December 01, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

N200m ‘bribe’: Fayose, Omirin disagree

Governors, Tinubu decry Kano blasts NEWS Page 2

NEWS

Page 7

•‘PDP lawmakers ask for money’

•UN backs anti-insurgents’ battle

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 3049 MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Boko Haram men attack another Borno town

Tributes for departed The Nation man Isiguzo

By Joseph Jibueze, Senior Correspondent

•Why military can’t crush sect yet, by Buhari

T

HE Nation management and staff were struggling yesterday to come to terms with the sudden death of Crime Correspondent Mr Jude Isiguzo.

He died on Saturday morning after a brief illness.

The newsroom was quiet, saddened by the shocking passage of the one many called Olopa (policeman).

The late Isiguzo was admitted last Tuesday in a private hospital in Festac Town, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government near his home after complaining of weakness, but the medical team could not save his life.

Continued on page 53

•www.thenationonlineng.net

S •The late Isiguzo

USPECTED Boko Haram militants, who arrived on motorcycles, throwing bombs, raided a mostly Christian town in Nigeria’s northeast after nightfall on Saturday, residents and a military source told Reuters.

Residents said scores of

people had been killed in the town of Shani, but a police source said they had been unable to verify the death toll as communications to the town had been largely cut off.

“They rode on motorcycles and were more than 30 men.

They started throwing bombs into houses...then the Boko

Haram fired shots at people fleeing,” resident Ishaya Brimah told Reuters by phone from a nearby village on Sunday.

“They set ablaze the police station, houses and a telecom mast...I saw people fleeing, some bodies on the Continued on page 2

•INSIDE: CBN LISTS NIGERIA’S FISCAL PROBLEMS P2 LAGOS RESIDENTS CAN’T GET PVC P60

Presidency, PDP plan court ambush to oust Tambuwal Supporters to stop ex-parte order to declare seat vacant From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

B

ARELY four days to the resumption of the House of Representatives, members have uncovered a plot to have a court declare vacant Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s seat.

The court may grant an ex-parte order asking Tambuwal to leave office pending the determination of the substantive motion.

On the basis of the judicial ambush, the police will have “alibi” to prevent the Speaker from presiding over the House when it reconvenes on December 4.

A three-time member of the House, Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade(Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency) is said to have filed an exparte application seeking to stop Tambuwal from presiding over the affairs of the lower chamber because of the Speaker’s defection to the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Akinlade, who lost the governorship ticket to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, left the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP). He could not be reached for comments last night.

As at press time, Tambuwal had not been put on notice, contrary to the rules put in place

?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 EVER RETURN?

by the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar.

A principal officer of the House, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have uncovered a judicial ambush to remove the Speaker on Monday. The Presidency and the PDP are Continued on page 2

D N A NE A R RTU I NASFO ES E I G THS M PA4&5 IT

•P AINS OF BOK O HARAM: Children stand by their ration at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) internally displaced persons •PAINS BOKO PHOTO: NAN transit camp at Girei, Yola, Adamawa State…at the weekend.

•POLITICS P15 •SPORTS P24 •JOBS P35 •CEO P37 •MOTORING P39 •FOREIGN P58

D NE

2

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

NEWS KANO BOMB BLASTS

Gowon seeks support for military

F

ORMER Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has called on Nigerians to support the Armed Forces in the fight against insurgency.

Gowon spoke yesterday at the Church of Nigeria’s end of year thanksgiving service held at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Abuja.

He said recent happenings in the country indicated that the insurgents were not after Christians alone, stressing that all Nigerians, irrespective of

their ethno-religious backgrounds, are potential targets.

“It is the responsibility of every Nigerian not only the armed forces to do whatever they need to do in order to restore peace to our country.

“Dealing with the problem of insurgency that is disturbing the country requires the cooperation of all Nigerians, whether you are a Christian or a Muslim.

“A few days ago, you saw what they did not only to the Continued on page 62

Boko Haram’s evil won’t subdue us, says Tinubu

N •Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (second right) singing the national anthem during his visit to Enugu...at the weekend. With him (from left) are: Former Federal Capital Territory Minister Mallam Nasir El-Eufai; APC cheiftain, Chief Audu Ogbe; and chairman, Enugu State APC, Mr Ben Nwoye.

PHOTO: NAN

Kano blasts: Emir donates N20m drugs as JNI slams govt

E

MIR of Kano Muhammed Sanusi II yesterday donated drugs worth N20 million for the treatment of hospitalised victims of Friday’s suicide bombing in the North’s largest city.

No fewer than 150 were killed and over 100 injured when suicide bombers and gunmen believed to be on Boko Haram errands detonated bombs and shot people during

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano and Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

the Jumat prayer at the Central Mosque.

Former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari also visited the hospital yesterday. He described the attack as “extremely disgusting” and “heart wrenching”.

At the Murtala Muhammad Hospital, he said: “I think there is nothing we can do than to be

vigilant wherever we are.”

The former Head of State hoped that the law enforcement agencies will fully be complemented by the members of the society.

Emir Sanusi II went round bed to bed to personally sympathise with the victims and share their pain and stories.

He pledged the N20 million worth of drugs and enjoined people to continue to attend the mosque for their five daily

and Jumat prayers. He said they should not relent on prayers for the end to insurgency and lasting peace.

“I hope people will not stop going to mosques, markets and other places of legitimate interactions,” the Emir said.

The apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), said all hands must be on deck to stop the persistent masContinued on page 62

CBN lists Nigeria’s fiscal problems

A

S the country’s economic condition hangs in the balance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has decried the long list of fiscal woes confronting Nigeria.

The Deputy Governor, Economic Policy of the CBN, Dr Sarah Alade, speaking at the Fiscal Liquidity Assessment Committee retreat in Abuja, listed some of the challenges as low fiscal buffers, expan-

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

sionary fiscal policy, high volume of maturing instruments; impact of external shocks, dwindling foreign exchange earnings; declining reserves; weak oil market and high unemployment.

These challenges, she said, have redefined the boundaries of macroeconomic management resulting in the need to redress mutual suspicion and hostility experienced glo-

bally between the two macroeconomic management institutions, the fiscal and monetary policy managers.

According to her, “at the moment, the economy faces significant downside risks of reversal in capital flows, reserve depletion, depreciation of Naira, financial market instability and higher inflation and we cannot afford not to understand ourselves and Continued on page 62

•Dr Alade

Why military can’t crush sect yet, by Buhari

F

ORMER Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has defended the military against criticism that troops are unable to battle Boko Haram.

The military, Gen. Buhari said, is ill-equipped despite the huge amount of money being wasted on trivial issues by the government.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant spoke in Enugu while addressing party faithful.

He said: “Soldiers have been complaining that they are ill-equipped, in spite of the trillions spent on defence budget in the last three years.

“If you consider the foreign revenue Nigeria has

Suspected Boko Haram men attack another Borno town Continued from page 1

ground.

Shani is located in Borno state, the heartland of Islamist group Boko Haram’s fiveyear insurgency, which has displaced more than one million people.

The Sunni jihadist movement is suspected to be behind Friday’s attack on the central mosque in Kano, where at least 100 people died.

A shopkeeper in Shani, Shuabu Lawal, said he started hearing explosions at around From Chris Oji, Enugu

generated since 1999, you will be shocked at how inefficient and corrupt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been. Soldiers have been saying they are ill

8 pm on Saturday evening.

“A boy ran into my shop and said his father and elder brother had been shot. He was only wearing shorts, no top and sweating despite the wintry weather. I shut down my shop immediately, leaving some items outside,” Lawal said.

The police source said Shani’s police station had been destroyed in the attack. Militants have already attacked the town twice this year, most recently in June when at least 11 people were killed and the office of the electoral commission was burnt.

equipped, yet trillions have been voted for defence in the last three years,” he said.

The former military leader was accompanied by former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasir El-Rufai,

former Minister of Information Prince Tony Momoh, Mr. Audu Ogbe, among others. He noted that next year would be another landmark year in the history of NigeContinued on page 62

Presidency, PDP plan court ambush to oust Tambuwal Continued from page 1

sponsoring a lawmaker from Ogun State to seek an ex-parte order to sack Tambuwal.

“This is a sheer abuse of court process because a similar suit is already before the same Federal High Court.”

“What they have done is to look for a friendly judge to sack Tambuwal, not minding any pending suit.”

Another source said: “In a move, which lawyers de-

scribed as abuse of court process, the PDP, through one of its members in the House of Representatives, Hon Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade, has asked the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to sack Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from his position and membership of the House.

“The case, which is expected to come up today is seeking an ex parte ruling to remove Tambuwal from his seat and

to ask Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, to take over as acting speaker of the Green Chamber.

“The decision to award the case for hearing has raised eyebrows in legal quarters, especially considering the fact that the Judge who is believed to have been assigned the matter, has given favourable judgments to the PDP in the past.

Some lawyers who are famil-

iar with the matter said it was curious the judge accepted to handle the matter, considering the fact that similar issues are before another judge also in the Abuja Division of the court.

A third source said: “It is a public knowledge that Tambuwal has already filed a case in court seeking protection against moves by the PDP to declare his seat vacant.

“Already, Justice Ahmed Continued on page 62

ATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said yesterday that Nigeria will not be subdued by the evil of Boko Haram.

He spoke on last Friday’s bombing at the Kano Central mosque.

A statement released by his Media Office quoted him as saying: “During the last few days, Nigeria has suffered intense attacks and grave loss of lives due to the evil work of terrorist group, Boko Haram. “ Attacks against numerous locations in the northeast demonstrate how heinous and debased Boko Haram and those

who sponsor it have become.

So depraved, they have become heartless and filled with enmity against all that is good and proper. This was not the act of human beings. These attacks could only have come from the hands of those who do not know God or serve God. This is the act of godless people.

“The hand of evil, deploying those who have given themselves over to wickedness, committed this terrible thing. No reason can be found for what was done except that BH has once again shown its lust for innocent blood and its Continued on page 62

Aregbesola: Nigeria in serious crisis

O

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola alerted Nigerians to the serious danger that lurks around with the ceaseless Boko Haram bombings.

He said last Friday’s bombing of the Central Mosque in Kano proved beyond reasonable doubt that the nation is in the throes of a life-threatening crisis.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication, quoted Aregbesola as speaking at the weekly prayer of Nasrullahi -il Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Osogbo Branch, where he joined other adherents to pray for Nigeria and Osun

State. ”The Friday bombing of Kano Emir’s palace’s mosque has proved ultimately and beyond any doubt that this country faces daunting challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents. ”Condemnable as the act is, yet it baffles one that a lot of us still deceive ourselves by reading religious colouration to this whole violence. ”I do not believe that a Muslim, who is a true Muslim, can do this to a Christian, let alone a fellow Muslim hiding under the guise of promoting his religion. ”It is painful to hear that Continued on page 62

Wamakko: North soon for wipe out

S

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko has said that the North is close to being wiped out by the Boko Haram insurgency.

Wamakko spoke yesterday at the Emir’s palace in Kano where he joined sympathisers in the ancient city to condole with the government and people over last Friday’s explosion that killed over 100 people.

The governor noted that the Federal Government is saddled with the constitutional responsibility of protecting the citizens, adding that” it is

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

supposed to be open in fighting the insurgency menace with one mind.”

According to Wamakko, “it is a thing of shame that the Federal Government is yet to know who it is fighting with”.

He urged the Federal Government to sincerely seek solution to the insurgency and also promised to continue assisting the security agencies with logistics.

Continued on page 62

UN backs Nigeria’s against terrorism

T

HE United Nations (UN) has pledged its “full support” to Nigeria in the battle against terrorism following the attack on the Kano Central Mosque, which left many worshippers dead and score of others injured.

This is contained in a statement issued by the UN Secretary-General, Ban ki-moon, who said there was no justification for the attacks on civilians.

Ki-Moon “reaffirms the full support of the UN to Nigeria’s efforts to fight terrorism and to provide security to the

population consistent with international law and Nigeria’s human rights obligations.”.

He conveyed his “deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and to the people and Government of Nigeria” and wished swift recovery to the injured.

The Secretary-General called on the authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.

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THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

NEWS

Jonathan, Mark, governors mourn minister Ashiru P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has condoled with the family of the late ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru.

The President, through a statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the deceased as an exemplary diplomat, who gave the most productive years of his adult life to the service of his nation.

He prayed that God should comfort his family and grant his soul peaceful and eternal rest.

Senate President David Mark lamented the death of Amb. Ashiru.

He said the countrylost a fine diplomat and a patriot.

Mark described him as a diplomat par excellence, who promoted Nigeria’s foreign policy across the globe.

He recalled Ashiru’s exploits in the protection and promotion of the nation’s cultural heritage in the international community.

The Senate president, ac-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja Damisi Ojo, Akure

cording to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said: “I feel sad that we lost Amb. Ashiru.

“He was a professional and a brilliant diplomat. He was in the forefront in the formulation, execution and promotion of our foreign policy.

“As a Foreign Affairs minister, he was exemplary.”

Mark said Nigeria would miss Ashiru’s robust contributions to national development, especially in refining the nation’s foreign policy in tandem with international best practices.

He said the deceased left positive footprints on the sands of time.

The lawmaker enjoined the Federal Government and

‘

He was in the forefront in the formulation, execution and promotion of our foreign policy

‘

Ogun State indigenes, especially the bereaved family, to seek solace that he lived a life worthy of emulation.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun described the death of Ashiru as very painful and a personal loss.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun described the death of the former minister as a great loss to him, Ogun State, where he hailed from and the nation.

He noted that the death occurred at a time his experience in international diplomacy would have been useful in shoring up the nation’s image, following the insurgency it was facing.

The governor prayed God to grant his soul rest and give his family and relatives the fortitude to bear the loss.

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko also commiserated with the late Ashiru’s family.

Mimiko, in his condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Eni Akinsola, said the late Ashiru was a diplomat of reputable excellence, who established Nigeria’s presence and projected its image positively anywhere he found himself.

“In the capacities he served this nation as the pioneer Under Secretary (Regional and International Organisations) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as High Commissioner and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs, among others, Ashiru displayed high level of dili-

‘Nigeria deserves state police’ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

•The late Ashiru

gence and patriotism, which sustained and strengthened the bilateral and diplomatic relations between Nigeria and other nations,” the governor said.

He commiserated with the late diplomat’s family and prayed that the good Lord would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss and prayed that the deceased’s soul find repose in the bosom of the Lord.

N164b debt: Court orders sale of Akingbola’s property on Cayman Island

T

HE Grand Court of the Cayman Islands has ordered former Intercontinental Bank Plc Managing Director Erastus Akingbola to pay Access Bank Plc N238,471,484,162.

The court also entered judgment against Akingbola in the amount of £1,800,000 with interest at 2.5/8 per cent per annum from April 1.

Justice Andrew Jones (QC) made the orders on September 12.

He said the orders would be properly served if sent by courier to Akingbola at his Ikoyi address or through his lawyer,

By Joseph Jibueze

Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

The bank obtained judgment in a London High Court for N164 billion in July 2012 following a recovery action filed against Akingbola by the then Intercontinental Bank, later acquired by Access Bank.

The bank said the money was part of its funds, which Akingbola allegedly converted and misappropriated fraudulently. During the course of the trial, some of the funds were traced to the purchase of property in London by Akingbola, following which the court

CJN promises independent, efficient judiciary From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

T

HE Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, plans to ensure an independent and efficient judiciary is in place when he lives office.

He said having been part of the judicial system for a decade, he understood its workings and challenges. He is willing to ensure that a functional judiciary, which met the people’s needs, was in place.

Justice Mohammed said with the support of good minds in the National Judicial Council (NJC), he would build on the structure left by his predecessor in achieving his objectives.

He spoke in Abuja at a dinner in his honour by the former President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Umaru Abdullahi.

The CJN recalled his past working relationship with Justice Abudullahi, whom he described as his mentor.

He described him as a man of integrity guided by conscience.

“Throughout our working years, particularly during the military era, he was an inspiration to me. I learnt a lot from him. His integrity cannot be questioned. During the military era, when all the courts were subjected to a lot of pressure; sometimes, Justice Abdullahi would look an official in the face and say: ‘Look, you cannot interfere with our judicial work, keep off.’ That is the kind of person he is.

“That was how I learnt to be upright in the discharge of my responsibilities as a judicial officer. I’ve stayed a long time in the system. I will build on the structure left by my predecessor to ensure the smooth running of the judiciary.”

A former schoolmate of the CJN, Justice John Fabiyi of the Supreme Court and Justice Abdullahi expressed confidence in the CJN’s ability to deliver on his promises.

Justice Fabiyi said: “I have known him since 1967 at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is a very humble person, he is easy-going. He is very articulate and firm in his decisions. He has the support of the justices at the Supreme Court. Next year appears a little frightening, but by the grace of God, we shall overcome.”

Justice Abdullahi said although his appointment as the CJN was a thing of joy, it came with huge responsibilities, which required wisdom and God’s guidance.

ordered their sale.

Based on the court orders, the property known as Flats 17, 18, 19 and 20 Embassy Court London, NW 8 were sold and £11 million recovered.

When it was discovered that Akingbola had assets on Cayman Island (specifically property known as 2 Cambridge Court), the bank filed an application to the Grand Court of the Cayman Island to convert the London judgment to a Cayman Island verdict.

Following Akingbola’s alleged refusal to challenge the application, Justice Jones granted the default judgment.

Delivering the verdict, the judge noted that “no notice of intention to defend” was filed by the defendant.

The Federal High Court in Lagos had held that the London court judgment, which ordered Akingbola to pay the bank £654million, could not be enforced in Nigeria.

The judge dismissed an application by Access Bank seeking to compel Akingbola to pay the money as ordered by the London court.

A Lagos State High Court had also rejected a similar application.

Justice Adedayo Oyebanji

granted Access Bank’s request to register the London judgment.

But, Akingbola, through his lawyers, filed an application dated September 27, 2013 asking Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson of the same court to quash the judgment registration for lack of jurisdiction.

Justice Candide-Johnson subsequently discharged the ex parte order by Justice Oyebanji on the grounds that Access Bank’s bid contravened the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgment Act of 1958.

He also declared that the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction to register the judgment.

THE Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Information, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed, has supported those agitating for the creation of state police.

The lawmaker’s position came on the heels of attempts by the police to prevent House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Wazir Tambuwal and other All Progressives Congress (APC) members from entering the chamber of the lower legislative house.

He told reporters at Kaiama in Kaiama Local Government that the police action was partisan.

Mohammed said: “Those agitating for state police are after all right, because at the end of the day, police are being used as an arm of the ruling government. Even if APC forms government tomorrow, it should not have control over the police, because this will amount to abuse of due process.

“The police were too partisan in the matter and it is a serious threat to democracy.

Admirers of democracy must definitely condemn this action in its entirety. If you want to effect a change, try to go through the normal rules, especially now that they have withdrawn the man’s security.

“If you look at it critically, the events are in a chronological order. There was a time soldiers assaulted the man, another time his security detail was withdrawn and this is the third stage of the events.

“Must you all belong to the same party? Don’t we have freedom of expression and association? There are governors, who have changed parties and nothing has happened. So, I think the PDP need to be more civil and democratic in the way they do things.”

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

4

NEWS • From left: Ogun State Governor and Visitor, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Wife of former Ekiti State Governor and recipient of honorary doctorate degree, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; her husband, Dr. Kayode, during the conferment of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) on Mrs. Fayemi at TASUED's convocation ceremony in IjebuOde, Ogun State...last Friday.

The Naira and its misfortune Last week’s devaluation of the Naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over falling Brent crude oil prices indicates that tough times are ahead for the common man and the economy unless urgent steps are taken to address the crises, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

P

•From left: Senior Manager, Utilities, Accenture Nigeria Mr. Kunle Aina; Managing Director, Oil and Gas and Utilities, Accenture Nigeria Mr. Abayomi Olarinmoye; the company’s Lead, Marketing and Communication, Segun Olalandu, at West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) in Lagos.

PHOTO SOLOMON ADEOLA

•From left: Vice President, Marketing, Middle East and Africa, Fly Mobile Phone Abdul Jabbar; Country Sales Manager, First Choice Elega Christian; Manager, First Choice Onyeka Kelikume; and Managing Director, Fly Mobile Phone Nitin Sood, at the inauguration of Fly Mobile Phone into the Nigerian market in Lagos .

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan formally unveiled the redesigned commemorative N100 banknote on November 12. Paradoxically, the banknote, meant to mark Nigeria’s 100 years as a single united nation, can only buy a small loaf of bread, insufficient to kill hunger pangs in a child.

Thirteen days after the launch, like others, the new banknote, which will be issued to the public later this month, lost eight per cent of its value against the dollar. That was after the Central Bank-led Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) devalued the naira.

The local currency has been devalued by 35 per cent in the last 13 years.

The CBN in 2001 cut its value by 27 per cent, followed by the current eight per cent slash.

In a country stricken by 8.1 per cent inflation, one of the world’s worst; and declining foreign exchange reserves, now at $37 billion from about $42 billion a year ago, the last devaluation was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Last Friday on Nigeria’s burgeoning black markets, it was valued at about N186 to a dollar. At the official market, the naira fell 2.1 per cent to N178.65 per dollar.

Many pundits said the naira’s fair value was N200 to a dollar. That confirmed the widely held view that it had indeed fallen from Olympic heights both at the interbank market (official rates) and at the black market.

Same day, the Brent crude oil dipped 3.7 per cent to $69.94 per barrel - its lowest ever since 2010, according to auction results. Nigeria’s oil receipts have between September and November 2014, decreased by 21.05 per cent from $5.7 billion to $4.5 billion due to the falling oil prices.

What the MPC did The committee had at the MPC meeting of November 25, moved the midpoint of the official window of the foreign exchange market from N155/ dollar to N168/dollar.

It also widened the band around the midpoint by 200 basis points from plus or minus three per cent to plus or minus five per cent.

The committee also increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), the base lending rate, by 100 basis points from 12 to 13 per cent while the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on private sector deposits also rose by 500 basis points from 15 per cent to 20 per cent. It also retained public sector CRR at its current level of 75 per cent. The CRR is a portion of banks’ deposits kept with the CBN.

Market forces react •From left: A Graduant of Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI), Faith Macwen; Chief Executive Officer, Oando Marketing Plc Mr. Yomi Awobokun; Founder, Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI), Mrs. Sandra Aguebor-Ekperuoh; Head of Lubes, Oando Marketing Plc Mrs. Lilian Ikokwu; Head of Marketing Communications Mr. Seun Adeosun, at the graduation ceremony of 15 lady mechanics and the 10th anniversary of Lady Mechanic Initiative part-sponsored by Oando Marketing Plc in Lagos.

Less than 24 hours after the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, announced the devaluation, the price of

household goods, including bread, wheat, fish and rice, among others, shot up by 40 per cent or more. The services industry was also affected. At the Marina Park in central Lagos, operators raised vehicle parking fee from N300 to N500.

At a supermarket on Broad Street Lagos, Deborah Nwankwo, a mother of four, bought two cartons of soft drinks, two dozens of tin milk, a dozen imported small yoghurts, a crate of egg, some garlic and two cartons of biscuits. Her bill, she said, was N15, 000. Before now, she would have paid about N9, 000. “The first thing that comes to mind, and one keeps noticing, is how expensive everything is and it could get worse,” she said.

The former Executive Director, Keystone Bank Plc, Richard Obire, said the common man does not understand devaluation, but knows when his purchasing power has reduced. He explained that when a currency is devalued, consumers’ ability to demand and buy products would be drastically reduced. “It also means that people’s ability to spend on discretionary products will decline, as they focus on essential goods like food and shelter,” he said.

Obire said such a policy usually leads to salary delays in private and public sectors, as cash crunch set in, adding that the common man would be adversely affected. “Vital liquidity in pocket of people is crucial. The common man is already feeling pangs of hunger and with the devaluation, a bad situation can only get worse,” he said.

He said middle class earnings will also be affected. “The middle class send their children abroad for schooling. They are also the ones that feed the common man. They will now spend more money sending their children to school, and may have little left for the common man. The common man has very little flexibility for maneuvering at this time. He is at the receiving end,” he said.

The banker said implementation of 2015 budget would also likely suffer as revenues drop. “Imported inflation is also another issue for the Nigerian government. The refined petrol subsidy will go up because of the devaluation. I foresee oil price hike after the election, and that will lead to serious nationwide unrest,” he predicted.

Renowned economist Henry Boyo described the eight per cent devaluation of the naira as “a big mistake”.

He said the policy shift remained a wrong concept that would persist because the CBN has learnt nothing from history. He said the devaluation would even move to 20 per cent as the black market continues to outstrip the official rate.

Boyo noted that the prices of goods and services would keep going up, as

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

5

NEWS

•Jonathan

•Okonjo-Iweala

importers add the increase to the cost of goods and services. He equally sees the price of fuel going up, despite declining oil price.

He said Nigeria has learnt nothing from what happened to the Ghanaian and Zimbabwean currencies. “I see the naira being devalued by 20 per cent as time progresses. I have repeatedly said that mopping up the naira to achieve exchange rate stability is wrong. The CBN substitution of the naira allocations for dollar should be stopped. Allocations should be divided based on dollar certificates. The exchange rate for the naira will continue to fall,” he said.

Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Plc Ike Chioke said a strong positive correlation exists between the exchange rate and crude oil price in the country.

“Nigeria’s crude oil – bonny light, which traded at $110.2 per barrel in January this year, reaching $114.6 per barrel by June, is now trading at about $78 per barrel.

“With the discovery of the shale oil, crude oil prices are projected to moderate in coming years. In addition, the threat by the United States (U.S.) to reduce oil imports constitutes a downside risk on crude receipts of OPEC members. Consequently, the CBN must establish a “real” and “sustainable” value for the naira as the opportunity cost of “substantial” support for the naira increases,” he explained in a report – Naira Trending Towards 2015.

Chioke said Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil (currently 70 per cent of total foreign exchange earnings) makes economic growth susceptible to oil price shocks. According to him, a decline in crude oil price would lead to a corresponding decline in oil receipts; “which will forestall the accumulation of external reserves, creating a negative signaling effect that leads to capital flight, thus depreciating the naira.”

“The current over reliance on oil receipts - oil receipts account for about 96.8 per cent of the country’s total exports - by the government poses a huge threat to the stability of the economy,” he noted.

Other policy-makers speak Sub-Saharan Africa Economist at Renaissance Capital and co-Author of the Fastest Billion Yvonne Mhango said the CBN has shown absolute commitment to dealing with dwindling fortune of the naira.

The official devaluation of the naira, she said, allows the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) to move within the range that straddles the interbank foreign exchange rate. “While the market reaction to the RDAS move in the near-term will be important, we think that these measures deal as comprehensively as possible with the challenges facing Nigeria.

“While Nigeria cannot do much to influence the oil price, the combination of measures sends a powerful signal to all stakeholders on the CBN’s intent to do what it can to preserve macroeconomic stability,” she said.

Head, Equities Market at FBN Capital Olubunmi Ashaolu said the CBN has by the policy, set clear cut objective on its monetary policy direction.

• Emefiele

He said the stock exchange positive reaction was an indication that local and foreign investors now understand where the naira is heading. “As long as there is clarity and good investment climate, the equities market will benefit,” he said.

He advised government to improve infrastructure, noting that such action would make Nigeria’s investment climate more attractive for foreign investors.

Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited Bismarck Rewane said the MPC’s decision has reinforced the CBN’s independence and autonomy.

He said the currency adjustment has a direct impact on the cost of imports and may undermine the MPC’s efforts at ensuring price stability in a hugely import-dependent economy. The devaluation, he added, would slow down external reserves depletion.

“Since the naira is closer to equilibrium, the need to intervene will be less,” he added.

To the President of National Association of Small Scale Industrialists, Chukwu Wachukwu, there are consequences wherever currencies are devalued. He said the naira devaluation would make government to jettison sole reliance on oil and pay attention to other sectors of the economy. “We can’t just continue to depend on oil, we need to diversify,” he advised.

Good times for exporters However, for exporters, devaluation of the naira means increased cash flow and higher profit margins.

The Managing Director, Sunyprofit International Limited, Sunday Anjorin, who exports Nigeria timer to China and Vietnam, captured the excitement that came with the decision.

“For years, we have been waiting on the CBN to do the needful. When it finally came last Tuesday, we had no option but to celebrate. This policy will create more millionaire-exporters than ever before. I was so impressed with the news that I called my associates together to wine and dine with me,” he said.

Anjorin said although exporters’ cash flow will rise, “the celebration may be cut short given that their cost of production will equally increase, because cost of raw materials will be exorbitant, making nonsense of the higher profit margins.” Still, he said timber operators would take advantage of the policy shift and increase their profit margins.

Also to benefit are multinational oil companies and their expatriate workers whose salaries are in dollars. People who receive foreign exchange through Western Union and Money-

• Chioke

• Rewane

Gram are also to benefit from the devaluation.

CBN takes action Emefiele said the CBN under his leadership remains committed to safeguarding the value of the naira. For instance, the lender had last month, banned the sale of foreign exchange by banks to importers without the requisite shipping documents.

It also directed that only imports, which are backed with evidence of shipment and other relevant documents, will qualify for purchase of foreign exchange. Only such transactions will be eligible for foreign exchange purchase via the RDAS or the interbank window, it said.

The apex bank said that henceforth, all importations involving electronics, finished products, information technology, generators, telecommunication equipment and invisible transactions would be funded from the interbank foreign exchange market only.

The policy, the CBN said, was to maintain the existing stability in foreign exchange market and strengthen the various policy measures, already initiated, including the regulation of the Bureau De Change (BDCs) that cut dollar supply to operators from $50,000 to $15,000 weekly. These measures, Emefiele admitted, would help conserve the foreign exchange and support the naira.

Okonjo-Iweala on solutions In the last six months, managers of the economy have known little or no rest. The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been busy explaining what government is doing to wriggle out of the crises. She talked about plugging revenue leakages, increasing the drive for revenue as well as developing the non-oil sectors.

The minister, who spoke at the International Institute for Finance (IIF) African Financial Summit 2014 held in Lagos, argued that with the right policies, Nigeria and other nations in the continent would be able to sustain growth despite the economic headwinds.

She admitted that events unfolding over the last six months have cast a shadow on global economic recovery in the aftermath of the 2008/2009 financial crises.

She said: “Many countries on the continent depend on commodity exports as the main source of revenue.

In Nigeria, our crude oil exports alone accounted for about 83 per cent of the value of our total exports in 2013, according to our National Bureau of Statistics.

“It is now imperative to drive up

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• Richard

domestic resource mobilisation, especially taxes. In several African countries, including Nigeria, tax revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is below 15 per cent – the conventional International Monetary Fund threshold for satisfactory tax performance.

There are many leakages and gaps to be plugged, and more effective tax administration could contribute to improving revenues.”

Continuing, she added that aside drop in oil prices, the price of gold, which peaked at about $1383 per ounce in March, this year, is now trading at around $1160 per ounce. Iron ore, which traded at around $130 per dry metric tonne at the beginning of the year, is now trading at around $76 per dry metric tonne, which is a loss of more than 40 per cent of its value this year.

Also, prices of some agricultural commodities are on a downward spiral, with the price of cocoa falling by about 10 per cent from $3,252 per tonne at the end of September, to about $2,900 per tonne now.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said: “We need to look into areas that for reasons that are not very clear, we have neglected and we need to change direction. We need to identify such sectors and create an enabling environment to attract private investments, while also channeling government’s spending into them”.

The minister listed and explained some of the more promising job creating sectors needed to lift Nigeria out of its present predicament.

The sectors, according to her and other financial experts, are:

Agriculture The World Bank estimates that agriculture has three times potential to reduce poverty than any other sector.

Already, government is carrying out a quiet revolution to increase food selfsufficiency, reduce imports, transform produce and create viable value chains for a number of important products.

Housing This sector is seen in developed countries as an important sector for stimulating economic growth and job creation. Housing has brought the global economy out of every recession in the past. It is therefore not surprising that this sector is prominent in many of developed markets.

Sports The sports industry, experts said, also holds huge potential for Nigeria because of its youthful population.

New research by AT Kearney finds that the Africa market for sports events in 2014, including revenues from tick-

With the discovery of the shale oil, crude oil prices are projected to moderate in coming years. In addition, the threat by the United States (U.S.) to reduce oil imports constitutes a downside risk on crude receipts of OPEC members. Consequently, the CBN must establish a “real” and “sustainable” value for the naira as the opportunity cost of “substantial” support for the currency increases

‘

• Anjorin

ets, media rights, and sponsorships, will be worth close to $80 billion. When sporting goods, apparel, equipment, and health and fitness spending are added, the sports industry generates as much as $700 billion yearly or at least one per cent of global GDP. The Nigeria market for Premiership football merchandise alone is worth tens of millions of dollars. Yet investment in organised sports, as a business, is very small. Therefore, experts urged more investment in the area.

Creative industry This industry, if properly managed, holds the key to unlocking fast growth and job creation in the country. In Nigeria, the Nollywood alone accounts for about 1.5 per cent of GDP and employs 200,000 people directly and nearly one million indirectly.

Ghana, others take policy measures Nigeria is not an outlier in the change in monetary policy stance.

Ghana and Zambia also recently tightened further their benchmark interest rates to 21 per cent per annum and 12.5 per cent per annum respectively. On the other hand, Kenya and South Africa maintained the status quo on their policy stance.

With respect to the currencies, the Ghanaian cedi remains the worst performing currency in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a value loss of 26.27 per cent year-to-date, while the Zambian kwacha has lost 11.86 per cent yearto-date.

Historical view of the naira From 1980 to 2000, the naira depreciated by N101.50 to N102.10 to dollar, when compared with N0.6 to dollar it traded as at 1981. Not even the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) introduced in 1985 could have predicted this sharp slide.

The currency first hit double digits, moving from N9.9 to a dollar in 1991 to N17.2 to a dollar the following year.

That constituted a significant 73.7 per cent change. Thereafter, a gradual slide ensued, attaining triple digits in 2000.

Although it was considerably stable between 2000 and 2003 (below N120 to a dollar), the recent adverse global capital flows and drop in oil price, among other factors, have culminated in the current all time low.

Moreover, decreasing the value of a currency is much easier than supporting it. When a country wants to depress its own currency, it can create and sell unlimited quantities. In contrast, if it wants to support its own money, it needs to sell the limited quantities of other currencies it holds or borrow from other central banks.

That explains why the CBN has found it increasingly difficult to defend the naira. The solution, according to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, lies in diversification of the economy.

For now, the continued decline in oil receipts poses a threat to government revenues, limiting the fire power to regulate the naira. Should this continue unabated, the naira’s misfortunes will worsen and the N100 banknote will no longer buy a small loaf of bread for a minor, let alone kill hunger.

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

6

NEWS PDP HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PRIMARIES

Ex-deputy governor petitions Jonathan, PDP

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FORMER Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Obong Chris Ekpeyong, has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the conduct of the House of Assembly primaries at Mopol Base, Ukana in Essien Udim Local Government.

The petition, which was signed by Ekpeyong and former PDP state Chairman, Essien Ibok, an engineer, was addressed to Jonathan and the Chairman, PDP Special Plan-

•Protests conduct of primaries at Mopol base From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

ning Committee for Akwa Ibom State.

They signed on behalf of PDP stakeholders and aspirants from Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara Local Government.

The duo rejected the holding of primaries at the Mopol Base, which contravenes the PDP constitution that stipulates primary

election should be held at the headquarters of the constituency.

The petition reads: “We wish to refer you to a radio announcement on Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) to the effect that the PDP House of Assembly primaries for Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara State Constituency is to be held at the Mobile Police Base at Ukana, Essien

Udim.

“We also wish to refer you to the PDP Constitution 2012 as amended, Chapter VIII, Article Seven, which says: ‘In the conduct of primaries for the party’s candidate for member of local government, council chairman and House of Assembly, the primaries shall be held at the local government constituency headquarters’.

“Therefore, in the case of

Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara, Ikot Ekpene Local Government is the state constituency headquarters, federal constituency headquarters and senatorial constituency headquarters.

“Based on the above explanation, we the elders and aspirants alike from the two local governments hereby resolve not to participate in any congress held outside the state constituency headquarters in Ikot Ekpene.”

Parallel primaries in Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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ESPITE a court in Abuja last week stopping factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from claiming the leadership of the party, the groups at the weekend conducted House of Assembly primaries at hidden locations in Anambra State.

Although the exercise was conducted by three groups, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said yesterday in Awka that it was satisfied with it.

The commission, which monitored the exercise, said what it monitored was the PDP primaries and not any faction, adding that it was not interested in any group except the party.

INEC’s spokesman Frank Egbo said the commission recognised and supervised the Mr. Ejike Oguebego- led PDP in the state at the primaries, adding that if there was any other group that did the same, INEC was not aware.

Oguebego told The Nation that the party was satisfied with the outcome of the primaries.

He said it had prepared for the National Assembly primaries scheduled for Saturday.

Controversy in Imo •Angry members to dump party From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

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UNDREDS of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Imo State are set to dump the party, following “the shoddy manner the House of Assembly primary election was conducted.”

The aspirants, who rejected the result of the primaries, said it was a deviation from what they were promised by the leaders.

They threatened that they would join forces with the other parties to stop the PDP. The delegates said the results, which were announced, did not reflect the voting. They called for the cancellation of the exercise.

The primaries could not hold in some local governments, following disagreements among the aspirants and officials.

A delegate in Owerri West, who preferred anonymity, said most of the delegates left in annoyance after waiting for materials from the PDP secretariat.

When our reporter visited the secretariat on Okigwe Road about 5:30 pm, the materials were yet to leave the premises.

The primary election was postponed in Okigwe, Nwangele and Isiala Mbano council areas.

•Delegates voting during PDP House of Assembly primaries in Okuta/ Yashikira Constituency of Kwara in Kosubosu, Baruten Local Government Area... at the weekend.

Rumpus in Bayelsa Assembly over loss of PDP tickets

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ONFUSION has crept into the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, following the inability of many of its members to secure the tickets of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the primaries on Saturday.

It was learnt that so far, about 13 incumbent lawmakers lost their tickets after the primaries characterised by violence, disagreements and allegations of sharp practices.

The primary election, it was observed, was a supremacy fight between the camp of Governor Seriake Dickson and Abujabased politicians, who attempted to give the party tickets to their loyalists.

It was discovered that most of Dickson’s candidates, who

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

resigned their appointments in his cabinet to contest the primaries, emerged victorious.

It was, however, learnt that conflicting results emanated from some of the constituencies where the governor’s candidates were declared winners, with others laying claim to the party tickets.

It was gathered that an altercation over an alleged alteration of the delegate list, led to a stalemate in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government.

The election, which was rescheduled for yesterday at the Sports Complex, Yenagoa, was held amid tight security.

Uduaghan’s loyalists win House of O fewer than 21 of the Assembly tickets 29 House of Assembly

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tickets for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State were on Saturday picked by the loyalists of Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

The exercise was held across the 29 state constituencies. The materials, however, arrived late in most places and there were complaints and protests by aspirants and delegates.

Among those who emerged winners in the Governor’s camp are Efe Ofobruku, the member representing Uvwie Constituency; Godwin Toristseju Abigor, Warri South Constituency I; Mr. Dennis Omov-

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

ie, Warri South Constituency 11 (for the fourth term); Daniel Mayuku, Warri South West and Comrade Izeze Reuben, Ughelli South.

Others are Dan Yingi, Burutu Constituency 1; Felix Anirha defeated the Majority Leader, Monday Igbuya, to pick the ticket for Sapele Constituency; while Azuka Azaka, Alphonsus Ojo and Pius Labo won in Ndokwa West, Ukwuani and Bomadi constituencies.

Others candidates include Angela Nwaka, Aniocha

South; Mr. Uzoma Idabor, Aniocha North; Isaac Ulebor, Ika South; Tim Owhefere, Isoko North; Orezi Esievo, Isoko South Constituency I; Johnson Erijo, Isoko South Constituency 11; Peter Onwusanya, Oshimili South; Pat Ajudua, Oshimili North; Erhiatake Ibori, Ethiope West; Samuel Mariere, Ughelli North I; Prince Eric Oharisi, Ughelli North II; Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, Ethiope East and Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, Okpe.

While Tony Elekeokwuri and Chief Michael Diden, the aspirants supporting Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, emerged candidates for Ika North East and

•Uduaghan

Warri North, Ndudi Elumelu’s campaign manager, Chief Moses Odibo, won in Udu, Godswill Obielum won in Ndokwa East with Friday Osanebi emerging the candidate.

House of Assembly aspirants, others protest primaries From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

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EVEN aspirants for the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly from Urue Offong/Oruko State Constituency have protested the conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries.

They are Ita Okpoyo, Edet Bassey, Paul Akaiso, Etifit Nkereuwem, Emmanuel Ating, Esin Otong and a PDP elder, Chief Okon Offong.

The aspirants described the conduct of Saturday’s primary election as a farce and a rape on democracy.

Okpoyo, a former assistant legal adviser to the PDP, said the party office where the primary election was supposed to be conducted was locked up.

He said the aspirants were ambushed as the purported primary election was being conducted at Uyo stadium, adding that they and their supporters were at the PDP headquarters in Urue Offong/Oruko, waiting for the arrival of materials from the state party headquarters in Uyo. His words: “What we have seen today is a complete rape on democracy. Until October 20, I was the assistant legal adviser of PDP in this state. The law on the conduct of primaries is very clear.

“The Electoral Law 2010 as amended provides that the conduct of any primary election must be held at the headquarters of that area where the aspirants hail from. If it is the House of Representatives, it must be the headquarters of the federal constituency, and if it is the Senate, it must be the headquarters of the senatorial district of that area.

Obiano, stakeholders disagree on outcome of ward congress From: Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HERE was anxiety yesterday following pressure on members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to annul the results of the Ward Congress in Anambra State.

The results of the ward congress, which was conducted last Tuesday and Thursday, were yet to be made public at press time.

It was learnt that the National Leader of the party, Governor Willie Obiano, was uncomfortable with the results.

The development prompted the governor to meet with NWC members at his Aguleri country home at the weekend.

It was learnt that members of the party rejected anointed candidates of the governor and NWC members at the congress.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Despite that Governor Willie Obiano sent commissioners to act as returning officers to the congress, he appeared not to be satisfied with the outcome of the congress, which observers say represent the will of the people in the wards in the state.

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

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NEWS

It’s all lies, says Speaker as Fayose accuses lawmakers of N200m bribe demand

Aregbesola thanks Osun people

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said Nigerians have demonstrated their capacity to stand by and support any administration committed to their wel-

•‘Seven PDP lawmakers asked for N200m’

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has said money is at the root of the problems between him and the House of Assembly.

The governor said his refusal to continue to “grease the lawmakers’ palms” after they had collected money from him at least three times created the latest crisis rocking the Assembly.

Fayose made the allegation on his maiden media chat, “Meet Your Governor”, which was aired live by major electronic media in the state.

He alleged that the lawmakers demanded N1 million each before they could screen and clear his commissioner-nominees.

The governor alleged that the Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, demanded that the lawmakers be given at least 10 per cent of the N2 billion loan his administration intended to secure from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to finance agriculture and small scale businesses.

Fayose accused the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers of harbouring plans to remove him from office.

The governor said he was shocked that the lawmakers could be making “unreasonable financial demands” from him when they knew the parlous condition of the state finances.

Fayose, who spoke in Yoruba, said: “The last time I met the Speaker, he told me he was going to Abuja and he promised to see me when he returned but the next thing I heard was that he was in Lagos.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

“It is you my people who can save me because it was by your votes that I am in this position today. You my fathers, my mothers, artisans, okada riders and traders must rise up and help me.

“Will you keep on looking when they want to remove me at all cost? They are blocking all the good things I want to do for you.

“When I assumed office, I discovered that the House’s running grant was N48 million of which the Speaker got N2.5 million and the Deputy Speaker N1.5 million and I told them that was no longer sustainable.

“They insisted that their own grant must be left intact but I reduced their money by 50 per cent.

“They came to me three times and they went away with something. In fact, they asked that they be given N1 million each before passing the commissioners’ list.”

But Omirin absolved himself and the 18 APC lawmakers of blame in the bribery saga.

He said it was the seven PDP lawmakers who demanded N200 million.

He accused Fayose of lying and setting the people against the APC lawmakers, saying the action could make the governor a laughing stock to the more intelligent people of Ekiti.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, the Speaker defended the integrity of the APC caucus, maintaining that it never demanded any bribe before

doing the job for which they were voted to do.

He said throughout former Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration during which 75 bills were passed into law, the lawmakers never demanded for anything before doing their jobs.

The Speaker said instead of blaming the seven PDP members for demanding 10 per cent of the N2billion fund, the governor had turned full circle to accuse the APC lawmakers.

His words: “I have never seen this kind of incorrigible attitude all my life. He told us to our face that he would lie against us to set Ekiti people against us. I thought it was a joke.

“In actual fact, it was the PDP members who suggested that we should demand 10 per cent cut in the N2 billion loan and all the APC lawmakers said no. We even called the attention of the governor to this attempted fraud.

“How the governor has now turned to accuse us of demanding bribe is baffling. One good thing though is that Ekiti people know the kind of governor they have.

“The alleged N1.3billion poultry fraud case is still in court.

There were many sugar coated things that he told Ekiti people about the project.

