The Nation Decmber 07, 2011

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

More varsities join ASUU strike

Boko Haram man jailed three years NEWS – Page 4

NEWS

Page 5

•National Assembly intervenes

•To serve term in SSS custody

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 1967 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Petrol may cost N120 Okonjo-Iweala defends proposal Parties keep Jonathan waiting

Salami’s suit hearing Feb. 9

J

USTICE Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday fixed February 9 for hearing in the consolidated preliminary objection to the suit filed by suspended Appeal Court President Isa Ayo Salami against the National Judicial Council (NJC) and others. Others are former Chief Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, CJN ...

T

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja HERE were hints yesterday that petrol (Premium Motor She said between 2006 and Spirit) may sell for about 2011, the nation spent N120 per litre, if fuel sub- N3,655.17 trillion to subsidise sidy is withdrawn. fuel. The cash is 30 per cent Finance Minister Mrs of the total expenditure, 118% Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has of the capital expenditure said the removal of fuel sub- and 4.18% of the GDP. sidy next year is inevitable “Subsidy does not get to the – to keep the economy poor; the middle and upper afloat and rebuild infra- classes are the real beneficiastructure. ries. It is clearly unsustainThe hint on the new pump able,” said the Minister. price emanated from a fact“Subsidy in 2011 alone so sheet presented to select far is over N1.3trillion, which leaders of higher than our SEE ALSO is four political capital budget. Eviparties at a PAGES 2,3&57 dence shows that the Monday price of fuel in Nigenight meeting with Presi- ria is below both the African dent Goodluck Jonathan at and international average. the Presidential Villa, “Nigeria, with its large Abuja. population and small oil The document, which The base, is comparatively poor, Nation obtained last night, compared to other oil prostates that subsidy must go, ducers. in the interest of the nation’s “Compared to other oil profuture and the masses. ducing countries, Nigeria has Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, how- a significantly lower GDP per ever, unveiled some safety capita; substantially less oil nets being planned by the revenue per capita and government to ameliorate greater social. the effects of the withdrawal of the subsidy.

Continued on page 4

News Page 4

‘Four goals unbelievable’

N

IGERIAN striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni says scoring four goals for Blackb u r n was an ‘unbelievable’ feat.

The 30-yearold forward claimed a quadruple in Rovers’ 4-2 win over Swansea City at the Ewood Park on Saturday and was quick to give himself a pat on the back.

Sports Page 41

Subsidy removal divides Senate

S

ENATORS got yesterday a taste of what may happen when the planned fuel subsidy removal comes up for debate.

The hint came as the upper legislative chamber began debate on the 2012-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

Senators were sharply divided on fuel subsidy removal.

Senate President David Mark was worried about

Reps, Union Bank disagree

T

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

“obviously overbloated federal bureaucracy and the fact that the capital increase is just N170 billion from 2011 to 2012”.

The MTEF and FSP are statutory documents which articulate the government’s revenue and spending plan as well as its fiscal policy objectives over a period to time.

Continued on page 2

W: The widow of the Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegu-Ojukwu, •AGONY OF A WIDO WIDOW Bianca, at her GRA, Enugu home shortly after arriving from London where her husband died on November 26 ... yesterday. Story on page 57.

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

HE House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and Institutions yesterday asked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to stop the recapitalisation of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, pending the conclusion of investigations to ascertain if the exercise conformed with due process. But a bank source insisted that due process was followed in its recapitalisation and that the shareholders were carried along.

Business Page 11

•MONEY P17 •SPORT P24 •NEWS EXTRA P25 •LIFE P29 •POLITICS P45

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

2

NEWS FUEL SUBSIDY DEBATE

ACN, ANPP keep Jonathan in suspense ‘There must be safety nets’

M

AJOR opposition parties are keeping President Goodluck Jonathan in suspense over the proposed removal of fuel subsidy.

They Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) did not make any commitment on the President’s decision to withdraw fuel subsidy from January.

Instead, the parties urged the President to give them more time to study the fact-sheet presented on Monday night to the session at the Presidential Villa by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, before deciding whether to support the removal of subsidy or not.

They are expected to meet with the President “very soon” again on the fuel subsidy issue.

The ACN, however, submitted a position paper, which looks like a charter of demands, to the President to guide the Federal Government in making up its mind, whether it is desirable or not to withdraw the subsidy.

The Nation learnt that the meeting, which started at about 8pm, ended past midnight.

Some of those who attended described it as “patriotic”. The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Labour Party (LP) were absent at the session.

LP sent its apology while CPC boycotted the meeting.

Some of those at the session were the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; the Minister of Finance, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala; the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the Leader of the ACN, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; the National Chairman of ACN, Chief Bisi Akande; the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje; the

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) submitted a memorandum to President Goodluck Jonathan on the planned removal of fuel subsidy. In it, the party wants the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) reformed and a law to back safety nets. Excerpts:

T

HE memo reads: “Perhaps the most sensitive issue confronting us presently is the planned fuel subsidy removal. The proposed removal apparently is aimed at checking corruption in the downstream sector. However, the subsidy is popular. Most Nigerians consider it an integral part of the social contract between government and the people. They sense government will remove the subsidy but fail to replace it with alternative relief. They sense greater darkness at the end of this tunnel. Prior to taking such a drastic step on a key issue, government should have engaged in broad and open dialogue with important political and civil society constituencies. This requires open public hearings providing complete and full disclosure of how the subsidy has been implemented and give the public a chance to offer solutions. If it becomes apparent that the subsidy has outlasted its usefulness, the government should further dialogue with the public to determine those alternatives, people oriented programs to which the funds will be reallocated.

“These programs should be enacted into law prior to terminating the subsidy. Such programmes as public mass transportation, massive investment in tertiary educational institutions, agricultural reforms, school feeding program, subsidized health care and national water project. Fast track the construction of the single gauge rail system for haulage of goods that will ease the wear on the roads. As part of the agricultural reforms, fertilization importation should be prohibited and funds saved should be used to stimulate agricultural production, ensure minimum price guarantee, MPG, and establish a school feeding program.

“NNPC is too corrupt an organisation. In discussing the oil subsidy with the public, the President should also discuss transforming NNPC into a semi-public corporation. Brazil’s Petrobas was once a corrupt inefficient company. Once it became a publicly traded corporation, the company was transformed. It is now one of the largest, most productive energy companies in the world.

“In this vein, a possible re-capitalisation might entail the federal govFrom Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

National Chairman of ANPP, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh; the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Relations, Senator Ben Obi; the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak, among oth-

ers.

A Presidency source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The meeting with key political figures, especially those in the opposition, is part of the final stage of consultations by the President on the proposed withdrawal of subsidy.

“The President has insisted that he won’t go ahead with the subsidy removal, until he has complet-

ernment retaining 15 percent of the shares and the states receiving 36 percent (each state 1 percent) with the oil producing states further guaranteed 13 percent of the company’s revenue generated by its operations under that state’s jurisdiction. The remaining 49 percent would be open to public sale. Reforming the NNPC in this way would be historic. The public selling of shares would raise capital to modernize the company and deepen our equity market. The influx of capital would allow NNPC to invest in refineries at home and abroad and this type of investment would lower the costs associated with any future subsidy removal. Being a publicly traded company would require NNPC to operate in a transparent manner and open its books to external audits, thereby deterring gross corruption. This transformation will substantially eliminate fraud and inefficiencies in the allocation of oil lifting and importation contracts.

“We continue to back a review of the Revenue Allocation in favour of States and Local Governments. Also, in our opinion, apart from the Distributable Pool Account provided by the constitution, the Sovereign Wealth Fund and the Excess Crude Account are extra-efficacy of the States and Local Governments.

“Nigerians are not happy over the unchecked decay of the country’s infrastructures. While we support the prudent and well-conceived privatisation of public entities were profitable to the nation, we also recommend the development of a national infrastructural plan including an infrastructural bank to modernize and improve our infrastructure. If there is any role where the federal government must be active and take the lead, it is on this point but always in cooperation with State and Local Government.

“Such a plan, with adequate government funding, can reduce the unemployment problem and spur general economic growth by lowering the private sector’s cost of production. Given the weakness of the global economy, it would be a mistake for government to pursue a course of fiscal consolidation.” ed a broad-based consultation on it.

“The essence of the session is to open the oil records of the government, the state of subsidy, why the fuel subsidy must go and safety nets.

“The intention of this government has been grossly misunderstood and the President is seizing every opportunity to woo Nigeri-

ans to buy into the withdrawal of subsidy.”

But, most of the parties at the session asked the President to give them time to study his proposal on fuel subsidy.

A source at the session said: “After what I can call appealing introductory remarks by the President, the Minister of Finance made a presentation to the session on why

Fuel subsidy removal divides Senate •continued from page 1 A major component of the policy of fiscal consolidation, according to the MTEF and FSP, is the “government’s intent to phase out the fuel subsidy, beginning from 2012 fiscal year”.

It said that the measure will free up about N1.2 trillion in savings, part of which can be deployed into providing safety nets for the poor to ameliorate the effects of the subsidy removal.

It added that the accrual to the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) as a result of the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy will also augment funds for critical infrastructure through the infrastructure window of the SWF. Section 11 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 requires the Minister of Finance to prepare the MTEF and FSP and lay it before the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly for consideration.

The government planned to implement a four-year capital project plan commencing from 2012, which will enable it exit the portfolio of ongoing projects The document also proposes a baseline Benchmark oil price of $70 per barrel for the 2012-2015.

It states that the government will improve Internally Generated Revenue remittances by reconciling establishing acts of parastatals and agencies with the provisions

of the FRA 2007.

Hardly had Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba moved a motion “that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President for approval of the 2012-2015 Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and FSP” when Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North) got Mark’s approval to speak.

Adetunmbi sought suspension of debate on the fiscal policy, pending the conclusion of the investigation into the management of fuel subsidy by the Senate.

He noted that since the document is premised on oil subsidy removal, to release more money to the economy, it will be better for the Senate to await the out come of the probe of fuel subsidy management.

But the Senate President overruled him, noting that besides the proposal on removal of fuel subsidy, there were other important issues in the document that should be discussed.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu submitted that the Senate should act promptly to approve the document, more so when the House of Representatives has done so.

Ekweremadu noted that efforts should be made to reduce the money spent on recurrent expenditure.

He criticised the burden posed by overbloated bureaucracy, saying that the Federal Government

is exploring the possibility of merging some agencies and parastatals to save cost.

Senator Emmanue Paulker (Bayelsa Central) said: “Even as an individual, if you don’t plan for your future, there is nothing you can achieve”.

Paulker said with the MTFF, government has set out its plan of action for the next three to four years.

He added “Take oil production for example. Government is envisaging that it would be able to produce 2.4 million barrels per day.

My plea is that government should sustain stability in that region.

“Government cannot focus on capital expenditure without taking money from other sectors.

“On deregulation, as outlined in the document, it is a very good policy as far as I’m concerned. On a very serious note, the masses are not enjoying the subsidy.

“We are heading for the rocks. If state governments have said they can no longer sustain subsidy, there is nothing we can do because we cannot legislate for the states. We don’t have the power to do so and we can’t force them to support subsidy.”

Senator Bassey Otu urged his colleagues to support the document.

He however said more attention should be paid to security, agriculture and manufacturing.

Senator Hope Uzodinma (Imo West) described the document as

“very thorough” and added that it aimed at regulating expenditure and to release more funds to the real sectors of the economy.

Senator Dahiru Kuta (Niger) warned that the planned removal of fuel subsidy should be gradual in order not to cause a major dislocation.

He said: “We have spent a lot of money on power without result.

We have spent a lot of money on infrastructure without result.”

He said that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is groping in the dark especially with the management of the corporation unable to tell Nigerians what the country is losing due to faulty refineries.

But Senator Wilson Ake described the document as ‘well thought out”, saying it maps out ways and means of action for government to carry out its programmes.

Though he said that the document has outlined a road map to grow the economy, he urged the government to be specific on the number of jobs it wants to create annually.

Senator Ayogu Eze (Enugu North) urged the Senate to approve it without further delay.

Eze noted that all over the world, governments are cutting down on spending and added that what is required in the country is “fiscal re-engineering”.

But Senator Sani Stores (Zamfara) rejected the document, arguing that it will not take the country anywhere, especially when it is premised to last for only three years.

On removal of fuel subsidy, he said the measure would be a “huge punishment for Nigerians”.

He wondered how the “so-called safety net” will be measured.

Stores, who urged the Senate not to support removal of fuel subsidy said the huge amount of money withdrawn from the nation’s foreign reserve should have been spent more purposefully.

Senator Babayo Garba Gamawa wondered why the government is planning to save money through the SWF when there are immediate problems that need immediate attention.

Senator Isa Mohammed Galaudu (Kebbi North) wondered why removal of fuel subsidy should be debated when it was not incorporated into the MTFF. For him, the Senate should take the document as work-in-progress.

Senator Ganiyu Solomon (Lagos West) urged the committee that would handle the nitty gritty of the document to carry all senators along.

Solomon noted that due to the technical nature of the document, the Senate might consider bringing experts to assist.

The Senate President, who

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

3

NEWS FUEL SUBSIDY DEBATE

over planned removal of fuel subsidy

•From left: Okonjo-Iweala, John Odigie-Oyegun, Ogbonnaya Onu and Victor Umeh at the meeting

the subsidy must go.

“But we were all not convinced, we said the President should allow us to go and study the Minister’s presentation. We did not want to be railroaded into any hasty decision to endorse the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.”

Another source added: “”There was no data on how much fuel we are consuming, how many tankers are being used and whether our consumption is part of OPEC or not.

“They gave us figures but the elements of

the details were not there.

A third leader at the session said: “The meeting was objective and polite. A patriotic sense of everybody to help the nation and the public was called upon. The question on why the withdrawal of subsidy is necessary was explained but how we got to where we are was not articulated. We made no commitment; we are going to meet again because some data have been presented.”

SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMMES •FG to launch Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE).

•Maternal and child health services •Public works/youth employment programme •Urban mass transit scheme •Vocational training schemes.

•High-profile infrastructure projects: Roads and rail; water resources, power; refineries (with private sector) •High powered committee of eminent Nigerians to monitor revenue proceeds and proper implementation.

Source: Minister of Finance summed up the debate noted that “the paper is just a framework at this stage and for all intents and purposes the figures are preliminary figures. They are not fixed.”

Mark said: “There is no doubt that a paper of this nature will capture everything; there will be omissions and by going to the committees, the essence is for the committee to take a better look of the details of the paper that has been submitted to us.”

He noted that document is based on the fouryear rolling budgetary plan.

Mark said: “I think we are agreed that this yearly budgeting system has not worked. If we have a rolling plan, it is easier for us to see at a glance what we are looking at for the next four years.

“However, even as a person, I am a bit worried that the capital increase is just per N170billion from 2011 to 2012. How will a mere increase of N170 billion really be a projection.

“So, when the paper gets to the joint committees, I think these are the areas they may want to look at.”

Mark lamented: “the Federal bureaucracy

obviously is over bloated,” asking “how has it been captured?”

He added: “What have we done in this paper to ensure that this over bloated federal bureaucracy is not continued? In fact, we should make every effort to reduce the federal bureaucracy.

“At the moment we simply cannot sustain it. It is not only over bloated; it has got a very high consumption rate and national consumption rate too. These are some of the areas that when we refer them to the committee, the committee will have to look at properly.”

On the exchange rate, he said: “I am not an expert but I don’t understand the difference between the fixed rate and stipple exchange rate. I appear to get a little confused when I read this.

“Is government now going to fix the exchange rate or is it going to allow the market determine the exchange rate? These are some of the areas some of you who are experts may have to look at when the paper gets to you.”

The Senate voted to pass the document to its joint committee on Finance, Appropriation and National Planning for more scrutiny.

•Tinubu and Ogbeh

4

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

NEWS

•Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi (middle) with members of the new Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt, ... on Tuesday.

Petrol may cost N120 Continued from page 1

“With total crude oil production of approximately 2.5million barrels per day, Nigeria has a significantly lower GDP per capita.

Nigeria’s GDP per capita is around $1200 per year, with over 167million in population.”

“Therefore, we must rethink our approach to managing our scarce resources to provide services to Nigerians. We will be better off using the amount spent on subsidy to target poorer groups and big infrastructure projects.”

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala hinted on what the pump price might look like next year, if the subsidy is removed.

She said: “Under the current downstream sector structure, prices are not determined by demand and supply. Pump price of PMS is fixed at N65 per litre by the government.

The landing cost of a litre of PMS is about N123 per litre, based on an average crude oil price of US$113.98pb. To this, add the cost of distributing, bridging and profit margins of N15.72 per litre. This results in effective cost of N139/litre.

“In 2012, the landing cost of a litre of PMS is estimated at N104/litre, based on a crude oil price of US$90pb. To this add the cost of distributing, bridging and profit margins of N15.72/litre. This results in effective cost of N120 per litre.

“Fuel subsidy is what is paid by government to keep prices below free market. The

FIVE-YEAR BREAKDOWN OF FUEL SUBSIDY YEAR

CRUDE PRICE pb

SUBSIDY

GROWTH

2006 2007

US $67.03 $74.68

N261.1b N278.86b

—— 7%

2008 2009

$101.78 $63.02

N630.57b N463.59b

126% -25%

2010 2011(Jan to OCT)

$81.25 $113.98

N672.84 b N1.348.0 Tr.

45% 100%

TOTAL N3, 655.17 Trillion Source: Minister of Finance subsidy causes distortions that result in huge economic costs such as rent-seeking behaviour and smuggling.

“The amount of subsidy equals to the difference between the consumer pump price of fuel versus the total cost of producing or importing. The price of petrol is N65 per litre, but actual cost of supply is N139 per litre. And projected at N120 per litre in 2012.

“This means that currently for every one litre of petrol purchased at the official price of N65, government contributes N73. Presently, only petrol and kerosene enjoy government subsidy. Diesel has already successfully been deregulated.”

The Minister, who is also co-ordinating the economy, made in-depth submissions on why the removal of subsidy has become necessary.

She said: “Subsidy is a major fiscal and financial burden on the nation. From 2006 2011, about N3.7trillion was spent on subsidy.

“In 2011, N1.348trillion was spent between January and October and it is expected to reach N1.436trillion by the

end of the year. This represents 30 per cent of total Federal Government Expenditure; 118% of the capital budget; and 4.18% of GDP. The breakdown of fuel subsidy in the past five years is as follows: She added: “The large increase observed in 2011 is as a result of (i) increased crude oil price from US $81.25 per barrel(pb) to $US 113.98pb; (b) exchange rate movements; (c) larger volumes consume(about 35m litres per day); and (iv) N150billion of kerosene carried over from 2009 and 2010.

The minister listed six benefits of deregulation.

She said: “Deregulation implies limited intervention by government; it allows for better regulation and transparency; allows for free operation activities in the sector; attracts new investors into the market and it increases competition and promotes overall higher productivity; reduces scarcity by ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products; and similar success story to the telecommunication sector.”

The Minister also reeled out social safety nets in the pipeline for Nigerians, if the subsidy is removed.

These are: •Launching of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE); •Maternal and child health services; •Public works/youth employment programme; •Urban mass transit scheme •Vocational training schemes; and •High-profile infrastructure projects: Roads and rail; water resources, power; refineries (with private sector).

She said: “Structures have been developed to guarantee adequate oversight, accountability and implementation of the various projects.

“To ensure effectiveness, efficiency and delivery, high powered committee of eminent Nigerians to monitor revenue proceeds and proper implementation and use of the amount saved.

Members with proven integrity will be drawn from the Nigerian youth, women groups and civil society organisations.”

Boko Haram spokesman jailed three years

A

N Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday sentenced convicted Boko Haram spokesman Alisanda Umar Konduga to three years in jail.

He was sentenced by Chief Magistrate Oyebola Oyewumi after pleading guilty to the charge slammed against him by the State Security Service (SSS).

Konduga, alias Usman AlZawahiri, was arraigned with Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume on a two-count

•To serve term in SSS custody From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

charge of criminal breach of trust, criminal intimidation and anonymous calls.

Ndume is to face a separate four-count charge at the Federal High Court, following the withdrawal of the charge against him at the Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The new charge was filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minis-

ter of Justice, Bello Adoke (SAN).

Konduga was accused of disclosing classified information to unauthorized persons between September 15 and November 3 in Maiduguri, Borno state and in Abuja.

The alleged offence is contrary to Section 398 of the Penal Code.

Pleading for leniency, Konduga, who spoke through an interpreter said if

pardoned, he would be ready to give information on the activities of the Boko Haram to security agencies.

The Judge said the offences against him carry a maximum of seven years imprisonment.

Considering the nature of the offence and the porous state of prisons in the country, Prosecutor, Cliff Osagie made an oral request that he serves the prison term in the custody of the SSS. The request was granted.

Amaechi advises NDDC board From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has appealed to the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to focus on providing amenities to improve the lives of the people.

Amaechi spoke when the board, led by its Chairman, Dr. Tarilah Tebepah, visited him yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Amaechi urged the board members to perform excellently and justify the existence of the agency in the Niger Delta.

“To an extent the question is being asked all over the country, that huge sums of money is budgeted yearly for the development of the Niger Delta through the commission.

“What is on ground to show that those resources are properly expended? They will want to know how we have been able to manage our resources. They ask the questions, our children will ask, they won’t forgive us for not being able to manage,” he said.

“Let it be known and kept at the back of our minds that as we carry out our daily activities we must ask ourselves the question: why are our youths restive? Why is our economy in the way it is?

Why do we have crime in the volume we have now?”

“The simple answer is that the economy is not productive, and the economy can be productive if you provide necessary infrastructure. So what the country has done is to say to you to go back and provide the infrastructure,” he said.

R

Court to hear objection against Salami’s suit Feb 9

J

USTICE Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday fixed February 9 for hearing in the consolidated preliminary objection to the suit filed by the suspended Appeal Court President Isa Ayo Salami against the National Judicial Council (NJC) and others.

Others are former Chief Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, CJN and Chairman of NJC Justice Dahiru Musdapher; members of the NJC’s Fact-Finding Committee- Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi; Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ayoola; Hon. Justice Dominic Edozie; Hon. Justice Michael Akpiroroh and Mrs. Rakia Sarki Ibrahim.

Also sued are members of the NJC Review Committee: Hon. Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta, Hon. Justice Kate Abiri and Hon. Justice Peter Umeadi.

Although the hearing was initially fixed for yesterday, the case could not go on because the plaintiff’s counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), sought an adjournment.

Olujinmi, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said he was indisposed and would not be available.

NJC counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and other defence lawyers did not object.

They, however, suggested a date different from what Olujinmi requested.

But Justice Okorowo drew the

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

attention of parties to the new National Industrial Court Act. He said: “In the light of the circumstances of this matter and in view of the National Industrial Court (NIC) Act, No. 3 of 2011, I will want counsel to prepare their minds and address if the Federal High Court still has the jurisdiction to hear the matter.”

On the import of the letter written by the plaintiff’s counsel, the judge ruled that “by consent of counsel, this case is adjourned till February 9 for argument on consolidated objections”.

The Plaintiff wants the court to nullify or set aside any action or steps taken or being taken in implementation or further implementation of the said decision.

He is also asking the court to restore the status quo ante as at the date the said decision was taken by the NJC.

•Justice Salami

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

5

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

NEWS ASUU STRIKE (DAY TWO)

•‘No going back’ •NANS seeks resolution

T

HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)yesterday blamed President Goodluck Jonathan for the ongoing strike by its members.

Speaking through the University of Ibadan (UI) chapter Chairman, Dr Segun Ajiboye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the union insisted that it would not call off the strike until major parts of the 2009 agreement are implemented.

The Federal Government reached an agreement with the union in 2009 over some grey areas, including the funding of education, allowances for lecturers and 70-year retirement age for professors.

Also yesterday, the UI chapter set up a 13-member committee to monitor compliance with the strike. The committee is headed by Dr Mukaila Olujide.

The decision was reached at the ASUU congress of the UI chapter where lecturers appealed to the masses to rise against imminent collapse of the nation through mismanagement by political office holders.

Ajiboye noted that though the strike is painful, it was necessary to check continuous decay in public infrastructure by the ruling class.

He said ASUU was

ASUU blames it all on Jonathan National Assembly meets govt, union leaders today

T

HE National Assembly will today meet with Federal Government officials and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) leaders to end the union’s ongoing strike.

The Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting will be led by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i. ASUU will be represented From Bisi Oladele, Tayo Johnson, Ibadan, Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt and Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

networking with credible organisations outside the country to galvanise public opinion against the government.

“We are not going to suspend or call off this strike. It is total and comprehensive. I can assure you that we are not going back to the classrooms unless there is substantial implementation of the agreement by the Federal Government. We cannot allow a government that lacks credibility and integrity to continue to fool us. I tell you, it would be suicidal to suspend without implementation of the agreement. So, we decided that we will not sit down and look but fight for the future of the country and that of our children,” Ajiboye

by its National President, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, told The Nation that the meeting is a joint effort of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Chukwumerije spoke after he called off a scheduled meeting between his committee and officials of the Minis-

said.

The Chairman of the ASUU at the Ignatius Ajuru (formerly Rivers State) University of Education (IAUOE), Port Harcourt, Dr. Ugochukwu Agi yesterday said there is no going back on the strike.

The strike entered its second day yesterday with activities paralysed at the three universities in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The lecturers at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and IAUOE are complying with the strike.

The “total, comprehensive and indefinite” strike, which started on Monday, was declared by the Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie-led ASUU over non-implementation of the 2009 Federal Government/ ASUU pact.

The classrooms of the three

try of Education because of the absence of Prof. Rufa’i.

He noted that the meeting was aimed at restoring normalcy to the universities.

ASUU called its members out for an indefinite strike on Monday over alleged non-implementation of the agreements it reached with the Federal Government in 2009.

universities in Rivers State were empty yesterday. Some of the students in the hostels were seen returning home; others were loitering about.

The UNIPORT’s Chairman, Dr. Kinikanwo Anele, described the level of compliance as total. He expressed optimism that the lecturers would continue to support the action.

ASUU Chairman at RSUST, Dr. Felix Igwe said: “Our members are complying and in agreement. There is no complaint. All our members are in support.

“The strike is in the nation’s interest and declared by the national leadership of ASUU. We are fully in its support.”

Agi described the compliance as total, assuring that ASUU members at IAUOE would continue to obey the directive.

According to him, the strike will lead to high qual-

ity education and meant to lay the foundation for the nation’s development.

He said: “We will not allow imperialists to cause confusion in the education system. Nigerian students deserve the best education, like their counterparts all over the world. We will insist that the right things be done by government.”

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has pleaded with the Federal Government and ASUU to resolve the dispute.

A statement by its President, said the students spoke at the just-concluded 69th Senate meeting of NANS on December 4 in Asaba, Delta State.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i urged the striking ASUU members to sheath their swords and call off the strike. She said the Federal

•Prof Awuzie

Government is doing all within its power to resolve the issues.

The students, according to the statement, frowned at the manner the minister has handled education issues.

“We want to boldly assert that since her first coming as the Minister of Education, there has been no visible impact no matter how little in the education sector. Rather than using her position to reform the sector and address every pending issue such as the ASUU/FG agreement, she has preoccupied her ministry with irrelevant issues which are of no impact to the challenges of the Nigeria educational sector,” the statement said.

Nigerian Idol season is back

•President Goodluck Jonathan (second right), Kwara State Governor Abdul Fatha Ahmed (right), Sultan of Sokoto and co-chair of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad (third left), President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and co-chair of NIREC, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (second left) and co-ordinator, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede at the opening of NIREC’S second quarterly meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State...yesterday.

B

AFTER two months of touring the country, Nigerian Idol is set to return to the screen.

The event has made stars including: Jennifer Hudson, Ruben Studdard, Timi Dakolo and Yeka Onka. It attracts a star prize of $100,000 and a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) for the winner.

Nigerian Idols is sponsored by Etisalat,supported by Sony and Pepsi.

Lawmakers kick as police seal off Adamawa Assembly

ARELY 24 hours after they impeached their Speaker, Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin and his deputy, Mrs Wale Fwa, Adamawa State lawmakers have lost access to the House of Assembly Complex. It was sealed off by the police, allegedly acting on “orders from above”.

But the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not relenting on its effort to maintain its hold on the state as it raised a highpowered team to serve in the governorship campaign committee of Rear Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd).

The governorship election is scheduled for January 14.

In the committee are: former President and chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Olusegun Obasanjo, his erstwhile deputy Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Chief Tony Anenih, Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal,

•PDP drafts Obasanjo, Atiku into Nyako’s campaign From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

among others.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and all the PDP governors in the Northeast were also named as members of the committee.

Speaking at the inauguration at the Wadata Plaza, PDP national secretariat, Vice President Namadi Sambo, who chairs the committee made a comic reference to the allegation of rigging levelled against the PDP in Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State.

He said: “The opposition accused us of being scientific when we won the governorship election in Kogi. But we have moved beyond that because in the Adamawa election we are going on space invasion” “We have confirmed to the world that the PDP believes in

free and fair election. This fact was attested to by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega when he declared the Kogi election free and fair.

“The Kogi election was scientifically won and we are going to win in Adamawa with the same strategy. I charge the campaign committee to do everything possible for us to win the election.”

Echoing Sambo, the party’s National Chairman, Abubakar Kawu Baraje said the PDP would conquer Adamawa the same way it did in Kogi, saying that the party would go all out to win the election.

Other members of the campaign committee include Alhaji Shettima Mustafa, Bamanga Tukur, Hassan Adamu.

The State Assembly had on Monday sacked the Speaker

and his deputy. The duo were said to be victims of emerging political undercurrents in the state ahead of an impending Supreme Court verdict on the right tenure of five governors including Nyako.

They were replaced by Ahmadu Umaru and Kwamoti Laori as speaker and deputy respectively.

But the new speaker, his deputy and members of the Assembly were locked out of the legislative complex in Yola yesterday.

A detachment of fully armed policemen had invaded the Assembly at about 9am to seal off the place.

It was learnt that some lawmakers who had earlier resumed were chased out of their offices.

Although 15 members arrived at the Assembly complex as of 9.30am, they were denied access to the chamber.

A PDP member of the Assembly said: “The state government was not happy with the removal of the Speaker and his deputy. Governor Nyako felt the sack of our leaders was targeted at him.

“We have nothing against the governor. He should leave the Assembly alone. In a democracy, what the Assembly does cannot be pleasant to him at all times.”

Another member said: “Some PDP leaders are querying our motive for changing our leaders when governorship poll is around the corner in the state.”

The Minority Leader of the Assembly, Jerry Kumdisi, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “We removed our Speaker and deputy on Monday but some powers that be were not happy with the development.

“We woke up on Tuesday to discover armed policemen overrunning the As-

sembly. They also put our offices and the chamber under lock and key.

“I had resumed by 9am but the policemen came to drive me out of my office. They said they were directed to take over the Assembly to prevent a breakdown of law and order. They said they received instruction to come and protect lives and property.

“We suspected the motive of the police and we asked them how a change of leadership has amounted to any breakdown of law and order.

“Yet, the police asked us to leave but we (15 out of 25 members) decided to sit outside in the sun within the complex.”

Replying a question, Kumdisi added: “The PDP also brought some hired thugs to the Assembly to intimidate members to reverse the removal of the Speaker and his deputy.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

6

NEWS Court adjourns ex-Finbank MD’s case till Dec 23

By Adebisi Onanuga

al-Makura leads ‘disability’ protest N

ASARAWA State Governor Tanko alMakura yesterday led over 500 Nigerians with disabilities to the National Assembly to protest the delay in assenting to the disability bill by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The bill seeks to establish a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and vest it with the responsibilities for their welfare, including education, health care, and protection of their social, economic, civil and political rights.

The harmonised bill was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on September 8, last year.

Addressing the representative of Senate President David Mark, the governor noted that the protest was to remind the lawmakers on the need for President Jonathan to assent to the bill.

He said: “The essence of our visit to the National Assembly is to remind the National Assembly that the bill they passed for more than one year is awaiting the assent of Mr. President.

“We are appealing to them to see if they could urge Mr. President to sign the bill into law so that it can become functional as soon as possible.”

The governor, who is a member of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD), regretted that people

JUSTICE Lateefat Okunnu of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday adjourned till December 23 further hearing in the alleged theft case of N10.9 billion brought by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) against the former Managing Director of Finbank Plc, Okey Nwosu.

The adjournment followed an application by counsel to Dayo Famoroti, Mr Yemi Sowemimo, seeking the court’s permission to allow his client to travel to the United States of America for medical check-up.

The EFCC had arraigned Famoroti and two others, Mrs. Agnes Ebubedike and Danjuma Ocholi, with Nwosu, on a 26-count charge of stealing N10.9 billion belonging to the bank.

Counsel to the EFCC, Khadijat Yusuff, objected to the application, saying the •The protesters at the National Assembly...yesterday. INSET: Governor al-Makura addressing reporters defendant may jump bail if PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE allowed to travel out of the From Victor Oluwasegun, mains one of the few counnothing to reduce the suffercountry.

Abuja ing of this class of Nigeri- tries without a dedicated de- who took part in the protest, But the judge overruled ans, adding that the agita- partment of government said he championed the pasher submission and granted sage of the bill and would living with disabilities were tion by the group for gov- dealing with disability. the prayer sought in the be glad to see it signed into discriminated against and ernment to provide for them “Nigeria is one of the four application. She said the denied the basic necessities basic necessities of life is not countries in the world that is law for the disabled to access prosecution failed to conof life. still polio endemic,” he said. the basic necessities of life. a privilege but a right. vince the court that the Iyke Ibe, the National Vice “People living with disaSenator Ayogu Eze, who The National President of defendant would jump bail. bilities do not enjoy equal the association Danlami represented the Senate Pres- President of the association, The court, at its earlier opportunities with other Ni- Umaru Basharu said over 22 ident, assured that the Na- and Agu Evaristus, a memsitting, when the defendants gerians,” Al-Makura said. million Nigerians are living tional Assembly would per- ber, said people with disawere granted bail, banned The governor noted that with one form of disability suade the President to assent bilities would have access to them from travelling abroad, basic things of life when the successive governments in or the other. to the bill. except a permission is sought bill is signed into law.

Nigeria had done little or Senator Bode Olajumoke, He noted that Nigeria reand granted by the court.

She had ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports and other travel documents with the court registrar.

By Joseph Jibueze RESIDENT Goodluck The judge had also ordered Jonathan yesterday HE Economic and Fithat one of the sureties for subscribed to the creanancial Crimes Comthe defendants must own a mission (EFCC) yesFrom Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin level of agriculture in the one. property worth N50 million tion of state police but said the Congratulating NIREC for terday tendered 42 docueither in Lagos or Abuja and nation’s political environment deregulation of the downcontributing to the peace and ments as evidence of how makes it impossible for now. possess evidence of three stream sector of the petrolestability through its mediaformer Managing Director The President spoke in Ilyears’ tax clearance. um industry, said he would tions, the President sought its of Bank PHB Plc (now Keyorin, the Kwara State capital, stimulate the economy support for the implementastone Bank), Mr Francis at the opening of the second through job creation. tion of government’s policies Atuche, and his wife, Elizquarterly meeting of the NiHe said some sectors of the to have peaceful coexistence •Jonathan abeth, allegedly stole the geria Inter-Relgious Council economy, especially agriculof Nigerians of different faith. bank’s N25.7 billion.

(NIREC) for Northcentral ture, would be strengthened Saying that God wants Ni- should promote understandThey were arraigned Zone. to ameliorate the suffering of gerians to live together in ing among faith. We have to with the bank’s former Dr Jonathan said: “State poFrom Kamarudeen the citizens. peace, Dr Jonathan quoted co- practice the principle of incluChief Financial Officer, lice, theoretically, is good. But Ogundele, Abuja Dr Jonathan, who harped piously from the Qur’an and sivity.

Ugo Anyanwu, on an given the Nigerian political on the need for governments “Closely tied to peaceful Bible to show that peace is the amended 27-count charge AN Abuja High Court yesterenvironment, it can be exat all levels to see agriculture fulcrum of Islam and Christi- coexistence is patriotism. It is of alleged conspiracy to day discharged and acquitted tremely abused. as a potential tool for eradione of the hallmarks of Godanity. commit felony and stealing former Director-General of “Until the leaders at the state cating poverty, noted that the He said: “Government de- fearing individuals. I urge before Justice Lateefat National Art Gallery, Joe level can remain neutral about poverty level in Northcentral sires NIREC’s blessings in the NIREC to preach patriotism Okunnu of the Lagos State Musa, and three other offiissues that affect the people was lower than that of other implementation of its pro- and mutual respect among High Court, Ikeja, Lagos. cials of alleged N1.012 billion and until we begin to see free five zones because of the high grammes and policies. NIREC people of different faith.”

EFCC had urged the fraud. and fair elections; that we can court to issue a Subpoena The other accused disbegin to have confidence that charged are: Olusegun Ogunthe state apparatus will not be NIMASA to pay $39m for unlawful sale of ship’s contents Duces Tecum to Keystone’s Managing Director to tenba, former Director of Fiused against the people, then USTICE Okon Abang of the Federal High

By Eric Ikhilae der the certified true copnance; Mrs. Oparagu Elizawe can begin to talk about Court, Lagos, has ordered the Nigerian ies of the documents. The beth, former Deputy Director state police.”

But owners of the $35 million vessel apMaritime Administration and Safety judge issued the subpoena.

Administration; and Dr The President said he was proached the court, claiming among others, an Agency (NIMASA) to pay the owners of Kweku Tandoh, former ready to explain to Nigerians njunction against NIMASA. Director, Research and Educathe resolve of his administra- a ship - M/T Agbonmien - $39 million for its Justice Abang held that the vessel was illegally unlawful detention and sale of the ship’s contion. tion to remove oil subsidy. detained.

Justice Adeniyi Olukayode According to him, his ad- tents.

The court ordered the agency to pay the ownThe agency was said to have apprehended held that the EFCC failed to ministration is not unmindful ers of the vessel $39million without delay. the vessel at the Nigerian National Petroleestablish “prima facie” of the hardship being faced by HE fight against corThe judge held that investigations by the Poum Corporation (NNPC) in Lagos,,saying it against the accused. the average Nigerian. ruption in Nigeria lice showed that NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports He said: “Mere allegation, Dr Jonathan, who did not was not seaworthy. yesterday received a Authority (NPA) sold the large quantity of keroThe vessel, according to the court processno matter how believable, mince words on his resolve to boost in Abuja as the Indesene the vessel carried to the NNPC offshore, does not amount to proof go ahead with the planned es, was said to be carrying thousands of tonnes and eventually rendered the vessel moribund. pendent Corrupt Practices of kerosene. required in law to establish and Other Related Offences such allegations.

Commission (ICPC) got in“An examination of the ternational agencies’ support documents tendered does not for capacity-building for its also provide the required From Yusuf Alli, Abuja senior workers.

HE House Committee Chairman on Drugs, Narcotproof to link the accused with The programme: ICPC ics and Financial Crimes, Adams Jagaba, yesterday concerned, at the Committee level and considering public the alleged crime.

Strategic Planning Workshop, said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commisopinion, EFCC has done well.

“As I conclude, it is perhaps is being coordinated by the sion (EFCC) has done well.

“We have come to see your projects, we have also seen pertinent to observe that the Justice for All (54A) and He promised that the House would increase the comyour Commission and at the end of the day, more funds totality of the submissions of managed by the British mission’s funding for EFCC. for the Commission will be guaranteed to ensure that it the prosecution of the learned Council with the supported Jagaba spoke when he inspected the offices, operations performs better. counsel suggests to me, the of the Department for Interand projects of the EFCC. “So far, so good, we are monitoring a lot of things about exact opposite of the requirenational Development A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Wilthe EFCC. We are happy with you.

EFCC is trying its best ment of the law.”

(DFID) UK. son Uwujaren quoted Jagaba as saying: “As far as we are within the circumstances it finds itself.”

P

State police impossible now, says Jonathan

Atuche: Court admits documents

T

Alleged fraud: Joe Musa, others freed

J

ICPC holds workshop

T

House will increase EFCC funding, says committee

T

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

7

NEWS Ekiti, Ondo to get more commissioners

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has sent a list of five commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for approval.

They are Prof. Olusola Fasuba, Mrs. Ebun Awoyemi, Mrs. Bunmi Salami, Mr. Babajide Arowosaye and Mr. Debo Ajayi.

The reconstitution of local government caretaker committees was approved by the lawmakers.

Also yesterday, Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko sent names of three commissioner- nominees to the House of Assembly for approval.

They are Mr. Niran Akinsuyi, a former Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties from Owo Local Government Area; Mr. Bekekhimi Idhiarhi from EseOdo; and Dr. Bade Omooloja, a former Permanent Secretary from Ose Local Government.

The nominees are to appear before the House Screening Committee at 9am tomorrow.

