged into the abyss by the insurgency of Boko Haram.

He said: “As an association, we believe prayer is the only effective weapon that can destroy the power of darkness enveloping the nation.”

CMWI–MOG, as it is fondly called, according to its president has about 4.3 million members that cut across 36 states of the nation.

Flanked by his Deputy President, Bishop Joy Eberico, and the Chief of Staff, Pastor Gbenga Koyi, Apostle Adebiyi said: “The association holds in high esteem its Grand Matron and Ambassador of Peace, Chief (Mrs) Remi Adiukwu, who was the pillar behind the National Prayer Rain for Peace in Abuja.”

Describing Chief Adiukwu as a woman of honesty, truth and integrity, he said the CMWI could not have achieved what it has in the last one year of its existence without her support .

Also speaking on why the group inaugurated General Oladipo Diya (rtd) as its Grand Patron, Apostle Adebiyi said: “The General always gives the association both moral and spiritual support. His constant advice has put us in good stead, and his fatherly role in our day-to- day decision-making cannot be quantified.”

He further said: “We don’t just appoint a Grand Patron. We appoint one after proper screening. We have about six committees. They were all involved in the appointment. This is to show the calibre of our patrons. The General is a great Nigerian who has greatly contributed to the advancement of this nation in many areas of life. His appointment was in recognition of his greatness.”

The association will move to Kaduna on September 6 for the National Prayer for Peace Rain 2015 and the inauguration of the CMWI, Kaduna Chapter.

Apostle Adebiyi said the Kaduna prayer has the support of Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero and other senior government officials.

The group will move to Taraba State on September 9, 2014.

Speaking on the achievements of the association, Apostle Adebiyi said: ”The achievements of the group lie in its membership. The association is waxing stronger in numerical strength. We are mobilizing these members politically and socially for the good of the nation.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT Villagers in 14 neigbouring communities in Ogun and Lagos states have fled their villages, because armed land grabbers, otherwise known as Ajagungbale, have taken over. They say their lives are not safe and are seeking government intervention, SEYI ODEWALE reports.

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Save us from Ajagungbale, communities plead with govt

•Shobowale

•Shitta

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HEY looked harassed and frustrated as they converged on the open space at the frontage of the palace of Baale Orija Okegbegun in Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb, that Monday morning. They are young and old; male and female; able bodied and frail looking people with a simple plea to the government: “Save our souls”. Displaying their various degrees of injuries in a peaceful protest at the vast arena, it was obvious that they were angry at what had befallen them.

Those with gunshot wounds on their arms held out their hands for all to see as they clutched placards with various inscriptions detailing their plights. They are indigenes of 14 villages of Ikorodu and Shagamu towns of Lagos and Ogun States, whose plea to the government is to deliver them and their land from the hands of those they termed land grabbers, otherwise known as Ajagungbale in Yoruba land.

The villagers, in order to show their

•Lamina

seriousness, organised themselves into a group called Association of Communities Against Terrorism in Lagos and Ogun States (ACATLO). In an address by their secretary, Prince Babatunde Oladeinde, the people of Eyin Ogbe; Adeekun Lambo Lasunwon; Teele Ewujebe; Ilu Oloye; Ewumi; Oke Arobi-Ilisa Oba Lire; Aro Ofolu; Salagberu; Tile-tile; Igbosoro Oke-Ibu; Igbosoro Oloride; Oresesu in Ogun State, Jaajo, Oke –Agbo villages in Lagos State said they have become refugees in their fatherland as alleged land grabbers have dis- posed them of their home stead and sent them packing.

“This ugly incident started s o m e years

back when we just woke up and found out that the so-called land grabbers and their hoodlums have attacked Eyin-Ogbe villages and spread to other communities, namely: Adeekun Lambo Lasunwon; Teele Ewujebe; Ilu Oloye; Ewumi; Oke Arobi-Ilisa Oba Lire; Aro Ofolu; Salagberu;

Tile-tile; Igbosoro Oke-Ibu; Igbosoro Oloride;, Oresesu (Ogun State), Jaajo and Oke-Agbo, shooting, killing, maiming, raping, looting among others,” Oladeinde said.

He continued: “We now live in fear day and night. Most of the residents of these communities have fled their homes for over two years for fear of being killed.

For example, the indigenes of Oke-Agbo village have fled their homes up to the point that when one of their prominent sons died, the notorious hit man of the Ajagungbale, popularly called Soro, made it tough for the relatives of the deceased to bury their son. That is the situation we find ourselves today.”

He named the land grabbers leaders as Mutairu Owoeye; Kamoru Lamina (a.k.a Sir K); Hakeem Alabi (a.k.a Soro); Eleda; Doyin; Elesuda; Nurudeen Banjo and Dauda among others, saying several petitions have been written to the police and other law enforcement agents t o re-

•Sadiq

port the activities of these people, but there seemed to be no solution to their plight.

What, according to them, came close to solving their trouble was the last month’s visit of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP’s) monitoring group from Abuja, whose mission was fact finding of some sorts. “On July 12, the I.G. monitoring team of police officers visited us from Abuja as a fact finding investigating team and we jointly visited some of the villages on that day,” Oladeinde said.

He added: “Most shocking was that immediately the police officers departed from Ilu Oloye village and other areas visited, the hoodlums returned to wreck more havoc and spread to other communities in the area.

They became more daring and more confident to continue their nefarious activities.”

But some of those fingered as land grabbers have denied the allegation, saying that the land in question were genuinely bought by them. One of them is Kamoru Lamina, who said the allegations levied against him were frivolous. “All their allegations are not mine. I have seen the address delivered at their press conference. They don’t know what they are talking about.

I have properties in only three villages out of the lot they mentioned and the land was bought by my company,” Lamina said.

The said land, according to Lamina, also known as Sir K, was bought in 2011. “We bought the land in 2011 and we got the necessary documents that show us as the bona fide owner of the land. At least, four persons from each family signed the documents that perfected the transaction. Almost 12 of them signed the document, representing each family,” he said.

What could have been responsible for the plight of the villagers, according to Lamina, was perhaps the village head, whom he said, had issues with his subjects. “My thinking is that the Baale has issues with the family itself, but that is not my business,” he said.

He continued: “I reliably gathered that the Baale of that community has issues with his family. His family, I understand, is fighting him for bringing thugs to the village to cause trouble. When his family wrote a petition to the IGP in Abuja, the IG sent his men down, but unfortunately the Baale’s thugs attacked the police team. A member of the team, Superintendent Oyagie, got his vehicle destroyed. The police team returned to Abuja to complain to their DIG and the DIG sent another team from the Federal SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad), Adeniji Adele, Lagos. Superintendent of Police, Niyi handled the case. When that team got to the village, they were equally attacked. Luckily, the team was able to arrest six of the villagers and they found on them guns.”

When told that it was alleged that it was his people that attacked the police, Lamina said: “No, there is nothing like that. You can go to the Federal SARS and find out about those arrested with guns on them. That

•Oladeinde

case is still pending. The truth of the matter is that no one, no matter how powerful he is, can just come and take someone else’s land like that. I have all the documents given to me when I bought the land. I gave your colleagues from other media copies, who attended my press conference, copies.”

Concerning Eyin-Ogbe village, Lamina said he has no interest there, noting that his interest is in Igbosoro village where he has two buildings. “Another community where I have property is Igbosoro where I have two houses. Every other place they alleged that I have property is a bunch of lies,” he said.

The villagers, however, faulted him. According to them, Lamina is fond of telling

lies. They claimed everything they said about him is true. “You know he has connections everywhere, even among the police. So, he does all he likes and nobody dares challenge him. He may not have buildings in other areas, but he has taken our land, which was not given to him by anybody,” said Baale of Ilu Oloye, Chief Ganiyu Olawale.

According to him, his community was sacked by armed men working for Lamina. “Ilu Olye was sacked by land grabbers popularly known as Ajagungbale. They entered my community, sacked everywhere and chased everybody out. They were fully armed; carrying dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, axes, guns of various sizes, cudgels and charms.

They sent everyone packing, maiming and inflicting various degrees of injuries on my people,” he said.

He continued: “They operate like the notorious Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast of the country. They will suddenly unleash terror on their helpless victims, kill some, maim some and chase some away. They are bandits on rampage. They sacked my community on July 3, this year. They had done similarly in other communities. There are various groups of these bandits headed by men such as Kamoru Lamina, Mutairu Owoeye, Akeem Alabi and others,” Olawale said.

The village head said no reason was given for the alleged invasion of his community. “They also did not show any document that the land belonged to them. This is a land we have lived on for about four hundred years. Our forefathers owned the land and gave it to us and we have been living in peace since. I am the eight Baale of that community,” he said.

Leaders of other affected communities spoke in the same vein. One of them, Chief Rafiu Shitta from Igbosere-Oloride said: “For the past two years land grabbers have been fighting us on our land. It became a court case which we won and we showed them (the land grabbers), but they told us to keep off the land otherwise, they would kill us. People like Lamina (Sir K) and his cohorts are the ones troubling us.” Cor-

But suddenly, one afternoon, we saw one of them, who said to us that they were not bothered by what we asked them to do. According to him, he and his members would have nothing to do with us again. Four days later, he and his men trespassed into our land. They were carrying guns.

They warned that if we come to our land, they will implicate us by killing someone and make it look as if we killed that person.

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roborating him, Adekunle Ajasa of Igbosoro community said: “We have been sent packing since August last year. None of our people can go to the community and these people are selling our land at will.”

Ajasa traced the genesis of the crisis to when some youths came and expressed their interest in joining the youth body of the community. “The community youth has five branches and one person from each branch brought two members that made the youth wing. And these young men approached us, we did not say no to them, but we told them that they must come through their families, which will be a sort of endorsement by their families. They, however, refused to follow our advice and we kept quiet,” he said.

He continued: “But suddenly, one afternoon, we saw one of them, who said to us that they were not bothered by what we asked them to do. According to him, he and his members would have nothing to do with us again. Four days later, he and his men trespassed into our land.

They were carrying guns. They warned that if we come to our land, they will implicate us by killing someone and make it look as if we killed that person. We have it on good authority that they work for Sir K, because he sent some people thereafter. I remember Sir K said the bastard within the family has not grown up. And when he is fully grown up, we will know. Since then we have been in this mess. Nobody can go back to that community as I speak to you.”

Another leader from one of the 14 communities, Chief Olawale Shobowale, Baale of Salagberu; a community between Oke-Ogbodo and Eyin-Ogbe in Ogun State, said a family within the community has, for the past four years, engaged the services of land grabbers led by Owoeye and Soro, who have chased them out of their land.

“We made enquiries because we did not want to take the law into our hands by being violent like them. We got in touch with that family lawyer, Giwa Amu. We showed him all out documents in laying claims to the land. This man saw our documents and intervened, asking them not to disturb us again. After this, they came back to disturb us, unleashing terror on us. They came in April this year and we have been sent away from our land,” he said.

He spoke of how police intervention yielded no positive result.

“Immediately the police returned to Abuja, Soro and his men returned to chase us out. He said unless we see his boss, Owoeye, before he could allow us to enter our land. As I am speaking to you these people are on our land and we cannot go back there. We want the Federal Government to help us. This was how the dreaded Boko Haram started,” he said.

When The Nation contacted Owoeye on phone, he said he was away to Abuja and would get in touch when he returned. Efforts to reach him after his return were, however, futile.

The communities’ lawyer, Rashid Oluwatoyin Sadiq said, all hopes are not lost as there are legal options available for the 14 communities to seek redress. “We are not going to lie low on this we are going back to court. But why my clients are angry is because virtually all of them are in one exile or the other, living like refugees in their own land. A traditional ruler cannot enter his palace, that is why they are crying and I know the government would do something about it,” he said.

He said he would lead them to court to seek redress, especially communities that have got courts judgment against the intruders. “I know some communities have got judgments against them, which they could not enforce. This is because there was this claim that they had appealed. They have refused to understand that a notice of Appeal does not constitute a stay of execution order. They must go further to get a stay of execution from the court. Where there is no such thing, a mere appeal does not empower them to take the laws into their hands. I have moved round the villages, the highest I have seen is a notice of Appeal,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

Alaafin donates boreholes to Oyo communities From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

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•R-L: The Akibio of Ilora, Oba Ilufemiloye Operinde, Caretaker Chairmam of Atiba Local Government and initiator of the project, Prince Adeniyi and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi.

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OUR communities in and around the ancient city of Oyo in Oyo State now have clean water to drink thanks largely to the benevolence of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. Egged on by his son and Caretaker Chairman Atiba Local Government Area, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the paramount ruler recently donated boreholes to Ilora, Araromi, Akeetan Titun and Molaba communities ostensibly to complement the efforts of the state government at expanding access to clean water, basic social amenities and improving sanitation especially in areas lacking potable water supply.

The borehole projects, an initiative of Prince Adeniyi was presented to the monarch and the Alaafin consented, leading to the formation of a non-governmental organisation known as Oba Adeyemi / Skimeh Foundation. The foundation comprising of professionals of various callings was tasked with compiling inventory of communities, especially core rural areas that are in dire need of assistance in terms of infrastructures and human development. The organization is wholly funded by the monarch.The foundation’s first assignment was the borehole projects which were recently commissioned.

Commissioning the boreholes, Oba Adeyemi noted that in some communities across the country waste-water and human waste are discharged into local rivers and streams and the teeming impoverished citizens depend on these sources for their domestic water use because they lack the funds to build waste-water treatment plants and modern water distribution infrastructure.

He said under this condition only those with financial wherewithal could afford to buy some few buckets or jerry-cans of water daily from private water vendors that haul water in rusty tanks that contaminate the water.

Recognizing the fact that provision of potable water is the responsibility of government, even though this requires huge financial investments, Oba Adeyemi wondered what the Federal Government in particular is doing to meet this challenge especially as the nation’s population continues to grow.

“Of what use is a government that cannot provide basic services to the citizens?” he said.

To worsen the situation, the poor lack access to good healthcare services to tackle these ailments, while the corrupt and powerful politicians could “jet out” of the country to obtain good medical treatment whenever they need one

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•One of

‘’A society will starve without food because of water scarcity for agriculture. However, water for domestic use should be of higher quality.

Because of inadequate provision of clean water and sanitation services, many people (mostly the poor) in Nigeria are suffering from some form of water related diseases, including diarrhea, cholera, guinea warm, hookworm, and typhoid fever. To worsen the situation, the poor lack access to good healthcare serv-

the boreholes located at Ilora community

ices to tackle these ailments, while the corrupt and powerful politicians could “jet out” of the country to obtain good medical treatment whenever they need one.’’

To expand access to clean water supply, the paramount ruler advised both federal and state governments to invest heavily on rural and urban water scheme. This, Alaafin asserted, should be part of the NEEDS and poverty alleviation programmes.

“Lack of access to clean water for

domestic use, for farming and other productive purposes, is one of the causes of poverty in the rural communities. It is also among the factors that discourage local and foreign investors. Ensuring access to low cost water supply will improve the people’s welfare; increase their productivity and the wealth of the nation, because a healthy society is a wealthy nation.’’ Oba Adeyemi noted.

While eulogizing Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his visionary admin-

istration and unprecedented devotion to the wellbeing of the people of the state, Oba Adeyemi pledged to use his resources to complement the present administration’s transformation agenda, especially on rural development.

Earlier in his address, the initiator of the Foundation, Prince Adeniyi who thanked the Alaafin for the support, solicited for the peoples’ cooperation with administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

My husband wants to kill me, divorce seeking wife tells court

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MIDDLE aged woman, Mariam Adegoke has dragged her husband, Akeem before the Grade C customary court sitting in Agodi area of Ibadan over alleged death threat by her spouse.

Mariam, who resides with her husband and children at Apete area of Ibadan wants their 18 year-old marriage dissolved because she suffers lot in the marriage with her bearing all the financial burden.

The distressed woman told the court that she couldn’t on her own walk out of the marriage out of fear for her life, because her husband’s first wife died two years after divorcing him.

“I’m his second wife and I had wanted to divorce him before now, but he threatened me that any woman that divorced him would die. And I learnt his first wife died two years after divorcing him. So I’m pleading with this court to help dissolve this union so I can go my way”, she

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan said.

According to her, Akeem has not been taking care of her and the children but rather depends on her business for his financial needs.

“He has no job to support the family, but rather depends on me. I have been through a lot with him, but what further made up my mind is the fact that he also beats me”.

Akeem while responding to the allegation denied threatening his wife and told the court that he was not ready to divorce Mariam because of their children.

A businessman turned farmer, Akeem said when things went though for him, he had to go into farming in order to make ends meet and sustain the family. He said he still puts food on the table and also assisted his wife to set up a business to aid her financially.

“I never threatened her with death and I never wanted her dead because I want the two of us to reap the fruits of our labour. I have taken care of my family to the best of my ability and the children know. I don’t want this marriage dissolved because I want our children to be well brought up and responsible in our society”, Akeem said.

Their 17 year-old son, Tunde, when summoned before the court as his father’s witness affirmed to the discord between his parents but pleaded with the court to reunite them for the benefit of his siblings and himself.

“I don’t want our family apart and that was why I had all my siblings stay at home hoping this will make our parents to reconcile”, he said.

The presiding court president, Chief Amusa Makinde, who observed that the duo could still be reconciled adjourned the matter till September 9 for possibility of any positive development.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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SOUTHWEST REPORT

When traditionalists celebrated Isese festival in Osun •L-R: Alhaji Najeem Okikiola; Araba Awo Agbaye, Chief Yemi Elebuibon and President of Ogboni Worldwide, Oba Adetoyese Olapitan, Osun State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Sikiru Ayedun; Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Barrister Basiru Ajibola and Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, at the 2014 Isese Festival at the Government Technical College, Osogbo, Osun State.

•Igunnoko masqurade at the Isese festival.

A year after Osun state governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola declared a public holiday to celebrate Yoruba traditional religions in the state, worshippers of various Orisa (deities) converged on Osogbo, the state capital to mark Isese Festival. ADESOJI ADENIYI was there. posture presented the long lost history of the Yoruba race.

Each of the 30 local government areas in the state brought masquerade (Egungun) to feature in the festival. The masquerades, which came in different forms and regalia, displayed according to their tradition.

The festival, with the theme: “Exploring Religious Tourism for Economic Empowerment in the State of Osun” was full of fun and an avenue for probing the essence of the Yoruba cultural values with the intention to achieve understanding.

The state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sikiru Ayedun and his counterpart in Regional Integration and Special Duties, Hon. Ajibola Basiru, reiterated his administration’s commitment to equal opportunities for all religions.

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HE 2014 Isese Festival did not go without drawing people’s attention to its significance acknowledging and honouring the Yoruba Orisah as (deities) and ancestors.

Holding this year edition in a grand style in collaboration with the Osun State government, the Traditional Religion Worshipers Association regarded the festival as Odun Nla (Big festival.)

The Sport Centre of the Technical College, Osogbo venue of the celebration of the festival was full of traditionalists, who were happy to demonstrate their religious faith.

Apart from the social components associated with the celebration, the major highlight of the festivity was the invocation to all divinities (Apebo) and prayer (Iwure) for the people of the state, the government and devotees. Each masquerade in its

Today, history is once again being made in our dear state, Osun, which is the centre of Yoruba culture, tradition and civilisation as we mark the 2014 Isese festival

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The Traditional Religious Worshipers Association, an amalgamation of all clustered traditional reli-

gions, was inaugurated in 2013 after the state government declared a day in the calendar year as public holiday for the traditionalists. Initially, it generated tension in the state, particularly among Christians and Muslims but Aregbesola insisted it was meant to give all religions equal opportunities.

The traditionalists are not resting on their oars as they spend each year’s Isese festival to consolidate on their gains. They described Isese as the origin or source of creation. The association was designed to serve as the coordinating body for the various clustered traditional religious organisations in the state and oversee the regulation and practice of traditional religion. It is also expected to initiate and advise the Osun State government on policies related to the practice of traditional religion and to promote advocacy and dialogue

How female Youth Corps member lifted Ondo community From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HAT was expected of her as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was to go quietly to her place of primary assignment and do whatever was assigned to her to qualify her for the discharge certificate to indicate she had served her fatherland.

But Esther Olaoluwa Ogunsuyi, a graduate of Medical Laboratory Science from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State has done more than this.

With State code OD/13C/0968, Miss Ogunsuyi serving at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has taken it upon herself to leave a positive long lasting impression on her immediate community.

The Youth Corps member singlehandedly raised money to drill a borehole at FUTA around Obakekere staff quarters to boost water supply particularly in the university community and Akure, the Ondo state capital in general.

Besides, she gives regular sensitisation talks to youths in Akure on

•Miss Esther Ogunsuyi (middle) with her Borehole project. Inset: Ogunsuyi

the importance of voluntary blood donation.

On July 17, 2014 she organised a voluntary non-renumerated blood donation exercise at FUTA where she

encouraged youths and students to donate blood. She did this in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

After the blood had been screened

and certified save for transfusion, she donated 20 pints to Mother and Child Hospital, Akure in Ondo State as part of her personal contribution to the well being of Mothers and Children in the

PHOTOS: ADESOJI ADENIYI

on the development of traditional religion and inter faith synergy with adherents of other religions.

The President of TRWASO, Chief Idowu Awopetu, in his speech summarised the essence of the festival when he said: “Today, history is once again being made in our dear state, Osun, which is the centre of Yoruba culture, tradition and civilisation as we mark the 2014 Isese festival.” He called on the state government to introduce Ifa studies in the education curriculum in both primary and secondary schools in the state.

He reminded the governor of his promise in 2013 to introduce Ifa studies into the curriculum in secondary schools in the state. Awopetu lamented that efforts by traditionalists to ensure the introduction of Ifa studies in the teaching curriculum have failed because the state government was yet to accede to their request. He maintained that with the introduction of Ifa studies in schools, juvenile delinquencies would be prevented in the state. hospital.

The gesture was to complement the transformation agenda of the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko to improve public healthcare delivery in the State.

Ogunsuyi also organised a seminar on Life Building Skills that would enable the youth to live a successful and productive life. Such skills include Communication Skills, Goal Setting Skills, Assertiveness Skills, Time Management Skills and Value System among others.

In a chat with The Nation the Youth Corps member said she wanted the people living within the area of her primary assignment to continue remembering her contribution to the community through various projects she personally influenced into the area long after she must have finished her service year.

One of the community leaders in Akure, Chief Oluwole Adeoye commended the young woman for developing Akure Community in particular and Ondo State in general.

According to him, Esther deserves commendation because her kind gesture is worthy of emulation by her colleagues.

The Youth Corps member pledged to continue impacting positively on her immediate environment, Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole, stressing that this is the essence of national service.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

36

SOUTHWEST REPORT Last Saturday, indigenes of Ado Ekiti converged on the palace of their monarch, Ewi, to usher in their traditional New Year with the celebration of the Udiroko Festival. It was a celebration of their rich culture and tradition.

S U L A I M A N SALAWUDEEN was there.

Ilese gets govt attention

By Adebisi Onanuga

O

• Oba Adejugbe (second right), Ekiti Governor-elect Ayo Fayose (second left), Pro-Chancellor and Council Chair, University of Jos, Chief Don Etiebet (left) and Olori Bosede at Udiroko festival.

New Year Day as Ado indigenes celebrate Udiroko festival

U

DIROKO, the prime festival and traditional ‘new year day’ of the people of Ado Ekiti was held last Saturday within the sprawling precincts of the palace of Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III, the culmination of a weeklong series of exercises involving rites meant to sanctify the town anew for its teeming indigenes and residents.

The annual festival is a usual place to be for many a dignitary and enthusiastic resident who normally turned out in their bests to grace an event which was attracting notable acclaim perhaps earlier than most might have imagined possible few years back.

It was an occasion for indigenes of the town the world over to convoke at the high walled, high gated palace to assess the town’s attainments in the outgoing year and chart a new path if needed to consolidate progress for the prospective years.

Men and women, young and old, across religions, professions and political divides, indigenes and non indigenes alike, dressed in their bests and converged on the palace as early as 12 noon this considerably clement Saturday.

Amid the canons which might have rumbled a minimum of a thousand times were persistent renditions of classical Ekiti songs by three stationary music groups within the sprawling palace complex.

Traditional caps and head-ties adorned heads of scores of male and female dignitaries who came soon enough not only to secure spaces within rows of seats neatly arranged under canopies festooned in attractive flowers but to partake with observable enthusiasm in the succeeding successive rituals and blessings of the day.

Various traditional groups which sprang from both familiar and less familiar Yoruba deities were seen dressed in trademark outfits of their groups, dancing and singing rich traditional songs as they approached the palace.

One such was Orisa Ojido (Ojido deity), said to be the head of all deities in Ado kingdom among which was Orisa Osun (Osun deity). Two Sango dance groups equally entertained in quick succession, with stunts and fireworks which left many wondering.

Seated under the covered enclosures were various classes of ranking communities’ and other traditional chiefs distinguished in their uniformed apparels, joined by whole legion of dignitaries who radiated class and authority even while sharing community with lesser mortals.

As they sat in groups, one could

distinguish one community from the other: The Elumo Chiefs; Agba Oke Ewi; Agba Odo Ado; Oke Ila Chiefs; Omo Owa Chiefs; Elegbe Chiefs; The Elerinmarun Oke Ewi; The Traditional Policemen (Efas); The Egbe Omo Ewi; and several others.

Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion included the state governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, Niger state governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu represented by Dr. Seriki Saleh Peter, Commissioner Lands and Housing, former Minister of Education, Prof.

Tunde Adeniran, former Petroleum Minister, Chief Don Etiebet, Senator Fatimat Raji Rasak, Senator Bode Ola and Chief Bisi Egbeyemi.

Others are Pa Francis Famuagun, the father of late former deputy governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Edward Mafuyai, Dr. Tunde Akindele, Associate Professor of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Chief M.O. Babatunde, Commissioner in Old Ondo State.

Monarchs at the event included the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye, Alaporu of Ilaporu Ijebu, Oba Jimoh Adebamiro Quadri and Sopin Lukale of Okesopin, Ijebu Igbo, Oba Muftau Adesesan Yusuf.

After a long wait, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, the chief celebrant, came out of the recess, decked in Agbada, Buba and Sokoto, all richly embroidered in attractive colours. Atop the entire frame was a crown of beads which fell over his face, making an ocular peep difficult for those who might wish to know the face behind the beaded veil but not familiar with this nature of appearance.

Prayers and benedictions soon came copiously from the monarch himself for obedient subjects who took turns, as the names of their communities and groups were called to pay homage, kneeling, prostrating, assuming whatever form and shape that lent eloquent reverence to the revered ancestry of the town, as symbolised by the monarch who in turn dished benedictions upon benedictions on the subjects who studiously respected ancient royalty, a phase which lasted nearly two hours.

In his brief speech, the governorelect expressed his gratitude to the people of the state for their support during the recent governorship poll in the state in which he clinched victory, promising to offer them quality leadership.

According to Fayose, the poll strength of Ado-Ekiti did much to assure his success in the election, promising to reflect such reality in the weight of the attention the town and its residents should expect from his

•Beaded crowns of past and present monarchs of the town on display.

GUN State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has promised to give priority attention to Ilese community, near Ijebu Ode, in the on-going rebuilding mission of his administration.

Governor Amosun, made the pledge during the 2014 Ilese Day Celebration held at Moslem Primary School, Ilese.

The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Chief Samuel Aiyedogbon, said Ilese has proven to be worthy partners in the drive to develop the State by providing basic amenities through the effort of the Community Development Associations CDAs).