“Evidence of that lie and allegation of fraud can be found in Justice Adamu Hobon’s court at the Federal High Court in AdoEkiti where details of how the governor allegedly defrauded Ekiti people are being examined.”

The Speaker urged Ekiti people to beware of the masters of theatrics, who have turned

Ekiti to immortalise Olayinka

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KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has promised to immortalise the late former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

Fayose has ordered the reduction of tuition fees at the State University (EKSU), AdoEkiti, from N50,000 to N30,000.

The tuition fee, according to him, could be paid in two installments.

The governor spoke at his maiden media chat: “Meet Your Governor”.

He said: “I have reversed your tuition fees from N50,000 to N30,000 and I want the VC to ensure compliance with this directive.

“You have the opportunity of paying the N30,000 in two installments.

“I will do everything in my power for you to have good education and we are going to do something to empower the parents.”

The governor said his administration would build a women orientation centre in honour of the late Mrs. Olayinka for her dedication and service to the state.

He said the centre would be located at Moremi Park, where the former deputy governor’s remains were interred Fayose has sacked six permanent secretaries and appointed four others.

He also appointed the Permanent Secretary (State Liaison Office, Abuja), Gbenga

•Six perm secs sacked •New HOS emerges •Varsity tuition fees reduced From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

Faseluka, as the head of service (HOS).

The outgoing HOS, Bunmi Famosaya, was appointed special adviser in the Governor’s Office.

The permanent secretaries who were given compulsory retirement are Akin Oso (Government House and Protocol), Alfred Ologuntoye (General Administration), Lekan Ayeleso (Office of Establishment), A.B. Owolabi (Accountant General), Deji Ajayi (Local Government and Chieftaincy)

and K.B. Ajayi.

The new permanent secretaries are Ademiloye Fasiku, Ayodeji Ajiboye, Lawrence Babatope and Sunday Komolafe.

Explaining his action, he said he could “hire and fire” permanent secretaries.

Fayose said there was no malice in his action, adding that he reduced ministries and extraministerial agencies from 36 to 26 because of paucity of funds.

“There is no money to manage 36 ministries and agencies.

In fact, I am even afraid to appoint more people now because the funds are not there,” he said.

Maths teachers for training

By Sina Fadare

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SUN State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) has sent some mathematics teachers for training.

The three-day workshop, beginning tomorrow in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, is organised by the National Mathematical Centre.

At a farewell programme for the teachers, the SUBEB Executive Chairman, Prince Felix Awofisayo, said the decision to train the teachers was to ensure improvement in the teaching and learning of mathematics.

He said on the last day of the training, the teachers would be given mathematical kits worth of N250,000 to use in their schools.

Awofisayo urged the benefiting teachers to be focused at the training.

•Fayose

statecraft to the theatre of the absurd, where stunts and propaganda had taken the place of reason and candour.

Omirin added: “I am happy that my colleagues and I have clean records. We have never committed crimes either in Nigeria or abroad.

“We have no question marks on our certificates. Nobody can accuse us of committing crimes abroad and sneaking into Nigeria to escape justice.

“We have never been accused of murder. None of us has criminal cases in courts. We are decent men and women who can point to where we are coming from without shame.

“Nobody can accuse us of lying under oath. None of us has ever covered a copy of dictionary with the cover of the Holy Bible and used it to swear an oath.

“Nobody can accuse us of swearing to an oath in the filling of our Code of Conduct and assets declaration form.”

Omirin said the APC lawmakers would continue to tread the path of integrity to save the state from dishonest people.

fare.

The governor thanked the people for their“impressive turnout” at last Thursday’s swearing in at the Osogbo Township Stadium.

He said the people made an impactful statement of affirmation that the governor they voted for on August 9 was the one being inaugurated.

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, the governor said he was appreciative of those who made the inauguration a success.

The governor said he was elated to see All Progressives Congress (APC) national and states’ leaders, members and well-wishers.

Aregbesola noted that he was impressed by the conduct of the crowd, who came out to make the ceremony an eventful and a memorable one.

“I wish to express my joy and appreciation to all who blessed us with their presence at the inauguration of our second term in office.

“Beginning from artisans, market women and men, professional bodies, associations, corporate organisations, diplomatic corps, traditional rulers, religious leaders and organisations up to national leaders of our party, words are not enough to express our appreciation.

“That crowd could only be interpreted to mean one thing: That the outcome of the August 9 governorship election was the true reflection of the wishes of our people and a complete triumph of their wishes.

“It is a demonstration of the fact that our government in its first four years, had worked with the people and changed their conditions as never witnessed before our advent. We are, therefore, committed to doing more.”

Mare festival begins Dec 11

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HE annual cultural cum tourism programme of the Ondo State government, Mare festival, has been fixed for December 11 to 13.

The event brings to focus the potential of the hills of Idanre, and the exposition of the tourism resources in the state.

A major feature of this year’s event will be the inauguration of the Idanre Hills resort, Habitat 1 and Tourism zone.

Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade said this year’s edition will feature a wrestling competition.

He said there would also be musical cultural display, mountain climbing, cycling, hiking, marathon race, float display, and a concert.

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THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

NEWS APC lawmakers sue Ondo Assembly From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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WO All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly– Gbenga Edema and Fola Olasehinde-Vicente– have sued the Assembly and its Speaker, Princess Jumoke Akindele, for alleged contempt of court.

They accused the House of treating the Federal High Court Akure with contempt after being served with papers challenging the plan to declare their seats vacant.

The Speaker had filed a counter affidavit, stating that the House was not planning to suspend or declare their seats vacant.

In their reply, the two APC lawmakers contended that Ms Akindele, after being served with the court processes, removed the two lawmakers as chairmen, committee on State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) projects, stopped their allowances/running grant and refused to make fund available to Olasehinde-Vicente to join other lawmakers for a conference abroad.

‘Escort officials on illegal mission’ From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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NDO State Police Commissioner Isaac Eke has said the four officers, who accompanied the robbed bullion van on the Ondo-Akure Expressway, were on an illegal mission.

Eke, who spoke while parading 32 suspects arrested for various offences, said nobody authorised the officers to follow the van.

He said the failure of the bank workers to follow the proper procedure by demanding officers from the Department of Operations made the incident suspicious.

“We discovered that when they were rounded up, the officers and the bank officials came down from the vehicle unhurt. It is not possible in such operation for people to escape unhurt.

“They can’t be going on such journey and the police would release such a few officers for escort. Those officers have acted illegally and the bank workers also acted illegally.”

The police boss said the bank workers and the officers have been arrested.

‘Collect your PVCs’

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HAIRMAN of the Lagos State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Tajudeen Agbede has urged commercial drivers to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Agbede said despite the hiccups in the distribution, they should not be discouraged.

The NURTW boss said the union remained a partner in progress and as a responsible organisation would continue to cooperate with the government to ensure the success of government policies.

‘Be security conscious’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

•From left: (FRONT ROW) Executive President, United Nations of Youth, Obi Goodluck; Executive Director, Gender and Development Action (GADA) Mrs. Ada Agina-Ude; President, Women Arise & Campaign For Democracy, Dr. Joe OkeiOdumakin and others at a symposium on domestic violence in Lagos.

Ekiti ‘speaker’, ‘deputy’ lose out in constituencies P RELIMINARY results of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly primary election held in Ekiti State on Saturday showed that factional “speaker” Dele Olugbemi would not be returning to the Assembly.

His “deputy”, Mrs. Abeni Olayinka, did not seek re-election.

The Nation gathered yesterday that Princess Titi Owolabi, won the primary conducted in Olugbemi’s Ikole Constituency 2.

Olugbemi left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP on October 16 during the swearing-in of Gover-

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By Musa Odoshimokhe

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N All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives aspirant in Lagos State, Babatunde BankAnthony, has promised to ensure quality representation at the National Assembly.

He said the people of Surulere Federal Constituency 2 were yet to enjoy quality representation, stressing that those elected to represent them were self serving.

He said: “The people of this constituency have not had the opportunity to have selfless and committed representation.

There is clearly a case of deficiency on account of stewardship by those who represents the constituency.”

Bank-Anthony explained that APC would lead the country out of its challenges, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a spent force.

“The happenings at the National Assembly through the instrument of the police, are obvious signs of the desperation of the PDP to hold on to power at all cost.

“Boko Haram activities have shown that the Federal Government lacked the capacity and political will to guarantee safety of life and property. This is further expressed in the clamour for change which the APC will offer,” Bank-Anthony said.

The National Assembly aspirant urged all party members to work together for the good of the party. He noted that APC leaders had excelled in governance.

The aspirant said those who had been trying to fan the ember of discord in the APC should stop.

“We all belong to the same political family; we must work for the success of the party. It is a shame that the media is taking advantage of misgiving in the party.”

nor Ayo Fayose.

He later emerged factional “speaker” on November 20 when seven PDP lawmakers “impeached” Dr. Adewale Omirin.

Former State PDP Director of Information Gboyega Aribisogan won the PDP ticket in Ikole Constituency 1.

The constituency is being represented by another defector from the APC, who will not be returning to the

House, Adeyinka Adeloye.

Mrs. Olayinka, who did not contest the Saturday’s primary, is believed to be seeking a cabinet position after her tenure.

In Ikere 1 Constituency, Wale Ayeni picked the PDP ticket; Sunday Akinniyi won the primary conducted in Ikere Constituency 2.

In Oye 2 Constituency, Tunji Akinyele is the consensus candidate having been allegedly given the ticket by Fayose for his “unflinching loyalty”.

Don’t impose Bankole on us, Kashamu tells Mu’azu

N Oyo South senatorial aspirant, Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi, has urged the people to maintain the peace in order to sustain democracy in the country.

The aspirant spoke at the weekend when he visited the scenes of the mayhem unleashed on the city of Ibadan.

Akanbi said every resident should be security-conscious and maintain peace within their domains.

He added that seeking political positions should not be seen as a do- or-die affair.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) is a peaceful conscious party that cannot resort to causing mayhem or harbouring political thugs to win political positions.

“Facts have emerged that the hoodlums who unleashed the mayhem are not members of the APC, but are believed to be the opposition.

“Idle youths are instigated to perpetuate such acts, as a result of lack of employment, which is why I set up the Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi Foundation (RAAF).”

Aspirant promises better representation

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

Akinyele was one of the two lawmakers who didn’t sign Fayose’s impeachment notice leading to his removal from office in 2006.

While there were elections in some constituencies, candidates emerged in other constituencies through consensus.

State PDP Chairman Idowu Faleye denied allegations that candidates for the House of Assembly primary election were imposed.

The PDP boss urged any aggrieved aspirant to take his case to the appeal panel.

He said 52 aspirants vied for the party’s tickets to the House of Assembly in the 26 constituencies.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

•Mu’azu

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PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ogun State, Buruji Kashamu, has urged the National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu to stop interfering in the chapter’s affairs.

He warned that Mu’azu’s efforts to impose former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole as a governorship candidate will spell doom for the party.

Kashamu, who spoke yester-

day at a briefing, said the primary election went on smoothly.

The Southwest Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee, said the primaries were neither cancelled nor postponed.

He said: “The rumour is traceable to the comments by Akeem Animashaun, who is parading himself as the chairman of the Committee on the House of Assembly primary election and Dave Salako, who purportedly spoke on behalf of some “Elders Council”.

“While we would not dissipate energy to dignify them with a response, we wish to say that they were only playing out a script, written for them by Mu’azu and the National Organising Secretary,

Abubakar Mustapha.

“Both Muazu and Mustapha have conducted themselves in ways that are inimical to the stability and growth of Ogun PDP by trying to impose Bankole on us.

“We have noticed that anytime the National Working Committee (NWC) takes a decision, the national chairman and the national organising secretary always try to reverse it as if they are superior to the others. They always carry on as if their decision is above the NWC’s. It is not so.

“Seeing their antics, we had no choice other than to approach the court. Already, a court order, which says, it is only the Adebayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee that can submit the list of delegates and candidates to the PDP and INEC, has been served on the national secre-

tariat. The court went on to say that anything short of that would be a nullity.

“We did not receive any contrary directive either through a letter or a publication that the House of Assembly primary election should not be held.

“Therefore, we wish to urge our supporters and members in Ogun State to ignore any rumour that the primary election has been cancelled or postponed. There are 11 governorship aspirants in Ogun State.

“But we wish to warn that any attempt to change the authentic delegates list (the CTC of which we have obtained from INEC and PDP National Headquarters) would result in litigation and it would be clear that the national chairman and the national organising secretary do not want us to win in Ogun State.”

I’ll transform Lagos in two years, says Ikuforiji

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PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji has assured Lagosians that he will make positive changes in the state within his first two years, if elected governor.

Ikuforiji, an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke while soliciting support from party leaders in Eti-Osa and Lagos Island at the

By Oziegbe Okoeki

weekend.

He urged Lagosians to expect the best from him. The Speaker urged party leaders to ensure a level-playing field for all aspirants.

Ikuforiji said: “I have come to solicit your support concerning my governorship ambition.

“I am humbled to have emerged the longest serving speaker of the State Assembly.

I am happy to report to Lagosians that I have diligently discharged my responsibilities creditably since I assumed office in 2005.

“I remain the most qualified of all the other aspirants because of my experience. I appeal to party leaders, mem-

bers and all Lagosians to support my aspiration in the interest of our great state. If elected governor, I would transform Lagos into a modern city state.”

The Speaker was received by party leaders in the two councils-Murphy Adetoro and Omotilewa Aro Lambo- and several other leaders and members.

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NEWS

Kano bombing: APC postpones House of Assembly primaries

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its nationwide House of Assembly primaries, which was scheduled for today, till tomorrow.

The party said it was a mark of respect for those killed or injured in last Friday’s terrorist attack in a Kano mosque.

It also added that it was in sympathy with those that were affected “in one way or the other.”

Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement in Lagos yesterday, said the House of Assembly primaries would hold tomorrow. ’’All the dates for other primaries remain unchanged,’’ the statement said.

APC described the attack as a monumental national tragedy, saying the party could not be oblivious to the plight of the victims “of the absolutely condemnable and totally incomprehensible at-

tack on defenseless citizens in such a hallowed place as a mosque.”

The party had earlier condemned the attack on the innocent worshipers and vowed that terrorism would “never prevail, no matter how long it takes.”

It urged the citizens to demonstrate the Nigerian spirit of compassion and strength of character by providing succour and support to one another.

I’ll restore Enugu’s lost glory, says aspirant •Babaloja of Ikorodu Central Chief Moshood Laketu and Iyelaja General of Ikorodu Division Alhaja Taufkat Alison receiving keys and documents of a Toyota Haice bus donated by Abike Dabiri-Erewa at Ikorodu, Lagos...at the weekend.

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NUGU State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship as-

Uba brothers battle over senatorial seat WO brothers, Chief Chris Uba and Senator Andy Uba, are set to fight for the Anambra South seat.

Andy, the eldest, who represents the district at the National Assembly, is facing a stiff battle from Chris.

The brothers have pitched their tents with different camps of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after purchasing forms at the cost of N11 million each.

The Nation gathered yesterday that Chris, regarded as the godfather of Anambra State politics, has vowed to stop Andy.

Already, the youth, women, traders and businessmen are invading Chris’ residences in Enugu, Awka and Uga in Aguata

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From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Local Government Area to urge him on.

It was learnt that they were angry that since Andy went to the Senate, he had not made any meaningful contribution in the chamber.

They also alleged that he had done nothing for the people, except about two weeks ago, when he came with some vehicles and other equipment to empower a few people.

One of their relations, who spoke yesterday under anonymity, said since both declared their interests “they have not been seeing eye-to-eye.”

The source added: “Andy

is our brother, likewise Chris. But the senator does not help anybody. Chris may have his deficiencies, but he carries everybody’s problem, fights for people and does not like suppression or oppression.

“Everybody is happy that Chris has come out to contest this election. He had been crowning people in Anambra State and one of the beneficiaries is his elder brother, Andy.”

Efforts by The Nation to speak with Senator Uba proved abortive as his phones were said to have been switched off.

But Chris said it was true that he purchased PDP senatorial form. He, however, denied being at war with his brother.

Buhari to subject crowd funding HE Buhari Support platform to public scrutiny Organisation said at the

weekend that the funds accruing to the campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant through the Buhari Crowd Funding Platform, would be subjected to daily public scrutiny.

The organisation also said

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was prepared to support any aspirant on the platform of the party, who might emerge as the standard-bearer, if he failed to get the party’s ticket at the primaries.

Head of Media, Publicity and ICT of the organisation, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, said at a media briefing that the organisation was working on a website where Nigerians could monitor the donations to the crowd funding platform for the retired General.

ALGON, NULGE launch 2015 vehicle SSOCIATION of Loclearance certificate cal Government of

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Nigeria (ALGON) and the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in conjunction with the Joint Mobile Advert Agency of Nigeria Ltd (JMOAN) have jointly launched the 2015 Biometric Pin Code clearance certificate for the identification of genuine local government annual vehicle levies and permits.

This is to eradicate double or multiple taxation and undue intimidation and harassment of motorists.

Speaking at the launch, held at Hotel Doris Dey,

Benin City, the Edo State capital, the representative of ALGON President, Comrade Okafor Bartholomew, enjoined the motoring public to go about their normal businesses without worry and make a prompt report any form of harassment to any of the aforementioned bodies, their joint task force or the nearest police station over vehicle stickers.

He urged them to patronise only genuine council revenue workers/ officers who must prove their authenticity of their

documents by supporting already issued permits with a copy of the ALGON/ NULGE vehicle biometric consolidated clearance.

The Managing Director of JMOAN, Mr. Andrew Dare, warned against the use of fake and unauthorised permits and biometric certificates. He highlighted the features of the one and only genuine biometric clearance to be silver in its background colour, printed in red and black with ALGON and NULGE boldly written on the serialised sticker.

APC aspirant assures youth of secured future

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LAGOS State House of Assembly aspirant Moshood Bolanle Owolowo has vowed to make youth empowerment and job creation his legislative focus.

Owolowo, who is aspiring to represent Kosofe Constituency II on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said a youth leader, he could not cross his hand and watch from the sideline instead of contributing his

quota to youth development.The former National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) member said: “I understand the plight of the people and plight of the youth which currently is unemployment. They tell me that regularly.

“I and my family have done a lot of philanthropic work in that area, but I feel if we have some political power we can reach/do more for people which is one of the reasons I am running now,” he said.

He said: “This is politics; everybody has his own interest. I think I have tried for so many people in this state. I want to go there and help the less-privileged in the seven local government areas in my zone.

“I have vowed not to touch my salaries at the National Assembly for the next four years.

“But my constituents will meet to decide the way they want to share it throughout my stay there. I want to go there to speak for the Ndigbo.”

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

pirant Okey Ezea has vowed to restore the state’s lost glory, if the party wins in next year’s polls.

Submitting his nomination form at the APC national secretariat, the lawyer said the party was battle ready for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He added that Enugu indigenes and residents were in need of a change from the alleged misrule of the PDP. “I am very much prepared for this battle. I have been in this battle before and I know that PDP is not as popular as people claim in Enugu State and in Igboland.

“The problem is that they have always excelled on the platform of lack of credible elections.

“PDP banks on rigging, they banks on writing of results and over time, we have known their

gimmicks and we are prepared to match them.

“We are also relying on the promises given by the INEC that this time around, biometric accreditation will be introduced and that will enhance the credibility of the elections in terms of reaching out to the grassroots.

“Everybody wants a change in Enugu State. They want a change from lack of accountability. They want a change from corruption.

They also want a change from the suffering of the people.

“Our youths are not employed. Our children study under the Mango trees. Our hospitals do not exist and somebody says there is government in Enugu State. There has been no government in Enugu for a long time.”

He assured that if voted into power, he would among other things introduce free education.

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NEWS No pact on zoning in Rivers, says Wike

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•Senator Oluremi Tinubu (middle) and Leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Lagos Central Senatorial District during her visit to thank them for their support for her first term and indication of interest to return to the senate for second term at Lagos Island Local Government, Lagos.

Navy arrests barge for ‘stealing’ N1b crude oil From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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HE Central Naval Command in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, has arrested a barge, MT Dera 1, for allegedly stealing 66,000 barrels of crude oil estimated at N1 billion.

The navy also arrested nine suspected oil thieves on board the vessel.

The suspects were apprehended at Eremor oil field in Eremor, off Brass River, in Ekeremor Local Government Area.

MT Dera 1 was said to belong to an oil exploration and production company.

The company reportedly drilled an oil well in the area from where the vessel was loaded.

The activities of the company were said to have been conducted without the prerequisite approvals from the Navy headquarters.

It was learnt that the company towed the barge to the area for product testing, using a tugboat.

But it was said to have illegally loaded the vessel with 66,000 barrels (11 million) litres of crude oil.

Parading the nine-member crew at the weekend, the Commanding Officer, Commodore Salisu Jubril, put the market value of the crude oil at over N1 billion.

Jubril said the activities of the exploration company were not approved by the Nigerian Navy.

The commanding officer said naval operatives on patrol apprehended the vessel and its crew members at 6pm last Thursday.

He said: “Our men on patrol on Thursday, around 18.00 hours (6pm) arrested the vessel, MT Dera 1, which we found to have substance suspected to be crude oil, about 66,000 barrels on board.

“The company is supposed to be testing for production and it already had this quantity on board.

“So, their activities are supposed to have been given due approval from the Presidency and the Petroleum Resources Ministry through Naval headquarters. And they are supposed to have papers on board which, of course, they could not tender.

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EPZ crisis deepens as Ijaw, Itsekiri maintain hard stance

HE possibility of resolving the internecine ethnic crisis stalling the takeoff of the $16 billion Export Processing Zone (EPZ) appeared dimmed as the Ijaw and the Itsekiri sides looked set for a confrontation.

The Ijaw of Gbaramatu and Ogulagha kingdoms opposed the takeoff of the project, insisting that the land ownership and community interest arrangements in the operations of the project must be revisited.

They insisted that they own 70 per cent of the land, which had been named after Ogidigben, an Itsekiri community.

Ogidigben is part of Ugborodo. The community had claimed that not less than 2,560 hectares of the 2,860.89 hectares projects belonged to it. The people challenged the Ijaw to show where its 70 per cent fell.

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

But efforts to sort out the misunderstanding met a brick-wall last week as both parties at an Ijaw/Itsekiri parley in Warri, Delta State, refused to shift grounds.

An earlier meeting with the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, concluded that the two parties should meet to find a common ground on which the Federal Government would work.

But after three meetings in Warri, the two sides could not reach an agreement.

Each had been accusing the other of not willing to pursue peace and claiming to what do not belong to it.

Spokesman of the Ugborodo/EPZ Interface

Committee, Alex Eyengho, who spoke with our reporter in Warri at the weekend, accused the Ijaw of taking undue advantage of their link with President Goodluck Jonathan and Mrs AlisonMadueke.

Eyengho also accused President Jonathan of lacking the will power to resolve the crisis.

According to him, there was evidence that the Ijaw were just fomenting trouble because there were documents that proved the ownership of the land for the project.

But one of the negotiators of the Ijaw of Gbaramatu, Clement Tonfawei, accused the Itsekiri of trying to cheat his people of what rightfully was theirs.

He said until their Itsekiri neighbours allowed

reason to prevail, there would be no way forward.

On the situation of things, Eyengho said: “There was indeed no resolution. We’ve met three times since we came from Abuja and we could not arrive at any resolution. They (Itsekiri) are holding on to their position and we are holding on to our position.

So, we are taking it back Abuja.

“The problem here is not the Itsekiri, but the Ijaw, who are trying to take advantage of the fact that Jonathan is an Ijaw man and Mrs Alison-Madueke is an Ijaw woman. We have said we will not even allow Gbaramatu to reflect; that will be crossing our red line.

We have drawn a red line for them and naming the project Gbaramatu will mean crossing the red line of the Ugborodo and the Itsekiri.

That is our position.”

IVERS State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has said he never participated in any meeting where the zoning of the governorship ticket was agreed upon.

The aspirant said he joined the governorship race in a collective interest of Rivers residents.

Wike spoke in Port Harcourt, the state capital, at an interactive session with PDP stakeholders.

The former minister of State for Education challenged anyone with the records of such an agreement to make it public.

He stressed that the claims by some politicians on the matter were their personal opinions.

Wike said his associates and supporters were in the 23 local government areas, adding that he would win the PDP governorship primary and the election next year.

IPMAN crisis threatens fuel supply in Delta From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

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VENTS at the Warri, Delta State, depot of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) may lead to fuel scarcity in Delta State.

There is a worsening leadership crisis in the association.

An inauguration ceremony of the association’s executives was published in some dailies last week.

But the development allegedly bypassed a statutory election, as required by the body’s constitution.

Amaechi has laid solid foundation in Rivers, says Peterside

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship hopeful in Rivers State, Dakuku Adol Peterside, has said Governor Chibuike Amaechi has laid a formidable foundation of service delivery in the state.

The aspirant said he would perform well, if he got the party’s ticket ahead of next year’s election.

Peterside spoke at the weekend when he addressed APC supporters at Kono Waterfront after he collected his permanent voter’s card (PVC) at Opobo Town Ward 3.

He said: “I want to express appreciation to Governor Amaechi, who made efforts to make Rivers State great.

He is a visionary leader, who came and transformed the state. He has laid a solid foundation for me.

“I am extremely surprised to meet you (supporters) of Kono here because I did not contact anybody to gather you here to meet with me.

But I believe you heard that I was coming home and that I would pass through this route to my town, Opobo.

That was why you gathered here to receive me.

“Let me remind you all that Kono and Opobo have been two neighbouring towns which share common interests. I am very sure that

Peterside seeks Abe’s, others’ cooperation

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LL Progressives Congress (APC) consensus governorship candidate for the 2015 election in Rivers State, Dakuku Adol Peterside, has urged other chieftains of the party to support him.

The aspirant promised to always work with them for the progress of the state and the party.

In a statement yesterday by the Rivers APC Chairman Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, the aspirant stressed that he respected Senator Magnus Abe because he was a brother he held in high esteem.

Peterside said: “I am grateful to God, to our leader, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and to our great party, the APC, nearly every Opobo indigene has a family in Kono. I know that if I come to Kono, Kono indigenes will receive me into their homes. I think this is a time that every Kono individual should begin to kneel down and thank God for locating us.”

The APC governorship aspirant promised that his administration, if voted into power, would eliminate poverty and build on the economic potential of the state to achieve a better life for Rivers residents.

“When we assume power in 2015, I will wipe out poverty. I will ensure that the economic potential is realistic in building a new Rivers

for finding me worthy to be tipped as consensus candidate ahead of our state primary election. I am humbled by their choice and wish to assure that I will always do my best to justify their confidence in me.

“Those who are trying to sow the seeds of discord between me and my elder brother, Senator Magnus Abe, have already failed. Distinguished Senator Abe is not only my friend and elder brother but has also been my close ally in most of the strategic planning we have done in the Amaechi political family. So, it is a given that he will be at the centre of our march to the Brick House. I have visited and had brotherly discussions with him. Together we will shame our detractors and claim that which God has destined us to be.”

State. I believe we can do this with the help of God. All we need is to give our leadership immense support. We will build on the foundation of Governor Amaechi. In this journey, everybody has a role to play.

“Everything begins with a step, and the first step you will take is to go and obtain your voter cards. It is your power to determine your leaders in 2015. Don’t subject yourselves to any bribe. It will fail you from the determination of your future. I urge you all to play your part. Promise me that you will not disappoint me. Rivers people should trust me. I mean, I owe you a responsi-

bility.”

The APC aspirant also promised to attract investors to the state and ensure transparency in the affairs of the state with the fear of God. Peterside said: “I will attract investments to Rivers State. So, everybody will come and join us to develop the state. We will work with the fear of God. I am a son of God and I will account to God and man through transparency, decency, honesty.

All of us must work together; our strength is our unity.”

He urged members of Kono Youth Vanguard and APC supporters in Ogoniland to enlighten their followers to vote him in the 2015 elec-

tions.

At the Ward 3 polling unit in Opobo, Peterside said the PVC was an important document about leadership.

The aspirant urged Rivers residents to collect their PVCs and vote him in next year.

Peterside said: “This is a very important civic duty. I want to encourage everybody to be part of it. A development of this nature rests on leadership. Rivers State needs the kind of leadership to accelerate development and we need to obtain our PVC to maintain the needed change.

“We want leaders, who will pursue our desires and aspirations. Our leaders should see an election as a necessary obligation to choose leaders who will build a great nation. That means selfless sacrifice.

“I urge all Rivers men and women, who feel that we can develop on the foundation of Governor Amaechi, to get their PVCs and vote for us. We can build on that to develop our dream. With what I have seen today, if it is what is happening in other polling units across the state, then, we should say INEC is working. And it means votes will count.”

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MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Former Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government Umana Umana has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a ceremony in Uyo, the state capital, witnessed by APC leaders and a large crowd of supporters.

Correspondent KAZEEM IBRAHYM writes on the implication if the defection for the ruling party and next general elections.

APC National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu (holding microphone) addressing party supporters at the reception for the Akwa Ibom ex-SSG, Umana Okon Umana. With him on the podium from left are: APC governorship aspirants in Akwa Ibom State, Sam Ewang; Umana: a chieftain of the party; National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; Chief Oghonnaya Onu and others.

Umana’s defection alters 2015 calculations in Akwa Ibom

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ROOMS fill the air In Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State. The large crowd of support ers had a message for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): the party will not remain the same, following the defection of former Secretary to Government Umana Umana to the All Progressives Congress (APC). No fewer than 30,000 supporters across the three senatorial districts defected along with the politician.

Many believed that the defection of Umana will define the political direction of the state, ahead of next year’s polls. The Asan Ibibio Ground, the venue of the cross-over rally, was filled to the brim. As early as 10am, party faithful had converged, singing and dancing.

Big wigs who defected along with the former SSG include two former ministers, Dr. Ime Okopido and Obong Rita Akpan, who are founding member of the PDP. Other defectors include Otuekong Sunny Jackson from Uyo Senatorial District, former treasurer of the defunct All Nigeria peoples Party (PDP) and member of the House of Assembly, Dr. Morris Ebong, Linus Akpan, an engineer, Obong Cyril Ekiko, a former lawmaker, Okon Uwa, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly; Uwem Udoma; Dr Chris Ekong, a former commissioner, Chief Sonny Udom, a the former member of the House of Representatives and Obong Imo Isemin, wife of the former governor.

Others were former Commissioner Dr. Emem Wills, former Special Adviser Sammy Frank, Clement Bassey former commissioner and former member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Emmanuel Obot, former member of House of Representatives, Chief Okon Ekanem, a former Permanent Secretary; Chief Victor Iyanam, and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Bishop Asuquo Ekanem.

Umana and other defectors were received by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, the National Leader, his deputy, Chief Segun Oni, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential aspirants former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sam Nda-Isaiah.

The rally was witnessed by Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso, his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi, the Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Hilliard Eta. Oyegun his in address to party faithful said APC is confident of victory in the next year poll in Akwa Ibom State, saying with the coming of APC on board, the development which has eluded the people for long, would come.

‘The ruling party and the Presidency have failed to listen to the concern of the elders. Governor Akpabio wants to install himself as a third term governor through a pseudo arrangement. Today’s event has proven that APC is on the part of winning Akwa Ibom State in 2015’

Also, the APC Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, urged Nigerians and Akwa Ibom people to unite and rescue the state from the ruling PDP next year. He said: “Make sure there is a change in the next election. Whoever is you candidate, the persons who wins should be supported.”

Another APC Presidential aspirant, Sam NdaIsaiah, said it has become necessary for Nigerians to ensure they vote out PDP in the next general election.

Oyegun told the electorate to equip themselves with their voter’s cards, which he described as the only instrument needed to sweep PDP out of power. He said that with the coming of Umana and others into the party, the train of change has begun in the state.

He critisised the PDP-led government for abhorring corruption and using the security agencies to attack the opposition. His words: “Many of you who don’t have the voters’ cards must go and have the voters’ cards. The voter’s card is your weapon for change. How many of you are happy with the level of corruption in this country?

“Corruption is the sole reason that education has collapsed, that health is collapsing, it is the sole reason that our roads are not looked after. It is the sole reason for the problem we are having in the country today. In APC we have zero tolerance for corruption.

“Another duty we owe to the youth of this country is to provide them with jobs. We have worked out our programmes to achieve these.

“Now we are going to have a third colossus like Umana in APC after having former Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Senator James Udoedehe and former Military Administrator of both Ogun and Rivers state, Sam Ewang. Strong people like Umana are just discovering that they have been working for a party that is destroying this country. Umana should demonstrate how he can use the broom to sweep the destroyer.”

Even the Akwa Ibom State APC chairman, Dr. Amadu Attai, in his speech, bemoaned the level of corruption in the PDP-led government, saying the last seven years of PDP in the Akwa Ibom state has been fraudulent and traumatic for the people.

Attai decried that despite the oil-money, Akwa Ibom is still one of the poorest states in the country, this he said, would stop as soon as APC takes over the mantle of leadership in 2015.

He said: “We have been suffocated by the government of the PDP. The state is the richest but the people are the poorest since Akpabio took over the mantle of leadership.

He said presently, there are 48 million young Nigerians without jobs. He asked Nigerians to vote for APC candidates as the party, saying the party is ready to turn the misfortune of Nigerians caused by PDP miss-governance around with god policies.

He said: “The time to change has come and Nigerians must seize the opportunity to vote out PDP government.”

Another chieftain of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said with the coming election, time has come for Nigerians to deliver themselves.

Onu said nobody is happy the way things are in the country and prayed for God’s grace to enable the party win next year and turn things around for the good of all in the country.

In his words, the national Vice Chairman of the party for the South/South region, Prince Hillary Etta, said majority in Akwa Ibom have taken a stand to secure change for the suffering of the people.

He said though President Jonathan is from the Southsouth, he has failed to impact Akwa Ibom and indeed Nigerians in any meaningful way.

Umana, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, asked PDP to return his N11million he used to purchase the nomination form for the governorship race.

Umana said he decided to seek the mandate of Akwa Ibom people to serve as governor on the platform of the APC because the party offered the people the freedom to elect leaders of their choice without the undemocratic practice of imposition by a single person or a political cabal.

He promised to lead an administration, if elected, whose priority would be job creation, industrialisation, war against poverty and unemployment; investment in quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and other forms of people empowerment.

With Unana and others PDP bigwigs finally in APC, the coming months will be interesting politically in the oil-rich state between the party and PDP.

“The ruling party and the Presidency have failed to listen to the concern of the elders.

Governor Akpabio wants to install himself as a third term governor through a pseudo arrangement. Today’s event has proven that APC is on the part of winning Akwa Ibom State in 2015.”

In his remarks, Asiwaju Tinubu, called for ‘common sense revolution’ to end the PDP ‘misrule’.

He said that when God wanted to deliver the people of Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh He gave the Israelites instructions through their leader, Moses and they took their destiny in their hands and their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage of over 400 years was secured.

He said the way to start the revolution is for the people getting their voters’ card from INEC and be ready to vote for the agent of change symbolized by the APC in the coming general elections next year.

He said: “Your voters’ card is the weapon for common sense revolution. The common sense revolution is not by bloodshed. It is about voters’ card. Ensure that you get it from INEC to change the government in Abuja and other states not controlled by the APC. Tinubu explained that with Umana and his supporters joining APC and working with people like Senator John Udoedehe, Captain Sam Ewang and others, the Akwa Ibom people are on the way to delivering the state from impunity that has rocked the state all these years.

The national leader also said APC would make the people the cornerstone of their policies and programmes.

Tinubu also recalled how Senator James Udoedehe went to jail in the hands of the PDPled government in the state during the 2011 general elections.

He said: “John Udoedehe suffered, he went to jail and almost got killed in the hands of the PDP government. I am happy to see him stand here today with another of our brother Umana.

Both of you must join hands together in Unity.”

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THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

RACE TO 2015

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We do not lay claim to monopoly of knowledge. Rather, we are prepared to listen to others and consult other party leaders and members from time to time. We will not be sectional but we will be sensitive to the different backgrounds and orientations of party members

Prince Gboyega Famodun recently emerged as the Chairman of the Osun State All Progressives Congress. In his inaugural speech, he unfolded his vision for the chapter and highlighted the challenges that will confront the stakeholders, ahead of next year’s polls. Excerpts

Famodun: We ‘ll make Osun APC better’

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WANT to commence by thanking you all for the confidence reposed in me and the entire executive to steer the affairs of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in our dear state.

To us, it is both an opportunity and a challenge.

It is an opportunity to put our hands on the plough in steering our great party to the next level. It is a challenge because, the task ahead is daunting. It is a pleasant challenge though to sweat and labour for our great party until the APC reaches the Promised Land at all levels. Ours will be a commonwealth, to which everyone contributes and from which everyone benefits. With the support of all of you, we will not labour in vain.

What we are experiencing in our party in Osun this time is unique in the sense that, for the very first time in the history of any party, all the governors that have ever ruled the state have congregated in the APC. From the first executive governor, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, to our father and former National Chairman of our great party, Chief Bisi Akande, and the immediate past governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and our indefatigable governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, we are blessed as a party with a cream of experienced leaders from whose well of knowledge we will draw in running the affairs of our great party.

To be sure, political actors from both the progressive and the conservative folds have put resources together to upstage political forces that by their actions only make spurious references to democracy but are indeed undemocratic in their words and deeds. The formation of the APC has once again showed that democrats from different ideological backgrounds are determined to work together to ensure that the electorates are no longer taken for granted by the forces of evil that have held this nation hostage at the federal level since the onset of this Fourth Republic.

The APC, under our leadership, with the support of all and sundry, is well positioned to continue to mobilize men and women in the onerous task of ensuring that the forces of evil are completely rooted out. Our executive will be

• Famodun

proactive, and will not wait until things get out of hand before thinking of what action to take. We understand that the party executives constitute the engine room through which party policies are espoused and promoted.

We shall provide the gateway for ensuring people’s continuous confidence in our great party. You have enthroned a leadership that will continue to sell the party to the people until the whole state is taken over. We will pre-occupy ourselves with how to manage our recent success at the polls and translate the recent show of support displayed by the populace to full party membership.

My distinguished party leaders and members, we are well aware that party leadership is a serious affair. We want to assure you all that we are well tutored in the art of organization and mobilization of men and resources.

We are resolved as true democrats to ensure

openness, democracy, and a level-playing field within our party. We will defend our party’s position in rain and sunshine, in the open and in the secret. We do not lay claim to monopoly of knowledge. Rather, we are prepared to listen to others and consult other party leaders and members from time to time. We will not be sectional but we will be sensitive to the different backgrounds and orientations of party members. We will build the structures of our party into a functional party machine to meet the challenges of political battles of the present age. I make bold to say without any equivocation that there is room enough for everyman to contribute his views but not enough room for anyone to dominate. However, opinions of our leaders will be sought and respected.

Great and distinguished party leaders and members, we have a dream-a dream of a party of millions of men ready to lay down their lives to ensure that we are no longer robbed by destroyers but rather ensure that the welfarism and good governance of Governor Aregbesola continue unabated until development becomes irreversible. It goes without saying that our people in the state of Osun are now reaping the dividends of democracy.

To conclude, this executive will among others be all inclusive and carry everybody along without discrimination to ensure a level-playing field for all aspirants to political offices in our party; enthrone sound organisational structure and accountability within the party; and cooperate with the governor and his team to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy. It would also ensure an open-door policy that will enable all party members access to the secretariat to raise questions, make complaints, offer advices and volunteer; mobilize and raise fund for the running of the party; ensure internal democracy within the party; engage in issue-based discussion and opposition while avoiding politics of bitterness; research and defend the positions of the party wherever the need arises; organize regular training for party workers and candidates; conduct regular opinion polls on party strengths to inform planning and actions and consult with party leaders from time to time as the need arises.

Legor Idagbo, a lawyer and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Cross River State, spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on his vision for the state.

‘Why I want to succeed Imoke’

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OW democratic is the governorship nomination process in Cross River PDP? At the outset of the race, we were more than 20 aspirants. So, what the party leadership did was to ensure that the caucuses in all the local government areas were to screen and evaluate all the aspirants. Besides, the caucuses at the local government level, there were also caucuses at the senatorial zones. These caucuses were made up of party stalwarts from all the local governments. The caucuses gave opportunities to all the aspirants to showcase their visions, blueprint and development plans for Cross River State.

The process was transparent, free, fair and democratic. At the end of the day, five aspirants were shortlisted. So, now we are five in the race. They are a few aspirants who did not make the list, but they went ahead to purchase the nomination forms and they are now in the race. Nobody stopped them. They have been going on with their campaign unhindered, without any form of harassment. It is preposterous for anybody to say that there is no internal democracy in the Cross River State PDP. The party has been transparent and democratic in all its processes.

The caucus arrangement was designed to allow the people take ownership of the democratic process. To what extent was this achieved?

The people have indeed taken owner of the process because now they have had the opportunity to hear out the aspirants who presented themselves before them. They had the opportunity to assess everybody that aspires to serve them and they came out with their assessment of the aspirants. So, I think, to a very large extent, the people have taken ownership of the democratic process in the state.

The campaigns are characterised by bitterness. What is your view?

What is happening is that some indigenes that were not resident in Cross River are returning because they have some connections out there and they have money to spend. They are trying to undermine the will of the people, by subverting justice and the will of the people. The people have decided, but a few non-resident politicians think that they can make nonsense of what thousands of Cross Riverians have decided.

Why do you want to succeed Governor Liyel Imoke?

Governor Liyel Imoke has been able to build consensus, strong leadership institution. He established a regime of transparency in the state and today, the state has one of the best procurement agencies in the Nigeria. I want to give credit to the former Governor Donald Duke for this. Even though the state was left in huge debt, Imoke has been able to wade through the challenges and move the state forward, despite the loss of oil wells and the loss of Bakassi. So, the question that should be asked is, moving forward, what needs to be done? I come from the background of being the secretary of my local government, two-term chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Area, chairman of ALGON in Cross River State, Commissioner for Works. I came from the grassroots and have related with the people down to the top. I believe it is time we took government to the people; it is time we transformed all these achievements into sustainable wealth creation for the people. We have to invest in human development. We need to begin to look at the people. We have

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‘Yobe PDP needs rescue operation’ From Duku Joel, Damaturu

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OBE State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have said that the chapter needs a rescue operation to survive.

They alleged that its arrowhead and Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdul Bulama, is not offering an effective leadership.

The youths warned that the fortunes of the party would nosedive, unless the state party leader emulate the steps taken by the National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, on reconciliation.

The concerned youths, led by Abubakar Adamu, told reporters in Damaturu, the state capital, that Bulama’s attitude is making the ruling APC to garner more support as the fortunes of the PDP continues to diminish.

He said: “I think President Jonathan needs to know that the PDP in Yobe State is into another bad time again. We felt that our minister, who is the leader of the party in the state, will carry everybody along, especially considering the moves by our National Chairman, Adamu Mauzu, to salvage the party.

Unfortunately, Dr. Bulama is not a politician and he is not ready to learn from people on ground.

“We want the minister to realise that the party is very important to us and we are committed to working for its success in 2015 with the right leadership. But, Dr. Bulama has so far failed to do this” Yobe PDP has three factions, which revolve around Adamu Waziri and Yerima Nagama.

The third faction comprises of leaders outside the two factions.

However, the minister’s media aide, Hassan Gimba Ahmed, said that his principal is working very hard for victory in next year’s elections.

Gimba said Bulama is forging unity and harmony and carrying all the stakeholders along He said: “Those accusing Dr. Bulama are not fair to him. The minister is working very hard to ensure electoral victories for the party in Yobe state at all levels. For the first time in the history of the party, the minister hosted a successful stakeholders meeting in Damaturu with all the leaders in attendance.”

I will step down for consensus candidate, says Hamidu From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

A

• Idagbo

witnessed so much infrastructural development. The present administration has constructed so many rural roads from the creeks of Bakassi to the hills of Obanliku. In our urban renewal programmes, so many kilometers of roads were constructed from Calabar to Ogoja. Now, we need to ensure that all these impact positively on the lives of people and transform the economies of the various rural areas.

We need to ensure that the life of an average farmer is transformed from subsistence to commercial. All these can only be achieved through people-oriented policies of a government. This is where I come in. The people believe that I have what it takes to do all these to transform their lives. I would retain the seven-point Agenda of the present administration, but I would move it a step further aimed at wealth creation for Cross Riverians.

N governorship aspirant in Zamfara State, Alhaji Saghir Hamidu, has promised to step down for any consensus candidate selected by stakeholders.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said, since consensus candidacy is part of democracy, he will embrace the option, if it is the wish of the party.

The politician said religion will not shape thhe the election in the state.

He promised to focus on education, agriculture and youth development, if elected as the ghovernor. He also promise to construct an airport to enhance socio-economic activities.

Hamidu said: “Out of the 10.5 million children out of school in Nigeria, Zamfara State has one million. We can’t continue to watch, something has to be done before the figure escalates, I will work to establish functional vocational training centres to support youths with viable ideas.”

Reflecting on the dwindling internally generated revenue, he said efforts must be made to expamd the revenue base.

He added: “States can’t continue to rely on dwindling federal allocation, we must start to look inwards, the IGR is too small to breach the shortfall from federal allocations, we must explore the gold resources available in the state to develop our citizens.