•Batch 'C' members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at their passing out parade in Iseyin, Oyo State... yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

CPC caucus hails Tinubu’s acquittal From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

M

EMBERS of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the House of Representatives yesterday hailed the acquittal of former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) accused Tinubu of operating foreign accounts while in office and charged him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

But the tribunal acquitted the former governor and dismissed the allegations levelled against him.

A letter to Tinubu, entitled: “You have been vindicated,” signed by Deputy Minority Leader of the House and leader of the CPC caucus Garba Datti Mohammed, reads: “The landmark judgment has put to further shame, your political adversaries, who are still licking the wound of humiliation which you inflicted upon them at the April national polls.

“It is our conviction that you will not allow the traumatic experience of the witch-hunt deter or weaken you from the fight against the tyrants of our times, wherever they may be and whichever state apparatus they may control.

“You will continue to be a source of inspiration and pride to your teeming admirers with a strong political clout and relevance.”

Boko Haram a declaration of war on Nigeria, says Oritsejafor

P

RESIDENT of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) co-chair, Pastor Ayo Oristejafor has described the killings in parts of the country by the Boko Haram sect as a declaration of war on the nation.

He spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the opening of the second quarterly meeting of NIREC in the North Central.

Oritsejafor urged the Federal Government to tackle Boko Haram decisively.

He said: “This issue should be seen as a declaration of war on the nation.

“We should be concerned about the wanton daily killings of innocent citizens.

“There is no substitute for peace, which we must all strive to achieve.

“Those who don’t have respect for human lives should not be treated with kid’s gloves.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

“ I pray God will grant our leaders wisdom and good counsel, especially when taking decisions that affect us.

“Political office holders should promote dialogue for the maintenance of peace and stability in our society.

“NIREC should address issues that affect the adherents of the two major religions. We can achieve peace through dialogue.”

NIREC co-Chairman and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, said: “There is no problem between Islam and Christianity, but between Christians and Muslims.

“It is an issue that has been blown out of proportion. We need to discuss them passionately and proffer solutions to them.

“There is no problem dialogue cannot resolve, even wars were fought to keep peace.”

•Wike (holding the microphone) and the Vice-Principal, Government Girls Secondary School, Abuja, Mr. Yulwada Ibi (left) and Master Joshua Ibrahim... yesterday.

Minister advocates reading culture

N

IGERIA’S dream to be among the 20 leading economies of the world can only be attained if its citizens are knowledgeable and properly educated, the Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has declared.

Wike spoke yesterday at theopening of the National Reading Promotion Programme for schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said unless Nigerians

By Yusuf Sanusi

build their knowledge base, efforts to transform the nation would not yield positive results.

He said the President Goodluck Jonathan administration realises the importance of a viable reading culture and is determined to drive home the message through regular advocacy.

Wike said: “This is the reason Mr. President launched

the ‘Bring Back the Book’ campaign. It is a veritable framework for restoring the reading culture in Nigeria to foster national development.”

He said the Federal Ministry of Education has also set up the National Action Committee on Read Campaign.

Wike said: “The Federal Ministry of Education will soon work out modalities with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)

and state governments to ensure that functional libraries are available in all primary and secondary schools in the country” He urged privileged Nigerians to support the government by donating books to schools.

Wike also visited Federal Government College, Kwali, where he praised the contributions of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) to the execution of projects in the school.

Lawyer recommends solution to Jos crisis

A

KADUNA lawyer, Yahaya Mahmood, yesterday said unless northern leaders prevail on Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang to create a separate Emirate and districts for the Hausa/Fulani in Jos, the recurrent Jos crisis will not end.

Mahmood said if former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi could create chiefdoms for the people of Southern Kaduna and achieve peace in the state, there was no reason why Jang should not be compelled to do same.

Mahmood was contributing to a paper presented by the President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, entitled: “The place of security agen-

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

cies, intelligence community and the judiciary in combating communal violence in Northern Nigeria.”

Giving the Kaduna example, Mahmood said: “In 1982, I was a Magistrate when the Kasuwa Magani riot occurred.

After two weeks, we were asked to discharge those arrested.

“In 1987, after the Kafanchan riot, the same thing happened. In 1992 after the Zangon Kataf riot, the same thing happened.

“After every election in Kaduna, a day after the election, if you go to the Police Headquarters, you will see at least 2,000 persons who were

arrested for one form of political violence or the other.

But after two days, they would be released. That is one problem we have.

“But the one thing I will like to tell you is that in Kaduna State, after all the commissions of enquiry, the government discovered that it was not possible to punish those behind the crisis, either because of their political or religious positions, and Makarfi decided to look into the remote causes of the problems.

“The remote cause of all the problems was that the people of Southern Kaduna were tired of the emirate system.

“So, the Makarfi administration decided to create chiefdoms for South Kaduna

people and we now have relative peace.

“I hope all the northern governors will tell Jang to do thesame.

“I represented Jos indigenes during the 2009 enquiry before the Justice Nikky Toby Commission.

“The only witness we called, Alhaji Sale Hasssan, then 69 years old, said his grandfather was born in Jos, but he is still being called a settler and his children cannot get jobs in the local government.

“An Igbo man in Jos is not called a settler, a Yoruba man in Jos is not called a settler, but the Hausa/Fulani, who settled here over 200 years and are called settlers.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

8

NEWS 26 Ilaje leaders quit Ondo LP •Party: it’s not strange From Damisi Ojo, Akure

TWENTY-six leaders of the Labour Party (LP) in Ilaje, South Senatorial District of Ondo State, dumped the party yesterday.

They said their action was informed by the resignation of the former Special Adviser to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on Planning and Strategy, Mr. Saka Lawal, and several other men of character.

The defectors include former LP Louth Leader Aganmuyi Eric (Aheri Ward); member, Petroleum Committee, Ogunebanmi Christian (Aheri Ward); Bolala Samuel (Etikan Ward); President, Marine Klub, Goke Jatuwase (Mahin Ward I); and Secretary, Ilaje Professionals, Dr. Tuyi Mebawondun (Etikan Ward).

Others are Mr. Steve Fadani (Mahin IV)]; former LP House of Representatives aspirant Sam Erejuwa (Ugbo Ward IV); Benson Oyekanmi (Mahin IV); Orowole Akinsola (Mahin IV); Adeya Telemi (Aheri Ward); Ogunebanmi Idowu (Aheri Ward); and Ilaje Community Women Leader Mrs. Omotayo Temiye (Aheri Ward).

The list also includes Mrs. Ogunfeyimi Tayo (Aheri Ward); Akinsanmi Olumide (Mahin IV); Chief Tomoloju Adetayo (Mahin IV); Toluwalase Orisaseyi (Aheri Ward); Olumide Lemadoro (Aheri Ward); Anthony Ajimuda (Ugbo II); and Soji Gbaniro (Aheri Ward).

The rest are Feranmi Akingba (Aheri Ward); Iyanoye Kayode (Ugbo III); former Chairman, Ilaje/Ese-Odo Local Government, Rev. Benson Ekujumi (Ugbo I); Ehuwayi Jomo Adebowale (Ugbo III); Ehuwayijomo Adebowale (Ugbo III); Tunji Ogunbiyi (Mahin III) and Olupese Akintoba (Ugbo II).

Last Thursday, 15 LP leaders, including two chiefs in Irele local government, also dumped the party because of a similar reason.

LP’s Publicity Secretary Femi Okunjemiruwa said: “Defection is a common phenomenon in politics.

As some members are quitting LP, many others are joining us on a daily basis.”

Ekiti workers to get paid Dec 18 EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said workers in the state would receive this month’s salary on December 18. He said this would enable workers prepare adequately for the Yuletide.

Fayemi said any head of ministry, department or agency that fails to pay salaries by the stipulated time would be sanctioned.

He urged those involved in the preparation and payment of salaries to expedite action to meet the deadline.

•From left, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Aregbesola’s wife, Serifat; and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, during the First Year Anniversary Lecture of Aregbesola’s administration and launch of three books - The Re-Emergeney of Oranmiyan; The power of Oral and Documentary Evidence; and Bola Tinubu-Threading the part of Awo - at the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo, the Osun State ocapital...yesterday

Akure bank raid: We arrested three persons in error, say Police

T

HE Ondo State Police Command has said three persons were arrested in error in connection with the bank robbery in Akure, the state capital, two weeks ago.

Commissioner of Police Sani Magaji told reporters yesterday that the suspects have been released.

He said a member of the gang that carried out the robbery, in which four persons were killed, has been arrested.

Magaji said: “We carried

•Command gets seven APCs From Damisi Ojo, Akure

out extensive investigation after the three persons were arrested. We ascertained their identities and discovered that they were victims of circumstances. They ran into the confusion, but were lucky to escape mob action.

“Investigations showed that they are contractors, who were on their way to

Abuja from Lagos. We found on them a letter that indicated they were actually on a business trip.”

Magaji said even though there was enough proof that the businessmen were arrested in error, they were kept for two weeks to enable the police carry out proper investigation.

“As I speak, the three persons have been released.

They are no longer in our

custody,” he added The commissioner said the state government has donated five Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the command.

He said: “Apart from the five APCs donated by the state government, the command has been allocated two more, by the Force Headquarters. The era of robbery is gone in Ondo.

Even before the use of APC, we have been helping other commands to arrest robbers.”

Ajimobi constitutes boards of 16 parastatals

O

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has constituted the boards of 16 parastatals.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, yesterday, Ajimobi has also approved the appointment of Education Secretaries in the 33 Local Government Universal Basic Education Authorities (LGUBEAs).

Prince Bayo Sanda is the Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Board. Members are Mr. Bolaji Kareem, Mr. Ope Salami, Mr. A. Berkeley, Mr. Omileke Segun, Chief Sola Oyegbemi, Mr. Almoroof Alatise and Mrs. Bolanle Agbaje.

The State Rural Electrification Board is headed by Dr. Bayo Ogundele, while Mr. Adebisi Adesina is the Chairman of the State Waste Management Board.

Mr. Benjamen Ogunwusi is to head the State Tourism Board.

Deacon A. O. Afolabi is to chair the Board of Technical and Vocational Education.

Members are Mrs. Monsurat Kazeem, Mr. E. O. Ojo, Mr. Raji Waheed, Mr. Adeagbo Aderinola, Mr. Mufutau Badmus, Mr. Tunde Ibrahim, Mr. Bamidele Aliu and Mr. Kazeem Ayilara.

The State Housing Corporation Board is headed by Chief Bisi Akande , while Chief Supo Kosemaani is the Chairman of the State Coun-

cil for Arts and Culture.

Prof. Afolabi Okewale is the Chairman, Governing Council of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo. Members are Chief Jimi Ajayi, Mrs. Abosede Oloyede, Prince Adebuyo Adeyemi, Mr. Olu Falade, Mr. Amos Oladoyinbo, Mr. P. A. Ajayi and Mr. Bola Oyelakin.

Mr. Timi Adibi is the head of the State Sports Council, while the State Investment Board is chaired by Chief Biodun Kola-Daisi.

Others are: Dr. Adekitan Babalola, State Scholarship Board; Alhaji Laide Abass, Hospitals Management Board; Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM); Prof. Wale Oyemakinde, State Water

R

By Oziegbe Okoeki

cutlasses.

Samuel said the attackers killed Freeman Zannu, kidnapped two persons, injured many others and destroyed property.

He alleged that the attack was sponsored by Arowolo, Teriba, Alowonle, Abiola Biyo, Nurudeen Arowolo,

Afisu Alaje and Sheriff.

A woman, who pleaded for anonymity, said her 25year-old son was killed by the hoodlums in her presence.

Bearing placards with several inscriptions, the residents appealed to the lawmakers and the state government to come to their aid and curb the activities of land speculators in their community.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

I

NDIGENES of Ikenne in Ogun State, the home town of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, yesterday in their thousands took to the streets, calling for the removal of their monarch, Oba Adeyinka Onakade.

Bearing placards, the protesters said the monarch was imposed on them by the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel on the eve of its departure.

Onakade was installed on May 28 at the Oba’s Complex in Abeokuta, the state capital, instead of Ikenne.

Since August 1984 when the last Alakenne, Oba Akindoyin Awomuti, passed on, Ikenne has been without a monarch, owing to conflicts which had stalled moves to nominate candidates for the royal stool, until last May.

School fence collapses in Lagos •Three injured

By Miriam Ndikanwu

•Ajimobi

Corporation; Chief Abolade Akinyemi, Micro Finance Bank; and Mr. Gbenga Oyekola, State Agriculture and Credit Corporation.

They will all be inaugurated tomorrow.

Lagos residents protest alleged murder ESIDENTS of Oreta in Ikorodu, Lagos State, yesterday stormed the House of Assembly, protesting the alleged killing of two members of the community by land speculators.

Their spokesman, Babajide Samuel, alleged that about 30 land speculators, led by Mr. Waliu Arowolo, attacked the community at about 11.30am last Wednesday with guns and

Ikenne indigenes call for monarch’s removal

Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji advised the protesters not to take the law into their hands and assured them that the government would look into the matter.

Ikuforiji said: “Something will be done to bring the situation under control. It is a pity that people were killed like that, but don’t take laws into your own hands by retaliating.”

T

HREE pupils of Saint Paul Anglican Primary School, Igborosun in Badagry, Lagos State, were injured yesterday, when a part of the school’s fence collapsed on them.

The incident occurred at about 10am when the pupils were preparing to go on break.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Aderimi Ibirogba confirmed the incident. He said the pupils had been treated.

An eyewitness said those injured were taken to Badagry General Hospital.

The eyewitness said: “Some of the pupils had fractured limbs and injuries on their bodies. Part of the rubble came down on them.

“Many parents, who heard of the incident, rushed to the school to ascertain the condition of their wards. Those who could not locate their wards rushed to the General Hospital.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

9

NEWS Fear of robbery attacks hits banks in Ife

Tribunal dismisses PDP‘s application

F

OR commercial banks in Ile-Ife, an ancient city in Osun State, the fear of armed robbery attacks is the beginning of wisdom.

They were forced to hurriedly shut down their operations yesterday.

Some customers, who had come for business transactions with the banks, as early as 9am, were disappointed. They were turned back.

Mostly affected are students from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, who are writing their second semester examination. They could

‘No plan to rig poll’ THE Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N) has no plan to rig Saturday’s rerun House of Representatives election in Ekiti State, the party said yesterday.

It criticised the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it imported 3,000 thugs to rig the poll.

In a statement by ACN’s Director of Media in Ekiti State Mr Tai Oguntayo, the party said: “The so called thugs included Ekiti youths who were employed by Governor Kayode Fayemi by the Youth Employment Agency”.

Oguntayo said: “The allegation is simply illogical, a sign of frustration as a result of the change of heart by the PDP youths who have just been gainfully employed by Governor Fayemi’s employment agency.”

Ajimobi, editor for Iseyin group’s week

By Eric Ikhilae

OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and the Editor, The Guardian Mr. Debo Adesina, are among dignitaries expected at this year’s edition of the Pioneer Movement, Iseyin’s (PMI’s) annual week.

While Ajimobi is the Chief Guest of Honour, Adesina will deliver a lecture entitled: “Dividend of Democracy in the PaceSetter state: The fate of OkeOgun.”

The event, scheduled for Iseyin, Oyo State, will hold between December 9 and 11.

The association’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Olatunji Salami said other highlights of the week include the finals of the annual PMI / Pioneer Ajibike Bisiriyu Memorial Football Competition and Family Forum/ Award Dinner to honour the likes of Justice Kayode Ariwoola, Justice of the Supreme Court; Mr. Debo Adesina and Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN).

He said the 25-year-old group, comprising young professionals from Iseyin and environs, champions the development of Iseyin and Oke-Ogun by organising regular economic, social, health and political fora to develop Oke-Ogun and Iseyin community.

T

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

not transact business with any of the banks with branches within the campus.

But the Osun State Police Command rose to the situation by mounting road blocks in strategic places within the town throughout yesterday.

Commissioner of Police, Mr. Solomon Olusegun, led a patrol team to check the menace of the hoodlums.

The police chief, who assured the people that his command was on top of the situation, however, called on residents to take the security of lives and properties as the business of everybody.

•Police IG Hafiz Ringim

He advised the people to always report suspects to the command for appropriate action.

HE Local Government Election Petition Tribunal sitting in

Ikeja, Lagos yesterday dismissed an oral application brought by the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro, urging it to determine his petition challenging the election of Mr. Adewale Adeniji of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as chairman of Ikoyi/ Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Counsel to Obanikoro, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), had brought the application following the failure of the counsel to Adeniji, Mr. Olusina Sofola (SAN), to file its response to the petition within the period stipulated

By Adebisi Onanuga

in the electoral law.

Ayorinde told the tribunal that the Local Government Electoral Laws provides seven days for respondents to file their responses to the petition which was served on the defendants since November 25.

Sofola, however objected to the application, saying it was not properly brought before the tribunal.

He urged the tribunal to reject the application because it was not presented formally, as required by the law.

Sofola averredthat the defendant had not filed their responses within the time specified in the electoral laws because they were studying the

documents.

He pleaded with the tribunal for an extension of time to ensure a fair trial.

In its ruling read by one of its members, Mr. Dave Ajetunmobi, the tribunal directed the counsel to the appellant and defendant to send their applications to the tribunal by way of motion on notice.

The tribunal said it arrived at the decision after considering the submission of the counsel and provisions of Section 61 of the Local Government Electoral Laws and Order 39 Rule 1 of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules of Lagos State.

Justice Dolapo Akinsanya(rtd) set aside December 20, 21, 22 and 23 for hearing.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

10

NEWS PHCN chiefs lament obsolete tools, poor funding.

HIEF Executive Offunding Ifionu said much was not ficers of the Power

C

Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Sapele and Ughelli generation and distribution power stations have identified poor funding and obsolete equipment as the causes of poor power output.

They spoke when the House of Representatives Committee on Power visited the stations ahead of the implementation of the Federal Government’s planned privatisation of PHCN. Chief Executive Officer of the Ughelli Power Station Ademola Adeniyi listed the company’s challenges as obsolete spare parts, insufficient funds, shortage of manpower and security challenge in the

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Niger Delta.

Adeniyi said N306million of the N524million approved in the 2011 budget was given to the company.

He said over N2billion is required to run the company yearly.

“If we get adequate funding, we will be able to fix some machines.

“The present generation capacity of the station is about 300 MW. “The generation capacity is expected to go up to about 550mw by the end of 2012,”Adesina said.

His Sapele Power Station counterpart, Reginald Ifionu, said the station received N159,000 as capital

achieved because the company was denied funds.

He said the company was forced to develop local content capability.

Committee Chairman Patrick Ikhariale assured the PHCN workers that privatisation would have a ‘human face’.

Ikhariale allayed the workers fears over possible loss of jobs, saying the committee would eliminate casual workers and inject more funds into the sector.

"No responsible government would carry out deregulation without first providing for and ensuring the job security of its citizens.

"You have no reason to dispel,” Ikhariale said.

Doctor kidnapped in Rivers

A

DOCTOR, Chituru Orluwene, has been kidnapped in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Orluwene is the head of Chemical Pathology at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

His kidnapping is coming a few hours after robbers

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

killed an expectant mother, a policeman and two others.

The incident took place at about 6.30pm in Obiri Ikwerre on the East-West road when Orluwene was returning from work.

The victim’s brother, Onyeka, said the hoodlums are demanding N15million.

Onyeka urged his brother’s abductors to release him as the family could not raise the ransom.

Police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam could not be reached for comments.

Oshiomhole flags off 34.6km Ugoneki-Ehor road DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has flagged off the reconstruction of the 34.6 kilometre Ugoneki-UgiegbuduEhor road.

The road traverses seven wards and several communities in Uhunmwode Local Government.

The governor, who attributed rural poverty to bad governance, said he would improve the rural economy through infrastructural revival.

He said: “The people are poor because those

E

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

in government in the past abandoned rural communities. They work so hard and yet earn little because their farm produce rot away since they cannot be taken to the cities.”

He said government had placed an order for an additional drilling rig to complement the two to ensure that each senatorial district has a rig to address water shortage.

According to him, several communities will benefit from the rural electrification programme, which has been included in the 2012 budget.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

In the upstream, we are in the process of executing a reverse take over of Canadian listed Exile Resources Incorporated to create Oando Energy Resources Incorporated, an international platform to fund the substantial investment required for E & P growth.

-Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc

Bakrie Group to invest $1b in Nigeria

Nigeria’s new car imports increase by 45%

I

IGERIA’s new ve hicle imports jumped by 45 per cent in the first 11 months of this year compared with the same period last year, as credit flows recovered after Africa’s most populous nation completed a round of banking sector reforms, dealers said on Monday.

Car sales in Africa’s second-biggest economy are a proxy measure for private purchasing power, a leading economic indicator which is not formally available in Nigeria.

Nigerian port figures showed new vehicle imports increased to 47,267 units from January to November, from 32,634 units in the same period of last year, as bank credit started to trickle in, according to vehicle importers.

NDONESIAN conglom erate, the Bakrie Group, said it has set up a joint venture vehicle to invest $1 billion over five years into the resources sector of the country.

The venture with British Nigerian entrepreneur Ladi Delano, forming Bakrie Delano Africa, plans to invest $1 billion in mining, gas and agriculture, the Bakrie Group said in a statement.

“With this venture, we wish to reiterate not only that Indonesian companies are increasingly more active in shaping the world’s investment landscape, but also that Africa, especially Nigeria, is, indeed, an attractive investment destination,”said Indra Bakrie of the Bakrie Group.

Delano will be the chief executive of the venture, the statement said.

The Bakrie Group owns stakes in PT Bumi Resources, Asia’s largest thermal coal exporter, diversified miner PT Bumi Resources Minerals andother Indonesian firms in sectors, such as palm oil, property and telecoms.

The new partnership by the politically-connectedBakrie family comes amid strains in their relationship with British financier Nathaniel Rothschild, their partner in London-listed mining venture Bumi PLC.

Investiture tomorrow

T

HE Institute of Adminis trators and Researchers of Nigeria (IARN) will tomorrow at 11 am conferred its Fellows’ awards on some members of the institute.

The event, which holds at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Conference Centre, Akoka will be chaired by the Acting President of the institute, Prof. Clement Uwemedimo.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$115.3/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -10.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $32.820b FOREX CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

-

0.2958 206.9 242.1 151.8 1.9179 238 40.472

N

• Group Managing Director/CEO, FirstBank of Nigeria Plc, Mr Bisi Onasanya; Iyaloja-General, Tejuosho Market, Alhaja Ganiyatu Dosunmu, and Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Mr Kehinde Lawanson during the presentation of documents to allottees of the market and take-off of mortgage facilities from FirstBank to would-be shop owners at new ultramodern Tejuosho Shopping Complex … yesterday.

Union Bank kicks as Reps reject recapitalisation T

HE House of Repre sentatives Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, yesterday asked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to stop the recapitalisation of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, pending the conclusion of investigations to ascertain if the exercise conformed with due process .

But a bank source insisted that due process was followed in its recapitalisation and that the shareholders were carried along.

In a letter written by the Herman Hembe-headed Committee to the SEC and entitled: Interactive Meeting in Respect of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc recapitalisation, with reference number NASS/7HR/ CT.16/06/057 , the committee urged the Commission to stop approvals on the deal pending the outcome of a rescheduled hearing.

The letter reads in part: “In

From Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

view of the inability of the management of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc to provide key answers to various queries this committee has raised relating to Union Bank’s compliance with rules, procedure and statutes guiding Rights issues placing and capital reorganisation, we request that the securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) withhold further approvals of the said transaction pending the outcome of hearing where Union Bank will be expected to come with relevant documents and information regarding the matter in question.”

The Committee chair, who spoke with reporters yesterday, explained that the stoppage of further approval was

meant to safeguard the interests of the shareholders and to ensure that due process was followed in the fund raising.

He added that the committee’s decision was part of the process to look into merger of banks in the country.

His words: “We asked them pertinent questions on the recapitalisation process, particularly the right issue that Union Bank undertook and we found out that they were not prepared to give us the necessary answers that we asked.

“We are asking these questions particularly about the Union Bank because of petitions to this house by some Nigerians over the whole process. We were told that shareholders were not carried along in the process of the right issue.

“We were told that approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission were obtained without request from the shareholders of Union Bank.

“We were told that approvals from the Securities and Exchange Commission were obtained without request from the shareholders of Union Bank.

“We have asked the Union Bank to put a stay on the process of its recapitalisation and we have asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to withhold the final approval to Union bank in its recapitalisation process until we are done with investigation of the Union bank.”

Meanwhile, a top official of Union Bank, who confirmed the interactive session with the legislators on Monday, said shareholders overwhelming voted in support of the lender’s capital raising exercise and that due process was fol-

lowed.

“The bank officials updated the legislators that the shareholders had authorised the bank’s board and management to recapitalise the bank at various AGMs held in 2007, 2010 and in September 2011, when there was an overwhelming support and vote for the capitalisation plan. Because of time constraint, the legislators advised that they will send the list if any, of any additional clarification that may be required to the bank in due course. Both SEC and the bank explained and highlighted the due process followed by all parties in the transaction,” the official told The Nation.

He said that the meeting ”was a very cordial one, which further enlightened the legislators on the thoroughness of the capitalisation process. It was obvious that the legislators need to understand the process of capitalisation.”

Vice-President happy as power hits 4000MW

V

ICE-PRESIDENT Mohammed Namadi Sambo, has expressed delight over the improved electricity supply in the country.

The commendation by the Vice-President came hours after the Federal Government proposed N40billion as takeoff working capital to both Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBETC) and Nigerian Electricity Liabilities Management Company (NELMCO).

Sambo spoke yesterday at the State House, Abuja when he presided over a meeting of the Presidential Action Committee on Power.

He decried the inability of the Afam Power Station to work at full capacity, saying that it posed a problem to power generation as it was still faced with the problem of route survey and compensation. Sambo, therefore, requested the Ministry of Power

• N40b earmarked for power traders From John Ofikheuna and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

for a report on the solutions to evacuate power from Afam power project, which was inaugurated since 1982 with the installed capacity of 726MW. The Vice-President also supported the idea of settling electricity bills by pre-paid cards (scratched cards).

He has also convened a meeting on the update of the 215 mega watts Kaduna Power Plant project, which is to provide electricity to the Kudenda Industrial area of the state. He pointed out that the meeting was to find solution to any challenges the project may encounter so that in 2012, it could be inaugurated.

Earlier, the Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, briefed the meeting that recently, there is improvement

in power supply in the country as some measures were put in place. He said the complaint of system failure experienced before has been addressed and power is now at 4,000MW. Hedisclosed that the PHCN Hydro with the installed capacity of 1,900mw is now operating at 1,200mw; PHCN Thermal with installed capacity of 4,688 is now operating at 2,400mw, while the National Integrated Power supply and Independent Power Project operates at different capacities.

In a related development, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued operational licences to 20 new power firms and the NBETC in Abuja.

Nnaji said both entities will get N20billion each to help them begin the mandatory operations in the industry.

The 20 companies included

the eight firms, which got off grid licences, 10 companies that were granted grid generation licences, two got licences for embedded generation while one got licence for distribution network.

With the licences, the NBETC, which is the Bulk Trader now has its official trading licence to flag-off business in the power industry under the arrangement of the World Bank and Federal Government Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) scheme.

The Minister described the step as a commendable one for guaranteeing the citizenry access to electricity.

With this issuance of licences for 20 new companies, the Federal Government hopes to generate about 6,105 megawatts of electricity within the next three years commencing from first quarter of next year.

The Federal Government’s assumption is that the expected generation capacities of

each of the 20 companies and where a licencee, Zuma Energy Nigeria Ltd, plans to generate about 1,200MW of power from its proposed coal-fired power plant, which will be novel in the country, will be sited at Itobe in Kogi State.

Earlier, the President of Independent Power Producers Association of Nigeria (IPPAN), Prof. Jerry Gana, stated that ongoing reforms in the power sector as well as the issuance of new licences to investors suggest that the government’s intention for the sector is genuine.

Some of the licencees for offgrid generation include Tower Power Abeokuta (20MW), Akute Power Ltd (13MW of renewal energy), Shoreline Power Ltd, Sagamu (9MW), CET Power Project, Sagamu and Ewekoro (7MW and 6MW respectively), Income Electrix Ltd (6MW), Energy Company of Nigeria (3MW) and Ilupeju Power Ltd (2MW).

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

12

BUSINESS NEWS

Govt rolls out $130b five-year investment plan for oil

T

HE Federal Govern ment has announced plan to invest $130 billion in the country’s oil and gas industry in the next five years.

A chunk of the fund will go into the development of gas-utilising projects under the gas industrialisation programme, which include the construction of world class petrochemical plant at Koko in Delta State, fertiliser manufacturing plants and three Greenfield refineries in Lagos, Bayelsa and Kogi states.

Another major project slated to consume a major part of the money is the construction of a 2000kilometre oil and gas pipeline across the country to link up thermal power generation plants for easy sup-

• To build 2000km pipeline

By Emeka Ugwuanyi in Qatar

ply of gas to ensure stable electricity supply.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, disclosed these yesterday to potential investors and delegates at the ongoing 20th World Petroleum Congress (WPC) in Doha, Qatar, during her ministerial session.

She noted that the focus on gas projects is part of the government’s concerted effort to stop flaring of gas or reduction of gas flare to the barest minimum.

She was optimistic that the planned projects should become operational by 2015.

The Minister also said the

domestic gas consumption, which stands at one billion cubic feet per day, would rise to five billion cubic feet by 2015 in view of the aggressive infrastructure development anticipated by the government.

Nigeria has over 5000km pipeline network for transport of crude, gas and petroleum products.

The Minister said: “I can assure you that Nigeria is entering a new phase in the oil and gas industry which is anchored on the principle of using local content to achieve growth, develop incountry capacity as well as attract foreign investment.

“The successful execution of the amnesty programme

has helped increase crude and condensate production to new levels of about 2.4 million barrels per day, therefore, aspiring foreign investors have no reason to be pessimistic about the safety of their investment.

“Across the sectors investment opportunities abound for willing multinationals and other partners as the Federal Government has worked out

different investment partnership models to guarantee returns on investment.

“As you can see, we have put in place all the machinery for an explosive growth across all strata of the petroleum industry from the downstream to midstream and up to the upstream.

There is an established enabling environment for investment and we are con-

tinually evolving to adapt to the challenges of the time.”

She listed some of the areas for foreign investment intervention. “ The areas include engineering design and related services, fabrication and construction, pipe mills, equipment leasing, civil works, logistics and haulage, financial and hospitality services, among others.

Lagos kicks off energy audit

T

HE Lagos State govern ment through the Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB) has started an energy audit in the state, as part of its energy development programme.

LSEB is the agency of the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources

By Daniel Essiet

for energy development, independent power projects and public lighting.

A statement by the General Manager, Lagos State Electricity Board, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, said the exercise, which started re-

cently will capture information on installed capacity data and actual amount of energy/ power required (energy usage).

She stated that the exercise is to develop a comprehensive database for energy consumption in the state that will be vital for energy planning and the power sector reform.

Also, Ogunbiyi said there are operational and environmental benefits that would arise from understanding energy patterns and the efficient use of the energy available.

While explaining that over 40 engineers have been trained by the Board to ensure the success of the programme, she reiterated that the Lagos State government is set to promote an energy awareness culture within the state and also assist the Federal Government in its power sector reform agenda.

Ogunbiyi, however, urged the public to co-operate with the field engineers involved in the exercise.

Agency rates insurance 60th in market penetration

By Akinola Ajibade

N

IGERIA’s insurance industry has been rated 60th in terms of market penetration globally

by SIGMA. SIGMA is a world renowned insurance rating agency.

In its recent ratings that captured the penetration of insurance business in the developed and emerging markets, the agency said the nation’s insurance industry has moved up the ladder from the 66th to the 60th position. It said Nigeria is trailing behind Egypt, currently in the 58th position.

Giving insights into the rating yesterday in Lagos, the Director-General, Nigeria Insurance Institute (NIA), Sunday Thomas, said Nigeria has improved in Insurance Growth and Penetration (IGP).

Thomas, in his paper entitled: Insurance for all by the year 2020, which he delivered at the Eighth Annual General Meeting and End-of-the-Year Lecture organised by the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), he said the rating has shown there is much to be done to move the industry forward.

He said the industry’s market volume stands at N182billion, while insurance penetration is 0.6 per cent.

He said the industry would achieve a premium of N6trilion and market base of N16trillion by 2020, adding that the industry is striving to increase market penetration from 0.6 per cent to 15 per cent.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

13

ISSUES

•Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

•CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

•Minister of Trade and Investments, Olusegun Aganga

Attracting foreign capital for growth In all sectors of the economy, Nigeria appears to be witnessing increased inflow of foreign capital despite macroeconomic challenges. TAOFIK SALAKO reports on the underlying currents and prospects of the inflows.

M

OST quoted multinationals have in recent years invested in additional production capacity and consolidation of their market shares. From Nestle Nigeria to Cadbury Nigeria, GlaxoSmithKline Consumers Nigeria, PZ Cussons Nigeria and Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria, the core foreign investors have been enthusiastic to fund new production plants and upgrades. In some instances where Nigerian investors appeared tepid in providing their equity funding, core investors like Cadbury UK brought in additional capital to take over the equities and ensure the realisation of the corporate renewal plan.

The increased investments by long-established core investors in major quoted companies mirror similar activities among several existing private companies as well as renewed interests by new foreign investors. Large private companies such as Promasidor Nigeria and Procter and Gamble Nigeria are increasing production capacities to further situate Nigeria as the hub of their sub-Sahara Africa operations. The Founder of the Promasidor Group, Mr Robert Rose, recently visited Nigeria to step up preparations for the expansion of its Nigerian business, which already accounts for almost one quarter of the group’s operations in 30African countries. Rose said the group planned to build another factory in another part of Nigeria, in addition to its multi-billion naira complex in Lagos.

Procter and Gamble also last month inaugurated a new manufacturing plant that would further domesticate local manufacturing of its products. Already, some 70 per cent of Procter and Gamble Nigeria’s products are manufactured in Nigeria.

New foreign investors are showing keen intents to invest in the country, especially in the infrastructure sector. A group of investors led by Califco Group at the weekend announced plans to invest $2 billion in the Nigerian energy sector. The consortium, which included Califco Group, Frazimex Limited, Geiconn Nigeria Limited, NJJ Power Services and Ecoinvest Capital, would invest in a project that would see it improve power generation in Nigeria by 2000mw in the next five years.

Rebuilding local capital with foreign The financial services sector has, particularly, benefited from the foreign capital inflow. It has witnessed two epochal reforms in the past seven years. In the 2004-2005 banking consolidation years, capitalisation was the central theme of the reform. With the increase in minimum capital base from N2 billion to N25 billion, banks had embarked on unprec-

edented massive capital raising exercises. Some N3 trillion was raised through the domestic capital market. But remarkably, there was no significant foreign capital injection into the Nigerian banking system. Beside the recapitalisation of their Nigerian subsidiaries by a handful of international financial institutions, the recapitalisation was largely unable to attract substantial foreign capital investments in spite of the opportunities presented by glut of offer and saturation of the Nigerian bourse.

In the contrast, the ongoing banking reform has witnessed almost unprecedented expressions of interest and participation by foreign institutional investors. Although the thematic framework of the ongoing reform is systemic change rather than capitalisation, the sub-theme issue of capitalisation has attracted much interest within the few available opportunities.

In the course of this reform, Nigerian banks have attracted some $1 billion foreign capital investments, putting foreign capital as the dominant finance as against previous experience of re-gurgitation of existing capital as new capital.

Beside the significance of the value of foreign capital inflow, the quality of the foreign investors also vindicates the success of the banking reform and positive perception of the Nigerian banking industry within the global investment market. From the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank; to Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government’s development finance institution; African Capital Alliance (ACA), the Netherland’s FMO and several other global private equity firms, pedigrees of the new foreign investors are expected to impact positively on corporate governance, banking products and services and returns to investors.

In a vote of confidence, IFC granted First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc a $20 million convertible arrangement, which would eventually give IFC between two to three per cent equity stake in FCMB. Already, shareholders of FCMB have mandated the board of the bank to allot ordinary shares to IFC, which had granted FCMB $50 million loan to support the bank’s lending operations.

Besides, IFC had earlier invested about $24.6 million in Diamond Bank Plc, further consolidating its profile as a leader in supporting Nigeria’s financial sector through trade finance, and partnerships with commercial banks and specialised financial institutions with equity investments. IFC provided new investment commitments of $926 million in Nigeria in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, representing an increase of 34 per cent on $690 million posted in the previous year.

The biggest foreign equity investment in Nigerian banks in

the past seven year was struck late September with the shareholders’ consent to $750 million investment in Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc by a consortium of international investors.

With the shareholders’ mandate, Union Bank would receive about N76 billion ($500 million) equity capital and N38 billion ($250 million) Tier 2 capital from a consortium of international investors to retain its nearly century-old brand and regain its competitive verve as one of the strongest and reliable banks in Nigeria. African Capital Alliance (ACA) is leading other partners including ACA B-Holding Limited, which included the FMO Netherland; The Keffi Group VIII LLC, ABC Holdings Limited and the Discovery Group in the $500 million equity investment through a special purpose vehicleUnion Global Partners Limited (UGPL). UGPL now has 60 per cent controlling equity in Union Bank.

Besides, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the United States Government’s development finance institution, would provide $250 million Tier 2 capital in further support of the equity investments by two US sponsors- Keffi Group and Discovery Group. The Union Bank’s core investors deal has been cited by many analysts as a vote of confidence on the ongoing banking reform, especially given the profiles of the partners in the consortium.

Founded in 1977, ACA has grown to be a leading private equity firm focused on Nigeria and West Africa. With over $600 million funds raised to date, ACA is a dominant player in its markets and has a significant track record of successfully exiting investments. ACA already has equity investments in several private and quoted Nigerian companies including Cornerstone Insurance Plc, a leading quoted insurance company.

ABC Holdings Limited is the holding company for BancABC, a Botswana-based pan-African financial services provider with subsidiaries in several African countries including Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

ABC Holdings is listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and also has secondary listing on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE). ABC is owned by several reputable financial institutions including Old Mutual, Botswana Insurance Fund Managers (BIFM), IFC and Citi Venture Capital Investments - the investment arm of Citibank.

The Keffi Group is a New York-based private investment firm focused exclusively on fundamental, research-driven value investing. Founded by Jide Zeitlin, a former partner and Global Chief Operating Officer of Goldman Sachs’ in• Continued on page 14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

14

ISSUES • Continued from page 13

vestment banking businesses, Keffi Group focuses on return by optimising the fundamental performance of the investment. Discovery Group is a US-based hedge fund manager.

The involvement of OPIC is also expected to impact on Union Bank tremendously. Established as an agency of the US Government in 1971, OPIC operates on a self-sustaining basis and provide services for new and expanding business enterprises in more than 150 countries worldwide. OPIC mobilises private capital and helps US businesses gain footholds in emerging markets by providing investors with financing, guarantees, political risk insurance, and support for private equity investment funds.

OPIC has supported $200 billion worth of investment in nearly 4,000 projects in developing countries and emerging markets.

Attracting foreign capital for growth

Vote of confidence With clear benchmarks, the foreign capital inflow would significantly drive competition in the Nigerian banking industry. The $250 million financing from OPIC is expected to be used by Union Bank to introduce new financial products, including mobile banking technology that will enable the bank reach unbanked segments of the population.

According to OPIC, the facility would encourage establishment of an objective performance evaluation system to create opportunities for advancement; identification of needed training and tying staff performance to rewards as well as creation of Union Bank Academy to provide in-depth training in customer service, credit analysis and risk management.

OPIC would also support the bank with an institutional support office to act as a resource pool for bank management for specialized banking such as foreign exchange management, agricultural credits, factoring and other specialised skills.

OPIC President and Chief Executive, Elizabeth Littlefield,said the Tier 2 capital was in support of “Nigeria’s serious commitment to reform its banking sector and restore investor confidence” adding that OPIC was “particularly pleased that the project will result in greater availability of credit to ordinary Nigerians”.

“With the participation of its experienced investment team, this project will encourage the adoption of best international practices of corporate governance; increased transparency; strengthened credit and risk management procedures; and improved customer service, through the participation of an experienced investment team,” Littlefield said.

•GMD, ETI, Arnold Ekpe

•Founder, Promasidor, Robert Rose

The challenges linger

Jostling for a stake Many other foreign capital investments are expected to be closed in the months ahead as foreign investors jostled for opportunities in the banking industry. Already, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has confirmed that it has received 15 expressions of interest (EOIs) from foreign investors and five EOIs from Nigerian investors in relation to the proposed sale of the three nationalised banks- MainStreet Bank, Keystone Bank and Enterprise Bank.