He assured that the administration would continue to support the effort of communities that have embarked on self- help developmental projects with direct impact on the well being of the people through grant-in aids.

According to the Governor, the community stands as the integral part of any administration, saying that any government that does not adequately support its community would not stand effectively. ‘’It is no gain saying that a community stands as the umbrella of any administration. Without the grassroots, no government can perform excellently well’’ Amosun said.

Governor Amosun expressed optimism that the Ilese community would use the platform of the 10th anniversary of the Ilese day celebration to orientate and inform the people on the precaution and steps to be taken in guarding against the spread of Ebola Virus.

Honour for a cop From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta •A crowd of the Ado indigenes inside the palace premises

•Peter Saleh and Senator Bode Ola at the festival.

PHOTOS: SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN

government when it came on board.

Oba Adejugbe, in a fairly lengthy speech, commended the current administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi for reversing the face of the capital for the better, through his urban renewal programmes as contained in the administration’s eight point agenda.

He maintained that because change is a permanent attribute in life, leaders must come and go. Oba Adejugbe said “I congratulate you (Governor Fayemi) for what you were able to do for Ekiti during your tenure. Thank you. It is only the wearer of the shoe who knows where it pinches”.

He informed the gathering that work on the amphitheatre had resumed after what he called “a disappointing lull and litigation of about 24 months caused by our contractors.

The monarch equally congratulated the incoming administration, noting that the governor elect should be aware of his duty as a leader.

His words: “I do fervently hope that you remember the terms of your contract with the people of Ekiti, your constituency. I am happy that you are coming again to a very familiar terrain. You know where the shoe pinches, the gul-

lies and the bumps. Here is a golden opportunity to further engrave your name in the Honour Roll of our state”.

Chief Afe Babalola, founder-financier, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) represented by Prof. Adams Olawoye, lamented the neglect by successive state governments in terms of the pledges they made to him before the institution was established, urging indigenes to rally round the monarch and pool resources for urgent completion of the pavilion.

The President-General, Ado Progress Union, Chief Obafemi Ojo commending the monarch for his role in the creation of Ekiti 18 years ago, maintained that the leadership qualities of the monarch, which he described as sterling had been responsible for the peace of the town and the town’s “geometric expansion in population and other attributes”.

Ojo equally commended the outgoing administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi for fulfilling the pledge made in its 8-Point Agenda which he said had been responsible for the unprecedented socio-infrastructural development of Ado-Ekiti especially and the state in general.

I

T was honour for whom honour is due recently when the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force(NPF), Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi was conferred with the Most Outstanding Police Public Relations Officer in Nigeria.

The Award his second in recent times was conferred on him on a Sunday at the Sky Pavilion, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, by Adlack Multi Concept, Abeokuta - based media and entertainment organisation, during its 4th edition of the ACE (Awards Celebrating Excellence) 2014.

In conferring the award, Mr Kolapo Fadeyi, Secretary, ACE Award, said it was done in recognition of Adejobi’s contribution to the “development of the nation, his selfless service to humanity, diligence and outstanding pedigree among professional colleagues” especially the manner he deploys public relations to bear on effective crime fighting and prevention as well as bringing quality public goodwill to Police Command in Ogun State.

•Olumide Adeleke and Olumuyiwa Adejobi

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

37

DUE DILIGENCE

Portland Paints: Improving profitability P

ORTLAND Paints & Products Nigeria (PPPN) Plc has improved on the underlining fundamentals of its business as emerging earnings reports showed significant increase in profit per unit of sales.

Half-year report for the period ended June 30, this year showed sustained improvement in the underlying profitability, with net profit on the double.

The report showed appreciable consolidation on the back of the return to profitability last year.

The six-month report showed that while sales rose marginally by 6.3 per cent, reduction in administrative expenses and input cost management optimized net earnings. Pre-tax profit rose by 86.3 per cent while net profit after tax doubled by 113.7 per cent. Total sales rose to N1.44 billion in first half of 2014 as against N1.35 billion in comparable period of 2013. Gross profit rose from N596.65 million to N667.09 million. Profit before tax jumped from N86.56 million to N161.25 million while profit after tax increased from N58.86 million in first half 2013 to N125.77 million in first half 2014.

The latest earnings report came on the heels of the audited report and accounts that showed a major rebound in 2013. In its first report after it became a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc, audited report and accounts of Portland Paints for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed a net profit after tax of N107 million, a major recovery from net loss of N228 million in recorded in 2012. While turnover dropped marginally, the company leveraged on improved internal efficiency and groupwide synergies to boost the bottom-line.

From a generally negative position in 2012, underlying profit and return indices were all positive in 2013, underlining the fundamental improvement in the operations of the company during the year. While gross profit margin improved from 41 per cent in 2012 to 47 per cent in 2013, pre-tax profit margin recovered from -7.0 per cent in 2012 to 4.5 per cent in 2013. Average return on total assets, which ended 2012 negative at -8.3 per cent, bounced back to 5.7 per cent while return on equity improved from -29 per cent to 12.2 per cent. The improvement in underlying value also reflected in the 14 per cent increase in the net assets value of the company.

The balance sheet position of the company also emerged stronger during the period with better financing structure, improved liquidity and working capi-

2009

2010

2011

2012

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

2013

Liquidity

2009

Stories by Taofik Salako

tal and less risk of financial leverage.

Debt-to-equity ratios dropped by 18 points while equity coverage for assets increased by eight points.

Financing structure Portland Paints’ paid up share capital remained unchanged at N200 million.

Total equity funds meanwhile rose from N777million in 2012 to N884 million. On the back of declines in longterm and current assets, total assets dropped by 13.8 per cent from N2.39 billion to N2.18 billion. Total liabilities also simultaneously dropped by 19.4 per cent to N1.30 billion as against N1.61 billion recorded in previous year.

2010

2011

124 107 27 221

-162.0 -147.1 -148.2 13.9

-199 -228 -56 194

556 786 542 1,395 2,181

-14.5 -15.9 13.2 -3.9 -8.6

650 934 479 1,452 2,386

302 181 830 467 1,297

-47.5 -39.0 -37.7 67.8 -19.4

576 296 1,331 279 1,610

200.0 884

0.0 13.8

200.0 777

2012

2013

The financing structure was generally positive. The proportion of equity funds to total assets increased from about 32.5 per cent in 2012 to about 41 per cent in 2013. The gearing ratio of 38 per cent in 2012 dropped to 20 per cent in 2013. Current liabilities/total assets ratio improved from 56 per cent to 38 per cent while long-term liabilities/total assets ratio was relatively better at about 60 per cent in 2013 as against 68 per cent in 2012.

Portland Paints’ liquidity position improved significantly during the period with positive working capital and increased financial agility. Current ratio, which measures the financial readiness of a company by relating current assets to relative liabilities, improved from 1.09 times in 2012 to 1.68 times in 2013.

Working capital/turnover ratio improved from 4.2 per cent in 2012 to 20.4 per cent in 2013. Debtors/creditors ratio closed 2013 at 179.5 per cent compared with 83.2 per cent in 2012.

Governance and structures

Efficiency

Average cost efficiency and productivity improved during the period, underlining the improved margin that boosted the bottom-line. The company undertook staff right-sizing during the period. Average number of emFiscal Year Ended December 31 2013 2012 ployees dropped from 201 persons Nmillion 12 months % change 12 months in 2012 to 168 persons. Staff costs however dropped from N509.79 million to N352.45 million. AverProfit and Loss Statement age staff cost per employee Main Business Segment 2,601 2.2 2,546 dropped from N2.54 million in 2012 to N2.10 million in 2013. MeanTotal turnover 2,771 -3.3 2,866 while, average contribution of each Cost of sales 1,463 -13.1 1,684 employee to pre-tax profit imGross profit 1,308 10.8 1,181 proved from a loss of N0.99 milOperating expenses 1,113 -17.9 1,356 lion in 2012 to N0.74 million.

Interest and other incomes 33 -30.7 47 Average cost of sale per unit of sale declined in 2013. Total cost of Finance expenses 105 49.3 70

Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend (Nm) Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo)

per cent from N1.68 billion in 2012 to N1.46 billion in 2013. Gross profit thus increased by 11 per cent from N1.18 billion to N1.31 billion. Total operating expenses stood at N1.11 billion in 2013, about 18 per cent below N1.36 billion in 2012. This midline efficiency cushioned increase in interest expenses from N70 million to N105 million. With these, the company returned from a loss position of N199 million in 2012 to pretax profit of N124 million in 2013. After taxes, net profit stood at N107 million in 2013 compared with a loss of N228 million in 2012. While the company did not declare any dividend, basic earn-, ings per share recovered from a loss of 56 kobo in 2012 to a modest gain of 27 kobo in 2013. Net assets per share rose by about 14 per cent from N1.94 to N2.21.

Beyond the surface, underlying indices showed improvements in profitability and returns. While gross profit margin improved from 41 per cent in 2012 to 47 per cent in 2013, pre-tax profit margin recovered from -7.0 per cent in 2012 to 4.5 per cent in 2013. Average return on total assets, which ended 2012 negative at -8.3 per cent, bounced back to 5.7 per cent while return on equity improved from -29 per cent to 12.2 per cent.

•MD, Portland Paints and Products Nig. Plc, Mr. Olufemi Oguntade

business, excluding finance charges, thus dropped considerably from 106.1 per cent in 2012 to 93 per cent in 2013.

Profitability Both outward and underlying performance indices showed impressive outlook in 2013 as Portland Paints managed marginal decline in the top-line cost with efficient midline cost management. Turnover dropped by 3.3 per cent from N2.87 billion to N2.77 per cent.

Cost of sales however declined by 13

Fiscal Year Ended December 31

2013 %

2012 %

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

40.5 59.5 38.0 20.4

32.5 67.5 55.8 38.1

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

47.2 4.5 5.7 12.2 -

41.2 -7.0 -8.3 -29.4 -

Efficiency Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

0.74 2.10 93.0

-0.99 2.54 106.1

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

1.68 20.4 179.5

1.09 4.2 83.2

Portland Paints- purveyor of the Sandtex brand of paints; was for several years a division of West African Portland Cement (Wapco) Plc, now Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria. With the division performing creditably well as a going concern, Wapco initiated the registration of the division as a limited liability company in 1985. Portland Paints became a publicly quoted company in July 2009. One of the most diversified paints manufacturing companies in Nigeria, Portland Paints manufactures and markets decorative, automotive, industrial and marine paints. It also holds sole agency for world-renowned sanitary brands including Armitage Shank, Ideal Standard and Jaquar.

In June, last year, UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc, Nigeria’s largest conglomerate, acquired the majority equity stake of 51 per cent in Portland Paints. Following the acquisition, the board and management of the company were reconstituted. Mr. Larry Ettah, who leads the management at UACN, became the chairman while Mr Olufemi Oguntade was appointed Managing Director.

On the basis of available information, the company has largely complied with extant codes of corporate governance and best practices.

Analyst’s opinion The overall performance outlook of Portland Paints reassures on synergies and prospects of its new business alignment. The turnaround in 2013 evidenced successful implementation of innovation and proactive policies, which centred on enhancement of its service delivery through the restructuring of its operations and, in particular, the route to the market and focus on areas of its core competencies as well as enforcement of procedures and processes. With the large group structure of UACN, which also holds controlling equity in the major paints company - CAP Plc, Portland Paints is 22positioned to deepen its presence in existing markets, achieve scope and scale economies in procurement, production and distribution.

38

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS P ENSION

Pension assets hit N4.41tr •PFAs invest in FGN bonds, real estate, others

T

HE pension fund assets under the management of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) hit N4.41 trillion as at last June.

The figure was obtained by The Nation from the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

In a report titled, ‘Summary of Pension Fund Assets as at June 31, 2014,’ PenCom stated that there was a 2.04 per cent increase from the N4.32 trillion total assets recorded in May, this year.

Of the amount, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) have invested N2.63 trillion in Federal Government Securities, accounting for 59.53 per cent of the total assets.

A break down showed that N2.04

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

trillion was invested in FGN Bonds and N587.66 billion was committed to Treasury Bills.

In the period under review, the PFAs, however, traded a volume of Domestic Ordinary Shares of N637.84 billion and Foreign Ordinary Shares of N55.86 billion.

They bought State Government Securities of N187.55 billion and Corporate Debt Securities of N82.92 billion.

They also invested N1.24 billion in Supra National Bonds, N527.42 in Local Money Market and N496, 000 in Foreign Money Market.

Similarly, a total of N228.71 billion was invested in the Real Es-

tate Properties accounting for 5.18 per cent of the total pension assets.

They had a total of N46 billion in cash and other assets during the period under review.

Meanwhile, the PFAs investment in May showed that total trade on FGN Securities was N2.59 trillion out of which N1.98 trillion was invested in FGN Bonds and N609.38 billion in Treasury Bills.

Also in May, they invested N615.31 billion in Domestic Ordinary Shares, N54.82 billion in Foreign Ordinary Shares, N190.85 billion in State Government Securities, N78 billion in Corpoprate Debt Securities, N1.23 billion in Supra National Bonds, N496.25 billion Local

•Acting DG, PenCom, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu

•Chairman, Pension Fund Administrators Association of Nigeria Misbau Yola

Money Market and N813, 000 in Foreign Money Market Securities.

The PFAs invested N228.33 bil-

lion in the real estate and N7.5 billion in Private Equities, with cash and other assets put at N42.99 billion.

Fed Govt owes NIPOST pensioners three years’arrears

T

HE Federal Government is owing the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) pensioners three years pension arrears and gratuities, The Nation has learnt.

Chairman, Association of NIPOST branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Steven Shokden, said though they were assured that money would be released by the Budget Office of the Federation, nothing had been paid to them.

He said some of their members had not been paid their arrears and gratuities since 2011.

He explained that some of the members were before 2011 paid up to 75 per cent of their pensions and gratuities, while others were paid only 25 per

cent.

Shokden said there are some pensioners, who died in 1996 and 1997, whose families were yet to be paid their pension benefits, adding that the government is also owing those who were asked to resign 10 per cent severance in lieu of notice.

He explained that the Budget Office was supposed to release the money to their underwriter, Niger Insurance Plc that would pay the NIPOST Pension Board.

He said the Board was aware of the debts. ‘’What we learnt is that the money budgeted for these arrears are still with the Budget Office and we do not know when it will be released,’’ he said.

•Pensioners protesting

Daniel urges NLC on 2014 Pension Reform Act

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HE Pension Reform Act 2014 would remain a mirage unless efforts were made to educate workers on their rights by labour unions, Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Fola Daniel, has said.

He spoke at the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Central Working Committee meeting in Enugu.

He said proper enlightenment would ensure that workers were not shortchanged by employers who fail to comply with the Act. Highlighting the benefits of the Pension Reform Act 2014, as it relates to compulsory Group Life Insurance and Life Annuity for the employees by the employers of all tiers of government, and the private sector as contained in Section 4 subsections 5 and Section 7 subsections 1c, he said the purpose of the relevant sections referred to, is to ensure that employee dependents have succour in the event of death during employment and for comfort after retirement.

He noted that the Act is an update of the Pension Reform Act of 2004.

He said: “While this act of parliament provides for the security of employees, it would remain a mi-

rage or paper tiger unless conscious efforts are made to enlighten workers of their rights by respective labour unions to ensure that workers are not shortchanged as a result of failure of employer to comply with the provision of the act.

“At the moment, compliance is largely effected by the Federal government whilst other tiers of government are yet to fully comply.

Compliance by private sector employers will need to be monitored to ensure that workers interests are protected.

At the moment, compliance is largely effected by the Federal Government while other tiers of government are yet to fully comply. Compliance by private sector employers will need to be monitored to ensure that workers interests are protected

Canada pension assets jump 20%

T

•Daniel

He stated that the Commission has effective collaboration with the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in enforcing the relevant provisions of the Pension Reform Act, adding that the collaboration will continue.

He urge the NLC to leverage on the provisions of the Act by ensuring that workers were sensitised to demand for their rights as provided and also ensure compliance by all tiers of government and the private sector employers.

The proactivity of the NLC and its affiliates would enable workers to access the well-intended welfare provision for the workers, he said.

HE country’s largest pension plan is scouring the world for “diamonds in the rough” as high valuations make acquisitions difficult, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Chief Executive Officer Mark Wiseman has said.

According to Bloomberg, assets at the pension fund, which manages retirement money for 18 million Canadians, surged 20 percent to a record C$226.8 billion ($208 billion) in three months ended June 30, Canada Pension said in statement today.

The report stated that Wiseman said access to cheap credit has created a situation where there is a lot of capital and liquidity in the market and that’s making it a “very difficult” time for a long-term investor like Canada Pension to find value.

“What we’re doing is being very patient,” he said in an interview.

“We’re looking for those diamonds in the rough, and tactically divesting certain non-core assets and that’s the right thing to do in a time like this.”

Canada Pension’s announcement today had allocated an additional $500 million to its North American joint venture with Sydney-based Goodman Group (GMG) to acquire a portfolio of warehouse and logistics facilities in the U.S. fit that strategy, Wiseman said.

“The diamonds in the rough for us tend to be those types of assets where it is a very large transaction, where there’s less competition, when there’s

a degree of complexity associated with it,” he said.

Remain Difficult Global mergers and acquisitions have accelerated in the first part of the year with almost $1.9 trillion worth of deals announced year to date, up 66 percent from a year ago, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

That level of activity has created a challenge for value investors like Canada Pension, Wiseman said.

Finding acquisitions is expected to remain difficult until there is a shift in the monetary policies of central banks, he said.

Canada Pension had yet to make a decision on whether it would sell its holdings in the expected initial public offerings later this year of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (BABA) or Calgary-based Seven Generations Energy Ltd. “We are always evaluating all of our assets at any time,” he said. “There is a price at which we are sellers, there’s a price at which we are a buyer.”

Canada Pension reported gross investment return of 1.6 per cent for the three months ended June 30, according to the statement. That trails the three per cent median return in the comparable period of the C$520 billion universe of Canadian pension funds tracked by RBC Investor and Treasury Services, which reported its survey results.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

39

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP The most successful people have had some of the greatest failures-and then, bounced back. Olaniyi Oluwole Michael, a Lagos- based entrepreneur is one of them. Daniel Essiet reports.

Behind every great entrepreneur lies a great comeback story

O

LANIYI Oluwole Michael looks every inch the fly-guy at his micro fashion company in Mushin, Lagos. He didn’t start as a fashion designer. He started as an optical dispenser after training in a private hospital, way back in 1990.

In 1996, with determination, he was able to raise N3000 which he used to acquire his first show glass to display his frames. It was initially a success.

The business expanded as he sold glasses, lens, and sunglasses.

He had introduced the idea of offering lens at the end of routine eye examinations. As a result, patients that never realised they were suitable for lenses, were very happy to have a curative option.

At the same time, he was also keeping an eye on how to expand the market. Over the years, his confidence grew in the business. He became more comfortable with problems. His enthusiasm for success grew. The result was a very busy appointment book and a strong following of patients and referrals, who regularly continued to refer customers to him. Notwithstanding, he kept trying and keeping up

with everything that’s new-technology, techniques and products and offers that appeal to his consumers.

With more efforts, the business was growing in leaps and bounds.

From the money he made, Michael was able to see himself through the university and bagged a degree in International Relations.

Like dispensing drugs, eye-care products have stringent controls and failure to follow the guidelines can be very costly, a challenge that was just lurking at the corner for Michael.

Some of the greatest challenges that he faced at inception of the business were economic. He started it with very small capital . He was ignorant of how he could build a successful business, but he was determined to do it. He remained confident that the business would flourish, moreso as he gave his all- talent, energy, money and time. Over the next few years, he had to wade through very difficult and painful time which nearly wrecked him financially.

It happened around 2005. This followed the government and the NonGovernmental Organisations’ (NGOs)

•Michael

campaign of free eye examination and lens to adults. Though the measure made it possible for many Nigerians to acquire glasses, it nearly led to the collapse of optical dispensing businesses. Businesses lost customers and the impact was devastating financially. It was the biggest challenge for him as an entrepreneur. Nevertheless, he didn’t allow the situation to wear him down. He started thinking

about his next steps. At some point, the idea of industrial cloth production came to him.

Immediately, he enrolled himself for training and later brought a few machines. Straight away, he started producing shirts, polos, bags and other items.

Today, he smiles, glances back towards his ready-to-show collection.

Although the business is still small,

he has been able to provide jobs for eight people. Michael told The Nation, he could employ more people and reduce unemployment rate if the government supports him to acquire machines to provide the finishes found on ready-made dresses. He has big plans ahead for his fashion business.

He wants to design unique products, things that are unexpected.

Seniors’ boom creates opportunity for specialised service businesses Senior homecare businesses are going to be one of the hottest markets. This is because people are getting old. As people age, they often need help with everyday chores. That’s where a new business opportunity comes in. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

O

KON Bassey’s (Not real name) mother was diagnosed with diabetes. The diagnosis changed her life. From then on, Bassey had to be shuttling between the city and the village to spend time taking care of her. Though he is in a wellpaid job, it was taking a toll on him.

He realised how much of his life and time he was committing to the exercise.

He wished he had young ones at home to look after her, but his sisters are all married. It soon donned on him how tasking the job of caring for the elderly mother was and wished there was a formal arrangement to take care of the mum.

For people like Bassey, caring for ageing parents can be rewarding if he could find an alternative means of doing it, but frustrating and exhausting if he has to be continuously and personally responsible for it.

It also can be expensive in more ways than one, as some adult children may have come to realise. The expenditure include out of pocket expenses, travel costs and purchasing needed household items. In addition, physical and emotional health can take a beating. Increasing numbers of adult children are finding it difficult to provide care for ageing parents. Not only does it take a significant toll on their finances, as is expected, but more importantly, it affects their time. This has created a business opportunity for private homecare providers.

A lot of Nigerians are asking for private operators to come on board and set up elderly care homes. Globally, it is being described as one of the hottest business opportunities of the 21st century.

One of those calling for investors is Prof. Tola Atinmo, a Consultant Nutritionist at the University of Ibadan.

He has seen the industry thriving abroad and many entrepreneurs making big money, big time.

Speaking on the issue, Atinmo said that managing the age will be one of the major social and business issues, stating that Nigeria has to prepare for it.

•Senior companion service

With the growing population of elderly, he said it has become very critical for Nigerians to begin to invest in elderly services businesses.

The opportunities, he noted, are growing for private players that offer in-home supportive care and assistance services for the elderly.

He explained that some senior citizens are homebound because of health issues, or temporarily, while recovering from surgery or a fall, saying they need help with their errands.

For him, a medical day-care facility that can provide a level of care and has a registered nurse, or staff who can perform tube feedings, administer medications and oxygen, and provide other related care, will ever be required for this category of people.

While new entrants require business experience to successfully operate in the elderly home health care field, those with a healthcare background, are even more suited for the business.

Notwithstanding, he said the universities are ever ready to train entrepreneurs who want to go into elder home care related businesses.

By most accounts, he said careers in the field of ageing are going to be among the next big things in the workplace. A key factor in the expected business and job growth in the field of aging, besides the obvious demographic bulge, is the shift away from viewing employment solely from the illness, disease and research model. This is due in large part to a redefinition of gerontology itself.

Until lately, options for working with older adults were concentrated mostly in the health care services continuum. While demand will remain high in these areas, the good news is that there exists almost a limitless opportunity for the development and delivery of new products and services to our burgeoning ageing population.

For Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation, Dr. Emem Omokaro, the need for senior care services and products (medical and nonmedical) will become even more pressing in years to come.

In addition to healthcare, she said general growth will be robust and business opportunities for working with older adults will flourish in industries related to business and finan-

cial services, fitness and wellness, consumer products, housing and transportation and hospitality.

She said seniors need reliable, comfortable transportation with sensitive, responsible drivers who will wait for them at the doctor’s office, accompany them when shopping and running errands. These services, she explained, can be developed to provide employment for the large youth population.

She said investors can provide services designed to help young adults pick up a loved one from their home, check them in, assisting them with luggage, logistics, security issues and ground transportation.

For her, the senior peopmarket is booming, and opportunities are plentiful, saying it is good to get a better understanding on how businesses can successfully market to seniors. She listed initial investment required to operate a home to include a decent accommodation.

Business owners in senior care, generally work more hours, including more nights and weekends. The home health business is extremely peopledependent. Caregiver issues, service emergencies, and client deaths can be frequent occurrences. While running a senior care business requires empathy and people management skills, it does not necessarily require healthcare experience. Staff remains one of the biggest costs.

According to experts, the rules of starting any business still apply to serving the senior market.

The advice for new entrants, is that when targeting older persons, it’s especially important to consider the functionality and safety of the product and how well that matches up with their needs. It will also be helpful for one to do a little networking with local ageing network or people one suspects are working with, or on behalf of the older adults in a community.

Successful business models may include operations that can provide community-based, or home-based services, including healthcare, meals, personnel care or can assist homebased businesses in areas such as technology support.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

40

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

French Cabinet falls over economic policies F RENCH President Francois Hollande has ordered PM Manuel Valls to form a new government after two senior ministers criticised their austerity policies.

After Valls announced the cabinet’s resignation, Mr Hollande immediately asked him to set up a new one.

Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg and Education Minister Benoit Hamon are expected to lose their jobs.

They had both called for France to tackle low growth by resisting fiscal discipline imposed by Germany.

Offering his and the government’s resignation, the prime minister said Mr Montebourg, a left-wing MP, had crossed “a yellow line”.

Moments later, the president issued a statement asking him to set up a new government “consistent with the direction (Mr Hollande) has set for the country”.

A French presidential source said Mr Valls’s decision had been a matter of “absolute consensus” between

President Hollande and the prime minister.

Francois Hollande is sending a clear message: dissenters within the party will not be tolerated at this difficult economic moment.

But the decision to dissolve the government is also a sign of how much is at stake for him.

With unemployment running at more than 10 per cent, growth stagnant, and polls suggesting that less than 20 per cent of voters think he can turn the economy around, Mr Hollande is facing a difficult autumn.

His plan has been to cut spending in order to fund tax cuts for business, in the hope of boosting the economy, but there are those in his party who disagree.

They want less focus on austerity, and more money funnelled direct to households. Purging the rebels is an eye-catching move, but with his popu-

larity at an all-time low, Mr Hollande cannot afford to look weak.

Arnaud Montebourg, 51, is on the left wing of the French Socialists and has campaigned against globalisation. He came third in the party’s contest for presidential candidate in 2011.

On Saturday, he told Le Monde newspaper that Germany was trapped in an austerity policy that it imposed across Europe”.

He was backed up by education minister Benoit Hamon and appeared also to have the support of culture minister Aurelie Filippetti.

Mr Hamon called on Sunday for a revival in demand and for an end to German Chancellor Angela Merkel setting Europe’s direction.

All three ministers were set to lose their jobs in Tuesday’s reshuffle, Le Point reported, along with Justice Minister Christiane Taubira.

E

Jumia rolls out in Cameroon

COMMERCE platform Jumia has launched in Cameroon, the company announced, saying the launch is the beginning of plans to expand across central Africa.

The online retailer said is the ideal time for Jumia to establish itself in Cameroon, given the country’s strong purchasing power, increasing interest in consumer goods, and the growth in mobile internet penetration.

“This is another exciting step for Jumia. We are confident that Cameroonians will embrace the

I

opportunity to shop easily and conveniently online, and are committed to maintaining our high standards of security, great value and fantastic service as we continue to expand across the continent,” said Christina Hawley, managing director for new countries at Jumia.