“Zamfara state does not encourage investors, the absence of airport in the state is driving investors away, we need to work on creating one.”

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

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The tragedy of government in Nigeria is that people just sit down on their chairs and wait for federal allocation to come

RACE TO 2015

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Youths back Jonathanfor second term From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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OUNG business entrepreneurs who were assisted with funding and training under the Federal Government’s youth empowerment programme have formed campaign group for the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The youths under the auspices of the Nigerian Young Entrepreneurs said over 5,400 have been empowered by the Federal Government under the ‘YouWin Programme.’

They promised to secure over 2.5 million votes for President Goodluck Jonathan at the poll.

Speaking in Abuja, the group’s Director of Media, Mr. Bello Muritala, listed some of the programmes being implemented by President Jonathan to include, the launching of Venture Capital Fund and the provision of N220 billion to support small and medium scale businesses.

Others include the launching of Nangrooreneur to empower about 750,000 Nigerians in self employment, launching of new Automobile policy and the disbursement of special intervention fund through the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria Agriculture Intervention Fund.

Bello also praised President Jonathan for promoting the entertainment industry, through the Project Advancing Creativity and Technology (PACT) in collaboration with Nollywood. According to Muritala through the synergy with Nigerian entertainment industry, the sector has been provided with a N3 billion grant to further help the development of the sector.

In the same vein, Bello said the government has thought the implementation of the Sure-P scheme, been able to engage 320,000 youth’s useful activities.

He said the group is interested in collaborating with the government to make life better for the people.

Muritala said: “Out of the system that is good, there are still curtains things that are good that needs to be encouraged. We believe the president has done something good and will need to be supported to do more.

“After considering all the achievements and the need for continuity to avoid policy somersaults the coordinating committee and over 400,000 of the Nigerian Young Entrepreneurs across the country hereby declare support for the re-election of President Jonathan.

“We hereby declare our support for the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan. We urge him to go ahead with his aspirations and we promise him nothing less than 2.5 million votes through our efforts across Nigeria.”

Many of the beneficiaries spoke on how the government intervention has impacted on their lives and how their new businesses have grown in the last two years after they got support from You-Win.

NANS warns against thuggery From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

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HEAD of the general elections, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has warned politicians to desist from hiring students as thugs. It said students could be meaningful engaged in the planning and implementation of campaign manifestos and programmes.

The student body threatened to expose politicians involved in conscripting students and other youths to execute violence during elections.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Union Government, Imo State Polytechnic, Ezekiel Nwankwo, NANS also condemned the recent killing of “harmless” students of the Government Science School in Potiskum. It added. “We state that nothing could be more dastardly and wicked and we condemn it in its entirety”.

The statement added further that, “our bond of unity and brotherhood should be made stronger by this act rather than weakened.

Boko Haram should look into the future and see the futility of their fight against the unity of Nigeria”.

The students however, praised the gallantry of the security agencies in combating the insurgency, despite obvious poor service conditions, assuring that NANS will continue to support the military in its effort to end the killing of innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram insurgents.

Group wants more slots for women

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GROUP, Development in Practice (DIP), has called on stakeholders and political parties to accommodate more women in politics.

The call was made at the Udoka Housing Estate, Awka, where it held its women s forum.

The event was presided over declared open by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mrs. Ojobo Atuluku.

Atuluku charged participants to make use of political opportunities and pass the advocacy messages to the public to enable more women participate in the political process in future.

She called on governments to address the low capacity of poor and marginalized citizens, especially, rural adolescents and women.

The legal luminary noted that the aim of the programe was to achieve improved social, economic and political well being and better quality services across Anambra state.

Atuluku said: “The progress ratio is to address the urgent need to meet the high level of marginalization and poverty which persists in Nigeria due to poor governance and ineffective services”.

“The sustainable improvements can be achieved by both governments and community’s capacity to act by addressing factors that drive on-going state governments’ accountability and responsiveness.”

Ezea (left) submitting his nomination form to APC National Organising Secretary Senator Osita Izunaso at the National Secretariat, Abuja..

Okechukwu Ezea, a lawyer, is a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State. He spoke on his ambition with TONY AKOWE, shortly after submitting his nomination form at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja.

Ezea: APC can’t be underrated in Enugu

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NUGU PDP has zoned its gov ernorship ticket to Enugu North where you hail from.

Can you beat the PDP candidate, if given the APC ticket?

I am very much prepared for this battle. I have gone through the battle before and I know that the PDP is not as popular as people claim in Enugu State and in Igboland generally. The problem is that they have always excelled on the platform of not credible elections in our state.

The PDP banks on rigging and on writing of results and over time, we have known their gimmicks and we are prepared to match them and we are also relying on the promises made by the INEC that this time around, we are going to have Biometric accreditation and that will enhance the credibility of the elections in terms of reaching out to grassroots. Everybody want change in Enugu state. They want a change from non accountability; they want a change corruption, they also want a change from the suffering of the people. All our youths are not employed, our children school under the Mongo trees, our hospital do not exist and somebody say their is government in Enugu state, there is no government in Enugu for a long time.

What are those things that you are bringing on board?

What I am bringing on board is change in every aspect of life. We are introducing free education to the state, we are going to introduce medical care to the aged, children and pregnant women. We are going to bring about policies that will enhance job creation for our young men, because there are many institutions in Enugu state producing thousands of many young men and women who do not get employed, meanwhile PDP government is busy squandering billions of Naira that come to the state. From our last

analysis of allocation, Enugu state supposed to have collected about N544 billions in the last eight years and there is nothing to show for it.

If you check papers today, they are talking of bad roads in many part of the state.

How do you intend to finance these projects when you come into office?

The tragedy of government in Nigeria is that people just sit down on their chairs and wait for federal allocation to come. Governors and the policy makers should wear their thinking cap and begin to talk of how to generate revenue through investment that is regenerative, not tax the people and making the life more difficult for the people by going to impose tax on somebody riding motorcycle, if somebody has money to buy radio you impose tax on it and so on, instead of you to

tackle the leakages in the system, stop buying of vehicles and the property for concubines alone, it would bring down the expenses of government and they will have more money to attend to the needs.

How visible is the APC in Enugu state?

You cannot underrate the APC in Enugu State. I wnat to you that the propaganda from the state governor that there is no opposition party in Enugu is only on the pages of Newspapers. I personally have ran the opposition party in Enugu state in the last eight years, I contested under the Labour Party (LP) in 2007 and defeated Sullivan Chime, and I have continue to maintain our position that we do accept the policies and practices of the PDP in Enugu state, we are all over the place and our structure is on the ground.

‘Why I want to represent Ikpoba-Okha/Egor’

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RETIRED naval officer, Andrew Agbonwanegbe, who is contesting for the House of Representatives in IkpobaOkha/Egor Constituency, has promised to uplift rural communities, if elected.

The All Progressive Congress chieftain appealed to the party leadership to adhere to its promise to provide a level-playing field for aspirants at the primaries.

He advised the party to present the best candidate on the basis of his credibility, accessibility and loyalty.

Agbonwanegbe promised to bring his experience and education to bear on legislative duties and foster as by-partisan relationship that will lead to the passages of bills that will impact positively on the constituency.

He promised to initiate bills on effective health care delivery, electricity, water, and infrastructural de-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

velopment The aspirant said: ‘’One thing you must give to the APC is that it is a fair party. It is only for everybody,s interest for that to happened. I don’t think we are going to look at others and do the same thing.

“Once you get out of fairness you bring out rancor and that is not good for the contest ahead, we are going to hold the party on its promise to provide level play ground for all’’ “We have paid our dues. We have helped to built the structures and helped to stabilize the party. I believe the APC will field its best. I come with fresh hands. You have to be accessible, credible and loyal. I have enough education and experience. We will make our party proud.

This is contest between brothers and sisters. The people know that we mean well.”

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

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RACE TO 2015 Why Nigerians should vote APC, by Tafida From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

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OKOTO State All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Alhaji Abdullahi Aminu Tafida has called on Nigerians to vote for change in 2015.

“We have to liberate ourselves from the bondage of failures, insecurity and backwardness,” he said.

Speaking to reporters in Sokoto, Tafida, a businessman, said Nigerians should vote for the APC for the change to occur.

He noted that the North has been thrown into a sorry situation by few selfish persons.

Tafida added: “This is the time to come together and face a common direction to salvage the country.”

Commenting on governor Wamakko’s senatorial bid, Tafida described the

• Wamakko

governor’s aspiration as apt, in view of his leadership qualities. “ He is one politician that has been tested and confirmed to be worthy of making genuine representation in the Senate. “ He has made Sokoto state and Nigeria proud especially in recent time of politiking. “ Wamakko is united at heart and dependable in trust for leadership and a liberator in the northwest like his colleagues”, he noted.

He appealed to the people of Sokoto State to support the party, to take Nigerians out of the woods.

Dahiru: Tambuwal not a threat From Tony Akowe

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OKOTO State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspir-ant Senator Umaru Dahiru has said that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s ambition will not affect his chance of picking the ticket for the general elections.

Senator Dahiru, who submitted his nomination form at the National a Secretariat, told reporters that he is in the race to improve on the achievement of the APC government in the state.

He said the government has achieved a lot in the last four years, adding that the successor should be a matured person who can sustain the legacies.

He said Tambuwal’s governorship ambition is his legitimate right, adding that the number of contenders has now risen to eight.

He dismissed the idea of anointing a candidate for the position, pointing out that he was confident that the people of the state are determined to have a free and fair shadow poll.

Dahiru said: “As I made mention at one time, I want to improve on the works of the current governor because he has done perfectly well and I want to improve on it. I believe Sokoto need more to be done and I believe I have the capacity to do much more than what is already on the ground.

“I want to improve on areas like education, healthcare, infrastructure and so many other areas. We need to do alot and of course, you know that youth unemployment is there as a big challenge nationwide and in Sokoto in particular, it is a raal challenge. The issue of women empowerment is also there; but I believe if I am given the mantle of leadership, I will improve on what is now on the ground” He added: “You know if people want to be wherever they want you to be you have to respond and people are calling me to come and respond in that capacity and I believe I have to answer to their call.

“I can never be threatened by anybody. He is not and can never be a threat to me. I believe that nobody can play God. It is for Hod to decide who become the flag bearer of the party” On Tambuwal entering the race, he said: “He is welcome.

All we want is a free and fair election, there is nothing to be worried about and I believe he will concede if he get defeat at the primaries and equally I will do the same, and it is not only Tambuwal and me but we are now eight in number”.

He added: “Anybody can claim that, anybody can say it but the people of Sokoto will determine and not anybody and I keep on saying it nobody can determine my political aspiration if the people want it I am going to do it”.

• Dahiru

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I will run an open system of government where every citizen will have the right to propose an idea for consideration for the betterment of the people

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Eyes were not on him before. But, following the delegate congress, Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Emmanuel Georgewill bounce into reckoning. Members of his camp dominated the delegates’ list. But, can he get the ticket? EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the struggle of the aspirant from the riverrine area.

How PDP can bunce back in Rivers, by Georgewill

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IVERS State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspir ant Emmanuel Georgewill has said that the party can only bounce back, if a credible aspirant emerges as its flagbearer in next year’s election.

He said the recent ad hoc delegate election was an eye opener, warning that the party may lose its deposit, unless it puts its house in order.

During the delegate congress, the camp of former Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyensom Wike, was defeated by Georgewill’s men across the 16 local governments.

Before the exercise, aspirants had threatened to boycott the election, owing to Wike’s alleged handedness. Thus, his camp thought that the contest would be a walk over. But, Georgewill’s group, ‘The New Dawn,’ claimed that it has 620 delegates, to the surprise of Wike, who is perceived as the leading governorship aspirant.

After the delegate is election, other issues came to the front burner. The agitation for power shift was intensified. PDP elders reasoned that, if Wike becomes the flag bearer, it means that the slot will reside with the Ikwerre for 16 years, to the consternation of other ethnic groups, including Ijaw and Ogoni. Also, party elders suggested that the controversy generated by the disputed state and local government congresses should be resolved.

Apart from the PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, and the secretary,no other party position was upheld by the court order that sacked the Chief Godspower Ake led-executive.

A party source said that some elements in the party are mounting

• Georgewill

presssure on Wike to step down from the race. But, if the former minister accepts to step down, will Georgewill be anointed by stakeholders?

His campaign organisation has described him as a non-controversial politician. Georgewill, an engineer, rose to the position of Regional Manager at Corpro Systems Limited, United Kingdom. He is an expert in International Business Development and Management, Human Resources, Finance and Planning and Corporate Governance. In 2006, he founded CORTECH Oil Services Limited, a n oil servicing company that has gained reputation in subSahara Africa.

A very creative fellow with a sound analytical mind, Georgewill represented Rivers State on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) be-

tween 2009 and 2011. He a member of the G8 -- a group of businessmen and technocrats of Rivers origin that organised the first and internationally acclaimed Rivers State Investment Forum in 2011.

Georgewill, who unfolded his programmes to reporters in Lagos, promised to administer Rivers State like a limited liability company, adding that tangible socio-economic dividends would accrue to shareholders. He said he will use his private sector experience and entrepreneurial skills to bear on governance.

The aspirant said: “I have plan to develop the economy of the state as an agro-energy state and PortHarcourt City as the oil capital of the Gulf of Guinea.

“I will run an open system of government where every citizen will have the right to propose an idea for consideration for the betterment of the people. I will promote the vast opportunities in Rivers State through a well structured Rivers State Investment Promotion Council.”

Georgewill said that he is concerned about the image of the state.

He called for a re-branded Rivers State, which, in his view, should champion the Southsouth economic development for mutual benefit.

He added: “I will grow the economy and minimise risk. I will engage the Federal Government for resource allocation and strategic alliance to bring projects for the economic benefit of the people.

“I will set up Rivers State Research and Development Council as a think-tank for the long term socioeconomic benefit and strategic development of technical skill of youths as a way of strengthening the local capacity for industrialisation.”

‘We need credible candidates for elections’

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GROUP the Obokun/Oriade Solidarity Forum, has advo cated for credible candidates to represent the people of Ijesaland in the legislature.

The group is saddled with the responsibilities of picking a credible candidate from any party in Ijesa North Federal Constituency to represent the area in state and national assemblies.

The Coordinator of the group,

By Sina Fadare

Olusola Ojokunle, said the main objective of the forum is to source for credible representatives.

Ojokunle averred that the group is emphasising on sensitization of people in the federal constituency to adopt a better candidate that can lead and represent them.

He said the group is not working for political parties, but advocating

for the best candidate that would represent the aspiration and interest of the people.

Ojokunle said the group has set machineries in motion to sensitise the people on the need to choose a candidate of their choice.

The objective of the group, according to the coordinator, is to support a reliable candidate, that understand the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the constituency.

Niger Delta group threatens shutdown if Jonathan does not win

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GROUP, Eye of Niger Delta (END), has threatened to shutdown the Niger Delta, if President Goodluck Jonathan is not re-elected.

The group said nothing could stop him from wining the election next year.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, the group said it has uncovered plans by some northern leaders to betray President Jonathan.

The leader of the group, Comrade Tari Victor Ben, said the Niger Delta

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

is the key to Nigeria economy, adding that would not take it for granted if the President is not reelected.

He said President Jonathan has made a lot of sacrifice for Nigerians through his transformation agenda, adding that deserves the support of lovers of and democracy.

He said: “We are in the meeting today to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 reelection campaign, but we are also

aware of the scheming by some Northern leaders.

Jonathan represents the Niger Delta region.

Of course, without him as the President we will shutdown the region.

“It is now clear that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a blessing to the nation and the fruit of his transformation agenda is for everyone to see. His agenda to transform the nation affected all sectors of the economy. He also opened new federal universities and 124 Almajiri schools.

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Why Jonathan must return to Otuoke in 2015

No quick fix •CBN’s devaluation of the Naira failed to take a holisitic view of the economy

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T the end of its regular Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of last week Tuesday, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took some drastic measures to mitigate the impact of the falling oil prices on the nation’s economy, and specifically, to halt the run on the nation’s reserves. First, it resolved to move the exchange rate band from N150-160 to the dollar to an unprecedented N160176; second, it adjusted the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) – the industry benchmark interest rate – by 100 basis points from 12 to 13 percent; finally, it hiked banks’ cash reserve ratio (CRR) for private sector bank deposits from 15 percent to 20 percent.

CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele justified the measures on the grounds of low accruals into the nation’s foreign reserves as a result of falling oil prices; the continuing depletion of the reserves arising from the surge in demand for foreign exchange – developments which he noted, have constrained “the ability of the bank to continually defend the naira and sustain the stability of the naira exchange rate”.

We agree that in the face of the continuing uncertainty in oil prices, the measures have become somewhat pragmatic. Were there to be still lingering doubts about the negative impacts of the falling oil prices on the economy as a whole, the latest dip in the reserve by 5.1 percent from the previous month, and the five-month low of $37.17 billion ought to have provided more than mere warning

signs on the shape of things to come hence the drastic measures needed to halt the trend.

Unfortunately, if we worried at what we considered as continuing misdiagnosis of the problem by the fiscal authorities in our previous editorial, we are even now just as alarmed at the measures conceived by the monetary authorities to address the challenge. We refer to the pathetic failure to isolate the other part of the problem for effective remedial action in the face of the admission by the apex bank authorities that the current demand profile does not have any bearing on the genuine foreign exchange needs of the country. We expected the CBN to do more than bemoan the situation; it should have moved to identify those fuelling the surge without the resort to the devaluation tool as a rod of affliction to punish the innocent and the guilty.

At the risk of being misunderstood, we concede that the option of devaluation comes highly recommended at time of heightened demand pressure for foreign exchange and falling commodity prices.

If it amounts to much, it comes with the additional benefit of delivering more naira into the federation account without the need to pump an extra barrel of oil.

With the 36 states of the federation already chaffing under the impact of diminishing oil revenues, the option comes with the promise of bringing relief to their finances and those of the local governments in particular. The problem,

however, is that the apex bank appears to have deployed the tool in a manner that suggests a lack of sensitivity to the needs of the economy.

Besides, our peculiarly weak manufacturing/export base makes the practical benefits of devaluation particularly doubtful. In an environment where basic items of manufacture are imported and where the only ‘exports’ are unprocessed raw materials, including crude oil whose output is set by quota, what it does is suffer citizens to double jeopardy of being asked to pay more in the absence of an alternative.

More inexplicable however is that the apex bank would hike the MPC and the CRR rates – both of which effectively translates to hiking what is already prohibitively high cost of borrowing, and with it the possibility of further constricting the domestic economy.

Rather than superficial measures, what the current challenges call for are tailormade measures to give muscle to the local business. Boosting local capacities to diversify the economic base would seem a far more useful step to take than a thousand measures that leads nowhere.

‘The apex bank appears to have deployed the tool in a manner that suggests a lack of sensitivity to the needs of the economy’

NERC: Tariff hiking commission?

•Consumers are in for dark times ahead as another tariff hike takes effect this month

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LECTRICITY consumers in Nigeria must have concluded that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is set up for the sole purpose of increasing electricity tariff and inflicting pain on the consumer. And on the face of it, NERC does not seem to do anything else nor is it remembered for carrying out any regulatory functions since its inception about seven years ago.

NERC’s announcement last week of another tariff hike this month must have left the long-suffering Nigerian electricity consumer in deep angst. This is probably the third this year in a power environment that is rancid with graft, mindless opportunism, inadequate supply and shoddy service. The consumer is paying too much as it is and cannot see any justification for paying more.

But NERC cites a $1 increase in the price of gas to power plants as the major driver of this review. Other factors warranting this current tariff review include inflation, foreign exchange rate and power generation capacity.

Speaking during the meeting with industry stakeholders on the bi-annual minor review of the Multi-Year Tariff Order – 2 (MYTO), NERC vice chairman, Mr. Mohammed Bello rued the

‘Government should retrace its steps and approach its power reform programme with a modicum of transparency and accountability’

incongruence of a necessary upward review of tariff though power situation had yet to improve.

Bello noted: “From what I have seen in the initial report, not much has changed. The tariff review is a sensitive issue to the consumer who considers paying higher and not seeing improvement in electricity supply. But there is a general consensus that this is the way to go. By paying what is due this is how the power will begin to improve.”

Obviously the consumer is not part of this consensus and the new hike is bound to make him inconsolable, as he seems to have borne the brunt of what may be described as endless shenanigans in Nigeria’s power sector.

One year after the Federal Government divested substantially and privatized its interest in the power sector, situations have regressed in all the value chains of generation, transmission and distribution. While both the generation and distribution arms have been divested to private investors, transmission remains with the government under a lease management arrangement. Though this fundamental restructuring of the system was meant to engender market competitiveness and efficiency, the reverse has been the case.

Power generation target was set at 6000 mega watts (mw) at the beginning of the year. By August it was scaled down to 5000mw and now, as the year ends in a few days, even that will not be met.

Only 3,750mw is being generated currently and NERC will base its retail tariff for the next six months effective December 1, 2014 on this quantum of

generation. But the peak demand for power in the country now is estimated at 12,800mw.

Ironically, Transmission Company of Nigeria, (TCN) the firm solely responsible for this leg of the chain still does not have capacity to transmit even this meager 3,750mw. It is said that about 80mw of currently generated power still gets ‘stranded’ for lack of transmission capacity.

Distribution is another sordid tale of lack of commitment by the new owners to make fresh investment; refusal to upgrade to pre-paid meters and endless agitation for tariff increase.

The result is that so far, the privatization of Nigeria’s power sector has been a debacle with the consumer caught in a most insouciant matrix of the Federal Government and its cronies.

It is most unconscionable that government seems to be playing games with what is probably the most important infrastructure for growth and development. Since the era of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, it seems that the more funds sunk into the quest for electricity, the more it seems to require. Recently, N213 billion cheap fund was approved for these privatized firms by the government. Why would government throw taxpayers’ money to investors who have not shown any cause that they need such aid?

We aver that government should retrace its steps and approach its power reform programme with a modicum of transparency and accountability. Lest, we are in for a long night -- and there is a limit to the extortion the people can bear.

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IR: I do not think Nigeria has ever had it this bad.

Bomb blasts that used to sound so foreign to us as something that only happens in Iraq, Afghanistan has now become almost a daily occurrence so much so that our newspapers do not consider them worthy to be their screaming headlines anymore. Corrupt persons have become bolder in their debauchery that it seems there is a silent competition to see who or what organisation can loot and plunder the most. Security agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting Nigerians appear to have become an armed political wing of the ruling party. Nigeria has become akin to a ship sailing directionless with a drunken Captain, rudderless and in a fiery storm.

That some ordinary Nigerians still support this administration beats me hollow apart from career politicians, those that can be seen as government contractors, those that have benefited and continue to get their daily bread from this administration, big businessmen that policies of the government favour their businesses.

On the other hand, we have those who support this administration just because the President is their own, from the Niger Delta area that has long suffered government neglect, never mind that that the lives of the people haven’t improved in any significant way. Poverty is still rife, except perhaps ex-militants that have now become multi-billionaires due to government patronage. Environmental degradation hasn’t ceased either and so to them, it is a good thing that their son is President and he must complete his term.

This is just one of the mind-set of our people who to me are a big part of the problems bedevilling this country. All sorts of the ridiculous excuses are bandied about on why the President is not performing; that those against him are making him look bad. Then they point to his achievement in revitalizing the railways, rebasing the economy and that we are Africa’s largest economy and refer to the figures the likes of OkonjoIweala dishes out almost on a weekly basis about how millions of jobs have been created and millions more to be created due to some phantom government policies.

These lies are so bold and in your face that one begins to wonder if these government officials actually live in this same Nigeria or a different one, because the reality on ground is a stark contrast to the picture they have become really good artist at.

To be fair to President Jonathan, the problems of this country precedes his Presidency. The question is what has he done to stem the tides of maladministration?

May be he done his best, maybe his best is not just good enough. He does not possess the capabilities to govern a complex country like Nigeria. He has shown over and over again that he has not the clout, political sagacity and maturity to deal with diverse interests, and issues a president of a country like Nigeria needs to do well.

His style of leadership has further widened the divide of Nigerians along ethno-religious lines more than any other leader in the history of this nation. Missing funds, missing ships laden with oil are some of the absurdities that have now become commonplace. The insurgency in the north is getting worse with a part of the country already annexed by terrorists.

Jonathan may in fact be a good man; or at worst a really simple man trying his best to put things right in the best way he can. But almost six years of his presidency has shown that he is just not capable of governing this country. I dare say that he is not fit to spend a day more after May 29, 2015 in the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

• Muizz Kazeem, Lagos

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

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20

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Elections offer voters the platform to make vital choices. Irrespective of its scope, whether local or national, elections give voters the chance to reflect on the issues which really matter to them and make a decision on which candidate to support.

In a democracy, election campaigns, where candidates make attempts to persuade voters to support them, precede most elections. Campaigns present a windowpane for voters to study, discover and choose the candidates that truly represent their positions on critical issues that affect their future. Ideally, campaigns are always very critical to the final outcome of elections. In advanced democracies, voters’ preferences at polls are usually influenced by the performances of candidates during campaigns.

But do campaigns really sway voters in our nation? Historically, electioneering campaigns in Nigeria do not usually address major issues that bother on the interests, welfare and security of the people.

It, therefore, often leaves the voter with little or no premise to determine who usually gets his votes.

Rather than addressing very germane issues, campaigns in our climes, more often than not, are characterized by name callings, mudslinging, thuggery, hooliganisms, maiming and killing. And whenever the contestants

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2015: Between issues and tussles choose to address issues, they often limit the scope of discourse to the usually divisive lines of religion, ethnicity and tribal sentiments.

Characteristically, as the all important electioneering year 2015 approaches, it is evident that nothing has really changed in terms of the style and pattern of political parties towards political campaigns. The incessant clamour by the media, civil society organisations, the academia, electoral monitoring groups, NGOs and other related bodies for aspirants and political parties to run issue based campaigns, seems to be yielding very little or no result. On the contrary, what pervades the polity is the usually needless acrimony that unnecessarily heats up the political atmosphere. From Sokoto to Maiduguri, Jos to Minna, PortHarcourt to Benin City and Ibadan to Ado Ekiti, there is palpable tension, occasioned by unhealthy political happenings, almost everywhere. It beats one’s imagination

that those that aspire to lead us often resort to tussles rather than concentrating on salient national issues that would engender socio-political and economic growth. Why, for instance in the 21st century, should maiming and killing become campaign strategies? Why should arson be a technique for political advocacy?

Turning electioneering campaigns into a tug of war is a slap on the face of the electorates. The voters deserve much more respect.

They deserve more than the blabbing, that lacks substance which are most often erroneously taken for electioneering campaigns by the contestants. It is this aberration that is partly responsible for the predominance of voters’ apathy in the country. Most voters, rightly or wrongly, usually conclude that since the major issues that directly have significant bearing on their daily livings are not often extensively discussed by politicians during campaigns, they would rather

In defence of INEC

IR: The recent addition of 30,000 polling units by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a right step in the right direction. As Nigeria heads for its most heated election, all hands must be on deck, all necessary actions taken to ensure a free, fair and credible elections. A lot has been said about the 22,000 polling units added to the North asd against the 8,000 for the South – a decision that did not go down well with some elements in southern Nigeria. The Southern Peoples Assembly was quick to condemn the decision and threaten legal action against it.

In my view, the addition of the polling units was a right move in the right direction. Northern Ni-

geria accounts for over 60 percent of the country’s population. As a result, some units have up to one thousand registered voters. Dala local government in Kano State, with over 1.9 million people, is the most populated local government in Nigeria. The local government needs addition polling units.

Secondly, with the current crisis in the North-east, a lot of people have been displaced. The displaced people are Nigerians and they have to exercise their franchise. In some towns like Bama, Konduga etc were the local government has been sacked, the people are now dispersed across Nigeria, especially to Kano and Abuja. The additional polling unit should be added where the displaced people are lo-

cated. Some states like Niger, Borno, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Nasarawa are very large, hence the need for more addition polling units so that everybody can vote within reasonable distance. For instance, Niger and Borno states are larger than the entire Southeast.

Nigerians must learn to have faith in their institutions particularly now that INEC is headed by an individual generally seen as credible. Politicizing every national issue is unehlpful at the moment. Nigerians must unite to ensure a free, fair and credible elections in 2015.

• Comrade Abdulbaqi Aliyu Jari Katsina.

stay away from the polls.

It is, therefore, imperative for all stakeholders in the electoral process to put in place a system that encourages dialogue, among aspirants, on relevant issues during political campaigns. There is need to

put in place a structure that promotes healthy debates on burning national issues among aspirants.

This would afford voters the opportunity to appraise the personality, character and other qualities of the respective aspirants. It is important that the electorates have a platform through which they could accurately gauge the preparedness, intellectual ability and emotional frame of these men before deciding on whom is most deserving of their precious votes.

• Tayo Ogunbiyi Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

Police Vs NASS: A case of two wrongs?

IR: With the recent police barricade of the entrance to the National Assembly, it will not be out of place to affirm that all is not well with our democratic experiment.

The police overzealousness was demeaning as it was unfortunate. What can one say about the desperation of some members scaling the gate to access the National Assembly complex?

Nigerians need to be grateful to God that we did not witness any case of accidental discharge in the entire melee.

Have we learnt anything after 15 years of democracy? We have all failed to be good students of history in matters relating to ugly events which shaped our national existence from independence till date and have consequently allowed those same primordial interests and sentiments which sparked off political, religious and ethnic conflagration years ago to influence our decisions.

Can two wrongs make one right?

It is regrettable for the enforcer of the law to be the one to put the law on trial. The police should be seen to be independent and neutral in dealing with national issues. On the other hand, it is senseless to endanger one’s life and possibly break the law in an attempt to enforce ones’ fundamental right or to fight for or a just cause.

Our democracy is on trial, not House of Representative members or the Speaker of the House. The most honourable option to the leg-

S

islators in my humble opinion was to beat an honourable retreat and seek the opinion of the court on the matter. For the onus of interpretation of the action of the police rests exclusively with the judiciary. The aftermath of the court decision would have strengthened our legal and democratic processes and eternally put the police or any security agency, groups or individual planning to embark on this voyage of overzealousness in their rightful position. But we lost all of this to flared tempers; unbridled emotions or rather premeditated actions. If a mad person is bent on pulling off your dresses, the best option is the application of common sense in a bid to avoid him or her lest people conclude in the scuffle that both of you are the same.

Power, according to the age-long saying belongs to God and He gives it to anyone He pleases. The nation cannot afford another crisis now or in the near future. The raging Boko Haram war against the nation and annexation of villages, prevailing level of unemployment, poverty rate and dearth of basic social amenities are already too much pandemics for the nation to bear or contain. This is the right time for us to be our brother’s keepers. Time to love one another and live in peace: for our good and the good of the nation.

•Sunday Onyemaechi Eze Samaru Zaria, Kaduna State

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THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

COMMENTS

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OR Nobelist Wole Soyinka, who turned 80 on July 13, it would appear that the best birthday gift of all came three months later on October 28 when, according to him, he finished taking treatment for prostate cancer, which was diagnosed in December last year, some six months to the elaborate celebration of the milestone.

What could be greater than the gift of life? It is noteworthy and ironic that at the time of the grand ceremonies that marked his 80th birthday, the colossus of letters was actually benefiting from medical intervention to keep him alive and possibly prolong his life, which may not necessarily mean the same thing.

Interestingly, the dramatic dimension was unmistakable when Soyinka took the stage on November 24 in a rare publicisation of his private life. The June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he spoke at a press conference, became not only a platform for communication but also a place for clarification. At the forum suggestively tagged “Beyond Ebola and Beyond reign of the Silent Killer,” Soyinka said: “Let me emphasise this, like many of you know, I am a very private person, I believe there are certain territories of individuals that should be private to them and their families. It is only when it is public interest that you probe into people’s health.”

This background set the stage for Soyinka’s public-interest move, which is what his self-disclosure ultimately represented. He said with an arresting candour: “For me, it is not a decision that I am happy with, but I felt I have an obligation being a member of the Africa Cancer Centre and also having donated during the festival of fundraising for cancer. I felt I owe people an obligation to make it known and also to demystify cancer. Many people feel it is a death sentence. Family, friends and colleagues begin to look at you as if you were a ghost, just

‘Tragically, Soyinka’s observation and appeal further highlighted the country’s poverty of leadership and its regrettably disastrous implications. The country’s oil wealth, which should be a blessing, is being sadly and unpardonably exploited by a self-centred corrupt circle in the corridor of power for the enrichment of the pockets of its members and to the detriment of the people’

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HURSDAY, November 20 marked a new high in the disdain for law and order in our society. The events on this day at the National Assembly were extremely sad.

A situation where the police charged with the security of citizens and to uphold the law decides to implement the selfish interests of a few is highly depressing. Lawmakers were forcefully prevented from performing the duties for which they were elected including use of force to prevent entry into the chambers even going as far as releasing teargas on parliamentarians! This is a total disgrace to our democracy and act that must be checked immediately if this democracy is to be preserved.

The entire incident brought back memories of the dark days of military rule and raises questions about the hope of our country under this present dispensation. If lawmakers elected to uphold the law could be so shabbily treated upon instructions from one source, then what exactly is the hope of our nation? This lawless act amongst many others reinforces the character of our present federal government as highhanded, authoritarian, and vindictive and an intimidating government that cares nothing about its people but itself.

Under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s democratic processes and respect for the law have been flagrantly abused over and over to the point where one begins to wonder whether our leadership understands the concept and importance of efficient structures and systems in ensuring a sustainable democracy. Lest I forget, the same adherence to the law and belief in upholding same is what birthed the Jonathan Presidency. Nigerians protested in adverse conditions - under the scorching sun and even defying the deadly resistance of the security forces - to ensure that the then Vice President was installed the acting President of the nation. All this seems to have been forgotten so quickly and our nation appears to be decelerating at the speed of light into a state of anarchy.

Boko Haram continues to fill all our hearts with fear and trepidation. Over 127,000 souls have been lost to the violence unleashed by this blood sucking sect and there appears to be no end in sight. Forty-eight traders were killed just a few days ago. It is absolutely mind-boggling that the supposed giant of Africa has been crippled to her knees by a few thousand insurgents and made to appear like a helpless chicken that runs for cover at the sight of a barking dog. I recall vividly how in time past as a nation we supported our neighbours in Liberia, Sierra Leone and many other African countries on peace missions by lending our expertise in defence to ensure peace reigns in the lands across Africa; we were indeed our brothers keepers. It is hard to imagine what could have gone wrong so quickly. Over N3 trillion has been spent on security in the last four years with absolutely nothing to show for! This is in addition to the $1 billion that the President recently requested for earlier in the year to support the battle against terrorism in our land. It appears the more we spend the worse the situation gets. Who exactly is fighting who? What is worrying is not the existence of the Boko Haram sect in itself because challenges are bound to occur in the life of every nation, but the fact that Nigerians have now been reduced to embarrassingly helpless onlookers whose security have now become their sole responsibility and not that

Beyond the cancer ward

because you have cancer.” Soyinka continued: “No, cancer is not a death sentence. It is curable and I have undergone treatment and I am able to tell you that I even have a medal to show for it.”

Undoubtedly, Soyinka’s impressive celebrity status as an illustrious Nigerian playwright and poet, and the first black African Nobel Laureate in Literature, gave his message of hope an enduring appeal. He deserves an ovation for sacrificing his deeply felt need for privacy in order to satisfy an equally intense appreciation of the public need for cancer awareness and enlightenment. He said: “Everything is fine and I want to use myself to encourage others to take whatever test available to you in our little circumstances here, but more importantly, to encourage those who are in charge of health matters to take seriously the cancer menace, which many and I call the silent killer.”

In a profound sense, by speaking out in this context Soyinka effectively introduced another angle to his wellknown and widely acknowledged activism. Indeed, his performance could be interpreted as another far-reaching instance of his courageous interventions in the country’s trajectory. In particular, it is a testimony to his fighting instinct and his progressive voice that he seized the opportunity to characteristically speak truth to power. It is thought-provoking that Soyinka said:”The important thing is that I am convinced that we have enough funds in this nation to build cancer centres, including research that this country requires.” It could be argued, without any fear of contradiction, that Soyinka was speaking the

mind of many of his compatriots.

It is instructive that, to buttress his point, he added: “One of the major reasons why I have decided to make this appeal is that I happen to know that money was budgeted and approved for the cancer centre in 2011. I want to make a personal appeal that this money should be released. Not all of us can gallivant everywhere where we can stop over and have the necessary treatment. But we should have diagnostic centres everywhere where elementary treatment can be given to patients.”

Tragically, Soyinka’s observation and appeal further highlighted the country’s poverty of leadership and its regrettably disastrous implications. The country’s oil wealth, which should be a blessing, is being sadly and unpardonably exploited by a self-centred corrupt circle in the corridor of power for the enrichment of the pockets of its members and to the detriment of the people.

If any proof was needed that nauseatingly visionless and obscenely crooked leadership is a major factor responsible for the country’s arrested development, it was strikingly supplied by Prof. Olufemi Williams, the chief promoter of the Africa Cancer Centre, who reportedly said, “We have been at it since 2005.” The picture he painted of the forces of backwardness that have held up the realisation of the project is worthy of contemplation.

Williams said: “It took two years to design, and another two years to get the then Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, to have him to sign it. I know they have tried to set up a centre, which never worked. That is why I took the advocacy to the Senate. But at the end, Chukwu said because he was not carried along, he would not release the money under his ministry.”

He continued the story of unbelievable abuse of power: “That is why I will say that our democracy has not matured; a democracy in which elected people approved a budget, following my presentation at the Senate. It has never happened before. You know what it is like to get into the Senate and present an individual budget. I did and elected people put it in the budget and the president signed it into law and yet, a minister, who was selected by the president, decided to withhold it. And I tried everything, even went to him. And he said ‘Why don’t you go and sit down and send younger people to me.’ That is the situation we have in Nigeria.” Wow! Against this background, Soyinka’s plea for the release of the N400 million allegedly approved and budgeted as seed fund for the cancer centre project may fall on deaf ears, which would be a further confirmation of unconscionably bad governance.

Which way Nigeria?

By Abike Dabiri-Erewa of their government. Nigerians deserve better! Nigeria appears to have left her citizens to map out their own security strategy despite the gargantuan amounts being spent. This situation is beyond comprehension and is certainly questionable on all fronts. Or how does one explain that a nation’s defence chief announces that they know the whereabouts of our kidnapped Chibok girls and do absolutely nothing about it? Today they know their whereabouts, tomorrow they are in negotiation talks; yet five months after and still no Chibok girls. Each day we are confounded by the utterances and actions that continue to leave one exasperated with the manner of handling of our nation’s security by those who should know better.

As insecurity continues to abound, a flagrant disregard for the law continues to deepen its roots in our land. Ekiti state PDP-led government in a laughable move recently announced the impeachment of its speaker and deputy. This impeachment however, was effected by only seven lawmakers out of 26. What have we turned ourselves into? A situation where basic arithmetic is turned into complex quadratic equations for the sole purpose of achieving selfish ambitions and flouting the law does our nation no good. This is yet another example of the incessant breakdown of law and order we continue to experience as a nation.

Several times this same attitude has been displayed in the now public feud between the Rivers State Governor Hon. Rt. Rotimi Amaechi and President Jonathan. In several instances the Rivers Governor was denied access to the Rivers State Government House. So also was his movement restricted on his way to Ekiti state for the final campaign of the then Governor Kayode Fayemi. These acts clearly represent an infringement of basic human rights! Yet, we all trod on as if nothing happened and another crack is hatched in the wall of our democracy.

The recent alleged abduction and severe torture of journalists in the Niger Delta by Government Ekpemupolo alias ‘Tompolo’ is yet another example of how we continue to damage our fledgling democracy. Kidnapping is clearly a punishable act under the law, and in this case there is a clear suspect; yet we have chosen to take no action!

Only on Friday, November 21, the DSS raided the APC office in Ikeja Lagos, carting away several amounts of data in a brazenly irresponsible act of impunity; another condemnable act and gross abuse of power clearly initiated by the sitting government. For how long will we continue to endure this before we experience a crack? Newton’s law of motion readily comes to mind here; ‘for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’. Nigerian’s are being provoked on a daily basis and it is only a matter of time before a reaction occurs.

I indeed hope that for all our sakes it is not a violent one.

As these events continue to unfold, our economy continues to take a bashing. Our foreign reserves are at an all-time low

and debt profile continues to rise with absolutely nothing to show for it except the chaos being experienced across the nation. Nigerian youths are languishing in several jails abroad, a lot of them leaving the shores of Nigeria, trying to escape from a totally hopeless situation. Desperate for survival, Nigerian youths are murdered abroad daily. What is the life of a Nigerian citizen worth?

Poverty has never been so pervasive. Corruption is now an official state policy. The transformation agenda is a labyrinth leading to a cul-de-sac. The only people clapping are those who designed it. Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) irritatingly bombards us with delusional brandishing rhetoric of achievements of this administration. Not to worry, Nigerians are discerning enough to separate rhetoric from reality.

Suffice to say, it is clear from several experiences that our PDP led government has lost all emotional intelligence and ability to empathize with the present situation in our land.

How else do you explain pushing ahead with a re-election campaign barely 24 hours after a major bomb blast claimed the lives of our children – the supposed leader of tomorrow whose destinies have been unduly cut short? We have now become a laughing stock as we continue to operate in the realm of misplaced priorities and there seems to be no end in sight for the negative attention we continue to draw.

Yes, I can lay claim, and proudly so, to being one of the “founding mothers” of APC but I express my concerns, irrespective of my political party. Recent events, if not checked and resisted, portend grave danger that could destroy the very fabrics of our existence.

Our Nigeria today is certainly not the dream of our forefathers and definitely not one we should hand over to our children. We need to ensure that we set right the foundational principles of democracy. The executive, legislature and judiciary must operate independently and harmoniously for us to achieve great results. Posterity holds it upon us to ensure that we uphold the sanity of our nation. Our legacy as a people is built upon the good that we do and not the evil that we perpetuate.

I would thus like to plead and admonish all our serving leaders particularly our President, Dr Jonathan to consider how posterity will judge him and the legacy that he will leave behind when he leaves office.

The rule of the law should be sacrosanct and upholding the law should be a job for all of us. It is detrimental to the existence of any political office to flout the law; it is said that ‘he who lives by the gun dies by the gun’. If the law is raped today for your selfish ambition it is worth remembering it could be raped tomorrow for your destruction. As John F. Kennedy once said; “Our goal here is not the victory of might but the vindication of right – not peace at the expense of freedom but both peace and freedom”. I indeed hope that as a nation we shall achieve this goal.

• Hon. Dabiri-Erewa is a member, House of Representatives

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

22

COMMENTS

W

HEN President Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in May last year, he had justified that decision on the overriding need to decisively quell the rebellion of the insurgents. Security agencies involved in the operations were ordered to “take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement to put an end to the impunity of the insurgents and terrorists”.

Jonathan said the actions of the insurgents amounted to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten its territorial integrity.

Then, many of those who had been fed up with the recalcitrance and murderous impunity of the insurgents had wanted full-scale state of emergency such that would involve the dissolution of all democratic structures in the three states. For such category of people, the measure fell short of actions needed to bring the insurgency to a conclusive end.

Apparently, Jonathan had avoided that option to stave off the obvious political motive that was bound to be ascribed to it.

Many had hoped that the measure would decisively tame the monster and return peace to the three troubled states in no distant time.

But this has not been quick in coming as many intervening variables brought in a lot of complications into the battle. Matters were not helped by the renewed escapades and sophistication in the operations of the insurgents such that have questioned the value and continued relevance of the state of emergency measure. With the complications in the activities of the insurgents and the inability of our security agencies to end the rebellion, the president has had to approach the national assembly twice for a further extension of the measure.

Though the second request was very contentions as it was debated by the National Assembly, it was eventually approved.

The second extension expired last month and not much has changed. Jonathan has approached the assembly for the third time for a further extension. This time around, the request has run into troubled waters.

Those opposed to further extension contend that if previous ones failed to achieve the desired objective, it is needless approving another one. They further argue that there are enough provisions in the constitution for the deployment of troops to troubled areas which the president should take advantage of to deal with the situation.

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Again on State of Emergency These views cannot be discounted.

For now, the House of Representatives has spurned the request. But the Senate acted differently by inviting security chiefs to brief it on the desirability and continued relevance of a further extension. After grilling the security chiefs for about eight hours, the senate through its committee chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said security heads insisted further extension was necessary for a quick resolution of the insurgency in the affected states. He said the interactions were frank and detailed as they looked into the constraints of the military in dealing with the insurgency and also their budgetary provisions.

Abaribe said the senate was “very impressed with the response from the military and the military has shown itself to be capable of dealing with the insurgency”.

The senate also found out there were some problems which had to do with troop levels and the level of equipment as well as other ancillary problems of fighting an asymmetrical warfare as opposed to a conventional one.

It is clear from the impressions of the senators that they are very sympathetic to the case of the security heads. Abaribe gave this conclusion out when he said the senate will do all within its powers to support the Nigerian military bring this insurgency to a quick resolution. It is not expected to do less. But he was quick to add that the question of state of emergency was not tabled at that meeting.