Besides, existing foreign core investors in Nigerian banks have showed increased appetites for additional stakes and strengthening of their footholds in Nigeria. Standard Bank Group, the majority shareholder in Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, has already indicated interest in further acquisition to boost the retail banking franchise of its Nigerian subsidiary.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) Plc, the pan-African bank-holding company, the parent company of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, has not only recapitalised its Nigerian subsidiary it recently acquired Oceanic Bank International Plc, one of the rescued banks that concluded mergers and acquisitions late September. ETI is amassing a $3 billion war chest to pursue mergers and acquisitions and other investments in African markets including Nigeria.

With the increasing flow of foreign capital and expertise, the ongoing reform has addressed two major shortfalls of the previous recapitalisation exercise and put the Nigerian banking sector on a stronger foothold for international competitiveness in best practices and products and service delivery.

A group of Nigerian investors and foreign investors under the auspices of Assur Africa Holding (AAH) recently acquired the majority stake of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc in Guaranty Trust Assurance (GTAssur); a trend that many analysts said might increase in the period ahead as banks dispose their non-banking subsidiaries. Incorporated in the Republic of Mauritius, AAH’s shareholding structure of AAH is made up of six members comprising three international developmental finance in-

tor as a cash cow. In spite of the dominance of oil revenues in government earnings, Nigeria remains largely an agrarian economy with agriculture the largest sector and employer.

With a land area of 910,768 square kilometres out of a total area of 923,768 square kilometres, Nigeria’s arable land use stands at more than 33 per cent. From the North to the South, from West to East, Nigeria’s climate and terrain are suitable to cultivation and breeding. Notable agriculture produce across the regions include Cocoa, Peanuts, Palm oil, Corn, Rice, Millet, Cassava, Sorghum, Yams, Rubber, Cattle Sheep, Goats, Timber, Fish among others.

Besides, the Nigerian economy has sustained a stable growth with most analysts predicting further growths in the years ahead. In contrast with the contraction in advanced economies, the economic outlook of Nigeria has continuously improved, largely driven by the real sector, especially agriculture. First half economic report for 2011 showed that GDP grew by 7.3 per cent during the period, a development that largely reflected the growth in the output of the non-oil sector, which had risen by 8.7 per cent and accounted for 84.1 per cent of the total.

Provisional aggregate index of agricultural production had grown by 5.6 per while industrial sector’s index improved by 3.0 per cent over the level in the corresponding period of 2010.

Nigeria’s GDP had grown by 7.9 per cent in 2010 as against 7.0 per cent in 2009, surpassing in both instances global estimates and five-year average annual growth rate of 6.7 per cent between 2006 and 2010. The non-oil sector had grown by 8.5 per cent in 2010, with agriculture contributing the highest percentage points of 2.4 per cent to total growth.

Nearly all analysts agreed that the financial reform and economic stability have placed Nigeria on the path of steady growth over the coming years, with a conservative growth trajectory of the International Monetary Fund showing six per cent growth between 2015 and 2016. Several analysts, including Renaissance Capital which, stated that Nigeria could achieve and sustain double-digit growth, are, however, more optimistic about the growth potential of the Nigerian economy. Drawing on the potential impact of the power sector intervention fund, analysts said the plans to improve electricity generation and transmission could help GDP growth accelerate in the coming years.

•MD, Enterprise Bank, Ahmed Kuru

•MD, GTB, Segun Agbaje

‘The onus lies on the government to provide an amenable macroeconomic situation to domesticate foreign capital, since such capital are continuously in search of comparatively better operating environment’ stitutions – DEG (Germany), Proparco (France) and FMO (Netherlands) and three private equity funds with substantial investments across Africa – ADP I Holding 7, subsidiary of African Development Partners I, LLC and ADP I L.P. (together “ADP I”), advised by Development Partners International LLP (“DPI”) based in the United Kingdom, AfricInvest II LLC and AfricInvest Financial Sector Limited, both advised by AfricInvest Capital Partners (“ACP”) based in Tunisia. The deal brought in a total consideration of N11.910 billion, approximately $76 million.

Attractions to economy Population, natural resources and relatively stable polity confer comparative advantages on Nigeria, especially with the recessions in the advanced economies and waning returns from some other emerging economies. With a population of more than 160 million, Nigeria is the most populous African nation and the demography of its largely youthful population makes it a huge market for products and services. “Our biggest market is Nigeria because you have more people than any other country in the continent. You have a population of about 150 million and at the moment we sell to about 600 million people in Africa, so Nigeria in our minds will always be 25 per

cent of our business. Nigeria should be the biggest market for us. It is a wonderful market but it’s been neglected over the years,” Rose summed up the rationales for the drive for expansion in Nigeria.

According to him, Africa with its huge opportunities and untapped potential has better prospects for higher returns than Asia or anywhere else.

“The feeling today is that the opportunities in the continent are even bigger. In the next 50 years, the opportunities will even be greater in Africa than anywhere in the world. The Far East, especially China is growing very fast, at about eight per cent per annum but it does not have the resources that Africa has, which should grow faster. We got to work it out so that we can grow better,” Rose said.

He said Promasidor has not reached its potential in Nigeria and thus plans to grow its market share in Nigeria.

“When we came to Nigeria 18 years ago we did not have reliable data to know what the size of the market was. But with what we have done with our products, not only has it increased our market share but it has grown the market many times but my belief is that it is nowhere near where the potential is and we will continue to grow the market,” Rose said.

With the burgeoning world population, many investors see Nigerian agricultural sec-

But insecurity, poor infrastructure and fiscal and monetary instability have continued to encumber the attractiveness of Nigeria as the preferred destination for foreign investments.

With escalation of the security threats by various armed groups across the country, especially in Borno State and adjoining states and bloody tribal and class clashes in Plateau State and Benue State, insecurity has emerged as the primary challenge to the nation. President Goodluck Jonathan recently admitted that security challenges were holding back foreign investments. “We are worried about the security challenges we are now facing in the country because it is preventing investors coming into the country,” President Jonathan said in a recent interview.

Rose said poor infrastructure has been major obstacles against the development of many African nations including Nigeria. “Africa is two per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and it should be 25 per cent or more. All of us have to do something about it and that is the only way. It is one of my objectives to set up a foundation across Africa and in Nigeria which will encourage improved governance generally and which will grow equity across the continent. There is huge unemployment but we have huge resources and we got to do things better. We have to provide infrastructures and building blocks for growthbasic education, basic medical services, and many other basic facilities. Africa can be put back on the map of global marketplace if we hold people accountable and demand for good governance. We have got the resources to be better,” Rose said.

Conclusion With many analyses indicating that Nigeria could be the sixth of the five acknowledged emerging economies- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), the shift in the global economic balance, characterised by the recessions in America and Europe as well as unrests in the Middle East, places Nigeria at a vantage position to leverage on its enormous resources to become an emerging economy.

But the onus lies on the government to provide amenable macroeconomic situation to domesticate foreign capital, since such capital are continuously in search of comparatively better operating environment.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

15

16

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

17

MONEY

N2.4t pension funds: PenCom assures of safety, ROI T

HE National Pension Commission (PenCom) has affirmed its commitment not only to ensure the safety of the funds, but as well as ensure high Returns on Investment (RoI) on the N2.4 trillion pension contributions in its custody.

The fund, which is an agglomeration of 4.92 million contributors as at November 2011, is to be invested with the highest level of safety consideration, said Ehimeme Ohioma, Head, Investment, Supervision Department, PenCom. He said the Commission is prudent and conservative when it comes to investment. “The major objectives of Pension Fund Investments are to ensure Safety and maintenance of Fair Returns on Investment,” he said.

The PenCom statistics showed that about 40,794 retirees from the public and private sectors are collecting their monthly pensions either by programmed withdrawal or annuity.

Ohioma, said to further promote pension fund investments in the real sector of the economy, generate employment, support infrastructure development and en-

Stories by Collins Nweze

hance real returns on investment, the Commission revised the Regulation on Investment of Pension Fund Assets in December 2010, and expanded the allowable asset classes to include infrastructure financing through bonds and fund structure, private equity fund, Global Depository Receipts (GDR), Euro bonds issued by Nigerian companies for their operations in Nigeria among others. It also increased portfolio limits for corporate Bonds from 30 per cent to 35 per cent of PFAs total portfolio to ensure increased investments in the real sector of the economy.

Besides, he stated, there is daily valuation and unit pricing of the various Retirement Savings Account (RSA) funds under management with the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

This is to facilitate easy valuation of unit holdings of contributors during entrance into or exit from the RSA funds, he said, adding that

Daily Valuation Reports, are electronically forwarded and reviewed by the Commission, as well as provide an effective surveillance mechanism to ensure compliance with regulations and mitigate potential losses to contributors. Pension Operators are appropriately sanctioned for wilful infractions/ violations of the regulations and guidelines, he stated.

Also, as a safety measure, Ohioma explained, the PFAs are not allowed to deal (buy or sell) pension assets with related parties, such as directors, shareholders, employees and related persons to these named persons. PFA are required to develop a framework and establish a Committee to review Conflict of Interest Issues and render quarterly reports to the Commission.

He said the Nigerian financial market is in its developmental stage, as the capital market is still considered shallow - relatively low number of quoted companies and limited corporate bond issuances.

Ohioma listed challenges facing the investment of pension funds to include macroeconomic forces such inflation and interest rates, limited investment outlets/windows to match the rapid build-up and liability profile of pension funds and demand by investors for quick returns, when pension funds are long term in nature.

Head, Compliance and Enforcement, PenCom, Mahammad Umar, said the commission has concluded plans to commence issuance of compliance certificates to organisations bidding for contracts with government’s ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) from January 2012.

He said the certificate would be renewable annually, adding that organisations requesting for compliance certificate must provide comprehensive evidence of compliance up to December 31.

Besides, PenCom is employing the services of agents to recover outstanding pension contributions and interest from about 2,616 defaulting employers across the country. The exercise which commences January 2012 is in accordance with Section 11 (7) Pension Reform Act 2004.

•DG, PenCom Mohammad Ahmad

Specifically, the agents are to serve demand notice on defaulting employers requesting for payment of outstanding pension contributions with interest penalty within a specified deadline, reconcile outstanding pension contributions with employers where necessary and follow, up with the defaulting employers to ensure remittance of outstanding pension contributions with interest penalty to the employees’ Retirement Saving Accounts, RSAs.

VISA strengthens mobile banking

V

•From left: Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, FinBank Plc, Godwin Ize-Iyamu; Director, Olajumoke Bakare; Chairman, Mr. John Udofa and Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Nechi Ezeako at the meeting of the bank’s preference shareholders’ in Lagos.

ISA Incorporated has introduced a product to serve the needs of unbanked and under-banked consumers.

The product, known as ‘Visa prepaid account’ can be accessed through a mobile phone, offers consumers in developing countries a secure, reliable, globally interoperable electronic payment account.

The product is a significant step to bringing access to secure financial services and electronic payments to consumers in developing countries.

In a statement Visa explained that it is partnering with MTN Group to offer the new Visa product to MTN Mobile Money customers across its markets. As part of the launch, the new product would be available to customers in Nigeria and Uganda.

At present, more than 100 mobile money programmes provide consumers in developing countries with basic financial services, with several more being planned by financial institutions and mobile network operators.

Visa’s new product will enhance the security, scale and interoperability of these mobile money programmes, while extend-

ing their payment functionality by enabling account holders to send funds to each other. They can also send and receive international remittances, make purchases online where Visa is accepted or withdraw funds at a Visa Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

“Reaching consumers who have previously lacked access to formal financial services with secure and reliable electronic payments is finally a reality,” said Jim McCarthy, Head of Product for Visa Incorporated.

He explained that mobile technology has become the single most important driver of financial inclusion that is enabling financial institutions, mobile network operators and Visa to connect unbanked consumers to each other and the global economy.

MTN Mobile Money has been implemented in 12 countries with about 5.7 million registered mobile money customers. “The launch of this product with Visa does not only enhance our current mobile money offering, but also represents yet another crucial milestone in our journey to bring value-adding services to the growing population of mobile phone users in our markets,” he said.

I

that generate growth and have a high development impact,” said Nena Stoiljkovic, IFC Vice-President for Business Advisory Services.

He said that companies have from now till February 29, 2012, to apply to enter the competition.

Entries will be judged on their ability to demonstrate business model innovation, development results, potential for growth and replication, and social, environmental, and financial sustainability. IFC’s inclusive business clients are among those eligible to apply.

A judging panel consisting of representatives from the G-20, the private sector, academia, foundations and international finance institutions will select up to 15 winners whose business models will be showcased at the G-20 Summit in Mexico in June 2012. The winners will be invited to peer-topeer learning regional workshops following the summit.

Group canvasses speedy execution of IFC plans inclusive business 2012 budget W for emerging markets ITH less than nine years to 2020, the lingering challenge of parlous infrastructure appears to have worsened the state of the economy with consistent budget implementation failures.

As the Federal Government puts finishing touches to the 2012 budget, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) said there is the need to implement the budget in order for it to fully achieve its objectives.

Director, CSJ, Eze Onyekpere said the worrisome state of infrastructure and lack of basic social amenities in the country are fallout of budget failures.

He said that despite claims to fiscal prudence, the governments at all levels appear inept in actualising the basic tenets of budget implementation.

According to a statement from the firm, the non-implementation of budget makes the business environment unattractive to investors, with achievement of the Millennium Development Goals

(MDGs) turning in to a mirage.

For example, a country that seeks to be in the top 20 bracket in about eight years’ time still projects manufacturing to contribute only 4.6 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product in 2015.

The CSJ, recently conducted analysis on the 2012 to 2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). Their report reviews the terms of reference of the analysis and the methodology employed.

It also places its analysis in the context of previous reviews undertaken by the body for the enhancement of fiscal governance and the full realisation of the intendments of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The rationale for extending the MTEF beyond the three-year framework to four years was questioned. The timing of the preparation of the MTEF, its submission to the National Assem-

bly and the attendant impact on budget passage was reviewed.

The report also deals with the Macroeconomic Framework. It noted that the targets on economic growth, inflation, interest rates, access to credit, external reserves and so on were missing, but there was an attempt to cover these targets with an omnibus statement to the effect that the goal of low inflation, interest rates consistent with strong and sustained economic growth, a stable exchange rate reflective of real market conditions and a build-up in external reserves in the presence of high oil prices will be pursued.

It observed that other macroeconomic indications provided were not in tandem with Vision 20:2020 and its First National Implementation Plan.

This includes the sectoral composition of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), saying that the review of previous budget performance highlighted the poor implementation of capital budgets.

FC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Group of 20 have launched a new competition that will recognise emerging-market companies that provide critical goods, services, or livelihood opportunities to the four billion people living at the base of the global economic pyramid.

The G-20 Challenge on Inclusive Business Innovation, which was announced at the G-20 Summit in Cannes in November, will enable companies in the growing field of inclusive business to learn from each other and collaborate.

The IFC is managing the competition as part of the G-20’s efforts to promote private investment and create jobs under the G20 Multi-Year Action Plan on Development.

“IFC, alongside a growing number of business and development partners, is committed to supporting commercially viable and scalable inclusive business models

18

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

COMMENT

Britain’s failed experiment, repeated

OAU at 50 •“Great Ife” re-strategises ahead of its golden jubilee

I

N 2012, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State will be celebrating its 50th year of existence. The university was founded in 1962 as the University of Ife by the government of the Western Region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo after whom it was renamed in 1987. Since then, it has made major strides in upholding its triple mandate of teaching, research and community service.

A cursory glance at its student enrolment statistics is a clear demonstration of five decades of unstinting dedication and commitment. At least 81,212 students have graduated from OAU with first degrees, Master’s degrees and diplomas.

Nearly 1,000 doctoral graduates have also been produced within the period. Currently, the university has a student strength of 33,000, with 1,400 academic staff and 3,500 non-academic staff.

OAU’s Ile-Ife campus has been widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful on the African continent, combining bold architectural designs with innova-

‘These ambitious objectives will not be easy to achieve.

They will require a great deal of sacrifice, commitment and patience. However, given the unquestionable talent of the university’s staff, students and alumni, as well as the tremendous goodwill it has built up in about 50 years of service to the nation, there is little doubt that OAU can look forward to an exciting future’

tive landscaping to produce an aesthetically-pleasing environment that is unrivalled anywhere else.

In this conducive atmosphere, the university’s staff and students have fruitfully collaborated to mastermind groundbreaking achievements in many areas of human endeavour, particularly in the fields of African philosophy, literature, law, physical sciences, pharmacy, music and indigenous languages and other areas. In some of these areas it led not only Africa, but at times the world, especially in African philosophy, history and literature No less importantly, the university has consistently aligned itself with a variety of social and political causes, ranging from anti-apartheid activism to the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. It became a resonant voice for decades in the battle against military tyranny in Nigeria.

Like many other higher institutions in the country, however, OAU has had to confront the many obstacles that have recently come to dominate Nigerian life in general and tertiary education in particular. It has suffered from precipitous declines in funding, even as its responsibilities have increased. Debilitating strikes and closures have stunted teaching and research, making it much more difficult for it to fulfill its primary functions. The brazen impunity of cult groups also did much to hinder progress.

To further complicate matters, OAU has ironically become a victim of its own popularity. Every year, it is besieged by thousands of candidates anxiously seeking admission in other to partake of the unique learning experience that the university offers. As a result, faculties and departments have been expanded almost to breaking-point, with the resultant strain

on available facilities and resources.

OAU has sought to address these challenges with a characteristic mixture of pragmatism and innovation. Its internal revenue generation capacity has been strengthened by the creation of several commercial ventures and the enhancement of its consultancy services. The cult menace has been courageously fought to a virtual standstill by staff and students.

Under a succession of competent administrators, the university has tried valiantly to eliminate the grievances and tensions which led to frequent eruptions of unrest in the past.

In the run-up to its golden jubilee, the university has worked closely with its extensive alumni association to develop an ambitious plan to re-launch itself into global and continental pre-eminence.

The university intends to set up a N20 billion Endowment Fund which will be primarily aimed at two major concerns.

About N10 billion of this amount will be spent on strengthening its research capacity, while the other half is to be devoted to infrastructural development. By so doing, the university hopes to facilitate the increased incorporation of modern technologies in teaching and research. There are also plans to expand its post-graduate programme to about 40 per cent of overall student enrolment.

These ambitious objectives will not be easy to achieve. They will require a great deal of sacrifice, commitment and patience. However, given the unquestionable talent of the university’s staff, students and alumni, as well as the tremendous goodwill it has built up in about 50 years of service to the nation, there is little doubt that OAU can look forward to an exciting future.

Legislative independence • It is a good thing in theory

M

R. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives, has revived the challenging tone by seeking financial autonomy for houses of assembly across the country. At a recent workshop in Abuja organised for speakers of the 36 states’ houses of assembly, Tambuwal, through his deputy, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, called on the speakers in attendance to ensure that the issue of financial autonomy for them is included in the next constitution amendment ‘to guarantee greater independence and efficiency of the state legislature.’

Tambuwal regretted the rebuff of the National Assembly’s commitment to grant states’ houses of assembly financial independence during the last attempt at constitutional amendment when some of the houses of assembly, through ‘under-hand tactics of their governors’, frustrated the exercise. According to him, this has ‘reduced them to mere appendages of the executive arm of government.’ We deprecate this evident development that is not healthy but detrimental to the promotion of accountability in government.

We recollect that in July, 2010, state houses of assembly endorsed the amendment which sought to grant the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) financial autonomy by putting them on the consolidated revenue fund of the federation but all of them, except Lagos State House of Assembly that secured autonomy earlier, rejected theirs. Their move was stalled by over two-thirds of the state houses of assembly that voted against the proposed constitutional amendment clauses.

We consider as good initiative the call for financial autonomy for the state assemblies. In the interest of democratic growth, the principle of checks and balances must be engendered and this can only be done when the legislature’s financial needs are not put in the belly of the executive arm. Once this is forestalled, the law-making arm would not be consumed unduly in the important business of state affairs.

Beyond this, it is apt to ask whether a constitutional amendment so effected can effectively remove state houses of assembly from the control of governors. Can this guarantee real independence for them?

The reality of the country’s polity is that financial autonomy might not necessarily translate to true independence for the legislature.

We believe that legislatures, not only at the state but even the federal level, cannot wean themselves from executive control through legal provisions alone. One incontestable fact is that lawmakers themselves must display exemplary character and principles so as to be able to rise above board in the discharge of their principal duty and other incidental oversight duties. At the moment, public expectations seem not to have been met by legislatures across the country.

The houses of assembly have not performed above average in the art of making positive laws for the nation. More deplorable is the fact that whether at the national or state level, they have become so inept in the discharge of oversight functions which legislatures in other revered countries adopt to save their economies

from going into the abyss. In the country, the agencies of government that these legislatures carry out oversight functions over are fields of corruption and underperformance.

More importantly, if legislatures that are supposed to scrutinise the financial and other activities of other arms of government get financial autonomy, then, who will monitor their own spending? The country should be wary of a situation where grandiose budget in the name of autonomy will derail the legislature from pursuing its object of creation. We agree that salaries and operational cost of legislative business should be first line charge. But the ones that border on capital projects’ execution and others are ultra vires the legislative business of lawmaking. They should be left for the executive arm to implement while the legislators conduct oversight functions over them for public good.

‘Beyond this, it is apt to ask whether a constitutional amendment so effected can effectively remove state houses of assembly from the control of governors. Can this guarantee real independence for them? The reality of the country’s polity is that financial autonomy might not necessarily translate to true independence for the legislature’

A

YEAR and a half ago, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain came to office promising to slash deficits and energize economic growth through radical fiscal austerity. It failed dismally. But no lessons were learned, and instead of reversing course, Mr. Cameron’s Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition plans to make the pain worse by pushing even tougher austerity measures on the weakening economy.

Unfortunately, neither Europe nor the Republicans in Congress are learning from Britain’s bad outcome either. Grim new data released last week show that British growth is still flat-lining, unemployment is still rising and the ratio of government debt to gross domestic product is still climbing faster than predicted.

With slower growth and consumer demand depressed by fiscal austerity, the Cameron government has had to push its deficit reduction targets years into the future. It now pledges to make deeper annual spending cuts, extending the austerity plan until 2017. By then, Britain will have endured more than seven years of starved public services and lost potential growth.

Official forecasts now project output shrinking by 0.1 percent in the current quarter and rising only 0.1 percent in the first quarter of 2012. That is technically not recession. But tell that to Britain’s 2.6 million unemployed people, the highest number in 17 years. More than one million of those are 16- to 24-year-olds, a dismal portent for Britain’s economic future.

Some of Britain’s economic woes can be attributed to the world financial crisis. The catastrophic mismanagement of the euro zone — of which Britain is not a member but which buys 40 percent of its exports — has been a drag on recovery. But the biggest factor has been the Cameron government’s determination to pursue an untimely strategy of public spending cuts in this adverse economic environment. With export markets threatened by the euro zone crisis, it makes even less economic sense to reduce domestic demand. The government needs to look for ways to increase demand when the private sector isn’t vigorous enough to do this on its own.

Wiser policies, mixing short-term stimulus with longer-term deficit reduction, should have been embraced last year. Britain’s debt burden, measured against its gross domestic product, is not nearly as high as Greece’s or Italy’s. And Britain still has its own currency.

By effectively devaluing the pound, it can significantly improve its export competitiveness.

Instead, the Cameron government persists on a failed, irresponsible course that is unlikely to lead to recovery anytime soon.

– New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge •Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: I think the time has come for Governor Ibikunle Amosun to decide who is really in charge of Ogun State. Is he the one in control or ex-Governor Gbenga Daniel?

It is no longer a secret that leaders of Ogun workers’ union have sympathy for former Governor Gbenga Daniel, who is standing trial for an alleged theft and mismanagement of N58 billion of taxpayers’ money.

While the former governor was paying workers half salaries, not remitting funds deducted from employees’ salaries as Contributory Pension Scheme, not paying leave bonuses, gratuities and subventions to institutions of learning, deducting taxes according to his wimps and caprices, the labour leaders never called out workers on strike.

Now you have a government that has just spent six months in office, these labour leaders are, for the second time, asking workers to embark on industrial action in order to compel Senator Amosun to pay all arrears inherited from the former administration and - wait a minute - abolish or ignore a federal law, the Personal Income Tax Act, 2004.

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 1000 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.com

Ogun workers’ strike is political Is Governor Amosun owing any worker a salary, leave bonus or paying any worker half salary since he came into office? No. Has Amosun implemented the new Minimum Wage or not? Yes, he has.

Has he deducted the income tax of any Ogun worker in excess of what the PITA prescribes? No. Why then

are union leaders in Ogun trying to plunge the state into industrial crisis?

It is clear the action of Labour is political, to divert attention away from the can of worms being opened by traumatised citizens of the state at the probe panels, which have irredeemably tarnished the

image of Gbenga Daniel, beside the EFCC trial.

Even the security challenge in Ogun needs to be investigated, as one writer suggested last week.

Amosun must show that he is the one freely elected as the governor and the employer, not the employee in these unprovoked

S

not been for a long time: Ketu to be precise. On my way back, while driving on the service lane at Ketu bus-stop, I ended up a victim of driving through the BRT lane. And as expected, I was swarmed by BRT enforcement officers. It is worthy to note that the officers promptly and politely read me my rights. I argued that I did not see any sign showing which of the demarcated lanes was assigned to the BRT. They

readily explained to me that ignorance is not an excuse under the law. The problem of the BRT lane at Ketu bus-stop is this: A person driving along the service lane would have to move to the right of the service lane to avoid driving on the BRT lane which is directly ahead of you and would have been the direction of normal travel (a situation which I find impractical but may have been

IR: I remember the unveiling of the BRT system in Lagos and the expectation of Lagosians to see how the system could cater for their transportation needs.

Although it is appalling to see the current decay of the bus system, at least we still have it functional.

My current grouse however is with the enforcement or otherwise of the BRT lane rule. I happened to take a trip to a part of Lagos I had

S

therefore, the David Camerons of this world are right in vomiting on themselves trying to blackmail Africans into supporting madness in the name of human rights. This is indeed living true to Oliver Goldsmith’s assertion that ‘every absurdity has a champion to defend it, for error is always talkative.’

Truth is that there is nothing like unbridled right. Abioje won’t be here talking if humanity was a function of his kind of thinking. He, like all of us, is a function of male and female relations. And that is the way the creator God made it.

We cannot wish God away from the world He created. No amount of Western sponsored exportation of

• Ayodeji Osikoya Sagamu, Ogun State

Fashola and his BRT

Re: Who is afraid of gay rights?

IR: The Nation of December 5 carried a letter with the above title written by one Pius Oyeniran Abioye, claiming to write from Unilorin, Kwara State.

The letter criticised the recent wellreceived law by the National Assembly prescribing 14 years’ imprisonment for any so-called marriages by homosexuals, and 10 years for witnesses in such crystal aberration.

For Abioje, this is against the human rights of homosexuals. He also took a swipe at morality and our culture which abhors the shameful, repugnant, reprehensible and demonic practice of homosexuality. For our man,

attacks by Ogun workers’ union.

Those who fail to come to work for the number of days prescribed by the Civil Service Rules should consider themselves sacked.

Amosun did not sack you; you sacked yourselves!

As a concerned indigene of this state, I call on the central NLC/ TUC to call the politicians masquerading as union leaders in Ogun to order.

You cannot fight a government that is acting within the law. Workers in Ogun should also think twice and not follow the so-called leaders. The price could be too high to bear.

this shameful act by sodomite billionaires from Europe will change its reprehensible and despicable nature.

On the issue of diversity raised

by Abioje, truth is that even beasts would laugh such argument to scorn. Male monkeys do not sleep with male monkeys,so too female monkeys do not get attracted sexually to other females of their class. Insects, fishes etc, do not. God created man and woman for each other to meet their biological and physiological needs. The practice of homosexuality is promoted by warped orientation, and in the West it is exacerbated by drug abuse. It has nothing to do with rights. Why

would people like Abioje not start driving around on the left side of the road or walk about on their heads, or ‘score goals’ with their hand in soccer matches for diversity sake! Do people like this man cherish the sight of infants and children? Do they have siblings?

Were they born from homosexual relations?

NASS decision is in order, and I particularly like how Senate President David Mark dismissed the nitwit David Cameron’s threat of withholding aids to Africans over this non-issue. He told David Cameron off, and he is off.

• Sunje Antai Uyo, Akwa Ibom

allowed due to the length of the BRT buses and their ability to manoeuvre into the lane).

Any Lagosian understands that while driving especially around densely populated areas like Ketu; one is on constant alert to avoid bikes, pedestrians, overzealous danfo drivers and even the menacing BRT buses themselves.

With all these distraction; one cannot be expected to see a BRT sign tucked away in plain sight and surreptitiously hidden by market stalls and wares displayed along the service lane.

Ignorance is not an excuse of the law, but the law in question has to be accessible to begin with because inaccessibility or invisibility of the law in this regard cannot be backed by this argument, rather a misinterpretation (lack of understanding) of a clearly displayed road sign is the “ignorance “ that cannot be excused.

I would implore all road signs to be displayed correctly as well meaning and responsible Lagosians with respect for the rule of law should not be made to pay for the ineptitude of government agencies to stop its road from being turned into a marketplace.

• Olakunle Banjoko Lagos

21

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 , 2011

EDITORIAL/OPINION

IGP: Ash or grey? Refineries+Power = Reduce fuel by 30% = Silence generators= save trillions

O

N the LagosI b a d a n Expressway this Saturday, a new car was ‘arrested’ with ‘fake papers’ for saying the car colour was ‘grey’ when the police officer insisted that the

Tony Marinho

car was ‘ash’ coloured. Will the IGP please explain to Nigerians why a car owner should be detained for an hour at an Ogere checkpoint for this ash/grey scam? The policeman-in-power actually said ‘I am a policeman. I know what I’m doing. If I say your car is ash, it is ash.’ You see the problem of ‘Arrogance in Uniform’. Can anyone change the police?

We now have the list of those given wealth by past and present governments through the NNPC, to lift N1.3tillion oil for round-tripping. NNPC is responsible for our failed refineries which came before any ‘fictitious fuel subsidy’?

The list of importing companies is incomplete without naming directors and major shareholders. It makes pathetic reading especially as the tax arm of government harasses the common man while this serial trillion naira profligate federal waste camouflages government incompetence for 30 years+. But is the solution the transfer of the cost of this ‘wealth to waste’ project to the citizen or to get the refineries working? The answer: ‘Get refineries working first’ - unless you are making a fortune at Nigeria’s missed fortune. Through the fuel subsidy scam, Nigerians are being asked to pay for chronic government corruption and incompetence valued at N1.4t. Nigeria, through JTF, shut down 200 ‘illegal’ refineries in the Niger Delta. Even the US recruits hackers. These local refinery operators should be licensed and recruited to train, teach practical skills in polytechnics and run community refineries.

There are some serious emergencies needing urgent attention immediately for Nigeria to survive as a liveable country in the face of stupendously extravagant salaries and allowances for politicians and ridiculous oil-to-fuel

contract profits to the chosen few companies and rising prices. For the name of President GEJ to be written in gold he must address the naira, the refineries, power, jobs and education. For example the N6.3b for school texts and school libraries is good but if Bauchi and Lagos have already provided these items, they are top of the class and should be rewarded with grants and not left out of the funding. We should not reward other states’ incompetence. N14b is required to get school libraries going nationwide. Nigerians wonder how the CBN Governor could receive an Award of Forbes African Banker of the Year when Nigeria’s currency has fallen 810% tipping 5-10 million more Nigerians below the $2/ day poverty line and wiping out the benefits of any ‘N18,000 Minimum Wage’ before it arrives. Governor Sanusi may be doing his best and he may not personally be responsible for naira fall. We know he is struggling against a tsunami of profligate politically motivated overspending and under-performance with a poor savings culture. But even countries at war do not devalue at our own rate! So what is the secret of our naira failure? Is ‘Naira Devaluation’ irreversible or a ‘GEJ government policy’?

Will GEJ appoint a high powered ‘International Refinery Action Team’ for each refinery separately and advertise and recruit foreign companies on a day and night, multipoint ‘Turn Around Maintenance’, TAM, to repair of our refineries in 2-3 months. If the traditional TAM companies cannot work quickly enough, GEJ must look to South America for refinery partners like Venezuela and Brazil which latter is lending billions to the flagging EU. The staff of the refineries would have to be under surveillance and military guard to prevent sabotage by ‘billionaire subsidy beneficiaries’ which have allowed ‘fuel subsidy’ on our radar. This massive effort would process 450,000 barrels per day and cancel imports – reducing the ‘fuel subsidy’ to zero within 3-6months. Our founding petroleum fathers built four refineries for 450,000 barrels a day. They did not reckon with the lack of national pride, massive greed and Nigerian corruption, corporate and organised crime more corrupt than the mafia. Our oil mafia is too big for Nigeria and has killed

it. This anti-refinery mafia must be broken by a new breed of corrective refinery management and security systems.

Worldwide refineries are targets but still function. Are we completely incompetent!

GEJ has been misled. He has accepted ‘fuel subsidy’ 2012, power 2012-2020, and the refineries-2012-2019 timetable just to get more money to spend! The secret file ‘Remove the fictitious subsidy, tax the people and build refineries’ should read ‘Get the refineries working and the fictitious fuel subsidy will die without taxing the people’. All this is about extracting more from the people.

It was never about the refineries. The ‘fuel subsidy removal scam is just a new mass tax regime with nothing to do with making fuel available. Formula for GEJ becoming the Best Nigerian President: Activate refineries - 3months + Increase electric power to 50,000Mw by 2015 = Reduce fuel consumption by 30% = Silence generators= saving trillions!

GEJ must attack the anti power mafia which forces Nigeria to be the largest user of generators and the greatest generator polluting nation. Jonathan must lead an ‘Action Government’. Yes, eating 40% cassava bread is good. Let the President and governors meet with UAC etc and Bakers Associations to get this ‘cassava bread’ out into the field quickly as poverty numbers will go up 40% if government reverses the order –refineries-2012, power 2012-2015, ‘fuel subsidy’ removal if any- 2015 = trillions saved.

‘Will GEJ appoint a high powered ‘International Refinery Action Team’ for each refinery separately and advertise and recruit foreign companies on a day and night, multipoint ‘Turn Around Maintenance’, TAM, to repair of our refineries in 2-3 months’

This ‘War’ against Corruption (2)

T

HE mind-boggling figures and ‘the companies’ who are benefitting from subsidy on petroleum products recently released by the Senate is enough to call on Nigerians to ‘occupy’ indefinitely, the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. When very few individuals decided to mortgage the future and comfort of about 200 million Nigerians, then we need to do something.

In Nigeria, everything is circumvented for personal benefit. An aide to a lawmaker (or lawbreaker?) in the National Assembly was reported to have been apprehended for writing examination ‘on behalf’ of his boss who is sitting comfortably in one of the chambers of the National Assembly. The lawmaker wants to earn a certificate she has not worked for. The aide, also, could not have done that for free.

Everywhere you turn to, there is corruption staring you in the face.

Last week too, the chairman-designate of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission was dropped at the last minute, but that did not raise much public concern like the removal of Farida Waziri as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, boss. As expected, even as Ibrahim Lamorde was being announced as the acting chairman of the commission, a number of characters are already being touted as likely substantive replacement for Waziri. The question is: Are they really desperate to step in because they believe they can do better? Not quite.

I certainly do not have anything

against anybody who aspires to hold any office, but when I look at the field of names being bandied here and there, I am even more convinced that with what he brings to the table, Lamorde is by far the best man for the job. At 48, he is the youngest in the field, but his age belies the vastness of his on-the-job experience. None of the others who have presented themselves or are being sponsored by various interest groups has the qualifications of Lamorde. As an Assistant Commissioner of Police with more than two decades of policing experience, Lamorde meets the constitutional requirements. But, far more than that, are his relevant experience, exposure and personal disposition.

The acting chairman of the EFCC has been correctly identified as the ‘engine room’ of the EFCC under Ribadu. But, I think that description does not even do adequate justice to the person and essence of Lamorde. I learnt that there were scenes of jubilation across all EFCC formations the day Waziri’s exit was announced. The expression of joy was not just because Waziri was removed but also because Lamorde was announced as the person to take over in an acting capacity from her.

It would not be the first time that scenes of celebration had erupted in EFCC. The agency staff also celebrated in December 2010 when Lamorde was returned EFCC’s Director of Operations.

Those who know Lamorde profusely attest to his being a one man embodiment of every good quality– professional or moral- that each of

‘This war against the hydra-headed monster called corruption, is a war that can no longer be fought with kid gloves.

Otherwise, this country will continue to sink deeper and deeper into irretrievable abyss!’

the other names being touted for headship of the EFCC is said to possess. Having been at the EFCC from the very scratch, having worked as the valiant ‘heart’ of the EFCC in the days that are now being referred to as the commission’s Golden Days; having been at the very centre of all strategic partnerships (local and international) in the fight against corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing; having seen extensive action in his previous professional life as two-time Director of Operations and acting chairman, I frankly see no other person more qualified to sit on the chair from which Waziri was forcibly ejected than Ibrahim Lamorde.

And, the incontestable fact that the EFCC is no longer what it used to be makes his choice even more compelling.

I have encountered a few people who had previous run-ins with the operations unit under Lamorde and without exception, they all admit (even if some grudgingly) that Lamorde was a thorough professional and gentleman. They wondered that his kind still existed in the Nigeria Police. Apart from having the requisite training, experience and international exposure, Lamorde has an admirable personal disposition against corruption and injustice. That is why his very first act after Waziri handed over the reins to him last week was to charge a police sergeant attached to the commission to court. He was signaling that under him there would be zero tolerance for corruption.

The man was charged to court for acting in ways incompatible with the ideals of EFCC. In the recent past, that man would have been quietly moved around to some other duties (maybe even given higher responsibilities) or at the worst, sent back to the Police. It is instructive that while there were damning evidences on the alleged

acts of corruption and gross dereliction of duty which the former EFCC staff was accused of, coupled with the fact that the Nigeria Police had washed its hands off the accused, the agency foot-dragged for several months on the matter until Lamorde came to the scene. And he did this quietly, without the usual hollow media drama associated with such actions in the recent past.

With Lamorde as EFCC chair, Nigeria is set to witness a new dawn in the war on corruption.

The international dimensions of the twin products of local corruption–money laundering and terrorism financing- make the support and collaboration of law enforcement agencies critical to the success of the government’s local war on corruption. And all the international partners of Nigeria on this journey have consistently stated that they have vetted Lamorde, have seen him work, have tested his resolve and commitment and cannot find any other person more suited for the job of Chairman of EFCC. I agree, in toto.

While each contender stakes his claim to the headship of that allimportant agency, I am reassured that already Lamorde recognizes that the most crucial challenge facing the war on corruption is to be found right within the EFCC itself.

Things have really gone bad within the agency. But as he promised whilst receiving the handover notes from Waziri, Lamorde said he would be making “more demand of every staff of EFCC, far more demand of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct than had ever been made of (them).” That is the voice of a man who knows where the shoe pinches. Once he gets it right in his primary constituency, the confidence of Nigerians would be restored in the EFCC. Above all, if the government itself is truly serious about

Dele Agekameh revitalising the war against graft, it must show genuine commitment to the campaign. In the past, there had been traces of government’s meddlesomeness in the affairs of the EFCC. They came in the form of offering protection to friends, relations and other acquaintances who run foul of the law and were shielded from prosecution. One other thing is that our laws are too weak and feeble to fight the magnitude of corruption in the country.

This is why the judiciary, as a whole, needs to be totally overhauled as it has been infested with the bug of corruption. All these have been fuelling the pervasive corruption that has gripped the country by the jugular for many years.

President Jonathan should do the needful and finish the commendable job he has started by sending Lamorde’s name to the Senate for confirmation. I am convinced without a shadow of doubt that Lamorde is the best hand for the job and should be confirmed without further prevarication. This war against the hydra-headed monster called corruption, is a war that can no longer be fought with kid gloves.

Otherwise, this country will continue to sink deeper and deeper into irretrievable abyss!

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION FROM THE CELL PHONE ‘Many do not know that the biggest problem we (the black man) have is intellectual impotence. Unfortunately, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

What do the Okonjo-Iwealas, the Sanusis, the World Bank, IMF know about managing an artisan economy like ours? Why is there economic turmoil in Europe? Is managing our economy not beyond economics as a field of study? I think so! See the website: www.paecon.net. I enjoyed your article’ From Prof F.E. Ogbimi

• Alex Ibru

For Olatunji Dare I like the way you craft, especially if the subject is Stanley Macebuh of blessed memory or The Guardian where you made reading your writings pure purring pleasure. As you pour superlatives on Stanley, so also the Almighty pours on you for it takes greatness to recognise and sing the greatness in others. God loves you and will bless you to no end as your mention of Stanley brings tears to my eyes as it was last year when he died and I had to read your moving tribute to the master of prose and dean of columnists. From Barr Pat Enechukwu.