Initially launched in Nigeria in 2012, the expansion to Cameroon brings the number of countries in which Jumia operates to nine.

The firm said the launch was prompted by the success of its roll outs in Ghana and Uganda.

IDC, ITIDA launch initiative for Egyptian ICT firms

NTERNATIONAL Data Corporation (IDC) has launched a new strategic programme with Egypt’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency ( ITIDA ).

Called ‘Africa Together ‘, the initative aims to assist Egyptian ICT firms in penetrating high-growth markets across the continent through partnership and market development efforts, further enhancing the role of Egypt’s ICT industry as a key contributor to the country’s economic growth.

The statistics suggest there will be no shortage of opportunities for them to tap into. While the world’s second largest and second most populous continent is currently in the midst of an unprecedented period of economic growth, ICT usage and penetration levels remain significantly lower than in the rest of the world. But as the continent becomes more and more connected, ICT adoption is set to explode at rates barely imaginable in the world’s developed markets.

Indeed, IDC’s latest forecasts show IT spending across Africa (excluding South Africa) reaching $26.4 billion by 2018, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.03 per cent — close to double the worldwide figure of 3.81 per cent.

So the unparalleled potential of the region is clear to see.

“The considerable demand that exists across the wider African continent for skills and knowledge transfer makes it an extremely appealing prospect for Egyptian ICT companies, as does the ability to introduce innovative, cost-effective, and relevant IT solutions to these markets,” says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC’s group vice president and regional managing director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

“To this end, the initiative exploits the natural synergies that exist between IDC’s unrivalled market insights and ITIDA ‘s quest to increase the global competitiveness of Egypt’s ICT industry,’’ he said.

Samsung showcases biometric scannerenabled Galaxy Tab S

S • German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, right, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde PHOTO: EPA discussing at the start of the meeting by European finance ministers on a rescue loan for Ireland.

Sony PlayStation network shut by cyber-attack S

ONY’S PlayStation network has been shut after cyber-attackers overloaded it in what’s known as a distributed denial of service attack.

In a blog post Sony said no personal information had been accessed.

On Sunday an American Airlines flight carrying a senior Sony executive was also diverted following a bomb scare.

The group claiming responsibility for closing down the network also tweeted suggesting there was a security threat to the flight.

In a blog Sony said that “the PlayStation Network and Sony

P

Entertainment Network have been impacted by an attempt to overwhelm our network with artificially high traffic”.

“We will continue to work towards fixing this issue and hope to have our services up and running as soon as possible,” the blog said.

Sony has said the FBI is investigating the security scare over the flight carrying Sony Online Entertainment President John Smedley, which should have landed in San Diego but was diverted to Phoenix, Arizona.

Mr Smedley tweeted, “Yes. My plane was diverted. Not going to discuss more than that. Justice will find these guys.”

Sony’s 52 million strong PlayStation network has been hit by hacking attacks before, including a security breach in 2011.

Sony had already scheduled routine maintenance work to be done on its PlayStation network on Monday.

After 1740 BST some services including PlayStation Store, PSN account management and registration, entertainment services and online gameplay will be unavailable.

Fides becomes Trustco

AN-AFRICAN financial services firm, Trustco, said Namibia’s Competitions Commissions Board had approved the acquisition of Fides Bank.

This means Trustco has now completed the acquisition, making the bank a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Namibian financial services firm. No further conditions are pending.

Trustco Bank Namibia, the new name for Fides Bank, will be fully operational by early September this year, Trustco said on Monday.

Last week it emerged that central Bank of Namibia had granted Trustco permission to acquire Fides Bank Namibia.

From September, Fides Bank will now operate as Trustco Bank

NamibiaAt the time, Trustco said permission was also granted for Trustco to change Fides Bank’s name to Trustco Bank Namibia. Trustco said at the time it was only awaiting the approval by the Competition Commissions Board (CC).

In May this year, Trustco said it wanted to acquire 100 percent of Namibia’s lender, Fides Bank, for an undisclosed amount.

Trustco said it acquired Fides because the lender fitted its strategy and would set off the present student lending, mortgage lending and insurance businesses of Trustco.

“The student lending business is of sufficient economic size to anchor the Banks’ balance sheet,” Trustco said at the time.

Fides has five outlets in Namibia

with its loan portfolio consisting of 14,000 group lending borrowers and 357 SME borrowers.

This move shows that the firm is set on growing aggressively through acquisitions.

In addition, the acquisition of Fides comes shortly after Trustco earlier this year acquired property developer, Elisenheim, for N$220 million ($20.1 million).

At the time, Trustco said the acquisition of Elisenheim was in keeping with the firm’s wish to back Namibia’s property development plans of expanding accommodation in the country. This acquisition is also part of the company’s strategy of helping address the country’s housing shortage while increasing the group’s earnings capacity.

AMSUNG Electronics has announced the availability of its new flagship tablet, the Galaxy Tab S, in Nigeria.

The firm has added a new, premium device range to its highly popular Galaxy Tab series.

According to the company, the Galaxy Tab S combines an advanced high definition display technology with premium content, aimed at providing consumers with an unrivalled entertainment experience.

The device was unveiled in Lagos.

It is on sale at all Samsung Experience Stores, Operator Stores and at accredited dealer stores.

The Galaxy Tab S is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet yet. It features a 10.5-inch screen alongside the most advanced superAMOLED display on the market, with a resolution that is twice the high-definition standard associated with other devices in its category.

The Galaxy Tab S is also powered with enhanced productivity features for effortless multitasking, all elegantly housed in a beautifully crafted premium design.

At the heart of the new tablet range is a fingerprint scanner embedded in the home button, a feature that made its debut in the Galaxy Tab S’s smartphone sibling, the Galaxy S5, the objective being to provide consumers with a safe, biometric screen-locking feature.

In addition, the scanner lets users authorise payments from the device with their unique fingerprints. Up to eight people can use the feature to log into different profiles on the device when it is in multi-user mode.

Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, said the Galaxy Tab S will redefine how technology innovation enhances the quality of life.

Tech firms unveil smartphones’ fastest mobile service

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HREE tech firms have unveiled the world’s first commercial 300megabytes per second (Mbps) long term evolution (LTE) or 4G service for smartphones.

The service will be available later this month when SingTel launches the Samsung GALAXY S5 4G+, the first handset globally to be compatible with 4G LTE-Advanced networks.

Another compatible smartphone, the Samsung GALAXY Alpha 4G+, will be available from SingTel next month.

SingTel’s Managing Director, Networks, Mr Tay Yeow Lian, said: “From streaming videos to web surfing and uploading selfies, customers are doing more with their smartphones. With this launch, SingTel customers will be the first in the world to enjoy the benefits of the fastest phone on the fastest net-

work.

“We are constantly enhancing our networks with the latest technologies to provide our customers with the best possible experience for today’s increasingly bandwidthhungry applications.”

Network now covers more than half of Singapore SingTel has been working with its mobile network equipment provider, Ericsson, to rapidly expand its 4G LTE-Advanced network across Singapore. Street level coverage now extends to more than 55 per cent of the island, including areas, such as Orchard, the CBD, Shenton Way, City Hall, Ang Mo Kio, Tampines, Jurong, Telok Blangah and Woodlands.

Mr Tay said: “We have accelerated our network roll out programme and are on track to achieve nationwide outdoor coverage by the first quarter of 2015.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

POLITICS

43

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

ADAMAWA POLITICS On September 6, the Adamawa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold its governorship primaries in Yola, the state capital. Who becomes the flag bearer? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the contenders and pretenders in the race.

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WO main political parties-the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-are in the battle for the governor in Adamawa State. But, it appears that the battle is more fierce in the PDP. No fewer than 10 aspirants have bought nomination forms. They are warming up for the primaries in Yola, the state capital, on September 6.

The seat became vacant, following the impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako by the House of Assembly. When Nyako was about to be shoved aside, it was said that his deputy, Bala Ngilari, a lawyer, was asked to resigned under duress. His letter of resignation was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Umaru Fintiri, instead of his boss, Nyako. The controversy generated by this anomaly has not been resolved. Some forces are still mounting pressures on the former deputy governor to challenge the basis for the appointment of the Speaker as the acting governor. The case is in the court.

However, the impeachment is now a chapter in the history of Adamawa State. Chieftains of the ruling party are now pre-occupied with the byelection. Prominent indigenes, including monarchs and religious leaders, have shown keen interest in the succession battle.

The PDP contenders include Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, former Lagos and Bornu states Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Minister of State for Health Dr. Idi Hong, and son of former PDP National Chairman, Awal Tukur. Others are former Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (SUBEC) Dr. Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed, former presidential political adviser Ahmed Gulak, Chief Whip of the House if Assembly Hon. Jerry Kumdisi, Umar Ardo, and Markus Gundiri.

The aspirants are holding consultations with stakeholders. They have set up campaign structures. In fact, some of them have visited the party secretariat to speak on their programmes and agenda for the state. Indeed, the party and the state are polarised along partisan interests. However, for now, the camp of the opposition, the APC, is calm.

Campaign issues

Many issues will shape the contest. These include religion, ethnicity, poverty, presidential preference, power of incumbency and the Atiku factor.

Since Adamawa State was created out of the old Gongola State, the state has been struggling with many problems. It is one of the most backward in the Northeast state. Its people are poor and elite have always exploited this factor to manipulate the people. One of the problems that the next governor will inherit is youth unemployment, dearth of social amenities and dwindling internally generated revenue. A state of limited emergency has been declared in the state, following the insurgency by the dreadful Boko Haram sect.

In the last two years, some parts of the state have not known peace. Even, former Governor Murtala Nyako’s convoy was attacked by the sect members. Many have lost their lives. Property has been destroyed. Economic activities have paralysed in affected areas. Last week, the home town of the acting governor was invaded by the sect members. In response, he imposed curfew on some towns and villages. Fears are rife that the by-election may not hold in the affected areas.

Religion is also a major issue. Although the diverse people have co-existed peacefully for long, the elite have always exploited the religious divide to have an edge. Muslim and Christian politicians have always leaned on the numerical strength of religious blocs to gain advantage during elections. For example, while Nyako, a Muslim was shoved aside, his deputy, a Christian, was not allowed to assumed the reins.

He was asked to quit office without following the due process. Both religions have many adherents in the Northeast state.

Another factor is ethnicity. The Fulani have always claimed political superiority in Adamawa.

In this multi-ethnic state, the larger tribes have always marginalised the smaller tribes. Thus, there is the fear that aspirants from smaller eth-

• Ribadu

• Fintiri

• Marwa

• Modibbo

• Tukur

• Gundiri

• Gulak

• Kumdisi

10 for governor in Adamawa nic groups may not make impact at the primaries, owing to lack of solid base.

This election is the last bridge to next year’s polls. Arguably, the PDP National Leader, President Goodluck Jonathan, and the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu, have vested interest. It is believed that Ribadu was persuaded to defect to the PDP, based on the promise that he would be assisted to get the ticket at the shadow poll. Apart from Dr. Jonathan and Muazu, prominent PDP chieftains and many proPDP businessmen are ready to foot the bill for the former anti-graft curator.

Besides, Adamawa PDP is looking beyond the September 6 primaries. The chapter , basking in the euphoria of the power of incumbency, is working hard to install a PDP governor. The structure is on ground. The majority of members of the House of Assembly and the National Assembly are from the party. Although the party is divided, owing to the acrimony among the antagonistic caucuses, they are not averse to reconciliation.

However, the poll may not be a walk over for the PDP. This is due to the Atiku factor. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who defected from the PDP to the APC, has a presidential ambition. He is influential and has links with prominent PDP chieftains and followers. But, Nyako’s impeachment cast a lot of doubt on his influence because he failed to avert it. Abubakar seems to be in the eye of the storm. If the PDP wins the by-election, it may reduce the Turakin Adamawa’s chance at the APC presidential primaries.

There is also the politics of waivers. Unless the condition is relaxed, the ambition of Marwa, Gungiri, and Ribadu may be in jeopardy.

The greatest factor in the election is money.

There are 376 delegates expected in Yola. Sources said the aspirants are trying to woo them.

PDP aspirants: Ribadu

Ribadu was the son of the legendary politician and First Republic Minister of Defence, the late Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu. But, the police officer and lawyer rose to prominence when he became the EFCC chairman. Unlike his father, who died in 1964, success has not attended his political career, which he begun at the top. His tenure at the EFCC ended on a controversial note. After his travails, he opted for politics in retirement. In 2011, Ribadu emerged as the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) presidential candidate. That was after former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa was asked to step down at the Lagos primaries. He lost the election to President Jonathan.

The circumstances surrounding Ribadu’s defection are not in the realm of conjecture. While in the APC, there was a plan to anoint him as a successor to Nyako. However, when Nyako was booted out of office, Atiku Abubakar took over the party. Reality dawned on the former EFCC boss that his chance of emerging as the APC flag bearer was slim.

Ribadu has been critical of the PDP. It was therefore, surprising to observers when he defected to the party. He is being projected as the candi-

date to beat at the primaries. The former police officer lacks a formidable structure. He is not a grassroots politician. But, a party source said that his asset is his integrity. In fact, apart from the President, the Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Iweala, many ministers and a prominent businessman, who is reputed for being the most richest Nigerian, is backing him. However, those he met in the PDP are jealous of him. They feel that a great critic of the PDP has joined the fold to reap where he did not sow. He has a hurdle to cross on September 6. He has more formidable aspirants to contend with.

Marwa

Marwa rose to fame as the performing military governor of Lagos State in the days of Gen. Sani Abacha. In 2006/7, he was a presidential aspirant. But, a trap was set for him after former President Olusegun Obasanjo used him against Atiku Abubakar. He was invited by the EFCC for interrogation. His public rating dropped immediately. Although hr later served as the High Commissioner to South Africa, he never bounced back. Owing to irreconcilable differences, he defected from the PDP to the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) led by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Some months ago, he defected from the APC to the PDP. Marwa has fine credential as an officer and administrator. But, he is from a minority non-Fulani ethnic group in Adamawa. This may be a disadvantage at the primaries.

• Continued on page 44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27, 2014

44

POLITICS Comrade Jackson Ojo is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Osun State. In this interview with reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, he reflects on the governorship election, the deployment of troops and the expectation about next year’s elections. SINA FADARE was there.

‘Federal might can’t win elections in Southwest’ W HAT is your assessment of the governorship election in Osun State?

The governorship election in Osun State was a clear indication that the people have spoken. It was an indication that the winner of the election, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, got the majority of voters on his side. The people’s will was displayed, going by the outcome of the election because the opponent, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, and its candidate used all means and the federal might to intimidate and harass genuine voters. But, people were more determined to resist the intimidation and harassment. It was also an attestation of the fact that the winner has performed excellently and warmed himself into the hearts of voters. Senator Iyiola Omisore wouldn’t have been the best alternative, if the PDP had wanted to challenge Rauf Aregbesola. For over three years now, Governor Rauf Aregbesola have proved himself to be a Godsent leader, he is a performer, he is progressive and the quality and his visionary leadership is second to none. All these have spoken for Aregbesola at the poll and the people have shown their appreciation to him with their votes by electing him into office for another term of four years.

How will you assess the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as an arbiter?

The INEC has done its own bit of the assignment, but it should

improve on this have people’s confidence. Though there were attempts by some of the INEC’s staff to release some voting materials to the PDP through the backdoor before the election the game plan was unsuccessful and the people resisted it. The people of Osun were ready for the worse, either from the INEC, security agencies or the PDP. The people have made up their mind, resolute, determined and spoken with one voice at the poll without acrimony and division.

The unity and oneness that the people of the state displayed was a serious factor that intimidated the INEC, security operatives and the PDP. Therefore we must give kudos to the INEC for not betraying the trust that the people have for the commission. I must singularly commend and appreciate the excellent and mature manner the people of Osun conducted themselves before, during and after the election.

Why did Aregbesola win, despite the intimidation and the use of federal might?

Actually, his government has touched lives, restored hope, and changed the face of our cities through urban renewal programmes. There is a sense of belonging under Rauf Aregbesola’s government; his simplicity and his disposition have given him an edge over others. He has done a lot in tackling youth unemployment and empowering artisans, market men and market women among others.

• Ojo

As a member of the PDP, you always speak well of Aregbesola. What is the motivation?

I remain a member of the PDP and I am not ready to dump it for another party. I am a principled man and I am not ready to compromise it. In Osun State, Ogbeni Aregbesola has surpassed records of past administrations since its creation, be it military or civilian.

My support was not for the APC, as I believe in the driver and not the vehicle. The APC is the vehicle, Aregbesola is the driver and the people of Osun State are the passengers. Aregbesola a good

10 for governor in Adamawa

• Continued from page 43

Hong

The medical doctor-turned politician is the political son of former Education Minister, Senator Jubril Aminu. He was the old man’s personal assistant before he was appointed as the Minister of State for Health. His main supporter is the PDP elder. But, Aminu may not be able to mobilise for his success at the primaries because of the contending forces against his candidature. Hong is not perceived as a serious contender.

‘Ngilari’s letter of resignation was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Umaru Fintiri, instead of his boss, Nyako. The controversy generated by this anomaly has not been resolved.

Some forces are still mounting pressures on the former deputy governor to challenge the basis for the appointment of the Speaker as the acting governor. The case is in the court’

Awal

Awal is the son of the former PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. The old Tukur is a former governor of the old Gongola State and Transport Minister under Abacha. His ambition is to witness the inauguration of his son as the governor. Awal is a good boy. He is not controversial. But, his father has many foes. Before he defected from the PDP to the APC, Nyako has fought Bamanga Tukur to a standstill. The former governor maintained that he would not be succeeded by his son. But, following his impeachment, Awal picked up the gauntlet again. According to a source, Awal was summoned to a meeting in Abuja last week. At the crucial meeting, some Abuja politicians persuaded him to drop his ambition, stressing that the power that be had already endorsed Ribadu.

The young man agreed, saying that luck may still smile on him in the future.

However, the First Lady, Dame Patience, was not comfortable with the plan to edge Awal out. She berated the Abuja politicians for a shortfall in perception and recall.

She reminded them that his father, Bamanga Tukur, deserved compensation for supporting her husband, Dr. Jonathan, when the die was cast

and reliable driver that would take the state to the promise land. I am a realist that believes any man that is doing the right thing at the appropriate time.

Aregbesola and Omisore are incomparable elements. What put me off the track with the Omisore was that, prior to the primary election of PDP, some of his boys came and threatened me that, if Omisore wins the governorship election, that I should forget coming to my state for eight years. Following consultations and sensitisation with members of my groups, the Ijesa Unity Group, (IUG) and Yoruba Youth Alliance, (YYA) in the state, we discovered many people in the PDP were not comfortable with Omisore becoming the governor.

We sought the sympathy of students, the civil servants and others and they supported us and eventually, it resulted in the final burial of Omisore political ambition in the state and we say glory be to God. What is the implication of the Osun governorship election on the 2015 general elections?

The victory of Aregbesola of the APC in the election in Osun State has sent a very powerful signal to the Presidency and the PDP that it may not be easy for them to win elections in the Southwest.

Osun people have set the pace which other states across the country would follow. The federal might which was used to intimidate and harass the people of the state through the deployment of

•Ngilari

between him and the break away faction of the PDP. When Awal returned home, he was summoned by his father. The old man directed him to continue with the pursuit of his governorship ambition.

Gungiri

At the PDP primaries in 2011, Gungiri was defeated by Nyako. In protest, he defected to the ACN. Although he defected some months ago, some people have consistently referred to him as a special new comer. Gungiri still has his links in the APC. Some PDP members have said that he may return to the APC, if he fails to get the ticket.

Gulag

Ebullient and fork-tongued Gulag was until recently the Political Adviser to the President. He is a grassroots politician. As the former Speaker of House

• Ardo

of Assembly, he was popular. When he became presidential adviser, his support base was solidified. However, he fell out of presidential favour, following his deft moves in Akwa Ibom. The President took exception to his unguarded statement about his 2015 ambition. His appointment was terminated. Unless he has normalised his relations with the President., his chance at the primaries is slim.

Ardo

Ardo is a veteran aspirant. But, he is a serial loser. He once worked at the Presidency, courtesy of Atiku Abubakar. However, the perception in Adamawa is that Ardo betrayed his mentor. However, some people have nice things to say about him.

He is a committed party man.

Kumdisi

Kumdisi is a member of the House of Assembly. The Chief Whip was committed to the impeachment plot against Nyako. But, he is not rated as a serious contender.

Fintiri

The acting governor is a schemer.

He is a wise politician. When the plot to impeach Nyako was on, he hid his own succession plan under the plot.

This is the second time the Speaker is acting as the governor. Thus, he knows the potentials of the office of the first citizen. To pave the way for him, the House of Asembly made sure that the deputy governor also resigned his position. Today, he is the most powerful aspirant in the PDP, as it were. Ahead of the primaries, he has enlarged the State Executive Council. The cabinet members are au-

soldiers and other security operatives in large number has been deflated and rendered worthless and impotent by Osun people.

If the concentration of security and government apparatus was on Osun because of the election and they failed, they should know that they will not have it easy n 2015.

What is your advice for President Goodluck Jonathan as the nation prepares for another general elections?

My advice to Mr. President is that he should not rely so much on the so-called political big wigs or big names in the Southwest PDP because they don’t have electoral value. They are big for nothing because they cannot deliver their family compound for the PDP. In Ekiti State, people voted for Ayodele Fayose and not the party because those in the party have nothing to offer. For instance, in Osun State, how many of these big politicians were able to deliver their wards for the party? Anybody who relies on politicians like this will definitely fail.

President Goodluck Jonathan should as a matter of urgency make peace with the grassroots people. He must correct the wrongs by giving due recognition to the Yoruba race in the appointment to higher political offices and make sure that Federal Government projects are cited in the region.

tomatic delegates. He has also been doling out gifts to stakeholders. The acting governor recently awarded roads and street light contracts. He has paid salary arrears and become the toast of civil servants. A source said: “It may be difficult for anybody to stop him for Ribadu. Nobody can stop his ambition, except the President.”

Modibbo

He is a man of honour and integrity. Modibbo, who is from the Central Senatorial District, holds a doctorate degree in History. He is jostling for governorship at a time of intense clamour for power shift to the Central District, which has not produced the governor since the restoration of civil rule in 1999. Many perceive him as a professional in politics, an astute administrator and a goal getter. Before his appointment as the Director-General of the Nigeria Teachers Institute (NTI), he was a teacher at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. As the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), he lived up tom expectation. A Fulani, he is very close to the Lamido of Adamawa and other prominent monarchs. He wife, Aisat, a member of the House of Representatives from Yola North/South Constituency, is an asset. She has a solid structure. The Amazon grew up in Mubi, a Christian dominated area. Thus, the Modibbo family is popular among Christians and Muslims.

Modibbo’s campaigns have intellectual touch. He is the only aspirant who has unfolded an elaborate agenda for Adamawa. His manifestos cover the critical areas of security, health care, peaceful co-existence, agricultural development and education. He also has programmes on education, social develpment and sports, industrialisation, urban renewal, mass transit and civil service reforms.

45

THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27, 2014

POLITICS

‘Defectors from APGA to PDP are liabilities’

House of Representatives member Hon. Muniru Hakeem represents Osodi/Isolo Constituency, Lagos State. He spoke with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the Jonathan Administration, insecurity and issues that will shape next year’s elections.

‘Fed Govt can’t ask for more security funds’

All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftain Chief Cambell Umeh is the Senior Special Assistant to the National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh. In this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, he speaks about the party’s preparations for next year’s elections.

W

HAT is your reaction to the defection of APGA chieftains to the PDP? The news that the APGA has collapsed because it has lost its House of Representatives members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not true. It is a blessing. Only the moles went back to the PDP. They came from the PDP to the APGA initially. Leaving our party will allow us to now make peace with ourselves. They came to the APGA when Peter Obi was the governor of Anambra State. That was when we had issues with Chief Mazi Okwu. So, following their departure, the party will now have focus.

What is now the role of Mr. Peter Obi in the APGA? Obi is not a true member of the party.We have said this long ago, but nobody took us seriously. He was never a party man, but a businessman. In 2011, when our leader, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu, was sick, he could not run for the Presidency. Obi went to the PDP to recruit their members into the APGA. For instance, Joy Emordi ran for Senate under the APGA. Obi brought her from the PDP. Dora Akunyili contested for the Senate in the APGA. She was a PDP woman. Chima Nzeribe was from the PDP. Obi brought him to our party. The three senators did not win election in the the APGA. So, the party had no senator when Obi was a governor.

Even, members of the House of Representatives were imposed on us by Obi. They were only loyal to him. Their defection to the PDP is a huge relief and a blessing in disguise to the APGA. How is the party preparing for the governorship election in Lagos State?

The party wants to get its bearing in Lagos. Yoruba cannot lay claim to Lagos because Lagos is not a Yoruba name. It is not an Igbo name. It is not a Hausa name. It is a Portuguese name. It was named by the Portuguese, which means the land of promise. Since then, the name has not changed. So, nobody can lay claim to Lagos.

It was a colonial settlement. It was not part of the Western Region.

In all fairness, nobody can stop any person from exercising his franchise. For those who are laying claim to the ownership of Lagos, they cannot justify this claim. Now, the APGA has been viewed as an Igbo party which cannot make in-road to Lagos, This is not true. Our party is a national party and it has the capacity to produce the governor in any part of the federation.

Does the party have a formidable structure in Lagos?

Nigeria has only four political parties-the PDP, the APGA, the Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The APGA has defeated many parties in previous elections. We won the Anambra State governorship election, beating other parties.They could not stop our party. This is an indication that the APGA is on ground. We have followers in Lagos State and we can win the governorship. If we look at the non-indigenes in Lagos State, the APGA can boast of 10 million people, who are in alignment with the party. We want to change the system. It is an alternative party in Lagos.

We can assure those who are interested in contesting under the APGA of a level playing ground. We will conduct primaries. We will not impose any candidate. That is why our door is open. The APC is the strongest party in Lagos State. But, the PDP is almost dead. Apart from federal appointments , which the PDP is getting, the party does not exist. Therefore, the only opposition party in Lagos today is the APGA. If President Goodluck Jonathan wants to win Lagos State, he should use the APGA as the platform in Lagos State. All the jamborees in the PDP are meant to attract federal appointments.

Will the APGA support President Jonathan for second term?

In 2015 , our party is prepared to present a candidate for the presidential election. We will release our guidelines soon. In 2011, we supported President Goodluck Jonathan. We had an alliance. We delivered. This time around, for us to support Dr. Jonathan, our major demand is that the PDP in the Southeast should not run for any election. We told the leadership of the PDP that, if they want the APGA to support the President for a second term, the party should not contest other elections in the Southeast. You cannot contest governorship and parliamentary elections with us and you want us to support you at the presidential election. In 2003, the Alliance For Democracy adopted the same method.

They supported former President Olusegun Obasanjo blindly. That mistake cost them five state in the Southwest. Only Lagos State survived the earthquake. In the INEC guidelines, the presidential election will come first.

If we ask our supporters to vote for the PDP at the presidential election, the lay man in the street will follow the same pattern in other elections.

• Umeh

• Hakeem

C

AN the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the next presidential election?

We are hoping for the best, despite the challenges we are facing now. The leadership of the APC has been up and doing. They are working towards success at the poll. They want to give Nigeria a credible leadership. This is in line with the yearning and aspirations of the people. The chance of the APC is very bright.

When the parties formed the APC, the euphoria that greeted the birth of the legacy party was high. On the day the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registered the party., joy was bold on the faces of Nigerians. The reaction was spontaneous across the country. The people were celebrating. They believe that the APC will liberate the country from oppression, poverty, disease and ignorance.