The senate acted very responsibly by engaging the security heads on this very sen-

S

INCE I publicly urged Senator Chukwumerije to jettison his ambition to remain in the Senate for 16 years, a lot of darts have been thrown at me, especially, as it concerns my career trajectory. These later-day image managers made fruitless attempts to contrive a scenario of a provoked house boy that maimed his master’s favourite goat (apologies to Ola Rotimi). The issue of biting the fingers that fed one does not arise because, a finger that deliberately co-join you as a leech, while surreptitiously cutting out a thorax to give you a permanent scar or disability on your body, cannot, in good conscience, claim to be feeding you.

I came in contact with Comrade Chukwumerije in 2002 through a bosom friend who approached me, on his behalf, to help mobilize the youths for his ‘Uncle’s’ election in 2003. That was after my tenure as the President of the Students Union Government of Abia State University (ABSU). The strategic importance of the university community within the Senator’s constituency, and the position I held as the leader of over 20,000 students, made me a ready political asset. During the election, the Comrade Senator nominated me to INEC as his Election Agent in both Umunneochi and Isuikwuato LGAs, strategically to also cover ABSU end. I still have the letter today.

After my NYSC in Kogi State, I visited the Senator at the National Assembly, Abuja and solicited for his assistance in getting the copies of the book I wrote as a Community Development Service (CDS) project in Kogi State across to the federal legislators from Kogi State. That was not done! He rather asked me to work for him, specifically in the area of media research, follow-up on the constituency projects and compilation of his ‘achievements’. I obliged. Within a few months, I discovered that ‘hiring and firing’ of aides was routine. Some even resigned to avoid denting their records. One of them is today a lecturer at the University of Abuja, after earning a PhD. Another one is

‘Those calling for my head, on account of my well-intentioned advice to the Senator, are a tiny clique of bootlickers who must justify the pittances they get or those intoxicated by the aphrodisiac fake promises of securing contract jobs from the Senator’s juicy committees’

sitive matter. The security of a nation especially one faced with the onslaught of religious insurgents must be considered with utmost sense of responsibility. This is more so with the daring moves of the insurgents to take over as many villages as possible in the affected states.

It is true the government has not been very decisive in confronting this uprising. It is also no less correct that fighting an asymmetrical war can be that difficult.

There are equally challenges arising from the fact that this is the first time our military are coming to terms with fighting terrorism. There are therefore bound to be some teething problems. These can be admitted.

It would appear mistakes were made in handling the phenomenon at its initial stages. Jonathan was not properly guided by allowing the matter fester and degenerate. Obasanjo made this point then when he recommended his draconian approach to the killing of policemen in Odi, Bayelsa State to Jonathan though he later prevaricated on the matter. But his message was clear. Events seem to have borne it out.

If Jonathan had decisively crushed that rebellion then, he would have saved himself and the nation the trouble of these endless requests for state of emergency extension. But we have gone beyond these now. The issue is what to make of the request before the National Assembly for a further extension. The military heads who interfaced with the senate said they needed the extension to bring a quick resolution to the insurgency. Fine! But what

do they really mean by a quick resolution within that time frame? Does it mean within the period, they would definitely conclude the war against the insurgents?

If that is the case, what is there that has changed between now and the time the previous approval subsisted that makes them feel this way?

We may not have answers to these posers as they are serious security issues the public cannot be let into. But they should serve as serious challenge to the military if and when the National Assembly approves the request for further extension.

The poser is whether the National Assembly should approve the request or not given the issues that have been canvassed? There are two options: approve or disapprove.

Decision theorists are concerned with the rational choice open to the National Assembly especially now the military heads said they need the extension to conclude the war. If the extension is granted, chances are the military could conclude the war within the time frame. If on the other hand they are denied approval, there is every thing to suggest that the war may have no end.

Rational calculations demand that the choice available to the National Assembly is to approve the request for further extension despite whatever reservations there are. It also instructs we minimize our losses in the event of the worst outcome. The nation will lose nothing by further extension.

But it stands to lose immeasurably if extension is denied and the war degenerates. It is in the overriding national interest that the military should be given all the powers they need to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Anything less, is an obvious invitation to anarchy.

‘Rational calculations demand that the choice available to the National Assembly is to approve the request for further extension despite whatever reservations there are. It also instructs we minimize our losses in the event of the worst outcome. The nation will lose nothing by further extension.

But it stands to lose immeasurably if extension is denied and the war degenerates’

Still on Chukwumerije’s 4th term bid

By Jasper Uche a Magistrate in the FCT Judicial Division. In that environment of job insecurity and a clear absence of any stop-gap cushioning for the disengaged aides, I resigned after nine months to pursue my post-graduate studies at UNN. During the 2007 campaign for his re-election for a second term, Senator Chukwumerije reached late Chief Nkemdirim Nwigwe, (a retired Director of SSS from my community) to bring me back to work for him in the election. I obeyed. I managed, satisfactorily, the Senator’s logistics for the election in Zone 2 political bloc of our LGA. After the election, Chief T.A. Orji, the former Chief of Staff of Government House of Abia State and my mentor, whom I collaborated with as SUG President of ABSU to address the needs of the students from Abia State Government, had emerged Governor of Abia. So, it was not difficult in getting me appointed as a Special Adviser on Sports in the Governor’s cabinet. At the same time, the Senator’s nomination for a commissionership slot meant for our LGA could not go through. And when the cabinet was dissolved and reconstituted in October 2009, the governor graciously assigned me the portfolio of Senior Special Assistant on Students Affairs, perhaps because of my experience in the management of students and youth-related matters. At this juncture, it is pertinent to state that Governor Orji knew me from August 2000, two good years before I met the former Comrade and was eventually invited to work for his senatorial election in late 2002. In my first appointment as the Transition Committee Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, I was not the Senator’s preferred choice. It was when some court jesters ran into a hitch over his choice of Chief Uzor Egbo that he hurriedly arranged for a meeting of stakeholders to resolve the matter.

Right there, an election was conducted to choose who would be recommended to the governor. It was even Chief Uzor Egbo that nominated me and I won with over 90% of the votes of the stakeholders. Rev. Ndeke Dimanochie is a living witness.

That was the first and last time a prospective appointee was subjected to an election of stakeholders in our LGA. But the Senator blackmailed me out before the expiration of my tenure.

My sudden removal truncated the plan that had reached advanced stage, in collaboration with other investors, to establish a cashew processing factory at Mbala Isuochi, with

the immediate job prospects of over 150. Happily, this happened after I had successfully built a new Library and ICT Centre at the LGA Headquarters, which was commissioned

by Governor T. A. Orji on March 10, 2011.

Before then, Chima Mgbeke and I were engaged by the Senator to mobilize and monitor our LGA delegates that significantly boosted his victory at the Abia North PDP senatorial primary election at Ohafia LGA in 2010, which predicated his election for a third tenure in the Senate. Therefore, any political goodwill that anybody from our place enjoyed from the Senator is a like a ‘dividend’ from our investment and risks in his elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Indeed, my reappointment by Governor T.A. Orji depicts him as a vanguard of justice and a vindication that power comes from God and that no man can take God’s glory.

As a top ranking public officer from our area, the Senator had the ears of successive governors in Abia State but he abused it to an unbearable level. Comrade Uche Oliver Egeonu whom he encouraged to vie for the chairmanship of our LGA was hounded throughout his tenure. At the fullness of time, our people would ask questions on the circumstances that led to the arson that was carried out at INEC office in Nkwoagu Isuochi, a day before the Local Government Council elections in January 2008, which was ‘caused’ by electrical fault, according to a press release by the ‘Voice of the voiceless’. Our people have a common sense verdict that anybody who consistently fights in every market during the traditional four market days in Igbo land cannot be seen as guiltless. So, the orchestrated attacks and ‘beer-parlour’ judgments against me are their usual stock in trade. Those calling for my head, on account of my well-intentioned advice to the Senator, are a tiny clique of bootlickers who must justify the pittances they get or those intoxicated by the aphrodisiac fake promises of securing contract jobs from the Senator’s juicy committees. Of course, Warren Buffet, an American capital market tycoon once said that “nothing sedates rationality like huge doses of effortless money”. The bottom-line is that the serial threats emanating from anonymous callers and careless boastings of instigating violence against me by lily-livered faceless groups are intended to cow me but in the words of the Senator “I will continue to soldier on under the captainship of the good Lord, the author of life”.

• Uche is chairman, Umunneochi LGA, Abia State

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

23

25

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Sovereign Wealth Funds are managed conservatively.

They don’t borrow money the way banks do, so you can’t compare this business to banking business. This business does not expose itself to that kind of risk. It is not the same thing as private equity •Managing Director/CEO, NSI A, Uche Orji

CEO

JOBS

Preparing them for the future - P. 35

‘Govt’s agencies not helping genuine investors’ - P. 37

News Briefing Poverty, others promote fake drugs THE grinding poverty in the country and other environmental challenges have been identified as reasons fake and substandard drugs business continue to flourish in Nigeria.

–Page 26

Govt spends N93b on chemical imports NIGERIA spent over N93 billion last year to import various quantities of industrial laboratory chemicals, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has said.

–Page 26

NIBSS puts PoS transactions at N241b NIGERIA Interbank Settlement system (NIBSS) said that electronic payment through Point of Sale (PoS) terminals has risen by 191 per cent to N241 billion in 2014.

–Page 31

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

-$117.4/barrel -$2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

- ¢132.70/pound

Cotton

- ¢95.17pound

Gold

-$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

-$163/lb RATES

Inflation

-8.2%

Treasury Bills-10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending

-15.87%

Savings rate

-3%

91-day NTB

-15%

Time Deposit

-5.49%

MPR

-12%

Foreign Reserve

$39.6b

FOREX CFA

-0.2958

EUR

-206.9

£

-242.1

$

-156

¥

-1.9179

SDR

-238

RIYAL

-40.472

• From left: Supt. Dist, Southwest, NNPC Retail Limited,Omonibo Tari; Chairman/CEO, Run Gas, Lanre Runsewe; Technology Manager, Technical Sales & Projects, Kautex Maschinenbau, Siegfried Eckert; Lagos State Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Taofiq Tijani; Sales Manager, Sales Department, Kautex Maschinenbau, Mohammed Ikar, and Product Manager Line Engineering, Kautex Maschinenbau, Wolfgang Zocher, during the signing of technical partnership between RunGas and Kautex Maschinenbau for the manufacturing of composite cylinders held in Lagos.

NSE probes stockbrokers’ accounts

T

HE Nigerian Stock Ex change (NSE) is inves tigating financial and trading transactions by stockbrokers, a stormy move that has pitted the management of the Exchange against the largest trade group in the capital market.

The NSE has directed stockbrokers to submit their bank account statements alongside their regular monthly trading report and clients’ accounts. This is the first time that the Exchange would be requesting for personal bank accounts of the stockbroking firms.

Sources told The Nation that the request for the bank account statements of the stockbroking firms was irregular and had taken the industry by surprise.

The sources said stockbrokers had raised objections to the request, pointing out that there was no provision in the NSE’s rules and regulations

A

• Brokers decry undue interference

By Taofeek Saalako

that support the request.

According to reliable sources, the NSE might be interested in reconciling stockbrokers’ monthly transaction reports with their account statements in order to ensure that stockbroking firms have not been engaging in what a source described as “creative accounting”.

Sources said the industrywide directive might also be a cover for the probe of stockbroking firms, which are suspected of muddling and mixing their trading accounts with investors’ accounts.

The NSE’s rules and regulations require stockbrokers to separate their trading accounts from their clients’ accounts.

The bank statement will also reveal the liquidity status of stockbroking firms, a major contentious point between the Exchange and stockbroking firms.

The Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), the umbrella body of stockbroking firms, at the weekend directed stockbroking firms “to stay action” on the NSE’s directive pending deliberations between the NSE and the stockbrokers.

A source at the NSE said the Exchange was working in the interest of the market but declined to be categorical on the reason for the unusual directive.

The source however said the Exchange had meeting with some stockbroking firms on Thursday and they might be the ones trying to

pre-empt possible regulatory actions by insinuating motives into the NSE’s directive.

The NSE had earlier indicated it would sanction stockbroking firms that fail to submit their stockbroking transaction report within the stipulated period. The NSE uses the transaction report to track inflow and outflow of foreign transactions, major deals in the market and to monitor the market to ensure suspicious sources are not using the stock market to launder ill-gotten funds or finance terrorism.

The submission of transaction report is in line with Article 14 of the rules and regulations governing dealing member firms of the Exchange which requires every dealing member to keep proper records and books of account in respect of all stockbroking transactions.

‘Local investments rising’

T

By Toba Agboola

HE Executive Secretary, Nigeria Investment Pro motion Council (NIPC), Mrs Saratu Umar, has said the economy has continued to witness influx of investors, saying this is in spite of the various security challenges.

She said the nation had recorded high Local Direct Investment (LDI. “LDI has done immensely well. We have the Dangote Group, Elumelu Group of Companies, the Ovia Group, among others, which all have robust investments cutting across all sectors,’’ she said.

Mrs Umar said the government is committed to attracting investment to the non-oil sectors of the economy.

She said the commission has undertaken investment facilitation services and supports incoming and existing investors through its doing business and after care committees.

Ex-AfDB chief urges fight against corruption

FORMER Vice-Presi dent, African Devel opment Bank (AfDB), Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, has identified bad governance and corruption as some of the reasons it has been difficult to engineer economic transformation in the country.

He identified the key elements of good governance to include openness, transparency and accountability; fairness and equity in dealing with citizens.

Other elements of good governance, he noted, in-

By Muyiwa Lucas

clude efficient and effective service provision; consistency and coherence in policy formulation; respect for the rule of law; and high standard of ethical behaviour, which he advised must be embedded in the transformational process.

Ogunjobi, who spoke on the sideline of the Sixth Annual Conference of the Institute of Economists of Nigeria (INEN), in Lagos, pointed out that the transformation and

development of the economy in all sectors is a sine qua non for the attainment of Vision 20:2020 of the Federal Government.

He said however ambitious the goal was in reaching a $900 billion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2020, the challenge of insurgency remains critical and constitutes an obstacle for successful implementation of a national transformation agenda. It is therefore important that the country should be on the right trajectory to

achieve these goals even if not in 2020.

He noted that though significant progress has been made at the macro-economic level with the aim of moving the economy forward, citizens’ welfare and insecurity remains critical challenges for economic development especially with the insurgency in the Northeastern Zone of the country.

This development, he regrets, has further complicated challenges such as poor infrastructure, and poverty

amongst the citizens, even in the mist of the vast human and natural resources.

The failure to realise this potential in the economy, he said, was a reflection of how the economy is managed by politicians, policy makers and business entrepreneurs.

He said in most African countries, the welfare of citizens had received inadequate attention while the pillars of good governance including accountability, transparency and responsiveness are limited.

26

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

Poverty, weak laws, others promote fake drugs, says NAFDAC

T

HE grinding poverty in the country and other environmental challenges have been identified as reasons fake and substandard drugs business continue to flourish in Nigeria.

Director of Enforcement, National Drugs Law Enforcement and Administration Control (NAFDAC), Kingsley Ejiofor, who said added that the evasion of arrest by fake drug peddlers/ manufacturers, complexity and funding are other rea-

By Akinola Ajibade

sons fake drugs business continues to boom in the country.

Ejiofor, who spoke to The Nation, during a stakeholders meeting in Lagos, lamented that hawkers of substandard drugs are poor, and as a result, unable to get money to prosecute court cases. He said the development informed the decision of the police and other relevant bodies to seek their release

on bail.

According to him, the decision of many fake drug dealers to evade arrest made the business to thrive. The law, he said, is not effective enough to stop the illicit business.

Ejiofor explained that it is difficult getting bills passed into laws, in view of the complex judicial process in Nigeria.

He said the complex nature of the society has made it impossible for NAFDAC’s

officials to monitor and arrest people that are behind fake drug business.

Ejiofor said: ‘’People who sell fake drugs are very poor and do not have money to prosecute cases in court.

They are supposed to be arranged after their arrest. But we found out that they are so poor that they cannot get money to prosecute cases. At the end, they were released.

Also, Nigeria is very big, and delineated into various zones.

He said: ‘’We have 36 states, and it is difficult for the officials of the agency to be everywhere at the same time.

This made us to streamline our activities. When we see a batch of 20 fake drug merchants, we arrest them and take them to the Federal High Court for prosecution.

Thereafter, we wait to get more people arrested.’ ‘’Apart from the fact that NAFDAC has financial challenges, it is expensive to pass laws especially when the

government is involved. It is not that the government is not doing anything to curb the activities of promoters of fake drugs and further encourage healthy living among Nigerians, the judicial process is cumbersome and therefore delay early passage of laws for that purpose. At a point, we advocated death penalty for offenders, but human right institutions kicked against it on the ground that the punishment is too harsh.’’

NCS: ICT skills can boost graduates’ employability

T

HE Nigerian Compu ter Society (NCS) has said the acquisition of information communication technology (ICT) skills is important for graduates to fit into the modern age.

It blamed lack of digital skills and digital creativity for the rising problem of graduate unemployability in the country.

Its National President, Prof David Adewunmi, stressed the need to overhaul the academic curriculum to accommodate ICT which should be introduced to the pupils during the early stages of their development.

He spoke at the Sixth Annual Information Technology Development Programme at the Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, organised by the Ogun State Chapter of the NCS with IT Diversity perspectives for global impact, as its theme.

Represented by the immediate past chairman, Lagos Chapter, NCS, Dr Rogba Adeoye, Adewumi said today’s graduates have become unemployable owing to a number of factors including the fact that Nigerian youths are not enhanced with digital skills and the fact that they are not digitally creative enough to create data for upload,

M

By Lucas Ajanaku

rather they download data a lot.

He said: “This is an IT age and technology is catching up on all of us. Nigeria needs more data but today’s youths are more interested in uploading and downloading data rather than contribute meaningfully to data upload.

Lots need to be done to bring data to our community. IT world is dynamic and we need to have an open mind for change.”

Citizenship Manager for Microsoft Nigeria, Olusola Amusan, also said Microsoft is trying to empower individuals and organisations to increase their productivity, improve employability and connect more people, which is like fighting the menace of unemployment.

He said: “We are building an ecosystem of employers and the academia. What we do t Microsoft is that we are connecting people. We have a programme that is like the conveyor belt: the aiki.ng, which means work. We run this project with our implementing partner, the Future Project. Over 1,000 courses are placed online to empower themselves, which prepare them for the work space.”

‘Why state govts are investing in airports’

ANY state govern ments are investing in the construction of airports to facilitate air link as well as create a window to enable them tap into the multi-million dollars fresh produce export market, it was gathered at the weekend.

Apart from Akwa Ibom, Delta, Jigawa , Bauchi, Kebbi and Gombe states that have built airports, others, including Nassarawa, Kogi, Ogun, Osun and Bayelsa are at different stages of developing their airports.

The state governments, it was learnt are investing in airports to serve as window to ferry agro allied products into the international market.

But, this window has not been realised due to the absence of airports in states where some of the fresh produce are grown.

Statistics show that between 50 and 70 per cent of fresh produce grown by farmers perish due largely to the absence of storage facility, efficient transportation system and competitive pricing.

The one-stop solution lies with the Fresh Produce Cargo Terminal, a requisite

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

infrastructural requirement for a viable international trade.

Coordinating General Manager, Aviation Parastatals, Mr Yakubu Dati said the Federal Government is encouraging states to invest in airports to enable them tap into the huge revenue potentials in agro allied export.

He said: “Nigeria with its rich and diverse agricultural produce has no official records on any form of perishable air freight. This raises concern. This explains why state governments are not leaving anything to chance to invest in the construction of airports.

“This explains why there is construction of new airports in Kogi, Nassarawa, Ogun and Bayelsa states, in pursuance of the government’s initiative to link states together and establish cargo terminals across the nation.

“To build these new economies by aligning air transport to the fresh produce value chain thereby making them global players in the Fresh Produce export market.

• From left: Country Manager, Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited, Yang Fufu; Managing Director, Slot Nigeria Limited, Nnamdi Ezeigbo and Sales Head, Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited, Manoj Adhikari, at the launch of Huawei’s latest smart phone, Mate 7, at Huawei Experience Centre, Oriental Hotel, Lagos...last week

Fed Govt spends N93b on chemical imports

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IGERIA spent over N93 billion last year to import various quantities of industrial laboratory chemicals, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has said.

Of this amount, N89.5 million was for the importation of 10.6million metric tonnes of copper sulphate.

RMRDC’s Director-General, Dr. Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, who stated this in Lagos at an investment forum, lamented that some of the imported chemicals could have been sourced locally, if the government had done the right things.

Speaking at the event titled: On the production of copper sulphate in Nigeria in Lagos over the weekend, he said out of over 500 various industrial chemicals used in the country with over 70 commonly used, all the chemicals need of the country are imported despite the fact that the country has com-

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By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

parative advantages in terms of local raw materials availability to produce some of them.

He pointed out that taking advantage of the comparative advantage in developing copper sulphate in commercial quantity would result in savings of foreign exchange and employment.

He said the industrial chemical has applications in areas such as agriculture, medicine and other miscellaneous areas as a soil steriliser, mixture for use as fungicides and preservative for wooden fruit boxes.

Others are in public health and medicine, prevention of malaria and as an additive to book binding pastes and glues for insecticidal purposes.

Ibrahim pledged the preparedness of RMRDC to collaborate with any interested investor to actualise

the full potential of the sector, noting that the economy could only grow to its full potential if the sector is exploited.

Chairman, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sector, Manufacturers Association of Chemical Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Bayo Osibo said the fortunes and growth of the chemical sector has been affected by inconsistent government policies, by way of tariff manipulations, insufficient resource allocation, and prohibitive import restrictions.

He regretted that out of the over 250 researches carried out by the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), only about 50 of the technologies have made significant and laudable impact in the chemical industry.

He said the chemical industry is one of the largest manufacturing industries in United States (U.S) serving both a sizeable domestic

market and an expanding global market, accounting for 15 per cent of global chemical shipments.

Comparing the local chemical market with that of the U.S contribution to the growth of the American economy, he said: “The industry’s more than 10,000 firms produce more than 70,000 products. In 2012, the U.S chemical industry had sales of $769.4billion and directly employed more than 784,000 workers, with additional indirect employment by industry suppliers of more than 2.7 million.

“With investment of $57 billion in research and development in 2012, and strong enforcement of intellectual property rights, one-fifth of all patents granted in the U.S are chemical related.”

He also said the United Kingdom (UK) chemical market represents over 15 per cent of the total manufacturing output with exports of £53 billion.

‘Accountability, transparency vital in govt’

N economist and fi nance analyst, Dr. Alaba Olusemore, has said to mitigate the likely socio-economic and political consequences of the slide in the price of crude oil and the devaluation of the naira, there is need for accountability and transparency in government finances.

According to Dr. Olusemore, who is also Managing Consultant, Nesbet Consulting, a Lagos-based firm of management and finance consultancy, a devalued naira means high cost of

By Chikodi Okereocha

doing business, which invariably will lead to high prices of consumer goods.

This, he said, will fuel higher rates of inflation.

He said those to be worst hit by the policy are consumers on fixed income who will be left with lower disposable income thus, becoming poorer in relative terms. He also said many manufacturers may not be able to finance their import bills, adding that those who will do will likely have shrinking

profit margins. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) he said, will suffer more.

Olusemore argued that with devaluation, cost of importation of petroleum products will go up further and chances are that government may remove the subsidy after the general elections next year. “The consequences of removing subsidy would be social, political and economic,” he warned.

He pointed out that beyond the number of austerity measures announced by the government to mitigate the

impacts of the fall in oil price and keep the economy running, there is urgent need to begin to diversify the economy. “Let’s go beyond sweet talk and truly begin to base our expenditure pattern and tastes on income from non-oil revenue,” he recommended.

Olusemore also said there is need to fix the local refineries or give people the opportunity to establish refineries. He asked rhetorically: “Why should Nigerians go to other countries to establish refineries?”

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THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

Saudis block OPEC output cut, O sending oil price plunging

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AUDI Arabia blocked calls from poorer members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil exporter group for production cuts to arrest a slide in global prices are sending benchmark crude plunging to a fresh four-year low.

Brent oil fell more than $6 to $71.25 a barrel after OPEC ministers meeting in Vienna left the group’s output ceiling unchanged despite huge global oversupply, marking a major shift away from its long-standing policy of defending prices.

This outcome set the stage for a battle for market share between OPEC and non-OPEC countries, as a boom in U.S. shale oil production and weaker economic growth in China and Europe have already sent crude prices down by about a third since June.

“It was a great decision,” Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi, said as he emerged smiling after around five hours of talks.

OPEC said in a statement that members had agreed to roll over the ceiling of 30 million barrels per day, at least one million above OPEC’s own estimates of demand for its oil next year.

“It is a new world for OPEC because they simply cannot manage the mar-

ket anymore. It is now the market’s turn to dictate prices and they will certainly go lower,” said Dr. Gary Ross, chief executive of PIRA Energy Group.

The wealthy Gulf states have made clear they are ready to ride out the weak prices that have hurt the likes of Venezuela and Iran - OPEC members which face big budget pressures, but cannot afford to make cuts themselves. Venezuela and Algeria had calling for output cuts of as much as two million bpd.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez said he accepted the decision as a collective one and hoped that lower prices would help drive some of the higher-cost U.S. shale oil production out of the market.

“In the market, some producers are too expensive,” he said.

The OPEC statement made no mention of any need for members to stop overproducing, nor of any extraordinary meeting to reconsider the ceiling before a regular session next June.

The OPEC accounts for a third of global oil output.

Gulf producers could withstand for some time a battle over market share that would drive down prices further, thanks to their large foreign-

currency reserves.

Members without such a cushion would find it much more difficult, as would a number of producers outside the group. Russia’s rouble, which has been sliding for much of this year, extended losses on Thursday to trade more than two per cent lower than the previous close against the U.S. dollar.

Russia is already suffering from Western sanctions over its actions in Ukraine and needs oil prices of $100 per barrel to balance its budget.

A price war might make some future U.S. shale oil projects uncompetitive due to high production costs, easing competitive pressures on OPEC in the longer term.

“Why would Saudi cut production in the environment? Why would they want to support Iran, Russia or U.S. shale producers? So they must have decided: let the market establish the price. Once the market goes to a new equilibrium, prices will go higher,” PIRA Energy’s Ross said.

Kuwaiti Oil Minister Ali Saleh alOmair said OPEC would have to accept any market price of oil, whether it were $60, $80 or $100 a barrel. Iraq’s oil minister, Adel Abdel Mehdi, said he saw a floor at $65-70 per barrel.

“We interpret this as Saudi Arabia selling the idea that oil prices in the short term need to go lower, with a floor set

IT is a business driver, say experts

VER 90 per cent of business leaders have identified information technology (IT) as a strategic lever for business growth.

According to the survey of 528 business and technology decision makers across the countrys private and public sectors, more than 80 per cent of respondents agree that their organisations recognise the increasing role of automation, such as software defined storage, as critical to business growth.

The study which was carried out by EMC Corporation and unveiled in Lagos also showed that about 96 per cent of respondents expect next-generation technologies such as mobile, social, cloud computing and big data to give their organisations a competitive advantage, adding that these new technologies will impact key aspects of business, including improving customer experience, managing missioncritical business operations and building new products and services.

EMC’s General Manager for West Africa, Rasheed Ola Jimoh, said the survey results reflect heightened interest in third platform technologies by organisations operating within the country’s ecosystem.

He said: “Enterprises across Nigeria are realising the value that can be derived from technologies such as Cloud Computing and Big Data. These tech-

nologies form a bed rock for driving agility and engaging the connected consumer. As the transition to third platform commences, IT departments will find themselves open to new opportunities to innovate and truly fuel business transformation.”

Jimoh underscored the need for organisations to take a more cloud-centric approach to business, against the backdrop of changing customer expectations arising from the emergence of new, always-on technology platforms.

“Consumer expectations have undergone a radical shift. They now expect to interact not only with each other, but with a multitude of organisations, via mobile devices and at the speed of now. To remain relevant and competitive, organisations across every industry are reinventing their business models to handle unprecedented levels of access, interaction and scale. For this reason, IT finds itself back in the driver’s seat, morphing from cost centre to a true catalyst for change through the use of cloud and big data technologies,” Jimoh explained.

He added that EMC’s long-established reputation as a global leader in helping businesses and service providers transform their operations places the organisation at a vantage position for facilitating Nigeria’s transition to an IT-driven economy.

Black Friday: Websites hit by record demand

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ETAILERS are forecasting record online sales as part of Black Friday pre-Christmas discounting.

But John Lewis said its website was having difficulties handling the number of visitors looking for a bargain.

Tesco Direct and Currys’ websites were also swamped by visitors and suffered problems. Currys said it experienced “astonishing” demand overnight.

Apple’s iPad mini and a discounted food processor were the fastest-selling products for John Lewis in early sales.

Police were called to a number of disturbances in London and Manchester supermarkets as shoppers fought over goods.

A Tesco shop in Trafford, Greater Manchester, closed shortly after foot-

age was filmed showing disruption as people queued Many retailers traded from midnight to maximise shopping times.

John Lewis, which offered website deals from midnight, said that to 6am, traffic to johnlewis.com was up 307 per cent compared with Black Friday 2013.

The biggest peak in traffic was between 12am and 1am as customers sought deals.

John Lewis said its fastest selling product was the Apple iPad mini.

The Nutribullet food processors were selling at a rate of one every thirty seconds, according to the retailer.

About seven per cent of its customers were unable to access the site first time due to the level of demand.

“JohnLewis.com is up and running and working well,” a spokeswoman said.

Huawei unveils Ascend Mate 7 smartphone

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•Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Isaac Adewole (right) receiving a gift from Group Head, Mass Market Segment, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Adetunji Lamidi, during a courtesy visit to the VC in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

‘Substandard products down by 40%’

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HE Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, has said the level of substandard products in the country has declined 40 per cent from 85 per cent in the last four years.

Odumodu, who spoke at a special interactive session organised by Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in Lagos, said: “Upon resumption in office in 2011, the level of substandard

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product was over 80 per cent; as of today, the number is hovering between 40 and 45 per cent.”

“So much has been done to stabilise but we are not where we hoped to be by now or where the rest of the world is. My conclusion is simple, borne out of global reality, all hands must be on deck to pull us out of the wood and join the global standards train,” he said.

Odumodu added that 20 per cent of

ITF kicks off training

O address the problem of inadequate and unskilled manpower, among youths, the Industrial Skill Training Centre (ISTC) of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has resuscitated its one year vocational training programme.

The Deputy Director/Training Manager of the ISTC, Mr Olasupo James Abimbola, said the modules for

the programme had been selected to address acquisition of necessary and knowledge to enable participants set up businesses of their own.

He said the programme would also allow the participants to become more employable; choose and follow a career path in the industrial and governmental sectors of the economy.

products in Nigeria were locally manufactured. It used to be over 30 per cent about 15 years ago but today, saying it is between 17 and 18 per cent and this is not good for the country industrialisation The SON boss noted that the share of the global trade was a function of proven capability and developed national quality infrastructure.

According to the SON DG, the organisation has received the certification of two laboratories by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, which are accredited in accordance with the recognised international Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 general requirement for competence of testing and calibration. Some of the products, which will now undergo local testing in the laboratories before export include maize, beans, soya beans, rice, cassava, yam.

Odumodu said apart from a few brands, most Nigerian brands had remained largely local, contributing little to the nation’s GDP.

HINESE telecoms tech giant, Huawei Technology, at the weekend in Lagos launched Ascend Mate7 in what the it said is its bold attempt to satisfy the yearnings of its customers with smartphone with superior functionality.

Country Marketing Manager, Huawei Consumer Business, Nigeria, Olaonipekun Okunowo, said: “Today marks the arrival of our fastest and most compelling big-screen smartphone experience for consumers. It is an icon of our relentless commitment to ‘Make it Possible’ for people everywhere to enjoy our premium quality products.

“Huawei Ascend Mate7 actually leads the big-screen pack with smarter performance, impressive power efficiency, and outstanding convenience with its superior single-touch fingerprint technology.”

Featuring a big six-inch screen with FHD display for enhanced entertainment viewing, a slimmer 7.9mm body for increased comfort, a more powerful octa-core chipset for superior performance, and a longer-lasting 4100 mAh battery.

With new single-touch fingerprint technology and EMUI 3.0, Ascend Mate7 dials up the mobile experience to make it easier for users to live life to the fullest. Ascend Mate7 is the latest big-screen smartphone from Huawei as it showcased its big ambitions as the number three smartphone vendor in the world.

With octa-core architecture, Ascend Mate 7 has an intelligent Huawei Kirin 925 processor made up of four large A15 1.8 GHz and four small A7 1.3 GHz chipsets which are acti-

By Lucas Ajanaku

vated in different configurations depending on the power needs of a specific app or function so the smartphone can be smarter with power management.

Ascend Mate7 saves up to 50 per cent of the battery by automatically using smaller A7 cores to power standard apps that consumers use at least 80 per cent of the time, and kicking in the larger A15 during high-performance use such as gaming. The processor will also automatically activate additional cores when it detects that 85 per cent to 95 per cent of a single core’s processing capability is being used.

Ascend Mate7 is the market’s first six-inch smartphone with instant single-touch fingerprint access to put an end to password fatigue. It enables users to unlock the phone at least 80 per cent faster than devices that use a slower sweeping recognition option. Located on the back of the handset and measuring 9.16mm x 9.16mm, the reader supports up to five sets of different fingerprint records which can be allocated to normal and guest modes, so a user can switch modes to enhance protection when securing private folders, applications, or payment information. It has a higher 508PPI ratio for enhanced reader accuracy so there’s no need to swipe repeatedly before being able to unlock the device – even with wet fingers or under light rain conditions. ARM TrustZone also stores encrypted data of the fingerprint within the chipset for better protection by SecureOS, and prevents direct access by thirdparties.

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THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

55 insurance firms generate N40.7b gross premium in Q2 A

BOUT 55 insurance firms out of 59 firms recorded combined N40.7 billion in the second quarter, it was learnt.

The Nation gathered the top 10 insurance firms generated the highest gross premium income in the industry in the of the year.

The leading firms include AIICO Insurance Plc, which generated N12.6 billion premium income followed closely by Leadway Assurance Limited with N12.5 billion premium incomes. Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc came third with N8.6 billion.

The other firms in the top 10 are Mansad Insurance Plc, which recorded N7 billion, Niger Insurance plc N5.1 billion, African Alliance Insurance Plc N4.9 billion, NEM Insurance Plc N4.3 billion, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc N4.1 billion, Royal Exchange Insurance Company Limited N3.4 billion and Zenith Insurance Company Limited N3.5 billion.

On the other side, the 10 firms that generated the lowest premium income, which is below one billion naira include Unic Insurance Plc with the lowest income of N45. 3 million followed by N222.4 million. Universal Insurance Company Limited came third on the bottom three with barely N265.6 million.

• AIICO, Leadway, Custodian emerge leaders Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

Others are Guinea Insurance Plc that recorded N294.8 million, Wapic Life Assurance Limited N372.5 million, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation N483.2 million, ARM Life Insurance N585.6, Old Mutual Nigeria Life N594.6 million, Oasis Insurance Plc N785.4 million and KBL Insurance Limited, N799.8 million.

In all, 55 out of the 59 firms generated the sum of over N40.7 billion insurance premium as at the period under review.

Meanwhile, the two re-insurance firms in the country, Continental Reinsurance Company Plc and Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation generated a total of N7.4 billion with Continental Re, recording over N7 billion and Nigeria Re, recording N383 million.

This was made known in the National Insurance Commission Status Report titled “2014 quarterly return of insurance companies as at Novem-

ber 21, 2014.”

The report further showed that while most of the firms have submitted their 2014 first, second and third quarter reports, two firms namely NICON Insurance Plc and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) have not submitted their 2014 first, second and third quarter reports, Alliance & General Insurance, Alliance & General Life Assurance, Investment & Allied Insurance Plc and Spring Life Assurance Plc, which are currently under NAICOM regulatory intervention have also not submitted. However, premium generated in the third quarter cannot be fully determined because some firms have not submitted their reports.

The 55 firms that have submitted their second quarter results and those that have submitted their third quarter results seem to be performing better this year than last year. They are complying more with the stipulated regulatory requirement by NAICOM and the Nigeria Stock Exchange in the submission of their quarterly and an-

nual reports.

Commissioner for Insurance, Fola Daniel while speaking in Lagos on “Late Submission of Audited Report,” said whereas the Insurance Act 2003 provides for submission of annual accounts not later than June 30, the requirement by the Nigeria Stock Exchange for listed companies is March 31.

He said the commission had in the past continued to plead for forbearance. He noted that some of insurance firms do not submit annual accounts before Christmas. Going forward, he said all firms must comply with all requisite regulatory requirements without plea subsidies from NAICOM. The other firms that made up the 59 insurance companies are Anchor Insurance; ARM Life; Capital Express Assurance Ltd; Consolidated Hall-

mark Insurance; Cornerstone Insurance Plc; Custodian & Allied Insurance; Custodian Life Assurance Ltd; Equity Assurance Plc; FBN Life Assurance Ltd; Fin Insurance Company Ltd; Great Nigeria Insurance; Guinea Insurance Plc; Industrial & General Insurance Plc; KBL Insurance Ltd; International Energy Insurance Plc; Lasaco Assurance Plc; Lasaco Life Assurance Ltd and Law Union & Rock Insurance Company Plc. Others include Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc; Mutual Benefits Life Assurance Ltd; NICON Insurance Ltd; NSIA Insurance Ltd; Oasis Insurance Plc; Old Mutual Insurance Gen. Ltd; Prestige Assurance Plc; Regency Alliance Insurance Plc; Royal Prudential Life Assurance Plc; Staco Insurance Plc; Standard Alliance Insurance Plc; Standard Alliance Life Assurance Company Ltd; Sterling Assurance Nigeria Ltd; Universal Insurance Company Ltd; UBA Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Ltd; UNIC Insurance Plc; Union Assurance Company Ltd; Unitrust Insurance Company Ltd; Unity Kapital Assurance Plc; Wapic Insurance Plc; Zenith Life Insurance Company Limited.

Clearline reiterates commitment to transparency, integrity

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LEARLINE International, an health insurance organisation, has reiterated its commitment to providing quality service with utmost integrity and transparency.

Executive Director, Operations and Medical Services, Clearline Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), Dr. Isaac Akintunji, said for health insurance scheme to develop in the country, business integrity, and professionalism are the strong parameters.

He said when all these were achieved, healthcare providers would

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

trust HMOs and growth will be engendered for the health care sector.

He said HMOs should ensure prompt payment of claims as and when due because it will help deepen the penetration of the health insurance scheme in Nigeria.

The medical expert advised health care services providers to be sincerity in their duties.

According to him, the era of polypharmacy is over and as a result, health care providers should adhere strictly to professional standards.

Ahmed, Afolabi, Aigbinode join IGI

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• From left: Ag. Company Secretary, Industrial and General Insurance Plc, Abiodun Ajifolawe; Chairman, Gen Yakubu Gowon; Ag Managing Director, Rotimi Fashola, and Executive Director, Sina Elusakin, during the company’s 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) ... in Lagos.

AXA to acquire Mansard with Euro198m

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XA, a French multinational investment banking firm, said it has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of Assur Africa Holdings (AAH), which holds a 77 per cent stake in Nigeria’s composite insurance company Mansard Insurance Plc. Assistant General Manager, Marketing Group, Mansard Insurance, Taiwo Adeleye, said under the terms of the agreement, the total cash consideration payable at closing of the transaction would be Euro198 million.

He said: “AXA would include the acquired operations within its Mediterranean & Latin American region. Mansard is the fourth insurance provider in Nigeria with operations in both property & casualty with a five per cent market share. The firm ranks fifth with four per cent market share in life & savings.

“The company is well establ i sh e d i n c o m m er c i a l l i n e s , which represents nearly two thirds of its revenues, and has

been developing successfully its retail business, achieving a growth of 40 per cent per annum on average over the past three years.”

Adeleye stated that Mansard has built a strong competitive advantage through its multi-channel approach, with a strong focus on proprietary networks.

He said: “This transaction would allow AXA to enter the highly attractive Nigerian market through a very reputable local company, led by a talented management team. Moreover, Mansard would be able to capitalise on AXA’s extended distribution knowledge; unique product skills and actuarial knowhow, to accelerate further its development and leverage its competitive advantages. The closing of the transaction is expected before the end of 2014.

“This acquisition is a unique opportunity for AXA to enter the largest African economy with leading positions in all business lines and to get exposure to the

fast-growing Nigerian retail insurance market.

“AXA will benefit locally from the knowledge of an experienced and successful management team and from a profitable platform.

Thus, this transaction represents a further step in our acceleration strategy, which is at the heart of our Ambition AXA plan, and is in line with our belief that insurance is instrumental to foster economic development by providing communities with protection.”

AXA is a French multinational investment banking firm headquartered in the 8th arrondissement of Paris and engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, insurance, and other financial services.

The AXA group operates primarily in Western Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific region, and the Middle East. AXA is a conglomerate of independently run businesses, operated according to the laws and regulations of many different countries.

HREE professionals have been named members of the Board of Directors of the Industrial and General Insurance Plc (IGI).

They are Yayale Ahmed, Prof.

Oladapo Afolabi, both former heads of service of the federation, and Ken Aigbinode, a chartered accountant.

Their appointments were ratified by shareholders of the insurance company at its 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

They will fill vacancies on the board some of which arose following the death of some members, including two founding directors, Pa Ola Vincent and Dr. Abdulateef Adegbite.

The company’s Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Remi Olowude, also passed away on September 26, after a brief illness.

In a statement, the Principal Manager,

Corporate Communications, Mr. Steve Ilo, said the strengthening of the company’s board was part of the strategic restructuring initiated by the late Executive Vice Chairman.

He said: “This is part of a phased repositioning of the company as envisioned by the late EVC. It is an ongoing reform aimed at engendering a more vibrant company that will pursue vigorously the late founder’s vision of a world class organisation.

“We are poised to set new standards for competition in product innovation, service delivery and best practice, while delivering great value to all stakeholders. IGI is equipped with all the essential material, intellectual and human resources for driving this transformation. We are, therefore, approaching the future with confidence and great expectations.”

Premium Pension director is CIS fellow

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HE Executive Director, Business Development and Investment, Premium Pension Limited, Adamu Mele, has been elevated to the fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS).

Mele who has been a member of the Institute since 1994 was before the elevation an Associate Chartered Stockbroker.

The Managing Director of Premium Pension Limited, Wilson Ideva while congratulating Mele, said it would rub off positively on the fortunes of the company and by extension, the pension industry.

He said: “Mele’s elevation complements our core value of professionalism and further brightens the future of

the company. A tested and wellgrounded investment expertise is the primary ingredient for the growth of pension funds.”

Mele’s expertise covers economic and investment research, financial advisory services, asset management, capital market regulation and administration.

He is a law graduate of the University of Maiduguri with an MBA from the University of Ado Ekiti. He has held several positions in financial management and administration in various organisations, including Head, Northern Region, of IBN Securities Limited (a subsidiary of First Inland Bank Limited) and CEO Tiddo Universal Securities Limited (Member Nigerian Stock Exchange).

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

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ISSUES

• A cement factory

The cement price saga Dangote Cement’s slash of the prices of its 32.5 grade and 42.5 grade of cement to N1,000 and N1,150 has set off a chain of reactions. Some are praising its gesture; others believe there is more to the cut than meets the eye, reports TOBA AGBOOLA.

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HEN Dangote Cement slashed the price of cement, it never envisaged the chain of reactions that would follow. The new regime put the price of Dangote’s 32.5 cement grade at N1, 000 per 50kg bag and that of 42.5 grade at N1,150 per bag. The slash has not gone down well with other producers and estate developers.

While some stakeholders described the price cut as good, others are imputing motives over the company’s action.

Bua Group, a major player in the industry, is one of those hailing

Dangote’s gesture. Its Chairman, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, said he had been advocating a sharp reduction in the unit cost of the product to enable Nigerians realise their dreams of owning their

own houses.

“It is against this background that I commend Alhaji Aliko Dangote for this patriotic initiative, which is long overdue. With the low price, more

‘We recognise the need for a rapid response to huge infrastructure and housing deficit in the country, and one of the ways to address the issue is to bring down the price of building materials to make it affordable, especially cement, which is within our control’

consumers would buy cement, which will not only shore-up its volume, but also increase stakeholders’ market share,” he said.

Rabiu urged cement producers to emulate Dangote and bring down the price of cement, noting that there is no reason a bag of cement should cost so much. He said he had already directed all his plants to follow suit and implement the new price regime.

He noted that more should be done to bring down the price further for the sake of Nigerians, insisting that there • Continued on page 30

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

30

ISSUES

The cement price saga •Continued from page 29

is really no reason for cement to cost more than N1, 000 per bag, bearing in mind the massive success of the backward integration policy, which started 12 years ago with billions of dollars injected into the cement industry.

Similarly, the Lagos State Chairman of Block Moulders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Okunola Abegunde, said he had been longing to see a time like this when the price of cement would crash to allow low-income owners own their houses.