I am a regular reader of your column and I quite enjoy reading your articles. The only snag is, you have never thought it wise or necessary to respond to or acknowledge my contributions. It is not fair; please try to accommodate your fans.

Don’t kill the spirit. From Dave K.O. Blankson I was an avid reader of your column while you were at The Guardian and occasional contributor to Op-Ed page. Your tribute to Alex in The Nation today is revealing and very brilliant, as usual. Kudos! From Biodun Ogunyemi, Olabisi Onabanjo University Your tribute to Ibru is heart warning. I have followed you all the years. You are also a mentor to us the unseen readers. I am a lawyer and student of history, I will like to know the circumstances under which The Guardian was reopened. All I knew then as a lawyer is that the Supreme Court ruled that the proscription was illegal and void. Well, you were an insider then and an expert. Tell us more. Anonymous There could be no better way to pay glowing tribute to Ibru than revealing and thought provoking admonition to the family PUBLIC TRUST; ditto the rest of us.

From Lanre Fadahunsi Sir, your write-up on the late Alex Ibru was quite good. It shows that the man was truly a great leader. From Iluokhaunu Asekome.

Your write-up of today is instructive, sound in judgment and reason as well as humorous. I couldn’t help laughing all the way while also picking every sense in it. I hope the President reads national dailies, unlike Baba Iyabo. Anonymous You people complain all the time, with no practical alternative. Gani had an alternative to SAP. What is your alternative to fuel subsidy. From Moses Omemu, Rivers State.

The Bayelsa Governorship Primaries have come and gone though the dust will take a long time to settle. The whole episode has brought to the open an aspect of Jonathan’s governance I had earlier predicted. The man Jonathan is so weak that he is not capable of checking the excesses of his advisers. Many of them will con-

tinue to use his name for their own selfish ends. In the end, we shall experience a rule more dictatorial than that of Buhari and Abacha. Pastor Bakare had prophesied it from the pulpit that Nigeria will experience the rule of a dictator and it would not be a military dictator. We asked God to give us King (Change), and He gave us Jonathan. From Deri Parkinson Sir, I read your column, it was great, as usual. But I felt you could have changed your topic and given this edition to Alex Ibru. Minor typographical error. N300m mentioned for wheat importation in paragraph 3 and N300billion later for the same item. From Wale Adele E bi like say dem think say we no go school.

Fela don already talk am Govt Magic. One day God go help this nation. Na Him get am.

Anonymous.

Sir, how can one obtain these books? (a) ‘This house has fallen: midnght in Nigeria’ by Karl Maier (b) ‘Jerusalem: the biography’ by Simon S. Montefiore. I hope I would get a soul-liftng answer to my request, unlike Sam Omatseye who was evasive in his earlier response to the same request.

From Edmund Akin Ojumu,Idoani,Ondo State.

Hi Olatunji, you have spoken the minds of the silent majority concerning Bukola Saraki’s onslaught on petrol subsidy. He is a conman, selfish, cunny and an unrepentant treasury looter. The fugitive farmers are his brothers. His mother is a zimbabwean. Need I mention the Egbejila road contract that was paid for but abandoned by a member of his family? Please come and dig into Bukola’s eight years administration in Kwara. It is nauseating.

Nemesis will very soon catch up with him.

From Oyescele, Airport, Ilorin Dare, as you mentioned ‘the removal of an alleged subsidy on petrol to align it with that of coca cola,’ I quickly recalled the strident advocacy Chris Anyanwun then of the NTA pushed for upward review of petrol pump price. Today she is in the Senate and keeping grave silence as the debate on her passion rages on.

Chris, speak up! Anonymous.

Dear sir, please I like to make sugestion to the goverment of Sen. Ajimobi of which you a part. On the proposed demolition of shops at Iwo road. I think the goverment can begin beautification with those vacant areas before the demolition of shops as this will affect many people adversly considering the present economic condition of the country. From Gbenga Adebayo Re: ‘Forward to the past’. Have you ever spared a thought if we’re in captivity?

Something like the curse Abraham brought upon his descendants for well over 430 years. Did our fathers offend the mighty and terrible one? Where are the prophets? Perhaps busy putting up business churches here and there, trying to collate the returns and where necessary fold up branches that are not “viable”. Is this not Sodom? From Nseabasi King State Security Services (SSS) conspired with illegal political party and illegal legislators, illegal Chief Justice of Nigeria, Dahiru Musdapher, sections I3 and 57.

Anonymous.

I love the article ‘Forward to the past’. It says so much about how we research and

plan serious national developmental projects before trying to implement them.

How can we truly become self reliant when we do shoddy jobs of such serious issues of national importance as Agriculture and the Economy? Thanks again and God bless you. Anonymous.

Thanks for all the good job you have been doing in The Nation. From I. M. Udoka Agwu.

For Gbenga Omotoso Anywhere competent hands are, the difference is always clear. Kudos to all the editors. From Abuja.

Who told you that MASSOB is a confused group? If MASSOB is confused, what will you say about the evil blood thirsty group called O.P.C.? Anonymous Why do you have to drive about two hours away from home to worship? Don’t you have a place of worship around you?

Stop that risk. From Ralph I am shocked that Ojukwu is getting all the accolades after his death. Our hypocrisy knows no bound. How can he be given a state burial while he was a rebel? From Ayo Felix The removal of Farida has political tone.

The only thing that is sustaining PDP as a party is corruption. PDP has the highest number of corrupt politicians in Nigeria. Jonathan can’t fight corruption. Another name for PDP is corruption. From Alh. Adeboye lawal, Felele, Ibadan.

I want to comment on Ali Umar’s confession. If any person is to be paraded, it must be the former governor who is said to have been named by Konduga. Anonymous “Two deaths and other stories” confirms one of Nigeria’s problems: bad cultures plaguing us. From Lixo, Abuja.

I share your views about Sundays because I lost my first child on 11th of May 2008. That day was Sunday. From Abulkadir Adamu, NPC, Bauchi You wre truly one of The Guardian breeds! Yes, they were all singing his praises, those are hypocrites for you. As for the President, we will see how far his “luck” will take him. Pretenders dont last.

You always make my day. From Okezie Ojukwu fought against injustice; yet he went to Abacha’s Constituent Assembly to bury June 12. Let us fear all politicians.

From Olufemi Ibadan

For Tunji Adegboyega The statement you credited to Obasanjo in your column of December 4 was incorrect. What Obasanjo said was that the best candidate may not win. It was Babangida who later, in another context, said: “We may not know who will succeed us; but we know who would not.”

Obasanjo thoroughly hated Awo’s style and perfection. Obasanjo’s ego was bruised when Awo made a mockery of the ban on political activities in the run-up to the 1979 elections. The man, Awo, a candidate in the elections, launched his party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) with fanfare in a matter of hours after the official lift of the ban. Awo’s action was

•Jonathan

certainly of a long, surreptitious and meticulous planning in defiance of whatever ban. Obasanjo, in a veiled attack and remark, seized the opportunity of an interview on NTA network to reply Awo afterwards, that “the best candidate may not win the elections.” The rest, as they say, is history.

From Barrister Gani Fabiyi.

Obviously, revolution looms as already predicted by some prominent Nigerians who are actually watching the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration as if the political party in question is the right owner of our dear nation, Nigeria.

It beats my imagination why our President does not listen to the voice of the masses who took the pains to cast their votes for him during the last election. My annoyance with the government is that, it has no focus, no vision, no ideology and no collective drive in terms of development in the country. The removal of fuel subsidy is their agenda now. Anonymous.

Please, ask President Jonathan, if truly revolution is to be averted, why he gave one person more than one job? OkonjoIweala is finance minister and chairman, Economic Team; in same manner Solo Ogba, president, AFN, and PDP secretary in Delta State is also now a commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission. Has he resigned from the other posts since his new appointment?

Anonymous.

In fact, Jonathan and Yakowa are already disappointing me. I, personally, regret voting the fellows and wouldn’t mind to spearhead the said revolution if I had my way as equally pronounced by the President in Lokoja. From Joe, Kaduna.

Many do not know that the biggest problem we (the black man) have is intellectual impotence. Unfortunately, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. What do the Okonjo-Iwealas, the Sanusis, the World Bank, IMF know about managing an artisan economy like ours? Why is there economic turmoil in Europe? Is managing our economy not beyond economics as a field of study? I think so!

See the website: www.paecon.net. I enjoyed your article.

From Prof F.E. Ogbimi.

I am one of the addicted readers of your column. In fact, my Sundays are incomplete without digesting your lines.

Keep the flag flying. Your piece on Farida Waziri was a bomb. Time will surely tell whether the former EFCC boss was justifiably sacked or not. Looking forward to the next edition. Anonymous.

Our President is sliding towards despotism; he should learn from the tragic end of some former African despots, such as Mobutu Sese Seko, Sergeant Doe, Idi Amin and lately Muammar Ghadaffi.

From Alh Adeboye Lawal, Ibadan.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

23

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

24

NATION SPORT Okpara to regain freedom next year

J

AILED ex-Super Eagles’ star, Godwin Okpara will now breathe the air of freedom next September after he insisted on not being deported on his release.

In February 2008, the Nigeria World Cup defender, along with his wife, was imprisoned for sexually abusing a minor in France.

MTNFootball.com has learnt that Okpara would have by now been released from a French jail if he had agreed to the condition that he would be deported from France immediately he was set free.

“Okpara has maintained that he wants to live in France when he is out of prison and that was why the earlier arrangement to free him in August was shelved,” a source close to the player disclosed.

“His argument is that he has lived most of his adult life in Europe and all his four children were born there and as such he would rather live there than back in Nigeria.”

Okpara was jailed for 10 years in 2008 for sexually molesting a 13year-old girl under his care.

However, he is to be released before the end of his jail sentence for good behaviour.

The former Paris Saint-Germain defender will be 40 when he leaves French prison.

NATION SPORT UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Odiah set to upset Joel Obi W

ITH Nigeria international Joel Obi already securing a spot in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions

•Joel Obi

League with Inter Milan, his compatriot, Chidi Odiah requires victory with CSKA Moscow to advance to next stage.

The only remaining battle in Group B heading into the final round of matches is the race for second place which pitch Trabzonspor currently occupies that spot and are one point clear of Lille and CSKA. The Russians must beat Inter but also hope that Lille and Trabzonspor cancel each other out in France in the other pool game.

CSKA's 2-0 defeat at home to Lille two weeks ago dropped them to the bottom of the standings, level on five points with the French outfit.

CSKA have not won on the road this season in the competition, while Inter have yet to lose at home against Russian opposition in Europe. The good news for CSKA is that defender Sergei Ignashevich has recovered from injury.

Claudio Ranieri's Inter have claimed 10 points of a possible 12 so far in the competition.

Blame me for Senegal loss –Ajiboye

D

REAM Team V first choice goalkeeper, Dele Ajiboye has owed up to the 2-1 defeat to Senegal at the maiden CAF Under23 championship in Morocco.

The team arrived Lagos aboard Royal Air Maroc on Tuesday after a botched attempt to clinch the London 2012 Olympic Games ticket.

Ajiboye told SuperSport.com that he takes more blame for the pool A match day two loss to Algeria in Tangiers.

"I take more blame for letting in two goals into my net in the match against Algeria.

"I can't explain what happened but I want to take responsibility and ask Nigerians to forgive me.

"I also want to plead with

Nigerians to forgive us for failing to pick the Olympics ticket.

"We did our best but sadly our best was not good enough."

Ajiboye admitted that they woke up very late against the Algerian side.

"The win over Algeria was a kind of consolation but too late to qualify us for the Olympics. We are happy recording at least a win in the championship," he said.

SuperSport.com reports that there

was no officials of the NFF at the airport to receive the team neither was there bus designated to convey them to anywhere.

The players who arrived the country in the early hours of Tuesday, disappeared into the waiting hands of handful family members to their individual destinations.

The usual crowd that troops out to receive a successful team was conspicuously absent.

Bremen contacts Milan for Taiwo

D

ESPITE claim by Nigeria defender Taye Taiwo that his happy to stay with the Italian giant, AC Milan, Werder Bremen have approached Rossoneri for the left fullback.

Having refused to go on loan or accept a paycut, Taiwo may be willing

to join the Bundesliga side as they are ready to splash out to sign him permanently in January.

Taiwo, who earns about N67m monthly only joined Milan in the summer from Marseille, but has failed to nail down a regular start and is ready to move on.

Milan hope to do business for around •6 million for the Bosman signing, but Werder are aiming for •5 million.

Benfica have already approached Milan about Taiwo's situation, while Olympique Lyon were in contact over the weekend about bringing him back to France.

Newcastle down, not out –Ameobi

N

EWCASTLE United are down after their frustrating defeat to Chelsea – but they’re far from out, according to striker Shola Ameobi.

Newcastle suffered their second defeat of the season on Saturday when Andre Villas-Boas’s side won 3-0 at St James’s Park.

And the result ended their long run in the Premier League’s top four.

But Ameobi’s adamant that he and his team-mates can put the loss behind them at Norwich City on Saturday, even without first-choice centre-halves Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor.

Taylor’s likely to miss the rest of the season, while Coloccini will miss the trip to Carrow Road with a thigh problem.

But Ameobi’s confident that sixthplaced Newcastle can pull together and take advantage of a winnable sequence of games, with the Norwich game followed by back to back home fixtures against Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion.

“We just have to stay together as a team,” Ameobi told the Gazette. He states further: “You will lose games, that’s a given. It’s how we come back and how we respond.

“The manager was quite positive after the game. The dressing room’s still positive as well. We’re in the position we’re in because we’ve done

well this season.

“We have to remember what we’ve achieved, and now take that confidence forward to Norwich. We have played the top three teams in a row, and it has been a tough run for us. We have to take confidence from where we’re at, and our league position.”

Coloccini and Taylor have been outstanding in the heart of Pardew’s defence, and their absence will be keenly felt.

Ameobi said: “It’s a big blow losing two centre-backs, as they’ve been stalwarts for our team.

“It’ll be tough for us, but this fight and desire that people talk about has to come to the fore again. Whoever steps in has to bring everything they’ve got. I’m sure we will be all right.”

United’s game against Chelsea turned on a fourth-minute decision from referee Mike Dean, who chose not to dismiss David Luiz for a foul on Demba Ba as he bore down on Petr Cech’s goal.

Pardew then lost Coloccini to injury, and Didier Drogba broke the deadlock late in the first half.

However, a spirited Newcastle pressed for an equaliser after the break, and only conceded the second and third goals after Taylor left the field in agony in the dying minutes.

“We had a side coming to us with a lot of quality, and I think they were here to prove a point,” said Ameobi.

“We went after them, and unfortunately it wasn’t our day.

Netting four was unbelievable – Yak

N

IGERIAN striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni says scoring four goals for Blackburn was an ‘unbelievable’ feat.

The 30-year-old forward claimed a quadruple in Rovers’ 4-2 win over Swansea city at Ewood Park on Saturday and was quick to give himself a pat on the back.

“It’s unbelievable to get four goals in the Premier League," he said.

The attacker, however, stated that he never lost his confidence in front of goal.

"But I always believe I can score goals and my team-mates have given me the opportunity to do that here,” he said.

Yakubu admits the fans' behaviour of late has affected the team and has called for supporters to give manager Steve Kean a chance. Following his devastating performance that saw his team climb off the bottom of the league table to 18th the former Everton forward also took his time to comment

on the attitude of some of the club’s supporters that continued their protests against the club's owners and manager, Steve Kean, with boos heard around the ground.

The Nigeria forward stated: “It’s a shame to see that reaction of the fans.

It was not good but maybe we can change their minds after winning more games,” the striker said.

“There’s always pressure when you’re not winning. There’s pressure on the players, pressure on the manager. The manager has been there with us, we’ve stuck together.

“We just need to get out on the pitch and do our jobs, and hopefully we’ll be fine. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s not nice but what can you do?"

The experienced striker has scored consistently in the Premier League while at Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Everton, and his four goals on Saturday took him to in total so far this season.

•MutiuAdepoju to oversee exercise •Amoo set to return as boss

R

ETURNING General Manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), of Ibadan, MutiuAdepoju will lead the search for new players for the team, beginning today at the University of Ibadan Sports Complex, Ibadan as the team resumes full training alongside screening exercises for the upcoming season.

The former international midfielder, who was ousted and then returned as the team’s helmsman will oversee the training and screening exercises until a substantive handler is named for the side revealed club’s Administrative Secretary, Ademola Alabi in an interview with NationSport yesterday.

Alabi said: ‘’Tomorrow morning by 7.30 am we are resuming fully for training exercise and screening

By Olusoji Olukayode session at the University of Ibadan Sports Complex. The club manager, MutiuAdepoju will be in charge, pending the time a substantive coach will be named.’’

However, NationSport reliably

gathered that axed coach, FataiAmoo may well take up the tutelage of the team again as he is currently discussing with the states’ Commissioner for Sports, Honourable, Lam-Adesina, whom NationSport learnt is coordinating the issue of getting a new coach for the side.

According to reliable source: ‘’FataiAmoo came to see the commissioner yesterday, they discussed (and) they (Shooting Stars) have their offer that they will table before him to consider.’’

NationSport also gathered that the club’s old players will resume alongside the aspiring ones this morning. A source disclosed that though the club had pencilled down players in the course of last season there will still be an open screening for new players, desiring to play forthe Ibadan giants.

On the particular players to be retained by the club from among its old guard, NationSport source failed to name any in particular but said the performances of the players in the last season will be a major yardstick to deciding who among them stays or leaves at the end of the screening process.

Ezeji vows to play on

S

From Patrick Ngwaogu, Abuja

C

•Shola Ameobi

FEMALE U-20 SCREENING

Falconets’ coach, Egan waiting on NFF

T

HE chief coach of the country’s Under -20 side called Super Falconets, Edet Egan says he is waiting on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the go ahead before calling players to camp in preparation for upcoming competitions.

Egan in a brief chat with

3SC begins training, open screening today

•Adepoju

CBN promises more support for sports ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria has promised more support for various sporting events as its social responsibility to the citizens of the country.

Speaking at a press briefing in respect of the 5th edition of the CBN sponsored Golf Tournament billed to hold at the IBB Golf club from for 10th and 11th December 2011, a Director in the Governors' Department, Mohammed Abdullahi said the golf event has become a major annual event in the calendar of events of the club.

Abdullahi said "it is note worthy that despite the challenges of the last edition, the event was a huge success. However, we intend to improve upon the achievements recorded last year since CBN is committed in its efforts toward making positive contributions to the game of golf as part of its corporate social responsibility obligations".

He revealed that various prizes will be won in the various categories comprising of the auxilliary, veterans, ladies, CBN staff, men gross, Men H/C 15-28, Men H/C 0-14, and overall winner.

41

HARKS FC of Port Harcourt goal-poacher, Victor Ezeji has doused speculations that he is about to end his professional career.

The forward made his debut as a 17year-old with Sharks in 1996 and scored three goals in 34 games in his first season at the club.

Fifteen years later, Ezeji is still firing after enjoying stints at Dolphins, Enyimba and Tunisian side, Club Africaine.

It was rumoured that the striker was set to dump Sharks midway into the 201/2011 football season but the player has now submitted that preparing for his 16th season as a professional is his next objective.

‘I have heard the rumours (that I am about to quit football) and I laugh because I have no such plans. I have already started training with my club as we look to prepare for life in the Nigeria Premier League next season,” Ezeji told SuperSport.com.

The 30-year-old who finished as top scorer in the Nigeria top flight in the 2001/2002 season after scoring 17 goals with Sharks was forced to make do with a rather modest total; seven goals in the 2011/2011 season.

Ezeji says he will improve on his total haul in the coming season.

“Yes I scored just seven goals last season but I am sure I will improve in the coming season.

“I did not play 90 minutes in most of the games last season but I am sure I will have a much better 2011/2012 NPL season,” Ezeji said.

Sharks ended the 2010/2011 NPL season in 5th place and booked a ticket to represent Nigeria in next year’s Wafu Cup as a result.

•Egan

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri NationSport opined that he was aware that the Flamingoes (the country’s Under 17 female team) are currently undergoing screening in Abuja but that with the green light yet to be given by the NFF, his hands were tied regarding the programme of the nation’s Under 20 side.

The Akwa Ibom tactician noted that he did submitted his programme of activities to the NFF but till now he was yet to be briefed on the outcome of the plan he itemised for another successful campaign for the current World’s silver medalist.

“As I speak to you, I am aware the Under-17 started their screening exercises on December 1. They went to camp because the NFF gave the coaches to do so. I have not got any directive from NFF and until I get one I am afraid there is nothing I can do about that. I submitted a programme which isin two phase.

We were supposed to have started the first phases last October but the NFF has not said anything about it,” Egan disclosed.

The coach who led the Falconets to a silver medal stated that he would wait for his time till when the NFF would formally instruct him to commence camping.

The Nigeria’s Falconets narrowly lost 0-2 to hosts and favourites, Germany in the final of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup played last year.

National Open Handball tourney to gulp N15m

T

HE National Open Handball Championship scheduled to hold from December 10th to 18th in the ancient city of Kano, will gulp the sum of N15 million.

The amount is expected to cover accommodation, feeding and other logistics through out the period of the tournament.

Speaking to sports writers yesterday in Kano, the President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, (HFN), Alhaji Yusuf Dauda said the championship is aimed as identifying talents for future international championship.

Dauda, who was represented by the HFN’s Technical Director, and Chairman, Kano State Handball Association, Alhaji Musa Baba Hamza said the Federation is expecting various teams from across the country in both male and female categories, to participate in the weeklong handball tournament.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano The President stated that the open handball championship will also produce winners in female and male categories, with top prizes going to the first, second and third winners.

He said the Kano State Government under the leadership of governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,has released the sum of N10 million as its contribution towards the successful hosting of the tournament, pointing out that the HFN would supplement the amount with the sum of N5 million, bringing the total amount to N15 million.

“The Federation in collaboration with the Kano State Sports Council has concluded all necessary arrangements towards a successful and hitch-free tournament, which is expected to take place at the indoor sports hall of Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.”

Heartland places 14 on transfer market

T

•Ezeji

HE management of Heartland on Monday placed 14 players on the transfer market just as it retained 22 players from the victorious 2011 Federation Cup squad.

Heartland's boss, Chief Fan Ndubuoke announced the decision of the club during a meeting with players, coaches and the management staff.

Ndubuoke who declined to disclose the affected players, told SuperSport.com that the club intends to hire nine new players to strengthen the team for the league and continental campaigns.

He further explained that the 14 players were dropped on account of low productivity, indiscipline and irregularities in contract which run contrary to the rules drawn up by the management.

"Some players have been told to look

elsewhere in the coming season.

"The affected players have been notified so that they can start off on time to search for new clubs.

"The names are on the club's notice board but we want to make it as personal as possible.

"We may still discover that some players we retained have pitched tent elsewhere, so we are bringing in nine new players to take care of such things," he said.

The management wished the affected players success in their future endeavours, while he tasked those retained to put in their best.

Both new and old players will resume for training on Sunday, December 11, 2011.

Heartland has been on break for about two weeks, while the coaches used the opportunity to try out new players.

SUCCOUR

ASSISTANCE

Foundation boosts women with N2m Delta

Govt to help artisans Adamawa 28

27

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

PROJECT

A road so neglected Niger Delta

40

Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Page 25

P

EOPLE who fled from an inter-tribal clash at the boundary of Nasarawa and Benue states, and have been sheltering in a primary school, have complained that the relief materials sent to them are not fit for consumption.

The displaced people said beans, rice and guinea corn, which the Nasarawa State government provided, are infested with weevils and fungi.

Doma and Keana communities in Nasarawa State, and Guma in Benue have fallen out with Fulani herdsmen over the past years. Tiv farmers and their counterparts from Agatu, Mada and Alago tribes have clashed with the nomads resulting in a significant drop in their productivity as well as in the disruption of pupils’ academic programme.

In June this year, the clash left no fewer than 50 people dead, a police Inspector and an Army officer among the casualties.

The two governments of Nasarawa and Benue set up a 10member committee to find a lasting solution to the problem.

The committees were said to have submitted their findings to the governments which issued a white paper that is yet to be implemented.

Last month the farmers and herdsmen resumed the fight, which is said to have claimed over a 100 lives, though official figures say only three people died.

On the Nasarawa side, two camps were set up for the internally displaced persons in Doma and Kadarko. The camps have kept swelling by the day with people escaping from the fight.

Findings have revealed that the number of the displaced in both camps has climbed to 5,000.

However, the State Emergency Management Agency said 3,000 are in the temporary shelters.

Faced with hunger and squalid conditions, the displaced people cried out to the Nasarawa State government.

The Tiv Youth president, Peter Igbacher once berated the state government for failing in its

•Some of the clash victims at Makada's home

Clash victims protest relief materials The displaced in Nasarawa say food is infested with weevils and fungi Govt: Almakura should be appreciated the presentation of the materials at the Kadarko camp.

From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

promise to provide relief materials to the affected victims in June.

Then, the Tanko Almakura administration responded with food

items and other materials. But the people, though grateful, said the food items are unfit for human consumption. They said weevils and fungi have infested them. Garri was equally affected. Coupled with this

is the inadequacy of such other materials as mats and soap at the camps.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Alakayi represented the state government at

One of the victims, Zaki Jibrin Genyi who spoke to Newsextra shortly after the commissioner departed the camp, dismissed the food items.

•Continued on Page 26

Fayemi’s wife tackles women’s rights violators

W

•Mrs Fayemi

IFE of the Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, has said hard times awaits violators of women rights. Mrs. Fayemi, who recently championed the passage of a bill against women’s rights violators, said she will ensure justice for a 12-year-old orphan who was llegedly raped by a police officer serving in the state.

She said: “The case of the little girl was brought to my attention a couple of months ago. By that time, she was around six or seven months pregnant. She had been abused by a police officer and she had her baby last

By Olukorede Yishau

month. Based on the advice of medical practitioners and from my own experience from working with survivors of violence, we felt that what was more important was focusing on the needs of this young girl, to protect her from further trauma and to protect her privacy as much as possible.

“On the issue of the alleged perpetrator, we have been told that in a couple of months, it would be okay to conduct a DNA test to determine the paternity of the baby. One way

to ensure that the alleged perpetrator was the one who committed the act is to carry out this test. We will not allow the perpetrator of this act to go scot-free. It is an offence to have sex with minors. We are going to follow this through and all perpetrators of this act especially against minors would face the full wrath of the law.”

Mrs. Fayemi said there is the need to organise mentoring programmes for young women in the institutions of higher learning so that they will turn out good.

“We have a lot of women in this

state that people can consider to be role models. We have a woman as deputy governor, we have women in the cabinet, we have women in boards and committees, accomplished academics, who have standards to be aspired to. I like to see more work done with young men. They too need to be mentored by men so that we try to redefine what it means to be a man in the contemporary world.

Being a man today means being reliable, responsible, showing respect and being caring,” she said.

•Continued on Page 27

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

26

•The displaced persons waiting for relief materials •Continued from Page 25 “The food that they brought, even beans is not good to eat,” he said. “If we eat this kind of food, we may die rather than live because we don’t even know how long it has stayed in the store.

“The only item that may even help us here is mat because we can sleep on them, bathing plastics may also help us because we will use them to bathe but not something like beans or guinea corn”.

On what they were going to do with the items, Zaki said: “We have already collected the food and we are still grateful because if we don’t collect them now, we don’t have anything to eat but government should please bring us another one. Not just another one but the one that is better than this and if they can also help us with drugs so that when we eat the food and it causes us problems, we will swallow them because we don’t have a choice now.”

On why such food was brought to the displaced persons, Commissioner

C

IVIL Awareness and Economic Empowerment Initiative, (CAEI), a non-governmental organisation has stormed Benue State, as it inducted local government coordinators and secretaries for each of the 23 councils

Clash victims protest relief materials Alakayi said the government of Almakura provided the money with which it was bought them, adding that the governor loves the people.

She also said Almakura should rather be appreciated for providing the food.

“There must be lapses here and there but the important thing is the food and if the food can be eaten and there is no problem, I think he has done enough so, the other lapses can be overlooked,” she said.

The Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Abu accompanied the Commissioner to the camp.

Newsextra learnt that 32 bags of beans, 62 bags of maize, 40 bags of garri, 32 bags of rice, 13 bags of sugar and four bundles of second-hand clothing were brought to the displaced persons at Kadarko. They were valued at N5 million.

Other items include 13 cartons of bar

soap, 10 cartons of detergent, 163 mats, 163 blankets and 150 plastic buckets.

Asked how many displaced persons were already at the camp, Abu said that about 3,000 families could be accounted for, adding that there were more people that had not arrived at the camp.

Some that have not arrived the camps, it was learnt, are now taking refuge at the homes of their relatives in Lafia and surrounding towns.

Findings revealed that those living with relatives are faring better than those in the camps because of the quality of food available to them.

A good example of such off-camp shelter for the internally displaced persons is the home of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) ward Chairman in Lafia, Alhaji Abdullahi Makada.

About 50 displaced persons were seen at Makada’s compound when Newsextra visited. They were quartered in two rooms.

Asked how he was coping with the upkeep of his guests, Makada explained that it was not an easy thing at all, as all of them both old and young including the children have to eat.

Though God is helping him to feed them morning and evening, Madaka however appealed to the state government to come to his aid. He said he would like to give them the best in the circumstance. He was also especially worried about certain people that have come under his roof. For instance, a woman put to bed when they arrived at the house.

The state governor was yet to visit the affected persons at the time of this report as he was said to be on a campaign tour to drum up support for his party (CPC) candidates in Kogi and Adamawa.

The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly (BSHA), Barrister David Iorhemba, who visited the camp at Kadarko near the Benue border on

November 29, decried the living conditions of the displaced persons at the camp.

The Speaker who expressed surprise at the conditions, wondered why the Nasarawa State government why “displaced persons continued to live in dehumanising conditions.”

He said: “I am not aware of any effort to reach the displaced persons with relief. Here are women, children and elderly people, with hunger written on their faces. For the more than one week of their stay at this camp, no food, no water, no form of relief has reached them, but they voted for a government.”

He said: “the security agencies in Nasarawa are not doing enough. And they have continued to fail to do enough. Any time crisis starts here at the border communities, security agencies here will fold their arms and watch, allowing the threats to escalate.”

NGO inaugurates co-ordinators From Uja Emmanuel,Makurdi

in the state.

Speaking at the occasion which took

place at Government Model College Makurdi, CAEI’s National Executive Director, Dr. Gambo Bala

•From left: Chief Olu Falomo, Past Chairman of the Nigeria Society of the Blind; Mr. Lanre Olarewaju, Member Executive Council; Marcus Bailey, Regional Head, Corporate Affairs, Middle East North Africa & Pakistan Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Mrs. Biola Agbaje, Chairman, Nigeria Society for the Blind; Mr. Daniel Mobley, Regional Head, Corporate Affairs for Africa, Standard Chartered Bank; Mr. Diran Olojo, Head of Corporate Affairs Nigeria, SCB, during the Bank’s CSR project at the Nigeria Society for the Blind in Lagos

Igiri urged the coordinators and secretaries to go back to their various areas and educate people at the grassroots on the aims and objectives of CAEI. The Executive Director explained that CAEI is a non-governmental organisation which is out to create civil awareness and economically empower the masses of Nigeria so as to reduce poverty to its barest minimum.

Also speaking, CAEI’s North Central Coordinator, Hajia Fatima Adams, called on women to avail themselves of the opportunities that CAEI provides.

Earlier, the State Secretary of CAEI in Benue, Iorember Aker affirmed that the introduction of CAEI will

reduce political hooliganism and irresponsible militancy which have characterised Nigerian politics in recent times.

Also, the State coordinator of CAEI, Olokpo Emmanuel Ochefu commended the Local government coordinators for the interest they have shown in the programme so far and urged them to keep the flag flying.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Aondowase Chia said the objectives of CAEI are in tandem with the economic blueprint of the Benue State government and called on those behind the programme to involve the youth as an integral part of it.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

•Continued from Page 25 She added that men should realise that their responsibility is not to be domineering and abusive. In her words: “Unfortunately, that is what these young people are learning from their peers, families and televisions. They tend to grow up with backward attitudes against women.

That is why we have such high level of social assault and harassment on campuses and do such with so much impunity. We need to do a lot more with young men and women in these institutions.”

Mrs. Fayemi said it was in order to correct these abnormalities that she championed the passage of the Gender Based Violation Bill by the Ekiti State House of Assembly. The Bill provides protection from genderbased violence, particularly for women and children. Before the passage of the bill a public hearing, which recorded an unprecedented crowd of women and representatives of Non Governmental Organisations and professional groups.

The Gender Based Violation (GBV) Bill was sponsored in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development & Gender Empowerment; Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Planning and MDGs; and the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ekiti), in re-

27

Fayemi’s wife tackles women’s rights violators sponse to rising cases of gross abuses affecting individuals or group of individuals disproportionately because of their sex.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin said the importance of the law cannot be overemphasised, adding that its passage will reduce crime and also guarantee the rights of the citizens against some forms of abuses.

The GBV law covers diverse types and forms of violence. These include acts or threats to commit acts liable to result in physical, sexual, economic

and emotional, verbal or psychological abuse and harassment, including sexual harassment, exploitation and intimidation by inducing fear in another person and all acts of domestic violence perpetrated by intimate partners and family members.

It also covers harmful traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation and widowhood rights; imposition of dress codes under any guise; child marriage and criminalising pregnancy outside marriage. It includes domestic violence, battery and assault, rape, sexual

Unfortunately, young people are learning to be domineering and abusive from their peers, families and televisions.

They tend to grow up with backward attitudes against women. That is why we have such high level of social assault and harassment on campuses

exploitation of any kind, sexual harassment, inflicting harmful traditional practices on women including female genital mutilation and widowhood practices, it includes abandonment and sexual exploitation of minors. It also includes sexual intercourse with women who are impaired and those who could not give their consents, for example mad persons.

It also spells out various forms of compensations for victims and the roles of different stakeholders as law enforcement officers, the role of medical personnel and the role of community in terms of having to intervene and reporting the violence.

There is also provision for a monitoring mechanism and there is a task force in place, which is responsible for ensuring that cases around gender-based violence are dealt with as promptly as possible and that victims are compensated and all the relevant stakeholders are aware of their responsibilities.

The Bill details the procedures for filling complaints to the police and ways of obtaining protection orders from the court to prevent individuals or groups from carrying out a threat of gender-based violence

against applicants. The Bill provides protection for people against possible abuse as well as ensures justice for those that have experienced different forms of gender based violence.

The governor’s wife said she was drawn to championing women’s rights while preparing for her first post-graduate thesis. She said: “When I did my first post-graduate in History at the then University of Ife, I wanted to write my thesis on social history, the history of women in a particular part of Yoruba land at that time. One of the things that challenged me was when one of my professors said, ‘why do you want to write on this topic, you would not find data.

“I saw that there was something wrong with that, so I told him ‘if you are telling me that I won’t find data, what you are telling me is that women didn’t contribute to the economy or to the general growth of their community. That women were invisible. If that is what you are telling me, I find that very problematic.

I think that is what triggered off my life-long connection with promoting women’s rights and ensuring women’s rights are protected.”

Foundation gives Delta women N2m grant

T

HURSDAY, December 1, 2011 will remain fresh in the memory of 30 women of Obinomba community in Delta State, who received N2, 170,000 grant from the Joan Agha Foundation (JAF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

The venue was St. Theresa Catholic Church in the community, where the women received their benefactor and their cheque.

The wife of the Delta State Governor, Mrs. Sheila Uduaghan was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner representing Ndokwa/ Ukwani communities, Barrister Benedicta Izuegbu. A Catholic Reverend Father, a number of reverend sisters and community leaders and people from all walks of life also graced the event. It was all in a glamorous atmosphere with musical accompaniments to which the women danced out their hearts.

JAF went on to present assorted souvenirs to both men and women at the occasion. Charged, in a near-climax moment, the chairman of the occasion, an associate Professor, Felix Okpilike excitedly said “no day passes here without Ukwuani people mentioning Billy and his wife.

He went on to note that they remember the Agha family for its philanthropy everyday even in their dreams. He described human capital development as an uneasy agenda that the state government is also addressing.

Continuing, he said: “Today the foundation is out to teach us how to fish not to just give us fish to eat. Today, we are pleased to associate with this programme and also know that this is the beginning of such programmes. God will empower this foundation financially in such as way that soonest, more people will be empowered through this foundation.“ Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Foundation, Mrs. Joan Billy Agha noted that the grant was to enable the women increase the scale of their businesses. Her words: “Today the Foundation is here to make a difference in the lives of some of our women who will be given soft loans without interest according to their

•Representative of Mrs Uduaghan’s wife, Mrs Benedicta Izuegbu and president of the Foundation, Mrs Joan Billy Agha hold the cheque aloft From John Ofikhenua

needs to start a business or expand an existing one.” According to her, the grant was the first intervention of the foundation in Obinomba. She added that it will certainly not be the last as the JAF will continue to look into the areas it can assist women and youths of the community.

Mrs. Agha noted that in line with the Delta State government microcredit scheme on various empowerment programmes, the foundation has planned to empower over 200 indigent persons with different vocational skills and also lend money to entrepreneurs to start their own businesses.

As the beneficiaries lined up to receive their cheques from the foundation, perhaps the unemployed graduates of the community realised that the organisation could also lift them from idleness and poverty. They took advantage of the gesture to solicit for assistance from the foundation. While responding, the eloquent president of JAF simply urged them to forward their business plans and entrepreneurial skills to the foundation for immediate consideration. She however explained to them that there will

be a team to monitor the expenditure of the grant to enhance prudence and actualisation of the foundation’s dream .

Mrs. Agha attributed her generosity to her father and husband. She stressed that the foundation was established on the philosophy of sharing and selflessness. The president explained that JAF works with some communities and corporate organisations to alleviate poverty among indigent persons in the society thus ensuring that their noble aspirations, desires and goals are not aborted. The foundation, according to her, has programmes such as scholarship, education support, youth and women empowerment and others that are targeted at touching the lives of the underprivileged in the society.

The chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation, Mrs. Andy OtikeObaro noted that the foundation came to Obinomba to showcase its main thrust objective- women empowerment. He said the programme started from the community in accordance with the fact that charity begins from home.

Uduaghan’s wife thanked the foundation for helping to reduce poverty in the state. She said the gesture was in line with the government’s agenda.

“Indeed, it has been a wonderful occasion,” she said. “And because of what I have seen here my advice is very simple and plain. Government cannot do it all alone for the people.

Government and other bodies must partner to see that development is brought to the micro level. And there is no how government can come to every level. But with the coming of an NGO like that of Joan Billy Agha, it will go a long way in helping government in this part of the world.”

The beneficiaries sang songs of praises and prayers for their benefactor.

“We have never had this well be-

fore in the history of this community,” they said.

On behalf the recipients, Mrs. Benedicta Uchejim said “we are very happy for what you have done for us in this our community today. As you have changed our lives that is how God will change your children’s lives and all your grand children God will surely meet their needs in Jesus name.

Madam, we are giving you great thanks because what you have given us today we were not expecting it. In this present generation nobody believes that what you have done will take place. We thank you madam, dear sir, we thank you because you enabled her to give us this”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

28

T

•Governor Nyako

HE Adamawa State government is to assist 4,000 trainees under the first batch of the government’s Local Apprenticeship Scheme (LAS) with necessary tools to establish their own businesses.

The Project Manager, Alhaji Sani Jada, made the disclosure in an interview with the journalists in Yola.

Sani said that government had already taken delivery of tools ordered for the trainees from China to be presented to them during their graduation ceremony this month.

He said the tools were for trades such as tailoring, carpentry, auto-mechanic, welding, handset repair, hair dressing, masonry and shoe-making among others.

The manager said that based on the success story so far recorded under the LAS programme, government was looking into the possibility of extending it to interested

Gombe dry season farmers seek farm input D RY season farmers in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State have urged the state government to provide them with farm input in time, to boost food production in the area.

Some of the farmers who spoke with journalists at their farms in Kupto village, said they had already begun dry season farming but were in need of the input.

One of them, Malam Adamu Rabiu, told news men that they needed fertilisers, insecticides, herbicides, water pumps and other items necessary for dry season farming.

Rabiu said that most of the farmers in the area relied on dry season farming, because it always generated good yields for them.

He,however, said many of them have had to hire items such as water pumps for use during the season.

Another farmer, Malam Mohammed Rabiu,

Gombe

said if government would assist them with the facilities, they would redouble their production.

Malam Adamu Sale, a tomato farmer, however, said that they also require technical assistance from extension workers to improve their yields.