Despite the challenges facing the APC, the party triumphed. Despite the bottlenecks, we overcame. The party has many followers because of its populist agenda. You could see disillusionment on the faces of the people. They are eager for change and I am very confident that the people will give us victory. That is why I am equally appealing to our members to complement the sacrifice the leadership of our party has made. We should come

together like a family to defeat this fascist experiment led by the PDP. What are the issues that will shape the election?

The security of life and property, which is the sole responsibility of government, is the central issue that will guide 2015 elections.

Don’t let anybody deceive you. Nigeria is in a state of war. The insurgency is affecting the country.

The APC has a blue-print for security and peace. The country must have peace and security. We have to restore confidence in the people. The resolution of the security challenge is a priority. No country can make progress where there is no security. Agriculture, education and healthcare are also critical. We have to solve the Boko Haram problem. I am sure that will be one of the issues during the election. Initially, the insecurity was limited to the Northeast.

Now, it has spread to Kano, Kaduna and Abuja. It has been reported in the Southeast and Lagos. When we fought the civil war, we were more secured in the country. The civil war was confined to a certain part of the country. But, in this case, you don’t even know when the next bomb will explode. The bomb carriers used to be men. But, the women have now joined the fray. So, when you look at it, the security of life and property has to be on the front burner. This government has failed. It has never been like this in Nigeria. Everybody is living in perpetual fear. Christians and Muslims can no longer pray in their places of worship without fear.

Why is Nigeria in this terrible situation?

Many things are responsible. The include corruption, ignorance, leadership failure, and illiteracy.

When a people lack good leadership, the situation becomes chaotic. There is a saying that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.

What has the government done to improve the education sector?

What efforts are being made to provide food, housing and even clothing?

How is the National Assembly assisting the Federal Government to tackle insecurity?

Everybody culpable in this matter. But, more culpable are those handling the security of the country. They say they don’t have the right tools. Government was not proactive when the Chibok girls were abducted.They did not even believe the girls were abducted.

So, the response was slow. The abductors had all the time to plan, distribute and share the girls. So, by the time government was responding, it was almost late.The road to Sambisa forest does not exist in isolation. Sambisa forest is a vast land that is inhabited by people. Are we saying that nobody saw them on their way to the forest? But, because government did not believe that it happened in the first place, the country was put in a precarious situation. They said it is political. Everybody was now defending and pushing the blame. I am not surprised. The day the girls were kidnapped, the President was attending a rally in Kano State. God forbid, if my child was among them, what would I tell other kids? That their sister was kidnapped while trying to get education and government is never bothered about it? Fundamentally, I would say the government has not given good leadership.

But, the Presidency has requested for more money to tackle insurgency…

The Presidency is waiting for us to approve another $1 billion to tackle insurgency? The Armed Forces in the last budget got almost a N1 trillion and the situation has not improved. The budget for defence took a chunk of the budget. We are aware that the defence sector needs money. But, why should it be coming at a time the next budgetary session is imminent? The next budget will be submitted to the National Assembly in a couple of months. So, what are we buying? There are more questions than answers. They may want to blackmail the National Assembly with the request.

Why was the proposal made when the National Assembly went on recess? To me, it is suspicious.

This is my personal opinion. I believe the money is meant to oil the PDP machinery for 2015 elections.

• From left: Former EFCC Chairman Malam Nuhu Ribadu submitting his expression of interest and nomination form to PDP National Organising Secretary Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha in Abuja.

46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT

ZONAL PUBLIC DISPLAY EXERCISE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF TELECOMMUNICATION BASE TRANSCEIVER STATIONS IN THE NORTH WEST ZONE OF NIGERIA (JIGAWA, SOKOTO, KEBBI, KATSINA, KANO, ZAMFARA AND KADUNA STATES) BY IHS NIGERIA PLC. In accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act No. 86 of 1992, which makes it mandatory for proponents of all new major development activities to carry out Environment Impact Assessment on their proposed projects, the Federal Ministry of Environment hereby announces a twenty-one (21) working day Public Notice for information and comments on the draft EIA report submitted by IHS Nigeria Plc. Project Description.

The proposed project activities will involve construction and installation of masts for base transceiver stations.

THE DISPLAY CENTERS ARE: 1. Headquarters, Babura Local Government Area, Babura, Jigawa State.

2. Headquarters, Biriniwa Local Government Area, Biriniwa, Jigawa State.

3. Headquarters, Birnin Kudu Local Government Area, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State 4. Headquarters, Buji Local Government Area, Gantsa, Jigawa State 5. Headquarters, Dutse Local Government Area, Dutse, Jigawa State.

6. Headquarters, Gagarawa Local Government Area, Gagarawa, Jigawa State.

7. Headquarters, Garki Local Government Area, Garki, Jigawa State.

8. Headquarters, Gumel Local Government Area, Gumel, Jigawa State.

9. Headquarters, Guri Local Government, Guri, Jigawa State.

10. Headquarters, Gwaram Local Government Area, Gwaram, Jigawa State.

11. Headquarters, Hadejia Local Government Area, Hadejia, Jigawa State.

12. Headquarters, Jahun Local Government Area, Jahun, Jigawa State.

13. Headquarters, Kaugama Local Government Area, Kaugama, Jigawa State.

14. Headquarters, Kazaure Local Government Area, Kazaure, Jigawa State.

15. Headquarters, Maigatari Local Government Area, Maigatari, Jigawa State.

16. Headquarters, Malam Madori Local Government Area, Malam Madori, Jigawa State.

17. Headquarters, Taura Local Government Area, Taura, Jigawa State.

18. Headquarters, Bodinga Local Government Area, Bodinga, Sokoto State.

19. Headquarters, Dange-Shuni Local Government Area, Dange, Sokoto State.

20. Headquarters, Gada Local Government Area, Gada, Sokoto State.

21. Headquarters, Goronyo Local Government Area, Goronyo, Sokoto State.

22. Headquarters, Gwadabawa Local Government Area, Gwadabawa, Sokoto State.

23. Headquarters, Sokoto North Local Government Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

24. Headquarters, Sokoto South Local Government Area, Sarkin Zamfara, Sokoto State.

25. Headquarters, Tambuwal Local Government Area, Tambuwal, Sokoto State.

26. Headquarters, Tangaza Local Government Area, Gidan Madi, Sokoto State.

27. Headquarters, Wamakko Local Government Area, Wamakko, Sokoto State.

28. Headquarters, Wurno Local Government Area, Wurno, Sokoto State.

29. Headquarters, Yabo Local Government Area, Yabo, Sokoto State.

30. Headquarters, Aleiro Local Government Area, Aleiro, Kebbi State.

31. Headquarters, Argungu Local Government Area, Argungu, Kebbi State.

32. Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

33. Headquarters, Dandi Local Governemnt Area, Kamba, Kebbi State.

34. Headquarters, Jega Local Government Area, Jega, Kebbi State.

35. Headquarters, Koko/Besse Local Government Area, Koko/Besse, Kebbi State.

36. Headquarters, Maiyama Local Government Area, Maiyama, Kebbi State.

37. Headquarters, Suru Local Government Area, Dakingari, Kebbi State.

38. Headquarters, Yauri Local Government Area, Yelwa, Kebbi State.

39. Headquarters, Bakori Local Government Area, Bakori, Katsina State.

40. Headquarters, Batagarawa Local Government Area, Batagarawa, Katsina State.

41. Headquarters, Batsari Local Government Area, Batsari, Katsina State.

42. Headquarters, Danja Local Government Area, Danja, Katsina State.

43. Headquarters, Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

44. Headquarters, Funtua Local Government Area, Funtua, Katsina State.

45. Headquarters, Ingawa Local Government Area, Ingawa, Katsina State.

46. Headquarters, Jibia Local Government Area, Jibia, Katsina State.

47. Headquarters, Kafur Local Government Area, Kafur, Katsina State.

48. Headquarters, Kaita Local Government Area, Kaita, Katsina State.

49. Headquarters, Kankia Local Government Area, Kankia, Katsina State.

50. Headquarters, Katsina Local Government Area, Katsina, Katsina State.

51. Headquarters, Malumfashi Local Government Area, Malumfashi, Katsina State.

52. Headquarters, Mani Local Government Area, Mani, Katsina State.

53. Headquarters, Musawa Local Government Area, Musawa, Katsina State.

54. Headquarters, Safana Local Government Area, Safana, Katsina State.

55. Headquarters, Rimi Local Government Area, Rimi, Katsina State.

56. Headquarters, Ajingi Local Government Area, Ajingi, Katsina State.

57. Headquarters, Bunkure Local Government Area, Bunkure, Kano State.

58. Headquarters, Bebeji Local Government Area, Bebeji, Kano State.

59. Headquarters, Bichi Local Government Area, Bichi, Kano State.

60. Headquarters, Dambatta Local Government Area, Dambatta, Kano State 61. Headquarters, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, Dawakin Tofa, Kano State.

62. Headquarters, Garum Mallam Local Government Area, Garum Mallam, Kano State.

63. Headquarters, Gaya Local Government Area, Gaya, Kano State.

64. Headquarters, Gezawa Loacal Government Area, Gezawa, Kano State.

65. Headquarters, Gwarzo Local Government Area, Gwazo, Kano State 66. Headquarters, Kabo Local Government Area, Kabo, Kano State.

67. Headquarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kumbotso, Kano State.

68. Headquarters, Kura Local Government Area, Kura, Kano State.

69. Headquarters, Madobi Local Government Area, Madobi, Kano State.

70. Headquarters, Minjibiri Local Government Area, Minjibiri, Kano State.

71. Headquarters, Nasarawa Local Government Area, Bompai, Kano State.

72. Headquarters, Rogo Local Government Area, Rogo, Kano State.

73. Headquarters, Takai Local Government Area, Takai, Kano State.

74. Headquarters, Tarauni Local Government Area, Ungwa Uku, Kano State.

75. Headquarters, Tofa Local Government Area, Tofa, Kano State.

76. Headquarters, Tundun Wada Local Government Area, Tundun Wada, Kano State.

77. Headquarters, Ungogo Local Government Area, Ungogo, Kano State.

78. Headquarters, Warawa Local Government Area, Warawa, Kano State.

79. Headquarters, Wudil Local Government Area, Wudil, Kano State.

80. Headquarters, Anka Local Government Area, Anka, Zamfara State.

81. Headquarters, Bungudu Local Government Area, Bungudu, Zamfara State.

82. Headquarters, Gusau Local Government Area, Gusau, Zamfara State.

83. Headquarters, Zurmi Local Government Area, Zurmi, Zamfara State.

84. Headquarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area, Kumbotso, Kaduna State.

85. Headquarters, Giwa Local Government Area, Giwa, Kaduna State.

86. Headquarters, Igabi Local Government Area, Turunku, Kaduna State.

87. Headquarters, Ikara Local Government Area, Ikara, Kaduna State.

88. Headquarters, Jaba Local Government Area, Kwoi, Kaduna State.

89. Headquarters, Kachia Local Government Area, Kachia, Kaduna State.

90. Headquarters, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Doka, Kaduna State.

91. Headquarters, Kaduna South Local Government Area, Makera, Kaduna State.

92. Headquarters, Kagarko Government Area, Kagarko, Kaduna State.

93. Headquarters, Kaura Local Government Area, Kaura, Kaduna State.

94. Headquarters, Makarfi Local Government Area, Makarfi, Kaduna State.

95. Headquarters, Sabon-Gari Local Government Area, Sabon-Gari, Kaduna State.

96. Headquarters, Sanga Local Government Area, Gwantu, Kaduna State.

97. Headquarters, Soba Local Government Area, Maigama, Kaduna State.

98. Headquarters, Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area, Zonkwa, Kaduna State.

99. Headquarters, Zaria Local Government Area, Zarki, Kaduna State.

100. Jigawa State Ministry of Lands, Housing, Urban Development and Regional Planning, Dutse, Jigawa State.

101. Katsina State Ministry of Urban and Regional Planning, Katsina, Katsina State.

102. Zamfara State Ministry of Physical Planning, Gusau, Zamfara State.

103. Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, Kano State.

104. Kaduna State Ministry of Lands, Surveys and County Planning, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

105. Kebbi State Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

106. Sokoto State Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, Shehu Kangiwa Secretariat, Sokoto State.

107. Jigawa State Ministry of Environment, New Secretariat, Dutse, Jigawa State.

108. Kano State Ministry of Environment, Block V, Audu Bako Secretariat, Kano, Kano State.

109. Katsina State Ministry of Environment, Kano Road, Katsina State.

110. Kebbi State Ministry of Environment, Haliru Abdu Secretariat, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

111. Sokoto State Ministry of Environment, Shehu Kangiwa Secretariat, Sokoto State.

112. Zamfara State Ministry of Environment, Gusau, Zamfara State.

113. Kaduna State Ministry of Environment, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

114. Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Secretariat, Zamfara State.

115. Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Secretariat, Kano, Kano State.

116. Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Secretariat, Katsina, Katsina State.

117. Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Secretariat, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi Statae.

118. Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Secretariat, Gusau, Zamfara State.

119. Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Secretariat, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

120. Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Secretariat, Sokoto, Sokoto State.

121. Federal Ministry of Environment, Conservation House, Plot 444 Aguiyi Ironsi, Maitama, Abuja.

122. Federal Ministry of Environment, Environment House, Independent Way South, CBD, Abuja 123. www.ea-environment.org DURATION OF DISPLAY Date: 4th August – 1st September, 2014 Time: 8.00 am – 4.00 pm daily ALL COMMENTS RECEIVED SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT ON OR BEFORE 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2014.

SIGNED: PERMANENT SECRETARY FOR: HONOURABLE MINISTER

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

47

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

DOWN

1.Cook in Oven (4) 4.Fruit (4) 8. Writing Fluid (3) 9. Through (3) 10. Remit (4) 11. Breakwater (4) 12. Cushion (3) 14. Vase (3) 16. Beverage (3) 18. Policeman (3) 20. Exhibition (5) 22. Wrath (3) 23. Resort (3) 25. Knob on Root (4) 26. Remain (4)

1.Revel (4) 2.Benevolent (4) 3.Final (3) 5.Eager (4) 6. Bind (3) 7. Obtain as reward (4) 11. Metal Vessel (3) 12. Group of Lions (5) 13. You in Plural (2) 15. Perform (2) 16. City (4) 17. Dry (4) 18. Price (4) 19. Make Supplication (4) 20. Dispose (3) 21. Mineral (3)

MINI-SUDOKU Fill in the missing numbers in the grid to ensure that every row, column and 2 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 - 6.

5

3

6 4

6 1

5

4

HUMOUR Catching Lions An American zoologist told 2 Ibo men to catch lions for him at price of $20,000 per lion.

The Ibo men went into the forest to catch lions, after a fruitless search they fell asleep from exhaustion.

A short while later one of them heard the roar of a lion and woke up, he saw 150 lions surrounding them, instead of him to find an escape route, he woke his friend up and said; “EMEKA! EMEKA!! WAKE UP, WE DON HAMMER!!”

A Welcome Father Mother: Son I’m sorry I slept with someone that is not your dad 23 years ago. And that person is your real father.

Son: Mum, what rubbish! How am I to deal with this?! You should be hanged.

Mother: I am sorry he was my first love and I could not marry him... because we are of different religion. He is on the phone at the moment and wants to speak with his son for the first time ever.

Son: No I am speaking to no one.

Bob is the only father i know and so will that be.

Mother: Please don’t be so upset.

Just talk to him.

Son: Ok, I will give him a piece of my mind!

Phone: Morning Son, I am Aliko Dangote. Iam your real father.

Son: Dad! Dad!! Dad!!! Thank God! Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Thank God!!!!!!

Love u so much Dad!!!!! I’ve been looking for you for so long.

Pep Talk

Reflections The Seed A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. “The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.” One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by — still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - he so wanted the seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful — in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back. “My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have rgrown” said the CEO. “Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!”All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, “The CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!”When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, “Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!His name is Jim!” Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed.”How could he be the new CEO?” the others said. Then the CEO said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.

When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer.

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WORDS & ORIGIN ”Caesarean section” A Caesarean section, also spelled Caesarian or Cesarean and often without the upper case C, is the surgical delivery of a child. It is a term with an interesting etymology and lots of associated folklore. üÿThe term comes from the name of Julius Caesar, who according to legend was delivered by this method. From R. Jonas’s 1540 translation of Roesslin’s Byrth of Mankynde: They that are borne after this fashion be called cesares, for because they be cut out of theyr mothers belly, whervpon also the noble Romane cesar the .j. of that name in Rome toke his name.

Although this is where the term Caesarean comes from, this legend about Julius’s birth is almost certainly false.

While surgical deliveries were known in ancient Rome, they invariably resulted in the death of the mother and Julius’s mother, Aurelia, lived well into her son’s adulthood. It is possible that one of Julius’ ancestors was delivered in this fashion and bequeathed the name to the family. Although Pliny reports that the name comes from caesaries, or hair, as the future dictator of Rome was born with a full head of hair.

The term Caesarian section dates to 1615, first appearing in Helkiah Crooke’s A Description of the Body of Man.

MISSING LETTERS All the words in the grid have lost their first letters. You are to fill them to ensure that an 11-letter word with the meaning “Rite of Marriage” is formed.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 A R R O C I M I O W I T I A D O R E C N A N E D P E N E N E S Y K

Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose-a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. - Mary Shelley

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‘Nigerian writing has long come of age’ For 10 years now, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has been giving $100,000 to the best Nigerian writer yearly. It is the highest Literature prize in the country. It also sponsors of the CORA book party, which brings together the shortlisted authors and book lovers. Why does the company promote creative writing? In this exclusive interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, the NLNG General Manager, External Affairs, Mr Kudo Eresia-Eke, a poet, says literature is the soul of life as it excites the reading culture.

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HAT is your opinion on the state of the creative writing in the country?

The Nigerian writing has long come of age. No matter how you look at it, when you talk literature on the world scene, Nigeria is present. And now we are blossoming and expanding. The quality and the quantity are increasing. If you look at the breadth of experiences that we are sharing today, it is far much more than what we used to know. We have indigenous, those in the Diaspora and we have the mix. Different kinds of cultures come into play and people are experimenting. And we see the spectrum of those, who were shortlisted recently. From the list of hundreds that participated only 11 were shortlisted. Their ages (17 and above), their educational background (there is a professor), give you an idea of the breadth. Young people are getting into the spree, as young as 17, that gives you an idea of how much impact is being made. It is getting to the grassroots and that is great to know.

As a businessman, do you think literature has the economic potential worth investing in?

The truth is our interest in literature is not so much for the business side. There would be those, who would reap from it. Publishers, promoters and writers may reap from it, but our interest is in promoting literature purely as literature; promoting the reading culture because when we excite literature, it would excite enough quality that people would be attracted to. And this would influence more people to get involve; it would also influence more readers, the growth of our nation and excellence. And we never know where it would lead to because once you light a candle; you’d never know how many other candles that candle would ignite.

Ten years on, how has the journey been so far in sponsoring the Literature Prize?

It has been fulfilling for the company. To have initiated a Nigeria Prize for Literature, which in such a short span has assumed a continental and possible world stature, attracting response and support from across the spectrum of writers and lovers of literature worldwide. The Prize was instituted for the benefit of Nigeria, and so we are happy that Nigeria is reaping the benefits, as you can see from the value and volume of literature inspired, the enthusiasm and energy of book lovers/affiliated workers generated, and the excitement of the reading culture in our land.

Were there challenges encountered during the period?

Nothing prospers without challenges, so for the Prize to acquire the level of reputation and respect it enjoys today, we had to painstaking work at the challenges not as stumbling blocks, but as climbing blocks. There have been quite a few of those challenges, which nevertheless have helped the Prize to be better honed for greater acceptability and worthiness. Of course, not much would have been achieved without the huge support enjoyed from the Advisory Board, the judges, the writers and the media that have worked with us all the way.

Supporting Literature over the years, what does NLNG stand to benefit from this venture?

That’s a very good question because sometimes when you look at it, it seems there is a disconnect between a gas company, a technology-based company, supporting literature. But this is where we link up. The vision of the Nigerian LNG is to be a global company helping to build a better Nigeria. Now, no nation can be built in darkness, the writers bring light and enlightenment, they bring intelligence, they excite the reading culture. Technology cannot improve if people don’t read. So, it instigates reading – they make us

•Mr Eresia-Eke

INTERVIEW read, learn and make us students…excited pupils who want to know things about the world. That is where they come in. So they are a fundamental pillar for nation-building, fundamental pillar for improving and making Nigeria better – that is why we doff our hats for the writers.

So, you belong to the school of thought that says there exists a more profound connection between literature and science?

Yes. The basis of science is literature, because except you learn to read and write, you can’t express yourself in science. Notice that a lot of the science writers are originally from the literary background; that is the only way they can express complex ideas in simple terms that children can understand and that people can appreciate. So, writing is also part of science.

What informed NLNG decision to extend the prize to Nigerians in the Diaspora?

Nigerians are fundamentally very determined people and we love competition. And the more we compete, the better we get. A Nigerian is a Nigerian no matter the part of the world, he or she lives. It doesn’t matter whether you live in the moon, if you are a Nigerian please get on it. And we believe Nigerians can compete with those from any part of the world.

What stands the Prize out from others in the country?

I think the support it enjoys - from a whole spectrum of society. It enjoys support from the media, the arts, the academia, local and international audience. It stands very high when you look at the quality of judges and members of the advisory board. It is eminent and loved. There is a good reason behind it.

What is that reason?

Laughs. The integrity of the process and people can see that.

Terra Kulture, Golden Effects collaborate

By Esther Chibueze

CINEMA

N •Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, Bola Awolowo, Segun Awolowo and Kunle Afolayan

IGERIA’S foremost arts and cultural centre, Terra Kulture, is partnering with the Golden Effects Pictures for the marketing and promotion of Kunle Afolayan’s feature film, October 1.

It premieres tomorrow at the Eko Hotel, and is due for its cinema debut on October 1. The film boasts of an array of stars, including Kunle Afolayan, Sadiq Daba, Deola Sagoe, Kenneth Okonkwo, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Demola Adedoyin, David Baile, Kayode Olaiya and Kehinde Bankole.

The partnership, according to observers, is to reaffirm commitment to the growth of Nigerian cinema. It has, according to them started indicating a positive yield through Terra Kulture’s vital role in facilitating series of private screenings for corporate organisations such as Oando, Stand-

ard Chartered Bank, Leadway Assurance and Leadway Pensureand the industry heavyweights. This, they said, would raise sponsorship for the cinematic release and worldwide premiere of the film later in the year.

Terra Kulture’s key involvement in the successful screening of October 1 signifies a renaissance in culture of Nigerian movie promotion, and marketing of arts and culture at large, arts critics have said.

Speaking on her establishment’s role in the promotion of the movie during a private screenings at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, the Managing Director and founder of Terra Kulture, Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, said: “It is exciting to know that the entire film and production was done in Nigeria with a world-class content as seen in the epic movie October 1. We are proud to partner with Golden Effects Pictures to market and promote this movie.”

The Intercontinental Hotel’s exclusive screening was sponsored by Hayden Petroleum Limited and Partnership Investment Company Plc.

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‘Superstitio helps ‘Superstition spread Ebola’ A human rights group based in the United Kingdom, the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN), has blamed the outbreak of the Ebola virus on superstitious beliefs. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

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HE World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that the spread of Ebola in West Africa constitutes an international health emergency.

The misconception of the virus has also come with imaginary and superstitious preventative measures and cure. These trends, some health and human rights advocates believe, are adding to the spread of the virus.

Some weeks ago, such fallacious measures made the round on the social media and the public space: it was said that the use of salt and hot water serves as a preventive measure from contracting the virus. Before that was the rumour of the use of bitter kola as a preventive measure. However, the Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, has discredited such measures, while informing the world on the government’s action towards curbing the spread.

However, a United Kingdom-based human rights group, the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN), has called for more to be done to demystify the causes of the outbreak and ways of transmission of the virus, saying this would help curb its spread in the country and across the region.

On account of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration, the group said improved medical expertise as well as awareness tools should be employed to curb the virus’ spread, adding that proactive steps be taken to help communities to understand that it is not caused by witchcraft.

With the belief in witchcraft and the effectiveness of traditional medicine prevalent in West Africa, particularly the remote rural areas, it said, it is no longer news that diseases such as HIV/AIDs, epilepsy and tuberculosis are often considered as signs of witchcraft in this region, while victims of-

• Doctors carrying an Ebola victim

HEALTH ten seek assistance from faith and community leaders to cure such illnesses. And that the outbreak Ebola is no different.

Hence, the Executive Director of WHRIN, Gary Foxcroft, has raised fears over harmful effect this trend may have on the spread of the disease, if not nothing is done to curb this religious “delusion”.

“In the recent outbreak, at least 932 deaths have been blamed on the illness, with 1,711 reported cases of Ebola in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone in this latest outbreak. The true figure is likely to be much higher as many cases in rural areas go unreported, while raising fears over the rise in the deaths due to inadequate health facili-

ties, especially in the rural areas,” he said.

Consequently, a lack of access to public health facilities in such communities, Foxcroft said, often leads to victims consulting witchdoctors or pastors whose “cure” may focus on identifying and treating the “spiritual” cause of the medical conditions rather than prescribing their rational scientific explanations and treatment.

A statement by the WHO further corroborates Foxcroft’s view, stating: “The possible consequences of further international spread of Ebola are particularly serious in view of the virulence of the virus, the intensive community and health facility transmission patterns, and the weak health systems in the currently affected and most atrisk countries.”

Although WHO officials, after experts

‘There is a huge amount of work that needs to be done to demystify the medical conditions, such as Ebola, that are commonly associated with witchcraft across West Africa. Unfortunately, failure to do so may lead to this latest epidemic spreading’

convened a two-day emergency meeting in Switzerland, the advocate said a coordinated international response is essential to stop and reverse the spread of the virus. To contain latest outbreak, Foxcroft said media awareness tools should be used to demystify the disease before it becomes a global epidemic.

He said: “If the WHO and partners are to contain this latest outbreak they need to use all media tools at their disposal to send a strong message to communities that Ebola is not a mysterious disease and that it is not caused by witchcraft. Rather, it is an infectious disease with a rational, scientific explanation of how it was created, how it spreads and how it can be treated.

“There is a huge amount of work that needs to be done to demystify the medical conditions, such as Ebola, that are commonly associated with witchcraft across West Africa. Unfortunately, failure to do so may lead to this latest epidemic spreading.

The link between medical conditions and belief in witchcraft has been documented in various UN reports and Non-Governmental Organisation reports; however, as yet there has been no concerted and coordinated action to address this challenge.”

Green City Project: Anambra to collaborate with NTDC

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HE Anambra State government will collaborate with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in developing an eco-friendly Green City Project in the commercial city of Onitsha, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Tony Onyima, has said.

The project, which aims at promoting tourism and improving revenue generation for NTDC, was earlier scheduled to take off in Abuja but was cancelled due to the Abuja Centenary project.

It would accommodate NTDC office, botanical garden and other projects.

Onyima spoke when he led a three-man delegation to the NTDC Secretariat in Abuja.

“For the Green City Project, Anambra is the best place for the project because Onitsha can give you the entire refuse you want. We are eager to see the project come home because that is where it belongs,” he said.

He added that the state government has a robust developmental programme in the area of agriculture, saying plans are underway to amend an Act that would officially list Anambra as an oil producing state. He said: “Anambra government has a robust developmental programme such as agriculture which is the largest employer of labour in the world. Anambra is an oil producing state and moves are made to amend the Act so that it will be officially listed as such.