The Chairman, Coalition Against Building Collapse, Kola Ojewuyi, who chided Dangote’s critics who had earlier condemned the firm’s campaign on the adoption of 42.5 grade cement, which they described as a ploy to increase the price of the essential commodity. He hailed the decision, urging the management of the company to sustain the new price regime and ensure that it is not hijacked by profiteers.

A real estate developer, Femi Odusanya, also said this was the time the low-income owners had been waiting for to build their own houses.

He said before now, the cost of cement was too high for the average Nigerian, and this had been very discouraging. “I am convinced that things will be better as against initial belief that anything that goes up must definitely come down,” he said. A block moulder, Tunde Balogun, agrees with him, noting that with the new development, the cost of block will also come down. He however, reassured that the leadership of the association of block moulders would decide on the next line of action.

The Nation gathered that the move by Dangote Cement was aimed at making cement products cheaper as they were in 2005 when a bag of the product was sold for less than N800. The Group Managing Director (GMD), Dangote Cement, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, explained that the new price regime is exclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT), which represents about 40 per cent discount on the prevailing market price, selling at N1, 700, irrespective of the grade.

“We recognise the need for a rapid response to huge infrastructure and housing deficit in the country and one of the ways to address the issue is to bring down the price of building materials to make it affordable, especially cement, which is within our control. This is part of our contributions to the transformation agenda of the administration,” he said.

However, as patriotic as the price cut may look, there are those who are not swayed, arguing that there is more to it that meet the eye in the new development.

For instance, investigations show that despite the price slash, the price of cement is still high and there is no sign that it may come down soon.

According to a dealer at Cement Bus Stop, along Lagos Abeokuta Expressway, Mr Dotun Adisa, the product is still being sold for between N1,750 and N1,900 and this may continue for a long time.

“Please, don’t believe the N1,000 price as announced. Our cement is still between N1,750 and N1,900. It depends on the quantity you want to buy and it may be like this for a long time. We don’t believe in the price slash,” Adisa said.

Another dealer, who spoke with The Nation, Mr. Benjamin Okafor, also said there was no sign that the cement price would fall. “All this news of N1,000 slash is fake as far as we are concern.

The price of the product is still high. It hovers around N1, 800,” he said.

Similarly, the Managing Director of Elleon Properties, developers of Aspen Estate in Isheri North area of Ogun State, Mr. Sola Adekunle, said Nigerians would no longer take news emanating

from cement companies on price reduction serious again, as there had not been any significant reduction in the price of the commodity two weeks after the announcement.

“Dangote Cement should have done its homework well before going public.

The company should have blocked all the loopholes that are working against the new price slash. The idea of engaging in price war or business bickering with competitors should not be handled the way it did,” Adekunle stated.

A distributor of Dangote Cement, Chika Ekpenyong also said distributors are not selling the product at N1, 000 as announced. He said: “If we are selling at N1, 000, what it means is that we should buy it at the distributors’ price of between N800 and N900 to make a profit of at least N100 per bag. We are buying from the factory above N1, 000 and could not sell at the same price, considering the cost of transportation, loading and off-loading among other charges.”

He said distributors were expected to make profit of between N50 and N100 on a 50kg bag of cement after all expenses. He sai: “We are buying at the unit cost of N1, 350 and when you add other expenses, we should be selling at between N1,450 and N1,500, which is a far cry from the over N1, 750 price before the announcement.”

Last week, cement distributors under the auspices of Association of Cement Traders (ACT) in Kano State expressed discomfort with the new Dangote Cement price, insisting that the N1, 000 per bag policy was unrealistic. Its Vice Chairman, Alhaji Dauda Bakare, said Dangote did not take into account its dealers and distributors who might have stocked large quantities of cement before taking such a decision.

Dauda asked: “How do you expect the distributors to sell for N1, 000 when we bought for N1, 385 direct from factory at Obajana and that is without transport? When you add transport you will have it at N1, 635 and we sell for N1, 750 per bag. So, how do you reconcile this? Who will bear the loss?

Dauda, who revealed traders’ dissatisfaction with the new price regime, contended that Dangote was insensitive to numerous dealers with large quantities of products, who might be forced out of business with huge loss when the new price takes effect. “Of course, the new price as announced by Dangote is a welcome development, especially to people on the street, but on the other hand, the decision to crash cement price by Dangote without due consultation with the dealers and distributors for proper assessment of the situation is not appropriate,” he stated.

Continuing, Dauda asked: “For distributors who have like 10 trucks in stock, how do you want them to sell, or do you think customers will still purchase the products from them at the old price? Honestly, we don’t know what to do. Everybody here is confused ever since the announcement was made.

But, of course, it is a welcome development for the common man because people will be able to afford the product at lower cost and build their houses, but as it is it is not possible to sell at N1, 000 when we buy at more than N1, 000 from factory, excluding VAT, transport and

•Dangote

• Rabiu

we must also make profit as a businessmen.”

The cement traders are, therefore, demanding palliative measures from Dangote or in the alternative, asking the company to extend the commencement of the new price regime to enable them exhaust their stock. Better still, he said, the company could augment their potential losses.

Meanwhile, the management of Dangote Cement has assured Nigerians that it would put in place a monitor team to ensure that profiteers do not hijack the new price cut.

Edwin dismissed as baseless the accusation in some quarters that the price reduction was intended to chase away some manufacturers so that Dangote Cement could monopolise the sub-sector.

His words: “What we have done is a patriotic decision in the overall interest of Nigerians. We are in business to make money and we know that the price cut would not affect our profit margins. We are a Nigerian company; we have responsibility to make the product available to our people at the most reasonable price.

“As our production capacity increases, we found out that we could reduce the price to help low income earn-

‘If we are selling at N1, 000, what it means is that we should buy it at the distributors price of between N800 and N900 to be able to make a profit of at least N100 per bag, We are buying from the factory above N1, 000 and could not sell at the same price, considering the cost of transportation, loading and off-loading among other charges’

• Aganga

‘But, of course, it is a welcome development for the common man because people will be able to afford the product at lower costs and build their houses, but as it is, it is not possible to sell at N1, 000 when we buy at more than N1, 000 from factory, excluding VAT, transport and we must also make profit as a businessmen’

ers find it easy to build their own houses and this is what we have done. Those castigating us and crying of monopoly are those who want house ownership to remain exclusive right of the rich.”

Maintaining that Dangote Cement likes competition, Edwin said it was competition that encouraged the company to commit huge investment into cement sector.

“We believe in competition and openness. We can defend our price anytime and it’s only an enemy of Nigerians that would speak against the price reduction,” he said, adding that Dangote would continue to protect the buyers from the hands of profiteers who might capitalise on the new price to create artificial scarcity.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, said the decision of Dangote Cement to reduce the price of cement was patriotic and in line with the aspiration of Nigerians and the Federal Government.

He said: “Our main focus for the cement sector is to improve the standard of cement and to bring the price down.

More cement manufacturers must do it themselves just as Dangote Cement has done because we do not do price regulation.”

According to him, the Federal Government has attracted new private sector investments in the cement sector worth $7billion within three years, a feat it was proud of.

Aganga’s statement came in midst of expression of surprise by many who thought such a price slash was not be possible in the next 10 years.

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

31

MONEYLINK

NIBSS puts PoS transactions at N241b

N

IGERIA Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) said that electronic payment through Point of Sale (PoS) terminals has risen by 191 percent to N241 billion in 2014.

The company also reported 249 per cent increase in its profit before tax, which rose to N2.82 billion for the year ended December 31st 2013.

Chairman of NIBSS and Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Suleiman Barau disclosed this at the 2014 annual general meeting of the company held in Lagos on Friday.

Addressing shareholders of the

company, Barau said: “The financial performance of our company was greatly impacted by the impressive business activities recorded during the year. Gross Income grew by 32.33 per cent to peak at N5.13 billion, up from the N3.88 billion recorded in 2013. We closed the year with a Profit Before Taxation (PBT) of N2.82 billion representing a growth of 249.31 per cent over prior year figure of N806.59 million”.

He explained that both the NIBSS Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) and NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) products have enjoyed steady adoption over the years, enhanced by the CBN mandate for Government and Cor-

porate entities to make all salary and administrative payments electronic.

“The volume of NEFT transactions increased by 29.51 per cent from 29.20million (N13.61trillion) in 2013 to 37.82 million (N14.93 trillion) in 2014 while customers’ affinity towards instant payment has seen NIP grow volume by 204.03 per cent from 9.22million (N7.6 trillion) in 2013 to 28.03 million (N15.80 trillion) in 2014,” he said.

Barau said cheque clearing as a key product of NIBSS have evolved over time from being purely paper-based to electronic via the implementation of the Cheque Truncation System (CTS) deployed

by NIBSS on the banking industry.

coin in the piggy bank. The challenge is riding on the Access Bank Target Savings Account which is designed to help customers meet set target by saving a certain amount for a period of one year.

Speaking on the Challenge, Head, Inclusive Banking, Access Bank Plc, Ope Wemi-Jones said: “What is seemingly a simple idea – setting aside small sums in a savings account – actually has profound consequences on economic development and on personal financial well-being. Savings

guard against risks like illness, unemployment and other economic hardship. And they are crucial for the economy.”

Head, Products and Segments Team, Access Bank Plc, Adeola Kusemiju said: “We have also designed various means of encouraging our customers to excel in the Access Savings Challenge. This includes attractive interest rates, Interesting and enlightening articles in our Quarterly Target Saver Newsletter and monthly reminders”.

Stories by Collins Nweze

Access Savings Challenge makes debut

A

CCESS Bank has announced the commencement of the Access Savings Challenge (ASC). The product is aimed at promoting financial inclusion and literacy as the campaign seeks to encourage savings. The ASC campaign kicked off same day as the world celebrated the World Savers Day 2014.

The ASC is designed to spawn consciousness of customers on the importance of having a savings culture as prosperity begins with the first

U

UBA announces incentives for customers

NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced incentives to encourage the bank’s customers to use electronic channels for their transactions in December. Tagged UBA Cashless December, the initiative is aimed at encouraging non-cash transactions, in line with the CBN’s cashlite agenda.

From December 1 to December 31 2014, the bank’s customers who

do transactions on U-Mobile, U-Direct or pay with their Cards on the web and POS stand a chance to win great prizes.

In addition, Cardholders who use the bank’s ATM value-added services such as bill payment, airtime top up and funds transfer are eligible.

Prizes to be won include iPhone 6, airtime for phones, movie tickets, and shopping vouchers. These incentives are for new and existing

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

152.19 9.17 1.12 1.19 2,237.65 1.39 1,712.08 1,097.80 116.16 121.16 1,117.51 1.2157 1.2820 0.7923 1.0976

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

O/PRICE 6.60 1.61 3.00 0.61 2.34 21.71 0.89 3.50 214.18 34.60 42.09

C/PRICE 6.97 1.70 3.15 3.64 2.45 22.70 0.93 3.63 222.00 35.79 43.50

U

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele growth in PoS transaction volume by 191.24 per cent to 15.17 million (N241.51 billion) in 2014 from the 5.21 million (N95.29 billion) in 2013 further testifies to the successful story of PoS deployment in Nigeria,” he said.

Union Bank achieves PCI DSS certification

NION Bank of Nigeria Plc is the first Nigerian financial institution to be certified with the latest Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) - Version 3.0. PCI DSS is a global security standard for protecting card data, created by leading card companies Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB. PCI DSS version 3.0 is designed to improve usability, while reducing emerging and evolving threats to cardholder data security. The new version focuses primarily on regular staff training and proactive business processes that identify and mitigate risks in a timely manner.

Commenting on the PCI DSS upgrade, the Head Corporate Af-

fairs/Corporate Communication at Union Bank, Ogochukwu EkezieEkaidem said: “as a financial institution that provides online payment platforms to millions of customers, the protection of customer data is critical to us. This is why we have undertaken the rigorous process to upgrade to the PCI DSS version 3.0, to ensure our security infrastructure is at par with the highest international standards. We are very proud to be the first financial institution in Nigeria to achieve this certification.”

The new Standard gives the bank added incentive to offer its customers improved data security to protect them from card fraud, identity theft, insider threats, cybercrime, hacking and other security vulnerabilities.

DATA BANK

Bid Price

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 17/11/2014 10/11/2014 06/11/2014 1,116.70 1.2082 1.2820 0.7785 1.0976

GAINERS AS AT 27-11-14

SYMBOL DANGSUGAR MAYBAKER MANSARD NEM LIVESTOCK ASHAKACEM CONTINSURE IKEJAHOTEL FO UNILEVER CADBURY

UBA Customers.

“Going cashless during this festive period is not only convenient, but it also enhances your personal safety and protects your hard earned money” explained Dr. Yinka Adedeji, the Bank’s Divisional Head of e-Banking. Dr. Adedeji explained that “going cashless means customers abstaining from all forms of cash transactions and embracing e-Banking.”

He explained that through CTS, clearing period has reduced from T+3 to T+2 in Nigeria and consequently, cheques processing increased to 15.40 million (N7.79 trillion) in 2014 compared to the 12.23million (N7.15trillion) recorded in 2013 representing an increase of 25.96 per cent.

He added that NIBSS serves as the Payments Terminal Service Aggregator (PTSA) for the financial industry as part of the Cashless Nigeria Initiative which requires all PoS terminal operating within Nigeria to connect directly to NIBSS through the NIBSS Central Terminal Management System (CTMS).

“The CBN cashless initiative which was first piloted in six states aside Lagos was extended nationwide in July 2014. The incredible

CHANGE 5.61 5.59 5.00 4.92 4.70 4.56 4.49 3.71 3.65 3.44 3.35

LOSERS AS AT 27-11-14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

OANDO

21.85

20.76

CHANGE -4.99

NESTLE

905.00

860.00

-4.97

REDSTAREX

4.25

4.04

-4.94

EVANSMED

2.09

1.99

-4.78

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: October

8.1%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$79.98

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

US Dollar

164

165

Pounds Sterling

258.2344

259.809

Euro

204.2948

205.5405

Swiss Franc

169.8074

170.8428

Yen

1.3924

1.4009

CFA

0.2868

0.3068

235.4875

236.9234

Yuan/Renminbi

26.7114

26.8752

WAUA Tenor

11-11-14 Rate (%)

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES November 27, 2014

$37b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

Rate (%) 12-11-14

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

Riyal

43.7054

43.9719

1M

11.94

12.18

SDR

240.1288

241.593

3M

13.08

13.33

6M

14.03

14.17

FOREX RATES

CAVERTON

3.79

3.61

-4.75

SKYEBANK

2.60

2.48

-4.62

R-DAS ($/N)

165.29

165.29

PAINTCOM

1.60

1.53

-4.38

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

NPFMCRFBK

0.92

0.88

-4.35

FBNH

10.40

9.95

-4.33

Parallel ($/N)

185.50

185.50

ETI

18.00

17.50

-2.78

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Nov. 27, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

9.85

T-bills - 182

9.98

T-bills - 364

10

Bond - 3yrs

12.61

Bond - 5yrs

12.77

Bond - 7yrs

12.73

32

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

EQUITIES

Understanding cycles and their New foreign core investor takes over Mansard Insurance influences on the stock market

A

NEW foreign core investor, AXA, has bought 77 per cent majority equity stake in Mansard Insurance Plc, in a major market-entry push that promises to profoundly impact the Nigerian insurance industry.

AXA is the world’s largest insurance company and already has a substantial presence in Africa including Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and Algeria.

Mansard Insurance Plc at the weekend confirmed the acquisition. According to the deal, AXA would be taking over the 77 per cent equity stake held by Assur Africa Holding Limited (AAH), the core investor that had purchased the former Guaranty Trust Bank insurance subsidiary. GTBank had sold its insurance subsidiary, Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc, in compliance with regulatory framework of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

AXA has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of Assur Africa Holdings, which holds the 77 per cent equity stake in Mansard.

By Taofik Salako, Capital Market Editor

AAH is made up of Development Partners International (UK), Africinvest Inc (Tunisia), Netherlands Development Finance Company (Holland), German Investment Corporation (Germany), French Development Finance Company (France) and ASPV Limited.

According to regulatory filing, a sale and purchase agreement (SPA) for the acquisition was executed on Thursday, with the deal expected to be completed within weeks.

However, the acquisition would only result in the change of beneficial ownership of the 77 per cent equity stake in Mansard Insurance while the legal ownership of the shares remains.

In a statement on its website, AXA stated that the acquisition of a majority stake in Mansard Insurance would further strengthen its presence in Africa. It will also, at this entry point, become the fourth largest insurance player in Nigeria.

Deputy chief executive officer, AXA, Denis Duverne,

said the acquisition is a unique opportunity for AXA to enter the largest African economy with leading positions in all business lines and to get exposure to the fastgrowing Nigerian retail insurance market.

“AXA will benefit locally from the knowledge of an experienced and successful management team and from a profitable platform. Thus, this transaction represents a further step in our acceleration strategy, which is at the heart of our Ambition AXA plan, and is in line with our belief that insurance is instrumental to foster economic development, by providing communities with protection and risk management expertise,” Duverne said.

AXA noted that Mansard is the fourth largest insurance provider in Nigeria with operations in both property and casualty and life and savings, pointing out that Mansard is well established in commercial lines, which represents nearly two thirds of its revenues, and has been developing successfully its retail business over the past three years.

•From Left: Mr Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) presenting a gift to Mr. Fola Adeola, Chairman, Lotus Capital during Lotus Capital’s Facts Behind the Listing Ceremony at the NSE.

Analysts cautious as investors rethink portfolio strategies

T

HE stock market may witness more selling pressure this week as investors review the possible impact of last week decision by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook.

Analysts said the stock market, which narrowed down to a bearish close at the weekend after days of successive uptrend, could see more selloff as anxious investors weigh the likely consequences of the OPEC decision.

Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa said with the OPEC’s decision to retain production level already triggering additional decline in oil prices, there would be further selloff in the stock market in the coming week as further devaluation of the currency remain inevitable.

“Investors are advised to remain cautious as dollar demand pressure persists. That said, the expected sell-off will present bountiful opportunities in select stocks with good

•NSE records N28b turnover fundamentals for investors with longer term investment horizon,” Afrinvest stated.

Analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited said there would be a mixed bag of bargain hunting and selloff this week as investors continue to adjust to last week’s monetary policy changes.

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had last week announced 100 basis points increase in the monetary policy rate (MPR) from 12 per cent to 13 per cent, the first change in three years. It also increased the cash reserve ratio (CRR) for private sector deposit from 15 per cent to 20 per cent. The apex bank also devalued naira exchange rate to N168 per dollar with a wider band of plus or minus five per cent, that is, N160N176 band, as against the previous N155 with a band of plus or minus three per cent, that

is, N150-N160.

Turnover on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week stood at 2.09 billion shares worth N28.23 billion in 22,865 deals, representing significant increase on turnover of 1.36 billion shares valued at N14.57 billion recorded in 20,844 deals in previous week.

The bank-dominated financial services sector remained the most active sector with a turnover of 1.67 billion shares valued at N15.93 billion traded in 12,563 deals. This represented 79.89 per cent and 56.43 per cent of the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The consumer goods sector followed with a turnover of 111.63 million shares worth N6.342 billion in 4,082 deals. Conglomerates sector placed third with a turnover of 80.121 million shares worth N389.574 million in 1,229 deals.

C

YCLES are unique phenomena that have fascinated man all through civilization. A cycle represents the completion of a periodically repeated phenomenon; it is an event-happening one after the other in a certain order. No matter what sector, cycles have similar characteristics, but may have different time or life span. All the cyclical variables have four common stages which go up-expansion, peak-prosperity, go down-contraction and then bottom out-recession. Cycle stages are intertwined and this makes it difficult to predict exactly when the next phase of a cycle commences or ends.

The following are variables whose cycles have a direct bearing on the investment sphere: Economic cycle: Economic cycle generally captures the reoccurring and fluctuating levels of economy driving indices such as gross domestic product (GDP), interest rates, levels of employment, rate of inflation, prices among others. Apart from random shocks to the economy, such as wars and technological changes, the main influences on the level of economic activity are investment and consumption.

Other factors that drive the economic cycles include; volatility of investments spending, technological innovations, fluctuations in government spending, monetary policies and fluctuations in exports and imports.

Business cycles are usually of shorter duration than economic cycle, are industry or market specific and can be more easily influenced by money supply and monetary policy.

Market cycle: A market cycle basically reflect the entire range of activity or event over a given time period in a given market and though market cycles reoccur periodically, they do not occur in predictable schedule. The length of each full cycle can vary from several months to several years. It represents the movement from a period of increasing prices and strong performance-bull market, through a period of weak performance and falling prices-bear market, and goes back again to regain strength.

Trends may exist in a given market environment allowing some securities to outperform others due to advantages created by certain innovation, new product line and regulatory environment. Though market cycles are often hard to pinpoint and rarely have a specific beginning or ending point, investment experts believe they exist and pursue investment strategies that aim to profit from them by trading in securities within the swing of the cycle.

A unique feature of market cycle is that it generally runs ahead of the concurrent economic cycle. For example, investors begin to sell stock because they anticipate a recession, or turn bullish in the early stages of a recovery.

Also within the market cycle not all cycles operate on the

By Norbert Olisakwe

same schedule, a good example is the stock market which tends to operate on a different cycle from that of the bond or commodities markets. These overlapping but distinct cycles are the basis of the investment strategy known as asset allocation backed by fundamental and technical analysis.

Stock cycle: Stock cycle defines the period between the early uptrend in the stock’s price to a high and eventually to a downtrend. In effect, it represents an expansion and contraction period, somewhat like the economic cycle. It can be deployed for portfolio management allocation, allowing for more investment during accumulation and mark-up phases and less investment during the distribution and markdown phases.

The study of stock cycle is very critical to the success of investment decisions and will give investors invaluable insight into trending conditions for a stock whether sideways, up or down. Though the stock cycle can repeat itself, it is not necessary to predict it, having the right strategy however is essential to take advantage of what the price is doing to maximize profit taking.

To maximize investment or trading returns, investors must recognise that stock markets are cyclical and pose a significant challenge to investors aiming to time or predict the top or bottom of the market.

The following are four stages of the market investors must study and master to avoid being caught off guard or getting sucked into the market bubble: Accumulation stage: This phase occurs after the market has bottomed out and savvy investors made-up of value investors and risk inclined investors begin to take position in the market, believing that the worst season is over. Valuations are usually very attractive to investors, who invest in securities over a period of time in order to build a portfolio of desired value. Though reports on the performance of these stocks may be gloomy and general market sentiment may still be bearish, the accumulation phase presents the best time to buy as prices are usually flattened due to sellers throwing in the towel. Overall market sentiment begins to switch from negative to neutral.

Mark-up stage: At this stage, the market has achieved some level of stability and is beginning to move higher. The early majority of mature investors join the bandwagon for several reasons including; fear of being left out, seeing that the market is putting in higher lows and higher highs and recognition that market direction and sentiment have changed.

As this phase begins to come to an end, the late majority run into the market and volumes begin to increase substantially. At this

point, the greater fool theory prevails: the late majority are getting in, the savvy investor who entered at the accumulation stage begin to unload their stock holding. But as prices begin to level off, or as the rise slows down, those late-comers who have been sitting on the fence see this as a buying opportunity and jump in en masse. Prices make one last parabolic move, known in technical analysis as a selling climax, when the largest gains in the shortest periods often occur. But the cycle is nearing the top of the bubble. Sentiment usually goes from neutral to bullish to downright euphoric during this phase.

Distribution stage: In the distribution stage of the stock market cycle, sellers begin to dominate. This part of the cycle is identified by a period in which the bullish sentiment of the previous phase turns into a mixed sentiment. Prices can often stay locked in a trading range that can last a few weeks or even months. The distribution phase is a very emotional time for the markets, as investors are gripped by periods of complete fear interspersed with hope and even greed as the market may at times appear to be taking off again.

Mark-down stage: The final phase in the cycle is the most painful for those who still hold positions. Many hang on because their investment has fallen below what they paid for it. It is only when the market has plunged 50 per cent or more that the late-comers, many of whom bought during the distribution or early markdown phase, give up. Unfortunately for them, but fortunately for savvy investors, this is a buy signal and a sign that a bottom is imminent.

Political cycle: One of the best examples of the cycle phenomenon is the effect of the four-year presidential or political cycle on the stock market, real estate, bonds and commodities. The theory about this cycle states that economic sacrifices are generally made during the first two years of a president’s mandate. As the election draws nearer, administrations have a habit of doing everything they can to stimulate the economy so that voters go to the polls with jobs and a feeling of economic wellbeing.

The stock market benefits from increased spending and lower interest in the year of an election.

Evidence abounds on the immediate and lasting impact of politics on market forces and cycle.

The most constant thing about cycles is their ever changing character. This presents a challenge to investors whose expectation of earning of good returns is dependent on their understanding and ability to ride the various cycles mentioned above without getting swept away by the resultant forces at play.

• Olisakwe is the head of corporate social responsibility at Investment One Financial Services Limited

IV

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

I

II

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

III

33

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Taxation

T

How to obtain, update and validate your Taxpayer Identification Number

HE Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is a unique number allocated and issued to identify a person (individual or company) as a duly registered taxpayer in Nigeria. It is for use by that taxpayer ALONE. Registration for tax purposes is a legal obligation of every person who is required to pay tax in Nigeria.

The following necessary details for obtaining and updating TIN should be presented to the tax office nearest to the address of the taxpayer.

Obtaining TIN For a Company, Enterprise or Business registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) 1. Duly completed Application form for TIN; 2. EITHER Certificate of Incorporation (for a company) OR Business Name Registration Certificate (for an Enterprise and Business) showing clearly the Registration Number in each case; 3. Documents containing the following information: i. Address of Company, Enterprise or Business; ii. Principal location of business; iii. Date of Commencement of business.

For an Individual who (or whose business) is not registered with the CAC 1. Duly completed application form for TIN 2. Any of the following valid (current) identification documents: • International passport; • National Identity Card; • Staff Identity Card (employed persons); • National Driver’s License.

The following RULES are important: (i) All information marked * on the application form MUST be provided; (Ii) The characters of the NAME i.e. letters and other symbols constituting the name MUST NOT exceed two hundred (200); (iii) The characters of the ADDRESS also MUST NOT exceed 200; (iv) Email address must be UNIQUE and ACTIVE; (v) Mobile Telephone Number MUST be 11 digits e.g.

(08763201210).

Updating TIN Updating TIN under the ‘National Single Window’ System is a requirement for taxpayers with incomplete records with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

TIN may be updated at the Tax Office where it was initially generated by providing the following additional information: 1. Email Address; 2. Phone Number.

After updating, the system indicates that “The TIN has been successfully updated”.

The Joint Tax Board TIN (JTB TIN) It is important for one to note the following information about the JTB TIN: (i) The JTB TIN is designed to replace the TIN and is already in use within FIRS and several other states of Nigeria; (ii) The major difference is that the JTB TIN has ten (10) digits, it is uniform and general across Nigeria. It is UNIQUE for every registered taxpayer in Nigeria and not limited to FIRS taxpayers alone; (iii) The JTB TIN is being issued out at the point of registration and also updated by FIRS and the States which have so far adopted it; (iv) Every taxpayer in Nigeria will, ultimately, be required to possess and use ONLY the JTB TIN. Validating TIN TIN validation is the process of confirming that the updated TIN meets the necessary conditions for transacting business with other Organisations such as Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), etc.

A taxpayer can validate his/her TIN directly on the FIRS Trade Portal; that is, www.trade.gov.ng/firs by following the simple procedure and rules below: (i) Enter the TIN and the same email address that

‘

‘TIN validation is the process of confirming that the updated TIN meets the necessary conditions for transacting business with other Organisations such as Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), etc.

A taxpayer can validate his/her TIN directly on the FIRS Trade Portal; that is, www.trade.gov.ng/ firs by following the simple procedure’

’

• Acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed

Mashi

was provided to the tax office when updating; (ii) NEXT, enter the security word (captcha) and click on “Validate”; (iii) If the validation is successful, the following confirmation notice shall be displayed: “Register with NCS - Done” (iv) THEN, an automatic email notification from “Nigeria single window” with a log-in password and instruction on how to complete the registration process would be sent to the taxpayer’s email address; (v) Upon completing the validation exercise, an email will automatically be sent to the email address provided confirming successful validation. A taxpayer should therefore check the email, including spam folder.

Authenticating TIN This is for the taxpayer to re-confirm his/her updated and validated TIN. A taxpayer experiencing difficulty in validating TIN (receiving Error Messages) should seek professional assistance from the Tax Office or send email to: tspd@firs.gov.ng or taxpayer.service@firs.gov.ng

• From left: Coordinating Director, Modernisation Group of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Osy Chuke; International Monetary Fund (IMF) Regional Advisor Revenue Administration for WestAFRITAC2, Faith Mazani; Ag.Executive Chairman of FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi and Coordinating Director, Executive Chairman’s Direct Reports Group, FIRS, Hajia Queensley Seghosime, during Mazani’s familiarisation visit to FIRS Revenue House, Abuja.

34

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

35

THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

• Youth Corps members

In the last 10 years, the Ovie Brume Foundation (OBF) has placed over 300 students as interns in the financial, oil and gas, telecoms and pharmaceutical sectors, among others. The beneficiaries are equipped with requisite skills that could earn them jobs or turn them to entrepreneurs. The foundation is also partnering with Lafarge Nigeria in its maiden literacy competition developed to hone the students’skills to achieve their career goals, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

Preparing them for the future Y

OUTHS are the leaders of tomorrow. The Ovie Brume Foun-dation (OBF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with bias for youth education and empowerment, believes in this attruism. This explains why the OBF is implementing a long-term goal for the youth. The foundation, now in its 10th year, is creating a future for the youth to either build successful careers, or become job creators.

Executive Director, Ovie Brume Foundation, Mrs. Iwalola Akin-Jimoh, said the firm has helped over 300 school leavers achieve successful careers in banking, pharmaceutical, energy, security, clothing, and other key sectors of the economy.

Her words: “We take children, place them in different companies, in line with their career aspirations. They learn on the job, after which they go back to school. This helps to motivate them. We also guide them along their career paths and after school, we always place them as interns in these organisations, especially those at the Senior Secondary School level.”

She explained that many of these students have been deployed as interns to the Bank of Industry (BoI), Flying Doc-

tors, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, printing companies, fashion companies and Marina Securities, among other real sector operators.

Mrs. Akin-Jimoh expained that they spend at least a month, while some stay longer especially if they find their skills very useful. She said the body has been doing this for more than 10 years.

“We place up to 30 kids in a year, that’s about 300 kids in 10 years. Sometimes, we match students’ skills with industry. But most of the students that are placed are those that have passed through the Ovie Brume Foundation. Those we can vouch for in terms of their skills and ability, and the fact that when they get to these institutions, they will deliver,” she said.

Capacity building

The OBF Director said when organisations invest in capacity building for their workforce, it enables them achieve their objectives. She said a lot of organisations have high expectations about the people coming into their companies, but most times they are disappointed by what they find.

“So, we also talk about the quality of education that the people are getting. Most tertiary institutions teach students practicals,

but they fail to relate what they teach to the Nigerian situation. So, if you get someone, for instance with first class in mathematics, to go and work in an oil servicing company, you still need to train such person on how to deploy his mathematical skills on the oil industry,” she said.

She said a lot of graduates that are being churned out are not suitable for the jobs that are currently available, adding that it is important that our educational systems are structured in a way that people that are coming out are able to fill spaces that are available.

On entrepreneurship, Mrs. Akin-Jimoh said the available jobs are not enough to cater for the graduates churned out yearly.

“So, it is even better, where people are not coming out and be looking for white collar jobs. They come out with skills that enable them start their own businesses. So, instead of looking for a job, one can be a job creator. We need people to think more along the line of creating jobs, rather than seeking jobs,” she said.

Partnership with Lafarge

The OBF American Corner Coordinator, Lois Ekeleme, explained the group’s partnership with Lafarge Nigeria on its maiden Literacy Competition and what it intends to achieve.

She said the project is part of OBF’s strategy to encourage literacy and literacy appreciation amongst primary school students in Nigeria. She said the group is also celebrating its results from the Books on Wheels Project that was carried out in different Lafarge sites around the country.

Books on wheels is one of the many literacy programmes put together by the OBF to enhance writing skills, promote reading culture and improve the vocabulary of public primary school pupils within

the country.

The competitions will feature tests to assess reading and writing ability and spelling bees. Selected schools from various regions will provide two primary six pupils as their representatives at the regional level. The first two winners from each region will then proceed to represent the region at the finals in Lagos.

So far, 250 primary school children have benefitted from the Books on Wheels Project. She said the group is promoting literacy programmes because it sees it as one of the ways it can address the current learning and skills gap in the country.

“What that entails is taking books to the schools, reading with the students, tracking how they improve with time, in their reading and writing abilities.

We tracked the project into a period of about one year, and found that it was successful. It was in the process of this, that we now have a budding relationship with Lafarge which have bought into some of our literacy projects in the past,” she said.

Speaking further, she said the firm had suggested putting in some hours to volunteer from their different locations. “In Nigeria, the Books on Wheels is one the initiatives they bought into for their education Corporate Social Responsibility projects. They are implementing Books on Wheels in their locations in Nigeria, which include Rivers State, Ashaka in Gombe State, Ewekoro and Shagamu in Ogun State and in Lagos.

“We work with the primary schools that they identified in primary five and •Continued on page 36

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THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

JOBS •Continued from page 35

six, and over a period of one year, we have read short story books of about 20 titles across five locations, and we try to read about two books every month to about 50 children. Across board, we have enabled 250 primary schools children, read about 20 titles. The books are written by local authors,” she explained.

Mrs. Ekeleme said the group has about 39 volunteers, not only in Lafarge, but also in other organisations. “And if you look at the total number of children that have access to our books, it is well over 800. When we started, we never knew we were going to get a lot of support from corporate organisations. We have held three regional competitions in Nigeria, and because we are implementing it in three geo-political zones: Southwest, Southsouth and Northeast, we conducted literacy competitions in those three units,” she said.

“In each of them, six states were invited to participate. Only two states declined.We have 16 states participating across board. In the Southsouth, Delta and Akwa Ibom states came first. SouthwestEkiti and Ogun states while for Northeast, Bauchi and Taraba states. The six states will in December, be in Lagos for the grand finale.

They will be represented each by a young girl and boy of Primary six status who had competed in the regional competition,” she added.

Speaking on the educational programmes, Mrs. Akin-Jimoh said a lot of state governments are committed to building physical infrastructure in schools but fail to realise that students need to also learn phonetics, dictions among other modern learning systems.

Regretably, not many of them are paying attention to type and quality of education the students are getting and what the teachers are teaching. “Some teachers are still doing ‘A for Apple’, ‘B for Ball’, when a lot of primary schools are already teaching phonetics and diction, so that the students can pronounce very well. That is a major problem for all.

Those who are doing it, you will see their students excelling in these literacy competitions. What we want is for the people concerned to pay more attention,” she said.

Lack of proper teaching, she said has led to skills gap in the country. “We are already in a crisis situation, when it

Preparing them for the future Funding

• Mrs Ekeleme

•Mrs. Akin-Jimoh

comes to people that are being employed, and not having the right skills. Employers are complaining about poor manpower. The foundation is very important because if you do not get the primary and secondary right, you are not going to get the tertiary right too,” she said.

Prizes for winners

Speaking on the prizes, Ekeleme said the contestants for the final competition will have to do reading and comprehension writing, spelling, and the marks will be added together and you now have the final scores.

“But they had written essays, which were collected at the regional competitions. Now, those essays and other assessments will be added to the summary writing scores, spelling at the finals. It is from there we will get the first, second and third winners.

We want to improve literacy skills. They will get e-readers; the issue of digital technology will no longer be strange to them. They are also getting digital computers for their schools while the teachers will get tablets. The consolation prizes include CDs that will help in teaching phonetics in the schools,” she said.

‘We are already in a crisis situation, when it comes to people that are being employed, and not having the right skills. Employers are complaining about poor manpower. The foundation is very important because if you do not get the primary and secondary right, you are not going to get the tertiary right too’

On funding, the OBF Director said: “It is funded by Lafarge, but the foundation has also brought in funds. The project will cost about N15 million for the competition alone. If we want to combine it with the intervention in schools, it will be like between N25 and N30 million.

“Our mid-line assessment showed that some of the students were at zero level when it comes to reading and writing, before the intervention. But after four months of intervention, it has improved. We have nine per cent improvement in Lagos, 19 per cent in Shagamu, 23 per cent in Onne, 49 in Ewekoro and 62 per cent improvement in Ashaka after reading 20 titles. We forecast that if we do this for 12 months, the figure we will get, you times it by four quarters. I think that’s a major feat,” she said.

She said the uniqueness of this intervention is that all you need to do is read. “So, once you can read to a child, you ensure that if there is any difficult word, the child is able to pick a dictionary, write down the meaning. That’s all that is needed. So, everyone can implement this intervention, once the person can read and speak English. In places where the literacy level went up, a lot of teachers actually bought into the project. If teachers are able to go, just an extra mile and read to the kids, and make sure that they follow the tracks, there will be great success,” she said.

Job statistics

The latest Job Creation and Employment Survey from the National Bureau of Statistics show formal sector employment at 3.24 million in September, this year.

The survey defines formal sector as consisting of establishments with 10 or more employees, and is based on a sample of 5,000 firms across the 36 states of Nigeria. The total was slightly higher than the 3.15 million recorded in the previous quarter. While the exercise does not report employment totals in the informal sector or public institutions, and even allowing for a median age of 17.2 years in 2013 according to the UN Population Division, we can quickly see why the Federal Government of Nigeria is focused on job creation for Nigeria’s population of more than 170 million.

CAREER MANAGEMENT

E

MPLOYMENT experts agree that skill identification is essential to a successful job search. Employers want to know what it is you can do for them-not just what you’ve done for someone else. Knowledge of your unique skills is needed to successfully complete an application, write a resume or answer interview questions. Skills Identification is a key initial step towards new employment.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a skill as “a great ability or proficiency, expertness that comes from training, practice, etc.” A simple definition is that a skill is anything you can do right now.

Everyone has skills, hundreds of skills, many of which employers are looking for in an employee. Yet most people can only identify a few skills and are generally unable to describe them to an employer.

Employers need to hear what you can do. If you’re looking at purchasing a product that will cost you thousands of naira a year for many years, you also would want to know that it can do. The more skills you have identified, the easier it is to convince a potential employer that you have what it takes to do the job.

Skills categories Job skills Job skills are those skills specific to a job or occupation. An administrative assistant is skilled in typing, word processing, answering

How identify your skills

By Olu Oyeniran

telephones, company correspondence and filing. An accountant would list accounts receivable, performing accounts payable, payroll, figuring taxes, using a 10 keys adding machine and computer accounting programs. A salesperson would include customer service, record keeping, order processing, inventory management, billing and product displays.

Job skills are important to employers for obvious reasons. These are the specific skills they look for in a candidate to accomplish the duties of the job. Job skills do not always come from employment.

Along with the skills you used in previous jobs, you may have developed job skills through education, hobbies, community activities and life experiences. Common activities such as shopping, managing finances, balancing a bank account, hosting a party and teaching a child all contain potential job skills.

Self-management skills Sometimes called “personality traits,” these self-management skills are skills you use day-to-day to get along with others and to survive. They’re the skills that you unique. Sincerity, reliability, tactfulness, patience, flexibility, timeliness and tolerance are examples of self-management skills. Employers look for these skills in can-

didates as evidence of how they will fit into the organisation. How a person will fit in is an important consideration to employers.

Transferable skills These are skills that can transfer from one job or occupation to another. They may be either selfmanagement or job content skills, and may or may not have been developed through pervious employment. For most jobseekers it’s very unlikely that they’ll find a job that is identical to their opportunities.

It’s also important to look for ways to express this transferability to a prospective employer.

Duties Many people have trouble distinguishing between their skills and duties. Duties are the basic functions of an activity. Skills are tools to accomplish those functions. Duties or functions are a part of any organised activity, whether it’s employment, volunteer work or hobbies. A simple example is the management of a lemonade stand.

The basic duties of a lemonade stand owner might be to manage lemonade operations including product, marketing, distribution and finances. These are many skills needed to accomplish these functions including: mixing, measuring, planning, sales, customer service, writing, cash handling, record keeping, maintenance, timeliness,

dependability, accuracy and motivation. A complete list of skills would be very long.

Writing out the duties or functions of an activity first can be useful way to begin identifying skills.

When presenting your skills to an employer, it’s best to tie them to specific activities in which they were used. It’s not enough to tell the employer your skills: you need to be prepared to tell where, when and how you used those skills.

Writing your skills Identifying, listing and describing your skills isn’t an easy task.

However, it’s critical to job search success and you should plan to invest the time needed. Listed below is an outline for skills identification that has been successfully used by many jobseekers.

• List by title a job you’ve held.

Start with your most recent employment and work backwards.

• Write a detailed description of four to five major duties.

• Think of the skills needed to accomplish each duty you’ve listed.

Write those skills down on a piece of paper. Remember to look for both job and self-management skills. Be sure to include tools used, machines operated, knowledge applied, etc.

• Repeat the above steps for each activity you anticipate describing to an employer either on an application, in your resume or in an interview. Use this process for other work-related activities including hobbies, volunteer work and community experience.

Once you’ve completed this process, you should have a long list of skills-A list too long to tell an employer. Go through the list, select and prioritise those skills that match your job(s) target(s). Three to eight can be optimal, depending on your years of experience and relevancy. These are the skill you will use and sell in your job search effort- deciding what you will like to do, during interviews and in your resume/CV. EkiniConsult & Associates is organising three free and open workshops, “Knocking on the Right Doors- Strategies for Uncovering the Hidden Job Market” for The Nation readers in Lagos. A free eBook of the same title will be given to those who may not be able to. If you are interested, send-in your name, location, email address and GSM no to 080-8384-3230. Precede with the word ‘ATTEND’ for those who want to come and ‘FREE EBOOK’ for those who want the free eBook only.

•Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

37

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

THE CEO Airlines can do better in a conducive operating environment. But with low access to capital, double digit lending rate, multiple charges, lack of sound business plans and operational models, many domestic carriers may be on the verge of collapse. To the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, if the right model is in place, financial institutions will fund airlines. Running a ‘’lean operation’’, he tells KELVIN OSAOKUNBOR in this interview, is critical to the success of any airline.

‘Govt’s agencies not helping genuine investors ’

R

UNNING a domestic carrier in Nigeria could be challenging. Are there ways government could assist opera-

tors?

There are many ways government can assist domestic airlines. If government cannot build an aircraft maintenance hangar in Nigeria, it should assist any operator willing to invest in that area. This would be important for many reasons. If any operator shows interest in building a hangar, government should support such an individual or operator to secure a large parcel of land around any airport in the country. Such a project will create more jobs for Nigerians.

Why are aviation agencies not cooperating to allocate land to airlines?

Civil servants should change their ways and stop frustrating private enterprise through unnecessary bureaucracy. For over one year, Air Peace has applied to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to allocate it land to build an aircraft maintenance facility, but the authority has not granted the allocation. If FAAN had allocated land to the airline at any airport in the country, the project would have been completed by now. If they had allocated land to us, many banks, given my integrity and track record would have funded the project, because they know that I am credit worthy.

There wouldn’t have been any default in paying pack the money for the project. If we build an aircraft maintenance centre in Nigeria, our country would become a hub where other African countries would fly in their aircraft for repairs. That would generate huge money for country. People say aviation does not generate enough money. That is not correct, Ethiopia as a country is generating huge foreign exchange from its airline, Ethiopian Airlines. It is the mainstay of her economy. Why can’t we replicate the Ethiopian model in Nigeria? That would create massive jobs. FAAN should be told to give us land. Having an aircraft maintenance hangar in Nigeria will assure safety. It will bring investment into the country. FAAN should help this country; I am tired of begging for land. The airport authority should

• Onyema

serve the people of Nigeria, but not to lord it over the people. You pay FAAN for offices, you cannot get the offices you have paid for. You pay FAAN for offices, the offices are not allocated to you. The airport authority should create facilities for people.

This country belongs to all of us. Some people do not own the country. There is sufficient land around the airports; they do not want to give it to serious people who can invest to develop the industry. Instead, FAAN is giving land to people who are not ready to develop the industry. An organisation such as Air Peace that is ready to develop the aviation sector is denied land at the airports by FAAN. What could be done to encourage FAAN to allocate land to serious investors?

The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, should direct FAAN to allocate land to committed investors in the aviation sector to enable them set up aircraft maintenance facility. That will assist the development of the sector. If FAAN is skeptical about

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE JIMOH

our capacity to utilise the land, they should ask for our feasibility and bankable evidence on how we intend to develop the facility. We have banks that can finance the projects. The minister should talk to FAAN to release land and we are ready to give evidence of finance. I do not think it is good for airlines to be carrying out aircraft maintenance at the ramp. It is not enough. Even the Air Force facility is not enough. There are airlines that want to have their own hangar.

Airline business is capital-intensive, in what ways can banks assist domestic airlines?

If airlines are properly run, they could become money spinning businesses, and the banks would be in a good position to gain from that through huge cash inflow that would be generated. The truth of the matter is that integrity is in short supply in the Nigerian business environment. That is the main reason many local banks are skeptical about giving out money to fund aviation projects. Again, the banks see the sector as

‘FAAN should help this country; I am tired of begging for land. The airport authority should serve the people of Nigeria, but not to lord it over the people. You pay FAAN for offices, you cannot get the offices you have paid for.