He said sometimes their crops would be affected either by pests or insects, but that a lack of knowledge on such diseases would result in their farms being destroyed.

There is abundant water and vast irrigable land in the Kupto riverine community,most of which have yet to be cultivated.

Bauchi enrols 195,762 students

B

AUCHI State Adult and Non-Formal Education Agency (ANFEA) has so far enrolled 195,762 students for its various adult and non-formal education programmes in the last five years, an official has said.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, disclosed this on at the 2011 International Literacy Day Celebration in Bauchi.

Aminu said that the figure comprised of women and children who enrolled in the basic Arabic, functional and post-literacy programmes.

He said that the agency , which started with three courses and four staff in 1986, now offered courses in eight subjects with 62 qualified staff.

According to him, the agency now awards diploma certificates.

Aminu praised National Mass Education Commission, Abuja, for providing the agency with 112,866 assorted primers, 3,845 radio sets, 23 sewing machines and 23 knitting machines.

T

Bauchi He said that the state government had also allocated 13 new vehicles, constructed and renovated the agency buildings in addition to providing teaching materials at both its new and old centres.

The commissioner said the state government had also established girl hawkers’ centres in market places across the state.

In his remark, the state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sangir Saleh, said while declaring the day open that the task of educating adults and children was not the responsibility of the government alone but also that of “all and sundry”.

Saleh directed the local government councils in the state to mark their own chapter of the International Literacy Day before the end of the year and to accord special priority to nonformal education in their 2012 budget.

Adamawa to help artisans

Katsina nurses 4.1m tree seedlings

T

HE Katsina State government says it raised 4.1 million tree seedlings from its 11 nurseries in 2011 in a renewed effort to combat desert encroachment.

Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim, the Commissioner for Environment, told journalists in Katsina that 3.6 million of the tree seedlings have been planted in the state this year.

According to him, of the 3.6 million seedlings, 3.4 million were planted by the state and the 34 local governments, while 200,000 trees were planted through community-based programme.

He said as part of its efforts to control desertification, the government had directed the councils to recruit 500 youths and pay them N5,000 monthly stipend monthly for tree planting.

“The essence of this measure is to engage the unemployed youths thereby addressing the menace of unemployment and desert encroachment,“ he said.

The commissioner noted that although the

Adamawa students of secondary schools as well as retired civil servants wanting to learn trades or businesses.

“Already we are planning talks with the Office of the Head of Service and representatives of workers union on the issue,” Sani said.

While urging the first batch of LAS graduates to make maximum use of the opportunity given them to be self-reliant and employ others, Sani said the progarmme had a projection of empowering about 45,0000 people by 2013.

Church holds revival programme

T

HE Royal House of Wisdom Ministry (7th Day) a.k.a Wisdom of God will hold a three-day programme with the theme: No more Famine in the land from December 9 to December 11. The venue is 7, Duru Avenue, Owode-Elede Bus Stop, Mile 12, Lagos and time, 9am, 3pm and 4.30pm.

Speaking on the programme, the host and Senior Minister, Pastor Elvis Nna said: “No more Famine 2011 is to bring all and sundry to God’s presence, trying to make reconciliation for anyone who may have walked out of God’s presence, saying the programme promises lot of activities to showcase His might.

Pastor Elvis noted: Those attending the programme will go home with great benefits which including prophesies to unveil mysteries of life, healing, deliverance, salvation, fruit of the womb, seasoned breakthrough, fire baptism, divine revelations among others.

•Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed (middle), being conducted round the Omu-Aran General Hospital by the Medical Director in-charge, Dr Kayode Ibrahim (right) during an inspection visit to the hospital

Sokoto upgrades health centre

T

HE Commissioner of Health in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, has said that N270 million was spent to upgrade Gwadabawa Primary Heath Centre to a general hospital.

Maigwandu told journalists in Sokoto that government embarked on the exercise so as to bring healthcare services to the doorstep of the people.

He said that essential facilities had already been provided for the smooth take-off of the general hospital.

He added that government had mapped out a blue print of action that would ensure qualitative healthcare delivery in the state through the provision of modern health

Kebbi pilgrimage.

Dogonyaro said the intending pilgrims had promised to pray for peace and unity of the state and the country in general.

“The large number of pilgrims sponsored by the state government this year has further encouraged a true sense of belonging among Christians in the state.”

• President, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr Sanni Ndanusa, (left) with MD/CEO Bank of Industry, Ms Evelyn Oputu at the press conference on London Olympic PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

Sokoto facilities.

Maigwandu called on the staff of the hospital across the state to complement the effort of the state government by discharging their primary responsibility diligently. “ We will continue to reward excellence so as to promote productivity for the overall development of the sector,” he said.

The commissioner called on the people to reciprocate the government gesture by reporting any outbreak of epidemic to nearest health institutions for prompt action.

T

T From left: Dr Bose Akamiokhor, Affinity Healthcare Executive; Bob Lee Radio Exec/ Founder MTG Foundation; Denise Rogers, Bimbo Owolabi and Patrick Akamiokhor marketing manager, Bergdorf Goodman, New York.

Nigerian gets award for philanthropy

F

OR lifting the needy in Nigeria and abroad, Ekiti State-born politician and businessman, Bimbo Owolabi, the CEO of Vital Medix, has been honoured in New York , USA . He got the award for his support for the Make The Grade Foundation, New York.

Along with an award plague for his support for the education of the less-privileged in Nigeria and the USA , he was also presented with a citation from the City of New York .

The MTG Foundation which was set up by Bob Lee, a renowned radio personality at WBLS NY (the foremost African American radio station in New York ) over 30 years ago, is an organisation that encourages inner city kids through scholarships and mentoring to steer them away from a life of negativity.

While presenting Owolabi to guests at the award dinner held at the beautiful Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows Park , Ann Trip News Director of both WBLS and WLIB radio, described Owolabi as a man who had taken humanity to another level both in the USA and his native country Nigeria through scholarships and mentoring. She praised the honoree for always remembering the lessprivileged and also for returning home to his native country to offer himself for service

By Dada Aladelokun

to his people by sharing his wealth and experience with the youth of Nigeria .

Receiving the award and citation from the City of New York , Owolabi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti State , stressed that it was imperative for all successful people to give back to communities which had nurtured them.

He posited that nurturing the youths towards a productive life was the only guarantee of security for any nation. He said this was the reason he had commenced plans to set up a higher institution in his native state, Ekiti, as a means of bringing economic development to the state. He said that without his Ekiti upbringing which emphasises dignity of labour and pride, he would not be where he is today.

The award which had been presented in the past to prominent Americans including the former Mayor of New York, David Dinkins and civil rights activist Al Sharpton was also presented to Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers and Philip Banks III, Chief of Community Affairs, New York City Police Department among others.

N

•Governor Shema in the state and establishment of commercial forests.

T

• From left: Hon Ismail Bello; Second Republic Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Oladimeji Longe; Hon Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe and party leader Prince Ademola Dadanla during a road inspection

Nasarawa down by the ranging fire,” she said, adding that the cost of property lost to the fire was yet to be quantified.

Eguilo said that students foams, cooking pots and food stuffs like rice, beans, maize amongst others were some of the property lost to the fire.

She appealed to the state government and public-spirited individuals in the society to come to the aid of the school to build a new structure.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

two and five years of age have benefited from the de-worming intervention treatment, while vitamin ‘A’ supplement tablets amounting to 10,928 were given out to children across the area.”

Garba said the gesture was part of the efforts by the federal, state and local governments to provide good health care to children across the country.

70 students get Olanipekun’s scholarship O fewer than 70 Students of Ekiti State benefitted from the 15th edition of Chief Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Award.

The programme, initiated by Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and indigene of Ikere –Ekiti, took off with six students in 1997.

This year’s edition took place at Olanipekun ’s residence on November 12, where about N4.2million was distributed.

Giving the analysis, the Chairman, Scholarship scheme, Mr Sunday Omoyeni, explained that the beneficiaries would enjoy the largesse till the end of their studies in the university. He said the entry point for students in secondary schools is Junior Secondary School 11, while the undergraduates would begin at 300levels.

Omoyemi stated that among current beneficiaries were 42 students of Ikere-Ekiti origin and 28 picked from across the remaining local governments.

“The JSS 11, JSS 1 and SS11 awardees are to receive N6,000 each,JSS111 N10,000 while the SS 111 would receive N15,000 to enable them register for WAEC and NECO examinations.

state had not benefited from the Presidential Afforestation Initiative, the administration was making efforts through various programmes to address the menace of desertification.

He said the state embarked on aggressive enlightenment campaign on the dangers of desert encroachment, while some incentives were introduced for people who privately raise trees in the state.

The incentives included awards of motorcycles, watering cans, fencing wires and free economic trees among others to best farmers who raised trees in the state.

Ibrahim also pointed out that the administration was developing a programme for the resuscitation of existing forest reserves

HE management of the Jos University Teaching Hospital has organised training for a team of medical staff to be able to cope with challenges posed by the incessant crises in Plateau state.

Chief Medical Director of the hospital Dr. Ishaya Pam disclosed this at the conference hall of the hospital while welcoming participants to the five -day seminar on trauma management organised in collaboration with the West African College of Surgeons.

According to Dr. Ishaya who was represented by Prof. Edmond Banwat,“The location of this 6th edition of Trauma management seminar in JUTH has become necessary in view of the challenges we face in Plateau State as a result of conflicts in the state and neighboring states”.

Council de-worms 8,000 children HE Fufore Local Government Primary Health Care Unit in Adamawa says it de-wormed more than 8,000 children between January and July.

The Director of the unit, Malam Yuguda Garba, told journalists in Fufore that 10,928 tablets of vitamin ‘A’ supplement were also given to children in the area during the period.

“Not less than 8,000 children of between

Katsina

JUTH trains medical team

Fire destroys classrooms RAGEDY struck in the early hours of Sunday when fire destroyed a block of six classrooms at Daughters of Mary, Mother of Mercy Nursery and Primary School in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The fire, which occurred at about 5.30 a.m, destroyed several valuables in the school.

Rev. Sister Petronila Eguilo, the Head Mistress of the school, told journalists that she was alerted by the security man on duty that the building was on fire.

“The school authority immediately informed the fire service, but before they could come, the building had been partly burnt

Kebbi Pilgrims Board screens 112 HE Kebbi State Christian Pilgrims for Jerusalem Welfare Board has screened 112

prospective pilgrims for this year’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

The Coordinator of the board, Mr Stephen Dogonyaro, told journalists in Birnin Kebbi that the intending pilgrims had been sensitised to the need to abide by the laws of their host country.

He said that out of the 112 persons screened, 75 were sponsored by the state and some local government areas, noting that adequate travel, medical and welfare arrangements had been made to ensure a hitch-free

37

“The undergraduates are to receive N25,000 each while the Law students awardees are to receive N100,000 each,” the chairman explained.

He disclosed that the beneficiaries were selected on merit, devoid of any political considerations, stressing that the motive was to project education and reduce unemployment to the barest minimum. He clarified that the gesture would not be limited to education sector but religious institutions and artisans group in the state.

In his address, Chief Olanipekun charged the parents of the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the financial support. He also urged other well-meaning individuals from the state and beyond to cultivate the habit of giving and assisting the under-privileged.

He said parents could achieve that by providing moral education and convenient teaching –learning atmosphere for the recipients.

Olanipekun , however, declared that the programme is borne out his genuine desire to impact positively on the lives of Nigerian future leaders in their immediate environment .

Fashola’s wife lauds Christians

T

HE wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, has praised Christians for supporting her husband to successfully steer the ship of the state.

She equally thanked mothers and fathers for bringing up their children in a God-fearing way and all tribes in Lagos for peaceful co-existence.

She spoke at the 2011 national thanksgiving service of the Christians Pentecostal Mission (CPM) with the theme: A Glorious Thanksgiving unto God in Lagos.

Mrs Fashola advised parents to be alive to their responsibilities, in order to train future leaders to build a nation where peace and unity will reign. She said that with more prayers, God will turn the situation around and citizens will live a crime-free life. She enjoined them to regularly pay their taxes and keep their environment clean to prevent erosion.

According to her, this would engender infrastructural development.

Also speaking, the wife of the former of Lagos State Governor, Senator Oluremi Tinubu expressed her gratitude to Rev and Dr Mercy Ezekiel for their support during her travails.

According to her, “they have watered my life and the Lord will bless them in return; the host of the programme are good mentors”.

She thanked God for triumphing over the challenges posed by the Peoples Democratic Party, saying that “the Action Congress of

By Charity Williams

Nigeria is concerned with the progress and development of the down trodden. ACN is a party of the future.” She thanked the church for being socially responsible within the community.

Also present at the thanksgiving service was the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Religious Matters (Christians) Rev.Sam Ogedengbe.

In his closing remarks, the General Overseer and National Co-coordinator of Christians Pentecostal Mission, Rev Obiora Ezekiel, told the congregation that God would remain God. He condemned the habit of being ungrateful, saying, Nigerians should learn to thank God for His infinite mercy over the country.

Police warn vehicle owners The Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of vehicles parked at the following police stations to remove them or forfeit same through auction.

Epe Police Station 1. Opel Astra-unregistered 2. Opel Kadet-B243MUS 3. Mack Trailer-XD542RBC Man Centre Police Station, Ikeja, Lagos 1. Peugeot 406 DV276EKY

•From left: Mrs Fashola, Rev Ezekiel and Senator Tinubu at the church service

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

Life

29

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

Text only: 08023058761

236-year-old statues speak from the forest – Page 31

•African Woman by Inua

Footnotes Footnotes:: Wewe’s message for the season – Page 32

Death in the house •The late Inua

•Artist’s death rocks expo

• SEE PAGE 30

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

30

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

The death of Emmanuel Inua, artist and gallery owner, last Friday night in an accident on the Ajah Lekki road, in Lagos, almost marred the opening of this year’s Art Expo on Saturday. OZOLUA UHAKHEME, Assistant Editor (Arts) reports.

Artist’s death rocks expo

F

RIDAY, last week, was particularly busy for Mr Emmanuel Inua, the proprietor of Time Art Gallery, Lagos. He worked throughout the day putting things together for this year’s International Art Expo in Lagos.

Inua later left for his Ajah home promising to return in the morning to complete the mounting of paintings in his gallery space at the main hall of the expo. He did not. He died in an accident on Lekki –Ajah Road, Lagos.

Before dawn, the news of his death had spread, creating doubt if the art expo would hold as planned.

For about three hours, the mood at the premises of the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, on Saturday morning was cold. Many wore long faces. Not just that the seats arranged at the car park of the museum, venue of the expo Lagos were empty, the guests were reluctant to sit on them.

Culture, Tourism and National Orientation Minister, Chief Edem Duke described Inua’s death as the loss of a close and trusted friend.

After observing a minute silence in memory of the departed artist, the minister reluctantly flagged off the expo.

He described the visual art sector as strategic to the transformation agenda of the administration. He said the Expo is a strategic catalyst for the economic growth of the nation as it creates awareness that the art sector is businessoriented, and if properly harnessed, could provide job for the youths. Art Expo Lagos is organised by the National Gallery of Art in collaboration with the Art Galleries Association of Nigeria.

Duke, who spoke at the opening of the Expo in Lagos, said art and culture are no less important than any other sector in the quest for the diversification of the economic base from oil and gas. He explained that if properly harnessed art is capable of attracting enough revenue to buoy up Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“If the Louvre in Paris alone can attract as much as 100,000 tourists annually, the positive economic effect of this exposition in terms of guided tours, hotels, food, trade and local tourism industry would be nothing short of monumental. The National Gallery of Art has continued to distinguish itself in this area of public awareness and appreciation of the visual art,” he added.

The minister said his interest in the expo is its possibility in providing alternative source of appreciable revenue generation. “Let an, therefore, march together in this onerous responsibility of building a huge source of economic base for sustainable development, consequently a greater Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that to achieve this, the three tiers of government must put in place institutional framework to complement the efforts of the National Gallery of Art, while the private sector/corporate bodies and other stakeholders should be the driving force in the promotion and sponsorship of programmes such as this.

He said: “Art is no longer for passing time. It is now a source of entrepreneurial endeavour and I would like to use this opportunity to call on Nigerian banks and other corporate bodies, gallery owners, art promoters, stakeholders to assist the visual art sector, which is the bedrock of industrial development in order to enhance the new entrepreneurial thinking in the visual art sector.”

NGA Director-General, Abdulahi Muku said the essence of the expo is not only to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nigerians, but to serve as a veritable art trading event for gallery owners, patrons, art dealers, and corporate art buyers. Muku regretted the non-inclusion of workshop and lecture sessions as well as the December date of the expo but assured that the traditional hosting month of August would be sustained.

He blamed this on circumstances beyond the organisers’ control.

Last year, 31 galleries participated in the expo, featuring about 635 exhibits, such as painting, print, textile, drawing, sculpture, photography, mixed media, bead and leather works.

This year’s expo, which will run till December 10, will not feature the regular workshop and lecture sessions on topical issues. Yet, it is the first expo to be attended by a culture minister since its inception in 2008 during Joe Musa’s tenure as Director-General of NGA. The news of the death of Inua was a low point of the expo.

Twenty-four galleries are participating in the expo, one gallery each from the Republic of Benin and Togo.

•Untitled by Rasheed Amodu

‘Art is no longer for passing time. It is now a source of entrepreneurial endeavour and I would like to use this opportunity to call on Nigerian banks and other corporate bodies, gallery owners, art promoters, stakeholders to assist the visual art sector, which is the bedrock of industrial development in order to enhance the new entrepreneurial thinking in the visual art sector’ •Duke

The late Emmanuel Inua

U

NTIL his death, Emmanuel was the chairman of the Time Art Gallery, World Heritage Art Galleries Ltd., African Heritage Art Fairs, Rubbies Modeling Agency and Daniels Super Stores. He was an executive member of Art Galleries Association of Nigeria, (AGAN) where he served as the chairman, Disciplinary/Welfare committee. He was born in Itu, Akwa Ibom State in April 1966.

He was a 1987 graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, (Zaria Art School) and has held several solo and group exhibitions in Nigeria, South Africa and Europe.

Emmanuel had works in major public and private collections in Nigeria including 27 paintings at the National Assembly, Abuja, 15 paintings at the Nigerian Communications Commission, Abuja, five paintings at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos, 12 paintings at the ECOWAS Court headquarters, Abuja, 40 paintings at Protea Hotels, Calabar.

Other prominent collectors of his works include Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Alhaji Abubakar, Chief Sunny Odogwu, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, Chief Andy Uba, Chief Peter Odili, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River state, Chief Luck Igbenedion, Chief Micheal Agbaso, Chief Frank Okonta, Mr. Onwuka, Mr. Aswani, Mr Chidoka Osita, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Ben Ikimi, Chief Patrick Ogboma, Chief Edem Duke, Data Amachree, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters, Angela Onyeador, Phillip Letan, Rodney Asikhia, Prof. Adewoye, Prof. Ajakaiye, Prof. Muhammadu Kah, Chief Newton Jibunoh, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Dr. Alloy, Chief Chike, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, Pastor Federick KC Price, Prof. Pat Utomi, Mrs. Muritala Muhammed, Alhaji Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Emmanuel was also a musician, photographer, poet, and wrote stories and scripts for movie production.

•African Woman by Inua

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

31

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

236-year-old statues speak from the forest

T

HE over 1,500 Esie soapstone statues were discovered in mysterious circumstances in the thick forest in 1775. The site of the images was said to have been at a distance of about 300 metres from the inhabited parts of the town.

About 236 years after the historic event, which positively altered the fate and fame of the town and placed it on world’s map, Who carved that statues? remained the question by many. The ‘Esie Mysteries’, as they are most often referred to, have so far defied all previous efforts to unravel them.

Esie, about 53km from Ilorin, capital of Kwara State, is an ancient Igbomina Yoruba town that is rich, very rich, in unique historical monuments, including the 100 years old Cathedral Church of Saint Michael (Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion), the Elesie’s ancient palace, the burial place of past Esie monarchs at Agbo Ile Ooye, Baragbon’s final resting place at Oke-Sanlu on which stands today a distinct monument with a modest plaque that lists the names of all past Elesie, various historical tools and artefacts, but the Esie National Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of realistic human representations in African stone sculptures is the main attraction to the town.

According to oral historical sources, including the Elesie of Esieland, HRH Oba Yakubu Babalola Egunjobi II, and Chief Agbo Ooye, Baragbon was reputed for constantly embarking on hunting expeditions during which he usually spent many months in the bush. They attest to the fact that it was during one of such activities that the more than 1,500 statutes in soapstone were discovered together in the bush by the founder of Esie and renowned hunter in 1775.

After their initial fears of the mysterious images, the Elesie continued, the people consulted ‘Ifa’ and were given assurances that the Stone Images were harmless; rather, they would guard and protect the land and its people. They eventually appointed a Chief Priest (Aworo) called ‘Ayarun’ in the Igbomina variant of the Yoruba language to lead the regular worship of the stone statues. The statues were the most dominant gods in Esie cosmology but with the advent of Christianity and Islam, Esie people have stopped worshiping the images.

Baragbon had found the statues neatly seated in a semi-circle formation under a palm tree with the ‘Oba Ere’ (King) of the images seated in the middle as if presiding over a community meeting. A tree known locally as ‘Peregun’ was planted to demarcate the site of discovery in 1775. Fresh excavations carried out in 2008 revealed that more of the statues are still buried in the ground.

Another important and interesting site within the Museum compound is the Shrine where the people of Esie used to worship the mysterious statues before the advent of western and other foreign lifestyles. The shrine is arranged in three layers with the King, the Queen and errand or slave boy in sitting positions. Some paraphernalia of office are also on display.

Precisely 170 years after Baragbon’s historic discovery of the Statues and about two years after the founding of the Nigeria Antiquity Service, now known as the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the British Colonial Government had established the first ever Museum in Nigeria. The year was 1945. The place was Esie, in present day Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. And the main purpose was to preserve the unique Soapstone Statues, and terra cotta heads ‘reminiscent of Ife and Nok’ that were first discovered in 1775 by the people of Esie town.

Available information at the Esie National Museum indicates that the soapstone statues range in height from 14 to 120 centimetres and weigh between 0.55 and 104 kilograms. They are described as realistic representations of men and women mostly seated

•Some soapstone statues

By Yomi Adeboye on stools and sometimes kneeling. Royalty and well being pervade this collection with many of the stone images adorned with beads and headgears. Some of the statues play musical instruments, hold machetes, arrows, and other objects. Others simply place their hands on their knees as if in deep contemplation.

Their various facial marks, diverse and rich paraphernalia, occupations and elaborate hair dos attest to the strong likelihood of earlier contacts between the people of the area and other major civilisations in parts of Africa South of the Sahara. In addition to the Yoruba culture, some sources have suggested links between many others as they depict styles identifiable in parts of Nupe land, Benin (Edo), South Sudan, Egypt, Ghana, among others.

Besides, the artistic sophistry and aesthetic values are further buttressed by the accuracy of rendition of the various highly elaborate hairstyles; the skills, technology and vision that could have produced the Esie masterpieces remain mysteries to be unravelled and that will never cease to awe those with creative inclinations.

According to the renowned historian, scholar and culture patriot, Prof. (Mrs) Bolanle Awe, “Apart from being the mother that gave birth to all other museums in Nigeria, the unresolved mysteries of the Esie soapstone statues reinforces the unique point that they represent an indispensable link to key epochs in the history of mankind.”

She informed that the Esie Monuments

Festival Committee, which she chairs, was established by concerned culture patriots of Esie origin to ensure the preservation, protection and projection of all Esie cultural heritages for the benefit of the people and community. It also aims to call attention to the plights of the museum. One of the platforms by which it seeks to carry out this task, she explained, is the annual festival which is premised on the first ever National Museum in the country.

While explaining that the history of the festival dates back to the year 1850, National Secretary of the Committee Mr Ololade Oyeyipo said the modernised, tourismdriven festival began in 2005, with the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the museum, which is said to be the first Museum in Nigeria. Oyeyipo urged the Federal, State and Local Governments to accord Esie National Museum and the host community the attention, assistance and respect they deserve.

The Esie Monuments Festival next edition will begin from February 16, 2012, with an international workshop/launch at Kwara Hotels, Ilorin. Events slated for the second day (February 17) including the flag-off of hunting expedition, food Fest/exhibition and traditional musical /cultural displays will hold at the Esie National Museum grounds. Apart from the hunting expedition final, cultural display and masquerade dances will feature at its grand finale on February 18.

If the Esie National Museum were a republic, the Oba Ere (King of the Images) and his subjects would have conferred the NCMM staff with various national honours

•Oyeyipo

and citizenship; but even after years of living, working, caring for and interacting with the Esie Stone Statues, the Curator, Mr. Stephen Ibecheozor and his colleagues still have no answer yet to the simple question on every visitor’s lips.

One can only hope, along with numerous others across the world who have encountered the mystery of the museum over the past 236 years, that one day in the future, providence will shed divine light on scholars’ and researchers’ paths to the right answer to that age-long question: ‘Who Carved the Esie Stone Statues?’

Forum tackles water scarcity in Africa

T

HE increasing challenges posed to access to potable water by human activities, especially in urban centres, have assumed larger dimension.

The African Leadership Forum (ALF) in collaboration with Melody for Dialogue Among Civilisations Association (MDACA) have organised the first regional conference to deliberate on how to improve water management in Africa as well as how to ensure sustainable use of water for Africans.

The conference, which was held at ALF premises in Ota, featured both national and international participants including, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Deputy Director, General United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Hans d’ Orville, former Nigeria permanent representative to UNESCO Ambassador Michael Omolewa, Executive Di-

By Miriam Ndikanwu

rector ALF, Mr Ayodele Aderinwale; President, MDACA, Ms. Mehri Madarshahi, among others.

There was also a musical-drama performance stage by Ara musical troupe, on the theme ‘The Breath Of Water Holds Life to further communicate the objectives of the conference, which include, increased partnerships on water sustainability, increased communication on water use in Africa by 2015 and improve water management capability by decision makers in Africa.

Former President Obasanjo stressed the need for African leaders to re-focus governance agenda to encouraging multistakeholder involvement in water governance. ”This will help address the concerns associated with water shortages, the allocation of trans-boundary water resources, the man-

agement of national water resources, pollution reduction and the development of capacity and knowledge for water resource management. The emphasis on leadership at all levels cannot be over stretched,” he said.

Obasanjo also lamented that many African nations would fail to achieve the Millennium Development Goal’s safe water target by 2015, adding that many more would miss the sanitation target that stipulates that by that 2015, they reduce by half the proportion of the population without sustainable access to basic sanitation.

HE uncurbed the effects pollution have left most freshwater sources in crisis with many rivers and lakes already polluted, severely degraded or degraded or disappearing due to destruction of forests, watersheds and other environmental systems.”

•Continued on page 32

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

32

The Midweek Magazine POEM

Milk taxis

By Habib Akewusola

These the self acclaimed land Called milk gold.

I have been standing By the signpost, Putting on my best coat.

Some white stones fall And cause me cold.

No milk taxi wants To pack my load.

One says I am made Of coal which would Stain his cloths.

I pick a leaf to Clean my skin, I see no coal.

We have the same nose, There’s is long like hose.

Under the sun there’s No fixed home, I will never reject Your toast.

We all are made of The same bones.

Good music Once the voice of rain Is heard.

Everything on earth dance for Help and get wet.

As loud beats hit the ruff, Books on the stool in my room Adjust to this mood, The pages flip in speed As the wind predicts.

Lighting takes the hook, With his dynamic flute That has no two.

Lots of energy, You can differentiate his tune.

This rhythm has caused Man no dime.

They are tools to show My Creator is good.

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Footnotes: Wewe’s message for the season

A

DIFFERENT world produces a different experience and provides a different style for expressing the experience.

That captures the content of Footnotes, a solo art exhibition of paintings and terra cotta pieces by Tola Wewe, which opened last Saturday at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos.

The exhibition is his first outing since returning to studio after serving as Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

Footnotes is featuring 42 works, out of which 19 are terra cotta pieces that reflect most of his old and new styles of expression, especially the romantic metaphor as thread that runs through his early works. But in particular, Footnotes serves as references to his more recent styles; the styles that enable him to travel to deeper levels of visual engagements into the heart of the subjects.

There are such works as The silence of Rhythms, Waiting in the night wind, Return of our mother, The first dawn, The lovers rift, Young man and his wife, Seeing is believing, The mist of lost village, While waiting for Mr. Governor, Postulants and Victims of e-scan.

Return of our mother, a piece that reminds many of the travail of his kidnapped old mother sometime ago, captures a feminine figure on the horse back like an equestrian war heroine returning home from the battle field. The adjoining figures and motifs depict a victory dance especially the white horse that is at the centre of the painting, which also serves as a focal point.

Unlike other works, While waiting for Mr Governor, is satirical. Like a commentary on the abuse and misuse of the creative artists by government functionaries, Wewe paints a typical scene showing four women dancers performing for guests while waiting for the governor. From the expression on the faces of the dancers, viewers can deduce that the performers and their acts seem not to be of value to nobody.

Even still, there seems not to be harmony in the flow of their dance steps and the movement of the eyes. That raises the question of why do we fail to promote our cultural heritage?

Wewe said he has gone through several styles since leaving the university but that

•The return of our mothers by Wewe

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

he is back fully into art to embrace all the styles having strayed into politics in the last three years when he served as commissioner for culture and tourism in Ondo State.

“I am still Tola Wewe. For now, I am fully into arts and can’t say bye to politics. In fact, for Nigeria to have good governance, people with steady job should be allowed to govern to avoid the do or die mentality,” he noted.

When asked how politics has influenced his works, he said: “Politics have shaped my opinions especially in the conception of some works. Anyway, I was never far from arts because I served as commissioner for culture and tourism in Ondo State. I was still able to hold tow art exhibitions during my tenure as

commissioner. But I missed the studio work.”

The OAU trained artist sees himself as a messenger carrying out instructions each time he is in the studio painting. “Some people call me Iwin wondering how was able to produce the quantity of works for this show. Still, I don’t think of what to paint, I just get painting most time,” he said.

Reacting to recent controversy on the founding father of ONA, Wewe explained that the controversy was not out of place because at the end of the day, it was reaffirmed that five artists were founding members of the group. It was good for Nigerian art. “But my position is that it was a group thing. And I am putting up a group art exhibition to feature all the founding members of ONA as a way to put paid to all the noise,” he said of his plans.

Forum tackles water scarcity •Continued from page 31

•Former Nigeria’s President, Olusegun Obasanjo (right) in a chat with Assistant DirectorGeneral for Strategic Planning, UNESCO, Hans d’ Orville (middle) and former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Ambassador Michael Omolewa, at the first Africa Regional Water Conference in Ota.

Aderinwale said recent research conducted by the forum revealed a link between water and poverty.

He enthused that the conference was geared towards putting together resource persons whose contributions will prove useful in the development of a co-ordinated strategy to improve awareness on water issues.

He explained that the sourcing, utilisation and management of water resources in Africa have assumed critical proportion considering that more than 300 million out of 800 million person who live in the continent, live in water-scace environment.

He urged the participants on the need to use their contributions to adopt a coordinated strategy that will improve awareness on water issues.

In his presentation, Hans d’Orville, said Africa loses about $28.4billion yearly due to lack of access to potable water.

He noted that despite the success of regions including Northern Africa, who have met the drinking water target, rural areas still

remain at a disadvantage in all developing regions with eight out of 10 rural people still without access to an improved drinking water source.

According to him, “While those gaps still remain to be filled after 2015, it can be predicted that the expansion of agricultural and industrial activities in the next decades will create environmental challenges most notably in terms of pollution and groundwater contamination, which is a serious threat”.

He also revealed that 2.5 billion people across the world still lack access to improved sanitation facility while 48 per cent of the populations in developing regions are without basic sanitation.

“In sub-Saharan Africa, 500 million people are without access to sanitation, representing 69 percent of the population”, Hans added.

He stressed that the situation calls for concern, saying that decision makers should be particularly worried that progress of sanitation is extremely slow in urban areas, where 50 percent of the world population dwells, a figure expected to rise to 60 per cent by 2050.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

33

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

POEM

Mound for sharing

By Prof. Olalere oladitan

Iyan ti mo gun...

Baba, ma je n nikan je Amala ti moro...

Baba, ma je n nikan je Obe ti mo se...

Baba, maje n nikan je Adura ti mo gba Muu se, Edumare muu se Mound of pounded yam, Smooth warm and ‘lastic, Placed ready in my plate, Baba, not for me sole to consume !

Mound of hot amala-laafun Turned, twisted smooth and light Deep-dished in gbegiri and ewedu, Baba, not for me sole to consume !

Bush meat pieces in stew, hot scents Seven spirits in seven condiments Iru in drawing soup too Baba, not for me sole to consume !

Iyan ti mo gun...

Baba, ma je n nikan je Amala ti moro...

Baba, ma je n nikan je Obe ti mo se...

Baba, maje n nikan je Adura ti mo gba Muu se, Edumare muu se

•Water colour paintings by Ovraiti

Terra Kulture hosts watercolour masters

S

AM Ovraiti and Lekan Onabanjo, will on Saturday, at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos present collections of

water-colour paintings at a joint art exhibition entitled; Contemporary Water-colours – A Visual Soliloquy. It will be open till December 15.

It is a way to round off the year as well as to inspire younger Nigerian artists to embrace the medium many perceive as difficult to handle. Each artist will feature 35 paintings, which will be juried, but these works will be mirroring individual artist’s reactions to daily happenings in the society, ranging from governance, to environment, youth, family issues, technology and development The exhibition is a collaborative effort to feature two top members of the Watercolour Society of Nigeria (WSN), who have something of their own in content and style.

By Ozolua Uhakheme Assistant Editor (Arts)

The hosting of the exhibition, according to the management of Terra Kulture, is due primarily to public and popular demand to view quality water-colours from the masters.

“It will feature paintings that reflect their failures and triumphs over a medium that we love so much. Works are drawn from the archives and recent results with a goal to position the medium for the next generation of painters,” the gallery said.

In their paintings they go ahead to clarify their thoughts and ideas and put them down in colour as fast as they can.

They paint as it goes and when they reach the destination they know. They stop and allow the viewer to continue the picture in his mind’s eye, in his heart.

Fullworks Foundation loves art and creativity and isglad to identify with the

joint exhibition. It said: “Art is the food for the soul. The support given to creative artists is support given to the vessels that enliven our souls. We are happy to be part of the creative impulse of Lekan Onabanjo and Sam Ovraiti who have taken their place in the art scene in Nigeria. We hope this collaboration with artists will grow into bigger and better creativity in our world.

But for Ovraiti, the exhibition is one opportunity to recall with nostalgia those creative exercises that helped to sharpen his talent.

“It is exactly 50 years ago, in Zaria, Nigeria. Elizabeth and Jacob, also called Ovraiti, brought me to this world. Elizabeth was an embroidery expert and Jacob was noted for his sonorous voice. I copied this from him. I sing. I took a part of both parents but I directed my energy of creativity to drawing at an early age. I sang, I drew and painted.”

Lagos Court convicts book pirate

T

HE Federal High Court 10, Ikoyi, Lagos has convicted a man of a two-count charge of book piracy, bordering on unauthorised sale and distribution of 274 copies of assorted literary works, including text books in which copyright subsists, belonging to Macmillan Publishers.

The judgement was delivered by Justice Muhammed Idris on November 16, 2011 following an amended charge instituted on November 15, 2011 against Chibueze Obi by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

A certified true copy (CTC) of the judgement issued in Lagos on November 29, 2011, by the court’s Senior Assistant Registrar, Mrs L. N. Amike, disclosed that the accused person, who had pleaded guilty, was upon conviction, fined N100 per infringing copy of the 274 pirated books, totaling N54,800 fine.

The defence counsel, Leonard Nwogidi

Esq., pleaded for leniency consequent upon the accused person’s “guilty” plea to a two-count charge of sale and distribution of published works protected by copyright.

Prosecution counsel to the Commission, Douglas Najime Esq., had upon the amended charge, applied that the accused be convicted based on his plea of “guilty”, the facts as reviewed and the exhibits tendered.

According to the CTC, the presiding judge held as follows: “That the accused person is hereby found guilty as charged in view of the plea of the accused person, the facts as reviewed and the exhibits tendered. The convict shall pay a fine of N100 (One Hundred Naira) for every copy dealt with in contravention of Section 20 (2) (a) and 20 (2) (b) of the Copyright Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Meanwhile, Honourable Justice Ajoku

of Federal High Court (Annex), Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagos has reserved December 16, 2011 for judgement in the case of software piracy, FHC/L/369C/ 11, filed by Nigerian Copyright Commission Vs Paragon Nig. Ltd. The accused was charged by the Commission on a two-count charge of commercial possession and offer for sale for purposes of trade of 11 infringing copies of software whose copyright belongs to Microsoft.

The accused, represented by Uma Omai Esq., was first arraigned on November 28, 2011 and pleaded guilty to both counts. The matter has so far come up for hearing three times.

The prosecution counsel, Douglas Najime Esq., had tendered five exhibits, and having reviewed the facts of the case, urged the court to convict the accused upon the plea of “guilty” to the charge.

Mounds of praises in words or hymns Mounds of requests in sighs and signs Raised up daily now as ever, All burdens turned over to you !

Not me sole, Baba !

Not You sole, either !

My diligence, Your gift Your perfection, Your fulfilment too The whole year through !

Iyan ti mo gun...

Baba, ma je n nikan je Amala ti moro...

Baba, ma je n nikan je Obe ti mo se...

Baba, maje n nikan je Adura ti mo gba Muu se, Edumare muu se Odun a y’abo !

EXHIBITION

US Consulate holds talk/ exhibition on Uli Art THE Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate will hold a talk/exhibition on Uli Art tomorrow at the Public Affairs Multi-Purpose Room by 1.30pm. The exhibition will feature works geared towards re-inventing the disappearing Igbo Uli art through the means of craft and art. It is led by Krydz Ikwuemesi, a painter and theorist. He is the founding member and International Secretary of the PanAfrican Circles of Artists (PACA). He is the Emeritus President of The Art Republic and visiting Associate Professor at the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka, Japan. He is a Senior Lecturer at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu.

With the support of the US Consulate General, Lagos (2009) and the US Ambassador’s Self-Help Grant (2010), Ikwuemesi has been working with selected village women and art students towards a re-invention of the disappearing Igbo Uli art through the means of craft and art.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 , 2011

34

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

•From left: ANA trustee, Prof. Labo Yari, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi, ANA former president, Dr Agada

•Cross section of writers

Thirty years on, Nigeria’s literati, under the auspices of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), has kept alive the vision of its founding fathers. And so, writers from within and outside the country converged on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for its international convention. It was filled with suspense, confusion, tension and more, reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

T

HE Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is 30.

And Abuja was the destination of its annual international convention. It was the third time the writers would converge on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The first was in 1985 when the late Mamman Vatsa gave ANA the land for the proposed Writers’ Village; and in 1997 when Abubakar Gimba was elected president.

And so, this year’s edition was meant to be a ‘home coming’ for writers… a literary feast filled with lots of creative trills and erudite frills as its past ones. Writers thronged the city with nostalgia and expectations. Many had thought that since it was holding in the FCT, it would add more colour to the yearly literary festival. They were wrong. Things turned out differently.

The frequent cancellations of planned events, the stress of travelling long distance from the outskirts and faraway Nasarawa State during the four-days event, in addition to accommodation troubles, almost forced many, such as Pa Gabriel Okara, to return to their states two days into the fourday event. But the love for creative writing kept them on.

Instead of touring Gurara Falls, writers spent Friday afternoon at the Millennium Park, Abuja. They made it worth their while by turning it into a makeshift open mic event where ace poet Odia Ofeimun spoke against the hitches. “With what is happening, we are in trouble.”

Okara said: “It is all crazy… all these cancellations and change in the programmes. Nobody knows what would happen the next minute. It is crazy, I tell you! The worst of all is the experience at Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre. One is almost regretting coming but we are here anyway. I guess we have to make the best of it.”

Also, shortlisted writers who were waiting to see if they emerged winners of this year’s ANA prizes were disappointed as there was no awards ceremony, only dinner that came late in the night at the Sheraton and Towers, Abuja.

Being an election year, when new executives would be elected to steer the association forward, many chose to endure the ‘cross’. In spite of the logistic problems and tension that surrounded this year’s election, their resilient spirit paid off as they elected their executives with Prof. Remi Raji emerging as president and his vice, Denja Abdullahi last Saturday at the Raw Material Research Centre. But the new excos were saddled with the burden of settling debts incurred from the convention.

Worst still was when some members from Oyo, Bayelsa and Kaduna states, among others were prevented from checking out due to the debts incurred from their accommodation payments.

The former ANA Rivers Chair, Minima Miesoinuma , who was with ANA Bayelsa, said: “The experience of ABUJA 2011 will for a long time leave its ugly taste on the writers' palate.