•Mrs Mbanefo

TOURISM While disclosing the intent of the state government to build a refinery and airport,

he noted that the government has awarded a contract worth N4.5billion for the construction of road leading to the refinery which would specialise in drilling Aviation fuel.

“We are planning to build a refinery and the refinery has a license to build an airport around the area through private sector. The government has awarded contract for the road leading to the refinery at the cost of N4.5billion and work has started there. The refinery and airport are very critical to us in our developmental agenda. The refinery will specialise in drilling aviation fuel that will regenerate the economy of the state.”

Onyima urged NTDC to assist the government in the registration and classification of hotels, saying the state would soon be agog with cultural activities, such as beauty pageantry and Odenigbo Carnival, adding that the government was constructing a five-star hotel at Agulu Lake and Ogbunike Cave Resort to boost tourism and attract tourists in the state even as he sought the collaboration of NTDC in achieving this laudable projects.

He said: “We have the biggest thing happening in tourism. We are putting a five-star hotel at Agulu Lake to be ready

by December. Ogbunike cave is a UNESCO Heritage site but we have acquired the land around it which is about 100 hectares. We want to develop Ogbunike Cave Resort. The Nollywood started in Anambra, so we want to take the ownership back but we cannot do it alone and that is why we are seeking

for your collaboration. So, I call on you to open your doors because we will come back several times. Pray this is the beginning of long lasting relationship.”

On her part, the Director- General of NTDC, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, said the strategic imperative of the corporation was to rebuild the NTDC through skills acquisition and capacity building for the staff, growing the tourism value chain for revenue generation and job creation via domestic tourism. While thanking the delegation for their visit, she was optimistic that Nigeria would overcome the current security challenges, saying that terrorism was not peculiar to Nigeria alone.

She said: “The reason we are promoting domestic tourism is that we want to empower the local government to create jobs but the local government can only create jobs with support from the Federal Government by helping them to market their tourism potentials. We are here to support you and make sure that tourism in Anambra is a huge success and you will generate revenue.

“Terrorism is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. A lot of countries like Israel, Egypt, Iran, and UK that are more technologically advanced than Nigeria have been dealing with terrorism. Their press does developmental journalism and their tourism doesn’t suffer. We want to create awareness for people to participate in tourism-related activities in Nigeria.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

MOVE BACK...!

Law enforcement agents trying hard to control the crowd during the just-concluded Osun Osogbo Festival

Inspiring through art

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O the General Manager of Ereke Paints and CEO/MD of Mide’s fun world, Princess Funmilayo Opanubi-Alasholuyi, beauty comes out when life situations are handled positively. She likened the life’s process to nurturing a seed till it matures to a sturdy plant.

With the theme, My Life Experience: Its Inspirations and Beauty, Princess OpanubiAlasholuyi said in a world filled with challenges and tragedies, people tend to have a negative mind set, thinking that such hampers progression in life.

The exhibition, she explained, was geared at encouraging people through art to deal with life issues positively. The Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, host of the exhibition, featured an array of artworks in an open space, meant for easy recognition as people trooped in and out of the facility.

Explaining the theme, Princess OpanubiAlasholuyi said: “I have been inspired through life’s challenges, and its lessons.

These lessons are what motivated me to inspire others. I want to make a difference in other people’s lives, and I believe that’s what LOVE is all about. When you inspire people, you bring out the best and the beauty in them. This is how the inspiration and idea of “Flower in the Box” was discovered.”

Princess Opanubi-Alasholuyi said the flower is a definition of beauty in the art world, which displays a beautiful look and picture; and has a lovely aroma that can be breathtaking. “They have gone through the stages of nurture and constant care and possess beautiful image and character.”

The exhibition presented collaboration of mixed media; from canvas styles, to acrylic paint designs, to inspirational and Bible quotes on canvas, cartoon characters for kids in the “oldies and new” on canvas and vintage pictures on Lagos scenes on canvas. This, she said, is to remind the old generation what places used to look like in their prime age, fabric prints, including Aso-Oke shade lamps and recyclable items transformed into

By Chinasa Ekekwe

VIRTUAL ART art.

The art pieces on displays included: Black and White concept; Butterfly Love one and two; Leaf patterns; Rainfall; Mosaic designs; Fish in disguise; Escentric moon; ‘Gangan’ (Talking drum); Spiral Design; End of Discussion and The Wise men, among others.

The exhibition was inspired by her first, My journey from The Queensland to Daystar.

Comparing her latest work with the first, Princess Opanubi-Alasholuyi said it was more successful and better, adding that she decided to hold the exhibition in August because people are less busy at this time of the year and children are on holidays from school.

“The theme of my first art exhibition was My Journey from The Queensland to Daystar, which highlighted my life experience in the United Kingdom to Nigeria. Through the success of the first exhibition and the overwhelming response, motivation and encouragement from the public,” she said.

According to her, the next exhibition would be a joint one to be followed by a solo one.

‘Not even Ebola could stop us’ •Continued from page 16

from attending this year’s festival. To me, what is called Ebola is not worse than Soponna, which our forefathers cured with ease. And Osun as our saving grace will not allow it to spread in our land. Whatever request we made from Osun is always granted, so, we are lucky people only if we recognise that fact.”

Prince Oshuniyi, a residence of Ayobo, a Lagos suburb, said: “I don’t believe Ebola exists and if it does, Osun water will wash it away. This is a major reason I am here, to seek protection for myself and my family.

If Ebola is attacking some people it is because they have forgotten their roots. In those days, if there was an epidemic, our forefathers knew what to do. They knew how to appease the gods, use herbs and leaves to provide succour. But unfortunately, all those have left us because we have decided to follow other people’s culutre that we do not understand to our own peril.”

An American, Jacob Wallace, who said

he came from Atlanta, Georgia in the United States, said he came for the first time to Nigeria to have “a feel of the power of Osun” which, according to him, was welldiscussed abroad.

The Director, Primary Health Care and Disease Control, Dr Kayode Ogunniyi, said although no one tested positive to the disease, two people out of the 600 already screened before noon were disallowed from entering the grove because of their perceived ill-health.

Oguniyi said the government provided the screening equipment, adding that quarantine centres have been set up in the three senatorial districts of the state.

The Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo spoke of the Federal Government’s readiness to develop tourist centres across the country. She said the government would ensure that the grove was developed to attract more foreign tourists.

Other notable traditionalists at the grove included renowned Ifa priests, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon and Dr Adetoyese Olakisan.

Groups kick against regulatory bill HE Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) has made its position known on the proposed Bill to regulate the acceptance and utilisation of financial or material contribution of Donor Agencies to Voluntary Organisation and for related matters.

According to its Executive Director, Mr Oyebisi Babatunde Oluseyi, the Network, a coalition of over 1700 organisations, is uncertain and fear for the future. In recent years, he said, there has been waves of repression, including restrictive legal framework, administrative burdens in relation to registration and more subtly, funding restrictions under the guise of checking money laundering and probable terrorism funding. This, he noted, has stifled the activities of NGOs and other civil societies.

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“Many of the lessons we have learnt in our work as a Network and experience from national associations in different parts of the world revealed that a Bill such as the one being proposed serves to restrict our civic space. For example, the 2013 State of Civil Society Report published by Civicus indicated that threats to civil society is rising in many countries and is further shrinking and restricting the space in which these organisations can operate and contribute to public life,” Oyebisi said.

He added that NNNGO has made use of every available resource to consult with its members and various stakeholders to review the proposed bill. The group, he said, has gone a step further to consult others in the civil society and not-for-profit world in different parts of the globe, through the Affin-

ity Group of National Associations (AGNA) and the International Center for Non- forProfit (ICNL).

While commending the House Committee on Voluntary Organisation and Donor Agencies over their interest in ensuring that foreign aid is judiciously used by voluntary organisations, Oyebisi said, the NNNGO is concerned that the proposed Bill is in conflict with its rights as enshrined in international standards set in Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Nigeria acceded to on the July 29, 1993. He said: “Requiring prior approval for foreign funds is a violation of international law, including Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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NEWS (SHOWBIZ) Cheekuh joins 2digits Records

Cousins ‘fight’ for N10million on Star The Winner Is show

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HE last is yet to be seen of the intrigues in the Nigerian version of The Winner Is, as two cousins were head-overheels in a duel battle for the best voice in the television game show, at the weekend.

Competing for the mouth-watering grand prize of N10million, Jahtell Ilem and Blessing Ogainyo, both astounding singers, put their family affiliations aside, going up against each other in the fiercest round on the show.

Blessing however surrendered to Jahtell, as the competition between them heightened, choosing to walk away with N100, 000, while Jahtell continued the race.

Jahtell eventually became the clear choice for the 101 jury members in that round, having made it

•Show host, Uti with contestants

through to the semifinal stage, after beating another opponent, Daniel Buba in the final round of the night.

With a breath-taking

rendition of BoyzIImen classic, I’ll make love to you and an outstanding delivery of Jenifer Hudson’s I’m changing, Jahtell won the hearts of

the audience, viewers at home and most certainly, the 101 jury members.

Daniel, who was a strong contender, delivered remarkable performances like Seal’s Kiss From A Rose, before making the smart choice of walking away with N400,000 offered by show host, Uti Nwachukwu in the final round, and leaving Jahtell to move on.

Gabriel Udogu, Josephine Onyejebose and Ese Amadasun also sang their hearts out to the delight of the audience and jury members, but not as impressive as Jahtell who won the winner’s crown for the night.

To this end, Jahtell joins Philip, Brenda, Happiness, Rhema and Naomi in the battle for 10million naira and a brand new car in the semi final round of the exciting show.

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

•Cheekuh

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HE management of 2digits Records has signed on a new R&B act, Gimba Galadima, aka Cheekuh.

As part of efforts to celebrate the move, the new act has released a single titled Loke Loke.

The Bida, Niger State-born artiste said Loke Loke preaches patience as it narrates the story of a lady who part ways with her boyfriend because she doesn’t understand his action.

Loke Loke has been classified by pundits as the next romantic hit track to emerge from the Nigerian music scene because of its epic love story.

Adedokun Abiola, CEO of 2digits Records, said: “Cheekuh’s style of singing is different and he has also been rated as one of the key artistes to emerge from the ever-growing Nigerian music scene. That is why we have brought him to our family and we will not regret it.”

To his credit, Cheekuh, a graduate of Petrochemical Engineering from the University of Jos, Plateau State, had previously dropped a debut single, Yapa, produced by Vtek, PSquare’s new producer.

Other artistes on the label are ND Dancin and Dee Dread.

•M.I

I’m open to criticism, says M.I

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ITH the launch of his album in a few days to come, Chocolate City recording act, Jude Abaga popularly known as M.I, has said that his songs are open to criticism because, “critics make the music industry up and doing.”

The rap heavyweight who recently released a single, King James, off his forthcoming album, spoke at the M.I Leadership Summit which took place at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“Shoutout to everyone that is active on the Nigerian entertainment scene. I’d rather have 1000 people say they hate my song than 50 people say they like it. The reason I said that is because the conversation gets things moving,” he said.

Otherwise called Mr Incredible, Abaga has won several awards, including the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009. In 2010, he was nominated for BET Awards for the Best International Act Category.

MI’s popularity is reported to have dwindled after his second album M.I2 dropped. Fans complained that he had grown lyrically weak, but perhaps these criticisms are what he said make his coming album thick.

•National Troupe of Nigeria

Eriri draws curtain for National Troupe

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FTER a successful onemonth creative station workshop for children, the National Troupe of Nigeria will round off this year’s project with a command performance of Eriri (String) at Cinema Hall 2, National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos on Sunday, August 31 by 4pm. It will feature children participants at the Creative Station Workshop.

Eriri unveils the actualisation of the political will that led to the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorate by the British Imperialist and the struggle that led to Nigeria’s independence.

By Ozolua Uhakheme The play is written by Mike Anyanwu and directed

by Josephine Igberaese, Director (Drama) at the National Troupe and Coordinator of the workshop.

The Children Creative Station Workshop (CCSW) was conceived as a long vacation theatre workshop for children between the ages of 5 and 17. It is primarily aimed at exposing participants to general theatre practice and appreciation of the creative arts.

Igberaese explained that the play was chosen to inform and educate the chil-

dren and their peers that will be attracted to the command performance on Nigeria’s political history. “We want to educate them not just as citizens of this great and indivisible entity called Nigeria but also as future leaders of this noble entity,” she said.

Igberaese explained that the command performance would detail all that the workshop participants, who have been rehearsing for three weeks now, have learnt during the near onemonth training period. “We took them through various aspects of the theatre. We got them involved in acting, improvisation, miming,

Bovi, Akpororo, others for Odogwu Standing Ovation

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OPULAR comedian, Odogwu Sylvester Obialor, has said that he is set to make history with his forthcoming comedy show tagged Odogwu Standing Ovation on Sunday, September 21, at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Odogwu, who revealed that he came to the decision to do a 100-percent comedy show, said: “I just want to be different.”

According to him, the show, which will be anchored by MC Abbey and Wazobia FM’s Lolo 1, will feature talented comedians like Bovi, Buchi, Emeka Smith, Akpororo, Osama, Ajebo, Dan D Humourous, Babakay and Romeo, among others.

•Bovi

dancing, creative writing, singing and voice training,” she explained.

Special guest of honour at the Sunday’s command performance is respected arts patron Prof Paulina Adebusoye, while Engineer Solomon Uwaifo will be father of the day. Also, foremost arts matriarch, Mrs. Francesca Emanuel, former President of the National Council of Women Societies, Mrs. Emily AigImoukhuede, author and arts matriarch, Mrs. Mobolaji Adenubi and Mrs. Diagbonya Uwaifo will grace the command performance as mothers of the day.

MEGA: Nominees’ unveiling holds October 21

A

FTER eight weeks of rigorous screening, the National Nomination Committee of the Music and Entertainment Gospel Awards (MEGA), in association with the Body of Judges, has fixed the date for the release of the prenomination list for the MEGA 2014 ceremony scheduled to hold on Friday, November 14.

The pre-nominated works can be voted for by members of the public on different platforms and social networks controlled by the organisers in 31 categories. The public voting (PV) starts from Saturday, August 30.

In a release, the organisers said: “This stage of the awards shall focus on 57 CDs (for album and medley categories) and 53 singles. The breakdown of the public voting (PV) listing shows that there are seven categories for singles; three for medleys; eight for ‘solo performances’; six genres and seven main categories. It is hoped that Nigerians will embrace this initiative and vote massively such that their preferences may have some influence on the Judges’ final decisions.”

The public voting, the organisers further stated, is designed to dovetail into the

•Femi Akintunde Johnson

nominees’ unveiling ceremony slated for Tuesday, October 21.

The unveiling, where the final four nominees in each category will be announced, is expected to be covered live by top radio station and MEGA-partner, Raypower 100.5FM at a yet-tobe announced venue.

Lovers of Nigerian music are encouraged to visit the website, www.megawards.org, for full details (including names, songs, criteria and definitions), listen to the pre-nominated works and start voting for their favourite artistes and songs. Also, interested Nigerians can vote using the following platforms: FB: www.facebook.com/ MEGAwards andTwitter handle: @ tweet_megawards.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

BUSINESS EXTRA

UBA, MasterCard deepen cardholders’ experience Holiday experiences are never forgotten in a hurry especially where they are worthwhile. The Priceless Holiday scheme introduced by United Bank for Africa (UBA) in partnership with MasterCard is expected to give cardholders wonderful experience, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

C

ARDHOLDERS that win the ongoing Priceless Holiday promo organised by United Bank for Africa (UBA) in partnership with MasterCard will have a life-changing experience, the bank’s Divisional Head of E-Banking, Dr. Yinka Adedeji has said.

In a statement, that the bank executive said scheme is to encourage and reward customers who use their Mastercard to pay for goods and services during this summer season.

He said UBA MasterCard is accepted in over 210 countries and at millions of terminals across the world.

He also said the reward scheme encourages the use of the card for local and domestic web and Point of Sale (PoS) payments.

Adedeji explained that under the ongoing promo which ends September 30, cardholders who spend N50,000 and above using their card on the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) abroad, or on the Web and PoS in local and international outlets stand a chance to win shopping vouchers.

He said there are 750 shopping vouchers to be given out adding that the offer remains a lifetime experience.

“The grand reward is a breathtaking all-expense

paid trip to Dubai which comprises stay at underwater signature suite overlooking the Ambassador Lagoon Aquarium at Atlantis The Palm; helicopter tour of Dubai; guided tour of the world’s largest mall; luxury dinning at the world famous Nobu Restaurant and a visit to the top of Burj Khalifa,” he said.

Adedeji painted a picture of what the experience will be in this simple analysis: Merrill looked on admiringly as the shark swam majestically. Then it turned and started swimming towards her. The shark’s eyes locked with her eyes, her heart started beating fast.

She felt her limbs go limp.

Everywhere was dark and all she could see was the sharp piercing eyes of the shark as it swam towards her. Suddenly, the shark did not look that majestic anymore as fear seized her muscles. That was when she screamed.

She felt a hand pull her up.

Her eyes opened. Her dad was beside her and looked at her strangely, like she had done something wrong. Her mum also walked in from

• UBA CEO Phillips Oduoza

the kitchen looking at her in the same strange way.

She felt somehow embarrassed as she stammered “I thought the shark was coming to get me.” “No dear.

That is not possible. The shark is outside the room in the Lagoon. It cannot get you. Enjoy your sleep.” Her dad said.

They were spending a special priceless night at the underwater signature suite overlooking the Ambassador Lagoon Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm Hotel and Resort, Dubai with only floor to ceiling transparent

windows separating the room from the Lagoon, giving underwater astounding views of the ancient ruins of the mythical lost city of Atlantis and its 65,000 marine inhabitants. It was the perfect room.

She, her dad and mum were on the trip courtesy of UBA and MasterCard after winning in the Priceless Holiday promotion by both institutions. She was having the time of her life. In the morning, a helicopter arrived to take them on a tour of Dubai and later in the afternoon, they also went on a guided tour of the world’s largest mall.

In the evening, she and her dad and mummy had a luxury dinning at the world famous Nobu Restaurant, and then visited the top of Burj Khalifa, Dubai, the world’s tallest building. She just wished the day will never end. But she woke up. In her hands, held very tightly, was her UBA MasterCard. She was on her bed and nowhere near Dubai.

Then she remembered that just before she slept, she had read about the new reward offer from UBA for customers using MasterCard. She

was reading about the fantastic offer of an all expense paid trip to Dubai when she fell asleep. Now she wished she had just continued sleeping.

She looked around the bed.

Then she found the newspaper she was reading where she had seen the news. It read; The reward scheme also encourages the use of the Card for local and domestic web and POS payments.

Merrill looked at the UBA MasterCard in her hand. This was the time to start using it, she said as she got up and picked up her hand bag. It was time to go shopping.

The bank executive said UBA has MasterCard cards for different segments. He listed them to include UBA Debit MasterCard, which is for all cardholders and like other MasterCard products, is widely accepted at all MasterCard locations across the world. There is also the UBA All About U MasterCard designed for young, expressive people who like to extend their style to their payment tool. It allows holders to define their own style and brand their card with a personal favourite image or that of a loved

one.

The UBA Gold MasterCard is a premium card for the emerging affluent. It is tied to the holder’s domiciliary account and offers higher international transaction limits than the Debit and All About U cards while the UBA Platinum and World MasterCard are premium products , designed for the elites who desire exclusive treatment.

They offer concierge services, VIP access to airport lounges with the Priority Pass, accident and travel insurance, among other range of premium offers.

He said UBA MasterCard cardholders can access a selection of offers and experiences through Priceless Africa. He said all that is required is for a cardholder to register with his or her UBA MasterCard.

On card security, Adedeji said the UBA MasterCard is protected with best in its class technology for online and offline security. It is fortified with the MasterCard SecureCode advanced security feature even as the product is accepted on millions of terminals and in over 210 countries of the world.

2024 bond for JPMorgan Index

N

IGERIA’S 10-year bonds will be added to the JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s (JPM) benchmark emerging-market index series, the nation’s debt management agency said.

The debt due 2024 will become part of the gauge by August 29, Patience Oniha, executive director in charge of market development at the Debt Management Office, said. The inclusion reaffirms the strength of the Nigerian bond market, she said.

JPMorgan added the West African nation’s bonds due 2014, 2019 and 2022 to its emerging-market index series in 2012, predicting the inclusion may lure $1.5 billion of portfolio investments to Nigeria. Barclays added some of the country’s debts to its index last year.

“JPMorgan will want to add more Nigerian bonds in the future as old ones on their portfolio drop in tenor and there is need to review and add longer-tenor bonds that will reflect true pricing,” Kunle Ezun, a fixedincome securities and currency analyst at Ecobank Transnational Inc. (ETI) in Lagos, said. “The addition will give the Nigerian bond market a global outlook, increase investor demand and drop yields.”

The yield on Nigerian bonds due March 2024 fell 1.8 percent to 12 percent yesterday, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

• From left: Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister for Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mrs. Debola Osibogun; Acting Registrar/Chief Executive, Seye Awojobi; First Vice President, Dr. Segun Ajibola and Second Vice President, Dr. Uche Olowu when the institute paid the minister a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Battle for consumers’ pockets heightens

T

HE competition in the beer industry which previously was restricted to the Guinness Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc got fiercer with the entry of SAB Miller into the market.

There are allegations that one of the operators uses unethical marketing strategy meant to stifle competition and place its brand above Guiness brand. A visit to some bars in Lagos proved that point.

Abiodun Oloye narrated his experience to The Nation.

“I was surprised at what happened during a night out with colleagues in a bar located at 112, Isheri Road, in Lagos. The sales girl kept tell-

ing us there was no Guinness brand and was bringing in a competing brand. I felt shortchanged and I think regulators have to step in to address such unethical marketing strategy in the beer industry,” he said.

Another civil servant based in Lagos recounted similar experience. Moses Abiodun said he was in a bar at the Alausa Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) market in Ikeja, when similar incident occured. “I went to buy drink from a bar in the market but the barman said Guiness Stout was not available. He prefered that I buy another competing brand. “I think the beer competition

has gone out of hand. Many bars in this neighbourhood always say they don’t have Guinness brand and advised customers to buy a competing brand. For me, consumers should be allowed to freely dsecide what they want to drink,” he said.

Analysts said consumers should be the winners from this competition were they allowed to freely pick their brand. That seems not to be the case.

Michael Akaobi, said unethical marketing practices by a leading competitor is having an overwhelming influence on the beer industry and the consumer remains the loser because such acts deny them the

right to make informed choices.

He was surprised that regulators have done little or nothing to check this rising practice. “I expected the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and the Consumer Protection Council of Nigeria (CPC) to come in and check any practice that is not in line with the professional ethics of marketing and communications,” he said.

Akaobi said such practice if not checked, could stifle corporate support for sports or other sectors of the economy via sponsorship and professional marketing.

Analysts insist that the Ni-

gerian consumer market is huge enough for every competitor to play in and stay in business.

For instance, FBN Capital said finding of the National Bureau of Statistics is that the average household has 5.7 people, adding that Nigeria has 23.4 million middle class, equivalent to almost 14 per cent of the population. According to the report, consumption by the households ranges from $23 to $115 per day.

The study reports that the Nigerian middle class population had increased six-fold since 2000, indicating a redistribution of wealth amounting to more than just “trickle-down”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

53

BUSINESS EXTRA NBCC-UKTI sets for AngloNigerian centenary celebration

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OREMOST chamber of commerce, the NigerianBritish Chamber of Commerce(NBCC) in partnership with United Kingdom (UK) Trade Investment has announced plan to celebrate the centenary of Anglo-Nigerian trade relations slated for November, 2014.

The celebration is expected to further re-awaken and strengthen trade relations between Nigeria and Britain.

Speaking with journalists at a press conference in Lagos, the President NBCC, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu described the relationship between the two countries over the years as multi-faceted which necessitated the celebration. “The trading relationship which evolved over the years between the two countries has been extensive and far reaching,” he said.

According to him, the ceremony which is to be a threeevent affair will begin with a Centenary Lecture at Muson Centre, Lagos on November 11, followed by the Chamber’s day celebration on November 12 at Lagos International Trade Fair expected to be on at that time. The event will continue with Presidential Dinner /Award on November 21 at Civic Centre; the Award will be in 12 categories. The event is expected to be chaired by a past Head of State with other stakeholders in attendance He said though there might be up and down in the relationship between the two countries, he said Britain has re-

mained one of the biggest foreign investors in the country.

He said: “The trade relations between Nigeria and British which grew to £8 billion from £4 billion in a mere four years has merely scratched the surface.“ He is optimistic that it might hit £20 billion within the next six years if the governments in the two countries remain pro-active, with the right policies in place.

Adefulu described Nigeria as a land of immense opportunities which is yet to be explored.

He however called on the government to provide enabling environment that will be iattarctive to foreign investment and encourage export of Nigerian goods adding the Chamber will continue to stand as facilitator of trade between the two countries for mutual benefit.

FCT to get N3.2tr secondary investment

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VER N3.2 trillion sec ondary investment is expected to be generated for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja with the implementation of the Abuja Land Swap Initiative.

Apart from the N3.3 trillion, another N450 billion is already accruing to the FCT Administration from the Land Swap primary investment , which is the cost of the infrastructure to be provided by the investors.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala

CBN assures of 80% financial inclusion by 2020

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HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) has reaf firmed its commitment to meeting the targets of attaining 80 per cent financial inclusion amongs adult Nigerians in the next six years.

Its Deputy Governor in charge of Financial System Stability, Dr Kingsley Moghalu, who spoke in Sokoto, Sokoto State during a sensitisation programme, explained that the objectives of the strategy are aligned to the apex bank’s commitment to the Maya Declaration aimed at reducing the financial inclusion rate in Nigeria from 46.3 per cent in 2010 to 20 per cent in 2020.

This target is contained in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (FSS) 2020, launched by President Goodluck Jonathan two years ago.

Moghalu, who was repre-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

sented by Director, Consumer Protection Department, Hajiya Umma Dutse, said: ”Today, a significant component of economic transactions in Nigeria is not captured in the formal financial system.

“It is in this light that the various intervention measures are put in place by the CBN to facilitate availability and accessibility of financial services in Nigeria.”

The CBN Deputy Governor also stressed the need to engender trust and confidence among Nigerians to make them effectively use the financial services on offer.

He however said the forum was targeted at increasing awareness and understanding of financial products and services.

Fayemi urges O’dua on mgt of brick factory •Factory to absorb 1,000 workers

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KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has urged the management of O’dua Investment Company to ensure that the resuscitated Ire Burnt Bricks Factory in Ire-Ekiti is run as a business concern rather than as a charity organisation.

The governor, who spoke in Ado- Ekiti while receiving the new Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Raji Adewale, said the factory should not be seen as a charity organisation that will be making free donation of blocks to government agencies.

He recalled that the burnt

• From left: Captain, Ikeja Golf Club, Mr Jibola Awoseyi; President, Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Prince Yemi Adefulu; Deputy President, Prince Dapo Adelegan and Treasurer, Mr Uwami Igein, at news conference in Lagos...yesterday.

brick factory was moribund for more than 20 years until the Fayemi-led government came on board and revived it last year.

Governor Fayemi assured that his administration is committed to leaving behind a functional profitable business that will add value to the people, even as the factory has commenced recruitment of about 1,000 direct workers.

While congratulating the new GMD on his appointment, Fayemi said the new manager would be placed on better footing in the interest of the people of the owner states.