You pay FAAN for offices, the offices are not allocated to you. The airport authority should create facilities for people. This country belongs to all of us. Some people do not own the country’

turbulent. The banks should look inwards and see how they could protect themselves.

In the case of my airline, I sign off my planes as collateral with other collateral as guarantee in case I am unable to pay back the money I took from the bank. Before any bank manager could give money to any airline operator, he has to look at the background of the person deeply. Where is he coming from?

Can we trust him? The banks that gave Air Peace considered all these seriously. The bank gave me a moratorium. The banks can extend this to other airlines to restore confidence. The problem with Nigerian airline operators is that they borrow money and run away. They divert the money. Banks should only come in to assist airline operators after they have carefully studied them that they have integrity to pay back the money. Assurance that the money would not be diverted into any other venture is very important. The banks should lower their interest rates. At the same time, we also have to consider the rate at which the banks are getting their deposit. In this respect, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has a role to play.

This implies that the apex bank must lower its withholding deposit with the commercial banks to enable them achieve the interest rate to the benefitting airlines.

Stakeholders have compalined about dearth of infrastructure at the airport. How can this be addressed?

Lack of air field lighting system has been a challenge affecting the growth of domestic airlines in Nigeria. This is affecting the growth of aviation. A situation where only three airports are accessible at night is not good enough. It does not augur well for the development of aviation. Government should try to provide night landing facilities in all the airports. This is important because of safety and security. In the event that an aircraft is flying and there is a technical problem, there should be alternate airports with night landing facilities. When people talk about safety in America, what people are referring to are available at airports everywhere. Even private airports, there are facilities for aircraft to land anytime under any circumstance. In Nigeria, we need landing facilities that are working 24 hours everyday. This would boost the development of the nation’s economy. This would not only create additional jobs, it will provide revenue for the government. A bigger Nigeria with airports fitted with night landing facilities is better for business.

What motivated you to invest in the aviation sector where returns on investment are very low?

My interest in the aviation sector is driven by an unsavoury experience. In 1998, a group of people met me and we had a robust discussion to consider investing in aviation. The people talked me into buying a cargo plane, and the potential of making money in that line of business. They packaged it as a cargo airline. I sold some of my property on Lagos Island to enable me raise sufficient capital to get into such huge capital outlay venture.

Having sold my property, I brought the money to the table; nine months after, I did not see any aircraft, as they promised me. It took me another nine months to get my money back from them. After that bad experience, the desire to get into the aviation sector at that time died.

However, in 2007, I started thinking of going into aviation, again. My interest this time around was fuelled by what someone told me: Investing money in the purchase of one aircraft could create jobs for about 100 people directly, and that indirectly, it could create up to 200 jobs. In that case, I was inspired to invest in aviation so that I could create jobs for Nigerians.

Are there other considerations for investing in airline business?

The primary motive is because I could use Air Peace to create jobs. I also invested in aviation because it can generate revenue for me. This is very clear because of the low returns on investment. If I leave all the money I have invested in aviation in the banks, it could fetch me much more because Nigerian banks are offering double digit interest. That is a good way to make money by •Continued on page 38

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THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

THE CEO

‘Govt’s agencies not helping genuine investors’ •Continued from page 37

sitting down at home. But, I have gone ahead to invest in aviation not because it is profitable, despite the unfriendly business environment, huge capital outlay, required financial turbulence, I am motivated that investment in aviation would create jobs.

As I moved with the investment, thankfully two Nigerian banks came to my rescue. The two Nigerian banks are supporting me because of my integrity. I did not know it will be like this, because the business is gulping a lot of money that I initially did not planned for. But, there was a rescue plan. What you see in Air Peace today is the power of God and integrity.

What operational model are you utilising?

We are bringing a whole world of difference with Air Peace. One of the driving modules for Air Peace will be safety. This is a key ingredient for running a successful airline anywhere in the world.

One of the motivating factors that pushed me into investing in aviation in Nigeria is to change the face of air travel, with priority on safety, which has become imperative in view of the spate of air crashes that occurred many years ago. Going further, we are going to model Air Peace after the operational model used by South West Airlines in the United States. We want to do something unique in air travel. We want to fly from Warri to Port Harcourt, from Abuja to the smaller airports. We are using very strong Boeing jets.

We want to see flights connecting passengers from Benin to Port Harcourt, from Kebbi to Abuja.

The whole idea is to bring peace to the country. In Air Peace, we are not driven by profit, but to create jobs for Nigerians by ensuring that

qualified indigenous professionals are engaged. That is what we want to do. Air Peace wants to open up the entire country’s air link by going beyond the traditional point of flying from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt and a few other routes.

We want to have a good operation that would be profitable, we are not cut corners, we are getting it right, since we started our flights last month. We do not want to cut lives; we are running an airline that passengers would feel safe and secured and have peace. We are running a ‘lean‘ operation that would be profitable. By lean operations we mean focussing on a few routes, and we will expand our route network in line with our business plan.

South West Airlines in America that we are copying their model is very profitable. We have brought in a new style of doing the business.

Since we started, our flights have been phenomenal. We hear that aviation business is very turbulent, but with a lean operation, we would survive and open up the entire country and link up all the airports. We want to access the smaller airports with our Boeing jets that could land at smaller airports with shorter runways. Our plan is to revolutionise the air travel business.

Are you looking at a nationwide carrier?

From our model of lean operations, we will expand flights nationwide. By that means, we would become a nationwide carrier. Since last month that we commenced operations, we operate flights between Lagos to Abuja, Owerri, Enugu and Port Harcourt. There are also return flights between Abuja and these cities. Our plan for Air Peace is to run a nationwide carrier that would fly passengers into smaller airports including Benin, Kebbi, Makurdi, Gombe, Port

‘Lack of air field lighting system has been a challenge affecting the growth of domestic airlines in Nigeria. This is affecting the growth of aviation. A situation where only three airports are accessible at night is not good enough. It does not augur well for the development of aviation. Government should try to provide night landing facilities in all the airports. This is important because of safety and security’

• Onyema

Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Yola, Warri and many other airports. We want to promote national air line to create jobs in Nigeria and link up secondary airports with the major airports. Our mission is to ensure we use air travel to stimulate the growth of the economy. Our service compact is reliable service. Our planes are fitted with wifi facility.

We have zero tolerance for delayed flights. Our overall goal is to foster inter connectivity within the country, to reduce the problem of people traveling for hours to link up airports from one state to another.

What has been your experience since you commenced scheduled operations?

It has been a wonderful experience for the almost one month’s that Air Peace started operations in four major routes. Nigerians have been so wonderful in their patronage of our flights. Nigerians have shown love to us, the patronage has been so tremendous. Like.

We always say. We have scored so many firsts in the airline industry already. On our first day of flight October 24, 2014, we had 14 flights into Lagos, Abuja. Port Harcourt Enugu and Owerri airports flying over 370 passengers on the inaugural flight, no airline had ever recorded such feat. Since, October 24, 2014 have not stopped doing 14 flights per day. Within the first 10 days of our commencement of scheduled flights we flew over 5,000 passengers. This is evidence of live Nigerians have shown towards Air Peace as their airline. In some locations, some passengers have adopted Air Peace as their airline of choice. We are very grateful to Nigerians for their patronage and can only promise better days ahead. With their support we should expect more to come from the airline. The airline has a huge acceptance from all parts of Nigeria, this evidence of our prompt and reliable services. This is also evidence of the calibre of pilots we parade, our schedule integrity, by keeping to time. We have safe landings, and our pilots are under instruction to avoid bad weather and weather related issues. Our goal is to give the flying public peace of mind and the best services.

What is your immediate expansion plan for the airline?

From December 1, 2014, we are expanding our operations with flights from Lagos into Asaba International Airport. This is not just plan for December, but we have had it in the pipeline. We consider Asaba Airport an important route.

As more of our aircraft arrive, we would go beyond Asaba Airport and extend flights between Lagos and Warri. We will also extend flights between Warri and Port Harcourt and a return flight from Port Harcourt to Warri. We will also do Warri to Abuja flights.

What about partnership with state governments?

We have scored history as the first airline within one month of its existence to sign agreement with a state government in the northern part of the country. The agreement is in the form of a contract to provide aircraft and develop the new airport. We have also scored another first as the newest airline to sign an agreement with the Kebbi State government to develop the new airport just completed in Birnin Kebbi.This agreement would entail our developing the route and attracting traffic to the new airport from Abuja and a return flight to Kebbi. The agreement has been signed and sealed in Kebbi. Part of the terms of the agreement would involve development of that route. We intend to extend the flights from Abuja to Kebbi to include Kebbi to Kano and a return flight from Kano to

• Onyema

PHOTOS: ISAAC AYODELE JIMOH

‘In Nigeria, we need 24 hours landing facilities that would boost the development of the nation’s economy. This would not only create additional jobs, but earn revenue for government. People are limiting many sources of generating revenue in this country’ Kebbi . The agreement with the Kebbi State government is part of efforts by the governor to open the state to all parts of the world through air link, which he has started with the construction and completion of the airport. The airport would accelerate the socio economic development of the state.

The airport is expected to generate jobs for people of the state. It would attract investment in many sectors of the economy. We are going to put some aircraft on the routes and share some costs on both sides. We are looking at deploying our DORNIER Jets on the routes and as the route expands, we would deploy the Boeing Jets. With the airport. Kebbi State has joined others using aviation as a catalyst to facilitate trade and business. The place is very safe. Air Peace is going to galvanise the the development of Kebbi State. We are very excited over the partnership with Kebbi State, and Air Peace would play its role accordingly. It is important to clarify that there is nothing like unviable airport, state governments must give operators the opportunity to help open up airports. If you do not start it, the airports would not be open. We have plans to sign similar agreements with other state governments, which we would disclose at the appropriate time.

What impact has Air Peace made since it commenced scheduled flights?

You will agree with me that Air Peace is already a success story. We have made a lot of difference in the industry. Air Peace has made all the airlines to sit up. We are excited about this because it is our goal to change the face of air travel in Nigeria and exactly that we have done.

Since we started, we have altered the equation; some operators are now adjusting to flight delay because of us. That is part of what we have achieved in the industry. Other airlines are now trying to adjust to

ensure they minimise flight delays.

What about customer service, other carriers who did not value their passengers now that they have changed. Not the template has changed and competition is hotting up, which is good for the business.

Are you comfortable with ongoing discussions over airport charges?

It beats my imagination that we are still talking about airport charges. This is strange given the fact that in Nigeria we do not produce anything used by airlines. I mean aircraft, spares, and even aviation fuel is imported and paid for in dollars. Now that the exchange rate has increased it is adversely affecting airlines. Yet, some government agencies are still interested in collecting between ten to fifteen per cent of the ticket value as charges.

This is unacceptable. If they collect such high per cent, what is left for the operators to use? Too much charge is the reason why airline are cutting corners. When the charges are too high why operators would not cut corners, they do not have money to remain afloat. If the high airport charges are transferred to passengers, it would discourage them from flying. If passengers are not flying, the airlines cannot break even. They cannot meet their operating costs. Imagine, after five days of commencement of flight, I was given a bill of over N45 million as the cost for aviation fuel. I was alarmed, I could not believe it. My eyes opened wide. Aviation agencies should not collect more than one per cent of the value of the ticket as charges. Airline operators are just working for the agencies to profit. Airlines do not make up to five per cent as profit.

Where do they expect the airlines to get the five per cent ticket sales charge and others the agencies collect? We should not be talking about moribund issues like airport charges, the agencies should come down from their roof tops.

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

39

BUSINESS MOTORING

The Los Angeles (LA) Auto Show is one of the events that prepares the mind for new vehicles. There are big announcements and debuts from automakers. Audi has chosen this year’s show to unveil its new Prologue, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition.

•Toyota Mirai

Toyota unveils Mirai ‘The Future’ Toyota Motor Corporation has announced a new entry into the automobile world, Mirai ‘The Future.’ The fuel cell car can travel up to 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, emits only water vapour, and can refuel in less than five minutes, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition.

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OYOTA Motor Corporation has officially announced the name and details surrounding its anticipated fuel cell vehicle. Dubbed ‘the Mirai,’ the groundbreaking car will be able to travel up to 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, emits only water vapour, and can refuel in less than five minutes.

‘Mirai,’ which means ‘future’ in Japanese, is definitely set to take the hybrid and EV market head-on when it hits American market in 2016.

For Akio Toyoda, the Toyota president and Chief Executive Officer, it is a turning point in automotive history.

A turning point, he said, where people will embrace a new, environmentally-friendly car that is a pleasure to drive.

“A turning point where a four-door sedan can travel 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, can be refuelled in less than five minutes and emit only water vapour. A turning point that represents many years and countless hours of work by our team to create a car that redefines the industry.

“All of us at Toyota believe in a future that will be safer, greener and easier for everyone... For us, this isn’t just another car. This is an opportunity – an opportunity to really make a difference. And making a difference is what Toyota is all about,” Toyoda said in a promotional video for the Mirai.

The car has the looks and design similar to a Camry or Corolla, yet has a certain “spaceage” aesthetic to it as well. The Mirai definitely represents a step forward for Toyota, a company which hasn’t been scared to take the first leap with new and groundbreaking technologies in the past, as it did with the wide-scale release of the Prius.

“Toyota’s vision of a hydrogen society is not just about building a great car, but ensuring accessible, reliable, and convenient

refuelling for our customers,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota’s North American CEO. “I am happy to announce that this vision will expand beyond the borders of California and give customers the opportunity to join the fuel cell movement,” Lentz said.

That refuelling that Lentz is referring to will start out in the northeast corridor, with 12 hydrogen stations planned to be built in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Those stations will be built under a partnership with Air Liquide, a producer and supplier of natural gases. These proposed fuelling stations will come in addition to the 19 that are planned for California, with help from First Element Fuels and funding from the California Energy Commission.

In May 2014, Toyota announced a $7.3 million loan to FirstElement Fuels to support the operations and maintenance of 19 hydrogen fuelling stations across the state. The commitment augments funding provided by the California Energy Commission, and makes Toyota the only OEM to provide working capital for infrastructure development.

“We imagined a world filled with vehicles that would diminish our dependence on oil and reduce harm to the environment. It was a bold, but inspiring goal. And, today it is a reality. Our fuel cell vehicle runs on hydrogen that can be made from virtually anything, even garbage! It has a fuel cell that creates enough electricity to power a house for about a week. This is a car that lets you have it all with no compromises,” Toyoda stated.

The Toyota chief believed that the new Mirai would open more doors for the company.

“As a test driver, I knew this new fuel cell vehicle had to be truly fun to drive – and believe me, it is. It has a low centre of gravity, which gives it very dynamic handling. After surviving millions of miles on the test track and 10 years of testing on public roads in

freezing cold and scorching heat. After passing extensive crash tests, we believe that behind the wheel of the Mirai, we can go places we have never been, to a world that is better, in a car that is better,” Toyoda noted.

In welcoming the Mirai, Toyota is adding yet another weapon to its line-up of incredibly economical vehicles. Again, the company that took hybrids mainstream with the Prius is willing to make another bet on fuel cell vehicles, whose future is much more unclear.

That uncertainty stems from the fact that there are no mass-market fuel cell vehicles currently on the market, and that many consumers are just now getting comfortable with the concept of electric and hybrid cars.

But it’s hard to ignore those performance stats: 300 miles on a single tank, five-minute refuelling and only water vapour for emissions. Those figures alone will likely garner Toyota some early adopters, but like EVs, it’s probably going to be a while before know-

vision of a ‘Toyota’s hydrogen society is

not just about building a great car, but ensuring accessible, reliable, and convenient refuelling for our customers

’

ing that the Mirai is a success. Since consumers will need a refuelling network nearby to make owning a fuel cell car viable, only a handful of people will actually be interested.

But, Toyota has chosen to target two of the most heavily populated areas in America (and also two of the most environmentally conscious) to give it a shot, but getting people to buy into the idea will be a challenge.

Perhaps the biggest issue facing the Mirai, when it ultimately hits the market, will be pricing. Toyota will bring the Mirai to the masses with a price tag of $57,500, putting it in the same price range as many luxury cars, and likely far above what most consumers would be looking to spend. Think about it, people are probably looking to purchase the Mirai in an effort to save money on operation costs, like fuel, but with such a high barrier to entry, they could easily end up looking at other models.

The price can be dropped a bit in United States with the addition of state and federal incentives that Bloomberg says could drop the price by as much as $13,000. Still, that puts the Mirai at a price in the mid-$40,000 range, considerably more than the Prius or the swath of other EV and hybrid vehicles on the market. Add on to that the fact that only a handful of consumers will have access to refuelling stations, and Toyota could have a tough sell on their hands.

In the Mirai, Toyota is definitely taking another step forward, and it’s impressive to say the least. There are others hot on the company’s heels, however, as Honda also has a fuel cell car in the works, and more are sure to follow. Much in the same way Toyota paved the way for hybrids and EVs to become mainstream, the Mirai could do the same for the fuel cell market. The only question is, will customers jump on board?

40

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

MOTORING

New Cayenne makes debut E MBODYING more power and greater efficiency, Porsche Centre Lagos, Stallion Motors Limited has welcomed the arrival of the all-new Cayenne, boasting enhanced performance, a sharpened design and more exciting features as standard. The new Cayenne extends the model’s evolving, 12-year success story as it continues to underline its position as a true sports car amongst SUVs. The new generation Cayenne will launch in three versions: Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and for the first time, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. Adding another chapter to Porsche’s unrivalled legacy of breaking new automotive ground, this model, together with the Panamera S E-Hybrid and the 918 Spyder, makes Porsche the world’s only carmaker to offer three plug-in hybrid models.

All the three new Cayenne models feature redeveloped engines which deliver higher torque than their predecessors, coupled with lower fuel consumption, as Porsche continues its ethos of delivering increased power without compromising efficiency. When matched with more precise handling capabilities, the new Cayenne represents a sport SUV beyond compare.

Anurag Shah, Brand Manager at

Ford rewards customers with free service

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•Shah and Porsche Sales Manager Josephine Nwosu unveiling Cayenne S E-Hybrid

Porsche Centre Lagos, Stallion Motors Limited, said: “The new Porsche Cayenne embodies the ultimate Porsche traits; class-leading performance and outstanding driveability. No matter the road conditions the new Cayenne delivers a unique automotive experience and we expect our local customers to share in the excitement around this thrilling evolution.”

In its latest version, Porsche designers have given the Cayenne an even sharper design with precise lines and purposefully placed light refracting edges. Front body, front wings, bonnet and air blades are also newly shaped.

At first glance, the new Cayenne is a Porsche through and through with its bi-xenon headlights and

four-point LED daytime running lights. The new layout of the model’s rear lights creates a threedimensional effect with the brake lights designed in four elements.

The license plate, boot handle and lights are now integrated more elegantly into the boot lid. In addition to other modifications, the newly developed exhaust tailpipes are now incorporated in the lower rear section, while an automatically activating boot lid is fitted as standard.

The three models - Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and the Cayenne S E-Hybrid goes for N25 million and N39 million.

In the interior, much of the layout has been shaped around the driver, with a new multifunction sport steering wheel – which can also be found in the 918 Spyder –

ing to him, FERMA engineers are being mobilised to utilise the dry season to achieve massive road repairs.

This, he said, is to re-enact the “safe passage” initiative carried out in 2012/2013.

He also inspected the failing expansion joints on Murtala Mohammed Bridge at Kotonkarfe.

According to him, the bridge is an old one with an old design; heavy

traffic on the bridge has necessitated continuous maintenance. He assured that with the transformation agenda of the government on road sector, the agency will not wait till any bridge collapses in the country.

The FERMA boss was also on the Lokoja – Okene road where he assessed failed sections of the road at the Federal College of Education, Okene. He instructed the contractor to speed up the work, taking

Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo

featuring shift paddles as standard.

The rear seating system is even more comfortable, with optional seat ventilation now available for the first time.

Power and torque have been boosted while improving fuel economy in line with Porsche’s commitment to maximum output from minimum input. All new Cayenne models consume significantly less fuel, with the help of new features including a coasting function, a further advanced auto stop-start function plus (except Diesel) and optimised thermal management, with Active cooling air flaps now being used for the first time in the Cayenne. Located behind the middle air inlet, they are opened or closed according to the specific driving situation and cooling needs.

FERMA re-launches operation zero potholes

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HE Managing Director of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Mr Gabriel Amuchi, has said the agency is mobilising to re-launch the operation zero potholes programme to make all arterial Federal roads motorable nationwide for this yuletide period.

He said this in Kabba, Kogi State while on an inspection tour of some federal roads in Kogi State. Accord-

A

Nissan, Renault sell 200,000 electric cars

LITTLE less than four years ago, the first 2011 Nissan Leaf electric car was delivered to eager buyer Olivier Chalouhi in San Francisco.

Earlier this month, Nissan and its partner the French carmaker Renault delivered their 200,000th electric car.

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into cognisance that the road is a major transport link with high traffic volume which connects the North and the South.

Amuchi was also in Kabba to inspect a bridge at the Ahmadu Bello University College of Agriculture campus. He said the agency is positioned to take proactive steps in ensuring that the road condition across the country will be given necessary attention during this dry season.

HIS year’s Yuletide season promises to be an interesting one for vehicle shoppers as Coscharis Motors, a foremost automobile dealer and representatives of Ford Motor Company in Nigeria, has announced that it will run the Extended Service Plan (ESP) sales promotion until January 2, 2015.

The ESP package offers free service for 4 years or 120,000 kilometres whichever comes first, to customers who purchase qualified variants of the Ford brand from Coscharis Motors or any of its accredited distributors nation-wide.

The ESP is a package which allows the buyers of a qualified Ford variant to own the vehicle for four years or 120,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, without worry as he need not spend a kobo to service the vehicle throughout the life span of the ESP. Customers, Coscharis Group Managing Director of Coscharis Motors, Mr Josiah Samuel, should drive the vehicle to any Coscharis Motors service centre nationwide to get the vehicle serviced and drive away thereafter without paying a kobo.

Among the freebies to be enjoyed by customers are oil change, tyre rotation, brake pads, wiper blades, belts and hoses and shocks Samuel explained that the ESP promo which first came up in 2011 has become one of the longest running promos in the Nigerian automobile arena due to persistent demand for its rerun by customers. He stated that the free ESP only strives to achieve the continued realisation of the vision Henry Ford had over 100 years ago, which seeks to make automobile available and affordable to all mankind.

“Another reason for the offer is our desire to take over our customers’ worries about vehicle maintenance and free their minds so that they can focus more on the accomplishment of their primary objectives in business and leisure,” Samuel said.

HE Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the operators or owners of tricycles, salon cars, commercial vehicles, buses, tippers, trailers and trucks on the use of speed limiting devices in their vehicles latest by June 2015 and the recent lunch of the policy by the Federal Road Safety Commission is a commendable move in the war against road traffic crashes and fatalities in Nigeria.

Without doubt, the rate of speed – related crashes is very high in Nigeria thereby necessitating urgent attention.

If all of the parties are committed to the MoU, compliance will go a long way to benefit the operators and the nation as a whole by reducing fuel consumption, save lives through a drastic reduction in accidents

Collectively, those cars have driven roughly 2.5 billion million miles (4 billion million km) without adding any airborne emissions to the atmosphere from the vehicle.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance now claims a 58-percent share of the market for vehicles with no tailpipe emissions.

Of those sales, the Alliance says that 66,500 were logged from January through early November of this year - a 20 percent increase on 2013 levels.

Since December 2010, Nissan has sold just under 150,000 electric cars in the United States, Asia, and Europe; Renault delivered the rest in Europe and other regions.

The Nissan Leaf is by far the bestselling electric car in history, and one of two current battery-electric vehicles from Nissan.

The other is the e-NV200 small commercial van, now being evaluated for sale in the U.S. The Alliance has partnered with a variety of governments, organisations,

groups, and companies to continue the rollout of DC fast-charging stations across the globe.

Regardless of the pace, the gamble taken by the RenaultNissan Alliance has clearly met one of its business goals: The two carmakers dominate the batteryelectric vehicle business.

SAFE DRIVING

Speed limiters and road safety and fatalities, reduce the wear and tear on vehicles, less damage to road and road furnitures, increase the patronage of alternative means of transportation, reduction in transport emissions and reduction in the impact of crashes when they occur.

It should however be remembered that policy formulation is just a step, effective implementation or enforcement is much more expedient and justifies the time and resources put into it.

Overloading of vehicles should always be checked by the relevant authorities (overloading of human beings and materials) in the intracity, intrastate and interstate transportation.

The Association of the Transporters should also be used to fast track

compliance by their Members.

Overspeeding

It is a truism that overspeeding is one of the major causes of road traffic crashes and fatalities in Nigeria. Hence the justification for the introduction of speed limiters for motorists, particularly vehicles in the fleet of Transport Companies among others.

The challenges

• Are the speed limiting devices available and in adequate quantities in every part of Nigeria?

• Do we have enough Technicians to install the devices nationwide, even in the rural areas?

• Do we have adequate maintenance Technicians?

• Is the price of the device reasonably affordable?

• Are all the devices tamper-proof?

• How deep is the enlightenment on the policy among the vehicle Owners and Drivers?

• Overspeeding is relative and it depends on: • Knowledge and skills of drivers • Condition of the road • Condition and characteristics of the vehicle • Environmental factors • Physical and mental condition of the driver • The traffic • The load • Visibility • Though the policy will generate employment opportunities in the ar-

Jide Owatunmise Registrar / Chief Executive, Professional Driving and Safety Academy

eas of programming, installation and maintenance but will the implementation, enforcement and compliance be thorough and effective to make the employment opportunity profitable and sustainable?

42

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014 USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the public may easily contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

177TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

PREPARED BY COUNCIL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, KANO.

I

n one hundred and seventy six (176) sittings, the Kano State Executive Council approved the execution of over 4,400 memoranda at an average rate of twenty five (25) per sitting spanning all sectors. Such explains the impressive phase/vigour with which the present administration delivers on promises made by Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE prior to his election/mandate for

the second (2nd) term.

The feat was continued on Wednesday 26th November, 2014 (3rd Safar, 1436 AH) when the Governor presided over the one hundred and seventy seventh (177th) sitting of the State Executive Council.

In line with the above, forty four (44) memoranda from nine (9) MDAs were tabled for deliberation of which thirty five (35) cutting across six (6) sectors were approved for execution with an expenditure of Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Eight Thousand, Fifty Nine Naira, Seventy Five Kobo (N778,768,059.75) covering thirty one (31) projects while the remaining four (4) were on policy issues as follows; 1. THE HEALTH SECTOR A healthy society is a wealthy one in view of its capacity to produce for the livelihood of all. Cognizant to this, the present administration in the State relentlessly provides for the Health Sector in all aspects (i.e. the system, structure, infrastructure, consumables, etc.). Along this line, health care delivery is continually improved for the better with the execution of projects, structures, programmes, policies, etc. which include the following; o General renovation of Kano Dental Center, Kano. o General renovation of the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Kano. o General renovation of Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital, Kano. o General renovation of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (the Mortuary inclusive), Kano. o General renovation of Sir Sunusi Specialist Hospital, Kano. o General renovation of Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, Kano. o General renovation of several General Hospitals across the State - especially at Gaya, Kura, Yar'gaya, etc. o Sponsorship for professional/educational training for medicine (MBBS and Pharmacy) locally and abroad. o Establishment of College of Nursing and Midwifery Madobi, School of Post Basic Midwifery Gezawa and School of Health Technology Bebeji. o Establishment and sustenance of the Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach Scheme. o Provision of Hospital Mattresses/Pillows, Beddings, etc. to all medical facilities owned by the State Government. o Continuation with provision of feeding free of charge to patients in Government owned Hospitals, etc.

The commendable trend was maintained at the sitting when Council approved the execution of five (5) memoranda under the Health Sector as follows; a) Presentation on the Need and Request for Funds for Additional Works at the Recently Upgraded Kwankwaso Cottage Hospital:The Ministry of Health reminded Council, through contents of this memorandum, of its series of approvals granted for the construction of new structures, general renovation, equipping and furnishing for the upgrading of the Kwankwaso Primary Health Center to a befitting Cottage Hospital. Contracts totaling the sum of N263,200,000.00 were approved for execution on the purpose.

Reportedly, the projects were completed satisfactorily while appropriate number of qualified staff was deployed and full Hospital as well as medical services commenced in earnest.

Consequent upon the above, the Ministry of Health established the need for additional works as follows; o Provision of an exit door in case of emergencies. o Construction of partitions. o Supply/installation of additional theatre equipment to enable commencement of the execution of surgical interventions/operations.

These were estimated to cost the sum of N6,627,535.70 which was requested for release by Council to enable execution of the required additional works at the newly upgraded Cottage Hospital.

Council acknowledged the presentation and approved as requested. b) Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of the 2014 Kwankwasiyya Medical/Surgical Mission in the Three (3) Senatorial Zones of Kano State:The Ministry of Health notified the Council, through contents of this memorandum that, 6,041 patients (i.e. 1,817 medical, 4,224 surgical cases) benefitted from the Kwankwasiyya Medical Mission in the year 2013. Yet, Hernia and other medical/surgical cases persist as depicted by the large turnout of patients requiring attention at the three (3) Centers where the exercise was conducted.

In this regard, the Ministry of Health plan for the execution of yet another surgical/medical mission at each of the three (3) designated Centers as follows; o Kano Central Senatorial Zone - Sheikh Jeddah General Hospital. o Kano South Senatorial Zone - Wudil General Hospital. o Kano North Senatorial Zone - Bichi General Hospital.

Accordingly, 8,000 patients are projected to benefit from the year 2014 programme scheduled to last for two (2) weeks.

Details on the eleven (11) items required estimated to cost the sum of N14,245,152.00 was presented to Council for consideration.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested. c) Presentation on the Need and Request for Funds for Additional Renovation Works at the Yar'gaya Hospital:The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its earlier approval granted for the release of the sum of N44,900,000.00, via Executive Council Extracts No. CAD/EXCO/13/1/249 of 2nd August, 2014 and CAD/EXCO/13/1/254 of 27th August, 2014. This was to enable renovation/conversion works, procurement/installation of equipment/furniture, at the hospital.

The awarded Contracts were completed successfully in the course of which additional works required were identified and summarized to three (3) items estimated to cost the sum of N4,708,670.55 which was presented for consideration.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested. d) Presentation on the Need and Request for Funds to Enable Procurement/Installation of Required Medical Equipment/Furniture at the Renovated Ganduje Primary Health Center:Council recalled its earlier approval in the sum of N64,399,843.30 for the renovation of Ganduje Primary Health Center was successfully completed.

Against the background of the foregoing, a request for the procurement/installation of required medical equipment/furniture at the renovated Primary Health Center in the sum of N39,315,143.86 was presented to Council for consideration.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved as requested. e) Request for Funds to Enable Implementation of the Fourth (4th) Quarter 2014 Kano State Malaria Elimination Operational Plan:The Ministry of Health submitted the details and genesis of issues that prompted the cited request for consideration by Council.

Essentially, the Ministry of Health collaborates with its Development Partners to fight the Malaria Scourge by contributing funds in quarterly installments to collectively address the issue annually.

So far, the Development Partners maintained their quarterly contribution in the respect of the first (1st) quarter for the year 2014 in the provision of five (5) items. Details were presented to Council along with the request for the release of the sum of N68,554,124.50 as the State Government's contribution to the effort to enable provision of three (3) items essential to the execution of the Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for the elimination of malaria in the State (2014).

Accordingly, Council noted, considered and approved as requested.

2. THE EMPOWERMENT SECTOR The commendable performances of the present administration in the State focuses on empowering the citizenry, among others, towards self actualization so as to transform their lives for the better as God fearing, patriotic, knowledgeable, skillful, productive, Law abiding, etc. This is ensured through the provi-

sion of qualitative and sustained services by the Government. Projects, programmes, schemes and policies are continually executed and sustained under the empowerment sector incomparable to any State in Nigeria. Only few examples can be cited as follows; o Sponsorship/provision of access to professional/academic education at under and post graduate levels at Institutions in Nigeria and abroad. o Establishment of eighteen (18) employable skills acquisition institutes. o Provision of access to training for employable skills to underprivileged women and the granting of take - off capital free of charge. o Provision of modern training for local barbers and granting of take - off capital free of charge. o Execution of the Zawarawa Mass Marriage Scheme involving over 2,500 couples, etc.

Typically, the State Government continued with the

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso

commendable trend as the Executive Council approved the execution of twenty one (21) memoranda at the sitting under the Empowerment Sector of which eight (8) were on provision of access to professional/ academic education; five (5) on capacity building for serving Civil Servants; five (5) on the provision of access to training for employable skills; two (2) on provision of support for the needy and one (1) on provision of access to capital for small and medium scale (SMS) entrepreneurs. Thus; a) Provision of Access to Professional/Academic Education:i. Presentation from the Committee on the Employment Drive for the 501 M Sc. Graduates Sponsored for Studies Abroad:A total of 2,500 Kano State Indigenous qualified students are currently sponsored for studies at various Institutions/Colleges/Universities abroad. 185 of the first (1st) batch of 501 completed their respective courses and are already back to the State and are employed as teachers/lecturers in the various institutions owned by the State Government. Employment awaits those yet to return.

Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for approval to be granted on the posting of the concerned returnees to the various institutions as recommended.

Accordingly, Council acknowledged the presentation and approved as requested. ii. Presentation on the Need and Request for Funds to Enable Six (6) Staff under the KNUPDA to undergo a Professional Masters Degree Programme:The Office of the Secretary to the State Government endorsed the request and presented it to Council for consideration.

Current demands by International best practices prompted submission of this request for the release of the sum of N3,010,000.00 to enable six (6) staff under Kano Urban Planning and Development Agency (KNUPDA) undergo a professional Masters Degree Programme in Geo - Information Science and Environmental management. This is in response to a communication received from the Regional Center for Training on Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS).

Council acknowledged the details presented and approved as requested. iii. Presentation on the Need and Request for Financial Assistance by the Kano State Government on Behalf of Malam Kabiru Umar Faruk a PhD Student for Studies in Turkey:This request was endorsed by the Embassy of Nigeria in Ankara, Turkey and submitted for consideration by Kano State Government. The Office of the Secretary to the State Government summarized and presented the request for consideration by the State Executive Council along with the recommendation for the release of the trimmed sum of $10,000.00 to enable Kabiru Umar Faruk pursue the stated PhD programme in Turkey.

Accordingly, Council noted, considered and approved as requested. iv. Request for Funds to Enable Six (6) Staff under the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to Undergo a Professional Masters Degree Programme:The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, as custodian of all issues related to land, submitted the request which was endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented it to Council for consideration.

Details were presented which Council noted, considered and approved for the release of the requested sum of N3,700,510.25 for the stated purpose. v. Presentation on the Need and Request for Funds to Sponsor Fifteen (15) Kano State Indigenous Qualified Candidates for Training on Air Traffic Control at College of Aviation Technology, Zaria:The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) provided the cited opportunity via communication received by the Kano State Youth Directorate for Economic Empowerment. Details on the genesis were presented to Council for consideration as endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

Specifically, Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N34,175,830.00 for the training of only ten (10) Kano State Indigenous qualified candidates on Air Traffic Control.

Accordingly Council considered and approved as recommended. vi. Request for Funds to Enable Payment for One - Way Ticket in Respect of Hauwa Baffa Jibrin and Jouharat along with Her Infant for Return Back to Kano from New Delhi, India:Hauwa Baffa Jibrin and Jouharat are Kano State Indigenous Students sponsored for studies in New Delhi, India but had to return to Kano due to ill health.

As such, the Consultant that financed their return home requested for the reimbursement of the expenditure incurred to the tune of N273,100.00 which was endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented to Council for consideration.

Authenticity of the request prompted Council to approve as requested. vii. Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of the 2014 Professional Qualifying Examination in Respect of 124no. X - Ray Technicians Students of the School of Health Technology, Kano:Though routine in nature, the Ministry of Health submitted the request which was endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented to Council for consideration.

The details were summarized to four (4) items required at an estimated cost of N1,710,500.00 which was requested for release.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested. viii. Presentation of Appeal for Education/Financial Assistance from One Yahaya Yusuf Chiroma:Yahaya Yusuf Chiroma was introduced to Council as a Kano State Indigenous student qualified for and gained admission into the Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI) Egypt to study Mass Communication (27th January, 2014 to December 31st 2018).

The Office of the Secretary to the State Government presented the appeal for consideration by Council.

Details were presented along with the request for the release of the sum of N3,900,000.00 for the stated purpose.

Council considered and approved as requested. b) Capacity Building for Serving Civil Servants:i. Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of the Twenty First (21st) Batch ASCON Mandatory Workshop and Examination for 250 GL 13 Officers across the Service:The Office of the State Head of Civil Service presented this request for consideration by Council emphasizing its routine and mandatory nature as well as its significance to the improvement of effective/ qualitative service delivery.

Details on the genesis that prompted this submission were presented along with the request for the release of the sum of N13,452,500.00 for the stated purpose.

Accordingly, Council noted, considered and approved as requested. ii. Request for Funds to Enable Procurement and Allocation of an Operational Vehicle to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kano State Chapter:The Office of the Secretary to the State Government endorsed this request as submitted by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in an attempt to redeem a pledge made to the body by the State Government.

The details presented were considered as approval was granted for the release of the sum of N8,300,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to process the procurement and allocation of one

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014 (1) 18 - Seater Toyota Bus to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as pledged. iii. Request for Funds to Enable the Head of Civil Service and Two (2) Permanent Secretaries Attend the RECTAS 2014 Graduation Ceremony (28th November, 2014) at Ile - Ife, Oyo State:The Office of the State Head of Civil Service reminded Council, through contents of this memorandum, of its approval granted for the release of ten (10) staff of the State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to undergo a post graduate programme at the Regional Center for Training in Aerospace Survey (RECTAS), Oyo State. The ten (10) sponsored officers successfully completed their course. A graduation ceremony on the 28th November, 2014 is earmarked to which the State Head of Civil Service and two (2) Permanent Secretaries are invited to attend. Details of the financial implications estimated to the tune of N420,000.00 and presented to Council for consideration.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested. iv. Request for Funds to Enable Sponsorship of Three (3) Staff under the Kano State Science and Technical Schools Board to Pursue M. Ed Leadership and Management in Education at Bradford University, UK:Cognizant of the empowerment policy of the present administration to build the capacity of its staff for effective service delivery, this request was endorsed by the Office of the State Head of Civil Service and presented to Council for consideration on behalf of the authorities at the Science and Technical Schools Board.

The details presented were appraised by Council and approved the release of the sum of N1,160,634.00 for the sponsorship of only one (1) of the three (3) officers recommended for the programme. v.

Request for Funds to Enable Sponsorship of Fifteen (15) Eligible French Language Teachers Recommended to Attend Training and Screening Examinations at the French Cultural Center, Abuja (25th November, 2014):The Ministry of Education screened the fifteen (15) French Language Teachers and submitted the details as endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented for consideration by Council.

Details on the financial implications estimated to the tune of N264,000.00 for the trip of the fifteen (15) French Teachers to Abuja including one (1) driver and fuelling were considered and approved. c) Provision of Access to Training for Employable Skills Acquisition:o Four (4) of the approved memoranda in this sub - section of the empowerment sector were from the Kano State Corporate Security Training Institute. Viz; The sum of N3,622,000.00 was requested for release as endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented to Council for consideration. This is to enable authorities at the Institute conduct the graduation ceremony of 1,130 of course six (6) at both Gabasawa and Karaye NYSC Camp.

The details of the seven (7) items required were considered as Council approved as requested.

The sum of N23,885,000.00 was approved for release to enable payment for feeding 1,130 cadets (for thirty (30) days in respect of 630 male cadets and thirty six (36) days in respect of 500 female students).

Council considered the details presented and approved as requested.

Thirty (30) cadets at the Karaye NYSC Camp were added on the original budget for feeding of the 600 trainees. An additional sum of N814,500.00 was approved for release to the food Contractor.

The sum of N21,561,100.00 was approved for release by Council to enable the authorities at the Kano State Corporate Security Training Institute provide the need of 600 new intakes at the Karaye NYSC Camp Training Center. o The fifth (5th) memorandum approved for execution in this sub - section of the empowerment center is as follows; The sum of N2,839,000.00 was approved for release to enable 137 participants indigenous to Kano State attend the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation's four (4) weeks Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition Training Programme for women and youths. d) Provision of Support to the Needy:The sum of N4,600,000.00 was approved for release and disbursement to the bereaved families of six (6) deceased youths and eight (8) injured others as a result of a fatal accident that occurred on their way back to Kano from Abuja. Three (3) of the six (6) deceased youth are from the Nassarawa Local Government Council Areas while the other three (3) were from the Tudunwada Local Government Council Areas. Each bereaved family is to receive N500,000.00. On the other hand, five (5) of the youth that sustained injuries were from the Tudunwada Local Government Council Areas while the remaining three (3) were from Nassarawa Local Government Council Areas. Each of their families is to receive the sum of N200,000.00.

Total = N4,600,000.00. e) Provision of Access to Capital for Small and Medium Scale (SMS) Entrepreneurs:The sum of N6,000,000.00 was requested and approved for release to enable the newly established Microfinance Agency in the State rent a befitting facility/building at No. 6 Dawaki Road in Nassarawa Local Government Council Areas Kano for the effective discharge of its official responsibility in the delivery of qualitative services to eligible small and medium scale (SMS) entrepreneurs.

3. THE INFORMATION/COMMUNICATION SECTOR As the ardent flag bearer for the Government, this sector is carried along in every step taken by the present administration. Transparency is the commendable guiding principle in the execution of Government Services across all sectors which is continually heralded by the Information/Communication Sector and transmitted to the entire world congruent with which Council approved the execution of two (2) memoranda under the sector at the sitting as follows; a) Request for Funds to Enable Provision of Airtime for 180 Days by Radio Kano:This request was endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented to Council for consideration.

Submission of the request for consideration was originally instigated by the strident pleas from the numerous listeners of Radio Kano which gingered authorities at the Station to offer a 50% discount for the programme to be aired for 180 days (3 - Calendar Months).

The actual cost for the programme to be aired for 180 days is to the tune of N13,500,000.00 for which 50% discount is offered. That lowers the cost to N6,750,000.00 which was requested for release by Council for the stated project.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested. b) Presentation on the Invitation Received from the Grassroot Leadership Center, Abuja:The Office of the Secretary to the State Government made the cited presentation to Council for consideration.

Essentially, the Center nominated Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE for the Centenary award as outstanding Governor scheduled for 4th December, 2014 at Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja. Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the provision of the following items for the group to compile a reserved section in the book titled "Centenary Profiles of Great Leaders". Viz; o Letter of acceptance o Biography o Four (4) different personal photographs o Several photographs of the Governor depicting his activities in Government.

Council acknowledged the presentation with appreciation.

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Commercial activity is the main identity and signature of the Kano Settlement and its citizenry and the Government identifies with it and cardinally approved the execution of only one (1) memorandum under the commerce/investment sector at the sitting. Thus; Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of the Thirty Fifth (35th) Kano State International Trade Fair (18th November - 4th December, 2014):The Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mining and Agriculture (KACCIMA) originally submitted the cited request through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Co - operatives and Tourism which was endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and presented to Council for consideration.

The details presented were considered as Council approved the release of sum of N4,000,000.00 for the stated purpose.

6. THE EDUCATION SECTOR Undoubtedly and evidently the education sector enjoys the highest priority consideration by the current administration in the State. Emphasis is not the point here. The reader of this article is simply recommended to conduct an opinion seeking survey round Kano State on the performance of the present administration towards the positive transformation of the education sector. A unanimous "Kudos" will be the final assessment especially with the declaration on the provision of education at all levels free of charge. Details are beyond this medium.

Irrespective, Council continued the commendable effort by approving the execution of yet another set of three (3) memoranda under the education sector at the sitting as follows; a) Presentation of Report from the Admission Drive Committee for 2014/2015 Academic Session:The Ministry of Higher Education presented the report for consideration by Council on behalf of the mandated Committee on the issue.

In summary, it was presented to Council that 3,391 Kano State Indigenous Candidates were screened and assessed as qualified for admission into the various colleges/universities, etc. in Nigeria. In fact, over the 3,391 scored the required five (5) credits and above (English Language and Mathematics inclusive) as well as 180 and above points in the JAMB Examinations.

Specifically, only 354 of them gained admission into four (4) degree awarding institutions leaving the majority 3,037 yet to be admitted. Details were presented. Thus; S N Name of Institutions No. of Candidates Actual No. Admitted Differences i. Bayero University 700 Will send the list ii. KUST, Wudil 657 Not yet completed iii. NWU Kano 569 Not yet completed iv. FUD Dutse Jigawa 308 224 84 v. FUD Dutsinme KT 100 30 70 vi. UDUS Sokoto 275 Will send the list vii. ATBU Bauchi 150 Will send the list viii. FUT Minna 100 Finished ix. NDA Kaduna 43 Finished x. ABU Zaria 478 Will send the list xi. Police Academy, Wudil 11 Finished xii. Bell University, Otta 750 100 650 Total 3,391 354 824 Accordingly, the Committee recommends for the consideration by the Kano State Government to consider State and privately owned Universities/Colleges and other tertiary institutions such as Polytechnics and Colleges of Education for the admission of Kano State Indigenous qualified Students.