In the annals or the organisation nothing comparable of this has ever been experienced. The Convention cum anniversary ironically turned out to be a chaotic long four-day painful soul searching wildfire pilgrimage in an unfriendly capital, a theatre of the absurd, a baptism of fire of sort for both the young and the old. People were almost fainting because it took a long while before the excos could sought the dinner venue. The thrill to see the great Abuja City, or the excitement to associate with great writers turned sour by the second day. It seems that the virus that has attacked the Nigerian State has found its way into the life of the association whose principal business is and should be that of literature and sound thought. On the last day, the outgoing president stood, cap in hand, begging for arms to be able to pay up accumulated hotel bills.”

The local organising committee (LOC) and the outgoing executives blamed the hiccups experienced at the convention on lack of financial support from the government and corporate

ANA house of confusion! bodies and global cash crunch. And when it became obvious that the convention may not hold, the outgoing President, Dr Jerry Agada, staked his personal fund just to make sure it held, it was learnt.

“The feeling was that if the convention was shifted, it would seem we are trying to run away from holding an election. The road has been very rough and has been so for some reasons, beginning with the paucity of funds with which to run our planned programmes. The world economic recession did not help either. Our usually very reliable traditional corporate friends had enough of their own financial challenges to deal with and were understandably constraint to help when we went calling for support. Added to this is what I would call, a general apathy towards support for literature and literary activism. I had to cough out N2 million so that it would hold when it was apparent that the LOC had not raised any fund. I advise states bidding to host the subsequent convention to do their homework well. With the fantastic speech Abuja chapter gave during the Akure convention, one would have thought that everything would have been different,” he said.

On his part, Dr Seyi Adigun said: “We regret the flaws and apologise for any inconveniences which was due to circumstances we could not control. We failed to raise funds not because we had no plans. We wrote over 800 proposals to prospective sponsors, including the government agencies, corporate bodies and friends of ANA, but they complained of cash crunch. Many made promises but that was only what we could get aside N350, 000 cash. I am not sure if you are going to get the N2 million you gave back.”

However, ANA members picked holes in their excuse, saying that after postponing the convention by one-month measures should have been put in place to close up the gaps.

Former Assistant General Secretary, Alkasim Abdulkadir,

•Pa Okara (left) and Chief Atani Okpofaa Otobotekere

noted: “We could have done better, this shouldn’t be allowed to happen again; measures should be taken to avoid such occurrence. For example, there should be a willing and standby hosting chapter to take over if a chapter can’t meet up to its expected mandate. A lot of man hours were lost transporting delegates to venues. Dr. Agada’s sacrifice of his time and resources ensured the convention held at the end.”

The hitches, the ANA Akwa Ibom Secretary, Akan Essien, said is a reflection of the values given to the writer and the development of creative writing in country. “The society feels that writers are disorganised because of too much reading. We want to correct this concept by making sure that our hosting of the convention next year in Akwa Ibom would set a precedence of how a convention should be held,” he said.

On her part, former ANA Lagos Treasurer, Iquo Eke, noted: “Given the low funding, we are told they had, I guess, it couldn’t have been better. We hope for a better one next year” For Abdullahi, the new executives would seek to uphold the association’s vision. “I believe the future of the association is bright in the hands of its current leadership.”

In spite of the plenary sessions still held at the Continental Hotel. Papers were delivered by Dr Ngozi Chuma Udeh, Dr Idegu Emmy Unuja, Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu Aliche, among others.

According to Prof. Tanure Ojaide, the keynote speaker, literature is a catalyst for human development that inspires people to stretch their imaginative potentials for physical development and the well-being.

“Without human development there can be no industrial or other forms of development. That is why there must be a ‘homecoming’ for writers, not merely a call for those in exile or the Diaspora to come home but an inward-looking exploration for literary strategies and fresh visions to drastically improve the African condition in the areas of health, education, and standard of living and in eliminating the rate of inequality, poverty, gender gap, and human insecurity.

“Thus, the ‘homecoming’ is a summons to community service to contribute to human development in whatever way possible with the writing. The writer should be balanced in telling the good and bad in the African experience. African literature has to be involved in the advocacy of this new cosmopolitanism of making Africans aware of others and others aware of Africans.

African literature needs ‘homecoming’ on many fronts: physical, spiritual and metaphorical,” he said.

LIFELI

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

35

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

Book keeping for starters

T

HE author of this book has a rich blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in accounting spanning over four decades. The book benefitted from several decades of accounting scholarship and remarkable hands-on experience, especially, in the services of the Federal government of Nigeria.

His experiences as a lecturer of Accounting in the Federal College of Education, College of Technology, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration; in the university and as a lecturer of the subject for domestic and foreign accountancy professional bodies’ examinations are pertinent. The diverse backgrounds place the author in a vantage position to appreciate the needs of accounting students. These, also, place a burden on the author in setting relevant objectives and ensuring that these objectives are met through the book. It is against these objectives that a review of the book is anchored.

Accounting as a discipline connotes a mixed grill of a dreadful and pleasant subject to students. Most viewed the subject as difficult but quite rewarding. However, many students of accounting have fallen by the wayside because of its perceived technicality and difficulty. Like in other numerate subjects, the manner the students are introduced to the subject is quite important.

Not many books in the marketplace can surely be rated high as meeting the requirement of a step-by-step guide that stimulates rather than congeals the students’ interest. The author aptly recognised the vacuum in meeting the needs of neophyte student accountants and sought to solve this problem through the book. In other words, the author attempted to provide a student companion in financial accounting to meet the needs of various students at the General Certificate of Education, tertiary institutions and professional levels.

This book consists of forty chapters. The shortest chapter (Chapter 4) which treats ‘Financial Accounting Books, Documents, Records, Users and Uses’ is presented in 5 pages while the longest chapter (Chapter 7: Theoretical Book-Keeping II) is exposed in 36 pages. The sequencing of the chapter appears to be cumulative in the expected prerequisite knowledge without sacrificing the benefits of assimilating the contents of some chapters by going directly to them.

For example, the contents of chapters 1-8 are required to effectively treat chapter 9 (Ledger Balances and Extraction of Trial Balance). However, chapter 5 which treats forms of business organisation can be read and understood independently of other chapters. Also, a student needs to understand Chapter 12 (Accruals and Prepayment), Chapter 13 (Provisions for Bad and Doubtful Debts and Discounts) and Chapter 14 (Provisions for Depreciation and Assets Disposal) to fully handle Chapters 16 (Final Accounts involving Adjustments) and Chapter 17 (Final Accounts of Manufacturing Business). Chapters 36 (Payroll Administration) and 38 (Introduction to Data Processing) can be read independently of other chapters without significant loss of understanding.

One of the pedagogical values of the book is its emphasis on double entry bookkeeping. The importance of dexterity in opening relevant ledger accounts and recording appropriate accounting entries in them cannot be overemphasised. This skill, which the book builds amply, is particularly important, especially, in this age of globalisation with its complementary emphasis on ever changing information technology. This need is emphasised here as many of our students are carried away by a gamut of computer outputs which obscure the basis of their preparation and hence obviate students’ full understanding. A student that is well grounded in the art and practice of bookkeeping as exposed in the book has an advantage in switching to computerised accounting and forging ahead in his or her

Book on branding for launch

BOOK REVIEW Title: Author:

Financial Accounting for Beginners

By Evelyn Osagie

J.B. AKEJU (2011)

Reviewer: Semiu Babatunde Adeyemi Publisher: JBA Associates Ltd., Lagos Pagination: 572 study of accounting and allied subjects.

The book provides a basic Introduction to Company Accounts in Chapter 25, deals with Issues and Redemption of Shares in Chapter 26 and treats the Final Accounts of Companies in Chapter 28.

The presentations in these chapters appear to be adequate for the new accounting students. Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of the book is its treatment of the various aspects of Partnership Accounts covered in five chapters (Chapter 21: Introduction to Partnership Accounts; Chapter 22: Goodwill and Assets Revaluation; Chapter 23: Admission and Retirement of Partners; Chapter 24: Dissolution of Partnership; and Chapter 30: Conversion of Partnership to Limited Liability Company). The contribution of Chapter 30 is quite significant and remarkable. Many extant accounting textbooks either mention this aspect of Partnership Account in passing or fail to accord it any recognition. This topic will help many interested students, and also commends the book as a reference material even to advanced learners.

The book’s coverage of Incomplete Records (Chapter 32) and Accounts of Not for Profit Organisations (Chapter 32) is also worthy of note. Many Nigerian businesses are run without complete accounting records. This makes the technique of incomplete records germane. The technique is also required to prepare the accounts of Not for Profit Organisation which are run mostly by non-accountants who do not usually keep and run complete records of accounting transactions.

The practical interest in Public Sector Accounting (Chapter 37) is also relevant.

One, this topic is included in many professional accounting examination bodies’ syllabi. Second, Government currently appears to be the single largest employer of labour, hence the importance attached to understanding their financial statements.

Third, in a democratic dispensation of which Nigeria is a part, accountability in governance places a responsibility on both the governed and government to understand public sector accounting as presented in the chapter, and audited at various times.

In future, the value added of this book can be enhanced by also providing a

chapter to cover the absorption of one sole trader’s assets and liabilities by another sole trader. This is sometimes found in practice and will assist the student in appreciating the relevant accounting techniques. The author divided the presentation of relevant questions into three: in-text questions which are answered in the relevant chapter when the relevant principles are treated; Revision Objective and Short Answer Questions (Chapter 39); and Revision Theory Questions (Chapter 40). For improved values, it is suggested that the author includes some additional questions at the end of each chapter with short answers provided as a feedback and to instil confidence in the students in relation to the relevant materials studied.

The book suffers from some typographical and grammatical lapses. For instance, on page 500 the spelling of Peachtree was wrongly presented. Still on page 500, first line, ‘application packages’ should replace ‘application package’. In presenting Question 68 on page 550 ‘asset and liabilities’ should have been presented as ‘assets and liabilities’. These are avoidable through a painstaking editing of the manuscript.

The author sets out to introduce accounting to beginners. The tone of the book is formal and clear. The writing style adopted is lucid and stimulating. The use of humorous names well identified by readers also helps to arrest the attention of readers. The gamut of knowledge presented is quite robust. In summary, the book appears to have clearly accomplished its intended purpose. It is recommended to accounting students as a prime text, and to lecturers and accounting practitioners as a teaching and reference material.

A new book entitled: Basics of Branding has been introduced into the markets. It will be formally presented on this Friday at the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) BrandForum holding in Lagos.

The book provides entrepreneurs with branding knowledge and assisting them in the bid to get their businesses properly branded The 122-page book, written by Mrs Oluwaseun Ogunleye, is a total departure from the norm. It is highly enlightening, colorful, graphical and visually engaging is an essential guide and handbook for every entrepreneur.

At a media unveiling, Ogunleye said, the book is a product of her passion and desire to add value to businesses in the area of branding.

The book is well-researched. It contains an assemblage of key branding terms, concepts and possible solutions to common branding problems faced by entrepreneurs. It therefore serves as a brand glossary, handbook and reference material at the same time. It is a brandbuilding companion for all entrepreneurs who will not only find the e-book enlightening, but also helpful in making sound branding decisions as the need arises.”

The book is available on Compact Discs makes copious references to Nigerian brands in order to encourage owners of small businesses not to see branding as a feat that cannot be achieved.

It will be available for sale at major bookstores in Lagos and across Nigeria after the launch.

Ogunleye is the Managing Director of Thots & Works, an organisation dedicated to the advancement of SME brands. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ogunleye holds a degree in English Language.

As a brand consultant and facilitator, Ogunleye said she is committed to the success of the businesses of entrepreneurs she interacts with on daily basis. With a strong desire to impart knowledge to Nigerian SMEs, she shares hard nuggets and learning on branding with her budding audience through her bi-monthly Brandforum, a free brand enlightenment workshop. In addition, she coordinates and facilitates SME Branding Workshops regularly.

According to her, she has trained entrepreneurs on branding in different places, including Enterprise Development Centre of the prestigious Pan African University, Fate Foundation, as well as in Ghana.

•From left: Osun State Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr Gbenga Ojo; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; President, NIPR, Mallam Muhammed Abdullai; Vice-President, Dr. Dennis Ekemezie and Registrar, Dr. Adebayo Stephen, during the investiture of Governor Aregbesola as the Patron of NIPR, at GMT Event Centre, Osogbo, Osun State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

36

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

•Nigerian pilgrims during a visit to the Church of Gethsemane

Osundare shares Katrina poems in Lagos

T

HE Friends of the Arts Lagos (FOAL) and the Life House present the poet laureate, literary scholar, Prof Niyi Osundare reading from his new collection of poetry, ‘City Without People: The Katrina Poems’ , which has just been released in the United States. The reading will hold on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at The Life House, 33 Sinari Daranijo Street, (near Zenith Bank Headquarters), off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos by 5pm.

Last year, in a preface to the City Without People: The Katrina Poems, Beyond the Invisibility of Pain, Osundare wrote: “It is five years now since Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast with a near-apocalyptic ferocity, inflicting sundry losses and countless bereavement. The catastrophe wrought by this storm changed many lives forever: the child who lost an only parent; the painter who lost his favourite work; the pianist who lost a piano passed down from many generations; the professor who lost her library; the writer who lost his manuscripts; the businessman who lost his factory; the singer who lost her voice (literally and figuratively); a city which (nearly) lost its niche; a people who lost their dignity. . . .

The intervening years seem to have erased the immensity of this catastrophe as public interest appears to have receded with the flood. The common belief now is that New Orleans has been rebuilt or is being rebuilt at a fast and even pace a partial myth that is a reflection of the partiality in the recovery pattern of the city itself. For while the business districts have sprung back to power and tourism is back on the bloom, while neighbourhoods belonging to the rich and well-connected have bounced back with their well laundered lawns and glittering fences, those parts owned and/or inhabited by most Black and poor people are still in a state of shocking blight and neglect...

Katrina’s wounds run deep; its pains are still red and stubbornly raw. As one of those gruesomely afflicted by its devastation, I remember what it meant to stand in front of my class in January 2006, a professor without books, a writer whose manuscripts and professional documents had been washed away, a ‘Katrina returnee’ without a place to lay his head. I waited in vain for a genuine institutional interest in and concern about the specific depth and range of my loss/ pain, for a demonstration of empathy and care beyond political platitudes, official bulletins, and media sound bites which only ended up as a mockery of my pain. None came.

Alas, in the mass grave to which the city’s woes had been consigned, there was hardly any room for a consideration

of the agonizing specificity of individual loss. Back in New Orleans, I became, to borrow the words of the Nigerian poet Chritopher Okigbo, ‘the sole witness of my homecoming’; the invisible carrier of my own cross. . . The relentless, excruciating pain of the disaster appears to have been privatised and driven into the domain of personal angst, accorded political mention only during media-hyped anniversaries and commemorations......

But who is there to listen to the deep, personal cry of the sorely afflicted, the chilling fears and anxieties of someone suddenly confronted with a future without a purpose, the silence of those whose dreams have transmogrified into nightmares? Who has the eye to see the colour of pain?

Here, again, face to face with the anonymity of loss, the invisibility of pain. The bereaved, the dispossessed, the terribly traumatized have been largely left to lick their wounds; urged to pull up themselves by their boot straps (even when those boots have been taken away by the ravaging flood); inveigled into accepting responsibility for a catastrophe that was not their own making. We have been asked to get all up and move on. Does anyone care about the relative state of our legs?. . . .

The poems in this volume have been long in coming. (Deep tragedy hardly lends itself to instant messaging). If they do not come across as pretty to some readers, it is because the events which provoked them are far from pretty. Indeed, Katrina’s devastations are the type that cut straight to the bones, necessitating a testimony that transcends trivial versification and verbal placebos. These poems insist on breaking the silence precipitated by the combined forces of anonymity and invisibility which often stand between the needy cry and the listening world. These are the words of someone right in the eye of the storm, written by himself, not ‘gathered’ by an unappointed spokesperson or ventriloquised from ‘reliable sources’ by a privileged and distant secondary source. For, although Katrina may have taken all I had away, it never succeeded in taking away my tongue – and sense of proportion and justice. It has never taken away the necessity for the telling of a truth that never rests until it has been told.. . .

In many ways, the poems in this book are a kind of ‘thank you song’ for the hundreds of people here in the United States and other parts of the world who reached out to me and my family with inspiring love, generosity, and compassion. They brought a new, urgent resonance and poignancy to that famous Yoruba saying, Enia lasoo mi (People are my clothes). It was they, indeed, who made sure that

•Osundare

Katrina never had the last word.

These poems are also a tribute to New Orleans, our city: its fertile energy, its irrepressible vitality, its rainbow vernacular, its music and magic, the unsinkable humanity in the core of its being. Yes, New Orleans is still there, busy getting fat every Mardi Gras, and penitently lean the day after. The Mississippi flows on in its muddy majesty, even as the pelican jazzes up the sky with the riff and rhyme of its glide. I sing of a city which insists on its own right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, earnestly hoping that the levees will one day be as strong as they ought to be, the floodwalls as enduring; a city restored to glory through equitable recovery and lasting justice.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

36

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

•Nigerian pilgrims during a visit to the Church of Gethsemane

Osundare shares Katrina poems in Lagos

T

HE Friends of the Arts Lagos (FOAL) and the Life House present the poet laureate, literary scholar, Prof Niyi Osundare reading from his new collection of poetry, ‘City Without People: The Katrina Poems’ , which has just been released in the United States. The reading will hold on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at The Life House, 33 Sinari Daranijo Street, (near Zenith Bank Headquarters), off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos by 5pm.

Last year, in a preface to the City Without People: The Katrina Poems, Beyond the Invisibility of Pain, Osundare wrote: “It is five years now since Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast with a near-apocalyptic ferocity, inflicting sundry losses and countless bereavement. The catastrophe wrought by this storm changed many lives forever: the child who lost an only parent; the painter who lost his favourite work; the pianist who lost a piano passed down from many generations; the professor who lost her library; the writer who lost his manuscripts; the businessman who lost his factory; the singer who lost her voice (literally and figuratively); a city which (nearly) lost its niche; a people who lost their dignity. . . .

The intervening years seem to have erased the immensity of this catastrophe as public interest appears to have receded with the flood. The common belief now is that New Orleans has been rebuilt or is being rebuilt at a fast and even pace a partial myth that is a reflection of the partiality in the recovery pattern of the city itself. For while the business districts have sprung back to power and tourism is back on the bloom, while neighbourhoods belonging to the rich and well-connected have bounced back with their well laundered lawns and glittering fences, those parts owned and/or inhabited by most Black and poor people are still in a state of shocking blight and neglect...

Katrina’s wounds run deep; its pains are still red and stubbornly raw. As one of those gruesomely afflicted by its devastation, I remember what it meant to stand in front of my class in January 2006, a professor without books, a writer whose manuscripts and professional documents had been washed away, a ‘Katrina returnee’ without a place to lay his head. I waited in vain for a genuine institutional interest in and concern about the specific depth and range of my loss/ pain, for a demonstration of empathy and care beyond political platitudes, official bulletins, and media sound bites which only ended up as a mockery of my pain. None came.

Alas, in the mass grave to which the city’s woes had been consigned, there was hardly any room for a consideration

of the agonizing specificity of individual loss. Back in New Orleans, I became, to borrow the words of the Nigerian poet Chritopher Okigbo, ‘the sole witness of my homecoming’; the invisible carrier of my own cross. . . The relentless, excruciating pain of the disaster appears to have been privatised and driven into the domain of personal angst, accorded political mention only during media-hyped anniversaries and commemorations......

But who is there to listen to the deep, personal cry of the sorely afflicted, the chilling fears and anxieties of someone suddenly confronted with a future without a purpose, the silence of those whose dreams have transmogrified into nightmares? Who has the eye to see the colour of pain?

Here, again, face to face with the anonymity of loss, the invisibility of pain. The bereaved, the dispossessed, the terribly traumatized have been largely left to lick their wounds; urged to pull up themselves by their boot straps (even when those boots have been taken away by the ravaging flood); inveigled into accepting responsibility for a catastrophe that was not their own making. We have been asked to get all up and move on. Does anyone care about the relative state of our legs?. . . .

The poems in this volume have been long in coming. (Deep tragedy hardly lends itself to instant messaging). If they do not come across as pretty to some readers, it is because the events which provoked them are far from pretty. Indeed, Katrina’s devastations are the type that cut straight to the bones, necessitating a testimony that transcends trivial versification and verbal placebos. These poems insist on breaking the silence precipitated by the combined forces of anonymity and invisibility which often stand between the needy cry and the listening world. These are the words of someone right in the eye of the storm, written by himself, not ‘gathered’ by an unappointed spokesperson or ventriloquised from ‘reliable sources’ by a privileged and distant secondary source. For, although Katrina may have taken all I had away, it never succeeded in taking away my tongue – and sense of proportion and justice. It has never taken away the necessity for the telling of a truth that never rests until it has been told.. . .

In many ways, the poems in this book are a kind of ‘thank you song’ for the hundreds of people here in the United States and other parts of the world who reached out to me and my family with inspiring love, generosity, and compassion. They brought a new, urgent resonance and poignancy to that famous Yoruba saying, Enia lasoo mi (People are my clothes). It was they, indeed, who made sure that

•Osundare

Katrina never had the last word.

These poems are also a tribute to New Orleans, our city: its fertile energy, its irrepressible vitality, its rainbow vernacular, its music and magic, the unsinkable humanity in the core of its being. Yes, New Orleans is still there, busy getting fat every Mardi Gras, and penitently lean the day after. The Mississippi flows on in its muddy majesty, even as the pelican jazzes up the sky with the riff and rhyme of its glide. I sing of a city which insists on its own right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, earnestly hoping that the levees will one day be as strong as they ought to be, the floodwalls as enduring; a city restored to glory through equitable recovery and lasting justice.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

38

P

ARENTS of n i n e month-old A b i m b o l a Abdulmalik have appealed to wellmeaning Nigerians to come to the aid of their child who has been diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease.

Little AbdulMalik is struggling with a congenital heart disease called cardiovascular disease (hole in the heart) which makes him to turn blue during any stressful condition such as crying and feeding.

Two months after birth at a private hospital in Lagos, •Baby AbdulMalik he was thought to be sick with pneumonia but a month later, after an x-ray scan, the parents were referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital

By Osas Robert (LUTH) for a test but they kept going there for a month due to faulty The father of Abdulmalik, Mr machine until they moved Waheed Abimbola is a petty trader Abdulmalik to University of Ilorin while the mother Mrs Fatima Teaching Hospital where an ECG test Abimbola is a fashion designer. was conducted on him.

Both who reside in Lagos State canThe report showed that he is livnot afford to pay for the treatment. ing with a hole in the heart.

The Abimbolas are calling on LaThe only treatment option, acgos State government, non-govcording to a consultant paediatrics/ ernmental organisations, well cardiologist, Dr JK Afolabi, is open meaning individuals and the genheart surgery which can only be eral public to come to their aid in carried out at present in India, Isgiving back life to their son. rael and other developed countries.

They can be contacted on The cost for the surgery is N5 mil08062673628 and 08157668832. lion including flight ticket.

This boy needs N5m to live

U

NHAPPY with the degenerating health status of citizens of Plateau State, the administration of Governor Jonah Jang used the occasion of the Maternal and Newborn Child Week in the state to offer free medical services to nursing mothers, expectant women and newborn babies in the state.

The week was preceded by an enlightenment campaign on the state media so as to educate citizens of the nature of services and advantage available in the week-long programme. In a news conference to herald the week, the state Commissioner for Health Dr. Fom Dakwak said, “The main aim of the briefing is to create awareness on the scheduled Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW).

He said: “The objectives of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week are to increase the level of sustainable integrated service delivery.

To ensure effective monitoring and supervision by state, Local Government Areas and other stakeholders, to achieve 70% coverage of all target groups through integrated quality service delivery of PHC intervention and to increase the level of participation of all wards and communities through appropriate community linkage.”

Dakwak said: “The programme became necessary in view of the fact that both the federal and state government are worried over the high rate of mortality rate in the society and the inability of rural communities to access medical facilities in the cities. The recent demographic and health survey 2008 report indicates that the Plateau State neonatal, infant, under-five, and maternal mortality rates are high.

The commissioner lamented that, “the cause of high morbidity and mortality rates are numerous and cut across health and other sectors.

The major ones are numerous and cut across health and other sector.

The major ones are malaria, Vaccine preventable diseases, diarrheal diseases and acute respiratory track infections with malnutrition as the underlying factor for over 53% of the

Igbo forum seeks state burial for Ojukwu

A

N Igbo sociology-cultural organisation, Izu Umunna, has described the death of Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu as a big blow to the region, adding that the late ex-Biafra leader deserves a state burial.

The late Ojukwu was the founding patron of the group.

In a statement signed by the Secretary General, Chief Elvis Chukwu, said, “Ojukwu was the general of the people’s army, a colossus, an indefatigable, charismatic and enigmatic Igbo leader, who lived for the principle of equity, fairness and justice, the virtues for which he lived and died, and which have continued to haunt our country till date”.

The statement further described Ojukwu as a gallant soldier par excellence, an erudite scholar and a social crusader whose love for his country and the people would remain for all time.

Faulting the argument by the Senate against giving the Ikemba Nnewi a befitting state burial, the group said that Ojukwu was the

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

only person among the dramatis personae, who fought the civil war purely on principle adding that not giving Ojukwu a state burial would amount to the fact that Ndigbo were still being regarded as defeated people instead of the no-victor-no- vanquished philosophy of the Federal Government.

The statement reads in part, “Students of history will remember that one of the reasons why Ojukwu went to war was the injustice meted to Gen Ogundipe, who was supposed to take over from Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi instead of Gen Yakubu Gowon. He had insisted that seniority in the army be maintained and that he could not take orders from Gowon, who was his junior.”

The group maintained that giving Ojukwu a state burial would be the last step in the total integration of Igbo race into the mainstream of the Nigerian polity and finally lay to rest the ghost of the civil war.

Ojukwu was the general of the people’s army, a colossus, an indefatigable, charismatic and enigmatic Igbo leader, who lived for the principle of equity, fairness and justice, the virtues for which he also died

•Late Ojukwu Izu Umunna called on the Senate to reverse the decision in the interest of justice and fairness, since Ojukwu was granted a state pardon that enabled him to return home from exile and was actively involved in building Nigeria to what it is today.

Similarly, the National Chairman and Legal Advise of Jonathan/Sambo Visionary People Alliance (JOSAVIPA), Mr. Charley Bee Onuigbo and Mr. Maxwell Chukwujiama respectively have sympathised with the Ojukwu family describing the death of the Ikemba Nnewi as “a great loss particularly to the Igbo nation and Nigeria as a whole”.

The duo in a statement in Jos, said the late Ojukwu was a symbol of unity to the Igbo people. They urged the federal government to give him his “due respect in burial”.

The statement however urged the Igbo nation to be united.

Plateau provides free medical services at Health Week From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

deaths.

“In 2010, the national council on health decried the slow progress being made towards reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality in the country. This informed the decision to adopt the bi-annual maternity newborn and child health week (MNCHW) strategy.

Dakwak said, “The maternal, newborn and child health week is an integrated approach that refers to week-long events organized to deliver an integrated package of preventive service to specific beneficiaries. These services are known to be highly cost effective yet result oriented for improving maternal and child health that are run in conjunction with routine services at health facilities.

“I want to use this medium to appeal to mothers and other child-care givers to avail themselves of the opportunity to access this service in all government health facilities. The service will cover antenatal care, nutrition screening by using mid upper arm circumference, Deworming, iron and folic acid supplementation of pregnant women, information on key house hold practice and distribution of preventive malaria drugs to pregnant women.

DR. Dakwak, “These will be given free of charge to mother and children below the age of five years” The free medical services took off simultaneously at the 17 local government of Plateau state and medical personnel of various primary and secondary health care centres were busy attending to pregnant women, nursing mothers and newborn children below the age of five with necessary drugs. In some centers the programme ceremonially commence with traditional rulers, community heads applying some of the immunisation drugs on children while they also symbolically commenced the distribution of long last-

ing Insecticide Treated Nets to pregnant women and nursing mothers to protect them from carriers of malaria parasite.

The population of women who trooped out for the exercise was more in Primary health Clinic Tudun-Wada Jos. Mrs Naomi Azi who came to the clinic on the first day with her twin children of eight months old made this remarks, “I use to come to the clinic for regular immunization of my children, but this particular exercise is very helpful because I spend a lot of money for the medical treatment of my twins, now they have given us treatment free and they have given us quality drugs and they teach us about

child care at home, I have benefited a lot.”

For Ladi Bako, she had her three children de-wormed at the primary Health Care Dadin-Kowa, Jos South Local government within the slated week. She said, “I wanted to buy drugs to de-worm them but I could not afford the cash but when I heard of the week program, I went there and my children were given the drugs free, they are feeling better now and I m happy.”

The state commissioner of Health was full of commendation to UNICEF, WHO, state government, traditional rulers and chairmen of LGC for their financial and technical support. He said, “This was capital

intensive project and we could not have done it if financial assistance did not come from our donor agencies especially UNICEF and WHO. He also thanked citizens of the state for making themselves available for the exercise.

A community leader in Bashit, Riyom Local government of the state Davou Gyang appealed to government to make such programme regular because there are lots of families which are too poor to access medical facilities if they involve money, “The programme was very successful in my community, the turnout was good, but I must plead with government to make it regular; may be ones in six months”.

•A traditional ruler administers medication on a child in Jos during the Health Week

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

39

Oyo gives free computers to unemployed youths

I

N continuation of its youth development and employment generation initiative for youths across Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has given 15 new sets of computers and printers to selected youths across the state.

The beneficiaries, who were given a two-week training at the IYY Youth Village at Ajoda Town in Egbeda Local Government area of Ibadan, learnt income generating activities in basic computer applications including desktop publishing, power point, excel and Microsoft applications.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon Adedapo Lam-Adesina said that the training program was the first in the series of programs been put together by his ministry to arrest the worrisome rate of youth unemployment and its attendance consequences.

He pointed out that the program was independent of the Youth Empowerment Scheme, Oyo (YES-O) adding that the state decided to organize as many programs as possible to launch youths into gainful employment.

Adesina recalled that in recent past, a number of youths have undergone similar training programmes akin to this, adding that the beneficiaries of the training programemes are now gainfully employed. The commis-

E

NGENDER Health under the auspices of USAID with the Kwara State government is restoring hope to some Visco Vagina Fistula (VVF) patients in Kwara State.

The Team leader of the group, Dr Adamu Issah has said that so far about 20 VVF patients have been screened and six of them operated upon by a team of Engender Health doctors at Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, the state capital..

The medical doctor added that 85per cent of VVF cases emanated from prolonged labour, saying genital mutilation largely accounted for cases of obstetric fistula in Nigeria.

Other causes, he said, are improper handling of instruments during deliveries such as forceps delivery and vacuum extradition.

He said that “some of the victims come down with leakage of urine after these cuts apart from

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

sioner said that different measures have been put in place to monitor the beneficiaries to make the best use of the computers.

He urged the youths to take full advantage of the training in order to make ends meet and build businesses that will grow through leveraging on the free computer systems given to them by the State Government.

His words: “ Let me inform you that the passionate response of the Oyo State Government to tackle the problem of youth unemployment has necessitated the organization of this training. A number of our youths have undergone similar programmes like this and I am happy to inform you that most of the beneficiaries of these training programmes are now gainfully self employed.

“I therefore urge the graduands of today to take full advantage of this training and the computers which will be given to you at the end of this training free by the Oyo State Government” One of the beneficiaries, Mr Kehinde Adediran, a graduate of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke thanked the state government for the gesture. He said: “ I want to thank the State Government for their kind gesture towards the unem-

•Complete computer systems to be donated to the youths by the Oyo State government. ployed youths in the State. We have been camped here for two weeks and have been given free meal and computer application training. I hope to set up a business of my own in Ibadan and look for ways to train youths to be self employed”

In a related development, another set of 15 youths selected from the three senatorial districts were trained in agriculture ventures such as snailery, mushroom production and grass-cutter rearing. Five beneficiaries were selected from each

senatorial district. They were all empowered with an undisclosed amount of financial capital to start their own business.Adedeji during the donation of computer systems to trained unemployed youths in Oyo state

Kwara partners NGO on VVF From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the associated risk of infection like HIV/AIDS. Adamu explained that the team would come back in January 2012 to repeat the same exercise and train more medical personnel on how to operate on VVF and Rectovagina fistula (RVF) patients.

He said: “Couples should have safe motherhood initiative. Hitherto, we were in seven states in Nigeria but this year we have decided to extend the programme to Kwara State. We are collaborating with the state government to ensure prompt attention to VVF challenged women to wipe out the menace.

“For now, the project is free.

That is why we are calling on all women that have symptoms suggestive of leakages to come forward to Sobi Specialist Hospital for operation. The antidotes to the problem are child spacing, good nutrition, good antenatal care and so on.”

In a remark, the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Kayode Issa said the programme was aimed at ameliorating the pain of the women affected.

He said that most of these women became affected in the process of child birth and were often abandoned by their husbands.

Issa pointed out that the fistula care project of the state government was part of the comprehensive health programme agenda of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The commissioner noted that the project was now coming to the aid of the abandoned, smell-

ing, pauperised women, saying any service to womanhood is service to human hood.

He commended the effort of the organisation for coming to the aid of these women, saying government was ready for further collaboration in the process of moving the state forward.

He expressed the commitment of the present administration in rending quality healthcare service delivery to the people.

Sokoto votes N89.3m for feeder roads

T

HE Sokoto State government has set aside N89.3m for the construction of eight kilometer feeder roads in two villages in Kwanan Kimba and Zamau in Dange /Shuni

•From left: Alhaja Muhiba Abbas, delivering her speech at the annual lecture of the Companion Association of Muslim Men on Business and Professions at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, Lagos. With her are Alhaja Hameedat Sanni, Assistant Director, Ministry of Education II and Alhaja Shareefat Yussuf.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

and Kware local government areas.

The state Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Dahiru Maishanu disclosed this in Sokoto recently while briefing journalists.

He said the projects were necessary judged by the strategic location of the two towns to the socio-economic development of the councils and the state.

According to Maishanu, similar contract for the procurement of 50,000 bags of per boiled rice at the cost of N400m has been awarded through the state Ministry of Commerce for sales and distribution to flood victims and civil servants.

The gesture, according to the commissioner, was aimed at salvaging their condition as well bridging the high cost of food items in the market, adding that “it will be supplied in two weeks’ time. We have made 30 per cent down payment to the contractor after due process.”

In a related development, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Muhammadu Jabbi Kilgori has said that the state government has approved the release of N153.65m for the payment of the new salary structure

for all medical and allied workers in its employ.

According to him, the relevance of health workers remains prime in the scheme of things, pointing out that “their welfare and salaries must not suffer, hence the commitment of this government.’’

He further explained that for the medical doctors, their wage increase has risen by N11.26m, allied workers at N129.108m while those of fire service, water board and environmental workers are at N13.28m.

The commissioner also disclosed that 85 units of modern tractors have been purchased in partnership with the Federal Government and private sector for sale to farmers in the state at subsidised rate of N4.48m per unit.

He disclosed that 75 per cent of the cost would be taken care of by the state government while the Federal Government would bear 25 per cent of the cost.

“We will consider farmers’ associations, community-based groups as well as individuals capable of handling and utilising the tractors.

“It is to encourage and ensure sustained food production and security in both subsistence and commercial quantities,” he added

40

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

We are calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to please use his good offices to expedite action on the project so that the people of the region can enjoy the project. It has taken too long and it will be a tragedy if this generation of ours do not live to witness the completion of the project

T

HE state of the East-West Road project is now a source of worry to many organisations and individuals in the Niger Delta. It has been one project considered central and dear to the hearts of people of the region.

It was conceived principally to help fast-track the development of the oilproducing areas in the country by the Federal Government in the 1970s.

However, typical of most projects of its type, the idea was allowed to gather dust until 2006. The project, an estimated 340 kilometres, runs from the junction of Delta Steel Complex (DSC) in Effurun, Delta State to Oron, a border town between Cross-River and Akwa Ibom states.

It was believed, and even so now, that when completed, this rather ambitious project would make commuting through the four coastal states of Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom seamless and enjoyable. On paper, nothing diminishes its significance both to the region, the people and the country.

But as things are now, the people do not know when the project will be completed.

Last weekend, a group, The Niger Delta Development Watch, a non-governmental organisation monitoring socio-economic and political developments in the region, conducted selected journalists through the road. The national coordinator Barrister Onojeharho Anthony Akpoveta lamented the delay in the completion of the project.

Addressing newsmen in Warri after the tour of the road, Akpoveta said the relevant ministry and other related agencies of government that were supposed to hasten the completion of the project have failed the people, the region and in particular the government on which they are serving. He stressed the need to ensure the completion of the project on time to avoid an endless wait.

In his words: “We are tired of waiting for this project to be completed.

As far as we are concerned, the relevant ministry and or any other related agency of government, charged with the supervision of the project have all failed the people. They have failed to appreciate the significance of the project to the people of the Niger Delta. They are making the project look like Rocket Science. It is not rocket science, this is pure failure and show of incompetence. If this project were to be in Abuja or any other part of the country, the speed with which it would be tackled will surprise you.”

Akpoveta called on the federal government to intervene so that as the dry season sets in the project can be completed on time.

“We are calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to please use his

•A section of the road in Ughelli, Delta State, taken over by artisans

A road so neglected

By Augustine Avwode

good offices to expedite action on the project so that the people of the region can enjoy the project. It has taken too long and it will be a tragedy if this generation of ours do not live to witness the completion of the project”, he stated.

Another group, the South-South Renaissance Coalition (SSRC), working in concert with NDDW, stated that if the dry season is not properly utilised, the project would have been automatically carried to 2013.

Its coordinator Dr Earnest Oghifo said unless the right thing is done, the people of the region would always have reason to think that they are being deliberately denied what is due to them and to avoid such a situation the government should as a matter of urgency intervene in the project.

“Government is inadvertently creating a situation where the people of the Niger Delta will come to the conclusion that the project is being unnecessarily delayed because they are the ones involved and who stand to benefit from it most. “The government knows that the days of militancy are

gone, nobody can claim today that militants have stopped them from working and so it beats our imagination that nothing is happening and we just wonder is going on. Will this dry season go again without anything?

When in 2006, the Federal Government under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo awarded contracts, worth about N211 billion to four construction firms: Julius Berger, SETRACTO, RCC and Gitto Construzuoli Generali (GCG), to handle the dualism of the road which was divided into sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 among the four firms in that order, the people of the region jumped for joy.

The job, according to the original agreement, was supposed to be completed by August 2010, last year. Now completion date has been fixed for 2012.

But no sooner had work started at the various sites than impediments reared their heads as the Niger Delta crisis burgeoned out of control – youth restiveness, some elements of informal demands for resource control by the people of the oil-rich region, unlike what it was when the governors of the region were at the head of the

agitation; militancy and outright criminality, all helped in no small way to retard the progress of work on the project.

As a result of that unrest, for almost three years work did not begin in several sections of the multi-billion naira road project. Julius Berger Plc, which was to handle Effrun-Kaiama section, regarded as the most difficult terrain of the road, could not continue with the contract worth about N65 billion as a result of cases of attacks by youths.

Berger left the terrain in 2006 not doing up to five per cent of the road.

When it left, work on the remaining three sections stagnated as the other firms also complained of attacks by the youths and militants of the region.

But determined to get the project back on course, the Federal Government on Thursday, June 11, 2009, signed a N74 billion contractual agreement with Messrs Setraco Nig. Ltd for the section of the road which was abandoned by Julius Berger. The exercise ended the various attempts by the Federal government to re-award the project and get it back on track.

Under the new agreement, Messrs Setraco will construct section 2 of the road covering Port Harcourt-Eleme

Junction- Ahoada-Kaiama for a period of 36 months for subsection 2 and 48 months for subsection 1 of the road.

Last April 2010, the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe on his first outing as the substantive minister, went on an inspection of the road project. Orubube made it clear to the contractors that the timely completion of the road remains the priority of the government for the Niger Delta people. He wasted no time in declaring that achieving this was his primary concern.

Akpoveta said it would be a miracle for the deadline to be met. For instance, from Effurun to Ughelli, only one side of the supposed dualized road is motorable. The import is that the concept of dualization is yet to make any meaning to the average road user as they drive against traffic as though it is a one lane road.

At various sections of the project people have converted the road to market stalls as both artisans - vulcanizers, welders and petty traders, including suya sellers have all converted some sections of the road to personal use.

Akpoveta said “The development is lamentable. It clearly shows that the resident have read the handwriting on the wall to mean that this is a project that would not come on time as so they can do whatever they feel like doing in the mean time”.