Mohammed, who spoke yesterday in Abuja while receiving the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) led by its President, Ademola Olorunfemi said the Abuja Land Swap Initiative is equally the first of its kind in the entire African continent. He added that it has only been realised during the transformational period of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Administration.

From Grace Obike, Abuja

He said: “Apart from N3.2 trillion, the sum of N450 billion is already accruing to the FCT Administration from the Land Swap primary investment, which is the cost of the infrastructure to be provided by the investors.

“Abuja as a national mega engineering project that is a success story in the history of Nigeria, appreciated the contributions of the Nigerian Society of Engineers

(NSE) for the development of the model city.

“The Abuja Land Swap Initiative is equally the first of its kind in the entire African continent.”

He agreed to allocate a befitting plot of land for the NSE to construct its head office and challenged the group to muster all its contacts to get all the needed resources to build a gigantic edifice expected of a professional body such as the NSE. He also promised to support

the proposed international engineering conference scheduled for Abuja, stressing that the conference will open Abuja to the World and avail the FCT of new frontiers.

Earlier, Olorunfemi had pleaded with the Minister to allocate a plot of land for the society to build its headquarters.

He solicited the cooperation of the FCT Administration and the NSE for the mutual benefit of the two bodies.

‘Nigeria is highest generator importer in Africa’

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IGERIA has topped the list of generatorimporting countries for the fourth year in a row, having surpassed others since 2002, Chairman, Benin Electricity Distribution Company Limited (Vigeo Holdings), Mr Gbolade Osibodu, said yesterday.

He said for instance, the country accounted for 35 per cent or $152million of the total $432.2million spent by African countries on generator imports in 2005.

The effect is that nearly all surviving manufacturing companies run private plants, with more production costs being shifted to the consumers.

Speaking during the plenary session at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) An-

From Joseph Jibueze, Owerri

nual General Conference in Owerri, with the topic: Nigeria: Any Hope for an Industrial Revolution?

Osibodu said development would continue to elude Nigeria until there is regular power supply.

“Nigeria has all it takes – sufficient water, gas, manpower, etc – to solve the power problem in the country. Nigeria is faced with inadequate and unreliable power supply, making it difficult to achieve needed economic growth and development,” he said.

Osibodu expressed optimism that ongoing power sector reform would guarantee power supply, adding

that post-privatisation challenges such as inadequate generating capacity and transmission limitation must be tackled.

“Successful reform of the power sector will lead to revitalisation and growth of industries in Nigeria. To the question: Any hope of industrial revolution in Nigeria?

The answer is Yes, but this will require the commitment of all stakeholders,” he said.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Solomon Asemota, who chaired the session, said industrial revolution in Nigeria would depend on the immediate ending of the ideological war between liberal democracy and Sharia He said: “Sharia is the direct opposite of the industrial revolution with the policies

it tries to enforce as is with Boko Haram and its desire of a world caliphate through violence and force. It is feudalistic and retrogressive.

“The enforcement of Sharia is in fact the protection of a system that perpetuates oligarchy because the oligarchs are the interpreters of Sharia.

It is essentially politics of the stomach typified by Boko Haram. We have remained stagnant over the years because of our dual ideology.

“Brazil, India, Indonesia, China etc with whom Nigeria’s GDP effectively competed in the 1960s that have one ideology have made progress.

“Until Nigeria develops democracy as its ideology industrial revolution will only remain a mirage.”

Rewane, Teriba praise Glo Xchange

N

IGERIA’S economists Dr. Ayo Teriba and Bismarck Rewane, have commended the introduction of a massive, nationwide, collaborative mobile money agent network in the country by Globacom in partnership with licenced mobile money operators.

Glo Xchange, described by the Central Bank of Nigeria as Nigeria (CBN’s) biggest mobile money super agent network, was launched by Globacom in partnership with FirstMonie, Stanbic IBTC, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, the telco said in a statement.

Dr. Teriba who is Chief Executive Officer, Economic Associates spoke during the launch of the platform noted that while Mobile Money service has been in Nigeria for over three years, it has failed to grow as expected

By Lucas Ajanaku

because of certain reasons, including lack of an efficient and expansive agent network. This lack of a viable and massive agent network has therefore limited its benefits to the economy, especially in terms of job creation.

“Usually for such a service as mobile money, the bigger the network, the higher the chances of an explosion, and by extension, the bigger the benefits accruable to all the stakeholders, from the banks down to the customers,” he said. He added that Glo Xchange, with the nationwide network of agents as unveiled by Globacom, is just the ingredient the industry has been waiting for.

Globacom is currently building a nationwide network for Glo Xchange which

consists of 150 Gloworld and Glozone outlets, over 35,000 Glo dealer and sub-dealer outlets, 450 Conoil Stations and over 7000 outlets of the members of the Association of Community Pharmacy of Nigeria, in addition to all the branches of the partner banks or mobile money operators.

Dr Teriba noted that the potential for growth for the initiative is immense as the platform is open to other banks to plug into. He implored Nigerians looking for employment opportunities to see the avenues created by the initiative and utilise them for self-enhancement.

Mr. Rewane, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, who also spoke during the launch of the initiative, said it is consistent with the CBN’s policy thrust of developing and sustaining

an efficient payment system that will drive an increase in the velocity of money and consequently, stimulate economic growth.

He described Nigeria as a mineral-rich and commoditydependent economy with a nominal GDP of $510billion.

According to him, it is 12 times the size of Kenya’s economy which has profited massively from mobile money service.

He said Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and 26th largest in the world.

Rewane said, however, that the economy is largely cashbased, a situation which he said constitutes a barrier to rapid growth. He said therefore that, initiatives such as Glo Xchange that help to enhance the cashless policy of the CBN, or that help to improve the velocity of money is bound to have a resounding positive impact on economic growth.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 26-08-14

25-07-14 DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 26-08-14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

55

EQUITIES

Stanbic IBTC launches N1b Exchange Traded Fund

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TANBIC IBTC Asset Management Limited (SIAML), a wholly owned asset management subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, yesterday concluded pre-offering process for the initial public offering (IPO) of its Stanbic IBTC Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) 30, paving the way for the opening of the application list for the ETF. At the signing ceremony yesterday in Lagos, directors of SIAML and all other professional parties signed on the prospectus and other offer documents for the issuance of 10 million units of the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 at a price of N100 per unit.

Application list for the IPO will open on Monday, September 15 and close on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. Minimum subscription is 10,000 units and multiples of 5,000 units thereafter. The signing ceremony was sequel to approvals for the registration and listing of the

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

units of the Fund from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE. Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited is the issuing house to the offer.

An Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) is an investment vehicle that tracks an index, a basket of assets, or a commodity but trades like regular shares on a stock exchange. The objective of the Fund is to replicate as closely as possible the total return of the NSE 30 Index. The NSE 30 Index tracks the 30 most capitalised stocks on the NSE. The Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 will invest 100 per cent of its assets in the same portfolio of securities that comprise the NSE 30 Index in proportion to their weightings in the underlying index.

Speaking at the signing ceremony,

chief executive officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, said the launch of the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 reaffirms Stanbic IBTC as a leader and pioneer that has consistently brought innovative products and services to the capital market.

According to her, the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 would further help to showcase the leadership of the financial services group.

She pointed out that the holding structure of the Stanbic IBTC Holdings makes it easier for the group quickly complete financial transactions and deals.

Executive director, business development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), described ETF as one of the fastest growing asset classes adding that the Exchange would support the growth of the asset class in Nigeria.

He expressed confidence in the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 noting that the holding company has proven to be a

valuable partner in capital market development.

Managing director, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited (SIAML), Mr Olumide Oyetan explained that the NSE 30 Index comprises of the top 30 companies in terms of market capitalization. The index serves as the flagship benchmark for the stock market as it represents 92 per cent of the NSE’s market capitalization.

He noted that the Fund represents a convenient and efficient way for investors to have access to the top 30 most capitalized and liquid stocks on the NSE, in a cost effective manner.

“We believe that it will appeal to sophisticated and institutional investors that believe in the growth story of companies listed on the NSE and by corollary in the abundant growth opportunities that exist in Nigeria,” Oyetan said.

He pointed out that the Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 will differentiate itself in the marketplace as a highly liquid and transparent investment adding that the financial services group would leverage on its extensive client base and brand name to promote Nigerian ETF to Nigerian and international investors.

He said ETF will appeal to discerning investors as it offers the dual benefit of mutual funds and cost effectiveness.

He said the company will look at developing more ETFs that could track other classes of stocks.

“Our target is to keep the expense ratio at one per cent. We are looking at growing this Fund to become one of the largest funds in the market,” Oyetan said.

Chief executive officer, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Ms Yewande Sadiku commended the board of SIAML for their efforts towards the deepening of the Nigerian capital market through listing of new and innovative products.

Nigeria to add 2024 bonds to JPMorgan Index this week

N Access Bank declares N5.7b interim dividends

T

HE board of Access Bank Plc has recommended distribu-

tion of more than N5.7 billion to shareholders as interim dividends as first-half earnings of the bank showed steady growth.

In a report released yesterday by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Access Bank will be distributing an interim dividend per share of 25 kobo to shareholders in its book as at the close of business on September 9, 2014. The dividend will become payable on September 23, 2014.

The gross interim dividend of N5.72 billion represented a quarter of net earnings after taxes during the first half as the bank bucked the general downtrend in the banking sector to sustain growths in the top-line and bottom-line.

Investors responded positively to the earnings as Access Bank’s share price rose by 10 kobo to close at N9.74 per share at the NSE. The six-month report for the period ended June 30, 2014 showed that the bank’s gross earnings rose by 15.2 per cent to N117.93 billion in first half 2014 as against N102.36 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. The operating income increased by 22 per cent to N83 billion from N68 billion, underlining increased earnings contributions from interest and noninterest incomes.

Profit before tax rose to N27.12 billion in first half 2014 compared with N26.10 billion in first half 2013, indicating increase in net interest margin from 5.7 per cent in 2013 to 6.9 per cent in 2014. Profit after tax also increased from N22.1

billion to N22.59 billion.

Agusto & Co recently upgraded Access Bank’s credit rating from “A” to “A+” with a stable outlook.

The rating reflects the full synergy of the merger with Intercontinental Bank Plc (ICB), which has propelled the bank to be one of the Systematically Important Banking (SIB) Institutions in Nigeria.

The rating also recognises the bank’s good liquidity position, satisfactory capitalisation, as well as improved risk management framework and the positive impacts on assets quality.

The rating agency stated in their report that the bank’s extensive branch network has created improved visibility among the banking population and has translated to good market share across the key market indicators. NPLs to

gross loans ratio stood at 2.4 per cent, the lowest recorded in the last five years and compares favourably with the industry average of 3.6 per cent.

Access Bank’s improved rating was attributed to its strong liquidity and funding position which is a clear affirmation of its position as one of Nigeria’s tier 1 banks.

The rating upgrade further corroborates the Bank’s enhanced capacity to execute larger transactions as well as access long-term funding from local and foreign multilateral agencies and institutions. This was further confirmed in the successful tier II capital of $400 million Eurobond recently raised by the Bank. This will provide sufficient headroom for the bank to achieve its targeted 20% asset growth in 2014.

IGERIA’S 10-year bonds will be added to the JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s (JPM) benchmark emerging-market index series, the nation’s debt management agency said.

The debt due 2024 will become part of the gauge by August 29, Patience Oniha, executive director in charge of market development at the Debt Management Office, said by phone from the capital, Abuja.

The inclusion reaffirms the strength of the Nigerian bond market, she said JPMorgan added the West African nation’s bonds due 2014, 2019 and 2022 to its emerging-market index series in 2012, predicting the inclusion may lure $1.5 billion of portfolio investments to Africa’s biggest oil producer. Barclays added some of the country’s debts to its index last year.

“JPMorgan will want to add more Nigerian bonds in the future as old ones on their portfolio drop in tenor and there is need to review and add longer-tenor bonds that will reflect true pricing,” Kunle Ezun, a fixedincome securities and currency analyst at Ecobank Transnational Inc. (ETI) in Lagos, said by phone. “The addition will give the Nigerian bond market a global outlook, increase investor demand and drop yields.”

Bloomberg reported that the yield on Nigerian bonds due March 2024 had fallen by 1.8 per cent to 12 per cent on Thursday.

Diamond Bank’s rights issue closes amidst calls for extension

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HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday closed trading on the rights issue of Diamond Bank Plc today as the formal offer period ended.

Application list for the rights issue closed yesterday, although some shareholders of the bank have mounted intense pressure in recent days calling for extension of the offer period.

A source at the Exchange indicated that trading on the bank’s rights issue, which resumed on Monday, ended yesterday, closing the window of opportunity for investors with partial or full renounced shares to trade on their rights.

Diamond Bank is raising about N50.4 billion from its shareholders through a rights issue of about 8.69 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N5.80 per share. The rights issue had been pre-allotted to shareholders of the bank as at June 13, 2013.

The rights issue opened on July 30,

•Stock Exchange halts trading on bank’s rights 2014 and it closed yesterday.

Trading on the rights’ shares could earn renouncing shareholders a twodigit gain as high as 15 per cent in a bullish market. However, trading at the existing market price could only result in gains ranging around five per cent.

Diamond Bank’s share price opened yesterday at the NSE at N6.20 per share as against the rights issue price of N5.80 per share. However, prices of stocks on the NSE, including Diamond Bank, are allowed to move up or down by 10 per cent every day. It closed yesterday at N6.10 per share.

Shareholders of Diamond Bank had called on the directors of the bank to seek for extension of the application period for the bank’s ongoing rights issue in order to allow shareholders to fully take up their rights.

At a shareholders’ forum held by the bank in Owerri, Imo State, shareholders said the board of the bank should also make provision for absorption of oversubscriptions to encourage shareholders to buy additional stakes in the bank.

Shareholders urged the bank to give them opportunity to fully participate in the rights issue by extending the closure date for the rights issue and providing a window for shareholders who wish to buy additional shares to do so.

The appeal for extension was a common theme during the bank’s nationwide shareholder forum held in four cities, namely: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Owerri.

According to them, huge expenses were incurred during the last Eid-El Fitr celebrations which came up during the last weekend of July while

the opening of the rights issue was at the end of the same month. Majority of them explained that coupled with the fact that salary payments are not due for workers in Nigeria until the end of month, raising meaningful investment capital will be a big challenge, hence, the appeal for extension.

In Abuja, Sulaimon Laban appealed to the bank’s management for extension of the offer period, especially in view of the festivities that have just ended.

Alhaja Bilikisu Amuda, a shareholder in Lagos, expressed similar sentiments and hoped that the bank’s management “will appeal to the relevant authorities to have the closing date extended in the interest of concerned shareholders.”

“I think the Diamond Bank Offer is a very good idea and shareholders in Port Harcourt are likely to take up every share because the bank has done very well in the last three years.

However, I will like to appeal to the bank’s management to extend the closing date to enable people raise enough money at the end of the month to take up all their rights,” Amaopusenibo Obomanu, an executive of the Port Harcourt Shareholders Association said.

Mazi Chikeronwu Ezekiel, who spoke on behalf of several shareholders in Owerri, urged the management of the bank to give consideration to people who wish to take up more shares than allotted to them.

“In my case, I did not have much money when I bought these shares and currently belong to what may be considered as the bottom of the rung.

Given the profitability of the shares in the last few years, my family has now pooled funds to increase our investment in the bank and we would like management to give us opportunity to buy more than the three shares offered us for every five we currently have,” Ezekiel said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

56

MONEYLINK

Mobile money transactions to hit N1.1tr by 2015

T

HE value of mobile money transactions is expected to hit N1.1 trillion by 2015, a report by FBN Capital released yesterday said.

The investment and research firm cited separate data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which showed a rise in mobile money transactions to N93 billion in January-October 2013 from N31.5 billion in 2012.

It said that sustained growth at this pace would meet analysts’ aggressive forecast of N1.10 trillion in 2015.

FBN Capital said the rapid expansion of e-payments brings major fiscal and developmental benefits as well as new revenue streams for Information Technology providers, mobile operators and banks.

There is finally momentum but the expansion is of a low base.

An estimated 46 per cent of the adult population has no access to financial services.

CBN data showed total e-payments of N2.1 trillion in 2012, of which Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transactions accounted for N1.98 trillion, or 94.7 per cent of the total.

According to the firm, one leading mobile operator has recently launched an exchange, its own authorised mobile money agent platform, collaborating with four local banks. Another operator has also bought a minority stake in the parent company of a major online retailer in Nigeria, and is hopeful of huge synergies.

Also, ATMs withdrawals accounted for 93 per cent of electronic payments by volume in the first half of 2013.

Analysts said mobile money has been slow in the country.

The mobile money, which allows mobile phones to be used to send and receive money, buy recharge cards, pay subscription fees for DStv, pay electricity bills, use of PoS terminals to pay for goods and services among others is under threat.

The telecommunication companies (Telcos) and banks which are expected to jointly drive the process are not doing so. Both sectors want to drive the mobile money business and have found it difficult to work together.

General Manager, IBM Africa, Taiwo Otiti, said strategy being adopted by the key stakeholders is stifling the success of mobile money operation in the country.

He said: “The approach we have taken in mobile money is the challenge.

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr .Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as well as the Governors of Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Gombe, Kogi , Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Sokoto States.

Other dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, the Minister of Women Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture and Development, the Country Director for the World Bank, Abuja, Mr. Michael Wong, representatives from international development agencies and the CBN Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Alade who gave the vote of thanks.

While at the event in Abuja, President Jonathan launched a N220 Bil-

lion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises loan facility to support business development in Nigeria.

Managing Director and CEO, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Omar Hafeez, delivered a speech at the occasion where he highlighted Citibank’s commitment to micro-entrepreneurship around the world.

While speaking Mr. Hafeez stated that “In the last seven years, Citi has committed more than USD $560,000 to micro enterprises development in Nigeria as well as over $2 million towards the advancements of small and medium businesses in more than 28 countries of the world, consequently improving the lives of micro-entrepreneurs globally”.

Stories by Collins Nweze

Citibank honours micro-entrepreneurs

C

ITIBANK Nigeria Limited commemorated its 7th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards ceremony in Abuja last week. The event held as part of the Central Bank’s (CBN) 8th Annual Microfinance Conference and was organized in partnership with CBN as well as the Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF).

This year, Citi honoured 17 microentrepreneurs from across the country for their innovativeness in business.

The Microfinance Conference and Awards ceremony was hosted by the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. It drew top government officials from across the federation including the

Jonathan re-appoints NEXIM CEO

•Orya

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has re-appointed the Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Roberts Orya for a new five-year term.

The re-appointment took effect from August 17, 2014.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, A. M. DanielNwaobia, in a reappointment letter dated August 18, 2014, said Mr. Orya will now lead the bank for a fresh five-year term.

“I write to convey the approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for your re-appointment as Managing Director/CEO of NEXIM Bank for a final period of five years. The reappointment takes effect from 17th August, 2014,” the statement said.

“Please accept the congratulations of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance,” the statement added.

“The finance ministry credits Mr. Orya with transforming NEXIM from a bank with over N10 billion non-performing loan liability in August 2009, to an institution with a capacity to provide about $39.5 billion in financial intervention and guarantees to support non-oil export activities in the country.

DATA BANK

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2564 1.2237 0.9034 1,0739

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2475 1.2237 0.8857 1.0739

SYMBOL

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

4.10

4.30

0.20

NPFMCRFBK

1.05

1.10

0.05

EVANSMED

1.93

2.02

0.09

AGLEVENT

1.40

1.46

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.5b

US Dollar

154.73

155.73

$110.44

Pounds Sterling

256.7744`

258.4339

N15.9 trillion.

Euro

205.2493

206.5758

0.06

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N16.76 trillion

Swiss Franc

169.4557

170.5509

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Yen

1.4898

1.4994

CFA

0.2944

0.3144

234.9759

236.4945

Yuan/Renminbi

25.1503

25.3137

3.15

3.28

0.13

LEARNAFRCA

1.52

1.58

0.06

WAPIC

0.77

0.80

0.03

CONOIL

69.00

71.50

2.50

CORNERST

0.57

0.59

0.02

ABCTRANS

0.69

0.71

0.02

LOSERS AS AT 25-08-14

CHANGE

66.70

60.21

-6.49

VONO

1.25

1.14

-0.11

NEIMETH

1.20

1.14

-0.06

36.47

34.65

-1.82

OKOMUOIL

Amount Sold in ($) 381.27m 272.9m 399.01m

Money Supply (M2)

LIVESTOCK

C/PRICE

Amount Offered in ($) 400m 300m 400m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES August 21, 2014

12.0%

UPL

O/PRICE

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Monetary Policy Rate

C/PRICE

CADBURY

Transaction Dates 30/07/2014 23/07/2014 21/07/2014

8.3%

O/PRICE

SYMBOL

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS)

Inflation: July

GAINERS AS AT 26-08-14

“In 2009, the loans portfolio of the bank was about N14.6 billion, out of which about 72 per cent was non-performing, with about N10.03billion, or 69.05 per cent classified lost, in line with the prudential guidelines of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN”, said the ministry.

It added that apart from declaring profits to its shareholders consistently for the past four years, NEXIM also provided support that helped create over 24,000 direct jobs capable of generating estimated foreign exchange of $320.12 million annually to the economy.

A graduate of Banking and Finance from the University of Ibadan, Mr. Orya who also has a Masters in Banking and Finance, has over 29 years of experience from working in several Financial Investment, Commercial and Mortgage banking institutions in the country.

His banking career began in February 1984, when he joined International Merchant Bank(IMB) Plc, where he worked till September 1990 before leaving to join Credite Bank of Nigeria Limited as a pioneer staff.

Orya was also an Executive Director in charge of Capital Markets, Financial Advisory Services and Research & Strategy with Afribank Capital Limited; Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and London; Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria and Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).

He is a Member of the Institute of Management Consultants.

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

WAUA

Rate (%)

Rate (%)

Overnight (O/N)

10.500

10.500

Riyal

41.2569

41.5236

1M

12.175

12.101

SDR

235.4372

236.9588

3M

13.328

13.225

6M

14.296

14.-85

FOREX RATES

UAC-PROP

16.20

15.40

-0.80

ROYALEX

0.61

0.58

-0.03

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

MAYBAKER

1.58

1.51

-0.07

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

COSTAIN

1.18

1.13

-0.05

MANSARD

2.61

2.50

-0.11

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

STERLNBANK

2.30

2.21

-0.09

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.00

T-bills - 182

10.07

T-bills - 364

10.22

Bond - 3yrs

11.37

Bond - 5yrs

11.41

Bond - 7yrs

11.86

57

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

NEWS Outrage over desertion of 480 troops to Cameroon Continued from page 4

the two countries in the fight against the terrorists, as some spin doctors have said, why were the Nigerian soldiers disarmed and then herded into schools in Maroua, 80kms from the Nigerian border?”, the APC wondered.

Political scientists, who described the development as a “bad omen” said: “It is a sad commentary. A standing army, is a national asset. A nation-state is incomplete without a competent army. If the army is fragile and incapable of defending the territorial integrity of the country; when soldiers for whatever reason, desert the battle for the defence of the national interest, that means the state is fragile and state fragility is a prelude to state failure.”

According to them, “there are certain factors that account for statehood. They include a government, population, land, boundary and a standing army.

The role of the Armed Forces cannot be over-emphasised. To protect the government, land, the people, and police the boundary requires the presence of military proportional to the size and security requirement of the nation-state.

“It means that the army should also be motivated, equipped, and placed in combat readiness.

The presence of a competent army constitutes the maturity of a country. A country without a bold army or a military ready to defend the national interest is vulnerable to conquest, foreign aggression and systemic fragility. Therefore, efforts must be made to raise the military bar. It is crucial to the survival of the democracy.”

Akeredolu said the soldiers’ action shows an urgent need to restore law and order in the military.

“If the story is true. It is really worrisome and calls for concern.

It shows there must be a break down of law and order in the military.

“Desertion is a grave offence but what should bother us now is the effect of such action on our country. We should concern ourselves also in finding out the cause of the desertion.

“Soldiers and other ranks have been complaining that they are under equipped to fight Boko Haram, which attacks with superior weapons.

“This is the time for us to equip our military. Our military needs to be up and doing. They should come out and let us know what has been happening to military budget.

“The military should be properly equipped so that they will come up with necessary arsenal to fight and also forestall desertion in future,” he said.

Akintola said the penalty for desertion is death and condemned the soldiers for their action.

“For any soldier to desert the war front, it is a crime against the nation. It is a serious offence which no patriotic citizen should subscribe to.

“Those basing their argument on morality should know that morality is an unruly horse.

When you get astride, it takes you where you do not expect.

“Those commenting on moral questions should have a rethink. When you join the army, you lose your liberty and freedom.

“There are certain rights guaranteed by the Constitution that are not applicable to members of the armed forces the world over.

“It is a serious thing, which no patriotic citizen should encourage under any right. To desert the Armed Forces of your country in the war front is worse than the crime of murder.

“It is treasonable felony and a mutiny. Such action if true is highly condemnable,” said Akintola.

The Nation gathered yesterday from a top military source that the soldiers traversed NigeriaCameroon borders throughout the night and arrived in Mubi, Adamawa State, at about mid-

day.

The source said: “The soldiers have arrived safely in Mubi. Preliminary findings confirmed that they were all hale and hearty.

There was no evidence of being hurt.

“The Nigerian Army has however started the process of debriefing the soldiers as part of the ongoing probe of how they crossed into Cameroon.

“The debriefing will involve their commander and other ranks to know what transpired between them and Boko Haram insurgents.

“This is a normal military tradition in order to guide military authorities on the next step.”

Responding to a question, the highly-placed source said: “The military is weighing options on whether to reintegrate these soldiers into their battalion or unit or allow the outcome of the debriefing to determine their fate.

“The military is being careful in managing the situation to avoid any decision which could lead to spiral effect in the Army.

It is too early to judge the soldiers as guilty or not. A team is handling the debriefing of the 480 soldiers.”

Another source said: “The soldiers meandered through the volatile security challenges from Cameroon to Mubi. If you are familiar with the route, Mubi, Michika and Madagali are along the same axis.

“But each of the towns has border links with Cameroon making them vulnerable to attacks by Boko Haram.”

There were indications last night that the soldiers risk a twoyear jail term if found guilty of violating the Armed Forces Act. Their debriefing will confirm whether they breached Sections 60, 61 and 62 of the Armed Forces Act. While sections 60 and 61 have to do with desertion, Section 62 prescribes punishment for “failure to perform duties.”

The sections provides for jail term of not exceeding two years.

Govt: Ebola virus now contained Continued from page 4

positive to the virus. He said: “She is negative.”

On the N1.9 billion approved

by President Goodluck Jonathan, to fight the Ebola battle, he explained: “We did say that the N1.9billion that the President approved was for the Federal Ministry of Health.

That fund was provided based on the budget that the Federal Ministry of Health submitted to Mr. President. It was not termed an Ebola fund.

“I repeat, because now I hear that in some places, even village heads are asking for their own share. Nigeria is always thinking of sharing money. It is money for the Federal Ministry of Health to use in working. They are going to use it to procure more vehicles; which have already been ordered.

“They are going to use it to procure more personal protective equipment which have already been ordered. They are going to use it to provide isolation tents, which again have been ordered, including drugs which will be used to support the patients. It is a budget for the Federal Ministry of Health and its agencies as submitted by the Federal Ministry of Health to Mr. President.

“What I am saying is that there will still be other funds that will be released in various ways depending on what any of the cognate agencies is requesting from Mr. President.