Council acknowledged the presentation with appreciation. b) Request for Funds to Enable Installation of Air - Conditioners and Blinds at Senate Chamber Building in the Permanent Site of the Northwest University, Kano:The Northwest University, Kano was established courtesy of the capable leadership of Governor Engr.

Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Finishing touches are still required which instigated submission of the request for consideration by Council.

The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport assessed, estimated the project and identified a reputable Contractor for its execution at the cost of N24,976,822.50.

Council noted, considered and approved as requested. c) Request for Funds to Enable Furnishing of the Senate Chamber Building at the Permanent Site of the Northwest University, Kano:Befitting furnishing was identified as required for the completion of the Senate Chamber Building at the Permanent Site of the Northwest University, Kano.

As such, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport assessed and identified a reputable Contractor for the project at the cost of N27,544,198.50 and presented to Council for consideration.

Accordingly, Council considered and approved as requested.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES AT THE 177TH KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SITTING 1. THE THIRTY FIFTH (35th) KANO INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR Council noted the successful opening of the thirty fifth (35th) Kano International Trade Fair by Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE ably represented by the Deputy Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Saturday 22nd November, 2014. Investors from Europe, the Arab Nations, Asian Countries and numerous within the Country participated. The Trade Fair is expected to last for two (2) weeks.

2. RECRUITMENT OF SIX (6) ADDITIONAL DOCTORS FROM EGYPT Council noted the successful recruitment of additional six (6) Qualified Doctors from Egypt. They arrived Kano so as to improve the quality/quantity of Health Care Delivery manpower required. In a related development, the State Government had earlier sponsored two hundred (200) Kano State Indigenous Students to various institutions abroad to study medicine and another one hundred (100) students to study pharmacy. In the same vein, the State Government also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Al-Mansoura University Egypt to train fifty (50) Nurses in B Sc. Nursing education and also sent ten (10) tutors to help in our health training institutions. This week, one hundred and thirty five (135) students were sent to Al-Mansoura University to Study Anesthesia Nursing and Peri - operative nursing all in the effort to develope and improve health care delivery to the Citizenry in the State.

3. KANO STATE PROPOSED 2015 BUDGET Council noted and acknowledged the proposed budget for the year 2015 to the tune of N226,523,490,134.00 (N75,212,370,000.00 or 33% Recurrent Expenditure and N151,311,120,134.00 or 67% Capital Expenditure). Importantly, the expected revenue from all sources for funding the budget is the balances with expenditure indicating a Balanced Budget. Therefore, the year 2015 Budget is Slightly above that of the year 2014 by N1,374,734,179.00 or 0.6%.

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4. THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT/MAINTENANCE SECTOR Efficiency in the conduct of everyday life for the human being depends on the quality and serviceability of the available infrastructure for use. These include; o Roads and related structures such as bridges, flyovers, proper drainage, street lighting, properly paved pedestrian walkways, etc. o Provision of befitting public buildings as Government Secretariats, Schools, Hospitals, Public Conveniences, befitting residential housing, markets, etc. o Provision of steady supply of potable water. o Provision of steady supply of electricity, etc.

The present administration in the State performs creditably along these lines as the effort was continued at the sitting when Council approved the execution of two (2) memoranda under the infrastructural development/maintenance sector as follows; a) Request for Funds to Enable the Laying of New Water Pipeline Extension on Both Sides of Yahaya Gusau Road:Council was notified, through contents of this memorandum that, Yahaya Gusau Road is currently under construction which presents the opportunity to the Kano State Water Board to appropriately execute the project of laying water supply pipeline on both sides of the road.

The project was assessed and estimated to cost the sum of N11,678,039.00 which was requested for release to actualize its execution.

Congruence of the project with the policy of the present administration to provide the required infrastructure for use by the citizenry prompted Council to approve as requested. b) Presentation on the Need and Request for Funds for the Procurement of Aluminum Sulphate and Polymer:Even if properly stored/harnessed, water requires treatment and general purification to be potable and suitable for drinking/ingestion, some domestic and industrial uses, etc. Aluminum Sulphate or alum and polymer are among the essential requirements of which the quantity available for use is depleting.

In this regard, the request for the procurement of Aluminum Sulphate and Polymer was presented to Council for consideration as follows; o 4,000 Metric tonnes of alum at N104,000.00 per metric tonne = N416,000,000.00. o 100 drums of superflock (polymer) at N225,000.00 per bag = N22,500,000.00.

Total = N438,500,000.00.

Council considered and approved as recommended.

5. THE COMMERCE/INVESTMENT SECTOR Kano State befittingly bears the name covertly given to it as the commerce center of the Nigerian Nation,

SIGNING OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU) BETWEEN THE KANO STATE GOVERNMENT AND MINSOURCE INVESTMENT LIMITED Council witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Government and Minisource Investment Group to undertake a project for building an Ultra Modern Commercial Complex to be known as "China Town" in the State in order to boost economic activities across the State at a projected cost of $400,000,000.00 on the basis of Public Private Partnership under 44.23 hectares. a) The Town shall comprise of; o 286 of Chinese Residences o Wholesales Market o Five Star Hotel o Five Star Hospital o Warehouses and o Industrial Park. b) The Town shall have the following supporting facilities of infrastructures: o Banks o Warehouses and Cold Storage Facilities o Fire Department and Firefighting Equipments o Sewage Management and Recycling Solution o Public Address System o Observing Crime Control o Magnificent Street Lighting Accordingly, 286 Houses located at the newly constructed Amana city are part of the Agreement and were allocated to Minisource valued at N5,920,368,740.94 with a 15% discount for the bulk purchase where full payment would be made within ninety (90) days to the State Government.

5. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO GOVERNOR ENGR. RABI'U MUSA KWANKWASO, FNSE a) An award to the Governor by the National Governing Board of the NYSC in recognition of the support given to the organization by the present administration since the inception. b) An award to the Governor by the Business Day Newspaper as the best performing Governor for the execution of Mass Urban Development projects in the State incomparable to any other across the Country.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports andCulture www.kn.gov.ng/new

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DISCOURSE

Development and road metaphor: An extrapolative theoretical analysis of Nigeria’s foreign policy Text of the paper delivered by Dapo Thomas (Ph.D) at an international conference organised by the Department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State from November 9-12.

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OREIGN Policy is the strategy or approach chosen by the na tional government to achieve its goals in its relations with external entities. This includes its decisions to do nothing.1 It can also mean the activity whereby state actors act, react and interact. In short, it is a boundary activity.2 Precisely, foreign policy is the embodiment of the inter-play between the ‘outside and the inside’. This notion is predicated on the understanding that no state can perpetually remain an Island in the international community.3 In addition, a country’s foreign policy refers to the actions of the state towards the external environment with the ultimate aims and objectives of achieving specific goals towards the enhancement of national interests.

In other words, a country’s foreign policy refers to the totality of objectives, orientation and actions which influence it in the quest to cope with its external environment.

All these perspectives, (sometimes they may be called definitions) illustrate the necessity of theoretical constructs in the understanding of policy analysis. Besides, such positional policy articulation provides the state a working testament to appreciate the contextualization of its operational ethos. The process of interaction among states in the international system begins with clear definition of a nation’s values and principles and a proper understanding of other nations’ values and principles. To achieve cordial working relationships and interactions, nations within the international system should genuinely seek to understand themselves culturally, diplomatically, politically and, in fact, historically. If we all agree that interactions among states are a necessity, therefore to avoid conflicts and frictions in the course of pursuing one’s national interests, all nations must come ‘to equity’ with clean hands. To make foreign policy an exciting enterprise, nations need to cooperate, collaborate and coordinate their aspirations in a manner that is devoid of arms-twisting or the threat of force. If all nations decide to assist one another in achieving their goals and objectives the fundamental end-goal of foreign policy which is development would have been accomplished.

Achieving development through sound foreign policy demands certain imperatives first at the domestic level before plunging into the external environment. It is a known fact that throughout history, men as well as nations have, in their actions, whether internally or externally, been motivated by the will to survive and prosper.5 According to Ambassador Oladapo Fafowora, a former Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations: This has been the most enduring and dominating factor and consideration in the actions and reactions of mankind and nations. In a harsh world, with finite resources, every nation has, in its foreign policy, sought to secure for its citizens, a greater share of the world’s known and unknown resources, not only to maximize its influence, but also to dominate other nations as well. The search for national survival, security and prosperity, is endless. It is this constant struggle for power and scarce resources that underlines the diplomacy and foreign policy of the nations of the world. It is the source of armed conflict in the world.

In the recent past, Development as a concept was equated with modernization, industrialization, urbanization and westernization. It was seen as a process through which the poor countries gradually assume the

qualities of industrialization. More recently, it has been argued that development is a multi-dimensional concept involving different aspects of human existence such as changes in social structures, popular attitudes and national institutions, acceleration of economic growth, the reduction of inequality and the eradication of absolute poverty…

Poverty remains pervasive in the third world in general and Africa in particular and indeed with specific reference to Nigeria.

Development, in both conceptual and operational contexts, is indexed by a nation’s extensive and expansive physical and infrastructural growth, the soundness and peculiarity of its policies, the quality of its governance, the standard of living of its citizens and the maturity, discipline and the vision of its political leadership. All these developmental indices are the returns and dividends accruing to a nation as a result of employing foreign policy as the instrument of attracting development. The Nigerian leadership since 1960 had, to some extent successfully attracted development to Nigeria using foreign policy to stimulate its process.

It is apt therefore to submit that what drives Nigeria’s foreign policy is uncharacteristically not a national vision but the individual desires of its leaders. This explains why the nation keeps losing focus and direction, the moment there is any change in political leadership. There is some ambivalence in subscribing a nation’s development to the whims and caprices of political leaders. Development is a structural and operational concept that should be integrated to a national agenda since it is going to be powered and driven by the vision of the state and the nation’s collective zeal for progress. The foreign policy of a nation which is the vehicle for bringing this development, must therefore be founded on a vision of excellence that is supported and embraced by all citizens.

In the pursuit of a nation’s foreign policy both the government and the people develop a passion for the national interest of their country thereby ensuring that the collective will of the people prevails regardless of the situations on ground. It is a dangerous trend to allow a drift between leaders and citizens when it comes to interpreting the national interest of a country. In the words of Alaba Ogunsanwo: This argument has more validity when one examines the foreign policies of a considerable number of third world counties where the absence of a broad consensus on what constitutes the national interest encourages significant oscillations in the policies and programmes of new regimes.

Amplifying on this, Ogunsanwo recalled what happened in 1970 during the civil war when the country’s leaders quickly recognized the lessons which the long strife had taught.

He explained that it was accepted that the secessionists did not have a monopoly of the errors committed in the past, and that if the war was not to have been fought in vain, it was of paramount importance to treat the defeated forces not as enemies in the Western tradition, but as brothers and fellow citizens.

This position was strengthened by Tunde Adeniran’s submission on national interest: When statesmen and bureaucrats are expected or are required to act in the national interest… What is meant is that they are being called upon to take action on issues that would improve the political situation, the economic and social wellbeing, the health and culture of the peo-

its claims to be a sub regional “hegemonic power”.

recognize and not to ignore these constraints lest its credibility be eroded.

However it is unfortunate and an inexplicable irony that as big as Nigeria is, its image is on the downward slope and its citizens are treated with the kind of contempt and disdain that only citizens of small countries should experience. Nigeria’s expansive territorial size, its huge resources, its rich human resources, its military capabilities and large population have not been put to any positive advantage. The image of “Giant of Africa” ascribed to Nigeria in the 1960s and 1970s when its power was at the peak is now a metaphorical phrase for mockery. Of late, the “Giant of Africa” has been humiliated and ridiculed severally by the ant of South Africa. Not even the threats of sanctions from the giant can scare the ant into its hole.

Recently, Nigeria got itself involved in a scandalous arms deal of $9.3 million. The Nigerian government claimed it wanted to use the money to purchase some arms at the Black market in order to intensify its onslaught against the Boko Haram insurgency. The South African government seemed unconvinced by this excuse and consequently went ahead to confiscate the money.15 While diplomatic efforts were being made to resolve the confusion, a South African Agency, Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), seized another $5.7m for yet another arms deal.

Though the Nigerian government adduced the same reason – the challenges of Boko Haram insurgency, the South African authorities did not bulge. It called the bluff of the Nigerian government which threatened to impose sanctions on South Africa.

Those who think South Africa was unnecessarily hard on Nigeria in these two instances need to understand the dynamics of state relations.

If one country operates a lousy, loose and corrupt system, it should not expect those who run value-oriented system to demonstrate or show any sympathy or sentiments when its lapses result in embarrassments.

Agreed that Nigeria played substantial and active role in the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa, the way state relations and foreign policies are conducted today does not give room for cultural and moralistic allusions. Nations whose foreign policies are incongruous with what John Herz would call human ethical properties should not seek consolation in their past charity extravaganzas for other nations when confronted with embarrassing situations such as these.

No doubt, Nigeria’s economic and strategic importance is enormous and its wealth and position had immensely enhanced its political and strategic importance in Africa and world politics.

But this was not enough reason for the so-called “Giant of Africa” to expect other nations to treat her with respect when it contravenes the laws of their land with impunity. If there are no strong institutional mechanisms in Nigeria for enforcing the laws of the land without fear or favour, those who have them should not be vilified for doing their official routine functions.

As Olajide Aluko noted in his inaugural lecture – Necessity and freedom in Nigerian Foreign Policy, the Nigerian government and some powerful sections of the public have the tendency to over-estimate the country’s ability to influence external events, and perhaps shape world events in its own image.

Aluko wrote: Undeniably, Nigeria is primus inter pares in Black Africa. But in a complex, as well as unequal, world order, its power, like that of all other actors, is limited. If Nigeria is to be an effective leader of Africa it surely needs to

In historical context, the Nigerian state was not off tangent for believing that the same Nigeria that called the bluff of the US in 1975 in the Angolan crisis was still the same today and could therefore still act with similar candour and toughness as it did many years back. Here is a brief recollection of the Angolan incident: In November 1975, Portugal formally handed over power to the Angolan people though not to a specific government. Ogunsanwo recalled that all the warning groups decided to position themselves for recognition by the international community. The MPLA formed a government in Luanda, the capital of the country, and was immediately recognized by a number of governments including Nigeria. The FLNA (led by Holden Roberto) and the UNITA formed their own governments in Huambo but did not receive a single recognition. The United States, which sought to know the Nigerian government’s intentions, was told of the evidence at the Nigerian government’s disposal but the US response was to continue to treat the matter as a superpower concern that could be adequately handled between the United States and the Soviet leaders.

This arrogant attitude of the United States infuriated Murtala Muhammed who did not hesitate to express his rage at the US in his famous ‘Addis-Ababa Declaration’ which he made at the extra-ordinary summit of the OAU on January 11, 1976. Murtala declared without any equivocation: If Africa does not in fact rank so low in United States concern, it becomes more irritating that an American administration should suddenly take it upon itself to dictate to this August assembly how to settle an African problem… Not content with its clandestine support and outpouring of arms into Angola to create confusion and bloodshed, the United States President took it upon himself to instruct African Heads of State and Government, by a circular letter, to insist on the withdrawal of South African and other military adventurers. This constitutes a most intolerable presumption and a flagrant insult on the intelligence of African rulers.

Taming the giant

• Dr. Thomas

ple as well as their political survival. They are being urged to take action that will improve the lot of the people rather than pursue policies that will subject the people to domination by other countries… policies which are likely to make them unable to stand among other nations.

Among other things, the national interest of a nation is aimed at achieving quality and meaningful living conditions for its citizens and also project and promote the good values of a nation externally in a way that will create wealth and security for the citizens at home and engender hospitality and goodwill for them outside/abroad. Hence, the Millennium Development Goals are targeted at eradicating poverty and hunger, or to halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose incomes are less than $1 a day.

And also, to halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger In a seminal paper on “Development and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in the 21st Century”, Nuhu Yaqub wrote: In all these, there is sufficient evidence to conclude that not much has taken place since the country assumed an independent status. In some respects, we are deemed to be on a regression course. For instance in the economic realm, the supposedly reasonably good growth rates of the economy in the 1960s to the end of the first half of the 1970s petered out somehow from the second half of the 1970s to recent times… Since then the economy went into what has now turned out to be a prolonged recession…

Although these reforms have not been enunciated in tandem with the aspirations of the MDGS, there is, however no doubt that the extent to which they address the problems of the development of the nation state, particularly the productive forces and the productivity bases, to that extent they are going a long way in meeting the expectations of the MDGS. Nigeria has been described as Africa’s most populous country and potentially one of its strongest in terms of exerting influence, and at times, on events outside the continent. Within the West African sub region, Nigeria is unequalled in terms of the size of its economy, military, and population, leading to

‘Development is a structural and operational concept that should be integrated to a national agenda since it is going to be powered and driven by the vision of the state and the nation’s collective zeal for progress. The foreign policy of a nation which is the vehicle for bringing this development, must therefore be founded on a vision of excellence that is supported and embraced by all citizens’

It may be true that Nigeria’s credibility, status and moral leadership in Africa derived from its support for the liberation struggle and FrontLine States, this should not devalue the genuine commitment and financial allocations made to end colonialism and apartheid in Southern Africa.24 The position of Stephen Wright and Julius Emeka Okolo was that “the successful establishment of a majority government in South Africa in April 1994 marked the end of that chapter of the liberation struggle, and one area of African Unity and Nigerian “high-profile leadership.”

It was obvious that the emergence of a very strong and ambitious South Africa led by the legendary and visionary leader, Nelson Mandela would become a threat to Nigeria’s dominance in Africa. Mandela’s profile and personality as a freedom fighter and his many years in prison were of great significance in projecting South Africa as a power to contend with not only in Africa but also in global politics. Mandela instantly became an enigma and a sagacious world leader immediately after his release from prison and his subsequent election as the President of South Africa. His heroic exploits during apartheid and his exemplary leadership style as President made him the cynosure of African and World politics with other world leaders including the President of the United States holding him in great awe.

To be Continued

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NEWS

Suspected herdsmen kill five in Kogi attack

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IVE persons were reportedly killed as suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked Abugi community in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Residents said the attack was a reprisal.

It was gathered that the crisis between the herdsmen and the community started two days ago when some Fulani herdsmen allegedly robbed and killed a resident, identified as Abdullahi Zakari, who was to deliver some money to a neighbouring community.

From James Azania, Lokoja

Youths in the community were unhappy with the killing of their kinsman.

They were said to have carried out a reprisal attack on one of the Fulani settlements in the area, which resulted in the death of one person.

A source said some Fulani elders met with the paramount ruler of the community, Alhaji Kabir Isa II, to seek an amicable resolution to the matter.

But it was learnt that some Fulani herdsmen on Friday at-

tacked Abugi, killing some people.

They were said to have also burnt houses and destroyed property worth millions of naira.

The source said the police command deployed its officers in the area to end the crisis.

Police spokesman Elvis Aguegbo said he was with the police commissioner when our reporter contacted him on the development.

He promised to get back to the reporter but did not.

Oyinlola seeks reappraisal of Nigeria’s security

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ORMER Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has said the Friday multiple bomb blasts at the Kano Central Mosque was an embarrassment to governance in Nigeria.

Oyinlola, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, called for an reappraisal of the nation’s security architecture in handling the Boko Haram insurgency.

Oyinlola was in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as the chairman of the APC Aspirants’ Screening Committee for the Northcentral.

He said: “I want to say that the action of the insurgents on

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the Friday Kano bomb blasts is callous, inhuman and most embarrassing to governance.

“If my experience as a retired military man is anything to go by, my suggestion would have been a total reappraisal of the way we are handling the insurgency. What we have applied so far seems not to be working.

And if that is not working, we must do something differently to get a different result.”

The former military administrator of Lagos State said strident criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration by former President Olusegun Obasanjo were not

misplaced.

He said: “If you asked me too, I would tell you that this is not the kind of administration we deserve. Our people are killed daily all over and you say that is the best government. I want to say and declare that this is not what Nigerians bargained for.

“It is not a matter of former President Obasanjo being critical of Jonathan’s administration; it has never been this bad in the history of governance.

Yet, some people are jumping over one another that President Jonathan’s administration is the best thing that has ever happened to Nigeria. I don’t think Nigerians are fools.”

Ahmed: PDP lacks people to take Kwara to Promised Land

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WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said yesterday the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacked the wherewithal to take the state to the Promised Land.

The governor said the PDP posed no threat to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, adding that the opposition lacked the experience, capacity and calibre of people to elevate Kwara and its people to greater heights.

Ahmed addressed reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, after receiving his certificate of eligibility as the APC governorship

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

candidate in next year’s election from the party’s Northcentral Screening Committee Chairman, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The governor assured the people that the tempo of governance would be enhanced when he is elected for a second term.

He said: “We want to give assurances that we will be carrying out activities that will be premised on continuity of ongoing projects, especially in infrastructure and on the strength of that we will build new ones.”

•Ahmed

Ahmed promised to increase his administration’s youth development agenda, especially in employment generation and entrepreneurial development.

Tambuwal opposes shift in 2015 polls

H

OUSE of Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday scaled through the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship screening.

The Speaker said he opposed any plan to postpone the 2015 elections because of insecurity.

Tambuwal, who addressed reporters after he was screened and cleared for the governorship election by

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

APC officials for Northwest screening committee, noted that even in war-torn countries, elections were held.

The Speaker said Nigeria should not be an exception.

He said: “Elections are being held in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and several countries where there are security challenges.

What we should do is to address and make up our minds

Kwankwaso to insurgents: embrace dialogue

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ANO State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has urged insurgents to embrace dialogue and show their grievances without further violence and killing of innocent people.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

The governor spoke at the weekend when he visited the Kano Central Mosque, where many Muslims were killed and others injured by insurgents at the Jum’ah (Friday) prayer.

on the fact that there should be elections in February, 2015. The government should work hard towards addressing the insecurity. I am opposed to the postponement of the elections.

“What we should hope and pray for is that before February elections, the insurgency should be addressed by the government. There are people whose responsibility it is, either as No 1 citizen in the country or Chief of Army of Staff or the National Security Adviser (NSA) or those charged with the responsibility of guaranteeing safety and security of the citizens, as established by the constitution.

“They should do their work and ensure that we are all secured and safe. And then, let us hope and pray that by February, we shall be able to come out en masse to cast our votes.”

Fake policeman arrested with arms in Kogi

A

MAN, who allegedly claimed to be on an official assignment from Abuja last Saturday, was arrested at the Kogi State Peoples

From James Azania, Lokoja

Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Lokoja for allegedly carrying illegal arms.

The man was said to have pre-

sented himself as a policeman on duty at the party’s secretariat.

He was arrested and taken away by officers from the state force headquarters.

Tributes for departed The Nation man Isiguzo •continued from page 1

He had been on leave, during which he had a short vacation and training in the United Kingdom. On his return, he joined the management team to receive the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, who visited the company’s headquarters on November 13.

The late Isiguzo’s wife, Gwendaline, was still in shock when The Nation Editor Mr Gbenga Omotoso, Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon, Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu and Assistant Editor Adekunle Yusuf paid her a condolence visit yesterday. She was surrounded by family and sympathisers.

On Saturday, Administration and Legal Manager Mrs Folake Adeoye led a team to the late reporter’s home.

“See how Jude left me.

This was not our agreement,” Mrs Isiguzo said on Saturday. She wrote on her BlackBerry message: “How could you leave me now?

You promised me forever. I will always love you.”

The late Isiguzo’s elder sister, Mrs. Juliana Okezu described her brother’s death as shocking and saddening. She said: “He did not give up easily; he fought to stay alive but God said its time for him to die. We were all in the hospital praying for him.”

The Nation Deputy Editor (News), Mr Adeniyi Adesina described the late Isiguzo as a diligent worker.

“Jude was a professional who did his work diligently.

He applied himself to crime reporting as if his life depended on it. He was jovial and easy going and made friends easily. He came to the rescue of anybody who had an issue with the police.

“He was the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) The Nation chapel who carried all the members along. For the last NUJ event he organised, he virtually dragged me to take part in the walk to keep fit.

“He was on vacation and billed to resume on yesterday. I got a letter from his doctor last Thursday that he was on admission and would need at least two weeks to get treated and get well to return to work. I never knew he would never return. He will be sorely missed,” Adesina said.

Legal Editor/counsel Mr John Austin Unachukwu said he knew and interacted with the late Isiguzo for about eight years as a friend and as a professional colleague.

“In all, we related so well that even when there was the need to disagree as a result of the actions of third parties, he displayed maturity and good knowledge of human frailties.

“He had a very good sense of humour and would always find a way of

finding humour in every situation to make it lively for all. Whenever I saw him in the newsroom, I called him ‘Olopa’ and he would say ‘The law”. This is as a result of the different beats which we cover as journalists.

“He was a very freeminded fellow who was always ready to contribute his quota to the development of the society. Of all the years I knew and related with Jude, I never saw him getting angry or quarrelling with anybody. He minded his business and would prefer to crack jokes with colleagues instead of wasting time on irrelevancies.

“I expected to see him in the office and possibly collect some chocolates from him having just returned from abroad but to my greatest surprise, I was called by one of our colleagues on Saturday afternoon, who wanted to find out if I knew Jude’s Lagos residence. He told me that Jude had passed on.

“This is a monumental loss, a colossal and an irreparable loss. May God Almighty grant his wife, family, relations and numerous friends the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. I have really lost a brother, a friend and a professional colleague par excellence,” Unachukwu said.

Head, Health Desk, Mrs Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha recalled how the late Isiguzo arranged for police security during her wedding.

“He loved his parents, and took good care of them.

He lost his father, then mother and he took solace in the knowledge that he took good care of them while they were alive. He too, took his health seriously. He loved his wife, Gwen and he told me that should he die one day, he had learnt some lessons from the late judicial correspondent Edo Ugbagwu on how to take care of his

‘

He was a very free-minded fellow who was always ready to contribute his quota to the development of the society. Of all the years I knew and related with Jude, I never saw him getting angry or quarrelling with anybody.

He minded his business and would prefer to crack jokes with colleagues instead of wasting time on irrelevancies.

’

widow.

“He told me once he resumed from his leave, we would conduct the chapel’s elections because his term had ended. I jovially called him ‘Chairman for life’. His death ruffled me, really.

RIP Jude,” GbengaMustapha said.

The Head, City Beats Desk, Dada Aladelokun, who the late Isiguzo worked directly with, said the desk would miss his dedication to work, sense of humour and exemplary friendliness.

“My last discussion with Jude was about 3pm last Tuesday. I was eager to have him back from his annual leave. It was a snappy but fruitful telephone chat.

From his voice, he was full of beans. ‘My Oga, don’t worry; I will soon be with you …,’ he responded to my call in his characteristic jocular manner. “’Jude, you need to get me about three crime-related stories now,’ I told him, but with a plea: ‘I know you are on leave; try … I trust you sha.’ His usual smile followed as he replied: ‘My Oga, don’t worry; I will try.’ Soon after, I received his call, telling me that he had e-mailed my three stories.

“Finding the stories in my mail box, I called to appreciate him, but playing the Oliver twist: ‘Thank you Jude, but if I can get one more, I will clap for you.’

Smiling, he assured me again. Eight minutes later, his call came in: ‘My Oga, it is in your box; now, you have to clap for me as promised o!’ Then, a bout of laughter followed, signalling the end of what turned to be our last conversation before the unthinkable happened on Saturday.

“He would not hurt a fly as he would flash his trademark smile no matter how serious one thinks an issue is. His contribution to any discourse was always witty.

I found him a thorough human being that whoever came across him would miss for one positive reason or the other,” Aladelokun said.

A lawyer and former president of the University of Benin Alumni Association, Richard Oma Ahonaruoghoo, said in a condolence message to The Nation: “Please, accept my deep condolences on the death of amiable and likable Jude Isiguzo, the senior crime correspondent of The Nation.

“The news of his passage came as a shock. He brought great innovation into the reportage of crimes and would be missed for his deep insights and professionalism.

“May God, the Almighty, grant his soul sweet repose and his wife, family, colleagues and the good people of Isiala Ngwa in Abia State the fortitude to bear this loss, Amen.”

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THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

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THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

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SHOWBIZ

Channel O Awards: Tiwa Savage, Kcee, Olamida win

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T was a night of celebrating the best of African music and crème de la crème of the industry as the 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards (CHOAMVA) took place on Saturday, at the Expo Centre, Nasrec, Johannesburg.

East and Southern Africa reigned supreme as Tanzania’s Diamond and South Africa’s Cassper Nyovest scooped most of the awards on the night.

Diamond Platnumz carted home the Most Gifted Newcomer, Most Gifted Afro Pop as well as Most Gifted East awards for his breakout hit Number One. By this feat, the Bongo Flava recording artiste proved that he too is a force to be reckoned with.

Cassper, who has been on a winning streak this year, had his catchy club banger, Doc Shebeleza earning him a win in the Most Gifted Male, Most Gifted Southern and the biggest award of the night, the Jameson Most Gifted Video of the Year categories. The artiste beat the likes of DJ Clock, Tiwa Savage, K.O, Riky Rick, Burna Boy, Emmy Gee including the Prince of Hip hop himself, A.K.A, all nominated in the latter category.

However, up against Nigeria’s Seyi Shay, Mozambique’s Liza James, SA’s Thembi Seete and Bucie, Eminado featuring one of the continent’s well-respected producers, Don Jazzy garnered a win for Tiwa Savage in the Most Gifted Female category.

KCEE won the Most Gifted Duo for his song Pull Over which features one of Nigeria’s best-selling artistes, Wizkid, beating K.O, who undoubtedly has had one of the

By Ovwe Medeme

biggest songs of the year. The awards for the equally competitive categories, the Most Gifted Kwaito and Most Gifted Hip hop went to Uhuru, featuring Oskido and Professor for Y-Tjukutja and A.KA for Congratulate, beating Khuli Chana and Cassper Nyovest respectively.

Other winners included Busiswa (Most Gifted Dance – Ngoku), Buffalo Souljah (Most Gifted Ragga/ Dancehall– Turn Up), Donald (Most Gifted R&B – Crazy but Amazing) and Olamide (Most Gifted West – Turn Up).

The only award not determined by public votes, the coveted Special Recognition Award went to South African hit makers, Boom Shaka.

Channel O paid homage with an honorary performance to the pioneering group that dared to be different and ultimately shaped the Kwaito genre in the ‘90s.

Bucie and Busiswa took to the stage and joined remaining group members Junior Sokhela, Theo Nhlengethwa and Thembi Seete to pay tribute to fallen band member Lebo Mathosa with an emotional rendition of the group’s song, Free, wrapping it up with a spectacular trip down memory lane with the mega hits Thobela and It’s About Time.

In the true CHAOAMVA style, the night was dominated by neverseen-before collaborations and mash-ups. K.O and A.K.A had the crowd in frenzy when they opened the show with their hit songs Caracara and Run Jozi.

Other mind blowing perfor-

• Tiwa Savage

mances included Tsekede and Yaya

by Dreamteam and DJ Dimplez featuring Anatii respectively; Patoranking, featuring Tiwa Savage in the remix of Girlie ‘O; Bucie (Easy to Love); Donald (Unpredictable); Davido (Aye); Lil Kesh (Shoki remix); Riky Rick (Amantombazane remix); Cassper Nyovest (Doc Shebeleza) and Emmy Gee’s Rands and Nairas remix.

In its 11th year running, the 2014 Channel O Africa Music Video Awards was hosted by Eku Edewor of Africa Magic’s Jara and Vuzu’s Siyabonga Ngwekazi.

Bill Cosby: Biographer ‘sorry’ for omitting abuse claims

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S more allegations of rape trail American entertainer, Bill Cosby, author of a biography on the comedian, Mark Whitaker, has admitted he was wrong not to have mentioned any of the sexual abuse allegations in his recent work about the star.

In a Nov. 24 column, the New York Times’ David Carr criticized Whitaker for ignoring the claims in his book Cosby: His Life and Times.

Pointing out that four accusers had gone public by the time Whitaker was working on the book, Carr wrote that Whitaker should have investigated the claims, adding that “any book of the size and scope of Mr. Whitaker’s should have gone there.”

Whitaker responded by acknowledging on Twitter that he regrets the oversight. “David, you are right,” Whitaker tweeted Monday.

“I was wrong to not deal with the sexual assault charges against Cosby and pursue them more aggressively.”

Whitaker added that he has been “following new developments and will address them at the appropriate time. If true, the stories are shocking and horrible.”

Since its publication in September 2014, Whitaker’s biography has been questioned for leaving out any mention of the allegations, including Cosby settling out of court with accuser Andrea Constand in 2006.

Cosby has been hit with a litany of decades-old abuse allegations in recent weeks, leading to canceled comedy performances and a scrapped NBC project for the star.

His attorney, Marty Singer, has dismissed the claims as “utter nonsense,” while Cosby himself told a Florida paper Friday that he does not have to “answer to innuendos.”

Meanwhile, an ex-NBC employee, Frank Scotti also claimed Bill Cosby gave him money to pay off women, saying he also guarded the door outside Cosby’s dressing room at those times. He said the

• Bill Cosby

the person I thought he was,’’ Scotti said.

Cosby’s attorney, Marty Singer, dismissed Scotti’s allegations.

“How would Scotti know if a woman was a model or a secretary?” Singer told the Daily News.

“It appears that his story is pure speculation so that he can get his 15 minutes of fame.”

Former Playboy playmate Victoria Valentino, who recently came forward to accuse Cosby of sexual assault, also told the Washington Post that Cosby offered her a pill to make her feel better and that he then took her and a friend back to an apartment, where he assaulted her.

She claims that the numerous sexual assault allegations that have been made against the comedian will be how people remember him for years to come. “He’s been lauded over the years: the PhD, the great family man, his legacy. This is his true legacy,” Valentino said.

• Aka and Naeto C

Ice Prince, Tuface, Mario, others thrill at Corporate Elite concert

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HE list and quality of performing artistes at the Corporate Elite concert, last Sunday, gave credence to the over 5,000 guests that thronged the popular Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Co-sponsored by Pepsi, which had some of its affiliated artistes on the show, music lovers, including the crème de la crème of the society, stormed the venue in great numbers to be part of the international annual music festival.

Visiting American superstar, Mario excited may, as he shared the stage with Ice Prince, thrilling the crowd with electrifying performances.

Although Tuface Idibia did not perform at the show, he managed to pull fans and admirers to his side of the hall.

The legendary Freddy Jackson filled the hall with his sonorous voice as he sang old tunes that brought back pleasant memories.

Also polling great reaction from the crowd were foreign artistes such as Dru Hill, 12, South African Group Micasa.

Also spell-binding was the performance by Nigerian acts such as Praiz, who set the stage on fire with his motivating songs, Rich and Famous and Mercy, and Bankky W, who took the audience on another musical orgasm with current tunes like Ma Jaye Orimi among others.

Young Nigerian artists, Jeffry and

By Victor Akande

Immaculate set the stage for Omoakin who rendered Suretete and Talosobe, earning thunderous applause. The audience was yet to recover from Omoakin when JJC, took the stage by storm with his popular tune, We Are African.

Lami Phillips, an African female song writer and singer, caught attention of everyone with her sparkling black net dress and white shoe the moment she stepped on stage.

She lives up to expectation with beautiful presentation from her award-winning album, Intuition.

Other artistes at the event include Don Jazzy, High Priest, Dudu, KCee and Afro Juju crooner, Sir Shina Peters.

Mr. Norden Thurston, Head of Marketing, Seven up Bottling Company Plc, makers of Pepsi, one of the headline sponsors of the event, spoke on the reason Pepsi has sponsored the event in the last eight years: “Pepsi seeks to achieve a connection with its consumers, the positioning of Pepsi is to “live for now” and to live for now means making the best part of every single moment, tonight all five thousand people here are living for now. This year Corporate Elite is bigger and better. We always seek to excite and engage our consumers and we have been around this long because of the consumer,” he said.

By Victor Akande

incidents made him feel “dirty.”

“I felt like a pimp,’’ Scotti said in an interview that aired on Monday’s Today.”Every time he had somebody, I had to watch. I had the girl stay there. I felt dirty.”

Scotti worked as a facilities manager at the Brooklyn studio where The Cosby Show was filmed and told the New York Daily News that Cosby had him hand out monthly payments to eight women between 1989 and 1990.

Scotti told the Daily News he believed Cosby was sleeping with the women he was sending money to, but he admitted he didn’t know what happened behind closed doors.

Scotti also told Today that he’s coming forward now because, as many women have accused Cosby of sexually assaulting them, he felt sorry for them and wanted to speak out in their defense.

“I just felt, you know, he’s not

• Popular singer 9ice on horse back in Ibadan to submit his nomination form at the All Progressives Congress PHOTO: TAYO JOHNSON (APC), secretariat in Yemetu.

THE NATION MONDAY DECEMBER 1, 2014

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NEWS

‘Manufacturing can rescue Nigeria’s economy’ N IGERIAN businessmen have been urged to emulate industrialist Aliko Dangote by investing in real manufacturing concerns as a way out of the declining crude oil price in the international market.

President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Lagos State chapter, Mr. Olayemi Shonubi, said this when he led members and students of the institute on a facility visit to the Ibese plant of Dangote Cement in Ogun State at the weekend.

He said three or four people of Dangote’s class would have made a huge difference in Nigerian economy.

The Lagos State NIQS president noted that most Nigerian businessmen were traders, adding that the

Social Media Award holds in Lagos SOCIAL media practitioners and users from the African continent will meet in Lagos for the first Social Media Awards Africa on Friday and Saturday.

The event, which is being organised by Sterling Bank Plc, will kick off with a summit on Friday at the Events Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, with the theme: “Social Media for Governance, Leadership & Development.”

The grand event - the award presentation - will hold on Saturday, at BICS Garden, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Participants from Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia have started arriving in Lagos for the award.

Papers will be presented by international social media experts.

Society seeks better environmental techniques

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

THE National President of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), Mr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, an engineer, has pledged the commitment of the body to protect, develop and sustain the environment.

He underscored the need for proper implementation of better environmental technology and monitoring techniques.

The NES national president spoke while presenting a paper at the country’s first environmental trade fair at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. It was organised by NES, Lagos Island chapter.

Wai-Ogosu said the purpose of the fair was to address issues on environmental technology and the way it could be used to assist with monitoring technologies.

“This is an innovation, which we believe we should start with, before bringing other practitioners, regulators, academics, students and the young ones,” Wai-Ogosu added.

He said environmental degradation was also in the form of solid, liquid or gas and could be monitored by the technological machines.

•Builders seek partnership with Dangote on housing scheme

nation’s economy needed entrepreneurs who would invest in manufacturing.

He explained that countries being referred to as developed world were industrialised nations and not trading countries.

Shonubi, who praised the magnitude and worth of the cement plant, noted that more of such plants in various sectors of the economy would have helped the nation, especially in this era of crude oil price declining.

He lamented that the falling oil price had reduced the nation’s revenue and currency value.

Shonubi called on the government to formulate policies to encourage more investors like Dangote to invest in manufacturing rather than trading.

“This will serve as an effective mechanism to industrialise the country, create more jobs and help lift the nation’s economy,” he said.

Chairman of the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Prof. Kabir Bala, has called for “a solid partnership” with Dangote Cement.

Bala, who spoke when he visited the Dangote Cement Obajana Plant, said the

agency wanted the collaboration to be “project specific.”

He said he was impressed by the success recorded at the plant, adding: “We want to see Dangote-CORBON housing scheme. We are also interested in the training aspect.”

CORBON’s Registrar Dr. Peter Kuroshi said the 40 per cent slash in cement prices

by Dangote had provided an opportunity to embark on a mass housing scheme to bring down the country’s rental fees.

The Obajana Plant Director, Mr. JV Gungune, explained the production process to the visitors, thanking the CORBON members for the visit.

He promised to forward the group’s requests to the appropriate quarters.

NDDC, workers sign service pact

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HE management and workers of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have signed a negotiated “Staff Terms and Conditions of Service.”

The signing ceremony, which was performed at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, was witnessed by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, as well as officials of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPTRE).

The NDDC Managing Director, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, said the new condition of service was meant to encourage the workers to be dedicated to their duties and spur them to continue to be productive.

The managing director underlined the importance of a motivated workforce in the attainment of the mandate of the interventionist agency.

He recalled that in his maiden meeting with the workers last year, he announced the commitment of the board and management to prioritise welfare because human capital management was the single most important resource among other factors of service delivery.

Dan-Abia emphasised that the mandate of the commission could not be realised without a dynamic, virile and productive workforce, hence its resolve to lay emphasis on human capital development.

He noted that the new negotiated workers’ terms and conditions of service was an improvement on what existed in the commission before now.

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

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FOREIGN NEWS Untying the knots in Obama’s immigration policy

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ALL it the autumn of my discontent. Coming from this part of Africa, even a late October weather could be so punishingly and miserably too cold to handle. That was October 1988 when I first set foot on God’s Own Country, New York City, specifically. The Big Apple as I would quickly learn her appellation.

In spite of your journalistic instincts, it rapidly dawned on you that this is a country like no other.

It is intimidating to say the least.

But you also learn your ropes quickly as the only weapon for survival.

So as President Barack Obama recently unfolded his Executive Order on immigration initiative to the anger and chagrin of the Republicans in the House of Representatives and to the acclamation of about five million of the over 11 million beneficiaries of this policy, for America it is yet morning on immigration creation day.

The story of America, as the president rightly said is a story of immigration , as was also adumbrated by the Reverend Jesse Jackson of Chicago and Founder of The Rainbow Coalition, it does not matter which boat you came by but we are all now in the same ship.

The last amnesty programme was undertaken by late President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and subsequent presidents have had problems with Congress in trying to craft a comprehensive bill that

would address the twin concerns of securing America’s borders and enabling people to come out of the shadows by getting right with the rules.

There have been several attempts at getting a reasonable and comprehensive immigration reform until this limited attempt which is borne out of necessity, impatience and frustration with members of congress.

A light was thought to have been seen at the end of the tunnel in this tortuous journey when by a bipartisan support, the Senate voted 68-32 passing a monumental bill which would have changed the face of immigration for the first time in decades on June 27 last year.

But lo and behold the Republican-led House under Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, sat on the bill without as much as allowing a vote whichever way.

That is what informed President Obama to go the way of Executive Order which is a Presidential tool to pass major reforms and make recess appointments as desired by a president dealing with an uncooperative and recalcitrant Congress. Both parties do this, but as one would expect the opposition always grumble about it.

That will be Obama’s 194 th Executive Order and only one past president did not use a single one because he only served for 32 days as the ninth president_ William Henry Harrison.

The most goes to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt-(FDR)

Global Focus DAYO FAKUADE, Foreign Editor sms 08134230367

daborgu@gmail.com

‘That will be Obama’s 194th Executive Order and only one past president did not use a single one because he only served for 32 days as the ninth president_ William Henry Harrison’ with 3522 Executive Orders. So, it is not as if President Obama is acting out of order. He is perfectly in order.

No doubt this intervention will not be as comprehensive as he would have wanted and does not automatically guarantee the path to citizenship anytime soon, yet it guarantees some measures that will make sure that about five million so called undocumented aliens will not just be deported as the case is right now; thereby leaving them to the painful and unsavoury consequences of separating them from their American –born children, separating families and

creating all sort of sociological and family problems.

No doubt reactions to the reform have been mixed but majority of Americans agree that their country’s immigration system is broken and something has to be done to fix it.

The president has laid the blame squarely on the feet of Republicans in the House but he, the president has also acknowledged the fact that his administration has deported more criminals and dangerous elements from America in the past six years by as much as 80 per cent compared to the previous administrations hoping that would have satisfied Republicans in working with him on the issue of border security; especially with her neighbour to the south, Mexico.

The political fallout that may arise from this can definitely not be ignored by both parties even while acknowledging that Obama is a lame duck president serving his second term in office and therefore cannot contest in 2016, yet his Democratic Party is still the party to beat on the road to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, regard less of their lacklustre trouncing at the just concluded midterm elections.

On the other side of the coin as would be expected, most of the sympathisers of this policy initiative are voters who must have experienced a neighbour or family

who has been deported or at risk of being deported if the policy is not effectuated. The Republican Party cannot just refuse to do something while whining about Obama’s executive overreach and going it alone strategy.

As a way of reaching a middle ground, the president has promised that he is ready to withdraw the Executive Order at any time if the Republicans in the House can just allow the bill passed by the Senate last year, to have its day in its legislative agenda.

Some critics have also criticised the policy as one that will further burden an already overburdened immigration system which presently handles about four million cases annually and will have to deal with additional five million over a period of time under this new initiative.

Well, the administration is quick to point out the checks already put in place to address most of the concerns being raised including crack down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants, increase4d border patrols, the levy of penalties, payment of back taxes, learning the English Language, undergoing security checks among others.

Probably, the Republicans will now yield to the president’s initiative rather than having themselves to blame come 2016.

More political fights are definitely looming in the horizon and cracks are already setting in the much publicised bipartisanship promised in the aftermath of the last month’s midterm elections.