Sokoto students hail Wamakko

•Wamakko

F

EDERATED Organisation of Sokoto State Students’ Association (FOSSOSA) has commended Governor Aliyu Wamakko for making the state symbol of pride

and centre for quality learning in the country just as it noted that the establishment of a state university, College of Agriculture and School of Legal Studies would provide quick access to higher education for the natives.

“It will provide avenue for professionalism, qualified manpower as well as training and re-training of civil servants at less stress and cost.”

FOSSOSA, a league of indigenous students from the state noted that the administration of Governor Wamakko has repositioned the state’s educational institutions with sustained priority towards achieving standards and excellence.

It said: ‘’Wamakko’s government has extended its gesture to those who are not indigenous to the state for them to enjoy free education in public schools in the state.’’

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

National President of the Association, Comrade Ibrahim Umar Tureta made the commendation while pointing out that since inception of Wamakko’s administra-

tion, students’ welfare has been accorded priority in the scheme of things particularly in the areas of bursary, securing admission as well as payment of tuition fees.

Comrade Tureta further explained in the release signed by the Public Relations Officer of FOSSOSA Abubakar Ibrahim that

I am appealing to those who are indigenous to the state to justify the huge investment on them by concentrating on their respective educational pursuits as a tool to supporting the government, its policies and programmes

‘’apart from upward review of allowances of students, prompt payment and refund of registration, millions of Naira is being spent on sponsoring students to attend reputable institutions of learning in and outside the country.

Accordingly, the President in the release noted the recent disbursement of over N213m to students studying overseas on self-sponsorship was an appreciable step to complement their individual efforts at obtaining quality education. ‘’I am appealing to those who are indigenous to the state to justify the huge investment on them by concentrating on their respective educational pursuits as a tool to supporting the government, its policies and programmes,” Comrade Tureta urged in the release.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

42

4-Year Programme In addition to general requirement, candidates must possess: • Two (02) relevant subjects at H.S.C/GCE (A/L) or.

• HND or OND in relevant discipline such as Laboratory Technology, Nutrition, Food Technology/Science, Agricultural Sciences etc.

4.

OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY P.M.B. 2002, AGO-IWOYE CENTRE FOR SANDWICH PROGRAMMES

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM SUITABLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION INTO THE FOLLOWING FIRST DEGREE AND SUB-DEGREE PROGRAMMES IN THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, FACULTIES OF ARTS, BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, EDUCATION, LAW, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR 2011/2012 ACADEMIC SESSION 1.

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

i.

B.SC. PROGRAMMES B.Sc. (Home and Hotel Management) options in: (a) (b) (c) (d)

ii.

Food Science and Human Nutrition Catering and Hotel Management Child Development and Family Studies Clothing and Textile

a. b.

i. ii.

4-Year Degree Programmes In addition to general requirement, candidate must possess Diploma (minimum of Lower Credit), or equivalent professional qualifications.

DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES – 2 YEARS a. b. c. d.

ii.

Merit passes at NCE Home Economics (double major) or with two (2) teaching subjects including Home Economics and Chemistry/Food and Nutrition/Mathematics/Physics/Integrated Science; Merit Pass in General English Communication skills or use of English at NCE, OND or HND is acceptable in lieu of WASCE/GCE O’L/SSCE credit in English Language while a merit pass in Teachers’ Grade II Mathematics is also acceptable in lieu of WASCE/GCE O’L/SSCE Mathematics; OND with Credit in Home Science/Economics/Mathematics, Human Nutrition, Dietetics, Catering and Hotel Management, Food Technology, Textile Technology, Public Health/ Health Technology or Nursing Certificates.

Diploma in Industrial and Labour Relations Diploma in Library Studies Diploma in Nursery and Primary Education Diploma in Sport Sciences and Health Education.

Admission Requirements (a) Four (4) Credit passes at WASCE, SSCE, GCE, NECO or Grade II Certificate, plus at least a pass in English Language at not more than two sittings would be required.

LONG VACATION PROGRAMMES AREAS OF STUDY (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) (x) (xi) (xii) (xiii) (xiv) (xv)

4-Year Programmes In addition to general requirements, candidates must possess any of the following: Passes in two relevant subjects at HSC/GCE A’ Level

5 Credits/Merit passes at WASCE/GCE/O’L/SSCE/NABTEB/Grade II Certificate in not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics.

A pass in Mathematics is required for Bachelor of Secretarial Administration while credit in Mathematics or Statistics is required for Bachelor of Business Education.

5-Year Programmes for Mature Candidates 3 Credit/Merit Passes at WASCE, SSCE, Grade II, ACE, NABTEB and any other related professional certificates such as: NCE, OND, and other professional certificates from any recognized institution.

In addition, candidates who are 35 years of age and above with a minimum of 5 years work experience will have added advantage.

Candidates for option “a” above must have credits in Chemistry/Food and Nutrition, Biology/Agric.

Science and any social science subjects such as Economics, Geography, Home Economics and Accounting.

i.

Bachelor of Secretarial Administration (BSA) Bachelor of Business Education (BBE)

General Admission Requirements 5-Year Programmes

B.Sc. (Agric Cooperative and Management)

5-Year Programmes General Admission Requirements Five (5) credit passes at WASCE/GCE O’L/SSCE/NABTEB/NECO at not more than two sittings in the following subjects which must include English Language and Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Home Economics, Economics, Physics, Geography, Accounting, Chemistry, Food & Nutrition and Biology. Merit passes in Teacher’s Grade II Certificate at not more than 2 sittings including English Language, Mathematics or Arithmetic. However, Chemistry and Physics are not compulsory for candidates applying for B.Sc. (Agric Cooperative and Management).

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

B.Sc. (Ed) Accounting B.Sc. (Ed) Business Administration B.Sc. (Ed) Economics B.Sc. (Ed) Mathematics B.Sc. (Ed) Computer Science B.Sc. (Ed) Health Education B.Sc. (Ed) Social Studies B.Sc. (Ed) Sport Sciences B.Sc. (Ed)/B.A. (Ed) Guidance and Counselling B.Sc. (Ed) Biology B.Ed. Educational Management B.A (Ed) English B.A./B.Sc. (Ed) Nursery and Primary Education B.A. (Ed) Christian and Islamic Religious Studies

General Admission Requirements

3-Year Programmes In addition to the general requirements, candidates must have HND (Credit) in any of the following: Home Science/Economics/Management/Human Nutrition, Dietetics/Catering and Hotel Management, Food Technology, Textile Technology, Public Health/Health Technology or Nursing Certificates.

1.

5-Year Degree Programme 5 Credit/Merit passes at WASCE/GCE O’L/SSCE, GRADE II, ACE NABTEB in not more than two (2) sittings including English Language for all courses and Mathematics or Statistics for Sciences, The Social Sciences and Management Sciences. Associate Certificate of Education (ACE) holder with at least Merit passes may be considered for Admission.

Mature Candidates Candidates not less than 35 years old with at least 5 years cognate work experience plus NCE, OND, or HND in relevant disciplines and O/L credit in English Language or Mathematics may be considered after a satisfactory performance at the qualifying examination.

5-Year Programmes for Mature Candidates A mature candidate of not less than 35 years of age with at least 5years work experience could be considered with 3 credits/merit passes in relevant subjects at WASCE, SSCE, Grade II, ACE, NABTEB and additional 2 credits at higher level.

* The College also accepts NABTEB Certificates.

4-Year Degree Programme 2.

In addition to general requirement, 2 passes at HSC/GCE A’L/Merit passes at NCE, Diploma in Physical and Health Education, Nursery and Primary Education, Environmental Science, Social Work, Credit pass at OND in relevant courses. A Merit pass in General English/Communication Skills at NCE Level/ Diploma Level may be accepted in lieu of Credit pass in O’ Level English Language. Also Merit passes in Mathematics or Statistics is accepted in lieu of Credit pass in Mathematics.

2.

FACULTY OF ARTS

A.

DEGREE PROGRAMMES (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi)

B.

B.A. English B.A. French B.A. History & Diplomatic Studies B.A. Philosophy B.A. Christian Religious Studies B.A. Islamic Studies

DIPLOMA PROGRAMME i. ii.

Diploma in Church Administration Diploma in Performing Arts.

General Admission Requirements 5 Credit passes in Arts-related subjects at WASCE/GCE/SSCE or equivalent qualifications including English Language at not more than 2 sittings. A Credit pass in Literature in English is required for B. A. English.

4-Year Programmes In addition to general requirement, candidates must have: (i) (ii) (iii) a. b.

HSC/GCE A/L in at least two relevant subjects,. OR A minimum of lower credit in OND/HND or NCE in relevant subjects, OR Professional Certificates from any of the following bodies:

Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Business Education Examination Council (BEAC)

Admission Requirements for Diploma Programmes 4 Credit passes at WASCE/GCE O’L/SSCE or merit passes at TC II at not more than 2 sittings including English Language.

3.

FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCE B.Sc. Biochemistry.

General Admission Requirements 5-Year Programme 5 Credit passes at not more than two (2) sittings in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.

FACULTY OF LAW 5.

2-YEAR DIPLOMA IN LAW PROGRAMME 5 Credit passes at WASCE/GCE O’L/SSCE at not more than 2 sittings including English Language, and any other four (4) subjects. Mature candidates of not less than 30 years of age with 4 credits including English Language with at least five years work experience at the managerial or similar level may be considered.

6.

FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

A. DEGREE PROGRAMME 5-Year Programmes a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i.

B.Sc. Accounting B.Sc. Banking & Finance B.Sc. Economics B.Sc. Purchasing and Supply Management B.Sc. Business Administration B.Sc. Transport Planning and Management B.Sc. Industrial and Labour Relations B.Sc. Public Administration B.Sc. Mass Communication

General Admission Requirements 5 Credit passes at WASCE/GCE O’ Level or SSCE or Merit passes in Teacher’s Grade II at not more than 2 sittings including English Language and Mathematics.

B.Sc. Accounting 4-Year Programmes In addition to general requirements, 2 passes at HSC/GCE (A/L), OND (at least Lower Credit) in Accounting or Financial Studies, ATS II, ICAN Foundation or minimum of 10 years cognate working experience, NCE in Accounting with credit or Merit passes or HND with Lower Credit.

B.Sc. Accounting 2-Year Linkage Programmes 1.

FCA/ACA/PE III passes of ICAN with a minimum of five credits at WASCE or GCE O’ Level subjects including English and Mathematics.

2.

Mature candidates (ACA holders) of not less than 35 years of age with a minimum of 10 years work experience and having 5 credit passes at O’ Level and a pass in English Language and Mathematics may be considered after interview.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

43

B.Sc. Banking and Finance

B.Sc. Public Administration

4-Year Degree Programme in BFN

4-Year Programme in Public Administration

i.

In addition to general requirements, possession of Part 1 CIBN or at least Lower Credit in OND Banking and Finance, Accounting and Business Administration.

ii.

Mature candidates of not less than 25 years with 3 years cognate work experience may have Statistics in place of Mathematics, a pass in English in CIBN examination or related professional examination.

iii.

Mature candidates of not less than 34 years with 5 credits at O’ Level, CIBN Part 1 or related professional qualification and a pass in English and Mathematics may be considered after interview.

In addition to general requirements, candidates must have passed Government or History and any other subjects at the GCE A/Level or HSC examinations or at least passes at NCE in related subjects including Government/Political Science or OND, or equivalent Diploma in Public Administration and Local Government, Law, Public Relations or General Management or other related disciplines from a recognized institution with a grade not lower than Lower Credit.

B.Sc. Mass Communication 4-Year Programme in Mass Communication In addition to general requirements, candidates must have:

3-Year Degree Programme in BFN i. ii

In addition to general requirements, HND in Banking and Finance, B.Sc. Degree in related discipline with working experience in a Financial Institution.

Mature candidates of not less than 34 years of age with a minimum of 10 years work experience having 5 credits at O’ Level and a pass in English Language and Mathematics with HND may be considered after interview.

(i)

HSC/GCE A/L in at least two relevant subjects. OR

(ii)

A minimum of Lower Credit in OND/HND or NCE in relevant subjects. OR

(iii)

A Diploma in Public Relations/Mass Communication (Minimum of Lower Credit) of Olabisi Onabanjo University or other Institutions recognized by Senate of the University.

(iv)

Professional Certificates from any of the following bodies: a. Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) b. Business Education Examination Council (BEAC) c. Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON)

2-Year Linkage Programmes In addition to general requirements, ACIB holders with relevant work experience in a Financial Institution.

B.

DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

Mature candidates (ACIB holders) of not less than 34 years of age (with a minimum of 10 years work experience) having 5 credits at O’ Level and a pass in English Language and Mathematics may be considered after interview.

1.

B.Sc. Economics

2.

3.

4.

DIPLOMA IN MANAGEMENT SCIENCES (DMS) Options in: Economics, Accounting, Business Administration and Banking & Finance DIPLOMA IN MARKETING (DBM) DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION DIPLOMA IN MASS COMMUNICATION

4-Year Programme in Economics In addition to general entry requirements, applicants are expected to have any of the following: i. ii.

A minimum of 2 passes in related (Advanced Level) subjects which must include Economics A minimum of a lower credit pass in related National Diploma courses.

General Admission Requirements Four (4) credit passes in related subjects in WASCE/GCE/SSCE/Grade II certificate at not more than two (2) sittings including a credit pass in English or Mathematics.

Mature candidates (25 years of age and above) who do not possess the basic qualifications stated above but have a minimum of five (5) years work experience may be considered for admission into Diploma in Public Administration.

B.Sc. Purchasing and Supply Management

7.

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

4-Year Programme in Purchasing and Supply Management In addition to general entry requirements, applicants are expected to have any of the following:

A.

DEGREE PROGRAMMES

i.

A minimum of Lower Credit pass in National Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Management.

ii.

Pass in Foundation Examinations of the Nigerian Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management or its equivalent in related professional disciplines.

iii.

Mature candidates of not less than 35 years old and with a minimum of ten (10) years cognate work experience may be considered. Statistics/Quantitative Techniques will be accepted in lieu of pass in Mathematics.

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

B.Sc. B.Sc. B.Sc. B.Sc.

Physics Microbiology Computer Science Pure or Industrial Chemistry

General Admission Requirements - 5-Year Programmes (i) 5 Credit passes at WASCE/GCE O’L/SSCE at not more than 2 sittings in English Language, Mathematics and any other three subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science, Geography or Economics, Statistics and Technical Drawing. (ii)

Mature candidates with 10 years cognate work experience may have added advantage.

3-Year Programme in Purchasing and Supply Management (i)

In addition to general requirements, applicants must possess HND in Purchasing and Supply Management or B.Sc. Degree in related discipline with work experience in Purchasing and Supply in related organization(s).

(ii)

Mature candidates of not less than 35 years of age with a minimum of 10 years work experience having obtained 5 credits passes at O’ Level with either a pass in English Language or Mathematics in addition to HND and or C.I.P.S.M certificate may also be considered for interview.

4-Year Programmes In addition to requirements for 5-Year programmes, candidates must possess: (i) 2 relevant subjects at HSC/GCE (A’L) or (ii)

OND or HND/NCE (Credit/Merit) in relevant disciplines

(iii)

Diploma in Data Processing of Olabisi Onabanjo University with a minimum of Lower Credit or other equivalent Diploma in Data Processing or Computer Engineering or Computer Studies from a recognized University/Higher Institution.

Or

B.Sc. Business Administration

WAIVER: A pass in English at higher level may be considered as surrogate to O’L English Language.

4-Year Programme in Business Administration

B.

DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES

In addition to general requirements, applicants are expected to possess any of the following:

1.

DATA PROCESSING – (One Academic Session) Admission Requirements

(a) (b)

(c)

GCE Advance Level or HSC passes in Economics or Business Management and at least one other subject.

National Diploma (ND) in Business Administration or Management Studies of approved Polytechnics or College of Technology with a grade not lower than the equivalent of Second Class Lower Division.

Passes in the final examination of recognized professional Management/Business Administration and Supply, Institute of Transport etc.

At least 4 credit passes in WASCE/GCE (O’L)/SSCE at not more than two sittings including Mathematics and a pass in English Language.

2.

SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMMES Diploma Programme (2 Academic Sessions)

Admission Requirements 4 credit passes at WASCE/GCE (O’L) at not more than 2 sittings including two Science subjects with at least a pass in English Language and Mathematics.

B.Sc. Transport Planning and Management 4-Year Programme in Transport Planning and Management

Mature Candidate Candidates with credit passes at WASCE/GCE O’L/SSCE/NECO who are not less than 30 years of age with at least 5-10 years cognate work experience may have an added advantage.

In addition to the general requirements, applicants are expected to possess any of the following: i.

2 passes at GCE A/L in related combinations

MODE OF OBTAINING APPLICATION FORMS

ii.

At least a Merit at NCE in any two relevant teaching subjects

APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE ON-LINE AS FOLLOWS:

iii.

Diploma (at least Lower Credit) of Olabisi Onabanjo University

Candidates should make the payment of N10,700.00 at the designated banks below:

iv.

National Diploma in relevant disciplines such as Engineering, Estate Management, Surveying, Transport, Computer Science, Environmental Management, Public Administration and other relevant disciplines as may be approved by Olabisi Onabanjo University Senate

v.

Mature candidates of not less than 35 years of age with 5 O’ Level credits and 5 years cognate work experience or professional qualifications must have a pass in English Language or Mathematics.

B.Sc. Industrial and Labour Relations 4-Year Programme in Industrial and Labour Relations

-

Oceanic Bank Plc – Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ibadan and other branches in Lagos

-

Intercontinental Bank Plc – Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ibadan and other branches in Lagos.

-

OOU Micro Finance Bank (Mini Campus and Main Campus) only

Obtain e-transact confirmation order from the bank and proceed to log into the web address: http://ooucesap.recordsoft.org/CesapApplicationForm.

Submit your completed form to OOU CESAP Admissions’ Office (Room 205) with a Photocopy of the Receipt with which the form was purchased.

In addition to general requirements, applicants are expected to possess any of the following: (1)

At least a Lower Credit pass in Diploma in Industrial and Labour Relations, Business Administration (General/Marketing/Office/Personnel Management)

(2)

NCE/National Diploma (a minimum of Lower Credit) in relevant discipline.

CLOSING DATE Friday, 3rd February, 2012

MR. ‘FEMI OYEWOLE REGISTRAR

44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

45

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Nothing would gladden the hearts of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Edo State as dethroning Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the poll next year. How do they hope to achieve the difficult task? Who are those contending for the party’s ticket? Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR explains that there are pretenders and contenders in the race.

Giants, dwarfs gun for Edo PDP ticket A

S July 14, 2012 draws near, political tension in Edo State continues to grow.

Opposition political parties are working hard to unseat Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

To achieve the mission, the first step is to field a candidate who can match Oshiomhole in oratory, performance and who is considered a good product that is marketable, politically.

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the Labour Party (LP), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) have decided to field a consensus candidate for the governorship election.

The main opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has learnt bitter lessons by being in the opposition. It was voted out of power after ten years of poor performance. Besides, Oshiomhole, through his performance, may have given the PDP leaders a tough task in their quest to return to power.

However the number of aspirants jostling to secure the ticket of the PDP is growing by the day. As at the last count, six persons have declared their intention to run on the PDP platform, but only two have formally kicked off their campaigns.

The aspirants are Major General Charles Airhiavbere, Mr. Kenneth Imasuagbon, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, John Erhunse Ogieva and Jacob Idinyen.

Having learnt lessons from the zoning principle and to keep their supporters intact, the PDP has promised a level playing field for all its aspirants. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Matthew Urhoghide, told The Nation that the party will field its best, and any aspirant who wins the primaries will be supported by the others.

The aspirants, except Osunbor, are old foes who contested for the ticket in 2007 but lost.

Imasuangbon hails from Ewohinmi, hometown of Governor Oshiomhole’s late wife, Clara. He is the proprietor of Pace Setters School based in Abuja and popularly known as the “Rice man” in Edo State because he has regularly distributed rice to some residents of the state every December since he declared his intention to run for office.

Imasuangbon was a former member of the ACN before he defected to the PDP in 2009.

It was then he announced his intention to run for the governorship in his new party.

Prof Julius Ihonvbere contested the PDP primaries in 2007 but lost to the favoured Prof Oserheimen Osunbor. Ihonvbere, a formal Special Adviser to President Obasanjo on Policy and Programme Monitoring is a Professor of Political Science.

There is a suggestion that he might have decided to drop his governorship ambition but his reply to a text message reads, “Some people are saying I have left the governorship race. That is not true. I have been working in the party for years through our elections, raising funds, chairing reconciliation and rebuilding the party. I believe I am the winning ticket for the PDP.” Osunbor kick-started his campaigns pleading for forgiveness from party supporters he might have offended while he briefed served as governor after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wrongly credited him with victory at the

2007 poll.

Prof. Osunbor who spoke while launching his return bid told his supporters that he now understand his shortcomings in the management of people and situations.

According to him “I appreciate the fact that through that experience, I have become a better man and I am convinced beyond any doubt that I would perform even better if given the chance to serve as governor, come 2012.”

“Against the background of the state of affairs in our dear state, I have come with the message of restoration. I come to you with the message of restoration of a government with a human face: a government that understands that the wellbeing and the welfare of the people take precedent over every other thing,” he said.

Osunbor promised to create development area councils as a prelude to eventual creation of local government councils in the state and promised that local councils under his administration would enjoy full autonomy with all funds due to them released by his administration.

Osunbor who described his ouster from power as a “rude disengagement” vowed to implement taxation with “reasonable consideration of the ability of the people to pay without compromising other basic obligations”, and promised to ensure adequate power supply in the state by initiating an Independent Power Project.

Another aspirant, Major General Charles Airhiavbere launched his campaign on November 12, 2012 which coincidentally was the day Oshiomhole celebrated his third year anniversary.

Airhiavbere said his choice of November 12 was to give Oshiomhole one year quit notice and subsequently issue his administration a ‘red card’.

Major Gen. Airhiavbere who holds an HND

•Osunbor

in Accounting and an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Ibadan promised to implement a six-point agenda that would revolve around security, urban renewal, rural development, industrialisation, agriculture, education and Public Private Partnership initiatives.

Airhiavbere was Commander of the Army Corps of Finance before he was appointed Director General of National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

He promised to provide free education from primary to junior secondary schools, free maternal health care as well as bringing radical change to the state by using global best practices as well as granting full autonomy to the state owned tertiary institutions, while providing skill acquisition for graduates.

According to him, “the battle to return Edo to its glory requires a General. Edo will turn around for good under my leadership.”

John Ogieva is a retired Commissioner of Police who recently joined the PDP. He joined the party’s governorship race but is regarded among the political class as a neo-

phyte in politics.

The general feeling in the PDP is that, of the six aspirants, only four, Osunbor, Ihonvbere, Airhiavbere and Imasuangbon could be regarded as the heavyweights who have enough understanding of what it requires to successfully run the race and have wallets deep enough to support the process.

While some consider him an outsider, those close to Airhiavbere say he might be favoured as the only aspirant from the Edo South senatorial district, a region with the highest population and political strength. He is said to enjoy the support of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia and has the means to fund the election. Those opposed to him argue that he is a new entrant and should not reap where others have sown. Some PDP leaders hint that he could be given the Ben Bruce treatment having not met the PDP constitutional requirement to contest the governorship election.

But Airhiavbere told reporters recently that he would be cleared for the primaries.

Osunbor is seen by PDP members as the cause of their fall in the state. They said his attempt to erect a parallel party structure led to division in the party which eventually allegedly affected their case at the tribunal.

A PDP leader said Imasuangbon and Ihonvbere are studying the direction of the wind with regards to the PDP primaries before deciding whether to drop their ambitions. The PDP leader revealed that they already have their preferred aspirant who will eventually emerge through what he termed ‘Instructions’.

Hope Iyare, a lawyer in the campaign organisation of Imasuangbon, said they have a 85 per cent chance of winning the primaries. “We are talking about delegate elections and I am sure we have the structure to obtain the PDP ticket. There are always rumours in politics. We were also promised the ticket”, he said.

Party primaries are usually all-comer affairs. All manner of party members are expected to show interest even when it is obvious that they stand no chance. Some see it as a means of negotiation places in government, while others just want it registered that they once ran for offices. Past experience indicate that some aspirants only run their campaigns in the media with a view to gaining recognition in the party. There are indications that more people will still peep into the arena. But, contenders are usually few. It may take months to separate the contenders from the pretenders.

The real contest starts when the ticket has been handed one of the contenders. He would have to reconcile the various interests and prepare the former ruling party for the task of running a rigorous race that could challenge the ACN and Governor Oshiomhole.

• Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State(left) congratulating Chief Okafor Okorieafia after he was sworn in as Chairman of Arochukwu Local Government Area.

46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

47

48

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

49

50

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

51

52

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

53

MONEY LINK

FSS 2020: CBN, German agency sign pact

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the German De velopment Agency (GIZ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation and partnership on the Financial System Strategy 2020 (FSS 2020).

The areas of cooperation will include microfinance banks, banking laws and regulations, as part of banking sector reforms.

The CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said the essence of the cooperation is to ensure that institutions in the financial system do not create problems of instability, adding that the partnership presents greater opportunities for much work to be done and advised that the cooperation should clearly spell out deliverables, measurement targets and actual matrix to know where the financial system is going.

In a statement issued yesterday, Sanusi, mandated the FSS 2020 Project to produce measureable targets and milestones to enable the apex bank assess the progress being made.

The GIZ team, led by the Country Director, Karl Bruening, said the areas of cooperation will include microfinance, laws and regulations as part of banking sector reforms. He disclosed that a full-time consultant, Robin Hofmeister, had been deployed to the Project Management Office (PMO) to provide necessary support to the FSS 2020 programmes.

“In the cooperation agreement, the GIZ will assist in developing a toolkit for financial sector reforms, using the FSS 2020 model as well as providing technical assistance and guidance to the FSS 2020 Secretariat,” he said.

Other areas of cooperation, he stated, include the Access to Insurance Initiatives (AZII), which in-

By Collins Nweze

volves a comprehensive diagnostic study of Nigeria’s insurance sector and conducting a capacity duediligence exercise on key regulatory agencies. It would examine issues of overall insurance product range, institutions, micro-insur-

country’s economy one of the safest in the world by 2020.

The apex bank said the full implementation of the strategy would help make Nigeria, Africa’s financial hub.

The FSS 2020 programme is a holistic programme whose vision

ance and re-insurance. This is similar to Chile’s multi-plank pension scheme that is now the pension scheme of choice worldwide, he added.

The FSS 2020 seeks to make all financial institutions in the country work seamlessly to make the

FirstBank offers mortgages to Tejuosho market traders FIRSTBANK is offering aspiring shop owners at the Tejuosho market the opportunity to secure loans for the project. The bank which was involved in the funding of the transformation of the market after it was gutted by fire in 2007, said the offer is consistent with its policy of promoting economic development and prosperity through sustained Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

The Managing Director, Bisi Onasanya, who spoke while handing over keys to traders that have completed repayment of loans obtained from the bank to pay for the shops, said the bank is equally committed to growing the economy through trade development and entrepreneurship, by offering mort-

gage facilities to individuals and corporate organisations to acquire the shops.

The bank, he said, offers would-be shop owners generous interest rate on mortgage facilities with an 8-year pay-back period to acquire shops in the market.

FirstBank’s Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Kehinde Lawanson, said FirstBank considers its involvement in infrastructure and mortgage financing as a development responsibility geared towards economic empowerment and addressing the nation’s infrastructural gap.

“With a potential for over 100,000 shoppers daily, and an expected N5 billion daily turnover, Tejuousho

market is set to serve as oil that will further lubricate the economy. We are happy to be part of the project and we enjoin individuals and corporate entities to approach our branches in Lagos to sign up for mortgages to position themselves for the endless opportunities at the new Tejuosho market,” he said.

Lawanson, added that the new complex would change the face of shopping in Lagos completely, create more jobs for the populace and foster enhanced trade opportunities for all classes of traders. On the uniqueness of the facility which will enable applicants acquire the over 4,040 shops of different sizes, he said: “The off-takers can acquire the shops with minimal initial capital outlay,

T

HE Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), said it has committed an estimated N28.84 billion to the export sector from 2005 to October, this year.

The Assistant General Manager, Project Finance, Ifeanyi Nwade, who stated this during an exporters enlightenment programme, tagged: ‘Developing the Nigerian Non-Oil Export Sector through Customised Solutions,’ organised by the bank in Lagos, said the figure represented the actual funding to on-going projects initiated by the bank in the period under review.

and human capital. It is no doubt the commercial hub of the country and by far the most industrialised region,” he said.

The Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Robert Orya, said the export potentials of the beneficiary states were far from significantly tapped.

He urged the investors to take advantage of the numerous business and investment opportunities that abound in the zone. He said that the bank had disbursed over N70 billion and supported over 900 export project in the real sec-

He said the amount is exclusive of those transactions that are currently under negotiations or waiting funding.

He said the South-West geo- political zone is the foremost beneficiary of the bank’s intervention with a total of N16.5 billion which denotes 57 per cent of the bank’s total intervention. He said three states including: Oyo, Osun and Ekiti are yet to receive the disbursements, adding that Lagos, Ogun and Ondo are the only beneficiaries in the region.

“The South-West region is richly endowed in agriculture, solid minerals

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 6-12-11 SYMBOL FCMB RTBRISCOE UAC-PROP DANGSUGAR WAPCO NASCON GUARANTY CONTINSURE AIICO WEMABANK

O/PRICE 3.60 1.12 12.30 4.20 38.50 4.01 13.50 0.98 0.52 0.57

C/PRICE 3.78 1.17 12.75 4.31 39.50 4.10 13.80 1.00 0.53 0.58

CHANGE 0.18 0.05 0.45 0.11 1.00 0.09 0.30 0.02 0.01 0.01

LOSER AS AT 6-12-11 SYMBOL REDTAREX VITAFOAM FIDSON MAYBAKER DIAMONDBNK BAGCO ACCESS UBA CILEASING WAPIC

O/PRICE 2.21 5.03 1.04 1.90 2.76 1.75 4.71 2.48 0.74 0.52

C/PRICE 2.10 4.78 0.99 1.81 2.63 1.67 4.50 2.37 0.71 0.50

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

tor. The managing director said that they were mostly small and medium scale enterprises adding that the bank had also sustained over 300,000 direct jobs in addition to many indirect jobs.

Orya said that the bank had generated $1 billion in foreign exchange earnings for the country, although the bank has its own challenges too.

He said that as part of the bank’s effort to deepen regional trade, it was currently working on the Sea Link project to facilitate the movement of goods and passengers within the West and Central African regions.

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

while repayment of the mortgage can be serviced from daily sales proceeds and other regular income sources by the off-takers.”

The multi-billion naira Tejuosho project was developed to world-class standards with a provision for escalators; fire-fighting equipment, ground floor parking and another multi-storey car park for over 800 vehicles.

“The project is an example of how the PPP model can be deployed to provide much needed infrastructure and promote rapid economic growth and prosperity. What you see here is the result of a tripartite PPP project between the Lagos State Government, Stormberg Nigeria Limited and First Bank of Nigeria Plc,” he said.

NEXIM commits N28.84b to export sector

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

is to make Nigeria’s financial system the safest and fastest growing among the emerging markets. Besides, it would allow each regulatory agency or financial institution in the country a role to play in ensuring that the sector delivers on the mandate of the strategy

Amount

Exchange

Sold ($)

Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 118.85 98.43 0.76 1.04 0.88 1,642.73 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,351.90 193.00

9.08 1.00 118.69 97.65 0.73 1.04 0.87 1,635.25 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,149.37 191.08

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

CHANGE 0.11 0.25 0.05 0.09 0.13 0.08 0.21 0.11 0.03 0.02

• STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

56

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 6-12-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 8 12

Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

AIR SERVICES No of Deals 3 32 35

Quotation(N) 2.08 4.75

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 17 1.17 18

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

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

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

BREWERIES No of Deals 79 1 143 223

Quotation(N) 215.25 5.70 94.04

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 99,844 21,835,770.26 100 542.00 1,863,552 177,810,973.60 1,963,496 199,647,285.86

CONGLOMERATES Company Name No of Deals JOHN HOLT PLC 1 PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC 33 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC 30 UAC OF NIGERIA PLC 79 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC 45 Sector Totals 188 CONSTRUCTION No of Deals 2 2 4

Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC P. S. MANDRIDES PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 97,800 48,900.00 227,065 261,237.65 324,865 310,137.65

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 5,129,017 23,515,818.73 1,109,500 2,966,510.00 51,331 96,695.62 1,261,551 4,748,436.76 18,693,868 23,088,304.06 13,610,799 122,573,835.75 5,831,470 80,453,460.53 704,805 5,158,486.30 6,906,282 29,199,538.50 872,085 935,711.93 21,329,027 50,584,575.45 22,100,550 11,068,847.85 186,163 106,399.28 26,911,426 309,466,846.52 124,697,874 663,963,467.28

Quotation(N) 8.52 16.12 1.07

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 1 0.80 14 2.10 16

Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Secure Electronic Technology PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 42,000 90,240.00 64,886 311,631.24 106,886 401,871.24

Quotation(N) 4.50 2.63 1.90 3.78 1.27 9.00 13.80 7.21 4.20 1.07 2.37 0.51 0.58 11.48

CHEMICAL & PAINTS No of Deals 2 16 4 22

Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 9,055,573 4,527,786.50 82,807 623,616.70 9,138,380 5,151,403.20

BANKING No of Deals 128 29 13 41 67 552 398 45 104 14 145 82 13 260 1,891

BUILDING MATERIALS No of Deals Quotation(N) 28 13.60 5 4.80 15 105.10 40 39.50 88

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

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 79,418 1,065,823.31 109,000 513,150.00 61,581 6,523,406.54 428,072 16,862,137.29 678,071 24,964,517.14

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 47,800 387,180.00 41,463 661,542.81 38,000 38,760.00 127,263 1,087,482.81

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 250,000 125,000.00 500 380.00 757,000 1,611,630.00 1,007,500 1,737,010.00

Quotation(N) 5.89 29.05 0.57 30.00 26.14

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 46 257.60 164,235 4,779,034.10 3,846,464 2,186,434.48 543,695 16,325,778.74 366,127 9,479,100.60 4,920,567 32,770,605.52

Quotation(N) 38.43 7.89

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 18,000 658,350.00 3,000 24,840.00 21,000 683,190.00

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY No of Deals Quotation(N) 2 1.70 2

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 5,000 8,550.00 5,000 8,550.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO No of Deals Quotation(N) 13 48.00 25 11.05 54 5.06 45 4.31 26 64.00 16 2.85 1 5.66 15 4.10 48 400.00 1 0.50 244

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 14,224 652,210.88 141,567 1,554,015.30 600,357 3,030,602.69 658,726 2,779,062.45 22,702 1,420,931.34 82,740 227,481.40 1,600 8,608.00 438,306 1,778,678.36 45,398 18,160,184.11 200,000 100,000.00 2,205,620 29,711,774.53

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

Company Name VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 0.50 7.74

HEALTHCARE No of Deals 6 24 16 13 1 60

Quotation(N) 0.73 0.99 24.50 1.81 0.50

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS No of Deals Quotation(N) 10 4.78 10

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 48,250 35,222.50 2,415,000 2,507,337.32 540,964 13,126,013.40 133,448 241,713.88 30,000 15,000.00 3,167,662 15,925,287.10

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 98,010 470,102.80 98,010 470,102.80

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name No of Deals Quotation(N) Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) CHAMS PLC 3 0.50 36,700 18,350.00 e-TRANZACT INTERNATIONAL PLC 1 5.47 200 1,080.00 Sector Totals 4 36,900 19,430.00

Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIA INSURANCE COMPANY PLC

INSURANCE No of Deals 74 9 1 1 2

Quotation(N) 0.53 1.00 0.50 2.14 0.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,222,351 637,212.52 614,700 615,389.00 400,000 200,000.00 2,000 4,300.00 1,500 750.00

Stockbrokers seek financial intervention

S

TOCKBROKERS yes terday called on the government to intervene and resolve the debt overhang and liquidity crunch in the stockbroking industry. They noted that the stock market’s recession might linger unless government takes affirmative action.

The request for financial intervention came as aggregate market value of the stock market dropped by N21 billion as investors remained uncertain about the outlook for the Nigerian stock market.

Speaking at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos yesterday, President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), Alhaji Rasheed Yusuf, said the meltdown has defied all solutions because the critical element of funding is missing.

He said with banks not funding the market, apathy from local investors and the crisis in the advanced economies affecting foreign investors, providing alternative funding mechanism to break the crunch within the stockbroking community becomes the most critical issue.

He noted that the new guideline for margin loan facility would only be effective if backed with appropriate funding, pointing out

•Market dips N21b

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

that in spite of efforts put in place by stakeholders to restore confidence and reposition the market, it has continued to record an unprecedented lull, which has dropped market capitalisation by 20 per cent from N7.914 trillion to N6.295 trillion.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities dropped by 0.33 per cent from N6.300 trillion to N6.279 trillion. Also, the All Share Index (ASI), the valuebased benchmark index that tracks the entire market, slipped from 20,015.66 points to 19,951.13 points.

Most group indices trended downward indicating the prevalence of the bearishness. The NSE 30 Index, which tracks the 30 most capitalised companies, dropped from 891.94 points to 888.72 points. NSE Banking Index dropped to 263.70 points as against 264.22 points. NSE Oil and Gas Index dipped to 239.86 points as against opening index of 241.16 points. However, the NSE Food and Beverages Index rose from 552.97 points to 554.64 points, while the NSE Insurance Index improved from 146.87 points to 147.52 points.

Nigerian Breweries Plc

led the decliners with N2.46 to close at N94.04 kobo per share. Oando Plc followed with a loss of 49 kobo to close at N25.51 kobo per share. Vitafoam Plc lost 25 kobo to close at N4.78 kobo per share. Stanbic IBTC Bank dropped 23 kobo to close at N7.21, while Access Bank and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated lost 21 kobo each to close at N4.50 and N10.39 respectively.

On the upside, Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria led the advancers with a gain of N1 to close at N39.50 kobo per share. UACN Property Development Company Plc followed with a gain of 45 kobo to close at N12.75 kobo per share.

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria added 33 kobo to close at N24.50 kobo per share, while Guaranty Trust Bank gained 30 kobo to close at N13.80 per share.

Turnover stood at 164 million shares worth N1.061 billion in 3,308 deals. Banking subsector remained the most active with a turnover of 129 million shares worth N707 million in 1,916 deals.

Agriculture sector recorded turnover of 9.14 million shares worth N5.26 million in 13 deals, while insurance subsector traded 6.48 million shares valued at N3.98 million in 150 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 6-12-11 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. UNIC INSURANCE PLC. UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

7 3 1 1 21 6 6 5 1 1 11 150

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

306,500 11,400 5,000 212,760 1,983,640 400,000 279,000 450,000 40,000 334,285 218,297 6,481,433

162,445.00 17,246.00 2,500.00 106,380.00 1,170,217.20 200,000.00 139,500.00 432,000.00 20,000.00 167,142.50 109,194.44 3,984,276.66

LEASING No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.71

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 81,500 57,865.00 81,500 57,865.00

MARITIME No of Deals 63 63

Quotation(N) 0.68

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,182,246 1,516,240.70 2,182,246 1,516,240.70

MORTGAGE COMPANIES No of Deals Quotation(N) 2 0.50 2

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 60,500 30,250.00 60,500 30,250.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 1 0.94 2

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 500 250.00 5,000 4,900.00 5,500 5,150.00

Company Name RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

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

0.53 1.50 0.50 0.50 0.60 0.50 0.50 0.96 0.50 0.50 0.50

Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

PACKAGING No of Deals 39 39

Quotation(N) 1.67

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 405,795 693,560.15 405,795 693,560.15

Company Name CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) No of Deals Quotation(N) 18 33.25 9 3.15 5 15.00 19 133.95 138 25.51 2 200.00 191

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 26,977 852,607.17 62,711 199,639.55 7,640 109,088.00 20,040 2,648,116.02 1,127,448 28,312,686.34 1,382 268,180.00 1,246,198 32,390,317.08

Company Name UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

PRINTING & PUBLISHING No of Deals Quotation(N) 5 3.59 5

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 237,174 864,293.80 237,174 864,293.80

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

REAL ESTATE No of Deals 12 12

Quotation(N) 12.75

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS No of Deals Quotation(N) 24 10.39 24 3,307

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 83,002 1,043,655.80 83,002 1,043,655.80

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 4,256,551 43,009,363.00 4,256,551 43,009,363.00 163,538,993

1,060,447,087.32

57

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

NEWS We’re ready for retrial, says Ngige

Bianca returns from London for Ojukwu’s burial

T

T

HE senator representing Anambra Central, Dr. Chris Ngige, has said he is ready for the retrial of the petition filed by All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate Mrs Dora Akunyili.