“Now, in the case of Lagos State, after the President met with governors and their Commissioners for Health, it was

clear, even from the statement made by the Lagos State governor, that Lagos State is also under pressure because many of the workers we are using are in Lagos State. We can’t shortly go and start recruiting people. We work with the state. It is just that in every epidemic, the Federal Government with the Minister of Health in the front, takes control of epidemic. It is not a state government matter.

“But, we use state personnel as well as local government personnel; our partners are part of it. But, the leader of the team is the Minister of Health.

“So, Lagos State government has been spending money.

They pay salary to staff; they’ve been recruiting more staff. They give these staff incentive. They provided the isolation ward. But, we led and decided who should work there. The minister of health created the teams that are working.”

Dr. Idris added: “We have listed 331 contacts from day one, out of these, we followed up 159 who have been discharged. 158 contacts are currently being followed up.”

He said a woman whose case led to the closure of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Clinic in Lagos, tested negative and had since been discharged.

Idris said eight doctors,nine nurses and other volunteers working in various capacity are fully involved in attending to patients at the isolation centre.

He said the government has a special life insurance cover

for them.

Asked about the N200million released by the Federal Government, Idris said the state had not received the cash, adding that the delay could be as a result of the processes involved in fund disbursement.

“As at this morning, we have not received any fund from the Federal Government, but we understand that the process of releasing money go through processes and we are hoping to receive it soon.

On the re-opening of First Consultant Hospital, he said there is the need to carry out a complete decontamination of equipment in the hospital, adding that once this is completed, the hospital will reopen for use.

“This strain of Ebola virus imported into the state by the late Liberian Patrick Sawyer is one out of five. If anybody gets this strain, and is discharged, the chances of having it again is almost impossible, but they could be re infected by other four strains.”

National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, donated N1 million to help contain the virus.

He said: “This is the first time in the history of our country that our elected and appointed people and leaders have risen to the great challenge we are facing. I want to commend the health workers for the risk they have taken, their commitment, their dedication to their duties in assisting the entire populace to completely be ready for this challenge.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

58

FOREIGN NEWS

Gaza conflict: Long-term ceasefire agreed

Burundi investigates ‘Rwandan bodies’ in Lake

B

E

GYPT has brokered an agreement on a longterm ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, senior Palestinian officials have said.

Hamas negotiator Moussa Abu Marzouk said the deal to end seven weeks of fighting that has left more than 2,200 people dead would be announced shortly.

The Palestinians said Israel had agreed to ease its blockade of Gaza to allow in aid supplies and building materials.

•The ceaze fire announcement was celebbrated by Palestinians in Gaza City...yesterday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli government.

The apparent breakthrough came as both sides continued to trade fire and even yesterday morning Israeli jets still bombed two high-rise buildings in Gaza City.

The strikes flattened the Basha Tower, containing flats and offices, and severely damaged the Italian Complex, comprising homes, shops and offices.

Twenty people were injured in the attack on the Italian Complex, and two others were killed in Israeli

strikes elsewhere in Gaza, medics said.

In Israel, 10 people were hurt when a rocket fired by militants in Gaza hit a house in the southern town of Ashkelon, police said. Another rocket was intercepted in the Tel Aviv area, to the north.

Iran supplies Iraqi Kurdish forces weapons

I

RAN has supplied weapons and ammunition to Iraqi Kurdish forces, Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani said Tuesday at a joint press conference with Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Arbil, capital of Iraq’s Kurdish region.

The direct arming of Kurdish forces is a contentious issue because some Iraqi politicians have said they suspect Kurdish leaders have aspirations to break away from the central government completely. The move could also be seen by some as a prelude to Iran taking a more direct role in broader Iraqi conflict.

“We asked for weapons and Iran was the first country to provide us with weapons and ammuni-

•Baghdad bomb kills 12 tion,” Barzani said.

Earlier in the day a car bomb was detonated in a mainly Shi’ite district of eastern Baghdad, killing 12 people and wounding 28, police and medical sources said.

The bombing in the New Baghdad neighborhood followed a series of blasts in the Iraqi capital on Monday which killed more than 20 people.

The Islamic State, which controls large swathes of northern and western Iraq, claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in the New Baghdad neighborhood on Monday and said in a statement that the attack was carried out as revenge for an attack against a Sunni mosque in Diyala

on Friday which killed 68 and wounded dozens.

The Iranian foreign minister held talks with Barzani on Tuesday, one day after visiting senior Shi’ite clerics in southern Iraq.

Zarif acknowledged giving military assistance to Iraqi security forces but said the cooperation did not include deploying ground troops in the country.

“We have no military presence in Iraq,” Zarif said. “We do have military cooperation with both the central government and the Kurds in different arenas.”

Neither Zarif nor Barzani gave any details whether weapons supplied to Kurdish peshmerga forces had been routed through

the central government or given directly to Kurdish forces. Prime Ministerdesignate Haider al-Abadi said Monday that arms given to the peshmerga had been routed through the central government.

Britain, France, Germany and Italy have also promised to send military assistance to Kurdish security forces to fight the Islamic State.

The United States has carried out a series of airstrikes against the Islamic State fighters in northern Iraq in the past two weeks, partly to protect the Kurdish region from being overrun.

Zarif denied that Iran and the United States were discussing Iraq as part of talks between Iran and Western powers about Iran’s nuclear program.

Indian woman kills leopard that attacked her

A

N Indian woman armed only with

farm tools is stable in hospital after killing a leopard that attacked her.

Kamla Devi, 56, sustained multiple bites, cuts and fractures during the half-hour battle.

She had been fetching water in northern Uttarakhand state when the leopard pounced on her from nearby bushes - she fought back with a sickle and spade.

“I thought I was dead but I did not lose patience and courage,” she told reporters after her lucky escape.

Ms Devi was carrying water from a canal to her field near the village of Sem Nauti in Rudraprayag district when she was attacked on Sunday.

She said she managed to smash some of the animal’s teeth during the struggle.

“I fought head on with it for almost half an hour.

•Devi at the hospital

Then I came to know it was dead,” she told reporters from hospital in the nearby town of Srinagar Garhwal.

Doctors were surprised she had survived and lucky to escape with her life “She has two fractures on the right hand and one on the left. She also has deep injuries on her head and

PHOTO: MAILONLINE

legs. There are bite marks all over her body,” said Dr Abdul Rahul, who has been treating her.

Pankaj Bist, one of the villagers who helped take Ms Devi to hospital, said: “It was around 10 in the morning when she went to the field. A leopard pounced on her.”

“She is very brave. She attacked the leopard and

took the fight head on with her sickle.”

In the past week, leopards have killed one woman elsewhere in Uttarakhand, and injured another in the Rudraprayag area.

Villagers say leopards are now more visible around human settlements as the big cats’ habitat is increasingly encroached upon by humans.

URUNDI has set up an investigation after a number of dead bodies wrapped in plastic were found floating in a lake on its border with Rwanda.

Fishermen say there are reports of dozens of unidentified bodies being spotted in recent weeks in Lake Rweru.

It is not clear how they died. The regional authorities say their investigations indicate the victims were not from Burundi.

But Rwanda police say noone has been reported missing on the Rwandan side. ‘’The victims are not Burundian citizens because the bodies are coming from Akagera River flowing from Rwanda,’’ Burundian official, Jean Berchmans Mpabansi, told the BBC. The latest bodies - five

wrapped within two plastic bags - were discovered on Sunday and Monday.

Two other bodies were found last Tuesday.

Villagers in Giteranyi district, which borders the lake, say the bodies first began appearing in July with some saying up to 40 have been spotted.

The BBC’s Prime Ndikumagenge in Burundi says most of the bodies have been wrapped in plastic, but one fisherman said that not all of them have been - giving the example of a naked woman who was found.

The bodies are often discovered in an advanced stage of decomposition, prompting health fears as villagers in the semi-arid province of Muyingai depend on the lake for their water, he says.

UN panel: Global warming human-caused, dangerous

T

HE United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has sent governments a final draft of its synthesis report, which combines three earlier, gigantic documents by the Nobel Prize-winning group.

There is little in the report that wasn’t in the other more-detailed versions, but the language is more stark and the report attempts to connect the different scientific disciplines studying problems caused by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas.

The 127-page draft, obtained by The Associated Press, paints a harsh warning of what’s causing global warming and what it will do to humans and the environment.

It also describes what can be done about it.”Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and longlasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems,” the report says.

The final report will be issued after governments and scientists go over the draft line by line in an October conference in Copenhagen.

Depending on circumstances and values, “currently observed impacts might already be considered dangerous,” the report says.

It mentions extreme

T

weather and rising sea levels, such as heat waves, flooding and droughts.

It even raises, as an earlier report did, the idea that climate change will worsen violent conflicts and refugee problems and could hinder efforts to grow more food.

And ocean acidification, which comes from the added carbon absorbed by oceans, will harm marine life, it says.

Without changes in greenhouse gas emissions, “climate change risks are likely to be high or very high by the end of the 21st century,” the report says.

In 2009, countries across the globe set a goal of limiting global warming to about another 2 degrees Fahrenheit above current levels. But the report says that it is looking more likely that the world will shoot past that point.

Limiting warming to that much is possible but would require dramatic and immediate cuts in carbon dioxide pollution.

The report says if the world continues to spew greenhouse gases at its accelerating rate, it’s likely that by mid-century temperatures will increase by about another 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) compared to temperatures from 1986 to 2005.

And by the end of the century, that scenario will bring temperatures that are about 6.7 degrees warmer (3.7 degrees Celsius).

UN chopper crashes in South Sudan

HE UN says one of its cargo helicopters has crashed in South Sudan, with unconfirmed reports saying it was shot down.

A search and rescue team has been sent to the crash site near Bentiu, said the UN mission in South Sudan.

A UN official told the AP news agency the Mi-8 helicopter had apparently been shot down.

Thousands of people have been killed this year in bitter fighting between South Sudan’s army and rebel forces.

Bentiu, capital of the oil-rich Unity state, has changed hands several times but a ceasefire agreement is currently in place.

On Monday, the two sides were given 45 days to form a power-sharing government.

The AFP news agency says the Mi-8 would normally have between three and five crew on board.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

59

FOREIGN NEWS U.S. surveillance planes fly over Syria

P

RESIDENT Barack Obama has authorised surveillance flights over Syria in order to gain intelligence on the activities of Islamic State (IS), marking the first step towards US air strikes inside Syria, where the jihadist group controls vast swathes of territory.

The US is already carrying out strikes against IS in neighbouring Iraq.

On Monday, the Syrian government said it would work with the international community in the fight against IS.Western governments have so far rejected suggestions that they collaborate with President Bashar al-Assad in an attempt to counter the growing regional threat posed by IS.They have repeatedly called on Mr Assad to step down since the beginning of the three-and-a-half year uprising against his rule, in which more than 191,000 people are believed to have been killed.

On Monday evening, US officials said Mr Obama had approved over the weekend reconnaissance flights by unmanned and manned aircraft.

One official later told the Associated Press that they had already begun.

The US military has been carrying out aerial surveillance of IS - an al-Qaeda breakaway formerly known as Isis - in Iraq for months and launched air strikes on 8 August.

The president cited the threat to US diplomats and military personnel and the humanitarian crisis in the north, where hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes since June as IS fighters and allied Sunni rebels have taken control of dozens of cities, towns and villages.

Mr Obama has resisted taking military action in Syria, but Pentagon officials are said to have advised him that the only way the threat from IS can be fully eliminated is to go after the group there.

A spokesman for Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Pentagon was “preparing options to address Isis both in Iraq and Syria with a variety of military tools including air strikes”.

The options reportedly include targeting IS leaders in and around their stronghold of the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, as well as in the east near the Iraqi border.

Last week, IS published a video showing it killing the American journalist James Foley, who was abducted in Syria in 2012. The group threatened to kill other US citizens it was holding in retaliation for US air strikes.

It later emerged that US special forces had attempted to rescue the hostages in July, but that they were not at the location in Syria where the military thought they were being held.

One Obama administration official told the New York Times that the US did not intend to collaborate with the Assad government or inform him in advance of any operation.

India: Mumbai Jewish centre reopens

Ukraine: Putin, Poroshenko meet amid tension

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USSIAN President Vladimir Putin began talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, yesterday as tensions flared on the two nations’ border.

Putin said he’s ready for an exchange of opinions on Ukraine as he addressed a summit of the Russian-led Customs Union in Minsk, Belarus. Poroshenko said he’s optimistic about the meeting, which includes European Union foreignpolicy chief Catherine Ashton and the presidents of Belarus and Kazakhstan.

“I understand that all players who’ve been drawn into the situation would like to exit with dignity,” Poroshenko said in Russian. “I’m ready to discuss different options that would allow such an exit strategy — an exit to a peaceful future for Ukraine, an exit to a peaceful future for Europe.”

The conflict between Ukraine’s government and pro-Russian separatists has left at least 2,000 dead since Putin annexed Crimea in March. Ukraine said today that 200 rebels and 12 Ukrainian servicemen died in the past 24 hours.

A military spokesman,

•Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met for the first time in two months at talks in Minsk, Belarus, Yesterday PHOTO: AFP

Andriy Lysenko, accused Russia of attempting to “create a new front” in the fighting close to the Sea of Azov in the southern Donetsk region. Ukraine released video footage of Russian servicemen it said it captured when an armored column crossed the frontier yesterday.

Poroshenko called for Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to support a peace plan for eastern Ukraine, saying his nation’s territorial integrity must be respected. He also said Ukraine’s free-trade pact with the EU is compatible with Customs Union rules and that his government is interested in agreements with the trading bloc championed by Putin.

Ashton said peace in

Ukraine is the goal of the talks.

After the initial comments, the leaders went into closed-door negotiations. No separate bilateral meeting is planned between Putin and Poroshenko, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday.

Meabwhile, a group of Russian soldiers captured in eastern Ukraine crossed the border “by accident”, Russian military sources are quoted as saying.

Ukraine said 10 paratroopers were captured, and has released video interviews of some of the men.

The two regions declared independence from Kiev following Russia’s annexation of the southern

Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March.

A Russian defence ministry source was quoted by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti as saying: “The soldiers really did participate in a patrol of a section of the RussianUkrainian border, crossed it by accident on an unmarked section, and as far as we understand showed no resistance to the armed forces of Ukraine when they were detained.”

The source also said that some 500 Ukrainian servicemen had crossed the border at various times, adding: “We did not give much publicity to that. We just returned all those willing to return to Ukrainian territory at safe places.”

UN envoy opposes foreign intervention in Libya

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HE newly appointed U.N. envoy to Libya said yesterday he doesn’t believe foreign intervention can halt the North African country’s slide deeper into turmoil after mysterious airstrikes against Islamist militias prompted allegations that outside powers were trying to swing the fight.

The diplomat, Bernardino Leon, said that only an inclusive political process with all Libyans represented in parliament, government and other state institutions will end the chaos gripping the country more than three years after the uprising that forced longtime strongman Muammar Gadhafi from power.

France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States raised similar concerns, saying in a joint statement that “outside interference in Libya exacerbates current divisions and undermines Libya’s demo-

cratic transition.”

The New York Times, citing unnamed American officials, reported in its Tuesday edition that Egypt and the United Arab Emirates secretly carried out airstrikes against Islamist militias inside Libya, which it said caught American officials off-guard.American officials have not made similar claims publicly.

Egypt has repeatedly denied involvement. Emirati officials have not commented.Islamist militias in Libya have made similar allegations against Egypt and the Emirates following two days of mystery airstrikes against Islamistallied militia positions in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, since Aug. 18.

The strikes happened as Islamist-backed militias were fighting for control of Tripoli’s international airport. Libyan officials have repeatedly called the airstrikes “foreign,” and the

country’s air force likely does not have the capability to fly night sorties.

Libyan lawmakers recently voted to ask the United Nations to intervene in the ongoing militia battles throughout the country.

These militias largely are comprised of the rebels who toppled and later killed Gadhafi in 2011.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri yesterday strongly denied reports of an Egyptian role in the airstrikes, calling them “unsubstantiated rumors promoted until they become a reality.”

The Emirates and its Gulf neighbour Qatar played the most prominent Arab roles in the military intervention that helped lead to Gadhafi’s ouster, with both sending warplanes to assist the NATO-led effort.

They also provided humanitarian aid, and Qatar in particular played a major role as a supplier of weap-

•Leon

ons to rebel groups.

Libya needs “a lot of international support” to back “Libyans who want to fight chaos ... through a political process.” Leon, the U.N. diplomat said.

Leon spoke in Cairo yesterday on his final trip as a European envoy to the region. He takes up his post as the UN special envoy to Libya next month.

He was in Cairo following a meeting of diplomats from Libya’s neighbours where there were calls for an international push to disarm its myriads of militias.

He said Libya’s neighbours are in a better position to assess what is going on and to take decisions on ways to support a political process.

JEWISH centre in the Indian city of Mumbai has reopened, nearly six years after it was stormed by gunmen who attacked the city.

Six Jews were killed at the centre, which was one of several places targeted in the November 2008 attacks.

Indian forces regained control of the building after several days and killed two gunmen there.

The attacks at a railway station, two hotels and other landmarks claimed 166 lives. Nine gunmen were also killed.

Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, 29, and his pregnant wife Rivkah, 28, who ran the Chabad House Jewish cultural centre, were killed in the attack, but the couple’s two-year-old son, Moshe, survived.

He was found crying next to their bodies by his Indian nanny, who hid in a cupboard during the attack, but emerged to rescue the child after his parents were killed.

She later escorted the boy to Israel to care for him. He has extended family there.

The refurbished cultural centre has a synagogue, offices, guest rooms, a restaurant, a commercial kitchen and security rooms.

Chintan Sakariya, a local businessman, who witnessed the attack on the centre, said he had “mixed” feelings over its reopening.

“They’re coming back strongly and we support that. But there’s going to be a lot of inconvenience for local residents, a lot of security, a lot of blockades,” he said. abbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivkah who ran the centre were killed in the attack Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, a prominent member of the orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch movement who helped to rebuild the centre, said its reopening would be “really a message for the whole world”.

In 2012, India executed Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the sole surviving gunman from the 2008 attacks.

Qasab was part of a heavily armed and well-drilled, 10-member militant unit which arrived in Mumbai by sea on 26 November 2008.

The men split into groups to attack various targets.

Their assault on the Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel and the Jewish centre went on for more than two days.

Pakistan-based banned militant group Lashkar-eTaiba was blamed for the attacks, which soured IndiaPakistan ties.

Zimbabwe: Novelist Lessing leaves books to Harare library

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ELEBRATED author Doris Lessing has bequeathed her entire book collection to the city library in Harare, it’s been reported.

The winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, who died in November 2013, apparently left instructions that her library of over

3,000 books should be sent to the Zimbabwe capital, Lessing’s executors say that Book Aid International, a charity that Lessing supported, has been asked to help transport the donation. Throughout her life, Lessing fostered several programmes in Zimbabwe to aid literacy through libraries and studying.

Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni told the Zimbabwe Herald newspaper the gift was a “magnificent gesture” from someone who had taken “her love for this country beyond her death”. He says: “We have every reason to feel special to have earned this much in her wishes - we are delighted and grateful

as any city would be.”

Lessing lived in Zimbabwe from 1924-1949, when it was known as Southern Rhodesia. She returned there in 1956, but was declared a “prohibited migrant” by the government for her anti-settler sentiments and left-wing political views, New Zimbabwe says

•Nobel Prize-winning author Doris Lessing died in 2013 PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27, 2014

NEWS NYSC rejects 281 fake Corps members From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

TWO hundred and eighty one fake youth corps members were sent back at the orientation camp for the Batch ‘B’ 2014/2015 in Niger State, the Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Steven Ehoda-adi, has said.

Two hundred and thirty female corps members, mostly expectant and nursing mothers, were exempted from taking part in the normal routine during the two weeks orientation.

Ehoda-adi spoke yesterday to reporters after the closing ceremony of the orientation course in Paiko.

He said the fake corps members had no call-up letters.

According to him, most of the affected persons claimed that they lost their letters to armed robbers on their way to the camp, while others said they misplaced their letters.

Ehoda-adi also said corps members with photocopies of the letters were turned back, “as the scheme does not accept such.”

He said the 230 female corps members were not allowed to take part in the normal routine during the orientation on health grounds.

Over 3,250 corps members yesterday completed their orientation.

Niger State Governor Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, while closing the camp, told the corps members that the unity of the country was not negotiable.

He said: “The activities of the dreaded Boko Haram will further strengthen our unity.”

Aliyu said their activities would soon be brought to an end.

Ebonyi Assembly decries power outage

Boko Haram plans to use ‘disabled persons’, says military B OKO Haram plans to attack Federal Government installations in Lagos and other states by using physically-challenged persons, it was learnt yesterday.

It was also gathered that the sect’s new tactics would enable its new recruits enter areas with massive security without suspicion and to avoid the air raids by security operatives.

This was the reason for the arrest of a physicallychallenged man suspected to be a Boko Haram member at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, with suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

A military source, who spoke in confidence, said its personnel had been warned to screen everyone entering military bases, including persons with disabilities.

The source said the military was also asked to pay attention to physicallychallenged people using

tricycles, adding that the information was based on intelligence report.

Although The Nation was unable to get Defence spokesman Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade to confirm the report, it was learnt that security at military formations in Lagos had been tightened.

Addressing reporters yesterday at the Naval Air Base in Ojo, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade, said the military was on the alert to prevent terrorism.

He said: “I do not know where you got your information from, but what I know is that we are prepared to prevent and counter any act of terrorism.”

Also, the Minister of State for Defence Musiliu

Obanikoro urged Nigerians to support the military to end insurgency.

He spoke at the Naval Air Base in Ojo at the end of his two-day familiarisation tour of naval units and commands in Lagos.

After inspecting the state of ships, aircraft and other naval facilities, the minister said the massive refurbishing of platforms showed the right investments the military was making.

He hoped that security would improve across the country.

Obanikoro hailed the Navy for curbing the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at the Navy Reference Hospital in Ojo, Lagos, by isolating those suspected to have the disease.

He said: “To avoid unnecessary discrimination, people are checked, to be sure

they are not likely carriers.

After this, one can graduate to the main hospital reception to be attended to.

“Some of you, by now, would have formed your opinions, after seeing things for yourselves.

Those who thought we had been sleeping can now whisper to others that we are not sleeping. We have been working. We may not be there yet, but hopefully, we will get there.

“I am happy with the direction we are going. So, I plead that we should all find a place in our hearts to support our military and security agencies.

“If the military had kept to its core mandate and not dabble into politics, it would have gone far ahead of the society. But in the last 15 years of democracy, it has done quite a lot and deserve our commendation.”

•Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the closing ceremony of the orientation course for 2014 Batch ‘B’, at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State …yesterday PHOTO: NAN

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

EBONYI State House of Assembly yesterday urged the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) to improve electricity supply and provide pre-paid meters to consumers.

This followed a threat by the residents not to pay electricity bills.

In a motion of urgent public importance moved

by Oliver Nwachukwu (Abakaliki North), the lawmakers lamented that power had moved from epileptic to zero in the state in the last one month, resulting in economic and social losses.

Nwachukwu said: “The transformation in the power sector by the Federal Government is threatened by the activities of the EEDC, Ebonyi State District.”

After adopting the motion, the Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku, directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution of the House to the relevant authorities for action.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

Abia NLC pickets flour mills in Aba

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HE Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has picketed Valleumbra Flour Mills, Aba, following alleged poor working environment and welfare.

NLC also alleged that the management enslaved the workers by paying them between N7,500 and N14,000, instead of the approved minimum wage of N18,000.

Speaking with reporters, NLC Chairman Comrade Sylvanus Eyeh said the workers suffered for over three months because they insisted on joining the labour union.

•Poor working conditions alleged From Ugochukwu Ugoji-eke, Umuahia

He said when the workers attempted to join NLC, 72 of them were sacked.

But management gave an excuse that it could not pay them, only for the company to reabsorb those who renounced membership of the union.

The Abia NLC boss said the workers were in a cordial working relationship with the management until the issue of unionism came up.

He stressed that the

management alleged that the workers under the union would demand salary increase and other benefits.

Eyeh said the workers were sacked, while some of them were posted to work as water boys and truck assistants.

He added: “This is not what the Federal Government said about workers.

Every worker must belong to a union. So why must this company be different?”

Eyeh noted that casuali-

sation of workers had been abolished by the Federal Government.

“But in this flour mills, workers are placed on casualisation and this is one of the things we are against. It must stop.”

He said the factory would only be opened if the management reinstated the sacked workers.

The Abia NLC boss said the picketing was successful as the place was closed and the workers sent home.

“The factory will remain closed until the demands of the union are met,” he added.

Ndigbo demand reversal of police postings

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GROUP, Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN), has condemned the postings by the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman

Abba.

It said that Ndigbo, a majority ethnic group, could not head a police zonal command of the 12, was unacceptable.

NCSN said it demanded immediate withdrawal of the

postings, adding that new postings should be done with at least four AIGs appointed from the Igbo extraction in the Southeast and Southsouth.

The body urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the lawmakers from the Southeast and Southsouth to ensure that “this neglect of the 21st century does not see the light of the day.”

Disquiet in Adamawa PDP From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

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CRISIS of confidence has broken out in the Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

At the centre of the storm is Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri and the party chairman, Joel Madaki.

The party stakeholders, including some of the 14 aspirants in the run-off to the October 11 governorship byelection, have accused Fintiri and Madaki of entering into an unholy political alliance for mutual benefit.

The aggrieved party chieftains cried out yesterday that Fintiri and Madaki might have struck a deal; for the latter to use his position to tilt the balance in favour of the former in the party’s coming primary election, for a deputy governorship slot.

They alleged that the acting governor might have induced the chairman to buy over delegates and induce key stakeholders into compliance.

“Their plan is to block other contenders from having their own people emerge as delegates at the congress scheduled for Monday and subsequently deny the aspirants the opportunity to meet the elected delegates.

“The majority of the members of the party executive do not support what is happening, but the acting governor and the chairman are intimidating them with threats of exclusion or expulsion.

“The way they are going about this is really dangerous not only for the PDP in Adamawa, but also democracy in the country. If Fintiri is allowed to go with his plans, it will set a terrible precedent that may see speakers impeaching governors and foisting themselves on everybody.

“We cannot allow this to stand. You cannot come in mufti and stage a kind of military coup. The activities of Fintiri and his cronies signify the height of desperation and lawlessness to satisfy myopic interest.”

“We are submitting a petition to the national leadership of the party to do something about this because the way it is, no aspirant can be comfortable to go into the primaries when the process is already skewed in favour of one person,” the complainants said.

40 bishops for ordination in Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

VER 40 Catholic bishops will on Friday converge on Awka, the Anambra State capital, for the Episcopal ordination of Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Jonas Benson Okoye.

Governor Willie Obiano has set a machinery in motion for the visit.

Briefing reporters yesterday in Awka, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, said the Diocese is the largest in the country, therefore the need for an Auxiliary Bishop.

He said it needed to be divided because of its size.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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NEWS

One month after, Sylva’s kidnapped uncle still missing

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HIRTY days after Pa Benson Adigio-Eseni, the 86-year-old uncle of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, was kidnapped by gunmen, his whereabouts remain unknown.

The octogenarian was whisked away on a speedboat on July 28 around 2am in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area.

The hoodlums were said to have shot sporadically into the air and mishandled the old man as they escaped.

The kidnappers contacted the family about two weeks after the incident, demanding N45 million ransom.

•’I miss my husband’ From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

They allowed Adigio-Eseni to speak to a member of the family.

After negotiation, it was learnt that the kidnappers were given N5 million, but nothing has been heard of the octogenarian since then.

A family source said: “We have fulfilled all conditions given by the kidnappers to set our beloved father free, including paying N5 million to them. But since we paid that money, we have neither

heard from the kidnappers nor seen our father.

“Immediately they collected the money, they switched off their phone. We have not heard anything from them.

We are praying to God to spare our father’s life.

“We are in a dilemma. We are now seeking a spiritual solution. We do not want to think negative because we hope in God, believing that he (Adigio-Eseni) will return to us safe.”

One of the victim’s sons, Fabo, said his father could have been abducted to get at

Sylva, who is close to the old man.

Expressing concern about his father’s health, Fabo said: “My dad was down with high blood pressure.

He was being sustained by drugs. The kidnappers did not go with his drugs and his phone.”

The octogenarian’s 70year-old wife begged the kidnappers to free her husband, saying: “I miss my husband. Until I see him, I won’t be at rest. I am begging the kidnappers to set him free.

They should consider his age.

Since they took him away, my life has not been the same.”

Slain monarch’s wife narrates ordeal From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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RS Sarah Okon Effiong, wife of the Muri of Efut Esighi Isu Ekom in Bakassi, Cross River State, Okon Effiong Odionka, who was killed by suspected assassins in his Calabar home last week, has given details of the incident.

Mrs Effiong said her husband left Esighi for Calabar last Thursday and was murdered in his Bayside home on the same day.

She said: “I was in the village that day. About 11:30pm, my son phoned and informed me that my husband had been killed. The killers, who were about six, came with his photograph. They tied him to a cushion chair in his bedroom, shot him and butchered his head into pieces with axes.

“Before they killed him, they put a call through to someone, who probably sent them, to confirm whether my husband was the one they were sent to and the person answered in the affirmative, after which they slaughtered him.”

Mrs Effiong blamed the incident on some family members, who had a disagreement with her husband a few months ago.

The deceased’s second son, Odionka, said his father’s body was deposited that night at the morgue of the General Hospital, Calabar, by policemen from Atakpa Division.

The monarch’s killers escaped.

Uduaghan assures investors of quick returns O V E R N O R E m m a n u e l Uduaghan has urged businessmen to invest in Delta State, assuring them of quick returns.

Speaking after a tour of Vanguard’s printing press in Asaba, Uduaghan said his administration had created an enabling environment for investments to thrive.

He said private investments would provide jobs for youths, adding: “Private investors should be encouraged to go into certain areas of investments and I am impressed with what I have seen here. The equipment is modern.”

Vanguard’s Deputy Electrical Manager Tunde Balogun said the press had a capacity of over 100,000 print run.

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•Uduaghan (middle) with his Chief of Staff, Dr. Festus Okubor (left); Information Commissioner Chike Ogeah (behind the governor); Permanent Secretary, Government House (second right); Communications Manager Paul Odili and others at the event.

Emulate Amaechi, el-Rufai urges governors LL Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has urged governors to emulate their Rivers State counterpart, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister described as “impressive” the “stunning performance and innovations” of the Amaechi administration.

He spoke at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, after a tour

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From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

of some projects executed by the Amaechi administration, including roads, model primary schools, primary health centres and the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre.

El-Rufai said: “Anybody coming to Rivers State to see the development projects of Amaechi will certainly make positive remarks because they have a

direct impact on the people.

It is right for the people to embrace such a leader, who places them first and keeps the state on the fast lane of development.

“The visionary leadership of Amaechi is something every governor should emulate, especially his sterling qualities, to guarantee better governance for the people.

“Amaechi is impressive and a humble servant. I have seen some model schools

here that are better than some universities in this country. He is using the resources of the state well. I am proud of him. I am also proud that he is a member of our party, the APC. Every governor needs to see what he is doing to improve the people’s lives.”

The former minister condemned “destructive criticisms” by some members of the opposition, saying Amaechi has performed impressively.

Assembly not in supremacy battle with Akpabio, says Speaker

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HE Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly is not in a supremacy battle with Governor Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker, Sam Ikon, said yesterday.

Speaking with reporters on the beginning of the 2014/2015 legislative year, Ikon said the Assembly would not succumb to pressure by critics, who describe it as a “rubber stamp”.

He said the House should not be opposing every policy of the executive to prove that it was active.

Ikon, who chairs the Speakers’ Conference of Nigeria, said incessant disputes between the legislature and the executive were unhealthy for democracy, adding: “Such fights

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

are meant to achieve personal political interest and not the interest of the people. The Fifth Assembly will continue to bury parochial political interest and work for the good of the people.”

He said all standing House committees were dissolved at plenary, adding that the State Traffic Management Authority Bill, which seeks to address traffic congestion in Uyo, passed through its first reading.

On the Assembly’s achievements in the last legislative year, the Speaker said seven bills were passed into law and many resolutions made.

On the contributory pen-

sion scheme, he said the Assembly had extended the deadline given to the committee looking into it.

Ikon said the committee was verifying the amount contributed by civil servants.

He said the State Infrastructure Maintenance Agency was being re-organised for optimal performance.

Ikon said the Assembly would maintain a robust partnership with other arms of government.

Ebola: UNIBEN sensitises students From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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HE authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have urged workers and students to take measures to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease

(EVD).

In a bulletin, the management advised them to avoid casual sex, unnecessary body contact, sharing of needles and blades.

It urged them to cook food properly before eating and wash their hands frequently.

Although there is no EVD case in the state, many students fear that they could be infected by their colleagues from Lagos, where there have been cases of the disease.

Ikimi leaves APC

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ORMER Minister of Foreign Affairs Chief Tom Ikimi has left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State.

He announced his resignation yesterday in a statement.

The 70-year-old, who failed in his bid to become the APC’s national chairman, did not say which party he was going to.

Ikomi said: “I am at the stage of critically re-examining the two dominant political parties in our country, which are the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both of which I have had close working knowledge.

“I have not ignored other political parties, but in the light of the foregoing, I must search to ascertain where my true political friends exist. I need to be, at this time of my life, where I have friends who share a common vision with me and where my freedom, respect, honour and dignity would be guaranteed.

“Notwithstanding my enormous contributions in the last 12 years or so to building the alternative platform, after deep thought and wide consultations, I have made the decision to withdraw my membership from the APC from today, Wednesday August 27, 2014.”

Rivers PDP group insists on zoning

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OME Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, under the aegis of “The Rivers Renaissance”, have said they will only support the zoning arrangement in choosing the party’s standard bearer for the 2015 elections.

In a statement yesterday announcing the birth of the group, the members pledged to work for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election.

A member of the group’s organising committee, Mr. Soala West, said: “We will not support the imposition

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

of candidates. We support the highest ideal of a democratic society; we support the liberty and right of franchise; we do not claim unusual strength; we only stand on the promises of God and the ideals of a democratic society.

“We will support congresses to produce the party’s candidates. Nigeria, like Rivers State, is a multi-ethnic society and as a party of equitable progress, PDP founding fathers institutionalised zoning as the formula for distributing offices.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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Victor Iyanam & Co. Legal Practitioners, Chartered Mediators & Notary Public Nigerian Stock Exchange Building, Udo Udoma Avenue (Opp. House of Assembly Complex) Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Tel: 087-290066, 08055235374, 08064354418 Email: victoriyanam@gmail.com , iyanam@aol.com 26th August, 2014 1.

The Managing Director Fountain Media Services (Publishers of Update) Line L, Plot 105, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State 2.

Emmanuel Effiong Editor In Chief, Update Newspaper Line L, Plot 105, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

LIBEL OF OBONG UMANA OKON UMANA IN YOUR UPDATE NEWSPAPER EDITION OF MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 We write as Solicitors to Hon. Umana Okon Umana, victim of your front page and page 2 publication of Update Newspaper Vol. 06 No. 06 of Monday September 1, 2014 but released and in circulation on Tuesday 26th August, 2014 and have instructions to complain as follows: 1. The Update Newspaper Vol. 06 No. 06 of Monday September 1, 2014 but released and in circulation on Tuesday 26th August, 2014 published of and concerning our client, in your front page banner headline and page 2: “Umana Umana, Wife in a N145m Loan Scandal” and, authored by your unnamed Correspondent as follows: “Umana Okon Umana, immediate past Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), his wife, Florence, One Ubong Mbiam and Kaniex Integrated Services Ltd. may soon be dragged to court for alleged “stealing, advanced fee fraud, fraudulent conversion and diversion of One Hundred and Forty Five Million Naira (N 145,000,000.00) belonging to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).”

You further reported on page 2 thus: “In the notice, the legal firm stated that the refusal of the loan applicant to defray the loan in question is allegedly due to your criminal conversion and diversion intent. The law firm maintained that from investigations, the bank/ AMCON discovered the loanees (obligors) fraudulently converted and diverted the said facility for the purpose of buying shares of Bank PHB/ Keystone Bank (AMCON) thus negating, offending or expunging the letter and spirit of the offer graciously granted the obligors herein” 2. The caption of your Newspaper, “Umana Umana, Wife in a ¦ 145m Loan Scandal” coming only a few days after our client’s widely publicised 55th birthday celebration was compulsory reading material for the digest of a broad spectrum of the reading public, at home and abroad, not just the political class. The caption, when read along with the rest of the maligning story, was clearly scandalous; depicting our client as one engaging in stealing, advance fee fraud, fraudulent conversion and diversion of bank funds! Our client is shown as one who has achieved his present status by unwholesomely defrauding the bank. Nothing could be further from the truth!

3. Hon. Umana Okon Umana was at all times material to the transaction in question, a public officer and could, therefore, not have served as a subscriber, Director or guarantor of the company known as Kaniex Integrated Services Ltd for any transaction with Bank PHB/Keystone Bank or any bank for that matter.

4. Upon inquiries, however, we have since discovered that contrary to the misinformation carried by the Newspaper, the following facts are crystal clear: a) Lawreal Associates, a law firm earlier consulted by AMCON for the same transaction had written to Kaniex by their letter of 22nd July, 2013 to which a response of 28th October, 2013 from the Law firm of Nkanga & Ekong put the issues in correct perspective: that AMCON was indebted to Kaniex to the tune of N 91, 715, 959.79 (Ninety one million, seven hundred

and fifteen thousand, nine hundred and fifty nine Naira seventy nine kobo).

This was the amount standing to the credit of Kaniex as at January, 2012 when Bank PHB went under and was taken over by AMCON. By what miracle could Kaniex now owe AMCON and by what stretch of imagination could Umana Okon Umana be involved in the manner postulated by the Update Newspaper or the Lawyers who now claim to be acting for AMCON? The most convincing way to prove would be for AMCON to present for scrutiny, the cheques issued by Kaniex out of the so called loan account or indeed exhibit the Share Certificate issued for the sale of Bank PHB shares to Kaniex. b) Kaniex is a corporate entity and is available and has the capacity to handle its affairs without the strenuous effort of the Lawyers to conscript any Newspaper or issue threats to Hon. Umana Okon Umana or his family in the hope that they can achieve their objectives by blackmail or some other forms of unethical conduct.

5. Our Client had always entertained political aspirations to the office of Governor of Akwa Ibom State under the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party).

Consequently, he consciously kept a clean reputation and had always relied it for his livelihood. He earned his good reputation over a long period of his professional life during which he became an accomplished Civil Servant rising to the top as Permanent Secretary in the Akwa Ibom State service.

He was subsequently appointed Commissioner of Finance and member of the State Executive Council; and Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government from 2007 to July 2013.

6. No person deserves the wanton destruction of his reputation in the manner as malicious as you have done. You have quite plainly profited by the boost in the sale and distribution of the libellous content of your Newspaper throughout Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and through the internet, to the whole wide world!

7.

Our client therefore seeks the following redress:

a.

The sum of One Hundred Million Naira (N 100,000,000.00) in damages.

b. Unreserved apology to be published in the front page of your Newspaper and given equal prominence as the Libel.

This is to give you Notice that in the event that you fail, neglect or ignore the demands aforesaid or make a reasonable proposal on the quantum of damages, within a period of 7 days (Seven days) from the date hereof, our further instructions are to proceed against you in the High Court and this, without any further Notice.

Yours faithfully VICTOR IYANAM & CO.

CHIEF V. U. K. IYANAM, Ch.M Principal Solicitor & Notary Public For Nigeria

COUNSEL Chief V. U. K. Iyanam, Ch.M, Notary Public; Ubong Offiong, Esq., LL.M; Stella Iyanam, Mrs.; Roselyn Ikechi, Mrs.; Aniekan J. Udofia, Esq.

63

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

POSTPONEMENT OF THE NIGERIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT AWARD PROGRAMME

Organized By: •The Falconets and their officials pose for a photograph with Sports Minister Dr. Tammy Danagogo, NSC D-G Gbenga Elegbeleye and Hon. Aliyu Wudil after their arrival in Abuja last night

Falconets arrive in Abuja

I

T was commendations galore for Nigeria’s U-20 World Cup silver-winning Falconets as the team was received by no other National Sports Commission (NSC) official than its Director-General Gbenga Elegbeleye at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday.

The team led by Elegbeleye moved straight to the Media Hall of the Abuja National Stadium where the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo received the ladies in a colourful reception spiced by beautiful tunes rendered by the Nigeria Football Supporters Club led by its President-General Dr. Rafiu Ladipo.

In his speech, the Minster hailed the players and their technical crew and disclosed that “President Goodluck Jonathan kept vigil to watch your match against Germany and he was very proud

•Sports Minister, NSC D-G hail players, coaches •President Jonathan to host team soon From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja of you in defeat. To him you won the competition only that you did not get the trophy. I am sure he would soon receive you to give you a well-deserved Presidential handshake.”

According to the D-G of the NSC, Elegbeleye, the team was unanimously regarded as the winner of the final match but only that mother luck was against them. “I was on transit in Europe when the final match was to be played and I called the Secretary of the team, Faith, to intimate me with the result of the match. I also told the NFF technical man, Siji Lagunju to do same.

But, to my surprise, it was a friend of mine who happens to be an

international player who played for Germany that called to tell me that my girls won the game but not the Cup. I was happy that people outside Nigeria realised the fact that you were a better team that day and could have won the game if not for those reasons,” Elegbeleye disclosed.

Aliyu Wudil, who represented the Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya, also showered encomiums on the team and declared them world champions.

The P-G of the Nigeria Supporters Club, Rafiu Ladipo, showered encomiums on the team and promised to reward them in his own little way while declaring them the winner of the World Cup.

Giwa now NFF President

T

HE Chairman of Glo Premier League side, Giwa Football Club, Christopher Giwa was elected as the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during last night’s General Assembly of the federation in Abuja.

After all the politicking that included the arrest of NFF chieftains including its general secretary, Musa Adamu, as well as some states delegates to the General Assembly by the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and their subsequent release after interrogation, the NFF election was conducted at 8pm yesterday and Giwa polled 27 votes to be elected as the new NFF boss.

29 out of the 44 members participated in the voting exercise with former NFF vice president, Mike Umeh, getting only two (2) votes A notary public Barrister Frank Ike Chude later performed the swearing-in and oath of office taking ceremonies of the elected

•Wins election with 27 votes •Amadu storms out of election hall From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja

officers.

Former NFF board member Obinna Ogba was an unopposed candidate to win the post of the NFF vice president with 29 votes while former security committee chairman Effiong Johnson emerged as the chairman of chairmen having polled 28 votes.

The North Central produced Yahaya Adama as an NFF board member having won 26 votes while the North East produced a new board member in Sani Mohammed who won 27 votes.

Muasu Suleiman won 28 votes to emerge the North West’s representative on the new board while the second representative from the same zone Sherif Inuwa was also elected.

Felix Agu Anyansi retained his board membership post as he

secured 28 votes to win the South East membership position while Felix Amechi Ogwa won 27 votes to emerge a new NFF board member representing the South South region.

Deji Tinubu also retained his position as he won 27 votes to lay claim to the South West’s slot on the NFF board while Otunba Sunday polled 28 votes to seal the second slot for the South West in the newly elected board of the NFF. The electoral process was however not coordinated by either a sitting president of the federation or its General Secretary, Musa Amadu, who allegedly walked out of the election hall at the Chida International Hotels. Also the vice president that could have stood in for the two allegedly also left the hall before the commencement of the election.

Manchester United sign Di Maria for •75m

M

ANCHESTER United have completed the signing of Real Madrid ace Angel Di Maria, who becomes the most expensive signing in Premier League history.

The Argentina international, who can play across the frontline and in midfield, moves to Old Trafford in a deal worth •75 million and is now the fifth costliest player ever.

The 26-year-old, who United

hope can galvanise a squad that has picked up just a single point from their opening two league matches, has signed a five-year contract worth close to the £300,000-a-week earned by skipper Wayne Rooney.

Including wages, add-ons, bonuses and signing-on fees, the total cost of the deal could rise to as much as •188m.

Di Maria completed his medical yesterday having arrived at Carrington with his

entourage late in the morning, while his agent had several hours of sit-down talks with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in the afternoon to thrash out the final details of the contract.

The 20-time English champions have been chasing Di Maria for several weeks and were given a free run at the Argentine when Paris SaintGermain pulled out of the race for his signature.

FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON STATES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. This is to announce the postponement of the Nigeria Local Government Development Award earlier scheduled to hold on the 27th August, 2014 at Shehu Umar Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja by 6:00pm.

The postponement is informed by some logistic challenges, we therefore regret any inconveniences the postponement might have caused.

We will communicate a new date soon.

Signed:

SEGNIP PROMOTION PROGRAMME CONSULTANT

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9 NO.2,951

‘With the knowledge that there are top legal practitioners involved on all sides, one can only wonder why there are so many legal missteps and disregard for legal procedure from the onset of the Al-Makura’s impeachment saga’ DELE AGEKAMEH

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

People and Politics

SUPPOSED email exchange bethey will not be a tier of government. Get me tween Chinweizu, veteran columcorrectly, they will not form a tier. There is nist and author (The West and the Rest no federation where councils are tiers. It’s only of Us, Anatomy of Female Power) and Proin Nigeria, and they did it to spoon feed those fessor G.G. Darah, communications teacher 419 local governments in the North.” and prominent Delta State delegate to the States, he also said, will design their own just concluded national conference, has been constitutions to cater for local interests. “It making the rounds on the internet. If the exis so in India, Germany, Canada, it is so in change is true – and the style and substance America,” he said. of the exchange suggests it is – then we are in Darah is absolutely correct that in a true an even deeper trouble in this country than federation there can be only two tiers of govndajika@yahoo.com we imagine because of the Boko Haram inernment; the federal and the state. It would surgency. then be up to the latter to create any number The exchange, dated August 6, was copied of local and municipal governments it wants to Mr Yinka Odumakin, an outspoken depending on its wherewithal and the wisAfenifere spokesman, Col. Tony Nyiam, Rtd, dom of its politicians. who, like Darah, is also a Delta State delProblem is, Nigeria ceased to be a true fedegate to the national conference and the areration like all of Darah’s examples, from rowhead of the 1990 attempted coup against the day the military first seized power in General Ibrahim Babangida, which purJanuary 1966. True federations come about as we all now know, that the 1979 Constituported to have excised much of the North by aggregation. The Nigerian federation tion promulgated by Obasanjo as military from Nigeria, and to one Professor Chinedu since 1966 has been by disaggregation. In head of state, which is essentially the same Nwajimba. with the 1999, was authored principally by other words, instead of power being ceded The chilling concluding paragraphs of the people like Professor Ben Nwabueze, to the centre from the component parts, it exchange is worth reproducing in full, if only Chinweizu’s fellow Biafran traveller and has flowed in the opposite direction, with because of the possibility, even probability, critic of the 1999 Constitution – thanks, in all this implies for the autonomy of the comit raises that it may have been the motive in part, to the professor’s self-confession in a ponent parts. convening the conference, if not of the auEven then, I believe the conference took recent interview in Sunday Vanguard (March thorities themselves, at least of elements at the right decision in abrogating local gov20). the conference who are known to be very Chinweizu’s email began with thanks to ernments as a tier, if only because they have close to the powers that be.

Darah for his situation report on the national no legislative powers except for bye-laws, “The main point,” Chinweizu said in his conference and a plea that Darah and per- and even though the decision smacks of venemail, “is that we can’t afford to prolong our haps those he copied would “get it widely detta against a section of the country. The ill agony under Caliphate Colonialism. Our published in the media for the enlighten- motive behind the decision was apparent Liberation requires that they leave Nigeria ment of the Greater/New South (i.e. South + from the conference’s confusion in its decientirely, and the sooner the better. If they Middle Belt) Public.” Specifically, he wanted sion to still allocate 22.5 per cent of the fedare allowed to remain on any terms, even by Odumakin to get it published in the Nigerian eral revenue pool to the tier as against 42.5 return to 1960 Federalism or even Aburi, per cent for the centre and 30 per cent for the Tribune. we’ll still have them polluting our polity.

I am not aware than Odumakin has been states in its recommendation for revenue al(Please see the attachment). So the sooner we •Darah able to do so but Darah’s report has been location. get them out completely the better for us.

This brings me to Darah’s explanation for “And if we can defeat and expel them with- stitution, as they will surely do. Am sure you published in The Pointer (August 25), the what he described in his situation report as newspaper of Delta State, at least in its online out recourse to shooting war, i.e. without and Yinka (Odumakin) can get that going and the “climb down” by delegates from the bloodshed, that’s the best. So you guys should accomplish it. If all fails, at least get a resolu- edition from where I was able to download Delta region on the controversy over the size do it within the Confab walls. Excise them tion passed by the Greater South majority, the report. Darah’s triumphalism over his of derivation as a principle of revenue alloby talking and voting; don’t wait till you have postponing the 2015 election till after a new version of the outcome of the national con- cation, a climb down he chose to blame esference betrayed a malicious intent towards to shoot and bleed. Political war is better Constitution is approved by referendum.” sentially on the Yoruba, in particular one The reader will recall that in my column of a section of this country - a malicious intent Yoruba delegate from Lagos. than military war.”

Earlier in the roughly 800-word email, January 15 on these pages, entitled: “The re- probably shared among those in power The merit of his position on this issue and Chinweizu had expressed his happiness at turn of Chinweizu and all that,” I had cause to which nearly turned the conference’s final on the major decisions of the conference will sitting into a fiasco. join issues with the gentleman when he wrote what he said was a new division in the coun“There will be two layers of power. One be the subject of this column next week, God try the so-called progressives at the confer- in The Guardian of December 12 and 19, 2013 to willing. It will also examine Darah’s report ence have engineered, something he de- take on the radical politician and Kano State federal, two states,” Darah said in his report as a wanton denigration of the North and as scribed as the new “Greater/New South vs. delegate to the national conference, Dr Junaid rather cockily. “Local governments will ex- propaganda for President Jonathan.

Shariyaland geopolitical divide.” He then Muhammad, and President Olusegun ist as they are in section 7 of the section, but said although they were to be congratulated Obasanjo, one over his criticisms of President for their achievement in creating this new Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in press fault line, they should know that the battle interviews, and the other over his since famous open letter to our No 1 Citizen, which had just begun.

OR the nth time in at least the last seven years, hackers seem to have taken a fancy to “When the Confab returns to wind up,” he was even more critical of the president than my yahoo mail. The first time they not only hacked into my first email address, said, “if you can’t get them to walk out or Dr Muhammad’s interviews. kudugana@yahoo.com, they completely seized it and caused me to lose thousands of Chinweizu entitled the first piece “To Junaid can’t pass a resolution excising Shariyaland, valuable correspondences. Next, they used the one I replaced it with, ndajika@yahoo.com, Orkar style, then engineer a breakdown, with Mohammed and the Shariyalanders.” What he to solicit for money. This time, however, they did not seize the address. a Greater South separate majority/minority said in it was pretty much the same as what he More recently on July 7, they sent out solicitations for N500,000.00, supposedly from me, report that creates the cleavage that would repeated in his email to Darah. It was also to be paid into the account number 2055979807 of one, Peter Fedude, at UBA Bank as a loan. pretty much the same as his December 19 critioblige the Prez to reconvene the Confab as I don’t think anyone was foolish enough to respond to them.

Confab 2, ostensibly for reconciliation across cism of Obasanjo’s letter, except he did not Still they seem undeterred; yesterday they were at work again sending out mails giving the cleavage. But you’d seize the opportu- forget to dismiss the 1999 Constitution under out a link which, fortunately, several of those on my mailing list who tried to open it nity at Confab 2 to create a Peoples’ Consti- which Obasanjo returned to power as “ille- couldn’t. tution, without any compromises to accom- gitimate” and “a self-interested creation of Please, anyone who receives any such mails in future purporting to be from me should modate Arewa/Shariyaland. And you can Northern generals for the parochial interest know that it is hackers at work and should therefore never respond to them or even bother there excise them if they resist the new con- of Shariyaland”. This was in spite of the fact, to open them.

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

By

MOHAMMED H ARUNA

Again, the return of Chinweizu and all that

Hackers at work

F

HARDBALL

W

HEN salesmanship dovetails with sycophancy in the political arena, the result can be perfectly perplexing as well as revealing. The Goodluck-Jonathan-for-second-term campaign, which is unofficial because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not formally blown the whistle for electioneering, is an intriguing study in how far unreasoning partisanship can influence individuals in the pursuit of power.

It is easy to imagine that President Jonathan must be enjoying the grandiose performances of his doting backers, even though he continues to feign unawareness and keeps playing a remarkable game of calculated suspense concerning his interest in the 2015 presidential election.

Expectedly, the August 23 Southwest rally organised by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) in Ibadan, Oyo State, did not fall short of the standard set at the August 16 Southeast version in Awka,

Untransformed fakers Anambra State. It unmistakably promoted the expressed purpose of the obsessive nongovernmental organisation, which is “the continuation of transformation by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ).”

It is interesting that the group reportedly claimed to have succeeded in collecting 1.8 million signatures of prominent Nigerians in the Southwest geo-political zone who would prefer Jonathan’s re-election next year to any other possibility. Not surprisingly, the voices that were heard at the event spoke about Jonathan and his administration in fantastic terms. The Chief of Staff to the President, Brig-Gen (rtd) Jones Arogbofa, said: “You are a performing and transforming president and the people of the Southwest are calling on you to be president again.”

Women were not left out of the monkey

business. The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, said: “I mobilised over 25,000 people to this event, in spite of the short notice, to join me in appreciating a man of honour, performer and transformer.” A former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, was quoted as saying: “It is logical that if we want to see laudable ideas develop, he deserves our support. No doubt, he has displayed good leadership qualities.”

However, the gold medal and ultimate trophy for scandalous hyperbole must go to a familiar Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyalist. A report said: “In his words, a leader of the party in Lagos State, Olabode George, described Jonathan as a rare leader whose transformation agenda would take Nigeria to a higher level compared to what was obtainable in the advanced countries of the

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above world.” Did George say “higher level”?

Surely, that must be a reflection of his lack of high thinking?

Perhaps there are even more nauseating promotional days ahead as the TAN train moves to the South-south on August 30, North-central on September 9, Northeast on September 20 and Northwest on September 27. Of course, the climax in the federal capital, Abuja, on September 30 promises to be a demonstration of climactic propaganda.

There is no question about the right of the group and its supporters to push their agenda, even if their activities are informed by an uncivilised understanding of transformational government. It would appear that the self-acclaimed agents of transformation themselves are in dire need of transformative values. The Jonathan administration, if anything, has earned a deserved place in history as a government that focused on the buzzword, “transformation”, without positively transforming the polity.

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