Kabul police chief quits amid rising violence

K

•Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople (R) embraces Pope Francis during the Divine Liturgy at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul,..yesterday PHOTO: REUTERS

Pope says Islamist violence is a ‘grave sin against God’

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OPE Francis said Islamic militants were carrying out a “profoundly grave sin against God” in Syria and Iraq, calling on Sunday for inter-religious dialogue and action against poverty to help end conflicts there.

The pope spoke on the last day of his weekend trip to Turkey, which is sheltering nearly 2 million refugees from Syria, thousands of Christians among them.

At a joint service with Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual head of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians, Francis said people of all faiths could not remain indifferent to the cries of the victims of the “inhumane and brutal” war next door.

“Taking away the peace of a people, committing every act of violence – or consent-

ing to such acts – especially when directed against the weakest and defenseless, is a profoundly grave sin against God,” he said during the service.

The pope also condemned Friday’s attack on Muslim worshippers at the main mosque in northern Nigeria’s biggest city, Kano, in which at least 81 people were killed.

It was the third time in as many days that the pope referred to Islamic State insurgents, who have killed or driven Shi’ite Muslims, Christians and others who do not share their ultra-radical brand of Sunni Islam out of swathes of Syria and Iraq.

The pope said stopping poverty was key partly because it gives rise to “the recruitment of terrorists”. He has said that while it is lawful for the international commu-

nity to use force to stop an “unjust aggressor,” a lasting solution must be found.

In a separate joint statement issued during the service at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the official seat of the Orthodox Christian patriarch, Francis and Bartholomew said: “Muslims and Christians are called to work together for the sake of justice, peace and respect for the dignity and rights of every person, especially in those regions where they once lived for centuries in peaceful coexistence and now tragically suffer together the horrors of war.”

The leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics prayed in Istanbul’s most famous mosque on Saturday and has used the trip to reach out to Muslims to oppose the conflict in neighboring countries.

“Pope Francis wants to

align the Catholic Church with moderate Muslims, in order to encourage them to resist what he has called fanaticism and fundamentalism,” said John Allen, author of numerous books about the Vatican and associate editor of the U.S. Catholic website Crux.

“In part that’s a broad concern for dialogue and world peace, in part a specific defense of embattled Christians.”

Father Claudio Monge, an Italian Catholic priest in Turkey for 12 years who is involved in Christian-Muslim dialogue said: “The message is that those who use God as a pretext for violence cannot be a true believers. Those who have ears to hear will understand. He is appealing to true believers.”

ABUL’s police chief has resigned, following a surge in attacks by Afghan militants on foreigners in the city over the past two weeks.

General Zahir Zahir gave no reason for his resignation, his spokesman said.

Three South Africans and an Afghan were killed in a Taliban attack on a guesthouse used by aid workers on Saturday - the third such attack in the past 10 days.

President Ashraf Ghani is due to make a televised address later on Sunday.

President Ghani, who came to power in September, has vowed to bring peace to the country after decades of conflict.

Militants have been attacking targets in Kabul on an almost daily basis Foreign charities in Kabul have come under concerted attack over the last 10 days Gen Zahir was himself the target of an attack in early November, when a suicide bomber infiltrated his offices - supposed to be one of the most secure buildings in Kabul - and killed his deputy. Gen Zahir was not there at the time of the attack.

In a spate of attacks in Kabul last week, two American soldiers were killed on Monday and two British embassy workers were killed on Thursday. Dozens of Afghans have also been killed and injured.

This week, Taliban militants also attacked the camp formerly known as Camp Bastion in Helmand province, one month after it was vacated by British forces.

The Taliban have consistently evaded heavy security to strike targets in Kabul US and other international troops have been handing over to their Afghan counterparts The militants launched an attack late on Thursday night and fighting continued into Friday and on Saturday.

Officials say the militants breached the perimeter fence and accessed a barracks building, killing five Afghan soldiers on Friday. They say that 26 militants were also killed.

The Taliban have stepped up attacks in Afghanistan as most foreign combat troops prepare to leave the country next month.

As part of the agreement on the withdrawal of foreign combat troops, some 12,000 Nato soldiers are expected to remain to train and advise Afghan security forces from 1 January.

A separate US-led force will assist Afghan troops in some operations against the Taliban. But the security pacts with Nato and the US are yet to be ratified by the upper house of Afghanistan’s parliament.

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

59

FOREIGN NEWS

Ferguson cop Darren Wilson resigns

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HE white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager in a St. Louis suburb has resigned, his lawyer said on Saturday, as activists set out on a 120-mile (193km) march to protest the killing and a grand jury’s decision not to indict him.

The resignation of Darren Wilson from the Ferguson, Missouri, police force comes nearly four months after he killed 18year-old Michael Brown and days after the announcement that he would not face criminal charges.

The incident, which has led to months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson, has reignited a debate over race relations and the use of police force in the United States.

Neil Bruntrager, an attorney for Wilson, confirmed that the officer had submitted his resignation, a move that was long anticipated, no matter the outcome of the grand jury’s deliberations.

“In terms of his safety, it is probably the best thing for him,” said Cynthia Burnes, 26, a nurse’s assis-

tant from St. Louis who was among about 50 people gathered in front of the Ferguson police headquarters on Saturday evening.

“He is black-listed from this moment on.”

A man was arrested at the scene after he knelt in the middle of the street with his hands raised, chanting “Hands up, don’t shoot,” a common refrain at Ferguson protests.

In a letter published by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Wilson said he had been told that “my continued employment may put the residents and police officers of the City of Ferguson at risk, which is a circumstance that I cannot allow.”

Wilson, who said he was acting in self-defence when he shot Brown, said he wanted to wait until after the grand jury’s decision before he made his decision to resign, according to the letter.

After a night of arson and looting in Ferguson following the decision, demonstrations this week spread to other major U.S. cities, with some of the protests targeting shopping malls on Black

Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, as the holiday shopping season got under way.

On Saturday, activists shifted gears by setting off on a seven-day march from Ferguson to Jefferson City, the state capital. The march, reminiscent of the civil rights marches of the 1960s, was organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

The NAACP is calling for a reform of police practices, a new police chief in Ferguson and a national law to prevent racial profiling by police.

More than 150 people set out on the “Journey for Justice” from the Canfield Green Apartments, near the spot where Brown was shot and killed, with some marchers singing the decades-old protest song “We Shall Overcome.”

Sandra Henry, 53, a registered nurse from St. Louis, said she was marching to press for reform of police practices.

“This isn’t just about St. Louis. We are speaking for other cities, other countries too,” Henry said.

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•Wilson

All told, about 100 marchers were expected to make the entire journey, with about 1,000 expected to be part of the final leg of the march, said NAACP staff member Jamiah Adams.

By nightfall, a dozen people had gathered at the Ferguson police station, the scene of some of this week’s worst riots. No police officers were standing out front but a small crew of national guard lingered in the back.

The shooting and its af-

Israel leader warns partners amid coalition crisis

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SRAEL’s prime minister said yesterday that the public expects the government to “return to normal conduct” and hinted at the possibility of early elections if his coalition does not overcome a crisis linked to a contentious nationality bill.

B e n j a m i n Netanyahu’s comments were his strongest yet since talk of early elections erupted following discord over legislation that would enshrine Israel’s status as a Jewish state.

Netanyahu says such legislation is needed in order to defend Israel’s right to exist, while critics say it would undermine democracy and make the country’s Arab minority second-class citizens.

Two of his most senior coalition partners have vowed to oppose the bill in its current form, even at the expense of toppling the government.

Netanyahu warned against threats to bring down the government, while hinting that he would dissolve it himself if things did not change.

“Hardly a day passes without us running into dictates or threats of resignations or one type of ultimatums or another while ministers are lashing out at the government and the prime minister,” he told a weekly Cabinet meeting.

“I hope we can return to normal conduct. This is what the public expects from us. This is the only way to lead the country, and if not we will have to draw conclusions.”

The comments came a day after Finance Minister Yair Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid party, accused Netanyahu of playing “petty politics” and said he hadn’t spoken to him in a month. The leader of the other centrist party in the coalition, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, has warned that passing the nationality bill could force early elections.

Debate over the bill comes amid soaring tensions between Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs, who make up about 20 percent of the population of 8 million.

Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948 defined it as both Jewish and democratic. The new legislation seeks to enshrine these principles as

a Basic Law, making them part of Israel’s de facto constitution.

The proposal would

Sudan’s Bashir slams U.N. peacekeepers, demands they leave

also make Jewish law a source of legislative inspiration and delist Arabic as an official language.

PEACEKEEPING force in Darfur had become a security burden and should leave, Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said yesterday, escalating a row that has already led to the closure a joint United Nations-African Union office in Khartoum.

The Darfur conflict erupted in 2003 when mainly African tribes took up arms against the Arab-led government in Khartoum.

The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has been deployed in Darfur since 2007 with a mandate to stem violence against civilians in a war that has seen the International Criminal Court issue a warrant for Bashir’s arrest on charges of war crimes and genocide.

Sudan said last week it had shut UNAMID’s human rights office in Khartoum, amid tension over allegations of mass rape by Sudanese troops in a remote Darfur village.

The move came days after Sudan said it had asked the

peacekeeping force to prepare an exit plan.

Yesterday, Bashir himself weighed in, raising the pressure on UNAMID. “The UNAMID forces have become a security burden for us more than a support and they are incapable of defending themselves. These forces came to protect the rebellion and not the citizen,” Bashir told a press conference.

“We now need a clear program for the exit of UNAMID forces.”

UNAMID has confirmed that it had been requested to draw up an exit plan and said a U.N. Security Council resolution passed in August mentioned this as an option. It said an assessment would be ready by end-February.

Security Council diplomats who declined to be identified said earlier this month a review of that assessment could produce the extreme option of shutting down UNAMID. They said Khartoum never wanted a peacekeeping mission on its soil.

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

60

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Lagos communities yet M to get PVCs

ANY residents are still unable collect their permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) in some parts of Lagos for the third day running yesterday.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials did not show up in Gowon, Shagari and Gemade estates, and Okunola community in Alimoso Local Government Area of the state to distribute the PVCs. The estates and Okunola are neighbouring communities in the council, which is one of the remaining nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) where distribution was supposed to begin last Friday.

At Okunola, cards were being issued at one collection point; the

By Oziegbe Okoeki

situation was not better in Shagari Estate. The officers only showed up at one registration point on 401 Road in Gowon Estate on Friday to distribute a few cards. The large estate has more than 30 registration units.

They came around 10am to one registration point at 31 Road roundabout and two other registration units on 52 Road by 2pm.

After pasting the list of registered voters, they were said to have left

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I left everything I had to do this morning to come here. Not even a single INEC official was around to explain to us what is really happening

’

immediately without giving out a single card.

Earlier on Friday morning, pasted an INEC poster at the same reg-

istration point on 52 Road, informing voters about the duration and time for distribution of cards.

Voters who trooped out on Friday and Saturday as early as 8am to collect their cards left in annoyance after a long wait.

A resident who spoke under anonymity, said: “This is very frustrating. I left everything I had to do this morning to come here only to meet this situation. Not even a single INEC official was around to explain to us what is really happening.

“I think this is a deliberate plot to disenfranchise voters in Alimosho because they know that Alimosho has the largest population of voters in any constituency in the country and it is an APCs stronghold; if not, why is it that in areas where PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) has some strength, this is not happening?”

Protective equipment for waste haulage operators

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AGOS State Government has launched Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for use by waste haul.

The gadgets are expected to protect operators from the waste evacuated from septic tanks by haulage trucks as it is laden with top pathogenic organisms that can cause stomach pains, asthma, typhoid fever hepatitis and cancer.

During the launch at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, the Coordinator, Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), Nurudeen Shodeinde,

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

an engineer, said: “Operators involved in evacuation, transportation or treatment will always be relevant. It is therefore essential to ensure that such operators are properly kitted to carry out their functions.

“In line with this, the state government has provided some PPEs which include coveralls, boots, and hand gloves for operators in the state, to stimulate the imbuement of its use. All haulage truck owners and operators must realise that

it is their responsibilities to provide the equipment,” he said.

Shodeinde said the use of the PPE was in the operators’ interest, as it protects them from contracting those illnesses. He said it is now an offence for any operator to function without using the PPE. He said henceforth, an effective monitoring and compliance mechanism would be set up by the Wastewater Management Office, in conjunction with other federal and state agencies; and the Sewage and Wastewater Dislodgers’ Association of Nigeria

(SWADAN), to enforce its use.

Shodeinde said it was imperative that people played a role in ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment.

He urged them to ensure that they did not pollute their environment with untreated water for their safety.

He urged them not to empty their septic tanks into the drain, and warned against channeling untreated wastewater from kitchen and bathroom into the public drains or by-pass into the soakaway.

•From left: Mr Femi Lambo, Secretary, Mainland Scout Local Association; Deaconess Olamide Olahan, treasurer; Gilbert Okanlawon, Grand Patron; Mr John Dottle, President, Mainland Scout; Mrs Taiwo Onanuga, Chairman, and Otunba Babalola Dada, Chairman Emeritus Management Committee, Lagos State Scout Council during the Scout Council’s 2014 Annual General Meeting/Official Launch of the 2015 Calendar in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

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34-year-old mechanic, Razaq Yusuf, has prayed the Customary Court at Alagbado, a Lagos suburb, to dissolve his four-year-old marriage to Shade.

Yusuf of 26, Oyeniyi Street, Alagbado, alleged that his wife is footloose and obstinate.

He told the court: “My wife was well-mannered when we got married but I have no idea what went wrong. Two years after a pair of my slippers got missing, I began to experience

Community warns robbers, hoodlums

By Wale Adepoju

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RMED robbers, street urchins and rogues at Iloro in Agege, a Lagos suburb, have been warned to change or face the music.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dopemu Police Station, Agege, Aliyu Lukman, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), who was represented by its Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Mrs Catherine Ugorji, gave the warning.

It was at the inauguration of community policing by the Iloro Voluntary Policing Sector (VPS) under the station.

He said, anybody who did not steal or support crime is a friend of the police.

He added: “But those who engage in armed robbery and other nefarious activities will always continue to be in trouble with the law, especially the police.”

Lukman said there was a gap between residents and the police, adding that the inauguration of the programme had bridged it, “as the police and residents now have a common understanding.”

He said: “Now, we work as brothers and sisters. From now, you will have our telephone numbers and you can call us anytime there is a problem.”

The police chief said the number of police officers posted to the area, he said was not enough for effective policing, thus community policing would ease the pressure.

He said inadequate manpower was the main reason the police brought the people closer, adding: “If we are not doing enough, residents have the right to tell us.”

Lukman said crime would reduce if there is cooperation between the people and the police.

“When you give the police tipoffs about the hideout of criminals, you make our job a lot easier. Since voluntary police sector began in other areas of the state, crime has reduced greatly,” she said.

He urged residents who might have been maltreated by any officer to file an official report, saying justice would be done.

The Chairman, VPS Agege, Mr Morufu Omodele, said there was need for the police and residents to work together to ensure the security of lives and property in the area.

The Baale of Iloro, Tajudeen Adebari, who praised the idea behind the VPS, said since he became the ruler of the community, there had been cooperation between the police and residents.

“I can recount that on two occasions, they have cooperated with us. Before then, there was nothing of such,” he said.

He said the community had been having regular meetings with the police to fashion out a way forward for security in the area.

The community’s leader, Hussaini Mukhtar, said community policing had gone a long way in addressing security concerns in the area.

My wife is behind my problems, man tells court

By Basirat Braimah

a lull in my business. I was surprised to find my chewing stick and the lantern my mother gave us during our first child’s dedication wrapped and buried in the ground. Sadly, my wife didn’t show concern when I told her. My wife persuaded me to visit her church and I did, but since I had a spiritual bath, my problem worsened.”

He said his wife usually ran away whenever he wanted to sleep with her, adding: “I slept with my wife four times during pregnancy. Since she converted to Christianity, her attitude changed towards me. My wife’s food is always salty. She doesn’t wash my underwear. I don’t enjoy her anymore,” he added.

Shade, denied the allegations, saying: “I don’t know anything

about his missing items. Since we got married, I converted because he doesn’t practice his religion. I cook for him. My husband claims not to enjoy himself each time he sleeps with me because I am fat but we have children. Since the birth of our second child, I have not known peace. My mother-in-law sent me out of my husband’s house 19 days after I had the second

child. I don’t love him anymore. I also want the marriage dissolved.”

The marriage is blessed with two children: Aliyah (3) and Shukra (One month).

The court’s President, Mr. Olubode Sekoni, fixed a chambers discussion and ordered Yusuf to be giving his children N10, 000 monthly for their upkeep. He adjourned the matter till December 15.

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

61

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Club lifts the needy

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•From left: Chairman, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Amuwo Odofin Local Government branch in Lagos State, Comrade Tope Lawal; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye; Council Treasurer, Mr. Michael Fajumo and the Council’s Manager, Mr. Segun Ajayi, while inspecting the ongoing distribution of PVCs in the council area ... last Saturday.

Lagos plans smooth rideat Yuletide

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O ensure a smooth ride during the Yuletide, the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) has stepped up its road maintenance efforts.

The corporation’s chairman, Mr. Gbenga Akintola, inspected ongoing maintenance work on the Alaba International Market Road at the Ojo axis of the metropolis on Saturday.

He said the work, which involved strict night operations in the last 10 days, became exigent because of the anticipated upsurge in

•Steps up road maintenance

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

human and vehicular movement during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“The corporation is doubling effort at this time as it has always done in dry seasons, so as to capitalise on the clement weather in addressing as many roads as possible where Lagosians come across pot-holes and craters which often damage their vehicle and cause traffic

gridlocks among other socio-economic consequences,” he said.

On the deterioration of the Alaba International Market Road, he said no matter how fantastic the maintenance is, the best will not be seen in terms of durability if certain menace, such as movement of hundreds of articulated lorries, blockage of drain with waste and other undesirable habits, is not curbed.

‘Over 20,000 living with HIV/AIDS in Lagos’

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O fewer than 20,000 people are living with HIV and AIDS in Lagos State, the Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr Tokunbo Dabiri, has said.

According to her, the cosmopolitan nature of the state as melting pot with 21 million population accounts for its high prevalence.

She spoke at this year’s World AIDS Day, which was organised by LSACA, with the theme: Focus, partner, achieve: an AIDS-free generation.

By Wale Adepoju

The LSACA chief said five out of 100 persons in the state are living with the disease, adding: “The statistics is 3.4 per cent for the country, while that of Lagos is 5.1 per cent because of its peculiarities.”

Besides, its high prevalence has prompted the state government to partner with neighbouring states such as Ogun and Oyo on border testing for HIV and AIDS to reduce the disease.

“LSACA has scaled up community outreach cam-

paign of HIV counselling and testing for early detection. Being HIV-positive is not a death sentence. Positive people can live through it.

“Positive people can be symptom-free for 10 years, and as such, continues to infect others. So, it is important for people to know their HIV status,” Dr Dabiri said.

Moreover, no fewer than 2000 traditional birth attendants (TBAs) have been sensitised on prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and universal safety precaution (USP).

‘We don’t owe doctors for work done’

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HE Lagos State Government yesterday said it is not owing its doctors.

It said it had always promptly paid the salaries of its employees, including doctors.

Some doctors working in government hospitals, early last week, staged a protest, alleging that the government was owing them their July and August salaries.

Debunking the allegation, the government said the doctors’ complaint referred to July and August when the doctors went on strike, adding that their salaries were not paid in accordance with

the government’s policy of “No Work, No Pay”.

The government also recalled that the doctors’ strike coincided with the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in the state, pointing out that all entreaties to the striking doctors to call off the strike were ignored.

In a statement jointly signed by Chairman, Health Service Commission, Dr. M.O. Salako and Chairman, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. O. Williams, the government said it promptly resumed payment of the doctors’ salaries when they resumed work.

The statement, which re-

iterated the government’s stand on “No Work, No Pay”, said the policy was upheld because it was unjustifiable for any worker to be paid for work not done.

It said any of its employees that embarked on strike in contravention of the laid-down procedures governing such actions would be so treated for the period.

Assuring all citizens of the administration’s commitment to its responsibilities of protecting lives and property at all times, the statement said: “Government’s policy of “No work, No pay” remains in force, meaning that you cannot be paid for work not done.”

Akintola said night operations were an effective means of meeting the maintenance needs of such very busy roads as Alaba International Market, because of the large number of persons and vehicles using the road at day time.

He appealed to the residents and traders in the area to use the road carefully in accordance with the recent resolve of stakeholders at a forum held before the work started.

The corporation so far, he said, had maintained over 950 roads, out of the 1,200 slated to be worked on before the end of the year.

HE Rotary Club of Igando-Egan, District 9110, Lagos, has donated 5000 copies of exercise books to 23 schools in the community.

It also offered six traders interest-free soft loans of N20, 000 each under its service project for the year.

The club, in conjunction with other rotary clubs in Nigeria and abroad, intends to renovate schools in the community, provide boreholes, a modern incubator and an ambulance to the Alimosho General Hospital in Lagos.

Speaking during an event organised by the club, its president, Adebayo AkinOmotunde, said the donation was one of the ways through which the club supports education and helps the needy in the society.

“If our youths are educated and empowered, it will go a long way in reducing the rate of social vices in the country,’’ he said.

He, however, called on in-

By Basirat Braimah

dividuals and organisations to support the club towards the realisation of its objectives that were designed to add values to the lives of the residents of the community.

The District Governor, Aloysius Bamidele Balogun, said one of the club’s objectives was to help students to achieve their set goals in life.

Balogun, therefore, urged Rotarians to create a mutual relationship with members of its community and work hand-in-hand with other clubs to enhance the growth of the district.

The Onigando of Igando, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi, thanked the club for the initiative and advised the students to take their studies seriously.

The schools’ vice-principals and head teachers commended the club for the donations, adding that the materials would go a long way in helping the students in their studies.

Old students reunite

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HE old students’ association of one the leading post-primary schools in Nigeria, Lumen Christi High School, Uromi (LUCOSA) in Edo State, will host its annual reunion on December 6. The prestigious event will hold at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja in Lagos.

The event, which will attract dignitaries from all walks of life will witness the presence of Mr. Ignatius Ayewoh, Director, Post-Privatization Monitoring, Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). Mr. Ayewoh will also give a lecture titled: Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Contemporary Nigeria.

The association’s National President, Dr Michael

By Sampson Unamka

Ezeanochie, ýsaid: “All preparations have been made to ensure a hitch-free and successful event. The event will witness the association’s appreciation of the distinguished alumni as well as patrons, teachers and mentors who have contributed no small measure to the development of the school.”

Its Deputy President Paul Usenbo, a lawyer, said “The association will also use this opportunity to discuss myriads of issues especially those affecting members our association and how we can help our school to continue to achieve stellar performances”

62

THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

NEWS Kano blast: Emir donates N20m drugs as JNI slams govt Continued from page 2

sacre of people, describing Nigeria as a theatre of needless blood.

It raised suspicion that last Friday’s bombing of Kano Juma’at Mosque was a conspiracy to justify the request for extension of emergency rule in the Northeast.

The JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, spoke to reporters on behalf of the President-General of JNI and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

He said: “JNI will not be deterred nor cowed in observing the way and manner Muslims are being killed in the North.

We are indeed shocked and pained beyond words on the news of the bomb blasts in Kano Central Mosque, which claimed the lives of over 100 innocent Muslims (only Allah, can ascertain the death toll)

that have gone for worship and within a twinkle of an eye sporadic shootings ensued, targeting worshippers that tried escaping the inferno.

“On a similar day, precisely Friday, 20th of January, 2012, several coordinated bomb blasts rocked Kano, yet nobody was prosecuted and nothing was done to protect the lives of the citizenry.

“But must blood be spilled to justify the extension of State of Emergency? Why is it that any time, the ineffective State of Emergency is about to elapse and or an extension is being sought, attacks are carried out with sophistication? Are we really aware of the repercussions of spilling the blood of innocent souls?”

JNI also queried the achievements of the state of emergency, asking; “What is the essence of the government’s war on terror and its attendant huge bud-

get? Where are the intelligence and security agencies? Can we afford to continue relying on them for our safety and security? Why? Why? Why? We ask ad infinitum with no satisfactory answers. Without mincing words, Nigeria is being misgoverned to the brink!

“JNI condemns in the strongest term, these repeated acts of terror being unleashed on Muslims and calls on Muslims to remain calm and keep vigil over happenings around them, take all defensive measures within the purview of the laws to protect themselves since government has clearly failed.

“We deeply sympathise with all the affected victims of the recent Maiduguri Monday Market Bomb Blast, the Mubi attacks and the Kano Central Mosque Bomb Blast and also console with the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incidents. May Al-

jannatul Firdaus be the abode of all the deceased, Amin.

“As usual, JNI calls on all authorities concerned to be manifestly committed to their responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians as no development can be achieved in a situation of fear, insecurity and chaos. All hands must be on deck to stop these persistent massacres of lives and properties, as Nigeria is now a theatre of needless blood loss.

“All Imams and their respective followers are urged to intensify special prayers.

We reiterate the previous directives of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar for peace and security to be restored in Nigeria.

Respective Mosque Management Committees must be strengthened to handle all eventualities, likewise Muslim communities.”

Presidency, PDP plan court ambush to oust Tambuwal Continued from page 2

Ramat Muhammed has ordered that status quo be maintained until the determination of the suit before her. Having been named defendants in this case, the party has now instigated one of its members in the House to file another case

seeking reliefs Tambuwal sought to stop in his case.

A lawyer said: “The issue of the judge giving favourable judgments to PDP is now a source of concern to many. You are aware that he gave judgment against Baraje led-New PDP by saying there was no

faction in the party. This ruling was contradicted by two respected judges in Sokoto and Ilorin divisions of the Federal High Court who held that by the facts before them, there were indeed factions in the PDP. “By his stand on the Baraje issue, his position on the avail-

ability of faction in PDP is already known. Speaker Tambuwal defected to APC because he was convinced there was faction in Sokoto PDP as par the ruling of the Sokoto division of the Federal High Court.

Do you think Justice Chukwu is the right person to hear this application?”

CBN lists Nigeria’s fiscal problems Continued from page 2

work together”.

Alade added that “in the next couple of months, political activities would peak; anticipated level of injection would require enormous effort to manage domestic ex-

cess liquidity to reduce inflationary pressure.”

To effective tacklely these problems, the CBN deputy governor advocated for “increased level of coordination between monetary and fiscal policy instruments and institutions in order to achieve

macroeconomic growth by strengthening the joint effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policies in the country.”

Also speaking at the event, the Director, Monetary Policy Department of the CBN, Mr Moses Tule, called for sustained macroeconomic stabil-

ity through effective and efficient domestic policies because current economic developments have provided the committee with a strong motivation for strengthening coordination between monetary and fiscal policies.

Why military can’t crush sect yet, by Buhari Continued from page 2

ria.

He added: “If we don’t vote out PDP, it will vote out Nigerians and we will all be the losers. Cast your votes for us so that we can all fight this inefficiency and corruption.”

Gen. Buhari enjoined party members to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), urging them to be vigilant, vote and protect their votes and ensure they count.

Gen. Chris Eze said if Nigerians elect Buhari, they will be sure of having a competent Commander-inChief once again.

Eze recalled that under Buhari as Head of State, the violent Maitasine sect was driven away from Nigeria into Chad while his regime initiated a war against indiscipline and corruption.

KANO BOMB BLASTS

Gowon seeks support for military Continued from page 2

Christian churches but also the Muslim worship places are being targeted for attacks; “ So we need the prayers of all because only God can ultimately deal with this problem more permanently,’’ he said.

Gowon expressed confidence that the military would overcome the insurgents and restore peace to the conflictravaged communities.

Former Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Peter Akinola, frowned at Nigeria’s over dependence on its oil and gas resources.

He said apart from the consequences of Nigeria’s overreliance on oil money for development, the trend was causing disunity among Nigerians.

Akinola noted that a country where oil money was the principal foreign exchange earner was dangerous for the future and development of the economy.

“Nigeria is not yet a nation; we are just a country that is try-

ing to find its way to become a nation.

“A country where the tribes are not united, a country where the only uniting factor is oil money is dangerous and should worry any good citizen.

“I am afraid the way things are right now doesn’t leave any room for hope and that’s why I have been praying for change,’’ he said.

Akinola urged Christians to continue with the spirit of loving God and serving Him with their skills, energy and time, saying the blessings will be immense.

“Myself and all those who work with us gave ourselves up for His service. Like I said, we never paid any choir master, organist or architect.

“All the buildings you see, we did not pay a penny for their designs, they were all paid by the men of God who are still here today.

He said God would never hesitate to make provisions for His own work, so Christians should put Him first in all that they did.

‘Boko Haram’s evil won’t subdue us’ Continued from page 2

disdain for life peacefully lived. Boko Haram killed people praying to God because the god of Boko Haram is Satan himself.

“Boko Haram seeks to scare and intimidate Christians and Muslims alike through wanton destruction.

They may attack us but never shall this evil force subdue us.

Christian and Muslim must stand arm-in-arm to face down this terrorist onslaught.

“Those of us who love peace, who love unity and

who love Nigeria can never allow this vile group to achieve its objective – to turn us into a bloodied and divided nation. Nigeria can and will defeat this terrorist machine and those behind it. We have no other home. We have no other choice. I commiserate with the people of Kano and their Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi. Also with the leaders and people of other locations that have come under attack, such as Bauchi, Borno and parts of Yobe.”

Aregbesola: Nigeria in serious crisis Continued from page 2

the places of worship are no longer safe places for our people. ”It indeed saddens the heart that people would go to prayer on a Friday or Sunday and there and then in the Sanctuary of God meet his death in the most grievous manner,” Aregbesola said.

According to him, what the nation needs is fervent prayers to rescue it from the

clutches of Boko Haram.

He called on the people of the state to be cautious and careful in their daily activities so as to prevent the violence from spreading to the state.

Aregbesola identified market places, motor parks and other places of social gathering as prime targets for heinous crimes by the insurgents, advising people to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements to the security agencies.

Wamakko: North soon for wipe out Continued from page 2

Emir Sanusi II urged the governor to continue working towards achieving the best possible avenue to bring an end to the insurgency.

“The blood of the innocent people shed will never go unpunished by Allah SWA,” the

governor said.

Wamakko was at the Kano Government House in company with Senator Adamu Aliero and Senator Saminu Turaki. They were received

by Kano State Deputy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

No plan to bomb north’s varsities, says group

T

HE Northern chapter of Elite Youths Development Initiative (EYDI) yesterday urged Nigerians to disregard the rumour that The Presidency was hatching a plan to bomb three major universities in the North under the guise of a Boko Haram onslaught.

The group described a document circulated by a group called "Nigeria Information" containing information of the alleged plan by President Goodluck Jonathan to bomb the three Northern universities as "very dangerous information which is laced with lies and conjectures meant to de-

ceive the people and bring disaffection".

The said document written in Hausa according to the group, claimed that the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi and Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto were targeted.

In a statement, EYDI secretary Mohammed Ahmed, said the document was also intended to incite people.

The security agencies should “intensify surveillance with a view to apprehending anyone who is into the habit of raising unnecessary panic and alarm".

"It is also on record that this

government initiated a move to transform the Almajiri system by modernising them and improving the teaching environment.

"We strongly appeal to all Nigerians to disregard this wild propaganda contained in the said document. Everybody should be calm and all Nigerians should be rest assured that nothing will happen to anyone.

"Mr. President is a peace-loving person who does not believe in violence and he is always preoccupied with finding solutions to the mayhem and killings in the North and other parts of the country".

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THE NATION MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

Spurs happy with Yahaya

• Yahaya

RESULTS England - Premier League So’mpton 0 - 3 Man City Tottenham 2 - 1 Everton Italy - Serie A AC Milan 2 - 0 Udinese Cagliari 0 - 4 Fiorentina Cesena 0 - 3 Genoa Empoli 0 - 0 Atalanta Palermo 2 - 1 Parma Spain - Liga BBVA A. Madrid 2 - 0 Deportivo Sevilla 5 - 1 Granada Spain - Liga Adelante Mallorca 0 - 1 S. Gijon Santander 0 - 1 Alcorcon Huelva 0 - 1 Mirandes Germany - Bundesliga Wolfsburg 1 - 0 Ggladbach

S

L10.NG understands that Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement with the representative of Musa Yahaya for the highly rated starlet to leave the White Hart Lane outfit in February 2015.

Having trained with their Development Squad since July, Spurs youth team coaches do not need a second opinion on the attacking midfielder, as the product of Mutunchi Academy has caught the eye in training matches. ''Musa Yahaya was supposed to leave London in November, but the Under 20

national team coaches did not include professionals when they named the squad for the training camp, '' a top source close to Musa Yahaya said to SL10.ng. ''He is doing well at Spurs; he has been creating a lot of goals. They are playing him in several positions, attacking midfield, defensive midfield and as left and right winger.''

The Tottenham Hotspur managers are confident that Musa Yahaya will be issued a work permit when he signs professional terms in January 2016, which shows he is highly regarded by the Londoners. ''Musa will be 18 next year and Tottenham Hotspur are doing everything possible for him to play for the Under 21 team. ''They want to register him for that squad when he gets a work permit, and plan to feature him in the UEFA Youth League if they qualify for the competition. ''He is a gifted player, so we are not scared of him getting a work permit. I'm sure he'll do well at the African Youth Championship,'' he added.

The Flying Eagles star will earn approximately £150,000 per annum in the four-and-a-half - year deal he's expected to sign in the next fourteen months.

The extra perk is that his basic wages will be increased to £225,000 per annum after making his first Premier League start.

ACCW Dolphins beat INSS 78-76 From Adeyinka Adedipe, Sfax, Tunisia OLPHINS Basketball Club yesterday defeated INSS OF Congo 78-76 in their first game at the FIBA African Club Championship for Women in Sfax, Tunisia.

The Nigerian side coached by Wale Aboderin led their more experienced opponents for the better part of the game, but fell behind 75-73 with two minutes to the end of the game and had to rely on strong defending to win the game.

The Nigerians were the first off the block as they won the first quarter 25-17. They also dominated the second quarter to win 45-36, while the third quarter ended 57-49, with Dolphins closing out the game 78-76. Kudos must also go to the Congolese who came out strong towards the end of the closely-fought encounter.

At the past match press conference, Aboderin said he knew his players would win the game, but admitted that there were moments when the resolve of the INSS players gave rise to doubt.

“It was a good game. I knew it would end up the way it did.

“We need to win the game to boost the confidence of the players. Our opponents were older, taller and more experienced than my girls, so winning the game has given us a boost. I think we have a good chance of progressing to the quarter finals,” Aboderin added.

D

CHUKWU TELLS KESHI

Stop being bossy

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UPER Eagles’ Chief Coach Stephen Keshi has been advised by former handler of the team Christian Chukwu to stop his bossy attitude if he craves to lead the team to back to prominence.

The Super Eagles were ousted from the finals of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations holding in Equatorial Guinea having lost the second ticket of the group to Congo Brazzaville that beat Nigeria 3-2 in Calabar in the first group match and also ended the chance to be among the teams that would be at the football tournament when Nigeria played a 2-2 draw at home in Uyo when they needed to beat their visitors at least 1-0 to qualify.

Chukwu who said Nigeria will be sorely missed in Equatorial Guinea, has these words of advice for the retained Eagles’ Chief Coach in order to lead the team back to prominence.

• Keshi

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja “No Nigerian, I am very sure will be happy to watch the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations on television without their darling team the Super Eagles. But there is no point quarreling on a split milk since Nigeria won’t be at Equatorial Guinea.

“Now that the Nigeria Football Federation has come out to inform football-loving Nigerians that they are retaining Stephen Keshi as the Coach of the team for continuity reason then there are some things the Coach needs to do help the team return to prominence.

“Let Keshi henceforth be showing fatherly affection to the players he would be inviting. Let him behave like their fathers in order to bring the best out of them. The bossy attitude has proved not to work on the players we have now a days. It has not yielded any dividends so there is dire need for the coach to change from this attitude.

“He shouldn’t discriminate and he should desist from punishing good players unnecessarily. He should find a way of managing the players’ attitude and make use of the football talents of the players in the best interest of the national team.

“He should be very objective when it comes to selection of players to play for Nigeria.

There should not be favouritism in selection of players. He should give players equal opportunity to play for the team”, the former Rangers Coach disclosed.

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 9 NO 3,049

‘Rational calculations demand that the choice available to the National Assembly is to approve the request for further extension despite whatever reservations there are.

It also instructs we minimize our losses in the event of the worst outcome.’

EMEKA OMEIHE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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HE one is a dame of power, rides a private jet, looks silky and satiny, has bold and imperious eyes, defies the National Assembly, presides over the nation’s pot, speaks in public with bored and superior look, craves accolades and pooh-poohs the critic, rose steeply from a mocked minister to an Amazon of influence.

Some despise her, some others fear her, some others adore her, but most admire her without liking her. Recently, she became a president and popped champagne.

The other has rural air. She is not a dame but she wields a Dane gun. She hunts rabbits and antelopes. She is charming without the effluvia of glamour. She cannot speak good English. She knows no fear, is indifferent to her influence, owns neither car nor jet, craves no air-conditioners or the glitz of accolades. She probably does not pop champagne, which might be a bibulous appetite and impious. But she pops guns. Recently, she - and her peers - shot Boko Haram out of town.

The one is our Oil Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who recently gained world attention as the first female President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries known as OPEC. The other gives her name simply as Ladi, and she was one of the few female hunters who wove a heroic skein when they shot Boko Haram out of some northeastern towns. The routed Islamists had turned the places, including Mubi, into redoubts.

Both are women, both are doing significant things, but one is heroic and the other is living a life of dubious glamour.

Few Nigerians are paying great attention to the stories of the young women like Ladi who are fighting for the survival of this country. Rather the front-page stories are bedecking the exploits of an oil minister who becomes a president and the first female one at that. She deserves the post not from personal distinction but from the accidental distinction that Nigeria is a major oil-producing country. Never mind that her ways are turning Nigeria gradually into a beggar nation and straightened agonies.

But Ladi bests Allison-Madueke. Ladi has put her life on the line. In a lucid report of the New Telegraph of Sunday November 23 by correspondent Ibrahim Abdul, the young woman of about 20 years of age defies the insurgents. She says: “Boko Haram’s days are numbered… we are ready to fight them.”

She flashes her Dane gun, unfazed by the tanks and modernity of Boko Haram’s armoury. “We know they are using sophisticated weapons but that will not deter us from facing them squarely,” she intoned.

She dares the insurgents unlike our fleeing soldiers. She is evidence of the lines of poet and novelist Alyxandra Harvey who wrote,

RIPPLES

BUHARI’S PLANE BARRED FROM LANDING AT MAKURDI AIRPORT–News

Hmmmmm...that’s POLITICS with BITTERNESS

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

•Winner, Informed Commentary (DAME)

A president and hunter

•Ladi, the female hunter

“If we act like a prey, they’ll act like predators.” She knows she is no prey.

While Ladi does exploits, some young women are doing harm. A picture of a female bomber ran viral on the Internet recently. She destroyed herself and others in a recent explosion in Niger State. Her face was beatific, but beneath the quiet repose dangled raw and charred remains of her full body. She believed, but killed. Ladi believes in the integrity of Nigeria. She flays the Federal Government for not doing enough to mow down the goons of faith.

Ladi, like other volunteers like the Civilian JTF, has mobilised the young against the spirit of surrender in Abuja. The civilian JTF exposed female partisans of Boko Haram who disguised as regular women in purdah.

But Madueke rides higher praise from an undiscerning nation. She is presiding over the best and worst times in Nigerian history. On her watch, oil price soared to over $110 per barrel. But our OPEC princess has reigned over an opaque accounting. Though awash in money, all economic indices turned upside down. Unemployment has jumped, and this is creating a ticking youth time

•Alison-Madueke, OPEC president

bomb. A central bank boss charged that about $50 billion was missing. The outcry matched the outrage, but not the response from government. Her colleague, the finance minister, said it was far less – about $10 billion. For over six months since the scandal broke, no clear public accounting for the about $10 billion the government admits is missing.

The nation’s reserve has dropped from over $68 billion to about $37 billion on her watch as minister. The Federal Government cannot pay the states their share of revenue each month, driving them to stop many government projects and default on financial commitments, including to their civil servants.

The finance minister says the nation is not broke, but the nation keeps borrowing. Now, the price of oil has fallen steeply to less than $80 dollars per barrel. The naira, which stood quaveringly at about N140 per dollar a few years ago, is about N180 today. Madueke claims that theft has depleted our oil but she and her government cannot hold to account the militants they paid billions to guard the oil pipelines.

The NNPC that supervises oil in the coun-

HARDBALL

T

HE problem with Hardball is that he must be an illiterate, one-armed economist. He is so stiff-necked that he does not understand that the science of economics is always about: ‘on the one hand and on the other hand.’ But Hardball is a one-track minded fellow with a plebian, brick-and-mortar idea about economics.

But sorry Mr. Hardball, economics is an arcane science; especially when it dovetails into the fine realms of fiscal macroeconomics; the econometrics of recurrent elements in sovereign appropriations or the monetary equivalences of fiscal measures, etc. Wow, this surely is beyond my ken I must confess.

Again, economists will always close every assertion with the phrase: “All things being equal” knowing for sure that all things never get to be equal. But simpletons like Hardball, burden by their untutored minds, would always expect things to be equal. This explains why he is forever hitting his head against the wall as if he was born to fret.

If only Hardball could get it into his frothy skull that economics is merely intellectualised madness; a tool made popular by world governments for the domination of world peoples.

It never provides definitive answers, it is imprecise, malleable, and sometimes, outright du-

try has acted above the law, thanks to her.

When the legislators summon her, she recoils with patrician disdain and does not show up. She even shunned the House of Representatives when she was summoned to answer questions on why she spent about N2 billion on private jet travels. Nigerians do not know how much we earn from oil, and when they give us a figure, we do the math and it does not add up to what we get in real terms. When the price of oil was over $110 and the budget benchmark was $78, we still could not pay our bills. Madueke has not accounted why NNPC cannot pay in spite of all we sell.

For all these, she becomes president of OPEC, and we congratulate her for what? For ruining our oil industry and economy? She and her Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, who covers for her and never holds her to account as the bread winner.

We should celebrate Ladi instead. She is a warrior and a patriot, in the same tradition of female warriors in African history like Aminatu of Zazzau, who conquered territories. Or Oya, Sango’s consort, whose eminence struck fear to the extent that legend said she created hurricanes and tornadoes.

Have we not heard of Yaa Asentawaa who fought the war of the golden stool? In ancient Dahomey Kingdom, female warriors known as Ahosi or king’s wives made mincemeat of its neighbours. There are great women and there are femme fatales. The great women cannot be ignored. We know of the imperious infamy of Jezebel, or the manipulative cruelties of Cleopatra. But who could beat the savage subtleties Livia’s genius. She was the wife of Emperor Augustus and, from the shadows, dictated the lives and deaths, the rising and falling of many in Rome. Few writers have documented Livia’s tyrannies like novelist Robert Graves in his book, I Claudius.

But of course we had the moral beacons of Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Joan of Arc, The Egyptian Nefertiti and a host of others.

Ladi and her fellow hunters may not rise to the high horses of these mythical women, but they can aspire, even if they are not literate enough to know about them. Oya did not go school.

The likes of Ladi beat the militants with a hunter’s arms and heart. Her style is a recipe for Nigeria’s success: No frills, no corruption, fiery patriotism, faith in fellow hunters, heroics without seeking monetary rewards. She was not a beneficiary of the oil money that fueled the one trillion-Naira-ayear defence budget in the past three years.

Yet we cannot give our soldiers sophisticated firepower to tame the insurgents. But Ladi wins with Dane guns. Her triumphal soldiery mocks our fabled trillions and the false swagger of our first female OPEC president.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Okonjo-Iwealanomics: N9b stoves in time of austerity bious. If, therefore, a country expects to ever find solution to her growth and developmental problems from fine economic theories, then such a state would end up a basket case just like Nigeria.

The situation is worse, if not doomed when a country’s economy is overseen by a purist economist. This supple subject becomes an end in itself with its rich, endless debate the only result to be derived. This is the mire Nigeria is stuck in today. With Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala managing Nigeria’s economy we are not likely to witness what we, the laymen know as growth and development.

Trained at the best institutions of the West (Harvard and MIT), she trades in growth rate figures and fine theories and projections. So long as the numbers and ratings are looking up, then the economy is doing well. By her projections and prognosis of her people at the World Bank, Nigeria under her watch has been growing at the rate of between five to six per cent in the last five years they say.

Recently, the folly of economics and even economists came to the fore in Nigeria with a mild dip in the global price of crude oil. No sooner did this happen than Nigeria is almost embroiled in economic crisis. Mrs OkonjoIweala quickly declared a puerile cost-cutting called austerity measures, including the need to introduce luxury goods taxes.

Now there is no power supply, no industrial base, no refineries, no standard railway system and no agricultural sector. This country, run by an economist is a mono-economy living on massive importation of all her needs, including food stuff. For over two decades, she has been exporting her crude oil and importing refined petroleum products - a huge drain on the economy.

You would think that the looming crisis has sobered up a wasteful, quick-fingered government, but not in the least. Nigerians woke up last week to find that the Federal Executive Council has approved N9.2 billion post haste, for the procurement of cooking stoves for rural women.

Now what manner of economics is this!?

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