In a statement by his Media Assistant, Charles Eze, Ngige said contrary to Mrs Akunyili’s claim that he is frustrating the commencement of the retrial , he is only exploring his legal rights by appealing the ruling of the tribunal, especially regarding Section 285 of the Constitution as amended.

“I am neither afraid of retrial nor frustrating it, but have the right to explore my legal right in seeing that justice is done in the matter. I won the election in the field and the evidence are there for the court to see other than flouting the constitutional provisions as regard election cases.

“I advise my opponent to

•Ngige stop making mountain out of molehill on the issue for she cannot get what she could not get in the field of election in the court by bambozzling judiciary into doing her bidding,” Ngige said.

Mrs Akunyili, through her Media Assistant, Mr. Isaac Umunna, had accused Ngige of frustrating the retrial of her petition.

Robbers kill four in Onitsha From Adimike George, Onitsha

A

FOUR-MAN robbery gang yesterday stormed the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, killing two persons and injuring two police officers.

Another gang of gunmen killed two persons after dispossessing them of some valuables at a bar in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government.

The attacks came barely 24 hours after the state government launched a Security Trust Fund and donated patrol vehicles to the police.

According to eyewitnesses, the Onitsha robbery took place on Upper Iweka Road. The gang reportedly met a trader whom they suspected had money.

Sources said the robbers, in their bid to escape, clashed with the police and a gun battle ensued . Two police officers were injured. Stray bullets killed a passerby and a truck driver.

The robbers, who operated on two motorcycles, escaped through Ogbor Avenue in Woliwo Layout.

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB) mobilised their members to calm residents.

Commissioner of Police Muhtari Ibrahim said the command has not been briefed on the incident.

Abia Assembly supports fuel subsidy removal

T

HE Abia State House of Assembly has passed a resolution supporting the removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government.

The House advised that the revenue accruing from the removal should be channelled to areas that would expedite the development of the country.

The member representing Isiala-Ngwa North State constituency Martins Azubike brought the motion as a matter of public importance.

Addressing reporters during its monthly press briefing, the Deputy Speaker and House Committee Chairman on Information and Strategy, Allwell Asiforo Okere, said the members believe that the policy is unpopular. He said they would educate the people to accept its removal.

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

Okere said it is the lawmakers’ duty to take risk for the people, adding that the task is an onerous one, “which we are not afraid to shy away from at any point in time, so long as it is for the good of the people”.

He said only a few people have been enjoying oil subsidy to the detriment of others.

The Deputy Speaker noted that when the Federal Government was about to liberalise the telecoms sector, “many people kicked against it, saying it will lead to unemployment”. “But the GSM operators have now employed more workers than the defunct NITEL”.

Okere noted that fuel subsidy removal would initially increase prices of goods, but prices would eventually stabilise.

Kalu slams Obasanjo over comment

F

ORMER Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has slammed ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comment on the late Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. He said Obasanjo was out to offend the sensibilities of the Igbo.

Kalu wondered why Obasanjo would continue to wage war against the people through extraneous means, even while others acknowl-

edge Ojukwu’s place in Nigerian history. “ Obasanjo’s tribute was full of terminological inexactitudes. Ojukwu could not have thought of tendering apology of any sort. He did not drag the Igbo to war. War was inevitable at the time because the people could not fold their arms as they were slaughtered in some parts of Nigeria,” Kalu said.

HE wife of the late Chukwuemeka Odumewu-Ojukwu, Bianca, has returned from London in preparation for her husband’s burial.

Bianca, who arrived at her Casablanca Lodge home in Enugu wearing a black dress, looked frail and tired.

She was received at the Lodge by the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike and a host of others.

The remains of the late Odumegwu- Ojukwu will be flown back to Nigeria in January.

The National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Victor

G

OVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has warned the newly sworn in transition committee chairmen of the 17 local governments not to associate with the political enemies of the state.

The governor said any coun-

•Body arrives Nigeria January From Chris Oji, Enugu

Umeh told reporters shortly after arriving the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu, with Mrs. Ojukwu who had earlier arrived in Abuja from London, the funeral of the late elder statesman has generated interests across the country and beyond.

According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan and governors of the old Eastern Region want to participate in the funeral.

Umeh added that the funeral date was chosen in conjunction with the Ojukwu family, adding that with the return of Ojukwu’s widow from London, arrangements

for the funeral would commence.

“We just returned from Abuja, from the airport, we are taking her home and from there the family of Ojukwu will take over the arrangements of the burial in consultation with all the interested stakeholders. Now that the widow has returned, all arrangements will start with the family” he stated.

“The governor of Anambra State was mandated to meet with the President, ontwo possible dates, January 27 or February 2, from the consultation we had with the President, he chose February 2. When the President chose

February 2, the Governors Forum then announced it.

The President has shown tremendous interest in the affairs of our leader since the last 18 months, so we have to consult him before this date was officially announced.

The date was chosen in conjunction with the family after the short meeting we had in London.

“All the governors from the old Eastern region have indicated interest to participate fully in the burial. The Federal Government has also indicated interest. As soon as the arrangements are concluded, detailed programmes for mourning will appear again. People will continue to mourn until we inter him.”

Orji warns council chiefs From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

cil chief who associates with those who once held the state in bondage would be sacked and rendered politically irrelevant.

Orji spoke during the swearing in of the new council chair-

men in Umuahia.

The governor told them to go to their different council areas in the state and open up all the 210 health centres built by his administration, “for the people of the state and those at the grassroots who voted for us and need to be given the best

we can offer”.

He warned them not to borrow money from banks, “so that the council chairmen will not accumulate debts for the state government, except when it is absolutely necessary and with the permission of the state government”.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

58

NEWS Re-open N300b probe, says Oshiomhole

Police to robbers: We will get you From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has called on the National Assembly to reopen the probe into the N300billion allocated to the Ministry of Works when the Chairman of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Tony Anenih, was minister.

Oshiomhole made the call when 500 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Iganke and Oredo joined the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The governor said investigations should be opened into how the NPA chairman became a millionaire after retiring as an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

He said: “Our senators must open the case of the N300billion Anenih collected.

The Lagos-Benin road was not completed during Anenih’s tenure.

“I invite him to any debate.

We will dig up how he became a millionaire without reaching the position of a Commissioner in the force.

Where is his business empire? “

Delta revokes Club’s C of O DELTA State Government has revoked the Certificate of Occupancy of the Asaba Sport Club and taken over the premises.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan announced this while inspecting projects in Asaba, the capital.

He said the compulsory acquisition was informed by the violence and destruction of the club by criminals.

Uduaghan directed the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Tsafe, to arrest the suspects.

T

•Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko (second left); his wife, Olukemi (left); the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo and his wife, Olori Kiladejo, at the Ekimogun Day Celebration...yesterday

‘Sylva won’t launch any campaign office’ AYELSA State Governor Timipre Sylva has cleared the air on the opening of his campaign office today.

He said issues concerning the office were misconstrued.

The idea, Sylva said, is to ensure a meeting point for his supporters and Bayelsans to exchange ideas on the election.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Strategy, Nathan Egba, said there would be no fanfare at the inauguration.

Egba said the office would be open to the public and Sylva’s supporters for meetings and exchange of ideas.

The commissioner said the statement from the gover-

B

•Office to be open to all supporters From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa nor’s Chief Press Secretary, Doifie Ola, on the opening was to reassure supporters of Sylva’s commitment to actualise his ambition, despite distractions from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ola had said the decision to open the campaign office was because of complaints by supporters of the governor that there was no rallying point for him.

Egba said: “The position is that he is not launching any campaign.

“The Director-General of the campaign is just meeting with coordinators and other organising officials as a way of encouraging them.

“It is not as if the governor

wants to launch his campaign office or anything like that.

“The campaign office is open to receive the governor’s supporters.

“From today, people can come in and interact. The complaints have been that the governor’s supporters do not have a place to go and find out issues about the governor.

“Sometimes when he is not in town, there are rumours and people need a place to clarify issues.

“Even when he is in town, not all Bayelsans have access to the Government House. But they can now go to the campaign office and see the governor whenever he is in town.

“The whole idea of opening the campaign office is

for his supporters to go there and seek information concerning him.

“It is going to be a rallying point for his supporters.

“Initially the governor had wished to be there, but we have realised that his presence there may be misconstrued to mean that he is opening a campaign.

“So, we have decided that he will not be there in order not to give a wrong impression to the public.”

At the campaign office yesterday, there were a lot of activities. Women were cooking and there were canopies with people everywhere.

The Director of Campaigns, Dr. George Fente, could not be reached for comments.

Community in court over demolition From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

E

Akpabio presents N397.141b budget

A

KWA IBOM State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday presented a N397.141billion budget to lawmakers for the 2012 financial year.

According to Akpabio, the budget is a decrease of N22.644billion against the total revised appropriation of N419.785billion for the 2011 fiscal year.

In the budget outlay, N66.244 billion is for recurrent expenditure. About N330.897 billion is for capital expenditure, representing a recurrent capital ratio of 1:5.

The governor puts the total projected revenue at N263.777 billion, representing a decrease of N12.817billion as against the 2011 corresponding revised estimate of N276.595 billion.

The “Budget for Industrialisation”, Akpabio said, will derive its revenue from

HE Rivers State Police Command and the Joint Task Force (JTF) have assured residents of Port Harcourt and environs of safety, after Monday’s robbery, in which four persons were killed.

Police spokesperson Ben Ugwuegbuelam said the incident was an isolated case, adding that the police was on top of the situation.

He said: “We lost a man and some civilians were injured. When a policeman is killed it tends to generate tension but we are not worried even though it is sad to lose a man and civilians as it happened yesterday.

“The command is diligently investigating the case and we will bring the culprits to book.”

Ugwuegbuelam dispelled reports of increase in violent crimes and calls for the deployment of soldiers.

“Robbery is on the decline in Rivers State and we have statistics to back that up. For this incident, we are going to arrest those responsible.”

JTF spokesperson LtColonel Tim Antigha said the police are able to handle the situation, stressing that there is no need for the task force’s intervention He said: “We (JTF) can’t go into Port Harcourt, police have not said they are not able to handle the situation.

We know the situation on ground but the police have not said they are not capable of handling the situation.”

•Akpabio presenting the budget to Ikon...yesterday From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

derivation N200. 132billion, Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) N21.646billion, Statutory Allocation N36billion and Value Added Tax (VAT) N6billion.

Akpabio praised the House for the coopera-

tion given to him, saying such has led to the uncommon transformation the state is experiencing.

According to him, the policy thrust of the budget is based on consolidating the gains of 2011 and completing all projects.

Speaker Samuel Ikon assured the governor of the House's support.

LDERS of Umuagu Community in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government of Delta State yesterday stormed High Court 4, to protest the alleged acquisition of their land.

The community, it was learnt, resorted to the protest after their plan to be joined in the suit instituted by Gideon Nwaomu against the government suffered a setback.

The elders vowed to file a separate suit Nwaomu sued the government after officials of the Task Force on Flood Control and Removal of Illegal Structures demolished his restaurant.

Justice Brikins Okolosi had restrained the government from further tampering with the restaurant, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Okolosi admitted the motion for mandatory order of injunction to restore the claimant’s property.

The leave sought by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Ajuyah (SAN), who appeared for the government, to file application was also granted.

The matter was adjourned till January 12.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

59

NEWS Murder: Man sentenced to death by hanging

A

KANO High Court has sentenced a man, Miko Umaru, to death by hanging for beheading a woman, Hauwa Uwani Alasan, about 20 years ago.

Justice Nuradden Sagir Umar held that the court was satisfied with the evidence against the accused.

He said: “I have no discretion, based on Section 221 of the Penal Code, to commute the death sentence. I hereby sentence you, Miko, to death by hanging. You shall be hanged until pronounced dead by the authority concern.”

The Judge also sentenced the accused to a five-year imprisonment on the second charge, in accordance with Section 219 of the Penal Code.

He said the convict has the right to appeal if he was not satisfied with the verdict.

Miko and two other accused allegedly murdered Alasan on February 23, 1992, on the outskirts of Kademi village in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State.

He was said to have strangled and beheaded his victim after hitting her on the head several times.

The killing, according to prosecution witnesses, was for ritual.

ADUNA State Governor Patrick Yakowa yesterday relived the frustrations of governors in dealing with communal violence.

The governor spoke as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Mathew Hassan Kukah said Northern leaders were hypocritical about the virtues of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello when they were doing nothing to maintain his legacies.

Yakowa, who was among discussants on the second day of the Arewa Peace and Unity Conference in Kaduna, said anytime there is a crisis, he first contacts the Police Commissioner, who also contacts the Inspector-General of Police before police reinforcement is drafted to troubled spots.

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

The governor noted that security agencies must take their work serious to curb violence, adding: “Whether you are talking about the police or the State Security Services (SSS) or other para-military organisations that engage in the work of security, they must take their work seriously. The work of the police force includes maintenance of law and order.

“Throughout this country, we have one police force. Because of the size of this country and the size of our police force, it poses a

O

VER 1,400 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members camped at the Chindo Yamusa Orientation Camp in Keffi, Nasarawa State, have protested their planned redeployment to Yobe.

The corps members were camped in Nasarawa State because of insecurity, caused by the Boko Haram sect, in Yobe State.

Their protest, it was learnt, followed a hint by the NYSC Coordinator from Yobe State, Victoria Ango, that they might be redeployed to the state.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

CHIEFTAIN of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kogi State, Dino Melaye, yesterday described the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday’s governorship election in the state as temporary and evaporative.

Melaye, who addressed reporters in Abuja, urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce the original result of the election as the one re-

A

As Ango began to say Yobe used to be among the most peaceful states in the country, the Corps members, sensing that they were about to be redeployed, started shouting: ‘No Yobe!

No Yobe!’

Their action irked the Platoon leader, who reportedly drilled them for about five hours without food.

One of the corps members, who spoke in confidence, told The Nation that they were called to the parade ground last Wednesday and asked to listen to the NYSC Director from the state.

leased on Sunday did not reflect the wishes and aspiration of the people of Kogi State.

He said: “As at Saturday night, the ACN had won in about 14 of the 16 local government areas so far collated.

But before daybreak, we discovered that the results had been manipulated.

“We are saying that the ACN will not take it likely and we are going to fight it to the court. I want to advise Kogites to remain peaceful and law-abiding, that this stolen mandate will be restored in a matter of months.

“I want to tell the PDP that their victory over the ACN is temporary and evaporative and that it is just a matter of time.

“We call on INEC to ameliorate the situation because

the result sheets were falsified and duplicated. INEC should release the final results because the ones released do not reflect the wishes and aspiration of Kogi people,” he added Stressing that the ACN candidate won the election on Saturday, Melaye said: “If the PDP got it through the back door, we will get it through the window.

“The truth of the matter is that the PDP graduated from winning election through the use of thugs, police and Army, to falsification of results; which is scientific rigging.

“In Yagba East and Yagba West, there were no result sheets, no election there. But somehow later, results from there arrived Lokoja for final computation. You will discover that rigging has graduated from analogue to digital.”

Suspected thugs kill policeman in Kano

A

great challenge and I can talk from experience. I have at several for a referred to the unfortunate post-election political violence that erupted here in Kaduna state in April as most unfortunate and most unnecessary, because it was purely political.

It all started here in Kaduna and spread to other parts of the state.

“We must do everything possible to make sure that there is no situation that will make people to resort to violence. We have all structures and the system that is well intentioned to deal with situations in this country.

“Election tribunals were already set up and the courts are there. I feel that anybody who feels aggrieved or feels that he has been cheated or that an election has been

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

• Yakowa

rigged, should seek redress in these places rather than instigate youths to violence. The solution remains, to my mind, making use of these structures that we have in this country.”

Corps members protest redeployment to Yobe

PDP’s victory temporary, says Melaye

•Melaye

19 die of ‘food poisoning’ in Borno

Yakowa relives post-poll violence K

POLICE Sergeant, Godwin Bakure, who was newly posted to the Kano Police Command, has been killed by suspected thugs in Kano.

The suspected thugs, armed with machetes and clubs, were reportedly fleeing from the police when they ran into Bakure and stabbed him to death.

It was learnt that the unsuspecting policeman alighted from a motorbike to buy some items. He was reportedly murdered near the shop.

An eyewitness said the killing occurred when some officers and men of the Kano Police Command were raiding Kofar Nai’sa area of the city to flush out suspected hoodlums

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

from their hideouts.

The area is said to be a haven for suspected criminals.

The police usually raid the area to dislodge suspected hoodlums. It was in one of such raids that the policeman, attached to Gwale Division, was killed.

Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris confirmed the killing.

He said Bakure, who was in company of his friend, Ezekiel, had alighted from a motorbike, to buy some clothes beside a car wash when some hoodlums killed him.

He said investigations into the matter have begun.

“We gathered at the parade ground and she (Director) now started saying that they wanted to send us back to Yobe State… that everything was okay in the state and that the governor was ready to add N20,000 to our allowances.

“She said we should all be redeployed to Yobe State because they had cleaned up the hostels and fumigated the whole place. But we immediately started shouting: “No Yobe! No Yobe!” the corps member said.

Despite the punishment, the corps member said they

would not return to Yobe State because of in security.

He said the Corps members were planning to write a protest letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, to be published in a national daily, to make him look into their plight.

The Corps member added that it was obvious the NYSC management was serious about the redeployment.

The NYSC Public Relations Officer in Yobe, Yahuza Isa, told The Nation that the director did not tell the Corps members that they would be redeployed to the state.

NINETEEN people have died of suspected food poisoning in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

About 100 people had been hospitalised for developing symptoms after eating some food about 21 days ago.

Som of the patients were discharged from hospitals, clinics and health centres in the local government.

The Caretaker Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Adamu Yusuf, confirmed the incident when Deputy Governor Umar Zanna Mustapha visited Biu General Hospital to assess the situation.

Yusuf praised Governor Kashim Shettima for sending drugs to treat the victims.

He said the council purchased some drugs to supplement those of the state government, adding that the situation would soon be brought under control.

The council chief said there were enough drugs to treat the victims.

One of the doctors at Biu General Gospital, Dr. Alvan Ike said the hospital management was on top of the situation.

He said some of the victims have been treated and discharged while those still on admission were responding to treatment.

Mustapha praised the medical personnel and health workers at the Biu General Hospital for promptly attending to the patients and putting the situation under control.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

60

FOREIGN NEWS

Russians protest over ‘rigged’ parliamentary election

R

USSIANS take to the streets of Moscow for a second day of protest against the rule of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, following elections at the weekend.

Russian opposition leaders and Putin supporters have confronted each other in the centre of Moscow as protests grow over the outcome of the country’s elections at the weekend. (Reuters) Opposition leaders, supporters of Mr Putin and riot police confronted each other in the centre of Moscow as protests grow over the outcome of the country’s parliamentary elections at the weekend.

About 500 protesters chanted “Russia without Putin!” and “Freedom!”, but hundreds more turned up at the demonstration to try and

drown out the opposition chants with their own loyalist cries of “Russia, Putin!”

The crowd was held back by riot police, with around 100 people detained after scuffles broke out. Boris Nemstov, a liberal opposition leader, told Reuters he was one of those who had been detained. He said he was being held at a police station.

There will be no Slavic spring here in Russia if I have anything to do with it. Maxim Mishenko, on the streets of Moscow The protests follow a gathering of an estimated 5,000 people on Monday, when crowds assembled to express their opposition to alleged vote-rigging in the election and demand an end to Mr Putin’s rule. Almost 300 people were detained after Monday’s

protest, thought to be the biggest opposition protest in the capital for years.

Following Sunday’s parliamentary poll, in which Mr Putin’s United Russia party lost ground to its rivals, the prime minister pledged to reshuffle the government after March’s presidential election - which Mr Putin plans to contest.

Dmitri Peskov, a spokesman for Mr Putin, said sanctioned rallies could continue, but added: “The actions of those who hold unsanctioned demonstrations must be stopped in the appropriate way.”

The protests are the latest sign of pressure on the prime minister, ahead of his attempt to become president again next year and following the poor election results.

Kabila leads in DR Congo vote count

P

RESIDENT Joseph Kabila is leading Democratic Republic of Congo’s election with 46% of the vote, results show.

With more than two-thirds of votes counted, his closest challenger, Etienne Tshisekedi, trails on 36%, the election commission says.

Truckloads of riot police are patrolling the main cities in case of violence, with full results due on Tuesday, amid claims of fraud.

Some 3,000 people fled the capital, Kinshasa, at the weekend.

Last Monday’s polls were the second since the 1998-2003 war officially ended, following the loss of some four million lives. Armed groups continue to operate in eastern parts of this vast country,

which is two-thirds the size of Western Europe.

The BBC’s Thomas Hubert in Kinshasa says Mr Tshisekedi’s supporters insist that he has won and are unlikely to accept defeat in polls marred by allegations of rigging, including pre-marked ballots.

The constitutional mandate of Mr Kabila, 40, to rule ends on Tuesday and the opposition said it would not recognise his authority thereafter, our reporter says.

However, the head of the election commission said that Tuesday’s deadline to announce full results might not be met.

“First of all we’re going to make sure that all the results sheets have arrived and that we have all the information.

If not, we won’t be able to give

•Kabila

you more than a partial report,” said Daniel Ngoy Mulunda.

A senior official close to Mr Kabila has warned that the army could be deployed if the “situation becomes too chaotic for the police”.

“We cannot let chaos prevail,” Kikaya Bin Karubi, DR Congo’s ambassador to the UK is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.

Afghan President Karzai cancels UK trip after bombings

A

FGHANISTAN President Hamid Karzai has cancelled a visit to the UK to return to Afghanistan, after yesterday’s deadly attacks in the capital, Kabul, and in the northern city of Mazari-Sharif.

The twin attacks apparently targeting Shia Muslims killed at least 58 people.

A suicide bomb struck a Kabul shrine, killing at least 54, while the other blast struck near a Shia mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif at about the same time.

The attacks seemed to be sectarian, raising fears of new

violence.

Mr Karzai was in Germany on Tuesday evening after attending the international conference on his country in Bonn, and was later due to travel to the UK for talks with UK Prime Minister David Cameron today.

He said earlier it was “the first time that on such an important religious day in Afghanistan terrorism of that horrible nature is taking place”.

The blasts coincided with the Shia Muslim festival of Ashura - the most important day in the Shia calendar which

is marked with a public holiday in Afghanistan.

Ashura is the climax of Muharram, the month of mourning for the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson.

Though tensions exist between Afghanistan’s Sunni and minority Shia Muslims, most attacks in Afghanistan in recent years have targeted government officials or international forces, correspondents say.

Violence of the type seen in Pakistan or Iraq is rare, the BBC’s Quentin Sommerville in Kabul says.

Mogadishu ‘suicide car bomb kills Somali police’

A

T least five people, including a Somali policeman, have been killed as a car exploded while it was being searched in Mogadishu, sources say.

Police officers stopped the car in the busy K4 junction of the capital.

Police have confirmed the deaths of an officer, a civilian and the driver, who had allegedly set off the explosives.

Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which has staged several suicide attacks in the city in the past, said it carried out the attack.

Meanwhile, Kenya says more than 40 al-Shabab fighters and 11 Somali soldiers were killed in a battle in the southern town of Hawo, near Afmadow, at the weekend.

There is no independent confirmation of the Kenyan claims.

Kenya has sent troops into Somalia to tackle al-Shabab, after accusing the militants of a spate of kidnappings - charges it denies.

Following the Mogadishu explosion, medical sources told the BBC’s Mohamed Dore in the city that two more ci-

vilians had died from their wounds in hospital.

He says the police have blocked all roads in the area.

Smoke was seen rising above the city after the blast, which was reportedly followed by outbreaks of gunfire.

Police sources told our reporter that the car had been stopped and the driver taken to a police station, where he admitted carrying explosives in his vehicle.

He then returned to the car, accompanied by police officers, and managed to detonate the explosives, the sources said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

61

62

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA

Mikel plays in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Valencia GRC set to build motor

T

HERE was no changing the colour of the London sky as Chelsea kept it blue in spite of Valencia’s resilience in the last round of group games in the Champions League last night beating the visitors 3-0 at Stanford Bridge.

The win took Chelsea top of the log and thus qualified for the round of 16 as group winners with Leverkusen in second spot after drawing 1-1 at Genk.

Chelsea began their party in the 3rd minute. A pass from Juan Mata on the right found Didier Drogba inside the area in the third minute. The Ivorian sold a dummy to the two Valencia defenders opposing him in that sphere, leaving them rooted to the spot before sending the ball straight to the far pole with the Valencia keeper, Diego Alves left stretching to no avail.

Two minutes later, the Spaniards almost got on level terms but their effort kissed the Chelsea pole and still left the London side in pole position to win. But the travelers were back fighting in the 9th minute and goalkeeper Cech had to pull off a spectacular save to keep the home side in the lead after Albelda’s shot from outside the area stretched UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

RESULTS Chelsea 3-0 Valencia Genk 1-1 Leverkusen Olympiakos 3-1 Arsenal Dortmund 2-3 Marseille Porto 0-0 Zenit APOEL 0-2 Shakhtar Barcelona 4-0 BATE Plzen 2-2 Milan

By Olusoji Olukayode him to force a corner kick on the right.

Chelsea increased their tally 19 minutes after notching their first.

Drogba chests the ball in his own area, paced off into the visitors’ half, leaving his markers behind before releasing Ramires , who overpowered a Valencia defender in the penalty box to slot the ball under the goalkeeper in the 22nd minute, pinning scores at 2-0.

Mikel Obi came in for Ramires in the 64thto begin his contribution to the Londoners’ fight for a win on the night Still searching for a summarizer, Chelsea through Didier Drogba

came against Valencia again.

Drogba after receiving a pass from his own half sent the ball across goal for a goal kick. But he would still nick it anyway. The Ivorian was sent for goal for the second time in the game by Juan Mata. The Spaniard, bought from Valencia in the summer architected his former team’s fall

when he delivered the Ivorian a through pass in the 76th minute, and the African made good, side footing past Valencia’s goalkeeper, Diego Alves to make it 3-0.

Mata would however, make way for Malouda in the 82nd minute to take a rest from wrecking his former side.

•Didier Drogba, (c) of Chelsea FC celebrates with team-mates Raul Meireles (r) and Juan Mata after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group stage match against Valencia

WAFU CLUB CUP TOURNEY

Chime boosts Rangers with N30m •Team to storm Togo by road today

E

NUGU Rangers got a big boost in its quest to win the 2011 WAFU Club Cup Competition when the state governor, Sulivan Chime approved over N30 milion for the team’s trip to Lome, Togo for the subregional tourney.

There were doubts regarding the participation of the Flying Antelopes before now but the cheering news from the media officer of the coal city team, Foster Chime, has quelled that.

“The government has released the money that will help us to execute the competition and we have no money problems again.

The players and their officials will leave Nigeria from Lagos

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri on Wenesday while the remaining contingent will storm Togo on Thursday.”

Rangers which placed 6th in the just concluded league season has been in electrifying form in the WAFU Cup with comprehensive victories over, Mighty Barrole of Liberia, Kwara United of Nigeria and Nigerien side Akokana d’ Arlit and with the club’s place in the semi final already guaranteed, the Flying Antelopes have set their sight on emulating Sharks of Port Harcourt,which won the tourney last year.

With the release of the money, Rangers left Enugu enroute Lagos by flight from where the less than 30-man contigent will storm Togo by road today through the Seme border.

Chime explained why Rangers chose to get to Togo by road from Lagos, “ We do not have direct flight from Lagos to Togo and we have been told that if we get to Lagos, getting to Togo through Seme border will not be more than two, three hours. The players and their officials left Enugu this (Tuesday) evening and they will leave for Togo by road first thing in the morning tomorrow (today).”

racing tracks in Nigeria

A

S part of its effort to p o p u l a r i s e Motorsport in Nigeria, GRC Motorsport, is planning to build racing tracks in Nigeria in readiness for the staging of one of the international tournaments, World GT3 Series, in the country next year.

GRC is currently working on the modalities to build FIA Category 2 Temporary Street Circuits in the country ahead of the GT3 Series and the CEO of GRC Motorsport, Mr. Ribi Adeshokan said that the building of the racing tracks is one among numerous added advantages that the staging of the FIA GT World

By David Onyeka Series would bring to Nigeria.

Adeshokan also said that GRC would raise a national team called Team Nigeria (Racing Eagle) that will compete in FIA GT3 Series-a Grand Touring Series- having super sport car manufacturers like Audi, McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Maserati, Porsche, BMW competing with their most prestigious and iconic models.

He disclosed that Team Nigeria will fly the flag of Nigeria, promoting Nigeria's image to the world.

$50,000 for fans in Soccer Rumble S OCCER Rumble, a television reality game show will hit Nigeria television screens in the second quarter of 2012 with the aim of rewarding soccer loving fans $50,000 as they engage themselves in intellectual competition.

The concept is borne out of the need for a platform where soccer lovers, especially ardent club fans can engage themselves in intellectual soccer rumble, winning fabulous prizes.

According to Executive Producer Crown Media Limited, Dr. Austin Izagbo, the essence of the game is to engage in an intellectual contest with other representatives of other clubs in a pitch-like studio

setting.

He said: "Points are awarded on each match basis and fabulous prizes awaits winners, the first and the second runner-ups. In fact, all participants are to enjoy one form of award or cash prizes or the other.

"We are proud to say that with this show, we are bringing on TV in Nigeria, across Africa and the globe. very interesting content that will provide an experience that will continually linger on people’s mind whether as a participant or a viewer; it is a fusion of sports and entertainment, coined as sportainment.

Tomorrow in THE NATION

www.thenationonlineng.net

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.7 NO.1967

‘The result was the near collapse of the four refineries and increased dependency on importation of fuel for domestic consumption. Obasanjo saddled the function of importing fuel to meet domestic needs to three major oil firms’ JIDE OLUWAJUYITAN

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

F

EW Nigerians may have heard the name, Gordon Duff. I, for one, never did until my attention was drawn to an article he wrote on our country recently which he entitled alarmingly as “Nigeria Targeted for Destruction?”

After reading the doomsday article I Googlesearched for his credentials. Wikipedia, the online encyclopaedia, described him as “a Marine Vietnam veteran, a combat infantryman, and Senior Editor at Veterans Today.” His career, the source said, “has included extensive experience in international banking along with such diverse areas as consulting on counter insurgency, defense technologies or acting as diplomatic officer of UN humanitarian groups.”

Duff’s articles, it said, are published around the world and translated into a number of languages. It also said he is regularly on TV and radio as a popular and sometimes controversial guest.

In his article the man himself claimed he is “known in Nigeria as a national security specialist with decades of experience there.” He also claimed to “have close personal friends at the highest levels of government” and that he was writing his piece out of “deep concern” for the country.

The authenticity of his international banking and counter-insurgency credentials and the genuineness of his concern for Nigeria may be open to question, but he certainly lived up to his billing as a controversial pundit in his 2,754 word article in question.

Consider, for instance, his claim that “the security of the presidency and the entire nation has been greatly compromised by the activities of certain individuals very close to the presidency.” Or that “the issues of government by settlement which had long plagued Nigeria are the orders of the day now where certain individuals are asking for colossal sums of money from certain security consultants to provide training and security equipment to the government.” Or that “one individual in particular has been known to collect huge sums of money from these outfits currently parading themselves as security consultants in Abuja.”

Deriving from these and other even more controversial claims, Duff concluded with apparent certitude that “There are no interests to control the activities of Boko Haram because of the vested interests of certain foreign governments in collision with their agents in the present administration and the country. To some in government, this is another tool to control certain individuals.”

“The terror group, Boko Haram,” he said, was real. But in its current formation, it was, he said, “a proxy of outside powers who plan to balkanise Nigeria, simply another domino to fall as have so many others...Nigeria is Africa, the most populace country, the most oil and gas wealth, the greatest economic potential, the biggest potential market. Thus, Nigeria is a target.”

“Christian Nigeria,” he said, “is being set up, not just to fight a ‘terror group’ in the North but to take on all of Islamic Africa, to draw them into a war that will bring more players, America, for one, into another endless cesspool.”

Without doubt many people would contest the man’s claims and contest his conclusions perhaps even more so. And they may have good grounds for doing so. However, before dismissing him as yet another fanciful grand conspiracy theorist, consider the following facts.

First, fast rewind to the 1967 mass killing of Igbos in the North which followed the 1966 Igbo led coup in which virtually the country’s top political and military leadership of the region’s extraction was wiped out. As we all know the massacre of Igbos eventually led to our three-year civil war which ended in 1970.

For the first time since the civil war, Mr Charles Sharp, the expatriate first managing director of New Nigerian, was able to reveal what really triggered the Igbo massacre in an article published in the newspaper’s edition of January 20, 2003 and which I once made reference to on these pages. Entitled “The story that got away,” it revealed the hidden hand of the Americans in manipulating the events that lead to the civil war.

Sharp’s story deserves being told again and again for the lesson it holds on the futility and even the foolishness of relying on outsiders to the extent we do to resolve our differences.

“At the end of May (1967),” he said in the

People and Politics By MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Playing dangerous politics with Boko Haram

•The late Yusuf

article, “there was serious outbreaks of violence throughout the region and the general atmosphere of fear and distrust was not helped by radio reports from Cotonou of the killing

by Ibos of a large number of Hausas. I checked with government sources and all they would say was that ‘reports have been received.’

Eventually, I was informed the Cotonou reports had been confirmed by ‘a (the American CIA) monitoring service in Nigeria,’ which I took to mean the one in Kaduna. (Its head) John Thorne’s response to my inquiries was a non-committal ‘Sorry, old man, but it is something we cannot divulge to the media.’

“The Cotonou reports became a critical factor when the causes of the riots and, ultimately, the civil war came to be discussed. In the meantime the New Nigerian came out with another issue that set the country talking. An issue with four blank pages, but more about that later. Not until years later did I find myself in a position to state unequivocally the rumours were unsubstantiated. Indeed, there were no Cotonou reports.

“How am I so sure? Because the man who created and used his skill and profes sional expertise to spread the rumour told me so. ‘It was fiction, put out by us, nothing more.

There were no riots, no deaths in Cotonou.’ So declared the former head of the Kaduna monitoring bureau chief, my old friend, John Thorpe.” harp’s encounter with Thorne took place, Sharp said, in 1978 during his visit to the US with his wife to study the latest trend in the kind of newspaper production technology that had been pioneered by the New Nigerian in the late sixties, and also to visit friends. One of them, he said, was Thorpe and his wife, then living in retirement in Florida.

It was during the visit, Sharp said, that his old friend revealed to him for the first time that the main purpose of the Kaduna monitoring station was to bug and monitor important people and institutions in Nigeria, including foreign embassies. And it succeeded in doing so beyond its expectations.

As proof, Thorne, said Sharp, played back a tape for him in which he heard his own voice clearly speaking on the telephone to the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, then executive chairman of Daily Times, on how he intended to respond to the orders he had received from the military authorities in Lagos, then the nation’s capital, that his newspaper should

S

not publish stories about the Igbo massacre out of fears that it could escalate tensions. Jose had told him he had received the same orders as a result of which, he said, he had had to pulp 50,000 copies of the Sunday Times which had carried the “offending” story.

“I listened to the whole recording in stunned silence,” Sharp said, “recalling every word of (the) conversation 12 years previously in which I told the Daily Times chief that it was my intention to put out a paper that conformed to the letter (of) the Federal Government’s instructions. There would be no reports or comments, no pictures, just four blank pages containing only a simple explanation explaining that we had been forbidden to refer to the editorial content that would otherwise have occupied the blank pages.

Babatunde said it was a brave idea and he would consider doing the same.”

The import of Sharp’s story is too obvious to need elaboration. Suffice it to say with friends like Thorpe and his principals who needed any enemies?

Now fast forward to 2005. According to an article entitled “Is Nigeria the Next Iraq?’ in the February 2007 issue of Vanity Fair, the glossy American lifestyle magazine, by its contributing editor, Sebastian Junger, on October 23,2005, a group of “high-ranking” American government officials met in the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington DC., to respond to a simulated crisis in the global oil supply.

The event, Junger said, was called “Oil ShockWave” and it was organised by public-interest groups concerned with energy policy and national security. Among the group gathered at the prestigious hotel, Unger said, were two former heads of the CIA, the president of the Council on Foreign Policy and a former member of Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The scenario they were handed, he said, was this: “Civil conflict breaks out in northern Nigeria – an area rife with Islamic militancy and religious violence – and the Nigerian army is forced to intervene. The situation deteriorates, and international oil companies decide to end operations in the oil rich Niger Delta, resulting in the loss of 800,000 barrels a day on the world market.”

This loss, Unger noted, would be too critical for the US to ignore not only because of its size but also because Nigeria’s oil is “light sweet crude,” meaning it requires “very little” refining.

“Because Nigerian oil is so vital to the American economy,” Unger pointed out, “President Bush’s State Department declared in 2002 that...it was considered a ‘a strategic national interest.’

That essentially meant that the president could send in the US military to protect our access to it.”

In the light of all this, it is not difficult to imagine what response our privileged little group gathered at Four Seasons to look at the scenario of a violence-torn Nigeria would have recommended to the American authorities.

Junger wrote his lengthy article after a visit to the Niger Delta in which he met with its militants after he’d secured a right of passage from Gbomo Jomo, the controversial spokesperson of MEND, the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, the violent militia group which ruled the waves in the region until recently.

Now fast forward still to last month. In its edi-

‘Some dark forces in and out of this country, it seems, are playing dangerous politics with religion which few Nigerians will ever understand’

tion of December 2, Thisday, among other newspapers, played up a 28-page bi-partisan report by the US Congress committee on Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism. Among other things, the report fingered Boko Haram as a potential danger to America’s access to Nigeria’s oil.

The report claimed that “recent reports indicate that Nigerian security agencies were searching for Boko Haram members who had allegedly sneaked into the South.”

The report noted that whereas the region’s militias had been “hesitant to inflict truly crippling damage against these facilities because they have some economic stake in them, Boko Haram, which is believed to have no financial interest in the plants, has no such reservations.”

“Given the vulnerability of the Niger Delta oil facilities and the potential powder keg of multiple militant factions squaring off against each other,” the report said, “Boko Haram’s infiltration into this area should be closely monitored by the US and its allies.” embers of Boko Haram, the report claimed, were being trained by alQaida in the Magrib and has been forging ties with the Somali Islamic militia, alShabaab. This evolution of Boko Haram, concluded the report, “illustrates it is a group with fast growing ambitions,” and therefore “it is important for the US Intelligence Community to stay ahead of Boko Haram to thwart a potential attack against the (American) homeland.”

The import of the combination of this report, Charles Sharp’s article in the New Nigerian and that of Junger in Vanity Fair is that it is not far-fetched to conclude, as Junger did in his own piece, that Nigeria is being set up by some forces outside as the next Iraq.

And it seems this set-up is with more than a little help from our politicians and possibly our security forces, if Gordon Duff whose article I quoted from at the beginning of this article, is to be believed.

But even if you don’t believe him you will find it hard to explain why it was that on no less than two occasions Muhammed Yusuf, the leader of Boko Haram, slain in the aftermath of its crushing by the military in 2009, was bailed from detention, not by a Muslim, but

by Professor Jerry Gana who needs no introduction in this country, and probably abroad, as a prominent Christian.

You will also find it hard, if not impossible, to explain why President Goodluck Jonathan would appoint the sister-in-law of Senator Ali Modu Sherrif, former two term governor of Borno State, home of Boko Haram, as not just any minister but that of state in Finance. Yet Modu Sherriff belonged to the opposition ANPP and consistently leading bona fide leaders of Boko Haram have fingered him as its main financier, at least initially.

Again, you will find it hard to explain why only Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume is being prosecuted as an associate of Boko Haram when the former governor also stood denounced by Umar Sanda Ali Konduga, aka Usman alZawahiri, government’s supposed plant in the sect.

You will also find it hard to understand why suddenly so many armed robbery incidents in the country, especially in the North East, now begin with attacks on buildings of our uniformed services shouting Allahu Akbar (God is great). ast Monday at the opening of the North ern Peace Conference organised by the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Senate President, David Mark, queried leaders of the region for what he said was their silence on Boko Haram.

“Are we afraid,” he asked among so many queries he raised, “to openly condemn Boko Haram either for political reasons or out of fear of possible attack by the sect?”

The Senate president is (please pardon the swear word) damned right that politics and fear, but much less so the latter, is behind the seeming silence of the North on Boko Haram.

Some dark forces in and out of this country, it seems, are playing dangerous politics with religion which few Nigerians will ever understand. And only a foolish, man will condemn or, for that matter, praise, what he does not understand.

I said as much on these pages on August 18, last year. Since then the game has only become even more dangerous

M

L

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO